19
The dog was not what Ianto expected, or Jack given the way he kept checking with Flynn.
"Are you sure?" Jack asked again, "There are still more…"
"NO!" Glynn frowned as he realised he was being handled and the Jones Bristle was employed as he haughtily informed them that he was set.
"Wonderful" the woman smiled, "Not everyone wants a mature dog, they might only have a couple if ears left in them love."
"I don't care!" Flynn said, "They are in love. Look."
"The old lady that owned them first died and they are inseparable" the woman agreed, "We were not able to separate them without breaking their hearts."
"See?" he looked up at Jack with large eyes, "Love!"
Jack sighed and peered again at the Jack Russell and Cocker Spaniel who were hugging each other like terrified children. Gods. He thought of a big Alsatian or maybe a Labrador.
Little dogs?
"Flynnie…"
"Yes Daddy Dear" the voice was low, quiet and deadly with the unspoken threat of impending tears and Jack knew he was done.
"We need to remember to get extras on the list as two will need more" Jack finally said and Flynn clasped his hands together under his chin and finally looked at his father, knowing Ianto had been glaring at him the entire time as he watched the boy play Jack like a violin.
"Oh Taddy, two!"
"Don't crow too much you little monster" Ianto said softly, no anger in his voice as he looked at the dogs and felt a little sadness for them as well.
"Names" Jack said happily, "any thoughts love?"
"Don't they already have one?" Flynn then turned to the woman who checked the paperwork.
"Sampson is the spaniel, I suppose with his long hair I guess and the wee Jack Russell is called …oh. Gobby"
Ianto snorted, his hand slapping over his moth as Jack frowned, "Weird name."
"I don't know" their boy crouched, "Are you really gobby? Um. Robbie? Dobby? No? Um. Buddy?"
The ears perked up as he looked at the boy and Flynn grinned, "He knows Buddy, guess he was called that as well. Right. Sammy and Buddy, come on then. Wanna come home?"
Both dogs seemed to know the sweet child meant no harm and they crawled to him. Their fear and sorrow still clinging to them even as they wagged their respective tails.
"Maybe a car ride will make them feel better" Ianto offered, "All dogs love car rides, right?"
Ianto was right, the dogs went insane as Jack cracked the back windows enough for snouts to poke through, Ianto whispering they were low enough as images of the dogs jumping out and going under the wheels of traffic were making him terrified, checking constantly that the dogs were safe.
At the pet store Flynn was worried running to the winnow constantly to check the dogs were ok out there, then running back to beg for another toy.
"If I didn't know any better I would think there was a little Owen in there just then" Jack uttered as yet another toy was added to the basket, the pout in the wee man had been epic as he had explained equality to his parents and the need for both dogs to feel loved.
"Well, I see a lot of those arguments in the future now he knows you will cave" Ianto warned him, "He will lecture quite well now he knows you will listen."
"And you don't?" Jack asked as Ianto rolled his eyes. "Babe? He's quite scary when focused."
Ianto grinned as his child channelled him so well, now bantering with the store owner for discount as they were getting twice the stuff.
They drove home where the next problem started, both dogs making a b-line for the sofa where they sat happily.
"Flynn" Ianto said softly, "You know the rules, we discussed them on the way the in the car"
"Yes Tadda" Flynn walked over to the sofa and said imperiously, "No. Bad down. Come on we can check out the bedroom."
They all took off and Ianto sighed, face palming as Jack carried in the gear.
"What, that's what you wanted right?" Jack frowned, "They are off the sofa."
"And if I walk down the hall I will find them on his bloody bed now!" Ianto muttered as Jack fought the snort of mirth, knowing full well his love was right.
Flynn was so happy.