Yo! So...I've been going through a lot personally; fighting with parents, emotional troubles, but I'll update the next chapter as soon as I can especially since Loki and Steve are finally TALKING. *flops* I like the idea of taking it slow though so yeah... Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Marvel Universe

Warning: Eh, there are warnings in the summary so you guys get the idea

Comments/critiques are welcomed!

There are not many people who can confidently say that they are skilled with social interactions and only a select few are actually good at it.

Steve is not one of these people.

Despite his popularity, Steve developed an incredibly shy personality at an early age due to his troubling home life and low immune system which prevented him from developing any lasting friendships until entering middle school. That, his polite mannerisms, his talent in school sports, and his physical appeal made him extremely popular, however he lacked the social skills to start conversations. In fact he just made it awkward. Steve's friends didn't mind, they were used to his silence, and most people talked to him first anyways…except Loki. It had become painfully obvious that Loki wanted nothing to do with him which was hard for Steve to accept. Spending the weekend at Thor's, his conversations with Darcy, and seeing a piece of Loki that was otherwise hidden from the world had stirred his inner curiosity and it was screaming to be satisfied. Steve couldn't explain it; every waking moment consisted of thoughts of Loki which he knew was wrong, in a way, since it was his best friend's baby brother and Thor wasn't exactly the sharing type when it came to Loki. But it was also because Loki had a lot of inner demons that hadn't quite worked themselves out yet—including one that seemed to involve Tony Stark and himself.

But Steve couldn't help it; he had to try. He'd be damned to let his social anxieties get in the way of carrying out a conversation. How hard could it be?

Steve didn't waste much time as Loki and Darcy approached Loki's locker, conversing amongst themselves, before blurting out the first thing that came to mind.

"So what'd you do this weekend?!"

It was a question that Steve already knew the answer to but that wasn't as awkward as Darcy and Loki—as well as several other students—stopping their conversation to stare at him. Steve didn't realize until after he said it that his tone had been rather loud. After several minutes of drawn out silence, Steve turns bright red before retreating into his first class of the day, the little pride he had severely injured. He admitted that it wasn't the best approach seeing as Loki probably would've given him an odd look regardless and moved on with his conversation with Darcy. Unless Darcy made conversation with Steve and then Loki would just be stuck between them, fuming. What's worse is that he'd blame Steve and then Steve would never get the chance to speak to him.

Despite embarrassing himself, Steve became determined to try again. He knew he'd never be able to talk to Loki if he didn't find something to talk about, something in common interest but Steve's conversations weren't casual enough, they sounded too forced. And the only thing he had in common with Loki so far was Stark. Steve was pretty sure Loki wouldn't want to talk about him. But a common interest…Steve figured something school related wasn't too personal. It was casual enough. School was school and neither of them exactly had a choice whether or not to go. Steve was packing up after one of Mr. Coulson's more brutal history tests when he looked around the room and realized that he and Loki were the only two remaining. Loki was scrolling through his phone—as usual—which made Steve a little more nervous about approaching him…but he made the mistake of doing so anyways.

"So umm—how'd you do on the test?" it had taken Steve the full thirty seconds of walking up to Loki to think of that and he was rather proud. "I thought i-it was pretty hard…" But his pride was soon shot down by the fact that Loki kept looking through his phone while Steve awkwardly stood in place, unsure what to do. Loki still didn't acknowledge him as he finished packing up, not even looking up once as he slung his bag over his shoulder. Steve shuffles his feet rather nervously and stupidly opens his mouth again. "Did—did you think it was hard?"

Loki lets out an irritated sigh as if Steve's very presence was a burden. "I hardly think that test was difficult for you, Rogers; after all you are Coulson's favorite pet," he snaps, turning on his heel and walking out the door.

Steve was afraid to even try talking to Loki again. The comment from before was rather hurtful but it wasn't as if everyone else gossiped about it behind his back. Of course it still made Steve want to crawl into a hole and die; he was trying to start a conversation, not piss Loki off even more. The worst part was that Loki already seemed to be in a foul mood. He had spent a majority of the day being harassed, Darcy had flag practice after school as well as a debate team meeting, and Loki was stuck sitting on the bleachers in the rain waiting for Thor to finish practice.

Basically, Steve had to find his chance.

Since a common interest seemed to be the easiest way for Steve to start a conversation he brainstormed a few ideas that Loki seemed to enjoy. Reading seemed to be the only thing that couldn't insult Loki in anyway. After all, Steve always liked watching Loki's eyes spark that shade of green when he had a book in his hand.

The three of them walked to Thor's car in awkward silence, Loki glaring at his brother until the doors were unlocked, allowing him to climb into the front seat. Steve helped Thor pack up the trunk before climbing in the back. Earlier that day Steve had used one of the school computers to look up some authors Loki might be interested in. Darcy had said he enjoyed the novel Pride and Prejudice but Steve hadn't gotten a chance to read it yet and figured that was best saved for another day. He'd decided to look up Swedish author's since that was where Loki's family was originally from and ended up coming across a series of psychological crime novels that seemed to be up Loki's alley. Loki always wore dark clothes so Steve had to figure he enjoyed dark things. Steve digs through his bag to find the notebook where he'd written down the name while also pretending that his small laugh was at something in his bag rather than the fact that Loki looked a lot like an angry cat the way he was scowling with his hair and baggy clothes soaked through. Thor finally got in to start the car and just as they were pulling into Steve's neighborhood, he found the notebook and was struck with the nerve to try speaking to Loki again.

"Mmmm…Loki, do you uhhh…read-" Steve checks his phone for the name. "Steig L-Larsson?"

Yet another heavy silence as if Loki was contemplating whether or not to answer. Steve could feel the knot in his stomach tighten. "Are you asking as an insult to my Swedish heritage or simply because it was the first book that came up on your phone?"

Thor stops the car short in front of Steve's house to give Loki a look. Steve could sense the impending tension between them. He gives Steve a cold goodbye which only meant that he and Loki would be fighting the rest of the evening.

Of course Steve would settle on an interest that would spark something in Loki—he just didn't expect it to be defense. Steve didn't mean any harm. Loki liked reading, Steve figured that was something he'd read but obviously he was wrong.

By Thursday Steve felt socially exhausted. Actually trying to talk to someone who wanted nothing to do with you was irritating, hurtful, and for Steve it seemed to only be worsening his social skills. Besides it wasn't satisfying his need to learn more about Loki. He'd never felt so distracted in his entire life. Steve had missed two questions on Coulson's test and had gotten sacked the whole first half of practice the afternoon before, things that normally wouldn't irritate him were starting to, and he'd forgotten his first homework assignment of his high school career.

He was starting to feel down and people were sure to take notice.

"What's on your mind?" Natasha gives him a small smile as she sneaks up from behind, walking with him towards his locker. Somehow she always first to know when something was bothering him. Steve just shrugs, not really feeling very social. "Are your attempts to converse Laufeyson proving futile?" Besides she always asked questions she already knew the answers to.

"I suck at talking to people, Nat…"

She snorts, punching his arm playfully. "Yeah, I know. It's because you try too hard. You don't let the conversation start naturally." Natasha pulls out a tube of lipstick, reapplying her color and popping her lips together. "Don't let it get you down, Steve, Loki isn't exactly a social butterfly."

They both look up as the warning bell rings.

Steve sighs, putting his books away. His next class was art and he wasn't sure how well he'd be able to pay attention in his bad mood. "You make everything sound easy, Nat, but until I talk to him without feeling like I'm punching him in the mouth and vice versa I'm not sure what to do…"

"You could start by relaxing," she smiles, giving his hand a squeeze. "Loki's not worth the effort, Steve, trust me." That didn't really make Steve feel any better but Natasha was already moving on with the conversation and he was too passive to argue. "So are you going to Christine's party tomorrow?"

"Well…we don't have a game tomorrow so I might as well." He rubs the back of his neck, walking next to her as she starts to move. "Are you going with Clint?"

Natasha rolls her eyes. "I don't know. He keeps unsatisfying me in bed." With her monotone voice it was always hard for Steve to believe she could be satisfied by anything. "It's all this damn drama with Laufeyson being back in school, I don't know why he has to act like such a baby," she sighs, "but going back with Bucky would just cause more issues, especially with you." Natasha stops at the door of her classroom, turning to give Steve another smile. "Don't let all this Loki get you down too, you're my last resort. Text me if you're going to Christine's."

Steve gives her a small wave and makes his down towards the studio rooms. He walks into class just after the bell, his art teacher still finishing up lunch as Steve took his seat. Steve had always had an artistic mind and figured high school might develop his skills a bit more before deciding what he wanted to do in college; that and his football scholarship would take him to big places. So far Steve enjoyed his class. He preferred charcoal over paint and since it was still considered the beginning of the school year everyone was still being taught 'how to draw' so Steve could use as much charcoal as he wanted.

"Alright everybody, sit down and shut up, it's one in the afternoon and I'm still a little hungover so I'm only going to give your assignment once," Mr. Logan grumbles, pushing himself to his feet. He was the kind of carefree teacher that if you didn't get on his bad side you could get away with just about anything. Logan was his first name but he preferred to have a 'Mr.' in front of it. He rubs his temple. "You're gonna pair up and practice drawing your partner, okay? Now split up and sit wherever, I don't care…if you go outside and a teacher asks you're part of my class. If you go outside and get caught trying to skip you don't know me."

The class was uneven so whenever they were split up Steve took the pleasure of drawing various things around the classroom, however Mr. Logan approached him as he started to sketch one of the windows and clears his throat. "Rogers."

He looks up. "Sir?"

"Pair up."

"But…sir-"

Mr. Logan looks around the room and nods. "Even number. Laufeyson! Come pair up with Rogers—since you actually showed up today…" he coughs, nodding to Steve. "Sorry, Steve, I know you're used to being on your own. Tell me if Laufeyson gives you any problems."

Steve could feel his stomach drop as he looked towards the back of the room where there sat Loki, a large pair of glasses perched on his long nose. He makes a face at Steve and looks away, back towards the large sketchbook on his lap which meant Steve was the one who had to move. He stands and shifts towards the back of the room, setting his bag down and sitting across from him. Steve bites his lip and tries to think if there was anything he should say but he just stares down at his sketchbook instead.

"Not talking to me now?"

Startled, Steve looks up to find Loki staring quizzically at him and not drawing as well. Loki snorts, rolling his eyes and looking back to Steve. "You've been surprisingly social all week, I expected you to sit down with one of your annoying observations."

"I was—yes…sorry—you umm…you art?" Steve turns bright red, hanging his head in shame and letting out an aggravated sigh. He felt like an idiot.

"You don't know how to talk to people, do you?"

He sighs again. "Not when they're attractive…" Loki raises his brows, clearly as surprised as Steve was by what came out of his mouth. Steve raises his hands defensively since none of this was helping the blush on his face. "No! I didn't mean that—that—you're attractive-" Loki quirks his brow. "No, I mean you are but I didn't mean that I don't talk to unattractive people because I do…not that I judge people based on looks when I talk to them I just—I—umm-"

Loki simply stares at Steve, obviously trying to hide his amusement. "Please, just stop talking." Steve couldn't help but feel rather proud when Loki looks back down at his sketchbook with a small smirk hidden on his lips. An excited twitch hits Steve's stomach. He and Loki were practically having a conversation. Steve takes a deep breath, looking back up at Loki and studying him; Natasha said he just needed to let the conversation flow naturally…he needed to make an observation, one about him.

"You…you're wearing glasses. You don't usually-?"

"Contacts. My eyes felt dried out today," Loki continues smudging his charcoal and glancing at Steve. "And to answer your incomplete question from before: yes, I art. I prefer painting but nothing like getting back to basics."

Steve laughs lightly. "I…prefer charcoal, actually…"

Loki nods. "Well, you're good at it." Steve gives him a curious look, Loki answering his question before he even had time to ask it. "I would sit around the pool with you and Thor during the summer. You almost always had a sketchbook with you."

"Oh…" Steve blushes and wishes he could remember that. Loki did always seem to be around when he and Thor were hanging out he just always blended in. "So umm—I didn't even know you had this class with—with me…"

He shrugs. "Yes, well, I do find pleasure outside of class more so than in."

"More fun to skip?"

"Sneak out to get an 'edible lunch' as Darcy calls it," Loki gives him a small smile. It was hard to contain his satisfaction—Steve was actually talking to Loki. He tries to focus on his drawings, thinking of more things to bring up when Loki clears his throat. "Do you want me to take off my sweater?" Steve could feel another blush building as he looks up.

"I—I'm…s-sorry?"

"We're learning about figure drawing, yes? My sweater hinders you from seeing my figure."

"Oh, umm…yeah, sure," Steve nods, Loki shifting to set down his supplies and positioning his hands to lift the baggy garment up and over his head. Something inside Steve shifted as he did this but he didn't pay it much mind, watching as Loki set his sweater aside and straightened out the t-shirt that was hidden underneath. "D-do you…always wear a-?"

"It's a t-shirt, Rogers, not a bra. But yes, in case I get hot which doesn't happen very often." Loki picks his sketchbook back up and looks Steve over. "Sit up a little straighter."

Steve does as he says, looking Loki over as well. The t-shirt was about the same color as his skin—white—and it looked stuck to his body though a part of Steve wished it wasn't. Loki's ribs jutted out, one almost twisted at an odd angle; there were a few bruises on his arms, most looked like handprints, and there were thin white lines—whiter than his skin—that ran up and down both arms. He was sure it wasn't because his cat was ornery. Steve was pretty sure he and Thor didn't even have a cat. His eyes found themselves roaming, observing how flawless Loki's skin was from his neck up; his long nose, the curve of his eyebrows and small curve in his jaw; the way his thick black hair was tossed to one side, the way his green eyes would spark as he worked…he seemed so relaxed which was confusing on every level of the word.

"Stare harder, please, it makes sitting here with you even less awkward."

His mouth dries up and Steve has to force himself to look away. "Y-you're…talking to me…"

"Your sense of observation never ceases to fail you, does it?" Loki's mouth curves slightly into a smirk, his eyes never leaving the drawing.

"No, no, I mean…I thought you hated me."

Loki's hand stops moving as he looks up at Steve, but for only a moment. "I don't hate you…" His eyes shift back down to the sketchbook, his hand resting against the paper. "I don't like you either, I just-"

"Keep to yourself?"

He looks up and Steve gives him a small smile, looking back down at his own drawing and putting more work into his eyes. They were very vibrant and dark and blended well with his use of charcoal. Loki shifted uncomfortably and makes a disgruntled noise, looking away from Steve.

"Thor assured me that your unwanted kindness is not a trick...and that I was acting…rude…I still do not wish for attention from you however I have been told to act nice or else Thor will make me wish I had never been born…which isn't much of a threat," Loki sighs under his breath. "I am not here to make friends, I'm here because I apparently have to be and I just…I really don't want you-"

"I get it," Steve interrupts with a smile, closing his sketchbook. "But…I figured it was nice to have someone on your side when everyone's against you." He starts packing up his bag as the bell rings and stands, giving Loki another genuine smile—despite the sinking feeling in his gut—and slinging the bag over his shoulder. "I'll see you around."

Steve walks towards the door, smiling at a few of his friends as he exits the room, disappointed at the loss of the art room smell and also that Loki had basically told him to back off. It was a defeat that he hadn't prepared himself for and especially not this soon. After all he'd only been trying for a week. Even though Loki said he didn't hate him Steve was definitely feeling the effects of not being liked either, which really wasn't something Steve was used to. He continues down the hall towards Clint and Bucky who were laughing like idiots as—usual—and waving him down. Steve was just about to pick up the pace when a hand touched his arm. It had barely grazed him and how he knew it was there he had no clue but turning to face Loki left him even more clueless. His sweater was back on which somehow made him seem so much smaller than he was, the glasses pushed up his nose. He wasn't quite looking Steve in the face, more off to the side, but his hands were twisting around the strap of his bag, turning his knuckles white.

"I…suppose it wouldn't be too awful having someone else to talk to in this god awful school other than Darcy…and you are more tolerable than even my oafish brother…" Loki scuffs his foot on the floor. "It's not like you need to avoid me or anything…"

He gives Loki a small smile. "Meaning…you don't mind me talking to you every now and then?"

Loki gives him a small nod.

"Sure," Steve looks back towards Clint and Bucky who were now talking to Natasha. "I'll…see you later then." Loki nods, turning away and starting to make his own way down the hallway when Steve could feel the word vomit come up before he had a chance to stop it. "Hey, wait-" his stomach jumped as Loki turned to him once more. "Christine—Christine Everhart—is uhh…having a party tomorrow night…it would be cool to, you know, see you…there…"

Loki's mouth quirks into what Steve considered a smile and he cocks his hip slightly to balance himself. "Maybe…if Darcy wants to go which technically means I'll be there…so I guess…I'll see you as well."

Steve nods, smiling awkwardly. "Yeah."

"…yeah."

They both stand together longer than needed, Steve being the first to start moving away. "Have to…get to class…"

"Me too."

"Well…see yah…" Steve could feel a satisfaction build inside him as he walked away and a grin found its way onto his face though he wasn't entirely sure why—but it filled him with a good feeling, one that Steve had never felt before.