13
Ianto was walking with Emma in his arms, talking softly to her as the other kids rampaged in the afternoon sunshine. She had fallen and was now sulky. Teething too. Poor little bugger. The last month or so had been war on her little knees and hands, so determined.
There was a commotion ahead and he slowed, and then stopped altogether as Owen Fucking Harper... Doctor if ya please… wandered past talking with someone who was keeping step. What?
Ianto moved fast now, looking around at the strangers in the village, the general high level of excitement and happiness. Then he saw him. Still has that coat. Talking with Cory like it was no big deal as the others placed down the supplies they had brought to trade.
Ianto felt such joy, he could not breathe for it as he started to approach, only to slow as SHE appeared around the other side of Jack, her hand on the small of his back as she stood talking to Cory as well.
"Ianto? Are you OK?" Earl asked, holding the rope of a goat that was about to be traded for some of those boxes of ammo.
"Who is she?" Ianto croaked out.
"Oh, his woman I think." Came the bland reply as Ianto blinked back his confusion. Then he was backing up, straight into Andy.
"There ya are. Came to tell ya they are back and… What's wrong?" Andy asked.
"He…. Her."
"Oh. Right. Weird that, he tells everyone it's his sister and the little fella is clearly hers, calls him uncle Jack. Alice? Yeah. Her name is Alice. Only, they had a fight on the docks when they were going because there was not enough room for everyone in the boat to ferry back to the biggun and she didn't want to leave anyone behind. Finally he said they would come back for a trade and collect the last few people who wanted to go to live on the boat." Andy screwed his face up as he considered "She called him Dad. Said, Thanks Dad."
Ianto stood there totally confused now. Then it made sense. A daughter. At his age of course he had sewn his wild oats over the decades. Talked about the one called Elizabeth that he still mourns along with their kids who all died from the sickness. Right. Wow. Ok. Now he could see Jack's jaw line. Right.
"Andy, did you get that list from the women?"
Ianto turned to look at Gwen with a weird feeling of disconnection. She looked at him, then her eyes slid to Emma, a soft smile and then her eyes went back to Andy. Holy shit, she did not recognize him? Wow. Had he changed that much? OK, he was a fully breaded man and he was wearing normal clothes, not a suit. But had he changed that much? Then Andy glanced at him, then at her and grinned. He also noticed that she had not recognized Ianto.
"Gwen, for fucksake. Did you get the list or not!" Owen said as he came over to reach out his hand impatiently.
Andy handed it over with mute amusement, Ianto now staring straight at Owen who was about to walk away when he froze, slowly turning to stare at Ianto. He took a step closer, his eyes widening with recognition and hope. Ah. Someone was happy to see him after all.
"Hello Fuckface." Ianto said softly.
"Hello … fuck me" Owen threw himself at him, the hug both a shock and a delight as Ianto caught him, laughing as the little girl got a squish between them. Then Owen stepped back, both hands still holding onto Ianto's arms as he stared into his eyes, trying to reassure himself that he was real.
"Owen, are you mad!" Gwen scoffed "Throwing yourself at strange men!"
"I am not strange Gwen. Bent and twisted maybe, but I am never strange. We let Jack be that." Ianto replied sagely, Owen laughing loudly.
Jack heard it and looked over, his face showing concern as he saw the man Owen was clinging to for some reason. The little toddler in the man's arms silently staring at Owen like she was not amused.
Then it happened. Then he laughed. The bearded man tipped his head back, let his teeth show as he laughed at Owen. A roar like a tiger or lion, a huge belly gawf.
a punch to the gut.
"Ianto!" Jack roared, stepping away from his daughter to start towards him and Ianto turned slowly to see him advancing. Ianto thrust his child at Andy and squared off, knowing what was about to happen even if the others didn't.
Jack came to a stop in front of him and stared at him long and hard, then did what Ianto knew he would do. His reaction to someone he loved, lost and missed. He took a swing at him. Ianto ducked it and swung back, sending Jack back on his butt and Jack sat there gaping at him. Then he started to laugh, clambering u to seize him in an embrace, the kiss searingly hot.
OK… he did not expect this.
Romance novel all the way.
Jack held him tightly, shaking as he seemed to breathe him in like a life elixir then release him enough to look into his face "Ianto. Oh hell, Ianto. I love the Lumberjack look, off to heft an axe and cut down some trees for the winter woodpile there Handsome?"
"Jack" Ianto breathed softly, then let Jack hold him close some more.
Jack said softly "You've lost weight, you feel so damned thin sweetheart."
"I know" Ianto sighed as he melted against him "But I had to get my weight down, how else will I get to ride the firm favourite in the Grand National Steeplechase?"
Jack's laughter made his body shake as his grip tightened on the only person he had ever truly wept for, bar his brother all those years ago.
Ianto did not mind, because he was weeping now, letting the tears roll unchecked as he was finally safe.
To hell with being macho.
This felt right.