Previously: Skye and Lincoln have just finished explaining how when children came to see them, Skye became so frustrated that she took it out on herself.

Present day

"We're finishing the debrief… outside?" Skye asked, staring at the somewhat dingy park May had walked them to. It had been a few blocks away from the base.

May shrugged. "I think we could all use the fresh air."

"What's he doing here?" Lincoln asked.

"Excuse me," says Hunter indignantly. "He has a name. And... he's here for moral support."

Actually, Hunter had a hunch that he was there because everyone else at the base was acting absolutely bonkers. Bobbi wasn't herself. Simmons looked nervous as a turkey at these Americans' Thanksgiving and after speaking with Coulson, he'd seemed the same. Then Fitz and his two Inhuman lackeys were apparently having some kind of tiff.

And of course there was these two, who apparently needed babysat. Hunter and May were the only ones up to par at the moment.

Skye shook her head in confusion. "Why are we debriefing outside?" she asked, crossing her arms defensively. "Probably not the best decision by way of security protocol, May."

Despite Skye's tone, the older agent didn't seem deterred by the snide comment. She shrugged. "You said you liked being outside."

"I'm also ashamed of it, if you didn't get that by my apology," she snapped. "So… thanks for bringing it up."

"Well, nothing shameful about being at the park," Hunter chimed.

"Except we're clearly being handled with kid gloves… literally."

"'Literally?' I'm not wearing any gloves, mate."

Skye squinted accusingly. "I meant that you're taking us to a park that happens to include a playground and it's childish!"

Hunter smiled, wondering if Skye would approve of the gesture to not back off from her. "I know. Just trying to get under your skin," he said cheekily, causing her face to soften. "Also, Lincoln said he could do with some coddling. Maybe you could put up with it for his sake."

Skye's face fell, becoming visibly upset as she looked ruefully at Lincoln. Then he got upset at her upset.

C'mon. Honestly.

"We don't have to debrief outside, I don't mind…" Lincoln started.

Skye waved him off. "No no, it's fine. It could be… fun." She muttered the last word off distastefully, then plopped down with resigned sulkiness onto a bench.

The bench was fairly small and Hunter honestly didn't feel like rubbing shoulders with Skye and Lincoln in their state. Physically rubbing shoulders. He didn't mind hanging out with them…

Just to the side of Skye's seat was an old metal swing set, deeply rusted from years of rain and neglect. It was probably one of the few objects that used to make up the children's play area that hadn't completely fallen to bits.

He shimmied his way in between the coarse chains that held a seat between them, tentatively sitting down.

The sight brought out Lincoln's smile.

"Don't expect me to join you," said the Inhuman. "I haven't had a Tetanus shot in ages."

Skye crossed her arms. "And I'm not in the mood for playtime," she said, moving the stray bangs that had fallen in front of her face away with a quick puff of air from her mouth.

If Skye's predicament hadn't been so horrible, Hunter would have almost found it laughable. She was making such a large point out of not wanting to be coddled, helped, or treated like a child that it made her out to be the spitting image of a crabby two-year-old.

As it happened with these circumstances though, Skye's petulance was more just... sad.

So no, Hunter didn't expect Skye nor Lincoln to be cozying up to him any time soon.

He hadn't expected Melinda May to either, but that was precisely who took up the vacant swing next to him. Skye raised an inquisitive eyebrow, while Lincoln just looked utterly confused.

"I'd rather sit here than an overcrowded bench," she explained simply.

Skye rolled her eyes, predictably. But Hunter smiled. "You going to start kicking those legs anytime soon?" he asked cheekily, swinging sideways a tad to give her a nudge.

May was not amused by the gesture. Like, very unamused. As in, May was giving him a look-to-kill face.

"Don't touch me," she ordered snidely.

"Yes m'am," he snapped.

She eyed him for a while longer, despite his clear obedience to her words.

"Skye, Lincoln," she started slowly, finally trailing her gaze away from Hunter and towards her rookie. "Feel free to continue."

Skye had actually looked semi-normal for a moment then, but with the reminder to tell the story she was retreating into herself sheepishly.

She bitterly stated, "I guess we can pick up after I was done being an idiot."

Author's Note: Oh it's so dark... this story is dark and sad. Sorry, I'm just starting to get fed up with writing super angry Skye haha. I think next chapter there's a bit of fluff between Skye and Lincoln, so stay tuned! (you know, as well as continuing this dark and full of terrors plot)