Work Text:
The mission in Salvador is slowly driving her crazy. Maybe that's why Maria sees something that cannot be on her phone. Like a message from Agent Romanoff.
It's strange, to say the least, because they've almost never communicated, except for the discussion of work issues and one time when Sharon decided to celebrate her birthday on a grand scale and invited a dozen agents. Maria remembers the taste of cider, her own flight to the street to clear her head, and Natasha's look when she lit a cigarette standing in front of her. They seem to have exchanged a few words.
And now a message comes to Maria's personal number, and she quickly clicks it, distracting herself from the most interesting study of records from surveillance cameras. Message makes her frown — it makes absolutely no sense.
[Natasha Romanoff]
I bought a whole basket of vegetables, so don't you dare mock my dinner again, bugger!!!!!!!
Firstly, Romanoff uses too many exclamation points. Secondly, she uses the term bugger, which doesn't quite fit the description of Maria. And finally, Hill is sure she got the wrong number. She lives in the hotel room two days in raw and all that she does is look at the surveillance cameras. Yesterday she was able to afford a seven minute shower, and it was wonderful. She melts from the heat and lives under the fake name of Alice Wanderwell, which itself is an insult. Still, her target is unlikely to do anything out of the ordinary if she chooses to type the answer to Romanoff's message.
[Maria Hill]
I think you got the wrong number. This is Hill.
And vegetables are needed in the diet, so it's a good choice.
She doesn't flirt. No. This is a reasonable remark, that's all. And yet, when Romanoff answers four and a half minutes later, her heartbeat quickens.
[Natasha Romanoff]
I'm glad you approved ;) And I don't think you're a bugger, that message was to Clint, I got the wrong number.
The corners of Maria's lips twitch up a little — the heat, overwork and godlessly little sleep have effect on her. She closes her eyes and rubs her neck, wondering if her body can handle another cup of coffee. Most likely no.
She is so bored that she picks up her phone and types a message to Agent Romanoff:
[Maria Hill]
Fifth mug of coffee: yes/no?
The answer comes within a minute, and this is unreasonably very pleasing.
[Natasha Romanoff]
Definitely not. If you have a stroke on a mission, someone has to fill out a bunch of paperwork.
It's funny. She's never known that Natasha has a sense of humor. Yet, it shouldn't surprise her. It's Natasha. She is like a bright star in SHIELD.
Maria is just a level above her. She has no right to divulge details, but it seems that in the context of their strange dialogue, this is not required.
[Maria Hill]
How do you know I'm on a mission?
[Natasha Romanoff]
Lucky guess. And I hope you don't drink so much coffee in everyday life. You don't, right?
[Maria Hill]
Hm.
[Natasha Romanoff]
As a person who has embarked on the path of healthy eating, I advise you to quit this habit. Also, h ow about lunch together when you get back?
Wow. Maria straightens her back and blinks a couple of times as she reads the latest message. It's just a friendly offer to eat together. After all, they've been with the same organization for several years and both don't have many friends. Friends are great. The fact that these theoretical friends are also damn charming and beautiful is a nice bonus. Perhaps Maria thinks too much.
[Maria Hill]
Of course, Romanoff. I'll text you.
This seems to be the right decision (and very, very fateful).