((These would be the random prompts I received between Kid's Movies and it's sequel :D For the sake of the timeline of events, the Smut Week prompts are scattered amongst. If smut's not your thing, never fear, they're not terribly explicit and almost all contain important plot points. Thanks for keeping my gears turning guys :D))

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Prompt: Olympics

(or)

The Day We Duct Taped Tony's Mouth Shut

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Tonight was going to be a crash course, Darcy knew, for everyone in the room on some level. The Olympics had begun, she had wikipedia open in her lap, an actual, honest to gods globe on the coffee table, and Tony's mouth was duct taped shut. This had happened fairly early in the ceremonies, when Darcy had started the recorded broadcast. It had been established that she'd be taking advantage of the teaching opportunity tonight, per Steve and Thor's request. Tony, however, still felt the need to keep rambling, constantly, through the first half hour of the choreographed history of Britain, until Pepper slapped a length of the magic stuff over his face.

"Dude, you were -at- the Stadium last night," Darcy reminds him when he scowls at her, "These two weren't, so hush." Of course, Tony Stark hadn't been in London for pleasure. They'd all been lurking at points around the city last night, in case someone in a fancy costume (or not) tried to spoil the fun. Thankfully, even bad guys seemed to be observant of global traditions.

"There are...a lot of little countries where the Soviet Union used to be," Steve is staring at the globe, brow furrowed as he studies each one. Natasha snorts.

"Just wait until you see them all walking."

"Yup, dissolved in 1991," Darcy recites, and Steve nods.

"I read, but wow."

"Okay, Greece!" Pepper pipes up, and Darcy madly types and scrolls while the athletes smile and wave, and poor Bob Costas gets fed the most banal facts through a teleprompter.

"Uh, Uh, Greece! Notable events since the 40s include them telling Germany and Italy to fuck off during the war, consequently getting cut off and starved, a good amount of the Greek Jewish population was carted off but they still wouldn't surrender, liberation end of the war uh, uh, crap they're moving on! Currentlyinarecessionbutthey 'llbeokay!"

Steve busts out laughing, as the room applauds her delivery. Darcy pumps her fist once, as Afghanistan walks in. Captain America nods to the tv as Darcy types, "My recent history lessons have covered it."

"Ah, but have you had falafels?" Darcy raises a brow his way, and he blinks, shaking his head.

"Jarvis, order in falafels." Pepper calls to the ceiling, and Tony gives her the soppiest, happiest, and also most silent gaze. "Our minds are one, baby, I know how you do."

"Albania!" Thor points to the screen, and Darcy's fingers fly, while Steve tries to find it on the globe.

"Near Greece, communist state after World War II, now a Parliamentary Democracy, great food, better folk music!"

"Algeria!"

"Ahhhh, North Africa, Mediterranean sea, declared independence from France in 1962, high Arab population, try our couscous!"

"Antigua!"

"West Indies, gorgeous, love their Cricket and online gambling rings!"

And on the madness went. By the time they got to Germany, Darcy's fingers ached and Tony's mouth was now stuffed with falafel, thus she took a break. It wasn't like she needed Wikipedia for this particular country anyway

"After the war, Germany was split in two," She tells Steve, leaning against his side, "West was pretty all right, East was a military state, basically. Honestly until the wall came down, the people of Germany were pretty screwed over through the 20th century."

"Ah, the Germanic peoples," Thor notes fondly, "We first visited Midgard in their territory! Fine mead, pretty women, Fandral even had a mortal wife from there, for a time. We loved the land."

"Thus, all the mythology," Darcy grins, the parade somewhat forgotten. Thor nods, thoughtfully.

"I understand that not all considered it purely myth during the Great Wars, though." This time it was Steve who answered him, nodding.

"Hitler was looking for things your people might have left behind. Tesseract, for one. Thought your hammer might be hanging around on Earth, too," At that, Thor chuckled.

"He also um, kinda claimed you guys," Darcy tells him with a small wince. "The whole, Master Race thing? Based on Germanic, Nordic looks, like yours," Thor's chiseled jaw dropped, "He spouted being Christian, but really, it just got people...SOME people...on his side about us Christ-killing Jews," Darcy grumbles, "He was gonna wipe out everything different, though. Gay people, the mentally handicapped, black people..."

"Asgard is a very diverse place, though! We took it upon ourselves, despite our own squabbles among our own, to protect the less advanced realms!" Thor protests, angrily, and Darcy nods, sighing.

"It's a case of how people will take something good from the past to justify their own personal vendettas." Clint surprises everyone by adding, eyes on the screen, "I mean come on. Jesus is white, and advertising for skinheads and Mitt Romney these days."

"Always question the man who claims divine inspiration," Tony muses, licking his fingers, "Cause even if some awesome gods from space do decide to have a chat with you, you're hearing through your own messed up ears. Any more left?" Pepper motions to the pile.

"...I never knew that part," Steve notes, as Thor calms down, "At least, not at the time. But hell, we didn't know about the concentration camps then either." Darcy gives him a little smile, patting his hand.

"Now, see, look at all that, though," She nods to the tv, the Nations all gathering in the middle of the stadium, "Call me a sap but that's like, still the most inspiring, lasting sight, even after all the wars, rebellions, invasions and crap we've just covered. Everyone might not like everyone, but this is proof that most of the world can actually come together and agree on something."

"Ugh, sugary-sweet Lewis," Tony pretends to cringe, "I expect better from you."

"Doesn't your woman still have the roll of duct tape?" Darcy asks mildly, wrapping her arms around Steve's waist and snuggling in. Pepper waggles the tape in her hand. Tony shuts up.

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