This is officially the last chapter. I've run out of steam for this story. Everything else I come up just seems to be, well, redundant, so this is where I bid you farewell. Thank you to everyone who read/reviewed. Hope you guys like it. :)

Life is infinitely stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent.
- Arthur Conan Doyle, A Case of Identity

It always surprises Tony just how much noise seven people can make when they all get together in the same room. It's shocking – especially when three of the seven are so silent. Romanov tends to let her actions talk for her, although it's not as if she's shy to speak up when she wants to. Banner, on the other hand, is. Shy that is. In crowds or even large groups he tends to shrink in on himself as if he's hiding. It's only when you get him one on one that he starts to shine. He's getting better though, something that thrills Tony no end and makes him undeniably proud. He did that. Or he's taking credit anyways. Bite him. And then you have Loki who's only recently started speaking to the team at all. Tony is also taking credit for that too. He's supposed to be an arrogant bastard after all. Why not act like it?

But really though, the noise. It should be enough to break the sound barrier. Maybe it's because so many of them border on bigger than life personalities. Tony himself can count for three people – at least. The same goes for Thor and Clint. That makes at least sixteen people in the room right now, which makes more sense.

"Tell me Man of Iron shall I beat the eggs into submission now?" Thor asks much too eagerly for what he is doing. No one should be that excited about mixing a couple of eggs with some flour and milk.

"Go for it muscle man." Tony waves a hand in permission. Why not? He's already a mess so a little extra batter isn't going to hurt anything. Probably won't even be able to tell. Ugh remind him why he is doing this again?

"How's it going?" Rogers asks as he comes up behind him.

Oh that's right – the Man with a Plan TM himself. In a flash of genius he has decided that not only is it a great idea for them to eat together, they should cook a meal together. Cooking. A more see through plan Tony has never heard. It's a poor excuse to try to do some team bonding in the wake of the tsunami that was the intervention Pepper and Rhodey pulled on them. When the truth finally came out.

It's... not exactly been smooth sailing after the fact shall we say. Logically one would think it would be the opposite, but one would be wrong. Things, if possible, are even more tense before in some strange ways. Loki isn't the enemy anymore. They have a united goal of a much more dangerous foe out there. They don't have to worry about Tony and Barton being controlled. But now it comes out in other ways instead. It seems as if the Avengers live to defy logic.

Frustrating is one word for it. A very mild one. Practically a criminal understatement at that. Thus where their brilliant leader's plan comes into play. A bonding activity weakly disguised as a meal. Once again – cooking. When none of them can actually cook all that well. Or at all in some cases. It limits what they can actually make so traditional breakfast was decided on. It can still be burnt or broken, but at least it's easy.

The fact that it isn't time for breakfast doesn't enter into the equation.

They have even been divided into 'team' to work. Loki and Romanov are on vegetable duty for the omelet casserole – because either of them with knives is a great idea, especially next to the other. Barton and Banner are on meat duty – bacon, sausage, all that good stuff. And Tony is stuck with Thor making pancakes. Rogers is moving in between the three groups to make sure everything turns out edible. Or that no one kills the other presumably.

"Fantastic buttercup," Tony deadpans to answer his question. Why he even bothered to ask is a mystery to him since it should be more than obvious. Both he and Thor are covered in batter and flour. Thor is too enthusiastic when it comes to mixing. And breaking the eggs. And he forgets half of the ingredients each time. At least they are different ingredients each time, so he's learning, but still. Even worse it's fallen to Tony to make sure the pancakes don't burn. The result are some... interesting shapes when he flips them.

"Great," he smiles and pours the milk into a measuring cup for him, "I'm glad you two are having fun." There is a smirk in his eyes as he says it which is an experience in and of itself. Rogers isn't normally one to joke. Not with him anyways. He knows there has to be a sense of humor there somewhere – Aunt Peggy doesn't lie after all.

Tony wipes a glob of batter off of his shirt and rubs it on Rogers cheek in answer. "You were looking a little underdressed there."

Rogers huffs, but doesn't actually yell or snark back.

Well then, that's no fun. Tony goes back to flipping the pancakes. These ones are even almost the circles they are supposed to be. Practice makes perfect. "Where are the blueberries?" he asks the room at large.

"Where they always are?" Romanov answers with a shrug.

"There's no need for snark Miss Spy. And if you can't be nice then no blueberries for you."

She shrugs again, never looking up from her cutting board.

He huffs. Rude. So very rude.

In answer a blueberry hits him in the forehead.

Loki smirks at him as he glances up from his own cutting board. "Yes Stark?" he asks, "is something the matter?"

"At least give me a chance to catch them if you're going to throw them you ass. It's a waste of good fruit."

"If you insist." He throws another blueberry at him.

Tony catches it in his mouth, preening. "Ta da."

"Hardly impressive considering I throw it right to you."

Tony spread his hands. "Hit me then Reggie."

Loki takes this as the clear challenge that it is, throwing the blueberries are increasingly difficult angles and speeds. He even takes to throwing multiple ones when Tony gives him a superior smirk. It ends up with Tony moving all over the kitchen to get them. Well at least he knows he'll be getting his work out for the day.

Still it is no use because Tony catches every one of them. It takes some serious foot work when he throws two in two different directions but Tony prevails. The only reason Loki stops is because the bag is empty.

He takes a bow. "And that lady and gentlemen is how it is done."

Barton cheers, cheering at an obnoxious level. "My hero."

"Aye Man of Iron that is most impressive," Thor nods, "Where did you learn such skill?"

"Where else," Tony shrugs, "MIT of course."

"Tuition well spent," Romanov snorts.

Tony waves a finger at her as he goes back to join Thor."Now, now don't be jealous. Just because I'm more talented and more successful then you are doesn't mean you need to be bitter about it. Some people are naturally born that way."

"Whatever you say," Romanov snorts, "I would hate to be the one to kill your ego."

Tony beams at her, hiding his true feeling at those words. "That's right itsy bitsy, I'm glad you finally see it my way." Ego again. Honestly. Still at least it isn't said with the usual amount of hidden venom. That's an improvement right?

"Don't spoil your appetite before supper," Rogers says mildly.

"Yes Mother." Tony gives him a solemn nod.

"Do you need some assistance in the cracking of eggs?" Thor asks, noticing what step Loki and Romanov are on. Once again, he sounds far too happy about the idea.

"And abandon me in my time of need?" Tony gasps, throwing his hand over his heart and scattering even more batter all over Thor. "Never before have I felt such betrayal in my life," he emphasizes the last words, just to make sure he gets his point across.

"Fear not for I am sure the Captain would be more than happy to assist," Thor smiles sweetly.

"Yeah Shell Head, I'll watch your back." Rogers grins at him.

Once again with the nickname. It's almost as startling as the jokes. Seriously when had Rogers decided that he no longer hates Tony? Because he would have loved to get that memo. And an explanation as well. Why the sudden change again? It makes no sense and its enough to put him on edge.

Someone more optimistic might say that he's trying. Rogers was wrong and now he's trying to fix it. And this is his way of trying. Sounds probable enough – if Tony actually believed it. Pity he doesn't because it would make things so much easier. He wants to. Part of him desperately wants to believe it. To think that their rough past is behind them and they are moving on. Becoming something greater together. Something closer. More like the shield brothers Thor likes to go on about.

He's not sure he can trust that though. Even when he has in the past, he's never completely sure. He's trusted before and look where that's gotten him. That part of him is dangerous not because he doesn't listen to it, but because he listens too easily at times. Trust issues come in many different forms. "Don't I feel safer already," he says, pushing those thoughts away for now.

Loki sighs, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "While the offer is certainly generous, it is unneeded. I am able to crack my own eggs thank you. Without," he adds when Thor opens his mouth, "making it look as if I am going into battle."

"Tis a mighty foe we face here," Thor tells him.

Alright, now Tony knows he's definitely faking it. Still, "You don't like the latest fashion trend?" he asks false brightly, "all the cool kids are wearing it now."

Loki eyes the mess covering him. "Strangely enough – no."

"Does this mean I'm a cool kid now?" Rogers asks, pointing to his cheek.

"Hmm," he rubs his chin as if thinking, "Close, but you're still missing something." He cusps a handful of flour and throws it at him before he can duck out of the way. It is, of course, a direct hit. "Much better," he nods once Rogers is white from face to chest.

"You realize this means war don't you?" Rogers asks seriously, a glint in his eyes.

Tony stares back fearlessly. "Bring it old man."

A piece of bacon hits Rogers right in the back of the head. There's no mystery as to who did it seeing as Barton cackles madly at his success. "Bulls eye," he cheers.

"A real challenge for you?" Romanov asks, "A whole five feet away, that is worth celebrating."

She successfully dodges the first sausage that hits here, but not the second. Knife in hand she smiles. "Prepare for defeat."

"No blood," Rogers says firmly.

"But you Midgardians are so fragile," Thor protests with a smirk, arsenal of eggs already at hand.

Banner sighs. "We aren't going to eat any of this, are we?"

Barton waves a spatula in his face in answer. "Viva la revolucion!"

"That's what I thought." He picks up a frying pan from the stove. "Break my glasses and deal with the Other Guy," he says simply.

Fair enough. Tony gives him a thumbs up and then throws the rest of the unused batter right into Rogers face. That... that is beautiful. He's going to have to get JARVIS to frame that later. But for now he dives the hell out of the way to avoid retaliation.

It pretty much descends into chaos from there.

"Stay in your teams," Rogers calls over the noise as if anyone is actually going to listen to him. Because once again the noise level seems to raise to increase to something that is enough to break his eardrums almost. Unbelievable. Or rather, it isn't at all actually, but still. It's the thought that counts.

Personally Tony thinks he should be glad that no one actually obeys that order seeing as how he is a one man army if so. He takes his pancakes and slides over to Loki who has created his own shield that deeply reminds Tony of a snow fort of all things. "Can you enchant these so we don't run out?"

He nods. "Tell me are all Midgardians this crazy or is it simply the residents of this Tower? I ask out of practical purposes of course."

"Of course," Tony smirks, "No pretty sure all humans are crazy to one extent or another. We're just the special snowflakes you get to live with. Maybe it's the job?" he shrugs and leans out of the shield enough to throw a pancake at Romanov. "Frisbee of Death! Then again," he continues as he ducks back in to avoid her vegetables, "I've always been like this, so..." he trails off, letting that speak for him.

"Then I suggest we throw humanity at Thanos and let him run in terror." His egg hits Thor directly in the face.

"Loki! How dare you steal my noble weapon!" The bombardment of eggs that follow is pretty impressive actually. They all splat against the shield so it's not as if they do anything, but still. A for effort and all that.

Loki sighs. "Honestly."

"Tell me is he better or worse here?" Tony asks as he spots Romanov trying to make a sneak attack and lets his death frisbees fly. Yeah that sounds so much better than pancakes. "I'm glad I didn't put any of my blueberries in these now," he mutters.

"Worse." Loki shakes his head. "He accuses me of seeking attention, but then he acts most ridiculously. As if he expects me to believe half of the things he says. At least in Asgard he plays a different show. This Realm is so gullible at times."

"Benefit of the doubt," Tony counters, "He obviously needs a longer adjustment period than you do."

"Caw caw suckers!" Barton shouts as he darts from behind Banner to throw his sausages at the room at large before hiding again.

Banner looks resigned to it, using the pan for a shield of his own, but Tony can see a smile dancing on the edge of his mouth. He's enjoying this more than he is admitting.

"Eat dust birdbrain." Tony, in an impressive feat of engineering, lobs a pancake over Banner's head, off the cupboard and right onto to Barton's head. Well, engineering and maybe a little bit of magic considering pancakes don't exactly bounce.

"Hey," he shouts, "traitors." He waves a strip of bacon at them. "I'll get you for this my pretty – and your little kitty too."

Tony snorts. "See, I told you that you were the cat around here," he says to Loki.

Loki just rolls his eyes. "Mortals," he mutters.

Too bad Tony can tell he doesn't mean it. "Yeah," he throws an arm around him, "we're kind of like super glue you know? We touch you and that's it – you're stuck with us."

"Funny," he says as he casually dumps an entire bowl of egg mixture onto Rogers', Thor's and Romanov's head. Definitely magic. Definitely useful. He ignores their angry shouts of 'cheater'. "I had thought that it was your ability and stupidity to pack bond with anything – even those that can eat you. Especially those that can eat you." He makes no move to stop the embrace.

Tony can only shrug at that because, well, he's not exactly wrong. It's fluffy enough and Tony will probably try to pet it. The tiger cub incident is proof enough of that. Hey, it only left a little scar. And she was only playing, no matter what Rhodey claimed.

"Strange beings." Loki shakes his head.

"Oh don't pretend you don't love it," Tony beams at him as he joins in Loki targeting his trio of teammates. "Creatures of chaos, God of Chaos, you fit right in here."

Loki only hums in response.

Which means he totally agrees, he just doesn't want to admit it. That's Tony's story and he's sticking to it. He yelps as an egg finally manages to find its way around the shield.

Barton cackles from his hiding spot.

Rogers grins in triumph.

Tony's retaliation is swift and brutal. Yeah maybe he still doesn't know if he can trust this new bond that is trying to form. Maybe they will always be a ticking time bomb, no matter what they do. Maybe an explosion will always be inevitable. Some things aren't just meant to mix after all. They are unstable no matter what you do.

But maybe, just maybe, they can hold together long enough to face this new threat they have. Long enough to win. Or you know, at least have the explosion take Thanos out with them. That works too. Who knows. Certainly not Tony, that's for sure.

Only time will tell.

Until then Tony plans on enjoying himself to the fullest. And even afterwards too, if he can. He's always loved a good explosion after all.