Tongue Twister

His hands behind his head stretched out on the warm sand Jack lay allowing the sound of the small waves and gentle hush of the wind to wash over him. Taking in a deep breath he let out a gentle growl of contentment. He could not recall the last time he had felt so relaxed or at peace.

They had found this sheltered spot on their third visit to the harbour. Ianto had become unsettled at the activity. Too many people, tourists mostly, and he had led Ianto along the seashore until they had come to this beach. The angle of the bay meant it was protected from the almost constant wind and was a suntrap. It was perfect; there were not many things that were perfect in this world but this was one of them. It was a small curved bay, which contained every element that was essential for a perfect beach. On the left side the cliffs began to build which was a feature of the western side of the Island. A sharp outcrop of rock had eroded and when the tide retreated it exposed a number of rock pools of varying depths. There was a narrow edge of sand dunes followed by a wide band of white sand, the bay sloped out so that the waves just rolled in gently.

He smiled to himself as he recalled their first time here and he was grateful that for once Ianto had taken to something in an instant. He had looked around then settled on the sand. To begin with they had just sat enjoying the view and then with hesitant steps he had begun to explore. It was not until their third visit that Ianto had been persuaded to take a paddle. Holding Jack's hand they had made their way to the water's edge. The water had been freezing as diminutive waves just lapped over their feet until they went bright pink. Ianto so starved of simple experiences like this revelled in every aspect, from watching as the tide crept in and out, to playing in the sand and searching about in the rock pools

Now every Tuesday and Thursday if the weather was good they made their way there. It was a respite no matter how short that allowed Jack to recharge a little. He could lay back; take in the sun knowing Ianto was completely safe and occupied. He felt a warm sensation grow filling his being almost as bright as the sun. When was the last time he had felt this happy…he thought back over the past months. Looking after Ianto, months of trying to find the perfect place, all the bureaucratic fuckery about getting the permits to alter the house, builders, preparing Ianto, the stress of the move and now they had settled within a tiny slice of heaven.

This Island was heaven. The team had scoured the entire United Kingdom for this place. The house itself had been a mission. He had seen and rejected so many, mostly because of location. Finally they had found the house in such a state for disrepair the state of it suggested no maintenance has been done on it for twenty years and for some reason no one had explained to him why the current owner had removed all the internal downstairs walls leaving the floor above sagging. He had hesitated because it would need so much work, delaying their leaving the institute even longer but then…he had gone online and knew they had found the place he was looking for.

The Island had an old fashioned feel about it, a great community which had not lost its own traditions and a proud people with a sense of what counted and were prepared to fight to keep it that way. He hoped over time the locals would forgive the toes he had to tread on to get things done. It had certainly helped that he had used only local builders and bought everything he needed through the agencies here as he renovated and furnished the house. He understood their concerns; they had complete distrust and hatred, if that was not too strong a word, for people who used the Island only for holidays, visiting only a few times a year. Interlopers who left an empty house robbing the Island of the true population it needed to thrive. He loved the deep sense of community here and was determined to get as involved as they could; they were going to be here for a long time. Another feeling came to him, a surprising one as he mused...one of community he had lived on the edge for so long being here with Ianto was something new. Belonging, when he last time he had belonged? He smiled… it had been on another beach a long time ago…

Putting the small spade aside Ianto lay down in the long hole he was digging and wiggled; nope, still not deep enough. He moved back onto his knees and kept working. He felt his tummy turn over in excitement, he loved this game but the hole was not big enough; his feet needed somewhere to go or Jack would see his knees. As he removed several more spades' full of sand he practiced words; "She sells shells on she sells shore, she sells shells, shore, sells sea shells on the sea shore," he repeated out loud; it was a tongue twister and he loved tongue twisters. 'Even the words tongue twister was a tongue twister.' He laughed out loud as he lay down and measured the hole again. Nope, still not long or deep enough. He looked up to see Jack lying on his back taking in the sun. As he returned to his digging he looked down and a shell caught his eye. He brushed off the sand and ran his fingers over the shape. Pulling himself out the hole he took the shell and stood beside the sandcastles he had made earlier deciding which one he would put it on.

He had made them using the bucket and spade Jack had bought for him at Morag's shop; it was bright blue with a yellow handle and the spade was red. You filled the bucket with sand then tuned it over and you had a sandcastle. He had made loads; they were all together near his hole. He loved making sandcastles and he made some every time they came here. This time he had covered them in the shells he found. Shells were so pretty, he had collected so many he had filled the bucket then he had lined them all up in order of size. He started at the smallest and he worked his way to the biggest. There was widest, smoothest and roughest as well. Some in the middle and some in bits. Putting things in order that's what he liked. Tiny to extra-large. He loved it when Jack helped find the words for him, it really helped and later he found he could use the words, from tiny, mighty to massive, gigantic, and huge to explain things. Then he forgot and Jack started all over again. He looked at Jack; he loved how he had Jack, instead of being all lonely and scared. Now he had Jack and they had the garden and the bigger garden in the village and the bus with the wheels, Morag's shop, Marigold, butterflies and home.

He looked around. This was their special place because he could just have fun. Lots of fun without having to worry that he had to do things in order as a way of preventing the bad things from happening. It was very special because whenever he was here he had flashes of happy memories. They were of two people who had played with him making sandcastles and paddling in the water. He had no idea who they were, there was man and a lady and every time he came here he remembered them. Remembering them was special because they made him feel safe.

He made his choice and placed the shell on the top of the biggest sandcastle. He hadn't used his bucket for this one except on the very top. Jack had helped him pile of loads of sand and put shells all over it and seaweed. Best things about sandcastles came last when he would smash them down with his feet. He smiled to himself; he loved smashing sandcastles with his feet. Once flattened he could start all over again and make different ones and smash them and never get into any trouble. Looking around he saw the tide was coming in. He raced back to the hole, better hurry or his hole would fill with water like a bath, not a nice bath all warm water and bubbles but cold and nasty.

Jumping back in he dug some more then tested it for size again. At last his feet fitted and he lay down.

"Where is Ianto?" he shouted out then went completely still as he listened.

"Ianto, Ianto where are you?" Jack said opened his eyes lifted his chin and looked about.

"On no, I can't find Ianto, where can he be?" Standing he now walked about calling out.

Ianto heard footsteps coming nearer. "Where is he? He's disappeared." Ianto saw a foot and he put his hand over his mouth to hold in the giggle he felt taking him over.

"Naughty rascal he was here a moment ago digging a hole," he heard Jack say as he stood there, his foot right by the hole. Glancing down he could see Ianto was holding both hands over his mouth, shaking with laughter, his eyes open wide.

"Maybe he is gone swimming with the seals, naughty man." Ianto found the laugh escaped as he listened to Jack searching about and huffing.

"I've warned him those seals are up to no good they are only here for the fish and if he's not careful they might think he was an extra big fish and gobble him all up."

Ianto glanced up to see Jack by the water's edge. Jack called out again using exaggerated movements as he looked about; from the howls of laughter from behind him he was playing the game just right.

"I know where he is," Jack stated, "I bet he's over by the sand dunes." He walked back to where he had been laying down.

"Nope he's not here," disappointment in his voice ringing out.

"I've got it! He's run off with those blasted seagulls. I know he's been practicing trying to fly," looking into the sky his hand shielding his eyes. "I can't see him flying about," he turned and Ianto popped his head up.

"I'm over here," Ianto shouted lifting his head slightly in Jack's direction.

"That came from over there," Jack said walking away from Ianto's voice as he heard another laugh. "Wait till I get hold of him, I give him such a sorting out," Jack warned as Ianto suddenly popped up.

"I'm here," he said trying to speak but laughing so hard he struggled to get the words out.

"There you are! I've been looking for you everywhere."

"I was right here all along," Ianto told him gleefully.

"Hiding! You were hiding, how could you hide so well?" Jack narrowed his eyes.

"I dug a hole, a great big hole," Ianto told him.

"Wow that is some hole," Jack congratulated him.

"I can fit my whole body in," he proudly demonstrated by laying down his arms straight by his sides.

"That is one mighty hole; I think it's your best one yet."

"Later the sea will come and fill it all up," he told him "but it won't be all nice like a warm bath because the water will be all cold." Jack put out his hand and pulled Ianto up.

"You have dug a wonderful hole, look how deep it is," putting his arm around Ianto.

"I know," proudly nodding. Jack went back to where he had been sitting and started to pack up. Ianto joined him picking up the bucket and looking in.

"I better put the crab back," Ianto said as Jack peered into the bucket to see a small crab Ianto had found earlier huddled at the bottom.

"Yes better put it back," he added as he saw Ianto walk towards the rock pools with great care not to spill any of the water. After what seemed an age as he chose a pool then gently tipped the contents out.

"Only one more thing to do," Ianto said as he re-joined him. Taking a running leap he jumped, landing on top of the biggest sandcastle. Jumping up and down he demolished each and every one.

"Done." he said grinning as Jack handed him his backpack and they made their way back towards the harbour.

"When we get home I really need a sorting out," Ianto added.

"Hiding like that you rascal. I am going to give you a long hot bath, and then I am going to tickle you all over." Ianto skipped ahead as they turned the corner.