"It's just a nightmare! Wake up!" @shieldagentcoulson
No one in it can be trusted.
SHIELD is a den of liars and murderers.
Coulson's words echoed strangely in his ears. So far away. Like he was yelling at him from the surface as Sterling drowned below. He struggled for air. Begged for sleep. Said those three phrases.
Sterling took a deep breath in, back to the present in front of his superior. Fight or flight still activated even as Coulson's voice had grounded him, Sterling looked around trembling and covered in sweat. It had been a long time since he'd had a panic attack at the office but he had been working himself harder, sleeping less, skipping therapy sessions, and not really taking care of himself over the last month or so. Even stubble, which he rarely allowed to show, was stippling his face as his pristine state and self care suffered.
With horror, he discovered Coulson standing over him as he gathered himself. He tried to calm his breathing as best he could before speaking to his superior but his wide and terrified eyes were fixed on him. He could feel those phrases on his lips. Had he said them? Had he been repeating Merc's words in front of Coulson?
"Sir? What are you..." He buried his face in one hand while the other steadied himself on his desk. Coulson must have done sweeps of the office before leaving. He always seemed to find Sterling when he fell asleep at his desk and now this. "Sorry. I'm... I'll finish up and get home." He whispered breathlessly, still trying to distract from the embarrassment of the situation. He wasn't even sure yet what had set him off this time.