28
It was Hammer's birthday. Eighteen. A milestone for anyone let along a youth offender who many thought was a lost cause… luckily not Mister Jones. And so, here they are two months from the end of the year long lockdown and it's his birthday.
And Ianto remembered. Of course, he did. Skippy might have forgotten but Ianto remembered. He even managed to bake a cake late at night while he and Jack shared nightshift. This was easy as they were only parodying an alien planet thing so Jack simply sat at the controls of the sensor station taking readings of the attmo outside, then walked the domes once an hour to make sure there was no breech. Only needed one person for that. Ianto could bake. And slap the hand of that night watchman as he sauntered through the kitchen area swiping samples. And Ianto's arse.
Letch.
OK… there were breaks of course… messy. Sexy and… you know chocolate icing is not always the best for… well… never mind. Anyhow… as I was saying … the party was underway.
Everyone was laughing as the dog took off with a piece of cake the kids not that concerned even as Owen raced after it, like a complete twat.
Things had settled into a comfortable late afternoon of food comas and soft talking to those not asleep on the floor like this was a child's party at school all discussed their tasks for the next day.
"I think we can have tomorrow off. Let's all go swimming" Ianto suddenly said "The fish are moved out pool two so we can clean out the main pool after the bloody dog got in there with the ducks who crapped everywhere. Why not have a swim and … well… a pool party, then the next day clean it all out and refill it."
"Party time… oh my god… can we have silly drinks?" Skippy asked, "Nonalcoholic of course."
"I have some of those little umbrellas ya know, I found them tidying up" Ianto agreed and they all cheered.
Jack fooled him to the other room and asked "What brought that on"
"Well, we are almost there and I know we are starting to feel antsy about it, maybe if we spend the last couple of months on a high note… positivity. This will make sure the exit interviews are positive too" Ianto shrugged.
"You're worried about Gwen's whinging" Jack guessed.
"Not just her. I know some of the press crew are really over the entire thing and I don't blame them. I think this might also be a good time to remind them that there is a nice big paycheck siting out there beyond the exit gates too" Ianto turned to smile as he stepped in close for a kiss.
"And what will you spend your money on sir?" Jack asked cuddling him with glee.
"Suits" Ianto shrugged, making Jack roar with mirth, then kiss his cheek.
"Come on lover… seriously."
"Already done. I am donating it to the family shelter. So many families out there without homes, the cold settling in and the kids need a bed for the night. Even if they are only allowed at each one for three nights a week, it means more bed, easier to move from one shelter to another and hopefully makes sure they are not sleeping in their cars, or worse… open air."
"You know you are a big softie at heart right?" Jack laughed as he kissed Ianto, gently swinging him around in a slow dance.
"Well, someone has to help them. I remember it myself, when Mama ran from Da and we were hiding from him for over a week. Sleeping rough with just a tarp over the back of the dumpster, secured on the back wall with bricks. We were so scared, and no one could help us. Da would find us."
"What happened in the end?"
"We went back to him because Rhiannon snuck off and called him, told him where we were as she hated the cold more than him and he came and dragged us home… well… mama. By her hair" Ianto sighed as he pulled back, hating to speak of such a thing "If I hadn't bene such a little boy, barely five years old… I would have had the guts to use the knife I tried to stab him with."
Jack was shocked but stepped forward to embrace him again.
"You know… we are sort of dancing" Ianto said as he burrowed his face in Jack's neck.
"With you Tiger… I could dance forever" Jack assured him "And if you ever find yourself under a bush in the darkness know I am going to be there with you trying to keep you warm."
"Silly man" Iant snorted as he hugged him tighter.
Now Jack felt a bit stink as he had come back here to try and cuddle and enjoy some time with Ianto and instead he had taken Ianto to a dark place and now the shine was gone from the day.
Damn it.