AGENT WARREN

[takexshelter-blog]

‘we’ve been fucking with no strings attached but i just saw you go upstairs with another guy and im drunk and following you both upstairs to punch the shit out of him’

[agtwarren]

[aarontveit]

#don’t i wish

[keychangc]

                                                                  𝙲𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚙 𝚝𝚛𝚎𝚙𝚒𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗.                                     𝙸'𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚛𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚘𝚘𝚗.

[agtwarren]

thetjhammond​:

“I didn’t say you would lie.” T.J. got defensive at that. “It’s easy to avoid telling people the truth.” Sean did for six months and nearly all of T.J.’s exes had kept him a secret. In T.J.’s experience people either wanted him for the fame, or they wanted him as their best kept secret. There had never really been an in between. The idea that Mike didn’t want anything to do with fame and wanted to tell people about them was inconceivable to T.J. Yeah, the former first son is pretty fucked up.

T.J. hands the remote back to Mike, swinging his legs over to get off the bed to get to Mike’s luggage. Neither of them had unpacked. In T.J.’s defense, he had traveled so much in his life that he never really unpacked anywhere. Mike probably didn’t think his stay here would be that long. “Front pocket?” Of the backpack, he assumes. T.J. crouches down in front of the bag and unzips the front pocket, his hand feeling inside for the chapstick. He finds a pen, a lighter (probably his since he was the smoker), a card, a box and the chapstick but he had to pull everything out. He takes a second to open the box. A simple platinum band, very classy, very expensive looking too.

No one takes this long to find chapstick and realizing this T.J. stands up, without putting the box away so he’s holding the chapstick in one hand and the box in the other when he turns back to look at Mike. Oops.

Mike is curious as to why it’s taking so long for TJ to retrieve his chapstick. It’s in the front pocket. It’s not hidden or anything of that nature. But he’s been seemingly searching for over a minute a now. “Is everything okay over there?” He asks as he looks over the best he can given where he’s seated on the bed. Half-tempted to get up from off the bed to see if he needed any help. That is until the realization settles in. Front pocket. That’s also where he keeps the box with an engagement ring inside. An engagement ring that was meant for TJ. “TJ?” But it’s too late. Already watching as he moves to stand up. Chapstick in one hand and a box in another.

Fuck.

“I can explain.” Explain what? Mike had every right to purchase an engagement ring while the two were still dating. He just hasn’t gotten around to getting rid of it yet. Part of him isn’t entirely sure if he really wants to. He’s still coming to terms with the fact they’re no longer dating. So he’s not ready to part ways with the ring. “I bought the ring before everything happened.” Meaning the breakup Mike is still unable to remember. “And I was going to ask you to marry me.”

[agtwarren]

thetjhammond​:

“You wanted me to meet your mom?” Brows furrow as he looks back at Mike hearing that. T.J.’s reaction is a testament to his past relationships. The two of them were serious, they lived together, but T.J. clearly didn’t see the relationship moving forward from that point. Otherwise, he would have expected that Mike would want him to meet his mother. He was very surprised right then, even as he took the remote as it was handed over, he looked shocked.

The shock subsided and it turned into flattery with a hint of cockiness. There was a subtle grin on his lips at the realization that someone wanted to introduce him to their parents. That had never happened before.

T.J turns on the tv, not really searching for anything, just letting whatever they were watching last play as background noise. It was How I Met Your Mother. That didn’t require much thinking or keeping up with so they could still talk.

“I like your house and your mom. I like that she talks a lot.” She was always trying to make conversation, but it was probably excitement that she had Mike back. “You definitely didn’t get that from her.” Mike was much quieter. “Quick question. How were you planning on introducing us?”

“Yeah.” Mike doesn’t understand why the news should come off as such a huge surprise. The two were dating. Things were serious between them. Living under the same roof. Why wouldn’t Mike want to introduce his boyfriend to his mother at some point? As well as other members of the family. Well, apart from his father. Though even he’s uncertain if he could prevent a meeting from happening. He just doesn’t care all that much to be a part of the man’s life. Maybe he’s gotten better over the years. But he highly doubts it.

Mike gives a slight shrug of his shoulders at the question. “I mean, I wasn’t going to lie to her. I would’ve told her that we’re dating.” It’s hard to say how she would’ve taken the news at first. What with TJ being Mike’s first boyfriend and everything. But he likes to believe she would’ve been happy for the two. Of course he deliberately leaves out the part of TJ being his fiance in the future. Some things are better left unsaid.

“Can you grab me my chapstick from my bag?” Not fully dawning on him what else is hidden away in there temporarily.

[agtwarren]

thetjhammond​:

“Google me.” T.J. teases as he walks to Mike’s bedroom. He’d been there just a couple of days but he already knew the house pretty well. “No snacks.” Not yet, anyway. T.J. had just stuffed himself with dinner but knowing him he’d be hungry again in a few hours.

He opens the door to Mike’s bedroom, holding the door open for him so he could walk in first. Mike was better but not great. It had been an ugly accident and the less work he did for some time, the better and T.J. would help as much as he could. He was healing well, the bruises already fading and he’d been asking for less pain medication that was a really, really, REALLY good thing.

T.J. sits on the corner of Mike’s bed, leaning back against the headboard and then pats the spot next to him. “Is it weird being home? Is it weirder cause I’m here?”

Mike can’t help but laugh. Knowing TJ is only teasing, but it’s probably true. There’s a good chance he could come across some young TJ pictures just by looking him up on Google. Honestly, there’s times where he momentarily forgets just how well-known TJ and his family are. Up until he brings up comments like that.

He follows TJ into his bedroom, taking a seat next to him on the bed. Leaning up against the headboard as well. “I don’t know if I would call it weird. I mean, sooner or later I was planning on having you meet my mother.” Just not this way. But life doesn’t always go the way you expected. Mike has learned this lesson on multiple occasions. “I’m glad you came here with me.” So no, it doesn’t feel weird having TJ here with him.

Reaching over, he grabs the remote from off his nightstand, handing it over to TJ so he could pick the show or movie.

[agtwarren]

thetjhammond​:

It seemed odd to make his request now with his mom in the living room. She was watching tv but there was no door from the kitchen to the living room and if she overheard, T.J. would be mortified. He just shakes his head. “It’s not important.” And they had time still.

“Wanna go to your room and watch tv?” Whether it was the question itself or the way T.J. asked it, it felt very innocent, almost childish. It felt right though, such a casual thing to say in Mike’s childhood home. It was fitting. “Your mom brought out photo albums earlier. I really want to go through those.” Little Mike? Hell yes. T.J. had a hard time believing Mike went through an awkward stage as most kids did.

This was supposed to be a stressful time, for everyone involved. Mike was on leave from work, T.J. his ex taking care of him, Mike being back at home with his mom who he hadn’t really spent time with in years. It wasn’t for T.J. though. T.J. was enjoying his time there. He was in a humble home, with a normal family, he was with Mike who he adored and there was no looming danger. Not there. He was having the time of his life.

“Okay.” Not sure the reason as to why TJ won’t say anything about it now. But he doesn’t push. Assuming TJ has his reasons. If he needs to know, then TJ will tell him. End of story.

“Yeah. Sure.” This sounds a hell of a lot more like two kids getting ready to have a sleepover. Watching tv in his bedroom. Maybe he should get out a sleeping bag, but before he can suggest this his thoughts go silent at the mention of a photo album. “We can, but on one condition.” He pauses intentionally. “You show me one of your old family photo albums.” Makes sense, right? TJ gets to see little Mike while he was growing up. It’s only fair that Mike gets to see pictures of when TJ was a kid.

“Want anything to drink or snack on?” Yeah, this is sounding more and more like a sleepover.

[agtwarren]

thetjhammond​:

“We'l talk later, Mrs. Warren.” T.J. didn’t want her to think he was uninterested or didn’t want to talk to her. He did. That woman was going to be his mother in law once upon a time.

T.J. turns back to Mike, shaking his head when he apologizes on behalf of his mother. “Nah, it’s fine.” It was. “Part of the job description.” People always had questions for the Hammonds. T.J. and Douglas were more sought out for interviews than Elaine and Bud were. There was a curiosity about how they lived and how they grew up. T.J. was used to it.

“So what do you want to do now?”

What does he want to do now?

Hm. Good question. Given the time of day there isn’t really a whole lot to do. He could request to have them take a drive around the neighborhood, but the sun is already beginning to sit. He’d rather wait to do that when they have the ability to actually see. Then again, it sounds like TJ will be leaving tomorrow. Something he doesn’t really want to dwell on for too long. Then he remembers something.

“You were going to make a request before my mom came in. What was it?”

[agtwarren]

thetjhammond​:

T.J. is about to answer but Mike’s mom joins them in the kitchen. “You boys didn’t have to do that.” She says, looking at both Mike and T.J. “But thank you.” She smiles as she leans against the kitchen counter, her hair up in a towel. “So, T.J…”

Here it comes. T.J. was already annoyed at the fact that their conversation was interrupted and he knew just where this was going. “Yes, Mrs. Warren?” He wasn’t sure what to call her since the divorce.

“How the heck did you meet Mikey?” She asks with a little laugh. “I mean, I know my boy is some big shot in the FBI but you’re… a Hammond.”

Everyone always went there. He couldn’t blame her for it. Everyone saw him and saw his family. It was never just T.J. T.J. just smiles at her. “We met through work. I was assigned to him but we hit it off, I guess.” T.J. looks at Mike out of the corner of his eyes. “He’s a good guy.” And he’d be better if he’d learn to separate himself from the job a little. They might still be together if Mike knew how to do that. T.J. didn’t say that though. “D.C.’s a shit hole when it comes to people. You meet a good one, you hang on.” 

“What’s it like being a Hammond and a Barrish?”

There it was. He’d been waiting for it. T.J. shrugs his shoulders. “It’s not great, as you know.” She’d probably heard everything that was said about him and his family. “But I can’t complain. I’d be a little bitch if I complained.”

Mike is about to say something before the questions begin. He gives a small nod. Knowing full well he should’ve seen this coming from a mile away. At the same time, he can’t really blame his mother for the curiosity. He hasn’t really given her too much information as far as his job. There’s only so much he can give her when he’s working undercover cases more often than not. Not to mention he hasn’t said anything to her about TJ. How they meet. How long they’ve been friends. None of it. Of course he was planning to say something further on down the road, especially when he had plans to marry the guy. But she doesn’t need to know all of that.

“Is it hard ---”

“I don’t think TJ really wants to play twenty questions with his friend’s mother right now.” Mike knows full well where his mother was about to go with that question. Which is why he tried to stop her before she could finish.

“Yeah. Well, it is nice to meet you TJ.” She says. Only sticking around the kitchen long enough to pour herself a glass of ice water, returning to the living room where she checks to see what’s available to watch on television.

That was a close one.

“I’m sorry about her. She can get a little nosy sometimes.” Again, she can’t really be blamed about wanting to know more about who Mike hangs out with.

[agtwarren]

thetjhammond​:

“The lips too.” Mike had feminine lips. That was the only way T.J. could describe them. His lips and his arms were T.J.’s favorite features. I mean, they were others but those weren’t as pretty to look at. He grins at his own thoughts and then shakes the thoughts out of it.

When he’s done with the dishes, he dries his hands on his jeans and turns his attention to Mike. “I was actually thinking about heading back tomorrow.” Mike was settling in well. His mother was thrilled to have him home. He looked better. He didn’t need his ex-boyfriend hovering. That was just awkward.

“I have a request though, if you’re up for it.”

“Oh.” The reaction comes off more disappointed than what Mike would’ve liked. He’s not going to force TJ to stick around, but he thought he’d still be here for another few days. Then what? Will he hear or see TJ again after tomorrow? He likes to think so. It’s not like the two of them broke up in the midst of a heated argument or at least Mike is assuming not. His memory is still not all there.

“What’s the request?” He asks as he continues drying off the remaining dishes until he finishes the last one. Only then does he go to hang up the kitchen towel to dry. Waiting for TJ’s answer.

[agtwarren]

thetjhammond​:

T.J. opened his mouth to argue but before he could Mike was already drying a plate. He smiled, looked down and shook his head. Mike Warren was nothing if not stubborn. This was good though, Mike doing things for himself, taking initiative no matter if it was something as silly as drying dishes. It was improvement. It had only been three days since he was released from the hospital and he already looked so much better.

“I had to.” No, he didn’t. He just felt like he did because he loved Mike. That wasn’t going to come up though. If Mike knew T.J. was there because of how much he loved him, it would no doubt make Mike feel guilty for leaving and T.J. wasn’t trying to make things worse for Mike. “Your mom shouldn’t have to deal with you all by herself. You’re a pain in the ass, you know that?”

“Besides…” Says T.J., handing Mike another plate. “I wanted to see where you grew up.” It was only fair, Mike had been to the White House, to the Barrish home in Illinois, to the farm in North Carolina and T.J.’s apartment in D.C. “And I got to meet your mom.” That was nice too and T.J. smiled as he says that. “You look like her.”

TJ’s comment earns a quiet laugh and shake of the head from Mike. “Well, even if you only came out here for my mother’s benefit, thank you.” It wouldn’t be the same without TJ here. Of course he’s not anticipating him sticking around for very long. It has already been decided that he’d stay for a week’s time before returning to DC. Hopefully his stay in New York won’t take too long after. Not wanting to wind up spending months living under his mother’s roof.

“Yeah.” Mike doesn’t look at TJ while he says this, too busy with drying off a plate before moving onto the next one. “Everyone says it’s the eyes.” People also say he shares a striking resemblance to his father. Not something he necessarily likes to hear very often, but he also knows it’s the truth.

“We should drive around some tomorrow.” They’ve been cooped up inside since they arrived to New York. “I can show you around where I grew up.” It might not be the best idea for Mike to get behind the wheel of a car, but he can always give TJ directions.

[thetjhammond-deactivated2021031]

@agtwarren

New York with Mike. This was a terrible idea. T.J. had never met Mike’s mom and as far as he knew, Mike’s mom had no idea about their past relationship. T.J. should have gotten Mike on board that flight to New York and hopped himself on a flight to D.C. He couldn’t bring himself to do that. He couldn’t just leave Mike. So T.J. flew with his ex-boyfriend to New York, deciding that he would leave once he knew Mike was going to be okay. It wasn’t that he thought his mom wasn’t capable of caring for him, he knew she was. It was more like he wanted Mike to be comfortable. He needed to know Mike wasn’t hating it there. If Mike wanted to leave, T.J. would bring him to D.C. with him even if it would hinder his recovery due to certain memories.

It had been two days now. T.J. wasn’t planning on staying longer than a week. The apartment was small and T.J. had been crashing on the couch, that is unless he fell asleep on the chair in Mike’s room. It happened often.

They’d just had dinner and T.J. had volunteered to do the dishes while Mike’s mother showered. She thought it was weird. She probably wouldn’t have thought it was weird if it wasn’t American royalty volunteering to clean up her kitchen. She recognized T.J. and had no idea why he would go to these lengths for her son. T.J. swore up and down that they were friends, best friends. It was believable, he thought. Being who he was, it was hard to find good friends and Mike was that to him. The exes part didn’t even have to be mentioned because their friendship came first.

[agtwarren]

Being back in his hometown felt weird to Mike. It’s difficult to describe. Though it’s safe to say things are considerably more peaceful now after his father moved out and his parents filed for divorce. Honestly, the divorce is something that should’ve happened years prior. It’s not something he normally talks about. Not even his mother knows that her father purchased a gun for him to be used for protection against his own father. Fortunately he never had to use it against him or threaten him with it. But he did spend a considerable amount of time at the shooting range perfecting his aim. One could say he was already a decent shot before he entered the FBI academy in Quantico.

“Let me help.” Mike is not willing to take no for an answer as he gets up from his chair, walking over to the kitchen sink to stand beside TJ. “You can wash and I’ll dry.” Not really waiting around for a response, he walks over to one of the kitchen cupboards to grab a fresh towel to use. “I do want to thank you for making the trip out here with me. I know you didn’t have to.” Just like TJ didn’t have to come out to Florida to visit him in the hospital, but he did. Because that’s the kind of person TJ is and he loves him for that.

[agtwarren]

thetjhammond​:

“Are you sure?” He had to ask. He had to. Mike had a chance to start over. Not everyone got that chance. Hell, even the universe was helping him out there by taking away some of his memories. “I mean, I’ll support your decision regardless but really think about, all right?” T.J. was Mike’s biggest supporter. In Graceland and even now. He didn’t make him choose between his relationship or his work, he made it easy for him, took the guilt away so to speak. “Well, just let your mom know to expect me there too. At least for a few days.”

               Mike gives a small nod. “I’m sure.” Since the beginning of his FBI career he hasn’t really been dealt the easiest cards. At the same time, he’s also learned so much. He met TJ. While things did not work out between them in the end, he’s still one of the best things that has happened to Mike and he’s so grateful for that. “I’ll stay with my family in New York until I get back on my feet again. Then I’ll just start where I left off.” Hopefully he’ll be able to get back on the case. “She doesn’t know about --” That they were together. Then again, TJ probably knows this. He’s yet to meet his mother, let alone talk to her. “I can tell her were close friends.”

[agtwarren]

thetjhammond​:

“I don’t think this is my call.” Though it was flattering that Mike would ask for his opinion. T.J. follows Mike into the room, grabbing some clothes for him to change into. He got him warm flannel pajamas so he could be comfortable during his stay in the hospital, and brand new underwear and socks to go with it. T.J. had to rank somewhere in the world’s best ex-boyfriend list.  He lays everything out on the bed for Mike and stays nearby in case he needs him for balance. “I think you need to weigh your choices here. On one hand, you’ll still be around agents. On the other hand, you won’t be able to contact anyone from your life.” Himself included. At least not until he was cleared. “But if you wanted to start a new life, here’s your chance.”

               Mike cannot help but let out a quiet chuckle at the mention of starting a new life. “Wouldn’t that just be the easy way out?” Forget everything and everyone. Come up with a new identity. Don’t get him wrong. It would probably be fairly easy for the agent to do. Hell, his memory is already not cooperating with him. In that moment it’s settled what he has to do. What will be in his best interest. “In the morning I’ll call up my mom. Let her know what’s going on.” Things could either go really well or really poorly. It’s hard to tell. But he can’t just show up on her doorstep unexpectedly. “Thank you.” He says in relation to TJ bringing him clothes to change into. Though he’s in no real hurry to put them on now. He’s resting. “The nurses should be coming back with more medication soon.” Mainly talking to himself, but he says it out loud.

[agtwarren]

thetjhammond​:

The whole time Mike is in the shower, T.J. is talking to his doctors along with an FBI agent, Mike’s superior he assumes. After the doctor leaves, it’s just T.J. and the federal agent. The discussion isn’t exactly one T.J. wants to have, none of it is what he wants to hear and he’s sure Mike doesn’t want to hear it either. The agent asks him if he wants him to talk to Mike but T.J. declines, thinking it’s better if he lays it all out for him first. He can tell the agent his decision. He excuses himself a few moments later and goes back into Mike’s room. He knocks on the open bathroom door as a warning before stepping inside to see Mike already getting dressed.

“You’re off the case.” He begins. No use in sugar coating it. Mike probably expected it. “Not permanently. Just until you’re better.” If, he got better. If his memory came back, if he the injuries didn’t fester. “Staying in Florida isnt an option. The three options are D.C., staying with your family or going into FBI custody for protection.” He pauses, leans back against the door frame, arms crossed over his shoulders. “I don’t think D.C. is an option. The memories that’ll bring back up aren’t what you need to focus on.”

               That’s not what Mike was hoping to hear, but he’s not surprised either. As if the FBI would allow one of their agents to go back out into the field without their memory intact. That’s not even including the injuries he suffered as a result of the near fatal car crash. His preference would be to stay behind in Florida, but apparently that’s not even available as an option. TJ is right. Returning to DC probably wouldn’t be the best decision for him to make.

              “So it’s either go into FBI custody for protection or go back to New York.” That is what TJ is telling him, right? With his hospital gown on, he slowly makes his way from the bathroom back over to the hospital bed where he sits down. Still needing to brush his teeth, but he can do that later when he’s not having a conversation with TJ. “I haven’t seen my mother since I was put into Graceland.” It’s been a while. He’s not even going to bring up his father. In all honesty? He wouldn’t mind too much if he didn’t hear from him again. If only his grandfather was still around. He could offer up some advice. “You think I should go to New York?”

[agtwarren]

thetjhammond​:

“Asshole.” Is all T.J. manages to say in response to the invitation. It wasn’t a pissed off asshole, more like a factual one. Mike didn’t remember. T.J. couldn’t be mad at him. But T.J. remembered. The break up was recent and the break up was one of the most painful ones in T.J.’s life. Sean’s was bad but Sean’s break up involved a lot of angry shouting and that relationship was never as secure as the one he had with Mike. The Mike break up came out of nowhere and it was so calm and quiet and final. It was the real deal. Being near him and seeing him in the nude would be nothing short of torture, throw in the flirtation and this was T.J.’s own personal hell.

“I’m going to see if I can find your doctor or a nurse to talk to.” and an FBI agent that could tell T.J. what the best course of action would be. Florida didn’t feel like a viable option in Warren’s current state. Mike lived with T.J. in D.C. and given both the status of their relationship and Mike’s health, those weren’t the memories he’d want to regain. They needed a Plan C.

              This is not Mike attempting to come off as rude. He’s not trying to win back TJ either. This is all because, at the end of the day, he has no recollection of their breakup. Apart from TJ breaking the news to him shortly after he came to. In other words, he knows. But he hasn’t had the same amount of time to really come to terms with what happened between them. Then again, he’s not even sure if he wants to be able to relive the memory. Maybe it’s best to leave some memories behind lock and key and only focus on the good.

              “Okay.” Mike isn’t going to ask TJ to stick around his room when he doesn’t necessarily have to. “Thanks again.” He says with a small smile, waiting for TJ to exit the bathroom before he slowly starts getting undressed and moving himself to sit down on the chair underneath the shower head. Turning on the faucet only to be met with cold water immediately. Suppose that’s one way to wake up. But, for the most part, the shower itself goes well. He’s able to wash his hair and his body. Though it takes a little longer than usual. Which is to be expected. After a few minutes, he goes ahead with turning off the water and begins drying himself off.