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Christmas time is a merry time for the Avengers, and as the holiday is approaching, the superheroes’ HQ is brimming with the season’s spirit. As per usual when an important date arrives (such as Valentine’s Day, the 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and others), the compound is grandly decorated in anticipation, with no sparing being done. There’s tinsel and all kinds of ornaments not only dressing the big tree set on the lounge, but pretty much everywhere that qualifies as a common area.
There is also a parade of different kinds of twinkling fairy lights adorning the walls and ceiling. If you were to ask one of the employees of the compound, they would tell you that it looks like a Christmas festival will take place there. Still, the scenery is magical and pleasant enough to not annoy anyone. Even the heroes themselves, who teamed up to put together everything, recognize that they did a good job while simultaneously managing to not go overboard with it.
Only things that are missing are the gifts that go under the luscious tree, yet the Avengers have plenty of time to go shopping before Christmas Day arrives. Although truth be told, those presents won’t be the only surprise in store for the little group of heroes that will be celebrating the holiday together. Au contraire, given the mischievous spirit that some of the members seem to always be carrying around, there might be a few gags and pranks awaiting those who least expect them.
Such is the unfortunate instance of one Srgt. Barnes, who falls victim to one of his fellow teammate’s shenanigans. Peter Parker, the youngest Avenger on the heroes’ roster, likes to annoy some of his friends and coworkers in the most innocent of ways. This time around, he chose Bucky as his sole target. Or, more specifically, he chose his prosthetic metal arm.
One afternoon, Bucky walks into the kitchen with his cybernetic limb wrapped in tinsel and Christmas lights, looking mildly irritated but utterly resigned. He had fallen prey to Parker’s ambush and insistence, ultimately giving in and just letting the kid do whatever he wanted. And even though he knew that not deterring Peter could come back to bite him in the ass (since the teen might take Barnes’ current acceptance as future encouragement), he decided to go along with it at least for the time being. After all, it was just a harmless little gimmick.
However, the moment the Sarge walks into the common space, followed by Peter, who’s eager to see everyone’s reaction to his little pet project, he realizes that the humiliation might not be worth making the teen happy. Because as soon as the 100-year-old man comes into view of the other heroes, he’s put right under the spotlight. Sitting on the counter are Steve and Sam, who were talking quietly until Bucky entered the scene. As soon as the former assassin appeared, all chatter died down immediately.
Wilson is shocked for a short moment before a smirk begins to set on his amused expression. Since the Falcon still holds a rivalry with the White Wolf, he feels extremely satisfied to witness the other man’s public humiliation. At least when it happens in such a mild manner. Meanwhile, Rogers can only stare at the state of his best friend, being left in confused silence for a few seconds before he begins to ask about what’s going on with him.
“Wha– Ho– Why?” Steve attempts to ask in bewilderment, not being able to finish a word before moving to the next one.
The Captain can’t help but stare hard at the blinking and glaring metal appendage decorated according to the season, furrowing his brows and leaving his mouth half-open. At that moment, Steven Grant Rogers looks the definition of stupefaction.
“Don’t,” cuts in Bucky, pointedly so and with a look on his face that says it all.
His lips are drawn in a thin line that almost turns into a painful grimace; his eyebrows slightly furrowed, denoting how much of a hindrance the whole deal is to him. His voice is a bit rough and harsh, tone clearly exasperated, while his eyes plead for the mercy of being spared having to explain the bizarre situation.
“Do you like it?” Peter chimes in to ask while lifting the arm in question, expectant and joyful.
The teenager looks like a little kid who’s showing his latest drawing to his parents, waiting for praise and approval. He had actually been shadowing the Sarge almost all day, wanting to see their other teammates’ reactions to his piece of work. It’s fair to say that Parker got exactly what he wanted.
“Very much,” responds Sam with smug satisfaction.
He had waited a couple of seconds, taking the time to appreciate the shocking and delightful turn of events.
And since it was clear that Steve was too out of it to give a proper answer, Wilson took it upon himself to add to Buck’s mortification. After all, he always finds great pleasure in bearing witness to the ex Winter Soldier’s suffering.
In the meantime, while all of that was happening, the little group of heroes failed to notice at first what was taking place right behind them. Because, as it turns out, they weren’t the only ones present in the kitchen. Tony, Clint, and Natasha happened to be there as well, and the second Bucky showed up, Stark and Barton tried their best to remain as inconspicuous as possible. Unfortunately for them, their plan didn’t work out in the end.
The two men could do little to hold in the laughter that was bubbling up their throats, and by the time Peter asked Steve and Sam if they liked what he did to Bucky’s arm, it was already a lost cause for Iron Man and Hawkeye. Both of them started chortling loudly enough to be noticed, making everyone else in their vicinity turn around to look at them.
Tony was laughing so hard that he even started to choke on the coffee he had been drinking until then, and could only mutter a stammered “Oh my God” while trying to dislodge the simmering liquid from his windpipe. He had to be helped by Natasha, who had been observing her best friend and the engineer with amusement glinting in her green eyes. She patted Stark’s back until the man was able to breathe normally again, all while having a crowd that looked at him with a mix of concern, anger, enjoyment, and guilt.
“Karma’s a bitch,” whispered Romanov, going unheard by the still heaving man that was doubled over, gripping his knees and coughing.
But she was heard by the two Super Soldiers with enhanced hearing, who couldn’t help but snort at the sassy comment from the redhead.
By the time that Stark had recuperated, everything went back to normal and the group started to disperse. Although not without Clint having the last word, jokingly giving an idea to Peter.
“You should do the same with Stark’s armor,” the archer had supplied, with mirth and a hint of maliciousness shining in his eyes, already laughing internally at imagining one of the Mark models covered in tinsel and lights from head to toe.
Luckily, Tony was already out of earshot, so he knew he wouldn’t get in trouble for making such a recommendation. Still, Barton wondered if the kid would even have the courage necessary to pull that off. But, knowing Stark, the young superhero could even be praised for it.