[ That's the thing, though. Nothing fazes him anymore, not after meeting the likes of Dottie Underwood, or Whitney Frost, or any of the other strange and bizarre things he's encountered in his time. And then there's the things that happened technically after his time (it's still strange, knowing he was supposed to die, but didn't thanks to SHIELD's intervention). The existence of Inhumans is something he's still wrapping his head around, but he's considerably further ahead than he was when he first heard about it.
The point is, he's not going to run. He's not going anywhere, not if he has anything to say about it.
He just waits, continuing to stroke her hair slowly, hoping to communicate without words how much he loves and cares about her, and wishing he could take all her hurt and losses away. But of course, he can't do that; all he can do is stick by her, and that's exactly what he means to do.
When she finally sits up, he still stays close by, because blotchy mess or not, she's his blotchy mess, and to his admittedly biased eyes, she's never looked more beautiful. ]
Hey, you know I'll always be here if you need me. [ But his lips turn up into a small smile, warm and loving and hopefully as comforting as a hand against her hair. ]
[ The fact that he hasn't run screaming or ended up projectile vomiting in a corner still astounds her, to be honest. Daniel Sousa had exceeded expectations in the way he'd embraced the future, rolling with every new thing thrown at him and keeping his shit together when the mission demanded a cool and steady head. She's so proud of him for that, and so incredibly impressed. She's never met anyone quite like him... except maybe her dad. Which, considering she means Phil Coulson, is rather high praise.
The smile he gives her is everything she needs to push past the fear that's been clawing at her chest and finally ask the question that's been haunting her for days. ]
And what if I couldn't be here anymore? [ She's sure she's wearing her emotions all over her face right now, but she just can't bring herself to hide them anymore. ]
[ Honestly, he's never been much of a screamer, and he tries not to projectile vomit (unless he's sick and can't help it), because no one wants to clean that sort of thing up. Some things that he's seen so far have fazed him, despite his claims to not be fazed by things, but his resolve to not go anywhere remains mostly unshaken. And if he knew she was drawing comparisons between Phil Coulson and himself, he'd become a little flustered and turn red.
At first, he thinks he doesn't understand her question or what she's asking, but he stays silent to ponder it before going with his gut reaction. ]
If that means what I think it means, then I'd just follow you wherever you went.
[ Nothing short of her telling him he needs to go would get him to stop following her. ]
[ It's exactly what she needs to hear, what she'd been hoping to hear but could never bring herself to ask for. To have him confirm that he'd continue to follow her the way he has been for weeks now... To know that what happened between them on the Zephyr wasn't just stress or the end of the world influencing their emotions... It means everything to her.
The relief she feels at this knowledge pushes aside any lingering fear she has long enough for her to give in and say what she really wants to say. He deserves to hear it and have words confirm what she hopes he already knows. ]
I love you, Daniel Sousa. [ With hope and adoration in her eyes, she says those terrifying words and waits. ]
[ As if he could want or say anything different than just that. Now that he's met her, he can't imagine making it in this crazy new world without her by his side. Sure, he could probably fumble his way through, but the less-than-logical part of his brain doesn't want to imagine what that might be like. It's just one of those things: now that he's found her, he doesn't want to let her go.
Unless, of course, it happened to be in her best interest, but he likes to think they'd work things out before they agreed to split up. Although, he and Violet weren't able to make it work, but he squashes that thought before it can take root. Daisy isn't like Violet, and a good part of him is determined to make this last, whatever it takes.
He opens his mouth intending to say something, but he closes it again because she's just gone and said those words, and it takes him completely by surprise. He meant to say that to her first, but he thought it felt wrong under the circumstances. But she's gone and surprised him again, and for a moment, he just stares before finding his voice again. ]
I love you too. [ It's been so long since he felt like he could say those words to anyone, but he's never meant it more than he does right now. ]
Honestly, I've wanted to say that to you for- [ His breath catches in his throat, and he has to clear it before he can continue. ] For a long time now.
[ She would let him go in a heartbeat if it would save him. Sacrificing her own happiness for him to live is a choice she would never hesitate to make, not after she's lost so many people she's loved. The thought of potentially losing him in any way terrifies her, but she sits there waiting for his reaction with her heart in her throat.
And then... there it is. For a moment, she almost believes she imagined it, but he keeps talking and he's right there and—
She practically lunges for him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders in the most heartful, desperate hug. He's her anchor, the solid pillar in her life she knows she can count on, and he loves her. ]
Me too. [ She whispers it, her fingers tightening around his shirt. ] I've never said that to anyone before. I didn't have the chance. [ And she'd never heard those words in return, not like this. It's so much better than she could ever have imagined. ]
[ But by that same token, he'd do all that and more for her, if he thought it would help. Mack had said she'd been hurt, and he can see the signs of that. It's that hurt that he wishes he could take from her and onto himself, but since he can't do that, he just wants to be there for her however he can.
And then she's hugging him, and he's leaning into it, arms reaching out to wrap around her as well. ]
I know what you mean. [ He's come close to saying those words before, but for reasons he's only just beginning to understand, the moment and the timing didn't feel right. ] I've always thought that kind of thing should be saved for that one really special person: the kind that takes awhile to find, but when you do, you know it's time.
[ Suddenly feeling bashful, then, he looks down just slightly, because he's saying words he wasn't sure he'd ever say, and expressing thoughts he's never put into actual audible words before.
And then he looks up at her again, hoping he hasn't scared her away with his admission. ]
[ She nods her agreement, finding words exceptionally difficult at this particular moment. It's true that that one special person took a while to find — a long while. She'd thought before that she might have found that person in Lincoln, but in truth, she'd never really had the chance to find out. They'd only just begun to really know each other that way, and they were both still learning how to accept themselves... Maybe things would have been different if they'd had more time, but she'd lost him before she'd even had the chance to tell him how she felt.
And now, here's this beautiful, charming, good man who has never done anything but support her, saying those precious words. It doesn't seem like it could possibly be real.
She leans in, closing her eyes and pressing her forehead to his, and just breathes in the air around him. He's real. He's staying. And then she knows what to say. ]
I don't know what I did to deserve the universe letting me find you.
[ He's content to just stay like that for awhile, because this is nice: being this close to her, having her in his space... It's something he's wished for, but he felt like it had to be on her terms. ]
I know exactly what you did. You were just- [ This isn't going to make any sense, but he plows ahead anyway. ] You were being you. That's what you did.
[ He means that by her being her wonderful, amazing, complicated self, their lives intersected and she saved him, and now they have an equally wonderful, amazing, complicated future ahead of them. ]
[ For so long, Coulson and the others have done their best to instill in her a sense of true self-worth. Growing up certain that no one ever wanted her had done a lot of damage emotionally, and while she'd tried hard to embrace her team's well-meaning messages, it had still taken a long time to really start to sink in. Somehow, having Daniel say it is easier to accept. No, he hasn't seen all the bad pieces of her, those jagged sharp edges and terrible decisions of her past, but maybe he'll be able to accept and look past them. She's pretty sure that's what people who love you are supposed to do.
She raises her hands to gently frame his face, thumbs resting along that adonic curve of his jaw, and sighs quietly with a soft smile. ]
You're such a dork. I've already fallen for you, you don't have to keep saying things like that.
[ Sure, he's still learning about Daisy and her past, at least what she lets him see, but he's already worked out that she's had it rough. It feels a lot like prying, so he tries not to look too closely, but sometimes it feels like she still doesn't quite believe that she's worth it, that she deserves good things. That's one of the many reasons why he tries to show that to her through word and action, and hopes that somehow, she knows how much he values her and that she is someone special, even irreplaceable.
Teaching someone to believe in their own self-worth is easier said than done, but Daniel knows he has to try to help fill in some of the gaps that are leftover.
He smiles when she places her hands against his face, because he likes it when there's contact between them. ]
Maybe I am a dork, but also, maybe I just feel like saying nice things to you. Every word is true, by the way.
[ In case there was any doubt anywhere. And after a moment's pause, he can't help but add: ] Are you sure it's not me that's already fallen for you?
[ It's so hard for her to hear nice things and just accept them. Only the superficial things ever seem real — she knows she's attractive and an incredible hacker and a great fighter. But hearing that she's a good person, that she's made good choices in her life and deserves good things? Somehow, she just can't accept something like that, at least not easily.
But this isn't the time to disagree with his heartfelt sentiments, nor to launch into an examination of her own terribly low sense of self-worth. Right now is the time to let her hands fall to his chest, the warmth of her palms sinking through the fabric of his shirt, and just smile at this amazing man who for some reason loves her. ]
Well, I sure hope so, considering what you said not five minutes ago. [ She smiles softly at him, every bit of affection she has for him written clearly across her face. ] Come on, Danny boy. Let's go back to bed.
[ Well, if he has to spend his whole life trying to convince her that she's amazing and beautiful and that she deserves all the good things that life has to offer, he'll do it, and gladly.
But of course, when she's this close to him, and her hands are resting on him in just that way, he tends to lose track of his train of thought. Forget about the way she's smiling at him. If she keeps that up, he'll forget all about speaking, and just lose himself staring at her and marveling at how he got so lucky. ]
That's the best thing I've heard anyone say all day. Well, except for you telling me you love me, I mean.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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The point is, he's not going to run. He's not going anywhere, not if he has anything to say about it.
He just waits, continuing to stroke her hair slowly, hoping to communicate without words how much he loves and cares about her, and wishing he could take all her hurt and losses away. But of course, he can't do that; all he can do is stick by her, and that's exactly what he means to do.
When she finally sits up, he still stays close by, because blotchy mess or not, she's his blotchy mess, and to his admittedly biased eyes, she's never looked more beautiful. ]
Hey, you know I'll always be here if you need me. [ But his lips turn up into a small smile, warm and loving and hopefully as comforting as a hand against her hair. ]
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The smile he gives her is everything she needs to push past the fear that's been clawing at her chest and finally ask the question that's been haunting her for days. ]
And what if I couldn't be here anymore? [ She's sure she's wearing her emotions all over her face right now, but she just can't bring herself to hide them anymore. ]
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At first, he thinks he doesn't understand her question or what she's asking, but he stays silent to ponder it before going with his gut reaction. ]
If that means what I think it means, then I'd just follow you wherever you went.
[ Nothing short of her telling him he needs to go would get him to stop following her. ]
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The relief she feels at this knowledge pushes aside any lingering fear she has long enough for her to give in and say what she really wants to say. He deserves to hear it and have words confirm what she hopes he already knows. ]
I love you, Daniel Sousa. [ With hope and adoration in her eyes, she says those terrifying words and waits. ]
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Unless, of course, it happened to be in her best interest, but he likes to think they'd work things out before they agreed to split up. Although, he and Violet weren't able to make it work, but he squashes that thought before it can take root. Daisy isn't like Violet, and a good part of him is determined to make this last, whatever it takes.
He opens his mouth intending to say something, but he closes it again because she's just gone and said those words, and it takes him completely by surprise. He meant to say that to her first, but he thought it felt wrong under the circumstances. But she's gone and surprised him again, and for a moment, he just stares before finding his voice again. ]
I love you too. [ It's been so long since he felt like he could say those words to anyone, but he's never meant it more than he does right now. ]
Honestly, I've wanted to say that to you for- [ His breath catches in his throat, and he has to clear it before he can continue. ] For a long time now.
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And then... there it is. For a moment, she almost believes she imagined it, but he keeps talking and he's right there and—
She practically lunges for him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders in the most heartful, desperate hug. He's her anchor, the solid pillar in her life she knows she can count on, and he loves her. ]
Me too. [ She whispers it, her fingers tightening around his shirt. ] I've never said that to anyone before. I didn't have the chance. [ And she'd never heard those words in return, not like this. It's so much better than she could ever have imagined. ]
no subject
And then she's hugging him, and he's leaning into it, arms reaching out to wrap around her as well. ]
I know what you mean. [ He's come close to saying those words before, but for reasons he's only just beginning to understand, the moment and the timing didn't feel right. ] I've always thought that kind of thing should be saved for that one really special person: the kind that takes awhile to find, but when you do, you know it's time.
[ Suddenly feeling bashful, then, he looks down just slightly, because he's saying words he wasn't sure he'd ever say, and expressing thoughts he's never put into actual audible words before.
And then he looks up at her again, hoping he hasn't scared her away with his admission. ]
no subject
[ She nods her agreement, finding words exceptionally difficult at this particular moment. It's true that that one special person took a while to find — a long while. She'd thought before that she might have found that person in Lincoln, but in truth, she'd never really had the chance to find out. They'd only just begun to really know each other that way, and they were both still learning how to accept themselves... Maybe things would have been different if they'd had more time, but she'd lost him before she'd even had the chance to tell him how she felt.
And now, here's this beautiful, charming, good man who has never done anything but support her, saying those precious words. It doesn't seem like it could possibly be real.
She leans in, closing her eyes and pressing her forehead to his, and just breathes in the air around him. He's real. He's staying. And then she knows what to say. ]
I don't know what I did to deserve the universe letting me find you.
no subject
I know exactly what you did. You were just- [ This isn't going to make any sense, but he plows ahead anyway. ] You were being you. That's what you did.
[ He means that by her being her wonderful, amazing, complicated self, their lives intersected and she saved him, and now they have an equally wonderful, amazing, complicated future ahead of them. ]
no subject
She raises her hands to gently frame his face, thumbs resting along that adonic curve of his jaw, and sighs quietly with a soft smile. ]
You're such a dork. I've already fallen for you, you don't have to keep saying things like that.
no subject
Teaching someone to believe in their own self-worth is easier said than done, but Daniel knows he has to try to help fill in some of the gaps that are leftover.
He smiles when she places her hands against his face, because he likes it when there's contact between them. ]
Maybe I am a dork, but also, maybe I just feel like saying nice things to you. Every word is true, by the way.
[ In case there was any doubt anywhere. And after a moment's pause, he can't help but add: ] Are you sure it's not me that's already fallen for you?
[ Because he has: head over heels. ]
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But this isn't the time to disagree with his heartfelt sentiments, nor to launch into an examination of her own terribly low sense of self-worth. Right now is the time to let her hands fall to his chest, the warmth of her palms sinking through the fabric of his shirt, and just smile at this amazing man who for some reason loves her. ]
Well, I sure hope so, considering what you said not five minutes ago. [ She smiles softly at him, every bit of affection she has for him written clearly across her face. ] Come on, Danny boy. Let's go back to bed.
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But of course, when she's this close to him, and her hands are resting on him in just that way, he tends to lose track of his train of thought. Forget about the way she's smiling at him. If she keeps that up, he'll forget all about speaking, and just lose himself staring at her and marveling at how he got so lucky. ]
That's the best thing I've heard anyone say all day. Well, except for you telling me you love me, I mean.