A/N: *crawls away and hides* I'm sorry I took this long to post the last chapter... I hope you guys like it (it's my favorite, personally). Also, to make up for the fact that I'm ending this story, I've started another fic that I should be publishing before too long. It's hella angsty.

Thank you so much to everyone who's read this (and especially to those of you who have reviewed, followed, etc.)! It makes me so happy that my work can make other people happy. Thank you all for sticking around and being so amazing!

"HOLY FUDGENUGGETS!"

"I told you I was returning, did I not?"

"You didn't tell me you were going to appear in my freaking bedroom and surprise me when I got out of the shower with only a freaking towel on!"

Loki shrugged. "Do not worry, it is very becoming."

"I agree with Mr. Laufeyson."

"Not you too," Tony snapped as he pointedly stomped into his closet and shut the door. Loki chuckled as he heard the shuffle of clothes and muffled mutterings from within. Minutes later, Tony emerged, freshly clothed and still exuding irritability. "Hey! Put that down."

Loki smirked and set down the alarm clock he had picked up from the bedside table. "Are you presentable?"

"Does it even matter to you?" Tony grumbled. He ran a comb through his hair, then ruffled it. He was rather obviously trying to remain annoyed, but his curiosity eventually won. "So, Rudolph, what's new? What did you and Point Break get up to after you left?"

Loki sat down on the bed, spreading out his long limbs and leaving no room for Tony. "Well, Thor and I defeated Malekith —- easily enough, after tricking him into believing I had betrayed Thor. Then we returned to Asgard, where I was quite unwelcome, and Thor received with open arms. Odin tried to arrest me, and I turned his soldiers into caterpillars."

"Caterpillars?"

"Do not worry, it is only temporary. Although —- I am not sure exactly how long the effects last."

Tony laughed. "I'm guessing daddy wasn't too pleased."

"No —- he definitely wasn't. Nor was he pleased when I vanished his beard. That is not temporary. Anyhow, Thor said that he would remain in Asgard only if he could bring Jane Foster to live with him. Odin refused, of course, thinking Thor's feelings only fleeting, and was unpleasantly surprised to discover that Thor and Jane are quite dedicated to one another. I stole an apple from Idunn for Thor to give to Jane, and then we left."

"You're making her immortal?" Tony squeaked.

"Compared to your mayfly lives, yes."

Tony gaped. "Wow. Ugh. I wouldn't want to live that long. Eighty-five years is enough for me. Actually, I'll probably live longer than that, seeing as I'm not at risk for most heart conditions."

"Only eighty-five years…" Loki frowned. "Well, I intend to stay on Midgard for a little while; I will be crowned king once Odin dies or is too exhausted to rule, which could be any decade now. Am I… still welcome with you?"

"Wait — you're going to be king?"

"It is a surprise?"

"Hell yes! No offense, but I didn't think they'd ever let you within fifty feet of the throne."

"Thor wishes for me to rule, and he usually manages to get what he wants," Loki said drily. "I will not be ruling permanently; when his future children are old enough that they need less of his attention, he will take the throne and I will be free once more. But that is all far from now. In the meantime, I have some time to spend here."

"That's… wow. Pepper'll be thrilled. Hey, you still want your job as my IT guy? I haven't managed to find anyone half as good, though there were some hot chicks —- and dudes —- who applied."

Loki's face brightened. "Yes, I would like to continue in my employment, whenever I am here."

"You won't be able to visit often though, will you? Once you're king, I mean?" Tony looked a little crestfallen, though he had brightened when Loki had accepted his offer.

"If I become king in the near future, I have no doubt I can persuade Thor to take the throne from me whenever I should wish to visit. And my abilities include no small amount of time manipulation."

"Whoa…" Tony's eyes were comically widened. "Time travel… We'll talk about this later. That would be so useful — I can call you up when I forget my anniversary with Pepper and you can zap me back to buy flowers and reserve dinner… Speaking of Pepper, Jarvis told her you're back and she's dying to talk to you. Want to meet her at the doughnut place?"

Predictably, the meeting with Pepper expanded to include everyone else —- Bruce, Steve, Clint and Natasha (who were quietly invited by Bruce), Pepper, and even Thor (when Loki demanded to know who had invited him, Bruce abashedly raised his hand again).

"You know, this was supposed to be just me and Pepper and Loki," Tony grumbled, squeezing into his seat. "You all weren't invited."

"We all need to talk," Bruce replied.

"Yes, we do. Loki, I…" Steve paused when Loki leveled him with a rather cold glare. "I'd like to apologize for turning you in. It was rash and premature, and you suffered for it."

"Apology accepted," Loki said, speaking not unkindly even though he did not meet the captain's gaze.

"Okay! Time for doughnuts," Tony said quickly when the silence that followed quickly turned uncomfortable. "How does two dozen glazed sound?"

"Delightful," Loki replied.

"Do they have PopTarts?" Thor asked. He was sitting right next to Loki, of course, and seemed to have no understanding of personal space.

"And pocket lint for you two," Tony added, glancing at the taciturn Clint and Natasha.

Clint rolled his eyes. "Banner dragged us here. Something about apologizing."

"Clint wasn't even involved," Natasha muttered.

"All the same, I would love to hear how sorry you are." Loki leaned back, smirking. "Ladies first, Miss Romanoff."

Tony quickly jumped up and pulled Pepper with him to go order doughnuts, muttering something about not wanting to be caught in the crossfire.

"I followed orders," Natasha said blankly.

"So did I, when I invaded New York."

Clint grumbled. "Like hell you did."

"Yes, it was very much like Hel. I was tortured into compliance and forced to wreak havoc on a realm I disliked only marginally."

"Oh, boo hoo."

The air seemed to crackle with electricity. "Do not question my brother!" Thor exclaimed. "He speaks the truth."

"According to who?"

"According to the king of the Nine Realms!"

That shut Clint up.

"We're going to need more than your word to believe that you were coerced," Natasha said flatly, refusing to wither under Thor's glare.

"I am well aware of that," Loki replied. "But as you have scarcely the manpower to take me down, I will not concern myself overmuch with proving myself to you."

"The Avengers defeated you easily enough," Clint muttered.

"When I was being mind-controlled, yes. But I am now in possession of my full faculties and abilities, and I assure you that it would be only to your detriment to attack me now."

"Who says we're going to attack?"

"The four undercover agents in the table behind us, the two behind the counter, and the several others gathered seemingly inconspicuously along the street. Give my greetings to your Director and inform him that his tactics are but child's play and nothing I have not handled before."

There was another uncomfortable silence; Clint and Natasha exchanged a worried glance, and Bruce looked away and bit his cheek to hold back his laughter. Fortunately, Tony chose that moment to return with the doughnuts, and he had already sat down and stuffed half of one in his mouth before he noticed the tense atmosphere and Bruce's silent mirth.

"Okay, what happened?" Pepper asked, clearly unsure if she wanted to hear the answer.

"Apparently S.H.I.E.L.D. has us surrounded," Bruce said, smiling (and giving Natasha a dry glare). "Loki just rattled off the locations of the undercover agents. I think it's safe to say we'll be eating in peace."

"If I can help it," Loki added.

Thor chuckled. "You have not changed, brother."

"That's what you think." Loki took a tentative bite of one of the doughnuts, and promptly spat it back out onto the table. "What in the name of Helheim have you put into this pastry?"

Pepper rolled her eyes. "It's just jam…"

"I'll eat it!" Thor exclaimed, then stuffed the entire doughnut into his mouth. Loki made a disgusted noise.

"You eat like a pig."

"Youealikeapwnceff," Thor replied, mouth still quite full. "Princess," he clarified after swallowing.

Loki sighed. "Do you see what I am doomed to suffer for the rest of my days?"

FIFTEEN YEARS LATER

"Thor, what are you doing?"

Loki set down his book and strode across the garden to where Thor and his young son Balder had somehow managed to "fall" into a flowerbed and cover themselves in soil and leaves.

"Jane will not be pleased," Loki muttered as he dragged the two up, giving Thor a dirty look but regarding the boy with amused indulgence. "Dear me, Balder, you appear to have ruined your shirt. Would you like me to clean it?"

"Yes, uncle!" Balder cried, grinning and staring expectantly down at the soiled clothing.

Loki smiled and positioned his hands over the stains. Then he snapped his fingers; there was a flash of light and a small burst of white smoke, and the shirt was as clean as the day Jane bought it.

Thor scoffed. "I did not know such effects were necessary for a simple cleaning spell."

"You may refer to the spell as simple when you can actually perform it."

"When can I learn that spell?" Balder inquired, gazing expectantly up at his uncle.

"Soon." Loki ruffled his hair and stood, looking Thor over and wrinkling his nose. In response to Thor's silent request, he shook his head. "No, Thor, you'll have to wash your things yourself. I'm afraid you must learn that such behavior is not becoming of a king-to-be."

"Please, brother? I would rather Jane not see."

"Then you shouldn't have been romping about in the mud like a pig."

Thor laughed. "But it was such great fun! You should have joined us."

"Brother - I, unlike you, have a kingdom to run, and must maintain a certain level of dignity. You would do well to do the same, once you are king."

"That will not be for a long while yet."

Loki glared. "You know I hate ruling. I am going to put you on that throne as soon as your children reach adolescence. 'Tis not so far away as you think."

"Balder is just learning to dress himself!"

"And soon he will be pursuing pretty maidens. Time does fly."

Thor groaned and picked up Balder, setting the boy on his shoulders. "But I will not be king today, and therefore, I will play in the mud as much as I like. Shall we go find Mother?"

Balder squealed in delight as Thor ran towards the palace, jumping in the air for added excitement. Loki sighed, gathered his books, and followed at a leisurely pace.

Dinner that evening was a raucous affair, as all of Thor's children were in attendance, in addition to Jane, Loki, Sif, and the Warriors Three. Little Frigga, who had just entered her third century, was engaged in a heated dispute over a broken doll with Sven, her younger brother by thirty years. The twins, Vàli and Magni, had made quite a mess of the juice, each sporting matching purple stains down the fronts of their dresses and grinning most unapologetically as Jane scolded them (though there was little ire in her words). Balder, sitting on Thor's knee, was eating far too much for a child his size. Loki and Sif were trying to maintain a conversation as Volstagg, Fandral, and Hogun encouraged the children in their antics and contributed further to Jane's headache.

"You are satisfied with affairs in Jotunheim, then?" Sif asked, sipping at her mead.

"Very much so. Helblindi seems to be a good king, and there is no threat of war anytime in the near future. So long as they have their casket, I do not believe the Jotuns will have any immediate reason to wage war."

"Thanks to you, of course."

"Oh, yes. Without me, the silly council members would have bungled up the treaty and we would be embroiled in the middle of a deadly conflict, all thanks to the previous king's unfortunate lack of respect and esteem for a race in no way inferior to his own."

Sif laughed. "You are right. About Odin. He was never very… tolerant of the Jotuns."

"That is putting it mildly."

A spatter of sweet potatoes landed on Sif's cheek. She glanced over to see Fandral and Balder both pointing at each other.

"He did it!"

"Boys." Sif rolled her eyes. "What is next, Loki?"

The god of mischief leaned back in his chair. "Well, there is Thanos, but it only remains to wait until he exposes himself before I destroy him. He has one of the Infinity Gems — perhaps more — but I have the gauntlet, and a knowledge of his forces. He cannot win."

"Perhaps he will wait until Thor is king."

"It will not matter who is king, Lady Sif. I will destroy him and scatter his burning ashes across the branches of Yggdrasil."

Loki's tone was cold and serious, a contrast to the light and bantering one of moments before. Sif was glad, suddenly, that she was not his enemy.

"Do you intend to find yourself a queen?" she asked, moving the conversation to gentler waters.

"Why would I? Thor has Jane, and he will be ruling soon enough. I care not to burden myself in such a manner."

Sif grinned. "Or you have not found the right lady."

"And you are presenting yourself as a candidate?"

"No!" Sif slapped his arm. "Never. But I would be most curious as to who could pique your interest."

"Nobody, I assure you." Loki picked daintily at a pastry. "I find both men and women tiresome."

"You are too kind," Sif said dryly. "Have you not thought on it?" She looked around at Thor's loud and boisterous family. "Having children?"

Loki sighed. "I spend my days caring for a kingdom of children. I do not know if I have the time for any more."

"Are you sure? Imagine, little raven-haired sorcerers scampering about, and tormenting the servants… No, perhaps it is best you refrain from that pursuit."

Loki glared. "I assure you, my children would be properly behaved."

"Just as you were?"

"Even better."

Sif pretended to shudder. "I cannot imagine the horror."

Loki laughed. "I truly do not know whether I shall ever have children. I think I should either love them dearly or curse their annoying existence."

"That is the essence of being a parent, my king."

"And you would know?"

"I have observed."

"Or you were the cause of the annoyance." Loki looked over to Thor. "Are you ready, brother?"

Thor groaned. "Can you not stay a little longer? I am exhausted!"

"You should not have been romping about in the mud."

"Please?"

"No, Thor, I'm going now. Take Gungnir and try not to lose it before I return."

Balder's eyes lit up as Thor took the golden spear into his hand. "Can I hold it?" he blurted, grabbing at the shaft with chubby fingers.

"You may," Loki replied. "You will probably wield it better than your father."

"Loki!"

The god of mischief laughed. "Farewell, my friends."

They all bid him goodbye in return as he left the table, granting a hug to each of Thor's children (who ran to him in despair at his leaving and demanded he bring them gifts from Tony, who they were all quite taken with). Then, sharing a last smile with Thor, he entered one of the paths between worlds, vanishing from sight.

Tony leaned back agains the counter, taking a pensive swallow of his beer. Jarvis should have finished his maintenance scan by now, meaning that it was time for-

Suddenly Loki was standing a foot away, decked out in armor and horns and Tony screamed like a little girl and dropped his beer.

"Damnit, Loki, we talked about this!"

Loki sighed, pulling off the golden helmet and shaking loose his unreasonably beautiful hair. "We did, You said I was welcome at any time."

"Guess I thought the 'don't appear in my kitchen and scare me into dropping things' was implied somewhere in there," Tony grumbled, reaching for a towel. Loki smirked, snapping his fingers, and the mess disappeared.

"That, my friend, is what comes of befriending a trickster."