Fffc Bingo Card - Tea for three

[m_findlow]

Title: Tea for three 
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters: Ianto, Jack, Mica, David 
Author: m_findlow
Rating: PG
Length: 1,000 words
Content notes: none 
Author notes: Written for Bingo Card Prompt 85 - Rescue at fffc
Summary: Ianto is worried that Jack needs saving from the clutches of a tiny niece. 

David ran through the door and all the way up the stairs, his feet thudding on every step as he raced for his bedroom and the Xbox that had been abandoned in favour of outdoor sports for at least a short while. Ianto knew it wouldn't last. Kids were addicted to video games these days. 

He hung up his coat, wondering why he'd bothered taking it. He hadn't needed it, getting warm from the physical exertion in minutes. The football under his arm he left neatly next to the row of shoes by the door. 

It was hard to accentuate an interest in playing football when most of the time he turned up at their house in his work clothes. A three piece suit was not for kicking around a football at the park, even if Ianto's three piece suits often ended up seeing a whole lot more action in the line of duty than that on an almost daily basis. A few grass strains and a little sweat was nothing compared to the blood and slime they usually bore. 

For years he'd been touted as boring Uncle Ianto, who came by once in a blue moon and handed out money. Now he came by every other week, often with Jack and they'd become uncles that the kids actually wanted to hang out with. Today he'd made the extra effort of wearing something more casual so that when he suggested a kick around the park David didn't just think he was paying lip service. It was nice to do the kind of running around that didn't involve his life being in jeopardy. 

The found two trees roughly spaced apart to act as goals and spent a solid half hour trying to get the ball past one another. Then two of David's mates turned up and it was game on. He'd assumed David would want to team up with him but he seemed to be more interested in beating his uncle than having him in his corner, able to muscle out a few kids who were a full two feet shorter than he was. He'd let David win but only just. If Jack had been here there'd be no such accommodating, but he'd stayed at the house with Mica. 

The house was strangely quiet considering Jack was usually a ball of energy, and much better placed to keep up with kids than Ianto was. The living room was empty so they weren't watching a movie and the kitchen was equally devoid of people.

The back door slammed and a tiny blonde girl came in. She barely stopped for breath as she noticed him blocking her path down the hall. 'Uncle Ianto, do you know where the vase is?' 

'Vase?' 

She thrust her fist towards him. 'For the flowers I picked, so that we can put them on the table with our tea. Uncle Jack says every fancy table has to have flowers.' 

'I'll go look for it,' he promised her. 'Where is Uncle Jack?' He expected Jack to be close on her heels as she came in from the back yard, where she'd found the straggly looking posies. 

'Upstairs. Arnold Bear is helping him get ready.' 

He took in the state of his niece, all wrapped up in beads and scarves and shoes too big for her. The phrase “getting ready” didn't bode well for Jack. He took the flowers from her. 'Okay, you go wash your hands and I'll go find a vase.' 

She scampered off as he set the bunch on the counter, instead heading for the first floor bedroom. He found Jack in Mica’s room, surrounded by her growing collection of teddies and dolls, most of which had come from her uncles having spoiled their niece and nephew silly. Presents made up for regularly canceled visits. 

'Are you okay?' Ianto asked, more than a little surprised by Jack's appearance. 'You look like you might need rescuing.' 

'Who me?' Jack asked fluttering outrageous fake purple eyelashes, stuck somewhat crookedly on his lids which gave him a slight crazed appearance, not helped by the rouge and lurid lipstick. Added to that was the glitter fuelled pink nail polish, done rather more accurately than the rest of it. 'We're just having fun with the box of dress up stuff. There's some good stuff in here. It's just a pity those thigh high boots are about three sizes too small for me. Won't you join us? We're just about to have high tea with all the teddies and dolls.' He gave a flick of the bright yellow feather boa, tossing it back over his shoulder with a flair that was unmistakably Jack. 'Although your current look might need some adjusting before you're presentable. It's a very exclusive club.' 

Ianto rolled his eyes at his lover. He should have known that Jack would be right at home covered in makeup and ladies clothes, having pretend tea and sandwiches with his niece. Ianto knew for certain he couldn't have done it. Football with David was one thing, having to make polite social conversations with an eight year old was a different matter. 

He folded his arms and leaned against the doorway. 'How about I at least make you something real you can both have for afternoon tea?' He didn't think his sister would have enough supplies for crustless egg salad sandwiches but there would be bread and a jar of Nutella. He could do with a snack himself and David was a ravenous kid at the best of times. He wasn't sure David would be up for hanging out with his little sister, but suddenly a spot of tea and something to eat felt very appealing, even if he had to suffer through the pair of them dressing him up. 

'You can paint the nails if you must, but don't even think about attacking my face.' If they started pulling out the makeup kit, there was going to be nobody left to rescue him!