Clint X Reader Part 7: Glitter In The Air

"Sorry about lunch everybody. It's a little crispy." Clint said as he brought out the food.

"Oh it's quite alright." your mother said, smiling. She didn't care as long as she didn't have to cook.

"Where's Piper?" Oliver asked as he sat down at the table.

"I'll go get her." you said, making your way to the stairs. Then you saw her walking down the stairs. "Hey we were wondering where you ran off to." you paused, waiting for a reply. "Piper?"

"What?" she asked, snapping out of it.

"Lunch is ready. Come on." you said, waiting for her as she slowly made her way down. "Piper, is something wrong?"

"Uh no sorry. Let's go eat." she smiled meekly as she tried passing you but you stopped her.

"Are you sure?" you asked, gripping her arm.

"Yeah of course." she answered, with a much more believable smile before removing your hand and going to the dining room. At lunch Piper still didn't seem like herself and everyone could tell that she had to be hiding something. "Sis, can I talk to you in private?"

"Yeah." you answered before she led you to your room. "Do we have to talk in here?" you tried to joke. Then you watched as she opened the bottom drawer of your nightstand. "Wait!" you shouted but she had already pulled them out.

"Can you please explain these to me?" she asked, holding out the small box and picture frame.

"When did you-" on the brink of tears, you couldn't finish your sentence.

"I came in to look for the necklace and found these. Please explain them to me." she ordered. You started to cry. "(Name)?"

Have you ever fed a lover with just your hands?
Closed your eyes and trusted, just trusted?
Have you ever thrown a fistful of glitter in the air?
Have you ever looked fear in the face and said, "I just don't care."?

It's only half past the point of no return
The tip of the iceberg, the sun before the burn
The thunder before the lightning and the breath before the phrase
"Have you ever felt this way?"

"I'll tell you but you can't tell anyone." you ordered, still crying. Piper nodded her head in response. You took a deep breath, locking your door then taking the objects from your sister and sitting on the bed. "Not long after our last visit Clint proposed to me with this ring." you said, opening the small box.

"Con-"

"Then just a couple weeks later we found out we were having a baby." you traced your finger over the picture.

"But then-"

"Then just two months later were lost our baby girl." tears rolling down your face. "I was stabbed and cut deeply in the abdomen during a mission." you said, lifting your shirt to reveal your scar.

"Oh my god." you sister said as she stared at your stomach. You put your shirt back down and continued.

"After that we were so distant. I couldn't stand seeing his face without wanting to cry, and he blamed himself for what happened. We both agreed to go our separate ways. We were barely able to hold conversations with one another for three years." you explained.

"But then why is he-"

"I didn't want to come and tell everyone the truth, and after he read that note you wrote on the invite he agreed to come here with me. I'm sorry we lied to you but please don't tell anyone."

"Why don't you?"

"Everyone here loves Clint. How could I tell them it ended between us, and how things ended? It was all my fault. If I had just taken maternity leave like he asked me to then she'd still be here."

"Why didn't you tell us about your engagement or your pregnancy?"

"We were planning to visit and tell everyone in person." you answered as your little sister pulled you into a hug.

"I'm so sorry (Name)." she said as you cried on her shoulder. "I won't tell anyone but you can't keep it a secret forever."

"I know." you mumbled.

"And from what I've seen, I think you and Clint could make it work again." she said, trying to give you hope.

"No. This is all just couple mode. Nothing he does or says is his true feelings." you said, wiping away your tears. Then someone knocked on the door.

Have you ever hated yourself for staring at the phone?
Your whole life waiting on the ring to prove you're not alone
Have you ever been touched so gently you had to cry?
Have you ever invited a stranger to come inside?

It's only half past the point of oblivion
The hourglass on the table, the walk before the run
The breath before the kiss, and the fear before the phrase
"Have you ever felt this way?"

"Who is it?" Piper asked.

"Clint." he replied.

"Okay just a minute." Piper said as you started wiping away tears she walked over and unlocked the door. "Come on in."

"Umm thanks." he said, then he saw you on the bed, your eyes all red and puffy. "(Name)? What's wrong?"

"You can drop the act around me." Piper paused, Clint looked at her confused. "I know everything."

"(Name) why did you-" he stopped himself after noticing the small box and picture frame in your lap.

"I'll keep quiet for now but you guys need to tell everyone soon." Piper said as Clint sat next to you on the bed.

"I will after the wedding." you said, sniffling.

"Okay. Don't forget the wedding rehearsal is soon." Piper said before leaving the room. You both sat there in silence for a few minutes.  

"I didn't realize you kept those." Clint paused. "I figured you would've thrown them out."

"How could I? I always have them in my purse." you sniffled.

"Well its bad enough you're reminded of it every day with that scar."

"How did you-"

"That day I accidentally walked in on you getting dressed, I saw."

"Oh."

"I'm sorry (Name)." he stopped himself, rethinking his words. "You should go clean up. The rehearsal is soon."

"Yeah." you said as you placed the items back in the drawer. "I'll be right back."

"I'll wait here." he said, laying down as you walked to the bathroom.

"I thought I was stronger than this." you sighed. "I haven't cried about it since we separated."

"You are strong." Clint said as he watched you wash your face. "Strongest woman I know."

"Yeah right. Natasha is a hell of a lot stronger."

"Natasha is strong in her own right, but I'd say you're stronger."

"Why?"

"What do you mean why?"

"Why do you think I'm strong?"

"I-"

La la la la la la la la

There you are,
Sitting in the garden,
Clutching my coffee,
Calling me sugar
You called me sugar

"Alrighty! Let's go!" Piper bursted through the door. She was met by stone faces. "Guys, could you please go back into couple mode? Those faces are going to scare people."

"Sure thing sis." you said, pretending to sound happy as you passed her. Clint waited for you to be out of sight to speak.

"You have no right to demand anything from her. She only came here and brought me to please everyone. I was fine with us keeping it a secret for her sake, and then you force her to tell you something painful from our private past, what kind of sister are you?" Clint said fiercely before following you down the stairs.

"You still love her don't you?" Piper asked before Clint could get much farther. He turned back around to face her.

"Why do you say that?" he asked.

"You broke up with her for her sake, since being with you at that time only caused her pain." she answered.

"You're right. I still love her." he said with a sad smile. "But you can't tell her and neither can I."

"Why not?" she asked, confused.

"Because being with me would only hurt her." he said as he turned and walked away.

Have you ever wished for an endless night?
Lassoed the moon and the stars and pulled that rope tight?
Have you ever held your breath and asked yourself will it ever get better than tonight?
Tonight






*Bonus Scene*

"Okay, everyone have their partner?" the planner asked.

"No, my best man was Collin but he said he had an emergency at work so can't make it and he doesn't think he'll make it for tomorrow either. And so, (Name) doesn't have anyone to walk down the aisle with." Oliver explained.

"Clint could do it." Piper suggested. "If you don't mind him standing for your best man?"

"I don't mind, and it makes more sense to have them walk together anyway." Oliver smiled.

"Yeah it does." Piper smiled towards you as Clint joined you at your side.

"Okay everyone in their positions?" the planner asked. "Okay? Then let's begin."