HEY HEY HEY! I am soooooo sorry about this chapter being so late. I hit a bit of a rut while working on it and I just finished up my first year of college, had all this other BS going on but it's here now and Chapter 5 should be finished by tonight but no promises. I usually never make my followers have to wait over a month for an update so here's to trying harder next time!

Thanks so much for all the new followers and reviews though, they mean a lot to me and make me want to keep writing. I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing from the Marvel Universe

Warning: Mostly language

More comments/critiques please! I love them ever so much.

Friday nights. It was the one night of the week when teachers, parents, and students became equals; they all screamed and jeered and a good handful drank a bit more than they should because despite being a school sport—Friday night football was not a clean event.

Drugs, drinking, swearing, fighting, sex…for a while sex under the bleachers was more of an issue than one would think but Principle Fury had taken care of that for the most part. The real issue was drinking. Students were known to sneak beer in under the chain fence behind the bleachers where a small groove had been dug out in the dirt that had grown overtime. The fence itself was so rusted that one student could hold up the bottom while others snuck in and rolled beer kegs in with them. Parents and teachers knew but, since they got free beer, not much was done. As long as no one saw the kegs go in, no one was blamed; as long as students didn't drink openly in the bleachers, no one was blamed; as long as the students walked around and down under the bleachers to get their beer, no one was blamed. However, an exception had been made for the marching band since they weren't allowed to leave the stands. They were provided with plastic red cups for water and if someone in the band wanted beer, they would set the cup by their feet with the fee—a dollar—underneath and the students under the bleachers would fill the cups. It was an ongoing system, and none of the band members ever got drunk enough that it was noticeable because everyone was already screaming at the game.

Darcy had successfully snuck Loki in to sit with her despite it being not much of a success. The chaperones for the band were already so overwhelmed with the students they needed to be there that an extra would go by unnoticed. The twosome exiled themselves to the edge of the band section and Darcy set their cups down with the dollar underneath, snapping her fingers to get one of the student's attention so that they were noticed. Loki had to admit that she was right though…her uniform did look ridiculous. Apart from being captain of the debate team, and various other after school activities, Darcy was on the band's flag core. This meant she waved a flag around in time to a routine which was in time with the band.

"Sooooo…happy you came?" Darcy grins at Loki, nudging his side. He'd been wearing a scowl on his face since the walk over. It hadn't gone away.

"Not entirely," Loki replies, pulling his hat further over his ears. "It's cold and damp and raining and the beer's cheap and everyone's so fucking loud and, I swear, I can smell the testosterone on the players—like I don't have to smell that enough at home."

She snorts. "Well what do you expect? It's not like those kegs are store bought, they're recycled and filled with local beer." Darcy takes a long swig, coughing. "But seriously, quit being a fucking pansy, it's not like you haven't been to a football game before. You're made of testosterone too."

"I've learned to control such—breakouts."

Darcy rolls her eyes, sipping her cheap beer and mumbling, "Yeah, 'cause you're mostly estrogen…" He shoots her a look. She couldn't exactly pity the people who had to deal with Loki on a daily basis because she dealt with him by choice and pitying oneself really is a pathetic thing to do. It wasn't like he wasn't fun to deal with though. Darcy could probably say anything she wanted to him and all he'd do was give her a look like an angry cat. Loki sits rigidly next to her, bundled in a scarf, hat, and coat, his arms wrapped around himself. He looked like a grumpy old lady. Darcy smiles and scoots closer to him, pressing their sides together. "Cold, princess?"

Loki shoots her a look for the nickname and leans against her more.

"No. I'm shaking with irritation at the fact that you have to ask me if I'm cold."

"Oh?" Darcy smirks, pulling some money from her coat pocket. "Then I guess I won't let you go buy a hot chocolate while we perform-" Loki snatches the money from her hand and shuffles over to the stairs, still hugging his arms. "Get me a Snickers bar!" she calls after him.

"You don't need one!"

He makes his way down the stairs, avoiding all of the drunken students laughing and jeering at one another, most of them stumbling around and sloshing their beers. That was one thing Loki didn't want splashed onto his coat. He grumbles to himself, his whole body shivering from being wet and cold. It was the only downside to being built the way he was—no circulation. He looks over his shoulder to watch the band start to make their way out of the stands for their show. Darcy gives him a little wave.

The line for the snack bar was unbearably long but Loki wanted watery hot chocolate and stale popcorn whether he had to wait all through the halftime show or not. It shifts forward every few minutes, the one girl running the counter obviously overwhelmed and an idiot for not yelling for her coworkers, who were taking a drag near the fence. Loki sighs. He really hated people. The marching band is introduced and the instruments start to convey a melody, Loki turning slightly to watch them while still shivering and shuffling in line. Most were out of tune, a few were off step, and Darcy was one twirl behind the rest of the flag girls— amusing, really, for Darcy to be in flag core. Loki always assumed it was because her cousin wanted her to try more…effeminate things only for Loki to find out that she actually kind of liked it; Loki wouldn't mind doing more effeminate things himself if society would let him. The line continues to move at an antagonizingly slow pace. There's a slight vibration in his pocket and Loki furrows his brow, digging through his coat to find the source. He pulls out his phone to discover messages in his inbox—most from earlier that day.

FRIGGA: Are you sleeping at Darcy's again? 10:25 am
FRIGGA: We all wish you'd be at home more often. 10:34 am
FRIGGA: Your father and I landed safely in Cincinnati. You should spend time with Thor this weekend. Love you. 2:53 pm
THOR: LOKI 5:43 pm
THOR: COME TO GAME LOLZ 5:45 pm
STARK: Hey beautiful. Nice ass ;) 7:52 pm

Loki blinks, staring at the last message when a hand grabs him from behind, giving his ass a firm squeeze. He shoves his harasser with his elbow and side and turns to be sure they'd leave him alone but lowers his fist instead with a sigh. Tony Stark wraps his arms around Loki's thin waist with a grin, being sure to invade every inch of personal space that Loki would allow without jutting his knee forward.

"What do you want, Stark?"

"Well, hello to you too."

Tony Stark. He was a teenage prodigy and the only heir to Stark Industries; he was arrogant, brash, sarcastic, and condescending…and unfortunately Loki had become the target of his affections long ago. While he hated to admit it, he and Stark did have certain attributions in common. Both had rather scientific minds and were of equal intelligence, Stark just chose to excel while Loki couldn't stand the idea of being told "how to learn." He had a problem with authority. They were both witty and sarcastic and could talk their ways in or out of anything and both were equally stubborn. However, at the top of the list of similarities between them were their personal issues with their fathers though neither liked to discuss them. They'd tried to date once or twice but it usually ended with Stark screwing around with someone else; he couldn't seem to keep his hands to himself the evidence being he'd slipped them into Loki's coat and ran them down his sides.

"Do you mind?" Loki sighs and attempts to turn away. He had no patience tonight. Tony simply grins, turning him so that he's pressed up against his back, hands still buried beneath his coat.

"Not really. Though you aren't very warm, I'm not sure why I'm even trying."

"Because you're an ass?"

The line shuffles forward, Loki attempting to pull away but only managing to pull Tony with him. There really wasn't any reason why Tony was there—he didn't even go to high school. He was supposed to be graduating from the university next year while everyone else his age was graduating to advance into college. Tony was friends with Clint Barton and Pepper Potts, but not so much with anyone else that Loki could remember. He and Thor were sort of friends but after he cheated on Loki this last time Thor pummeled him into the ground and they had a falling out. At the time Loki had known their relationship was a failure from the start but didn't really care…it had been fun watching Thor chase a super genius around the yard.

"You're the one with the ass…" Tony grins, his hand wandering down to give his butt another squeeze.

"Do I have to get Thor?" he threatens, shooting him a look.

"Thor's busy, princess, I'm not sure he has the time to beat my face in again."

Loki cringes at the nickname. "It's halftime, I'm sure I can get Thor to do whatever I want."

Tony thinks for a moment before pulling his hands away and shoving them into his own pockets. When it came to Thor even Tony Stark knew when to quit. "Sooooo…enjoying school? Clint told me you were roaming the halls again."

"Not at all. It's filled with the same idiots that it was the last time I was there," Loki straightens out the five dollars Darcy gave him. He was only three people away from ditching Stark. "What about you? Surely the ingenious Tony Stark has something better to do than grace mediocre high school football games with his presence?"

"Eh," Tony shrugs, the stupid grin still attached to his face. "I came to watch Steve play."

"Steve Rogers?"

"The one and only. He's not so sweet on me after he found out I was fooling around with you but it's still entertaining to watch him."

Loki could feel an unpleasant pit settle in his stomach. He'd forgotten. Forgotten it was Steve he'd seen with Tony that night…the bedroom door cracked, their legs tangled together in the sheets, clothes scattered about on the floor…Loki shakes his head and gives Stark another scowl. "You cheated on Steve Rogers with me? I'd hate you too. Then again…I already hate you, but it would also explain why I don't like Rogers." Loki finally reaches the counter and gives them his order, laying down the five.

Tony gives him a look, raising his eyebrows. "Oh? And why's that?"

"I dislike anyone associated with you, Stark, you should know that by now." Loki takes his order from the girl and gives her a small smile, telling her to keep the change. Tony snorts, following him as he walks back towards the fence to wait for Darcy to come off the field.

"Hey, you screwed around with me too, you know."

Loki stops, Tony and several others nearly running into him. He turns to glare at him making his lips curl into a sneer. Tony steps back, knowing full well that the hot beverage in Loki's hand could end up scorching his face. And Loki was certainly considering it. "Don't flatter yourself," he hisses out in a snarl. "I hated me long before I got involved with you."

The band starts to march off the field. Loki shoots Tony another look before turning back towards his destination. He climbs the stairs and settles back in his seat, wiping a few angry tears from his eyes before Darcy meets up with him, taking the hot chocolate from him and stealing a sip. Loki wanted to leave. He didn't want to be around these people anymore. Darcy takes another sip of the hot chocolate and trades him for the popcorn.

"So? How'd we do?" Darcy grins, scooting closer to him. He was shaking but not because he was cold.

Loki furrows his brow, realizing he hadn't paid any attention to her show. "Oh, umm—sorry, Darcy, I…I wasn't watching…" He glances at Tony who was flirting with a group of girls at the snack bar, most likely treating them to whatever they wanted.

Darcy frowns. "Loki?" She follows his gaze towards Tony and sighs. "Oh. That Stark?"

He flinches and looks away, sipping at the hot chocolate. "Yeah…"

"What'd he want?" she asks innocently, nibbling on the popcorn.

Loki's throat closes up. He didn't want to talk about it. There was a part of him deep down inside that physically closed up and prevented himself from talking about Tony Stark. And unfortunately Darcy didn't always understand that. "Nothing," he loops his arm in hers and buries his face into her hair, letting out a shaky little sigh.

"What do you want on your pizza?"

Thor was leaning in the doorway of Loki's bedroom with a phone in hand. They'd won the game—of course—and Thor and Steve had made their way to Thor's place, not expecting to have company. Loki and Darcy were sitting on his bed with his feet in her lap. She was painting his toes. Loki was not in a good mood and both Darcy and Thor could sense it. There was always a built up essence of tension that radiated around him when he had a bad experience. While Darcy was sympathetic towards Thor for Loki not answering him right away, neither of them were quite sure it was a good idea to repeat the question. That could trigger any kind of reaction and they hadn't prepared themselves. Thor clears his throat. Loki looks up briefly from his book and sighs.

"Cheese."

"Eww, not just cheese," Darcy whines. "I want everything!"

"I don't want any meat—I'm a vegetarian."

Darcy snorts, changing shades of polish. "Since when?"

"Make it half and half. How many are you getting?"

"Three; one for me, one for Steve, and one for you and Darcy-" He stops talking when Loki rolls his eyes—while he didn't care to entertain Loki's irritable nature, he didn't want to provoke it either. Besides Loki's question was mainly forced conversation. He didn't really care how many pizzas Thor ordered, he'd just vacuum them down regardless.

"You're dismissed."

Loki props his book back up to continue reading, Darcy giving Thor a smile. He throws a pathetic look over his shoulder that Loki ignores. Darcy smacks Loki's calf after he leaves. Loki gives her a look that dared her to hit him again, returning to his novel. He was in no mood to be messed with. She rolls her eyes. Thor was a great guy and the only one who didn't seem to think so was his problematic little brother. Darcy sets Loki's feet aside and watches him read for a moment. She makes a face.

"I'm hungry…" she waits for a reaction from him, getting nothing. "Can we both get our own pizzas too? Thor will just eat what's left of yours."

He turns the page of his book. "Whatever."

Darcy stares at him for a moment and rolls her eyes, packing up her nail polish. She climbs off his bed and makes her way towards the stairs where Thor was still on his way down. "Hey, Thor!" He turns to her with a smile. "Make ours one supreme pizza and one cheese." He nods, repeating the order into the phone. "And breadsticks!"

Thor hangs up the phone and sighs, lowering his voice. "What is wrong with Loki? Was his day unsatisfactory?"

She sighs. "I don't know…I think it was-" she hesitates. Tony Stark was not a subject Loki liked talking about and involving Thor would only make things worse. "I think it's just been a bad week." Thor gives her a small nod and walks back downstairs. Darcy returns to Loki's bedroom to find him right where she'd left him.

"Are you going to read the whole night or are we actually going to have a fun sleepover for once?"

Loki grunts, turning the page to his book. He wasn't really paying attention. His mind was a million miles away. Was there something wrong with him? He could've been one of those girls, hanging on his arm but in the end everyone always found someone better. For Thor it was his friends, for his parents it was—it was Baldur, Tony had his other partners, even Darcy had others. She had other friends and her interest in Steve—Steve Rogers. If anything ever happened between them he could expect to see less and less of her, slowly pushing him away and replacing him like everyone else…maybe that's what she wanted. She was tired of dealing with him and the drugs and everything… This happened all the time though. People couldn't handle all of him; he started showing less and less; the less they saw the more they hated. How could he blame her? He was a terrible friend; he hardly ever paid attention to her problems and loaded her with his.

Darcy slaps Loki's knee, startling him out of thought. He hadn't realized that his book was closed and sitting on his lap, Darcy giving him a concerned look. "Are you sure you're okay? You seem…off. Did Tony say something to you?"

He felt those words echo in his head—did Tony say something to you—and for some reason they made him angry. Loki pulls his knee away from her as if she'd insulted him, giving her a scowl. "I said I was fine! How many more times do you expect me to say that?" It was harsh, yes, and Loki regretted the look on Darcy's face but he couldn't control his emotions as well as he liked—one of the many reasons he horded them to himself.

"Geez, fine…whatever, okay? Forgive me for being one of the few people concerned with your well-being."

"Oh, yes, because you're so concerned about me," he sneers. "I can take care of myself, Darcy! I don't need you and Thor always looking out for me, I'm more of an adult than either of you."

"Hey, you're the one that treats him like shit; Thor's just trying to help-"

"By embarrassing me in front of the whole student body?"

"He didn't mean to embarrass you, you were already embarrassed enough—why are you yelling at me anyways, I just asked if you were okay! Why are you always like this whenever Stark is around?" Darcy crosses her arms. "If you're so over him you wouldn't act like such a jealous little bitch-"

Loki stands, stomping towards the bathroom. "If you're so concerned with my well-being you wouldn't talk to me about things I don't want to talk about!" He slams the door, Darcy groaning audibly and rolling her eyes. She collects her bags and pillow from the bed and screams at the door.

"I DON'T KNOW WHY I EVEN TRY WITH YOU ANYMORE; ALL YOU DO IS ACT LIKE A LITTLE BUTT-FAGGOT!"

Darcy storms downstairs, leaving Loki locked in the bathroom.