Little Loki, for one, was having the time of his life in the tower. His day after the conversation in the living room had consisted mostly of him wandering curiously up and down the halls asking
"What's this?" With Steve and Thor following behind him doing their best to answer. "What's this?" He asked, pointing to the coffee machine.
"It's a coffee machine." Steve stated simply.
"What's coffee?"
"It's a drink made from a kind of bean that gives you lots of energy."
"An energy drink?"
"No, that's something else."
"What's this?" Loki said, now talking about the refrigerator.
"It's a refrigerator. It keeps your food cool so it doesn't go bad."
Loki opened the door to the fridge. "But there's no ice!"
"Well, no, it doesn't need ice."
"So it's magic?"
"No, not quite…" Steve stopped. He didn't actually know how exactly a refrigerator worked. "Yeah, it's magic."
That's when Loki saw a colorful cardboard box sticking out of the cupboard. "What's that?" He asked.
Thor took the box down from the cupboard and proudly presented it to his little brother. "These," he beamed, "Are pop-tarts! A Midgardian concoction so delicious it is like a symphony for the taste buds!"
"May I have one?" Loki asked excitedly.
"Of course, but they must be heated first."
"Ooh! I can do that! Put one down for me, please!" Thor took one of the pop tarts out of its wrapper and lay on a plate on the counter. Loki concentrated a bit, and spoke a few words that Steve only heard as gibberish, and lo and behold, the pop-tart was thoroughly toasted. Loki picked it up, and his eyes widened as he bit down.
"These Midgardians are amazing!" He exclaimed. "Can we live here forever, brother?"
"Just because of the pop-tarts?" Thor asked, amused.
"Not just that! Everyone is so nice to me here! Can we stay just a little while, at least? Please?"
Thor's heart melted at his brother's pleading eyes. "I don't see why not." He said.
"Hooray! Thank you, brother!" Loki said, before wrapping his short, seven-year-old arms as far around Thor as they could reach. Thor smiled and returned the embrace. He was glad to have his little brother back, even if it took a burst of renegade magic to get it. He couldn't help but dread the day they managed to turn him back.
"Hey, I have an idea!" Steve said.
"What is that?" Thor asked.
"Well, Loki, you want to try Midgardian food, right?" Loki nodded. "Have you ever had a milkshake before?"
Later that night, Tony and Bruce got back to the tower, Tony more than a little buzzed. Pepper greeted them at the door.
"Did he break anything? Hurt anyone? Start world war three?" She asked as they carefully shifted the barely-standing Tony from Bruce's arm to hers.
Bruce chuckled. "No. actually. He was his version of a perfect gentleman."
Pepper smiled. "I blame you." She said.
"What?"
"You're a good influence on him. Thank you."
Bruce blushed and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Um, thanks!"
"Peps!" Tony said, balanced on Pepper's shoulder. "Guess what?"
"What?"
"Did you know these things hurt when I jump?" He said, patting his chest.
Pepper groaned. "That's right… we're going to have to get you some bras, aren't we?" Then it dawned on her. "Wait… does that mean you weren't wearing a bra when you let Clint stare down your shirt?" Tony just giggled, and Pepper sighed a long-suffering sigh. "Come on, lover-boy. Let's get you in bed."
"Not a bad idea!"
"I meant to sleep, Tony."
"Aww."
"Goodnight, Bruce!" Pepper said, handling Tony into the elevator. "And thanks again for keeping him out of trouble!"
"You're welcome!" Bruce said after them. He went to his own room soon after, feeling good about his decision not to tell Pepper exactly how many times Tony had flashed the entire pub.