Chapter 7
2013, date redacted
Maria stares at the screen for sometime before putting it away. Now was not the time to be distracted, she had a emergency drill to prepare for at fucking stupid o clock at night and was going to be carried out at 2am in the morning.
She sighs and pushes the ache in her heart away. Compartmentalise, Maria. Only for her family, only for the trio of crazy Russians and a tiny black kitty would she be compromised. Always.
Maria Hill steels herself as she climbs down from her tree of safety and becomes Commander Hill.
2013, date redacted
Maria finishes the list of things to go through in a record breaking 2 and a half days.
The Helicarrier lands in New York at 1am.
Maria Hill picks up her things, all in a small bag, and heads home.
It's a familiar route, one she's travelled many times. She moves on autopilot, weary and tired.
She silently unlocks the door, wincing slightly as the click of the door's locks sliding into place once she closed it reverberated through the empty silence.
Maria revels in the feeling of home, in Yelena's snoring sounds, in the faint glow of Galina's nightlight, of the open bedroom door to her bedroom. To hers and Natasha's.
She was planning to take a bath first, but fuck it. She's missed Nat like crazy.
Maria leaves her things on the couch and heads for Natasha.
She's, of course, awake.
Natasha smiles and pats the side of the bed for Maria.
Maria shuts the door, takes off her hoodie and jeans before climbing into bed beside Nat, Natasha immediately on her and resuming octopus mode.
Maria smiles softly and inhales in Natasha's scent.
"I missed you," Maria says.
Natasha presses a kiss to Maria's forehead and buries her face into Maria's shoulder blade.
"I'm here, I got you," Maria promises as Natasha's muscles unravel and she shakily exhales.
"Let's get some sleep," Maria suggests and rolls them over so that they're laying on their sides.
"Love you Masha," Natasha whispers and her arms tighten around Maria.
Maria knows. Natasha knows that she knows.
Coming home is easier than expected.