Avenger's One-shots and Preferences

Avengers Christmas Carol Part 5

This is the final installment of my Christmas special.

Vision: Wait a second, (y/n), this is all a tad bit heavy handed for a cheery Christmas story.

You: Oh come on, Vis, this a classic. Besides it won't sound all that heavy handed if you let me finish the story.

Vision: sorry. Proceed then.

You: thank you (you open the book again).

One minute Tony was falling into a dark, bottomless chasm, the next thing he was thrashing about under the blankets on his bed.

"Please! Please!" he begs, "Let me out! I'll-" Tony opens his eyes to recognize he was back in his own room. "I'm still alive," he says wide-eyed. Checking the clock, he sees the time was around six-thirty in the morning "but that means..."

Immediately Tony sprints out from his room and into the lounge. Sure enough, everything was in the same state he left it in with the charred tree and shattered Christmas decorations. "Friday what day is today?" Tony asks the AI. "It's December 25th, 2017, boss," Friday responds, "What is known as Christmas day." "Christmas day," Tony repeats, before a smile forms on his face, "I have a second chance." he takes another look at the room, "I can still make this right. I can fix this. Friday, what's the status of everyone in the facility?" "So far the only one who is awake at this hour is you," Friday answers.

"Then I still have time to make this right," Tony clenches his fists in determination, "It's gonna be close, but I'm gonna make sure this is the best damn Christmas this team has ever had."

-----Two and a half hours later-------

So the rest of us started waking up while Tony was doing what needed to be done. Since none of us knew what that rascal was up to at the time, the atmosphere was still rather bleak and depressing; especially since me and others on the team had to get ready for that unscheduled mission.

As you and the team step out of your rooms, you all slowly started to notice the arrows marked on the floor that clearly led to the lounge. Curiously and somewhat reluctantly, you all followed the arrows.

Now while tracing the arrows on the floor, I wasn't really sure what to expect. The event from the day before were still etched into my brain, so I wasn't exactly in the Christmas spirit. However, that all changed the moment I walked into the lounge.

Inside the lounge, the whole place was decorated in Christmas stuff from top to bottom. The lights strung were bigger and brighter then ever, the other decorations such as the stockings, candy canes, mistletoe, and even the Nativity scene have all been replaced with newer decorations. And the newly replaced Christmas tree was bigger, brighter, and right underneath were a variety of presents. and right on the coffee table were cups of eggnog and hot cocoa along with a large plate of Christmas cookies.

To say you and the rest of the team were in utter shock would be a complete understatement. "I don't suppose one of you was responsible for this?" you ask somewhat hopeful that maybe Steve, Nat, or somebody else decided to spend the entire night redecorating. "Wasn't me," Steve replies. "Don't look at me," Sam adds. "Or me," Rhodey concurs. You turn to Pietro, "I don't suppose you managed to use your speed to make all this happen at the very last second." "Sorry," Pietro shrugs, "This wasn't my doing."

"Well it had to be someone living in this facility," you conclude, "unless Santa Clause stopped by in the middle of the night and magically fixed everything that was ruined."

"Not quite, kid, but you're close," You and the others turn around to see Tony in a robe and PJs, sipping a cup of coffee as he stepped into the lounge, "Merry Christmas everyone."

You and some of the others had to frown a little; this side of Tony on a Christmas day was completely uncharacteristic. "I hope you don't mind, but this room was looking rather dim, and thought it could a little...brightening up," Tony continues, "I made eggnog and cocoa too. And I had Friday order a Christmas ham and apple pie for us to have a traditional Christmas dinner. Maybe afterwards we can down some shots and exchange some gifts."

"Uh aren't you forgetting we're suppose to be getting ready that mission?" Natasha frowns, "A mission you delegated us to complete?" "Oh don't worry about that," Tony assures, "That mission has been cancelled. It can wait at least till after the New Year. Till then, we should spend time together...you know, as a family."

"Who the hell are you and what did you have done with Tony Stark?" Rhodey deadpans. "I must admit this is scary even for me to comprehend," Thor quips in. "Seriously Tony, this unexpected change of heart is a little bit hard to believe," you speak up, "Especially since it's occurred in less then twelve hours."

"I prefer to think of that as a Christmas miracle," Tony attempts at humor, even no one else was laughing. "Look, I know this doesn't make up or even excuse what happened yesterday," he admits as he takes a step closer to you, "But I've had some time to think. I've realized you were right...I have been spending way too much time in the past. For the longest time I've been mostly alone, and I always thought I never had a family anymore to celebrate Christmas with. But then I realized something...you all are my family," he gestures to the you and the whole team, "Look, (y/n), words cannot express how sorry I am and how much I regret shattering your plans the way I did.," he kneels down as if to emphasize how sorry he really was, "I'm not asking you to forget, but if you find it in your heart to forgive me, I would forever be in your debt."

Taking another look around the lounge before turning your gaze to a newly humble Tony, you extend a hand to the billionaire, "I forgive you, Tony," you finally speak. "Really?" Tony perks up hopeful. "Well it's Christmas," you explain as you help him to his feet, "and nobody should be alone on Christmas, as cheesy as that sounds. If you're willing to turn a new leaf, then I'm willing to accept the new you."

"Wow, it really is a Christmas miracle," Rhodey quips in the background, before pulling Tony into a hug. "Does this mean the rest of you forgive me too?" Tony asks. "That depends," Rhodey answers. "On what?" "Which of those present under the tree are mine and what exactly is in them," Rhodey humors, making Tony chuckle a little.

Soon enough, everyone rushed to the tree to unwrap their presents.

Later in the day, the ham was cooked and carved, and the pies were baked for Christmas dinner. The Defenders even showed up for the little gathering.

"I'd like to propose a toast," Tony announces as everyone took their seat at the table with their glasses of wine. "To friends and family," Tony raises a glass, "To a wonderful Christmas with the people we love and deeply care for, and to a fresh new start in life." "To family both in blood and through the bonds that make us a team," you add. "Here, here," everyone else raises their glasses.

It truly was an amazing Christmas; and one you the team would remember for years to come. The End  (You close the book).

You: so what did you think, Vis?
Vision: I enjoyed the story quite a lot. The last part I actually do remember. It was one of the better Christmases I ever had.

(Suddenly, Tony walks into the room you and Vision were in)

Tony: What the hell are you two up to?

You: oh, hi, Tony. Vision and I were reading a classic Christmas story.

Vision: it was the story of when-(you cough a few times to get Vision to stop talking). It was a fascinating  story, and one I would wish to read again another time.

Tony: okay. Well we're about to begin the gift exchange, I'm sure you two don't want to miss out on that.

(You and Vision follow Tony to the lounge)

The End.

Maybe not the best ending, but it's the best I could come up with.

On another note, today marks exactly one year since I joined Wattpad. This book has come a long way since then. I really appreciate the love and support.