(Posting this one early as a treat 3)

HELLO ALL! HELLO MY BEAUTIFUL WONDERFUL DEDICATED READERS! I'm so sorry...I know it's been forever since I've updated but I felt really-crappy about this story. I got to a point where I was like "omfg I hate it I have to start over" but then I realized it was better for me to finish it and then go back and make an updated version if I still felt like it.

Besides there isn't enough stoki fanfiction out there so I'm trying to write all I can.

Anywho~ THREE NEW CHAPTERS! YAY! I'm sure whoever's still reading is excited. Once again I'm so sorry it's taken so long...I've been busy with other projects, depression, anxiety, work, blah blah blah...but it's summer now which means I'll be able to write a whole lot more! Yay!

These next three are leading up to Loki sort of reaching this climax of letting go all the insecurities he has about Steve and becoming a lot more open with him. Of course I've sort of proven that once they reach this point where they're completely enamored with one another that it's just all downhill from there and you're right! But...it'll be a while before things turn back into shit, I promise. 33

Disclaimer: Does not own Marvel Universe

Warning: Language and the babies being big dumb stupid hornballs (but no sex yet...we'll get there ;))

Comments/critiques are welcomed!

ALSO! I have a new story. :) It's stoki and it's called "Go the Distance" check it out on my profile.

"Damn, Steve," Bucky pokes at his neck, Steve swatting his hand away. "This chick must be kinky with all these bites on your neck! Does it hurt when I poke them?" He pokes one of the more prominent welts and Steve flicks his forehead.

"Yes, it hurts. Now will you stop talking about it?"

"Negatory, Rogers, not until you give us details!"

Steve finishes loading the dishes into the washer and furrows his brow. He glances at Clint—who shrugs—and back at Bucky. "Details? I'm afraid to ask of what-"

"The sex!"

He forces out a laugh, giving Bucky a look. "What sex?"

"You didn't have sex?!"

"No, we didn't," Steve snorts. "And I wouldn't tell you at work even if I did and was willing to tell you. As for you-" he looks at Clint who was perched on top of one of the counters, "-you're not even supposed to be back here. Now help me finish loading these dishes—Thor's probably waiting on me to go to the concert."

Winter break had finally started and Steve was both thrilled and anxious at the same time. He didn't have to go to school for at least three weeks but at the end of those three weeks he'd have to start worrying about meeting representatives for college and making decisions with the guidance counselors about what he was planning on doing during his senior year to prepare him for the school of his choice. Unfortunately Steve didn't have a school of his choice. Right now he wasn't even sure if he was going to be able to go to a school. Steve was excited that during these three weeks he could spend the majority of them with Loki—who of course seemed less than thrilled about the idea of being stuck at home with Thor and their parents. The only downside to spending time with Loki was that he'd have to come up with excuses for not spending time with his friends—especially Bucky and Clint—and saying he was on a date wasn't going to work because they'd just end up trying to crash it, only to discover this "girl" Steve was seeing was actually a guy…and Loki Laufeyson. Steve wasn't all that concerned with them knowing it was a guy he just hadn't gotten around to correcting them.

Of course another downside to being out of school was that his mother knew so he not only had to make excuses for his friends but also for her and she was more likely to freak out more than Bucky and Clint were. She didn't even know he was bisexual…

"I forgot you were going out with big and beefy tonight," Bucky grins. "I hope his lady friend is okay with you stealing him…I thought Thor had clingy girlfriends before but Jane sticks to him like glue."

Clint snorts. "Jane's not so bad, though. How'd you score those tickets anyways, Steve? They're going for like $300 a pop." Steve shrugs. "Oh, what, you can't tell us?"

"Yeah, Mr. Badass Street Fighter…can't tell us about your scalper?"

"I didn't get them from a scalper," Steve chuckles, loading the last set of dishes into the washer. "I—Loki gave them to me."

Bucky and Clint share a look. "Laufeyson, did? Really?"

Steve glances at both of them. "What?"

"Loki being nice to people isn't exactly something anyone is used to, that's all," Clint picks at some leftover fries, Steve attempting to ignore how disgusting that was. "He's kind of a dick—sort of always been a dick, really…"

"He doesn't seem that bad in school."

"That's right," Bucky chuckles. "Steve's best buddies with Loki now."

"We're not—best buddies, we're just friends…er—as close to being friends as one can get with Loki I guess…"

It was funny, really. Originally Steve started talking to Loki because he wanted to find out more about why he'd been expelled and was being treated so poorly but now—a few months later—Steve had forgotten to even ask. Sometimes it crossed his mind…but just talking to Loki felt like he was walking on air, he didn't want to ruin it. Though he supposed it would be safe to ask now. Maybe. There was no telling what would set Loki off for sure…it wasn't that Steve wasn't still curious it was just that he hadn't thought about it in a while. He'd been so focused on helping Loki become comfortable with him that some of his own curiosities had been pushed to the side.

"Hey, guys-" Bucky and Clint quit horsing around with one another when Steve speaks up. "Why do you think Loki's so nice to me? I mean…you and Natasha all think he's an ass but I don't get it. He's a little—uptight, sure, but I don't think he's ever been intentionally mean to anyone. Not without being provoked anyway." Steve was starting to get flashbacks from the incident with Harry Osborn.

Bucky shrugs. He punches Clint in the knee. "Maybe he likes your butt? It's a nice butt…can't be mean to a butt like yours."

"Bucky-"

"Natasha thinks he's trying to get back at you." Clint picks at his teeth, kicking in Bucky's direction. "I mean—that thought has crossed your mind, right? That he's trying to fuck you over for embarrassing him?"

Steve furrows his brow. "Embarrassing him? You mean because of what happened at that party? Or—the dance? Loki's…vengeful sure but you think he'd go through the trouble of hanging out with me off and on just to stick a knife in my back?"

Clint makes a face, giving him a small and awkward nod. Bucky snorts out a laugh.

"I don't think that."

"Well what do you think then, smartass?"

"I think Loki's creepy and that he's an asshole and that sometimes he deserves to get punched in the face-" Steve frowns, "-but I also think he legitimately likes spending time with Steve. Sure he holds grudges but most of them are for Thor. Especially dumb ones." Bucky loads the remaining dishes onto the drainer and starts hosing off the belt to the washer. "If anything Loki would be getting back at him for Stark. I mean—Loki was livid after all that happened… He was like a T-Rex that had an itchy nose but couldn't reach it because his arms are too short."

"Wait—what with Stark? Because I dated him after Loki?"

"Dude, you fucked him before he was done with Loki." Clint rolls his eyes. "I'm surprised Loki didn't scalp you."

Steve flushes red. "I didn't-" They both give him sly looks. "Okay, so I—slept with Tony a little prematurely…who hasn't?" Clint raises his hand. Bucky doesn't. Steve makes a face. "Really?"

"Hey, don't judge, you're the one that caused the fight of the century."

"Wait, so—but Tony told me he wasn't seeing anyone."

Clint quirks a brow. "And you believed him?"

"Yes…and no," Steve mumbles, washing off his hands. "I knew he had been dating Loki but he said he and Loki had broken it off…were they really still together when I slept with him?" He could feel his heart fall into his stomach and threatening to jump out of his ass.

"Apparently he saw you guys canoodling and went off on Tony the next day," Bucky shuts off the water and disrobes his apron, hanging it up by the sink. "Not that I really blame Loki for that one…that was pretty low on Stark's part. And the video Darcy took of Thor chasing Tony around was pretty funny."

Clint starts laughing. "Thor hit him and Tony squealed like a little girl." He and Bucky fist-bump, both of them laughing.

Steve felt like he was going to throw up. How had he never heard about any of this? Did Loki even remember? If he did…how had he not torn Steve apart by now? Stark was still a tender subject for him. He didn't even bring it up with Darcy and she was to him like Bucky was to Steve. Then again…Steve hadn't even told Bucky they were dating.

"Come on, Steve!" Bucky laughs, banging on the back door. "I thought you had somewhere to be!"

He shakes himself out of it and forces a smile. "Yeah, I'm—I'll be right there."

Loki gasps, Steve tracing the shell of his ear with his tongue. He digs his fingers into Steve's hair and grabs his ear with his teeth. Steve grabs Loki's hips and pulls them roughly into his. Loki pulls his head back sharply to bite into his neck, Steve's hips rutting into him. He runs his tongue soothingly over the mark and lets out a little sigh. Steve was doing wonderful things to the sensitive spot just under his jaw. His hand finds its way under the hem of Steve's shirt, his fingers running over the hard, chiseled curve of his abdomen.

Steve squirms against his touch, kissing down his neck. He laughs lightly. "That tickles…" He runs his hands up Loki's thighs to squeeze his ass.

"Hmm…" Loki runs his hands further up to his chest. He grins. "Does it?"

He places his hands on his waist and lets Steve press him back down into the backseat of the truck, Steve dipping his head to peck his lips. Loki draws Steve's mouth back to his and hums, running his tongue over his bottom lip. Steve parts his lips just slightly and Loki's tongue explores his mouth, Steve's tongue following Loki's back into his own.

"We're going to get in trouble," Loki hums, Steve kissing along his jaw.

"I thought you liked trouble."

"You really want a patrol car to roam by and see a truck loitering in the parking lot of a family restaurant with the windows fogged up?"

Steve smirks and kisses his throat. "Awww…" He runs his hand up his side. "You want me to stop?"

Loki shifts underneath him and sits up slightly, pushing Steve up with him. Steve keeps his arms wrapped stubbornly around his waist. "I told Darcy I'd meet her at work an hour ago. Which means we've been making out in your truck for an hour."

"I can't help it that you're so damn attractive," Steve grins, burying his face into Loki's neck. He sits up further and keeps Loki in his lap, his legs locked around his hips. Steve rubs Loki's thighs and hums. "I guess I can't keep you all to myself though…"

"Darcy unfortunately needs constant attention. Much like myself."

"You know I'm all for giving you attention…" Steve's fingers tease the small patch of exposed skin on Loki's lower back. He flushes and squirms against him to shift away just slightly. Steve's hands pull away from the slightest tense in Loki's body. "Sorry…"

Things in Loki's mind still felt…skewed from having seen Steve naked. It didn't bother him as much anymore but he had to try not to think about it. That was hard considering how handsy they'd become. Of course he didn't like Steve thinking he'd crossed some sort of line. He got puppy eyes and started pouting and got defensive…Loki didn't deal well with defensive. Being defensive felt like his role in any and all relationships.

"You apologize too much," Loki chuckles, pulling his face towards his and pecking his lips. "Trust me, if I don't like something, I'll tell you."

Steve laughs dryly. "Yeah, you—you have a way of doing that."

"Shut up."

"Do you—I mean-" Loki quirks a brow. He clears his throat, tracing Loki's arm. "We could always go in together, get something to eat…Darcy probably won't think much of it…"

"No, I—I've taken up enough of your time for today."

Loki climbs off of him and Steve scoots to his right. They run their hands over their hair and adjust their shirts, Loki looking around for his sweater and scarf. Steve hands it to him and Loki hands him his belt. The buckle had been digging into his hip.

"Oh, hey, I—I never thanked you, by the way."

"Hmm? For what?"

"The concert," Steve smiles softly, his hand brushing against his. "Thor and I had fun and—well, without you scoring those tickets we wouldn't have been able to go. Besides it was their last concert in the States. They're touring in Europe now."

"Don't mention it."

Steve chuckles and pulls Loki back to him, holding his jaw in place as he kisses him. "Quit being so stubborn," he grins. "Thank you, really. I'll make it up to you somehow." Loki laughs and lets out a soft noise when Steve pulls him closer again and latches his mouth onto his neck.

"Steve-"

He gasps when Steve nips his vein, the muscles in his lower stomach twitching and tightening. Steve chuckles warmly and nuzzles the skin just under Loki's ear. Loki gives Steve's shoulders a gentle push, drawing further away from him.

"Rogers, knock it off, I have to go." He pulls his sweater over his head, taking note of the way Steve was watching him dress with interest. Loki opens the door and lets out a small yelp when Steve grabs him around his waist and pulls him back onto his lap, the door pulling closed. Steve presses his chest up against Loki's back and dips his head to kiss him open-mouthed, his tongue tracing along his. Loki struggles against him for air, Steve drawing back to dip his head to his throat, sucking a small mark at the base. Loki elbows him in the ribs. "Seriously, I-"

Steve silences him with another kiss, pulling away only to readjust Loki on his lap, hooking a hand under his knees and turning him to face him. Loki scowls at him. Steve only grins wider and kisses his face, Loki eventually giving in with a small laugh and pushing him away.

"Stop it!"

He hums, rubbing circles at the base of Loki's knee. "What do you want for Christmas?"

Loki shifts to straddle Steve's legs, wrapping his arms around his neck. He rubs his thumb against his neck and hardens his face, lowering his tone. "My brother's head on a silver platter." Loki grins at Steve's initial reaction face, letting out a small laugh. He laughs a little more shrilly when Steve pinches his side.

"You know I took you seriously there for a moment."

"That's why I laughed at your face."

Steve leans back in the seat so that Loki's resting against him, rubbing his back with a sigh. Loki wasn't actually going to tell him if he wanted something for the holidays and Steve knew that. He smiles to himself when Loki buries his face into his neck and closes his eyes. "What about…some books?" Steve makes a face at his own idea. "No…I bet everyone gets you books…"

"Darcy tends to buy me ones with ridiculous summaries and Thor and Frigga always search for first additions for me…not sure why, books are books. You can get me books if you want. I'm always searching for new recommendations."

"Yeah but—I'm your boyfriend so I guess I just want my gift to be—you know—special."

Loki smiles against his neck. "Isn't it special just coming from you?"

"I guess…" Steve sighs and rests his head against his. "Hmm…what about…hey!" He grins and sits up, Loki drawing away from him just slightly. "What about a cat? You like cats but you don't have a cat, right? Would your mom mind?"

He snorts, running a hand through his hair. "You'd have to ask Frigga. She doesn't think I'm capable of caring for something since I barely take care of myself." Loki laughs when Steve opens the door and wraps his arms around him firmly, climbing out of the car with Loki straddling his hips.

"I wouldn't want to make her mad," Steve smiles, setting him down. "Besides I'm sure I can come up with other things to get you."

"What about you?" Loki places a hand on Steve's chest. "What do you want for Christmas?"

Steve gives his butt another squeeze and Loki slaps at his shoulder. He laughs. "I don't need anything, babe. Just a kiss."

Loki rolls his eyes. "You're stupid." Steve kisses him softly and Loki lets out a little sigh. He smiles. "I'll talk to you later, dummy."

"It'll be another half-hour before I get off," Darcy sighs, setting Loki's soda down. "Sorry…Huell's really riding my ass tonight otherwise I would've slipped out hours ago."

His mouth twitches. If he'd known she was going to take so long he would've asked Steve to stay. Of course Loki was being overly cautious by not allowing Darcy to see the pair of them together. She could sniff out pheromones like a bloodhound. Loki was actually sort of surprised she hadn't realized he was seeing someone by now, he wasn't exactly being discreet with his disheveled hair and swollen lips.

Then again…he wasn't above using concealer to hide Steve's marks on his neck.

"Don't worry about—wait, your manager's name is Huell?"

"Yeah, why?"

"I thought he was white."

"He is." Darcy points her thumb towards the other side of the room. "He's the 90 pound dweeb with the pocket protector." Loki starts laughing hysterically, Darcy scowling at him. She shushes him when people start to stare. He covers his mouth to muffle the sound. "Shut up, dick face, before he comes over here!"

Loki shakes his head, grinning. "Oh my God…you have to sleep with him. If you bone him you won't have to lift a fucking finger in this shithole ever again. He'll be your bitch."

"Okay, first of all, eww," Darcy rolls her eyes. "Second of all, I'm not handing my virginity off to some nasally little pervert. Besides his destiny is to become the 40-year-old virgin and I'm not interfering with that."

"V-cards are overrated. Just bang somebody already."

Darcy smirks, setting her tray on her hip and cocking it. "Oh yeah? And how was your first time taking it up the ass? Pleasant enough to share?"

"Like I said…overrated."

"Yeah, well…I'm not handing it off to some jerkwad with a semi…do you think if Jane and Thor ever take a break they'd be cool with me handing my virginity to Thor? He knows how to treat a lady."

"If you sleep with him I'll never talk to you again."

She rolls her eyes. "Fine, fine…I guess Steve's out of the question too…his new boo has been leaving hickeys on him the size of saucers." Loki smiles to himself. "Though there is a cute guy that keeps coming in here while I'm working."

"What's his name?"

"I dunno…he's really shy, don't talk much…he's German though, cute accent." Darcy scowls when one of her tables starts flagging her down, one of the women holding up her cup. "I've gotta go…Sarah Jessica Parker and the girls need a refill before they get porked tonight."

"You're such a bitch," he laughs, shaking his head.

Darcy shoots a grin over her shoulder as she walks away. He makes himself comfortable and pulls out a journal and his ear buds, flipping on his music. Things with Steve did seem to be going well. Granted Loki seemed to find him more…tolerable than he had been. Whatever it was didn't feel natural but it felt kind of nice and Loki enjoyed all the attention. Of course in order for this to work Loki needed to give Steve attention too…but even that felt kind of nice.

Loki scowls at himself when he writes Steve's name instead of what he'd originally planned. He scribbles it out and tries again.

That was the only downside he supposed. All he could really think about was Steve and when he was with Steve he didn't know what to think about. He was thankful to be out of school though despite having to go to London for Christmas…it was too far from the comforts of his room and spending time with people he really didn't want to spend time with was frustrating. However being out of school meant doing whatever he wanted and not having to worry about Frigga's ridiculous expectations for his education. It also meant he had to balance time between Steve and Darcy. Luckily Darcy's job was keeping her occupied for the most part however he and Steve had to be creative about where they went on dates less they run into someone from school—or worse—Thor.

A looming shadow and a soft knock on the edge of the table distract Loki from his work. He glances up to see Natasha Romanoff, cocking his eyebrow in interest. She points to one of her ears and Loki sighs, turning off his music and removing the buds. Loki scowls at her.

"What?"

She invites herself to sit down across from him, Loki's scowl deepening. He takes it as a sign that she was going to be there for a while and closes his journal. Natasha glances up at him with a dark expression but her eyes were clouded by the innocence she was attempting to create. Loki of course already knew that trick so it didn't work on him as well.

"Are you waiting for Darcy?"

He knew that trick too.

"What do you want?"

Natasha disposes of her faux mask and rolls her eyes. She opens her mouth to respond then hesitates, pulling her phone out of her pocket and taking a moment to scroll through it. She sets it on the table and crosses her arms.

"We need to talk."

Loki cocks his head slightly to the side and furrows his brow. "Oh? What seems to be on your mind, Romanoff?"

"Cut the crap. I know you and Steve have been sucking face and whatever else it is you've been doing." His eyes must have flashed something wicked because she smirks. "Relax…I'm not here to blackmail you, I'm here to threaten."

"What gave me away?"

She hums, taking a sip of his soda. "The peephole in the locker room. You stopped talking to him and he got upset. Also…he insulted your pride in front of a large crowd of people including your brother. That's not something someone like you lets slide."

"Who else knows?"

"Just me." She stirs his drink with the straw. "Clint's not observant enough to notice the little things…he hates you too much."

Loki shrugs. "Yes, well, it's not as if Barton didn't deserve the causes of his hatred for me. Perhaps he shouldn't have pushed the wrong buttons." Natasha's mouth twitches. "If you're not here to blackmail, what do you want?"

"I told you…I'm here to threaten."

He waves her off with a laugh. "And I'm sure you'll try your best."

Natasha narrows her eyes at him. "I told you before that I didn't want you involving yourself with Steve. I don't care if you like him or not…you and I both know this is just some kind of sick game to you." Loki smirks and leans back in his booth, flipping through his phone. "Unfortunately I don't know how to get you to stop."

"Then there's not much point to this conversation."

She rests her elbows on the table and laces her fingers together. "What's your plan then?" she frowns, resting her chin on her hands. "What happens when Steve wants to do more than suck face? Trust me, his eyes are innocent but that body's seen plenty of action. Girls, guys…his sex-life isn't as fascinating as Thor's, I'm sure, but at least he has one-"

Loki groans, his head flopping back against the seat. "What's your point, Romanoff?"

"What's your plan when Steve wants hand-jobs behind Applebee's? Or when he wants to start having sex?" Loki scoffs. "What about when he says 'I love you?' Are you really so heartless that you're going to go through such lengths just to mess with him?"

"Who says I'm messing with him?"

"I'm being serious, Laufeyson-"

"Oh, yes, I'm sure."

"Steve isn't one of your toys!" Natasha snaps, her relaxed demeanor faltering. "He's a good person—one that unfortunately got sucked into your dark abyss of a life. Don't pull him down to your level, Laufeyson, he deserves something better than the train wreck of a relationship you're capable of giving. Steve has feelings. He cares about other people. He's not going to just fuck you a few times and lose interest, if he isn't feeling a connection he's going to be straightforward and let you down easy. What are you going to do?" Loki's scowl deepens. "You're going to drop him the second you lose interest."

Loki rolls his eyes, looking down at his phone.

"Will you at least tell me why?" Natasha lays her arms flat on the table, leaning towards him. "Why Steve? What did he do to you, Laufeyson?" She frowns when he doesn't answer. "Was he just a random pick of the crowd? Are you doing this because of Stark? That's what I don't get-"

"What does it fucking matter?!" Loki sits up sharply and laughs. "Whether I'm doing this to get back at him or Stark or whoever else, why do you care? Steve's the one enamored with me. If I want to wrap him around my little finger than I will…I'll do whatever the fuck I want. And let's be honest, Romanoff…you and I both know Rogers is a fucking tool for ever believing for a second I could ever return his affections. I don't give a shit if he gets his heart broken because I don't give a shit about him. If he wants to fuck me, fine. If he—tch—falls in love with me, that's his problem. When I get bored, I get bored. Maybe he shouldn't have been stupid enough to believe I'd ever like him. I'd rather eat shit and die before I ever fall for someone as loathsome as Steve Rogers." Loki's mouth twitches when his stomach churns. He felt a little sick. "Now you're wasting my time. What do you want from me?"

Natasha's mouth flickers just slightly into a smirk. "I don't want anything, Loki…I told you—I'm here to threaten." She picks up her phone and slides out of the booth. "If you know what's good for you you'll let Steve down easy before you end up hurting him. If he gets hurt so help me God, Loki, you'll be breathing through a tube." Natasha turns on her heel and passes by Darcy on her way towards the exit. She gives her a small smile. "Have a good holiday, Darce."

Darcy smiles hesitantly back at her. "Yeah, you too, Tasha." She looks Loki over and gives him a small smile. "Everything okay? What did Tasha want?"

Loki shrugs. "Just checking up I guess." He sighs, packing everything back into his coat. "Ready to go?"

"Yeah." Darcy glances over her shoulder. "Let's jet before Huell tries to make me clean something."