Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The Watcher likes puzzles. He can always find one or two maybe more on each branch. If he wants harder puzzles, he looks to the branches generally. Captain Carter was a puzzle. So was Thanos. Doctor strange. Wanda Maximoff. The one he's working on now is the hardest one of all because the people in it should never have met and yet...

The very first time I remember you, you are blonde and don't love me back.

There is a world where the heroes are cowboys and villains classic outlaws. Here, a man named Donovan chase's Loki from one end of the West to the other. It's a one-sided love. The lawless never learns to love the lawful. They just chase each other around and around and around, two snakes eating their tails.

The next time you are brunette, and you do.

That's why the second piece is confusing. Donovan is an assistant to Van Helsing who is obsessed with Dracula. When Dracula gets ahold of Asgard's prince, a new hunt begins. One that drains Donovan of life but as Loki drinks his blood, and Donovan allows him, a new curse blooms. Not long after that Donovan becomes a vampire, too.

After a while I give up trying to guess if the colour of your hair means anything. 

At first the curse is not a curse. As a raised Jotun, Loki leads Jotunhiem to new heights. He meets Daggry due to this. Daggry is like most of its variants with two kids and no one to help. A Jotun version is a welcome surprise. Their love story is almost typical in nature. But the Watcher knows there's nothing typical about it.

because even if you don't exist, I am always in love with you.

This is when he notices a pattern. There is no Don in this world. His parents never met. That does not mean dreams cease. Loki draws Don. On parchment, windows, his cell wall, on bed sheets and weapons. Bad day are good. The images take Loki through his childhood, finding out the truth, Thanos, the Grandmaster and death. No happy ending. Just drawings left to the wind.

I remember most fondly those lifetimes where we get to grow up together,

So the Watcher goes to the roots and finds a few. It's not often you find a mortal Loki in a small town at five years old playing with a little blonde boy. They grow up together, rich and poor, virtue and vice. Field trips, prom, graduation, college. It's a typical happy life until Don gets in a car accident. It's not so happy after that. The Watcher moves on.

when you share your secrets and sorrows and hiding places with me.

Loki as the hunchback of Notre Dame is new. A blue, ugly, ravaged monster. At least until Aube finds him. It's cute watching Gypsy Aube make hunchback Loki happy, watching the sunrise and being friendly. But like in any hunchback tale, Aube dies leaving Loki to his own demise. The Watcher thinks the puzzle is biased toward pain. Next.

I love how you play along with my bad ideas, b efore you grow up and realize they are bad ideas.

(And in our times together I have many bad ideas.)

Loki is mischief. Dagsbrun, oddly enough, is, too. Enough so that Odin kicks them out of the palace every chance he gets. Childhood on Asgard is long and that means lots of bad ideas are committed by both of them until Dagsbrun gets older. Their last bad idea leaves Loki as a Jotun and Dagsbrun in prison. Another tragedy added to the growing pattern.

When we meet as adults you're always much more discerning. I don't blame you.

You can't kill a god with human poison. Vann Siegert learns that the hard way with a Loki that got banished and was hit by Vann's truck. Vann is weary of Loki for a long time. At some point in their travels, that all goes away. Ideally, two killers together is not a good sign, but here as they go from one state to another, it becomes almost domestic. Too bad it all ends in death row before Loki can get him off the planet.

Yet, always, you forgive me. 

The Watcher can count the number of happy endings on one hand. This one is one of the few. Prince Loki, cursed to be in Jotun form until he finds love. Aube who trades himself and eventually forgives and loves this beast. Loki dies briefly at Aube's suitors hand before the curse is lifted by Aube's love. A beauty and a beast situation. It's stories like these that make the Watcher feel alone.

As if you understand what's going on, and you're making up for all the lifetimes in which one of us doesn't exist,

The Watcher wonders over bonds between timelines. There is a reality where superheroes and gods don't exist. In this world, Loki is a character in a book. A book that Don cherishes throughout his life. He has to buy several copies because they always wear out. He always roots for Loki even though he's the villain. By now the Watcher questions what things stretch beyond the bounds of time and space.

and the ones where we just, barely, never meet.

Sometimes they just don't meet period. Such is the way of life. In a world where Loki becomes a singer, he never meets Don. Don goes to a concert, maybe two, but they never meet. They never touch, speak or lock eyes. Loki goes on with his life. So does Don. It is fascinating how different one's life could be if one never met the other beside him.

I hate those. I prefer the ones in which you kill me.

The most common event is the New York invasion. Lots of people die there, led by Thanos through Loki. Don is in New York several times when this occurs. And every time he dies, usually at the hand of the scepter. Loki never realizes what he kills that day. It's only a tragedy to those who know what could have been.

But when all's said and done, I'd surrender to you in other ways.

There are also worlds where Loki gives up everything. Somehow those always end up happy. The current piece in the watchers hand shows Loki giving up his godhood and everything that goes with it, becoming a normal man. It's something common between Don and Loki. Sacrifice. Power for suburban life. And a prince is happy there. Content. The Watcher smiles at these because out of anyone he knows power makes no one truly happy.

Even though each time, I know I'll see you again, I always wonder

There is a Loki who is friends with a man named Shakespeare and preforms for him. There is a man named Adam who watches everyone of the shows Loki is in. They do meet and Loki does shows long after Shakespeare moves on. He does them in Adam's home every other night. One day Adam, gets sick, contracting the plague. Loki feeds him one of Idunns apples and he never misses a show again. It's one of the Watchers favorites.

is this the last time?

Sometimes there's an odd one that doesn't quite fit. Like Hansel and Loki. Two models, both immature but crazily obsessed with the other. Even after Hansel loses his beauty, Loki competes and plays around with him. They never really settle down but they certainly love one another, shown by the letters and make up products they send one another. Queer platonic is the word. An odd shaped piece to the win on the outskirts of the puzzle.

Is that really you?

Donna is a single mom who loves her boys dearly. Loki is a boastful man who learns humility after Donna put some in his place. Loki treats her like a princess and starts boasting of her instead. At first the Watcher didn't recognize them but their personalities don't change much. The two dance into a sunset, proud and humble.

And what if you're perfectly happy w ithout me?

The hardest part of completing the puzzle is trying to figure out the pieces that don't fit. Like Loki and Sigyn. A happy and beautiful couple and many universes. Ones that have no room for Don. These pieces don't fit the puzzle that seems to be overwhelming the tree. He sets those aside for another day.

Ah, but I don't blame you; I'll never burn as brilliantly as you.

One of the last pieces he finds is of a cocky Loki and a hungry Indianapolis Bones. They make a great presidency for eight years. Then they travel the universe, unearthing ancient artifacts and eating all kinds of cuisine. It ends badly with the snap, one that is never reversed. Through this Loki, the Watcher finds him...

 It's only fair that I should be the one to chase you across ten, twenty-five, a hundred lifetimes 

Running. He's been running for too long. The Watcher barely recognizes him from when the tree was created. He has run from timeline to timeline, helping save Loki's, watching others, serving the TVA and staying out of others hair. But that's not what's odd about him. It's the green glow that is odd. The glow follows him, signaling a big power at play. One that as the Watcher puts the last piece in place he finally is able to see.

until I find the one where you'll return to me.

Loki, god of stories, looks back at the Watcher from the center of the tree. The branch clutched to his chest glows orange, a man running through his hands. This is the puzzle. This is why the puzzle works. Because the god at the end of time is watching one man among trillions. Again, the Watcher has to wonder what does this love cost? The orange light jumps to a faraway branch and Loki's face falls.

It costs everything. The curse has a name. With the puzzle finally finished, the Watcher names it. It's simple, clear, cold, true.

Tragedy.

Chapter Text

Thor throws open Loki's bedroom door, already in his armour and a grin so big it's blinding. Loki flinches, making a harsh mark across the picture he is drawing. "Really, Thor, can't there be one day where you are not ruining something of mine."

"It's a big day, brother," Thor cheers, throwing open the curtains. Loki hisses at the light. Thor comes to his bed, slapping Loki on the shoulder. "Today is the day I become king. I expect my brother to-oh, is that the man of your dreams again?"

Loki slaps his hands over the picture. "It is none of your business, Thor. Besides you know it is more complicated than that."

Thor sits on the edge of the bed, rattling the frame. Loki holds the sketch to his chest protectively. "I'm starting to get concerned. You have never seen this man and yet he keeps showing up in your dreams. Why?"

Loki looks to the ceiling, his head hitting the head board. Why indeed. He sighs and takes out a book from the night table. He flips through it to the last page. The same face flies by in various degrees of talent. Cropped straight hair, never shaded. A moustache. Bright eyes. Sometimes he wears a suit and tie like they do on Midgard. Other times, he wears peasant clothes as if he were from Asgard. Mostly he wears anything in between the two.

Loki gently puts in the new one. The man looked cold in this new dream. Like he was standing in Jotunheim. If Loki remembers correctly, he was a baby being saved from something by this man. He misses the comfort the mans arms made for him while he was a cuddled and wonders if it would have been the same if he was an adult.

Thor watches him with rapt attention, "Who is he, Loki?"

Loki snorts. "How many times have you asked me that?" When Thor doesn't reply, he knows Thor is paying attention this time. "I don't know." Then in one moment of rare vulnerability, Loki says, "but when he appears, I always feel..." Weak. Seen. Respected. Loved? "Consumed. Like I'm known in my wholeness and there is nothing I can do about it. I can't ever tell if it's coming from me or somewhere else."

"Do you think its some sort of dream influencer trying to trick you?"

Loki snorts, "No. I don't think so. If there was, they made a huge mistake not finishing the job when I was young." Then he turns serious again. He remembers his brief escapade as D.B Cooper, how he searched the plane, the lobby, the spaces in-between for the man. No sign. No hope. "I just...I want to meet him." He rubs a finger over the mans face, the warmth seemingly flowing into him. "If he truly knows me..." Then maybe he really can be wanted and loved...

Thor breaks the moment almost immediately. "Your mind is a mystery, Loki." The darkness comes back. Thor stands and moves to leave. "Be ready in an hour. Meet me for some ale. It's a glorious day, brother." Then he's gone.

Loki rolls his eyes. "Glorious." He snaps the book shut and stands. He has work to do. Frost Giants aren't going to let themselves in.

Chapter Text

Loki finds it intriguing when a man from a dying planet shows up on Asgard. Well, it's not a dying world. It almost died. The humans had exploded an asteroid and saved Midgard but also there was a lot of death. At least that's what they thought. Asgard knew better when half of the astronauts showed up several different times. Heimdall said that the asteroid was full of the same thing the rainbow bridge was made out of. That's why they showed up here, completely confused and disoriented.

Some of them were loud, disorienting. Others were more mature, more heroic would be the word. Odin wanted them gone immediately, sent back to Earth. But if Loki were to be honest, he didn't want the one named Oscar to go. He was the most enthused to be on Aagard, ruminating on Space often and how he 'totally thought he boogie would be even less interested if Oscar didn't have a strange interest in Loki. He would stock it up to just being the prince, if he didn't see how the rest of Oscar's friends treated him. No, Oscar was genuine. Asking questions, telling stories and listening to Loki's stories in turn. But the one thing he forcefully asked was if they won? Did human kind still live? By this point, how could Loki tell him anything but yes.

The day Oscar is to leave, Loki follows them to the bifrost. Oscar's friends are eager to go, to see their families, daughter, friends.

Loki takes Oscar's shoulder and says, "It was a pleasure to meet you, Oscar. I wish we could have had more time together."

Oscar turns to him, a big smile on his face. "I feel the same, Loki. I will miss you on Earth. Maybe you could come and visit sometime. I could show you my ranch and the stars from my planet. I'll be a hero now so I'll be able to take you wherever you want to go."

Loki feels almost jealous that Earth is receiving this man. "Yes, I believe I will have to."

"Oscar, let's go!" His friends call but Oscar doesn't turn away.

"You know," he says, "I always loved Star Wars but I think I found something better that I can start loving about space."

As he walks backward to his group, Loki can't help but ask, "What is that?"

As the bifrost starts to spin and the room fills with light, Oscar says, "You."

Then he's gone. And Loki tries to forget. But he'll be honest for once. It only takes him a day to decide to go to Earth. He doesn't come back for a long time.

Chapter Text

Loki is pacing back and forth in front of the TV. Campaign workers scutter around him, trying to stay clear of his foul mood. On the couch about ten yards away, Indianapolis 'Indy' Bones chomps on a pork loin, salad, soda, two cream pies and a rotisserie chicken (just in case he gets hungry). He takes a spoonful of pie and shoves it in his face before saying, "Come on, Prez, come sit. Eat. It'll calm you down."

The opponent gains another state. Loki growls, "I'm not president yet."

"And when has that ever stopped me from calling you that?"

Loki shakes his head, trying to cover his insecurity. "You assume too much."

"You'll always be president to me. Can I have some seasoning?"

Loki stares at him for a long moment before coming to the opposite side of the coffee table and conjuring up the spice. "Do you even care you might not be VP?"

"I'll be honest," Indy says, "If I became VP I'd miss running around the globe finding lost artifacts and putting them in museums." He holds up a chicken leg as if in emphasis before taking a bite and saying, "but if we don't win, I miss out on working with you. It's a win-lose situation either way."

Prez snorts, "You just want it for the free food."

"Don't be ridiculous. I want it for power and free food."

It takes Prez a minute to understand the joke but when he does he chuckles. He finally sits next to Indy. His voice is shaky as he says, "I have to win, Indianapolis."

Indy takes another bite of pork loin. "No, you don't. You aren't defined by winning or losing this. If you do lose, you can just come work with me. I live in chaos. You'll fit right in."

Prez is silent for so long after that Indy has to look at him. Prez's eyes are glassy. "If you are sure, I would appreciate the offer. Thank you...Vice President Bones."

Indy smiles. "You're welcome, President Loki."

At some point Prez stops watching the numbers and just eats and laughs with Indy. They finish the food quickly and have to order another plate. And another and another. They eat until the campaign manager arrives. The results are in...

Chapter Text

Ben is the lead singer. He just has that lead singer vibe. At least that's what Don thinks. But being able to scream and sing along with his friend, even if he is just a backup singer still makes him feel like a king. They have been in Florida for a week and Don can rightly say he needs to move somewhere with an ocean and immediately. The sounds, the smells, the waves. It's what he never knew he needed.

They are finishing the last song of the night, something about Cinderella and only being able to be with the prince until midnight when he sees her. The patron with long black hair and a beautiful face. She watches the scene almost in boredom until she notices him staring.

She is probably the most beautiful person Don has ever seen. He finishes the song strong then runs into the crowd, jumping tables to land in front of her. She doesn't seem shocked that he did so.

"Hello," he says, sliding onto the bar stool next to her, "I'm Don."

The woman takes a sip of her drink, observing him. He suddenly feels very self-conscious. He's not wearing his normal clothes. Just a strange hoodie and ripped jeans. He doesn't look like something she would be interested in. But then she smiles and coos, "Loki."

Don relaxes a little, not enough to feel comfortable but just enough that she can. "So," he says, "how did you like the music?"

Loki hums and leans toward Don. "I've heard better. It would have been perfect if the backup singer had a bigger part, don't you think?"

Don blushes hard. He's never been good at going fast. That's why he gets a drink and goes and hides after these concerts. Loki must notice his sudden hesitancy because she frowns.

"Oh, I apologize. I thought..." She shakes her head, "nevermind."

She stands up, ready to leave and Don panics. He races in front of her. "I'm sorry!" He scrambles, "I'm not good at this. You're really pretty and from what I can tell, quite passionate. I got nervous. I'm sorry that what I said came across wrong. Could we try again...?"

Don feels like a complete idiot. Like a school kid trying to talk to his crush. But Loki doesn't turn away. In fact, she cocks her head and smiles.

"We can. But I only have until midnight," she says, voice soft, tantalizing.

Don smiles. Like Cinderella. He bows and gestures toward the beach. "Well, my dear princess, shall we check out the waves. I hear they are lovely this time of night."

Loki giggles at that. She loops her arm through his and says, "Anything you want, my prince."

Chapter Text

Loki's pretty proud that his Dad finally allowed him to create this ski resort. It's been very lucrative for Jotunhiem. More so than Loki ever dared dream. This isn't the glory Laufey would have liked for his home but it has given Jotunhiem status. It's a start.

Loki stands after the grand opening staring happily out at all the people, thanking them for coming and looking for Thor. The man had wandered off with Jane so time after the ribbon was cut. Loki may not have a date but he knows how to third wheel. He'll make this the best trip they ever had. He just wishes they would have waited...

"Excuse me..." Loki jumps. He didn't hear anyone behind him. He's losing his touch. He turns to another Jotun, one he hasn't seen before. He's a deep blue, deeper than Loki's father, with long silver hair that is gathered into a braid and a crooked nose. He has gentle eyes, eyes that Loki almost immediately gets lost in. But those eyes widen in shock and horror. The man drops to his knee. "Prince Loki! My apologies! I didn't know-"

Loki does not panic. If he grabs the man a little too harshly and drags him to his feet too roughly is a whole other story. "No! No! Don't be sorry. I answer any questions no matter how improper."

The man looks absolutely ashamed. "I'm sorry, your highness. My son's and I came here to try skiing. But we're just not quite sure how to go about it."

Loki's stomach drops. "Oh..." He looks around the man to two boys watching with big eyes. They look just like their father. Crap. Loki pushes through his disappointment to say, "Where is your wife? I wouldn't want to guide you without the whole family being present."

The man looks surprised. "Oh. I'm a single dad. No wife here for me."

Loki doesn't think he's felt so much hope and joy in his life. With a big grin, Loki holds out his arm to the man, "Well, it's my honor to take your lovely family on a tour."

The boys gasp in excitement, but their father shakes his head. "Oh no, I can't take so much of your time."

"Nonsense," Loki cheers, "tell me, what is your name?"

The man stares at Loki for a long moment before shaking his head and chuckling. He presses a hand to his chest, before saying, " I'm Daggry." Then he gestures to the boys. "This is Kjekk and Nadig. Say hi boys."

The two shyly way that Loki. Kjekk is the one who smirks and says a small hello. Loki has never interacted with kids much but he can figure it out. He smiles and waves at them, complimenting them on their braids and asking them if they are ready to ski (to which they very loudly said yes) before sticking out his arm again. "Shall we?"

Daggry blushes but nods. "Okay." He takes the princes arm, gentle and kind. Kjekk runs ahead of them and Nedig sticks his hand in Daggry's, staying close. Daggry smiles at them, then asks Loki, "Do you know how to ski?"

At that, Loki blushes, "Oh, well, you see..." As he begins the tale, they head to the slopes, Thor long forgotten.

Chapter Text

"So what, your a dad now," Thor laughs as he strikes another barrel off the shore, making Kjekk and Nedig scream and dive back under the water. That causes waves which makes the human scream in delight.

Loki rolls his eyes, "No, I'm not a dad. If Jane had kids would that make you a dad?" He throws an icicle at another barrel. It goes through it, skewering it and making the dock workers yell.

Thor pauses at that. He sets down Mjolnir and crosses his arms. "Are you comparing Daggry to Jane?"

Loki pauses, too. He's never been in a serious relationship. He likes to party and he's never been with a person longer than a day, maybe two. But it's been different with Daggry who is lower class, has two kids and loves the sun more than the snow. Loki looks across the sand to the Jotun who is stretched out like a star, sunbathing. He cracks an eye open when Nedig yells but otherwise doesn't move.

It's honestly embarrassing how excited Loki got when Daggry said he and the boys would come to Earth with him. Daggry doesn't go anywhere because he has to support that family of his but this time he said yes. Which meant that Loki could stare at that gorgeous skin and lovely mustache the whole trip. But even better, he gets to spend time with his two favorite people and doesn't that just put a cinch on it. Thor is a favorite. Always will be. And somehow Daggry made a home on that list, too.

Loki groans and slumps into the sand, making the Earth shake. "I suppose I am."

Thor looks positively giddy. "You're in love! With a single dad! A DILF! You're in love!"

"Yes, thank you for broadcasting it to the entire earth." Loki scowls but doesn't mean it.

Thor suddenly hugs his arm, squeezing tight, "I'm glad you finally found someone."

Loki smiles gently. "So am I." At that moment, Daggry stands and makes his way to Loki and Thor who looks at him like he was just coronated King.

"So," Daggry says, clearly still basking, "what else are you going to show us? Surely sunbathing isn't why you brought me here."

Loki grins even though that is half the reason. "The humans, since we come here so often, finally made something in our size. Have you ever heard of a jet ski?"

Chapter Text

Here's the kicker. Don is a book seller in downtown London. He's not even from Britain. He just moved here to get away from his crazy ex. So none of this should be possible. Not some guy trying to steal a book about Romania. Not his work partner Doug writing his own book instead of working. And certainly not one of the world's biggest movie stars walking into his bookshop looking for nothing in particular.

Don would not lie. He's attracted to the superstar. Who wouldn't be? The man has won five emmies, a Golden globe and is running for an oscar. The thick black hair, sharp jaw and porcelain skin is a killer. Literally if you watched Crimson Peak. Or was that another movie? Don honestly doesn't know anymore.

The point is when Don is just sitting watching his life go by, the literal actor of the century walks in and boom! He's done for. Loki Friggason has on a Gucci black suit and sunglasses, ducking into rows of shelves as if that will keep him hidden. Don can't help but smile at that, but also frown. He wouldn't want to be a celebrity. The amount of pressure it would bring would be too much to handle.

Don doesn't realize he's come around the desk and is walking up to Loki Friggason until the man turns and levels his face at Don like a cold statue come to life. He's heard about the stare but never believed in it. Beneath Loki Friggason's hard exterior, he believes there is a heart of gold, not just some body to look at.

Loki looks at him for a long moment and Don can't decide if he's a deer in headlights or a bug under a microscope. "Yes?" Loki asks, voice wavering between sharp and cordial. Poor guy, Don thinks, he must get stared at a lot. That includes you, Don.

Don clears his throat, "Is there anything in particular you're looking for?"

Loki stares for another moment longer before shrugging, "I'm just browsing."

Don glances at the book in Loki Friggason's hand. It's at Norse book with a picture of the world tree on it. He points to it, a smile on his face. "That's a good book. The legends of the gods are something else."

Loki Friggason raises a brow. "Oh, and what is your favorite story?"

Don smiles, "The one where Thor has to dress up as a maiden to get his hammer back. It shows we all have to do crazy things we would not normally do sometimes to get back what we deserve. Also it's just a funny tale. How often do you see someone going to such a length to get a hammer?"

Loki cracks a smile. A genuine one that makes Don's insides light up. "Yes. I like that one, too."

Don smiles, too, because how could he not. That's until Doug says from the desk, "Uh, Don. That guy's stealing a book."

Don curses and it's only worth it because it makes Loki laugh as he takes off to save his books.

Chapter Text

Van Helsing is simultaneously the smartest man Don knows and the worst man he's ever met. He didn't mean to get caught up in this monster nonsense but getting attacked by a blonde vampire with an attitude problem will do that to you. So he gets saved by an obsessed vampire killer, Van Helsing, and decides he wants to hunt down the vampire who tried to kill him. What he didn't know is that the blonde had a brother who looks like a Mona Lisa.

So now he's sabotaging Van Helsing and waiting for the hunter to turn on him because the Mona Lisa vampire can keep himself away from Don. Boy he wishes he would have let Sylvie kill him. Life was easier then.

"What's his next idea?" Loki is scoffing from the window he's perched on, "arrow stakes?"

Don is at his desk in one of those inns that Van Helsing has him holed up in. Trying to make him nocturnal or something. "Knowing him he already has a prototype," Don says, distracted by papers and blood.

There's another round of silence before Loki's hand falls on his shoulder. He didn't even hear him cross the room. "If you're thirsty, go out. I'm too tired tonight. Just try not to kill anyone."

Loki doesn't dip in for a drink. Don's neck is still sore from last time. Instead, Loki blows out the candles, leaving moonlight washing over them. His eyes twinkle as he stares down at Don, a worried look on his face. "Why won't you let me change you?"

Ah. This again. "You know that's not for me, Loki. I don't even want to be a part of all," Don waves his hand around the room, "this."

"Van Helsing will kill you when he realizes you sympathize with us. You're easier to kill than I am."

Don shrugs, "I can run. Finish this plan then go into hiding. Avoid Transylvania for a while."

"He'll find you a lot easier than he finds us. You're not stealthy, Don."

Don sighs, finally throwing down his quill, "Why do you want me to change? I thought immortality was a curse and blood sucks and all that mumbo jumbo. No sun, no food. Not to mention you'd be losing your free meal every day. Why are you so persistent?"

They stare at each other for a long while. Finally Loki says, "Do you remember how you found me?"

Don does. The vampire had been hurt somehow. One of Van Helsing's traps. He looked sick, starved. He was angry, expecting to be killed. But Don is not that person. He helped Loki, honestly expecting to be drained of blood. But he wasn't. Instead the vampire became gentler overtime and eventually he let him go.

"You said everything would be okay," Loki says, "you were gentle. No one has ever been that way to me. You've been kind. And..." Loki takes a deep breath, his porcelain skin strained, "I don't want to lose you."

Don really looks at him then. The tense shoulders and clenched jaw. The sad eyes. Don sighs. Does he believe this? He doesn't know but he can't deny a fact like that. That's how he got here in the first place.

He doesn't want to die.

He gently puts his hand on Loki's arm, making the vampire look at him. "Tell you what. If worse comes to worst, you can do it."

Loki's throat bobs. "You mean, I can change you?" Don nods. "What if I'm too late?"

Don squeezes his arm. "You won't be. I trust you."

Loki seems to relax at that. Don feels his stare glide to his neck. He's tired but he won't say no. "Just a sip."

"Always," Loki huffs before leaning down and sinking his teeth in.

Chapter Text

Bleeding hearts. Somehow that makes more sense to Mobius than any other flower he could have choked up. If it was up to him, anyone who got Hanahaki would throw up bleeding hearts. It just made sense. That's essentially what is happening. Your heart is bleeding petals. Only fair the flowers match.

To be frank, this was the worst time to get hanahaki as well. If he could decide that, it wouldn't be in the middle of an impending war with a psychopath that looks like Tony Stark who wants to take over the multiversal tree. But that's not how it works. He's been pruned, stabbed and used as a tool for a conqueror. He beyond knows that's not how it works. And yet...

"You're jumping to conclusions," Sylvie was saying, sipping on her sparkling water, "making assumptions. And isn't that just the basis of it. People making assumptions that other people don't love them."

Mobius takes a long drink before saying, "And 90% of those people are right. The other half doesn't love them. So really I have a very high chance of being right."

"Or you're in the 10% and you're making yourself sick for nothing."

"Or you're just in denial and before the war even starts I'll be drowned in thorns and petals."

"That's not funny," Sylvie throws her bottle over the railing toward the statue. Mobius watches it fly before it lands on some poor interns head. Mobius snorts and takes another long drink. But then he's coughing and by the end of it he's on the floor surrounded by teeny petals and Sylvie is sitting by him, an unreadable expression on her face.

"I wish you would believe me," she mumbles.

Mobius picks up one of the petals covered in blood. He wonders if bleeding hearts can come in red. "They're kind of beautiful," he mumbles, "when, you know, they're not covered in gore."

"And I thought I was morbid," Sylvie chuckles weakly. An alarm goes off somewhere. Neither of them move. "He really does love you," she continues, "whether you believe it or not."

Mobius coughs again but not petals just air. Just a clog in his throat and spots in his vision.

"Don't happen to know of anything to keep it at bay a little while longer do you?"

"If I did, I would have given it to you by now."

Mobius subconsciously wonder sometimes if she hates him and sometimes he remembers that's just her prejudice against the TVA that limits their relationship. Still, when she says no sometimes, he wonders how honest she's being.

Mobius slowly drags himself to his feet. "Let's go," he reaches his hand out her, "it's about time we save him."

Sylvie shakes her head, "None of this makes sense. You know that right."

"Has anything ever made sense," he says.

A petal falls onto Sylvie's leg. She sighs. "Yeah. Let's go save him."

Chapter Text

Don can admit that his neighbors are nosy. It comes with the suburbia life if he were to be honest. Everyone knows the couple down the street is getting married in Vegas, that Miss Walker has on sets of Alzheimer's and Don has a nasty divorce that pretty much consumed his whole life.

So when another single dad with the scariest most insane children they have ever seen enters the neighborhood, it's all whispers and strange looks from there. Don has a front row seat to the chaos as the guy literally lives across the street. He's got a lot of kids. A pair of twins. Three more boys and a girl. One girl out of six kids. Don can barely handle his two kids, let alone six.

But somehow on some spring day before school gets out all six kids and his two boys all pile in his kitchen because Kevin just happened to mention Don was making cookies for the block party. So he has all these pairs of eyes on him waiting to be fed and it makes him slightly nervous.

"Where's your dad?" He asks as he rolls out the dough and starts pressing cookie cutters into it.

"He'll be over soon," the tall boy, Jormungandr, says. That doesn't answer Don's question. But the boy is right. When the first batch is done and the kids have stole all the cookies and are screaming bloody murder in the living room, that is when Loki appears.

To be fair, Don has only seen him from a distance and he knew the guy was a looker from first sight. Nothing compares to the guy standing in his doorway even though he looks pissed off and ready to fight. Tall. Shiny. Gives off an immortalish look. Dang. "Are my kids here?"

And just like an idiot, Don says, "There are many kids here. Which ones?"

Of course that's when the girl starts screaming about death and then there's a horrible shriek from one of the twins. Loki is in the right to be unamused. Don sighs, "Yeah. Come in." And the guy does. "Sorry. My boys brought them over. Figured they could stay as long as they needed."

Loki seems a bit weary at that and Don keeps staring so it just gets more awkward from there.

"They haven't broken anything?" Loki asks as if it's routine.

Don chuckles, "No. They are delightful." Which so far is a lie but Don likes kids so it's fine.

Loki can tell it's a lie. "I'm sorry they intruded. They're still adjusting."

"It's fine. They are welcome anytime."

And that's when Loki really looks at him and Don falls. He falls hard.

"They are a handful. I wouldn't want to upset your wife."

Don smiles and what he says next changes everything, "Don't worry. Single dad. I love a good challenge."

Loki smirks, and a new twinkle comes to his eye, "So do I."

Don refuses to read into that more than he should. In hindsight maybe he should have.

Chapter Text

Don can't say he regrets getting trapped in a frozen castle with a blue man with horns the size of his torso. He do it again if it meant his kids would be safe. But now he's starting to think he was wrong. Because blue monsters don't save you from Bilsnite or give you libraries or try to woo you with snowball fights. Monsters don't have smiling red eyes or mischievous grins.

Loki was one of a kind, that is for certain. His castle with its movable objects was as well, even his brother the hammer which was most prominent. No , Don never thought that he'd fall in love with it. But he did. And along with it he fell in love with the beast.

Now as he stands beside Loki in a gorgeous green suit that clashes with his blue skin, and Don in a golden suit the color of the sun, he realizes it's true. He eyes the tree below, slowly withering, slowly losing leaves. Loki is running out of time.

"Thank you, Don," Loki says, interrupting the man's thoughts, "for everything you've done the past few weeks. I... the... others... greatly appreciate it."

Don finally looks at the cursed beast... no... man beside him. The threatening, angry man has turned into a softy who likes Don's food and likes to listen to him read. It's... sweet. "I've enjoyed helping, Loki. Your palace is beautiful when it's not covered in grime and daggers."

Loki smiles at that but it is tinted in sadness. "Do you miss your children?"

Dons smile fades at the mention of his children. He looks away and clasps his hands. "I do. I do very much. I think about them every day and hope they are all right."

Don hear's Loki swallow then Loki says in a sad almost pain-filled voice, "I have been selfish. I shouldn't have taken you from them. You are a good father. And I'm..."

The man trails off and Don looks at him in concern. "Loki..."

Loki shakes his head and looks at Don. "I want you to return home."

Don starts. Home? What does that mean- "I want you to go back to your children. I didn't have a good father, Don. They do. It's selfish of me to take that from them."

"Loki..." Done murmurs, shock in his bones and hope in his voice.

Before he can say thank you or try to touch Loki's arm, Loki thrusts out his hand and in a flash of green, Don is on his horse, packed and at the gates. As he runs away, he vows to come back. Loki is not alone anymore. He will prove it. And Loki will be free from that tree. Forever.

Behind him, the beast roars.

Chapter Text

The last thing Don expected out of his life was becoming a formula one racer. That doesn't mean he didn't want to be one. Oh, no, he wanted to be one very badly. He just didn't expect it to happen. But it did and Lightning McQueen is what they call him. He kind of likes the nickname, Steve McQueen be damned. He's the fastest racer for about three years. That's when Jackson Storm shows up and not long after that Loki.

Guys a good racer. Don won't argue that. Guys rich though and his car is always the latest model. He's got the fastest pit crew in the world. That doesn't mean Don's not attracted. In fact he's dangerously so.

Don supposes it's the same for Loki because after a few races and a few barbed comments, he follows Don everywhere. At first it's strange, and the reporters think it's strange so a million different articles pop up about it. When Don wins his first race of the season, Loki is there. When his car gets trashed in a truck race, Loki is there. Any pranks to be done, Loki is for sure there. So when he randomly shows up at the bullpen for lunch, Don's not surprised.

"Lightning McQueen," Loki says as if he did not just see him thirty minutes ago, "I do say mayonnaise is not a good look on you."

Don rolls his eyes, wipes his mouth and says, "I suppose you're here to annoy me."

"On the contrary, I'm here to get to know my competition better."

Don hums, "You're cute, Loki, but not that cute. If you want to read me you're going to have to try harder than that."

Loki squeezes his sandwich so hard the pickles fly out all over his suit. Don laughs a little too hard and chokes on the mouthful he was trying to swallow. So there they sit food all over them and Don choking to death. When he can breathe again, Don looks at Loki and smiles, "Okay, you win."

Loki looks at him strangely but for once doesn't comment. Not on that at least. "What, at racing, because that's obvious, old man."

If Loki wasn't so enamoring it would be like Jackson storm all over again.

"We should race together off the record," Loki says, watching as the racers begin to leave.

"That sounds like breaking the rules," Don huff's even though he does that all the time.

The look Loki gives him lets him know he's too far gone for it to matter. "My dear, Don, I wouldn't have it any other way."

Chapter Text

Loki was cursed. He knows it. How else would one explain his hideous appearance. Ancient Greece is no place to grow up in apparently. One false moving you get cursed, turning everyone to stone just for being ugly. Odin is his main suspect. Nobody hates his tricks more. But he can't take the ugly off. Like he said. It's a curse of hatred from one who should have loved him...

...But doesn't.

So Loki's life consists of stone statues. Of covering his entire body so no skin can be seen. And he does this for years. So long he can't remember what it felt like to be looked at like something good. Special.

So Mobius is a bit of a surprise. Loki bumped into him by accident. Turned half of the people to stone because of an outburst. On his way out he practically tripped over the man. And in consequence he tried to turn him to stone. To Loki's shock, the man stared straight ahead and smiled.

Maybe that's why the infatuation began. Either way, Mobius is now in Loki's home, blind as a bat and smiling at Loki like he holds the world in his palm. Loki is terrified. Terrified that this seeming protection against himself will eventually give out and Mobius will disappear. Turn to Stone like everyone else. And Loki would be alone again. And again, and again. He shakes his head.

"So," he says wearily, "you're never going to turn to stone?"

Mobius looks directly at him and Loki has a hard time not flinching away, to not hide the snakes. "No. I can't see you, Loki. Though some days I wish I could. Even if it turned me to stone."

Loki's snakes hiss as he says, "It would kill you." Loki couldn't survive that. He couldn't kill this man. He's never wished he could turn to stone more than he does right now.

Mobius smiles as he feels for his cup and carefully sips from the clay vessel, "What a lovely way to go."

Loki full heartily disagrees. It's a horrible way to go. It's terrible to watch. He prays he never has to see Mobius's beautiful eyes, silver hair and smile turn to stone. "Loki?" The man hums.

"Yes?" Loki says, gently reaching out and feeling Mobius's soft hand that turns over and curls around Loki's.

"I think time is on our side," Mobius grins, "Why else would I be blind if not for the chance to love you."

At that Loki's heart soars.

Chapter Text

Loki believes in the fates, norn's, whatever destiny wielder you decide is out there. The point is he believes if things are meant to be, they will happen. So it is with college, his job, and even love. That's why he sticks his number in a Norse mythology book for a young blonde man to find if the fates were really wanting them to be together.

Almost a decade later and Loki will admit it was a stupid move. He had started to lose faith in fates after employment failures made him worthless in his father's eyes. After his relationship with his brother slowly started to fray. And after the death of his mother. If there are fates they must hate him.

So the book, the man, anything to do with that night so long go fades away. Loki meet someone else who doesn't pay any real attention to him. Sylvie is his friend who tries to get him out of his head. It only works half the time. The man with blonde silvering hair never truly leaves.

Which is in itself horrible and a taunt from the fates when it's a week until he gets married and Sylvie just happens to pull from her 'miscellaneous odds and ends' drawer a napkin with three letters in black handwriting on it. MMM.

It's a chaotic mess after that. Sylvie apparently got the napkin when she worked briefly at the cafe Loki and MMM had gone to for that special night. Found it glued to the bottom of the table she said and decided to keep it as a momento. And here Loki was again giving the fates one more chance. It seemed impossible. How's he supposed to find some one based on the initials MMM. It's a big world after all.

But he does find him, at a wedding rehearsal to some woman who looks like she could beat him up in an Applebee's parking lot. And the man, Mobius, now fully silver haired, looks content.

Loki leaves then, goes back to that cafe that sells every kind of pie you can think of. Back to the table by the back window where he sits staring at the cracks and loathing fates tricks.

But then someone enters the same booth. Orders a key lime pie and eats it as they stare at each other. The Norwegian lore book sits beside Mobius. He smiles gently, "Hi."

"Aren't you supposed to be getting married?" Loki says.

"Aren't you?" Mobius says back before pushing the pie toward Loki and extending a fork to him. Loki takes it and they eat the pie in silence, seemingly catching up over the last ten years through chews alone.

When they leave, it's together. And they walk, hand in hand through the city until they find Mobius's car. Then they drive. And Loki thinks of fates fair because for once everything is working out perfectly.