Work Text:
It was her first night sleeping in her own bed since Ward. She should be relieved for a sense of normalcy, but the only thoughts in her head were about everything that led up to her abduction, and how it all could have been avoided if she told Hunter the truth. Thoughts about how she doesn’t deserve his forgiveness, that when she gets better Hunter will realize his mistake and leave, God knows it would shatter her heart, she loves him, fiercely she loves him. She knows he loves her, but she’s scared that he’s just taking care of her because she saved his life.
“Bob?” The word pulls her out of her head and she realises that she has tears streaming down her face. She doesn’t know when she became the type to cry over a guy, but Lance has always been her anomaly.
“Sorry, did I wake you?” she said in an uncharacteristically small voice turning around to face Hunter who had his arms protectively around her.
“Bob?” Hunter’s brow furrowed and Bobbi unconsciously leaned forward to smooth it.
Bobbi caves knowing that it is no use to hide her woes from him. “If Kara didn’t kidnap me and that was actually May, and I never got tourchard and shot, would you still have forgiven me?-”
“Have you forgiven me?” She added, closing her eyes.
Hearing the fear in her voice breaks his heart a little bit. “Bob, I know why you did it. Izzy told me what happened on the Illiad. If I was brought in I would have been on your side. I understand why you didn’t though, the man you married was too much of a risk and hated S.H.I.E.L.D. You said that you were surprised I stayed, and honestly me too. I was hurt when I found out you were keeping secrets again and it hurt so much-”
“I… I wanted to tell you, when you found the flash drive, when we talked in the car, every time you looked at me like- I… when you asked me to leave, saying no was the the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I wanted to build something real with you, but”
Bobbi paused to take a breath while Hunter rubbed calming circles on her arms. “I thought that it would be easier if I was the bad guy, rather than you watching Shield turn on itself. Again. That’s why I pushed you away. I know its twisted logic, but I was trying to protect you pushing you away thinking you would leave and not be here when-”
''I love you, with every bone in my body, every possible cliche I love you, a love that cannot be ignored.” Bobbi’s whole body is shaking at this point and all Hunter wants to do is wrap his arms around her and tell her it's going to be ok. But, he knows she has a point she is trying to get across. “I want this, you and I, more than anything in the world, more than shield. I can’t shake this feeling that you feel like you owe me for taking the bullet, and that you haven’t forgiven me. I would have taken the bullet even if that meant you hated me for the rest of your life.”
“I could never hate you, of course I’ve forgiven you, because I love you and I will always love you… I was petrified that you were going to die without knowing that I love you. Because Bob, we are different people then we were when we got married, we are better people. We wouldn’t be able to think about having this conversation without it turning into a screaming match.”
They both cringe with the memories on their younger selfs. It was a long road, but I trust you, more than anyone, because I believe in us and I know we can build something spectacular.”
“Yea?” Bobbi said softly tucking her head under his chin, tears begining to dry.
“Yea” Hunter whipped her eyes and softly kissed her forehead.
“I love you Hunter”
“I love you too Bob.”
They both hold onto eachother, basking in their intimacy. She feels lighter, stronger, knowing that they are in this together. But, there was one more thing Hunter needed to know.
“Lance?”
“Yes love?”
“You know, I meant what I said about wanting to step away, I just want you.”
“I know Bob. We’ll know when the time is right, and we’ll be happy.”
“I’m always happy with you.”
“Now look who’s the cheesy one”
“I mean it, I want to work in a lab studying new plants, not the end of the world, and come home to our home in a quiet subarb, to our kids passed out on your lap watching Little Bear.”
Hearing those words from Bobbi made his heart swell he loves this woman, so damn much.
They laid together holding eachother with so much love it expanded beyond their bodies into their souls. Bobbi finally felt at peace in her bed with the man she loved holding her tight. Finally at peace. Finally at home.