a careless man’s careful daughter

—

The whole thing catches Loki completely off guard. He somehow misses a step and takes a tumble down a short flight of stairs, and isn’t able to catch himself, landing hard on his back.

“Holy shit, Loki, are you okay?” Mobius asks, rapidly following Loki down the stairs. He’s about to stoop down to help, but Loki waves him off.

“I’m fine, I’m fine, just lost my balance.” Loki says casually, trying to regain his dignity, but as he tries to get up, a sharp pain shoots right through his ankle causing him to cry out and fall back down onto his backside.

“Okay, no, you’re hurt.” Mobius says, hand in his hips. “Let’s get you to the infirmary.”

Without warning, Mobius bends down and effortlessly scoops Loki up, bridal style, being mindful of his twisted ankle.

Loki makes an indignant noise and feels his face heat up. He’s a god, for goodness sake, and he doesn’t need coddling.

“Mobius, please, I’m not a child.” Loki tries to wiggle his way out of Mobius’ arms but he ends up moving his leg in an awkward way which only triggers the shooting pain once more.

A whimper escapes his lips and only makes him blush harder, feeling shame creep up his spine.

“Hey, stop it,” Mobius says, cradling Loki a bit tighter, and then he mumbles under his breath, “Big baby.”

Loki simply presses his face into Mobius’ chest, hiding his embarrassment, as the agent carries him to the medical wing.

He won’t admit it, but as soon as Mobius places him down on one of the cots in the infirmary, he misses the warmth of Mobius’ body against his.

They send Loki off with a wrapped ankle and directions to be off his feet for a few days. Mobius opens a time door that leads directly to their living quarters, and then turns to Loki who is still sat on the cot.

He opens his arms this time, giving Loki the chance to actually choose whether he wants to be carried or not. Loki pauses for a moment, pretending to contemplate, as if he hasn’t already made up his mind the second he was told he could go, hoping Mobius would just pick him up again.

Loki looks up at Mobius and is met with soft eyes and an even softer smile, not a sliver of judgment to be seen. Loki pouts and then nods, reaching his arms out indicating he would very much like to be carried.

He’s just so cute 😭😭😭

Most analysts who are summoned to brief President Loki are timid. They’re fearful of this alien-god who has finagled his way into the Oval Office. Loki doesn’t mind those ones so much. It’s the dumb ones he can’t tolerate. The ones who whisper “Thor’s brother” and “Odin’s outcast” when they think he can’t hear them.

The dumb ones don’t last long.

Which is how Mobius has found his way to the White House. A replacement career analyst for one that hadn’t held their tongue. Thankfully, Mobius isn’t dumb.

What he is is intriguing. Loki watches him with a scrutinizing eye. Mobius isn’t afraid of him. He’s respectful and maybe a little awed so Loki can’t make any complaints on his behavior. But above all, Mobius is professional. And engaging. He gets to the point, explaining things without talking down to Loki, and when Loki’s attention deviates, Mobius is smart enough to know to wrap the topic up and move on. He’s the best debriefer Loki’s endured since he won the election.

The analyst is even bold enough to smile at Loki. No one smiles at Loki unless he wants them to. But Mobius sees his scowl and he doesn’t cower, doesn’t demure - no, he smiles at Loki.