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anonymousewrites · 1 year ago

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Portal to My Heart (Book 3) Chapter One

Loki x Reader

Chapter One: To the TVA

Summary: (Y/N) and Loki arrive at the TVA, but their bodies keep distorting.

Mouse Note: Welcome back to Portal to My Heart! I know I've been looking forward to sharing this story for a long time, ever since the first episode of LOKI Season 2 came out. I know that for me this is going to be emotional since I love Loki and have been a fan of his character since I discovered Marvel. I am very happy with how this story turned out, and I'm so excited to show you all. So, please enjoy and comment your thoughts so I can interact and freak out with fellow fans (it also makes me want to keep posting haha). And thank you all for supporting me so far. You're the best and make writing worth it!

Previously…

(Y/N) landed roughly next to where Loki was sitting, disheartened, in a TVA interrogation room. She cried out as her wound ached from hitting the ground.

“(Y/N)!” Loki’s eyes widened in horror, and he rushed to her side, holding her tight against him. “Gods…did Sylvie do this to you?”

“It was an accident,” coughed (Y/N). “But shit, it hurts.”

“Someone!” cried Loki. “I need someone!” Cursing as no one came in, he lifted (Y/N) up and set out in search of help. “Keep your eyes open, everything’s going to be all right.” Loki brightened in relief as he saw Mobius, free of any bonds, speaking hurriedly to B-15.

“Sixty-three new branches in this unit alone? Does he want us to just them all branch?” said Mobius to B-15.

“Mobius!” shouted Loki, slowing to a stop. “We made a terrible mistake, and now everything’s gone wrong and (Y/N)’s hurt!”

“What?” asked Mobius. His eyes widened as he saw the bleeding woman in Loki’s arms.

“Freed the timeline, found the bastard, war…need to prepare…” murmured (Y/N), dizzy from blood loss.

“I don’t know what happened to you analysts—” (Y/N) and Loki looked at him in confusion and alarm “—but we need to you to a medic, now!” Mobius flipped open his Tempad and called medics. “Now, who are you guys?”

“What…?” breathed Loki.

“We need boots on the ground, stat,” said B-15.

Loki just sank to floor and held (Y/N) close as he realized they had really messed up. They could both see the statue looming over them on the elevator, not of the Time-Keepers, but of He-Who-Remains. Everything had gone wrong, and now they were in an even bigger mess. Loki took a deep, shuddering breath as he waited for the medics to arrive.

“Please don’t leave me…” he whispered. “I need you here. You were right about everything. Please stay.” “It’s a pity she won’t live as long as you.” Loki’s heart clenched at the reminder of (Y/N)’s mortality. “You can’t die today, (Y/N). You can’t…because I love you.”

“Hey, we’ve got a medic!” called Mobius, running back towards Loki with B-15 and a medic at his side.

Loki stood and picked up (Y/N). No, no, he needed to protect them. This Mobius didn’t know them. If this was some other reality or something, he couldn’t trust them to heal her. He needed to escape, get somewhere where he could help (Y/N) and make sure they recovered.

“Hey, where are you going?” asked Mobius.

B-15’s eyes narrowed, and she glared at them. “They’re not analysts. They’re variants.”

That settled it. Loki ran, holding (Y/N) tightly to him.

“Wait!” shouted Mobius, running after him.

Loki ignored him and ran. B-15 ran in front of him with Minutemen behind her.

“Hold it right there, Variant!” shouted B-15.

“Mobius, it’s me. I’m not a variant. Well, I am, a little, but we’re friends, we know each other,” pleaded Loki.

“I don’t know you,” said Mobius. Around Loki, the Minutemen grabbed their pruning sticks.

Loki did the only thing he could and threw himself out the window. He held (Y/N) tight as they fell and wished that he had his magic to make sure they were protected. They hit a truck hard, and Loki and (Y/N) groaned. His heart jumped in his chest. They were barely responsive, but they were still there.

Maybe…Maybe their abilities will let them survive. Loki dearly wished that was true, but even if it was, in the TVA, there was no magic. There was no way for them to survive even if there was a chance.

The driver screamed and panicked upon seeing them. The truck hit the side of a building, crashing through a window. Loki and (Y/N) were thrown from the back of the truck, and Loki tucked (Y/N) into his chest so he hit the ground harder than them.

Loki grunted and stood up, holding (Y/N) up. They were struggling to keep their eyes open. It was clear that they had no idea what was happening as their blood loss got to their head. It was partly a relief since that meant his confession wouldn’t be remembered. Loki had spoken in the that of the moment, but now was not the time to be dealing with that, as much as he wanted to. (Also, Loki was awkward and a bit nervous).

“We’re fine. We’re fine,” muttered Loki as TVA workers stared at them. Behind him, the truck tipped back out the window. Everyone watched in horror as it fell to the ground below and landed with an echoing crash. Loki coughed. “She’ll be fine.”

The TVA timeline display landed on the ground and cracked it. The people gasped. Loki panted in exhaustion and looked down at (Y/N)’s nearly unconscious form.

“Level five intruders,” announced the PA system. “They’ve hopped into a mail cart and descended to the lower level.”

“Casey,” breathed Loki in relief as one man drew closer.

“Have we met each other?” asked Casey in confusion.

“Casey, help us. Please, tell me you know what’s going on,” said Loki. “Don’t you remember us?”

“I got them! I got the intruders!” said Casey nervously into his communicator. “I got the intruders!”

Loki’s eyes widened, and he backed up worriedly. And then his entire body distorted. (Y/N) groaned and winced as her already exhausted body glitched alongside him.

They disappeared from the room with Casey and reappeared in another room of the TVA. Loki looked around himself in confused and checked on (Y/N), making sure nothing bad had happened to her when they distorted. To his dismay, it was clear the energy going to keeping her alive was getting exhausted by the glitching.

“Loki. (Y/N).”

Loki looked up in relief to find himself in the same room, just decorated differently, and Casey looking down at them.

“What? Just a second ago, you didn’t know us,” said Loki in confusion. “Casey. Casey. Casey, something terrible is happening.” He pulled (Y/N) closer. “Please.” He trailed off when he noticed a crack on the floor from where he had just seen the TV display fall. Only now it was hanging up again. “Has…Has that always been there?”

“The crack? It’s been there as long as I can remember,” said Casey.

Was it possible that time had passed? When Loki and (Y/N) glitched? But that was impossible. And yet…

“We were in the past,” breathed Loki in realization. He shook his head. “No, no, it doesn’t matter now. Please, Casey. (Y/N) needs help.”

Casey nodded shakily and ran to call someone.

Loki sank to his knees in relief and held them close. “Don’t worry, darling. You’ll be alright. I’ve got you.” Before he could rest, though, they distorted again.

They landed in front of Casey, and Loki stumbled, holding (Y/N). He nearly cursed but just looked to Casey. “Casey, where is Mobius?”

“He’s…in the War Room,” said Casey, staring at Loki and (Y/N), bloody and tired.

Loki stumbled to the War Room and kicked the door open. No one was in there, and he groaned. In his arms, (Y/N)’s heads lolled and hit his chest. Her consciousness was completely gone. That meant her life was really in danger. He needed to find Mobius.

Loki stared at the carvings of He Who Remains on the wall of the War Room and felt anger course through him. HWR was still haunting him.

And then he and (Y/N) glitched, and he nearly collapsed as he appeared back in the War Room. This time, Mobius, B-15, and several other TVA members were staring at them. He grunted in pain.

“Loki? (Y/N)?” said Mobius, eyes widening as he saw their states.

“Mobius! You know us!” cried Loki.

“Where the hell were you two?” asked Mobius worriedly.

“Help us,” said Loki, pulling (Y/N)’s body closer to him. “Please. A moment ago, you didn’t know us. Tell me you know who we are.” Behind them, a Minuteman went to attack, and B-15 blocked him.

“Yes, yes,” assured Mobius.

“Everyone, stand down!” shouted the general of the TVA, Dox.

“Please, Mobius, we found him, but (Y/N)’s hurt, and we keep disappearing, please, she’s dying, please help her—” Loki’s rambles continued.

“Hey, hey, who did you find?” asked Mobius in confusion.

“Him.” Loki looked at the wall where the carvings of HWR had been a moment before. He handed (Y/N) to Mobius, who was startled but held them, and grabbed the pruning stick from the Minuteman.

“Loki?” asked Mobius, glancing down in horror at (Y/N)’s bleeding stab wound.

“Get back!” said Loki when the hunter tried to attack. Then, he stabbed the stick into the wall, and the mosaic of the false Time-Keepers burned away to reveal HWR’s face carved into the wall. The truth of the TVA hidden just beneath the surface. “That’s who built this place!” shouted Loki. “That’s who stole your lives! That’s who’s coming back!” He stared at Mobius pleadingly. “Now, please, get (Y/N) help. Please.”

“She’s going to be okay. The medics say the wound will scar, but otherwise, she’ll be alright,” said Mobius as Loki hovered at (Y/N)’s bedside.

She still looked so still. Loki didn’t want to leave (Y/N) for a moment. He needed to watch over her, protect her, succeed where he’d failed.

“Loki. We need to talk about what happened,” said Mobius.

“I need to make sure she’s alright,” said Loki fiercely.

“Okay, okay,” said Mobius. He sat down next to Loki. “We’ll talk here. That way you know how she’s doing.”

Loki nodded shakily. “Right. Right.”

“So what happened? The last thing I knew, you guys were going to face the cloud monster,” said Mobius in concern.

“Alioth?” said Loki. He shook his head. “Alioth was a distraction. He was a guard dog. We found him. A Citadel at the End of Time.”

“But where’s Sylvie?” asked Mobius.

Loki’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t know. She’s still there. She…She stabbed (Y/N) trying to kill He Who Remains. She’s the reason she’s like this right now…We just wanted time to think, and Sylvie wouldn’t just stop, and now (Y/N)’s…” Loki was spiraling, and he slumped over. “It was an impossible choice, but she seemed so certain. How could she be given the circumstances?”

“Okay, okay, slow down, Loki,” said Mobius calmingly. “You wanted time to think, so let’s think.”

Loki took a deep breath and looked at Mobius. “Mobius, we got the man at the End of Time, and he made sense. We thought it was about freeing the Timeline, but that brings only more malevolence, more violence, more war. More of him. They’re coming. They’re all coming. ‘You came to kill the devil.’ ”

“I don’t understand,” said Mobius.

“Maybe he was,” murmured Loki. “But maybe he wasn’t. Sylvie was convinced he was. We fought, Mobius. She kicked me through a Time Door, and she and (Y/N) fought, and (Y/N) got hurt, and then Sylvie kicked her through, and…”

“Well, I’d ask who won…” remarked Mobius.

Loki huffed. “It was a draw.”

“You all kicked each other through Time Doors simultaneously?” said Mobius.

“No. (Y/N) and I were actively trying not to fight her,” said Loki. “That’s why (Y/N) was hurt…” He looked at her and reached out to her. He drew his hand back awkwardly. “She was trying to stop Sylvie. She was trying to kill him.”

“Stop, relax,” said Mobius. “(Y/N) is going to be fine. She’s alright. Look, just calm down.”

“I just wish I had tried harder,” said Loki ruefully. “I wish we’d had more time.”

“Don’t do the coudlda-woulda-shoulda. Focus on what we know,” said Mobius.

“War is on its way,” said Loki. “That’s what we know. I have no idea if he was right about everything because his variants are on their way! It was about preventing more of them! There was no simple choice, no other way.”

“That’s who you showed us in the War Room?” asked Mobius.

“He Who Remains,” said Loki, nodding. “This is his kingdom. And he says he keeps us safe, but how can you believe that? He built this place.”

“No, how would I not remember that,” said Mobius. “How could he—”

“He wiped your memories.”

Loki’s head whipped to the cot where (Y/N)’s eyes were open and she was trying to sit up. Instantly, Loki was by her side and supported her. In relief, he saw that the wound was healing well due to the TVA’s technology.

“You’re alright,” said Loki.

(Y/N) smiled at him and covered his hand with her own as he helped her. “Of course. A stab isn’t going to keep me down.”

“We’re glad you’re okay,” said Mobius, smiling.

“Thanks,” she said, nodding. She frowned. “But what happened? Last thing I remember was falling through the Time door…”

Loki stared at her. She didn’t remember. (Y/N) couldn’t recall his confession of love. The injury had been too much, and she had no idea what had happened. Part of Loki was disappointed since he couldn’t get her response, but the other part of him was thankful. He had no idea how to tell her again, how to deal with everything. (Y/N) was the person he loved, and he wasn’t sure how to tell her again, and with all the chaos going on, Loki was afraid of adding more to it.

But he wanted to tell her. So, so badly.

(Y/N) frowned and touched her chest. “And it felt like I was coming apart at the seams.”

“We, uh, glitched?” said Loki. “I’m not entirely sure, either.”

“Is that how you appeared in the War Room?” said Mobius in confusion.

“Yes,” said Loki. “Well, partly. We were in the past.”

“Don’t you mean the End of Time?” said Mobius.

“No, we were in the War Room already,” said Loki.

Mobius looked at (Y/N) in confusion, and she shrugged. “I believe Loki, but I was way too out of it to know what was happening.”

Loki was once again torn from disappointment that he still didn’t know how she felt and relief that the chaos of feelings wasn’t involved in the difficult situation developing.

“We were in the past,” reiterated Loki, shaking himself from his thoughts and looking at Mobius.

“What do you mean in the past? Where?” said Mobius in confusion.

“Here, in the TVA,” said Loki.

“No, there is no past TVA,” said Mobius, shaking his head. “Time doesn’t work like that here.”

“It does, it’s happening to us,” said Loki.

“It’s impossible,” said Mobius.

“It’s possible,” said Loki.

“No, it’s not,” said Mobius.

As if on cue, Loki and (Y/N)’s bodies distorted and came back together. They disappeared from the room, appeared in the same one but empty, and then popped out of existence again, reappearing in front of Mobius. (Y/N) groaned at the sensation. It was painful, but at least she wasn’t bleeding out.

How skewed are my priorities that my cells rearranging is preferable to a stab wound? thought (Y/N). “See that? I think that confirms Loki’s story,” she muttered.

“Uh, yeah, I saw it,” said Mobius.

“Yeah? What does it…What does it look like?” asked Loki.

“It looks…” Mobius grimaced. “I mean, how does it feel?”

“It’s not that bad,” said Loki, lying.

“I think my cells are getting spliced,” muttered (Y/N), brutally honest as ever.

“I think (Y/N)’s assessment is better than yours,” said Mobius, looking between (Y/N) and Loki. “And we definitely need to get you help. Let me call Miss Minutes.”

“No,” said (Y/N) and Loki sharply.

“What?” asked Mobius.

“You can’t trust her,” said (Y/N).

“Are you sure?” said Mobius.

“Pretty sure,” said (Y/N). “She was there with him at the End of Time.”

“We still need to get your guys checked out,” said Mobius. “Yeah, let’s swing you by Repairs and Advancement. Come on.”

“(Y/N) needs to rest,” said Loki instantly.

“I’m fine,” said (Y/N), standing. “The tech did enough; it was just blood loss.”

Loki hovered nervously. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, Loki,” said (Y/N), glancing at him with a fond smile. She looked down at her torn shirt from the stab wound. “But, uh, I do want a new shirt.”

Taglist:

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anonymousewrites · 1 year ago

Text

Portal to My Heart (Book 3) Chapter Five

Loki x Reader

Chapter Five: Under the Skin

Summary: The interrogation begins.

“Okay, let’s keep it simple,” decided Mobius as he, (Y/N), Loki, and B-15 walked towards the holding cell Brad Wolfe/X-5 was being held in. “Where’s Dox? Where’s Sylvie? And what did he do to the Tempad? That’s all we need to find out, okay? But of course, Brad knows us, and he knows our tactics. But that’s what makes for an interesting chess match. Okay, most of all, Brad’s an asshole.”

(Y/N) nodded affirmatively.

“So don’t let him get under your skin, alright? Okay?” Mobius gave a certain someone a pointed look. “Loki?”

“What?” said Loki, acting oblivious as everyone looked at him.

“You know what,” said (Y/N) while Mobius went to the door.

“Come on,” he said, pushing the door open.

They stepped into the barren room, and Brad turned around in his chair to face them.

“Oh, welcome back. Why don’t you go ahead and take this time collar off and start treating me like someone who outranks you?” sneered Brad, going immediately to the asshole act.

“We don’t work here,” said (Y/N), folding her arms. She and Loki just joined in to defeat He Who Remains, and before that, they were forced to work to not get pruned.

“Oh, that’s a good point,” said Brad.

“You should stop talking,” said Mobius. “Hey, what were you doing down there on the Sacred Timeline?”

“Making movies,” said Brad.

“Don’t waste our time, X-5,” said B-15.

“It’s Brad. Bradley,” said Brad sharply.

“Right, Brad,” said Loki. “Let’s cut to the chase, shall we?” His voice turned to the subtler drawl, the slight condescension and cunning clear (to those who knew him, like (Y/N)—who thought it was hot).

“What did you do to this Tempad?” said (Y/N), holding it up.

Brad looked at Mobius in fake-exhaustion.

“Answer the question,” said Mobius.

“It blocks your trackers,” said Brad.

“Yeah, no, try again,” said (Y/N). “What is it?”

Brad scoffed. “Under whose authority are you holding me here? Looking around, I do not see anyone ranking high to make that call.”

“I don’t need approval to detain a hunter that abandoned their post,” said B-15.

“I believe in exercising my own authority,” said (Y/N) brightly.

“Oh, that’s good. That’s good,” said Brad, still holding that condescending tone. “But wasn’t B-15 the one blabbering on and on about how we all had lives on the timeline?” He sneered at B-15. “Well, I went down and got my life. What exactly are you mad at me about?”

“Risking everyone else for your own selfishness,” said (Y/N), crossing her arms.

“There are lives at stake,” said Loki.

Brad turned to face Loki. “There are lives at stake?” Loki nodded darkly, and Brad scoffed. “Oh, you got some nerve. ‘There are lives at stake.’ Everyone here knows what you’re doing, you know?”

Mobius and (Y/N) exchanged looks. Brad was trying to get under Loki’s skin. Loki remained cam and just raised his eyebrows, prompting Brad to continue.

“You’re just trying to make up for all the terrible, awful shit you’ve done in your life, you pathetic little man,” said Brad.

“Okay, that’s enough,” said Mobius, stepping in as he saw Loki take a breath.

“No, no, Mobius,” said Loki, a lilting tone in his voice that left (Y/N) on edge. “No, it’s…It’s riveting.” Loki’s eyes narrowed imperceptibly as he goaded Brad to continue. “Keep going. I want to hear more.”

“Good,” said Brad, eager to continue. “See, everything you and Sylvie and (Y/N) have ever done to try to help has only ever made it worse.”

“Is that so?” remarked Loki. (Y/N) wanted to interject, but there was a certain quality in Loki’s voice that said to stay out.

“See, I’ve read your file,” continued Brad. “It’s you. You’re the problem. Every time we’ve ever found a you, Loki. Problem is, you think you’re special, but you’re not. So, it doesn’t matter what outfit you put on, play dress or what little lies you tell your friends or even the lies you tell yourself. At the end of the day, you just make everything worse. For Mobius, for B-15, for (Y/N)—” Loki’s eyes narrowed “—for your mother.”

Loki sucked in a breath and stared down at Brad with cold anger.

“’Cause that’s what you do,” sneered Brad, knowing he’d hit a nerve. “You lose. You’re a loser. And you drag everyone else into your loss.”

Loki’s mind flashed to 2012 and all the pain he’d caused (Y/N), and immediately after he remembered that he had nearly lost her because of the battle with Sylvie at the End of Time. It was always his fault she got hurt, and now he was reminded that even on the timeline he was supposed to live he would have gotten (Y/N) and his mother killed. It was always Loki’s fault. Always.

So how can I be selfish enough to want to say I love her if all I will do is bring her pain?

Loki’s heart clenched painfully, and he took a deep breath.

“Stop trying to be a hero, man,” said Brad. “You’re a villain. And you’re good at it. Do that.” He smirked condescendingly.

Loki chuckled dangerously and smiled coldly. “Thank you, Brad…very much. I really am touched. You know, you’re right!”

(Y/N) glanced at him curiously but let him continue and stepped back.

“I have done some terrible, awful things,” said Loki. “Yes, maybe that is who I am, and she knows.” He nodded to (Y/N). “It’s the real me.” He clapped. “A loser. Always have been. Always will be. And perhaps I’ve been…holding something back.” The dangerous tone of his voice had returned.

“Loki,” warned Mobius, but he knew Loki would only listen to (Y/N), and she seemed way too eager to let Brad get whatever was coming to him.

“Perhaps I’ve just been biding my time,” said Loki, strolling closer to Brad, who shifted nervously. “Perhaps I’ve just been waiting for a moment like this—” he stood over Brad, who finally realized he was in danger “—so I can do terrible, awful things to you.” Loki’s voice was hushed and tinged with darkness.

(Y/N) wasn’t sure if she should be worried for Brad and incredibly attracted to Loki at the moment. She settled for both, but the latter was definitely more prevalent in her mind.

“So, let’s try this one more time,” said Loki. He leaned over Brad, and the actor leaned back nervously. “Where is Sylvie?”

For a moment, Brad looked ready to answer, and then his smugness returned. “You know, you’re way too obsessed with her.” He looked at Mobius. “He needs therapy. I can recommend someo—”

Bang!

(Y/N) stepped up and kicked over his chair.

“Okay, whoa!” said Mobius, jumping up. He hadn’t anticipated (Y/N) being the one to lose her cool, but he should have remember that she had a quick temper, too, it was just usually her mouth that she ran.

“For someone who likes free will so much, you sure do obey every stupid whim of your emotions,” jeered Brad.

(Y/N) knelt over him. “Say another thing about me.”

Everyone froze and watched her. Even Mobius, who had been moving to sit Brad back up, stopped. None of them had ever heard (Y/N)’s voice so dark. There was a dangerous glint in her eyes that meant she was serious about whatever she said in this conversation.

(Y/N) smiled, but it was more predatory, more daring than anything pleasant. “Go on. Say another thing about me.”

“You think you’re tough?” said Brad, foolishly continuing. “Yeah, sure. The only thing you ever do is follow a Loki around. That’s your whole role. Trophy girl.”

(Y/N) burst out laughing, and everyone stared. “Wow, is that what you think? Damn, I really do seem pathetic when you put it like that.” She stopped abruptly, and her grin widened. “But you’re dead wrong. You see, I put Loki in his place when he’s out of control. I don’t follow everyone.”

Loki watched with a flurry of emotions as (Y/N) smirked. This was incredibly attractive, and Loki’s mind was finding it hard to focus on her conversation and was rather interested in imagining in what situations she would speak that way.

“And if I can control a god…” (Y/N) cocked her head. “What can I do to you?”

“You don’t control me,” sneered Brad.

“No?” (Y/N) reached out and tugged on his time collar. Brad jerked uncomfortably at the sensation of the tightening collar. “Keep talking, dog.”

“Ok, alright, that’s enough,” said Mobius, intervening before Brad ran his mouth again. He needed (Y/N) and Loki to be in control of themselves and not defend each other’s honor by threatening Brad.

Mobius pulled (Y/N) up and nudged them back slightly to Loki’s side.

“Control your little pets, Mobius,” sneered Brad.

Mobius coughed. “That got a little tense. Hey, you wanna hear a good one? Knock, knock.”

“Who’s there?” said Brad, sighing tiredly.

“Brad,” said Mobius.

“Brad who?” he replied.

“That’s showbiz,” said Mobius, smiling brightly. “And I don’t want that to happen to you. So, play along with us, answer our questions, and we’ll get you back there, so they don’t forget about you. How’s that sound?”

“You would do that?” said Brad.

“I will,” said Mobius.

“You promise?” said Brad.

“I promise,” said Mobius.

Brad smirked and glanced at the others. “You see this? Mobius, you could be an actor.”

“I’m not an actor, I’m an analyst, but thank you,” said Mobius.

“You’re not an analyst. I’m not a hunter.” Brad gazed out at all of them. “None of this is real. I mean, who even are you on the timelines, do you know?”

“Doesn’t matter,” said Mobius.

“I think it does matter because none of this is real,” said Brad.

“Well, okay,” said Mobius, sighing.

“The TVA is not your real home,” said Brad forcefully. “Mobius isn’t even your real name.”

“Well, it’s what I answer to,” said Mobius, shrugging the comment off.

“Do you have any idea what kind of life you might have left behind?” questioned Brad. “Who might be waiting for you out there? I mean, do you care? I mean, you know they took us. You know they took our lives, and you’re still here. I mean, it’s kinda weird, man. I mean, you need to wake up.”

“I’m awake,” said Mobius, shoulders straightening in the slightest display of tension.

“Yeah, no. You’re asleep,” said Brad. “You need to wake up, Mobius.”

“I’m awake,” repeated Mobius.

“And until you do, you’re nothing,” continued Brad.

“No,” said Mobius.

“B-15 is nothing,” said Brad, pointing. He swiveled to Loki and (Y/N). “I don’t know where to start with that—” He stood and walked a pace towards Mobius. “But you’re nothing here.” Mobius’s eye twitched. “And until you wake up, you’re just a nowhere man. You’re a—”

Mobius punched him.

Brad stumbled back, still spewing his garbage, and it was only Loki and (Y/N)’s interference on his part and B-15 pulling Brad back that kept Mobius from continuing. Brad laughed wildly at Mobius’s anger while (Y/N) and Loki escorted him out.

“What was that?” asked Loki as he and (Y/N) followed Mobius through the halls.

“Nothing,” said Mobius.

“Are you okay?” said (Y/N).

“I’m fine,” said Mobius.

“What happened back there?” said Loki.

“Nothing,” reiterated Mobius.

“It didn’t seem like nothing,” said (Y/N).

“It was tactical,” said Mobius.

“Seems like he got under your skin,” said Loki.

“Like ours,” said (Y/N).

“Nope,” denied Mobius. “He didn’t get under my skin.”

(Y/N) and Loki frowned and exchanged glances.

“Mobius, are you sure you’re alright?” asked (Y/N). “We’ve never seen you like this before.”

“Seen me like what?” huffed Mobius.

“Okay, we’re not judging,” assured Loki.

“Feels like you are,” said Mobius. “Look, I told you I can play the heavy keys and I can—Where are we?” He stopped in a blue and green room.

(Y/N) shrugged. “We were following you.”

“No, I was following you,” said Mobius.

“Mobius. You were clearly ahead of us,” said Loki. He looked around and saw Mobius’s dejected face. “How about a slice of pie?”

“Key lime,” said Mobius finally.

“Okay, great,” said (Y/N). It’s the only flavor the TVA has, apparently.

The three grabbed plates of pie and forks and sat down at a table. They sat in silence and ate in peace for a few minutes, letting their thoughts digest after everything that happened in the cell.

“It’s really good,” said Mobius, finally in a better mood.

“It is,” said Loki.

Mobius was quiet again before sighing. “Listen. That wasn’t tactical. I lost it.”

“It’s okay,” said (Y/N), smiling. “We all did.”

“It happens,” agreed Loki. “You know, sometimes a rage builds up and you just got to…let it out.” He took a bite of pie. “Do you remember that time I was so angry with my father and brother that I went down to Midgard and I held the whole of New York City hostage with an alien army? Tried to use the Mind Stone on Tony Stark? It didn’t work, so I threw him out a building.”

“Tried to fry me,” said (Y/N) sarcastically.

Loki winced. “I do feel bad about that.” His heart clenched at the reminder of all he had done to hurt her. If he could take it all back, he would. Well, actually, he wouldn’t. If he hadn’t done that, Loki would have never met her.

(Y/N) patted his shoulder and grinned at his guilt. “Don’t worry. I almost fried you, so we’re even.” She shrugged. “We’ve all lost it to varying degrees. Some people just punch people, like you and me, Mobius, and some people take cities hostage.”

“Our emotions get the better of us,” said Loki.

“You can say that again,” said Mobius, smiling slightly.

“Let me ask you something,” said Loki. “Brad, you know, he obviously touched a nerve, right?” Loki and (Y/N) exchanged a look, and (Y/N) continued.

“You’ve never wanted to visit your place on the timelines?” asked (Y/N) carefully.

Mobius paused before speaking. “Look, that’s the last thing I should be thinking about.”

“Are you—Aren’t you curious?” asked Loki. “Haven’t you considered the life you were meant to live before the TVA?”

“Even just to know?” added (Y/N). “You know, who you were before you were kidnapped and taken to the TVA?”

“Not really,” said Mobius.

“Why?” asked Loki.

“Because it’s not my life,” replied Mobius.

“And you don’t have any curiosity to know what your life could’ve been?” said (Y/N).

“It isn’t what mine is. This is.” Mobius gestured around himself to the TVA. “I’d like to thank the guy who kidnapped me and brought me here.”

“I really don’t think you would, he’s kind of a prick,” said (Y/N). She cocked her head. “But if you never look, you’ll never know.”

“The TVA is the only life I’ve ever known. I like it,” said Mobius.

“Look, we understand that. We get it,” said Loki. “And you may think twice because it could be something bad.”

(Y/N) nodded. “We would understand. We both die.”

“Or something good,” said Mobius. “Something bad, I can handle. What if it’s something good?”

And you’re missing out. (Y/N)’s gaze softened.

“Do you think I wanna have that rattling around in here?” said Mobius, tapping his head.

“Of course not,” said Loki.

Silence fell again.

“You know, Brad isn’t gonna talk,” said Loki, letting the subject change.

“Brad is gonna talk. We just have to find a way in,” said Mobius.

“Alright. So what aren’t we asking this time?” said Loki, poking his pie.

“Look, Brad is a good hunter, okay?” said Mobius. “He’s very good at his job. So, does it really make sense that he could spend all that time down there and not find Sylvie?”

“Look, Sylvie spent her whole life hiding. He didn’t find her,” said Loki.

“Yes, but maybe he got a little help from the Tempad,” said Mobius.

“I still don’t think this thing has anything to do with tracking. It’s not configured that way,” said (Y/N).

“Okay, but he’s clearly hiding something. And it probably has to do with Sylvie,” said Mobius.

(Y/N) nodded. “That does make sense.”

“Think about it. He found her, but maybe didn’t turn her in because he wants to continue to live his best life on that timeline,” said Mobius.

“He wants more time to be Brad Wolfe,” said Loki in realization.

“He would want that,” said (Y/N).

“Now we just have to find a way to get him to admit it,” said Mobius.

“He’s the only one who knows where Sylvie is,” said Loki. “Just gotta make him talk.”

“I have an idea,” said (Y/N). The men looked at her, and she smirked. “I think we need to put the fear of god into Brad.”