22

"Are you safe?" Ianto asked, his husband's grainy image phasing in and out as he fought the vessel he had 'acquired' and Ianto knew he would kill himself before he gave up on his family.

"We will play the game as long as we have to" Ianto assured him "Just… just be safe too. They will not come back here, the threat of Strangles sent them packing. I know we are protected with that umbrella now."

"That's a good idea. Maybe others could use it. We will try to get it broadcast through the underground channels … if there are enough cases to horrify them they might leave the planet." Jack sighed "I love you."

"And I love you too" Ianto smiled "Kitty is being a little monster, she hates the dresses."

Jack's face softened as he knew his other twin would no doubt not care a jot, maybe even flounce a bit with his DNA so strong in that one. He nodded as he turned off the transmission, the timer about to ding to tell them they could be traced soon.

Ianto sat for a while staring at the screen as he sighed softly, his hands rubbing on the plush velvet arms while he considered options, then he rose, turning to find little Kit in the doorway, his tiny face contorted in a scowl as he grizzled softly, puling at the flowery dress he had been wrestled into.

"I know. You want your pants. I know. I like pants too" Ianto sighed "Come on. Maybe I can find some little dungarees or something in the girl's things that are not too girly hmmm? Come on darling."

Ianto carried the floppy child into the wardrobe area, looking through the girl's things and he found a pale apple green pair of overalls with a pink rose embroidered on the bib and he matched it with a pale pink shirt to match the rose. "There we are. Pants."

Kit seemed to consider this option, still clearly not sure if this was good enough so Ianto smiled and added "I have a shirt the same colour. Wanna match Taddy? Hmmm?"

Ianto found his shirt and paired it with a deep wine tie, his little son's eyes widening at the color combination and Ianto smiled, adding a pale green waistcoat. "There. We match. Dapper?"

Kit smiled, the first smile all day as he looked at himself and his Taddy, finally happy with the clothing. Ianto settled on the bed pulling him in for a cuddle and a soft kiss to his cheek "You know. You are not a baby anymore. You are so big and strong. Look at Jax, you are the same age. You are big and strong and clever, right? I know it's been hard to play this game and I am so proud of you. Of all of you. Time for you to be a big boy too … you have to give up the tit."

Ianto carried his son to the nursery wing and placed him back down, the other kids fussing on him as he stood and preened, finally happy for a change. Ianto was relived. The doorbell not expected or welcome, the house still on the lifters. Only a hover could reach. Fov. He knew it was him before he even opened the door.

"Good evening" the man smiled in a disarming way, pushing into the house with his arms full of food "It occurred to me that with you in quarantine you would need supplies. The couple at the store said you've not been in all week. Also … I wanted to check you were OK. Maybe seek a home cooked meal for a change?"

Ianto didn't like this but had no choice but to step to one side, letting him into the house and he could only hope everyone were in their places and this would be as equally painless as before.

As he closed the door he felt a hand descend on his shoulder and knew deep down … it would not.

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Elizabeth sat with Kt in her lap, the little one content to fiddle with a little music box they were usually not allowed. The other children were muted, sitting on the floor with coloring things and some little blocks. Owen paced, not liking the length of time that was passing, the knock had been an hour ago and Ianto was still not back to tell him to unlock.

What the hell wa going on?

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"For an Alpha, you are a very good cook" Fov said as he sat back, pushing the plate away "And one of my favorite dishes. You made it exactly as my mother did. An old recipe."

Again Ianto was grateful to that guard that had shown him attention as a child, and his memory that retained the meals "It was nice to provide. My mother believed in preparing her children for every eventuality. She feared I would never bond, had an image of me as a bachelor all my life. Made sure I could fend for myself."

"Really? Why is that?"

"Because I am not your average Alpha. I am … complex. I believe it is my Boeshanninan heritage that makes me … moody and pensive at times. Not everyone understands it is not sulking, merely pondering and they take my glares as a negative. I can't help it if I have a resting Bitch Face."

Fov roared with mirth, and then rose "Well. We are leaving this planet tomorrow … we were unaware how prevalent the Strangles was in these parts. Although my men have not contracted it … they are scared."

"Understandable. We are too" Ianto smiled in what he hoped was a pleasant way, his hand twitching in his lap as the other lifted the glass of green liquid. He also remembered their favorite drink with this meal, something in the back of the cupboard that had been a housewarming gift. Gods … if not for this edidic memory ... they would be dead already.

The way Fov was looking at him, like appraising him … Ianto was not sure what his next move should be. He tired for innocent "So my dear Brother. If there is the fear of Strangles, are you not a naughty boy coming here? Do they know you are here? I would not want to get you in trouble."

"No … no. I told them I was doing a search along the coast to settle my nerves before blast off No. No one knows I am here … totally off the grid. Don't worry. That Hover is not marked, could belong to anyone. No sensors or trackers. It will never be traced back to me or my unit."

Ianto felt something in him relax as he now had the information needed to reassess his position while Fov took another sip of shitty wine and Ianto smiled.

Right then.

Wanna see what sort of Alpha I am?