Chapter Text
*Mainly follows Maria but we get some insight on the other characters as well*
Maria finally stumbles through the door at 10:30, feet aching from the traitorous five-inch heels that she's forced to wear at work. She was stuck in the office all day taking notes in meetings, going on coffee runs, filling out hundreds of reports, and hearing the rants of the company owners about how useless everyone who works for them are. By the time her workday was finally coming to an end Mr. Pierce sat another couple folders on her desk that was expected to be proofread and typed up by the following day. She's defiantly in no place to complain o instead of getting out in ten minutes it was four hours. The only reason she's even home now is because Fury kicked her out after 'scolding' her for working too much.
She leans heavily into the doorframe, wishing the floor of the rickety old apartment building would stop creaking, as she kicks of her black heels, cringing as the sound ricochets off the walls and through the apartment thanks to it being close to empty. The only furniture being a couch and TV aside from the stove and counters that came with the kitchen. Not even a dining table has been purchased as the place in mostly just a place to sleep, the occupants typically at work or sometimes not even in the country/state.
She carefully turns the handle so she can close the door as quietly as possible, so she doesn't wake up her sleeping roommate. A sigh of relief is released as it closes without a sound. She locks the door with a click and small rattling as the chain tangles slightly when she grabs it.
Walking through the pitch-black apartment like she does most nights she gets to the couch without a problem as she's walked this path a million times before. She sinks onto the grey couch with an exaggerated sigh and turns on the television, aggressively pushing the button on the remote to lower the volume as her roommate seems to be slightly deaf with how loud she typically has it.
She mostly blocks out the news as she thinks about how the hell her life ended up like this. Living in a shitty apartment with a low paying job that runs her dry. Making just over minimum wage as an assistant. She has a master's degree for god's sake and yet she's doing coffee runs? All because Alexander Pierce is a misogynistic asshole who is unwilling to ever give anyone outside of his circle a chance.
"In other news," The TV mumbles in hushed whispers pulling the brunette from her thoughts "Ex 'Avengers Ensemble' singer, Natasha Romanoff, is back in the spotlight. Her first solo album, Memories of Kisses, since the bands breakup two years ago is a huge hit. With multiple songs topping the charts the singer seems to be doing better than ever... or is she? Many fans are speculating if this may be a breakup album. Given the lyrics as well as her longtime boyfriend, Bucky Barnes, seemingly absent in all posts and recent photos all signs are pointing to them being over."
"Hey." A groggy voice interrupts her focus on the television causing Maria to jump. "Sorry I didn't mean to scare you."
The brunette sighs in relief as she looks at the frame behind her, the tv light softly revealing the girls features. She's clearly just woke up, her hair in a messy ponytail that's so loose it's surprising the hair tie hasn't fallen off yet. She ties her robe over the skimpy light blue tank top as she walks around the couch. Maria immediately shuffles over, allowing the other woman to sit down beside her.
"Bad day at work?" The blonde questions her best friend as she takes her seat.
They've been living together for the past six years, having met each other in college while they were studying for their bachelor's degree. They continued the living arrangements even after they had left the dorms, moving into this apartment together as well. Thanks to the internship they were required to do for a course requirement they were able to get a job at the same place for some time before Sharon went to do what she actually wanted instead of the stale career her parents forced on her before their death three years ago. As neither of them really have any family they grew to see each other as sisters and were inseparable until Sharon's job started taking her around the world. They still make sure to face time at least twice a week and text frequently.
"When isn't it?" Maria asks sarcastically, knowing how much the blonde hated working at the publishing company. But for Sharon it wasn't that the boss was an asshole, though it didn't help of course. It was that she never truly cared for public relations. She has always loved doing makeup and always dreamed of having a job in it. The brunette can't even name the number of times she was talked into her entire face being smothered in product for a simple run to Walmart.
"I've told you a million times to leave that place. It was the best decision I ever made."
"You say that about a lot of things." Maria deadpans. The blonde continuously over exaggerates so the 'best decision she's ever made' could either be completely average or amazing. Though she knows this one was exceptional. She can see the enjoyment in the girls' eyes in every post with the star as they joke around with the other, or on facetime when they're both completely exhausted but somehow, she still has a smile on her face.
"Seriously, you should be doing what you really want."
"Not everyone gets to work with one of the biggest artists in the world Sharon. I'm not going to risk leaving my job for some dream that might not work out. It took me long enough to get hired at S.H.I.E.L.D. I'm not going to chance trying to get into somewhere else."
The whole reason Sharon even got the gig she did was because of Nick. He used to manage the Avengers before they broke up and is still in contact with some of them. Him and Natasha communicate frequently as they grew close during their time together, the one-eyed man becoming a father figure to the then teen. So, when he discovered Sharon was trying to get a job in the field, she truly liked he contacted the star and she decided to take a chance on the blonde. She quickly grew to trust the girl and Sharon was taken on as her personal makeup artist for interviews and tours.
"But if you had the opportunity, you'd take it?"
"Sharon-" Maria sighs and is about to blow her off but the blonde continues.
"No, answer the question. If there was someone else willing to hire you at a better position than you're in, would you take it?"
"Yes. If I had the opportunity I would take it." Maria answers with a sigh, fed up with the blonde. How is she so spunky this late after just being woken from sleep
"Ok." Is the only reply before Sharon gets up, says goodnight, and heads back to her room. Leaving the brunette on the couch with a face of confusion.
She gets up herself, turns the tv off, heats up some noodles in the microwave, then finally crashes for the night. A dreamless sleep fills the next twelve hours and she's lucky she's off the next day as she sleeps through her free day ten o clock alarm.