m_findlow

Title: Boxing Day blues
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters/Pairings: Jack, Ianto
Word Count: 500 words
Rating: PG
Notes: Written for Prompt 11 - Don't Let The Bells End at ad adventchallenge

Ianto enjoyed Christmas, but there was something just so relaxing about the lull that followed it on Boxing Day. Gone was the panic of rushing around, of families trying to get together and stay pleasant towards one another as the day wore on, and the slightly sick feeling that accompanied a day of eating way too much rich food. It was a day of peace, sweeping up the aftermath and flopping on the sofa, relieved to have survived another year.

Instead, as he moved down the stairs, there was the sound of punk music floating up to meet him, and Jack, in their living room, singing along to it.

'Dust underneath the mistletoe leaves when you're not here,

You went away upon Boxing Day,

Now how the hell am I gonna make it into the New Year.

Christmas time, don't let the bells end. Christmas time, don't let the bells end...'

'Jack, what on earth are you listening to?'

Jack spun to face him, a roll of leftover wrapping paper acting as his guitar. 'D'you like it? I found it on YouTube.'

When it came to Christmas, Ianto stuck firmly to traditional choices, his back catalogue of Katherine Jenkins, Rhydian and Paul Potts getting heavy usage during the silly season. He wasn't even sure how he felt about the more modern tunes, preferring to stick with safe choices.

Not Jack, though. He liked to belt out a sing at any time, but Christmas was like some open invitation to Britain's Got Talent and Jack made the most of it. This however was beginning to stray well far of his usual repertoire. Ianto actually cringed at the sound of his lover's voice hitting those high falsetto notes. This was anything but Christmassy.

'I love you, but that's just wrong,' Ianto said.

'I think it's catchy.'

'"Santa Claus is coming to town" is catchy.'

'You're welcome to take over signing carols at Christmas anytime,' Jack said.

He could tell he'd ruffled a few feathers with that comment. In his opinion, Ianto had a lovely singing voice, all that good Welsh breeding, but he never used it. He'd occasionally heard him humming quietly when he thought no one was listening, whilst he worked in some secluded area of the archives, but otherwise, he was keeping any song inside him firmly under wraps.

'Jack, it's Boxing Day. I don't even think you're technically allowed to still be signing Christmas tunes after the fact.'

It was Ianto's turn to upset Jack now. He'd been sulking when he'd first woken up, knowing the big day had come and gone for yet another year. No one was more disappointed to have to pack up the tree, pull down the lights and watch as leftovers in the fridge dwindled away to nothing. The song was oddly appropriate all things considered. Don't let the bells end. Jack was determined to keep them ringing until April.

'Don't be such a grinch, Ianto,' Jack said, giving his guitar another flourish.