Chapter Three: The Burning Season
Author's Notes:
Less actual smut in this one and more talking. I thought I would take this chapter in a different direction
Setting and inspiration: Inspired by the scene in Season 3, episode 17 where FitzSimmons are sitting together on the sofa talking about outer space. However, this scene takes place a little while later, after they have officially become a couple. Also, the documentary they are watching was inspired by a remark in a conversation between Fitz and Hunter in "Parting Shot" (Season 3, episode 13).
Leopold Fitz is content. Sitting on the sofa this evening – after a rare day without explosions, injuries, or general chaos – he is snuggled against Jemma on the sofa. The documentary plays in the background. Simmons is soft, she smells of some delightful combination of flowers and vanilla, and she looks calm and relaxed. Their shoes are on the floor, their empty drink bottles on the side tables. Most amazingly, their relationship has evolved during the past few weeks to a place beyond Fitz's wildest dreams. Once Jemma decides to commit, as Fitz can clearly see, she really decides to commit. His heart pulses just thinking about it. After so much time loving her from afar, longing for her from afar, Fitz now has Jemma here in his arms.
He glances at her. Her gaze is on the documentary, but she has kept in physical contact with him almost since they sat down. Fitz hears a noise in the background and soon feels a change in the temperature of the room; the controls here have never been ideal and it's often too cold. Fitz feels that now, as too much cold air is being pumped into the room.
"Ooooh chilly," Jemma breathes, noticing the same thing. She presses herself even more tightly against him. She is nearly sitting on his lap, and Fitz can feel almost every part of her backside nuzzled against him. His body starts to react to all of this contact, which causes him to panic a bit. Jemma is watching a documentary, not trying to initiate lovemaking. Yet it's hard for Fitz, once he starts to pass a certain point, to just let it go.
"I'm gonna get up to get another beer. Do you want one?" Fitz asks.
Jemma gently wriggles off of him so Fitz can stand. "No, thank you," she answers as Fitz gets to his feet. "But Fitz…you usually stop after two and you've already had two?" Her words are between an observation and a question; she tilts her head as she speaks them.
"Oh, yeah, well….just something different this time I guess."
Fitz isn't hard to read, at least not for Jemma. There is the slightest flush in his cheeks, and his eyes almost meet hers but not quite.
She takes the remote control and pauses the documentary. "Is something wrong?" Jemma asks. "Maybe I was crowding you too much on the sofa. Was I sitting on you funny?" Upon seeing him shake his head, she begins again, "You know, sometimes I feel that perhaps you don't like it so much when we're watching a documentary and I start to cuddle with you."
"No, no, it's not that! It's just…." Fitz returns to Jemma's side on the sofa. He has analyzed the last few seconds and can determine that Jemma will not be satisfied until she gets an explanation. He reminds himself of Mack's words too – women like it when you open up and share what's going on inside your head. Even if it's something you might find embarrassing.
Fitz begins again, this time keeping his gaze towards the television. "I guess at times I can be a stereotypical male," he forces a smile. "I so easily get aroused, and when that happens….well, when it happens it can be hard for me to just let it go. And not take it to its natural conclusion."
"Ah ha," Jemma says, a sincere smile on her face. "I'm so glad I have my explanation!" She reaches for his hand and holds it. "It's simple human biology. You're supposed to experience things like arousal and orgasm. Nothing to feel awkward about." Her smile turns into more of a grin. "In fact, I can help with that you know. I think that would be fun. You know I have talented hands." Jemma's free hand begins to roam across his chest.
"Well, it kind of is awkward," he insists. "I mean, what if you want to actually watch the movie and not just….not just – you know. You're the woman I love, not an object who's here to get me off because I'm horny all the time." He takes a breath. "Well, not all the time but fairly often."
"Wow, you really are embarrassed," Jemma observes, her tone belying her surprise. "It's normal to get aroused when your girlfriend starts touching you. And normal to want it to 'reach its natural' conclusion', as you put it. I mean I feel the same way when I get to a certain point too." She gently touches her fingers to his chin and turns his face towards her, since he seems to be preferring to avoid her eyes during this conversation.
"I have an idea," she begins again. "A proposal, if you will."
"Oh, that look in your eyes," Fitz smiles and shakes his head. "You have a mission."
Jemma continues right on. "I propose a new protocol for when are sitting together and watching the telly. If we feel like cuddling, we cuddle. If you get aroused and it's gotten to the point where you don't want to just ride it out, you let me know and I can do whatever you like to finish you off. With the caveat," she says, holding up a finger, "that if I'm just not in the mood, then I will let you know and we will both be fine with that. But assuming that is not the case, then I will take care of you. And I will let you know if I feel the need for reciprocation or if I'm content as is. Is that agreeable to you, Dr. Fitz?"
"I am so turned on when you're all assertive like that," Fitz answers. His eyes are wide and they both laugh at his words, even though they also both know he means them. "But yes, Dr. Simmons, I believe that is agreeable to me."
"Good."
They begin the documentary again, and Jemma wastes no time. "So, may I put my hands down your trousers?"
"Would you?" Fitz manages, because the arousal he felt when she was pressed against him has never gone away. Not to mention that the way she took control of the situation just now ushered in a fresh wave of excitement. He unzips the trousers.
"With pleasure."
They settle into this. The documentary continues to run in the background. Jemma likes stroking him, and more than that likes seeing how happy this makes him. She can see that his face is still flushed, and whether that's from arousal or chagrin – or a bit of both – she is still uncertain of. But she wants so badly for him to feel pleasure, to get release when he wants to, to just bring him something good. She occasionally kisses his face, or accepts his kisses, but she keeps her focus on what her hands are doing.
"You can grip it a bit tighter," he encourages. She does so, as she moves her hand faster and faster.
"Ooohhh you're getting close, aren't you?" she whispers at one point, enjoying that too. His head is thrown back and he closes his eyes. Her hand keeps pumping and he soon reaches his ecstasy.
A little while later, after cleanup has happened and the couple settles back onto the sofa, Fitz asks Jemma if she wants him to reciprocate, but she answers, "Not right now." Their faces are turned towards the television, the documentary still soldiering on in the background.
"May I ask you something else?" Fitz begins.
Jemma's ears perk up. Just something about his tone, something about the way the words came out. There was a twinge of hesitation and worry; out of the corner of her eye, she can see that his gaze is still squarely on the telly and his eyes are slightly bugged out.
"Of course," she says. She hopes her tone is encouraging, and she mirrors his posture of avoiding eye contact.
Then his words come out quickly. "Do you find everything adequate? In terms of size, I mean?"
She takes just a beat to debate asking him to clarify, but then feels fairly certain that she knows what he means. "`Adequate`?" she echoes. "Oh Fitz, you know I find you extraordinary in every way. I – "
"So I'm not too much on the small side?" he blurts the words out.
"Goodness no!" Jemma insists, and directs her gaze at a certain part of his anatomy. "I think this fellow is absolutely perfect."
She hazards a glance at him and sees him exhale slightly. She then adds, "We've been lovers for a little while now - perhaps I simply don't tell you often enough how good you are." Fitz is looking at her now, and Jemma can clearly read his expression as happiness and relief. She decides that is her clearance to continue, and she does. "I don't know if it's considered appropriate to say this or not, but no one I've slept with has been anywhere near as good as you. You are so good at fulfilling me. And letting me take all the time I need, and not rushing me. You know that, right?"
He nods, "I do," and sounds like he truly understands now. His facial features are more relaxed, more what she would expect to see from someone who has just climaxed.
"I could go on and on, but I suppose I don't want to belabor the point," she adds.
He chuckles, "Well, anytime you want to pay me compliments, I wouldn't mind it too much. There are worse things I could listen to." They share a laugh over his words.
Jemma then says, "I'm glad we discussed all of this."
Fitz's fears assuaged, he is indeed as content as Jemma thinks he is. He would like to hear more about what she said a moment ago, about how no one else she's slept with was as good as he. Maybe someday, Fitz thinks, he will ask her to elaborate. He's known Jemma for over a decade and would know if she were lying. He has to admit that his ego enjoyed her declaration.
The couple then turns their attention back to the documentary, and back to snuggling. Now that Fitz has been satiated, he throws himself into returning Jemma's touches. She guides his hands, at one point, under her T-shirt and towards her breasts. (Her bra had been removed as soon as they'd procured their beers and began the documentary). "Yes," she purrs, encouraging him to continue to cup and fondle her breasts. Her nipples are hard. Their strokes and touches are leisurely and languid, which Jemma especially is enjoying.
"Okay, to hell with this documentary; I need a bit more now," Jemma announces.
"You know, Jemma, there are many qualities of yours that I fell in love with, and this was definitely one of them," Fitz says, a bit in awe as Jemma stands up and removes her trousers and undergarments.
Jemma laughs and shakes her head. "It's so much harder for women; I have to undress at least from the waist-down."
"Well, you can take off more, you know," Fitz encourages.
"Fine!" she replies cheekily. "I will." With that, Jemma discards her T-shirt and stands before him entirely nude now.
Given the amount of time since his climax, the cuddling session afterwards, and Jemma's brazen display of her wants – and her body – Fitz is hard once more. Jemma yanks his trousers down to his ankles and then assembles herself and Fitz into a spooning position. As he enters her from behind, he resumes cupping her breasts and gently tweaking her nipples. Jemma reaches one hand around to stroke her clit. She's told him that she loves his position because of the full body contact and the ease at which she can reach her clit while he is inside of her. The penetration combined with the stimulation is intensely satisfying for her. Fitz is equally enthused about the position, as he nuzzles the back of her neck and her ears while he thrusts. Without even trying to, they reach their climaxes at the same time.
"Well, let's just admit that we missed most of the documentary," Fitz says quite a bit later. "I don't know what to tell Hunter."
Jemma rolls her eyes and says, "Whatever you do, don't bring the subject up. I have a feeling he will determine right away that you didn't watch the second half, he'll determine the reason why, and then he'll want details."
"You're right," he says, and then strokes her hair. "I love you, Jemma."
"I love you too," she answers, pulling him into a kiss.
Final author's note: That's it for now; I've enjoyed writing this. Please leave a comment if you liked reading this. I'm not sure whether or not there will be a chapter four, but I am always open to suggestions.