short change hero

       “ not a mind reader, ” daisy reminds james, eyes flickering to the beer bottle. a good time for another gulp, she thinks, lifting the brown bottle towards him in acknowledgment. daisy won’t lie – she’s surprised by the amount of honesty going back and forth between them. she’ll blame it on the alcohol, if her brain ever comes back to think about this moment. “ so now we’re contemplating suicide – i’ve got to say, driving off a cliff isn’t exactly the way i imagine dying. i always thought i’d mutter a few dramatic lines on my deathbed. ” she shrugs, she was going to have to drink this beer faster, and down goes the rest of her beer. “ wherever i go, death follows. ” it was something daisy had heard as SKYE, when a shield agent had talked about where she came from. she leans forward across the table. “ quit callin’ me kiddo. and it’s not just lincoln. ” she has to remember he doesn’t know her history – that she’s got a bit of a blank slate with him; they both do with each other. “ ———– that’s endearing, actually. never thought i’d ever say that about you. thanks for the offer, but i got unfinished business here. friends, family, friends that are my f a m i l y ; i want to be within a moment’s reach, even if they don’t know where i am. you should hit up thor, though, heard he moved there for a bit. and – quit callin’ me kiddo. ”

               “ I talk too much shit about Thor to hit him up. ‘ Only room enough for ONE God in Australia, ’ that kinda’ stuff. He’ll kick my arse. ” He hadn’t expected her to come overseas. Daisy was not the abandon ship kind, and J.T. wasn’t going to ask a second time. ( EVEN IF HE DID, the answer would’ve remained the same. ) “ Nah, you?? You’re not gonna’ make it to an actual deathbed. Deathbeds are for people who PLAN on dying. You’ll go out with a bang. ” At her leaning forward, an amused chuckle rolled from J.T.’s parted lips. “ ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT, no more kiddo, ” he assured, hands ( beer still grasped ) momentary raised in surrender. Of course, there would  d e f i n i t e l y  be more ‘ kiddo. ’  But for now, he’d drop it, lest she start throwing punches across the bar table. It didn’t go unnoticed to J.T., however, that she didn’t seem to mind ‘ flower. ’ Perhaps, even, SHE LIKED IT. “ Death follows, ” the inhuman echoed, brows lifted in skepticism. “ Well, ” he drew in a breath and released,  “ you haven’t killed me yet. ” 

“nope, no friendly chats here. they’re hunting us down. trask and stryker forced a mutant registration, and anyone who doesn’t comply has those things sent after them.”

      “ all i’m saying, is that i just don’t know how i feel about dying in a really old car with you, by bullets. ” she shrugs, eyes averting for a moment. they work well together, even if it was during the time when they were both under MIND CONTROL. the woman didn’t want to admit it, but it was an underlying thought that she had. daisy shifts in her seat, making herself more comfortable as she takes the bottle opener from him. “ maybe when you find ver, you and ver should get out of here, then, ” she suggests lightly. daisy swallows as he says exactly what she is, there’s no denying it. “ i’ve had enough people die because of me, ” she announces, her head lifting up defiantly. “ if i die for people who don’t deserve it … then so be it. ” daisy lifts her gaze up steadily at him, drinking from her beer. one, two, three fast gulps. that felt real good. “ you’re putting words into my mouth. you act like i don’t get it. like i didn’t try to kill some of the people who were my family, without blinking an eye. even if you don’t … give two shits about lincoln, you weren’t in control. ”

     ‘’ you ever have one of those days where getting out of bed seems like it’s just too much ——————- today’s that kinda day. ‘’

             “ So, STAY IN BED?? Hakuna Matata, kid. All the shit you need to do, all the shit waiting for you outside of bed: it’s not going to be as  g o o d  as bed. REALLY, you’re just setting yourself up for disappointment. ”

          “ —- that is a good idea. i mean, the professor probably wouldn’t agree but … details, right?? i’m gonna put that to use. my new life motto, really. ”

      “ i just don’t get it?? why are you dragging me with you?? okay, i get it, you’ve got people after you or whatever. but i don’t even know you, ” ve’s still talking a mile a minute as she’s being dragged along, jaime’s not all too worried about it. they’re still in broad daylight. 

       “ uh – i’m the sexy main lead. you’re the person with the mildly romantic side, sub plot with the main lead. ” the teasing smile doesn’t leave her face, after all, the two of them have a role to play. he was good … for a rookie. it just confirmed her suspicions to the fact to him having a military experience in his past. “ those are the rules for the people who can’t do anything to help, ” she corrects him, shaking her head. “ not everyone here is powered. — but if you live by those rules, why the hell are ya’ back?? ” daisy leans forward across the table, her eyes darkening at the comment. “ so, what, i’m supposed to sit back and only attack when they come for me?? not going to happen. the only people getting hurt is the watchdogs, the setinels, people who’re pro-registration act, the ones who want to see us on a list just to kill us all. so no, i’m not going to sit back and do nothing. ” she shakes her head with annoyance. “ and don’t call me kiddo. ” her jaw ticks at the mention; no one’s talked about him since she’s left shield – no one knows about lincoln besides shield. daisy’s hardness falters for a moment before she perks back up. don’t show weakness. “ at least you killed hive with him. — i know, we all made mistakes we couldn’t control. ” an eyebrow raises at him at the change of subject. “ — didn’t you say there would be alcohol involved here?? ”

               “ How ‘bout we settle for a Bonnie and Clyde, PARTERS IN CRIME kinda’ plot?? ” It seemed the lightheartedness between them had just about evaporated. Eyes flashed darkly, brows pulled together. QUESTIONS were being ASKED, their individual beliefs tested. “ I told you, my cousin. Got word ve’s running ‘round here somewhere. ” It was true. Half true. PART true, at the very least. ( But one couldn’t be blamed for doubting when J.T. brushed it off as quick as he had. ) A SCOFF SOUNDED from his parted lips. “ Flower, all that ‘ the good fight ’ shit is  n o b l e,  and I gotta’ admit it sure as shit suits you, but it... it ain’t me. It’s lethal, it’s like sugar and gluten and whatever the fuck they’re telling people not to eat. It’ll kill you. And I want to LIVE. Don’t you?? ” J.T.’s brow arched. He expected yelling, shouting. Maybe even physical violence. But ‘ we all made mistakes ’ ?? Another moment and their beers arrived, inciting J.T. to fish a few crumpled dollar notes from his jean’s pockets for the tender. “ That’s... IT, Dais’?? ‘ It’s  c o o l,  James, don’t sweat it ’ ?? ” He asked, cracking open his beer hesitantly. 

        luckily, daisy has practice with situations like these. she was an AGENT OF SHIELD, after all. there was probably a moment in which they all had to play a big, weird ole’ family that was far too interested in each other. ah, the good old days. so the girl forces a smile on her lips, tilting her head up at him. two could do this, at the very least. “ so, call your agents. get me my own damn show, won’t you?? ” so her fingers comes up to latch at the hand that’s attached to the arm around her neck, she easily keeping up with his pace. her head turns to return the favor, her breath on his neck as she whispers back: “ no, but i always thought you’d save your own ass first. ” she’s just keeping it honest, really, in order to not roll her eyes at him. “ call it a sign from a greater god, never had an emo phase when i was at the orphanage. ” daisy drawls out as she makes herself comfortable. her head whips up at the comment. “ so you know it’s ME. congrats, you can read. i’m well aware. i’ve got something important to say and the newspapers just happen to be broadcasting it, it’s the best way to be heard. ”

               “ If you’re the main, am I the SEXY love interest?? ” HE WOULDN’T BE CAUGHT SAYING IT, but J.T. missed this. Friends ( if he could call her one ) were seldom found for a man always on the move.  F A M I L I A R I T Y  was a slippery slope; J.T. refrained from extending a hand to ghost her jaw, her neck, lest he slide too far down it. “ I mean, I PROBABLY WOULD. But those are just rules, though. Y’know, fasten your seat belts, no snakes on the plane, save yourself first, ” he rolled broad shoulders into a nonchalant shrug. J.T.’s brows furrowed, however, his cocky demeanour for a moment faltering at her announcement. “ Kiddo, the best way to be heard... y’sure that’s something you WANT right now?? People like us are dropping like damn flies in the outback, we’re dying. Usually, one would NATURALLY make the decision to, I dunno’, not kick the fucking beehive, aye. ” J.T. slouched back in his seat, and waved over the barkeeper to order two beers. “ By the way... sorry I killed your boyfriend and then bounced, flower. Nothing personal, brainwashing and all. ” A thick sigh of relief fell from his parted lips, DESPITE his expression remaining grim in anticipation for her reaction. “ C R I K E Y !! Glad that’s off me chest and out the way. How ‘bout you?? ”

      “ too distracted by trying to figure out when hot topic stopped selling that jacket of yours, ” she replies in return, the words flowing from her lips easily. and she’s pleased, if anything, by this. daisy didn’t talk to people as much as she used to – and it made sense, she wasn’t w i t h SHIELD anymore, she didn’t see her friends ( if they weren’t still pissed at her ) as much. “ you woulda been safer if you stayed at wherever you were before. ”  it wasn’t the same, and she had to change with the passing time. lincoln was gone, hive was gone, she wasn’t with shield; but gordon, wanda, molly, fitzsimmons, clara, and pietro – they were all there for each other, one way or another. black shoes followed him, her hands in her pockets as they walked down the alley. they had to act like normals, after all. “ … i could do with a few beers. ” daisy has to remember that james’ past actions, even if lincoln was dead, were mind controlled. she ducks her head down at his question before looking back up, head shaking. “ never been better. — and i’m not, flying solo. i got my people. they’re just not here right now. ”

              A nagging sense that they were being OBSERVED pulled at J.T., and he threw his head back in laughter as if she’d said something genuinely funny. ( To anyone that knew him, the sound was  b l a t a n t  in it’s sarcasm. ) He slinked a casual arm over Daisy’s shoulder as they emerged from the shadows. “ I forgot, you’re a regular stand up fucking comedian, kiddo, ” he breathed subtly by her ear. “ You seem to be insinuating I’ve EVER turned away from a bitta’ danger, love. ” J.T. twirled a strand of her hair round his index, lazy grin indicating just how MUCH he was enjoying the fake couple spiel. “ Yeah, I call bullshit, ” he shook his head at her answer. “ You look like you’ve listened to one too many emo playlists. You’ve definitely been better. ” He ushered Daisy into the first bar they passed, quick to shut the door and find the furthest, most secluded booth before settling down and pulling his arm away. “ I fucking  r e a d  about you, Daisy. IN THE NEWS. They’re calling you Quake, ya’ know?? ”

❝ I’M SURE it’d be a lot quieter if you stopped BOSSING me around, ❞ the brunette spat out in a whisper while tugging their arm away from the other. ❝ your wish is my command. ❞

                They earned both a brow raise and a  r e t r e a t  from J.T., relinquishing his hold. “ The SO CALLED BOSSING, poppet, was a favour. Coulda’ just left you out there for the Sentinel to sniff out. So, you’re welcome, ” he deadpan snarked. “ ... What do they want, anyways?? I haven’t stolen anything or hurt  a n y o n e  since I bloody got back, aye. ”

“shh, i’m like you, idiot! don’t say anything and they might not notice us.”

       brown eyes NARROW and she makes a mental note to google some australian lingo, now that he’s in town. something tells her he has plans to stick around. dark lips purse, she holding a steady gaze on him. “ i wasn’t exactly looking at your ass while you dragged me into an alley, james. classy, really. ” but her eyes only flicker up to his arm for a second, instead looking behind him for any newcomers. “ they must be pretty smart if they’re hiding from you. —- yeah, they’re getting better at tracking us down. idiots can’t tell the difference between mutants and inhumans. ” eyes roll, looking up at him. “ you wish. ” and a pause. “ but if we value our lives, maybe we shouldn’t be in an alley and keep walking. ”

        “ the only loud dickhead here is you. ” daisy hisses. however, she doesn’t fight the pull, simply coming long. safety first. she knows these sentinels, they play dirty and so scan she – but she doesn’t want to cause too much destruction just yet. “ — what are you doing here, james?? how the hell did you get sentinels on you this fast?? ”

            “ CRIKEY, ” J.T. spat, whipping back round to gawp ( which he hurriedly spun into a sharp half grin ) at her. “ If it ain’t me flower girl, shoulda’ known by the  G R E A T  ass. ” Suddenly, he was all smoulder and smooth instead of survival first, leaning an arm on the wall behind her. “ I’m looking for my cousin, but never mind that. Sheila, I didn’t even KNOW about the Sentinels ‘till one just about knocked my block off. Talk about a nasty surprise. Oi, no ‘ I’m glad you’re alive ’ ?? No ‘ life has been  H O P E L E S S  withoutya, James Taylor James ’ ?? ”

       “ you ever have so much to do that you don’t know where to start?? ”

                  “ Mate, a tip on me?? Now listen close: it’s a beauty. Here’s how to start: DON’T. Ever. If you don’t  w a n t  to do anything, you don’t have to do anything. ”