46
"OK, how many more are there?" John asked and Ianto hummed in question.
"I thought I met them all then you pull him out of the bloody walls. This place is like a labyrinth." John snorted, "More smoke and mirrors than a bloody government department."
"How I designed it" Ianto rose and brushed his trousers then faced John, "Moose was scared of you. He is scared of everything, I have been working for almost three hours to get him ready for their arrival and I was so sure he would bolt to the walls. It was a relief that she seems to resemble his Mama with her fair hair. I am now at seventeen until the Sheriff sneaks another into my line of sight."
"You really do want to make a difference don't you" John shook his head with wonder, "I thought such things were long since dead along with most morals. To find someone who still wanted the best for others is a surprise."
"Really Captain?" Ianto canted his head, "You didn't look in the mirror much then"
John blinked, then snorted softly, "Cheeky bugger aren't you."
"I believe it is Jack rubbing off on me, bound to happen with the amount of rubbing we do" Ianto winked then gave a blazing smile as the man in question approached, "Such fun but terrible for static."
"Ok lover?" Jack crooned proving Ianto right by rubbing against his hip and Ianto hummed, winking as he leered at John in a Harkness kinda way that had John pausing with surprise and then Ianto turned on his heel to leave. John roared with mirth as Ianto walked away showing the Harkness Arse wiggle as well and Jack followed him to their room where he somehow knew he would turn as he did to seek his arms.
"Hey" Jack soothed "It's OK. You did the right thing. He will be safe, loved and special again."
"I hate giving one up" Ianto sobbed, his hands in Jack's shirt as he pulled him closer, "Lying … little white ones to get her interested. The fear of not being able to protect him, the fear of another soul gone even as I revel in the joy on his face as he realised this was more than he was being told, he knew the unknown promise there, the hope in his little heart was raw as he waited for her to hold him. They won't bring him back, I hate when they bring them back and their little faces break to match their sad little hearts …. She will keep him, I did right. Right?"
"It's OK" Jack soothed again, his lips finding better use as they kissed and Ianto relaxed unto him more, no more words as clothing fell to the floor and they fell to the bed.
Jack wanted to let Ianto have control but he whimpered and Jack saw that he didn't want to be, this time he didn't want to have to be in control of anything so he loved him tenderly, as gently and lovingly as he never had with anyone before and as he lay holding the slumbering man he found himself grinning into the semidarkness.
"You are a shit you know" he said softly, "John had no idea how many are here, I bet he doesn't even know about that sub-basement you hide so well."
"Hmmmm?"
"Come on love, I know there is at least another level below the one you kept Josh in" Jack snorted and Ianto hummed again.
"One?"
"Ianto?"
"Maybe…ah…more? Maybe my lair is deep" Ianto teased, his lips on Jack's neck, "Don't be pushy. You know I will show you, when I can let that go too. Not easy, this letting go thing."
"I know" Jack agreed softly, "I will not push, I know whatever you have down there, whatever you are doing it is for the good of the children. I know that."
"In time, all things change" Ianto muttered as he shifted in the bed and Jack soothed with a gentle rubbing of Ianto's shoulders.
"But I will always love you" Jack whispered, "Always. Even if we never know one another's secrets it doesn't matter, we know each other's hearts. You hold mine in good keeping."
"Oh Cariad" Ianto sighed, "Such delicate things you offer me, your sweet, fragile heart."
"Gladly"
"Good, for I do need one, my own already in the palm of your hand" Ianto whispered, breath against Jack's skin almost like finger brushes.
"Go to sleep love" Jack said and Ianto grunted, complying as Jack followed him again.
Always.