8

The afternoon was waning and so was Ianto, the effort to keep it all together was starting to show as he walked away from the village and after a moment's thought it was Alice who followed him, finding him at a small water hole she didn't' know was there.

"Hey"

Ianto turned to face her, her face unreadable as he watched her come close and she canted her head "Are you OK?"

"Just tired. I didn't sleep much last night, still so much swirling in my head. It will take a couple of days for us to settle in and let the facts settle as well. I have not been here in a while and will be expected to take my seat at the table as well… Jack will be a factor here as usually it is a mated partner that sits to my right. Do I take Jack or let him decide if he wants to step back? Wold it hurt him to think I would even consider the possibility that he would? I know he will want to stay in perfect stride with me no matter what, I do not question his loyalty, nor he mine. Its … it's just … this is a different place with laws and etiquettes not easily conveyed in one sitting."

"Then you already know the answer" she realised that she liked him more than she had first thought, his face open and honest as were his words, clearly an honest man. Such a contrast to her father.

She must have said it out loud because Ianto blanched "Jack is a good man. Sometimes a good man does bad things, there are reasons for everything. Imagine the life he has lived, the life he must continue to live long after he has mourned you and your son. Imagine … your name on his lips when such a name is not even used anymore … this planet maybe long gone. Jack will still exist. None of us will. He must know that everything is delicate and fanciful, everything will go. Leave him, sometimes he leaves first as it is the only way to win."

Alice stared over the water as she considered, and then started "What is that?"

"A Peacat" Ianto said calmly, "Ignore it, he is just seeking his mate and she is being elusive. It's just a game."

"A …. What?"

"A Peacat. A peacock crossed with a cat. An anomaly in the matrix" he replied as he looked at her blandly and she stared with horror before noticing a tick at the corner of his mouth.

"You bastard!" she started to laugh, the noise starling the peacock that fluttered past with his huge tail on display, a simple peacock. "You had me so... dead bang!"

"And now you see why he likes me" Ianto finally smiled as he turned to look over the water again, "He doesn't want everything too damned serious. Life is too short for serious, time for him is serious."

"I want to say thank you for coming for us, I know you were one of the reasons I am here now, my son is here safe" she said as she shifted on her feet.

"He was insistent. Took me aside, spoke of you with concern, fear. When we got to the meeting spot his relief was palpable. He loves you. He doesn't know how to shoo it, but he does. Also … he may never tell you … he is so damned proud of you too" Ianto whispered as he pointed and she looked over to see the female peacock breaking cover to run across the grass, her mate yodelling as he chased her.

"Come on" Ianto said after a while "He will get worried if he can't find me. For all his macho bullshit he is scared of that most of all. Being left alone, even as he knows that is the deal" Ianto sighed, offering his arm and they walked back to find what Ianto had said, Jack waiting with a look of impatience and false bravado, his relief clear as he reached for Ianto.

"Hey, thought we could have a walk before the evening meal" Jack smiled and Ianto stepped away from Alice with his own smile.

They walked around the village and Jack looked up as Myfanwy passed overhead, her cry soft and Ianto looked up, whistling at her in reply. Ianto tightened his grip on Jack's arm like he needed him for the support even though he didn't and Jack found comfort in that, placing his hand over Ianto's as he led him around the stables to check the horses, zebras … a camel? Really?

As they returned to watch the evening meal start to be served Ianto turned to kiss him, tasting him as he pressed their bodies together, still hidden in the shadow of the tree line.

"Cariad, come sit next to me" he whispered as he took his hand and led him to the large table where the royals sat.

Jack followed and settled to Ianto's right without a second thought even as others watched with undisguised shock and interest.

Decision made.

Done deal.

Ianto had declared.

Jack was his.