Tony sat in his lab, listening to his mom's old vinyl Christmas albums, absently sipping on a scotch. Oh, the memories this brought back. He remembered his mother would dance with him to the song "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree", spinning and hopping until both she and her son were breathless and laughing. Tony grinned and set down his glass. Those were one of the only good memories he had from his childhood. He heard the doors open, and he stopped the record.
Anneliese and Loki stepped into sight, both looking irritated. This couldn't be good. Tony met them halfway across the lab.
"What's going on, guys?" he asked. Loki shook his head. Anneliese looked a little more willing to answer.
"It seems our archer friend has taken to nicknames again, and Loki has had enough for the day. I was hoping to get him somewhere where he could cool his temper before something regrettable occurs." Tony nodded.
"I see. What'd he call you this time?"
"Reindeer Games. I fail to see what that has to do with me." Loki hissed. Tony paused a second.
"Do you promise not to freak out and kill me if I showed you what it's from?" Loki regarded the billionaire with veiled disdain.
"I make no promises, but I shall try to control myself." Tony nodded.
"Fair enough." He dropped the needle and waited for the song to start.
"You know Dancer and Dasher,
And Prancer and Vixen…
Comet and Cupid
And Donner and Blitzen
But do you recall
The most famous reindeer of all?
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
Had a very shiny nose.
And if you ever saw it
You would even say it glows
All of the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names
They never let poor Rudolph
Join in any reindeer games."
Tony lifted the needle.
"Get it now?" he asked. Loki looked torn between fury and amusement.
"Yes. I suppose I do. It was the helmet, wasn't it?" he mused. Tony laughed.
"Yeah, definitely the helmet." A smile spread across Loki's face.
"Could I hear the rest of the song please?"