Torchwood: Fanfic: Looking your best

[m_findlow]

Title: Looking your best
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters: Jack, Ianto
Author: m_findlow
Rating: PG
Length: 777 words
Content notes: none
Author notes: Written for m_findlow's prompt "Any, any, make-up isn't going to be able to fix that" at fic_promptly
Summary: Ianto's plans for the evening are marred by the rift

'Ouch,' Ianto winced as Jack set the damp cloth against the cut again, trying to wash away the remaining blood that had dried there.

'I know,' Jack said, trying to be sympathetic and as gentle as possible. 'At least it doesn't need stitches,' he added, being grateful that the claws hadn't come any closer before he'd stunned the creature with his gun. It was currently downstairs sedated whilst the rest of the team ran their usual gammit of tests and research whenever something new and unidentified came through the rift.

'The girls are going to kill us if we're late,' Jack said.

'We've still got time,' Ianto replied. 'They're not getting picked up by the limo until five. It's only three now. Plenty of time for us to get ready. Plus, I don't fancy going home until five minutes before they're ready to go.'

'Agreed,' Jack said, knowing what utter chaos was likely be happening. The girls had been fretting over the debutante ball for weeks. Today was the big day and it would be a mad house as they were rushing from hairdresser to make-up artist, before returning home to don their gowns and tie their corsages. Everything had to be just perfect, and nothing either Jack or Ianto could say would convince them that they were beautiful no matter what. They'd taken their own tuxedoes to work, knowing that Torchwood had a habit of derailing plans and messing up schedules. They could be dressed in less than ten minutes if need be, and home in fifteen, ready to escort the two loveliest ladies in their life to their big event.

'All done,' Jack said, setting the cloth aside.

Ianto leaned forward and peered into the mirror. The gash was still bright red and sat very prominently over his right eye. He fingered it gently. 'How good do you think this make-up artist is that we hired for the girls?'

Jack sat down next to him and hugged him. 'I hate to say it, babe, but make-up isn't going to be able to fix that.'

Damn. They really were going to kill him. All the photos would be ruined because he just had to insist on going out to the scene with the rest of the team. He'd done it to make sure Jack got back in time. Now it was him who was going to be the one putting a dent in their plans.

'They're going to hate me for ruining their special night.'

'No, they won't,' Jack replied. There had never been three kids more understanding about what their parents did for a living. 'They'll just be happy to have you there in one piece.'

Jack intended on sitting them both down before they got a look at their dad's latest injury, explaining to them just how close he'd come to having more than his head sliced open. Maybe it would take their minds off the panic of their debut and focus it where it belonged. He was less worried about Eleri than he was Sian, who had a tendency to be a bit of a drama queen. Ianto was constantly reminding Jack that she inherited that particular quality from him.

Ianto leaned against Jack, staring dejectedly at his reflection. 'Just one night where we can all pretend to be a perfectly normal family. Is that too much to ask?'

Jack kissed his cheek and hugged him tighter. 'You put that tuxedo on and everyone will forget all about that little cut. You'll be the sexiest dad on the dance floor. I don't know how you plan on topping that.'

Ianto chuckled. 'Still have to compete for that title,' he said, nudging Jack.

'Not for me,' Jack replied. 'Nobody carries off a suit like you do. Though I may have to get some make-up done myself. I think I spotted a new wrinkle yesterday.'

'Well, we can't have that. The girls will go ballistic, then,' he joked.

They'd still be the youngest looking fathers there by a decade at least, Ianto even more so than Jack. One day, in the not too distant future, his gorgeous girls were going to look as old as him. People might mistake him for their brother instead of their father. And then they'd outgrow him altogether, starting families all their own. No matter how old they got though, in his mind they'd always be daddy's little princesses. He supposed normal was indeed too much to ask. Just for tonight though, he would still be their father, no matter how he looked. Him and Jack. It wasn't normal by any stretch, but he wouldn't have it any other way.

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[bk_forever]

It has to be hard being immortal and having mortal children.