Hi Guys!
Thank you for your reviews and all that stuff. You guys are great!
I'm glad you guys liked the first part. Sooner then I thought, but my muse was fussing in my head and denying my sleep, so here you go! Part 2!
Enjoy your reading! :)
Tony watched as Gibbs mind visibly seemed to freeze over. His well elbowed marine body stiffened and his eyes turned into shock. That was not a good sign. A speechless Leroy Jethro Gibbs was so not a good sign.
There was a scrutinizing silence and it made Tony fidget on his chair. But after what felt like hours, Gibbs' shoulders sagged and the look in his eyes, while blinking, turned into a examining one. It was better then the shock, but still not comfortable. ''Please, say something'' He whispered.
Gibbs tried to form words. ''I don't...'' But he trailed off, not able to.
Tony took that as an rejection and nodded slowly. ''Okay. Well, it was great working for you and I learned many thing. I guess it was time to move on at some point. You'll have my resignation letter by tomorrow—''
Gibbs slammed his fist on the desk, making Tony jump again. ''I won't have your resignation! You aren't going anywhere'' He hissed angrily, but kept his voice down. ''Except for my place within half an hour. This isn't the place to talk about this''
''You want me in your house?'' Tony asked flabbergasted.
''Dammit, Tony! What do you take me for, a homophobic?'' Gibbs realized, with Tony's silence and the way he looked away, that Tony maybe did thought that. ''You're coming with me, now''
He pulled Tony up by his sweater, grabbed Tony's jacket and pushed it into the younger man's hands. Tony put it on without saying anything, wrapping his scarf around his neck. Gibbs handed him the Apple Cider before pulling Tony with him towards the elevators.
''What are we going to do?'' Tony asked, when the doors closed. He wasn't sure what Gibbs had in mind.
''We are going to my house, and while we drink something stronger, you are going to tell me why you got it in that thick head of yours, why you think I would be a homophobic'' Gibbs explained.
Okay. He could do that... Tony thought. It was out in the open and Gibbs hadn't beaten the crap out of him yet. There was something complicated though. Tony himself didn't quite know why he thought something like that. It had been drilled into his head ever since he was a little boy. He was a faggot, that's what his father had called men who did it with other men. It probably wouldn't matter that he was still attracted to women as well.
…
Tony didn't even bother trying to keep up with Gibbs. The man was crazy when it came to driving, thought Tony never felt in danger when he sat in the car with him. Well, only when sat in the van and he didn't have a seatbelt...
But as they drove, Gibbs was quickly driving away from him and in the end, Tony drove onto the drive way about 7 minutes after Gibbs. He slowly, almost cautiously, got out and walked the path to Gibbs house. He reached the door and didn't wait to reach out and open it. As usual the door opened easily and he went in. He saw that Gibbs already had the fire going and was busy walking through the kitchen.
''You really need to improve your driving skills'' Came from the kitchen.
''Me?!'' Tony exclaimed, feigning offended. ''You're the one that nearly hit that old man, that was waving his cane at you!''
''He shouldn't have walked while the sign said 'Stop!' with a big fat right hand'' Gibbs grumbled.
Tony had to give him that one. He sat down on the couch and looked at the fire. Gibbs came moments later with two glasses. Both of them a bottom of bourbon. He handed one to Tony and sat down next to the man.
''I would never fire you or want you gone just because you are attracted to men, Tony. I can't believe you would think such a thing. I thought you knew me''
''Does anyone know you?'' Tony retorted.
''You know me better then anyone, who is still alive'' Gibbs stated, firmly.
''But you're a Marine...'' Tony trailed off. He didn't know where that argument came from, it just slipped out.
Gibbs sighed. ''I'm not one of those. We'd many cases involving talking to gay people, did I ever gave you the idea I was repulsed or anything?''
Tony shook his head. ''No''
''Then why?''
''You're supposed to!'' Tony snapped, downing the bourbon in one go and wincing. ''You're supposed to hate me now! Don't you see? I'm a faggot! I fuck guys and let them fuck me. People like you are supposed to hate me! Beat me up and leave me to die!''
Gibbs looked at him stunned. The grip on his own glass so tight, he thought it might snap. ''Where the hell do you come up with such idiotic ideas?!''
Tony opened his mouth and closed it again. He frowned. ''I... I don't know... Aren't you supposed to hate me?''
''No!'' Gibbs said seriously offended.
Tony felt like he was getting head-ache. ''I'm confused''
''As am I'' Gibbs said, frowning as well. ''You really don't know, do you?''
''I remember that my father kept telling me, about faggots and how it was disgrace to the human sort and they would rot in hell and bla-bla-bla. I think at boarding school... it was Militarily so it wouldn't be appreciated, but...'' He realized something. ''Next to some vague memories and of course Scarlet, I can't remember... I can't remember much''
''How about, when did you find out you were attracted to guys'' Gibbs asked interested.
''I think— I know I was a teen. About fifteen or sixteen. I just can't get a picture into my head as to how or anything. I can't believe I didn't about it. I mean it wasn't the first time I slept with a guy...'' Tony actually blushed and glanced at Gibbs, but the other man just raised an amused eyebrow.
Gibbs sat silently for a couple of minutes. He sipped his bourbon, until it was empty. ''Being gay isn't wrong, Tony. I don't know what your father said, or why he had said it, but please don't listen to it''
''Never liked the guy, anyway'' Tony simply said about his father. ''So, you really not repulsed or something by me?''
Gibbs shook his head. ''No. I know that this line of work is hard against gay people and especially the militarily or the Navy. With DADT and all, but I have to tell you, you're not the first one to come out to me. In fact a old Marine buddy of mine came out as soon as I quite the Marines. We drank to it in fact''
Tony's eyes met his. ''Didn't he get beaten up or something like that? I mean he was a Marine...''
Gibbs sighed. ''It was not appreciated by everyone. But it never will. Militarily, Navy or just an American citizen. Much like murders, you can't get them all. But I'm not one of them. I don't care of you're attracted to women or men or anything like that. Your personality doesn't change. You're still you. What are you anyway. Is it only guys or...?''
Tony smiled finally. ''And women. More options for me I guess''
Gibbs rolled his eyes. ''I should've known''
''You're not gonna tell the others are you? Katie, Probie, Abby, Ducky or Gerald?''
Gibbs shook his head. ''You know I wouldn't''
''Thanks'' Tony nodded. ''You know. I don't even know if my Frat-buddies know or not. Or if they saw me leave. But I guess they did... I have been spending a lot of time feeling him up there on the dance floor before going away''
''If they are really your friends, they would accept you for who you are or they aren't worth wasting your time on'' Gibbs commented. ''And if they really cared, don't you think they would have said something sooner?''
Tony shook his head. ''It's so messed up. I don't know why I think like this. I've always been so careful not to show it to anyone normal—''
''Stop saying that!'' Gibbs interrupted. ''You're not abnormal. You just like guys too. Big deal. I understand that you don't want to shout it from the rooftops, but don't deny who you are''
''I don't understand why my father is so repulsed by them and would say such things. Maybe... maybe thats why he send me off and didn't let something hear from him ever again. Maybe he knew before I did''
''If he did that, than he's a bastard and a asshole and a worse father then I thought!'' Gibbs growled.
Tony nodded absently and then looked around. ''You... you haven't decorated the house?'' He asked shocked, wanting to change the subject for the time being.
''Got no one to spend it with'' Gibbs shrugged. ''I don't see the purpose of it anymore''
''Well... I'm here?'' Tony suggested.
''Not going to decorate it for one day, DiNozzo''
''I wasn't asking you to, boss. It's just. It's been a long time, since I spend Christmas alone. Can't I just... stay or something?''
''You want to spend it here?'' Gibbs raised an eyebrow.
''Why not?''
''I'm not great company on Christmas, Tony'' Gibbs replied. ''It's not my favorite time of year. I... I don't like talking or anything''
''You never do. Doesn't matter if it's Christmas. And you don't have to talk...'' Tony paused deciding. ''Jethro. You can even work on your boat. I won't say a thing''
''That's no fun for you''
''I've never complained before, I do it all the time. I didn't get bored once''
Gibbs considered this. It was true. Tony did spend time with him in the basement, without saying anything. It wasn't awkward it wasn't boring or irritating. They could spend hours down there without sharing a word. It just the way they did it. The only different thing was, that he wasn't alone. ''On two conditions''
Tony perked up on that. ''Name it''
''I got an old piano in the basement. It hasn't been used in a long time and I think it can use someone to take care of her. You're gonna fix her up and tune her''
''Tune I can do. Not sure about the fixing up, though'' Tony looked skeptically.
''Go with the grain'' Gibbs simply said.
''Okay... what's the second one?''
''You take care of dinner tomorrow''
Tony grinned, fully. ''Deal!''
''And no take out'' Gibbs added.
''Sure''
''And no ready made food or fast food''
''I know''
''Okay?''
''Okay''
…
Tony admired the piano. Gibbs was right. It was old and could use to be fixed up. Really use a fixing up. He couldn't believe he hadn't noticed it before. It stood against one of the outer walls, next to the work bench they sometimes used to drink. It had been hidden under an old gray rug.
It was nothing like his black wing. This piece was antique. Brown wood, matching the stool that Gibbs sat on by the work bench. Now he knew why it didn't match anything else in the basement.
''How did you get this?'' Tony asked, in awe.
''It was Shannon's actually. Her grandmother got it when she was young. Joanne— Shannon's mom, gave it to Shannon, but Shannon wasn't into music. It was supposed to be used when Kelly started Piano lessons, but that time never came. I don't want to get rid of it, but I can't use it either so... yeah'' He finished a little uncomfortable
''It's beautiful'' Tony guided his fingers over the top, then down over the keys. He winched when he pushed some and they came out false. ''Are you sure you want me to fix her up''
''Uhu'' Gibbs only said. ''Come on'' He helped Tony to get it from the wall, just enough so that Tony could easily
''I can't do this in one or two evenings'' Tony added.
''Wasn't asking you to''
''That means I have to be here more often''
''You're here often enough. Gives you something to do, instead of just looking at me work''
''Right'' Tony nodded, absently. ''How do I do this sanding thing?''
Gibbs rolled his eyes. ''Come here'' He walked towards the part of the frame of the boat he was working on. Tony followed him. ''Wet one or two fingers'' He ordered. Tony did so. ''Now, feel the wood'' Tony again did as was told. ''You feel that?'' Tony nodded. ''That's the grain. Any kind of wood has it, even if there's a thick coat of paint on it. You sand along with it. For you, you have to clean the paint off it first, so that makes it easier, then you concentrate on the flaws in the wood''
''Why don't you just use electric machines. It's faster'' Tony asked, removing his hand from the frame.
''Doing it with my hands feels more natural and it takes my mind of things. Machines make too much noise'' Gibbs replied. He went over to the work bench, grabbed the right sort of sanding paper and block, and made prepared it. He turned around and handed the sanding block to Tony. He pointed to the piano. ''There. Work''
''On it, Boss''
…
it was two hours later, Tony paused for the first time to wipe the sweat from his forehead. He couldn't believe that Gibbs sanded almost every evening. It was a harder job to do, then he thought. About an hour and half ago earlier, he had pulled of his sweater, leaving him in a white shirt. Looking at Gibbs, he didn't seem to be hot... no he did, but not in the same reasoning of the word— Tony stopped that thought quickly.
He didn't seem to be affected by the hard work at all. They had said very little over the course of the two hours. But what they said was just small talk. Tony kept staring as Gibbs stretched with every upward move to reach the top of the bar he was sanding.
''If you're thirsty, there's beer in the fridge'' Gibbs spoke up, without stopping.
''It's not that'' Tony replied. ''It's just. You're right. It's fun to do. Gonna have sore arms tomorrow, but it's calming''
''Hmm'' Only came from Gibbs.
''I was just thinking, that usually I would be going out right about now'' Tony said looking at his watch, it was 12:03 am. ''It's Christmas''
Gibbs stopped sanding at that, placed the sanding block down and wiped his hands off on his jeans. He looked at Tony. ''You can always go out, here in Washington''
''Why would I do that? I can't leave you alone now. Besides, just because I said, I usually go out right now, doesn't mean I will. I am enjoying this. I really am'' Tony added.
Gibbs nodded and then ran up stairs. Tony frowned at the sudden move, but before he could go after the Marine, Gibbs came back with two beers, opened. He handed one to Tony. He clinked his bottle with Tony's. ''Merry Christmas, Tony''
Ever since he came to know this Gibbs months ago, Tony really liked it when this side came out. He was scared to death to tell Gibbs about himself liking men too. He was certain that Gibbs, being a Marine would punch him and tell him to fuck off. But he was even more scared to realize he had been told lies, by his father. by... by who? He really couldn't remember and that was another scary thought, apart from it. Of course there will always be people who would be against gay people. But Gibbs obvious wasn't one of them.
That part was out and a lot had fallen from his shoulders. Gibbs knew, and he was fine with it. He had moved on from their conversation and didn't question it again. At least not for the time being. Besides, what more was there to ask? It wasn't like Gibbs knew about Tony's crush on him, did he?
Tony grinned at Gibbs. ''Merry Christmas, Gibbs''
The End
Hihihi! yeah I leave this story here! :D
Obviously there will be more two-shots or maybe longer stories in this Universe, I promise. But for now. For this year.. I am done writing. (will only be two more days in this year for me anyways!) So for every one... HAPPY NEW YEAR! and I hope 2015 will bring you happiness and all.
Tell me what you think of this Two-Shot, in a review. I appreciate your oppinions.
Love ya, Leonie.