Tony had been at one of his workstations in the middle of tinkering, when Jarvis interrupted him.

"Sir, there appears to be some sort of energy disturbance on the roof, similar to when Thor travels to and from Asgard."

"Oh really? He didn't say anything about leaving. " Tony removes his work gloves and turns off the glaring lamp overhead. "Bring up the security footage from the area so I can check it out."

"Certainly, sir." Jarvis answers obediently.

Tony moves to another workstation where an almost transparent screen rises out of its surface. The blank screen flickers and is replaced by live footage showing the wide expanse of the tower's rooftop. Tony squints at the monitor when he sees a familiar figure approaching from a beam of light. Eventually he smiles in recognition.

"Speaking of the burly blonde giant, where is Thor anyway?"

"He is currently in the Rec Room with Captain Rogers and Agent Barton."

"Great." Tony says, turning to exit the room, "Then that's where I'll be escorting our guest."


About ten minutes later, Tony enters the Rec Room and announces, "Hey Thunderstruck, you've got a visitor!"

Now used to Stark's many nicknames for him, Thor looks up from the sketch pad Steve had been showing him.

Upon seeing no one but Tony himself, he frowns; yet suddenly out from behind Tony walks Sif.

"Sif!" Thor exclaims, rising to his feet and at her side in seconds. "What a pleasant surprise!"

"Thor! It is good to see you!" The warrioress smiles easily as Thor embraces her in a warm hug.

"As it is for me! You look well." He compliments, holding her at arm's length.

"Thor, you flatter me. Truly I must look weary, for all day I have been… oh hello Steven, Clinton!" Sif glances behind Thor to acknowledge his comrades.

By this time, Clint had given up shooting rubber bands at the TV to peer around in his seat at the doorway; and Steve had set down his sketch pad and stood facing the pair.

Clint offers her something in between a salute and a wave from the couch. "Hey Sif, it's been a while."

"It's always nice to see you again, Sif." Steve joins in kindly. He waits until she gracefully nods at him before returning to his seat.

"Have you come alone or are the Warriors Three here as well?" Thor asked, regaining her attention. A trace of worry flashes across his face and he adds, "All is well in Asgard, I hope."

"Rest assured things at home are as fine as ever! And I am alone, but sadly I cannot stay long. I only came to bear you a gift." Sif tells him, scanning the room for the nearest flat surface and spotting the bar counter Tony was leaning against.

She motions Thor to follow her as she walks toward the bar and lays her leather satchel upon it.

Thor looks a bit surprised as he eyes her pouring out its contents and rummaging with purpose. "A gift, but for what is the occasion?"

"On your last journey to Asgard, no one could hardly believe the fate of your glorious mane. And you were in such low spirits, we all hoped it would grow back quickly for your sake." She begins.

With that said, Thor self-consciously runs a hand through his just-shy-of-medium –length-hair.

Noticing this, Sif tries to soothe him. "Fear not, Thor. Your locks are growing out handsomely, but I would imagine you may fancy a bit of haste in this area. Ah! I have found it at last!" She exclaims suddenly to herself when she locates a corked glass vial.

The periwinkle fluid catches the Thunderers' eye instantly and he grins.

"Tis not what I think!?" Thor bellows, excited now that he's beginning to comprehend his friend's intentions.

"Indeed it is Thor! The hár vǫxtr potion: my gift to you." She hands the vial to Thor who looks as pleased as ever.

Tony, being a nearby spectator, tries parroting the Old Norse terminology, "Hár vǫxtr?"

"It means hair growth. Though the words have lost their rudimentary meaning now and are generally used to refer to the potion alone. " Sif clarifies, glancing across the bar in his direction.

"But this is a rare find; however did it cross your path?" Questions Thor, as he turns the vial with his fingers.

"Twas not easy to come by at all. I searched high and low, but finally the friend of a friend whose sister is married to a shopkeeper knew of an alchemist who brewed Hár Vǫxtr . See that you put it to good use." Sif laughs melodically as she clasps a hand on Thor's shoulder.

"But of course, my dear friend. I am so very grateful!" He answers, leaning closer to deliver a peck on her cheek.

"So it's like Asgardian Rogaine?" Tony finally comments, having eased his way over to Thor and Sif to sneak a peek at the bottle in the gods' hand.

"Rogaine?" Sif repeats slowly.

"Yea, it's an earth medicine to help balding guys regrow their hair."

"Oh, well more or less. " Sif replies, "I suppose Hár Vǫxtr could be used for such purposes. But in Thor's case, he is far from balding."

And as if to punctuate her statement, she affectionately ruffles what hair Thor does have while he grins down at her.

"I do wish he would tell me how he lost his tresses in the first place. He was very vague about it back in Asgard and so ill-tempered we thought it best not to press him on it."

The laughter in Thor's eyes dissipates and he sends a dark look at Clint who now was too engrossed in watching a movie with Steve to notice or care.

"I do not wish to talk about it. Just know it was not of my voluntary will." Thor rumbles.

Tony smirks at the memory and goes to sling an arm around Thor. "Someone is still touchy about the incident." Tony says in a stage whisper. "But don't worry, me and your Asgardian prince here had it handled."

Sif looks between the irritated god and the smirking billionaire with raised brow and makes a note to herself to get Anthony alone so he could enlighten her with the tale.


The next day, Tony runs into Thor and was very much surprised to see that Thor's hair had returned to its natural flowing state, falling just below his shoulders.

"Whoa, check you out, Samson! You've got your crowning glory back."

"Indeed Anthony, I am most pleased ." Thor replies, beaming brilliantly, " I do not know how I can ever repay Lady Sif for the great favor she has done me."

Tony walks around Thor, inspecting his freshly grown locks, "How much time did it take before it gained its length and could you feel it growing?" Then making a face, he tacks on,"Man, that sounded dirty…"

Thor gives him an odd look, but answers anyway, " I am not sure. I applied the potion before retiring to bed. I felt nothing more for I was asleep."

"Applied? I thought you drank it?"

Thor laughs like this should be common knowledge for Stark, "Of course not. Doing so could cause one to choke. No, you must pour the potion upon your head in order for it to grow your locks."

Tony is now tugging on several golden strands, but Thor doesn't seem to mind .

"Hmm, do you think I can have a look at what's left of your Rapunzel Ointment?"

Tony's grasp on Thor's hair slips when the blonde turns to face him.

"You may if you wish-but I will warn you- use only a small amount and one single dose as well. If you use it in excess you could wake up with hair as long as mine."

Thor then proceeds to grimace as he imagines Tony having a goateed version of Loki's dark locks.

"Wait… what?! Do I look like I'm balding here, Thoreal? Anyway no, I'm not planning to use it on myself. I just wanna examine the potion in the lab to see what it's made of."

"Ah, for your studies in science. Very well then. I shall retrieve Hár Vǫxtr from my chambers."


A/N: If anyone is curious about "the incident" Tony is referring to involving Thor's hair being short, I suggest you read the first two chapters of my other story "Late Night Truth or Dare." I actually based this fic on those specific events.