14

"I don't think it's broken" Owen said for the third time as he pulled Ianto's finger and mimed a fart. Ianto trying not to giggle as his father paced nearby, unaware of the mirth at the bedside.

"The Tour is in less than a month. Will he be able to play?" Ifan demanded.

"Well… if we keep him quiet, have a couple of days off the piano… don't look at me like that young man… I did not run over your puppy… and hydrate. The swelling should come down and he will regain some feeling within… maybe 12 hours? Look… we can get him to the hospital, make a bit show and dance about it, x-rays and such but Jack is right. Those jackals outside the gates would have all sorts of storied up by tomorrow, none of them flattering" Owen said, glancing at his watch which told him there was another hour before the paperwork could not be lodged before the courts.

Just gotta hold on until 3pm.

"Where is my phone?" Ifan asked suddenly noticing the lack of it, turning in a slow circle. As if summoned, a staff member slammed into the room and told him that Rhiannon was frantically trying to ring him.

The phone turned doff in Jack's pocket was clearly not taking any calls right now.

Ianto's eyes slid to Jack and Jack mouthed Plan B so Ianto knew they had changed tempo and he nodded to show he knew what was happening, so he amped up accordingly.

"Right. Rhiannon. Go on Da. Go on, I am sure she heard thought one of her spies here and is now about to pull you away from me when I need you the most" he let his voice break on the last word, a little sob, then "She had everything and is still jealous of how much you love me. Go on. Show her you love her more…leave me. I have Jack. I mean… not like I chopped it off. I am only in pain, scared and needing you too. God. She is such a bitch."

Ianto threw himself against the pillows and wailed, really giving in to the pain and grief he usually hid, the tears rolling down his cheeks making Jack's heart ache. This was not an act; Ianto was letting his years of neglect out. God, Jack had to stop himself from comforting him as Ifan stood there confused and torn.

"Yell her I will call her Later" he finally said, stepping back over to the bed to gather Ianto in his arms "Come on Teddy Bear, it's not like that. You know I love you. She is just… needy. And you always put her first too… come on. I am sorry… stop that. Your eyes will get all puffy and I will have to call you Panda Bear… come on little man."

Ianto let his father hold him, this moment of affection so rare and so bittersweet that in order to get it he had to almost really hurt himself. Ianto closed his eyes and counted in his head, knowing they now had about half an hour to kill.

"I'm sorry Da. That's not fair of me to act like this" Ianto finally said softly "I know you love me. You only ever care for me and I am so ungrateful."

Ifan sighed, his hand rubbing Ianto's shoulders "It's OK. It's a lot of stress leading up to the tour, I know you are worried and nervous. I do. I am sorry, I have been distracted lately and I thought Jake was doing OK in my stead."

"Da. Jack is my bodyguard. He does not love me, he likes his paycheck" Ianto said, feeling like a traitor saying it even as Jack had assured him it was the right play to make if Plan B as on the go "I need you. Mama gone… Rhiannon so mean… you are my only true friend."

"Oh… don't say that" Ifan sighed, trying to hide his annoyance as Ianto clung to him like a fucking child.

The countdown continued.

Jack felt the phone ping and checked it.

'Plan B complete. Phase 2 initiated.'

Jack cleared his throat as he approached the bed "Maybe Owen should check the hand again, the swelling might be better now Tiger… yeah?"

Ianto looked at him and saw two fingers held up behind Ifan's back.

Phase 2.

Get out.

Ianto took a deep cleansing breath and nodded, "If Da thinks so."

"Yes, get him back in here!" Ifan demanded sitting back to run his hand through his hair "Let's get this done."

Owen entered and did the same puffing, poking and muttering then said "Come on. Try to make a fist."

Ianto made a weak attempt, the fingers curling slightly an Owen looked at Ifan with triumph "There ya go. See? A sprain at the most. Bruised muscles and overacting as per."

"Hey!" Ianto pouted.

Ifan slumped with relief, then sat on the edge of the bed and smiled "See? Nothing to worry about. You know… if you had bene unable to go ahead with the tour is was insured. It would have been OK. Of course if you had died it would be a lot more."

Ifan rose and Ianto's eyed found Jack's, their mutual shock filing the rom as Ifan continued "But you know… I can't exactly kill you off now, can I. The insurance payout is almost the entire fortune over again. God… what a payday that will be."

Ianto blinked slowly, then mounted 'Plan F' with emphasis.

Plan F.

Get me the fuck out of here.

Jack nodded, turning to Owen who also nodded.

"Right… come on. Let's get you out of that bed and outside for a walk so those long lenses can see you did not top yourself or something with me visiting" Owen said loudly and as the men left the room Ifan sat heavily on the bed and cursed.

What a fucking messy day.

And he still couldn't find his fucking phone.