“Finally, a holiday.” Loki sighed as he leant back in the sunlounger and took a sip from his cocktail.
“I know – it’s been too long.” Mobius murmured, face down on his own lounger as the sun beat down on his back. Loki would have laughed at him, so blissed out and carefree, but he was too relaxed and comfortable himself to care.
The beach was truly gorgeous; the whitest sand you’ve ever seen, littered with shells and cute pebbles and a pale blue, almost translucent ocean. The cliffside behind them was lush with beauty and life, ferns darting out from the rocks and birds nestling in the roots - and the best part? There wasn’t a person to be seen.
As Loki watched Mobius from beneath his umbrella, the older man seemed happier than he had been in months. He was laying out comfortably like a cat on a windowsill, his skin warm and mellow from the sunshine. His ridiculous Hawaiian shirt lay beside him, bright pink and green flowers the pinnacle of Mobius’ summerwear as Loki remembered him fishing it out of their closet to pack it right at the top of their suitcase. Loki hated it, personally – but if Mobius wanted to dress like a middle-aged dad, he had no right to stop him. Especially if it made his heart jump a little when he put the ridiculous thing on, not that he’d tell him.
Loki himself had never really been one for the sun, but the heat was nice – and a great excuse to wear what Mobius had bought him from their preparatory shopping trip. He’d picked out the cutest strappy little wedge sandals (that surprisingly hadn’t been uncomfortable in the sand), a simple cropped halter shirt for his chest and a sheer black scarf to go around his waist. The pièce de resistance, however, was the most ridiculously sized hat they could find; an enormous floppy straw hat sitting atop his head, the brim almost wider than his shoulders and honestly a suitable umbrella in of itself.
“You sure you’re not comin’ out today?” Mobius mumbled, slowly lifting himself up and rolling to lie on his back, groaning as though it was the most difficult task in the world. He pushed his sunglasses down his nose, meeting eyes with Loki and smiling softly. “The sun feels great.”
“Yes, but beauty like this takes effort, darling.” Loki winked, laughing as he struggled to move himself.
“Uh huh.” Mobius muttered, closing his eyes for a moment before forcing himself to sit up. “That’s enough, I don’t wanna burn.” He stood up and stretched, brushing the sand from his shirt before putting it on. “I think I’m gonna go out on the jetski. You wanna come?”
Loki just laughed, placing a delicate hand against his chest. “I’ll be fine. You have fun, love.”
“Scared?” The older man smirked, cupping Loki’s chin with a warm hand and stroking his thumb across his cheek. “It’s just a bit of harmless fun, Lokes.”
Loki grinned up at Mobius, tracing the flowers on his Hawaiian shirt with a dark painted fingernail. His interest in jetskis was endearing, if a tiny bit obsessive. “No, I just have a sense of self-preservation.”
“Fine. But do some painting, okay? I love seeing what you’ve made.”
Loki opened his mouth to protest, but Mobius had already begun running to the shore, tripping over a couple rocks as he went. He had brought his easel with him, but he wasn’t sure if he was actually going to paint anything. He’d been going through a period of artist’s block for a while, but hopefully the tropical breeze would help invigorate his creative spirit. Mobius had always supported his artwork, hanging up his paintings and photographs even when he made it very clear that they were not good enough to be displayed. If anything, that confusingly seemed to make Mobius want to show them off more.
Confusing seemed to be Mobius and Loki’s forte at the moment, their relationship together being the poster child for the word - but it was the best one that Loki had ever had. They’d started off as a… less traditional couple, you could put it, where Mobius could be called, theoretically.. if you were even using those kinds of terms.. his sugar daddy. He’d help Loki make ends meet and in return, Loki would go on dates with him and spend time with him whenever he wished. Even back then though, Mobius had always been supportive with his career choice and he was always happy to take him out shopping for painting supplies if it meant spending time with him. Their relationship had slowly blossomed into something more, and although it was unconventional Loki truly loved Mobius with all his heart.
Nowadays, Loki insisted that he didn’t want to be paid anymore, that spending time with Mobius was payment enough, but the older man insisted on showering him with gifts and presents whenever he felt like it. It was sweet, and Loki appreciated the gesture, but he hated when people assumed he was only interested in Mobius for the money. Sure, it had been the reason he started working as a sugar baby again (being a starving artist wasn’t nearly as romantic as Hollywood makes it out to be) but his relationship with Mobius was different now, and he was proud of them for making it work.
And now he couldn’t be happier, sitting by the beach while he watched Mobius on his jetski - or not? The older man seemed to be staring into the water and looking at something, but Loki paid no notice. He’d probably just found a cute shell or something to keep for Loki; the thought making his lips curl up in a faint smile. Mobius was always like that; collecting little trinkets and presents for Loki wherever he went, even if Loki insisted he couldn’t take it. Truth be told Mobius had been a little insecure when he and Loki first met, having little confidence and not really knowing how to talk to people – but even then he would always shower Loki with gifts and treats. Now that he’d come out of his shell, he was far more certain of himself and happier to be who he truly was, but that sweet, shy little man with a beaming smile beneath his ridiculous moustache had never left.
“Ack!”
Loki jerked his head up, fearing that Mobius had injured himself only to see him dancing around at the shore with a crab attached to his foot. Clearly, he wasn’t shy anymore.
“Darn.. sea… -monster!” He yelled, plucking the crab from his leg and throwing it far out into the sea. Loki couldn’t help but laugh before covering his mouth as Mobius stared at him indignantly.
“Don’t you dare be laughing at me.”
“I wasn’t!”
“Mhm, that’s what they all say.”
Loki smiled as Mobius glared playfully at him, watching as the older man pointed at his own eyes and then at Loki’s before turning to grab the jetski.
It was nice, seeing Mobius like this. Having the time of his life – even if it was with that cursed jetski.
He sipped on his cocktail, glancing at his easel. He supposed he should probably have a go at painting something, or else there would have been no point in carrying his things all the way here. But what? Letting the sounds of the birds and the waves fill his ears, he looked around for inspiration. Maybe the ferns behind him - the green colours would be fun to paint – or perhaps the sky? He could always have another go at the ocean, but painting water wasn’t really his forté.
His sandals fell to the floor with a soft pat as he let the sand run through his toes. It really was nice to be free from the bustling life of the city – maybe he should try painting the water again. He set up his easel, organising his paints on the shelf before adding some to his palette. Frowning slightly as he drew his guidelines, he eventually began to paint. It wasn’t the best thing he’d ever made, but it was nice regardless; it was therapeutic to watch the sea slowly gain depth, the waves becoming more defined as he added detail to the little waves and pebbles at the shore. A couple birds in the sky, some driftwood, a fern or two, and of course the little jetski in the distance.
Loki stepped back with a sigh, chewing the end of his paintbrush as he analysed his work. It wasn’t perfect, but it was nice regardless.
“That’s beautiful, Lokes.”
Loki turned to face Mobius, freshly soaked with seawater and panting slightly. He’d left his jetski at the shore, the ride having left Mobius looking both exhilarated and exhausted.
“Yeah, well don’t get it wet.” He picked up a towel from the sunlounger and handed it to his partner, smiling as he rubbed his hair with it like a wet dog. “I wasn’t sure if I got everything right, the waves don’t look as deep as I hoped.”
“It looks perfect.” Mobius threw the towel over his shoulder, placing a soft kiss on Loki’s cheek. “And we’re here all week if you wanna try again. You can paint me whenever you like, ya know.”
Loki quickly looked away, down to his feet as he leant against the smaller man. “Maybe.” An arm curled around his waist at his words, settling just below his ribs.
“Unless you want me to paint you?”
Loki grinned as he leant back, Mobius resting his head on his shoulder. “I’d love it if you did, darling. Your work’s very… unique.”
“That’s one word for it.”
The two laughed, enjoying each other’s company as they looked at the painting.
Loki leant his chin on the shorter man’s forehead, nuzzling his cheek against his hair. “Thank you for bringing me here, Moby.”
“Thank you for coming.” Mobius smiled, kissing Loki’s neck and hugging him tightly. “It’s always better with you.”