Thank you to those who have reviewed! Y'all are amazing! Thank you to those reading! You all are also amazing!

All disclaimers are on my profile.

Hope you enjoy! Let me know!

Banner stood on a ladder, stringing lights across the room. As he pinned the last strand to the ceiling, he turned to see the other Avengers throughout the tower.

Thor sat at the bar with another box of mini éclairs. He hadn't stopped eating them since they had come into the tower at the beginning of the month. Clint was hanging stockings from the fire-place Tony had installed when he remodeled the place. He had six of the seven stockings up so far.

The fight the day before seemed to have been forgotten as Natasha directed Steve and Tony where to position the tree so it stood straight. Unfortunately, they had been dealing with it for over an hour now, and tensions were beginning to run high. At least guns hadn't been pulled yet, and slurs were still holstered in their mouths.

After they had arrived home last night, Banner had watched as the group floated around the tower. All of them had remained in the living room as the frost from earlier arguments melted. Well, all of them except for Tony. He had retreated to his workshop and barred anyone from entering. This had gotten Banner thinking.

Tony had been the one to start the fight yesterday. Natasha had pointed to several Noble and Douglas Fir trees that would have all equally looked lovely in the tower. Tony had shot every last one of them down. When told to pick out the tree himself, he had half-heartedly pointed to depressed looking ones. When Natasha had finally spoken up about the issue, Tony turned the problem back on her.

Very Stark-esque.

Upon further reflection, he realized the entire fight had been centered on the very thing they now worked to make straight. Banner couldn't place it, but the tree seemed to hold special meaning to Tony. He didn't know why, however, Steve might hold the key.

As he descended the ladder, Steve stepped away from the tree. The man was clearly fed up with the entire process and excused himself to the kitchen. Thanking his few lucky stars, Banner pursued him there.

"Having fun yet, Cap?"

"Not enough." Steve grabbed a cup of coffee and leaned against the counter.

He approached him and crossed his arms. "I thought Christmas memories were all about these times?"

"With Natasha and Tony arguing every three seconds, I seem to forget we're supposed to be celebrating."

Banner moved a hand to the back of his neck. "I was wondering about that. Does Stark seem a bit—"

"Callous?" Steve offered up.

"In so many words."

"He's not direct about it, but he's definitely been a bit cruel lately."

"Why do you think that is?"

Steve shrugged. "Hard to say, Banner. I suppose he's dealing with something."

"What could he be dealing with? He's obviously shut the Pepper issue out. We can all see that she's been spending time with Happy."

"I think she's trying to get him to open his eyes." Steve remained quiet for a moment before letting out a soft sigh. "This conversation stays between us, Doctor?"

Banner nodded.

"Promise?"

"Promise, Steve. Not a word leaves my mouth."

Steve gently placed the mug on the counter and lowered his voice. "Starks been a bit tunnel minded lately. He's closed himself off from all of us. I can't figure out why. He won't say anything. I know he locks himself in his workshop, but he doesn't work on any projects. I've heard Pepper mention it in passing. I don't even think she knows. In all honesty, I'm not sure what could be setting him off. I haven't seen him react to anything."

"Anything but the tree."

"The tree?"

"Yesterday," Banner said, making himself a warm mug of coffee. "The fight between Natasha and him was due to that tree. He placed the blame on her, but he only got mad when she commented about him choosing a Charlie Brown tree."

Steve paused momentarily. "What kind of tree did they argue over?"

"What kind didn't they argue over? He turned down all of them."

"No, not all of them. What were the types Natasha had been suggesting, again?"

"Noble or Douglas."

Steve glanced about the room. His mind seemed to be running on all cylinders as he processed this information. "The tree he finally agreed to; the one we came home with. That's a Grand Fir, isn't it?"

"I guess so. That's what Tony said it was." Banner shrugged. "Does it matter?"

"He would choose the Grand Fir." Steve picked up his coffee mug and took a sip. He shook his head and looked at Banner. "This Christmas is going to be tough for all of us. We've been through a lot. I know it seems odd, but go easy on Stark. I don't know what he's dealing with, but it's probably not good."

Steve walked out of the kitchen as shouts from the living room rose. Natasha and Tony were arguing again, and whatever Steve thought was wrong with Tony, he kept to himself.

Banner sighed, and remained in the kitchen preferring to stay hidden while he drank his coffee.