75

Ianto walked back from the meeting with Fay while chewing on a beef bone, thinking about their conversation. He flicked it to a nearby dog that had asked politely for it, watching it run off with glee. Not that it was hungry, all the pets were well cared for just like him. He stopped walking, chastising himself for starting already. Time to focus on something else.

Jack found him in the loft with the pups, watching them stagger about making squeaking noises and flashing their teeth. Hey, Whatcha doing Holdfast?"

"I think they are advanced enough now to introduce to everyone before they get scary. The sweet spot" Ianto answered, not really answering at all so Jack gave him a moment of two before really telling him. And eventually he did. "Hailey has had two miscarriages now."

"What?"

"She was just bit this time as well … lost it again. The birth defects, miscarriages … still births in the farm animals alone… let alone the human population .. I worry" Ianto admitted.

"You think it's the Domes? You still think that?"

"No. I think I was looking for an answer … something to blame. Tosh ran the tests several times, no radiation or any sort of energy comings off them. No. I am now thinking it's something more sinister" Ianto sighed, rubbing his face "I worry that it's those who were on contact with Zs in the beginning of things that are affected. The young ones are having healthy babies, those who did not have direct contact with the virus. What is this is another mutation in effect? They drove us mad, told us to eat one another, now they will make sure those left cannot breed?"

Jack sat staring at him or a while then sighed "So. This early? You are starting early with the irrational thoughts and hormonal twists?"

Ianto felt a flare of anger swinging to snarl then realised Jack was being right. He was being stupid. Sounding stupid. Hermaphrodites are not new. Neither are transgendered like Raven or miscarriages. These do not have to be some plot from a sinister 'nobody' or his fault for being his father's son. He was. He was starting the 'Horribles'.

"Shit"

"This one is different" Jack sighed. "This usually happens when you are large and self-hating."

"Large? So … you admit …. Damn it. Yes. Clever, seeking and … I think this little mind is pondering and chewing on things. A thinker. It makes me do the same. Already, different sounds and things confuse and interest him"

"Him."

"Yes. Yes. I feel a boy. Petite, thin. A little boy with a flop of hair, hands clasped together and a look of perpetual curiosity. Asking questions and pondering big things. Sits for hours watching butterflies while wondering how they fly. Yes. That is my problem. I am listening to our pup and reacting instead of explaining. Gods. He is asking these questions, making my mind over-think. I need to single him out and listen, then try to help him learn instead of going off on one." Ianto sighed, and then laughed softly. "He's agreeing."

"Already" Jack whispered softly "He's a little spitfire"

"Also, Sean. Nainny would not like this, I know Pip doesn't. Poppy was out father figure, the man who raised us. I know Pip wants to scold and cuddle but Sean had not given him a chance." Ianto sighed softly as he stretched out "I want to approach him to come back from Fallback, at least to Stronghold. Clara and Destiny need him, we have to try and reconcile things there. Eventually, hopefully he can come back to Holdfast. For now, just Stronghold would be a step forward."

"It's up to you Tiger. You know I will support you, whatever you decide in this. You know him better than anyone, his mood and how he might go with it." Jack nodded.

"Truthfully? I would like to run away to Shangri-La for the next few years" Ianto grimaced and Jack laughed as he rose, watching Ianto pet one of the pups that was now the size of a cat, it's large head more like a Doberman's now. Ianto was right. They had to introduce them now while they still looked gnarly and cute. Soon they would be bejezuz scary.

"Come on" Jack said after a while "Pip will be wanting some time."

"He is getting clingy" Ianto agreed as he let Jack lead him down the ladder, as if he needed it. They walked together, hand in hand as lovers do and for a while Ianto let everything slide. The long grass smelt great as they waded through it, almost two foot high and growing steadily. Hopefully they would get at least two harvests for the winter feed. Not they were feeding Outpost as well then needed….

"You thinking again Holdfast?"

Ianto laughed letting his head fall back as he let it all go. A butterfly lazily waved as it glided past. Children laughing and a faint dog bark. Someone was yelling at their kids while slapping a carpet with a broom, no doubt someone tracked dirt in again.

The world turned.