VM7
FUN FACT:
According to a website I found,
Ducky's hat is a Fedora shaped safari hat, either Panama Jack or Borsolino brand.
DM me if you'd like the direct website.
As the lovers began their search for toys, plugs and different types of lube, the two men both tapered off their own urges, slightly. But it didn't seem to slow down the heated looks they shared or the small touches.
Last night, they had gone into Jethro's room. The night had been colder than expected, and Jethro told Tim that he had a portable heater stashed in the wardrobe. The storm was raging for the third day; the sky was a gloomy overcast morning as they woke entangled in one another. Jethro had awoken first. He had woken to Tim's body against his own; Tim's lanky frame holding him. No one had ever held him before. No one. Not Matt, nor Shannon, or any of the other wives or lovers he had had. It felt comfortable. It felt safe.
Safe was not a feeling he wanted to lose anytime soon, so he happily stayed in Tim's arms, cuddling closer to the man. In their usual day-to-day interactions, he was the boss and Tim was the subordinate. But here, back in Stillwater, it felt great to let go of their predefined roles and just be them. It let Jethro relax in a way he hadn't been able to, since before his mom had died.
Tim woke and pulled the warm body he had been holding closer to him, without opening his eyes. He began placing stray kisses on Jethro's neck, as his hand slipped under the threadbare tee that he had worn to bed and drew patterns on the skin with the light dusting of hair he found there.
"MMM..." Jethro sighed in a moan, enjoying the feeling of Tim's lips on his neck as Tim found a particularly sensitive spot. He felt Tim grin against his skin, as Tim continued kissing his neck. "Keep that going and I promise I will get my revenge when you least expect it."
Tim knew a promise when he heard one, especially from Jethro. Tim pulled back and rolled onto his back with a sigh. Jethro felt guilty instantly, he had meant it as playful and wanton. But Tim had taken it literal and had been discouraged.
Rolling over to face the young man he had become smitten with, Jethro rubbed Tim's arm, encouraging him to open his eyes. "Tim, I'm not good at words. Not good at relationships or the lovely-dovey stuff." Tim opened his eyes to Jethro's honest and raw admission. "Help me do better?"
"You're not as bad as you think you are," Tim said with a lopsided smile, and if it weren't for the seriousness of the conversation, Jethro would have kissed the stuffing out of the man in front of him. "It's me, I have the bad track record."
"I think in this area, I am worse," he said. "But we can agree to disagree." Jethro grinned at him. "Now, how about we say a proper good morning?"
Tim smiled coyly, as Jethro moved in closer, pulling Tim closer too as their lips met. As they kissed, Tim let his hands wander down Jethro's side, over his rib cage. The feeling of Tim's fingers on him had him wanting more of Tim. But they had no time this morning; it was Christmas Eve.
Tim broke off the kiss and made a move to get up. "Come on, Jethro," he said. "Time to get moving." He could see the older man was going to be stubborn about getting up and refusing to move. Tim went off into his own room to collect some clean clothing and his robe.
Coming back from depositing his clean clothes in the bathroom, dressed in nothing but his robe, Tim grinned seductively at his lover. "You can't make me get up," he teased with a pout.
"No, that's true," Tim said, winking at him. "I just came to tell you that I was going into the bathroom. To take a shower. Where I will be wet. Naked." Tim turned and walked out of the room. He heard the sigh and the ruffling of the duvet, followed by the footsteps of his lover.
By the time he had reached the bathroom door to close it, Jethro was already slipping inside behind him. Tim tried not to chuckle at the trail of his lover's sweatpants and tee, which led from the bedroom, across the hall, and into the bathroom. He busied himself with starting the water while he removed his robe and hung it on the hook; only to collide with a warm, hard body.
Are we just going to stand here all day? Or are we getting under the water?" Jethro asked, as he took the robe from Tim's hand and tossed it haphazardly on the counter space beside him. Tim grinned at him. He knew Jethro would get out of bed, if there was a chance to be in the shower stall with him. As Tim stepped under the spray and slightly adjusted the taps, Jethro stepped in behind him and closed the stall door. "Now I've got you, right where I want you."
Jethro's hands began their own exploration of Tim's skin. The calloused fingertips leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake, as Jethro pulled Tim closer to him and plundered the younger man's pouty lips, before backing him up against the tiled wall. Tim moaned and threw his head gently back against the wall, allowing Jethro access to his jugular. As Jethro's hands found Tim's milky white, alabaster ass, he palmed it before hiking Tim's leg over his, so that their manhood's were flush against one another.
Jethro lowered Tim's leg and held him close under the spray, holding him chest to chest, hip to hip. He sighed. "Is everything okay, Jethro?" Tim asked. His lover had suddenly stopped his ministrations.
"If I make love to you now, right here in the shower, I won't get anything else done all day," Jethro sighed, rubbing his semi-hard penis against Tim's. "It's Christmas Eve, and there are things that need to be done. We need to chop some more wood and get it stored; we need to help Dad at the store, our special click and collect order will be ready from the adult superstore in Wilkes-Barre..."
"A good night's sleep with some loving and I could keep you in bed all day tomorrow," Tim said, chuckling against his shoulder. "I can wait, Jethro."
"Actually, after church tomorrow morning, Dad will be going to Mrs. Hannigan's house for lunch," Jethro said with a wicked, saucy grin. "I am going to come up with a fake emergency at the office, so we don't have to eat her awful microwaved rubbery haggis. So, play along and we can be alone together."
"You're really sneaky."
Freshly showered, the two men made their way downstairs and Jack made a promise to himself, not to mention that they were both wet. He hadn't been stupid, he had only heard the shower once. Smothering a grin, he turned and grabbed two extra mugs from the top cupboard in the kitchen. "Morning boys," he greeted them cheerfully. Jack had heard Jethro turn that ancient portable heater on before bed last night. "I hope it didn't get too cold for you last night?"
"Nah, Dad," Jethro answered his father, sending Tim a wink as he reached for the coffee mugs his father was holding out for them to take. "I had Tim to keep me warm."
Tim couldn't believe that Jethro had just all but told his father that the two of them had slept together the night before. Jack chuckled at the sight of Tim and the worried look on his face. "Relax Tim, it's not like I didn't know that you and my son like each other as more than just boss and subordinate, more than just friends," he said, and Jethro kissed Tim's forehead in comfort.
"Not gonna keep it a secret from my old man, Tim," Jethro reminded him. The two men had both been diligently working on their father/son relationship ever since they reconciled. The pain Tim felt whenever he thought about that always reverberated throughout his body, knowing that he and his father would never be able to reconcile, no matter the circumstances.
Tim smiled at him, forcing his smile. Jethro didn't falter, but he did make a mental note to ask his lover about it later. Tim quickly launched into a conversation with Jack about cooking as the boys found the frying pan. Jethro heated it up while Tim whisked some eggs in a bowl, adding salt, pepper, and a couple of drops of milk and a shake of chili flakes. Jethro stepped away from the pan to start making some buttered toast while Tim poured the eggs in the pan and began scrambling them, making sure to add a bit more butter and some cheese. As Jethro finished the toast and plated up three pieces, Tim plated the buttery scrambled eggs on top of the toast and served.
Grinning at Jack, Tim handed him a plate. The older man had been watching Tim with curiosity, waiting to see what he would do with the eggs and butter. 'Thank you, Tim,' Jack said warmly.
Jack suspected privately and hadn't vocalized his opinion yet, that Tim had coped and borne the brunt of a lot of his father's anger growing up. Plus, the way that Tim had reacted when Jethro had been straight-up honest with him about last night's sleeping arrangements between the two men. It had not been the look of nerves; it had been a look of sheer panic and terror. Privately, he didn't know how to bring that up with his son, but he just knew that he needed to and that he hoped that Tim would be honest with his son.
"Mmm... This is incredible." Jethro beamed at him. He had been hoping not to see Tim so down. He knew that he had thrown Tim off-kilter, admitting the truth to Jack. But it wasn't as if he hadn't had an inkling. They'd been under his roof, tiptoeing around it for four days already, ramping up their banter and flirting.
Tim sat silently, head down. He wasn't one for praise; he had felt awkward and embarrassed when Jack and Jethro had been praising his culinary skills. It was a trait of his that no one had ever appreciated before, in any sense. Romantic or otherwise.
"What are you boys up to today?" Jack asked, wondering what their plans were. Jack was going to be cooking a roast pork with all of the vegetables trimmings and was planning to do some work around the house and read the book he had purchased last week.
"Heading over to Wilkes-Barre for some last-minute Christmas shopping." Jethro lied effectively and Tim wondered to himself if he could get Jethro to teach him how to lie. It was the one thing that he couldn't do. "Tim's coming too. He needs to pick up a few things too."
Jack grinned at them. "Well, you boys have fun."
The trip in Jethro's truck over to Wilkes-Barre had been spent in silence, and Jethro wondered what was bothering his lover. His lover, Tim, was a naturally quiet man, but he had barely uttered a word all morning. "Are you bothered that I told my father the truth about us, Tim?" Jethro asked.
"No, Jethro," Tim replied and went back to looking out the window. Concerned for his lover, Jethro pulled the vehicle into the turnout lane, bringing it to a stop and putting the truck in park.
He begged Tim, "Talk to me." He could see that something was on his brilliant mind, and he wanted to know what. It was enough that he was willing to pull over and talk to the younger man. Everything in their relationship so far had been different. It had felt different. It had felt like it was an even split. That Tim had treasured him, just as much as he had treasured Tim.
Tim sighed as he thought of Penny and Sarah. It was hard being away from those you loved, but it was even harder when you weren't speaking to them.
"Penny will come around," Jethro reassured him, hugging Tim close to him. "As for Sarah, you've got to give her some space to breathe. Maybe try to forgive her too. She is your sister, and you love her. The way she went about what she did was awful and disrespectful. But you're her big brother, and you can't begrudge her chance at happiness. Just as I am sure Sarah only wants you to be happy too."
"You're right, Jethro," Tim said, sighing. "It's just this time of year; you can't help but get a little melancholic about family and the past. My father, things will never change there, and that's for the best. But Penny, Sarah, and I, we've always been the three of us. With Penny in Scotland and Sarah in Australia, I feel more disconnected to them than ever before."
"I know what you mean," Gibbs said, sighing as he leaned into Tim. "Shannon loved Christmas. Matt never cared for it, but Shannon was in love with the holiday. She always went all out—the tree, the lights, the carols, the presents, the selflessness of the season, the charity. Shannon loved every last bit of it. Kelly had her mother's passion for the holiday, as well. After I lost them, I couldn't bear to bring myself to celebrate, even if I had someone else special in my life. The memories, they're overpowering sometimes, and being back in Stillwater, I'll admit, it's messing with me a little."
Your head is fine," Tim reassured him. "Jethro and you're doing fine." It wasn't often that Jethro let his vulnerable side come through and Tim had a chance to be the strong one. But the relationship they were beginning to share, it was one of give and take. Tim had his moments being the vulnerable one and now it was Jethro's turn. "Sure, being back in town is going to stir up some memories, both good and bad, of both Matt and Shannon. But our memories are a part of life. When we look back, our memories are our link to what already happened in the past. It's our hearts that feel things and mess with our heads. But our memories shouldn't have so much power over us, that they dictate our future."
Jethro Gibbs smiled at Tim. That was one of the things that he loved about Tim the most; his optimism. "Right you are." He kissed Tim's lips and pulled back onto the road.
With that issue sorted they made their way over to Wilkes-Barre. Jethro was keen to get their online click and collect order, as well as a last-minute gift for Tim. They had begun a romantic relationship and he didn't want to stuff it up by not getting the man a gift, on their Christmas together.
Tim stopped in at Costco, and Jethro used that as the perfect excuse to head to the men's room. They agreed to meet back at the truck. As fast as he could move himself, Jethro took himself off through the mini mall, hoping to locate that computer shop that Tim had taken him to earlier in the week. Finally reaching the door, the note "Closed for Christmas" on the door soured his spirit, but he persevered on. Still having no inkling of what was an appropriate gift for the man who had captured his heart.
Tim was not a jewelry wearing man; he was a practical man, like himself. Jethro Gibbs stopped to gather his thoughts. As he took a seat and contemplated what to get the man, he saw a billboard for a travel agency. It was promoting tropical escapes for the winter. A winter's cruise, departing from Boston on January 1st at 1800 hours. They would depart Boston on day one. Day two would consist of stopping at Rockland, Maine. The self-proclaimed Lobster capital of the world. Day three would be Halifax, Nova Scotia. Day four would be Sydney, Nova Scotia. Day five, would be an at sea day and day six would be Quebec, in Canada. Days seven and eight would be at sea days and day nine would be Charlottetown. Day ten would be at sea and day eleven would be Ben Harbor, Maine and the morning of day twelve, they would dock in Boston.
Jethro liked the look of that cruise; it seemed low key and fun. Plus, the room advertised a plush king-sized bed and private bathroom. He would book them into a hotel in Boston for the day before the cruise and a day afterwards, so Tim could show Gibbs around the city. Boston was a town Jethro had always wanted to visit, but never had the opportunity to. He knew that Tim had lived in Boston, during his MIT days, and he always spoke fondly of the city.
A huge bonus for Jethro was that because they were setting sail so soon, the ocean view room for the two of them was steal. Only a fraction over what he had planned to spend on the present. He had never been on a cruise for just for pleasure, but it was something he had always wanted to do, as was the actual trip. Shannon hadn't liked boats and Matt hadn't liked traveling. But he knew that Tim would be up for the adventure.
He headed into the travel agency and discussed the trip at length with the consultant. He had finally decided to tell Tim. He didn't want to waste the money, if Tim wasn't interested. Especially since the agent had made it clear that there were no changes or refunds.
He quickly called up Tim and asked Tim to meet him. Jethro begged the man to give him ten minutes and not sell the trip to anyone else in the meantime. Tim met Jethro at the travel agency, and Jethro quickly explained his radical idea to Tim. With Tim confessing that he too had been struggling to come up with a good gift and insisting on paying for half, as it would be his present to Jethro, too.
Grinning the two men, registered and paid for the cruise, excitedly, looking forward to the next part of their forced vacation.
Jethro pulled up, back at his father's home. Jack had left the barn door open, expecting them back. There was another great snowstorm due tonight and he wanted the trucks parked out of the inclement weather.
Grinning and winking at Tim, he slid across the bench seat, unbuckling both of their seat belts. He slipped his arm around Tim and let out a frustrated sigh. Jethro had gotten all excited about finally having Tim alone with their purchases, that he had forgotten they would be returning to his father's home.
"C'mere," Tim's voice issued the request. To Jethro, his voice sounded like silky smooth honey and made his knees go weak. "Give me a kiss before we go inside."
Jethro happily complied with Tim's request. He kissed the man like he was starving for Tim's love and affection. Jethro held Tim's face in his hands as he kissed him. The warm internal temperature of the truck, combined with the cold external temperature of the barn, caused the windows to begin fogging up.
The sound of banging on the driver's door startled them apart. "Aren't both you boys a little too old to be making out in the truck?" Jack laughed as he teased the men. Watching both men turn beet red had been icing on the cake for him. Both men had been reluctant to admit that they had something going on between them, and they had been too careful about getting caught. Until now, that is. "Especially when you've both got serviceable beds upstairs."
Seeing Tim lower his head, embarrassed, and his son staring at the roof, Jack couldn't help but smirk. It wasn't the first time he'd caught his son in the barn with a lover. "Come on into the house; dinner is almost ready."
"Great timing, Dad." Jethro muttered as Jack walked away and Tim laughed at him.
"Come on, the sooner we have dinner. The sooner it will be bed time." Tim reasoned.
Inside it was warmer, the men shed their outer layers and washed up for dinner. Jethro was surprised to see that his father had set the rarely used dining table in the formal dining room, that his mom had insisted they have. Last time he had been in that room was father's day, the year before Shannon and Kelly were killed.
At his son's enquiring look, Jack smiled warmly at his son and patted his arm. "Time to make new family memories, with a new partner, Leroy."
The food had been laid out between them there was a succulent roasted pork, with some crunchy, salted crackling, roasted potatoes, carrots, parsnips, steamed greens, pan gravy, home made biscuits and whipped butter. "This looks divine, Jack. You should have waited for us to get back, we could have helped you prepare dinner."
"I like to cook too, Tim. Don't sweat it." Jack reassured him. "Now, why don't you boys tell me about your day while we eat. How did the shopping go?"
"Well Dad, we're happy to report that you will be getting rid of us on the twenty-seventh. We will be heading back to DC." Jethro announced and hoped that the news wouldn't disappoint his father. "Tim and I are taking a cruise together."
"A cruise? In winter? Or you two crazy?" Jack laughed at the two men. He wasn't surprised by his son's crazy antics, but he was by Tim going along with it. He had pegged Tim as a sensible man. "Is it one of those celebrity type cruises? With lots of things to do?"
"Kind of, but on a converted breaker ship." Tim answered, as he gave Jethro a stern look about putting greens on his plate, alongside that potato. "There is lots of things to do on board and day trips to different parts of Maine and Canada. Plus, it departs and docks back in Boston."
The look on Tim's face was wistful and Jack was curious why Boston made Tim wistful. "Tim went to school in Boston, Dad. He loves it there. I can't wait to have my own personal tour guide."
"I thought you were a Johns Hopkins man, Tim." Jack stated, surprised. He was sure that's what he had heard. He was almost positive that he had heard the italian senior agent make a sly, biting remark about Tim having gone to Johns Hospkins.
"I did my BS in Biology and master's in biomedical engineering, at JH, in Baltimore." Tim replied, with a warm grin. "But for my BS in Computer Science and master's in computer Forensics, I did that at MIT, in Boston."
"You did your PhD in DC, right?" Gibbs asked, even though he had already known the answer. He had wanted his dad to know, that Tim had a PhD too. "Justice?"
"PhD in Justice and Criminology at Georgetown University." Tim answered and blushed slightly. He knew that Gibbs was making a point by asking the question. He was the only one in the team with a degree in law enforcement and they both knew it. No matter how much Tony ignored Tim's degrees.
"I'd hate to have been paying for your schooling, Tim." Jack chuckled, as he whistled. "They're some expensive schools."
"My parents didn't pay a dime and neither did the Navy." Tim informed both of them, proudly. "I had full ride scholarships with living expenses. I held down part time jobs and on the one occasion, when I fell short, Penny loaned me some to tie me over. I always paid Penny back."
Not much else was said on the topic of Tim's education, but Jethro did mention that he was planning on enlisting Tim's help to set up his laptop, that he wanted to speak with Ducky and wish him a happy Christmas after they had cleaned up. The clean-up was handled quickly and efficiently, and for once, Jethro kept his hands to himself.
A quick skype call to Ducky went unanswered and Tim surmised that they could be doing some last-minute gift shopping, that he would return their call when he could.
Tim managed to escape Jethro's embrace and promise he would be right back, as he darted upstairs to the bedroom, he was staying in. Digging around in his bag of purchases, he had made when they first arrived. He retrieved the pre-wrapped gifts he had purchased that day. Carrying them back down the stairs, he was surprised to hear a knock at the front door. "Ah, you guys." Tim called out, as Jethro went to meet him. "My hands are full; can someone get the door?"
Jethro laughed out loud at the comical sight of his lover coming down the stairs, laden with gifts and trying to open the door. No doubt to a well-meaning neighbour. "Here." He smiled at Tim, taking the large gift bag from his hand and tucking Tim under his arm, as he moved to open the front door to their visitor. Jethro opened the door, hearing his father coming into the hallway too.
The visitor at the door took their cream coloured fedora shaped safari hats off and shook the snow flurries off it. "Surprise!" Ducky exclaimed. Seeing the two men together in front of him, he grinned over his friend Jethro's shoulder at Jack. As he took in the united front that had opened the door with Jethro's youngest agent was tucked up under his arm. "May I please come in now, Jethro? It is rather cold out there."
Ducky wasn't surprised by Jethro and Tim, except for the physical sight of them at the door together. He had been suspicious about the two of them, since he learnt that Jethro had commandeered Tim to go to Stillwater with him. He wouldn't let just anyone into his private life like that. He knew his best friend well enough to know that.
Tim nudged Jethro, who stood like a statue in the doorway. Before he really registered that it was really Ducky standing in front of them. "Duck?" He asked, before he moved aside to let the good doctor in. Tim took the giftbag from his lover's fingers, letting them brush in comfort and continued on the living room, in front of the Christmas tree, before he had been waylaid by Jethro and the door.
Returning to the door, Tim saw the remnants of Ducky and Jethro's hug. "Timothy, my dear lad." Ducky greeted him with his hands spread out for a hug. "Let me look at you. Penny sends her apologies. She thought about what you said to her and has gone to visit with young Sarah in Sydney, Australia. You look well rested and happy."
Tim hugged the man tightly. He found by having Ducky here with them for Christmas Eve went a long way to healing the whole in his heart, left by not seeing Penny and Sarah for Christmas.
