Thread of Time

When Loki Laufeyson was young, he’s dreamed of becoming King. He’d dreamed of ruling Asgard and making it prosper with wealth and happiness. He’d idolised the All-Father, and craved to be just like him. Even playing make-believe with Thor as children, Loki always embodied a compassionate yet clever ruler.

As he began to get older, fate had played its hand. His very sense of identity had been ripped from him. He began to doubt himself, close in on his own heart. He became a shell of whom he once was. He began to do bad things. He began to suffer from them, which only made him spiral worse.

By then, the innocent dream of ruling had dissolved into a thirst for dominance, for ruthless command. It was an assurance, one that could gain him an identity. One that would bring him closer. One that, in a strange way, make him feel less alone.

Possessed by that thirst, he’d made a great many mistakes. He’d been through a lot. He’d been beaten, imprisoned, insulted, abandoned. But despite all that, he never failed to dream. Never failed to hope. The fantasy of ruling was still taut in his mind. Because he was certain that no matter how much time he fell, he would get back up and try again. Or maybe the hopelessness had dug its roots so deep into his heart that not seeing hope had failed to surprise him. He had embraced his inner monster.

But then he landed back at the TVA, and he met Mobius. The humble analyst with a heart of gold. Mobius was basically everything Loki made a show of despising but secretly desired: Sympathetic, happy, optimistic, honest, understanding. Mobius showed him a side of himself that he had hidden for so long.

Mobius didn’t ridicule him for mistakes. He knew about all the pain he went through, which was comforting. Mobius was like a ray of light in his darkened world. But above all, Mobius cared. The fact that someone out there cared for his well-being put Loki at ease.

And then his dreams began to change. He learned new things, new values. He didn’t feel the need to ruthlessly dominate others to prove his worth. He didn’t feel the need to mask his feelings and trample his own sadness. He didn’t feel the need for illusions.

He didn’t want to rule anymore. He only desired a small corner of the world to share with someone who he cared for deeply. He didn’t want the throne anymore. He wanted home. A place of comfort, one where he could breathe with ease. One where he belonged.

But his dreams, along with the comfort and solace he’d found, were snatched from him. His future was taken, and he’d been forced on the throne. For a moment, he felt like the old Loki again- lost, scared, his identity stolen and his self worth descending.

But he had to remind himself, again and again, that this was good for everyone else. It would keep the rest of the world safe. This is what he is meant to do, to help others achieve the best versions of themselves.

The thread of time is long and unexpected. It makes Loki chuckle.

He wonders of all the happiness he felt recently was all just an illusion, one of his own mind, just to give him some comfort. He wonders if his friends really did care for him after all. He wonders if he’s meant to be alone after all.

Never look, never know.

For ages Loki has stopped himself from looking in on Mobius’ life as Don, if only to prevent the vivid sense of longing it feels him with. The man seems so close, yet so far. Not a living hour has went by that Loki hasn’t thought of Mobius.

It’s disarming, how much he cares. He would give anything just to see Mobius one last time, and confes everything on his mind. To hold him and feel his steady breath on his skin. But Loki knows that once he latches on, he would never be able to let go.

And so he restricts himself. Stops himself from even glancing at the love of his life, stops himself from monitoring him, because he knows he won’t be able to hold him back. He would abandon everything he worked for to find Mobius.

He doesn’t think Mobius even wants to be found.

Mobius has found his own life, his own family. He won’t risk them, not for anything, not even for Loki. He must be so immersed in his new life that Loki doubts Mobius thinks of him that often. Surely he is so happy in his life he won’t want visitors from the place where he was trapped for so long.

Mobius is happy. Loki isn’t.

Pathetic.

It’s his own fault, for getting so attached to another being despite knowing all happiness is swallowed by time. At least for him, it is. He deserves to spend the rest of the life paying for his mistakes, and if it comes with protecting the world, it’s an added advantage.

So he sits on his throne, with no one to applaud him. He navigates time, he fixes branches, (though most don’t need fixing as his magic has stopped branches from overlapping) and he makes sure there are no calamities rearing their head.

So now, the only ones that can travel from one branch to another are him and the TVA. Branches don’t collide at random anymore.

There is one thing that prevents him from retreating to his whirlwind of emotions, however. The fact that he can’t seem to locate He Who Remains’ Tempad in any of the timelines is jarring, to say the least. He hopes it’s destroyed. He needs to make sure no one’s gotten hold it it. He makes a mental note to mention it to someone at the TVA later.

****

Fraser jumps from one location to another, trying to find the God of Mischeif. Specifically, the Variant currently navigating all of time. But he can’t seem to. He made sure to work an enchantment to keep him untraceable, but he can only hope it’s working. 

For he can’t seem to find Loki anywhere.

Everywhere he lands, it’s either a hazardous burst of radiation or a bush of green so thick he has no choice but go get out before he loses his footing. He has tried, time and again, but he just can’t access the God’s exact location.

What’s going on? Is the now God of Stories completely unreachable?

No. Fraser feels a pang of anger. He will not let his life’s work go to waste, all that waiting see no fruit all because of a wretched, lying Variant that got to the TVA in the first place because he stole something that wasn’t his. He wasn’t tanking because of that coward. 

Fraser tries to come in on the opposite side, tries to hack the Tempad with the help of his powers, even ages it further, but nothing seems to work. It seems like time has no effect on the glossy metal device. It’s just not taking him to Loki.

He sarcastically thanks his Variant for building a faulty machine and calling it the most powerful. It I was typical of him. He’s glad the Loki Variant killed He Who Remains. He deserved the slaughter. And Loki deserved al the slaughter Fraser had in store for him.

And Fraser was going to enjoy it.

*****

Mobius stared, for the umpteenth time, into the glimmer of green that shone where the Temporal Loom once was. Loki. His hands were on his hips, and his head was locked in place. He tries to think over the storm of worry mounting in his heart and focus on what OB is saying.

It is now, when he’s right in front of the love of his life, that it’s so damn difficult to hold back. He needs to see Loki, to keep him safe. It’s consuming him. Mobius’ eyes never leave the Tree. He needs to reach Loki before this person does.

And that’s why he’s gathered everyone, including OB and a couple of Hunters, to help with this mission. They stand in a huddle before the wall that’s overtaken by a window, OB poring over the monitor and rambling incessantly. Mobius forces himself to listen.

”-and that’s why he’s blocked the entrance. No one can break the spell.”

Mobius’ head snaps to the engineer. “What do we do then? Someone’s looking for him.”

”And still is.” B-15 remarks. “Someone who has worked out a way to break out of the TVA’s monitoring system. It looks like they mean harm.”

”We have to get to him.” Mobius says immediately.

”Wait, there is a way!” OB exclaims.

Mobius’ eyes widen. He’d do anything. “What is it?”

”We need someone with Loki’s Temporal Aura to break the spell and hence the layer of crippling radiation. AKA a Loki Variant.” OB recites. 

Mobius listens fully, and then sags back. He looks to B-15, who gives him a knowing nod. He looks back to the ground, heaving a long sigh. 

“I guess it’s time to track down my favourite Variant.”