Strength in numbers? Adam didn't understand half of what Danica said. The alien girl was...alien. The only two emotional states she possessed seemed to be amused or unhappy. The world she came from had to be awful.
Pulled onto the couch, the soldier gave her an annoyed look. He hadn't had any inclination to sit down. Listening to her explanation, it sounded lame to his ears. Invoking his mother only made him grow more surly. Just because she was super powerful and saved the United States of America, it shouldn't have to mean that she got invited to their family's home for Christmas. She was dangerous and prone to violence...she shouldn't be near his family.
"You don't have any cheerful holidays in your world?" he asked as he was handed the popcorn and thread.
Working the needle and thread through the thickest parts of each piece of popcorn, Adam treated it like stitching a knife wound...but easier. Growing uneasy as the alien girl moved closer to him, she didn't seem to understand the personal space issue except when it was her own personal space being invaded. He got the impression that she wasn't used to hearing the word 'no' from mere humans.
"It is a tradition. We put the presents underneath it and decorate it. It wouldn't make sense to put the presents under a tree outside...they would get snowed on. On Christmas morning everyone gets up and opens their presents."