m_findlow

Title: A gift horse
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters/Pairings: Jack, Ianto, Rhiannon, Johnny
Word Count: 500 words
Rating: PG
Notes: Written for Challenge 23 - Cave at anythingdrabble
Summary: Ianto's generosity is not going to plan.

'I'm not signing it,' Rhiannon said.

'Yes, you are,' Ianto insisted.

'You can't make me.'

'Wanna bet?'

She turned to face Jack, brown eyes blazing. 'Tell him I'm not going to sit here and be bullied like this.'

'Bullied?' Ianto laughed. 'You've got to be joking. Tell her how ridiculous she's being.'

Jack groaned, running a hand down his face. How had he gotten dragged into this? It had all started off so innocently, just a regular night at Rhiannon's house for dinner. He'd known what was coming next as Ianto pulled out the title and set it on the table, asking Rhiannon to sign it.

She hadn't taken the news quite as well as Ianto had hoped, finding out that he'd bought her a house with all the money he'd saved. He'd told Jack that he was sick of them living in this crappy house on the estate. Why should he and Jack have a nice house in a nice neighborhood whilst his family rotted away in this hell hole? Jack has simply replied that it was his money to do with as he pleased. It was such a Ianto thing to do that he didn't argue at all. He'd been feeding his own family money for years.

If he was expecting shock from his sister, he'd ticked that box. It was the gushing and grateful reactions that were somewhat lacking. Jack didn't think for a second that Rhi wasn't grateful, but it was a matter of pride. She and Johnny worked hard to give their kids the best they could manage with what little they had. She didn't want handouts and she wouldn't suffer charity, though.

'You can stop looking at me like that, Ianto,' she said. 'I'm not signing the title. It's yours.'

'Fine. Then maybe I'll just have someone come round here and change the locks.'

'You'd kick your own family out of their home?'

'You have a new home. And a hell of a lot nicer than this dump.'

'It's my dump!'

Oi... Jack wanted to knock their heads together. Talk about stubborn. Neither of them were going to cave in at this rate. He wouldn't have put it past Ianto to change the locks.

'Maybe we should think about this, Rhi,' Johnny said.

'You stay out of it,' she barked.

'Yes, God forbid Johnny might have something sensible to contribute,' Ianto snapped back.

'I won't be beholden to you, Ianto.'

'You won't be. It's a gift. No strings attached. Just sign the damn title!'

'No!'

'Guys! 'Jack yelled. 'Enough. What if you paid for it, Rhiannon?'

'Come on, Jack. You know we can't afford a place like that.'

'Make it a long term loan. A hundred year mortgage. Interest free. Ianto and I aren't going anywhere for a long while. Plenty of time for you to pay it off.'

Rhiannon sighed. 'I might be able to live with that.'

'Amazing what you'll do for Jack,' Ianto complained.

'Quit while you're ahead, Ianto,' Jack warned.