Work Text:
“Why did I think this was a good idea?” Tim bemoaned.
“Because you wanted to know if Gibbs and Fornell were actually dating after seeing them at the nail salon?” Tony suggested with a smirk.
“No. That’s why you wanted to double date with Gibbs and Fornell. At least, I hope that’s why.”
Tony just grinned and shrugged. “Doesn’t matter to me. I already know they’re dating.”
“Tony!” Tim glared.
“What? Why else would they be at a nail salon together? Can you really see Gibbs going to the nail salon of his own free will without Fornell encouraging him and having sway because of being his lover?”
“Well I guess when you put it that way it does make sense.”
“Of course it does, Probie. Now, come on. They’re waiting for us.”
Tim blinked in surprise when he saw the sparkling blue shirt that brought out Gibbs' eyes as they entered the restaurant where they'd agreed to meet. Tim hadn't even known that Gibbs owned a shirt that looked that good.
“Damn. I didn’t know Fornell had such a good fashion sense.” Tony whistled.
“I’m hurt, DiNoetzo.”
“You’re the one who wears those generic FBI suits all the time like you don’t have a clue what fashion really is.”
“Unfortunately, that’s one of those unwritten requirements of the job.”
“Remind me to never join the feebs, then.” Tony shuddered.
McGee snickered as he pulled out Tony’s chair for him before sitting down himself. “Yeah. You’d never survive a day in a bad suit.”
“I’ve worn worse for undercover, but I hate the itchy feeling of cheap fabrics. Can you blame me?”
Tim shook his head and shot Tony a fond look. The four of them settled in to look at their menus in silence. Tony and Fornell both started talking at the same time as they both visited frequently and knew the menu well. Tony laughed and gestured to Fornell to go first.
“So how long have you two been dating?” Fornell asked.
“Do you really want me to ask that question of the two of you, Tobias?” Tony raised an eyebrow.
“2 years.”
“3 years,” Gibbs interrupted, correcting Fornell with an affectionate shake of his head.
Tony and Tim exchanged a significant look. Finally, Tim offered, “1 year.”
Before their conversation could continue, a tall mid-40ish gentleman in the normal black slacks, white shirt, black apron waiter outfit appeared. “I’m Gustavo. I’ll be your waiter. Would you like a sample of our featured wine, tonight?”
“Sì grazie,” Tony agreed, but the others declined.
Gustavo poured a small taste of the wine into a glass for Tony. Tony swirled the wine around before sipping it, making sure to savor the flavors.
“Does he usually do this on your dates?” Fornell couldn’t help interjecting, having no patience for wine connoisseur shenanigans.
“Usually. I find it cute,” Tim murmured, watching Tony.
“Better you than me,” Gibbs grunted. Fornell nodded.
“We’ll take a bottle, Gustavo.” Tony informed the waiter, turning to the rest of the table, he opined, “You’re all a bunch of plebs with no appreciation for fine wine.”
“I have 3 ex-wives. I can’t afford to appreciate fine wine,” Gibbs grumbled.
“I have one ex-wife and nowhere near enough after alimony for fine wine,” Fornell concurred.
Tim shrugged and grinned sheepishly. “I’d rather play video games.”
Tony shook his head and the waiter took their orders before vanishing back into the bowels of the italian restaurant. “So which one of you initiated your relationship?” Tony couldn’t help asking. He had his suspicions and an office pool he wanted to win.
Fornell started to open his mouth, but Gibbs shot him a glare. “No, Tobias. He just wants to know who won the office betting pool.”
“Gibbs,” Tony protested.
“You know?” Tim gasped.
“Please, Gibbs knows everything. I thought you knew that already, Probie.”
Tim shot Tony a dirty look and Fornell started chuckling, “You still got your team convinced you know everything, Jethro?”
Gibbs narrowed his eyes at Tobias. “Don’t.”
“This is so weird,” Tim blurted out, immediately covering his mouth with his hands when he realized what he said.
Fortunately, the food arrived before anyone could ask Tim to clarify that statement. After Gustavo confirmed that everyone had what they needed, he left and silence descended as everyone focused on their food. Gibbs was enjoying a steak, of course. The rest of them had gone with pasta dishes, in favor of being in an Italian restaurant.
Tony tried to start a couple more conversations once everyone started slowing down on the food some, but they didn’t really go any better than the original conversations. Both couples knew too much and too little about each other at the same time.
“Never again.” Fornell ordered as they split the check.
Tony and Tim nodded in agreement. This hadn’t been the worst date Tony had been on by any stretch of the imagination, but he definitely wasn’t eager to repeat it. He liked his boss, but watching whatever he and Fornell were doing was just weird. “I’m so glad I’m dating you,” Tony murmured in Tim’s ear as they climbed into their car and headed home.
“Me too.” Tim smiled at Tony. Both of them were already making plans in their head for how they’d wipe this date from their minds once they got home.