Chapter Text
Skye sat on the edge of the roof of the Playground. It was only 2 stories high. The rest of the base went down into the earth. It included underground bunkers, training rooms, mess halls, sleeping quarters, tunnels, docking stations, and everything else Coulson deemed necessary to rebuild Shield.
From the outside the building just looked like a nondescript gray factory or an old storehouse. It was the perfect cover. It blended into the somewhat quiet, abandoned industrial area. Not much happened around here and no one cared anyway. So little in fact, that no eyebrows were raised at the sudden influx of people around the base.
The concrete Skye was sitting on was cold and rough to the touch but she didn't mind. She welcomed the silence that the roof provided. The bustling atmosphere of the Playground could be overwhelming. Especially after living on the bus with the team for so long.
There was a system on the bus and everyone knew the other's routine because of living in such close quarters. It was comfortable to be able to drink tea and eat biscuits from Jemma's secret stash while gossiping with Fitzsimmons. To eat Coulson's famous grilled cheese and tomato soup. Watch movies together and play the occasional board game. Sit with May in the cockpit while admiring the view or join Coulson in his office and sit on his leather couch hacking away for hours.
Now everything was different. After Ward’s betrayal and the emergence of Hydra, everything changed. Skye barely saw Coulson anymore. He was always busy with his director duties. Fitz was having a hard time with his injury and tended to isolate himself, even more so after Simmons left…Simmons had no contact with the team as far as Skye knew. And Ward literally became the creepy monster stuck in their basement.
Moving to the Playground was an adjustment for everyone. It was much bigger and there were more agents. The bubble that existed on the bus was gone. She missed it. Hell she missed the days where she could lock herself up in her van. Close the curtains and curl up under her blanket. Her life had changed so much since then.
But the Playground roof did offer some solace. Not many agents came up here apart from the maintenance team. They did routine checks on the equipment up there. The roof was decked out with satellite dishes and a backup generator that helped power the building during outages or emergencies. Most people would rather go to the gym or firing range or retreat to their bunks. But not Skye.
Her feet were dangling over the edge of the building swinging to and fro much like a child would. Her hands tapping out a steady rhythm on her thighs. Her gaze was trained on the horizon, the sun was starting to set. It looked beautiful. Like a perfectly captured oil painting, unfolding in a breathtaking array of colors and brush strokes. Fiery oranges and reds dancing along the horizon, casting a warm glow that gradually melted into the soft purples and pinks of dusk. Wispy clouds streaked across the canvas, their edges tinged with hues of gold.
Skye smiled slightly and her hands stilled as a soft gust of wind ruffled her hair. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the coolness against her skin. Letting the wind carry away her worries. Allowing them to be swept up and scattered like dust. She breathed in deeply before opening her eyes again. She refocused her gaze on the horizon and her smile started to falter slightly.
Her brows furrowed and her hands clenched into fists. How could she be sitting here enjoying the sunset when she pulled the trigger today. When she snuffed out a life and killed someone's son. A bright mind full of potential. Gone within a second.
The mission was a success according to May. But Skye couldn't help but wonder…
Did Donnie Gill really have to die?
Granted he was trying to sink the ship with May and Hunter on it. As well as working for Hydra. She was trying to maintain Simmons' cover because that was a thing. Simmons undercover…She was trying to protect her family…But she still killed someone.
And Donnie was brainwashed. He was programmed by Bakshi and was being used.
In all actuality he was just a kid who got caught in between the crossfire of Shield and Hydra. A casualty of war so to speak. A casualty she caused. Could they have rehabilitated him? Could they have helped him? Give him another chance at life?
Skye checked her computer that was sitting to the side. She brought it up to the roof with her so that she could check if the Coast Guard had found Donnie's body yet. She hacked into their radio feed and listened in, as well as their report server. She had the urge to know if they found him. She didn't know why but she had to know. She felt responsible. But so far nothing was found.
Donnie reminded Skye of herself in a way. A bright young mind misguided and put on the wrong track. Sure their history was different but Skye still felt a connection to the boy. She herself was working for the Rising Tide before Shield kidnapped her and put her on a better path. She wished they could have gotten to Donnie before Hydra did. Now he was dead, somewhere in the bottom of the harbor.
The door opening snapped Skye out of her silent musings. She frowned as she glanced back to see who it could be. Her frown turned into surprise before morphing into a scowl.
Hunter of all people came ambling towards her carrying a coolbox in one hand and a bottle opener in the other. He was clad in combat boots, black trousers and a white T-shirt. A scruffy 2-day beard and messy hair completing the look. Skye wasn't particularly thrilled to see the rambunctious brit. She didn't mind his company, he was snarky, amusing and a bit of an idiot but he was fun to be around most of the time. He reminded her of some of the troublemakers she knew at the orphanage. A moron with a knack for getting into trouble. Someone that would sneak alcohol into a church service and call kids “wankers” to their faces.
But she wanted to be alone right now. She didn't feel like listening to his sarcasm, his grumblings about football or his complaints about Bobbi.
As he made his way closer Skye got up and reached for her laptop, planning on heading back to her bunk before Hunter could start a real conversation with her. He clearly came up here to drink. And she would gladly let him have the roof to himself. Before she could take more than 3 steps though, Hunter started speaking.
“Oi, sit your arse back down, love.” he said which startled Skye a bit. She was so taken aback that he was talking to her that she just kind of stood in place as he passed her with the coolbox. Hunter plopped down on the spot where she was sitting before, dangling his feet off the building much like she did. He stretched his hands above his head a bit, popping his back before signing and lowering his hands, relaxing again.
He glanced back over his shoulder when he heard no movement and saw Skye staring at him in surprise. “Well come on then, get a move on.” Hunter said gesturing to the empty space next to him with a smirk playing on his lips.
“Um, ok sure.'' Skye said while making her way back to the edge, taking a seat next to him, carefully placing her laptop down next to her. She checked the feed again as Hunter opened the coolbox, taking out a bottle of Guinness. He used the bottle opener to pop off the lid and offered it to Skye after she finished with her laptop. “Oh, no I’m fine-“
“Take it Skye, it's tradition” Hunter interrupted. Skye paused cocking an eyebrow at him. His usual sarcasm seemed to die down a bit. “You had your first kill today. This is a way of commemorating what happened. If I had something stronger I would have brought that, unfortunately I'm all out.” he said “No thanks to Bobbi. That woman is a hell beast. Anyway, we have to make do with beer.” he added with a small grin.
Skye hesitated a second before smiling a bit and taking the bottle Hunter was offering. She waited for him to take his own and pop the lid off. They both stared at the sunset for a moment. Skye let the silence wash over her like a blanket before Hunter raised his bottle into the air.
”To Donnie Gill, may the lad live on somewhere else. May he have peace wherever he is headed next.” he said in a quiet voice with somber eyes. The line almost sounded practiced to Skye. She wondered if Hunter did this often. He was a mercenary and May drilled it into her that they were often ruthless killers in it for the money. But Hunter seemed sincere. Perhaps for the first time since she met him.
Skye's throat tightened, and with a deep breath, she raised her own bottle, her fingertips trembling against the cool glass. "To Donnie Gill," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the solemn silence that enveloped the roof. The words carried a weight the seemed to echo through her, stirring a tempest of emotions within her chest. It was strange, she barely knew the boy…
"I'm sorry we couldn't help you," she whispered. The weight of guilt pressed down on her. It twisted her insides into knots, a visceral reminder of the choices made and the consequences left in their wake. A reminder of what it meant to finally be a field agent.
They both held up their bottles for a second longer before taking swigs of their respective beers. The bitter taste left Skye's mouth feeling numb but the cold liquid seemed to settle her stomach a bit. She lowered the bottle and held it in a loose grip while absentmindedly picking at the label, before smoothing it down with her fingertips, trying to ground herself somewhat. It was useless however as her thoughts were spiraling again, swirling like the wind around her.
"Ahhh, nothing like a good old pint of Guinness," Hunter said, tilting back his bottle again while downing a sizable gulp before emitting a loud, lengthy burp. Skye wrinkled her nose at him, her train of thought abruptly interrupted.
"You're disgusting, you know that? And you sound like an old man when you talk like that." she remarked.
Hunter sputtered slightly before shooting her a glare. "I'm not that much older than you!" he protested, his voice rising indignantly. "Besides, I'm not the one hiding out and mopping on a roof that's covered in bird shite."
Skye's jaw dropped at his blunt retort, a mixture of disbelief and indignation crossing her features. "I do not mope… and I-I’m not hiding!" she countered, her tone defensive. "Plus they clean here regularly and… and it has a nice view!" she finished lamely.
Hunter gave her a flat look, staring her down. She stared right back at him, not faltering. He slowly raised his eyebrow at her causing her to scowl at him. “You're such an ass.” she huffed. Hunter slowly began to crack a smile. “Sure love.” he said with a glint of mischief in his eyes before looking back to the receding sun.
Skye shook her head and hid her smile by taking another swig of her own beer. She would never admit it to him, but this was nice. She didn't feel judged or pressured to talk about her feelings. She didn't feel like she had to explain herself to him or justify her actions.
He was a mercenary who no doubt had his own skeletons in his closet. A shady past and questionable rap sheet. And she was a new field agent trying to find her way and uphold her principles while following orders.They could just exist in one another's presence. Although Hunter's presence was often obnoxious. Annoying her in a way that just he could. Skye imagined this was what having a big idiot brother felt like.
They both finished their bottles after a while, prompting Hunter to reach into the coolbox for another round.
“Are you trying to get me drunk Lancelot?” Skye quipped, accepting the bottle.
“No, I'm trying to disperse the rain cloud that's in the sky.” he laughed, bumping his shoulder with hers playfully. “Get it? Because your name is Skye'' he added proudly.
Skye rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at the corners of her lips ”That was horrible. You’re hopeless” Skye muttered while rolling her eyes.
The conversation stilled for a bit before Skye wondered out loud.
“Why are you doing this?”
“Doing what?” He asked.
“This”, Skye vaguely gestured between them. “Why come out here, share your nasty beer”
“Hey-” Hunter exclaimed
“And come talk to me” Skye finished talking over him.
Hunter placed his beer on the cool concrete, its condensation leaving a small ring beneath it. Leaning back, he propped himself up on his elbows, his gaze fixed on the setting sun. Dusk was fastly approaching, the vibrant oranges and fiery yellows of earlier now giving way to a blend of deep blues and rich purples. The sun dipping lower and lower beneath the horizon.
He watched in silence as the last rays of sunlight danced across the sky and reflected in his eyes, before answering.
“Before I was a merc, I was a lieutenant in the SAS. I know, I know, shocking. I was part of operations stationed in Iraq, Barsa and a few other places. I remember the first time I killed a man.” He paused, his gaze distant as memories flooded back, each one a jagged shard of his past.
“I'll spare you the details. But I remember feeling like absolute fucking shit after the fact. With mercenary work taking lives also comes with the occupation. It's important to find some kind of ritual, a way of commemorating the fallen.” he continued, with a soft voice. “Idaho always went to church after he took a life. Izzy had a little notebook where she wrote the names. And I drink and make a toast. It's so we keep ourselves human.”
As he spoke the last part, Hunter's eyes bore into Skye's, seeking understanding in the depths of her gaze.
She looked back at him. Acknowledgment and appreciation dawning on her face. Maybe he wasn't as stupid as she thought he was. Maybe he was a big softy under the cocky, annoying, sarcastic exterior. A principled man hardened by the rough life he's lived. But principled nonetheless. She smiled lightly at him.
“Unless you killed some kind of scumbag.” He added. “Then who gives a fuck, eh? Kill em all.” he finished breaking eye contact with a chuckle and sitting up again reaching for his beer.
Skye's smile dropped back to the ever present scowl she seemed to wear when he was around.
“Geez Hunter, for a moment there I almost liked you. Almost thought you had a heart. So close.”
“Ah you know you love me rain cloud” he said cheekily.
Their banter continued, each playful jab and witty remark lightening the mood and banishing the shadows that lurked at the edges of Skyes thoughts. In that moment, amidst the laughter, horrible jokes and numerous bottles of beer, the weight of the world felt a little lighter.
—————————
“-and you won't believe what that she-demon did Skye!” Hunter slurred a bit while poking Skye in the chest.
“What did she do?” Skye giggled while swatting at his hands, missing at first before managing to push it away.
The two had been sitting on the roof since around 5 pm and it was well past 9 now. The heavens were dark and a few stars were twinkling in the night sky. The roof was lightly.
Luckily Skye had enough sense to suggest they move away from the edge of the roof once they felt like they were getting buzzed. She did not think Coulson would be amused if they managed to fall off the building and splatter on the pavement down below. And May would be furious. She'd scrape them off said pavement and find a way to bring them back to life just to scold them and make them do inventory and scrub the toilet for a month.
Hunter's coolbox was now empty and the empty beer bottles were lined up in front of the two like trophies. Skye tried to stack some of the bottle caps onto each other while Hunter kept rambling and bumping into her, causing her to topple them over.
”I'll tell you what she did.” He exclaimed. “Bobbi fucking Morse decided she wanted a divorce. After disappearing for 3 months! 3 Months Skye! I was gutted and she came back like nothing happened. No ‘Hi Hunter, I'm alive Hunter, how have you been Hunter, sorry for making you search the globe for me Hunter’” he said, trying and failing spectacularly at mimicking Bobbi's higher pitched American accent.
Skye snickered at his reenactment which caused her to clumsily topple the little bottle cap tower over again.
“Well at least your ex isn't a shitty traitor.” Skye huffed while wagging a finger at him after giving up on the tower.
“She betrayed my heart Skye, took a bite out of it, chewed on it, spat it out and walked all over it.” He shot back dramatically.
“Hmm true. But at least she's not locked up in our basement refusing to talk to anyone except you” she retorted again.
”No but I have to work with her! I have to like, communicate” he cried out.
”Okay…Oh! At least she's not a pathological liar who lived with you for over a year and tried to kill your best friends while obsessing over you and being a nazi.” Skye quipped a bit too happily. Hunter froze at that and slowly turned his unfocused gaze at her.
"Okay, you win. I can't top that. What a wanker. I knew Ward was bad but not that bad. What did you ever see in him?" Hunter choked out in surprise.
"Honestly, I'm not sure," Skye admitted, her tone tinged with a mixture of disbelief and self-deprecation, shoulders sagging a bit. "You know what's even worse though? Apparently, May slept with him a few times before we became a thing. I never knew that until after he revealed his true colors. Which means May and I kissed the same guy" Skye said while shivering before adding “Which is like, so weird.”
Hunter erupted in laughter as he struggled to catch his breath. "No fucking way," he managed to gasp out. "Your mom slept with your crush, and you never knew until you found out he's a murderer?” Hunter wheezed. ”Blimey, what is this, some kind of badly written telly show?" His laughter intensified, shaking his entire frame.
"Ugh, shut up Hun-” Skye stopped while her eyes widened comically. “Wait... Hold on, May's not…Hunter, May isn't my mom," Skye quickly clarified.
"Could've fooled me," Hunter replied with a cheeky grin, his laughter finally subsiding into a lopsided smirk.
"Anyway, Ward's an asshole, and I hope he burns in hell," Skye declared, shifting the topic back to their evil exes before they started discussing her familial history.
"Amen to that, sister," Hunter concurred, nodding his head enthusiastically in agreement. "Based on what I've heard from you, he's a real piece of work. A sod if I ever heard of one.”
"Yeah... I would say the same about Bobbi, but I don't think she's so bad. I barely know her. And she's kind of cool." Skye admitted.
"Do not be fooled by her 'Goldilocks' attitude," Hunter interjected. "Underneath the pretty, beautiful, glorious, sexy-”
"Hunter..." Skye interjected while making a face.
"-exterior, she's a devil spawn, I tell you," Hunter continued, undeterred by Skye's interruption.
Skye started giggling after he finished. Her drunken mind suddenly finding the situation hysterical. “Did you just…Did you just compare Shields' infamous Mockingbird to Goldilocks?” Skye managed to choke out. “I'm pretty sure she could kick both our asses if we teamed up against her, and you're comparing her to Goldilocks.” Skye said before bursting out in laughter again.
Hunter looked thoughtful for a second before breaking into a grin. “Don't tell her I told you this but you're probably right.” He said, dropping his voice to a low whisper and leaning over to Skye. “She could kick my ass and I'd like it.” Hunter said before leaning away again.
”Ewwww stop you’re so gross” Skye whined trying to slap him over the head but aiming a bit too far to the left and missing. The extra momentum made her sway and almost fall over on her side before she could steady herself again, causing both of them to break out into another fit of giggles and laughter.