Since the destruction of the Owner's Instruction Manual Ianto had blossomed.
Jack saw the occasional glimpse of the man he had purchased but more and more he found himself with a more confident and happy bond-mate. Open affection and humour were now shown and Jack wasn't the only one who welcomed the change.
Jackson laughed softly as Ianto held the table, describing his first taste of Fredollian bread fruit to a delegation of Fredollis. They had been entranced by this delicate human who not only showed no fear of their size and strength but seemed to commiserate with their discomfort in the matter.
They had found large sturdy chairs waiting and agreeable food. The explanation of the different tastes between the two races had been a revelation and they had politely asked about their H 4.0's needs they had been neglecting.
The head Fredolli had been enchanted. He had also watched the loving touches between the two men as Jack absently cut Ianto's meat for him and poured his water before his own. Upon politely questioning Ianto's bump, they were excited to learn he was with child and their medic, a small female (more a hippo than an elephant) had asked many questions.
Ianto had politely excused himself and Jack explained that the baby meant his mate needed to toilet more, the head Fredolli sympathised as he looked at his own mate in her early stages of blooming.
Ianto had returned with a book from his library, not only detailed in human reproduction but written in Fredolli which he gifted the medic without a second thought before demanding a kiss from Jack.
The entire delegation was dumbfounded. This was the first time they had been treated as equals by the humans who had been their enemies for so long.
Ianto had allowed their medic to touch his bump with Jack growling softly as he kept a dominating hand on Ianto's shoulder.
Once they moved into the war room to discuss the treaty Ianto wandered down to the kitchen to see how the evening meal was progressing.
There were several slaves hovering which he surmised were the H 4.0s they had alluded to owning. Damec, Jackson's beloved elderly slave saw him enter and his face lit up as he rushed to welcome the beloved dam.
Damec knelt with his hands out and Ianto giggled as he shuffled forward until the bump was against them as Damec crooned.
The strange H 4.0s watched with open interest as Martha absently touched his arm and handed him a morsel of food to taste as she placed freshly made food into the huge servers.
"Mmmm, good but they like more sour than that. Add some lemon juice and Sertenitan herbs" he advised and she nodded as she rushed to comply.
"My precious little angel" Danec was crooning to the bump and Ianto reached out to touch his head.
"You are well, sweetest one?" Damec asked and Ianto nodded.
"My feet hurt more, but it is to be expected." Ianto sighed and then smiled as a large slave appeared with a chair.
"Please sit my Sweetest One" he crooned and Ianto tried not to cringe at the name they had bestowed upon him.
"Excuse me" a slave stepped forward nervously and Ianto smiled encouragingly.
"Come here, you can speak if you wish." Ianto assured her.
"You are allowed to breed?" she asked and Ianto smiled.
"We allow anyone in love to breed here" Ianto assured her and she frowned then gave a squeak of surprise as a male pushed past her and glared at Ianto.
"You speak like you have say with the master!" he growled and Damec bristled as he slowly rose to face the man.
"I will take my blade and gut you if you speak to the Sweetest One like that!" he snarled.
"Damec, its OK dear man." Ianto soothed and after a few more moments of hard staring, he sank back to give the bump his crooning attention again.
"I am not an H 4.0." Ianto declared and the large slave frowned with confusion.
"The one who saved me from the meat man is now my mate" he explained, "He has burnt my book and bonded to me, making me a free bonded dam."
"Never!" and old woman spluttered from behind the larger slave.
"You call my Sweetest One a liar?" Damec was bristling again and Ianto couldn't help but laugh.
"Oh Damec, I do love you my friend" he giggled and the old man preened.
"So, this child you carry is one of theirs?" the large slave asked.
"Mine!" Jack said loudly and they all jumped, except for Ianto who had been aware of his beloved for some time.
"Master" the large slave bowed and Jack grunted.
"I am Master Jack, this is my mate Ianto" Jack said as he stood behind Ianto's chair, "I purchased him at the sales and never knew I was buying my own future."
"It is true" the old lady whispered and the slaves all gaped.
"I have been speaking with your masters and provided them with information on what we prefer by way of food and living quarters." Ianto told them, "They did not know we feel the cold so strongly and tomorrow I will take them on a tour of our quarters so they may get a better understanding of what our needs are."
"You really think they will listen?" the female slave asked with wonder.
"Yes, I believe so" Jack answered with a smile. "I did after all and I can be a bit thick."
Ianto laughed softly as did the Harkness slaves who bustled around Ianto like he was spun gold.
"Tomorrow, is a day of rest for our slaves." Ianto suddenly thought to mention, "Food is prepared tonight that can be finalised by us and the guards so our slaves get a day to themselves to celebrate or just rest. Some chose to walk, picnic or party."
The slaves gaped in open shock at this statement.
"I will explain to your masters so they are not too confused." Ianto said softly, "I may not convince them, but they may let you rest as well."
"You … they really listen?"
Ianto smiled reassuringly and hoped it would be so.