Chapter Text
He had bad memories. Why? Why did he always have to be punished like that for telling the truth? They already challenged him the last time he called them "old." They were. At least comparing their ages to his. More or less push-ups in depending on how long wouldn't change their birth dates. But they couldn't let it go. What was his fault that Callen suffered a back strain during training? As soon as he recommended he rest, the team leader felt insulted. He was sure he was calling him old, again. And Sam, ever loyal to his partner, challenged him on his behalf to another round of push-ups. They had called him worse and there was no one to back him up. In fact, Kensi would be joining in their taunts while Hetty and the others played it cool. He was about to lose it, to yell back at them and stop being the Mr. Nice Guy they all thought he was. But at that moment Eric's whistle was heard from the doorway.
-We've got a case!
Two SEALs killed off duty. One a father of two young children, the other a young man who had returned from his first tour of duty in Afghanistan only a week earlier. After visiting the families they soon saw that they had two people in common. One was former Lieutenant Sharon O'Hare, retired early due to a back injury and turned private detective. The other, Michael Landon, the lieutenant who replaced O'Hare when she retired.
Kensi and Deeks were sent to the former lieutenant's home. The woman was worthy of her Irish surname. Her hair was flame red, long and wavy, her skin porcelain and eyes as green as the Emerald Isle itself. Moreover, at nearly fifty, she was still a shapely and attractive woman. She opened the door to the agents, greeting them with a kind, yet penetrating gaze, almost as if she was seducing them equally without intending to.
-How can I help you?- the woman asked, Kensi nervously clearing her throat before speaking, which was unusual in her.
-Agents Kensi Blye and Marty Deeks, NCIS. We need to ask you a few questions about...- Kensi introduced herself, but was interrupted.
-Jimmy and Ron. Yes, that's a pity. Please feel welcome. Without another word, the woman turned on her heels and walked into the living room. Kensi and Deeks looked at each other in confusion.
When O'Hare called out the victims' first names she sighed as if she meant to sound sad, but she had sounded...different, and in asking them to feel welcome, her hand had traveled from her pendant to her blouse. It wasn't the first time someone had touched an accessory as a sign of nervousness, but for some reason that felt awkward.
-I see you call them by their first names, were you very close to them?- Kensi asked. The woman smiled sweetly and moved closer to Kensi until her face was just inches away from the agent's.
-Honey, you have no idea.-she whispered, brushing a strand of hair away from the agent's face, which somehow turned into a subtle caress-... I was on the same team with Jimmy and then I trained young Ron- she said suddenly in a dry tone, turning away from her and walking towards the minibar as if nothing had happened.
-What about you, silent boy? D'ya have any questions or would you prefer me to pour you a drink?- she asked as she bent down in search of a bottle, making her tube skirt highlight her rounded buttocks even more.
'Damn it! Now I just want to get out of here!' thought Deeks. He saw Kensi looking at them funny, somewhere between jealousy and... would it be possible? No, his wife wasn't into such things. She was already against the partner-swapping when they went undercover as a married couple. Though at the same time, he had felt that way too when the former lieutenant had been so close to her. Part of him wanted to scream 'don't touch her, get away from her. She's my wife!' The other would have liked to see how far they would go.
Despite the strange situation, O'Hare was very cooperative. In fact, Hetty allowed her to collaborate with them on the case. Landon, on the other hand, tried to flee as soon as Callen and Sam identified themselves. Luckily, Sam stopped him with a tackle and he was immediately taken to the boatshed. The man was tough, neither Sam's intimidations nor Callen's threats about his conviction made him blink.
-They won't get anywhere this way- O'Hare said, unbuttoning a button on her blouse and heading for the interrogation.
She asked the two men to leave her alone with the suspect. Then she turned to Landon. She sat not in the chair Callen had vacated, but on the table, almost so close to Landon that their legs brushed at first. From that angle, Landon tried to look at her face, but the closeness of her breasts made that a difficult mission.
-Mike, honey, how long have we known each other...?
She again used all her "woman's weapons" until a sweaty Michael Landon gave a name and address.Again, she left the room without further ado, letting Sam and Callen come in to take the sweaty prisoner away, but he sheepishly asked to remain seated for a few more minutes.
NCISNCISNCISNCIS
Before the raid where the gang preparing the homemade bombs was hiding, one of which was not properly assembled and accidentally killed the two SEALs returning from celebrating the oldest's last mission, Deeks couldn't help himself and asked the retired lieutenant.
-Excuse me, Miss O'Hare?
-Sharon, please, and I'll excuse you anything, cutie.
-See again! How you do that? Is that your... your nature, or do you do it on purpose? I mean...
Sharon laughed in a motherly way
-With that personality and that angel face they let you out in the field? 'Cause if you were mine, or at least on my team, I'd wrap you in my arms and protect you from the world if I had to- she took a few seconds to watch the young man blush-. Don't tell me you haven't heard of the art of seduction!
-Well... let's just say that I'm not into sleeping with strangers to get information...
-Who said anything about "sleeping" with anyone? It's just seduction, you don't have to do anything you don't want to. Look, you have the... qualities, but that's not enough. You have to have that spark, know how to manage your resources to lower the guard of your opponents. It doesn't matter if you're male or female, or if they're into people of the same sex, the other sex, or both. When you get what you want, get out of your role and walk away.
-Won't that be too risky?
She laughed again
-Just what I said: so innocent... Seriously, what are you doing in this institution? You're like a virgin among whores- she looked at Deeks getting blushed and offended at the same time.
-Wow, I... I don't know how to take that, really.
-After seeing the bruises your Neanderthal buddies left on Landon, trust me, it's good. Do you have any idea how many people- Deeks noticed she didn't say "men"-have tried to meet me alone after one of my little numbers with perverse intentions? And here you are, blushing, babbling like an innocent child, with the sole intention of asking. Your wife is soooooo lucky! And your colleagues probably didn't let you interrogate Landon because they have you so protected...
Deeks let out a laugh that showed spite and bitterness. For the first time, Sharon looked at him with concern, approached him and put her arms around his neck. This time she had no hidden intentions, she was really worried about his reaction.
-Protected, you say? They've been teasing and belittling me since day one. If it wasn't for Hetty, I'm sure I would have been kicked off the team after five minutes. I've tried to ignore them or take it with humor, but...- his voice choked, almost as if he was going to cry.
-When was the last time they messed with you?
-This morning. They think they're tough men, but they take offense at the slightest comment. Does "sit down for a while, maybe you've forced your back too much" really mean "you're old"?
-Old who?
-Callen. Now Sam has challenged me to a push-up contest to ...avenge? his friend.
-Callen? Old? That one I'd like to dip in chocolate and lick it all out of him? That Callen?- Deeks grinned, another one of her inappropriate comments. She remained thoughtful and then smiled mischievously, determined to make that boy her prodigy student- Push-up challenge you say? That's perfect! Look, here's what you'll do....
NCISNCISNCISNCISNCISNCIS
Mission accomplished, case closed and the offices empty. Callen and Sam were waiting in the gym. Callen was sitting on the bench, stamping his foot on the floor and huffing impatiently. In front of him Sam in his sports clothes, stretching.
-Where the hell did he go?
-Maybe he got scared and ran away. I wouldn't put it past him. His other options were to surrender or apologize- replied an arrogant Sam -But don't let him claim victory: if he doesn't do it today, he'll do it tomorrow.
-What am I going to do tomorrow, Sam?- Deeks suddenly said, entering the place wearing a white T-shirt and the red boxers he wore the first time he met Sam in the wrestling ring. In his hand, just a bottle of water.
-Well, look who deigns to show up! We were supposed to meet ten minutes ago.
-Sorry, I preferred to change in the locker room and not here in front of you- he said, winking at them with a mischievous grin.
-Cut the crap! Let's get down to business- Sam ordered between impatience and mockery.
-Yes, of course, of course. I just need to do some stretching first.
With that said, he set the bottle down on the bench next to Callen and began stretching his arms while emitting a few small grunts that sounded more like something else. At the same time he made sure that the muscles in his back and arms were well marked. He then continued to stretch sideways, letting the thin white t-shirt lift up revealing part of his abs. He didn't think it would have any effect. His companions clearly liked women; however, he saw out of the corner of his eye as both men began to exchange glances.
-Well, now a bit of a back stretch...- he said as he leaned forward until he touched the floor with his hands, giving Callen a subtle but good view of his butt under the pants.
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Deeks was acting strange. Maybe it was their imagination. Or maybe the adrenaline of the case. Maybe they were going crazy because Sam hadn't had a date since Michelle died and Callen hadn't seen Anna for months. This was crazy. Crazy! They had all trained together before. They'd watched Deeks work out, stretching, sweating, panting with exhaustion... but this time it was different. They could feel it. When the younger one leaned in, Callen had to look away. No, Deeks hadn't put that part of his anatomy in his face, but he had to control himself before his eyes went where they shouldn't. It was a relief when the blond stood up again.
-Ah! It's nice to be able to bend without suffering consequences. No offense, Callen- he turned to his leader feigning innocence.
-What? No, of course not!
Sam frowned at him, they were there to teach Deeks a lesson! 'For God's sake, Callen focus!' he thought.
-Well shall we get started now or are you going to keep procrastinating?
-No, of course not. I'll just take some water before... ow!
Deeks had reached over to Callen to grab his bottle and drink from it, but as he tilted it the cap fell off, spilling the clear liquid all over Deeks' shirt.
-What a klutz! I'm sorry, you're gonna be right when you say I'm not worthy of the team.I'll just leave it here to dry while we work out- he said, taking off his shirt nonchalantly.
The two men felt a wave of guilt at hearing about Deeks not being worthy of NCIS, but if they were going to say anything it was clouded between the water-scarred body and then the young man standing naked from the waist up.
- OK, ready.
The other two shook their heads, trying to focus.
-Okay, ready, set, go!
Deeks took the position indicated by Sharon, in front of Sam with his legs slightly apart and counting one by one his push-ups out loud.
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'The grunts. Damn, those damn grunts again. Couldn't just he mentally count like a normal human being? 'Okay, Hanna, you do your thing, don't lose focus. He's offended your friend twice today, the last time just a minute ago.'
Another uncomfortable grunt, Sam raised his head to say something to the blond, but before him he found an image that only made him want to look back down at the floor. The young man's back muscles were more pronounced than ever, and in the foreground, his upturned butt and stocky legs slightly apart. He would never hear the number 'sixteen' the same way again.
Reaching twenty, Deeks stood up without further ado and rummaged in his pocket, from which he pulled out a lollipop, 'borrowed' from Kensi's drawer. He would probably have to explain himself later, but it would've been worth it.
-What the hell, Deeks?
Deeks raised his finger in the direction of a confused Callen, as if asking for time. He took a few seconds to lick the treat a couple of times until he got it all the way into his mouth and pulled it out very slowly, eyes closed, savoring the strawberry flavor. When he opened his eyes he almost recoiled, seeing his companions he felt dirty in a way, just like how Kirkin used to look at him. But he remembered why they were there and proceeded.
-I surrender, because at the end of the day I win.
-Excuse me? You called us old- Sam said, still on the floor, offended.
- And to the birth certificates I refer. Come on, guys, push-ups? Really?-really said like a sigh- No one's messing with your fitness. In fact, I'll admit you're in better shape than I am- he sucked on his lollipop as he shifted his intense gaze from Sam to Callen. But it is also true that you are older than I am. If that's how you feel about an objective truth, how do you think I feel when, despite my years of training, you thought I was "just a cop" - long lick of the lollipop - Even if Sam does three hundred push-ups and I only do twenty, Sam is still older than me, right? So how is this bullshit going to solve Callen's pulled back or that you were already in school when I was born - loud lick of the lollipop. Two pairs of pants too tight - too bad! With those good bodies and that big heart you have, that fidelity you profess to each other... We would've been great friends, but you're such classsists!- bite of the candy and sound of pleasure- If you are not going to accept me, at least respect my work... and assume your age, O-L-D- M-E-N- last bite and end of the interpretation- By the way, when I suggested Callen rest, I was not referring to his age, but to the blow he took yesterday after you threw him to the ground in your hand-to-hand training, Sam.
He finally headed for the exit, feeling how his partners remained in position, without moving a muscle, not even their mouths, both open as wide as their eyes.
-Last but not least- he said, turning his head over his shoulder towards them- it doesn't matter if I hold less, you'll never have it this firm.- he gave himself a light slap on his right buttock as he winked at them once more, this time accompanied by a mischievous smile. At that moment it seemed to him that Callen jumped up from his seat. Before leaving he turned in their direction and stuck out his tongue teasingly, slightly red from the lollipop.
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Callen maintained his composure and his tough guy look from his position until Deeks left the scene. As soon as the blond disappeared his stone wall crumbled and he reached for something to lower his body temperature with. Grabbing the bottle Deeks had left next to him, he emptied what little water was left over his head, letting his mouth let out a sigh of relief.
It couldn't be possible what had just happened? Had Deeks won? Or had he just given up? Had he told them off? Did he intend for them to feel bad, uncomfortable...? Was that how they really felt? Hearing his speech made them want to go up to him and hug him, but for what reason? To apologize for being assholes to him? Or maybe...?
Deeks calling them old men, this time openly, while mocking them and sucking on a lollipop made Callen think of a brat boy. The "self-spank" on his way out did no favors to the imagination of the leader, who stayed there imagining what it would be like to place Deeks face down on his lap, pull down those boxers and spank him like a bad boy until he apologized to his elders.
Sam had no better thoughts, for he refused to get up off the floor. He just didn't dare. Those boxers had reminded him of the first time they met in wrestling combat. For some reason he could hear their moans again, their bodies intertwining, him positioning himself on top of the younger man as he tried to tell him to stay on the floor... No one on the mission was blind. Objectively, they all knew the newest member of the team was well built, but they couldn't help but tease Kensi when she said there was something off about him:
-Maybe it was his baby blues- Callen scoffed.
-Or his fluffy hair- he continued the joke.
They were jokes to mess with the girls, right? Damn it! Had all those comments gone too far into their subconscious? In a hoarse voice, he asked Callen a little help. He didn't have to do much explaining. Callen was in no position to move either, the evidence of their thoughts constricting in their pants. Callen looked around, grabbed the first thing handy and tossed it to his friend on the floor. Big mistake: he had thrown him the wet T-shirt Deeks had left on the bench. The garment landing on his face was no help to his own boxers, but he needed to cover himself with something.
-You go, I need a few minutes.
-And I need a cold shower, a very cold one- said Sam getting up with difficulty and fleeing to the showers. While running he just thought one thing: can someone be horny and sorry at the same time? He'd have to talk seriously with the youngest of the team about his feelings and how bastards they've been to him, but impossible in those conditions.
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Deeks took a spare T-shirt from his locker. It had been weird. He had felt dirty at first. Maybe it would have been better to yell at them instead of doing that theatrics. He didn't know if he would regret it the next day. But the truth was seeing the embarrassed faces of his partners for various reasons filled his chest with pride. He had no idea how well that kind of intimidation could go. He had been spared from making a fool of himself and taking the blame for what have actually been a misunderstood comment. He would have to perfect some techniques, but it wasn't bad for a start. He had exchanged numbers with Sharon and planned to take advantage of her lessons in the near future. Kensi told him what they both said as soon as they saw his picture with his alias of Jason Wyler in the case where they met. How ironic! The only people who had spoken openly about his physique, albeit in a jocular tone, were the same ones who would later pick on him. Why not use that against them? He won't seduce to get information out of possible suspects, that was totally out of the question for sure; but the next time Sam or Callen tried to bother him he would be no more Mr. Nice guy with them.