Walking into the strange bar, the sweet voice of my youngest son washes over me immediately. The lights are low and the music thumps deep in my chest. My eyes dart around the room trying to place him. I look to the front of the bar and see a group of people gathered around a makeshift stage. I take a second before carefully walking over.
I stay back a few feet from the crowd but I see the unmistakable form of Loki singing into a microphone at the very front of the stage. I feel my heart lurch at the scene. He looks so carefree. Much more so than he ever did on Asgard. Part of me feels guilty for not helping him feel this way at home.
I continue observing him as he sings. Then, I notice him look off at someone in front of the stage and blow a kiss to them. I move my head around trying to identify the person that has caught my son’s attention in such a way. Then I see him. An older looking man. He has silver hair, a mustache, and a strangely crooked nose. I watch as the man smiles fondly back up at Loki. Warmth spreads though my heart. I decide I must try to speak with this man.
I move my way through the crowd uttering “excuse me” and “pardon me” as I pass the people. I finally make it to the man. I tap his shoulder politely and ask, “Forgive me, I feel the need to introduce myself to you.”
The man immediately turns around and his eyes widen in surprise as he sees me. He begins stuttering as he speaks, “I- Wow… My Queen, I-… Sorry. Mind if we speak somewhere slightly quieter?”
Even though I feel slight confused as to how he knows me, I smile softly at his rambling and respond, “Yes, of course. Lead the way.”
I follow this man through the bar and through a door beside the stage. The door leads to an alley outside. He stops in the middle of the alley and turned around with a large sigh.
He begins, “Okay… So, I’m assuming you have some questions?”
I nod my head in response. “Yes, though first, I’d like to know your relationship with my son.”
To my surprise, he begins laughing softly. “Sorry, I just-… This is just straight out of one of those damn sitcoms I watch. Alright, so I am dating Loki. Have been for awhile. It’s a really long story…”
I nod along showing him I am listening. He begins to try and explain a very complex story. I cut him off, “You don’t need to explain anything to me… I feel the love you have for my Loki as you speak about him. That is all I could ask for in a partner for him.”
I lift my hand to the mystery man’s cheek and smile softly at him. His blue eyes twinkle and he smiles in return.
“I am Mobius, my the way.” He says calmly.
I nod my head at him again before pulling my hand away from Mobius’ face. “Loki grew up always feeling less than everyone else. His father was-… Not exactly ideal in some situations. I want you to promise me that you will never make Loki feel as if he has something to prove to you. That you will always love him unconditionally.”
Mobius wastes no time agreeing to my words. “Yes ma’am. Of course.”
Our brief conversation is cut off by the door we just entered slamming open. Loki stumbles through sweating and breathing hard. He is sporting the brightest smile I have ever seen. He doesn’t notices me immediately as he begins, “Oh my gods, Mobius! That was so awesome! Though I am disappointed that you missed the ending. It-…”
He cuts off his words as his eyes find me. His mouth falls open in surprise and his eyes begin to get glassy. I smile at him and wave. His bottom lip trembles and he mumbles, “Mother…?”
I immediately step towards him and wrap my arms around his shoulders despite his sweaty appearance. He lays his chin on my shoulder and wraps his arms around my middle holding me back as he begins to cry quietly.
I pull him tighter to me as he whispers into my shoulder, “How are you here? How did you find me?” I shush him quietly and rub up and down his back.
I whisper back to him, “It’s okay, my son. I’m here now… Your singing has greatly improved…” His cries get harder before they get better. Eventually, he settles down and pulls away from my hug. I keep him at arms length.
He looks over at Mobius before gasping, “Oh! This is Mobius. My boyfriend.”
I chuckle at Loki’s excited look and respond, “Yes, we met. I believe you two will have a wonderful life together.”
I watch as Loki and Mobius share a look between each other. That’s the moment I knew that their love would be forever growing. And I couldn’t wait to watch it blossom even more.