Breakfast came far too early for the humans who weren't used to being sleepless. Natasha and Clint were perfectly functional, even going so far as to look well-rested and refreshed. Jane was also wide awake and disgustingly cheerful, much to the annoyance of her assistant.

'How the hell are you doing it?' grumbled a very grouchy Darcy as she hunted for marmalade in the assortment of spreads on the table.

'Doing what?' asked Jane.

'Being so perky so early!' said Darcy. 'It's completely unfair.'

'I didn't drink as much as you,' said Jane. 'And I'm pretty used to staying up all night to watch meteor showers and stargaze, and then go to class first thing in the morning. Marmalade's over here.'

'Thanks,' said Darcy. She began to smother her toast with it.

'So, Widow, where is your other half?' enquired Thor.

'My what?' said Natasha, her voice dangerously pleasant.

'The esteemed Dr Banner,' said Steve, oblivious to the hidden threat in her voice. 'He hasn't come down yet. Neither has Tony.'

'They're having breakfast with Loki,' said Pepper brusquely. 'Something about a scientific conference. I stopped listening at that point.'

'Natasha hasn't told Bruce yet,' teased Clint.

'Dare you to do it,' said Darcy with a little smirk.

'I'll take that dare,' said Natasha. 'See if I don't.'

Bruce, Tony and Loki emerged for dinner, which was another all-night affair that left the visitors groggy and irritable the next morning. When Bruce asked about the banquets, Thor and his Asgardian friends nearly collapsed laughing. Loki was left to explain.

'The first banquet was a welcoming banquet,' said the Trickster in a pained voice. 'Last night was in honour of Lady Jane. Tonight's banquet will be to honour Thor and Jane's wedding. Tomorrow's banquet will be in honour of the impending baby Stark, and yes this is traditional. The day after tomorrow, there will be a banquet celebrating me making friends of my own volition. The day after that, if I'm not mistaken, there will be one celebrating Natasha's quest. And the day after that, if we're lucky, will be the farewell feast. The morning after which, you can all go home and this circus can come to an end.'

'And if we're not lucky?' asked Steve.

'Then we could very well be feasting for all eternity,' said Loki. 'For pity's sake, stop giving Frigga reasons to throw parties so we can all rest!'

'We'll do our best,' said Tony. 'No promises, though.'

'So, Jane,' said Pepper, 'have you and Thor decided where you'll be living?'

'No,' said Jane, startled. 'We haven't even talked about it. I'll have to do that soon.'

'Whatever you decide will probably cause another feast,' observed Tony. 'And I'm starting to wonder where all the food is coming from.'

'State secret,' said Thor. 'I'm afraid I can't tell you.'

Five nights of feasting, groggy mornings-after, and scientists making explosions and commandeering smithies and libraries, the Midgardians made their way back down the rainbow bridge to the connection point. Heimdall waited for them, mild concern and vague amusement glittering in his gold eyes.

'Well, this has been fun,' said Tony. 'Maybe we'll do it again someday.'

'Not near-future, though,' Steve added hastily. 'I think we've all had enough feasts for a while. Definitely a memorable experience.'

'I've decided on the new décor for the penthouse,' Pepper announced. 'You guys have been so helpful. I feel inspired!'

'Don't take on too much,' cautioned Freyja.

'I won't,' Pepper assured her. 'Our interior designer's team is very good.'

'I hate to ask,' said Erik, 'but why is Loki muttering to the bridge?'

'He's a perfectionist,' said Sif, rolling her eyes. 'On our way back, he's going to go over every inch of the bridge, looking for weaknesses and faults. Just so he can fix them. He takes his projects very seriously.'

'And always has,' said Hogan. Sif gave him an odd look.

'That's the second time you've spoken this week,' said Sif. 'Are you alright?'

Hogan nodded.

'You must visit,' said Fanderal insistently to Natasha. 'I feel that I barely got to know you at all this trip.'

'Let's keep it that way,' said Natasha. 'I've got bigger fish to fry.'

'It's been really great, meeting all of you,' said Darcy. 'We'll probably be in New Mexico, so if you're passing through, come shake up the monotony of watching machines make scribbles.'

'Will do,' promised Volstagg.

'What are you two doing?' asked Jane.

'A headcount,' said Clint absently, scanning the group. 'Everyone seems to be here, Natasha. We can go home now.'

'Who'd have thought that either of us would ever call a place home?' said Natasha as she pulled Bruce and Steve – being obvious is bad for her – into the gold dome that would take them home. Clint and Darcy followed them, to chaperone them, and Erik tripped in after them. Heimdall went to begin preparing the Bifrost for transport.

Thor walked over to Loki, who was inspecting an infinitely small scratch on the surface of the bridge. Thor said softly, 'Farewell, Loki. I wish you all the best with your tasks, and with your future.'

'Same to you,' said Loki. 'Enjoy Earth, and take care of it. It's a pretty place, when it's not being attacked by psychotic gods.'

'That it is,' agreed Thor.

'I meant to ask,' said Jane, 'how did you find out about the wedding?'

'Oh, that,' said Loki with a little laugh. 'I was eavesdropping, I'm afraid. I love knowing secrets, and this one was too precious to keep to myself. Forgive me for the practical joke. I've always wanted to be part of your wedding.'

'It turned out well,' said Thor. 'So thank you, brother, for this gift of merriment that you have given all of us this week. It will not be forgotten.'

'I'd almost forgotten how fun it is to laugh with people instead of at them,' said Loki. 'Perhaps I shall continue with this project, and see where it takes me. Travel safe.'

'Jane,' said Thor, offering her an arm. 'Shall we enter?'

'Of course,' said Jane. 'I'm going to need to check my emails when I get back. There's going to be hundreds.'

'Come on Tony,' said Pepper, tugging her husband's arm. 'I also have paperwork to catch up on. My desk would be buried in it, if it wasn't all digital.'

'Home sounds great,' said Tony. 'Is anybody else craving shwarma?'

A teeny note from glassfacet: if you're ever in Toronto and you want a shwarma, head to Johnny's Shwarma on Kennedy Road. Bit of a trip from the city center, but so totally worth it. While you're there, try the samosas. They're very good.