11
Ianto was antsy. Had been since the encounter and finally on their little camping trip, he talked things over with Warren.
"We are nervous. That is something I will say openly, since UNIT started moving around the perimeters of our boundary lines we are all on edge. We have doubled the bodies so we have Weres at almost every site now, and they are reporting back UNIT in the areas. They are just outside the zones, watching. Openly surveying us. Almost challenging us but not… we are not sure if it is a challenge or if they are trying to intimidate us" Warren said as Jack lay on the lovely blow-up mattress by the fire, eating smores.
The kids were long since asleep in the tents behind them and although they had not gone into the Barrens as first wanted, Jack did respect Ianto's heebie-jeebies and agree to camp on the back yard instead. After all… the loo was so lovely and close, as were the others who were coming along with food and companionship to sit by the fire at different times. Jack find himself enjoying the different company as the night wore on and it was also comforting to know that even though some bowed to Ianto and came to sit in his presence, more than a few of them openly showed friendship and interest in Jack. Kelpies are a strange breed… they do not let you in much, they are nervous, skitter and damned suspicious. To have them come and touch him, look him in the eye and show genuine delight in the pregnancy was something that warmed Jack more than the flames.
Accepted as pack.
The Weres were coming too, more respectful and more heroics as a Kelpie or two arrived at the same time but the laughter flowed as well as companionship. It made Jack think of his childhood back on Boeshane. The camp fire, family coming over to spend a while at the spot, all talking and laughing. Sharing food and drink. A child slipping around to sample different foods, gain cuddles from whatever Grup had a spare one going… a real community and a true pack.
Ianto felt Jack's quiet happiness in the evening and allowed himself to be small, unimposing and withheld so Jack was the one shining. The firelight making his handsome face glow as more than a few also commented on how pretty he looked tonight. Or some reason Jack could not explain, being called pretty instead of the usual handsome made him feel a little teary. It was nice. He was drinking it up and saw that he needed it.
It was late and Warren moved into the tent with the kids, the snores louder as the flap was opened and warren's face one of pure affection as he hissed back "they are in a big ball like kitties."
"Awwww" Ianto smiled as the flap closed and the zip zzzzzed up.
"I am sorry we had to stay here, but at the same time… I really loved doing this" Jack admitted "I had no idea how many Were are loving in the surrounding blocks, we are surrounded by Weres and Kelpies."
"Did you see the Red holding Andy's hand?" Ianto asked softly "Did you see?"
"Yeah, a lookers." Jack smiled "You think… maybe?"
"Oh yes… definitely. The way he kept glancing at Warren… definitely. He saw Warren as a threat even with the scent of his woman still on him … A dirty dog definitely hoping to mate with her. She is more reserved, a little overwhelmed as she had no idea Andy knows us but if the idea was to impress her with that… I know he succeeded."
"Movement" Jack said with widening eyes "My god… i… I can feel little flutters. WOW, right under my ribcage, it's Boe."
"stop calling them that" Ianto scolded without annoyance, his amusement thrumming as Jack's nicknames still caused a playful fight. Doc and Boe. No idea where they came from but he seemed determined to annoy Ianto with them.
"We need to know their sex, then we can choose real names and start calling them that then" Jack said.
"I don't know if I want to know their designations. But you are right… with so many wanting to know, wanting to provide and gift… knowing the designations might let them ease up a little on the nervousness there" Ianto sighed "Who would have thought it, eh? We are gonna have two little pups soon… two little younglings…. Well… three if you count the big beast in the tent."
"Pups?"
"The correct term is Kits but I know the Were community refer to them as pups and really it does not matter" Ianto assured Jack.
"I think it's one of each" Jack said after a while of rubbing the small bump "I feel… that would be right."
"It would please their big brother then, he is not sure which he wants and alternates between a princess to fuss over and a prince to wrestle with. Of course… in time he will learn that a girl can bite too" Ianto laughed as he reached out to place his hand over Jack's "and a prince can want painted nails."
"And that would be OK?"
"Divvy." Ianto snorted, kissing Jack and sliding onto the mattress beside him to sleep under the stars. "Our children be will be magnificent, painted nails or not."
"Our children" Jack sighed happily settling to sleep as well.
Safe in the Kelpie's keep.