Forever and Ever, Amen

Well as the story teller, you must be upset at me. But don't worry, different dimensions have different endings. What if things went just a little differently? Well, let's see how one single action changes everything...

"Oh Jackie, I'm gonna love you forever... Forever and Ever Amen~"

Loki pulls out his own file, digging through it desperately as that song played like a broken record echoing in an empty library, the needle bouncing along the lines of a vinyl record tune that haunts the dusty shelves filled with books that hold the gods most fondest memories. His slender fingers pull out a photo of the man he loved from the night they met at the Home Bar In Troy, the song getting louder and louder as he connects the dots. Mobius sits across the way from him, doodling a jet ski on a notebook in the mean time. Loki's voice speaks up with that soft Asgardian accent, his words shaken and cracking as he connects the dots. The record in his mind comes to a harsh crackling stop as he looks up from the files to meet his friends worried gaze, the pen he used to doodle with becomes carefully placed in a pen holder with a quiet tapping noise. "Mobius, Mobius this isn't another version of me. This? This 'Variant' we're chasing is using my magic, sure, but he's using it because he is trying to find me! Yes, it has to be Jackie! Right? W-We need to find him, gods know how long he's been searching and-" Mobius Interrupts him quickly with his hands out and shaking them causing Loki to look at him irritably. "Hold your horses, buddy. 'Jackie'? As in Jackson!? And how do we know this Jackson is yours? He could be a bad Jack from another dimension comin' to kill ya!" Loki pauses as he takes in Mobius words of wisdom, but his heart takes over his clever mind with those heart shaped pink tinted glasses that Jackson slid over his eyes all those years ago. "N-No, no because the bartenders at all the locations we've stop at says he whistles the same tune everytime! It's got to be our song, I just know it! He would whistle it when ever he worked, when he missed me, or when our Son would panic! Mobius, the signs point to him taking a pit stop at a time line repeatedly yes? The same date, for the same 3 hours, at the same location. If we can pin point that place, I bet you lunch that it's the Home Biker Bar in Troy! On the night we met, when we danced under the stars. We have to try, please? Let... Let me see him, please-" Loki begs as his eyes shake, clearly holding back tears as he gives the man the most desperate eyes he could. Mobius sighs and bits his lip before tapping the table twice and standing up, putting his brown trench coat on with a small hidden smile. "Welp, we can't take chances... Sure would be a shame if he slips through our fingers again. And I am taking you up for that lunch offer-" Loki jumps up excitedly and almost trips over his long legs as he bolts out the library. He slips on his coat with haste as he looks back with that big grin on his face, and Mobius shakes his head at his childish behavior.

"As long as old men sit and talk about the weather..."

Meanwhile, Jackson slips through a portal he used on the opposite side of the tracks from the Home Bar. A red rusted train car hides him under the night sky as he slides on his cowboy hat and green bandana to hide his face. He steps out and looks both ways before feeling his heart pick up at the sound of that all to familiar song begging him forth to the bar. Should he be here? No. Would Loki be upset for him using his magic like this? More than likely. But could be blame him? Absolutely not- The Auburn haired space cowboy kicks some pebbles on his way across the road to the bar doors, stepping inside and looking back and forth to finally spot the bar stools that hold Loki and his old skinny self in his favorite memory of all time. Jackson watches as his younger self grabs Loki's hand and drags him out to the dance floor to try and teach a rich royal boy how to dance southern style. He chuckles under his breath as he watches Loki trip on himself and try to keep up to the music, his attempts as being graceful failing every few seconds as his dance partner sang along to the song that played. He looks over to see the bar tender snickering something in the DJs ear, and they both nod in agreement as the song plays again and again. So that's why that happened... He sighs happily as his younger self drags Loki outside where it's less crowded, and he follows them carefully just so he can watch from a safe distance. Loki almost trips yet again as that sweet summer night happy laughter fills the air, a nervous smile on his soft pale features while Jackson dragged him out to the patio. Young Jack grabs Loki's hand, entwining their fingers while holding Loki's waist with his other hand. Loki follows quickly, trying to figure out what he's doing wrong... And he finally lets that grace go in favor for that southern bopping and hopping as the two boys sing their song on repeat. Older Jackson leans up against the rail of the patio and whistles along with sad eyes, a fond smile on his face as he watches the best night of his life replay before his eyes.

"As long as old woman sit and talk about old men~"

Loki pin points the date, time, location and place to land at for Mobius. His new friend nodding along and taking a few of his men with him to prepare for time jumping. And Loki? His heart races in his ears as he almost hyperventilates on the spot. What if something happens? What if this stupid decision causes some serious problems? So many what ifs and so little time, the world turning white for a few seconds... And then he hears it. The echoing in the distance, Mobius taking them a few blocks away from the bar just to play it safe. Mobius steps forward, going over some last minute plans for the team but Loki was having none of it. "Like I said, we go in as a team. We gotta freeze the time zone so no one sees us. No running in like a headless- Loki!! The hell did I just say? Heeeeey!!" Loki runs as fast as he can, his adrenaline driving him to the brink as he crosses the street into the next block. Mobius immediately freezes the time zone, and Jackson jumps up anxiously. He doesn't know that Loki is with the TVA, but he knows what the TVA is when he sees it. Shit he's in danger- He hops over the rail with panic in his chest, and when he hips down he enters Loki's view. Loki screams out at him, making Jackson look up in his direction, and his world stops in it's tracks.

"If you wonder how long I'll be faithful, just listen to how this song ends~"

Jacksons ocean blues lock onto Loki's grass field greens, and his feet react before his mind can catch up. He turns a heel and runs straight for the God of Mischief, hollering his name as he laughs in joy. Loki can't mistake that voice, even if it's deeper than it was before. And that green bandana and cowboy hat? Loki gifted those to him. The hat is white with a rope wrapped around it at the base, a small set of goat horns painted gold stick out to match with his lovers own, and the bandana he got him at a hippie store at the edge of Sandpoint. Loki sobs back to Jackson's calling, and before Mobius can even somewhat catch up... Jack tackles Loki to the cracked concrete side walk with a loud thud. Loki doesn't hesitate to wrap his thin body around Jackson's now lumber strong waist, his arms around his Bluejays neck and pulling him in for a kiss that has been long over due. Jackson moves to sit up, his arms holding Loki up as he gets back on his feet without much of a struggle. He kisses his Magpie back, his chapped lips fitting into Loki's soft well cared for own like that perfect puzzle piece he's been looking for all these years.

"I'm gonna love you, forever and ever, forever and ever amen~"

Mobius pants hard as he finally catches up along side his men, and he sighs in relief as he sees that this Jackson is indeed the one Loki needed to find. Loki clutched his lovers Green flannel shirt for dear life as he pleads for forgiveness for being away like he has, tears streaming down his face with the ugliest of sobs. Jackson pulls Loki's face into his neck where he uses his hand to play with his magpies black curly hair, sushing him softly to comfort him while kissing his shoulder with a smile. "Now now, quit all that. Save your apologies for when you actually do somethin' wrong, ok? I'm here, Loki, I ain't lettin' you go again~" Loki whimpers at this, squeezing his eyes shut to take in the moment while it lasts. Mobius coughs a little, but he speaks up and steps closer to the boys as carefully as he can. Jackson glares at him like a warning, stepping back with his man shaking in his arms. "Now this has to be the sweetest shit I've ever seen, and I'm happy you two can see you're both ok, but you have to come with us. You've broken some major laws, son, and you have to be judged accordingly. You need to let Loki go, Jackson-" Said man scoffs and shakes his head, holding his Magpie closer if possible with a snarl. "Ain't no way in hell, he's comin' home with me sir and I hate to break it to ya. You've kept him alive, and I appreciate it, but he has a son who needs him. So I'll say this once and once only... Let us leave unharmed, or I'll have to fight my way home." Loki feels his anxiety spike, quickly trying to get this resolved peacefully. "N-No, Jackie no. Don't do this, I've seen the things they can do! They had infinity stones as paper weights for gods sake! Do not do this!" Loki pulls back to look his Bluejay in the eyes, both faces serious and scared. Jackson's voice shakes as he tries to speak to him, his worst fears happening all over again. "I can't let you go again, and we have a son who needs us. We gotta go home, Loki! This ain't right!" Mobius watches, his heart twisting a little as he looks back and forth between the love birds...

""I'm gonna love you, forever and ever..."

"Boys you know I can't just let this slide... You're making it hard for me here-" Mobius groans in frustration, making the boys look at him with a sad scared eyes. "This is your chance to have a proper good bye. Loki is sentenced to be stuck with TVA, he can't leave. You have a kid, and I'll let you walk away now before you damage something serious. This is your only chance for everyone to walk away alive and safe ok?" Loki shakes in Jackson's arms, and he suddenly tries to get back on his own feet and out of his Bluejays arms. Jackson panics but let's him down, his hands immediately grabbing Loki's with a desperate vice. "Darlin', we can still get out of this together... Just run with me ok? Remember when you said we had to love each other like it's all we've got? Come on, run with me." Loki shakes his head as he squeezes Jackson's hands with all his strength, tears falling heavily down his quivering chin. "Jackson, we aren't kids in love anymore! You need to go while you can! They will hunt us down if we run, or they'll shoot you! Can't you understand that you need to let me go!?" Loki shouts at him in panic, his pain pulling him apart as Jackson's eyes tear him to shreds. Those ocean blues hold so much agony, loss, and so much determination that it kills the God of Mischief beyond repair. And that broken voice? It makes him crumble. "Loki, baby, Magpie, Darlin', sweetheart... I ain't leaving here without you. Now, or ever- Please, we have a promise, and I intend to keep it. Forever and Ever, remember?" Loki sighs, looking back at the gun pointed at them, his eyes reaching into Mobius' soul and ripping it out of him for all to see. Jackson takes advantage of the distraction, picking Loki up and holding him tightly before turning a heel and running away as fast as he can. Loki shouts at him to put him down, that he is a fool and and idiot... But he doesn't listen. The gun aims at his back, ready to take the shot when Mobius steps in the way and shoves the gun down towards the ground. It goes off and it makes Loki's heart stop dead in it's tracks- But that last minute choice in action from Mobius means a clean get away for Jackson, his portal opening as Loki looks over his shoulder at Mobius with wide eyes. Mobius looks pissed, but he saved his Bluejays life... His lips spell out a thank you to him, not going unnoticed by his new friend. "You still owe me that lunch!! I'll come back for you, this isn't over Loki!" Jackson laughs, his heart picking up pace as he jumps through the portal and Into a large wild flower field that he called home. The portal closes as the boys rumble and tumble through the flowers, their shared laughter filling the air as grasshoppers leap out of the way from them. Loki takes it all in, and believes it's the right timeline by the sights of untamed flower fields and their falling apart cabin. Their son must still be with Thor, he pin points to himself. His attention quickly goes to Jackson who keeps laughing like a dad at a barbeque reunion at a dad joke, and he quickly plops down on top of his big bear of a man with a big grin on his face. "You could have died you crazy animal! You are to never ever do that ever again, you scared me shitless, Jackie!" Loki's lover simply snorts and grins back with happy relieved eyes, obviously not upset about how it went at all. "We did it, we made it! That friend of yours ain't half bad, gonna have to invite him over huh? Owe him a lunch just like he asked-" Loki snorts back as the wind gently grazes the wilf flowers, making it away as they sit there at home where they belong. Jackson's cowboy hat lays a few feet away from him, laying upside down in the grass on its side and Loki reaches over to grab it. He puts it on with a cheesy smile, leaning down to rest his chin on his Bluebirds chest and giving him the happiest eyes he has ever had. Oh the life coming back to those forest eyes makes Jackie melt, a calloused hand cupping a soft pale cheek to rub it carefully. "You still look good with my hat on, lover boy~"

"Forever and ever..."

"Oh do I? Well, I'll have you know that I only make the finest for the man I plan to marry." Jackson feels his face heat up and he tilts his head like a puppy too look up at the smug Magpie on his chest, his own smirk on his face. "Marry huh? Now I like the sound of that~ Man, I could lay here with you forever and ever ya know that right?" Loki chuckles, answering back with happy tears. He sings back to him, making Jackson finally feel whole as he plays along.

"Forever and ever~?"

Loki's soft slender hand cups Jackson's sweat, dirt and freckle dusted cheek, his eyes warm as they never leave his lovers cool calm blues. Heimdall meanwhile feels a disturbance on Midgard, opening his eyes to pin point where the surge came from. And to his surprise, he finds Loki and Jackson laying in the flower fields of their property. He immediately alerts Thor, who immediately in turn tells Jay with excitement evident in his voice and face. Jaybird packs up for a trip back home, Thor in tow as his family finally pieces itself back together. Jacksons nose brushes against Loki's, smiling sweetly as the Moon gives his Magpie the most beautiful halo he's ever seen, the stars dancing behind Loki like a lovers poem. His voice speaks just above a whisper, singing back to Loki as they let in the cool night breeze.

"Forever and ever~"

Loki chuckles, his lips finally meeting Jackson's with a soft tender forever kind of love, his hands digging into that Auburn hair like as if it's all he has. The kiss is deep, long lasting and Jackson makes sure it stays as his own large hand digs into Loki's hair to keep him locked on his lips. The sound of a bifrost gate shooting down several yards away from them doesn't even pull them away from each other as their son and his uncle stand there in utter shock. As Loki pull away slowly to rub Jackson's cheeks while both of them sing the song together that kept them alive all these years...

"Forever and ever... Amen~"