A/N: Warning: a few choice words on Tony's part. If you do not like the "f-bomb" just skim over. Pretend it's fudge. Carry on.

"What the EVER-LOVING FUCK?!" Tony was the first to yell, standing to his feet quickly. He almost immediately positioned himself defensively in front of Loki and shifted into a protective stance. Everyone stood in silence, looking each other over. So Tony continued on, "SERIOUSLY WHAT THE FUCK PEPPER?! YOU KNEW LOKI WAS HERE, AND YOU JUST CASUALLY LET CAPTAIN FUCKING AMERICA WALK IN WITHOUT WARNING?! WHAT IF HE HAD ATTACKED HIM WITHOUT THINKING?!"

Oh Tony was pissed. How could Pepper be so careless, letting one of the Avengers just waltz in while Loki was here?

"Tony..." Pepper began, adopting the tone she used when she had an explanation. Tony's eyes widened with realization and his anger exploded.

"Pepper, you TOLD SHIELD?!" he screamed.

"No! I didn't, I would never. You and I both don't trust them completely. No one does, so why would I rely on them?"

"Then why the fuck is he here?"

"Mr. Rogers is not a member of SHIELD, he's an Avenger," she said smoothly, hiding whatever agitation she was developing. "He's a friend, Tony. And you need help."

"He is NOT my friend, Pepper," Tony practically snarled. "He's an old obsession of my father's and he's just a generic soldier. If you wanted me to hang out with a friend, you could have called Rhodey!"

Tony inwardly shook his head at her, so upset. She should know him better than that. She was one of his closest friends, ex-girlfriend, CEO of his company. It was no secret that Tony didn't like the super soldier too much. He found him too conservative, old-fashioned, too much of a goody-two-shoes. Those were three things he couldn't stand. But what really sealed the deal and justified his feelings toward Steve would be the fact that his father used to work with him.

His father, the ever distant paternal figure that acted as if he never loved him practically obsessed over the blonde man. He had put so much towards developing Captain America, spent his time smiling over it. But did he ever smile over Tony? No. His father preferred the company of a frozen man to his own flesh and blood. And though he realized his father still loved him, just couldn't show it right, he still felt inadequate. He wasn't as pure as Steve, and he sure as hell had more problems. Not only did his father try to make him a carbon copy of himself, but he wanted Tony to be as great as Steve. And sadly, it just wasn't who Tony was.

"Rhodey can't babysit you." Pepper snapped, patience gone.

"So I'm being babysat now? IS THAT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT?" he threw his hands up. "YOU FINALLY REALIZED YOU WEREN'T DOING A GOOD JOB, THAT YOU WERE IGNORING ME, SO YOU FINALLY HIRED OFF SOMEONE TO DO YOUR JOB?"

"What?" Pepper knit her eyebrows together, caught off guard.

"Don't you DARE deny the fact that it TOOK A FUCKING GENOCIDAL KILLER IN MY HOUSE FOR YOU TO START PAYING ATTENTION TO ME AGAIN!"

"Tony-"

"NO! YOU LEFT ME PEPPER! YOU LEFT ME BY MYSELF TO ROT IN THIS PLACE! YOU'VE ONLY BEEN HERE TWICE A MONTH BEFORE THIS AND YOU BARELY SAID A WORD." he was yelling so loud and crazily, his voice was starting to go raw. "You know what? GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY HOUSE! I DON'T WANT YOU TO SEE YOU HERE ANYMORE! I'm just DONE!"

"Tony Stark!" Came a new voice, one belonging to Steve Rogers. He had stepped in front of Pepper, gently tapping her shoulder, signaling he was taking over her side of the argument. Pepper looked close to tears, and it deeply disturbed the Captain. He was so used to seeing her so strong and tough, made of stone. Ms. Potts reminded him of a woman he knew long ago.

Tony's attention was shifted to the blonde, already fired up. He had forgotten Steve was in the room, but he looked ready to put on his suit and fight anyway. Steve took a calming breath, trying his best not to look threatening.

"Tony, I'm here to help you," he began. "because you need help. Pepper told me everything you told her. She was worried for your well-being and I agree. She was going to turn to Bruce, but the Hulk was too much to risk at the moment. So I'm staying here."

"And SHIELD?" Tony said through his teeth, still seething.

"I don't trust them. Not since New York." came Cap's reply.

"We are NOT friends. So I KNOW you aren't doing this out the kindness of your virgin heart," Tony glared. Then he gave him a fake smile, not at all friendly. "Oh wait. You're Star Spangled Patriot. Of course it's from your heart."

"Yes. I care about my team," Steve replied, letting out another sigh. "But if it makes you feel better, I will be moving in. Into a room here."

"Of course." Tony said.

The two stared at each other. Tony's gaze was hostile, antagonizing, asking for more explanation. Steve's was a lot more pleading, wishing he would just be open to him helping keep him safe from any surprise attacks from Loki. There were no ill intentions in the captain's blue eyes and it made Tony all the more upset. Why was there nothing wrong with the man? All he saw in Steve was what everyone wanted him to behave like and he bristled at the thought. Why couldn't he simply be like him?

But then he felt a cool hand on his arm, traveling slowly up to rest on his shoulder. It was a hesitant, cautious movement ment to comfort him. And surprisingly, Loki's hand resting on his shoulder did calm him down. Somehow, he was happy to have Loki there. It was amazing how similar the two seemed, Tony noted. They both were troubled individuals surrounded by expectations they felt they couldn't live up to. Loki's Thor was like Tony's Steve. It was obvious how Loki was jealous of Thor before and during the attack on New York. In a way, it was also obvious how Tony was jealous of Steve.

Somehow Tony didn't feel so alone and betrayed with Loki's hand on his shoulder.

"I-It's fine if you are to reside in the t-towers, Captain Rogers." Loki slowly mumbled, keeping his gaze anywhere but anyone's faces. "Mr. Stark is just overwhelmed. I once again apologize for my intrusion."

Steve watched the villain evenly before slowly nodding his head.

"Geez, Lokes. You can't just give a part of my place away like that." Tony said in a slight joking tone, but everyone could imply otherwise. The frost giant shrunk a little at that. "But fine. I'll show you to your room, Cap'."

"See you around, Captain Rogers," Loki said, taking his hand off Tony's shoulder and heading down the hall to hide out in his room. "Goodbye Ms. Potts."

The three watched as he slipped into his room and gently closed the door. Then they heard the click of the door lock, the low timbre of JARVIS' voice, and something heavy scraping against the floor. Whatever it was, it was pushed against the door as there was a slight bang.

The three gave each other skeptical looks. Steve had a sinking feeling that things were going to be very awkward.

A/N: Wow, so much language! So long! So much OOC! I'm sorry. I'm going to bump up the rating, but only for the language in this chapter. So don't worry, nothing too graphic will be going on any time soon. (: