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Loki wasn't sure he was believing his eyes when he saw Mobius walking towards him.
Relief burst through him and he smiled, "Mobius!"
His feet moved faster than his brain and he closed the space between them, throwing his arms around Mobius.
Mobius stumbled a little at the sudden armful of Loki but hugged back, "Someone miss me?" he chuckled.
Loki exhaled slowly, pressing his face into Mobius' shoulder and breathing him in, "I thought you were dead."
"So did I." Mobius patted his back, "But we're both okay now."
His voice was like a hug around his heart and Loki smiled against him, heart skipping a beat, "We are."
Someone loudly cleared their throat.
"Not to spoil your little moment, but we kind of have a pressing problem."
Loki was brought back to his senses, realizing he'd been hugging Mobius for far longer than most would.
He pulled away, cheeks slightly pink, "Yes, right." He cleared his throat, "Let's come up with a plan."
A short while later Loki was sat outside their shelter, looking out at the horizon and just trying to get his mind around what they were about to do.
He sensed someone sitting beside him but didn't turn his head, he knew it was Sylvie.
"Mobius isn't so bad." she commented as she sat down.
"Or so good. I think that's why we get along."
"You really do get along hm? It doesn't seem like you to hug someone like that."
A warmth tinged Loki's cheeks again and he glanced slightly at Sylvie, "What are you implying?"
Sylvie was smiling, mischief in her eyes, "Nothing just... you hugged him for a really long time."
Loki rolled his eyes and looked back at the horizon, lacing his fingers together, "I was just relieved he was alive. That's all."
He didn't know why he thought he'd be able to lie to himself without it being detected.
"Loki. You're wasting your time by bullshitting me."
It was true but Loki didn't like it.
So he got defensive instead, crossing his arms and frowning, "So what? You think you can read my mind or something? Go on then, what does my mind tell you I'm feeling then?"
Sylvie gave him a look and his frown weakened a bit.
"I can't read your mind, but I know how it works. And the fact that you're getting defensive is exactly what I would do when confronted about feelings I'm trying to hide."
"And that feeling I'm hiding is what?"
They both knew it, but Loki was afraid to admit it to himself, in more ways than one.
"I'm not going to label it for you, Loki. But you care deeply for Mobius. More than I thought you could. All I'm saying is that kind of connection is rare for us. Don't let your fear get in the way of your happiness."
Loki was quiet for a bit, digesting all that she'd said.
Then slowly he asked, "But what if he doesn't... feel the same?"
It felt like such a juvenile question.
Sylvie chuckled at first but she answered, "I'm pretty sure he does."
"How can you be sure?"
"I could name plenty of things. But most recently he refused a way out of here because he wanted to find you first, to make sure you were okay."
Loki looked at her, brows furrowed, "What do you mean?"
"I offered him my tempad so he could return to the TVA. But he refused, he wanted to find you first. He cares so much about you, Loki. It's obvious to everyone except you."
The god was quiet again, thinking about Mobius.
Thinking about how he'd saved his life when they first met.
Thinking about how much he'd praised his work while looking for Sylvie.
Thinking about what he'd told him before he got pruned.
You can be whoever, whatever you want to be. Even someone good. Just incase anyone ever told you different.
His heart began to race.
"Hey." Mobius' voice behind him made him startle, face flushing as he turned to look at him, "I was feeling a little left out."
Sylvie shook her head in amusement, getting to her feet, "Think about it." was all she told Loki, winking then heading into the shelter.
Mobius raised a brow and looked at Loki as he sat beside him, "What was that about?"
Loki swallowed, trying to get his heart under control, "Nothing. Just strategy talk."
Technically it was, just not for what he'd expect.
"Right."
There was silence between the pair then Loki spoke up.
"So why are you still here Mobius?"
He needed to hear it from Mobius himself.
Mobius looked confused, "I don't know what you mean."
"Sylvie told me she offered you her tempad. You could leave once she found you but you didn't. Why?"
Mobius broke eye contact, fidgeting with his fingers, "Well I wanted to make sure you hadn't done something stupid."
Loki smiled a little. It wasn't the answer he wanted but the meaning was clear.
"Well thanks for checking on me. But unfortunately I'm about to do something very stupid."
Mobius looked back at him, they locked eyes, "I know." He smiled but his eyes looked sad, "Just...be careful okay?"
Care.
Loki's heart swelled as he nodded, "I'll do my best."
"We need to go." Sylvie was suddenly saying and Loki looked up to see her and the other Lokis stood behind them.
This was where they parted ways. They both knew Mobius shouldn't be apart of this.
They got to their feet and Sylvie handed Mobius the tempad.
"You sure you don't want me to stick around?"
Loki shook his head, "I would prefer you not to. Besides somebody needs to go fix the TVA. You're the man for that job."
Mobius smiled, "I suppose that's my glorious purpose now huh?"
Loki rolled his eyes but he smiled back, "Stealing my lines are you?"
"Quoting not stealing." Mobius opened the door and held out his hand, "Well I'll see you later, Loki."
He looked between the door and Mobius' hand, emotions rising in his throat.
They didn't know what would happen after this. Loki may never see Mobius again.
He didn't want to risk him not knowing the extent of his feelings for him.
So Loki ignored his hand and instead closed the gap between them, grabbed Mobius' collar and pulled him into a kiss.
It didn't last long, but Loki's stomach felt like it was exploding with fireworks.
As he pulled away, he was breathless and so was Mobius who was stunned silent.
He blinked at Loki, licked his lips then said, "What does this mean?"
Loki shrugged, "I'll tell you when I get back."
Mobius shook his head and now he was pulling Loki in for another kiss, this one was deeper, dripping with feeling and Loki's skin was buzzing when they parted.
"You better come back to me, especially now." Mobius insisted, looking into Loki's eyes, "Promise me Loki."
Loki held his cheek with a gentle smile. It wasn't a promise he should make but he did anyway.
"I'll come back to you, I promise Mobius."
It was a promise he kept.
Except when he next saw Mobius, he didn't know who he was.