I'm tired you guys. And I feel bad...because I'm torturing you...but don't worry things will get better after the next chapter! I promise! It may take a little while though I'm trying to get some other stuff done too. (Plus school and work and what not.) Love you all!

(I already have one guess as to who the texter is...you're welcome to place your guess in your reviews :))

(Oh and thanks for all the reviews. Love each and every one of you. *kisses*)

Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel Universe

Warning: Language (and a little violence)

Comments/critiques are welcomed!

It had been almost a week since Steve last spoke to Loki Laufeyson. Not that he had much of a choice either way—the Monday following the dance Loki never showed up for school and it stayed that way the whole week. According to Thor he was home sick and whether or not that was really true wasn't really Steve's business. As far as he could tell, Thor had no idea about the little spat they'd had at the dance and Steve wanted to keep it that way. In fact no one in school seemed to have any knowledge about Steve and Loki. The main gossip of the week was that Clint Barton and Bucky Barnes were both on the market. After numerous apologies and romantic advice from Steve, Bobbi Morse had finally gotten her claws back into Clint, leaving Bucky the only available scrap from Natasha's duo. For now. Natasha seemed less stressed without having both of them wrapped around her finger but since control was in her nature she was bound to have one of them crawling back to her sooner or later.

"Okay…so let me get this straight…" Bucky furrows his brow as he and Steve make their way towards Coulson's history class. "You didn't hook up with Carol Danvers? You're kidding, right?" This had been Bucky's main focus for the entire week and he just couldn't let it go. Steve was thankful he'd been so busy after school with work or he'd be getting more of an earful than he was already.

Steve forces out a small laugh. "I don't see why that's such a shock…"

"Because she's been all over you, Steve! I didn't get any action with Natasha on Saturday, Thor didn't get laid, I don't even want to hear about Barton's night—you were my ace in the hole!"

"Sorry, Bucky, I just—didn't get anywhere with Carol. We kissed a couple of times but-"

"You kiss her or she kiss you?"

"She kissed me…" Steve flushes slightly when a few girls giggle as they pass them. "But she was practically wasted. We were at that party when it happened so…it doesn't really count, right?"

Bucky shrugs, sitting down at his desk. "I dunno, man…I think a kiss is a kiss." He nudges Steve and grins. "Did she get freaky with it? Slip you some tongue?"

Steve's relieved that class starts before Bucky can harass him for an answer. He couldn't really remember what the kiss with Carol was like…she'd surprised him and it was sloppy and drunk, nothing that really stuck in his mind. Loki unfortunately was something he couldn't stop thinking about. He'd gotten to kiss him twice in one day and everything felt pretty good up until that point. Of course then everything went to shit and Steve ended up feeling like the biggest jackass on the planet.

Without Loki as a constant distraction, Steve began to notice more interactions with people around him then he normally would. Darcy was a lot quieter during school. Thor had been a lot quieter as well. There weren't any fights in school and all of Steve's friends had something else to talk about other than Loki. It was as if his very presence changed the school's dynamic altogether. Then there was Carol. Since Loki's rather aggressive rejection for Steve, he was hoping that he'd take more of an interest in Carol especially since she seemed to be so interested in him. He didn't want things Loki had yelled at him to be true but without Loki around Steve started to notice them. When Steve was alone Carol seemed to act a bit more…real. She didn't talk about how Steve looked or how great he had been during the game, she talked about things that interested her like science and the universe and how everything has its own way and purpose. She didn't hold his arm or pretend to accidentally touch his hand or his leg she acted more like a friend then a potential girlfriend. When Bucky was around Carol would practically jump into Steve's lap. He was a little irritated that he hadn't noticed before. He was more irritated that Loki had to point it out as a means to hurt him. And he was angry and confused about why Carol Danvers thought what she was doing was a good idea to get Steve to like her. She'd partially succeeded and Steve was almost thankful he'd ended up liking Loki that way instead of her. Steve wasn't really sure if Loki meant to hurt him though. He still felt like it didn't excuse Loki for acting like Steve was in the wrong. Steve hadn't done anything wrong. He knew he hadn't done anything wrong. It wasn't his fault that he liked Loki but it wasn't Loki's fault either. Loki was just an interesting person—more interesting than most of the girls that ended up following Steve around. There was no reason for him to feel guilty about liking someone.

"Steven!" Coulson beams down at him, handing him his essay from last week. He lowers his voice and leans closer to him. "Excellent work—if you don't mind, I'd like to enter your essay into the National Junior Historians contest. You'll have to fill out some forms but first prize is a $5000 scholarship to any university of your choosing. I think you have a chance."

He gives his teacher a shy smile, clearing his throat. "Umm…thanks, Mr. Coulson, I'll…I'll definitely think about it."

Coulson pats his back and continues passing back papers, Steve letting out a sigh. He didn't think his paper was that good. It was only about the various political actions that could've been taken to prevent the American Civil War—not even Steve found it an interesting topic.

"Psst. Steve."

He looks up from his desk when Darcy drops a folded up piece of paper over her shoulder in front of him. Once unfolded it revealed a doodle of Coulson's lips stretched in an elongated fashion to kiss what Steve assumed to be his ass. He laughs, covering it up with a cough and hiding Darcy's drawing underneath his book. She turns to shoot him a toothy grin, turning back around when Coulson walks by their desks once more.

Steve wasn't going to lie…he did feel a twinge of guilt for the Darcy situation… He sucked at picking up on things and flirting wasn't something that registered when he talked to people. And even if her unnatural silence and lack of sarcasm was due to Steve's lack of romantic attraction, he couldn't factor out Loki's absence being what was upsetting her as well. In the hallways, in class, during lunch and study halls—Darcy was unusually quiet and it made Steve feel like a terrible person. According to Jane—who seemed a bit anxious when Steve mentioned Loki's name—Darcy and Loki hadn't been talking since their own fight and it did seem to be putting a stopper in Darcy's good mood. Though Steve was grateful that she wasn't casting him out. She was actually a lot of fun, with or without the added sarcasm of Loki, and Steve enjoyed her company. Especially since she was the only one who wasn't hounding him about what happened with Carol Danvers.

The week felt as though it was never going to end. Steve was at lunch—halfway through his day—and he'd been stressed since he pulled into the parking lot. He had too much on his mind, too much to do. There was Carol—whom Steve hadn't had a chance to talk to. Loki, of course, but Steve didn't want to think about dealing with him just yet. He wished his friends would quit asking him about Carol…he really wished Bucky would quit asking about Carol. Then there was Thor…Steve didn't want Thor to find out about what had happened with Loki but without being able to talk to Loki he wasn't able to secure that everything between them was to stay between them. Thor didn't have the best temper in the world, especially when it came to Loki. He'd proven that during the incident with Harry Osborn. However Loki may decide to portray the incident with Steve would inevitably decide which part of Steve's body would be broken. Thor was his best friend but he'd view whatever Loki tells him as betrayal on Steve's part and Steve didn't want that.

"Steven, you've been very quiet," Thor gives him a smile, Steve looking up from his untouched lunch. "Are you feeling alright?"

"I'm fine. Just tired," he returns Thor's smile.

Thor nods and goes back to eating his lunch. Steve looks around at his friends, Thor laughing heartily at Bucky and Clint who were at it again and Carol and Bobbi were involving themselves as well. Darcy and Jane were chatting away and had somehow pulled Natasha into their conversation. It was weird to see her without one of Steve's friends on her hip. She and Clint had been close since elementary school and Bucky had taken an interest with her literally the moment he found out she and Steve had been forming a friendship. Natasha could have any guy she wanted wrapped around her little finger—why she chose Bucky and Clint, Steve would harass her about constantly—but Steve had always been immune to that mischievous little spark in her eye. Why, neither of them really knew. It had come up during casual conversation once or twice.

"So, Steve," Natasha sips her soda, her chin sitting daintily in her hand. "Word in the little girls' room is that you're going to ask Carol to be your girlfriend soon."

All the guys—and Darcy—applaud him, Steve making a face. He quickly pulls a smile and laughs dryly, shaking his head. "I don't know about that…"

Natasha shares a knowing look with Steve, turning her attention away from the conversation.

Bucky throws a french fry at him. "You said nothing happened!"

"Nothing did happen!" Steve clears his throat and softens his voice a bit. "Really, I don't know what she's talking about. Carol's nice, but…" He drifts off, picking at his food.

"Oohhhh, Steve has a crush," Darcy grins, leaning forward on the table. "Who?"

"He will not tell," Thor replies with a mouthful of his lunch. Jane shifts in her seat to lean back slightly, hiding behind Thor as she eats her sandwich. Darcy groans and boos him, squeezing herself between Bucky and Clint.

"Why not?" she pouts her bottom lip, leaning forward. "I'll show you my breasts if you do!"

Jane flushes a deep shade of red. "Darcy, really, don't be so crude…"

Steve laughs shyly, scratching the back of his neck. "While that sounds like an ideal offer, Darce, I'd rather keep my secrets to myself."

"Screw secrets!" Clint takes a swig of his water, banging it down on the table. "I know it's not me or Bucky or Thor-" Darcy lets out a snort, Thor frowning. "And it's none of the girls here otherwise he'd pull that face he pulls, the uhhh-" Clint snaps his fingers and furrows his brow. "Damn, it's uhh-what'd you call it, Bucky? The blushing virgin?"

Four of them start laughing, Thor giving Steve a sympathetic smile. Steve makes a face at all of them and stares down at his food. He turns slightly to glance over at the empty table he'd sat at just last week when he feels a pair of eyes watching him. Steve turns back to his friends, Natasha giving him an all-knowing look.

"Alright, boys! That's a wrap for today!" The coach blows his whistle to make them huddle up one last time to end the practice. They laugh and shove at one another, the coach getting in the middle of them to settle them down. "Alright, alright, enough…Storm, knock it off!" he clears his throat, everyone starting to settle down. "Now…obviously we don't have a game tonight-" All of the guys cheer, jostling one another and laughing. "Come on, guys, keep it down. You had a good practice, you're all looking good so…go home. Enjoy your night. Just be ready for practice on Monday and we will have a game next Friday. Only three more left for the season, keep it up, guys, good job today." He pats a few of them on the back as they run off cheering and collecting their things. They make their way towards the locker room, grabbing their things. Steve Rogers is grabbed by the cuff of his uniform, the coach pulling him back and waiting until the rest of the team is out of earshot, patting Steve on the shoulder.

"Feeling alright, Rogers?"

Steve gives him a small smile, a knot tying in his stomach. He knew it was coming. He hadn't played his best today and it was his own fault…he was…distracted. "Yes, sir, feeling just fine."

Coach nods and crosses his arms, some of the guys waving and saying their goodbyes as they pass. "You doing well in your classes?"

"Sir?"

"Keeping up with your studies I mean? Not overworking yourself, are you?"

He shakes his head. "No, sir."

"Good lad." The coach takes a moment to clear his throat, Steve nervously wringing his hands together. Coach looks up at him, squinting slightly and smiling. "I didn't work you too hard today, did I?"

"N-no, sir…I umm—I-"

"Just an off day was it?" Steve nods in response and the coach nods as well, gripping his shoulder and shaking him lightly. "You have a job, Rogers? Course you do…don't work too hard this weekend, alright? Take some time off, get your head cleared…I don't wanna lose my star quarterback before states. We have a good shot at winning this year." Steve forces a smile and nods, the coach lets go of his shoulder and points a thumb behind him. "Get a shower, I'll see you Monday. And get some rest!"

Steve waves to him and rubs the back of his neck, walking towards the locker room. He wished rest was on his agenda for the weekend. The restaurant had him working twelve hour shifts Saturday and Sunday, he'd be lucky to have any time for homework, let alone sleep. Besides his every waking thought would be a worry. Things he had to deal with, things he was putting off…specifically Loki, of course. He still wasn't sure how to handle that situation. Steve takes his time getting to the showers, waving his team off with forced smiles as he walks into a stall. The water flows over his head and neck. Steve sighs, rubbing his face. He'd call Loki Sunday night. That would give him over a week then to have cooled off and enough time for Steve to think of what to say. He knew he'd need his wits about him, Loki would be quick to blame…unless he'd calmed down enough that he was just going to act as though nothing had happened. Steve was more worried that's what the outcome was going to be. He would have to talk this out at some point, Loki had pissed him off just as much as he had him. Besides…Steve still liked him…regrettably so. He wanted desperately to just get Loki out of his system, he'd already made it perfectly clear that he wasn't interested and Steve figured it was best not to test him. Not to ask for a chance to have one sliver, one taste of a relationship that wasn't going to be. Steve had been disappointed before and he'd just have to pick himself up and move on.

He shuts the water off and rubs himself dry with a towel. At least showers cleared his head a bit. It would only keep his head clear long enough for him to get home though. Steve takes his time getting dressed—the locker room had already cleared out—and there was no need for him to rush. He was only going home. Of course if he didn't make it home by the time he said he would his mother would call and text until he did. Steve collects his things from his locker and slings his bags over his shoulder, making his way towards the door. He waves goodbye to the coach as he walks by the office and towards the parking lot. Steve wasn't even up the stairs to the bleachers when his phone goes off, making him sigh and set his bags down to pull it out. He had two new messages but not from anyone he knew.

UNKNOWN: i know ur secret 6:07pm

The second was a picture—a picture of Steve and Loki…when they were…when Loki had… Steve could feel the color drain from his face. He opens the message before and checks the settings but a number wasn't given, no way for him to trace it. A car starts in the parking lot and Steve furrows his brow. He leaves his bags, running up the stairs to the lot where a blue SUV full of some of his teammates drives away laughing, leaving only his truck.

With a hooded figure leaning against it.

Steve shoves his phone back into his jacket and shoves his other hand in his pocket, feeling the small knife he carried with him just in case. The figure was small, seemed to be male, tall, and smoking. Whoever they were they had obviously been waiting for him because they raised their head when Steve approached them, flicking the cigarette to the ground and taking a step away from the truck.

"Hey! Look, I don't want any trouble-"

Steve's taken aback when the figure sucker punches him, making him stumble back a few feet. It takes him a moment to comprehend what had happened but Steve turns to retaliate and raises his fist when he realizes the person had removed their hood.

Loki Laufyeson was glaring at him.

"Wh-what? L-Loki-?" Steve touches his lip, a little blood dribbling from the small split in his lip. "I don't…I don't understand-"

"Shut up!" Loki wipes his nose on his sleeve. "Just quit it with this fucking game, okay? I'm sick of it!"

"What are you-?"

"STOP IT!" Steve takes a step back when Loki screams at him, furrowing his brow. He looked awful. His eyes were sunken, his nose was red—and he couldn't seem to breathe through it—and he was white as a ghost. "I don't like this game, Rogers, I'm sick of being the butt of everyone's joke and I'm ending it now!"

He shakes his head, letting out a nervous laugh and raising his hands defensively. "Loki…I honest to God don't know what you're talking about…all I told you was that I liked you, that's all. I was too forward, okay? I freaked you out, I get that…but—but you kissed me too. I didn't make you do that…"

Loki's lip curls up, his nostrils flaring. Steve had couldn't remember ever seeing him this angry. Not even when he and Harry Osborn had beat the crap out of each other.

"Don't you dare pretend that you don't know what I'm talking about," he sneers, fists clenched by his sides. "The harassing messages, the pictures…you actually had someone ready to take a picture—how fucked up in the head are you?" Loki shakes his head and raises his hands. "You know what, don't answer that. Could you just tell me why? Tell me what I ever did to you for you to feel such deep negative aggression towards me to try and even attempt to hurt me this way."

Steve stares at him and keeps his breathing calm, tracing over his face. What was there to say? He didn't know what to say. Half of what Loki was saying didn't make any sense and the rest was just making him angry. He didn't do fucking anything, all he did was admit his feelings. He liked him, so what? What was so bad about that?

"Fuck you."

There was a tint of surprise on Loki's face that was a first. "What?"

"You heard me," Steve snaps. "This is bullshit, okay? I don't know who's messaging you and I don't know who took pictures of us but I got one too, alright, so you can quit blaming me for your fucked up life."

"How dare-"

"You know what, no, I'm talking. And you're going to listen to every single fucking word I have to say because I'm sick of holding everything in just to spare whatever reaction I'm going to get from you. First you act paranoid about us being friends, then you act paranoid about me telling you that I like you, and then-" Steve lets out a dry laugh, "then you kiss me and have the audacity to accuse me of playing some sort of sick game just to torment you." He gives Loki a chance to answer and when he doesn't Steve takes a deep breath, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look…I've been beating myself up all week because I knew I'd freaked you out but—but you pissed me off too. You're not the only hurt party here."

Loki coughs into his arm and rolls his eyes, crossing his arms. "Oh please…because I told you Carol wasn't interested? I doubt you're really all that broken up about it, Steven."

"You could've handled it better! You could've told me before I took her to the damn dance-"

"Would that really have changed anything, Rogers?" Loki sighs, shaking his head. Steve frowns and takes a step towards him but recoils when Loki looks back up. "I'm worthless, remember?"

Steve makes a face, the word ringing in his ears. He remembered Loki's face the first time he'd mentioned it and the same feeling came back into his stomach. That queasy knot of nerves that would sit in his stomach for hours. "Loki—I never—I told you that I-"

Loki raises a hand to silence him, sniffling and wiping his nose. "Fuck off, Rogers. Someone knows what happened and whether you did it or not…I guess it doesn't matter. Just leave me alone…"

He sighs when Loki walks away, not even bothering to go after him. It would be a futile attempt. Steve lets out a yell and punches the door of his truck, not paying any mind to his busted knuckles. He goes back to get his bags and throws them into the pickup, climbing into the truck and slamming the door. Steve never meant for any of this. All he wanted was to learn more about Loki, he just wanted to be his friend, try to help him out a bit; Steve didn't like bullies and he couldn't see any reason for people to pick on Loki like they did. He rests his forehead on the steering wheel and sighs, pulling out his phone. Steve furrows his brow at the unknown number and opens a reply.

REPLY: Why are you doing this? 6:31pm

It only took a few seconds before Steve's phone goes off, a new message waiting for him in his inbox.

UNKNOWN: wait until monday ;) 6:32pm

Steve stares down at his phone, letting out a sigh. He was about ready to give up. Things were already spiraling out of his control and he wasn't ready to face the consequences. Something in his busted lip and aching jaw told him Loki wasn't either.