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Stark Tower is dressed to impress inside and out; twinkling lights adorn much of the massive structure, and the lobby’s Christmas tree stretches high, wearing iron man coloured tinsel and arc reactor-inspired baubles that glow faintly blue.
It is that time of year again in which Tony Stark likes to batten down the hatches and fester in his inner Scrooge. Only, this year, one Peter Parker has dragged him away from his own personal tradition and into a brighter and more sociable one.
Peter adjusts his Santa hat nervously as Tony hands him a neatly folded booklet.
“Come on, Pete,” Tony says, smirking. “You wanted to spread holiday cheer, and I figured go big or go home, right? But I also heard your concerns - see, I do listen - and I thought we could go big at home!” He claps Peter on the shoulder. “The Avengers are in dire need of some festive cheer.”
Peter flips through the pages of the booklet with a growing grin. “Mr. Stark, these aren’t quite the traditional songs I was expecting.”
“When have you ever known me to stick to the traditional, kid?” Tony matches his grin. “Anyway, that’s ‘Tony Claus’ to you tonight. Now, take this.” He hands Peter what looks like a little egg until he shakes it and it tinkles. Of course, he’s also thought about the accompanying instruments.
Peter groans but he can’t help but keep his smile. He adjusts his Santa hat again and pulls at his red and blue sweater, wondering for a hundredth time if it isn’t too much. Next to Tony, nothing is ever too much.
“Let’s go, Underoos.”
Their first stop is Bruce.
Tony knocks on the door and then, realising how weird it is to not be announced by FRIDAY, calls out, “Hey, Big Green!”
Peter shuffles on the spot until Bruce opens the door. He’s relaxed but he’s cautious, as is always best when it comes to surprises from Tony Stark.
Without any explanation, Tony gestures for Peter to start shaking the egg.
“Deck the lab with shiny tech toys,
Fa la la la la, la la la la!
Power suits for all the good boys,
Fa la la la la, la la la la!”
The song continues with silly science puns worthy of Spider-Man’s quick quips, the duo laughing their way around surprisingly tuneful singing. Bruce chuckles along with them, his confusion becoming joy as he claps along. When they finish, his clapping becomes a round of applause.
“Very well done!” Bruce is beyond smiling now and he allows a fond sigh to calm him down. “Thank you both. I think I needed that,” he admits a little sheepishly. Then he seems to get an idea of his own and waves a quick hand to hold them at the door while he disappears for a moment. When he returns he is holding out candy canes. “Merry Christmas, crazy kids.”
Next down the hallway is Thor.
“Thor Odinson, god of thunder and breaker of coffee machines,” Tony announces grandly, knocking on the next door with slightly more gusto. “Prepare thyself for the gift of music!”
Peter giggles at him, and then at Thor when the door flies open. “Friends! Let us make merry! What is this about gifts?”
Tony and Peter perform a rousing rendition of O Asgardian Night much to Thor’s delight. The god even attempts to join in, his enthusiasm and improvised thunder sounds making up for any tuneless shouting. He also leaves the surprise carolers with a gift, and Peter ends up reluctantly carrying a leftover container of roast boar.
As they move on Peter nudges Tony playfully. “This is fun, isn’t it, Mr Stark? Bet you’re glad I pulled you out of your Grinch cave.”
Tony nods and pulls Peter closer with an arm around his shoulders. “Sure am, Spider-Kid.”
Peter smiles wide. “Who’s next?”
“Natasha,” Tony says with a wicked grin.
The Black Widow is notoriously hard to impress, but Tony knows Natasha Romanoff has a hidden appreciation for the little gestures. This could absolutely be the biggest little gesture. They do their best with a more subdued parody of Silent Night that Peter happily introduces as Stealthy Night. She is, as always, expressionless… Until she can’t help but crack a smile at Peter’s added dramatic egg shaking. They leave her doorway with chocolate selection boxes.
Next is Clint.
Peter takes a turn knocking on the door and, after waiting a beat too long, shouts, “We come in peace, Mr. Barton!”
The archer drops from the ceiling behind them causing Tony to grip his chest and moan about his heart problem. Clint ignores him to poke lightly at Peter. “You’re lucky I like you, mini spider. I heard the others so mine better be epic,” he says with a wink. He remains out in the hallway to receive the performance of his rewritten song, Clint Barton the Sharp-Eyed Marksman.
As soon as the last word rings out, both Tony and Peter puff for breath but smile brightly waiting for the verdict. Again, Clint leaves them hanging for a long beat, making Peter anxious and Tony impatient.
Clint gives in when Peter starts to fidget, whooping and boasting that he gets a cool Hawkeye Christmas song. “Do you guys mind recording it for my kids? They’ll love it.”
“Of course, Mr. Barton, sir,” Peter agrees enthusiastically. Tony is just happy that the kid is happy so he agrees, too.
“Sure thing, Fletch.”
Clint ignores Tony’s attempts at yet another nickname in favour of raving about the cool arrow ideas he has for Peter to experiment with. The notes for which are the gifts they leave with from their penultimate Avenger.
Peter, now enthused with the courage of most of their group, pulls Tony along to the next and final door. Tony puts up a little more resistance once Clint has vanished, though.
“We should probably call it there, Spidey,” Tony whispers as if the last member of their team is going to overhear through the soundproofed walls.
“What?” Peter squarks, dismayed. “But there’s only Captain Rogers left.”
Tony nods but his face is pulled into a grimace. “I know but I don’t think he’s one for surprises. Especially the festive kind. We should respect his privacy, or whatever.”
“But you said all the Avengers needed some festive cheer.”
“Yeah,” Toyn admits slowly. “But maybe not this one.”
Peter frowns and Tony holds his breath while the kid puts together some sort of puzzle in his head.
“I know you and Captain Rogers don’t get on too well, but I don’t want him to think that we’ve visited everyone and left him out.”
“Okay, fair, but I didn’t write a better song for Cap. I thought we were skipping his criticism and humbug.”
“We could just do a normal song, then. Maybe he’ll like that better if you think he won’t like the carolling.” Peter nods thoughtfully at his own suggestion.
Tony sighs, knowing that the kid talks sense. “Alright. You got me. Let’s sing for the true Grinch.”
“I stopped you from being a Grinch, too,” Peter counters, trying to lighten the mood again with a little nudge.
Tony just rolls his eyes and allows himself to be pulled along this time.
True to Tony’s prediction, Steve is more than a little grumpy at being disturbed. That is until he sees that Tony clearly doesn’t want to be there and Peter is holding his arm. He greets Peter nicely enough but keeps his eye on where the kid is gripping his idol.
Unlike with the others, Peter takes a minute to explain why they are interrupting him without FRIDAY’s announcing them. Steve nods slowly at Peter asking for consent to sing at him. And so, Peter holds out his phone so that he and Tony can read the lyrics of Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. Peter looks very serious and Tony watches the kid so he doesn’t have to watch Steve.
All of them, including Steve, are surprised when the Captain joins in for the last few lines of the hymn.
Tony thanks him for indulging Peter with a grateful nod, and the Captain nods back with the ghost of a smile.
Damn, the kid can really spread happiness to everyone.
When they properly wrap up their carolling circuit, they find the Avengers now gathering in the common area, laughing and sharing snippets of their unique festive songs. Peter looks around at their mismatched, wonderful found family and feels a warmth that has nothing to do with the hot chocolate that’s being passed around.
“Thanks for doing this with me, Mr Stark,” Peter says quietly, the flush in his cheeks showing just how pleased he is with the whole evening.
“Anytime, kiddo,” Tony says and tousles Peter’s hair. “You’re part of the team even if you don’t want to be an Avenger yet. You’re family.”
Peter hunches over his buzzing excitement at the sentiment.
“Merry Christmas, Mr Stark.”
“Merry Christmas, Pete.”