Natasha sat curled in the armchair by the window, looking out at the expanse of soft, grey afternoon sky that spread over the city. Far below, she saw the trucks, and Stark, directing the workmen. They were three hours later than they had promised with his greenery, and he was not happy about it. She could see his arms waving as he paced on the sidewalk and directed them to different rooms or floors of the Tower.

The corner of her mouth slid toward a smile.

Behind her, there was the pleasant humming murmur of voices. No frantic clicking of monitors, or march of regulated steps. No rush of jets coming or leaving. No expectations.

It had been too long since she'd taken leave from the base.

Clint's phone rang and he got up from the couch, tugging his phone from his pocket as he went, "Hey Honey…" He vanished out into the hall.

Steve remained on the couch, beside Wanda. She'd arrived only a few minutes before. She'd smiled at everyone as she'd come in, leaving bags of various grocery items behind the bar, but Natasha was unconvinced that she was happy to be here. There was something restless in the way she moved. Her hair was loose and she wore all black, with a red shawl draped around her shoulders, and silver jewelry slung around her neck and fingers.

Natasha had watched as both Steve and Clint had moved to establish their protection of her, each settling on one side of the couch she'd chosen and dragging their conversation along with them.

Beyond, in the wider room, Thor was sprawled on a couch of his own, "No," he was saying, "we did not find any, though none of us would have said if we had, else Stark would never have let us rest."

Sam laughed, "Sounds like Tony. Hey, you want anything?" he gestured back across the room with his thumb to the bar.

Loki stood on the far side of the bar, resting with his elbows on the wood and a drink in front of him, placidly watching the rest of them, taking in the quiet much as Natasha was doing. He was very still, and very blank as he watched, and Natasha wondered what went on in his head. She was slightly peeved at her inability to read him. She brought her knee up and rested one elbow on it.

Bruce had gone to lie down. After breakfast Tony had demanded that they tour the city, looking for a single place that had a light display to rival his own, and the subway had been a bit much for him.

"So…" she heard Steve try for the third or fourth time to start a conversation with Wanda, "how's school?"

Wanda tipped her head, almost smiling. "School's fine." She said. Then she moved her hand and the red tendrils of her magic gathered around it. She sent them across the room to the countertop of the bar, where a book was resting. She brought the book back to Steve and set it in his lap.

Steve looked at it, and looked at her.

Rising, Wanda smiled thinly. She patted his hand.

"Um," Steve shifted, "Thank you."

"Don't mention it." She went over to look out of the window.

The display had caught everyone's attention. Loki was amused, as was Sam, who was just coming out from behind the bar.

"Never gets old, Man," he chuckled. Natasha heard him pop the can he'd taken from the fridge. He leaned against bar, across from Loki, "You know," he took a drink, "One of these days, we should have the two of you fight."

Loki set his glass down and looked at him. "What?"

"You and Wanda," Sam laughed, "Just for fun, like a…wizard battle or something."

Loki regarded him for a beat, then very firmly said, "No."

"Get us all in the spirit, you know, a little red, a little green…"

Natasha watched with no little amusement as Loki revised his opinion of Sam Wilson to something distinctly less favorable.

"I'm just kidding, Man," Wilson laughed, "Are you really always like this?"

Loki favored him with a smile so sarcastic Stark would've been jealous, "I used to amuse myself with world subjugation."

"Oh ha ha," Wilson said, "very funny. Thor, is he always this much fun?"
Thor was still lying on the couch, flicking through some magazine he'd found. He only flicked a glance at Sam, "Yes."

Shaking her head, Natasha noticed that Steve was quiet, and she turned to see that he was watching Wanda, who remained standing, with one arm about herself and the other hand raised to her mouth, looking out the window. From her eyes, Natasha could tell she wasn't seeing the city.

Thor got up and went over to the bar. Loki poured him a drink.

"You know what," she heard Sam's voice from behind her. "I don't know how Tony drinks this stuff. I'm going downstairs, anybody want anything?"

Turning in her chair, Natasha peered down at the ground below at the traffic and the work trucks. She stretched one arm above her head and sighed. "I hope it snows," she said, to no one in particular. "It feels more like Christmas when it snows."

Steve gave her a relieved smile.

"I always loved the snow," Wanda murmured. "Pi –" she paused, and she glanced down. Then she glanced at Natasha and looked back out at the city, speaking more firmly, "Pietro and I, would go out to play in it. My mother always told us that Christmas snow, was magical." A soft smile tugged at her mouth, "She told us that it sped the travels of Ded Moroz and his sanki…" she traced her fingers across the glass, "She told us so many stories…"

"His what?" Steve asked. He rubbed his hands together, elbows on his knees.

Startled, Wanda turned. She looked at Steve, then past him at Sam who had paused, and was leaning against the back of Steve's couch. She seemed surprised that they were listening. For one moment she only looked at them, her lips pressed thin. Then she closed her eyes and she put her back to the window, so that she faced the room. Delicately, she moved to a chair.

"Ded Moroz," she said, settling herself on one bent knee, "He is…Grandfather Frost. He rides a sanki, pulled by white reindeer."

"A sled?" Steve asked.

"Yes," Wanda gave a thin smile. "Like a sled."

She raised graceful hands and traced images on the air, pictures of a red sleigh with golden bells, rushing through banks of snow, pulled effortlessly along by a white deer. An old man and a young girl stood within it.

Thor and Loki were talking in low voices, one leaning on either side of the bar. The images caught Thor's eye first. When Loki failed to notice it, Thor took his chin and turned his head towards them.

Wanda was not watching them. She moved her hands gently, manipulating the images.

Natasha shifted on her chair, "Kindof like Santa Clause," she explained.

Steve gave a slow nod. Sam didn't seem to have heard. Thor nodded, but she doubted that she'd helped it make any more sense to him, or to Loki. She thought their plight amusing.

"Yes," Wanda was watching her images, a little smile on her face. "Except that Ded Moroz goes out with his little granddaughter, Snegnrochka."

"The Snow Maiden." Natasha did not know if she had ever seen Wanda so at ease. It made her smile.

"She helps him to deliver the presents to the children," Wanda said. Her voice softened, "I would make Pietro pull me around on his sled, so that I could be her."

The image faded, thinned, and fell away.

"He told me I couldn't," she said, "because her hair was gold. But he played along anyway." She let her hands fall into her lap.

"You must miss him," Steve said.

Natasha pressed her lips together, willing Steve to stop.

"I do," Wanda said curtly. She laced her fingers together.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay," she gave a thin smile.

Steve did not seem to understand the tone. "If you ever want to talk," he started.

Natasha folded her hands, uncertain if Steve would respond better to mockery or some kind of sudden physical assault. He meant well. She knew he did. He was too pure for his own good and it would only drive Wanda further back.

Feeling the pressure of someone watching, Natash glanced up and saw Loki. He regarded her with his mouth quirked in one corner. He understood exactly what it was she was thinking, and he found it funny.

She glanced aside at Thor, who was staring at his own hands, a serious, set look to his mouth. It was the same look he'd worn those few times when they had spoken of Loki while Thor had believed him to be dead.

Loki followed her gaze and rolled his eyes.

"I know what it's like to lose somebody," Steve was telling Wanda, "Not that I have answers,"

"I know."

Wanda said it a little harshly. And Steve took the hint. He raised his hands, "Okay," he said.

Natasha turned better to face him, "Things a lot different," she asked him deliberately, "from when you were a kid?"

Steve sat back and the look he gave her made Natasha think he saw what she was doing. He raised his eyebrows and let out a long breath. "I mean," he said, "Not as much as you might expect. All the same things, just…All of it was done differently. There's more focus on gifts now, less on giving them, if that makes any sense."

"It is odd, this giving of gifts," Thor said from the bar. "In Asgard we have no such tradition."

"Alright," Sam clapped his hands against the back of the couch, "I'm really going this time, before this gets weird. Anybody want anything while I'm downstairs?"

"I'm good," Natasha said.

"Anybody else?"

Steve and Wanda shook their heads.

"Alright fine. Be back in a bit."

Steve turned to look at Thor, "You have Christmas?"

"Not 'Christmas', exactly," Thor set down his glass used one hand to put quotes around the word.

Natasha noticed Loki roll his eyes.

She smirked.

"But something like it?" Steve asked.

"We do indeed," Thor smiled, "In fact, my brother tells me that many of your Yuletide traditions stem from it."

"Oh, leave me out of it," Loki muttered.

"Why don't you tell us about it, Thor," Natasha suggested.

"There is much that could be told…"

"Seems like we've got time," Steve looked around at all of them for approval.

"Very well then," Thor decided. He came around the room and took a seat beside Steve on the couch.

Loki was watching incredulously from behind the bar.

"Your Yule Logs, for one," Thor began, "are not so different. And this idea," he raised one hand to indicate the boughs that had been festooned about the upped edges of the room, "of bringing trees within one's home. In, Asgard," he was resting his elbows on his knees and gestured openly with his hands, "as the days grow more cold, the ancient winters of our forefathers are remembered, and a great tree is chosen…"

Loki finally shook his head, took the last of his drink, set his glass on the bar, and left the room. Thor was momentarily distracted. Steve followed his look, then glanced at Natasha with his brows raised. She shook her head. She didn't deem Loki a threat at this time.

Steve accepted her assessment.

"A…great tree is chosen," Thor readjusted himself, "to symbolize Yggdrasil. You all," he looked at them searchingly, "You all know of Yggdrasil?"

Watching with her thumb nail in her teeth, Wanda gave a slow nod.

"Well," Steve chuckled, "More or less."

Natasha bobbed her head.

Thor smiled. "Well," he said. "The branches are all sawn off and the entire trunk," he held out his arms to indicate the size, "is hauled into the very center of the City itself. Runes of protection," he said, "and of prosperity are carved into its bark and the people may come and they draw – wishes, if you will – in among the rest. Then they go out and they gather boughs to lay across their doorways or to burn on their hearths, to draw the luck of the Yule Tree within their homes."

"That must really be a massive tree," Steve said.

"Oh it is," Thor answered, "The largest the AllFather's scouts can find. What remains of it is brought within the palace, and is burned through the…ah…the Drinking of Jol."

"Nothing like Asgardian revels," Clint commented from the doorway.

Wanda hadn't heard him coming. Her hand dropped a little and a smile brushed her eyes. She hid it the next moment, but Natasha had seen it, as had Clint.

"Barton!" Thor beamed, "Come," he beckoned, "Come."

Chuckling, Clint came in to join them, "What'd I miss?"

"They all asked for tales of Asgard's holiday traditions,"

"We really begged him," Natasha said.

Clint and settled himself on the arm of her chair. The side that was nearer Wanda.

"I can move," Natasha offered.

"I'm good," he shrugged.

"Yes," Thor said, "And revels are an integral part of every feast. Most especially the Jol."

"Sounds like my kind of party," Sam said, returning with the things he'd found, "What are we talking about?"

Wanda looked at her nail, "Jol."

Sam frowned.

"Asgardian Christmas," Natasha explained.

"Gotcha." Sam put a beer from the bag he'd brought on the counter, then tossed one to Clint.

"Please," Thor said, "Join us."

"Will do." Sam bent and put the beers in the fridge.

"And your custom of stockings," Thor continued, "Steve was telling me of it earlier. That is something we have in common as well. On the first day of the Romjol, when the Great Tree is felled, the children all leave out their shoes, in hopes that the Jolasveinarnir –"

"The –" Steve shook his head, holding up one hand, "You've lost me."

"Yeah," Sam nodded. He lowered himself slowly onto the couch, watching Thor suspiciously, "likewise."

"Roughly translated…" Thor considered, "Yule Lads," he decided. "They are the sons of trolls who live in the mountains and come down," he made his fingers walk in the air, "but once a year, leaving gifts behind for all the good children as they come." He held one hand palm up and pretended to hide something inside of it with the other. Then he realized that no one understood what he was doing. "In their shoes," he explained.

"So wait," Clint coughed, squinting as he lowered his beer, "They're real?"

Thor laughed, "Barton," he said, "It is a tale told for children."

"Well," Steve said, "we can never be certain these days, Thor. Not that long ago most of us thought you were a tale for children."

"Yeah, those of us who had even heard of you." Sam muttered. "No offense."

"None taken. It is true enough…" Thor laughed, "That is true enough."

"So you're telling me," Sam said. "That even Asgard has its own idea of Santa Clause?"

"I know not. Loki would know better than I." Thor glanced behind to where Loki had been standing, but he was still absent.

"Leaves presents for good children," Clint waved one hand, "Lives where it's cold." He wavered on his perch and caught himself.

Natasha eyed him, "I can still move."

"I'm good."

"I don't want you falling on me, Barton."

"That's near enough," Thor nodded his head. "It seems we –"

"We're leaving." Loki plunged into the room.

Thor straightened.

Natasha tensed.

"Why, Brother," Thor said, "What has happened?"

Loki's eyes flashed. "You didn't think to tell me?" he snarled, "Even you're not fool as that."

"Tell you…" Thor frowned, he looked to Steve, then Natasha, then back at Loki, "What?"

"You know very well who!"

Thor looked at him for one moment, utterly bemused, then the look faded and changed, and slowly all the tension left him, and he began to smile. Natasha had grown to trust Thor's judgement, especially where Loki was concerned, but she relaxed only marginally.

Loki watched this progression, his own temper cooling to a tight jaw and a scowl. He folded his arms. "It's not funny, Thor."

Clint watched the two of them, his face very blank.

Thor nodded his head, considering. "I think that is purely a matter of opinion," he decided. His eyes sparkled.

Movement from the corner of her eye caught Natasha's attention. But far from readying to strike, she saw that Wanda had relaxed, rolling her eyes and settling her chin in her palm as she turned her attention again to the window.

Loki gave an impatient breath, "I demand you take me home."

Frowning, Natasha looked to Steve.

"Wait," Steve said, putting up his hands, "What is happening?"

Neither Thor nor Loki paid him any attention.

Leaning back against the couch, Thor traced a finger around the rim of his glass, "You swore," he smiled.

"At the time," Loki answered, his voice the low purr that Natasha recognized from mission. It made the hair on the back of her neck stand up. "I had no idea that he would be here. And you did. You deliberately misled me and thus," he flicked one wrist, "our accord is rendered null and void."

Thor did not look at him. "I, did not," he said lowly. "And even if I had, Stark is Host, and, as such, has the right to invite whomever he chooses into his home." Shifting in his seat, Thor turned his face up to look at his brother, "I was just telling them," he continued, placidly, "about the Jolasveinarnir, and Samuel,"

Sam made a face.

"was wondering if they are anything akin in concept to their 'Santa Clause'."

Loki did not break eye contact with Thor, but stood beside the couch with his arms folded and face blank. His eyes glowed.

"No," he said finally, "Unless their 'Santa Clause' capers about for a month or more, causing mayhem where goods are not left him."

"We…" Clint blinked, glancing at Natasha, then at Wanda, "leave…cookies…I guess…"

"Mm." Loki still did not look away from Thor, "More alike than I realized. Now. Thor –"

"Wait," Sam interrupted.

Natasha saw Loki's mouth press thin. Her hand tightened on the armrest of her chair.

Sam did not appear to notice, "Wait one minute," he set his beer on the coffee table, "Let me see if I get this straight. Kids in Asgard leave…food, out for these…trolls, every night for a month and they, leave the kids presents, every time?"

"No." Loki turned to face Sam, "The presents come once. The rest is bribery to keep the damages done to a minimum." He gave Sam a thin, sarcastic smile.

"And the parents," Clint looked at both Thor and Loki skeptically.

Thor smiled encouragement.

Loki had turned back towards his brother and was staring at Thor, with his mouth a gash in his face.

"As a dad, I'm curious–" Clint said, "The parents just go along with it? For a month?"

"Damn," Sam looked at him, "I thought one night was hard enough."

"Well –" Thor chuckled amiably.

Loki interrupted him, "The difference being that your 'Santa Clause' is a fable for children. Thor –"

"Wait," Sam choked on a laugh.

Natasha saw Loki's hand close into a slow fist.

"Guys…" she murmured.

"So, you're saying, that you believe your 'Christmas Boys' – or whatever – are real?"

Loki swiveled his head to look at him, "Of course they are."

Sam started laughing, and Loki frowned. "Never mind. Thor," he rounded on his brother, "We're leaving."

"No," Thor traced his finger in a ring of condensation on the tabletop, dragging the moment out. Loki made no perceptible move, but his eyes glinted brighter and more deadly with every passing second. Thor raised his head and looked at him, "We're not."

"You do not get to lie to me." Loki said, low and dangerous. "Not again. You knew he would be here, and we are going home."

Thor snorted, "I do not lie," he said, giving Loki a quick upward glance, "certainly not to you and you know that. Stark informed me that he had assembled the Avengers. No more," he offered Loki a little smile, "and no less."

Loki only looked at him. His jaw clenched. Natasha assumed that his lack of further argument must mean that he thought Thor was telling the truth.

"What is it that's got you so fired up?" Steve asked.

Loki rounded on him, "Silence!" he shouted, eyes flashing, "I will not take this from you. Any of you!"

"Loki always liked the stories Mother would tell about the Jolasveinarnir," Thor said implacably, "For several years," he rubbed his chin, "I think he rather fancied himself to be one."

"Shut up!"

"I must confess, Brother," Thor tipped his chin up, "I do not understand what has gotten you so upset."

"Oh don't you –" Loki's hands were fists again, and green tendrils were forming around them.

"Guys," Natasha said, louder this time.

"No, I do not," Thor coolly cut him off, "Also," he looked at the group, dismissing his brother entirely, "your custom of a sleigh –"

"Will you stop that?"

"Well aren't we in the Christmas spirit," a voice interrupted.

Tony looked them all over, with his eyebrows raised like he was wondering how they could be so ill-bred. He stood in the doorway, with his latest guest behind him.

Natasha recognized the man standing behind Stark from the News. Recognizing him, she began to understand why Loki might have become so upset. Her muscles uncoiled as she started to smile.

"All right," Tony clapped his hands, "Now that I've got everyone's attention. Guys, ladies, I'd like to introduce Doctor Stephen Strange," he gripped the man by the back of both shoulders, maneuvering the stranger into the room, "Emphasis on the doctor, everyone."

Stephen gave a shrugging kind of smile, raising one hand in a little wave, "Hello, everyone."

"Former-brain surgeon, turned..." Stark grimaced, "magician after an unfortunate…texting-while-driving accident." He raised one finger, looking from face to face, "They really do happen, people, and not everyone gets super powers afterwards. Wanda."

She smiled mirthlessly.

Tony clapped the man on the shoulder, "He's a new/old friend of mine. I expect everybody to play nice. What's your title again now?"
"I am," the man hesitated, "…Master of the New York Sanctum," he decided, reluctantly.

"Yup," Stark patted his shoulder again, "Magic. So, he's stationed here in New York. Strange," he gestured expansively at the room, "Avengers. Avengers," he tipped one hand to his guest, "Dr. Strange."

Steve had gotten up and he went forward, holding out a hand, "Dr. Strange," he said, "It's an honor."

"Likewise," he smiled, "Captain America."

"Thor you know," Tony said.

"Well met, Stephen Strange!" Thor grinned, "It has been some time."

The man inclined his head, "Too long, Thor."

"And Loki – something tells me you've met him before too," Tony pointed, "hackles down, Boy," to Strange he said, "He doesn't bite…eh," he shrugged, "much. These days. Dad's got him on a, eh, short leash."

Loki was standing rigidly beside the couch where Thor was sprawled. He'd folded his arms. "Strange," he said, without inclining his chin an inch.

Strange seemed to find this funny. His mouth twitched as he tipped his head, "Loki."

"Dr. Banner should be here someplace," Tony searched.

"He went to his room." Natasha supplied.

"He went to his room." Tony repeated incredulously, "Slacker. That one's Natasha – or, as she usually introduces herself, 'Miss Rushman'. Don't," he leaned in conspiratorially, "trust her."

"You ever gonna let that go?" Natasha smiled at him.

"Mm," Stark grimaced, "No. Wanda –"

"We've met." She only looked briefly in Strange's direction. She was worrying at one nail, looking out the window distractedly.

"Ooo-kay. Story there," Tony decided. "And I expect to hear it. Later. That's Barton… Wilson… I'm tired of this. They'll introduce themselves."

He pivoted, lifting one foot as he turned to go behind the bar, but abruptly caught himself and whirled back, his face suddenly drawn as though in pain or intense anxiety.

Natasha tensed.

"Where the hell," Tony asked, gripping the side of the bar with one hand, "is Scott? He was here. I saw him."

"I left Tic-Tac downstairs," Sam said, raising one hand, "Don't worry about him. He's fine. On the phone with his…wife or something."

Sam and Steve went on to explain to the bemused sorcerer the drawbacks of Ant Man's abilities, while Tony rubbed a hand up and down his face muttering questions as to why no one ever told him those things.

"But we gotta go back," Sam said.

"Thor was telling us about the Asgardian equivalent of Christmas," Steve told Strange.

"Yeah," Sam agreed, "And it was just getting interesting," he grinned, dropping onto the couch, "what with Loki still believing in Santa Clause and all."

Clint snorted a laugh.

"Shut up." Loki snarled. Turning on his heel he paced stiff-legged toward the door.

"Aw, come on," Sam laughed, turning to call after him, "I was just playing,"

"Uh-uh." Stark put out one arm to block Loki's path. "Nobody leaves till I see Scott."

Loki stopped rigidly inches from Tony's outstretched arm. "Stark," he growled, "Let. Me. Pass."

"Mmmnope." Tony shook his head, "No can do."

"You have no right –"

"Mm," Tony tipped his head and raised one finger, "Host's right. If I, remember, correctly. Thor, do I remember correctly?"

Thor chuckled.

"You stay out of this," Loki hissed at Thor.

"You," Tony snapped his fingers dangerously near Loki's face, "Hey. Front-and-center. Thank you. My house. My rules. Find a seat."

Loki levelled a look at him. "Fine." He spat. And between one moment and the next, he'd vanished from the spot, and appeared on the far side of the room, beside an armchair that Natasha noted had both a good view of the rest of the room and was simultaneously removed from everyone else. She wasn't surprised.

"Not to mention," Tony blinked, recovering from the momentary surprise such displays still elicited, "my appallingly tiny compatriot who is easily…step-on-able."

Natasha watched as, stiffly, Loki lowered himself onto the seat, and turned his head to look out the window and very publicly ignore everyone else.

At Stark's direction, Strange came into the room, taking a place near Wanda. Natasha watched the quick surprise that flared in her eyes, then the smile that she just as quickly hid with her hand and a quick toss of her head.

"What I'm curious about," Steve said, settling himself back on the couch, "Thor, is what your Yule, or Yole or whatever it is you call it…is actually about. You see," he rubbed the back of his neck, "Christmas – as it's shown commercially – is all about Santa Clause and the Christmas Tree. But at its roots it's the celebration of the birth of – well – of the God-Man, come to Earth to save…" he gestured vaguely, "humanity, I guess. I'm," he looked at Thor almost apologetically, "not sure how much of this you know,"

Thor was sitting back on the couch, pensive as he stroked his beard, "Yes," he nodded his head, "Yes. The history you speak of is not wholly...strange…to me." Searching the room he found the sorcerer, "No offense intended, my friend."

Across the room, sprawled in the armchair, Loki scoffed.

Strange gave him an obliging smile, "None taken, Thor."

Shaking his head, Loki got up and went across the room to the bar. He slid dangerously close to Tony, who was braced in the doorway, blocking it as completely as he could and glaring suspiciously at him. Loki didn't so much as make eye contact.

"History?" Clint asked, bringing Natasha back. She shifted in the chair, leaning back against the smooth leather as she coaxed herself to relax. "Not 'legends' or 'myths'. You mean you – the 'God of Thunder' – buy all that?"

Thor looked at him with a small frown. "You don't?"

Natasha craned her neck back to look at Clint as he answered.

He raised his hands like a surrender, "All I'm saying is that it seems a little unlikely for you…" he gestured with one hand, then, losing his drift, he laughed. "Considering your…station…" he explained.

"Yeah," Sam said, "I get where he's going."

"Ah," Thor nodded his head, "I see." He stared pensively into the bottom of his glass.

Behind the bar, Loki was pouring scotch. He served himself a glass. A full glass.

"Woah now," Tony said, "Isn't that a bit much? Even for you?"

"Hush now," Loki purred, moving the bottle on the bar out of Tony's reach. The smile he flashed was sticky-sweet, "The grown-ups are talking."

"Well," Thor said, as though coming to a decision.

Loki rested his elbows on the bar and watched him.

Thor raised his head. He looked at all of them. "What grounds have I not to believe?"

Furtively looking at Loki and stretching out his arm as far as he could so as to maintain contact with the doorframe, Tony leaned over, then snatched out a hand to steal back the scotch. Still watching Loki suspiciously, he hid the bottle on the shelf nearer him behind a stack of dusty books. "Is very bad to steal Jobu's rum," he muttered.

Loki did not turn his head or give any sign that he'd noticed, but Natasha could have sworn she saw one corner of his mouth twitch.

Tossing her head a little to shake off her own impulse to laugh, she turned her attention back to Thor.

"'Believe'? That's a strong word." Steve was saying. He looked impressed.

"Perhaps," Thor mused. "But you see," spreading his hands, he smiled, "it bears little consequence for me either way."

Steve sat a little straighter.

"Oh here it comes," Sam laughed.

"I don't know if I buy that," Steve said. He glanced at the others, "Just one second guys. Now," he turned his attention back to Thor, "I don't claim to be anything I'm not. I'm just a boy from Brooklyn whose mom took him to Church. And I get that people had no idea you even existed back then. But I was under the impression that Jesus Christ came for all. Not just all humans, but all who are – you know," he gestured a little vaguely, "alive."

Thor nodded. "Indeed," he said, "that would be quite generous of him. And perhaps he did. But the Nine Realms are ruled by many forces." He held up one hand, "I do not say many gods, but many forces. Perhaps your Christian God is one of them, perhaps ruler of them all. I know not, nor do I care. Perhaps it is not the best way," he allowed, "but I know my place in the Realms, and I know my purpose. Is that…explanation enough for you?"

"Okay," Steve sat back. "Yeah," he nodded, "I think it is."

"Weirdly enough," Clint glanced down at Natasha, "That actually makes…sense." He swiveled his head to look at Loki, "Are you in on this too?"

Loki was looking up at the ceiling. Languidly, he closed his eyes. "Every word," he drawled.

Natasha thought about that for a moment. Then she smiled. "You missed your calling, Thor," she said. "You should have been a teacher."

Behind the bar, she heard Loki choke on his drink.

Her mouth tipped and she glanced up at Clint who nodded appreciatively.

Behind the sound of Loki's coughing, she heard Tony snort from the doorway, "Bet that burns, doesn't it Daddy?"

Thor smiled at her. Then he set his drink down once more on the coffee table and rested his elbows on his knees.

"In, Asgard," he rubbed his hands together, "we are ruled by a sequence of events that will eventually conclude with Ragnarok, and, ultimately, begin anew. Much like the four seasons you suffer here."

"Barring the utter extinction of all beings alive at the time," Loki muttered, "But yes, barring that inconsequential detail…"

Thor didn't seem to have heard him. "Come the Jol," he gestured openly with his hands, "we celebrate for three weeks – which is roughly equivalent to four of yours –"

Sam raised one hand, looking from Thor to Loki and back again, "How long is an Asgardian week?"

"Nine days," Loki said.

Sam looked at him dryly.

Loki did not break eye contact.

Sam shook his head, "Of course."

Stark looked up from the screen of his phone. He had his back braced against one side of the doorframe, and his foot up against the other. "You surprised?" he asked. "They are obsessed with nines. It's a…weird…Viking fetish."

"For three weeks," Thor continued, ignoring them, "we celebrate that cycle, and we do what we can, through ancient superstition and practice, to delay its culmination. The Day of the Tree is the beginning, but it is the final three," he held up three fingers, "those that take place at the very end of the Romjul, that are the most important. Each bears its own aspect of the cycle we celebrate.

"The first," he said, "is the night of the Jolaria – what some of your ancestors knew as the night of the…" floundering a little, he looked to Loki for help.

The look he leveled at Thor was somewhere directly between amusement and annoyance. "The Wild Hunt?" he said, finally. His brief altercation with Stark seemed to have drastically lightened his mood.

"Yes." Thor said. "The Wild Hunt. The AllFather leads all the men of the palace who are of age and can be spared on a hunt for saehrimnir, which are a species not unlike the Midgardian boar, but nearer the size of a horse. Huge fires are burned, and the children dress as nisser, or dwarves, or trolls to go Julebukk door-to-door –"

"Yool-buck?" Wanda sat straighter. Her nose scrunched up on her face. She looked searchingly at Strange, tipping one palm, but he only shrugged.

Thor had been a little caught up in what he was saying. He blinked at Wanda for a moment.

Loki came lazily to his rescue, "Christmas-goating." He grimaced. "For lack of a better translation."

Natasha watched him, newly interested. She hadn't expected him to pitch in. She rubbed the back of her neck, flicking her fingers through the ends of her hair.

Sam turned, "Goating."

Loki was looking only at Wanda, "The children are sent door-to-door for…" he waved a noncommittal hand, "sweets."

Natasha wondered if he was jealous of all the attention Thor's lecture was gaining him, or if the Scotch was beginning to alter the more reticent aspects of his personality.

"So they go trick-or-treating." Tony said from the doorway. He glanced from his phone, "What?" he asked, "I'm listening."

Thor frowned at him, shaking his head, "I don't…"

Sam held up one hand to stop him, "Why the costumes?" he asked.

"Well," Thor laughed like that was obvious, "there are the Jolasveinarnir, draugr, and all manner of smafolk about on that night, as the stories go. So, the children, who are of their size, dress accordingly, that they might not be harmed or taken by them. And none," he laughed, shaking his head, "go out after dark."

Clint set down his drink. "Drow-what?"

"Spirits of the dead." Strange translated.

They all looked at him.

He shrugged, "I come across a lot of languages in my…line of work."

"The esteemed citizens of Asgard go trick-or-treating." Tony repeated.

"Okay," Steve nodded like he was trying to find a way for that to make sense in his head, "Night One is…that," he smiled, "What's on Night Two?"

"Modhranit." Thor said proudly. "A celebration of the mother. All, life," he explained, punctuating the words with his hand, "begins with the mother. Each individual life, as well as the life of the Realms."

Tony turned his head against the wood of the doorframe to level a very dry look at Thor. "You go from Halloween to – and why is it I'm not surprised? – Mother's Day?" he gave a scoffing laugh. "And what, pray elaborate, the hell, happened to the 'Spirits of the Damned'?"

"Yeah," Natasha shifted in her chair, "that does seem like a pretty drastic shift, Thor."

"You misunderstand," Thor said, "Motherhood, to us, is a fierce thing."

Sam whistled.

Loki gave him a disapproving look. "In our legends," he said. "Night is mother to Day, and Death to Life. The Norns are mothers to Time, without which History would be impossible. Monstrous mothers can be…wooed, placated, to bring forth what is necessary for life. The 'Spirits of the Damned' birth the Spirits of Life," he looked sarcastically at Sam, "It's not some insipid platitude on a greeting card."

From the doorframe, Tony was staring at him. Slowly, he raised one hand. "Over here," he said, "In the back."

Loki didn't turn his head. "Did you have a question, Stark?"

"Yeah," Tony said. "What is your mother like?" He laughed. He gestured at Thor, "I understand why you want to keep her happy. I mean, if this is what it takes, Buddy, I'm cool."

"Our Realm has none but its own strength to protect it," Loki snapped at Stark, his eyes flashing, "Unlike yours that has protectors."

"Oh," Tony drawled, "Funny you – of all people – should bring that up. 'Cause Asgard's done such a good job protecting us in the past."

"Stark," Thor growled.

"Woah, woah," Steve stood up, holding out his arms like he meant to hold the three of them apart, "That's enough guys. Now's not the time. Are we really gonna do this?"

"Do what?" Stark asked, "I'm not doing anything. I'm just," he lifted his phone and went back to studying it.

"Loki?"

Loki was leaning on the bar with his eyes fixed on the window and his teeth locked. He said nothing.

Glancing up, Natasha met Clint's look, and he shrugged.

Wanda was watching Loki with a peculiar look in her eyes, like the one she got when she was reading someone for the first time.

"Okay." Steve said. He turned back to Thor, "And I don't know if I even wanna ask, but what have you got," he sat back down, "up your sleeves for the Third Night?"

Thor was watching Tony, a spark smoldering in his electric eyes. But he turned his head, smoothing the look away as he looked at Steve. "Nyarsdagur," he said. "The birth of the New Sun, and, at nightfall, the sending away of the creatures of Night that have visited us for the Romjul." Lifting his glass with an air of finality, he took a drink.

"So," Strange shifted on his chair, crossing his legs, and resting his chin against his fist, "you celebrate Halloween, Mother's Day and New Year's Day, all under the name of a festival we call "Christmas'?"

Thor looked at him. "Yes," he said.

"That's fascinating."

"We can say many things about them," Tony said, pocketing his phone and shifting in the doorway. "We can't say they're not efficient."

As he moved, a hand came around and tapped at his shoulder.

He yelped, jumping out of the way of Pepper, who stood in the doorway behind him.

"Don't do that to me," he gasped, one hand to his chest. "And – just for future reference – that's not ten minutes."

"Hello everyone!" Pepper greeted the room. She kissed Tony on the cheek as she passed him, coming to set a grocery bag down behind the bar.

"Stephen," she waved, letting her hair down, "Wanda, how are you?"

"You," Tony faltered. He almost let go of the doorframe to follow her before he remembered himself. "You do know you very nearly scared the life out of me."

She moved in near him like an embrace, but Natasha was near enough that she heard her whisper, "When did you go to bed last night?"

"Didn't. Great Scott!" Tony exclaimed, straightening from the doorframe, "It's Scott!" He clapped an arm around Scott Lang's shoulders.

Lang gave a dry laugh and an awkward little wave, "Hi, everyone," he said.

"I thought I'd killed you," Tony told him, gripping his shoulder. "So, so glad I was mistaken. You have no idea."

"Well, I'm," Scott gave a lop-sided smile, "glad not to be killed, Iron Man."

"Yeah, it's a lot of paper work." Tony led him into the room, "Thor was just telling us about Asgard-Christmas."

Pepper ran a hand through her hair, shaking it out. "You have Christmas?" she asked.

Scott looked like a kid who had just been told that Disneyland was only the beginning, "Seriously?" he asked.

Thor nodded, "We do," he smiled politely, but Natasha felt that the joy had gone out of story-telling for him after their near-argument.

"Yes," Tony said. "And Mother's Day, and Halloween, and New Year's," he moved his hands like he was balling up a wad of papers, "All at once!"

"Oh," Pepper looked from Thor, to Loki who was still standing on the inside of the bar with a sulky look on his face, "Oh my," she laughed. Then she thought of something and she looked in some concern at Thor, "Won't your mother miss you if you're…" she asked, "here?"

"Oh no," Thor shook his great blonde head, smiling amiably at her, "The Joldrikkju is not for several weeks yet."

"The…" Scott started, then he shook his head, "Never mind. So…" he bounced on his heels, "…are we…?"

"Movie Night!" Tony decided. He set his glass down hard behind the bar and moved out into the room. Walking backward, he pointed at Pepper, "My house, my rules,' he said. "And Thunder-Strike's never seen a Christmas Special, have you, Buddy?"

"No," Thor grinned, "No I have not."

"And what abou – Where'd he go?"

Loki had disappeared.

"I'll get him." Natasha said. She pushed her self half out of the chair. Tony was looking at her like she was out of her mind. "And Bruce," she recovered, giving a loose shrug. "You guys settle on what we're watching."

Tony snapped his fingers. "Excellent. Because all you guys need a serious dose of 'Christmas Spirit'. I've never seen a more doleful crowd. But I'm picking the Special."

She heard Pepper sigh, "Tony,"

"Okay. If High Kings get prima nocta then I get Movie Pick. Is that really –"

As Natasha got up and went past Thor, he touched her hand. She paused.

"Thank you," he said.

Giving him a soft smile, she nodded her head.

Long chapter ;) Sorry it took so long for me to get it to you.

Of the song's I've chosen for titles on this fic, this one is actually a song I like. It's by Dropkick Murpheys, for anybody interested.

Two notes on the text: I wrote the draft for this last summer. The only thing I'd heard about the Loki/Dr. Strange relationship was that Loki was "unimpressed" with him. I thought it would be funnier this way.

"Jol" came from a bunch of Wikepedia articles about Christmas/Yuletide traditions, coupled with an amazing site I found for those of us interested in Nordic traditions (htt*p:/*/freya.*the*lady*of*the*labyrinth.*com/?page_id=397) remove asterisks. It'll take you to the page I used for this chapter.

Hope you all had a great Christmas and had/continue to have a wonderful New Year!