prompt: scars ii

It didn't really seem to be anything particularly stand-outish, if such a word exists, the first time he laid eyes on it.

At the timing of the situation earlier as long as she was breathing, walking, and doing something called being alive like the rest, then he could shake it all off and focus on the main priorities concerning the Avengers.

But then much later, once the flames of a ferocious battle died down and left remaining were it's unsettled ashes, he noticed out of the corner of his eye how large the bandage just barely above her eye is.

He shudders at the idea of such an injury being, what, just an inch lower towards her eye, and being told by a doctor that it's required for that eye to be removed.

'Look, we'll have matching eyepatches!' she'd just laugh it off, eventually, as her response.

It'll be painful to deal with for the next few weeks no doubt, he noted. Her right eye twitched occassionally to some of her facial expressions, the movements being painful now due the wound taking it's time to heal.

Some scars can be extremely painful though, despite the healing process, Nick would certainly know from experience. And he just very nearly dares himself to think about it being painful on Maria, if so, and just how much so.

To even imagine someone like her— stubborn, strong-willed, bold— in agony and misery...

Nick quietly takes a deep breath for his own sake, just to relaxen himself and uncurl the fists he had unconsciously tightened.

(And tell that pissed off part of his conscience deep in the back of his head to shut the hell up.)

((Particularly on it's enraged and immature desire to beat the living hell out of Loki and give out 'injuries' that made Maria's and his look like pathetic paper cuts.))

It wasn't anything life-threatening at least. Or at least he supposes he should be grateful. It was just a nasty little gash, and even then Agent Hill, similar to him, was otherwise unfazed by it even as it bled down her cheeks.

(Red. He instantly remembers. Plenty of red. Too much of it.)

Nick Fury doesn't have a favorite color, but then again, red has never been a particular color that was on the possible list. He's seen plenty of people bleed, from the tiniest of paper cuts while handling files to men being cut open and desperately clutching their entrails together, it's splashed his face and ruined his clothes. Red is the color of something that leaves stains, physically and mentally.

(And there's no question that hers' will end up a scar.)

He finds himself honestly thinking about the idea of a scar, something so ugly and permanent, on her face— a face so preserved and untouched. Almost innocent, really, like the innocent victim of another's fight.

But this, he reminds himself, was everyone's fight. Also, Agent Hill is no damsel, she will never lay down and take shit, because she's Maria, she's his girl.

x x x

About a week and a half later, she decides for herself to have the bandages removed. He is the very first one to see her without the bandages, in fact he is actually nearby as she inspects herself briefly in the mirror.

The scar isn't so bad after all, he thinks to himself, breathing an uneasy sigh of relief from an unknown anxiety that had apparently built-up inside of him after all that time.

She furrows her brow, a little unsure. Although not the most feminine or self conscience, her heart did falter a bit at the sight of it. It wasn't particularly flattering, Hell it was just weird looking at it and the fact that this was going to be with her for the rest of her life, something just smack dap right there above her left eye. Maria restrains a scowl— of course, an ugly little scar just had to be right directly above what she considered to be one of her few good physical traits.

Nick notices the poor girl's discourage and decides to enlighten her.

"Look at it as the first to your future coming collection." he informed her in a light hearted matter-of-factly tone.

"Hmph. Watch out sir, you just might have competition." Maria smirked, arching her left brow. A partial area of her scar moved with it. Nick gave out a rare hearty laugh.

"I seriously doubt that."

x x x

Guyssss. C'mon. ;_; Just one review? I can see people like this story since I notice the amount of faves and follows, but can I please get more reviews? I'd really love to hear what you guys have to say.