Four days went by uneventfully; Jemma and Fitz went to college every day as normal, attended all their classes, ate with their friends at lunch and even did all the "couple" things – holding hands as they walked to class, impromptu make out sessions in empty storage cupboards during breaks and everything else.
Fitz had settled into living at Mack's house very easily; he knew the whole family so well it was hardly a surprise. He'd also visited Clara every day for an hour or two and was glad to see she was already settled into the daily going on at the home and had only woken up not knowing where she was on one occasion.
Everything was going fantastically well (the pair had even told their friends they were officially together – they all got rather excitable), but Jemma was having selfish thoughts and feeling guilty about them. Didn't Fitz promise they'd go on their first proper date after everything was sorted and settled?
She felt bad to be thinking it; she didn't expect them to go on their first date instantly, maybe after two or three days – but four? Maybe he just wasn't in the mood yet; she'd understand that.
Maybe she should organise a date? Would that come across as pushy and impatient? She wouldn't want to force a first date upon him if he simply wasn't ready. No, she could wait. She knew it'd be worth it when the time came.
…
That afternoon, Jemma returned home feeling a bit down. When Fitz rushed out of class upon being dismissed without even saying goodbye, she assumed he was rushing to go and see Clara or there had been an emergency. However, when she text Mack he confirmed that Fitz was watching TV with him. Had she done something to upset him?
Then her phone buzzed and she excitedly checked her inbox upon receiving a text, but it wasn't Fitz. It was Skye.
Bobbi and I are going bowling tonight if you wanna come? Around 6.30? It's been ages since we all hung out xxx
Jemma didn't have any plans, and Fitz hadn't replied to any of her texts, so she thought she may as well have some fun if the opportunity arose. She sent her reply rather quickly.
Sounds great xxx
After a few moments, Skye sent her a reply of her own.
Great! Be sure to dress up; Bobbi found out Lance checks her Instagram all the time and wants to make him jealous so we all have to look our best for her mini photoshoot :L xxx
Jemma chuckled and rolled her eyes. Typical Bobbi.
Skye was right; it had been a while since she'd properly gone out, so she was going all out this time. Her favourite green dress, intricate make-up – the works.
Suddenly excited, she hurried upstairs to get ready; she only had a few hours, after all.
…
At 6.25pm, Jemma's dad dropped her off at the bowling alley, part of a huge complex of shops and establishments, and she felt like she'd never looked better. She'd meticulously applied her make-up and there was something about her favourite green dress that seemed to bring her to life in a way nothing else could.
There was no sign of Skye or Bobbi inside or outside, so Jemma decided to wait for them by the entrance; it wasn't wet or windy so her hair and make-up were safe for now.
She smiled as it turned to 6.30pm; she couldn't remember either of them ever being on time to one of their hang out sessions.
"You look stunning."
Jemma turned to her left after hearing the distinctive Scottish accent of her boyfriend, and saw Fitz stood there with a smile, dressed up a in very smart shirt and trousers with a few red roses in his hand.
"Surprise!" He added with glee. Jemma's face lit up with a grin.
"What are you doing here?" Jemma asked, shocked but delighted.
"I was wondering if you would do me the honour of accompanying me on our first date." Fitz said happily.
"Wait, but I-"
"-You really bought it? Get all dressed up to go bowling?" Fitz teased cheekily. Jemma chuckled.
"And Skye doesn't dress up for anything. I should've known. I hate you." She smiled.
"I don't. I just like you. Very much so. Sorry I avoided you today; I was trying to make sure you'd agree to go out with Skye and Bobbi. It was surprisingly awful. I know we've both been waiting a while to do this and I wanted to surprise you." Fitz explained.
"I guess you are forgiven. Might those lovely flowers be for me?" Jemma asked, gesturing towards the roses Fitz was holding.
"Oh, no. They bring out the colour of my shirt." Fitz teased. Jemma walked up to him and laughed.
"Shut up." She smiled before pulling him close for a long, passionate kiss. They broke apart and Jemma took the roses.
"They're beautiful. Thank you."
"You're welcome. I did have a lot more but there was a gust of wind on the way here and I dropped a load of them into a puddle." Fitz explained shyly and Jemma giggled.
"You're adorable. So what's the plan?" Jemma asked.
"Well, not bowling. Another clever trick by yours truly." Fitz grinned.
"You're a genius." Jemma smiled.
"I am. I thought we could try that new restaurant at the end of this block?"
"I'd love too, but isn't that so busy it's reservation only?" Jemma wondered.
"Which is why I booked it two weeks ago." Fitz smiled. Jemma smiled and kissed him again.
"What did I do to deserve you, Leo Fitz?"
"Something terrible, I imagine." Fitz grinned and Jemma laughed. Fitz offered her his hand, which she very gladly held before the two walked down the street towards the restaurant.
…
Jemma and Fitz were blown away by the restaurant; it was gorgeous, the atmosphere and music all blended perfectly to create quite a magical experience. They'd already had superb starters and were waiting for their main meals to arrive.
"How's Clara doing?" Jemma asked.
"Really good, actually. She seemed even happier today. She really loves it there. I think it helps her that she gets company 24 hours a day." Fitz explained.
"That's great. I'll have to come with you for a visit soon." Jemma smiled.
"Only if you want; you really don't have to." Fitz said.
"I do want to. Your mum's lovely." Jemma said, taking Fitz's hands from across the table. The two took a moment smiling at each other and taking each other in.
"Have I told you how beautiful you look?" Fitz asked.
"Seven times since we walked into the restaurant." Jemma grinned.
"Well, that won't do. That's nowhere near enough." Fitz said and Jemma blushed. A year ago the thought of Leo Fitz making her blush sounded like something out of a dream. Well, a nightmare.
"Well, you look very handsome yourself, as always." Jemma smiled.
"Even when we were at each other's throats?" Fitz wondered.
"I think so; it was just the words that came out of your mouth that were off putting." Jemma teased.
"Fair enough." Fitz chuckled.
"How's life at Mack's?" Jemma asked.
"Great; I love it there, they're all so welcoming. Mack's mum is a great cook." Fitz explained.
"Oh, that reminds me! Mum wants to have you over for dinner one evening again since we're officially a couple now." Jemma said.
"Oh no, they're not gonna grill me are they?" Fitz asked nervously.
"Yes, ten minutes on each side until you're lightly charred." Jemma teased.
"Funny. You know what I mean; what my prospects are and my plans for the future and all that?"
"I doubt it. If they do I'll stop them, I promise. They both love you anyway." Jemma said.
"Glad to hear it. A seal of approval from the Simmons family is all I've ever dreamed of." Fitz grinned. Jemma smiled back at the idiot in front of her. Her beautiful idiot.
"You're a nerd." Jemma teased with a laugh.
"You're one to talk." Fitz teased in retaliation.
Jemma took a moment to stare at her boyfriend and truly appreciate everything she had.
"This has been incredible so far. Thank you." Jemma said happily.
"Only the best for my minor inconvenience." Fitz smiled.
"You know I'm happy to do anything as long as you're there." Jemma said.
"I know you are. It's one of the reasons I love you so much." Fitz remarked. Jemma stared directly into Fitz's face, a look of shock on her face.
Fitz looked back at her in confusion, wondering if she was feeling alright. What's with that face? Did he say something?
"Only the best for my minor inconvenience"…"as long as you're there"…"one of the reasons I love you so much"…
…Oh. Crap.
Fitz's face filled with realisation over what he'd said.
"Oh. Haven't said that before, have I?" Fitz said, embarrassed and wanting the ground to swallow him up. Jemma just shook her head, her expression of shock morphing into a n ecstatic smile.
"…I didn't know you…I mean…I wasn't sure if you…" Jemma mumbled.
"…Well…I do." Fitz said.
"You do?" Jemma asked, her smile growing wider.
"After everything you've done for me over the past few months…how could I not?" Fitz asked. Jemma giggled like a schoolgirl as Fitz leaned forward and took her hands again.
"I love you, Jemma."
Jemma soaked in the words, wanting to remember absolutely everything about this moment.
"I love you too." Jemma eventually said, making Fitz look happier than she'd ever seen him.
"…Wow." Fitz said.
"I know. Never thought I'd look at you and feel that." Jemma smiled.
"Life is weird." Fitz laughed. Jemma laughed with him.
…
The rest of the date went incredibly well; the food was divine and the pair walked all the back to Jemma's, hand-in-hand and officially, properly in love. Life really was weird, but in the most amazing way.
It was pretty late at this point, but Fitz had text Mack to say he'd be back late and there was no need to wait up for him. Jemma opened the front door and the two headed straight up to Jemma's room, falling onto Jemma's bed and making out the second they landed.
After a few glorious minutes, Jemma had come to a decision that her whole life had been preparing her to make. She was with this incredible boy and in love with him; there was never going to be a better time. She stopped kissing Fitz and sat up, growing nervous.
"You okay?" Fitz asked, shuffling next to her as they sat on the end of the bed together.
"Mum and dad are away. Dad's got a business conference thing." Jemma said softly.
"…Okay…" Fitz said, unable to see where Jemma was going with this.
"Maybe you could, I mean we could…"
"Jem?"
"…Maybe you could…stay over…tonight." Jemma eventually said, somewhat awkwardly. She looked at Fitz as he caught on to her meaning.
"Oh. Right."
"…Unless you don't want to." Jemma said, looking away.
"No, no, I…I want to. Believe me. I just…I wouldn't want you to think you have to, or are obligated to-"
"-Leo." Jemma said, stopping Fitz in his tracks and taking his hand.
"I…I want you to stay. I would like that a lot."
"…A-Are you sure? I mean, the food isn't disagreeing with you or anything is it?" Fitz asked, making Jemma chuckle. She loved how comfortable he could make her.
"I'm as clearheaded now as I've ever been." Jemma smiled.
"…Okay. I'll, uh, I'll stay." Fitz said.
"…Great." Jemma said.
"I'll just text Mack."
"Okay."
After sending Mack a quick text saying he wouldn't be back until the morning, Fitz shuffled a bit closer to Jemma and the two shared an awkward smile.
"Right then, I, um…" Fitz began.
"…Yeah."
After a pause, Fitz leaned in and kissed Jemma passionately. She reciprocated instantly, smiling into the kiss. Soon enough they were comfortable and shuffled further back on the bed, Jemma's head now resting on a pillow as the kiss continued. Eventually they broke apart and Jemma stared up at the boy smiling at her. Fitz rolled off of Jemma and got settled lying next to her on the bed.
"…Leo, I…I've never actually…you know…" Jemma said, embarrassed.
"Neither have I." Fitz revealed. Jemma smiled at him.
"Really?"
"Really."
"…I'm not really sure what to expect." Jemma admitted. Fitz sat up and gently moved a strand of Jemma's hair behind her ear.
"We can find out together." Fitz smiled. Jemma nodded with a grin, pulling Fitz close and kissing him again.
"I love you." She whispered.
"I love you too." Fitz replied softly, his lips moving down Jemma's neck. Jemma intricately undid the top button of Fitz's shirt, and suddenly knew just what to say.
"Leo?"
"Yeah?"
"I hate you."
"Hate you too." Fitz smiled, kissing Jemma as gently as he could.
In that moment, both of their nerves faded; they were together, and that was all that mattered.
Fitz unbuttoned the rest of his shirt as Jemma turned off the light, smiling softly as she did it.