A/N: This chapter was prompted by Salkri Kachemench and I really enjoyed writing it. Please let me know what you think!
Fitz now knew what it was like to die. It was soul-crushing. He felt like he couldn't move, couldn't speak, couldn't even breathe. Like his life just stopped in one moment - a moment that went on for eternity. And it was all because of her.
She lay there, so still, so pale. Her life was slowly draining out of her, and all Fitz could do was stand there, one hand pressed up against the glass. The barrier between life and death had never seemed so fragile to him before. Before it was Skye's life on the line. His hand curled into a fist, helplessness overwhelming him. Every night since she was shot, he had visited her after everyone had gone to sleep. It was his time to be alone with her, to talk to her the way he wished he had when she could hear.
"I never told you," he said quietly, his voice breaking, "but I actually don't mind country music now." His lips curled up into a sad smile. "I know, I know. I lied. But for a good reason."
...
"That stuff is terrible!" Fitz complained as Skye blasted "You Think My Tractor's Sexy" at full volume one day.
"You don't like the song?" Fine," Skye pouted, changing it to "Man, I Feel Like a Woman." "Better?"
"No, I don't like the whole genre," Fitz yelled over the loud music. "The 'twangy' style just isn't my thing."
"You have got to be kidding me," Skye said, her eyes growing wide. "We're going to fix this."
"No, really…" Fitz started to protest, but before he could, Skye sat next to him and starting showing him all of her favourite songs on her country playlist.
"What about…" She chewed her lip thoughtfully, "Hunter Hayes? He's less twangy."
She's so adorable, he thought to himself, when she is focused on something. Out loud, he replied, "I don't know."
"Then I'll show you."
...
"It was true, at least at first. But then you showed me so many of your favourites, and I found myself not minding them, despite my best efforts." He laughed shakily. "I could never tell you, though. Then you would stop trying to convince me. Stop spending time with me." And that would hurt more than I could bear. "But, I promise that if you pull through, I'll tell you. And I'll never complain about your music again."
The night was long. They always were, but Fitz couldn't bear to leave her side. Couldn't bear to leave her alone. He knew that Jemma monitored her and that any change would bring her running, but he wasn't going to risk anything. And privately, he hoped that being there would somehow bring her comfort in her comatose state. "I'm here for you, Skye," he whispered, feeling tears form in his eyes. "I never told you how much I cared, but I'm not going to make that mistake again. I promise."
Fitz now knew what it was like to die. Yet somehow, he now knew what it was like to live. His eyes had been opened to life's possibilities and he was going to live it to its fullest, just like she always had and hopefully always would. It was a rush and it was full of unrequited love and heartbreak, but he wouldn't trade it for anything. And it was all because of her.
I hope you liked it - more angsty than usual, but… Anyway, please review!