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The sun had started to set, the temperature dropped, and the sunlight bathed the garden in a beautiful, golden glow. It was perfect.
Loki sat crouched by the flowerbed and tucked his hair behind his ear. He had styled it in a low ponytail to keep it out of his face as he worked, but the shorter pieces at the front didn’t want to cooperate.
This time of day was his favourite. There was something nostalgic about it. He used to spend a lot of time in the palace gardens with his mother, talking for hours, not noticing time passing until the light started to fade.
While Thor was off with his friends, Loki stayed behind with his mother, and she gave him lessons in gardening.
He had been left out a lot as a young adult, and even though he resented this, he loved spending time with his mother. Having all her attention on him made him feel seen in a way that he didn’t often experience.
He thought about his mother now as he plucked weeds from the flowerbed. Would she be proud of him and the life he had fought hard to build and keep? He thinks so.
When he and Mobius had decided to move onto the timeline, he asked his partner if they could find someplace with a garden.
They settled in the English countryside in 2064. After a few squabbles, they found themselves a little cottage on the edge of a village in the Cotswolds and built a home together.
Their garden was on the smaller side, and it needed a lot of work done to it. Weeds had taken over the flowerbeds, and the grass had grown tall, hiding a small path leading to a shed at the back wall. Loki saw potential, and Mobius trusted him to plan and execute, as he called it, “Project Garden,” however he wanted.
This was their third year at the cottage, and since then, the garden has bloomed into a quiet paradise.
Wisteria climbed up the cottage’s sandy yellow stone walls and framed the back door and windows. Loki had worked incredibly hard on trimming shrubs into topiary. There were a few in simple, rounded shapes, and others in more complex twists and turns. He had planted flowerbeds full of wildflowers and meticulously took care of them.
Mobius had wanted some trees added to the garden, as it had been looking quite bare after they stripped back all the weeds. Loki chose a plum blossom tree, and Mobius chose a lemon tree, saying that it reminded him of Loki—sour, just like him.
Loki found that he enjoyed getting his hands dirty. After leaving Asgard and finding himself in New York, he was used to using magic for everything. He had been so impatient, not wanting to do anything the hard way. That instant gratification worked for a short time, but he realised that working hard at something and giving it time to develop naturally was far more satisfying.
For once in his life, he felt like he was living.
After moving here, Mobius told him he needed to stop downplaying his part in saving the timelines. He said that he did what he had to do, even if it was selfish; he had to save those he loved and held dear. Mobius told him, rather sternly, that was “complete and utter bullshit” and that he had been selfless. Because of his sacrifice, they all lived. Loki had trouble reconciling this. 'Selfless' wasn’t something he was ever called.
Keeping Mobius’ words in mind, he looked around at his hard work and allowed pride to swell in his chest. He had done this. He had helped these living things grow. Even now, living on the timeline, he is still helping things live.
The back door opened, and he heard footsteps on the path behind him.
“Did someone order a tall glass of water?” Mobius called, winking at him as he approached. He held out a glass for Loki to take.
“Thank you, darling,” Loki said, taking the drink with a smile. “However, I wouldn’t say that you’re tall.”
“OK, you got me,” Mobius chuckled. “It’s not water, either. Go on, give it a taste!”
Mobius looked at Loki; he was almost vibrating in anticipation.
Loki took a sip and let the flavour wash over his taste buds. Mobius had made lemonade. It was the perfect balance of sweet and sour, with a hint of mint.
“It’s delicious!”
Mobius practically glowed with the praise; a massive smile formed on his face, and he crouched down to Loki’s level to give him a quick kiss in thanks.
“Thanks, Lokes. I used some lemons from our tree and added the mint you grew for an extra kick.”
“Do you think that it’s good enough to serve when everyone comes to visit tomorrow?” Mobius asked. He looked unsure now, thinking about their friends trying his creation.
“Of course they will! O.B. and Casey are going to force you to make some for them to take back to the TVA; you know that, right?” Loki reassured. “If I can handle the sweetness, they definitely can.”
“Ah yes, because you’re so bitter, right?” Mobius teased, brushing a stray strand of hair behind Loki’s ear.
“Will you come inside and help me tidy up the kitchen?” Mobius rubbed his face in embarrassment. “I may have made a bit of a mess squeezing the lemons.”
Loki laughed as Mobius stood to leave.
“I’ll be just a moment! I’ll tidy up here first.”
Loki collected all of the offcuts he’d pruned and deposited them in the compost before heading towards the house.
As he reached the door, he noticed the camellia bush he had planted. It was large now, standing at around 6 feet tall.
His mother had once taught him the language of flowers. He looked at the plant in front of him and recalled what she had said about it's meaning: romantic love, devotion, adoration, and care.
Like his and Mobius’ relationship, the pink flowers had bloomed beautifully, and Loki smiled thinking about how far they’d come.