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Fitz slowly came back into consciousness and cracked an eye open. As he blinked to adjust to the golden sunlight filtering through the windows, it took a moment to register where he was. He'd never been a morning person anyway, but to be fair, he had slept in a lot of different beds recently. He'd just moved into his new apartment the previous weekend and he and Jemma had gotten to San Diego just two days ago to speak at the Science Today conference.
"Oh!" he let out, gasping slightly at the memory.
The conference.
He and Jemma presented the drones prototype they'd been working on together for the past six months just last afternoon and it was a great success. Not to brag, but he'd heard people say they were the stars of the conference. So during the end of the conference party the previous night, they'd been offered lots of drinks. They even had to refuse a few but they still ended the night rather tipsy. Later he had walked Jemma to her room and--
Feeling fully awake now, Fitz slowly turned around. His eyebrows raised at the sight in front of him and without thinking, he lightly poked her shoulder. A part of him still wondered if he'd dreamt it all, but no. Jemma was very real, sleeping on her side facing him with the covers not at all hiding the fact that she was still as naked as she'd been when she fell asleep in his arms.
A strand of her hair, shining in the gentle light of the sunrise, was hiding part of her face. Reaching for it as gently as he could --afraid she would dissolve if he wasn't careful-- he tucked it behind her ear. She sighed in her sleep and Fitz froze --he wasn't ready for her to wake up just yet-- but her breathing evened out again and a small smile spread across her lips.
It felt like his heart grew ten sizes at the sight. He had indeed spent the night in yet another bed. And not just any bed. Jemma's. His best friend, roommate and love of his life.
Jemma had always been more affectionate when she was tipsy so Fitz didn't think twice about the fact that she was practically in his arms all the way from the main hall to their rooms on the fifth floor despite the fact that she wasn't nearly drunk enough to need his help. And it wasn't like he was ever going to refuse her affection, whatever form it took, as long as she was sober enough to know what she was doing.
It didn't surprise him either when she kissed him on the cheek to say goodnight. It had happened perfectly innocently on many occasions before. It did surprise him though when she lingered and a second kiss landed on his mouth. He'd pulled back quickly, expecting to find her amused or embarrassed. But instead she'd given him one of her looks. The one she had when she'd just found the solution to a work problem. She'd grabbed him by the lapel of his jacket and planted another, very deliberate, very enthusiastic kiss on his lips. She didn't let him go back to his room after that. And once the door was closed and they'd fallen into bed together, not much had been said besides several versions of each other's name.
Fitz had loved her for a long time but had only been aware of it for a couple years. He could never find the courage to tell her though. They were best friends and they worked so well together. So well they had even decided to become roommates since they spent most of their time together anyway. What if he had told her how he felt and she didn't feel the same? It would have ruined everything.
Wait.
What if she didn't feel the same? They hadn't exactly talked a lot the previous night. What if it was just a night of fun for her?
God, was it fun? She seemed to have had fun. Women didn't go back for seconds if the first time wasn't nice, right? Well, if it wasn't he could always try to do better. He was a fast learner after all and Jemma was an excellent teacher. But none of that mattered if she didn't love him back. He'd said he loved her as they were falling asleep last night but she didn't say it back to him. And sure, she seemed to have fallen asleep already but maybe—
"What time is it?"
Fitz startled despite the soft, sleepy tone of her voice. He'd been freaking out so much that he hadn't realized Jemma had woken up.
"Uh...I don't know." He turned around and looked towards the window. They hadn't thought of pulling the thick curtains last night but the light was still rather soft. He turned back to her. "Maybe seven?"
Jemma smiled fondly up at him as she produced the phone she must have grabbed from the night stand.
6:51
Fitz shrugged. "Not bad."
"Not bad at all," she said, leaning forward and cupping his cheek to press a soft but lingering kiss to his lips that made his heart skip a beat.
"That means we can go back to sleep for a bit." She gently pushed at Fitz's bare chest until he was on his back and settled against him like a cat, not quite purring but humming happily. Hope surged into his heart. Maybe she did feel the same after all.
"Mmmh. I never want to sleep any other way."
"Me neither," he whispered against her hair. He'd always loved the smell of her hair.
She looked up at him, eyes soft and so full of love Fitz thought his heart might explode if he looked into them for too long.
"Then it's decided."
Fitz smiled and nodded before wrapping his arm around her to pull her even closer. They obviously had a lot to talk about but there was no rush anymore. They had the rest of their life to talk but only one first morning together and this one was shaping up to be perfect.