15
"Life is for living, not worrying about"
Ton carried the box of decorations through the kitchen and Ianto glanced up, "Put that one in the living room love, we will sort that one later."
"Tad?"
Hmmmm?"
"Why is it called the Living Room?" Ton asked "We live in other parts of the house too, right?"
"Once upon a time the front Parlour was called the living room. When someone died they would be placed there in their coffin for viewing and people to pay respects. During that time it would be called the Death Room. After the funeral it would again be the Living Room" Ianto explained calmly, Ton nodding patiently as he listened. It made sense to him, the little coffins so sad on the big mayoral table Dad was currently cutting into little pieces in the shed out back, Fen and Walt making pretty things from some of the wood for those families and the rest gonna be for a big bonfire or something. A new table in place.
"That's sad. But it makes sense, you live in the space where you are happy and loved, when you die you go back there for a while. I mean … I will come here right? You will sit by my coffin and sing to m and stuff?"
Ianto couldn't hide his horror, staggering back to grip the table then ease himself into a chair, "Carlton! Don't … no. Don't ask that. No. no. When you die … when you die I will too. It will have to be a big coffin to fit me too because I will want to go wherever you do!"
"Awwwwww, Tadda" Ton smiled softly walking over to throw his arms around him "It's OK. I won't go anywhere."
"You won't?" Ianto asked as he fought tears.
"No. I am gonna haunt the shit out of this place!" Ton said with the same droll expression. "turn lights on and off, make noises … move Babs' shoes so her pairs don't match. Lots of stuff."
Ianto snorted with mirth as he realised Ton had been looking for a game the entire time, Ianto falling into the trap of being too grownup to see it. Time to sort that out.
"Well … if you are going to haunt the place we will need to find some scary spots to haunt. Of course the attic since it's yours but … where else?" Ianto giggled softly "not the Throne Room surely! I can't go with ghosts watching me!"
"Hmmmmmmm. True. Ectoplasm might not mix with air freshener. That's what it's called, ghost mist … ectoplasm." Ton explained with a loving pat to Ianto's' shoulder "Come on, I will have a look and tell where the safe places to hide when I go nuts on full moons and things."
"Full moons?" Ianto giggled as he was led away.
He had forgotten but Ton was there to remind him.
Life was for living.