#Loki telling Mobius about the TVA being gone

[lokiusly]

yeah it’s great that timeline Mobius is single but imagine the scenes we could’ve had of a bisexual, casually-dating, single dad Mobius and a confused yet jealous Loki (bonus pts if Loki doesn’t realize why he’s jealous)

[lokielly]

because i've never had the guts to do it, i'm finally making myself post the idea i had for my post-loki s2 loki/lokius fic. this has been in the works for a while. it's a combo of a "what if loki didn't die in infinity war fic" and a lokius idea i had.

basically...

mobius realizes he was deeply in love with loki once he's gone. he doesn't stop thinking about it. he can't stop thinking about it.

he drops by the tva often to find information on different loki variants. he has plenty of conversations about them whenever he visits sylvie.

sylvie tells him he shouldn't poke around in those timelines. but he finds one that he likes a lot.

thanos doesn't kill this loki; he injures him, but spares him. so he accompanies thor throughout infinity war. this loki lives in new asgard now, sometime between the events of infinity war and before endgame. he's trying to be someone his people can trust. someone that his brother can trust, but he's finding all of it to be quite difficult. this loki is the closest variant mobius has found to his loki.

enter mobius, who despite being told how much of a bad idea this was, couldn't help but introduce himself to loki as a "norse mythology buff" (not really. he just wanted to be near him).

... and it goes from there. maybe i'll write a draft of it good enough to put out there soon! i personally really love it and have been working on it and thinking about it since november.

[howmanyholesinswisscheese]

i think there's a parallel to be said about sylvie and ravonna, both either loki or mobius' previous close-female-friend/love interest, pushing them away and FORCING THEM TO FIND SOLACE AND COMPANIONSHIP IN EACH OTHER. like. i cannot be the only one seeing this.

sylvie, the one person loki believed might understand him, someone he probably loved/loves (as gross as that was, it was canon), tells him she doesn't ever want to see him again, refuses to help him, straight up tells him to go away and get out of her life.

ravonna, mobius' one and only friend throughout his (post-memory-wipe) life in the TVA, someone he probably loved platonically seeing how long they spent together, tells him she can't trust him, refuses to help him, straight up tried to kill him and likely would again.

the ones they once trusted, the ones they would have gone to for help and teamwork when faced with a word-ending threat, don't want anything to do with them. and, in mobius' case at least, that feeling is mutual.

so it makes sense that, automatically, loki and mobius chose each other. time and time again. their respective partners-in-world-saving have gone absolutely savage at them, so they find companionship and alliance in each other and work together. their relationship has developed so much because of this -- because the only person who will help them is the other. there is barely a moment on screen when one isn't seen without the other close by. they are becoming closer and closer, and their friendship is being delved into far deeper than the previous season when they were all hung up with their respective “allies” and apart half the time.

if i wasn't well-versed in disney's queerbaiting history, i would say this is the perfect setup for a love story.

actually, i'll say it anyways.

this is the perfect setup for a love story.

[mischiefprincess]

Being on lokius tt was fun for some time

So, when Loki s2 came out I was hanging out w some lokius shippers bc I thought some of them had some cool analysis about the show and about Loki as a character, however as time passes I realize they're getting more and more lost in their own interpretations and their own headcanons that they consider to be canon at this point, I'm being honest, I have nothing against lokius but let's face reality: they're just not happening, it'll never be canon and that's okay, the timing for Loki to find a romantic partner is gone, if it was going to happen it had to be on his show bc I don't think marvel will use their avengers movies to focus on any romance between any characters, let alone lokius that it's not even a thing in canon lol

But the thing is, they seem really convinced that not only lokius is already canon (yeah, some of them are just like that) but they also think their reunion is a big thing that marvel is building up to, and i'm not saying Loki and Mobius will never see each other again but if they do it won't be this big thing they're expecting it to be, the brodinsons reunion is way more expected and I'm not even sure we'll get it lol

And i'm really not trying to be mean to lokius shippers but I feel they're going down the same path the sylkis went after s1, they got what they wanted from their ship (lokius not so much but still) and then they started to get more and more deep into their analysis and hcs and started to forget what's canon and what's not, when the next movies drop and Mobius doesn't show up in it and when Loki shows up and has a plot that has nothing to do with romance they'll lose it, they'll act just like the sylkis did with s2 and they'll say marvel ruined the greatest love story they ever made (lol), they'll say they don't care about Loki and Mobius separately and they just want them back if they get together in the end, they'll say marvel did a MASSIVE build up after s2 just to throw it all away as if it was nothing simply bc they are just too deep into their hcs and can't separate canon from fanon anymore and they'll say marvel ruined their lives and also ruined their only source of happiness ever, they're developing a toxic dependance on their ship and when things don't go the way they want they'll freak out and hell will break lose on their side of twitter

I really wish people would just interact normally with the stuff they consume, but it seems like everyone who likes a ship suddenly loses all senses and can only see things from the perspective of the ship and every little interaction between the two characters is read through the shipping lenses, it goes to a point where if Mobius doesn't lie to Loki about timeslipping being terrible is not because Mobius as a character just has no reason to lie to his friend at that point, not to mention he was trying to calm Loki down from his anxiety attack, ofc he wouldn't just say right to Loki's face how bad timeslipping really was at first, but no, Mobius didn't lie because they're on a point in their relationship where they simply can't lie to each other anymore bc their love is so strong and pure (lmao), it may sound like i'm nitpicking but really, it starts with these little things and slowly they start to live in their own bubble where everything must be analysed with the shipping glasses on and then the characters are reduced to being half of a ship and nothing more

Not to mention how they're placing all their bets on a tva spin-off that probably is just the comic they announced last week or so, again, I'm not trying to be mean but who the hell would watch a show about the tva and only the tva????????? What else is there to tell about them? They're going to show them working in their little cubicles and eating pie in the automat? If Kang was still the big bad I could see them expanding more on the tva but with him gone I don't think there's that much to explore about the tva anymore, I don't see them having that much protagonism in this saga and if they appear it will just be something small and in the background like Deadpool and Wolverine, watching them recruit heroes to fight the multiversal war seems pointless now that there won't be one (I know Doom will be a threat but I don't see him inheriting the multiversal saga plot from Kang, they'll give him his own thing imo) anyway, I think the tva is likely to stay irrelevant in this saga (and that doesn't mean that Loki will be irrelevant, some people think that somehow Loki depends on the tva to stay relevant but lol, just no) and if they appear it will just be something small but they're getting their hopes so high for this hipotetical spin-off that I fear how their reactions will be when they realize it's just not happening (but idk, marvel could announce it in d23 and surprise everyone, still, I doubt it)

All this to say that it really seems like shippers can't enjoy things normally, they have to make everything be about their ship (hipotetical or not) and they slowly loose grip on what's canon and what's fanon, they isolate themselves in their bubbles where they only get positive reinforcement thanks to their delusions and sooner than they realize they have a whole made up version of the characters and the show in their heads that doesn't align with what the show was in the first place, sadly the tendence is for them to only get worse and I really wish that wasn't the case but now they even seem to think that everyone involved in the making of s2 including Tom Hiddleston himself is a lokius shipper (???????????????????) And that lokius was confirmed canon in what they call the og s2 ep5 that was scrapped early in filming or so, the fact that they stalked the crew and their likes when s2 was airing only made them more certain of it, if Rafael Casal likes a post talking about Brad it's not bc he's happy they're talking about his character, no, is bc he endorses their view on the show and he's validating them and their interpretations, same thing as Eric Martin or some random editor that liked what people were talking about the episode he worked in, to them a like equals validation bc they desperately want to cling to any crumbs they can get of it

I'm not making this post to say people should stop shipping lokius or anything, I just wish the shippers could separate canon from fanon and that they would stop reducing a show that had so many themes to being a love story that didn't even happen in the first place, I still enjoy lokius and read fics of them every once in a while, I'm not here to police what people ship or not, I just wanted to write this bc some of these thoughts have been stuck in my chest for months now and I really needed to let them out.

At the end of the day I wish the Loki fandom in twitter wasn't split between those two ships and was more focused on Loki himself but unfortunately that's not the case, I can only hope that when Loki shows up again they don't find a way to reduce him to being part of a ship bc he always was and always will be so much more than that.

[strangesthirdeye]

Under the root of Yggdrasil (Loki x fem! Reader)

Summary: Sometimes being able to see your loved ones from afar is good enough.

Warning: It's Loki who doesn't like him. Medium angst, Loki s2 ep 6 spoilers? Norse Mythology, acceptance, Loki needs a hug,

As usual, I'm sorry if there are any wrong sentences or typos or grammatical mistakes, please forgive me and again English is not my first language, so I try to improve my language and writing in this way.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Staring at the one spot makes all the views in the corners of your eyes blur as you only focus on one spot. Your mind is somewhere else while your fingers unconsciously fidget on Loki's broken tempad. It's been a few weeks since the temporal loom event.

Since Loki sacrificed himself to save the entire timeline even universe. He's not dead but his absence is enough to make one. The way he smiled in sadness and willingly to be a pillar of the tree of life and also the way he said 'I love you' for the last time to you made you enough to shed tears.

All the events are back to normal and like nothing happened, yet you feel empty without Loki's presence. Mobius? He is retired. B-15? she's also thinking of retiring. O. B? busy with everything. And you don't want to bother Casey as he seems quite busy too.

While Sylvie, she has returned to her universe and that was the last time you saw her. She is still in the phase of accepting the truth after witnessing Loki's action.

How about you? It is very difficult to accept the fact that Loki is no longer with you. But still, you have to keep moving and living as normal. Which is quite difficult because you are both attached hip to hip to each other. Never lost from each other. Always found one another.

But ever since the Temporal Loom problem everything changed as Loki suddenly or willingly saved the Timelines by 'sacrifice' himself. you? You just let out an anguished loud shout to tell Loki to stop. But, Loki ignores it hoping you all are safe.

It was very difficult at first after a few days after the whole TVA problem. After Loki became the main pillar of the tree. Everything reminds you of him.

Not once, but many times. You yourself can't ignore that feeling but the next thing you know you're staring at nothingness with your cheeks wet with tears. You miss him and worry about him at the same time. Which makes you wonder in your mind. What is he doing now? Is he lonely? is he okay? All those questions running around your head which make you more sad and worried.

You always think about his well-being. You wonder if he can see you now from the Yggdrasil tree. Seeing yourself who cannot accept the fact that he is 'gone'. After all those things you both went through. Is this the ending you both got? Away from each other. Lost a loved one? is that the ending you both get? Funny.

Sometimes, if you are too worried about him or miss him, you will go to TVA and to the place where the Yggdrasil tree is shown behind the glass of the room where you, Loki, Sylvie, Mobius, Victor, O. B and Cassie were before.

Staring at the tree for a long time as you make sure that he is not alone although you can't see him. The green glowing tree really reminds you of him. And you hope he is fine there. Sometimes, O. B will come to check up on some technology in the room and notice you in front of the glass mirror standing stiffly with your eyes looking at the tree. He gives you a sympathetic look even if you don't look at him but he knows you just want to make sure Loki is okay.

'You look sad, when you think he can't see you'. Ever heard? yup, that's what you've been going through all along. Thanks Molly Hooper.

But what you don't know is that Loki actually has the same feelings as you. Missing, worried and sad. He missed you, He worried about you and He was sad that he couldn't be with you.

But, he can't do anything. His duty is what he has to do to make sure all Timelines are under control.

He missed your touch, he missed your voice and he missed your smiles. And he can only see you from afar. And that was enough for him.

[idonotlikethatsam-i-am]

rock with me, but. mobius alone for awhile. starting out with talking to the stars and sky on a late not on a park bench with "hey loki.... i don't know if you'll hear me- probably not and I'm being silly but... just in case. just if you possibly do" and going on to tell loki about what he saw, or just about his day generally.

he doesn't need to, mind you. loki has been watching. the whole time, he's been watching. at first it started with being distracted by all the branches of time; there's so much to see. but on the first call from mobius he can FEEL it, like a string being tugged, and then its all he can focus on. yes, he keeps all the other infinite strands of time alive as well, but... his focus is always on mobius. his mobius.

sylvie comes to check on mobius eventually. gives him her/HWR's tempad. says "you're being a bit of a mope, why not take a walkabout. find yourself or something. i had a good run, but it seems like you might need it, for now. get me home first, though, yeah? and visit me, once in awhile." and he does, both get her home and visits.

between visits, he's off taking in the views of a bunch of different lokis from all around the timeline(s), seeing his many moments of glory but never intervening, never interacting. just, watching, as he always did. just up close this time.

a fair amount of days of mobius just talking to the stars - talking to loki - while following his various adventures turns into weeks, and months, and then one moment mobius just. looks up at the stars with a sigh like "....i miss you, you asshole. i hope you know that. i didn't even get to say goodbye. I really hope you hear me. I hope you have the whole damn time."

wonder how long til that emptiness and sadness and longing turns to bitterness at loki doing all of that without a word edgewise. like. loki didnt explain, he just gave one at look at sylvie and mobius and then walked off into fucking radiation city. loki didnt even say he stood up for mobius. he just. walked. said he was doing it for them - for sylvie, for mobius, but he didnt explain any more. and kept fucking walking. mobius looked fucking terrified watching him. fists clenched knuckle white when he realised loki was going where he couldn't, with no way to follow, and no goodbye given. which... terror turns to anger, anger turns to sad - which we see bc of him leaving the fucking tva - sad turns to hopelessness, hopelessness turns to observation, and then, from there, bitterness at being left behind once again by a loki gone off to who the fuck knows where.

which. that rattles loki. loki, thinking he should stay away at first, to try to let mobius find his place on the timeline. like. hes not sure what mobius's pattern is at first, he's so distracted by everything else but eventually its his mobius he tunes into time and time again, and eventually all others fade to the background when he finally realises what mobius's pattern is. and, its him. its loki, its the best hits, and thats breaks him in a way he hadn't expected. its one of mobius's monologues on a bench late at night, tear stained and drunk and miserable that pulls him from the throne, though.

"you fucking LEFT. you left, and you walked out to the goddamn loom - something we all thought would rip us to shreds without the damn suit, something we both argued over doing - and then you vanished. you fucking left me, loki, again, and what the hell was i supposed to think besides that you found somewhere better and more powerful to be." and he's ACHING, its a deep, bone deep agony of bitterness that has festered through pained, hot tears.

[kiteblue42]

Part 4 of - what the heck is going on with Mobius anyway?

S2e5 - the one with where they get the band back together

Disclaimer- I’m a single parent and found it hard to be objective watching this one. For me this episode was a very perfect reflection of how hard, lonely it can be to bring up children by yourself and how you willingly give up so much of yourself for them. They did this very well - I hope they don’t screw this up in the final episode.

A good life, but not a happy one

Mobius timeline life is good but not super happy. He comes across as struggling and lonely. Mobius works 6 days a week, he tries to sell Loki one of his jet skis that he no longer can use, he’s constantly being interrupted at work by his kids, the house is chaos and he had to leave the boys to fend for themselves selves while he was at work (therefore he has no friends or family to watch them or money to pay for childcare). This is a person struggling to keep it together, but he does manage to do so for his boys and he manages to stay kind and positive towards them. The boys are the top of his list of priorities “I can’t leave my boys”/ “I need to check on the kids” “I got to get back to my boys” “I’ll know”. This all speaks of someone who has given up his own wants for the kids and feels guilty about doing anything for himself.

Given the slightly flippant tone of “long gone” when discussing his wife I think it likely she left rather than died (or blipped) - as that’s not how a grieving widower is likely to speak (especially if he might be overheard by the boys).

The whisper of adventure

There are a number of signs that Mobius has a desire for adventure. His love of jet skis, the fact he immediately agreed to try out the time door, how much he loved the idea of being “Mobius.” (“Mobius is a pretty cool name”)

The idea of being your better self

It wasn’t just adventure for fun that’s calling his name though but also the idea of being something more. Mobius reacted emotionally to the idea of himself as someone that would “save my life when I first arrived”. His delivery of “I sell Jet Skis man” showed how little he thought of himself, but also a desire to be something more.

Loneliness

This exchange killed me:

Loki “you saved my life when I first arrived. You saw something in me I hadn’t seen in myself”

Mobius “Are you really my friend?”

Loki “I am”.

Just the way Mobius says this tell us how much he really really wants to believe he could have a friend like this.

Loki’s view of Mobius

Once again the major topic of conversation between Sylvie and Loki is Mobius (this is becoming a theme - and if they do get Sylvie and Loki together it’s just mad and funny).

Anyway this conversation tells us that Loki believed Mobius when he said the TVA was the “only life he knew” and that he “liked it”. Of course there’s an element of this being wishful thinking on Loki’s part, but he is pretty insistent that Mobius should be given the choice. So Loki thinks (at least until Sylvie talks him out of it) that there is a good chance Mobius would chose the TVA - and himself. And as Frigga once said (Thor: dark world) Loki is “.. so perceptive about everyone but yourself”. So I don’t think we should dismiss Loki’s perception about Mobius. (He is also pretty insistent in his conversation with Mobius that “this is not the life of the man I know”. And there’s enough for viewers to see “Mobius” is more at ease with himself than “Don”.)

Sylvie undermines this and persuades Loki he is being selfish. (Side note - Sylvie puzzles me this season and in particular in this episode- if you watch closely she sees that her McDonalds meal disappears and Loki’s drink in the bar disappear too - but says nothing to Loki and does everything to stop Loki from trying to fix it - is it just denial or something more sinister?)

Last episode

So some theory based predictions for Ep 6

Themes that still need payoff:

- order & chaos

- Partners & Friends & loneliness

- Hard choices

Th end of the last episode has me thinking we may get a happy ending because it would be narratively neat to leave Loki surrounded by his new TVA family - especially after the way last episode was concluded.

It would pay off the themes positively as follows:

order & chaos - Loki (chaos) working with TVA (order) to give balance

Partners & Friends & loneliness - Loki and his misfit friends get to stay together so they don’t have to be alone

Hard choices - this one worries me but it would be possible for a number of hard choices to be made that still ends up in a good place (even if it doesn’t seem like it will at the time).

Hard choices Mobius

I think this is aimed specifically at Mobius - Loki made his hard choice in Ep 5 when he was willing to let this team go. I’m hoping they will be able to square the circle with Mobius and his family, because he’ll *not* be ok without the boys or without Loki (& the TVA).

Given this is a time travel show with magic I don’t see why they can’t find an solution to that - because the issue is about not having enough time to both look after the boys and look after yourself. I’ll be super disappointed if they make this unnecessarily miserable by making Mobius give up either his fulfilling life & friends at the TVA or his boys. Though I also won’t be surprised to see this as a plot point. If they try to sell it to me as Mobius being super happy to return to his life I’ll be doubly annoyed.

In theory the boys timeline should be long gone so this choice should not exist, but they seem to be setting up this hard choice for Mobius in particular ( so maybe the loom explosion was meant to be a full reset).

Hanging threads & wild cards

X5 /Brad /Zaniac - is still in the TVA - is he going to cause chaos as they try to fix the loom?

Renslayer - is in the void - will she tame Alioth? Is Miss Minutes really gone or does she have another instance in the citadel at the end of time?

Kang - is HWR really behind everything? Are all the events just one pre-planned trap of HWR?

Sylvie - Sylvie knew more than she has told anyone (eg she saw the disappearance of items and said nothing). She has HWR tempad. Loki treats her like she has words of wisdom so we also tend to accept she is right or benign, but her last piece of advice was completely wrong. She has been acting pretty oddly all season too - what’s up with that? (Worth remembering she is a Loki variant and they are generally not to be trusted).

Romance

My own reading of Mobius remains that he lost his heart to Loki sometime around S1e2. By S1e5 he’d accepted this, but concluded it wasn’t going anywhere - so conveniently he didn’t need to exactly work out what the feelings were. Mainly because Loki was focused on Sylvie. This episode doesn’t change that since we don’t get any TVA Mobius.

Loki on the other hand did give more away this episode - and it was the first one (for me) where it looked like his feelings could be romantic or at least headed that way. Whenever he talks about saving his friends we all know this primarily means Mobius. I mean how much interaction has he really had with the others? The discussion in the bar was particularly instructive- he wants Mobius to have the choice (this is *after* seeing him on the timeline when he knows what Mobius would be giving up) and he desperately hopes Mobius would choose to stay with him. But Sylvie persuades him otherwise.

Sylvie - there is really no sign of the romance from last season left here. Loki does still greatly admire Sylvie. I’d say Loki almost hero worships her - and especially takes what she says about free will and choice as authoritative (as if she were an expert on it). This is consistent with his romantic feelings from s1e4,5&6 which seemed to grow out of his admiration for her radical / free spirit nature. But by this episode it didn’t seem to be romantic any more - rather a mentor / mentee conversation. Loki did not declare he wanted Sylvie back or even anything close to it - and it would have been the obvious time to do that.

Sylvie has never seemed particularly romantically interested in Loki to me. She kissed him to distract him in s1e6 and no doubt thinks he’s quite hot, but that’s all I’m getting. I actually like this about her as a character (she’s just not that into you Loki sorry). I hope she is a bit more villainous than we know (a bit more basic Loki if you will) otherwise she has been a bit of a spare part this season.

I am not expecting any romance from the last episode though mainly because:

(1) I don’t think there is time to do either romance option justice with all the other plot points to be resolved (2) romance is not central to the plot of season 2 - they have pushed the friendship / found family theme hard and that will do for plotting & emotional payoff purposes, and (3) if you want to be commissioned for season 3 you don’t resolve romantic tension. We’re on Tumblr so we all know there are a significant chunk of fans of any media that follow the stories for the romance aspect - and we all know this audience is likely to be very loyal, vocal on social media and will predictably turn up to watch the next season just to see how it plays out. If they resolve a romance arc either way too early they kill a lot of interest in season 3 - people are always more interested in “will they won’t they” than an established relationship.

[art-ro-vert]

Was thinking about how Mobius does not know that Loki defended him in front of Sylvie, and in his eyes: they argued, Loki took Sylvie’s side and then left for good.

So head canon, that Mobius is sure that all of this was for Sylvie. That Loki wanted to give her a chance and a life she wanted, and that he cared only for her. That all Mobius was for Loki is a useful acquaintance in the TVA, not even a real friend.

And so he makes it his purpose to make sure that Sylvie is happy and fine, because that is what Loki wanted. And he neglects his own well-being fully, because surely it is not of importance anymore.

And he talks to Loki often hoping he could hear, but he only tells about Sylvie. Reassuring that she is happy and well and trying to explain all the little details about her life, so Loki would feel closer to her. And sometime he talks about b-15 and OB and Cassy. But never about himself…Because surely Loki does not care and even if he did, there is nothing to tell…

And then one day they fight agains Timely’s varient and he aims at Sylvie with a weird gun, and Mobius just jumps in front of her and takes a shot to his chest, because he cannot risk it. If Sylvie dies than Loki’s sacrifice would hold no meaning anymore.

They take Mobius to TVA med bay. He is hurt badly, holding on the verge but still alive.

And then the next day after the incident with Mobius still out, they see something weird happening to the timelines.

The one where they fought seems to be getting enormous amount of energy practically glowing with it, while a few others die.

And for the next week more branches die and all the construction seems to be trembling and falling little by little. And then it occurred to them that Loki does not know that Mobius is alive, because they took him out of Loki’s sight to TVA.

So Sylvie goes on the timeline and talks to Loki

“I am sorry we did not tell you earlier, but you should know that he is alive. Still out and we are not sure how much it will take for him to heal, but he should be okay. I know you got scared but you need to get a hold of it, the branches are dying.

He will be okay, I promise. I will put him on timeline for you to see once he is healed enough. Just please hold on, Loki…”

And then when Mobius finally wakes up, still weak and totally surprised that he is alive, Sylvie gives him a talk.

“Why would you do something so stupid! I am God, Mobius, I would have dodged it. Or even if I did not, I would heal in no time!”

“I did not want to take that chance. We did not know what kind of weapon that was”

“So you thought it’s okay to try that out on yourself? When you are just human?”

“My life is expendable… yours is of value”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Loki left because he loved you and wanted for you to live, his sacrifice should have a meaning. And I am ready protect this meaning with my life”

“And do you think he would not care if you are gone?”

“Why would he care? I did my part as a TVA agent for him, what else can my existence possible bring?”

“That does not matter Mobius! He does care, you dumb man! He almost killed the branches trying to heal you with his magic!”

“He did what…?”

“He tried to power the timeline where you got shot with the magic, a few others died in the process. It was all unstable for a week like he was loosing control, before I went on the timeline to let him know you are alive…

Mobius, he does it for you! He is out there holding the multiverse, so you could live as long as you are given, and you dare to say your life is expendable?

“He did it for you Sylvie… He loves you…”

“Yes, he did, and he did it for all of us in a sense. And he loves all of us of course, me included but like a friend and a part of himself. While he loves you so much more than that!

He told me... When we argued and he went after me. He told me you changed him like Jane changed Thor. You gave him hope, Mobius, you gave him acceptance and your kindness. You made him who he is and he loves you so much. And he really wants you to be happy and have a choice!

I thought you knew…”

And at that Mobius is crying, because that is all he ever wanted to be enough for Loki.

[trutrustories]

STUDY IN LOKI ROMANCE

Part 5: Science/Fiction

Since we're only a few days away from the last episode, I decided to COUNT DOWN everything we´ve got so far ( that can be interpreted very easily as romantic ) and discuss what the actual fuck is going on with second season. Because even though I shipped lokius practically from S1E2, I absolutely did NOT expect this kind of development. (Not that I´m complaining)

Warning: This is gonna be LONG post, lots of screenshots, lots of SPOILERS, lot of "oh-my-god-they-so-cute" language, and little bit of meta.

I originally thought that this post would be everything at once, but since I have just too many screenshots this time around, I´ll have to split it. so every post will be one episode. Color coding means:

IIIIIIIIII = anything, that coud potentialy be just acting choice.

IIIIIIIIII = everything else (tzn.: whatever was written, and/or carefully prepared by filmmakers. )

side note: I already wrote, about how amazing it is, that Mobius is unable to fight but fights anyway and how beautifuly, and ridiculously brave he is HERE. But this is about Loki/Mobius interactions, so I´ll try my best not to talk about THAT. (Even when I´m really happy, that s2 continues with this formula and Mobius is still his completely defenseless while aggressively brave self. I love him, btw.)

EPISODE 1 HERE

EPISODE 2 HERE

EPISODE 3 HERE

EPISODE 4 HERE

38) Loki looking for Mobius in PIE ROOM Hey... this is starting to be suspicious. is this room actual Heart of the TVA, that we didn´t know about ??? Why does everyone accidentally end up here???

39) Loki Time slipping to the theater room (where he had his first long, table converstation with Mobius.)

I´m gonna cry 😭

40) Mobius/Don casually informing Loki, he´s a SINGLE dad and telling him his entire work schedule (not that it´s important for anything, but Mobius is sooo damn handsome in that blue west!!! ) Also Loki staring at him through the window ?! And then being so distracted by him, that it took him interestigly long time, before he realized / accepted that Mobius doesn´t remember him (AGAIN). And he should have know this right away, because he already talked to Casey/Frank.

41) Loki time slipping to Mobius again (right when he started to be hopefull and Happy, that O. B. will be able to help him.

42) Loki glow up - or Loki fixing himself up, to look sexy not threatening fo Mobius/Don. I mean... this is just straight out of romantic movie, I´m sorry. Interesting acting choice there🤣

43) Loki being very nervous while talking to Mobius/Don.

Mobius: "You live around here, or did you follow me home? 😉" Loki: "Oh... no... hahahaha 😅 ... No no. I was... 😳I was actually on my way to the 👉👆👇☝️uh. And... 😨 And I happend to see you, so I... I... I ��� just thought I´d just come and say that I´m sorry that I... I... 🥵couldn´t... stick around back there. I was... um... 🤯 I was in a bit of a time crunch. 😅😅😅"

Said God of Mischief.

I´m sorry, but he´s acting here like stuttering schoolgirl with a crush. What exactly are you trying to accomplish, Tom ??? Anyway... I love it xD

44) Mobius dropping everything and forgeting about his two mischievous sons so he can give Loki full attention

45) Wanna buy my wife´s jetski? - oh by the way, she´s long gone, and worst thing about it is the fact, that one of these beauties doesn´t have a rider.

would you wanna ride it with me? let´s jump up on these bad boys

46) "A beautiful union of form and function"

The fact, that Loki remembers that line from S01E02 and that he echoes it back at Mobius, who doesn´t remember him... Like... WHAT? This thing is romantic as fuck. also finaly someone, who will gladly listen to Mobius braindumping about jetskis!!!! YES PLEASE. He deserves it! 💚 they litteraly made for each other!

47) Loki gently helping Mobius/Don through the time door. - while O. B. is struggling with heavy prototype of tempad...

48) "You saved my life, when I first arrived. You saw something in me, that I hadn´t seen in myself."

Can you believe he said that??? Because I don´t. I´m still processing 😭 Also, see? He IS his friend... but O. B. is not. He WILL be (eccept O. B. knows Mobius much longer xDD ) I´m ok 49) "I want my friends back. I don´t want to be alone."

This scene is honestly so tragic. Sylvie helps him realize his true motivations and he looks so desprete. TVA: place, that he should hate is home now. Where he belong. And that´s why he cared so much and tried so hard to save that place. And thing he wants the most are his friends. Their company. (And if it wasn´t obvious, it means primarily Mobius. The man, he called friend several times this season) It´s him, who Loki doesn´t want to lose in the first place.

Loki looks so fucking sad here! I can´t! 50) "It was more about what I wanted."

Not only he says it while we are watching Mobius, but let´s take in the fact, that he says it at all! Like... come on!!! Can´t he be just happy? As soon as he starts thinking that his actions are selfish, Loki will actualy choose what he thinks is better for Mobius and tries to let him go...

The character development in this show is just unbelievable

And finaly: 51) "It´s not about where, when or why. It´s about WHO."

... said Loki, after very, very, VERY long look at Mobius. --------------- Anyway. That´s the check-list. In total, I counted 51 Lokius moment, but if anyone caught something I didn´t, feel free to correct me! the more, the better! 😁 It´s a hella lot of Lokius content. especially since I didn´t expected, like... not even third of it. So yeah. Last part will be kind of a conclusion. I will try to look at possibilities, what could all this mean. What could be the actual intent of writers and filmakers etc. And, simply put it, asking: WHAT THE FUCK 😳

[where-theres-smoak-2]

Loki Mid-Season Trailer Breakdown

SPOILERS!

So I just watched the mid-season trailer and there were some interesting shots in there that I want to talk about, I've also looked back at some of the footage from previous trailers that were released, so this is going to be a kind of breakdown/theory post on what I think is going to be happening in the last two episodes.

I've already said in a previous post that I think Loki will timeslip away right as the loom explodes and then go around recruiting the gang together and I think from this trailer that is still the most likely scenario.

We get this shot in previous trailer of Loki time-slipping to the Mcdonalds Sylvie works at:

I think this might be linked to the behind the scenes images of Loki and Sylvie outside the Mcdonalds. I also think at first she will reject Loki and walk away just like she did in episode 2. We get some shots in this trailer of Sylvie listening to a record and we know that record spaghettifies from other trailers. So I think after dismissing Loki's concerns, Sylvie goes home to listen to her record and then the world literally starts disintegrating around her, she'll go find Loki and that's when they'll have the conversation in the bar about what Loki really wants and then Loki will take her back to the TVA.

We also see Loki talking to Mobius in the Jet Ski shop trying to tell him that the TVA is gone, of course Mobius has no idea what he is talking about.

There is also this shot that shows the whole gang in what I think is a recreational room of some kind in the TVA:

From the clothes they are wearing it looks like this is right after Loki recruits them and they are still in their timeline getups. I did notice that OB isn't in his usual TVA uniform so it looks like we might find out what his life on the timeline was too, I am really excited to see what all of their lives were like in the timeline and we do get a few more clues in this new mid-season trailer.

In both this trailer and previous ones there was a shot of Casey in an underground tunnel of some kind but in this trailer we got this shot just before we are shown Casey:

So actually it looks like Casey was in some kind of prison or labour camp, I am wondering if the shot of him in the underground tunnel is him attempting a prison break.

We also get alot more information about Mobius' life on the timeline and it looks like from this shot:

Where you can see kid's bikes, a basketball hoop and other toys. There's also a sheet rope hanging out the window as if a rebellious teen has snuck out. So it looks like Mobius has a family, with kids. Honestly this makes me so sad, like I kind of suspected back in season 1 when Loki said Mobius could have a family on the timeline that he probably did, but actually seeing it is going to be a gut punch, it just shows how tragic it is that these people were all stolen from their lives. They weren't just taken away from their jobs or their homes but also from their families and loved ones. I don't know there is something about a father being taken away from their kids that just gets me.

But it did get me wondering, if he has kids then its possible, even likely, that he also has a partner. We now know that TVA Mobius' love of Jet Ski's comes from his job on the timeline where he worked as a Jet Ski salesman. The other thing we know he loves is pie. So what if the reason why he loves pie so much is because his partner used to like to bake and would always make him a pie to come home from work to. I can just see him sitting around the dinner table with his family enjoying a homemade pie. And now I'm sad again.

Anyway moving on. Something else I think is going to happen is a time loop of the events of the last episode where they are going to keep trying the scenario over and over until they get it right. There are a few shots that make me think this, one is where we are back at the scene where OB has made the model and is explaining the plan only this time OB asks Loki how much he knows, there is also a shot of two Loki's in the same place, so I think time-slipping Loki is going to tell past Loki what is going to happen to Victor and the Loom and then plan-making Loki is going to remember the conversation as it happens like OB did when Loki spoke to the past version of him and that caused present OB to remember in real time, if that makes sense. Another clue that Loki is going to try and get a different outcome to ep 4's events is there is another shot where Loki is talking to OB, (can't remember if its in this trailer or one of the previous ones) where Loki asks OB what they could have done differently, as they are in the Loom Room at the time I think this might be where they attempted it again but it still failed so Loki is asking OB how it might be fixed if they do it again and then he'll go back and relay that information to past versions again.

Unfortunately for Victor I think he is going to be spaghettified a few more times. There is this shot where we see him get spaghettified from a different angle:

what's interesting about this shot though is that for some reason he isn't wearing the helmet yet and he hasn't yet picked up the device thingy, through put multiplier? Or something like that, anyway it begs the question, why are the doors already open when Victor clearly isn't ready yet?

We also see Loki talking to presumably Victor through a microphone telling him what he needs to do, which is again interesting because first off why is it Loki directing Victor and not OB? Unless Loki is using all the information from all the failed attempts he's witnessed to try and get Victor through it maybe? But also we see that Victor has trouble pushing the green button, at one point he is pounding on it trying to get it to activate. It's hard to see in this screenshot but it looks like Victor begins to spaghettify again whilst trying to push that button:

I think that he will spaghettify before he manages to push the button and that is what will lead to this scene where we see Loki on the loom's walkway:

I think the reason why he isn't wearing the suit is because Victor was already wearing it and it got spaghettified along with him. The reason why Loki isn't carrying the through put multiplier is because it is already at the end of the walkway, after Victor dies, again, I think Loki decides to sacrifice himself to get to the end of the walkway and push the button himself. Although to be clear I don't think Loki is going to die, something will come along and save him. You can see bits of black coming off of him, but I don't think that's him beginning to spaghettify and think its similar to what was happening to Mobius suit in ep 1 with the temporal radiation aging it away, I think Loki's clothes are being aged away.

Another shot that I found really interesting was a simple one but I think it holds alot of meaning to it and its these two:

It shows the word 'believe but then the word flickers and when it does you get a quick shot of the word 'lie'. So who is lying, what are they lying about? It could be in reference to the lie the TVA workers were told about their former lives on the timeline but I feel like it might be something else. The lie told to the TVA workers is something we already learnt in season 1 so I would assume this is referencing some other lie. I don't really have any guesses to be honest, it could have something to do with HWR, but I am curious to see if this does connect to the last couple of episodes at all. I would love to hear other peoples theories if anyone has any.

We also get some interesting shots of Sylkie in this trailer. I actually think we might get some repeats of their scenes too. There is this shot of them in another trailer in what appears to be the same recreational room the whole gang were in above:

I'll be honest when I first saw this clip, with the way Sylvie slowly moves closer and closer to him I did wonder if this is going to turn into a kiss scene, it's just giving me that vibe, of course that could be my shipper googles clouding my vision. But I do think this moment between them is one that we are going to see at least twice and the reason why is because of this shot in the mid-season trailer that shows this room but in its spaghetti form:

Loki is holding up his hand and to me it kind of looks like he might be counting, like he knows what is going to happen next and begins counting down to it. So I wouldn't be surprised if he gets to the end of that countdown and we find ourselves back at the beginning of that scene.

Another scene that I think might possibly be repeated is the pie room scene between them. We have this shot in this trailer where Loki is going into the room:

We can't see anyone else in the room but what makes me think it might possibly be a repeat of the sylki pie room scene is that in ep 4 when Loki says 'we are gods' it is a wide shot, yet in the trailers it is a close up shot when he says the line. It could just be a case of they decided to use a different shot for that moment, but there does also seem to be this theme of time loops and things repeating so I'm taking any scene that is from a slightly different angle or distance as a potential repeat scene.

Ok so that's everything I've got for the trailer. But I do want to make a quick prediction on what I think might happen to all our characters in the end.

I think ultimately it will end up being Loki and Sylvie working together to run the new TVA. I think they hinted at this when they had HWR make that offer for them to run it back in 1x6. I think them actually ending up running it would bring it full circle, they would end up as the benevolent rulers as HWR put it, but they would have done it their way and not HWR's way. It would also fit into the whole we are gods conversation.

I think Mobius might possibly end up going back to his timeline and getting his life back with his family. As much as I love the friendship between him and Loki I do think that would be the best ending for Mobius, but I would want it to be his choice and I don't want it to be a case of his mind is wiped. As to whether its even possible for the TVA workers to return to their timelines, I think it might be. We never got confirmation on whether the timelines they were taken from were pruned after they were taken. My theory is that once they took them instead of pruning the timelines they instead wiped the memories of everyone who knew them, as if they never existed to start with, in which case that could be undone and they could potentially go back to the moment they were taken. But who knows, I guess we'll see. Even if Mobius does go back to his timeline I could see him coming back in future projects and helping Loki out with any problems that show up. I don't think Mobius having his happy ever after on the timeline with his family necessarily has to mean the end of the Loki and Mobius' bromance.

Casey I think might end up choosing to stay with the TVA and maybe he'll get a promotion. I just don't think his life was very good from the clips from the trailers and so he might decide he is better off staying and helping build the TVA into something good.

Another person I think might end up staying is B-15. Although we know from 1x5 when Sylvie showed B-15 her life on the timeline, B-15 said she was happy I could see her choosing to sacrifice that life in order to help more people by protecting the timelines. She would become this kind of opposite of Brad who was willing to sacrifice his colleagues and values for that perfect timeline life, she'd do the opposite and sacrifice her life on the timeline because she knows she can make a difference in the TVA.

I really don't know about OB as we still don't seem to know too much about his past or his life on the timeline. So I think its anybody's guess there.

I suspect Ravonna, Brad and Miss Minutes will all meet their end come the series finale. It's possible they might get a redemption but I just don't really see it happening at this point.

But yeah those are my thoughts on the midseason trailer. I'm even more excited for the last couple of episodes and can't wait to see where its all going to go.

[creelkobblelaufeyson69]

Remembered

Warnings: none

The files on their desk wasn’t reassuring. After all the paperwork they’ve already done today, they needed a break. But they had their own office for a while, and they felt extremely lonely since they had the whole floor to themselves. No one showed up around their area of the TVA. But since they’ve been there for so long, they accepted the loneliness

But they felt annoyed once alarms were going off. They no longer could focus on the paperwork and files that needed to be read through. A headache burst through their head, which only made them more annoyed. “Fuck” they cursed as they walked over towards where the elevator was supposed to be. But when they approached where they thought for a while that one was there, it simply wasn’t

Then that’s when it really hit them about their sanity levels. They only knew that area, and that area alone. Tears started to stream out of their eyes as they longed to be anywhere but here now. They were fine with the loneliness, but being isolated here was not okay mentally. They searched for a way out, but failed miserably at finding a way to escape

They never went out in different timelines, because apparently that wasn’t apart of their job. A scream begs to escape their throat, but all they could feel was the lump in their throat holding it down. It was like their throat was just as trapped as they were. They continued to search, but yet again found no way out

They slumped down against a wall, and let out the sob they needed to let out for a while apparently. The scream they needed to scream out, finally escaped from its prison. Perhaps there was hope after all. Footsteps were coming from back in their office area of the floor. The colors of the TVA attached to their back, and the black carpet floor seemed less interesting than ever now to them when the footsteps were heard

“Hello?” A voice called out, which made them stand up and go back to their office out of curiosity. When they entered their office again, there stood the tall dark haired Asgardian Loki. Tears were still leaving their eyes, and that stung Loki’s heart. He had no idea that they were here to begin with, and felt mad at Mobius for not informing him beforehand

Worry was written all over his face, but then his face turns into a mix of shock and sadness when they asked him who he was. “It’s me, Loki” obviously they knew that, but they still felt like it was the polite way to approach this. “The god of mischief. You shouldn’t even be down here, silly” they say as a smile forms onto their face now

He smiles a bit, but he knew that they didn’t recognize him. “You’re right. I’ve must’ve gotten extremely lost. Could you direct me to the correct place I need to be in?” He asked with a smile on his face now. They frowned now, which made him worried again. “Can’t do. It seems like my area is closed off from the rest of the TVA. You’ve been my only visitor” they explained, which now made Loki curious to know why

“I’m so sorry. I know what that feels like. I can help you get out of here” he says as he shows them the tempad he stole. They wiped their tears away, and then thanked him. He approached them. They don’t back away, they let him get close to them. They didn’t understand why, but they also craved a touch from him. Not in a sexual way, but in a comfort sense

Once he was close to them, he placed his fingers on their temple. He unlocks what they’ve forgotten, and soon they were back to the them he knew. Tears start to down pour out of their eyes now. They understood how he was alive still, since him dying to Thanos hadn’t happened yet. But their lips find their way onto his, and all the loneliness had gone away

Loki returns the kiss while Mobius pops up. Mobius was confused, and in shock about what they were doing here. When the two pulled apart, the two noticed Mobius. The calm demeanor of Loki had turned into anger now. “Why didn’t you tell me they were here?!” Loki shouts at him. “I didn’t know that they were here Loki” Mobius says truthfully. Loki looks back at them to see if Mobius was telling the truth

“He’s telling the truth, hun” Loki looks back at Mobius now. “Then who brought you here?” Loki asked them as he now looks back at them. “He who remains is what he called himself”

[themculibrary]

Established Relationships Masterlist 2

part one

all the very best of us (ao3) - napricot sam/bucky M, 14k

Summary: Being engaged is great. Actually planning a wedding though? That’s not nearly as fun. But with the help of the bird population of New York, along with Steve's unexpected but surprisingly effective assistance as a wedding planner, maybe Sam and Bucky can get to the altar with a minimum of stress.

A Perfect Match (ao3) - kickcows pepper/tony E, 10k

Summary: Tony comes home and finds a note from his lover, giving him specific instructions that he'd be a fool not to follow.

butterfly kisses (ao3) - faerialchemist sam/bucky T, 17k

Summary: “But,” Bucky continued, certain his face was only turning a deeper shade of scarlet by the second, “this is our first real trip to New Orleans together. I guess I was hoping it would be more…” He swallowed hard, staring anywhere except Sam’s eyes before muttering, “Romantic.” Because really—how romantic could a bug museum be?

Sam stared at him for a moment, and Bucky groaned the second he saw a grin tugging at his partner’s lips. “Dammit, Sam. Don’t say it—”

“You, James Barnes, are a total softie,” Sam declared, gently knocking Bucky’s shoulder.

(Or: the Sambucky date to the Audubon Insectarium no one asked for. Cue bad flirting through bug metaphors, strange facts about insects, and—if Bucky has his way—more than just a hint of romance.)

for better, for worse (ao3) - shrack loki/mobius G, 33k

Summary: Everyone knows that the new English professor, Loki Laufeyson, is married. Everyone knows that the history professor, Dr. Mobius, is married. These are two, universal truths among the student body at TVA. But nobody knows that they’re married to each other.

Free to Give (ao3) - STARSdidathing loki/tony T, 2k

Summary: Loki realises his lover trusts him, but he isn't sure that Anthony should.

Going to Extremes (ao3) - scottxlogan bucky/tony T, 4k

Summary: When an exceedingly hard battle puts Tony in the position to lose Bucky, he makes a choice that he fears could cause them to fall apart entirely. In Bucky's awakening, the two face the consequences of Tony's actions and what it means moving forward.

how does it feel to be alive again? (ao3) - freedvmrouge steve/bucky G, 6k

Summary: It’s the dawn of a new century and they’re finally at peace. No wars to fight in and no other place to be. Steve finds Bucky sluggishly wafting through their apartment and decides that they’re due for a date. One where they’re finally free to be themselves, be like every other couple walking the streets of New York.

i don't need anything other than you (ao3) - ghoultown wanda/vision T, 51k

Summary: “Come, step into the light.” Vision pulls her close, into the yellow light, holding her hands in his. “Tell me. Do I look the same to you today?”

She makes a face, “Of course you do.”

“No, please. Please, look closer.” He bends down slightly to assist in her search. “I’ve been looking in the mirror for ten minutes. There’s something here. Something extra or something missing, I cannot tell, but i-it’s something.”

Wanda’s disposition changes. “Vis, you sound… panicked.”

“Hm?” Vision blinks. “I can’t panic.”

_

Vision wakes up one morning to find his memories gone. He figures there must be a logical explanation. Until there can't be.

keep my heart beating (ao3) - DarkKitty1208 tony/stephen G, 1k

Summary: The feeling hits him out of nowhere. It's been building in him since weeks ago, a sort of lump in his throat and some shortness of breath. Right now it's hitting him in full force.

Lewis County, NY (ao3) - ilovue steve/tony G 1k

Summary: This will be Tony's first Christmas tree that isn't brushing the ceiling, as a consequence of Steve and his humble beginnings stretching on into humble middles.

Tony will still have a too-tall pine tree take up the guest room.

Love is Blind (ao3) - elle1991 clint/natasha T, 14k

Summary: After a mission goes horribly wrong, Natasha Romanoff is left completely blind. Whilst SHIELD scientists desperately seek a cure, Natasha struggles to come to terms with her disability. With boyfriend Clint Barton by her side, can she come to terms with a world without sight?

Tender Loving Care For Lack of Better Titles (ao3) - AfroGohan tony/rhodey T, 1k

Summary: The crash had punched the air out of him, throat clogged with spit and smoke as he climbed from one damaged section to the next.

A dreadful paralysis crept up his arm as he swept the wreckage for survivors. Equipment failure, the pilot said as they lost altitude and plummeted into the clearing. That was all she said before impact.

He hauled what and who he could before sprawling in the grass, staring up at the mid-morning sky as the smell of gasoline met his nostrils.

Rhodey lands in the hospital. Company makes it easier.

The Gilded Machination (ao3) - NamelesslyNightlock loki/tony T, 25k

Summary: When the Norse god of mischief has taken up residence in your house, you tend to grow accustomed to a certain level of chaos. Finding strange items in the fridge is perfectly normal and Einherjar laying siege to the living room at random intervals is just an ordinary Wednesday. But lately, Loki has been disappearing for days at a time and that, at the very least, has Tony more than just a little concerned.

The Law of Entanglement (ao3) - Shortsnout tony/stephen E, 69k

Summary: The Law of Entanglement: When two particles, such as a pair of photons or electrons, become entangled, they remain connected even when separated by vast distances.

What if Stephen and Tony were in an established relationship before the Battle of New York, and when Tony took the nuke into the wormhole, he never came back?

Four years have passed, and after grieving for his fiancé, Stephen has now become a Master of the Mystic Arts. As he’s about to leave on a mission, he opens a portal and Tony falls out. Stephen knows the man he loved has been imprisoned and tortured, but he doesn’t understand why Tony keeps having visions of an alien named Thanos.

The Offering (ao3) - QuestinWitchFace sam/bucky E, 20k

Summary: When Sam invites his vampire boyfriend to come home with him for Christmas, things don’t go the way he’d hoped.

The Right Path (ao3) - tamnation clint/phil T, 28k

Summary: Phil’s alive, but he’s not waking up. When Clint’s approached on the range late at night by a woman who promises that she can help Phil, he doesn’t really have a choice. With SHIELD HQ transformed into a labyrinth of twisting tunnels and pitfalls, Clint’s only companions are his memories of Phil and a bird he found along the way. But finding Phil is harder than he thought it would be and Amora’s intentions are anything but pure.

To Walk in Another's Pawsteps (ao3) - Saracaeser bucky/tony T, 4k

Summary: “Well, hopefully it wasn’t important, because I’m not going to wear a necklace some Sorcerer Supreme-wannabe put on me,” Tony declared, lifting the long chain over his head.

“Doll, I don’t think-” Bucky didn’t get to finish his sentence before suddenly Tony wasn’t leaning against him anymore.

And the ground was a lot closer.

Trouble at Hardwick Hall (ao3) - orderlychaos clint/phil T, 54k

Summary: Before long, they were driving up the long driveway of Stark’s country estate. The manor house itself was as grand as Clint had expected. Even from the car, he could see that the sprawling building had at least two wings and several of what could only be described as turrets. “Stark never does things by halves, does he?” he said dryly.

“No, sir, he does not,” Happy answered from the front of the car.

When Phil Coulson and his associate, Clint Barton, are invited to Hardwick Hall, all they expect is a pleasant weekend in the country. Yet after witnessing a mysterious accident befall Tony Stark, they begin to realise all is not what it seems. Someone seems to be trying to kill Stark, and it's up to Phil and Clint to find out who before tragedy strikes.

Except nothing is ever that easy. When a shocking murder is discovered, Detective Inspector Sitwell is called in to help investigate. With the help of Agent Bobbi Morse, they must find the truth amongst the hidden secrets to stop the TROUBLE AT HARDWICK HALL.

Twenty-Six (ao3) - pearlofthesea loki/sylvie G, 3k

Summary: Loki makes a discovery about Sylvie, much to her embarrassment.

What I Like About You (ao3) - Inky_Blackheart peter/flash T, 15k

Summary: It turns out, Flash realizes, that there's a lot to like about Peter Parker.

[cas-kingdom]

The Avengers Masterpost

Main Masterpost

one shots

You Called for Backup (Peter x Tony) - Peter really should think before he sends any kind of text message to Tony Stark.

When You Wish Upon a Star (Peter x Tony) - Peter won’t get out of bed. Enter Tony Stark.

The Adult is Talking (Peter x Tony) - Peter starts neglecting his health in order to study for tests he’s going to pass whether he revises or not. It’s time for Tony to step in, and he’s not happy.

But It’s Tradition, Peter! (Peter x Avengers) - “Tradition is tending the flame, not worshiping the ashes.” Peter learns this, surrounded by the ones he loves the most.

Inked (Peter x Tony) - Tony gets a tattoo. The only problem is, he’s drunk.

Itsy Bitsy Spider (Peter x Tony) - There’s only one thing Peter’s afraid of, and Tony thinks it’s hilarious. Which it isn’t. Not at all.

A Dad for Christmas (Peter x Tony) - Peter has the perfect Christmas present for Tony.

When All is Dead and Gone (Peter x Tony) - Tony had never thought he’d love someone as much as he did this kid. Or: How I wish the ending of Infinity War had gone instead.

I’ll Wait (Tony x Steve) - Alone on Titan with nothing but the phone Steve gave him, Tony makes a decision he should have made a long time ago.

Breathe (Tony x May) - Tony tells May what happened on Titan.

Not Without You (Steve x Bucky) - It’s the end of the line for them both.

All I Want (Peter x Tony) - Peter gets one last conversation with Tony.

A Letter to Tony Stark (Peter x Tony) - From Peter Parker

Mini America (Tony x Steve x reader) - You accidentally pop Tony’s blow-up bed.

A Simple Misunderstanding (Peter x Tony x reader) - Tony walks in on you and Peter.

Normal (Steve x Tony x reader) - Being the sister of the world’s greatest hero has its advantages and disadvantages. While attempting to do something a normal teenager would do, things go wrong, and it takes a Captain America and an Iron Man to make you feel better.

’S’ is for ‘Steve’ (Steve x reader) - Steve told you not to get that tattoo. You got it anyway.

Call It Magic (Thor x reader) - Your fear of thunder drives you into a certain god’s arms one night.

Happy Birthday, Old Man (Steve x reader) - The one thing you shouldn’t do on Steve’s one hundredth birthday is call him old.

Remember When (Bucky x reader) - Bucky finds you awake and upset one night.

Bucky, You’re Not Punny (Bucky x reader) - Bucky thinks he’s funny. He’s really not, but he still gets you to laugh.

Finally (Steve x Bucky x reader) - You see Bucky for the first time after the ice.

My World (Bucky x reader) - With both Tony and Steve gone, it’s just you and Bucky against the world.

Fix You (Bucky x reader) - It’s been six months. You and Bucky are living in Brooklyn. You’re trying. He’s not. The both of you need to fix what’s left before there is nothing left to fix.

The Notebook (Bucky x reader) - You find Nakajima’s name in Bucky’s notebook and ask him about it.

There’s a Snake in My Boat (Bucky x Sam x Zemo x reader) - Sam makes you try the snake drink he had in Madripoor. Needless to say, it’s not the first time you’ve been sick all over Bucky.

Call It True (Loki x reader) - Loki helps you sleep after a trying few days.

For You (Loki x reader) - Loki realises you’ve been injured since New York, and you never told him.

Brave (Loki x reader) - At the end of time, it’s your turn to be brave. With Loki and Sylvie in search of whoever’s controlling it all, you and Mobius return to the TVA to figure out what’s going on. The goodbye is hard, beginning and ending in tears, but a goodbye can be a promise of another hello.  

drabbles

Steve x Clint (“You can try harder than that! I’m tough!”)

Steve x reader (“I love bagels! How did you know?”)

Bucky x Steve x reader (“I need a place to hide! Quick!”)

Peter P x reader (“Why are you embarrassed? You shouldn’t be.”)

Peter P x reader (“Hey! That’s mine!”)

Tony x reader (“Make one more egg pun, I dare you.”)

Steve x Bruce x Tony x reader (“Did I stutter?”)

Bucky x reader (“Smile for the camera!”)

Steve x reader (“Just come down… I promise I won’t do anything.”)

Peter x Tony x reader (“Don’t tell me you’re ticklish here, too.”)

Steve x Tony x reader (“Would you just quit it?”)

Tony x reader (“Can I have a go in the suit?”)

Steve x reader (“It’s three am! Where have you been?”)

Steve x reader (“Say that again looking at my face.”)

Tony x Peter (“C’mere, kid.”)

Tony x Peter (“I’m proud of you, kid.”)

Peter P x reader (“Honour is dead but I’ll see what I can do.”)

Sam x reader (“You lose. I tickle. Deal?”)

Tony x reader (“We should head back to the party.”)

Tony x reader (“Can I hug you?”)

Tony x Morgan (“It’s okay… I still love you.”)

Bucky x reader (“Don’t make me chase you.”)

Bucky x reader (“Wait, what are you going to do with that?”)  

Bucky x reader ("I miss the way things used to be.")  

Zemo x reader (“I apologise. I did not mean to wake you.”)

Bucky x reader (“I couldn’t sleep by myself.”)

Bucky x reader (“I may have accidentally adopted a dog. Don’t be mad?”)

Bucky x reader (”How about a compromise? I’ll kill him first, and if it turns out he was friendly, I’ll apologise.”)

Clint x reader (“No, no, don’t worry—it’s fine.”)

series

Iron Heart (Peter x Tony) - Five times Peter called Tony his dad, and the one time Tony called Peter his son.

Chapter 1 , Chapter 2

extra masterposts

Irondad & Spiderson Masterpost

[lucianalight]

You say the show characters weren't divided to "good" and "evil" but they are still stripping people and putting collars their necks which personally I find pretty messed up. This is my problem and why I can't bring myself to watch season 2 because everything I end up seeing seems like the TVA is still doing horrible things and not treated with the weight it should. Like, there's torture scene, but it's supposed to be okay because turns out it wasn't really physical? Like thats still torture that crosses the line way past grey in my opinion.

It's these two images for me is why I can't be asked to see any of the TVA as just grey especially it's asked while Loki is still called a villain. He didn't do a fraction as bad as they did.

If what I saw was Mobius owing up to being wrong about believing in the TVA and how his glorious purpose hurt people instead of seeing Loki say he invaded New York because he was mad at Thor and Odin, maybe I wouldn't still mad at the show

The actions are wrong, it doesn't matter who they're against what justification they have for using them. I rather have a story the condemns those actions and finds a better way than one that keeps the system with only a promise that now they'll only target the bad people

What I've been trying to say and said before in my s2 review, is that the narrative is neutral this time. It just shows you the story and leaves you to decide for yourself how you want to judge characters and their actions. That's sth very important for me in a story. I always have an instant knee jerk reaction to any blunt sort of message/framing even if it's a good one. I hate it when I feel like the writer is holding up a sign and telling me "look look it's a bad/good action or you should love/hate this character". No, thank you very much I can think for myself. The writer's feelings towards the characters can also bleed through so you understand when a character is treated by distaste and another with adoration.

These were the most important issues I had with s1. Because it stopped me from doing what I love most, in-universe analysis. Sth the fandom were doing before TR. No one told us, what happened to Loki before Avengers, we were shown clues. No one told us the reasoning behind every sentence of the characters and what they meant. But we analyzed every single action and expression. We put the pieces of puzzle together and built the picture. I was happy doing just that, until with TR the in-universe analysis didn't make sense so we had to look what caused it from out-universe pov.

Now with s2 having that neutrality I want, I don't care what the creators wanted to say as long as the characterization and actions make sense and are consistent with how I see the canon material. That's why Loki's line about New York didn't make me angry.

That hatred and dismissal toward Loki we felt in TR, IW and S1 is also gone. So having that irritating narrative of s1 out of the way and a better writing, the characters look grey to me. Which means like any other human they do bad things and good things. I didn't got the feeling that any of wrong actions are framed as sth good. Not putting collar on people(they were actually uncomfortable), not the torture scene(which I hated as I explained in my review) and not what TVA was doing all this time. In fact one of the few instances of framing in the narrative is that their atrocities were acknowledged.

The promotions of S2 were terrible though. I have no idea what they were thinking. None of the trailers were interesting and who would buy TVA merch? They're not even aesthetically beautiful and why would anyone want one of those creepy posters anyway? Although that's what happens when you sideline your main character in s1 and then you have nothing except creepy totalitarian merch for promotion smh. So yeah I get what you mean.

The ending also wasn't like now they're targeting the bad guys. It was shown that they won't interfere with what happens in timelines unless one of HWR's variants start a war and their intervention was needed. I haven't watched ant-man 3 but I assume they were referring to it when they said one of his variants made trouble but it was handled and their intervention wasn't needed. So they just intervene when the people of a timeline can't handle sth themselves. I also got the impression that they were changing their whole system to sth new.

In the end I hope it's been clear that by posting about the series, I'm not insisting, encouraging or recommending others to watch it. Because I know what Loki means to us. And Because I've seen many of my mutuals didn't like s2. Some did. S1 still makes me as angry as the first time I watched it but I liked s2(that doesn't mean I won't criticize it though). No two people are ever gonna agree with each other on everything. So it's ultimately a choice everyone need to make themselves.

[shegeekery]

Splintered — Chapter 5 (final)

Chapters: 5/5 Fandom: Doctor Who, Loki TV series (crossover) Rating: Not Rated Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: N/A, but I plan to keep it as friendly to both Lokius and Sylkie as I can. Characters: The Doctor, Ruby Sunday, Loki, Mobius, Ouroboros, B-15, Casey, Sylvie, Summary: The Doctor and Ruby find themselves in a strange universe where the timelines are controlled by the God of Mischief. Is it any surprise that the TVA needs help from a Time Lord? Tagging: @teal-astronaut2846

Chapter Index: Chapter 1: I Have a Bad Feeling About This — Length: 2906 words Chapter 2: Ghost Squirrel — Length: 2738 words Chapter 3: Splintered — Length: 2852 words Chapter 4: Getting the Band Back Together — Length: 2496 words Chapter 5: Intervention (this post) — Length: 2361 words Note: Thanks so much for reading — I hope you enjoyed it! Please feel free to leave a comment or reblog if you're so inclined. It really helps! Also, this chapter includes a small homage to @gigglingtiggerv2's non-MCU Loki story, "Follow the Crow", which I highly recommend!

“Doctor, tell me you have a way to stop it!” Mobius yelled as the serpent neared, its jaws wide.

“Working on it!” came the response from inside.

“Work faster!”

As the serpent drew closer, Sylvie began to sing. Her soft, lilting voice was uncertain, as if she hadn’t sung in a very long time.

Men trærne de danser      Og fossene stanser      Når hun synger, hun synger      Kom hjem

Mobius tore his gaze away from the serpent. “What are you doing?” he whispered.

Men trærne de danser      Og fossene stanser…

The radio attached to the dimensional equalizer crackled, and a male voice came through.

“Sylvie?”

“Yes, it’s me. Loki, it’s me,” Sylvie answered with relief. “There’s a magical serpent down here at the roots. It’s attacking us. Can you make it stop?”

Silence. Nidhogg continued to bear down on them and Mobius braced himself for the inevitable — but the serpent veered upward at the last moment and flew past harmlessly. It circled around again, and faded into nothingness as it did so.

Loki’s voice came through the speaker again. “Sylvie, you shouldn’t be here.”

“How am I hearing this? Shouldn’t this all be happening in your head?” Mobius asked Sylvie.

“I don’t know. That guy, the Doctor, must have done something.” Sylvie smiled weakly. “But we did it. We’re in contact.”

The others filed back out onto the platform. Mobius awkwardly disengaged his arms from Sylvie’s waist. The Doctor and Ruby stayed near the door, giving their new friends some space for what they sensed was akin to a family reunion — or perhaps an intervention.

Sylvie spoke again. “Everybody’s here, Loki. Me, Mobius, O.B., B-15, and Casey. We’re all worried about you. There’s been—”

“You and Mobius should be in your timelines, living your lives. That’s why I did this.”

“Can he hear me?” Mobius asked. “Loki, can you hear me?”

“Mobius. Yes, I hear you.”

“Loki, I know. I know why you did it, and I appreciate it — and you — more than you can imagine. But something’s gone wrong. That serpent is destroying the roots. We’re losing timelines.”

Silence.

“Loki?”

Silence.

“Did we lose him?” Mobius asked Sylvie.

The radio crackled again. “I’m here. Mobius, I…I swear, I didn’t know.” Even through the static of the old speaker, they could hear the raw pain in Loki’s voice.

“I know,” Mobius answered softly. “It’s alright. We’ll fix it.”

“Loki, did you put yourself in a trance state?” Sylvie asked.

A pause.

“I did. I thought it would make things easier.”

“This has been really hard on you, being alone out here, hasn’t it?” Mobius asked.

Another pause.

“I can handle it. I’ll stay awake. It won’t happen again.”

“Yes, it will,” Sylvie answered, with absolute conviction. “Loki, you can lie to yourself, but you can’t lie to me. It will happen again.”

“Then what do you suggest?”

Sylvie and Mobius looked at each other and nodded in unspoken agreement.

Mobius answered. “Sylvie and I can stay here, at the TVA. We’ll find a way to stay in contact. Keep you company.”

“No.”

Another pause, and Loki’s image appeared on the platform, gazing around at his friends with a sad smile. He wore green robes and a horned crown.

He looked tired.

To Mobius and Sylvie, he said, “I watched the two of you in your timelines for a while. Seeing you finally living your lives gave me the strength to go on. You can’t give that up.”

“Dammit, Loki,” Mobius said. “We’ve been over this. You don’t deserve to be alone. You shouldn’t be alone. You’ve gotta stop punishing yourself.”

“I’m not punishing myself. I just need you to—“

Casey spoke up. “Wait, if you can do this…” he gestured to indicate Loki’s image. “Can’t you just project yourself into the timelines?”

Loki smiled ruefully and shook his head. “No. Sending my consciousness into one of the timelines — or the TVA — would destabilize all of them. I can do it here because you’re outside of time and space.”

“If I may,” the Doctor interrupted, “I think I can offer another option.” He smiled. “Hi, I’m the Doctor, by the way, and this is my friend Ruby.”

“I know who you are, Doctor,” Loki answered with a nod. “After I entered the trance, I became aware of other realities, other universes, beyond ours. I saw your reality, with your fingerprints all over it. I’m afraid I must have unconsciously pulled you into mine.”

The Doctor grinned and shook his head. “Nothing wrong with asking for help, mate.” He walked around the group and disconnected the radio from the larger device. “Now, let’s see if this works.”

He fished around in his pocket and pulled out a long bootlace. “This should do it,” he said and tied the radio casing to the root. He fiddled with some switches. Blue energy emerged from the gadget and traveled along the root, mixing with Sylvie’s green magic.

“Okay. Sylvie, now you can let go.”

Sylvie hesitated for a moment, then pulled her hand away from the root, breaking the connection. The green energy vanished, leaving only a stream of blue traveling up the root.

“Loki, is it working? Can you feel that?” the Doctor asked.

“Yes. It’s different, but…”

His image stopped speaking, but his voice came through the radio speaker once again, “…but it works. How?”

“What you call ‘magic’ is really just another way of manipulating energy. One that works in this multiverse, but not in mine. I simply recorded what Sylvie was doing and used a bit of Time Lord technology to mimic what a conscious mind would do.”

Loki nodded, and his image spoke once again. “Clever.”

“Now, is there any way you could extend this root out to the edge of the curtain?” The Doctor pointed to the break in the cosmos through which the TVA could be seen.

Loki nodded again. “I believe so. What do you have in mind?”

“We can extend that old gangway out to the break, and I can help O.B. set up a permanent, trans-dimensional platform—“

O.B.’s face lit up. “Really?”

“—with shields to keep out the radiation. That, combined with something like this,” he put his hand on the radio, “will let your friends at the TVA contact you.”

“And Sylvie can go back to her timeline,” Loki said, with relief.

“Yes.”

Sylvie stared at Loki’s image. Reluctantly, she said, “I suppose I could come back, now and then. Just to check in.”

Loki shook his head. “No. Sylvie, you need to be free of the TVA for good.” He stepped closer, hands raised as if to touch her. His expression grew gentle and he told her, “What you have, in your timeline, it’s what I always wanted but could never admit, even to myself. Seeing you, with your friends…I can’t tell you how much joy that brings me.”

He paused, his mouth forming a sly grin — and Ruby, for the first time, caught a glimpse of the God of Mischief in the otherwise somber figure. He added, “Although, perhaps you should be more wary around that Romanoff woman. She’s quite the trickster herself — I learned that the hard way.”

Sylvie laughed softly. “I know. Probably why we get along.”

Loki turned to Mobius, who shook his head and said flatly, “I’m staying here.”

“Hold up,” the Doctor said, before Loki could protest. “Sylvie, Mobius, let me see your TemPads.”

The pair looked at each other and at Loki, shrugged, and held out their devices. The Doctor took Sylvie’s TemPad and did something with the sonic screwdriver.

“What are you doing?” Mobius asked.

“Oh, just a bit of jiggery-pokery,” the Doctor replied.

“Friends and family special,” Ruby added, grinning. “He’s very good at extending the range of service.”

The Doctor handed Sylvie’s TemPad back to her, then repeated the process with Mobius’s before handing it back.

Mobius looked at the screen. “There’s a contact record for Loki in here.”

“Give it a try. Both of you.”

Mobius and Sylvie tapped on their TemPads. A holographic image of Loki’s head and shoulders appeared above each of the screens.

“Those should work down on the timelines, too, once we get the permanent communications in place. You can both go back to your lives and talk with Loki whenever you want.” He looked pointedly at Loki. “And you, my friend, can call one of them whenever you need to talk. No more toughing it out, alright?”

“I suppose,” Loki answered with a sigh, but the glimmer in his eyes told them that he was more than satisfied with the arrangement.

“And no more squirrels,” B-15 added.

Loki looked confused. “Squirrels?”

She grinned. “A lot happened while you were zoning out in there.”

----------------------------------------------------------

“Alright,” the Doctor said. “Let’s fire it up and see how it works.”

They stood on the new trans-dimensional platform built onto the end of the gangway, which had been extended and enhanced with the Doctor’s radiation shielding. O.B. made some final adjustments to a more robust version of the radio gadget. They’d attached it to the tip of a very long root that extended from Yggdrasil.

O.B. turned on the device. “Loki, this is O.B. Do you read me?”

Loki’s voice came through the speaker. “I read you, O.B. It’s working.”

Ruby and the rest of Loki’s friends cheered and applauded.

“Guess I’m going to have to write a third edition of the TVA handbook,” O.B. said. “To cover the shielding, the enchantment simulator, and the trans-dimensional stuff.”

“Uh, about that,” the Doctor said, taking O.B. aside. Once they were out of earshot of the others, he whispered, “It might be better if you keep the trans-dimensional technology to yourself, yeah?”

“Oh. Sure.” O.B. shrugged. “Okay.”

Loki’s image appeared on the platform. A fond smile played on his lips as he gazed at his friends, all gathered together for what could be the last time.

He turned to the Doctor and Ruby. “Thank you, my friends. I may not have brought you here intentionally, but…I’d be lying if I said I was sorry.”

There was that mischievous smile again.

“And of course, you would never lie, right?” the Doctor replied, matching Loki’s grin.

Loki laughed.

Ruby added, “But we really should be getting back. Our universe needs him as much as yours needs you.” She glanced at B-15, half expecting her to object.

B-15 just smiled. “Safe travels, you two. Feel free to visit anytime.”

“I just hope I can get us back home,” the Doctor told Ruby.

“I think I can help with that,” Loki said. “Just…follow the eagle.”

----------------------------------------------------------

B-15, Casey, O.B., and Mobius accompanied the Doctor and Ruby as they said their goodbyes. Sylvie had returned to her timeline earlier and confirmed that she could still contact Loki via her TemPad.

When they reached the Tardis, Mobius shook the Doctor’s hand and said, “I’ve been wanting to ask… Back when we took that first trip, you said something about people calling you the Lonely God. Are you?”

“Am I lonely? Nah, not when I have my best friend in the universe right here,” the Doctor answered, putting his arm around Ruby. She smiled and rested her head on his shoulder.

“What I meant was, are you a god?”

The Doctor shook his head. “Some people call me that, but I’m just a traveler. I’m not even sure where I came from. I was adopted by my people, the Time Lords, but I came from another universe. No idea which one.”

“Huh. You know, Loki was adopted too.” Mobius nodded to himself and continued, “Even before he came here, I was fascinated by him. He used to be filled with so much fury and pain, but I just had a feeling there was something…wonderful underneath all that.”

He looked the Doctor in the eye. “I kind of get the same feeling from you, but I think you wear the good stuff on the outside and hide the pain.”

The Doctor met his eyes. He didn’t say anything, but they understood each other.

“Hey, who knows?” Mobius went on in a lighter tone, “There are a lot of Loki variants out there in the timelines. Maybe you were one of them.”

Ruby laughed. The Doctor smiled and said, “Well, having met two Lokis now, I have to say that I would be proud if I turned out to be one of them.”

“It would explain a few things,” Ruby said, lightly punching the Doctor in the arm.

“So, what about you?” the Doctor asked Mobius. “Are you going back to your timeline now?”

“For a bit. When I’m down there, I miss the TVA. When I’m here, I miss the timeline. And the jet-skiing.” He shrugged. “Still figuring it out.”

The Doctor nodded and opened the Tardis door. “Shall we?”

Ruby stepped into the Tardis with a final wave to their new friends, and the Doctor followed suit, closing the door behind him. The pair made their way to the console.

“So what now?” Ruby asked.

“First stop, Yggdrasil.” The Doctor pulled the lever and they made the short hop. He activated the wall screen, which showed the top of the World Tree.

As they watched, a spot of green detached from the tree and moved toward them, resolving into the eagle shape as it drew closer and flew past them. The Doctor locked onto the eagle’s energy signature, and they followed it as it flew, the image of Yggdrasil diminishing on the wall screen.

“Do you think they’ll be alright?” Ruby asked.

“Yeah. For now, anyway.”

“So,” Ruby continued, grinning. “Do you think you might be a Loki?”

“Nah,” the Doctor responded. “Lots of universes out there. Of course, those universes might have their own Lokis...”

“Well, you do tend to shake things up wherever you go.”

“True, true. Okay, here we go!” The Doctor pointed to the screen. The eagle was leading them straight into a familiar-looking vortex. Just before they entered, the eagle veered off and executed an aerial loop before flying away.

The pair whooped in delight as the Tardis entered the vortex, bringing them home.

[valkyrieandstrangeridingaragorn]

I think the entire Loki fandom has a bit of battered wife syndrome going on. We get really hurt and let down over and over again, and quite frankly our good nature and good humor gets repeatedly abused and taken advantage of, yet we keep coming back for more, telling ourselves "this time will be different". Except the MCU isn't even pretending to apologize or promising to do better. We just keep going back for the same ol' shit.

I'm referring to a post I just saw where someone has noticed similar parallels between that scene at the beginning of Infinity War and something going on in the Loki series where it looks like Loki is about to sacrifice himself for Mobius and I'm just like, what the hell did y'all expect?

I'm sorry, I'm just really pissed and tired and frustrated. What did we think was going to inevitably happen, after we watched season 1 and realized the show wasn't about Loki at all? After we realized the show admitted to exactly what it intended to do? To make Loki exist as a stepping stone for others to realize their true potential as heroes? The two characters they keep forcing down our throats - the good, saintly and oh-so-charismatic Mobius and the sad, supreme, superior Sylvie? Have they not proven time and time again how expendable Loki and his fandom are? Are we really going to act shocked and surprised when he's gone? Again?

I understand the frustration but I kind of get why so many people keep telling themselves 'maybe next time will be better'. When you're a big fan of a character you cling to hope that if some writers in the past managed to make him shine and turned him into a fantastic and complex character... then maybe some other writers in the future will do the same. The problem is I don't think the MCU even wants Loki to go back to who he used to be - it's what you say, he's a stepping stone for other characters to shine: Mobius, Sylvie, the TVA... It's not about him.

It wouldn't surprise me if Loki's story ends with him sacrificing himself for someone else, someone considered "better" than him. And of course he'll go back to being a hero like he was post-IW as we all know he's only a good guy when he's dead.

In fact, I don't want to spoil anything but I just read this review of the first four episodes of Season 2 and... it's not good. (It has spoilers so beware.) So yeah... personally I won't be watching the series and I don't want to watch anything with Loki in it anymore, but I can understand why so many fans find that hard to do. And the worst is that Marvel counts on that which is why they won't let go of him even though they couldn't hate him more.