Tony decided to take Bruce's advice and get answers directly from the Thunderer's mouth. He didn't tell Pepper what he was up to when he stole away to Thor's floor one afternoon. After all, it would seem highly hypocritical of him to investigate the very suggestion that he had shot down only days before.

As he rang the doorbuzzer to the god's living quarters, Stark thought to himself that at least this way, if the whole fertility rumor turned out to be nothing more than a dead end, then he wouldn't have to bother getting his wife's hopes up for nothing.

"Anthony, a pleasant surprise!" Thor greets upon opening the door, "Do come in."

"Hey buddy! Did I catch you on your way out?" Tony asks, taking in Thor's sweats, runners, and the gym bag hefted over his shoulder.

Thor shuts the door behind Tony and turns, pulling his hair out of his face with a black band as he speaks, "I am to meet Steven shortly for sparring, but I can always make time for you, my friend. Is there any way I can be of service to you?"

"There might be. Look, I wanted to talk to you about something kind of personal."

"Oh, well of course. Please, sit down then." Thor says, leading him down the hall and into the sitting room.

When they are finally seated across from each other, Tony does nothing but sit there looking out of place, trying to think of ways to broach the subject.

Thor lets him for a moment, then gently urges, "Well, what did you wish to speak to me about, Anthony?"

"Alright, here goes nothing." Stark first mumbles to himself, "So you're a god of thunder, lightning, and all that jazz, right?"

"I am not a god, neither am I truly immortal."

Tony shrugs, "But people worshipped you, so that counts as a god in my book."

Thor bows his head to concede, "As you wish, but indeed, I do command the weather."

"Then, back in the day, when people still worshipped you on earth, did ya ever tap into any of your lesser known powers when hobnobbing with the humans?"

"Lesser known powers? Is there something that you know of that I do not?" Thor questions, narrowing his eyes.

"I might have heard a thing or two about you being a fertility god." Says Tony, with a quirk of his lips.

"Ah, and you would like to learn whether these stories are true."

"That's the short of it."

Thor folds his hands and chuckles. "Then be without further doubt; they are true. Although at first I was generally associated with bringing forth fertile crops, civilizations of old did begin to perform specific fertility rites in my name and I did honor those that caught my attention."

"Then you do have the power to—let's say, help women achieve successful pregnancies?"

"Aye, in a manner of speaking; however, I have not called upon such powers in centuries. The Midgardian people of this age seem more intent on preventing pregnancy than causing it."

He pauses in an attempt to read the solemnity in Tony's expression. "Anthony, your mind is obviously troubled- regarding what I know not- yet you ask me many strange questions. I beseech you, do tell me where this all leads."

Stark lets out a breath and drops all pretenses. "Okay, we haven't told anyone else yet, but Pepper and I are trying to get pregnant. It's taking some time, a lot longer than either of us expected and Pepper's getting impatient. She's convinced something is wrong with her, even though we've been to doctors who've said there isn't. And I … I was just hoping to ask you for a favor."

Tony scrubs his face with his hand and Thor, feeling compassion for his friend, is unsure whether to break the sudden silence with words of comfort.

Finally dropping his palm from his face, Tony looks the god square in the eyes. "There was a time when I thought I'd never say this, but I'd love to have a lil Stark running around the tower and I know it's all Pepper can think about too. So Thor, please, if it's any way in your power to do so, would you help me and Pepper?"

Thor stands, offering Tony his most earnest smile, and the billionaire follows suit, rising to his own feet.

"But of course! Know my heart goes out to you and Lady Pepper for your struggles to bear children, but as you said, it is in my power to help you. Therefore, I shall host a fertility ceremony in you and your beloved's honor."

"Really!? That's great! Thor, you're the best!" Tony says, shuffling past the coffee table to slap the Asgardian on his back in thanks.

Thor clasps Tony heartily on the shoulder, "What are friends for?"

"Trust me pal, it's not every day your friend offers to do a fertility ritual for you. So uh, how soon can we start?"

"Return to my chambers with your wife at midnight on the next full moon. Until then, I must prepare. There are certain items I need to acquire and ancient manuscripts I should consult."

"Items?" Tony asks, scrunching up his nose, "Wait, I'm not gonna need to bring a virgin to sacrifice or anything, am I?"

Thor's laughter rumbles throughout the room. "You have my oath, your virgins are safe from being slain."

That night, Tony ambles into bed after a long evening in his workshop. He looks longingly at Pepper's side of the bed where she lay facing away from him, a mountain of covers draped over her frame. She had been in meetings most of the day and after a group dinner in the dining hall, she had paired off with Natasha for a girl's night. This was the first chance he had alone with her since he'd spoken with Thor and he was eager to share this new change of events.

As he crawls under the sheets, Tony whispers, "Pep, you asleep?"

There's a rustle and then she rolls over to face him.

"No. Only resting my eyes."

"Good, because I got something to tell you. Something that may make you both simultaneously happy and pissed at me."

"Uh oh." Is all Pepper says, instantly fearing the worst.

"Don't worry. I promise, it'll be worth it, if it turns out like I hope." Tony pats her blanketed thigh before continuing, "So, you should know that I …uhh, I sorta went behind your back and asked Thor about the fertility god thing because I couldn't get the damn idea out of my head."

"You wh- wait, after that big fuss you made about not placing your trust in Thor and us not needing any extra help?!"

"I know, I know! I was an idiot who should have heard you out instead of giving you the brush off, but listen, Pepper, Thor told me it was true. He does have fertility powers and he agreed to do this ritual for us. He's gonna help us have our baby!"

"What, really!? That's possible? Oh, Tony!" Pepper throws herself into her husband's arms, "I can't believe it. Thank you! I don't even care that you went behind my back; at least you made it happen for me. When will it take place?"

"He said something about a full moon so…"

"Oh! I'm so excited! Do you think it'll work?" She asks, gazing up at her husband hopefully.

The billionaire delivers a peck to his wife's lips before admitting, "I don't know, Pep, but I'm willing to give it a try if you will."