Chapter Text
This Could Be the Start of Something New
Disclaimer:
I own nothing. Except for Mitchum Faustus.
Rating:
Mature
Genre:
Romance | Angst | Hurt/Comfort | Drama
Pairings:
Tony DiNozzo/Mitchum Faustus | (eventual) Tony DiNozzo/Dwayne Pride
Lyrics Used:
Sam Hunt - "Take Your Time" | Rascal Flatts (feat Lauren Alaina) - "Are You Happy Now"
I Just Wanna Take Your Time
I don't wanna steal your freedom | I don't wanna change your mind| I don't have to make you love me | I just wanna take your time
I don't wanna wreck your Friday | I ain't gonna waste my lines | I don't have to take your heart | I just wanna take your time
It was the end of another long day and Tony had hoped to catch up with Pride after he'd finally wrapped up business at the office. It had sort of become their "thing", in a manner of speaking. Whenever they wrapped up a case, if they were both free, they'd get together at Pride's favorite bar - the Tru Tone - for drinks. Unfortunately, Pride and his team were still working a case. And, as tired as Tony was, he knew he'd need to unwind a bit before trying to get any sleep. Shutting down his computer, and turning off his office lights, Tony exited the office and bid a good night to the few agents still remaining before leaving the building to go to his car.
Pulling up, outside the Tru Tone, Tony debated whether to go inside or find somewhere else to go. Shaking his head, he dismissed the thought. Yes, he and Pride were great friends. And, yes, this was sort of their spot. But, that didn't mean that he couldn't go there and have a good time without Pride. Shutting off the engine, Tony made up his mind and got out of his car.
Walking inside, Tony smiled. The music playing was good. He didn't recognize the song, but, it was interesting. There was a fair amount of people there - it was Friday night, after all. But, it wasn't crazy or jam packed. Tony made his way over to the bar where he ordered an old fashioned. While he was savoring the first sip, another man came and took the stool next to his. "See ya got great taste." The man greeted with a warm smile. Tony offered a polite smile in return.
"Thanks." Tony replied, not really sure what else to say. Taking in the sight of the man, next to him, he was certainly handsome. He was tall, roughly six feet. His body was lean - not exactly muscular but definitely toned. He had chestnut brown hair with matching brown eyes. Tony couldn't deny that the man was definitely handsome and - if the vibe he was getting was anything to go on - he was equally charming.
Turning to the bartender, the newcomer placed his order. "I'll have what he's having." He gestured toward Tony's drink as he ordered, before returning his attention to Tony. "So … where are you from?" He asked, casually.
Tony eyed the man for a moment before answering. "Oh, ya know … Here, there and everywhere." He replied, keeping his answer vague. It wasn't necessarily a lie as he had lived in his fair share of different places over the course of his life. "But, I moved to New Orleans from DC." He added, quirking his lips into a friendly smirk.
"Very cool." The man hummed in approval as the bartender set his drink down in front him. "Thanks." He offered, to the bartender, before redirecting his attention back to Tony. "What'd you do in DC?" He asked, making small talk.
"I'm a federal agent." Tony replied, very matter-of-factly. "In DC, I was working for NCIS. But, I got an offer from the FBI to lead my own team of agents, here, in New Orleans. I figured it was time for a change and it was definitely a great opportunity. So, I took it." He added, shrugging, lightly.
"A federal agent." The stranger repeated, his face showing his reaction. "That is definitely impressive." If the look in the stranger's eyes and the tone in his voice were anything to go by, Tony would swear the guy was flirting with him. While Tony wasn't necessarily the type to hook up with a stranger he met at a bar, he figured some small talk and a little harmless flirting wouldn't hurt anyone. After all, the guy was cute. "What's your name, FBI?" The stranger quipped, playfully, earning a small smile and a chuckle from Tony.
"I'm Tony." Tony replied, extending his hand to the stranger. "And, what's yours?"
"Name's Robert." The stranger replied, shaking the proffered hand. "You can call me Rob." He amended.
Before Tony could reply, another stranger approached them from somewhere a couple of tables away. "How much did you guys settle on?" He asked. His voice was gruff and grim, as he directed his attention to Rob. Tony shook his head to clear his thoughts as the voice oddly reminded him of Gibbs back in DC. Instead, he decided to focus his attention on trying to figure out what the guy was talking about.
Tony eyed Rob, carefully, as his new acquaintance tried to play off the remark. "Look, pal, I don't know what you're talkin' about, okay?" Tony could tell Rob was anxious for the man to leave them alone and he was curious as to why.
"The bet." The new stranger replied, simply. "How much did you guys settle on? Two hundred? Five hundred?" He asked, not taking his eyes off of Robert and trying to intimidate the man with his most imposing look. Tony had to admit. The man did bring an intimidating presence.
"Look, pal." Robert replied, with an almost snarl to his voice. "I said I don't know what you're talkin' about." He reiterated. "Now, why don't you just leave us alone?" Tony's eyes darted back and forth between the two men as his drink set forgotten on the bar. He was far too intrigued by the confrontation and was eager to find out where this was all going when, suddenly, the new stranger turned his attention to Tony. Thankfully, his gaze softened a bit as he turned to him.
"I was in here, last night, and this jackass and his buddy were sitting at the table next to mine." The stranger, offered, by way of explanation. "He bet his buddy that he could get into your pants by noon, tomorrow." The stranger continued, grimacing as if he'd just tasted something vile.
Tony couldn't believe what he was hearing. The guy had actually made a bet on how fast he could get Tony to sleep with him? The very thought made Tony's stomach churn in disgust. "Is that true?" Tony asked, his voice taking on an accusing tone, as he turned to Robert.
Before Robert could even open his mouth, Tony knew he was lying. "What?! Of course not!" Robert denied. "I would never do such a disgusting thing."
"You're lying." Tony replied, flatly, eyes narrowing. "So, how much was it?! Two? Or five hundred?" He asked, not even bothering to hide his snark. "I mean, I wanna know what I'm worth." He added, gesturing with his arms.
Sighing, Robert knew when he'd been beat. Pulling his wallet out, he laid some money on the counter to pay for his drink before he rose from the stool as he spoke again. "The bet was for two." He replied, very matter-of-factly. "But, now that I know ya…" He paused to down the rest of his drink in one go before he spoke again. "…way too high." He added, snidely, as he took his leave from the bar.
I don't wanna blow your phone up | I just wanna blow your mind | I don't have to take your heart | I just wanna take your time
No, I ain't gotta call you baby | And, I ain't gotta call you mine | I don't have to take your heart | I just wanna take your time
"I didn't mean to be rude." The stranger offered, apologetically. "I just couldn't let that guy get away with that." He added, before turning to return to his table. But, Tony called out to him and caused him to turn back around.
"No need to apologize." Tony replied, with a grateful smile. "Never apologize for doing the right thing." He added, gesturing for the stranger to join him at the bar. "I actually appreciate and respect you for telling that guy off, for me, like that." Tony explained as the stranger took the stool that Robert had just vacated. "Let me buy ya a drink."
"You don't have to do that." The stranger replied with a dismissive wave of his hand, looking down, sheepishly.
"Never said I had to." Tony corrected, playfully, motioning the bartender over. "I'm doin' it because I want to. My way of showing my appreciation." Tony paused to extend his hand to the stranger. "The name's Tony, by the way. Tony DiNozzo."
"Mitchum Faustus." The stranger smiled, shaking the proffered hand. "But, please … Call me Mitch." Tony remained quiet for a moment as he seized the opportunity to get a good look at Mitch. He was tall - a couple of inches taller than Robert. His physique definitely looked more athletic. The man wore a weathered brown bomber jacket but, the tee shirt underneath hugged every curve of his chiseled chest and abdomen, perfectly. And the hand shake definitely spoke volumes of his physical strength. His hair was jet black and his eyes were a greenish-gray color. His features were all quite striking and Tony absolutely found the man attractive.
"Pleasure to meet ya, Mitch." Tony smiled as the bartender approached them. "What'll ya have?" He asked, casually.
Chuckling, lightly, Mitch knew he wasn't getting out of Tony buying him a drink, so he smirked and placed his order. "I'll have an old fashioned."
"Guess I must have started a trend." Tony smirked as the bartender set to work mixing Mitch's drink.
"What can I say?" Mitch shrugged. "Ya just can't beat the classics." He added as the bartender handed him his drink. "Thanks."
"Can't argue with ya, there." Tony hummed in agreement. "So, Mitch … Whadda ya do for a living?" Tony asked, curiously.
"I work at the World War Two History Museum in acquisitions." Mitch shrugged. "I know most people think it's pretty boring, but, what can I say? I've always been a huge history buff."
Tony shook his head, lightly. "I never said it sounded boring." He argued, lightly. "Actually, I think it sounds pretty interesting. Do you get to travel a lot?" He asked, genuinely curious.
"Oh yeah." Mitch nodded. "Yeah, I'm almost always travelling." He added, briefly looking down into his glass. "I hear you're a federal agent?" He asked, recalling what he'd previously overheard.
"You heard that, huh?" Tony asked, casually. "Yeah. I'm with the FBI." He confirmed.
"Now, that must be exciting." Mitch mused, with a small smile.
Tony chuckled, softly, at the remark. "Yeah, it has its moments." He mused. "But, it can also have it's boring and crappy moments." He added, thoughtfully. "Like when you're on an all-night stakeout in the freezing cold and you can't turn the heat on because you don't want to draw attention to the car you're parked in."
"Yeah, that sounds rough." Mitch mused. "But, it must be satisfying when you get to put bad guys away."
Tony thought about that for a moment. "Yeah. That's why I got into law enforcement in the first place. Always wanted to help people." He added with a thoughtful expression on his countenance. "But, enough about me." Tony replied, shaking off the heavy feel the atmosphere between the two of them had suddenly developed. "Tell me more about you."
Mitch swallowed another sip of his drink before turning to Tony with a playful smirk. "Whadda ya wanna know?"
This is what you wanted, baby, now ya got it | Something is wrong and ya can't put your finger on it | Could it be that maybe, ya did that to me, baby | And, now ya found
What goes around, comes back around | It's been that way forever | Baby, just look at ya now, barely holdin' it together | … | Just look around, are you happy now? | Oh, are ya happy now?
Dwayne sighed as walked in the door at the Tru Tone. It had been a long day and it was late. He knew he should have just gone to bed, but, he really needed to unwind a bit, first. Looking around, he could see that the crowd had thinned out, which was to be expected. It was well after midnight. Looking around, he stopped as he caught sight of Tony sitting at the bar. A fond smile started to spread across his face until he noticed the man sitting on the stool next to Tony. Dwayne didn't recognize the man, but, apparently Tony did. He noted the way that two had moved their stools closer together and seemed deep in a conversation. While he may not be able to tell what they were talking about, he saw the way that the other man would touch Tony's arm or the way he'd occasionally throw his head back, laughing at something Tony said. He didn't know why seeing that sight felt like such a sucker punch to the gut. After all, he and Tony had agreed to just remain good friends after that night Tony'd picked him up from the bar. And, he knew he still wasn't ready for a relationship. So, why did he suddenly feel like he'd had all the air knocked out of him? Shaking his head clear of the thoughts, he turned around and exited the bar in favor of unwinding with a drink at home, instead.
Walking into his living room, Dwayne flopped down on the sofa, scrubbing his hands down his face as he heaved a long sigh. He kept replaying the sight of Tony in the bar with another guy over and over in his head. This is stupid. He told himself. Yes, he may have tried to make a drunken pass at Tony. Yes, he may be attracted to Tony. But, he and Tony were just friends. He wasn't even ready for a new relationship. So, this feeling of jealousy was completely ridiculous. He had absolutely no reason to be jealous of Tony and whoever that was with him, at the bar. So, the question remained … Why was he jealous?