Natasha rubbed her eyes in awe of the many multi colored lights that now decorated the Avengers main floor. A beautiful REAL Christmas tree sat in the corner, decorated, with a truly well….angelic angel on the top. She had long flowing blonde hair and looked to be made of porcelain, her face gently glowing and she held a candle that glowed as if it were a real frame. The walls were ACTUALLY glowing; Stark had turned on some fibrotic light that made the walls dance with soft colors, and faint Christmas music was playing in the background.
"Holy-"Clint said behind her and she turned to see a goofy grin on his face. She also tried not to notice how the soft glowing lights reflected in his eyes, making her ice heart melt just a bit. "Natasha! Clint! Friend Tony has made the walls glow! I was not aware he was a sorcerer!" Natasha saw Thor looked in amazement at the truly mesmerizing dancing lights and smiled a rare smile. "He's not Thor, he just did a lot of work last night." She fell gracefully onto the couch and Clint was right behind her pulling her close as she took in the room.
Steve and Thor were sitting across from them, Thor were a look of admiration on his happy face and Steve with a look of gratitude. Everyone knew how Steve loved Christmas, even if he never said, and Tony had obviously went out of his way to make this a good Christmas for them all. Bruce was laid out on the couch a half smile on his face, next to Pepper. For once the red head had a frown on her face and Natasha immediately realized the problem. "Where's Tony?" she said genuinely confused at the man's absence. Surely he wouldn't agree to any meeting on Christmas Eve?
"He's hiding." Pepper replied biting her lip. Steve frowned and looked at her concerned. "Is something wrong Pepper? Is Tony alright? "She sighed." I don't think Tony knows it Christmas Eve. I honestly doubt he knows what week it is." Everyone looked at her confused. "What do you mean," Bruce began." He set all this up right?" Pepper nodded. "Yes, but he did it when we were all asleep to avoid us. Probably thought it was the week before Christmas or something. I thought….Obie had been kidding… but he told me Tony locked himself in his lab for pretty much all of December." Clint frowned. "Why, is he a scrooge or something?" Pepper shook her head, real worry on her face. "No. He's too kind about it for it to be that. I mean, he always left me Christmas presents ya know. I would go to my family's every Christmas, and whenever I got back a crazy thoughtful gift would be on my desk. It was one of the little quirks that kept me working for him. A mystery to be solved. One of the rare moments of love and kindness he had. Not to mention I know he spend a crazy amount of time on each of your presents. I don't think Tony hates Christmas…..I just think he believes he's not welcome."
Steve's eyes went wide as did Natasha's. "What!?Why?!" Pepper sighed sadly. "He's never had a Christmas. His parents were always gone, Obie hated Christmas…..and Tony didn't really ever have a family after his parents died when he was 17." Natasha and Clint nodded in understanding. "Well he does now, so let's go get him!" Bruce said determined. Pepper smiled widely at that. "Open your gifts first. I know it's only Christmas Eve, but I want you guys to see what I mean about his gifts. Because if you only got him a gift card (Yes Barton I'm looking at you.) I will end you."
