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[bettercallit]

[ It's been eight days. Eight whole days. Better late than never, right? But in case anyone's yet to figure it out, he feels the need to make the announcement. He's sticking to text to avoid a metaphor slipping out; that's his story and he's sticking to it, okay? Okay. ]

Agent Phil Coulson has left the City.

Comments

[bettercallit]

Might be better for everyone if I did, but I don't think I could even if I wanted to.

[yourbestguysgun]

That's never gonna be better for anyone, Barton. [ Handing the bottle back. ]

Hope keeps us human.

[bettercallit]

[ He takes it automatically, not quite as eager to take another drink, the already consumed liquor slowly starting to kick in, take effect. ]

Got Fury for that. [ Looking at him, far too open and vulnerable. ] He made me promise not to quit. Why'd I go and do that? [ A bitter laugh escapes him. ] He meant out there, if I get out, to face up to the fact he's dead.

[yourbestguysgun]

He wouldn't want to give up, Barton. [ A hum. ] You're an Avenger, ain't giving in against the law or something.

[bettercallit]

If I was gonna give up, I would've done it long before now. [ Quieter. ] It's knowing he'd be disappointed if I fucked it up along the way, the pressure of knowing there's no option but to keep going.

[ Or maybe he's just had too much alcohol the last week, but he knows he's not going to crawl away to die somewhere, wouldn't insult Phil by doing it, and after everything he's been through to get here, well, he really would have walked away before now. ]

[yourbestguysgun]

[ Nudging him.]

The door's always open, kid. [ A hum. ] Me an' Steve'd always like having you 'round.

[bettercallit]

Not sure Steve quite gets the humour, it kinda takes the fun out of it.

[yourbestguysgun]

I'm not sure I get the humour. [ Grinning. ]

[bettercallit]

[ He manages a half-hearted laugh. ] Yeah, well, you and me? We're not exactly on different wavelengths most of the time. And you know Coulson worships the guy, right? Wouldn't wanna go upsetting the legend.

[yourbestguysgun]

He doesn't really see himself that way. Steve, I mean.

[bettercallit]

Yeah, kinda figured that. The guy should have an ego the size of Starks for all the attention he gets, so I gotta hand it to him.

[yourbestguysgun]

He's never really been one to be a jerk like that.

[bettercallit]

[ With a playful smirk. ] He puts up with you, so I worked that one out.

[yourbestguysgun]

[ A laugh. ] Yeah, yeah. Fuck you, Barton.

[bettercallit]

Not sure he'd appreciate us bonding that much.

[yourbestguysgun]

[ Pause. ]

In your dreams.

[bettercallit]

You'll be there, Barnes, you always are. [ A smug wink. ]

[yourbestguysgun]

[ Nudging him with a slight huff of laughter. ]

You've got taste, that's good.

[bettercallit]

The whole confidence thing works for me, what can I say?

[ The 40s way of talking and the mouth would help, too, if he didn't think of him more as an older brother. ]

[yourbestguysgun]

[ Taking another swig of the drink. ]

That's what all the girls in Brooklyn say.

[bettercallit]

How'd you ever leave the house without being savaged? Must've been awful.

[yourbestguysgun]

I had Steve as my body guard. [ Except he had been tiny. ]

[bettercallit]

Like he wasn't part of the masses trying to tear your clothes off.

[yourbestguysgun]

Not back then, no.

[bettercallit]

Seriously? [ He's looking at him like he can't believe the two of them were never not always a thing. ]