Yes, I know it's September and Christmas isn't for quite some time…but I wanted a Christmas chapter plotwise, and with the general timeline of other planned events, it kinda needed to happen now, so it was either don't update again until December, or have an exceptionally early Christmas chapter…I chose the latter. Enjoy!

My alarm went off at 5am, and at 5:00:55, I met up with an equally excited Peter in the hallway and we burst through into Tony's bedroom, launching ourselves at the bed as we yelled out,

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

"AGH!" Tony bolted upright in his bed, eyes wide and hair askew as his fisted hands came up in front of him in a boxing position. His instinctive jab was prevented from landing on my face by Peter's quick reflexes as he blocked dad's fist. I stared wide-eyed at their impact, wincing as I thought of the black eye I'd almost experienced.

Tony also stared at Peter's block, and you could practically see his mind whirring as he fully processed that 1) he was not under attack, 2) it was his two children (because, yes, Peter was practically his son even if neither of them would admit it) in his bed causing the disturbance, 3) it was Christmas, 4) they were wearing matching reindeer pajamas, 5) he'd almost just punched his daughter in her face.

He slowly moved his hands, rubbing at his face before dropping them to his side, giving a very tired, "Good morning, kids."

We beamed back at him, "Good morning! It's Christmas!"

A gleam entered his eye and a grin finally spread across his face, "Shall we see what Santa brought you?"

"YES!" Peter and I yelled in unison, scrambling off downstairs, turning back when we realized Tony wasn't following us yet. He was just stumbling out of his bedroom, so Peter and I each grabbed one of his hands and dragged him down the hall towards the main area.

In the penthouse kitchen, Pepper was waiting, looking immaculately dressed. She laughed when she saw us, "Somehow I think I made the right decision in sleeping elsewhere last night."

Tony gave her a withering glance, "If you consider missing out on being awoken by screaming children jumping on you, then yes you did."

She covered her mouth as she giggled, "FRIDAY, please tell me there is a recording of that?"

"Of course, Miss. Potts."

Peter and I glanced at each other, then let go of Tony's hands, stepped towards Pepper and did jazz hands while doing another cry of "Merry Christmas!"

She smiled, "Merry Christmas, you two."

Tony wound his way around us, pecking Pepper's cheek, "Merry Christmas, sweetheart." She gave him a soft smile and returned the sentiment.

Peter looked at them, putting on a little kid voice, "Pweasants?"

Tony smiled, reaching out with his hands to begin herding us towards the living space, "Yes, right this wa—"

Pepper slapped his hands down, "Some food first, then we can do the presents."

Peter and I both pouted but followed Pepper over to the small table where some fruit and small biscuits were laid out. We sat and ate before heading over to the private sitting space where there was a tall glittery tree, all decorated with colourful lights, ornaments, and garland. Underneath sat a small pile of wrapped presents—these were just the ones we wanted to more privately, before the bigger celebration with the rest of the Avengers. Normally, May would have joined us for this portion, but she was working an overnight shift and said she would just join us later instead. I personally, was just still amazed by the thought of double present openings—it had always been a small one and done between Mom, Grandma, and myself. I was also a little nervous about my gifts for everyone else, considering I'd only known them all for about 3 months and wasn't great at figuring out what people would like or what to expect in terms of equal reciprocity. I was especially nervous about the gift I'd gotten Dad.

We sat down, taking turns opening presents. Peter got an enhanced wristwatch engraved with the words 'To my favourite intern' from Tony, a spiderman themed mug (from me), and a fluffy blanket from Pepper. Pepper got a miniature massage robot from Tony, accompanied by the comment 'For when I stress you out,' to which she laughed and replied, 'I'm going to need a new one each month, Tony." He shrugged with a what-ya-gonna-do expression. Peter gave her an assortment of teas, and I gave her a book she'd mentioned an interest in. I also got a bunch of teas from Peter, and Pepper got me a pair of fuzzy slippers. Tony gave me a small compact, that when I opened it up, would project an interactive hologram display of my old house, inside out and out, just how it had been before we'd packed it up. I could modify its size from about the size of an apple or expand it to take up the entire room I was in. I looked up at him, with wide watery eyes.

"Thank you."

He gave a small smile, awkwardly scratching at the back of his neck, "You're welcome".

Peter clapped his hands, "Tony's turn!" and passed him his gift, which was a thin bracelet that emitted some sort of signal that would help to manage Tony's energy levels so he wouldn't need to consume as much coffee, and which would also manage his melatonin to help him get better sleep. Pepper ironically gave him a coffee mug. Then it was my turn. I picked up the small box and reached over to give it to him. I paused slightly before letting it go, meeting his eyes with a small smile, "Merry Christmas…Dad."

His mouth opened, but no words came out, his eyes watering. I heard Peter squealing and Pepper shushing him.

Dad finally got his mouth to work, "You know you don't have to if you don't want to—"

"I want to."

He swallowed hard, reaching out to pull me into a tight hug. I pressed my head into the crook of his neck, breathing in the now familiar scent of his cologne and motor oil, holding him back just as tightly. I returned to my seated position, gesturing at the box I'd given him, "Open it, dad."

He grinned and carefully opened the box, his eyes watering again when he saw what was inside. I'd given him an ornament that held a picture of the two of us doing our snow angels together (thankfully FRIDAY had recorded the moment), inscribed 'Our First Christmas', with the year underneath.

We all put away our gifts away, Tony proudly placing the ornament on the tree, and we headed to the other penthouse. The Avengers were all gathered there, loading plates from a table laden with more food. There was gingerbread, biscuits, French toast, waffles, eggs, toast, fruit and more. There were also carafes filled with coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. We filled our plates as well, sitting down around the large dining room, exchanging holiday greetings with one another. Every so often, without any identifiable triggers, Thor would just yell out 'Huzzuh to Christmas!" raising his mug in the air. Each time, Loki would just shake his head and ignore him. The third time Thor did it, I echoed his cheer, raising my own cup. The next time, Peter also joined in. Then Scott. Then Clint. Then Tony (after I gave him a very intense glare). Finally, as Thor's glee increased with each new person joining, everyone except Loki would respond to Thor's cry. I got up under the pretense of filling my mug, joining Loki at the table as he gave the fruit a derisive look before adding more to his plate. I leaned over to him, "Join the cheer, Reindeer Games."

He glared at me, "Don't call me that."

I gave him an innocent look, "But it fits the season so well?"

His glare intensified, "This midgardian season of yours is nothing compared to an Asgardian feast, I don't understand why you are all so invested in it."

I turned to face him, "Because it's a season to focus on all the good things in our lives. To focus on family, and joy, and happiness. Where children get to experience some of the closest things to magic most of them will ever get, and where adults can get to relive some of that childhood joy. It's the light in the dark. You celebrate the Winter Solstice on Asgard, don't you? It's our version of it."

"What does a bearded man in a red suit have to do with the Solstice?"

I chuckled, "Nothing. He comes from an old story of St. Nicholas. Though there are a few different versions of him that exist throughout the world. And lots of different Christmas traditions. Different cultural ideas mixed over the centuries to create Christmas as it is today, and it's a bit different depending where you are. Here, well, there's a big focus on Santa."

"It's creepy that he's always watching."

"No creepier than Heimdall."

He shrugged, "I'm still not responding to Thor's stupid cheer or participating more than I have to."

I turned away, resignation in my voice, "Very well. I suppose you don't want your gift then either?"

Silence.

I turned back and he was staring at me with wide uncertain eyes. "I get a gift?"

I nodded, "Of course! I got everyone a gift. It's not much because I wasn't really sure what everyone would like yet—I'm not always a great gift buyer—but you've all been so great with me, accepting me and hanging out with me and all, that obviously I want to show you my appreciation somehow. Plus, you know, 'tis the season. Besides, I'd like to think you and I are friends, so why wouldn't I get you a gift?"

He blinked at me before abruptly turning and going back to his seat, clunking his plate down on the table. At his return, Thor did his cheer very heartily, and everyone raised their glasses in toast, responding back, including me as I rejoined the group. Loki looked sideways at me, then joined in, giving a half-hearted "Huzzuh."

Thor noticed Loki's response, beaming at him "Yes, brother!" and slapping him on the back, earning a pained smile from Loki.

Slowly, everyone finished off their plates and the table began to look rather bare from all the enhanced appetites being served. Pepper cleaned up the remnants to go into the fridge for May and for later snacks, and we all migrated over to the common room. Here, a massively large tree reached up into the tall ceiling, brightly lit and sparkling, surrounded by a large pile of presents. Just as we were about to start, FRIDAY announced that May had arrived, followed by her entering through the doors with both MJ and Ned. Peter cheered and bounded over to them, almost knocking May over with his enthusiastic hug as he called out 'Merry Christmas."

May hugged him back, wrapping her arm over his shoulder as they all walked over to the group. Ned's eyes wide with wonder as usual, MJ's eyes glittering with happiness as Peter grabbed her hand to tug her down next to him on the couch. We all settled in, and the present opening began, exclamations of wonder and thanks echoing through the room. I noticed Loki's apprehension melt into surprise at how many had included him for gift-giving, melting into an expression of enjoyment as he let himself relax, joking around with the others and conjuring gifts out of nowhere to present to them.

I sat back with a smile on my face, watching my family celebrate, the atmosphere full of merriment. Tony passed by me at one point, his hand absentmindedly running over my head and down to my shoulder which he tightly grasped before continuing over to explain the attachment he'd given Uncle Bucky for his arm.

Once the room was full of empty bags, scraps of wrapping paper, and piles of opened gifts, we sat around bloated from a second round of food, telling stories. I smiled as May told us about young Peter and how he used to absolutely tear open his gifts, getting high on sugar and holiday spirit. Nat elbowed a blushing Peter, "So not much has changed then, huh?" He sunk further into his seat, hiding his face, "Please May, I'm asking you to stop."

She laughed, "Very well, but only because it's time for us to get going—I was promised solo Peter time."

"You're leaving?" Happy queried.

She nodded, "But don't worry, we'll be back for dinner."

He gave a grudging nod of his head, getting up to walk them to the door, holding it open for them. Peter gave a wave to the group and went into the hallway, with May giving Happy a quick peck on the cheek before following him.

After they left, we all sort of split off into our own groups. Happy drove Ned and MJ back to their own families and Scott and Cassie to the Pyms'. Pepper and Tony wandered off to do some small couple thing together and Loki and Thor went off to people watch in the city. Nat, Clint, Uncle Bucky, and Steve went off to do some training. Sam and Rhodey took out books to read by the fire, and Bruce went off to his lab. Vision and Wanda went to go fly around the city and Pietro sped off without explaining his destination. I collected all my gifts, bringing them up to my room to put away. I'd gotten a ring that could connect to FRIDAY in an emergency, a set of throwing knives, a New York City snowglobe, a matching earrings and necklace set, a dress, some books, an Asgardian set of clothing, and a few other little things.

Later on, everyone who'd left returned, the Langs bringing the Pyms along with them, and all of the Leeds joining Ned, and MJ's family too. It was a massive gathering at the dining table and Tony had hired a set of cooks and serving staff for the evening. There was not only a turkey, but also a ham and a roast beef. Stuffing, mashed and boiled potatoes, sweet potatoes, beans, carrots, scalloped potatoes, mashed turnip and squash, Yorkshire pudding, spinach, warm buns, and stuffed mushrooms also being served. For dessert there were five kinds of pie, Yule logs, fruitcake (Thor ate 3 loaves himself), trifle and biscotti. Even with all that food, by the end there was barely enough leftovers to be worth putting back in the fridge (side eye to Peter, the super soldiers and Thor).

After dinner, we all piled into a massive Stark limo and went driving around to look at Christmas lights, dropping off everyone at their homes before Tony, Pepper and myself returned to the tower. I yawned as we rode the elevator back up, leaning my head against Tony, his one arm wrapped around my shoulder, the other around Pepper's waist.

"So, did my girls have a good Christmas?"

"Yes, thank you, Tony." Pepper gave him a quick kiss.

I smiled, "Very much so. Did you?"

He grinned down at me, squeezing tighter, "How could I not have? I got the best gift in the world."

The elevator dinged and we went up to our bedrooms, calling out a final 'Merry Christmas' and 'goodnight."

Tony paused one final time before disappearing into his room, "Oh, and remember, we have those guests coming tomorrow."

I nodded, "How could I forget? Anyway, g'night, dad."

His brow crinkled with his smile, "Goodnight, Y/N."

I went into my room, excitedly thinking about how I was going to meet some real-life royalty, as well as another kid I'd already classified in my head as Tony's second unofficial son based off of how he'd spoken of him.