Without a doubt, this was the most awkward lift ride Clint had ever experienced. After the initial discussion concerning where everyone had got their suits, the lift had fallen into an awkward silence.
"So Clint, where is Natasha?" Tony asked, breaking the silence.
"She had somewhere else to be, Fury too. He replied with a memo."
"Sounds like him."
"Has anyone actually met Lucas?" Bruce piped up.
"I saw him fetch Lyn from the tower. I only saw the back of his head." Thor replied. "He has dark hair."
"That's going to help." Clint rolled his eyes.
"Actually it will," Steve chimed in. "When I was talking to Emily, she mentioned that Lucas doesn't have many work friends."
Tony and Clint both rolled their eyes at the mention of Emily. Thor opened his mouth to speak when the lift doors opened. Lyn stood in front of them.
"Hi guys, everyone is through here, well, Lucas just popped out to grab some champagne. I suddenly remembered what Thor was like." She laughed, gesturing through to the lounge.
It was an extremely nice apartment, but it seemed a little big for someone who had been a bachelor up until this point. The glass dining table had 12 chairs, the sofa was big enough for 4, and the kitchen had a fridge/freezer that could hold enough food for a family of four, for 2 weeks. Everything about the apartment suggested that Lucas hadn't furnished it himself. There were no pictures of family, only paintings and photographs of landscapes. The only signs that anyone had actually lived here was the coat slung over the arm chair, which had a very visible dent in the seat and a book rested on the arm. Clint could imagine the TV on the wall had never been turned on, but every book in the ornate book shelf had been read, maybe even twice.
"Steve!" A very excited Emily rushed over and took Steve by the hand. "This is my cousin Max, and his fiancé Nate, who works with Lucas. Guys, this is Captain America, or Steve!"
Shortly after the introductions, Lyn handed out glasses filled with champagne. Except for Thor, who received a sturdy looking metal cup. He cheered and began drinking immediately.
"So Steve, tell me, what was it like back in Brooklyn? I bet the crime rate was lower!" Max laughed, Steve smiled and began telling him about his childhood. Emily, even though she had heard all this before, stood gazing at him. Nate and Tony were discussing something about business, which Lyn would have minded if it didn't seem to make them so happy. Meanwhile, she talked to Clint.
"So how are you and Natasha doing?" She asked. Clint looked confused.
"What do you mean?"
Just as Lyn was about to reply, there was a soft ding.
"Oh, he's back!" Lyn squealed, running to the lift. Clint turned to Bruce, asking him what she had meant.
She met Lucas in the hallway. He was clutching two shopping bags filled with champagne. He was standing very still.
"Lyn. I can't."
"What?"
"I can't meet the Avengers! What if I spill my drink on Tony, or piss off Bruce! You mentioned what he did to that hotel room once! And Thor is a freaking god and why did you have to be friends with assassins and where do I look on Nick do I look at the eye or the eye patch or his nose and I swear if Natasha…"
"Nick and Natasha aren't even here. Everyone is looking forward to meeting you, and Bruce has promised he'll jump out the window before he ruins your place. Relax."
Lyn carefully straightened Lucas' tie, kissed him and took one of the bags.
"Everyone, this is Lucas."
The reaction was not what Lyn was expecting. No-one spoke, no-one even moved. The silence was eventually broken by Thor making an odd coughing noise. Lyn looked. He was crying. She looked at Lucas. He looked horrified, this was worse than everyone breaking things. Emily, Nate and Max stood back, all with equal looks of panic on their faces.
"Is something JESUS CLINT WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" Lyn screamed. Somehow, Clint had managed to smuggle a bow and arrows in with him (She shuddered to think where he had hidden it), which was now pointed at Lucas' head.
"You son of a bitch, you get to us through some poor girl?" Clint growled through clenched teeth.
"What are you talking about?" Lucas asked, raising his hands.
"Lyn, get over here." Steve said, holding out a hand. Lyn looked at Lucas.
"What is going on, Lyn?" he looked at her, desperate for an answer.
"I have no idea. What the hell are you guys talking about?" Lyn said. Tony stepped forward until he was right in front of Lucas who, while still being visibly terrified, held his ground.
"Does the name Loki mean anything to you? Anything at all?" Tony said slowly, staring directly into Lucas' eyes.
"He…He's a Norse god isn't he? God of mischief?" Lucas replied shakily.
Tony nodded.
"It's lovely to meet you Lucas." He said, gesturing being his back for Clint to lower his bow.