5

Ianto found three more rooms and by that evening they were fitted out, the couple choosing one nearest to the library Ianto had converted into his little oasis. No surprises there. The room was all greens and gold, very earthy and warm. Ianto helped Gwen go through other rooms for extra blankets and felt no remorse for moving thorough other people's stuff. This was a new world and it was time to accept that this was the new norm. There would be no return to factory setting, this was a brave new world and they had to get on with living the new life offered. 21st century and everything has changed.

Ianto still couldn't believe he had found Jack or Jack had found him or … well. The Gods play their games and he just bows politely I guess. Still. He made sure the books on the other side of the wall to their new neighbours were two rows deep to ensure some sound barriers. Gods, the thought that they might hear on the nights Mica had a sleep over at Aunty Gwen's.

Snigger.

Ianto knew others were coming, quietly preparing more rooms and trying to make them as cosy and comfortable as he could without making it obvious that he knew it was coming. He counted food, counted stock and counted time like he was waiting for something. He didn't know what but he knew it was coming. Soon … soon he would need to stand. He knew it deep in his gut.

Tosh had also pondered the possibility of more coming and decided to ask Ianto something she probably should have sooner, "Ianto, do you have codes or signals or something?"

Ianto looked up from the baby crib he was painting with Rhys, "Huh?"

"Your people. Like … god this is going to sound wrong. Vampires have a secret language in the movies." she grimaced as Ianto blinked slowly "Hieroglyphs. Do your kind have messages or something?"

Ianto straightened up and stared at her.

"Something we can put up to advertise that we are here to them?" she asked, "Or a warning that there are unfriendlies about?"

"First of all, I do not take offence. I know you are not comparing me to a blood sucker. Those are … unsavoury creatures that we do not like sharing with" Ianto said and everyone went still. Then he laughed, his face lighting up.

"Shit! You had us going then" Rhys laughed as well, his deep boom as he pushed Ianto's shoulder.

"Bastard!" Owen agreed happily, revelling in this family he had found himself in. He had not spoken about what was happening within himself, he needed time still but Tosh could see the change as Owen's strut was less for play.

"Yes Toshi. We do. The Welsh Dragon is our symbol. Always was, why it does us proud to see it on the flag. If we put a few flags up even, like breadcrumbs….yes. clever love. An upside down one to signal a place unsafe?"

Tosh was pleased she had thought of something useful and Owen spoke next, "We have flags. That box of them from the gymnasium. They would do, not full sized. Might be more obvious as they are half the size of a normal one … that they are connected?"

"Yes!" Ianto pointed, pleased Owen was thinking along the same lines "Maybe we should get those dirt bikes out we left in the shed and do some zooming before the snow gets deep, it will cover our tracks as well."

"Oooooo, cool" Owen rushed to get the boxes as Gwen glanced over at Rhys and rolled her eyes, "Go on then."

Rhys grinned at her and took off, no longer feeling like he had to stay with her. There were more than enough people now that he felt she was OK without him. Also, that little voice telling him he was the one safe with her, not the other way around. He felt it was time to find his place in this new life, he felt it should be behind Ianto and Jack, a brother. Felt right. Ya know?

Soon they were roaring about while the bright afternoon sun protected them from any Crawlers about, using the walkies to adjust the cameras and sensors until Tosh was happy. Owen felt like he was flying roaring along the road with his backpack, Jack following with his laughter reaching Owen and they stopped by a lamppost, Owen standing on the bike as Jack held it for stability. He shirked up and placed the flag then slid back down into Jack's arms and with soft laughter they continued along the road.

Ianto and Rhys had headed in the other direction, Ianto doing the climbing as Rhys gaped each time, still amazed tht the man was so limber, swinging off the pole to land on his feet like a fucking cat.

"Right, I'm hungry" Ianto said after a while and Rhys agreed, radioing the others and they all raced back towards the school.

Rhys felt like a man.

Not just Gwen's fella.

It felt good.