"…So…Does somebody wanna fill me in?" Steve stiffly prompted.

"It's, a long story," Rhodes tensely responded.

"No, it's not," smirked Clint. "A tribrid and a hunter walk into a bar, few hours apart. Hunter sees tribrid, attacks. Tribrid retaliates, notices some advanced tech, gets curious. Stalks the hunter, takes a liking to him, seduces him with wit, charm, daddy issues and a tragic backstory. Ends up falling for him, feeling's mutual – bam! The hunter and the tribrid, voted 'most unlikely couple of the year'. You get all that or should I go again?" He was eyed by all for a beat bizarrely.

"By the way," Bruce called turned to Steve. "Remember when you asked me about William? That's him, the tribrid." The Captain's blue eyes widen.

"Don't call him William though," says Clint. "He gets mad. His real name's Loki."

"So, this is who he's been dating for the past two months?"

"Yep."

"And, his mom dying-"

"Is why we're here. To avenge her, and every other member of Loki's pack that was killed by the hybrids."

"Hybrid pack," bewilderedly noted. Rhodes satirically affirmed it:

"Yeah."

"…How long have you guys known?"

"Full moon," Clint answered. "Us three. He, found out a little earlier," pointing at Rhodey, who uncomfortably elaborates:

"…When Philips and the others were taken captive, Loki popped up out of nowhere, said he'd get 'em out himself. Didn't want Tony doing something crazy, which he was very close to." Steve scowling interjected:

"But letting him fight a pack of hybrids-"

"He didn't," Bruce corrected. "Made it very clear he didn't want him here. Second he left Tony went anyway."

"And we weren't gonna let him do something moronic by himself so we followed," came from Nat, to which warily Steve mentioned:

"He used a relic."

"We helped him get that relic," for a reason Steve couldn't grasp Clint was amused to say so. "Story for another day. Here come the newlyweds." From the distance they see the pair approaching – Clint leans into Steve whispering hasteful: "PS: it's Loki's blood that saved your ass back in Kansas. Don't piss off the tribrid."

XXX

"So when did you and Thor become 'best friends'?" perplexed Loki asked his hand still in Tony's, who smiled cheekily retorted:

"Aw, Lokes. Is that jealousy I'm sensing?"

"Psh. Of what?"

"You tell me. In what universe d'you think I'd find big, blonde-tastic over there more appealing than my dark tall and brooding badass boyfriend, huh?" Loki hummed smirking blithely.

"Flattery can only take you so far." Tony chuckled slyly asked then:

"Well how far has it gotten me?" Lewdly Loki smirked tossed an arm over his shoulders leaned to his ear prurient whispering. Tony at his crude words promptly blushed nervously laughing.

"Look who decided to rejoin us," called Clint by Nat backs perched to the van's side. "What oh what I wonder so urgently needed discussing that you hopped off into the woods for?" crassly drawn and the look of utter mischief the two exchanged made them wonder bizarrely, before Tony glanced aside jokingly started:

"Hi, Steve," who cross-armed there stood very disquieted. "Almost forgot you were here."

"Why the long face, Captain?" snarkily Loki quipped his arm still draped around Tony. "You've plenty of questions, I take it."

"…No, actually."

"Oh good. Anything to add then?" a warning in greens to blues that very visibly were disdainful.

"…No."

"Are you sure? Think hard. Cause once you get in that car," the one behind the van parked, "you'll have agreed to discretion, as well as an adequate comprehension, of the misfortunes that may very promptly befall you, should you disregard the need for it."

"Are you seriously threatening me?"

"Only informing." In spite of himself smiling at Loki's placid though no short of hostile tone Tony put out both hands calling:

"Okay, everyone's beat and grumpy. Let's hit the road and find somewhere to wind down, talk it out. Drove here?" he asked Steve who's gaze fixed glaring to Loki's that alike was locked unwaning, daring.

"…Yeah."

"Good, start the engine. I'll be right there. Move Steve, staring at him hard enough won't make him disappear. He'll pull that face," consequently Loki'd wickedly smirked – Tony hadn't looked to know. "Which is more of a threat than anything he can say. Go," he urged took then Loki's hand pulled him away as the other four board the van and after a minute Steve was moving.

Loki reverted his attention to Tony who lightheartedly then had spoken. "Go home, rest up. Once we're back at the mansion I'll come over, okay?" Loki gave a nod pressed a kiss to his forehead, made him smile shut his eyes, lean closer. A nag in his chest chained together his legs refusing to leave – was as swiftly by Loki's voice distracted.

"Call if things get exciting."

"I got it, don't worry," back he pulled to realize he must move so sorely refused to – smile fell face tensed, worried Loki who softly asked him:

"What?"

"Nothing," shook his head mentally slapped himself and as he moved for a kiss farewell that an unconvinced Loki retorted, on him it dawned,

this time for certain.

He doesn't want to leave, again.

Loki feels it, in the force put in a kiss that was not simple, doubtless he could tell very soon perhaps that night perhaps right now, Tony can put in words what for a long time he knows he has wanted.

"It's an 8-hour drive, you two. Get a move on!" called Clint honked twice stuck his head out the window. From a feverish kiss part breathless both and when greens lock to browns it was right there, shrouded with a weak smile their hands were obstinate clasped even as away Tony backed their arms extending till they'd relented, released one another and Tony turned, heavy-hearted shuffling to the door frowning – if he looks back it'll end things promptly – but if he's to do this it must be with caution, more for the sake of his friends who were here, who were hunters that had aided a pack of werewolves. Should they without him return what'll they say? – He hushed his thoughts climbed into the car by Steve, whom as well he first must handle. He sees Loki waving at the van teasing the others before walking back towards the mine, had spared at him a glance over his shoulder, behind a tree turned and as they past it drove he had vanished.