12

Owen was talking to the cook, his hand moving across the carrots that had been freshly pulled as he asked politely about the meals for the late evening last snacks that sometimes went to private chambers.

Ianto walked confidently through the kitchen, past those who stopped their work to gape at the pretty little birdie in their midst with the bight blues on display, like plumage. He walked up behind Owen and seized him, making the man scream like a child.

"Owen… I really thought you would be better at this game" Ianto crooned, leaning abound Owen to kiss his cheek then release him.

Owen swung to slap at him "You cad!"

Ianto roared with mirth, then tickled him as he squealed some more and shoved Ianto back well yelling "Cut it out your bloody Highness!"

Ianto held his hands up, still laughing as he looked at the carrots as well "Oh… carrots. Did you know you can get purple ones?"

"Really?" Owen asked with interest, the cook also turning to listen.

"Yes… my sister's youngest child hated vegetables… almost as much as I do. They got some seeds from… ah… Gerlanderia … they developed them and gifted some as part of some gift basket thing … she loves theme because we told her that they were Purple People Eaters. Used to ask specifically for them." Ianto laughed.

"Purple carrots… well I never" the cook said softly "That would make for a wonderful garnish grated over coleslaw."

"I can send word for my gardener to send some if you like, and some seeds for your gardener. I do like gardening myself, even if I don't like the vegetables. It can be quite rewarding growing things" Ianto smiled.

"I know… I grew these meself Mi' Lord" she gushed, blushing as she patted the carrots.

"Well dear lady, you have a wonderful green thumb… these are magnificent but you know… do not slip them on to my plate or it will be a waste. I love meat. Ah dear gods… meat! Give me a hunk of bread with meat, some cheese and sauce… oh… OK… I do like onions. Do they count at something healthy. Oh bother… I just talked myself into vegetables of some sort" Ianto screwed his face up and everyone laughed happily as the kitchen seemed lighter.

"Well… hamburgers are a specialty of mine… they are the dear prince's favourites actually. I've not made any since… since he grew ill. Oh… my lovely Princey Boy, will you be able to eat them again?" the cook asked Jack, finally included in the conversation.

"Cookie… if you do not make me some for my evening meal tomorrow I may die for the want of them" Jack said theatrically.

"Oh wonderful… we can have the meal I my chambers, that lovely little table. Some candles and some quiet time… then we can eat like pigs and not care if we get food all over ourselves. I love eating like a pig… public eating is so…. Boring with those little bites. Ergh… I love shoving it into my gob!" Ianto enthused.

"You know... I just can't get you can I. I try but you keep changing like… a flame. I see you but I cannot grab hold of you" Jack said softly.

Ianto felt the air change and he stepped into his personal space to whisper "Well sir… perhaps you are not grabbing the right …. Part."

And with that… the cheeky thing was gone.

Jack blinked.

Oh. Wow.

.

.

Ianto knew Jack was occupied with official stuff that he had no desire to know anything about and that Jack was also now well enough to be further away from so he took his horse out for a wild canter about, letting her run so fast that her hooves created sparks in the huge workout field. No grass. Nothing flammable. Just bare soil carefully tilled so the huge beasts were safe.

Many stopped work to watch as she started to put on a show and before long they were slack jawed as she stopped running to pirouette and dance. Lifting all four hooves off the ground as she swung her mighty body in the air, Ianto clinging to her back like it was no big deal as his faint laugher could be heard over the thundering of her hooves.

She was happy and showing it. She did not enjoy the land she was born in, the land her kind had been gifted to many generations ago. No. She was home. In the land of her ancestors. Hot. Dry and defiantly fiery.

Those in the War Room heard the commotion and moved to the windows to watch the display below as Ianto released the reins and let her loose, swinging an arm up for stability as he braced himself on her back. Dust rose and swirled around her hooves as she created dust devils and she was magnificent in her display of power. And beauty.

"Now… THAT is a Fire Mount. Cherillort on a Mergid… I bet she can fly" someone whispered "Look at her...oh…oh… she is taking air."

Jack felt the tenting in his britches and moved to cover himself with his coat as if too warm and needing to hold it, his father's gaze dropping for a moment with open surprise. His delight showing… his desire. Good. The bond is working. Ianto's joy was being shared and as the man on the back of the steed now finished and beginning to bow looked up at the window the grin was gorgeous to see.

Ah yes.

He felt it too.

These two were starting to get into the swing of it, just like the horse.