35
Joshua had eaten the roast meal eagerly, now languishing with his Taddy's jacket as a pillow. The cage door opened and he sighed expecting it to be Taddy reaching for the plate but it was Taddy climbing in to hold him.
Hold him.
In the daytime?
Joshua let his head fall against that large chest, the heartbeat he knew so well soothing as someone else entered and he opened one eye to find Uncle Owen there speaking softly to him. He couldn't understand all of the words, his mind hard to work these days but Taddy was calm, soothing so it was nothing to worry about.
A slight sting had him grunting but Taddy had started to sing a song he loved, a song Taddy always sang to help him sleep and he had missed it since Mama took him away. It was cold and scary out there and the Others were not nice, their minds muddy and their thoughts jumbled. Taddy smelt good like always and his love flowed sweeter than candy. Like always.
He remembered candy.
Another voice, this one smelt a bit like Taddy and a bit like Winkle so he opened an eye to find another man climbing into the cage as Taddy chuffed with amusement. Not anger. Taddy liked him?
Joshua didn't move but he let both eyes open to watch the man move to sit against Taddy, a comforter. Hmmm. Smelt nice. Joshua's tongue 'tasted' the air and found Taddy not only happy but touched that the man was here.
"How is he doing?" the man's voice was soft, not musical like Taddy's but sort of musical in another way. Probably had a nice singing voice.
Yes, I think he might have too.
TADDY
Ianto made a noise in his throat that had Jack reaching for him, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing" Ianto swallowed, "It's working. Gods, I think it's working."
Jack reached out tentatively to touch Joshua, his fingers sliding into the dense fur and he smiled softly as he started to stroke the child whose eyes were definitely his Taddy's "Hi there Joshua. I'm Jack. I'm Winkle's Daddy. Winkle likes you very much and would love to be your friend…maybe sister?"
Joshua tried to smile, he hoped it looked like one and his Taddy sighed softly as he whispered that he was happy.
Joshua slept.
.
.
.
.
He woke to find a blanket over him, not his one he loved so much but a new one that smelt of Taddy and the other man….Jack. No. Jax. His real name is Jax and Taddy loves him so much already….bonded.
Call him Jack little bean.
"Taddy?" he croaked and hands were lifting him into a lap that was so familiar. He pulled his knees up so he was curled in those arms as his Taddy hugged him and crooned, kissing his face.
Hands on him, Taddy's growl to warn that he didn't want touching please, no touching just loves. Then this heat as the other….Jax… cuddled in too, both men cocooning the little child that lay half aware with his hair sticking up in all directions, Ianto crying softly as he stroked the smooth cheek of his son.
"It worked" Ianto sobbed, "My boy. My love."
"Tadda?"
"Hello sweetling" Jack crooned, "I am so happy to meet you, look at you, just like your Tadda except for those blue eyes."
"Your eyes" Ianto whispered, "I fed from you, look. Your DNA is in there, he has your eyes now Cariad."
Jack stared with wonder as he watched his own eyes roll to regard him, eyes his beloved daughter had once shone through and he remembered kneeing in the blood screaming for another chance, a second chance to do well by his child.
"My name is Jack but I hope one day you call me Daddy like Winkle" Jack swallowed as he stroked the hair and saw something else, "Winkle. You and her have been seeing a lot of one another haven't you. Sharing drinks and stuff?"
Ianto leaned in and saw what Jack was grinning at, a blue streak in the mousy hair.
"No" Ianto breathed with amusement, "Blu-man-chu?"
"Why not, Chimera right?" Jack sniggered, "Lets just try and stop any more contact with Owen or the poor kid might be stunted and potty mouthed."
Giggling started as Ianto kissed Jack and they reveled in the magic.
Joshua yawned as he settled more, a little hand reaching out to clasp his Taddy's collar.
He didn't know what all the fuss was about.
Too early for this madness.