As Thor and Dr Ainsley Kerr prepare to arrive in New York with Tony Stark the other Avengers share their thoughts and feelings about re-connecting with their comrade-in-arms and meeting his new lover.

Natasha reflects on the events that brought them all together while Ainsley and Thor have concerns of their own.

Ainsley gets his first introduction the Avengers while Hawkeye privately deals with the aftermath of a grim mission.

In terms of the story timeline this takes place at the end of May 2013.

Steve poured himself another coffee. Stark was just off the phone, letting them know the jet would be landing in ten minutes and they would be taking the helicopter straight to the penthouse Helipad.

"Just can't help feeling a bit odd about it, is all I'm saying. I mean; Thor breaks up with Miss Foster, goes totally off the radar for a couple of months and now he's on the way back here with this fa…"

He caught Natasha's warning expression. Fair enough, even in his day that had been an ugly word. Mama would have scrubbed his mouth out with carbolic soap for using language like that about anyone.

"…guy he's sleeping with. It just seems like an extreme change of direction."

Natasha took the coffee jug off him and refilled her own cup

"Is it?" she asked "We don't really know anything about him when you think about it. He was only around for a few days and none of us were talking about personal stuff as I recall. Tony's the only one who saw him after the attack on London; from what he said Thor's been through some traumatic experiences and it sounds like this Dr Kerr's been helping him put himself back together."

The assault on the British capital had been over too quickly for the Avengers to respond, but the scenes of panic and destruction in the city's streets brought back bad memories of what had happened in New York and everything that led up to it

"So you think the Big Blond 'sleeping' with him is his way of saying thanks?" asked Clint. "Damn! Must get him to thank me properly for not putting an arrow in him back in New Mexico."

The archer was sprawled across one of the couches munching pretzels. Despite the humour in his voice he sounded and looked exhausted, face drawn and dark patches under his eyes. He'd only got back from a mission down in Peru a couple of hours ago and it didn't seem like it had gone too well. Natasha gave an exasperated sigh.

"Clint, go grab some sleep or at least a shower and try to behave. It's Thor's first time seeing us after a year, and he's bringing his new boyfriend with him, so it's going to be intimidating enough for them without you playing class clown"

Clint grinned broadly and threw her a pretzel

"Can't see much intimidating Big Blond, and this guy he's got is supposed to be some high-level head shrink so he's gonna have all our crazy figured out in 5 minutes anyway."

"He's a clinical psychologist" said Bruce, looking up from his paper "It's a very different thing, although his specialty is abnormal psychology so he's going to have field day with you."

The scientist kept his tone deliberately bright but he was un-nerved by the idea of having a man with Dr Ainsley Kerr's reputation and talents living here. At 32 he was already regarded as one of the leaders in his field, the words 'maverick genius' being used in more than one review, and Dr Banner had spent most of his life since the 'accident' avoiding people like the young psychologist. Deep down he could feel the 'Other Guy' wasn't too happy about it either.

Hawkeye laughed and sat up, stretching himself and trying not to wince at the pain in his ribs

"He'll have a field day with all of us, I've watched reality shows with more normality than this place."

Natasha laughed and handed him a coffee, while her back was to the others she quickly signed to him

You okay?

He gave her a discreet nod. Hawkeye had been the first of the team to move in to one of the guest suites in Tony's Penthouse, on the billionaire's invitation. Like her, the archer's life had kept him permanently on the move and the closest thing he'd had to a home base was a room in the accommodation blocks at the Hub. That had stopped being a viable option a year ago. Clint had gone through an extensive debriefing and clearance process after the Battle of New York but just a handful of people knew the truth of what had happened. Of those, only she, Fury and Maria had seen that dead, ice-blue, light in his eyes and known the man leading the attack wasn't the Clint Barton they knew.

For the rest of SHIELD, Barton was a useful liability at best, at worst a rogue element to be watched and taken out if necessary. To the other Field Ops agents, well, the last one who'd called him a 'backstabbing cocksucker' in her earshot hadn't been able to say much until they took the pins out of his jaw. Clint never had many friends to begin with, he was largely a solo operator and liked it that way, but having the few people he at least regarded as comrades turn their backs on him had been a hard blow as he struggled to come to terms with what he'd done and the death of the man who'd been as much a surrogate father as a Supervising Officer.

He'd been in a very bad way, worse than she'd seen him for a while. She didn't like or trust Stark that much, but she was grateful to him for offering Clint a place to stay outside of an increasingly hostile environment. She'd moved in shortly afterwards, more to keep an eye on Clint than anything else, and Bruce had followed suit. The scientist had been wary of Stark's invitation to begin with, but the temptation of the ten floors of research and development facilities above the Penthouse levels had finally overcome his concerns about living around so many people. Usually they rarely saw him, he divided his time between research and his private rooms and he hardly ever left the tower. Unless you made the effort, it was easy to forget he was around and that was how he liked it. She could tell he was nervous about having new faces around, especially as one of them was a total stranger.

Steve had been the last to join them. He'd tried to take an apartment in Brooklyn, not far from where he'd grown up, but it hadn't worked out for him too well. The soldier was still having difficulty adjusting to the changes that had taken place while he was locked in the Arctic ice. Events that for the rest of them were just history lessons had happened less than three years ago in his mind and it was clear to her that he needed familiar people around him as he went through his own process of coping.

She'd helped him find his mother's grave in a small, overgrown, cemetery and stood at a discreet distance as the big man knelt there, crying like a lost child. The woman must only have been in her mid 40's the last time he saw her.

He'd been the one to suggest that they turn their informal, supposedly temporary, living arrangements into something more permanent. She guessed he was thinking about the Howling Commandos he'd fought and bunked with during the war and looking to recreate that sense of cohesion and camaraderie. It had a certain logic, the 'temporary' arrangement had already lasted over 6 months and there was plenty of space. The penthouse spread out over four floors, not including the 'Club Suite' where Tony threw his notoriously lavish parties, so it wasn't as if they'd be tripping over each other and deep down she felt a little stability was what they all needed just now.

Tony had gone over to London to meet up with Thor just after the Dark Elf incursion to try and interest him in the idea but the Asgardian had shown no enthusiasm. He was more concerned with trying to rebuild a connection to the woman he hadn't seen for two years and grieving over the deaths of his mother and brother. None of them would shed any tears over Loki but Tony said Thor had seemed devastated.

The report about the big warrior disappearing completely off grid stirred up a hornet's nest in SHIELD. People weren't happy with the idea of a powerful demi-god going underground and possibly rogue in the wake of recent events. Tony, however, had remained quietly smug and convinced Fury to leave matters in his hands. She suspected that Stark had found his own way of keeping track of Thor's movements.

He'd called them a week ago from London to give them the good news that he'd located Thor and the Asgardian was prepared to join them in New York on the condition that his lover be allowed to come with him. They'd all agreed, of course, assuming he was talking about Jane Foster. Tony had definitely been smirking when he dropped the bombshell and she wished she'd had her camera handy to catch the expressions on the faces of the others; Steve looked like someone had just dumped ice water over him.

Stark had planned it well; he'd got Fury to run all the necessary clearance checks and the Director believed Dr Kerr could prove a valuable asset. Apparently, Agent Weaver at the Science and Technology Division had been trying to headhunt him without success for the last year or so and was 'very happy' that he was moving to New York. If the events that brought the doctor and Thor together hadn't been so random she'd have been tempted to think that Fury had arranged the whole thing.

Clint took a mouthful of the coffee, grimaced, then wandered over to the kitchen to shovel some more sugar into it.

"I can grab some sleep later. Don't want to miss the Big Blond's arrival and I can't wait to see what this guy of his looks like. Must be something real special if he's got Blondie taking a walk on the wild side."

"Well you won't have long to wait" said Steve, checking his phone "That's them on the tarmac now. Stark says to get the drinks ready."

Clint tried the coffee again, satisfied it now had his preferred level of tooth-rotting sweetness. He chuckled mischievously

"Hey, bet you $10 first thing this guy asks for is a cup of tea!"

###

Thor had been anxious on the flight over. Tony's private jet was comfortable but the big warrior felt cramped and confined, fidgeting all the way and unable to settle. He was worried about meeting the others again, they had fought back to back and feasted together afterwards, that created an enduring bond, but he realised he knew nothing about them or how they would react to his lover. He was taking this kind and cultured man to live with dangerous people. Much as he wanted him by his side, the Asgardian felt uncertain about the wisdom of this act.

Ainsley sat across from him, reading. He reached over and took his hand, the doctor looked up and smiled

"Nervous, babe?"

"I am, a little bit." Thor admitted "These people are comrades but I do not truly know them. I am unsure of how it will be to dwell with them, or if they will be welcoming to you."

Ainsley put down his tablet and pressed Thor's hand fondly

"If it doesn't work out, Tony said he'll find us an apartment nearby and we can stay there. I'm sure it'll be fine though."

Tony handed them both a drink

"Romanoff's the only one to worry about, get her on your side and she'll keep the others in line" he grinned "I don't think you'll have a problem there, I've never met a woman who didn't love having a stylish gay friend."

Thor glanced up at him with a frown, unsure if his lover was being mocked. Tony patted him on the shoulder

"Simmer down, Goldilocks, just telling it how it is. He is gay after all, and you can't dispute his style."

He saluted the doctor with his own glass and sat down to text Pepper and make dinner arrangements for the evening. He'd initially been amused and dismissive when he discovered that Thor had taken up with another man, thinking it was a novelty that would soon wear off, but observing them from a distance and being in and out of their company for the past week he'd witnessed the deep affection between them; Ainsley's gentleness and patience with Thor's damaged psyche and perpetual curiosity and the Asgardian's fierce protectiveness of his lover. Anyone who had a problem with Dr Kerr being around would be facing a big angry blond problem of their own.

Ainsley leaned over and kissed Thor

"It'll be fine, you'll see."

The doctor sat back in his seat and closed his eyes, keeping hold of Thor's hand. He had his own uncertainties about the situation. Like the rest of the world he'd watched in shock and terror as news feeds streamed live footage of alien soldiers attacking New York and science fiction became stomach-churning reality. Of course, he'd seen and heard all about the group of extraordinary people who'd turned the tide; his article on 'the psychology and archetypal image of the new superhero' had been very well received. He'd just never imagined he would find himself in the position of meeting any of them, let alone living with them.

It had been after that article came out that Anne Weaver had contacted him about a job. They'd met at a conference in Philadelphia some months before the attack and had got on well, exchanging a friendly email or two now and again. She'd been keen for him to consider taking a post at the teaching institute she directed, offering a very competitive salary and a whole gift-basket of side benefits. He'd been tempted, but he didn't need the money and hadn't been keen on relocating at that time. He'd still been with Lance and hoping that was going to work out.

Finding out that Anne was a senior SHIELD agent and the 'institute for gifted students" was part of the SHIELD training academy had made him briefly suspicious, but only briefly. The idea that Thor might be part of some plan to recruit him was ludicrously egotistical and his lover didn't have the capacity or the inclination for subterfuge of any sort.

He smiled quietly to himself. Even if that were the case, 6'4" of devoted, chiselled, muscle was a better incentive than any relocation package.

###

"My friends! It is good to see you again" Thor bounded down the steps, enfolding Steve in a massive hug. They'd half excepted him to be in full battle armour but he looked no less impressive in jeans and T Shirt, Mjolnir slung from a loop on his sturdy belt. His hair was longer but otherwise he looked no different from when he fought alongside them. Natasha was more interested in the man standing nervously at the door leading in from the terrace; briefly forgotten as the male Avengers re-acquainted themselves with much back-slapping and bicep-squeezing.

She'd expected the psychologist to be the hearty, beer-swigging, rugby-player type of academic but Dr Kerr wasn't much taller than her; 5'7" at the most, slim but fit. He was dressed casually in jeans and an open-necked shirt, his jacket slung across his arm and a leather satchel over his shoulder. His short curly hair was sandy brown and his eyes a misty grey. He looked handsome, intelligent and a bit shy. Natasha walked over to him smiling, her hand extended

"You must be Ainsley, I'm Natasha. It's lovely to meet you." She kissed him on both cheeks and turned to the laughing group of men "Thor, isn't there someone rather important you're forgetting?"

The Asgardian's face fell and he came running back

"Ainsley, I am sorry. Forgive my rudeness!"

The doctor laughed and patted his face

"You're forgiven, babe, it's a big day for you!"

Thor put his arm around Ainsley and led him down to the others, smiling proudly but still feeling the flutter of nerves in his stomach.

"My friends, this is Ainsley, please make him very welcome here."

The tall, broad shouldered dark-blonde man called Steve Rogers was clearly 'Captain America'. A bit of a corny name, Ainsley thought, but then it did date from the '40s as did the man himself. He hoped that Steve had shed some of the less appealing qualities of that period.

Hawkeye, or Clint Barton, was shorter than Steve and Thor, just under 6' and in his early to mid 30's, dusty brown hair, blue-grey eyes and an endearingly crooked grin, as if his jaw had been broken sometime in the past and never set properly. Lean, but with the broad shoulders and strong arms of an archer. He looked as if he hadn't slept for a couple of days but his soft mid-western accent was warm and friendly as he introduced himself.

Maybe a little bit too friendly, he held on to the doctor's hand for a fraction of a second after the handshake finished and the look he gave him was subtly appraising. Ainsley noted the glance that Natasha gave to Clint, he was already beginning to get a hint of some of the dynamics around what was going to be his new home.

Dr Banner, Bruce, was the last to introduce himself. He was in his early 40's, stocky with unruly black hair and an overall air of nervous anxiety. The handshake was brief and he seemed unwilling to hold eye contact, perhaps afraid the psychologist would get a glimpse of what was inside. Tony had warned him not to get offended if the scientist didn't hang around too long. Ainsley understood perfectly well, not everyone's inner demons were as physical as Dr Banner's.

And that was all of them, well, perhaps not all. Tony spoke into the air

"Jarvis, would you please say hello to Dr Kerr?"

A smooth, British sounding voice came out of nowhere

"Good morning, Dr Kerr. I hope you are well?"

Tony nodded to Ainsley with a 'go on' expression.

"Uh, I'm very well Jarvis, thank you for asking."

"Excellent" beamed Tony, like a proud father "Jarvis, could you please allocate Dr Kerr full Resident's access and clearance please?"

"Of course, Sir" replied the voice "Dr Kerr, if you require any assistance while here please ask and I will do my best to oblige."

Ainsley looked at Tony in astonishment. The billionaire smiled, that was everyone's first reaction to Jarvis

"It's a natural language user interface. Not exactly AI but the closest we're likely to get for now. Just a rather very intelligent system. You'll have access to the whole penthouse except for my study and the private rooms. Jarvis or one of the others will be able to acquaint you with the layout of the place."

he unbuttoned his jacket and slung it over the back of the chair.

"Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to put my feet up for a bit. Pepper's booked us all a table at Pellegrini's for 8. Play nice, kids!"

"Hey Doc" Clint called across from the kitchen "Can I get you anything?"

Ainsley smiled, that was very kind of the man.

"Thank you, I would love a cup of tea…"

"Hah!" exclaimed Hawkeye victoriously as the others dug for their wallets "I like you already, Doc!"

Natasha had shown them down to their 'room'. It was really a substantial suite; the floor below the main level of the Penthouse was mostly apartments for the use of guests and visiting VIPs and the Avengers had chosen whichever took their fancy. Tony had allocated one of the larger ones to Thor and Ainsley, set against the curve of the tower so one wall of the sitting room was floor to ceiling windows with a panoramic view of Manhattan. An archway let through to a bedroom with what Ainsley could only think of as an Emperor-size bed. The bathroom was opulent and a small kitchen area opened off the sitting room; sufficient for tea, coffee and snacks.

"They're more or less self-contained" Natasha explained "But apart from Bruce we all use the living area upstairs most of the time. I hope you'll feel comfortable doing that as well. I've made sure the kitchen's fully stocked and tomorrow I'll show you where the best local shops are."

She'd left them to themselves after that. Ainsley was amused, everything Tony said had made her seem terrifying but she'd been friendly and charming the whole time.

The décor was blandly tasteful, like expensive hotel suites across the world. Most of Ainsley's things were staying in London for the time being, his flat was part of the Kerr estate so maintaining it wouldn't be a problem. His books and a few other personal things would be arriving in the next couple of days so they'd be able to make it a bit homelier.

Thor had taken off his boots and shirt and thrown himself back on the bed, it was firm and comfortable with plenty of room for him to spread out without making Ainsley cross for taking up too much space. He patted the bed beside him

"Come and snuggie with me for a while, then you can sleep a little and we can look around"

The warrior's initial mispronunciation of 'snuggle' had become his personal joke. It had a warm, funny, sound and always made Ainsley smile like he was doing now. The doctor unbuttoned his shirt and lay down beside him, nestling into the crook of his arm. He enjoyed the way his lover smelled, like ozone on a warm summer's day by the beach. He ran his hand through Thor's hair and kissed his neck, letting his tongue linger, savouring the slight salt taste of the Asgardian's skin and the way he shivered with pleasure at the sensation.

"I will want to do more than snuggie if you keep doing that." He whispered, hoping that Ainsley would. The doctor smiled and kissed his neck again, letting his fingers travel lightly down the ridged muscle of Thor's stomach to slide under the waistband of his jeans. Thor grinned, the first day in their new home looked like it would be off to a very good start.

###

Clint turned the temperature on the shower up as high as possible without scalding himself and leaned back against the tiles to let the painfully hot water course over his chest and sides.

A group of Peruvian rebels had taken two SHIELD agents hostage and he'd been called in to give extra support to the extraction team. It had been bad from start to finish. One of the rebels he'd taken out wasn't much more than a kid, maybe 15 or 16, but the gun in his hands hadn't been a toy. The other guy he'd downed only seconds after could've been the boy's father from the way he was screaming.

Eight hours there and eight back in a Quinjet with no-one looking at him or saying anything more than the necessary instructions. A year ago, he'd have welcomed that silence, a chance to get himself centred and ready for the mission beforehand and depressurise afterwards. Now that silence shouted so loud he could get the message even without his hearing aids. Fury must be lacking specialists to put him in that situation, or maybe one of the other high-ups wanted to send him a reminder.

He ran his hands over his torso, checking again to convince himself nothing was broken. His sides and back were covered in purplish black bruises. He'd found a bar in Lima, far enough from the usual haunts to be sure of getting quietly drunk. There'd been this gorgeous Australian girl, a backpacker from Sydney, who'd taken a liking to his wonky grin and hyena laugh and invited him back to her hostel to smoke a little weed and maybe have a bit of 'international co-operation'.

The four guys in black combats and ski masks had jumped him as they left. While the girl ran screaming for the cops they'd laid into him with boots and fists as he tried to fight them off, too much tequila taking away his edge and besides the guys had experience; knowing the spots to hit that caused the most pain but least long-term damage. SHIELD training does that for you.

He'd ended up curled in a ball, protecting his head and soft parts like he used to when dad got carried away with the strap. They'd fled before the cops showed and he'd made himself scarce as well, too many awkward questions and his Spanish wasn't up to it, not sure if he was pissed off from the beating or that it had blown his first chance of getting laid in weeks.

He turned to let the water run down his back and shoulders. He'd prefer to have used the steam room in the gym but didn't want anyone to see this, especially not Tasha. He couldn't deal with that conversation again, not right now and especially not when this should be Big Blond's day. Pellegrini's was a smart place but his only dressy shirt was white and so sheer the bruises would be visible. He'd give this another ten minutes then take some codeine and go see if Tony could lend him a dark shirt for tonight.