Title: Fires of Life 1/2
Series: DragonLord
Characters/Pairing: Jack, Ianto, Toshiko, Gwen, Owen; Jack/Ianto, Gwen/Owen, Gwen/Rhys
Disclaimer: I don't own Torchwood. If I did, I would have treated the characters better and everyone would get what they deserve. The BBC and He Who Does Not Know How To Treat His Characters claims it as theirs. I'm just borrowing them to keep dreams alive.
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Not really but takes place after "Greeks Bearing Gifts", so some mention of eps up to then.
Summary: Ianto is finally coming to terms with his recently discovered dragon nature and embracing it.
Beta by: Milady Dragoon
Notes: Written for Dragon Big Bang on LiveJournal. This is a sequel to "Fires Within".
Additional note: In "Fires That Burn" Ianto's race was referred to as "dragonkind". Since I wrote that story, I decided if I was going to continue it, they would be DragonLords, however dragonkind can also be used as a generic term to were-dragons. Some of the concepts behind the DragonLords are from "The Last DragonLord" by Joanne Bertin.
Jack stood on a stretch of beach outside of Newport and stared up at the dark sky with a blissful smile on his face. Against the backdrop of the velvet blackness of the sky peppered with glistening stars wherever it was visible through holes in the cloud cover flew a large golden coloured dragon.
It was not the most graceful of flights as far as Jack was concerned, having seen the dragons of Ianto's race on their home, and Ianto was still a little wobbly at times but he was doing much better than his previous attempts of flight. Even better he had been flying for the past twenty minutes and he had been in his Dragon form for almost an hour.
Ianto had been making much progress in the last two days. He also started to accept and embrace that he was a dragon. Jack had noticed earlier that day Ianto projected some excitement as the time grew closer to when they were able to leave for Ianto's Dragon practice. It was noticeable even without Jack being able to sense Ianto's emotions. Owen even had teased Ianto about it, which of course Ianto firmly denied and attempted to pass off as nerves. Owen surprised them by leaving it there but Ianto was fooling no one, not even Gwen who shared a look with Toshiko even if she later made a comment to Owen that Ianto should not be enthusiastic about what Jack had started to call embracing his Dragon nature. Owen looked annoyed but got no further than opening his mouth because Jack had overheard and had something to say about. That resulted in an argument between the two that ended in Jack's office and Gwen being sent home for a couple of days to consider her treatment of Ianto. Thankfully Ianto had been down in the archives at the time and not subject to hearing the things Gwen had to say about him.
Ianto had sensed Jack's growing anger through their bond but did not ask questions about it. Ianto never did ask about emotions he sensed with the bond, unless Jack bought it up first. That was Ianto's way of respecting Jack's privacy. Jack was certain that part of why Ianto did that was because it was just the way he was. Jack was certain there was more to it. Ianto was still skittish and uncomfortable about their bond. It was not as if he did not enjoy the intimacy it brought, but he still felt that he had forced it upon Jack at the time of his birth, and even if they didn't know it then, the bond affected Jack's feelings toward him and was convinced if not for the bond, Jack would have had Ianto executed for the Cyberwoman incident.
Ianto still did not understand that, after Jack's initial anger for Ianto bringing in a dangerous enemy that was capable of destroying mankind into his home, his anger grew because he had started to care deeply for Ianto and thought what they had started was just as special to Ianto, only to find out he was being used in hopes that Ianto could save his girlfriend. Once it was over and the Cyberwoman (Jack and Ianto both had since agreed to separate Lisa from the Cyberwoman – Lisa was the woman Ianto had loved and the Cyberwoman was what the Cybermen had done to Lisa) was killed, Jack had time to think things over. He did not immediately execute or Retcon Ianto, Jack had to applaud Ianto for his devotion and loyalty. Jack also knew he would have done the same thing if he loved someone that much. He had done some terrible things to protect loved ones. When he had gone to see Ianto during the younger man's suspension, they had talked. Jack learnt how Ianto had started things between them only to keep Jack from discovering the Cyberwoman, but as things progressed he had started to battle with feelings of guilt because he had started to care for Jack deeply and looked forward to their time together. That had led to Jack admitting why he was so angry. They both admitted to a lot during that talk and talks in the days that had followed until they decided they were going to pick up where they had left off. Ianto might still have been mourning the death of the woman he loved, but he also knew that woman was killed months ago in the Battle of Canary Wharf. Ianto also knew that he had also fallen for Jack and he still had him. His relationship with Jack was helping him cope with losing Lisa and to carry on.
It was going well until Ianto had learnt the circumstances of his birth, of how Jack had helped to deliver Ianto and had unconsciously bonded with Jack minutes after his birth. Since then, Jack had been going out of his way to convince Ianto that the bond had nothing to do with his choices or how he felt about Ianto and only enhanced which had naturally developed between them.
Jack, on the other hand, since learning that the young man he had started to care deeply about could actually be around for thousands of years had finally started to admit to himself that he was falling in love with Ianto. He had been before finding out Ianto's true identity but fought against it fearing the pain when he would lose Ianto too soon, especially if Ianto stayed with Torchwood. He did not have that fear any longer.
With that self-admittance, Jack hoped that with love, he could convince Ianto to let go of the guilt and simply enjoy everything between them, the bond included. At least Ianto didn't pull away. Jack knew Ianto felt safe being around Jack and appreciated Jack's support and sharing what knowledge he had in helping Ianto accept and embrace his true heritage. Ianto also allowed the changes in their bond which brought them closer over the weeks since Ianto had made his first change when the cannibals held the team captive.
Jack's attention went back to the beautiful creature above as wings flapped up and down. Ianto had been staying close to the beach but occasionally would veer off toward the farmland. Ianto had been flying up and down the coast from Newport to Redwick. Jack was in the middle on a wider area of beach, where they had set up a small camp including tent, folding chairs and a change of clothes for Ianto should he need. So far he had managed to transform back to his human form with his clothes only twice. Every other time, Ianto would need clothes. The first few times had Jack giving Ianto his coat until they were able to get to a location where Ianto could get changed.
The dragon flew out of Jack's sight range, but Jack continued to look up to the sky, his eyes seeking in the direction Ianto was going the last time he was seen. Jack hated when Ianto would go out of his sight in case something happened, but he also knew he had to allow Ianto if the young DragonLord was ever going to gain full confidence in who he was.
That Ianto was actually going out of his sight said much to Jack. That confidence was starting to grow. This was the first night that Ianto had done so. Jack panicked the first time Ianto did but then he had Ianto's reassurance in his head that he was okay. He still didn't like not being able to see Ianto, and would tense up just a little.
I'm coming back your way, Ianto's voice said in his head. Relax Jack. I'm fine.
Just checking, Jack replied.
As Jack waited for Ianto to return into Jack's sight his mobile started to ring. Jack pulled the device out of his coat pocket and checked the caller ID.
It was Toshiko.
"Tosh!" Jack greeted, "what can I do for you? Do you need us to head back?"
"Yes, I need you to head back, but it's not for the usual. And it's more what I can do for you. Jack, I cracked it! I'm getting translations coming through from the files you gave me," Tosh's excited voice informed him.
"That's great, Tosh. Now before I tell Ianto the good news, I have to ask if the translations actually make sense." His eyes looked upward again, seeking out for any sign of the gold dragon.
"Of course they do, Jack. I wouldn't have called you if they didn't. Which was until now. I'm going on to start on some of the other files you have sitting for translation. And Jack, I'm going to be working on those video devices so they translate while they play. I should have that in a day or two since I've already been tinkering with one on and off and I think I know how to do it."
"That's great news, Tosh. You are a super star. I'm going to tell Ianto, but we might end up stopping at the warehouse on the way back to pick up more files to be translated. If you don't mind?"
"It's no more work than plugging in the drives. The files are on mainframe."
"Which thankfully fit an adapter that came through the Rift last year," Jack stated.
"It gives a new meaning to the term Universal Adapter," Toshiko joked.
"Oh tell me about it," he said with a laugh. "We should be on our way as soon as Ianto makes his way back. I'll call you if we're going to make a stop."
"Sure thing, Jack."
"Oh, Tosh?" Jack asked.
"Yes Jack?"
"Why are you still working? I thought I sent everyone home hours ago?"
"Yeah. Well, I did go home. Then I had an idea that I had to try on the translation program, so I decided to come back in. Besides, I know it's not easy with us being down one."
"Remind me to make note of that on Gwen's file. I had to do it, but it does put us at a disadvantage."
"Careful Jack. Gwen would say two days is nothing comparing to a month and maybe even something like favouritism to the enemy."
"Gwen's thinking is too much like the old Torchwood way, which is not mine," Jack snapped. "And here I thought she would be more open and sensitive, which is why I thought she'd be good on the team. I'm sorry, Tosh. I know you warned me when I hired her."
"She does have some good input to the team, Jack, but there are some things she just needs to change. Especially going against your decision and calling you out when it wouldn't be her way. Even worse is when she does it in front of the rest of us. It makes the rest of us uncomfortable, and that includes Owen."
"Yes, she does need to stop it," Jack agreed. "It doesn't make me feel very comfortable either. Her attitude toward Ianto isn't helping. I want her to work out, but now I'm starting to wonder. Tomorrow I want us to have a meeting before Gwen gets back. Everyone has a chance to have their say with no consequences."
"If that's what you want Jack," Tosh said.
"I'll see you soon. Thank you, Tosh. I'd say you have no idea how much this means to Ianto and me, but I think you do."
"I do," Tosh said with a laugh. "Bye, Jack."
"Bye Tosh," Jack said. He smiled as he ended the call, but then started to frown. Owen most definitely did have problems with how Gwen acted at times, but it didn't stop him from starting something with her, even knowing she had a boyfriend. He should be disappointed in Owen, but he did understand with anyone at any time. Not that he would actually do something with Gwen. Especially since it seemed that he was in a relationship with Ianto. At least it felt like that, and he understood 21st century relationships enough to know that Ianto most probably did not expect him to be with others. Even if Ianto also understood being able to love more than one person at the same time. Or at the least, loving one and caring deeply for another. No matter how Ianto's emotions, the fact was that while he still loved Lisa, he found himself also willingly in a relationship with Jack.
Ianto, where are you? Tosh just called and guess what she has working?
She's getting translations? Ones that make sense?
Yes.
I'm almost there, Jack.
You said that before Tosh called. Are you still airborne? Or are you now walking naked along the beach?
You'd love that, wouldn't you? And I wouldn't attempt that without telling you unless I was very close to you. I'm not going to take a stroll naked.
You're no fun, Jack said.
Don't pout, Jack. And yes, you projected that.
Darn, you are a quick learner, Jack said, half joking. He started to grin as he saw the gold dragon come into view as Ianto soared along the beach. Come on in, Ianto, but don't expect me to guide you in with light wands.
Jack received a snort in his mind for a response and grinned, watching Ianto's flight path bring him lower to the ground. Jack had opened the camera on his mobile and set it for video and started to record Ianto.
Oh shit, Ianto said.
What? Jack asked.
Jack, move out of the way just in case. I just realized I didn't think this through.
What?
Landing.
Oh shit. Jack saw the dragon coming in on him fast. Just try to glide on in. Stop propelling yourself.
Propelling?
Stop flapping! Now! Wings out and glide!
Thanks, Ianto said sarcastically. Now he tells me.
Sorry.
As they spoke through the bond, Jack watched as Ianto spread his wings out and angle them in a way which would hopefully make him descend easier. It was not going to be a pretty landing but at least Ianto wouldn't be seriously injured, especially if he maintained his dragon form, which so far he was doing for over an hour now. After he apologized, he quickly rushed out of the way of the dragon's flight path, making sure he still had Ianto in the viewscreen on his mobile and was still recording his flight.
He watched as Ianto glided over the campsite. He estimated that Ianto had to be about 20 metres above the ground but still in a descent. The dragon continued on for about another fifty metres before he finally touched ground.
Despite knowing Ianto could not be seriously injured, he watched in horror as the dragon tumbled head over tail while still skidding along the beach until he came to a stop in a mass heap of twisted dragon. Glancing at the angle the large heap twisted, he started to rethink Ianto being seriously injured. He could have broken a wing or some bone in his dragon form's skeleton. It wouldn't kill him, but it would bring about complications they were not ready for. It made Jack rethink this list of priorities to get Ianto through his transformation into a DragonLord.
If Ianto had broken any bones in his dragon form how would that affect him after he transformed into a human? Or would he have to stay in dragon form until he was healed? And should Ianto be unable to maintain the form for that long, then the first question came back into play – how would it affect Ianto transforming into a human?
Jack was scared and stopped the video and, shoving his mobile into his coat pocket, he ran down the beached toward the unmoving dragon.
"IANTO!" Jack shouted aloud and in his mind.
Softly Jack, Ianto replied. My head hurts.
You landed on your head?
Among other parts.
Sorry.
Jack came to a stop next to the dragon's head, noticing the long sinewy neck was twisted but not in a bad way. He stooped down to look into the dragon's blue slit eyes.
The eyes blinked and tried to focus. Jack realised that the angle the large head was in, that Jack must appear to be upside down.
"I feel like a beached whale," Ianto remarked.
Jack let out a snort. "That's a good sign if you can make a joke."
"Who said I was joking."
"I don't think it's a good time to change back to human," Jack suggested.
"Hopefully I won't do one of those unexpected changes until I'm ready."
"I don't think you will. It's going on an hour and fifteen minutes now. So, how can I help?"
"For starters can you help me get my neck straightened so I can stop looking at you upside down. That's distracting and this is uncomfortable."
"Right. Good idea. Next let's try to get your wings out."
"Fine."
It did not take long for Ianto to get himself into a sitting position for a dragon with Jack's help. His wings were still out as Jack checked for any breaks or tears to the membrane.
"Do you hurt anywhere?"
"Yup," Ianto replied, stretching his long neck.
"I mean in a way that can be serious?"
"No. Nothing serious. Only an ache that tells me I'm going to be moving slow for a while in human form."
"I can't seem to find anything broken either. So I guess it'll be safe for you to change when you're ready," Jack said as he walked back to stand in front of Ianto.
Ianto pulled his wings in and settled more in his sitting position. He placed his head back down on the ground with a sigh.
Jack sat down next to Ianto's head and reached out to stroke the area between his eyes. The eyes closed and Jack swore the dragon almost purred with contentment. He could not help the chuckle. "Like that, do you?"
"Yes," Ianto replied. "I do. I seem to have strange erogenous zones in dragon form."
Jack's eyes went wide and he stared down at Ianto's head. "I didn't mean it that way."
"No you didn't, but I did," Ianto replied.
Jack moved his hand away from where he was stroking.
Ianto moved his head so he could stare at Jack, the eyes level with Jack's head. "Spoilsport," he said. "And that's something I never thought I would be saying to you."
Jack grinned and he ran a hand down along the long neck, careful not to go against the grain of the scales. "I just don't want you to be all hot and bothered while also being very sore. Let's save it for when you can fully appreciate the advantages."
"True," Ianto agreed, leaning his neck into Jack's touch, "but we don't know if that will translate over when I change back into human form."
"I should think it does," Jack replied. "In fact, I know it does. I've watched it enough with friends of mine while I was on your world."
"Oh."
Jack blinked as he watched Ianto leer at him. It wasn't so unusual to have Ianto do that with him but only when they were alone and never with Ianto as a dragon.
"Oh, that looks sexy," Jack remarked. "And as much as I'm enjoying this, and glad to see you still retaining your dragon form, especially after that landing, we should be going. Tosh will not go home until she gets to show us what she has already, and with us being one down, I want her to be rested."
"Give me just another minute or two," Ianto replied. "I'm really hoping that I can change without losing my clothes this time. So far it's only the landing that was disastrous. Everything else has been going well." Ianto tucked his head in. "I can't tell you what's better – falling out of the sky or a crash-tumble landing, because I don't know."
Jack smiled softly when with a sigh, Ianto rested his head on Jack's lap. For a few more minutes, they sat like that, both finding contentment until Ianto lifted his head.
"Stand back, Jack. Just in case."
Jack seemed to shake himself and stared up at Ianto's head.
"Sorry," Ianto replied. "But I was also getting too comfortable like you, and as you said, we should be going. We still need to break down camp."
"Oh yeah, you're right. I should give Tosh a call and let her know what's going on."
"I'm sure she wasn't expecting us to leave right at that moment."
"No, but…."
"Stand back, Jack."
Jack stood up and stretched before he moved away, taking out his mobile again and turning on the video recorder, wanting to record Ianto Changing back to human.
He smiled as he watched the change. A swirl of gold started to surround Ianto and Jack's smile widened. He knew Ianto would Change back with his clothes intact, especially since he saw the same golden swirl when the young DragonLord had Changed into his dragon form.
"What a way to spoil a man's night," Jack remarked to Ianto, now in his human form.
"Be good and you can see me naked later tonight."
"And if I don't?"
"Then I'm going home, without you." Ianto started to laugh at Jack's pout. "Shall we break camp?"
"Thank goodness it's not a full campsite. Let's go," Jack said, turning off the video of his mobile and then putting it away.
OoOoOoO
On the way back to the Hub, Jack called Owen asking him to come in and give Ianto a check-up. The medic was cranky and demanded to know if it couldn't wait until the morning until Jack gave Owen a full rundown on Ianto's improvement in Changing and maintaining his dragon form and his crash landing.
"I checked him out as best as I was able while he stayed in dragon form. I wasn't able to find any tears, cuts or broken bones and he says he's okay, but I still would like to have him checked out."
"He'll still most likely be sore in the morning, no matter how thick his hide is. Besides, if he made that good of an improvement, I prefer to get his readings tonight instead of waiting for tomorrow," Owen replied.
"You're going to check him again in the morning, aren't you?" Jack asked.
"Oi! Do not mock the comparisons, Harkness," Owen exclaimed. "I have noticed some fluctuations in his readings from soon after he makes that Change and hours later, but I also noticed that the gap in those fluctuations is closing."
"What do you think that means?" Jack asked.
"That he's not a full DragonLord yet but might be when there is no gap and he maintains the same readings with little variation that what might be considered normal for his race. Of course, this is all theory since I really have nothing to go by," Owen explained.
Jack started to grin as he gazed across to the passenger seat at Ianto, who was leaning back in his seat and had his eyes closed. The other man seemed oblivious to Jack's conversation on the phone with Owen. Jack was not concerned because Ianto seemed relaxed and content and there was a tiny smile on his face. After flying for a half hour and ending it in a hard landing, Ianto had a right to be tired.
"That is going to change," Jack told Owen. "We're on our way back to the Hub because Tosh called. She's getting translations. I'm sure she's already working on anything that looks like it might be medical records for you to use."
"Why didn't you say that to start with, Harkness? That's enough for me to drop everything and come in. I'm on my way now."
"Ianto and I are still just outside of Newport, so we'll be there as fast as we can," Jack replied. "Meet you there." Jack ended the call.
With his eyes still closed and without moving, Ianto commented, "The way you drive we'll be there before Owen."
"Just keep resting there and be quiet," Jack quipped.
Ianto chuckled, still not moving but his smile grew.
OoOoOoO
Owen hung up the phone and got out of the bed to start getting dressed. He was halfway dressed when Gwen came out of the bathroom.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"To the Hub," he replied.
"Why didn't you tell me because I could have been dressed too."
"Because you're not going, darling. Jack called me in," Owen stated as he pulled a long sleeved button up shirt over the tee-shirt. "Gwen, it's best you don't go in. You can stay and wait or you can leave. I'll be honest I don't know how long I'll be. It could be an all-nighter. Ah, so you're leaving," he added as Gwen started to put her clothes on.
"I'm going with you. It might be something important and Jack is going to need me," Gwen replied as she quickly dressed.
"If your mobile didn't ring by now then Jack doesn't need you," Owen pointed out, trying not to roll his eyes while facing Gwen. It could lead to her having more to say than she already had and he did not have the time for it.
"This is about Ianto, isn't it?" Gwen asked, frowning.
"Yes, it is. Which is why it's not a good idea for you to join us. That and the little fact that you still are on suspension."
Gwen gave him one of her placating gap-tooth smiles. "Oh, he didn't mean that. Sure he felt it best that I go home for the rest of the day, but I didn't mind that. I had some things to do anyway, but Jack couldn't go a few days without me."
This time Owen did roll his eyes. "I'll tell you what, Cooper," he snapped. "Why don't you just go back to that boyfriend of yours and wait until you get a call from Jack telling you when you can return to work, and make sure it's not tomorrow." He grabbed his leather jacket and started to leave the bedroom. "Oh, and make sure you're not here whenever I return. Good night, Gwen."
Owen could feel Gwen's shocked stare as he stormed out of the house.
He started to have regrets starting his affair with Gwen. For one, it had caused problems at work because they did not know how to be careful around sensitive equipment, as when they had accidentally pulled the plug on Toshiko's system that had been running the translation program. Gwen also tried pulling him in to her side whenever she would argue with Jack, and sometimes Ianto. He supposed it would be because she felt since they were having an affair. Owen did not agree with that thinking and most times with whatever Gwen was arguing about.
He had also just lost his patience about Gwen's obsession with Jack. It was one thing if she wanted to have a little on the side other than her beloved boyfriend, and Owen was fine with her main relationship, but he was not going to tolerate her acting that she would drop everything while with him should Jack call and say he wanted her.
Besides, he had noticed that Jack and Ianto were becoming closer since their ill-fated trip to Brecon Beacons. They haven't been caught doing anything they shouldn't be yet, unlike Owen and Gwen, but Owen could tell, especially through Jack. Jack seemed more overall concerned about Ianto's health than he normally is for his team. Jack also seemed to be slightly different. Toshiko also noticed little things that only a woman would notice and mentioned it to Owen. She had stopped mentioning it to Gwen because from the way Gwen would start acting it was obvious she did not want to know. Gwen also seemed not to notice the things that Toshiko would. It was most definitely denial, because Gwen did not want to consider that her hero and boss could possibly be in love with whom she considered the enemy.
Hell, Owen thought as he got into his blue convertible, perhaps Gwen was making more about of Ianto's heritage as a means of getting him out of the way, seeing him as competition. At least that meant that she had to admit it to herself that she was never going to get Jack as long as Ianto was around.
And it looked like Ianto was going to be around for a very long long time, which is why Owen reckoned that Jack finally gave into whatever feelings he had for Ianto. Ianto may not be immortal like Jack, but he came damn near as far as Owen was concerned. Jack spoke of a clan of DragonLords who were near 10,000 years old. Not all DragonLords lived that long, but most had a lifespan of around 5000 years or so, which was much more acceptable to Jack than the average human lifespan. It meant that he would have Ianto around with him much longer, assuming they didn't break up along the way.
Owen had to admit he was anxious to start looking through whatever Toshiko would have for him already. Not only did he have a professional concern for Ianto's well-being as a member of the team, but it was a chance to study in depth a new species. He had an alien dragon as a patient. This was why he loved working for Torchwood.
OoOoOoO
When Ianto entered the hub with Jack, they noticed that Owen was at his work station, reading what was on the screen with intense interest. He did not look up as the two came over to Toshiko's workstation.
"I assume Owen is reading up on Daikarian physiology?" Jack asked Toshiko.
Owen pulled away from his reading with a start. "There you are, Ianto. Head down into my office, and I'll be right there." He glanced over to Jack and added, "Yeah, I'm no longer in the dark. I was right about my gap theory, but from what I've read already, Ianto is pretty much well on his way to becoming a full DragonLord." Owen's attention went back to Ianto. "But you need to stop making crash landings, and it will hurt less," the medic lectured as he typed something on the keyboard.
Jack shook his head in amusement. "Go on, Ianto and finally get some real answers from our good doctor.
OoOoOoO
Jack sat with Owen in his office, while Ianto made coffee for everyone. Toshiko was still at her workstation, working on getting as much translated as possible. She went through everything that she thought was medical files and the last of it was translating. She was starting on what appeared to be flightlogs, according to Jack's notations from long ago, based on where they were located when he took them before Torchwood had a chance to go through the ship. As anxious as Ianto was to learn more about his biological family, Jack had set a priority of which files were needed.
Medical records and anything about the developing nature of young DragonLords were top priority. It would help Owen in assuring Ianto get to full DragonLord status with no harm along the way. It would also be helpful in treating Ianto once he became a full DragonLord.
The second priority was an attempt to determine what not only caused the crash, but what had killed Ianto's family. Knowing what he did about DragonLords, Jack knew the passengers should have survived the crash. He wanted to know, if possible what happened aboard the ship that would have affected the DragonLord family on-board.
Owen had just finished going over the results of his latest exam and the readings he now had to compare against. They looked up when Ianto entered the office, carrying a tray with three mugs on it. Toshiko was behind him, already drinking her coffee. "It's about time, coffee boy. Pass around the coffee and then take a seat and you'll find out that even as a DragonLord, you're being true to your own nature of being an over-achiever."
"Owen," Jack warned but looked amused. "Even if he does speak the truth from what I heard so far."
OoOoOoO
When Ianto brought her coffee, she asked if it was all right to join in on what Owen had to say about Ianto developing his true nature and Ianto was glad to allow her in.
He was secretly pleased that it meant enough to Toshiko to learn more about his dragon nature. Jack he was expecting because of Jack's own background, but he was not expecting the support he was getting from Owen and Toshiko. It made him feel good, and if even almost made Gwen's callous treatment bearable.
Gwen had issues and from what he had sensed about her, how she treated him really did not come as a surprise to him. He just made it a habit of avoiding being alone with Gwen whenever he was able to, and so far Jack also made sure to prevent it unless there was no other choice. Meanwhile whenever Gwen started up while one or more of the others were around, at least one of them jumped in to defend Ianto. It made Ianto feel very good, especially when not all that long ago he was wondering how the team had felt about him because of the Cyberwoman incident.
It was all in the past, and ironically Gwen seems to be the one pushed on the outside. Not that Ianto would ever wish someone that, but Gwen was doing the damage on her own. So Ianto felt less guilty about it. It was her choice if she ever would be included in gatherings like this.
The four sat in Jack's office but Ianto sat in a chair next to Toshiko because Owen had taken his usual spot on Jack's desk.
OoOoOoO
Jack looked over to Toshiko and after giving her a smile looked at Ianto. "I'm assuming that you're okay with everyone here?"
Ianto shrugged. "Tosh is the only addition and she shouldn't feel left out. I have nothing to hide, especially to those who are so much effort with assisting me uncover who I really am." He graced everyone in the office with a smile. "You have no idea how grateful I am for that. It makes it easier to accept the truth."
"Do you accept it, Ianto?" Owen asked.
"I'm getting there," Ianto admitted truthfully. "It's like the more I accomplish with controlling my Dragon nature and the more I find out about my family and race, I feel a sense of excitement that it's part of what I am. When I had nothing more than what Jack was able to tell me in general terms it felt like it should be someone else and not me in a way. It was scary. Now not so much."
"Did you enjoy your flight today? I mean while you were up in the air part. You were flying for a half hour?" At Ianto's nod he added, "Were you getting tired yet?"
"Not yet," Ianto replied. "I would have gone on for a while yet if Tosh didn't call Jack with her great news."
"I would like Ianto to do an endurance flight soon," Owen said. "Time just how long you can fly before getting tired. That is once your wingman can give you better pointers on landing without banging yourself up." The medic glared at Jack. "I also want to be around just so I can add my own observations into Ianto's file as well as take readings on Ianto while he's in his Dragon form." Looking back to Ianto he added, "I also want you to land at first sign of getting tired. We need to get you to stop falling out of the sky. I didn't need the translated files to know that should stop. However I now know that it seems to be the norm for Dragonlings, which are young DragonLords before becoming full DragonLords, to be unable to maintain their Dragon forms for very long and suddenly changing without warning. Meaning there is a lot of falling out of the sky on your mother world. There are not a lot of crash landings like tonight. Maybe some rough landings but the Dragonlings are trained on how to land before they are allowed loose in the sky."
"I really should have thought of it," Jack said apologetically.
OoOoOoO
Ianto studied Owen for a moment and then looked over at Jack with an inquisitive gaze.
Deal with it," Jack said. "He has reasons for the new questions and they will continue until he's satisfied."
The internal dialogue was cut off when they heard a loud huff coming from Owen and an amused giggle from Toshiko.
"Stop it!" Owen exclaimed. "I know what you're doing. Ianto, as your physician I want you to feel as if you can say anything pertaining to this. If you allowed Tosh in here then I hope you can feel the same for her as your friend." Owen pointed a finger at Jack. "And if you were discussing anything else this is not the place and time." He frowned, including Ianto.
Ianto looked down at his lap, maintaining a neutral look but there was a hint of a blush across his cheeks. Jack simply returned Owen's frown with a roguish grin.
"In case you didn't figure it out, which by the look on your face you didn't, I am asking these questions for a reason. Included in the medical journal Tosh translated for me is the development of Dragonlings from the onset of their first Change."
Owen glanced back at Jack before continuing. "Jack was correct that you did develop early. Even earlier than what is there for acceptable early transition to full DragonLords."
"I recall in their thirties for early development," Jack said, "which is why I figured I had time to track down the family I left the newborn with."
"Because of the extremely long lifespan of a DragonLord, the typical projected window for a first Change is between fifty and a hundred years old," Owen further explained. He gave Ianto an amused look. "My dear Golden Boy, you are merely still a child as far as your race's society goes."
Ianto rolled his eyes. "As I was raised by human parents according to Welsh society, I am far from a child and if you ever dare imply that again, I'll toast your bits." He looked over to Jack. "You too."
I'll do more. Do you really want to have sex with a 'child'? And if that's acceptable in the society you were raised in, I don't want to know, Ianto warned Jack through their bond.
"Stop it!" Owen exclaimed while Toshiko laughed.
"Oh leave them be, Owen," she said. "I came across some readings of the DragonLords bond and that should also be included in that guide for DragonLord development."
"Time and place," Owen replied in a huff.
"Sorry," Jack responded, holding his hands up. "But as Tosh said, it's part of a dragonling development into a DragonLord."
"And as I said, a time and a place," Owen stated. "I was also saying that Ianto is an over-achiever as usual. Not only did he change at a much younger age than the average DragonLord, but he seems to be developing faster." Owen stood up and turned so he could look at Jack while still having Ianto and Toshiko in sight. "Jack, development can take months, even years, depending on the dragonling. I don't know if it's because of you pushing through your bond or maybe even conditions on Earth but Ianto is probably in the last phase of becoming a DragonLord."
Ianto looked stunned. "I swear I feel like there is much more for me to go through before reaching that." He shrugged. "I may be developing fast, but I'm still getting used to what I am and what I'm able to do now. I think it feels better to have that adjustment period of at least six months."
Jack stood up and walked around his desk to stand next to Ianto. Placing a comforting hand on the younger man's shoulder, he said, "Ianto, there is no one more able to adapt than you. It's highly possible that's why you made so much progress in such a short time." He sighed heavily. "I'm sorry for pushing you, but while I know about DragonLords in general, I never really asked for specifics. Only what I saw. Sorry."
"You had no idea, Jack," Owen said. "For all you know, Ianto didn't have much time to embrace his dragon nature."
Ianto placed his hand over the one on his shoulder. "It's okay, Jack. You were only doing what you thought was best. Owen, is there any harm in my developing fast?"
"From what I know now? No," Owen answered. "If nothing, he'll be stronger and more resilient once he becomes a full DragonLord. I see no harm at all, but I do want to observe him for a while, give him some endurance exercises according to what's in these files. It would give me more of an idea of exactly where he is physically." Owen looked back to Ianto. "Mentally, well that's going to be up to you. That could take days or it can take months."
"When I'm a dragon, especially when I'm flying, there's nothing else I would rather be," Ianto admitted, "but sitting here like this, there are times I can't help thinking I'm some kind of freak."
"Alien, Ianto," Jack replied. "You've encountered enough of them to know there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Especially when you're one of the good ones. And DragonLords are very good ones."
Ianto smiled up at Jack. "Thanks. So Owen, what next?"
"You need some rest after your rather bumpy landing, while I'm going to read more. Ianto, I'm going to need lots of coffee," Owen said.
"You're not expected to read everything tonight," Jack said.
"Tosh, is there anything for me to read?" Ianto asked.
"I've been getting what seems to be medical first and the flight logs, but I did start on some personal logs," Toshiko replied.
"I'll take the flight logs, please," Jack replied.
Ianto glanced around the office. "Right. Long night ahead. I'll make the coffee and call in for some food should we get hungry."
"Ianto, you should rest," Jack pointed out.
"Like I've never read in bed before. Besides, I feel fine so far. A little sore and tired, but otherwise not as bad as I was expecting."
"It must be that thick dragon hide of yours. It's that resiliency we've been talking about," Owen said, "but the real test will be by tomorrow. Ianto, the moment you start feeling not okay, you let me know."
"Yes," Ianto agreed and got up to start heading out of the office.
Owen stepped in front of him. "Don't just yes me. I mean it, Ianto."
"He doesn't have a choice," Jack stated. "I'll know if he's feeling different for the worse and send him to you."
"You're ganging up on me, so now I'm really getting the coffee. It will take a while to dig out the decaf instant, you know." With that, Ianto managed to slip out of the office.
"He was just kidding, wasn't he?" Owen asked.
"I hope he was kidding," Jack agreed.
Toshiko just laughed and stood up to leave the office.