Eleanor Rigby; W. Maximoff ²✓

sixteen

"We're gonna be okay, right?" Leigh asked nervously, as Rhodey and Nebula worked together to try and land the ship.

"Hopefully," Clint mumbled, and Leigh jumped back at the screeching creature by her foot, kicking it away quickly, "Hey, can we hurry it up?"

"You know we're on the clock right?" the brunette added.

"All of that. Really helpful."

"Oh trust me, I know. I'm about the most helpful person you'll ever meet." Leigh quipped.

Leigh couldn't help but think the worst, as she walked over to say goodbye to Rhodey, "...if I don't make it." she whispered quietly into the hug, "Make sure old man over there takes care of himself, Nat too."

"Also in the situation that this might happen, make sure Wanda moves on. I don't want her to grieve me forever."

"You shouldn't talk like that Leigh," Rhodey said, "No messing around. Get that stone and come back."

"You too." Leigh let him go from the hug.

"We got this," Rhodey said too Clint, "Let's get this done." he replied.

"Yes, sir."

Leigh and Clint walked up into the ship, "You guys watch each other's six."

"We always do." Leigh nodded, "See you, Rhodey."

"Wow" Clint started, and Leigh stared at the beautiful purple planet around her as they walked, "Under different circumstances, this would be totally awesome."

"I have to agree with you there, you know. Other than the part where we have to climb a literal mountain."

"Oh shush, we're almost there."

"Welcome."

Leigh jumped green energy forming between her palms, and Clint whipped out his sword.

"Leigh. Daughter of Stephen."

"What the fuck is that floating thing?" Leigh whispered, "And why does it know my name?"

"Clint. Son of Edith."

"Who are you?" Clint asked, as the pair stepped forward. 

"Consider me...a guide, to you, and to all who seek the Soul Stone."

"Goody! You tell us where it is and we shall be on our way. Like gone. Adios." Leigh rambled a bit.

"If only it were that easy." he stepped into the light, or floated? Reavealing a red face.

The thing moved towards the edge of the cliff, "What you seek lies in front of you. As does what you fear."

Leigh stepped towards the edge of the cliff, she felt like she could throw up, "The stone's down there."

"For one of you...for the other...in order to take the stone, you must that which you love."

Leigh scoffed, "I've been doing that my whole life."

"An everlasting exchange. A soul for a soul."

Leigh sat with her knees to her chest, staring in thought, "Maybe he's making this shit up." Clint approached her, "I don't think so, I mean think about it."

The brunette turned to look at him, "Thanos came here with his daughter, left with the stone, but yet without his daughter."

"Isn't he like incapable of love or something."

"Maybe the love we feel, but everyone loves something. Even the worst people...or aliens?"

"I think that's a bit of a reach, Leigh." Clint stated, lowering himself on to the ground beside her. 

Leigh shook her head with tears in her eyes, "No it's not...Whatever it takes."

"Whatever it takes" Clint stood up, Leigh also standing up.

"We have to get that damn stone, Clint." she whispered leaning into his shoulder.

"Then I guess we both know who it has to be."

"I guess we do."

"I'm starting to think we mean different people here..."

"It has to be me, Clint. We both know it has to be me." Leigh whispered.

"No. No Leigh. You can't." he said sternly, and she reached to hug him, shaking her head with tears in her eyes, "I love you...I'm sorry."

Moments later she stomped her foot on top of his taking off in a run, of course recovering quickly he shot an arrow near by, which exploded sending her flying backwards. "Bitch!" she groaned, but then her eyes widened as he started to run.

The brunette did the only thing she could think of, using the green energy between her palms to practically freeze him in time, "I'm so sorry." she whispered. 

Using the last of her energy to hold him off just long enough for her to find her way to the edge of the cliff. Leigh thought about all of the people she loved as she stared at the bottom of the cliff. 

She thought of the day she met Natasha and Clint, and how they changed her life for the better. 

She thought about when she first heard Wanda's accented voice, and how she fell in love with her. 

She thought about her engament, and all of the late nights she spent training with Clint and Natasha during her teenage years.

Leigh thought about Nadia, and Tony. And Steve.

About Rhodey, she thought about her life, and all of the good she caused.

But the last thing she saw before she jumped was the photo of her fiance she kept tucked away in her pocket. 

Tears streamed down her face and she squeezed her eyes shut, before letting herself fall. She felt free in her last moments.

Once Leigh breathed her final breath, the spell was broken, Clint fell forward on to his stomach throwing his arm out over the edge, but it was much too late.

"Leigh!" he shouted.

Flinching away from the sight below.

I'm sorry.

- Via </3