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hobbit-in-space · 3 days ago

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The Painter, The Baron & The Thief //Prelude

summary: An unexpected invitation arrives.

pairing: eventually loki x mobius x zemo

notes: I've been thinking about an AU and wanted to write it down. inspired by some doodles I've made. This is also sort of a vampire au inspired by like bridgerton and other shows and romances i enjoy.

warnings: none

word count: 581

prelude

"Why can't you be more like your cousin Don?" His mother's disappointed voice echoed through the house, cutting the silence that had settled." He has a wife. Children!" She added with a dramatic sigh, as if the weight of Mobius bachelorhood was hers to bear.

“I worry about you Mobius, how will you ever find a wife if you keep hiding as you do." Her words drip with the usual judgment, as often was the case when he visits her.

“We can't all be as blessed." He pays her no mind sifting through the stack of letters on the hallway table, his mother’s voice now background noise. It was always like this when he came to see her to take care of things around the house, help with what was needed. At first her words hurt, each one a blow that took apart his self-worth. Reminding him of all his flaws and past mistakes. But now he had grown to pay her no mind.

“I am serious Mobius." She frowns." Don't you care for my poor health? My nerves?"

He glances in her direction, letters still in hand." Mother. As I've told you many, many times. I have no desire for a wife. I am doing fine on my own and my art has found its audience. I wish that you would take that into consideration."

“Art!" She huffs, her disapproval clear." Art won't get me grandchildren."

"No, it won’t." He said calmly, holding unto his patience." But it does bring you money, so not all is lost."

She didn't argue. Thankfully his art had provided them with a comfortable life and an excuse to escape marriage. It wasn't that he didn't seek companionship, it was just, he hadn't found it yet.

He had tried in his younger days, a few courtships here and there, hopeful beginnings, but it never worked in the end. Mobius wasn't meant for love or perhaps it was the other way around.

Love just wasn't meant to find him in this life.

He had made peace with that thought. His art was enough, as long as he could carry on painting than it was fine. Life became bearable.

As he returned to the letters one caught his attention, the envelope a deep purple, an oddity. He turns it in his hand intrigued by what it might contain, it was sealed with wax, a single letter pressed into it.

An unmistakable ‘Z’.

It couldn't be.

Mobius quickly reached for the letter opener, slicing through the seal trying his best not to damage it. Inside he was greeted by elegant penmanship, as well as golden flourished adornments that sat at the edge of the paper. It was beautiful.

Before he could read any further, his mother appeared beside him, having made her way to him with little sound.

“What is it?" She takes the letter from his hand, too late for Mobius to stop her.

Her eyes scanned the letter, widening with each line." Mobius! Do you know what this is?!"

Mobius doesn't answer, the words still not fully registering in his mind.

"An invitation! To the most lavish ball in town, the event of the year!" Her voice rose with excitement. “Oh, how exciting! What will I wear?" She disappears from the hallway, leaving him and the letter that had been carelessly discarded to the floor.

He reaches for it, reading the words again, to make sure that nothing had escaped him

An invitation.

From Baron Zemo.

#here goes the prelude for the vampire au!

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hobbit-in-space · 5 days ago

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Ink Lines Chapter 1

summary: Broken hearted and slightly tipsy Mobius crosses paths with someone unexpected.

pairing: zemo x mobius (will also be loki x mobius too if I continue with the story)

notes: I got inspired to write and decided to go ahead with was on my mind. This is part of an au I came up with! Here is an idea of how zemo looks in this au :)

warnings: none

word count: 2683

chapter 1 / chapter 2 (currently writing)

Mobius

Mobius pushed the door open, the cold air hitting his face as he stepped outside, he couldn't stand to stay another minute in the club. He wasn't sure what he had been expecting, in his mind things would have gone differently but then again him and Loki always had a talent to dance around each other, push one another buttons, Mobius could never truly figure out where he stood with them. Tonight had just been too much, he could handle the teasing, the will they won't they, but seeing Loki with someone else had hurt far more than he had expected.

Mobius drew in a slow breath, letting the sounds of the city wash over him, the distant sirens, the cars passing by, he needed to be somewhere else, anywhere else but here.

Without much of a plan Mobius started walking, one step after another, the buzz from his pocket breaking through his thoughts, Ravonna, probably asking where he had gone but he couldn’t text her back, not right now when his mind was still racing.

Mobius wasn't sure how long he had been walking, the city blurring past him until he found himself slumped outside of the steps of a tattoo parlor, its neon sign flickering above him. Tears started to fall. One after another, no matter how hard he had tried to hold it in, it all weighted down on him all at once. He felt ridiculous, falling apart like this over the foolish ideas he had created inside his head, elevating them in a pedestal, hoping that one day him and Loki would finally admit how they felt for each other. And now, the truth hit him hard, it had only ever been real in his head.

"Hey."

Mobius blinks, the voice cutting gently thought the haze, smooth and calming.

"Hey." The voice repeats one more time.

He looked up to find the source of the voice, framed in the doorway of the tattoo parlor was a man, bearded, with hazelnut hair that caught the glow of the neon sign on top of the establishment. There was curiosity in his eyes, a flicker of amusement playing at the corners of his lips, amused by the scene he had stumbled upon.

"We're closing." The man said.

"Oh, I-" Mobius hastily wiped the tears from his face, a sting of embarrassment hitting him. Caught crying by a stranger just what he needed." Sorry about that, I'm just-"

He didn't know how to begin to explain it, the words not wanting to come out, if he pressed on he would probably start crying again.

The man didn't insist, tilting his head to the side, voice gentle as he spoke. "Rough night?"

Mobius let out a laugh that cracked halfway through, almost a sob before he stopped himself. "Rough night."

The man gave a small nod, glancing back into the parlor before returning his gaze to Mobius." Would you like a drink?"

Mobius blinked, surprised by the offer." Seriously? I'm not exactly great company right now. I might start crying all over again or worse, ramble."

The man shrugged, faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth." You look like you need it and, trust me, I've had worse company, come on." He gestured for Mobius to follow inside.

Mobius hesitated for a moment before making up his mind, standing up and stepping inside the store, the man closing the door behind them, the sound of the city fading behind them.

He paused, taking in the space around him. It had been years since he'd walked into a tattoo shop, the first and only time being during his college days.

The store was sleek but stylish, almost like a gallery, with precise lines and intricate designs that graced the establishment walls and showed the creativity of the artists that worked there. Scattered throughout were small bursts of green, plants tucked into corners of the store, as his gaze followed each plant blue eyes landed on a tiny succulent by the counter, Mobius couldn't help but smile at it warmed by its presence. “hello” He whispered, waving in its direction. It was cute.

There was something unexpectedly comforting about the space, the shop reminded him of a different version of himself, younger and reckless, a time now long behind him.

Mobius hadn't noticed the stranger watching him again, not until he felt the others gaze burning into him.

There it was again something unreadable in his eyes, like the other man was trying to figure him out. He wondered what was going on in his head, what he most think of him, a complete stranger that not moments ago had been crying on the doorsteps of his store and now here he was smiling and speaking to a succulent like it was the highlight of his night.

Before Mobius could speak, the man broke the silence." Feel free to sit over there." He nodded towards a small round table with four chairs, each engraved with what seemed unique drawn patterns. Mobius did just that, taking a seat in one of the chairs, the soft sound of creaking beneath him.

The stranger disappeared behind the counter, returning moments later with a bottle and two glasses.

Mobius glanced up at the other." Thank you." He managed to say, voice low, still a bit embarrassed about getting caught just moments before.

The man poured them the drinks with ease." No need to thank me." The stranger settled down in the chair across form Mobius. “It looked like you were in desperate need of a drink." He pushed the glass towards him with a sympathetic smile." I won't ask you what's on your mind, that is private to you but this was the least that I could do, hopefully it provides a little comfort."

Mobius takes the drink in his hand, the cold glass grounding him. He offered a small smile in return." Thanks. I'm Mobius."

The man raised an eyebrow, amused." Mobius? A curious name, unique."

Mobius shrugged." Ask my parents, they thought it would be neat."

The stranger chuckled, the warm sound filling the room." I'm Zemo, it’s nice to meet you Mobius."

"Likewise." Mobius lifted the drink in a quiet toast before taking a sip.

A quiet moment stretched between them before Mobius found the courage to ask the question that had been on his mind." So do you often take in strangers that you find crying on your doorstep?" He asked with a half-smile, his moustache moving ever so slightly.

Zemo laughs, shaking his head." No, not common occurrence. But it didn't feel right leaving you out there."

Mobius looked down at his drink, watching the amber liquid with fake interest." Do you own the place?"

“Yes.” Zemo replies with a nod." There are two other artists who work here as well. A small team, but a good one."

Mobius takes another sip as he listens, nodding along, as he enjoys the burning sensation that is left behind, a reminder to not let himself get lost in his thoughts again.

Zemo leaned back slightly, brown eyes studying Mobius closely." Do you have any tattoos yourself, Mobius?"

Mobius could feel his cheeks heat up at the question." Uh- well," He lifted the glass to his lips, using it as a sort of shield." Sort of. Just one actually. Got it years ago and it was kind of a bet."

Zemo raised an eyebrow, amused by the admission." Kind of a bet? You're a curious man Mobius."

“I’m not sure about that, curious wouldn't be how I described myself." Mobius confesses." I was in college when I got it, out with friends, drinking was involved and someone dared me to get it, I foolishly said yes. Now it's just a reminder of questionable decisions."

Zemo tilted his head to the side." What is it?"

"What?"

“The tattoo, what did you get?" The man insists, amused.

"Oh." Mobius blinked, gripping his glass harder as if it would save him from further embarrassment." Nothing too wild. It's a Mobius strip but with waves."

Zemo grinned. "Can I see?"

Mobius laughed softly, setting the drink down not wanting to risk breaking it if his grip got any tighter." Maybe next time."

"So there will be a next time then?" Zemo hummed, finally taking a sip of his own drink, gaze still on Mobius.

Mobius was about to reply when there it was, the unwelcome buzzing sound coming from his jacket pocket. He doesn't check it at first, not right now when he is trying to forget everything that had unraveled earlier in the night, yet his phone buzzed again, insistent.

Mobius sighs, giving in. He pulls out his phone, glancing over the screen, there were a few text messages. One from Ravonna as he expected, a few from the group chat and then there it was. Loki.

Quickly he locks the screen and shoves the phone back into his pocket, he couldn't do this right now.

"Are you alright?" Zemo asks, swirling the liquid around in his glass with grace.

Mobius opened his mouth to speak but stopped himself, lips pressing into a thin line, as his jaw tightens. He hated feeling like this, jealousy didn’t suit him but when Loki was concerned he couldn’t help it, the other just brought those feelings out of him. “No.” He admitted, draining the rest of his drink." Have you ever-" He hesitated for a moment before sighing." Fallen for someone that, might not love you back?"

The question hovered between them, he felt silly for asking it out loud, too old to be tangled in this kind of heartache.

The tattoo artist breaths in." Ah." He murmurs." I should have guessed."

“That obvious?" Mobius glances at him.

Zemo shook his head gently." I wouldn't say obvious, but you do have this air about you... Like someone that has gotten hurt, a wound that they are trying to hide."

"Not well enough from the looks of it." A hollow laugh escapes his lips, if this continued he would break down again. “It’s my own fault. I made it all up in my head." He has to stop himself, the frustration starting to build up from inside, but he can't." I just wished that it wasn't so complicated, I don't know. I should know better than this and now here I am, dumping all of this one you. You probably just want to close up your store and go home, forget you ever met me."

Zemo didn't answer right away, when he did his voice was calm and steady. “Give yourself some grace. It's been a long night, tomorrow it might not seem all that bad. And as I said before, I've had worse company." He sets his drink down on the table, a soft clink as the glass hit the wooden table. “I wouldn't have invited you in if I didn't want to."

His gaze moves down toward Mobius jacket where his phone buzzed again, annoyingly persistent." Clearly someone cares about you or they wouldn't be trying to reach you. That means something." Zemo’s features soften as he continues. “Unrequired love is... A tricky thing. But you'll find your way through it."

Mobius nodded, a sigh escaping his lips." You're right." He agrees, rubbing the back of his neck to release some of the tension away." I'm overthinking everything. I should probably head home."

“Let me call you a cab." Zemo said, quickly getting up from his sit and moving behind the counter before Mobius could protest.

Mobius watched him go, still unsure of what to make of this man who seemed to see right through him. There seemed to be a quiet understanding between one another.

Zemo returned a moment later. “It will be here in ten minutes."

"Thank you, really." Mobius looked around the store for a brief moment, then lifted his empty glass with a faint smile." You didn't have to but I do appreciate you listening to me, giving me a drink."

"It was nothing." Zemo commented with a shrug." Glad that I could assist in some small way."

A comfortable silence settled between them as they waited. They stood there in each others company until the distant hum of the cab could be heard from outside, the headlights cutting through the quiet street.

Mobius rose from his sit, brushing his jacket as he made his way to the door, Zemo following behind him matching his steps.

“I wish there was more I could do," Mobius chuckled softly, the night air cooling his flushed cheeks as he opened the door." I know I keep saying thank you but..."

Zemo smiles back at him. "If you ever consider getting another tattoo in the future maybe you'll think of this place.”

Mobius nodded, giving Zemo a wave goodbye as he started walking towards the cab, but then, as he was about to open the door he stops, standing in place, hand hovering over the handle as a feeling tugs at him. He needed to do something, say something. He turned around, trying to find any excuse for one more goodbye when he noticed him.

Zemo was standing not far, just a few steps away, holding out a card between his fingers for him to take, like he had been waiting for Mobius to turn.

“Here." He said simply.

Mobius takes it, their fingers gently brushing against each other as he does, a quick and brief moment that causes his heart to skip a beat. Ignoring it, he looks over the card, the gold lettering catching his attention and then a name. Helmut Zemo. Followed by a number below it.

"Thank you." He says one more time, eyes meeting Zemos." I'll keep it safe.”

With one last goodbye Mobius slides into the cab, the door closing with a thud. As the car starts to pull away he looks back through the window, Zemo still standing outside the store, his figure framed by the neon light that still glows above the door.

Mobius waves back, one hand still holding the card.

As the other disappears from his view, Mobius slumps into the sit his attention back on the card in his hands, blue eyes fixed on the name engraved in it, he repeats it quietly under his breath.

Zemo

He didn't know exactly what he was feeling, but it was there. A warmth that hadn't been there before.

Zemo

Zemo waited until the cab was gone before heading back inside, finally locking the door behind him and turning the neon sign off.

There was a lingering feeling from when their fingers accidentally brushed together as Mobius took the card. It was brief, but it was there.

I'll keep it safe.

Mobius had said, holding the card like it meant something more than just a piece of paper.

Zemo had been surprised by the man, at first he had thought about not getting involved, it wasn't the first time someone had sat on the doorsteps of the tattoo parlor when he was about to close. But something had been different this time, part of him wanted to help or maybe there had been an interest from the start, a pull of sorts, captivated by what was going on in Mobius head.

He walked closer to the table, grabbing the now empty glasses and the half bottle that had been left forgotten. He would clean those later, tomorrow morning, Zemo decided taking note not to forget.

Zemo moved behind the counter setting everything down. He stays there a moment letting his thoughts wander. His mind was still on Mobius. The way his expression had shifted when the name, Loki, flashed across his phone screen. Zemo had only caught a glimpse but the reaction had told him everything, the source of the heartache. The unrequited love.

He wondered what had happened between them, there seemed to be history there.

One by one Zemo turned off the lights, making his way to the back door, glancing one last time at the empty space where Mobius had been.

There was a chance they wouldn't cross paths again, Mobius would probably forget their meeting but part of him hoped that wouldn't be the case.

#the thing that i wrote pls enjoy

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