m_findlow

Title: Time to sparkle
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters/Pairings: Jack, Ianto
Word Count: 500 words
Rating: PG
Notes: Written for badly_knitted's prompt "Ianto Jones, Christmas Fairy" (sorry I only managed one of your prompts!)
Summary: Charitable work sometimes requires a lot of sacrifice.

'This wasn't what I agreed to,' Ianto complained, staring at his reflection in the mirror. He'd been more than happy to dress up as Santa, donning the fat suit and the beard, but this was all too much.

'I'm sorry, okay?' Jack said. 'The hospital decided that they wanted everything to be non-denominational this year.'

'Oh, but calling it Christmas is okay? That's not denominational?'

'We live in a PC world these days, Ianto,' Jack replied.

Ianto didn't bother to verbalise his thoughts on where political correctness could go and shove itself. He was all for community volunteering and inclusiveness, but this was beginning to test the limits of his considerable patience and goodwill.

Jack went to hand him the rest of his costume and Ianto took a step back.

'Come on, Ianto. It's for the kids. Just remember that.'

'But... Christmas fairies? There's no such thing.'

'Ianto!' Jack exclaimed, clapping madly.

'What are you doing?'

'You just killed a fairy by saying you didn't believe. I was bringing it back to life.'

'God help us,' Ianto muttered.

The silvery costume that had replaced the jolly red man left more than a little to be desired. He supposed he should just be grateful it wasn't pink and glittery. Instead it was silver and white, more of a tunic and stockings, though the shoes were just as embarrassing, all sparkly and curly toed. He felt camper than a drag queen at Mardi Gras. And now as if that wasn't bad enough, Jack was holding out his wings to put on.

'You do mine and I'll do yours.'

'How come you look okay wearing this ridiculous outfit, but I just look like someone the police would arrest?'

'It's all about the attitude, Ianto. A smile is the best accessory for any wardrobe.'

He stared back at his reflection again as he began tying Jack's wings in place. Yes, perhaps that was what was missing. Jack was all bouncy and smiles, a perfect little Christmas Fairy. Ianto just felt like a disgruntled, unemployed actor who played minor roles in stupid television commercials.

'No wand?' he asked.

'Gets in the way of handing out presents.'

'Of course it does. Silly me.' He looked at himself in the mirror again. God he looked like such a twat.

Jack wrapped an arm around him, holding his phone out in front of him. 'Smile, Ianto.'

'Don't you dare take that photo,' Ianto warned him, but it was too late. Now there was evidence. He only hoped none of his friends or family ever caught sight of it. He'd never live it down.

'All ready?' Jack said.

He looked down at the curly toed shoes again. It's for charity, it's for charity, he repeated.

'Don't leave the house without that smile!' Jack yelled, disappearing down the hall in a flurry of glittery wings.

Ianto sighed. Next year he was volunteering them for a local soup kitchen. At least they wouldn't required him to dress up for the occasion.