Work Text:
Tony coughed again. It was the fourth or fifth time in less than an hour. He was probably coming down with something.
“DiNozzo, go home. I have no use for you when you’re like this.” Gibbs barked out in frustration. Tony’s coughing was so distracting that none of them were getting any work done.
“What?” Tony glanced up at the harsh comment. “I’m fine, boss. I can work.”
Gibbs shook his head. “Go home. We can handle this without you.”
“Really, boss, I’m fine,” Tony protested.
“DiNozzo.” Gibbs snarled in warning, “Go home.”
Tony couldn’t believe he was being sent home from work like a child, but he knew arguing with Gibbs wouldn’t change anything. With a huff, he gathered up his things and headed home. He could hear McGee and Ziva gossiping about him as he left and that only made him feel worse.
He really wasn’t that sick. He just had a cough. It was fine, but Gibbs’ words had hurt him to the core.
He knew that he shouldn’t let a comment get to him that much, but the truth was he valued Gibbs’ opinion a lot and for him to call him useless really hurt. He tried to tell himself that Gibbs didn’t mean it. That Gibbs was trying to be kind by sending him home when he was sick, but he couldn’t make himself believe it.
It didn’t help that he was secretly in love with his boss, making for quite the imbroglio. Gibbs had never shown any signs of having feelings for him and when he went and did shit like this it made Tony think he didn’t care at all. Feeling depressed and sorry for himself, Tony flicked on the TV and zoned out on the couch.
By the time it was dark outside and approaching bedtime, he realized that he’d let Gibbs’ comment ruin his entire day. He shrugged it off and headed to bed. He couldn’t help wondering if there was any point in going in to work the next day or if he’d be sent home again.
Maybe he should just stay home and take advantage of the time to look for another job. One where he wouldn’t be treated like a child. Or even one where he’d actually be respected for what he could bring to the table. Those thoughts haunted him as he finally fell asleep for the night.