I opened my eyes only to be blinded by a bright white light. I stood up, looking around to find the space empty, completely void of anything. I knew this blank place.

There was a maniacal cackling all around me, filling the room. He was coming. He hadn't forgotten about me. He was the only one.

The laughing stopped and I saw something dark move out of the corner of my eye. I whipped my head around, only to find that there was no one there. There was a soft chuckle coming from behind me. I turned around, but, still, no one was there. I was getting sick of this stupid game. "Knock it off!" I shouted out.

"But where would be the fun in that?" I heard him say from behind me. I could practically hear the smirk on his face.

I turned around again slowly. His emerald eyes gleamed at me along with his cheshire grin. It was almost unnerving. "You're going to give me whiplash," I scolded him, crossing my arms in front of my chest.

"Then, please, forgive me," he replied with a mocking bow. "I never intended to bring you harm."

I nodded my head slightly, staring down at the floor as I bit my lip softly. He stood up straight and looked at me with furrowed brows. Next thing I knew, he was standing right in front of me, lifting my chin gently. "Cassidy, I truly am sorry."

I smiled softly at him and shook my head. "No, it's not that…" I let out a quiet sigh. "I thought you'd abandoned me like everyone else."

I was surprised when he smiled back at me. It wasn't like his devilish grin; it was a genuinely happy smile, soft and true. "I would never abandon you," he said quietly with a shake of his head.

I couldn't help but smile back at him happily. No one had ever said that to me before. I know that it was all happening in my head, that he wasn't actually there, but it just felt so real. However, his answer led him to ask more questions. "Why would you think that I'd abandon you? Did I not give you my word that I would always be there when you most needed me?"

I nodded my head at him slowly. "Yes, it's just… Everyone leaves eventually. My parents. Steve. I thought you had, too."

"The captain left you?" He furrowed his brows at me before anger overcame him. "I will smite him for this injustice towards you!"

"No!" I shook my head at him with wide eyes. "No! It's not his fault. He's never around anyway. He's just trying to do what's best for me. It's just that that happens to be sending me away to live with someone else…"

His expression softened a bit. "Who?"

"Tony Stark," I replied.

"The man of iron?"

I nodded my head at him and shrugged my shoulders lightly. "I don't think it'll be so bad. Tony's a good guy, even if a lot of people don't think so."

"As long as he keeps you safe and happy," he replied.

It became obvious to me that this guy really cared about me and, yet, I didn't even know who he was. I watched him carefully as he reached out and gently ran his fingers through my dark, wavy hair. I wanted to pull away from him, but it was almost as if I was frozen to the spot. All I could do was stare up at him.

"Am I making you uncomfortable?" He asked lowly as his green eyes met my grey ones. It didn't seem like he meant it in a sensual or provocative way. He wanted to make sure he wasn't overstepping any boundaries.

I shook my head slowly. "Who are you?" My voice came out quiet and hoarse. I had to know.

A genuine smile formed on his lips. "Of course, how rude of me," he said, taking a step back and bowing slightly. "I am Loki of Asgard."

Loki. My head spun with his name. I knew I had heard it somewhere, but I couldn't remember where or why. Rather than questioning it, I gave him an awkward little curtsy. "Well, it's nice to meet you, Loki." His name sounded weird leaving my lips. It felt like I was dropping an f-bomb around my dad, like it was forbidden.

I think Loki sensed my uneasiness; he reached out and placed his hand on my arm with furrowed brows. "Cassidy? Are you alright?"

"Yeah," I nodded with a slight smile. "Yeah, I'm fine."

It didn't seem like he believed me. He opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by the sound of someone calling my name. Loki sighed heavily. "I suppose this is goodbye for now."

I nodded my head slowly in agreement. "You'll come see me again, though, right?"

He smiled at me softly. "Of course, I will." He gently took my hand in his, bringing it to his lips. "Farewell, Cassidy."

I rolled over in bed with a groan, folding the pillow up to cover my ears; the incessant knocking was driving me insane. "Cas!" I could hear Steve's voice from the other side of the door. "Cas, come on!. Get up. It's after ten."

I laid in bed for a few more minutes before sitting up, yawning as I stretched out my arms. The fingers of my left hand tingled slightly, almost as if Loki's kiss still lingered there. But that would be completely impossible. It was only a dream.

Steve knocked on the door again. "Cassidy!"

"Okay! I'm up!" I got up and went to the door, pulling it open to see him standing just outside my room. "What?"

"You're supposed to be at Tony's in an hour," he said quietly. He bit his lip softly. "Um, breakfast is on the stove."

"Okay," I replied, just as quiet. I could tell that he didn't want me to go. Hell, I didn't want to go. I liked living with Steve. I just didn't like being alone all the time. With a sigh, I began to close the door. "I'll be right out."

I leaned back against the closed door and closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. I hadn't realized that I was crying until I opened them again, seeing my reflection in the mirror that hung over the dresser. Wiping my cheeks, I went over and packed up the last of my things, silently praying that this new life would stick.