Loki Visits the Avengers: Christmas Time
Disclaimer: I don't own any of them!
Author's Note: I won't be home for Christmas tomorrow, so I'll try to finish up the next chapter. Remember to read, review, and enjoy!
After the rest of that day (which mainly contained the two gods arguing over which Christmas special to watch on the television) and that evening, and finally also after staring out of the window to see swarms of people out there and realizing it was Christmas Eve, Tony knew what he had to do. He couldn't believe it had all come to this. Maybe in the way future, he would look back at this and laugh, but right now, at this moment, he really wished for death. 'This had to be the most embarrassing thing ever,' was the only thought repeating in his head as he watched Loki place a bow on Pepper's gift.
"In all honesty, Stark, you were probably better off wrapping this present yourself. Surely, the horrible presentation of the gift would distract her from seeing how horrible the gift itself is," Loki said with a smirk, tossing the gift at Tony, who managed to catch it without ruining the paper. Thank god (the one that was not Loki).
"It's not a bad gift!" Tony remarked bitterly, glaring at the god.
"No, an agenda to be used to keep track of your schedule, not hers, but your schedule, is a very thoughtful gift. You definitely must have taken her interests into consideration. It truly is from the heart. And what is this supposed to be?" Loki asked as he grabbed the next needed-to-be-wrapped gift. "Pop Tarts? Really?" Loki sarcastically asked with a disgusted look on his face.
"They are not just Pop Tarts! They are limited edition Sugar Cookie Pop Tarts," Tony scoffed as he place the To and From label on Pepper's gift, which was then immediately placed onto the top of the small pile of gifts.
"Like that improves things much. For my idiot brother, surely? I do not understand how he or you mortals can stand the retched artificial taste," Loki said sourly as he started to wrap the gift in red wrapping paper.
"You've tried Pop Tarts before?" Tony asked, taken back.
"Of course I have. Why wouldn't I? I've tried many different kinds of Midgardian food. After all, if I am to conquer your world, I have to have an understanding of your culture, including food," Loki said, slightly distracted from the wrapping.
"So…what do you like?" Tony inquired, now curious.
"I like many things. Please clarify," Loki said, placing the last piece of tape on Thor's gift.
"You know what I mean," Tony said with a sigh. It wasn't really worth getting annoyed with the God of Mischief.
"What Midgardian food do I favor? Hmm…interesting question. I do not know although I do enjoy the flavors and textures of what is called Chinese food. At the same time, I enjoy the confections you call chocolate, especially the truffles," Loki finally replied, now placing a gold bow on top of Thor's gift. "There, I do believe that is all of the gifts," he said, handing the small package to Tony, who slapped the label on, happy that this was over.
"Do you need help taking all of this to the tree?" Loki asked as Tony started to pick up the gifts.
"If you want," Tony said with a shrug.
"Perfect. Although, could we stop at my room first, so I can pick up my gifts to all of you?" Loki asked with his arms now full of colorfully wrapped objects.
"Sure," Tony said, taking the rest of the gifts. They both left the kitchen area and walked down the hall. They stopped right in front of Loki's room, where Loki placed the gifts on the floor and stepped inside in a way where Tony couldn't see inside, then shutting the door. After about five minutes, Loki slid through the door, closed it, and picked up the gifts.
"Alright, let us go," Loki said.
"Wait, where are the gifts?" Tony asked in surprise.
"I'm a god Stark. Do I have to go over this with you again? You must be going deaf," Loki said, shaking his head in slight annoyance.
"Don't give me that! Just because you're a god doesn't mean you can do whatever you want! Also, maybe you haven't noticed, but I'm not from Asgard, and some of these things are new to me," Tony bit out angrily.
Loki gave him a look before saying, "I have an inter-dimensional pocket, meaning I can essentially put whatever I want into my pocket because of its hugeness."
"So…you could put these gifts in there?" Tony asked, holding out the gifts with slight hope.
"I could, but I don't feel like it," Loki remarked, turning from Tony and swiftly walking away.
"Jerk," Tony muttered as he went after the god.
When the two entered the living room with the Christmas tree in the corner, they were immediately greeted by the rest of the Avengers. "Friend Tony! Brother! Come and join us, for Son of Rogers is about to read us a traditional Midgardian Christmas tale," Thor called happily, beckoning the two over. Tony first went over to the tree and dumped the presents in his arm there before going over to one of the couches and plopping down next to Bruce.
"Don't you organize these gifts in any shape or form?" Loki asked, baffled by the messiness under the Christmas tree. It looked like a miniature tornado came through!
"Who cares?" Clint asked.
"I care. You're supposed to be Earth's mightiest heroes, yet none of you can take the time to organize these gifts by to whom they are for. Typical," Loki exclaimed. He collapsed to his knees and started to sort the gifts out.
"Right…" Tony said, "So, Steve, what kid's story are you reading us?"
"Well, since this is both Thor's and Loki's first Christmas, I figured it is a must that we read Twas the Night Before Christmas," Steve said, holding up said children's book.
"Do we all have to sit through this?" Natasha asked.
"Yes," the team almost said unanimously. Natasha crossed her arms and sulked a little.
"Alright," Steve said, clearing his voice, "Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care…"
"Do we have stockings?" Thor inquired.
"Yes, we made you one. Those are stockings," Bruce said, pointing at the wall which was, sure enough, lined up with stockings. Bruce, meanwhile, wanted Steve to hurry up and continue the story although he wasn't certain whether he wanted to get over with it or if he really wanted to listen.
"Does Loki have one?" Thor asked, looking over at his brother.
"Yes, I do," Loki said, not looking up at the gifts, his face slightly scrunched up in concentration.
"Since when did you have a stocking?" Tony asked.
"Since I hung mine up this morning along with all of yours. Your observational skills baffle me Stark," Loki replied, a small smirk forming on his lips. Sure enough, at the end of all the red stockings (each with their names written on them with green fabric paint) was a green stocking with the name Loki embroidered in gold.
"Show off," Clint murmured.
"Okay, um, The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there…"
"Who is this St. Nicholas?" Thor inquired, almost sounding like a small child.
"He's the fat elf dressed in red that delivers gifts to good children and coal to bad children," Loki said before anyone else could answer, "You really do not do your research Thor, do you? Well, Rogers, what are you waiting for? Carry on!"
"What? Oh right…The children were nestled all snug in their beds while visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads…" Thankfully, there was no further interruption until, "As I drew in my head, and was turning around, down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound…"
"How does St. Nicholas visit every single house in one night with a sled and a couple of reindeer?" Loki asked. Finished with the sorting of the gifts, as well as done with putting his out, he sat cross legged and looking at the group, head tilted. "And how is he able to fit through a chimney?"
"Do we need a chimney? Do we have one?" Thor asked worriedly.
"The presence of a chimney doesn't matter if he cannot fit through it," Loki retorted.
"Well, how do you take control of peoples' minds, create a vortex for an alien army, and survive after getting beaten up by the Hulk? It's just a story, so do us all a favor and shut up! No one here cares!" Tony snapped, annoyed at Loki's questions, comments, answers, and the fact that he's even here in the first place. At that moment, Tony watched as Loki's eyes slowly glazed over. Tony stiffed, realizing he might have stepped over a boundary.
After a second of silence, Loki quietly said, "Point taken". Then, he got up and left the room before anyone else could say another word. The room remained silent for who knows how long. Finally, Steve continued and finished the story, the merriment of it now gone. They all soon separated, going to their rooms, lab, or the training center, leaving Tony left alone. Not sure as what to do, Tony got up and allowed his feet to take him where ever. Only…Now he stood in front of the God of Mischief's door. Sighing, Tony knocked.
"Loki? Loks, yoo-hoo, you in there?" Tony called through the door. No answer. "Look, I'm sorry for what I said. I really didn't mean it, honest, I was just irritated the holidays always get me worked up. Come on, just open up."
The door finally cracked open slightly, revealing partially the face of trickster. "Don't apologize if you do not mean them. I know you loathe me, as you should, so do yourself a favor and save your breath," Loki whispered so quietly that Tony had to strain his ears to here. Then, the door closed and that was that. Did Tony actually offend the great God of Mischief, Chaos, and Lies?
Tony sunk down on the ground, putting his head into his arms, not knowing what to do. Then, finally, an idea popped up into his genius brain of his. Looking at his watch, he saw it was only about three o'clock. There was still plenty of time to do some last minute shopping. Tony then ran to look for his friends, now excited. He had a plan.