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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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[justabitoffun.livejournal.com]

Laughter floated out of the kitchen, light and brief. Loki leaned against one counter at the edge of the area as he tore open a snack-sized chocolate candy bar and resumed watching the two agents. His grin was unmistakably tinged with devious delight.

"Like I said, he's quite fond of you for some reason."

[kingofarchers.livejournal.com]

The cub gave another nod, relaxing just a fraction. Coulson was smart, Clint had faith he could piece this together. He had to. Clint raised a paw and pushed at Coulson's leg in an effort to direct him toward the door.

[sonofcoul]

Between Loki's laughter, the tiger's behavior, and just plain instinct, something clicks. Coulson glances up and over at Loki.

"You weren't just humoring me when you said it's not a tiger, were you?"

[justabitoffun.livejournal.com]

"Oh, I might have been humoring you just a little bit. But no, it's not really a normal tiger, now is it?"

Loki smiled again this time aimed directly at Coulson. Then he turned away as he bit into the chocolate and opened the refrigerator door.

[kingofarchers.livejournal.com]

This lack of movement wasn't thrilling Clint. They had an opportunity for distance that was being squandered. He squeaked at Coulson, lifting his other paw to push at the man's leg.

[sonofcoul]

His attention was diverted to the tiger cub again. "Running's not going to do much good at the moment, and it's definitely not going to help your situation."

His gaze didn't shift, but who he was addressing did. "I've had a very long day, Loki. Whoever it is, please change him back."

[justabitoffun.livejournal.com]

Loki poured a glass of milk and set aside a small saucer of the white liquid while he was at it. As he knew would happen, Raun heard the tell tale sounds and knew exactly what they entailed. By the time Loki had set the saucer on the kitchen floor the kitten had struggled out of Coulson's grasp and was headed straight for the treat.

Closing the refrigerator door, the Trickster turned back towards the agent and tiger. "No."

[kingofarchers.livejournal.com]

Giving an exasperated huff, Clint dropped back onto the floor and sat down. That was the answer he'd been expecting. Why they aren't currently going to SHIELD to fix this, that's the question that will haunt him.

[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."