A super late post-3x22 fic that I found on my computer
Jughead felt the air leave Betty’s lungs when she sighed - and he wasn’t even touching her. Her back now slumped, Jughead saw the hope leave her face. He watched her begin to turn but he was too quick, pulling her into his chest before her knees could give out. He held her there tightly as she began to let it all sink in.
Her mom and sister had disappeared.
Her dad was dead.
She’d almost died.
They all almost died.
Betty couldn’t help but to let the sobs slip out of her, the hot tears running down her face. Jughead kept her steady, trying to calm her and keep her upright.
“No,” she cried softly, her body shaking. “No,” she whimpered, trying to rationalize it all. Jughead was simply speechless. He didn’t know what to say - and for the first time ever he didn’t know what good words would do.
this is my first attempt at writing an one shot, and i thought that it'd be to start with one of my ships. it is basically right after 3x22, where daisy decides to visit his room after the battle against hive. this is awful but i hope you enjoy it.
Her fingers touch the doorknob and for a moment she is taken back to that night.
'Sometimes it's good to lose control'
But this time her eyes are dry, for now at least. She has cried rivers since she was released from Hive's sway. Yet she feels guilty no more find their way down her cheeks. With a deep breath, she twists the doorknob and she walks into his room.
It is tidy for the most part, except for some clothes laying on his bed. The blue sweater he wore when she came home. But also the one he wore when she tried to trick him into joining their side. No not their. Hive's side.
'It's good to see you.'
Daisy can't take the memories and it ends up on the floor. Crumbled. Just like her. Lincoln always thought he wasn't enough for her but she felt the exact opposite. She had hurt him and he had died for her. He didn't deserve this ending. He was in S.H.I.E.L.D. only because of her and she had killed him.
Her eyes land on the next item on his bed, a maroon top.
'Have you ever tried microwave popcorn?'
All the memories from Afterlife come flooding back and she sinks on the bed with his shirt on her hands. Her dry eyes are blinded once again by the tears. He was such a different person back then. He seemed happy and whole. Or she was so naive, she hadn't noticed the sadness in his eyes. How broken he really was. That was the reason she believed she broke him. After all, everything she touched crumbled, died.
She finds herself smelling the shirt, trying to find any remnants of his scent on it. He can't be gone. He just can't. She could see the sun in his eyes when he looked at her. But no one told her that even stars died.
Her gaze falls on her lap, staring at her gray blood stained shirt. His blood. She almost fell apart while trying to clean her hands and she can't stare that even for one more moment. So she replaces it with his maroon shirt.
She's laying on the bed now but sleep won't come and she knows it won't for a long time. She closes her eyes and tries to see him. Their kisses, afterlife, their first night. Every single memory they made. And the tears don't stop, instead, they are accompanied by silent sobs.
Daisy has already started to feel empty. Jemma says it is because of Hive but she knows better. The whole in her chest isn't a symptom withdrawal. It's a feeling she will have for a long time.
'A moment ago, it was the first time I said I lo-'
She didn't even get to say it back. Maybe she waited too long or not. But that doesn't matter now. The only thing she can do is hope that he knew.
She jolts awake and that is when she realizes she had fallen asleep in the first place. Daisy expectations were proved wrong. She didn't dream about him nor his death and that's what scared her the most. She tried to bring him in her mind again but the memory had already started to fade. His face seemed blurrier than before and the details started to disappear.
Daisy started to panic. This couldn't be happening. Not so soon at least. With a blink of an eye, she started searching his drawers, desperately looking for a picture. With shaky hands, she threw many papers and small items on the ground during her frantic search. A loud thud startled her and she turned to look at the item that caused the noise.
A small blue box had landed next to her. Curiosity got the best of her and she opened it speechless by its content. A delicate silver ring along with a small card.
'Happy Birthday my flower'
As cheesy as it sounded, Daisy couldn't help but start crying once again. He had remembered her birthday. The birthday she didn't even know she had until Afterlife. And he had bought her a gift. With all the madness that was going on, he had bought her a gift.
That moment she knew she didn't deserve him but she couldn't help her feelings. She had loved him with all of her heart and that was what destroyed them both. But she didn't regret even one second she had spent with him.
What they say is true. Death doesn't happen to you, it happens to everyone around you. He died a hero. But that was the problem. Daisy didn't want him to be a hero. She just wanted him alive and by her side. And if she couldn't have that, then she'd at least make his sacrifice worth something. He wouldn't be dying in vain. Instead, she would be following his footsteps.
Help Inhumans. Guide them. Teach them that they're not monsters, quite the opposite. They're special. And she would protect them at any cost.
Lincoln's purpose was to save Daisy. Or to be a hero if you asked her. He'd died not only to save her but the whole planet. And he was the greatest hero she knew.
Daisy's purpose was to protect Inhumans and humans alike. And she couldn't have done either if it weren't for him. He would want her to keep fighting right? And she would grant his wish. Keep going. Not for herself. But for him. And everyone who need her. Everyone who needed them.
