From Fitz: Guys what do you put? Is it good jeans and t-shirt?
From Ward: I'm sorry to ruin your party Fitz, but it's dress code required. Anyway I will put a suite, because Skye bought me a new one
From Lance: Me too! Bobbi says it's the only way that she has to see me dressed in a decent way.
From Mack: Me too! Come on Turbo, it's not the end of the world
From Tripp: Full elegant man! There are no excuses.
From Fitz: I'm fucked
"I'm just saying that it's a stupid idea" said Leopold Fitz for what seemed like the millionth time, and only in the last hour.
Jemma couldn't help but sigh, knowing how much her boyfriend wouldn't to participate in a similar event. Her high school was one of those private schools that were only order and discipline and that did not allow any form of entertainment, let alone school proms. She had grown up seeing her neighbors get excited, get around to try hairstyles, makeup and clothes, while she hadn't even had the chance.
"Oh Fitz" said Jemma from the bathroom.
"We're too old for school proms" said Fitz "'I'll look stupid. And I don't wanna see how Ward, Mack, Tripp or Lance will be wonderful in their suits, while I am nothing short of ridiculous "
It was so since the times of the Academy. When Jemma finally had the opportunity to participate in a dance, she met a person like Fitz, completely allergic to any type of social event.
"I'm sorry Jemma, but I have to feed the robot" was certainly her favorite excuse.
They had suffered a major setback a few months earlier. They had been separated for far too long, and when Jemma was back things weren't certainly improved. Leo blamed her for leaving him alone in times of need and Jemma seriously believed that she had done the right thing.
She thought She's lost him forever.
But Mack was the one who tryied to fix everything.
"You need to face your damn problems" he had told "Don't force me to lock yourself in a closet."
He was right. Things had improved since then, and Jemma had realized that Leo was much more than just a friend.
But now, Fitz was in a complete crisis.
For all the years of Academy, she had tried in every way to convince him, with poor results.
The reason was very simple.
He did nothing but tell her that with an elegant clothes he was nothing short of ridiculous, that he looked like a waiter and that nothing could keep up with that cut well, plus he could no longer tie a damn tie after the Mad Pod and while still in Scotland, every single girl who he was trying to invite refused him, leaving him always alone.
Nothing was worth the effort to make him understand that she wasn't like the others.
"Tell me why I can't come up with my usual jeans" a frustrated Fitz asked, still trying to tie the knot.
"Because it's required dress code" said Jemma patient.
"I hate these damn school proms"
"First, this is not a school prom, but a gala" said Jemma "And second, what the bloddy hell is the problem?"
"I always feel under observation as a stupid rag doll. I will make something wrong and I'll ruin the evening at all. "
"Oh Leo" said Jemma "Nothing will happen. You are a sweet and charming man, you have nothing to envy to our friends "
"If you say so,ì" said Leo.
"How's the suit?" Asked Jemma.
"Ridiculous, as always" said Fitz "Plus I can't tie the knot"
"If you give me five more minutes, I'll help you"
"I don't want to come Jemma"
"And you want to send me alone?" Asked Jemma angry "Can you stop acting like a child? You'll be fine. I have always dreamed of participating in such an event, put a dress on and do a slow dance with my knight. Can you make this effort for me? "
"If you ask me like that" Fitz said, smiling, "I think I can make this effort. But why are you taking so long? "
Jemma left the bathroom, and Leo thought that it was worth the wait every single minute. Simmons was wearing a simple black dress with long lace sleeves, long just below the knees.
Her short brown hair framed her face perfectly, pulled back by a golden hairband.
"Hey Leo" Jemma said, with a shy smile, "Is everything all right?"
Leo was speechless.
"Yes, i'm ok" Leo said, breathless.
"Let me see" said Jemma approaching him, "That's it"
"You-You look beautiful," said Leo.
"Oh, thank Leo" said Jemma blushing "C'mon, let's go"
And taking her hand, Leo thought that for once he could even make this effort.
He would have done it for Jemma.
A/N: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME ! I'm 23! Apparently I haven't lost the habit of getting old, but I'm working on it. Removed this service note, Someone pointed out that in fact in England there are school proms! Sorry for the distraction, I hadn't checked.