Tony Stark arrived at Avengers Tower with his usual flair, landing smoothly on the rooftop. He stepped out of his suit with a confident grin, fully aware of the urgent call from Director Fury that had pulled him away.

As he entered the meeting room, he couldn't resist teasing his fellow Avengers. "Sorry I'm late; the traffic was a wreck," he announced, flashing a playful smirk.

Director Fury stood nearby, arms crossed, while Thor observed with amusement. Steve Rogers was not impressed as he leaned on the conference table. "You're late," he said, his tone stern.

"Thank you for that, Captain Obvious," Tony replied, taking a seat directly across from him.

Natasha Romanoff rolled her eyes, exasperated. "Boys," she muttered, sensing the familiar banter.

"You'd think a billionaire could at least afford a watch," Steve continued, unimpressed.

Tony shrugged casually. "What can I say? I'm a busy man, and I have an important guest to attend to." With that, he dismissed Steve's sass, intent on shifting the focus back to the meeting ahead.

"Who?" Clint finally spoke up after silently watching his teammate's childishness with amusement.

"You didn't tell them?" Tony frowned at Bruce, who was sitting to his left.

The scientist shrugged innocently while adjusting his glasses. "It's not my place to tell."

"Tell us what exactly, Mr. Stark?" Fury asked, feeling displeased about being kept in the dark.

Tony sighed in defeat as he leaned back. "I have a daughter," he muttered softly.

Everyone frowned, as they weren't able to hear his quiet voice, except for the enhanced soldier, who suddenly hollered, "You have a daughter?!"

"Whoa!" Clint exclaimed, folding his hands in excitement at the news.

"Why are we just now finding out about this?" the director raised an eyebrow.

"I didn't even know I had one until yesterday."

"What happened?" Nat frowned, noticing the distant look on the newfound father's face.

"Me? Not much. But her? Too much."

Tony told them about the incidents that had befallen his daughter and how they had finally come to find each other. They all listened intently to every word, wordlessly absorbing his story without interruption. They could feel the anguish in his voice.

"So, is she at your house in Malibu right now?" Clint asks.

"Yes," Tony replies.

"How is she?" Bruce frowns, looking worried.

Tony keeps his gaze directed upward, avoiding eye contact with them. "Scared. Angry. Sad. It's what any child would feel when they find out the only person they love will no longer smile at them."

"Is Pepper with her?" Clint inquires.

"No. She's... um... does FRIDAY count?" Tony responds.

"You left her alone?" Clint gives him a look that says, 'You're dumber than you look.' "Really?"

"I know, okay? I asked her about it, and she pushed me away! She seemed better when I was about to leave."

Bruce sighs. "Of course she's not. She was trying to be brave, Tony. I might meet her for a moment, but she's more like you than you think."

The billionaire frowns. "My good looks?"

Everyone snorts, making him look at them in betrayal.

"Oh, Stark. Your ego can't even fit this building," Steve groans.

"You listen here, Cap—"

"Okay, that's enough. Let's not go off-topic," Nat interjects. "What was she doing when you left her?"

"She was watching a channel about Norse mythology. If I'm not mistaken, they were discussing the reindeer games while eating my last pack of blueberries. Guess Pepper will have to do some shopping," he mumbles the last part.

Unknown to all of them, Fury gives Thor a look, and Thor apprehensively swallows when Tony mentions his adopted brother's name.

"Oh yeah," Clint speaks up as if in realization, his eyes falling on the two figures silently standing at the end of the table. "What's this meeting about again?"

"Also, I thought you had some prince's duties, Thor? Why are you back so soon?" Nat adds, feeling skeptical.

Fury steps forward. "Thor here has something to discuss with all of you."

The Asgardian clears his throat. "It's about my brother."

"Loki?" Steve asks.

Tony rolled his eyes. "Who else?" Steve glared at the man until Natasha stopped them. Again. "Enough, or I'll lock you two in a closet."

"So vicious," the billionaire remarked.

Natasha glare at him. "I assure you that if I do vicious, We'll all be at your funeral right now," the said man raise his hands in mock surrender.

"Thor, you may proceed," the Director gestured for the god to continue.

"As a punishment, Loki will stay here with all of you to help clean up the damage he caused. I will also be here to keep an eye on him to ensure he doesn't pull any tricks. His powers will be limited by Odin while he is here."

The room fell silent as everyone tried to process his words until Tony was the first to stand up.

"Well then, I wish all of you good luck. I have more important matters to attend to at my humble mansion," he said as he began to button his suit.

"About that, Mr. Stark," Fury interjected, causing Tony to stop and look at him. "You will be staying along with the other members at Avengers Tower so that you can help monitor him."

Tony groaned. "What about my daughter?" The word "daughter" felt unfamiliar to him, and the thought of her living with the god of mischief made him uneasy.

Fury sighed. "I'm sorry, but I think it would be better if you brought her to stay at the tower. That way, you can be with her and keep an eye on Loki at the same time."

"Are you nuts?" the man screeched. "You have no idea how hard it is to even greet her without getting hit with her attitude. Now you want to add another smartass to my life?"

"Lucky for you, there are only two smartasses in your life. We have three," Steve pointed out.

"Seriously, Ice Cube?" Tony said, looking at the soldier, who shrugged in response.

"At least he didn't turn you into his puppet," Clint added.

Tony sighed. "Fine then. I'll see what I can do. But I promise you this is a bad idea. That girl practically embodies sassiness."

"I guess she won against you, huh, Stark?" Nat teased, receiving a blank stare in response. "Oh, so she's that bad."

"You have no idea," he mumbles.

"When will he arrive?" He directs the question toward the blond god.

"If there aren't any problems, Loki will be arriving tomorrow," Thor replied with a smile. "Great. Just great," said the stressed billionaire.