Chapter Text
Jemma: 7 years old; Leo: 8 years old; Lance: 11 years old.
When they first see each other, they are both achingly shy and at the same time curious to study the unfamiliar faces of their future allies. The idea of a union sounds risky and mad but desperate times call for desperate measures.
His eyes are a bright blue ocean and her eyes are a bright delicious honey. She stands next to her mother – the Queen – and tries to be as stoic as she can.. He tries to hide behind his father – the King's – back but his dad always pushes him forward.. Their families greet each other with all the fondness and go to the big castle, her eyes never leaving the boy's – possible future husband's – back.
As soon as they enter the house, her jaw drops and she can't help but tug at her parents’ sleeves, pointing at the golden chandeliers and beautiful big statues. The simple gesture makes her mother frown.
“Where are your manners, Jemma? What are you, two years old? You know you have a tongue,” Victoria Simmons scolds her daughter, following the queen and the king of Scotland and leaving little girl behind. Jemma's father smiles gently and pats her back, making her smile a little.
“Why don't Leopold and Jemma explore the castle?” he says loudly enough to attract everyone's attention. His eyes immediately fall on the little boy, and George Simmons smiles. “Your grace, would you show Princess Jemma your home?”
Leo suddenly feels dumbstruck. He had heard stories about the wrath of the king of England, but his expectations crashed when he sees kind smile on the king's face. Leo looks at his mother, then father, and when Cathelyn and Carl Fitz nod in agreement, the young heir awkwardly approaches young Jemma. He bends down slightly and Jemma rushes to stand him up, earning a death glare from her mother.
“Show lady Jemma the castle,” Carl Fitz says. “Make sure you've returned before the meal. There is going to be a turkey.” The king winks at children, watching them leave.
Their castle exploration is mostly silent. Jemma walks next to Leo and opens her mouth from time to time, as if she wants to say something, but nothing comes out. She's been prepared for it, and so had Leo, but when the actual meeting happened, they both turned into stones. Jemma secretly wishes she could escape this awkward silence and gossip with her ladies in waiting, but instead, she sighs and follows Leopold Fitz, turning around the corner before suddenly runs into someone's body. She lets out a little squeal.
“Oi!” the voice exclaims. Fitz greets his brother Lance with a smile and as soon his brother sees the lady, he straights up. “I beg your pardon, my princess.” He apologizes quickly and bends down.
Jemma laughs and Leo can't stop staring at her. Her voice is as sweet as her honey eyes and he finds himself taking a deep breath.
“Please, don’t do that. I am just Jemma for now, not a queen.”
“But you will be,” Lance smiles and sees Jemma blushing furiously. Then he turn towards his brother and chuckles. “Looks like my dear brother doesn't know how to entertain young lady. What are you up to?”
“Just exploring the castle,” Leo replies and his voice makes Jemma flush. He snaps his head to her side and a blush appears on his neck.
“You two are worthy of each other!” Lance laughs. “I won't bother you anymore. It was nice to meet you, your grace.”
He bends down once more and takes Jemma's little hand, leaving a light kiss on her knuckles. She scrunches up her nose and Leo smirks, finding it rather adorable. They both watch Lance go and Jemma suddenly realizes that it must be the infamous bastard child of King Carl.
The silence between them returns, but this time Jemma opens her mouth.
“Look, I am...”
“I am terribly sorry for...”
She snaps her head at him and a few seconds later they both burst into laughing, staring at each other. When the laughter subtitles, Leo clears his throat and can't stop smiling.
“I am terribly sorry for this,” he says watching Jemma. Only know he does notice that she is pretty, her eyes full of intelligence. “I am not a talker, actually. This won't happen again.”
“No, it’s alright,” Jemma reassures him, grinning. “I have been told I shall start the conversation, but I... I got stuck.”
“Me too. Can we start again?”
Jemma suddenly looks overwhelmed, watching Leopold Fitz running away from her and hiding behind the corner. Then the smile forms on her lips when she watches him imitating his father, the king. He stops a few steps away from her and bends down. Leo straights up and reaches out for Jemma's hand, expecting her reaction and hoping he doesn't make it more awkward. “My name is Leopold Fitz, the future king of Scotland.”
Jemma tries not to laugh and worries her lower lip between her teeth. She takes Leo's hand and he leaves a feather like kiss on her knuckles. “Jemma Simmons. Hopefully, future queen of England.”
“Welcome to Scotland, your grace.”
“Likewise, future king.”
They don't see Lance watching them behind the corner with a smile on his lips. His lips moving, unfamiliar language on his tongue making it's magic.