9
The evening meal was full of meat, laughter and gentle touches as those going made sure to make memories with their children … just in case. Ianto knew it was bitter sweet and vowed to make sure he brought back more living not body bags. The pain of just thinking about failing them was raw. Jack felt it in the bond and reached out to touch his knee. He didn't want Ianto thinking about the Zs out there … or those who may have survived this long and the state they would be in if such a thing were true, even if deep down they doubted it.
"Hey" he whispered "Early night?"
Ianto nodded and rose, reaching for Pip who made a noise and pointed at Mica who smiled softly as she agreed he could come to her tonight for a cuddle with Lilly-Rhae if he wanted. He grunted with satisfaction and went back to picking peas from his pate and dropping them over the side of his chair for the dog waiting patiently. He was an animal lover, as always.
The two men checked their other children and found there were things all the kids had planned for tonight, their kids making sure the other children would not have bad dreams or a sad night lamenting their parentals leaving, they would all have fun and fall asleep in the company of those who would always be with them.
Even at their young ages they were leaders, Wolfing who knew their place was not just to protect but to nurture. What a wonderful world they were making and one day their own offspring would stand at the cliff and look out over their domain.
"You waxing lyrical in that mind of yours?" Jack asked softly and Ianto hummed, smiling as he turned to kiss Jack, pushing him against the tunnel wall. They kissed hungrily then continued to their quarters, the soft hum of the walls soothing as Chrystal warmed the room for them and soon they were in the water. Their naked bodies were as supple and lithe as the first time, their cries just as lusty while they rutted. Afterwards they lay with their bodies entwined panting and spent, Jack's hands running over his lover's body as he still marvelled in his beauty. Kisses and then they got out, drying and heading to the bedroom where Jack found Ianto not finished, sliding onto him with a soft growl as Jack lay back and enjoyed being used as a sexual object.
They lay and listened to the bond, their children playing and their laughter echoed, especially Pip who seemed hell-bent on creating a castle for everyone out of pillows… of course everyone screamed at to make it, the children liking all the falling over as he roared and scolded, the amusement telling them he knew full well they would never make it.
"Are you OK Holdfast?" Jack whispered into the darkness as they lay sweaty and debouched.
"Always my Captain" Ianto replied softly.
"Are you happy?"
"Always my Captain."
"Do you want more?"
"Always and forever if it's you" Ianto's voice took on a predatory growl and Jack laughed happily as he didn't need to know that one, the bond told him every time his beloved Holdfast looked at him that there was nothing he had to prove, do or achieve in this bonding. He was the man he wanted to be his whole life.
Someone's.
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Jack knelt in the cavern as the rest of the pack woke to the new day, his hands moving through the old wooden box he had found in his any things. He hummed softly as his fingers finally found the thing they sought and he lifted it up to the light, Chrystal stalling out as she saw what he had brought into her heart.
The crystal from his desk, all these years forlorn and alone sang as it felt the touch of another entity and Jack gently placed it on the ground in the corner he had cleared away for it, then rose and placed the fencing around it. He then brushed his hands on his pants and watched the little crystal glow softly.
"Cariad?"
Jack turned to find Ianto in the doorway, his face one in question.
"I found the crystal from my desk, remember? I thought … I thought they belonged together. It looks like they like each other" Jack turned to gesture at the corner "I know it sounds silly but .. .all the kids are OK. This one last thing needed to be done."
"And now?"
"And now we get ready to roll" Jack smiled as he pulled Ianto close "And I get to see you run like the fucking wind."
"Ah. Fucking wind, the dirty kind" Ianto chortled as they walked together towards the steps upwards, back out into the Real World above them.
Dean was excitedly waiting, Frank angrily standing to one side with a kitten in his clawed hands. He was not happy that his Deano was going without him, even as he understood he had to stay. He had responsibilities to their babies, another two kittens at his feet calmly chewing on his pat leg.
He was a responsible parental ya know.
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Thank you for those well wishes and comments of support. We still mourn the gunman's actions but we will heal stronger for those scars. Although the shocking events a week ago will remin in my mind for some time I am heartened that we as a people responded in a way that is humane and totally forward thinking. Hopefully other nations can take heed and stop the pot stirring. We are one.