#Mobius’ words of affirmation and support is all loki ever wanted to hear

[loki-us]

Okay I’m rewatching season 1 and I saw this lovely scene mentioned by mimisempai and I just needed to post an analysis of it because I think it’s such a pivotal moment in their relationship and it drives me crazy every single time.

Before putting Loki in the time cell, Mobius was unwilling to listen to Loki and thought everything Loki was saying was just a lie to try and manipulate him. Now, after discovering the truth on Renslayer’s tempad, Mobius is much more willing to listen. He’s still understandably wary though, and directly mentions that concern to Loki. On his part, Loki considers Mobius’ words, understanding his difficulty in trusting him and recognizing that Mobius thinks Loki is just trying to deceive him again. But now, Loki knows that their dynamic has changed beyond just analyst-interrogating-variant, that this is no longer representative of what they are to each other. Loki considers for a moment, then offers up a different interpretation, one that’s now more honest and meaningful to the both of them (“How about the word of a friend?”)

Recognizing that Loki now sees him as more than just someone he can deceive, Mobius explicitly and kindly offers Loki his help. Earlier, Mobius was clearly upset (and perhaps a touch jealous) about Loki’s concern for Sylvie, but how he seems to accept that Sylvie is important to him and puts all of that aside in order to help Loki save her. Mobius doesn’t want Loki to be in pain and is willing to accept his own disappointment and Loki’s attention being directed elsewhere as long as it makes Loki happy.

And then, despite Loki escaping from Mobius and betraying his trust in episode 2, Mobius delivers probably the most compassionate and affirming thing anyone has ever said to Loki. It’s gentle praise, it’s unwavering support, it’s an acknowledgement of everything Mobius sees in Loki that the God of Mischief never saw in himself. This is the moment where Loki and Mobius finally realize what they mean to each other and commit themselves to the importance, trust, and sincerity of that relationship. And Loki is forever changed by it.