video, un: LOKIOFASGARD

[ikols]

[ He misses Stephen. One of his best friends (if he could consider himself as having them) for months, a backbone to lean on and firm supporter of the Loki Isn't A Total Shitbag club, is gone, and while the Sanctum actually is larger on the inside than the out, it feels somehow emptier. He smashed several priceless artefacts with no repercussions, no sorcerer appeared to put him in time-out or ask with strained patience what he was doing, which is how he knows Stephen really has returned through the portal. That, and Loki's private alarm went off as Stephen left the dimension; his finger pricked with blood on its own, a warning.

So he sits in Stephen's main study in a theatrically winged armchair because this house is nothing if not extra, dust motes floating through lazy afternoon golden light. He does so with arms folded, frowning, ignoring the giant green viper with its head resting over the back of the chair upon his shoulder (Freyja is sad too). He takes a breath. ]

Stephen Strange from Earth-616 has returned home, albeit leaving his actual house here. The Sanctum Sanctorum is hereby officially all mine until he returns, fight me for it, etcetera. [ The unnaturally large serpent boops his cheek with her huge nose, supporting and prompting him to continue as he scratches under her chin. ] Er, I guess Avengers are still welcome if you ever visited Stephen in the first place, whatever. Come by if you have any magical problems, I ...

[ He pauses (maybe for effect!!) and pulls the Cloak of Levitation into shot, draping it around his shoulders. What is more impressive is the cloak lets him.

(It has instructions to babysit a certain godling, not that Loki knows that.)

He sets his jaw, sitting up straight. ]

It happens in our future anyway, he said. I suppose I'm this realm's new Sorcerer Supreme, for now.

Comments

[alfa]

Fine, then. I don’t care if you like me either.

[ SHRUG. Whatever man two can play at that game. Loki sure seemed to like him the last they saw of each other, though, just saying.

He snorts at Loki’s last remark, sitting down on the couch next to him. ] I’d love to know where you got the idea that I’m the kind to ever even want to steal something. Especially a whole damn mine of all things.

[ikols]

[ Enjoy Loki's legs on your lap, Owen. ]

Doesn't everyone enjoy a bit of B&E sometimes? I mean, obviously I do, but I can't be the only thief out there.

[alfa]

[ He quirks an eyebrow up, then settles a hand over Loki’s legs. ]

Oh, I’m sure you aren’t. I’m just– not your guy, is all. [ He shrugs. ] Not for that, anyway.

[ikols]

[ What a funny way to phrase that. He cocks his head. ]

What are you my guy for?

[alfa]

[ He looks up thoughtfully before he tries to talk himself out of the corner he trapped himself into GOOD JOB OWEN GRADY. ]

Dinosaur wrangler... [ He tilts his beer slightly. ] Beer provider? Although— technically you did offer me beer plenty of times before, so it’s more like I’m repaying that.

[ikols]

[ Smooth moves by Owen, a delight to watch unfold. ]

Fair enough on the beer tab but you've never once wrangled a dinosaur on my behalf.

[alfa]

[ Whatever shut up!!! God. ]

Well... find me a dinosaur, and I will.

[ikols]

I suggest finding a different, easier profession first.

[ One that involves the heel of his foot kneading at the inside of Owen's thigh, perhaps. ]

[alfa]

I already have. [ He catches Loki’s foot by the ankle, firmly enough to stop him from wiggling it around. ] I work at the zoo, remember?

[ikols]

I'm not lodged at the zoo. [ His foot kicks free and he slides with Asgardian speed atop Owen's lap, hands on his shoulders. His beer abandoned on the floor. ] And after all, aren't we talking about what you are to me?

[alfa]

[ Owen probably shouldn’t be as surprised by that move as he is. One hand still holding the beer, the other rests lightly on Loki’s leg. He lets out a soft laugh, pursing his lips. ]

Mmm, a mooch probably? [ Since he’s pretty much settled himself at Loki’s cabin. ]

[ikols]

[ A smile curls at the answer, idle hands dancing his fingers up through short hair, twisting it lightly. ]

Most definitely. Perhaps, more substantially ... a friend?

[ Escape the inquiring stare of those green eyes if you can, Owen. ]

[alfa]

A friend... [ He agrees slowly, head leaning back and towards the touch of those fingers. ] With some perks.

[ He goes on to explain, as though he could ever mean anything else. ] Usually my friends don’t get to sit on my lap or play with my hair.

[ikols]

Perks. Is being my friend not a perk enough? Rude.

[ An arm hooks on Owen's shoulder as Loki slouches in, black nails running down a temple to investigate stubble instead. After a moment he decides to quietly confess, ]

I thought you might not let me, so of course I wanted to try.

[alfa]

Please. You’re so full of yourself.

[ It’s said with an air of amusement and almost fondness. Owen manages to angle his head to the side enough that he can take a slow sip from his beer, then he’s glancing back at Loki, the best he can anyway given the spot Loki’s chosen to rest his head against. ]

Why wouldn’t I let you?

[ikols]

Please, make me laugh by telling me you chase pretty boys down the streets whenever you're not wrangling dinosaurs.

[ He somehow doubts that's the case, wryly amused. Quite relieved he gets to be so close (again), Loki lazes where he has poured himself over Owen like an animal that doesn't know how to handle a chair. Still, contrary to his manner he doesn't want to be an oppressive force of nature or make it seem like he ... expects anything. ]

It's alright if you like one shape and not the other, Billy's the same. Mere preference is not a matter of being cruel.

[alfa]

[ He laughs, melting back against the couch a little. ] Yes, that is exactly what I do during my free time.

[ His hand settles on Loki’s waist instead, smoothing idly up and down. Loki’s not quite asking, but he answers just the same. Even if he knows he doesn’t have to. ]

I don’t really mind either way. I mean, I do prefer women, but I have some... flexibility. If you wanna call it that.

[ikols]

[ Humming placidly, pleased to hear it, with the return of his good mood comes mischief. ]

Ah ... you think that, but are you flexible enough!

[ When he jerks up to peer at Owen there sure is a Loki-sized fox on his lap, dressed the same but. Huge. His eyes remain green, fangs bared in a grin. ]

[alfa]

[ Owen should’ve expected Loki to pull something like that. Some days he thinks the god is on some quest to surprise or shock him— or everyone, really. Then again he is the god of mischief, he should count on it.

As it is he’s evidently startled, letting out a sound of genuine surprise, then shoving playfully at the fox now sitting on his lap. ]

Okay, maybe not that flexible! [ But Loki does get a laugh out of him, so that’s good, right? ]

[ikols]

[ He slides backwards but doesn't slip off Owen's lap entirely, throwing back his snout in a laugh. When he looks back he lowers his ears and tail, swishing it between a pair of legs, and tries to look as pitiful as possible, whining.

It takes a great effort not to laugh. ]

I knew it, you were lying! I don't ... I don't think you're ready ... for this vulpine jelly!

[alfa]

[ Owen’s grinning wide, just barely supressing a laugh of his own. He nudges Loki’s furry backside with his knee playfully. ]

Aw come on, no need to be so upset. [ He reaches up and starts scratching behind Loki’s ears, cooing. ] You’re such a good boy.

[ Yes he knows Loki’s not a dog right now. Just roll with it. ]

[ikols]

That tickles!

[ Although his tail wags frantically at being praised, thumping between Owen's legs. He eventually stops indulging the lovely scritching and swats that hand away. ]

I shall turn into a horse next and you'll be flattened!

[alfa]

[ Owen pulls his hands back when Loki swats at them, holding them up in mock surrender. ]

And thus making myth a reality. [ He grins cheekily, winking at him. ]

[ikols]

[ Always with the horse story!! ]

That wasn't me! Mostly. It's complicated, okay.

[ He ducks and shakes his head, the blur of motion easing him back into his Asgardian appearance, red fur on ears and a snout shrinking into pale skin and black hair; the tail remains for whatever reason, still swinging in a slow wag. Loki flops sideways on the couch, legs tangled over Owen's lap as he gets comfy on some cushions by the armrest. ]

[alfa]

Yeah, I figured. [ He shrugs, patting at Loki’s leg. ] But it’s fun to tease you.

[ Kinda hard to get one up on the god of mischief, after all. He finishes his beer, then tips his head. ]

You want something to eat?