Deceive
Coulson wasn't blind. He'd noticed it right off the bat. A little skip to his step. His smile easier to pop up on just little things. More laughter when she was around. His eyes following her when she moved through a room. Phil Coulson was not blind to the fact that Steve Rogers was in love… And not with him.
"Should I? Do you think I'm doing the right thing?" Steve asks one day when he slips into Coulson's office and closes the door. "I mean she hardly ever looks at me, but I dunno, Phil… It's like we have a connection." Coulson chuckles at the love-struck man.
"Of course you are. I'm sure she'll say yes. Who wouldn't say yes to you, Steve?" Coulson watches the other man's face as he says this, hoping to see- anything, some small hitch, but there wasn't anything. Steve nods, small smile. Coulson is not at all surprised that by the end of the day, Steve had asked her and she'd said yes to dinner.
"I don't know.. I- I love her Phil… But, is it the right thing?" Steve's eyes are sad, he's looking for assurance. That he's not making a mistake. Coulson sighs but smiles, ignoring the odd way he's stated the question.
"Of course it's the right thing. You love her, she loves you. You're meant to be." He can't help but see it this time. The hurt behind the eyes. He's been fishing for months now, the whole time they've been dating. Coulson wasn't going to let Steve ruin his life on him. Steve loved her, not him. So of course Coulson wasn't surprised when there was a staff meeting called just so that Steve could propose to her. She said yes with a huge smile on her face.
He's pacing back and forth, back and forth and it takes Barton to stop the captain. He cuffs him on the shoulder and wishes him luck then leaves to join the rest of the wedding guests. Steve turns to Phil, pain in his eyes, a tear close to call. "Phil… Please, please tell me I'm doing theright thing. Am I… Am I imagining things? I mean…" He steps close to Coulson, too close. He takes a deep breath and gives him a small smile. "Am I doing the right thing?" Steve asks as he takes Coulson's hands in his, thumbs rubbing his palms.
Coulson shudders, shakes his head, his eyes never leaving Steve's, but takes a step back. Takes his hands away, tearing up as the smile and happiness leaves Steve's face. "You're doing the right thing Steve. You love her, she loves you. You're going to be happy." A tear slides down Coulson's left cheek, but he's giving Steve his biggest smile as Steve leaves the room. Coulson isn't surprised at all that the wedding proceeds and they leave on their honeymoon Mr. and Mrs. Steve Rogers.
