Being a SHIELD agent had turned Phil into a light sleeper, so when his door creeks open, he was up in a second. The other side of the bed was empty seeing as Melinda was out on a mission, leaving Phil and Daisy Coulson the only two in the house for the weekend. He relaxed upon seeing his five year old daughter in the small space between the door and the wall. A split second later, though, he was back on edge, hopping out of bed and running over to his daughter, who's big brown eyes were glossy with tears.
"Daisy! What's the matter, are you okay?!" he questioned, kneeling down to her. Had Melinda been there she would have rolled her eyes and later teased him for over reacting, which he often did. She nodded slightly and sniffed.
"I had a bad dream," she whimpered slightly. His shoulders fell as he realized she wasn't hurt or in any danger.
"What was it about?" he asked softly.
"A monster," she said.
"Oh no. Well you're safe now," he told her. She nodded and looked down at her pink painted toes.
"Daddy, I'm still scared," she whispered. He picked her up and brought her over the bed.
"It's okay to be scared sometimes," he said, setting her down and climbing in next to her.
"You never get scared," Daisy replied.
"Yeah I do. I get scared all the time," he admitted.
"Of what?" Daisy asked, incredulous.
"Lots of things." he answered.
"Even monsters?"
"I used too, but guess what," he said.
"What?"
"I know now that the monsters can't hurt me," he said, wiping a tear off of her cheek with his thumb.
"But, Daddy, how do you know?" she asked.
"Because I'm stronger than them and as long as I remember that I can do anything, including slay monsters, I know I'll be okay," he said.
"Can I slay monsters?" she asked.
"Of course you can, Daisy Skye Coulson, you are the strongest little girl I have ever met," he told her. She smiled.
"Really?" she asked. He nodded and kissed her forehead.
"Really," he replied.
"But what if I can't slay monsters?" she asked.
"Then I'll slay them for you, Daisy, I'm not going to ever let anything ever happen to you, I promise," he said. She nodded and thought for a moment.
"Daddy, can I sleep down here tonight?" she asked, hopeful. He pretended to think about it.
"Hmm, maybe just for tonight, since Mommy can't keep me company," he said. She grinned and snuggled into him as they layed down.
"I know you're going to keep me safe," she said as he wrapped his arms around her.
"Always," he replied, gently kissing the crown of her head.
"I love you, Daddy."
"I love you, Daisy."