39

Many might have thought things settled but it seems young Solomon seems to hold a grudge. He was waiting for Frank behind the barn where he knew he went each afternoon to check the new kittens in the hay bales.

"Hey!"

Frank turned slowly, surprise on his face as he saw Solomon approaching him and he grunted as he placed the kitten food down and turned to face him with interest.

"You know … I was thinking about things and ya know what? I think Dean was helping you" Solomon said angrily "You to have that connection thing and he's Wolfling. He was, right? He was giving you his strength or something, that's how you beat me!"

Frank was confused and canted his head as he tried to understand what Solomon wanted then he shrugged to show he didn't really care and turned to get the food. The fist to the side of his head was a surprise, as was the knee to his groin and like any male, he yelped and fell to his knees as pain flared.

"Yeah. See?" Solomon snorted "Thought so. Not so tough now your fella isn't here to …"

Anything else was cut short as Frank rose and roared with anger, striking Solomon hard in the face, dead bang. Solomon's nose exploded as did his right cheekbone, Frank too angry to feel anything but righteousness as he snarled, seizing the shocked man by the shoulders and heaving him across the barn, through the wall and out into the sunlight. Everyone outside stood gaping, the veggie patch full of Littles who had never seen such a thing, a pissed Frank following soon out though the hole to roar and crouch like he may attack again.

Then Dean was there, slamming Solomon back off his feet and swinging , his own fist hitting the already broken nose as Solomon cried with pain and now fear. Dean was half transformed, like a werewolf as he snarled into his face with rage at the attack on his Frank.

"ENOUGH!"

Ianto's roar carried over the entire village, people unaware of events unfolding freezing to turn in the direction it came from. Frank immediately unfurled his lips and straightened up, moving to stand in front of Ianto to show respect.

"Dean. Get off him, his face needs attention" Ianto said calmly, Solomon clambering up to stand dripping blood everywhere as he panted through the pain. "Solomon, look at me."

Solomon did and Ianto stared deep into his eyes, the young man's pain seeming to recede as he stopped shaking, his breathing evening out and then he straightened up to almost meet Ianto in stature.

"Solomon. I am disappointed in you today. Go find Owen and get that nose reset. Then think on what has happened and the choices you made. I expect to see you tonight before the meal to hear your thoughts" Ianto stepped back and Solomon nodded, instinctually knowing whatever Ianto had done for him would wear off soon. That pain was so intense that he didn't want it again. Of course … we know he had a lot more pain to come before those bones were seated in their correct position but maybe he deserved it.

"Dean."

Dean ignored his father, his hands smoothing over Frank as he checked him then he turned to face Ianto with his head raised "I defended."

"Yes. I am not disappointed in you, nor you Frank. You were challenged outside the rules of the ring. You answered the challenge and although you didn't have to, you did hold back. I know you did." Ianto sighed, motioning for them to follow Solomon and make sure he found Owen who would want to check his boy was OK.

Ianto then turned to the Littles who really needed his guidance now "you see … Solomon still smarted over losing to Frank. He thought he might stand a better chance without Dean around to help Frank feel tough. He didn't understand."

"Frank doesn't need Dean, he a Weevil!" Bella snorted "He can fight Dean!"

"Yes. You know Frank is strong, he carries you sometimes. Not everyone understands that Frank is strong and tougher than he looks. He is older than himself. Like … his body and his Weevil years are different to human. He is a man." Ianto explained.

"He mine and Dean's" Bella said confidently "But…well Dean's. Really."

"Yes. They belong together. Two strong men. Dean is older because of the Wolfling in him even though he may outlive all of you." Ianto smiled.

"So will you and Dadda Jack. You will live forever. Why can't we?" Preston asked.

"Because me and Dadda Jack were touched by the golden goddess. We will always be here. I know you want to as well but not everyone does. It's the way life is. You have to grow up and grow old. But what a life you can live if you do it right."

"Yes. What a life we shall have here. I don't want to leave the Dome."

"You do not have to. Not everyone wants to explore, no shame in being content here." Ianto assured the boy.

"But why do some?"

"Because some want to know more. Learn more. See more."

"So we don't have to"

"Maybe" Ianto laughed at the logic, "Maybe we will video some of it so when we get back you can watch it one night like a special movie night."

Cheering now as they started asking about what he might see out there in the Real World.

Ianto tried to ignore the anger in the bond as Jack got to Solomon and Frank.

Dean was righteous.