Slubberdegullion

Chapter 12

*DIALOGUE IN BOLD IS IN ASL*

It's been a year overall since the events in Washington D.C. involving the 'fall' of Shield. Maria and I had only two dates after our first, up to now. Yet, we spent many days together, either at my house, or her apartment. She ended up getting that Stark Industries job, as I knew she would. Spying for Fury seems to be a hard business to get out of. I think the only way out at this point, is death.

With all the time that's passed, Maria seems to be getting closer to me. And I can't help but reciprocate, and get closer to her. I'm sure by now we have some form of emotional connection. Without her, I'm not fully me. She has integrated herself, with me.

With the movie nights, and the few dates. The 'I can't sleep, want to come over and talk?' nights. Even though I have to drive a long distance to get to her, I'll always come over when she asks me to. It's basically impossible for me to say no to her.

Especially when I know exactly how she would say it if it were a face-to-face conversation, and not over text. And how her face definitely looks when I agree. Even if I always agree, she always seems just as excited as the last.

Every time I open the door, her face lights up. As if she wasn't expecting me to come over, after she asked me to. Or when she smiles as I listen to her talk about her day, and nod along.

I can never stop myself from thinking of her. Of that cute soft look she gives me when she takes off my mask. Or when she puts it back on, after a sweet kiss to the lips.

It's particularly adorable when she snuggles in closer to me while we're watching a movie or show. How she does a cute happy wiggle after, as her make-shift happy dance, at the fact that I allow it. I always do. Even if I'm not in the mood for physical contact, I can't let myself miss out on the opportunity for her happy dance wiggle. How can I?

On the few dates we went on, most of the time J was happy just watching her. Why talk when a goddess of a woman in front of you, has her day, or week, to talk about? Why waste precious time talking, when I could listen. Listen to her rants about small details, and how Happy is always getting on to everyone for not wearing their badges.

Her long exasperated paragraphs about what the Avengers team did this week that was wrong, and pissed her off. All of which are things she isn't even slightly involved with. Like how she keeps catching Steve Rogers tracking the Winter Soldier all over the world, trying to pinpoint a location.

Even when we have disagreements, I can't resist marveling at her. Her blatant confidence, and stance. How she carries herself with a regard I admire. How she smiles of pure joy when I kiss her forehead, something I didn't know I had started doing, before she pointed it out. Once she did, I started deliberately doing it more.

The arguments we do have, usually end with me kissing her, and hugging her. Sometimes holding her as she falls asleep. I can't stay mad at her, even if I've never truly been mad with her. Only frustrated.

I know if I were ever honestly angry with her, I'd push her away unintentionally. And I think a not-so-small part of me, knows that. So I don't let my frustration get that far. I hope I never push her away. I would never intentionally, but with my job, I'm sure it's pulling us apart slowly. As she realizes I'm not a hero, I'm not like the Avengers she works with, and I'm no doctor or scientist. I don't help people. I hurt them.

But I would never hurt her. And I'm sure she sees that. I'm sure that's why she still tolerates me. Why she hasn't asked to no longer have me by her side on missions. Why she still smiles when she opens the door and sees me. Why she snuggles up against me, seeking warmth from me, every movie night.

Thank God.

                                 ——————

"Glad you like the view, Romanoff. It's about to get better." I watch as Fury works the Helicarrier. "Nice right? Pulled her out of mothballs with a couple of old friends. She's dusty, but she'll do."

I look over at Maria, as she touches a few buttons on her screen.

"Altitude is 18,000 and climbing." She says with a quick glance at me.

I nod at her and walk to stand, back against a far wall. I walk past an agent as he speaks, "Lifeboats secure to deploy. Disengage in three, two...take 'em out."

Now standing off to the side, watching Maria do her job from afar, my job is to be here. That's it. I don't have a job right now other than be help if the Avengers need it, and I'm sure they won't.

I'm debating what I should have for dinner when I over-hear a voice struggling with words. In a hilarious matter. "Number six boat is topped and locked. Or, uh, or stocked, topped. It... it's, uh, full of people."

I feel the urge to laugh, but somehow, I withhold it. He must be new to this, maybe or stressed about this specific situation. I see how it could be stressful.

It's when the life boats make contact with the, now floating land, that Maria speaks up, speaking to Fury. "Sir, we have multiple confirmed bogies converging on our starboard flank."

"Show 'em what we got."

"You're up." Maria speaks into her comms, as she turns to look at me. Then she signs, "You're not going to help?"

I shift my stance slightly to be facing her better, and I raise an eyebrow and sign back. "Did you really think I would help?"

I can practically hear her sigh from the other side of the room. "Right. You're always the bad guy right?" Her hands fall back to her side. I give her a nod, before she looks away.

I am the bad guy. In most situations, at least. I'm the one who kills. Who takes what I'm not permitted to. Who receives money for jobs that would get the normal person life in prison. All in a days work. Yet, I'm also the one Fury called, when Maria needed a partner.

If she asks me to help. I'll help.

She knows that. But she hasn't asked yet. Perhaps, she doesn't want to risk me going out there, and not coming back. Even as high the possibility it would be for me to not get back in time, she should have asked me to help.

Seems I'm no longer the only one who will purposely keep the other out of harms way, with simply not asking for something. I never would have thought, that she, Maria Hill, Fury's right hand woman, would do such a thing.

Hey my peeps!

Make sure to check out the pictures at the top of each chapter.

Please comment on spelling mistakes and grammatical errors, I will try to fix them.

See ya, later my peeps!

Word count-1206
Word count does not include A/N at the end of the story.