So the vote was unanimous for TonyxBrucexLoki, so that is the direction this'll be going. I feel like this chapter is ridiculous with the fluff though…

Tony and Bruce managed to sneak to the nearest stairwell without Fury catching them, back tracking to the elevator on the next floor up. Once they were safely rising in the mirrored box Tony leaned back on one of the walls with his hands folded in the small of his back, conspiratorially watching Bruce.

"So," he started, Bruce jumping slightly at the suddenness and tone of his voice. "What was with the kicked puppy look earlier?"

Bruce arched an eyebrow at him, then looked away, chewing his lip as he thought. "No sense in playing stupid, huh?"

"Not even a little."

He nodded. "I felt guilty," he said after a moment, shrugging as if that explained everything.

Tony rolled his eyes and pushed off the wall, circling behind Bruce and resting his chin on his shoulder. "I hope you realize I got that much," he sighed, catching a faint smile from Bruce's reflection. "But I meant why?"

"I just-" he huffed, a false start, then took a steady breath and said simply, "We broke him."

Tony nodded and stepped back, crossing his arms. "Yeah," he agreed. "Though that was kind of the point. He is technically a war criminal after all."

Bruce let out a slow breath, not quite a sigh, and turned to lean on the wall, opposite where Tony had been. He braced the heel of his hands on the railing, and spoke like he was still trying to fully grasp the concept himself. "I know… but I don't like it. I don't like being responsible for that look. I know that look, I've experienced that look. I've been broken, and I hate that I'm responsible for breaking someone else. However much he may have deserved it…" then Bruce trailed off, brow furrowed as he stared at the floor, lost in some memory the other man could only guess at.

Tony sighed and smiled fondly, stepping into Bruce's space and reaching up to grab the back of his hair lightly. When Bruce lifted his gaze Tony wasn't entirely surprised to find faint flecks of green in the iris, whatever he'd been remembering having dredged up a protective reaction from the Hulk. "I understand," he murmured then, tapping the center of his chest with his free hand. The resounding clink spoke volumes.

Bruce glanced down, tracing the outline of the reactor with his eyes, then looked back up and smiled softly. "You do, don't you," he stated, then angled his head just enough for their lips to meet. He relaxed his posture and they melded together, moving in perfect synchrony until they were tangled around one another. They stayed like that, kissing with such harmony they didn't notice the elevator had stopped until a cough signaled the doors had opened.

Steve and Clint stood waiting, gym clothes stained with sweat. Clint rolled his eyes and stepped inside, Steve studiously following, and the doors slid shut again. "You know, the term 'get a room' isn't supposed to mean anywhere in the tower. Owning the whole building doesn't change that," the archer said with a conversational tone.

Tony scoffed. "Whatever, Barton. You're just jealous because Phil is still on light activity and you can't get any."

The Hawk scowled at that, and Bruce flicked Tony in the shoulder. "Too much," he warned.

"Well it's true," he grumbled, "when's Phil get the all clear anyway?"

Clint shrugged, brushing off the potential altercation. "A couple more weeks, and even then nothing too strenuous."

"Non-strenuous sex is boring sex."

Clint snorted. "Says the man of a thousand one night stands. You know, some things are better taken slow."

Tony shrugged. "You got me there." Then his eyes drifted past the archer to Steve, who had a flush all the way down to his neck. Before he could tease the other man though he felt Bruce pulling on his shirt, easily dragging his attention away from the soldier as the lift came to a stop. Everyone split apart then, Steve and Clint going to their respective rooms to change, and Tony and Bruce to while away the afternoon in their lab. Bruce seemed inclined to leave their conversation on the back burner for now, and there was work to be done, so Tony would let it rest. At least for the moment. A guilty Bruce was not something Tony was willing to let be for long though.

That evening, with the setting sun throwing the kitchen and living room into long fiery shadows , the Avengers gathered around a massive dining table. It was made of black tinted glass and piled with trays of food. In a way it was to commemorate the first proper night with everyone in the tower, but it was surprising how easily everyone had fallen into using the living area as a gathering point, various members flitting through throughout the day depending on down time. It was all amusingly domestic given the nature of the people involved.

Everyone was seated and served, immersed in their own separate conversations as they ate. Bruce and Tony were discussing the project they were working on, Thor and Clint were laughing over some raunchy joke, Natasha was quiet while she listened to something Steve was murmuring, and Phil was poking idly at his food with his chopsticks while he stared intently at something in his lap.

"Okay, Phil, man, you've got to stop staring at your crotch and eat your food," Tony chuckled eventually. "Bruce is going to start thinking you don't like his cooking."

Bruce rolled his eyes. "No I'm not."

Phil looked up and smiled, shaking his head at the comment. "The food is great Bruce. I'm just reading Loki's dossier." He lifted the folder and set it on the table top in an empty area.

Conversations died then and the attention around the table turned to him, an expectant silence falling. Clint nudged his boyfriend in the shoulder. "I told you you shouldn't bring your work to the table."

The agent glanced over with a fond smile, the kind reserved only for the archer, then looked around the table, moving on to business flawlessly. "I have Xavier's notes on their meeting, his overall evaluation, and recommendations for further attention. Fury has spoken to the board, and it's agreed that I'll be in control of this project, as well as remain the handler for the Avengers team. The gist is you're basically all on glorified guard duty, which I admit is a bit of a waste of talents. But the alternative is Loki being put in a prison cell indefinitely, which-"

"Wouldn't be the worst thing to happen," Clint grumbled.

"Quiet you. It wouldn't be the best route, diplomatically speaking. He was sent here as an opportunity to change, and that's our goal," he said firmly.

Glances passed among the group, then it was like an understanding shifted into place and they were all looking at Phil intently.

"Okay then boss man, brief us. What's his state?"

Coulson flipped through the folder for a moment. "Surprisingly stable actually." Thor arched an eyebrow at that. "I mean he's sane, basically. Really his laundry list is on the shorter side. Bipolar disorder type II, a general blanket of anxiety, but according to Xavier his mind is quite cognitive." He passed around a sheet of the professor's notes for them to read over. "He's not recommending any medication without further observation though, so that's something to keep an eye on."

"Meaning what? We're supposed to be his therapists now?" Tony snorted. "That'll go over well."

"No, just observe, give opinions, note triggers, things like that. Oh, and no tranquilizing," the agent added, giving a few very pointed looks around the table.

"And stay out of my lab," Tony said to Clint. The archer just gave him a blank expression, note even twitching. "I know it was you, I saw you snooping." That got a small smirk.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Does this mean no sleeper holds?" Natasha asked as she glanced over the papers.

Phil sighed and rubbed at his eyebrow. "Anything where he loses consciousness should be avoided." He dropped his hand from his face to take the paper back and closed the folder again, then looked back up at his group. "We're foregoing the rest of his therapy though. His first day out is tomorrow. It was a decision Fury made on Xavier's advice, and I'm inclined to agree with them on the matter, so I want everything to go as smoothly as possible."

Clint huffed and sat back in his chair, tapping his sticks idly. "What are we supposed to do, throw him a welcome party?"

"Just try to keep the torture to a minimum."

"Light torture only, got it."

"Is this a twenty four hour thing," ever practical Steve asked. "I mean, he has to sleep eventually. Does someone really have to watch that?"

"Locking him back in a cell every night seems counterproductive," Phil said, more to himself than as an actual response.

"I could furnish one of the Hulk-out rooms," Tony suggested. "Can't be opened without a command, more convenient than a cell."

Phil stared at him for a moment, then nodded. "That'll work actually. Can you get it done before tomorrow night?" Tony nodded. "Good. I'll draw up a schedule for… babysitting duty tonight and let you all know the rotation tomorrow. Everyone meet up here at nine tomorrow morning and we'll go from there."

There were nods and murmurs of assent, then the conversation turned back, business carefully tucked away and devolving into casual matters once again. The trays of food were emptied with extreme efficiency, and Natasha and Steve carefully pushed Bruce out of the way to do the dishes, allowing him and Tony to slip away early.

"You volunteered one of my Hulk rooms," Bruce said once they were in the hall, walking slowly, arms brushing.

Tony nodded and smiled. "I thought you'd like that. I was hoping it'd make you feel less guilty."

Bruce glanced over at him with a soft smile. "It does. Thank you." Tony beamed, and they walked quietly again. But as they stepped into their room and Tony began to shimmy from his clothing, preferring nudity in their privacy, Bruce continued. "You realize though that this means he'll be in here."

Tony stopped mid movement, standing in nothing but a pair of burgundy boxers with his arms out for balance and his pants pooled around his ankles. Then his arms dropped with a smack. "Shit," he said, with conviction.

Bruce couldn't help but chuckle. "Right?"

"Well at least its soundproof," he grumbled, kicking his jeans away in a flurry. "Can't exactly put him in the lab. And it's really only temporary. Hopefully. Why are you still wearing clothes?"

Bruce glanced down, then back up with a shake of his head. "I have less of a penchant for nudity than you," he pointed out, hands already going to the buttons of his shirt.

"Well, indulge me. What do you want to watch?" He was already spreading out on the couch, grabbing his tablet to decide on a movie for the night. "How about Back to the Future?"

Bruce laughs at that and is already down to his own underwear, deciding against pajamas with the consideration that he'd be plenty warm pressed up against the other man beneath the couches throw blanket. "It works for me."

They coordinated for a while, then ended with Bruce's head pillowed on Tony's chest, just below the reactor, and the opening credits began to roll. They ended up watching the entire trilogy, and Bruce distantly recalled falling asleep around the time Doc was getting a door slammed in his face.

"I just don't see why you can't be mature about this. You of all people should understand his motivation for attacking me." Phil said levelly, sitting on the edge of the bed and watching his Hawk pace anxiously while he changed.

"Oh, I understand, and I would have done the same in his situation, but I don't think it's unreasonable to want a little revenge."

"Clint, I just need you to be professional. You don't have to be friends, that would be ridiculous, even by my standards. Just keep the pranks to a minimum. And no more paint bombs."

Clint jerked his t-shirt down, somehow having managed to get into his night clothes and pace at the same time. Then he was striding over to Phil and purposefully climbing into his lap, sealing their mouths together in a clear possessive display.

"How about this," he breathed once they'd broken apart far enough. "I'll agree to that if you agree to something for me." Phil hummed in instruction for him to continue. "I don't want you to be alone with him. Not even for a little." Phil blinked up at him, surprised. "Please. I don't trust him."

He nodded. "Okay. I won't be alone with him. But I do have to interact with him you know."

"I know, but thank you. I just…" He sighed. "He almost took you from me."

Phil tightened his arms around the archer's waist and pressed his face into the crook of his shoulder. "I know, but I'm here."

"You died." Clint pulled back, hands coming up to frame Phil's face. "Your heart stopped. You were dead. For all intents and purposes, he killed you. I know you're here, but it was too close for comfort. Please don't begrudge me feeling protective."

Phil blinked up at him, then smiled warmly. "I don't. I won't be alone with him, promise."

"Thank you," he murmured, then pressed their lips together again.

Eventually Phil nudged him, gasping and laughing breathlessly. "You're going to give me a heart attack."

"Can't have that," Clint sighed, shifting to flop onto his back on the bed. "You need help with the schedule?"

Phil smiled. "If it's not too much strain for you."

Bruce woke to fingers being carded through his hair and wonderful warmth pressed to his front. He hummed contentedly and opened his eyes slowly, bending his neck back to look up at Tony, finding his eyes still closed but a soft smile on his lips. "We're on the couch," he croaked after a moment of gazing up at him.

"Mhmm. You fell asleep last night, didn't want to wake you."

"Last night?"

"Last night. It's almost eight."

Bruce groaned and pushed himself up with a symphony of popping. "Comfortable couch, I suppose," he said, stretching his arms above his head to earn a few more crackles.

"Only the best," Tony replied, stretching like a cat before flopping down in a clear reluctance to get up. "We have to baby sit a war criminal today," he huffed.

"We do indeed," Bruce conceded with a breathy laugh. "So, first, second, or together?"

"Hm, together I think. Groping you in the shower before work will make my day better."

"Getting groped by me," Bruce corrected.

"Well, if you insist."

The managed to actually get some bathing done, then dressed and eventually made it to the living area. Steve was already there, perched on stool at the counter with a cup of black coffee, reading an honest to god paper newspaper.

"How the hell did you get that?" Tony asked, pouring himself a cup of coffee as he went.

"Miss Potts has them delivered," Steve said absently while he finished an article. "I just can't read newspapers on a tablet. There's hot water in the pot Bruce."

"Oh, thanks," he smiled, dropping his own tablet on the counter to fish out a tea bag, something fruity he figured, and poured steaming water over it. He brought his cup out to the balcony then, dragging Tony with him to leave the captain to his newspaper in peace. They leaned by one another and enjoyed the morning air, sipping their respective drinks in silence. When Tony pulled him in for a kiss it was like blueberry coffee.

They couldn't stand the cold air for long though and stepped back inside, just in time to catch Natasha wandering off with an arm full of breakfast stuff, dressed in little more than an oversized black t-shirt down to her thighs and sleep tousled hair. Neither of them missed the lingering glance their leader gave her, and Tony almost burst out laughing when Steve realized they were in the room again and blushed down to his collar. As it was, he had more self-control than that, and simply managed a small snort and refrained from saying anything.

Bruce though, always full of random surprises, chuckled outrightly. "Is that what I think it was?"

Steve blinked at him, startled that it hadn't been Tony to ask, and was at a loss for a reply. Scowling was usually reserved for the billionaire's snark. Eventually he just gave up and sighed. "That obvious?"

"Yeah, just a little. It's actually not surprising though." Bruce slid up onto one of the other stools. "I was reading up about Peggy Carter the other day. You apparently have a type."

Steve gave him a baffled stare, then actually laughed. "Yeah, I guess I do." But then he sighed and leaned his arms on the counter. "It's probably not gonna happen though. I wouldn't even know where to start. And I'd hate to make working together awkward by trying."

Bruce stared at him for a moment while he thought. "You should talk to Clint," he said. "He's her best friend. If anyone can help, its him."

Steve smiled sheepishly. "I have, he won't leave me alone about it. He thinks I should just go for it and ask her out. That seems ridiculous though."

"Why is it ridiculous?" Tony interjected. "Master assassins need love too."

Steve snorted. "Easier said than done."

Bruce nodded. "Enough people know now though. Eventually she's going to find out." His eyes widened at that. "Don't worry, we'll hunt down Clint and help you figure something out. Later though, tonight. It's almost nine."

The captain's smile then was full of relief. "Thanks Bruce. You too Tony, for not teasing me."

"Hey, even I know certain limits."

"Could have fooled me."

"It's all a clever ruse to make people underestimate me."

"Mission accomplished."

Not long after than Agent Coulson appeared, followed by Barton, Romanoff, and Thor. And shockingly enough, a noteworthily rumpled Loki. "Sooner rather than later," he shrugged in way of an explanation.

"A heads up would have been nice."

"Heads up."

"Ha ha, very funny."

Thor guided his brother to the sofa, sitting down next to him, while Phil sat on the edge of the coffee table. The two agents took up positions standing behind the couches, and the rest wandered over to find spots. That was apparently as professional as things were going to get, and Phil settled a tablet on his lap, fingers skimming easily over his work. "I have a preliminary schedule drawn up, so from here its simply input and arguments. I'm sure there will be plenty." He looked around, gathered their assent, and continued on. "So, Tony and Bruce, it's logical that one of you take the first and last shifts, respectively."

"I'll take the early one," Bruce offered. "I'm usually up anyway."

"Guess that means I'm closing shift," Tony laughed.

Loki stared expressionless while they bartered with his time, eyes flitting back and forth between faces until they'd come to a finalized schedule. The only time his expression changed was when he realized Thor wasn't mentioned, and he turned his head questioningly towards his brother.

"They believe our connection is compromising to my discretion" Thor explained simply.

And Loki actually smiled, followed by a barely-there snort of amusement. But he didn't speak. He simply tucked himself back in to the couch and pulled his baggy t-shirt closer around his frame.

Everyone glanced around at one another and exchanged a few somewhat baffled shrugs, then Clint broke the silence. "Anyhow, Bruce, I think now is when we all abandon you," he said.

"Right, right, go about your days," Bruce shooed them off. They all vacated, Steve actually managing to drag Thor away from the couch with promises of sparring, and left Loki exactly where he'd started. Tony lingered, following Bruce back to the kitchenette while he fixed himself another cup of tea.

"Are you sure you'll be okay?" he asked, trailing a hand over his lower back and casting a glance towards the fallen god.

Bruce smiled and handed Tony a travel mug, undoubtedly filled with coffee. "I think I'll manage. Don't you have to go furniture shopping?"

"Could just let him sleep on the floor, just for a night. He did throw me out a window…"

"Tony," Bruce laughed.

"I'm joking. I'll get him a bed. Might even throw in a table. I'll see you later though," he said with a quick peck to the other's lips. "Come down to the lab when you're done."

"Will do," he agreed, watching him flit away until the elevator doors finally closed. When he looked back he found Loki watching him, one eyebrow quirked. "What?" Loki blinked and looked away, and Bruce followed his gaze until it landed on the pristine stone flooring. "Oh. Uh, yeah…" He didn't know what to say, and Loki just kept staring off at the floor blankly, so Bruce sighed. "Are you hungry?" He was met with curious green eyes. So he took that as a yes and started making breakfast.

He had no idea what kind of foods Loki liked, and figured he wouldn't get an answer even if he asked, so he made what was typical for his own breakfast and simply doubled it. A short while later he set a bowl of chopped fruit on the coffee table , along with a plate of whole grain toast and a fresh cup of tea, this one green and lightly sweetened. Bruce sat on the floor opposite it with his own spread, deliberately toying with his tablet while he popped a strawberry slice into his mouth, trying to put the other at ease.

Loki stared at the food for a moment, then up at Bruce, then carefully slid to the floor to mimic his posture. "I didn't know what you would like," Bruce said after a moment of watching Loki stare down at the bowl. "It's fruit," he said encouragingly. Then he added, with a certain amount of understanding, "You know you'll have to speak eventually."

Loki simply stared at him until he sighed and looked back down at his tablet. He was going over some specs for the lab yesterday, something about ultra-miniaturized arc reactors, even smaller than the one in Tony's chest. It had phenomenal potential for-

"I have never had midgardian fruit."

It was said quietly, but Bruce nearly jumped out of his skin at the suddenness of it. He swallowed his mouthful of toast to keep from choking on it and washed it down with a gulp of tea. "Never?" He asked with a cough. Loki shook his head. "But you've been here for weeks, what did you eat?"

Loki lifted one shoulder in a small shrug. "Bars and canned liquids, for protein."

Bruce nodded. Tony did that sort of thing, too busy working to bother with full meals, barely pausing long enough to inhale a meal bar. "What did you eat on Asgard?"

Loki narrowed his eyes suspiciously at that. "Why does it concern you?"

Bruce rolled his eyes. "I'm not going to force you to eat something you don't like. I cook for everyone. If you tell me what you like, I'll make it.

Loki blinked and frowned, looking away again down to the bowl. "Fruit is usually one of my first choices. But I am wary of foreign plant life" He reached up and stabbed a pink cube. "What is this?"

Bruce smile. "It's a piece of watermelon." He tapped open Google and pulled up a picture.

"That looks nothing like this," he scoffed. Then Bruce scrolled to a picture of one bisected. "Oh."

"Wait until you see a kiwi," Bruce chuckled. "That's the green one." He got up and went to the kitchen.

Loki almost spit out his mouthful when Bruce returned and dropped the tiny furry ball into his hands. "I was not aware plant life grew hair," he said once he managed to choke down his bite. "Is all midgardian fruit so disguised?"

Bruce spent the rest of the morning explaining different kinds of fruits and vegetable to Loki and ended up having Jarvis make a very long and thorough list of produce to get on the next grocery drop. It was interesting to see Loki's subdued excitement.

Then Clint was there, slipping in quietly while Bruce watched Loki paw through the fridge, occasionally asking what a certain item was. "What's going on?" He asked, making Bruce almost fall off the stool.

"Whatever happened to not startling me," he gasped. Loki stood up straight at the sound of the archer's voice, letting the fridge drift shut.

"I trust your self control. What's with the fridge?"

"Lessons in earth food. I was just telling him certain cultures eat bugs."

Loki wrinkled his nose.

"Crickets are good, they taste like nuts" Clint offered. "I got it from here though if you want to go down to the lab."

Bruce nodded his thanks. "Uhm, good luck," he added, said as much to Loki as it was to Clint.

He found Tony in the midst of a one sided argument with dummy. "I'm just saying, you're way too overzealous. You don't have to- oh hey gorgeous. How'd things go with reindeer games?"

Bruce sat in a stool opposite him. "Surprisingly well actually. Don't be alarmed by all the fruit, by the way. There's going to be a lot."

Tony laughed. "I know, I get notified of updates to the grocery list. Its Pepper's not so subtle way of reminding me to eat. I'm sure she's confused about why we're suddenly purchasing a farmers market worth of produce."

Bruce snorted. "More than likely."

They worked through the afternoon after that, both getting thoroughly caught up before their dinner reminder chimed promptly at six. They ran into Natasha and Steve in the elevator, with Loki leaning on the wall behind them. Natasha was as deadpan as always, but Steve had a small line between his eyebrows showing his worry, and Loki looked downright tired.

"Trouble in paradise?" Tony asked.

Steve scowled. "Loki apparently won't talk."

"Hasn't said a word since I've had him. Clint said the same thing," Natasha explained.

Bruce's brow furrowed, but he decided not to comment on his time. Instead he said, "It's understandable. Give him time."

"It's possible Clint may have traumatized him more," Natasha said. "He seemed... self-satisfied when he dropped him off."

"I wouldn't put is past him," Tony replied.

"I'll have to talk to him about that," Steve sighed.

Then the elevator came to a stop and they funneled out. Bruce decided on meatloaf for dinner, something hearty and comforting he figured, and set to work. He put Tony to work peeling potatoes for the side, and Natasha volunteered her salad making prowess. By seven the potatoes were whipped to buttery perfection, the meatloaf was settling on the counter, and Steve had dragged Clint off to the side for a quick murmured conversation. If the gesturing was anything to go by it went... better than it could have, but not flawlessly.

"Any compromises reached?" Bruce asked when Steve came over to help ferry plates of food to the table.

Steve huffed. "He agreed to keep the pranks to once a week."

Bruce couldn't help but laugh at the captain's obviously disgruntled tone. "It's better than nothing." Steve just grunted and took his seat.

For a time the room was filled with nothing but the sound of clinking utensils and glass touching glass. It would have been awkward if it weren't silence for the sake of eating. It was noticeably more relaxed though when conversations began to flow, and Bruce breathed a sigh of relief.

Then he noticed Loki, sitting to his right between him and Thor, had done little more than poke at his food and nudge it around the plate. Bruce sighed and Loki glanced at him with a frown.

"Eat," Bruce instructed.

For a moment Loki scowled and seemed stubborn enough to refuse. But then he huffed and took a quick bite, casting Bruce a 'there, happy now?' look.

Bruce smiled and went back to his own food.

After dinner, after everyone had dissipated, and after the dishes had been done, Loki, Bruce, and Tony sat around the living area, unsure what to do next. Loki couldn't be brought down to the lab, and Bruce didn't have any strong interest in working by himself, so Tony jumped on the opportunity to have some company against Loki's perpetual silence. Bruce was still confused by the change in his behavior from the morning, and decided to mention it to Tony.

"You did make it sound like he was more lively when we talked earlier," Tony mused. "It's ironic though, I would have guessed he'd be most afraid of you, not most comfortable."

Bruce snorted. "Me too. But I'm glad he's not, it wouldn't have helped my conscience."

Loki huffed then, from where he was sitting in one of the arm chairs. "I am in the room," he pointed out.

Tony froze in the middle of his response to Bruce. "It can speak," he said in alarm. Loki glared, and a long stretch of silence ensued, Tony glancing helplessly at Bruce and gesturing for some guidance.

Bruce smiled and shook his head, then looked to the raven haired man. "Did you want anything for dessert? Something sweet?"

Loki pursed his lips. "I have heard of something known as chocolate that we do not have in Asgard."

"I don't think we have any," Tony said. "Pepper doesn't like me to live on candy."

Bruce was already heading for the door though. "You two wait here."

Tony blinked after him, then at Loki. "He doesn't normally do that..." Loki just arched an eyebrow.

They weren't alone long though. Bruce returned a few minutes later with a small stack in his hands. When he got closer Tony saw that it was a stack of Hershey bars. He handed one to Loki. "Do you seriously stash chocolate? I thought only women did that."

Bruce ran a thumb over a silver edge thoughtfully. "Hulk likes chocolate. Sometimes it helps to calm him down."

Tony gaped. "Seriously?" Bruce smirked. "You realize that could have certain benefits."

"I'm not into food sex, Tony."

"It's not food sex, just a little chocolate sauce. Maybe some flavored lube..."

Loki just sat cradling the bar in his palms while he watched the exchange. "This is safe to ingest?" He finally interrupted.

"Yes, it's safe, just unwrap and eat. And Tony, quit being deliberately traumatizing."

Tony scoffed. "It's not traumatizing. He probably doesn't even know what lube is."

Loki paused with the brown wrapper peeled open in his lap. "Lube, lubricant. An oaf could understand your meaning. And it is hardly difficult to guess at what its use is." Then he went back to the wrapper, carefully folding open the foil.

Tony gaped at Bruce, who raised an eyebrow and shrugged. "Does this mean I have to use discretion now?" Tony complained.

Loki spoke up again, downright talkative now after spending most of the day silent. "I am not a child, and I could tell you tales that would make even you blush. So rest assured, the effort is unnecessary."

Tony practically grinned and finally flopped down on the couch perpendicular. "Stories, huh? Do tell."

"No," Loki said flatly. "Am I to break this?" He asked then, holding the bar gingerly. Bruce nodded and he did so, busting off a rectangle. He took a hesitant bite and chewed it slowly. Then nodded. "We have nothing like this back home. It is good."

Bruce smiled and plopped himself down on the couch next to Tony, who promptly wiggled and dragged until he was practically in the man's lap and curled under his arm, completely uncaring of their audience.

But they did have an audience, and after a while of munching his chocolate bar and watching them inquisitively, he asked. "You two are mated?"

They both snorted. "Mated?"

"A bonded pair, lovers."

"No, this is just how guys act here. Cuddling, kissing, no biggie. They don't do that in Asgard?"

Bruce sputtered and laughed. "Can you imagine if we didn't correct that? He might actually try to kiss someone."

"God, what if he tried to kiss Clint?"

They were both laughing hysterically at that point. "That would be horrible," Bruce gasped. "Imagine what he'd do. Oh my god, imagine what Phil would do."

That started a fresh wave of hysterics.

By the time they'd caught their breaths and managed to stop giggling, Loki was wide eyed and looked like he was ready to run for the hills. He'd abandoned the rest of his chocolate and the panicky little rise and fall of his chest threatened hyperventilation.

Bruce sobered quickly. "Sorry, I'm sorry. Yes, Tony and I are together. No, men don't usually act like this casually with one another. Please, don't randomly go about kissing people. Now, focus on taking deep breaths."

Loki froze then, eyes still a little wide, like he hadn't even realized he was breathing so shallowly. Then he let out a long, slow breath, drawing back in just a slowly, until it was a steady natural rhythm. Then he nodded. "I have no interest in kissing anyone," he said finally.

Tony snorted. "Kind of a shame. You've actually got a bizarrely large fan base. I doubt it'd be difficult to get some if you really wanted."

Bruce frowned. "What?" Even Loki looked confused.

"Oh yeah," Tony continued. "You should see the website. Don't go getting any crazy ideas, but quite a few people seem to agree with your motives. It's not really that surprising though, even the worst dictators gather followers."

Bruce nodded slowly. "True, I suppose."

Loki frowned and took another careful bite of chocolate. "Humans are strange creatures."

"That they are," Bruce agreed.

After that they turned on the TV and acquainted Loki with films. He asked question throughout and seemed remarkably fascinated that such a large culture could develop around something that was almost exclusively for entertainment.

"See, Loki, that's why you could never have lead humans, you don't understand what keeps us placated," Tony said. Loki just hummed noncommittally in way of a response.

Then it was time for bed. They showed Loki to the hulk-out room, and Bruce was surprised to find it fairly lavishly furnished. There was a bed, long enough to accommodate Loki's height, a night stand with a lamp, a desk with a leather chair, several stacks of books and what appeared to be sketchpads and writing utensils.

"Blame Pepper," Tony said. "It's not in her nature to leave a guest in discomfort, even if that guest is a criminal. Not bad for a prisoner though, if I do say so myself."

"Am I a prisoner?"

The question caught Bruce and Tony off guard. It seemed so obvious, but there were so many grey areas. Loki had never actually been sentenced, and as far as the law was concerned he was a free man. But that left the question of immigration and citizenship. Did interplanetary life get green cards. Thor hadn't been made to get one, but it was generally accepted that saving the world came with honorary citizenship. It was a confusing matter, without a doubt.

Finally Bruce just shook his head and decided to address those questions at a later date. To Loki he said, "yes, technically. For now you're in shields custody, and that makes you a prisoner."

Loki just nodded resolutely and went to the bed, sitting on the edge curiously. "Thank you for your hospitality," he said eventually. "I know I would be in a cell otherwise."

Tony a Bruce both nodded. Then they all said their goodnights and the heavy door swung closed, bolting Loki in.

"Well... that was weird," Tony said finally as they climbed into their bed.

Bruce nodded. "A little. Certainly not what I expected."

"Mmm, come here," Tony instructed.

Bruce smirked and crawled closer, settling on his stomach with his head on Tony's chest, tracing the reactor with light fingers. Tony's fingers tangled idly in his hair. "I'm glad he's not afraid of you though," he murmured. "You don't need that."

"I'm glad too," Bruce sighed. It had been a long day, and his eyes were already drifting closed. "Love you, Tony," he mumbled, already fading out.

"Mm, love you too, Bruce."

Then they were both gone, lights automatically dimming away long after they'd already fallen asleep.

So, I know there's some OOC-ness going here, but admittedly, with Loki, it is somewhat intentional. I'm going for a less ruthless feel with him. In my head, what he went through in Hel was pretty harsh, and I feel like it tamed him a bit. I haven't decided yet if I want to go into any extreme description of that though. It would definitely be an exercise in angst (something I don't write so often)… Opinions there would be very much appreciated.

Oh, also, in reference to the whole Steve having a crush on Natasha thing. Someone commented a while back with the suggestion and it kind of made me go "oh, that would be kind of cute", so it's a side pairing in the works.