[Private, very high security text to Aisling]

[stopwatchesandcoffee]

Jack is back. I don't know if you saw.

Where are you, Annwyl?  Come to us. We'll keep you safe.

Comments

Action

[chronosexual]

Just trust me. It'll be fine. Worst she can do is maul me.

[ He laughs a little, trying his best to inject some much-needed humour into the serious situation. He removes from his pocket the small ring box he'd shown to Aisling the day that it snowed and opened it up, outstretching the small token in her direction for her to see and sniff at her leisure. ]

See? It's me.

Action

[coimiceoir]

[Her ears flick forward. Back. Forward. Ianto is upset and nervous, but she doesn't know what that means. But... It sounds like him. It smells like him...

She edges forward, keeping low to the ground, bunched to spring away if he lunges for her. He hadn't pulled the weapon she'd expected. It was just... a little box. A familiar little box. Hope pushes at the howling grief and pain in her chest. A few feet closer... a few more. She is close. So close. The contents of the box appear as she remembers it. Smelled as she remembers it.

Gently, gently, she reaches forward and snaps the box closed. Your secret is still safe with her, Captain. Athair.

She crowded forward, trying to get as close to him as possible, worming her way up against his chest to lick his chin and throat, a big ball of wiggling fur crying like a baby puppy.

It's you. It's you! Oh blessed isles, it's true, you're alive, you're here...]

Action

[chronosexual]

[ His smile grows when she closes the little box and nestles herself against him. He puts the little box away and pets her head, neck and shoulders gently and kissing the top of her big white head. ]

You can turn around now, Ianto. She looks like she's pretty badly hurt... we should get her back home, clean and wrap some of these up. Has anyone followed us?