Thanks to Dina for the prompt – it doesn't fit the season at all, but I had to start somewhere^^
This is my first time writing Philinda, I hope it's not a complete catastrophe! XD I'm looking forward to your opinions!
(Also, in case I have more drabble ideas one day, I'll turn this into a collection. Feel free to shoot me some prompts if you want^^)
It's Tradition
Melinda threw a wary look at the worrying amount of Christmas decoration seemingly occupying every bit of free space in the hallways of the base as she walked past them. FitzSimmons had really went too far this year, at least in her opinion; everyone else seemed to genuinely like the decorations shop look. Maybe she should have a word with Phil, to get the two to at least tone it down a little...
Just as the thought wandered through her mind she collided with someone while turning the corner that led to FitzSimmons' lab; luckily she wasn't thrown off balance as she hadn't been walking that fast and also because a strong arm hurried to wrap around her waist, steadying her.
"Sorry, May, didn't see you there."
She would never admit it, but the sound of his calm voice made a pleasant shiver run down her spine; to mask her reaction she pressed her lips together, even though she wasn't annoyed about this. "Coulson."
A small smile made the corners of his eyes crinkle in the way that never failed to appeal to her and Melinda tried to ignore the way her heart skipped a beat. She was an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., not a schoolgirl with a crush, for heaven's sake!
"Oh, May, Coulson! You two are standing under a mistletoe!"
Melinda and Phil both turned their heads at Jemma's fake innocent tone, first looking at the young woman – her smile was so smug and self-satisfied that there was no doubt left who'd hung up the mistletoe – then they looked up at the same time to spot the object dangling above their heads.
"You remember the tradition, right?" Jemma asked and Melinda couldn't keep herself from glaring at her, a move she seemed completely unimpressed by.
"This is ridiculous," Melinda grumbled but didn't move an inch, feeling Phil's gaze on her while hers was still concentrated stubbornly on the mistletoe. To distract herself from her body's nervous reactions she tried to calculate in her head how much energy it would require for her to jump high enough to rip that darn thing off the red velvet band it was tied to.
The sound of Phil clearing his throat awkwardly ripped her out of her daze and their gazes met. Tension was hanging in the air and it felt like they'd been standing in this spot for ages, even though it couldn't have been more than a minute yet.
It wasn't that she was opposed to kissing him – she wasn't, not at all. She simply disliked the circumstances, the witnesses that probably would spread the word eagerly, and what this would mean for their friendship. There would be no turning back...
But then, when had she ever been a coward?
Cocking an eyebrow, she silently asked him for his opinion and when he leaned in a little she struggled to stay calm – they were doing this...
Her eyes fluttered shut as their lips touched, her heart speeding up; the kiss was very short but soft and sweet and somehow left her longing for more.
Upon them parting Melinda cleared her throat and turned around. "Are you happy now, Simmons? I need to go, I have training."
Controlling her pace she walked down the hallway, secretly making plans to steal that mistletoe and pay Phil a visit in his office later – she somehow had the feeling that he wouldn't be opposed to repeating this.
It was tradition, after all.