Roxxcart
He was conflicted. On one hand there was an enchanting, mysterious variant of himself practically inviting him to join in the mischief. She had activated the tempad and not yet closed the doorway. She was practically begging for his assistance in whatever her twisted plan was. But on the other hand there was Mobius. A man he had met mere days ago (if you could class the time they had spent in the TVA as days) and yet there was something there. Something that drew him towards the man, a weird feeling he couldn’t quite describe.
“Loki!”
He turned to see Mobius sprinting towards him, desperation in his voice. Although he was far, Loki could make out a look of plea on the man's face. Pleaing him to stay? Begging him to stay? He figured it was probably to save his own skin, if Loki disappeared under his watch who knew what the Time Keepers may have in store. If the punishment for variants were pruning what would it be for agents?
“Loki, wait!”
But say it wasn’t for his own personal safety. Did Mobius care about him? Did he not want him to leave because he felt about Loki the same way Loki felt about him. It was all too confusing. Too many questions clouding his head until they were practically ringing in his ears. He turned to the door-like portal.
“Wait! Loki, wait!”
And as he began to rush to follow the woman, he heard Mobius speak once again. It made him feel scared and hopeful and confused and fearful and excited and every other emotion he had felt in his life plus hundreds more he could not identify. With one word he knew.
“Please” Mobius muttered just loud enough for Loki to hear. His voice desperate and cracking. He was vulnerable. Loki stopped.
“I’m not going anywhere.” Loki yelled back. The portal closed behind him just as the minute men caught up. Mobius stopped a few inches from him. Relief filled the agent's eyes and he looked up at the man stood staring back down at him.
“She’s gone.” One of the men said scanning the surrounding area.
“Where’s Hunter B-15?”
“The variant took control of her. There were bottles with women on them smiling, the sign said toiletries.”
Mobius signalled for the others to run and find her, as he still stood opposite Loki. He placed a hand on the God's shoulders. If it were anyone else, he would have flinched or jerked away from the contact, but weirdly, it was comforting.
“For a moment I thought you were a goner!” Mobius smiled.
“Me?!’ Loki dramatically expressed. “Never!”
The man chuckled and took his hand away from his shoulder, something Loki never would have expected to leave him feeling so empty. Suddenly the entire building shook beneath their feet. A few screams could be heard from the basement of the store, signalling the urgency of their departure. They started walking quickly through the isles of damaged products. Loki couldn’t help but examine the cute little way the man he was following strutted. His hands were flexed, fingers stuck together as his arms dangled by his side, back and forth. His slightly interned feet overlapped like pigeon steps and his large coat flapped about by his thighs. Suddenly Loki found himself… admiring how as cute Mobius was when he simply just walked.
“We managed to Locate C-20, they're okay just a little shook up.” Mobius explained.
“And?”
“And what?”
“Come on Mobius, you're not telling me everything.” Loki inquisited as they turned a corner.
“I have!” he exclaimed, his voice edging slightly higher in pitch. Mobius was an amazing agent, but a very bad liar. He could maybe fool the average Midgardian, but Loki was the God of Mischief.
“I think you forget who you're trying to lie to.” He smirked. Mobius halted to a stop and faced the man who paused behind him.
“Look, if I could tell you I would, but you are still a variant, and if I were to tell a variant of your kind Ravonna would murder me.”
What did he mean ‘your kind’. Those words stung more than Loki would like to admit. Did Mobius not trust him? Why did he care so much? He never cared before. He had experienced enough prejudice and insults in his life so that he had learned to numb himself to it, but from Mobius! To be honest he shouldn’t have expected anything less, he’s the guy who can’t be trusted.
Loki didn’t realise how long his face had remained emotionless as he was lost in thought.
“You okay big guy?” Mobius asked, his hand once again laying to rest on Loki’s shoulder, the emptiness from before filled. As much as he hated it, he couldn’t get Mobius out of his mind. His words, his touch, his looks, his-
There was a loud crashing sound. Mobius grabbed onto Loki's other shoulder, pulling them both down to their knees and wrapping his arms around his head in protection. The doors to the store had burst open, glass sprayed everywhere. The wind and rain were flooding into the shop and the remaining lights that still flickered on went dark. The fear from those trapped below could be heard, their voices carried in the gusts. Products were flying off the shelves, crashing onto the floor before being picked up again by the wind.
“Loki are you okay?” Mobius yelled. Although they were a few inches apart it was nearly impossible to hear his voice. Loki simply just nodded
“We need to find A-9, he'll be with B-15. He has my tempad.” Mobius let go of Loki’s head which he had pressed against his chest with both arms wrapped around in an attempt to keep him safe. Mobius knew it was an impulse decision, what he was still trying to figure out amidst the chaos is why he felt so protective over Loki more than he ever felt about himself.
With immense effort, he got up off the now soaking floor which was steadily filling up with a layer of water. Mobius lent a hand to Loki who took it and hauled himself up to his feet.
“Now would be a great time to magic up an umbrella or a snorkel or something.” Mobius said, shielding his eyes to scan the store. Suddenly Loki noticed a yellow orange glow out the corner of his eye.
“Mobius!” He yelled “Over there!”
They ran towards the glow of the portal back to the TVA, trying not to collapse to the floor and not get hit by the debris flying at them.
“You still okay Loki?” Mobius yelled to the man running behind him, making sure he was still alright.
“Yep, just a bit wet!”
The screams from the basement rose louder and louder, making it harder for Loki to block them out. Finally they reached the portal, Mobius ushering him in first. Loki turned back, hesitating.
“There are families, Mobius! Children. Please we can’t leave them here.” Loki pleaded. Mobius was taken aback by the compassion shown by the God of Mischief. This was the very same man who led the battle of New York a few days ago.
“You know I can’t do anything. This is their purpose in the timeline. If it were my choice-”
“But it is your choice!”
“You know it’s not Loki!” Mobius sighed. They both turned their heads to the sound of the front of the store being blown in, an entire wall collapsed with half of the roof following suit. The screams became so quiet they were barely audible, but they were still there.
“Get in!” Mobius yelled as he pushed Loki through, entering straight after.