Steve was flushed brighter than a sunset in shame. This was a secret he had kept since he had first realised that he liked the look of men's bodies just as much as the acceptable feeling of liking to look at women, and suddenly it was spilled out in the open for all to see.

He knew that things were more progressive these days, and that was good. It could only be a good thing for the world if people felt safe enough to love whoever they wanted. But he was a product of his time, he had been raised believing that men who desired other men like that were perverse. Or even mad. He didn't really think that, not truly in the heart of himself, but he couldn't help but picture his mother's gentle face and how horrified she would be if she knew this.

"Alright, stop." That was his captain's voice, sharp and commanding. "I didn't ask for speculation on my-- habits, and I'll thank you not to keep going. There was nothing between Bucky and I but friendship, I loved him like a brother, that's all."

"The love between brothers is oft complicated," Loki murmured, slyly. "Filled with hatred and shame and all manner of things you may prefer it weren't."