World's End
"So this is where you grew up… at the World's End." Skye's tone is light, teasing, and Grant can't help the chuckle that escapes his lips.
"Not exactly; but I came here a couple of times as a kid."
Their newest mission brought them to Plymouth, Massachusetts. It was an easy one, over quickly, and since they didn't expect another directive at least until midday the next day, Coulson gave them the day off. Grant was planning to spend it with her anyway, so when she said she wanted to see where he hailed from, he went with it. He didn't take her to his old neighborhood in Boston, though – it would have been too much. Instead he brought her here, to the World's End.
Just out of Hingham, the World's End was once an island during high tide, before the damming anchored it to the land permanently. Somebody once wanted to build a village on, but the only thing that got done was a couple of miles of carriage road. Today, it is nothing more than trees and meadows and rolling landscape – a hiker's paradise. A piece of Eden in the midst of civilization.
That's where he brought her.
She smiles at him.
"It's so nice," she breaths, looking out at the sea. "So peaceful."
They spent the better part of their afternoon at the World's End, walking through the old, never-really-used carriage roads, marveling at nature and each other. They only went back to town the grab some dinner, and now they are here again, this time right by the sea, lying on the shore under warm blankets.
The sun is setting now, dusk pulling a strange, muted glow all over the scenery. The waves are reflected in her eyes as she cuddles up to him, her warm, soft body pressing against his. She closes her eyes and lets her head fall on his shoulder, sighing contently.
"So beautiful…"
"Yeah," he agrees, although he guesses they are not speaking about the same thing.
The moment is simply flawless, and maybe that's why there are three little words on the tip of his tongue. And yet, he keeps quiet. Because this is supposed to be a big deal, right? Earth-shattering, life-changing. You just can't utter it just because you are so at peace and the girl of your dreams lies next to you, almost dozing on your shoulder.
But he still wants to.
His Adam's apple bobbing, he says "Skye…"
"Hm?" she murmurs, opening her eyes and looking up at him. Something glimmers in her gaze and her lips slightly part. There's an infinite moment, and then she speaks. "Gosh, I love you."
It takes him a second to comprehend what she's just said – but when he does, he starts laughing.
"What?" she asks, the corner of her mouth turning upwards.
"Nothing," he tells her before his hand comes to rest on the line of her jaw, pulling her closer gently and kissing her. "I love you too."