The boat pitched violently, sending you forward before you could brace. You slammed into Gibbs, your body pressed hard against his, his solid frame unyielding against the chaos of the sea.

His arms wrapped around you instantly, holding you tight to keep you both upright. The grip was firm closer than you’d ever been to him and for a moment, the world outside blurred into nothing but the press of his body against yours.

Your breath caught, and the single word slipped out before you could stop it.

“...Wow.”

His face was unreadable, that steady, stoic mask never breaking. But his voice came low and rough, a thread of smug amusement curling beneath it.

“Yeah,” he murmured, his lips near your ear, the vibrations of his tone sinking straight through you. “That’s what they all say.”

The boat rocked again, but he didn’t let go right away. His hold lingered a second longer than necessary deliberate, controlled before finally easing you back onto steady feet. His eyes locked with yours, cool and unreadable, though the ghost of a smirk tugged at his mouth like he knew exactly the effect he’d had on you.