Comic-Con Crush

I stared around the huge room, awe-struck by all of the brilliant cosplayers around me. It was my first Comic-Con, and I was impressed just in the first five minutes of my being there. Tons of fandoms were represented by booths and tables with actors signing posters and anything else a fan could throw at them. Fiddling with the one-day pass around my neck, I tried to make a quick decision on where to go first. There was the obvious choice, the Marvel or DC booths. I stood in the middle of thousands of people, all of which I did not know, and I had no idea what I was going to do.

“You look a bit lost,” a smooth voice said behind me. I whipped around to see an extremely tall Captain America standing there, shield in hand. He towered over me! His blue eyes peered out from his mask as he looked me up and down, a wide smile crossing his thin lips. “Darcy Lewis?” he asked, motioning to my outfit.

I nodded proudly, blushing at the fact that he knew my cosplay. “Yeah.” It had taken me FOREVER to find the pieces to the outfit I was trying to replicate from Thor: The Dark World, especially the scarf and coat. “I’m surprised you knew that’s what I was going for.” I pushed my black-rimmed glasses up, a nervous habit I’d developed over time.

The guy chuckled. “Heh-heh. I would know Darcy anywhere. She is one of my favorites from Thor.” He extended his free hand. “My name is Tom.”

I took his hand, shaking it firmly. “Shalene, but you can call me Shay.” I motioned to the crowded floor. “Is this your first Con?” I questioned.

He shook his head. “My fourth. I went to one last year and cosplayed as Loki. It was pretty awesome.”

“Really?” I looked back up at him, my fangirl creeping out. “Loki is one of my favorite characters. Tom Hiddleston played him to perfection.” I heard the admiration seep through my voice and saw him look down at the floor and laugh.

“He definitely started a huge following for the character. Lucky guy.”

There was a bit of a silence, but Tom broke it. “Why don’t I give you the grand tour?”

I smiled, thankful for his helpful attitude. “That would be awesome! Thank you.”

So, for the next three hours, my new friend led me around the floor of Comic-Con. A few times, he was stopped so that people could take pictures with him; I had to admit, his Captain America cosplay was pretty impressive. The detail it had was absolutely incredible. I was even surprised when a few Thor cosplayers wanted pictures of my “spot-on” Darcy Lewis cosplay.

“Wow,” I said as Tom and I stopped outside of Hall H, the famous hall where Tom Hiddleston had surprised everyone as Loki the year before. “This is the most fun I’ve had in years.” My friends just weren’t into the same things as I was; I couldn’t enjoy Comic-Con with them because they would not understand ANYTHING. And even if I tried to explain, they would think it was stupid anyways.

Tom looked down at me, lips turning down in a frown. “Why is that?”

I shrugged. “Just, the people I hang out with aren’t really into this sort of stuff. They would make fun of me if they saw me right now.”

“Then they aren’t really your true friends. A real friend would come and support you. Don’t you think?” Tom asked, blue eyes piercing through mine.

I furrowed my brows, looking down at the floor. He WAS right. “Yeah, you’re exactly right. I guess I need to find some new friends.”

He chuckled, nudging my shoulder with his elbow slightly. “Well, I think you’ve found one friend already.”

I looked back up at him, smiling at the grin on his thin lips. I was intrigued to see what he looked like without the mask, but I felt that I would be rude in asking him to remove it. So, I merely replied with, “Really? Thanks, Tom.”

I noticed that people began filing into the doors of Hall H, excitedly chattering to one another about a “surprise guest” that would be making an appearance on the Marvel panel in an hour. “Hm, I wonder who they’re talking about,” I mused, watching as the door closed. I sighed in disappointment, wishing that I’d bought a pass to the panel.

“Why the sigh? I can get us both in there, don’t worry.” He grabbed my hand and went in the doors, flashing a grin at the security guards. “She’s with me, guys.” I watched in awe as the two burly men nodded, motioning for the two of us to continue. What was going on? Was Tom some special person or something?

I chuckled. “Wow, that was easy. But how come you didn’t have to show them a pass?”

Tom shrugged. “I know the right people, I suppose.” He led me to a seat in the third row, then took my hand. “I will be back soon, okay? There are a few things I have to take care of.”

I nodded, though I was a bit confused. What was there to take care of at a Comic-Con? But, I responded with a happy “okay”, smiling as he walked away. Was this a crush? On a guy whose face I hadn’t even fully seen? I shook my head, chastising myself. There was no way this guy would even consider me romantically; he was way too nice and almost too good to be true. For the next forty-five minutes, I played on my phone and watched the room quickly fill up with fans of all sorts. I saved Tom’s seat, though I partly gave up on him once the panel began.

“How are you guys doing?” the host said from the microphone at the podium he stood behind. I smiled, excited; this was my first panel ever. Tom skipping out on me couldn’t even get my mood down; he had been the one to get me in in the first place, and I couldn’t be sour about that. Once the audience roared and clapped in response, the host continued. “Well, you guys know about the cosplay contest that has been happening this weekend. The Con decided to disguise our judge for best costume so that he could really see everyone in action. Give a big round of applause to your judge, Captain America!”

I sat there, stunned as Tom walked out from the backstage area, waving to the crowd as they cheered loudly. I smiled, clapping as well; no wonder he said that he needed to take care of some business. He was the judge! “And now, reveal yourself, Captain America!” Tom nodded to the host, then took his mask off. I felt my jaw drop and my eyes pop out…Tom Hiddleston! He placed his hands together and bowed to the audience as they roared in applause, screams, and even kneeling. I quickly recovered from my shock and found that his blue eyes had focused on me for a moment. He winked quickly and then smiled, causing me to blush. I had been hanging out with Tom flipping Hiddleston! He had showed me around Comic-Con, laughed at my jokes, given me heartfelt advice….and I had a crush on him? Like a for real CRUSH, not a celebrity crush. Holy crap…

“Hello everyone.” Tom’s silky, English-accented voice pulled me from my chaotic thoughts. I focused my attention on him as he spoke, still in awe. “I have seen some brilliant cosplays today, but there have been a few that have really spoken to me. I must note the creativity, hard work, and dedication that has been put into these costumes. Let’s give every cosplay here a huge hand.” He stepped away and clapped along with the audience, his eyes drifting once more in my direction. “However, let me start with a few honorable mentions. As I call your name and character, please join me onstage.” He pulled out his phone and scrolled a few times to the list, I presumed.

I waited, excited to see the winners. I wondered if he would choose any Loki cosplayers; I’d seen quite a few incredible ones. He called out a few names for the honorable mentions, and then moved to third place, which was actually a female Loki cosplay that he described as being ‘evil in a sexy way.’ I had to admit, I was a bit jealous of that. But I shook it off and continued to listen. Second place went to an Indiana Jones cosplay that was spot on; the guy even looked like Harrison Ford! And then there was first place. The audience waited with baited breath until Tom finally announced that first place belonged to a cosplay group that was portraying all of the dwarves from The Hobbit movies. They all looked fantastic, I must say. “However, this is not all, folks,” Tom said. I could tell by the look in his eyes that he had something mischievous up his sleeve. “I was told that I could also present a judge’s choice award…and that goes to….” He paused for dramatic effect, grinning like a madman. “Shay as Darcy Lewis!”

I felt my face turn red and my mouth form a small ‘o’ as Tom looked down at me, smiling. “Come on, Shay,” he said, motioning for me to come onstage. I shook my head in wonder as I stood, everyone around me cheering and being so positive. The walk to the stage seemed long and fuzzy, but Tom came to the stairs and offered his hand, blue eyes sparkling. “I have had the pleasure of spending the past few hours with this young lady and I have found myself marveling over the fact that she bears a striking resemblance to the actual Darcy! Please give her another hand.” He stepped back, allowing me to bask in the moment. I smiled, bowing dramatically. Best day of my life.

***
After the awards, Tom led me to the backstage area. “I’m sorry I deceived you, Shay. It was all for a good cause though.”

I laughed. “Don’t even start apologizing, Tom. This has probably been the best day of my life. Who wins a judge’s choice the very first time they cosplay?” I shook my head. “I’m embarrassed because I totally fangirled in front of you unknowingly, though!”

Tom put his hand on my shoulder, and I was instantly soothed. “Darling, you were absolutely adorable the entire time. In fact,” he pulled me closer to him, eyes locking with mine. “I would really like to spend more time with you in the near future.” Tom then cupped my chin with his hand and kissed my cheek, lips lingering there for a moment before he pulled away. “My number is in your coat pocket, Shay. I will be in town until Friday.” And then he walked away, as if nothing had just happened. Before starting the walk back to my car, I pinched myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. Smiling, I determined that it truly had been an amazing day.