Chapter 2
Grant continued to do recon on the 'Foley' boys.
Rain or shine, he did his rounds like clockwork. He used his surveillance technology to listen in on their conversations, studies, and day to day lives while they were at their house. He tailed them while they worked on the farm. Ideally, he'll be in a place where he can watch over Declan while still being able to spy on Fitz while on whatever duty he was on. He followed them when they went to chop firewood and shadowed them when they went into town for supplies.
The place Fitz had chosen to raise his child was quaint and peaceful. The last actual homicide was over three decades ago and it was a drunken spat that was only categorized as a homicide as a technicality but was more of an accident. The last crime was a bit pathetic as two homeless teenagers tried to steal food. But still, Grant wanted to be around in case there was a desperate mugger saw a vulnerable father and boy walking down the street, or recently moved in pedophile caught sight of his beautiful baby boy and was tempted!
And okay, maybe those weren't as likely. But he still remained close. Though he was sure that he'd mostly have to rescue Fitz. The engineer seemed to be a rather popular fellow to suitors in these parts. Grant never really considered Fitz to be anything above plain, but looking back now he was rather attractive. These days he was more fit due to the daily routines of being on a farm. His time with SHIELD wasn't for nothing either and he's stepped out of his shy shell, and though he wasn't an Alpha Male he wasn't an Omega now either.
It actually made Grant scoff, sometimes gag, at how much of the men Fitz saw treated him. They had no idea how easily Fitz could now overpower and kick their asses! It sometimes confused Grant as to why Fitz let them believe that. Once upon a time if Fitz had the power, he would have shown it off. But then Declan runs towards him with an excited smile, wanting to show him something, and Grant remembers that Fitz wasn't Fitz anymore. He was Foley. And Leo Foley wasn't an agent or a soldier. He was a father and a farm hand.
Grant did have worries about strange men, or women, coming into his son's life. He himself was an amazing liar who fooled so many people, why couldn't they? He feared they would get close to Fitz and his son. Make Fitz fall in love and then break his heart before literally ripping it out. He didn't have to worry about that though. His son was rather protective of Fitz. It was amusing.
His son was quite the actor himself. He acted like an angel to Fitz. Never out of character, very much a child(although a highly intelligent, strong, and quick child. He doesn't care if he's being biased.), but in a way, that...is normal for a child. Declan was used to it being just him and Fitz. He loved Fitz enough that he didn't throw a tantrum when Fitz went on dates, but he made it clear to suitors, whoever they might be, where Fitz's priorities stood. If any of them ever overstepped, Declan would lash out in a way that demanded Fitz's attention and that 'relationship' would be over! Grant was impressed.
Fitz yawned as he made his way to the kitchen, only to pause when he smelled food. Following his nose, he saw the table set with waffles(the pre-frozen kind that you pop in the toaster), freshly squeezed orange juice(only about half a cup with a lot of pulp), a beagle with cream cheese and some smoked sliced ham(a gift from Jack).
"What's all this?" he asked.
Declan came into view and gave Fitz a huge and tight hug. "Happy fathers day, da! I made breakfast, and a card, and a machine!"
"What? Whoa! How long have you been awake?" Fitz asked, genuine amazement and love.
Declan waved off the question. "Could hardly sleep. Too excited! Come on, 'fore it gets cold!"
"Alright, alright." Fitz sat down and took a bite after preparing his waffles to his liking from the spread Declan had set out. As he tried everything, Declan was watching him with an expectant and excited face.
"Well!?" Delcan asked impatiently.
Fitz paused to 'think', which drove Declan a little crazy, but then Fitz laughed and leaned over to kiss Declan's forehead. "It's perfectly delicious."
Declan beamed with pride.
Grant had to use every bit of his self-restraint and disciplined to not crash their father's day celebration. Both Declan and Fitz had taken the day off to celebrate, which they took complete advantage of.
After their breakfast which Declan made himself(even if nothing beyond the microwave and toaster were used), they settled into the living room for a lazy morning viewing of cartoons. After that, they went on a hike which was also an educating process. Fitz and Delcan both had their journals and each time they passed an animal, big or small, they'd record it. What it looked like, what it was doing, what it ate, and as they moved along Fitz would go further into detail about the creature while Declan took notes. Once they arrived at a lake, they took out jars and pipe drips and did water analysis. Grant would think Declan would be bored since from listening in the boy had a bigger love for space.
But whenever Fitz talked, Declan listened as if the information was absolutely vital. Fitz himself has learned to better communicate too. He wasn't just teaching at Declan but got him involved in the lessons. Asking him questions, and even if Declan didn't know the exact answer, Fitz coaxed his thoughts about the situation. Again, Grant didn't care if he was being biased, but his son was pretty damn smart.
After their nature exploration hike, they head into town. They get a bite to eat a local pub where the two are apparently known and loved. As Declan declares that Fitz is the best dad in the world(and Grant fights down the ache in his chest at hearing that), the elderly woman who co-owns the pubs says that the best dad deserves the first slice of their freshly baked cherry pie.
The two eat dessert before lunch and then share half a sandwich.
They make a few more stops as Fitz picks up some ingredients they were missing, some parts for their at home projects and whatever else catches either of their eyes and stop by the post office to pick up any mail.
There was a postcard from Daisy who promises to visit soon. Great news for the boys. Possible complications for Grant.
Trouble actually arrived before Daisy or any other SHIELD agent.
As best as he's done to drop off everyone's radar, there were some people he's pissed off too much to really let him go. As vigilant as he's been about people getting to his son and Fitz, he has let his guard a bit down. Not so much as guarding them as much as he was just...watching their experience from afar.
And in that window of negligence to their safety, someone he pissed off now knows who he was watching.
Grant was in his usual outpost with the house in view when he knew something was wrong.
"DECLAN! PANIC ROOM! NOW!" He heard Fitz scream with authority before smashing and loud thuds.
"DADDY!" Declan cried with fear lacing his voice.
"Do as I say!" Fitz cried out. Then there was more crashing, more thuds and then BANG!
Grant burst in, anger and protectiveness fueling him and he lunged at the enemy. He was kicked and punched, tackled and punched some more. He fought back with every fiber in his being demanding he protect his son. With a rather gruesome crack, the body of the intruder went limp.
Turning around to see how his son was, he found him next to Fitz's side crying. The fact that Leo's name meant lion did nothing to stop the image of Mufasa and Simba from entering Grant's mind. But he forced himself to focus.
"Let me see." He said gently.
Only to be met with a hard smack on the head with a baseball bat. Small and thin, crying and very afraid, Declan stood between Grant and Fitz ready to protect his father by any means. "LEAVE US ALONE! GO AWAY!"
"Whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa! I'm here to help, okay? I'm here to help. You want me to help him? I can, but you have to let me, okay?" This was not the way he wanted their first conversation to go, but beggars couldn't be choosers.
Declan swallowed thickly before seeing how much blood was coming out of his father. Tears fell thickly as he lowed his bat until it fell on the ground with a 'clunk'. "Please help him...he's all I got."
'You got me now too.' Grant wanted to add, but he knew it was too much right now.
So he focused on Fitz.
"Don't worry okay? It's just a flesh wound. Nothing important was hurt. Do you have a first aid kit?" Grant asked.
Declan nodded furiously.
"Can you go get it for me?"
Declan ran and was back in moments, handing over the kit.
"You're doing good. Now, can you bring me cloth towels, paper towels, and water bottles?" Grant asked. If he could keep Declan busy while he pulled the bullet out and patched Fitz up, the better. Declan nodded and went to do what Grant asked of him.
Fitz was alright, but it seemed like he hit his head really hard in the scuffle and was temporarily unconscious. Also better if you asked Grant. Declan was back and watching with piercing eyes. His little chest was heaving and tears were still falling from his eyes, but he wiped them away rapidly.
"You don't have to watch, you know," Grant said.
"How will I know you won't mess up?" Declan replied without missing a beat.
His response made Grant smirk.
"I like you, kid."
"I don't care. I care that you don't let my dad die." Declan told him.
"He's not gonna die. I promise you." Grant swore.
"I don't even know you."
"Grant Ward. And I saved your dad's life." Grant said as he finished patching Fitz up. Carefully, Grant picked up Fitz bridal style and asked Declan, "Now, where can we lay him down so he can rest?"
Declan stared at Grant with an almost glare before leading him to Fitz's room. There the two tucked Fitz's in. Declan raced to get him an ice pack and some painkillers for when he woke up.
"Who was that man? Why did he want to hurt us?...and who are you? Who are you really?" Declan asked Grant.
Grant remained quiet, unsure of what he should say. But then he didn't have to. Fitz groaned into consciousness, then bolted up and looked around, crying, "Declan!"
"I'm here da!" Declan lunged himself into Fitz's arms.
Fitz hugged him back tightly. "Oh thank god!" Then he winced at the pain in his arm. The movement made his eyes shift towards Grant and Fitz's breath caught. "Ward..."
"Fitz. Or should I say Foley?"