Slashthedrabble Challenge 599 - Half baked ideas

[m_findlow]

Title: Half baked ideas
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters: Ianto, Jack
Author: m_findlow
Rating: PG
Length: 500 words
Content notes: Set way off in a future verse.
Author notes: Written for Challenge 599 - Inspiration at slashthedrabble
Summary: Ianto is panicking about the big annual bakery product launch.

Jack was surprised to find Ianto coming home so late. Usually it was him coming home late, tethered to some project he was working on for the Shadow Proclamation. Whole hours could disappear without him realising until Ianto called to ask him if he planned on coming home for dinner or not.

'Did you have a late order to fill?' Jack asked, knowing that it wasn't unusual for locals to ask Ianto whip up something special at the last minute. He was always obliging since he knew most of the people in town and they similarly knew he wouldn't let them down. Plus, where else in this little backwater community on a planet in the middle of nowhere were they going to find the best cake shop this side of the Medusa Cascade?

What had started as a bit of a joke and a contribution to a local fete bake sale had become a full time occupation. There weren't many people who could wander down the local high street and not at least pause in front of the gleaming windows full of cakes and biscuits and convince themselves that no, they really didn't need a muffin to take with them. If course, Ianto's shop sold other things too. When he wasn't baking he was making jams and preserves from local fruit and spices or cordials and dried tea mixtures. The planet was abundant in strange fruits and flora that locals had taught him about. Jack had no idea when they'd settled here that it might be a long term stay, but they were now deeply entrenched in the close-knit rural splendour.

'I need help,' Ianto said, looking a little worried.

'What?' Jack rarely ever saw that expression anymore. Life was just too laid back and comfortable to get worked up about anything.

'I can't think of anything! The anniversary is next week and I'm completely lacking in inspiration as to what new thing to create to commemorate.'

Ah, so that was it. After five years running the shop it had become tradition for Ianto to invent a new recipe to celebrate - one which would be guaranteed to sell out immediately as townsfolk flocked to the shop. 'I'm sure you'll think of something.'

'Jack, I swear I've invented every recipe using every ingredient that has ever existed. I'm completely stumped. Everyone's going to be waiting for something amazing and I've got nothing.'

Jack gave him a reassuring hug. 'It'll be fine. Don't force it. Inspiration always strikes when you least expect it. I know you. You're always coming up with new goodies, it's just the pressure of it getting to you. Relax. Even if you don't create something new, people won't get upset. They already love everything else you make.'

Ianto sighed. 'You're probably right. I've just spent all day wracking my brain and it's got me panicked.'

'Don't be. I'll cook dinner and maybe that will spark your imagination.'

Ianto smirked. 'Spag bol muffins? Don't think that will catch on.'