The next morning Ward woke up long after the sun came up. He rubbed his eyes with the back of his right hand. He then looked to his left where Skye still slept peacefully in his arms. He smiled at the side. He could get used to this. He wanted to get up to start the day, but at the same time he didn't want to wake her. He knew how much she loved to sleep in. And on the Bus he never let her. Although, in his defense, they needed to train. But this was a little vacation. There was no need for them to train here.
While Ward was lost in his thoughts Skye woke up and watched him. She had a huge smile on her face, remembering last night's events. If they wouldn't be still naked and lying down in a tight embrace she would have thought that it was just another of her sexy dreams. But this was real. It really happened.
"Why the serious face" she asked teasingly.
"I'm thinking" he answered, after looking at her.
"I'm not sure that's a good thing" she continued.
"And why not?" he asked her.
"Usually you think of working out and torturing me with pull-ups" she explained.
"That's what you believe?"
"I don't have to believe. I know. You have been doing this for the past months. Every morning the same routine."
"Well then, I'm pleased to inform you that I, as your supervising officer, have decided that we won't train whatsoever while here" he said in a serious voice.
"Awesome" Skye cheered. "Since my SO won't bother me with workouts what will my boyfriend do?" she asked in a seductive voice.
"First, we haven't established that I'm your boyfriend. Second…"
"Hold up. Let's establish it now."
"Alright. Skye, do you want to be my girlfriend?" Ward asked her seriously.
"I'll have to think about it. Will you kiss me every day?"
"Yes. Will you?"
"Totally. I love kissing you. Will we have a repeat of last night, let's say at least three times a week?"
"Skye, I can't promise that. We live on a plane. Walls are thin."
"Will you try?"
"I will."
"Will you make me pancakes in the morning?"
"No. Only on Sundays. The rest of the week is completely booked with workouts, all kinds" he added grinning "and that means healthy food for you, rookie."
"Acceptable. How about ice cream?"
"What about it?"
"Will you feed it to me while we watch a movie? Or in bed?"
"I will. But not every day."
"Do you really want me to be your girlfriend" she asked a little shy.
"More than anything. I want you to be mine and I want to be yours."
"What about the others? Will we tell them?"
"Of course, they are our family. We'll tell them as soon as we get back. But you didn't answer yet. Do you want to even be my girlfriend?"
"Nothing could keep me from being your girlfriend. Yes, Robot" she said and kissed him.
After a little make out session they stopped to catch their breaths. They decided to get dressed and start their day. To their surprise, someone cleared the food from last night and brought them breakfast. Pancakes. Ward wondered if it was usual for Asgardians to eat pancakes, but Skye explained that Thor loved them and asked the kitchen staff to make them every once in a while. He must have thought they would enjoy them too. The two lovers sat down at the table and started eating.
"I was just thinking" Ward started.
"Again" asked Skye amused. Ward rolled his eyes and smiled.
"Yes. Again. I was thinking of SHIELD. There are protocols that forbid agents to be romantically involved. Maybe we should keep this a secret from them. Not the team. Just the rest."
"No can do, honey" Skye started after swallowing quickly. "If anyone even thinks of breaking us up I will go all Xena-Warrior-Princess on them. And you can let a little Berserker rage out. Besides I will talk to Fury. I've been busting my ass for months keeping SHIELD save and fighting the enemy. And so did you for that matter. If Fury even starts with that crap I will quit. He can find someone else to help him."
"Nice speech, babe, but you can solve a problem by giving ultimatums" he treid to explain.
"Watch me. And it's not a ultimatum. It's fact. We both risked a lot working for SHIELD, for Fury. Besides, as long as our job performance doesn't suffer I don't get why our relationship is any ones business. And, we wouldn't be the first couple. Take Clint and Nat for example. If they can, why not us?"
"Sweetie, they are trained professionals…."
"So are you and I'm in training. And if anyone thinks that I couldn't protect myself than let them watch. I will kick ass major league."
Realizing he couldn't convince her otherwise Ward just sighed and drank his orange juice. Or at least he thinks it's orange juice. He suddenly felt Skye stare at him.
"What? Is there something on my face?" he asked bewildered.
"You know, we have been a couple for what half an hour now, we already found terms of endearment for each other and we had our first fight. If we continue at this speed we might be married by the end of the week" she said, smiling.
"Wouldn't mind" he answered causing her to cough. "Relax, I'm joking" which made her cough even harder.
"You joked? I can't believe this. You really are a different person" she stated. "But I like you." She stood up and went to sit on his lap. He immediately wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck.
"You just like me?" he asked playful.
"I love you, Grant" she said serious, meaning it. She pressed her lips gently onto his and he returned her kiss.
"I love you too, Skye. I would like to shower. Would you mind…" Skye immediately stood up and let him go to the bathroom. "What are you doing?" he asked surprised.
"You said you wanted to take a shower. I'm letting you go."
"That's nice of you, but what I meant was would you mind joining me?" That question earned him a huge grin on her face and a little strip show on their way to the bathroom.
What usually took him five minutes turned into one hour. But he couldn't complain. He was right where he wanted to be and most importantly with whom he wanted to be. After they finally managed to keep their hand off of each other long enough to get dressed Skye asked him if he wanted to go to explore a little. Since he was curious to see what Asgard looked like he reached for her hand and the two lovers took a long walk through the city.
It was almost afternoon when they returned to the palace. Both realizing they were starving. On their way up to their room however they met Thor.
"Hello, Thor. Long time no see" Skye said cheerful.
"Greetings to you too. Did you show Agent Ward Asgard?"
"Yeah, but we decided to return. We are starving."
"Then you are right on time. Come, join me and the others on the terrace."
Skye and Ward nodded and followed Thor. They were greeted by Thor's friends when they arrived on the terrace and gestured to the couple to take a seat at their table.
"Agent Ward, these are my friends and allies. Volstagg, Hogun, Fandral and Lady Sif. My friends, this is Agent Ward, he is with SHIELD" Thor introduced them.
"It is an honor meeting you all" Ward said respectfully.
"Likewise" Volstagg and Hogun said together. Fandral only nodded.
"You look different, Angel" Lady Sif addressed Skye.
"Do I?" Skye asked, blushing slightly.
"Yes. You seem calmer" she continued.
"It it because of Agent Ward" Thor started, making Ward and Skye exchange looks. How did he know Skye wondered and saw that Ward must have thought the same. "Last time when I saw her she believed him to be the enemy. It turned out that he was an ally, only pretending to be the enemy" Thor explained to the others and both Skye and Ward sighed in relief. He meant Hydra, not their nightly activity.
"Actually, Thor. There is something else. You see, Grant and I are together now" Skye said.
"We can see that" Hogun said pointing at the two.
"No I mean we are together together" Skye insisted.
"Yes, you are allies" Fandral said. Sif was smiling understanding Skye's statement, but allowed her friends to make a fool out of themselves regardless.
"They are a couple, you idiots" Volstagg finally explained.
"Yes" Skye confirmed.
"Then I think congratulations are in order" Sif said and stood up to hug Skye and Ward.
"Agent Ward" Thor said in a serious voice "you have to understand that Angel is very important to a lot of people. I think I speak for everyone here" the others nodded "when I say that if you dare hurting her you will pay with your life" Thor finished.
"Uhm, Thor. Calm down. We don't want to scare my boyfriend away. I just got him" Skye stood between Ward and Thor.
"It's ok" Ward said, placing a hand on her shoulder "don't worry. Any of you. I love Skye and I would die before hurting her or let anyone else hurt her" Ward declared.
"Good, then welcome into our midst" Thor said, now cheerful, as if nothing happened. Ward was a little taken aback by what just happened and looked to Skye for answers.
"It's ok. They tend to be overprotective. Just a heads up. You might experience something similar with the other Avengers as well. But don't panic. I'll protect you" she said teasingly and he kissed her lips for a brief moment before saying "Thank you".
They sat down and ate and talked until very late in the evening. When it was time for bed, the two lovers excused themselves and went up to their room. Once inside Ward wrapped his arms securely around Skye's body and kissed her fiercely. He picked her up, never ending the kiss, and carried her into the bedroom where they repeated their activities from the night before.
"Wow" was the only thing both could say after three rounds of passionate lovemaking. Both fell asleep in the others embrace, dreaming of more nights together to come and a bright future, filled with laughter and love.