Work Text:
Maria Hill hates school with a passion. But, unlike her peers, she profits from her academics.
See, Maria is the top student in her class. Everyone uses this to their advantage—including Maria.
She completes people's homework and assignments in exchange for favors, snacks, money, stationary, anything really.
None of the teachers know, but every student does.
It's through this contraband business that Maria meets Natasha Romanoff.
The redhead approaches her at form one morning, a seriousness on her face Maria didn't even know the younger girl was capable of.
“I'd like to be your assistant. In case you haven't noticed, I'm second highest in our entire year, not just our class, right behind you. Two minds are better than one, right? We could double efficiency, meaning double the profit.” Natasha proposes.
Maria considers it. The logic is solid. Plus, there's nobody prettier or more competent in their year.
“Alright. I accept.”
So, every day after school, the two meet in the public library to complete homework and assignments that weren't even theirs.
From partnership blooms friendship, and suddenly Maria and Natasha were roasting their classmates’ stupidity and incompetence or placing bets on what they'd be paid with next.
Occasionally Natasha's little sister Yelena joins them in the library, doing her own homework in occasionally broken silence while the two teens make business plans and complete an assortment of work.
~
Life had been better for Maria since her father lost custody of her.
Meeting Natasha made everything seem perfect.
Until one day the redhead came into first period ten minutes late, eyes red and puffy.
Maria, though it pains her, is forced to wait until form in between second and third period to talk to Natasha.
Inside the classroom, the brunette slides into the seat next to the younger girl. “Hey. What's up?”
Natasha breaks into silent sobs again, clutching her stomach. “It hurts. So bad.” She manages to choke out.
Despite them being banned, Maria pulls a heat pack out of her bag and activates it before handing it to Natasha for her stomach. “I have paracetamol, ibuprofen, chocolate, so many different flavors of fruit juice, cold water. Whatever you need.”
For the rest of the day, Maria goes out of her way to make Natasha feel even a little bit better. Snacks? Already in hand. Thirsty? Bottle is already open. Class too loud? Headphones are already set to noise cancelling mode.
When Natasha falls asleep in higher level maths, Maria takes double notes so her only friend won't fall behind.
Maria never did find out exactly what was wrong with Natasha. She just heard that her friend had a sore stomach and went out of her way to accommodate that.
~
Weeks later, Maria and Natasha are working on their Science CBAs when it hits Maria the same time Natasha voices it.
“Hey, Masha. Are we platonic or what? Because I asked Yelena and she agreed that you look at me like ‘you're Cinderella and I'm Prince Charming’. Her words not mine. Apparently, I'm worse.”
“I mean, we don't have to be. I'd date you if you wanted.” Maria replies with faux casualty.
“If you're cool with it, I'd love to.” Natasha smiles warmly.
~
Maria Hill hates school with a passion. But it gave her the girl of her dreams, so maybe she could hate it a little less.