Fandomweekly Challenge 127 - Up the duff

[m_findlow]

Title: Up the duff

Fandom: Torchwood

Characters: Jack, Ianto

Author: m_findlow

Rating: PG.

Length: 1,000 words

Content notes: none

Author notes: Written for Challenge 127 - For science! at fandomweekly

Summary: Ianto is angry at Jack letting himself be used.

Jack read Ianto's body language the moment he stepped into their bedroom. It was the first time Jack had seen him since this morning's roundtable with the alien guests who had an important proposition for Torchwood to consider. Jack had been all for it, but Ianto had held his tongue, then disappeared the moment it was over. 'You've been sulking.'

Ianto stomped around to his side of the bed, tugging his pajamas out from under the pillow. 'Yes.' He didn't even deny it, which was so unlike him. This thing must have left him really rattled to not even bother with a modest effort of dissembling.

'It's just procreation,' Jack said, pulling back the covers and sliding under them. 'Every species does it.'

Ianto undressed unabashedly in front of him. 'Most species don't ask you to play host to their offspring.'

'Their situation is dire,' Jack reminded him. 'Asking us to trial a cross species incubation technique is fairly reasonable all things considered. I'm willing to give it a go.'

'It's highly experimental!' Ianto tossed his top angrily onto the duvet. 'Just completely throw caution to the wind, why don't you? While we're at it, why don't I just order a whole cart full of fireworks and set them alight in the hub?'

Jack rolled his eyes at his lover's uncharacteristic histrionics. 'Give me one good reason why I should let you buy a cart full of fireworks?'

'Couldn't be anymore spectacularly dangerous and stupid than what you're proposing. Figured it would balance up the ledger somewhat.'

'It'll be fine,' Jack said, trying to reassure him. 'Besides, if something were to go really, really wrong-'

'You'd die,' came Ianto's blunt response, finishing the sentence for him.

'Better me than someone else,' Jack replied, growing defensive despite knowing that Ianto's anger was directed at him on purely selfish grounds. 'Their whole species is on the cusp of extinction. This kind of experimental surrogacy programme could be the only thing that saves them.'

Ianto's frown remained firm and unyielding. 'It's breeding, not surrogacy. Even calling it that feels too kind. Parasites, more like.'

'They're sentient creatures,' Jack reiterated. 'Who are you to judge? I thought you'd be the first person wanting to help.'

'I do. I just think that this is… It's like you're just doing this for curiosity's sake.'

'For science,' Jack clarified. 'Better yet, I'm doing this for the most important reason there is. What is Torchwood if we don't help those that need us most?'

Ianto stared, scrutinising him with a judicious eye. 'You've already done it, haven't you?'

'I knew you'd say no, or at least want to argue about it. So, yeah. I did it.'

He caught the flash of anger that lit up Ianto's face for the briefest moment before he schooled it back into something he could use as a weapon against Jack. That was how their arguments usually played out - Jack having no idea if he was about to step on the proverbial land mine because he couldn't read Ianto's expression. It was only when he was really, really mad that he abandoned any sense of self control and let loose on Jack. He hadn't done that so Jack worked on the assumption that he was only mildly annoyed and frustrated at his lover. Not that that wasn't par for the course most days.

He didn't need Ianto's permission to do this. It was his body and his choice. He knew better than anyone what he might be getting himself into. Yes, it was risky, and yes, there was a chance it could all go horribly wrong, but there was also an opportunity for them to study Jack's experience and adapt the technology to work better. Perfecting the compatibility issue was key.

Ianto chewed the inside of his lip and considered their situation. Jack could sense rational thought sweeping in to quell some of his initial fury. That thought sent a quiver of hope through him, or perhaps it was the first stages of his pregnancy making him feel those stomach flutters. Maybe both.

'It's just the once, right? You're not going to be spending years like this?'

'Their gestational cycle is a few days and there might be up to two dozen egg sacks. You don't have to worry about me being knocked up and out of action for months. But maybe it takes us a few goes to get it right. It's worth it. If the technology is safe, people will do it, even if they have to be paid for it. It wouldn't be the first species in the universe to do it.'

'You mean there are others? People actually volunteer themselves for it?'

'Some consider it the highest honour they can commit their lives to. There are worse things you could spend your life doing.'

'Well, you're not spending yours as a battery hen, no matter how much honour is involved. We need you as well.'

'It's just a couple of days. I promise.'

Ianto harrumphed. 'So much for "never doing that again",' he mumbled, folding his arms and reverting back to his sulking state. Jack tried not to remember the last time, oh so long ago now. Being pregnant back then had been a bad experience and not one he'd signed up for. This would be different.

Ianto crawled onto the bed and snuggled up beside him, resting his forehead against Jack's and letting out a small sigh. 'What am I ever going to do with you?'

'Love me no matter what I do?' Jack said, taking his chances.

'Always. Just don't expect me to sign up for it if it works.'

Jack smiled. He loved Ianto for his ability to cope with whatever Torchwood threw at them, but he also appreciated that there was a limit to what Ianto could deal with. 'I'd never subject you to that,' he promised. 'You're cranky and hormonal enough without coffee on a good day. I wouldn't add pregnant into the mix.'