554 words of the FitzSimmons family before the baby comes.

Prompt:
"You need to get over it."
"I don't get over things. I keep my grudges bottled up until they explode."
(from promptdumpster on tumblr)

Written for my Summer Prompt Challenge 2019 on Ao3.

Grudges

Jemma waited in the hallway, back against the wall beside the door. She'd heard the argument all the way in her bedroom and come to investigate. It was difficult to refrain from rolling her eyes.

"I'm not listening to some…some thief!" Fitz shot out. Jemma imagined Deke didn't refrain from rolling his eyes at all.

"Fine! Take the antiquated approach, see if I care!" Deke shouted with exasperation. Jemma turned the corner into the doorway to see him throwing his hands up in a familiar gesture.

Deke shrunk back, a blush on his face, when he saw Jemma. He stuttered out what was probably an apology before fleeing the room.

Jemma turned to Fitz with a raised eyebrow, "Leopold…"

"What?" Fitz had his hands on his hips, "He started it!"

"Oh, really?" Jemma stepped further into the room, "Because he's been trying to be especially helpful since we told him I was pregnant." Jemma rested a hand on her swollen stomach. "Very helpful."

Fitz started fidgeting with his tools, "He's just so frustrating."

"He's trying to impress you, Fitz," Jemma sighed. She grasped his shoulder, forced eye contact, "And he's incredibly smart. We had schools and libraries and time to learn - he's only had those for the last year."

With a grumble of ascent, Fitz went off to apologize. Jemma took a seat to wait for the two to return. She rubbed her hand up and down her stomach, "Your father. Your son."

"You really think it's her?" Jemma jumped in her seat and Deke's immediately started fretting. "Sorry!"

Jemma took his hand, "I'm fine Deke." She smiled at him and his pinched expression relaxed, "Now, what do you mean?"

"Her," Deke pointed at her abdomen, "Do you really think it's my mom?" Jemma watched his eyes flicker around the room, not looking at her or her stomach.

"A different version of her perhaps," Jemma shrugged her shoulders. "Is she coming around the same time?" Deke nodded. "Just better circumstances then."

Deke nodded, pocketed his hands as he shuffled his feet.

"There you are!" Fitz returned with a scowl on his face, "How did you get back in here without passing me?"

Deke's grinned, "I know all the bolt holes." Fitz rolled his eyes and gestured over at Deke as he looked at Jemma.

"Very resourceful," Jemma lowered her brow and Fitz straightened.

"Yes…I suppose." Fitz cleared his throat. Deke raised a brow at him. "For a thief."

Deke rolled his eyes, hands coming up to gesture, "You really need to get over that."

"Never." Fitz crossed his arms, chin rising in the air. "I never get over things. I keep my grudges bottled up until they explode."

Two sets of eyes rolled this time.

Fitz returned to his workbench, "Now get over here and explain your approach." Deke blinked. Fitz started snapping his fingers, "This century please"

"I'll leave you boys to your projects." Jemma waddled from the room as Deke explained his idea for how to improve the engines for the space ship some billionaire had commissioned them to build.

She glanced back. The two stood in mirror image of one another - hands on hips, heads tilted, back bowed. By the time she reached her bedroom their voices had already raised. Oh well. She napped better when they argued anyway.

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