And here's the final chapter for this story ? It was supposed to be a short epilogue but as I re-read it, I felt like it was too abrupt and I wanted to say more about Fitz's relationship with Jemma but also with Trip! Anyway, thanks a lot to everyone who read this and left comments and favorited this story and I hope you'll enjoy this last chapter!
Being in a romantic relationship with Jemma Simmons was quite possibly -no it was without a doubt- the best thing Fitz ever experienced in his life. No one had ever stimulated him like that on so many levels, intellectually and physically. When they talked about science, or really anything, together, it was so passionate and fascinating that it felt like he never had a real conversation with anyone before. And when they were kissing or making love or even just resting in each other's arms for hours on cold Sunday mornings, it felt like he never knew what being in love felt like before he met her. Even after weeks together, her smile or the touch of her hand on his face still had the power to make his heart beat out of his chest.
During the first weeks of their relationship and despite Jemma's openly affectionate and passionate attitude towards him, Fitz kept feeling like he had to make it up to her for their rocky start. He showered her with small gifts and attentions and was overly generous in all aspects of their relationship. And as much as she seemed to appreciate his enthusiasm and generosity during certain activities, one night at dinner after she's had to tackle him to the couch so she could get up before him to pay for the pizza delivery, she put the movie they'd been watching on pause and sat on the coffee table so she could face him properly.
"Fitz we need to talk" She declared in a tone that brood no argument and he swallowed hard before nodding. That usually wasn't a good thing to hear. "You have to stop acting like you owe me more than I owe you okay?"
"Okay …" He replied, feeling a little relieved but also quite sheepish as the way she talked to him made him feel a bit like he was scolded for being a naughty child.
"I don't want to have to fight you every time I want to pay for dinner and I don't want you to get me flowers or cupcakes or anything else every time we see each other Fitz."
"But I like doing nice things for you, I like making you happy, making you feel … good, it's not like I feel obligated to do it …"
"I know Fitz!" She cut her off with a fond eye roll. "And I love you for it but just stop doing it all the time alright? Because maybe I'd like to have the opportunity to do nice things for you too you know, like inviting you to dinner … and I can't do that if you keep beating to it every time!"
"Oh … I didn't think of that …" He replied, moving to take her hands in his. "I'm sorry it's just … I want you to know that I'm really serious about us and …"
"I know Fitz, the way you hold me so tight at night that sometimes, I can't even move at all, the way you look at me when you think I'm not looking and the way you always make up excuses to delay the moment you'll have to leave my apartment in the morning … those things tell me how much you love me and that you won't ever leave again. I don't need anything else." She finished, cupping his cheek to make him look her in the eyes.
"Alright …" He replied, leaning his face against her hand that was, for once, nicely warm. "But you can't stop me from waking you up with pancakes and kisses!"
"I wouldn't dare trying!" She replied and he gave her a huge grin before moving forward and kissing her softly but with an underlying passion that still left her breathless when they parted. "Although I could do with just the kisses if they're always like this …" She added and he smiled even wider.
"I really do love you" He whispered against her lips.
"And I love you more …"
"Not possible, I definitely love you m…"
He was cut off by her lips over his once more and as she slid across his lap, her arms around his neck, he decided that they could definitely settle this later.
-0-0-0-
If things with Jemma were close to perfection, the same couldn't be said concerning the other relationships in Fitz's life.
Between his busy days at work and the many evenings spent at Jemma's apartment, he barely crossed paths with Trip once a week. And when they did, things were rather awkward. Not that they were hostile towards each other but it was hard to act natural when Fitz had to bite his tongue to stop himself from mentioning Jemma every five seconds. He'd even asked Trip if he could start coming along with him to the gym so they'd have something new to share, but with their conflicting schedules they'd only been able to go twice. And even though Trip apparently enjoyed being able to coach him and Fitz tried his best not to be grumpy about it, it still felt like he had to live two different lives.
Three weeks into their relationship and seeing how bummed out Fitz was about the situation, Jemma had even proposed that the three of them have a talk so that she could also apologize and try to make things easier for Fitz. But when he'd mentioned it to Trip, his answer had been a big no. He'd forgiven Fitz but he wasn't ready to see them together. And so, just like they'd done for the past few weeks, they kept seeing each other at Jemma's apartment or at his place the few times they were absolutely certain Trip wouldn't be there. And he could only hope that things would eventually get better with time.
-0-0-0-
And actually, a week later, they did, on one of the rare nights where Trip had a night shift and Jemma could come to his place. Fitz had had managed to come home early, catch up on his latest science magazines reading and do a bit of cleaning up. The apartment had never been this clean since Fitz moved in and if he wasn't convinced of the gravity of what he had done, he'd be tempted to think his friend was using his guilt to make him do things around the house. Also, having Jemma there was quite a good motivation for making the place look nice, anyway.
Just as he was about to finally settle on the couch to work on his laptop a bit, there was a knock on the door and Fitz wondered who the hell it could be. Jemma just texted him she wouldn't be here for another hour and finally following both Jemma and Trip's advice, he'd adopted healthier eating habits and had started cooking for himself more often instead of having food delivered half the time. And he wasn't the kind of person who had impromptu visits from friends, the few ones he had anyway. So he really couldn't imagine it being anything other than someone knocking on his door by mistake. Still, fighting his instinct to be quiet and act like he wasn't home, he put his laptop on the coffee table and went to answer the door.
"Daisy?" He exclaimed when he saw his friend through the peephole, more to himself than her but she still heard him.
"Open the door you idiot, it's heavy!" She cried out through the door and he did just that. He was apparently physically incapable of not doing as he was told when it was Jemma or Daisy asking. Or even Bobbi for that matter. Probably had something to do with his relationship with his mother. But as Daisy dropped two packs of beer into his arms and walked in to deposit a grocery bag loaded with snacks that looked to be meant for a lot more than two persons, he decided that now was not the time to think about that.
"So Daisy, what do I owe the pleasure of your .. oooowww" He cut himself off when she punched his shoulder hard the moment the beers were safely deposited on the kitchen counter. "Why do you hit me all the time?" He cried out, rubbing his shoulder and realizing that it did actually hurt. "Maybe I should take classes with Bobbi so I could defend myself against you!"
"Well, don't get your hopes up, she might kick your ass harder than I did!" Daisy replied with an annoyed huff.
"What-why-wh … »
"Urgh Fitz come on, we haven't seen you in over a month …" She replied with an exasperated huff but there was also an underlying sadness in her voice.
"I know but I've just been very …"
"And don't tell me you've busy at work, you've always found time to come have a beer on Saturday night even when you were swamped at work … and I know you must be very busy having a lot of nerd sex all the time but …"
"No Daisy that's not it at all it's just …"
"I know Fitz … do you think you can really hide anything from me after all this time?" Daisy cut him off, raising an amused eyebrow as she obviously noticed the deep blush attacking his cheeks at the mention of all the sex he was indeed having with Jemma.
The thing was, although he'd used the excuse of work the three times Daisy'd asked him to come have a drink with everyone else, the real reason he didn't come was mostly shame and guilt. He missed his friends terribly and Trip made it clear that he'd already forgiven him but that didn't mean Fitz still didn't feel as guilty as ever about the whole thing. And he knew Trip had told their friends about the situation and even though he wouldn't have wanted to keep it a secret anyway -he needed to own up to what he did-, he thought it was obvious they would take Trip's side and he wasn't sure he'd be able to deal with their disapproving looks or comments, especially considering that when they'd start catching up on the latest events in their life, Fitz would only have Jemma in mind.
"Listen, you and Jemma obviously fucked up big time -by the way, when I said you should talk to her, I should have added that you should talk to her and then wait until she was single to jump her bones- but anyway …" Daisy trailed off with a disapproving look that soon turned amused when she noticed the way he looked like a child that's been caught red-handed while trying to steal a cookie. "that thing is between you and Trip and if he's willing to forgive you, what would give us the right to judge you?" Daisy finished with a smile that was softer and it made a small one appear at the corner of his lips. "And well … considering how annoyingly smart you are all the time, it's kinda nice to see you acting stupid for once … makes us feel better about ourselves, ordinary humans!" She grinned and he chuckled at the disguised compliment.
"So you're not … mad at me?" He asked, chastising himself for how small and childish his voice sounded.
"Well we're a little bit mad at you for not giving us news for almost a month … but it's nothing that can't be fixed with a little party and a night with your friends!" She grinned back.
"Oh … oh yeah sure I'll have some time next … oh you mean now?"
Fitz's eyes went wide when he thought he finally understood Daisy's meaning which was confirmed by her wide grin.
"Yeah, Bobbi and Hunter should be here soon with more booze and obviously, you're paying for pizza!"
So much for trying to be healthy.
« But hum … Jemma should be here in like an hour or so …" Fitz let out a little shyly, still somehow feeling like it was a dirty secret he shouldn't talk about to anyone.
"Yeah I kinda gathered that from the candles and the nice smell and the fact that this place has never been this tidy unless your mom was visiting!"
"Hey that's …" He cried out before realizing that it was most likely true. "… ok yeah that's probably true …" He admitted sheepishly and Daisy chuckled before giving him an affectionate shoulder bump. "Oh and hum … I'm sorry for you know, disappearing on you guys … I missed you …" He added, leaning into her affectionately and she let out a soft chuckle.
"Awww Fitz. You know you're lucky you're cute!" She said before letting her head fall on his shoulder for a moment before teasingly poking his side. "Missed you Fitzy …" She said with a soft smile before pressing a kiss to his cheek and walking towards the kitchen to put the beers in the fridge.
Shaking his head in amusement, Fitz took out his phone out of his pocket.
"Fine I guess I'll … I better call Jemma to give her a head's up …" Fitz let out, knowing it was no use trying to resist Daisy anyway. And actually, despite being slightly disappointed that he wouldn't have a quiet night in with Jemma cuddling in the couch or … whatever they would have ended up doing, it would be nice getting to spend some time with Daisy and his friends as well. He'd sincerely missed them this past month. He loved Jemma more than anyone he ever loved before but he missed having someone else to talk to, especially about her, he missed having heated and ridiculous conversations with Hunter about football and he missed Bobbi being all big sisterly with him (even though he'd never tell her) and he missed having Daisy showering him with questions about his love life, especially since he finally had one now!
Even though she was a bit nervous about it, Jemma was surprisingly alright with the idea of spending the evening with his friends rather than just the two of them. And once she was there, after the initial moments of shyness and awkwardness where she didn't dare to speak and both of them barely touched each other despite the fact that they had to cram together on a single armchair, things went better than Fitz expected. After a few beers and quite a bit of teasing about their relationship, everyone remembered why they loved Jemma in the first place and decided that they had no reason not to love her now that she was with Fitz, especially since it gave them several occasions to tease him for being so openly and quite adorably in love. (Their words, not his)
-0-0-0-
So just like that, Fitz's life became almost perfect: he had the most perfect girlfriend and he loved her more than he ever thought possible, his friends were part of his life again and he supposed being teased about acting all cutee-lovey-dovey with Jemma (again, Daisy's words, not his) was a small price to pay for having all the people he loved the most, all together in the same room as often as he wanted to. Well almost all of those people. Because Trip still hadn't given any sign that he was ready to see Fitz and Jemma together.
That is until a few weeks later.
Fitz came home that night expecting to find an empty apartment and instead found his friend eating in front of the TV and not looking like he was planning on going out anytime soon considering the sweat pants and ugly old t-shirt he was wearing.
"Hi Trip …" Fitz let out tentatively as he stepped into the room, taking off his jacket and already starting to take his phone out to text Jemma and tell her they'd have to cancel tonight or meet at her place instead.
"Hey!" Trip replied with a smile. "Long day?" He added with a teasing tone, nodding towards his completely mussed curls and longer than usual stubble. Actually those were both Jemma's doing. The stubble because she liked it that way and the mussed hair because she liked his hair longer, which made it even more difficult to tame them on a daily basis, especially since he couldn't stop himself from running his fingers through it every time he got frustrated at work. But he wasn't going to tell him that so he chose to go for the comfortable teasing they'd gone back to in the past few weeks.
"I could ask you the same. I mean that must have been a pretty big bet you lost to have to wear such a ridiculous t-shirt!" Fitz grinned and Trip simply chose to roll his eyes, which made Fitz grin even wider because Trip'd obviously just won the "who looks worse" contest.
"So hum … I thought you were supposed to be working tonight." Fitz let out casually. Or at least what he thought passed as casually. Which apparently wasn't exactly convincing considering the small amused smile tucking at Trip's lips.
"No, they needed me to take an early shift tomorrow morning …"
"Oh alright … cool … cool cool … so anything planned for tonight?"
"Yeah actually I've been meaning to talk to you …"
Oh. Now what? If they were a couple he'd be seriously worried he was about to break up with him. Well, whatever it was, it would probably be better to tell Jemma he couldn't see her after all. Who knew how long this could take? And it would probably be a really bad idea to have her ringing the doorbell during a serious conversation with his friend.
"Oh … oh hum … sure, let me just … I have a quick phone call to make and I'll be …"
"If you wanted to call Jemma, I don't think that'll be necessary …" Trip cut him off with a raised eyebrow like he was defying him to say it wasn't actually Jemma he was about to call.
"Oh no why did you … I mean I don't-I-hum what?" Fitz finished lamely and Trip's small smile bloomed into one those wide smile he wore so often when Fitz acted all awkwardly.
"Fitz, you realize that I do know you've been seing Jemma for the past two months, right? Including at least a few times in our apartment …" He asked and Fitz could only nod a bit dumbly. "Although you did a pretty good job erasing all traces of her passage. at least now I know whose help I'll ask if I ever kill someone and need help making the body disappear!" He added and Fitz rolled his eyes to hide his slight embarrassment.
"So what did you hum … what did you wanna talk about?"
"Well not talk with you as much as tell you something actually." He replied and his light tone should have told Fitz that it was a probably good thing but he was too stressed out to realize it at the moment.
"Okay …" He simply let out, his throat bobbing hard.
"I just meant to say that if you want to invite Jemma in when I'm home, I don't mind …" His friend said, sounding as cool and detached as usual and even though he would have fooled most people, Fitz could see the small signs like the fact that he didn't exactly meet his eyes or spoke just a little too fast, that meant Trip didn't take it as lightly as he looked.
"Oh … oh that's … yeah, that's nice …"
"Yeah and I think it'd be nice if you asked her to come along when we all go out with the gang next week …" He added and Fitz felt the beginning of a big relieved smile tucking at his lips.
"Yeah that'd be really nice …" Fitz said, feeling a little stupid repeating the same words over and over again but finally relaxing as he flopped down on the couch once he realized he was still awkwardly standing just in front of it. "But hum are you sure? I mean I'd understand …"
"No yeah I'm sure." He answered with a softer smile. "I miss spending time with you and well … you know I've always liked your girlfriend right?" He added with a teasing grin that grew even wider at the sight of the blush attacking Fitz's cheeks. Somehow he felt like this was only the beginning of a long series of evenings spent using his guilt to tease him endlessly. Well he supposed he probably deserved that and settled for throwing one of the couch cushions at his friend.
"Also Daisy told me you two looked sickeningly happy together so I suppose I should get used to seeing you together since you'll have no choice but make me your best man and godfather of your first child you'll name after me …"
"Urgh … you know you won't be able to guilt me into doing things for you indefinitely right?" Fitz groaned.
"Mmmmh … I'm pretty sure I still have a few good months in front of me …"
"You know maybe I should name my first child Antoine just so you could feel guilty for inflicting such a terrible name to an innocent child!"
"Oooooh so that's how you want things to go?" Trip replied, his eyebrows lifting in fake anger and real amusement as he tried to discreetly take hold of a bigger couch cushion.
"Well you …" Fitz started but he was cut off by the cushion very efficiently hitting him in the face and coaxing a very undignified shriek out of him that sent Trip into a huge fit of laughter.
Deciding that there really weren't established rules concerning pillow fights, Fitz used his moment of distraction to retaliate by hitting him back with the same cushion, which Trip took as a real declaration of war.
The fight ended pretty quickly though, when they ended up in a position that made them both feel equally embarrassed and agreed to never talk about it ever again.
"So …" Trip started after a few minutes and once his laughter had receded and his breathing had gone back to normal. "How are things between you and Jemma?"
"Really really good …" Fitz replied, unable to stop the wide smile that tended to appear on his face every time he even just thought of her.
And like that, Fitz knew he finally had his best friend back. Granted the first few moments of conversation fell a bit awkward with Fitz not knowing what he could tell his friend about his relationship without it being too much but somehow, all the teasing actually helped and soon they were just two best friends who lost contact for a time and were catching up on their lives. And it felt really nice.
-0-0-0-
"Mmmh … this is nice …" Fitz whispered, his voice still a bit shaky and breathless from the exertion as Jemma settled her head on his shoulder and one arm across his chest. She'd done that the first time they laid in bed together and it had felt amazing and perfect and even though it's been two months and he should have gotten used to it, it still amazed him. And every time, his arms pulled her just a little bit closer of their own volition, like a part of him was still subconsciously scared she'd leave if he didn't hold on tight.
"Yeah … sounded like you enjoyed yourself" She replied in a sleepy teasing voice and Fitz chuckled.
"No I don't mean that … well I mean yes of course, that was definitely a lot more than nice but what I meant is that this …" He gestured between the two of them with his fingers. "… is nice, having you in my bed all … soft and warm and … naked …" He finished, grinning widely.
Looking up, she pressed a soft lazy kiss to his lips.
"Yes it is. But you do know we've already been in this bed together, yeah?"
"I know!" He said, rolling his eyes. "But not often and it's nice to be here without feeling like I'm sneaking my girlfriend in while my mom's not home!" He finished and she chuckled. "Not that I don't like your apartment, it's beautiful and somehow it always smells of flowers even though I've never seen a single flower there except the ones I bring you. But you know … it's nice to have you in my space for a change and not feel like I'm invading yours …"
"I know Fitz I know …" She whispered softly, gently caressing his chest. She knew how much it had meant for him to have his friend back and she didn't even hesitate to come to his place even though they hadn't seen each other in five days and knew it meant they'd have to wait even longer to be as affectionate as they usually were towards each other. And he knew she suffered through Trip's teasing mostly for his sake and he loved her even more for that.
"And I'm really happy for you that you'll get to spend more time with Trip from now on but hum … you know I've gotten quite used to having you in my space so often and I-I wouldn't mind you spending even more time there …" She added and he chuckled.
"That's sweet Jemma but wouldn't that make spending more time with Trip more complicated?"
"Well you could be at my place and we'd invite him and your other friends there as well …"
"Yeah I guess we could do that but hum … I'd still need to spend a few nights a week at my place anyway, that's where my computer and my clothes are so it'd make it simpler for you to be here with me …" He started, feeling a little confused. He usually understood what she meant without her having to talk much but now …
"Well maybe you could bring those things at my place …" She cut him off, lightly scratching his chest as she looked up at him with a tentative smile.
"But then I'd have to bring them back to mine when I can't come to yours, that seems barely more practical …"
"Ugh Fitz!" She cut him off once more, moving away from him and lifting herself on her elbow to look down at him with a smile that was in the same time annoyed and fond. "How about we move in together and you start understanding what I'm saying?" She finally cried out, probably louder than she expected from the way she adorably put her hand on her mouth in surprise a second later.
"What? You mean-you … you want me to … you want me to … come live with you?" Fitz stuttered as he lifted himself up on his side to face her and she must have mistaken his surprise and incapacity to form coherent sentences for hesitation because her face fell and she started blushing and rambling. He'd only ever lived with his mother and then had immediately found this place with Trip when he was out of Uni. He'd never lived with a woman. Actually, he didn't even have a relationship serious enough to even entertain the idea of letting the woman leave a toothbrush or a few clothes at his place, and here he was seriously considering the idea of living with Jemma. And the craziest thing was that he couldn't really find a reason not to.
"Yeah but no, it's alright Fitz it was just a thought. I mean we've only been together two months, it's completely crazy right? Forget I've said that, let's go back to cuddling and …"
"No" He cut her off, feeling strangely calm considering what he was about to say and what it would mean for his future. "I mean yes it's completely crazy but … it kinda feels like the best idea I've ever heard …" He finished, his lips turning up into a wide happy smile.
Of course it was crazy and it's only been two months and he hadn't even thought about it until now. But suddenly it felt like it was the only thing that could make his life even more perfect than it was at the moment.
"Really?" She asked and her eyes were shining with unshed tears. But from the smile that was currently illuminating her face, he couldn't be troubled by it because they were obviously happy tears.
"Yeah … I mean we could wait a few more months to get to know each other better but hum ... if I've ever been sure of anything in my life it's of how much I love you and I don't think I could ever spend enough time with you so ..."
"So we're really doing this? You're moving in with me?" She cut him off, her grin threatening to split her face in half. And if he still had a single doubt about it, the hopeful look in her eyes and the way he'd actually missed her when they'd only been apart a few days erased it all.
"Yes. Yes I think we are ... I mean if you're willing to have a grumpy Scott invade your space and clutter your tastefully decorated apartment with all my stupid geeky stuff and my ..."
He was cut off by Jemma literally throwing herself at him, pushing him back against the matress and slanting her mouth against his. The kiss was at the same time heated, with her body pressed tightly against his, and soft from the way she gently cradled his jaw with her hands. The kiss wasn't the best one they shared because the way they were both smiling widely kept them from really focusing on it but it was hard to care when Fitz felt so happy. But finally, after a few minutes they had to come up for air and Jemma settled over him, her arms bracing his face so as not to crush him completely.
"Oh no Fitz there's plenty of space for you, you won't be invading anything … you see we could set up your desk opposite mine for when you need to work at home, we can also add more shelves there for your books and hum I guess we only need the one bed anyway and … oh wait we should start making a list of things …"
"Jemma stop!" Fitz cut her off with an amused smile and a finger on her lips. "How about we start making lists tomorrow and I go find us a bottle of wine to celebrate instead?"
"Oh …" She let out with sheepish little smile, realizing that she let her obsession for organization get ahead of her. "Of course that's a …"
"AND HOW ABOUT YOU SHUT THE HELL UP AND CELEBRATE TOMORROW? SOME PEOPLE NEED TO BE UP IN THREE HOURS!"
Even through the bathroom and two walls, Trip's voice was still pretty loud and that's when they realized that, in all the excitement, they might have been a little too loud.
"SORRY WE'LL SHUT UP NOW!" They both cried out at the same time as they looked at each other with an amused smile.
"At least, you don't have to worry about how to announce it to Trip …" Jemma whispered and they both giggled, trying their best to stay as quiet as possible.
"CONGRATULATIONS THOUGH, I'M HAPPY FOR YOU, YOU IDIOTS!" Trip cried out but Fitz was pretty sure he could hear the smile in his voice.
"THANK YOU!" They cried out in unison once more.
"I'm really happy too you know" Fitz whispered in Jemma's ear as he let her set up against his chest, her breath deliciously caressing the skin of his neck.
"Me too Fitz, never been happier …" She replied as she pressed a kiss to his jaw and settled back, letting the steady beat of his heart lull her to sleep.
Soon, they'd be able to fall asleep like that every night and the smile it brought to his lips remained there long after he'd fallen asleep himself.
-0-0-0-
"You know you have to enter a specific combination, not just random numbers right?"
Fitz rolled his eyes and turned around to look at his smirking girlfriend.
"I know that … but it seems like someone forgot to give me the new combination." Fitz replied with an even bigger smirk.
"Or maybe someone forgot to check his emails …"
"No I haven't … oh … " Fitz let out, his grin faltering so fast that Jemma couldn't help laughing fondly. "hum … maybe someone let his phone battery die …" He added, giving her his best boyish smile he knew she couldn't resist.
"You're lucky you're cute …" She said before proceeding to enter the correct combination to unlock the door but not before pressing a soft, tender kiss to his lips.
"So you wouldn't let me in if I wasn't cute?" He asked in a mock affronted tone.
"Of course not! I have to be careful who I let in the building!" She grinned. "Also" She added, once they were through the door, hand in hand and walking towards the elevator. "You have the cupcakes" she said, nodding towards the big cardboard boxes he carried in an even bigger paper bag. "and a house warming party is not a proper one without cupcakes!"
"Oh wow …" He said as he stopped walking and tried his best to cross his arms over his chest in his best approximation of disapproval. "And I thought you loved me for my brains and charming personality but if I could teach a dog to go to the store and bring back cupcakes, you would replace me in a heartbeat, wouldn't you?"
Jemma threw her head back in laughter and when she looked back at him, he was pouting so exaggeratedly that she couldn't help laughing even louder.
"Oh Fitz …" She said, her laughter turning into a mischievous grin. "If you stop pouting now and follow me inside the apartment, I'll tell you all about the things I have planned for you tonight that could definitely not be done by a dog …" She trailed off, letting her fingers suggestively trailed down his chest and stopping at his belt buckle.
God, he hoped those things involved a bed and them wearing very fewer clothes and not a vacuum cleaner and detergent.
But Fitz being the smart man that he was, he quickly did the maths and decided that when Jemma was looking at him like that, the odds were generally in his favor. And two hours later, when their friends rang the door bell, Fitz's last boxes still weren't unpacked, the vacuum was nowhere to be seen, half the food wasn't ready and their hair wasn't even dry yet from taking a very long, not very efficient but very satisfying shower. But when they opened the door with matching wide smiles on their faces, Fitz was pretty sure she agreed that it was a perfect way to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter in their life: with a little bit of chaos but infinite happiness.