Agelast - A person who never laughs.
"Alright, Coulson, out with it," Maria Hill says, arms crossed, almost glaring at the man in front of her. "What have you done with him?" And she cocks her head towards the lounge where the younger members of Coulson's team sit, engaged in lively discussion.
Coulson looks at them proudly, in an almost fatherly way.
"All the years I've known and supervised him," Hill continues, "I've never seen Ward so much as genuinely smile; all I've ever seen were sarcastic little smirks – you've read my assessment of him, Coulson, you know what I'm talking about. So what did you do?"
Almost as if to prove Hill's point, the next moment Ward throws his head back and lets out a heartfelt laugh.
Coulson can't hear what they are talking about, but he still can't stop a small smile from appearing on his face.
"I cannot take credit – or blame – for any change in Agent Ward's behavior, Commander," he replies with a tiny shrug. "But if I might voice my opinion, I think the change in his attitude is for the better."
The corner of Hill's mouth twitches, as if she is fighting a smile herself.
"I'm not questioning that," she says, facing Coulson completely, turning her back to the lounge. "I'm just merely curious of how did you manage to do that?"
At this moment Coulson just catches over Hill's shoulder as Grant takes Skye's hand, links their fingers together, then lifts them to his mouth and presses a kiss against the back of her hand, while gazing at her lovingly.
"That," he answers at last, turning to Hill, "is best to stay within my team, I think."
