Hey everyone! I'm still alive!

SOOOOOO SORRY THIS CHAPTER TOOK SO LONG. I took a break from writing and then school started, and I got a new job, so...things are gonna be a little slow coming out of me. Haha. But I AM STILL WORKING ON THIS STORY. I'm not going to give it up, I promise. This chapter's a bit of a rough one. Loki's kind of on edge from Steve's public display of affection so...read on to see what happens.

Btw if you've been patient and are still following thank you so much I love you. *kisses*

Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel Universe

Warning: Meh. Just language.

Comments and critiques are welcomed!

Thor makes a face. He looks down the stairs at Frigga whose arms were crossed sternly. She nods towards the bedroom and raises a brow. Thor groans. Out of everything she could've asked him to do…this was the last. He knocks on the door but there's no answer. Frigga clears her throat in a condescending motherly way that he knew better than to argue with so Thor knocks again. His friends all snicker in the living room, Thor giving his mother a look. He bangs on the door again and sighs—there wasn't an answer because the intrusion was not wanted. Thor turns away from the door but Frigga scowls at him and starts to make her way up the stairs. He rolls his eyes and knocks, this time not waiting for an answer but allowing himself entrance.

"And you'd better ask him politely!" Frigga calls after him.

Loki was lying on his back with his headphones on. He was scribbling furiously in one of his thousands of journals that Thor knew better than to even look at lest his brother decide to gouge his eyes out while he slept. Something had obviously upset him enough that he hadn't even paid mind to Sif's challenging jeers as he ran upstairs to hole himself into his room. Loki was oblivious to Thor's presence—that is until his brother nudges him. He jumps slightly at the touch and slams his journal shut, sitting up to glare at the intruder. Thor was all dressed up and ready to go. His friends all decided they wanted to be a group of pirates for the dance and he wore it well…especially since he'd forgotten to shave. There was judgment in the sloppiness of his costume, Thor could feel it, but Loki seemed a bit off. He waits anxiously as Loki turns off his music and shoots him a look.

"What do you want, Captain Oaf?"

He frowns and clears his throat. "Well, umm—mother has requested that I ask if you wish to accompany us to the dance." There's a long pause, Thor taking his time waiting for Loki to interrupt him. "Would you…like to…come with me and my friends to the dance…?" Thor scuffs his foot on the floor and grumbles to himself. He didn't really want Loki to go with them…his friends always pissed Loki off somehow or vice versa and then everybody wanted to go home. And Loki had come home in a…it wasn't a bad mood but he was definitely upset about something.

"So you're just asking because she's making you?"

Thor blinks. "I…yes?" Loki raises a brow which makes Thor nervous. The last thing he wanted his friends to laugh at him for Loki throwing a fit and kicking him out of his room. "I mean no…I—I mean, I just…I just assumed you didn't want to go…"

Loki nods. He stares down at his hands and chews his lip. Part of him wanted to go—which was weird considering how the last school party didn't go so well for him. Of course Loki only wanted to go for his own personal gain. Were there consequences to personal gain? Loki couldn't remember. He did need some sort of closure about this whole mess he'd somehow gotten himself into and he was going to get it whether the other parties involved liked it or not.

"What if…what if I did want to go?"

"Do you?"

"Well I don't—I don't have a costume-" there's a pause as Loki's eyes scan over Thor. "And I'm not going as a pirate."

"You don't have to have a costume," Thor forces a smile, the knot in his stomach twisting. "Not everyone will be in a costume. As long as you have a mask or…something you'll be fine."

Loki furrows his brow. "Are…you sure that's okay? I mean you are going with Sif-"

"Everyone will get over it," Thor places a hand on the back of Loki's neck. "If you really want to go you are welcome to accompany us."

"Thanks, Thor." Loki gives him a small smile, packing up his journal and tucking it safely under his mattress. Better safe than sorry. "I'll be down in a minute." Thor nods and grumbles to himself as he closes the door behind him. He really didn't want Loki to go. But his mother beamed at him as he came down the stairs and kissed his face which smudged some of his makeup.

Loki was a master liar—it was something he took pride in—but there was no way in hell he actually wanted to go to homecoming with Thor and his stupid friends. He did have to admit that he was a little disappointed that Thor wasn't even the least bit suspicious…just grumpy that Loki actually wanted to go. Then again he didn't really have to give any reason why he wanted to tag along. His ignorant oaf of a brother simply assumed he was in a mood where he needed to be around other people—as if that had ever happened to Loki before. He hated people. Whatever Thor was thinking, nothing negative seemed to cross his mind and Loki would rather keep it that way. If Thor was somehow involved with this ordeal Loki needed to take care of he would rather catch him off guard—as if it were difficult to do. Regardless…Loki's opportune moment to take care of this personal business was now and it was better to get it over with before anyone found that…

That…

That Steven Rogers had…kissed him.

He could shudder at the thought. Loki hated being touched without his approval. Though he didn't mind Steve's minor affectionate physical statements, this was crossing a line that Loki hadn't thought to draw. He didn't think he needed to. Steve liked Carol! At least…Loki thought he liked Carol.

"It's thirty dollars if you don't have a ticket."

Thor nudges Loki from his train of thought and hands him a fistful of bills. Loki hands the money to one of the women sitting at the table who was giving him an odd look as she hands him a bracelet. He makes a face at her—not in the mood for anyone else's bullshit—Thor thanking the disgruntled woman as Loki pushes his way through the courtyard.

The homecoming dance was always at a local country club due to the number of students that attended their school. Classy place but to Loki it seemed like overkill for a bunch of horny teenagers to rub up against one another. At least the dance floor was legit; Loki didn't want to have to take his shoes off because of inadequate flooring. He'd just thrown on a dress suit and a costume mask he'd found in his closet. Loki didn't want to make a scene. He needed to blend in in order to get what he was after. Of course he hadn't thought through what exactly he wanted to find out. Or how the hell he was supposed to find anything at all. The moment he and Thor's party entered the ballroom Loki's ears felt like they were going to pop—music was blaring and there were people everywhere.

"What time would you like to leave?" Thor gives Loki a sympathetic smile, knowing very well this wasn't his brother's scene. "Or would you rather find me when you're ready? I know you don't want to hang out with us-"

"What's wrong with us?" Sif pops her gum.

Loki rolls his eyes and doesn't even bother to turn her direction. "I can get a ride if you're having fun, Thor, I know you didn't want me to come." Thor attempts to argue as Loki starts to walk down the stairs to the floor, turning slightly to give Sif a smirk. "Nice dress by the way."

He makes his way down to floor level, scanning the crowd. It was impossible to tell who was who nearly everyone had on a mask or worse a full costume. Loki would have to rely on what he knew to find the people he was looking for. He walks around the perimeter of the people dancing, making his way over to grab a bottle of water from the refreshment tables set up in the corner. Steve would be with a group—most likely friends—Clint and Natasha, possibly Bucky, and of course Carol. He wouldn't dress up; Steve didn't seem like the type to wear a costume but he'd at least color coordinate with his date. But of course he'd also be wearing a mask… Loki's eyes scan over the crowd. Most of the freshmen and students without dates were sticking to the outer borders of the dancers. There were already a few couples who were fighting off to the side.

Why did Steven have to go and ruin everything? For once Loki had someone else to talk to who wasn't Darcy or his brother or…

For once he had someone else he enjoyed talking to.

How did this evolve into Steven developing some sort of romantic intentions towards him? Loki hadn't done anything to provoke these feelings in Steven. He'd treated him with the same skepticism and distain he had for everyone—even Darcy. Besides…Steve…he liked Carol. He was talking to Loki yesterday after the game and kept stammering over everything he said and would clam up every time Loki asked about the dance. Carol had asked him out and he said yes. Wouldn't that mean-?

Loki takes a safe step to the side to avoid a large dancing group only to run into someone from behind. The girl snaps at him and he turns to retort something snarky back at her. Darcy blinks and stares at Loki from behind her lace mask, Jane partially hiding behind her. Loki furrows his brow.

"What are you doing here?" they both ask in unison, frowning deeper at the other.

Darcy had said she was too mad to go anywhere—especially with Loki. She'd said she was too depressed to go to the dance since Steve was going with someone else. "I thought you were in a depressed slump?" he accuses.

"I thought you said dances were stupid!"

Jane gives Loki a shy smile. "Hi, Loki. Did you come with Thor?"

Darcy crosses her arms with a scowl. "What does it matter? It seems all of the Odinson's sons balls dropped off—they can't admit to anything!"

"Oh, shut up, Darcy, Thor's shy, everyone knows he likes Jane!"

"Jane didn't!"

She sighs, fiddling with her hands. "Yes, I did…"

"Why are you here, anyway? You don't like being around people like this, it's the party all over again! And don't think I'm going to come around to stay up all night while you vomit and spaz out after what you pulled."

Loki groans, exasperated. "I already apologized, Darcy! You wanted me to bring up something that was already dead—Steve likes you, just not the way you want him to. He's too shy, you're too outgoing! Opposites don't always attract!"

"I'm not mad about that! You could have told me before I'd convinced myself it was going to happen! You lied!" Darcy grabs Jane's arm and sneers at Loki, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Now if you'll excuse me—I'm going to have fun with my best friend!" She pulls Jane with her towards the other side of the room, Jane giving Loki an apologetic smile.

"You're a child!" Loki calls after her, rolling his eyes. Yes, he'd lied, but he'd admitted to it. Darcy needed to get over it. Steve didn't like her that way he liked—well, he apparently liked Loki.

He makes his way around the crowd to sit at one of the tables off to the side of the dancers. Loki hadn't been there but half an hour and he was already irritated and bored…and he hadn't even found Steve yet. What was Loki supposed to do? He didn't like Steve like that and he never intended to. Steve was…Steve. And Loki was Loki. That was a good enough argument for himself and he was going to stand by it. But still…none of this made any sense. If Steve liked Loki, why did he say yes to Carol's invitation? And why did he like Loki? That was what bothered him the most. This all seemed like some sort of elaborate game intended to mock him and that would be Loki's first and only thought if Steve hadn't somewhat proven himself to be a sincere person. Not many people could tolerate Loki for extended periods of time; Steve went out of his way to be around him. He actually wanted to talk to him. But what was Loki supposed to think? Steve was a nice guy, he wasn't used to nice guys taking in interest in his messed up contrasting lifestyle…especially not a romantic interest. Besides he was friends with Thor—Steve was friends with nearly everybody—and since the majority of the school was against Loki's presence, he wasn't sure Steve wasn't just taking him for a ride.

However… Loki places a hand to his lips. He'd never been kissed like that before. It wasn't rough or sloppy or forced or drunk or even a mistake it was just…a kiss. Steve was so sincere with everything he did, it was driving Loki insane. He couldn't pick up on sincerity it wasn't something he was used to. What was the point of this game? To humiliate Loki in some way he hadn't experienced already? Steve didn't seem like that type of person but how was Loki to know he couldn't tell what intentions Steve had behind anything he did.

Loki looks up as a fight breaks out on the dance floor.

"You prick!"

"Clint, stop it-"

Clint Barton had sucker-punched whom Loki assumed to be Bucky Barnes and they began to wrestle with one another on the floor. A blonde that appeared to be Barton's date began to smack at both of them with her clutch. The girl Loki knew to be Natasha—due to her all black attire and bright red bob, that was curled ever so slightly—was standing to the side with her arms crossed, eyes averted from the scene. Natasha was another difficult read for Loki. She seemed to create chaos wherever she chose and yet she was always unimpressed by it. Amusing, to say the least. It did strike a certain curious nerve in Loki as to what she could have said to spark such a heated debate between her two toys. The dance was obviously boring her. However it did provide Loki with what he needed—Steve's location. He watches as Steve pulls the two apart and grabs Bucky by the collar of his shirt, dragging him towards one of the floor level exits. No Carol though, which wasn't as prominent a detail to Loki as it probably should have been. The blonde smacks Barton the moment he straightens himself up. "You're an ass!" She turns from him in a huff and storms towards the ladies' room.

"Bobbi, wait, it's not like that-"

As much as Loki wanted to view the rest of the fight, he slipped silently out the exit Steven had dragged his friend, catching a curious glance from Natasha.

It was behind the building, where the dumpsters were kept, and of course it was dimly lit. There were however a few students making out in various places, a few rather obnoxiously. Loki walked calmly in the direction he could hear Steve's voice scolding Bucky. He kept his hands in his pockets, feeling the smooth box of cigarettes he'd slipped into his pocket before they'd left. They'd prove to be an excellent excuse. Loki reached the edge of the building—by the parking lots—where Bucky was leaning slumped against the wall, Steve pacing around. Loki stays just out of the edge of the overhead light, where he blended in better than he thought. Steve was wearing a black blue-tinted suit with a white dress shirt and a royal blue tie that had a red accent stripe at the tip. Bucky seemed to be in all black to match Natasha. Both of course were wearing masks but Steve removes his to rub his eyes.

"You need to quit antagonizing him," Steve sighs, stuffing his mask in his pocket. "He's been with Nat just as much as you have but you both seem to forget that she likes the two of you fighting. It gives her something to control."

Bucky snorts, wiping his nose with his sleeve. "You're friends with her you know how she is…she does that manipulation trick and it sucks..."

"Yeah, because you fall for it every time," Steve shakes his head and turns towards the parking lot, staring at the cars. A few couples had started their own dance outside. "Maybe you should both take a break and date someone else for a change. Natasha isn't going to care, she'd probably prefer it. You told me yesterday that she seems bored of you both."

"That's just Natasha, she's bored of everything…you talking to Laufeyson is the only thing amusing her right now." Bucky rubs his neck and straightens up. "But you're right. As usual." He grins and punches Steve playfully in the arm.

"Damn right, I am," Steve laughs, punching him back.

Loki keeps quiet against the wall, silently wishing Bucky would leave as he watches the duo wrestle with one another. Bucky and Clint were almost as close as Bucky was to Steve so Loki was fairly certain Barnes held a bit of animosity towards him.

There's a faint click of heels on pavement as a girl walks out of the alley and towards Steve and Bucky. Carol. Her dress was royal blue with red accents—matching Steve exactly. The boys quit their roughhousing and straighten themselves up, Steve giving her a sheepish look.

"Here you two are. Natasha said you came out here, I just hadn't realized you'd come out so far." She smiles sweetly at Steve, giving that little side glance—that only Loki seemed to notice—at Bucky. Carol tucks a few of her curls behind her ear and gives Steve the biggest puppy eyes Loki had ever seen. "Steve? Will you walk me back inside? We haven't had a chance to dance yet."

It made Loki want to gag at how much of a liar she was. It was practically seeping out of her pores. Carol was part of five different sports teams, including women's lacrosse. She'd been a top science student since middle school and was taking college level courses. This type of flirtation was beneath her. Loki knew she was capable of flirting—Darcy was unfortunately one of the smartest people he knew and she flirted with every boy who looked at her—but the sickening thick sweet stuck-in-the-back-of-one's-throat flirting that Carol did around Bucky and Steve was irritating.

Steve starts to stutter over his words, his face flushing. "Well, I uhh—I was just ummm-"

"I'll walk you in, Steve could use some air."

Bucky offers her his arms and gives Steve a wink. Carol smiles from ear to ear, a flirtatious blush lingering on her cheeks. "Thanks, Bucky, that's so sweet of you…" she takes his arm and gives Steve a small wave. "See you inside."

Steve lets out a relieved sigh and runs a hand through his hair, pacing around. He was either exhausted from Carol's constant attention or Loki's anxieties about Steve's confessions were proving true. Loki hears the faint click of the door and makes his move. He digs his cigarettes out of his pocket and lights one in a swift motion of fire and smoke. "She seems to be enjoying your company."

Loki steps out from against the wall and exhales. Steve jumps slightly, making Loki involuntarily smirk. That was one thing Loki could never tire of—sneaking up on people. Steve takes a moment to focus his eyes, his face paling slightly. Something else Loki couldn't tire of—striking fear into the unsuspecting.

"I—umm—I didn't-" Steve takes a deep breath. "I didn't expect to see you here…"

"I didn't expect to come." Loki flicks his cigarette into a puddle and looks back up at Steve. "Having fun with Carol?"

"Well, I…I guess…she's nice enough."

Loki didn't really care if Steve was having a good time or not. He was more concerned with how he was going to draw Steve out of these games. What did he want to be said? He'd thought through everything he expected Steve's little outburst to be about but Loki wasn't quite sure how to get him to admit it was all some sick little joke. His thoughts begin to reel about all the different ways he could get Steve to confess to all of this—which in actuality didn't seem very hard—but Steve interrupts him.

"I think we need to talk…" He gives Loki a pitiful look which makes his stomach twist in knots. Steve was lying. This was all a joke, it had to be; what would someone like Steve Rogers see in Loki? But there it was. That small glint in his eye whenever Steve looked at him, the faint twinge of blush on his cheeks, his hands wringing together…all of the things Loki had assumed were brought on by the addition of a female—particularly Carol—…they were for him. After all of his anxieties he wasn't so sure he wanted to hear what Steve had to say… "Look, umm—I sort of ran out on you earlier today without—without giving you much else other than what I said and umm—I didn't exactly leave you with much…or maybe I left you with a lot, I dunno…"

"This isn't a game…" Loki says under his breath.

Steve furrows his brow. "I'm sorry?"

"You weren't joking."

There it was again. A concerned blush on Steve's face and the way he looked at Loki wasn't out of pity or resentment it was something he didn't understand. Loki takes a step away from him when Steve takes a step forward.

"Joking?" he frowns, reaching towards Loki. "No. No, of course I'm not joking, I—what I said before, I meant it, I just-"

Loki shakes his head in disbelief. "You…like me?"

"Yes," Steve lets out a small laugh, barely touching Loki's arm. "I like you a lot and…and I've been trying to tell you for a while now, I just—I didn't know how…"

No. Loki refused to believe this. It wasn't funny anymore and Loki didn't want to make it a game he wanted to get rid of that look that Steven was giving him. He didn't like that look, it was a look he thought he'd been given so many times before but they were all farce and he didn't want it to happen again. His mind was racing. So many things could go wrong with this, this was Steve Rogers. Everyone loved Steve. The teachers, his parents, Darcy, Thor, all of the students… Thor. Steve was Thor's best friend. What if this was all just a ploy to break the feeble relationship that for some reason kept Loki from leaving his family and friends altogether. There had to be something. Something Loki was missing, something that could draw Steve out like the pawn he was. Steve was still rambling on when Loki's mind drifted across a thought. He'd kissed him. Something about Steve's kiss felt different, something he couldn't read just like everything else about Steve. Maybe that would give him the insight he needed to draw Steve out of this sick little game of his.

"Loki, what are you-" Steve furrows his brow when Loki grabs his face, his eyes widening when Loki pulls his face to his.

There's a rigidness at first—Loki expected that, he'd caught Steve off guard. What he didn't expect was for Steve to take the lead. Loki wasn't a submissive person by nature but everything inside of him began to relax as Steve took control and pulled him closer, wrapping one arm around his waist and his other reaching up to hold Loki's head in place. And there was that feeling. It was warm and it started in Loki's stomach and twisted itself around, up through his chest and into his cheeks, making his face burn. Loki began to let these feelings take over when he realized what he was doing. He shoves himself away from Steve and gasps for a breath, running a hand through his hair.

Steve frowns, his face riddled with concern as he reaches out towards Loki. "What? Loki, are you-"

Loki smacks his hand away and shoots him a glare. "Don't touch me!" Steve furrows his brow.

"You're the one who-"

"Don't! Just get away from me!" Loki sneers. "It's not funny, okay? I'm sick of everyone messing with me, especially you! I hate you!"

"I'm not messing with you, I-"

"Just shut up! Guys like you don't take an interest in people like me, Steve, okay? They just don't! I'm sick and tired of everyone thinking they can do whatever they want to me, but they can't! I'm tired of rolling over for everyone just because I'm automatically the bad guy!" Loki pauses, gasping for breath. "If you like me so much, why did you come here with Carol, huh? You're such an idiot, she doesn't even like you, Steve, she likes Bucky! Anyone can see that!"

"What the hell is your problem?" Steve growls. "If you don't like me then fine but you don't have to be an ass about it!"

"Fuck off! Just leave me alone!"

"Fine!"

Steve pushes past Loki and storms back inside, leaving him alone under the overhead light. A few people in the parking lot had their heads turned as well as a few couples in the alley but no one was really paying them any mind. Loki looks around, eyes darting back and forth, searching for anyone who could've seen too much.

Jane Foster was dead still on the sidewalk, just a few feet from where Steve and Loki had been standing. She looked like a cornered mouse. Eyes blown wide and hands covering her mouth as if she'd seen something that was ready to burst out of her like a dark secret. If she'd seen as much as Loki had feared there were two people he knew he didn't want her running off to tattle to. He bolts towards her, Jane letting out a squeak, her eyes ready to pop out of their sockets. Loki—much like Thor—towered over her small stature. Poor Jane looked ready to faint.

"What did you see?" Loki hisses at her, his eyes burning a fiery green. She starts trembling and shaking her head, stuttering over her words. A faint drizzle mists over them as Loki sneers down at her.

"N-n-nothing, I didn't see a-a-anything!"

"Keep it that way!" Loki snarls.

He storms away from her and stomps through a few puddles, not paying his surroundings any mind. His whole body was shaking with anger and frustration and he didn't know why. He didn't know what to do. Loki wraps his arms around himself protectively as the drizzle turns into a steady rain. At least the rain was hiding the fountain of tears that seemed to be pouring out of his eyes. Why did everything have to happen to him? Why couldn't he for once have some normalcy in his life? Loki wanted to get away. He wanted to leave everything behind. He wanted to forget every fucking thing that had been thrown in his direction. He hated everyone.

Especially Steve Rogers.