Fitzsimmons

At the Movies

"Two for X-men." Fitz told the man in the ticket booth. He was waiting for Jemma to come, still, but he figured he would buy her ticket now and get paid back later, for Jemma would never allow Fitz to spend a penny on her.

Fitz stood in the concession line for popcorn and two flavored waters. The two didn't enjoy the carbonation of soda. After purchasing the (lack of) sustenance food, he sat at a table in front of the arcade area, where three young children in different Marvel shirts examined all the games, but not actually paid for them. Fitz smiled, walked over to the children, and set down six quarters on the claw machine they gazed at. Fitz, hearing the children start to play, made his way back to his table.

"Hey Fitz!" Jemma called from where she had just entered. Fitz stood up to greet her, handing her her ticket and smiling widely. She was so beautiful. Even when she just wore dark jeans and a one-size-too-big red sweater, like now. Every time he looked at her he smiled uncontrollably. Side effect of being in love.

"I assumed you got the tickets?" she asked as she smoothly plucked the popcorn and a water bottle from the table, strolling towards the ticket collection guy.

"Yeah." Fitz replied, holding the tickets out for the man in the wheel chair collecting them.

"Enjoy the movie." he said obligatorily, gesturing to the right. Fitzsimmons moved past the line and to the right theater. The cinema they were at was an old one, with worn, velvety seats and only two huge screens on either side of the ticket collection. They had gone to a movie together an infinite number of times. At least once a week since university. Sometimes they ended up re-watching whatever movie was still playing, but it really wasn't about watching the movie. It was about spending time with one another.

As the movie started, Marvel logo flipping, Fitzsimmons took their usual seats in the third row. There were only a few other people in the theater, probably because this was a Wednesday night in a small town. They liked it better this way.

Fitz sprawled out on one of the seats, legs resting on top of the seat in front of him. Jemma laughed at his habit as she had multiple times before, and settled into the seat to the left of him, where she sat conservatively and held the popcorn. Halfway through the movie she would bring her knees to her chest. It's just how they acted in movies.

They watched the movie, all the while discussing the time travel and thoughts on mutants. When mutants started dying (which Jemma and Fitz had expected would happen), Jemma hugged her knees tightly, tears running down her cheeks. Fitz, noticing this immediately because he constantly watched her, put his arm around her and pulled her gently to him. It was a bit awkward because of the cup holder separating them, but Jemma was touched nonetheless.

"Hey," Fitz whispered. "Hey, it's not real." She looked up at him, smiling as the light from the screen revealed her glimmering tears hidden in the dark.

"I know it isn't." she replied, feeling ridiculous. Fitz lifted his hand to clean the tears from Jemma's beautiful face, but put it back down in doubt. She wiped away the wet with her sleeve, instead, then ducked out of Fitz's hold. Fitz tried not to look too hurt.

"Fitz!" Jemma whispered as the movie was about to end. "Fitz, that's Jane! She's alive!" She kept watching the screen excitedly. Fitz kept a steady watch on her, enjoying her smile and wondrous eyes. "But so is Scott!" she laughed the slightest bit, turning to see Fitz's reaction. Fitz stayed silent, simply smiling the natural smile that came from seeing Jemma. A smile broke out on Jemma's face, too, but it was a misguided smile. She wasn't showing him the same thing he was showing her, here in this moment. Jemma turned back to the screen, all but forgetting the moment, while Fitz changed his gaze to the floor, heartbroken yet again.

After watching all of the credits and the scene after, Fitzsimmons walked out of the theater and began talking about their favorite character, favorite scene, etc. They threw away their drinks and popcorn and headed out the front doors into the blinding sunset.

"Here's for my ticket and snacks." Jemma said, handing him ten dollars. Fitz quickly thanked her.

"Thanks again, Fitz." Jemma said as she leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on his cheek, spurring his heart into a rapid beat. Not that he would ever let her know that. He watched her walk carelessly away, then turned and walked to his own car, each step feeling weighed down.

Because honestly, he needed her much more than she needed him. But he would always be there when she did need him.