The Jones household is lovely if you're looking at it from the outside. A lovely shade of green coats the house, giving away the image of a family that's got itself together. That all changes, however, as soon as you step inside. One step and you feel a chill run over you. Nothing's as it should be. Sure, it's completely spotless, almost to the point of slipping on the floor if you aren't careful and watch where you're stepping. No, that's not what's being talked about here. Not by a long shot. What's being mentioned is the overall atmosphere of the house. You can be completely by yourself in a room and still feel very uncomfortable. Ianto Jones, the youngest of the lot, knows this feeling all too well.
He's currently seated on the only couch the house has to offer, hands clasped together in a way that gives away what his face and body posture refuse to. Nerves. He's nervous, almost to the point of being so unlike himself that he's unrecognizable. The man seated across from him eyes him with a look that doesn't help that feeling in Ianto's stomach. The news that's been delivered to the father a few minutes prior to this, rather unnecessary, staring contest has left him in a state of shock. Not that a passerby could tell one way or another. His father has a way of masking his shock so that he looks... indifferent. It's annoying.
"Say something," Ianto suddenly blurts out against his better judgment. His father takes another few more moments to stare, nothing in that expression changing, before he clears his throat
"You're getting.... married."
Something in his father's expression darkens and Ianto finds himself straightening his position on the couch. He's never liked that look but it's a different time now. He's a grown adult. He doesn't need to be afraid of the expressions his father makes.
"And... I'd like you to be there."
Ianto's been expecting that reply. He hadn't expected what happened next. One minute it's quiet, the next there's a vase flying at the young man's head. Ianto's able to dodge it just in the nick of time. He doesn't cringe when the vase collides with the wall. What else would happen? The couch is now covered in glass so, in order to avoid any injuries, he gets off it and settles for standing for the remainder of this conversation. His father's on his feet now and there's no questioning what he's feeling.
"I raised you to be a holy man, Ianto Jones." The volume of his voice raises with every word. "I DID THE BEST I COULD WITH YOU AND RHIANNON!" Before Ianto has time to think of what to say next he finds himself pushed against the wall beside the couch, a hand on his throat making it extremely difficult for him to breathe.
"Your sister turned out alright, didn't she? Got a husband and two kids of her own. Kids she HAD, NOT KIDS SHE HAD TO ADOPT! I thought that's what you wanted too, Ianto." With a sneer he kicks out Ianto's feet, causing the young man to land on the floor on his side.
"This CAPTAIN of yours' infected you with a disease, y'know." Ianto's eyes are closed. He's getting flashbacks to those younger years, the years he's tried so hard to block out. But he isn't crying. He doesn't cry. What's bubbling inside him is anger.
"You go have your little 'wedding', lil' Jonesy. Don't come whinin' to me when you've got some kinda problem." His father's on his knees now, right at Ianto's side. A hand grabs the back of his neck and squeezes. Ianto lets the tiniest squeak escape before opening his eyes. He lifts his head and stares his father down, no blinking involved. He never blinks in this sorta situation.
"I tried," he hisses, his expression distant. Cold.
"Don't try again," his father hisses back. Ianto's face is smashed into the floor.
The world around him goes back.
When he wakes again he's in his bed at his flat. Peter and Xavier sit at the foot of the bed, watching him expectantly. The look in their eyes say About time you woke up. There's sudden movement from the space next to him and he turns to see Jack leaning on an elbow, eyes sparkling with a happy grin on his face. Ianto manages a weak grin back.
"A few hours without coffee had Owen going out of his mind. Told Tosh to track you down."
""S'not creepy at all." An odd feeling starts in the pit of his stomach. "What about my father?"
Jack's eyes darken. "Told him he'd better expect a visit from me within the next week or so."
"Ianto, we're not arguing about this."
"I don't want you doing anything you know you're gonna regret somewhere down the road."
"Not gonna come to that."
"Ianto Jones, will you allow me the opportunity to serenade you in front of your father?"
"Oh my god." Ianto groans and covers his face with his hands. Behind those hands, however, lies a smile no one's ever seen him wear.
