7
Ianto went on alert, patrolling past the bridge, the drone passing overheard telling him that Tosh had the same thought and he waited to hear if she saw anything.
The new coms for his Wolfling ear was silently blinking a tiny blue light, something Ianto didn't really like but knew it showed battery strength so he accepted it was one of Tosh's requirements.
She found evidence of their travel, alarming Ianto who had hoped they had at least covered their tracks and when Tosh said the drone had reached its limit he told her to call it back he would go on a wee way just to check.
"Don't go too far love" Jack's voice was warm caramel in his ear, "You are already more than two day's travel by a mere mortal. Set the cameras for the bridge and get back here."
Ianto huffed softly but did as he was told, pausing to scent the air one more time before turning back for home. Sure he had missed something, his nerves frayed.
Jack was waiting for him and they headed for the hot pools, Ianto panting as his body tried to adjust from the cold, then sliding in still in Wolfling form before transforming so his human self wouldn't get frostbite.
"You're scared" Jack whispered after a while and Ianto grunted as he wriggled against him.
Mickey is in love with the little one, looks like he wants it but Martha is not sure if she wants another one" Jack whispered as he kissed Ianto's forehead, "Andy doesn't care either way. He wants the other one as well. If he could take them all and a piglet he would be happy."
"He's a good man" Ianto sighed, finally warm.
"I'm thinking we should talk to him about transferring to the school nursery. Maybe we have had him in the wrong place. The kids love him, it's all women and maybe a man there will show the kids that gender roles are a thing of the past." Jack was thinking out loud, giving Ianto more time to think as well. "Marley is acting squirrelly again, she's not gone clicker in a while but when I suggested she go after you she shook her head like I was telling her to shave her head."
"I think she's preggers" Ianto whispered. "But she doesn't know, just feels weird."
"If she is…"
"Then going to clicker mode might not be a good idea" Ianto finished for him, "We don't know how her body will react to a child, I don't want to risk it. I have been trying to work out how to broach the idea but she has been so busy with the winter cuts."
"Everyone so bored, haircuts and manicures are a time waster" Jack sighed with agreement, "Gods, she even did the fat old dog with half an ear the other day, did you see it's orange nails?"
Ianto hummed as he felt Jack swishing the hot water over them both and he kissed Jack's neck.
"Careful, we're in the Grup part but its daytime love" Jack laughed softly, kissing Ianto back with affection.
Ianto rose from the water like a fucking god, Jack swallowing as he watched the rivulets of water kissing his skin like he wanted his kips to, Ianto grinning as he knew he was making a scene.
"Oh shit" Kev said with surprise as he stood in the doorway, "Didn't know it was taken."
"Just teasing my mate …gonna run naked now" Ianto said conversationally as he slipped past the grinning Hawaiian and Jack yelped as the white arse of his Holdfast disappeared.
They ran giggling like children, cupping their crotches in their hands and more than one person was passed with their laughter joining in.
Thank god the natural heating was now heating the entire under-village.
"Oi" Rhys called out as he saw them approaching, shielding his baby's eyes as they thundered past, "Bloody cheeky, that is!"
"Lovely cheeks too, best you've ever seen" Jack's voice echoed as it faded and Rhys laughed softly as he looked down at Melina, "See that? That's your gene pool young lady."
Melina gave a gummy grin to show she wouldn't mind some nakedness either and Rhys kissed her sweet face, wandering off for the motor pool, his limpet his for the day as Alice settled back into the school.
Hope was sitting by the pool of water and looked up as her parentals ran past, looking over at Ifan who was folding clothes like a washer woman, his face showing no change in what was clearly a normal occurrence.
And why not?
The body is a wonderful thing, nothing to be ashamed of. They swam naked all the time.
Marley entered with Rose and blew them a kiss, smiling as Ianto emerged in plain black clothing that showed he was on security detail up top today "Hey darling."
"Hi Taddy" she smiled happily, "I see you're going topside, was gonna…."
"Actually I need you to take Rose" Ianto said, hefting the baby back at her, "Me and Jack wanted to take the Cats out to see how deep the snow is between villages in case there has to be top travelling."
"Oh!" she said happily cuddling the sweetling, "Cool."
She left with a bounce in her step and with her favourite thing as Jack emerged dressed the same.
"When we get back I can get her alone" Ianto said to Jack as he pulled on his boots, "Plant the seed of the idea of a baby."
Jack looked around and realised the baby was gone again, he hadn't even got a kiss.
He felt his hackles rise.
