#so long since we've written a cute Ian/Barbara fic

[unwillingadventurer]

A fluffy Ian/Barbara fic for Valentine's Day.

Hopping on one foot, Ian Chesterton laughed as he tried to remain steady. Barbara, sitting at her dressing table, applying her make-up whilst looking in the ornate mirror, smiled as from the corner of her eye she saw her husband passing by on one leg, no trousers to be seen and his shirt undone.

“If you’re to make that meeting by nine, Ian, I’d put a sprint on.”

“I’m trying. I suppose I really don’t want to go to this meeting.”

Barbara spun around. “I know. I don’t want to do this lecture this morning either. Not when it was meant to be our day off together. When was the last time we spent the day together, Ian?”

“Chance would be a fine thing. We’re both such busy bees these days.”

“I shouldn’t complain, but oh Ian, we had that romantic day planned.”

Finally placing on his trousers, Ian leaned over and kissed Barbara on the head. “How about tonight after all this work stuff, we just get dressed up and go to a posh old restaurant and treat ourselves to some fine wine? It can’t be a daytime thing but there’s no reason we can’t enjoy a meal together and have a night of it.”

She smiled. “That sounds lovely.”

…

Later that evening when Ian arrived home, Barbara was in the kitchen, pouring herself a cup of tea as the whistling kettle came to the boil.

“You want one?” she asked.

Placing down his briefcase and then kissing her cheek, he smiled. “Love one. I’m parched.”

“Oh, Ian, I’ve had such a tiring day.” Barbara could already feel her feet aching in her high heels.

“Sorry to hear that. Wish I could help but I’m exhausted too. Had to stay late in the end.”

“We didn’t book a restaurant,” she said with a sigh.

“No.” He paused and looked at her sympathetically. “Oh, I’m sorry, Barbara, I’m not a very good husband, am I? I should’ve booked us a table earlier.”

“No, Ian, you’ve been busy. Tell you what, why don’t we make something easy for dinner?”

“Something that requires minimal effort would be nice.” He rubbed his chin.

…

They laughed together as they carried two plates of beans on toast into the living room on fancy trays. Ian had placed a rose onto Barbara’s, a flower he’d picked up on the way home.

“You didn’t pinch that from Mr. Bennett’s rose garden, did you?”

Ian’s eyes rolled upwards, ignoring the question for a moment before answering. “Shows what you know. Mr. Bennett asked me to take one!”

“I see.”

“Barbara, I wish I could’ve bought you a nice gift but I just haven’t had the time.”

Barbara pointed her fork at him. “Eat your beans and then we can have some pudding.”

“Ooh, what kind?”

“Anything we happen to have in the cupboard.”

“But Barbara we haven’t been shopping.”

“Oh.”

Pudding afterwards consisted of a small piece of madeira cake they found in the cake tin that may have been there since Barbara had baked it several weeks earlier.

“Bit tough but still, beggars can’t be choosers.” Ian licked his fingers, removing the last crumbs.

“Why don’t you just get the hoover and be done with it?”

“Alright, alright. Don’t get snappy with me, Barbara.”

There was a moment of silence. Ian snuggled up close to his wife to remove the tension. As he nuzzled her, he felt the tension ebb away. He smelt Barbara’s hairspray and coughed.

“Sorry, Ian, went a bit mad on it today.”

“No problem. I like your hair. It’s getting taller though. One day it might start leaning like the leaning tower of Pisa.”

“Oh, Ian!” She slapped him away. “This is hardly romantic.”

“No, you’re right, hairspray and beans on toast. Maybe we should slip into something more…comfortable?”

“Ian, are you thinking what I think you’re thinking?”

“I think you are thinking what I’m thinking.” There was a mischievous look on Ian’s face. “Come on, let’s get ready.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her from the sofa.

…

Ten minutes later, they sat back on the sofa, dressed in their full nightwear—Ian in his striped pyjamas, dressing gown and matching slippers and Barbara in her long nightdress, dressing gown and warm socks.

“Ah, perfect,” she said as she laid her legs across Ian, wriggling her toes in his face.

Ian sniffed.

“Don’t do that joke again, my feet are very clean, thank you.”

He laughed. “Are you sure, I’m getting a hint of cheese?”

“Oh, do shut-up, Ian, I’m trying to get comfy. I’m tired.”

She closed her eyes as she moved about until she was in a perfect position, cuddled up in Ian’s arms, snuggling close to him, her head under his chin.

“There, that’s better.”

Ian ran his fingers up and down her arm. “This beats a boring old restaurant any day. Beans, Barbara and cuddles on the settee.”

“I’m so tired.”

“Me too.” He closed his eyes. “It’s funny, isn’t it? All this romance lark.”

“Hmm?”

“Just trying to have a romantic evening and then being content just as we are now. We did all the adventuring but I’m quite happy here.”

“As long as we have time together.”

“I really do love you Barbara,” he said, whispering into her ear. But when he looked at her, she was breathing softly and her eyes remained closed. “Barbara?” He ran his hand over his hair. “Night, Barbara.” He kissed her cheek.