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littledoglaughedEleven drabbles written for ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
tw100 challenge #90, "Beatles song titles" and put here for archiving purposes. I've arranged them so that the three more serious ones are first and the lighter ones come after.
Title: Kittens and Fairies
Characters: Estelle, Moses
Beatles song title: "Leave My Kitten Alone"
Rating: G
Notes: Spoilers for 1x05 "Small Worlds."
The only time Estelle became angry with the fairies was when they began harassing her new kitten.
Naturally friendly, curious and bold, Moses took to hiding and hissing at her. Suspicious, Estelle finally witnessed grasses whipping and branches being flung at him, and she stood at the garden's edge and demanded the fairies go away. But when she found rose petals at her feet, she repented; her beautiful creatures had come so close.
A sudden pang of loneliness made her think of Jack. She should call. But young people were always so busy... no time for kittens and fairies.
Title: Party of Four
Characters: Jack, Gwen, Ianto, Rhys
Beatles song title: "You're Going to Lose That Girl"
Notes: rated PG, set post-"Exit Wounds"
As self-appointed morale officer, Gwen insists they celebrate Toshiko's birthday by going out. Three rounds of drinks later, she suggests a picture - Tosh would approve. When Ianto objects to being photographed, Gwen wrestles him back into his chair and sits on him. Jack's water is spilled, and they both splutter, tangled together in laughter.
Jack watches, feeling he's already looking at the photograph of this moment, centuries later. When they pose for Rhys with the camera, Jack places a hand on each of their shoulders, trying to memorize their warmth and life. How much longer will he have them?
Title: In Spite of All the Danger
Characters: Rhys/Gwen
Beatles song title: "In Spite of All the Danger"
Notes: rated PG, set after 2x04 "Meat"
Summary: When the adrenaline dies down, Rhys reflects.
"He's okay, that's what matters," Gwen soothes Rhys, a hand cupped on his face.
But it's hard to forget the thunderous second when he saw what was happening, knew the child would die. Of all he's seen around Torchwood, that moment is the worst—and the best. Because he and Gwen were there, the child survived.
He gets the exhilaration, the danger keeping that fire in Gwen's eyes. Without it, she wouldn't be her. As long as she keeps returning to him at the end of the day, Rhys will be here.
But children? He begins to understand her fears.
Title: Late Night Email
Characters: Jack, Ianto
Beatles song title: "I Am the Walrus"
Rating/warnings: rated G, no spoilers
Summary: "The time has come," the Walrus said...
Subject: We need to talk tomorrow
From: Jack Harkness
To: Ianto Jones
Re: Random stuff, just look at the list
1. Boots wearing out, apparently the trade of cobbling has gone extinct - help?
2. Harbourmaster killed last night by boiling - there might be some alien cargo on newest boat
3. Licking envelopes won't kill you. Those old wax seals are attractive, but messy.
4. Next time we order Chinese, no cabbage for me - bad results if you know what I mean
5. Just found out something about William and Harry. I owe you ten pounds.
Title: Me and My Monkey I
Characters: Owen and team
Beatles song title: "Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey"
Notes: rated PG, no spoilers
Jack thought a lab monkey was a bad idea. Owen insisted that the experiment was safe and only a primate would serve—unless any of the staff wanted to volunteer...
So it was embarrassing when the monkey began refusing to eat. Two days of dung inspection later, Owen discovered why.
"Who's been feeding my monkey?" he demanded of the team. He got four "Not me"s, an uncomfortable cough, and a distinct absence of eye contact.
"Just so we're clear," Owen said, "everybody here is a big fat liar. Except me. Me and my bleeding monkey."
Title: Me and My Monkey II
Characters: Ianto
Beatles song title: "Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey"
Notes: rated PG, no spoilers
Ianto lowered the weevil to the ground and leaned against the grimy alley wall for a breather. Someone in a net top and leopard stilettos was watching him from a doorway.
"Looks like your friend's had a rough night, love."
"Djiboutian Bipedal Orangutan. Escaped from the circus last week."
"Good you dressed your monkey then, if the rest of him looks like his face, poor bugger."
Ianto doubted she really believed him, but the ladies and gentlemen in this neighborhood wouldn't risk telling tales. Their secrets wouldn't save or end the world, but everybody had something to hide.
Title: Happiness Is a Warm Gun
Characters: Owen, Jack
Beatles song title: "Happiness is a Warm Gun"
Notes: rated PG13 for metaphor, set pre-series
It starts as a lump of cold metal, clumsy, more likely to kill Owen himself than anything. Then Jack suggests he think of it as an instrument, an extension of his body.
Jack molds himself against Owen, speaks in his ear, helping him relax, let the weight in his hand balance itself against the spring in his joints. He guides Owen's hand to the trigger, now warm, until Owen can gauge its receptiveness with the stroke of a fingertip.
Owen releases his breath slowly as they aim, time stops, the trigger gives, and—pop—he pocks the target with surgical precision.
Title: Enjoy Being a Girl (With a Gun)
Characters: Alice Guppy
Beatles song title: "Ain't She Sweet"
Notes: rated PG, character introduced in 2x12 "Fragments"
Alice smiled sweetly as she pushed the weapon against the man's ribs. The expression of disbelief she received always pleased her. Ladies did not use phantasmagoric weapons to persuade shopkeepers.
"Now, Mr. Harwood, you have certain artefacts on your premises. Kindly show me them." No response.
"Are you familiar with the term 'viscera,' sir? No? I assure you, you will not enjoy the lesson this weapon can teach."
Trembling, he fumbled for a key.
Alice's heart swelled. It was fine to serve Her Majesty; better be a woman; best of all to play with the Rift's debris.
Title: Aphrodesiac
Characters: Myfanwy, Ianto, Gwen, Owen
Beatles song title: "Cayenne"
Notes: rated PG, no spoilers
"I may have put peppers in her sauce."
"What?"
"She seemed listless."
"Well, now she's hyperactive, thank you, Owen."
They watched the dance below them for a moment.
"She does look happy," Gwen admitted.
Owen smirked. "Happier than Ianto, anyway."
Trying to get past, Ianto had already lost two waistcoat buttons to the playfully nipping beak. He feinted and reversed, but Myfanwy caught him, squawking and drawing him close with a dexterous wing.
"Owen, has her crest thingy always been that... red?"
"No idea."
"Does the Hub have a fire suppression system? I think she needs a cold shower right now."
Title: This Moment to Arise
Characters: Team
Beatles song title: "Blackbird"
Notes: rated G, set just after 2x04 "Meat." There is a legend that St. Kevin allowed a blackbird to nest in his hand and didn't disturb the nest until the chicks flew away. I almost want to call this drabble "What Would Sarah Jane Do?" :)
The invisible lift lowered and five faces gathered round. On the paving stone were three crystalline, football-sized eggs glinting like jewels in the Hub's dim light.
"Cold storage until we identify them?" Ianto prompted.
"No--" Gwen touched Jack's arm, "they're somebody's babies. She might return for them."
"--with her ferocious teeth and toxic spittle, perhaps?"
Owen spoke quietly. "It would be nice to save something for a change, Jack."
Jack met his eyes.
"Okay. We'll need foolproof containment and surveillance, but the lift is theirs until they hatch. As for Mom... if anybody invents a Toxic Spittleguard, drinks on me."
Title: Do It in the Road
Characters: Gwen/Owen
Beatles song title: "Why Don't We Do It in the Road"
Notes: rated PG13
"Why don't we do it in the road?"
"Someone might drive by, Owen!"
"We can't bloody do it in the grass. It's wet and I hate burrs in my socks."
Gwen sighed. "We can't wait to get back to the Hub. And the back of your... phallic car is too small."
"Hey!"
"Oh, shut up and let's go."
They dragged the alien vehicle's wreckage onto the road and sorted harmless bits from volatile, which Owen collected and—against protocol—peppered with bullets. The explosion was small but white hot.
"Just don't tell," Gwen fretted.
"Okay, but—" he smirked, "it was quite satisfying."
tw100 challenge #90, "Beatles song titles" and put here for archiving purposes. I've arranged them so that the three more serious ones are first and the lighter ones come after.Title: Kittens and Fairies
Characters: Estelle, Moses
Beatles song title: "Leave My Kitten Alone"
Rating: G
Notes: Spoilers for 1x05 "Small Worlds."
The only time Estelle became angry with the fairies was when they began harassing her new kitten.
Naturally friendly, curious and bold, Moses took to hiding and hissing at her. Suspicious, Estelle finally witnessed grasses whipping and branches being flung at him, and she stood at the garden's edge and demanded the fairies go away. But when she found rose petals at her feet, she repented; her beautiful creatures had come so close.
A sudden pang of loneliness made her think of Jack. She should call. But young people were always so busy... no time for kittens and fairies.
Title: Party of Four
Characters: Jack, Gwen, Ianto, Rhys
Beatles song title: "You're Going to Lose That Girl"
Notes: rated PG, set post-"Exit Wounds"
As self-appointed morale officer, Gwen insists they celebrate Toshiko's birthday by going out. Three rounds of drinks later, she suggests a picture - Tosh would approve. When Ianto objects to being photographed, Gwen wrestles him back into his chair and sits on him. Jack's water is spilled, and they both splutter, tangled together in laughter.
Jack watches, feeling he's already looking at the photograph of this moment, centuries later. When they pose for Rhys with the camera, Jack places a hand on each of their shoulders, trying to memorize their warmth and life. How much longer will he have them?
Title: In Spite of All the Danger
Characters: Rhys/Gwen
Beatles song title: "In Spite of All the Danger"
Notes: rated PG, set after 2x04 "Meat"
Summary: When the adrenaline dies down, Rhys reflects.
"He's okay, that's what matters," Gwen soothes Rhys, a hand cupped on his face.
But it's hard to forget the thunderous second when he saw what was happening, knew the child would die. Of all he's seen around Torchwood, that moment is the worst—and the best. Because he and Gwen were there, the child survived.
He gets the exhilaration, the danger keeping that fire in Gwen's eyes. Without it, she wouldn't be her. As long as she keeps returning to him at the end of the day, Rhys will be here.
But children? He begins to understand her fears.
Title: Late Night Email
Characters: Jack, Ianto
Beatles song title: "I Am the Walrus"
Rating/warnings: rated G, no spoilers
Summary: "The time has come," the Walrus said...
Subject: We need to talk tomorrow
From: Jack Harkness
To: Ianto Jones
Re: Random stuff, just look at the list
1. Boots wearing out, apparently the trade of cobbling has gone extinct - help?
2. Harbourmaster killed last night by boiling - there might be some alien cargo on newest boat
3. Licking envelopes won't kill you. Those old wax seals are attractive, but messy.
4. Next time we order Chinese, no cabbage for me - bad results if you know what I mean
5. Just found out something about William and Harry. I owe you ten pounds.
Title: Me and My Monkey I
Characters: Owen and team
Beatles song title: "Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey"
Notes: rated PG, no spoilers
Jack thought a lab monkey was a bad idea. Owen insisted that the experiment was safe and only a primate would serve—unless any of the staff wanted to volunteer...
So it was embarrassing when the monkey began refusing to eat. Two days of dung inspection later, Owen discovered why.
"Who's been feeding my monkey?" he demanded of the team. He got four "Not me"s, an uncomfortable cough, and a distinct absence of eye contact.
"Just so we're clear," Owen said, "everybody here is a big fat liar. Except me. Me and my bleeding monkey."
Title: Me and My Monkey II
Characters: Ianto
Beatles song title: "Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey"
Notes: rated PG, no spoilers
Ianto lowered the weevil to the ground and leaned against the grimy alley wall for a breather. Someone in a net top and leopard stilettos was watching him from a doorway.
"Looks like your friend's had a rough night, love."
"Djiboutian Bipedal Orangutan. Escaped from the circus last week."
"Good you dressed your monkey then, if the rest of him looks like his face, poor bugger."
Ianto doubted she really believed him, but the ladies and gentlemen in this neighborhood wouldn't risk telling tales. Their secrets wouldn't save or end the world, but everybody had something to hide.
Title: Happiness Is a Warm Gun
Characters: Owen, Jack
Beatles song title: "Happiness is a Warm Gun"
Notes: rated PG13 for metaphor, set pre-series
It starts as a lump of cold metal, clumsy, more likely to kill Owen himself than anything. Then Jack suggests he think of it as an instrument, an extension of his body.
Jack molds himself against Owen, speaks in his ear, helping him relax, let the weight in his hand balance itself against the spring in his joints. He guides Owen's hand to the trigger, now warm, until Owen can gauge its receptiveness with the stroke of a fingertip.
Owen releases his breath slowly as they aim, time stops, the trigger gives, and—pop—he pocks the target with surgical precision.
Title: Enjoy Being a Girl (With a Gun)
Characters: Alice Guppy
Beatles song title: "Ain't She Sweet"
Notes: rated PG, character introduced in 2x12 "Fragments"
Alice smiled sweetly as she pushed the weapon against the man's ribs. The expression of disbelief she received always pleased her. Ladies did not use phantasmagoric weapons to persuade shopkeepers.
"Now, Mr. Harwood, you have certain artefacts on your premises. Kindly show me them." No response.
"Are you familiar with the term 'viscera,' sir? No? I assure you, you will not enjoy the lesson this weapon can teach."
Trembling, he fumbled for a key.
Alice's heart swelled. It was fine to serve Her Majesty; better be a woman; best of all to play with the Rift's debris.
Title: Aphrodesiac
Characters: Myfanwy, Ianto, Gwen, Owen
Beatles song title: "Cayenne"
Notes: rated PG, no spoilers
"I may have put peppers in her sauce."
"What?"
"She seemed listless."
"Well, now she's hyperactive, thank you, Owen."
They watched the dance below them for a moment.
"She does look happy," Gwen admitted.
Owen smirked. "Happier than Ianto, anyway."
Trying to get past, Ianto had already lost two waistcoat buttons to the playfully nipping beak. He feinted and reversed, but Myfanwy caught him, squawking and drawing him close with a dexterous wing.
"Owen, has her crest thingy always been that... red?"
"No idea."
"Does the Hub have a fire suppression system? I think she needs a cold shower right now."
Title: This Moment to Arise
Characters: Team
Beatles song title: "Blackbird"
Notes: rated G, set just after 2x04 "Meat." There is a legend that St. Kevin allowed a blackbird to nest in his hand and didn't disturb the nest until the chicks flew away. I almost want to call this drabble "What Would Sarah Jane Do?" :)
The invisible lift lowered and five faces gathered round. On the paving stone were three crystalline, football-sized eggs glinting like jewels in the Hub's dim light.
"Cold storage until we identify them?" Ianto prompted.
"No--" Gwen touched Jack's arm, "they're somebody's babies. She might return for them."
"--with her ferocious teeth and toxic spittle, perhaps?"
Owen spoke quietly. "It would be nice to save something for a change, Jack."
Jack met his eyes.
"Okay. We'll need foolproof containment and surveillance, but the lift is theirs until they hatch. As for Mom... if anybody invents a Toxic Spittleguard, drinks on me."
Title: Do It in the Road
Characters: Gwen/Owen
Beatles song title: "Why Don't We Do It in the Road"
Notes: rated PG13
"Why don't we do it in the road?"
"Someone might drive by, Owen!"
"We can't bloody do it in the grass. It's wet and I hate burrs in my socks."
Gwen sighed. "We can't wait to get back to the Hub. And the back of your... phallic car is too small."
"Hey!"
"Oh, shut up and let's go."
They dragged the alien vehicle's wreckage onto the road and sorted harmless bits from volatile, which Owen collected and—against protocol—peppered with bullets. The explosion was small but white hot.
"Just don't tell," Gwen fretted.
"Okay, but—" he smirked, "it was quite satisfying."
