9

Jack was a wonderful creator for their date… and Ianto was happy to call it a date. Like… gooey, silly, teenage angsty date. Holding hands while sipping their drinks as they waited for their food, small talk and silliness. More than once, he felt Jack's eyes sliding over him and he was not afraid to let Jack see him checking him out as well, letting his hand slide over Jack's butt at one stage that made Jack's grin wider.

Ianto let Jack drive the hover, take their coats and make the poor girl blush as she gave them a secluded corner to sit in. Clearly, he was an Alpha and Ianto had always bowed to Lisa as well, more the 'wife'. They did not talk about the kids, or work. Instead, they told each other stories of their youth, memories and funny things they thought of. Now that they were in the candlelight Ianto noticed the silver thread in Jack's dark blue suit, like little starlight shots. So sweet, clearly it had cost a bit and he had been saving it. Felt nice to know this was a special occasion for him too.

Laughter was a balm, both of them having such similar funny bones that Jack felt almost like he was walking on air as they ended the meal and rose, Jack rushing to get their coats. Then they walked towards the gardens, lit up in the evening twilight with the pretty fairy lights still being hung. The aftermath of the strike here had left a crater, this was filled with not only more dirt but also some of the masonry from the damaged buildings, the result was pillars sticking up and in time, somewhere roses might clamber over and creepers will cover.

In a few years this memorial garden will not only have a plaque for each lost soul, but a wonderful area full of life and colour. Jack hoped that one day, this would be an area people came to fill with noise and bluster, the best way to pay homage to those who died is to show them that those who survived will live.

"This is so pretty" Ianto sighed softly. "My boy loved these sorts of lights."

"How old was he… I mean… sorry. We don't have to…"

"Don't be silly. I should talk about him, give him air. His remembrance is an honour to him, much as this garden will be a positive thing for those lost now" Ianto replied. "He was three when he was killed."

"You saw?"

"Yes, I was running for him from across the playing field where some of us were sorting the food while the kids played with kites, Lisa was the one watching over him and the other children with other parentals. I heard the screams when the creature broke through the security mesh and… I ran as fast as I could. I swear it was days before I could breathe properly… we lost him, and another little one as well. His best friend who clung to him as they crouched with fear instead of running like he had been told to so many times. He would not leave his friend. Lisa never forgave herself even though there was nothing she could do. It was huge, fast and deadly. I killed it… I… well. Why some are more respectful of me now they know my powers."

There was nothing more to say, his pain wafting off him as he tried to shield but it was so intense that Jack found himself taking deep breaths to get through it. No need to look up the security footage to see for himself, the images seeping through were… to much.

"I lost a child" Jack finally said in a soft voice he could talk again "My firstborn was a son. Herix. He lived for almost an hour and a half. I held him, wept and knew I would never again know this level of love. Of course, the first time I held Alice I knew I had been a little overdramatic but still… I never forgot him and will never allow anyone to tell me that he didn't matter. He was my first, my only birthed."

Ianto glanced at him "By you?"

"Boeshanian."

"So who was the father... no… strike that. I know who it was. Hart right? Why he is connected to you even though there will never be anything between you again, there will always be that tenuous strand of sorrow." Ianto nodded, the man's need to needle him finally making sense. John knew Jack liked Ianto, so he was being a prick without meaning to. Jealous.

"It was a long time ago, we were still kids ourselves, still in the Academy" Jack confirmed.

Ianto nodded as they continued to walk, pausing to look at some bright blooms that only came out at night "I am sorry. Lisa lost one before Jayden. And I … I bore him as she did not want to try again and fail. He is … was… not hers. Jayden was of another, her brother gave his sperm and we used the old turkey baster."

Jack was now confused and tried not to show it. They were both breeders, capable of creating a child. Rare, so damned rare. You could comb an entire colony and not find one… two?

Then he realized what Ianto was saying. His son's death… a mutant with empathic and telepathic… oh gods. Birthed by him. He must have heard his sons' last frightened thoughts … felt the pain… shit. No wonder she killed herself to save others, connected… she felt it too.

"Jack, we really have to work on your firewalls, I heard all of that." Ianto sighed then added "Yeah, unfortunately with me being bonded to her, I enhanced those last few moments unable to hold it back as I threw myself at my son so he might be shielded from the pain. He felt only confusion and love as I took the pain."

Jack stopped walking. Shit. So technically, Ianto had felt death.

Ianto reached out his hand "Come on. There is nothing to be learned by going over the bad parts, come… I will tell you more good parts. There was this one time he tried on my boots, all two and a half years of fury stomping about trying to be me and Lisa laughed so much, milk spluttered out of her nose."

Jack started walking again, now more determined than ever to cleave to this man. This likeminded man who was clearly a good man. A just man. A worthy mate.

Ianto did not scold or remind him that he was projecting again, instead he allowed the thoughts to flow and found a comfort in knowing that not only did Jack find him attractive, but worthy of maybe bonding with.

He would like that too.

.

.

They made love that night, nothing fancy just soft caresses, kissing and when Jack entered Ianto there was a comfort there, a coming home that Jack had sought for so long.

It felt…. Right.

Over the next week or so things really shifted, and Jack found himself in a comfortable relationship with the man he had hoped to connect with. Tentative, small steps but… they were moving towards something he had really hoped they would have.

They were starting to bond.