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Phil Coulson, unsung hero, national treasure, doing the jobs no one else wants to do.

"Sometimes it's the sneakiest way in, okay; I know everyone's seen Die Hard, but only the truly paranoid ever put traps in vents." He's pretty sure Stark hasn't, but also, those vents are not person-sized. Pretty sure that was deliberate.

"And if Stark wants a few pointers on shooting, he knows where to find me."

He stays right where he's at, eyes sliding shut, for several long moments. His breathing evens out much more deliberately this time. The terrible crawling sensation that makes him want to shuck his own skin recedes to just a very, very distant occasional buzzing. The beast beneath his breast calms its frantic and rapid-fire beating.

"Thanks." For being a good handler. For being a good friend. For being here. "And sorry. Again. Shouldn't have to be on babysitting duty for me."

"I'm getting paid to babysit four other people with varying cases of PTSD." Phil pats him on the shoulder. "It's different when it's you and Natasha. None of it is babysitting."

He's done actual babysitting when he was watching Stark the first time. With the others, it is closer to babysitting. He doesn't have the same sort of relationship with them that he has with Clint and Natasha. They're charges to keep track of and make sure are taking care of themselves.

Clint and Natasha are friends. They're the people Phil trusts with his own PTSD.

"I'll have a bad day soon and you'll have to put me back together." Hopefully not literally. Phil would not enjoy losing himself to whatever Fury did to his mind. "Don't let the others freak out too much. I'm sure they won't know what to do."

Because none of them had ever seen Phil fall apart before. It was rare but possible.

"Could be worse. Could've put you on literal babysitting duty for Laura. Our own resident battle nanny."

He can't even argue the cases all around of post-traumatic stress. He's got his shit, Nat's got a whole dossier of trauma, Tony's probably got so many things going on he hasn't realized are traumas but the nearly dying in space thing has very clearly got him freaked out, Bruce is finally working on his issues with the other guy, and Steve's got being a man out of time.

So no. Phil does not have an enviable job. And he's right. It's going to bubble up to a point where he can't hold it inside himself anymore. There's only so much that logic and rational thinking and friendly chats can do with something so enormous. It might be quiet or it might be loud, but however it happens, it won't be pretty.

He claps Phil on the back. "What they'll do is worry. I'll be here. And if I'm not here, someone better call me so I can be here."

These little chats are like loosening the pressure value just enough to let a little steam out. Phil feels better after talking with Clint. He's also pleased that the alcohol hasn't done anything to unwind whatever is holding his mind together.

Even with the talk of trauma, death, and losing their minds it's been a good nigh. Things are a little lighter. Clint seems steadier. Phil feels a warm sense of satisfaction helping his friend be more himself.

"If you're not here, Natasha should be." He trusts Natasha will know what to do. "And it's possible they'll be able to handle it if she isn't. Banner's reasonable."

Even if he has a huge anger problem. "Think you can get some sleep now?"

Natasha can help put Phil back together, sure, and Clint trusts her enough to do so. But still. He wants to be here to help.

Friendship isn't transactional, but still. It feels like the least he could do to pay his handler back. "Definitely gonna be able to try, anyway. Unless you wanna go a couple rounds with me. Otherwise, probably gonna kick my feet up, put on the tv, and doze off to some late night telenovela or something. If I'm lucky, I'll have the wherewithal to drag my sorry ass to bed before that."

He considers having another drink in actuality, a little nightcap. Decides against it. "You should get some rest, too."

"We can schedule a time for hand to hand training when the sun is up." Phil can hold his own but he's not particularly in the mood at this late hour. It is necessary though. The muscles in his chest could get tight if he didn't stick with his physical therapy. He would need to adjust his fighting style to the new restrictions.

He walks back towards his desk to make a very deliberate show of saving and closing much of what he was working on. "Jarvis will find time in our schedules that works best for both of us. You'll have a calendar invite in the morning. Try to remember to accept it."

Phil smiles fondly at Clint. Paperwork was not one of his strengths but he's gotten better over the years being immersed in SHIELD bureaucracy.

"Maybe call your wife," he suggests as he walks Clint to the door. "And think about going to visit. I can always make a solo op for you."

Because Clint's family is important and to be protected. Phil will make it so the other Avengers never question it.

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