Hands

Tiny little oneshot, written for this prompt on tumblr: 'Jemma, with her finger, draws some letters on the back of Leo's hand.' by laangol

Jemma sat down next to Fitz, sinking into him and trying to relax. That was easier said than done at the moment, she couldn't remember the last time any of them had time to relax, or indeed the ability to stay calm enough to.

Fitz recognised the look of exhaustion on her face, looking down at her as she rested her head against his shoulder. He placed his head on top of her's, before asking

"It's been a long few days, ey?"

Jemma didn't reply, just smiling sadly as she brought one of Fitz's hands into hers and held it tight, taking in deep breaths to hold back the tears that had been building up as S.H.I.E.L.D. fell apart. She slowly traced an 'S' onto the back of his hand, followed shortly afterwards by a 'H'

"D" Fitz stated. Simmons shook her head, continuing

'I'

"T?"

'E'

"P"

'L'

"R"

'D'

"A?"

Jemma continued to shake her head, making the letters larger and more exaggerated, trying to help him guess correctly, a smile appearing on her face as he repeatedly guessed wrong. Typical Fitz. She quickly wrote 'Leo' on the back of his hand, thinking he might recognise his own name, and chastise her for not calling him Fitz, but his response was simply,

"Cat?"

She burst into laughter for the first time in what felt like months, shaking her head and finally speaking to him.

"You're so terrible at this Fitz!"

He smiled, watching her laugh, glad he'd been able to cheer her up, even if would probably only last for a few fleeting moments. He committed the sight of her happy to memory, hoping he wouldn't have to wait for too long to see it again. Hoping that he would see it again.

The smile eventually fell from her face, but it was replaced by a look of contentment rather than sadness, and Fitz was glad that she hadn't fallen straight back into despair. She took his hand back into hers, and slowly started tracing more letters.

'I L O V'

Fitz breathing slowed down and his body suddenly felt flushed with heat as he tried to stop himself from jumping to conclusions.

'E Y'

Jemma paused, feeling Fitz tense up, and noticing the change in his breathing, her head so close to his chest. She tried not to panic as she looked up at him, a questioning look on her face. He hadn't been able to tell a single letter a moment ago, surely he didn't know now? They both kept eye contact, as she slowly continued,

'O U'

She stayed still for what felt like minutes, staring at his face, trying to read him and figure out if he knew what she'd essentially just admitted. She felt her hand being taken into his, and a question mark slowly being drawn onto the back of her hand. Was he asking if she meant it? She could feel her heartbeat pounding in her chest as she nodded, and he leaned in to press his lips against hers, their hands intertwined as they kissed.

Fitz pulled away from her for a moment, and Jemma was about to be disappointed, when he grabbed her hand again and quickly traced

'I Love You Too'

onto the back of her hand, before bringing her face towards his and kissing her again.