Sunlight can be irritating sometimes, Ianto thought as said sunlight streamed in through the open window. See, this was the problem with having a flat on the second story of the building facing east. He shifted slightly, which woke Jack, who was lying very close.
"Good morning, Ianto Jones," the captain said.
"Morning," Ianto agreed. He stretched, which pulled the edge of his pajama shirt up a couple inches over his stomach. Jack poked him in the ribs, and Ianto let out a slightly undignified squeak, recoiling.
Jack laughed at his reaction. Ianto glared, sitting up and pulling his shirt back down. "What's wrong?" Jack teased.
"Nothing," Ianto muttered in response. He was about to get out of bed when Jack reached out and pulled him back, holding him tightly against his chest. Ianto sighed, not really pulling away, and said, "Jack, we've got to go to work."
"Have we now?" Jack asked. He pressed his lips to the back of Ianto's head.
"Yes." Ianto tried to untangle himself from Jack's hold, but Jack was having none of it. He poked Ianto's side again gently. Ianto yelped once more and tried to squirm away.
Jack continued to brush his fingers over Ianto's side. He thought he might have discovered something, and he wasn't going to let this go until he had Ianto laughing.
"Jack!" Ianto protested, thinly veiled laughter bursting out of that one syllable.
"Hmm?" responded Jack innocently. He slipped his hand under the front of Ianto's shirt, tickling softly. The young man burst out giggling and tried yet again to pull away.
Jack quickly pounced on this newfound fun. "Why're you laughing, Ianto?" he asked, pretending to be confused.
"Y-you know...exactly wh-why!"
Jack laughed delightedly. "I can't believe it took me so long to figure out you were this ticklish!"
"And...you...wonder...why I...didn't...tell you!" Ianto retorted.
"Sarcasm will get you nowhere," Jack warned. He squeezed Ianto's side just above his hip, and the young Welshman squeaked again, trying to curl up to protect his sensitive tummy. Grinning, Jack sat up. He stopped tickling for a second to let Ianto breathe, but as soon as Ianto had caught his breath, he started again.
"Mean!" gasped Ianto.
"But I like hearing you laugh," Jack told him honestly.
"Find some other way to get me to laugh!"
"But this is too fun!"
"I...hate...you!" Ianto giggled, trying and failing to sound menacing.
"No, you don't!" teased Jack.
Ianto was getting red in the face. Jack paused again as his laughter became silent, indicating that he couldn't breathe. "Jack, let me up!" he burst out as soon as he had gasped in a breath of air.
"Nope," answered Jack. He started dancing his fingers over Ianto's belly again, and Ianto collapsed into hysterical laughter. Jack was way too skilled at this.
After a few more minutes, Jack finally relented, letting Ianto sit up. Ianto scrambled out of bed, indignant, but he couldn't hold back a little bit of a smile. Jack's eyes sparkled with amusement and happiness. There hadn't been enough laughter in their life lately.
I have no excuse for how fluffy this was, but I hope it was enjoyable to read! Happy Day Two, everybody. Tomorrow's when everything goes to hell.
~Clare