31
"Tiger? Whatcha doing?"
Ianto was a lump in the bed, Jack in the doorway of the bedroom with the little bubba in his arms and his tunic open form feeding.
The lump moved slightly and then he heard the unmistakable snort of a grumpy bum. Then Ianto muttered "Staying here."
"Babe… Rhys has finished the meeting house, we have to go make excited noises for his heart" Jack frowned, placing the baby on the floor and leaving it like a piece of dirty laundry. Don't worry, he did this all the time. Good for the immune system ya know.
A mumble and then the covers flipped back to reveal a disheveled man, his eyes red and his face puffy from sleep. His hair was all over the pace and not for the first time, Jack saw their children in the same manner. God, he loves this man. Jack sat and reached out to smooth the hair down as he did for their children that got Ianto's hair. For all it's polite manner out in the real world, in private it was about as moppy as Jack's.
"Darling, my beloved darling man." Jack crooned "Are you pissy today?"
"Hmmm" the covers were hauled back up and the head disappeared, now the lump in the bed moving to find a lower position. Jack smiled as he knew this was something Ianto had not done in such a long time, at least a hundred years since his last funky day off. And he sure did deserve one. He had not had a moment of peace since this madness began and he did hate all the people, noise and bluster.
"Well, me and the muppet here are heading up to the bridge for a little looksie around before we walk the dirt and go look at the new meeting house. I will tell everyone that you are not available today so… you have all the time you need" Jack said to the lump that did a weird little jerking thing that Jack giggled at, Isnot didn't a tantrum because he was still thee speaking.
"I love you" Jack said softly, reaching down to pluck up their muppet… er… baby.
"Erghhhah" came a muffled reply that meant 'I love you too' and Jack giggled as he wandered from the room and was soon leaving their berth to walk along to the bridge to check the day's events.
Soon their own house would be ready, and it was becoming increasingly clear that Into did not really want to move off the vessel. He liked the clean lines, the small space and most of all, the thick walls that protected from other people as well as threats.
Not for the first time… Jack pondered what it might mean if he and Ianto lived on the vessel instead of joining the others on the dirt. Ianto did love it Would that be acceptable? Would everyone understand? Did it matter what they thought? Ianto liked it here. Felt safe. And security meant not everyone could annoy him when he wanted a non-talking day.
A non-talking day. God, not had one of those for years either, a day where Ianto wraithed about with a blanket around his shoulders eating sweet stuff, drinking coffee from a huge cup and being all wraith-like with facial expressions showing his annoyance at having to exist.
Jack stopped walking.
He felt for Ianto in the bond and was satisfied that Ianto was not mad, not depressed or fed up. Just tired. And also… so wound up. Fuck, he was wound about to snap. Right. He needs some alone time to wind down.
Jack continued with his day.
.
.
"Oi, where's your other half?" Rhys asked, noticing straight away that Ianto was not in the room.
"Having a personal day since he had put so much into this move and it's all caught up with him. He needs a day or two of peace and quiet. So many voices in the room sometimes, so many thought swirling that he is almost deafened." Jack explained.
"Shit, I never thought about that. Earing people's thoughts when they are talking too, hard to concentrate and sometimes he mut get stuff he didn't want to know" Andy said as he leaned around Rhys, one rm around him possessively.
"Yeah, how are you two going?" Jack asked.
"Us two?" Rhys looked honestly confused by the question as Andy grinned and then patted Rhys on the back.
"Me and the big bear here are good mates, we have decided to move in together and share the house since we are both alone. Like… friends with benefits." Andy said. "Rhys has not opted in for ALL the benefits yet but… time will tell."
Rhy blinked lowly and Jack watched as it became clear why Ianto was exasperated with these two. Oh. OK. Rhys is one of those blinkered guys when it comes to romance.
"Well, I think that's a great idea. You know… you two vibe so well, I would not be surprised if you make a go of it as a couple" Jack deinked to play devil's advocate "I mean, have you seen someone out there that makes you as comfortable as you are with one another? I know I like to flirt but Ianto… he makes me… safe. I feel safe and comfortable with him in a way I never have been with anyone else."
Rhys seemed to consider that as Andy looked not only surprised but delighted that Jack had brought the problem out from under the rug into the light "you know Cappy… I think Rhys is the best thing since space flight. And really… so many kids from the other colony without parents, we could just snatch one or two to raise as our own and be a family."
Rhys turned to look at Andy, "Really?"
"Why not. I love ya and I know you love me even if you've not said it yet. Why not be a couple. Look how well it has gone for Cappy here. Ianto and Jack are… well… solid. I want to be solid." Andy replied, a hand flapping at Jack as the bub in his chest woke to give a squeal of surprise at the hand flapping so close.
"Careful Andy, my little girl is hungry and might bite a finger off if it gets too close" Jack warned, and they all laughed as Rhys reached out to place an arm around Adny. Jack had done the right thing, he felt quiet proud of himself actually. Wait until Ianto hears this, he had channeled him and done the deed.
And as he walked away he heard Rhys softly say "You know… I do love you ya twerp. There! I said it!"
Lovely.