Marvel: The Infinite Crown

Thank you legends for your support and contribution.

Thanks to[Copinsa] for subscribing to my $9 tier!

For those willing to support, here's the link:

patreon.com/Eden_Translation

I am now back to 60 thanks for the support guys 🤧

*****

{Chapter: 153 - Fractures Beneath the Surface}

"Did you know that Daisy has been digging into her past again?" Coulson asked as soon as they stepped into the office. His voice was calm, measured as always, but there was a note of concern beneath it—subtle, but there.

Aiden glanced at the SHIELD third in command as he walked beside him, his coat trailing behind his smooth stride. The steel blue lights of the base's interior glinted faintly off the polished floors.

"I figured as much," Aiden replied. "It's not new for her. Daisy's been chasing that trail since she was old enough to question why her last name kept changing. She's lived in more houses than most people have birthdays. The instability never left her… not really."

He paused, folding his arms. "She's never stopped believing that the answers—her answers—are out there, hidden somewhere in a classified SHIELD file, or some dark alley of old experiments."

Coulson nodded slowly. "That's what I thought. She's been more driven lately—more distracted too. She's sharper than ever behind a keyboard, but you can feel the weight pressing behind her eyes." His jaw tightened slightly. "I ran a lead today. May and I followed up on some old intel from Bahrain. The results... weren't what she was hoping for. And that worries me."

Aiden narrowed his gaze. "Its bad?"

"It's complicated. Let's just say the version of the truth she's built up in her mind—idealized, maybe even romanticized—doesn't match the reality we found. Not even close."

Aiden stayed silent for a moment. Then he exhaled. "Don't tell her yet."

Phil studied him. "You sure?"

"Yes. If she hears it now, when she's already emotionally compromised, it'll break her. Maybe not on the surface, but deep down where she hides the old scars—ones no serum or training regimen can touch."

Coulson looked at him for a long beat and finally nodded. "Alright. I trust your judgment on this. You know her better than anyone."

Aiden gave a slight nod of thanks, though a flicker of unease passed through his eyes. He did know Daisy… but her past wasn't something even he could fully tell her. There were too many threads—Hydra, Kree, the Inhuman transformations—some of which even he, with his growing network and strange powers, couldn't unravel yet.

"Oh," Aiden added, changing the subject. "My base is finally under construction. Should be done in about a month. Until then, I'll stick around the Playground and help with SHIELD operations."

Coulson gave a half-smile. "You've been a consultant for how long now? And this is the longest you've actually stayed put."

"What can I say?" Aiden smirked. "I'm a man of mystery. Occasionally, I like to appear just long enough to make a dramatic difference before vanishing again."

"Like The Knight."

"Cooler than The Knight. Less brooding, better hair."

Coulson chuckled, but their banter was cut short by a sudden buzz from his comms. He took the call, and his light mood dropped almost instantly. Aiden watched the shift in Coulson's demeanor—calm morphing into cold, calculated urgency.

After a few seconds, Coulson ended the call and looked up. "Bad news. The transport vehicle carrying Donnie Gill—yeah, that Donnie—was ambushed. Witnesses say the Lizard was involved. He took Donnie."

Aiden's expression sharpened, the smirk gone. "Want me on it?"

Coulson shook his head. "Not yet. Just find out where they are. We can't afford to spook the Lizard too early. If we're lucky, Donnie's still alive and just being used. If we're not…" he didn't finish the thought. He didn't need to.

"I'll handle it," Aiden said calmly and turned to leave.

As he headed down the corridor toward his quarters, his phone buzzed. He picked it up without looking. "Yeah?"

"Boss," purred Blink's voice from the other end, teasing and dripping with mischief. "Mission's wrapped up. Lizard took the bait like a good boy—but things got a little chilly, if you know what I mean."

Aiden raised a brow, already smirking. "Chilly?"

"Mhm," she giggled. "Donnie's rocking a shiny new power—ice-based. Our reptilian friend got himself flash-frozen. Tail and pride, both iced over."

Aiden chuckled. "Now that's poetic. Lizard meets Ice Kid."

"Oh, it was deliciously awkward. He was shivering and growling—I think he even squeaked when Donnie kicked him in the tail. Adorable, really."

"Make sure he remembers who I am. And tell him this—if he doesn't want to spend the rest of his pathetic life crammed into a containment unit the size of a shoebox, he better behave and wait for me."

"Message received, loud and clear. Though… if you ever need someone to personally deliver it, I do look very good in black."

Aiden chuckled again, deeper this time. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Please do, boss. I live to serve... and stir trouble."

He hung up with an amused shake of his head, slipping into his quarters as the tension melted from his shoulders. Blink always knew how to keep things interesting.

But just as he dropped into the sleek couch, the door hissed open and a familiar voice called out.

"What did Phil say?" Daisy asked, stepping in casually. Her hair was tied up in a loose bun, strands falling freely to frame her face, and she wore her SHIELD training hoodie over a pair of cozy pajama shorts.

Aiden looked up and grinned. "Just that I'm staying here for a while. Construction's finally moving. Base will be ready in a month."

Daisy's eyes lit up. "Wait, really? You're staying? No mysterious disappearances, no vanishing into shadows, no 'this mission is classified, babe'?"

"I mean, there might be shadows," Aiden teased. "And I am very mysterious. But yes, I'm staying. At least for a while."

Daisy practically skipped over and dropped into his lap with a soft thump, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Finally. I've missed this."

"Oh, this?" Aiden asked, pulling her closer. "Me, on a couch, being smothered by the most adorable hacker in SHIELD history?"

"Exactly this." She leaned in, her voice playful, whispering just by his ear. "But you have to admit... it's an upgrade from your last mysterious exit."

"I regret nothing. Except maybe that hotel minibar."

She giggled and tucked her head beneath his chin, her fingers playing with the collar of his shirt. "So what now, Agent Mysterious?"

"Now," he murmured, gently brushing his lips against the top of her head, "we make up for lost time."

"Oh?" she tilted her head, grinning. "And how exactly do you propose we do that?"

"Well…" he leaned in closer, his voice dropping, "how about you come to my room tonight?"

Daisy blinked. "We're already in your room."

Aiden laughed, pulling her tighter into his embrace. "Then stay."

Her voice softened, eyes glinting with mischief. "And if I do?"

"I'll make sure you never want to leave."

Daisy smiled and kissed him, slow and deep. "Challenge accepted."

He picked her up effortlessly and settle her down in a comfortable position. "So, tell me the truth. Did you miss me? Like… really, really miss me?"

Daisy giggled, brushing her fingers along his jaw. "Missed you so bad I almost started cuddling my laptop. Not the same, by the way."

"You could've called. I would've sent a hologram," he joked, nuzzling into her neck.

"Pfft, holograms don't kiss like you do."

He leaned closer, voice dropping to a whisper. "So… about tonight in my room?"

She looked mock-confused, then burst into laughter. "Well, Agent Aiden, I was planning to spend the night combing through SHIELD archives for alien signal patterns... but your offer sounds way more fun."

"That's what I thought," he said, grinning as he kissed her forehead.

She snuggled into him, eyes gleaming with warmth. "You're lucky you're cute."

"No, you're lucky I'm cute."

Their laughter echoed down the hallway, light-hearted, flirtatious, and completely wrapped in the comfort of one another's presence as they shared light kisses from time to time. Despite the darker secrets swirling around them, for this one moment, Aiden and Daisy found peace in each other.

---

Nighttime.

The base was quiet, its corridors dimmed, the air thick with the kind of peace that only came after a long day of espionage, secrets, and the weight of trying to save the world—again. But for Daisy, tonight was different. Her heart didn't race with adrenaline or shame. It beat steadily with excitement and anticipation.

Everyone was asleep. Coulson's office light was off. Jemma was locked away in the lab, probably working on Aiden's projects. Even Melinda May—ever watchful—had finally retreated into the shadows for rest.

She moved through the hallway like a shadow, barefoot, graceful, her fingers brushing the cool metal walls as she approached Aiden's room. No hesitations. No nerves. Just need—and love.

The door slid open and she slipped inside like she belonged there. Because she did.

Aiden was already waiting. Leaning casually against the far wall, shirtless, the soft blue hue of the moonlight outlining every curve of his defined Greek god body. His eyes found her the second the door shut behind her.

"Took you long enough," he murmured with a teasing grin.

"Had to make sure Fitz didn't install new hallway sensors. Last time I sneezed, I set off three silent alarms," Daisy said, smirking as she approached him.

He chuckled and met her halfway. "Then I should reward your stealth with something special."

She pressed herself into his arms without a word, sliding her hands across his bare back, and whispered playfully against his neck, "I was hoping you'd say that."

His hand trailed down her waist, finding the curve of her hip like it was made for him. "You don't look tired."

"I'm not," she said, lips brushing his jaw. "I couldn't sleep. Not when I knew you were in here, waiting for me."

There was no nervousness between them anymore. No awkwardness. That had disappeared long ago—ever since the night she gave him everything, not just her body, but her heart.

"I still can't believe I'm the lucky bastard who gets to hold you like this," Aiden whispered, kissing her temple. "You're gorgeous, brilliant, and deadly."

Daisy laughed, but her voice was soft, sultry. "Flattery won't get you out of trouble."

He leaned in, lips grazing hers. "Good. I wasn't planning on getting out of anything tonight."

She kissed him before he could say more—slow and deep, the kind of kiss that said I'm yours without needing to say a word. Her fingers tangled in his hair as he pulled her closer, and everything outside that room disappeared. The stress. The missions. The world.

"You keep kissing me like that," she murmured breathlessly as they parted, "and I won't let you leave this bed tomorrow."

"That a threat?" he grinned.

"A promise."

She pulled him toward the bed, hands under his jaw, dragging her lips across his skin like a trail of fire.

And then she whispered with playful heat, "Now shut up and ruin my sleep."

Aiden laughed, full of joy and desire, before wrapping his arms around her tighter. "With pleasure, Daisy."

From the other side of the room, their laughter faded into hushed whispers and deep kisses, the night echoing with soft gasps, teasing murmurs, and the unspoken language of love of two people tangled in love and heat.

And for now… that was more than enough.

*****

You can support me by joining my Patreon and get upto 60 chapters in advance.

patreon.com/Eden_Translation