Tony yawned, stretching himself. He just finished working on the new Stark phone, trying to finish it before the end of the year. He still needed to run a few tests, but overall, he thought that he will manage. But now his back was starting to hurt and he was getting sleepy. Tony decided that it's enough for one day, and seeing that it's nearly midnight, he headed back to his and Steve's floor. He only wished that the Captain wasn't asleep yet. He could use a back rub.

As he went out from the elevator, he was startled how dark it was. He made a step further and slowly the whole living room was lit with Christmas lights, glowing with bright red, green and blue. A lot of them, wrapped around furniture, hanging on the walls together with garlands and Christmas wreaths. In the colorful light he saw that the floor was decorated with Christmas ornaments - and really cheesy ones, like plastic reindeer, plastic slays, the ones you can usually see in some people gardens. And in the corner was a massive Christmas tree. Since he started living on his own he never had a Christmas tree. Thank God that it wasn't decorated with American Flags. It was decorated with something colorful, looking closer he realized that it was candy in colorful wraps. He smelled some cinnamon and noticed that on the branches were hanging gingerbread cookies, candy canes and the whole tree was decorated with popcorn and cranberry garlands. There were even some small candy apples, gleaming gently with red. He smiled, finding this tree beautiful. It was a Christmas tree you could eat and Tony knew that it probably was every kids dream to have a tree like that. Still, it was decorated neatly, showing that the kid who decorated it had an artistic side. A kid who missed too many Holidays. He knew that kid. And then two strong hands wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer.

"You like it, babe?" Steve asked softly, nuzzling his ear. Tony nodded his head, but snap out of it, not letting his guard down. He was Tony Stark, he won't get sentimental over some tree.
"Steve, where did you get the money for all of this?"
"You told me that I can use your credit card for emergencies," Steve smiled.
"I meant broken-limbs kind of emergencies.." he sighed. Not that he begrudges Steve his money. He had plenty of that and was pretty sure that he won't even notice the money Steve spent on decorating their floor.

"Stop being a Grinch," Steve smiled, kissing his ear. Tony laughed at that.
"How do you know who Grinch is?"
"I bought some Christmas movies," he smiled sheepishly, rocking them gently. "Sorry, I got carried away.." Tony shook his head at that and turned to look at him.

"It's okay. I like it. But I think you went overboard with the garden decorations," he grinned. Steve blushed a bit.
"Oh.. These are for garden?"
"Yeah, but don't worry, we can put them on the roof. Maybe I'll get lucky and they will be blown away," he grinned more.

"So, can it stay?" Steve smiled at him. And how he was supposed to say no to that smile?
"Sure. As long as long as I will get some of these gingerbread cookies, it can stay," he pulled Steve's head down and kissed him. Captain got closer, kissing back.

"Babe, I need to tell you something more.." Tony looked at him, waiting for Steve to continue. Steve smiled sheepishly again. "You know that charity event your company organizes each year? Pepper called me and said that they need some people to dress up for Santa's village and.." Tony dropped his grin immediately and gaped at Steve. He wouldn't..

"Steve, if you signed me up to dress for an elf, Christmas or not, I will kill you.." he growled. Steve blinked surprised and laughed a bit.
"No, babe, of course not. Why would I do that?" he kissed his nose sweetly. Tony frowned.
"So what is it?"
"Well, they looked for someone to dress up as Santa and.."
"Did you sign Thor?" Tony smiled big. Somehow he found that hilarious for the first minute. But then he realized that Thor was a nice guy and would be perfect for this role. Maybe he should dress as an elf. Or as Rudolf. Thor-Rudolf and Clint-elf and he would have a happy Christmas.

Steve saw that Tony was drifting off and nipped his nose to get him back.
"Ow," he frowned slightly at the feeling. "Sorry, you were saying?" Steve smiled.
"Guess who will be Santa this year," he smiled brightly. Tony frowned deeper.

Christmas Day

"Hohoho, Merry Christmas!"

Tony stood in the back of the hallway, leaning over the wall. He was eyeing Santa Claus, as weird as it sounds. But he knew that under this red costume, fake beard and fake stomach, was his perfect soldier. And he could see that Steve was having a good time, hugging kids, giving them presents, and he saw that kids loved him too.

"Steve is such a nice guy, isn't he? He volunteered on his own," Tony didn't notice when Pepper stood next to him and smiled brightly at him. Tony sighed deeply.
"Tony? What's wrong?" she asked, looking concerned. Tony sighed again, eyeing Steve for the last time and turned his head to Pepper.
"Pepper, I never thought that I will say that but.. I want to bang Santa Claus," he narrowed his eyes, looking back at Steve.

Later that evening

"Come on, say it."
"Tony, I don't think.."
"Come on!"
"I need to get the costume back.."
"Just once!"

Steve sighed deeply at Tony's whining. He was still in Santa's costume and he was starting to feel uncomfortable with it. He looked at Tony, smiling playfully at him, but still with a hungry gleam in his eyes. Just this once…

"Were you naughty or nice?" Steve said without any enthusiasm and saw how a shiver ran down through Tony's body.
"Oh, I was naughty, very naughty.." he muttered, leaning on Captain, his hands traveling to Steve's back. The blonde started to laugh and pushed him gently to the back.

"Enough, I need to get myself out from this, then we can talk."
"I don't want to talk. And I can help you get out," Tony smiled, pulling his fake beard down, kissing him passionately. Steve kissed back, enjoying the moment. He pushed Tony on his back, kissing him more, and when Tony was breathless, he parted from the kiss.

"You wait here and when I get back, you will get your present," he smiled, rubbing Tony's chest and belly.
"Just.. Hurry up.." he moaned out. Steve looked at him for a while, feeling how his reserve was melting. Just like snow. Dammit.

"If something happens to this costume you can buy a new one, right?" Captain breathed out. Tony grinned big.
"All the costumes you want," he clung to Steve, rolling him on his back. He had a Christmas present to unwrap.