Chapter 1
"Christmas with the Avengers"
Day 1: Friday, December 11.
TONY
He was having breakfast with a now heavily pregnant Pepper at the tower when Fury called and suggested having the team together for christmas, Tony hummed thoughtfully.
It wasn’t that he didn’t like the idea, he actually enjoyed spending time with the team, from spending time with Bruce at the laboratory to playing videogames with Thor and Pietro, who were completely obsess with them (Tony even bought a playstation and several games just for them, he would never admit it though). He always asked Clint and Natasha ideas for new weapons and ended up talking for hours about some other things, mostly arguing with Clint about action movies with Natasha always being the mediator, he loved the fascination in Wanda’s eyes when he showed her his library, he never really used it but FRIDAY always made sure it was updated.
He always found talking with Vision relaxing, the man knew everything about everything and always asked Tony how he was dealing with whatever he had going on in his life.
And of course, there was Steve.
Steve had lived in the tower the last ten months and it had been great. At first he and Tony barely spoke to each other, Steve spent most of his time in the tower’s gym and Tony chose to lock himself in his lab. Pepper had insisted they at least had dinner together, eventually Tony invited Steve to eat with him and it turned out better than expected. At first it had been awkward but Tony ended up enjoying having their alone time, just the two of them, every night, he even looked forward to it. One night in particular, Steve told Tony that he enjoyed drawing during his free time and, to Tony’s surprise, the man was really good at it. Tony had never been in his room until Steve invited him to see his drawings, and some paintings. Turns out the man was very talented, not that Tony was an expert, but he had loved most of the paintings the man had shown him, he had asked Steve if he could hang one in the living room but the man blushed and refused.
As soon as Fury hung up, Pepper started saying how wonderful Fury’s idea was, Tony had the impression they both had planned to ambush him with the idea, and when Tony refused she insisted, she was right though, the team hadn’t been together for over a year and he missed them. On the other hand, he had never really enjoyed that particular holiday.
Breakfast had been over for an hour now but Pepper continued trying to sell the idea, while Tony headed towards the living room.
“…And there is this french chef who opened a new restaurant, it’s amazing, we could hire him for the dinner party on the 24th” Pepper raised her eyebrows with a smile on her face, “Tony, have you been paying attention?”
“What?” Tony waved his hand, “Yeah, sure, the french sounds delicious” Pepper hit his head softly with a folder she had in her hands, “Kidding!”
“So, is that a yes?”
“I don’t know, it’s very short notice” he scratched the back of his head, “Bruce might be available, we all know he doesn’t have any other friends, Natasha and Clint are probably on a mission, I heard Vision is exploring religions and this month is judaism, so christmas is a no no and Thor doesn’t even know what Christmas is” Pepper rolled her eyes, “The twins will come though, Pietro is still trying to beat me at Mario Cart and poor old Captain has no choice, he lives here” Tony grinned.
“Actually, they all will” Pepper winked at him, “Fury took the liberty to ask them before you found some excuse to cancel his plans” Tony deadpanned, “Bruce and the twins will arrive tomorrow and the rest of the team will be here by the end of the week”
Pepper kissed his forehead and left a paper on his lap that read “Christmas menu by Chef Didier”, Everything happened so fast that he didn’t have time to get mad. Plus, it didn’t interviene with his plans of getting drunk until he passes out while watching reruns of old Saturday Night Live episodes.
“FRIDAY, make a reservation at this Didier guy’s restaurant” he said, he turned to Pepper, “Not that i don’t trust your taste in food, Pep, it’s just that I don’t trust your taste in food” he winked at the woman, Pepper rolled her eyes at him.
At that moment, Steve entered the living room, the blond was fresh from a shower and with smile on his face, he kissed Pepper on the cheek, leaving a hand on her belly for a few seconds. The woman smiled back.
“I will go Ramsay on this restaurant” Tony exclaimed.
“What is he talking about?” Steve asked Pepper, who glared at Tony playfully.
“Tony was telling me about the menu for the Christmas party” she smiled at Tony, “And he’s taking you to dinner to get a preview” Steve raised his eyebrows, “FRIDAY, those reservations are for two and as soon as possible”
“Very well, miss Potts” the robotic voice filled the room.
“So that was what Thor was talking about this morning when he called” Steve said, Apparently Darcy convinced the god to get a phone so they could send each other funny images of cats, to Jane’s dismay, “He’s really excited about it” he added, “Also, he mentioned something about skating”
Tony snorted as he pictured the giant trying to ice-skate. It was definitely Darcy who gave him the idea. He made a mental note to send a gift basket to her.
“It will be wonderful” Pepper said, “The twins are arriving tomorrow, Bruce too, he was going to come today but he has a conference in D. C.”
“Bruce, the only man who actually wants to work on christmas” Tony shook his head.
Pepper nodded with a chuckle, “He’ll be here tomorrow morning”
“What about the tree?” Steve asked suddenly, looking around him, the living room was completely... un-christmas-y, “Maybe, um, decorations? Are christmas socks still a thing?”
Tony stared at him, the last time he hung christmas decorations he was about fifteen, the last christmas he spent at home before leaving for college. His mother had insisted he helped her, Howard was barely there but Maria enjoyed christmas and Tony always woke up on christmas mornings to a present at the foot of his bed.
“I can go pick it up right now” Steve suggested, he exchanged looks with Pepper, both looked at Tony, who had spaced out, “Maybe decorations are too much? Tony? Hey, Tony” he waved his hands in front of the older man.
Tony blinked several times, “What? Sure, yeah, decorations are a yes” he then stood up, “Let’s go get the biggest tree before they all go”
He wondered if at this time of the month there were still good trees available, he couldn’t imagine having to bring home one of the ugly rejects, Steve wanted a big, beautiful, leafy tree, he couldn’t live with the thought of having the blond disappointed, it would break his heart, Tony couldn’t do that to him.
“I can go alone if you are too busy” Steve offered, a concern look still on his face.
“Nah” Tony shrugged, “My afternoon is free, no one wants to work on christmas eve anyways”
“Except Bruce” Steve grinned and Tony laughed.
“Very well” Pepper clapped her hands together, and kissed both of their cheeks, “I gotta get going, Happy had been waiting for me for two hours already” the woman walked towards the elevator with both men behind her.
“Goodbye, Pepper” Steve said, “Say hello to Happy from me”
“I’ll confirm the restaurant thingy tomorrow” Tony added, “Take care of little Grumpy” he grinned, he liked making the joke, he then turned to Steve, “It’s a Snow White joke, Happy is Happy and his son is-“
“I told you, it’s a girl!” Pepper yelled.
“I understood the reference, Tony” Steve chuckle shaking his head softly.
Pepper waved one last time before the elevator doors closed. Steve and Tony stood in the middle of the living room in silence until Tony looked at his watch, it was already one in the afternoon.
“Sir, I have made reservations for tomorrow at 8:00 P. M.” FRIDAY announced, “Chef Didier had offered to cook a special menu for you”
“Perfect, thanks FRIDAY”
“You are welcome, sir”
Tony met Steve at the second floor, where all of his sports cars were. They got in the hideous orange Audi and drove in silence, Steve looking outside of the window and Tony occasionally throwing glances on his way over his signature tinted glasses.
“How’s that last painting you where making going?” New York skyline from the blonde’s bedroom point of view, he remembered.
“Hm?” Steve blinked, “Oh, it’s… going” Tony smiled, “I haven’t actually gotten into it in days” the blonde shrugged.
“For what I saw, it was pretty great” he said, “Do you do it from memory?”
“Yeah” Steve nodded, Tony knew the serum had not only improve him physically but mentally, the blond could read and memorize a whole book in three hours or less. “I’m making a couple others so… it takes time”
“Mm” Tony murmured, “What else caught your imagination?” he tried to sound casual, but in reality he felt extremely curious.
“It’s, um, sort of… secret” Steve answered quietly.
“Oh” Tony hummed slowing down, he then parked his car, “We are here”
Both men left the car, Tony gave his keys to an old man in a suit.
“Sweet ride, son” the old man said looking at the keys, then at the car.
“Thanks” Tony winked at him.
“I use to be a mechanic back in my day” The man grinned, “I repaired a lot of beauties like this one”
“Impressive” Tony said, the man laughed and left.
The park was filled with christmas trees and people, most were families with children, which meant a lot of children pointing at Steve and giggling, Ironman was popular with women, Captain America was very popular among the citizens in general, specially children. Tony handed him the black beanie he was wearing, at least covering his blonde hair will make him a little unobserved.
“Are you sure?” Steve asked, “It’s kind of cold”
“It’s fine” he shrugged, “It ruins my hair anyways” Tony winked at the man.
Steve nodded and put the hat on, “Thanks”
They continued walking and talking about the trees, Tony was tempted to ask Steve about Christmas on his time, but maybe talking about it might remind him about the war. Steve then stopped walking and stood in front of a big tree. Tony then waved at a girl with a badge with the name “Wendy”.
“Sir, Do you need help?” she said with a smile. “Yes, you can” he smiled back, “Steve”
Steve turned, “How much is that-“
“No, no, no” Tony cut him off, “We want that tree, Wendy, darling”
“How much?” Steve asked.
“It’s two hundred seventy” Wendy said bitting her lower lip.
Steve stood next to Tony, “Oh, we can pick-“
“Cap” Tony grabbed him by the shoulder, “It’s fine, I got it covered”
“Are you and your boyfriend going to buy it?” Wendy asked.
“I’m not his-“
“Yes, Wendy, Darling” Tony handed her his card, “Have it send to the Avengers tower”
“Of course Mr… Tony Stark!” Wendy shrieked.
The girl’s shriek called the attention of a few other people, Tony found himself surrounded by a small crowd in seconds, he gave a couple of autographs and took a few pictures, looking for Steve among the crowd. He apologized to the group and left to find Steve. He found him looking at the reject pile of small and ugly Christmas trees. By his face he could almost tell Steve felt bad for the little tree he was touching.
“Want to take on of those too?” Tony said, “ We could adopt one, call him Fury, just to piss the man off” he added with a smirk.
Steve laughed, “It’s fine” he said, “I was just thinking of something”
“What exactly?” Tony asked, standing next to Steve.
“It looks like one of the trees Bucky and I had in our apartment” Steve said after a few seconds, “the last christmas we had together, before all happened” he smiled sadly, “the whole serum, Captain America… The Winter soldier thing”
Tony stared at Steve, he knew the whole Bucky Barnes thing was a difficult subject for him. A couple of snow flakes caught in his eyelashes, he then realised that Steve wasn’t wearing gloves or a proper coat.
“We should get going, it’s getting cold” Steve nodded.
They walked towards where he had left his car and drove to a store near the park, Steve always looked overwhelmed when he entered malls. Too much people, too much noise, just like the city in general. Perhaps, that’s why Steve spent so much time on the gym or in his room, both places where quiet and empty. Tony put his hand on the small part of his back noticing the man looked tense. Steve relaxed to the touch.
“You still not used to crowds” Tony mentioned, it wasn’t a question but Steve shook his head.
“Not really, no”
“Here we are” Tony entered a store that looked rather empty, outside there was a big sign with red letters that read “Albert’s Emporium”.
“It looks nice” Steve opened the glass door.
“Pepper suggested it” He simply said, he stared at Steve and then at the door, “Opening doors for a man it’s weird”
“I think it’s nice” Steve shrugged.
Tony entered. Once inside they were greeted by an old man, very short and with huge glasses that made Tony question himself if he could see at all without them. The man, Albert, owner of the store and friend of Pepper, showed Steve the store while talking to him about how the store had belong to his family for over thirty years. Tony wandered around the store by himself. He then saw a showcase, full of crystal pieces, small animals and flowers, on the very top there was a star.
When Tony was six, his mother let him put the star on the tree for the first time, he remembers her mother always insisted of the two of them and Jarvis, of course, put the tree together.
“How much for this thing” Tony said pointing at a crystal star.
The old man walked towards him and adjusting his glasses.
“That’s hand crafted by myself” Mr. Albert said, “it’s-“
“I think that whatever price you put it’s worth it” Tony said, “Send it to my address, please”
“Very well, Mr. Stark” the man said, excited.
Two hours later they were heading home, Mr. Albert had assured Tony that everything was going to arrive in two days, if not before. Tony and Steve both stepped outside the elevator and were surprised to see Pietro in the living room, he was watching TV while drinking straight from a bottle of soda. Like always, his feet where over the coffee table that was between the couch and the television.
“Kid, put your feet-“ Tony started.
“Pietro, put your feet-“ Another voice said at the same time, Wanda was entering the living room with a cup of what seemed coffee on her hands and three books floating behind her.
Pietro looked at both annoyed.
“Wanda! Pietro!” Steve said, Wanda jumped surprised and the books stopped floating but before they hit the ground Pietro grabbed them,“Sorry” Steve said.
“It’s fine” Wanda hugged Steve, “Vision says I need to work on my concentration” she added, her sokovian accent still strong.
Natasha had told Tony that Vision was in complete control of his abilities unlike Wanda, but he was helping her a lot.
“If only you and Vision spent more time on it and less time gazing each other’s eyes” Pietro grinned, shaking Steve and Tony’s hands.
“Now, that’s something you have to tell me about” Steve joked, “When did you guys arrived?”
“About an hour ago” Wanda answered, the books floating behind her as they all walked towards the living room, “FRIDAY let us in, I hope it is fine with you, Mr. Stark” she looked at Tony.
“Perfectly fine” the man said, “Feel free to wander around” he then added, “Mi casa es su casa”
Wanda smiled soflty.
“Sir, Dr. Banner and Miss Romanoff are arriving tomorrow morning” FRIDAY said.
“Okay” Tony answered, “FRIDAY make sure the twins know where their floors are” he nodded at both.
“Very well, Sir” FRIDAY answered.
“You should ask FRIDAY in which floor Vision’s staying, maybe you could share” Pietro smirked.
“I will hex you, brother” she glared at him, her cheeks turning red as her eyes.
“No fighting, kids” Steve said chuckling. “You can go and see your rooms, if you need anything, FRIDAY will be available at all times”
“Thank you, Mr. Stark” Wanda said leaving the room, her whole face blushed.
“They do spend a lot of time looking at each other’s eyes” Pietro added, “that and floating, not flying, floating, it’s weird”
“Pietro” Steve warned, “Let them be”
“Clint thinks so too!” he yelled, he gave Tony a nod and then left.
“He’s fine, almost like an annoying little brother” Tony said, “Like Clint, but good looking” Steve chuckled, “but she doesn’t like me at all” Tony went to the bar and served himself some whisky.
“Don’t say that” Steve sat on the bar, “She just doesn’t know how to talk to you, they were just like that the first few weeks at the facility, Sam thought the same, now they hang out all the time. I’m telling you, training is like summer camp for them”
“It’s different” Tony grimaced, “They have a reason to hate me”
Steve pressed his lips, “That’s not true“
“Hey, What do you know about Natasha and Bruce” Tony asked quietly, “I mean Bruce is my pal, you know that, science bros and everything, and Natasha is your best girlfriend, we want them happy, right?” Tony poured Steve a glass of whisky, he knew he couldn’t get drunk but drinking alone wasn’t his thing.
Steve grabbed the glass and shook his head taking a sip, he made a face before swallowing, “If you want me to tell you what Natasha had told me about their situation, I’m not”
“Well, I don’t blame you, she scares me too”
Steve snorted, “I’m not scared of her”
“Well, Bruce said they are actually giving it a shot” Tony said, “The sex part it’s tricky"
Steve choked with his drink, “Wha- what?”
“You know” Tony raised his eyebrows suggestively.
“Yeah, I mean, I know, that’s just… personal”
Tony shrugged and then stared at Steve, “Are you blushing?” Steve glared at him, “You do know why it’s tricky, right?”
“Nat says it’s because of his heart or something” Steve scratched the back of his head.
“When Bruce get extra excited, he loses control” Tony said.
“That sounds… complicated”
“I have the feeling Natasha likes complicated a lot” Tony smirked.
“Natasha likes Bruce a lot” Steve said quietly, Tony could see Steve worried about Natasha and Tony worried about Bruce too.
“They are adults, Cap, they know what they are doing” Tony took another sip from his drink, “What about you, capsicle, found anyone worth melting for?”
Steve laughed, Tony grinned and stared at him for a few seconds. They did that a lot lately, they would stay in silence just staring at each other, the weird part was that Tony didn’t find it uncomfortable. The thing was, he didn’t know why. Pietro, who had been observing the scene, cleared his throat.
“Is all that staring a thing now?” he asked.
“I got to-“
“Yeah, I-“
They both chuckled nervously.
Pietro then snorted a laugh, Steve bolted to his room and Tony glared at the young man.
“Hey, Stark-“ Pietro started, the teasing tone evident.
“Not a single word” Tony warned leaving the room.
Once in his lab, Tony huffed loudly, running a hand through his hair. The realisation of being in love with Steve had come to him long ago. He knew when he started missing him whenever Steve wasn’t available for dinner, when he thought about him while he was out with his business friends, when he stopped going out to parties because Steve invited him to watch movies in their house theater. When the “I” and “Me” started being “We” and “Us”.
He loved Steve.
He sat on the nearest chair and continued working in an engine on the table, at least tried to. His hands were shaking and he couldn’t focus on what he was doing, he gave up when the battery he had installed exploded. He threw everything in the ground in exasperation. He knew he had to start all over again anyways.
This time he wouldn’t think of Steve. He couldn’t do this again, he didn’t want to do it again.
"It's strange what desire will make foolish people do. I never dreamed that I'd love somebody like you."