No real idea where this came from, no fan art or comment or anything, but hey One Shots are often like that. I have an idea of what to add to this but unless those flesh out, and/or people really want more this will stay a One Shot for a while. I have a lot to update and QuakeRider Hell is only a fraction of it. As always thoughts, suggestions, playful nagging, are/is welcome.
WarNinGs: QuakeRider fluff and snark, Fitz has some crazy luck, the Rider is just a walking badass.
Aishi Say
"And if I catch it coming back my way
I'm gonna serve it to you
And that ain't what you want to hear
But that's what I'll do
And the feeling coming from my bones
Says find a home."
'A seven nation army' by the White Stripes, so many Marvel MVs to this song.
A SEVEN NATION ARMY COULDN'T HOLD ME BACK
Fitz panted trying not to think about the rubble being held up by nothing but seemly impossible moving bones. The Ghost Rider stood over him, dust graying his ever present jacket, a chunk of rebar stuck through his chest. He was trying not to think about how that empty rib cage under thick leather defied science. His first run in with the Rider had been terrifying, something straight out of a horror movie standing right next to him fighting something else from a similar movie. Daisy had vouched for him, a fact Mack had been less then pleased about. What could a gun do against something that defied the laws of nature and science really? After being 'ghosted' he had seen a much more human side of Robbie, perhaps who Daisy was more familiar with at that point. Robbie's distress and cries of pain did not fit with the scary flaming monster Fitz knew him as, he was far from scary in that much pain. Even when Robbie had touched him Fitz had not been afraid of him, and not simply because the move had not been remotely aggressive. He had met plenty of people who looked one way and were another, and while Robbie was indeed dangerous he was not Ward. Claims that he only hurt and killed people with innocent blood on their hands, so to speak, we're believed. May was only dangerous when she choose to be Robbie was not so different in that respect, none of them were really.
Even now with enough stone pressing against his back to crush anyone without supper strength, or powers like Daisy, and a spear of metal impaling him he was not as scary as he likely should be. Fitz could not help but wonder if it hurt, could the Rider feel pain like Robbie still could? Impaled in the demon core and still conscious and coherent was far more terrifying to Fitz than this monster that hid under Robbie's skin. "Thank you." It was completely insufficient but with the dust coating his throat speaking was hard for him, impossible for the other. The skull tilted slightly as It regarded him before nodding, Robbie likely would have just shrugged it off as well. It made him wonder about their newest asset just waiting to become an agent. Had becoming the Rider along with everything that had happened with his uncle really made Robbie so indifferent, or was it a defense mechanism? Daisy cared about him, Jemma had told him so, and Robbie cared back, at least enough to cover her back and tag along with her all this time. Bonding over a shared mystery was how he and Jemma had started out, it made him smile when he thought of Daisy following in Jemma's footsteps.
A flaming skull turned as if It heard something, how It could hear anything Fitz still did not understand. He swore he saw the eye sockets shift before a burst of fire came and went. Blinking he wondered if he had just seen a demon snort or sigh, both equally odd in his opinion. Unsure why It would do either he jumped when heard his mobile go off. Ignoring the look he swore was a skeptical raised eyebrow on a flaming skull he hit talk. "Daisy, are you all all right?"
"Yeah, I was able the quake the rubble so it fell clear of us, you?"
"Robbie is keeping me from being crushed at the moment." Fitz looked up noting at head jerk followed by a shake of the head, frowning for a moment. "I believe They would appreciate it if you refrained from quaking anymore." The Rider nodded and Fitz smile a bit, learning to read the Rider's gestures would no doubt come in handy. "He nodded."
"Shit, if I destabilize something you could end up a Fitz sandwich."
Fitz frowned confused, not catching a skull tilt, "A what now?"
"It's a joke from Resident Evil...a video game? Never mind I got ya. Mack we need to be gentle or Fitz is in for a bad day!"
"I am sure Robbie's will not be improved either," Fitz chimed in, just because he could not be killed did not mean he would be all right with being buried alive. Tilting his head the engineer wondered if a flaming skeleton could even be counted as alive, perhaps it was just the principle of the thing in this case? Skull tilted and Fitz was sure It was listening to something he could not hear, what he was unsure of if it was not their friends. Trying not to think too much about Hell and reanimated people turning into skeletal soul collectors he closed his eyes. As long as nothing suddenly shifted he was safe enough where he was, and it was clear the Ghost Rider could stand like that for hours and only move if It wished to. Human wills were potentially powerful forces, even if they were hard to quantify with scientific measurements. Sighing softly he allowed his mind to wander, if the Rider had wanted him dead He would not have bothered to save him, or would have fought Robbie when he tried.
A SEVEN NATION ARMY COULDN'T HOLD ME BACK
Fitz opened his eyes when he felt very strong hands grip him and pull as if he weighed no more then a child, and to Mack he likely did not. "I got you Turbo, can you walk?" Mack frowned as he examined the smaller man covered in dust, he looked intact just dirty.
"Likely," Fitz answered, allowing Mack to haul him to his feet before trying to stand. Nodding he concluded he was a bit stiff and dusty but no worst for ware considering the state of the former building. Following Mack he glanced back at the mound of fallen building Robbie was still holding upright, being inhuman had a few advantages that was for sure. "I think we are far enough He can free himself now."
Mack frowned when Fitz brought up that thing, It could stay buried for all he cared but Robbie did not deserve that fate. "Robbie's not claustrophobic is he?"
Daisy shrugged, she had never asked since it had never been a thing, phobia were not always rational. Fitz frowned but had no clear answer, "He was only worried about me as he changed, since I cannot self-heal as They can. The Rider seemed perfectly calm, which was more then fine with me."
"Way better then pissed, not pretty," Daisy was no longer weary of either of them but violence was their second language just as it had become hers. "ROBBIE!"
Stone shifted as the sides were pushed out before the large chunks they had been holding up were shoved aside as if they were only minor annoyances and not hundreds of pounds of solid would be death. The Rider cracked his neck before starting towards the small group, organs growing back as He walked. Robbie frowned when swiping his jacket did little to remove the dust, pale gray was fine but just looking at his jacket made him want to sneeze. Giving up with an annoyed sigh he blinked when he received a hug from Fitz, freezing in shock. The scientist was no longer wary of him but no one really just hugged him anymore, not that he minded really since Fitz was a nice guy. "I'm fine, just dusty is all."
Fitz nodded, cheek shifting against thick leather, looking up he smiled Robbie's face and hair were dust free. "I know, but that was the second time you've personally saved my life."
Robbie blinked at the strange guy he had met not all that long ago really, "You don't deserve to go out like that, none of you do."
Fitz smiled, he knew in the Framework he had done horrible things but that had not been entirely him, and the man he was standing so close to had killed real live people. True they all seemed to be evil men but he had seen the Rider kill up close and personal, it was fast but not at all painless. Knowing that a guy who had spent many a night passing judgment on the wicked deemed him worth protecting did mean a lot, he was not damned simply damaged like the rest of them. "Neither do you."
Robbie opened his mouth to protest slightly, more so him then any of them, only to close it when a Quinjet decloaked and landed. Smiling a slight but genuine smile he watched Simmons run out and meet Fitz in a hug, her nice clean outfit no longer as nice and clean. Turning his head he smirked a little at Daisy when she'd folded her arms on his shoulder, her uniform already dusty in spots. "You did good Chica."
Daisy's smirk turned into a grin, the team was all about nicknames, "So did you Calenton." When Robbie arched a brow at her she bit her lower lip slightly, "Elena said it meant hot head...I didn't just call you something really embarrassing did I?" She knew the same few words all Americans did but for someone who worked with spies, and had spent so much time in parts of America where Spanish was common she knew very little. Lowering her arms she tried to guess what Elena had gotten her to say, it couldn't be that bad since she liked Robbie too.
Robbie shook his head, every language had words that were insults or endearment based purely on tone, or multiple meanings slang or otherwise. "Breathe Daisy, you just surprised me is all."
"At least he is not always a calenton or we'd have to muzzle him," Mack teased knowing Robbie would not mind him teasing just a bit, they had bonded after all.
Robbie smirk at the large black man, he was just as tough as he looked, "You and what army ese?"
"Don't need one," Mack smirked right back, Robbie was a mean fighter who could take a hit better then most.
"Ya quisieras," Robbie countered, thinking back to their is that a dare conversation, which he had totally won.
Mack chuckled, patting a dusty shoulder, "Say that when you don't have powers I dare you."
Robbie shook his head but was grinning, "If you're still around by then you're on."
Simmons smiled as she walked up to the grinning pair that had butted heads not all that long ago, they were adorable teasing each other playfully. Robbie was fitting in nicely with the rest of them, or at least he was now that he had stopped fighting it. When rich brown focused on her she smiled fondly at him before throwing her arms around his neck, his dusty jacket surprising soft under her fingers and wrists. "Thank you Robbie, thank you."
Robbie froze when yet another scientist hugged him, Simmons was the proper one from what Daisy had told him. Closing his eyes he loosely wrapped his arms around the British agent, not at all lost on why Daisy was so fond of her. "Glad I was here to help."
Daisy wiped her eye, she knew what Fitz-Simmons had been through and truly believed they deserved a happy end finally. Robbie was getting used to being touched again, she assumed he had never been a huger, and it was good to see. He had protected Fitz as he would have any of them, though she knew they had bonded a bit while 'ghosted'. Seeing Jemma warming to Robbie despite what she knew he had done reminded Daisy why everyone loved her so damn much. Grinning as Jemma pulled away she moved back to Robbie's side, "Huggable isn't he?"
Jemma blushed slightly as Robbie just tilted his head at Daisy, for a former murdering currently still rather violent vigilante he was rather endearing. Smiling a knowing smile she dusted off her blouse as well as she could, "You ought to know."
Daisy turned towards her friend ducking her head blushing, glancing at Robbie she noted his questioning look and wondered if he had heard the comment, or was simply aware one had been made. Deciding not to enlighten the leather wearing immortal if he had not she smirked back at Jemma, "Hey I'm still clean...mostly."
Robbie glanced at the pair, females confused him sometimes, turning to Fitz he nodded towards them, "That normal?'
"Sometimes...how do you feel?" Fitz could see the jacket was repaired so he knew Robbie was healed, healed did not mean all right.
"Huh? I'm fine, why?" Robbie frowned at the engineer, was he worried there was lingering pain or something? "It doesn't hurt, the Rider can't really feel pain so don't worry about it."
That made sense, the Rider was nothing but bones and flames powered by hurt and rage, could it feel for anyone? Robbie cared that was why he had stuck around after returning for a second time, he had already proven he could not be contained or controlled. "So once you are whole again the pain is also gone?"
"Yeah, good as new every time. I wouldn't be much use to Him if I took long to recover." Robbie shrugged, he was used to it all, and it was not as if he and the Rider were exactly close friends.
"If it makes you feel better I slashed his cheek when we met, and I had no clue he could self heal until he took me home during the blackouts." Daisy had noticed his face when he had turned to face her, there had not been a mark on him. His freckles had gotten her attention, they were not as noticeable in the dark, or when you were fighting for your life. She had learned how expressive his face and eyes could be, she could spend hours just watching him smile and laugh at anything really.
Robbie frowned slightly as he glanced at the wreak he had been buried in, "You were too busy pressing your luck."
Daisy frowned knowing Robbie was thinking something dark by the flex of his jaw, "You did win both times." Robbie turned at that and Daisy grinned, she had not meant to depress him, "You better watch your back Reyes next one is lucky number 3"
Robbie tilted his head before grinning, "I still like my chances Chica."
"Now, now you're both pretty," Mack teased grinning, he was curious to see how well Quake could stand up to Ghost Rider, as long as it was friendly this time.
Fitz laughed when the dusty black clad pair both blinked at Mack, it was adorable when couples made matching facial expressions. "Streaming it might be a great way to scare the Watchdogs."
"Oh honestly, those people would just scream fake until meeting either of them," Jemma muttered crossing her arms. "Bloody Trolls the sodding lot of them."
Daisy chocked, not sure if it was the language or Jemma using Trolls correctly that got her. Robbie steadied her and she nodded. "Jemma the Hell?"
"No, I'm with her," Mack chimed in, "I am still all for 'leaking' clips of you two kicking ass on the net."
Robbie blinked at the proper Brit, he had not seen that coming. Turning his attention to Mack he shrugged, "I guess I could knock some skulls for the camera, not like it is hard to find punks in a city."
"Well I guess if Robbie is down for it it's a date," Daisy smirked hooking his arm and pulling, he came along after a moment. "Since we are both dusty how about you Ring us back to base and once we change we can Ring back for Lucy? The others will be around for hours analyzing the Watchdogs new make the building collapse on Quake trick so no one will touch her."
Robbie glanced back at the others before frowning at Daisy, "You really want to teach them not to target your friend hm?"
"And you don't?" Daisy challenged, Robbie was pretty calm but he was used to keeping his cool around people after all so it was not as strange as it could be.
Rich brown turned to burning embers with a sneer, "I want to teach them there are far worst things then Inhumans out there."
Daisy flattened her hand on soft worn leather, looking at her dusty hand before looking up at a man with literal demons to fight. "You are not one of those worst things Robbie, He might be but not you."
Robbie smiled as he leaned close, forehead resting on wavy bangs and soft skin, "What we fight Daisy, without people like you out there this world would be as bad as any Hell He has seen."
Daisy closed her eyes when Robbie leaned close, warm skin touching hers, "Then let's go raise a little Hell to remind them?"
"You just had to ask," Moving away Robbie cracked his chain as he set it aflame, swinging it he summoned a portal and held out his hand. Daisy smiled as she placed her hand in Robbie's, smiling a bit wider when he smiled back before leading her through the portal.
Jemma sighed, "They really are cute together."
"You do realize they are going off to beat up Watchdogs?" Mack asked, he was fine with it since Robbie would not be killing on camera since that would cause problems for S.H.I.E.L.D.
Fitz shrugged, "Doesn't change the fact Daisy seems almost like her old self since bringing Robbie on broad."
Jemma nodded, "And Robbie seems much more personable as well."
Mack sighed as he shook his head, "Just don't tell Yo Yo about their date or she'll be mad we didn't make it a double."
Jemma and Fitz shared a look before nodding, "Done."
A SEVEN NATION ARMY COULDN'T HOLD ME BACK
I will do more with this, Date Night and YoYo finding out could both be funny. At the moment this is going to stay a One Shot, said that before, so if you want more tell me, easy right? All and all for a random idea I think this turned out all right. As always leave ideas, thoughts, etc before you leave please. Depending on Muses and read responses this will be updated in Dec most likely, faster if people really like or my Muses decide to work on this alone.
