Christmas Eve.
December 24, 2011. Leonardo had just finished having dinner with his family.
"Hey, Leo, what are you going to give me?"
Gwen asked with a mischievous smile.
...With his family, and also with Gwen's.
Originally, he had planned to spend Christmas as he did every year, just with his parents, but they had other plans.
Somehow, they found out that the Stacys had invited him, and recalling their own youth—or perhaps moved by the curiosity to meet Gwen—they suggested a joint dinner. The Stacys accepted immediately.
At first, the situation was awkward. Even more so due to the misunderstandings about their supposed relationship. Especially Gwen's father, who practically subjected Leonardo to an interrogation about his intentions, his background... and other matters too serious to remember them all.
Surprisingly, he didn't give him the typical warning to stay away from his daughter. On the contrary: after evaluating his answers, he ended up entrusting her care to him.
When Gwen heard that, she blushed so deeply that she ended up scolding him loudly.
As for Mrs. Stacy, she was more direct: in private, she asked Leonardo what he felt for her daughter and whether he would be able to protect her.
He didn't hesitate for even a second before answering:
"Ma'am, I love your daughter. I promise she'll be safe and happy with me."
The woman smiled, pleased by his sincerity.
After all, Leonardo had already accepted his feelings for Gwen some time ago. He wasn't going to back down now, nor pretend indifference.
The only reason he hadn't made their relationship official yet was because he enjoyed seeing her blush whenever something even slightly intimate happened between them.
Gwen, for her part, also talked to Leonardo's parents. And from the looks of it, they told her more than she expected: she came back completely red and avoided looking at him for a good while.
"The gifts are opened at midnight. Just wait a bit"
Leonardo said, amused.
"Cheapskate. There's only five minutes left anyway"
She replied, pouting.
At that moment, both sets of parents—already bundled up for the cold—approached.
"Kids, we're heading up to the rooftop to watch the fireworks, are you coming?"
Gwen was about to answer right away, but Leonardo spoke first:
"We'll stay here. Gwen wants to open the presents exactly at midnight."
"Are you sure? Gwen, are you sure you don't want to see the fireworks? You know you love them"
Her father insisted, confused.
Before he could continue, Mrs. Stacy pushed him toward the door.
"Leave them be, dear. Kids grow up. Hurry or we'll miss it!"
In the blink of an eye, everyone left, not without Mrs. Stacy giving Leonardo a knowing wink.
Gwen, puzzled, looked at him while Leonardo scratched his cheek, embarrassed.
'Is this what they call a woman's sixth sense?'
He thought.
"Leo?"
Gwen asked, pulling him from his thoughts.
"What's up? Weren't you dying to get your present?"
He teased.
"I wasn't that excited... I was just curious."
While they talked, the clock struck twelve. The sound of fireworks exploded in the distance.
"Merry Christmas" Gwen smiled.
"Merry Christmas" Leonardo echoed her smile.
"Alright, you can give me my present now."
They sat next to the Christmas tree, near the stove. Gwen tore open the wrapping paper and, seeing the contents, blushed.
"Is this... a ring?"
She asked, surprised.
"Do you like it?"
Leonardo smiled.
"It has your logo. I had it specially made for you."
It was a simple ring: silver, thin, with a small spider engraved on it, matching her Ghost Spider emblem.
"I love it! It's just that... I was surprised it was a ring"
She admitted, still red.
Leonardo laughed, as if he had just understood something.
"Oh, I get what you're thinking. Don't worry, it's for your pinky finger. Can you hand it over?"
"That wasn't exactly what worried me"
Gwen murmured, handing him the ring.
"Your left hand, please"
Leonardo asked.
"Huh?"
Confused, she offered her hand. Leonardo took it gently and slipped the ring onto her pinky finger.
"There. It fits perfectly."
Gwen nodded, studying her hand carefully. She was about to pull away, but Leonardo didn't let go.
"Leo, my h..."
She didn't finish her sentence. Leonardo gently tugged her closer, shortening the distance between them, and their lips met.
Surprised at first, Gwen closed her eyes and returned the kiss sweetly.
---
The Next Morning
Gwen woke up early. She stretched and, coming downstairs, found Leonardo talking on the phone.
When he finished the call, she walked over and, without thinking too much, kissed him.
"Good morning. Who were you talking to so early?"
Leonardo blinked, slightly surprised by Gwen's boldness. But then he smiled.
"Well, it's Christmas. It wouldn't be fair not to give all my fans a present, right?"
Gwen looked at him suspiciously.
"Tell me it's not the invasion..."
Leonardo didn't answer. His smile gave him away.
In her mind, Gwen silently apologized to SHIELD and the entire world.
What she didn't know was that this time Leonardo had unleashed a much bigger chaos than usual.
Not just SHIELD... the entire internet, the government, even beyond Earth... everyone was talking about Leonardo's new move.
---
~ SHIELD ~
Despite it being Christmas, Nick Fury was still working. The war against HYDRA didn't give them any breaks, and new infiltrators popped up every day.
But that morning, luck seemed to be completely abandoning him.
Maria Hill entered his office urgently.
"Sir, Laplace just published a new piece."
Fury sighed.
"What did he do this time?"
"An alien invasion."
Fury immediately frowned.
---
~ Stark Mansion ~
Tony Stark was calmly having breakfast with Pepper Potts when JARVIS interrupted.
"Sir, there is urgent news."
In a good mood, Tony joked:
"What now, JARVIS? An alien invasion?"
To his surprise, JARVIS replied:
"Affirmative, sir. According to Laplace's latest piece, an alien invasion is predicted in Manhattan."
Tony straightened in his chair, intrigued.
Pepper, however, had more practical concerns.
"Did you say Manhattan? Does the Stark Tower appear in the painting? Are we going to need repairs?"
"The probability of structural damage to Stark Tower is 100%"
JARVIS informed.
Even Tony, who usually left the company matters to Pepper, looked surprised.
"what?"
But if he had been shocked before, now he was left speechless.
JARVIS projected the image of the painting and announced:
"The invasion begins... right on the rooftop of Stark Tower."
---
~ Asgard ~
In Asgard, Thor was arguing with his father in the throne room.
"Father, you must let me go after him. I have some leads."
Thor had spent months investigating cases of people who had fallen from the Bifrost. Though rare, he believed they could guide him to Loki.
But Odin was reluctant.
"The universe is vast, and you are not ready to explore it. Loki will find his way"
He declared.
"But father...!"
"Silence. That is my decision. Heimdall is also searching for him. If he finds him, I will go personally."
Odin spoke with more faith in Loki than in traditional methods. He, who had conquered worlds, knew the vastness of the universe.
At that moment, Heimdall burst in with urgent news.
"Your majesty, I found him!"
Thor rushed forward:
"Where? Where is my brother?"
Heimdall didn't hesitate:
"Midgard."
---
~ Somewhere in the Universe ~
Far, far away, a colossal titan with rocky skin and immense power held a massive hammer.
"Just as my king predicted... They know about us. This time... I will intervene personally."
Once again impressed by his master's foresight, the titan set course for Earth.
"For everything to go smoothly... we'll need help from within."
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80 power stones = 1 extra chapter (cumulative)