m_findlow

Title: Caught unawares
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters/Pairings: Jack, Ianto
Word Count: 500 words
Rating: PG
Notes: Written for Challenge 36 - Absently at anythingdrabble
Summary: Ianto is busted doing something slightly inappropriate.

Jack frowned as he watched Ianto diligently at work. 'How come you're never that happy about anything I do?' Jack asked.

Ianto turned to look at him from his desk. 'Sorry?'

'I've been watching you,' Jack replied.

'I noticed,' he said. It was hard not to, Jack having taken up residence at the spare desk near his own. Why he couldn't say, except to have it as an excuse to stare at him and do nothing else. 'What exactly is it that I've done, or not done, this time?' As far as he was concerned, he'd done nothing except work. Perhaps that was the problem.

'You don't know?' Jack said, giving a little knowing smile.

'Thus why I'm asking you,' Ianto said, getting annoyed at this little game Jack was playing.

Jack eased back, folding his arms that way he did when he was about to reveal a little secret. 'Every time you finished something, you'd have this little smile on your face, like you're really pleased about it. I was just wondering why you never smile that way for me.'

Ianto felt himself get defensive. 'I smile.'

'Not like that, you don't.'

'I didn't even know I was doing it.'

'That's what makes it so adorable.'

Ianto felt his face go red. 'Can I help it if I take pride in my work?'

'I never said you shouldn't. I just wished I could elicit the same reaction.' That comment made him go redder still.

'Well, since we're speaking of things done absently, why don't we talk about you, then?'

'Me?'

'Oh, yes,' Ianto replied, feeling his opportunity to get one back. 'You bite your nails when you're bored and you think no one is watching.'

'I do not.'

'Uh huh,' he said. 'And when was the last time you had to cut you nails, then?' he said, looking pointedly down at Jack's hands.

'They don't need cutting.'

'Oh, do they not grow? Is this all part of your fifty-first century genetics? Or is it just because you've chewed them all to nothing and left the little bits all over your desk?'

'Fine, so I bite my nails,' Jack said with a little huff. 'At least I don't smile at my paperwork like some lovesick puppy.'

'Oh, someone's jealous!' Ianto teased. He picked up a file and held it to his face. 'Don't tell Jack, whatever you do,' he said to it. 'He can't ever know how deeply in love we are. It would break his heart. This will just have to be our little secret.'

Jack growled and leapt forward, grabbing Ianto firmly around the waist, causing him to drop the file. 'You think you're so clever, Ianto Jones,' Jack threatened, 'but now that I know you can't be trusted to be alone with your files, I'm simply going to have to insist that you be under constant supervision.'

Ianto wrapped his arms around Jack's neck. 'Well, at least then you won't have time to bite your nails anymore.'