Hello :) This is my new multi-chapter story about how the Avengers celebrate each holiday. I'm not American, but I will try and include all the American holidays as that's where the Avengers are based. So if I miss one out, or include English holidays that American's don't celebrate I am sorry but I'm trying :D
Please enjoy :)
A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF THE AVENGERS
DEC 31ST – 1ST JAN: NEW YEARS EVE
The common room styled area for the Avengers was packed. Stacked against the television were numerous console games for the evening ahead, wobbling precariously on the floor by the round wooden table were a dozen or so board games and the kitchen was practically alive with the smells of cooking and the worktops covered in large bowls of nibbles in all flavours and shapes. The M&M's bowl was rapidly becoming less and less as whoever walked past seemed to instinctively reach out and grab a handful.
Steve had spent the morning out with Bruce, shopping for supplies for the evening ahead and gathering anything and everything, from more crisps to plastic cups and napkins. There would be a feast to fill the five thousand, which would be more than enough for a super solider, a physicist/hulk, an engineer/iron man, two master assassins and a God of Thunder. It would be plenty.
"Hold it!" Steve didn't turn, holding his hand towards the sweet bowl and eventually turning to glare at Tony. The billionaire quickly snatched his hand away from the bowl, but not before grabbing a couple and popping them into his mouth with a grin.
"My snacks spangle now suck it up."
"You keep eating them they'll be none left for tonight and you'll complain." Steve replied, grabbing the bowl and putting beside the cooker as he continued stirring a couple of pots.
"Mm, something smells good." Steve looked up again when Clint and Natasha strolled through the common area, stopping by the open plan kitchen and having a nose. Steve had finished heating and was now prepping a bowl of nachos and salsa dip and hot dogs.
"It better all get eaten too, we've been working all morning while everyone has been out and about." Bruce commented from over by the stereo. He was wiring the system up to a karaoke machine, as well as the surround sound. Karaoke initially sounded like a terrible idea but they had all decided it would be an interesting option depending on how much gets drunk. The large double fridge was packed with beers, a variety of coloured shots and – at Natasha's request, enough vodka to have a particular Russian Agent considering the singstar.
The evening started off quietly enough, with the snacks and treats piled onto every available worktops, a number of cushions covering the floor and chairs and board games scattered around. Pepper and Jane had been introduced briefly a few months ago and had built a friendship quickly, now sitting on the carpet, attempting to teach Thor the art of snakes and ladders.
"I do not understand? A game in which you ascend ladders and fall down snakes? They are sliding creatures?" He looked between the women to question his understanding.
"Look, you start off here at the bottom. You roll the dice and whatever number is on top, that's how many steps you take. The ladders help you get to the top quickly, but if you land on a square with a snakes head, you fall down it, making it harder to win." Jane explained for the fourth time.
"Are your midgard animals this problematic usually?" he asked and from the sofa Tony scoffed. Pepper scowled and nudged him in the leg.
"It's a game Thor. Just…just give it a go, you'll enjoy it, promise." Jane sighed and rolled the dice, allowing the game to start.
Tony stifled a laugh once more before turning back to his own game.
He, Bruce and Steve had set up a three way track on the games console and were choosing cars to race. After boasting that he was an expert in these games and choosing the single most, flashiest car he could have Tony was ready to race and had now been attempting to hype the others up. Clint and Natasha were perched on the arms of the large sofa, drinks in their hands, ready to watch the event take place.
"One more game!" Tony complained as Bruce and Steve both stood and stretched. The assassins had returned to their own table with more drinks and were watching the billionaire complain.
"Tony please, you said that eight or nine games ago! Give over, so you're not as good as you thought, practice and we'll rematch next year." Bruce chuckled as he went to grab a handful of nibbles. Steve patted his friend on the shoulder before following Bruce in search of food.
"I will give you a game!" Thor remarked, smashing his hand down upon the table and sending the abandoned board game pieces scattering across the floor where they were left.
Finally, after the food was almost all eaten, the drinks were almost all gone and the usually serious avengers were completely drunk, they settled outside on the balcony to watch the fireworks and begin the countdown to the New Year.
After the amount they had drunk the avengers were ordered to stay well away from the fireworks, instead they were to be released by S.H.I.E.L.D agents who had been on duty all evening. So instead they were sprawled on deck chairs and blankets as they watched.
Tony and Pepper had a single deck chair, Pepper wrapped in the drunken iron man's arms as he rubbed concentric circles on her arm and she leaned into his grip. They each had a drink in their hands and he was whispering something unheard into her ear, causing her to smile and giggle – something probably encouraged by the alcohol.
Bruce was sitting on the picnic bench next to Steve, beers in their hands and chatting about the evening and the New Year.
Clint and Natasha were sitting on the swing deck chair the latter leaning against the archer and the two of them chatting quietly and laughing. Clint was refilling his own half empty glass and Natasha's vodka and as he did so she whispered something that caused him to practically choke on his drink before tapping her arm playfully and telling her to 'shush'.
Thor was talking quietly to Jane, sat out on his cape to the side. He was pointing to the skies and telling stories about Asgard while she responded in kind with tales of the skies from Earth. Their drinks were neglected, sitting to the sides but they paid no attention.
They weren't the sort to sit and 'ooh' and 'aah' at the pretty colours, the loud bangs and the flashing lights. Instead they sat comfortably together and chatted, laughed and drank even more as the fireworks filled the sky.
"Wait, wait, wait!" Tony yelled, scrambling up from beneath Pepper and running back inside. He quickly returned with a large rocket and proceeded to set it up.
"Stark I really don't think you should be playing with fireworks, the amount you've drunk!" Clint called from his spot to the left.
"Just you wait bird boy, you'll be impressed." Came Tony's reply as he worked.
"Bird boy?" Clint murmured to Natasha as she laughed, the alcohol taking much longer to affect her, but finally getting to the red head.
"Ladies and gentlemen I would like to present to you my very own firework creation, much more extravagant than ever before."
"This should be good." Natasha commented dryly.
"It will be." Was his certain reply as a S.H.I.E.L.D Agent walked forward and lit the fuse, Tony returning to his seat.
Originally the firework was just a sudden stream of glowing silver light, shooting towards the stars at top speed. After what felt like forever, but was really just a few moments the light exploded into a thousand different colours with deep red lettering shining brighter than anything else:
'RIP Coulson'
Everyone was silent. There was no chatting, no drinking and no laughing. In fact, there was no noise whatsoever, all eyes up to the sky.
"Cheer's Stark." Was all Clint said, remembering his handler and everything they had been through in the past year. Not long afterwards the chimes of the clock signalled midnight, the start of a New Year and as the noise erupted in new York city and more fireworks filled the sky the avengers sat quietly together, three couples sharing private kisses to themselves. Their own way of remembering.
I really hope you enjoy this story :) Please read&review, it'd be much appreciated :)