Hey, guys, it's 2am here, I'm super tired, but I really like this chapter. The party however has been split into two chapters because...eh, mostly because I'm exhausted and I liked stopping it where it stops. Enjoy! (Oh and to the people who caught how I snuck in Wolverine in the last chapter kudos! Lol. I love getting your reviews!)

Disclaimer: Don't own Marvel Universe

Warning: Eh. Drinking, drugs, sexual lingo, and language.

Comments/critiques welcomed!

Christine Everhart lived in one of those fenced neighborhoods that didn't really need the fence but it was simply to show how much money was made by the people who lived there. Her parents were international journalists for an obscure magazine that no one ever read but everyone had heard of and since the magazine only had so many writers they traveled a lot. The house wasn't Victorian elegant, it had more of the Beverly Hills open floor plan with decorative shrubbery in the front and a vast open ground pool in the back…of course all of this would be trashed by Saturday morning. Christine would unfortunately be spending most of her own party wondering how her flyers for a private Future Women of America meeting was turned into a massive event by the junior and senior class, making the party all the more fun. Football players brought the alcohol, girls' soccer brought what was left from the bake sale, and everyone else brought whatever came to mind. A high school party is truly an experience to be had; it's one of the few times in one's life when equality appears in all shapes and forms due to the drunken inebriated state that all participants eventually enter. However, the appearance and disappearance of the high school party will always remain one of society's great mysteries but most assume that people start arriving just after sunset and leave sometime before dawn—that is unless the cops are called.

Loki and Darcy arrived half after nine when the party had already broken loose but as per high school party code, the school dress code was always broken, and both of them were happy to participate. Of course one was happier than the other.

"Why are we here again?" Darcy whined, fixing the cleavage of her tiny red dress. She despised Christine Everhart. Despised. "I thought you hated social events?"

"What does it matter? Now shut up and help me find the alcohol."

Two wrestlers run down the foyer as they open the door, beer sloshing about.

"Found it." Loki shoots Darcy a look and rolls his eyes, hooking his arm with hers and dragging her towards the kitchen. The music was blaring, half the house was already trashed, students were grinding against one another, half of them already buzzed enough to be incoherent; no one paid them much mind as they pushed their way towards the kitchen to grab a couple drinks. Darcy had only agreed to come as long as she could borrow something from Loki's closet and that he didn't get so drunk she had to carry him home. She grabs them each a shot of whiskey as he hooks his arm around her waist and leans against the counter with her, looking around; there were faces he recognized but no one that interested him. Darcy watches his actions, her fingers teasing the hem of his shirt before looking around the room as well. A grin spread across her painted lips as she turns back to Loki.

"You're looking for someone!" He glances at her and quirks a brow, browsing the room once more. "You have a thing! Who? Guy or girl? Tell meeee!" She grabs his shirt and shakes him.

Loki squeezes her side. "Stop that, this shirt is vintage," he pauses, grabbing another shot. "I'm not looking for anyone, I don't have a thing and even if I did I wouldn't tell you who, and really? You have to ask gender?" They clink their glasses together and take another shot. "If I did have someone I was looking for—which I don't—it would be a guy, I'm sick of high school girls, all they do is complain." Christine storms by the doorway, screaming at no one to turn down the music. "See what I mean?"

"I'm a high school girl," Darcy smirks, pinching his side.

"Yes, but I've learned to adapt to one of the many tortures of my life which is dealing with you on a daily basis," Loki grabs a beer from the counter. "Us being friends was never my choice."

"True," Darcy snorts. "At least with guys you can have sex any day of the month and you won't get pregnant."

Loki furrows his brow. "I don't think that's right."

"I didn't mean—I meant twinkies like you!" she takes a sip of his beer, looking around. "Girls can't have frivolous sex like you guys…not unless we stick it up another hole. You know what I mean…" She grins and pokes his face, Loki slapping her hand away.

"Yes, Darcy, I understood-"

"No," she interrupts, her grin spreading wider. "You know."

"You've only had three shots, there's no way you're drunk yet."

Darcy laughs, trying to pull him towards a group of guys that were dancing in the doorway of the kitchen, Loki shaking his head. He wasn't quite in the mood just yet. She starts grinding against one of them and they pull her into their group, Loki shaking his head. Part of him wished he could be as easily social with others as she was. Loki just didn't possess that kind of skill. He could manipulate people as much as he wanted and mold their minds into whatever he wished but making friends was something he was unable to do. Even talking to people casually was a challenge. Loki didn't want to admit to Darcy that he was looking for Steve though…he didn't want her to think he was trying to make a move because he wasn't. He had no interest in Steve that way. Granted he was very attractive but Loki could never date him…Stark gave him a reason not to. Besides Steve wouldn't ever be interested in him like that. He deserved a cheerleader or one of the girls from the lacrosse team…someone popular and pretty.

Loki watches Darcy as she gives her phone to three of the five guys she'd been dancing with. She shoots him a grin and skips back over to him squealing. "Weren't they cute? They were from a few counties over…" Darcy looks over the numbers she'd gotten. "I'd hit that tonight but there's a massive cramp brewing in my uterus, I can feel it. Guys are lucky…you can have sex whenever you want."

He settles her against his hip again and tugs her hair playfully, smirking. "Girls can do that too, you know…it's called being lesbians."

She elbows him and rolls her eyes. "Not if we both have our flow, smartass. And you really have to give it a day or two before everything down there isn't still sore from our uterus spitting out the unwanted womb from our bodies." Darcy eyeballs one of the seniors walking by. "Plus the smell is awful."

"Lovely thoughts, Darcy, I can't imagine why I'd prefer a boyfriend."

"Yeah, well…your ass in those pants and you'll have five boyfriends in an hour," she grins, wrapping both arms around his waist and pressing up against him. He raises both eyebrows now. "I like your butt, just how you like my boobs even though you apparently don't like girls anymore."

"Just because I'm gay doesn't mean I can't appreciate parts of the female anatomy, Darcy. You're into guys and you still think Natasha Romanoff is hot."

Darcy sighs, smiling. "Oh, yeah, I really do…I'd go lesbo for her."

"I'm flattered." Natasha smiles and sips her drink, appearing out of nowhere as usual. Darcy blushes across her nose as she turns and pulls away from Loki, greeting her with a smile and then slapping Loki's arm. He lets out a small laugh and looks down at the floor. "And I imagine when a lesbian couple is on their period they spend that week comforting one another as sensually as they can. After all, having admiration and respect for each other's bodies is important to a relationship as well as communication."

"I suppose a mutual respect would be the key though," Loki glances at her and their eyes share contact for a brief moment before he looks away.

She keeps her gaze on Loki and raises her cup to her lips. "Yes, I suppose it would."

The tension between she and Loki was suffocating Darcy who had to step away for air and a shot. She steps back between them and smiles at Natasha. "Here alone? Although with that dress it looks more like you're trying to pick someone up."

"Oh, no, Clint is around. I'm waiting on Steve. Not sure what changed his mind though since he doesn't enjoy parties that much." She looks Loki over who's pretending to ignore her. "Cute shirt—retail?"

"Vintage."

Natasha sips her drink. Loki—feeling suffocated as well—grabs Darcy's wrist and nods towards the doorway. "Let's dance." Darcy cheerfully agrees and lets Loki drag her out of the kitchen, waving at Natasha. Loki lets go of her once they're far enough for him to breathe, sighing. "I think I need a drink."

"That girl over there has shots-" Darcy points out the person she's talking about when her name is half-screeched above the heavy music.

"DARCY LEWIS-"

They both turn to see an angry Christine scowling at them and moving fast through the crowd. Darcy pushes Loki into a crowd as she readies herself to face her. "Whaaaat?"

Christine points a menacing finger while grinding her teeth, eyes ablaze. "I KNOW IT WAS YOU WHO RUINED MY MEETING!"

"Oh, please, Christine, I have far better things to do with my time…" she replies, rolling her eyes.

Loki slips away as the two continue to argue, looking for another person with a tray of shot glasses; he grabs one from a passing girl, handing off the glass to another. A few eyes followed him which he expected since he usually didn't wear clothes that exposed his figure. It was amazing how far a pair of leather pants and a silver halter top could go. Not to mention his hair was tossed slightly to the side. He spots Thor and attempts to slip away before Thor spots him but ends up hearing his name anyways. Loki forces a small smile while walking up to his brother, looking over the people with him. A few of Thor's "friends" and a shorter girl that Darcy was close to—he thinks her name is Jane, but can't be sure. Nothing unique about her but pretty all the same; she'd been tutoring Thor in science and was shadowing a few nurses at the hospital…but that was all Darcy had told him.

"HAVING FUN, BROTHER?!" Thor grins, beer in hand. He was shouting despite Loki being able to hear him just fine. "WHERE IS DARCY?!"

"Darcy had—an inconvenience to deal with. You seem to be enjoying yourself though," Loki glances at Jane again.

He wasn't entirely sure why Thor was acquainting himself with her other than the possibility of an attraction. She had shoulder length brown hair, straight; brown eyes, nothing particularly notable about her facial features; a small frame, flat chest, straight hips and a thin waist; the purple dress she was wearing wasn't particularly flattering and it fell just above her knees which was unusual for Loki to see on a girl his age; overall she had a sweet disposition, quiet voice, and was rather intelligent but compared to Thor's past girlfriends she was quite literally the plain Jane of the group. Nothing special.

"YOU KNOW JANE! SHE'S TUTORING ME!"

Jane blushes faintly and smiles at Loki, holding out a hand. "We haven't officially met; Darcy and Thor both talk fondly of you." Loki takes her hand. She was polite which meant he could tolerate her presence if Thor were to involve himself further with her. Darcy wanted them to get along either way.

"Same of you."

"I really like your shoes!" Jane smiles, pointing at them. Loki looks down at his feet. They were a pair of ankle boots he'd found on clearance that he and Darcy shared. He was rather fond of them as well. Loki responds with a brief smile, feeling out of place standing next to his brother and his friends.

"I'm going to go find Darcy," Loki excuses himself from Thor and Jane, walking back into the crowd.

"TEXT MOTHER IF YOU GO ANYWHERE AFTER THE PARTY!"

Loki waves off his brother and rolls his eyes, continuing to look around. He wasn't really sure what he was looking for, it wasn't as if Steve was going to hang out with him during the party he had his own friends and Loki had…well, Darcy. But Loki was beginning to wonder why Steve would ask for him to be here and then not show up himself. Unless…of course—he didn't really mean it, he was just like all of Thor's other friends, teasing him as usual. Steve was probably in the kitchen now, laughing it up with Romanoff and her two boyfriends. Loki was annoyed. Now he just wanted to find Darcy and get out of here. Having Steve stand him up like this was embarrassing especially if he started spreading it around…at least now Loki knew Steve's intentions. He wouldn't have to bother talking to him ever again. Loki looks around for Darcy and grabs another shot. He shouldn't have let her out of his sight, now he was never going to find her…

A finger taps him lightly on the shoulder and Loki turns to see Steve smiling shyly at him. "You made it!" he exclaims cheerfully, Loki not entirely sure how to respond. If this wasn't a trick…what was it?

"As did you," Loki snorts. "Though you are a tad late the party started at least three hours ago."

Steve shrugs, his smile pulling his face into a grin as he stuffs his hands in his pockets. "Couldn't get away from my mom. She uhh—h-her shift usually doesn't start until midnight on Fridays but umm—someone called sick."

"Is she a nurse?"

His face lights up, staring at Loki like he was made of magic. "How'd you know?"

"Lucky guess."

Loki looks Steve up and down. Jeans, plaid shirt, and a brown leather jacket; he didn't seem too fond of dressing up for the occasion. They stand awkwardly together, Steve rocking on his feet and Loki not entirely sure what was going on. He still didn't trust Steve in the slightest and wasn't even sure why he agreed to this in the first place. Loki curses himself. What the hell was wrong with him? People were going to think Loki was doing something to corrupt Steve and he didn't want any more attention brought to himself.

"D-Do…do you dance?"

The stutter was sure to drive Loki insane. "Not if I can help it."

He looks up when Steve begins to snicker, wondering how his dry sarcasm was amusing to anyone other than Darcy or Thor—though Thor didn't fully understand what sarcasm was. Steve covers his mouth, still smiling and shaking his head. "It's not you, it's just…it's just—that's what Mr. Darcy says, right? To Elizabeth?" Loki blinks. "Sorry…Darcy said you liked that book, Pride and Prejudice, so I figured I'd give it a try…"

Loki lets out a small laugh. "Yes…" he takes a moment to contain his laughter, a few snickers making their way out. "You'll have to forgive me for laughing—I didn't know any of Thor's friends could read."

"Hey!" Steve shoves him and laughs. He grins, his cheeks reddening. "Actually I did have to watch the movie after the first chapter…I wasn't really sure what was going on."

He snorts. "That's fair, I suppose. It is a bit difficult to keep up with all of those Bennet girls let alone Mr. Darcy and his inability to control his dancing." They both laugh, Loki chewing on his lip. "I haven't seen the movie actually…I'm always afraid of movies ruining the book."

"It's actually pretty accurate. You know, compared to most…maybe we can watch it sometime-"

"There you are!" Christine snaps, pulling Loki around to face her. "Where's your bitch friend, huh? Or was it your idea to ruin my Future Women of America meeting? Tell Darcy the next time she decides to get her petty revenge by ruining one of my private affairs…oh-" Christine catches sight of Steve, shoving Loki to the side as she tosses her hair over her shoulder. "Hi, Steve. I didn't know you were coming I would've put something cuter on. It is my party after all…" Loki rolls his eyes. "Do you like dancing? We should dance, I love this song and I've been so busy being a hostess, you know…" She places a hand on his chest, her other playing with her hair.

"Oh ummm well I was talking to-"

"Don't worry about it, Rogers, I think I'll just go find my bitch friend," Loki starts to turn when Steve grabs his arm, frowning.

"Can I at least get you a drink? I could use a water-"

Loki opens his mouth to answer when Christine interrupts. "Strawberry martini, please."

"I'll just have another beer."

Steve smiles and nods, waving at a few people he passes on his way to the kitchen. Christine turns to Loki and narrows her eyes, tossing her hair over her other shoulder. "What are you doing?"

"Standing," Loki shrugs. "I'd dance but I don't want anyone to think I'm dancing with you. Maybe if I get drunk enough you'll turn into someone more attractive."

She fakes a smile only to return to a scowl. "I meant, since when are you friends with Steve Rogers? Everyone knows the only friends you've ever had are Darcy and your brother…if he counts."

"Rogers is friends with just about everyone in our class," Loki crosses his arms. "I'm not sure he makes exceptions for-"

"For slutty little coke-heads that dance half-naked for their money?" Christine rolls her eyes. "I've done my research, Laufeyson, you're nothing but a coke snorting whore and why even Darcy—who has so much potential—hangs around with you, none of us are sure. As for Steve…whatever you want with him, back off. He's the kind of arm candy that knows how to be submissive for a woman, which I enjoy. Now get lost you're ruining my party."

Loki's jaw clenches, glaring at her. "Well in your case I hope Rogers doesn't make exceptions for self-righteous bitches."

Christine scoffs at him as he turns away, quickly pushing his way through the grinding couples to find Darcy, a tray of shots, a bottle of Vodka—anything to make his head pound. She was right though wasn't she? Why was Steve hanging around with a loser like him? He grabs two shots from the first tray he spots, downing them both in a second. Due to his small frame—and the fair amount of shots he had earlier—it only took a few minutes and two more shots before Loki was feeling a bit off balance, stumbling through the rooms of the first floor on his search for Darcy. Everything was slowed down and swayed when he walked which he found both frustrating and exhausting. He couldn't find Darcy anywhere who was in fact looking for him in the dining room on the other side of the house. Loki wanders into a back hallway, past the kitchen, and soon finds himself shoved against a hardwood door as a horny couple shoves their way towards the bathroom, Loki opening the door to find a study. Only a few people are in here, all surrounding the desk but looking up as he enters.

Loki furrows his brow. He recognized one of them. "Hey…Caleb."

"Yooo, Loki…how you doin', man?" Caleb slurs a bit, his eyes bloodshot, grabbing Loki's wrist and pulling him over to the desk. "Loki's…he's cool you guys, he's cool, he goes 'round with my boy, Trevor." The others all nod approvingly, one of the girls was rather jittery and burst into a fit of giggles, the boy next to her who kept scratching his arms pokes at her to stop. Loki forces a smile, used to being around a group of junkies. Caleb wraps an arm around his shoulders and continues to slur in his ear. "Trevor misses you, man, where you been? It…it true you're back in high school? Because…cause that fucking suckssss, man…you were free. You…you had it all…you know? You had the whole fucking world…"

One girl pokes Loki's shoulder and smirks. "You look like you're having a bad night, sweetie…wanna make it more fun?" They all make hushed noises as if agreeing with their friend. "You wanna hit? Caleb brought some good stuff…"

The jumpy girl lets out a shrill giggle, covering her mouth.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I got…I got some coke, some heroin, and meth, you always liked the meth, right? Got it from Trevor, he…he got some good stuff just the way you like it."

"I…" Loki looks towards the door. He could feel the itch of want crawling up his spine. "I don't know…"

Caleb grins, holding up a small baggy and shaking it in front of Loki's nose. "Hey, come on, sweetcheeks, this one's on me…you know, since you're Trevor's favorite…" he winks.

Loki sighs, not even taking much time to think about it. He shrugs and squats down to be level with the desk, motioning for him to go on. The other junkies make hushed noises as Caleb pours a white powder on the desk's surface arranges it into three straight lines; the girl who was already buzzed out of her mind began to squeal, her friend holding her still. Loki looks up at them all. Their bloodshot eyes, involuntary twitching, the way they scratched at their arms, the dried blood at the base of one nostril, the needle pricks on the inside of their arms…the way they all stared intensely at the three lines on the desk, their mouths all watering, waiting to see if he would take it all for himself or leave them scraps behind. He glances again at the door. He wished Steve or Darcy or even Thor would come in and stop him, make him think about it. Christine was right though…this was where he belonged. Not with Steve and his prep life and his prep friends. Steve didn't deserve to be brought down by him. Loki holds one nostril closed as he snorts up the line.