66

Team Torchwood was plastered in big letters on the side of the trucks as they rolled into the compound and Ianto was increasingly uncomfortable with the fact so many outsiders were around the children. Sure, they were supporters, this group of people who not only advocated for the safety and preservation of the children but also raised a lot of money.

Those who stepped out were not in uniforms or armed, but in bright clothing that looked like they were all coming for a party and Ianto felt his fears slowly fade away. Those invited people, those who had helped the cause and advocated for them were all happy to be there. Her Majesty had just been on a video call with him reassuring him as well, like a lovely mother telling her little one not to fear the storm.

Then the horse floats were being unloaded and screaming started from deep in the compound. Damn, he had not been shielding and they had all just seen the little cream coloured horse Jack had gushed over to with glee in the photos they had chosen ten from.

"Stampede" Ianto muttered turning to watch as children ran for them, arms pumping and feet stomping. Little beasts.

The truck with the four-wheeler motorbikes were next and glee was heard as well, loud talking as no one used an 'inner' voice, too excited for that, some calling dibs for first rides. Ianto let them all wander off with Jack as the other closed sided trucks moved to a corner that he had indicated to them in the compound map he had reluctantly shared.

Ianto knew he was being overly cautious but it was hard for him to let go of his need to be Secret Squirrel as Owen called him gleefully each time he complained about providing information to someone.

It was the castle stuff. The main parts numbered like a huge puzzle and ianto stood back to watch the castle come to life, soon the screaming in the distance growing closer as the kids saw what was happening in his corner.

The castle was like something from Lord of the Rings or something, the realistic looking stone sidings and such, the drawbridge and of course their favoured parts now being lowered carefully by a huge crane… the gargoyles that resembled dragons for each corner.

"Right then" he said softly once the workers started to pat one another on the back "That's done."

He wandered off like it as not a big deal, Jack's deep bellowing starting as he demanded someone get a camera for photos. Nice. Jack was once again on the front lines with memories and shareable content for those on the outside wanting to see the kids with all their fingers and toes.

Not a cult.

He was a little sick of defending their right to be cloistered. So many asked if the kids had free will, if they could choose to leave… they had no idea. How could they. Ianto knew he had to be more… sharing… so the rest of the world might understand that they were connected, they needed one another and the idea of one going out into the world not only startled him, it terrified the kids.

They were like feathers on a wing… all snug together in their designated places.

They needed one another to fly.

Ianto stopped walking as he scolded himself for the bird analogies that he seemed to be using a lot these days. Cuckoos, an asylum… he also recognised that some of the terms had been in his mind for a long time, his own cooch something so repressed in the back of his mind that until the renewal of memories with the kids coming along, he had sort of drifted in the world.

Of course he had.

He was alone for so long.

A feather on the wind.

This is why they had to be together. His own siblings making him stronger, less fearful of things and he felt… important. Yes. That's it. Each brother or sister that smiles in passing like they have a secret together, the warmth of belonging. This is why the kids need one another.

Ianto never wanted the kids to be as alone and afraid in the world as he was for most of his adult life… Jack his only anchor. Ianto stood looking around at the chaos and knew that his life was fuller than he could have ever wished for… this is it.

This is what he craved, sought and never could find in his daily life before the kids.

Belonging.

"Ianto?"

Ianto turned his head to find Jack standing there watching him "You Ok there lover?"

"Just thinking how much…. More… life is now."

Jack laughed, puling him close "I know. I love you. Have always loved you. Felt so.. protective and… needy for you. But this, it's like you were a black crow in the garden that allowed me to feed you cheese but then one day you brought others and I realized you were not black at all… you were all the colours of the rainbow all condensed into one amazing package and …. I am sounding daft, aren't I."

"No… no… go on." Ianto grinned, amused that Jack was also sticking with bird analogies.

"Well… I had hoped to adopt one day, I saw a little village with a little fella on a trike as we wander down the street … people calling out for their houses and waving… a little country scene. Look around. Kids everywhere, all wanting love and care… everyone knows us by our first names and sometimes… sometimes it's not just the kids that hug me for no reason. Adults do too. I am part of a huge family, a Flock of Fools as Owen would say. You know… I never dreamed that we could be here, like this with our own village. But I knew... I knew I would be with you. Anywhere, anytime… I would be with you. That I knew from the first time you looked me in the eye and told me to stop being a twat. God, I love you." Jack stopped talking and coloured slightly as Ianto stared back.

Then Ianto whispered "I love the bones of you ya silly git… and you are right, whatever happens, we will always be together. It is something destined. Like… written in the books of the Gods or something."

"Oooo, I like that one" Jack gushed.

"You were made for me" Ianto said softly, his grin wide "created and honed… made… just for me."

"But that said… they created you for me too." Jack replied, then asked "Who do you think they made first?"

"Cariad… you of course. I mean… look at you. They would have made you and then seen that you were soooo uncontrollable that they needed someone to amuse you. Someone calm to control your madness" Ianto laughed "after all… I know all your habits and quirks, and put up with you anyway."

"HEY!" Jack reached for him, and Ianto squealed like one of the kids, running as Jack chased him and soon the kids joined in, like ducklings chasing after their parents.

And that was a good day.

And this was a good story.

Thanks for reading, I hope you liked it. I can not guarantee a sequel, I don't know what the future brings. That would be another book.