Anythingdrabble Challenge 178 - Free as a bird

[m_findlow]

Title: Free as a bird
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters/Pairings: Jack, Ianto
Word Count: 500 words
Rating: PG.
Notes: Written for Challenge 178 - Graceful at anythingdrabble
Summary: Jack has his reservations about Ianto's proposal.


'What's on your mind, Ianto Jones? Jack asked. He was desperate to know absolutely everything that went on inside that head dressed in its perfectly pressed suits.

Since coming on board, Jack had been delighted to have someone whose sole focus seemed to be getting Torchwood in the sort of ship shape condition Jack had only ever dreamed it could be. Desiring that outcome and being inclined to make it happen however were two different things. As an agenda item on his list of priorities, it just never made the cut. Owen and Suzie could question and naysay all they liked, but it was turning out that the ex Torchwood One employee was a rather useful string to have added to their bow.

'I was just thinking about Myfanwy, sir.'

'Okay,' Jack said, wondering where this was heading.

'We haven't really considered letting her out at all.'

'You wanna let her loose?'

'Not as in permanently,' he quickly clarified. 'Just a chance to stretch her wings. There's not a lot of room for that in here and we haven't really thought about the consequences of leaving her cooped up in the hub long term.'

'Oh, I think we've seen, and smelled, some of the consequences,' Jack replied, grateful at least that he wasn't the one having to deal with the inevitable after effect of feeding a large animal. Bad enough when it deposited right outside his office door, though she had been getting better at not leaving him presents, it must be said. Who knew you could toilet train a pterodactyl. 'You don't think she's not just going to fly off and do whatever he pleases if we let her out?'

'Three square meals a day and a soft, dry place to sleep at night says otherwise.'

Ianto had a point. If she really wasn't happy here, Jack would be getting gifts several times a day. 'Okay, but if she does a runner, I'm making you responsible for recapturing her.'

By nightfall, Ianto had it all planned out, proposing to release her via the long access tunnel that emptied out near the abandoned Bute Docks. He also had a large bucket of fish with him, ready to tempt her back with food if needed. Jack of course accompanied him. Ultimately he was still responsible after all.

It was almost like she knew, Jack mused as she tottered down the tunnel and finally took flight out into the open night sky. The two of them stood there and watched something neither of them had ever seen before.

'For a prehistoric lizard, she really is quite graceful,' Ianto observed, watching in awe as she glided and swooped, teasing them by missing them by mere feet, before flapping skyward again. The look on Ianto's face was one of pure joy. Myfanwy didn't seem to be entertaining any thoughts of escape.

'She is that,' Jack had to agree, brushing his hair from his face from the downdraft she created. 'Who needs a dog, huh?'