34
Over the next week Ianto worked like a demon getting the top rooms organized for moving in, finally content that his babies would be in a clean and safe environment as he watched Alice run and scream at the top of her lungs with glee.
Finally free, she was laughing as she ran from one corner of the massive courtyard to the other.
"It's bigger when you're in it" Jack said as he turned to look up at the high walls, "Pete be praised, it is a fortress."
"Wonderful, huh?" Ianto said, "Ah, Mavis!"
Jack turned to see a mandible creature approaching that tucked them in to flawlessly create a human face as she saw Alice and by the time Alice noticed her she appeared normal to her eyes.
"Alice, this is Mavis. She needs somewhere to live and work, I suggested she be our head housekeeper. That means she is like a general for the other staff and tells them when we are hungry and stuff. Also means she knows all the secrets and tricks. Right?" Ianto turned to her and grinned as the creature answered with a lovely prim voice Jack knew would have Gray entranced.
"I have known Ianto here for many moons and he is a good man. I shall enjoy this place, as will my young."
"You have kids?" Alice asked with glee, "There will be other kids here Tadda?"
Ianto felt his heart flip as the term he had been calling himself to Caden came out and he knelt to cuddle her, "Yes my lovely wee poppet. Mavis has babies, some big enough to play hide and seek and stuff. I think teddy bear picnics out here in the sunshade areas will also be cool. They are shy because they are from another planet and can't pretend human yet, Mavis show her. It's OK, she embraces individuality."
Mavis hesitated, then disassembled her façade as Alice watched with big eyes, "Wow! That's cool. Does it hurt? Is it easy to do? That looks awesome. Can you do other faces or just the one? Can I touch?"
Jack laughed as Mavis knelt and let Alice gently stroke her face with glee, the little one making an instant friend that Ianto knew would be a wonderful addition to his team. Er. Staff.
Heh heh.
Mavis watched Alice dance off, her attention span already roving to a new adventure as she went to examine an overgrown garden in the corner, "You see? Gorgo and Stref are big enough to play with her, even wee Heta might get along with her."
"Yes" Mavis nodded, "She is delicate but they know to be gentle and not to bite. They will be curious with her hair, so pretty."
"Well, she loves having it brushed at the moment, I am sure they would like doing that" Ianto said and Mavis hummed happily, then wandered off to check out what would be her new home for her and her larva.
"A Bottix?" Jack hissed "Fucking hell, are you mad? A warrior race of killer insects? Where the hell did you get her from?"
"My last job, she was the one I was protecting Cariad. She has babies and no mate. She witnessed his murder and that is why she must be safe. She is a good woman and the old lady routine fools so many. Also, you have to admit, if the shit ever hit the fan would you mind one entering the battle stage left?"
Jack blinked and then saw what Ianto was doing had been doing all along.
"This is…shit. You are always a step ahead of me. Gwen. You are still worried about her" Jack turned to look up seeing the security cameras and other tech in the stoneware.
"I fear everything and anything that might take my happiness form me and I will do everything to keep you right here with me" Ianto said softly, "Gwen. Agency. Strangles. Koffa attack. Who knows what the future may bring but my staff will be peppered with killers, thugs and heathens. Just like us. Let them come, see a pretty home and gentle folk here. Let them try to damage that and their bodies will never be found."
"My wee thug" Jack crooned, his desire to kiss Ianto overwhelming so he pulled him in as they rocked and they kissed, then Alice called out.
"Stop mushing faces and come look. This bush had something stuck in it!" she yelled, "It moves."
"Fuck" both men erupted for the clutch to race over and kneel then Ianto laughed softly.
"Darling it's a Purr flower." Ianto explained, "Look."
He reached out and tickled the bud with his finger and she watched with awe as it shuddered, then unfurled to reveal itself as a pretty flower. Ianto then placed his finger in a puddle and dropped a droplet of water onto the flower and it closed again.
"A purr flower" Ianto whispered, "Shit. Some of these other plants might be feisty too."
"Owen is a botanist" Jack said with sudden clarity, "Loves them. Let him loose he will be in the great heavens out here."
Ianto rose and looked back at the flower as he nodded.
Keeping that one for a start, wonder where it's Mama is.
Might need feeding too.
Ianto made a mental addition to the shopping list for a dead beast or two, Pete knows when the thing was last fed if its wee sprouts were thirsty like that.