11

Ianto was the one who found him trapped in the water room.

"Really?"

John swung to find the advancing man was swinging a small bat and he squawked as he stumbled back to land in one of the small pools.

"Oh do get up you oaf, you will scare the Gerils" Ianto rolled his eyes, "Especially with that appendage, they might think it's food."

John clambered out of the pool and felt his bits with horror, now regretting his nakedness. Especially when Ianto dropped the bat and a ball into the water then started to snigger, stealing glances as he walked around the perimeter of the room to fetch one of the robes hanging by a changing room door. John felt more than slightly ashamed now.

"Sorry, didn't know there were little ones in here" he said softly as he accepted the robe and watched little flickers of movement, then the bat and ball started to move about in play.

"They just hatched three days ago, brand new ones" Ianto said with a childlike glee that had John grinning as well, both of them watching the water sprites frolic.

"You are an interesting wee Chickie" John said with a cant of his head, then he watched Ianto's frown appear as he regarded him back.

"Chickie. The guards call their pets that. I am not a pet, I am Jack's bond mate" Ianto said after he considered things.

"Bond mate" John snorted, "He said he would never give in to a bond."

"Well there you go" Jack's voice was loud in the quiet room, "I never gave in to anything. It wasn't about surrender, that's why you are not bonded John. Not everything is some sort of test or battle. No, it's not about relenting or giving in. There is no failure in yielding. No."

"You don't give in" Ianto agreed, "You accept, you get not give."

"Yes sweetling, look" Jack held out his hand where a piece of purple glass lay, watching his little love's face explode with delight as he raced over to snatch then remembered his manners, a very Ianto-like smile as he held out his hand in silent request.

"Well done, you didn't' even squeal that time" Jack praised as he placed the little bauble into the outstretched hand and watched Ianto take off like a mad thing to place it into the horde.

"He is sweet" John smiled, then remembered who was glowering at him, "Aw, come on. I would never take a bond mate. Swear. I was curious about him. You. You know, both of you. He is so innocent."

"Not really, he is till Ianto in there too" Jack warned, "The Windy-woo part makes him unpredictable and more than sweet with his moods but he strikes like a viper, not that I have to remind you of that upper cut, right?"

John snorted, showing his acceptance of violence as he always did. Something he understood. Pain.

"DADDY!" Ianto screamed with glee and both men raced to see what was wrong, finding Ianto yanking at a little baby Moses basket that had been handmade with bright blue and pink reeds from the Planet Grekko that had the most beautiful fauna of that galaxy. They were almost translucent and glowed gently in the dark making the planet a preferred honeymoon destination for many species.

"Oh shit" John said softly, "Someone wants to mate."

"We bonded" Jack said as he pushed past him to help Ianto before he broke something, all the other things stacked around the basket getting shoved at as Ianto started to lose his temper, "He's a Windy-Woo and we bonded, of course he wants a chick one day."

"Look Daddy….it glows" Ianto hissed, his eyes wide as he clutched it, so childlike and sweet, Jack fond himself smiling back.

"Now Tiger, we talked about this."

Ianto's face seemed to change and Jack knew he had the old Ianto staring back as a defiant look flickered in those stormy eyes, "I want it!"

How could he say no to the lip wobble and those wide eyes. Especially since it was clear that he was not about to release it. Jack quietly cursed the Doctor for his hoarding ways, wondering if there was a touch of Windy-woo in the bloody Timelord as he looked around the room connected to the water room and saw what was clearly a little horde.

Ianto saw this too and started selecting pieces he likes, cooing and chirping as he flittered about.

"Ah what have we here?" the Doctor said as he entered and looked at John, "This is not the wardrobe room young man, you will not find anything to fit you in here."

Jack snorted with mirth as John blinked.

"Ah, found the pretties did you love?" the Doctor crooned as he watched Ianto who swung to address him.

"May I pinch?"

"Of course sweetling, take whatever you want. TARDIS provides…clearly the naughty minx is showing favourites."

"Doc, I gotta ask. Is there Windy-Woo in the Gallifreyans?" Jack asked and the Doctor threw his head back as he brayed with mirth, slapping at Jack like two old school buddies or something.

"Don't be so silly" he finally managed to choke out, "Not at all. No. We are part of the Windy-Woo."

John snorted, "Well that makes sense. No wonder he is empathic then. Damn, this pretty boat loves him like a child of her own making. Yeah. Makes sense. He is a child of Gallifrey to a percentage."

"Yep" the Doctor popped the P and wandered off a Jack gaped after him.

He had sounded just like Ianto.