"Sir?" Maria Hill set down the black coffee with chilli foam and a small plate of cinnamon rolls.
"Mmm..." Fury rumbled, greedily gulping down half the coffee in one shot.
"I don't know how you can drink that, Sir."
"Maria," the Director sat back, eyes fixed on his security monitor "this line of work numbs you. If you have any hope of taking over from me in the future, you'll come to appreciate the extremes you'll have to go to, to experience anything genuinely."

Hill didn't reply. They watched the monitor, with its live feed of Loki's cell.
Tony was a good fit for breaking Loki, Fury was glad he'd planted the idea. "Looks like you might have some competition, Hill." He grinned, tearing up the cinnamon rolls into bite sized pieces.

"Stark is unstable."

"Sometimes that can be an advantage. Keeps the enemy guessing."

"Why aren't we watching the original broadcast with the other Avengers?"

"1. They'd know we're watching-"

"We're always watching."

"2. They'd know we were up to something."

"Stark already shot that naivety in the foot with his Jarvis crack. Phase Two-"

"Phase Two will go along as planned, we're here for the long game."

"Three? There's always a three."

"3. I'd have to share ma cinnamon rolls" he pulled the plate closer.

"Sir, I have to ask-"

"Hm?" Fury mumbled through a mouthful of coffee.

"What if Loki breaks Tony?"

Fury set down his coffee with a small ching.

"A cracked vase will always spill eventually."