Maria Hill wasn't sure what was worse, having New York City being invaded by aliens or that she had seen it coming. That she somehow lived in a world now where a man like Nick Fury could prepare for aliens to invade and he wasn't just crazy, it actually happened. Thor, Loki and other individuals were one thing, but an entire army? An army which descended out of the heavens like something out of religious text, only to be defeated by a demigod, a green monster, a war hero from World War II, a man-child in a metal suit, an archer and her now maybe girlfriend/deadly assassin. It was like nothing she could originally foreseen back when she first signed up with SHIELD, every moment of it and the aftermath so beyond surreal Maria felt like she was dreaming through most of it.
Stuck on the Helicarrier she could do little more but watch Fury's precious Avengers Initiative succeed beyond anyone with any reasonable expectations, in the process creating perhaps the most potentially dangerous group the world had ever seen. But for today they were heroes, and Maria would not deny any of them a moment to celebrate their victory, especially as that was what she was hoping to do herself soon after.
While Maria could do little to help The Avengers or anyone else during what was being dubbed The Battle of New York she spent hours on organising clean-up, checking in with each team she sent out far more than usual as she searched for confirmation that The Black Widow had survived. In the process she saved many lives that day, pushing aside the frustrating urge to go and look for The Avengers/survivors herself meaning Maria could do what she did best, maximising her effectiveness. Even though there were only a few brief sightings of Natasha it was more than enough to put Maria at ease to do her job, and while she was somewhat disappointed the redhead didn't just pop up behind her like she had done so many other times after a dangerous mission/when Maria was busy the brunette had no doubt she be seeing The Black Widow soon.
So confident was Maria that Natasha would eventually show up when she returned to her apartment to find no one there she casually locked the door behind her and then stuck two ready-meals in the microwave ready for the inevitable appearance of her lover. She then spent the next few minutes debating on presentation, ultimately exchanging artificial light for a tiny candle which had been given to her as a gift.
For a few moments she became lost at just staring at the tiny flame, then a familiar voice made her smile softly, "The candle is a nice touch."
Turning around Maria came face to face with Natasha Romanoff. It was a trick which Natasha used so much it had lost its shock value, although Maria like to think she never really gave the cocky redhead the satisfaction of looking very surprised, this time being no exception as she nonchalantly said, "I'm glad you approve."
There was another long awkward silence, only ending when a faint peeping sound prompted Maria to break eye contact and to retrieve the cheap microwave food. When she returned she found Natasha waiting patiently in the chair she usually choose and then they ate together in silence, mush like they had done in between sessions of rough sex so many times. But this was different, and not just because of the tiny gesture of the candle, but because things between them were more awkward than they've ever been. Hell, they barely looked at each other until they had completely finished, and even then it was a while before somebody said something. And ultimately that was only because Maria couldn't stand the silence anymore.
"Soooooo... what happens now?" Maria asked.
"I don't know." Natasha said truthfully, "I honestly wasn't expecting to survive."
"For a second there, I didn't think any of us would." Maria chuckled in a tone which was completely devoid of humour, and then after a few seconds added, "But you saved us. You, and the rest of Fury's group of misfits-"
"The Avengers." Natasha interrupted, "We're The Avengers now. I, I didn't pick the name, but... I don't know, if we can beat Loki, maybe we can do some good, you know?"
"I wouldn't have said this before today, and I'm not so sure I'd say it to anyone else, especially not Nick Fury, but yeah... I know." Maria agreed, adding after another few seconds pause, "And thanks to a lot of grateful New Yorkers, and a few well-placed satellites, the whole world is talking about you and your new friends. But don't worry, Fury made sure the rest of the world only caught glimpses of the mighty Black Widow. Certainly nothing of your face, so we're fairly certain you're not completely compromised, although you might want to be careful the next time you and the super friends save the world."
The two women exchange a smile, and then slowly taking Maria's hand in hers Natasha said, "Well, you did save me from a nuclear missile, so-"
"No, I failed." Maria said flatly, "I tried Natasha, I really did, and I even took out one of the helicopters, but-"
"If things had been different, and there had been two of them, New York would be a crater, this world would be overrun by aliens and I'd be ashes. So thank you." Natasha said firmly.
"Fury told me where to go." Maria grumbled.
"Someone told me how to stop Loki's machine." Natasha shrugged, "There were about a million different things which could've gone wrong, or ever so slightly not right, but for once can't we just enjoy the fact we both made it?"
Maria mocked playfully, "Natasha Romanoff, the optimist."
"I, I didn't think I'd see you again." Natasha admitted, squeezing Maria's hand, "And like I said before, I am compromised. Completely."
"Me too." Maria smiled softly, then after a long second or two standing up and pulling Natasha upwards into her arms, "You know, traditionally, first dates are strangers engaging awkward small talk before maybe ending in a good night kiss. We on the other hand know each other too well, we don't really do small talk, and neither one of us is going to get satisfied with a good night kiss. But we're both tired, so if you want to crash in front of the TV like a normal couple I can live with that."
