Chapter 9
"Welcome back, Phil Coulson."
"Agent, JARVIS. Does no one stay dead? No offense, how'd you cheat the boatman?"
"Tahiti." Phil looked around the common room, "Steve" Rogers and Sam Wilson were playing a video game, Natasha was curled up with a book, Ms Potts reigned over a couch, tablet in hand and feet in Tony's lap.
"Finally." Clint came from further in the floor and strode to him, clasping his hand. He felt the ring slide onto his finger. Clint shoved on his own.
Phil kissed him, then felt Clint 'drop' leading a dip. He didn't actually have a problem with that, though he did snap the finish a little, pulling Clint up with a hop.
"What just happened here? Barton, did you propose?"
"Pretty sure it's proposition when he's your husband."
"Congratulations. On both, alive, married..."
Phil was struck by how young she looked, now that they weren't heading into conflict. "Thank you." He hoped to get to know the woman behind the myth. He'd been going over the CCTV and other images from D.C. Pierce had to have known Barnes was an American. Photos had circulated of the Howling Commandos since Truman's desegregation of the armed forces order, often with a sleeve or leg of Captain America caught at the edge. Since he had fallen from the train and been presumed dead, though officially listed as MIA all these years, his name became public record.
POW. James Buchanan Barnes was a POW yet to be repatriated seventy years later. Phil Coulson has made many compromises during his years in harness. He will see this to the end.