Welcome to the 21st Century, Captain.

Chapter 16

Elena POV

“No, that won’t work. If you put them there, the entire left flank will be vulnerable.”

“Well, yes, but if you place them were you have indicated, it will leave your own forces defenseless.”

My eyes fluttered shut for the billionth time within the hour. Steve and Fandral have been planning a battle strategy for hours now, and there hasn’t been too much progress. They had gotten the basics down, but it was in the details where they were lacking.

Curling tighter into the chair, I glanced at the clock. 12:03 AM. Most of the gang had already hit the hay, Steve, Fandral, and even Loki were the only ones left awake. Steve had insisted that I get some sleep, but I knew that I wouldn’t be able to if I tried.

Every time I closed my eyes, Phil’s loving eyes and warm smile haunted my mind. It had been a few weeks, but I was still in deep mourning. I’d find myself screaming myself awake, shaking with sobs as Steve comes to comfort me. Guilt plagued me at the thought of him coming to my rescue every night, knowing that I was making him tired when he needed to be focused.

“Penny for your thoughts?” a quiet voice spoke, startling me out of my thoughts.

“Wouldn’t you love to know, Loki,” I responded with a light smirk. “Too bad I’m not willing to tell you.”

“I see,” he responded coolly, although I could see the hint of mischief that gleamed in his emerald eyes.

Silence filled the air between us for a few minutes as the Aesir and American Hero continued to contemplate our upcoming battle. Worry and dread filled me as I thought about our possible impending doom. We’re outnumbered, and outgunned. My biggest fear is not the idea of losing my own life, but the life of the man I love.

I had come to the conclusion that I loved Steven Grant Rogers last night. My horrid reoccurring nightmare had brought me out of my slumber once again, and my shrill scream filled the quiet apartment. Not too long after I had begun to cry, Steve came through my door with a sad and tired expression. Wordlessly, he picked me up and cradled me in his arms as he joined me in the bed. This was how it had been going; it had become a routine. My tears dripped onto the skin of his shoulders while I clutched to him for dear life. Light kisses made their way up and down the length of my arm, trying to chase away the reality of my dark dreams.

“It’s okay, love. I’m here with you. I will always be here with you.”

His gentle words were like a lit match that had just struck itself against my heart, igniting me with warmth that I knew could only be love. It was in that instant, that split second of infinite time, in which my heart gave itself to that man. It would be forever his, and I was damn happy about that.

However, I still haven’t actually confessed this to him. Steve was under so much stress, and I didn’t want to pose as a distraction in such a serious time.

“Your mind wanders quite often,” that slithery voice called out quietly again. “But, where to is my question.”

I stared at Loki with an unreadable expression. The God of Mischief could be quite strange at times, and I didn’t know how to feel about it. Steve insisted that he had a ‘thing’ for me, which I vehemently disagreed with. He was a god, for God’s sake. There could be no spark of interest that he has found in a plain mortal.

“Once again, Loki,” I smirked as my eyes focused onto the window. “I don’t kiss and tell.”

“Are you sure?” he responded immediately, leaning in his chair towards me with his emerald eyes shining with pure danger. His cold breath fanned my face, reminding me that he was no human. His pale face was a few inches away from mine, and I could smell the earthy and minty essence that he always seemed to carry with him. Truth be told, it was intoxicating. However, I knew better than to let myself fall for such a famous liar

My initial response was to lean away, pushing myself into the cushion of the chair in hopes that it would suck me up and swallow me whole. Somehow, I found guilt beginning to eat me up inside. I felt like this was my fault; that I egged him on and I didn’t pull away from him fast enough. Of course, nothing seriously dramatic happened between the two of us, but I still felt pretty scummy.

Anger soon replaced the guilt and coursed through me as I thought of his gutsy actions. He had some hell of a nerve to try and flirt with me, especially in front of Steve. Luckily, the captain was still too absorbed in his work to take notice of what just happened. I’m afraid that if he had seen, Loki wouldn’t be able to sit down for a week.

“Yes, you prick. I am” My voice huffed out as I quickly bounced off my seat and made my way to Lover Boy. I could feel the intense glare that the god casted towards my retreating figure, but I was too scared to turn around and face him with the bravado that I usually exhibited.

All I knew was that I had it coming. Bad.