This is the final chapter of this fic - thanks for reading! If you liked my writing, please check out my new fic "The Hole in his Armour" or my ongoing fic "Just the Girl." I really enjoyed all our support and comments, and I hope you enjoyed reading this one =).
It had been a couple weeks now since the whole Mike fiasco, and Simmons felt like she was finally able to be herself and escape from the gloominess that had been hanging over her since their break-up. And if she was being honest with herself, most of the reason she was feeling so good was because of Fitz. Throughout the entire situation, he had been so great and supportive - spending extra time with her, making her laugh, helping her see that nothing was her fault…
Leaning back against the bench, she closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of her hair moving with the light breeze. It wasn't really that warm out, but she couldn't resist the chance to be outside even if she had to wear a light jacket overtop of her sweater.
"Jemma!"
At the sound of the familiar voice, Simmons looked over to see Fitz approaching, his hands full of textbooks and a big grin on his face. She loved that smile - it lit up his whole face. "Hey, Fitz," she greeted him, moving her bag so that he could sit next to her.
"Brought you your favourite - frozen yogurt. I know you can't resist…" Pulling two tightly covered containers out of his backpack, he waved one in front of her face enticingly.
Laughing, Simmons took it. "Thank you. I'm famished!"
Waving it off, Fitz took a large bite of his vanilla fro-yo. Eventually, he commented, "Jemma, can I tell you something?"
"Of course, Fitz," she smiled at him, curious as to why he sounded nervous.
"Well," he jammed his spoon into his yogurt and stared at the ground. "It's just...I think I...I think that maybe I might…" He cleared his throat. "I might be falling for you. Maybe."
"What?" Simmons immediately asked, shocked and confused. "What? You…you what?"
"What? Nothing." Looking immediately uncomfortable, Fitz leaned away and shoved a huge bite of yogurt into his mouth. "Nevermind. Forget I said anything."
"No, Fitz, I'm sorry. It's just that I'm confused." Simmons said the first thing that came to mind. "Really confused. I need some time…"
"Of course." Standing up, Fitz grabbed his backpack. "Got to go - class in half an hour." With that, he walked away.
What just happened? Simmons thought to herself as she watched him walk away. How could he possibly be in love with me? We've always been friends. Best friends, but just friends… However, no matter how much she attempted to justify it, she couldn't help feeling a little bit of doubt.
Standing, she picked up her things and noticed a piece of paper on the bench where Fitz had been sitting - he must have dropped it. Environmentally conscious as ever, Simmons reached for it. It may be wrong, but she couldn't help but read it before she threw it away. It was in Fitz's handwriting, and read:
Jemma, I don't really know how to say this. And I don't know if I'll have the courage to even try, but...
We've been friends for a long time, Jemma. But sometimes, you know friendship can turn into something more…
Remember that day in the lab? The day with the blue samples when I tried to tell you something? Well, here it is...
Jemma, you are my best friend. I love everything about you - your smile, your laugh, your wit. Everything. You make me laugh when you laugh, and you make me want to comfort you when you cry. You make me want to be a better person so I can deserve you.
Feeling tears come to her eyes, Simmons put a hand over her mouth. Fitz, she though, stunned. I never even knew. Never even thought.
…
The door slammed behind him with a loud bang as he stormed into his apartment after class. You're an idiot, Leo. You have no right to call yourself a genius. He flopped down on the couch and stared up into the flickering overhead light. You ruined everything - you've lost Jemma. Closing his eyes, he wished that he were anyone else. Anyone other than Leo Fitz who didn't have a romantic bone in his body and had just blurted out that he loved his best friend instead of taking that time to do something romantic. You're an idiot. He stayed there watching the light flicker, his long legs hanging over the edge of the couch, until he fell asleep.
A loud knock on the door woke Fitz from his restless nap. "Go away," he muttered sullenly, not up to dealing with company.
"It's Jemma. Open up!" The voice yelled from the other side of the door.
Instantly wide awake, Fitz rushed to the door and yanked it open, revealing Simmons. Her hair was slightly frizzy and her clothes were wet. "It's raining."
His obvious and slightly inane comment made her laugh slightly. "Fitz, I've been stupid."
Stepping out into the drizzling rain and conveniently closer to Simmons, Fitz shut the door gently behind him. "I doubt it. I'm the one who's been stupid."
She shook her head and held up a damp piece of paper. "Is this what I think it is?"
It only took a second for Fitz to identify the scrap piece of paper that contained all his discarded practice speeches for telling her how he felt. "You weren't supposed to see that." Sticking his hands in his pockets, he fixed his gaze on the ground, again bemoaning his lack of romanticism.
"So it is." He felt her step closer to him. "Leo Fitz. I never knew what a romantic you are. And I certainly have been blind for a very very long time."
His breath caught. Was she saying what he thought she was? Looking into her beautiful eyes, he swallowed and whispered, "I keep wishing that I was more romantic so that you would notice me like that."
She smiled slightly. "You are, though. This note, all those times you held me when I cried, those were romantic. And I can finally see that."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Not wasting a second more, Fitz put his arms around her waist and pulled her closer, then kissed her the way that he had wanted to for so long. It was passionate and tender, even better than the way Fitz had always imagined it. Finally pulling away, Fitz muttered quietly into her ear, "Jemma Simmons, I love you."
His heart fluttered as she murmured, "I'm sorry that it took me so long to realize it, but I love you too, Leo Fitz."
Please review, and thanks for reading!
~Caitlin
