27
Jack was getting antsy and forgot the number one golden rule … don't go behind the Alpha's back.
Mickey was sitting in a chair with an engine part on the old table while he cleaned it with a toothbrush that was clearly once one of his children's as he listened to Jack, Vic checking sparkplugs as he listened as well then he asked "What does Ianto say?"
"Wait."
"Then maybe we should" Vic nodded, placing another one aside, "He knows these things."
"Hey! This was my jam. I know this place like the back of my hand, I am telling you it's an easy in and out. The only real time is in the travel" Jack argued, "Ianto doesn't want to leave the pups but there will always be pups. I can't afford to wait another couple of years, the battery life on the locks might fail and it would be sealed forever, all that tech lost!"
Vic stopped clicking a button on an old switchboard, staring at Jack like he had just said the earth was flat. Jack frowned "What?"
"Did you two talk timeframes? I mean … did he say he couldn't go for years?" Mickey asked.
"No. But … there will always be a pup and there will always be a problem." Jack slouched.
"Like … you think he will give you any more pups if you act like a dickhead?" Mickey snorted "Dude, I love you to pieces but you are a right Wally some times. Pip is different. Don't' you think it's HIM that needs a little time here? Did you stop to think that or just go off on one. Christ, sometimes I wonder how he stands you at all, much as I love you. No disrespect. All love here man. You are a dick! Pip is probably scared of you leaving him for so long! Any kid would be if they parent was gonna piss off for a week or so into a war zone!"
Jack stared at him, then groaned.
Yeah.
Pippy.
.
.
.
.
He found Ianto out in the meadow, picking wild flowers while Pip slept in the safety of a reinforced ATV. Jack was surprised to see Ianto had ventured beyond the Dome with their youngest pup when he didn't like letting the twins out let alone their beloved Rosie Girl this far out. The sound of his dirt bike woke Pip who yawned and stretched as Ianto ignored Jack.
"Hi Holdfast"
Ianto glanced at him, then straightened up, the flowers bright and cheerful in an otherwise tense moment.
"I'm sorry. I am selfish, always have been and I know it's no excuse but I hate losing time, power, leadership. I … I am acting like a spoilt brat told he has to wait to open his birthday presents until after the cake and I want to open them now. Sorry love. I took it out on you, didn't see that I was doing it and acted like it was your fault." He grimaced as the bond remained closed "I understand that Pip needs you, needs time for things happening. I didn't mean to be so selfish. It's in my DNA like a survival trait to be a douche."
"Apology accepted" Ianto said as he started to walk over to the ATV, then reached in "Are these enough?"
"Yesh"
Pip accepted them and clutched them with both his hands, his face a picture of misery. Jack frowned as he knelt to look into the toddler's face "Hey sweetie. You OK?"
"Nainny's anniversary" Ianto said as he settled in the driver's seat "He missed it. I didn't, but he remembered when he saw the calendar and now feels miserable. I should have reminded him but wasn't sure if I should. I am taking him to put flowers on her grave."
"Aw hell. I forgot too" Jack told the little one "Sucks right? Time is all weird? Sorry love. I'll come too."
"It's OK, you don't have to" Ianto said dismissively as Pip peered at him then nodded. He wanted him to come. Jack rose and reached out to pat the little leg. Ianto felt annoyance and also anger that was slowly receding as he knew it was wrong to fight about the pups, but this had not really been about the pups. Not really.
This had been about his place as Alpha.
Jack forgot, the real thing you never do with Wolfling is challenge their place in the pack. Ianto was slighted. He drove back with Jack following on the motorbike he had taken out, a noisy thing that ran circles around the clumsy yet incredibly safe ATV. By the time they got back to the dome Pip was laughing so hard he was choking, clasping the flowers to his chest as he heaved, waiting for Jack to race past again with silly things like standing up so his bum was in the air, or driving with his feet.
Ianto couldn't help but let the infections amusement filter through the anger and he turned off the ATV at the Big House as Jack got off the bike and walked over, "come on Pippity pops!"
"Jack?"
"Yes love?"
"I want to call a line but … we need a talk at some stage away from pups."
Jack did not like that, or the way Pip's little hands tightened their grip on his arm with alarm.
Jack was not going to like any of this.
But it was needed.
Ianto was Alpha.