A Ride for Two
Chapter 27: A Ride for Two
Loki hadn't actually been anticipating that he would like Coney Island that much. Of course he he had no intentions of making that known when he knew it would spoil the boys good time, but the more Sean had spoken about it the less appeal it held. It sounded loud and crowded and overwhelming.
Yet when they had gotten there there was something about it being outside and on the beach...he took a deep breath of the salty air as he climbed out the car Mobius had rented for the trip and...it suddenly didn't seem like it would be so bad.
It was loud and crowded, but being outdoors the crowd didn't give him that feeling of claustrophobia that he normally got in crowded buildings. "Boys!" He called as they took off running for one of the ticket booths. They both stopped in their tracks and looked back to him. He crooked his finger to tell them to come back.
They came back over as Mobius locked the car and tucked the keys in his pocket and Loki looked down to them. "Stay where we can see you. Do not wander off." He said with a pointed look to Sean who scuffed his feet a little. "If there is something that you want to do in particular let us know and we'll make our way there together. If one of you needs to use the restroom again let us know. Alright?"
"It was one time..." Sean grumbled under his breath while Kevin cheered his agreement.
Loki fixed Sean with a small look and Sean nodded. "I got it I got it."
"Most importantly both of you have fun today. Now lets go get our tickets." He said with a smile and both boys beamed as they hurried ahead of them, but they did make sure to stay nearby enough for Loki to be comfortable.
Loki smiled as he twined one of his hands with Mobius's and looked over to him. "This kind of reminds me of the world fair...just...you know...without certain doom hanging over us." Loki said with a little laugh.
Mobius chuckled as well. "It does kind of. I wonder if they have any kettle corn here. I know how much you liked it."
Loki pulled a face at the reminder of the horrid snack Mobius had taken such delight in. "Dear that wasn't food that was reconstituted ash."
Mobius laughed full on at that. "Don't worry. I don't think they have any here so you're safe." He said as he stepped up to the ticket booth and pulled out his wallet.
***
Once they were inside the boys were quick to locate the first ride they wanted to go on and pointed it out to them before he they hurriedly lead the way.
Loki smiled a bit more as he let go of Mobius's hand and wrapped his arms around his. It was a nice day out, a tad bit on the chillier side as they were moving into the Fall season, but not cold enough to require a coat yet. The sun was still out, but there were some grey clouds still lingering from the storm the night previous. The news had said there was a chance that the thunder might start up again later tonight. Not as violent as it had been the night before, but he would really rather it not.
As they approached the first ride Loki let go of Mobius's arm and Mobius looked at him in confusion. "Go on. I know you like some of the rides to." He said as he gestured to where Kevin and Sean had already hopped in line.
Mobius smiled. "Thanks sweetheart. I'm not going to ride all of them, but a couple of them do look fun."
Loki gave him a little wave before he found a bench nearby and took up a seat where he could see his little family and keep an eye on their progress in line, but also people watch and treated himself to a drink from his water bottle. The ice clinking against the metal on the inside just a little before he pulled out his phone to do a little snooping around on the news. He did glance up every now and then to watch his family's progress in the line.
***
"Lyle come on! You really should do one ride with us!" Kevin said as he looked up at him with very cute blue eyes.
Loki had to swallow hard because they were so similar to his husbands eyes and that same look on Mobius's face would have the multiverse laid at his feet if he were to ask for it. Of course he did not feel the same attraction to the boy as he did Mobius, but those eyes would always be the death of him. He dug deep. "Kevin I can't." He said gently. "Look at all of these. They're so fast."
"You could do the tea cups!" Sean said in excitement. They had already gone on every ride once and were currently halfway through riding them again a second time.
Loki knew the tea cups of which they spoke and his stomach did a small flip at the thought of spinning round and round. It would be so disorienting. Just like falling- nope. He shook his head and forced a deep breath. Mobius looked over to him in slight concern but he gave a pat to the arm his arms were wound around in a light cling. He always felt safer when he had some sort of physical contact to Mobius. To let him know he was right there and not going to slip through his fingers again.
"I'm sorry boys. The last thing I want to do is disappoint you, but I don't think I can."
Sean was the one who picked up on the quiet truth of those words and before Kevin could try and push further he smiled at him instead. "It's okay Lyle. We're just happy you're here."
Loki felt relief wash through him. "As long as you two are having fun that's all that matters."
***
"Dad! Lyle! I'm gonna take Kevin and we're gonna go play some games."
Loki started to protest. Reaching out after them as they disappeared into the crowd, but Mobius just smiled as he reached out for his hand.
"It's alright Lyle. They're going to meet up with us later. Come on."
The sun had officially set about an hour ago it was now about seven. Loki looked back in the direction where Sean and Kevin had disappeared, but reluctantly let Mobius lead him along.
He followed him to a ride in the center of the park whose sign read Wonder Wheel and he realized it was much like the contraption that he had fought Sylvie in at the World Fair. "Mobius I don't think this is a good idea."
"It's alright. This one is so much sturdier than the one that was there." That probably wasn't entirely true, but Loki didn't need to know that. "Plus there's no one here trying to kill us or the one thats with us this time."
Loki took a small breath and relaxed a little. "I suppose you're right." He watched as they took their time methodically letting people off and then letting people on on the opposite side of the little cages.
Soon enough it was their turn and he stepped in and took a seat on the little bench inside.
Mobius charmed the operator and slipped him a twenty to get him to let them have the cage to themselves and then stepped in.
Loki looked back as the door shut and Mobius sat beside him. "Aren't two more supposed to get on?"
"This one is just for us." Mobius said and Loki smiled as he leaned against him. He tensed for a second as the cage rocked with the stop start movement of the wheel, but he relaxed soon enough. It wasn't so bad. Almost no different than the porch swing.
As they eventually approached the top of the wheel where they could get a clear view Loki did have to admit it was a beautiful view. The New York skyline lit up in all it's glory. Avengers Tower's sign shining brightly as it stood tall like a watcher over looking it's kingdom ready for a fight. A beacon of hope and safety. "You were right. It is pretty up here." He said quietly.
Mobius chuckled as he wrapped one of his arms around his shoulder. "I told you it would be. Back at the World Fair I had been so upset that we had so many other things to do that I couldn't find a moment to take you on it so this is something I knew we had to do as soon as the boys said they wanted to come." He said before he finally leaned down to press a proper kiss to Loki's lips which he returned just as passionately.
***
That evening found them strolling out of Luna Park with Kevin carrying a huge stuffed panda bear that was easily a little bigger than him. Loki shook his head a little. "I have absolutely no idea how we're going to get that home."
Mobius waved one of his hands. "We can get one of those vaccuum bags tomorrow and stuff it in. It'll go through bag check just fine."
Loki chuckled. "How is he so good at those little games. He always seems to make out like a bandit with the biggest prize."
"I'm not sure, but I'm willing to bet he didn't win it for himself." Mobius said with a knowing smile.
Loki raised a brow. "You think he won it for Macy?"
"I think he did." He said as he pressed the button to unlock the car.
Sean and Loki both had to help him shove the bear into trunk of the car as it wasn't to big, but they managed to make it fit. Loki hopped in and looked back to the boys. "Alright you two. Get on your little boxes and find us a good sandwich place. Sean if our invite was accepted let them know we're leaving now and ask what kind of a sandwich they want."
Both boys immediately set to work on their tasks as Mobius pulled out of the parking spot to get on the road back to Manhattan, just as the rain started up and Loki cursed quietly in Asgardian under his breath.