Public Nudity

Standing by the side of the bus Ianto stood, trying to work out how the tyres stayed on the wheels. Jack was having a conversation with Scott the library bus driver as he got some books out. He knew the ones Jack had taken to be stamped and he was always amazed Jack chose the ones he was interested in. He made very sure he put back the ones he looked at carefully on the shelf so no one knew the ones he had been looking at. He knew no one was watching him because Scott was busy in the front and Jack was going through the books he wanted to take out for himself. So he knew that no one was looking. To make double sure he sat his legs crossed with his back to them. Yet every time Jack came out with exactly the books he had been looking at.

He saw a flutter and a butterfly, a big brown one, caught his attention. He followed its path with his eyes to a large stone building. He watched it as it disappeared into the large area around the stone building. It was a funny building, dark stones with arched windows which had broken up coloured pictures in them and a tall spikey bit on tip. He moved down the path and up the steps and saw the butterfly had come to rest on a stone slab. He looked around and saw there were loads of stone slabs.

It looked like huge garden, with wild flowers, long grass and short grass which he knew was mowed, because Jack mowed theirs with the mower; another thing he hated because it was too noisy. Jack had gotten him some ear muffs which helped a lot as he hid in their bedroom.

It was very sheltered there and with the sun on his back he felt warm as so he took off his coat and laid it carefully over the stone slap. He liked his new coat; it meant he could go out on cold days. The butterfly beat it's wings and a thought came to him as he realised this was a garden. Jack has said he could take his clothes off in the garden and the only way to chase butterflies was… He saw the butterfly launch itself. Deciding there was no time to waste he shed his clothes leaving them in a pile and moved forward his hands outstretched.

Chasing the butterfly he noticed there was another, following them he found they landed on a plant in a tall pretty hedge. The plant was covered with little golden eggs and he began to count them, then he saw several black fat caterpillars. He took a sharp intake of breath and clapped, jumping up and down. He was so excited he decided to do some running. He wanted to see how fast he could run around and in and out of the stone slabs, waving his arms to see if he could take off. It was a mystery how butterflies could fly but he couldn't because no matter how fast he ran or flapped his arms he stayed firmly on the ground. Jack had even helped him make some butterfly wings which he had pinned to the back of his jumper, but even that had not worked. Maybe he needed to run fast faster, faster and faster like a rocket…he took off.

"If you could get some more books on pigs that would be great Scott," Jack said as he picked up the books he had checked out.

"I've ordered breeds of pigs and made sure it has a lot of pictures along with several children's stories he should enjoy like 'Charlotte's Web," he told him.

"Thanks! See you in two weeks," Jack said. As he stepped outside he saw that Ianto was missing. He looked up the street; Ianto was not one to wander off it was the one thing Jack could rely on when they were out. He always waited for Jack just outside of the bus normally bent over looking at the large bus wheels which he found endlessly fascinating. But today he was nowhere to be seen.

"Ianto," he called out. "Ianto," he called out louder as Scott came out the bus.

"He's in the church yard," he said trying to keep a straight face as Jack stepped into the bus to get a higher view. As he looked across he handed the books he was holding to Scott. Racing down the path then up the steps and into the church yard he saw Ianto running about his arms out wide completely naked.

"Ianto," he called out as Ianto raced up to him his eyes all aglow.

"I found more butterflies," Ianto told him as he grabbed his hand and started to pull Jack along.

"Wonderful, but you need to get dressed," he told him as he glanced around to see where his clothes might be and saw his coat across one of the grave stones.

"The caterpillars are all black and the eggs are yellow and I counted seventeen," Ianto told him as he now began to pull Jack's hand in earnest.

"Clothes first," Jack told him firmly.

"Butterflies," Ianto replied stubbornly.

"We need to get you dressed," Jack said as he tried to pull him in the direction of his clothes.

"They are over here, there is this pretty plant with pink flowers and it has loads of butterflies, eight caterpillars and seventeen eggs."

"Yes butterflies first, get your priorities right," Jack heard a voice from behind him turning he saw several older ladies standing enjoying the view.

"Magnificent," one of them said.

"I'm going to attend these meetings more often if this is what's on offer as lunch time entertainment," another added as she fumbled to put her glasses on.

"I going to have sweet dreams tonight," a voice chirped in.

"Ianto," Jack said through his teeth in exasperation as he backtracked to find his clothes.

"That man's got a gorgeous bum. A bit thin, he needs feeding up," another voice chimed in as Ianto now bent over to check the plant with the butterflies.

"Poor man; look at the scars on his back," a voice tutted.

"Ladies," Jack said in passing with as much dignity as he could as Ianto now proceeded to pull him to the plant and show him every caterpillar and egg he had found.

Looking back Jack watched the ladies now all retire back into the church hall as he slowly helped Ianto dress; thankful Ianto had not seen them.

"Remember what I said Ianto, clothes off only in the garden," Jack told him.

"This is a garden. It has flowers grass, birds, trees, everything," Ianto told him. "And the only way to chase butterflies is with no clothes on," he added as if this made perfect sense.

"This is a sort of garden but it's not really a garden" Jack tried to explain as he helped Ianto do up his belt.

"I like it here. Can I come here next time and run around while you talk to Scott?" Ianto asked

"No!" Jack told him categorically. Ianto's face dropped.

"Not fair, I did as I was told, you said clothes off only in the garden," he said crossing his arms.

"Well I meant clothes off only in our garden," Jack told him, as Ianto looked crossly at the ground as Jack noted a tear fell down Ianto's face.

"I'm sorry, this was my fault, I should have made myself more clear," Jack said as he took Ianto into his arms.

"I was trying to be good," Ianto said. Jack stroked his back as he cried.

"I know you have been so good," Jack soothed. "A very good man, it's just taking your clothes off is special and should only been done in some places."

After a few moments Ianto looked up. "Kiss," he said. Jack kissed him on the lips.

"Let's go and get our books. I know there's one on pigs," Jack said. Ianto brightened as he took out a handkerchief and wiped Ianto's tears. "And on the way home, we can get something for Marigold. I'm sure Morag will have some stale bread we can buy," Jack added as Ianto gave a happy smile.

"Oh yes she loves stale bread, she's so greedy," Ianto said as they now disappeared from view.