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[justabitoffun]

Loki didn't leave the apartment all day in part fear that Barton would attempt to escape somehow. He already knew he was going to get into trouble for what he'd done, he certainly didn't need to loose the archer on top of the impromptu transformation spell he'd cast to turn the agent into a white tiger cub. He didn't mind being stuck inside all day on this particular eve though as the entertainment value provided by Barton's defiant attitude and Raun's eager attempts to get the cub to play with him were priceless.

By the end of the day Raun had begun to settle down and when Loki took a relaxed seat on the couch the kitten was almost instantly there to lie down in his lap. The Trickster god petted idly at the kitten's soft fur as he kept a deceptively lidded eye on the tiger cub.

Coulson would be home soon. Loki couldn't be more overjoyed by the prospect.

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[sonofcoul]

Coulson sighed softly. "Long day got longer, then, okay." He stood up, calmly brushing both kitten and tiger fur off of his pants. "Source is preferable, of course, but we'll have to go track down other options instead. If you'll excuse us." He headed back for the door.

[justabitoffun.livejournal.com]

Loki made a show of magically sealing the door off from the agent. "As I'm pretty sure you didn't get any actual sleep last night, you're not leaving this apartment until morning rises."

He glanced at the window at the far side of the apartment. "Care to try another option?"

[kingofarchers.livejournal.com]

His ears perk as he slowly trailed after Coulson. Damn it, now he had to agree with Loki. Clint could survive a few more hours with fur, but if Coulson missed sleep he'd feel like an ass.

Trotting to catch up, Clint blocked Coulson's path and gave a concerned rumble.

[sonofcoul]

"How well do you honestly expect me to sleep knowing that one of the Avengers is currently a tiger cub?" He wasn't entirely sure which one, but the odds were slim that it would be anyone else, just given his behavior.

He shoots the cub a look somewhere between quizzical and resigned. "Pretty sure we're not getting out that way anyway at the moment."

[justabitoffun.livejournal.com]

"Did I say it was an Avenger?" But Loki's grin gave the would-be lie away; he was too amused with Coulson's deductive reasoning to try any harder to sell it. So instead, "Don't you want to know what to call him?"

[kingofarchers.livejournal.com]

There was another rumble from the cub. He outstretched a paw in the direction of Coulson's bedroom, trying to prompt the man to move. They really didn't need to get into who he was, did they? Not when there wasn't an immediate cure available.

[sonofcoul]

He smothers a smile at the cub. "Whatever you say, mom," he mutters, starting to shrug off his coat again.

He glanced back at Loki. "It's either Hawkweye or Cap. Either way, I'm not calling him 'little guy' again."

[justabitoffun.livejournal.com]

"He's a bit head-strong, don't you think? Stubborn and impulsive?"

Loki moved out of the kitchen, empty glass left in the sink, and headed straight for Coulson. He gave no outward sign of his intention. Suddenly he bent down and grabbed the tiger cub, hefting him up in both arms and cradling him against his chest. He expected to be bit and clawed but wasn't concerned with it.

"Look, he has fur and a tail but otherwise he's fine. And in a few days the spell will wear off," definitely not what he told Barton earlier, "and he'll be back to normal, perfectly fine. I promise." Loki tilted his head to get a better angle at catching Coulson's eye. "Don't be upset?"

[kingofarchers.livejournal.com]

Clint yowled as soon as he was picked up. Maybe Loki was willing to gloss over the beating Clint gave first, but the archer had other ideas. He squirmed, exaggerating any discomfort he was currently in, and swiped at Loki's face.

[sonofcoul]

"Put him down, I think this is one time Barton won't appreciate the vantage point."

He paused. "We're apparently not getting anywhere tonight anyway, because both of you appear to be concerning yourselves with what sleep I get. I'm still taking him in in the morning for a second opinion and at least six different forms to fill out."

[justabitoffun.livejournal.com]

Loki frowned though not from the swipe at his face. He was concentrating on holding the squirming cub so that he didn't drop him so when Coulson made the quip it didn't get much more reaction than that. Reluctantly, he obeyed though and set Barton down gently on the couch.

When he turned back to Coulson his eyes were pleading. "That's really not necessary. I assure you he'll be back to normal well before...the end of the week. No harm done. And no extra paperwork required." He sidled closer to Coulson. "If I teach him how to speak so that he can prove his mind is unaffected, will you be satisfied?"

[kingofarchers.livejournal.com]

Unaffected? That got a derisive snort. Clint half expected to disappear and be made into some stupid hat. The thought amused him enough that he sprawled out where he was on the couch and tried to wait this argument out.

[sonofcoul]

He nodded. "Please do. But I'm leaving it up to him whether or not to take this in. I know it bears reporting, temporary or not, but I also know his general attitude towards showing up in Medical."

[justabitoffun.livejournal.com]

Loki scowled at the response but it was clear that it was the best he was going to get. He focused on the challenge it presented to behave and set out to do as promised.

He sat down next to the cub and (gently) forced the agent-turned-tiger to look him in the eyes. :You've heard me do this before,: he spoke telepathically to Clint and only Clint. :Now it's your turn. In this form, with my magic bound to you, it should be simple enough. Simply focus on projecting, thinking outward in a fashion you normally wouldn't. Then those thoughts, those words will be picked up by anyone willing to listen.:

Never mind the cheap tricks like forcing people to hear you or aiming the thoughtspeak to only one recipient. Loki didn't want to get that detailed nor did he really see the point or need. Clint wouldn't be like this long enough to learn it anyway.

[kingofarchers.livejournal.com]

'Medical' was all that needed to be mentioned for the cub to glower. Death sounded better than willingly submitting himself to the doctors and nurses. His mood was not improved by Loki grabbing his face, but he didn't attempt to free himself.

Clint narrowed his eyes and flicked his tail impatiently. Magic was not something he enjoyed, but he did have an aptitude for it. :Let go of my face before I really end up making you Roy.:

[sonofcoul]

Coulson's eyebrows rose slightly, once he picked up that simple statement that was so very undeniably Clint Barton. He nodded a little. "Reference is just a bit dated there." He crossed his arms. "Other than the obvious, how are you feeling?"

[justabitoffun.livejournal.com]

Loki smirked at the defiant cub, one part amused by the statement and one part impressed with the quickness and ease of which the archer picked up the ability. Perhaps he could teach him more.

He released the tiger's head from his hold but in an act of mischief the god petted Clint the full length of his little tiger body, even daring to scritch the base of his tail before lifting his hand away. It was well worth any reaction.

[kingofarchers.livejournal.com]

His body reacted without Clint's input, arching up into the touch. Thank God tigers didn't blush or he would have been bright red as he darted to the other side of the couch and growled, thoroughly embarrassed. :If Houdini would stop being handsy, I'd feel like a thousand bucks worth of property damage.:

[sonofcoul]

"Given that the property here is all mine, I'd prefer you refrain from that much." He hung his coat in a small closet. "But Loki, I think I'm going to second the request to 'stop being handsy'. Barton, when was the last time you ate? I think I have hot dogs or something."

[justabitoffun.livejournal.com]

"He's a feline, he should like being touched," the Trickster objected. But damn if he didn't sulk, side-eying the tiger cub as he crossed his arms and leaned away from said cub as if that would keep him from attempting any more touching.

[kingofarchers.livejournal.com]

:Fur does not mean I'm going to stray cat strut your way,: he retorted with an annoyed swish of his tail. Relaxing, he glanced back at Coulson. :I'm fine. Aren't you supposed to be sleeping, bossman?:

[sonofcoul]

"I just got home to find one of our best agents turned into a tiger cub. Forgive me if I need a little time to unwind first." He headed into the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water.

[justabitoffun.livejournal.com]

"It'd help you relax," he retorted. He refrained from pointing out it would help Coulson unwind, too. Even if Barton weren't here he doubted the offer would be accepted. He would simply have to wait.

[kingofarchers.livejournal.com]

Clint snorted, idly watching his own tail. He wasn't trying to make it move, but it was, and it was really distracting. Grunting, he pinned it under a paw. :Sure, as long as you're not near any more chairs. And I have a witness now, Coulson, you just admitted I'm one of the best. I can officially put that on business cards now.:

[sonofcoul]

He re-entered the living room with his glass of ice water and sat on the other end of the couch. "Fairly sure that's implicit in the 'Avenger' part, actually. And what's this about chairs?"