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Marley was now fully obviously preggers. Her hands smoothed the top over her stomach as she sighed and looked forlornly at the food that did not agree with her.
In the two months since the recon … one since Sean fell from grace… those with child had blossomed, Ianto aware of those who were still hiding the fact or unaware that they were also in the club. Weird, like a herd of cattle all at the same time. He chastised himself for such a thought.
"What is it love?" Billy asked softly as he reached to grasp her hand.
"I don't know…just… it's all yucky" she screwed her face up and Ianto placed his napkin down frowning at the food he was poking at as well.
"It's OK Love, I know what you need. Sit tight, be back in fifteen minutes or less … or it's free" he winked and she smiled as he took off, Jack leaning back to watch him leave.
Ianto transformed as he ran though the village reaching the dome, slipping through and into the fields beyond. Trees. Plains. Hills … ah. Ianto slowed to a crawl on his gut, the herd of deer wandering along unaware of the one eyeing them up and he decided on a young buck that was trailing. He didn't even break a sweat, carrying it home over his back with triumph as it rubbed slowly against his fur.
"Fuck" Clive said as he helped hang it, watching Ianto expertly slide a knife into its neck to release the blood that it still held "It's still warm."
"Broke its neck, quick and painless but takes time for the body to get the idea. The blood does not congeal as fast" Ianto explained as he filled a cup from the blooding bucket, taste it and smacked his lips then filled it again, taking it in for Marley.
"What is it?" she asked with alarm as he shoved it at her, still licking his lips as her own mouth watered at the smell.
"If I am right, what you crave" he answered as she took a sip, her eyes widening as she groaned and swigged it down, then asked in a small voice as she stared into the cup "Was that blood?"
"Good right?"
"God yes!" she nodded "Where from?"
"Deer." Ianto said happily "Venison for dinner. I will make sure the culls are all blooded from now on, Myfanwy not caring if she gets one with blood or not, she loves the flesh."
"This is barbaric but…is there more?"
Come on my little lovely" Ianto led her out with Owen following to watch her crouch by the bucket and scoop a second cup out with glee.
"So … blood like you?"
"I was wondering. Yes. W were made by the same person, made with the same base DNA only she threw clicker and I wolf. It stood to reason she needed the same extra proteins as me" Ianto nodded "Otherwise I would have been in some real trouble back there."
Owen snorted "Taste good, did it?"
"A young buck, in his prime and about to be ousted from the herd by his father who clearly wanted his harem to himself. Zs would have eaten him within weeks of him wandering about on his own. Or the wild dogs." Ianto defended, "Yeah. He has eaten a lot of clover and I think a lavender patch. Sweet."
"At least now you don't have to sneak off every morning for a 'run' as you call it to get your fix" Owen smiled "So ... how far along are you then?"
Ianto's eye narrowed as he stared at his friend then he snorted softly "Bastard."
"Not my fault you gave yourself away there" Owen grinned "so?"
"On the recon. Jack and I sort of found an office…"
"He does like desks"
"Hmmmmmm"
"Does he know?"
"Yes. No. I am not hiding it but not broadcasting either. This is not the time for a celebration or crowing … Liam and the other two boys are still warm" Ianto sighed "We will keep this for another time, when we have all loosened the fists around our hearts to welcome the new life."
"Hell of a thing. Him waving his dick at you like that" Owen said calmly "Should come with a warning sticker above it."
Ianto glowed as he finally got to share with someone and he felt Jack in the bond, his own delight sparking as he caught the thoughts swirling around. Yes? Yes. Jack was happy, agreeing to hide it a while longer but already glowing with pride as Pip entered the bond with silent question.
Really?
Not sharing my side of the bed.
Jacks laughed, startling those at the table as he turned to cuddle his little son, whispering that he didn't have a side of the bed, he stole the middle every time.
No one knew what the conversation was about but as Jack and Pip smiled lovingly at one another they agreed whatever it was, it was something to do with loving one another.
Another.
Jack couldn't wait.
Pip pondered if he actually might share after all.