And you decided whether you saw beauty or destruction

In shadows and starlight

(Spies)

This is for "Mystic_Night" on ao3 who asked for a continuation of the rival spies au.

It's a fountain nearly shrouded in darkness, the only light comes from the soft blue glow the fountain emits; it means that in this particular point you can see some of the stars, it means that when Connor gets there the single other human shape is illuminated in a combination of silver and light blue.
His breath is coming out in short puffs, and he watches as the person checks their watch and then turns just as the fountain flares up. It lasts only a few moments, but it's enough for them to see each other, they're both in full tuxes, but Connor probably looks fairly more disheveled.

An alarm sound breaks their staring, and even though Connor can't make the other's features anymore, he still sees the way they sag as if disappointed. There's a beat as the fountain flares once more and Connor makes sense of what's happening; neither of them knew what the other looked like.

"Cedar"

Codenames are built exactly for this reason, for the off chance they have to identify one another without alerting civilians; it's a random word to blurt out without context, there are no cedar trees in the vicinity, or any kind of tree for that matter, the fountain is placed just outside the area covered in street lights, which is poor planning on someone's part, or tailor made for spies. As Connor decides which of the two is most likely, the other person whirls around.
"Nightshade?"
Connor grins; finally, luck was on his side.

-... --- -. ..- ... / -.-. --- -. - . -. -

Evan followed the stranger who claimed to be Nightshade into the light, adrenaline and excitement rushing through his veins. The street lights gave the other sharp shadows, but Evan would've considered them beautiful regardless.

There's something dangerous about him, like looking at an ornate weapon, beautiful but not because of that any less deadly. And it's easy, it's extremely easy to see the signs of the spy Evan has become borderline obsessed with in the person standing in front of him; despite never having seen the other before, there's no doubt in Evan's mind that they are exactly who they claim to be.

There's a beat of silence, green-blue eyes meeting mismatched ones.

"I'm... you can call me Evan"
"Evan?"

He nods.

"Evan Hansen"

Nightshade extends a hand, but when Evan takes it instead of shaking it he brings it to his lips.

"Connor, Connor Murphy"

Evan is sure he's completely flustered, but right now, with Nightshade, no, Connor, looking at him like that; he finds it hard to care.