CH: 004 - Meeting Quake
{Chapter: 004 - Meeting Quake}
Natasha knew this mission wouldn't be easy, but she didn't refuse it either. There was no denying that Aiden had a magnetic allure, one that made him dangerously captivating. But it wasn't just his charm that intrigued her—it was the enigma he presented. A man with no past, no traceable identity, yet possessing knowledge and abilities that defied logic. Curiosity stirred within her, and for a spy like Natasha, curiosity was often the beginning of something far more dangerous.
---
Aiden didn't immediately seek out Daisy after leaving the bar. He was well aware that Natasha would be tailing him, and the last thing he wanted was to compromise his objective. If SHIELD caught even the faintest hint of Daisy's Inhuman heritage because of his involvement, all his careful planning would crumble to dust. What's more, the Battle of New York had only recently concluded, and Phil Coulson had yet to be 'resurrected,' meaning there was no way for him to assemble a team just yet. There was no need to rush—after all, Natasha couldn't shadow him forever.
---
With an abundance of time and no immediate threats pressing down on him, Aiden chose to indulge in the finer things life had to offer. From the very next morning, he slipped into the role of a man on an extravagant vacation, reveling in carefree leisure, spending his days in comfort, and making full use of his resources. Money? It was the least of his concerns.
While Aiden basked in his self-imposed paradise, Natasha, on the other hand, found herself simmering with frustration. Over a week had passed, and despite her keen observational skills and relentless pursuit, she had nothing of significance to report. Aiden had shown no signs of his abilities, made no suspicious connections, and behaved like nothing more than a rich, idle wanderer.
It was infuriating.
She wasn't naive enough to believe this was mere coincidence. The way he presented himself during the little interaction they had, she was sure. Aiden was too calculated, too aware, too deliberate. It was as if he was playing a long, drawn-out game—one where she was nothing more than an unwilling participant being led in circles. But time wasn't on her side. With high-priority missions demanding her attention, she couldn't afford to waste any more energy chasing shadows. After filing her report—though it felt more like admitting defeat—she reluctantly withdrew from the investigation, at least for now.
---
Aiden remained vigilant. Even after two full days without a tail, he took his time ensuring that SHIELD had indeed backed off. And only when he was absolutely certain did he allow himself to exhale. The so-called 'vacation' had been enjoyable, yes, but he hadn't stepped into this world just to indulge in meaningless pleasures—at least, not yet.
Now that Natasha was gone, it was time to put his real plan into motion.
Of course, his past week hadn't been a complete waste. While appearing carefree on the surface, he had spent his days quietly trailing Skye, keeping tabs on her movements, her habits, her routines. He had even managed to cross paths with her once, sharing the same space in a coffee shop. He hadn't pushed for a conversation, hadn't made any overt moves—not with Natasha's eyes still on him.
But now? Now, the real game was about to begin.
---
At night.
Aiden spotted Skye stepping out of a small restaurant just as he pressed his foot down on the gas pedal. His expression shifted into feigned panic, his hands tightening around the wheel as he expertly maneuvered his sleek sports car straight into hers with a sharp, dramatic crash.
A loud thud echoed through the street.
"Oh, no…" he murmured under his breath, masking the amusement lurking in his gaze.
Daisy's eyes widened as she rushed forward, her heart sinking at the sight of the collision. Her car—her home—had just been struck by what looked like a ridiculously expensive sports car.
Before she could unleash her frustration, the culprit emerged from his vehicle, exuding an air of genuine remorse.
"I'm so sorry!" Aiden said, striding toward her with an apologetic look. "I lost focus for just a second, and my foot slipped on the accelerator. Are you the owner? I'll cover all the repair costs."
Daisy crossed her arms, her irritation evident. Her van wasn't just a mode of transport; it was everything to her. But just as she was about to give this reckless driver a piece of her mind, recognition flickered in her eyes.
"It's you?" she blurted out, caught off guard.
Aiden tilted his head, feigning confusion. "I'm sorry… Do we know each other?"
Daisy gave him a knowing smirk. "Yeah, a few days ago at the coffee shop. I spilled my latte on you—ring any bells? Name's Daisy Johnson."
Aiden let his lips curve slightly, as if suddenly recalling. "Ah… now I remember. I didn't expect to run into you again. What a coincidence. I'm Aiden."
Daisy arched an eyebrow, crossing her arms playfully. "You're really holding a grudge, huh? I spill your coffee, and you crash into my car? Talk about petty revenge."
Aiden chuckled, shaking his head. "This was purely an accident, I swear."
Daisy's gaze flickered to his car, a luxury vehicle now sporting visible damage. "Well, if it was revenge, you definitely lost more than I did."
She wasn't wrong. His car was in significantly worse shape than hers, and knowing how expensive those repairs would be, she almost felt bad. Almost.
"You know any repair shops around here?" Aiden asked casually.
"Give me a second."
Daisy pulled out her laptop, fingers flying over the keyboard. After a brief search, she made a call, speaking quickly before turning back to him.
"There's nothing close by, but I got in touch with a shop a little further away. They'll send someone over soon."
Aiden nodded. "Thanks. And… I really am sorry."
Daisy shook her head, brushing it off. "It's fine." But inwardly, a wave of anxiety settled in. Her van was more than just a vehicle—it was her home. With the repairs needed, it wouldn't be livable for a while. And with hotel prices surging after the New York invasion, she wasn't sure she could afford to stay anywhere until it was fixed.
Aiden didn't miss the shift in her expression.
"Something wrong?" he asked, his tone laced with curiosity, though he already knew the answer.
Daisy hesitated before sighing. "Yeah… this van is my home. And now, thanks to you, I'm officially homeless."
Aiden widened his eyes in mock surprise. "You live in your car?"
She gave a small, sheepish nod.
Aiden's lips curled into a charming smile. "Well, since I'm technically responsible for this predicament, how about I make it up to you? I can't, in good conscience, let a beautiful woman be left out on the streets—it'd be a crime deserving of the electric chair."
Daisy let out a short laugh despite herself.
"I'm staying at a nearby hotel," Aiden continued smoothly. "If you don't mind, I'll book you a room. Consider it my way of making amends."
Daisy pulled out her phone and did a quick search. When she saw the results, she frowned.
"Yeah… about that," she muttered. "Looks like it won't be that easy for you to help me."
Aiden raised a brow. "What do you mean?"
"The hotel you're staying at? Completely booked. Actually, every hotel in the area is fully occupied."
Now it was Aiden's turn to show a surprised face. "Not a single room available?"
"Obviously," Daisy sighed. "With half the city still recovering from the invasion, a lot of buildings are under repair, and hotel businesses are booming. There's barely any vacancy left anywhere."
Her frustration was palpable.
Aiden, however, simply leaned back slightly, a slow, knowing smile spreading across his face.
"Well then," he mused, "looks like we'll have to get a little creative with the solution, won't we?"
Aiden had expected this outcome from the start, but he played the part of a man weighing his options, furrowing his brow slightly as if deep in thought. After a moment of hesitation—just enough to seem reluctant but not uninterested—he let out a small sigh and looked at Daisy with a small smile.
"Well… if there really aren't any other options, how about staying in my room? The sofa's not bad—pretty comfortable, actually. But, of course, I'd never let a gorgeous woman like you settle for a mere sofa."
"This..."
Aiden leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "I mean, let's be real—compared to sleeping on the cold, unforgiving streets, wouldn't you rather stay in a cozy, warm room… with a ridiculously handsome guy?" He flashed her an irresistible grin.
Daisy raised an eyebrow, eyeing him skeptically. "Oh?"
Daisy pursed her lips, she looked at his expression and weighed her pros and cons then nodded as she tapped her chin. "Hmm… you do make a compelling argument."
Aiden spread his arms. "See? I'm a man of logic."
She let out a small laugh, shaking her head before finally nodding. "Fine, you've convinced me. But if you snore, I'm pushing you out of the room."
"Bold of you to assume I snore," Aiden quipped. "I'm practically perfect. My breathing is soft, my presence divine, and I wake up looking flawless."
Daisy rolled her eyes, but the small smirk on her lips betrayed her amusement.
Their playful banter continued for a while until the repair shop's team finally arrived. After exchanging contact information, they began the process of towing Daisy's van away.
But before they could take it, Daisy rushed back to grab her essentials, shooting the repairmen a pointed look. "I swear, if anything in my van goes missing, I'll find you."
One of the workers chuckled nervously. "We, uh, we'll be careful."
Aiden watched the whole interaction with an entertained smirk before stepping forward, effortlessly scooping up her bag. "Here, let me carry this for you. I wouldn't want those delicate soft hands of yours getting tired."
Daisy snorted. "Wow, chivalry isn't dead after all."
Aiden grinned as he led her toward the hotel. "Oh, it's alive and thriving. And so am I—especially at the thought of sharing my space with a stunning guest."
Daisy shot him a side-eye but couldn't hide the small smile playing at her lips. "If you try anything, I will electrocute you."
Aiden chuckled. "Noted. But fair warning—I look good even when electrocuted."
She groaned. "It's gonna be a long night."