“Casey!” Mobius almost tripped over his own feet running so fast into the cross-road of the long, narrow, dull hallways that was TVA. “Casey, Casey, Casey!” Mobius was clearly panicked by something. He stopped out of breath, and tears in his eyes.
“What is it? Calm down, you almost made me spill my hot cocoa.” Casey had the white rimmed cup filled to the brim with hot cocoa held tight close to him.
“No offense, but I think this is more important than your drink.” The Analyst shifted his weight back and forth, and ran his hand through his silvery-white hair.
Casey took a deep breath, as much as he had been through already he knew it was better to be ready for any horrible news he could receive. “What is it?”
“Loki’s missing. I don’t know where she went, and… something happened, with Sylvie.” Mobius admitted as he adjusted his coat, the slight shuffle breaking the silence.
“What happened-”
“Nothing,” Mobius nodded his head in annoyance. He did not mean to seem rude, he just wanted to find Loki as quickly as possible.”Just help me look for her, okay?” He interrupted then swiftly moved past Casey to keep searching. Mobius knew this maze by heart, but she could still be anywhere.
Casey watched Mobius turn a corner and disappear down the hall, as a sigh escaped from him and a worried smile crept across his face.
Mobius searched every square inch he had ever taken Loki to, down every hall they had walked together, in every room they had a conversation in. “Please Loki, where are you?.” Mobius talked to himself barely above a whisper, which he did quite often. He found talking to himself to be almost soothing.
The analyst stopped in front of the snack room. The door was shut which was odd, Mobius hadn’t ever seen these doors closed before. “Loki?” He gently tapped on the door. There was a sniffle that came from inside but no response.
Mobius nudged the door open steadily, Loki was sitting at a table. Her knees to her chest and her face buried in her hands. “Loki?” Mobius said softly with a sigh of relief and fully entered the room, he stood in front of the door waiting for her to say something… anything.
“I’m sorry.” She muttered still covering her face like it was a barrier, a barrier to keep her emotions inside to not bother anyone with how she feels, with how she struggles.
“Sorry for what? Sylvie should be the one to apologize, they said some very hurtful jabs.” The analyst stepped one foot carefully in front of the other, getting just a little closer to the table where Loki sat.
“Mobius,” Loki slid her hands away from her face. “She was right though. We have both killed so many people. Unintentional or not, I mean this in the nicest way possible but how are you okay?”
“I’m not,” Tears began to form in his eyes, “I’m not okay. I was just so worried after you ran off, it didn’t even cross my mind what Sylvie said.” Mobius trailed his eyes around the room, holding back a waterfall of tears.
“I know that I’m not a good person.”
“But you are.” Mobius interrupted.
“Just listen,” Loki snapped and locked eyes with Mobius, “I have done so much that I regret, it makes me wonder if I had a choice.” Her face blushed red, one tear fell then another. “I am trying so hard to do the right thing now, but that doesn’t make up for anything that has happened. I’m a monster.”
Mobius finally sat down, his expression hinting at tinges of shock and worry. “Loki, you have got to understand, a bad person…a monster, wouldn’t feel guilty.” The analyst’s eyes glazed over with more tears.
Loki swallowed the lump in her throat. “What do you mean?”
“You saved my life. Without you here I would be dead. You’re needed Loki, you’re important,” Mobius paused for what seemed like years. You could hear a pin drop in the silence that filled the room. “But you’re not a monster.”
The room restored to stillness, the only sound to be heard were quiet sobs escaping Loki. “How do you do it?” Loki leaned her head back to try and blink away the water that rained from her eyes.
“Do what?”
“How do you see the good in everyone, how did you ever see the good in me?” They locked eyes again.
“Because nobody is heartless Loki, you just have to dig deep enough. Some a lot less than others.” A smile grew across Mobius’ face.
Loki launched herself from the chair into his arms. She buried her head into Mobius’ shoulder and wrapped her arms around him.
The analyst took a moment to process things before returning her embrace.
“Mobius,”
“Yeah Loki?”
“Have you ever been in love? I know it’s an odd question but just answer it.” Loki slowly pulled away and sat back down.
“I honestly don't think I have.” He glanced up at Loki, and shot his eyes back to the floor.
“Seems to be something we share between the both of us then.” She smiled slightly, then quickly made it disappear.
After a minute that felt like days in the tension, Loki stood up and ambled towards the hall.
She stepped one foot out of the room before Mobius shot out of his chair. “Loki, wait!”
The god perked up. “Yes?” She drifted back into the snack room.
“I uh- You- um-... You look lovely today.” The analysts blushed with slight embarrassment.
“That's your best line?” Loki scoffed. “You're adorable!” She clutched his tie that he almost always had loose around his neck and fixed it. “There.” she whispered and gazed back into his eyes, before grabbing both sides of Mobius’ jacket and pressing her lips to his.
Loki let go as a smile gleamed on her face.
“That was better than what I said.” Mobius laughed.
“I sure think so.” Her smile is still lighting up the room.
“If you want to… I still haven't eaten yet today, do you wanna come with me to get lunch in the TVA cafeteria? ”
“Are you asking me on a date?”
“Not the best date, but yes.”
“It’s the best date if I’m on it with you.” Loki laced her fingers in Mobius’ hand, as they set off into the halls of the TVA.