30

"Jack?"

Jack knew the tone of that word and looked up from where he was crouching with a polishing cloth at his husband with a resigned smile. "Yes Tiger?"

"Hawk."

"Yeah, I know. He seems determined to have one of the pups. I have explained that your decision is final but…. " Jack's voice petered out as Ianto's scowl deepened and he added quickly "But I also said that I thought it fair that Imp got one. It was his turn."

"Right, so why is he on the internet looking at dog breeds?"

"Well… I thought… maybe…"

"We have too many now. We have a village full and more arriving every day as people dump them in the woods and they find their way to the bridge, cold, starved and afraid. I don't know why when we have the drop boxes now. We are becoming an animal sanctuary for fucksake. I forbid it."

"What?"

"You heard me. You are NOT getting that child a dog of his choice to make up for his brother getting one" Ianto is stern now "you are spoiling him. Remember we agreed to say if it was going too far? It went too far a ways back and I am sick of trying to reel you both in. I know it's hard but at some stage you have to be the parent here. No means no. I say no. Blame me, I don't care. I can love his dogs he already has, the many cats he has and the goats… the horse… fuck I expect to find a blood gorilla on the loo one morning… no."

Jack knows Ianto is right but it still rankles that he accuses him of…. Oh. Well… maybe a little bit too coddling. He could pare it back a little… yeah maybe.

Ianto watched Jack stall out as he assessed the accusation and he knows as Jack's face drops the he knows Ianto is right. He also knows he will have to be a bad guy and he hates it. News flash… Ianto hates that part of parenting too ya know.

"I am starting the lunch sandwiches… you can go occupy the little shit with seething that does not involve dogs OK?" Ianto suggested "Ask Ton to help. He can usually distract him."

Jack nodded and left as Ianto huffed, his hand on his hips as he stared at the ride-on-mower Jack had been tinkering with. Only thing Jack liked to do other than spoilt that chid is ride around mowing village lawns with Ton.

Their matching mowers so they can do a side each like a bloody tag team was ridiculous. So expensive, all shiny and pretty but they did enjoy it.

Ianto went back to start the long task of preparing lunch as all the kids from the neighbouring houses would filter in soon. It was Grandy's day for lunch.

Ianto was over dogs for a little while.