Claus
His eyes watch his partner as she exits the dark kitchen after Gibbs, making her way towards him carefully. Ziva balances a full glass of wine in her hand while deftly weaving between Abby and Amira on the floor.
She purses her lips as she reaches the couch; every seat occupied, and when her eyes meet his they brighten mischeviously.
"Is there room on your lap, Santa?"
Tony rubs thoughtfully at the fake beard around his chin, letting out a hearty laugh he had been bellowing the entirety of the day, impersonating one Saint Nick for Amira's amusement.
"There's always room for you, Ms. David."
Gibbs' exasperated sigh from across the room doesn't dim the intimate smile she gives him, and she takes the last few steps towards him before settling comfortably in his lap. His arms wrap around her easily, his hand coming to trail up and down her back as they turn their attention towards Ducky sitting before the fire, and with everyone now in attendance, the tradional retelling of a Christmas classic begins.
Halfway through the tale, Amira finds her way off the floor, settled against her mother, and her eyes filter toward Tony and Ziva each time he interjects with his Claus impersonation and Ziva dissolves into quiet laughter.
Their whispering doesn't draw steely glances from Gibbs, nor looks of annoyance from the others. Today, there is tolerance. But as their lips meet at the end of the doctor's monologue, Amira turns shocked eyes toward her mother.
"Mommy, why is Santa Claus kissing Aunt Ziva?"
Ziva breaks away from her partner's lips as he tries to straighten his discheveled beard, and quiet laughter fills the room.
Unperturbed, Tony tightens his arms around her, bringing her closer to his chest and looks at Amira over his costume spectacles.
"Your Aunt Ziva was very good this year," He rumbles, tugging at Ziva's loose curls, and Ziva's blush, if possible, deepens more. The laughter of the others raises as her hand disappears in the folds of his red coat, and he makes a loud noise in protest. She smirks in satisfaction as he rubs at a spot high on his chest, as if wounded.
Amira's face remains bewildered, but she doesn't question further, watching as Ziva leans in to press her lips to Tony's once more off his hurt look. She pulls back to give him an easy smile, and straightens his red hat affectionately, and he knows all is forgiven.
Later, as everyone's attention wanes from the couple, they go back to conversing lowly.
"Do you think, perhaps, you may keep this suit for a while longer?"
She tugs at his beard, about as playful as she gets, appraising him with raised eyebrows.
A smirk pulls at the corner of his mouth, and he leans in to murmur quietly against her ear.
"Well, since you were on the nice list this year, I think we can work something out."