To my fellow Americans: Happy Turkey Day! To my fellow non-Americans: Happy Thursday!

This Thanksgiving I'm thankful for all of you and your wonderful reviews! Like seriously! Ugh! I love all your reviews guys. You drive me crazy, I love you. As promised this chapter is a little lighter, not as heavy, you get a little something-something eheheheh. ;) I guess the best teaser I can give for the next chapter is that Loki will definitely start warming up to Steve. In a lot of ways. Haha.

Once again this chapter is long which I like because more for you guys to read!

Disclaimer: Does not own Marvel Universe

Warning: Loki and especially Darcy have terrible mouths if you guys haven't noticed XD

Comments/critiques welcomed!

(Btw: how would you guys feel about a Stoki/Frostshield crossover with Titanic for a full fanfic (not related to this one)? I'm playing with the idea but if it's gonna rip your little hearts out in a violent fashion I don't wanna hurt anyone like that. Though I suppose I'm already doing it...hehe)

"I'm tired of seeing him come home every day with new bruises! I told you he should've taken another year of school at home, then all of this could be avoided!"

"You can't keep babying him, Frigga! He's not a child anymore he needs to learn how to deal with his own problems-"

"You call those bruises dealing with his problems?! He needs to be somewhere safe and the school system obviously isn't doing that. Either you start calling people or I'm pulling him out, because I'm sick of seeing him like this-"

"Oh, yes, that'll teach him something. Pull him out of school—you want him to end up in jail again? That's where he'll end up, it's where he always ends up, and who's to say next time it won't be something worse than drugs? He's always been this way, Frigga, he's not going to change!"

"BECAUSE YOU WON'T LET HIM!"

Loki kicks the door closed and jumps off the front porch, shoving his hands into his jacket. Odin was actually home for once and of course Frigga wanted to talk about him. Why couldn't they talk about Thor for once and how he'd beat up three people in the last week? Then again, they probably didn't even know about that, most people didn't report beatings from Thor. Loki figured it was because they were always worried he'd find them. Not that he really cared…they were three people who'd been giving him crap all week about all of this Steve nonsense. Soon he would be free from school's prison hold for the American holiday known as Thanksgiving. Frigga always wanted to try celebrating one year but she wasn't very good at keeping the family in one place for a meal only two of them would eat; not that she would mind, though…she had learnt to become very frugal.

He keeps his head low as he crosses the street out of the neighborhood. A few people were out enjoying some air while the gardeners raked the leaves. They gave him curious looks as he passed, Loki ignoring them. At least he didn't live in a gated community…the guard probably wouldn't let him in half the time. He smiles to himself at the thought of having to scale a gate just to get home to his bedroom.

It was a bit brisk out and the wind had picked up as it normally does that time of year. No sign of snow yet though there had been a few flurries throughout the last few weeks. Loki liked snow. It was so simple and yet it ended up causing such dramatic changes in weather. It was also cold and Loki was rather fond of winter. He liked having an excuse for wanting to stay under his blankets a few minutes more. The only thing to dislike was Frigga keeping both eyes on him. She didn't like him outside when it was this cold, she always fretted about him catching something. While it was likely, it didn't keep him from enjoying his walks outside. They cleared his head. Kept him calm. Loki never understood why Frigga would practically push him out the door when it was scorching hot but bolt it up when it was cold. He'd passed out more times during summer than he had in the winter, he hated the heat. It made him irritable and sweaty—which he hated more than being hot—and the air was impossible to breathe. It was like trying to inhale soup.

Today…today was nice though.

Loki kicks some litter off the sidewalk as he follows it, step-by-step getting further into town. The funny thing about cities was a lot of the suburbs on the city line looked a lot worse than the city itself did. Though he figured it depended where one lived. Darcy lived in town. Not that Loki judged but it was the kind of neighborhood where she bolted her doors and windows no matter what time of day it was. Frigga didn't particularly care for him staying with her as much as he did but she never had anything bad to say about it. Loki could just tell from the way her face tensed up when he mentioned staying with Darcy for the night. He stomps into a leftover puddle, kicking at the water and moving on to jump into another. And another. Loki peeks into some of the shop windows at the Thanksgiving—and some Christmas—decorations they had on display.

"Yo!" Loki turns his head towards the road where someone was obviously yelling for himself—he was the only one out here. Darcy had pulled up to the curb and rolled her windows down. He gives her a small smile, walking towards her. "What are you doing?" she snaps her gum. "It's freezing out here!"

"Walking. It doesn't feel so bad…what are you doing?"

She snorts, rolling her eyes. "I keep forgetting you're cold-blooded…" Darcy sighs, giving him a sheepish look. "I'm…going to work."

"I thought you got fired for indecent conduct?"

"Not that one…I got a new job."

"Where?"

"You…know that really cheesy sports bar? With the really annoying wait staff?" Darcy bites her lip, hesitating before opening her coat to show off her green polo shirt and black suspenders. Loki refrains a laugh. The suspenders didn't flatter her breasts…at least not in a professional manner. Sitting over top of them made them look wider and Loki could only imagine how far they'd seem to stick out if she rested the suspenders on either side.

"Don't laugh!" she flushes, pulling her coat closed. "It fucking sucks, but they were desperate and I kind of am too…I need to get to NYU after graduation, I can't stand this shithole anymore."

Loki smirks. "Aren't you a little too sarcastic for that restaurant?"

"Very funny. At least I'm not ugly."

"Rude."

"Shut up, you know you're gorgeous." She sighs, pulling her hair back into a ponytail. "You're right though, I don't know how long I'll be able to shine the sun out of my ass for this job. And I can already hear the lectures about my skirt. I can't help that I'm bootylicious."

He bites back a grin, rolling slightly on the balls of his feet. "Will they not let you wear pants?"

"Oh, they'll let me wear pants. Either they will or someone is gonna get smacked, I can take the manager he's a little weasel."

Loki hums in response, looking around as a gust of wind blows some leaves out of the gutters. He turns back to her with a toothy grin. "Will you sing me the specials if I come eat there?"

"Fuck you!" Darcy pulls away from the curb and leans out the window, shouting back at him. "Come see me after work, I get off at eleven! Love you!"

"Hate you!" Loki watches her car disappear around the curb, humming to himself as he continues his stroll.

Darcy was still a bit wary of him and he could tell from the sort of forced banter and general body language she'd been giving him. But she wasn't mad anymore, he knew that much. Being the stubborn ass that he was he didn't admit to being relieved about this but she knew. She always knew. He was however thankful that Darcy believed Loki's lies about his kissing Steve being an after effect of heavy boozing. Steve seemed rather fond of Darcy's company and she of his. He didn't want her to be upset that the reason he hadn't been interested in her was because he was interested in Loki. While he acted as though he preferred to be alone, not having Darcy on his side was a lot more stressful than he thought it would be. She was always there for him and even if he was in the wrong or said something spiteful she'd stand up for him. Loki hadn't found that in any other.

He knew it would be a while before she truly forgave him though. While Loki lied to everyone, Darcy took offense. She thought herself above others since he put down more walls for her but the lies slipped from his tongue more naturally than the truth. He didn't quite understand it. He was conscious that he did it but he didn't know why. That was the funny thing about growing up though. A person could realize they do things but not be able to explain them. Loki knew he lied, he knew he did it, but asking him why was like asking someone why they told the truth. If he really thought about it—all people lied. The truth they expressed was subjective and therefore could be a lie to another. Unfortunately Loki knew he was lying so he wasn't going to make much of an argument. He shouldn't have led Darcy on like he did and been outright with her but his subtle obsession with not wanting to hurt people he cared for had kept him from doing so and lying to her more about kissing Steve…well it was for the best. Loki didn't want her to shame him over something he couldn't control. He didn't wish that for Steve either.

Loki jumps off the sidewalk into another puddle. He and Thor used to jump in puddles together; Frigga hardly ever approved, she didn't care for dirty things, but…she liked seeing them happy when she jumped in the puddles with them. That seemed like a long time ago.

A foul smell tainted his nose as he came to a corner and crossed the street, walking across a large lot near the restaurant where Steve worked. Loki wasn't fond of the place and not just because of association—the food tasted like dirty dishwater. From the smell of the neighboring dumpsters, that's where they dug up their groceries. Loki's eyes glance over the parking lot, searching for Steve's truck. Part of him missed their conversations. Steve was a rather interesting person, Loki just—he didn't like the way things had gone. He furrows his brow. It didn't make much sense why Steve worked here though. The neighborhood Thor dropped Steve off in was clear on the other side of town. Loki shrugs to himself. It wasn't really his business but he wouldn't take a job that cost more money than it was worth. Then again, everyone assumed he didn't have to.

He continues past the restaurant, shoving his hands into his hoodie. It was still early but it was already getting cold and the light would disappear in a few hours. Frigga would notice he was gone, she'd worry, she'd fight with Odin more…Loki didn't particularly like the idea of her calling constantly only to scream in the receiver when he answered. Loki crosses the street again to the sidewalk, walking towards one of the branching neighborhoods. They rested right by the train tracks and the further down the road one walked the closer one would come to the interstate leading into the city. All of the buildings looked run down with multiple patches of different colored shingles and boards on the rooftops. They were the kind of townhouses that Loki imagined would be so thin on the staircases that he'd have to angle his shoulders to get through. He kicks at some rubbish on the sidewalk, observing the numerous cars lined haphazardly up and down either side of the road. He'd started to walk by the corner building when movement caught the corner of his eye.

Two figures had emerged from the house, one lingering on the steps while the other stomped off towards the yard with several trash bags in his hand. The one on the steps was a woman, small with a petite frame, wearing an old battered robe with her hair pinned up. She was holding what looked suspiciously like a wine bottle. It wasn't even half-full, it was dwindling towards the end of its life. Loki pulls his hood up, lighting a cigarette and furrowing his brow. Steve Rogers was dwindling by the chain link fence while the woman on the porch screamed at him.

"If you think you're goin' anywhere but the…community college you're dead wrong!" the woman slurs. "We can't afford no fucking university so forget it!"

"I can get scholarships, mama, my teachers are willing to help me find some way-"

The woman lets out a shrill laugh, holding onto the railing of the stairs. "Scholarships? With your grades? The only thing you're good at is that history crap! What are you gonna do with that? Teach? I might as well fucking die right now if that's what I'm gonna have to be supported on." She somehow manages to turn herself around, making her way back inside. "Now get your ass down to the gas station, I need more beer!"

She slams the door behind her.

Loki looks around. Only Steve was left in the yard, tossing the trash bags into the silver bins. He ducks his head down continuing along the sidewalk when his pace begins to slow. An opportunity of pure curiosity had presented itself to Loki and he was doing everything in his power to fight it. Steve was no business of his, he'd made it very clear that he wanted no more interaction with him, but there was something compelling about him. He'd been lying to his friends—even Bucky and Thor—about where he lived. Loki had always wondered why Thor never went to Steve's place after Friday's games now he supposed it made a little more sense. Was he embarrassed? Did something happen? Loki snorts. Perhaps it was the charming woman he called mother. Whatever the reason—Loki's baser instinct of knowledge was driving him back to know why.

He flicks his cigarette away and lowers his hood, rounding the corner to approach him slowly. Loki wasn't exactly sure what kind of reaction to expect. They hadn't exactly been on good terms. Steve barely looks up when Loki stops in front of him on the other side of the fence, Loki having to clear his throat to get his attention. Like he said, he wasn't sure what to expect from Steve but from the look on his face Steve certainly wasn't expecting Loki. There was a flash of irritation, frustration, and then recognition quickly turned into shock and a hint of fear. Steve's face paled faster than Darcy's had during their first sexual education class in middle school.

"What are you doing here?"

The attitude was a bit uncalled for. Loki furrows his brow. "I suppose I could ask you the same question. Then again I won't since it's quite obvious that you live here. I guess I could ask you why you live here and not there since there is where you are believed to reside." Steve looks away from him, continuing to deposit trash into the bins in front of Loki. "It is a bit rude of me to pry, though, my apologies-"

"A bit?" Steve shoots him a look that Loki wasn't quite familiar with, at least not from him. It was similar to the one he'd received the night of the dance. Loki bites his tongue. "I didn't take you as someone who spies on other people, Laufeyson, then again you're just full of surprises, aren't you?" Loki was a bit taken back by the amount of venom in Steve's voice. Whatever his reason for lying, part of it was obviously shame because Loki could feel the number of defensive barriers Steve was putting up. Not that he blamed him…Loki didn't exactly parade around with all of his secrets written on his forehead. "So what now, huh?" Loki looks up at Steve, cocking his head slightly.

"I'm not sure I understand."

"This is your revenge, isn't it? Didn't you say you'd get me back? Make me pay?" Steve scoffs, placing the lids back on the bins. "Well I guess you'll be getting what you want, huh? Turn all the negative attention on me. Go ahead, I deserve it."

Loki makes a face. He could become defensive as well, lash out, tear Steve apart with his words but Loki wasn't so sure this unusual display of aggression was aimed at him. Instead Loki shoves his hands deeper into his sweatshirt, taking a deep inner breath. "No one deserves to be bullied for something they cannot control." Loki pauses, finding the flicker of Steve he was accustomed to. "I was out for a walk. I had no intention of running into you today."

Steve's demeanor seems to calm down, his shoulders and jaw un-tensing if only slightly. Loki would prefer him angry. Now he looked like someone ran over his puppy. "Sorry…I didn't mean to snap at you like that, it's just—no one knows that I-"

"Not even Natasha? Curious. You're a better liar than I thought, Rogers." Steve opens the gate, an invitation Loki assumed to be for himself and he obliged. They both sit down on the stoop, Steve's head still bowed with a twinge of blush on his cheeks. He was embarrassed. And Loki did not know how to deal with embarrassment. It was an unpleasant silence they shared, Loki's stomach beginning to churn in an unpleasant way.

It was surprisingly Steve who broke it. "Are you and Darcy getting along again?"

"Yes. At least I suppose we are. She's still angry at me but she's doing her best to hide it."

"Oh." Loki watches Steve fiddle with his hands. It was almost endearing how flustered he became just from talking to him. Loki wasn't quite sure if it was the situation or simply that Steve still harbored a bit of a crush on him. He figured both was a good enough answer for now. "I'm sorry…for causing so many problems between you and Darcy-"

"Don't apologize, it was my fault, not yours. I should be the one apologizing."

"For what?"

"This." Loki motions all around them, meaning the situation at hand. He hadn't intended to embarrass Steve, at least not like this. "And for ruining your chances with Carol. And for yelling at you like I have. I have a tendency to overreact."

Steve smiles. "You and Thor are more alike than you think."

"Yes, I suppose we are. Though we aren't related I guess the way one is raised and by whom does set the standards for how one turns out." Loki pauses, resisting the urge to look up. "Then again…is it safe to assume that the lovely woman I witnessed is your mother?"

There was a slight twitch. "Yes, that was—yeah. She's my mother."

"STEVEN!" He jumps at the sound of his name, standing and turning to face her. Loki turns himself just slightly. She wasn't an ugly woman and Loki could assume safely that she never had been but there was a dulled look to her beauty. And she was young. Younger than Frigga at least. Her eyes scan over Loki, making a face and glaring at Steve. "I told you to get me beer an hour ago!"

"Mama," he sighs, frowning. "It's only been ten minutes-"

She narrows her eyes. There was a chill that seemed to radiate around them, Loki watching intently as Steve's whole body tensed up. "Are you arguing with me?"

"N-no, ma'am…I'll go do it right now…" Steve flinches when she slams the door, Loki starting to feel increasingly sorry for their neighbors. He watches Steve pull out his phone and grumble to himself. "I'm sorry about her, she's just—she didn't sleep well. I hope my guy is working at the gas station though, otherwise I'll have to find someone else to get me a case of beer-"

Loki stands and clears his throat. "Steve, I'll get it."

"What?" Steve turns to him and gives him a small smile. "No, it's okay, really, I can-"

"Steve. Don't worry about it. I can get it."

The gas station wasn't far from Steve's place. They walked there in what felt like an uneasy silence and Steve waited patiently outside while Loki bought the beer. It only took him a few minutes, not a lot of people were out and about today. He hands Steve the case and flicks his hand nonchalantly at his 'thank yous' and gratitude. Loki did it out of pity, no other reason. Steve walks slowly out to the curb and sits down with a sigh, setting the beer by his feet. There was something about seeing him like this that made Loki's chest ache. Steve was vulnerable, open, and it wasn't something Loki was used to seeing with him. Reading him like he could others was not a skill Loki possessed and while it bothered him immensely, it bothered him more to see Steve's heart so on display. He sighs, joining Steve on the curb.

They sat there in silence for a while, watching a few cars drive by, some younger teenagers romping by; a young cat approaches them from underneath one of the parked cars, Loki cooing and waggling his fingers for the creature to approach him; Loki pretends not to notice while Steve watches him with a smile, the cat purring and rubbing up against Loki's legs.

"You really like animals," Steve marvels, the cat giving him some attention before scampering away. Loki hums. "So umm—how did they let you buy-?"

"Fake ID." Loki turns slightly towards him, his hands buried inside his sweatshirt to keep them from turning blue. There were many questions burning on his mind, most he knew would make Steve more uncomfortable than he already seemed to be. Loki clears his throat. "Your mother…she is—a nurse?"

Steve sighs. "Was."

"Come again?"

"She was a nurse…" Steve runs a hand through his hair and rolls his shoulders with another sigh. "That's uhh—why we live where we live now. The house Thor drops me off in front of used to be my house. When my mom lost her job we couldn't afford to live there anymore."

Loki frowns. "Do you support the both of you?"

There was an uneasy quake in his stomach. What did he care if Steve had to live off of minimum wage with his mother? It wasn't his business. Part of him was still mad at Steve—the irrational part but a part none the less.

Steve gives him a small smile. "No…my grandparents—mom's parents—support a lot of our bills. And…my dad pays child support every month." He lets out a dry laugh, a blush twinging his cheeks. "Although I guess you wouldn't know about stuff like that, huh?"

He blinks. "What do you mean?"

"I…didn't mean any offense, I just meant that—well, your parents are loaded aren't they? I mean you and Thor don't have to worry about finances for the rest of your lives!"

"I pay my own bills."

"Yeah, but with your parents' money, right?"

Loki shakes his head. "No. Odin cut me off about a year ago. I pay for everything myself."

"Just you?" Steve furrows his brow when Loki nods. "That doesn't seem very fair…if everyone else in your family uses the same money-"

"Well, I'm not technically part of the family, am I?"

Steve makes a face but doesn't push any further which Loki is grateful for. He doesn't like talking about his family, especially Odin. Loki preferred to keep private matters to himself however Steve was easy to talk to. Loki also didn't do well with others having secrets.

"I'm sorry, by the way…" Loki looks up at him, furrowing his brow. He tenses. Steve's face looked crest-fallen, like this had been weighing on his mind. He doesn't answer. "I know that I—I didn't stick up for you like I should've…now people are messing with you again and it's all my fault-"

"Don't worry about it."

"But-"

"Steve-" he takes a deep breath, chewing on his lip. "It's easier for people to turn on me. I'm used to it. And you don't deserve hatred just for liking someone even if that person is me. I could've told them the truth, yes, but they expected me to lie." Loki shrugs. "So I did." Steve makes a face but doesn't say anything, turning away. "I won't tell anyone where you live. I'm spiteful but not towards people who interest me…" He gives Steve a smirk when he quirks his brow. "Yes, I find you interesting, Rogers. Don't look too much into it."

Loki grumbles when Steve gives him a little nudge, his face spreading into a wide grin. "So you like me?"

"Not in the way you wish."

"But you like me?"

He rolls his eyes. "To be fair…you are an—agreeable kisser." Steve gives him a smug look, Loki scowling. "What? Am I not permitted to pay you a compliment?"

"No, no," Steve smiles, looking away and opening and closing his hands. He laughs to himself. Loki shoots him a look and Steve holds up his hands defensively with a grin. "Nothing, nothing…it's just—you're not so bad yourself."

"Oh, thank you, that's wonderful of you to say. Greatly appreciated," Loki scowls, rolling his eyes. Steve gives him a playful shove and Loki shoves him back. He shoves him a little harder, Loki letting out a sigh and punching his arm. Steve laughs and rubs his arm, faking a pout.

"Ow! You punch hard…" Steve pauses when Loki holds out his fist, looking up at his face and back down at his hand. He reaches out his own and Loki drops a penny into his palm. Loki shoves his hand back down into his hoodie and smirks to himself, Steve giving him a surprised look and then smiling to himself, placing the penny in his pocket.