59
Tuck was fussing as Jack tried walking, singing softly as the evening breeze cooled the little boy who was hotter than hell.
Ianto was asleep, something he didn't seem to do enough so Jack really didn't want to wake him unless he had to, knowing he would not sleep again tonight.
"Here, give him to me" a voice said and Jack turned to find a Predator he hadn't met before standing there with its arms out.
"I am her mate's brother" it explained, "We were there when you fell, I used the net?"
Jack finally remembered the red tinted armour the day it all went down with Gwen and handed over his child with a nervous smile, watching as the Predator turned the baby upside down by its ankles and swung.
Jack's mouth fell open with horror as it slowly turned, swinging his son in a circle as Tuck screamed, but eventually Jack realised it was laughter he could hear from the child, not fear.
"We like the movement, why water can help" Jack was informed as a giggle-monster was returned to him, several degrees cooler.
"Bix!" Ianto yelled, walking across the lawn to embrace the Predator and Jack finally had a name for the red armoured beast. Bix.
"I bring you some powders, to go into the little one's first food" Bix said happily, "I cannot provide meat as I would wish and is custom, so I provide the tasty accompaniment they love so much at this age. Sprinkle it as the humans do their salt, it adds to the flavour and appetite Helps them grow"
"Oh!" Ianto said happily, "Bix, you are so thoughtful. Thank you I will be sure to write that in his book so when he is older he shall know how you provided when he needed you."
Bix seemed to shimmy, "A book. A record of events. What a clever idea Rumtuck!"
"Wee Tucker will grow and read, remember and learn. One day he will provide, one day he will remember your thoughtfulness and pay it forward to another in need." Ianto explained "One day he will stand there as the giving uncle, his own efforts appreciated."
"You battled the dark skinned one"
"If you mean I beat his arse, yes!" Ianto growled, "I felt the need to assert myself, to let him know I am stronger. Faster and a damn sight more willing to cause harm."
"Good brother" Bix nodded, "As it should be. You need a drink?"
"If Maddy is on the neighbourhood, one before bedtime would be nice" Ianto licked his lips, "I know she is putting something in it, but I also appreciate her efforts."
"The time is coming when we need you to be ready, the 21st century is when it all changes" Bix said as he stepped away and disappeared.
"Damned if they aren't stealing all my moves and now my hash-tag?" Jack huffed as Ianto snorted and held up his baby by his armpits, making a growling noise as he 'flew' him, running across the lawn as the baby screamed with delight.
"He gets that from me too!" Jack yelled, "I'm the fucking speed demon flier here!"
Rhys looked up from the flower bed he was tending, placing the last solar light as they flickered on and started to laugh softly.
"Feeling a little inadequate?" Rhys asked, "Really? Mister My Dick is So Big I Have to Swagger?"
"Just stating facts!" Jack bristled as Rhys laughed and waved at Andy who had called from the back door.
Apparently it was dinnertime and Jack entered the house to find Ianto in his chair feeding the baby, a look of pure contentment as the little boy suckled, staring up lovingly at his dam.
"Hey, my two favourite things in the entire universe" Jack crooned as he sat on the arm of the chair and hugged Ianto, looking down at his wee boy and a grin answered him.
"Do you not like Bix?" Ianto asked softly and Jack considered his answer, never wanting to sound dismissive.
"It's not that I don't like him, I don't like the way he makes me feel" Jack finally admitted.
"That's the point" Ianto replied without looking up from their suckling son, "They are too scary. Too, I don't know …much. They give off this feeling, part of their armour I think, so people will instinctively want to walk the other way. Another form of protection. They can turn it off but he chooses not to around you. I think he is challenging you. So long as you continue to accept him and not back down he accepts that you are not intimidated. Don't flinch, never flinch. You do realise he is challenging you for me, right?"
"What?" Jack spluttered.
"He finds me interesting, wants to raise our child and take your place" Ianto said with obvious mirth, "The fact you do not respond to his repeated open challenges is confusing him. He is not used to being ignored like that."
Jack was speechless as he finally saw what Ianto had been saying.
Bix had been treating him as another Predator, challenging him for his mate.
Inadvertently, he had already won.
Go figure.