A/N: A little continuation I just had to write down. After the framework, after they defeated Aida.
He finds her in the gym, standing in front of a sand bag. Unmoving. Her body is seeping tension. He can see it in the way her shoulders are arched back, fist clenched. Ready to fight, when there is nothing left to fight against. Except inner demons, shadows of memories that are still haunting her. All of them really.
He hesitates, just for a moment. Guilt running through his veins as thick as blood. There she is, strong and brave. A grown up woman by now. Agent Johnson. But for him she would always be Daisy, Skye… that young girl he picked up. So lost. But not anymore. That was his job. To find her. Keep her safe.
This time though….
"Daisy", he whispers and she flinches. It not like her to flinch. She always knows he's there, can hear him, feel him whenever he enters the room. Where has she been? Deep in thought?
She doesn't turn around though.
"Daisy", he repeats and it's a plea, an apology. I'm sorry you needed to do this on your own. I'm sorry I didn't remember you at once. I'm sorry I couldn't be the person you turned to when things were heavy.
I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you from it all.
She turns around now and looks at him. He lets out a deep breath as his shoulders slump in relief. Her face is pale, exhaustion visible. The smile is barely noticeably. But it's her eyes actually that caught his attention.
Because those are not the eyes of someone that is lost. All he can see is love. And acceptance. And trust.
She still trusts him to be her security blanket. He's still her person to go to.
He can see the tension leaving her body, fists unclenching. A warm smile blossoming.
"Coulson".