Chapter Text
I
“When will I learn,” Loki thought to himself, desperately trying to stop Thor from forcing his way into the kitchens. How Loki found himself in this position was anyone’s guess. Thor shouldn’t be hungry. They had eaten less than an hour ago. Thor shouldn’t need to go down to the kitchens. They needed to stay in the royal library. Loki had planned this. And yet…
“Loki, I demand passage into the kitchens. I’m hungry.”
Thor’s voice was low, hushed as if he still expected Gyda to round the corner, use her ironclad grip on their ears, and chastise them for disrupting the scholars from their studies. It wouldn’t happen, of course. Gyda, well Their-Gyda, wasn’t here. This wasn’t their-Asgard. It was Sylvie’s. And even if she were, surely the Former Princes of Asgard had more important things to worry about than an ornery librarian from their youth.
Following their battle at The End of Time, Sylvie returned to the Asgard of her youth, vowing to ensure her younger self was able to live the life she never could. She had planned to live her life in the shadows, protecting from the distance. Her family, however, had other plans. As soon as Sylvie arrived back to her-Asgard, her family welcomed the former princess home with open arms. And then they welcomed Loki and Mobius. And then Thor. And before long, Sylvie’s-Asgard became a haven for all manner of lost Odinson siblings across the multiverse. The royal palace seemed to be constantly overrun with Thors and Lokis. In fact, it was rare to have the planet to themselves. But today was special. Today, the library was quiet with just Thor, Loki, and Mobius. Everyone else was downstairs in the kitchens, preparing.
It really was a clever plan. That morning, a stubborn, very pregnant Jane and distressed Thor arrived at Sylvie’s Asgard. Much to Thor’s dismay, Frigga immediately whisked the pair away for a ride through Asgard’s lush forests. Loki had rarely seen Thor so frantic, but he supposed expecting one’s first child was certainly a reason to panic. Thor had fluttered around Jane all morning, hoping to sway her from the trip. And when that failed, he continued to flutter around asking if she was tired, or hungry, too hot, or too cold. Loki finally understood why Jane seemed just as invested, if not more so, in making tonight a success. Perhaps her motivations weren’t nearly as altruistic as he had first assumed. She was in need of a break just as much as his brother.
After a long quest through the forest, in search of a plant that didn’t exist, the group arrived back at the castle. Then, after a lovely, purposefully filling, picnic, Loki dragged Thor away from a napping Jane to enlist his help in the library on some TVA case files.
They were mere hours away from Thor’s surprise feast. And now after months of meticulous planning, Loki’s plan was about to be ruined. All because of his brother’s insatiable appetite.
“You cannot keep me in here!” Thor’s voice echoed briefly through the large chamber and Loki flinched, unconsciously looking around for Gyda himself.
It really was like the Asgard of their youth. The large library was stacked tall with books dating back millennia. Despite the age and musk of old books, the library remained quite airy. Sunlight poured in through the large open windows and bounced off the gleaming white marble floor. A large balcony on the eastern wall overlooked the forest below, bringing the sounds of birds and the light rustle of wind. Loki had always loved it here. As a child he would frequently slip out of his lessons at the training grounds, preferring the solitude of the library. Thor, on the other hand, had never frequented the library much. Which made keeping him here all the more difficult.
“I’m not keeping you here,” Loki protested. Thor let out a disbelieving huff. “I’m not! All I asked for was a little help. Just a small amount of your precious time.”
“A small amount of my time??” Thor countered. “Loki, that is a massive statue you have asked me to move!”
Thor gestured to the large statue of their grandfather that was currently situated in the middle of the library floor. It depicted Bor on one of his more peaceful ventures, the signing of the peace treaty between the Aesir and Vanir.
“Sylvie’s mother has been wanting that statue moved for ages,” Loki lied, “I thought it would be a nice surprise for her since we’re both here. But of course, once again, I’ll just have to do everything on my own, won’t I? Norns forgive me should I get between you and your sandwich.”
Thor let out a groan and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m honored you think so highly of my strength but moving that statue will take hours. I don’t understand why it can’t wait five minutes; why I can’t pop down to the kitchens and then ....”
A flicker of realization crossed Thor’s face and he narrowed his eyes in suspicion. Uh-oh.
“Why can’t I leave? What are you planning, brother? What trick is underfoot?”
“Nothing,” Loki squeaked out all too quickly, his voice slightly higher than usual. Damn. Loki glared at Mobius who was focused on his stack of case files at the desk beside them, pointedly ignoring the argument between the brothers. Loki used to be an excellent liar. Thor had always fallen for even his most obvious deceptions in the past. But now clearly Mobius and his honesty had rubbed off on him.
Loki cleared his throat. “Nothing is going on, I swear it. Thor, come now, aren’t we passed all of this? The lies? The suspicion? Can’t we trust one another now?”
Thor’s eyes bounced around Loki’s face, searching, before he let out a large exhale.
“I trust you with my life, Loki. If you say there’s nothing going on, there’s nothing going on.”
Loki’s shoulders slumped slightly in relief. Finally.
“Which is why you should have no problem waiting. I can help you when I return,” Thor pushed past Loki.
“No- wait!” Loki teleported himself quickly in front of Thor to stop him. As soon as he reconfigured, he was thrown across the room and landed on the plush couch by the balcony.
“Ah-ha, you forget I’ve grown wiser since you’ve known me brother and I know when you’re lying. As much as I want to trust you, I cannot. You’re up to something today.” Thor held out a hand and newly bequeathed Mjolnir, apparently the TVA had quite a few on hand, came rushing into his outstretched first.
“Just to be safe.” Thor placed Mjolnir onto Loki’s chest, pinning him to the couch.
“Of all the Nine Realms!” Loki yelped. He began to push against Mjolnir with all his might. It was pointless of course. Loki had been trapped underneath Mjolnir many times and it never once so much as budged. The hammer rarely ever hurt him but it was an uncomfortable feeling. And worse, it was always completely humiliating. He had no reason to think this new Mjolnir would be any different. Nonetheless, it didn’t hurt to try.
“Don’t move Loki, you’ll hurt yourself,” Thor smirked.
Loki ignored him and continued to flail underneath the immovable hammer.
“Thor,” Mobius moaned, finally looking up from the mountain of case files on his desk, “don’t leave him like this. I have work to do and he’s just going to complain the whole time! I already can’t hear myself think.”
“It’ll just be a few moments,” Thor pressed, turning his back to Loki and moving to walk out the door.
“No, stop!” Loki yelled. He couldn’t let Thor leave. “Please, it’s hurting me.” Loki laced his voice with imagined pain.
“Nice try, Loki.”
“I’m serious,” Loki gasped out. “This hammer is more powerful than your old one. I think I bruised my ribs when I tried to lift it.” Loki took a moment to let out a pitiful cough. “I shouldn’t have moved, you were right”
Loki felt Thor and Mobius’ scrutinizing eyes comb over him and he squirmed to get a better look at Thor’s features. If he could just- ow! Mjolnir dug in a bit deeper and Loki hissed in pain. This Mjolnir was stronger.
“Loki?” Mobius quickly raised from his desk and was by Loki’s side in an instant, his bright blue eyes shining with worry. Loki couldn’t focus on Mobius right now though, he needed to keep his focus on Thor.
“Let me go, please,” Loki pleaded, turning towards his brother. “I’m sorry. I won’t keep you in the library any longer.”
“Thor, let him go,” Mobius reiterated.
Thor crossed his arms in defiance. “No. Not until he tells me what’s going on in the kitchens.”
Bastard. Time to turn up the theatrics.
“There’s nothing,” Loki coughed, “going on. Just get this off me please!”
“No.”
Loki coughed again and illusioned a very small droplet of blood at the corner of his mouth. Not the most subtle approach but-
“Thor!” Mobius cried, panic creeping into his tone. “It’s hurting him, take it off.”
“No! He’s hiding something and I want to know-”
“Ugh! I’ve had it with the two of you and this damn hammer!” Mobius yelled, grabbing the hammer by the handle.
And then something happened Loki never expected. The feeling of pressure disappeared off his chest. Loki glanced at Thor but there was no hammer in Thor’s hand.
It was in Mobius’.
“I said it was hurting him so can you just- ah!” Mobius immediately dropped Mjolnir. It landed on the marble floor with a resounding thud.
Loki sat up slowly, half expecting to still be trapped underneath the weight of Mjolnir. But it was gone; he was free. Loki couldn’t believe it. In fact, if not for the complete look of disbelief on his brother’s face, Loki wouldn’t have believed it.
“I-I don’t- I couldn’t have-” Mobius stuttered. “I mean that’s not possible-”
“Pick it up,” Thor commanded softly. His eyes were the size of dinner plates as he looked between the TVA Director and his hammer.
“No. No, I can’t.” Mobius shook his head rapidly.
“Mobius, go on,” Loki whispered, laying a steadying hand on his partner's arm.
Mobius slowly knelt down to pick up the hammer with trembling hands. He gave a small pull and… nothing happened. It didn’t move a hair’s width.
Huh. Strange. Loki glanced at Thor who looked equally as confused. Mobius meanwhile let out a deep sigh of relief.
“See, just a fluke. A mistake.”
“Mjolnir doesn’t make mistakes,” Thor replied quickly, staring at the hammer deep in thought.
Mobius gave the hammer another, stronger pull. Again, it didn’t move. “Yeah, well, I don’t know what to tell you. It’s not moving for me. But anyway, Loki, you're free now. So, can we all just-”
Loki locked eyes with Thor. He was free. By Mobius’ hand. Magic was a tricky thing but Loki had studied it long enough to know intention was a crucial element. One look into Thor’s eyes and he knew his brother was thinking exactly the same thing. Thor gave a subtle nod.
“Thank you, Mobius. And now that I’m free,” Loki crouched down, summoning his daggers to his hands, “I’m afraid I cannot allow you to leave this room brother. If it’s a fight you want, it is a fight you shall get.”
Thor suppressed a small smile at the words. It had been a while since they pulled this trick. Which, for the record, was much better than ‘get help.’
“So be it then,” Thor replied.
In one fluid motion, Mjolnir came rushing back to his hands. He raised his eyebrows once more towards Loki, who nodded. Thor threw his hammer towards his brother, a little harder than strictly necessary. The hammer lifted Loki off the ground, and slammed The God of Mischief into the bookcase on the far end of the library. The wall cracked behind him. and Loki was immediately pelted with books, dust, and bits of broken shelving.
“Ow,” Loki muttered, sending a peeved glance towards his brother.
‘Your turn,’ Thor mouthed with a wink as Mobius came rushing to Loki’s side.
“Thor, you big oaf!” Loki yelled. “What did I just tell you?? This hurts! Get it off me!” He pushed dramatically at Mjolnir.
“Loki, stop moving, you’ll hurt yourself again,” Mobius chastised. “Thor, get it off him.”
“You do it Mobius,” Thor replied, plopping down on the couch untroubled.
“I can’t, I just tried!”
“Try again,” Thor said with a shrug.
Mobius turned back towards Loki and stared dubiously at the hammer. The sunlight illuminated every concerned line on his face and Loki felt the smallest twinge of regret at manipulating his partner. But… he was nothing if not curious. Mobius would forgive him. Probably. He’d gotten away with much worse in the past.
“Ouch. Moby, help me please,” Loki whimpered, clutching at Mobius’ jacket. “It hurts.”
Mobius’ eyes left the hammer and met Loki’s with an incredulous look. He let out a humorless chuckle, his eyes darting between the two brothers. Whoops. Okay, so maybe the nickname was too far.
“You are such a faker!” Mobius exclaimed, lightly swatting Loki’s hands away. “Oh, I can’t believe I fell for that! How many times have you and Thor pulled that move? Was all of this a trick? Seriously? You know now I’m half a mind to let you stay trapped under that hammer so that Thor can go down into the kitchens and discover-”
“Ah! Mobius!” Loki sat up quickly and moved to cover Mobius’ mouth before the man completely gave away the surprise.
Mjolnir dug into Loki’s chest at the movement. Something cracked within him and the god bucked forward as a sharp pain exploded across his vision. Distantly he heard Thor and Mobius let out cries of alarm and then… the weight of the hammer was gone. Magic rushed to Loki’s ribs, healing him instantly.
“Loki, oh my God, are you okay?” Mobius asked, setting down Mjolnir beside him.
“You moved it. Again,” Loki whispered. “Mobius! You can lift Mjolnir!”
“But only-”
“Only to help our dear Loki,” Thor proclaimed loudly. He knelt beside them and laid a strong clap to Mobius’ back “If I wasn’t convinced before, I am now. You are a worthy partner for my little brother, Director Mobius.”
“No, there must be some mistake…”
Loki pulled Mobius into an exuberant kiss.
“There is no mistake my dear, sweet, worthy, Mobius. Oh, I love you. And you are never leaving my side.”
Mobius blinked for a few moments before his face broke into a brilliant smile. “Well, it’s a good thing I don’t plan on leaving then.”
Loki’s stomach swooped at the expression on his partner's face. Even after all this time together, Mobius’ smile managed to leave him breathless. He hoped it always would.
“I eagerly await the handfasting ceremony,” Thor said, pulling the pair into a suffocating hug.
What?? Loki pushed Thor away with an embarrassed huff. A handfasting ceremony? Thor couldn’t be serious. Loki turned to Mobius, hoping to share a laugh at the ridiculous idea, but instead he found his partner’s face carefully- no, strategically blank. Loki frowned. Mobius was rarely one to hide his emotion, and certainly never one to hide his emotion from Loki. What was Mobius hiding? Did Mobius want-
“Now,” Thor prattled on, “I’m going to grab that sandwich. I’m famished.”
Loki nodded briefly, lost in his thoughts, before he magicked himself in front of Thor with a flash of green.
“No, wait- Thor, I’m serious. I cannot let you leave.”
Thor ran a hand through his blonde mane with a frustrated groan. “Loki, I swear, if you don’t let me leave-”
“You’ll what?” Loki asked with a cruel laugh. “Drop your hammer on me? Ha, that won’t work anymore.”
“Well-well then I’ll-”
“Enough,” Mobius grumbled. “Thor, Loki is planning a feast, a stag night of sorts, for you before the baby is born. He’s already cleared it with Jane and the kitchen is preparing as we speak.”
“Mobius!” Loki wailed.
“I told you-I have work to do and I can’t do it with you two arguing! Ugh, whatever. I’m going to finish these in the garden.”
Mobius snapped his briefcase shut with an exasperated sigh and trudged out the door without a second glance. A heavy silence filled the room between the two brothers. Loki tugged at his collar. It was hot. Was it always so hot in here?
“Does Mobius speak the truth?” Thor asked quietly after a moment. His face was indiscernible and Loki’s pulse skyrocketed. What if Thor didn’t want a feast to begin with? Or what if Thor didn’t want to spend an evening with Loki? It’s not like he had the best track record at being trustworthy, it would make sense if his brother-
“Loki?” Thor repeated.
“I…. I missed your wedding stag night. So, I thought, maybe, I could make up for it with this? Allfather knows you won’t get a night out again soon. You’ll definitely lose sleep, but for other, less enjoyable, reasons. We can, I don’t know, feast like the old days. But, if you’d rather it just be you and your friends, I understand. I could just get it all set up for you and then leave-”
Loki never got a chance to finish his sentence. The air left Loki’s body in a whoosh as Thor’s arms wrapped around his thin frame.
“Thank you,” Thor whispered with a sniff. “This means the world to me.”
“It’s just a feast Thor,” Loki sighed. “I’m not even really doing anything. Eileen, the head cook is-”
“I missed you. On my wedding day.” Thor let out a heavy sigh and Loki knew what his brother was thinking.
He knew the wedding his brother received that day was a different wedding than the one he always imagined. They had lost so much. Their family. Their planet. Their friends. And Thor had suffered all of that alone. Not for the first time, Loki reflected on all those months he’d spent avoiding his brother following his battle at The End of Time. He had been so worried his brother would renounce him. Loki hadn’t dare let himself believe that maybe, just maybe, his brother missed him just as much. He hadn’t dare let himself hope that he could be forgiven, that he was loved. How he wished he could turn back time and find Thor earlier.
Loki opened his mouth to apologize. Thor pulled back quickly.
“I’ve already told you brother; I want no apology. I know why you couldn’t be there. And I know why you waited to find me. Please know, I hold no ill will towards you. I don’t say it enough but I’m proud of you. For all you’ve done. For the life you’ve created with Mobius. I’m happy to have you back in my life.”
Loki swallowed the apology. “Well then, I’m glad I’m here now.”
“You are,” Thor exclaimed, wiping his eyes, “and in time to be an uncle! I’d be honored to feast with you tonight. Thank you! What a clever ruse. I didn’t suspect a thing! I’ll have to work hard to keep your stag night a secret from you.”
“What? Thor, no,” Loki protested.
“Oh, you must let me plan it, Loki please! I know my attention to detail hasn’t always been perfect but I promise you, I’ll plan you a feast fit for a King of Asgard. AHA! Won’t that be fun?!”
“I-we-I don’t even know if we’ll get married,” Loki sputtered.
“Oh, you will,” Thor said with a snort.
“Thor-”
“He loves you dearly, Loki. Come now, can’t you see it? Everyone else can. Even Mjolnir knows he’s worthy.”
Loki frowned. That was precisely the problem. Mobius might be worthy but Loki on the other hand… Despite their arguments over this very subject, Loki still remained partly convinced he could never be worthy of a love so pure. What could he offer for a seemingly immortal lifetime? What if he broached the subject with Mobius and the man finally came to his senses? No. Loki was content to keep things exactly as they were. He didn’t need anything more.
“Loki,” Thor took his brother gently by the shoulders and forced him to meet his eyes. “You deserve all the happiness in the world. And you’ve found it; let yourself accept it.”
Loki sighed. Thor always was a sentimental fool; there was no sense in arguing.
“I’ll try,” Loki said instead.
“And you’ll let me plan your stag?” Thor asked excitedly.
“When I get married, sure,” Loki said with a laugh. “I will let you run wild with my stag night.”
A mischievous grin that rivaled Loki’s own crossed Thor’s face. “You may grow to regret those words. If you remember, I do know how to throw a truly wild party.”
“Oh, I remember. I’m surprised you remember actually.”
Thor let out a belting laugh. He swung his arms around Loki’s shoulder and the pair made their way down to the kitchens reminiscing about their youth.
As Thor rambled on about the “necessities” of a good party, Loki couldn’t help but feel a little guilty. He wasn’t lying. Not technically. It was all a matter of wording. Loki said when he married Mobius, Thor could plan his stag. But…
Loki would never marry Mobius. That kind of happy ending just seemed a bit too far out of reach. Surely the fates wouldn’t allow the God of Mischief such a reprieve. Not after everything he had done. It was best to not push his luck; they were happy just as they were. They didn’t need anything more.
Right?