Coulson really didn't want to see Alvin...
Ever since the first time he'd met Alvin, his career had taken a dramatic turn.
A promising S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent had eventually been forced to "forget" his identity and protect the world in a different way.
Even now, Coulson could clearly remember that before S.H.I.E.L.D. fell, almost every meeting he had with Alvin had ended on a sour note.
Maybe Alvin didn't mind, but Coulson remembered all too well how every mission involving Alvin had left him questioning himself.
It was an unbelievable thing for a seasoned agent to experience, but it had really happened.
Hawkeye was the first to have a problem. He began resisting assignments involving Alvin, and then Coulson himself followed.
By contrast, Russell, who had the best relationship with Alvin, seemed the most at ease.
That bastard could effortlessly get on Alvin's wavelength and strike a balance between work and friendship.
Eventually, Hawkeye jumped ship and joined the Avengers. Russell had technically jumped ship too, but under the Avengers' banner, he continued doing the same work as before.
Only Coulson and Natasha had stayed in contact with Nick Fury and remained committed to their responsibilities.
Natasha served as the Avengers' intelligence liaison—a role everyone understood without needing to say it aloud.
And she seemed to be having a great time!
Coulson alone continued leading his team around the world, hunting down Hydra.
The former S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent had always regarded S.H.I.E.L.D. as his final home, and defending its honor was his conviction.
He knew why S.H.I.E.L.D. had been destroyed, but he still wanted to clear its name.
Not everyone there had been Hydra. Most people had been working toward the same goal.
Although Coulson's operating funds now came from Harvey skimming money out of Hela's shopping budget,
he still steadfastly carried