It was a stupid Academy camp out. Fitz wasn't even sure why he had let Jemma sign the two of them up for it, although the way his stomach clenched when he saw her pleading smile should've given him a hint. Fitz was too busy denying each individual overreaction to evaluate his feelings as a whole. If he did take the time, he decided, then he would live with the consequences of knowing his true standing with Jemma. Maybe this trip could give him enough of a break to figure everything out.
Fitz stepped out of the backseat of the van a senior had driven down to Professor Brown's lakeside cabin. Simmons followed closely behind, placing a hand firmly on his shoulder to steady herself, and simultaneously sending shivers down Fitz's spine. He was momentarily terrified she could feel them before she drew her hand back and began rambling about how great the trip would be.
"And Professor Brown says the biodiversity here is magnificent, both aquatic and land-dwelling. Apparently there's even been sightings of Tacca Chantrieri. Tacca Chantrieri, Fitz!"
Fitz almost let himself smile at her adorable enthusiasm. Her wide eyes and broad grins gave him feelings he shouldn't be feeling about his best friend. He gulped down a breath, as if he could swallow his feelings that way.
Jemma hopped excitedly to study a nearby moss while Fitz occupied himself with the bags. Skimming through the huge pile of luggage made him realize he had forgotten something fairly important. He likely needed to have packed a sleeping bag, and the thought had slipped his mind. As he threw the duffle bag he did bring over his shoulder, he mentally noted to ask Professor Brown for extra bedding.
"I'm so glad to see all of your smiling faces," Professor Brown announced from the deck of his cabin, which rested on a hill slightly above them. He was dressed in casual outdoor clothing, which made Fitz think of a penguin in the Sahara. It was strange and off-putting, and another, not-so-pleasant shiver coursed through him. Simmons shot him a sideways look communicating the exact same opinion, and they beamed at each other.
"For the most part, this trip will be unscheduled, but I do have some mandatory times to follow." Young cadets pulled out notepads and tablets to jot down information, while Fitzsimmons stayed silent and confident in their ability to memorize important facts. "Dinner tonight is at eight, at the fire pit by the lake there." Fitz's stomach rumbled at the thought. "Lights out at midnight. Breakfast is seven tomorrow, and the last van leaves at ten. Until then, enjoy the break from schoolwork," Professor Brown smiled at many of his favorite students. "Or take advantage of the learning opportunities presented in this natural environment." That comment was aimed directly at Fitzsimmons as they smirked at each other. God, she was even beautiful when she made that half-amused, scheming face.
The students were dismissed, and many of them headed immediately to the lake, pulling off cover ups as they went and using a long tree branch to pull in a tire swing hanging out into the middle of the lake. Simmons headed in the opposite direction, taking out a film camera and clipboard. Why did he have to find her scientific qualities so bloody attractive?
He followed her scattered enthusiasms around the forest, easily excusing his fond smiles as appreciation for nature, and not appreciation for Jemma's wonderfully freckled pale shoulders. Her tank top revealed skin he had never seen before, and he often found himself distracted by a small scar or new birthmark. Stop that, Leo.
"Fitz, it's getting dark. Would you like to go swimming before dinner?" Simmons' question startled Fitz from his comprehensive analysis of her amazingly smooth curls. Did he have no self control?
"Yeah, yeah sure," Fitz stuttered out, focusing his energy on trying to clear the blush quickly approaching. Simmons grinned, then grabbed his hand and pulled him through the trees. The physical contact was too much for Fitz, and he couldn't help the blush now. Did she know the effect she had on him? It was getting hard to shoot down his feelings when she kept on reviving them right and left.
The scientists reached the lake as the last of the other students climbed out, dripping dark lake water. It was disgusting to Fitz, but Simmons marveled about the algae populations. She dropped his hand, and Fitz's smile dropped before he could stop it. Luckily, Simmons had already turned away to a sandy area near some trees, so she couldn't have seen. He glanced her way to double-check, and she was pulling off her t-shirt and shorts.
Fitz's mind was already fuzzy from the hand-holding. Now that an entirely new strip of paleness was exposed to him, his brain had stopped functioning. He wasn't even capable of scolding himself for staring too long. His eyes stayed fixed on the limitless inches of her legs now uncovered. He needed to get in control of himself. Looking at her like that... it wasn't right. He shouldn't be doing this.
Fitz managed to tear his eyes away before she could look over her shoulder and catch him in the act. He hurriedly changed into his own swimsuit, finishing as she skipped up to him, completely unchanged.
"Ready?" Jemma asked, cocking her head to the side and swinging her ponytail the same way.
"Yeah," Fitz got out without sounding too suspicious. Was she really that oblivious to his internal war between right and wrong? She's a scientist,for Christ's sake. She's observant. She has to have some clue, right?
She walked into the cool water before him, so he watched the lake swallow her up to her shoulders before stepping in himself.
"Coward!" Simmons called from her spot in the deepest part. For a moment, Fitz was scared she had figured it out, and was confronting him about his spinelessness. Then he realized she was talking about his reluctance to dive into the water, and eased up.
"I don't appreciate the slime like you do!" Fitz called back teasingly, and he was surprised he didn't mess up that sentence, considering how nervous he was.
"It's not slime, it's algae!" Jemma protested, then splashed him when he got close enough.
"It's disgusting, that's what it is," Fitz retorted, splashing her back. She let out a childish squeal at the cold, and they started rapidly hitting water without aim.
"Gah, Jemma!" Fitz shouted, spitting water out of his mouth and blindly reaching for her to stop the out-of-control, human water fountain she had become.
He flailed around for an arm, and was able to grab it without to much trouble, but she was still splashing with the other arm, so he was forced to grab that one, too. The movement had brought him too close to her chest, and suddenly she was up close, biting her lip and grinning at him. And he finally felt free to grin back at her without questioning his intentions.
Around seven forty-five, after they had sprayed each other down with the hose Professor Brown had set up and dried themselves with old beach towels, Fitzsimmons gathered around the campfire with the other students lounging about in sweatshirts and athletic shorts. Roasting sticks were passed around, and Fitz ate four glorious hot dogs and seven magnificent s'mores. Jemma snacked on gluten-free marshmallows and a homemade sandwich, and laughed politely at the stories Professor Brown told. At eleven students began fading out of the large group and into an array of sleeping bags and tents set up around the fire pit.
Fitz had completely forgotten about his lack of a sleeping bag until five minutes before lights out. Jemma was rolling her expensive, heat-trapping one out close to the fire when he remembered. He rushed to find Professor Brown and ask him for an extra before midnight.
"Professor Brown!" he called as the professor began walking back towards his cabin. He stopped and turned to Fitz, who was running to catch up.
"Yes?" he asked, looking slightly annoyed.
"Sorry, sir, but I seem to have forgotten a sleeping bag. Do you perhaps have an extra?"
Professor Brown's face shown with tired disappointment. "Sorry, Leo, but I already lent the one I have to a senior cadet. Perhaps you could be more responsible next time," he chided, then started towards his cabin again, ending the conversation as Fitz stood in dismay.
He walked slowly back to the group of students, allowing himself time to problem solve. I can just sleep by the fire. It'll be warm enough, and only a bit... dirty. That's a stupid idea, Fitz. Just ask to share with Simmons.
Did he really just think that? God, how desperate was he? Even if he wanted to, he could never bring himself to ask. That would just make things between them more awkward, not to mention how disrespectful it would sound. Guess it's sleeping by the fire, then.
"Fitz?" Jemma asked, breaking him away from his trail towards the fire. "What are you doing?" she inquired quizzically, raising a suspicious eyebrow at him.
"I forgot a sleeping bag," Fitz explained, then realized how stupid that sounded and added, "I asked Brown for one and he said no, so I'm sleeping by the fire."
"That's ridiculous," Simmons answered, rolling her eyes. Fitz nodded in agreement. "We can just share mine."
Fitz's eyes widened to be owl-sized. Was there some supernatural being listening to his every thought and taunting him about it? Screw you, supernatural being.
"Really? I don't want to make you uncomfortable," Fitz protested, but began walking to where she set up. He knew how the night was going, and he knew how it was ending.
"It's not a problem. This was my fathers, so it's huge," Simmons replied, kicking the bag lightly.
Fitz gulped at the mention of her father. He would most certainly not approve of this. But he still really wanted to. And Simmons was so willing.
"Are you sure?" he repeated, and Simmons groaned at his hesitation.
"I'm certain, Fitz. It's completely non-problematic-" He internally scoffed at that. He could fall for her even harder, and that would be extremely problematic. "You're just making it more difficult than it needs to be."
"I'm not-"
"Yes, you are. Now get in the sleeping bag."
Fitz hopped into the bag, more out of fear than out of desire. He made himself as small as possible and scooted the farthest away possible as she climbed into the bag next to him.
"Fine, but it's your fault if... something... happens," Fitz muttered, realizing too late that she could hear him.
"Nothing bad will happen, Fitz, just close your eyes and stop being a nuisance," Simmons scolded tiredly. He was still wide awake, focusing all of his efforts against touching her at all.
By morning their limbs were wrapped around each other.
