The night air was cool on Penelope's face as she stepped outside. She couldn't help but notice the quiet all around her, this place was nothing like New York, the familiar sound of cars was gone, replace only with that of cricket chirping. Penny had no idea how she would get to sleep in such a quiet place, it just felt seem so unnatural to her, but Penny knew she'd adapt soon enough. She'd have to if she was going to stick it out here, and it was best for everyone that she did. She knew Aunt May hadn't wanted her to leave, but she also knew from the pile of bills on the table that she couldn't stay. Without Uncle Ben, Aunt May could barely afford to pay the mortgage, let alone feed and cloth a 16 year old girl. So when the letter offering her a full scholarship to Midgard Academy dropped through her letter box, Penny could hardly say no.

"Are you sure about this?" Aunt May had asked, helping the younger girl pack away all her belongings.

"It is a great opportunity, you know Midgard is the best school in the country." Penny had replied "And anyway this way you can go stay with Aunt June. I know you don't feel safe here since...Uncle Ben...and if I'm at Midgard then you don't have to worry about me having to change schools."

"Oh Penny...you shouldn't do this for me-"

"I'm not! Come on you know I'm hardly popular at school, a change of scenery will be good for me."

"Well...if you are sure. Just remember you can change your mind! One phone call and I'll be there to pick you up in a flash." The older woman had said, taking her niece in a firm hug.

"I know, but I'll be fine Aunt May, I swear I will." Penny replied, hugging back.

She had meant it at the time, but right now Penny felt anything but fine. She'd always been great in school academically, but in terms of popularity she was bottom of the class. The thought of meeting her class mates tomorrow terrified her and it didn't help that she would be joining the school a month into the first term. Everyone else had had plenty of time to make friends and settle in while it would all be new to her. It had seemed weird to Penny that she had been offered the scholarship after the school term had started, but assumed it was due to someone else dropping out.

"You'll be fine. You'll be fine." Penny whispered to herself, taking a deep breath. She had to think positive, it wouldn't be like her old school, people would be nice here. Tomorrow morning she'd introduce herself to her classmates and the people around her dorm room. She'd make some friends and it would be fine. She would be-

"Hold him still!" a voice yell, interrupting Penny's thoughts. She peered around the corner to see two large boys holding a smaller black haired boy still, as they did a third boy walked up and punched him in the stomach.

"Aww look at him, he looks like he is gonna cry." The punching boy said, laughing "Gonna go cry to big brother?"

"You should learn your place you mewling quim." The black haired boy spat "I am a pr-" He tried to add, but was silenced by another punch to the gut.

"What was that? Didn't catch it." The boy said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out something that Penny couldn't quite see. She moved herself closer, and as she did the light flickered off the object in the boys hand. From where she was standing, Penny swore it looked like a knife.

"Hey!" She screamed from behind them. As she did she realised she didn't actually have a plan beyond yelling.

"Shit!" The Punching boy said, dropping the object in his hand.

"Leave him alone! Or...or I swear I'll scream until someone comes!" Penny yelled. She knew the moment it left her mouth it was a pathetic thing to say, but as she couldn't take the boys on physically, it was really her only course of action.

"Eugh, lets get out of here before the bitch calls Thor" One of the boys said, throwing the black haired boy to the ground.

"Right. We'll catch you later, little prince." Another one said, following the other two as they ran off. The moment they were out of sight, Penny ran over to the black hair boy.

"Are you okay?!" She asked, helping him up. Out of the corner of her eyes, she noticed that the knife she had seen was in fact a pair of scissors.

"I'm fine..." the black haired said, pushing her away.

"Your face is cut..." Penny said "Look..I have first aid kit in my room, I could-"

"Will you stop fussing, it isn't going to work" The boy snapped angrily. "Thor won't take interest in you just because you suck up to me!"

"Huh? What's a Thor?" Penny asked, confused.

"Just leave me alone." The boy replied glaring. He pulled himself up, but as he tried to walk away, he stumbled.

"Okay okay, look. I've been here literally...three hours, I don't know any...Thor." She said, helping him steady himself. "I barely know the way back to my room."

"I see..." The boy replied, looking her up and down. "I haven't seen you before..."

"Well yeah, I'm new."

"And lost, well I suppose I can walk you back to your room. You can fix me up in exchange."

"What? I'm not l-

"Come along, I don't have all night." The boy said, leaning against her. Penny sigh and wrapped a arm around him to keep him steady.

"I'm Penelope by the way. Penny." Penny said.

"Loki." The boy replied.

They walked the rest of the way to her room in silence, Loki occasionally checking around him, as though worried someone would spot him.

"Here, you can sit on my bed. I'll get the kit." Penny said as they entered her room.

"Shut the door behind you." Loki ordered, as he hobbled over to the bed. Penny hesitated for a moment, she might not have been at the school long, but she knew they had strict rules about girls having boys in their room. Not after 8pm and never with the door closed.

"Oh don't look so worried, no one saw us come in and the teacher never do spot checks. The rule is only there to keep our parents happy." Loki snapped, sitting on the bed. Penny bit her lip, she didn't want to get in trouble on the first night, but she didn't think the boy would let her help him if she didn't comply.

Penny shut the door and grabbed her first aid kit off the shelf. She was sure there was probably some kind of nurse's office on campus, but she had no idea where it was or if there would even be anyone there at this hour. No for now she'd have to patch him up herself, and it wasn't the boy's injuries were exactly life threatening. In fact he could probably patch himself up pretty easily. But then Penny knew what it was like to be beaten up, and she knew from the times it had happened to her that someone showing a bit of concern could go a long way to making her feel better.

"Okay, this might sting a little." Penny said, putting a little anti-septic on his cut. The boy winced slightly, but didn't move away.

"So who were those guys?" Penny asked.

"Nothing more than fools who don't know their place." Loki replied, looking around her room."You have a lot of books."

"Hmm? Oh yeah, my Uncle used to take me to the second hand book shop once a month. I'd pretty much buy as much as I could afford. I've got pretty behind on my pile though lately, I'm hoping I can catch up while I'm here."

"Why would you buy second hand?" Loki asked, picking up one of the books and looking it over. "They are all battered."

"More value for money mainly. Why would I pay $10 for a new book when I can get one second hand for $0.50?"

"If you are worried about money, why would you come here? This country has free schools doesn't it?"

"Oh, well I'm here on a scholarship."

"Really? And here I thought scholarships were always put in double rooms." Loki said "You are lucky, I'd give anything to get rid of my room mate."

"You two don't get on? Oh crap it wasn't one of those guys right?!" Penny asked, worried.

"Had I been forced to share with any of those fools they would have been smothered in their sleep." Loki replied, with a face that convinced Penny he was completely serious.

"Right...okay hold still." Penny said, placing a plaster over the cut on the boys face. It wasn't a deep cut, and probably wouldn't scar, but it was bleeding enough to need a plaster at least for a day or so.

"There." Penny said. "Is anywhere else bleeding?"

"No, everywhere else is just bruised." Loki replied, holding his stomach.

"Well I have some pain killers, but you might need some ice...which I don't have and have no idea where to get.." Penny said, pulling out a packet of paracetamol. Loki held up his hand.

"Thank you, but I have my own. You have done enough to help." He said, touching the plaster on his face. He stared at Penny for a second, and then glared.

"Why did you help?"

"Huh?" Penny said confused by the sudden question.

"Why did you help me? Not many girls would take a strange boy they didn't know back to their room." Loki said "Unless you are a slut I suppose."

"...I'm started to get why they were hitting you." Penny replied, glaring.

"You didn't answer my question."

"Because you were being an ass. Look I helped you because...well I wasn't exactly popular at my old school...and I know I would have liked someone to help me when I was locked in a locker or had a milkshake thrown at my head..." Penny explained, fiddling with the packet.

"...I see." Loki said, staring at her again as if he was trying to work out if she was lying or not. "You are kind hearted, you should be careful someone doesn't take advantage of that." he added , with a smirk that sent a chill down Penny's spine.

"I'll...bear that in mind." She replied.

"Good." Loki said, getting up "I will leave you in peace."

"Will you be alright? What if those boys-" Penny started.

"They wouldn't dare, they'll be too worried that you...'told' on them." Loki said, smirking.

"Hey I was panicking! I thought they had a knife!" Penny replied annoyed, Loki just chuckled.

"Yes well someone ever tries to mug me I'll be sure to warn them I'll tell." he said smirking.

"I can take my plaster back you know." Penny said glaring.

"Then I best take my leave." Loki said, heading out the door with suspiciously less of a limp than before. "I'll see you around Penelope."

"Penny." Penny corrected.

"Penelope." Loki replied, waving a hand behind him as he left the room. Penny stuck out her tongue, though she knew he didn't see it.

Taking a breath, Penny packed away her first aid kit, she wasn't tired but she didn't feel much like going for another walk and it was started to get late anyway. Changing into her pyjamas, Penny picked up the book Loki had been examining, it seemed like a good a one to read as any, so she crawled under her covers and started to read, hoping that after a few chapters she'd be able to get some sleep, but the nights events had made her worried that this place might not be as friendly as she hoped.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The next morning, Penny woke up twenty minuets before her first class.

"Crap!" she said, jumping out of bed. She had meant to set her alarm, but had fallen asleep reading and now was going to be late on her first day.

Pulling on her clothes, Penny realised she wouldn't have time to make it to the canteen for breakfast, especially when she wasn't 100% sure where it was, so instead pulled out the care package Aunt May had left her, and had a very nutritious breakfast of two peanut butter cups and home made cookie. Shoving the package back under her bed, Penny grabbed her back pack and did a final check that she had everything she needed. It was strange how different the new text books looked compared to the rest of the books in her room, no broken spines, no falling out pages, no weird watermarks. They were the newest books she'd ever owned, even her old school only provided used text books, and she vowed to herself that she would keep them looking nice for as long as possible.

Swinging her bag over her shoulder, Penny made her way to her first class. The school was huge, but easy to navigate, so Penny managed to find her class without being late. As the other students filed into the room, Penny tried to work out where she should sit. She didn't want to take someone else's seat, but the longer she stood the more eyes she felt on her and more awkward she felt.

"Hey, are you alright?" A blonde haired girl asked concerned.

"O-oh yeah...j-just I'm not sure which seats are free..." Penny replied, fiddling with her bag. She been in too much of a rush this morning to feel nervous, but now she was actually in class it all hit her at once.

"The seat next to me if free." The girl said, smiling kindly.

"Oh..thanks." Penny said shyly.

"I'm Gwen by the way. Gwen Stacy." The girl said, showing Penny to her desk.

"Penelope Parker...Penny." Penny said.

"Well it is nice to meet you Penny. You don't have to look so nervous, everyone is really nice here." Gwen reassured. "How is your schedule?"

"Oh okay I think...it is weird having so much free time in the day." Penny said, handing the blonde girl her time table. Unlike her old school, Midgard Academy believed in giving its students several free periods through out the day. It meant the school day was longer than a normal school, but the idea was that students would use this time for group study or homework and then spend the evenings relaxing or with friends. In reality most students spent both their free periods and the evenings with friends, and then rushed out their homework ten minuets before lessons started, but no one told the teachers that.

"Yeah, I think the idea is students get all their talking out during breaks and so pay more attention in class." Gwen replied, looking over the schedule. "Oh this isn't too bad...your teachers are all pretty good...aww but I was hoping we'd have the same lunch period."

"Yeah...that's a shame." Penny said, disappointed.

"Don't worry, there are a couple frees we have together and we can always hang out after class." Gwen said, handing the schedule back. "Ofcourse you could have made a completely new set of friends by the end of the day and we may never speak again." she added joking.

"Well here's hoping." Penny joked back, feeling a little less nervous now.

The rest of the class was uneventful, her teacher was nice enough and the work was similar to what she did at Middleton High, squashing her fears that a private school might have a tougher work load than her old public school. When it was over, Gwen directed her to the room of her next class, which happened to be her favourite, science.

"Ah you must be Miss Parker." Doctor Connors said as she entered the room.

"Um yes sir.." Penny replied nervously, as the other student entered the room, she couldn't wait till she wasn't new any more and people would stop staring at her.

"I'm Doctor Connors." He said, introducing himself. "And I'm glad to say you make us an even number. Now let's see...ah I think Rogers will be best." He added, gesturing to a blond boy sitting at the back of class room.

"Mr Roger you'll be partnered with Miss Parker from now on, though I'm sure Miss Cooper and Miss Brant will miss your company" Doctor Connors said, causing the class to laugh while two girls blushed and looked away.

Slightly confused Penny walked over and sat down next to the boy, instantly realising why the girls had been blushing. The blond wasn't just attractive, he was probably one of the most attractive guys she'd ever seen. Just the right amount of muscles, big blue eyes and a boy next door face. He looked like he an actor you would see in a rom com, the one the girl doesn't go for a first because she'd rather be with the jerk, but then falls for in the end because he is just so sweet. Penny ofcourse was ready to fall for him right now, though he was undoubtedly taken, or a jerk, or a taken jerk.

"Sorry about this." He whispered as Doctor Connor's started the lesson.

"W-wha? Oh um I mean...what?" Penny said, hoping he hadn't noticed she was staring.

"Sorry you were partnered with me...I'm really not that good at science." The boy said, sheepishly. "I...i'm actually in the year above but I have to re-sit this class so...I'm sorry if I drag your grade down."

"Ah, i'm sure you won't!" Penny replied "I'm pretty good at science so I'm sure we'll even out."

"Haha let's hope so." The boy replied smiling. Penny felt her heart skip a beat, he definitely wasn't a jerk, so he had to be taken. "I'm Steve by the way."

"P-penelope...Penny." Penny replied, praying she wasn't blushing.

"Nice to meet you Penny." Steve said, turning and beginning to actually pay attention to the lecture.

For the rest of the lesson, Penny forced herself to act like a normal human being and not a love sick freak, which was more difficult then one would imagine, especially when they started the experiment and she actually had to talk to Steve. At least science was easy for her, if it had been a difficult lesson she would have probably embarrassed herself ten times as much.

"Wow, you really are good at science aren't you?" Steve said as they walked out the lesson together.

"Oh you know...my parents were scientists so.." Penny replied modestly, she couldn't look him in the eye but she forced herself not to look at her feet.

"Really? Wow. So what do they do now?" Steve asked.

"Huh?"

"Well you said 'were' so I assumed they changed careers."

"Oh no...they died.." Penny said sadly, looking at her feet this time.

"Ah! I'm sorry." Steve replied, putting a hand on her shoulder. "My Mom died just before I came here. I was living with my grandparents but..I thought it would be easier on them for me to come here, so I applied for the sports scholarship."

"You are a scholarship? Me too! I used to live with my Aunt and Uncle but then he died so..."

"Oh really? I guess you and I have a lot in common." Steve said, smiling again. "Oh I better get to my next class, do you know where you are going?"

"Um yeah, I have a free now." Penny replied.

"Okay great, I'll see you around then." Steve said, heading down the hall.

"Right, see you around!" Penny replied, waving as he left.

"Wow, way to act like a complete dork Penny." She said to herself, blushing. "I think I'll go back to my room until I remember how to not act like an idiot."

Penny knew that she should really wander around the school and try to talk to people, but she was too nervous. It was one thing to talk to someone in class when she was sat next to them, but walking up and talking to someone out of the blue? That was too hard for her. Penny was much better when someone else started the conversation.

It took her fifteenth minutes to find her way back to her room, thanks to her getting turned around a total of three times. She had thought about asking someone for directions, but was a mixture of too shy and too embarrassed. When she finally did reach her room, she was just about ready to crawl into her bed and sleep until her next class, unfortunately for her there was something waiting in her room that meant that wasn't about to happen.

"Good Morning." Loki said laying on her bed. He didn't even bother to look up from the book he was reading

"Why are you in my room!? How did you even get in here?!" Penny almost yelled, walking over to him, allowing her door to shut behind her.

"Your room proves to be an effective place to hide out, what with the built in library and all." The black haired boy replied, gesturing towards the books that covered half of Penny's floor. "As for how I got in...Magic." he added, smirking.

"Oh magic ofcourse. Get out!" Penny snapped, pointing towards her door "If you want peace go hang out in your own room!"

"No, my room mate is an annoyance I prefer to avoid." Loki replied, turning a page of the book.

"Well you can't stay here!"

"Why not? Worried Rogers might see me and get the wrong idea?"

"W-what?"

"I saw you getting all gooey over the boy scout. You know you don't have a chance right? Every girl in the school wants a pieces of him, and rumour is he has someone."

"Oh..." Penny replied deflated. It wasn't like she really thought she had a chance with someone like him, but it still hurt to have someone else confirm it.

"Aww, don't look so sad. Perhaps we can come to some kind of arrangement." Loki said, sitting up.

"What do you mean?" Penny asked warily.

"Well, if you really want Blondie, I might be able to help you. In exchange for use of your room of course."

"...Define 'use'."

"You may set any terms you like, all I want is a place I will not be disturbed when I wish to escape certain people."

Penny thought back to the events of last night and decided she had a pretty good idea of who Loki wanted to avoid.

"...Alright. But you can't come in while I'm asleep, or changing clothes, and no going through my drawers when I'm not here, or taking anything from my room, or bringing anyone else in." Penny listed off.

"Deal." Loki said, shaking her hand.

"Right so, what do I do about Steve?" Penny asked, sitting on the bed next to him.

"Right now? Nothing." Loki replied.

"What?! I can do that and kick you out of my room!" Penny said. Loki rolled his eyes in response.

"Look, rumour is that Rogers has a girl, but if it is a secret then he can't be very happy with her." Loki explained. "You already have an in with him, just act like a normal human being and not another one of those sappy love struck fools, then when he finally dumps her you'll be right on deck to take her place."

"I guess that could work." Penny said, thoughtfully.

"Ofcourse it will." Loki replied. "Now, I'm hungry. Join me for lunch." he added, more a demand then a request.

"Oh, um...alright." Penny said. She hadn't managed to find the canteen yet, so she might as well have Loki show her. "But isn't it a bit early? It is only 11."

"The canteen is open 6 till 10 every day, but even so, 90% of students try and get in between 12 and 1. If you want to avoid the rush, go a different time." Loki said, heading out of Penny's room into the hall.

"Ah okay. Any other tips I should know?" Penny asked, following him.

"Yes, but I don't give information out for free." Loki replied, smirking. This time it was Penny's turn to roll her eyes, she had a feeling this would be a running theme with him.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Midgard Academy's Canteen was much fancier than the one at Penny's old school, to the point that referring to them both with the same word was an insult. Her old canteen had been a simple room, with long square tables and uncomfortable chairs that you couldn't move, as they were bolted to the floor. The Midgard Academy canteen on the other hand was more like a restaurant, with comfy chairs at smaller separate tables and a second level available with more seats. The food selection was much more extensive too, where her old school had had a random choice of one hot meal or something from the vending machine, Midgard offered a choice of cereals (which were meant for breakfast but left out all day, Loki informed her), a selection of fruit, various sandwiches and two hot meals (that Loki informed her would be different to the hot meals offered for dinner). Unlike her old school, the meals were also free, or rather the prices was included in the admission fee, but since Penny was a scholarship, they were free to her.

"Wow, this place is impressive." Penny said sitting opposite Loki at one of the empty tables. She had picked up a sandwich, some crisps and an apple so she could tell her Aunt she was being healthy.

"I suppose it must be, for a scholarship." Loki replied, taking a bite of the pasta dish he had chosen.

"Oh well you know I'm just happy whenever I'm in a building that has a roof." Penny snarked, opening her crisp packet. "Meanwhile I suppose you've been living in a castle with a million servants."

"Oh not quite a million, maybe just a couple hundred." Loki replied.

"Ha ha...wait are you serious?"

"Well I am a prince, where did you expect me to live?"

"A prince? You are messing with me again aren't you?" Penny scoffed.

"It is true! You've head of Asgard I assume?" Loki asked.

"Um yeah, isn't it in Europe somewhere?" Penny replied.

"Your grasp of geography is impressive, I see why you got a scholarship." Loki said sarcastically "That is where I am prince of. I'm just in America for school."

"Oh...wow." Penny said, slightly dumb folded. She couldn't say she had seen that one coming. "So um..was that why those guys were-"

"Brother!" A voice bellowed from across the canteen interrupting Penny's question.

"Oh not now." Loki sigh, exasperated. He rubbed his forehead as if he felt a headache coming on.

Penny looked over in the direction of the voice to see a tall, muscled boy walking towards them. He had blond hair that was long for a boy, but some how seemed to suit him, and the beginning of a beard that made him look older than he was.

"Good day to you brother." He said smiling and sitting himself next to Loki. "I did not see you this morning."

"That is because I left early, your snoring isn't conducive to ones attempt at a lie in." Loki replied, refusing to look at his brother.

"Ah apologises brother, but I have little control over what noises I make in my sleep." Thor replied cheerfully.

"I've noticed." Loki said, half glaring at his brother. "Why we have to share a room is beyond me. Father could easily afford to pay for separate ones."

"Yes, but Mother asked me to keep an eye on you, which is better done in a shared room."

"Yes well I hope Mother realises any drop in my grades is down to you depriving me of sleep! I swear it would be quieter sleeping next to a pneumatic drill."

"You jest brother" Thor laughed, slapping him on the back, causing Loki to almost knock over his lunch.

"And who is your new friend?" The blond asked, giving Penny a smile. She had to admit, he was a good looking guy, but if it was a choice she much prefer Steve's boy next door good looks.

"This is Penelope, she is new." Loki said as if it was the most boring thing in the world.

"Good day Penelope, I am Thor, Loki's elder brother." Thor said, extending a hand out towards her.

So this is the guy Loki was talking about last night, Penny thought to herself. Well she could see why the guys had run off when they thought she might call him, he looked like he could squash all three of them without even breaking a sweat.

"Hello, it is Penny actually. No one calls me Penelope unless they are mad." Penny said, shaking his hand.

"Well they should, it is a beautiful name." Thor said smiling. Penny smiled back, she could tell what he said was just to be nice rather than flirtatious, but even so it was sweet. Out the corner of her eye she saw Loki angrily stab a piece of pasta with his fork, and then she remembered last night, when Loki had refused her help at first when he thought it was just a tactic to get to Thor. It must be easy to be over shadowed with someone like Thor around she thought.

"Thank you." Penny said, pulling her hand away. "So, this is the room mate you mentioned? You never said he was your brother." Penny said, purposely addressing Loki rather than Thor.

"It was a needless detail." Loki said, shoving the remaining pasta into his mouth. "Now if you excuse us Thor, I promised I show Pene- Penny around the school." He added, standing up from the table. Penny looked down at her own tray, she hadn't even started her apple and her sandwich was only half eaten, but she decided it was best not to argue At least she could take the apple with her.

"It was nice meeting you Thor." Penny said, standing and picking up her tray to clear it away.

"You too Miss Penelope, please make sure to keep my brother out of trouble." Thor said, still smiling.

"Will do." Penny replied, smiling back.

"Alright, come along now we wouldn't want you late for your next class." Loki said, grabbing her arm and pulling her out of the canteen.

"Your brother seems nice." Penny said once they were outside.

"Oh doesn't he just?" Loki snapped sarcastically, obviously annoyed.

"I'm sensing you two don't get on." Penny said removing her arm from his grip and walking beside him.

"He is a pompous idiot who snores like a jack hammer." Loki growled. "But yet I seem to be the only one who sees that, the rest of the world treats him as though he was a gift bestowed by the gods."

"I see." Penny replied. "Makes me glad I'm an only child."

"Lucky..." Loki replied, kicking a can on the ground. "I'm surprised you came with me."

"Well you did technically just promise to show me around." Penny said, smirking.

"That was just to get us out of there." Loki said, turning to look at her.

"Oh well maybe I'll just go back and ask Thor if-"

"Fine! Well played. Where would you like to go?"

"Well I haven't managed to find the library yet."

"The library? Don't you have enough books stacked in your room?" Loki asked, raising his eye brow.

"You can never have enough books." Penny replied, matter of factly. Loki just smiled.

"Fine. Come along then, I think you'll be impressed." He said, opening the door to the next building and leading her inside.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Steve sat in the library and stared hopelessly at his text book. He hated science about as much as anyone could possible hate a subject, but unfortunately for him it was required if he ever wanted to graduate.

"Now that is the face of a man, who is about to flip over a table" A voice said from in front of him. Steve looked up to see a brown hair man with sunglasses smirking down at him.

"This stuff is impossible, I didn't get it the first time and I don't get it now." Steve complained, looking helplessly back at his book.

"It isn't exactly rocket science Steve." The boy said, taking his book. "You know if you let me tutor you.."

"We tried that last year Tony, and you know how it turned out." Steve said, blushing slightly. Tony smirked, he remember exactly how it had turned out last time and would greatly like to repeat the experience.

Tony hadn't realised Steve was gay at first, not when he offered to tutor him anyway. At first he was just being a friend and helping a poor guy who struggled with science. Of course it didn't hurt that the poor boy in question was twelve stone of pure muscle, but eye candy aside Tony really did just want to help out a friend. And he had, for a while. Steve was a slow learner, but he got things eventually, and his grades did slowly begin to improve. It wasn't until Tony determined that Steve was too stressed out to learn effectively, and decided that the best way to solve this was vodka shots, did the studying begin to take a back seat. The first time they kissed had been when Tony was in the middle of trying to convince Steve he wasn't stupid. The blond had cut him off mid-sentence, but then fled from the room the moment the kiss ended. Tony hadn't seen Steve for three days after that.

The next time he saw him, the blond had turned up drunk at Tony's dorm room, and explained that although he had had inklings that he might be gay for a while, his grandfather had always told him such feelings were unnatural, and so he had refused to give it any real consideration. However, the more time he spent with Tony, the more he realised he liked him as more than a friend, and the mix of drink removing his inhibitions and Tony being so kind to him, had made him to decide to just go for it and kiss him. He had felt terrible afterwards, and was too scared to face Tony for fear of what he would say.

The next three days had been spent with Steve hiding in his room, trying to work things through in his mind, but after finding the bottle of vodka his room mate had hidden, he had felt more confident about talking to Tony, and so had headed straight over to explain his behaviour.

Tony had sat and listened carefully to what his friend had to say, and when the blond was done, he had walked over, smacked him over the head and called him an idiot. He then went on to tell Steve that he wasn't a freak, and that anyone who thought so was a homophobic piece of shit that Steve shouldn't be wasting his time with. He added that Steve should take as much time as he needed to deal with this, and come out when he felt comfortable, and when he did Tony would be the first in line to take him out, to the point he would challenge any other suitors to a knife fight if they tried to get in his way.

Steve had felt a lot better after that, and although as far as the rest of the school was concerned he was as heterosexual as could be, his tutoring sessions with Tony had dissolved into make out sessions, with the Tony's dorm room providing a privacy that made Steve feel completely comfortable to be himself. The only downside had been that his science grade had dropped to the point he had to repeat the first year curriculum, and so this year he had promised himself to make out less and study more.

"Maybe I'll ask Penny for some help...she seems pretty smart." Steve said, rubbing the back of his head in annoyance.

"Penny? Who's that?" Tony asked, not recognising the name.

"Oh a new scholarship student, she got me as her lab partner." Steve explained.

"Poor thing." Tony snarked. "Still at least you are away from those two other girls, you know they had the hots for you."

"No they didn't, they were just being nice." Steve replied.

"Oh come on Steve they were practically drooling" Tony said, giving him a look. "You know all these fan girls would back off if they knew the truth."

"Don't Tony. You know I'm not ready." Steve snapped.

"Aww come on Steve I'm just kidding. You know I won't tell." Tony said, taking off his sunglasses. "It just bugs me all these bimbos swarming around. "

"You have your fair share of fans you know." Steve replied.

"Yes, but I let all mine down gently. You are too nice, it makes them think they have a shot. This Penny better not be another drooling idiot. Maybe I should have a word, nip it in the bud." Tony said, playing with his sunglasses.

"I don't think you need to." Steve said, nodding towards the library entrance. Tony turned just in time to see Penny and Loki walk in, the girls eyes lighting up as she entered the room.

"So that is Penny huh? Guess I don't need to worry, she obviously has terrible taste in people." Tony said, watching the two as they disappeared behind a bookcase.

"Tony don't be a jerk, it is nice if Loki's actually made a friend. You know Thor is worried about him." Steve scolded.

"Loki doesn't have friends for a good reason. You remember he put blue dye in my shampoo right?" Tony said, turning back to the blond.

"Yes, and I remember he did it because you and Clint covered him in flour."

"Hey that was because-"

"Tony! Enough We are not having this conversation again. You are both to blame and that prank war got way out of control. The west building still smell of fish and the school had to hire a crane to get the cow off the roof, just let it go." Steve sighed tiredly.

Tony pouted and mumbled something about it not being his fault cows could go upstairs but not down. Steve just shock his head and went back to his text book. He had to admit, it was hard to imagine that Loki wasn't up to something, but he'd give the boy the benefit of the doubt for now. He could always have a quiet word with Penny in the future if something seemed off. Orphans should look out for each other after all.