Don't Mention Demi Moore (Clint/Phil | PG13 | 14,599 words): After The Avengers, Phil Coulson returns as a ghost. This is a wonderful fix-it for the end of The Avengers, even if it was thoroughly jossed by later canon. I thought the explanation of what was happening made sense given canon, and more importantly I thought the Clint and Phil's emotions as they dealt with what was going on were realistic and touching.
Excerpt:
'He's here? Where?'
'Are spirits not visible in this world?'
'We don't have spirits in this world.'
The hubbub dies down a little as Rogers gets meaningfully to his feet, with a look of a person Doing the Right Thing. 'Hello Agent Coulson,' he says firmly. 'We're all very grateful to you for serving your country, sir.'
Clint snorts. That's Captain America all over, managing to slip in a tiny implied reprimand to the others that it's rude to talk about someone like they're not there. Which it is, but honestly, when confronted by a ghost people tend to focus on incredulity first and good manners a distant second.
Phil's all pink round the ears, looking at Clint with an expression as close as he ever comes to discomposure. 'Clint, Captain America just thanked me. Tell him I said… something. Anything.'
It's too good to miss. Clint turns a solemn, serious face to Rogers. 'He says yeah, you owe him one, but if he can get a naked picture of you he'll call it even.'
Excerpt:
'He's here? Where?'
'Are spirits not visible in this world?'
'We don't have spirits in this world.'
The hubbub dies down a little as Rogers gets meaningfully to his feet, with a look of a person Doing the Right Thing. 'Hello Agent Coulson,' he says firmly. 'We're all very grateful to you for serving your country, sir.'
Clint snorts. That's Captain America all over, managing to slip in a tiny implied reprimand to the others that it's rude to talk about someone like they're not there. Which it is, but honestly, when confronted by a ghost people tend to focus on incredulity first and good manners a distant second.
Phil's all pink round the ears, looking at Clint with an expression as close as he ever comes to discomposure. 'Clint, Captain America just thanked me. Tell him I said… something. Anything.'
It's too good to miss. Clint turns a solemn, serious face to Rogers. 'He says yeah, you owe him one, but if he can get a naked picture of you he'll call it even.'