The Light that Shines Within

Steve, Loki, and Codenames.

( Steve POV)

Something wasn't right with Cass. I could tell that as soon as she stepped out of her room after Loki had come and told me she was ready to head over to the arena across the street. Wearing this really great vampire get up and not making eye contact with Loki at all. What had happened when he went in there? Did he decide to tell her how he really felt about her, ending all chances of there being an us, or, something else? Whatever it was I didn't like it. "Hey Cass, want me to take your backpack for you?" I offered as she shouldered a big backpack onto herself. She held it fantastically well and flashed me a heart-stopping smile. "I mean, you could. If you really want to carry around waters, makeup, and gifts all day, sure Steve, thanks." She took the backpack off and I slung over my shoulder securely in my old Army outfit from the war. It was as close to this cosplay thing as I could find on short notice. Well, not short notice, but still the only thing I could think of that was good enough to impress the girl I liked and still be myself. 

Minus the sunglasses Stark was making me use with it.

Other than that I was fine in what I was wearing. The reindeer was going as himself and I thought that was pretty original considering everyone outside the government thought Loki was gone now on Asgard. No one would suspect him this way. Cassandra smiled at us and we left our room as a group, walking across the street and to the arena where this event was taking place. People were in costume everywhere, throngs of people filling the parking lot as they headed inside. 

"Ok you two, I have to use codenames for you."

Loki and me looked at each other in confusion as we entered the building, coming up to a table full of official-looking people. "Codenames? Whatever for Cassandra?" Loki asked in bewilderment. Glad to know he wasn't the only one confused by this new detail of our stay here. Cass turned to us with a look on her face that clearly read it was obvious why we needed codenames. "Um, I dunno... Let me just walk up to that table, and ask them for nametags to be made for Prince Loki of Asgard and Captain Steve Rogers." She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "You're not supposed to be here, Steve," she looked at me. "And as for you, you're not supposed to be on this planet. ​​​​​​" She looked at Loki with a pointed glare. "Are you guys really this dense today?" Cassandra looked at both of us eyes shifting back and forth. Her now purple and pink hair peeking out from underneath her black hooded cloak, a dark purple Victorian dress showing underneath the cloak and I had to say, she looked amazing, powerful.......

She was what had me distracted. 

And I knew if I was distracted by her beauty, Loki sure was. Although he was much better at hiding his feelings for her than I was, just staring at her in awe and attraction. I glanced over at the black-haired reindeer and I could tell he too was under Cassandra's spell and charms. I thanked God he agreed he was going to look by himself so we weren't so suspicious undercover. I was going to have her all to myself and I was glad I had this opportunity to bring up our growing relationship with her. "Sorry Cass..." I said rubbing the back of my neck nervously. "This ..isn't really a place for me you know. I'll try better.." She sighed letting of her anxiety and looking at me with a kind tired smile. "Its fine Steve. You and I are going to be looking around together and Loki wants to look at stuff from that card game, Asgard's Heroes. Why probably to bargain for his own trading card.." She laughed and Loki smiled sheepishly knowing she had guessed right about his intentions. 

"Ok, don't kill each other, I'm going to sign us in.."

Cassandra went off on her way and Loki turned to me. "Why does she think we would try to murder each other as soon as she's out of our sight?" I shrugged with arms crossed, eyes on the girl I was fast falling for. I didn't want her hurt in anyway. I knew she could take care of herself and all, she was more powerful than her own uncle for goodness sakes. My point was this...I just really cared.    "Maybe because a year ago I would have killed you Loki." Was my honest reply. He tried to destroy my world with chaos, starting with my city. It wasn't easy to get rid of those feelings like Cass could. If it wasn't for her, I'd have tried several times to get rid of him by now. And I wasn't ashamed to say that either. Just because I was this righteous figure in the public eye didn't mean I hadn't killed before in cold blood. How do you think we won the War with flower crowns and "Cumbaya?"

Loki smirked watching her as well. 

"And I too...would have not batted an eyelash in my killing of every last one of you Avengers. Besides the one who stopped your flight for an hour so I had a good chance in succeeding in my mission." He acted so smug about it. So what, if Cass had called us and told us Loki wasn't there at the Tower yet? Was that her fault? No, she had been in the grocery store when Loki and Selvig started to set up the mashiene. Loki was lying to me, trying to get me to doubt Cassandra. It wasn't flying with me. I just shrugged and watched as Cass thanked the woman at the table and came back to us with three name tags, hers already on her cloak, which gave a slight fluter in my direction that looked like a wave. She gave her cloak a look and it stopped. Then smiling at us. "Ok guys! I have your name tags ready to go!" She exclaimed, giving me mine first with a smirk on her face. I read my tag and shook my head at her choise in name.

"Brandon Shmitt?" I read incredious. 

She nodded once. "Yup. Thought it would be funny if you pretended to have the same name as Red Skull. Just for laughs you know? I nodded and smiled halfway. Seeing a blush on her face. I loved to see it appear on her cheeks when I smiled.

Then she gave Loki his. 

"Tom Hiddleston?" He asked and you could instantly tell Cassandra was trying hard not to crack a grin at this codename for Loki. I guessed it had something to with a movie or another of her favorite things that her or I wouldnt know about. I chose not to ask about it. "He's just an actor from a movie I watched this week, he played Loki in it. I thought it would funny..." Her voice trailed off and she smiled at me. " So. Captain, are you ready?" I nodded and adjusted the backpack on my shoulder. "Ready as I'll ever be to be among other strangers that buy and sell nerd stuff." I said with a chuckle. Loki looked at Cassandra one last time and gave a nod. "If you need to find me, I shall be near the trading cards or the court of food I hear most people go to during this convention to aqquire nourishment. When I am done in either place I shall text you Cassandra, or the Soldier. Goodbye." 

Then he left, into the crowds of people in costume. 

"Hey soldier, you ok?" She asked and I looked at her confused expression. "He's not going to do anything Steve. I trust him..." She put an arm around mine and I felt better, like this woman was my anchor here. Like, as long as Cass was near, it didn't matter where we were, what time we were in. As long as I had this woman by my side my life was going to be ok, things were better with her around. I was falling hard for this vampire with her arm in mine, pointing things out to me with that smile of knowing wonder on her face, or that laugh of hers as she chu kled at something her old friends said. The gleam in her eyes and the kind heart underneath all that beauty. It was staggering and I could tell why any man wanted her as soon as she came into a room...

Why Loki had fallen for her. 

But seeing the way Cassandra was with me today said everything I wanted know about who she loved more, who she wanted more over the other. And it sure wasn't Loki.. ...

I had won! 

And, I wasn't going to let her go.