Chapter Text
It’s a rare thing for Jack to sleep deeply, fully, and without interruption.
Sleeping is nice, sure, but since Rose brought him back to life, he’s noticed he doesn’t need much of it. Sleep is a luxury for him, an indulgence, one he doesn’t bother much with. He can do without the nightmares, thanks.
There’s something about Ianto though. Maybe it’s because he trusts Ianto, maybe it’s because he knows Ianto will always be there. (Maybe it’s because he loves Ianto.) Either way, here in Ianto’s flat, curled around this wonderful man with an ear against his chest, Jack feels secure and comfortable. It’s why he’s loathe to wake up or let Ianto go just yet.
Jack is only somewhat conscious. Therefore, he’s only vaguely aware of Ianto saying his name and shaking his shoulder. He’s too warm, too tired, too comfortable to wake up fully. He doesn’t want Ianto to go either, and his arm tightens almost reflexively around Ianto’s waist when the man tries to slide out of bed.
“Jack.”
He responds with a groggy sound, and Ianto rewards him with more words. Something about work. Jack’s only response is to bury his face further into Ianto’s chest and mutter something about playing hooky. Jack isn’t sure how long Ianto pokes and prods at him in attempt to wake him up, but he eventually stops. He runs a hand through Jack’s hair instead, earning himself a soft sigh of contentment. Jack slips back into full sleep with Ianto’s hand carding gently through his hair.
The sound of Ianto’s phone ringing is enough to swing him back into full consciousness. Jack finally gives in and opens his eyes as Ianto answers. This close, Jack can hear Tosh’s voice through the phone with Gwen and Owen in the background. He’s touched by Tosh’s concern, but it’s Ianto’s quick response that garners a slow, sleepy smile.
“Yes, I do. We’ll be gone most of the day. Early morning call, weevils all over the place. We’ll take care of it.” A pause, then, “Have to go.”
Jack can’t resist. “All day, huh?”
“Yes, well, someone has made it very clear what they think of getting up today,” Ianto says, trying to sound put out but not quite hitting the right notes. “And since I’m that someone’s pillow…”
Jack can’t help but laugh. “Well, I can’t feel too bad. You work too hard.” He’d accuse Ianto of being a workaholic if he had a metaphorical leg to stand on.
“We have a job to do Jack.”
“Owen, Gwen, and Tosh can do that job without us for one day Ianto.”
He sees Ianto prepare another argument and circumvents it by settling more comfortably against Ianto with a satisfied sound. “Fine,” Ianto relents. “Just this once.”
Jack presses his smile into Ianto’s bare chest. “Just this once.”