Beauty is power; a smile is its sword

The sharpest lives are the deadliest to lead

                            Indie Marvel OC  |  Mun/Muse 21+

Ooo, that sounded too juicy not to explore later with Chen. That pause. Either they pulled pranks or they fucked and she needed that intel like right now. 

“You’re the only fancy rich bitches. We were the only bitches at work. We have to stick to our own kind. There are so few of us left. We’re endangered. It’s sad.” 

Joon’s mind went straight to Chen as the other bad bitch. Had she been cheating on her all these years at these events? Was as bad bitching it up with this lady at these fancy balls? Her eyes widened in realization when she figured out who she had been looking for when Joon stepped in the way. 

“You’re friends with Rebecca. Makes sense now. I’m Joon.” 

“Pleasure to meet you, Joon.” The waiter came back with Liz’s drink and she gave him a hefty tip. “We were. We grew up in the same circles and we both were dragged to events we didn’t really care for. We...had some fun together too.” 

“God no. I hate this rich people shit. I don’t think I’ve worn a dress in a decade.” She rolled her eyes and didn’t at all lower her voice as she talked shit about the people around her. “Nice to find another bad bitch in the crowd though.”

As the same tray passed her, Joon grabbed three of the snacks and shooed the waiter away as if to cut him off before he could tell her to only take one. She’d given wedgies to bigger people than him.

“Congratulations, you have better tastes than about ninety percent of the people in here.” A half smile formed as she listened to the woman talk. It was nice having someone around who wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. 

From the moment Liz spoke again Joon gave her an equally impressed and respectful look, nodding her way. When the drink was offered, however, she took a few steps closer. 

“Bold. Been a while since someone paid for my drink. Who should I made this thank you out to?” 

“No. Not at all.” Joon shot a look over her shoulder, giving the woman a once over before turning back around. 

The woman’s words left Liz a little slack jawed. Not because she felt disrespected or insulted or whatever else these snobs claimed to feel whenever they didn’t get their way. She was stunned because she was impressed. 

Which is how she ended up in the ballroom, a strapless sequin gold gown hugging all of her best features. She caught a glimpse of Chen as she made her way in, smirking a bit at the woman. Silver and gold. An unintentional perfect pairing. She was about to go say hello to the woman when someone stepped in her way.

“I did.” He agreed very easily, a bit of a proud smile on his face. Maybe a hint of cockiness to it. He ordered quietly to the bartender before turning back to her.

“And let me guess, you follow through with that threat, huh?” 

A bit of a tense smile crossed her lips. Marriage wasn’t a topic of conversation she particularly enjoyed and she found herself thankful for the topic change.

Hadrian looked up, pushing his glasses up to his forehead. “My apologies, I didn’t realize. SHIELD Archaeology.” He flashed his badge in return, a warm smile dancing across his face. “I was called in to look this over, I didn’t realize this was a joint operation. Agent Hadrian C. Goswami, at your service.” He extended his hand.

She gave him a cold look, eyes briefly flashing to the badge before she shook his hand, her grip firmer than most expected from someone like her. She made a mental note to give whoever dropped the ball on communicating their joint operation a proper chewing out when she got back to base.

Sterling gave her an impressed smile, shot the man an apologetic look, and took the seat. 

“Damn. You remind me of my wife. That level of weaponized intimidation is impressive.” 

“Ah, sorry. That’s classified. Only people who let me actually sit down have clearance. You know how it is.” 

He smirked to show he was joking, though he was willing to bargain safe intel for a seat at the bar. 

This weird little dude was actually starting to grow on her a little, which surprised her. She blamed it on the alcohol and the joke; her two weaknesses. “Well, then I guess you better find a seat.”