A/N: This is just some Christmas fluffiness for y'all. I plan to post another chapter tomorrow and then the last the day following, should everything go as planned. =)

Happy Holidays to those who celebrate! I hope you all have a great weekend!

Tony was giddy.

There was really no other way to describe him. He fidgeted when he sat, however briefly, on the couch in the main area of his Tower, soon losing the limited self-control he needed to remain seated entirely and rising to his feet. Standing wasn't enough either, and he began to pace back and forth across the floor, his hands equally restless.

The behaviour could have been considered nervous or antsy, and perhaps he was those things as well, but the badly smothered smiles and unceasing glow in Anthony's bright brown eyes spoke of barely restrained excitement and eagerness.

Loki let him pace and fidget in silence for about ten minutes before he put down the tablet on which he'd been reading and sighed. "Anthony," he said patiently, "come sit down."

As he was stretched out across the length of one of the couches, the god pulled up his knees and sat up straight, turning to put his feet on the floor and patting the cushion next to him.

Anthony sat where Loki had indicated, still glowing with excitement and bouncing in his seat.

"What are you so worked up about?" Loki asked him fondly.

Anthony looked at him like he was insane. "It's Christmas Eve," he said flatly.

Loki smiled at him rather indulgently. "Yes, the Midgardian celebration to honour a child in a manger and a god in a red suit."

Tony snorted a laugh at Loki's description. "That's not what it's about."

"No?"

"No." He put on a highly dramatic air, "It's a time to spend time with family, with people you love. A time to give gifts and show how much you love one another." He paused. "A time for lots of sex and alcohol."

Loki rolled his eyes, but any annoyance in his eyes was entirely fond. "Yes, you've mentioned."

"I know you're not excited," Tony said softly, "but I hope you don't mind that I bought you something. I mean, all the other Avengers are going to be there, and Pepper and Rhodey, and I-"

Loki leaned forward and silenced him with a kiss. "Thank you," he said softly. "Of course I'm not upset that you bought me something. However, learning that all the rest of those miscreants are going to be here has rather adjusted my expectations of the day."

Tony grinned, knowing exactly where Loki's mind had gone, and also that the god was all too willing to put up with "those miscreants" since he also tended to refer to them as Tony's family. "They're not coming until dinner," he assured. "We have the morning all to ourselves."

Loki smiled sharply, his eyes glittering with mischief. "Excellent. I don't think my gift to you would be entirely appropriate for other company, after all."

Tony gazed at him in surprise. "Present? For me?"

Loki rolled his eyes, pulling the inventor against his side affectionately. "Yes, Anthony. Don't be foolish."

Tony just grinned into Loki's side. "What're you giving me?"

Loki smirked. "It's Christmas, Anthony." He looked down at the inventor and leaned over him, steadily pressing him further back into the couch and laying his body over him in a way that had Anthony panting heavily and looking up at him with hooded eyes. He moved so close to him that when he spoke, his lips brushed Anthony's. "It's a surprise," he whispered, before immediately withdrawing back to his tablet as though nothing had happened.

Tony glared at him and threw a pillow at the unruffled god. "You're mean," He pouted.

Loki smiled at him ever so gently. "But you love me anyway."

Tony really had nothing to say to that, and so he simply snuggled up next to Loki, reading over his shoulder for a moment. Terry Pratchett's book, which one, Tony had no idea. Loki loved them. He remained still and silent for approximately thirty seconds. "What're you giving me for Christmas?" he whispered, quiet and with the widest, most pleading and innocent eyes in the world.

Loki looked at him for a moment and then grinned openly. "You look like a puppy."

Tony dropped the expression and pouted at him instead. "Loookiiii!" he whined, uncaring if he was being childish.

Loki pulled him back into his arms and pressed a kiss to his forehead. "I think it's time for bed."

Tony looked utterly scandalized. "Bed? But-"

Loki effectively silenced him by putting his tongue in his mouth. "Enough," he said quietly. "Tomorrow will get here sooner the faster you go to sleep; is that not what you tell Midgardian children?"

"I'm not a child," Tony pouted petulantly.

Loki smirked. "And I am quite glad of it." He promptly picked Tony up bridal style and carried him to bed, ignoring his protests as he tucked him under the covers. "Hush now." He pressed another kiss to the top of his hair before climbing in with him and wrapping his arms around the squirming inventor.

Tony relaxed almost instantly, turning into a willing and compliant cuddle partner. "I'm not tired," he protested while he yawned.

Loki laughed softly, nuzzling into his hair while spooning him from behind. "Happy Christmas Eve, Anthony."