DollCup (Hawkeye x Reader) Chapter 2

You were too busy twirling your engagement ring around your finger to notice that the car was approaching the venue for the banquet. You were recalling the day Nicholas had proposed, your face holding mixed emotions. There was a party at your father's country club celebrating your promotion. The Avengers themselves were invited, but they were far too busy at the time to attend. Regardless, throngs of people you had never met, or had only met once, showed up at your celebration, no doubt trying to get it in good with the Avengers. You honestly didn't even want to attend the party yourself, but you couldn't pass up dad's offer to spoil you! You stuck to him like glue throughout the entire ordeal, desperately wishing the festivities to be over before your drained energy became evident to the rest of the party go-ers. You had been sitting with your father, mother, and Nicholas, with his parents, when suddenly Nick stood up for a toast. 

"I've known (y/n) for three years now, but it didn't take me that long to realize just how amazing of a person they are." Nicholas smiled down at you and gripped your hand. "I've never met anyone so smart and captivating. And that's why," Nicholas moved from his standing position to kneel before you as the auditorium shared a collective gasp, "I want to ask you, (y/n) (l/n), will you marry me?" You could hear "aww"s and exclamations of excitement from the room as Nick pulled a ring out of his pocket. Your eyes went wide as the moment sunk in and you frantically looked to the members of your table. You looked to your parents, your mother wearing her "robotic" smile as always, and your father smiling proudly, and slapping Nicholas' father's back jovially. Nicholas' parents seemed ecstatic, his mother even wiping away a few tears. You had a feeling that you were the only one at the table unaware of the proposal. Your eyes made a mad dash around the crowd, seeing everyone else just as excited, albeit more surprised, as your table. 

"Dear?" Nicholas' voice snapped you out of your trance and you looked back to his expecting eyes. You saw your father's face; you knew if you denied Nicholas' request, he would abandon you. You hadn't wanted things to go this far. You had hoped Nicholas would have lost interest in you and left. You could feel tears building up inside you, threatening to spill out. 

I can't disappoint dad, not now, not when I've come so far. He has to love me, he just has to! I won't end up like my brother. 

"Why not?" you said as your tears slipped down your cheeks and you smiled the biggest smile you could muster. Nicholas hugged you and the hall erupted into cheers.

Your eyes snapped up in attention as you felt the car come to a stop. You looked outside of your window to see the swarm of press being held back to create a line from your car to the double doors. Still, they were close enough to the point where you had to shield your eyes from the blinding lights of the camera flashes. Your driver came around to your side and opened the car door for you, offering his hand for you to take. You gladly accepted, uttering a silent thank you whilst flashing a tiny smile his way. Your eyes then flickered to the imposing dark wood double doors, staring at them in hopes that it would deter any reporting from asking you any questions right now. You knew that the important magazine and news journalists would be inside already, and you didn't have time to waste on these small town papers; you didn't have the energy either. You stalked your way across the red carpet that was spread out for the guests, focusing your mind on looking as unapproachable and powerful as possible. You didn't need Natasha to teach you the "murder walk," being who you where, you had plenty of time to learn that one on your own.

You let out the large sigh you had been holding in as you stepped through the doors, music and chatter flooding your ears. You threw on your best smile and looked around for any familiar faces. As your eyes roamed the room, you found that the old building had had some major renovation. The floors were replaced with a dark wood, matching the two large doors leading outside to the reporters. They had revamped the staircase, replacing the old banisters with more modern ones that matched the crystal chandeliers from the ceiling. The walls had been redecorated and painted in a way that resembled a modernized Victorian Era. There was a bar on the second floor, and you immediately knew you'd at least find Tony, if not most of the Avengers, crowded around it. You weaved your way through the crowd towards the stairway, gripping the banister tightly once you arrived, pulling yourself up with each step. Unbeknownst to you, you had your fair share of secret admirers watching your every move as you ascended the stairs, looking on in awe at your electric smile. Ninety percent of the people who looked your way you had never even met, but of them, one man, who watched every breath leave your lips, you knew very well. He would have kept his jaw open the rest of the night, if Natasha hadn't playfully shut it herself, smiling broad as Clint sent an annoyed and bashful look her way. You never saw this playful exchange though, you were too busy searching the bar's occupants for someone you recognize. You smile faltered as you realized there were nothing but unfamiliar faces crowded around the bar stools. 

Not even Tony's here? That's surprising. Now I'm worried that he's talking to someone he shouldn't be.

You looked around the room, trying your best to mask the worry and confusion threatening to spill over. However, they don't call Clint Barton "Hawkeye" for nothing, as he noticed your discomfort immediately, and headed your way. You were just about to give up and sit at the bar yourself, when an arm made it's way across your hips. You flinched and turned your head to see just who had snaked their arm around you, hoping it was someone you knew. Your eyes met familiar ones, but instead of relaxing, your whole body stiffened.

How did he get here so fast?

Cint stopped in his tracks when he noticed your fiance come up behind you and wrap his arm around you. His face twisted in silent rage as he suppressed a growl.

"Nicholas!" You tried your best to hide your discomfort with a wide smile. "I can't believe you got here so fast!"

"I sped over here as fast as I could, I couldn't spend another second away from you!" That was a lie; you knew it. So what's the real reason?

"You're too sweet!" You hugged him close, but smelled something odd from his clothes.

"Did you buy a new cologne while you were in France? I don't remember this one?" Nicholas seemed a bit flustered and taken aback by your question, which didn't go unnoticed by you.  

"Oh yeah," he rubbed the back of his head, "It's a new line that debuted over there." And just like that the conversation went stiff. You two sat in silence for a while, shifting in the awkward tension. Nicholas suddenly broke the silence as he gently latched onto your arm, pointing with his free hand, "Why don't we head out onto the terrace?"

"Alright." You nodded, and followed him outside, glancing around at the party one last time before stepping into the crisp fall air.

 Clint noticed you two head outside, Nicholas' hand on your arm, contemplating with himself whether or not to eavesdrop on your outdoor conversation. Natasha came up beside him as his mind warred with itself.

"You know, if I were you, I'd make sure he's a good fiance. Just keep an eye on (y/n), no harm in that right?" Clint raised an eyebrow and chuckled, half because Natasha could perfectly read his mind, and the other half because she was trying to convince him that spying on you was a good idea.

"And you don't think (y/n) would mind if they found me stalking them?" Clint looked at Natasha incredulously.

"Well, (y/n) won't find out, if you play your cards right." Natasha smirked and walked off, leaving Clint to his thoughts. 

"Nicholas, why did you bring me out here?" You broke the silence this time, turning to look at him while you leaned on the railing. Nicholas didn't look at you' he just stared out onto the gardens below and fiddled with his watch. Finally he spoke up, still refusing to look at you.

"When are we getting married? Are we even getting married?"

"W-Why would you say that? Of course we're getting married! I've just been busy-"

"I know you've been busy, but you could have hired someone to make the plans for you, you could have made time." Nicholas' voice held a hint of irritation.

"Nick, my job is very important to me-"

"So getting married isn't?"

"I don't know why you're so upset about this! I don't even think you want to get married!" You snapped, your yelling surprising Nicholas, his face finally facing yours.

"Wh-"

"I know, about the affair." Nicholas was wide-eyed now, like a deer caught in headlights. But, he didn't look guilty...at all. Things were silent again, and you turned away from Nicholas, looking down at your ring now, wanting to throw it off the terrace and into the bushes below. It was so quiet, you wondered if Nick was even there anymore. You turned to look back at him and you almost lept back in surprise, for Nicholas' face held a different look now. It was like a whole different person had replaced him, his face twisted and smug looking.

"So what are you gonna do? Break it off? That won't make your daddy very happy now will it?" He chuckled to himself and you stood there in awe. "Your father adores me. You can't get rid of me, unless you want him gone too." Your face twisted in fear and shock, and you felt like throwing up. "Baby, you're like an open book, following around your daddy like some lovesick puppy begging for a pat on the back. You need me, to keep him. That's how it's gonna work. You see, I like this arrangement. Being married to you opens up a lot of opportunities for me, I'm not about to let that slip. You break it off, and I'll ruin you, okay?" You were really gonna throw up now. You felt used, betrayed, and most of all stuck, because you knew that everything he said wa right. Even if dad didn't hate you for going against his wishes, you knew this man would make sure to drive your name through the mud, and your dad won't want you then. You felt tears prick at your eyes. Nicholas was walking away from you now, holding the door partially open before he looked back at you for one final word. "Oh yeah, and I get to fuck whoever I want." He was gone now. You stood there, eyes still wide, gripping the railing so tightly you thought it might break.

"(Y/n)?" You turned to see Clint standing where Nicholas was before, looking concerned. At that point you gave up trying to hold back all those tears. With a loud sob you fell to your knees, Clint rushing over to hold you. You sat there and cried in his arms. He gently grabbed your cheeks and lifted your face to his, looking deep into your eyes, so much emotion written on his face. "I'll kill that bastard (y/n)," you pulled yourself into his chest and broke into sobs once more barely hearing him whisper, "I promise."