1

The boys were nervously checking Ianto as he stood calmly in line, Jack ahead with the luggage and tickets. Ianto was in militarial garb and looked almost regal with the Jones Sash to declare his family line. Dylan hadn't understood these things and Ianto had patiently explained that once upon a time the Jones blood protected the Royal Family and as a result they had special privilege. Although he didn't often use the Jones Colours which were a deep burgundy and gold compared to Jack's Blue and silver he knew it would help move things along.

Dylan nodded silently knowing he was really saying it meant no one would question why they had a child with them that was humanoid yet not of Earth origin like him. Lorenzo's slightly tanned skin did look like Dad's I guess but those almond shapes eyes that slanted slightly were definitely a giveaway to off-world blood. Taddy was protecting him. He knew he would.

"Taddy? How long will it take?" Dylan asked.

"Maybe half an hour once we lift off" Ianto replied gently, "it will take a little while to get the engines hot enough once we are safely in the ship."

Both boys clung to one another as they peered out the huge glass walled building at the hulk of metal floating outside in the black. The hover that rose to this first space station just above the atmo had been exciting with Ianto squealing along with them when they felt the shift of gravity to a moment of weightlessness before the artificial grav clicked in.

"Right, here we are" Jack said as he pointed and the sleeker vessel seemed to be mocking the others as they moved towards it, a salute as Jack neared and then they were walking along a long tunnel to the ship.

"Captain, we are ready to go in T-minus twenty" an ensign said proudly as she knelt to look at the boys, "And these handsome soldiers are your security?"

Dylan puffed his chest out as he threw an arm around Lorenzo and both boys gaped as she produced little badges with the insignia of the vessel, pinning them on their tunics, "There we are. All crew have these especially security guards."

Ianto gushed, "Oh wow, now everyone will be jealous of me and my lovely guards. Look Captain, I have my own bouncers."

Jack grinned as he nodded, "Good, good. Protection for you when I am asleep or in the loo. Makes sense."

They were led to their seats and Ianto showed them how to buckle in as Jack stowed their carry-on bags, settling next to Dylan so the boys were between them and he patted their legs before reaching to pat Ianto's "Ready husband?"

"Yes husband of mine" Ianto replied, their pre-rehearsed responses agreed to make sure the boys felt safe, "My very first space jump in the new model. I might pee meself, I'm so excited."

"Just remember Tiger, you have to chew the gum they give you so your ears don't pop and get sore." Jack crooned like Ianto needed the lecture not the boys and Ianto nodded as he smiled encouragingly to the boys.

"You two will remind me right?" he asked. "You will look after me?"

The ensign appeared with a little tray of gum and the boys rigorously debated the different flavours before both agreeing Ianto would like the cherry as would they. Three pieces were taken, then Lorenzo gently removed and apple one to hand to Jack, "Apple. You eat lots of them sir."

"Yes Enzo, I do like apples. Exactly the one I was going to choose, well done Soldier" Jack said with a wide grin and Lorenzo puffed proudly in the seat as the men shared a look over his head.

The engines started to whine as the boys clutched at one another, their fear showing even as they squealed with glee and the klaxons sounded to indicate the uncoupling from the space station. There was a thump and Ianto squealed too, jigging as he turned to Jack, eyes wide, "Here we go Cariad, so exciting!"

Then they began to move the window shades slowly coming down and the boys hastily undid the wrappers on their gum while Jack and Ianto sedately did their own, then Ianto held out a hand for the wrappers.

"Now Taddy" Dylan decided. Lorenzo nodding his agreement so they popped their gum in and started to chew, then… boom…. They were thrown back in their seats as they jumped and giggled while clutching together in a huddle.

The ensign watched the two men covertly kissing then checking the children and she smiled, slipping into the cockpit to tell the vessel's captain, her husband of the image. Soon he was in the main cabin kneeling to invite the boys up to see the cockpit.

"Oh wow" Dylan gushed, "Can we? Tad? Dad?"

"You kidding?" Ianto blustered as he struggled out of the harness, "I wanna see too!"

They were shown around and Jack quietly explained things as the Captain looked at him then pointed, "Harkness right? I remember you. We trained together."

"Ralf, yeah. This is my husband Ianto so its Harkness-Jones now" Jack said with obvious pride, "And these are our boys."

Lorenzo's eyes widened as he was shoved forward with Dylan for approval, the captain smiling softly, "And they look like good strong boys too. You must be proud of your lovely family."

"Yes" Ianto answered as his hands landed on each child's shoulder to stand behind them, "We are overwhelmed with pride for our boys."

Lorenzo couldn't speak for a while, this new emotion strange.

Pride.

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Militarial is a made-up word. It denotes one who served in the military as a life choice or long term. We know Jack was a Captain and Ianto is still an enigma … who knows how deep his roots go into the underworld beneath the feet of 'normal' people. Hoodlums are invading different verses, in Walter Verse they are an offshoot of an old tribal thing … maybe in this one they are of another sort… like inglorious bastards?

I am glad you are enjpying the shorts ... I have come to realise some of my friends only like reading completed stories so I am doing little smippets like this at a time.