Mobius isn't sure why Steve Rogers thinks he's a bad liar. He told so many lies towards the end of that conversation in the palace that he's almost surprised his pants didn't literally burst into flames. (Is that a common expression in this century? He gets his idioms confused sometimes.) And, as far as he could tell, not a single person noticed. He's actually rather proud of himself for it.

And those lies seemed like a good idea at the time. Some of them he'd even believed were just barely stretching the truth. But he realizes after god-only-knows-how-long of wandering aimlessly around Asgard that he does not, in fact, know Asgard nearly as well as he'd thought. He knew he'd get a little lost, but right now, he is very, very lost.

He doesn't regret it, though. What he's trying to do isn't something he could have brought company for. He's not sure what he expects — not a warm welcome, at least — but he's sure it would have been worse if he hadn't come alone.

But finally, finally, he reaches the lake. It's not the first lake he's run into, but he can tell it's the right one, not because it's the biggest or because it's the deepest into the forest but because he's not the only one here. After all, it wasn't really the lake itself he was looking for. It was the person who likes to sit by the lake when he's upset.

"I thought I'd find you here," Mobius remarks.

Avengers Loki doesn't so much as flinch. His back his to Mobius, sitting just inches out of the water's reach, and he doesn't even glance behind himself when he hears the voice.

"I believe you have me confused with the other me," Loki says, his gaze not leaving the pond in front of him.

"Nope," Mobius says. "I was looking for you you." He pauses, giving Loki a moment to speak. When he's met with silence, he takes a few more steps towards him and gestures to the ground next to him with his foot. "Mind if I sit?"

"I would rather you didn't," Loki says.

Mobius sits down anyway.

He crosses his legs, pulling them as close to his body as he can so he doesn't risk his clothes getting wet. Loki looks over at him, an eyebrow raised, and Mobius smiles at him. He'd like to think it's friendly; that it's disarming. He has a feeling Loki just finds it annoying.

"I'm sorry," Mobius says, an expression of sympathy rather than remorse.

"What for?" Loki asks.

"That whole mess of a family reunion," Mobius says. "This was supposed to be a big moment for you — your triumphant return home. The other Loki kinda stole your thunder."

"I don't have thunder," Loki tells him. "My brother has thunder. My magic is more —"

"Illusion-based, I know," Mobius finishes for him. "It's just an expression."

Loki furrows his brows, but, ultimately, he decides it's not worth pursuing and he turns his gaze back to the lake. Mobius does the same, and he lets Loki have a minute or two of silence. He's not an idiot; he knows Loki doesn't want to talk to him. Mobius isn't going to give him a choice, but he will give him a break.

When he decides sufficient time has passed, Mobius speaks again. "It might be better this way. You won't have an audience when you talk to her."

"I don't recall asking," Loki says.

"You didn't," Mobius says, and his flippancy just seems to aggravate Loki more. "But you haven't said much of anything lately, so I'm taking some creative liberties with what I think you're thinking."

"What I'm thinking is that I wish you would leave," Loki says.

"I know," Mobius says. It doesn't take a genius to figure that one out. "But I won't."

"You know," Loki says, "I came out here to be alone."

"I'm aware," Mobius says. "And I came out here so you wouldn't have to be."

Loki finally looks over at him, looking a bit annoyed. "How arrogant must you be to think that your company is anything but a mild annoyance?"

"Very," Mobius says, but though it's supposed to be a lighthearted joke, Loki doesn't seem to find it at all humorous. "No, I know I'm annoying you, but come on. You've been back in Asgard for, what, 15 minutes? And you're already moping around by the lake."

"I'm not moping," Loki mutters.

"No, you are, but that's okay," Mobius says. "I would be, too, if I was in your shoes. But you'll get your chance in the spotlight." He smiles. "Maybe you and Frigga can come out here together tonight and watch the sunset."

"I think she would rather take the other me," Loki says.

"That's just because the other you is so much more outspoken than you are," Mobius says. "You're not even sure you want to be here, but my Loki, he's been through hell lately. Coming back to Asgard was a gift for him. He was told he could go wherever and whenever he wanted, and he picked right here and right now. So, yeah, he's a little more excited than you are, and he's a little more determined to make the most of it."

"Then you agree," Loki says. "You agree that she would rather spend her time with the other me."

"No, I don't think she really cares," Mobius says. "As far as everyone else is concerned, you're both Loki. It doesn't matter which one you are. Which means that if you want to spend time with her, you have to make that first move."

Loki snorts. "So I'm indistinguishable from this over-excited, starry-eyed me, and no one would care if they never saw me again as long as he remains here?" He shakes his head. "Thank you, Mobius. That makes me feel much better."

Mobius frowns. "That's not quite what I..." He trails off. Okay, he might have messed this one up a little. He's not even sure how to fix it (mostly because he honestly believes Loki's right; their return to Asgard is so new that no one has quite made the distinction between them yet. Losing one Loki wouldn't cause any harm), so he clamps his mouth shut.

Loki sighs and turns his gaze back to the lake. He doesn't move for a long while, and Mobius doesn't try to make him. He really bungled that last attempt at a conversation. It might be a good idea to give them both a few minutes before he tries again.

Loki uses his magic to make his boots disappear, and his pants are suddenly rolled midway up his calf. He stretches his legs and sticks his feet in the lake water, propping himself up with his hands behind himself. He wiggles his toes and rolls out his ankles, creating little ripples in the water.

Finally, Loki says, his voice flat and hopeless, "I suppose there would be no point in asking you to use that time-travel device of yours to bring me back to Midgard so I can finish what I started."

Mobius shakes his head. "Unfortunately not." And it really is unfortunate. He almost wishes he could. He wishes Loki could try and fail to take over the world. He wishes Loki could live out the life the Time Keepers — no, that He Who Remains — set out for him (preferably excluding Thanos snapping his neck). It was his experiences that made him a better person; often the failures and the pain and the loss, but sometimes his victories, too. This Loki won't get any of that. He won't even lose New York. How is he supposed to grow now?

"Mm," Loki hums.

Mobius looks at him sympathetically while he racks his brain for something to say to cheer him up. Given the reality of his situation, though, there's not much of a bright side anywhere. If he won't make the effort to connect with his family because he feels it's a lost cause, what is there left to make him happy?

"Oh, by the way," Mobius says, "there's going to be a big feast to celebrate you coming home. I think you should go. It won't be the same without the guest of honor."

"I presume there are multiple guests of honor?" Loki says.

"Well, yes, but —"

"Then I won't be missed if I stay here," Loki says.

Mobius frowns. "Well, I would miss you."

"Oh, I'm sure," Loki deadpans.

"I would!" Mobius insists. "I'm sure my Loki and Sylvie are going to be walking around talking to other Asgardians all night. What am I supposed to do if I don't have you to keep me company?"

"Go with them?" Loki suggests.

"Nah," Mobius says. "I got told off for befriending the locals earlier, remember?"

The corners of Loki's lips twitch up at that.

"Besides," Mobius continues, "I think tonight is going to be about mending fences, and I don't want to intrude. I would rather hang out with you so neither of us have to be alone."

Loki looks over at him. "You're very persistent."

"I try," Mobius says. "So? What do you say?"

Loki lets out a long breath. "I don't know. Right now, I would like to stay here."

"Alright, we can do that," Mobius says. "And when it gets closer, you can decide whether you want to go — and I really think you should. Everyone's expecting you. It'll be weird if you don't show up."

"But you're still not going to leave me alone," Loki says.

"Not at all," Mobius says. Changing the subject because clearly, he's not getting anywhere with this one, he asks, "Hey, how's the water?"

Loki furrows his brows. "It's... water."

Mobius chuckles. "I mean, yeah, it definitely is water."

Loki just looks at him, confused. He's so confused, in fact, that he doesn't even seem to notice Mobius is laughing at him — or, if he does, he's too confused to care.

"Is it cold?" Mobius tries again, making his question a little more to-the-point this time.

Loki looks down at his feet in the water. "I don't think so."

"You want to go for a swim?" Mobius asks.

That seems to confuse Loki even more. "You want to go swimming?"

"Yeah, why not?" Mobius says with a shrug. "I mean, I've never seen water this clear. It would be a waste not to jump in, don't you think?"

"I can't say I do think so," Loki says. "You want to swim? Here?"

"What, have you never gone swimming here before?" Because it seems like the obvious course of action when met with a lake this big and this clean.

"When I was a kid, maybe," Loki says. "But not for a long time."

"Then we should go for a swim!" Mobius says. "For old times sake, you know?" Because if he did it as a kid, he must have enjoyed it, and right now, Mobius's goal is just to get him to enjoy himself, even for a few minutes.

Loki hesitates, but eventually, he says, "I guess we could swim?"

Mobius grins. "Hey, there we go!" He pulls off his suit jacket and folds it in half. He's about to lay it on the ground, but it is the only thing he owns and he's a little reluctant to set it in the dirt. Instead, he opts to drape it over a hanging branch of a nearby tree. He pulls off his tie, hanging it as well, then begins to unbutton his shirt.

"What are you doing?" Loki asks.

"Well, I'm not swimming in this," Mobius says. "They're the only clothes I have. I'm not walking around like a wet mop all day because I hopped in the lake for a few minutes."

"I suppose you have a point," Loki says.

"Like," Mobius continues, pulling off his shirt to hang with his jacket, "you're not swimming in that, right?" He eyes Loki's full-body leather ensemble.

"I don't see why not," Loki says. "I can dry it. I'm a sorcerer, you know."

"But it's going to get wet and gross and heavy," Mobius says. He's actually not sure about the "gross" part, but he is decently sure that wearing leather underwater would be uncomfortable.

Loki just looks at him for a moment as if trying to figure out what the fuck he's talking about, but ultimately, he seems to decide to trust him. He stands up and takes off his... cape? overcoat? whatever that top layer is, and he neatly folds it up and rests it on the ground. He looks back at Mobius and spreads his arms. "Better?"

Mobius stares at him. He's still wearing leather head to toe. It's just slightly less leather. How would that be any better?

But he gives Loki a thumbs up anyway because it's not worth the hassle. "You look great."

Loki smiles awkwardly. "Okay."

"Jump in," Mobius says. "I'll be in in a second."

Loki eyes him skeptically for a moment, almost as if he doesn't trust him (which is stupid. What's the worst that will happen? Mobius doesn't get in the water and Loki's the only one?), but after a moment's hesitation, he heads in the lake. He walks slowly, wading in until the water is up to his waist. He's actually not very far from the shoreline, Mobius observes. It must be a steep slope.

Loki bends his elbows, his arms floating on the surface of the water. He looks up at Mobius with good eyebrows raised, waiting.

Mobius hangs his pants up on the branch (and this feels weird, but he's pretty sure early-twentieth-century men's bathing suits look just like boxers. He would fit right in if he were on Earth right now) and turns to face the lake. He lunges, preparing to run towards the water. God, he hopes this works and he doesn't just fall flat on his face.

"Here goes nothing," Mobius mutters, and he takes off, running those last ten yards or so before diving into the lake. And, to his credit, it does work. He dives straight into the water, and his face doesn't hit the ground at all.

But it is so fucking cold in here.

Mobius puts his feet on the ground as quickly as he can and pops his head out of the water. He gasps for breath, wrapping his arms around himself as if that's going to make him any warmer. "You said it wasn't cold!"

"It's not," Loki says.

"Yes, it is!" Mobius practically yells.

"Well, I'm not cold," Loki says.

"How are you not cold?" Mobius asks incredulously.

Loki just shrugs, completely unbothered (and possibly a little bit amused).

Mobius clicks his tongue. Ah, he's got it. He figured it out. "It's the Frost Giant blood! I bet you don't even get cold, do you?"

Loki's face falls at that. He looks down at his hands, floating in the water in front of him. He may not say anything or shoot over any dirty looks, but doesn't take a Loki scholar like Mobius to realize he's upset.

"I didn't mean it like a bad thing," Mobius says quickly.

"Mm," Loki hums, unconvinced.

"I didn't," Mobius insists. "I don't care that you're a Frost Giant."

"That's what they all say," Loki mutters.

"I mean it," Mobius says. "I wasn't raised on Asgardian propaganda. As far as I'm concerned, the biggest difference between Asgardians and Jotuns is that Jotuns tend to be more blue."

Loki raises an eyebrow skeptically.

"Look," Mobius says, "I'm sorry for bringing it up. I forgot that's still a sore spot for you. And I know you don't want my validation because it won't do away with your insecurities, so if you want to change the subject, let's do it. Whatever will make you happy."

Loki gives a small smile. "You know me uncomfortably well."

"I tried to tell you that," Mobius says. "And you didn't believe me." He says that part teasingly, and he might be imagining it, but it really looks like Loki finds it just a little amusing.

Loki gestures with his head towards the middle of the lake and dives in, swimming out further into the water. When he comes up for air, he glances behind himself and gives Mobius a questioning look. Well, at least he knows he's invited.

"It's cold!" Mobius yells, the only thing stopping him from going after him.

"It's fun!" Loki yells back.

Mobius hesitates. He's already freezing. If he's going to move, he'd like to move out of the water, not further into it. But he's not sure he expects to get another chance with this Loki if he lets this one slip by, so he reluctantly swims out after him.

Loki waits until Mobius gets closer before he kicks his feet up, floating on his back with his gaze to the sky. Mobius glances up, too, but he finds the more beautiful view to be closer to eye-level, like the water sparkling in the sunshine and the trees hanging slightly past the shoreline. (Also, he has no memory of learning to swim so he's not confident enough in his ability to float on his back to attempt it right now.)

"I finally get why you like this place so much," Mobius tells him. "It's beautiful."

"Asgard or the lake?" Loki asks.

"Well, I meant the lake," Mobius says, "but the rest of Asgard is, too. It's like something out of a movie but better."

Loki cracks a smile. "I noticed. You've been captivated by the littlest things since we arrived."

"Because it's like nothing I've ever seen before," Mobius says. "Not in person, at least. There were some impressive sights in the TVA, but they pale in comparison to all of this."

Loki chuckles. "It really isn't that interesting."

"But it is!" Mobius says. "Even just this lake is interesting! I mean..." He scoops up a handful of water. "It's so clear! I feel like I could drink it!"

"Maybe don't do that," Loki says. "We have fresh water in the palace if you'd like some."

"I can't believe water can get fresher than this," Mobius says. "I just..." He looks around, a content smile on his face. "I really like Asgard."

Loki turns so his feet are in the water again, hovering above the sandy ground that has to be at least a foot below them. "Once the novelty wears off, you will see it for what it really is."

Mobius raises an eyebrow. "And what's that?"

"Boring," Loki says.

Mobius chuckles. "Oh, I doubt that."

"Just wait," Loki says. "You too will grow bored of this tiresome repetition."

"I worked an office job for as long as I can remember," Mobius tells him. "Believe me, I'm used to repetition. And, honestly, I like that."

"You do," Loki says skeptically.

"Yeah, I do," Mobius says. "I think I've had enough adventure for one lifetime. If I'm 'doomed' to live out the rest of my days in the most beautiful place I've ever seen where I can see my friends every day..." He shrugs. "Who am I to complain?"

"I suppose that helps," Loki remarks. "Having the other me and Sylvie."

"And you," Mobius adds with a smile, though Loki looks unconvinced. "As far as I'm concerned, I could be in the ninth circle of Hell, but as long as I have my friends, I'm happy." For the longest time, that had meant Ravonna. She could salvage even the worst days at work with a drink and a conversation. He may not have her anymore, but at least he has his Lokis. They share a different kind of friendship, but one just as important to him.

"Sounds nice," Loki says. "I wish I had your naïvety."

"Not naïvety," Mobius says. "Optimism. Naïvety implies it isn't true; optimism implies I'll make it true."

"Right," Loki says, almost condescendingly.

"That's your problem, you know," Mobius tells him. "You're too pessimistic. You can't have fun if you don't let yourself have fun."

"Or perhaps," Loki says, "there is just no fun to be had."

"There's always fun to be had," Mobius says, "as long as you want to have it."

Loki shakes his head to himself.

"You'll see," Mobius says. "Just you wait. I'm gonna get you to have more fun than you've ever had in your life."

Loki chuckles, unconvinced. "I would love to see you try."