Snowball Effect (Barroth and Barioth)

"I'm sorry." Bruce said sadly as he looked at the picture. "I can't. I'm not. I'm not an Avenger."

The massive, red-faced feline nudged him, careful to distance the small human frame from those tusks.

If only he wasn't inclined to answer every chance to help, Bruce wouldn't be in this situation. How does a Doberman even end up in the Gobi anyways? It took a transformation into Sand Barioth to realize he'd been played.

One old woman had noticed how the wyvern continued following the doctor throughout his travels, and she had told him about how animals are the best judges of character.

"Perhaps you should listen to what she wants. You could end up liking the surprise." Those were her last words before the medicine finally gave way to death.

The day before Christmas Eve, Bruce found himself en route to Manhattan.


After a week of having to deal with all of the bull the public is throwing the Avengers' way, Tony decides to treat the group to a most well-deserved day at the spa.

The only problem was, some terrorist assault decided that the spa the billionaire had in mind was the best place to plant a bomb.

So yet another vacation lost to fire and the need for a good deed.

What they didn't count on however, was that best way to cool down was to get cold.

It all began the coming winter in Central Park, when Tony decided that since Christmas was just around the corner, that a miracle worthy of Santa himself occurred.

Originally, the team thought Ziggura had just been digging a simple harmless hole in the snow. It wasn't until a familiar sound of growing muscle happened did they notice the Doberman-now a Jade Barroth-was now rolling around in the snow. And only when a certain someone appeared did the Brute Wyvern cease sliding around in the white blanket of frost.

Natasha couldn't believe her eyes. She had expected him to be somewhere in Mongolia right about now. But standing just a few feet across from her, looking worse for the wear, was Bruce, wearing the purple sweater Tony had given him, the brown jacket he received from Clint, the mittens Pepper knitted for him, the striped scarf Thor had picked out with assistance from his lady Jane, the pants Steve purchased with his S.H.I.E.L.D. pay, and finally the boots Natasha had sneaked him under the mistletoe.

After the Battle of New York, Bruce realized that these people were the closest he had to a family. And having to leave them, he realized, was a little selfish on his part.

He made the first move. "I know this was a bad time, but uh…I was brought here…kinda against my own will."

The scientist didn't look or sound like he'd just gone through a kidnapping. Then again, Ziggura didn't look like she'd gone missing for about nearly a month…wait a minute!

Everyone turned to said dog now turned giant alien dinosaur, who reacted to the attention by shaking the snow off her body. The group then realized she had actually plowed a perimeter in the shape of a star while they were busy gaping at Bruce.

"I adore you." Natasha said finally as she kissed him, and this time, there was no catch to that gesture. It was pure bliss for the both of them.

Tony didn't want to be left out. He affectionately patted his best friend's shoulder while telling him about other ways they could improve the world. It was the first time since Ultron that Bruce has ever genuinely laughed, and only Tony has the sole privilege of getting him to do that in the entirety of his life.

Clint and Thor suddenly broke out into song, and soon, their voices blended perfectly for a very Avengers Christmas carol montage. Steve was just content with expressing his joy at the good doctor's return.

And who's to say the new team didn't' get in on all the Christmas love.

They went home that night drenched in wet snow, but their spirits never burned brighter as they took in the fact that no matter where they were, or what they did, they would never be truly alone.