9

Life here was different to anything Jack had ever known… ok… strike that. He did remember his mother, his childhood and his father's soft voice reminding him to push in his chair before leaving the table with his plate. Hearing Ianto's voice telling his children the same made him feel something deep inside.

This was a home.

"I shouldn't be here" he said as Ianto reached for the bowl of leftover salad.

Ianto snorted softly, "Stop being a douche. Where are where you are supposed to be? It's comfortable here and it is terrifying you. Give it a chance to settle into your core. You are fine."

"You felt this?"

"The first year here. Almost every morning I woke up about to scream with…. I don't know. It was caught in my throat, the fear of something I could not even understand. Give it time to settle in, the dirt will get into your bones, the sound of the wind in the long gras with soothe. You far the lack of direction. No orders, no purpose. You feel like something is missing" Ianto reached out and patted his arm "You are what I was missing."

Jack didn't answer, he sat and let it sink in.

Felt nice.

.

.

Jack was starting to understand the rhythm of the days, these three days sort of in one…. A long fucking day. He was really enjoying finding Ianto asleep like a cat having a little snooze in the sun as he lay in long grass, curled up with his hands under his head. So sweet, a little woodland creature.

Jack knew Nanny most likely had the children fed and in bed for their snooze back at home so he settled to spoon the man he was in love with, more in love than he had thought possible. And he has known love before, believe you me. Not like this.

This felt so… natural.

Jack fell asleep with no fear of being found, being hunted or becoming prey.

As the horses watched over them, they soaked in the warmth of the suns.

.

.

It has now been almost six months since Jack ran into his life and Ianto was amazed at how comfortable things were, the laughter ringing through the house as Jack chased the little girl, struggling to get her night gown over her head as she squealed with glee.

It was Dusk Day and they were always a little over wound from the two days of light, this third day the wind down. It was a day for relief to come soon, the night of black one Ianto hated as much as the day of full suns.

They had just finished their 'evening meal' and now the kids were getting organized for bed which included a story from Jack… yeah he was a soft touch… when Ianto stood abruptly and turned to face the front door "Incoming."

The kids stopped their play and took off for the bedroom followed by Nanny, her hand snatching the nightgown from Jack as she passed him and Jack moved closer to Ianto "What is it?"

"Hovers. In this light, horses are not as sturdy with their footfalls it must be something serious to come like this unannounced" Ianto replied as he reached for a drawer and placed his hands on the drawer then clinking of it unlocking before sliding forward more than usual to reveal some pulse weapons.

Jack reached for his Pulse Webley that was up on a high self where the kids could not reach or see it, also unlocking the case it sat in and they headed out to stand on the porch as the Hovers approached. The dogs wraithed into the twilight.

"Sheriff?" Ianto called out with alarm as he saw blood on the man's clothing.

"We have the beast cornered… so we thought but now we have a problem we didn't' see coming" the man panted as he staggered down from the Hover.

"A mate?"

"A couple of potentials have turned up sniffing about and I swear to the gods, we are under gunned and outmanned" the man said, his face one of pure agony and Jack realized they were here for help.

"How many are down?"

"We've lost five men, we have four more injured but will make it and one of the Garrison kids that got in the way… he might lose his arm" the man stopped talking, the pain on his face clear.

"Garrison… your daughter's family?"

The man nodded.

"Well… fuck" Ianto sighed rubbing his face "Looks like we need to get Sally."

"I know I am asking a lot, and we have no way to pay for your services right now. This time of year we are under pressure and…"

"A child is hurt, men are dead. You know I am duty bound to help you… there are ways you can help me another time Sherrif" Ianto stepped down off the porch and turned to Jack "Stay where you are, I need to call Sally out and don't want you in the way."

"It's OK Ianto, I am not scared of a skunk."

Ianto paused … the hand on his opposite wrist moving the metal band and he looked up at Jack with confusion "What? Skunk? A skunk?"

"Yeah… the skunk" Jack pointed at his feet.

Ianto blinked slowly "There is a fucking skunk under my house?"

Jack finally got the right question "Wait. The Skunk is not your Sally?"

"Chrit on a cross" Ianto muttered to himself as he adjusted the other wristlet and took a hero stance "I have a fucking pet skunk now!"

"Wait. Wait… if she's not the skunk?... what is Sally?"

"I told you already Jack… I am a Metalhead" Ianto looked at him like he was nuts and he slammed his hands downwards towards the ground like he was trying to smack it.

Jak canted his head.

Where had he seen that motion before.

The wristlets started to glow, a soft hum under his feet making the hair on the back of his neck stand up as he finally got it.

Oh fuck.

Ianto was a Metalhead.

Those bands did not have lightning bolts on them… they were the letter S.

S for Stark.