"I am most inclined to indulge you, Bard. Not guaranteed to indulge you. I would hope that, by this point, you are well aware of how carefully cultivated my demeanour is. I am not about to go putting cracks in it in the name of kindness." There is an edge to his voice; a fight in Thranduil's self as to just what he means and what he is saying. Surely he would not indulge the other in circumstances that would not benefit his own reputation? And yet, the blond was not so sure about that.

He could only hope that the words, said in a defensiveness that Thranduil could not quite explain, were taking in the wrong manner. It had taken them far too long to get to this point, it would be a pity that some ill thought words ruined it.

Especially when Bard says nothing of his comment, merely sways into him and gives Thranduil a bit more of the contact, a bit more grounding after the events of the day and steadies the blond even more. Perhaps he should try to reign in his temper more often if this was the result.

Then again, maybe not.

Thranduil growled, swiping (and missing, bloody reflexes) at Bard for the Thorin comment. If there was one human being that Thranduil could not stand, it was Thorin Oakenshield. The glower does not leave his face, even as Bard begins to walk before him; eyebrows in a stern line and face the perfect picture of annoyed. "He is a curse upon this institution and we are lucky he hasn't personally invited a kaiju into the Shatterdome yet."

That is a jest. Mostly. But it does encompass just how Thranduil felt about the other. " You are so very, very lucky that I like you, Bard. Very lucky."