Across All Time

Chapter 6- Not My Mobius (Loki)

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Found someone else.
No, He must be wrong. He lied.
It doesn't matter though, all that mattered was the 9 remaining days, and finding him.
Here I come, Mobius.

I knew for a fact Mobius was not here, or at least not my Mobius, so I decided to move on.
Is it weird to call him my Mobius?
Anyway, moving on.
It occurred to me that maybe I shouldn't just be looking for Mobius. I missed the others too. But it was just muscle memory that needed Mobius. And from there aroused the questions again. Who am I to him? Who is he to me? What would we be if... Well, first I should find him.
I passed through the time door into a rainy back alley. I changed clothes into something less conspicuous than a cape, although a suit didn't always blend in either.
Bright lights reflected in the puddles and I was quickly getting wet. A group of noisy drunks entered the alley, and I took it as my cue to go. The closest building I saw I entered, though a bit of enchantment was needed as it was a very expensive looking apartment building, and the security guards meant business. I entered the lobby and had a seat on a sofa.
What now?
And then I heard it, a very obnoxious group talking rubbish about someone. Someone familiar.
"...believe they are actually going to him. I didn't know those sites even worked, but everyday a new gay loser with daddy issues is showing up! This prank is almost going too far!"
"What is he even saying to these guys?!"
"Probably scaring them off and cursing our names, you know Michael isn't going to let us use his Jet skis anymore!"
Jet skis? A coincidence? Possibly, but who knows. I quickly checked the temp pad. A holographic 8 popped up.
8!? Did entering time doors change how long I have?
With time slipping by so fast, it made no sense not going for it. I approached the loud group, now saying homophobic crap, but I had bigger problems.
"Excuse me," I interrupted, they turned and looked at me. They were young, well dressed men, who smelt of money and privilege.
"Yes?" One asked, slightly bothered by my interruption.
"Well, I think I heard you talking about someone I am looking for, does your friend Michael look... older, or have a mustache and is he nearby?" I asked politely. The men looked at one another wide eyed and started snickering. I hear one wheeze something about 'daddy issues.'
What does he mean, 'daddy issues?' Do I..?
That is a whole new thing to unpack on a later date.
One man grinned at me meanly, but answered.
"Oh ya, Michael's room 317." I nodded and thanked them, but was shaking with rage at all the sexual comments and homophobia that they were blurting as I turned my back.
But they seemed to imply that I'm one of many people Mobius was seeing. He Who Remains said he moved on. This could be my Mobius.

After a short elevator ride, I was slightly calmer, but full of anticipation. I could be seeing Mobius again in just a few moments. I couldn't help but feel a smile break across my face. I didn't even bother to feel jealous of those other men who were interested in him.
I found the room labeled 317, took a breath, and knocked. I could hear shuffling and then a voice.
A familiar voice.
Gods, how I missed that voice.
"Who is it?" He asked as he opened the door.
His face.
He looked just the same.
He was in the process of tying his tie, and I had to hold back the urge to do it for him. My smile was even wider.
"Hi," I said, almost breathlessly.
But something was wrong. He looks sort of confused, and then he said "Hello... Do I know you?"
My smile faded. Any hope I felt faded.
"Well I thought you would but... umm... maybe I should go?" I turned away blushing.
"No wait! I think I understand... Can you come in?" He asked, fully opening his door. Despite all common sense telling me no, I did.

I was seated awkwardly on what must be a very expensive couch. His entire apartment was rich and modern. He roamed through the living room, finishing his tie and tidying up while chatting.
"You aren't the first one, I'm going to be honest. It's my stupid coworker's idea of a joke, throwing me on a queer dating site, but guess what?" He asked, making eye contact while reaching down to grab an old newspaper, "The jokes on them! I happen to like women and men, although through this 'prank' I have come to realize I enjoy more of the later. Anyway, I'm Michael, and you are...?"
"Um... Loki," maybe I should have lied about my name, but he was already being brutally honest about his...  companions.
"Ah, that's one you don't hear everyday. Well Loki, to be honest I was going drinking with the guys, but I would much rather prefer spending the night in your company, if you know what I mean,"
Oh gods no. If it wasn't already obvious that this wasn't my Mobius, his blunt... if you know what I mean, definitely wasn't him. I started blushing.
How do I get out of here?
"I could easily tell them that I'm tired of their so-called jokes and tell them not to bother me all night, leaving us," he motioned at me and him, "to do whatever we want. How does that sound?" He loosened the tie he just finished putting on.
Oh no, this is some kind of... I don't even know, Mobius variant. My Mobius wouldn't be like... this. Not that we really had an interaction like this.
Also, why was I not completely hating this?
He sat down next to me, putting his one arm around my shoulders and looking intensely at me.
Oh gods, oh gods.
"So?" He asked again.
I must have broken out of a trance, because all of a sudden, nothing felt more wrong than his arm around me. I got up off the couch and made a beeline for the door while saying quickly, "Sorry, not tonight. Go have fun with your coworkers,"
I paused and looked back at him when I was just walking out of the doorway, "You also know your coworkers are crap right?"
He looked shocked at my quick get away, but nodded at my question. "Well, so long," I said, and got out of the building as fast as I could.

Outside, it stopped raining. I felt overwhelmed by failure and hopelessness. How did I have any hope of finding Mobius? I went back to the alley and collapsed against the wall, too drained to care about the deep puddle I sank into.