Chapter 13- the ending
It had been a week since they had confessed their love for each other, spending every spare moment locked in each other's embrace. Loki had moved into Mobius' apartment officially, which was made apparent by the numerous luxury hair and body items in the bathroom, and the appearance of a sweet jar on top of the cupboard in the kitchen, already close to being empty.
The dresser in the bedroom was stuffed, full to the brim with a wide variety of clothes. Loki had spent an entire day browsing through the warehouse, picking out things to wear and tossing them to Mobius, who stumbled behind them with aching arms. It was an exciting day for Loki, as it was the first day that they were allowed to finally wear something other than her dull uniform. Although the range was fairly limited, Loki had carefully selected the finest quality clothes available: she had always taken pride in her appearance, and she wasn't about to change.
Mobius, grouchy and exhausted, suffered through it all. Loki’s smile made everything worth it.
It was the day after their trip to the warehouse and they were both in their usual positions on the bed: Loki's head resting on Mobius' chest. Mobius was reading a book (something about space cowboys, Loki assumed from the front cover), with wire-framed reading glasses perched on his nose, one hand idly stroking his partner’s hair. Loki rifled through a small box set beside her on the bed, full of various trinkets and accessories that she had scoured from the warehouse. They held each aloft as they appraised them, jewels and metal sparkling in the light. The pile by her feet were those that had been rejected, either out of newfound distaste, or because they were fake. A small mountain was growing on Mobius’ stomach, which was where all of the approved were placed.
Mobius took care to keep still, so as to leave the collection undisturbed. He finished the chapter he was reading and closed the book, setting it on the nightstand. For a few moments, he gazed at Loki in silence, watching her pale fingers dance over the gems and beads as they inspected the surfaces.
Loki, feeling the weight of his stare, tilted her head back with a soft smile. Her blue eyes twinkled like jewels themselves, and Mobius felt his heart flutter. Their beauty never failed to captivate him.
Mobius voiced the thought aloud and Loki’s ears turned pink.
“Well, I am magnificent,” they said playfully, gesturing to her face, but her eyes had darkened with a heavier emotion.
Mobius noticed and sat up, pulling Loki with him. The collection on his stomach tumbled onto the bed sheets with a clink. He positioned himself so that they were face to face and rested his hands on her cheeks.
“You are beautiful,” he murmured, continuing when Loki opened her mouth to disagree, “I mean it.” He leaned his forehead on theirs. “You are beautiful inside and out.”
Loki closed her eyes. She hated how much those words meant to them, but loved Mobius all the more for saying them. Vanity and perfectionism was a weakness of hers, and they were often plagued by self-loathing. Hearing those words from someone who knew her completely, who knew her truth and wouldn’t hesitate to share his, momentarily silenced the rebuking voice in her head.
Mobius paused, watching the emotions flit across their face as they processed his words. He thought back to how they were in the cell when he found her. It made his blood boil to think about what those hunters were doing, but it made him sadder to think of what Loki thought of herself to react the way they did. None of the fire and manic energy from the screen. They had talked about it, of course, all night talking and crying and comforting each other. But there was one thing that wasn't mentioned.
Eventually, she settled, he pulled away slightly to look them fully in the eyes. He spoke again, daring to ask the question that had troubled him since he found Loki bleeding in the cell.
“What,” -he cleared his throat- “what did Ravonna say to you?”
Loki opened their eyes, peering at him with understanding. They didn’t need to ask for clarification. She knew that this question was coming, and had been on the tip of his tongue for days now, but she hadn’t quite prepared herself to answer.
Her mouth opened, but no sound came out.
It wasn’t as though the statement had been groundbreaking. It hadn’t inspired a vehement reaction, nor had it been too dull to mention. It was emotional, but no great revelation. It was merely one of those statements that were best kept to oneself.
Perhaps one day, Loki might find the strength to share what Ravonna had uncovered within her, but until then, that small truth would be kept just for herself. After all, there would be many days to come in Mobius’ company. There would be plenty of opportunities to bare whatever pieces of her soul that he had yet to see.
The thought made them smile and a warmth spread through their chest. They looked at the man before them, his face touched with concern and slight confusion. Loki shook her head, brushing off the question.
“It doesn’t matter,” they said, lacing her fingers in Mobius’, “all that matters to me now, is us.”
Mobius smiled and kissed the tip of their nose.
He would wait, he decided. He would wait forever to hear her troubles. Until then, he would stay by their side, until time itself unravelled.
That was his glorious purpose.