Graduation Celebration
Chapter 5: Graduation Celebration:
Mobius was fidgeting with the sleeves of his suit jacket and the cuff links that held them together. It was a beautiful blue number that he had pulled out from the back of the closet with a couple worries about it not fitting like it used to, but a couple persuassive pokes and pulls from Loki's fingers had it fitting like new again. "I can't believe my little boy is finally graduating highschool."
"I can't quite believe it myself Mobius, but he's going to do amazing things I just know it." Loki said with a little smile as he stood behind Mobius to look himself over in the mirror. His black blazer sat over a white undershirt with a green tie. He frowned though before he moved to step in front of Mobius with a small smile. "Silly man. You can never get your ties quite straight." He said as his deft fingers made easy work of adjusting Mobius's blue tie that had little anchors decorating it. It was something Sean had gotten him for father's day a couple years ago.
"Nah...I was never big on the things to begin with, but then they kind of grew on me and now it's just habit more than anything." Mobius said with a sheepish grin of his own.
Once it was impeccably straight Loki placed his hands on his chest and leaned down to plant a kiss on his cheek. "There. Much better."
"Daad!! I can't find my red converse!!"
Mobius and Loki both chuckled before Loki broke away from him. "I'll go help him." Loki said before he left the room.
He found Kevin laying on the floor halfway under his bed throwing random things out from underneath it. "Do you remember the last place you had them? If you took them off by the door when you come in they should be there."
Kevin scooched out from under the bed with a bit of a guilty look. "I know, but I didn't. And no I don't remember where I had them last."
"You were playing outside on the trampoline with Sean last night, did you bring them in with you?" Mobius asked from beside Loki.
Sean's face took on a thoughtful expression for a moment before the lightbulb flipped on and he scrambled up. "That's right! I think I left them in the yard. I'll be right back." He said as he made to run out and grab them.
"Oh no you don't you little rascal. You attract dirt standing still sometimes. I'll go and get them for you." Loki said as he caught him by the back of his shirt collar before he could get very far. "I'll meet you in the living room. Mobius help him with his shirt please the buttons are done up crookedly."
"Yes dear!" Mobius called after him.
Loki made his way out to the backyard and on the way to the trampoline picked up a couple toys that had been forgotten about. He didn't mind though. They were so much better about it than they used to be. It was alright to make a mistake once in a while. Sure enough by the trampoline he found Kevin's beloved bright red converse. The color reminded him almost of Thor's beloved cape sometimes.
He bent down to retrieve the shoes and looked down at them for a moment as his thoughts unwillingly turned to his brother. Once or twice, just for a second or two he had entertained the idea of possibly reaching out to him. He felt so bad for the whole of what he knew he was going through all alone. He had read some of his files while at the TVA, but...there was no saying for sure how that was even going to go and it just wasn't worth the risk of things going wrong.
He shook his head as he brushed off a couple weeds that clung to them and headed back inside to see Mobius and Kevin waiting for him. He handed over the shoes to Kevin who eagerly tugged them on as Mobius checked the time.
"Relax, we aren't going to be late. I promise you. I know how much it means to you to see him walk." Loki assured as he rested his hands on his shoulder before he nudged him to the door. "Why don't you go get the car started? Kevin and I will be along momentarily."
Mobius relaxed a little. "I know. Thank you so much."
Loki pecked him on the cheek before he pulled away to check on Kevin. "Everything okay?"
"Yep! I just accidentally put my shoes on the wrong feet so I had to redo them." Kevin said as he laced up the left shoe and tied it. The right one was tied next and he bounced up. "Okay I'm ready."
Loki gestured for him to follow and pulled open the door. Kevin dashed through to meet Mobius at the car while Loki made sure most of the lights save for the lamp in the living room were off before he pulled the door shut and locked it up tight before he joined the rest of his family in the car.
***
Once they got there parking was a nightmare, but that was to be expected with an event such as this, but that was hardly a problem. Loki had Kevin's hand in one of his own and his other arm was wrapped a bit tightly around Mobius. He didn't want to lose either of them in the crowd and it was also about the only thing keeping him grounded at the moment. Mostly he was focusing on taking deep breaths.
He was a little better once they found a spot on the bleachers and Mobius made sure to put Loki right next to the stairs that would allow him a swift exit if the need should arise. Once they were seated he felt much better.
Kevin was nearby talking with a couple of friends from his grade. Siblings who had older ones graduating like Sean tonight and Loki had also allowed him to bring along his DS to play on as well because he knew Kevin's attention span still suffered a little. He couldn't help it and he had made the deal that as long as the volume stayed off and he put it away when it was time for Sean to walk he didn't mind.
Loki sat next to Mobius slowly calming down as they talked with a couple of the parents as well. Laughing as they recalled difficult times and the wild ride that was raising teenagers.
As they students started the procession to the chairs situated for them things quited down and Kevin hurried back over to take a seat next to Mobius. He was the first to spot Sean and gave a wave as he pointed him out. Mobius and Loki both smiled proudly as they gave him a wave as well and it was returned before Kevin resumed walking ahead.
Kevin quickly grew a little bored with the speeches and the formalities of things so he pulled out his DS, but as promised kept the volume down as students started being called up in Alphabetical order one by one to collect their diplomas and receive their handshakes and congratulations.
Loki had never seen something like it before, but he quite liked the idea. It was nice to see a society, a culture and a people that respected, aknowledged and praised hard work shcolarly as much as they did fighters and warriors. There was never any sort of a ceremony like this celebrating a milestone in ones studies or education on Asgard.
As he saw Sean's row of students stand and make their way to the side of the stage to await their turn he reached over and poked Sean on the shoulder and pointed down to Sean waiting in line. Kevin got the hint and quickly snapped shut the DS and put it in his pocket for the time being.
Loki gave his head an affectionate pat before he moved it back to being wrapped around one of Mobius's arms. As Sean's name was finally called all three of them broke out into a small applause. It would have been louder, but they didn't want to be obnoxious at a formal event, but Sean still smiled up at them before he walked across the stage and received his handshakes and his praise and his dipolma.
Once Sean had been seated again to await the end of the ceremony Kevin looked to Loki. Silently asking if he could pull the DS back out and he gave a nod.
***
Once the rest of the graduating class had finished their walks and the ceremony drew to a close Kevin was the first to reach his brother. Having ran down the steps on the bleachers to throw his arms around him in a hug before he bounced up and down in excitement as Sean let him have a look at his dipolma.
Loki and Mobius weren't to far behind him though. Mobius scooped Sean into another hug. "I'm so proud of you son. You worked so hard and it's more than paid off."
Sean beamed as he returned his father's hug. "Do you think Mom would be proud of me?"
A soft look crossed Mobius's face. "Of course she would." He said gently as he pulled away and just rested his hands on his shoulders for a moment. "Yeesh you grew up so fast...I used to think it was going so slow...now here we are."
Loki chuckled as he took his turn to give Sean a hug as well. "I am extremely proud of you as well. I know it wasn't always fun to get up early, but you did it." He let Sean go. "Now you have plans with your friends tonight right? Something about a party?"
Sean nodded excitedly. "Yeah we're going to some sort of Arcade. It's gonna be great! I mean...can I go dad?"
Mobius nodded. "I already said you could, just be safe and responsible. Call either of us if you're in trouble or need to come home. Alright?"
Sean beamed as he thanked him and went to take off, but Loki caught him by the shoulder. "For you." He said as he handed over fifty dollars. "Have fun tonight alright?"
"Holy crap...that's a lot of money. Thanks Loki! I'll see you guys tomorrow I'll tell you all about it."
Loki chuckled as he ran off to a small gathering of other young mortals who were some of his best friends and Loki looked to his little family and then to Kevin. "How does a pizza and movie night sound for you?"
"Really?" Kevin asked wide eyed.
It was a very rare treat that they got to eat out fastfood. Loki made a point to do most of the cooking at home to ensure they ate healthier. He still made all kinds of sweets and treats, but he had made a couple exceptions before and he didn't want Kevin to feel left out. Just because it was Sean's evening that didn't mean he couldn't have a little fun of his own. Loki smiled and looked over to Mobius.
"What do you think? We could get a pizza and one of those green pies you like so much on the way home and we could rent a movie of Kevin's choosing."
Mobius didn't even have to think about it as Loki's arms wrapped back around one of his and he took Kevin's hand with his other. "Sounds perfect to me."