"He is." If Steve really thinks about it, he's fairly certain Agent Coulson is second in command only to Colonel Fury. He's certainly never met anyone else who can give Coulson orders, at least. Coulson is just one of those existences no one questions. He's everywhere, doing everything, and trusting most people to help or get out of the way.

Mostly get out of the way.

Steve shuts the door to the sitting room and leans down very slightly to make sure he has Olivia's eyes on his face. "Whatever happened to you before, it's not going to happen here."