Clint loved coming home for Christmas.
The air on the farm was always so crisp and clean during that time, and the sunlight reflecting off the snow reminded him of a thousand glittering diamonds.
Then of course, there was Loki.
*
Only a few people knew that they lived together, and even fewer knew they were in a relationship spanning back to before the Battle of New York. Clint had learned early on that Loki was being mind-controlled as well, a connection forging between them thanks to the scepter. While most of his colleagues thought Natasha had freed him, the truth was, after falling in love with each other, Loki had let him go so they could thwart the invasion planned by their captors.
Afterwards, Clint begged him to tell everyone the truth so he could stay on Earth, but he was too afraid that the Other would hurt the archer if he did.
A year went by, and Clint had no idea whether Loki was living or dead. He'd given Fury all the evidence he'd found to prove the Góð's innocence, but with no way to even contact Thor, there was nothing he could do to help. It was only by sheer dumb luck that some planetary alignment thing happened, dropping a broken and bleeding Loki onto the farm. Clint took him inside, bandaged his wounds, and made a vow that nothing would ever separate them again.
Fury offered him a chance to work with the Avengers, but Loki turned it down. After the way he was treated,(the whole no trial thing really made Clint's blood boil), the Góð preferred the outside world not know of his status, so he could live a simple life with the man he loved.
So live simply they did. Loki took care of the farm while Clint went on missions. It gave the archer something to look forward to, a reason to keep going...one reason anyways.
Another reason flew out the door at him.
"Daddy!"
Clint caught the little boy and spun him around in the air, causing him to squeal and giggle.
"Hey Buddy! I'm so happy to see you! Where's your mom at?"
"Currently being used as a chew toy."
Clint looked up to see Loki standing in the doorway. Their six-month old daughter Frigga was chewing on a piece of his hair.
"Well you are pretty tasty," Clint laughed as he stepped onto the porch and kissed him before taking the baby into his arms," Hey sweet girl,did you miss daddy too?"
"You know she did. So, any excess Avengers tagging along this time?"
"Nah, just me...although Nat said she'll stop by on Christmas Eve."
"Good, I really did not feel like shape-shifting into your sister again. Come along, Nathaniel."
The boy zoomed past the archer as he ran inside after his mother. Clint followed behind, chuckling as he remembered the exact incident Loki was referring to.
*
It had been back during the whole Ultron mess. Clint knew that the only safe place to take them was the farm, primarily because Loki's magical shield hid it from the outside world.
The problem was that only Natasha knew about Loki being there.
He'd sent a subtle text to his husband while flying the quinjet towards home. Loki was pregnant with Nate at the time, and he was worried that Thor or one of the others might hurt him.
So color Clint surprised when his sister opened the door and introduced herself as Clint's pregnant wife. It was only after 'Laura' winked and her eyes turned green did he realize it was a disguise. Nat had figured it out first, and she spent the whole time trying desperately not to cackle.
*
"Well, babe, it's not the worst thing you've ever shifted into."
"No, you're correct about that. I believe the good Captain still holds that distinct honor. I mean honestly, how does he wear such tight clothing?"
"You got me...so what's first on the Barton Family Christmas agenda?"
"Let's see, Natasha and I have already purchased and wrapped gifts for the children," Loki said as he took Frigga from Clint and put her in her highchair," the next step should be your annual murder of forestry."
"You mean picking out the Christmas tree?"
"Precisely."
Clint chuckled as he wrapped around Loki from behind.
"I love you, you know that?"
"I'm aware. I love you as well...even if you do have a penchant for plant murders. Now come set the table, dinner's almost ready."
"Yes,dear."
*
"Darling as much as I admire your expressions of virility...it would be much easier to use magic to take the tree down."
Clint put down the axe and gave Loki a dirty look. It was a family tradition going back generations for Barton men to manually cut down a tree once they found the perfect one. Unfortunately, the tree they'd picked this year was being particularly difficult, and Loki was not letting him live it down.
"It just needs a few more whacks!"
"Define a few, Clinton."
"Okay, maybe more than a few...but still! Don't worry, I got this."
Loki rolled his eyes and waved a hand for Clint to keep going.
Another hour passed, and the archer had barely made a dent in the trunk.
"That does it. Stand aside Clinton, I'm taking over."
The mage summoned a dagger,and Clint nearly fell over laughing.
"Honey I don't think that little butter knife is gonna-"
The knife sailed through the air and went straight through the tree, causing it to fall perfectly on it's side.
"-do anything to...how the fuck?"
"Magic, beloved, now let's get this monstrosity back to the house. I'm sure your niece and nephew are eager to help decorate."
*
When they got back to the farmhouse, Lila and Cooper were chasing Nathaniel around the yard. Clint's sister, Laura(the real one), was keeping an eye on them while rocking Frigga. She glanced at the tree her brother was dragging with some amusement.
"So, how long was it this time Loki?"
"I let him have a good three hours in order to maintain his sense of accomplishment."
"Haha very funny," Clint muttered as he struggled to maneuver branches through the doorway," Now help me get this thing in here."
"Are you sure you don't just want to give it 'a few more whacks'?"
"Looookkkiii..."
"Oh fine," Loki waved a hand and the tree disappeared from Clint's hands and reappeared into the stand in the center of the living room," I swear you're more of a child than our actual children."
"And yet you still love me."
"Unfortunately."
"Come on you two," Laura said as she walked over to lay Frigga down in the playpen," Let's get this bad boy ready for Christmas."
*
"You know I think this one turned out even better than last year's."
"Hmm, yes, but I fear your popcorn strings won't survive Nathaniel's snack time."
Clint and Loki were sitting on the couch near the fireplace, admiring the Christmas tree. The kids had put a hodgepodge of ornaments and garlands on it , despite the adults trying to stick to a theme. Loki lifted Nate up to put the star on top, then enchanted the fir with twinkling fairy lights that floated above the branches.
It was truly a beautiful sight.
Once Laura and her kids left, Loki put the little ones to bed so he and Clint could have some alone time.
"Oh, by the way I have one more decoration for it."
"There's practically an entire department store aisle on that thing already, what else could it need?"
"This," Clint said as he rummaged through his duffle bag,"I made it just for you."
Loki took the object and gently removed the tissue paper. Inside was a wooden figure that perfectly resembled his mother.
"How...how did you make this?"
"I carved it. I don't know why you're surprised considering I've made my own bows and arrows for years."
"No, it's not that, I just," Loki paused for a moment as he ran his fingers down the figure reverently," I don't understand how you got the details so precise on someone you've never met."
"You've talked about your mom so much that I have no trouble picturing her in my mind."
"You were listening?"
"I always listen to you, Lo, even when you think I'm not."
Loki leaned forward and kissed him soundly, before getting up and walking over to the tree. He hung the little statue right in front where everyone could see it. He stood there for a long while, staring at the last vestige of his mother that he had left.
He felt a warmth on his back as Clint wrapped around him, resting his head on the mage's shoulder.
"I wish I could have met her."
"I do as well...but I think...she already knew of you. That would explain why she had this smuggled into my cell back on Ásgarð."
Loki waved his hand, and a large golden apple appeared from his pocket dimension.
"Is that what I think it is?"
"It is. I've been debating for a long time on whether or not to offer it to you, mainly because I didn't think you'd want to outlive your friends and family. If that's truly the case then I'll respect that, but, I sincerely hope not, because I don't think I'd survive losing you, Clinton."
"I don't want to lose you either, so hand it over."
"Truly?"
"Yeah," Clint said as he spun Loki around in his arms"I can't think of anything more perfect than spending eternity with you."
"I'm hardly perfect,Clinton."
"You are to me."
He smiled at that, and gently handed over the apple. Clint didn't hesitate as he took a large bite out of it, and kept going until the entire fruit was no more.
"Do I look any different?"
"I can feel that your life force now matches mine,but otherwise you're still the same imperfect archer you've always been."
He sputtered indignantly until Loki cupped his face in his palms.
"You're perfectly imperfect, and that's why I love you. Now let's go upstairs and I'll wear that special outfit you like."
He started to walk away and Clint trailed after him,grinning from ear to ear.
He REALLY loved coming home for Christmas.