With a major side of Phil/Sam/Steve, because I don't know what I'm doing with my life, but it sure is interesting.
"Nothing's Too Broken"
The first time Phil had seen that writing was on a pile of forms he had Tony Stark fill out; and the second mark was also familiar. Bruce Banner's, he believed. That made sense, as the men were confirmed soulmates seeking their third. Since they didn't officially get together until after HYDRA-Gate, Skye had already pulled the team's names from the web, keeping only paper copies for the purposes of maintaining some kind of records. But there was nothing online, and no way for Banner and Stark to find out that Leo Fitz was the one they were looking for.
"I can't lose him, sir," Simmons whispered, leaning into his side. Phil wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
"We won't," he said.
"I don't know whether I can give him the best care—"
"Yes, you will, Simmons. We'll all look after him. Trip has some medical training, so he can help you out. Just keep your head, and we'll get through this."
"He never even met his soulmates," she said. "He wanted to, so much. What if he loses that chance?"
"Pull yourself together," he snapped. "He still has the words, doesn't he?" She nodded. "While he has those words, he'll meet them."
"But… will he be in any position to respond?"
"…I don't know."
Skye couldn't control her powers, and Phil couldn't scrape together enough funds to keep them all afloat. After the first time she was accidentally responsible for destruction of property, he decided that it was time to find someone who could help her, and maybe help them all.
"I'm surprised you didn't go to Xavier first," May said, sounding as amused as she ever could while Phil reluctantly placed the call.
"I can't afford to get Skye to Canada," he said. "I refuse to stoop to stealing."
"You've literally used up your life's savings for this?"
"Of course," he said, frowning. "Where else could the money come from?"
She frowned at him, and he held up his hands.
"Look, I tried the Fantastic Four, but it's just not poss—"
"Who is it?" Tony Stark said. Phil saw him tinkering in his workshop, and inhaled deeply.
"Hello, Mr. Stark," he said. Stark froze, dropping a screwdriver, and then turned slowly around. His eyes narrowed.
"What. The hell?"
"I did actually die, but protocol—"
"What the hell? JARVIS, trace the call! This is not funny."
"Neither is world domination by an alien with daddy issues, but I gave my life to avert that," Phil said sharply. "Since none of you could get your damn acts together." May raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything. "Stark, put Barton or Romanov on the line if you don't trust me. But I need to bring my team to you—"
"What team?" Stark said, and he snorted. "In case you were still dead while everything was going down, SHIELD turned out to be infiltrated by HYDRA. SHIELD is gone."
"Not while I'm director."
"…Say that again?"
"Fury left me in charge of rebuilding SHIELD, starting with my team. We lost one of our own when he turned out to be HYDRA, and we've since lost another to powers we don't understand. The same event unlocked the powers of another member of my team, and she hasn't learnt how to control them yet. Her psychotic father and our mole are after us, and we're down to our last five dollars."
"It's that low?" May said. "Phil—"
"Yet another of my team is still recovering from brain damage," Phil continued, ignoring her. "Hate me all you want, but my team's done nothing to hurt you. Before Skye causes any more damage, could you… please help her? And maybe," he hated to say it, "help Fitz as well? All his knowledge is there; he just has trouble expressing himself."
"Aphasia?"
"A form of it, yes. My medical knowledge is limited."
"So, what, you want us to house potentially unstable strangers in the tower?"
"Anywhere safe. Please."
"And you want money as well? How do I know this isn't some scam?"
Phil's grip on the edge of his desk tightened.
"It would clearly be a pretty poor one," he said. "Forget it." I'm sorry, Fitz. "We'll get help some other way."
He ended the call, fighting back tears of frustration. He had a few options for getting together enough money to send Skye to Xavier's Institute. He'd sold every piece of his Captain America merchandise, even the few things with sentimental value which could still earn a good sum, except the few things on display in his office. It was important to maintain the illusion that he hadn't hocked everything else.
"I'll call in a favour from my mom," May said.
"You've asked enough of her."
"If you'd told me—"
"You have enough problems, Melinda. If I can relieve any of them at all, I will. I know… that all the others see you as strong, the perfect shoulder to cry on." He reached across and touched her arm. She let him. "That's not fair on you. You can come to me at any time. We can be there for each other. We have been before."
He saw her swallow, and it touched him that she wasn't entirely stoic.
"You're a good man, Phil Coulson," she said.
"You're a good woman, Melinda May."
"I have money—"
"You're not the director. The World Security Council – what's left – isn't all that easy to smooth-talk or threaten."
"Let me try. Woman-to-woman."
"Sweet of you to offer, but it's my responsibility."
She stood fluidly.
"Tell me if I can do anything," she said.
"I will. I've only got you to lean on." He shrugged, smiling. "I'll try not to lean too hard, though."
"I'm strong."
"You shouldn't have to be. You were only supposed to be the pilot."
May gave him a look. "You and I both know that's not true," she said.
Then she left the office, and Phil stared down at his hands, weighing up his options.
Short of aligning with mercenaries or Victor von Doom – which he couldn't bring himself to do until prostitution was literally the last option – he had to sell up his remaining assets.
With a sigh, he stood up and walked downstairs. He found Mack, and stopped him before he could speak.
"This is your one chance to work on Lola," he said. Mack's eyes lit up. "Tell anyone what you're doing, and you'll never touch her again. I mean anyone. May, Fitz, the Pope… no telling."
"Absolutely, sir," Mack said, and he grinned. "What d'you want me to do?"
It hurt, but Phil had to do it.
"Remove her flying modifications," he said. "Leave her in pristine condition, looking like any other sports car."
Mack's eyebrows drew together, but he nodded. "Whatever you say, boss. Can I ask why?"
"No. Just do what I've asked you to do, and not a word. I will know if you tell anyone."
The mechanic made a zipping motion across his mouth.
Back in his office, Phil picked up his mobile and dialled the number he was all too familiar with.
"Hi. We've spoken before. You told me to call if I had any more Captain America items for sale?"
Fitz was still depressed, as were the rest of the team after Trip's death. Skye spent most of her time away from them, somewhere her quakes wouldn't cause any problems. Mack would fetch her before it got dark, but she'd sneak out again whenever she couldn't sleep, or if she had a nightmare. Fitz was still working on designing a shock-proof room so that she wouldn't catch her 'death of cold'.
Everything was up in the air, basically, which meant that Mack was able to tinker with the cherry red car without being disturbed.
At least until he wheeled out from underneath and nearly had a heart attack when he saw May standing over him.
"Shit, I could've hit my head," he said, sitting up. "Can I help you, Agent May?"
"What're you doing to Lola?"
"Sorry, but it's a secret. Boss-man gave me orders, and I'm gonna follow `em. Or I'll never get to work on her again." He touched the paintwork with a sigh. He glanced up at May, and she was frowning.
"What made him change his mind?" she asked.
"No idea. I'm not gonna question it. I… hate to kick you out, but this is classified."
"I'm concerned that Director Coulson is going to sell his car. If that's true, you won't have another chance to work on her anyway."
"…Shit."
"Do you think I'm right?"
Mack scratched his head, eyes closing, and groaned. "I can't say."
"It's just your opinion."
"I can't say."
She hummed. "Very well."
"I'm sorry."
"You're obeying orders. I can't fault that."
Then she stalked out of the room. Mack looked at Lola, mourning the possibility that he was removing her ability to fly because Coulson planned to sell her. What was he thinking?
"Is it true?" were Barton's first words to May in a long time.
"Yes," she said.
"Phil's alive?"
"Since when did you call him 'Phil'?"
Barton clenched his teeth, and May stared at him unflinchingly.
"How did it happen?" he asked.
"After five days, he was brought back to life using an experimental procedure he'd been in charge of, and declared unsafe. His memories of the procedure were replaced with others so he'd forget begging for the doctors to let him die. Now that that's settled, I want to have a word."
He shook his head. "I'm sorry, he wanted to die?"
"They kept him awake during the procedure. Can we please stick to the subject?"
"What is it?"
"Coulson's been using every available cent to keep New SHIELD going, and now he's running out. I believe he's planning to sell the car Fury gave him. The only other things he might have of real value are his Captain America mementos. He may have already sold most of them. I can only speculate."
"What the hell am I supposed to do?"
Her eyes narrowed, and he shifted uncomfortably.
"If you don't know," she said, using the words many women before her had used, "I'm certainly not going to tell you."
Damn Avengers. She hung up on him and called her mother.
"This favour isn't for me. It's for someone… I care about."
Mack had finished working on Lola. Phil gave her a test run, making sure that she could no longer fly. Satisfied, he drove her to the location he'd agreed to meet his prospective buyer, a Mr. Cleary. He'd had Skye run his background check, and everything seemed to be in order. He already had a good car collection, and was looking for one just like Phil's.
Fury had probably bought her using SHIELD funds. Phil may as well give it back.
"I'm sorry, baby," he said, stroking her dashboard. Mr. Cleary's car was there, and there was a man either side of it. He'd said something about his secretary, Mr. Flagg, coming along with the paperwork. Phil would get more for Lola going through private channels. He just hoped Cleary was legit, and that nothing bad would happen to his… to the car. "I wouldn't do this if I didn't have to."
Swallowing, he climbed out of the car, and took out the keys. He was armed in case of trouble.
"Mr. Cleary?" Phil said, walking over. There was something familiar about the figure, which was strange, considering that Skye hadn't found any pictures of him.
"Okay, that was a fib," replied an unmistakable voice.
The only person who could fool Skye's hacking skills would be Tony Stark. Stark. Clear. Of course.
"There was no need for an alias," Phil said. He noticed that 'Flagg' was Bruce. Bruce Banner. He should've picked up on that. "I need the money. You want the car. I know you'll at least take care of her… if you don't flatten her with one of your suits." He frowned. "Maybe I should find someone else." He backed up a step towards Lola.
"Phil?"
"Hmm?" He looked to the right and saw Clint emerging from the bushes, followed by Natasha. "Barton?"
"Yeah."
"You've never called me 'Phil' before."
"That's what May said."
"May?" He stared as the rest of the Avengers moved into view. "Why the hell… She should never have told you." He frowned at Stark. "You weren't interested in helping."
"No, but you've got one hell of a car there."
"Tony," Banner said, frowning at him.
"Either you buy the car, or I'll find someone else who will," Phil said. "A legitimate buyer. I need someone who's not going to turn her into scrap metal."
"What's her name?" Captain Rogers asked, looking at her. Phil beat down the lump in his throat.
"Her name… was Lola," he said in a steady voice. Rogers' eyes widened. Likely he didn't recognise the reference.
"What about your team?" Stark said. "Your other team?"
"I only have one."
"We were supposed to be your team."
"We were your team once," Natasha said. It was good to hear her voice again. Phil shrugged.
"I was only your handler," he said. "And a liaison for SHIELD. Just another suit to you. Do you intend to make an offer on Lo— on my car or not?"
"What if I took your team in and looked after them?"
It was more than Phil could've hoped for.
"Is that a serious offer?" he asked. "Because if you're only joking, Stark—"
"No joke," Stark said. "As a favour, we'll take them in. Teach… what was it, Skye? Teach her control. Take care of all of them."
It was an offer he couldn't refuse. He nodded, and walked up to Tony. Then he shoved the keys into his hand.
"Take care of them all for me," he whispered. "They… Just, just take care of them."
"You're giving me the car?"
"I can't afford to keep her. Take her as payment for looking after my people."
He began to walk away, holding back unreasonable tears. Stark called after him.
"How do you plan to get back?" he said. Phil spoke over his shoulder.
"I'll call for a ride when I get to the main road half a mile away," he replied.
"What about your heart? Heard it got torn to shreds."
"Good day, Mr. Stark. Double-cross me and you'll want to sleep with one eye open at night."
Squaring his shoulders, Phil set off again. The last of his Captain America merchandise had already been paid for, and he'd sent it off as soon as he had the money in hand. It would keep him going long enough to formulate another plan. He didn't have an apartment, and it would be pretty lonely around base. Canada was a possibility, if Xavier needed his particular set of skills. Or he could go in to security, and search out more candidates for SHIELD in his spare time.
He struck out automatically when someone landed in front of him. He nearly had the guy on the ground when he noticed the wings, and quickly backed up. Before he could apologise the guy waved a hand.
"Don't sell your car," he said, and he glanced past Phil to Lola. Or whatever she'd be called now, if anything. Phil sighed, and smiled sadly at the Falcon.
"What other choice do I have?" he said. "Oh." He looked back over his shoulder and met Banner's eyes. "And take special care of your third."
"Third what?" Banner said.
"Soulmate. Your other soulmate is on my team."
As the others moved further towards him, he walked around Sam Wilson. He murmured an apology as he passed, and continued down the road. Or tried to.
"What did you say to Steve?" Wilson asked. Phil paused mid-step. "Did you quote Barry Manilow?"
'What's her name?'
'Don't sell your car.'
Phil had been reborn with those words adorning his skin. His chest felt tight, and he forced himself to stay still.
"I think you know the answer to that," he said. "If you'll excuse me, I have to go."
May gave him a look that showed her extremely displeasure when she picked him up.
"Not a word," he said. He couldn't hide the tremble anymore, and his hands shook as he buckled himself in. Then he stared out the window as they drove back to the bus.
"You know me," she said. "Silence is my middle name."
Phil nodded. He couldn't speak anymore.
The next day he had everyone packed and ready to go. Skye kept asking to stay, or for him to join them at Stark Tower.
"I need to stay behind," he said. "But thanks for the offer."
"You'll be all alone here!"
"I'll pick up more strays to join New SHIELD. The Koenig brothers will be back soon."
"It's too dangerous—"
"No, it isn't. Skye, go. You all need this, especially you and Fitz. Mack will be able to keep working on the Corvette, if Mr. Stark lets him. May will be there to keep an eye on you. Simmons will have access to better equipment, and so will Fitz. It's… it's for the best."
"This has nothing to do with the Avengers?" she said, crossing her arms.
Everything. "It's complicated."
"Not classified?"
"Nothing's classified anymore."
"I wish." She hugged him, and he stroked her hair.
"You're not being confined," he said. "You're going to be set free."
She sniffled. "I'll miss you, DC. Call lots, okay?"
"Whenever I can. Now go." He pushed her towards the open doors. "Grab your bags. I'll see you around."
"Hope so."
They all waved before they left. May waited, staring at Phil.
"I don't trust the Avengers with my team," he said. "And…" He lowered his voice. "I don't trust Stark with Fitz." May raised her eyebrows. "Stark and Banner's third is Fitz. I've seen his marks and I've seen their handwriting. I need you to report back to me on the situation."
She nodded once, and followed the others out.
Phil retreated to the office. He considered contacting Audrey, and reminded himself of why that was such a terrible idea. His mark for her had disappeared after he died, and hers had died with him. He knew she had a replacement one. Had she found her new soulmate yet? Was she still looking?
He didn't have to look anymore. For some reason, he could only ever have a platonic soulmate relationship from now on. Unless he died and was resurrected again.
Phil… was tired of the idea of soulmates. How many relationships didn't work out? As a SHIELD agent, he knew the statistics. Platonic, non-platonic. It didn't mean anything when Fate screwed up.
Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson? Really? As Phil's soulmates? That made no sense.
Bruce Banner, Tony Stark, and Fitz? At least they had science in common.
"You gonna introduce us?" Clint asked. Both teams were standing in straight lines facing each other. May stood at the end.
"Alphonso Mackenzie," she said. "Mechanic."
"Please, call me Mack," he said. "Never Alphonso."
"Leopold Fitz. Engineer."
"Uh, just call me Fitz," he said. "E-everyone does."
"Jemma Simmons. Bio-scientist."
"Hello," she said, rocking back and forth on her feet.
"Skye. Specialist and… Gifted."
"With making the ground shake," she said. "Hey."
"You're the one we have to teach control to," Bruce said.
"Before I make a big hole in New York? Yeah, that'd be good."
"Barbara Morse. Specialist."
"Hey, Bobbi," Clint said, and he grinned. "Long time and all that."
"Lance Hunter. Mercenary."
"And specialist," he added.
"And my ex-husband," Bobbi said. Clint snorted.
"He's the nightmare ex you used to bitch about?" he said. Hunter looked scandalised.
"Don't even," Bobbi said, pointing at him. "You complained about me just as much to the other guys."
"That he did," Mack said, chuckling behind his fist.
"And I'm Melinda May," May said. "Specialist and pilot."
"Great," Tony said. He clapped his hands once. "Let's get to work. Anyone interested in science, come with me."
"I'll come, too," Bruce said, following him. "Come on, Skye. We can discuss a training schedule."
"Show me to the workout area," Bobbi said. "Agent Romanov, we haven't met, but I've heard a lot about you. Wanna spar?"
"Sounds like fun."
Tony kept an eye on his new charges. Bruce and Skye were talking animatedly, which was nice to see. He especially watched the engineer. He'd heard of Leo Fitz, of course he had. The first time Tony had broken into SHIELD records he'd looked up their science division to find people to poach, just to annoy Fury. When he lost interest, he checked out the academy, and was seriously impressed. But then things happened, and he never got around to plucking Fitz away for a life of leisure and ubër-science.
It wasn't just that. Fitz was the one with brain damage. Tony and Bruce had discussed it, and decided that they would do what they can, as long as it didn't compromise the Scot's intelligence and ability to do his work. He glanced down, remembering the medical record Phi— Coulson had sent. The tremor in Fitz's hands was slight, but hellish for anyone who worked manually, and especially engineers who created weapons and advanced technology of the kind SHIELD used.
They left the elevator at the research and development level. Fitz, Mack, and Simmons had remained quiet. Bruce was most interested in picking Simmons' brain, and apparently Mack was one of the few people who'd had the privilege of working on the red corvette. Fitz hung back while the others followed Bruce, who'd started showing off the labs. Tony walked beside him.
"What part of the field are you interested in?" he asked.
"Oh, I don't actually work in the field all that much, mostly in the lab."
There was a crash as Bruce ran into a trolley. Simmons and Skye steadied it for him, but he didn't notice. He was staring at Fitz, as Tony was now. The young engineer backed off a couple of steps.
"What did you say to him?" Bruce said.
"I just said that I don't… oh." Fitz blinked, looking from one to the other.
"'Oh', indeed."
"Well, isn't that a turn up for the books?"
"Fitz!" Simmons squeaked. "Those are your words, aren't they? I'm sure you said—"
"Yes, they are." Fitz scratched the back of his head and looked anywhere but at his soulmates.
This was the one Coulson had mentioned. Their third. It was Leo Fitz.
"Well, aren't we lucky," Tony said, smiling broadly. "Remind me to send a cookie bouquet to Coulson as a thank-you. He told us to look out for you."
"That's not, uh, that's not… you don't have to… it's not." He waved his hand and glanced at Mack.
"Necessary?" he supplied.
"Yes! It's not necessary. I can look after meself."
"Doesn't mean you have to," Bruce said, lifting his shoulders. "You're our soulmate. If we want to look after you—"
"Which we do, by the way," Tony added.
"Won't you let us?"
"We'll leave you alone for a minute," Mack said, ushering the girls out. "I'll just be out here if you need me, Turbo."
"I… alright."
Once they were alone, Tony hoped that Fitz would meet their eyes. But he continued to shuffle around without looking at them.
"Coulson told us you were hurt," Tony said. "What happened?"
"Nearly drowned. I was knocked out in a blast, and Simmons had to drag me to the surface. I'd told her to leave me behind, but she wouldn't."
"Thank God for that," Bruce said. He somehow managed to sneak up and touch Fitz's arm. The young man skittered away. Tony was reminded of when Bruce shied away from their bond.
"Don't," he said, his brogue growing stronger. "Yeh can help if yeh want, but you dinnae have to. I know yeh're already together. Yeh dinnae need—"
"And we've been looking for you," Tony said. "Now I know why we couldn't find anything. You all went dark after HYDRA-SHIELD was exposed, and your records were pulled."
"It was n-necessary."
"But we've got you know," Bruce said. "I know we're older than you—"
"That's not it," Fitz said slowly.
"And we live dangerous lives, just like you—"
"Not it, either."
"Then what is it?" Tony pressed. Fitz met his gaze briefly, then looked down.
"I'm b-broken," he said. Tony and Bruce looked at each other. Bruce touched the spot between Fitz's shoulder blades, and pulled him closer.
"Nothing's too broken that it can't be fixed," he whispered.
"You're only a bit dented," Tony said. "We're good at fixing things. I'll get the best medical care for you, if Brucey isn't allowed to operate because we're soulmates." He grinned, and slipped his arm around Fitz's waist. "Look at me?" He did, and Tony brushed their noses together. "Leo, it took a lot of time and energy to convince Bruce to give me a go, and for some reason he thinks I was worth it."
"You are," Bruce said.
"Theoretically, with the two of us working on you, it should only take half the time. Let's see, it took, what, two and a half weeks to get Bruce to go on a date with me—"
"Eight hundred and forty hours, so you'd take four hundred and twenty—"
"And eleven days to get him into bed—"
"Half two hundred and sixty-four, makes it one hundred and thirty-two hours—"
"Then three days to convince him to bond with me."
"One and a half days is thirty-six hours," Bruce said.
"You think it'll take five hundred and fifty-eight hours to convince me to bond with you? Less than twenty-four days?"
"Three and a half weeks?" Tony said, cocking his head as he looked at Bruce. "Either that, or—"
"But you're not taking into consideration the variables d-dependant on Dr. Banner's powers of persuasion," Fitz said. "In tandem with yours, it could take more or less time."
"It'll happen someday," Tony said. "Unless you don't want us."
"I do, I do, I…" He looked down again, blushing. "I'd like to."
"Great! Let's get to it."
"Tony," Bruce said in his warning tone. "This is a lot to take in. Hear him out."
"Thank you," Fitz said. "But my hands… and sometimes the words—"
"They came out fine before," Tony said. "When you were discussing variables."
"I… so they did."
"Maybe being bonded will help."
"Or maybe it'll make things worse for you," Fitz said. "I can't risk it."
"Please," Tony said softly. "Every time Bruce rejected me I wanted to give up. He deserves better. I knew it, and I knew – I thought – he saw that. But I kept going because we're supposed to be together. Because I saw that he was trying to protect me. Then… I talked to the Big Guy, who confirmed that Bruce was being stupidly noble. He was worth it in the end, Leo. It hurts… being rejected by your soulmate. It already happened to me once." Bruce stroked Tony's cheek, and his eyes fluttered closed. "Don't do that to me again."
"You'll always be worth it, Tony," Bruce said. He looked down at Fitz, who was staring at their interaction with wide eyes. "It's the best feeling in the world when you bond with someone. It's something you'll never get with anyone else. If it makes you feel any better, let us do what we can to cure whatever damage is there. When it works, promise you'll think about a date?"
"No, I… I can't…"
"Okay," Bruce said quietly, backing off. He pressed against Tony's side, and Fitz shook his head, looking at them earnestly.
"I c-can't make you… make you…" He grimaced, shaking his head. "Damn it all ta hell!"
"You can't make us what?"
"Mack!"
"Coming," Mack said, entering the room. "What's up, Turbo? Want me to take the girls somewhere else?"
"I can't make them… do the thing where they…"
"Bond?"
"No. Take longer…"
"Uh, wait?"
"Yes. Thank you."
Mack half-smiled. "Not a problem." Then he disappeared again, and shut the door.
"I can't make you wait," Fitz said. "It's been awhile?"
"All your life," Bruce said. He smiled tentatively. "You'll let us court you?"
"Yes, please."
Tony whooped, and scooped Fitz up into a kiss. He heard Bruce laughing, and pushed the young engineer into his other soulmate's arms. Bruce let Fitz initiate their kiss. It was sweet and hot, and Tony really didn't want to wait until they 'fixed' Fitz. Honestly. He was the least broken of the three of them.
Or maybe they were just as broken as each other, and could only be fixed when they were all together. Like they were now.
Sam and Steve lay entangled together on the sofa, Steve stroking Sam's hair.
"I'm glad Bruce and Tony are happy with Fitz," he said.
"Better than them moping around, trying to find the person to complete them," Sam said.
"We found ours, and he just walked away." Steve couldn't help feeling frustrated. It'd been over two weeks since they'd seen Phil Coulson. He reported to Skye frequently, letting her know how he was going. It's possible they were all lies. If not, then he was being paid cash-in-hand or using an alias, because they couldn't find any financial records in his name. Not since he drained his last known bank account.
The former SHIELD agents among them had seen plenty of Phil's writing on paperwork and electronic forms, and were able to confirm that the soulmarks were in his hand. It was simultaneously gratifying and frustrating. Phil was constantly on the move, never staying in the one place long enough for them to pin him down. He had managed to acquire three additional SHIELD agents, including one he'd known before HYDRA-Gate. Billy and Sam Koenig had been away when Phil sent his team to the Avengers, but they were back at base now, with no clue as to his whereabouts.
"The only way we're gonna find him is by accident," Sam said.
Steve grunted. "D'you think we scared him off?"
"D'you mean I scared him off? I'll admit, using the wings probably wasn't the best idea I've ever—"
"No. But the last time I spoke to him he was trying to be friendly, and I just brushed him off. Then he was confronted with both of us, well-known superheroes, secret couple, and he'd just given his car to Tony. The car he loved, and the team he was trying to look after. He would've already been emotional. Finding out who his soulmates were…"
"A bit of a shock, huh?" Sam said.
"We didn't get our marks until after he came back to life, according to Agent May. That means we're also always gonna be associated with a terrible time in his life. He lost his cellist to someone else and got us instead. We don't even know if he's bi."
"Practically nobody in this century knew you were bi," Sam pointed out. "He might think it's just supposed to be platonic."
"Do you just want platonic with him?" Steve said, raising his eyebrows. Sam shrugged.
"I don't know him, but he looks like a nice guy, and the others only have good things to say about him," he said. "I'd sure like to get to know him."
"He's… a fan of mine."
"From what you told me of your first meeting, and judging by the way he reacted to you a fortnight ago, I think the bloom's been knocked off that rose."
"Thanks," Steve muttered.
"What I mean is that he probably won't wanna fanboy all over you anymore. You should be happy about that."
"It'd make me feel more comfortable if he wanted to bond with us because of me, and not Captain America."
"Hey." Sam elbowed him gently. "Maybe he came back as our soulmate because you're equal now? His crush on Captain America died with him, leaving him free to be with Steve Rogers."
"And Sam Wilson," Steve added, poking him.
"Well, the Falcon only became a superhero recently," Sam said, smirking. "No time for him to get a crush on my persona."
"Lucky you."
"We're both lucky if our third decides to get in on the act, like Fitz."
As soon as Fitz had sufficiently recovered from his surgery, he went on a date with Bruce and Tony, dragged them to bed afterwards, and they'd bonded that night. Loudly. Well, it was loud for Steve with his super-hearing, goddamnit. Fitz was the only one gracious enough to blush when Steve complained about it over breakfast.
"Sirs," JARVIS said, "I believe you will be interested in the visitor."
"Visitor?" Steve said, raising his head to look at the door. "What visitor?"
"To the tower. He rode in on a borrowed motorcycle with the Winter Soldier, who is injured and unconscious."
"Bucky's here?"
"Yes. Director Coulson brought him."
Sam and Steve looked at each other, then bolted for the elevator.
Phil kicked out the stand for the bike, and raised the visor of his helmet.
"Thanks, JARVIS," he said. "Is Simmons on her way?"
"Along with Dr. Banner, sir," the AI replied. "It is good to see you again."
"You think?" Phil said, tucking the helmet away. He pulled the Winter Soldier's right arm around his neck and dragged him to the elevator.
"Yes, sir. There are many here who will be glad to see you."
"Uh-huh?" Phil pulled the soldier – James Buchanan Barnes! – into the elevator and propped him against the wall. It'd been hell on his shoulders supporting him on the bike, especially when they were pursued. Phil was injured himself, but as long as he didn't think about it, it didn't hurt. He wasn't even aware of the extent of his injuries. "Which is the medical level?"
"I am taking you there now, sir. I dropped Doctors Banner and Simmons there on the way down to fetch you."
"Good."
"Your soulmates are especially pleased."
Phil hesitated. "Right."
"We have been unable to locate you, sir. It has caused them some distress."
"Sorry to be a bother," Phil said. A second later, the doors opened. "Help me with him."
"Come here," Banner said, and he helped Phil take the Winter Soldier to a prepared bed. "What happened to him?"
"He looks like he's been living on the streets. He was being picked on, probably just by muggers, when I found him. I worked out who he was, but HYDRA was following one of us. I presume it was HYDRA." He took off Barnes' boots. "They started shooting. Whatever they hit him with, it knocked him out. Probably would've killed me. He took the shot, and I'm not sure he wasn't doing it to protect me, though I can't think why."
"If he thought you had a common enemy and knew he had a better chance of survival…"
"I thought of that, which makes me wonder how much of his mind is his own."
"Sir, you're injured," Simmons said.
"Please don't remind me. He's in worse shape. I dragged him to cover and fired back when I could. I hotwired a bike, got back to him, and brought him straight here. It wasn't all that far. I was following up a lead in the neighbourhood."
"Sir, please sit down—"
"Simmons, help him. He probably saved my life."
"Which won't mean anything if you bleed out," she said sternly.
"It's not that bad."
"How would you know?"
"Simmons!" he barked. "Help Barnes, for God's sake. I don't know what condition he's in, but his life has sucked, and he deserves help. Don't make me make that an order."
She pursed her lips and pointed to a chair. "Not until you sit down."
"Fine then," he mumbled, and he perched on the edge of the chair.
Then discovered where one of his injuries was. Now out of the danger zone, the adrenaline was wearing off. The pain was a shock, as were the aches from his other wounds. He noticed the trail of blood he'd left, and heard Simmons' gasp at the same time there was a 'ding' in the background.
"Is it Barnes?" he said. His vision began to blur at the edges. Oh, this was familiar.
"Sir!"
"Phil!"
"Coulson!"
He slid to the floor and passed out.
Fitz did everything Jemma told him to do. His hands were steady, his tongue no longer go twisted. The words were there; he could access them. Coulson had let him come here, meet his soulmates, get better. He'd given up his car. Now he'd risked his life for a man he'd never met, but knew was important to one of his own soulmates.
It still made Fitz's head spin sometimes. He was bonded to Bruce Banner and Tony Stark, and Coulson was soulmated to Sam Wilson and Steve Rogers. It hardly seemed possible, but it was true. At least Fitz had done the sensible thing and given in to Fate.
Coulson was fighting it at every turn, and he seemed to be the only one who didn't see what a toll it was taking on Steve and Sam. They were both nice guys, who were teaching him to play pool and poker. The tricks they'd shown him had caused Fitz to win many a game of strip poker. But then, when you played strip poker with your soulmates to whom you're bonded, everyone was a winner.
Jemma was still ecstatic to be bonded to Pepper Potts and Colonel Rhodes. She pounced on them at practically every opportunity. Unless science was going on, of course. But they were among the few who could tempt her away from it. Fitz had hoped that the two of them could lead by example.
Instead, Coulson kept trying to escape. Tony had set up a new secret SHIELD base in the outer suburbs of New York, and the new recruits were trained there. It didn't keep Coulson in the state; not when he wanted to be out, finding newbies himself. It was a talent of his, but extremely annoying to his soulmates.
He could never forget that day. He'd seen the footage, and Jemma had described it often enough that he felt like he'd been there in person. Coulson slipping to the floor and passing out in a growing pool of his own blood from multiple gunshot wounds, taken when he'd defended Bucky against the half dozen agents after them. Sam and Steve had just arrived, and almost lost their minds when they nearly lost their third.
Bucky had managed to befriend Coulson, which was adorable. He'd recovered quickly after they discovered and removed the ICER-style bullet which had been keeping him unconscious. Once he was up and about, he was tending to Coulson nearly all the time. The director kept insisting that Bucky owed him nothing, that it was his own way of repaying the sniper for his efforts during the war. His work as a Howling Commando especially.
In short, it was annoying to see Coulson avoiding his soulmates like a cliché.
"When're you going to put them out of their misery, sir?" he asked, interrupting Coulson's night-time snack. The director nearly choked on his doughnut.
"Still up, Fitz?" he said.
"Science is still happening," he said. "I'm here to get something to tempt my soulmates to bed."
"I would've thought you could do that without food," Coulson said, stirring his drink. Fitz hoped it was something decaffeinated.
"It's the implication of what they could do with me and food that gets them raring to go," Fitz said, making sure that his boss wasn't going to inhale any food or drink. He pulled out a can of whipped cream. "We have plenty of these, if you're interested. I'm sure Sam and Steve won't mind."
Coulson's expression closed off. "I'm not going there, Fitz."
"Then tell them. Don't just run away whenever you see them."
"I don't run."
"Yeh may as well! Don't yeh see what's happening? Can yeh no' see how much yeh're hurting them?"
"Fitz—"
He inhaled steadily. "Look, sir. It's obvious they want to talk to you, but you're not letting them close enough to say anything."
"I don't see what there is to say."
"Why not?"
"I don't belong here, Fitz. I belong in the shadows, fixing the mess HYDRA got us into. Sometimes I wonder whether the damage can be repaired."
Fitz almost chuckled. "Someone once told me that nothing's too broken that it can't be fixed."
"I think this is." Phil sipped his drink as Fitz took out a punnet of strawberries as well. "Who was it told you that?"
"One of my soulmates. They proved it true, y'know."
"Yes, I know. I'm glad for you Fitz. I wish I'd brought you all here earlier."
"You mean sent us, while you stayed behind waiting for Billy and Sam to return."
"I didn't wait. I got on with my job."
"What if you didn't resurrect SHIELD?"
"…I beg your pardon?"
"We've been discussing this, my soulmates and I, and we thought that maybe you could instead create a civilian assistant team for the Avengers. You may not get the numbers, but they'll be vetted. Jemma's not likely to leave here, and neither am I. Skye's integrated herself into the team, and I'm pretty sure Bucky will go wherever you do. I think Steve and Sam are a bit jealous of him."
"I don't think so, Fitz."
"So you don't think it's a good idea."
Coulson sighed. "I don't know what Fate was thinking. I'm not the right fit for them."
"You won't let them decide that?"
"I'm worried… that if I talk to them… I won't be able to say no."
"Why would you want to?"
"Because—!"
"Because what, sir?"
"I…" He sighed again. "I've been affiliated with SHIELD all my life, an organisation St— Rogers hates. I only know of Wilson…"
"You'd know him better if you actually spoke to him, y'know."
"But they're both young – physically – and they're both superheroes. I feel like the odd one out already, and everybody will think so. If the media found out, they'd agree. I can't say that I'd endanger them, because they're doing fine there without my help. If I bonded with them, pursued any kind of relationship, I'd always feel like the proverbial third wheel. I'm no stranger to that feeling, Fitz. I don't want it with my soulmates."
"You don't want them at all?"
Coulson sank his head into his hands. "I honestly don't know. I don't know how to feel about them."
"Because you won't talk to them."
"Because I don't want to grow attached and then be rejected."
"You wouldn't be rejected, you arse!"
He rubbed his eyes. "Damnit, I'm too old for this. I'm going to bed. See you later, Fitz."
"I'm telling on you to May."
"Good luck with that. She probably already knows. I swear she's in cahoots with JARVIS."
"I am not in cahoots with anyone, Director Coulson," JARVIS said.
"You say that now…"
The motorbike had been returned to its owner, with repairs and upgrades from Mack and Stark, and an apology from Phil. The guy had been so taken aback that he hadn't pressed charges, which was fortunate. Now Phil was on the lookout for another mode of transport, something smaller than the jet, and a lot cheaper to run. He couldn't rely on May to keep ferrying him from place to place, cabs were expensive, and public transport wasn't always reliable. Lola had stood out, but because of that no one took a second look. Why would a secret agent drive such a flashy car? She was inconspicuous because she was noticeable.
For everything else, there was the Bus.
Phil deliberately kept his eyes off his old car whenever he had to go to the garage, which was part of the reason he avoided it as much as possible. So when Stark called him down to the garage, saying that he had the solution to Phil's transport issues, he was tempted to ignore the billionaire on principle. But he knew that Fitz hated to see them at odds, and Phil had a soft spot for his engineer. Formerly his, because he was firmly with Banner and Stark now, and Phil couldn't bring himself to disrupt that.
"About damn time," Stark said when Phil stepped out of the elevator. He frowned at the billionaire.
"Take it up with JARVIS. He brought me directly here."
"I'm talking about the last few weeks." Stark pushed him forward, and Phil saw Lola. Right in front of him. Stark shoved the keys into Phil's unresisting hand.
"Stark—"
"You handed over your car and your team. You didn't need to do both."
"I can't—"
"And if you'd been anywhere near us since then, we could've handed her back over to you. I'm sure she's a sweet ride, but Mack's the only one who's handled her."
"She can fly again, as well," Mack said. Phil narrowed his eyes, and then glanced at Lola again.
"There's no way I can keep her," he said. "The World Security Council isn't forking anything out, since SHIELD no longer technically exists the government's not funding us, and I don't have much left to sell. If you hand Lola back to me, I'm just going to find another buyer."
"And I'll just keep returning her to you," Stark said. "You need fuel? Let me provide it. We'll do any repairs you need. Leo asked me to, but I was going to make the offer anyway." He gestured vaguely. "To be your backer."
Phil swallowed. "I can't accept that. It's not your job—"
"The Avengers Initiative was started by SHIELD, the good guys in SHIELD. We were supposed to be affiliated with you, and you were supposed to be our liaison. One of my soulmates has vouched for you, and that's more than enough for me. You need it."
"…What exactly are you… do you want to fund?"
"The Avengers' Secret Service. You find the bad guys, take out the ones you can, call us for the bigger threats. I'm thinking TASS?"
"TASS?"
"Better than The Ass."
"If you think so, then you're not doing it properly," Phil muttered. He tightened his grip around the keys. "She's…"
"Yours. Like Fury wanted. I don't need her." He slapped Phil on the back. "Go on. We'll give you a moment alone with her." Phil gave him an irritated look, but silently appreciated the gesture. He noticed Fitz following Banner, Mack, and Stark into the elevator. "Oh, by the way. Turns out that all this stuff I'd been buying up to create a museum just to annoy Steve? All the Cap merch you've been selling off. Want it back, just ask."
Then he departed with the others, leaving Phil reeling. Alone with his car, he walked over and touched the door, ran his finger along the smooth side. He exhaled shakily.
"Hi, baby," he murmured. "Daddy's… Daddy's back. Daddy's got you."
He opened the door with unsteady hands and nearly fell into the driver's seat. He stroked the dashboard, his throat tightening. He lowered his head, reminding himself that it was just a car.
Not just a car. She saved Skye's and my life. She's all I have left.
"It's okay," he said, reassuring both of them. "Just the two of us now, but that's okay. We'll go back to base ASAP."
"Don't." Well, that sure as hell wasn't Lola. Phil raised his head with a jerk, and stared as Sam and Steve walked out of the shadows. Sam shrugged his shoulders and continued. "Why are you keeping away from us?"
"We're your soulmates," Steve said. As if Phil needed reminding.
"I know that," he said.
"You haven't been acting like it!"
"I don't know why you're offended."
"He doesn't know why we're offended," Steve muttered, turning away and pacing. Sam approached Phil.
"You're rejecting us," he said.
"But…" Phil frowned. "You have no reason to—"
"To what?" Steve asked, scowling at Phil.
"To… to want me."
"Why the hell not?"
Phil looked from one of them to the other, and climbed out of Lola. He locked her doors and slipped the keys into his pocket, then leaned back against her.
"Why's everyone on my case about this?"
"If you don't want us—"
"I didn't say that!" Phil bit his lip, sighing through his nose. "I had a soulmate. I was in love with her. Then I died, and we both got new marks. It's a lot to take in; we're both still alive, and if she didn't think I was dead I could try to reconnect with her. But it wouldn't be fair on her new soulmate, or on her." He looked up at Sam, who was standing only a few feet away. "It would be nice to be able to bond with someone. I never got that far with Audrey. New York and Loki happened before I could… But I haven't been with a man in years, and… you two are so alike. You're so comfortable together; everyone sees that. If the world knew, it would also see that. I'd be the one who doesn't fit in." He hugged himself, and met Steve's eyes. "That's why I don't like triads. Unless everyone meets at once… and that's why I was worried about sending Fitz to the tower. I didn't want him to get hurt, just as I didn't want to lose him."
"If you stayed here, you wouldn't be losing anybody," Steve said. "You'd be getting us, for one thing."
"Two things, technically," Sam said. He took another step closer to Phil. "Let me try something?"
Phil looked to Steve, then back to Sam. It'd been a long time since he had butterflies like this, but he kept still while Sam cupped his cheek. Then Sam was kissing him, and Phil melted into the welcome touch. He held onto the Falcon's shoulders as he was pressed into the metal.
"Fuck." That was Steve Rogers swearing. "Can I join in?"
Phil stared, astonished, as Steve walked up, tilted Phil's head back, and kissed him as well. It was harder than the other; where Sam was tender, Steve was hungry. Phil hooked an arm around the captain's neck to keep his balance, parting his lips when prompted. When Steve finally pulled back, Phil had to orient himself. He fixed on Sam's wide grin.
"Let's take this somewhere else," he said, holding out a hand. Phil thought for a moment.
"Let's not," he said.
Then he unlocked Lola's doors.
On the balcony outside their room, Tony, Bruce, and Fitz lay curled up on the big sun lounge Tony had set up. Bruce was curled around Fitz, and Tony had his arm around both of them, the other holding a glass of scotch. He took a sip, content to gaze at the fading skyline over New York City.
"Let's get married," he said. He felt Leo's head turn up against his chest. Bruce chuckled.
"Good thing you're the only one still drinking," he said. "Does that have something to do with it?"
"I was sober when I bought rings for all three of us. Do you want me to get them? I'll go get them—"
"No!" Fitz said quickly. He placed his hand on Tony's knee. "Stay here. 'M comfortable."
"…Is that a no to marriage as well?"
"No, it's not a no to marriage. It's very much a yes to marriage, but would you please stay still? You're nice and warm, and I want to enjoy this moment. All right?"
Tony shrugged slightly, and looked at Bruce, who was trying to hide his grin in Fitz's curly hair.
"Well, Brucey?"
"I'm in."
"Good. Because I already asked Leo's dad about it, and he's fine."
"You asked my dad?" Fitz said. "Christ, you're brave."
"He likes tech."
"…You bribed him, didn't you?"
"Just showed that you'd be cared for by both your soulmates, and that I'd fly you out to Scotland whenever you wanted to see your family. And they're safe from HYDRA, by the way. If there's any breach of security there, we'll know."
Fitz nuzzled Tony's chest, just above the centre. "Thank you, Tony."
"Anything for the two of you."
"An' thanks for giving Lola back to Phil."
"He kinda shoved her onto me. I couldn't just accept that."
"I can't believe how much has changed."
"Like what?" Bruce asked, rubbing his hand up and down Fitz's front.
"Like finding my soulmates, and being fixed."
"Stop saying that, Leo. You weren't broken."
"And it's sweet of you to offer to find and kill Grant Ward, but he could've killed us any other way. We all knew that the box was supposed to float. Chances are, he thought he was protecting us."
"But—"
"But nothing, Bruce. I know you want to smash him, but he saved Simmons' life. He saved all our lives at one point or another, and never made a move against us. Not one which he could have perceived as life-threatening. Just because he was HYDRA doesn't mean he wasn't our friend."
Tony kissed the top of his head. "Never change your view of the world, Leo. It's naïve, but it's nice."
Jennyrosity suggested Bruce/Fitz/Tony, with the Science Bros determined to fix Fitz and then go after Ward. Somehow, Phil/Sam/Steve happened, and I'm not entirely sure how. I considered just Phil/Sam, but I couldn't resist marking Steve with a line from 'Copacabana'. (And yes, I actually cried when I wrote the car giveaway scene. I'm cruel, not completely heartless.)
So we're resuming the angst transmission, apparently. On the bright side, you might be interested to hear that I'm considering the possibility of writing a companion chaptered fic to this one. Not so much continuations of the stories as… pretty much pure smut. Each of the ships bonding in their respective chapters, basically. Not all bonding has to lead to smut, but some of it will. I know many have requested proper continuations, but I like to leave endings which are open to interpretation, and then let the readers imagine what they like. Also, it means less work for me, time I could be spending on writing more chapters for this.
In other words, who wants smutty-smutty bonding scenes? If they're too explicit, I'll have to restrict the companion piece to AO3, but the link to my profile there is on my profile for ffnet.
Please review!