Daisy Penelope Bloom, a young American woman living in Liverpool, Britain, across from her best friend Melody Price. Mel's father, John Price, has been away on a year long mission. When he returns, he finds his daughter all grown up, and his daughte...
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The next few days are a blur of stolen glances and awkward silences. Melody senses the shift in their relationship but chooses to ignore it. Daisy tries to act normally, but every time John enters the room, she feels like she's on fire.
They find themselves spending more time together, doing things that are innocent yet charged with something new. It's like a dance they're both eager to explore but afraid to lead.
John keeps his promise, giving her space when she needs it, but making sure she knows he's there for her. They go to the movies, they go for walks, they sit together in silence, and it's beautiful.
Today is no different, with Melody out with some of her other friends, John decides to take Daisy on a little field trip.
"Where are we going, Captain?" Daisy leans back in the passenger's seat of his truck, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"It's a surprise, but I promise you'll like it," John says with a knowing smile.
"I hate surprises. Come on, just tell me," she whines, poking his arm playfully.
"It's part of the fun, Daisy. Besides, you know I've got good taste."
They eventually pull up to a nondescript warehouse on the outskirts of the city, and John flashes a military ID to the guard at the gate.
"Is this where you keep your secret stash of chocolate?" Daisy asks, raising an eyebrow.
John chuckles. "No, it's the base shooting range. I figured you could use a chance to blow off some steam."
Daisy's eyes widen. "Are we really going to shoot guns?"
He nods. "It's a good way to relieve stress, and I want to make sure you can protect yourself if you ever need to."
"You're gonna let me, a literal demon in the sheets, play with a lethal weapon?" Daisy's voice is filled with a mix of excitement and skepticism.
John laughs, patting her thigh. "I trust you. Besides, you're with me. I'll make sure you don't accidentally start a war." He winks at her, and she feels her cheeks heat up.
She tries to play it cool, but her heart is racing. Guns are serious, but she's also thrilled by the idea of doing something so...adult with him. "So... I get to shoot stuff, is what I'm getting from this conversation." Daisy's voice is filled with excitement as John opens the door to the warehouse. The smell of gunpowder and metal fills the air, a stark contrast to the sweet scent of the candy they had been sharing at home. She's never been to a shooting range before, and the thought of holding a gun in her hand sends a thrill through her body.
John leads her through the dimly lit space, passing rows of weapons neatly displayed on the walls. She can't help but feel like she's in a scene from a movie, especially with him by her side, looking every bit the hero. "You're going to love this, Daisy. Just remember everything I taught you during those action movie marathons," he says, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
She nods, trying to keep her cool. "Shoot everything that moves, got it," Daisy says with a cheeky smile, her eyes scanning the room with feigned seriousness.
John laughs, shaking his head. "Not everything, just the targets. Safety first, remember?" He guides her to a booth, handing her a pair of noise-canceling headphones.
She takes them with a nod, trying to appear more competent than she feels. "Don't worry, Captain. I won't go all Rambo on you." She puts the headphones on, the muffled sound of the outside world making her feel both safe and vulnerable. "As long as you help me." She gulps, her anxiety over the situation setting in.
John shows her a pistol, explaining its parts and how to handle it safely. His hands are gentle but firm as he guides hers, placing the gun in her grip. "Take a deep breath, Daisy. You're in control here." She nods, trying to steady her racing heart. The weight of the gun feels foreign, yet somehow reassuring. She looks down the range, focusing on the target in the distance. "Ready?" John asks, his voice a comforting rumble in her ear as he gets behind her, holding her arms steady.
"Ready." Her first shot is a wild miss, and they both laugh. But with each subsequent shot, she gets better, the sound of the gunfire echoing through the warehouse. The power of the weapon in her hand is exhilarating, and she feels a sense of control she hasn't felt in a long time.
John's gentle instructions become more than just teaching her to shoot; they're a metaphor for her life. Focus, aim, breathe, and let go. She starts to hit the target, and with each successful shot, she feels a little bit more like herself. And the more she shoots the target, the more the raging monster inside wants to break free.
More and more bullets hit the target, her happy expression turning grim as tears roll down her cheeks. One handed, she shoots the target perfectly, right in the head, and another in the heart. With each shot, she imagines it's Alex, taking away her pain and fear.
John watches her, his expression unreadable, but his grip on her arms tighten, offering silent support.
"Fuck... Just take it. Please take it back, Captain. I can't—" She sobs, her hand trembling as she holds the pistol.
John wraps his arms around her, pulling her into a warm embrace. He takes the gun from her shaking hands, setting it on the counter. "Daisy, it's okay. It's just a target, it's not real. Let it all out, babygirl," he whispers into her hair, his voice soothing like a balm on her raw nerves. He holds her tightly, her tears soaking his shirt as she cries into his chest. He strokes her back, his heart breaking for her. He had no idea her pain was this deep, this intense. "You're safe here, Daisy. I've got you." He doesn't know how long they stand there, her body shaking with sobs, but he holds her until she goes still, her tears subsiding into hiccups.
"I wanted it to be real," she sniffles as she looks up at him with teary eyes. "And that scares me."
John's heart aches for her, and he kisses her forehead gently. "You don't have to be scared of anything when you're with me, Daisy. I'll always keep you safe." He doesn't realize how close his face is to hers until he feels her breath against his cheek.
For a moment, the world stands still, and Daisy's eyes flicker between his eyes and his lips. She leans in, her breath catching in her throat.
"Not unless you're ready." Daisy pouts at him. "Just one?" The way she looks at him with those wide, innocent eyes is a siren's call he's finding harder to resist each day.
He nods, leaning in to kiss her softly, his thumb wiping away the last of her tears. But it's not enough for either of them. They need more. So much more.
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