20

'The Best Things in Life Are Free'

Ianto was watering the garden, humming softly as he tried to remember what the song was that was currently stuck in his head. Ton had been singing it earlier and he finally got it.

"The best things in life are free, but you can give them to the birds and bees" Ianto sang.

"I want money!" Ton joined in "that's what I want, That's what I want!"

"Where did you get that one from?" Ianto snorted.

"Heather was playing it. She has funny music." Ton grinned, "her mama told her to lower it so Heather took the player, then put it on the floor, then yelled that it was lower. Haahahahahaa"

Ianto watched Ton laugh, his hands on his hip in Harness pose and his head tipped back as he revelled in having a friend that was clearly not part of his Taddy's fold.

"So. Money, huh"

"Not really, it's just a song. She gave me something better" Ton said as he reached into the top pocket of his overalls he had on today, removing a bright green feather. "Look!"

"Wow, that's a fluffy one" Ianto agreed.

"The left ones are hugs, the right ones are kisses. Gotta be at least a million there" Ton examined the feather carefully, "She made it specially."

"Did she?" Ianto smiled as he turned to water another patch, "That was nice of her."

"She blew kisses to it all night" Ton agreed "and she said each time she gives someone a hug it will automatically come here, she asked in a wish for it to be so. Isn't' that nice? Sharing something so …so … expensive."

"Yes love"

"I need a box. A nice glittery one. Can we get one next time we are in town?" Ton asked, "I will whisper happy thoughts in it all week then give it to her. Now her ears are better she might hear them if she opens the lid carefully."

Ianto loved his little man's brain and he leaned in to kiss him gently, "How about I finish this and we go for a ride into the city, look for a special one. Maybe I need one for Daddy, whisper some loves into it so when he is away from me and bangs a finger or something he can hold the box and remember I would kiss it better if I could. A small one for his pocket?"

"Exactly" Ton nodded, "A red one for Daddy. I think a yellow one for Heather. She likes yellow at the moment."

"You are a lovely man" Ianto gushed happily, "to notice her colour change."

"Friends do that" Ton agreed as he accepted a kiss from his Taddy.

He might want a box for those too.

To keep for himself.