"So," Coulson said, sitting down on the couch in his and Steve's living room. "Care to tell me what actually happened in the lab down there?"
"I'm pretty sure I told you everything," Steve said, sitting in the armchair across from him. As soon as Coulson had started talking, Steve flinched at every word he said, picking at his nails and rubbing the back of his neck.
"No, I want to know everything," Coulson said, patiently pressing his hands to his lips.
"Howard Stark found out," Steve spat out.
Coulson dropped the teacup that he had been holding in his hand (he was very fond of his evening tea). "What? Howard Stark found out that you were his experiment?"
"Well," Steve rubbed the back of his neck, "yeah. Tony complimented me on my strengths against the Hu-erm, Bruce, and I mentioned the US Army. Nothing other than that, and a special program. Howard's pretty brilliant; I'm not surprised that he figured it out on his own."
"The only problem is how many people Howard Stark knows," Coulson said, looking his nephew right in the eye. "We don't know how loyal or disloyal he is with secrets. For all we know, we could have someone on your trail at the school now."
"I seriously doubt that," Steve said, laughing. He really didn't think that was possible, though, for a bomber to access him at his school. He doubted that someone would even think to look in a high school setting for a super soldier.
Coulson, however, had a serious air about him. "You have no idea how precious your DNA is, Steven. One lock of your hair, one portion of dead skin cells, and the enemy has the option to create another you."
"...the enemy?" Steve asked, confused.
"It's not completely your business," Coulson muttered, waving his hand as though shooing away an insect.
"It involves me, I'm sure that means it's a part of my business," Steve retorted, getting upset at the fact that his so-called caring uncle was willing to keep him in the dark about his own personal safety.
"The enemy, being another opponent of SHEILD, in chemical warfare. You may be a super soldier, but you are a chemical weapon. There's a specialized chemical serum coursing through your veins. You're stronger than other men. Do you know how many other," he paused to think over his wording, "forces that are out there that would want a man like you on their side? To fight you?"
Steve shrugged. "I guess I never really considered that. I just always thought you guys would protect me from whatever I needed to be protected from."
Coulson gave Steve a look like a father would to a son. "You're only going to be here for another year and a half. I need to make sure you can fend for yourself in high-stress situations."
Steve stood up, slamming his fists on the arms of the chair. "You don't think that fighting a Hulk is enough to show that I can react well in 'high-stress situations'? Are you crazy? I've never been in a worse situation than that one, and I got complimented on the way I handled it."
Coulson held up his hands defensively. "You know what, kid? You're right. I think I am misjudging you when it comes to this kind of thing. Why do you think you reacted so well?"
"I'm not sure," Steve shrugged, sitting back down, "maybe it's the serum. Maybe it's when I'm in high-stress situations that my body flips over to the mindset of a soldier, and I start thinking and acting like one. That's what it felt like in the lab. I had tactics running through my head."
"That's why it's so important to keep you safe," Coulson replied, pointing to Steve for what he just said. "If the enemy can get men they hardly even have to train, they could get even more powerful even faster than before."
"I think I get it. But why is Howard so controversial? I mean, he worked for-wait, what is it again?"
"SHIELD. Yes, Howard did work for SHIELD, but that doesn't mean we can all trust him. Howard Stark does what is best for Howard Stark, so we don't know if he will keep the secret all on his own. I'll get our director to see what he can do about your security," Coulson finished with a terse nod. But then he remembered another topic he wanted to cover.
"So, with Bruce just recently dealing with his... what did you call it?"
"His green rage monster?" Steve finished.
"Right. How long is he going to be out of school?" Coulson asked.
"Probably a month, tops."
"Good," Coulson said, and clasped his hands together. He then pushed himself up from the couch. "It's late. You've had a long weekend. Go the fuck to sleep."
"Alright, grouchy," Steve laughed, and gave Coulson a hug. Then he saluted and walked upstairs.
