12

"Not even a welcome home kiss?"

"No. It was like… he was avoiding touch" Ianto sighed, pacing in front of the vid-screen. "I thought with the old witch dead he would shake it off… whatever this is and come back to me but he is as confused as ever. His hand reaches out and almost touches, but then he snatches it away as if it is slapped."

"How did he react to finding you in your own quarters?"

"He didn't seem all that concerned." Ianto let his shoulders slump "I don't know what to do now Master."

"Well. I do."

Ianto looked up from his slippers to focus on the old man on the screen "What?"

"Read him."

"My husband. The father of my spark… my lover?" Ianto asked angrily as the suggestion was more than a little… rude.

"Ianto … you said so yourself. Witch. Did she incant some spell over him? Is he under duress when you are near? Press it… touch him and watch his eyes. Is the love still there... or fear? Pain? Read him" the old man demanded now, pointing his finger through the screen so Ianto could almost feel his presence "Protect. Love… cleanse!"

"Yes Master" Ianto nodded, knowing his old teacher was right.

Like it or not... he had to know if Jack's dislike was real or forced.

Could the old bitch have something over him still, beyond the grave?

.

.

"Cariad" Ianto called as he walked towards Jack.

The stable doors were open and the Big Black stood with his head held high as Jack stood petting him and talking to Rhys about something. Jack turned when he saw Ianto coming and his face lit up "Ianto!"

Ianto walked confidently and as he got closer he watched Jack's face, noting the momentary flicker before the smile faded and Jack blinked as he stepped back. Ianto pressed more, stepping in close and reaching out to touch him, Jack stepping back again, slamming into the shoulder of the horse who responded by shoving at him to get away.

Ianto laughed as he caught Jack, smashing their lips together and he felt Jack respond, then leap back as it struck.

The old man was right.

Something was controlling him.

Jack was visibly confused.

"Cariad… I was hoping for a moment of your time to discuss the baby. As a Bladesinger Spark there are things I need that are beyond the usual expenses for my chambers" Ian or said smoothly "Perhaps later? Come to my chambers to see what I mean before dinner tonight?"

"Yes… I would like… I mean… yes" Jack floundered and Ianto nodded.

Ianto walked away like he was walking on air when in truth his gut was flopping as the Spark also responded to what was clearly some dark magic in the air.

Ianto was pissed.

.

.

Ianto prepared for Jack's arrival by burning sage, filling the room with the scent and delicate smoke of cleansing… speaking softly to the gods as he told them of his fear, his hopes and his prayers. By the time Jack was knocking politely Ianto was ready, his clothing discarded in favour of a silk robe that clung to him in a generous way so the baby was clearly visible now.

"Cariad, please… come on in" Ianto said as he stepped back and made a flush of letting him enter, watching as Jack stepped into the room and hesitated, the cleansing spell lingering as he entered it as well.

Jack looked around "You… didn't change much."

"No… Lucy had great taste and it feels comforting to know she is near… her hands touched some of these things. It comforts Jax to feel her here" Ianto said as he motioned towards the bed "Over here, I have some brochures for you so you might understand the things I need for the Spark. I also have some for Jax, so we can try to fix his rough start."

Jack walked towards the bed and Ianto watched the Owl. Dexter's eyes started to glow as Jack neared the bed, the soft blue changing to a deep red once Jack was close young. Right. Good. An enchantment.

"You seem flushed… give me your jacket. It is warm in here, I like it that way" Ianto held out a hand and Jack automatically shrugged off his coat, reaching out to give it to Ianto and as their fingers touched Ianto seized his wrist, swinging him back to slam onto the bed with a yelp of shock.

"Gotcha" Ianto said like it was a game, straddling his husband as Jack yelped and tried to buck him off. Ianto knew it was something solid… an enchantment this strong... had to be something solid, physical to hold the power… Ianto's hands slid over his mate as he leaned in and kissed him again, the lust flowing enough to still jack's struggle.

Ianto's hands slid up Jack's torso and over his chest only to have Ianto rear back as if struck. His hand had brushed something… what it that? Ianto pulled the shirt open and stared at the pendant around Jack's neck.

"Where did that come from!" he demanded.

"Mama… it was my great uncle's or something. Ugly isn't it? She was fond of him so… I wore it for her. Huh. Forgot I even had it on" Jack said like he honestly did not know why it was there around his neck.

Ianto hummed, leaning over Jack again as he kissed him more forcefully and sent a silent apology to the Spark who was about to feel the first real pain of his existence.

Ianto seized Jack's shirt, the pendant in the handful of fabric and he yanked as hard as he could, removing both the front of the shirt and the offensive jewelry, then flung it across the room and heard the clunk of it striking the floor.

Jack moaned, seizing Ianto's hips and rolling them, the kisses deepening as the man he knew returned.

Nothing gentle, loving or caring in their rutting though.

Their need so strong, the desire to reconnect so powerful as both of them tore at one another like animals, their snarls and cries filling the space as their love vanquished any remaining negativity between them and finally… after three couplings… Jack slept.

Ianto had won the final round.