X marks the spot

Yes Man

Skye had slowly opened her eyes again. At first, the world was a blurry mess. But, after blinking some time, she was immediately met with the symbol that told her were she was. She was... She was home. She was back with SHIELD. It was then that she heard some light snores. Looking down, she saw Aaron near the side of her bed. Resting his head against it. Asleep, actually asleep. And seemingly being in a decent sleep.

She smiled at the sight, the way he looked so innocent in this moment. The vulnerability that being asleep left the person in. And, here he was, near her and in concern for her. Her smile stayed, as she realised that he (without even knowing it) was paying her back for the time he was injured with Rebecca. The way she stayed with him too until he woke.

He was doing the same.

Jemma entered, a smile breaking onto her face when she saw her friend alive. Or rather, actually awake and alive. Rather than just a heartbeat on a monitor. That was the only reminder that she was still on their side of the land of the living.

"Good to have you back, Skye." She said with earnest, her smile only growing. She noticed that her friend only gave her a short smile, before she focused back on Aaron. As Jemma went to explain, she paused. As she watched the sweet interaction that was happening. Skye was gently running her hand through his hair.

Physical affection was never something Aaron seemed to be good at. Skye was better, but not there entirely. But, in this moment. That didn't matter. She only watched as her two friends shared a moment. Even if one of them was asleep.

"He's been forced to leave a few times by May. Other than that, he's been here. Nearly killed Quinn." She paused for a moment to let Skye digest all the information. She watched as her friend continued her action with her youngest friend, while her mind fully accept what had happened since she'd been out.

"...What happened to him?" She asked, Jemma's smile dimmed a little. While it was quickly recovered, Skye still caught it. And she looked to Aaron, who was still fast asleep. She then looked back to Jemma. Trying to muster up a look that told her older friend that she was ready to know what had happened.

"Quinn caught him. And – and he... He tortured him," Skye paused her action, her breath stilling as she froze. Jemma was quick to continue, "He survived, obviously. And it wasn't too much damage. He's since recovered."

Skye nodded, eyebrows furrowing as if she didn't fully believe the last part. And she resumed her hand's movement through her friend's hair. And action of comfort for both of them.

Being next to him meant that she had heard when he was having a nightmare. The thrashing and grumbles. The walls weren't very thick between rooms. She'd never dared go into his room. She knew she should've, she should've acted and helped. But, at least for now, this action seemed to help make up for that.

"There's something else, isn't there?" Skye asked, she started the question hesitantly. But she ended it as more of a statement than a question. Jemma tensed a little, the scientist had since fully came into the room and was checking all of Skye's vitals. Right when she paused, she was at the heartrate machine.

Kind of ironic, in a morbidly depressing way.

Letting out what was meant to be a calming breath. Instead came out as one that trembled near the end. She set her eyes on the boy who only seemed to be at peace in this moments. Or, at least that was externally. Internally? They didn't know.

Slowly, she met Skye's eyes, seeing the girl only hold a worried question. One that been asked so many times about each other and the boy.

"Have you noticed the scar on his arm?" Skye thought about it, her eyes drifting down to it's location. She shook her head, "Well..." She drifted off. Telling Skye about his identity in terms of sex and romantic wants was one thing. This... This was a whole other beast.