I'd say that you absolutely, 100% did succeed in redeeming Ward. You also did it in a slow, well-developed, believable way, unlike some other stories which rush the process or assume that he'd be redeemed by Skye's love alone. I wish that canon had done something similar.

I liked the idea of Grant leaving the group temporarily, building himself back up on his own, and particularly the part about him helping out at the kind of shelter he'd needed himself as a child. I also like the idea of him become a teacher/trainer when he returns to Shield. It'd work better than him returning as a specialist.

I liked your idea for Skye's parentage - chilling and shocking. Though I also like what canon did too - the idea that her parents were "monsters" both in the sense of being not-entirely-human and being killers, and also having explanations for becoming what they did.

Ward buying Fitz a monkey was funny and cute - though it also sort of felt like he was buying forgiveness, maybe? Same with his actions as a "ghost" near the end. Though I'm not sure what else he could do instead for the loved ones of his victims.

Yes, you redeemed Grant Ward- I started Agents of SHIELD quite recently, and yea- I don't think I'm gonna finish it. I'm just gonna pretend that your version of the story actually happened. Thanks for writing it! I was actually looking for an AU fanfiction where Grant Ward was good all along, but your story is even better than what I could have imagined. Thanks so much for redeeming Grant. Can't believe this was only your first story!

OMG, I’ve read this before and watched Season 1 so many times, but this finally made something click for me. It always bugged me that they have Ward scrubbing blood from his hands AFTER he was in with Skye, because obviously his hands were clean, it was just that bit behind his ear he missed (which, ew, messy!). But if it was a compulsive, psychological thing, that would make SO much more sense, especially with how long it took him, long enough for Skye to wander off and find Koenig. How am I still figuring things out after all this time that just breaks my heart again?!

please update thanks

Thank you for this. i was so mad when i found out he was gonna betray them all. (My friend told me cuz they needed someone to talk to) So when i found this story i now think i might be able to con. watching the show. Even if there ending with Grant Ward is wrong. Thank you.

yes you did

Oh my god, like, oh my jolly goodness, I have stayed up til 3 o’clock in the morning to read this incredible work of amazingness. I hope that you understand the complete beauty of this thing you have created because I’m not even sure I can comprehend half the emotions that this fiction put me through. I love the way that you went about redeeming Grant Ward, I have tried to read a lot of stories where the only reason Ward thinks he should change is because Skye thinks what he did is wrong, but your story had so much character development and the pacing was wonderful. Ward survived on his love for Skye but also for the hope that he had within himself because of Skye. Thank you for the wonderful experience you have given me with this fiction, you are amazing but I have to go the bed so bye.

Great story! Hope you will write another Ward redemption story.

Awwwww! I loved it! Amazing job and well done! This is probably the best "redeeming Ward" fanfic

nice

God, Skye is annoying. It's all about her and how hurt she feels about Grant's betrayal.

Great story! Glad they got their happy ending even if he did fake being dead for a bit.

#36 - best line ever.

More seriously - I don't get moved by fanfiction often. I read a lot of fics, and a lot of them are good, but only a small handful really 'move' me. This one did - I read the whole thing sitting here over the course of five hours (interspersed with meals and other RL activities), and while I liked it all the way through - it was those last chapters that had me in tears, had me choked up.

You said this is your first foray into Fanfiction, and if that's true, then you are amazing and inspired to have your first product be this good.

A truly excellent fanfic that deserves to be in the annals of excellent fanfiction forever.

Yes.

Amazing. Simply amazing. I read the story within a few days. I couldn't stop.