Up in the Mountains
"You know," she says softly, almost pensively, looking out of the window, "the view in Afterlife is very similar to this."
He looks at her, sighs, but doesn't say a thing, simply goes back to unpacking his bag. He knows it's similar – he's been there and seen the mountains overlooking the Inhumans' haven, the mountains Skye had moved. Only, back then, he didn't have time to marvel at it – he was too preoccupied by figuring out where the attack was coming from.
The last couple of weeks were heavy on all of them, but especially on Skye, who lost so much in the war (because that's what they are dubbing it now – the Inhuman War). She hasn't been herself ever since, not really. And even though he knows she will never be the same girl again, he just wants her to at least find a piece of her old self again. To smile and laugh and tease him again.
Going up to the mountains was his idea – and it seemed like a good idea at the time. The serenity of vast, uninhibited space, the surmountable challenge of the height, the privacy of just the two of them, spending two days without anybody bothering them… He hoped that it would help her to find some kind of closure and move forward.
Of course, he didn't count on the view, that damned view, bringing back bitter memories.
"But I think it's prettier there," she continues, her back still to him. "It's more… green. Less gray and rocky. And I kinda miss the red, too – you know, the red of the columns in the buildings? But, on the other hand… It's better to be here. I mean, I'm sure they haven't cleaned up all the mess yet. There might be…" Her voice breaks and he almost rushes to her. "There might still be blood on the pavement." She doesn't add whose blood, but she doesn't even have to – her mother's. "I really couldn't bear the sight of that."
He stands, taking a tentative step towards her.
"Skye…" he breaths. Hearing her name, she turns towards him.
It's hard to read her nowadays, which greatly upsets him – she's always worn her heart on her sleeve, which might not be the most ideal behavior for an agent, but it was so distinctly Skye that he never even tried to discourage it.
But then something sparkles in her gaze, and the corner of her mouth, barely visibly, turns upwards.
"But to be honest, the company is way better here."
He can't stop the relieved chuckle tearing free from his chest as steps to her and draws her into his embrace, pulling her close and resting his chin on the top of her head, inhaling the scent of her hair in.
She's not there yet, not even close – but she's started her journey down the path, and he'll be there all along the way to help and support her.