Fitzsimmons

Permission

Quick Note: The idea for this came from this post on Tumblr. The post commented on how, in the finale, even after Fitz had told Jemma everything, he wasn't the one to initiate any touching. He stood motionlessly there, and Jemma was the one to start anything. Because even after he had told her he loved her, he respected her so much that he didn't want to touch her without her consent.

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Fitzsimmons were walking down the hallway, hands linked, to the newly constructed lab specifically made for them. Fitz had done the planning and overseen construction for it, making sure they wouldn't be working too far away from each other.

"Are you finished with Mr. Stark's new heart-monitoring device?" Fitz asked.

"Almost. I just need your help with the programming for the display."

"Will do." Fitz paused a moment. "Are you excited to see the new lab?"

"You designed it, didn't you?" Jemma replied with a smile. "It'll be perfect." They mutually turned to look at each other. You would think their relationship would be different now that they were dating, but it really hasn't changed that much. There was just more kissing now.

Fitz broke the eye contact and cleared his throat, making the situation suddenly awkward. Jemma subtly rolled her eyes. This kept happening since when they had first gotten together at the hospital. There would be pauses in conversations, perfect moments for them to become closer, but Fitz would retract at the last second. At first it hadn't bothered Jemma, but now she felt hurt.

"So," she tried to shrug it off yet again. "Can you give me any spoilers about the new lab?"

"Well, it's kind of... smallish. Cozy..." Jemma laughed. Fitz considered for a moment, then said, "That's all I'm gonna say."

But it didn't really matter because they were already entering the lab. It was an older style of lab with modern updates. Light wood paneling with spaces for holographic projections and touchscreen tabletops and walls. One wall was entirely made of window that could dim and brighten according to the time of day.

"Fitz, it's wonderful!" Jemma assured him when she felt his nervous gaze. "I love the countertop material here. And the mini-fridge!"

"So I can keep my lunch away from the dead cats you bring in." Fitz explained with a relieved smile.

"I doubt I'll be bringing in any more dead cats. I've moved on from that."

"Good. 'Cause that was absolutely gross. And I still won't ever forgive you." he said quite seriously.

Jemma turned around, mock offense playing along her facial features. "Never?" she exaggerated. "There's absolutely nothing I can do to change your mind?" She had slowly walked over to where he was standing in the doorway.

"Maybe a few things." he replied softly as she brought her face inches from his. They made eye contact that held for a long time, and Jemma was getting visibly excited, the corners of her mouth twitching quickly and her eyes anxious.

"Jemma, I really want to kiss you right now." Fitz sputtered out.

"Then why aren't you?" She was confused now.

"I want you to know that I respect you. I don't want to do anything you wouldn't want to do."

"Fitz, are you asking permission to kiss me?" she asked incredulously. Fitz nodded a little, embarrassed. "Idiot." she finished before pulling him in for a long overdue kiss.

When they pulled back, Fitz was smiling. "Just to let you know, you can kiss me whenever you want. I won't compla-"

Fitz had stopped her with another kiss. She started laughing, and they broke away.

Jemma started speaking again. "I love-" Fitz cut her off again.

"I love you, too." he said immediately when they had stopped. Jemma smiled.

"That's nice, but Fitz, can you please let me finish my-"