"Bloody awful out there," Ianto practically shouted, storming into the Hub with hands full of carrier bags. "I recommend a two-month 100% lockdown."
Jack grimaced behind his desk. Last time Ianto sounded like that it was his favorite coffee blend on backorder at the shop. Jack hoped to hell it was something easier to deal with this time… Weevils-Gone-Wild, Dalek invasion, just about anything really. Gathering up his courage, Jack pushed away from his desk and went to find Ianto putting away the shopping.
"That bad?" Jack said carefully.
"Worse," Ianto grumbled. "I don't want to leave this place until at least January 3."
"Ok, so just a one-month lockdown, then? Not so bad. Hey… think of what we could do with this whole place to ourselves for a whole month!"
"Jack. Shut up," Ianto snapped.
"Sorry," Jack mumbled, laying a hand on Ianto's arm to stop him. "What is it? Something happened?"
Ianto took a deep breath. "Nothing happened, Jack. I just hate it out there."
"I thought it was a pretty nice day for December."
"That's the problem. The crowds are unbearable. Nothing but pillocks and divs out there. And every bloody thing you walk by is motorized, flashes, and makes noise. And those absolute bloody twats ringing bells outside shops. And every shop you walk into, as if the crowds weren't horrid enough, insists on cheering you the bloody hell up with holiday music. A waking nightmare, Jack."
"You sound a little low on the holiday cheer."
"Oh, don't you start as well. I thought at least you, not being from around here, wouldn't get on my arse about Christmas."
"Can I just get on it?" Jack grinned. He backed off from that tack right away when Ianto gave him The Look. "Ok. You don't like Christmas in general, or just the noisy stuff that comes with it? I know you aren't big on noisy crowds."
"I don't like any of it, Jack," Ianto said, suddenly sounding exhausted. "And I know I'm the only one."
"Well, damn. I was going to ask you what you want for Christmas. But, I guess if you don't like any of it…."
"I don't want anything. From anyone, thanks. What I'd really like is to not have to acknowledge the whole damn holiday, but I suppose it's a social requirement."
"Has that always been the case?"
"Pretty much," Ianto sighed. "You love it when you're a kid, but eventually…."
"You stop trying," Jack finished quietly.
"Yeah."
Jack pulled Ianto into his arms. "I get it." Jack decided then and there that he'd do something to make Ianto's Christmas something he'd actually like.
