Torchwood: Divergence
Book Two: Adferiad
Chapter 34
When Jack went to rouse his partner, he found the young Welshman already up, boot clad and in the ensuite washing his face. Ianto still looked a little pale, but seemed more relaxed and smiled at the older man as he finished drying his hands and got his shirt sleeves back in place before grabbing up his tie.
"You look better," Harkness murmured, smiling as well as he watched the twenty-six-year-old tie, tighten and perfectly straighten a half-Windsor knot without even glancing in the mirror. "Do you feel the same?"
"Definitely improved," Ianto nodded, pausing to touch the American on the cheek and give him a light kiss on his way to collect his jacket. "I hope my problems didn't ruin your afternoon."
"Nah," the Captain made a dismissive noise. "Actually, it was okay… I dodged paperwork because I didn't want to be in the office and disturb you, so I just sat on the couch and sort of rested while I watched the team do their thing. It was nice."
"I will always be more than happy to act as your excuse to avoid paperwork," Ianto promised with a fond smile. "And just as pleased to help you catch up on it later."
"My hero," the older man grinned, pulling his Archivist close for a quick hug and snuggle. "Hmm… for not having the advantage of fifty first century pheromones, you always smell wonderful. Good choice of aftershave, buddy."
"Umm… it's actually just me now, Jack," the Scieron Changeling breathed. "It's the aftershave and cologne I picked up from the department store, and used when I cleaned up and changed before we went to Thames House. It's not top shelf, but what I normally bought since the Water Hag thing, because you told me you like it. I think it got bonded to my skin somehow by my Shadows when they worked on me. And like you mentioned before, my hair grows out, but I haven't had to trim my sideburns or actually shave since they sent me back. I get a tiny touch of shadowing in the evening, but it's always gone by morning. Plus, I'm now lacking the majority of the hair on my body… chest, legs, arms, everywhere. Just a light scattering compared to before I died. Very weird, but not something I can explain."
"Well," Jack began quietly, giving his partner an affectionate squeeze. "Good choice regardless of when you actually put it on, because it's what I always remember when I think about being close to you. The lack of stubble is a huge plus, and though I do miss playing with the hair on your chest, there's still enough to make you my 'fuzzy bunny'. I like it."
He snuffled at the younger immortal's collar, then kissed and nibbled on the side of his neck just below his left ear, which got the Welshman to squirm and try to suppress a laugh.
"Come on, Barista Boy," Harkness chuckled, urging the forever twenty-six-year-old toward the door with a playful swat on the rear. "Your audience awaits."
They emerged from the office together, the rest of the team including Lois all gathered near the couch with their coats and other gear in neat piles on the low table. Gwen came over to where the pair stopped by the Christmas tree, wanting to be sure her friend was doing all right.
"I'm fine," Ianto reassured with a slight smile. "But I'll warn you now that I'll have my eyes closed when I sing. I can do much better when I don't see that I have an audience."
Cooper nodded and gently patted his cheek, then returned to the group by the couch as they all sat down. Jack moved to stand against the wall beside the others, used his Vortex Manipulator to dim the Hub lights so the only real illumination was from the tree just beyond the workstations where his partner stood.
Ianto closed his eyes and took a few deep relaxing breaths, standing straight and remembering the strange lessons Drew Powell had tortured him with years ago. Then he gave Gwen her carol, his voice strong, the notes rich and clear… just as the now deceased singer had taught him.
"Tawel nos dros y byd,
Sanctaidd nos gylch y crud;
Gwylion dirion yr oedd addfwyn ddau,
Baban Duw gyda'r llygaid bach cau,
Iesu, T'wysog ein hedd.
Sanctaidd nos gyda'i ser;
Mantell fwyn, cariad per
Mintai'r bugail yn dod i fwynhau
Baban Duw gyda'r llygaid bach cau,
Iesu, T'wysog ein hedd.
Tawel nos, Duw ei Hun
Ar y llawr gyda dyn;
Cerddi'r engyl, a'r Ne'n trugarhau;
Baban Duw gyda'r llygaid bach cau,
Iesu, T'wysog ein hedd."
There was near total silence in the Hub as his voice died away, only the soft hum of the Rift Manipulator making itself heard. Ianto opened his eyes to find his team mates all staring at him, the three women had tears on their faces and he saw Jack quickly wipe his eyes as well.
"That bad?" he asked nervously.
"That beautiful," Lois spoke up. "I didn't understand but about three words, but it was incredible. I had no idea you could sing like that… wow."
"Absolutely," Martha agreed. "Familiar tune, but I can tell the words are a bit different, even though I'm not fluent in Welsh by any means. That was fantastic, Ianto. Just sort of wrapped itself around my heart and tugged. Why are you working for Torchwood instead of in the recording studio?"
"Yes, the words are different from the English version you hear, but that's how I was taught by my Nain, so that's how I sing it," Ianto shrugged, now blushing slightly. "And I'm Torchwood, because there are dozens a hundred times better than I'll ever be, as well as the fact that I'd rather spend years in Hell under the Scieron's knives, than ever face an audience of strangers. Plus, I'm honestly more of the blues, hard rock or metal type if I'm not just messing about or doing the Holiday thing."
"Which means we all just got the ultimate Christmas present," Jack stated with a smile, his eyes telling the young Welshman how impressed and proud he was as he brought the lights back up part way and moved to join him once more. "So, Happy Holidays, kids. We'll see you on the 26th, no coming in for anything tomorrow… intruders will be fed to the winged watch-dog."
Everyone went about putting on coats and gathering up their other items bound for home, Ianto briefly retreating to the office. He was back by the tree beside Jack before the rest even realised he'd stepped away, smiled and bid them goodnight as the headed out the big cog-wheel door. Gwen was the last to leave, pausing to kiss and hug the Captain, then did the same with his partner.
"I've been dying to really hear you sing for years," she whispered in his ear. "It was beautiful, Ianto… just having you two back for the Holidays is bloody brilliant, and that carol made it perfect. Thank you."
"You're welcome," her young fellow-countryman smiled, handing her an envelope. "Found this when I was helping with paperwork earlier."
Cooper opened it and pulled out a second laminate ornament. The image was a CCTV capture from an angle she hadn't seen a couple of months ago when Jack and Ianto had been in the Boardroom watching the video from her wedding. The camera it came from had been near the big monitor screen they'd been looking at, and was a perfect shot of the pair; the Captain behind his lover, arms around the Welshman's lower chest so their hands could clasp, chin on his right shoulder, their heads tipped together as they chuckled over what was on the video. All traces to connect it to Torchwood had been edited out, leaving only a wonderfully candid, incredibly sweet picture of her two best friends.
"We thought that would be safe to show the baby," Jack smiled when the petite brunette threw her arms around Ianto again for a tight hug and solid kiss.
She turned to do the same with him, her green eyes bright with pleasure.
"You two are the best," Gwen insisted, safely stowing the re-enveloped ornament in her purse. "Enjoy your Holiday. I'll call tomorrow night and see if you want leftovers, yeah?"
"Give Rhys and Ebrill our love," Harkness nodded. "I hope your dad is feeling well enough to have you all over like you planned."
"Mam just intends to put him down for a nap with Eb," Cooper smiled as she moved toward the big main door. "Don't forget to turn back on the CCTV if you decide to indulge in a base-wide 'dabble'. Cheers!"
The former constable left with a wave, the Captain stepping over to put his arms around his partner from behind and kiss him on the side of the face.
"Alone at last," he murmured suggestively. "You feeling up to dinner?"
"Hmm…" Ianto made a small contemplative sound, relaxing in the older man's embrace. "I'd like a nice quiet meal here, and I'm thinking some of those meat pasties like you bought back before the Xhoquitt mission would be great. We could go grab a few, get a veg on the side if you want, maybe some hot cider if they have it, then come home and hole-up for the night."
"Sounds good," Jack agreed, giving his favourite Jones an extra tight squeeze before releasing him. "Let's get our coats and head out before they close. You know, they have excellent battered and fried green beans, and make dessert pasties in pumpkin or brandied fruit like Christmas pudding."
"I'll snag the SUV keys," the young Changeling smiled, trotting up into the office and returning with their coats as well as the promised key fob. "You can help me feed Myfanwy after dinner."
The pair exited through the cog-wheel door, looking forward to the evening ahead and silently praying the Rift would continue to hold its peace.
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Welsh bits:
Nain = Grandma
(Tawel nos/Silent night)
Silent night across the world
Holy night around the cradle
The loving pair tenderly watching
The son of God with little eyes shut
Jesus, Prince of our peace.
Holy night with its stars
Soft mantle, sweet love
The throng of shepherds come to adore
The son of God with little eyes shut
Jesus Prince of our peace.
Silent night, God himself
On the earth with man
The angels' songs, and Heaven's grace
The son of God with little eyes shut
Jesus Prince of our peace.
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AN: Ianto gave Gwen her carol as promised.
Hopefully the translation of the carol is correct… three sites gave me the same thing, so fingers crossed. (And I apologise if the spacing in the translation makes it hard to read, the site simply would not hold the formatting of the original document.)
Back to single chapters next time, but I will post both Saturday and Sunday for the New Year before going back to just Saturdays.
Thank you to those reading the story. And thank you to those who have followed, favourited, and reviewed. NM