Work Text:
No sooner had Loki swiped his keycard through the locking mechanism, the resounding click signifying pleasant connotations of comfort and peace, than the door was wrenched from his grasp before he’d had the chance to push against it, thrown wide in one sharp movement.
“Mobius?” he breathed in shock, heart sinking as he registered bloodshot eyes and tear-streaked cheeks a moment before his arms were full of clinging, trembling analyst.
A muffled sob came from where Mobius’ face was buried in his shoulder, and Loki all but crushed him in his arms, his brow knitting together in worry and pain.
For he already knew, without any confirmation necessary, that this was his fault.
“Shh, shhh,” he soothed instinctively, one hand creeping up to stroke the back of his head.
Wasting no time, he quickly shuffled them both inside their apartment and pushed the door closed behind him, lest someone come along and witness a breakdown that Loki knew Mobius, if he were thinking straight, would most assuredly wish to keep private.
“Loki…” Mobius wailed softly against him, his fingers grasping tightly of the front of the TVA-issue t-shirt he’d hastily donned earlier. “You were gone, you- you were…”
“I know, I know,” he said in a rush, though his voice was low and gentle, “It was an emergency, my love, and- and you’d only just gotten off to sleep…”
It wasn’t good enough, he knew. For he’d not left a note in his haste to leave, as was the agreement, and hence this was all on him.
Guilt squeezed his heart cruelly like a vice.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” he murmured into Mobius’ soft hair.
Rocking him with a subtle sway, Loki ran a mollifying hand over his back, whispering nonsense placation whilst he waited several interminable minutes for Mobius to calm.
It was not the first time he’d had to deal with such a brutal paroxysm of panic and fear since he’d returned from the End of Time, and the subsequent events that had once more sent him away from the TVA, and into the path of worlds-ending peril.
Upon being welcomed back yet again, beaten and worn but mostly victorious, he and Mobius had inexorably fallen into each other’s arms, and soon enough into this blissful domestic situation that was usually wonderfully idyllic.
So no one could have anticipated that the typically unflappable agent would react with such frightening intensity to any unexpected separation from Loki, and it was an ongoing issue upon which he’d been colluding with B-15, the two of them guiding Mobius towards seeking assistance with the psychology department, yet without pressuring him too directly.
It was very much a work in progress... ‘work’ being the operative word.
“You weren’t there, Loki,” Mobius whimpered once his quiet sobs had settled, his fist landing in a soft beat against Loki’s chest in emphasis. “You left me alone…”
Loki couldn’t answer immediately, effortfully swallowing down his own turmoil. It broke him to see the one who he’d always relied upon — who was always so strong, so calming, so comforting — reduced to a flood of tears, and shaking bundle of nerves, over Loki stepping out for a quick meeting or mission without him being forewarned.
Making a mental note to call B about this incident later on, he slowly drew back, though put no extra distance between them, taking Mobius’ face in his hands and caressing away tears as they continued to fall.
“My darling,” he murmured, “I have nothing to say that can possibly make this right.”
Leaning in to pepper soft kisses over his clammy brow, Loki alone knew that his words referred to far more than just that morning.
But all of that was a matter for another time.
For now…
“I don’t have anywhere to be for the rest of the day. Not anymore, anyway,” he amended, drawing back so he could peer into those watery blue eyes. “Do you want me to make you some cocoa? And perhaps we can watch something stupid as well, if that’ll help…”
The corners of Mobius’ mouth lifted in a tremulous smile, and he gazed adoringly at Loki as though he’d hung the godsdamned stars.
“As long as I can stay with you,” he rasped weakly. “I- I can’t… I need-”
“I know,” Loki whispered, kissing him once more. “I’m all yours. For as long as you need me.”
And as much as he wanted Mobius to get better, he selfishly hoped that would be forever.