Wrong place, wrong time

theshielddoctor:

agentsterling:

theshielddoctor:

agentsterling:

theshielddoctor:

Ekka stopped walking. “What the hell are they going to do to me? Poke me and prod me? Not fucking happening. I want you to swear to me that they won’t touch me.”

“I swear.” He said calmly. “You may not know it due to the nature of this magic, but you are technically in the future. In this world you are an adult and this spell has de-aged you into a teenager.” Sterling half smiled at her. “You’re a doctor here.” He wasn’t sure if this information would rile her up more or calm her down but it was something. He couldn’t lie to her and explaining the situation seemed the only option other than just not speaking at all.

“Are you shitting me? I actually get through Med school without my mother fucking it up?” She grinned, slightly victorious. “Hells yeah.” It made her feel better, at least slightly, to know that she actually became a doctor, even if she wasn’t one now.

“So you’ll come with me? You’ll cooperate?” Sterling didn’t reach out for her, knowing she didn’t want to get touched, but he tilted his head in a questioning manner, hopefully setting his body language to inviting and reassuring.

Ekka thought for a moment, before nodding. “Yeah. I’ll cooperate. Just… keep your promise. No touching.”

“Hands off. Got it.” Sterling said, hands up and palms open to show he had nothing to harm her with. “Come on. Let’s get you somewhere safe.” He clicked his radio to life. “Lift the lock-down. MARC subject peacefully subdued.”

[Dude, and police uniform pants do not wrinkle that easily. I know. I wore them for a year.

Dear God, they DO NOT BREATHE THOUGH. Holy fuck, can you imagine wearing those things in the summer in Louisiana? Hot as BALLS in that uniform.

Sorry. Rambling.]

Missing Pieces

toxichourglass:

agentsterling:

“Thank you…” He smiled. “I took them in because I wanted to protect them and I thought I was the only one who could… and then I drag them into this where they are in worse danger than they’ve ever been in… And Barton keeps…” Sterling started getting frustrated just thinking about it, trying not to curse in front of her. “Harping on me about keeping them safe and being home enough for them and how I don’t know anything about them anymore because I’m always working and you know… I… I try. I gave up everything to bring them here and keep them safe and happy and I can’t be HOME all the time. So I give up more so I can and I…” He sighed. “I’m sorry. I’m rambling. I swear I don’t do that.” He rubbed his mouth and then his forehead. “I know I can trust you so I sort of… opened the flood gates. I apologize.”

They had spent hours in that room drinking mug after mug of coffee. Sterling had memorized how she took hers and prepared her glass just how she liked it without even thinking. He handed Natasha the mug and took up his own.

“I’ve just been a mess the last few months but… I’m getting better. I’ve been working really hard on getting better.”

She held onto her mug and walked back over to the desk, carefully sitting down in her chair before taking a sip of the fresh coffee. “It’s okay. Really, don’t worry about it.” Giving Sterling a reassuring smile, Natasha took another sip before setting her mug down on the coaster and straightened up the folders in front of them.

“When was the last time you took a couple of days off and just spent time with them? Or even taken them outside of New York, away from all the craziness here? That might help. I’m sure they know that you’re there for them, but maybe they just want to spend some time with you.”

“I really should take them out of town… I’ve gone a few times without them. I mean, logically I couldn’t take them with me the places I was going but I I did feel bad leaving them.” He shrugged, calmer now as he took a sip of his coffee again. Sterling sat down opposite her as it looked like work was about to proceed again. He wasn’t thrilled with the idea of getting back to this chaos but if it would stop his whining rambling he welcomed it.

Usually he would talk about this sort of thing with Barton. Lately… he had been scarce and barely anymore stable than he was. Sharing his troubles with his best friend would just make things worse right now. In a way, he supposed it had built up and Natasha was the first person to really wiggle the cork enough for it to all come flooding out.

She was really easy to talk to…

“You’re a great listener. Thank you.” Erikson smiled at her in thanks and went to shuffling through the reports again. “Up for another round of watching the security footage?”

thefavoriteminion asked: ((You influenced a teeshirt purchase of mine. A fluffy cat wearing a bowtie. I saw that and was like '.... Yes I must have Sterling in his cat form as a shirt' and now it has a place of honor in my closet with my fandom shirts. Seeing as Marvel hasn't made, you know, Agent Sterling action figures yet.))

[If I had all the money in the world, I would buy two Coulson Action Figure by Hot Toys and then… the John Blake Hot Toys head sculpt I saw on ebay… Switch out the heads on one of them and have a Sterling because… Suit.

Now I need a dapper kitty shirt. :333]

Anonymous asked: So I got my coloured lenses for my cosplay a few days ago and I noticed that the colour of the lenses were Sterling Grey. Sterling. So each time I'm about to put them on I say ''Gonna put on my Sterling now!'' or ''Gonna get on Sterling now!'' and each time I think about... well... Sterling. So yeh, just wanted to share that random piece of information, I'm just gonna go put on Sterling now! Ciao~

[I am in love with this.

I’m flattered I effect people’s personal lives as well as RP. Thank you for sharing! <3]

Missing Pieces

toxichourglass:

agentsterling:

“Well, we have an avenger living with us so…” He shrugged with a smile. “Plus, I was shot outside my apartment. Could have happened anywhere, really. But the girls did great. Got right into position under my bed with the door locked and a gun in hand and waited for Barton to come get them. Just like safety drills. I was very proud. I just want them safe and I know they never will be with me… Not anymore.”

He knew Natasha knew that feeling.

Leaning against the wall next to the counter, Natasha crossed her arms over her chest and nodded. That was one of the many reasons why she never let anyone get close to her. Enough people had died because of her and she didn’t want any more names added to that list.

“You still want to do everything you can to make sure they’re safe, that they won’t get drawn into this world full of espionage and constant risks.” A small, sad smile made its way across her face as she gave a light shrug. “You have people here that will help do everything they can to keep Abby and Aimee safe, Barton and myself included.”

“Thank you…” He smiled. “I took them in because I wanted to protect them and I thought I was the only one who could… and then I drag them into this where they are in worse danger than they’ve ever been in… And Barton keeps…” Sterling started getting frustrated just thinking about it, trying not to curse in front of her. “Harping on me about keeping them safe and being home enough for them and how I don’t know anything about them anymore because I’m always working and you know… I… I try. I gave up everything to bring them here and keep them safe and happy and I can’t be HOME all the time. So I give up more so I can and I…” He sighed. “I’m sorry. I’m rambling. I swear I don’t do that.” He rubbed his mouth and then his forehead. “I know I can trust you so I sort of… opened the flood gates. I apologize.”

They had spent hours in that room drinking mug after mug of coffee. Sterling had memorized how she took hers and prepared her glass just how she liked it without even thinking. He handed Natasha the mug and took up his own.

“I’ve just been a mess the last few months but… I’m getting better. I’ve been working really hard on getting better.”

Missing Pieces

toxichourglass:

agentsterling:

“They know how to use a gun.” Sterling said, a bit gravely. “We have emergency protocols in case something happens. So Abby has been taught how to load, shoot, and clean a gun.” He rubbed his mouth with one hand, taking her coffee mug with the other. “Never thought I’d actually have to put one of them into action until a few months ago when I was shot right outside the apartment. Barton tell you we moved into his apartment complex?”

Natasha shook her head, a concerned look on her face as she watched Sterling. “I didn’t know about that. I mean, I heard people talk about him buying an apartment complex, but I didn’t know that you all moved in. I might have to talk to him about security and see what he’s doing about that. It needs to be safe for all of you so nothing like that happens again.”

“Well, we have an avenger living with us so…” He shrugged with a smile. “Plus, I was shot outside my apartment. Could have happened anywhere, really. But the girls did great. Got right into position under my bed with the door locked and a gun in hand and waited for Barton to come get them. Just like safety drills. I was very proud. I just want them safe and I know they never will be with me… Not anymore.”

He knew Natasha knew that feeling.

Missing Pieces

toxichourglass:

agentsterling:

“No, that’s quite alright.” He smiled. He didn’t often like to bring up the girls at work. The pictures had been removed from his desk and wallet, he talked about them so rarely at work that hearing their names actually sent a small mild bolt of fear and surprise running through him before he remembered who it was that was inquiring.

“They’re great. Abby is learning to drive despite not really NEEDING to in New York but… She’s almost 18 and well… That whole, wanting independance thing is kicking in stronger than usual. She’s been trying to find a job too. Despite my wishes for her to just… Stay home and be a kid for a little longer. Pretty sure Barton has been corrupting Aimee though. She’s becoming obsessed with archery. I found a bow in her closet the other day. Apparently he’s been giving them secret lessons. I’ve yet to kill him for it.”

The coffee maker light came on and Sterling turned to it to check. He held out his hand, pointed to Natasha’s cup, and waited for her to hand it to him so he could refill it for her.

Natasha stood up, mug in hand before she took a step and passed the empty cup to Sterling. She couldn’t help but chuckle and shake her head at the thought of Barton teaching the girls, or anyone for that matter, how to shoot with a bow and arrow. From how it sounded, at least they were living normal teenage lives. That was a good thing in Natasha’s book, considering she never had one.

“Sounds like you might have to slip something into his coffee one of these days,” she joked before taking taking on a more serious tone. “Just make sure he doesn’t let them practice with any explosive tip arrows or anything that could actually harm someone or themselves. Knowing Barton, he’s just making sure that they’re safe. Better to learn with a bow and arrow than with a gun, especially at their age. Trust me.”

“They know how to use a gun.” Sterling said, a bit gravely. “We have emergency protocols in case something happens. So Abby has been taught how to load, shoot, and clean a gun.” He rubbed his mouth with one hand, taking her coffee mug with the other. “Never thought I’d actually have to put one of them into action until a few months ago when I was shot right outside the apartment. Barton tell you we moved into his apartment complex?”

Missing Pieces

toxichourglass:

agentsterling:

Sterling was actually very surprised at her willingness to help, especially with something as huge and daunting as teaching him another language.

“Thank you.” He said, shock still somewhat present in his voice and expression. “That would really help. Especially with the money.” He scratched his head with a smile. “I’ve got college funds to save for, after all. Haha.”

“No problem,” she smiled, knowing how surprised Sterling was about her wanting to help him. He had been a good friend to Barton and it was the least she could do. Chatting about something other than work was a welcome break from cramming their heads full of the same information over and over just to figure out what was missing from the reports or footage from the mission.

“How are Abby and Aimee, by the way? If I may ask?” Natasha knew bits and pieces about Sterling’s sisters, and though it might not have been professional to ask, Sterling was one of her fellow agents that she enjoyed talking to. “You don’t have to answer that, if you don’t want to.”

“No, that’s quite alright.” He smiled. He didn’t often like to bring up the girls at work. The pictures had been removed from his desk and wallet, he talked about them so rarely at work that hearing their names actually sent a small mild bolt of fear and surprise running through him before he remembered who it was that was inquiring.

“They’re great. Abby is learning to drive despite not really NEEDING to in New York but… She’s almost 18 and well… That whole, wanting independance thing is kicking in stronger than usual. She’s been trying to find a job too. Despite my wishes for her to just… Stay home and be a kid for a little longer. Pretty sure Barton has been corrupting Aimee though. She’s becoming obsessed with archery. I found a bow in her closet the other day. Apparently he’s been giving them secret lessons. I’ve yet to kill him for it.”

The coffee maker light came on and Sterling turned to it to check. He held out his hand, pointed to Natasha’s cup, and waited for her to hand it to him so he could refill it for her.

Box with a bow

A mysterious box sat in Agent Romanoff’s work space. It was small, blue, and instead of a bow one might normally find on a gift, an origami bowtie sat neatly on top. Sterling had decided that it would come to be his calling card rather than signing his name on gifts.

Inside the box were two different tins of coffee flavors, a mug, a to-go coffee cup, and a mug warmer to plug in while she worked. A small folded card read “Well, I know you like coffee.”

He could have asked Barton what she liked, but Sterling prefered to go with what he knew about people and build from there. Coffee and Russia were the only things that came to mind when he thought of her… Other than her crushing people’s heads between her thighs but he couldn’t think of a gift based on that.

Other than a human head or a nut cracker of a pair of legs he once saw in a store.

Now that he thought about it, that would have been a pretty funny gift…

Next year…

agentgoldstein asked: Strangers Like Me - my character teaches yours about something new

“THIS…” Sterling said, holding up a white and yellow tube. “Is Boudreaux’s Butt Paste. Helps with diaper rash.” He handed the tube to Lilliana for her to examine. Sterling hadn’t taken care of an infant in years so he was still sort of rediscovering the shelves of the store as he went through and helped Agent Goldstein with her problem. “What did you say this was for again?”

“Uh… Babysitting.” She smiled awkwardly at him, trying to not make it painfully obvious that it was a lie.

She failed.

“Alright then… So we’ve already gone through diapers and changing them. It’s not rocket science like everyone on TV makes it look. It’s actually pretty straight forward. Just gotta make sure you don’t put it on backwards. The kind I gave you has Elmo on the front. Make sure he goes on the front.” He looked through the shelves again making sure he didn’t miss anything. “Alright… I think we covered everything. Now, it’s been a while since I’ve had to take care of an infant but I think I got my facts straight. You ok?”

“Yeah. I think so.”

“Whose kid is it you’re watching?”

“My… Brother’s… neighbor’s… roommate’s… Second cousin.” Lilliana cleared her throat. “Or some shit like that.”

“… Uh huh. Right. Well, you have my number if anything goes horribly wrong. And… Well, what I really suggest is getting Agent McKeen’s number. She could talk you through anything child related. I promise you that.”

“Thanks, Creeper Twin. This means a lot.”

“Anytime, Lil.”