28

Ianto stood at the edge of the ravine looking down, interested in what he could see below. On a shelf there was a bird nest and he could see chicks crying for their parents, then the huge Gorvish Eagle swooped down to feed her young and her mate was no doubt not far off.

He found himself wondering if he would be as caring a parent. Would he do anything for his child? Would he ever get to know that feeling at all? Jack ran hot… then cold… so hard to pin down what this is.

This… them.

He knew Jack could not help it. He let his heart rule his mouth and his brain was trying to catch up half the time. Jack regretted so much of this thing he did and Ianto knew this too. The problem is... how many times it is acceptable before you realise it is not a normal or acceptable way to communicate with the one who loves you.

That was the one thing Ianto was most sure of.

He loved Jack... with his entire being. He would forgive, always forgive but he had to sort this out. They had to find a way to move forward together, united. Side by side, not one leading the other. If that could not be sorted out… he knew he would have to be the one to step back and he liked the light now he had felt it on his face.

.

.

"Ianto?"

Ianto turned from the Tack Room to find Jack waiting in the main stables, one eye on the little foal who was nickering at him over the stall door. With a soft click of his tongue he let the baby monster nuzzle against him with a soft smile.

"Can I help you Sir?"

Jack grimaced, letting his hand fall "Ianto.. I … I am being prickish again, right? I just…"

"Do you love me?"

"What?"

"Do you love me! Tell me... I need to hear the words. Do you love me back!"

"Back. So... you admit you love me?" Jack grimed, then it faded as he saw Ianto's' temper flaring in his eyes. Not the time to play. Clearly "Ianto… I love you. Yes. I love the embers of the flames that light the darkness and … gods. I am no good at this… feelings thing… Ianto please. Of course I do."

"Then stop speaking to me like I do not matter. Stop pushing me away or I might step back alright… I might step straight back and let you have your space. You make me feel… less." Ianto sighed. "You do know that, right? You slap me down and make me… less. Small. A prince in my own right, reduced to … less"

"I… I don't' want to do that to you… ever" Jack assured him "I am used to being the big cheese I guess. I still need to learn to move to one side to make room for you sometimes, that's all love. How about we have a safe word. When I am a shit you say that word that only I know is a reprimand… then I don't lose face, you make me move and we are OK. Like… a secret scolding"

"A secret scolding. A code word?"

"Yes! Yes. God, did I call it a safe word? See? You get me all hot under the collar and I go straight to my bedroom brain" Jack sighed pulling Ianto in to kiss his forehead "I love you."

"OK. Um… Weevil."

"What?"

"Weevil. That's the word. When I say Weevil you know you are being a beast" Ianto said with a firm nod.

"What is a Weevil?"

"A horrible ugly beastly thing" Ianto poked at him gently "You. You, weevily weevil thing."

"Ouch" Jack said with a theatrical gasp, then he kissed him, letting Ianto feel his apology.

"And while we are at it… your Harem. How often will I have to share you with them? I mean, I understand I am only one person and you are used to many lovers but I am not and the thought…"

"HEY!" Jack stepped back and looked into Ianto's face "Hey. Are you asking… no. No. Ianto… I love you. Only you. Since touching your body and feeling it moving with mine I… I don't want anyone else. Is that what you are asking? Darling? No. I do not seek another bed to slope in… I want every night to be with you."

Ianto finally got the thing he sought. The thing he needed and he nodded as he took a deep breath, letting his anger and pain bleed into the dirt beneath their feet "OK. Your little wife is preggers to one of the guards and they are both afraid you will demand their heads on pikes. She never got your loving, you wed her for the collective like some of the others who never even consummated their marriage to you… can you let her go? Give her some property somewhere and say she does not like the noise of the keep? You are sending her away with a small security so she might live in peace? She can choose some sisters' to go with maybe? Hmmm? Let your Harem shin a little? To show your love for me… a public display of love for me in saying you no long need so many? I know for the sake of protocol you must have one but seriously… what life do they have? Be kind. My lovely man… be kind. Let them have happiness, of course they cannot know the happiness we share but… they deserve something more than being birds in gilded cages here."

Jack stared at Ianto long and hard then frowned "Is this you handling me?"

"Yes. How am I doing?" Ianto canted his head "Husband."

Jack snorted softly "As you see fit then. OK. If it pleases you dumpling."

"Thank you Jack and for the record… the only thing that truly please me is your smile. OK? I always want that over the harsh tone you showed me earlier. OK? You wounded me." Ianto leaded in and kissed him softly before stepping back "we have years to get this right and we will stumble now and then but know I shall always wait for you to find your footing again, as I hope you do with me too."

"Yes… yes. Of course. I just… I am so… so…"

"Spoilt?"

"HEY!" Jack laughed as the discomfort dissipated and Ianto let Jack kiss him again then he led him to the tack room corner where the horse blankets were soft and accommodating for some soft rutting.

Rhys stood guard outside the door with a face of thunder. Important… strong and solid as Andy watched him covertly from the stall he was tending to a horse in.

Seems everyone was finding their place now.