Re: Maria/Coulson
She hated not feeling right in her skin, but it wasn't so bad that her instinct was always to fight, shoulders forward and aggressive. It wasn't always the best posture to lead, but she wouldn't accept anything less and she was going to prove it.
Except, she never got everything she wanted, not when it came to other people. That was usually okay, except on the rare occassions she actually wanted. Emotions were not helped by teenage hormones, and she struggled to put everything in its place and not act like an idiot around him. "It's not random," she agreed. "The alien on the TV claims those changed around are selected to preform certain challenges. Superheroes and those in power would be prime candidates to complete challenges."
There. Work. She could deal with work. Then he complimented her and she very nearly swallowed her tongue, trying not to gape or stare again, because she couldn't damn well think when he was nice to her. Not that it meant anything. Shifting awkwardly again, she grumbled, "Yeah, well, that doesn't mean I can be on the bridge." Then he offered an office, and she stared again. "I don't want an office," she insisted, even as part of her wanted to be anywhere with him, but that was the stupid part, "I want this over. I feel like an idiot: I hate being this age."