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"Loki, look in this file please."
Mobius handed the file to Loki sitting across from him at his desk without even looking up from the case he himself was studying.
Receiving no reaction from his partner, he looked up.
He smiled indulgently and murmured, "Not again..."
Loki was fast asleep with his head on his arms crossed over Mobius' desk.
When he saw him sleeping like that, Mobius was moved in the same vivid way as the very first time in the archives.
Knowing that Loki could sleep so peacefully, unguarded in his presence took his breath away every time.
"I can't sleep around untrustworthy people. And neither can Loki."
Sylvie had whispered to him once when she had witnessed this scene.
If Mobius was asked what was the most precious thing in this world for him. He would answer after obviously Loki and his love, it was surely his trust.
He didn't know how, but he had earned Loki's trust.
The difference with the first time was that Mobius did not use a folder to wake him up, but his hand.
Reaching out and brushing his fingers through the black hair that had grown long since the last time, he whispered softly, "Loki, sweetheart, wake up, you're going to hurt your back."
Letting his hand linger on Loki's arm, he watched him wake up.
Loki turned his head first and raised it to rest his chin on his crossed hands, opening his eyes to Mobius. Realizing that Mobius' hand was on his arm, he leaned against it and whispered, "Hey..." then sheepishly added, "Sorry..."
Mobius turned his hand over to card his fingers through Loki's hair. Loki made a small noise in response that sounded like a purr.
Mobius shook his head and replied, "Don't be sorry, it's late and it's been a long and eventful day."
Loki took Mobius' hand in his hair and kissed the palm before slowly straightening and stretching.
His hair was a tangled mess and he had a shirt crease mark on his cheek. Mobius looked at him smiling fondly and Loki, surprised by his smile, asked, "What's with the smile?"
Mobius replied, "Being half-asleep is a very good look on you."
He expected a reply like, "I always have a very good look" or something like that, but he didn't expect Loki's silence and blushing cheeks.
"Loki?"
Loki hid his head in his hands.
Mobius called to him again, "Loki, sweetheart..."
Loki shook his head then said something Mobius didn't understand.
"What?"
Loki raised his head and biting his lip he whispered, "You don't know do you?"
Mobius asked, "I don't know what?"
"The effect your compliments have on me."
Mobius was flabbergasted and said, "I praise you all the time and you've never reacted like this, in fact you usually deflect it."
He moved his hand forward to cup his cheek, Loki leaned against it again and replied, "That's because I don't know how to react. You're the first person to compliment me so often and especially in a sincere way, without expecting anything in return, it disarms me as surely as a pruning stick."
Mobius stood up and walked around his desk before kneeling down in front of Loki. Placing his hands on his knees he said tenderly, "My compliments. Just accept them. You know that I am incapable of lying to you and that I would never say anything that is not true or that is not free. All the compliments I can tell you, you deserve them."
He pulled Loki's face to him and kissed him slowly and deeply. When they parted, putting Loki's hair back in place, he said, "It's true I said that being half-asleep is a very good look on you, but the most beautiful look on you is this one. Right after I kiss you."
Mobius watched with delight as Loki's cheeks flushed again before Loki leaned over to hide his face in Mobius' neck.
Mobius closed his arms around Loki and whispered against his hair, "You deserve all the compliments in the world."