Abby left a few hours later, and the rest of the day was spent in relative silence between Tony and Gibbs. Neither man knew what to say, nor were they uncomfortable in each other's presence. When the time came for dinner, Tony ordered pizza and they settled themselves once more in the den. This time Gibbs took up the seat that Abby had previously occupied. Tony curled up beside Gibbs, but took care to hold himself away from the older man. Gibbs noticed this, but chose not to say anything. They traversed the rest of the evening this way; close but never touching. When it came time for bed, the quietness continued up to the point when Tony once again settled himself on the futon.
"Tony," Gibbs spoke softly, and Tony looked up to see him standing next to the bed. "Are you sure you don't want your bed back?"
Tony's only reply was to smile up at Gibbs before turning over on the futon and feigning sleep. Gibbs laughed to himself and shook his head before once again getting into the bed.
(~*~)
Gibbs woke before Tony in the morning. He didn't get up straight away, instead preferring to lie in the quiet for a while. He looked over to see Tony sleeping in what couldn't possibly be a comfortable position. Gibbs made a mental note to speak to Tony about their sleeping arrangements. He couldn't keep taking the younger man's bed from him. Gibbs quickly tamped down on the thoughts that arose at the idea of sharing the king sized bed with Tony. There was plenty of room for them to sleep without ever touching, but Gibbs wasn't sure he'd be able to keep to himself. There was something about Tony that made Gibbs want to be close; to open up and draw the younger man in. With a heavy but quiet exhale, Gibbs mentally shooed the thoughts away and rolled himself out of bed.
By the time Gibbs was washed and dressed, Tony was just beginning to stir. Gibbs stood over the futon and watched his eyes flutter open. The wide, honest smile Tony gave Gibbs when he saw him made Gibbs swallow thickly and turn away.
"Bathroom's free for you," Gibbs said as he moved to make the bed. Tony made a sleepy, noncommittal sound, but still he rose and headed towards the en suite. When he was finished with his task, Gibbs turned and stripped the futon. He folded it up and placed the bedding neatly on top. It wasn't very long before Tony emerged from the bathroom in a haze of steam. Gibbs smiled at the sight before heading out of the bedroom. Tony watched him go, a smile lighting up his own face.