Part 7
Phil Coulson ran a hand through his hair, sitting down in the chair next to the hospital bed. He didn't even have to pull the chair up towards the bed anymore because the nurses already had it in place for him. His placed his water on the ground next to him, placing his apple in his lap.
This had become a routine of his.
Come to the hospital, wait impatiently in the elevator, walk towards the hospital room where one Steve Rogers slept, and sit there for hours, talking to him as if the superhero could hear him.
It had been three weeks since the incident – the one where Steve had flat lined. He shuddered at the thought. It had been truly terrifying. And it had shut all of them up for days. Even Tony had shut up and stayed quiet (quite a shocker, especially after the two had been in a heated argument moments before). Three weeks since Steve was in a comma. And three weeks since he had been moved from the ICU.
Phil tossed the apple he had brought with him into the air, throwing it between his hands. He cleared his throat, eyes moving to the sleeping man's face. The kid from Brooklyn looked almost at peace. He hadn't looked this peaceful since his little relationship with Tony.
"Hey Cap," Phil smiled. "Looks like I'm watching you. Again." He laughed, shaking his head at the irony. This was the second time in his lips he got to say something like that. "Sorry for that, by the way. It makes me seem like one of those creepy fan boys." Not that he was denying it.
He watched the man for a moment, hoping for a reaction. Maybe a twitch of the lips, or a fluttering of the eyes. He didn't care. He just wanted to see something. Anything. For a moment, he stared, unblinking as his eyes shifted from his hands to his face. He even thought he saw his hands twitch, but upon closer look, he realized it had just been a simple trick his mind had played on him – a result of his lack of sleep.
Phil rubbed his hand across his face. His other hand tightened around the apple he held.
"Hey Cap…" He paused, eyes drifting down to the apple. He placed it gently in his lap, his left thumb rubbed the indents he had made with his nails. "I hope you wake up soon. We miss you Steve. Things just aren't the same without you."
Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw it again.
Saw Steve's finger twitch.
He held his breath, waiting for it to happen again. And it did, this time two of his fingers twitch. It was followed by the fluttering of Steve's eyelids.
Phil stood up so fast, his apple clattered to the floor with a small thud.
Steve blinked, and rolled his head to the side, sucking in an audible breath.
"You're awake." Phil said, careful to keep his voice quiet.
Steve nodded his head after a moment before he opened his mouth, letting out a small noise. "Water – please." He whispered, rubbing his hand across his throat.
"Right!" Phil grinned, his face glowing as he clamored to get him a glass of water. He nearly knocked over his water bottle as he grabbed for it, unscrewing the cap quickly before handing it to the now awake Avenger.
"Thank you," Steve whispered after he had nearly downed the entire thing. His throat was no longer dry, and he cleared his throat.
"Steve," Phil said, grin widening into a full blown smile. "It's good to have you awake. You scared us for a while there." He paused, chuckling slightly. "Wait till the others hear about this!"
"Is that my name?" He asked, frowning. Phil felt his smile slowly melt away. "I'm sorry sir, but do I – do I know you?"