15
The drive home was silent.
Jack wasn't sure who was angrier, Ianto or CJ.
CJ had his arms folded as he glared out the window and Ianto's face showed the sorrow of his actions.
It had been a lovely trip, everyone had been getting along famously. Then Ianto goes and puts his foot in it.
Well, it was RJ who started it, talking about the movies. When Tarn's parents had realised CJ and Tarn had gone together they commented how nice it was for friends to share good times like that. The RJ had said innocently, "But they are boyfriends. Of course they would date."
The outrage of the father was met by the impenetrable wall of Ianto Harkness-Jones who not only bore down on the man like he had just run over their dog but proceeded to give him a good talking to about equality in the modern age.
Jack had tried several times to derail the temper tantrum but Ianto had his sights firmly set on the hapless bigot who learned the hard way that a "Nancy boy" can be a dangerous thing.
His challenging Ianto to a duel was perhaps a bit stupid, but not ducking when Ianto told him he was about to punch him was just pure insanity.
Now we have silence.
Tarn was in tears as they drove away, his mother and father fighting loudly and bitterly.
Jack took another look at his husband and saw a lip wobble.
The SUV pulled over and Jack slammed it into park as he fought with his seatbelt. Ianto was in his arms within moments and he sobbed softly as Jack soothed him.
"All I could hear was me Da" Ianto hiccupped and Jack rubbed his back soothingly.
"I never wanted to be like him" Ianto rubbed his face on Jack's chest, "I never wanted to throw my baby to the wolves and then I show that I am the biggest wolf in sheep's clothing of them all!"
"Wow" Jack said softly, "That's a lot of metaphors all at once baby."
"Did you see that poor boy's face" Ianto rubbed at his eyes with the heels of his hands, "The bastard didn't even know him, did he? How can you not know your son's heart? I thought it was a father's most important job to make sure their child grows up happy."
"Oh baby" Jack soothed some more.
"Oh CJ" Ianto looked between the seats with shame, "I'm so sorry baby. I'm such a twat and you have every right to hate me!"
"I don't hate you Tad" CJ sighed with a perfect eye roll, "I hate that man. Tarn told me he was a prick but I … sorry minions. I said a bad word."
"That man was horrible!" RJ said as she clutched her plush pony to her chest.
"He'll be sorry" SJ said softly as he played with his miniature cars.
"SJ" Ianto felt fingers of dread clutching at his balls. "What did you do?"
"Nothing!" he pouted back but Ianto saw the eyes slide to RJ in silent warning.
"Baby girl?" Ianto smiled and she smiled back.
"SJ let his tyres down with a stick" she covered her mouth with the plush pony and giggled.
"Oh God" Ianto groaned as Jack laughed.
"Jesus Jack, she's taking after you more each day!"