Earth 216

Eight Months and Twenty-Two Days After Invasion

Early morning dew dripped down the branch and onto his cheek as he made brief contact, bright gleam winding into his face at the cool touch. His alluring blue eyes gently closed as the serenity overtook him, the wind flowing through his tousled hair as he continued to move in perfect stillness.

There was no noise around him less the constant drawl of his board's wheels traveling across the pavement and his quiet breaths. He counted them like seconds in his head; his foot made quick contact with the ground before he was stable again; his mouth still smiling, his eyes still closed, and the patter of the wheels on the ground – but faster.

He knew these streets like they were an old friend – it had taken him but a day upon introduction and then they rode hand-in-hand together in the morning's darkness.

Turn left.

His body swayed to its inner rhythm, his hands laying claim to the pockets of his unzipped sweatshirt as he effortlessly weaved around corners and through former glory. He didn't need to open his eyes to see what was around him; he knew the gray sky like an uncle; the cracked streets like a father, and his board like a brother.

He knew that the crumbled buildings towering around him would be empty just as he knew where every brick fell and glided around them. When Tori had first come to New York all those years ago, the gigantic skyscrapers had felt mighty. The people were like fallen angles and the air he breathed so easily tasted like answers. The power circling around him had been quite the intimidation, but after each visit, no matter how many years passed, the charade fell away and the city of freedom quickly turned into a prison. The move to New York had not only broken his spirit, but his heart as well.

The more he became known the more he became hated; jeers from the wicked had caused more desperate pleas to his mother to return to New Mexico, and when that didn't work, angry demands to his father to return to Asgard. He felt like a caged animal; defenseless yet viewed dangerously. He felt poked and prodded, like he had no freedom in all the nine realms. But most of all he was lonely. His already long years felt stretched out on Midgard, the people quickly aging but his face never changing. No matter how he had viewed New Mexico, New York was tenfold worse.

All those years spent in the desert state when he longed to be on Asgard; kicked out for reasons that he hadn't understood until the invasion. Yet still he wished to be free and back with his father, two soldiers fighting whatever battles needed to be fought – to be won. Like this one. But what was victory? – If ever now it was a question he spent countless moments contemplating.

He knew that was where he belonged – out with his father and all the vast glory of faraway planets and wanderlust eyes – whether his curse permitted it or not; that was where he longed to be. He got just the briefest taste of it as a child; the hint of adventure side by side with his father as he learned to fight, to kill. Countless nights out under the stars, never needing anyone else and always being happy. But then he was flagged by confusion, his very heart sore with sorrow as he was sent back to Midgard, the very place he was taken from as a newborn; his birthplace and the home planet of his mother. He had visited her over the years, he had tried to be a good son, he had paid plenty of homage to her, yet still he was cast out; abandoned – a story only too painfully familiar to the Asgardians above.

And still, he could not return home.

He became unaware of how fast his body was now propelling down the streets, his path winding and forming an invisible labyrinth. Images plagued his brain and distracted him, emotions of anger, fear and loneliness stalked his heart like a lioness. A wheel caught on a branch and forced his foot to come slamming down, sending the skateboard up into his arms. He stood in place and trembled for a few moments, white knuckling the hard surface of the board as he fought for control.

Finally his nostrils flared with caught breath and his eyes opened slowly without focusing. Like a mirage a shadowy figure appeared down the street from him, frail skeleton hugging the broken wall of the corner building. Her beautiful gracefulness danced in front of him like the breeze, sending her hair on a journey in the wind. A circus, he remembered, dancing with her as the elephants blew their trumpets and the sky said goodnight to the souls below.

His eyes blinked closed once more and opened with new found fever, the skeleton morphing into the girl who so often haunted his mind, his gaze sweeping up her skinny legs and across her outstretched arm until they found her nimble fingers secured around a lose brick. His breath caught in his throat, a smile brighter than the soft morning glow lighting up his face. His eyes snapped up to hers, unbelief meeting uncertainty.

"Rayne." Her name was a whisper on his tongue, floating to her like a secret. The board slipped through his shaking fingers as he ran to her, the promise of two lovers reuniting sighing from every molecule throughout the universe. His breathes came out as excited gasps as he cried her name, watching that small smile form on her thin lips.

As soon as he made contact his hands wound themselves into her raven hair, his body crushing hers in embrace. His head rested in her neck, his soul burning for more of her scent. Her cautious arms wound themselves around his torso in familiar bliss.

"Tori."

Her broken voice sounded like silk to his ears. His heart felt like it had never beat faster in his entire life. He leaned back from her, her arms falling limp to her sides as he caressed her face, searching her dark eyes for something he didn't know. Despite her unsmiling face he was ecstatic – happy enough he could have sang the ballad of Heaven from the broken rooftops.

Her skin was ever so soft under his touch, his thumbs rubbing gently on her cheeks in happy bliss. Strands of her silken hair stuck to her glossed lips – lips he so longed to touch but didn't dare lean into. She stared into his eyes with her familiar hesitation. He could see the longing she so desperately hid behind her fear and insecurities. His grin faded into a small smile, his brown locks falling into his face as he couldn't help but shake his head.

"Rayne – what – what are you doing here?" He asked with a breath of laughter, and she pulled out of his grasp and grabbed onto the building again. She looked past his shoulder as he spoke to her, fearful of meeting his gaze – or anybody's.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, hanging her head and letting her face be covered by locks of darkness. Tori stepped forward and brushed them away, this time shaking his head for a different reason as his arm fell back to his side.

"You're sorry?" He repeated, still trying to make her gaze. "What for?"

"I wasn't sure you wanted to see me. Here." It was like she simply refused to speak louder; uncertain of what noise might wake those few survivors or the monsters that loomed above. Tori gave out a laugh that quickly fell into silence when he realized the lack of her joke.

"What are you talking about?" He demanded calmly, itching to hold her but forcing restraint. "Rayne I've invited you to come here for years; I always want you with me." He closed his mouth to unwanted words, re-thought, and proceeded, "You turned down my invitation to Asgard."

Rayne took another step back from him, her bony arms securing themselves around her thin body. "I didn't know if the offer was sincere." It was like Tori couldn't stop shaking his head. Her gentle voice threatened to break with every syllable.

"What do you mean you didn't know it was sincere?" He reached out for her again but she shifted away. "Rayne, let me hold you," he pleaded, and she looked past his shoulder again with tear-filled eyes.

He retracted his hand and pursed his lips. The earlier refreshing wind returned and blew their hair around, except now it felt cold and unwelcoming. Rayne shivered. Tori immediately stripped himself of his sweatshirtt and handed it to her, walking towards her with firm determination when she refused to acknowledge his existence. He helped guide her arms through the sleeves and pulled the blue fabric over her shoulders, his hands lingering as he fought to be the center of her attention. He moved his hands up and down her arms when she shivered again.

"Hey," he said, leaning into her line of sight, "Hey." Bingo—their eyes connected and now it was like she couldn't look away. She was trapped in the icy blueness of his compassionate stare.

"Of course the offer was sincere. It always was and it always is." He spoke the words like a promise, sealing it with a gentle kiss to her forehead. Her vacant eyes proved that she still disbelieved him, even through all the kind gestures and gentle words throughout their years together.

"Tell me why you think I don't want you here." His soft voice snapped her out of her moments spent in daze, her lips quivering silently as she played with the sleeve of his jacket.

"I thought you might like to see me here. You know… instead of you going all the way to New Mexico." She shook her head, putting a hand to her forehead. "I'm so stupid."

Tori's lips twitched with concern as he reached for her hand and secured it in his own. "You think I've got another girl in New York."

Her sideways glance secured his guess and she tried to pull her hand away but Tori wouldn't allow it. He became a vice.

"Rayne why would I even risk inviting you to New York if I had someone else? I'm not that much like my father, you know," he always tried to lighten up her darkness with humor. Usually, it worked, but her murky eyes remained saddened even as he twirled her around much to her reluctance.

"Trust me Rayne, I don't need anyone else. You are my best friend, my lover, my soulmate." He pulled her into his chest and rocked their bodies back and forth to a steady beat.

"Now I just feel stupid." A sheepish smile perched on her lips as she became more comfortable with the situation, glancing up slightly to see him grinning down at her. Just seeing his bright smile - the way his eyes crinkled at the corners – made her want to melt. Blood rushed to her cheeks faster when he laughed and everything immediately became right in the world. But how would she ever tell him?

"You're not stupid," he assured her, studying the gently curving angles of her face, admiring the familiar details that had never changed throughout the years.

She knew him too well, however, and her dark eyes filled with concern. "Tori, what's bothering you?" She knew he always got upset when she doubted herself, doubted them. But this was something different – she could see it in those beautiful eyes. Eyes that looked stunning to everyone, even her, but only she could see the sadness that sometimes found home in them during the most unfavorable times.

He shook his head, but she wouldn't let it go. She forced their bodies to stop swaying, forced him to bite his lip in annoyance and stare her down.

"Rayne, there's nothing wrong."

"Bullshit." She crossed her arms, the breeze gently blowing her floral dress around her legs. Then she reached for him, ever so hesitantly, her hand cupping his cheek with soft ease. His eyes closed as he leaned into it, caving immediately. She could feel the strong movement of his jaw as he spoke.

"I want to go home." So he had been thinking about Asgard again. He didn't specify which home he was referring to, but she didn't need him to. Tori had only ever had one home, and he had been unfairly ripped away from it. It was funny, long years to her felt like the blink of an eye to him, but surely any moment would feel longer when you are away from something you love. She swiped her thumb across his cheek.

"That's why your father's here," she reminded him, "He's going to take you home." His eyes snapped open in anger, and she knew what was to come next.

"Yes, that's just great. I complain and whine about wanting to go home so Father comes to get me except now he's trapped here, too." He took her hand away and it began to shake.

"Tori-"

"No, you don't get it!" His despair was overwhelming. "You think he deserves this? He should be out in the stars, saving lives and being a hero! I should have just kept my mouth shut, what's a few hundred years here on Earth, anyway? A good son wouldn't have brought his own father into the same prison; a good son would have-" He had turned away from her and stopped mid-sentence, his whole body suddenly on edge. The grey light around them had shifted since they had reunited, the sunrise now coming into full effect.

Perhaps he was aware of how much his words had hurt her. Maybe he heard her soft sniffle and was trying to find the words to consult her. Maybe he had realized that, even though a hundred years to him meant nothing, it was her whole life and he promised to be a part of it.

Or maybe something shiny had captured his attention.

Just for the briefest of time it appeared in the corner of his vision, a flash of blue and purple – silver? – and then it was simply gone. At once Tori was ready for the next appearance, if there was one – there always was—and the faint metallic bands around his wrists transformed into long twin daggers with a simple movement. Asgardian magic glowed blue around them.

"Rayne, stay close to the building." His voice was stiff and commanding, but still held his heart. She took a shaky breath and backed up until she hit the wall, her eyes widening with newfound fear.

Tori's careful eyes took in every detail around him, so careful that he could almost see the vibrations in the atmosphere. He did a slow sweep with his body, twirling one of the knives in a circle. At first he saw nothing and was prepared to escort her to safety, but then another flash appeared further away this time, disappearing quicker than the first one. Tori's eyes narrowed.

"I don't think it's a Stinger," he said slowly, melting his blades back into tattoos and holding his hand out for her to take. She did so with shaking finger, cold and sweaty against his strong presence. He squeezed her hand lightly without looking at her, leading their path along the road to where the brief colors had appeared. He walked around the area slowly, waving a hand in the air only to find it empty. Their previous conversation forgotten, Tori spoke to Rayne without visual connection.

"Get my skateboard," another flash, this time milliseconds longer. "We have some weird lights to chase."

Her clammy hand stayed within his, only letting go when he personally regarded her and repeated his directions. She let go to go wander in the grass for it, constantly checking over her shoulder for signs of danger.

Excitement grew deep in his chest as his eyes frantically searched for confirmation. If this was what Tori thought it was –if it was really, finally happening—well, he knew it was poor timing but it had meant that the message got out. Someone heard it, someone was coming, and they were going to have help—

The smile instantly wiped from his face and was replaced with horror. If this actually was what he thought it was, well, he and his father were stuck on Midgard for a reason. It's too dangerous. He took a forced breath, the supply of oxygen somehow unwelcomed. He forced himself to relax, to keep a level head. He needed confirmation before jumping to conclusions, yet something at the back of his brain already knew what he would find.

Suddenly Rayne was next to him, pushing the board into his hands.

"Tori-?" She asked.

He cut her off. "Where are you staying?"

She brushed her hair behind her shoulders and motioned to one of the only remaining buildings left in the city. "At the safe house with the rest of the survivors, why?" She hated when he got all weird and distant. It made her feel self-conscious.

"I want you to get there as fast as you can. The sun's almost up now; tell them to stay inside today." His words were rushed as he suddenly turned to her and grabbed her shoulders, his eyes wild and wandering.

Rayne, still hurt by his previous words, stood frozen in fear. "What's going on?"

Tori heard the soft fear in her voice and stooped down to place a hurried kiss to her forehead. "I think something very bad is about to happen." They shared a few moments of deadly silence before Tori placed his skateboard on the ground and turned to look back at her.

"Now go."

She immediately rushed forward, towards the other broken souls who had managed to survive this far and who somehow still manage to keep hope. She set off to become messenger of unspeakable danger.

Tori watched her for a few insufficient moments, wanting to smile for just a few more seconds before he had to careful, brave, and heroic again. So when she disappeared around the corner his smile vanished and he pushed off, his mind automatically routing the quickest way to Avenger Tower.

It was a bit ironic; the tower still stood tall, a beacon of hope even though they had failed almost everyone. And even now, what? They kept the invasion on the very outskirts of Midgard, the only think standing in their way a thin, invisible barrier that still allotted few handfuls to come through. What hope was there left to have? Tori didn't want to spend the rest of his life trapped here; defending the people that still seemed to hate him.

It didn't matter. None of it did – even if he lost hope he wasn't going to take away from others because it had helped so much back when he still had it, back when he lived in New Mexico and went to the circus every day and prayed to go home.

The sky was a brilliant orange as he wheeled his way to the tower, thankful that the sky would be sufficient contrast to the dark hues of blue and purple he so badly dreaded. The sky is like fire, he thought absentmindedly, yearning to stop and watch it but he couldn't. He wasn't completely uncaring and immature like he used to be, and he hated it. No matter how much he changed, nobody would ever let go of his past. He tried to give up caring but had since come to terms with the truth; he had always cared.

The whole time he kept seeing flashes of color, his face slowly hardening until it was pure concentration, Tori traveling as fast as he dared, eager not to be too late. I will not go down like this.

A large purple and blue circle appeared in front of him, far larger than any of the others and far too close for Tori to safely evade. He dove to the side and tripped over his board, skidding across the asphalt, skidding to a halt mere feet away. His bruised and bloody body caused him no noticeable pain as he rushed over to examine it, casting careful eyes upward.

"Go away!" He screamed at it, waving his arms wildly and throwing rocks at it. But with each stone he threw he was only more and more certain that this was happening. A small part was tempted to cry out in glee—they had been heard after all! But mostly he had just wished this was all a dream, a nightmare inflicted by a bad meal or anything else. Each rock sailed into the large opening and vanished, swallowing everything he threw into it with violent misery until it closed and Tori was left standing there with rocks in his hands, tears streaming down his face.

The tower wasn't far away from where part of Tori died. One of the wheels of his skateboard was damaged form the fall so he had to run, tucking it away securely under his arm.

He burst through the doors savagely and up to the main floor. Some of them ought to be gathered there, he concluded, pushing the elevator button with mad impatience. It was the slowest ascent he had ever experienced.

"There's a portal!" His words were out of him mouth before the doors even finished opening. Suffice to say, all the attention was on him. But Tori couldn't seem to find the words anymore as he looked around.

"Where is everyone?" He had expected the majority of them to be gathered around, getting their rest and meals in before they took their next shift. As he glanced around he counted four.

"There's been an inexplicable increase in Stinger attacks today," Jace offered, his tone grim. Tori swallowed heavily.

"I don't think it's quite so inexplicable," he admitted.

"Explain." The voice came from Clint who was leaning over the corner, coffee pot in hand. He looked worn out and faded like usual, but Tori had never seen him so old. Nevertheless he was the first person to offer to help look for the portal when Tori got done explaining. The others were stuck in shock.

"That means it worked!" Sam spoke up from his place sprawled out on the floor, various ice packs placed gingerly around his body. His red, white and blue uniform was still attacked to his body, but lay in rags.

"Leave it to Cap's son to miss the obvious," Jace grumbled, glaring angrily at the taller blonde. Tori often laughed at how much Jace hated Sam yet they could pass as brothers; both were attractive blonde haired, blue eyed men with undeniably sharp features.

Clint snapped his fingers a few times. "Focus. This isn't the time or place to bicker you two."

Jace gave an innocent grin. "But pops, it's how we get our best work in."

Clint, who had been gathering his supplies, nearly snapped an arrow in half. "Be lucky you aren't my son you narcissistic little asshole," he grumbled, glaring the young adult down.

"Wish I was, though," he shot right back, giving a smooth wink. Tori was pretty sure Clint was going to burst an artery.

"Guys, I'm serious," but he was laughing. Tori missed the little moments like this, everyone trying to be normal for the sake of emotion; times when they joked around because if they didn't they would cry.

"Alright ,alright," Clint huffed with a nod and stopped throwing broken arrowheads at a cowering Jace. Sam sat up with a pained expression and breathed heavily.

"Where do we find this portal?" He asked, their attentions all being drawn to Cat out on the balcony as she knocked on the glass.

"Found it!" She shouted, moving so they all had a perfect view of the shifting opening behind her, blue and purple dancing with each other like lovers.

"Cat, get away from there!" Sam shouted, racing to stand up and protect his girlfriend. He turned back wildly to the rest of them. "What are we supposed to do?" It was the obvious question; there had been no warning. They all cast glances to the sky. Tori turned towards Clint as Sam quickly got Cat inside. Her wandering eyes returned to the portal.

"I have no idea," Clint answer, but Tori could see his mind was racing. Maybe he did have an idea, in fact, Tori was almost sure of it. Clint never liked to lose lives, if he was going to plan something risky he would do it himself.

"Clint-" Tori warned, knowing that the archer's age could catch up with him any moment, but he was quickly cut off by Cat.

"Something's moving," she spoke almost quietly, like she was confused.

"They're getting antsy up there," Jace had walked toward the balcony to get a closer look at the sky. Tori could tell without getting closer that there were more swarms than usual. Jace opened the door outside.

"Whoa, what are you doing?" Tori demanded, taking a step forward. His skateboard dropped as his blades appeared.

"If someone comes through, we've got to get them inside as fast as possible and deal with answering the pointless questions later, right?" Tori could tell that everyone was reluctant to agree that he was right. Jace raised his eyebrows impatiently. "Right?" He asked again, the door still open and precious seconds ticking away.

"Just do it!" Clint snapped, standing rigid beside Tori. Jace grinned, walking outside to meet the visitors.

Cat had been right—the colors were shifting at a rapid speed that made it seem like something was moving. A dash of silver emerged and submerged, Jace's back facing those safe inside.

The first one to emerge was tall and blonde; his face narrow and close together. He seemed shocked to see Jace standing there, but the shock quickly subsides into unconsciousness as Jace pounded his fist into the ground, sending a an electric shock so powerful it sent the rest of the visitors cascading through the portal and closed it.

They all stared at the unconscious bodies, stuck like statues in pure awe.

"Let's bring 'em in," Clint ordered.