11
They did the drive through at Maccas as Hawk did not want little Fang the Fierce to be on his own in the car. A scary idea, you can't leave babes in cars. The ads on TV say so.
Ianto watched in the rear view mirror as Hawk carefully broke a chicken nugget into little pieces and blew on them before offering them to the little one who chewed thoughtfully on one then curled up on the rest and went to sleep. Hawk pondered this and went back to eating as he looked out the window, now in the plain clothes of an undercover superhero pretending to be a normal human.
"Taddy?"
"Yes love?"
"Was it like that when you got me?" Hawk asked "Did you go gushy and happy and needy?"
Ianto smiled as he settled back in the seat, the vehicle almost driving itself "you know… I did. I wanted you so bad I cried sometimes when you were asleep in my arms but I had promised Daddy no more babies and it broke my heart each time I had to leave you and go home without you. Then Daddy came to see you and saw. Knew. Like I did. You were one of us. He is the one who did the paperwork and got you adopted to us. He knew it was a way around the rules. You know Daddy, all about bending the rules. I promised I would not bring home any more babies. So, he did instead. I got you in the end like I wanted and got to keep my promise."
"Those are important things. Promises" Hawk agreed, then grinned "But Daddy is a real pirate, yeah."
"Ton loved you on sight too, told everyone you were his baby too. He chose so much of your things ya know, wanted to be very much a part of everything. You were his little birdie." Ianto assured the child "Still are. You were his first love I think ... outside me and Daddy."
"Really?"
"Yes. I think you helped him understand love, so he wss not afraid to share his heart with Angel. You were the one who helped him grow into a loving man. Well done there, it's a hard thing to help someone learn to love" Ianto praised the little one "you are a natural."
"Some people aren't' loved" Hawk said sadly "Some… like Missy Moo-moo."
"Yes, but we saved her remember? And we saved you. And now … you will save us if we ever need it because you are a superhero. A Harkness-Jones now. Destined for great things. A lot of superheroes have sad beginnings that help them be strong" Ianto assured him and the little face lit up as the boy agreed, then he looked at his little kitten asleep beside him.
"Taddy?"
"Hmmm"
"Will I be a good Taddy to my fluffer?"
"Of course. Like I said, a Harkness-Jones. We are made to be great fathers."
Hawk settled back, pleased with that answer as he stroked the tiny little ball of fluff.
Yes. Made of great stuff. Greatness.
