Some Traditions Are Meant to be Broken (And That's Not Necessarily a Bad Thing)
Fic Title: Some Traditions are Meant to be Broken (And that’s Not Necessarily a Bad Thing)
Author: uofmdragon
Recipient: tealightwhimsy
Rating: T
Pairing(s): Clint Barton/Phil Coulson
Word Count: 12000+
Warnings: Minor Movie Spoilers
Summary: Phil is going away for the holidays, screwing up Clint's traditional Christmas plans and Natasha has roped him into the very first Avenger's Christmas.
Additional Notes: My beta/Cheerleader/Bouncer of Ideas was the wonderful kultiras. exfatalist made the invitation. Links to the numerous references made during this story at the end. Written for the cc_exchange
Part 1
The next Christmas event on the schedule was Christmas special movie night. It was pre-empting their regular movie night, so Clint went without much of a complaint. They ordered takeout according to a monthly schedule that had become their tradition and then piled into the entertainment room. Thor and Bruce went to take the two big recliners, while Steve and Tony took the couch that was dead center in front of the TV (which was their usual spot). Clint flopped down on one of the other couches and it wasn’t long, before Natasha joined him.
“Are these any good?” Natasha asked softly.
Clint held up his hand and wiggled it, they weren’t bad, but they they weren’t good. “Depends on what we’re watching.”
“What are we watching Stark?” Natasha said, looking over at him.
“Well, I’d thought we’d start with Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town and then Year Without a Santa Claus,” Tony replied. “Along with Rudolph...”
“Stop motion?” Bruce asked.
“Yeah,” Tony said, “It’s the best one.” Clint carefully kept his face neutral. “Also Frosty, Frosty Returns, Charlie Brown, Grinch.”
“Animated?” Clint asked.
“Again, Yes,” Tony said.
Natasha gave him a look, and Clint explained, “Shorter.” She nodded.
“More likes those are classic versions,” Tony stated, shooting Clint a glare, before continuing on, “Miracle on 34th Street, Elf.”
“Is that the Will Ferrell one?” Bruce asked.
“Yeah, Pepper told me it was an instant classic and should be watched once a year,” Tony replied, “So it’s on the list.”
“We’re watching all of that tonight?” Clint asked, frowning, because it sounded like a lot.
“Nope,” Tony said, “Well, we were, but its Christmas movies on movie night until Christmas to fit it all in and we’re going to move caroling to another night, so we can have another night of movies.”
“Oh,” Clint frowned.
“You’ll send me the planned movies for the other nights, right?” Coulson said, entering the room and loosening his tie.
“Of course,” Tony said.
“Are you joining us?” Steve asked.
“I thought I would, you did send me an invitation,” Coulson reminded him. Clint scooted more towards the middle of the couch, trying to subtly indicate that Coulson was welcome to sit next to him on his other side.
“You can stick next to Tony and us?” Steve said, inviting him to join them and of course, Coulson nodded and took the third seat on the couch next to Steve.
“Well, we’re all here,” Tony said, “JARVIS start it up.
Clint did not sigh, but he did turn to fully face the TV, so he didn’t have to see Coulson’s ridiculous crush on Steve as they watched the movie. He did glance around a few minutes into the first one, because he couldn’t believe they were watching this shit, but Thor and Steve’s attention were rapt on the television. Bruce, Coulson, and Tony were vastly amused, but watching intently. Clint elbowed Natasha and indicated the others. She glanced around and shrugged, You never know what people find interesting.
Clint shook his head and turned his attention back to where Kris Kringle had just grown a beard to disguise himself from the Wanted posters that the Burgermeister Meisterburger had put up. Clint just couldn’t resist leaning and whispering into Tasha’s ear, “Any decent law enforcement would not be fooled by that beard, he’s still wearing that bright red suit.” Natasha’s lip curled up.
“Plus his hair is bright red in a town full of gray haired children and adults,” Natasha whispered back, causing Clint to chuckle. That was how it started, they’d watch for a bit, before one of them would lean in and point out a flaw or plot hole. Natasha didn’t laugh, but her smile widened and Clint couldn’t help but chuckle at some of Natasha’s comments.
“You want to tell the class what’s so funny?” Tony asked, after Natasha caused Clint to laugh during Year Without a Santa Claus.
“Nothing,” Clint replied, glancing back at him. He froze, catching Phil’s look of disapproval.
“Uh huh,” Tony said. “Want to keep it down, you’re kind of spoiling it for the rest of the group.”
Clint rolled his eyes once his attention was back on the screen, so those on the other couch couldn’t see it. “Sure.”
After that, they watched Rudolph, and then Tony declared, “Well that’s the end of the classic Santa stop motions.” He paused until Clint glanced back at him, wondering what his deal was. “Unless someone wants to watch Christmas in July?”
“Why are you looking at me?” Clint asked.
“Because Christmas in July takes place at a circus,” Tony replied.
“I’ll pass,” Clint said.
“Fine,” Tony said. “Next stop, animated movies!”
Clint turned back to the TV, shaking his head to watch some of the classic animated films.
*
Clint paused to survey the kitchen. Tony was busy rolling the church windows and Thor was making wafer cookies into presents by pressing two together with icing and then piping ribbon. Steve was in charge of the gingerbread cookies. Natasha was making sugar cookies, while Bruce was in charge of the chocolate chip cookies. The kitchen was chaos, pure chaos, but it was somewhat organized chaos. Clint was in charge of Russian Teas and the Peanut Butter Blossoms.
Everything was going smoothly so far. They’d made the cookie dough, and since then the ovens were in constant use. Some cookies were already cooling and when they were done baking everything they would decorate. Clint wasn’t stupid and knew that his teammates could be like little kids and would want to frost the sugar cookies and the gingerbread.
“I have to say it certainly smells good in here,” Coulson said, stepping in, looking pristine in his suit. Pepper was a few steps behind him.
“Agent! Pepper!” Tony greeted, “Please tell Barton that I can use my own ovens!”
“You didn’t let him use the ovens?” Pepper asked.
“I put him on Hershey kiss tin foil removing duty, so that I could make peanut butter blossoms,” Clint explained, spotting Coulson’s quick smile. “And then I let him melt chocolate to make church windows.”
“While standing right next to me and commenting about not letting the chocolate burn,” Tony complained.
“Nice work,” Pepper said, coming over to pat him on the shoulder.
Clint grinned as Tony started sputtering about how everyone was against him.
“I’m glad you’re here though,” Clint said.
“Oh?” Coulson said, glancing at the trays of cooling cookies.
“Yeah, we need dishwashers,” Clint said, pointing at the sink full of dishes.
Pepper and Coulson glanced at one another, “What makes you think we’re here to help?”
“I think you’re here to steal cookies,” Clint replied, “If you want some, you have to help and since you weren’t here when we were assigning baking duties, dish duty or you wait until we hand out the cookies.”
“I could make No-Bakes,” Coulson volunteered. “If you have the ingredients.”
“Traitor,” Pepper said, mock scandalized.
Clint considered, “Who wants no-bakes?”
“If someone is making them, I would,” Natasha said.
“Sure,” Clint said, as Coulson moved to find the ingredients. “Pepper, you’re on dish duty...”
“If the Lady Virginia does not wish to wash the dishes, she could help me with making of the frosting bows,” Thor said from the table.
“I can do that,” Pepper said, “I think.” She headed over to sit next to Thor and help him the present cookies. They fell back into working on the cookies.
“Clint,” Bruce asked. “Do you mind if I make peanut brittle?”
“If we’ve got the stuff go ahead,” Clint encouraged with a smile.
“Great,” Bruce said, going to gather the supplies. “Do I mind if I go down to the lab to do it?”
“The lab?” Clint asked.
“My high school chemistry had us make it before Christmas break using lab equipment,” Bruce explained. “So...”
“Just make sure you clean whatever it is you’re going to use,” Clint said.
“C’mon Tony,” Bruce said, “Let’s go do cooking science.”
Tony smiled, “You are my absolute favorite.”
“Put the church windows in the fridge,” Clint ordered, before the two disappeared downstairs. The others kept working and when Clint was done with the first batch of peanut butter blossoms, he offered one of them to Coulson. “Here, make sure I did it right,” he said softly.
“Thank you,” Coulson said, smiling as he took the cookie and quickly ate it. He made a happy sounding noise and Clint really liked the sound of that noise. “Yeah, you did good.”
“Glad you like ‘em,” Clint said, meeting Coulson’s eyes and smiling back.
“Are you sneaking Coulson cookies?” Natasha asked, breaking what little mood he may have been able to create.
“No,” Clint denied.
“Liar,” Natasha stated. “If he’s getting one, then I want one.”
“Well, yours aren’t done yet,” Clint replied, earning a glare from Natasha.
Coulson chuckled softly, “You better finish her favorites up, before she comes after you.”
“Slave drivers, the both of you,” Clint said, turning to get back to work. They continued working until the cookies were done and then they all settled at the table to decorate the cookies. He wasn’t surprised when Coulson made a Captain America Gingerbread, with the excuse that he had always made one Cap cookie each year, which caused Steve to blush. Tony then made a Hulk Gingerbread man, which spiraled into everyone making a cookie of their teammates, except Clint who made a Coulson cookie, causing the man to laugh and comment, “Are you going to make all the support staff?”
Everyone took that as a challenge and soon a fair share of SHIELD agents (Fury, Hill, and Sitwell) were made along with friends (among them Pepper, Jane, and others). When the cookies were being put away though, Clint smiled softly to see that the Hawkeye cookie was next to the Coulson cookie, which in Clint’s opinion was the way it should be.
*
Of the Christmas activities, the one Clint least looked forward to was the Stark Party. He had no desire to go it, but since it had been declared a team thing, he was stuck going. Clint liked the sentiment behind it, though he had an issue in that there were so many charities in need of funding year round and not just during the Christmas season. He knew it stemmed from his days in the orphanage where there would be an influx of visitors and gifts that would show up, only to disappear after New Year’s. It was why Clint did most of his charity work during the 10 ½ months not related to the Christmas season. The only thing he did do during Christmas was make a bunch of cookies to give to those who worked year round as a thank you for caring. So Stark’s charity gala was not something that Clint had any real interest in.
Still, when Coulson had come back he’d stressed with Clint that Clint needed to be a team player, so Clint pulled on his tuxedo, armed himself only slightly and went into the community space trying to figure out how to tie his bow tie, because ties were evil.
“You look nice,” Coulson said, surprising Clint, because the others were not around, so the room was quiet and he wasn’t expecting anyone.
“Thanks,” Clint said, dropping the bow tie ends. “Think I can get away like this?”
“Not at first,” Coulson said, moving closer to him. “May I?”
“Go ahead,” Clint said as Coulson took the ends and managed to tie into a bow tie. Clint tried not to take advantage of the situation, but couldn’t help but smell Phil slightly. Phil smelled good, it wasn’t a fragrance that Clint could place, but he wanted to bury his nose in Phil’s neck and not come back out for a while.
“You look good,” Clint said softly, because Coulson was right there.
“Thank you,” Coulson said before stepping away, but not too far away. “There, you’re all set now.”
“Thanks, boss,” Clint said.
“Thank me by behaving tonight, alright?” Coulson requested. “I know this isn’t what you’d choose to do, but please try not make a scene.”
“If I’m good, does that mean I get to dance with you?” Clint asked, smiling widely.
Coulson rolled his eyes and said, “Funny.”
Clint let it drop, because he wasn’t going to push himself on Phil ever. Clint was fairly sure that he’d expressed his interest in the other man and the ball was in Coulson’s court now. He studied the other man and how well he filled out his own tux. Clint wanted to touch, wanted to take him back to his room and strip him out of it, but it wasn’t going to happen.
“You two looking like that reminds me of Vienna,” Natasha said as she entered the room.
“I do hope that tonight won’t turn out like Vienna,” Coulson replied.
“Me too,” Clint agreed, going to offer Natasha his arm, which she took. “I didn’t get to dance with you in Vienna, but I get to tonight, right?”
“You better,” Natasha replied.
“Woo Party!” Darcy yelled as she entered the room. She and Jane had arrived earlier in the evening for the party and were now staying until just after New Year’s. She paused and frowned at Natasha. “Aw, you got Hot Ass.”
“Grab Steve’s arm?” Clint suggested, glancing at Natasha’s smug face.
“You’ll at least dance with me right?” Darcy asked, looking up at him with a pout on her face.
“Yes?” Clint answered.
“Great,” Darcy said beaming.
It wasn’t long before the others showed up, minus Tony and Pepper who were already at the party. Darcy ended up on Steve’s arm-like Clint suggested-for their entrance into the party.
Clint whistled softly upon entering, because Stark had gone all out for this. Clint was intensely uncomfortable already and would feel a lot better, if he had a target and Coulson in his ear telling him what to do. He didn’t have either of those and his only orders were to behave.
“You can do this,” Natasha said softly.
“You think?” he asked.
“Yes, and I won’t leave you alone unless you have someone else to watch your six,” Natasha promised.
“Thanks,” Clint said, grateful that he had Natasha as a friend.
*
“Mom, Dad, Uncle Phil, I think our TV has been hacked,” the young boy, who looked an awful lot like Phil yelled off screen. Of course the boy was Phil’s nephew so those Coulson genes must breed true.
It didn’t take long for Phil and who Clint assumed was Phil’s sister and brother-in-law to come into the room. Of course as soon as they did, the team started singing, “We wish you a Merry Christmas.” By the end of the song more Coulsons had crowded around the television, staring at the live Avengers singing. Coulson looked partly embarrassed and partly amused. They sang two other songs, before Tony leaned in and asked, “Any requests Coulson family?”
“Christmas in the Stars,” Coulson replied.
Tony blinked, “Uh...”
“Oh my stars, I’ve never been so busy before,” Clint started, trying to do his best to imitate C-3PO. “It seems Christmas arrives sooner each year.” Jarvis made some beeping noises and Clint knew the others were looking at him strangely, but he tolerated only one Christmas album and that was the Star Wars one-mainly because he knew Coulson would only be able to stomach it for so long before changing it. He pointed at the screen, which would show them the lyrics, “Christmas in the Stars, what a merry Christmas this will be, Christmas in the stars, out among the stars, lighting up a Christmas tree..”
Coulson laughed as they came to the ending, “I didn’t think you’d remember that one.”
Clint shrugged.
“I kind of want to know what the hell I just sang?” Tony asked, looking back at Clint.
“Star Wars Christmas Carol,” Clint replied.
“What?” Tony asked.
Phil cleared his throat. “Is this what you meant by going caroling?”
“We’re actually going to go out, but we wanted to include you,” Tony replied.
“And how many others have you included like this?” Coulson asked.
“Some friends like Rhodey,” Tony answered.
“And Fury,” Natasha added, causing Phil’s eyebrow to rise.
“Don’t forget the President,” Darcy piped up.
“And Senator Stern,” Clint said, causing Phil to pinch the bridge of his nose.
“You’re not to do this again, Stark, go hassle real people,” Coulson ordered.
“Are you saying you aren’t a real boy, Agent?” Tony asked. “That you really are an LMD?”
“Sorry, Sir,” Steve said, gently pushing Tony out of the room. “Merry Christmas Phil.”
The team echoed the sentiment, before Bruce disconnected Tony’s takeover of the Coulsons’ television. With that they gathered up their jackets to go and sing to actual people. Clint trailed after them, casting a look at where he’d last seen Phil. He missed the other man already and he hadn’t even been gone a day.
*
Clint really had no issue with Bruce’s soup kitchen idea besides, well…doing it because of the holidays. He had called a few places asking for places that were low on volunteers or needed more and anonymously had printed off the information and left them where Bruce was sure to see them. Bruce had actually chosen one of his and so he dressed for getting dirty, and joined up with the team, Jane, and Darcy. They loaded into the vans that SHIELD had provided for whenever they did not want to make a flashy entrance. Clint drove, because they were rather in the habit of letting him pilot the quinjet.
“Are we going into Jersey?” Tony asked a few minutes into their trip.
“Yes,” Bruce answered. “There’s a group that is still dealing with some misplaced Sandy victims, I thought it would be a good place for us to help out.”
Tony nodded, “Nice idea.”
“It wasn’t mine,” Bruce said, “Someone left the information out on the table with a number of others. I did a little research and I thought that it fit with what I wanted and would make the best impact.”
“Would have made an even better one, if I could have let the PR department know about it,” Tony remarked. “That would have brought attention to the charity.”
Clint rolled his eyes in the front seat, but didn’t say anything.
“We don’t need a circus,” Steve said. “You let the media know and we wouldn’t be able to do our jobs.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Tony said glumly. He was silent for about a minute, before leaning forward between the seats to mess with the radio.
“Tony!” Steve barked from the back, because Tony was now without a seatbelt and Steve had feelings about safety.
“Just give me a minute!” Tony said, before music started playing. Clint listened for a moment, before realizing that Tony had put on a Christmas CD and soon Thor was singing along with Tony, Darcy, and Jane. Clint grinned as he shook his head, his teammates were crazy, but they could at least carry a tune.
It wasn’t too long before they were pulling into the parking lot of the soup kitchen, and Clint turned the car off as he caught sight of a familiar figure.
“Wilson, that you?” Clint called out in greeting, watching as the taller man headed towards them. “I thought you stuck to Harlem.”
“Barton,” Wilson greeted, extending his hand. “Good to see you. I have Tony Stark as a volunteer tonight. Can you imagine the media clusterfuck that is going to happen tonight? I need someone who knows what he’s doing.”
“I object to that, a lot,” Tony said, coming around the car along with the others.
“Shit,” Wilson muttered, looking at Clint for help.
Clint laughed, “This is your team tonight. I’d suggest putting Tony on dish duty.” Tony glared at him, but Clint ignored him as he continued his introduction. “Steve, Jane, Thor, Darcy, Bruce, and Natasha, this is Sam Wilson. I guess he’s in charge tonight?”
“Yeah, you know me, bit of a sucker for an organization that needs help,” Sam replied. “What about you? I thought you didn’t do holiday work? ‘We have enough volunteers’ and all that.”
Clint put up his hands, “Team bonding, Bruce’s idea.”
Sam looked at Bruce and smiled, “Thanks, I know I got a decent cook now.”
“Steve and Bruce can cook too, and so can Natasha if she wants to,” Clint informed Sam.
“I’m willing to cook,” Natasha said.
“Thank you,” Sam said, gesturing them towards the building, “Why don’t you all come inside and we’ll start assigning tasks.”
Clint wasn’t surprised when Tony ended up beside him, “You know Sam how?”
“We’ve volunteered at a lot of the same places,” Clint answered.
“You volunteer a lot?” Steve asked, appearing on his other side.
“When I have the time,” Clint said with a slight nod.
“You never told us,” Tony said.
Clint shrugged, “I’m not doing it for the recognition. I’m doing it because people need help.” He hesitated briefly before adding, “Year round.” and strode away, leaving Tony and Steve to stare at one another.
*
“I’m surprised you decided to come with me,” Steve said, as they trudged through the dark New York streets on their way back to the tower after Midnight Mass at one of the churches. Tony and Bruce were excited about the arrival of Rhodey and Betty, respectively. Natasha and Darcy had other plans, courtesy of Clint recruiting them to take care of a Christmas present. (It required being sneaky; Clint had asked Natasha and she’d brought Darcy on board). As for Thor, well, it seemed sort of profane to bring a Norse god to a Catholic church service. So that would have left Steve to go by himself, if Clint didn’t come with him.
“You didn’t seem like you wanted to go by yourself,” Clint replied, shrugging slightly, so as not to move his carefully arranged coat and scarf keeping the cold air out. Clint understood not wanting to go alone, so he’d agreed to go with Steve.
“I didn’t, but you just...” Steve trailed off.
“I just what?” Clint asked.
“You don’t seem like you like Christmas that much,” Steve admitted, ducking his head. “I mean, Thor likes it, even though he’s never experienced it. And I get why Natasha doesn’t have any traditions, but she’s at least open to trying everything out. You, well, you wanted to go on a mission and it seems like you’ve been disappointed ever since and have only grudgingly gone along with our ideas.”
“Yeah,” Clint agreed, because he had been.
“I guess, I don’t get it,” Steve said, sighing softly. “I mean, I’d think this would be right up your alley; I mean you were a little present crazy on your birthday and you always put a lot of thought into birthday gifts, and this is like all of that rolled into one. And apparently you volunteer year round and a lot of people try and give more at this time. I just don’t understand.”
“My problem is that people don’t care year round-they think once a year is a good enough,” Clint explained softly. “Well, you know what? It isn’t. I’ve been there, kids can get attached in one month and then these people just disappear and the kids are alone again.”
Steve nodded, considering, “Bruce and I talked last night. If you don’t mind, we’d like to join you year round in doing the volunteer thing.”
Clint paused and looked up at Steve, before nodding, “That’d be great actually.”
“And you do know Tony has foundations that give money year round, right?” Steve asked.
“Yeah, kind of,” Clint agreed, because he knew that.
“The party was just one fundraiser of several,” Steve added.
Clint nodded. “Did I make an ass out of myself?”
“We just said you weren’t comfortable at fancy parties,” Steve said. “I think only Tony and Natasha were, out of all of us.”
“Coulson,” Clint added. “The man doesn’t do uncomfortable.”
“True,” Steve agreed with a nod. “So you and Christmas?”
“We’ve never gotten along,” Clint answered, glancing down at the sidewalk, “Family didn’t have much and it was pretty obvious when we were in school. Orphanage was pretty much the same thing. Circus wasn’t bad and the military just made me feel more alone than before.”
“And once you were with SHIELD?” Steve asked, softly.
“I might have been alone, but I could save people, protect their holidays,” Clint replied. “And Coulson was my handler on those ops, so it became our tradition. And when Natasha got recruited, it was the three of us.”
“And Coulson is with family this year instead of with you and Natasha,” Steve said, gently while frowning. “You miss him.”
“Yeah,” Clint agreed with a nod.
“Why didn’t you go with him?” Steve asked. “I’m sure he would have loved to have you.”
Clint snorted, “Go meet the Coulson family. I can see it now, ‘And this, Mom, is Clint, he’s a loser that doesn’t have any place else to go, so I decided to take pity on him and let him join us. Don’t worry if he doesn’t say much, he’s not as smart as us.’”
“Clint,” Steve said sadly, “You’re not dumb.”
“I’m not smart either,” Clint replied.
“You are too, in your own way,” Steve argued. “And you’re not a loser, you’re a hero.”
“Yeah, a hero with an archaic weapon,” Clint replied.
“Who used it to save my life not three days ago,” Steve reminded him. “And warned Widow that she had goons coming at her last week, thus saving her life.”
Clint huffed softly, because he had done all those things.
“And if you ever went home with Coulson, it’d be because you’d chosen to go, because you’re always invited to spend the holidays with me,” Steve added.
“Yeah, that’s the only way Coulson would invite me though, if I had nowhere else to go,” Clint pointed out.
“I don’t think that’s true, I think he might have invited you, if we hadn’t turned Christmas into a team thing,” Steve said softly, and then glanced away grinning. “Actually, I think he was kind of jealous that he couldn’t be here for our first Christmas together as a team.”
“He would have gone with you tonight,” Clint said. “You’re his hero, he’d follow you anywhere.”
“So long as he knew you were safe and were likely to stay that way, yeah he probably would,” Steve agreed.
“I doubt I factor into that equation,” Clint said.
“What does he do when I’m injured?” Steve asked.
“You don’t get injured very often.”
“Well, when I do.”
“After seeing you to medical, he gets the medic’s opinion and then goes to check on everyone else,” Clint replied. “Like he does for everyone else.”
“Except you - for you he waits for the medic to be finished seeing to you. He doesn’t let you out of his sight until he knows you’re alright.”
“Because he knows I’ll try and get out without getting proper care,” Clint argued, not really wanting to think about it.
"Maybe, or he's worried about whether Clint Barton the man is safe-not his asset, not his specialist, but his friend," Steve argued softly.
Clint hesitated, “You think?”
“I do think; he talks about you a lot, too,” Steve paused, clearly hesitating, and starting to blush he said, “I think…I think if you ever wanted something more, he’d be interested.”
“Yeah?” Clint asked and Steve hurriedly nodded. Clint grunted softly, clearly considering it. They walked in silence for a bit, before Clint decided to add, “You do know Tony is hot for your ass?”
Steve’s face managed to get even redder, “He is not.”
“He flirts with you all the time.”
“He flirts with everyone!” Steve objected.
“Yeah, but his flirting with you is meaningful,” Clint said, stressing the last word.
“It is not.”
“Is too.”
“Is not.”
“Seriously?” Natasha said, appearing in front of them. “You’re arguing like children?”
“It was a very important discussion,” Clint replied.
“About?” Natasha asked.
“How Tony is hot for Steve’s ass,” Clint answered.
“He is not,” Steve muttered.
“He is,” Natasha corrected, opening the door to the Tower for them.
“See!” Clint said, gesturing towards Natasha as he entered followed by Steve. “Even Tasha thinks so, and she’s always right.”
“Just like Coulson is hot for yours,” Natasha added. Clint froze and Natasha passed him by, looking smug.
“Told you,” Steve said, smiling as he passed him by.
Clint stared at their backs and shook his head, “I think I’ve been played,” he said to the empty floor and then realized he was alone and hurried to the elevators to grab one up to the penthouses. He made it to the communal kitchen just as Steve stepped off the other elevators.
“Which one of you...?” Steve asked, taking them all in.
“Which one of us what?” Tony asked.
“Put the tree up in my room,” Steve said glancing around at those still up and in the kitchen. Clint put on his best confused face and he knew Natasha would keep her expression neutral, Rhodey, Tony and Bruce were probably genuinely confused.
“What’s so special about a tree?” Rhodey asked.
“Its a real one,” Steve said, “Not a plastic one.”
“Wasn’t me,” Tony replied. “Jarvis?”
“I was told to inform you that it was Santa’s Elves, Captain,” Jarvis said softly. “And to wish you a ‘Merry Christmas’.”
Steve stared around the room, looking at each of them in turn. “Whoever it was, thank you, and I’ll say that again to others, but…Thank you.”
No one said anything and Steve turned to leave, smiling fondly. Tony grunted softly, “Well, I suppose we should all get some sleep.”
“Yeah, I have to help Steve cook tomorrow,” Clint said, going to head to his bed. Natasha followed him to the elevators. Once they were on it, he softly said, “Thanks Elf.”
“Not a problem Santa,” Natasha replied.
*
Clint draped himself on one of the chairs after dinner and clean up. They’d turned on a Mythbusters marathon and that was fine. Jane, Thor, and Darcy had taken over one of the couches, and Tony, Rhodey, and Steve were occupying the middle, with Betty, Bruce, and Pepper on the third. Natasha had taken the other recliner. Clint hoped there wasn’t an alert, because they were all pretty stuffed right now and he couldn’t see anyone on his team moving anytime soon.
“We got plans for the leftovers?” Clint asked, while he was thinking of food. There was a chorus of groans.
“No, why do you have something you want to do with them?” Steve asked.
“I got an idea for some of ‘em,” Clint answered.
“What is it?”
“Take it up to SHIELD-Fury and Hill are working today, I figured they might want food that wasn’t made in a cafeteria,” Clint said.
“That’s a good idea,” Steve agreed with a nod.
“Aye,” Thor agreed. “It is a good tradition to feed those that must keep watch while others celebrate.”
“You want me to hack the duty roster to find out which of your friends are on?” Tony asked.
“Yes,” Natasha agreed.
Tony made a grabby hands toward his tablet, but made no real effort to get it, before looking at Rhodey.
“You can get it,” Rhodey said, clearly comfortable and unwilling to move.
“But Sugarbear...” Tony whined.
“No,” Rhodey said.
“But...”
“Here,” Steve said, grabbing it and handing it to Tony. Tony blinked as he took it, looking between Rhodey and Steve.
“You’re no longer my favorite, Steve’s my favorite now,” Tony informed Rhodey.
Rhodey looked at him a long before looking over at Steve, “Good luck.”
“Thanks,” Steve said.
Tony frowned, as he said, “You’re being mean to me.” Rhodey shrugged.
“Focus, Tony,” Steve said. Tony sighed and got to work.
Clint smiled and mentally checked that off his to do list. He wasn’t sure the others would go for it, but he was glad they did. He dug into his pocket and pulled his phone out, hesitating briefly, before texting Coulson, ‘Merry Christmas Boss’. He set it down, figuring that Coulson was busy and wouldn’t be getting back to him anytime soon, so he was surprised when his phone chirped almost immediately.
Merry Christmas Barton, the message read from Coulson. He smiled, happy to get a message back and then it chirped again with another message from Coulson, Are any of you fit for duty?
No, too much good food. I blame Steve.
Same here, though I blame my sister. Did you end up roasting a pig? I believe Thor requested a pig roast.
No, we just had ham and lots of other good food. You?
Turkey, very similar meal to Thanksgiving.
Bummer.
It’s traditional for my family. Would have liked having ham though.
Should have stayed. We’re taking some of the leftovers up to Fury later.
That’s nice, your idea?
Yeah.
You’re a good man, Clint. The family loved the cookie tin you sent with me. My nephew ate all the peanut butter blossoms though.
I’ll make you more when you get home.
You’re too kind, thank you.
Not a problem, I like cooking/baking for people I like.
Let me know when, I’ll help.
You don’t have to.
I want to though.
Alright.
“What’s with the smile, Barton?” Tony asked, “You got a secret lover?”
“Huh?” Clint said, looking up to see everyone looking at him.
“Who are you texting?” Tony said.
“Uh, Coulson, he, uh, wanted to know if we were battle ready,” Clint explained.
“That it?” Tony asked.
“Basically, yeah,” Clint answered.
“You don’t look like you’re talking about the battle readiness of the team,” Tony commented.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means you’re looking like he’s texting sweet nothings,” Tony said.
“What?” Steve asked, turning to look at him.
“Whispering sweet nothings?” Tony explained. “Except the text version.”
“Really?” Steve asked. “That’s what you’re going with?”
“Yeah, gotta go with Steve on this one, that was kind of lame,” Rhodey said and Clint watched as it descended into a small argument. It fully distracted Tony from questioning Clint about his texting with Coulson. He glanced back down at his phone and saw one more message, I’m looking forward to it.
*
Clint was forever thankful that someone had overruled Tony and decided that the New Year’s Eve party shouldn’t be a fancy one and that it should in fact be something for everyone. Tony had pouted for a day, before throwing the party for the majority of SHIELD. Mostly the techs and personal assistants, but there were a few agents who were off that made it. Anyone in the field or forced to work the whole evening would have a gift certificate for a fancy dinner waiting for them when they got back or off. Clint was fairly impressed with that idea and he suspected it was Steve, not Tony that came up with it.
Clint had found a corner that was out of the way-his ankle was wrapped because while the supervillains had decided not to attack on Christmas, they’d made up for in the last week. Tonight it looked like it was going to be quiet though and Clint was kind of grateful. That ruled him out from dancing, but the others were having a great time. The only person who had left was Rhodey, because his leave was up and he wouldn’t let Tony ‘make a few calls.’ Thor and Jane were dancing as were Bruce and Betty - though those two were really just swaying a bit. Clint spotted Tony and Steve in an animated discussion near the bar, Clint suspected that Steve was trying to limit Tony’s drinking. Natasha was currently dancing with Sitwell, but he’d already seen her dancing with numerous others including - Steve, Tony, Coulson, Fury, Darcy, and Hill. He must remember not to make a joke about Natasha getting around. Clint scanned the room for Darcy, avoiding looking at the corner where Coulson was currently dancing with Pepper. He knew the only thing between them was friendship but his heart clenched every time he saw them together, because they looked good, they fit together.
Clint didn’t spot Darcy by the time the song ended and people were switching partners. He did see Steve take Tony’s glass, set it down and drag him onto the floor. Clint settled in to watch, because Steve still insisted that he couldn’t dance. It was awkward at first, but Steve had a natural grace that eventually won out, especially when Tony relaxed into it.
Clint smiled and went back to people watching. Pepper was now dancing with Happy, and a bewildered looking Sitwell now was dancing with Darcy. Clint couldn’t spot Natasha or Coulson, which meant one or both of them were probably sneaking up on him. Hopefully they’d bring some alcohol over with them.
Clint smiled a few minutes later, when the chair was pulled out next to him and a plate was set between the two chairs. He turned to see Coulson settling in the chair, “Hey boss, have fun dancing?”
“I did,” Coulson agreed. “I think I’ve fulfilled my obligations to dance with everyone I have to.”
“Might have to start adding guys to that list,” Clint said, indicating where Steve and Tony were still dancing.
“Please, as if Stark would let me dance with Steve now that he’s got his fingerprints all over him,” Coulson said.
Clint chuckled softly, “He’s no longer in mint-condition?”
“By the time Stark is done with him, he won’t be,” The plate was nudged slightly closer, “Eat.”
“Sir, yes, sir,” Clint said, grabbing a bite of food. “Speaking of food, we still need to get together to make those cookies.”
“We do,” Coulson agreed. “Do we need to wait until you’re healed up?”
“Gimme a couple days,” Clint said, “I’ll be healed up enough.”
“I’m surprised you want to,” Coulson said.
“Of course, I do,” Clint said, turning to look at him. “I... I missed you.”
Coulson blinked, “You did?”
“Yeah, we’re always together this time of year, and it felt really odd not to have you around.”
“I was here for some of it though,” Phil pointed out.
“But we didn’t do ethnic food on Christmas,” Clint said.
“I believe you told me you were stuffed with ham?”
“I was, but I wasn’t stuffed with ham with you.”
“There’s a difference?”
“Yeah, a big one,” Clint said.
Phil stared at him a moment, before saying softly, “I missed you, too. I mentioned you to my family.”
“You did?”
Phil nodded, “Yeah, so much so that they want to meet you.”
“They want to meet me?”
Phil nodded, “Yeah, if you aren’t busy, maybe that’s what we can do next year.”
“Nah, next year, you’re staying here with us,” Clint said, shaking his head.
“Am I?”
“Yeah,” Clint said, leaning in, “But I might be persuaded to join your family for Thanksgiving.”
“That would be a fair split,” Coulson agreed, “I should warn you though, they think I’m in love with you.”
“I’m not going to pretend to be your boyfriend,” Clint said softly.
“Fair enough, how about we do it for real?”
“Be your real boyfriend?” Clint asked, smirking.
“Yeah,” Coulson murmured, “You’ll have to call me Phil though.”
“I think we can do that, Phil," Clint agreed, leaning in the rest of the way to kiss Phil, who was kissing back. Phil’s hand came up to hold him and that was damn near perfect. He pulled back slightly to smile at Phil, because after awhile he just needed to breathe.
“Clint,” Phil breathed softly, causing Clint to surge forward again for another kiss.
“You do realize that traditionally, you’re supposed to wait until midnight to do that?” Natasha asked, setting down a bottle of champagne.
“We decided to break tradition this year,” Phil said.
“Make some new ones,” Clint agreed.
“That are still under review,” Phil continued.
“Right,” Natasha said, “Does this mean you two are together and I no longer have to deal with Clint’s pining?”
“You said Phil was into me,” Clint objected.
“He was, but he did not pine like you did,” Natasha explained. Phil chuckled next to him, and Clint had to admit he could get used to that sound. “Now are you together?”
“Yes,” Clint said at the same as Phil.
Natasha looked vaguely amused, “Then as my Christmas present to Coulson take this bottle and go ravish Clint in private. I’ll cover for you tonight.”
“Sounds like a present for me,” Clint said, moving to get up.
“I suppose that can be my present to you,” Phil said, standing and helping Clint to his feet.
“Well, I’m just going to have to return the favor because I want to-I kind of already got you something,” Clint said, grabbing the bottle.
“I like the sound of that actually,” Phil agreed. “Thank you Natasha.”
“Yeah, thanks Tasha,” Clint said, smiling at her when she made a little shooing motion.
Clint smiled at Phil as the other men led them out of the building.
*
Hours later, after the midnight kiss had turned into a second round and the champagne in the bottle was mostly gone; after they’d washed up and curled into bed and each other, sated and exhausted, and were slowly starting to drift off, Clint asked, “Can this be our New Year’s Eve tradition?” The rumble from Phil’s chest was equal parts amusement and agreement-at least that’s how Clint looked at it, and for once he was looking forward to Christmas.
References
(mainly because everyone has their own cookie traditions and what I call one thing, may not be what someone else calls it):
Wafer Present Cookies - That would be these things, though my family does without the silver balls. We use chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla wafer cookies to make them. My favorite is the chocolate.
Peanut Butter Blossoms - Look like that this
Russian Teas - That would be these. Natasha likes nuts in hers, I don’t.
Church Windows - Basically these, but I don’t like coconut, so mine never had any it and neither did Clint’s, because that's way I make them and they're my favorite. We basically leave them in log form and saw off a piece of it when we want one.
No Bake Cookies - are here and I’ve never made them, but they’re good.
Also, we totally made Peanut Brittle in my Junior year of HS for a Chemistry lab. I no longer have the recipe, so I can't help you with that.
Christmas in the Stars is a part of the Star Wars Holiday Christmas album, if you want to listen to it, it’s here
Author: uofmdragon
Recipient: tealightwhimsy
Rating: T
Pairing(s): Clint Barton/Phil Coulson
Word Count: 12000+
Warnings: Minor Movie Spoilers
Summary: Phil is going away for the holidays, screwing up Clint's traditional Christmas plans and Natasha has roped him into the very first Avenger's Christmas.
Additional Notes: My beta/Cheerleader/Bouncer of Ideas was the wonderful kultiras. exfatalist made the invitation. Links to the numerous references made during this story at the end. Written for the cc_exchange
Part 1
The next Christmas event on the schedule was Christmas special movie night. It was pre-empting their regular movie night, so Clint went without much of a complaint. They ordered takeout according to a monthly schedule that had become their tradition and then piled into the entertainment room. Thor and Bruce went to take the two big recliners, while Steve and Tony took the couch that was dead center in front of the TV (which was their usual spot). Clint flopped down on one of the other couches and it wasn’t long, before Natasha joined him.
“Are these any good?” Natasha asked softly.
Clint held up his hand and wiggled it, they weren’t bad, but they they weren’t good. “Depends on what we’re watching.”
“What are we watching Stark?” Natasha said, looking over at him.
“Well, I’d thought we’d start with Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town and then Year Without a Santa Claus,” Tony replied. “Along with Rudolph...”
“Stop motion?” Bruce asked.
“Yeah,” Tony said, “It’s the best one.” Clint carefully kept his face neutral. “Also Frosty, Frosty Returns, Charlie Brown, Grinch.”
“Animated?” Clint asked.
“Again, Yes,” Tony said.
Natasha gave him a look, and Clint explained, “Shorter.” She nodded.
“More likes those are classic versions,” Tony stated, shooting Clint a glare, before continuing on, “Miracle on 34th Street, Elf.”
“Is that the Will Ferrell one?” Bruce asked.
“Yeah, Pepper told me it was an instant classic and should be watched once a year,” Tony replied, “So it’s on the list.”
“We’re watching all of that tonight?” Clint asked, frowning, because it sounded like a lot.
“Nope,” Tony said, “Well, we were, but its Christmas movies on movie night until Christmas to fit it all in and we’re going to move caroling to another night, so we can have another night of movies.”
“Oh,” Clint frowned.
“You’ll send me the planned movies for the other nights, right?” Coulson said, entering the room and loosening his tie.
“Of course,” Tony said.
“Are you joining us?” Steve asked.
“I thought I would, you did send me an invitation,” Coulson reminded him. Clint scooted more towards the middle of the couch, trying to subtly indicate that Coulson was welcome to sit next to him on his other side.
“You can stick next to Tony and us?” Steve said, inviting him to join them and of course, Coulson nodded and took the third seat on the couch next to Steve.
“Well, we’re all here,” Tony said, “JARVIS start it up.
Clint did not sigh, but he did turn to fully face the TV, so he didn’t have to see Coulson’s ridiculous crush on Steve as they watched the movie. He did glance around a few minutes into the first one, because he couldn’t believe they were watching this shit, but Thor and Steve’s attention were rapt on the television. Bruce, Coulson, and Tony were vastly amused, but watching intently. Clint elbowed Natasha and indicated the others. She glanced around and shrugged, You never know what people find interesting.
Clint shook his head and turned his attention back to where Kris Kringle had just grown a beard to disguise himself from the Wanted posters that the Burgermeister Meisterburger had put up. Clint just couldn’t resist leaning and whispering into Tasha’s ear, “Any decent law enforcement would not be fooled by that beard, he’s still wearing that bright red suit.” Natasha’s lip curled up.
“Plus his hair is bright red in a town full of gray haired children and adults,” Natasha whispered back, causing Clint to chuckle. That was how it started, they’d watch for a bit, before one of them would lean in and point out a flaw or plot hole. Natasha didn’t laugh, but her smile widened and Clint couldn’t help but chuckle at some of Natasha’s comments.
“You want to tell the class what’s so funny?” Tony asked, after Natasha caused Clint to laugh during Year Without a Santa Claus.
“Nothing,” Clint replied, glancing back at him. He froze, catching Phil’s look of disapproval.
“Uh huh,” Tony said. “Want to keep it down, you’re kind of spoiling it for the rest of the group.”
Clint rolled his eyes once his attention was back on the screen, so those on the other couch couldn’t see it. “Sure.”
After that, they watched Rudolph, and then Tony declared, “Well that’s the end of the classic Santa stop motions.” He paused until Clint glanced back at him, wondering what his deal was. “Unless someone wants to watch Christmas in July?”
“Why are you looking at me?” Clint asked.
“Because Christmas in July takes place at a circus,” Tony replied.
“I’ll pass,” Clint said.
“Fine,” Tony said. “Next stop, animated movies!”
Clint turned back to the TV, shaking his head to watch some of the classic animated films.
*
Clint paused to survey the kitchen. Tony was busy rolling the church windows and Thor was making wafer cookies into presents by pressing two together with icing and then piping ribbon. Steve was in charge of the gingerbread cookies. Natasha was making sugar cookies, while Bruce was in charge of the chocolate chip cookies. The kitchen was chaos, pure chaos, but it was somewhat organized chaos. Clint was in charge of Russian Teas and the Peanut Butter Blossoms.
Everything was going smoothly so far. They’d made the cookie dough, and since then the ovens were in constant use. Some cookies were already cooling and when they were done baking everything they would decorate. Clint wasn’t stupid and knew that his teammates could be like little kids and would want to frost the sugar cookies and the gingerbread.
“I have to say it certainly smells good in here,” Coulson said, stepping in, looking pristine in his suit. Pepper was a few steps behind him.
“Agent! Pepper!” Tony greeted, “Please tell Barton that I can use my own ovens!”
“You didn’t let him use the ovens?” Pepper asked.
“I put him on Hershey kiss tin foil removing duty, so that I could make peanut butter blossoms,” Clint explained, spotting Coulson’s quick smile. “And then I let him melt chocolate to make church windows.”
“While standing right next to me and commenting about not letting the chocolate burn,” Tony complained.
“Nice work,” Pepper said, coming over to pat him on the shoulder.
Clint grinned as Tony started sputtering about how everyone was against him.
“I’m glad you’re here though,” Clint said.
“Oh?” Coulson said, glancing at the trays of cooling cookies.
“Yeah, we need dishwashers,” Clint said, pointing at the sink full of dishes.
Pepper and Coulson glanced at one another, “What makes you think we’re here to help?”
“I think you’re here to steal cookies,” Clint replied, “If you want some, you have to help and since you weren’t here when we were assigning baking duties, dish duty or you wait until we hand out the cookies.”
“I could make No-Bakes,” Coulson volunteered. “If you have the ingredients.”
“Traitor,” Pepper said, mock scandalized.
Clint considered, “Who wants no-bakes?”
“If someone is making them, I would,” Natasha said.
“Sure,” Clint said, as Coulson moved to find the ingredients. “Pepper, you’re on dish duty...”
“If the Lady Virginia does not wish to wash the dishes, she could help me with making of the frosting bows,” Thor said from the table.
“I can do that,” Pepper said, “I think.” She headed over to sit next to Thor and help him the present cookies. They fell back into working on the cookies.
“Clint,” Bruce asked. “Do you mind if I make peanut brittle?”
“If we’ve got the stuff go ahead,” Clint encouraged with a smile.
“Great,” Bruce said, going to gather the supplies. “Do I mind if I go down to the lab to do it?”
“The lab?” Clint asked.
“My high school chemistry had us make it before Christmas break using lab equipment,” Bruce explained. “So...”
“Just make sure you clean whatever it is you’re going to use,” Clint said.
“C’mon Tony,” Bruce said, “Let’s go do cooking science.”
Tony smiled, “You are my absolute favorite.”
“Put the church windows in the fridge,” Clint ordered, before the two disappeared downstairs. The others kept working and when Clint was done with the first batch of peanut butter blossoms, he offered one of them to Coulson. “Here, make sure I did it right,” he said softly.
“Thank you,” Coulson said, smiling as he took the cookie and quickly ate it. He made a happy sounding noise and Clint really liked the sound of that noise. “Yeah, you did good.”
“Glad you like ‘em,” Clint said, meeting Coulson’s eyes and smiling back.
“Are you sneaking Coulson cookies?” Natasha asked, breaking what little mood he may have been able to create.
“No,” Clint denied.
“Liar,” Natasha stated. “If he’s getting one, then I want one.”
“Well, yours aren’t done yet,” Clint replied, earning a glare from Natasha.
Coulson chuckled softly, “You better finish her favorites up, before she comes after you.”
“Slave drivers, the both of you,” Clint said, turning to get back to work. They continued working until the cookies were done and then they all settled at the table to decorate the cookies. He wasn’t surprised when Coulson made a Captain America Gingerbread, with the excuse that he had always made one Cap cookie each year, which caused Steve to blush. Tony then made a Hulk Gingerbread man, which spiraled into everyone making a cookie of their teammates, except Clint who made a Coulson cookie, causing the man to laugh and comment, “Are you going to make all the support staff?”
Everyone took that as a challenge and soon a fair share of SHIELD agents (Fury, Hill, and Sitwell) were made along with friends (among them Pepper, Jane, and others). When the cookies were being put away though, Clint smiled softly to see that the Hawkeye cookie was next to the Coulson cookie, which in Clint’s opinion was the way it should be.
*
Of the Christmas activities, the one Clint least looked forward to was the Stark Party. He had no desire to go it, but since it had been declared a team thing, he was stuck going. Clint liked the sentiment behind it, though he had an issue in that there were so many charities in need of funding year round and not just during the Christmas season. He knew it stemmed from his days in the orphanage where there would be an influx of visitors and gifts that would show up, only to disappear after New Year’s. It was why Clint did most of his charity work during the 10 ½ months not related to the Christmas season. The only thing he did do during Christmas was make a bunch of cookies to give to those who worked year round as a thank you for caring. So Stark’s charity gala was not something that Clint had any real interest in.
Still, when Coulson had come back he’d stressed with Clint that Clint needed to be a team player, so Clint pulled on his tuxedo, armed himself only slightly and went into the community space trying to figure out how to tie his bow tie, because ties were evil.
“You look nice,” Coulson said, surprising Clint, because the others were not around, so the room was quiet and he wasn’t expecting anyone.
“Thanks,” Clint said, dropping the bow tie ends. “Think I can get away like this?”
“Not at first,” Coulson said, moving closer to him. “May I?”
“Go ahead,” Clint said as Coulson took the ends and managed to tie into a bow tie. Clint tried not to take advantage of the situation, but couldn’t help but smell Phil slightly. Phil smelled good, it wasn’t a fragrance that Clint could place, but he wanted to bury his nose in Phil’s neck and not come back out for a while.
“You look good,” Clint said softly, because Coulson was right there.
“Thank you,” Coulson said before stepping away, but not too far away. “There, you’re all set now.”
“Thanks, boss,” Clint said.
“Thank me by behaving tonight, alright?” Coulson requested. “I know this isn’t what you’d choose to do, but please try not make a scene.”
“If I’m good, does that mean I get to dance with you?” Clint asked, smiling widely.
Coulson rolled his eyes and said, “Funny.”
Clint let it drop, because he wasn’t going to push himself on Phil ever. Clint was fairly sure that he’d expressed his interest in the other man and the ball was in Coulson’s court now. He studied the other man and how well he filled out his own tux. Clint wanted to touch, wanted to take him back to his room and strip him out of it, but it wasn’t going to happen.
“You two looking like that reminds me of Vienna,” Natasha said as she entered the room.
“I do hope that tonight won’t turn out like Vienna,” Coulson replied.
“Me too,” Clint agreed, going to offer Natasha his arm, which she took. “I didn’t get to dance with you in Vienna, but I get to tonight, right?”
“You better,” Natasha replied.
“Woo Party!” Darcy yelled as she entered the room. She and Jane had arrived earlier in the evening for the party and were now staying until just after New Year’s. She paused and frowned at Natasha. “Aw, you got Hot Ass.”
“Grab Steve’s arm?” Clint suggested, glancing at Natasha’s smug face.
“You’ll at least dance with me right?” Darcy asked, looking up at him with a pout on her face.
“Yes?” Clint answered.
“Great,” Darcy said beaming.
It wasn’t long before the others showed up, minus Tony and Pepper who were already at the party. Darcy ended up on Steve’s arm-like Clint suggested-for their entrance into the party.
Clint whistled softly upon entering, because Stark had gone all out for this. Clint was intensely uncomfortable already and would feel a lot better, if he had a target and Coulson in his ear telling him what to do. He didn’t have either of those and his only orders were to behave.
“You can do this,” Natasha said softly.
“You think?” he asked.
“Yes, and I won’t leave you alone unless you have someone else to watch your six,” Natasha promised.
“Thanks,” Clint said, grateful that he had Natasha as a friend.
*
“Mom, Dad, Uncle Phil, I think our TV has been hacked,” the young boy, who looked an awful lot like Phil yelled off screen. Of course the boy was Phil’s nephew so those Coulson genes must breed true.
It didn’t take long for Phil and who Clint assumed was Phil’s sister and brother-in-law to come into the room. Of course as soon as they did, the team started singing, “We wish you a Merry Christmas.” By the end of the song more Coulsons had crowded around the television, staring at the live Avengers singing. Coulson looked partly embarrassed and partly amused. They sang two other songs, before Tony leaned in and asked, “Any requests Coulson family?”
“Christmas in the Stars,” Coulson replied.
Tony blinked, “Uh...”
“Oh my stars, I’ve never been so busy before,” Clint started, trying to do his best to imitate C-3PO. “It seems Christmas arrives sooner each year.” Jarvis made some beeping noises and Clint knew the others were looking at him strangely, but he tolerated only one Christmas album and that was the Star Wars one-mainly because he knew Coulson would only be able to stomach it for so long before changing it. He pointed at the screen, which would show them the lyrics, “Christmas in the Stars, what a merry Christmas this will be, Christmas in the stars, out among the stars, lighting up a Christmas tree..”
Coulson laughed as they came to the ending, “I didn’t think you’d remember that one.”
Clint shrugged.
“I kind of want to know what the hell I just sang?” Tony asked, looking back at Clint.
“Star Wars Christmas Carol,” Clint replied.
“What?” Tony asked.
Phil cleared his throat. “Is this what you meant by going caroling?”
“We’re actually going to go out, but we wanted to include you,” Tony replied.
“And how many others have you included like this?” Coulson asked.
“Some friends like Rhodey,” Tony answered.
“And Fury,” Natasha added, causing Phil’s eyebrow to rise.
“Don’t forget the President,” Darcy piped up.
“And Senator Stern,” Clint said, causing Phil to pinch the bridge of his nose.
“You’re not to do this again, Stark, go hassle real people,” Coulson ordered.
“Are you saying you aren’t a real boy, Agent?” Tony asked. “That you really are an LMD?”
“Sorry, Sir,” Steve said, gently pushing Tony out of the room. “Merry Christmas Phil.”
The team echoed the sentiment, before Bruce disconnected Tony’s takeover of the Coulsons’ television. With that they gathered up their jackets to go and sing to actual people. Clint trailed after them, casting a look at where he’d last seen Phil. He missed the other man already and he hadn’t even been gone a day.
*
Clint really had no issue with Bruce’s soup kitchen idea besides, well…doing it because of the holidays. He had called a few places asking for places that were low on volunteers or needed more and anonymously had printed off the information and left them where Bruce was sure to see them. Bruce had actually chosen one of his and so he dressed for getting dirty, and joined up with the team, Jane, and Darcy. They loaded into the vans that SHIELD had provided for whenever they did not want to make a flashy entrance. Clint drove, because they were rather in the habit of letting him pilot the quinjet.
“Are we going into Jersey?” Tony asked a few minutes into their trip.
“Yes,” Bruce answered. “There’s a group that is still dealing with some misplaced Sandy victims, I thought it would be a good place for us to help out.”
Tony nodded, “Nice idea.”
“It wasn’t mine,” Bruce said, “Someone left the information out on the table with a number of others. I did a little research and I thought that it fit with what I wanted and would make the best impact.”
“Would have made an even better one, if I could have let the PR department know about it,” Tony remarked. “That would have brought attention to the charity.”
Clint rolled his eyes in the front seat, but didn’t say anything.
“We don’t need a circus,” Steve said. “You let the media know and we wouldn’t be able to do our jobs.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Tony said glumly. He was silent for about a minute, before leaning forward between the seats to mess with the radio.
“Tony!” Steve barked from the back, because Tony was now without a seatbelt and Steve had feelings about safety.
“Just give me a minute!” Tony said, before music started playing. Clint listened for a moment, before realizing that Tony had put on a Christmas CD and soon Thor was singing along with Tony, Darcy, and Jane. Clint grinned as he shook his head, his teammates were crazy, but they could at least carry a tune.
It wasn’t too long before they were pulling into the parking lot of the soup kitchen, and Clint turned the car off as he caught sight of a familiar figure.
“Wilson, that you?” Clint called out in greeting, watching as the taller man headed towards them. “I thought you stuck to Harlem.”
“Barton,” Wilson greeted, extending his hand. “Good to see you. I have Tony Stark as a volunteer tonight. Can you imagine the media clusterfuck that is going to happen tonight? I need someone who knows what he’s doing.”
“I object to that, a lot,” Tony said, coming around the car along with the others.
“Shit,” Wilson muttered, looking at Clint for help.
Clint laughed, “This is your team tonight. I’d suggest putting Tony on dish duty.” Tony glared at him, but Clint ignored him as he continued his introduction. “Steve, Jane, Thor, Darcy, Bruce, and Natasha, this is Sam Wilson. I guess he’s in charge tonight?”
“Yeah, you know me, bit of a sucker for an organization that needs help,” Sam replied. “What about you? I thought you didn’t do holiday work? ‘We have enough volunteers’ and all that.”
Clint put up his hands, “Team bonding, Bruce’s idea.”
Sam looked at Bruce and smiled, “Thanks, I know I got a decent cook now.”
“Steve and Bruce can cook too, and so can Natasha if she wants to,” Clint informed Sam.
“I’m willing to cook,” Natasha said.
“Thank you,” Sam said, gesturing them towards the building, “Why don’t you all come inside and we’ll start assigning tasks.”
Clint wasn’t surprised when Tony ended up beside him, “You know Sam how?”
“We’ve volunteered at a lot of the same places,” Clint answered.
“You volunteer a lot?” Steve asked, appearing on his other side.
“When I have the time,” Clint said with a slight nod.
“You never told us,” Tony said.
Clint shrugged, “I’m not doing it for the recognition. I’m doing it because people need help.” He hesitated briefly before adding, “Year round.” and strode away, leaving Tony and Steve to stare at one another.
*
“I’m surprised you decided to come with me,” Steve said, as they trudged through the dark New York streets on their way back to the tower after Midnight Mass at one of the churches. Tony and Bruce were excited about the arrival of Rhodey and Betty, respectively. Natasha and Darcy had other plans, courtesy of Clint recruiting them to take care of a Christmas present. (It required being sneaky; Clint had asked Natasha and she’d brought Darcy on board). As for Thor, well, it seemed sort of profane to bring a Norse god to a Catholic church service. So that would have left Steve to go by himself, if Clint didn’t come with him.
“You didn’t seem like you wanted to go by yourself,” Clint replied, shrugging slightly, so as not to move his carefully arranged coat and scarf keeping the cold air out. Clint understood not wanting to go alone, so he’d agreed to go with Steve.
“I didn’t, but you just...” Steve trailed off.
“I just what?” Clint asked.
“You don’t seem like you like Christmas that much,” Steve admitted, ducking his head. “I mean, Thor likes it, even though he’s never experienced it. And I get why Natasha doesn’t have any traditions, but she’s at least open to trying everything out. You, well, you wanted to go on a mission and it seems like you’ve been disappointed ever since and have only grudgingly gone along with our ideas.”
“Yeah,” Clint agreed, because he had been.
“I guess, I don’t get it,” Steve said, sighing softly. “I mean, I’d think this would be right up your alley; I mean you were a little present crazy on your birthday and you always put a lot of thought into birthday gifts, and this is like all of that rolled into one. And apparently you volunteer year round and a lot of people try and give more at this time. I just don’t understand.”
“My problem is that people don’t care year round-they think once a year is a good enough,” Clint explained softly. “Well, you know what? It isn’t. I’ve been there, kids can get attached in one month and then these people just disappear and the kids are alone again.”
Steve nodded, considering, “Bruce and I talked last night. If you don’t mind, we’d like to join you year round in doing the volunteer thing.”
Clint paused and looked up at Steve, before nodding, “That’d be great actually.”
“And you do know Tony has foundations that give money year round, right?” Steve asked.
“Yeah, kind of,” Clint agreed, because he knew that.
“The party was just one fundraiser of several,” Steve added.
Clint nodded. “Did I make an ass out of myself?”
“We just said you weren’t comfortable at fancy parties,” Steve said. “I think only Tony and Natasha were, out of all of us.”
“Coulson,” Clint added. “The man doesn’t do uncomfortable.”
“True,” Steve agreed with a nod. “So you and Christmas?”
“We’ve never gotten along,” Clint answered, glancing down at the sidewalk, “Family didn’t have much and it was pretty obvious when we were in school. Orphanage was pretty much the same thing. Circus wasn’t bad and the military just made me feel more alone than before.”
“And once you were with SHIELD?” Steve asked, softly.
“I might have been alone, but I could save people, protect their holidays,” Clint replied. “And Coulson was my handler on those ops, so it became our tradition. And when Natasha got recruited, it was the three of us.”
“And Coulson is with family this year instead of with you and Natasha,” Steve said, gently while frowning. “You miss him.”
“Yeah,” Clint agreed with a nod.
“Why didn’t you go with him?” Steve asked. “I’m sure he would have loved to have you.”
Clint snorted, “Go meet the Coulson family. I can see it now, ‘And this, Mom, is Clint, he’s a loser that doesn’t have any place else to go, so I decided to take pity on him and let him join us. Don’t worry if he doesn’t say much, he’s not as smart as us.’”
“Clint,” Steve said sadly, “You’re not dumb.”
“I’m not smart either,” Clint replied.
“You are too, in your own way,” Steve argued. “And you’re not a loser, you’re a hero.”
“Yeah, a hero with an archaic weapon,” Clint replied.
“Who used it to save my life not three days ago,” Steve reminded him. “And warned Widow that she had goons coming at her last week, thus saving her life.”
Clint huffed softly, because he had done all those things.
“And if you ever went home with Coulson, it’d be because you’d chosen to go, because you’re always invited to spend the holidays with me,” Steve added.
“Yeah, that’s the only way Coulson would invite me though, if I had nowhere else to go,” Clint pointed out.
“I don’t think that’s true, I think he might have invited you, if we hadn’t turned Christmas into a team thing,” Steve said softly, and then glanced away grinning. “Actually, I think he was kind of jealous that he couldn’t be here for our first Christmas together as a team.”
“He would have gone with you tonight,” Clint said. “You’re his hero, he’d follow you anywhere.”
“So long as he knew you were safe and were likely to stay that way, yeah he probably would,” Steve agreed.
“I doubt I factor into that equation,” Clint said.
“What does he do when I’m injured?” Steve asked.
“You don’t get injured very often.”
“Well, when I do.”
“After seeing you to medical, he gets the medic’s opinion and then goes to check on everyone else,” Clint replied. “Like he does for everyone else.”
“Except you - for you he waits for the medic to be finished seeing to you. He doesn’t let you out of his sight until he knows you’re alright.”
“Because he knows I’ll try and get out without getting proper care,” Clint argued, not really wanting to think about it.
"Maybe, or he's worried about whether Clint Barton the man is safe-not his asset, not his specialist, but his friend," Steve argued softly.
Clint hesitated, “You think?”
“I do think; he talks about you a lot, too,” Steve paused, clearly hesitating, and starting to blush he said, “I think…I think if you ever wanted something more, he’d be interested.”
“Yeah?” Clint asked and Steve hurriedly nodded. Clint grunted softly, clearly considering it. They walked in silence for a bit, before Clint decided to add, “You do know Tony is hot for your ass?”
Steve’s face managed to get even redder, “He is not.”
“He flirts with you all the time.”
“He flirts with everyone!” Steve objected.
“Yeah, but his flirting with you is meaningful,” Clint said, stressing the last word.
“It is not.”
“Is too.”
“Is not.”
“Seriously?” Natasha said, appearing in front of them. “You’re arguing like children?”
“It was a very important discussion,” Clint replied.
“About?” Natasha asked.
“How Tony is hot for Steve’s ass,” Clint answered.
“He is not,” Steve muttered.
“He is,” Natasha corrected, opening the door to the Tower for them.
“See!” Clint said, gesturing towards Natasha as he entered followed by Steve. “Even Tasha thinks so, and she’s always right.”
“Just like Coulson is hot for yours,” Natasha added. Clint froze and Natasha passed him by, looking smug.
“Told you,” Steve said, smiling as he passed him by.
Clint stared at their backs and shook his head, “I think I’ve been played,” he said to the empty floor and then realized he was alone and hurried to the elevators to grab one up to the penthouses. He made it to the communal kitchen just as Steve stepped off the other elevators.
“Which one of you...?” Steve asked, taking them all in.
“Which one of us what?” Tony asked.
“Put the tree up in my room,” Steve said glancing around at those still up and in the kitchen. Clint put on his best confused face and he knew Natasha would keep her expression neutral, Rhodey, Tony and Bruce were probably genuinely confused.
“What’s so special about a tree?” Rhodey asked.
“Its a real one,” Steve said, “Not a plastic one.”
“Wasn’t me,” Tony replied. “Jarvis?”
“I was told to inform you that it was Santa’s Elves, Captain,” Jarvis said softly. “And to wish you a ‘Merry Christmas’.”
Steve stared around the room, looking at each of them in turn. “Whoever it was, thank you, and I’ll say that again to others, but…Thank you.”
No one said anything and Steve turned to leave, smiling fondly. Tony grunted softly, “Well, I suppose we should all get some sleep.”
“Yeah, I have to help Steve cook tomorrow,” Clint said, going to head to his bed. Natasha followed him to the elevators. Once they were on it, he softly said, “Thanks Elf.”
“Not a problem Santa,” Natasha replied.
*
Clint draped himself on one of the chairs after dinner and clean up. They’d turned on a Mythbusters marathon and that was fine. Jane, Thor, and Darcy had taken over one of the couches, and Tony, Rhodey, and Steve were occupying the middle, with Betty, Bruce, and Pepper on the third. Natasha had taken the other recliner. Clint hoped there wasn’t an alert, because they were all pretty stuffed right now and he couldn’t see anyone on his team moving anytime soon.
“We got plans for the leftovers?” Clint asked, while he was thinking of food. There was a chorus of groans.
“No, why do you have something you want to do with them?” Steve asked.
“I got an idea for some of ‘em,” Clint answered.
“What is it?”
“Take it up to SHIELD-Fury and Hill are working today, I figured they might want food that wasn’t made in a cafeteria,” Clint said.
“That’s a good idea,” Steve agreed with a nod.
“Aye,” Thor agreed. “It is a good tradition to feed those that must keep watch while others celebrate.”
“You want me to hack the duty roster to find out which of your friends are on?” Tony asked.
“Yes,” Natasha agreed.
Tony made a grabby hands toward his tablet, but made no real effort to get it, before looking at Rhodey.
“You can get it,” Rhodey said, clearly comfortable and unwilling to move.
“But Sugarbear...” Tony whined.
“No,” Rhodey said.
“But...”
“Here,” Steve said, grabbing it and handing it to Tony. Tony blinked as he took it, looking between Rhodey and Steve.
“You’re no longer my favorite, Steve’s my favorite now,” Tony informed Rhodey.
Rhodey looked at him a long before looking over at Steve, “Good luck.”
“Thanks,” Steve said.
Tony frowned, as he said, “You’re being mean to me.” Rhodey shrugged.
“Focus, Tony,” Steve said. Tony sighed and got to work.
Clint smiled and mentally checked that off his to do list. He wasn’t sure the others would go for it, but he was glad they did. He dug into his pocket and pulled his phone out, hesitating briefly, before texting Coulson, ‘Merry Christmas Boss’. He set it down, figuring that Coulson was busy and wouldn’t be getting back to him anytime soon, so he was surprised when his phone chirped almost immediately.
Merry Christmas Barton, the message read from Coulson. He smiled, happy to get a message back and then it chirped again with another message from Coulson, Are any of you fit for duty?
No, too much good food. I blame Steve.
Same here, though I blame my sister. Did you end up roasting a pig? I believe Thor requested a pig roast.
No, we just had ham and lots of other good food. You?
Turkey, very similar meal to Thanksgiving.
Bummer.
It’s traditional for my family. Would have liked having ham though.
Should have stayed. We’re taking some of the leftovers up to Fury later.
That’s nice, your idea?
Yeah.
You’re a good man, Clint. The family loved the cookie tin you sent with me. My nephew ate all the peanut butter blossoms though.
I’ll make you more when you get home.
You’re too kind, thank you.
Not a problem, I like cooking/baking for people I like.
Let me know when, I’ll help.
You don’t have to.
I want to though.
Alright.
“What’s with the smile, Barton?” Tony asked, “You got a secret lover?”
“Huh?” Clint said, looking up to see everyone looking at him.
“Who are you texting?” Tony said.
“Uh, Coulson, he, uh, wanted to know if we were battle ready,” Clint explained.
“That it?” Tony asked.
“Basically, yeah,” Clint answered.
“You don’t look like you’re talking about the battle readiness of the team,” Tony commented.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means you’re looking like he’s texting sweet nothings,” Tony said.
“What?” Steve asked, turning to look at him.
“Whispering sweet nothings?” Tony explained. “Except the text version.”
“Really?” Steve asked. “That’s what you’re going with?”
“Yeah, gotta go with Steve on this one, that was kind of lame,” Rhodey said and Clint watched as it descended into a small argument. It fully distracted Tony from questioning Clint about his texting with Coulson. He glanced back down at his phone and saw one more message, I’m looking forward to it.
*
Clint was forever thankful that someone had overruled Tony and decided that the New Year’s Eve party shouldn’t be a fancy one and that it should in fact be something for everyone. Tony had pouted for a day, before throwing the party for the majority of SHIELD. Mostly the techs and personal assistants, but there were a few agents who were off that made it. Anyone in the field or forced to work the whole evening would have a gift certificate for a fancy dinner waiting for them when they got back or off. Clint was fairly impressed with that idea and he suspected it was Steve, not Tony that came up with it.
Clint had found a corner that was out of the way-his ankle was wrapped because while the supervillains had decided not to attack on Christmas, they’d made up for in the last week. Tonight it looked like it was going to be quiet though and Clint was kind of grateful. That ruled him out from dancing, but the others were having a great time. The only person who had left was Rhodey, because his leave was up and he wouldn’t let Tony ‘make a few calls.’ Thor and Jane were dancing as were Bruce and Betty - though those two were really just swaying a bit. Clint spotted Tony and Steve in an animated discussion near the bar, Clint suspected that Steve was trying to limit Tony’s drinking. Natasha was currently dancing with Sitwell, but he’d already seen her dancing with numerous others including - Steve, Tony, Coulson, Fury, Darcy, and Hill. He must remember not to make a joke about Natasha getting around. Clint scanned the room for Darcy, avoiding looking at the corner where Coulson was currently dancing with Pepper. He knew the only thing between them was friendship but his heart clenched every time he saw them together, because they looked good, they fit together.
Clint didn’t spot Darcy by the time the song ended and people were switching partners. He did see Steve take Tony’s glass, set it down and drag him onto the floor. Clint settled in to watch, because Steve still insisted that he couldn’t dance. It was awkward at first, but Steve had a natural grace that eventually won out, especially when Tony relaxed into it.
Clint smiled and went back to people watching. Pepper was now dancing with Happy, and a bewildered looking Sitwell now was dancing with Darcy. Clint couldn’t spot Natasha or Coulson, which meant one or both of them were probably sneaking up on him. Hopefully they’d bring some alcohol over with them.
Clint smiled a few minutes later, when the chair was pulled out next to him and a plate was set between the two chairs. He turned to see Coulson settling in the chair, “Hey boss, have fun dancing?”
“I did,” Coulson agreed. “I think I’ve fulfilled my obligations to dance with everyone I have to.”
“Might have to start adding guys to that list,” Clint said, indicating where Steve and Tony were still dancing.
“Please, as if Stark would let me dance with Steve now that he’s got his fingerprints all over him,” Coulson said.
Clint chuckled softly, “He’s no longer in mint-condition?”
“By the time Stark is done with him, he won’t be,” The plate was nudged slightly closer, “Eat.”
“Sir, yes, sir,” Clint said, grabbing a bite of food. “Speaking of food, we still need to get together to make those cookies.”
“We do,” Coulson agreed. “Do we need to wait until you’re healed up?”
“Gimme a couple days,” Clint said, “I’ll be healed up enough.”
“I’m surprised you want to,” Coulson said.
“Of course, I do,” Clint said, turning to look at him. “I... I missed you.”
Coulson blinked, “You did?”
“Yeah, we’re always together this time of year, and it felt really odd not to have you around.”
“I was here for some of it though,” Phil pointed out.
“But we didn’t do ethnic food on Christmas,” Clint said.
“I believe you told me you were stuffed with ham?”
“I was, but I wasn’t stuffed with ham with you.”
“There’s a difference?”
“Yeah, a big one,” Clint said.
Phil stared at him a moment, before saying softly, “I missed you, too. I mentioned you to my family.”
“You did?”
Phil nodded, “Yeah, so much so that they want to meet you.”
“They want to meet me?”
Phil nodded, “Yeah, if you aren’t busy, maybe that’s what we can do next year.”
“Nah, next year, you’re staying here with us,” Clint said, shaking his head.
“Am I?”
“Yeah,” Clint said, leaning in, “But I might be persuaded to join your family for Thanksgiving.”
“That would be a fair split,” Coulson agreed, “I should warn you though, they think I’m in love with you.”
“I’m not going to pretend to be your boyfriend,” Clint said softly.
“Fair enough, how about we do it for real?”
“Be your real boyfriend?” Clint asked, smirking.
“Yeah,” Coulson murmured, “You’ll have to call me Phil though.”
“I think we can do that, Phil," Clint agreed, leaning in the rest of the way to kiss Phil, who was kissing back. Phil’s hand came up to hold him and that was damn near perfect. He pulled back slightly to smile at Phil, because after awhile he just needed to breathe.
“Clint,” Phil breathed softly, causing Clint to surge forward again for another kiss.
“You do realize that traditionally, you’re supposed to wait until midnight to do that?” Natasha asked, setting down a bottle of champagne.
“We decided to break tradition this year,” Phil said.
“Make some new ones,” Clint agreed.
“That are still under review,” Phil continued.
“Right,” Natasha said, “Does this mean you two are together and I no longer have to deal with Clint’s pining?”
“You said Phil was into me,” Clint objected.
“He was, but he did not pine like you did,” Natasha explained. Phil chuckled next to him, and Clint had to admit he could get used to that sound. “Now are you together?”
“Yes,” Clint said at the same as Phil.
Natasha looked vaguely amused, “Then as my Christmas present to Coulson take this bottle and go ravish Clint in private. I’ll cover for you tonight.”
“Sounds like a present for me,” Clint said, moving to get up.
“I suppose that can be my present to you,” Phil said, standing and helping Clint to his feet.
“Well, I’m just going to have to return the favor because I want to-I kind of already got you something,” Clint said, grabbing the bottle.
“I like the sound of that actually,” Phil agreed. “Thank you Natasha.”
“Yeah, thanks Tasha,” Clint said, smiling at her when she made a little shooing motion.
Clint smiled at Phil as the other men led them out of the building.
*
Hours later, after the midnight kiss had turned into a second round and the champagne in the bottle was mostly gone; after they’d washed up and curled into bed and each other, sated and exhausted, and were slowly starting to drift off, Clint asked, “Can this be our New Year’s Eve tradition?” The rumble from Phil’s chest was equal parts amusement and agreement-at least that’s how Clint looked at it, and for once he was looking forward to Christmas.
References
(mainly because everyone has their own cookie traditions and what I call one thing, may not be what someone else calls it):
Wafer Present Cookies - That would be these things, though my family does without the silver balls. We use chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla wafer cookies to make them. My favorite is the chocolate.
Peanut Butter Blossoms - Look like that this
Russian Teas - That would be these. Natasha likes nuts in hers, I don’t.
Church Windows - Basically these, but I don’t like coconut, so mine never had any it and neither did Clint’s, because that's way I make them and they're my favorite. We basically leave them in log form and saw off a piece of it when we want one.
No Bake Cookies - are here and I’ve never made them, but they’re good.
Also, we totally made Peanut Brittle in my Junior year of HS for a Chemistry lab. I no longer have the recipe, so I can't help you with that.
Christmas in the Stars is a part of the Star Wars Holiday Christmas album, if you want to listen to it, it’s here