"Director Johnson, with all due respect, you look like shit," Robbie gave Daisy a lopsided grin.
It was Monday morning, and they were leaving the final sentencing for Hellfire.
"I feel like shit," Daisy pinched the bridge of her nose. "I hate these hearings."
Robbie cataloged the dejected response and dark circles under her eyes. Should he push, or just leave her be?
"Want to grab something to eat? Coffee?" he finally asked.
"A nap would be nice," she began, yawning. She'd been running on a couple hours sleep the last few nights and it was catching up with her.
Someone shoved a tablet in her face and she signed it, before excusing herself for an emergency call.
Robbie watched as she rubbed her eyes, as an aide handed her a styrofoam cup of coffee but she had to set it aside when out of nowhere, a blonde reporter and cameraman appeared.
"Director Johnson," the reporter stuck a microphone in Daisy's face. "Your initiative freed Hellfire. Shouldn't you be responsible for the damages and not the city?"
Robbie clenched his fists just as an oversized SHIELD SUV pulled up and two other agents rushed over and escorted Daisy away, her coffee already forgotten.
He sent her a text message. "Coming by tonight with dinner."
She replied instantly. "Looking forward to it. My place is a mess, though."
Robbie grunted.
"We're all a mess, chica," he muttered, looking at the date on his phone.
"This smells amazing," Daisy enthused, as soon as she walked in the door.
She slipped off her heels and jacket when Robbie relieved her of her laptop bag and if he was as unnerved at how domestic they were, he didn't show it.
"Dinner's ready," he brushed his fingers against hers.
"Thanks," Daisy said, shyly.
They ate chicken tacos with an absurd amount of toppings.
"I didn't know what you liked," Robbie felt embarrassed. He may have gone overboard with two types of cheeses, sour cream, jalapenos, lettuce, and tomatoes. Plus hard taco shells and soft tortillas, corn and flour.
"This is so delicious," Daisy was on her 3rd taco. "I didn't know you could cook." She thought back to what Gabe confided about their parents' death. But Robbie hadn't said anything and she didn't want to pry.
"It's just tacos. Home food." Robbie's eyes were warm as he surveyed her.
"You're welcome to make home food anytime for me," Daisy smiled, holding his gaze. "Keep the key."
Robbie's head dipped and Daisy's smile widened. He was so adorable when he got shy.
"My psych eval came through good. I leave in a couple of days." Robbie ventured.
"We got strange sightings in New York. Possible Asgardians," Daisy was putting copious amounts of sour cream on her taco. "I leave in the morning for my first UN conference."
They talked shop over dinner, and when Robbie started clearing the table, Daisy went to shower.
This was one of the few relaxing nights since she became Director, she realized as the warm spray hit her. And the floral shower curtain wasn't that bad, it was actually pretty.
Robbie was tidying the kitchen when she finished dressing. He moved around like he belonged there, in her space, with her, and a soft feeling unfurled.
Of safety and security.
Of family.
An impulsive thought seized her. "Why don't you stay here while I'm gone?"
Robbie was wiping the counter, and he looked up quizzically. "Stay here?"
"Till I get back. Keep the monsters away for me," The words were out of Daisy's mouth before she could stop them.
Robbie stilled. "I have clothes in my car. Want me to stay tonight too?"
Daisy searched his face. Was he only being polite?
Or maybe he really was her knight, not in armor but clad in a leather jacket, riding in his trusty Hell Charger.
"I have to be up at 4 am," she answered.
Robbie nodded. "I won't keep you up."
It took less than a couple hours before Daisy regretted her impulsive sleepover invitation.
She and Robbie were currently having an argument about her bedtime.
"You need to go to bed now so you can get at least 6 hours of sleep," Robbie glared like he was talking to a fucking child. "You haven't been getting enough rest."
"My lack of sleep is none of your concern." Daisy shot back, as she threw Robbie's pillow to him so he could take the couch. "I am the Director of SHIELD and-"
"I don't give a damn about your position," Robbie strode to the just cleaned kitchen and flicked off the light. "You're no good if you're running yourself ragged. I see the dark circles under your eyes."
"Those from bad dreams, okay? Not from replying to emails at 9 pm."
Robbie steps faltered. "I didn't know you had nightmares."
"Lots about me you don't know." Daisy looked at the floor. "Listen. I can't fuck up at my job. People think I'm too young, and too flighty and-"
"People who don't see you're the best damn Director can go fuck themselves," Robbie growled. "But you need your rest."
"I can see why you're single," Daisy muttered. "So damn pushy."
Robbie moved the multitude of colorful throw pillows to the floor and laid on the couch, and bid Daisy a pointed goodnight. She went to her room, and after hesitating left her room door open and powered on her laptop.
After replying to emails and checking her schedule for the next day, she turned off the light.
It was quiet, and she could hear Robbie trying to get comfortable on the sofa.
What was this feeling? Daisy wondered, staring in the dark.
She took deep breaths, inhaling, counting, then exhaling like May taught her.
Sadness washed over her now; she missed them so much, May and Coulson. But they were on their honeymoon and she'd promised to take care of SHIELD and rebuild it in their absence.
Everyone had moved on, off with their own lives and here she was, trying to do the same, but with demons that wouldn't let her go.
More deep breaths.
Inhale. Hold. Exhale.
A sharp noise interrupted, then a curse in Spanish. Robbie must've stretched out and hit his foot on the end table.
"Robbie," she called out in the darkness. "You okay?"
"Yeah."
Hearing his voice echo in the quiet apartment was like a warm touch on her skin.
"I can't sleep," she said.
"You're thinking too much. Just relax."
He sounded tired, and Daisy felt a twinge of guilt for bothering him.
She sighed and rolled over trying to get comfortable.
Would she have any nightmares tonight?
What would Robbie think?
Tomorrow would her first UN meeting. Hopefully, her new suit made a good impression. Should she wear her hair out like normal, or try a more formal bun?
Shit. She should go over her speech again not be in bed before 10 like an old lady.
Did Coulson go to bed early when he was Director? Probably not. Why did she think-
"I can hear you thinking," Robbie called from the other room.
"Why don't you talk to me," she returned, teasingly. "I'll be knocked out in no time."
There was a creaking noise then even footsteps, and Robbie appeared at her door. His hair was rumpled and he looked adorably sleepy.
"I can't sleep either," he confessed. "Can I- um, lay with you?"
"Of course," Daisy said, scooting over. "Come here." She'd never had Robbie ask anything for himself.
"Thanks," Robbie got under the covers, making sure to leave enough space between them. "I just- I don't want to be alone."
Silence descended.
"Wanna talk about it?" Daisy's voice was soft.
"My parents died on this date."
Daisy turned over on her side so she could see Robbie's face in the moonlight. He looked as sad as he sounded.
"I'm sorry." She brushed her hand against his.
"Nothing to be sorry for. I should be over it."
"I don't think we ever get over the people we love that pass away," Daisy said gently. "I know I haven't."
"I'm sorry," Robbie turned, so he could face her too. "It must've been tough losing your boyfriend."
Daisy let out a harsh laugh. "He sacrificed himself for me."
"He must have thought you're worth it."
"No. I wasn't. I turned on SHIELD and was -"
"You? Turn on SHIELD?" Robbie interrupted, his brow wrinkling. "I don't believe that."
"Believe it," Daisy murmured. "I broke apart the Playground and-"
"Why did you do it?" Robbie cut her off again.
"I thought it was the right thing to do at the time."
"Why?" Robbie was tenacious.
"I-, It's hard to explain," Daisy began. "I don't want to talk about it."
Robbie sighed. "I understand."
Daisy inched toward Robbie. "Sorry about your parents. You can talk to me anytime." She nudged his foot with hers. "My bed's always open."
Robbie nudged her back. "What's May and Coulson up to? What country are they in?"
"In Ireland now," Daisy's voice grew soft as she spoke about the two people she looked up to like parents. "Coulson's going through his bucket list. And reading Ulysses in random pubs."
Robbie yawned and moved closer to Daisy, till he could feel the warmth of her skin. "May is liking that?"
"Oh, she's having a blast," Daisy said, enthusiastically. "The leave of absence was the best thing for her. Plus spending time with Coulson-" and Daisy chattered on, the love for Phil and Melinda apparent in her voice.
Robbie yawned again, snuggling closer to Daisy and soon he was fast asleep in the middle of Daisy's story of May getting in a bar fight.
"Guess I talked you to sleep, huh?" Daisy murmured. She was right next to him, almost on his pillow and could feel his gentle breaths.
She stared at his features that she could make out in the dark; high cheekbones on golden skin and the stubborn jut of his chin.
Gently, careful not to wake him, she brushed his hair and pulled the cover over him.
This was her Robbie. They weren't perfect but they had each other's backs.
He was snoring now, lightly, and his mouth was slightly parted as he rolled on his stomach and nuzzled into his pillow.
Daisy inched closer and stroked his hair, listening to his breathing till she fell asleep.
Hive came in her dreams at midnight.
"So this is why you wanted Lincoln dead," Hive jeered. "So strange men can sleep in your bed."
Daisy gasped, shaking her head.
"My daughter is such a slut," Jiaying appeared. "She cares about his dead parents. A stranger. " She fixed Daisy with accusing eyes. "Your own mother is dead because of you."
"Don't talk to her like that," Robbie suddenly materialized, unfurling his hellfire chain in a blaze of fire. "When you die tonight, it'll be because of me."
"I got this," Daisy smiled slowly. "They're not real."
"You are so naive!" Jiaying's voice was shrill. "Why would anyone care about a failure like you?"
"Doesn't matter," Daisy declared, unleashing an earthquake. "I care about myself."
She gasped awake when Hive and Jiaying disintegrated.
Robbie was still sleeping soundly, and she waited till her breathing returned to normal before laying back down.
She moved closer, nuzzling in his strong back and taking comfort in his warmth.
He turned over, gathering her in his arms.
"Come here," he murmured, holding her close.
She sighed, nestling herself in his chest, and for the second time that night, she listened to his breathing till she fell asleep.
