Lying side-by-side on the smooth but freezing floor, Jemma snuggled against Fitz's shoulder. They'd been in tricky places before but this was bad. By her calculations, they'd been in the water for almost twelve hours without even one sign of rescue.
So they huddled together, helpless as the oxygen was replaced by its more poisonous cousin. She didn't let herself think about how much worse it would be a few hours from now.
Neither of them had said anything for more than hour - they'd agreed not to speak unless necessary. There really wasn't anything more to say, except: Stupid Ward. Why not just shoot them like the evil, psychopathic killer that he was?
Jemma choked back a sob and moved closer to Fitz's side. At least they were beside each other, like always.
In the darkness, Fitz's chin found the top of her head so she felt the burr of his voice in her hair, "Jemma, if we die in here, there's something I have to -"
"We won't die, Fitz." she said, giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
"I love you." he said quickly.
She raised her head sharply, "What?"
"Yeah, I mean, no! You know what I mean. You're my best friend."
"Fitz…" In the dark, her eyes found his and there it was. The truth, treading water, patient and steady. "You mean it, don't you?"
He paused, biting his lip, then, slowly, he nodded.
She said nothing for a few seconds before she leaned over and kissed him with everything she had left. "Me too." she whispered, eyes stinging.
Against her mouth, he said, "Say it."
"I just did."
His thumbs brushed away her tears, "No. You said 'me too'. I need the words, Jem, and don't whisper." and began to kiss her again.
Her smile lit up the tiny space. "I love you, have for ages, you daft man. Happy?"
His only response to that was to pull her over him so she felt the wild beats of his heart mirroring hers. She decided then and there to spend the last hours of her life kissing Fitz, and, for once, he seemed to agree with her plans.
There were far worse ways to go.
Thanks for reading! It has been so long since I felt inspired to write but that last aos ep has me SO jazzed for the finale. We'd better get a proper Fitzsimmons moment inside the box or Deathlok has nothing on me. Connect with me on Tumblr: