* Iris' POV *

The next morning some Avengers and New Avengers leave to get back home but luckily everyone from the chat stays to travel with us to Asgard.

After breakfast I and the others leave the Tower so that Heimdall can pick us up with the Bifröst. The cold air blows in my face but just like Loki I don't mind the cold, although most of the time it isn't cold in Asgard. The others must be glad when they find out that because I can see them shivering next to me.

I let Thor call upon Heimdall and within a few seconds we're surrounded by the colorful beam, and we're shooting through space. Then we're inside the Himinbjörg and Heimdall tells us there are enough horses outside now, waiting to bring us to the palace.

I mount my black mare and I hear Elizabeth complain she doesn't want to ride a white horse. I chuckle, she has told me many times she always falls off white horses, she doesn't mind other colors but white... Nope, not going to happen. I glance back over my shoulder and see everyone is on horses now.

"How about we first show you all the city?" I ask and they all answer in agreement. So instead of setting course to the palace, we ride towards the city. Over the bridge we're able to ride four by four but once we're inside the city, it's too crowded to do that. I let my horse slow down and Loki keeps riding next to me, and two by two we ride through the city. I know there's a market going on and when we come across a place we can lash up our horses, I dismount my horse and the others follow my example. In the market it really would be too crowded to maneuver with horses, so it would be better to let them here and return to them later.

Loki presents his arm during our walk to the market, and I happily take it letting out a small giggle. It's been a long time since we have visited the Asgardian market together. The others would soon notice it isn't anything like a Midgardian market.

"What is this?" I hear Skyler ask in awe and I turn around with a big smile on my face.

"It's a market," I answer but Skyler shakes her head in disbelief. "No way! It's more like a circus, amusement park and fair in one." And I let out a chuckle. She's right of course but we call it a market. Every once a month the center of the city is transformed to this.

Slowly we walk through the crowded place so that everyone can look around and after a few hours, we come across some kind of arena and Elizabeth asks if we can take a look inside. I cross eyes with Loki and we both nod, we both know what's inside and they would love it. I throw a look at the sign by the entrance and see the show is about to start. Quickly we walk inside and search for some spots. We're not all sitting together but that doesn't mind, it'll be great anyways. We can't see what's in the center of the arena because of the red curtains hanging around it but that could change any second.

"I knew this would be circus," I hear Skyler mutter, who is sitting one row behind Loki and me. "Just watch," I whisper, because this wouldn't be a circus. Precisely at that moment, the curtains start to move and reveal the center of the arena. I hear Skyler gasp behind me and I lay my head on Loki's shoulder. He places his arm around my shoulders and together we watch to the show in front of us.

Just like by a Midgardian circus, the center of the arena is covered with sand but inside it are a total of ten pairs of Asgardian men standing. In their hands they hold swords and when the gong echoes loudly through the arena, they all start fighting in pairs. But it's not a fight on life or death, it's a dance. They have practiced every move and they all move synchronously. Lights are flashing in different kind of colors and it's truly beautiful to look at. Dramatic music is played by the orchestra on a stage behind the sand circle.

Some pretend to be hit after a while and fall on the ground. One by one the dancers become less and less until there only two standing. They're both breathing heavily and one holds his sword to the throat of the other. The lights go black and I know the show is over. I applaud just like the others in the arena and the lights turn back on. Revealing the dancers who're all standing again, bowing at the public. I applaud even louder and rise up from the wooden bench, giving them a standing ovation. Loki follows my example and then the curtains are closing again. Loki grabs my hand and together we walk back outside. I have to squint my eyes a bit due to the brightness outside, in the arena it had been more dark than light. Loki is standing behind me and folds his arms around me, laying his chin on the top of my head. In that position we wait for the others to come outside.

"That was amazing," Diamond says and I smile. I knew they would love it. When we're all together once again, I ask if the others want to look more around or if we should go to the palace. We've been walking around for hours before we spotted the arena and everyone agrees to go to the golden palace in the distance. We head back to our horses and after a few minutes we're inside the palace.

Loki, Thor and I lead them to the dining hall and till my surprise the table is already set. I glance at Loki next to me, perhaps he did this? He grins and then I know he did, he isn't all bad and mischievous. I grab his collar to pull him closer and kiss him, with the intentions to keep it short because I don't really like being in the center of attention but he deepens the kiss and I let him in, completely forgotten the others are still there.

"Err, yeah... I don't think I'm hungry anymore." I'm pulled back to reality by Skyler's voice and I feel my cheeks heating up, while quickly letting go of Loki. He grins mischievous and I try to ignore the amused face of my best friend.

I walk to the table and set myself down on a chair. The others follow not long after that and Loki is sitting next to me, striking my blonde hair out of my face and for a moment I close my eyes when I feel his fingers fiddling through my hair. I always love that when he does that. We all start to eat and meanwhile we're having some meaningless conversations but it's really nice to have all my friends at Asgard again.

~

* Elizabeth's POV *

Satisfied I lean back in my chair. I'm really full now and I dearly hope my stomach can handle the 'blasting through space'-ride back home. I throw a look at my watch and see it's already getting late. But it has been great. I would remember this Christmas forever. When the chatter drifts away I let them all know what time it is.

"Really?" Diamond asks and I nod. "Time to go then, I guess?" she continues and I nod again, taking in the suddenly tired faces of the others. Exhaustion always kicks in when you pay attention at it. We all rise up from our chairs and Loki and Iris are quietly discussing something. Then they both nod and turn around to face us.

"Just like last time; hold hands and we'll teleport you all the way to the Himinbjörg," Iris instructs and we all form a circle. With a bright flash we appear in the Himinbjörg and Heimdall readies the rainbow bridge.

We say goodbye to the Asgardians and not much later we're standing in front of the Avengers Tower. The air is cold, and shivering we walk to the vehicles of the ones who are leaving. The stars and moon are shining upon us and guide us to the parking lot.

I say goodbye to Katherine, Bucky, Pietro and Diamond. Megan and Skyler are staying at the Tower tonight. They step inside their cars and I wave them goodbye while Steve wraps his arms around me to keep me warm. When they're all out of sight, we set course to the Tower and I can't help to let a yawn escape my mouth when we're inside the elevator. Quickly I hide it behind the back of my hand and Steve smiles understandingly. The teller hits the floor on which our bedrooms are, and we wish each other good night. All disappearing in our own room.

I follow Steve inside and open the door to the bathroom. Quickly I brush my teeth and wipe my make-up off of my face. Steve is already changed into his pajamas when he steps in the bathroom too, ready to brush his teeth. In the reflection of the mirror I stare at his bare chest, and I feel my face heating up. I still can't believe he's actually mine, I could never have imagined this when we first met. I had hoped it yes, but I always thought it could never be more than just a dream. I shift my eyes to his face and smile at him. Curious he stares at me in the reflection of the mirror, an eyebrow raised and the blue toothbrush hanging out of his mouth. He's so innocent, I think and I chuckle, which made him only more curious. I walk outside the bathroom and change in my pajamas too. The cold sends shivers down my spine and I jump on the bed, covering myself under the blankets. The cold always bothered me. I lay down and as soon my head touches the pillow, I'm off to dreamland. Even though I had the intention to wait for Steve but well, I suppose I was really tired. Last two days had been great but also exhausting.

I sleep without dreams but then, I wake up by a sound I thought I would never hear in real-life because it isn't real... But now I really do hear it... The sound of the Tardis...

~

A/N: Yep, you read it right: the Tardis! I'm planning on doing a crossover between Marvel and Doctor Who as New Year-Special. I can't promise I'll actually update it on that day... But it's coming somewhere around that day! (I hope)

Iris, sorry you had to wait that long for your part but I hoped you liked it! :D Mine was a bit short but I was out of inspiration, luckily you all got your part ;)

And, of course: ANOTHER Merry Christmas! Hahaha :)