Beyond The Stars (UNDER REVISION)

Change of Pace

I look at the scar on my back. There's a knock on my door. "Come in," I lower my shirt. 

"You ready?" I look up to see Natasha standing in my doorway.

"Ready as I'll ever be," I smile at her and follow her out of the room. It's been a few months since the Battle of Sokovia. We walk through the hall near my room. "Steve still against it?" I point to the blank space on the wall.

She sighs. "Yeah..."

I look at the photos of the heroes that have passed. Coulson and Pietro are the only ones on the wall so far. "He saved Asgard, you know."

"I know." We reach the training room and I continue my one on one combat training with Nat.

I close my eyes and link myself with Thor. "Hello."

He jumps. "Dri!" He smiles at me. 

"Good time for a visit?"

"Absolutely! Darryl will be home any moment!"

"Marvelous." I take in a deep breath and teleport into Thor's apartment. Before I say anything, I look around the room. "Thor Odinson!" His eyes go wide. "Did Frigga never teach you how to pick up after yourself?!" I begin cleaning his messy room.

"I've been busy, look!" He points to the whiteboard in his room.

"That's not an excuse! Clean space, clean mind!" Using some magic to open drawers and such, I manage to clean to room rather swiftly. I sigh and finally look at his investigation board. I notice the mugshot of Loki. "We really must change that." I point. "Imagine how cross he'd be with you if he knew you used that picture." I chuckle. I hear the door open. "Ah, that must be Darryl." I walk out of Thor's room, meeting the average man. "Darryl. So good to see you." I extend my hands for a hug and he awkwardly takes it.

"Darryl is the one who helps me write you the electronic letters."

I laugh. "Yes, Thor, I know. You can't even work a coffee machine." Darryl has always been awkward around me. "Speaking of. Thor, brother. Some water?" Thor nods and walks off. "That'll take him a minute," I laugh. "So, I assume he's acclimating well?" I go to sit down, but Mjolnir is sitting in the chair. "Thor! You can't leave your hammer just sitting around! Put it in a drawer or something!" Darryl gives me a knowing look. "Oh. The rent." I say softly. Thor didn't quite understand that he has to pay rent, so I've been paying his for him. He assumes I just come every month because I'm bored. I pull the tan envelope from my pocket and hand it to the man.

"Thank you."

"Oh! Also," I wave my hands a white box appears in them. "I know it can't replace the one you've had your whole life, but..." I hand him the Connect Four game.

"He destroyed that one..."

I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. "I know it's not ideal, but he's trying. Thor... He's like a puppy. Give him attention, some words of praise, and food and he'll be your best friend. He does really like toast with strawberry jam, so just offer him some toast every once in a while." Thor walks in with a glass of water.

"Are we having toast?" His face lights up.

"I- I was hoping on pasta for dinner."

"Toast in the morning, Thor."

"Toast every morning!"

"N-No, Thor.."

"It is final!"

My phone beeps in my pocket. I pull it out to see the reminder I set for myself. "Alright, well I've got to go. Superhero stuff. Darryl, it was so nice to see you." I hug Darryl again. "Thor?" I gesture to his bedroom. We both walk in there. "I'll bring you some stuff for this-" I wave my hand at his investigation board, "Next time. Love you," I hug Thor tightly before teleporting back to the Avengers Facility.

"Good visit with Thor?" 

I jump to see Steve standing in my doorway. "H-How-" 

"I know everything, Dri. Tony was trying to-" My phone rings, cutting him off. 

"Mom?" I ask, worry heavy in my voice. 

"Dri! It's your father, I-" Before she can say anything else, I teleport to the house I call home. 

"What's wrong?" I say, panicked as I help my brother lift my father. 

"He-He just fell." 

I listen to his wheezing and notice the sweat on his face. "Was he working out? Why is he sweaty?" 

"No, we were just on the couch," Adam says. 

"It was just a cough. He said he was fine." 

I take in a deep breath. "I got him," I pick my father up and look out the window to the car. "It'll take to long to drive." Before anyone can say anything, I attempt something I've only read about. I close my eyes and focus my mind on the hospital my father used to work at. "Help him!" I yell out once I feel my feet on solid ground. 

"Are you sure you have to move?" I say to my mom, holding the packing tape. 

She lets out a heavy sigh. "Yes, honey. For the past three months, everywhere I look, I see your father. I can't live in this house anymore. Not without him." 

"I understand," I remember the speech I gave Odin when I left Asgard. 

She smiles softly. "It's hard, losing someone you love. I couldn't imagine going through it twice." She gives me a knowing look. 

"M-Mom, i don't- I didn't-" 

"Yeah, you do," Adam says from the kitchen. 

"SHUT UP, NUMBNUTS!" I yell at him. "So, where is this new place?" 

"Queens. Small little apartment. It's close to the school." 

I nod softly. "And what about here?" 

"It's yours now." 

"Wh-WHat?"

"It's yours. I can't bring myself to sell it."

I laugh softly. "Mom, I can't just take the house." 

"Well, you're stuck with it. Deal with it." 

I know this chapter has a weird pacing to it, but I couldn't think of any better way to both establish the mother-friend like situation Dri has with Thor and have Charlie die and Steph moving to Queens with Adam. It will play into Civil War, which is coming VERY SOON! I'm writing this the night before I have a big job interview. When I do get employed, my free time will be significantly reduced, but I will try to push out chapters as frequently as possible. I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but I need to pay rent somehow, right? Thank you for being so understanding! Much love, Ellie!