They’ve worked diligently all day. And by evening the flat is tidy and clean, there is food in the fridge and cupboards, and Mobius even got them a set of new clothes.
They sit at the table in their little kitchen, Loki nearly falling asleep. His head drooping closer and closer to his half eaten bowl of stew.
“Alright. Time for bed”, Mobius says. “Don’t forget to brush your teeth. I’ll clear the table.”
He has done the most work today. Went out to the corner shop to pick up some necessities. Scrubbed the floors clean of any dust. Cooked the dinner. And he has enjoyed himself, he realises. Even put on an apron while working in the kitchen so his shirt stayed clean.
Loki helped in his own ways. With a lot of magic. That’s a thing they have to talk about. Soon. Maybe tomorrow evening or the day after. Soonish. Let them both calm down a bit. Get accustomed to their new living situation. Their new life.
Mobius smiles.
Loki picks up the green toothbrush and squeezes an extensive amount of toothpaste on the bristles. He likes the feeling of the cooling mint filling out his mouth. Cleaning teeth this way is still a bit new to him so he swallows some of the foam before he can spit it out into the sink. On Asgard they mainly used little picks.
There is the flash of an ache inside him. He’d like to show Thor how to use these Midgardian (“Earth”, Mobius always corrects him) appliances. But then, Thor probably already knows because of Jane.
Loki puts the toothbrush back in its holder. Closes the mirrored door of the cabinet above the sink. Turns around before he can see his reflection.
He goes into his bedroom and stands motionless for a while. It’s quiet but for the humming of the radiator. A small lamp on the nightstand next to the bed spends warm light.
Loki can smell the clean sheets. On top of them are a dark green T-shirt and some shorts.
Slowly Loki changes into the new clothes. They are still warm from the tumble dryer. Mobius wouldn’t let him wear them without a good wash first. And Loki was fascinated by the washing machine.
Shirt and shorts hang down lose on him. But the fabric is soft. Smells of laundry detergent. And Loki is happy to be finally rid of his TVA outfit. It lays forgotten on the floor.
He climbs into his very own bed in his very own room. Pulls the sheets up. Shuffles around a bit.
A soft knock. Mobius enters. Holding a mug in his hands.
“I got you some warm milk, if you like. It might help you go to sleep quicker. But the way you yawned earlier you are probably out in a second.”
He puts the steaming mug on the nightstand. Sits down on the edge of the mattress.
“Are you warm enough? Do you need another pillow?”
“I’m good. Thank you”, says Loki quietly. He feels very warm inside.
“Don’t forget, I’m right there in the next room. Wake me up if you need me, alright?”
Loki nods. Wriggles himself deeper into the pillows. Feels safe and sleepy.
Mobius gets up. Turns off the light.
“Can you leave the door open a bit?”, Loki asks.
“Of course.”
“Thank you.”
“Good night, Loki.”
“Night, Moby.”
Despite being so tired it takes Loki a while to fall asleep. He wishes he could’ve spend another night on the sofa. With Mobius.
He feels secure in his bed. But with Mobius he feels protected.
Misses listening to the other’s steady heart beat. A hand on his back, in his hair. Being held.
It’s so dark in his room. He lets a little string of lights play around his fingers. Before they can fade Loki is asleep.
Loki is back in the tunnel under the TVA. Sirens roaring. Lights blinking.
His heart is racing. He needs to run. But his legs are so heavy.
Where is Mobius?
He turns around but Mobius isn’t behind him.
Loki panics. He wants to shout. But no sound leaves his lips. The words are stuck in his head.
He can see the elevator. Doors wide open. But Mobius isn’t there.
Loki spins around. The tunnel goes on for ever. He can’t see the end. An infinite maw.
He needs to find Mobius!
Every step is painful and slow. And then he stumbles. Hits the floor.
Needs a second to catch his breath.
When he tries to get up a distorted mask hovers over him. Illuminates him with its horrible orange glow.
“There is no way to run, Loki Laufeyson”, drawls Miss Minute in a voice that is too sweet for her face. Her eyes sparkle anger. Her mouth inhabited by tiny sharp teeth.
Loki swallows hard. A scream caught in his throat.
“I will prune you! The way I pruned your friend.” She spits the word out. Mockingly.
“And there is no place to hide from me. I will find you. We will find you.”
With a flickering motion Miss Minutes duplicates herself. Again and again and again. Until there are thousands of clocks.
With a terrifying screech they charge upon Loki.
And he finally lets out his scream.
Eyes wide open Loki searches his surroundings for familiarity. But there is only darkness. And the light he tries to summon doesn’t make it beyond some sparks.
He’s breathing quickly. Sucking in the air faster than his body can cope with.
He throws himself around. Can’t move his legs. Something holds them back. Ties them down. He falls. Lands hard. Frantically tries to free his legs. Succeeds. Bangs his head on something. The nightstand.
For a moment Loki lies motionless on the floor in front of his bed. Sheets tangled by his feet. T-shirt sticking to his back.
He tries to breathe in slower but his body is still in flight mode.
It takes him a while to calm down. And then he starts to shake with fear.
“Mobius!”, he whispers. A panic grabs his heart. He tries to get up. His legs nearly give in. But he makes it out of his room to the next.
“Mobius!”
It’s dark in here too. But he finds his way to the bed.
“Loki? Is that you?”
A light gets turned on. Sitting up in bed Mobius blinks away the sleep.
And then Loki is upon him. Hangs onto him. So tight as if he never wants to let go. He sobs.
“Shh, it’s alright, it’s alright.”
Mobius wraps his arms around Loki. Caresses his back. Doesn’t know what’s going on.
“You are all sweaty. Did you have a bad dream?”, he tries to guess.
But Loki can’t speak. Tears are flowing down his cheeks as he presses himself into the hug as hard as he can. As close as he can.
Mobius lets him cry. Draws circles on his back until his sobs subside into little hiccups.
“Can you tell me what happened?“, Mobius ask finally. His voice is quiet and calm. He pulls Loki’s head back so they face each other.
Loki’s eyes are big and scared. Mobius gently brushes away the last tears with his thumb. Something moves inside him, tugs at his heart.
“Was it a nightmare?”
Loki nods. He doesn’t trust his voice yet.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
Loki shakes his head.
“Sometimes it helps to talk about things. Things that frighten us. We don’t have to talk now. But maybe you want to tell me tomorrow?”
Another nod. Then: “Can I sleep here? With you?”
It’s so quiet Mobius nearly thinks he’s imagined it. But Loki’s frightened and hopeful look tells him he’s heard right.
“Of course. Come here.”
Mobius moves and makes room for Loki by his side. Loki cuddles right up to him. Searches for the closeness and warmth. And Mobius puts an arm around him. “It’s all good now. You’re safe. And I won’t let anything happen to you.”
With his other arm he reaches over to turn off the light.
“Can we leave it on? Please?” Just a whisper. But urgent.
“Sure.”
Mobius pulls the sheets over them both, forms a little hood around Loki’s head. Brushes some sticky curls from Loki’s forehead.
“Now try to go back to sleep.”
Loki relaxes into the touch. Sighs. One hand grabbing Mobius’s shirt as if to hold on to him.
And Mobius stays awake until he is sure that Loki has fallen asleep. He listens to the other’s breathing slowing down.
Loki’s hand never lets go. And Mobius tries not to move too much. So they stay close all night.