The Best Christmas Present (Avengers x Reader)

    3 Weeks To Christmas

    Steve walked back into the halls of Stark Tower after his morning run. It was only seven in the morning, so he knew he still had some time to have a shower and make breakfast before everyone woke up.

    As Steve walked by (Name)’s room, he heard her talking to someone. He paused for a second, curious as to what was going on. He knew (Name) was normally the last one up in the morning, so it was odd for her to be up this early.

    “But I miss you!” Steve heard (Name) exclaim. “You promised I’d see you this year.”

    (Name) paused, and Steve knew she was listening to the person on the other side of the phone.

    “Okay, I love you too. Bye.”

    A click could be heard within the room, and (Name) began to move towards the door. Steve hurried off down the hall, hoping he wouldn’t be caught snooping. (Name) poked her head out her door and caught sight of the blonde man dart into his room. She gently shook her head, and re-entered her room to get ready for the day.

    (Name) entered the kitchen where Steve was making breakfast. “Anything I can help with?”

    Steve jumped and turned to face (Name). “What are you doing up so early?”

    “I had a phone call,” (Name) stated. She walked over the fridge and opened it up. She grabbed the carton of milk, and turned to accept the cup Steve offered her.

    “May I ask with who?” Steve looked over at (Name) questionably as she closed the fridge door and leaned against the counter.

    (Name) gave Steve a soft smile, her eyes gaining a far off look. “I was talking to my brother, he’s overseas right now. I was hoping he’d be home for Christmas, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen.”

    “I’m sorry,” Steve said, and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

    “It’s okay. I’m proud of him, for doing what he’s doing… Sometimes I just want to be selfish and wish that he was here with me instead of protecting our country.”

    “He’s a-?”

    “Soldier, yeah. I was eight when he left, so I don’t get to see him often. I treasure every moment I have with him. Gods, it’s just… I miss him so much. More so since he’s the only family I have left.” Tears started flowing down (Name)’s face and she ran from the room. Steve stood there for a moment before he turned off the stove and ran after her.

    Steve turned around the corner to the hall which held the Avengers and (Name)’s bedrooms. He looked down the hall, but (Name) seemed to have disappeared. Steve sighed, and turned around to head back to the kitchen.

    2 Weeks To Christmas

    (Name) skipped into the library, and danced throughout the shelves. Music played in her head as she began to hum along. She ended up in the fantasy section and pulled out one of her favorites, Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey. (Name) hugged the book to her chest and made her way to the couch, still with a skip in her step. She sat precariously on the couch, and opened her book.

    The hours quickly went by as (Name) was enthralled by the story. She failed to notice that the moon rose in the window behind her, and that a blonde head peeked through the library door.

    Steve let out a quiet laugh, and entered the room. He walked over to (Name), tilting his head down slightly to get a better look at the title of the book she was reading. He smiled, noting that the book was about dragons, a species that (Name) adored.

    “Wishing that you were in that book aren't you?”

    (Name) let out a squeal and threw the book up in the air. Steve reached out and grabbed the book before it hit the startled girl in the head.

    “Steve!” (Name) exclaimed. “Don’t scare me like that!”

    “Sorry (Name). I just wanted to let you know dinner is ready,” Steve said with a smile. He offered (Name) a hand, which she accepted, and he pulled her up. “Let’s go.”

    The two walked into the dining room where the Avengers were already seated. They both sat down and began eating. When the meal ended, (Name) helped Natasha clean up and do the dishes. As (Name) was drying the plates, the phone rang. Natasha picked it up.

    “Hello?” Natasha’s brows furrow, and her eyes darted to (Name).

    “Yes she’s here. Would you like to speak to her? Okay,” Natasha passed the phone to (Name). “For you.”

    (Name) shot Natasha a confused look, but accepted the phone. “Hello?”

    “Hey baby girl,” a male voice sounded. It was a voice (Name) remembered all too well.

    “Matthew!” (Name) exclaimed.

    Matthew laughed, “Yeah. It’s me.”

    “Why- why did you call? Not that I didn’t want you to, because I do. It’s just… I didn’t expect you to call again so soon!” (Name) rambled nervously. “Is everything okay?”

    “Whoa, calm down sis. Everything’s okay, that’s why I was able to call. How’s everything in flashy New York?”

    “It’s great!” (Name) exclaimed. “Tony’s going all out for Christmas; I’m not sure how much more I can handle.”

    “I’m sure you’ll be fine, Christmas is all about happiness and cheer.”

    “And family,” (Name) reminded her brother. “Any change in plans?”

    Matthew sighed, “Sorry baby girl… No change in plans.”

    “Oh,” (Name) said, unsure what to say. “Well, I miss you Matty.”

    “I miss you too, and I promise I’ll be home soon. Even if I don’t make Christmas, I’m sure I’ll make New Year’s.”

    “You better, or I’ll kick your ass.” (Name) joked.

    Matthew laughed, “I’m sure you will.”

    (Name) heard voices calling to Matthew over the line. “Look baby girl,” Matthew started. “I have to go okay? Be good, and I love you.”

    (Name) nodded, a tear trickled down her cheek. “Okay, I love you too. Stay safe.”

    “I will,” Matthew responded and hung up.

    (Name) pulled the phone away from her ear, and gazed down on it. Natasha placed her hand gently on (Name)’s shoulder. “Are you okay?”

    (Name) shrugged. “I guess so. Matthew just can’t make Christmas this year.”

    Natasha watched (Name) walk out of the room with her shoulders slumped. Natasha wished there was something she could do to make (Name) happy again.

    1 week To Christmas

    The Avengers sat in the living room of Stark Tower. (Name) went out, so it was the perfect time for them to discuss her sudden change in moods.

    “So I’m not the only one who noticed that the closer to Christmas it got, the sadder (Name) was?” Tony questioned, and took a sip of his scotch.

    Natasha nodded. “She told me this guy named Matthew couldn’t make it for Christmas.”

    Steve cut in, “Matthew’s her brother. He’s overseas right now so he can’t make it home.”

    The others were startled by this piece of new information. They never knew that (Name) has a brother, much less a brother who was in the army.

    “If Maiden (Name) is upset about her brother’s absence, why don’t we bring him here to celebrate this Midgardian holiday with us?” Thor questioned, his voice booming.

    “It’s not that easy Thor. (Name)’s brother is a soldier, he’d have to get permission from one of his superiors before he- Wait!” Clint exclaimed. “I have an idea, but we’ll need some help.”

    Clint began to explain his idea to everyone, and they all agreed to it. It was going to take some hard work, but it was for (Name). They could only hope they could pull it off before Christmas.

    Christmas Eve

    (Name) yawned from her spot on the couch beside Steve. She was watching Christmas movies with the Avengers, and it was getting late. It was about eleven o’clock, but she’s been up since six in the morning wrapping the presents she got for the others, and baking cookies for everyone.

    “(Name),” Steve cooed, looking down at the half asleep girl.

    “Hmm?” (Name) hummed. She leaned against Steve’s shoulder and slumped against him. She closed her eyes and yawned before going limp.

    Steve’s eyes widened when he realized (Name) passed out on him.

    Tony laughed from his spot at the bar. “Dude, carry the girl to bed will ya?”

    Steve nodded and stood up from the couch. He lifted (Name) up into his arms and carried her to her room. Steve gently placed (Name) on her bed, and gazed gently gazed at her peaceful face. He smiled and pulled the blankets over her frame.

    A couch from the door startled Steve from his reverie. He turned and spotted a smirking Tony leaning against the door frame of (Name)’s bedroom.

    “Quit staring Lover Boy.”

    Steve rolled his eyes. “Is there any reason you decide you couldn’t wait for me back in the living room?”

    Tony shrugged. “I could, but Widow wants me to tell you the plane just landed and that her and Legolas heading over there. Oh and she wanted us to make sure Bruce actually goes to bed.”

    “Meaning that I have to make sure you and Bruce go to bed?”

    “Pretty much.”

    Christmas Morning

    (Name) yawned and stretched. She leaned over and gazed at the calendar beside her bed. “Hm… December twenty fifth… It’s Christmas day!”

    (Name) leaped out of bed, and grabbed her fluffy Iron Man slippers Tony gave her for her birthday last year. She slipped them on, before rushing out of her room and down the hall into the living room. She skidded around the corner expecting to see the Avengers spread throughout the room, but it was empty.

    (Name)’s brows furrowed and she turned to look back down the hall. The doors to the bedrooms were ajar, so everyone was awake. The question was where they were. She turned back to the living room and noticed the Christmas tree and all the presents were gone. (Name) groaned, and walked into the kitchen hoping to at least get a cup of coffee before she had to go hunt down the Avengers.

    As (Name) poured a cup of coffee, she noticed a note on the counter. She picked it up, and sighed when she recognized Tony’s handwriting.

Nice to see you’re up sleepyhead.

Bird Brain was able to come up with the best Christmas present for you (don’t tell him I said that though…). So, to get this party started, you need to find us. It shouldn’t be that hard, we’re all in the same place, with the tree and presents.

Hint: It’s not the lab (Bruce would Hulk out and as much as I would like to see that, Capsicle would hit the ceiling), but it’s another place we frequent.

    (Name) resisted groaning again and thought of all the places where the Avengers often hung out. There was no way they would make her leave the Tower, they knew how lazy she was. The living room and labs were out, so that left the training rooms.

    (Name) took a sip of coffee before she placed it down and walked towards the elevator and stepped in. “Okay, six floors hold all the training rooms… There is no way am I getting this on the first try, so I’m going with the closest floor first.”

    Luck seemed to be on (Name)’s side, as when she entered the training room and immediately spotted the lit up Christmas tree and the presents on the other side of the room. She slowly stepped in, and gazed around the room looking for the Avengers. Suddenly a pair of arms wrapped around her waist and spun her around.

    (Name) squealed, and when she was placed down, she spun around to face her brother. “Matthew!”

    “Hey Baby Girl. Surprised to see me?”

    “Oh my gods, yes!” (Name) gave Matthew a hug. The Avengers entered the room with smiles on their faces as they watched the sibling reunion.

    The Avengers, (Name) and Matthew sat around the training room with wrapping paper scattered around the room. (Name) was laughing and leaning on Steve as she watched Clint attempting to convince Natasha to wear the babydoll nightgown he got her from Victoria Secret. Tony was looking in the mirror he got as a ‘joke’ gift from Steve while Bruce was rolling his eyes at him.

    Matthew and Steve were taking over (Name), and every once in a while they’d glance down at the hysterically laughing girl. They both smiled affectionately at her, but Matthew gave Steve a look when he noticed to which Steve responded with a blush.

    (Name) snorted and fell over on Steve’s lap when Tony began making kissy faces at his mirror. Bruce even let a chuckle out at how silly Tony was acting.

    (Name) sat up and wiped the tears from her eyes and looked up at Matthew. “I’m so glad you were able to make it Matty, it wouldn’t be the same without you.”

    “I’m sure it would be, Tony can’t be this weird just for me.” Matthew laughed and placed an arm around his sister.

    “How we’re you even able to be here anyway? Last time you called, you said you couldn’t make it.”

    “Your friends happen to be very convincing.”

    “Meaning I was able to use my charm to convince them to let your brother go.” Tony said with a huge smile on his face.

    Natasha snorted, “Yeah right. We got Fury to… convince his superiors to let him have the week off.”

    “So, that meant Fury threatened them than.” (Name) said.

    “Pretty much.”

    “I’m sure Steve would have figured out a way to get your brother here.” Tony remarked, “He was always worrying about you and-” Bruce slapped a hand over his mouth and gave everyone a ‘what can you do’ kind of shrug.

    (Name) looked up at Steve with wide and innocent eyes. “Really?”

    “Well, yeah.” Steve rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

    “Does this mean I should be expecting some nieces and nephews in the future?” Matthew asked with a smirk.

    “I call godfather!” Tony shouted with a grin.

    “Guys!” (Name) shrieked. “I’m not having any kids!”

    “Not yet at least…” Clint muttered.

    (Name) groaned and stood up, pulling Steve up with her. “Well, Steve and I are going to make Christmas dinner. I can’t guarantee that I won’t put any arsenic in it.”

    “You wouldn’t.”

    Matthew shuddered, “Maybe not arsenic. (Name) can give you food poisoning though.”

    “Take that back,” (Name) stated. Matthew gave (Name) a smile. She laughed and placed a kiss on his head before walking to the elevator with Steve at her heels. “I’m glad you're here.”

    “Me too.”