[for kingofarchers and <user site="livejournal.c

[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.

Comments

[justabitoffun.livejournal.com]

"You'd make a good elf. Weren't you listening?" But Loki, amused with Clint's reaction, hadn't stopped dangling his fingers in front of the cub and in fact gave them another wiggle before he continued. "Elves are divine beings that dwell in a realm known as álfaheimr. They're divided because though they hold the same traits their overall culture and society differ vastly. Much like the Vanir and the Æsir in such regards."

[kingofarchers.livejournal.com]

:The next person to call me an elf is getting bit.: There was another halfhearted swipe at Loki's fingers. :I'm hoping with fewer hostage marriages, because after three that gets messed up.: Or he thought it was three. He really had made an effort to research this so he didn't look like an idiot in front of Thor, but facts were always hard for him to keep straight.

[sonofcoul]

"Don't know if it's that much of an insult, Barton," Coulson quipped, opening an eye and glancing down at him. "At least it's more Lord of the Rings and less Keebler."

[justabitoffun.livejournal.com]

Loki decided not to mention that he was frequently called an álfr. That would ruin the good favor Coulson put in.

The Trickster smiled at Barton. "You've done your research. What a pleasant surprise. The álfar have not fought a war between one another as the Æsir and Vanir. For the most part they live in separate realms. As for the goð, you'd be surprised how frequent marriages are used to placate someone and not just in conclusion of that war."

[kingofarchers.livejournal.com]

:How is that any better? You be the elf, I'll be something with normal ears.: Making a noise of discontent, Clint rolled back onto his stomach, ears back. :Don't even tell me. The last thing we need is me trying to storm your flaming rainbow bridge because you guys regularly kidnap people.:

[sonofcoul]

"Pretty sure that whatever's in the cards for me, it doesn't include elfhood." Coulson leaned his head back onto the back of the couch and closed his eye again. "But stranger things have happened."

[justabitoffun.livejournal.com]

Loki glanced at Coulson through the corner of his eyes but managed to hold his tongue. Looking back at Clint he rebuked the accusation. "We don't kidnap anyone. The hostage exchange from the Æsir–Vanir War was a mutual agreement and the participants went over willingly." Although for some--namely, the Æsir hostages--they didn't afterward willingly participate in the society they were suddenly thrown into and ended up somewhat...dead. Besides the point. "The marriages happened afterward, much later when the Vanir had become a regular part of our society."

He paused, leaned back, thought of something else. "And in Skaði's case," he sneers at the name, "we gave her a choice in men for reparation of her father's death. How is any of that kidnapping by any standards?"

[kingofarchers.livejournal.com]

:Keep telling yourself that, Legolas.: Clint snorted, still not sure why the idea of any marriage like that bugged him so much. :That wasn't fair to the guy, was it? And you're putting people in a position where they might have to kill their spouse, assuming they even like them in the first. And what if they have--:

He held his breath, suddenly realizing why the idea didn't appeal to him. Standing up, the cub shook himself off and resumed walking laps around the room. :Never mind. What happens over the rainbow bridge can stay over the rainbow bridge.:

[sonofcoul]

"Afraid I don't have that dreamy Orlando Bloom quality that they look for in casting." Coulson shook his head a little and sat up straight. Dozing off on the couch would look more than a little ridiculous. "Getting restless?"

[justabitoffun.livejournal.com]

To say Loki was intrigued was a bit of an understatement. He watched Clint carefully. His voice was soft when he spoke. "Skaði was disappointed in her choice and eventually left him for another anyway. The Vanir do as they wish and are happily married to people of their choosing. Why are you so upset?"

[kingofarchers.livejournal.com]

:Don't sell yourself short, Coulson, I get lost in your eyes all the time.: He paused, only to change direction. Nope, those were questions he wouldn't be answering freely. Time to shift focus away from him. :Didn't we agree Coulson had a bedtime? Yet here he is, half asleep on the couch.:

[sonofcoul]

"Half asleep is overstating it. And it's more comfortable than falling asleep at my desk, which I've done a time or two also." Or significantly more than a time or two, but that was not exactly the operative point.

[justabitoffun.livejournal.com]

Loki snorted. He wasn't going to give up on the question that easily. Though for now he let it slide; he could bide his time, slip it into a later conversation, weasel his way into finding out what Barton was so ruffled over.

He stood up and moved over in front of Coulson. "You're right, Barton. It's time to put the suit to rest. Come on," he said and grabbed Coulson by the wrists to pull him to his feet. He wrapped an arm around the agent once he was standing. "It's about time you got some sleep."

[kingofarchers.livejournal.com]

:That was the worst argument I've ever heard.: He took a step toward them, not sure if he should intervene. If Coulson wanted help, he would ask for it, but that didn't mean Clint was entirely comfortable watching this.

[sonofcoul]

Coulson, as usual, took pretty much everything in stride. "Thank you for the hand up, Loki, although I'm pretty sure I'm not so far gone at this point that I can't stay upright on my own power." He straightned a bit and looked down at the cub. "Is there anything you need before I attempt a few hours of sleep?"