4

Mica had decided she liked Uncle Rhys and was happily eating ice cream in his lap as he told her a story so Ianto took the chance to go outside with Crypto to commune. Now Jack knew the truth he knew what they were doing and followed, intending to speak but was surprised when Ianto started to speak.

"Nothing. Not even static, I've never met someone with such a silent mind" Ianto was saying as he settled on the edge of a raised flower bed and Crypto sat, looking straight at Jack.

Ianto huffed.

"Change the subject why don't ya. Well, of course I feel something for him, you think it makes it easier for me having feelings for someone like that? So soon after Lisa?" Ianto let his head fall back, "He suspects, I think he knows and I want to tell him. How can I tell him though, I mean… he is as changeable as the weather. One minute I feel we have a connection but… then he slams done those shields and I feel the mental slap for being cheeky enough to seek comfort."

"Ianto" Jack spoke softly and Ianto jumped, then glared at Crypto who simply grinned.

"Jack."

"Ianto, I am sorry if I seem to close you out. Sometimes when stressed or confused I shield, it is something we were taught in basic training. It's a habit. If you seek and I am quiet, prod and I will realise and let you in" Jack sat next to him "There is something else, what is it?"

"Gwen"

Jack hadn't expected that and he thought back to Ianto retreating when she had arrived and the way he seemed to wraith around her. She was the blank? Not him?

"She gives off a vibe?"

"No. She gives off nothing" Ianto frowned "Like she isn't there."

Jack had thought that had been him and was surprised, knowing he had not thought about it, "So… you instantly disliked her?"

"Yeah. I don't know why but…yeah. Crypto gets a bad juju off her too. We don't know why. Maybe it's just her personality…I don't know."

Jack considered, "Ianto…I don't know what is fully going on, I can only keep treading water if there is a chance of somewhere to head once I get my bearings. I don't want us to falter but I feel like I need help here."

"I am attracted to you, I am annoyed with the way my house has been taken over and I feel like I am the odd man out. I have lost everything and to get my niece back is a bonus I didn't think I would get. I really thought I was going to either burry their remains or hunt them down to kill what they had become. Now…I am so tired and confused."

"Hungry too I bet" Jack surmised, "Come on, let's go eat something and then see if we can get some sleep, yeah?"

Ianto nodded as he rose and Jack took a chance, "And one more thing before we go in."

Ianto turned to face him.

"I am attracted to you as well. Very much so but I will wait for you to be ready for each step OK?" Jack promised, "As long as you know…I want to lay with you. OK?"

Ianto blushed as he smiled and looked down, Crypto rolling his eyes.

"Gods just rut and get it over with"

"Oi!" Ianto spluttered as the dog trotted inside and Jack snorted with amusement.

"You're right. He is like Owen."

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Rhys was surprised when Ianto shied away from the roast and instead chose a tomato sandwich. Jack wondered why and Crypto sent him the reason, the roasting pan sitting on the stove top now getting a glare as Jack rose to put it out.

"Rhys, find another dish for the oven please, this one was used for other things and is not suitable for food prep" Jack said and Rhys granted as he pulled open the warming drawer and pulled out another slightly smaller one.

"This will do I suppose" he shrugged and Ianto looked at Jack with obvious relief as Jack winked and headed through to see what was happening with the others.

Gwen rose, "Is he with you? Can we have a discussion now?"

"Meow" Ianto muttered and Jack turned to him.

"Said the cat's mother"

Crypto walked in and jumped up to stare at Gwen.

The room was silent as people gaped and Owen looked up form the file he was scribbling in, "Hey, do you remember if that fella had all his hair or it was partial? It all happened so fast."

"Partial"

Owen went back to his report like nothing was wrong with having a conversation with a dog and Gwen slowly sat, gripping the chair as Crypto turned to look directly at her.

"What are you?" she demanded.

"I could ask the same thing"

"Leave him alone" Jack said as he entered, "This is his house as much as it's Ianto's and we will respect the entities that were here first."

"Entities"

"Gwen, you can always leave if you don't like it" Jack said as he settled next to the dog and reached out to place an arm around him, "These are one of my favourate beings. They are loving, kind and loyal. Not my fault one has never shown itself to you before."

"A dog" she said with incredulity, "You are telling me dogs can talk."

"Cats can do but never have anything to say to us lesser beings" Owen said more to himself than anyone else and Jack hid the grin as Lucifer chose that moment to stalk past with a flicking tail.

Gwen gold-fished.