This Love Is Alive Back From the Dead
Daisy blinks slowly. Once. Twice. Three times. No, she's not dreaming. Pinches her arm, defintely not dreaming. She turns her face and is met with a smile and warm finger tips down her jaw. ''Morning''. Ward whispers, planting a soft kiss on her lips. ''Hi''. She curls in his arms, slides her hands up his chest. There are no words to be said on how much she's missed him, how she's missed this. Waking up with him when the rest of the world is quiet, there's no Shield or Hydra to worry about in the comfort of his skin. Daisy can't remember ever being this happy in months, she's forgotten what it feels like. To open her eyes to the person she loves, it's everything she's ever wanted and will never take advantage of again.
Ward's demons, his shadows and all of his monsters are kept silent by Daisy's hands that are currently roving over his back. ''I love you''. She tells him, warmth in her doe eyes. She must have said it a thousand times by now but he'll never tire of hearing it. ''I love you too''. They actually don't make it out of bed until well into the afternoon, Daisy walks into the kitchen wearing only his shirt and Ward can't help but stare at her. The months spent apart killed them both, they became versions of themselves they never thought they would. Grant will never forget what happened to him, but he won't let it torture him any longer.
Daisy glances over her shoulder to find Ward's eyes on her. ''What?'' He shrugs, puts his arms around her. ''I missed you''. She kisses his nose, ''me too''. He holds her like that for a while, her face pressed into his chest, fingers drawing patterns on that bruise that makes her lungs ache for him. He releases her and moves to the fridge, takes out ingredients for pancakes. Daisy sits on the counter, swinging her legs back and forth. ''So are we going to talk about Shield?'' She frowns at him, ''you just had to ruin it didn't you?'' ''Skye you left pretty quickly, not exactly a proper goodbye''.
''I have nothing to say to Coulson''. Ward knows that isn't true, even though Daisy will never forgive him, they have history. She can't deny that. ''Skye you''- She catches his hips between her legs when he passes by, silencing him. ''Do you really want to talk about Coulson right now?'' She lifts her face up, kisses him long and slow. ''Holy mother of god''. Daisy starts, having not heard or seen Kebo come in. The pair turns to see him standing in the doorway, shocked expression. ''I left you alone less than twenty four hours ago, if I had known this is what would have happened I'd of abandoned you days ago''. Daisy rolls her eyes, runs her hand up the back of Ward's neck.
''You want some breakfast? Ward is making''. Kebo takes a seat, puts his feet up on the table with a smug smile on his face. ''Really? Breakfast is what you want to talk about right now?'' Kebo wags his eyebrows and Daisy throws a piece of raw bacon at him. ''Did you seriously just throw a piece of bacon at me?'' ''You deserved it''. Kebo makes a move for the carton of eggs at Ward's elbow, but it's quickly placed out of his reach. ''Oh so now that you've slept with her you're not on my team anymore Sir?'' Daisy grins, ''I'm just that good Popeye''. Grant actually blushes and it's the cutest thing she's ever seen.
''Sir I'm going to get cabin fever in this damn place''. Kebo says after they've eaten breakfast. ''How long can we stay here?'' ''We should be fine for a few months''. ''And then what?'' Ward glances out the window. ''Skye how do you feel about a vacation?'' He looks back at her, knows how she'll react. Her face lights up, she rushes over to him, grabs his bicep. ''Cabo?'' He kisses her nose, ''wherever you want''. ''Is this one of those trips where I'll feel like a third wheel and have to sleep in a separate hotel room?'' Kebo asks, and her and Ward answer yes at the same time.
Night has fallen and they are back in the bedroom, the moon lighting the small space. Kebo left hours ago because Ward couldn't keep his hands to himself. ''We ran Popeye off again''. Ward chuckles, ''he'll get over it''. Daisy runs her nose along his collarbone, ''I never thought we'd be here again''. She admits. ''Neither did I''. Ward honestly thought his relationship with Daisy was over, especially after he learned she was seeing Lincoln. He's glad, like he usually is that he listened to Kebo. He can't believe he almost let her slip away again.
''I have to tell you something''. He looks down at her, notes the nervous expression she wears. ''Okay''. Daisy takes a deep breath. All day they have been in this bed, talking in between kissing and other things. But she never told him this, about how she used to see him when he was supposedly dead. He really doesn't need to know, it's not relevant anymore. But it's been gnawing at her since that comment he made on Coulson's plane about him training her. Her nails are drawing the few constellations she memorized on his chest.
''When I thought you were dead, it devestated me. And I'm not telling you this so you can feel bad about yourself or to make you feel guilty. Okay?'' She looks up to see him nod. ''I couldn't even move without missing you. Then one day I looked up and there you were, standing in my doorway like you never left. As the months went on you started popping up all the time. It helped me I think, in the long run. We'd talk when I needed you, obviously I couldn't touch or feel you but you showed up when I wasn't sure I'd survive''.
He isn't surprised by this information, even though he tries to act like he is. ''Kebo told you, didn't he?'' ''Yes''. Ward holds her to him, plants a kiss in her hair. ''You think I'm crazy?'' ''No, it makes sense Skye. You needed me, I'm sorry I wasn't''- She places her palm over his mouth. ''No more apologies''. ''I'll try. Continue, please''. ''He was the one who told me to save you''. God, now it even sounds insane to her own ears. But Ward isn't looking at her like she belongs in a mental hospital. He's looking at her like he loves her and it's a beautiful thing.
''Granted it was all in my head but still, he gave me strength when I couldn't find any for myself''. Ward runs his hand through her hair. ''I'm glad then''. Daisy grins at him, ''what?'' ''Mirage you found out about Lincoln''. ''Was he pissed?'' ''Yup''. ''Good''. Ward swoops down and kisses her, making her forget about everything but his body above her and his warm skin pressed against hers. God, she loves him. How did she manage to go so long without this?
It's been a month since they came to Ward's safe house, Kebo and Daisy are out shopping for supplies because they refused to stay one minute longer. The cabin is gorgeous, but she can see how one could go stir crazy. Ward is at ease there, peaceful. Likes to drink his coffee and watch the sunrise over the snow, Daisy curled in his lap. Currently she's poking her head around an aisle looking for Kebo, who is holding up an Iron Man shirt and smiling at her. ''I'm more of a Captain America girl myself''. ''Are you serious? Team Stark all the way Quake''.
Daisy rolls her eyes. ''Can you just buy the damn shirt so we can get out of here please? We've got a long drive back''. ''Blame that one on your boyfriend, he's the one who has a cabin literally in the middle of nowhere''. They're walking to the registers when Kebo throws an arm over her shoulder. ''Aren't you glad I'm so smart and care about you guys? Without me you'd be lost''. Daisy lays her head on his shoulder. ''You're right''. The alarm on Daisy's phone goes off when they are leaving the store, she tenses.
''What's wrong?'' ''Shield''. God, she's never going to escape is she? ''I'll call Ward''. ''Oh I don't think there's need for that''. Coulson approaches them with sunglasses on, Lincoln and Bobbi behind him. ''Coulson what the hell are you doing here?'' Daisy has one hand on her gun and the other hanging at her side, ready at any minute for action. ''Just came to talk Daisy''. ''A phone call would have sufficed''. ''We both know you wouldn't have answered''. ''There's a reason for that''. Coulson takes off his sunglasses. ''I just want to talk, want to grab a cup of coffee?''
Daisy shares a glance with Kebo, who shakes his head. ''Come on Daisy, it's just coffee''. Bobbi says, ''we miss you, we just want to catch up''. Daisy doesn't miss the way the Shield agents keep looking around the parking lot, scanning for any signs of Ward. ''Quake it's not a good idea''. ''Daisy come on, you know we would never hurt you''. She glares at Lincoln. ''Tell that to Ward who got his ribs crushed by your leader''. ''Daisy this has nothing to do with Ward''. She crosses her arms, ''really? That why you all keep looking around like he's going to come out of nowhere and attack you? Unlike me Grant doesn't hold a grudge against you Coulson''.
''Daisy don't let the mistake I made come between us. I regret it every single day''. ''I should punch you in the face just for saying that. I went through hell for months because of you, you killed Ward just because you wanted to. Like I said before, I can't forgive that''. ''Not asking for forgiveness, just for you to listen''. Kebo sighs dramatically when he sees the choice she's made on her face. ''Fine. One cup of coffee and then I walk''. ''I'll lead the way''. Kebo grabs her arm when she moves. ''Do I need to remind you what happens when you don't listen to me? Bad things''. ''Just wait outside, okay? I can handle myself''.
Daisy sits in a booth where the table is too far from her reach and the A/C in the coffee shop is on full blast. A cappuccino is in front of her, untouched. Coulson and Lincoln are across from her, Bobbi is outside with Kebo, no doubt to keep an eye out for Ward. ''You've got twenty minutes to tell me whatever you want''. Coulson folds his hands on the table. If he brought Lincoln here to make her feel awkward or uncomfortable, it won't work. ''I'm sorry''. Daisy raises an eyebrow. ''I appreciate that, but I'm really not the one you need to be apologizing to. I wasn't tied up and defenseless when you slaughtered me on another planet''.
''Well if Ward was here I would''. ''Too bad he's not. But I'm sure if he ever wants to talk to you he'll find you no problem. Is that it? Good''. She stands and Coulson stops her. ''Daisy please, I want to make things right again. We were a family once, doesn't that matter to you?'' ''DC we haven't been a family since Ward turned out to be Hydra and you know it. Nothing is like it used to be''. ''That's not my fault''. ''No your fault is murdering a man in cold blood and then acting like you're the hero in that scenario and not the villan''.
''At the time I thought I was doing the right thing''. ''And look where that got you. A bunch of dead agents and me walking away, oh and Ward alive and breathing. You lost''. ''It's not a game Daisy''. ''Oh but it is. It always has been, just this time I'm on the winning side. I'm happy Coulson, after everything I'm happy. So if you're here to try and ruin that, you might as well leave now''. Lincoln places his hand over her's. ''You forgave Ward for everything once, why can't you do the same for a man who's practically your father?''
''Because Ward never killed anyone I love''. Coulson winces like she's just slapped him. Maybe she should. ''You know the real problem I have with Shield? We're the good guys. Protecting people from the unknown, we're the line in other words. You and I have killed people in the name of peace, because it was for the greater good right? You wanted revenge for what happened to Rosalind, she was killed and you loved her. And no one said a word to you, hell you were even cheered on. But when Ward does it, wants someone to pay after what happened to Kara you call him a monster, a psychopath. How is that justified? Grant never killed for his own pleasure, he did what he had to do''.
She takes a deep breath. Daisy has wanted to say this for so long. ''Shield is no better than Hydra''. Coulson's jaw clenches and she knows she's hit her mark. ''That is why I will never be apart of Shield again. Grant was an abuse victim and we treated him like dirt, like his trauma meant nothing. He was used, made into a weapon his entire life and then you punished him for it. There's no honor in that, you're not a better man for it, I am disgusted to ever being involved in an organization like that''. So many memories flash through her mind. Simmons smilng at her, Fitz with shaving cream all over his face, Coulson holding her after she learned about her parents.
Daisy bites it down. Those days are gone now. Coulson gives her a pained look. ''I never realized how deep your hatred went''. ''I could say the same for you''. Something makes her look away from her former boss, and she's glad she did. Grant is walking towards her, in that leather jacket, fire in his eyes like he's about to take on the whole world. Coulson and Lincoln don't notice him until he's sliding in the booth beside Daisy, slips his hand on her thigh. ''You okay?'' ''Yeah''. He can see how upset she is, her eyes are misty. He gives her leg a squeeze before turning to Coulson.
''Why are you here?'' ''I came to apologize Ward''. ''Well go ahead, I'm listening''. Lincoln is trying not to look between Daisy and Ward but he can't help it. ''Sparky why are you here? Let me guess you wanted to see Skye again, that's cute''. Lincoln spreads his hands out over the table, the lights flicker ever so lightly. ''Don't test me''. Grant bursts into laughter. ''Was that supposed to be threatening? Oh wait till I tell Kebo about this he's going to piss himself''. ''Ward''. Grant wipes his facial expression, a clean blank slate. Prepared for anything thrown at him.
''I'm sorry''. Coulson says, looking as if he's eaten something bad. ''You know that was almost convincing Phil, really I'm touched. But we both know why you're apologizing and it's not for my benefit. You just want to get on Skye's good side again''. The Director of Shield shakes his head. ''That's not what I'm doing. Ward I hate myself every day for what I did to you, you didn't deserve that, I truly am sorry''. Daisy watches Ward absorb this information, his face is still neutral but there's a spark of something in his whiskey eyes. ''Apology accepted Phil''. ''Just like that?'' ''Just like that''.
Ward inches his hand higher up her leg and the small building starts to shudder. Ward doesn't even bother to hide his smug look. ''Well if that's all we'll be going''. Grant says, standing up and taking Daisy's hand when she reaches his side. Coulson and Lincoln say nothing as they follow the couple outside, Kebo winks at Ward when he sees him. ''I'm not even gonna ask how you got here so fast Sir''. Daisy tugs on Ward's hand until he turns to face her. ''You followed us didn't you?'' He kisses her forehead before responding, ''didn't want you to bring home another stray''.
Kebo laughs, watches as the Shield agents gather around the dark SUV they arrived in. ''Daisy I don't want things to end on a bad note with us''. ''You should have thought about that before you killed him''. ''I'm sorry, really you need to know that''. She shrugs, ''empty words DC. Empty words''. Bobbi scowls at her and gets in the car, Lincoln gives Daisy a lingering glance before joining her. Coulson is the last to move, looking at his former Shield agents. Wondering how they've all fallen so far. ''I'll be around, one day you'll change your mind Daisy''. ''No I won't''.
After Shield leaves and Daisy and Ward are back at his safe house, that Daisy breaths a sigh of relief. ''I love you''. She murmurs into Ward's skin, her teeth grazing his ear lobe. He glides his hands down her bare back. ''I love you too baby''. Daisy doesn't know what happens next or where they're going. But one thing she does know is that she loves him. And that will always be enough for her. She will never live wthout Grant Ward again, she refuses.
He's looking at her now with so much love in his eyes that it warms every single inch of her. This is heaven. This is where she's supposed to be, where she belongs. Always.