'Twas the night before Christmas and all through Stark Tower

Avengers were snoozing and snoring with power.

Clint Barton's soft rumbles met Romanoff's sighs

Thor wheezed with the volume of thunderous skies.

Captain Steve Rogers lay snug in his bed,

Bald eagles in Santa hats soared in his head.

Pepper and Tony snuggled in for the night,

And mild Bruce Banner had clicked out his light.

When down in the lab there arose such a clatter

Each hero sprang up, crying, "What is the matter!?"

They tumbled down flight after flight of steep stairs

The invader below was fully unawares.

Each superhero suddenly screeched to a stop

At the sight of a red hat with Pom Pom on top.

"WHAT VILLAIN IS THIS?" Thor whispered to Nat

"WHAT SORT OF MADMAN WOULD WEAR THAT STRANGE HAT?

The Asgardian's booming voice startled the man

He turned quickly around with his sack in his hand

"WHO ARE YOU, INTRUDER?" Thor bellowed again

"It's SANTA!" Steve cried, breaking into a grin.

"Santa's not real! It's a burglar, you know,"

Nat said, aimed her gun, and Clint drew back his bow.

Banner looked in confusion and rubbed at his eyes

Shook his head, turned to leave, and sleepily sighed.

Pepper grabbed at his arm "I think we're awake,"

"DIE, PUNY RED MORTAL!" Thor's voice made the walls shake

Santa gazed at them all, astonished, and then

His beard shook with a laugh, his face split with a grin.

"I'm very much real, I assure you," he said.

And he pat dumbstruck Tony on top of the head.

"I always believed in you!" Steve shouted in glee

"Shut up, Steve," growled Black Widow, "leave this guy to me."

"HE IS NOT A DANGER?" Thor questioned his friends

Bruce sat down and fell promptly asleep once again.

"Please," said Santa, "good heroes, calm down just a bit."

"If you give me a moment, all your fears will quit."

As Hulk slept on the floor (none dared try to wake him)

He then set out to prove his existence to them.

He showed them the deer, and the sleigh, and his sack

And Steve took a ride on good Blitzen's back.

And some quick Christmas magic- it started to snow

Then each heart with joy and belief began to glow.

They clamored about him with questions galore.

"COME TO ASGARD NEXT YEAR?" asked jubilant Thor.

"Miniature arc reactor?" Tony tapped Rudolph's nose

Clint entreated, "Can I please have forty new bows?"

Pepper asked for advice. "Tony's hard to buy for!"

Nat said, "Try espionage! Gifts sound like a bore."

Full of holiday spirit and pure joy sat Steve

Santa smiled at the soldier who always believed.

"All of you, back in bed. I have miles to go."

Santa shooed the Avengers in out of the snow.

And they heard him exclaim ere he flew out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"