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"Hey Mobius, you‘re looking good today!" Mobius perked up. Casey was walking up to him and Loki, holding a few files.
"Thanks Casey, appreciate it." Loki narrowed his eyes.
Mobius went to take the files when a lock of hair fell in his face. "Ah dammit, not again." He tried to blow the hair away, but it just fell back. "Loki, could you…?"
Mobius turned to the god for help. "Of course." Loki smiled and reached out to tuck the hair away. "Thanks, love." Mobius didn‘t see the blush on Lokis face and instead looked to Casey who looked strangely surprised.
"You good there, Casey?" That seemed to waken him up.
"Uh yes of course. I just noticed how long you hair has gotten. Did you skip the barber?"
Mobius shrugged. "Had a lot to do getting this pussycat here out of a damn tree. I don‘t mind it being long, it just falls in my face all the time."
Casey lit up. "I have just the thing!" He rolled his sleeves up to reveal a whole bunch of hair ties in all the different colours. They almost took up his entire forearm. "I always carry them in case someone needs one! Look, here‘s even some with the best known pride flags!"
You could practically see the stars in Mobius‘ eyes as he looked at the array of ties.
"Please tell me you got a Pan flag in there!"
Casey grinned- if possible- even wider. He expertly picked out a band. "There you go!"
Mobius immeadiately went to put his hair in a loose ponytail. "Oh this is amazing! What do you think Loki?"
He turned to the god- no goddess now- in questions and showed off the new look.
Loki didn‘t say anything just stared. Finally she cleared her throat. "Yeah. Yeah it‘s uh- it‘s good. Very good. I just… gotta go." With those words she practically ran down the hallway and around the next corner.
Mobius looked after her, confusion clear in his face. "That was weird. Did she need to go to the toilet?"
Casey threw him a puzzled look. "She?"
"Yeah. Didn‘t you notice her change?"
"Mobius, I‘m pretty sure you and Sylvie are the only ones who immeaditely know what Loki is at the moment. How do you do it? Are you sure you don‘t have magic?"
Mobius laughed. "I‘m just perceptive, that‘s all. Now come on, tell me what these files are so i can get rid of ‘em, my arms hurt."
—————
It wasn‘t uncommon for Loki to come knocking on Mobius‘ door in the middle of the ‚night‘ (really just an illusion so that the employees get sleep and don‘t work themselves raw).
In fact, Mobius can‘t remember the last time he had his bed all alone for an entire week, not that he was complaining.
Loki had nightmares. Lot’s of them. From his time back on Asgard, when he was still young, up to sacrificing himself and being trapped in the tree.
Loki barely talked about it, but Mobius knew that he himself was very present in those nightmares.
He figured it out when Loki came to his room, but flinched away from his touch. That night was still clear in his memories.
///
"Did I hurt you?" Loki couldn‘t look at him.
"Loki, please. I need to know so I can help you." Loki sat down on the bed, shaking. Mobius kneeled in front of him, trying to make Loki comfortable.
"It was when I found out I was a frost giant." If it weren‘t for the quiet in the room, Mobius might not have heard the whisper at all. He winced in sympathy. The moment when Loki found out that he wasn‘t Friggas son or Thors brother was one of the key points in his history that let him to where he was now. And it was also one of the most painful ones.
"With Odin?" Loki shook his head. "No. It was-", he took a shaky breath, "It was you."
Only now did he look at Mobius. "Oh Loki…"
The man felt his heart break. "Me?" Loki nodded. "I‘m sorry."
"Hey. You got nothing to apologize for. What-", at this point he had to pause. "What exactly happened?"
"It didn’t make sense. You found me in my frost giant form. You- you were mad at me. For… for being a monster."
Mobius felt like he could cry. Loki was thousands of years old, had so much experience in life and yet, in this moment he looked younger than ever, just the lonely little boy Mobius once saw in him. "You wanted-", Loki couldn‘t finish the sentence. He buried his face in his hands and Mobius could hear strangled sobs.
"What, Loki?"
"You called me a monster. You said I deserved to be alone. Forever, trapped in that tree. You-", their voice broke. "You wanted me dead." The words hung in the air. Mobius felt the tears from his eyes fall down his face.
He desperately searched for words, but none came to him.
"May- can I touch you, Loki?"
Loki looked at Mobius, his eyes big and vulnerable. Still, he nodded.
Mobius gently reached up to wipe the tears on his cheeks away. He cupped Loki face and leaned their foreheads together, careful to look for any sign Loki was too uncomfortable.
"Never. Never."
Loki let out a breath. He nodded. "Oh, c‘mere."
Loki let himself be pulled into a hug. Mobius whispered it over and over again, trying to burn it into Loki brain.
Never.
At some point Loki wrapped his arms around Mobius too. He hugged Mobius like the man could disppear any second and Loki desperately wanted him to stay. After a while they pulled away.
Mobius nodded to the bed with a questioning hum and Loki smiled.
They laid down together, Loki on Mobius‘ chest, with Mobius‘ hand in his hair, rhythmically stroking it.
"I‘m sorry for seeing you like that. For for you having to see me like this."
Mobius gently lifted his head, so Loki looked up at him.
"Don‘t ever apologize for something like this. I am here for you, Loki. Now, go to sleep."
Loki smiled up at him and with his mind obscured by sleepiness leaned up to plant a kiss on Mobius‘ lips. Mobius barely had time to react, before Lokis head fell on his chest again and the god was asleep.
///
What was a lot less common, in the way that it never happened before, was that Mobius was the one to knock on Lokis door. It was late in the night, almost morning and he could‘ve just waited to see Loki for breakfast, but he couldn‘t wait.
Loki opened the door half asleep, but immediately completely woke up when they saw Mobius in front of them.
"Mobius? What‘s wrong?" The concern in their voice almost made Mobius regret coming.
"Nothin‘, just… couldn‘t sleep. I, uh… wanted to see you." The concern made way for such a softness that Mobius almost dissolved right there. He looked away for a second to collect himself and when he looked up again Loki was bright red.
"Uh- sure. Come, uh, come right in. Do you just wanna talk or…?" They left the question unfinished and waited for Mobius to make a move. Mobius walked into their room. "I just need to cuddle someone." Loki froze for a second, then they got themselves under control. "Of course." Mobius smiled and eagerly followed Loki to the large bed.
It‘s like they knew that Mobius needed to be held tonight, instead of the other way around, so they opened their arms for him. Mobius cuddled against their side, sighing happily. He looked to see if Loki was comfortable too and Loki took the opportunity to kiss Mobius‘ forehead. "Sleep well, dear."
"Hey, pet names are my thing", grumbled Mobius, but he was smiling.
Loki laughed softly. "I‘m a master thief."
"Thief of my heart maybe", Mobius mumbled, too quietly for Loki to hear over their laughter.
"What was that?" But by the time Loki asked, Mobius was already fast asleep against him.
Needless to say they were very late that morning and got a good scolding from Hunter B-15.
—————
"Loki, seriously, you can‘t call these mission field trips! It’s unprofessional!" Mobius had to jog after the god, who was excitedly walking to the briefing room.
It was their first mission after they got Loki out that damned tree.
Just a simple thing, overseeing a variant of He Who Remains, see what he does and such, but Loki was beyond exited. Mobius hadn‘t let him leave the TVA until he looked into Lokis eyes and didn‘t see hidden pain and loneliness after their time in the tree.
After Mobius had come to Loki last night, they decided to just stop running up and down the halls and move in together. Platonically, as they both had to remind their friends, who have started calling them 'Time Husbands' as soon as they found out during breakfast. Mobius just laughed at the name, though he did like the sound of it. It had a nice ring to it.
But none of that was important right now. This day Mobius woke up to Loki watching him though half opened eyes. And though he was flustered at getting caught, they didn‘t look away. For a while it was just them in their own little world. That was when Mobius finally looked into Lokis eyes and saw none of the emptiness that had taken hold of them after such a long time alone in the tree.
Loki was already waiting for Mobius when the man finally reached the briefing room, breathing heavily. "Damn those longs legs of yours. It just isn‘t fair!" He loosened a couple button on his shirt and opened the tie, just to be able to breathe for a second. Loki laughed and practically twirled away to the team that gathered in the room.
"Greetings, fellow hunters and observers! Are we all ready for this dangerous mission?", they exclaimed with a grin, shining brighter than the golden City of Asgard when basked in light.
Mobius stood right behind him. "Ignore him, he‘s like a damn puppy that get‘s to go outside in the snow for the first time. The mission will not be dangerous if everybody sticks to the plan. Do you hear me?" The question was aimed at Loki, but apparently one of the Minute-Men didn‘t get that.
"Oh, I hear you loud and clear."
Mobius just threw him an irritated look and started to go through the plan.
"I repeat, we do not engage with the Variant! Now, everybody get ready. We leave in five minutes."
He got a lot of nods and some Minute-men went to collect their stuff.
Mobius stayed where he was and rolled his sleeve up to reveal the hair tie Casey gave him.
"You still have that?"
"Hm? Of course, it‘s the only one I got." Loki huffed and with a wave of his hand, five new multicolored hair bands appeared on Mobius‘ wrist.
"There. Now you don‘t need the one from Casey anymore." Something in Lokis voice sounded almost bitter, but Mobius didn‘t understand what about a simple hair tie would make him like this.
"Loki, it‘s just a hair tie? For my hair? It‘s not an engament ring, what‘s gotten you into you? Also, I like the pan flag." Loki avoided his eyes and waved their hand again. The hair ties vanished.
"Sorry. Just… let‘s go. Whatever."
Mobius wanted to ask, but Loki was already shuffling away, pretending to be busy, even though Mobius knew exactly that Loki could just conjure anything he wanted in a second.
Shaking his head, Mobius pulled up his hair, just when he thought he had all of it and waned to tie it, Loki walked up to him. "Listen, Mobius, I-", before they could finish the sentence the Minute-Man from before rolled up behind them.
"Well, hello there Mobius. Did you change your appearance?"
Mobius furrowed his brow. "Yes? My hair is longer?"
The Man, Mobius wasn’t even sure who he was, eyed him up and down once, twice.
"Looks mighty good on you, I gotta say."
Mobius shifted, a bit uncomfortable. "Thanks, I guess? Can I help you with something?"
Mobius didn’t notice Loki glaring at them from where he was standing behind Mobius. He didn’t notice the angry green flashing in the gods eyes, or the way his whole face twisted into a mask of pure hatred.
But the man did. Now he was the one shifting around, trying to avoid looking over Mobius’ shoulder.
"W- well, you could, uh- I could… run my hands though-" all of a sudden his voice died down. he seemed almost frozen.
"That‘s enough of that." Mobius turned around to see Loki, with green Magic flowing around his hand.
"Loki!"
Mobius turned around again when the man attempted to speak, but words came out.
"Loki, let him go, right now!"
Loki looked to Mobius, the green light in her eyes slowly fading and let the other go.
"What were you thinking? He is one of our men!" Loki glanced at the man who was now scrambling away.
"He deserved it." Mobius could only remember a handful of times when Loki was so angry.
"For what?" She didn‘t an answer.
"I think I‘ll skip the mission. Excuse me."
"Loki, wait-!" But it was futile. Loki was already on her way, leaving Mobius once again baffled.
"What the hell just happened?"
—————
Mobius was sure of many things: He was human. He was good with people. He was loyal to the TVA. The new TVA at least. He was pansexual. He was a variant, originally named Don.
Now he had to add new things to the list. Loki was once a god of mischief and is now the God of Time. Loki liked stabbing people in the back, both metaphorically and literally. Loki was dangerous, but vulnerable, he was closed off, but you could open him up. Loki was also beautiful. Of all the many Variants Mobius saw or heard of, none came even close to this incredible being.
And as it turns out, Mobius was in love with Loki.
It shouldn‘t be a surprise, really. He should’ve seen it coming from the moment he saw the god in person for the first, being taken away to be pruned.
But here he was, sharing a room with the god, looking at his sleeping form and just thinking.
Oh.
Oh.
So that‘s what this is.
He had no idea what to do. How to act. Loki surely knew. Loki must know that Mobius has been feeling this for a long time.
He thought about Loki secretly making fun of the old man for it, but that thought was thrown out quickly. The Loki before him wouldn‘t. They‘d been through so much.
Maybe he should‘ve told Loi that he kissed him before. Maybe that way why he was in this situation.
Mobius quietly got out of the bed, being more careful than ever not to wake the sleeping god. He deserved the sleep. Mobius quickly threw on some clothes so that he wouldn’t be walking in his night clothes.
e walked to his desk, searching around for a little bit, before finally finding it. A communicator, build specially for the TVA to reach into the Mulitverse. He clicked a few buttons and soon a voice came through.
"I need your help."
—————
Loki was avoiding the topic of his little outburst. Mobius knew it. he also knew that Loki knew that he knew. Which was probably the reason Loki avoided it even more than the day before. In fact, he barely talked to Mobius, usually just sitting there, not looking into his eyes. His weird energy made everybody uncomfortable. Even other TVA employees spoke to Mobius about it, asked what he did, but he waved them off. It was none of their business. He just needed to talk to Loki for a few minutes and they could resolve the tension.
He tried asking Sylvie for help, asked what he could do, but she simply refused, even she sounded incredibly smug while doing so. She said that he should figure this out with Loki himself. No need for her help.
He was currently trying once again to talk Loki, this time in the pie-room. Thankfully no other people were here. So no watchers, just them eating their pie.
Mobius was about to open his mouth when a gust of wind distracted him.
"Hello, Loverboys." Sylvie as standing there, a time door closing behind her. "Sylvie." Loki sounded dry. Mobius threw Sylvie an unimpressed look, still a bit salty about her refusal to help.
"Hello Sylvie. What are you doing here?"
She smiled slyly. "A little birdie told me you got a new hairstyle and I just needed to see it for myself. 'Straight from Dilf City' as they would say on a particular branch." Mobius rolled his eyes. Loki tensed.
"What is it with everybody and my hair? It‘s just a bit longer!"
"Maybe, but the way you play with it? The way you always tie it up? Mobius you are incredibly hot and I don‘t think you realize it." Mobius stepped several steps away from the goddess. A low grumbled escaped Loki. "Sylvie-"
Her smile turned sweetly. "Shush Loki, I’m trying to talk to Mobius. Those silvery locks, falling in your face, framing it just right. Anybody would want to run their hands through it, play with it, maybe even… give it a little tuck?" At the last part she winked suggestively. Loki stood up from his seat, fury visible on his face.
Mobius‘ eyes widened. "Excuse me, wha-"
Sylvie threw a look at Loki. "It really shouldn‘t be all that surprising that you are getting more… attention these days. People want a piece of that and they will try to get it."
"Sylvie STOP!" A burst of green energy sent the chairs flying. Mobius flinched and turned to Loki.
If he thought Loki was mad at the Minute-man, it was nothing in comparison to this. Mobius pressed himself against the wall, staring at the chaos that ensued in front of him.
Sylvie stood in front of Loki, her chin held high. "What‘s the matter Loki? I can‘t flirt with Mobius?"
"No. No, you cannot."
"And why is that?" She stood on her toes, leaning in close to Loki. The green fire in his eyes burned brighter.
"Because. He. Is. Mine." There was unmistakable animalistic growl in his voice. Sylvie smiled and out of nowhere, vanished into thin air, leaving Loki no Mobius all alone in the destroyed room.
"Loki-" Loki whipped his head to look at Mobius, then softened. Just now did Mobius realize why Loki was able to growl like he did.
Before him stood Loki in his full frost giant glory. Intricate marks and line decorated his blue skin, his eyes glowing red. Mobius stared up at him amazement, even as Loki quickly shifted back to his usual form.
The adrenaline clearly left him, as he got a panicked look on his face. his eyes flew to the door.
"Oh no you don‘t! We are talking, right now!"
"Mobius, please, I-"
"Do you see me as yours, Loki?" The god couldn‘t look at him.
"Loki, answer me." Mobius carefully stepped forward.
"I don‘t… not in the way you think, I just-"
"Why do you get so mad when people flirrst with me, Loki?"
"They shouldn‘t flirt with you", Loki said trough clenched teeth.
"Why, Loki? Because you can‘t actually call me yours. We aren’t together. They can flirst with me all they want."
That was the last straw. Mobius saw Loki come towards him, but did nothing to stop from pinning the man against the wall.
Still, he let out a surprised noise when Loki kissed him full on the mouth. After a second Mobius mumbled a small "Finally" and kissed back full force. One hand came up to cup Loki cheek, the other sneaked in his hair. Gripping the locks for a sense of stability.
Loki had both his hand in Mobius‘ hair as he licked into his mouth, claiming what was his. Mobius let him in, and Lokis hands went down to wrap around Mobius‘ body, bringing them impossibly closer. They parted for just a second, both panting.
"I want you", Loki whispered into the silence. Mobius smiled and pressed their lips together again.
"You have me. You‘ve had me for a while, my love." Loki nearly whimpered at his words.
"I didn*t know it was possible to desire someone as much as I desired you for so long now. All that time in the tree…"
"Shhhsh. Let‘s not talk about that." Loki nodded and Mobius pressed their foreheads together.
"Come on, let‘s go." Loki smiled softly. Mobius could see all his emotions in his eyes. The last he look this he was about to sacrifice himself, but this time only happiness showed through his eyes, none of the sorrow.
"Yeah, let‘s go."