Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Bargaining for Control

Loki fiddled idly with the Tesseract after speaking his truth. Mobius watched him intently, seeing the vulnerability he tried to conceal by busying himself with the glowing cube. Disabling the baton, Mobius placed it on the table and dug his hands into his trouser pockets, contemplating on what he was about to offer this Variant. It wasn't something he'd necessarily considered before with previous ones, but this one was much more… compliant and capable of seeing reason.

"I might not be able to give you any salvation, but I might be able to offer you something better," Mobius said, taking a few steps toward Loki. "You like making deals—exchange of services, right?"

Loki chuckled, ceasing his fiddling with the cube, he pressed it between his palms. "You are offering me a job?"

"More like a partnership," Mobius corrected. "I handle the special cases, complicated ones, as they come down through the pipeline. Turns out I have a particularly slippery one on my hands that I think you'd find most interesting. Maybe having a puzzle to solve will help occupy you while you figure things out."

"You don't care about my well being," Loki hissed, but Mobius could see he was mildly interested despite the walls he was trying to build back up. "Aside from doing your dirty work for you, what is it worth to me? And what is there to figure out? I cannot go back to..."

He trailed off, glancing at the projector screen before dropping his head between his arms, gently resting the Tesseract on his forehead. Mobius watched as he looked up enough to stare back into its dull blue glow, it mixing with the deep emerald of his eyes.

"You could maybe figure out yourself," Mobius suggested after a few beats. "If you'll have me, I might be able to help you get there, and maybe even get at least one of the things you want."

"And what, pray tell, would that be?" Loki questioned, flicking his gaze to meet Mobius'.

"Control." The word lingered heavy in the air for a moment, and Loki's head inclined ever so slightly at this. "Control over yourself, your choices, your life."

Loki tilted his head, thinking, but kept his gaze trained on Mobius. He was patient, but knew he had him.

"And your terms for this is to be your servant?"

"My terms are for you to cooperate and work with me," Mobius reiterated. "And offer you some guidance on the matter in the process."

"You wish for me to surrender to you, to be at your mercy." Loki got to his feet then, approaching Mobius slowly and at an angle, as if stalking prey.

Loki only stopped when he was mere inches away and looking down at him. Mobius met his intense gaze with impassive light blue eyes.

"And what would submitting to someone like you do to benefit me?"

Loki wasn't stupid, Mobius knew he'd detect the implication of his words. Mobius clicked his tongue, unbothered by the intimidation tactic.

"Well," he said, splaying a hand at the center of Loki's chest and pressing firmly against him enough to have him take a step back. "Boundaries, for starters."

Loki looked surprised at the bold gesture, allowing the pushback. Mobius inclined his head to keep eye contact as he dropped his hand from between them.

"How to establish them, enforce them, respect them, which brings me to the other point. Respect. Everyone likes to be respected, but the level you wish to have has to be earned. We already went over control, but that is also on the table." Mobius looked to the floor then, as if lost in thought.

Raising a hand in between them, he silently counted the points he made on his fingers, gauging Loki's physical response through his peripheral vision. "Trust might be a bit ambitious, but not completely out of the question, I believe. It is a basic requirement for this to work, after all."

Loki turned his face away from Mobius at the comment, exactly the reaction he knew would happen. "They all might be something useful and good for you in the long run, who knows? Right now, what really is there to lose anyway?"

Mobius reached a hand out to Loki, looking back up at him expectantly. Loki just stared at him for a long, drawn out minute before closing the very short distance between them once more. Standing at Mobius' side, Loki ignored the outstretched hand.

"I'll play your little game, but don't think I will play it nicely or your way," he uttered under his breath.

Mobius curled his rejected hand to point a lazy finger Loki's way, slightly shaking it between them. "That, I think we shall wait and see about, yeah?"

Loki quirked a brow, and it took everything Mobius had to not smirk. "I also never said you couldn't have any fun along the way. In fact—" Mobius shifted his weight, placing one hand on his hip and the left on Loki's shoulder, giving it a quick pat, "—I encourage it."

A long beat passed between them. Mobius was slightly surprised he rendered Loki speechless for the time being, but only waited a bit longer before deciding to move it along.

"Shall we get started? I can get you into something less demeaning, give you some time to clean up and contemplate things, then we'll go over the contracts and training sessions—"

"Contracts?" Loki cut in sharply.

Mobius nodded confidently. "You'll want them after you see what they cover."

"And what is wrong with the verbal agreement already made?"

He smiled, countering the intensity of Loki's gaze. "Having a physical copy of an agreement on hand provides accountability for one to uphold. Offers more stability and foundation. And they are the first step in achieving a level of control and mutual trust. I also have this feeling that a simple verbal recognition between us isn't going to hold its weight as effectively as it would on paper."

Loki looked like he'd just been slapped, and Mobius turned away so his grin couldn't be seen. He opened the door and motioned for Loki to go on ahead. As he did, he slipped a hand into the jumpsuit pocket and nicked the Tesseract hidden there, fingers grazing his hip in the process. Loki froze at the sudden action, but Mobius simply pressed his free hand into his back to nudge him along.

"I'll hold onto this for now," he said, holding up the cube. "Maybe if you do well, I'll think about giving it back."

Loki tisked, half-rolling his eyes as he followed him to wherever they were going now.

"Welcome to my humble abode," Mobius announced, pulling a keycard from his jacket to scan into the door he stood in front of.

Loki looked around briefly, they were in an empty hallway lined with orange doors against beige walls. There were no markers on them, which had Loki wonder how Mobius knew that he was at the right one or if it even mattered.

The room slowly lit up in a dull, tangerine orange glow. It was very small, square, and had two doors on the right wall. There was a bed against the left wall that took up most of the space, an end table beside it with a lamp and a magazine on top, and a lone lounge chair tucked in the corner closest to them and that was it. There were no windows. Everything was a shade of beige, tan, brown, and orange.

"How… quaint," Loki said, not hiding the disdain in his voice.

"It's not much, but it does the job." Mobius slid off his shoes and shrugged off the drab brown suit jacket, laying it over the chair. He gestured with a hand to one of the doors while loosening his tie. "The washroom is over there. Take your time, what's mine is yours. I'll have a new set of clothes ready for you here."

Loki made to head for the door Mobius pointed out but was stopped by an arm he bumped with his chest.

Mobius looked up at Loki, giving him a silent gesture as if he was forgetting to do something. When it clicked, Loki let out an exasperated sigh.

"You cannot be serious?"

"Oh, I am." Mobius leisured into his space and dropped onto the bed, reaching for the magazine. "I would like to encourage you to maybe pick up the pace just a bit, though. We are under a slight time restraint with my schedule."

Loki stood in the entrance just staring at Mobius. He flexed his hands before relaxing them. "Why do I feel like I shouldn't be here?"

"Because you shouldn't be," Mobius said simply. "Think of it as a trial run between us. I won't tell if you won't."

"Why me?"

"Now, that's a question for later. Right now I'd take advantage of the now."

Loki contemplated this, there was nothing stopping him from killing the man in front of him and blend in with the environment until he figured out how to get out of there… but where would he go? Letting out a breath, Loki slowly took off the white-strapped shoes and went into the bathroom. The space in there was not much better.

The tawny orange tile burned his eyes, even the shower stall was that burnt orange color. The soaps were colorless, scentless, and simply marked, which was a curious thing because he could smell a faint musk on Mobius that he couldn't quite pinpoint the scent of. Loki decided to take advantage of what was given because he still had the layers of grime and dried blood on him even after being processed and losing his entire attire to that ridiculous robot. It felt nice, to say the least, to have the warm water cleanse him of everything… of everything that had happened, but what came to the forefront of his mind was what he saw in that film room.

His life was laid out before him like some kind of play paraded about like it was nothing. They had even the earliest days where he watched himself being taken from Jotunheim by Odin, being raised alongside Thor, learning magic with his mother, Frigga. All the times he got into a bit of trouble with bouts of dirty tricks and mischief with the other children. When he tricked Thor by turning into a snake and then surprise stabbing him…

And even his more personal moments were put on display. The ones he did remember were incriminating or a means to cull the loneliness. Those that had yet to pass for him appeared to be out of a need in order to survive more than anything, whoever the Grandmaster even was, he didn't seem the sort to be at odds with. Having a dalliance with a Valkyrie, however, was probably one of the more genuine moments. Even though it didn't happen to him directly, he could tell that they felt comfortable and sated with each other even if it was for a short time before...

Shaking his thoughts away, he stopped the water and wrapped a beige towel around his waist. Loki stepped in front of the mirror and slicked back his damp, black hair, the curls in it flat from the water it retained. The jumpsuit was gone, he noted, replaced with a neatly folded dress shirt and brown slacks sitting on the edge of the counter. He wasn't going to question how they got there, unaware of Mobius entering the space, instead he pulled the off-white long sleeve on and the trousers, forgoing the undergarment and purposefully leaving the shirt unbuttoned as he exited the washroom.

Mobius was still on the bed, magazine open and covering his face. This man intrigued yet unsettled Loki with how easy he could see right through him. It was admirable, infuriating and… something else he couldn't figure out but it made his chest feel strange when he had touched his shoulder, back, and brushed fingers against his thigh.

Loki approached, taking the liberty to sit at the center of the bed to pull on the cotton socks.

"So now what?" he asked.

Mobius closed the magazine, taking in Loki for a moment before swinging his legs off the bed opposite.

Abandoning the magazine, he moved around to face Loki. "You clean up well."

Loki stood, allowing his height to loom over Mobius and making him tilt his head upward so he could see him properly. The shirt hung open between them and the silence drifted for a moment. Loki could feel the heat between them and noticed the agent's wandering eyes.

"Though I appreciate what you are attempting to do here," Mobius continued, and Loki tensed slightly, holding his breath as he started to button the shirt up. "Please try and tone it down for the time being until we have a chance to go over a few things."

He gave Loki a light pat on his chest once he made it to the top button, leaving a warmth behind that dissipated just as quick.

"There is one thing missing," he said, moving to the door to the left of the washroom. "Do you know how to do a tie?"

"Pardon me?" Loki asked, quirking a brow, unsure of what he heard.

"You know," Mobius motioned his hands in front of him before pulling a tie out from the closet. "A tie."

"I'm afraid I do not."

Mobius gave him a look that hinted at doubt but returned with a tie in hand anyway and expertly threaded it around Loki's collar and proceeded through the overlapping and weaving to get that perfect knot at the base of his throat cinched up. To finish it off, Mobius buttoned the collar in place and took a step back to admire his work. Loki found the closeness and contact strangely exhilarating.

"Looking sharp. Let's go get some work done."

Mobius placed him in front of a well-organized desk with a strange screen that was off-set on it with countless files of papers and folders lining the other side and all around him. The first thing that was handed to him was a twenty-five page TVA contract that went over their ridiculous propaganda and ironclad rules. What was appalling was that it was the 'light' version, but since he was working under the supervision of Mobius, he had very limited access to information. Mobius was positioned in the aisle next to the desk doing his own reading.

"Hold on," Loki said, giving Mobius a look. "It says here that the Variant is subject to pruning should their use to the agent is no longer required. This includes, but not limited to, the Variant providing information that is not integral to the assignment, whether it be false information or unrelated to the case. The behavior of the Variant is left to the discretion of their handler and may be pruned should they find the Variant uncooperative or difficult to maintain. This is absurd."

"How so?" Mobius questioned.

"Because it is subjective and entirely one-sided. It is saying that I could be killed for breathing wrong."

"Well, it's a good thing I am not trigger happy, then," Mobius assured, patting Loki's forearm. "They have to put that in to cover their own hides. It also says that all Variants working under the supervision of a TVA agent must wear a time collar and have a Hunter with a time stopper baton always activated present but I overturned all of that."

Loki stared at him. "Why?"

"Because I know that it would hinder your ability to properly cooperate for one," Mobius said, leaning back in his seat. "And two, you operate more efficiently without the threat of harm or imprisonment lingering over you."

The feeling that settled in Loki's chest was foreign. He couldn't figure out if it was gratitude or discomfort from Mobius speaking of something quite personal. Not knowing what else to do, he reverted to indifference.

"Right."

"This is a give-take agreement. In order for me to receive maximum results, accommodating you within reasonable expectations will help me get that," Mobius stated, and that feeling quickly vanished.

Of course there was a valid motive behind providing him such a comfort.

Without taking his eyes off Mobius, Loki flipped to the last page, grabbed the pen nearby, and signed in Runic on the dotted line without bothering to finish reading the document. With good measure, Loki corrected the paper stack and slapped the pen on top of it. Mobius didn't rise to the bait.

"Great. I'll get you set up for the training, and while you're occupied with that, I'll get our other contract together."

He leaned in front of Loki to wake up the screen. He could smell that musk again on the agent, and he decided that he quite liked it if only he could figure out what it was exactly. It seemed familiar but so foreign. Their closeness stirred something briefly in him, but he shook it away as he attempted to watch what Mobius was doing over his shoulder. He straightened up and gestured to it a second later.

"You hit this button to play the video. They auto-play after that so no need to do anything else. The same button will pause it." Mobius picked up the contract and tucked in under his arm, laying the pen on a yellow notepad that was hidden underneath. "For notes. You will be quizzed so stay alert."

He gave Loki a pat on the shoulder and excused himself. Loki watched him leave, still unsure how to process these gentle touches. They came after encouraging or reassuring statements. He was certain he liked the gesture, but after feeling that strange mix of emotion from before, he wasn't sure how to handle this kind of attention.

"The following contract is constructed with a Dominant and submissive relationship in mind," Loki read out loud and with unhidden snark, flicking dangerous eyes in Mobius' direction. "This agreement will be upheld by all parties as it contains details that have been agreed upon by them and how each person expects the predetermined relationship to proceed. If, at any time, one or more of the persons bound to this contract wish to withdraw and dissolve the agreement, then all parties must be present to foresee the proper closure and dismantlement of the contract in question.

"Adjustments to the binding contract may be held and considered should one or more persons involved request it. This is ridiculous," Loki said suddenly, slapping the paper hard on the desk.

The pair were alone in the office space, or at least for now, which insinuated it was fairly late, or at least a time where people trickled out to sleep or eat. The entire place and how it operated confused him, though, so ignoring it entirely was best lest he lose his mind trying to figure it out. Mobius had him running videos and scrawl out so many pointless notes from them that his hand actually started to cramp. Now that they finally had a moment to themselves, he was handed this more personal paperwork put together by his handler to go over.

"But it is good to know and be aware of," Mobius pointed out, lifting a cup of coffee to his lips, completely unfazed by Loki's reaction. "The next page is where everything is broken down for you to yay or nay over. Everything listed is what I am willing to do. All you have to do is cross out what you don't agree with, highlight what you will do, and question mark what you're unsure of, then we will go over it together and sign once everything is agreed upon."

Loki tilted his head, suspicious. "That's it?"

"That's it," Mobius said. "No schemes, no hidden agendas. Everything is laid out on paper of what to expect from me and what is expected of you and we do not deviate from it. You hold the choices and decisions of what those expectations are."

"I'm not so sure about this. It seems too simple," he muttered, flipping the page to scan the list of the first section.

"Sometimes simple is good."

Loki grew silent as he turned the pages and skimmed the lists. It was all so clean, neat, straightforward. From pain, pleasures, to day-to-day activities, obligations, and meals, all broke down into subcategories and what potentially fell under them should they be approved.

Hand feeding, for example, was listed under both general meals and praise/pleasure rewards. Whereas choking (Loki crossed that off entirely) was listed as both a punishment/pain and pleasure/kink. The sub-category of it, however, listed two separate gagging options.

"What is Gagging - Other?" He questioned, finding the lack of an additional list to it unsettling.

"It covers anything that is not expected to be used as a gag but could still potentially provide it," Mobius explained. "Things like clothing—ties, belts, sleeves of a shirt, fingers."

Loki's brows shot up at the last one, looking up at Mobius with an intense curiosity. "What?"

"You know," he continued, making a pyramid-shape with his fingers and mock-demonstrating the motion of shoving them into one's mouth with his other hand. "Finger gagging. I personally find it enjoyable. It's like a display of physically going in and taking one's voice from them in a way."

Though the description of it was unsettling, it strangely had Loki's attention and he promptly placed a note on it beside its respective category.

"Anyway, the standard ones are intentionally made to gag and are made of some sort of material—soft leather, vinyl, rope, and may or may not have additional apparatuses on them."

Loki quirked a brow. "Like what?"

Mobius rolled his shoulders and lazily looked at Loki. He clearly could see through Loki's feigned ignorance, but didn't seem to mind entertaining him anyway.

"You've got your ball gags, gags intended to completely remove the ability to speak, your feeding gags, gags that permit oral sex."

The word rolled off Mobius' tongue so casually and smoothly it had Loki shiver involuntarily at it. Maybe this agent really did know what he was doing with him after all.

"Right," was all he said in response, making sure to note beside it, 'No Silencing.'

As he ticked things off the list, he started to feel self-conscious about what he found desirable. He was fair game with most of what was there, to say the least, though he made sure to note that choking was one of his hard limits, as the contract called it, though gagging he was fine with if he could still somewhat speak. When he was finished, being especially meticulous about the punishment portion of it, he was quite pleased with himself and what little he wasn't willing to do. When he pushed it over to Mobius to go through, Loki couldn't help but feel a bit elated to see how the agent would respond.

Mobius sifted through each page carefully, only asking one or two questions to clarify something before adding in his own note here and there, but what had him stop dead was the end. He tapped on the category of nicknames.

"Now here is where we are at odds." Mobius pointed at it with the pen. "I am not allowing you to call me anything else besides 'sir' or my own name. If anything, you would be considered the pet."

"Out of the question," Loki deadpanned. "I refuse to grovel more at your feet than what I've essentially and embarrassingly already agreed to. I will not humiliate myself any further by calling you 'sir.'"

"Alright," was all Mobius said, crossing out both nicknames and noting 'None - Names Only. - Offense Resulting in Minor Punishment Category of Doms Choosing' beside it. "Should you deviate from this, appropriate punishment will be given. Are we in agreeance?"

Loki gave it a quick scan before reluctantly nodding. He always wanted a pet, and even if Mobius wasn't going to appease him by allowing him to be called as such, he could still treat the situation as such.

"Okay," he said, "Now we need to settle on a safe word. Have any on your mind?"

Loki chewed at his lip when Mobius met his gaze, finding that part of the contract a tad silly, he doubted Mobius would even push him close enough to his limits that would essentially require it, but wasn't going to argue over it.

"Not at the moment, no."

"We will come back to that later, then." He made a quick note before signing on one of the lines and pushed it toward Loki. "The second this is signed, we are officially inaugurated, so to speak, and will be effective immediately."

Loki accepted the pen and eyed Mobius' elegant signature and printed lettering of his name. He found it slightly odd that his first and last name were the same, mildly curious if the middle M was just the same.

"You wish for it to be in Latin text? I did not do that with the other one."

"You can do both, if you wish," Mobius said with a gentle smile.

Loki obliged, signing his name in both Runic and Latin text before placing the pen on top of it.

He wasn't exactly sure how anything was going to play out, but he did feel really good about having the ability and freedom to map out everything about this agreement between Mobius and himself. Though, he knew to not underestimate the agent again, he had confidence that the game that they both agreed to play would lean heavily in his favor.

Chapter Text

Test of Control

Mobius took them back to his quarters after detouring to the cafeteria to pick up a few cans of Josta to stash. Loki wasn't pleased to be used as a pack mule, holding the cold, sweating cans in the crook of his arm and pressed against his chest. He pondered over the contract that was neatly tucked under Mobius' arm and realized that he hadn't mentioned something important that may need added to it.

They stepped into the small living space and Loki just stood in the doorway while Mobius plucked the cans from him. He was left with a damp shirt and an annoyed expression that he was essentially used as a cooler.

"What are those, anyway?"

Mobius held one up as if to demonstrate it. "Only the best beverage ever made."

"That is quite biased considering it comes in a metal container," Loki retorted as he removed his shoes.

"Care to try it?" Mobius offered a can to him.

"No. But I do want to talk about the contract again, if we may?" Loki asked, glancing at the paperwork Mobius still held. "I failed to disclose my uh… overall expression."

His handler looked at him, giving him his full attention. Though Loki felt that the man must've already known what he was about to say. He seemed to know everything else.

"I'm genderfluid," Loki continued, holding up his hands somewhat in front of him. "I hope that does not bother you."

Mobius looked unfazed. "Not at all. It was in your file. Bisexual as well, I believe? But what were you wanting to add to the contract?"

"Well if the desire arises I may wish to be referred to with different verbiage, mostly. Considering magic doesn't work here, I'll make due with what I can," Loki said, a hint of spite lacing his words.

Mobius gave a lazy nod of his head and placed the papers on the end table nearby them. He pulled a pen and turned it to the appropriate page to add the note in. "Just let me know whenever that need comes and I'll adapt. Anything else?"

"Should the chance present itself…" Loki swallowed then, unsure how to word what he was wanting to say. "...and I am capable of physically changing, would you be… accommodating?"

Why was he suddenly feeling very nervous and bashful about discussing something as simple as his identity all of a sudden? He wasn't going to deny he quite enjoyed changing his sex when he felt the need to be comfortable and present accordingly, of course he could do without since that wasn't really an option at the moment. It just felt strange talking to a virtual stranger about it even though that stranger knew everything about him already.

"Look," Mobius said, turning to face him, "I can assure you that it will not be an issue with me. Okay? I was actually a bit surprised this didn't come up earlier, but I am sure you had your reasons to wait. I will get a draft written up to work that part of you in and we can re-sign it tomorrow. Will that work?"

Loki chewed his lip, feeling his nerves settle slightly at the kindness in Mobius' voice. He nodded in agreement and folded his arms in front of him to try and stave off the feeling of vulnerability he felt. Mobius moved over to him then and gave him a gentle pat on the shoulder and a smile of reassurance.

"Yes, that will do," Loki answered, squirming under Mobius' touch.

Mobius nodded and started to undo his tie and shrug off his jacket, opening the closet and tossing them into a corner. He turned around holding a pair of what Loki could only presume were sleep clothes that was a rather drab taupe with brown stripes—dull like everything else in the TVA.

"Now, if you like, you can grab a set to wear yourself. I usually just dress in here but…" Mobius trailed off, appearing to hold back a smirk as he headed for the washroom without continuing his trail of thought.

He watched him lazily as Mobius disappeared behind the door. Loki moved toward the closet to inspect it once it was clear, seeing a small square thing placed on the floor in front of him. He opened it and saw it was a cold box now packed with the Josta beverage. There were suits neatly hung up in a set of six as well as six pairs of pajamas. An appropriate number of shoes sat on one shelf and another had socks laid out on them. Hidden away in the darkness was a pair of sleek brown boots. Loki tilted his head curiously at that. He scanned the other side where Mobius tossed his clothes and another strange square object sat in the dim light on the opposite side of the cold box. Loki flipped it open to see Mobius' jacket and shoes he'd worn were placed there. He found the entire thing quite sad, honestly, but he really didn't know what to expect to find in there, either.

Loki grabbed one of the beverages since there was nothing else in there, feeling a little thirsty, and looked over the can. The labeling was quite loud with its choice of crimson shade and obscure lettering on a bright yellow backdrop. The black cat crouching over it was a nice touch, at least, but Loki was still apprehensive about it and wondered why Mobius was so obsessed with it. He popped the can open and gave it a hesitant sniff, finding the scent and the sizzling sound a bit off-putting.

He heard the bathroom's door open and he swiftly closed the closet and stood up to look at Mobius. He walked toward Loki slowly, holding his clothes in his arms, pointing at the opened drink he still held as he went to the closet to deposit them.

"Didn't think to ask at least?" Mobius scolded, dropping his clothes in the bin. "You try it yet?"

"No, but the smell of it is quite off putting," Loki said, making a face. "I was feeling a little thirsty is all. I didn't think taking one would be a bother."

Mobius gave a slight perturbed look before smiling. He silently gestured with his hand to insist on trying it. Loki gave a tilt of his head before bringing the can to his lips and took a hesitant sip of it. The taste was strange, fruity but… something very unpleasant about it lingered behind, like the fruit was poorly fermented and an added substance was meant to muddy up the aftertaste. The fizziness of it on his tongue was also quite unpleasant. Loki pinched his face and shook his head, holding it out for Mobius to take.

"It tastes atrocious."

His handler simply chuckled, taking the can before Loki spilled it everywhere. "It does have an acquired taste to it. Maybe try another?"

"There is no way I am going to continue poisoning myself with that, thank you," Loki said.

Mobius quirked a brow. "You can't just waste this."

"Why not you have it then?"

"I can't have this now or I will be awake all night," Mobius said. "Besides, you're the one who stole it in the first place."

"Can't you just put it in that box of yours?" Loki questioned, gesturing to the closet.

"It would go flat if I did that." He handed the can back to Loki. "But now it is yours to finish. I'd hate to see one go to waste like this, so make sure it doesn't."

"I refuse to take another sip of this wretched drink you tarnish yourself with," Loki complained, half grimacing, half sneering at the can that he reluctantly held once more.

"Well, you should've thought about not taking something that doesn't belong to you, then."

Loki stared at Mobius, holding the can out in-between them. He felt like this was some odd test and he didn't quite like it. Mobius had a strange switch he could flip at any time, something Loki himself was quite familiar with, but having it play out in front of him like this was a tad unsettling but intriguing. There was no way he was going to take another drop of that horrible substance, however, and since there was no other option available, Loki made one by slipping by Mobius and moving toward the bathroom.

"What are you doing?" Mobius asked, following Loki and standing in the doorway of the tight space.

Loki smirked slightly, tilting the can just enough for some of the liquid to pour out over the sink. Mobius made a strange jerk of his body as if wanting to stop Loki but hesitated.

"Come on, you wouldn't."

"I'm simply disposing of the vile substance, Mobius." With a wicked smile on his face, Loki proceeded to empty the remains of the can into the basin.

"Don't!" Mobius half-shouted, reaching for the now empty can feebly.

Loki dropped it into the sink for good measure. "Problem solved."

Mobius looked like he had watched a murder unfold right in front of him. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed heavily, shaking his head.

"Those are hard to get ahold of, Loki," Mobius snapped, grabbing him by the arm and pulling him out of the bathroom and back into the cramped living space. "Look, I'm tired, but I see what you are trying to do, testing the boundaries and all. Fine, whatever, I'll give you a pass for now and deal with your insubordinate behavior later, but that was really uncalled for and unnecessary, alright?"

Loki fixed a hard look at his handler, not answering.

He made a motion toward the bathroom before dropping his hands to his sides, sighing. "Now, we have a busy day tomorrow and I would like to get my eight hours in. Which reminds me…" Mobius pulled his TemPad from his chest pocket and fiddled with it. "Your sleeping quarters."

A greenish-gray portal appeared nearby Loki and he glanced at it momentarily before looking back at Mobius. "I thought I was staying here?"

"You are, in a sense. Here, I will walk you in," Mobius said, placing a hand in between Loki's shoulder blades and pressing into him, commanding him to follow.

The two entered the strange green portal and Loki froze in his tracks at what he stepped into. It was his own bedchambers in Asgard exactly as how he last left it. The soft glow of the fire bowls that hung off the walls illuminated them both in its soft, yellow-orange light, glinting off the gold trim that lined the frame of the bed. He looked at Mobius, confused.

"Are we…?"

"Nah. This is just something pulled from your memories," Mobius explained, having a look around. "Quite fancy, if I must say. High ceilings, ornate structure. Certainly far from cozy and quaint that's for sure."

Loki stared at his bed before turning around to face Mobius. "I'm afraid I do not understand."

"It's a fragment of memory materialized into the real thing. It is just this space, though, if you exit or try and leave it will just lead you right back here. But you can sleep here and be completely safe," Mobius said. "No one will bother you and I'll come get you in the morning."

"Okay," he responded hesitantly, not liking it.

"Okay." Mobius nodded, turning back toward the green door. "Now, did you need anything to sleep in? I can get you something if so."

Loki stared at his handler for a long moment, taking in how the glow of the firelight illuminated his garment and danced off his sun-kissed skin. Smirking, he slowly closed the distance between them. He risked leaning in slightly, lowering himself just enough to be level with Mobius' ear.

"I favor sleeping in the nude," Loki said in a hushed tone, pleased to see a minor shiver emit over Mobius' body. "But you already knew that, didn't you?"

Mobius inclined his head to meet Loki's gaze, jutting out his jaw slightly. "I wasn't going to enforce our agreements etiquette until tomorrow, especially with the few minor adjustments that are to be made now. Hence why I stupidly let you off the hook for that crime you committed back there."

He reinforced his statement by pointing at the portal beside him as he spoke. Loki raised a brow at this, curious as to why Mobius would do that after stating that the contract was considered active the second they signed it.

"Interesting," Loki said slowly, returning to his full height. "Why would you pardon me? We are bound."

Mobius raised his hands briefly before simply shrugging, not seeming to have a proper answer. "Call it another trial run."

"Mm, since we are on the topic," Loki said, trailing a finger across Mobius' jawline before resting it under his chin where he gently grabbed it to incline his handler's head more than it was, exposing his neckline. "Do you think Josta would make a fine safe word between us? I find the thing vile, yet you find it enjoyable. Seems easy enough to remember and relate to, don't you think?"

Mobius sucked in a breath, acting as if he'd been slapped. He batted Loki's hand away and pointed a stern finger at him.

"Boundaries, remember?"

Loki flicked his tongue out of the corner of his mouth, tilting his head to one side. "Yes, of course. However," he purred, closing the distance even more between them, his hands easily finding the man's hips. "I wish to serve out my punishment for my misbehavior now."

Mobius got very still, listening to Loki carefully to try and keep focused. "Why? You got a free pass. Figured you of all people would eagerly accept that."

As he spoke, Loki slipped his fingers into Mobius' waistband and lightly grazed his nails over the agent's hip bone. He was quite good at speaking with a level voice, that would be useful for later, perhaps. Loki gripped Mobius' hips then, pulling him close enough to grind against himself. What he found most amusing was that he was making no effort to pull away or deflect again despite his scolding about boundaries and the like.

"You are correct. But I figured we could play it out anyway in… what were you calling it? A trial run? If anything, it is a great aid for a good rest, I hear."

Loki had tested this question by pulling Mobius' sleep pants down just a bit so the band rested just under his hipline. He trailed his fingers over his handler's lower stomach, feeling the strength hidden behind his flesh as he reached the center below his navel. Mobius was deceptively strong. Loki made small circles there, watching as Mobius rolled his head back and seeming to melt into his touch. Loki had to have had him now, but kept it to himself as he gracefully knelt before him.

"You can't say that you've not been eager to know just how wicked my tongue really is." He lightly nuzzled against Mobius' stomach, taking in that faded musky scent in the process. "What say you?"

He did not stop his teasing fingers, but even with him looking up at Mobius under the soft light, he could see the dampness start to soil the fabric that hid his cock. The quietest of moans filled the space, and soon Loki felt Mobius' hands tangle in his hair, gripping it roughly but Loki found the sting exhilarating.

"You've permission…"

There was no hesitation, taking advantage of how easy it was to pull the fabric down, Loki had Mobius exposed in front of him within a second of his approval. Though, it seemed like there wasn't going to be much teasing or admiration going on as he had planned, for Mobius gripped at the back of his head and pulled him closer to his swelling cock, anchoring him in place. This was essentially a punishment on his end, he supposed, so the roughness was expected. Gripping Mobius' hips again, Loki wet his lips before parting them over the head where pre-come already moistened it. The stifled hiss and digging of fingers into his scalp indicated that Mobius had not fully anticipated or prepared for what was currently unfolding.

Loki smirked at this and didn't wait before completely swallowing Mobius' impressive thickness down in one motion. His handler nearly collapsed on top of him, however, and he carefully withdrew so he could suggest repositioning.

"Bed. Now," Mobius commanded, releasing Loki's hair to guide him up.

Loki barely waited for Mobius to get situated against the bedside before returning to his knees and consuming him once more. He grazed his teeth against him ever so gently on the pullback, but Mobius continued to dig his fingers into Loki's hair and scalp, effectively restricting his movements enough that he almost grew annoyed by it. That was until his handler thrusted his hips forward so he could fill Loki's mouth and throat once more.

He started to play then, snaking his tongue around the head of Mobius' cock. He took a hand and pulled back the foreskin enough in order for him to properly work the extra sensitive flesh. Mobius whined above him, using the edge of the bed to anchor himself against when his legs decided to tremble. Loki had found his niche and fell into a gentle rhythm of sucking and toying with the head while working the shaft with his hand. He'd slide him completely in every so often, allowing his tongue to trail over the entirety of him before reverting back to the drawn out teasing Loki found quite enticing.

Mobius would buck against him suddenly if he moved his tongue a certain way, almost choking him with his cock at the reaction. Loki found that his handler had good endurance and managed to hold back his climax for a while, but this made him want to find that edge to send him over the threshold that much more.

He slid his hands down over Mobius' thighs, leaving light pink trails behind. Taking Mobius' entire length in the process, he hummed against him while a hand started to fondle his sack. Mobius breathed heavily above him, yet managed to keep his firm grip on the back of Loki's head. A shiver snaked down his handler's body a few seconds later, and Loki tensed slightly when Mobius jolted deeper into his mouth. He was close at last, but a devious thought crossed Loki's mind if he should purposely delay him now, though he could admire Mobius' energy despite his claim of being exhausted earlier.

He slowed his pace and curled his tongue around Mobius' head. He continued to fondle his balls and slid the other hand around to cup his arse. Curious, Loki dipped a wandering finger in-between them, grazing it against Mobius' back entrance.

"Fuck, Loki!" Mobius gasped out, straining against Loki's mouth and now exploring fingers.

Loki deep-throated Mobius then, giving him a good suck, he felt the tightness in his sack before feeling the hot seed spill down his throat. His hands found hips again and he braced himself against them as Mobius pushed his hands against his head, digging his fingers deep into Loki's hair and scalp. Loki greedily drank his handler down, sucking every last drop from his cock until it started to go flaccid. Loki released him with a satisfying pop of his mouth off Mobius' head. His dick gave a valiant sway in response to it before continuing to go soft.

Mobius pulled Loki up by the firm grip on his hair, he had stumbled back onto the bed at the motion, but Loki made a point to remain firmly in place between his handlers legs while appeasing him by shifting to a straighter posture. Loki was breathing raggedly, spit and come gathered in the corners of his mouth as he met Mobius' gaze.

"Trial run, eh?" Mobius half-whispered, sliding his hands forward to cup Loki's face. "Better not hold out on me next time."

Loki flicked his tongue out to collect the remaining fluids from his lips, eager to kiss the man staring him down. "We've only just begun."

Mobius chuckled at this, releasing Loki and slowly getting to his feet. Loki shifted back to give him space and had to catch the whine in his throat when Mobius re-secured the pajama bottoms back over himself. He held a hand out for Loki to accept and he helped him off the floor. Loki stood over Mobius, hovering close as he silently hoped Mobius may change his mind and either allow him back to his room or stay in this one with him. He wasn't too keen on remaining here alone, and his offer still hung heavily in the air that he, indeed, had just started to scratch the surface of what he was capable of in order to please and pleasure the agent for his own gain.

"Let's not get too ahead of ourselves, yeah?" Mobius said after a very long time. "You're forgiven just this once, though. But don't take things that aren't yours."

He gave Loki a gentle squeeze on his shoulder before moving past him and for the green door, only pausing in front of it briefly to look back his way. "Get some rest. Good night."

Loki didn't respond, instead he made for the door the second Mobius stepped through it only for it to close inches in front of him. He sighed at the dead space, disappointed in the outcome. Not like he wasn't used to being alone in his room, he did sleep far more soundly when another was with him even if he woke up alone afterward. Throwing himself over the soft bedding, he stared at the ceiling, lost in thought, trying to decode why he did what he did to appease Mobius with the hope that he would stay or have him. Whatever the case, it clearly didn't work. It was a nice thought at least, but the exhaustion started to trickle in and he pushed that thought away, sitting up to strip before burying himself under the mound of royal purple blankets and pillows.

If he pulled them around himself tight enough, it felt like he was getting a hug…

Chapter Text

Balancing the Control

If Loki was thirsty before, he was quite parched now and hoped there was something other than that dreadful drink to quench it at the cafeteria. Mobius had gently woken him from an unsettled sleep holding a fresh set of clothing for him that he generously left on the bed before excusing himself. He seemed to be really keen on privacy, or was maybe just playing up being bashful about it. Whatever the case, he left the murky green door open when he departed.

He dressed quickly and stepped through the portal to meet Mobius who was finishing with his tie. Loki was feeling particularly annoyed today (it was his own doing, but he wasn't going to admit that), so he decided to be a nuisance regardless of what the day held.

"G'morning," Mobius said, shrugging on his jacket. "New day, looking forward to the fresh start ahead of us."

Loki looked at him, unamused by the enthusiasm he was welcomed with. "You're quite chipper."

Mobius gave him a slap on his back before taking his shoes to the entryway. "It's so I don't remind myself that we are running a bit behind this morning, so if you could hustle some we can still make breakfast."

Since a meal was on the line, Loki refrained from rolling his eyes and attempted to get his tie done but kept fumbling over it. Seems like he wasn't fibbing about not being able to do one—by hand, anyway. Mobius let out an annoyed sigh and came over to help him. Loki barely had time to slip his own shoes on.

"Come on," Mobius said, grabbing his arm and dragging him out of the door.

They all but sprinted down the angled halls for the cafeteria, making it with a handful of minutes to spare. Mobius swiped the first things he saw and placed them on a tray. Loki went to the beverages and grabbed a water as well as a hot mug of water with a bag of unmarked tea.

"One drink per person," the person behind the counter said when Loki met back up with Mobius.

"It is water," he said irritably. "One is just hot."

"One drink."

"Please don't start with this," Mobius said, rubbing his forehead. "Just put one back."

"Fine," he snapped.

Turning away from prying eyes, he went back to the beverage area and slipped the small bottle of water into his pocket before returning to Mobius with hands in the air. "Better?"

The TVA was easily a headache inducer, but they didn't seem observant enough to notice his theft as Mobius led them to an empty table. Loki noticed he was staring at him, but purposely ignored him as he prepped the tea.

"Bad night?" Mobius asked after a moment, sipping his coffee.

"Whatever do you mean?" Loki asked sarcastically, eying the bowl of mysterious substance Mobius pushed his way. "I had a splendid night. Seems like you did too considering you're running late to a job that you've been doing since forever."

"The attitude says otherwise," Mobius pointed out, focusing on stirring whatever it was in his own bowl. "Not getting exactly what you wanted must sting. There is no need to be a sourpuss about it, though."

Loki glowered at him, flaring his nostrils in agitation at how heavy handed that statement was.

"Better eat up. We only have a few minutes."

This whole being rushed thing was not going to work out so well if it became a regular occurrence. Loki hesitantly pulled the bowl to him, poking at it with the utensil that was shoved in it already and gave it a quick sniff. It looked to be some kind of grain mixed in cream and had very small pieces of fruit in it. Mobius tapped at his watch, pulling Loki from his thoughts to look at him.

"Time is of the essence, Loki," Mobius stressed, already finishing his own bowl and coffee. "If you want more leisure time with your breakfast you'd wake up sooner."

Ah, so he was going to play the blame game that way. He rolled his eyes at that, it wasn't as if Loki tripped Mobius and he fell into him with his mouth catching his cock or anything. Blaming him for oversleeping was child's play, especially when he simply could've said no and enforced it. The idiot was practically begging, so he was not going to be held responsible for his tardiness. If Loki was in a better mood he'd think it might've been good for him that he got a decent night's sleep, but he didn't feel like throwing a pity party because at least one of them got it, and it wasn't him.

He decided to drink his tea to get rid of the scratchiness in his throat instead of arguing about who was at fault. There was barely a hint of mint flavoring in it, but he drank it anyway and chanced a bite of the porridge-like meal. It wasn't bad, and the fruit happened to be peaches, but just as he started to settle into accepting it, Mobius dragged him to his feet, and he snatched the bowl up as he was guided to Mobius' cubicle by a light hand on his lower back.

"You aren't supposed to bring food or drinks outside of the cafeteria," Mobius scolded but didn't take it away.

"You take that rotten drink outside of the cafeteria," Loki snapped between hasty bites.

"When you've been here as long as I have you're granted certain privileges," he said, "Privileges that do not extend to my charges."

Loki managed to finish before they entered the other room and tossed the evidence in the bin that he passed. Mobius did not approve based on the heavy sigh he made but made no comment. They got to his desk and Mobius promptly parked Loki front and center at it, waking up the computer device and setting up whatever nonsense he was going to expose him to today.

"Hope you took notes because today is quiz day," Mobius said, pulling the yellow pad from a shelf and placing it on the desk for Loki.

Loki blinked a few times in confusion. "Already?"

"Just do your best. It's all the easy stuff," he assured, giving his shoulder a squeeze. "I'll be back soon."

Loki expressed his annoyance with a heavy huff, watching as Mobius disappeared around a corner.

"Hey, y'all!" a feminine voice said, startling Loki.

A holographic clock now stood on top of the notepad, waving at him with a cheery smile. "Welcome to the Time Variance Authority's training regime. I'm Miss Minutes, and I will be your liaison today. Let's get started."

She motioned her hand to the computer screen where a question and a list of answers appeared on it. Loki growled in annoyance, scanning the text before glaring at the clock who rambled out a bunch of stuff he wasn't listening to. This was going to be a strenuous, bothersome day.

By lunchtime Loki was bordering on a murderous state of mind. Miss Minutes grated on his nerves and reprimanded him for everything. She was certainly one of the worst things he's had to endure for quite a while. Mobius had come and gone throughout the morning, sipping away at that drink every time he came by (on purpose, Loki just knew it). The peppered praise and touches to his back and shoulder was probably the only thing that truly kept him from setting the desk on fire simply because he liked it and wanted for it to keep happening. And the only way to get it was to cooperate and behave… mostly.

A tap on his shoulder pulled him from his plotting thoughts, and he looked up to meet Mobius' gaze.

"Lunchtime," he said, flicking his wrist.

Loki quickly got to his feet, ready to be anywhere but here. Miss Minutes waved them off, her shrill voice saying something but he long since tuned her out.

"I have realized that you've yet to tell me what this assignment you recruited me for actually is," Loki said, falling into step with Mobius' gait.

"And you didn't think it was on a need to know basis?" Mobius asked, pushing the door open and holding it for Loki.

"Figured as much, but I don't even know anything about it to begin with," Loki stressed. "I do like to have at least an inkling of what I am getting myself into beforehand."

"I know," he responded so casually, like he was keeping a twisted secret from him. "And again, a need to know basis. I want you to stay focused on the training first before feeding your curiosity about anything else."

Loki sighed, clearly exasperated by the answer. How was he supposed to prepare without knowing what lied ahead? Obviously he wasn't a stranger to it, but knowing that there was useful information purposely being kept from him drove him to infuriating levels of annoyance. Strategic planning did have its uses, especially when there was reliable intel available just out of reach. He's killed people for less, and that wasn't even on the table, either.

"Fine," was all he managed to say.

He tailed Mobius through the line, taking the liberty to choose his own meal this go around and hopefully not be rushed through it like how the morning went down. They took their seats in silence, and Loki absently played with whatever open-faced sandwich and carrot sticks he grabbed while lost in thought. Mobius sat across from him, content with his own lunch and focused on writing out whatever it was. Probably the portion of the contract that needed to be drafted. Loki slid his leg forward, making contact with Mobius' that he pressed against, sliding the tip of his shoe up his ankle. It was just enough for Mobius to look up and catch his gaze, and Loki gave him a lazy smirk in return.

"Can't you just give me a little something about it?" he asked so sweetly, leaning over the table. "A name or… a cause? Anything."

"You will not be satisfied until you get it, will you?" he asked.

Loki simply continued his subtle gesture of tangling his leg in and around Mobius', holding his attention as he waited ever so patiently for his handler to give in. He let out a sigh, leaning heavily in his seat.

"The Variant we have been after is another version of you. They have been quite the pain in the ass for us, like someone else I know."

Loki's brows shot up at this snippet of news. Though it was just enough to satisfy him, it did not stop the ever bubbling list of new questions about it to come forward.

"It all makes sense now," Loki said, smiling devilishly. "To catch a me, you need me. How poetic."

"As if you needed the ego boost, but you're welcome anyway," Mobius said nonchalantly, pointing his fork at Loki's lunch. "Might want to get on that."

"What's keeping you—us—from looking for the Variant now?" Loki probed, hoping that he wiggled in just enough.

"Because we have no idea where they are. We have no choice but to sit and wait for their next target," Mobius explained, stabbing into his spring salad that was mixed with zucchini, avocado, pepper, and red pepper flakes.

"And what is that?"

"Our minutemen squads."

Loki was more confused about everything than when he was before. Before long, they were back at Mobius' desk and he was, yet again, summoned away. He swore that man never sat still, it was probably because of all that Josta he drank. Before Miss Minutes could get too far into her drivel, Mobius was back and pulled him away to a briefing on his first mission.

He botched it up, but it was a nice little try to see how far he could push Mobius and the others. He managed to stall just shy of the redline, however, and he was a little disappointed in not being able to see what exactly would happen should it reach that threshold.

Mobius, however, was very unhappy about the deception used against him. He was quiet as they left the Faire and went back to the TVA. Loki wasn't sure why he was so irritated, he didn't even bother using any of his magic, which he easily could have done to trick them even further with his claim. They walked down a lot of hallways and to one of the elevators. Mobius pressed the button for it and silently waited, hands firmly in his pockets as he blatantly ignored Loki standing a little bit too closely beside him.

"Come on, you can't say you didn't anticipate even a little bit of incorporation on my part," Loki defended. "It was hardly anything compared to what I am actually capable of."

Mobius graced him with a piercing look before entering the elevator. He waved an agitated hand at Loki to follow and pressed a button.

"Naturally, but I simply—and foolishly, apparently—thought you'd want to be on your best behavior considering it was your first dose of the outside world in about two days," Mobius snapped out, tone clipped. "Guess you weren't kidding about that wicked tongue of yours being capable of more than what you were originally intending to use it for."

Loki rolled his eyes at that, feeling his own annoyance surfacing. "Oh, shut up. You're the one who—"

A hard sting assaulted the side of his face and jawline before he could fully register that Mobius had slapped him. Loki put a hand under his chin, smirking at the residual bite of the slap tingling under his skin.

"Care to try that again?" he goaded, prepared for it this time.

Mobius had other plans. He grabbed a wrist and twisted Loki around to face away from him and pressed his entire weight into his body, slamming him into the wall. He kicked out one of Loki's knees while leaning heavily into him, forcing the god to kneel. Loki fought against his hold, but found that Mobius really knew what he was doing with the position he had on him. He also felt weaker than he should be, like something was somehow restricting his strength. He really did not like that. He looked up in the reflection of the over-polished gold accented wall, seeing the hardness behind Mobius' eyes as he glared back at him. He stopped struggling then when the feeling of humiliation took over.

"You compromised the mission, Loki. Now I have to answer for it," he said slowly, voice level but firm. "You could get pruned for this."

Loki found himself taking in deep breaths, feeling the burn starting to creep into his subdued arm that was twisted and pressed firmly into his back. His knee dug uncomfortably into the rough ground, but he refused to break the reflected eye contact.

"This is cause for punishment, but not in here," Mobius continued, not slacking his grip. "Need I remind you of your role, you will not talk to me like that again."

The ping of the elevator was the queue for Loki to be released. Mobius was out of the elevator before the doors were barely open enough to slip through, leaving Loki to clamber to his feet and chase after him like a lost puppy. He knew his embarrassment was still fresh on his flushed face, leaving him warm and uncomfortable from it. But the thrill he felt while being forced into submission like that was all that reeled through his mind. All thoughts of the Variant and the mission long gone. He strangely liked it, but also didn't. It was quite a devastating position to be put in to surrender to weakness and helplessness like that, but it rang slightly differently as well.

Did he not indirectly ask to be put in his place by his handler, after all? It was all in the contract, and he had read through it carefully a few times now while gladly ignoring the training so he knew exactly what was there. Everything Mobius did was written in and approved by him, Loki simply was not expecting how he would feel about it when executed, least of all humiliation.

He decided he quite liked this arrangement so far.

Mobius was still quite peeved after his talk with the Judge (a meeting he was not allowed to be in and instead had to wait outside), and was very forward that Loki was not off the hook yet. He made sure that he gave Mobius as much space as he was able in this elevator ride and remained quiet throughout the trip down. He was taken to a new area of the TVA Loki hadn't yet seen; a vast library that was several layers above and below where they were, and wall-to-wall rows of shelves narrowly separated from each other that it was cramped if two people tried to walk between them together.

He was sat down at yet another desk with piles of slightly less organized files and papers stacked up around him. Mobius gave him a reluctant pat between his shoulder blades as he explained.

"These are every case we've encountered with the Variant so far. I encourage you to really get into it, see if we missed something, a pattern or habit that you could pick up that we haven't seen yet." He started to leave then before pausing. "Do well and you can have that glowy cube back, perhaps."

"The Tesseract," Loki supplied with a hint of sarcasm.

Mobius snapped his fingers. "Yes, that thing. You can do this, Loki." And, with another more enthusiastic pat on his back, he started to walk away. "I'm going to grab a snack. I'll be back shortly to check in."

Loki let out a loud, growling breath, wondering why he hadn't managed to wreck absolute havoc on this place yet. No contract would essentially stop him, especially if it was up in flames, but he shoved that ever growing fury down, needing to keep himself in check considering his actual life was on the line and his actions had heavier consequences here than he'd ever experienced so far (he refused to put the stint in New York and what led up to it on that list. That entire incident was littered with far more baggage than he was willing to ever go over at any point again and was glad to keep a tight lid on it until the day he died, honestly).

After what felt like forever and having his schemes thwarted by stuffy librarians, he actually sat down and put some effort into the task given to him. It wasn't an easy one considering what he came across, but after taking a moment to recollect himself and gather his thoughts did it hit him. He was beelining it to the cafeteria where Mobius was the second it dawned on him.

A lot of time had passed and they essentially got nowhere after Loki's revelation. Dinner had come and gone and they didn't stop their search for… who knew really. Mobius suggested narrowing it down to places that had resources before the devastation would hit, but even that wasn't narrow enough. He was dozing off at the table due to the exhaustion of the day (and poor sleep the night before), unable to even register whatever he was looking at anymore.

Mobius tapped his shoulder, pulling him from the haze of sleep, he stretched like a cat and got to his feet.

"Let's call it a night."

The walk back to his quarters was a blur, too tired to make conversation much less capable of listening to anything Mobius might have brought up to begin with. He didn't even bother with Mobius' weird no shoes on inside thing as he slipped in before Mobius and toppled onto the firm mattress.

"You really have zero regard for simple rules, don't you?" Mobius scolded, going through his own mindless routine in the process.

Loki barely mustered the energy to flip him off to pay his opinion on it. He shifted to his side to try and get more comfortable on the impossibly hard bed.

"Careful with that, remember?" he warned.

Loki could feel his eyes scraping over every inch of him, but he didn't care at the moment. Right now he just wanted to sleep, but this bed was not going to do at all. It was so unforgiving.

Mobius exited the bathroom in his sleepwear and damp hair a short time later. Loki had managed to adjust to be slightly more comfortable and propped against the pillows and frame. He flipped through the magazine that always seemed to be wherever Mobius nested at.

"Put that away. God, can you not snoop whenever I'm not around?" he said, sighing and ruffling his salt and pepper hair.

Loki was about to argue, but dropped it back on the nightstand out of courtesy. He pushed enough buttons already, and Mobius didn't appear to be in a tolerant mood anymore.

"You have a great deal of unusual things planted around your spaces that do not seem to belong. Why's that?" Loki asked, genuinely curious about the anomalies.

"It isn't really your concern and I'd like for you to leave it be, alright?" Mobius asked, waving a dismissive hand as he went to deposit his clothing in the closet.

Loki could see he was quite tense and wondered what brought that on. Was it something he did that caused this anxiousness? Before he could dig at it further, Mobius moved to sit beside him on the bed and continued speaking.

"You did great work today, by the way. Might I offer you your prize?" He opened the bedside drawer and pulled out the Tesseract, offering it to Loki. "You earned it."

Loki accepted the dully lit cube, feeling a swell of… something wash over him. It felt nice, but it wasn't because of the cube, it was the words of praise.

"Even with my misgivings? You still grant me this?"

"Why not? Your theory on the apocalypses is a huge feat that should be celebrated," Mobius reasoned. "Though I wish I could appease it further by being able to properly test it. Judge Renslayer will never approve of something like that."

Loki shifted forward, setting the Tesseract on top of the magazine. It really was nothing more than a paperweight, as that oaf had called them, but it still did make a nice little trinket to have regardless.

He pressed his chest against Mobius' back, snaking an arm around his waist to tease the skin just under the hem of his nightshirt. That faint scent still stuck to him, and it was going to drive him mad if he couldn't figure out how it was so familiar to him and what it was. He nuzzled into the crook of his neck, taking in the remaining traces of it while light fingers drew patterns around Mobius' navel.

"I still say we do it, approval be damned," he half-whispered, feeling his handler tense ever so slightly before melting back into him. "No one will ever know. I assure you."

Mobius chuckled, the sound resonated in Loki's chest, mixing with the unfamiliar brew that stirred deep within there. "But you cannot be certain of these things, hence my rejection. We can't risk it, I'd lose my job and you'll be dead."

"Nothing I haven't dealt with before," Loki deadpanned, ceasing his gentle touch when Mobius captured his hand with his own. "If I know myself, and I do, I know that I'm right about this. And I love to be right."

As he hoped, the seduction mixed with reasonable conversation seemed to have muddled Mobius' mind enough to give into Loki's advances. He nibbled against Mobius' neck, attempting to will the man into giving into his need to prove himself right on this, that should it be true (and it was), he would successfully lead a huge breakthrough in the investigation.

But, much to his frustration, Mobius recovered from the subspace enough to thwart his attempt. He turned some to face Loki, holding up that finger between them whenever he was about to drop something Loki probably wouldn't like.

"You were quite uncooperative in the field," Mobius recalled, a new glint in his eye. "And in the elevator. And this morning. And the night before."

Loki pulled away suddenly, appalled. "Not this again. Last night was not entirely my doing, nor was this morning. You—"

Mobius wasn't having any of it and clapped a hand right over his mouth, pushing him back onto the bed in the process before situating himself directly over him. He still held his hand firmly over his mouth, but Loki made no real effort to fight against him. He simply looked straight into the clear blue eyes, trying to keep his breathing steady.

"I will give you two options." He held up a finger in his line of sight as a physical counter. "You can either show me how you'd apologize, or I enforce the appropriate punishment for these actions, and that list might not be so pleasant for you."

He waited a beat before releasing Loki, but he didn't stop straddling his hips. Those blue eyes darkened some at the proposals, but Loki could feel that fresh fire igniting and eating away the exhaustion from earlier. After recalling the embarrassing moment in the elevator, he felt like that was punishment enough for the time being since it was still fresh on his mind, still a tender hurt to his pride. A smirk formed then and he slowly sat up to close the distance between them.

"As you wish," he whispered in an ear, flitting a tongue against his earlobe.

Of course he was going to take the easy way out. He drug his tongue and teeth along his handlers jawline, feeling the stubble prick against it like little needles before he paused at the corner of Mobius' mouth.

"We had only just begun, after all," Loki added, whispering against Mobius' lips.

Mobius stole the words from him as he dug his hand into his hair and pulled him in, capturing his lips. He was quite assertive despite his otherwise gentle outward personality, splitting Loki's mouth open with his tongue in order to take in the coolness of his mouth. Loki could only imagine how it felt wrapped around his cock and assumed it would be quite the sensation given his colder traits.

Loki soon tested his authority and shifted his hips in a way that wobbled Mobius' balance in order to break free from the hold. The agent rolled onto his back, and Loki did not release his mouth in the meantime, offering a hard bite of his lower lip to hold on. As he went down with him, He grinded his hips into Mobius', feeling his desire swelling along with his own. After sliding his hands up under the bothersome nightshirt, Loki pulled away and easily worked it off his handler and relished in the moment, drinking in Mobius' physique. His skin was evenly tanned, accentuating the outline of his stomach's strength but it was not as obvious as he'd thought. He was pulled down then by his tie, melding against Mobius as his handler took advantage of his awe to nip at his ear and eagerly sucked and nibble at his neck. He somehow slipped his hands between them and was popping the buttons from the shirt as he continued to bite down on the now exposed collarbone. The potential bruising would be a little difficult to hide should any arise, but it wasn't something either of them were thinking about right now.

His shirt was off before he could register it, and Mobius moved his hands to his hips where he continued to work Loki out of his trousers with skilled fingers. He was lost in the sensation of how his teeth bit into him, leaving a burning sting in its wake only for a warm tongue to wash over it. The assault peppered down his chest, the bites weren't intended to be pleasant but it shot a fresh dose of desire straight to his core with each one. He trailed his hands over every inch he could of Mobius' skin, giving into the mild discomfort of the strength of each nip he received in turn. It only stopped when Mobius commanded him to finish discarding his trousers. Loki decided to retaliate by sinking his teeth into Mobius' shoulder after kicking away the garment. His handler gasped suddenly, body jerking in response. A sharp sting resonated throughout Loki's body then, Mobius had flat out spanked him, hard. The tingling scattered across the outline of his hand that pressed firmly on his now bare arse. He was quite shocked by it.

"You are not allowed to bite during a punishment," Mobius reminded, receiving a really bratty eye-roll from Loki in turn.

"Watch me," Loki challenged, leaning in for another attempt.

Mobius' entire demeanor changed then, and Loki was thrown off his handler and flat on his own back. He was stared down by Mobius' darkened eyes, and he actually felt temporarily paralyzed by it.

His pant line was lowered and Mobius was sitting on his knees, pinning Loki's arms firmly against him in the process. He hovered over Loki's face, his cock brushing his cheek and the corner of his mouth and his sack radiated heat as it rested over his throat.

"No biting," Mobius all but snarled out, his gravelly voice burrowing right into Loki's cock. "Did you forget already?"

"No."

It was a simple answer, but very loaded all the same. Of course he didn't forget, that was the point. Mobius forced open his mouth with the head of his dick and explored his lips and the roof of his mouth with it.

"Do nothing," he commanded before completely sitting on Loki's face.

He felt his thickness fill the back of his throat, and it was met with a hard pressure on his shoulder. Mobius had shifted a knee to now have it sitting beside his face and his shin pressed firmly against his shoulder. It was quite uncomfortable but knew it was leverage for Mobius to thoroughly fuck his mouth ragged for a good solid minute. All he could do was rest his hands over Mobius' hips, cling for dear life, and breathe through it as he was shoved into the unmoving mattress repeatedly by the force. Mobius didn't even come from it, but it wasn't exactly like Loki was allowed to play to help that along, either.

Loki gasped and swallowed dryly when Mobius withdrew. The back of his throat burned, but he ignored it once he was released from the pressure of his leg, the ache in his shoulder was more prominent. He found this darker, rougher side of Mobius quite fascinating, completely night and day from his work etiquette persona. He wanted to see this side more, but it was quite late, and he still needed Mobius to get on board with testing the apocalypse theory.

Mobius moved to rest against the headboard, the mix of the soft orange light and the blue gloom of the Tesseract marbled over his chest. Loki noted that he had his pants positioned back over him and he pouted at this. Another form of subtle punishment—concealment while he was left exposed. He slowly crept toward him, resting on Mobius' thighs and deliberately avoiding the strain of the fabric against his groin, he traced light fingers up Mobius' chest, teasing his nipples before roaming up over his shoulders, neck, and into his hair.

"Will you still have me?" he whispered after his eyes met Mobius'.

His voice was hoarse, a residue from the brutal oral fucking he endured moments ago.

"You done testing me?"

His look was intense, it did things to his insides. Knowing his voice would betray him, he gave a single nod in response and one of Mobius' hands snaked underneath him and gripped an arse cheek, massaging it and spreading it wide. The single finger that came between them tapped the tip of his nose, the action sending a brief flare of annoyance through Loki.

"Behave."

That hand soon took hold of Loki's other cheek, and he followed the silent command to sit up on his knees so he could have better access. It wasn't long before he felt Mobius' digits start grazing over his rim, but Loki wasn't going to allow the teasing and abruptly sat on them, taking the two fingers in eagerly. He released a moan, feeling them gently explore and stretch, but he soon realized that he was not going to be patient enough to be properly worked. Even knowing how naturally endowed his handler was, he didn't care, he could handle it. He wanted him.

He pulled the band of Mobius' sleep pants down just enough to free his cock. Loki lifted himself up to position over him immediately. Mobius gripped his arse firmly, effectively stopping him.

"What are you doing?"

Loki met his eyes, Mobius was concerned about what he was about to do without the prep work. He cupped his face with his hands, feeling the scratch of his stubble there scrape against his palm.

"Taking option one."

He lowered himself onto Mobius, capturing his hiss in his mouth as he bottomed out. It was like a key to a lock, and he couldn't help but shiver as he was aggressively worked open to accommodate.

Moving his hips, Loki got a good feel of his handler, but also knew that he was not going to last long based on how he twitched within him. Mobius locked Loki's head in place with a firm grip in his hair, the bite of his fingers dug into his scalp left him breathless when he was forced to pull back and break the kiss.

"Stay quiet," Mobius commanded, tone wavering some when Loki shifted himself purposely.

He smirked at the small victory.

His hair was released, but his hips were firmly grabbed instead and lifted Loki up. He felt Mobius' length slide against him before it scraped deeply back in. This was repeated a few times, and Loki had to clamp his tongue between his teeth to keep from moaning. When Mobius started meeting him halfway with his own hips, hitting that sweet spot, was when Loki slipped up, resulting in three wondrous wallops on his arse. They shot through him like a drug, and he found his otherwise well-controlled cock weeping and spilling out over his handler's chest as a result. Mobius came deeply in him moments after, and Loki found himself leaning into him to bury his face in the crook of his neck as Mobius withdrew. He panted heavily, his ecstasy had happened very suddenly and unexpectedly, he knew he could last far longer than that, so what happened?

Mobius stroked his hair lovingly as he gathered himself to settle down from his own high. Loki started to nuzzle his neck again, drunk on that fading musky scent.

"Should I be wrong, you can kill me yourself," he whispered.

The words tasted bitter on his tongue, granting another permission to take his life was not an every day offer in the slightest but he was more than confident in his theory there was no real threat offered. There was something about disappointing Mobius that made him feel quite troubled at the thought. Even with his dangerous side, he really didn't want to mess about with it on this assignment because it was important to the agent, thus important to him.

It even surprised himself being so attached to someone so quickly like this.

Mobius pulled his face from his neck, stroking his cheek with a thumb, Loki met his tired eyes. "You really think it will work?"

"I know that it will."

Loki was allowed to stay with Mobius that night.

Chapter Text

Playing with Control

By no real surprise to Loki or even Mobius this time, they ended up being extra late the following morning. Luckily it went unnoticed by those who mattered, but the unfortunate need to skip breakfast in favor of getting cleaned up was a necessity for them both. The mild pang of hunger wasn't enough to quell the giddiness that had Loki unable to sit still, though. Not only did he not have to sleep alone again (Mobius was a cuddler, something that surprised him a bit at discovering), allowing him for much needed rest, they were going to be skipping lunch too in favor of actually testing out his theory. He made sure to not do anything out of line, at least throughout the morning, that would have Mobius change his mind about the very huge rule breaking plan he was about to go through with. Being on his best behavior was essential.

Of course, he was stuck behind a desk while Mobius wandered off somewhere or another yet again. He honestly wasn't even sure he did any work at all considering he was occupying the workspace as of late. Loki had already rummaged through everything he could at the cubicle by now, finding nothing interesting besides the jet ski sports magazine tucked away in a drawer. It was a different one from the one back in the apartment at least, but he was still getting bored, and Miss Minutes' voice had long since been tuned out as she blabbed her way through yet another video.

Strong hands slid across Loki's shoulders and collarbone, something that had him tense up at the contact. The monitor was remotely turned off at some point, taking the projection of Miss Minutes away as well. After realizing that he was the only one left in the office space did he relax into the touch, knowing that it was Mobius.

"Ready?" he asked, lightly massaging his shoulders.

Loki smirked, getting up almost immediately in response. "I have been ready all morning."

"Well, that makes one of us at least." Mobius dug his hands in his pockets, shifting his weight in nervousness. He still looked a little green around the collar. "Let us just get this over with, yeah?"

Loki could not stop grinning at the outcome. He was right, he figured out something Mobius couldn't, and he was going to relish in it for as long as he could because of it. Not even the miniscule layer of soot and ash that clung to him could bother him right now.

He swaggered through the TVA, tailing a very flustered Mobius who practically bolted back to his desk only to collapse onto the chair, expression still etched with utter shock. Their little field trip took no time at all and they were still alone in the office space. Loki beamed beside Mobius, overloaded on serotonin. He could barely contain his need to devour Mobius right then and there, instead he settled on a very delicate touch to the nape of his neck, caressing the crook of his shoulder with a thumb. Mobius shivered against the contact.

"Care for lunch? There is still time," Loki pointed out, though there were several other things going through his mind besides food. "We'll both need our heads for this new revelation."

Mobius sighed loudly, leaning into Loki's touch for a moment, soaking in how relaxing it was making his otherwise reeling mind. "...Yeah. Let's go."

They walked there in silence, though Loki kept glancing at the still shell-shocked Mobius beside him. He was quite wound up from the outcome, and Loki could only conclude that it was because after however long his handler had been working in this cult-littered Hel hole, his life had been thoroughly shaken today after witnessing a major flaw in their flawless security and monitoring of order and time.

Grabbing whatever and finding a seat as far away from listening ears as they could, Mobius idly picked away at the chicken lettuce wrap while Loki thoroughly enjoyed a bowl of fruit salad topped with whipped cream and mixed nuts.

Having a need to hear Mobius say something, Loki locked his attention onto him. "You are lost in your head. Care to divulge?"

Mobius seemed to have snapped back to the present when Loki gently nudged him with a foot.

"What?"

"Are you alright?" Loki prompted again, glancing over the perimeter before lowering his voice and leaning in. "You are going to attract attention with that blank-shocked expression."

"Right, yeah. I'm good." Mobius shifted some in his seat, focusing back on the meal in front of him. "It's just… now that we know this little snag in time, we still have no idea where the Variant is hiding."

"Surely there aren't that many apocalypses—"

"There's millions."

Loki clicked his tongue, setting his jaw from being interrupted. "Not every single one can be used. We just need to simply narrow it down like we were doing already."

Mobius chewed thoughtfully, nodding along. "They would have to be naturally occurring. Nothing can survive it, so genocides and wars are out."

"Wars count?" Loki questioned, quirking a brow.

"They're Class One or Two depending on casualties. Genocide can be up to a Four on average. Well, until Thanos."

Loki felt a cold bite snake down his spine at the name, involuntarily shivering. The sickening feeling was from what he did to Jotunheim at the mention of genocide, he was sure.

"Right. Makes sense."

"Anyway, it needs to be naturally occurring, sudden, no warning or survivors. Possibly an area with sufficient resources. So…" Mobius said, stretching the 'o' out while leaning back into his chair, loosely crossing his arms as he chuckled. "Unfortunately your whole Asgard analogy can't actually happen, or at least the part where you mess with the Hulk because he survives."

Loki rolled his eyes at the playful jab. "I was still right."

"Half right."

He glared at him. "But still right. I thought I explained rather well, considering."

Mobius only stifled a laugh at that, busying himself with his lunch.

Loki gave him a look before deciding to finish his fruit. He could feel Mobius' eyes on him again, quite liking the undivided attention, but he decided to meet his gaze only after finishing the fruit salad.

"What?"

Mobius got up, waving a hand before heading for the elevator, not even bothering to clear his tray. Not like Loki did, either, finding that slight rule breaking from his handler alluring. Once Loki caught up to him, they waited until they were in the privacy of the elevator before Mobius had him up against the wall and ravishing him relentlessly. He was all teeth and tongue, nipping, biting, and sucking on whatever flesh Mobius found with his mouth. Loki barely managed a breath between the oral assaults, but relished in his hot breath mixing with the coolness of his own.

He pulled him even closer by the tie when Mobius tried to pull away to claim his neckline again, keeping them locked in the fervent kiss between heat and ice. Loki pressed his body against the unmoving form of his handler, wishing to feel between his legs with his thigh—it was delightfully hard. They finally broke apart after what felt like several minutes, gasping, flushed, and bearing swollen and bruised lips. The energy that swirled around them pushed to overwhelming levels that Loki started to yearn for more.

Mobius recovered the quickest, straightening himself up and adjusting his askew tie. Loki cleared his throat, blinking slowly at him as he slowly righted himself. Still hovering close, Mobius looked up at him and smiled, it went straight into his eyes. He grabbed Loki's arm at the elbow and gently pulled him along.

"Got to try and keep focused just a little longer," Mobius said so casually as the doors opened in front of them and they walked out like nothing had happened. "Quicker we get a dent in these apocalypses, the faster I can provide you with a proper reward."

That was more than enough for Loki.

The tower of files surrounding them were starting to get claustrophobic, and they only kept growing as Loki and Mobius discarded yet another apocalypse onto the reject piles. Loki dwindled his attention down to nothing else but the pen he idly flipped between his fingers and watching Mobius from across the table. His handler met his gaze when he flipped the manila envelope closed.

"This is getting us nowhere," Loki drawled.

"Come on, just hold out for another hour, can you do that?" he asked, dropping the file he had in a pile. "More we get through now the better for us tomorrow."

Loki pushed his swivel chair around the table to Mobius' side then, getting an exasperated sigh from his handler when he scooted into his space. "You use these terms as if time actually moves the same way as a normal place does here. Why is that?"

Mobius slowly shook his head, reaching for another file and handing it to him. "Just keep looking, alright?"

Loki took it and immediately tossed it on the desk, taking the liberty of sliding a stray hand over Mobius' outer thigh, resting it just beside his hip where it remained. The agent stiffened slightly at the contact before relaxing immediately after, Loki pretended to not notice anything while skimming the file he was handed.

"Testing me hasn't dealt you very good results so far," Mobius said, tone laced in warning.

"I'm afraid I do not understand your meaning," Loki replied, barely sparing Mobius a glance before shifting his hand inward just a bit more. "Care to elaborate?"

He was bored. Disobedience tended to catch his interest when he got bored, like pushing boundaries and testing others. Mobius obviously knew all of this as well based on how he responded, not wanting to be bothered by it but playing the enforcer anyway. The slightest flex of his fingers brushed against the fabric over his groin and was just as quickly removed by a firm hand.

"Can't keep it together for a second longer, can you?" Mobius hissed under his breath, giving the librarian who walked by a pleasant wave and smile. "Boundaries, remember?"

"Yes, yes. Boundaries, cooperation, trust." Loki sat back in his chair, putting distance between them, though Mobius still had his hand. "Training videos, the mission. How could I forget when it's drilled into me at this point?"

"It's our primary objective," he reasoned, letting Loki's hand go. "Can't always be fun and games."

"I beg to differ," Loki muttered, invading Mobius' space once more. "I distinctly remember you encouraging fun on that list… Why not focus on a different objective that is far more entertaining?"

Another librarian showed up, prompting Loki to drop his voice even more. "I say that we've achieved a job well done here already, why not take that in stride before it simmers out?" Loki reached for Mobius' head then, plucking something from it. "Besides, you still have ash in your hair."

Mobius looked at the chalky substance in Loki's pale hand and let out an audible sigh in defeat. "Always willing to use that silver tongue, huh?"

The route back to the apartment was quick and there was extra effort made to not have any elevator repeats, either. Loki kept a respectable distance between them, even following the no shoe rule and toeing them off almost immediately after he entered the room. Removing the jacket, he tossed it over the chair and flopped hard on the bed, forgetting that it was practically made of bricks. Mobius mimicked him, delicately laying his jacket over Loki's before moving toward him.

"Your bed is atrocious," Loki muttered, shifting to look at his handler.

"Weren't complaining about it last night," Mobius deadpanned, still standing while fiddling with his TemPad.

"My back says otherwise," Loki snapped back, sitting up to try and see what he was doing.

"Well, I can offer you a better one if you want."

A vibrant green door appeared in front of them, it was far more colored than the other one that took him to his chambers on Asgard. Loki vaguely pondered the meaning behind it before getting up and inspecting the door briefly. Mobius pressed a hand to his lower back.

"Shall we?"

They entered and the large space that dwelled within it was quite... something. The room was dimly lit to set a certain mood, the emerald walls were barely allowed to show off its color in it, and the black floors ate whatever light there was from them, only lazily reflecting back a little in the gold streaks in the marble. The center of the room had a raised platform where a four-posted bed stood, donning gold drapes tied back to the intricately carved dark wood frame and shimmering black and green sheets that laid on it. The frame had eyelets and carabiners riveted into it in certain places. The matching end table had a large pitcher of water resting on it with two glasses, dew already sliding down the outside and the ice cracked as it slowly melted that Loki curiously took in, wondering how that would work in a memory. What really had Loki's attention was the walls were lined with several different whips, paddles, cuffs, ropes, blindfolds, gags, restraint contraptions, and various assortment of toys displayed on shelves. Mobius had wandered over to a wardrobe in the far corner when they first came in, leaving Loki to gape at the room he hadn't seen in quite a while.

"Mobius?" he asked, still looking around as he headed for him only to stop dead on the platform and beside the end table.

His handler was missing his shirt and was wrapping a cream-colored sarong around his waist that ended at the knee. He side-stepped to face Loki as he tied it at the hip, making the slit part at the outer thigh. Loki tilted his head at the sight, he hadn't seen the agent's legs unclothed until now and wasn't surprised to see they were sun-kissed and lightly toned as well. He grazed his teeth with his tongue, quite liking the little treat, and he finally met the blue eyes staring back.

"Yes?"

"What poor sod did you pull this place from?" he asked, loving to play naive at times to test him as he averted his attention to the water pitcher he lightly poked.

"I believe this one came a week before the Cooper stunt," Mobius supplied, reaching back into the wardrobe. "It was a time where you seemed to really dig in and explore a lot of the exotic gifts the Pacific Northwest had to offer during your 'preparations'."

"Ah, yet another thing the TVA decided to overlook, then," Loki jabbed back.

"No harm in discovering new things about yourself." Mobius tossed Loki a couple of items. "Put those on."

He caught the fabric with one hand, giving a roll of his eyes at the answer he was given. The TVA made less and less sense the more he learned about it and the arbitrary rules they followed that determined what was and was not considered inappropriate. The cloth was quite soft, a deep shade of green with a gold shimmer to it. He found the idea of it being only from a memory but still very real in his hands a bit jarring. It was meant to be used for a sarong as well, and the second piece he knew was a chest harness. Mobius busied himself walking around the space, inspecting the tools and the hardware laden about. At least he now knew where Mobius got all his knowledge from that made up their contract and shook his head at that, letting out a quiet chuckle.

Dressing down quickly and tossing the TVA clothes into the wardrobe, Loki approached his handler quietly, like a cat stalking a mouse. He stroked light fingers up Mobius' arms, pressing his chest into his back when he caught a fresh dose of the musk lingering on his neck. It was extremely fresh, making it easy to soak up the scent of sea salt and sandalwood with a touch of flora. He could get drunk off this alone now that he could pinpoint the smell properly. It was the scent of a tropical beach with the breeze of the ocean.

Mobius turned around to face him, holding a crop whip with a wide leather end on it. Loki didn't bother giving him space, too enthralled with his aroma to want to back away.

"Shall we?" he asked, placing the end of the crop under Loki's chin.

He gave a slow nod, feeling the resistance of the crop with the motion.

Mobius placed a hand on his chest, covering the eyelet ring centered there, and pressed into him as he stepped forward, silently commanding Loki to step back until they were standing at the base of the platform at the foot of the bed.

"Safeword is?"

"I won't need it," Loki said, smiling devilishly.

"Suit yourself. It's still there anyway." Mobius waved his hand toward the floor, indicating something. "Well?"

Loki stared at him, unmoving.

"Resume your role."

He chuckled then, smirking wickedly and stepped toward him. "Why don't you command it?"

Mobius' eyes glinted at the challenge. "Kneel."

"No," Loki said defiantly, eyes blazing, taunting.

He didn't care if that tidbit was in the contract he agreed to, he did say he wasn't going to play nicely or fairly, after all. Mobius needed that pushback to keep him on his toes.

The crop licked harshly against the backside of Loki's knee, causing him to buckle from it briefly. Before he could get back to his full height, the crop hit the same spot again thrice more and Mobius grabbed a shoulder and pressed his arm against his chest, pushing his weight into him, forcing him downward when he caved into the pain a second time. Loki's knees hit the cool black marble floor and was kneeling before Mobius seconds.

"Stay put."

Mobius released him and walked slowly around him, Loki watching with dangerous eyes as he did so, not allowing the toned legs of his handler to distract him. That is until the crops end rested over a cheek and pressed into it, urging him to face forward and was only removed once Loki complied. Mobius proceeded to slide the crop end down his neck and over the shoulder, tracing across the lines of his shoulder blades where the leather straps of the harness laid over and met on an eyelet in the center of his back. A quick snap of the crop there had Loki straighten his posture, resisting the urge to shiver from the stinging sensation. It was soon followed by similar swats to his biceps, and Loki reluctantly complied with Mobius' silent commands to present himself the way he wished him to by resting his hands over his thighs. He refused to look to the floor, however, instead looking straight ahead, trying to track Mobius with his peripherals.

"Better," Mobius said, inspecting Loki's position. "Now, what to treat you to first…"

"You," he replied immediately, already feeling that burn in his core.

"Ah, but what is the fun in that?"

"Everything."

Loki felt Mobius' hand comb deeply into his hair, gripping it firmly to pull his head back, inclining his neck and attention to him. Blazing eyes locked on each other, and Loki's hand twitched involuntarily when the back of his head now rested against Mobius' thighs. He wanted to relish in touching his legs with his hands so badly.

"How about exercising some trust?" Mobius said, pulling a silk blindfold from his waistband and stealing Loki's sight away with it.

Loki sucked in a nervous breath, but the reassuring brush of fingers against the nape of his neck after Mobius secured the strap in the back, keeping his hair free from it, had him slowly release it. His hand slid down to Loki's upper back, grabbing the eyelet and pulled him to his feet with it. Mobius guided him toward one of the outer walls where he made quick work of turning him around and latching something behind him to the harness. Loki tested it with a pull, but Mobius pressed a hand to his chest and captured a wrist in the other, pulling it up over his head where his hand slipped through a soft cuff and his wrist was quickly restrained.

"Mobius…" Loki said, voice wavering some but didn't continue his train of thought when his other wrist was secured.

Mobius traced a finger down his jawline, grazing across his lips. He felt him standing very close now that Loki could feel the heat from his skin and the puff of his breath on his face.

"You okay?"

Lok nodded after a moment, settling into the limited… everything. He keyed into his hearing instead, picking up the controlled breathing from Mobius and the chink of the restraints when he shifted his hands. Mobius' fingers drifted down his neck, across his shoulder, over his chest, leaving a warm, tingling feeling behind as he continued to roam all over his upper body with the tips of his fingers. Loki could hear his heart beat in his ears mixing with the breaths he tried to keep steady. The touch was soon replaced with a cool, soft, pliant leather. It traced up his inner leg, slipping between the part of the sarong in the process. Loki gripped his hands tightly when the crop licked across his sack and lower shaft before just as quickly flitting away to explore elsewhere.

He could sense Mobius was very close to him now, the scent of musk making him drunk off him alone. He couldn't anticipate anything about to happen, and he didn't really care at the moment. The sudden snap of the crop striking his hip had him jerk in surprise, quickly followed by a warm, slick tongue to soothe the sting away. A second bite of the crop on his ribcage had Loki suck in a shuttered breath that escaped in a moan when Mobius followed it again with his tongue. He didn't know where it would strike again, only hearing the quiet hiss of it through the air before it made contact with his flesh, and after the dozenth random strike that met with his shoulder, Loki was already reduced down to panting as the residual sting tingled all over him. Mobius lingered on his shoulder, nibbling away the pain.

"Ah!"

Three sudden spiking bites snaked up Loki's leg then, and he gasped out loudly from it. He felt himself tremble when Mobius' mouth found the fiery trail, soothing it back with the heat from his mouth. The pattern continued on the other side, but Loki only hissed this time as he struggled to keep himself from buckling with the overload sensation it resonated with.

Mobius didn't stop his wandering mouth at the crops impact this time, instead his hands trailed up Loki's legs, mouth following up one side as the fabric was hoisted up as well. Loki panted heavily, unable to see so his other senses went into overdrive, soaking in every fluttering touch and burning kiss as they came and sending the sensation throughout his every nerve. When the cool air hit his cock did he fight against the restraints, wanting to be free in order to touch Mobius. Cling to him. To feel his warmth and deceptive strength on his own skin.

"So impatient," he heard Mobius say, and the hot tongue that followed up his inner thigh had a whine escape him.

Seeming to know that Mobius was so close, his hands were firmly planted on his hips and no doubt his forearms held the cloth up, but Loki didn't care at the moment and jerked his hips forward, feeling himself deliciously brush against the stubble of Mobius' jawline.

The open-handed slap against his inner thigh was just another shot straight to his core.

Mobius didn't find the gesture too appalling, however, as he so gracefully slid his lips down his length right after and took him fully. He didn't stay there long, however, only seeming to gauge him slowly and carefully before withdrawing, leaving Loki to snarl at him by the cruelty.

"Bloody tease," he spat, tilting his head to follow his footfalls on the marble floor.

Soft rummaging of things came next before Mobius was back in front of him. He shifted himself as best as his restraints allowed him in mild nervousness.

"What are you doing?"

Mobius offered him a chaste but reassuring kiss, pressing something circular and another thing with a rounded, cone-like point against his chest for a moment before he pulled back, whispering, "Trust."

Loki snapped at him, a futile attempt to try and catch Mobius' lip but was met with dead air as he felt his hands crawl back up his legs once more. His cock was weeping freely now, and his breath hitched at the cool exposure once the fabric was moved. A cold, wet sensation slicked over his shaft that followed with something being fed over it and pressed firmly at the base of his cock.

"Almost there," Mobius whispered, nearly startling Loki by his breath tickling at his ear.

When did he stand back up?

"Wh-what?"

But he got no answer, insead a metal noise was heard from behind him and he was forced to turn around, twisting his arms in the meantime above him. His chest was now latched to the carabiner on the wall and he rested his sweat-lined forehead against the cool metal, taking in the soothing relief. Mobius released his wrists and Loki immediately let his arms drop. He reached behind him to touch his handler to no avail.

"You're doing so well."

The words of praise only caused him to groan, feeling his cock twitch from it. His arms weren't free for long, now caught in more restraints fashioned at the sides. He felt very vulnerable now with his back to Mobius, shackled and useless, unable to see. Taking in a shaky breath, he swallowed down the panic and uncertainty, not wanting to give into the weakness. It allowed Mobius to resume the teasing pattern he'd done earlier with the crop. Bites of leather targeted various areas of his back, the sting melting into pleasure almost instantly and followed by light kisses and tongue. All of his concerns quickly forgotten, he strained against the cuffs when Mobius repeated the three strikes on each thigh. Soon it was followed by his hands stretching up his legs and collecting the shimmering green-gold fabric on his forearms again.

Loki felt a shiver run up his spine when Mobius started massaging and nuzzling his arse. When he spread them wide a clipped whine escaped through gritted teeth. He couldn't fully anticipate what was to happen next, but Mobius' methods were thoroughly driving him mad with pure lust. A breath was caught in his chest when a hot, wet tongue trailed around his rim not once, but several times.

"Fuck, Mobius!" Loki hissed out, not daring to repeat his action from earlier in jerking his arse into his handler this time, though tempting.

The warm air that he blew out over his hole had Loki toss his head back, setting his jaw as he growled. He was not going to beg.

Cool, slick digits gently pressed into him, and Loki had to scramble in remembering to breathe as he sought comfort of the cool metal on his forehead once again, relishing in being probed and slowly stretched. Yet again, however, it was over far too quickly, and he was nearing the idea of possibly strangling the man because of it until something new took its place. It was cold, slick, and gradually worked him open until it nestled its way in. His rim puckered against the foreign object before accepting it, and he was left with ragged breaths as he was reminded of the device also stuck to his cock when it decided to pulsate in response.

"Perfect."

Mobius' breath was hot on his neck, but Loki couldn't help but try and lean into him as he nuzzled up his neck to nibble at his ear lobe.

"You're doing wonderful."

Loki was not going to beg, dammit.

One of his arms was released, only for a wrist to be grabbed and firmly handled. It was pulled to rest behind his back where his other arm joined it and was quickly latched to the eyelet there in more cuffs, holding his arms against his back now before his chest was released from the wall.

"Afraid I'll misbehave?" Loki asked, smirking wickedly despite himself.

Mobius only chuckled, holding firmly onto the shackles to guide him somewhere else. Moving with the plug took minor adjusting, it was the ring that his cock strained against that made him want to lose it completely at the pressure it pushed back with. He hoped Mobius would be done with this gold-laden torture soon because he honestly wasn't sure how his stamina would truly hold up. He never felt like this before with anyone else. This felt far more intimate and personal instead of the senseless play and pleasure he was accustomed to, which he… wasn't sure how to process.

"Step up," Mobius said and Loki complied, soon feeling the impossibly soft bedding against his knees. "Climb up, stay on your knees."

The low growl in Loki's chest was ignored as he was gently guided onto the bed and positioned to have his back to the frame where his fingers brushed against one of the riveted carabiners Mobius was undoubtedly going to use next.

"Comfortable?"

"Release me and we will find out," Loki purred back, attempting to seduce talk him into regaining his ability to freely roam every inch and crevice of his handler.

"Tempting…" though Mobius did not follow through and latched his restraints with the carabiner. "One last thing, though."

The weight of the bed shifted, indicating Mobius joining on it and was again in front of him. His breath tingled against Loki's chest, and he inhaled to puff it out only to choke on his own air when Mobius captured a nipple between his teeth, rolling his tongue over it while his fingers worked the other one just as skillfully. The clamp that followed was unexpected, and again with the other after it was thoroughly hardened and claimed with the other clamp. Mobius was pulling out every trick in the book that would drive him senseless, wasn't he?

He was not going to beg, even when Mobius gently pulled on the clamps and nearly had him come right then and there.

"More?"

"Just fuck me already!" Loki snarled back, losing all sense and sensibility.

Mobius was going to kill him with sensory overload.

"Playtime isn't over," he half-whispered, gingerly nibbling on his shoulder. "Not until I have you exactly how I want you."

"You greedy bastard!"

That was met with a nice solid slap to his cheek that followed with a fervent kiss. Mobius' hands wandered over Loki's body, tickling up his neck until the mask was finally removed. Loki blinked his eyes open quickly, taking in the dim light that danced over Mobius. He went in for another rough kiss, hands roaming and working Loki free of his sarong. Mouth trailing down jawline and neck, leaving harsh bites along the way, even pausing to tease his clamped nipples with his tongue again before making his way back to his very attention-starved cock.

Grabbing Loki's hips, Mobius pulled him in, taking his cock entirely with one motion. Loki groaned, fighting his restraints uselessly with the need to dig his fingers through his hair and drag them along his scalp. Mobius worked him well, sucking extensively with every pull back. He worked far differently than Loki would, but he didn't care, he just wanted to feel this, to drink this praise in for as long as he could. He didn't even bother holding back his mewls and breathy gasps and hitched moans, he broke his gaze away from the agent to roll his head back, soaking it all in.

Only when he felt that tightness in his core pressurizing did he pull away from the drunken subspace just long enough to mutter out a warning to his handler. Who really knew how long he had been orally fucking him, but he wasn't complaining and in turn receiving no complaints back. Mobius didn't seem to hear or did and didn't care. His assault only increased, slipping his hands from his hips to his arse and pulled him in even further, teasing the plug with a pull. Loki stuttered in a breath, looking back down at his handler crouched so prettily between his legs, taking everything he had to offer so well and willingly.

This, he thought, he may willingly kneel for again after all.

Mobius' tongue flitted over his sack ever so slightly, and he felt his cock pulsate before releasing his seed into Mobius' mouth, accepting what was given. But just as soon as he pulled back and released Loki, the ring coming with in the process, did Loki see that glint in those beautiful blue eyes. He leaned into him, giving Loki a fresh dose of his musk as he reached around his back to release the carabiner and hold on his arms. A quick and smooth adjustment later had Loki now laying on his back, hands once again re-secured to the frame in a more comfortable position above his head. Mobius climbed over him, hands reaching under him to his arse to tug and tease the toy out that had been working him the entire time.

Mobius went in for a kiss, grazing his teeth along his jaw where he released a stammered breath as he spoke.

"What are you doing to me...?"

Loki didn't answer, unsure as to how. He noticed that Mobius now completely removed his own sarong, leaving him fully exposed for the first time since their arrangement was made. Mobius didn't work slow after that, carefully removing the toy out with only a minor whimper from Loki when he was left gaping for more. His wish was quickly granted as Mobius eased himself in, pulling Loki down some in the process in order to completely fill him. Loki wrapped his legs around him, clinging to him since it was the only way he could touch him, but he used it to urge Mobius ever closer.

There was no way that he was going to last for long, but Mobius rode him so gently, even with the occasional yank of the nipple clamps or rogue bite on his stomach and chest, Loki could feel himself building back up a second time from his body on such an overdriven state at this point.

"Come for me again, precious," Mobius's voice was gravely and breathy as he dug himself just a little deeper and met Loki's sweet spot.

Loki's vision whited out temporarily after a few moments, stars and fireworks dashing across it, chasing dark blotches as he gasped heavily and felt his seed spill over his chest as Mobius shot into him. His arms felt very heavy then as he settled, whining when Mobius pulled himself away in order to get his wrists freed before collapsing into his side, panting heavily as he buried his face in Loki's neck. Arms feeling numb, he draped one over his handler, feebly trailing the other to remove the clamps before they started causing problems. They simply laid there, drunk on their own ecstasy and taking in the mixed scents of salt, sweat, and come as their bodies came down from the high.

Loki traced light circles over Mobius' shoulder, and he mimicked the gesture over Loki's hip. After several long quiet minutes of feather-light caressing and several glasses of water consumed later (Loki stopped trying to puzzle out the how of TVA magic actually worked and Mobius was no help in decoding it all, either), did Loki feel that pleasant calmness take over, even though they both were still a worthless mess.

"Should get out of here and get tidied up," Mobius muttered into his neck, making no effort to get up as he nuzzled into him.

"Mmm," Loki mumbled, skimming the area around him. "We can't take anything out, can we?"

He felt Mobius shake his head, and after a very long second, he pushed himself up and into a sitting position. He immediately reached for one of Loki's hands, seeing the bruising starting to form on his wrists and tisked at it.

"You fought the cuffs too much. You should've said something."

The concern on his voice had Loki's heart fluttering, the gentleness of how he handled his wrists to check them over had him pull away, cradling his arms around himself protectively.

"I can handle it."

"Can and should are different things, Loki," Mobius said, scanning his chest where some of his bites showed through the pale skin where he bit exceptionally hard. "You don't have to endure discomfort if you don't want to."

Loki half-glared at him. He knew he meant well but it wasn't going to do him any good discussing this now. He shifted himself to lean into Mobius, yearning for that scent as he did so.

"I quite enjoyed myself, actually," Loki said, tone and expression showing genuine sincerity. "But you do have a bit of a cruel little devil that sits on your shoulder, don't you?" he whispered, planting a kiss at the crook of Mobius' neck to make a point.

His handler went motionless for a long moment, but Loki didn't particularly pay any mind to it, busy nuzzling and sliding his fingertips over Mobius' back.

"Devil…" Mobius repeated quietly, and when Loki met his eyes again, he was puzzled at the look on his face. "Devil! You are so clever."

Loki looked utterly confused but preened at the comment anyway. "I know."

Mobius all but bolted off the bed and across the room to recover his TemPad and clothes, pulling up the time door and motioning for Loki to follow. Loki just looked at him, completely perplexed at what was going on.

"Mind telling me what is going through that muddled head of yours?" Loki questioned, following Mobius through the portal and back to the apartment.

"I'll tell you later. Right now let's get cleaned up and take care of these," he said, gently brushing his hands over the bruising on his neck, chest, and wrists.

"I assure you I'll be fine. Accelerated healing and all." As if to demonstrate, Loki made a motion around his face. "Not a scratch on me from New York anymore."

Mobius shook his head, biting his lip to hold in a chuckle. "Just let me take care of you, dammit."

Loki didn't know what to do with that, so he allowed Mobius to take him to the bathroom to help clean him up and sooth his wounds.

Loki heard his name echoing through the store, yet he stared at the person in front of him as they casually gave him a wave before stepping through the time door. Only then did he turn to look down the large aisle to see Mobius bolting for him, long jacket whipping behind him and two Hunters tailing behind with sticks set to prune. He wasn't going to face that fate, he had an opportunity to avoid it right in front of him, but the thought of leaving Mobius behind stung.

So, he did the next best thing and tapped into his magic. Stepping backward toward the door, he kept his attention locked on Mobius, gauging how close he could get before he passed through the time door. At the very last second, Loki reached out his hand and felt his magic wrap around Mobius. Giving him a harsh pull in his direction, Loki caught him and stumbled back into the portal.

Mobius was breathing heavily from his sprint, barely staying upward as he cradled the stitch in his side once they found themselves back at the TVA armory. Loki held his handler by the shoulders to aid in keeping him from collapsing as he scanned the area for any immediate threats.

"They're here," Loki said quickly.

"Go," Mobius said between breaths, "I'll catch up. Go stop them."

"But—"

"I'll be fine, just go," Mobius stressed, removing Loki's hand from his shoulder.

Loki honed in on the locker where B-15 stashed the daggers she took away and went for them, giving Mobius one last look (who was now leaning against the wall) before pursuing the Variant. It wasn't difficult to know where they went, following the trail of knocked out Hunters and abandoned batons down the curved hall, he quickly caught up to them and everything became a blur when their scuffle became a life and death situation yet again.

Of course, Loki chose to save his hide, and even when he got ahold of the TemPad from the Variants belt and punched buttons on it, he looked up in time to see Mobius grabbing the Judge's baton, preventing her from striking them right before he and the Variant fell through the time door opening below them.

Chapter Text

Surrendering to Control

The silence was deafening. The lack of eye contact. The cold tension between them. It was maddening. Loki didn't speak, nor did he resist the guards taking him to wherever Mobius desired to take him. He allowed himself to be at his handlers mercy. But much to his displeasure, of course it had to be that room.

They entered the film room where it had all started. Mobius stood by the chair on the right, and Loki was moved toward the one on the left. Mobius made a dismissive motion with his hand, yet taking great measures to not look his way at all.

"Leave us," Mobius said to the guards.

"Sir?" Hunter D-90 questioned, unsure of why they're being dismissed.

"I've got everything under control," he assured, holding out his hand to the minuteman. "Leave me your weapon and I'll take it from here."

The guards released Loki and handed off the baton to Mobius before exiting the room. Loki kept his eyes on his handler until the second he heard the doors click closed, he collapsed down onto his knees before Mobius. Head bowed, Loki fixated on the sleek brown boots that had been hidden in the closet all those days ago, hands resting on his thighs, legs tucked underneath him. He fought the sting in his eyes, knowing full well that Mobius was not happy with him in the slightest.

Unable to stand the deafening silence any longer, Loki swallowed hard, the time collar scraping uncomfortably against his throat from the action.

"Mobius…"

The sharp hiss that was returned had Loki close his eyes, sucking in a stuttering breath, he dared to try again, just above a whisper.

"Allow me your attention—"

"Silence!"

The command sent a painful resonating pang through his body, and oh, how he loathed that word and the agent knew it. Mobius moved towards him, the tapping of his boots indicated this, and he felt the faintest of swishing in the air that told him he was right beside him now, yet Loki dared to not open his eyes or look up.

A hand lingered so close to his shoulder but did not touch. Loki could feel the heat radiating from it, the static of warmth between the empty space separating the contact. It was maddening.

"Please…" Loki whispered so quietly he wondered if he even said the word. He was not the sort to resort to begging, but this time… it was different. "Please allow me to explain."

More sound was heard in quick movements then. The scratching of material and the clinking of metal all mixed together. It took everything Loki had to not succumb to his curiosity and investigate. He already pushed the barrier enough speaking thrice without permission.

"Even trained you still have no control over your need to be heard," Mobius finally spoke.

It was not a comforting tone. It was cold, distant, intended to not bring him pleasure or assurance. Loki disobeyed, and now he'd be punished for it.

Fabric suddenly wrapped over his barely parted lips and forced his mouth open. A bar of metal—Mobius' tie clip—pressed against his tongue, and the firm knot at the back of his neck ensured that the makeshift gag would remain in its place. At least Mobius granted him the mercy of keeping his hair untangled from the material.

"Better." Mobius stood behind him now, his close proximity pricking at his skin. "Wrists."

His command was simple, crisp, and Loki obliged without hesitating. He squared his shoulders, straightened his back, and moved his arms to be positioned behind him, wrists crossed in wait to be bound. Mobius' hands worked quickly, efficiently, despite the makeshift tools he had to use. The bite of leather and metal from its buckle dug into Loki's skin when his handler secured the bind around them. He knew there was a tail on the end that Mobius held onto. A knee pressed in between his shoulder blades, a silent, firm command that Loki would resist any other time but today, he lowered himself to the ground to where his nose touched the floor and his hair curtained around his face. Mobius pulled his arms back with the excess belt tail, making them taught and starting to burn from the strain. He did not remove his knee.

"I gave you what you craved, what you deeply desired, what you yearned for, and for what in return?" Mobius said, voice level, hollow even.

Loki could even say he sounded hurt. He took a breath, the sleek orange floors void of any dust or grime. They were so polished and smooth he could almost see himself. Resting his forehead onto the floor now, the silence lingered, but Loki dared to not respond, it was a test… a difficult one.

"Yet here you are, the most submissive that you've been with me so far, all because you know that what you did was royally fucked," Mobius hissed over him. "You knew that I was not going to allow Ravonna to prune either of you, yet you ran off anyway. Do you have any idea how difficult it was for me to convince her to allow me to keep you in the beginning? And how much damage that your little stunt caused with that trust between her and I now?"

The tears started to glisten, from the pain in his arms, from his thighs, from the humiliation he allowed himself to be put in… from hurting Mobius. Loki swallowed the feelings down. He deserved this.

A calloused hand combed through his hair then, and Loki couldn't help but press his head into the touch even when it grabbed a firm hold into it. Mobius removed his knee and promptly yanked Loki back up to his knees by his hair. He endured the jolt of pain, straightening his back immediately, relieved his arms were allowed to go slack.

Mobius shifted his grip from his hair to under his jawline, commanding Loki to tilt his head upward. When they made eye contact, it took everything Loki had to not release a sob. Mobius' ocean blue eyes were furious, yet he was struggling to hide his feelings of betrayal and own pain that came from it.

"What do you have to say for yourself?"

He was given a choice now of which path to take from here. At this point Loki just wanted to ask for the lashings rather than speak his piece. It would make Mobius feel better at least, and he needed to face proper consequences for a change. Maybe the truth would be better received after… the paths could always realign at a later point.

"I deserve your punishment," Loki said as clearly as he could with the gag restricting his tongue.

Mobius tilted his head ever so slightly, a blip of surprise veiled his expression. Loki always took the easier path when he'd messed up the last few times. It allowed him explanation for his actions and received a mild swat on the wrist, so to speak, and a firm talking to to realign boundaries and expectations. This time, he wanted it, he wanted his handler to thoroughly lay into him, to use him like a tool and fuck him senseless for his pleasure only.

Loki was pulled to his feet by his jawline, and he obliged. Shifting his grip to the nape of his neck, Mobius guided him over to the table where he bent him over the cool lacquered top. A hand snaked around Loki's waist, making quick work of removing his belt, button, and zipper. There were no undergarments for Mobius to work around, so it was easy for him to slide his hand down a smooth hip, hooking a finger around the waistline to pull it down along the way. The exposure had Loki shiver in anticipation, and the trousers quickly pooled at his ankles.

His heart fluttered when Mobius massaged his arse and thighs, and, almost unprepared for it, Loki clenched his teeth into the gag when the first blow struck. The leather licked harshly against his skin, leaving a stinging shock behind and the flesh reddening in response. Mobius was calculated with each lashing, switching sides with each one to not over abuse a single area. He hit lower this time, the belt wrapping around Loki's thigh like a coiled snake, and he groaned in response to the searing pain it left behind. His cock had just begun to weep, and after several harsh licks of the belt (Loki lost count in the haze, but he was sure his thighs and cheeks were a matching lusty gallant pink at this point), Mobius ceased his assault and gently wrapped a hand around his length and gave him a couple rough pulls. Loki moaned despite himself, trying to shift so he could press into the contact. Mobius collected the milky substance Loki offered him in his hand, using it to slather over the welting skin and pull the heat from it as best as he could. His touch was soothing, light, enough to make Loki tremble from it. He didn't deserve this so soon, Mobius was being forgiving, but he didn't want that just yet.

Pressing his damp forehead onto the table, Loki let out a heavy breath, straining against his gag in order to speak. "I deserve your worst, s-sir."

It seemed like Loki was pulling all the stops this time… submitting willingly, accepting punishment instead of squirreling out of it with eloquent words that bore some form of honesty and truth to his actions. Using the title Mobius wished he'd use but Loki denied him the entire time when they found themselves in similar, more pleasant situations. Yes, Loki much rather preferred their activities in the privacy and safety of Mobius' chambers, where he held the most control over their exchanges, where he received the most pleasure. But not this time… this time, Mobius needed this, he needed it too, and he gave it to him willingly.

The slap was sudden, unexpected even, open handed and exhilarating that Loki's breath hitched. It's sound resonated across the room. Loki flexed his hands, hoping that he could brush his fingers over fabric to no avail. Mobius loosened his restraints, freeing his wrists, albeit temporarily.

"Arms above your head."

He obeyed, and soon his binds were re-secured. He felt far more vulnerable now than before, unable to reach for Mobius like he always wished to do so when he was taken, so instead he curled his fingers around the edge of the table. Mobius was capable of a lot of things, Loki knew, but he was now drifting into unknown waters, unsure of how he was going to proceed with this punishment. He was keeping physical contact minimal, and what was made was intended to cause pain, it was something Loki didn't know would bother him so much, but it did.

When he felt hands pressed against his chest, Loki sucked in a breath in order to keep that contact. Deft fingers popped the buttons from his shirt so quickly it was a surprise none came completely off from the speed. Tie was quickly discarded, and the white shirt was soon pulled and parted upward, collecting at the back of his neck. Mobius had rolled it to gather it up properly, and now used it as yet another security to keep Loki's movement limited since his arms were still in the shirt. A clinking of a buckle and the sound of something moving through fabric was heard, but before Loki could decipher what it was, a whine escaped from deep in his chest when the rough side of a leather belt was wrapped around the base of his cock. The cold metal of the clasp pressed uncomfortably into the underside, and he winced when Mobius decided to give it a tightening jerk.

Loki could stop this at any time, could say the safeword (Josta, ironically enough), could sign the signal as well, could cease this torture and discomfort and instead be locked away in a time jail for a while instead. But no, not yet. Rough fingers scraped down his bare back, and he arched into it as best as he could. His breathing labored from the intensity of what was going on and what he currently was enduring.

"You will not come," Mobius commanded, insinuating his words by tightening the vice now wrapped around him. "You will not make a sound, or you'll be belted."

'Impossible,' Loki wanted to say, he struggled to contain his mewling and gasps already.

Mobius closed a hand around his length again, milking the pre-come and collecting it. It was far from what Loki would call a dignified act, using it as a salve and now lube, but Mobius was skilled with the tools given to him and the limited resources in the once sterile room. Loki's knees nearly buckled when Mobius slipped three digits into him, the stifled groan was met with a sudden jerk of the belt clasped on his cock and three harsh strikes of the tail to his lower back. He bit harshly against the gag, the tie clip digging painfully into his mouth, the tears threatened to escape until he snapped his eyes closed.

Mobius worked him quickly, unpleasantly, stretching and prepping for what was to come next. Loki's breaths started to hurt as the pressure built deep in his core, the bite of leather and metal against his cock startling him away from release and relief. It burned his lungs, but he swallowed it back, knowing he'd endure—and has endured—far, far worse. It simply struck a different chord coming from Mobius. The lack of preparation for when the next step came was anxiety inducing, especially when it was new territory and experience with Mobius for Loki, and for good reason. The exposure, humiliation, the risk of anyone simply walking in unannounced to see the vulnerable state he was put in was… appalling to say the least.

He was taken in a heartbeat, Mobius wasn't gentle as he bottomed out. Loki let out a strangled cry, which resulted in three more bites from the belt to his legs. Feeling Mobius' thickness pull away just as quickly only to repeat the action again had Loki's knees actually tremble under him. Had it not been for Mobius' firm grip on his hips, he'd have fallen to the floor. His hands held onto the table as best as he could, aching from how hard he clutched the edge, it's cold side grinding into his stomach with each rough thrust from Mobius. His lips started to bruise from biting back his voice, his hips were undoubtedly bruising under his handlers vice grip on them as he used the leverage to pull him back as Mobius filled him. Despite the lack of pleasure from this act, Loki could still feel the burn building in his core, his cock long since slick and desperately leaking, yearning for release. But Mobius knew where his edge was, and would tighten the strap so the metal would cinch against his desire and cause him to flinch, pulling him away from the edge of release every time.

He almost said the safe word, it was bordering too much to bear, but Loki settled on a loud gasp and accepted the belt lashing instead. Breaths became heavy pants as he desperately swallowed down air.

Loki finally felt Mobius quiver, and a few very rough pummels later, his handler grunted and moaned into Loki's back as he met his release, filling him to the brim. He bit into his flesh, hard, and Loki cried out from it, trembling when Mobius withdrew, feeling the come leaking and slicking down his thighs. The tightening of the belt happened too late, however, and Loki choked on a gasp as he spilled himself very unsatisfactory onto the floor.

Mobius tisked, disappointed, as Loki let himself slide off the table and onto the ground, weak, exhausted, and everything in between. But then, just as quick as he collapsed down in a heap did he feel the effects of the time twister rewinding him back to where he was slung over the table, the stifling burn in his chest and core returned full force, and Mobius pulled at the belt right when he needed it to to delay the orgasm. He explored Loki's entrance again with three… four digits. Loki pressed his forehead on a cool area of the table, trying to stave off the sweat and heat that his body was building to no avail.

"Is this what you wanted?" Mobius whispered in an ear, ramming his digits to the end knuckles, teasing his prostate. "The pain? Suffering? The punishment to fit the crime?"

The tears came then, stinging Loki's eyes and burning down his overly warm face. He nearly climaxed, but the time twister jerked him back to just before and the painful bite of leather on his cock forced it back once more. When was Mobius going to stop? Was he waiting to be told to? Where would his torturous methods cease? Mobius grabbed his length, hands slick with come, and then Loki was suddenly frozen in time as Mobius worked him hard with no release in sight.

"Is this what you want?" he asked again, rewinding Loki enough to collect his precome to mix with his own that still trailed down Loki's thighs.

He dug his right hand into Loki's hair, pulling his head from the table to look up at him. The gag was released only to be replaced with Mobius' salt-covered digits. They went in deep, and Loki just couldn't take it anymore after that. He signed the safe word, and the second Mobius withdrew his fingers, Loki panted quickly, begging.

"Josta! Josta! Please… please… I submit… Josta..."

Mobius collected Loki in his arms and dragged him to the floor, releasing the belt from his shaft and wrists as quickly as possible. Unraveling the shirt from the back of his neck so Loki could regain some semblance of decency, Mobius cradled Loki gently, carding fingers through sweat-soaked locks, thumbing away the stray tears that escaped down his cheeks, whispering soothing comfort in his ear.

Loki curled into his handler, forehead pressed against the crook of Mobius' neck, he could take in the dull musk there, feel the slowing pulse he could focus on and steady his own with. But he felt himself completely unravel despite his best efforts to keep it away.

"I'm sorry… I'm sorry… I was wrong. I was… I was in a bind, my instincts just… just kicked in to save myself. I didn't think you could… could save me—us… I'm sorry," he blurted between heavy breaths, the swell of emotion overwhelming his train of thought, he didn't want to cry… to break down… not now… not now.

"Hush, let's not worry about that," Mobius assured, more focused on bringing Loki down and to ground him enough so he could settle. "You're okay… you're safe here with me."

To show mercy, and to help ease Loki's suffering, Mobius carefully grasped Loki's swollen cock and gave him a few good pumps before he was pushed over the edge. Mobius held him through the orgasm, Loki's groans muffled into his neck. They both were an absolute mess, and he was supposed to be interrogating Loki. Ravonna wouldn't be too happy to see (or even know) what he has been up to behind closed doors with his Variant, but Mobius liked to keep secrets, too.

"Let's get cleaned up…" Mobius muttered, reaching for his TemPad so he could take them to his living space. "Get you proper aftercare…"

They fell through the portal and onto the bed. Mobius had to peel Loki off him so he could gather the salves and a drink to get Loki restablized. A change of clothes for them both couldn't hurt, either.

Watching Loki curl into himself, Mobius felt a pang of hurt. The pink, lusty gallant shade he achieved on the pale skin glowed in the dim light. Maybe he went a little bit too far.

Chapter Text

Losing all Control

"What are we?"

Mobius barely heard Loki speak. He was still curled up on the bed when he came out of the bathroom, shirt still undone and trousers only half way up his legs to indicate a feeble attempt at modesty. Mobius didn't respond, instead he laid cool, damp towels over Loki's lower back and forehead, taking a third to clean up the remaining evidence of what transpired between them. Loki shivered under his touch, not quite recoiling from it, but it was a tension Mobius did not like regardless as he finished the task and went to blot the heat from his face.

"You sore?"

"I'm fine," Loki hissed, low and menacing. "I don't need your hospitality or your mercy..."

He trailed off, voice hitching near the end and Loki pulled back from Mobius' touch and hid his face. Taking in a heavy breath, Mobius gathered the towels and discarded them to the floor. All the anger and fury he carried from Loki escaping with the Variant had simmered down to a low burn, and now that he was taking in the outcome of it all, it wasn't worth it. Unfortunately for them both, they had no time to unpack it all right now, which was going to make him the asshole in the equation.

"We need to get back. I'm supposed to be interrogating you," Mobius said calmly, reaching a hand out to brush his fingers against Loki's shoulder.

Loki sat up suddenly as if electrocuted by the contact, keeping his back to Mobius as he hastily corrected his appearance. Mobius stood up, offering him a hand that Loki rebuffed, standing on his own. He rounded on him then.

"That's all it is, isn't it?" Loki snarled, setting dangerous eyes on him. "I'm just another means to your end?"

"Loki…"

"Well, you certainly got it now, didn't you?" he spat, taking a threatening step toward him.

Mobius stood his ground, knowing that the hostility was going to come after what happened. He broke Loki, albeit accidentally, but he still reduced him down to a begging, apologizing, heaping mess and he had no idea how to handle that at all. He kept eye contact with him despite the fury that was unfolding in front of him. Mobius had only seen it once before with someone else Loki once loved and trusted. That thought sat strangely in his head.

"Nothing more than another clip on your file now that you managed to bend the unbreakable to get what you were after," Loki continued, venom dripping from every word. "Well, congratulations are in order for the great Agent Mobius. You managed to out trick the trickster."

"Loki…"

"And all for your precious, twisted little TVA cult. I'm sure they will shower you with reward and praise for your outstanding work on—"

Mobius pressed his hand firmly against Loki's reclothed chest and leaned hard into him, stepping forward in the process. Loki seemed taken aback by the action and stepped back, only to keep going when Mobius kept pushing until he hit the wall. Mobius rested his forearm against him now, hand gripping at Loki's shoulder. He leaned in close, seeing the hesitance in the micro-expressions on Loki's face before they hardened again.

"I need you to listen to me," Mobius said calmly, catching Loki's eyes. "I really want to hash this out with you properly, I really do, but right now is not the time," Mobius stressed, receiving a murderous glare. "If I don't show up in Ravonna's office soon, things are going to start to go bad."

"As if it hasn't happened already," Loki snapped. "You and your mission, can't have them be disappointed by your lack of performance and results."

Mobius ignored him. "This is what's going to happen. You're going into a time cell while I go meet with Ravonna. She's going to want to be in on the interrogation so you can use that spitfire against her too if you'd like. I highly encourage it, actually. Understand?"

He waited for Loki to respond, his breath was unsteady and sporadic and he swallowed hard, but his guarded expression was unwavering as he gave a curt nod.

"Good. I can tell you right now it is not going to be a pleasant experience, and I apologize in advance for it."

"Why?"

"Because Ravonna expects me to pull you from a very bad situation. Tear you down to wind you up."

Mobius removed his arm from Loki and tapped on the TemPad he held in his other one, hearing the time cell door open behind him. Loki looked at the very red door with trepidation, and Mobius wished it could be a far better place to put him in right now. He slipped a hand over his lower back and Loki resisted the pressure he placed there, not wanting to go through but gave in after a moment.

It was Asgard again, one of the many courtyards by the look of it, but Mobius wasn't bothered to take in the setting as he looked back at Loki.

"I've got to go now. Just… endure it for a little while, okay? I'll be back soon, I promise." He started to step back toward the portal but was stopped by a hand gripping his arm.

"Don't leave…"

"I have to, Loki." Mobius pulled his hand off him, noting the subtle underlying hint of fear in Loki's voice. "I'll be back."

"What about Sylvie?" he rushed out. "What happened to her?"

"Who?"

"Sylvie! The Variant. What are you doing with her?"

Mobius half shrugged. "Interrogate her as well, probably. We need to figure out what the two of you did that had us find you in the first place."

"And then what? You'll just throw us both out once you're done?"

Mobius simply shook his head at that, knowing he was stalling. "I gotta go. I'm sorry."

"Mobius—"

He slipped through the portal and closed it immediately, hearing his name being cut off in the process. Mobius went to the restroom and splashed cool water on his face and looked in the mirror, checking his appearance and sighing heavily. Leaving Loki in such a bad headspace in that daunting cell was not going to bode well and Mobius hated himself for it but didn't have much of a choice. He tapped out a code before departing for her office through another time door, figuring that time was of the essence.

The dread that settled in Mobius' chest ached as he now stood just outside Ravonna's office.

He really didn't know what to say to Loki that wasn't going to keep unraveling everything even further. Loki was simply rebuilding walls that had been completely torn down like tissue paper. He wasn't prepared for it to crumble like that. Mobius wasn't sure he was even prepared for it to happen when it did.

Loki's question echoed in his head when he knocked on the door, waited for the muffled "Come in," and let himself slip between the doors.

Ravonna smiled at him as he approached the couch, hands tucked in his pockets.

"I expected you a little earlier. Everything okay with you?" she asked, waving a hand over the couch to invite him to sit opposite of her.

Laying out the files on the table, he watched as she poured them drinks and he slowly moved closer toward his boss to sit.

"Yeah, I took a little detour to my room for a quick power nap. Hadn't been getting my eight hours in since this whole…" Mobius waved his hand in front of him, trying to find the right words.

He took the glass offered to him without continuing his trail of thought and quickly took a large drink.

"Since you took on this Variant?" Ravonna finished for him, eyeing him over her own glass.

Mobius gave a weak nod. "Something like that."

She took another quick sip before setting the glass down in front of her. He kept his in hand, shifting it slowly as a means to fidget.

"This assignment has been a struggle for us all, I know. But we have finally caught our fugitives and we can close this case for good." Ravonna smiled broadly at this, flicking her attention to the folders she had placed in front of her and opened one up.

Mobius let himself get lost in thought, staring at the deep blue short sword resting on the table in front of him. It was the weapon they confiscated from the Variant—Sylvie, as Loki called her. The blade certainly had seen better days, he was sure. It had a couple gouges and countless scratches littered all over it. There were runes crudely etched on the side he didn't bother trying to translate, and he absently sucked down the remaining contents of his drink while being lost in his head.

"Mobius?"

He snapped his attention back to Ravonna, raising his brows in question. "Yes?"

"What did you do with your Variant? D-90 said you excused them from the film room?"

"He's marinating in a time cell right now," Mobius said smoothly, but the twist in his chest burned. "Figured he needed to be withered down a bit before you took a crack at him."

"Did he say anything to you about what happened?"

Mobius shook his head, biting at his upper lip to get himself to focus. "He said a lot of things, but nothing important or of value."

Ravonna nodded at that, taking a moment to write a note down with that blue pen. She seemed to think he was glancing at the liquor bottle, however, and quickly corked it before standing and finishing her own drink.

"I'd offer you a second, but we have a Variant to interrogate." She gathered the files and stepped forward, turning to face him. "Shall we?"

"What about the other one?" Mobous asked, setting his glass on the ringed up end table beside him before getting up.

"What about her?"

"We tag-teaming her, too? I'm sure with a little prodding she could offer some insight as well," Mobius explained. "Might be an easier target than mine. He's pretty difficult to dig at."

Ravonna took a breath when he stepped up beside her, shaking her head. "Let's hope that we only need one of them. Not like what either of them say will be worth their weight, but it's protocol to gather what we can from this unique situation for the archives."

He followed her gait, stepping through the door she held open for him. "I trust the work you put in on this Loki enough that we will get something useful out of him first before needing to take extra steps on moving forward.

"And Mobius?" she said, having him pause in the hall outside her office. "I appreciate your concern, but I assure you that I can handle the riff-raff."

Mobius nodded, daring to not speak as they navigated through the halls and elevator ride to the film room. He did wonder why no one used the time doors within the TVA more, it certainly had become quite handy at least. It also reminded him that he would need to scrub the TemPad before it had to be turned in for screening after this case closed. And boy did it really need to be scrubbed.

They approached the room where D-90 and A-14 stood guard.

"Please bring another chair in for us, thank you," Ravonna said to D-90, who gave her a nod in response.

Mobius did the honors of opening the film room door for Ravonna, ignoring the hard stare from D-90 when he fell into step behind her. That man never did like him, probably a jealousy thing considering he was only Ravonna's personal guard and not her favorite analyst who got to have private meetings while he was forced to stand outside the door for them or be sent to the field with him.

She took a seat and placed the folders on the table. "Bring him in."

"Shouldn't we wait for the…"

D-90 entered as he spoke, sliding another steel chair in and placing it on the empty side of the table. He didn't take his eyes off Mobius the entire time, grabbing his baton before turning to leave.

"Oh, please leave that here for me, D-90. Thank you," Ravonna said, not even bothering to look his way.

Mobius gave him a cheeky smile when he reluctantly dropped it back on the table and all but stomped off. "Someone's having a bad day."

She dismissed it with a hand wave. "He is always like that."

"Wanting to always wring my neck, you mean?"

"Oh, don't be so dramatic," Ravonna said, folding her hands on the table and looking up at him. "Alright. Bring him in."

Mobius bit his tongue, pulling the TemPad from his pocket and set it to open the glaringly red door. Collecting the baton, he lazily saluted her with it before stepping through. He heard Loki speaking and lingered just out of view to listen before the loop ended.

"...I crave attention… because… I'm a… I'm a narcissist. And I suppose it's because I… I am af—" He could hear the hitch in his throat, catching the word. "I'm scared of being alone."

The silence drifted for several seconds, Mobius dared not move just yet, stuck on what he had just heard before Lady Sif responded.

"You are alone. And you always will be."

Damn… Mobius checked his TemPad then, noticing that he had queued up the wrong memory he had originally planned for. He grimaced and rubbed his eyes, letting out a slow breath as the TemPad pinged, signaling the loop ended. This was going to be a difficult one to explain. Though the other memory would've been too, he supposed.

He stepped around the corner and saw Loki with his back to him still on the ground, head bowed, shoulders hunched over. A heaping mess yet again, and it was all his fault... again.

"Loki?"

He looked up immediately, eyes hardening despite the redness that outlined them.

"You take a leisure stroll with the Judge?"

Mobius approached, offering a hand out to him. "There's no other way to say this that will make you believe it, but I deeply apologize for... everything."

Loki stared at him, swallowing hard before he eyed his hand but didn't respond or make any other movement.

"She's waiting, but take your time to collect yourself first if you need."

Ravonna would have a field day seeing him like this, but he wasn't going to give her the pleasure of it. Loki accepted his hand after several seconds and Mobius hoisted him up but didn't let go of him. Their shoulders were inches apart, but Loki made sure to not look at him.

"You're not a narcissist," Mobius half-whispered. "You harbor tendencies, but so what?  Even if you were one, it does not make you a villain."

Loki finally looked at Mobius, eyes glassing over. Mobius let go of his hand and moved it to his shoulder, placing gentle pressure on it.

"Thought you needed to hear it."

They walked through the portal in silence. Mobius dropped his hand a split second prior and returned back to the film room. Loki honed in on Ravonna then, moving in such a way that mimicked a predator stalking prey. Mobius gestured for him to sit before taking a seat beside her. She only flicked her attention away from her paperwork when they both settled. Loki resumed a stand-off position, arms crossed and a looming glare edging his expression. Mobius straightened his own folder he'd abandoned there from before, needing to fiddle.

"Here we are again, Variant. And unfortunately for you, the circumstances have changed very little in your favor," Ravonna said, folding her hands together and looking at Loki with a tilted head.

"And I see you are still making poor choices in regards to your own personal safety," Loki deadpanned, eyes glinting.

Ravonna was unfazed, only a faint twitch of her brow indicated anything, and Mobius ran a nervous hand through his hair during this exchange.

"I'm not afraid of you. You've nothing but empty threats while your life hangs in the balance," she said, and Mobius put a hand in front of her.

"Okay, that's enough. Let's just get this started, alright?"

This was a bad idea.

"What happened on Lamentis-1 between you and the other Variant?" Ravonna asked curtly, tapping her pen onto the paper.

Mobius quietly busied himself with his own notes, writing, Variant Name - Sylvie. Lamentis-1 Nexus Event...

Loki shifted his attention to Mobius, and he glanced up at him tentatively before looking over at the impassive expression on Ravonna's face.

"What's it to you?" he hissed out. "Clearly you need us for something, otherwise you'd just have let us die."

"You caused a Nexus Event, Loki," Mobius interjected. "Do you know how that might have happened?"

He could see Loki wanted to look just as surprised Mobius was when he saw it unfolding on screen, but he contained it to be subtle enough that Mobius was confident Ravonna wouldn't pick up on it. Loki turned his head slightly, processing this news.

"I have no idea what you are talking about," Loki said firmly. "Sylvie and I—"

"Who?" Ravonna asked, writing on her notepad.

Loki flicked eyes at Mobius and set his jaw. He really didn't like getting interrupted.

"Sylvie. The other person you arrested and have locked up somewhere in here," he reiterated.

"So, you two escaped to Lamentis-1 and just had a grand time relishing in your victory before finishing this master plan to overthrow the TVA," Ravonna stated, raising her brows when looking back at Loki.

"Now, that's quite the—"

"Yes, that's correct," Loki replied defiantly, cutting Mobius off. "Who's to say you didn't just walk right into a trap letting us back here?"

Mobius closed his eyes and leaned heavily into his chair. He could feel a headache coming on, and Loki wasn't even trying to hide the blatant lie he just spewed. Ravonna was not that gullible. She smirked at him, tapping the end of her pen on the paper.

"I know because there was no way you two could have set up a Nexus Event in the middle of the destruction of an entire society," she stated confidently.

Loki chuckled darkly then, lowering his head and shaking it slowly.

"You find this amusing?"

"You truly have no idea what I am capable of, much less when there are two of us working off each other so efficiently." Loki looked up, a wicked smile on his face, yet his attention was geared toward Mobius, who was watching Loki carefully now. "She and I fit like a glove tailored for us both. I suppose I have you and your pathetic TVA to thank for properly uniting us so we could finish something that started long before you even realized."

"So you are working for her?" she asked, but Mobius pressed at a different point of Loki's statement.

"What do you mean by you two fit like a glove?"

Ravonna tisked. "Don't be coy, Mobius. They were facing the end of a world. What else do you think it would mean?"

Mobius felt the corner of his eye twitch at that, but didn't respond and allowed the two too continue this pointless back and forth.

Loki sent a loaded glare at Ravonna. "I work for no one."

"You said so yourself—" Ravonna started before being interrupted.

"Our interests aligned, simply sharing the same goals to a respectable outcome," Loki growled. "But I certainly didn't work for her. She served her role by systematically dismantling your precious security from the outside. She ending up here was a minor divergence."

Mobius let out a deep breath. Nothing he was saying made any real sense. He was piecing together tidbits of whatever he could to make it sound believable at this point. Good for him because Ravonna was foolishly buying right into it.

"And you were supposed to do what, exactly?" She questioned, leaning over the table. "Infiltrate from the inside for what purpose? Because from my standpoint, whatever it was you two were plotting clearly was a complete failure. Just like you and your little girlfriend are nothing else than cosmic mistakes."

Loki openly glared at her, stiffening his posture to silently challenge her unwavering authority. Mobius wished he could've done this alone, it would've been far more productive at least. Why was he feeling so fidgety whenever Sylvie was mentioned? He brushed it off with a shake of his head.

Mobius tapped on Ravonna's shoulder, who refused to lose the smug look on her face when she leaned over to him. He dropped his voice and concealed his mouth behind a hand so Loki couldn't pick up anything he said.

"This taunting isn't going to get you anywhere. I'd stick to direct questions about the situation and leave the rest alone."

Loki was glowering at him when Mobius looked his way, but he kept a trained relaxed demeanor as he repositioned. Ravonna inhaled sharply, straightening her paperwork, she folded her hands over it and stared expressionless at Loki.

"Do you or do you not know what caused the Nexus Event?"

Loki shifted forward painstakingly slowly, not taking his eyes off her. "Why would I tell you?"

Ravonna got to her feet then, collecting her things, grabbing the baton, and turning toward the door.

"We're done here. Mobius," she said crisply, and Mobius got up and followed her to the door, reaching for it, she put a hand on his arm.

"You were right. I should've left this to you," she uttered.

"You did fine. Just need to shake the rust off is all. Maybe trying the other Variant will have better results," he assured, placing a hand on her back, pulling open the door. "I'll catch up. Give me time to set this one out to dry."

Ravonna nodded, handing him the baton then. "See if you can pull anything else before taking care of him. He's of no further use to us otherwise."

He gave a nod, taking the weapon before she exited the room. Mobius stood there facing the door, pinching the bridge of his nose and running a hand over his forehead. Not even considering the fact he had his back turned to Loki.

Surprisingly, Loki stayed put when Mobius turned to face him. He approached, not bothering to sit, simply dropping the baton back on the table, along with the time twister and his TemPad. He tucked his hands in his pockets, biting at his upper lip, he looked down at the file in front of him where Sylvie's name looked back as he stood beside Loki.

"She's a bit rusty around the gills with interrogations," Mobius said for no real reason than to break the tension. "Spent too much time on the Judge's Podium."

"You weren't going to stop until I told you to, weren't you?"

There it was. Mobius scraped his tongue against his teeth, eyeing Loki carefully. He was mimicking the action, but no one dared make a move.

"No, I wasn't," he said plainly. "You designed your own guidelines, I only followed them."

Loki let out a heavy breath, closing his eyes. "You would've…" the words seemed to have died on his lips as he recollected himself. "Right. It shouldn't surprise me, I suppose. Part of the control over myself, as you claimed."

A quiet beat ticked by. "You are quite the straight-laced rule follower, after all. Until you weren't. Wonder what happened..."

Mobius didn't answer to the bait, not needing to because he didn't want to admit it to Loki or himself. It certainly wasn't part of the arrangement, this was one of those off-script things that he thought they'd be safe from and yet here they were at that crossroads, unsure of where to go next, if they should even take the same path. They were both quiet for several seconds, and all he heard was Loki trying to keep his composure and breathing steady.

"I meant it, you know," Mobius said softly, grabbing Loki's attention. "In the time cell. I really am sorry. It was not exactly the proper way to handle things, exercising that over you the way I did, and then enduring that loop right after wasn't what I had in mind, either. It was incredibly cruel."

Loki snorted, not seeming to want to believe him, which was understandable. There was damage made that needed to be mended. Mobius sat down again, taking in the god who was barely holding it together in front of him.

"You acted on what was agreed upon. I wrote it in, did I not? I asked for it…"

The silence settled heavily. Mobius took a seat and waited for Lokit to broach the subject first on why he responded the way he did to it, but nothing came and he wasn't going to prod.

"She's not my girlfriend… Sylvie," Loki said, breaking the strange silence between them. "I saw how you reacted, but there is nothing between us."

Mobius blinked slowly, watching Loki's demeanor as he listened. There was an underlying tone that strained his words, hinting at careful calculations of what to say and how. The work of a true crafty liar. Something he didn't even bother with in whatever garbage he forked over to Ravonna, at least.

"Something did happen between you two, though. How else would you manage to conjure up something you yourself proved couldn't be done?"

Loki went motionless, pulling his attention away from Mobius now, he dropped his arms and reached for the table where he lightly tapped the top of it with a finger.

"What happened out there?"

"As if you care," he said, going rigid again. "Didn't your superior say you were done with me?"

"She was, I am not."

Loki still didn't answer the question but showing confliction on if he should. "Where did she go?"

"Who?"

"The Judge. Your superior. Where did she go?"

Mobius gave a weak shrug. "To take care of Sylvie, I suppose. It was pretty clear you didn't know what we were looking for, chances are your other half won't, either."

Loki's eyes widened at this, sitting forward and straighter than before. "What?"

Mobius bit his lip, so Loki was concerned about the woman after all. Maybe even care about her, this was certainly something new. Perhaps Loki did like her and just didn't realize, and vice versa. They were both too much in their own heads trying to outscheme each other to see the connection until they were facing true imminent death. He wanted to laugh at the sheer ridiculousness of how it sounded, but the more he puzzled it out, the more he felt that poison leeching in.

"There's nothing else Ravonna wants out of you two other than to have you both caught and to vaguely figure out what caused something that shouldn't have happened. It is a job well done on her end having the former, and the rest is all just a bonus to her," Mobius explained. "She wants me to prune you because…"

Loki's eyes darkened at this, and Mobius decided to not finish what he was saying.

"So that's it then? I've served my purpose and now I'm nothing else to you," he spat. "I should have known you had nothing but hollow promises and assurances the moment you spoke of them."

"Loki…"

Loki slammed a hand hard on the table, getting to his feet in the same motion. He rounded on him but Mobius gave no reaction as he got really close to the point he could feel the coolness radiating off him.

"You want to know what happened on Lamentis-1? Fine. We tried to kill each other, then saved each other's hides while a planet fell on our heads we couldn't escape from!" his voice only raised as he continued. "Oh, and we might've had a bit of fun along the way, because what's so wrong with having a dalliance with an enemy while facing imminent death and destruction!"

Loki grabbed a fist full of Mobius' shirt then, jerking him to his feet. "Because that's just what we do, isn't it? Stir chaos among the madness, being nothing else but cosmic mistakes while destined to be alone." Loki's voice leveled then, and he smirked despite the sadness that hid in his eyes. "So why not seek comfort with yourself? We were going to die anyway. Together but still utterly alone. At least that was the plan."

Mobius hadn't paid attention or focused on picking out the truths in the lies, instead he wrapped an arm around Loki and pulled him into a hug. Loki's face fell into his chest, the grip he had on him slacked, and Mobius gently rubbed his back and stroked his hair, hearing him inhale deeply before completely melting into him.

"You're not alone…

They were only allowed this moment for a handful of seconds when the door opened suddenly, Mobius had a split-second reaction to release Loki and side-step him to see who came in. Ravonna looked at him with concern, not seeming to see their exchange.

"We have a situation. B-15 has been compromised." Her eyes flicked over Loki, seeming unsurprised he was still there. "Put him in a cell. The Time-Keepers want him."

Ravonna turned and left without another word. Mobius tilted his head slightly, processing. "Compromised?"

Loki collapsed back in the chair, exhaustion kicking in. Mobius reached for him again, wishing to touch Loki's hair but decided against making contact entirely and dropped his hand to his side. It still looked so incredibly soft despite enduring twelve hours of planetary decay raining upon it. A lot of self-control was currently being exercised on his end, needing to blink away the fantasy of taking Loki where he sat and worshiping him until all the hurt and loneliness could never plague him again.

Mobius was startled out of his thoughts when Loki started speaking, "She was enchanted by Sylvie back at Roxxcart. Like C-20 was."

"Enchanted?"

"Her power. She can tap into people's minds and uses their memories to control them," Loki explained quickly. "She said that… she said that they're all… you're all…"

Loki got up suddenly, placing his hands on Mobius' shoulders. "We need to get out of here. You're in danger."

Mobius was utterly confused. "Wait. Wait. We're all what?"

"We need to go… back to Pompeii or… or... somewhere until we can make a plan or…"

"Loki!"

"What?"

He was genuinely scared, but Mobius had no idea what he was saying or why he was scared. "What are you talking about?"

"The TVA has been lying to you. You weren't created, you were taken! You're a Variant just like I am, like Sylvie is," Loki said, stumbling over his words. "Sylvie said she had to pull very old memories from C-20, and she must've done the same with B-15. The Judge knows this, she knows and she is trying to cover it up. We need to leave, now!"

"Okay, okay. Can we step back, take a breath. Gather yourself, and tell me again?" Mobius encouraged, his head reeling from the info dump to the point where he just blanked out.

Loki sighed, extremely exasperated. He pulled away from Mobius and started to pace the room.

"This entire place is a sham, Mobius," Loki said, gesturing around the space. "You are a Variant. Just like me and Sylvie. They took you from the timeline, pulled you from your life and everything you knew and turned you into one of their mindless drones."

"Hey…"

"But Sylvie, she can fix that. Fix you! But we need to get to her and get out of here before…"

Mobius' TemPad went off and he checked to see a message from Ravonna asking him to bring Loki to the elevator.

"Alright… I, uh… don't know what to do with this information," he said, scratching his head and shifting his weight. "But we…"

Loki cupped his hands over Mobius' face, forcing him to look up at him. "Please, you need to believe me on this… if you don't take us out of here we're as good as dead."

"It's a lot to take in," Mobius breathed out, searching the deep emerald eyes for any trace of a lie. All he saw instead was complete sincerity.

"I've trusted you, and now I need you to trust me. Please…"

"Yet you trust another you's word on all of this?" Mobius questioned, shaking his head that was still in Loki's hands. The doubt—poison—was settling in now. "I can't risk putting myself on the line based on this…"

Loki kissed him then. It was desperate, needy, melting his entire self into it. Wishing, willing for Mobius to believe him. He stiffened only momentarily before draping his hands over Loki's hips, nudging him closer to him just to feel him against his own body.

It felt very nice.

"Mobius…" the voice of Ravonna resonated from the doorway, followed by the whine of a prune stick charging up.

Loki whipped around in a blink of an eye, making sure that Mobius was behind him as he glared back at her. Mobius was looking over his shoulder to meet Ravonna's intense expression. D-90 was right beside her, prune stick at the ready and a very bold grin on his face.

"Ravonna," Mobius responded.

"This is a new low, even for you," she said slowly, "Out of everyone here you go for the worst. I'm deeply disappointed." She turned her head toward D-90. "Prune him."

D-90 marched swiftly for them at the command and Loki snarled at him, making sure that he separated Mobius from the threat.

Loki grabbed the Hunters arm, but was easily shaken off and the back end of the baton struck out at him, but Loki blocked it with his bare arms. Mobius flinched at the contact, reaching in his pocket for the TemPad only to realize he left it on the table D-90 now stood in front of. Loki pushed back against the baton, getting a good hit in on his side and calf where the armor didn't cover. While he was preoccupied, Mobius attempted to slip back over to the table, Ravonna was watching him, and A-14 made for him but she held out a hand.

"Wait."

Mobius didn't get far, D-90 had shoved Loki back with a swift kick in the side and stumbled into him. Mobius caught Loki and held him upright, but D-90 took advantage of it and sent the back end of the weapon straight for Loki but it was caught. Loki pressed his weight into the Hunter, the glowing end got dangerously close to D-90's neck, but Mobius saw him throw back a shoulder instead of resisting, flinging Loki forward only to be struck with the blunt end of the baton to his face. It threw Loki to the floor at Mobius' feet, and he looked across the room at Ravonna before making a last ditch attempt to grab his TemPad before D-90 struck him square in the chest with the lit end.

He flinched at the hard impact, dropping his gaze to Loki who scrambled at his feet, reaching for him as he disintegrated into nothing.

Chapter Text

Never had Control

Loki would have hugged Sylvie the second he was close enough until he caught sight of Mobius approaching her seconds later. Of course, he would have kissed him stupid and maybe slap him senseless on top of it because he was still so conflicted about everything when it came to Mobius. There was also the strange audience that now caught up to them to consider as well, so Loki just stopped dead in his tracks in front of them and looked between them in near disbelief.

The elated feeling of having familiar faces around didn't last long, however. The ever-threatening cloud of death—Alioth—always lingering in the horizon didn't help, but knowing that there were other dangers potentially lurking about was unsettling. The lack of a day and night cycle in the Void made it even more difficult to get a sense of time just like in the TVA, but Loki had long since forgotten to care about it at this point. All he knew was he was tired, so tired, and so done with everything. He wanted to talk to Sylvie about her plan and how she wanted to go about approaching and handling it. He wanted to talk to Mobius about… everything and nothing. It was a conflicted feeling actively wanting to interact with people who actually liked his company, for the most part, and figuring out how to go about it in the process.

Once the group got acquainted with each other, they tracked an energy point and headed for it so Sylvie could use it as an aid to help execute her plan. Loki was worried that she wasn't going to be strong enough to do it regardless of her confidence. Enchanting people is one thing, doing it on a monster of that magnitude was pure insanity. Though, as she so blatantly pointed out, his idea wasn't much better. They managed to find a stable structure to seek temporary refuge in to rest and recover after trekking across the Void for who knows how long. While everyone else settled around a fire chattering about whatever, Loki looked out at the horizon where the dull grey sky met desolate wasteland. This particular area was empty of wrecked buildings that he woke up to at least, making it easier to spot the neverending storm of Alioth in the distance or potential threats approaching.

He was ansty, mind still reeling over everything that happened and what was going to happen. Right now he was willingly avoiding everyone in a weak attempt to clear his head, but it was proving to be the opposite effect, and instead decided to engage. Loki gently tapped Sylvie's foot with his own when he approached her to get her attention. She looked up at him expectantly, and he tilted his head somewhat in return, silently asking if she'd join him outside before stepping out of the structure. He took great care to not look Mobius' way who he knew was watching him. Sylvie flicked her gaze over to the agent before getting up to follow.

"Mind if we talk?" Loki asked when she came up to him.

He moved near the base of the hill the structure was on to get out of earshot of everyone else. The whipping wind would help with that as well. Sylvie gave a half-shrug.

"I suppose we could."

Loki took a seat on the ground, gesturing to her to sit beside him. She folded her arms over her, quirking a brow.

"I'd rather sit on the more comfortable rock inside, thank you."

Half-rolling his eyes, Loki smugly conjured a flagstone. She shook her head but sat down on it anyway, giving herself a little wiggle for show.

"Better?" he asked, smirking.

"Smart ass."

The wind whipped around them then and Slyvie shifted ever so slightly toward him in response.

"It's quite cold at the end of time," Loki said after a moment, making a mock shiver.

"Yup," she said.

The silence was awkward, so Loki conjured a blanket to wrap himself in. Sylvie looked over him, scrutinizing him.

"Want one?"

She shook her head before looking out at the ruins of what looked like some kind of cathedral not far from them. She bristled when Loki had made it so his blanket wrapped around her shoulders as well. Looking back at him, she gave a half-smile and pulled it close in a silent gesture of thanks. The awkwardness still lingered.

"Did Mobius tell you his theory about the—"

"Nexus Event on Lamentis-1?" Loki interrupted, and was given a stern look.

He shook his head then, looking at his feet. "Uh, no. we uh… didn't exactly have a proper moment to discuss it. What did he tell you?"

Sylvie shrugged, curling her fingers tightly around the blanket and shifting her weight some, clearing her throat. "He thinks it's because we… umm… became close."

Loki raised a brow, looking at her curiously. "You mean like…"

She shivered involuntarily, instinctively moving even closer to Loki. He was sure it was the nerves rather than the wind. "Yeah…"

Loki tilted his head, thinking about their time at the lake on Lamentis-1. They talked about some very deep, personal self-reflection between them, and they held hands and silently accepted their demise while looking at each other rather than the debris impacting the ground in the distance. It certainly was a moment… apparently enough to trigger a Nexus, how else did Mobius find them? Though, he wouldn't really call it romantic in any way, that is just…

She squeezed his hand then, and he looked down at their entwined hands he didn't realize had occurred while stuck in his head.

"Well… it was certainly a… comforting exchange," he said slowly. "But I… I don't think…"

She swallowed hard, looking at him with mixed emotions fluttering over her face, struggling to keep herself contained. "I don't know how to do any of this… I've never… had anyone to share anything with. I don't… I don't know how to process what this is supposed to be."

Loki released her hand and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her in more to him and rubbing her bicep in comfort.

"I don't even know what this is supposed to be, either…" he assured her.

Whatever it was, he liked the feeling. Apparently it was also obvious enough that Mobius picked up on it to connect the dots, the clever bastard. His head got stuck on Mobius then and how he felt around him before he was pruned. It was conflicted: anger, betrayal, and hurt mixed with… need. Whatever that meant, he just knew he needed Mobius. Needed him to believe him, needed him to listen, to trust him, to…

"Perhaps we can figure it out together? After all is said and done, who knows what lies ahead," Sylvie said, pulling him from his thoughts. "Maybe I'll finally know what rest is…"

She let out a tired breath then, placing her head on his shoulder. He only nodded in agreement, not wanting to think that far ahead right now. The two sat there in a pleasant silence, all awkwardness disappeared between them. Whatever it was this feeling they both felt was, they'd figure it out together.

"Is there something on my neck?" Sylvie asked after a long quiet stretch.

She turned her back to him and pulled her hair up for Loki to check, giving him a chance to get a quick glimpse of Mobius in the background watching, shifting his weight in his seat every few seconds.

"Seems like someone is attempting to kill you with a glare," he said.

"Ah." She made a point to lean into him. "Thought so."

Loki quirked a brow at her when she turned back toward him, smiling. "Then why did you ask?"

She rolled her eyes. "He's so obviously jealous right now, me being out here snuggled under a tablecloth with you." She pulled it closer over her shoulders and tucked herself into his arm for good measure, resuming her previous position with him.

"That's ridiculous," he said quickly, shaking his head. "There's nothing going on between us that warrants jealousy."

Sylvie just looked at him, brows raised, blinking slowly like he was some kind of idiot. "Really? Then he not shut uping about you the entire time we drove around aimlessly is just nothing, then? Interesting."

She let out a breath. Loki shifted some, pulling the blanket to him and moved his arm to curl around her side, liking her closeness.

"What are we doing?"

"Making your prince bothered enough to come rescue you, of course," Sylvie replied smugly.

"He's not—"

"Oh, shut it already." She bumped her shoulder with his, readjusting her hair before resuming her head on his shoulder. "If it's because you two have some unresolved interpersonal issues going on, well… no time like the present to fix it, yeah?"

"I don't think it is any of your business," Loki said curtly. "We were only a weird form of coworkers, I suppose. Nothing to fix…"

"Right…" she stole a glance up the hillside. "You think a kiss would really set him off?"

Loki leaned away suddenly, staring at her with uncertainty. "No? Look…"

Sylvie smirked then, removing the blanket and getting to her feet, stretching as she did. "I think I'll see if the others have any tips that may help with the enchanting. Good luck."

She winked at him, and Loki watched as she headed back toward the structure, placing a light hand on Mobius' arm when they passed each other. Loki slowly got up, vanishing the blanket and regarding Mobius.

"Let's take a walk," he said, doing that hand motion he used whenever he wished for Loki to follow him but was too miffed to touch him.

Loki followed in silence, trailing just behind his handler, unsure of what else to do. He noticed after a moment they were approaching the ruined cathedral, the heavy scorch marks more evident now that he was so close. Mobius stopped by the opening to the inside and turned to face Loki, scratching the back of his head.

"Suppose we are relieved of our contract, considering."

Loki was floored. "That's all you want to talk about? Really?"

He waved his hands outward, making a mock attempt to look around him in the process. "After literally everything else that has since happened?"

Mobius' eyes glinted, that hint of darkness that Loki loved to draw out of him had him drop his arms to his sides.

"Alright, let's talk about you and Sylvie, then," Mobius deadpanned, digging his hands deeply into his pockets.

Loki shook his head, unable to contain his laugh. "Right. Your theory is quite absurd, by the way. We are—"

Mobius simply stared at him, causing him to swallow back his denial.

"So, you two being 'cold'—" he made a motion with his fingers at that word, "—and huddled up together is just nothing. That is one of the lamest lie's you've given me yet."

Loki chewed his lip, looking away for a brief second before he regathered his nerve. He decided to play boldly instead to counter the crisp tone Mobius had spoken with.

"Don't wear your jealousy so openly, it doesn't look good on you," he taunted.

Mobius tisked, and Loki could see he was using a lot of restraint right now to keep from exercising the fine print on the contract—correcting disobedience. Mobius shook his head, stilted in his movement.

"What do you see in her, anyway?" Mobius finally asked, gesturing back at the structure as he spoke.

"I don't know—"

"Don't lie," he snapped back.

Loki inclined his head, taking in a sharp breath. "Outwardly, she greatly reminds me of my mother. She took on her appearance after…"

He trailed off when Mobius made a very strange face. "What?"

"So… you have an Oedipus effect thing going on? That… certainly is something I didn't expect," Mobius said, letting out a low whistle to emphasize.

"What? No. Don't be so foul, Mobius," he scolded before sighing in exasperation, combing a hand through his hair. Mobius' hand twitched at the gesture but Loki didn't bother to ponder why. "If anything, I'd say… I don't know—she's like a sister, maybe?

"Look, I honestly don't know what it is or how to explain any of this, okay? I don't even know how to explain what it is I feel about you—"

Loki stopped talking suddenly, clipping the last word as he scrambled to recall what he just said. Mobius tilted his head at this as well, a ghost of a smile on his face. Loki swallowed hard again, unsure of what to do from here.

"Right, that's completely fair," Mobius said, taking a few steps toward him. "We are overdue for a proper conversation, after all."

"It isn't exactly the right time for it, now is it?" Loki questioned, wanting to deflect.

Mobius slipped an arm behind him and placed a hand on the small of his back, putting pressure against him to follow. "When is it ever the right time to talk about anything? We're literally at the end of time, if not now then when?"

"Never, preferably," Loki muttered, feeling that familiar yet foreign thing stir in him again as they stepped into the remains of the cathedral.

"You know this is the Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral. Caught fire in 2019 by a sheer freak accident. We get one of these every so often and it causes a branch. Shame, really, that it took on so much damage and now is laying waste here," Mobius explained as they walked, taking in the shattered out windows and collapsed ceiling.

Loki looked at him, utterly confused. "Didn't know we were on a tour of Nexus Events."

Mobius stopped in the center of a large room to look up at Loki. "What I am saying is that literally anything can spark a branch. They can be deliberate, accidental, completely random events in history. Why does it happen like that—" he shrugged, "—but you asked why your Cooper stint didn't cause one and I had no answer to it because I honestly don't even know. It just didn't. It's all—"

Loki went in for the kiss then, tired of listening to his rambling about nothing important anymore. He was a tad more rough this time, desperate to shut him up rather than try and convince him to see reason like the one from the film room. Pulling back some, breathless, he cupped Mobius' face in his hands and took in the crystal blue his eyes reflected from the grim grey of their surroundings.

"You talk too much," he half-whispered, smirking at the jab.

Mobius bit his tongue, scanning over Loki's face before taking a step back to inspect him further. Loki was confused and maybe even minutely hurt, but curiosity quickly trumped it when Mobius rubbed the back of his neck.

"Question."

"Yes?" he replied slowly, making sure his confusion was evident.

"Is looking like your mother a mutual thing?"

Loki tilted his head.  “What a bizarre question.”

“I mean… you know,” Mobius said, vaguely gesturing behind them.  “Do you ever just present more feminine physically sometimes?”

Loki chuckled then, now realizing where this was going. "As if you could handle me as a woman."

Mobius shrugged, reaching up to graze his fingers against Loki's jawline. "I handled you just fine as you are now…"

"Sharing your fantasies, are we?" Loki prodded, eyes flashing a mischievous look.

"I'm fine with any mold you choose, really," he said, hand sliding across Loki's clavicle. "Mostly curious, is all."

"Playing coy now, I see," he muttered back, moving in to hover his lips just over Mobius'. "Because you already know that answer."

There was that glint in his eyes again and Loki tipped his head at this unsaid challenge, feeling every word resonate through his nerves and lighting that burn of desire… that need. His sexuality flowed through him like the current of a river, comfortable with changing the flow as he saw fit. His lithe and lean body type was on purpose for a reason as default, after all, just like Sylvie and the others had their own reasons with themselves.

With a quick twitch of a shoulder and closing his eyes, Loki felt the magic flow, shaping and reshaping until eyes flicked back open to see Mobius gaping and eyes scanning everywhere.

She made a point to retain the TVA-issued uniform, but without the suffocating tie no longer wrapped around her neck (who even knows where it was now, actually). Loki made sure a few top buttons were undone, exposing her clavicle and teasing cleavage. Her black hair was braided at the sides where they connected into a larger braid down the center in back that laid over a blanket of loose hair underneath. Usually liking her nails short for convenience sake, they now came to a point and were painted black.

Loki closed what little distance was between Mobius and her, sliding her hands over Mobius' chest and shoulders, tucking them under his jacket to not so subtly push it off his shoulders and arms, discarding it nearby. Loki pressed herself against Mobius, lowering her lips to brush against an earlobe.

"Do I meet your expectations?" Loki whispered, voice a tad higher than before. "Or is the footage better?"

She nipped at his ear then, moving down to the crook of his neck to nuzzle and nibble there as well. Mobius released a heavy breath, it hitching when Loki grinded against his hardening groin. Mobius grabbed Loki by the hips and spun her around, hastily pushing them back until Loki's back slammed against a pillar. She let out a gasp at the impact, digging her fingers deep into his hair as Mobius scraped his teeth roughly against her exposed collarbone. He trailed his hands up her sides, tugging at fabric along the way as if hoping it would just fall off at some point. He captured her lips, probing his tongue against her mouth while letting his hands roam over her body, coaxing a muffled moan from Loki when Mobius found her nipples and pinched them hard, twisting them just so and rolling them between fingers.

Mobius pulled back after a thorough ravishing, leaving Loki panting and breathless. A hand slid down her stomach and between her legs, undoing the zipper and popping the button of the trousers to slip a few fingers in to stroke against her clit and test the nectar dripping between her thighs. Even in this form she couldn't be bothered with undergarments. Loki hissed out a breath, nipping at a lip that got a little too close, forcing him forward with her fingers still knotted in his hair.

"Are you going to fuck me, Mobius, or simply play?" Loki asked, voice low and hypnotic, staring into those ever darkening blue eyes.

A single finger dipped between her folds then, sliding in deep before surfacing to gently stroke over her pearling flesh.

"Not until I have you exactly where I want you," Mobius whispered against her mouth.

He made another skilled, repeated motion of his digits as he spoke, sending uncontrolled shivers up Loki's back, already wanting to come undone from that quiet, rugged voice already. He continued with this slow, rhythmic massage of her clit and inner folds for several seconds, slicking it with her own desire only to lightly tease right after. Loki couldn't take it and attempted to jerk her hips into him, needing to feel him on her, keeping her hands in his hair. Mobius lightly tapped the tip of Loki's nose then, having her narrow her eyes at him in turn. His hand started traveling down her front shortly after, catching the buttons on her shirt and working them open as he found them. It didn't take long for Mobius to steal a rough kiss from her and nuzzle his way down her neck to her now exposed breasts, gently licking over a nipple while his hand roamed over the other.

"Bloody tease," Loki growled between pants, squirming under his touch that felt like lightning coursing through her every fiber.

His one hand did not change pace at all, it kept gently probing deep only to retreat and tease her engorged clit with soaked digits with light pets. His tongue and teeth rolled her nipple slowly, breathing hot air over it from Mobius' own heavy breaths, and his other hand mimicked the action with his fingers but squeezed and twisted every so often. Loki moaned, rolling her head back and fluttering her eyes closed as she finally gave into the burning of her core and choked out a ragged breath as she came undone by all of this alone. She slid her hands from his hair to his shoulders, digging into them hard.

Mobius collected her mewls with his mouth, kissing her deeply as Loki rode out her orgasm. As she finally came down from the high, he pulled back just enough to feel her labored breaths flutter across his face.

"All to please you, precious," Mobius whispered, slipping two fingers back into her to work Loki back up again.

Of course his fucking gravely voice shot straight into her simmering core, reigniting it once again. The pace was quicker and his thumb stroked and worked her clit, all while he watched Loki tremble and squirm, luling her head over her shoulders as she gasped in air. He pressed against her, scraping tongue and teeth along her jawline and down her throat, across her clavicle, only pausing briefly to speak.

"You deserve to be worshiped properly," he said, continuing down between her cleavage and nipping at each breast before sliding down her stomach and navel. "Allow me to show you…"

Loki already knew Mobius' capability, but it didn't stop her from breathlessly anticipating him. His hands shuffled the trousers down her hips just enough, hooking one of her legs with his arm before firmly planting it back on her hip. Mobius went in open mouthed, tongue curling around her clit and sucking the sensitive flesh. He hummed purposely, the sensation prickled Loki's skin and sent her stuttering for breath. She lulled her head back, deeply scraping her nails over his shoulder blades.

Mobius yanked her hips even closer, allowing him to explore her inner folds and take in her heat. His lips and tongue worked elegantly, dipping in impossibly deep. Loki moaned, her leg shook, struggling to keep upright, so she coiled her leg around his arm and back for support. She combed her fingers through Mobius' hair, anchoring her hands at the sides of his head to prevent him from pulling away.

"Don't stop," Loki stammered out, feeling that burn growing behind her navel.

He found a rhythm, a pattern that had her hush out incoherent sounds and moans, but it was over far quicker than Loki wanted. Her vision blurred and she felt herself buckling from the unraveling, but Mobius held her firmly against the pillar, riding out the orgasm while she continued to be fucked by his mouth. She had to force him up with her hands after she became aware again, barely staying upright while she fumbled her hands over his chest, yanking his tie forward to catch his glistening lips with hers.

Hands fought with Mobius' zipper and button due to how hard his cock was. Once she got it, she stripped him in one motion and pulled him to her. He managed to pull back, taking in a well needed breath and grinding his now freed cock against her weeping cunt.

"You done?" Loki breathed out, watching him with a hooded gaze.

Mobius slid his tongue slowly across his teeth, Loki eagerly watched the action, wanting to lunge in and consume that sweet tasting mouth of his. He gave a quick shake of his head, sliding a finger down Loki's now flat chest between the shirts opening before finding the curve of their hip again. They looked down briefly before locking eyes with him again. This man had them lose their mind enough to cause their magic to revert back to most of their preferred appearance.

"You said not to stop," Mobius recalled, winking.

"Thieving harlot!" Loki hissed out to hide their tired breathing, not wanting to show their exhaustion and need for more… more of him.

Mobius instinctively went to slap them, but Loki caught his wrist and smiled wickedly, pulling his hand to brush across their jaw and to their lips where they nibbled the pads of his fingers.

"Not this time…" Loki whispered against his digits, slipping a couple in their mouth.

He quickly worked his hand free and snaked it back down to Loki's outer thighs. He hoisted them up off their feet, holding onto them firmly while teasing the tip of his dripping cock between their thighs. Loki wasn't going to tolerate the excruciating yet absolutely delicious toying anymore. They wrapped their long legs around Mobius' own hips, pulling him close enough and maneuvering their own body down in order to devour him. They both exchanged strangled moans, Loki was beyond drowning in ecstasy, scrambling to cling onto Mobius as if their life depended on it as he rode them relentlessly. Their back dug into the pillar, occasionally a shoulder impacted it from them moving, but the pain only fueled their desire.

Mobius was showing some remarkable stamina, but as Loki felt that all too familiar burn in their core growing, they knew that he shouldn't last too much longer, either. His nibbling on the crook of their neck was not helping them stave off the inevitable, so instead they nuzzled his neck, feeling the pressure start to unravel.

"Mobius…"

The whisper was raspy, intoxicating, enough that they felt that pull from within and Mobius released an unexpected groan into their shoulder where he bit exceptionally hard on. Loki buried their own head in his shoulder, allowing them to just melt into one another as their shared release washed over them like water cascading over them from above.

Mobius pulled out, feeling Loki trembling from it as a shiver snaked down his own spine, having him growing weak in the knees from the sudden wave of exhaustion. He slowly started to sink to the floor, still firmly holding Loki and pulling him down and onto his lap in the process. They leaned against the pillar, bodies curled against each other. Loki stole a stray kiss from Mobius and he combed his hands through his hair, tracing the braids that still remained to the back one where he gently tugged on it, pulling his lips away. Their eyes met, and Loki's eyes flashed with that need again… how could he still muster up the desire to yearn for this man even after he had just made him skillfully lose his mind three damn, glorious times?

His groin said otherwise as it twitched against his thigh, it seemed. At some point his magic completely defaulted back to his preferred outlook, which he was fine with but was left rather impressed by it as well. It didn't take much effort to retain appearances, but he had his limits when it came to consistently maintaining them and adding another element into the mix that would otherwise distract him. His outfit changed back on the train when he overindulged, after all.

Mobius offered a weak, tired smile, leaning in to nuzzle against Loki's shoulder like he always did after. Loki traced a hand along his neckline and combed his fingers through his hair, they simply half sat, half laid against the pillar tangled in each other among the ruins of a cathedral.

"What are we?" Loki whispered, not waiting for a response. "What is this? And why does it feel so…"

Mobius was quiet, pressing a kiss over the bruise forming on Loki's shoulder.

"...It scares me," Loki breathed out, closing his eyes as a heavy feeling settled deep in his chest.

He wanted to curl into Mobius and never let him go, feeling that pain and sadness resonate through him when he thought he lost him once already. This time it was worse, the feeling of dread and uncertainty. If he had a TemPad he would leave with Mobius right then and there, escape to an apocalypse where they could hide out their days together, cheat death as they went, and damn the others because he was allowed to be selfish. It was etched in his very nature to be, after all.

But first he wanted to know. He fluttered his eyes open, focusing on Mobius' steady breath and heartbeat in his ear.

"Love, maybe," Mobius finally said, pulling back to scan his blue eyes over Loki's face. "At least, it is for me."

That answer scared him even more.

Loki looked away first, clearing his throat and moving off of Mobius' lap so he could correct himself and avoid his touch. "We should get back…"

"You were right, by the way," Mobius said suddenly, prompting Loki to look at him, confused. "It was my fault being almost late that first morning… on a technicality you exploited, anyway."

He scoffed despite himself, shaking his head lightly at how completely and utterly random that statement was. "Look at you, confessing your sins to the wrong god here of all places."

Mobius sighed, scratching his head as he contemplated what to say. "I thought… I thought that this wasn't something I had to deal with either, Loki. But that first night… I knew I was screwed after that and thought deflecting would help… bait you into punishing you... it was stupid."

Loki stared at him, that fear surely etching over his face now based on Mobius' own reaction. He brushed fingers over a cheek, Loki swallowed and turned his face away to avoid the contact yet again.

"It isn't something to be afraid of," he said.

"But it is, Mobius!" he snapped back. "Look at the circumstances that lead to it! Look at where we are now! We are in the middle of Hel and now this…"

His chest heaved and he stood up then, shaking his head and pacing around aimlessly. Mobius was right there when Loki turned around, and before he could back away, Mobius had a hold of him. Loki stood stiffly in the embrace, resisting the pressure from Mobius' arm wrapped against his back. He had his full strength back, making it far easier to resist and not give into it. Mobius continued to hold him, stroking his hair now, putting gentle pressure on his head each time until Loki felt the tears prick his eyes and he had no other way to hide than to bury his face into his chest. So he did.

Somehow he picked up the faintest of musk there, of the ocean and tropical beaches, and he savored every inhale he could while he focused on keeping his breathing steady.

"I—I can't lose you…" he muttered, half praying Mobius heard him, the other half hoping he didn't. "Not again… That feeling when I thought you were… I couldn't live through it again."

Mobius didn't respond right away.  Instead, he stroked his hair and rubbed gentle circles on his back. Loki lifted a hand from his side, curling it around the fabric of Mobius' shirt where his heart thrummed against his palm. He closed his eyes, taking in its sound, committing it to memory that every third beat had a slow, lazy pump to it.

"We can't run forever," Mobius half-whispered. "Especially now."

Loki pulled back, letting teary eyes meet ocean blue. He moved slowly, placing his other hand on the side of his face, feeling the stubble scrape against it. Nuzzling his lips against his, he pressed them gently against them, savoring how they molded together so perfectly. Releasing him, hovering so close their breaths were each other's.

"But we can try…"

He slid his body down Mobius' then, moving slowly, allowing hands to roam over him until Loki gracefully knelt before him. He hadn't properly situated his trousers yet, but Loki took advantage of it and slipped his hands in between the waistband and pulled them down some, relishing in the feel of his hands on his arse.

"Loki…" Mobius started to say, but was immediately silenced by a teasing flit of his tongue against the tip of his cock.

"Shh… it's my turn to worship you…"

Loki took him like a sheath and Mobius had nothing to stabilize against properly aside from a hand feebly pressed against the pillar they violated earlier. Loki pulled back excruciatingly slow, ever so gently brushing teeth against him. A hand quickly found its way into Loki's hair, tangling fingers in and stopping a full descent. He repeated this a few more times, but his hands, still resting greedily on his arse, spread them enough for Loki to graze a finger against Mobius' rim. He hunched over then, struggling to keep upright without risking several injuries. His fingers continued to tease, circling him just as Loki pulled back, dipping in when he slid back down his length. He felt Mobius trembling, and when he made another round he felt his hands clamp the sides of his face and tugged him completely off a very aggravated and beautifully tortured cock.

Mobius was on his knees in a heartbeat, pushing rough lips and teeth against his own and Loki easily overpowered him in his attempt to pin him to the floor, instead he effectively secured Mobius back against the pillar. He struggled with the trousers, in which Loki hastily and crudely magiced them mostly off. Mobius yanked Loki's hips toward him but stalled, concern etching in his eyes.

"Please… I want you," Loki pleaded, feeling Mobius resting against his taint. "I need you."

He has allowed himself to be reduced down to begging because of this bastard.

Mobius nodded and worked himself in gently, Loki didn't waste any time and kissed him with a newfound desperation driving him. Mobius bottomed out, and based on how Loki could feel his cock throbbing with the want of release already, the lack of prep was only going to make the duration even less. Loki let them both settle, savoring the taste of their mouths and the feel of this intimate connection. It felt different… It felt good.

Loki rocked his hips forward and Mobius choked on his tongue that he slipped into his mouth, allowing to be completely lost in the sensation of it all. After what seemed like an eternity, Loki released Mobius and purred at his caressing touch to the nape of his neck.

"You're going to kill me doing stuff like that," Mobius said, only to moan at Loki swaying his hips slowly in response.

"Something tells me that you'll be just fine," he whispered back.

Raising himself on his knees some, Loki bit at an ear and trailed his teeth down his neck where he nibbled and sucked against the crook of his shoulder, lowering back on him with such excruciating slowness. Loki's own cock wept and twitched eagerly between them, and he took the opportunity to shift in such a way to slide himself under the hem of the shirt and against Mobius's lower stomach.

Mobius placed a hand over it, pressing the fabric around his length.

"I ca-can't—" Mobius tried to speak but was interrupted by Loki devouring his words.

He rocked his hips again slowly, wanting it to last forever. Mobius' free hand clenched at Loki's hip, sliding the other down and pulling up his shirt in order to truly feel and revel in Loki's endowment. Loki panted out a breath at the contact and the roughness of his calloused hand stroking him in rhythm. Each movement was met with whimpering, stuttering breaths as they both fought the ever growing desire wanting to ignite and burn through them both like a wildfire.

"I love you," Mobius whispered against an ear.

They both came undone with those words soaking into them. Loki clung to Mobius like a lifeline as they rode out their orgasms. He fluttered his eyes closed, laying heavily against Mobius in the aftermath of it all, uncaring of the mess he left. Drinking in the faint scent of him while Mobius nuzzled his throat, pressing little kisses over him.

"Oi! You two done making up yet because we're about to be on the move!" Sylvie's voice echoed in from the entryway suddenly.

Mobius turned ten shades of red even though she wasn't even in eyeshot of them. Loki found his embarrassment and general bashfulness strangely endearing. To help spare his feelings of potentially being walked in on while very indecent, Loki fixed their appearances with ease. Even giving Mobius his jacket back he'd discarded several feet away. Slowly getting to his feet, shivering some from the aftershocks, he helped Mobius up but didn't let him go right away.

"I know…" Loki whispered before kissing a temple.

"Only because I told you," Mobius deadpanned, but the smile on his face touched his eyes. "I meant it, too."

"You shouldn't."

He started heading toward the entrance. Mobius on his tail, he grabbed a shoulder and lurched him around.

"I can't, Mobius!" Loki practically yelled, clenching his hands into fists at his sides. "If I allow myself to… I won't let you go. It'd be selfish to not finish what we started, and I know that I need to help Sylvie with this or all of it will be pointless."

He took in a sharp breath, averting his eyes from Mobius' so he wouldn't crumble and change his mind.

"Whatever bond she and I have, I believe it's needed to break the lock that keeps us all from the truth," Loki explained, needing to tell the why, to have Mobius understand. "I… I can't or I'll..."

The hand that still lingered on his shoulder stiffened before it relaxed, giving Loki a gentle pat shortly after. "Well, when you are ready, I'll be waiting."

Loki stood beside everyone on the hillside overlooking Alioth's intimidating presence. A branched energy source was detected to appear soon, giving Sylvie the perfect opportunity to make contact with it for enchantment. He made up his mind when he and Mobius walked back to the others with Sylvie from the cathedral. Whatever bond they had formed, he felt it was an important key to whatever lock that kept them from the truth of it all, so he was staying behind. She handed him the TemPad, the ticket out of this dreadful place, an invitation to flee, but he couldn't.

"I'm staying with you," Loki said, handing the TemPad over to Mobius.

"Loki… I don't even know if this will work. I couldn't even enchant you," Sylvie said, all the confidence from earlier quickly fading.

"Alone, maybe not." Loki grabbed her hand in his, squeezing it. "But together we may have a good chance."

She offered him a weak smile, returning the squeeze. "What about your prince? You have an opportunity to—"

"He understands," Loki said, interrupting. "Sorry. Forget about that pet peeve of ours."

"So, you're not going with him? Why?"

Loki just shook his head in reply, giving her hand another good squeeze before letting go to bid farewell to the others. Mobius opened a time door then, and for a split second, Loki contemplated stepping through.

"I suppose this is where we say see you later," Mobius said, regarding Sylvie. "Best of luck to you, Sylvie. Don't lose that confidence."

She smiled at him, nodding. "I won't."

Loki felt him shift his attention to him, and every nerve in his body and mind told him to simply take Mobius and abandon everything else because it didn't matter anymore. He could have what he deeply, truly wanted and it stood right in front of him, but he simply couldn't… not now, not yet.

"You be safe," Mobius said simply.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of him," Sylvie said from behind.

Mobius smiled, but Loki could see it held hints of sadness by it not completely touching his eyes. Loki found himself closing the distance and embracing him tightly, allowing one last intake of the faded tropical waters before pulling away. Closing his eyes to keep the tears trapped and to avoid seeing Mobius leaving, he felt the gentlest kiss fall on his temple.

"I'll be waiting…"

Loki should've known to not blindly trust Sylvie the way he did, it was foolish and stupid and… at the time felt right. It was like his inner compass whirled in every which way now, having him consider more than self-interest, trusting instead of scheming, planning, and everything else that used to be a part of his genetic make up that made him who he was. He had to tell himself that she wasn't going to see reason no matter what he tried to say, tried to prove to her. She had everything she ever fought for dangling right in front of her. He couldn't say he wouldn't have done the same if he were her.

That part was over now, he needed to refocus. He was in the TVA again, he knew people who were still here, he just had to find them.

Retracing his steps, Loki found himself in the cafeteria… or so he thought anyway. Perhaps he took a wrong turn but didn't think too much about it as he went to Mobius' cubicle. There was something slightly different there, too, but he couldn't put his finger on it. Moving on, he decided the library may be a good spot before looking in the apartment block. He checked every aisle as he briskly walked by them, only barely noticing they seemed more spaced out than he remembered. He heard him speaking just ahead then, and relief washed over his very being.

He ran down to the end of the aisle and looked in the direction of his voice, a smile crept over his face despite the urgency of needing to talk to him. B-15 was there, too. Perfect.

They were talking about the timeline and its branching. The verbiage they used was… odd, like they weren't expecting something like it to happen. Loki didn't process it and instead jumped right into their conversation.

"Mobius! " Loki shouted as he approached, looking straight at him.

He wanted to hug him so badly, use him to help hold himself together, tell him that he loved him and that he never wants to lose him ever again. He shoved all of that out of his mind, there were far more important things to focus on now. Mobius looked at him, stopping mid-sentence.

"Sylvie and I… we made a grave mistake," Loki rushed out. "The one who was in control of this, the TVA, the timeline, everything, is dead and it has unleashed something completely out of our control. We need to prepare for anything… everything that might— will happen right now!"

B-15 looked at him strangely, shifting her position to be more on guard and placed a hand on the baton at her hip. Mobius shared an equally puzzled expression, but he moved his hands over his shoulders and gave them a light squeeze of comfort.

"Okay, alright. Take a breath, slow down a bit, and tell me again?" Mobius said. "I didn't catch your name. You're an analyst, right?"

Loki felt his entire world crumbling around him. "What?"

"Which department are you from? Where are you getting your intel?" Mobius asked.

Loki stopped hearing him then, his world spinning around him as the plummeting truth became known right in front of him. This person was not Mobius— his Mobius.

"No…"

He stumbled into the agent, grabbing his jacket while Mobius caught him by the arms. Loki felt a much firmer hand grab his shoulder but he didn't care, he buried his face into the shell of his Mobius and let the tears sting his eyes. Even his scent was different. It was sharp, a mix of cinnamon and spice with an earthy undertone. It was wrong .

"Let go, sir," B-15 ordered, digging her fingers harshly into his shoulder.

"It's fine, B-15," he heard in his ringing ears. "Hey, it's okay. We can figure this out. I just need to know who you are first."

Loki sucked in a breath in a feeble attempt to recollect himself when he saw it. A single statue of He Who Remains loomed over everything in the center by the elevator shafts where three used to be. He shook his head in disbelief, sinking completely down to the floor before Mobius. The tightness in his chest was suffocating and he struggled to breathe, utter panic and fear overwhelming him. Loki clung to the only familiar thing close to him, resting his forehead against Mobius' outer thigh and wrapped his arms tightly around his leg.

"We need boots on the ground for the library. Floor MW-42. We have an unidentified agent in hysterics over here," B-15 said through her comms.

He was alone…