Heya, I know it has been years, but I decided to write another chapter. Here is some Fury-introspection for you! Also, I just wanted an excuse to write some tooth-rotting fluff.
Let me know what you think!
As a sidenote, I image the two of them to be a bit closer in age than their MCU-actors actually are.
Disclaimer: As always, I do not own the MCU.
Sucker for You
Apparently, the reversal of what people had called "the snap" in the past five years had caused quite some chaos wherever they went. The streets were full of people, probably all trying to reach family or friends to somehow make sense of the situation. Many had probably lost their homes in the meantime due to their "deaths", they had been lucky Maria had not had these problems. Looking over at the woman who was sitting on the passenger seat next to him, Fury allowed himself to smile a little. The situation was really messed up and he had the feeling it would get much worse before the week was over, but she loved him. Some some freaky reason Maria Hill loved him. It had not bothered him so much before, but now Fury really wished to make it out of the whole situation, whatever it would be, alive. Maybe they would not be able to develop anything further, maybe they would break up soon, but maybe something very amazing could come out of this situation.
"You are smiling," she suddenly remarked.
"I know," he simply answered.
Even though they really pushed the limit of the car, and they changed driver after a couple of hours, it became clear they would not make it up to the facility this evening. Unfortunately, there also seemed to be no chance to get a motel on the way, everything was booked out.
"Nick, either you need to drive again or we need a place to stay for the night. The second option would probably be the smarter one," she commented, yawning, "and I need food."
He could see that it got harder for her to concentrate and if he was honest, he felt quite the same.
"I am fairly certain my credit card is not working anymore though," Maria remarked, "and my stack of cash is limited, as you have seen."
"The card in my pocket should still work," Fury confirmed, "so don't worry about that. Also, you have a Stark Industries company credit card. It might still work. Just pull over here, I will drive until we find a place to stay for the night."
She gave him a grateful little smile of the sort he had rarely seen on her before. It reminded him that in their former relationship, she would have likely not told him about her hunger and tiredness. It made him uncomfortable to wonder whether he had neglected her wellbeing as a boss - even though she was not too timid to complain, her sense of duty had likely often kept her from doing so. If he were a better man, he would vow to only worship her from now on, but he was a realist and he knew that there would be problems. He pushed the thought away for now. When she had stopped at the side of the highway, both got out of the car. They were meeting at the hood where Fury quickly caught her around the waist, pulling her to him. Maria hugged him back, her face tugged under his chin. They only stood like that for a couple of moments before moving on, but it made his heart soar. After about half an hour, he could see the sign pointing towards a hotel a bit further off the road. When he took this exit, he saw her eyes widen.
"Are you serious?"
Her voice was a perfect mixture between shock, indignation and delight as they drove towards the five-star hotel.
"Yes," he simply answered.
The whole building was shining with lights, seemingly undisturbed by what had happened to the world around. A young, light-haired valet rushed towards them as they came to a stop.
"Please tell me you are not fully booked," the older man all but growled.
The man shrunk back slightly, but shook his head.
"From what I have heard, we are not, Sir. Would you like me to park the car?"
Fury got out, tossing him the keys, while another man had already opened Maria's door. Both men looked bemused since the couple apparently drove a horribly expensive car but was dressed very simply with minimal luggage, refusing to letting go of the bagpacks. Raising an eyebrow, Maria took his ellbow before he had even offered, making it very clear that she would not be put into a position anymore but simply occupy whatever position she wanted. When they walked over the soft red carpet, he had a flashback of all the times he had seen her on events, dressed up bejewled even, making smalltalk, charming people. It had never been with him. They entered the huge lobby where all traces of the reversal of the Snap had already been erased, thanks to an army of cleaners and butler. Fury walked straight to reception.
"You do have your ID, right?" he asked his companion under his breath.
"You remember the name on it?" she challenged him.
Of course he did, he had picked it for her, even though she apparently did not know that.
"Welcome at the Regency, how can I help you?" a chipper young lady asked the two, eying the clothes suspiciously.
"Good evening, we would like a room for one night, please."
"Well," the lady began, visibly starting to object. As two agents staretd to stare her down, she visibly began to wilt udner the scrutiny. "Well," she began again,"weusually have a minimum stay of three nights. However, given the current situation, I am sure we can make an exception. Let me just quickly talk to the manager. If you would like to sit down in the lounge, I will come abck to you."
The red leather couches in the lounge were incredibly comfortable and he made a mental note to get some for his next office, if he ever had another one. Maria let her eyes linger on the magaizines they ahd provided, finally picking out a fashion one, smiling slightly as she checked out the newest trends. The woman from the reception disappeared for a couple of minutes, when she came back, she motioned for the couple to come back to the counter.
"Alright, we do not have a suite left, only a deluxe room. Is that alright?" she asked.
Both nodded.
"Then let me book that for you, it is 1500 dollars a night. Dinner and breakfast is à la carte in the restaurant, though the dresscode is a bit more... elevated, I have to admit, " she added, "of course there is also room service though."
Fury did not comment on that but simply swiped his credit card, satisfied when it did not make any problems. Money usually helped to shut people up. It was not any different this time, so people had not changed much, apparently.
"Have a pleasant stay Mr Burton, Ms Lucas," she told them after having checked the passports, "your room is on the second floor in the right wing. The elevators are at the far end of the lobby, just go up and follow the signs."
The couple nodded before turning around and walking towards the elevator. As they slowly moved up, Maria grinned at him.
"Ever gotten frisky in a lift before?"
"No, actually," he admitted, "I can do without cameras watching me."
She laughed.
"Fair. Occupational hazard I guess. Let's go!"
The corridor was silent, their steps muffled by the plush blue carpet that matched the art on the wall. While Maria swiped the keycard, he stood decidedly far too close to her, trailing patterns over her neck.
"Wanting to give surveillance a show?" she asked, sounding slightly breathless.
Of course she had seen the security camera that had a pretty good view on the two of them. Maria pushed the door open, humming apprecitively.
"Alright, job first, then pleasure," he commanded.
It was simply a precaution, but something they were just used to - swiping the room, looking for bugs and hidden cameras. He did not find anything, but this was a hotel, for normal people, not an operation. Almost a holiday in the middle of something very weird. This should not happen for people like them, but it had, and he would not complain.
"Found something!" she suddenly called out from the balcony.
He frowned, crossing the ridiculously large room to reach the French door just in time to look out over the forest in pure delight.
"That view? It is amazing!"
She sounded so excited and so unlike the cold agent he knew that he simply had to kiss her in that moment. Maria responded enthusiastically, pressing herself against him. Then suddenly, she pulled away.
"As much as I love this, I need food. Room service preferably."
She left him to stride back into the room, sitting down onto a chaise lounge to read the menue.
"That stuff is all so fancy," she groaned, "I would simply love a burger right now!"
"Well, I would have thought you had some experience with fancy food, given your assignments," he commented.
"I do. Still want a burger. I guess the chicken will do though. With a home-made milkshake."
She passed the menue to him.
"If you know what you want, order," she commanded.
He raised an eyebrow.
"Bossy, are we?"
"Hangry," she deadpanned.
With a smile he picked up the phone, calling reception to order.
"I did not know you get cranky when you are hungry," he commented.
"You did not seem to care, so I did not see the need to tell you," she stated.
There was no malice in her voice, just truth, and that was probably the worst of all. That she had accepted and known that he appreciated her work, and her character, and probably her looks, but was to ruthless to accomodate the woman he loved more than anything else (even though he did not know that, back then) in these little things.
"Romanoff knew. Barton knew. Rogers knew," he answered.
"They are my friends," she stated, as if this explained everything. It probably did. "Are you jealous of ROGERS?" she raised an eyebrow in a mixture between amusement and disbelief. "Not that I owe you an answer, you have no reason to be though," she commented offhandedly, a sparkle in her eyes.
"The images from the Helsinki-operation looked very different than that," he retortet.
He rememebred the report on his desk, the paparazzi pictures of the couple, both dressed up for the function, her in that amazing emerald green dress. When the department had first picked it out, he had not understood why, after all, the front seemed nice enough but not special. When she had turned around thoguh, his jaw had almost dropped. The dress had been backless, open from the clasp at her neck down to the middle of her back. Hair done up and staring any agent down who had dared to comment. Maria and Rogers had seen very cosy that night, making him feel annoyed. By now, he knew it had been jealousy. She huffed.
"There was never anything. I liked your appreciation of the dress though - yes, I realized."
He walked towards her, tilting her head up slightly to kiss her on the lips. It was strange how natural it felt, how easy he could forget any reason why this was not a good idea.
"You looked marvellous," he told her, before kissing her again, his other hand coming up to losen her hair tie. The dark strands fell in waves around her face and he had to stop for a moment, just to take in this picture. Out of the corner of his eye he saw her hands move and shook his head.
"Keep you hands to yourself," he told her, surprised when she actually did what he told her, folding them in her lap in a show of exaggerated obedience. He could see that she was internally laughing, but that it was affecting her at the same time. Deciding to use that moment, the kissed her again, softly, just teasing her. Just when she started to lean into it more, the door bell rung, telling the two their food had arrived. As Fury opened the door, an employee in a well-ironed white jacket rolled in a huge tray that was mostly covered by plates, stopping it next to the table at the window. Maria got up from her bench to perch on one of the chairs. Yes, she would have loved a burger, but that chicken semelled mouth-watering and from the look in her eyes she was not complaining now. Thankfully, the young man disappeared as soon as he had filled their wine glasses and had got his tips, understanding the hint.
"Enjoy," Fury told her, and she only nodded, already occupied by the food.
He figured he probably should do do as well, and was not disappointed by his roastbeef. It was tender and masterfully seasonded and he enjoyed every piece of it, together with the win they had ordered.
"Would you like desert?" he asked after they had both cleared their plates.
She gave him a sly smile.
"I think I am good."
She stood up gracefully, taking both their plates over to the tray and staking them up. Fury remembered distantly that her file said that she had worked as a waitress for a short period of time, which was obvious by the way she still handled the plates and cutlery. Then she disappeared into the bathroom, probaby to wash her hands. While she was busy, he checked the news and the radio again, but there was still no change. When she came back, she was walking straight towards him, coming to a stop about half a metre in front of his chair. She looekd at the clock on the bedside table.
"What's your plan now?" she wanted to know.
"Well, the way I see it we have done everything we could by now. We need to get some rest, as much as possible, and get up early to move on."
It was the truth, it was sensible, it was what they had to do, for humanity. Still, if he was honest, sometimes he hated that, because it was not what he really wanted to do in a beautiful hotel room with the women he loved. She nodded, as always a dutiful soldier who put the world first. He loved her for this.
"Unless you have another idea," he finally gave her an opening.
