So I first thought that this would be the easy bit to write - I was completely wrong. I'm a little unsure about what should happen as I do understand the concerns with getting together with your best friend.
I thank you all for reading and if you have any comments to make or have some ideas on where you would like this story to go (constructive criticism is always welcome!) please write a review!:) Thanks!
Jemma was waiting outside the Italian, there was a slight chill in the air but nothing unsual for the time of year. Both of them had decided they would walk down, and to avoid awkward encounters she had decided to leave earlier to avoid any awkward encounters. She chewed on her bottom lip as she saw him approached, her heart felt like it skipped a beat while her brain started to over analyse this entire situation.
"Were you waiting here long? Sorry I tried to get here on time" Leo stammered
"Fitz it's fine, I was early..I didn't want to-"
"Avoid having to walk down together?"
Jemma smiled "Not in the sense that I was avoiding you, just that we wanted this to be a date and walking down together would have just been like two friends going for a drink or something"
"How smart of you Simmons" Leo grinned. "Shall we go in?"
The Italian Leo has chosen was perfect, Jemma had to give it to him – when it came to food he certainly knew the best places. The interior was grey and white, a very modern feel to it. Their surroundings were lit by what felt like a thousand candles, her mind started to wonder about all the health and safety regulations they must have in place and her eyes quickly glanced around and made notes of the necessary emergency exits. They were seated and both offered menus, after 3 minutes of silently debating whether to go for King Prawn Pomodoro or the classic spaghetti carbonara, Leo broke the silence.
"You're going to go for spaghetti carbonara." He chuckled
Jemma looked up and arched her eyebrow "What makes you so sure?"
"Well, I know that look, you're thinking do I go for something new or something classic, and eventually you'll over think it so much that you'll go for what you're comfortable with
Jemma laughed "says you! I'd like you to try something different once in a blue moon"
"Yeah well what if I don't like it? I'll be hungry and grumpy." he stated, a small smile swept across his lips.
"That's true, I don't think I can handle your grumpy mood tonight Fitz" She teased
"That, Simmons, is something you don't have to worry about, being here with you automatically makes me the happiest person alive"
Jemma smiled softly, reaching over and giving his hand a small squeeze "Oh Fitz..." Looking up she realised the waitress had returned to take their order, quickly retrieving her hand from him, she ordered her spaghetti carbonara and a glass of red wine. She grinned as Leo ordered the same, with a beer instead. There was a comfortable silence as they both locked eyes and smiled. Leo once again, broke the silence.
"So...About us"
Jemma was slightly surprised he going for it straight away. At least let her have a glass of wine, calm her nerves
"Yes, I suppose we should start as we mean to go on" She smiled softly "Do you want to start?"
"Okay..." Fitz took a deep breath "Apart from my mother, you're the person I care the most about, we've been best friends for so long, it seems stupid that we already haven't had this conversation."
"I would be lying If I said I've not thought about it too" She whispered, "The first year we met, you were every thing I would look for in a companion, and you are my companion..."
Leo looked to her, raising his eye brows "But..."
Jemma sighed "I don't know what to do Fitz, you're my best friend in the world, that's not to say I don't have feelings for you, It means that if we'd break up I'd lose my boyfriend and my best friend, I don't think I could forgive myself."
"Who's says We're going to break up?"
"Oh come on, we're scientists our brains are programmed to look at a number of possibilities"
"So then why don't you talk about the where the one where everything's great? Where We're married with kids and a monkey?! Why do you a have to look at the worst case scenario?" He declared
"actually the worst case scenario I imagin-"
"Don't Jemma."
She fell silent, how could he not see that her concerns were perfectly rational? Did he not have the same fears?
"You're always too scared Jemma, always looking for a reason something won't work, why?"
"Fitz I..." She closed her eyes tightly, she couldn't fathom the words. "I don't know what to say, I don't know what I can say to make you understand my fears..."
Leo sighed heavily, staring out the the window at the busy streets.
"Surviving has really come back to kick me in the face" his attempt at a joke was replied with a look of horror and hurt. "it was a joke"
"No. No don't say such things!" her voice got louder, the eyes of other diners glanced over them. "I saved your life"
"Yeah well I didn't ask you to" He mumbled,
Jemma winced as if she'd just had a vital organ ripped out of her. "Well, if that's how you feel then clearly this was a mistake" She spat, getting some money out of her purse she stood up and chucked the money on the table "Good night Leo" she whispered before storming out.