Valor ↠ Prequel [0] ✓

11 | The Vision

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VALOR
xi. THE VISION

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  IT WAS PAINFULLY QUIET. The hours following the Salvage Yard fight were soundless, yet unbearably unpeaceful. Tension suffocated the quinjet. Riley didn't know what was going to drive her to insanity first: the silence or the intolerable guilt eating away at her insides. Her accident was the only thing on her mind.

  Accident. Riley could've laughed. The word made it seem so innocent, so cute and naïve. She knew it wasn't entirely her fault, but Riley couldn't accept it. She felt like the right thing to do was to feel guilty for her actions. It was her fault, after all. Riley felt like death followed her wherever she went.

  She sat at the front of the quinjet on the console. Her eyes were glued to the dark skies as the low hum of the engine purred in her ears. This time, Clint piloted the aircraft since he was the only one who hadn't been attacked by Wanda's mind manipulation.

  Clint's gaze drifted toward the console where Riley was sitting. She was invisible so that he could see the airways, of course, but he knew she was there. After witnessing Steve carry her back to the quinjet, Clint was concerned. He was worried about everyone.

  Clearing his throat, Clint beckoned, "How're you feeling, O'Dair?"

  Riley lifted her head from where she'd been resting it on her knees. "Uh... If I say fine, will you believe it?"

  Clint frowned. She sounded so small, vulnerable. He knew how much she hated feeling that way, but there was only so much he could do without overstepping. "Hey, fake it 'til you make it, right?"

  Riley nodded despite being invisible, pausing. "...She showed me Roman," she slowly admitted. "And my parents."

  "I figured," he admitted. "You were crying when Steve brought you back."

  Riley scoffed. "I don't cry. I've never cried once in my life," she attempted to joke. "Ever."

  Clint hummed. "Uh-huh. Sure thing." He shifted. "...If you wanna talk about it, we can."

  Riley shook her head. "It's okay, Clint. I know what you'd say anyway. But... I appreciate it anyway if that helps," she assured. Clint faintly smiled. It did.

  Soon, Maria Hill's face flitted across a small monitor. She took this time to check in on the team and provide them with some updates. "The news is loving you guys. Nobody else is. There's been no official call for Banner's arrest, but it's in the air."