You’ve always been the light in every room, the girl who smiled even when it hurt. But Clint never saw it. He always glared at you like you were something fake, his coldness a sharp contrast to your warmth. No matter how hard you tried to get him to crack a smile, he never did. You thought you could change that, but Clint remained unreachable, his disdain for you clear in every word.

Today, your mask shattered, but not in front of him—no, it happened in the place you least expected. Home.

The house smelled of whiskey again as your father staggered around, his eyes filled with contempt. You knew what was coming. He didn’t even need to speak to make you feel small, but he always did

“You’re the reason your mother’s dead!” he spat, swiping a hand across your face. The sting was nothing compared to the ache in your chest. Every slap, every insult, was a reminder of your worthlessness in his eyes. You didn’t cry in front of him anymore. You just endured.

But tonight was different. His voice slurred, “Worthless. I wish you never came into this world.”

His words felt like knives. You turned and ran, barely hearing him call your name over your racing heartbeat. You didn’t care. You ran until your legs gave out, collapsing in the park, the tears you’d been holding back finally breaking free

The air was cold, but not as cold as the emptiness in your heart. You didn’t know how long you cried, but when you looked up, Clint was standing there. His usual indifference was gone. He wasn’t sneering

His voice faltered“Why are you crying?”

You looked away, embarrassed. But his presence felt different now, softer, almost as if he could see the real you—the one no one else ever bothered to look for

“Why do you always hide it?” Clint asked quietly, taking a step closer. “The makeup… the smile. It’s all a mask”

You wiped your eyes, unable to speak, and for the first time, you didn’t feel like the world was caving in. Clint stepped forward, pulling into his arms

“So this is the real you,” he whispered.