7

The Firefly touched down and as the ramp descended Ianto was already heading down it, excited to see who was on the tarmac and the calling started as those waiting saw who it was.

A song.

They were singing joyously as Ianto stepped onto the dirt and waved, answering them in their language. It was pretty, almost like a melody as they spoke to him and he answered, laughing as he turned to point back and introduce the others.

John did not know where to look first, all of them so white, their hair all fluffy in tight curls on their heads and their eyes were the most brilliant blue. God, he wanted to shag them all right there on the tarmac.

Ianto turned to the crew "Listen… we can sit a few days here until the planets align to slingshot around Holidal 4. They are happy, peaceable creatures but do not nick anything… they do not like thieves"

"Was that aimed at me?" John asked. "It was wasn't it, he didn't look at me but he means me right?"

"John… that one over there with his hand patting his hip, he want to know if you are available for… fun. He likes to top although you will be given a good ride as well" Ianto pointed and John swung to look at the tall glass of milk with frothy top.

"Boom boom" John said as he skipped over and Toshiko laughed. Wherever they go, something wants to shag John.

"What do they eat?" Owen asked.

"Virgins. Don't worry, you are quite safe" Ianto quipped and Jack was the first to break, roaring with glee as Owen gaped at Ianto. This side of him so unusual to see. But nice.

Ianto turned to motion that they move forward to let the others touch and examine them, Toshiko with her long black hair and olive skin, her dark almond shaped eyes intriguing them.

"How do you know this place?" Owen asked as they sat with plates of food and gentle hair stroking which they were getting used to.

"My mum did a paper on them when I was little for the Aliance, we came here for a year and it was one of the funnest times of my life."

"Funnest?"

Ianto laughed.

"Galactic Standard is not your first language" Jack guessed "what was it? You translate so many, so fluently but now and then… like that… there is a tell"

"Ah. Galliferyan" Ianto shrugged "My mother was from that side of the tracks, my Da was from Old Earth."

"Ergh… shit hole" Owen grimaced "Ripley totally trashed it."

"It was not all her fault .. it was well trashed before then. Earthlings did their own fair share of trashing ta muchly!" Ianto huffed, then smiled again "But you are right. It's pretty bloody gross now."

"So… this lot… your mum? Was she a sort of voyager? A Space Hippy?" Owen asked.

Ianto stared at him long and hard, and then said softly "My mother was an author who wrote of ancient races. You know… books and things."

"Really?"

"That book!" Jack blurted with shock, finally getting why Ianto kept that book he got him. "That's your mum on the back cover… oh gods. That's why she looks so pretty… your eyes!"

Ianto blushed.

"Look!" Owen squeaked as a little one suddenly came running towards them, the hair on the top of its head bobbing wildly "Awwwww…. So damned cute!"

"I know… I want one" Toshiko gushed, then saw the creatures all freeze so she corrected "I want to make a baby of my own."

They all relaxed and Jack laughed "Me too."

"Do you have a mate?" one asked.

Jack nodded, then anointed at Ianto "Ianto is my mate. He will be my baby's father."

They seemed to talc amongst themselves. Ianto laughing softly "My Mate is a man. Boeshanninan. I think he is trying to create something… what … I am not sure."

"Owen is taking out my inhibiter so in a few months I will be fertile and maybe we will conceive naturally" Jack said happily, leaning back "I can grown our baby myself, no need for a lab. If we are lucky and mother nature cares."

"Well… I am sure we shall give it every chance, try as often as we can" Ianto wined and Jack grinned wider.

"Oh baby… I am all for that!"

Everyone laughed and John settled to lift the little child into his lap "Awwww… look. So cute. What's your name little one?"

"Bip."

"Bip. Awwwwwww… what a perfect name for a little dot… so cute. Hey… did you know they came this small?"

Ianto face palmed as everyone roared with mirth. Ianto sighed "John. That is a toddler… like our kind.. they grow up right? They don't come out fully grown ya know… there would clearly only be one per family. Like… a cicada breaking out of it's skin… like… gross."

John sat and stared into space "That would look cool… weird but cool."

"There are human sized cicadas on Deliom" Owen supplied "They shed their skin once a year as they grow. You can buy them."

Everyone stared at him, not even a single face palm even able to be given.

Then one of the creatures said in halting Galactic Standard "How much do they charge?"

The laugher started as the tension waned and Owen found a fellow weirdo.