Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.

Challenges listed at the bottom.

Word Count: 1541

AN: I've handwaved my way past the accords and Thanos, so read this as a post everything/everyone lives fic :P It's almost Christmas and I wanted some happy, okay?


Practice Makes Perfect


Steve stood off to the side, leaning against the wall with a tumbler of punch held loosely in his hand. The SHIELD Christmas party wasn't exactly his idea of a good time, but it was better than the slew of Gala's he'd been instructed to attend over the last twenty three days.

As soon as December hit, apparently the elite of New York's social circles were only happy if they had a party of some sort every night of the week.

Now it was Christmas eve, and Steve was looking forward to going home to the tower, to waking up in the morning and spending the day with his team; all of his team. It would be the first Christmas they'd spent together for three years, and he just wanted it to go well.

That was his Christmas wish, if such a thing were guaranteed.

Glancing around the large room, Steve chuckled to himself when he saw Sam and Bucky dancing together on the edge of the dancefloor, looking awkwardly happy as they tried to work out who was leading.

They were adorable—not that he'd ever tell them—as they tried to work out their relationship. It was an odd mixture of respect, lush, and an unhealthy amount of shit talking one another, but they seemed to enjoy it.

At least Buck had fallen for someone attainable. Steve hadn't been that smart.

He found Natasha and Clint easily by the wall, talking to some of the younger agents. From the bemused looks on their faces, Clint was telling tales of his past exploits. It was worse because almost all of them were true.

Thor was sitting with Bruce, as was quite usual these days. Whatever had happened between them in space, they were closer than they'd ever been. It was nice to see; Bruce wasn't as afraid of Thor as he was others, because Thor could handle every aspect of him.

The Guardians—an odd, but nice enough group—were clustered together in the corner, though they looked comfortable in their surroundings. Captain Marvel stood with Colonel Rhodes and Miss Potts, and it was only then that Steve realised that he hadn't seen Tony on his glance around the hall.

He'd seen him earlier, drifting from group to group, the life and soul as he always was. He'd laughed loudly, clapping backs and shaking hands, grinning widely as he embraced friends and greeted acquaintances.

Now though, he was absent, and Steve couldn't help but wonder where he'd gone.

Tony had been different since Thanos' attack, and not just because he'd been pretty viciously injured. Despite Helen's work, Tony still didn't seem the same, though he'd assured the team he was fit and well and better than ever.

Physically, that could possibly have been true.

Steve didn't really understand a lot about Extremis, but it seemed to have given Tony what he needed to live, and so Steve was just grateful for it.

They'd sat down, just the two of them, for the difficult conversation they'd known was coming about the Accords, and Bucky, and the whole mess of the 'Civil War'. Only, it wasn't that difficult.

They spoke for hours, first about their issues, and then later about what they'd been doing during their separation. Steve had been grateful that they could still talk, and even more so that Tony seemed open to their still being friends, despite what had gone on between them.

Now though, he was concerned. Tony didn't usually leave parties midway through, especially not when it was a party filled with friends and people he didn't actively hate.

Steve pushed himself off the wall and wandered around the edge of the room, looking for any sign of him. When he didn't find him, he slipped from the room and found a balcony off to the side of the entrance, the door slightly open.

Twisting his lips, Steve slowly approached the door, and peered out, somewhat unsurprised to see Tony leaning against the railing, looking out at the city.

"I wondered where you'd got too," Steve said, his tone soft.

Tony looked back over his shoulder and smiled. "Someone spiked the punch. I uh. Wasn't expecting it."

"Who spiked the punch?" Steve asked, his hackles raising. They all knew—hell, the world knew—how hard Tony had been trying to stop drinking, and for someone to do something so insensitive made him so angry.

"Stow your anger, Cap," Tony said, waving him off. "It's what people do, you know? You can't expect people to make concessions the whole time, just because I'm a special snowflake."

"The hell I can't," Steve muttered, stepping through the door onto the balcony. "You're okay though, right?"

"I'm fine," Tony confirmed. He shivered when a gust of wind blew their way, and Steve itched to wrap his arm around the slimmer shoulders. "Winter's so cold this year. Feels colder than it normally does."

"I think we just forget how cold it gets, during the summer. It's always a shock to the system when winter rolls around," Steve replied, smiling slightly. "Do you want my jacket? You know I run hotter than most."

Tony shook his head, but Steve could see the longing in his eyes and he slipped his arms from his jacket and draped it over Tony's shoulders.

"Are you okay, Tony?"

"Hmm?"

"You seem… different," Steve said hesitantly. "I can't quite… put my finger on what it is but… there's something."

"If I can still breathe, I'm fine," Tony quipped, but when he looked at Steve there was something in his eyes. Something lonely, that Steve wanted to brush away with a kiss and a cuddle and a promise that for as long as Tony wanted, Steve would be there to push away the loneliness.

"Tony—"

Tony sighed. "Can we just have a good time? Just for one night."

Steve nodded, and held out his hand towards Tony. "Come inside and dance with me?"

Tony slipped his smaller hand into Steve's and smiled. "Lead the way, soldier."

Steve opened up his final gift to find a chest of art supplies. He smiled at Tony, who grinned back. It was just what he'd wanted, his own supplies having either been used or lost in the years he'd been away from New York.

Better than even that though, was the way the team were gathered in the communal room, none of them even bothering to have changed out of their pyjamas. It was quickly turning into the Christmas Steve had been hoping for.

Tony, in particular, seemed to have woken up in a brilliant mood, and Steve hadn't missed the oversized jumper he wore, that had once belonged to Steve.

Presents opened, they set about making dinner, all of them working together to create a magnificent feast; from succulent turkey, to murky but aromatic brown gravy, and Bruce had even put together an apple pie for after.

After eating—a raucous but ultimately fun affair—they settled on the sofas for an evening of movies. Tony had spread himself out, grumbling about eating too much, a yellow and silver blanket over his legs.

Steve sat beside him, so content from the day spent with the people he loved the most, that he didn't think he'd ever been happier. He hadn't realised just how desperate he'd been for this until it had happened.

Turning to look at Tony, he smiled when he realised the man was falling asleep, his eyelashes fluttering against his cheek. It was good to see him rest. Tony was so enduring of everything thrown his way, that sometimes Steve despaired of him ever getting a moment's peace.

Steve turned his gaze back to the screen, but he could feel his own eyelids getting heavy and he let himself be lulled into sleep, safe and warm and happy.

When Steve woke, it was to find the room almost empty, except for Tony who was still beside him, though he was awake now, a small smile on his lips as he read on his tablet.

The soft glow made him look even more handsome than he usually did.

"Hey," he murmured, his voice rough with sleep as he shifted into a more upright position.

"Hey yourself," Tony replied, looking up from his tablet. "You okay?"

Steve nodded. "Never better. Today's been a good day."

Grinning, Tony nodded his agreement. "It has. It's been one of the best Christmases I've ever had. Let's hope we can keep the run going for New Year."

"New Year?"

Tony nodded, and his grin softened to a smile. "New beginnings and all that. Besides, it's been too long since I shared a kiss at midnight."

As Steve's heart sunk, Tony reached out and squeezed his hand. "You won't let me go another year without a kiss, will you, Steve?"

Eyes widening, Steve shook his head. "No… no I won't. I, uh. I've never kissed anyone at midnight on New Year's Eve."

Tony blinked at him. "Well, that makes it even more important. A new beginning for a New Year, right?"

"Do I have to wait until then?" Steve asked, feeling his cheeks heat up, sure he was blushing brightly.

Chuckling, Tony put his tablet down. "Wanna practice?"

Steve nodded eagerly. "Yes please."


Written for:

Character Appreciation:

Record Collection: 1. All I Want for Christmas Is You: Write about getting what you asked for for Christmas.

Time Machine: 11. Silver

Amber's Attic: 27. Spend time with loved ones

Bex's Basement: 1. Fallen

Film Festival: 18. Desperate.

Marvel Appreciation: Thor: Yellow / Silver / Enduring

Lyric Alley: 11. Winter's so cold this year

Forecast: 14. "Can we just have a good time? Just for one night."

Naughty Or Nice: Nice: 11. New Beginnings

Hot Chocolate Station: 2. Dark Chocolate: Murky

Write Letter's To Santa: Prompt 4: 7. A Teddy Bear: Soft

Big Dinner Bash: Extras: Stuffing Balls: Kind

Toy Making: Teddy Bear: 4. "Who spiked the punch?"

Pop Figures: Television: 25. Spongebob Squarepants: (action) Fluttering eyelashes

Hogwarts Talent Show: Performing An Exorcism: "If I can still breathe, I'm fine." / Bemused / Pie