tasernanny | Dream of Californication

Phil makes a note every time Scott stops and what catches his eye for future gift giving or a pleasant surprise. He can't help but catalogue details about the people he meets. It's in his nature at this point. This he plans to use for good, however.

"I was recruited as soon as I graduated college," Phil says and makes a face as he does the math. It's a very, very long time or feels like it when he looks at a calendar. "I went into the Army first to gain some skills before officially joining. My first field mission was '95."

And he still remembers it well and how he had trusted Fury over protocol. It was the start of a long last, deeply important friendship. He still, occasionally, misses having him around for advice and a drink.

"Like I said, I have no idea where else I could've ended up."

He listens quietly as Phil explains to him 'how it started' admittedly he is sort of curious how someone gets into a field like this. But he isn't surprise that Phil is dedicated and good at what he does.

Apparently part of that is how long he's been doing it. He makes a sort of wow face and laughs, giving Phil a playful little squeeze. "You were way more responsible than I was in '95. I was living on my own, but that's about where me being responsible ends."

It took him a daughter to get his shit together and even then, he's still not sure. "But I get that feeling. I'd probably be back in jail if I didn't have Hank and the Avengers." I mean he'd been locked up because of them too but there was a huge difference to Scott before the Ant-Man suit and after and he's incredibly thankful for it.

"Plus, if you didn't I wouldn't have met you and that would have been quite the bummer." It's a tease but there is actually a lot of truth to it as well. They'd known each other professionally for a few years and intimately for only a short while but Scott hadn't been this delighted in a long time. "It's truly a tragedy not to know me."

"I got all my rebellion and anger issues out early. I was ready to be a very serious man in a cheap suit." He didn't get the good suits until later when SHIELD could pay him better and he could afford them. "I only occasionally disobeyed a direct order and lied."

It is a little surprising how nice this is. He's genuinely amused by Scott's jokes and there's no denying how much he likes looking at him. There's a levity Scott brings to his life that Phil knows he can forget unless someone's around to remind him.

"It would have been," Phil agrees in his most dry and serious tone. "I'm a delight to know."

He leans over and brushes his lips against Scott's temple, lingering just a little bit so Scott can feel the smile on his face. Phil's life would certainly be a lot less interesting if he didn't know Scott.

"What electrical engineering?" he asks. They've talked about Phil's past a little bit and how he got into this but he's noticed Scott doesn't talk about his own skills outside of being a former thief and criminal. It's interesting but Phil tries not to poke at it.

He is on a date with his lover? partner? boyfriend? not in the middle of an interrogation. The secret agent side of himself can take over.

"As it turns out, there isn't much money in engineering." And oh man wasn't that the truth. Every time he tried to bet a little more a member of normal society he found it had to not go back to easy money, taking it from people who had far too much of it had always been a bad habit of his. "A lot more money in the... Repo business." That's an interesting way to put B&E's Scott. "That's a tidbit you won't find in the book."

The VistaCorp incident was far from his first job. He made a lot of money breaking into mansions to steal things that were previously stolen from other people who also had far too much money and who paid Scott good money to do it 'quietly'. Which meant he'd mostly floated under the radar of the police, the items in question usually being things they ought not to have in the first place so no one ever reports them missing but they do want them back. That's where Scott came in.

"I used to make a lot of money stealing from the rich and giving to the... Richer. I was really good at what I did. I figured out a lot about how things work, and how to make them not work." Security cameras, alarm systems, safes, locks, sensors. The list goes on and on. But he never took more than he needed, and never from anyone who couldn't really take that hit. He'd always toed that line fairly well until he'd been sent over the edge by VistaCorp taking from people who couldn't handle those losses.

"And at least you got it out of your system. I don't think I've gotten there yet, as you know from last night." He teases giving the others backside a playful squeeze as Phil closes distance between them. "I'm still such a little shit, and have a bad habit of getting my ass in trouble."

Oh, there's a lot he knows about Scott that isn't public record even before they started sleeping together. SHIELD has extensive knowledge on a lot of people, especially ones that could be useful assets in the future. Scott walked the same line as Clint before he was recruited. A criminal who could be useful but wasn't a large enough threat to take out. Maybe one day he'll let Scott read the file SHIELD has on him. From before Pym.

"I wouldn't say it's completely out of my system. It's there when I need it." Phil very deliberately presses his fingers against one of the bruises he left on Scott last night with his teeth. It's a perfect example of how Phil can use that aggression.

"You would probably like the hacker I have on my team." Which was why Phil was a little nervous about the team meeting Scott. It will happen eventually. His team is nosey and he likes spending time with Scott. The paths will cross. Phil just has to be ready when they do. "She also likes to break into electronic places and take things from people who are so arrogant they don't think anyone can."

Clint and Scott were cut from similar cloths. Maybe that was why they got along. That and the fact that they'd been locked up together while going through the works awaiting their plea deal for their involvement in Berlin. You get to know people pretty decently when you're stuck in a small square with them for a few months. Hence why Luis is still one of his greatest friends.

So Scott gets that slight nervousness. Eventually, and he can almost hear Luis' voice in his head as he explains that he heard from Ignacio who was out with his old lady after he got stupid at the club the night so was treating her to a nice breakfast and they'd seen saw Scott out at Zazies for bunch with a man who looked a little like some sort of golf buddy; but they were definitely not playing golf cause his old lady seen him playing footsies under the table and she 'thought that was real progressive'. He can see the whole thing already. Eventually Scott will probably just tell Luis, at least in the most basic of ways of what they are. Because he's not ashamed of what he feels for Phil it's just, complicated, given their careers.

"Yeah? I probably would, cause that's a favourite hobby of mine, hence why I'm one of the best security consultants on the West Coast. We'll have to trade secrets some time." Its an earnest sentiment, because he would like to meet them if only because already the Phil goes on about his team they're more than coworkers. They're family, and Scott gets that. But when the time is right and right now, it's easier to just focus on the thing in front of him;

A very handsome man pressing into a bruise left the night before. It gets a soft moan from Scott, cutting it so it gets trapped in his throat as a low noise no one can hear but Phil. "I like you haven't completely lost it, and that your military days have left you with some interesting take down methods..." He speaks very softly against the other, making sure no one walking by can hear his little confession of admiration.

Edited (FUCK ME) 2023-04-30 16:21 (UTC)

It will be a whole thing and an interesting one. Phil's faced down bombs, torture, and Asgardian Gods so he imagines Scott's ex-convict friends are going to be an interesting stand off. He already expects none of them will really like Scott dating essentially a cop.

He's more nervous about the fact he might meet Scott's daughter one day. That's the person he wants to like him. Cassie's the one that matters.

Not yet, though. They're still in the early, mostly honeymoon phase of their relationship. Things could change. Work could get in the way. There are a number of factors to consider on why this won't work out.

None of which are on Phil's mind right now because Scott makes lovely noises and complimenting his skills. Any man would like it.

"You can hold your own," he murmurs back just as soft. "Some of those moves are a little underhanded but I like the challenge."

A perfectly obedient person would be boring in bed. He likes Scott's spirit, kind of like how he enjoys Scott's jokes. He still shifts them away from talk of kinky sex in public. He can tell Scott's having to control himself.

"Have you seen anything that inspires you?" he asks gesturing with a hand to mean the market as a whole. "I'll admit I'm curious about the homemade chorizo we saw earlier."

"Chorizo huh?' Scott welcomes the distraction because Phil will have to keep him focused, he's a very distracted person and can easily get himself wrapped up in a moment without much thought to the outside world. But it's probably not best to try and jump the other man in the middle of the market, so it's good someone has more than the two braincells.

"What about Mexican soup with it?" He seems to have a light bulb moment. "Yeah. That'd be actually really good! We can get some fresh veggies and cilantro. I have some veggie stock I have to use up anyway. Perfect." Well hope you want soup Phil cause Scotts just decided that's what they're having, it's been a long time since he's made it. You can thank Luis for it, even if Phil is right. He probably would be 100% weirded out by Scott dating Phil, not because he's a man but because he was a cop.

But he also thought it was weird Scott still hung out with Woo sometimes when he was in town so there was that.

"There's a guy in the back who has like the best herbs and even does like rubs and mixed spices and stuff."

"We can make fresh bread to go with it." Phil is perfectly fine with soup. He drapes his arm over Scott's shoulders and steers him towards the back of the market. What he assumes is the back but Scott can correct him if necessary. "Although, what should we do for desert?"

He is planning to stay that long. At least one more night before his own sense of responsibility pulls him back to work. It's a miracle he's taken a weekend off but that whole dead business did really change his view on a lot of things. He wants to be here and the world can wait for two days so he can. Even thinking it feels like tempting fate.

It's worth it to watch Scott get inspired and embrace that inspiration without any hesitation. He brightens, his handsome face lighting up so Phil can see some of the wrinkles around his eyes and the corner of his mouth. He's a really handsome guy.

"Does this herb guy make any soup mixes I can take back on the plane?" Phil would like to make the food on the Bus as good as possible with a tiny plane kitchen. It's a great plane but it's not the kitchen at Scott's place.

"That sounds absolutely heavenly." He leans into the touch a little as they walk together. Scott taking care to match Phil's pace.

That's one of the moments Scott has been so likened to a retriever in so many way. Just happy to be there. He'll deal with the consequences later of fate catching up to them. Right now he simply nods at the others inquiry.

"Oh yeah he's got all the good stuff." He smiles moving a little in beat to the music. He is honestly that excited, and the good thing about soup is it's very set it and forget it. Leaving them open for other things after all the prep work. "He does dry rubs to die for." Scott's practically drooling as a hand snakes up to meet Phil's own soaking in their closeness. "And I may even have an extra Dutch oven you can borrow. Might help you out." His kitchen is small but perfect for working his magic.

He's excited to cook a good meal for Phil, hopefully getting the chance to repay him for honestly taking such good care of him in so many ways lately.

"That's nice of you to offer but I could only use it at the secret base and not on the Bus where I spend most of my time." Phil still believed in leading from the field and not behind a desk. Desk work was incredibly boring after a long time. Yes, he knew everything about paperwork but that didn't mean he really enjoyed it. It needed to get done.

He lifts his arm enough for Scott to dance a little, watching him with fond amusement. It's like he can't stop himself but the music was good. Okay, he would make a note of that. Take Scott dancing.

"Besides if you give me the means to cook for myself I would need to come up with new reasons to visit you," he teases.

Once Scott settles down Phil puts his arm right back across his shoulders. He doesn't intend to go anywhere and would definitely return for more than Scott's cooking.

"You sure? It's just a little baby one." He teases, it's the one he got when he lived with Luis for a bit. It wasn't very big but it was a pretty nice one, they'll have to revisit it.

Scotts even the sort to dance to the beat in his own head. He appreciates the space for movement and even pulls Phil in for a wave or two of hands before settling back into his arm and finding the booth he was talking about. It's loaded with fresh and dried herbs. Everything from sage to cilantro. Packs of dried mixtures from dry rubs to mix ins for dips.

"Mmm... Can't have that. I have to be good for something in this relationship." He teases, he knows he's more than just a cook but he likes doing that for others. It's how he shows love and dare he say it, he really loves Phil. He wont say it yet but he feels it, he feels it so much. Especially in this moment, it makes him feel like he's walking on clouds. But thankfully the smell of cilantro brings him back and he gives the others arm a squeeze before leaning into to find the best little bunch he can. Small little leaves with potent smell, that's how you know they're perfect.

"No you don't. You just stand there and look pretty. That's all I ask." Phil's expression is perfectly stoic and his tone is almost bored but there's a playful sparkle in his eyes. This is his favorite way to joke. The people close to him will know he's kidding but strangers won't get it. They might really believe that Phil sees Scott as a trophy and not a person. It's fun for Phil. Doubly so when the other person is in on the joke.

The booth smells amazing and the guy is clearly popular. He lets Scott find the herbs he wants for the soup while he browses the rubs and mixes looking for ones to bring back with him. There's a Texas barbeque rub he can't say no to and one for chicken noodle soup that he chooses. He also takes the man's business card. Phil has a PO box for a reason and that is internet ordering.

Phil puts his hand on the small of Scott's back as they finish up. Outside of work he's a tactile person. With the suit off and jeans on Phil's just like anyone else. Sure, he's still one of the most dangerous people in the farmer's market but that's not the person he needs to be right now.

He needs to be a guy shopping with his significant other. They're really going to have to talk about how they want to define this relationship. Calling Scott "mine" is perfectly fine in the bedroom but in public he should be gentler.

Despite being in on it, it still sends a shiver down Scotts spine. The way he speaks so terse in the best of ways. There's two sides to Phil in many ways but when they blend together is simple perfection.

"I think I should be able to handle that." He teases, he knows what he has and what he is. The perception of the people around them may see it as some sort of power thing, and maybe in a lot of ways it is. The two of them using their best 'assets' to their advantages. Phil with his unexpected strength and powerful state of mind and Scott with his punky attitude and good looks.

They were a hell of a match. Around others or by themselves.

"You got a preference to veggies?" He asks as he tucks away all their purchases in the canvas tote draped around the others shoulder. "I was thinking of finding some green onions and tomatoes myself." He wraps a hand around Phils waist, looping fingers into beltloops and pushing him out of the fray again so they can walk. He's probably a little too forwards with his affection, but Scott is handsy, both in and out of the bedroom, he likes that connection and simply can not help himself.

They don't get fair though before Scott eyes a whole table with cartons of berries. They look so inviting that he has to stall, tightening his grip to get the others attention. "Strawberries are in season right now. We could do like a sauce with sponge cake and homemade whipped cream?" He'd eaten the strawberries out of the basket Phil had gotten him first, so they could replenish and if they're lucky use both of those items later...

Hell maybe they could forgo the sponge cake entirely. But he wont say that out loud, he doesn't have a bit of an image to protect now that he's a public figure. People don't tend to be nosy in a place like this, but he doesn't need to take the risk either.

"If it's a Mexican or Spanish style soup I'd say roast corn would be good." Phil is musing on the question when they stop for the berries.

It's not hard to see how Scott lights up, how excited he is. They look like good berries. Not huge size like the ones in the grocery store, but decent enough and mixed enough that they're clearly from someone's hobby farm and not a big place.

"For strawberries that good we don't have to do cake," he says, not quite reading Scott's mind but he knows him well enough to put a few things together and figure it out. "We can make the whipped cream and dip them in that. Or slice them up and sprinkle them in sugar. Put the whipped cream on top."

He's already checking containers to see which one has the best berries in it. Phil Coulson has a plan.

"I'm not really good at baking cakes anyway. I make good bread but a sponge cake?" He makes a so-so gesture with his hand.

"You know I've never tried it with roast corn. That's a good idea." Leave it to the other man. He usually keeps it very light but its turning into a delicious veggie heavy soup and he's for it and he's even more down for Phil's strawberry ideas. They're on the same wavelength.

"Or both I mean, we get a couple of cartons and the worlds our oyster." He teases, they're perfectly local ones. Small and sweet with just a hint of tartness that only the little ones can offer. "Me neither. Actually baking in general. I don't have much patience for measuring, I like to measure with my heart." Which doesn't work in baking. He makes it work for bread, because he loves it and its somewhat forgiving, depending on the bread, but when it came to sweets? Scott left that to the experts.

"That's why my science is engineering. It's far more forgiving than chemistry; just ask a ninja turtle."

"You like to do a lot of things with your heart," he says with amusement. It's actually one of the biggest reasons why Phil likes Scott. He believes and feels so strongly about the things he does and the people in his life. He's passionate and warm and almost painfully honest. It's really nice.

Phil gets three cartons because he's feeling indulgent and he likes making Scott smile. Even before they start to walk away he takes one out and holds it out to Scott to eat.

And as soon as there's just a hint of strawberry juice at the corner of his mouth Phil leans in and kisses him, tongue darting out to taste the juice. He hums appreciatively when he draws back.

"Mmm, those are good."

"That's fair. I'm heart over mind for sure. It's how I get myself in trouble." He admits, but truthfully he wouldn't live any other way. It's gotten him in a lot of trouble but it's also seen him through a lot.

He's fully set to find the guy with the roasted chilies that Scott was talking about earlier cause he usually does corn too but then there's fresh fruit being presented to him and he can't help but partake.

He's a sucker for fresh fruit, as Phil has already discovered.

He's also a sucker for being swept up in a kiss. Unable to stop himself from grabbing at the others arms to keep him there for longer than he ought to. Deepening the kiss so they can both partake in the flavour of the berry. When they finally part Scott has to take a deep breath almost forgetting how to breathe for a moment there. "I'll say." He almost purrs out, his voice soft and hazy.

Phil smiles softly as he rubs his nose against Scott's for a second. He really is the sweetest thing Phil's had in a long time. "I figured one box could be for now while we're shopping."

They had a good breakfast but who could resist snacking on fresh strawberries in a farmer's market? Phil likes strawberries because they're good but it's clear that Scott loves them and he wants to make him happy. Scott's even handsomer when he's happy.

"You said something about chilies?" His tone turns playful and warm as he tugs Scott back to walking but he keeps the carton of strawberries in one hand so that they can snack and walk.

As tempting as it is to make out with Scott in the middle of a farmer's market Phil's aware of the eyes on him and how quickly social media could spread news of an Avenger making out with a dead guy. It's a complicated way to date but worth it.

All he can do is soak up that light, happily returning the nosing before taking the others hand and guiding him to some roasted chilies. Dipping into the carton with the free hand. "Oh yeah, he has this like ancient spinner. Makes a fire and everything. It's very California." He teases.

They might be complicated, but damned if it wasn't wonderful. He knows he should damn well behave but if people were gonna gossip anyway, might as well give them something to gossip about.

"We are going to have a great night tonight." Not that he didn't already think that all things considered, but it was just proving more and more true by the minute. "I'll have to be good and listen more often if this is my reward." He pops another strawberry in his mouth. Leaving nothing but the little tuft of greenery which he flicks aside.

"I bet it smells amazing when he roasts them." Phil is situationally aware enough for both of them. Years of training and spy business makes him careful even around an innocent, friendly farmer's market. If someone snaps a picture he could get Daisy to get rid of it. He'll have to wait and see how this public outing, their second one, goes.

He smiles fondly at Scot who's excitement and warmth is infectious. "The orgasms are your reward. This is because I want to spend time with you."

Maybe it's hard to believe but Phil likes Scott as a person. Not just as a handsome face or a fantastic sexual partner. He likes him for who he is. Which means he's enjoying spending time with him casually.

"I'm looking forward to cooking with you," he says with the same warmth and fondness. "I'm curious to see your methods. I bet they're a little different from mine."

"Oh yeah. It's very much a situation where if you follow your nose, you'll find it." It's hit or miss with Scott. Either people know who he is, sort of? The amount of times he'd been confused for Spider-Man is insulting. To be quite honest. Or people don’t have a damn clue who he is.

But either way the only thing that matters is Phil and the mention of wanting to see Scott just because actually makes his cheeks flush wildly. He knows that in a lot of ways but to hear it is nice. Because he wants that too. "I will happily take both." He states with all earnest.

Then the other is getting him back on track with the cooking conversation. Thank goodness, and he rewards Phil in his ability to heard cats by offering up a strawberry to the other.

"Like I said I go with my heart." He chirps squeezing the others hand as he walks. "I can get really into cooking. I like to taste as I go and I get fussy about flavors. I like things to hit you in phases." So that the whole thing is an experience from first to last bite.

Phil leans forward just enough to bite into the strawberry without accidentally biting Scott's fingers while they're walking. He's very coordinated. He's also proud of himself for not sucking juices from Scott's fingers. Again, they're in public. They should avoid a possible media scandal. Even thought the temptation is there.

Luckily, he has pretty good self-control.

"Improvising can be good in cooking. It speaks to a certain level of skill," he says while chewing the few bites of berry in his mouth. "But you really have to know what you're doing or else it gets out of control easily."

Phil is willing to trust Scott's skill and take the risk with his style of cooking. It will be incredibly domestic Scott cooking soup and Phil making bread in his little kitchen. Almost normal except for the fact one of them was a superhero and the other a secret agent.

"How spicy are you planning?"

Scott stops moving for a second letting the other take that bite. It's a damn good thing one of them has self control.

There's a time and a place.

"Exactly. They haven't all been beauties. Luis suffered through a lot of duds but I had a long two years to practice and haven't ever stopped." He's found what he's looking for, the roaster~ Phil has perfect timing in his questions, he's curious if the other will have a roasted chili or not. Today he even has some stuffed ones which catch Scott's eye.

"I'm pretty agreeable when it comes to spice, I like a lot of heat personally but I also don't mind mild." He stops focusing full attention to Phil, it's important to know this if they're gonna make this sort of thing a regular habit. "So what do you like?"

There's a time and place.

It smells intense around the roaster. Phil feels a little pleasant tickle in the back of his nose, kind of like being around the herb vendor. Being apart from the real world as much as he is really has its downsides. He doesn't get enough of the smells, sounds, and tastes of every day life in the secret bunker.

Thank God Scott would get him out in the real world more.

"I like spicy. Hunan Chinese is one of my favorites along with Indian food but if we're going to get spicy later we might want to keep the heat down." Spicy food was delicious but it didn't always lend itself to a romantic evening. They could always change their plans, of course. He was here for more than mind blowing and body numbing sex. Phil is leaving the choice up to Scott.

He's not one of those people who needs to control every aspect of a relationship.

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sorry i'm a little slow this weekend i have a 9 day work week coming up so had a billion chores

Dude, no worries. Tag when you can. I'm chill about these things.

<3 awesome~ i know but still i neeeeeeeed it bad its my new crack

it's delicious crack

*snurfs it down*

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snurfs it down