Work Text:
"Hey Loki, good Job, it's cool to be on the same team with you!"
"Thanks Agent Loki!"
"Good job today Agent Loki!"
"You did great Agent Loki!"
Loki had greeted every compliment with a smile as always and had responded patiently each time he was stopped on his way home.
But one question nagged at him as soon as he was home alone.
What have I done to deserve this?
How do I live up to their expectations?
When Mobius entered their home, he immediately saw that something was wrong with Loki. His lover was standing at the window and didn't even realize he was back. Everything in Loki's attitude told Mobius that something heavy was weighing on his mind.
He went straight to the kitchen, made two cups of tea and then walked over to Loki who had not moved an inch.
Loki gasped slightly as Mobius handed him a hot cup without a word, startled by his presence. As he took the first sip, Mobius' arm wrapped around his waist and pulled him close.
Loki gave in, letting the warmth of Mobius envelop him.
A few moments later, the warmth of the beverage combined with the peaceful and silent warmth of Mobius, pushed him to open up.
"I... tonight, there are many people who congratulated me for my work, even Hunter B15 told me that she liked working with me as a member of her team..."
He sighed and Mobius asked him, "Didn't you like it?"
"I'd be lying if I said I didn't." admitted Loki, "But I don't know if I deserve it."
"Loki, I do know for a fact that you deserve it." Mobius gently kissed his temple before continuing, "The people here love you, your colleagues like you, you've done good things and saved a lot of people since you've been working at the TVA."
"Right." conceded Loki, "But it also means that people have expectations. What if I disappoint them? What if I fall back into my old habits? What if-"
"Loki." Mobius stopped him, turning him around so they were facing each other. He took the hand that wasn't holding the cup in his and continued, "You're stronger than you think. So much stronger. You have managed to change your destiny in an extraordinary way. I don't know anyone who has been able to do something like that. To be stronger than yourself."
"But it's because of you." insisted Loki weakly.
Mobius shook his head and said, "I may have shown you the way, but that way you followed it all by yourself. You have made the decisions and the right choices, every time since you decided to transform your destiny. So believe me when I say you are strong. You are strong Loki."
He gently pressed his lips to his lover's, "I'll challenge anyone who tells me otherwise." he winked, "even you!"
Loki laughed softly, "You would challenge a god?"
"A god who loves me? Absolutely."
Loki put down his cup and Mobius' and hugged him tightly, then whispered into his hair, "Strong as he is, this god can only capitulate to his love."
Comforted by the warmth of his beloved, Loki thought to himself that this was a sweet defeat.