A/N: I recently learned via Bernice (iibnf) on AO3 that Santa Claus is based on of Odin, so I couldn't resist writing a short drabble sequel about this. Enjoy!


After Tony and he returned home from the Christmas Eve party flushed from excitement and alcohol, Loki had been ready to collapse on their shared bed and call it a night. Tony, of course, had other plans.

"Loki, where are you going?" he asked indignantly as the god made his way towards their bedroom. "We haven't finished decorating for Christmas!"

Loki groaned. For the past few weeks, Tony had brought in professional decorators to deck out Stark Tower in holiday trimmings. He had insisted, however, that Loki and he decorated the floor that they lived on by themselves. Painstaking hours were spent hanging bows and mistletoe, Loki often whining that if he had been in possession of his magic, he could have completed the project in a matter of seconds.

"I thought we finished last week," Loki protested, shuddering as he remembered the last stage in their mission: Christmas trees. Although Tony claimed it had been fun, the venture had resulted in many broken ornaments and pine needles scattered throughout the tower and Loki complained that he had smelled of sap for days afterwards.

Tony held back a chuckle at his lover's horrified expression. "We still have to put out our stockings for Santa!"

Loki rolled his eyes. "Stark, I read that putting out stockings is a tradition upheld only by children."

Shrugging, Tony retorted, "Well, you're always saying I act like a child. What do you expect? Now, come here." He pulled the god over to a cabinet in the corner of the room, where he pulled out two large stockings, one of which he handed to Loki.

Examining his, Loki's eyebrow raised and he tried to hold back a laugh. "Really, Anthony?" The stocking in his hands was neon green and dotted with Iron Man heads. It was utterly ridiculous and therefore entirely perfect.

Tony laughed at Loki's amused and skeptical expression before replying, "I had it custom-made for you." He winked and revealed his own stocking. His was also custom-made, and boasted a large, high quality image of the two men kissing passionately. At this sight, Loki was unable to keep himself from barking out a laugh.

"You truly are something special, Tony," he grinned, fondness ruling out any thoughts that his words were meant in contempt. Smiling, Tony pulled him to the fireplace, where they both laid down their stockings.

"Anthony, explain again this Midgardian myth of Santa Claus," Loki requested, a bemused expression marring his face.

"Well you see, most human children believe that a man called Santa Claus lives at the North Pole with his elves and reindeer. The elves make toys for children, and on the night before Christmas, Santa flies around the world in a sleigh pulled by his reindeer, delivering the presents to all the good children. If kids are bad, though, they only get coal in their stockings."

Suddenly, a light dawned on Loki's face and before Tony could inquire about his epiphany, the god erupted in laughter.

"What?" Tony interrogated. "What's so funny?" He could help but smile with pleasure at seeing Loki's usually cold and stoic face contorted with mirth.

Loki could only shake his head as he was racked with laughter. When he finally regained his composure, he seemed to have developed a condescending, almost smug look.

"I should have known that you mortals weren't clever enough to come up with such a legend on your own."

Bewildered, Tony asked, "What are you talking about? And what was so funny?"

"Your legend of 'Santa Claus' has its roots in the history of Asgard," revealed Loki, still smiling haughtily. Tony, always the skeptic, raised his eyebrows, and the god continued. "I can't believe I didn't realize the connection before now; it seems so obvious. Some centuries ago, long before your ancestors were even born, my fa- the Allfather used to visit the people you know as the Vikings every Midgardian winter. He would ride in a sleigh pulled by Sleipnir, and the mortal children would leave out their shoes filled with horse food for his steed. In return, Odin would give them presents. Although, I'm not sure where the negative connotation of coal came from. In those times, coal was a valuable resource."

Tony laughed at his story, and couldn't help but be amused by the condescending way Loki told it. "Wow, I never knew that!"

"I knew you mortals couldn't be that creative."

Rolling his eyes, Tony grabbed the front of Loki's suit. "Just shut up," he smirked, pulling him in for a passionate kiss. As the kiss got more heated, Tony made to pull Loki over to the couch, but the god stepped abruptly away.

"Wouldn't want Santa to catch us engaging in promiscuous activities in front of the chimney, now would we?" A devilish grin on his face, he stalked off to the bedroom.

"You're going to get coal in your stocking for this!" Tony shouted indignantly after him.

The only response Loki gave was a short laugh before Tony heard the definite slam of the bedroom door.