A.N. In case you're wondering why I decided to write two chapters for the Christmas story – especially since this part is so short - was because I wanted the last one to end on a happy note: Tony's drunken adventure didn't end badly, and everybody was on his side for once. So now enjoy when he ruins that atmosphere in this chapter…inspired by Clint not knowing when to shut up.

Clint Inspires Antics

Taking a sip of Eggnog, an idea suddenly popped Tony Stark's mind. Clint was right, it was only Christmas Eve. Which meant he had kept his promise not to drink straight alcohol this day. Which meant he could start drinking the second it turned midnight.

If history repeated itself, then he would bypass the day completely and wake up the day after. All he had to do was not do anything to mess up the day. That seemed easy enough.

)()(

12 AM Midnight – Christmas Day

Clint approached Tony in his lab, who was currently taking a sip of scotch while staring at the DNA Molecular Scrambler.

Fearing the worst, Clint decided to bite the bullet and address the situation head-on. "Aren't you supposed to be not drinking today?" He questioned the billionaire, looking at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Nope, I said I wouldn't drink yesterday to mess up today. Since today is now today, if I drink today then I'll do something bad tomorrow, thereby passing Christmas day completely." Tony thought about that logic. "I think."

Clint shook his head. "Your logic is twisted when you're drunk…or at least when you're thinking about getting drunk."

Tony shrugged. "Hey, you're the one who gave me the idea with your insistence that it wasn't actually Christmas day."

Clint sighed resignedly. He did indeed repeatedly say that. "Please don't tell me I'm going to regret that," he said, giving the billionaire a pointed look.

Tony stared at Clint, no expression on his face. If anybody had the world's best poker face, it would be Tony.

Clint stared back, hoping he could get some sort of a feel on whatever Tony was planning, or metaphorically 'make him blink' and force him to spill the beans. Being a Level 10 S.H.I.E.L.D. he had been involved in his fair share of interrogations. And nearly every perpetrator had talked within seconds of receiving 'the look', which he had learned up from Natasha.

But Tony wasn't a two-bit criminal or random terrorist who could be intimidated. This was a man who talked back to Fury on a daily basis, pissed off Natasha everyday, and flat out mocked Clint any chance he got, so suffice to say Tony had already won that round. Clint growled in frustration, after realizing he wasn't going to talk, before walking away.

Tony smirked before going back to his machine. "Oh, quick question Legalas!" Tony suddenly called out.

Clint stopped and turned around. "What?"

"Could you get some aspirin if you're heading out anywhere? My supply is completely empty. Please and thank you!"

Clint nodded. "Sure thing." He turned and headed out of the lab, leaving Tony with his drink and seemingly favorite machine. Hopefully when he returned everything would be as it was. Positive thinking Clint. Believe in the power of positive thinking.

)()(

12:30 AM

On his 10th glass, Tony lay back in his chair stretching out when a horrific thought came to mind. Oh no. His eyes widened as he realized what he had done.

Usually, a standard blackout lasted around 12 hours or shorter, and whatever thing he did would take place during said blackout. But he had started drinking at midnight on Christmas, which meant if he did do something stupid then it would be on Christmas day.

Just as that thought crossed his mind, his eyelids suddenly felt as though they weighed as heavy as Thor's hammer – which by word of mouth he had heard it was very heavy.

Oh boy. He struggled to keep them open. "J.A.R.V.I.S.! Turn on the radio and blare it as loud as you can!"

"Any song in particular sir?"

"Any song! Just do it!"

A rousing rendition of Rudolph the Red Nosed started to burst from the speaker at full volume, the bass booming a surprisingly thumping beat. But not even that could keep Tony up as he curled into a ball and emitted a very audible yawn, finding the music strangely relaxing even at that high of a volume.

He found that because it was of the reindeer song, his mind had drifted to Loki, whom he had called Reindeer Games when they first met. Seeing how it was Christmas day, he chuckled, seeing the name as being very fitting now. I wonder if my machine could turn Gods into animals. His last thoughts were, before submitting himself to the blackness.