Agent Phil Coulson

My name is Coulson, I am an agent of SHIELD. Years ago I was stabbed by the alien known as Loki. I should have died but by a twist of fate I stand before you today. And with my team I shall help protect the Earth.

[theavengingagent]

Swinging By || Peter & Phil

[spiderscience]

“Might be fun to meet them sometime and compare skills. They specialize where I am a one stop shopping experience.” Peter could help but to brag some with his joke. “Trust me, I am well versed in not normal. Tangling with the Lizard helped put me on this path.”

As much as he might complain about how full his life could be, he enjoyed his classes. “There is more to the learning experience than just facts. And I’m not sitting through all of the basic classes. They let me test out of a bunch.” The fact still pleased him. Straight into the more specialized stuff for him. “Furthermore, no one is too old, just looking at my fellow students proves that.”

In truth seeing merchandise with his own symbol on it gave him a spurt of embarrassed pride. Never really about fame for him, and being someone to look up to, well he had heroes of his own. Still the awkward nerd in his own mind. One whose life filled with complications no one needed. So he just gave a shrug. “Hey if I had as much money as Tony I would probably have a huge collection too.”

Peter kept to himself mostly. He didn’t want his Aunt to worry, and he didn’t want to bother the older heroes with his problems. What he did try to do, is set up a security net for his aunt. So he responded with a slow nod. “Alright, I want her to be safe. She is the only relative I have left. I don’t want her stressed.” His lips thinned under the mask. After watching her struggle back towards health, she didn’t need anything putting a strain on it. “I trust if anything happens you will be discrete.”

As the topic strayed back into a territory he felt comfortable in, tension leaked away from his body. “Seriously? The guy fusses about my choice of material for my costume. He isn’t going to put me at risk. Plus, I am far tougher that any normmal person. I will be fine Mom.

[theavengingagent]

“The lizard was something you have left to those who were trained.” Phil could not blame the other for stepping up but he still believe that the young ones should be left out of this. Peter was seriously injured that night, something neither him nor his aunt should have dealt with. “If you ever want to meet them, just let me know. I can arrange something.” The best part of SHIELD falling, he could control his own schedule. He chuckled. “Nothing wrong with specialization though. All the Avengers are specialized in one way or another.”

“Maybe. Perhaps the better way of explaining it is she doesn’t have the patience.” Skye could focus. Her quick pick up of fighting proved that but still. “And plus I would waste all my time making sure that she wasn’t trying to hack the system.” Yeaa, it was best to leave the world as Skye’s classroom. He could teach her history on the way.

Even if it was a bit cap-centric.

Phil shrugged. Tony was lucky, most of his collection was hand me downs. Things Phil would have sold his right leg for. But that was neither here nor there. His collection was modest but every bit of it earned with. In the very least, blood and sweat. He was very proud of it much to the amusement of all his friends and family. Meeting Peggy had really been the highlight of it all though. She had been quite the woman. Still was.

“She will always be stressed.” He chuckled. “I would come home on break and be sitting at my mother’s table, and she was still worried. Good people worry about the future. They care. They worry. The best thing though is to make sure they have someone to talk to as well.” Lord knows his mother would have lost her mind without the help of his aunt. Those two had been thick and thieves since his father’s passing. Which was good, he couldn’t be there for her at that time. Too busy with his own grief to help her with hers.

Phil nodded. “I will do my best, but, your aunt is a smart lady. There is only so much I can do if she backs me into a corner.” Hell hath no fury indeed. There were things he would tangle with, but a mother was hard to handle. Even on a good day, much less if something happened. He shrugged. “Still, I worry. The rest of us are old. The next generation needs to be there when we start falling off.” Not that, that was going to happen any time soon. “And you are tough but not indestructible.”

[theavengingagent]

I like Hot Dogs || Billy & Phil

[deityintraining-blog]

“Oh, yeah, nothing exciting at all. Sounds like I didn’t miss anything,” Billy deadpanned, taking a bite of his hot dog. He found it funny, but also… well, a little bit sad. There could have been a zombie apocalypse and he would have just been holed up in medical, and then in his bedroom. He wondered if the disease had broken out while he was in medical, or at the Sanctum Sanctorum. If it was the latter, well, that would just add to the guilt that he’d checked out so thoroughly he didn’t even know anything had happened to Clea. He tried not to dwell on it. No use kicking himself over things that had passed, he’d just have to try extra hard not to fall by the wayside again. After all, people got busy and things got brushed aside, but he had good friends that cared about him. If he would have asked… they would have been there. When they weren’t busy being kidnapped or almost dying, apparently.

Keep reading

[theavengingagent]

“In our lives that is nothing.” Phil chuckled. “The invasion was much more exciting. Bit blind-sided by the nuke for sure.” His shoulders went up into a shrug, taking a bit of his hot dog. It was a truth, a sad one, but a truth. Dangerous diseases and the collapse of organizations weren’t that exciting. SHIELD used to get poisoned one every three months or so and collapsing organizations were just sad. All that time wasted, especially since it was spent playing both sides of the damn field. He bit his cheek to shoo away the irritation and anger that came with that thought. This was not the time to be getting angry at the past. He was better than that. He was stronger.

He had to be.  There were other now.

He laughed and shrugged his shoulders. “I can’t exactly say. My father and mother were pretty go with the flow with everything.” Except when he had join the military. “And I don’t remember much from my childhood. Got too many knocks when I was serving before SHIELD.” HE paused, taking another bite of his hot dog. “Though Audrey, bless her soul, nearly has a heart attack each time. Sometimes…sometimes you just stop telling them. You tell them about the forms you had to fill out because someone shoved a sock in the printer, but you don’t tell them about the gang lord. No matter how many people you save, sometimes it is best just to let them think you are doing nothing dangerous.

Phil nodded his head. “I know exactly how you feel. The only difference was I was not smart enough to think of the risk.” His hand went up to gently press against his chest. “From someone who has been there, and recklessly threw myself back into it, take your time. I know you want to fight the good fight and you can. Just, ease into it. Join up with the Young Avengers for training sessions. Maybe not join them on the field quite yet, but join them. Work with them, and when you finally feel settled into your own skin, fight.”

He clapped a hand gently on Billy’s should, as not to startle him. “It took me about losing my team, getting my tail handed to me, and making a lot of people angry to realize that I was not healed or ready for the field. I thought I was because I never equaled my situation to the agents I had seen before go through somewhat similar events. Take it from me, evil will always be there. There will always be someone new to stop. Take care of yourself first, because superheroes, superheroes have much more at stake if they cannot be mentally present during a fight.”

[backwardsandinhighheels1945-blog]

Where are the Answers? |Phil & Peggy| 11 October 2015

[backwardsandinhighheels1945-blog]

Peggy poured cream into her own teacup, stirred, and took a sip.  “It helps that she’s family.”  If anything, Peggy somewhat fancied she was the less-than optimal roommate.  It was one thing to take the couch and keep herself tidy.  That was the easy part after boarding school and the army.  Things were more complicated with Howl–Peggy turned her head to the kitchen to see where he’d gone.  He was laying down on the floor with his face on the rug.  It was unlike him to miss a chance to ask for her biscuits–and with the ever increasing number of possessions which she was slowly allowed again to own, the smallish apartment felt even smaller.  That wasn’t even to mention how much of an imposition she felt when Betty came around.  Fortunately, she had ways to make herself scarce in the meantime when it came to that.  “I’d assume it’s something like that with your team?”  Once upon a time, she’d have done anything for hers.  

Peggy put her tea back down on the table and pulled a “cigarette” from the case Coulson was holding.  It was a better camouflage when such things were more common.  Now what would someone carry with them?  A stylus for their iPhone?  Well, maybe.  She’d bought one only to never use it.  “It’s a very powerful laser, which perhaps we oughtn’t use inside.”  Having a dog was one thing, but burning holes in the walls was quite another.  She fiddled with it for a moment.  “Although,” she gave a faint, mischievous smile.  “Perhaps we could go out onto the fire escape.” She handed the “cigarette” back to Coulson and picked up her tea for another sip.  

Peggy looked over the rest of the file contents and considered whether anything in there could be tested on the balcony, if it could be tested at all.  Fireflies and other bombs oughtn’t be used; they were one-use and extremely dangerous.  The floss she hadn’t used during or after the war, but had learned since how it was used.  But if she knew, Coulson probably did, as well that it didn’t need to be brought outside if he wanted to play with it.  She stood, and brushed her hands over her skirt.  “If you’d like to try them out.”  

[theavengingagent]

“Hmmm.” Phil shrugged. “I can’t say I understand that. I have spent most of my adult life trying to not live with my family. Granted they weren’t trained agents so the situation is different.” He had done everything in his power to make sure his family never had a target painted on their backs. Ever since he had joined the rangers he had went out of his way to make sure of it. If nothing else survived in this world they would. Except when death took them home, of course. The natural order of life had to be respected, no matter how much it hurt at the time. He chuckled. “Kind of? It is a bit harder to explain. We are family but at the same time there are fractions, lines and secrets that are still not known.” He paused, trying to find the correct words to say. “We are growing into a family. In the beginning it was a rough, toe stepping mess, but now it is getting easier and easier. But the BUS is bigger, everyone has their respected spaces.” He chuckled. “So kind of but not really? It honestly just depends on the day and person.”

“Probably a very wise suggestion. Sharon might not notice but her trainee certainly will.” He set the pen back down, gently rolling it back and forth. “How are they doing by the way? I know it is rude to pry but I brought Ross in and unfortunately the powers that be have kept me from checking in with her.” Especially after his return to the land of the living. Betty tended to respond to lose and trauma in a very negative fashion, it was easier this way. Especially since she had been through so much as of late. She was strong-ish but she had been fractured enough. “You don’t have to answer, of course, privacy is very important in our lives after all.”

And rather rare.

Phil grinned and rose from his seat. “It sounds like a very educational experience for me.” He chuckled. “Never know when you might need spy tools from the past to go undetected.” He carefully unbuttoned and rolled up his sleeves. No one ever really cleaned fire escapes and it was a white shirt. Plus it would be hard to explain any singe marks that might appear on his sleeves. “I would love to. Lead the way.” He made a gesture with his hand to the window. Normally he would try to open it for her but this was the home of two spies. He was not going to risk any potential booby traps.

,

[theavengingagent]

Swinging By || Peter & Phil

[spiderscience]

“I’m well aware you don’t monitor me all the time.  I’d be in for a lot more lectures if you did.  In fact unless you actually plant bugs on me I’m pretty sure I’m not the easiest person to track.   Most of my tech is really small, and my movements can be a bit erratic.  Plus I’m pretty good at spotting most cameras.”  He paused looking over at the agent, his voice dry if teasing.  “Plus my life has lots of boring parts to it.   I’m sure I’m the only one that needs to sit through all my classes.”

Honestly, trying to tease Coulson became a bit of a fun pastime.   The guy just stayed so unflappably calm, and he could toss things back when he felt so inclined.   “They totally do make them.  I think I have a pair of boxers somewhere with little pictures of his shield all over them.”  Pausing he jabbed a finger in Agent Agent’s direction.  “Don’t tell him that, definitely don’t tell Tony that.   I’ll never hear the end of it and they were on sale.”

He didn’t often sit still for long when not actively working on a project.   Even studying he tended to play with a pen or pencil in his hands.   Talking, he could and did use his hands to gesture, swung his feet, and otherwise kept active.   Which in itself could be a good sign, for him.   Relaxed, and not stressed to the point of his entire focus being taken up on one thing.   Really, the patrols for all the danger that could be in it relaxed him.

The young superhero’s movements did still a little at the mention of his Aunt.   “Yeah, she’s good though, we both are.   We’ve had some, um, interesting conversations lately.   So, pretty sure she knows but I still want to keep her out of things.”

His foot started to swing again.  “I like working with Tony, he has the best toys he lets me play with.   Plus I get to try out a bunch of ideas.   I like learning, but I like getting to actually do stuff even more.  I’m lucky he lets me do so much, its awesome.”

[theavengingagent]

Phil smiled blandly, shrugging. “Maybe, but I have a couple of geniuses on my team. Someone who can hold an Asgardians anger and strength, and someone who could give Stark a run for his money in hacking.” It was not a threat just a promise. “If there is a way, you can be tracked. Just not by normal people.” He glanced out over the city. “But anyone there are hardly any normal people on our paths. Never get too cocky.” He chuckled. “I feel like my hacker could do some good heading back to school but she’s a bit too old for that. Some of those classes you should not even be sitting through.” Peter was too smart for some of those classes. Not all, but some. But getting through those classes was a part of life.

He was just lucky he got to skip the academy.

He arched an eyebrow. He had honestly pegged Peter as the type to grab merchandise with his own mark on them. “It is not like Stark could talk if he found out. He has a rather large an extensive collection.” Something Phil had never been able to get his hands on because that was the only thing Stark was not willing to give away or sell. It was frustrating to say the least. All the items probably sat in a dusty old storage room, not treated with the respected they deserved. It pained him to even think about it.

“Again, if you need anything. Especially for your aunt let me know.” He gave the younger one a pained smile. “They might always know what you do on some level but that does not mean you want to give them a front row seat. There is strong but what we do, what we live with is on a whole other level.” Even with Audrey he never told her. Granted she was not insane enough to ask what made him scream at night. What made him come home damaged and broken. She just held him until the jagged edges found a new way to fit together. He shook his head. “It is good you talk to her though…” he paused “it is your choice but I would like her to have my number as well.” Peter needed protection as well. He was still a kid.

Phil smiled softly. “I am glad to hear you are enjoying yourself. But please, even if Stark lets you do it be safe. I trust him to take more care with you than he does himself but I prefer the err side of caution.” He chuckled. “It does not surprise me, though, that you prefer moving over sitting.”

[thefuturistknows]

Reunion | Tony, Coulson & Pepper

[fromthedeskofvpotts]

“Or perhaps you had it backwards on who was a robot and you are just seeing a, oh what did you call it, life model decoy now?”

There was something dark in Phil’s eye that scratched at the composure Pepper was trying to maintain. Not for the first time since hearing about his… recovery, if she could call it that – “resurrection” seemed too strange, and that was saying something, in a world of gods and aliens – and the effects this might have had on him. She had gotten more attentive to other people’s emotional states, at least partly thanks to her closeness with Tony. How had Phil recovered? What had happened, exactly? Did he have people he could rely on? Did he have anything besides work? She had started to resent SHIELD more and more as an organization, because of the things individuals were put through for the sake of the bigger picture. If there was a balance of sacrifices that were necessary to carry a higher plan to completion without jeopardizing humanity, then SHIELD had lost that balance.

Maybe they’d never found it to begin with – Pepper remembered how annoyed she had been by the agency even when she was first made aware of its existence, when they were endlessly hounding Tony for debriefings and statements so soon after his return from Afghanistan.

Well, maybe the balance didn’t exist at all, and she wondered how come she kept being drawn to people who were willing to sell so much of themselves for a particular end goal. It was very stressful.

She looked at Tony when Phil brought up the agent who was fond of his creations, and caught the moment when Tony looked up as well, focusing on Phil. He had no friendly response to give, but he didn’t snap back sarcastically either, so that was… something, she guessed. Hopefully enough to keep this conversation going unimpeded by resentment. Because who was she kidding, Pepper forgave Phil, of course she did – she couldn’t hold him responsible for the sins of SHIELD any more than she could condemn Tony for the destruction that was associated with Stark Industries. She just hoped that, like Tony, Phil would be more critical of his own role within SHIELD in the future.

Pepper also noticed the small tells of Tony’s tension as it built up in his shoulders, and turned her attention back to Phil as he responded to Tony’s allegations. If this situation had caught an agent as high-ranked as Phil by surprise, then… it was hard, in light of Tony’s recent behavior, to decide if this was all just paranoia on his part, or if there really was something serious happening. Serious enough to be missing radars.

“Is there any chance that the information SHIELD could provide was just incomplete?” Pepper asked Tony. It was tricky to navigate this without knowing the details he was most certainly holding back. “Just because they didn’t know, and not because they were purposely sending Steve and James into a dangerous situation?”

“No,” Tony said. He wasn’t looking at her, but she still inspected his profile. “No record of it was created after the fact. I only learned about it when Steve happened to tell me. This wasn’t coincidence, this was an ambush.”

Tony stood up from his seat, then leaned down to place both his hands on the table.

“Someone tried to take him out,” he hissed sharply. “And I swear to God, if anything happens –”

“—it’s not going to be your fault, Phil.”

The words were directed to the agent, but Pepper’s gaze was hard and on Tony as she said them, a reminder that projecting his anger on one man was not going to help anybody.

(‘You’re right,’ Tony thought, bitter but boiling, as he resumed his seat: ‘It’ll be mine.’)

Tony sat down again, and Pepper’s attention went back to Phil.

“But of course, we would appreciate if you kept us informed of any developments,” she said levelly. “We are all personally invested.”

[theavengingagent]

Phil laced his fingers together, letting his eyes slip shut. It was a visualizing technique his mother had taught him when learning physics. Numbers were hard, but seeing the action ply out was easier. It was possible that there was misinformation. It was slight but possible. New factors always introduced themselves as missions went on. Hence why handlers often went with their agents unless they were trained enough to respond. Rogers technically fit that description but he was not sure about Barnes. Even with that, if the mission had a taste of faulty information then it would be in debrief. It honestly depended.

“It is possib-“ He paused when Stark cut him off, anger rolling off him in waves. For someone who claimed to be self-centered he always seem to have such an interest in the team. If he was in a pettier mood he might point out the concerns only flew for the Captain. But Virginia did not deserve a fight to break out in her presence. He nodded at her comment, giving Stark a cold look. “I highly doubt that anyone would try to take out the Captain and Barnes, but, it could be possible. The record might not have been created till after the fact due to a change during or five minutes before the mission. We sometimes do not find out the whole truth until later. Allies for decades suddenly turned by the newest weapon pointed at their face and we simply do not know. This is the life of an agent and SHIELD.” He turned back to Pepper.

“Honestly one would have to talk to the agents on, in charge of, or involved with the mission. It is impossible to tell at this stage. I would always urge caution, but I would not automatically blame SHIELD.” He shrugged. He could launch his own investigation, get May onto it, but that would take time on the ground. It would be hard to find a reason for that amount of time. But if it was for the Avengers he was sure he could find something that would work. Either that or blackmail Fury with Audrey. That could work as well. “It would be partly my fault since I have not been keeping such a close eye on the members of the initiate.” He smiled. “I like to finish what I start, I’m sure you understand.”

Phil glanced over at Stark when he sat back down, settling a bit farther into his seat. “Of course. When I find developments I will certainly pass them on. I of course will be getting a few members of my team to join in the search. Captain Rogers and Agent Barnes have certainly made a few friends upon my BUS.”

[a-man-outof-time]

Long Time Coming // Phil and Steve

[theavengingagent]

Skye was okay. That was good. And so was Coulson, or so he said. Steve supposed he could have been worse off if he was able to take a minute to chat with Steve.

“But overall I am okay, just, busy.”

I believe it, Steve almost said. Phil must have been taken to trial, too, with Hill and Fury and Peggy. Steve had only gone to Peggy’s trial; he hadn’t been required to attend any of the others, so he’d focused on trying to follow the info leak back to HYDRA instead. And then who knew what Coulson had been having to do since then…

With Skye. Training. Was Coulson leading the last official remains of SHIELD?

“I’m all right, all things considered,” Steve said. “Still fighting the good fight. But I have a minute if you’d want to catch up in person.”

He glanced at his watch.

“There’s been a lot of change all around. It might not hurt for us to rebuild some bridges. How’s that twenty-four hour diner on 3rd sound?”

“That is good to hear. I was worried about the fire you all would have been brought under with the Hydra situation.” Phil stared at his screen but did not move a hand to type. One wrong error could bring his plane and his team down. It was best, at this time, to not multitask like he was famous for. Rome was not built in a day and he was still trying to clear away the trash. “I expected nothing less of you, Captain. And…ah…sure.” He paused. There was nothing here that could not be put on hold for a quick meet up. And the Captain had a valuable point.

“I agree and the diner sounds perfect. It will take me roughly an hour to wrap up and get there though so I apologize for that.” He just needed to send Melinda an email and get one of the trusted techs to drop him off. Lola would not be a good car to drive in this situation and finding parking was killer. “Is 1400 an acceptable time?” He waited for the confirmation and the goodbye before resting his phone on the table in front of him.

Right then.

Phil pushed back from his desk, sending Melinda a quick message. She would keep a close eye on the security while he was gone. Both of them were too high strung to leave their base unguarded. The trial had not necessarily cleared his name in everyone’s eyes and he was not foolish enough to think otherwise. He carefully straightened his suit before heading down the stairs to the loading bay. It was lucky that the Captain had called him when he did. They were still on the outskirts of the city.

“Jay, I need you to take me to third st. I have a meeting with the good Captain.” At the other man’s roger and snicker he climbed into the car. Honestly, he was not ready for such a meeting. It was an odd feeling but one that was becoming too familiar for his taste. He stared out the window, already trying to plan for the conversations ahead. Some details were not to be exposed, Fury’s orders. It would be more trouble than good if Stark got wind of their plans and the Captain was a liability when it came to Stark.

Phil walked the remaining block to the diner, keeping his eyes up for the Captain. He was a few minutes late due to traffic but he could be lucky this once. He scanned the crowd once more before stepping inside to wait there. Hopefully the other man would notice him, this was not exactly his usual scene. 

[furyslefteye]

Fatherly Advice | Maria & Phil (July)

[theavengingagent]

Phil gave her a ‘really?’ look, shaking his head. “I hope that was more commentary towards SHIELD and not my team.” There was a chain of command here, but not what Maria was used to. Ward and Melinda were professionals. Skye pretty much danced to her own beat and it was a good day when his scientist listened to him fully without hurting themselves. No they would do what they had to no matter who was watching. Which was rather comforting, at least if he went down they could soldier on. “The most that might occur is Skye might asked you for sparring sessions or Jemma might fan girl a bit. On her own time of course.” Jemma was like a puppy at times. But when things were serious it was a bit more like a bloodhound.

He shrugged, glancing at Melinda for only a moment. “Honestly the choice is yours. They might ask you and they might not. If you would rather be left alone on the situation then I can deter them. If you would rather them know then let them come to you.” He smiled slightly at the mention of his level sevens. Honestly he only pulled the rank thing if it would keep the ones that needed protecting safer. It was easier that way. Then because there was that hesitation where one of them could step in.

“This is not a matter where their lives are at risk. I do not think Mystic is daring enough to try and sneak on board.” If he remembered correctly that was a pet project of Fitz. “And if she does we have been around each other enough to know certain quirks that might be off about the others. The only one she could possibly take down without a fight are FitzSimmons and the other will know instantly. I’m not worried.” He gave her a smile. “Just let me know your choice and don’t bet Skye. She cheats. Other than that welcome aboard the BUS. Dinner is at six but feel free to snack anytime you choose. I’m making tacos tonight.”

[furyslefteye]

Maria could really scare the team and tell them it was official Shield business. The whole team is being evaluated. That way they would continue working normally [or better than normal] and not bother asking questions. But she didn’t want her stay to be high-strung and filled with avoidant people. Maria would prefer if they didn’t ask questions, but she also didn’t want to have people be extremely nervous in her presence. Maybe she’d decide after she talked with Grant again.

She smiled back. “Tacos…really?” Phil had gone so soft he was making the team food. He had become so fatherly in the recent years, she was glad that he stopped being such a hardass. “Thanks.”

Maria wasn’t very good at expressing gratitude. Most of her job involved someone getting pissed off, be it her or her superiors. Nothing she did really required appreciation, they were just things that had to be done. So on a personal level, she constantly forgot to say ‘thank you’, or, even more rarely, ‘you’re welcome’. She was also getting soft. Being out of commission for nine months the previous year really changed her.

“I really do mean it. Thanks for everything, Phil.”

[theavengingagent]

Swinging By || Peter & Phil

[spiderscience]

With an unseen eye-roll, Peter made himself comfortable.  One of the reasons he liked this roof, plenty of perching spots that he enjoyed.   “Its the principle of the thing, and habits Coulson, habits really.   Mask is on, its Spider-Man, if nothing else, it won’t put me on edge.”  His need to protect people, included keeping his identity safe.

“The big explosions were kinda a clue something heavy was going on,” he drawled.  “I haven’t completely stayed under a rock.”   

After a moment though, he spoke again, his voice softer.  “Sorry I wasn’t there to help.  I just, couldn’t yet.   But yeah, anyone thinking you are Hydra is a complete Moron.   As scary as you can be, you aren’t that.  Plus the whole Captain America underwear was a heavy hint that you’d be a hydra-hater.”  Taking the card he tucked it into his hidden pocket.

Phil actually kinda a cool guy.   No matter what he seemed to have this unflappable calm.   Still when he asked about his aunt, he shrugged lightly, leaning his head back.  He couldn’t help but to tense slightly before forcing himself to relax.  “Better, she’s better.   We’ve had some interesting talks.  She’s been, not quite kicking me out the house but wants me back out living my life.”

The smile that can’t be seen under the mask is hinted in his voice.  “And yeah, back at patrols, which, I realize now I really missed.”

[theavengingagent]

Phil shrugged. “Alright, I understand. I will keep that in mind, Spiderman.” Honestly he hated referring to kids by their code names. But then again he was old fashioned. He rather kids stay at home with their family than take on the psychopaths of the world. When they were older, sure, but staring young. It always rubbed him the wrong way. The worst part was that you could not convince them otherwise either. Each of them had a purpose after all and who was he to claim that they did not have good enough reasons to fight.

He shrugged once more, gesturing to the surrounding city. “Things explode here all the time and many of people go without notice. Honestly though, we don’t monitor your every move. I figured it be best to inform you if you had not been paying attention to the news lately.” Better safe than sorry. The one time his mother had fallen ill enough to warrant him going home it had ended with him having no idea what was going on in the world for two weeks. Fury had shoved him through a debrief the minute he had arrived on SHIELD property.

It had been ridiculous but helpful.

Phil waved off his apologies, smiling. “I’m rather thankful you weren’t there. And I rather see their opinions of me as being on the err side of caution. At least that is what I told myself to get through the whole process.” Thankfully it had been rather quick, though if they thought lie detectors were enough to find out the truth they were sadly mistaken. “I have not the slightest of what you are talking about. I was not aware they made Captain America underwear for adults. Much less ones that were comfortable enough for me to get.” He gave Peter is blandest look. “I have expensive taste.” Which was true. He had a few items of clothing with his hero’s signature but those were all safely tucked away at Audrey’s house. And there certainly was not underwear in the mix.

That seemed disrespectful and wrong. There are some places he did not want his hero to be.

He chuckled. People like Aunt May were very rare. It was always such a pleasant surprise when he came across them. “And you should live it. You’re still rather young, despite what you may think.” He smiled softly. “If your Aunt needs anything let me know, okay? I enjoy her presence.” She reminded him of his own mother in some ways. “You don’t know what you have until it is gone.” He chuckled. “So how is the non-hero side of you life going? I hear that you have been working with Stark?”  

[likeastormwithaskin]

Clark Gregg Uncle Sam Poster

[theavengingagent]

Swinging By || Peter & Phil

[spiderscience]

It had been a pretty good patrol so far.   A couple of muggers, one kid stuck up a tree (not sure how that happened but hey,) and no one throwing insults or worse his way yet.   Granted he hadn’t been out long but he counted it up as a win so far.  It felt great to be out, stretching muscles and riding that adrenaline high that came with the job. 

A part of him missed this so badly, and he only realized it now that he picked it back up again.  Peter felt more alive, Spider-Man an essential part of his being.  Also the bit more confident and cocky part of him, but it helped obfuscate his identity.  At least, it did to most people.

Heading for one of his regular perches, a figure waiting there caught his attention.   Aaaand apparently Mama Coulson also wanted to check up on him.   Fabulous, well might as well see what the Agent Agent wanted.   With the fact he had an audience, he executed a somersault when he released the web-line and came in for a landing.    

A line of irritation wound up his spine at how Phil chose to address him.   “Peter?  Peter who?”  He made a show of looking around before leaning in, sarcasim lacing his tone.  “You know for a super secret spy organization, you are failing a bit with the whole keeping an identity secret thing.  You never know what strange people you might find up on a roof.”

[theavengingagent]

 Phil’s smile took on a slightly irritated shade. Honestly the way people doubted him always irritated him. He could take them out with a bag of flour if he chose to do so. “You know for super spy organization you are severely doubting us. After all we managed to find out who you were. Not that it was particularly difficult.” He gestured to the roofs. “The only other people on those roofs are my team who are making sure no one comes up.” Except Skye, Skye was making sure no cameras were recording their encounter.

“Now if you are done questioning my “mad skills” have a seat.” He gave him a bland grin before sitting down on the edge of the roof. It was dangerous, one wrong move meant death but that was alright. Peter tended to respect people who were brave. Made it slightly easier to have him pay attention. He crossed his hands in his lap, waiting for the other one to settle before continuing on. It was rude to be interrupted and he was hoping for a slightly longer conversation than a simple hello. It was time to debrief Peter as well as reestablishing himself again.

The situation had changed.

When Peter had settled he nodded, more for himself than the other. “Alright, so as you know SHIELD has fallen. I have officially been proven by the great United States Government that I am not Hydra.” He rolled his eyes slightly before continuing on. “I am still keeping in contact with our young potentials though. Here is my card in case you ever need me.” Phil held out the card, smiling encouragingly when the other took it. “I will be there as soon as possible if the situation calls for it. If not I will have someone who knows of you to assist you.” He crossed his legs at the ankle.

“Now the reason for my visit except updating you on this situation. How are you?” He smiled gently at the young man. “I hear that you have started to do your rounds again. How is your aunt? Is she feeling better?”

[the-avengers-initiative-director]

Dinner Party? || Maria, Phil & Nick || 1/9/15

Nick pulled the baked chicken out of the oven and set it on the top of the stove. It was rare he got to cook for others. Once in a while was fine, but being that he had been busy with the collapse and spreading out of SHIELD forces, the breaking down of the Avengers. It felt like the end of an era and Nick knew it was the beginning of something better. 

He told them to meet him at his newer safe house, and they each had a key, seeing as it could be used by more than just him. Every faction that had ever been attached to SHIELD could get into this safe house. Sighing, he looked over at the clock. He at least had a half of an hour before either were supposed to show. Taking the chance, he moved up the steps and dressed in a comfortable pair of jeans and a long sleeve black tee shirt.

He only hoped things were better than they had been since the last time he spoke with them.

[furyslefteye]

Maria received a key from Nick recently for a new safe house he had, and then he invited her over for a dinner party. If it was for the holidays, she would have felt bad for missing it - but it was in early January. By that time she had gotten most of her life together again. Permanently moved to New York. Kept most of the incident under wraps.

She wore a nice grey top and a black knee-length skirt with flats [she was only going to Nick’s house]. She wasn’t sure how ‘formal’ this event was so she tossed a change of clothes in the bag she brought with, in case she was too dressy. While most of the time she didn’t care, she also didn’t like being the odd one out.

When she arrived at the house, she didn’t see any other cars around. She hoped she got the right place? Maria walked up to the front door and knocked.

[theavengingagent]

 Phil carefully tucked the key Nick had gave him in the front pocket of his black jeans (a gift from Skye because apparently she had seen Audrey staring when he came out of the dressing room). It did not surprise him that he had gotten the key what did surprise him was the dinner party that came with it. Nick could cook but he doing so was a rare event. It would be nice though to catch up considering everything had went to hell in a handbasket as of late. He slid the black blazer over the lavender shirt Jemma had gotten him for Christmas before heading downstairs to where Melinda was waiting.

She apparently had business that needed attending near Nick’s place.

He grabbed a bottle of wine on his way to the car. It was nothing fancy but it was good. Sweet with a hint of bitterness hidden beneath. He would enjoy drinking it if nothing else. He ignored the look Melinda gave him while he climbed into the car, buckling his seatbelt in place. It would be her knowledge soon enough she just had to wait.

They drove in silence until they reached a seemingly abandoned home. Trust Nick to choose such a place. Phil climbed out the car with a quiet thanks. He waited until Melinda had speed off to head towards the house. There were signs that someone was living here but to the untrained eye it looked empty. He headed up towards the door, knocking when he reached it. Hopefully they would be having chicken for dinner.

[nina-queenof-mourning]

Movie Night || Coulson & Skye || 1/8/15

Skye yawned wide and she settled deeper into the couch. She was exhausted. Lots of missions and not enough rest between. Looking down at her phone, she looked through the menu of movies on her Netflix queue. Not that it was entirely legal, her account, but it’s not like SHIELD would allow her to have something so mundane, but she needed entertainment, just the same as every twenty something. 

Noticing Coulson coming into the room, she looked down at her phone before looking over to the TV. “Hey, AC. You up for a movie and some popcorn?” She’d never admit out loud that she was lonely, but Coulson never asked questions. She always felt comfortable being able to talk to him, being able to spend time with him. It was like an actual family, not that she would know. 

[theavengingagent]

Phil was wandering around in just his button up and pants. It was later on in the evening and he was allowed his comforts. During the day he had to be Agent Coulson but right now, right now the world could stand for him to be Coulson. It was not like anyone needed his attention right now anyway. They were all off doing their own little things. He stretched as he walked down the stairs from his office, hand coming to rest on the railing as soon as he had gotten his fill.

Safety first.

His eyebrow raised when he saw the familiar light of the tv glow. It was probably Skye, she tended to enjoy such things. He was more satisfied with a book but he could understand why TV could be addicting. He rounded the corner, smiling when he saw Skye scrolling through Netflix. He had been right. Excellent. She was a calming person to be around, but that could be because she gave him a reason to fight on.

“Hey, AC. You up for a movie and some popcorn?” 

Phil considered it before nodding and heading towards the mini microwave they had set up in the corner. “Sure, haven’t really sat down to watch a movie in a while.” He grabbed a packet of butter before setting it in the microwave. He was already up might as well make it. Besides he hadn’t eaten dinner. It was not the best dinner he had ever had but wouldn’t be the worst by a long shot.

When the microwaved ding he grabbed the bag, heading back to the couch. “So what are we watching?” He collapsed on the couch next to Skye, throwing his arm up on the back casually. Something seemed a bit off with the younger woman. This was an opening she could take if she wanted to talk about it.

[a-man-outof-time]

Long Time Coming // Phil and Steve

[a-man-outof-time]

At first, Steve had assumed he’d reached Skye’s father, but the clip of the man’s voice was familiar, even on the phone. He was wholly certain of who he was speaking with as soon as he heard “Captain Rogers,” and he was caught somewhere between cold disbelief and warm surprise.

“….Agent Coulson?”

Steve had known for a while that Phil was alive, but neither of them had attempted contact since then, Steve initially out of spite and more recently out of preoccupation with HYDRA and SHIELD. Steve had no right to a grudge, he supposed – he’d barely known Phil before he’d died, or not died, whichever – but it still rubbed him raw that Phil hadn’t met with anyone on the team when he’d announced that he was alive, at least not as far as Steve knew.

Then again, SHIELD had just gone to hell in a hand basket, and Phil was still around. That was something.

“I imagine you weren’t planning to reach me but if you would like I can leave a call back number for her when she returns. She had fun during her time out if I remember correctly.”

“Uh..yeah, no, I wasn’t, but I’m glad I did. It’s been a while.”

Steve frowned slightly.

“It’s fine. She has my number now, I guess. So…she’s okay? And you’re okay?”

[theavengingagent]

By the question in the Captain’s voice Phil could tell he was surprised. That ruled out him getting the number from Agent Carter. Which was slightly reassuring. The last thing he wanted the other man thinking was that he was putting moves on his lady. Not only would that diminish his honor it would make him look bad. Both things he rather not have. At least, anymore that already existed with the whole dying incident. Out of all of them he honestly expected the Captain to contact him first, if only for tactical reasons. But never had that call came, it should have been expected but it still slightly hurt.

His own fault though.

He nodded his head to the question. “Skye is perfectly alright…well, she is at a training session so I cannot confirm that but overall she is fine.” Unless she was hiding something from him. Maybe he should check into that. They had not had a heart to heart in a while. Perhaps he should sit down with each member of the team to check in this week. He pulled his sticky pad closer to him, scribbling a note to himself. Cornering Melinda would be the hardest part of this whole operation. While he was at it he also scribbled down the number that had popped up on his screen.

Phil paused at the question thrown at him. Was he okay? “In this moment I am okay. I believe I will be okay when things settle a bit.” Phil paused, staring at the wall in front of him. “But overall I am okay, just, busy.” And wasn’t that the understatement of the century. Between the trial and trying to straighten everything out there absolutely was no rest for the wicked. He could understand why Stark would live off coffee in events like this.

“And you Captain, how are you doing?”

[theavengingagent]

Swinging By || Peter & Phil

Phill glanced at his watch before turning back to watch the New York skyline. Sure Fury had gotten him and his team to form the Secret Warriors but he had his own side mission to accomplish. Not everyone who had joined SHIELD had been Hydra and not everyone who SHIELD watched had been older. SHIELD had a list of younger people they kept their eyes on to make sure that they were under control. That there was no chance of those individuals becoming the enemy.

It had been a smart program to develop.

And it was a program he was going to keep going as best as he could. There were always keys players in war. There were always multiple sides. Wars too place because one group had thought another had gotten too powerful. Too uncontrolled. It was part of the reason the program had been started. To make sure such a war did not break out. It was not full proof but it was a safety belt. Personally he liked it because they needed someone. Being young was confusing enough without having powers. He liked the idea that SHIELD could be a protector as well as a teacher. But since SHIELD was gone he would do his best. To extend that olive branch and to check in on them when he could. It would be rough but he had always enjoyed doing it before.

The potential that was found in everyone was seen brightest in these kids and being able to help them bring it to life made him happy. The potential with Skye was part of the reason he brought her on board and she was blossoming. It was an amazing process. He had already talked to a few kids on his list, making sure they were okay and giving them his number. But this one had been a bit harder to pin down. Granted he had a good reason. His Aunt was dear and often came first to the young man.

Phil glanced at his watch once more, waiting for Peter to pass by and make his landing. It was one of the few places that he knew Peter liked to sit. But knowing when he was going to pass by was the hard part. Hence him coming here every day this week. He smiled softly when he noticed a familiar figure heading his way.

“Peter, hello, it has been a while.” 

[theavengingagent]

I like Hot Dogs || Billy & Phil

[deityintraining-blog]

“A hot dog, or a pet?” Billy joked, smiling at the man, or at least in his general direction. He could hear people playing with their well-trained dogs, throwing balls and frisbees, and he decided to trust that Phil wouldn’t lead him into the line of fire. It was usually a decent thing to trust, for as long as he’d known Coulson he’d typically exhibited great judgement and care for the people he associated with, and in this particularly case, that meant not walking Billy into a Golden Retriever.

Keep reading

[theavengingagent]

Phil thought about it before chuckling. “Both really. Though we have fish and they are rather relaxing.” It was soothing to watch them in the middle of the night when sleep was his enemy and his monsters were sitting around his shoulders. Eventually he would fall asleep, just to be tapped awake by Melinda the following morning. After all, he had to appear strong and okay even if he wasn’t. That was part of being a leader, part of the reason Melinda was better suited for this position than he was. Some would say though the fact she kept it all in made her worse. “Hot Dogs are good food. Very American.” He joked, remembering it to be something his dad said.

Though heaven forbid he start telling the same jokes his father did.

He guided them to the stand, ordering a chill cheese for himself and for Billy. He had a firm belief that it was not a good hot dog until it was slathered in things to clog your arteries. A belief that had helped him get the nickname cheese back in the old days. That and his tendency to get shot but that was neither here nor there. He handed one over to Billy before paying for both the dogs, tipping as he turned. Too many of these vendors were going out of business and it broke his heart a bit. Especially when he could see the family photos in the background.

They headed over to a bench, slightly in the shade partly in the sun. He didn’t know how the sun affected Billy so he took the seat on the sunny side, settling a bit further into the worn wood. “Sounds like a fair enough trade.” Phil took a bite, cautious of how messy his meal could possibly be. Though afterwards his head nodded in understanding. He practically did the same after he had learned the truth of his own revival. “Sometimes you need to reflect on what happen in order to move past it.” He raised an eyebrow at the other. Should he bring up the other boy yet or wait for Billy to mention it?

“As for what you missed…well…there’s a lot.” He paused, shaking his head. “There was an outbreak of a new disease. Two scientist, Dr. Elizabeth Ross and Dr. Hank Pym had brought back from the artic. They managed to cure it though which was good. If I remember correctly the files said Clea had caught it. She has always been seen with Strange though I am not sure about the relationship there. SHIELD was found out to be controlled by Hydra. Not everyone was Hydra but enough were. They were taken care of and then there were trials. SHIELD no longer exist.” He smiled sadly. “But other than that, nothing much exciting has happened in my range of knowledge.” Phil shrugged.

“But my world is limited anymore.”

[furyslefteye]

Fatherly Advice | Maria & Phil (July)

[furyslefteye]

“Thank you. With my rank, I don’t think I should stay here too long.” Teams always lose morale when a higher-up was around. It could put them all on edge, and his team was so specialized, it would be a giant loss if they started to under-perform because of her presence. She didn’t even have that ‘chill boss’ thing going for her like Coulson did.

Maria was sure that she needed to speak with the Professor before she did anything else. That would be her first course of action once she was more level-headed. Talking with Phil and having May present only made her feel physically calm…she was still very shaken mentally. Probably would be for the next few days at least, though there was a zero percent chance she would show it outside of that room. She had to maintain her air of professionalism. The moment anyone else on the BUS suspected something was wrong was when rumors start to spread.

“…what would you like to tell the team as to why I’m staying here?” She had her own ideas, but this was his domain. She may have been higher rank, but she still wanted his input. “I know your team doesn’t always adhere to giving information by rank. Your level sevens are already aware of the situation, obviously,” She nodded to May. “But I have no problem with you alerting them this is a personal situation and nothing more.”

[theavengingagent]

Phil gave her a ‘really?’ look, shaking his head. “I hope that was more commentary towards SHIELD and not my team.” There was a chain of command here, but not what Maria was used to. Ward and Melinda were professionals. Skye pretty much danced to her own beat and it was a good day when his scientist listened to him fully without hurting themselves. No they would do what they had to no matter who was watching. Which was rather comforting, at least if he went down they could soldier on. “The most that might occur is Skye might asked you for sparring sessions or Jemma might fan girl a bit. On her own time of course.” Jemma was like a puppy at times. But when things were serious it was a bit more like a bloodhound.

He shrugged, glancing at Melinda for only a moment. “Honestly the choice is yours. They might ask you and they might not. If you would rather be left alone on the situation then I can deter them. If you would rather them know then let them come to you.” He smiled slightly at the mention of his level sevens. Honestly he only pulled the rank thing if it would keep the ones that needed protecting safer. It was easier that way. Then because there was that hesitation where one of them could step in.

“This is not a matter where their lives are at risk. I do not think Mystic is daring enough to try and sneak on board.” If he remembered correctly that was a pet project of Fitz. “And if she does we have been around each other enough to know certain quirks that might be off about the others. The only one she could possibly take down without a fight are FitzSimmons and the other will know instantly. I’m not worried.” He gave her a smile. “Just let me know your choice and don’t bet Skye. She cheats. Other than that welcome aboard the BUS. Dinner is at six but feel free to snack anytime you choose. I’m making tacos tonight.”

[theavengingagent]

Like Bond, but Cooler || Nick, Skye, Richard, and Phil

[richardrider-nova]

“It’s nice to meet you, Coulson.” Richard said, though the other two didn’t want to offer their names, but he heard one being called ‘agent Skye’ as he walked up the path. Probably the woman - the older gentleman didn’t look nearly scary enough to have such a fluffy sounding name.

They didn’t really have time to chat more; this small team was on a mission and they went inside the building without a second thought. He wasn’t entirely sure what he was supposed to be doing or helping with - Richard decided on being a physical entity that followed orders. He didn’t know whether or not to let the team in on the fact he is a superpowered being, but if the time called for a fight, then it would ultimately come up.

He wasn’t sure if everything was going okay or not until Coulson turned back towards the team…he told Skye, confirmed to be the woman, to keep going. Fury, definitely fitting name for the other guy, was called to help him do something. Skye took Richard’s arm and pulled him down a different hallway and he looked back. Were the others going to be okay?

Richard, there are enemies nearby. Worldmind was quite astute today.

“Shouldn’t we go help them?”

“We’re on a mission,” Skye said as she stopped in front of a double door. “They knew what we signed up for.”

That was…a grave comment. Richard was a bit worried that maybe he ran into some suicide mission. He watched as she opened the door and peered in the room. It must have been cleared because she motioned for him to follow.

“What exactly is the mission?” He asked as Skye went out of sight. “I mean, I’ll help secure the room, but I kinda want to know what’s going on.”

[theavengingagent]

“The mission is to remove weaponry that could be potentially deadly from Hydra’s hands.” Phil heard Fury mutter as they entered the room. It was just a vault but one filled with boxes marked with numbers and letters. He brushed against Skye’s shoulder as he passed heading deeper into the room. They had to act quickly. Fury and he had taken out several guards and the Avengers were busy with the rest but still. It was a risky game to be playing. There was a lot riding on this and only so much time to follow through.

He barely spared Nova a glance, moving towards a section of boxrs, all labelled with the word “two” on the side. It was not like Hydra to be this obvious but he could hope. His ears stayed open as Fury briefly and shortly explained that Hydra had taken weaponry that was very deadly in the wrong hands. They were simply trying to reacquire it. The truth but not entirely. After all the ultimate plan was for them to use it in the end.

Phil opened the box in front of him, grinning to himself when he realized it was the correct box. Lucky was one their side for once. Had he had more time he might have gave a little jig but there was not time for that. He shut the box before moving it off top the other ones. It would go quicker if there was no wait between grabbing and moving. “Skye I will need your help, Fury can you call the jets?” He called out, moving the boxes into a line. Luckily there was only four. It would be easy enough for them to carry. His eyes darted back up to the door when a bang from far away went off. It seems things were starting to get excited.

“I don’t think we have that much time left.”