I know, I know I said Monday but the ending for this kept on getting re-written. In the end, the fluff won out, as Im saving all the angst for my other story *evil giggle*

'Dad, do I have to wear this?' Ianto fiddled with his tie, the small Windsor knot almost choking him as he tried to catch his breath. He didn't know why he had to get so dressed up for, it was only Lyn's sixth birthday party. Since that first day the two of them had made their steps into the new world, the two had become almost inseparable; they played together, they ate lunch together, they even found out that they lived close together, a five minute walk separating them. If Ianto wasn't at home, he could always be found in Mrs Evans' back garden, bouncing away on their trampoline with Lyn. The same could be said for the little girl, who would come round from time to time and play with Ianto in the park not far from their house. It was a simple life those two lead and Ivor Jones wouldn't change that for the world.

'Come on, my little milwr,' Ivor said as he loosened his son's tie. He ruffled Ianto's hair and smiled as the young boy giggled in response. 'You want to look your best for Lyn's party, don't you?' Ivor almost burst out laughing at the little boy in front of him, holding onto a brightly wrapped present and squirming on the spot the way Ianto always did when he was embarrassed. The little boy's cheeks shot from pale to deep red in a matter of seconds as he fiddled with the bow on top of the gift he knew Lyn would like; Ianto had seen it in a shop window when he was out with his dad and, although it cost more than his pocket money and he promised he would pay his father back, Ivor took his son into the shop and gleamed with paternal pride as his son handed over the money to the shop owner in exchange for the little gift his son carried along the high street in a plastic bag all the way home.

'Oh, my little boy off to a birthday party,' Phyliss Jones sighed contently as she reached for her camera and took a picture of her little child in his attire, which consisted of a black suit, a white shirt and a little red tie that was quickly becoming undone if Ianto kept fiddling with it. Ivor just stared at his wife, still uncertain as to why she was so intent in capturing everything on that bloody camera of hers.

'Dad, we go now, please?' Ianto drew the attention of his father back to him as he looked up at him with large blue eyes. Patting his son lightly on the back, he kissed Phyliss goodbye as he left the house with his son, making sure Ianto wore his coat in the chilly November air. Ianto complained he would be too hot in it, but his father knew that he would moan as soon as they left if he didn't have it.

The two of them walked down the road towards Lyn's house, which would no doubt be covered with balloons and streamers. Ivor had learnt that Charlotte Evans loved to show off, hopefully showing herself off as someone who was above the estate she was forced to live in. Ivor Jones almost hated her for that, but then who was he to pass judgement when he told Ianto he was a master tailor when he was actually a member of the men's department in Debenhams. Thing was, Ianto would learn one day that was all a lie, whereas Lyn would always be forced to believe she was stuck in a grubby council estate that was beneath her.

'Dad,' Ianto started, drawing Ivor Jones out of his thoughts. 'You really think Lyn will like her present?' The pout the little boy gave his father almost broke his heart; Ianto had been so excited when he had found the perfect gift for Lyn, talking about it day and night and checking every five minute that it was still in the cupboard in the living room. Ivor Jones wasn't certain how to take his son's question, so he slowed his pace and bent down to gain Ianto's eye level.

'What makes you think that, Ianto?' He could see the little boy squirm in embarrassment, continuously trying to keep his eyes away from his father.

'What if she doesn't like it?' Ianto's bottom lip began to stick out as he scuffed his shoes on the pavement underneath him. 'I want Lyn to have the bestest birthday and...' the little boy stopped in mid-sentence and clarity finally washed over Ivor. His little boy was having his first crush. He should have seen it earlier, the way Lyn and Ianto would always run off hand in hand, the way Ianto would share the cookie he got Rhiannon to swipe from the jar with the little girl. It was all falling into place now; his little milwr was worried she might not like her gift and then forget about Ianto. Giving a small chuckle, he placed a hand on his son's shoulder.

'I'm sure she's going to love it,' Ivor said as Ianto's eyes finally met with his. 'Anything you give her I'm sure she'll think is the best gift she got, because you're her best friend.' He smiled as Ianto's face lit up at his father's words. Giving a small sound of joy, he held onto Ivor's hand and practically dragged him to the front door, completely covered with an array of brightly coloured balloons and banners.

*****

'Yan,' the little brightly coloured hurricane yelled as she threw herself out from behind the front door. She was about to fling herself into his arms when a small box wrapped neatly in pink, Lyn's favourite colour, was practically shoved under her nose. 'Oooh, prezzie.' She clapped her hands together as she stared at the gift in wonder.

'Happy Birthday, Lyn.' Ianto mumbled as he turned his own shade of pink, smiling as he saw his friend's face light up. He watched as the little girl ripped apart the wrapping and opened the box. Her eyes grew twice their size as she looked down at the small silver locket gleaming against the black lining of the box. She looked up at her friend with the biggest grin Ianto had ever seen.

'I love it,' Lyn squeaked as she drew her friend into a massive hug. 'Thank you,' she muttered in his ear before taking hold of his hand and dragging him inside, much to the amusement of Ivor Jones, who stood just on the driveway as he watched the interaction between the two children. He smiled and slowly turned to head back home, the joy in his heart at seeing that small scene of true friendship had warmed his heart.

*****

It was fair to say that Charlotte Evans had pulled out all of the stops to celebrate her only child's birthday; a small bouncy castle was placed in one corner of the garden, whilst an over-enthusiastic clown made balloon animals to entertain the kids long enough until Charlotte had prepared the buffet just right. The children ran around the garden whilst mothers sat around the edge, a low alcoholic drink in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Charlotte didn't agree with that, but her ego was too inflated to let the parents leave and not see her masterpiece of a children's birthday party.

Everyone was enjoying themselves; everyone that was, except Lyn.

Ianto had become engrossed in the clown's antics, not with giddy childish joy, but with thoughts of why some adult should be playing about and acting like a right idiot. However, that didn't stop him seeing Lyn walking frantically around the bouncy castle and then flee into her Wendy house. Curiosity got the better of him and so he picked himself off of the floor and headed for the entirely pink plastic house. He went through the door and saw Lyn sat on the floor, hugging her little legs to her chest and crying her eyes out.

'Lyn, what's wrong?' The little boy walked up to his friend and couldn't help but feel sad himself. He wanted to know why his friend was so upset...and what he could do to make it better.

'Yan...I...I'm sorry,' Lyn managed to say before she broke down in a fresh wave of tears. Ianto took off his little suit jacket and draped it over Lyn's shoulders. He had seen his dad do it when the family had gone out and mum forgot her coat. It always made mum feel better, so the logical side of his little brain put two and two together.

'Why?' Ianto couldn't understand; what had she to be sorry about?

'I...I lost it...I didn't mean to.' The little girl sniffed as she dried her eyes on her sleeve. 'I was on the bouncy castle and it fell off. Mum said she was sure it was on...I didn't want to lose it.' The little boy knew instantly what she meant.

'Don't be a big silly,' Ianto tried to encourage Lyn to laugh as he gave her one last hug. 'Can't have gone, not really. We find it. I find it for you.' He smiled at his friend and was startled when Lyn pressed a sloppy but heartfelt kiss to his cheek. He was frozen on the spot for a few seconds before his brain finally kicked in and he squirmed in embarrassment.

'Love you, Yan.' That only made Ianto turn a darker shade of pink as the little girl laughed at her friend's reaction. Lyn dried her eyes as Ianto led her out of the Wendy house as they headed towards the bouncy castle. After looking around twice and gaining the help from Ms Price, the young single mother from down the road, the missing locket was finally found, much to the delight of one little girl.

After that, everyone, including Lyn, continued to enjoy themselves at the fanciest party the estate had seen in years.