10

"What are you doing?"

Ianto spun from the closet he was emersed in with a squeal of shock, turning it into a giggle to mask the horror of his father discovering him puling clothes out. He took a deep breath and decided it was time to show that he could lie like a motherfucker too.

"The new threads are coming… so expensive and so decadent. The tour will be epic. But I have no space. I have been so lax… I know you told me so many times, but I was so silly, wrapped up in the studio. I have to get this in order and make room. There are some things in here I have worn more than once and the last thing we need is for the bloody paparazzi to suggest I am low on funds or something… they are already saying this tour is a money-making exercise… but you said it was not making me that much. IT was for the fans… right?" Ianto kept talking as he spun back to lift another suit from the rack "So… some of this is going into storage… the expensive stuff. The other stuff can go to a charity shop so someone else might get something out of it. I aim to free at least one of the four closets so the new things are not bunched in and become wrinkly."

Ifan stood there staring at the man, then back at the bed strewn with clothes. "That jacket was a favourite. You said it reminded you of your mother."

"I know… too old and washed up now. Silly. I don't need a jacket to remember her. I have your love and care, the gorgeous photos everywhere… her laugh and her mannerisms are already showing in Mimi. Silly to dwell. Mama is not likely to come back now, is she. So… I need to grow up and stop living in the past. Oh my god. Look… I used to love these boots." Ianto swung back with his favourite Doc Martins and laughed, flinging them into the room "Too heavy for the stage."

"Well… well done" Ifan said lamely, then stepped back as Jack entered the room with moving boxes, glancing at Ifan as he placed them down.

"These what you want?"

Ianto appeared from the frills and sequins he was pushing along to stay behind "Oh yes. Lovely. Look, I know you think I am nuts, but I refuse to place my clothing in garbage bags like a common cur just to drop off at the op shop. Sorry… I will fold and place everything so it can be hung out and priced. No scrunching!"

"You are so bossy" Jack laughed "Wow. These Docs look old."

"Yeah… wore them a lot in my late teens. Going for the slick James Dean look… I think I wore those on an album cover actually… black muscle T… a rain machine…. God. I forgot about that. A moody album that was." Ianto disappeared again.

"But you're over your moods?" Jack asked as he carefully placed some sweaters that had been stacked on the bed, like Ifan was not still there.

"I am going to be positive. No more Moody Melvin!"

Jack stated to laugh "Moody Melvin… where the fuck did that come from?"

"I don't know. A cartoon somewhere? I don't know. Nervous Nellie, Moody Melvin. Right?"

"I don't know Ianto. Sometimes I think you are a little bit twisted in the head bit" Jack said while closing the box and writing on it with the marker from the bed.

"Oh man. I found some books… God. These are old… you think I need to put them in a box too? I might want to…"

"Ianto. You know the rules we agreed to!" Jack scolded gently, now onto the game "If you've not used it in the last two years… it goes. You don't need it! Decluttering is good for the soul!"

Ianto lovingly placed the books from his mother in the box, adding the photo albums and such he had hidden in the back of the closet from his father, then added some of the cashmere sweaters he loved so much, then on top placed some of the silk PJs he also loved but was too scared to wear around his father.

Jack appeared through the clothing, saw the box being closed and seized it "What do I write on this one pimple popper?"

"OI!" Ianto slapped at him and Jack laughed. Ianto considered "Books and bits."

"Right… I will load this lot into the car downstairs, this is all for the off?" Jack asked.

"Yes, the things I want in storage as they are too expensive of unique to flick off will be left over there on the Otterman" Ianto pointed in the direction of the large Otterman where several suits were carefully laid.

"Right… so we don't mix up the keeps and goes. Good idea Tiger" Jack said distractedly, then he remembered Ifan and added "I can drop them off after I get rid of these boxes. I know you will want them laid on the back seat like lovers."

"Stop being crass about my lovely threads" Ianto yelled and then giggled, going back to covertly packing things he wanted to keep… in his new world he was about to enter. Everything he was packing would be waiting for him.

And Jack diligently took each box to the car to help move them to their safe house while Ifan watched on none the wiser.

As much as his heart pounded… Ianto was enjoying this.

He had no idea he had this much strength.

He just had to hang on.

.

…..

Loki wanted to add …

qa W-=[AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}P)

I think it is a cry for more treats… or souls.