m_findlow

Title Home for Christmas - Part 4
Author/Artist m_findlow
Length/Size of work 514 words
Summary Ianto wanted Jack home for Christmas, but got Jack’s home instead.
Rating PG
Warnings None
Other content notes Using Prompt #42 -Snuggle
Fandom Torchwood
Pairing Jack/Ianto
Disclaimer Torchwood sadly doesn’t belong to me, but I treat it better.

Ianto cast a glance down at the steaming mug still gripped in Jack's hand. ‘You’re not finished up yet for the night? I could have made you a coffee if you’d asked.’

‘With your blocked nose you’d probably burn the beans,’ Jack said, hoping that came off as sympathetic and not insulting. ‘I’ll survive on tea until you’re back to fighting fit and the king of the coffee machine.’

Ianto narrowed his eyes at Jack’s deflection. ‘You didn’t answer my question. I thought we were done for the night.’

‘You are,’ Jack confirmed. ‘Go home, get an early night. I assume you’re an apology for Christmas lunch tomorrow?’ Not that Jack minded going on his own. He was more than comfortable being in the company of Ianto’s family these days.

Ianto rolled his eyes at Jack. ‘What, and let my sister think I'll use any excuse to get out of going to hers? Did you really think a cold would get me a free pass? She’d never let me hear the end of it. Not to mention I can hardly let you go on your own. God knows what the two of you would say about me behind my back if I wasn't there. Bad enough when you gang up on me individually.’

‘Hey, we’re so not like that,’ Jack said, even if he did find a kindred spirit in Ianto’s sister and their comparisons of the one stubborn Welshman they both so dearly loved. She’d had a few pointers for him, and he her, it turned out. They both had their own ways and means of manipulating him. It didn't always work, but there was solidarity in their efforts to sometimes gain the upper hand.

‘So, you're not coming home with me.’ Ianto voiced it as a statement rather than a question, a slight irritation in his voice. He folded his arms across his chest, looking formidable despite the red nose and slightly tired sag in his shoulders.

‘I’ve still got a few things to do tonight,’ Jack said. ‘I’ll drop into bed just as soon as I’m done. Promise not to wake you.’

There was an annoyed huff from his lover, which sounded even more guttural than usual with his blocked nose and gravelly, cough-weary voice. ‘It’s Christmas Eve, Jack. I thought we were going to spend it together snuggled up on the sofa watching cheesy Christmas movies.’

‘We were.’ Ianto was impossible to pin down on bad movies but he made an exception at Christmas, content to watch and re-watch even the most trite of yuletide films.

‘But?’ There was so much derision in that one word. He really did want to spend it with Ianto but… Jack always had to go and ruin it by working. Ianto should have been used to it by now. Jack would be the first to admit he’d never been good at commitment. Torchwood always got in the way. ‘You've got a cold,’ he said, knowing it was a paltry excuse.

‘Like that's ever stopped you. So, come on, spill. What’s more important than me?’