Jack was wearing his usual baggy jumper and sat on his section of kitchen bench. He lifted a hand in greeting, swirling an aspirin in the other.

'Morning,' Ianto went straight for the coffee plunger. 'Headache again?'

'Called Christmas. Coffee?

Ianto shook his head, fumbling for his mug. 'Drink your aspirin.'

'Are your family Christmases relaxed?' Jack asked suddenly, a bite of irritation in his voice.

Ianto shrugged and stuck the kettle under the tap. 'In a sense. Why? We're having a combined one this year aren't we?'

'And the Harkness family, the whole lot of them,' Jack took another drink of his aspirin, 'are having another. Anita rang this morning, step mother,' he explained, 'once again this year has to be a perfect dinner.' Jack slumped his shoulders and lolled his head forward tiredly. 'This is not how Christmas is supposed to be.'

'I think half the families in the UK missed that information.' Ianto rustled in the cupboard, 'Biscuit,' he offered the packet out sympathetically, 'chocolate ones?'

'Ta,' Jack ate it whole while Ianto nibbled slowly around the edges.

TW

Ianto snapped the clip down on his violin case with an angry swipe. He glared at the offending music before flipping it over. 'Do you want coffee?' He snapped at Jack.

'Yes,' Jack snapped irritably back. Blue eyes met in a cold stare.

'I'm sorry,' they sighed in unison.

'Sorry,' Ianto repeated tiredly, running his hands through his hair.

Jack smiled apologetically at him and lowered the screen on his laptop. 'Bad day, huh?' He stretched with a click, flopping back into the chair and absently rubbing his hands.

'Here,' Ianto said suddenly, dropping into the chair beside Jack and holding out his hand, 'give me your hand.' He smiled as Jack slid his hand into his without question. Shuffling his chair closed, he settled comfortably and firmly massaged his thumbs over Jack's palm. The room fell into comfortable silence, Jack slumped contentedly back in his chair and Ianto idly massaging his hand. Pressing his thumbs at the base of his fingers, Jack purred and smiled blissfully, eyes closed and hand limp.

'What a delightful man you are,' Jack made an approving noise and offered out his other hand.

'I'm glad you seem to think so,' Ianto placed Jack's other hand gently down on the table. 'Writers block?'

'Some very stubborn characters.'

'Would you like to run any ideas by me?' Ianto offered, feeling Jack squeeze his hand in thanks.

'You're a young man, possibly with feelings for John, and you've realised he can't die. Reaction?'

Ianto kneaded his hand thoughtfully. 'If I had feelings for him then I would want to make the most of the time I had. I'd feel sympathy for him as well. And some regret too, because I would be another in a long line of lovers,' he concluded quietly.

'I think I'll give you 50% of the profits.'

'I'll settle for you making dinner tomorrow.'

'We have a deal, Mr Jones. And it's my turn now,' hair fell adorably over Jack's forehead as he lifted his head up, eyes lazily content.

Ianto smiled into the table as he felt the gentle rub of Jack's fingers slow, trailing over his palm and tracing the outline of his fingers. Careful touches brushed over his knuckles, the creases underneath and across calloused fingertips. His little finger was hooked lightly over Jack's and lifted, Jack chuckling softly above him.

'What?' Ianto asked absently, eyelids heavy.

'Very cute hands.'

Ianto took a blind swipe at him, withdrawing his hand from Jack's warm grasp with a sleepy pout. 'I'm leaving on Wednesday.'

'Because I said you had cute hands?' Jack's hand gently stole back over his.

Ianto relinquished his hand to Jack with a smile. 'No, but I've done the last of the performances. And Christmas is in a week.' He kept his eyes closed and shuffled his head forward to pillow it more comfortably on the table.

'Wednesday is in two days,' Jack traced a slow pattern.

'And the big Christmas dinner is five days later.'

'You could stay here for Christmas eve?' There was an uncharacteristic hesitation in Jack's voice, his fingers stilling.

Ianto opened his eyes to gaze up at his friend. 'I can't,' he said simply, 'staying with the family at Rhiannon and Gray's,' something flickered painfully over Jack's handsome face, 'with you,' Ianto added, letting his smile grow wider.

'But that's your family,' Jack said quietly.

Ianto shrugged, pushing himself off the table. 'You're Gray's brother. Welcome to the Jones family.' Jack was silent. 'Rhiannon did tell me to tell you. You can pull a cracker with me?' Ianto offered.

'Well,' Jack's smile didn't quite reach his eyes, 'how could I refuse an offer of crackers?'

With a smile Ianto stood. 'Do you want that coffee now?'

Jack stood to follow him into the kitchen. 'Going out tonight, could definitely use your coffee.'

'You're going to have to make your own soon,' Ianto warned.

Jack flicked him a quick smile and picked restlessly at the edge of the bench. 'When was your last performance?'

'Six days ago,' Ianto admitted, 'I applied for the London Philharmonic Orchestra.'

'Wow,' Jack raised his eyebrows, 'impressive.'

'I'm an impressive sort of person,' Ianto deadpanned. He solemnly present Jack with two coffee mugs, 'The red stripes or,' he nodded his head at it, 'the blue spotted. Choose wisely.'

'Blue spotted.'

'Red striped? Good choice.'

TW

There was another phone call and Jack was back to the moody version from this morning. Ianto stopped as he walked by the couch for the fourth time, hesitating behind it as he struggled to decide.

'Ianto?' There was a quick rustle of cushions and Jack leaned his chin over the backrest, staring curiously up at him.

Ianto forced a quick smile. 'Just seeing what you were watching.'

TW

The couch sank with its customary creak and groan as Ianto finally dropped down beside Jack. Curled over the armrest the other man gave him a quick smile before nestling his head further down into the cushion. Ianto tucked his legs up sideways and tentatively touched Jack's bent back. He couldn't say he was entirely comfortable with it, but it was what Jack did.

'Hug?' He offered.

Jack's tired face broke into a true smile and he shuffled upright to curl into Ianto's side, tucking his head under his chin. Neither of them said anything, but Ianto hoped he was somehow helping. Jack's side pressed regularly into him, the beat of his heart steady and reassuring, Ianto idly leaned his cheek against Jack's soft hair, he smiled at the thought that the only person he would ever think of doing this with was one he had punched not all that long ago. Snow fell silently outside and Ianto felt completely at peace.

'Sorry, I'm a miserable bastard,' Jack said eventually, pulling back.

'You have a way to go before you catch up to me.'

'Sit and watch tv with me?'

Ianto pulled the striped blanket down and offered the end to Jack. 'Didn't plan on doing anything else.'

TW

Ianto stumbled blearily down the hall, tugging his top down over his head. The slow knocking continued.

'Alright, alright,' Ianto muttered, rubbing a hand over his face as he fumbled with the lock. With the familiar creak the door swung open and Ianto frowned as it revealed nothing, then with a soft rustle something slowly slumped sideways across his feet. Ianto's eyebrow rose and he looked down.

'S'leaning on that,' Jack slurred into the floorboards.

'Had a good night?' Ianto inquired politely. The man sprawled over the doorstep giggled. 'A very good night,' Ianto answered for him, sighing he looked out into the night before transferring his gaze back down. 'Would you like to come in?' Jack lifted his palms minutely off the floor and flapped them. Unable to help himself, an amused smile tugged at Ianto's lips. He crouched down by Jack's head and slipped his hands under Jack's chin and gently lifted his head. Hazy blue eyes stared up at him, then Jack blinked soft, dark lashes and closed his eyes again. Ianto tapped his cheek. 'Hey,' he tapped again, smiling in response to the giggle hummed into his hands, 'feeling good, huh?'

'Yan,' Jack flung his arms out in an affectionate outburst. Ianto drooped his head forward with a chuckle.

'One moment,' Ianto promised and lowered Jack's head back to the ground. Standing, he picked his way carefully around Jack's body, half in, half out the door and stooped to lock his arms firmly under his waist and heave.

'Oh,' Jack groaned and clumsily splayed his hands over his face as Ianto awkwardly dragged him sideways, his elbows trailing over the wooden floor. He collapsed in a dismal grey, blue heap against the wall.

Ianto tilted his head to try and catch a glimpse of Jack's face, 'Alright down there?' There was a pause, then a pathetic moan broke the silence.

'Up.' Jack slurred and offered Ianto a limp wrist, pillowing his forehead against his other arm. Jack's fingers flopped against Ianto's wrist and his arm simply extended as a dead weight when Ianto tugged.

'I'll be back,' Ianto said to the sprawled figure by the door before turning back for the bedroom. Clutching a pillow and trailing the duvet from Jack's bed he returned. Jack's head lolled weakly as he bent and slipped a hand under, trailing his fingers through soft strands he slowly lowered him down, nudging the pillow further into his neck with his knee. Steady breathing and the rustle of the duvet were the only sounds in the dark hallway. Ianto curled his hands over Jack's side and gently pushed him sideways, tucking the duvet under him before letting him sag back down onto it. After doing the same to the other side Ianto laid Jack's striped blanket on top, smiling down at the unconscious man he padded silently back to the bedroom and sleep.

TW

It was a strange sound that woke him up, startling him from a dream swimming through the sky, rain falling loudly to earth below him. Ianto's eyes snapped open and the sheets slithered to his waist as he jolted upright, heart pounding loudly as he sat stock still and listened. With a sudden flurry of movement he threw back the duvet and waded hurriedly through the tangle of bedding to the bathroom.

'Jack!' Ianto kicked frantically at the sheet wrapped around his ankle, staggering over the bathroom tiles.

'I needed a shower,' Jack said quietly, waving vaguely from the middle of the shower. Still half clothed, the water beat down with a repetitive patter on his top, jeans sodden and forming small rivers flowing across the shower base. Jack trailed his fingers idly through one, flicking his gaze up to smile placidly at Ianto.

'You're going to get sick, you daft sod,' Ianto held out his hand, giving it a commanding shake as Jack just stared contemplatively at it. 'Come on,' he waggled his fingers. Jack broke into a wide grin, drawing his knees up to hide his face. Ianto sighed and let his hand drop as Jack cackled with laughter. With a sense of resignation, Ianto leaned through the spray, wincing as it immediately soaked through his top, and quickly spun the taps off. 'Come one,' he dropped to his knees with a squelch. His feet bent on the cold slippery tiles, Jack's leg pressed as a wet weight along his knee. 'Jack?' He stopped carefully, 'Jack, look at me.' There was a wet squeak across the tiles and his arms were suddenly full of wet, crying Jack. Ianto sat down heavily on the floor and cradled Jack's head against his chest. He knew better than to ask the drunken man what was wrong, so he simply stroked his thumb over Jack's damp cheek and wrapped his other arm around his waist.

'So complicated,' Jack cried into his t-shirt.

'I know,' Ianto just agreed soothingly.

'S'never gonna happen.'

Ah, Gwen. 'It might,' shifting his back to the wall, Ianto drew Jack's dead weight with him, 'I don't think that sexuality is always a fixed thing.'

There was silence. The shuddering tears slowly faded and Jack pulled back, sitting between Ianto's knees. 'You don't?'

'No,' Ianto said honestly. 'I'm sure Gwen-'

'Gwen?' A soft hand gently cupped his cheek and he found Jack's perfect face contemplating him seriously, the wet strands of his hair slowly dripping down his forehead and cheeks. 'No.' Ianto ignored the way Jack's top clung as a second skin, all the curves and planes of muscles emphasised and perfectly shown. Jack seemed to sense his thoughts, grinning softly and bringing up his other cold hand to stroke down Ianto's jaw. Ianto drew a shuddering breath as Jack smoothed his thumb over his lower lip, shadowed blue eyes watching his reaction seriously. Knees squeaking on the tiles, Ianto leaned forward instinctively, stopping with a gasp inches before Jack. 'You can, if you want,' Jack offered quietly. Ianto could smell the alcohol in the breath ghosting over his lips. He drew back at it, reality intruding. 'Kiss can be just a kiss,' Jack added simply, 'It'll be fun,' he flashed a sudden disarming grin. 'What'sa worst that'll happen?'

'You're drunk,' Ianto smiled at him.

Jack laughed loudly, 'Really think I wouldn't do this if I was sober?' He stroked the back of his hand over Ianto's cheekbone again.

It was with a mix of curiosity and hesitation that Ianto carefully tipped his head forward, fluttering his eyes closed as soft lips gently brushed his. The cold hands cradling his face contrasted directly with the warm press of Jack's lips on his mouth, the soft caressing tug as he slowly dropped a kiss to his lower lip. Ianto tentatively parted his lips and lightly captured Jack's lip as he slid back, bringing a fluttering, cradling touch to his cheek. Jack's jaw felt firmer and stronger against his palm, the lightest rasp of stubble so different, hands on his face larger and calloused.

'Ah, Ianto,' Jack murmured as they parted, he slumped forward into Ianto's arms, directing the sigh into Ianto's neck.

'I just kissed a man.'

Jack's shoulders rubbed against his chest as he shrugged. 'I've kissed women,' Jack responded with a sobriety at odds with his current state. 'So,' he drummed his fingers idly over Ianto's heart, grinning into his neck, 'like it?'

'Ask me tomorrow,' Ianto smiled into the dark shower wall and bent his face to press an impulsive kiss to his friend's hair. 'Thank you,' he murmured, 'for everything. For this.'

'I enjoyed it.'

Ianto looped his arms warmly around Jack's body slumped against him. 'I'm sorry I was such a bastard to you.'

'Sh,' Jack hushed him, rubbing a soothing hand over his ribs, his turn now. Ianto drew a shuddering breath. 'Don't cry,' Jack murmured in the silence of the bathroom, 'you'll get my hair wet.'

Ianto pulled himself together, lifting one hand from Jack's wet back to rub roughly over his face. 'How are you feeling?'

'Sober enough now to feel embarrassed sitting in the shower.'

With a slap of fabric and the squeak of bare skin, Ianto hauled himself and the unsteady weight of Jack upright, holding Jack firmly into his side.

'God,' Jack moaned and swayed.

'Let the fun begin,' Ianto pressed a damp palm to the shower door and swung it open with a screech, manoeuvring Jack out. 'If I sit you down, can you manage with your clothes?' Jack nodded before groaning and swallowing.

Tried to make that kiss as realistic as possible, I don't think Ianto would kiss Jack to say that he wants/likes him at the moment. He's still getting over things and just trying to figure out what he wants in general. Poor Jack just wants a Christmas with Ianto.

Having trouble dealing with snow given it's 43 degrees here. This is just monumentally unfair.