Three days later, while the rest of the team were rushing out of the Hub as quickly as possible before the Rift changed its mind and demanded full-team attention, Jack watched Ianto tidying up empty pizza boxes and coffee mugs and crumpled report forms that Owen had failed to score a 'basket' with.
He found himself wishing more than anything that Ianto would stay 'late' that night, but he already knew Ianto planned to visit his sister's family that evening. And Jack wasn't at all willing to intrude on that.
Eventually, Ianto came up to Jack's office, pulling on his overcoat. "Anything else you're needing before I'm off?" Ianto asked.
Jack shook his head with a smile. "Not a thing. Uh, well, there is one thing, but not something… uh, you know." Jack opened a desk drawer and took out a package. He stood up and came around his desk to hand it to Ianto. "Happy Christmas."
Ianto glanced between the package and Jack, looking almost confused.
"Go on. I know it's not 'officially' Christmas yet, but…," Jack shrugged. "If I don't see you tomorrow." He perched on the edge of his desk, hating that moment of doubt as someone opened a gift. It was so much easier just setting a 'holiday bonus' envelope on each of his team's desks.
Ianto glanced up at Jack again, smirking slightly as both of them knew perfectly well that they'd both be in the Hub on the Christmas Day, on one pretext or another. Ianto carefully peeled back the thick, foiled paper, appreciating its textured holly and ivy print. Much nicer than the filmy, holographic stuff that seemed to be everywhere that year.
Ianto took the lid from the plain white cardboard shirt-box and drew back the green tissue paper. He carefully set the box and paper beside Jack on the desk as he lifted the red woven material out. Just holding it, the softness and warmth gave him a smile. It was obviously good quality craftsmanship, hand-woven of fine fibres.
"Thought it might keep you warm out there… pretty chilly tonight," Jack said softly, as though he had to explain his motivation for giving Ianto a personal gift.
Ianto looked up, smiling as he wrapped the scarf around his neck and immediately felt warmer in the always-chilly Hub. "Thank you," he said, "it's perfect."
Jack felt warmer at once, too, finally hearing his most hated word of the season in the right context. He started to step forward to kiss Ianto's cheek and wish him a merry Christmas again, but Ianto reaching into his deep coat pocket made him pause.
Ianto took out a small bottle of Penderyn with a sprig of mistletoe tied on with a red ribbon. "Nadolig Llawen," Ianto said. "If you happen to be up later… I could stop by after dinner."
Jack grinned brightly. "I'll be up, for definite. And I'll find a good home for this in the meantime," he said, tickling the mistletoe.