They sat all in the common area, briefed by Nick, waiting.

"I'll do it," Loki toneless told Nick.

"Perfect," like expecting nothing else Nick from by Clint on the couch nodded, to his feet rising. "First thing tomorrow. Best get it over with, right?" he asked them both rhetorically, making for the lift said to Tony: "I'll send you the address."

"Who's interrogating?" Tony asked, to him turning. Over his shoulder Nick responded:

"Not your concern."

"From Shield?" Silence. "Nick," impatient Tony called, after him jogged. Loki stood, trailed his lazy gaze over the team that was seated, eyes on him display an assortment of similar sentiments: indifference, disdain, concern.

The usual.

"Let me do it." He hears Tony to Nick whisper. "Let me ask the questions." He should've predicted he'd suggest that. Nick did, said stolid:

"No."

…

Loki listens to Tony, very consciously, very willingly.

Tony could ask anything of him, and Loki would do it.

Loving him was just in part the reason.

What do you want was a question Tony often asked him, however it was phrased.

He was so uncharacteristically mindful of this, what Loki did and didn't want, and Loki's long since learned this, owed him the same…

…

Though he detested strongly, the fact that others in this would get involved, would meddle, abusing what influence they believed and for good reason Tony had on him.

Tony was of this just as observant, made a habit of turning it against them, as well as a point to ensure that Loki knows that he does.

So he understands where Tony's intentions really stand when he says insisting: "Why not? He'll be way more responsive if I'm the one asking."

Tony told him literally to lie. He seeks not truth nor answers.

It's what he knows that Tony aims for that has him fighting a scowl.

Tony wanted to be the one asking, to spare him the trouble with any attempts at aggravation, save his nerves from agitation.

And Loki is very much aware, hard as he fought thoughts on tomorrow and what would transpire, that it would of certain be significantly unpleasant.

…But if it were Tony asking.

"Then you likely won't ask much," Nick'd said matter of factly.

And he was right.

He left before Tony could get another word in. Nevermind he could argue from now to tomorrow and Nick's answer wouldn't change.

As the lift descended Loki reverted his concentration back onto the crowd. He spoke, garnered their full attention.

"Let's clear the air, shall we? Get a few things straight," a smirk that troubled them. He put a hand to the back of the chair that Bruce – looking up at him – was sat on. Tony returned, listened slightly wary to Loki's words as he stopped again at his side. "One: you'll find it very tiring, very quickly, waiting on me to run or turn," with Clint he made contact specifically, spoke scathing. "So spare yourself the mental effort." And though Clint remained without expression, his eyes were of scorn and disbelieving. Impassive Loki faced once more the others features lighter, but his gaze was heavy and sharp. "Two: that's not to say I much intend to make this easy." He looks at Steve. "I won't take orders. I won't fall in line. I'll do what's needed to, uh," he bore a faux-thoughtful look, waved dismissive a hand, "save innocents from mortal peril, save the day, etc.," more flatly stated: "That's just about it."

"That's not how this is gonna go," retorted Steve by Thor sternly, rising from the sofa. Loki scoffed.

"You're kidding yourself if you think it's going any other way," though his voice was sardonic, his gaze remained hard as Steve approached him and Tony inched forth defensive.

"Remind me again why we're letting this happen," Clint called, glancing Nat on the chair beside him who with her eyes said 'don't.'

"Same reason you let me on the team even after you specifically put me down as 'not recommended'," looking at her Tony said shrewdly. Nat to that was silent. It's always a losing argument with Tony; Clint doesn't know why he still bothers.

"This is different," said to him Steve.

The difference was very much to each relative.

He spoke to Loki again, firmly. "You can't just do as you please. We're a team; we work together." Loki crossed his arms and displayed false confusion.

"Do kindly elaborate. You want me doing combo takedowns with the Hulk for example?" Bruce rolled his eyes.

"Stop fooling around," unamused Steve asserted.

"Then stop acting foolish," Loki shot back. Tony snorted.

Glared at hard by the captain he nodded and shifted to stand by them both, said coolly: "Okay, guys. Seriously. We can give the 'dos and don'ts' list a quick once over when we're actually on an op. And for the record," the humor fades abruptly and more serious to Steve he says: "I've seen him fight, we've fought side-by-side more than once; put aside the personal bull, he'll fit right in." Up at Loki next he looked, smirking though subtly hinting at assent said: "Talking to you too, hotshot."

Loki eyed him in a way most certainly inappropriate amongst others. "Duly noted, darling." And Tony needn't look to know that the premise of a cringe was teasing the captain's face as he laughed, nodding.

"Okay. Come on."