#however I was somewhat (okay Very) bitter when suddenly it was inappropriate for me to be alone in a room with my male friend

[strangershield]

When They Met

Pairings: Grant Ward x reader

Request:

Warnings: slight language?

A/N: Again this is set in season one (pre HYDRA). For this one I tried a different perspective but I didn’t realize this made the reader female until I was halfway through so I’m sorry, I try to keep my reader inserts open to everyone and this wasn’t my intention. Nevertheless I hope you like it!

-

The hallway was cold, no visible sign of life. His breath was the only thing that could be heard, each intake of breath sounding like a distant canon. Ward cursed himself. Why did he breathe so loudly? He reached the end of the hallway and located the steel door. Kicking it open, Ward found a small square room that was vacant apart from a single desk and chair. He entered and inspected his surroundings more closely. Surely there was a clue in here somewhere. After all, this was the spot. Sighing he took one last look around the room and prepared to call his partner.

“YES!” The voice in his ear roared.

“Shit!” Ward exclaimed, wincing as his ear starting ringing. He cradled his ear and focused on letting his heart rate return to normal.

“Sorry.” (Y/N)’s voice came through, this time at a reasonable volume.

He kept silent, wanting to make sure his annoyance was conveyed, before his curiosity got the better of him.

“Was it the final duel?”

“He did it, he actually did it. Like Voldemort’s death was weird whose idea was it for him to dissolve? But Harry my precious boy did it.” She spoke quickly, as if her thoughts might escape if she didn’t voice them as soon as they entered her mind. Ward smiled at her and felt reassured knowing no one could see it. He didn’t understand why she was so obsessed with characters in movies and books but he found these moments of her freaking out adorable. He couldn’t find her adorable though, how could he when he had never met her. Yes, over the past two years the two of them had done every mission together but she was always somewhere safe and hidden, only ever the voice in his ear. He was always out in the middle of danger, usually alone. It was somewhat comforting to have someone with him at all times, even if they were just a voice in an earpiece. If he was being honest Ward would even admit that he preferred it to having a partner in the field. He didn’t have to worry about someone else getting injured or getting in his way. All he had to focus on was himself. She helped, of course. It had been a rocky beginning as Ward had already declined three previous communication agents, calling them annoying and irritating (as well as some other inappropriate names). Then (Y/N) was given the position and they clicked. He was hesitant as she was new at the time and hadn’t had much experience. Ward expected her to be naive and clumsy. In fact, he hoped she would be as he would finally be able to prove that he didn’t need someone watching over him. But he was wrong. She was nervous and naive, yes, but also confident and smart. Very smart. (Y/N) saved his life on their first assignment together and she didn’t even blink (well, he assumed that she didn’t blink as she continued talking about the difference between fairies and pixies). He was impressed by her, and the two made an unconventional bond. They knew everything about each other yet knew nothing at the same time. It was strange knowing that they could have seen each other before and not have realized, yet they have their voices memorized.

“Okay, talk to me.” She said, voice direct and hard. She was concentrating purely on him now, and Ward would be lying if he didn’t admit that he liked it.

He walked around the room as he spoke, “There’s nothing here.”

“Nothing?”

He nodded and realized she couldn’t see him. Stupid. “Nothing.”

“Bullshit.”

Ward heard the distant sound of typing in his ear as he stood alone in the room of concrete and stainless steel. The mission was a failure, or their source was corrupted. Who was the source anyway?

“Boom, you lie.”

“What?”

“Walk over to the back wall and stand in the right corner. Now push the area of wall twenty centimeters to your left.”

Ward did as he was told and, as soon as he pressed the section of the wall, it clicked like a button, revealing a rectangle draw underneath with a single USB. The files.

“You did it.”

“You say it like you doubted me? Come on sweetheart, it’s been two years!”

“Okay I get it you’re a genius.” Ward muttered but smiled. He really liked her. Carefully he placed the drive into a pocket and lifted his gun, ready to leave.

“Oh, and I am not a fan of sweetheart.”

She sighed. “I’ll add it to the list.”

-

Ward hadn’t been into the field for a week and he missed (Y/N). Everyday he hoped Coulson would call him up to his office for a mission but it never happened. In fact, he was only ever called upon to tell him of Skye’s progress. Ward also knew it was (Y/N)’s birthday soon and wanted to at least wish her a happy birthday. Birthdays and other occasions were discussed between them but only casually. The first time (Y/N) only told him because he was on a mission on her birthday. The next year she told him the date, and he wrote it down as soon as he got home. This year he had the date and didn’t need reminding. He did however need her. That wasn’t the only reason why he wanted to speak to her. He missed her. A lot. He missed her nerdy references and her intelligence. He missed the way she made him smile, even if no one else ever saw. Ward was mindlessly organizing files, thinking of (Y/N), when Coulson called a team meeting. Once they had all assembled he revealed that they would be going to the Hub on Tuesday to attend some meetings and install updates to the helicarrier. After they were dismissed Skye approached him, one eyebrow raised.

“You seem uncharacteristically happy.”

“What?”

“I think I saw a hint of a smirk. Why are you so happy to visit the Hub?”

“I’m not.” Ward replied. It wasn’t a lie. He wasn’t happy. He was beaming. Tuesday was (Y/N)’s birthday and it was only two days away. In two days he would finally see her again. He approached his room, still internally grinning, when the realization kicked in. He would see her in two days. Actually see her. She would be a person, not just a voice in his ear. Suddenly he felt squeamish and light headed. He wasn’t ready. He needed her, but he wasn’t ready. What if he stuffed it up and ruined her birthday? What if they didn’t get along? Hell, what if she hated him? It was too much to process. He sat on his bed but not before slamming his hand against the wall. He couldn’t stuff this up. He needed this. He needed (Y/N).

-

Everyone looked around the Hub in awe, apart from May who had been several times. Coulson had been here before too, but he still looked as if he was seeing it for the first time. Ward hoped he didn’t appear out of character or that his nervousness could pass as excitement. He appeared pale today and agitated, constantly moving. He almost screamed when something hit his shoulder. Almost.

“Going okay?” Skye asked after she lightly punched his shoulder. “You seem weird.”

Ward scoffed. “Weird?”

Skye was about to continue when Jemma pulled her away to show her something as Fitz hurried after them. Ward let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. Maybe he couldn’t do this. He didn’t even know if it would happen. Clenching his fist to prevent himself from punching a wall he wandered around the institution in hopes of finding decent coffee. It wouldn’t calm his nerves but it was a distraction at least. The Hub was spacious but crowded, seas of women and men running around in suits and office attire. As Ward walked around he had enough space to keep to himself and ignore everyone. The inner workings of SHIELD with its hectic, organized chaos used to excite him. In fact, it still does. However, today it was just another obstacle keeping him from her, more faces that could belong to her. Finally Ward found what appeared to be a break room equipped with a fridge, some chairs and a pot of coffee. He carefully poured the liquid into a styrofoam cup, hoping it was still warm, and tasted it. He grimaced slightly. Bitter and lukewarm but drinkable. Ward left the room and rejoined the crowd as he wondered why there wasn’t a coffee chain cafe in the Hub yet. As he walked he checked the time and saw he still had an hour until his first meeting. One hour to find her, or more likely one hour to procrastinate about finding her. He decided to enter the next hallway which opened with a sharp and narrow corner. When he turned a woman was centimeters away from him. She let out a surprised gasp as Ward did the same, dropping his coffee in the process. The brown liquid stained the white floors and splashed their legs. Thankfully it wasn’t hot. Mentally Ward cursed himself.

“I am so sorry.” He apologized, staring at the spilt coffee. How was he one of SHIELD’s top field agents when he was so clumsy. The woman smiled sincerely, her eyes almost guilty. Her eyes were beautiful and clear, which Ward noticed as he tried to figure out why she felt bad. It was his fault, not hers. Maybe she was one of those lovely people who take the blame anyway.

“Oh please it’s fine, I wasn’t watching where I was going.” She explained.

Ward prepared one final apology when it hit him. He knew her. She seemed so familiar, from her comforting nature to her soothing voice...

Her voice. Ward looked at her more clearly now and wondered if she had figured it out.

“It’s you?” He stuttered.

She looked confused until she registered his voice and everything began to fall into place.

“Ward.” She muttered, just as Ward said her name.

The pair stared at each other as the overwhelming truth of the current situation rested heavily between them. After years of communication, mindless nonsense and comforting words, they were finally face to face. For a relationship that was built on communication it seemed appropriate to assume that they would have no trouble talking face to face. Yet they both remained silent. No words would come to Ward’s mind, nothing perfect or even messy and wrong. Nothing. (Y/N) felt the same as she stared at the famous Grant Ward. Her Grant Ward. As well as speechless, Ward was blown away by her beauty. He knew her voice was like honey, smooth and sweet and just right. Yet seeing her was something else. Everything from her hair to her clothing was perfect to him. He didn’t care about her slightly messy hair or the stain on her top. The coffee was forgotten about, left lying on the floor as they tried to start a conversation. A word. Anything. (Y/N) was the first to break the trance as she felt the now cold liquid seep through her pants and stick to her legs. “This isn’t what I imagined saying to you the first time we met but should we clean this up?”

Ward looked to where she gestured, the split coffee, and he was snapped back to reality.

“Oh right, yes definitely. Sorry.”

With some napkins and tissues they managed to clean up the spill. Well, Ward did anyway.

“I can help.” She protested.

“I know, but it is your birthday.” Ward smiled. She blushed but tried to help anyway. When the mess was taken care of (Y/N) looked at Ward again and took advantage of the situation.

“Since you ruined your first, would you like another cup of coffee?”

Ward smiled again (this was becoming an increasing pattern around her). “I’d like that, but you may have to lead the way. It’s been a while since I’ve been here.”

“Well, it’ll be our normal then. I’ll continue to tell you what to do.”

Ward laughed before he put out his hand. (Y/N) raised an eyebrow and shook it cautiously.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, (Y/N).”

“You too, Ward. You too.”

“Oh, and happy birthday.” He quickly added, hoping it was better late than never. She laughed and took his hand, her cheeks slowly turning rosy pink.

“Let’s go my love.”

My love. He could get used to that.