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Mobius sighed as Loki pulled him through a portal. “Where are we going, Loki?” On the other side of the portal Loki dropped Mobius’ arm and gestured to the beach sprawling behind them.
“Hawaii, 2058, around an hour and a half before a tragic volcanic eruption. So don’t worry, no time lines will split. Now come on.” Loki grabbed the agent’s arm and tugged him along towards some docks. Eventually they reached the top and Loki led Mobius to something tarp covered.
“What is this?” Mobius asked, and Loki whipped off the tarp, a smirk tugging at his lips.
“A jet ski?” Mobius asked as he surveyed the red hot jet ski that the variant had uncovered.
“I figured you shouldn’t like something that much without trying it at least once in your life. Now come on.” Loki confidently slid onto the front seat and revved the motor.
“Do you even know how to use one of these things?” Mobius asked.
Loki scoffed. “What kind of question is that? Of course I can. Now get on before I leave without you.”
Mobius gave up the little fight left in him and got on behind the god. Loki turned around to look at him with a wicked smirk on his face. “Hold on tight!” Was all the warning Mobius got before Loki took off on full speed out into the ocean.
Mobius yelped and tightly wrapped his arms around Loki. He honestly wasn’t sure this wasn’t just a trick to get rid of him. It wouldn’t be hard to dump him in the middle of the ocean, steal his weapons and escape…
Mobius tried to put these thoughts out of his mind and enjoy himself.
“Pretty fun, right?” Loki yelled over the ocean and wind. Mobius grinned and put an arm out, letting the water hit it.
“Sure is!” He yelled back.
For about thirty minutes the two men had a great time on the water. They were now back by the shore, but still pretty far out. Mobius leaned out to touch the water again, this time trying to go farther, but something went wrong.
In a heart jerking second Mobius realized the jet ski was tipping over. Then he was in the water and going under. He didn’t know how to swim, he realized with no little amount of hysteria.
Since he barely left the TVA, even on missions, he hadn’t thought it prudent to learn. He struggled against the waves, trying to get his head above water, but Mobius didn’t know which way was up.
In his panic, Mobius had opened his mouth, letting water in. Was this Loki’s plan all along? He hoped not… Suddenly the TVA agent felt a pair of strong arms wrap around him before they were rocketing towards the surface.
Suddenly in place of water there was cold air and harsh sand. Loki was kneeling above him. The god started pushing on his chest and Mobius started coughing out the water he inhaled. He was still pretty out of it.
After Mobius was done coughing Loki pressed one gentle finger to his forehead and whispered, “Sleep.” The agent was out like a light.
Loki sighed and picked up the TVA agent. Such a nice day… ruined.
Loki plucked the portal machine off of his belt and set it down, setting it to the TVA. Loki vacantly wondered how he was able to do magic. Wait… he could do magic and Mobius was passed out. Freedom was within his grasp!
Loki looked down at the man cradled in his arms and found he couldn’t do it. Damn his feelings.
Loki stepped through the portal to the TVA and started walking back to Mobius’ apartment, where Loki was currently residing.
When Mobius woke up, the first thing he realized was he was on his couch, not the harsh sand of the beach. He quickly sat up and looked around, only to find Loki sitting at his counter sipping a cup of tea.
“What happened?” Mobius asked. Loki set down his tea cup and walked over to the couch.
“I’ll tell you what happened, you idiot! You leaned too far over the side of the jet ski, causing it to tip over. Then, I had to fish you out of the ocean.” Yeah all of that added up except for a few things Mobius remembered.
“How did we get to shore so quickly? We were pretty far out and there’s no way you're that good of a swimmer. And you put me to sleep! How could you do that if you didn’t… have… oh.” Mobius realized it without Loki spelling it out for him.
“And you didn’t escape? Why did you save me?” Loki huffed.
“You are asking the wrong person. I have less of a clue than you. Now, if you don’t mind, I am going to get some sleep.” Loki left the room with a huff.
And for some reason… Mobius was okay with that. They would have to discuss this at some point. But for now… Mobius was okay with living in the moment for once.