#winterwarmers

“So, just to be clear, you are saying that we’re celebrating the birthday of that so-called God” Loki repeated slowly each word, flinching slightly at the latter. “Hmm” Bucky nodded while handing him another box full of decorative lights. “Norns..I’m not even that self centered myself” he shook his head bewildered.

“Hurry up, you two, we don’t want Sugarplum to rip off our heads” Stark’s voice interrupted them and pointed to the common room, encouraging them to follow him.

The smell of burning wood mixed with mulling spices filled the place. Illumination was warm and low, provided by the hundreds of tiny lights dangling in cascades from the walls, and the holiday themed jazz playing through the speakers was muffled by the group chatter and clinking glasses.

“Alright…just a little bit to the left now” you were climbed up on Thor’s shoulders attempting to set up the last ornaments on the tree. 

You haven’t been a Christmas enthusiastic before, the relationship with your family was complicated, to say the least, so a festivity that revolved around gathering all together didn’t sound like a great idea. Anyway, that changed radically when you joined the Avengers years prior. The sense of community made you grow more interested in celebrations to the point you had become some kind of monster obsessed over it. You would bake for hours all kind of plates to please everyone’s tastes, decorate every single corner of the compound and do an exhaustive research to make the best gifts. The purpose was to make every member feel cherished and at home; to share different traditions and creating new of your own.

You patted the blonde’s head as a sign to pull back to contemplate your masterpiece and squealed gleefully in a sound that resembled more typical of a squirrel at the sight.

Loki had dropped the box around the other that were already piling and was quietly watching the scene from a corner, not fully understanding how you, a grown respectable adult and his brother were like children in awe with a fir. Well, not that surprised about his brother, but you? His skin bristled anytime he crossed paths with you around the compound the last weeks, but not for the usual reason. He found this side of you rather disturbing to be honest, but he couldn’t fight a smile curving his lips as he saw your eyes gleaming with joy. Endearing and terrifying that would be. 

Taking advance of Loki’s distraction, Tony grabbed an object from one of the boxes and smiled to himself. The God was suddenly startled noticing something on his head and reached up to find a horned headband. Stark’s loud laughter resounding in the common room as he left hastily, drawing all eyes towards the asgardian prince. He instantly looked up to see you covering your mouth to suppress a giggle and felt completely humiliated, heat rising and coloring his pale cheeks. “How amusing” he mumbled between teeth, hands pressing to the arms of his chair to stand, already glowing green with seiðr. You approached him to prevent a tragedy and held his wrists gently in place.

“Hey, don’t let him rile you up so easily, Trickster” it probably was the couple glasses of wine you had before that encouraged you to get that close to the God, but didn’t care. “Also…I think they look pretty good on you” you whispered, bumping one of the bells that hanged from the horns and winking an eye playfully. Yes, it was definitely the alcohol taking over you. His gaze found yours, brows slightly furrowed in confusion but relishing the warmth of your hand upon his skin. A quiet murmur disturbed the interaction and you turned to see Thor, Bucky and Natasha not-so-discreetly looking at you two. Your smile disappeared along with the gentle pitch of your voice.

“Oh, come on! Stop with the sewing circle and help me with the dinner, you gang of dawdlers!” They dissolved quickly and headed to the kitchen, leaving you alone with Loki, whose eyes were still fixed on your figure. You gazed again at the antlers and that’s when it struck you. The way to make him feel comfortable and have a little fun that night. “Meet me outside after dinner. We’ll give the Tin-man an early surprise” a grin forming on his lips at the mischievous glint of your eyes. “It will be a pleasure, darling” he purred. You replicated his smile before leaving towards the kitchen, bringing up your phone to make a couple of calls. 

He was finishing getting ready for dinner when Thor made a boisterous entrance, as usual. “How do I look, brother?” The blonde prince smiled brightly at him, opening his big muscled arms to show his outfit on full display. He was wearing a knitted red sweater with a pattern of embroidered hammers. The thick fabric making his figure seem even bigger, which paired with his childlike face gave him quite ridiculous appearance.“Absolutely ravishing” he said staidly after scanning his brother whose smile was growing wider with pride. Loki adjusted the cufflinks on his black suit jacket a joined Thor outside the room. He didn’t really want to attend, but that was before your words that evening. Now he was thrilled to meet you and see what you had planned. Well, if he was being honest to himself, it was more about the fact of being able to spend some time alone with you. 

When they arrived downstairs Loki felt his heart skip a beat. You were placing the last hot tray out of the oven and chatting with the Widow, who was pouring some glasses by your side. You were wearing a loose dark green sweater with the sleeves rolled up to the elbow, hair picked up in a messy bun with some stray locks hanging around your face, golden earrings glinting and the perfect shade of red framing that precious smile. Loki nimbly stole one of the glasses from the table and approached to offer it to you. “Hey! You just read my mind” you chuckled, accepting the glass and turning to look at him, your eyes widening at the sight of his godly figure. It took an effort to stop ogling him and rise your gaze to his face “Damn, Mischief! For not being fond in the festivities you really outdid yourself!” Your remark earned a smug grin from him. “Thank you, darling. I must say you look as stunning as always.” 

The rest of the team were already gathering around the table, most of them looking at the beautifully decorated space and the delicious dishes, eager to start the feast, but there were a few curious eyes still on you two. “I guess Christmas miracles are something real” Scott joked tilting his head in your direction. “Are you serious? They’ve been crushing on each other for months! The only miracle here is that they haven’t banged yet.” Stark shocked his head, thinking of all the awkward interactions he had to witness on every mission you went together or around the compound. “And now I’m starving, so they’ll have to put it off for another few hours at least.” He whispered amused before raising his voice “Blitzen, Comet, dinner’s gonna get cold!” He hollered in your direction. You laughed darkly and Loki looked at you slightly confused “Trust me, this is going to be even funnier than I expected” you nudged his arm and both joined the table.

Dinner went smooth. Everyone enjoyed the food and drinks you prepared together, complimenting each other for their contributions and sharing all kind of funny stories. Even Loki seemed to be having a good time after all his reluctance, as you caught him laughing a couple times during the feast. You looked at them and smiled content. The truth is that you were a very dysfunctional group, but it was the moments like this you really felt part of a family and that made your heart swell.

As you were finishing, part of them got up their sits and made of the room an improvised dance floor. A tipsy Stark offered his hand to Pepper and started swaying with her. You kicked Loki’s leg under the table as a cue. “I’m going to clean this mess a little since tomorrow I don’t think anyone would be in a decent state to do it” you said casually as you piled some plates. “Wait, I’ll help you, babe!” Nat said, rushing to get up before you stopped her. “Don’t worry Nat, I got this” you said smiling at your friend, who scowled at your response but suddenly changed into a whole different expression as she saw the god grabbing a tray and positioning by your side. “You lead the way” he said bowing lightly. The redhead wiggled her brows and muted something very inappropriate in your direction making you chuckle as you headed to the kitchen.

“I think we accorded to meet outside” you whispered with a soft laugh discarding some leftovers in the bin. He shrugged leaving the tray on the counter. “It will draw the suspicion in another direction at least” then he showed that impish smile that made your knees weak. You bit your lip thoughtlessly and shook your head to focus again. “Let’s go outside, they should be already here” you took his hand in yours and guided him out.

“What in the nine…” Loki was staring bemused, mouth agape. He definitely wasn’t expecting this. You were nonchalantly patting the head of one of the nine majestic reindeers who were now occupying the main entrance. “Such adorable creatures, aren’t they?” The god blinked a couple times, still confused “And what are we supposed to do with this…beasts?” You approached him slowly, your new furry friend following close. “First of all, don’t call them that, it's rude. And they are going to keep our dear leader company tonight” you quipped. “I see…” his frown morphing into a mischievous face, eyes gleaming with excitement. If he wasn’t head over heels for you before, he would be now for sure “You own such a wicked mind, my dear” he complimented and you bounced on your heels happily. “Now we have to be subtle, and since it would be rather difficult for this fellows, we’ll need your intervention” you wiggled one of your hands. “Say no more” and with a flick of his fingers the animals were engulfed in a green flash.

After sneaking into Stark’s apartment and leaving the reindeers with some water and food, you returned to the common room. It was pretty easy to not catch any attention as they were mostly wasted or deeply committed in some activity; Rogers and Bucky were having a heated discussion over their card game as the old men they were. Sam and Scott were cheering Thor, who was drunkenly singing what you guessed it was a traditional asgardian song and Banner had passed out and was taken care on the couch by Nat. She whistled puckishly at you. Damn, she didn’t miss a thing even in that state. The rest were just dancing around or already left. You waved at Pepper and both shared a knowing look. Of course, you had texted her before and she was in when you told her what you had planned. 

“I think it’s time to call it a night” she sighted to her husband after finishing her drink. “Come on, baby, you know I love this song” Tony pouted pointing to the speakers. “I’ll go check on our child first, do you remember her?” She teased with a smile. “See you upstairs, Santa” he was wearing a hat, but you couldn’t stifle a chuckle at the double meaning. “And you guys, have a good night” she hugged you and turned to smack Tony’s ass before leaving. He looked her way and decided it was his time to leave too. “Be good kids, I’ll se you in..” he squinted at his watch and sighed “a couple hours, I’m afraid” leaving his empty glass on the table, he turned to crawl to his room. “Sweet dreams, chief!” You said chirpily, your eyes meeting Loki’s for a moment before you both started laughing. “We better take a seat” he took your hand in his and guided you to the fireplace. He arranged a couple cushions and you sat down by his side. With a glow of seiðr he conjured two mugs of spiced latte and handed one to you. You smiled fondly at the gesture and thanked silently while he pushed himself a bit closer, your knees almost touching.

Upstairs, the reindeer herd was waiting for their host, a couple of them chewing enthusiastically on Tony’s belongings.

Not much later, a dreadful high-pitched shriek quaked through the compound’s foundations, followed by a string of the most elaborated expletives one could imagine. Loki and you looked to the ceiling, almost chocking on your drinks. You laughed until tears were rolling down your cheeks. The rest of the team didn’t understand a thing nor did they want.