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Ianto was laughing as he walked along with Kris, showing him the gardens the children were tending, another redhead spotted as he scooped her up and she squealed with glee "AHAAAAAA! REDS ARE EVERYWHERE!"
"Put her down you bully" Ianto laughed as Kris kissed a little face then watched the child happily settle back beside another that looked at him with interest. Children were everywhere. All ages, colours and strengths were walking confidently around like there was not some deadly plague the size of bitey humans in the world.
Ianto caught the thought and sighed softly "Most have never seen one. The handful that have, vowed not to tell the others. When they are of age we have a class, a special school where we teach self defence, survival and the true nature of these things we created."
Kris glance at Ianto and frowned "this was not a Torchwood fuckup To… Ianto"
"No. It was manmade though" Ianto grimaced "There is a book called 'How it began' in the library. You do remember how to read don't you?"
Kris roared with fake anger as he went to seize Ianto then froze as a loud noise started, the entire village stopping as dogs flowed like water from under houses, from inside houses, from the long grass where they had been sleeping and most alarming, a handful of wolves flew with speed and accuracy to surround Ianto menacingly.
Holy shit" Kris stepped back with shock.
"It's OK. He was playing" Ianto soothed reaching out to place his hand on a huge wolf's head the size of a bloody cow … well … it seemed that way to Kris at the time … the large head and intelligent eyes drinking him in.
"Are those…. Real?"
"Arctic wolves. Huge right? Broke out of the London Zoo when it all went down" Ianto nodded as the animals relaxed and started to slink off, a lone Weevil remaining with his clawed hand inside Ianto's' and a defiant look as the huge wolf still with Ianto finally turned to follow his pack. "If you think they are scary … you should have seen the gorillas on the loose. That was scary!"
Kris blinked, then looked at the weevil child "Sorry Frank. I did not mean to startle everyone. Me and T… Ianto always roughhoused. Like … boys right? Playing."
The Weevil canted his head then scowling, looked up at Ianto who laughed softly. Although there were no words and he could see no hand movements, it seemed the little creature was asking something and Ianto answered "Yes. No lie. I was a little boy once."
Frank looked at the man some more, knowing he was nice but the fact Tadda was in pup made it hard not to want to bit and chomp.
"Frankie" Dean called for over by the water feature "come help me lift the pump, it's got stones in it again."
The weevil swung to slope off after his love and Kris blinked as he let out his breath "That is going to be a strong soldier."
"He already is" Ianto said then smiled as Allison walked towards them. She had fresh clothing on, still glowing from the Clothing House (and maybe some more drinky-poos) and Kris turned to see why Ianto was smiling and saw his woman in the most amazing bright red dungarees and red and white checked blouse, matching head band and strong black boots that looked military grade. Ianto called out "I see you got into the Wardrobe House did you?"
"This place is awesome!" she enthused as she came to a stop "Baby, you should see their vehicle pool. My god, it has a 72 Bedford in mint condition, the timing is off but I can fix that. God … and there are these little dune buggies …oh … RHYS! Did I tell you? Rhys Williams! He's here too. God, that man can park a semi in a space with only paper width between trailers. He and I long hauled together sometimes when we were in long haul transit packs. He was soooo funny. Here! Right here like nothing ever happened. Even showed me this vehicle that hovers and …. Shit. Krissy. I don't wanna go."
Kris watched her face fall as she looked around and knew that to have bought her this far only to push her back to the Outpost was unfair. He didn't know this place existed. Ash should have told them, so much time wasted thinking that was the best they could hope for.
"Well … there is room" Ianto said softly as she looked at him with wide eyes "Seriously. You are welcome but I warn you, it's all a bit weird at times. Rhys is married to Alice, Jack's daughter so technically he is my son-on-law and calls me Tad to piss me off."
"Wasn't he with a gap toothed …" Kris frowned.
"She didn't make the cut" Ianto said firmly shutting down that conversation "she almost took others with her. Read the books. Was a first class…ah… witch with a B."
"That's Bitch" Rosie said happily, always helpful as Allison laughed and clapped her hands.
"Right then … go see Fay. She's in charge of accommodation these days." Ianto nodded and Allison squealed with delight.
Just like that.
They were finally home.
