22
John watched as Jack reached out to touch Ianto, his hand brushing over the Welshman's for a moment and the smile returned was gentle and loving. In that moment John saw the real man behind the mask and was taken with his beauty, then Ianto looked down and his features shifted back to the bland face that turned to speak to him.
"So the walkway is completely operational?" Ianto asked, "You can walk right around the house now?"
"Yes, I'm satisfied with it" John agreed.
"Yes, tonight we can patrol not just the stables but the house as well, see in all directions without worry of something creeping up on us. Toshiko has most of the cameras operational as well as motion sensors down low to detect movement from waist height or lower" Jack pointed at the lady who smiled back with a nod of her head, "Rhys here has cooked with Andy so we have some good warm food all night and I intend trialling an all night patrol."
"Well, count me in for a shift" Mace said around his food, "I am happy to take the one from three to six if ya like, I always wake so early anyway."
"I had noticed that" John winked and the man blinked with surprise at the blatant look, then to everyone's amusement he blushed and looked down at his plate shyly.
Awwww.
John thought he looked so damned fu….cute.
"Well, we work out rosters so there is one guaranteed for each section of shift, then anyone else in or out in the night can wander through and keep them company. Best way to keep us awake is to surprise us" Jack grinned.
"As long as it's not your Vampyre there, you know they always catch me off guard, even with my own senses tingling" John said as he pointed at Ianto, "That one there had something else in him that makes him especially scary. For some reason I think Mister Jones there would be more than just a wraith in the darkness."
"How did you know Ianto is part Vampyre?" Owen asked with surprise, "He doesn't advertise it, with the whole thing with the Others Vampyre were hunted as well, the early confusion making authorities blame them for the entire thing before the spaceships were finally looked at and discovered to be off-world"
"I remember the time of the culls" John nodded, "a scary time for some of my family. My great grandmother was one, diluted down through the generations but there enough that some of my cousins pinged the tests and were snapped up" John sighed, "I was lucky. I also have Vulterian in my bloodline and as you know, it screams out during a blood test and anything else goes silent"
"Yes" Ianto sighed, "My great grandfather was Vulterian, what saved me too."
"Your Vampyre is stronger than mine though" John pointed out as Jack settled back to show he was neither unconcerned or alarmed by the conversation. He had smelt the Vampyre pretty early one in the piece.
"No, it's not. About the same. The Other bite has enhanced me" Ianto replied as he looked at his plate to spear a cherry tomato, "Once I was bitten something altered in me. I hoped it would save my son as well, he fought for over two weeks but eventually changed. The blood was one generation too weak I guess."
John sat stock still staring at Ianto.
He then looked at Owen who was taking a swig of juice.
"He's bit."
"Lots, like … several times on the first attack where the boy and his wife were attacked as well, several times since." Owen nodded, "Last bite was a few nights ago but he's hiding it from me. I know that wrist was bitten though, he keeps patting it because it aches."
John looked at Jack, "He's bit."
"Yeah." Jack agreed.
"He's not turned"
"No, and he won't." Jack leaned forward, "Look I don't know if it's the Vampyre in him or the Vulterian or the mix of both but Ianto's DNA altered for sure, he is certainly more ….. powerful than your average hybrid. But John, you are a dangerous hybrid too. Think of the things you have survived, remember that time you were poisoned?"
"She was a real bad sport that one" John pouted.
"It was a dose strong enough to kill two men but you just got high and danced naked all night" Jack snorted with mirth, "She kept screaming at you that you were supposed to be dead already."
"Yeah" John smiled wistfully, "Good times."
"I will not turn" Ianto said softly, "I … I tried. When my wife turned, then my son I wanted to . I wanted to be with them, no matter in what form such was my fear of being left behind but … I cannot."
"Vampyre" Jack finally huffed, "Why you like nipping me, tasting my blood. I thought it was the touch of Other at first."
Ianto grinned as he leaned forward, "Oh no Cariad, that part wants to eat you alive."
Everyone laughed as Jack grinned back at the enigma now winking suggestively.
Minx.