Jack could hear a continuous sneeze down in the hub. Curious to see who would still be there when so clearly ill, Jack left his office and looked down over the balcony. Ianto was sniffing while desperately trying to make a lemsip along with the coffees for the team. Jack had to smile at his resilience. Ianto looked as though he barely had the energy to breathe let alone work. He still had a huge, almost Jack-like coat on, and had to steady himself against the worktop. Jack had the sudden urge to hug him and never let go, and as Jack usually does, he followed that urge down to where Ianto was huddled. He was focused so much on just stirring his lemsip that he didn't even hear Jack behind him. Jack smiled again and reached out to stop Ianto's drooping arm.
"Ianto…" Jack whispered in Ianto's ear. Ianto jolted and gained sudden energy.
"Sorry sir, coffee's just coming." He said, pouring the scalding liquid into mugs and searching for a tray. Jack pulled Ianto towards him.
"Ianto, Ianto… stop." He said, trapping him in a hug. Ianto sighed and relaxed slightly in Jack's arms. He breathed in deeply, relishing Jack's warmth. He paused briefly.
"Jack?" he said hoarsely. Jack's grip tightened in sympathy.
"Yeah?" he whispered in Ianto's ear, his hands sliding down to Ianto's waist.
"Can I go home?" he said in such desperation that Jack couldn't help but laugh.
"Of course you can Ianto, look at you!" he said pulling away and looking Ianto in his red-rimmed eyes. Ianto hugged Jack fiercely again and whispered, close to tears "Thank you, sir." Jack laughed and let Ianto go. Ianto buttoned up his massive coat and wrapped a huge thick coat around his neck. He was almost at the door when Jack cried after him.
"Oh and Ianto?" Ianto turned and sighed.
"Yes?"
"Remember to drop the sir when you come back." Jack said smiling.
"Sure thing, sir." Ianto grinned and sniffled his way out of the hub.