HEY EVERYBODY! So...I think a shout out is in order for wbss21 who's been writing practically whole chapters just to review my chapters. I love all my reviews but they dive deep into my writing and I'm just like WOAH GURL I AM NOT WORTHY!

I love all of you though I'm not trying to discriminate. I seriously appreciate anyone who comments or favorites or follows...I never expected to get his much of an audience. Thank you so so much. Here's to Chapter 25! OH YEAH!

As a side comment: Loki's sudden attraction to Steve is purely physical. I imagine Loki to be a very vain person and while he does eventually fall for the heart, he initially takes interest in the beauty of a potential partner. And let's be honest...we're all going to date someone purely for their looks. You can deny it but I'd date a Steve if he was a douche bag just to see him naked. Not gonna lie.

(Hope that doesn't make me less of a person, just being honest.)

Disclaimer: Does not own Marvel Universe

Warning: Actually...I don't even think there is anything. Just Loki being a sarcastic little shit and all the feels. THE FEELS.

Comments/critiques are welcomed!

"So, Loki, has school been any better?" Frigga asks tentatively. She chops vegetables slowly and adds them to the bowl in front of her. Loki had just stumbled out of bed and joined her and Thor in the kitchen, picking at some of the appetizers she'd already laid out. He looked exhausted but pleasant which was unusual considering Darcy wasn't around and he was going to have to deal with Thor's friends and his family.

Loki looks up from his book. "I suppose." He glances at Thor who was peeling potatoes on the other side of the counter. "Then again I suppose Thor's told you different?"

"It doesn't matter what your brother's told me, I need to trust you're doing well on your own. Thor, darling, that's enough potatoes for now, will you check on the turkey for me?" She turns back to Loki with a smile. "Are you and Steve getting along again? I always think it's nice to see you making friends other than Darcy-"

"What's wrong with Darcy?"

"Nothing," Frigga sighs and bites her tongue. She perks her tone back up a bit. "I just meant that it's always been you and Darcy, you never seem to hang out with anyone else. You know I love Darcy…" Frigga reaches for the top cabinet, looking around before Thor hands her the spices she was trying to reach. "And if you're friends with Steve…maybe you and your brother will hang out a little more?"

Thor makes a noise. Loki caught the small look in Thor's eye, it was something he didn't see very often; jealousy.

"Yeah…maybe."

He smirks to himself. Loki had Steve right where he wanted him—wrapped around his little finger. While he intended to keep Steve happy with the idea that he and Loki were secretly allowed to hook up now and then, his intentions for this set up were far from not being profitable for himself. Not to mess with Thor in anyway, no, simply to prove he was still the monster everyone assumed him to be. Things were just the way he wanted. Loki had been doing some thinking, sure, but not about Steve. Why did he have to rise above everyone else, why did he have to be the better person, because so far trying to turn his back to all this bullshit wasn't working. He figured that maybe he didn't want to try and be the better person. It's not like anyone expected him to be, not even the people who really knew him. He'd given Romanoff a fair warning and quite honestly…Loki was sick and tired of everyone assuming he was just going to roll over and take it. If making Steve his personal boy-toy was what he had to do to keep the world under his thumb then so be it. As for Steve…Loki didn't want to hurt him if he didn't have to. Keeping him close but far enough away was the best plan he had for now. Obviously he'd have to get creative. But if turning the golden boy into a rotten apple like him meant losing a few dignities Loki could tolerate that. It wasn't like he hadn't dated anyone before.

At least Steve was attractive. Well, in his own way. He had a good physique and a charming smile. The only downside was that if they went out in public and Steve tried to hold his hand people would end up staring. Loki wasn't exactly his type. If Steve had to be with a guy he should be dating one of the dweebs from the math club or that guy in the chorus that wears the sweater vests. Or at least someone who wears colors—Loki didn't exactly have a variety in his wardrobe. Loki was punk rock and drug dealer material, not prom queen.

Frigga clears her throat, a bowl balanced carefully in her arm, stirring the stuffing altogether. "Loki, dear? Would you mind putting on something other than your pajamas? Guests will be here soon…"

"Sure." He closes his book and hops off the barstool, grabbing a scallop from one of the trays on the counter and popping it into his mouth. "Oh, Frigga?"

"Yes, dearest?"

"Do we have room for one more? I sort of invited someone late last night and forgot to ask." Loki shrugs. "It was a little unexpected."

She furrows her brow. "Oh…did Darcy's flight get cancelled?"

Loki shakes his head. "It's not Darcy, she made it to New Mexico early this morning. It's Steve." Frigga and Thor share a look, turning to Loki.

"But…" Thor chimes in. "Steve goes to spend the holidays with his family. He goes every year."

"Not this year. We were talking on the phone last night and he said his mother wasn't well enough to travel this year so I invited him here." Loki finishes off his coffee, noticing the confused look Thor was giving him but he ignores it. "It's not like he isn't always here anyways."

Frigga gives him a smile. "Of course, hun, it's fine. We always love having Steve."

Loki makes his way towards the stairs, giving Frigga and Thor both parting nods. Thor whispers something to Frigga as Loki makes his way up to his room. He ignores the twinge of paranoia and starts the shower. It was only the start, Loki imagined, to Thor's concerns about the time he spent with Steven. He couldn't exactly explain to him that he meant no further harm to Steven though, Thor was already too suspicious about the picture of them from the dance. Loki would have to worry about him later though. For now Loki had to worry more about Steve getting smart. He wasn't entirely awake last night when Loki told him what Steve wanted to hear. Well, mostly wanted to hear. Loki didn't want to be more than friends. Steve obviously did. At least Loki was willing to give him all the physical benefits, what more could he want?

He steps out of the shower and rubs a towel over his hair, catching sight of himself in the mirror. Well…maybe only a few physical benefits. Loki was certain Steve had no interest in walking skeletons—male or female. He finishes getting dressed when the door chimes followed by a playful roar from Thor. At least one of his friends was here. Loki fixes his tunic and makes his way back downstairs.

Thor was wrestling with his three friends in the foyer: Hogun, Volstagg, and Fandral. Loki rolls his eyes. He didn't mind Hogun, it was the other two he didn't particularly care for. Loki ducks into the kitchen, setting his book down on a clean spot of the counter.

Frigga sets down her pie crust and smiles, pecking his cheek. "Well, look at you wearing colors." She brushes some hair out of his face. "You look lovely, darling. Now…will you help me with the pies? I can't trust your brother and his friends with desserts…"

"Sure."

The four of them wrestle their way into the kitchen rather obnoxiously, grabbing the food Frigga doesn't swat them away from. "Stop that, all of you! Dinner's in a few hours, I'm sure you can hold off until then. Now go into the living room, I'll whip you up some more crab puffs." They all hug her and kiss her cheeks, Frigga swatting at them with her hand towels while Loki continues to knead the dough for the pies, attempting to blend into the kitchen.

"Thank you, ma'am!"

"Thanks, mum," Thor gives her waist a little hug, following Volstagg and Hogun into the living room. "Fandral, get some chips!"

Fandral grabs one of the bags from the top shelf and looks over towards Loki. He senses Fandral's eyes scouring over his backside, making him extremely uncomfortable. Out of the three of them Fandral made Loki the most uncomfortable. There was something about the way he looked at everyone like they were there for his entertainment. "Well, look at you!" Loki scowls at him. "What? Don't gimme that look. I'm just surprised to see you wearing clothes."

Frigga turns around to give him an icy look.

"No, no, I meant-"

"Stop while you're ahead," Loki shapes the dough into one of the pie tins. "I didn't get dressed up for you if that's what you're trying to imply." Fandral opens his mouth to reply, Loki quirking his brow. "You're excused."

He gives Frigga a sheepish grin as he exits the kitchen, Loki finishing up the pie crusts. She smiles to herself. Frigga steps up beside Loki and runs a hand affectionately over his hair. "Are you feeling alright, today?" Loki grunts in response, Frigga turning him around to hold him. He allows it—fighting her would only start something else. She pets his hair gently. "I worry about you, you know…that's why I tend to fuss at you like I do. I fuss at Thor just as much-"

Loki pulls away from her to wash his hands. "Do you need me for anything else?"

She sighs and turns away from him to keep working on the salads. "No. You're excused." He picks up his book and walks towards the doorway. "And Loki?" He pauses, turning his head towards her. "Try not to fight with your brother."

He walks out of the kitchen towards the living room where his arm chair had already been claimed by someone who was not him. Not that he minded. Volstagg was sitting in it and even if Loki ordered him to move, the chair would be covered in chips and crumbs and it just wouldn't be worth it. He'd have to find somewhere else to settle himself. Thor and his friends were already arguing obnoxiously over whether or not they should play video games or continue watching the football game. Loki rolls his eyes. He grabs a pillow out from under Thor's arm—who gives him a smile—and leans it against the wall next to the bookshelf, settling uncomfortably against it. His brother knew how particular he was about where he liked to sit in certain rooms…unfortunately having his friends over made him ignorant. Loki sighs and opens his book, cringing slightly when they all start yelling at once, Thor getting up to put in one of his games.

"Alright—who's with who?" Thor asks, handing out the controllers. "Or are we doing individuals?"

"I'm with you, Thor," Fandral grins.

Hogun makes a disgruntled noise. "Unfair."

"What? You and Thor are both good at this game—you can't be paired together. You get Volstagg."

"I'd rather do individuals."

Volstagg frowns. "Why doesn't anyone ever want to pair with me?"

"Because your fingers are too greasy," Loki turns the page of his book. "They slip all over the buttons. Not to mention your inability to aim at anything other than your fellow teammate. You're usually a hindrance to whoever gets you."

Thor shoots him a look.

"Oh and you're so great at this game?"

Fandral laughs dryly. "He is."

"We'd all be sniped in a matter of minutes," Thor grumbles, setting up the game to single players. "Besides, he doesn't want to play."

Loki's mouth twitches. He slouches down against the wall, concentrating on his book. Loki wasn't allowed to play video games with them. He'd figured out all the different codes and ended up winning each time—having him on a team was an unfair advantage. And Thor was really possessive. Not that he'd ever say anything but he didn't like it when Loki joined in with his friends. Another reason why Thor wasn't allowed to know about Steve.

The doorbell rings. Loki looks up and looks back down at his book.

Frigga calls from the kitchen. "Thor, will you get the door, please?"

"Yes, ma'am!" he replies without moving. He takes out Fandral's character, who swears. "Loki, get the door." Loki shoots him a look. The doorbell rings again. "Loki. Door." He stands—calmly—and slicks his hair back. Loki throws his book at Thor, knocking the controller out of his hands. His friends all laugh when Thor gets sniped by Hogun. "SHIT! Dammit—LOKI!"

"Thor, language!" Frigga scolds.

Loki walks to the front door and pauses a moment before opening it, making a face. Sif was checking her nails, a hand on her hip. She rolls her eyes when she looks up to see him.

"Awww, I'm sorry little girl," Loki smirks. "Halloween won't be until next year. But my you are a scary little witch, aren't you?"

"Cute." Sif shoves past him and fixes her hair, cocking her hips slightly to the side. He shuts the door. "If I knew you'd actually be in the house today I wouldn't have shown up. What's wrong? Your mommy tell you that you aren't allowed to sneak out?"

He rolls his eyes. "I'm here by choice. Whether you choose to believe it or not I actually have a heart when it comes to the thought of poor Frigga being stuck in a house of men. Nice dress, by the way. Did you have to borrow it to try and get a rise out of Thor? Or at least part of him?" Loki smirks again. Sif opens her mouth to respond when Frigga walks out of the kitchen.

"Sif, I thought I heard you," she smiles, linking her arm with hers. "Come along, dear, I could use some help in the kitchen."

Sif makes a face at Loki who smiles and gives her a little wave. He walks back into the living room to all the guys yelling at Volstagg for throwing a grenade. Loki grabs his book off the floor and settles back down against the wall with a sigh. The moment he opens it the doorbell goes off again. He slams the book shut. Thor gives him a wary look, turning his attention back to the television and shifting to stand, Loki already on his feet.

"Sit down," he snaps. "It's not like it matters now."

Thor lets out a huff and slouches back down on the couch. Loki carries his book with him, ready to hit someone else with it. They still had an hour before dinner and Loki was already tired of Thor's friends being here. He opens the door with a scowl, expecting a group of the guys from the football team, but instead his face softens a bit. Steve gives him a shy smile, fixing his tie. He was dressed like he was going to church it was very amusing. Loki leans in the doorway, one arm above his head, leaning it against his fist. All of the other guys were just in comfortable dress pants and shirts. Steve went all out.

"You're early," Loki smiles, making it a little crooked. "I told you dinner was at five."

Steve lets out a little laugh. "I…I can come back if-"

"Don't be stupid, you may come in," Loki steps to the side, closing the door behind him. He looks Steve over and shakes his head, laughing to himself. "I hope you didn't get all dressed up on my account."

He blushes, looking down at his suit. "Did I? I—I didn't have time to ask—I mean I didn't last night so I just—just assumed that-" Loki motions for him to come closer, helping him take off the jacket and starting to work on his tie. Steve shifts around on his feet and tries to look everywhere but Loki. He lets out a little laugh, Loki quirking his brow. "Nothing…I just—we haven't even been out on a date and you're already undressing me." He gags slightly when Loki tightens the tie, giving him a sheepish grin.

Loki hangs up Steve's things, motioning for Steve to follow him into the living room. "The rest of Thor's friends are already here." Steve nods, following him closely. Loki could already sense how tense he was, obviously there was something on his mind. "Steven's here," Loki announces, Thor pausing and looking up from the game.

"Steven!" he grins. "You should've told me you were coming! You know all the guys, right? Volstagg, Hogun, Fandral?"

Steve smiles politely. "Yeah…hey, how are you?"

"Hey, Steve."

"Yeah, hey, what's up?"

Thor unpauses the game, Steve shifting awkwardly beside Loki. "So uhh—you guys playing Black Ops?"

"Yeah," Thor grunts. "Hogun keeps winning though." Steve furrows his brow and looks around, Hogun giving him a little wave.

"Boys, here's some food," Frigga smiles, setting down the tray on the coffee table. She rolls her eyes when they all start to crane their necks to look around her. Her face lights up when she sees Steve. "Steven, darling!" Frigga walks around the couch to kiss his face and pull him into a hug. "Loki told me you were coming, how are you?"

He blushes, hugging her back. "I'm—fine, how are you? You're not cooking all alone today, are you? I could give you a hand if you'd like-"

"Nonsense," she replies, patting his cheek. "I have Sif in there helping me get everything set up. It's so nice to see you though, so unexpected! You just make yourself at home with Thor and his friends or—Loki, whatever he's going to be doing."

"Thank you, I will. Let me know if you need any help."

Loki watches as Steve holds his hands behind his back, shoulders straight and aligned, feet pointing forward, very rigid, very military. He was pretending to watch the game but Loki could see how his eyes had fallen away from the screen, concentrating on something else. Steve was thinking. More or less about how he was going to talk to Loki. Loki knew it was coming, he knew what he was going to say—Steve was too smart to assume that Loki "all of a sudden" just wanted to go out. While Loki did jump to the idea suddenly it wasn't a spontaneous action. He'd been thinking about it for a few days, ever since he and Steve started talking again. Steve gives his arm a little nudge, forcing a small smile as if to relax Loki's temper in some way.

"Can we talk?"

Steve gives him a concerned look, one that Loki was expecting. He motions for him to follow without bothering to announce their absence. They weren't being noticed regardless. Besides, Loki knew Thor was suspicious but not so much that he'd conclude they were messing around. His head was too thick for that kind of thought process. Loki leads him into the library, shutting and locking the door behind them, moving around him to put the book he was reading away. Out of the corner of his eye he watches Steve shift around awkwardly and look around the room. It was meant to be a study of sorts but ended up being more of a public room than anything.

"This room was meant to be Odin's office but about a year after we moved in my mother—Frigga and I turned it into our own personal reading lounge," Loki flops himself down onto the swivel chair, spinning around until he faces Steve again and gives him a coy smile. "What did you wish to discuss, Steven?" he pulls his legs up under him and spins around once more. "Or were you perhaps just wanting to have me alone?" Loki grins when Steve blushes slightly and looks away.

"N-nothing like that, I just-" Steve frowns. "This isn't some big joke, right?"

"I'm not sure what you mean."

He sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm not trying to piss you off, I just—people don't usually change their minds from one extreme to another. You especially—that I've noticed, I mean…"

Loki sets his arms down on his legs and leans forward, smirking at him. Steve's face flashed a sign of irritation. "What ever do you mean, Rogers? I thought you claimed people were capable of change? At least…that's what you said yesterday."

"Enough, okay?" Steve's tone becomes short. "Could you do me a favor and give me a straight answer for once?" Loki leans back in the chair and quirks a brow at him. Steve sighs. "Please? I…I feel like this is you just messing with me again and if it is I want out. I actually do like you a lot and I don't know why, okay? I just do. And if this is your way of getting back at me for what happened at school then I don't—don't-"

Steve takes a step back when Loki climbs gracefully out of the chair and stalks towards him, looking him up and down. He smirks. Making Steve flustered like this would certainly be an upside to this "dating" nonsense. Loki backs Steve into the door and crosses his arms, cocking his hips ever so slightly. He smiles when he notices Steve's gaze fluttering down and then snapping back up to Loki's face.

"I realize this is a lot to take in, Steven, but I assure your concerns are duly noted. I have no reason to cause you further grief in this situation and do not wish to terminate our…growing friendship. However…if you want honesty then I suppose I could humor you." Steve gives him a nervous look when Loki fixes the collar of his shirt. "My intentions are perfectly harmless. Yesterday afternoon you told me that you believed people were capable of change and while I don't personally believe this—a thought was struck. Why do I have to be the one to change?"

"I never said-"

"Let me finish." Loki clears his throat. "I've learned from past experiences that if I give people what they want or expect, they think no less of you. The two of us dating would surely bring about discretions over whether or not I would have a negative effect on you. That's what people would expect, yes? While you believe you will have a positive effect on me, I got to thinking that it will be much easier for myself to corrupt you." Steve makes a face and opens his mouth to comment, Loki waving his hand to dismiss him. "Don't worry, not enough that you won't still be everyone's golden boy. You need some confidence, Rogers, think of it like character building. Now…where was I?"

"You were corrupting me."

"Ah! Yes…people don't really change, Steven, so while you'll have more of an edge to you, you'll still be the same polite, loving sap everyone takes you for." Steve makes a face. "Don't take offense, you should hear what some people have to say."

Steve rolls his eyes and furrows his brow, attempting to collect the amount of information Loki had given him into one coherent thought. "So…" Loki raises his brow. "Basically you want to go out with me…because you want to corrupt me?"

Loki shakes his head, laughing lightly. He couldn't just blurt out that part of him actually liked him if only a little bit because that would give Steve an upper hand. Loki couldn't risk that. "No, no, I actually want to spend time with you just—not in the sense you may assume. While your intentions are to bring me to your level—my intentions are to bring you down to mine. We're simply balancing each other out. I am interested in dating you, Steve, just not in front of other people, no one's allowed to know, and I'm really only interested in the physical benefits."

"Ph-physical benefits?"

"You're attractive, let's leave it at that," Loki smirks. Steve gives him a bashful look when Loki rests his hands on his shoulders. "However…it does mean that I can do this…"

He brushes his lips against his. Steve parts his in response, Loki flicking his tongue against them. Loki's surprised when Steve takes control and tangles his fingers in Loki's hair, bending his head back to give him a real kiss. That submissive part of him took over as Steve places a hand on his back. He could feel that feeling again; the warm kind of feeling that started in his stomach and twisted its way through his chest to make his face burn. But this time…Loki didn't mind so much. Steve's kiss wasn't forceful but it was firm and the way his fingers curled ever so slightly against Loki's scalp pulled a small noise from his throat, Steve humming in response. The way his hand pushes Loki closer, the way his tongue asks permission by running over Steve's bottom lip. Loki wraps his arms around Steve's shoulders and presses as close to him as he was comfortable with…for now.

Steve's hand lingers for the moment on the small of his back, Loki catching his wrist as his hand attempts to move south. He wasn't mad…quite honestly he had to commend him for being so bold. Loki pulls back slightly to give him a look. "In due time, Rogers, I assure you. I would prefer…that your hands work their way down."

He laughs, his head falling forward slightly. "You're kidding, right?"

"The enthusiasm is noted," Loki grins, pressing forward. "But I think I'd rather make you work for it." He makes a surprised noise when Steve flips their positions, Loki now pressed against the door. This was twice now that he'd surprised him. Not that he was objecting…Steve hovering over him like this was something he could get used to. Loki smiles. "Alright, it's duly noted."

Steve rolls his eyes and grins. "Whatever…as long as I get to kiss you some more…" He leans closer to Loki and tilts his chin up to look at him. Loki was sure he looked a sight with his face all flushed and lips swollen…of course the way Steve was looking at him he didn't seem to mind.

"Eh," Loki shrugs. "We have some time to kill." He wraps his arms back around Steve's shoulders and pulls his face back down to his, running his fingers up through his hair.