Marvel: The Infinite Crown

{Chapter: 122 After the Beautiful Night}

For Daisy—being wrapped in the arms of the man she loved was a rare, overwhelming happiness. Aiden wasn't just a partner to her. He was a comfort. A warmth she had long been denied.

She didn't grow up like most people. Her memories of family were fragments at best. Abandonment had carved something deep into her bones—something hollow. The sole inheritance from her parents was her name—Daisy Johnson, which she discovered through a card they left behind. In place of lullabies and laughter, she grew up with questions. With longing. With silence.

But Aiden was a soothing answer to that silence.

He gave her something no mission, no team, no world-saving act could give: home.

Even now, as she lay there in his arms, her bare skin glistening with sweat against his chest, her hand remained wrapped tightly around his neck, as if afraid he might vanish the moment she let go. There was fear in her even now. But it wasn't of the dark or the night—it was of losing him.

He had seen her. All of her. The bruises from her past. The small, tender wounds on her heart. And yet, he kissed them. Made them his.

The sheets barely covered their tangled forms, the dim light tracing the contours of her body curled against his. Aiden looked down at her face, flushed and peaceful, lips curled into a faint, blissful smile as she slept once she was out of love juice. For the first time in a long while, she looked like someone who had found rest—not just physically, but in her soul.

Aiden ran his fingers gently through her hair, brushing a damp lock from her cheek. He smiled softly.

"You're safe," he whispered, though she couldn't hear it. "You're mine now."

---

Sometime later, the bed shifted.

Daisy stirred.

Her hand reached out instinctively, searching for him. But she found only cold sheets.

Her heart jumped.

Eyes flying open, she sat up quickly, her chest rising and falling with shallow panic. "Aiden?" Her voice was small. Vulnerable. She scanned the room and saw nothing. No shadow. No sound. Just emptiness.

Had she been dreaming?

Had it all been—

Click.

The door opened.

In walked Aiden, shirt slightly unbuttoned, a paper bag of breakfast in one hand, and a warm drink in the other.

Relief washed through her so fast she almost collapsed.

"Where were you?!" she gasped, her voice trembling with unspoken panic as she stumbled toward him and wrapped herself around his chest, burying her face in his collar.

He blinked in surprise, then smiled. "I just went to grab breakfast," he said, gently cupping her cheek.

"I… I thought you left," she whispered, voice cracking.

Aiden's heart ached. He hadn't realized how deeply last night had affected her. Not just physically—but emotionally. To her, this wasn't just a night of passion. It was the first time she had ever given someone her body, her trust… her soul.

"Hey, I'm right here," he murmured, tightening his embrace. "I'm not going anywhere. Not today."

Daisy didn't speak—just nodded, clinging to him as if he were the only solid thing in her world.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I don't know why I'm like this."

"You don't have to apologize," Aiden said softly. "You've been strong for too long. It's okay to need someone."

She looked up at him with eyes that shimmered—not with tears, but with the rawness of love. "Last night… it was my first time," she confessed. "I never let anyone in like that before."

Aiden's expression softened even more. "I know. I could feel it."

A moment of silence passed between them, but it was thick with emotion. Then Aiden chuckled lightly as Daisy took a shaky step backward and winced.

"Whoa there," he said, catching her gently. "Looks like someone hasn't fully recovered."

Her cheeks went bright red. "I-it's your fault," she muttered, hiding her face in his chest again.

"Heh, sorry, I couldn't help it," he teased. "You were irresistible."

"Aiden…" she said softly, smiling shyly.

"Come on. Let's get you dressed before you fall over again." Aiden looked at her naked body that was littered with love bites.

---

After helping her into something comfortable, they sat together in the hotel room's living area, enjoying a simple breakfast. It wasn't anything fancy—just eggs, toast, and fruit. But the atmosphere was warm, almost domestic.

For Daisy, even the most ordinary moments with him felt like magic.

As she sipped from her coffee, Aiden looked up at her.

"So... what's your plan today? Back to SHIELD, or do I get to keep you for myself a little longer?"

Daisy hesitated. Her heart pulled toward him, but duty always called.

"I want to stay," she said, truthfully. "But I've been chasing a lead for weeks. I think I'm close to finding something important. If I finish this investigation quickly… I'll have more time. With you."

Aiden nodded. "I understand. Then let me take you back."

After cleaning up and packing their things, they checked out of the hotel and walked together, hand in hand, toward the quinjet.

---

Back aboard SHIELD's mobile base, the moment Daisy stepped in, the atmosphere subtly shifted.

There was a glow about her. A softness. A femininity that hadn't been there before. As if the jagged edges she'd carried for years had been smoothed by love.

"Someone had a very good night," Phil Coulson teased, leaning on his crutch.

Daisy blushed while Aiden just grinned. "Jealous?" he quipped. "Maybe it's time you found someone to warm up your injured heart."

Coulson rolled his eyes. "Please. I'm already emotionally scarred from just imagining you two."

Before leaving, Aiden leaned close to Daisy and kissed her cheek. "Call me if you miss me."

"Always," she replied.

As he turned to leave, his eyes caught Jemma's.

Something unreadable flickered across her expression.

Was it envy?

Aiden tilted his head with a smirk, and Jemma, caught in the act, smiled awkwardly before turning away.

---

"You look different," Jemma said, walking up to Daisy after Aiden left.

Daisy smiled, adjusting her jacket. "The clothes are new."

"No. Not the clothes. You." Jemma tilted her head thoughtfully. "There's something about you… softer, more radiant. Feminine."

Daisy's smile faltered for a second, then warmed again.

She couldn't deny it. She felt different. As if a door had opened inside her and let in sunlight for the first time in years.

"Maybe I'm finally happy," she said.

"You're like a gem," Jemma said. "Bright. Polished. Glowing."

Daisy laughed softly, a little embarrassed. "Thanks."

But Jemma's own smile faltered as she looked at her friend. Her thoughts drifted—back to when Aiden had rested his head in her lap. Back when she thought there might have been a chance...

When will I shine like that? Jemma wondered. Aiden... when will you look at me like you look at her?

'Is this the difference between a girl and a woman? Aiden, when will I become a woman?' Jemma inwardly thought, she remembered the moment when Aiden lay on her lap.

---

Far above, high in the sky, Aiden soared.

Suddenly, he sneezed.

"Strange," he muttered. "We just said goodbye… is Daisy already thinking about me?"

He chuckled to himself, shaking his head. But then he saw it—an unusual flash of bright light, shimmering like a dimensional tear.

It was a portal. And it looked just like the ones Blink used to make.

Aiden narrowed his eyes.

"What the hell is she doing here?"

With curiosity burning in his mind, he darted toward the light.

*****

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