Chapter Text
"You busy?" Ianto asked and Billy looked up from the picture he was drawing.
"No. Just doing a picture for Uncle Owen" Billy said as he examined the picture, "It's of him with bubba. He's going to be a daddy real soon."
"Yeah. I think he's nervous. That's why he keeps checking his stuff. The planes did a good job of distracting him but I think we need to try harder." Ianto said as he settled on the floor.
"Yeah? Like what? Billy canted his head.
"Well, maybe we could do a picnic? You, me and Uncle Owen? Daddy's busy and I would like some time with you. Uncle Owen would too, you know you're his best bud" Ianto shrugged.
Owen jumped at the idea and eagerly followed Ianto into the meadow.
They chose a spot and laid the cloth, Owen showing Billy how to weight the cloth down with stones.
The food was delicious, of course it as. Nainny packed it.
Billy laid on the ground looking up at the clouds as Taddy and Uncle Owen took turns choosing clouds and arguing about what they looked like.
Billy liked spending time with Taddy. He liked the way Taddy seemed happier, too.
Owen was laughing at Ianto's decision that a cloud was a rabbit. Apparently he thought it was a dog.
Billy focused and frowned as the cloud drifted by.
"You're both wrong" he finally said and the two men rolled their heads to look at the boy laying between them.
"Oh yeah?" Owen challenged.
"Yeah. It's a wolf!" Billy pointed out and Ianto canted his head as he studied the cloud again.
"You know what? I think he's right" Ianto muttered with fake annoyance.
"Bullshit!" Owen snarked looking up, "Ah bugger. Maybe, I suppose."
"This looks like fun"
Everyone tilted their heads back to find Captain Jack Harkness in full hero pose, coat and all.
"Aren't you bloody hot in that?" Owen asked with awe.
"Nah. Wool breathes" Jack grinned. "Whatcha doing?"
"Cloud analysing" Billy answered, "It's not easy Dad."
"Oh, OK" Jack threw himself down and lay so his head was next to Billy's. "Lay it on me."
"That one. I think it's a …"
"Dog? No. Wolf." Jack said automatically and Billy grinned.
"See? Dad says Wolf too!" Billy informed Ianto with glee.
"Bugger" Owen sighed, rising and brushing himself off.
"Nice to spend time again sproglett. Gotta go, Tosh will be nearly ready for an afternoon nap and I like to talk to bubs" Owen said then blushed as he realised what he had said.
"That's nice Owen" Ianto said absently, "Means when bubs is born it'll know your voice."
"Yeah." Owen scurried away as Jack rolled his head to watch him.
"You think he'll be an OK dad?" Jack asked.
"Think so" Billy answered and the two men grinned over the child's head at each other, "He seems to wanna try. Needs to work on patience though"
"Good to know squirt" Jack grinned and then he watched as Ianto yawned, his teeth gleaming as he let his jaw unhinge.
"God, I'm so tired" Ianto sighed, "I hate night patrol."
"Then let me do it!" Jack offered.
"No! You are needed for daytime, you calm people better than me. Besides" Ianto paused for another yawn, "I have night vision."
"Show off" Jack teased and Ianto snorted.
"Taddy?" Billy rolled his body so he was flush with Ianto.
"Yes beast of mine?" Ianto asked as he looked lovingly at his cub.
"Will I grow up to be big and strong like you and Dad? I'm awful small." His worry etched his face and Ianto swallowed the sigh.
"When I was your age, I was small too." Ianto said calmly, "Me mam thought I would be about five foot when I was grown up because I was so weedy and her Da was small."
"Really?"
"Yep. Sean used to tell people I was adopted because I looked so pitiful. No one picked me for sports teams and eve the school bully couldn't be bothered." Ianto said ruefully.
"Wow, they were stupid" Billy muttered.
"You think?" Into teased.
"Sure. You can save them … or tear their throats out." Billy snorted, "Bet they were sorry when the Zs ate them that they didn't have a clever and brave friend like you."
"Aw little cub" Ianto cooed, "You are my precious star."
"And you are my Taddy" Billy sighed, "I'm so lucky."
Jack looked at Ianto as he melted and agreed.
I'm so lucky.