Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Game, set, match, Rambeau!

Daisy clenched her jaw in disappointment as she walked to the net. Another early tournament exit, she thought glumly. The incredible form that she had found earlier the year seemed to have vanished the second the clay season was over, to her great annoyance.

“Good game.” Maria greeted her politely at the net, as Daisy willed herself to smile at the other woman. It was her first win in a while, and she probably needed the confidence boost as bad as Daisy did.

By the look on Maria’s face, Daisy’s attempt at a smile probably came off as more of a grimace, but she couldn’t be bothered to be nice. Besides, there would probably be a worse offender in the next few days, so it was unlikely that anyone was going to remember this in a week’s time. She grabbed her bags and headed off, letting her opponent have another moment in the spotlight.

In the locker room, her coach was waiting for her, impassive expression on the other woman’s face.

“You did well to recover in the second set.” The woman said, giving her a pat on the back. “We just needed you to be able to hold your nerve in the third.”

“I know, Mel.” Daisy replied glumly, flopping onto the wooden bench, looking a little bit like a hurt puppy. Melinda’s eyes softened as she went to sit next to the girl.

“It’s not the end of the world, Dais. Go home, spend some time with your family. Your form will come back, and there’s always another tournament.”

Daisy curled into her arms. “What would I ever do without you?”

Melinda snorted. “Go into a spiral and never win again, most probably.” She patted the girl on the back. “Now go. Your sister is waiting with dinner.”

E ! Magazine

Who is Kara Palamas? Everything that you need to know about tennis player Grant Ward’s actor and supermodel girlfriend.

Daisy snorted as she scrolled through her phone, sprawled on uncomfortable hotel room sheets. Actor and supermodel is a little bit of a stretch, she thought to herself, a little cattily.

Ding!

You have a message from Grant Ward.

Daisy’s eyes widened, momentarily guilty for snooping on her friend’s love life, as she clicked on the notification.

Sorry bout the match today

Daisy paused for a minute before replaying.

                                                                                                        U were watching? Thought ud be busy

It’s your game

I’ll always find the time

Daisy felt butterflies erupt in her stomach.

                                                                                                                                                         Aww you sap

                                                                                               It was a shit game anyway, u should have         

                                                                                                                              just done something else

I don’t mind, we all have shit games

sometimes

u don’t

What, did you forget all of last

year already lol?

                                                                             That was different

It wasn’t this bad

It sure felt like it

Don’t worry, you’ll get ur form

back, it’s just a rough patch

“Haven’t you heard? Desperation doesn’t look pretty on anyone.”

Daisy startled as she suddenly noticed her sister, Kate standing by the foot of her bed, dinner tray balancing precariously in her hands.

“Jesus, Kate! How … When did you even get in here?”

“I have a key, you know.” Kate replied, putting the tray down. “It’s not just your room, I need to come and go as I please.”

“We should make you a pet door like the one Alpine has.” Daisy replied grumpily as she sat up. Kate smirked.

“You’d still never hear me coming, baby sis.” She replied, flopping onto the bed. “Now scoot, I brought Chinese.”

Daisy perked up, moving over. “Ooh, you really know how to rescue a shitty day.”

“Yup, nothing like commiserating about guys while eating cold Chinese takeout.”

Daisy snorted. “What would you know about commiserating about guys? When’s the last time you showed even the slightest interest in one?”

Kate spluttered. “I sleep around, you know. I’m in my slut era.”

Daisy rolled her eyes. “How’s – what’s her name – Yelena? The Russian chick?”

Kate hit her sister in the face with a pillow. “Shut. It.”

Daisy cackled. “So I was right, then?”

“How did you even know about Yelena?” Kate asked grumpily, putting the pillow down. “We thought we were keeping things low – key.”

Daisy waved her phone up in in the air. “A tennis gossip thread on the internet that I’ve been stalking.”

“What, those still exist?”

“Yup, surprisingly active. Someone there clocked it.”

Kate groaned. “Anyway, no more talk about my love life, let’s talk about yours.”

“My love life? It doesn’t exist, babe.”

Kate raised her eyebrows. “Umm, what about Grant?”

“What about him?” Daisy replied, a little defensively.

“Don’t tell me you don’t have a thing for him; everybody knows about this by now.”

Daisy scoffed. “Yeah, well he’s taken. And clearly, I’m not his type.”

Kate looked over at her sister. “Hon, if his type is hot idiots with no more than an iota of talent, you should be grateful that you aren’t his type.”

Daisy sighed. “Yeah, I guess. Still kinda stings, though.”

“Promise me you won’t spend the whole night moping about it?”

Daisy looked over at her sister. “I promise.”

Technically, she didn’t lie.

She also didn’t tell her sister that she was planning to slip on a little black dress that she had shoved into the bottom of her bag, go out, and get delightfully wasted.

But at least I’m not moping, she thought to herself as she sipped on her drink, tucked away into the corner of the bar, as she surveilled the bar, looking out for cameras or familiar faces.

“You’re too pretty to be standing all alone like this. Wanna dance?”

Daisy swiveled around to see a tall, handsome man with dirty blond hair leaning against the bar.

“I’m Lincoln.” He said, holding his hand out.

“Daisy.”

“Well, Daisy, would you care for a dance? I can’t leave the prettiest woman in the room standing all on her own.”

Daisy scoffed. “Flattery usually doesn’t work on me, you know.”

“Really? Ah, that’s a shame. Usually works on most girls.”

“If you’re trying to bait me into saying that I’m not like other girls, it’s not going to work.”

A grin broke over Lincoln’s face. “Damn, you caught me. I was just about to tell you how I’m not into most girls.” He paused. “Well then, maybe dance with me so you look less like a general loser by the bar.”

Daisy’s eyebrows shot up. “Really? Flattery didn’t work, so you’re going straight to insults?”

Lincoln shrugged. “Hey, I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t at least try.” He paused for a second, before continuing, sounding a little unsure now. “But if you’re really not interested, you can just say the word, and I’ll fuck off.”

Daisy gave the man in front of her a once- over. He seems nice enough, she mused. Doesn’t look like a murderer or anything.

“You know what? I’ll take you up on that offer.”

He beamed, holding out his hand. “After you, milady.”

Daisy took it, pulling him onto the dance floor as they began to sway to the music.

This is fun, she thought, as Lincoln wrapped his arms around her, singing softly. Maybe I should get his number later.

Daisy spun around, grin plastered on her face as she swayed to the music.

In hindsight, maybe that was the wrong move. Maybe she should have just continued looking at Lincoln.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a rather familiar looking man kissing a woman pushed up against the wall, wearing a pair of ridiculously high heels.

She froze.

Wait, she knew those people.

Grant. And Kara, most likely.

Daisy’s breath caught as Lincoln wrapped his arms around her once again.

It didn’t feel comforting, or sexy, this time.

She felt trapped.

“Daisy?”

The dance floor was too hot, and sticky, and loud, and crowded …

“Daisy!”

Daisy felt an arm guiding her out of the club and as the music began to fade around her, she began to feel her breathing go back to normal.

“I am so sorry.” She said, looking up at Lincoln, concern written all over his face. “That hasn’t happened in a while.”

“Don’t worry about it, I’m more worried about you. Do you have someone at home to help?”

“Yeah, my sister’s waiting at the hotel.”

He nodded. “Okay, I’ve called you an Uber. Go home, have some water, get some sleep, and lay off the drinking. You should be fine by tomorrow.”

Daisy looked at him, gratefully. “Thanks for this. And I’m really sorry for how tonight ended up. I didn’t mean to ruin your night.”

Lincoln smiled. “Don’t worry, I’ll have many more nights. What we need right now, is for you to get better.”

Tennis Gossip Thread

Pg 49 of 49

User239

So… apparently Grant and Kara were spotted making out in the middle of a club last night lol

Tennisfan234

There’s a ton of pics all over twitter too, he’s really trying to forget that he got bageled in the last match

Skyelae23

Aww, they’re so cute!

Guess who else was at that same club last night too – Daisy Barnes – Rogers was caught dancing with a mystery guy

Anonuser

OMG I saw that too! Any idea who it was? Twitter sleuths, do ur thing, pls.

Tennisfan234

Apparently the pics are too blurry to be able to tell. All I can tell is that he’s blonde and tall. Doesn’t look famous.

Blackpinkgirlie

Funny that Daisy and Kara were both there since they don’t get along lol. I wonder if that’s why Daisy isn’t in any photos later in the night.

User239

Wait what? Spill the tea, I’m new here

Tennisfan234

So … the lore is that Kara used to follow Daisy, before Kara really got famous. A bunch of people have said that she used to go around telling people that she knew Daisy and they were friends and shit.

Then she started dating a tennis player ( and got a bunch of opportunities) who was good friends with Daisy, and Daisy blocked her on all socials. Just clean cut. No one knows why.

Anonuser

My sister met Kara, back when she was living in Paris and trying to be a model, and she can confirm that Kara used to tell everyone that she and Daisy were friends after Daisy started making waves. Its how she got into those circles in the first place. Then Daisy hit a slump, so she just stopped mentioning her, and latched onto Ward instead.

msMarvel-lous12

Didn’t she also have a very public falling out with Bobbi Morse (Daisy’s sister Kate’s alleged ex?)

User239

Jesus, does everyone in these circles know each other?

msMarvel-lous12

Yep, it’s basically high school

Chapter Text

“Are you proud of yourself?” Kate asked her sister as they walked through airport security. “Going out all alone last night, drinking way too much for the middle of the season and then promptly having a panic attack.”

Daisy made a sound that sounded a little like a whimper. “In my defense, at least I wasn’t moping.”

Kate snorted. “Yeah, you seem to have caused a social media storm instead. Dad even called asking if you were okay.”

“He did?”

Kate smiled. “Yeah, he did. Then Pops yelled at me five straight minutes cause I let you go out alone.”

Daisy groaned. “Oh, I forgot I’m going to have that to look forward to later. Thanks, Katherine.”

Kate grinned impishly. “Anytime, daring.” She paused for a minute, turning around to pick up her bag before freezing and whispering softly.

“Don’t look now, but I think we’re about to be accosted.”

“What? By whom?” Daisy whispered back, furiously.

“Grant. And Kara.” Kate whispered. “Here they come, now put a damn smile on your face and pretend to be happy to see them.”

“Dais!” Daisy turned around, too – enthusiastic smile on her face as Grant Ward pulled her into a hug, his girlfriend trailing behind him.

“Hi Grant.” She said softly, melting into the hug like she belonged there.

You don’t, though, the little traitorous voice in her head whispered. He’ll never be yours. He’s taken.

Daisy swallowed, trying to shut the little voice off as she pulled away. “Hi, Kara.”

“Daisy, it’s so nice to see you!” Kara greeted her, in a voice strangely similar to the little one in her head.

Huh, maybe that was something to talk to her therapist about.

“Lovely to see you too!” Daisy replied lightly, forcing herself to smile.

“I heard we just missed you at the club yesterday.” Kara inquired, brushing a lock of hair behind her head. Daisy fidgeted.

“Yeah, um, I guess we did.”

Grant looked surprised. “Really? I didn’t know that, you should have said hi.”

“No, um, I was with someone actually, I had to leave early.”

Grant cocked his head, surprised. “You were with someone? How have I never heard anything about this before?”

Daisy shrugged, as Kate looked at her suspiciously. “Nothing big enough to ever bring up, I guess.”

Grant nodded. “Okay, fair, I guess.” He paused. “You guys heading back home, I’m assuming.”

“Yup. Our flight is in an hour.” Kate cut in. “You’re not?”

“No, we wanted to spend some time in Ibiza, since we’re so close, and we needed a romantic vacation for a while now.” Kara replied, smiling. Daisy felt a pit in her stomach.

Clearly, it must have shown on her face, since Grant immediately looked a little worried. “Dais, you okay? You look a little pale.”

Daisy shook her head. “Yeah, um, I’m sorry. It’s just the hangover.”

Kate grabbed her arm, looking a little worried. “We should probably go, then. Sit down, find some water…”

“Oh yeah, absolutely.” Grant replied. “I’ll see you two around, at Cincinnati probably?”

Daisy grimaced as Kate steered her away. “Yeah, probably then.”

Once they were sufficiently out of sight, Kate turned to her sister. “Daisy, are you okay?”

Daisy nodded grimly. “I’m fine, don’t worry.”

Kate paused for a second, before continuing. “Does he know? About you and Kara?”

Daisy shook her head. “I don’t see how he would, I haven’t said anything, and I doubt she would have. I don’t think it would matter to him anyway, it’s been so long ago, and he’ll just say that she’s changed.”

“Has she ever apologized?” Kate asked. When Daisy shook her head, she continued furiously. “Then it should matter to him. If he actually cares about you, if he calls himself your friend, he should care. You should tell him, Dais.”

She paused. “If he still doesn’t care, then maybe he doesn’t deserve your time.”

“Family, look who’s back!” Kate called out as the two women stepped into the house, dropping their bags in the entryway. The cluster of people assembled around the table snapped their heads towards the door, smiles and cheers resounding at the sight of Kate and Daisy.

“Daisy, honey, it’s so nice to finally have you back!” Steve greeted, going to hug his daughter, a dish towel draped over one shoulder carelessly.

“I missed you too, daddy.” Daisy replied softly, melting into her father’s familiar embrace. “It’s been too long.”

“Don’t worry about it, darling. You’re home now, that’s all that matters.”

“I’m a little offended that there’s no emotional welcome hug for me.” Kate cut in, grumpily, as Bucky gave her a quick pat on the back.

“We see too much of you, it’s good to have you out of the house for a bit.” He joked to Kate, who stuck her tongue out at him. “Hi, darling.”

“Hey, Pops.” Daisy replied, detangling herself from Steve to give him a quick hug, before surveying the others at the table. “Afternoon, everyone.”

“Good thing you made it back in time for lunch, Steve’s made a real feast today.” Her (Honorary) Uncle Sam joked, from his spot at the table. “To be fully honest, I was hoping you’d be late, and I’d get your share.”

“He’s kidding, we would have kept something for you.” Peggy said, looking towards Sam, reproachfully. “Here, sit down, we were just beginning to start. Leo, say hello to your sisters.”

Her brother Leo, who had been tucked into a frightening looking book on something called thermal astrophysics, looked up. “Hello.” He declared before turning back towards his book. Peggy sighed.

“You could do a little more than that.” She muttered, under her breath. Steve gave her a sharp look.

“It’s okay, Peg. Let him be.”

Peggy shook her head. “You give the kids too much leeway.” She muttered. “Where is your other one, anyway?”

“In her room, the last time I checked.” Bucky responded, pulling a bottle of wine out of the fridge. “KORA!”

“What!” A muffled voice yelled back from inside one of the rooms.

“Your sisters are here!”

A shuffle, then a door flew open, and a small, brunette figure hurled towards them, with all the intensity of a small hurricane.

“DAISY! KATE!” She screeched, barreling into Kate’s open arms, as more than a few people at the table winced at her tone.

“Kora, inside voice, please.” Bucky chimed in softly, as Kora clung to her sister.

“Sorry.” She muttered, voice muffled by Kate’s thick fleece jacket.

“Don’t be, at least someone is glad to see me.” Kate responded dryly, as Kora moved on to greet Daisy with similar enthusiasm. Daisy ran her hand through Kora’s hair fondly, before pulling her in for a hug.

Kora had been just two when she and Daisy had been put into their first foster home after their father was arrested (a long story, that she’d rather not get into right now) – and she had promised her mother, right before she’d dialed 911 that no matter where they ended up, she’d always look after Kora.

Daisy had got really lucky, too. Getting a case worker as kind as Phil Coulson, who did everything in his power to ensure that the girls stayed together – she wasn’t particularly religious, but it did always feel like someone was looking out for the two of them then. And to then find Steve and Bucky, and this wonderful family, that was so kind, and loving, and accepting of the two little girls who’d shown up on their doorstep – that truly was a blessing.

No matter how bad things were elsewhere, she would always have this.

“Uncle Tony’s not stopping by?” Kate’s voice cut through Daisy’s thoughts.

“Nope, not today.” Sam replied. “Said he has a meeting with a Department of Defense about some new proprietary technology today.”

“Okay, that’s enough talk.” Bucky cut in, dragging his chair out. “We’ve got this incredible looking meal in front of us – what are you waiting for, people? Let’s eat!”

Grant

Just wanted to check, we still on to

fly to Cincy together?

Yeah, why?

No, you just seemed a little weird when

we met this morning, was wondering

if I did something.

No lol

I was just in a mood

Don’t worry bout it, I’m over it now

Phew

That’s a relief

Cause it seemed like you didn’t want

Anything to do with me

Don’t worry bout it, we r good

I’ll see u on the flight

Good to know

Yup, we’ll see each other then

Have fun with the family!

“Nice to have the girls back.” Bucky remarked, putting two plates in the dishwasher. Steve hummed as he wiped down the table.

“Yeah, it was good to have everyone back, just wish Tony could have joined us too.”

His husband snorted. “I’m not too fussed.”

Steve shot him a sharp look. “Bucky …”

Bucky raised his hands in defeat. “Okay, I’m sorry. I won’t make any more comments about your stupid friends.”

“Thank you.” Steve said stiffly, pushing the chairs back neatly. He paused, then continued, tone shifting slightly. “Not to completely derail the conversation, but I’m worried about Daisy.”

Bucky sighed, stopping his actions to look up at his husband. “What, because she seemed unusually moody at lunch? I figured it was just because of how shit her season has been going.”

Steve shook his head. “No, it’s something more than that. It’s never affected her life in private like this. She seems … withdrawn, almost.”

He paused. “Reminds me of when she was in high school, actually.”

Bucky paused, eyebrows shooting up in sudden recognition. “Huh.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Bucky shook his head slowly. “Nothing, just … when you said she was reminding you of how she was in high school again, I remembered something Kate was mentioning a while back.”

He paused again, and Steve nodded at him to continue, a little impatiently this time.

“And…?”

Bucky ran a hand over his face. “Remember Kara from high school?”

Steve cocked an eyebrow. “Kara Palamas? The high school bully with the obnoxious mother? Yeah, couldn’t forget her if I tried.”

“Yeah, turns out she’s back and dating Grant Ward, of all people.”

“Daisy’s Grant? That one?”

Bucky sighed. “Yup. And Daisy’s not taking it well.”

“Well. Poor kid, there’s no other way she could have taken it. Does Grant know.”

Bucky shook his head. “I don’t think there’s any way he could have. If it turns out that he did, though, I be the first in line to beat the shit out of the kid.”

Steve chuckled. “Yeah, they’d probably be a line. Tony would probably join in too, if he’s not too busy with his new government contracts.” He paused. “I’m worried about Dais, though. Remember how much of a wreck she was when this whole thing went down in high school? We can’t let that happen again.” He continued, resolute look in his eyes.

Bucky softened. “She’s much older now, Steve. She can handle herself.”

“Can she? Buck, she cried in her room for three straight days. She didn’t speak to anyone for weeks.”

“That was then. This is now.” Bucky replied calmly. “We just have to trust that if she needs help, she’ll ask for it. She wasn’t even the one who told us about Kara, Steve, Kate was.”

Steve sighed. “Yeah, I guess so. I just hate that we can’t do anything. You know I hate bullies.”

A smile stretched over Bucky’s face. “Yeah love, I’ve noticed. This isn’t one of those Hydra bullies you can punch in the face, though.”

Steve sighed dramatically. “Sad feeling, isn’t it? The man who brought down Hydra, finally taken down by the long – standing effects of the rivalries of teenage girls.”

r/ Tennis

Daisy Barnes – Rogers drops out of the top 15 to reach her lowest ranking since 2022

| Realistically should have happened a while back, she just hasn’t been as good this             season

               |  Yeah, it’s worrying that she seems to be struggling on her best surface.

               | It’s a shame, she probably will never get that grand slam now

                      | She’s been very unlucky with her draws, too. Rambeau’s an excellent player

                             | Who is currently 67^th in the rankings, daisy shouldn’t be struggling so                                                      

                               much against her.

  | No way she’ll get back in the top 10 at this rate. Probably needs a break.