Asriel was not one to panic. He was always calm, even under pressure. If anything, he was too calm. Too eager to undermine someone elseâs lack of self-control. As if he knew anything about it. The man indulged himself as he liked, whether it was from food or alcohol or simple physical pleasure. But he enjoyed bragging about being able to hold himself back from too much. He was good balancing himself in the middle of everything, never landing firmly on one side or the other.
Lately, however, even before arriving here in this new universe, Asriel had felt himself slipping. He was losing his ability to keep to that middle-ground. Some nights, when heâd been up in that mountain, he thought he might have lost it completely.
When Marisa called him telling him about what happened, it was even more clear then.
He had been in the middle of painting the window (his next project) when he got the news. But everything laid discarded and abandoned the moment that call came in. It wasnât far to Mobiusâ apartment, which Asriel was more grateful for now more than ever before. As it was, he was scrambling his way down the hall to make it before anything else happened.
Mobiusâ apartment door was unlocked, most likely in thought of him. He only slowed his pace once he hit the door and flung it open. âMobius? Where are you?â Asriel shouted before both his feet were over the threshold.
Everything had happened so fast. It wasnât like Mobius had never been in mortal danger before. Being pruned hadnât exactly been a fun feeling, but this had been like anything else heâd ever experienced. It had hurt, but it hadnât quite been a physical pain. At least he didnât think so. Honestly, he could barely remember what had happened and at least part of that, he suspected, was because it had been so foreign his brain hadnât been able to compute. Now he was simply exhausted. And honestly terrified.
Death had never really been a concern for him at the TVA, but he was pretty sure heâd just come face to face with it for real. He was going to have to thank Marisa properly for whatever she had done sometime when he had his mind set to rights again.
Mobius laid out on the couch in the aftermath of his attack, awake but in a state of shock. His breathing was low but steady, almost as if sleeping, but still aware of what was going on around him. He heard Marisa call someone and he instinctively knew it was Asriel. He had just the presence of mind to hold back a whimper. It made sense that Marisa would call him and tell him what happened, but he also was worried about the response he might get.
Which would be worse? Asriel panicking or Asriel not caring at all? It was really too much for Mobius to contemplate at the moment, but he did find that as much as he didnât want to put anyone out over some (probably) minor incident, he very much did want to see Asriel. He felt vulnerable and weak and there was really a small pool of people he would be okay with seeing him this way. Currently Asriel was at the top of that list.
It might have been a few minutes or a few hours, but soon enough Asriel burst into his apartment and even just his presence made something in Mobiusâ chest relax. âHere.â Weakly he raised his hand over the back of the couch so Asriel could see where he was. His voice sounded weak to his own ears and he hated it. He felt dangerously close to tears and he hated that even more.
He remembered what Marisa had told him. A spectre had somehow made its way to this universe somehow. Of course, it made sense in a way that one would. There was already a rift now, a bridge that both he and Marisa had crossed over. Or had been pulled through, depending on one looked at it. Asriel shouldnât have been surprised that something else had followed.
But of all things?
There was nothing to stop a spectre. Not one that Asriel knew of. Or, more accurately, had been able to experiemtent with and put to the test and come out with positive results. If one could do such a thing to an untouchable entity. Apparently not so untouchable, however, since Mobius was still breathing.
The second he spotted Mobiusâ arm come up from the couch, he stormed over. He was still going through the chaotic mess of emotions going through him but he kept them at bay. His features remained neutral and even. Even his tone was calm despite how swift his movements were once he came around the couch.
But instead of saying âhelloâ or asking how Mobius was, Asriel leaned over and took Mobius by the wrist, as if to prove to himself that he was alive. After he was satisfied with the pulse count, he dropped Mobiusâ wrist and then sat on the coffee table opposite him. âDo you remember who you are? Do you remember me? What day of the week is it?â No, Asrielâs bedside manner was not something to be envious of. He was direct and to the point, unable to allow himself any feeling until he was sure that Mobius was alright.
In his many long years as an employee of the TVA, Mobius had seen many strange things, visited many worlds. He knew about magic and gods and the afterlife, but never in all his days had he ever seen what came after him that day. When he had more strength, when he didnât feel like he was about to collapse under the weight of his fears and anxiety, he was going to grill Asriel and Marisa about whatever it was.
For now though, he couldnât even begin to consider any of that. He was far too tired and scared for that. All he really wanted was a familiar face and if he was really honest, he wanted to crawl into a certain someoneâs arms and hide for a bit until he could get all these thoughts and feelings under control. A certain someone who came storming around the couch apparently to interrogate him.
Despite the fierceness of Asrielâs reaction, Mobius couldnât help but smile weakly at him. He allowed the flow of questions and the checking of his pulse without complaint, simply relieved to see him. âYou came,â Mobius said instead of answering the questions. He reached out and placed a hand on Asrielâs knee as if he needed to touch him to make sure he was really there.
The gruff bedside manner hardly bothered Mobius. Instead he just squeezed Asrielâs knee, trying to comfort him, oddly enough. He was bone weary and still more than a little frightened, but having Asriel there helped immensely. âIâm Mobius, youâre Asriel and Iâm really glad youâre here.â There was a little hitch in Mobiusâ voice as he spoke lowly, trying not to do something stupid like cry.
Mobius answered all of his questions correctly. As far as Asriel could tell, not that he was a doctor, he appeared to be in fine physical health. There was no sight of blood or the smell of it. Of course, that didnât mean that something still couldnât be wrong. Those things, those malevolent creatures, could do their harm without leaving any obvious mark.
But if Mobius were dying, Asriel would hope that Marisa would have prepared him better. As it was, the other man looked to be alright. Enough to be reaching out and touching him. It was probably for his own comfort, Asriel mused. Which he didnât mind. The hand on his knee was a comfort for him as well. Mobius still had his mind and his memories which was a relief. One that hit Asriel harder than he expected.
âMarisa told me you were attacked by a spectre,â Asriel said plainly as if fear and adrenaline wasnât still running through him like a salmon rushing through a river. âI had to be sure you were-â safe â-still here.â Thankfully, Mobius was both. A bit shaken up but that was expected.
Once Asriel had looked over Mobius enough to satisfy any worries he had, he pulled himself back and took a deep breath. âHow do you feel?â Yes, that was something he should ask. Mobius had the look of someone who had seen a ghost. And of someone who wanted to forget it all.
He couldnât help a small smile. âYouâre always glad to see me,â Asriel teased him. Then, in a quieter voice, he added- âItâs good to see you too. All in one piece.â
No, no blood, but Mobius did feel drained in a way heâd never experienced before. In all honesty, he barely remembered what happened. Mobius normally prided himself on noticing all the details, on being able to take everything in and assess the situation, even when heâs in danger or everything was falling apart around him. He was the rock holding everything together. Not this time though. This time he was taken completely by surprise and that disturbed him almost as much as the actual attack. Maybe even more.
Asriel was wrong about that, at least in part. Though touching him helped Mobius feel more grounded, safe, it was really meant more to comfort Asriel. It was pretty clear that Asriel was upset and Mobius actually felt touched that he might actually be worried about him. If he wasnât still feeling rather stunned from the attack, he would be more confident in that assessment.
âYeah, I think I heard her say something about a spectre, though Iâm still not really sure what those are. She might have said, but I canât say I was listening very well.â The last thing Mobius remembered with any clarity was talking with her here, but he doesnât really say anything about his small lapse in memory. He didnât want to worry Asriel anymore than he already was. âIâm afraid you canât get rid of me that easily. Think Iâll be around a bit longer.â He smiled up at Asriel then, trying to show him he was okay, even if he didnât exactly feel it.
Reluctantly, Mobius pulled his hand back when Asriel seemed to finish his assessment of his well-being. It was the absolute last thing he wanted. In fact, he wanted nothing but to touch and be touched in that moment, but he didnât know how to ask for that. âTerrified. Exhausted. Maybe a little relieved. Sometime Iâm going to ask for more details on whatever the hell these spectres are, just not right now.â
Something settled in him when Asriel admitted to being glad to see him and the smile on Mobiusâ face turned genuine. âIâm glad youâre here. I hope I didnât worry you too much.â
Physically, yes, Mobius looked just fine. But Asriel could see that look in his eyes. Of course, he was sympathetic. It wasnât as though he wished any harm to Mobius. In fact, just the opposite. But there was some small satisfaction at having Mobius get to know his world a little bit more. âCongratulations, you survived what many could not in my universe. How did the two of you get away? Never mind, donât answer that. I can see you need a bit to breathe and think this through. Let me make you some tea. Where do you keep it?â Liar. It was Asriel himself that needed that bit to breathe and think. What would he have done if Mobius had-
He didnât want to think about it. The emotions were still so raw inside him. He wasnât ready to see them, much less feel them. But they were as stubborn as the rest of him and he couldnât push them down too far without them wanting to bubble themselves back up.
âTheyâre dark spirits but even that seems like an understatement. They feed off us, our souls. We have no defense against them if youâre ever unlucky enough to come across one.â Asriel didnât say anything more. If Mobius really wanted to know more, of course he would tell him as much as he knew about the things. But that honestly looked like the last concerning thing on Mobiusâ mind.
He forced the muscles in his body to relax when Mobius admitted to how he felt. It sounded like he was well enough to keep his humor. Things were looking up. âFear is a logical response.â He could say that but he couldnât admit to feeling such a thing himself, now could he? In not so many words. But he did give a small smile and reached out to give Mobiusâ knee a gentle squeeze. âYou worried me the right amount. Just âŚdonât do it again.â In a matter of minutes, Mobius could have been gone. Asriel didnât like the way that just the possibility seemed to have a chokehold on him.
Before the back of his eyes got too wet, he cleared his throat and stood up. âAlright. Tea. Or coffee? Iâll take care of it. You arenât to lift a finger.â
Mobius tensed slightly when asked how he got away. He really didnât remember, but still the question made him shiver unpleasantly. He was starting to think that he was blocking the memory more than simply not remembering. It wasnât something that happened to him very often, where he was so scared he blocked something, but this might just be one of those occasions. He tried to cover his response, letting out a shaky breath and giving Asriel a bit of a wobbly smile. He felt his eyes get wet and he blinked rapidly to clear them.
âWell, that at least explains why I feel tired.â Having your life force sucked from you certainly sounded like something that would be draining, to say the least. I guess there must be some defense, since Iâm still here.â Mobius didnât really want to think of it anymore though and he closed his eyes briefly. He did want to find out more, make sure there werenât any more of those things floating around, but that didnât need to happen right now.
Asriel wasnât really hiding his own feelings well, but Mobius didnât call him out on it. It seemed they both needed some time to reign in their feelings, though Mobius was starting to think maybe he didnât want to reel anything in for Asriel. What he wanted was to cling to the man, not let him out of his sight, just be as close to him as possible, but he could see that Asriel was dealing with this about as well as he was and he didnât want to drive him away. If all he got was his presence for a while, it was better than being alone.
âIâll do my best.â His voice came out low and a lot more shaky than heâd hoped. The show of concern brought his emotions back up to the surface and he fought to suppress them once more. He watched as Asriel stood and fought the urge to reach out for him, instead trying to sit up as he moved. Mobius just felt like he needed to be able to see him, as silly as that sounded, but as he did, a bit of dizziness overcame him. Mobius bit his lip against a groan, not wanting to worry Asriel further though he couldnât help but lean forward and put his head in his hands.
âTea, thereâs some decaf green in the third cupboard from the left. I donât think caffeine is a good idea right now.â
Asriel had never been good at comforting others. Genuinely, anyhow. Comforting a woman was easy when he had ulterior motives. And if they were looking to him for comfort in the first place. He wasnât a soft man where it was important. Or⌠at least, it didnât come to him naturally. Perhaps when heâd been young, when he had been more naive and trusting of others, it had but not any longer. Not that he would admit to having such a flaw. Not easily. As long as Mobius looked alright and didnât need any stitching up or anything else, he was fine.
Even though Asriel could clearly see that he wasnât. And it wasnât like Mobius was saying anything about it either. Could he see how Asriel was doing his best to keep those feelings at bay? Was that why he was holding it all in?
He nodded and turned toward the kitchen to start the tea. Stelmaria slipped out from the side of the couch where she had been quietly waiting. Though she usually greeted him with a cat-like grin, she padded by him without a glance as she followed Asriel. She was always around, of course, but sheâd been staying out of sight more regularly lately. Still, her tail hit the side of the couch and brushed against his leg as she went by.
Asriel made quick work of setting up a tray with what he could grab for tea. âIâm going to have to expand your world farther than green tea, dear,â Asriel called from the kitchen. As he waited for the water to boil, his gaze kept flickering over to Mobius. âWhat would be a good idea right now, hm?â He had a few ideas. One in particular wouldnât leave him alone and he felt compelled to come back over to the couch before he could stop himself.
Mobius had just gone through a near-death experience. And even though he wouldnât say it, he clearly needed something more than just a cup of tea. Asriel was too stubborn and set in his ways to acknowledge it when he first came in but now that the moment was starting to settle, he felt guilty for it. He set himself on the couch at Mobiusâ side, turned sideways so he could face the other man better. âLetâs not talk about it. Itâs nice to talk without sounding like a rhyming lunatic.â
And that is why Mobius held back from asking for what he really wanted. After his conversation with Marisa, heâs fairly confident that Asriel has some feelings for him, but Mobius knew better than to push. This was a whole new thing. Heâs actually mostly surprised that Asriel came at all. He might have caught some feelings, but heâd half expected him to find out he was okay from Marisa and then steer clear for a while. Just the fact that he came, that heâs here and being with him at all was more than Mobius had hoped for.
As appreciative as he truly was, that didnât stop him from wanting to reach out. Essentially, Asriel was right. Even more than he was afraid of those spectres and almost desperate for some sort of friendly touch, he was more scared of putting Asriel off enough that he would leave him here alone.
Mobius was almost startled at the sudden sight of Stelmaria. He felt like he always saw her when Asriel was around, but this time she had gone unnoticed and he felt terrible for ignoring her. Even with the slight stroke of her tail, he worried heâd done something to offend her, but didnât really know how to broach the subject. Instead, he watched as they two made their way into the small kitchen. Mobius turned, putting one arm on the back of the sofa and rested his head on it as he watched.
What would be a good idea right now? âYou not being so far away.â The words were out of his mouth before he could stop himself. It was true though. The tea was a nice idea and he was thankful to Asriel for making it, but what Mobius really needed was a comforting touch. Hell, it didnât even have to be all that comforting. He knew who he was dealing with and that he couldnât expect that much from him, but it didnât stop him from wanting it.
An oddly intense sense of relief filled him when Asriel returned to the couch and sat down. Without really thinking about it, Mobius moved closer to him, though not as close as he really wanted. âUsually Iâm all about talking, but right now, youâre right. I donât want to talk.â
Stelmariaâs presence, or lack thereof, was something to take note of. She was always around, naturally. Like Marisaâs golden monkey, she liked to stay near. No, she was never too far but it was interesting how she seemed to almost avoid Mobius.
Or maybe it was just a strange coincidence that wasnât important. She could have been giving the two of them more space, ironic since neither of them appeared to have a problem stealing each otherâs space. In that moment, Stelmaria stayed by the stove. It still wasnât too far but just far enough that could one could take notice of it. That she was just out of sight unless Mobius turned his head just right.
Not that she seemed to be the thing he wanted to give his attention to.
Asriel smiled wide, maybe even blushed a little, as Mobius told him exactly what he wanted. Or at least, one thing. He was used to a woman being open with what she wanted but hearing it from a man was so new to him, it had his head spinning. He reached out and touched on Mobiusâ collar of his shirt. âI canceled my plans for the rest of the night,â not that heâd had many other than painting the rest of his windows. âSo Iâm all yours to do with as you like.â
Neither of them wanted to talk about Mobius nearly losing his soul, his life. Asriel was more than happy to comply with that. âIs there something else youâd rather be doing then? Please share.â And of course, Asrielâs mind went to the first place it usually did.
But then he couldnât help himself because he remembered also who Mobius had been talking to. âSo you finally met MarisaâŚ. What do you think of her?â
It was probably a ridiculous notion, but the idea that Stelmaria was avoiding him actually hurt Mobiusâ feelings a bit. The first few times theyâd met, heâd thought that Stelmaria had also liked him, at least a bit, but now he was starting to second guess that. Did that mean Asriel didnât like him that much either? Was all this a game? No, that didnât make any sense. Asriel had no reason to come here all worried if there was nothing.
Mobius sighed internally. He was not used to second guessing himself like this. He was always certain of his actions, thoughts and feelings. Even when he found heâd done something wrong, or believed the wrong thing, he was quick to change course, easily sure once again that he knew what to do. This whole liking someone more than a friend business was turning all of that on its head.
Asriel wasnât the only person not used to hearing such things. Except it had nothing to do with gender for Mobius and everything to do with the whole no personal relationships thing at the TVA. You could be friendly, it wasnât like no one ever chatted over lunch, especially when working the same case, but fraternizing was very much looked down on. No, Mobius was just as new to this as Asriel was, perhaps even more.
That didnât stop him from wanting what he wanted though. When Asriel reached out for him, he couldnât stop himself from reaching up and taking his hand. The whole time his eyes remained on Asrielâs face. âGood because I really donât want to be alone tonight.â He didnât know for sure exactly what he wanted to do with him. No, that was a lie, he very much knew, he just wasnât sure he had the balls to actually ask for it, but he would be okay, just as long as Asriel stayed.
It was probably good that Asriel brought up Marisa. Despite knowing a bit about their history, she did seem to be a rather neutral topic for the moment, giving Mobius time to take a deep breath and steady himself before he simply decided to crawl into Asrielâs lap and demand some more attention. âWell, she certainly knows what she wants. I enjoyed her confidence and straightforwardness. That kind of person can be really interesting. Informative too.â
Asriel was not a trusting man. He hadnât been for a long time. Of course, he had the capacity to trust another person. But in his experience, people often were a disappointment. His expectations for them were severely low. With Mobius, however, those expectations kept getting met and then some. He hadnât been disappointed yet. And that could change, he knew that. If anything, the more that Mobius kept impressing him, the harder it would be when he stopped.
Did that slow Asriel down in the current moment?
Not even a little. His smile was all too smug and knowing when Mobius moved a hand to his. âIs that you asking me to stay the night? You miss your favorite pillow?â That was only a small tease at Mobiusâ expense. A very small one because Asriel was slowly coming around to the idea of all this cuddling in bed. He pulled his hand back but he made sure to take Mobiusâ hand with him and did a bit more teasing by kissing at his knuckles. âOf course I will.â
Although, it wasnât as obvious as that, was it? Mobius hadnât asked him to stay over directly just as Asriel hadnât suggested the same first. That expression on the other manâs face told him why; he didnât think Asriel would have agreed. With emotions and feelings rolling around in him at dangerous speeds, he almost slipped himself in Mobiusâ lap to prove how much he would have agreed.
But he knew that could be too much, too fast. Even if Mobius did look like he would have happily taken on the affection. So perhaps it was a good idea that they switched to a different subject. Or else Asriel would move the evening into a more scandalous mood.
âFunny. I believe we said the same thing about you when you first arrived.â In a round-about sort of way. Asriel wondered what Mobius would think if he knew that they had talked about him before now. Before all of this. âSheâs always been confident. And intelligent. And no, not in a quiet way. Marisa is a force of nature all on her own.â He leaned his side into the couch, watching Mobiusâ face as he was watching his. âInformative? And how much information did you gather from her?â Because Marisa wouldnât tell him and Asriel was dying to know.
Oddly, though Mobius had been betrayed enough times himself, he had the exact opposite reaction. He was not naive, he knew it was something that was likely to happen again and again, but he couldnât help himself. He was always willing to give people a second chance. It hurt when he was betrayed and yet he still was willing to open his heart. He just had to hold out hope that Asriel didnât hurt him too badly, in the end.
Mobius simply watched Asriel for a moment, actually rather enjoying the smug look on his face because he knew it at once for what it was; a mask. And really, Mobius wasnât offended. He knew Asriel well enough by now that he could tell he was trying to hide his feelings. The only thing he wasnât sure of was what, exactly, those feelings were. âWould it be so bad if I said yes?â Because it was true, Mobius had low-key missed sleeping next to Asriel ever since it had happened.
Honestly, Mobius didnât know if something like that would be too much. All at once he wanted more and wasnât even sure what more was. Heâd never felt so drawn to someone before. He was nervous about how much he wanted Asriel around, how much he wanted to cling to him, how much he simply wanted him, full stop. It wasnât like Mobius was a robot, like heâd never been attracted to anyone since his life at the TVA started, but this was the first time heâd ever been free enough to actually do something about it. Now he just had to follow through.
Mirroring Asrielâs position, he leaned sideways against the couch and rested his head along the back, smiling fondly at him as his hand found its way to rest against Asrielâs leg. He was barely conscious of the movement, but at the same time was acutely aware that he craved some physical contact.
âYou two talked about me?â Thereâs a soft curiosity in his voice. It wasnât like he didnât know Asriel was attracted to him. That was obvious enough from their few make out sessions, but if heâd known heâd mentioned him before, well. Actually he didnât know what he wouldâve done with that information. Still didnât really. âUnfortunately, not enough though she did confirm your hot tart status.â
Asriel acted indifferent to most people. It was only to those special few he sought out for attention that he changed his moods for. One could make a debate on what mask he wore for them was the real one. Was it the thoughtful and sweet one or the cold and intimidating facade that was the real Lord Asriel Belacqua?
One could still argue that it was both. As humans, it was arrogant to think that one person could only be bad and another person could only be good. It was the opposite in Asrielâs experience. A person who was considered a scoundrel or a never-do-well could still be a good person who perhaps made bad decisions while a person who behaved for the better good âŚ.could also do terrible and horrible things.
Not that Asriel had ever considered himself a âgoodâ person. He didnât think of himself as many things but that was neither here nor there. He didnât think that Mobius was looking for a âgood manâ. Although, to be fair, it was probably arrogant to assume to say that he knew what the other man was looking for. Right now, currently, all Mobius had eyes for was him.
âNot bad at all. I would even say perhaps I missed your presence too. And this would be an excellent opportunity to spread my scent around,â Asrielâs face broke out into a teasing smile. He remembered back in the restaurant, when they had both been under their respective curses, when that narrator had brought up Mobius wanting his place to smell like him. Maybe anyone else would have thought that too forward but Asriel immediately knew what he meant by that.
There was a pleasant feeling associated with the smell of oneâs âŚperson. Especially when it was in your own home. Unfortunately, Asriel moved constantly. There were places he was for months at a time but he was careful to never mark anywhere as home. But he had ideas of what home should be like. What he imagined heâd like it to be. And the gentle scent of his personâs perfume, or cologne, being the first thing that hit him every morning was definitely one of them. But Asriel hadnât imagined a reality like that in a very long time. He still didnât. But it was a lovely thought and he liked that Mobius thought that way too.
Asrielâs smile turned a bit sly and he gave an unashamed shrug. âOf course we talked about you. A man falls from the heavens saying heâs from the timeline of all timelines? We were both intrigued. Your knowledge was useful.â And then Asriel started to get too nosy. Too curious. Here they were, inches apart on the couch with Asrielâs fingers playing dangerously close to the inside of Mobiusâ shirt collar. He laughed. âYou brought that up? Please tell me what she said. How fast did she agree?â
Didnât everyone though? Mobius assumed that it was common to act differently depending on oneâs audience. No one acted the same way around someone they hated as someone they loved, for example. That didnât necessarily make you a liar or anything of that ilk. The difference came, Mobius thought, only if you were lying to yourself. He didnât think that was the case for Asriel.
In general, Mobius thought of himself as a good person in that he truly wanted to do the right thing for everyone. Or at least he wanted the outcome to be good for the majority. That didnât mean that everything he did was good by nature. When heâd worked for the TVA, before he knew the truth, he had been acutely aware of what pruning a timeline did. He knew that it resulted in the total eradication of an entire universe of life, of innocent life even, but if it meant that there was no multiversal war, that life in general could go on, then it was worth the horrors he had to commit.
He still hadnât really dealt with what it meant that he was wrong. But that was a thought for another time when he wasnât still reeling from almost dying.
Asriel was right though. Mobius wasnât looking for a good person. He hadnât really been looking for anyone, when it came down to it. This had all happened without any conscious thought. All he really knew was that Asriel was intelligent and interesting. Mobius enjoyed talking with him, learning about another world through Asrielâs eyes. Of course, it didnât hurt that he was attractive, but honestly that wasnât the most important thing to Mobius. He was attracted just as much to his mind, if not more.
âWell, if you missed me so much, you donât need to stay away. Youâre welcome to spread your scent here whenever you want.â Mobius spoke with clear amusement in his voice. If anyone was capable of self-deprecating humour, it was him. And why be embarrassed? At least when it was only the two of them. He didnât mind that Asriel knew these things about him. In fact he wanted him to know everything, if that were possible.
He was sure it was strange to find someone heâs really only just met so comforting, but it was the case nonetheless. Mobius wondered if heâd been like this when he was Don. If heâd always been able to see the good in people that others could not. Was this why He Who Remained kept him? Why he was made an analyst and encouraged to research Lokis? Even why he excelled at it. There was so much about himself that he felt like he didnât know anymore. Things heâd always just ignored or not thought about in the past. What did he actually like? Beyond jet skis and villains with hearts of gold of course. It occurred to him then that he almost died without really understanding who he was. And apparently that near death experiences caused him to think deeply about himself when he had the chance to relax afterwards.
Something about Asriel, something about being with him made him feel okay about everything he was beginning to learn about himself. Like his attraction to him was another clue into his psyche. This is partly why heâs so fascinated by the idea of Asriel and Marisa talking about him. How do others see him? What exactly is he projecting?
All of that was too much for him to process now. Especially when all he really wanted to do was press himself against Asriel and forget everything that just happened for a while. Mobius could be very good at sticking his head in the sand when it came to certain things, and all that weighed on his mind, all that had been weighing there since heâd decided to leave the TVA, had been weighing him down. Was it really such a bad thing to forget for a while? âIt was more an acceptance of truth than a vocal agreement. Sheâs clearly aware of your charm and that you like to use it. I would say itâs an asset, but I donât know how many of your conquests would agree.â
He had missed him. And it was strange to admit such a thing, out loud or to himself. Of course, Asriel craved attention like a drowning man craved air. But he had always known better than to make a habit of always searching for it. He had to be careful where and with who.
Granted, he hadnât always followed his own rule, had he? And here he was, a couple of knees away from throwing himself in the first male lap that showed him real attention. He was easier than he claimed, apparently. And Mobius was looking at him like this after his talk with Marisa which only had Asriel curious about everything she had told him.
Knowing Marisa, and Asriel did, she likely didnât tell him much. As much as she had teased him about it, it wasnât like her to just lay every filthy detail of her life to a stranger. Yes, Mobius had been around a few months now but that was a drop in the bucket compared to some of the relationships they both had back home. In a place they had grown up with the same people, the same families. They all knew of each other in some way, all were connected in some form. And even for them, Marisa did not trust them as far as she could throw them.
As it was, she barely trusted him but Asriel knew heâd given her reason for that. So he was curious what sheâd told Mobius, knowing what he knew of her and how little regard she held for others as far as sharing parts of her life. Especially the parts that involved him which was not the brightest moment⌠for either of them but mostly for her. Knowing Marisa, she might have glossed over it or avoided it completely. Whatever sheâd shared, it hadnât deterred Mobius at all. How that made Asriel feel was complicated. It gave him too much hope and he knew better than to trust that.
But what was that about love making fools?
âYou know, now that Iâve finished painting my room, you can come and spread that pretty smell of yourâs on my pillows too. Maybe even the sheets if youâre feeling frisky.â Asriel started to lean in for a kiss then but the teapot began to sing from the kitchen. They had horrible timing. Hopefully that bad luck was ending though.
He apologized, still snuck a brief kiss to Mobiusâ cheek and then got up to fetch the tea for them. Asriel was quick, having already brought everything out, and came back with it all in no time. âHere,â he made a cup for Mobius to at least get something in him. âA hot cuppa tea usually helps me feel better after a near harrowing experience. I almost fell off a cliff to my death once. Maybe twice. This isnât the same tea as home but,â he smiled and tried it first before handing it over to Mobius, something he would have never done with anyone else. âItâs good enough for here. And if it doesnât help you feel better, Iâll come up with something else.â
Something else meaning ohh a couple of different things but for now, it was about making Mobius comfortable. Asriel settled back in his spot next to Mobius, then leaned over and started working on his shoes. He worked on loosening them until he could pop them off. âAn asset? Is that how you see it?â Asriel smirked and lifted his gaze to Mobius, amused. âSounds like youâre analyzing me. What else would you say?â
Another thing Mobius was new to himself was missing people. Not all that long ago his life work had truly been his life. Everyone that worked for the TVA always worked for the TVA, truly believed they were literally made to work for the TVA. He didnât really experience loss until the moment Loki had walked away to his destiny. It felt like since then Mobius had lost everything. Even finding Loki here in San Francisco had felt off. Heâd really only had one real conversation with his best friend and other than the one break through, it had felt like Loki had put up a wall between them and quite frankly, it hurt.
He didnât feel any of that with Asriel, though he was very aware that it could all quickly fall apart. Whether that be because one of them messed up or they were pulled from this world as easily as they were brought to it. There were really any number of possibilities on how they could lose. But as always, Mobius seemed to wear his heart on his sleeve. He might be good at getting people to admit things they donât want to admit to, but heâd always done that without much lying or trickery. Though he did have a certain admiration for those who could do such things.
As for what heâd learned from Marisa, the truth was not much. Though in some ways it was also just enough. The one thing that definitely came out of the conversation with Marisa before they were attacked was that whatever the outcome, Asriel did like him. It wasnât a trick, or a mistake or something Mobius made up in his head out of loneliness and desperation. Now where that might go or how long it might last, that was a different story and one Mobius knew no one had the answer to except time.
Hopefully time would be good to him, for once. He deserved that at least, didnât he?
Mobius laughed outright then, truly smiling for the first time since Asrielâs arrival. âOh I see, so Iâm not the only one interested in scent.â Even as he spoke, he could feel the blush colouring his cheeks. The idea of getting frisky between the sheets with Asriel is exactly what he wants, even if he really has no idea what heâs doing in that realm. Part of him hoped that there might be some muscle memory when it came to that seeing as he apparently had children at some point. He must have done something before and hey, if the memory of jet skis stayed, why not some other fun things?
His eyes closed as Asriel leaned in. Yes, this was exactly what he wanted as a distraction, to be closer to the person he wanted to feel closer to, but as the kettle went off, Mobius sighed and chuckled softly to himself. He accepted the gentle kiss to his cheek and watched Asriel as he brought the tea over. âPretty much everything here is better than what Iâm used to, tea included.â It wasnât like the TVA cared much beyond keeping them healthy. There was a reason why he had a mediocre salad for lunch every day and his one indulgence, a slice of key lime pie once a week. âMaybe if we ever get out of here, you can make me a proper cup of tea from your own world?â
Mobius would like to see Asrielâs world, though the little he knows about it made it seem as though it didnât have a lot of the creature comforts of even the TVA. Still, he was curious. It sounded like his branch was a pretty big deviation from the Sacred Timeline. He thought about this as he took the cup and had a sip. There really was something soothing about tea, made even better when someone you care about made it for you.
âYou mean you donât see it as an asset?â Mobius asked as he frowned slightly, wondering why Asriel was working on removing his shoes. He was really good at having a conversation about one thing and thinking about another though and he continued. âWhat else would I say? Well, I think you have a lot of walls up and masks on to protect you from everyone. So many that most probably donât know when youâre being genuine.â He paused then and gave him a bit of a knowing smile. âI donât think youâre wearing any masks right now though.â
Everything could fall apart and easily. Asrielâs reputation wasnât all about what happened between his sheets or anyone elseâs. In his own world, he was known as a nuisance to the upper class. A continuing and annoying âproblemâ to those that wanted to keep their world in the dark. Lyra had fumbled him being poisoned when heâd gone back to Jordanâs that last time. Unfortunately, it wasnât the first instance of such a thing happening and Asriel was sure it wouldnât be the last. At this point, someone trying to murder him was becoming a normal.
None of that had followed him here to San Francisco. But it could. Marisa was here. And now there were spectres. It could be only a matter of time before more of their world leaked over. And then what? Would Mobiusâ opinion of him change?
Wasnât it strange though that Asriel already knew the answer? He was confident now, so much more than before, that it wouldnât change the other manâs mind at all. At least, not until he found out moreâŚ. Not until he found out what they needed, what Asriel needed to break open the bridge. But that moment wasnât here yet. It best for him to enjoy the moments he did have, right here and now, while he had them. Like all dreams, he would eventually wake up. But he hoped it would be a long time in coming. If only to get a few more of those laughs out of Mobius.
âSmell and sight are two very important senses. One could argue that we are still only base creatures operating on instinct, only attracted to the right pheromones of another,â Asriel mused as he helped Mobiusâ with taking his boots off and started massaging the closest foot. Of course, both his eyes were still on Mobiusâ face. That slight tint of red on his cheeks leftover from the blush was always a delicious thing to see. It was becoming one of his favorite things to try and get that exact color back again.
The question about tea from his own world though had Asriel pausing. But only for a second before he kept on kneading the sensitive parts of Mobiusâ heel. âWe might not get to enjoy it together with as much freedom as we had on our date but it would be something to have you in my universe. If only to see your face when you notice everyoneâs daemons. And to meet Lyra.â
Which was important to him for some reason. He hadnât wanted anyone near her before, to even know she existed unless they were meant to protect her in some way. He knew that Mobius would do the same for her but it was more than that. He wanted Mobius to know her just like he wanted Lyra to know him. They were both important to him, of course. It made sense but it was still a strange and unfamiliar feeling. Given that this was a completely new situation that he had never found himself in, that wasnât odd. The strange part was how much hope kept rising into his chest. An unnameable hope that even the great Asriel Belacqua was too terrified to address head on. Not yet. It was too soon.
He chuckled at Mobiusâ assessment of him, pretending to scoff and be offended by the end of it. âAhh, you have me wrong. My mask is thickest around those I am closest with.â Although, Mobius wasnât entirely wrong, was he? Even Asriel couldnât keep a straight face around that sentence for very long. âBut for you, that mask does seem to be slipping further and further these days.â The fact that it was still up at all, even after everything, only showed just how little Asriel trusted anyone and everyone. Even Stelmaria, who had sat herself just on the other side of the couch, remained mostly out of sight except for a sliver of her face that Mobius could see if he leaned forward a little. She did make a sound, a very cat-like noise after the last thing Asriel had said. To which, he rolled his eyes and went on to admit- âAlright, maybe that mask has slipped more than I let on.â
He smiled then, knowing and impish. âPerhaps Iâm under another spell put on by you.â It was cheesy, wasnât it? To proclaim being under a âlove spellâ. It was something reserved for the young. But that was how Mobius made him feel sometimes, as if suddenly there were pink-and-blue clouds all around.
If there was one thing that Mobius (sometimes regretfully) was good at, it was handling nuisances. In fact, he seemed rather drawn to people who tended to cause them. Actually, truth be told, he actually rather enjoyed dealing with nuisances. Something Asriel was likely to find out at some point. Likely when he did something stupid and Mobius didnât leave. He might tell him off for being an idiot, suggest ways to not make the same mistake again. He might even get angry, but strange as it was, Mobius was in for the long haul on this.
It didnât matter what followed Asriel here from his world. Mobius would hardly blame him for any of that. Besides, heâd dealt with a lot in his time and though heâd never experienced a spectre before, it was hardly the first dangerous situation Mobius had found himself in. It was just as likely that something from one of the worlds he had visited would come and attack Asriel. A spectre hardly had anything on Kang, after all.
âYou certainly make me feel like a base creature,â Mobius teased. It was true though. Asriel was the first person heâd been attracted to in all his long memory. Or at least he was the first he allowed himself to be. He knew there had been whispers about him and Ravonna and even him and Loki, but none of them were true. He hadnât even considered a relationship like the one he and Asriel were apparently embarking on until it had stared him right in the face. Or rather, kissed him right on the mouth. âBut I suppose I do like the way you look.â He leaned in a bit closer then. âAnd smell.â
Mobius smiled a little sadly. He really hated that Asrielâs world was like that. He still wanted to see where he came from, but also knew it would be hard to not just touch him when he wanted. They were only just beginning on this adventure together and already he wanted to be close to him all the time. âWell, maybe we could just pop in and steal some of the tea, then you can make it for me again back here, or somewhere else that doesnât succumb to such bigotry.â
The bit about Lyra surprised him though. He would absolutely love to meet her, but considering how closed off Asriel can still be about his life before, heâs a little surprised and a lot touched by the realization that he wants him to meet her. âI would love to meet Lyra. I bet sheâs a real handful.â He grinned at that. It just had to be true, with Asriel as a father.
Mobius placed his half drunk tea on the table and laid back as his shoes were removed and Asriel started massaging one of his feet. He hadnât expected this at all, but it felt way too good to complain. In fact, he moved both his feet into Asrielâs lap, giving him better access. He huffed out a laugh of disbelief and place his arm across his eyes as he began to fully relax. âOh, Iâm sure your mask is fully on and you treat everyone youâre trying to fool like this.â He moved his arm slightly to look at Asriel, trying on his serious look, but not trying very hard. âAre you massaging other peopleâs feet? Should I be jealous?â
He chuckled then, genuinely amused and a little surprised at how easily Asriel helped him feel better. âOh, I wish I had that kind of power. Unfortunately, no impressive magical skills here. Just one boring old human. Hopefully my charm is enough though.â
Asriel would be amused with Mobiusâ reference to him as a ânuisanceâ. And then have to agree with him because he wasnât far off, was he? In fact, Asriel would be proud to be such a thing. A nuisance was like a squeaky wheel and attention was all the same Asriel.
Well, maybe not all the same. The looks that Mobius kept giving him were something different. Asriel thought that they would lessen after awhile, especially with some of the things that had happened and subjects that were discussed. He had been sure that the man would at least have doubts after talking with Marisa.
But then, maybe that brief but terrifying scare had shifted Mobiusâ priorities. Because those looks were only getting stronger. Asriel could feel himself being pulled in more and more each time those eyes moved his way. Maybe it was just loneliness. Or he was letting lust rule his mind again. It wouldnât be the first time. And maybe sleeping together would break whatever hold this man had on him.
He chuckled at Mobiusâ bold response. âDo I? Youâre saying you only like me for the way I smell? Youâre lucky I havenât changed shampoos.â Of course, Asriel knew that wasnât it. But he had been surprised by the playful retort. Especially given exactly what base instincts that was being implied here. Mobius was saying it straight out with such confidence. Given how âgreenâ he said he was, it was an enjoyable surprise. The extra compliments almost flustered him. âI shouldnât tell you that flattery almost always works on me.â
Mobius only continued to surprise him. âNow youâre talking of stealing? I can see Iâve become a bad influence on you. And tea, of all things?â Asriel clucked his tongue with fake disappointment. âYou scoundrel.â
Lyra was a handful. But it was something that Asriel couldnât admit to without a smirk on his face. âShe is tenacious and relentless in pushing back against any rule set before her. And she is more clever than most. She has a lot of her mother in her.â He wondered now if Marisa had said anything to him about Lyra. Perhaps that was something she hadnât shared. âBut she inherited my hunger for adventure. And danger, apparently.â Because she couldnât have seen more than her fair share of it to get as far as she had. To get all the way to him.
Finally, it seemed that he had been able to make Mobius forget all about what had happened. At least, for a couple minutes. Asriel tucked Mobiusâ feet into his lap and curled his leg next to his on the couch. âJealous? Isnât that my line?â
Asriel did have that power, in a way. He knew how to read a room, how to manipulate his way around a conversation into getting what he needed or wanted. With a smile, a pretty word. Sometimes, with a bit of blackmail depending on the situation. But this, this was just Mobius being Mobius. No magic. Just a different kind of charm. The kind that apparently could get him to massage his feet. It did work though, didnât it? That spectre was the last thing on Mobiusâ mind now. And Asriel was going to make sure it stayed that way. For at least a little bit. He grinned and shrugged playfully. âHm. Maybe it wonât be enough. Can you cook?â
If it was attention Asriel was looking for, Mobius would give it to him in spades. The more he learned about him and the more time he spent with him, the more fascinated Mobius felt. No, nothing Marisa had told him had put him off and though their conversation had been cut short, he was starting to think there really wasnât anything that could put him off. No, once someone or something had Mobiusâ curiosity peaked, that was it, he was invested.
It was definitely possible that the situation with the spectre had influenced him when it came to Asriel and how he felt, but Mobius really didnât think so. He had definitely been curious, had wanted to know more about the other man, enough so that he had wanted to speak with Marisa and get her read on him as someone that knew Asriel best, but now that he thought about it, Mobius didnât think heâd ever really second guessed his feelings for Asriel. He might be green, but Mobius had always been someone who was rather self-aware and confident in what he felt and thought. Just because this was a new kind of relationship for him didnât mean that had changed.
âScent is a very big deal. I mean, think about it. If I smelled like I hadnât bathed in a week, would you still be interested?â Mobius grinned, enjoying teasing Asriel. He still looked tired after the incident, but the smile lit up his features. Apparently all he needed to start feeling better after a near death experience was to joke around with someone he cared about. âYou know I never wouldâve guessed. Flattery hardly ever works on people like you.â
Mobius chuckled softly. âIf you think petty theft is beyond me, I think it shouldâve been you trying to find out more about me and not the other way around.â It really wouldnât take Asriel much to find out what Mobius could really be like. Was he a rule follower? Mostly, but he was also willing to bend and break those rules if he thought they were doing more harm than good and to him it was starting to sound like Asrielâs world was all about more harm than good. It was a kind of place Mobius was overly familiar with considering his extensive knowledge of the TVA.
âIâm starting to think you have a type too. Marisa seems pretty tenacious and relentless herself, after what I saw today.â It had crossed his mind that Marisa might be Lyraâs mother, but he wasnât about to assume. It was starting to seem more likely, but Mobius had no way to be sure beyond asking and he wasnât really at that point yet. Right now that seemed like a much more serious conversation that he really just didnât have the energy for. One day soon though, unless Asriel told him on his own, he would ask. He actually kind of liked the idea of Marisa being the mother of his child, but he couldnât really say why. Except that the idea of a person with the best of both of them must be a really fascinating person to know. And Mobius did hope that one day, somehow, he could meet Lyra.
That next comment took Mobius by surprise. He removed his arm from his face again and gave Asriel a rather inquisitive look. âAre you jealous?â He couldnât quite tell if he was being facetious or trying to cover up that he actually was jealous. Mobius was getting better at reading Asriel, but he wasnât quite all the way there yet. Well that and he couldnât quite believe that he thought he had anything to be jealous about.
He laughed. A good real one that came up from his chest in soft rumbles. âNot bathe for a week? Come now, maybe I would like you better smelling a bit ripe. Besides, what better incentive to tempt you into joining me in the shower? I hope you come over dirty often.â Asriel clearly wasnât squeamish when it came to those kinds of things. Sometimes, there wasnât a hot bath waiting for you at the top of a mountain. Of course, he did take pride in his cleanliness but there were times when a fellow had to get dirty.
Or flirty. Asriel worked both ways.
âPeople like me? You know other âhot tartsâ that youâve tried flattering?â He scoffed and continued massaging his thumb and fingers around Mobiusâ foot. First there had been a smile, then a laugh and now Mobius was relaxing into the couch with him. Good. If only they could get to the bedroom this timeâŚ.
Mobiusâ comment about his take on rule-breaking got Asrielâs mind working again. That was excellent news, wasnât it? If Mobius ever regained access to his universe again, that sacred timeline, Asriel knew heâd ask him to break at least a few rules for him. He didnât know which ones, of course. There was no predicting the future for sure. But he knew himself. âI would usually hire someone to find out that information for me. But since this isnât my world and itâs not yours either, I guess Iâll only know what you tell me.â Asriel wriggled his eyebrows playfully. âSo you better tell me only the fun things.â
He made a noise. âI donât have a type. I justâŚ.â Another noise and then a regrettable sigh as he thought it over. âAlright, perhaps I do. Have I become predictable?â
Jealous? Jealousy was not a word in Asrielâs vocabulary. It didnât exist to him. If he felt it, he rarely acknowledged it. He had never had any right to have such a feeling for anyone. Not when it came to romantic affairs. Yes, there had been a lot of jealousy when it came to Marisa but had been a long time ago. Heâd been younger then and what say did he have against a husbandâs loyalty to his wife? And there had been no one else. No one he wanted all to himself.
But didnât it turn his insides hot to think about Mobius with another person, in the same way heâd thought of once for Marisa? He could feel it start just at the mention of it, at the mere thought that there could be. Asriel swallowed it down and shook his head as he did his best to make it look like he wasnât bothered at all by the notion. Unfortunately, if Mobius was paying attention, he could see the twitches around his mouth as he tried to keep his expression neutral. âNo, of course not. Why would I be?â
There was a pause as Asriel lifted his gaze. âShould I be?â
Oh and wasnât that a wonderful sound? Mobius wasnât sure heâd truly heard Asriel laugh until that very moment. There had been amusement and a chuckle here and there, for sure, but nothing quite like that. It made Mobius feel warm and surprisingly happy. Okay, so maybe not exactly surprising, but it was still unexpected and it made Mobius want to hear it again. As many times as possible. âYouâd really be okay with that? What if it was more like a month? Or a year?â Now he was more curious than teasing. Was that kind of thing normal in Asrielâs world? He seemed so clean and well kept to Mobius, it surprised him a little that he might still want him if he was wrapped in his own filth.
But hey, any time Asriel was willing to flirt with him, Mobius was on board. It was really doing wonders for his self-esteem. Mobius had always been confident in certain areas of his life, but his personal skills heâd always thought could use a little work. It at least explained why his first real friend was a trickster god with a bad reputation anyway.
Mobius grinned in return. âI might know a couple.â Sometimes it really paid to be friends with a couple of Lokiâs though he would never dare call either of them a hot tart to their face. Especially not Sylvie. With Loki he could get away with a joke, probably, but Sylvie he was sure would have his head. Maybe that was partly why she was his favourite though. The teasing laughter on his lips died suddenly though as Asriel managed to hit a rather sensitive spot on his foot and Mobius let out a long sigh that was dangerously close to a moan.
âWhere did you learn to do that?â Mobius had spent endless non-existent time in the TVA on his feet and not once had ever had a foot massage. He wondered if Don ever had one and if it felt anything like this. He hoped so. This seemed like a pleasure everyone should have the right to experience in their lives. Though Asriel was all his. No one else was going to get a foot massage from him.
And okay, maybe Mobius was starting to feel more than just a little attached.
Mobius hummed slightly, both in pleasure and in thought. âIf youâre really curious about me, you could just ask Loki. Iâm not sure what he might tell you, if he even says anything at all. Heâs been a bit stressed out so I canât guarantee how he might react, but no one knows me better.â He really wasnât sure how such a conversation might go considering Lokiâs current state of mind, but he had gone to Marisa and really, fair was fair. âOr I can just tell you fantastical tales about myself and you can guess if theyâre true or not. I donât think Iâm a good liar, but hey, you never know. Maybe Iâm wrong.â
There was a display of emotions in Asrielâs eyes that the other man did mostly keep pretty well hidden, but Mobius could tell heâd at least struck a nerve. Heâd been joking, hardly expecting Asriel to actually be jealous, but now it was seeming like maybe he was. And if that wasnât something Mobius found very interesting. And surprising if heâs honest.
âNo.â The answer came out simply and with all teasing gone. He looked at Asriel seriously, wanting him to know he had nothing to worry about. Mobius truly only had eyes for him.