17
Jack laughed out loud with shock and confusion. Lots of help there, then he sobered as he saw that Ianto was not kidding. Elizabeth had … feelings for him.
"Shit."
"Yes. My thoughts exactly" Ianto sighed.
"Well … you are presenting as an Alpha now. She is chaste, no longer connected to me by a flesh bond … I guess it's logical in a terrifying way that another Alpha might gain her attention. That's it's you … gods. She must be conflicted." Jack sat back, rubbing at his face "Poor love. Christ."
"Exactly." Ianto flapped his hands into the air then let them fall "She is loyal to the family … I AM family … she is having romantic feelings. I don't know if it goes as far as sexual … she has told me she daydreams about me holding her hand, cuddling with her on the sofa … domestic sort of stuff."
"So … might not be sexual … just… wow. This is so hard to talk about" Jack grimaced.
"I didn't want things spoken about any further without you first. I mean… this is something the three of us should discuss … it affects us all. She is as important as either one of us." Ianto agreed.
"Right. Let's …. Elizabeth. Great, was coming to find you. Come sit with us love" Jack patted a seat as his wife entered the room, glancing at Ianto then blushing as she knew the conversation topic now. She settled and sat primly, clearly uncomfortable.
"OK. I would like to start by saying that I love you" Ianto said to her calmly "Also … I was startled by your admissions but after having time to consider things I am flattered. I do not want to make you uncomfortable but … these … urges. Are they sexual?"
She looked at him then said "No … not … flesh. No. It's .. affection I crave. Your arms, your kiss? I don't know. It's terribly wrong."
"I am an Alpha. It's natural to have…feelings for an Alpha. Especially if it is one in your family not blood. Gods. I am so sorry that I did not see this earlier. Elizabeth … I would like to hold your hand in the street, I didn't want to assert myself. I held my sisters' hands and was a touchy feeling kind of guy. A kiss goodnight, a hug … human touch … I understand that." Ianto let her process "I do not want anyone in my bed but Jack. That does not mean I would be uncomfortable with a clutch on the lawn … sofa watching TV with the kids … normal family things. We can be affectionate, we are siblings. We should feel comfortable with shown affection. I do love you. It would never be in a physical manner … I can only lay with Jack but … contact is definitely something I would like. I love hugs. It may grow one day o something physical but … that would be another discussion."
"I … yes. I would like that so much" she lit up "I also like my own space in my bed … I do not feel the need for sexual stimulation … gods, it feels horrible talking about this but we must. We must. I love you too Ianto. I do. So much. I crave your attention. Touch. Smile. Yes. The occasional kiss would be lovely."
"OK. So enough of this weird feeling between us. We dispatch that now" Ianto said leaning in to kiss her softly on the lips. It was warm. Soothing and full of love and as they has hoped, did not stir things deep down. Just their hearts feeling warmer, not a hint of lust.
"I don't know if it is incredibly hot or disturbing to see you two like this … I do understand though. I do love you both, I will need some time to adjust to this… I see that this is not some lustful thing … I understand. Affection. Agreed." Jack finally said softly "I am sorry if you have felt left out or pushed aside in my quest to love Ianto. I do love you 'Lizzybeth."
"I know. Now we all know and … it's good. It's OK." She let out a deep breath, "I feel so much better now. Gods. Yes. Sorted?"
"Sorted" Ianto smiled, reaching for her hand "come on. Let's go watch our children play."
She rose and was obviously delighted as he continued to hold her hand, walking with her to the children's wing where they found the place in chaos, laughter and feathers. Damn. They don't make pillows like they used to I guess.
Ianto and Elizabeth fell to their knees, scooping up the feathers only to laugh as the feathers floated around in the air, like snow. The kids shrieked and ran about flapping their arms not helping one little bloody bit as Ianto tried not to laugh but his scolding disintegrated, sitting back on his heels and throwing his hands up in surrender, then catching the nearest child for a kiss.
Sean entered and stood watching as his brother fell back into the feathers letting them fluff into the air and the kids fell on him with screeches of glee, like wild animals attacking as Jack hooked out little Kit and held him close, clucking at him while keeping him out of the madness. The little one was still slightly poorly and although wanted to play was clearly tired. Jack sat in a chair with his little boy in his lap, talking softly as he told him a story about fishes, Kit looking up at him adorningly as he clutched his little hands together under his chin, looking so much like Ianto that Jack felt his heart swelling.
It was all going to be OK.