Work Text:
He did it, the god of mischief became the god of stories. The TVA was safe, the timeline was safe, people's lives were now safe from He Who Remains. The TVA now ran under the guide of making sure everyone had a chance to live, to be who they wanted to be, to become what they dreamed of or what they needed to be. With Loki's help, many people were able to regain free rein and no one but the TVA would even know. The world, the universe wouldn’t know who to thank aside from the TVA. Only they knew.
B-15 went on to continue working for the TVA, becoming a head leader alongside Judge Gamble who followed her and took every word she said to heart. At the beginning of this journey, B-15 was a rule follower, only listening to what Renslayer would say but now she understood what Sylvie was getting at after she saw her original self on the timeline. She was always a leader at heart who wanted to help others, and that's what she became.
Ouroboros and Casey worked together more and more, fixing Ms.Minutes to be better and do better for the sake of everyone else. They two also helped build more machines and gadgets that would help the TVA move on without the need of getting another He Who Remains variant. Casey grew more knowledgeable and helped OB rewrite the TVA handbook following their new motto. He felt more important now and even more seen. OB was no longer alone in his workshop as he had a whole new group of friends working with him and enjoyed his company. He was happy how the TVA grew.
Sylvie went back to the timeline she was previously on where she worked at McDonalds happily, finally being able to have a life and obtain peace after running away from the TVA her entire childhood, teens, and adulthood. There, she could finally go to sleep at night without having to worry about minute men catching up to her and trying to prune her. While she still may have nightmares, she was at least safe. Luckily for her, she has already made friends on her timeline. She could finally have her back to the door and not have a crawling sense of fear about grabbing her.
Mobius on the other hand was the only one who felt lost. He got to see who he was on the timeline, a single dad who had two sons. While they were chaotic, he seemed happy. A little tired but happy. Maybe that was just a common trait among the Mobius variants. After seeing his original self, he spent time hopping around on different branches to find a place to settle. But nothing seemed to be the right fit for him. It was a struggle for him to get comfortable. He thought about going back to the TVA multiple times where he might be needed but that wasn't what he wanted.
The man reached into his pocket and pulled out his tempad, searching for another branch to go to. Sighing softly he closed it, looking off into the distance trying to figure out what he wanted. “...Screw it.” He muttered to himself and opened up the tempad, entered some coordinates, then went through the time door once it opened, returning to the TVA. He walked through the halls for a while till he crossed paths with B-15 who was surprised he was there.
“You’re back.” She says, a smile forming on her face. “Is this a permanent stay?” She questioned
“Not really.. No. You know where Renslayers tempad is?” Mobius asked, which earned a very concerned look from B-15. But she trusted him and began to lead him to OBs workshop.
“You okay? It has been a while.” She asks, glancing at him as they walked
“Yea, jus’ need something from that tempad.” he says softly. Silence was in the air for a while till the hunter stopped and looked at the man.
“Are you okay?” She asked again.
Mobius stopped in his footsteps and looked to her, surprised a little by her actions. The two grew as friends and now they had to look out for each other. “..I will be.” He says
“You’re planning on seeing him, aren't you?” She asked which left Mobius to fall silent. “Mobius,” She says, about to begin a small lecture.
“I just want to check on him.. Talk for a bit.. I know he can't leave and I can't.. Exactly stay with him. I know that.. I just miss my friend.” He says with a slight sigh of defeat.
B-15 nodded a little. “...Alright.” She says, guiding him once again to OB. Once at the workshop, OB welcomed Mobius back then searched around for the tempad.
“So, what's up? Why do you need her tempad?” OB asked as he searched around his workshop, through piles of organized mess.
“Gonna go visit Loki, see how he’s doing.” He admitted. No reason to hide anything from his friends.
“Really?” Casey asked with a smile as he entered the workshop, holding two cups of hot chocolate for himself and OB.
“Yea, I mean it's not like there's a rule against seeing him..” Mobius says with a small smile.
“Could you tell him we said Hi?” Casey asks before setting the second cup of hot cocoa on OBs desk.
“And thank you.” B-15 added with a soft smile.
Mobius chuckled a little and nodded, “Yea I can do that. Sure he’d love to hear from you guys again.” He says
“Are you going to stay with him?" Casey asked curiously.
"Most likely not." He responded. "But who knows, maybe he'll be open to getting a visit from us a few times a year." Mobius says with a gentle smile. "He doesn't deserve to be fully alone."
The team nodded in agreement then perked up when OB shouted. "Found it!" He says, carefully coming out from a packed corner of his work shop. "I was going to toss it but figured I could wipe it and someone else would use it." He says, coming over and giving it to Mobius
"You haven't wiped it yet right?" Mobius asks
"Nope! Should still have all her past coordinates shes been to." OB says with a smile.
"Alright, thanks. I appreciate it guys." He says to the three that were in front of him. He smiled softly then soon left after a few hugs. Entering in a quiet hallway, he searched through the coordinates then got one of the resent ones, having a time door open up in front of him. Hesitation washed over him as he stared at the door, his heart racing a little before he finally stepped through.
Entering a new place he's yet to see. He came through the time door and stood on black rubble. He looked around at all the cosmos as well as the branches of the timeline, following where they all went to and began to climb some steps to see a familar face.
"I didn't think I'd see you again." Loki says, opening his eyes and looking at Mobius with a small smile.
Mobius smiled as well. "Yea well.. it was pretty rude of you to leave without saying goodbye." He teased to which Loki huffed out a small chuckle. "You look good. Loving the new look." He says
Lokis smile grew. "Thank you.. so why have you come here?" He asks, knowing Mobius had to have some sort of reason.
"Just come to see a friend." He says, approaching Loki who made a rock stool form next to him. Loki nodded at the stool to which Mobius sat on. "...I should hit you though." He says
The gods expression changed to confusion quickly. "Hit me? Why?"
"I was joking when I said you had to hoof it." He says with a soft smile then begins to chuckle when Loki rolled his eyes. "Oh cmon." He says,
Loki shook his head. "I would say you can leave now but I'm afraid youd take that literally." He teased back which make Mobius chuckle again as Loki smiled.
"You just love to bicker with me dont you?"
"..That's not the only thing I love to do with you." The god says which cause the two men to grow quiet as they stared at eachother, deep into one another's eyes.
"I don't doubt it." Mobius whispered softly. "...You did good Loki," he began to say. "Thank you… from all of us. The TVA.. the whole universe." He says
Loki nodded a little, looking around at all the branches. "They all deserve a life of their own. Their own free will."
"...And what about you?"
"This is my choice… I'm content knowing all of my friends are safe. Knowing thousands of people, mothers, fathers, children are all safe… that you are safe." Loki said, a bit of pain in his voice. "Besides, there's plenty of variant Loki's out there." He says
"But none like you." Mobius says, putting a hand on Loki's knee, giving him a sincere look which made Loki tearfully smile. "You've grown and learned.. I'm proud of you." He says softly.
"Thank you." Loki says softly. "..So, what is everyone up to now?" He asks
"Well, OB and Casey are working together. Bettering the mechanics of the TVA. Fixing up Ms.Minutes as well." He says.
"Really? Still going to try and fix her?" Loki asks
Mobius shrugged. "Yea well… second times the charm." He says with a smile. "Uhhh B-15 is pretty much a judge now with all the other judges. Shes helping lead everyone and follow the new motto."
"She was always a great soldier. Definitely built to lead." Loki commented.
Mobius nodded in agreement. "Sylvie went back to her timelinenajd working at that McDonald's again. She said she might visit."
"Thats nice.. seems like everyones happy."
"Mhm."
"And what about you? What are you up to?"
Mobius was afraid he would ask this question. "Haven't.. really figured that out yet." He says softly, looking off to the cosmos
Loki looked to his friend, giving a genuine smile. "You will eventually. It doesn't come so easily to others. You'll find your glorious purpose." He says softly
His friend nodded softly and cleared his throat. "...And what if youre not in my glorious purpose?" He asks
"Mobius.. I may not always be on a timeline you choose. But whether or not I'm there shouldn't determine your happiness.. live whatever life you want and your needs will change to something obtainable-"
"I don't want my needs to change." Mobius says quickly, looking back to Loki. "I just want you." He says softly. The two sat there once again, looking into eachother eyes.
"I know.. but I won't always be there. You'll grow use to it if it ever comes to that." Loki whispered. "But I won't ever leave you fully. I will always be here." He says, glancing at the throne he was on then put his hand on Mobius hand.
Mobius had tears come to his eyes as he smile a little. "Alright…" he says softly with a slight nod. "..you alright will visits in the future?" He asks
Loki chuckled a bit, getting teary eyed as well. "From you? Of course.. but dont feel pressued to do anything or go anywhere. I'll be here waiting." He says, blinking a bit which caused a few tears ro fall down his cheeks. "Damn you make goodbyes hard." He huffed, wiping his cheeks then grabbing back onto the timeline branches.
The man chuckled. "Is that why you avoid saying goodbye to me before you came here?" He teasingly asked then stood up.
Loki chuckled a little and shook his head. "Course not."
"Mhm." He hummed as he pulled out Renslayers tempad and typed some coordinates which made a time door appear behind him. He looked to Loki with a tight smile. "Till next time huh?" He asks
"Of course." Loki says with a tight smile as well.
Mobius looked to the door then back at Loki. Before turning back to the door, Mobius went up to Loki and gave him a gentle kiss on the lip then helped wipe and tears from both their eyes.
Loki embraced the kiss for a moment before parting with a soft sigh. "You make a goodbye this hard the next time I see you and I will find you." Loki threatened light heartedly
Mobius chuckled and stepped to the time door. "Well now you make it tempting." He teased then stopped at the time door. "The gang says hello by the way… and thank you."
Loki grew a soft smile. "Tell them I said hello as well.. and thank you for trusting me.. and being my friend." He says
The man nodded. "Will do." He says, waving goodbye and stepped through the time door, leaving the God of Stories alone once more, until next time.