Chapter Text
Washington, D.C. Deep within S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, Fury moved fast.
His boots struck the polished floor in a steady rhythm as he cut down the corridor, stride long, expression carved from stone. Agents cleared his path without being told. No one slowed him down.
Maria Hill caught up easily, falling into step beside him.
“Ross is poking the fire again,” she started matching his stride, already holding out a thick stack of files. “He wants a formal briefing. Avengers Initiative. The Hulk. Mostly the Hulk”
Fury didn’t stop. He took the files with a sharp tug and flipped the top folder open mid-stride, skimming the pages.
“Of course he does,” he muttered. Taking a pen out of his leather jacket, scribbling a signature.
Maria glanced at him. "He’s not backing off.”
“Not my problem.” Fury snapped the folder shut and handed it back without breaking pace. “In the meantime, I need you to check on our new guests.”
Fury finally slowed, glancing at his watch. “Meet me back here in six.”
Maria nodded, sharp and professional, and peeled off down a side corridor. Fury continued alone.
Two more turns. He stopped in front of a reinforced vault door, its surface scarred with old impact marks no one bothered to repair. He placed his hand against the scanner. A low mechanical hum. The locks disengaged. The door slid open. He steps in, the door seals shut behind him with a heavy finality.
The room is dimly lit, the only light comes from a massive screen stretching across the far wall. Three figures resolve into view—two older men and a woman, each seated in separate locations.
“Nick Fury,” one of the men says. The irritation in his voice is unmistakable. “Thank you for joining us on such short notice.”
“You called,” he says evenly. “I answered.”
The woman on the screen tilts her head slightly. “We’ve reviewed the preliminary reports from the recent incidents.”
Fury takes his seat. “Alright.”
Another pause. The second man folds his hands together, fingers steepled.
“Your handling of the situation has raised concerns,” he said. “Particularly your decision on this Avengers initiative. But the most concerning is to place two known hostiles in this team.” he flips through a file “ One of them who I might add led an alien invasion a few weeks back! isn't that what you reported.”
Fury’s expression didn’t change. “That’s on record.”
“On record,” the first man repeated, flipping through a folder. “Invasion. Mass civilian casualties. Psychological warfare.”
“Context matters,” Fury says flatly.
“Context?” the woman counters. “ Do explain to me the context.”
Fury leaned back, unbothered.
“He wasn’t in control,” Fury said simply. “He was a distraction.” He rose to his feet, hands clasped behind his back. “Because there is a bigger threat.”
The woman’s eyes narrowed. “A bigger threat,” she repeated.
The screen flickered. Data scrolled briefly along the bottom. Redacted files.
“The Battle of New York confirmed something we’ve been ignoring for too long,” his tone shifted. “We are not alone.”
Silence followed.
“Continue Director.” the second man said.
Fury remained where he was, posture calm, hands still clasped behind his back.
“I’ve received credible intelligence,” he said, “that an entity calling himself the Mad Titan intends to set foot on Earth.”
The woman’s expression hardened. “By whom?”
Fury didn’t hesitate. “Loki,” he said. “He was captured by the Mad Titan.”
One of the men on the screen scoffed.
"You expect us to accept this on the word of the invader himself? The god of lies, serving us a convenient truth?"
“You can doubt the source,” Fury said. “But don’t ignore the warning.” He straightened.
The Council muted their feed, conferring among themselves. Fury waited When their audio returned, he didn’t give them time to regroup.
“You brought me in because I’m good at recognizing threats before they knock.”
The woman’s voice came first. “Recognizing a threat is one thing, Director. Assembling a team of volatile individuals is another.”
Fury leaned forward, hands resting lightly against the table. The glow of the screen carved sharp lines across his face.
"I'm not assembling a book club. I’m assembling a response unit. Because the next thing that comes through that sky we’ll be more ready than we were before.”
“And if this… ‘Mad Titan’ is real,” he said carefully, “you propose to defend Earth with the Avengers? They got lucky this time. What makes you think they can do it again?”
“You’re asking the wrong question,” Fury said. “It’s not whether they can do it again.”
His voice lowered slightly.
“It’s whether we’ll have anyone else who can.”
A silence followed.
“You can trust my judgment.” Fury says
The first man’s expression hardens. “Trust is not the issue, Director. Control is.”
Fury’s jaw tightens—just barely.
“Especially with the Hulk.”
The woman leaned forward slightly, her tone cooling.
“Dr. Banner is unstable. His alter has leveled a city block. You are asking us to sanction his continued deployment under your authority.”
The second man folded his hands together.
“Yes,” Fury replies. “Wouldn't you want more heavy hitters If larger threats emerge?”
A brief pause.
“And what of Loki and his acquaintance?” the woman asks.
“Mobius? He’s a civilian,” Fury says. “No enhanced abilities. No tactical value.”
“But, is close to Loki,” the man pressed.
“Yes,” Fury answers. He doesn’t elaborate.
The woman on the screen exhales slowly, as if weighing something.
“Very well,” she says. “If you’re prepared to carry responsibility, then we’ll proceed with safeguards.”
Fury nods.
“Effective immediately,” the second man continues, “Loki will be subject to a full interrogation and psychological evaluation, along with the civilian.”
“By whom?” Fury asks.
“You,” the first man replies. “And anyone you deem necessary. Transcripts will be logged. Reviewed.”
Fury stays silent as he listens
“Ongoing monitoring for both Hulk and Loki,” the woman adds. “Any deviation from expected behavior will be reported directly to this council.”
Fury nods once. “Understood, I have eyes on the inside.”
“Good, Director Fury.” the first man says.
“You are to report back to us in two weeks. You are dismissed.”
The screen brightens briefly—then goes dark.
Loki groaned as he rolled over, burying his face deeper into the mattress. A loud bang, followed by a few hushed curses woke him up.
Mobius was already awake—still running TVA schedule. Sleep had never come easily since they’d arrived, and staying in bed felt pointless when his internal clock insisted it was time to move. He winced when he heard Loki groan again and froze mid-step.
“Sorry, "Mobius muttered quietly.
It's been a few days since Loki and Mobius had decided to stay. The Avengers weren’t surprised. Thor was ecstatic, clinging to his brother like he might lose him again. Once Thor was free the two of them had stayed up late drinking the strongest Asgardian mead Thor had smuggled in. Hence Loki not wanting to get up.
Mobius watched Loki sleep.
He’d kicked the blankets half off in the night, limbs sprawled at odd angles—one arm dangling off the side of the bed, fingers nearly brushing the floor. It looked uncomfortable, but Loki didn’t stir. Mobius was surprised he hadn’t completely cocooned himself the same way he did in the TVA.
They were sharing a room for now. It was something familiar. Mobius insisted He’d taken the futon, leaving the bed to Loki. Mobius wanted to share the bed. It's not like they haven't, he remembers Loki in his bed when he was recovering, Loki’s weight on top of him missed it, he craved the way Loki had clung onto him, but he knew Loki had been vulnerable then.
Mobius smiled softly. He hesitated, then gently lifted the pillow away and leaned down, pressing a light kiss to Loki’s forehead.
Loki’s snore broke into a faint snort, tension draining from his shoulders before sleep pulled him under again.
Mobius chuckled “Hey…” Mobius murmured. “You should start waking up.”
Loki shifted, face scrunching faintly in protest. He waved a hand—clumsy, half-asleep—trying to swat Mobius away.
“Ugh… why are you up,” Loki whined, dragging out the words.
Mobius couldn’t help but chuckle. “I’m always up.”
He tugged at the blankets. Loki immediately pulled them back and put them over his head.
“What time did you and Thor get back?” Mobius asked.
Loki groaned. “Mmm… what—around four?”
Mobius whistled, glancing at the clock. Five a.m. on the dot.
“I’m pretty sure Tony wanted a meeting at seven.”
No response.
“Loki.” Mobius sings.
The blankets shifted. Loki made a deeply displeased sound from somewhere beneath them. “Tell him I’m dead.”
Mobius nods his head. “I’ll pass it along, but I don’t think he’ll buy it.”
Loki dragged the pillow tighter over his head, groaning. “I am not getting up.”
“You know,” Mobius said casually, Loki groaned because Mobius wasn't going away.
“You promised Thor you’d be on your best behavior.”
Loki huffed under the blankets.
“Ok you win.” Mobius said lightly, reaching for the nearest pillow. He had a mischievous grin, then hit Loki in the middle of his back.
There was a startled sound—half yelp, half growl—as Loki flailed blindly beneath the covers. The blanket slowly lowered. One green eye peeked out.
“Oh,” Loki said, voice suddenly bright with danger. “So that’s how you want to start the day.”
Mobius shrugged, already holding another pillow. “Oh good you’re up?” Mobius teased.
Loki narrowed his eyes. He grabbed the nearest pillow and swung half-heartedly, it completely missed Mobius.
Mobius let out a belly laugh, his head going back, when he leaned forward a pillow hit him in the face. Loki had a smile like he had something up his sleeve.
“Hey…wait.” Mobius couldn't move fast enough. Another pillow flew. Then another.
Loki laughed, standing fully on the bed now, hair a mess and eyes wide with mischief. “You are going to regret this!” he declared.
Mobius snorted. “Uh huh.”
“Last chance to surrender,” Loki added.
Mobius couldn’t help but laugh. Loki standing on the bed like a cartoon villain, hair wild and eyes wide, it was absurd in the best way.
Loki chucked another pillow and missed. His feet tangled in the blankets, momentum carrying him straight off the edge of the bed. Mobius lunged on instinct, catching him, and they hit the floor together with a solid thud, Mobius beneath him
Mobius was on his back, stunned. Loki hovered above him, braced on hands and knees, palms planted on either side of Mobius’s head, his weight suspended just enough to keep from crushing him. Mobius’s hands had instinctively caught Loki's hips.
Loki laughed, breathless. “You didn’t have to save me,” he said, chuckling again. “Now look at you—” He winced, one hand coming up to his temple. “Ugh. My head. Why did I let Thor talk me into drinking all night…”
He kept talking, complaining halfheartedly—but Mobius wasn’t listening anymore.
His gaze lingered on the way Loki’s hair had fallen loose, the flush on his cheeks, his smile that softened his features. How the morning sun caught Loki just right, outlining him in gold.. Mobius was mesmerized. Mobius' hand slid up to Loki's face, his thumb brushing Loki’s cheek, then his chin, then lips.
“You’re… beautiful,” he said quietly.
Loki stilled. His gaze flicked down—Mobius’s mouth, the way Mobius’ hands were still on his hips—then back up again, The room felt suddenly too quiet
Slowly, carefully, Loki leaned in.
Mobius didn’t move away. His hands tightened just slightly at Loki’s hips, they got close enough now that Loki could feel his breath.
Their lips met. It started slow, tentative, then Loki leaned in more and Mobius didn’t hesitate. He kissed him back, grip tightening more as the kiss deepened.
Loki leaned in again, deeper letting all his weight on Mobius. Mobius followed without hesitation, grip tightening even more at Loki’s hips as the kiss turned hungry.
Loki let out a moan when Mobius' grip got tighter.
“Mr. Laufeyson, I regret to inform you—”
The doors opened abruptly, cutting off JARVIS. Tony froze mid-step. His eyes flicked from Loki to Mobius.
“…Oh, shit.”
Behind him, Maria Hill walked in, already mid-sentence. “I would like to have a word—”
Her gaze landed on the two men on the floor. Mobius gave a small, awkward wave.
Maria didn’t react. “Director Fury would like a word with Loki.”
Loki shot Tony a glare.
“Just—” he said tightly, “give me a moment.”
Maria assessed him for half a second, then nodded once and stepped back out into the hall.
Tony lingered. awkwardly.
“So,” he said, hands shoved into his pockets, desperately grasping for normalcy, “how about them sports—”
“Out!.”
A sharp flick of his wrist sent Tony stumbling backward into the hallway with a startled curse.
“Yeah—okay—that’s on me!” Tony grunted as he caught himself.
The door slid shut automatically.
Loki stared at it, wide-eyed, heart still racing. Then Mobius begins to laugh from under him, snapping Loki out of his trance.
“How is that funny?” Loki demanded, scrambling to his feet and immediately offering Mobius a hand, hauling him up. “By Odin’s beard.”
Mobius was still smiling. “It’s… kind of funny.”
Loki dragged a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. “This is not how I envisioned my morning.” Loki walks to the bathroom and stops at the door.
“We’ll come back to this,” he muttered. “Later.”
Mobius chuckled and he winked. "You know where to find me.”
Bruce woke up before he understood why. His body was already tense. Sheets twisted around his legs. Breath shallow. Heart hammering against his ribs like he’d run a marathon.
He pushed himself upright and focused on his breathing.
One.
Two.
Three.
His hands were shaking. He looked at them, waiting. Waiting for green. Another deep breath and he was ok, sighing in relief he looked around his surroundings. It took a few seconds for him to remember where he was. Then he remembered he was in Stark Tower.
Bruce ran a hand over his face and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. That's when he heard a thud from outside the room. Getting up he walked to the door.
“Yeah—okay—that’s on me!” Bruce heard a familiar voice when he opened the door. Bruce stepped into the hallway just as Tony stumbled sideways, catching himself against the wall.
“Should I ask?” Bruce said carefully.
Tony straightened his shirt, shaking his head.
“Nope.”
Bruce's eyes went to Maria who was standing quietly.
“Morning.” he said to her.
“Morning.” she nodded back.
Loki emerged from the room a second later. He didn’t look at Bruce. He didn’t acknowledge Maria. His gaze locked on Tony instead. Tony lifted both hands in surrender. Loki held the stare another second, then turned to Maria.
“What is this about—”
Bruce didn’t catch the rest. The two of them were already moving down the hall, he watched them go stuck in his own world. A hand landed on his shoulder causing Bruce to flinch.
“Let's have breakfast together, get ready in ten.”
Tony was a bit chipper this morning. Bruce didn't get a chance to answer, Tony was already down the hall.
He exhaled slowly. Bruce groaned he should've stayed in bed, He dragged a hand down his face and stepped back into his room, nudging the door shut with his heel. Something tells him today was going to be one of those days.