I'm sorry for the delay! Here's the next chapter, hope you like it! Hugs

CHAPTER 6

Tony sighed in the kiss and Gibbs backed away, watching the younger man as he slowly opened his eyes. DiNozzo was staring at him and Gibbs didn't know what was going to happen next.

"I - I don't understand." Tony breathed out. The Italian kept searching his face, as if he'd find all the answers written on his forehead.

"I think you do." Gibbs answered tentatively as the corner of his mouth raised carefully into one of his trademark half-smiles.

Tony's mouth opened and closed a couple of times - he looked like McGee but Gibbs knew better than to say that, if he wanted to keep Tony's knee away from his groin.

"But... why?" he answered finally.

"One day I'm going to get you to believe that you are enough."

It sounded cheesy, especially for Gibbs, but he meant it. Tony always thought people had an ulterior motive for whatever they did and Gibbs knew he had to make it clear to Tony that his love for the younger man was enough, that he'd do anything he could just to keep him safe.

The younger man didn't say anything, just grabbed Gibbs' arm and pulled him closer. His eyes closed again as he inhaled deeply.

It was ridiculous but nothing had ever given him more comfort than the smell of sawdust.

Tony didn't want to look at Gibbs right now. He knew he'd see the pity in his boss' eyes and he couldn't take it. Gibbs was the only one he'd ever told and he knew he'd regret it. All of his casual dates with women were meant to bring him a night of fun, where he carefully controlled his feelings and walked away sated. But Gibbs was different. He'd been different since Baltimore - since the older man had handpicked him to be his right hand man. Gibbs had made him rebuild his sense of selfworth and he'd always be grateful but he knew their... bond would never be the same now.

Who wanted to have sex with someone who'd been used like that? Men craved the chase and Tony felt like there was a stamp on his forehead that said 'DAMAGED'. Gibbs would never be able to get over this and treat him like he'd always done.

But Tony couldn't deny the nervous thrumming of his blood in his veins, the erratic beating of his heart. He wanted Gibbs, always had. And now, all of a sudden, Gibbs says he lo- likes him? Tony couldn't even think the word.

Did he love Gibbs?

It was possible, but how could he know for sure? He had never let anyone come close. Even Gibbs - he'd only started to open up to the older man after a year of working side by side every day. His old partner Danny had hurt his already frail trust beyond belief. Gibbs had been refreshing - a force of nature. The older man was a functional mute - he didn't talk when it wasn't necessary and if he did, he preferred to use as few words as possible. It had felt so good not to be turned inside out, not to have to go through the get-to-know-your-partner talk where you talked about ordinary crap like wives and pets and kids and the kids' allergies and bla-bla-ba.

Once in a while he'd go over to Gibbs' and they'd have cowboy steaks in front of the TV and something in his chest settled whenever he saw how simple life could be.

And then, one day, as he got up and got ready for work, he'd realized that it had already been longer than two years at NCIS and he'd finally found a place where he could see himself stay. For how long, he didn't know yet, but at least he didn't feel the familiar urge to run bubbling up in his chest every day.

Anthony DiNozzo had made a life for himself in DC. He had a great team with people he would give his life for and every few months, whenever he got too restless, he took a few days and drove a hundred miles to a gay bar where no one would recognize him. And he'd pick out a toyboy for him to fuck senseless until he regained his calm.

It had worked for him for the past ten years. Until the case on the USS Enterprise. He'd seen the body and he'd known instantly what had happened to the Petty Officer. Sure, the word 'fag' was a hint, but the torn boxers and the way the victim's hands had been bound together had been enough. Enough to cause his stomach to turn and he'd lost control. He'd hidden in a janitor's closet, for fuck's sake. And he hadn't been able to get away to find some peace of mind. No, he'd been stuck on an aircraft carrier, unable to hide from his demons.

He should have known that Gibbs would be the one to fight them.

He opened his eyes again and found the older man still gazing at him. Patiently. As if just lying there with him was enough.

Maybe it was.

The thought was exhilarating and terrifying all at once.

Tony cupped the back of Gibbs' neck and drew him down for another kiss. Their lips touched briefly, chastely. Gibbs' lips were surprisingly soft. Tony pressed them together again and his tongue sneaked out, not begging for entrance but taking it. He pulled Gibbs even closer and tugged at his hair, making the older man open his mouth. He felt lust shoot down his spine like an electric current as their tongues met and he groaned low in his throat. He realized how long he'd wanted this as desire pooled in his stomach from a simple kiss.

He arched his back in an attempt to touch every single inch of Gibbs' body at once and his breath hitched in his throat as he felt Gibbs' erection press against his groin.

Gibbs swallowed audibly as he tried to keep in the groan that threatened to escape. Tony raked his nails down his nape, along his neck over his covered back and he sighed deeply. This felt so good.

The silver haired man forced some distance between them as Tony's hand explored further, from his back to his side, along his hip to his knee and then back up to - he stopped Tony by his wrist before the younger man could cup his cock in his hand.

"Time-out." he breathed harshly as he tried to get his heart rate under control.

Anger flashed in Tony's eyes and the younger man exhaled loudly, rolling onto his back.

"I can draw my own line, you know." the irritation was barely concealed.

"I didn't do it for you." Gibbs answered lightly as if Tony wasn't angry at all.

The younger man arched a brow.

"I've wanted this for a long time. If you keep going, I'll come and I don't think I could handle your jokes about old men and their stamina."

Tony's eyes widened for an instant and then he smiled broadly. Gibbs could only stare at him. It had been days since he'd seen that smile and it did nothing to calm his heart.

They lay there for a while as silence stretched out between them.

"Tony?"

"Hmm?"

"I don't do casual."

"I know."

"Yeah?"

"Uh-hum. You can't pull of casual."

Tony laughed as Gibbs smacked his hip and he pulled the older man closer until he was lying on his chest, Tony's arm wrapped around him.

He pressed a soft kiss in Gibbs' hair and he felt the older man release a deep sigh.

Tony was happy to reverse the roles and reassure Gibbs for a while.

As Gibbs' breathing evened out and his frown lines faded, Tony suppressed a smile.

A closeted snuggler, who would've guessed?

TBC :)