{Chapter: 116 - A Quiet Conversation Beneath the Stars And A perfect date}
Outside the facility, beneath the soft glow of the moonlight and the distant hum of S.H.I.E.L.D. equipment powering down, Daisy Johnson—codename: Quake—approached Aiden with her usual quiet confidence. Her long brown hair moved slightly with the breeze, and her eyes, sharp as ever, studied him like she was trying to solve a puzzle.
"You heading back to base?" she asked, her voice low and intimate.
Aiden nodded, arms crossed, gaze fixed on the night sky. "Yeah. I mean, technically, I could stick around a bit longer. There's nothing urgent tying me here. But the base still needs building—and I've got work to do. Still..." He gave her a sidelong glance. "Before I go, there's one last thing."
Daisy's brow lifted, curiosity lighting her face. "And what's that?"
Aiden turned fully toward her now, a slow smile spreading across his lips. "Dinner. With a woman I'm quite fond of." He tapped on his wrist device. "I've already checked out a few nice restaurants nearby. Classy ones. Romantic ambiance. I'm thinking… candlelight dinner."
Daisy let out a laugh, rich and playful. "Oh? Sounds like you've really put some thought into this."
"I have," Aiden replied smoothly. "She's not just anyone. She's complicated, incredibly skilled, and frankly, dangerous when she wants to be. Also, she happens to look breathtaking under dim lighting."
"Hmm," Daisy hummed, stepping a little closer. Her voice lowered into a sultry whisper. "I think she'd definitely say yes. Especially if… there's a second event after dinner."
Aiden raised an eyebrow. "Are you trying to pull my leg? Where did you get that from? Or is this your way of dropping hints?"
Daisy smirked and slid an arm around his waist. Her other hand found the back of his neck, fingers curling just beneath his hairline. "Sweetheart," she said, lips brushing close to his ear, "that wasn't a hint. That was an invitation. Explicit."
He inhaled sharply, the warmth of her breath sending a ripple down his spine. There had always been chemistry between them—dangerous, slow-burning, complicated—but tonight, something had shifted in her. She was teasing him back.
Maybe it was the clarity of near-death experiences. Maybe it was seeing Coulson walk through fire and come back. Or maybe she was just tired of waiting.
"Well," Aiden murmured, his hand sliding along her lower back, "if I miss the after-dinner signal, I'd be the most oblivious man in the multiverse."
Daisy grinned. "Exactly."
Their eyes locked, and in that moment, neither of them said it out loud—but they knew. The lines were gone. No more second-guessing. No more hesitations.
She was his girlfriend. His longest relationship...
He respected her. Trusted her. Craved her.
And he was done pretending to hold back.
There was an old saying he'd once heard—"If you're given something precious, keep it safe." Well, he planned to.
Starting tonight.
---
The Surprise
Later that evening, Daisy stepped off the aircraft with Aiden and looked around, confused. She blinked at the softly lit storefronts lining the quiet street. "Wait a second... this doesn't look like a restaurant."
"Nope," Aiden said casually, his hand resting at the small of her back. "That's because it isn't."
Daisy glanced at the glowing sign above the door and squinted. "This is a… clothing boutique?"
"Exactly," Aiden said with a wide grin, gesturing toward the door like a gentleman from a 1940s film noir. "Welcome to Thread & Ember. Boutique of dreams."
Daisy raised a skeptical brow. "I already have clothes, you know. Some of them even look good."
Aiden gave her a mock-offended look. "Of course they do. You've got dresses that could silence a gala and boots that could kill a man. But tonight isn't just a dinner. It's the dinner."
"The dinner?" she echoed.
"Yes," he said dramatically. "The candlelight dinner. And if all goes well, the event after dinner."
Daisy laughed, shaking her head. "So this is your way of saying I need to wear something... unforgettable?"
"Exactly," Aiden said, leaning in withe a smirk. "Something that burns itself into memory. You're the star tonight. And stars don't show up in tactical boots and torn jeans."
Her lips twitched into a beautiful smile. "Fine. I'll play along. But you owe me gelato after."
"Deal," he said, opening the door for her.
As Daisy stepped into the boutique, the subtle scent of sandalwood curled around her senses like a whispered promise. The interior was warm and indulgent—crystal chandeliers bathed the room in soft, golden light while satin curtains fluttered gently near the tall windows. It was the kind of place where elegance wasn't just sold—it lingered in the air, woven into every detail.
Her footsteps slowed as her eyes scanned the dazzling displays: velvet gowns in deep jewel tones, silk wraps that shimmered with every sway of fabric, and heels that looked like they belonged to a femme fatale in a spy thriller. It wasn't often that Daisy Johnson—aka Quake—let her guard down like this. But tonight felt different. Special. Her usual armor of tactical wear had no place here.
With a small gasp of delight, she plucked a strapless red evening gown from the nearest rack and turned toward Aiden. "It's so beautiful... What do you think, dear?"
Aiden tilted his head, stepping closer, his eyes scanning the fabric and then shifting to hers. "It's beautiful, no doubt. But I don't think red's your color, not tonight. Black… or maybe deep violet. Something with mystery—like you."
The way he said it, low and thoughtful, made her heart skip. A slow smile curled her lips, and she tilted her head with approval. "You really do know me."
He grinned, reaching for a nearby dress. It was sleek and sensual—black with delicate straps that hinted at elegance while hugging curves in all the right ways. "How about this one?"
She took it in her hands and blinked. The fabric was buttery soft, the kind of texture you only get with truly expensive things. "Mmm… I like where your taste is headed. Be right back."
Aiden waited patiently, leaning against the wall just outside the changing room, his gaze flicking now and then to the curtains. After a few minutes, Daisy's voice called out—low, unsure, but teasingly intimate.
"Babe… could you come in for a second? I, uh… might need help."
He smirked and pushed aside the curtain. "It's my pleasure."
The dressing room was small, the air inside warm with tension. Daisy stood with her back to him, bare from the waist up save for the dress clinging around her hips. Her shoulder blades shifted as she held the top of the dress against her chest, and her exposed back gleamed under the soft light.
"The zipper won't cooperate," she said softly.
Aiden's fingers found the zipper, and as he slowly drew it up, Daisy inhaled sharply.
"Too tight?" he murmured near her ear.
"N-no…" she said, turning her head just slightly—just enough for him to catch the pink tint rising to her cheeks.
It's true the clothes were tight but not too much. But, the upper circumstance is tight.
He chuckled lowly, eyes tracing her from behind. "Ah, I see. The designer underestimated you. Definitely didn't expect a woman with your proportions to try this on."
She gave him a playful glare over her shoulder. "What are you laughing at?"
"I'm admiring the injustice," he said with a straight face, then smirked. "But it's a beautiful kind of injustice."
"Mmhm," she replied, her tone teasing, turning just enough so he could see the hint of cleavage framed by the dress, even her nipple shape was clear under the dress and bra. "And you like this kind of injustice, don't you?"
"I like everything I'm seeing right now."
"Well, then I'm definitely wearing it."
Aiden laughed softly, brushing a hand over the smooth line of her back. "There's a shawl outside that'll pair perfectly with this. Elegant… but easy to remove after dinner."
This dress is very beautiful, especially when it's worn on Daisy which is full of charm. The crawl would look perfect with it. They can just take it off after dinner….
Daisy raised an eyebrow at that, then stepped closer until their chests nearly brushed. Her eyes gleamed with flirtation, but there was also warmth behind them—deep affection, the kind that came from shared battles and quiet moments in between. "Trying to plan ahead, are we?"
"Always."
She leaned in, her lips brushing against his jaw before she whispered, "Then you better make the dinner unforgettable."
They stepped out of the dressing room together, Daisy now fully dressed in the black gown with the shawl wrapped delicately around her shoulders. Heads would turn tonight—Aiden had no doubt. She wasn't just beautiful. She was radiant, magnetic. And she was his.
They made their purchase and stepped out into the cool evening. The streets were quiet, the sky painted in hues of lavender and deep blue.
Soon, they arrived at the restaurant—one of the city's more exclusive establishments. Daisy slowed at the entrance, frowning slightly.
"There's no one here," she said, glancing around the dimly lit interior. It was silent, empty… save for a single table near the window, set for two with polished silver, wine glasses, and a flickering candle at the center.
*****
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