Chapter 5 – Winter Festivities

"There's two feet of snow on the ground." Loki said into his cellphone with a scowl, "I don't want to go anywhere."

"Come on Loki, It'll be fun I promise. We can even pick up something warm to drink on the way."

Loki dropped onto his couch, same scowl in place. They'd been out together at least a dozen times at that point, and though Loki hated the amount of snow that had fallen, he was partial to seeing Tony and they both knew it.

"I would really rather not." he said, even as the doorbell rang. "Just a moment Tony, someone is at the door." he stood and moved to the door and pulled it open to see Tony standing there, phone pressed to his ear and a grin spread across his face. Loki snapped his phone closed and Tony stepped inside, pulling Loki's coat off the hook and offering it to him.

"Come on. It'll be fun." he said, and Loki snatched his coat away, shrugging it on and wrapping his scarf around his neck. He pulled his gloves from his pocket, putting them on as well before turning another glare on Tony.

"Let's get it over with."

Tony grinned and waved Loki out of his apartment, waiting as he locked it before leading the way out.

"I've heard its pretty. Plus you've never done Christmas and I've heard this is an important christmasy think to do." Loki paused outside the doors of his building, turning a look on Tony.

"You've heard?"

Tony just pulled Loki forward, a hand on his arm.

"Just come on. It's a first for both of us. I'll even buy you a hot chocolate."

Loki couldn't help the smallest of smiles at Tony's enthusiasm and with a sigh followed him down the snowy street.

"Aren't you ever afraid people will recognize you?" Loki asked suddenly, and Tony shrugged.

"No. Who expects Tony Stark at a Christmas tree lighting? Nobody." he pulled Loki into a coffee shop and Loki looked around in distaste, trying to keep the feeling from his expression. There were so many regular people here. So many of the selfish kind he despised. His eyes flickered to the television displaying the news as Tony ordered their drinks, catching sight of the story that had been repeating all day.

"I hear they still haven't found out what managed to freeze that man so solidly." Tony noted, snapping Loki out of his thoughts.

"Have they any leads on who did it?" Loki asked casually, accepting the steaming cup from Tony, who shrugged.

"Not yet, but I don't think they will. Whoever it was managed to freeze the guy solid without anything but the cold. Which is physically impossible. I have a feeling that whoever it is, is smart enough not to get caught." there was a pause as they stepped back outside and Loki dared to speak further.

"I heard he abused both wife and child."

Tony nodded, expression darkening. "You heard right. The wife seemed relieved that they found him dead but didn't seem to know anything. The kid said an angel saved them."

Loki's step faltered and Tony looked over curiously.

"An angel?" Loki asked, and Tony nodded.

"That's what the kid said. An angel saved his mother and took his evil father away."

Loki fell silent, taking a sip of his drink and then looking at it in surprise.

"What is this?" he asked in surprise, and Tony laughed.

"It's hot chocolate. Do you like it?"

Loki took another hesitant sip before giving Tony one of his rare smiles.

"It's absolutely delicious."

"Come on. We're almost there. If we're lucky someone will recognize me and we won't have to get stuck in the crowd."

Loki simply rolled his eyes, taking another sip of his new favourite beverage. He followed Tony to what truly was a large crowd, catching sight of a giant evergreen tree in the middle of the square, fully decorated but dark. They stood together in the large crowd, listening to all sorts of people who were viewed as people of some importance speak or perform, while waiting for the tree to be lit.

"How do they light it?" Loki asked as the last person spoke, and Tony cast him a smirk.

"They plug it in."

Loki didn't react at first and then suddenly a pout formed on his lips.

"We went to all this trouble and are standing in the middle of a large crowd of humans just to watch some over-promoted man put a plug into a socket?"

Tony laughed, putting a hand on Loki's arm.

"Just watch."

Frown in place, Loki turned back to the tree right as it was lit, watching as it filled the whole square with light, all the ornaments and decorations sparkling brightly. Without even realizing it, Loki was amazed, the frown gone from his face, his eyes taking in the pretty sight. The branches of the tree were sprinkled with snow that reflected the light and Tony watched the child-like enjoyment fill Loki's eyes.

"It's quite lovely, Christmas." he murmured, and Tony looked up at the tree as well, seeing it as Loki did.

"I'm going to put a tree up this weekend. You should come help." Loki hesitated and Tony worried he'd stepped over the invisible boundary again, but then Loki nodded, another small smile playing across his features.

"I'd love too."

Tony grinned again, relieved. "Good. You can help me pick the tree then too."

"Pick a tree?" Loki asked, following Tony closer to the tree as the crowd began to disperse.

"Yeah. That's how it works. You go out, pick a tree, bring it home, then decorate it."

"Why?"

Tony started to answer and then shook his head. "Tradition." Loki thought for a moment and then shrugged, accepting that answer.

"What other traditions does christmas involve?" Loki asked, and Tony thought of all the jokes he could make before deciding not to confuse him.

"Most people exchange gifts. Hot chocolate is a given. Mistletoe. Oh and candycanes!" Tony walks over to a woman dressed as an elf with a basket of candycanes on her arm who's offering them to everyone who passes. He takes two, handing one to Loki, pulling the plastic off his own. "It's delicious. Try it."

"It looks like the old barber poles." Loki noted curiously. "Why would anyone want to eat something representing blood and-" Tony cut him off before he could finish the sentence.

"Just trust me and try it. You eat it. Sort of like a lollypop."

Loki frowned at him. "Lollypop?"

Tony burst out laughing and took the candycane back, peeling back the plastic.

"Just suck on it. It's candy."

Loki accepted the cane again, watching as Tony grinned, his own candycane sticking out of his mouth. It was a comical picture and Loki smothered his desire to laugh by sticking the candycane in his mouth, the peppermint flavour hitting his tongue.

"It's good!"

Tony rolled his eyes, fully enjoying the evening now.

"Come on. I want dinner. Chinese?" Loki nodded, clearly not paying full attention as he enjoyed his candycane and Tony pulled him along. They walked along in silence, though neither were uncomfortable by it. Loki suddenly gave a sound of surprise, and held the candycane at arms length, the hard candy now forming a point. Loki scowled at it and Tony burst out laughing.

"Toss it out, we're here."

Looking almost sad, Loki tossed the candy out and Tony laughed again.

"We can get more. They sell them everywhere this time of year. People even put them on their trees." Loki looked up in interest.

"Can we?"

Tony felt the tiny shocks of pleasure at Loki's enthusiasm and his use of 'we' for the christmas tree.

"Absolutely. But come on. I'm starved. I'll walk you back after we get something to eat."

A couple of hours later, Tony and Loki were walking back towards his apartment.

"Are you glad I came and dragged you out?" Tony asked as they reached the door, and Loki gave a look of amused exasperation.

"Yes."

"Good."

Before Loki could react, Tony had his face in his hands, pressing a gentle kiss against his lips.

"Goodnight." with that he turned and walked back down the street, leaving Loki shell-shocked and staring after him. He lifted a hand to his lips, still tingling from the kiss, before stepping inside, a smile playing across those very same lips.

He was definitely beginning to enjoy the christmas season.