26
The little puppy was to be a boy, loud, excited and uncontrollable … much like his new master.
Jack had entered the main room with his big coat still closed and one arm hooked in a strange way that had immediately made little Rane curious.
He ran over and pulled at the coat, peering into the murky depths with a soft coo, then he squealed, his back arched back and his arms flapping wide with his little fingers wriggling with glee as Jack laughed and opened the coat to reveal a tiny puppy.
"He's just a baby" Jack said softly, holing him out and Rane was shaking with delight as he ever so gently took the puppy and sat rocking it.
"What have you there?" Ianto said as he watched his little boy glow.
"Bud!"
"Bud? Is that his name?" Ianto crouched and awed at the little face, a white terrier with a brown head and a brown spot near the base of his tail.
"My Bud!" Rane said with wide eyes, looking up at Ianto with sincerity.
"Well, if he's your Bud he must be yours" Ianto nodded with equal seriousness.
"My Bud" Rane repeated, clambering to his feet and running over to where Gray was talking to his father.
"Uncle!" Rane said and Gray looked down with surprise as a little hand patted her leg, "Look. Me got a Bud!"
Gray couldn't help but smile at the little face so full of delight and crouched to inspect the puppy.
"What a fine little puppy" Gray crooned, "He will need lots of love and care. He is so lucky you can do that."
"Yesh!" Rane agreed happily, his little hands stroking the tiny boys, "Love. Squish and carry."
"Not squish too hard though" Gray laughed, "But everyone needs a wee squish sometimes."
Rane looked at him as he stroked the puppy's head and leaned over, kissing his cheek as Gray froze.
"You good Uncle" Rane told him "Love my Uncle."
Rane then toddled off as Gray stayed there, crouched on the ground with his hand covering the spot those tiny lips had brushed.
Ianto felt such pride in his child for showing affection and when Gray grinned happily and watched the child Ianto knew there was no need to ever fear any danger from that man.
Everyone loved the little pup and Rane was often seen running the halls, squealing with delight as his little dog ran with him, every slave and pet watching with delight.
Scraps and treats were snuck to child and dog, making some slaves firm favorites and Ianto loosened his grip on the child, letting him run free without close supervision, although he was always watching covertly, just in case.
Bud also proved a fierce protector, not letting any new house visitors neat his little master, baring milk teeth and snarling like a huge monster.
Gray found this extremely amusing and would deliberately take his guests into which ever room he thought the child was in just to watch Bud do his thing.
It was Gray who gave the little dog treats under the table as Ianto scolded lightly, with a soft smile to show his affection was growing for the man.
The cook's stolen child was allowed to play in the afternoons and Ianto often settled in the atrium so the children could play in the 'jungle' with the dogs, squealing and laughing as they filled the house with joy.
Queen River was smitten, enjoying how the puppy had brought out Rane's playful side and she joined Ianto with her needlepoint. She also enjoyed the time with Ianto who now openly talked and laughed, showing where the child got his playfulness from.
Jack found them there watching as the children stalked the gardener, the dogs stalking them.
"Cariad" Ianto's face lit up as he pouted for a kiss and Jack sighed as he settled in Ianto's lap and snuggled in.
"What a horrible bore" Jack groaned, "Those breeders want our horses but really they want the bloodline, trying to talk us into breeding stock."
"You do not sell breeding stock" Ianto said firmly and Jack nodded.
"Exactly what I said sweetling" Jack hummed happily as Ianto rubbed his back and held him tight.
"You are always right Cariad" Ianto crooned, "They can either respect you for that or bugger off to a less reparable breeder."
"Yes. What I thought" Jack huffed.
"Exactly. You need to protect your family legacy, those horses are such wonderful creatures with the drop of Dragon in them" Ianto said softly.
"What?" both Jack and his mother sat up with interest.
"Your horses, they have a touch of dragon in them. Have you never noticed their eyes?" Ianto canted his head, "They have passed through the realm of dragons somewhere in the distant past, this bloodline is powerful."
"Do you think anyone else knows?" Jack asked, looking at his mother's shocked face.
"There are whispers" Ianto rose to grab a dog that was heading or the fish pond, "Always whispers in the lower levels."
"Well." Jack blinked.
"That explains their intelligence" River smiled, her own mount, a small grey, a firm favorite.
"Never doubt a horse's intelligence my lady" Ianto said as he returned with a dripping wet puppy, "They never give themselves away to humans. But they are smarter than these wee imps for sure."
As Ianto shook the puppy and water splashed from its tail they laughed.
Jack decided to check the prices, he was selling his horses for too little, it seems.