71 hours before
71 hours before
_Jedediah has proposed marriage to me and I have accepted
He raised an eyebrow when he heard the Roman. He didn't want to sound resentful, but... had the General come to gloat?
He took a deep breath, reminding himself that Jedediah was not Mobius. That they were different people. That they came from different stories.
That they weren't even real.
And... and yet...
Octavius was going to get his happy ending.
It was... it took a nobler soul than his not to feel bitter about it.
So as not to feel that he was losing a part of his own knowing that this would happen.
He opened his mouth and closed it again, thinking about the words he was going to say. For a brief moment he was tempted to use his vicious tongue and vent his pain in a witty and hurtful remark, but a memory came to mind.
"That's not who I am anymore"
He had said to Sylvie and he had been sincere. He no longer had the strength to be that Loki. He had lost everything, even hope. He was an empty shell that served as an ornament in a museum, condemned to be alone because of his bad decisions.
"You'll always be the God of Mischief, but you could be more"
His brother had sentenced him when the video in which his life was portrayed will show his actions in Sakaar.
And the brute had been right.
If he only had decided to be more. Much more than what was always expected of him, he would not have been anyone's pawn. Not for Laufey, not for Odin, not for Thanos. Nor would he have been anyone's punishment. Not to Frigga, not to Thor, not to Mobius.
Mobius whom he had given up to go after a mirage that had turned out to be one more hoax of his own. A punishment for so many of his in the past.
What would have happened if he had encouraged himself to stop for a few seconds to analyze what he was doing?
What had happened to him?
He had fallen prey to the maelstrom and had committed the worst of sins: letting himself be carried away by other people's urges instead of his own.
He should have thought that it was simpler and more feasible to work with Mobius than to work with Sylvie.
Although he had not yet been able to measure the degree of affection that was going to bind him to the analyst, he should have reasoned what he was doing.
That was the first lesson his mother had taught him.
The one who, naturally, like the All-Mother, had smelled something of her husband's stratagem and had tried to protect him from it, teaching him something she had never taught her eldest son: that it was more convenient to disobey Odin than to obey him.
“So, Loki, never ever put the needs of others above your own. Always take into consideration what you need first and do not act hastily, even when times are pressing. You should always give yourself a moment to assess situations properly"
To properly evaluate in those circumstances should have been not to lean towards another God who specializes in deception, like himself.
He had been so stupid. He had been so attached to his old prejudices. So excited with the adrenaline of the moment that he had not realized that his eagerness to solve the question had not come from what Sylvie told him, but from his interest in testing himself against what he had defined as a boring office worker.
Mobius.
The circumspect and easy to disturb Mobius whom he had adored in his embarrassments and explosions when he lie to him and he found out. The one that he couldn't stop playing with constantly.
Compared to Sylvie, Mobius was his own person, not his projection into the pain of others.
Sylvie had been himself, in another moment, in another reality, and he had acted protectively towards that other Loki whom he saw so lost. And he drowned himself in confusion for it. And he had realized too late the confusion.
Mobius had paid for it.
And so had he.
Jedediah, wasn't going to pay that same price if it was up to him.
_My congratulations to both of you - he finally answered, bowing as appropriate to the Prince that he was - May the light of my mother Frigga, Goddess of marriage and fertility, illuminate your bond and bring you as much happiness as possible.
The Roman rose from the seat that his soldiers had carried to the place and, taking his clenched fist to his chest, bowed equally in respect.
He sighed in relief as he got up and met his gaze.
He would be insufferable on many occasions, but Octavius Augustus was a consummate diplomat and to him, who had been raised among people of that same status, being able to move in that well-known area, gave him back some of the stability that he had lost in that place.
_Very good - the Roman said then, returning to his portable seat - I think that now, we can properly enter into negotiations.
_Beg your pardon?
He asked puzzled.
What negotiations was he referring to?
The colors rose a little to his face. Could it be that the other would be worried that he might interrupt their wedding or show up uninvited at it?
_If... what worries you is my presence at your nuptials - he went ahead in explaining, clearing his throat feeling a little uncomfortable - I can assure you that...
_No, no, signore. Your presence in them is contemplated - explained the General, adjusting his toga - In fact, I must warn you that they will take place in three hours, according to the time that my assistant Sergio has extended to us, regarding the organization of the event.
_Three hours? - he asked stunned - Are you getting married in three hours and are you here talking to me instead of being with Jedediah?
The Roman smiled sideways and leaned his elbow on one of the arms of the carved seat and his face on the fist of the same arm.
_My amore, is suffering my tailors right now. Since while his boys in the Wild West diorama don't have much of a problem with how one dress for any occasion, my troops will not allow a General to marry in front of the Vestal altar with a couple not dressed appropriately for the situation. So, I have been banned from being at Jedediah's side, until his robes are ready to the eyes of the tailors.
The Roman explained, laughing low, probably imagining the not very pleasant moment that the men in charge of the clothing of his troops must be having with the blond, since it was known to the whole world that the cowboy used to make jokes about the robes of the romans and how uncomfortable they seemed to wear compared to his pants and shirts.
He breathed in and out, participating in the other's humor.
Jedediah had something of Thor in that regard.
His older brother hated the time to he loose trying on clothes and waiting for them to be fixed to fit him. The blond god of Asgard preferred to dress them and conquer a horde of women with them, but not go through the process of creation that they entailed.
Contrary to him, who enjoyed it enormously that same process and who had learned to accelerate it, through the exercise of certain spells that provided him with the necessary attire, for the corresponding situation.
He closed his eyes, letting power pulse through his veins again.
His seidr had never been absent from him.
He supposed that the young pharaoh's tablet, being partly magical, recognized the fictional magic he possessed and allowed it to exist as well. Very diminished, since he had proven that he could not exercise more than minor and limited spells, but present enough to abandon his TVA uniform and cover himself in front of the General's eyes in his royal Asgardian garb.
The General went through his clothing with his eyes from head to toe. As a good military man, he was probably judging the advantages and disadvantages of leather on the battlefield.
_It is a good choice - he finally said crossing one of his legs over the other - According to the rank and the event that you’re going to attend to.
He raised an eyebrow at him again.
He had been raised in a royal household, what did he expect?
That appeared in the middle of the scruffy miniature room in the TVA suit?
He shook his head. If he had, really, he couldn't have blamed himself. The last few weeks… had been hard.
_My dear - continued the Roman when he saw that he had not answered him - as you are aware, when changing my legal status from single to married, new responsibilities associated with the situation appear.
He nodded.
He knew them well because, no matter what ruling class you grew up in, whether in Midgard or another world, the rules were always the same.
_In my land you rose to lead a house - he said sitting in front of the man, since continuing to stand was really inconvenient when your interlocutor has the height that Octavius had.
_In Rome - said the General making gestures for one of his aides-de-camp, who until now had remained separated from both, staying with the regular troops, to approach him and give him a scroll of what he assumed was parchment - the name given is pater familias.
_The father of the family - he translated smiling - The title is familiar to me.
_I do not doubt it - recognized the General - Although the one you knew as Odin could not be considered one. In the Empire, the Pater Familias was not omnipotent and certainly could never have behaved towards the son of a royal family in the way he did, without having severe consequences. We Romans are civilized, young prince, we had a Senate and laws.
His eyes widened when he heard him.
How…?
How did he know about Odin and...?
_You saw the series - he mumbled, narrowing his eyes.
_Yes - the General admitted without blushing - Jedediah was worried about you and me too and didn't know how to help you. I am a military man. I need knowledge to be able to act. And, just as I went to the museum library and the information area, to learn about the Wild West when we woke up thanks to the tablet, observing your series seemed the most appropriate to be able to understand you.
_Jede... and you... you were worried about... me?
He asked pointing to himself.
_My future husband is a good judge of people, prince. He is often right when he says that someone is good. And he was convinced that you were.
_You didn't seem so convinced of it, not long ago - he pointed out.
_Yes, I didn’t. But it had nothing to do with you to be honest - the General explained - We had a little misunderstanding with my amore and... for a moment I thought I had competition in your person.
_But you didn't have it - he said, smiling.
_As you do not have it with Mobius - the other answered quickly.
_Mobius is a subject... that I would rather not touch - he murmured, lowering his eyes - Especially today.
_I understand. I will not mention it again.
Accepted the Roman and his lungs worked again.
He couldn’t...
He didn't want to think of Mobius the day Jedediah got married.
It cost him horrors to separate the cowboy from the analyst and, as long as he did not appear in his mind, he could survive the wedding of the other without major problems and then retreat back to his exhibition to lick his wounds in private.
He felt a brief slap on his leg and looked up to see that the General had raised from his seat and was holding out the scroll with the hand that did not cover the crimson of his robe. He received it thinking that the clothing suits him. The man wore a special uniform, with a chest of armor covered with designs that featured the eagle of his empire in golden colors and bright details, which matched his sandals.
_What does it say? - he asked, opening the small document.
_It is a proposal from me and my future husband - explained the Roman - When we unite our lives in marriage, the possibility of providing direct descendants becomes impossible, so we must resolve the issue of succession.
He blinked in amazement.
_I'm not Roman...
It slipped from his mouth and he wanted to mentally hit himself.
That was the least important of the issues!
_The adoption ritual does not require that the adopted person be born or even belong to the Empire. Once the pater familias performs the corresponding rite, it becomes by adoption a citizen of Rome.
He raised one of his hands stopping him.
_Octavius... I am not a young person whom you can mold as a successor... in fact, I am not considered a good ruler...
_With all due respect, Loki, I differ - the General told him - As a Prince you were chosen as Regent...
_Because Thor was been punished in Midgard!
_And with reason, he had behaved like an arrogant and irresponsible brat. Proving to be totally immature for the role he had to play on the government.
_Because I tricked him, Octavius. If not for my strategy, Thor...
_Would have ended up punished in the same way, Loki. Odin had no interest in making him assume the throne. What's more, I'm sure he was counting on you to find a way to ruin that coronation, without him being involved - added the Roman - Only, he do not calculate that you would use frost giants and that the thing will end up escalating.
He opened his mouth and closed it again.
No… he hadn't thought it like that.
But it could well be.
Odin... Odin reasoned in that way.
_Once Thor was removed and sent to Midgard, away from the bad influence of his friends and the protection of his mother... Isn't it strange that Odin falls into his sleep after having argued with you? Don’t you think that it is inexplicable that he would do what he did if he were not sure that you, considering the training you had and the anxiety to be accepted and valued that you have, would not take advantage of the Asgardian People? Come on, son, you are more intelligent than that - Octavius said crossing his arms - And, since we are discussing the subject, that same people, Asgardians, had you twice as ruler. Don't you think they didn't perceive that it was you? That they did not know? At least those closest to Odin were aware of what was happening. You can be a master of disguise and imitation, but you are never good enough to fool a second-in-command.
Had the citizens of Asgard decided to turn a blind eye?
Why?
_I presume that... Odin's decadence was very notorious and that his first-born's mistakes were also notorious as well - said the Roman, answering questions that he had not realized he had asked aloud - The second prince was less popular but more efficient and, if the problems in the royal house, dictated that he have to disguise himself in order to govern, well, as long as it will not cause problems and bring bonanza and stability, it could well be excused. The common people, the vulgar, have a certain nose for these things.
_That does not mean that... I do not belong to your people and that I do not know them and that... this is delusional Octavius, I have many more years than you, even if they are fictitious and...
_Roma it’s an idea Loki. You cannot be born into an idea. You have to live it and learn it. My people will accept you, if you accept them and learn. And, the fact that you are many more years old than me and that you present this set of skills that you demonstrate, it will result in added value for them.
_You… Do you understand what you are proposing to me?
He asked, still puzzled.
He… he was no one's benefit.
He was Loki. God of mischief and fire. A constant problem.
Octavius sighed and reached over to place his small hand over a part of his.
_Who needs to understand correctly is you. Our proposal is not a tie without rights, Loki. You will be considered our son and heir, but you will be your own person and you will have your space as you have had it until now. You will participate in our home and our life and, certainly, I will expect you to fulfill a certain degree of responsibilities that correspond to the heir to the throne of an Empire, but I will not impose on your person, unless it is an emergency and the most extreme case, no order and, under no circumstances, will it be inhumane and / or offend your dignity.
_Why…? Why do you want me in your life and in your worlds? Why?
The General raised his face to meet his eyes.
_Although with an important difference, son, for the same reason that Mobius wanted you in his.
He swallowed hard when he did not discover a single note of deception on the other's face, while he felt that tears had begun to flow down his face without realizing it.