It takes a few days for Loki to make his way down to Sleipnir's stable. When he arrives at the stall, Sleipnir whinnies and shifts, tossing his head. Loki strokes his snout and nuzzles against his face, whispering to him, stroking his mane. Sleipnir nips at Loki's sleeve when he tries to take a step back.

"I'm not going anywhere. Not yet. But let me brush you and untangle a few of these knots in your mane. Lord knows you don't want these tangles to get worse." He takes his time, gently working through the hair until it is sleek and soft. Sleipnir lays down and Loki tucks himself against his side. Sleipnir huffs at him and curls his legs protectively around Loki.

"You've missed me, haven't you?" The snuggles that follow assure Loki that the answer is yes. He smiles, "I'm so glad. I was worried your new friends would be so much better than I am at playing with you that you might forget me. I may be your mother, but we've hardly spent enough time together and it isn't like I was able to raise you. We rarely saw each other when you were young. Odin didn't even let me be the one to teach you to allow a saddle placed on your back."

Sleipnir nips at his shoulder and harumphs at him; Loki laughs, "I know, he wasn't exactly a good parent to me sometimes. There were things he did well, but others...well, there were things I wish he hadn't done." He sighs and Sleipnir grunts at him, "Oh, just the way he treated Thor as the brighter rising star; the lessons he taught us about other worlds weren't always fair to them; and the way he characterized Jotunheim, knowing I was one of them; not telling me I was adopted in the first place...." Sleipnir whinnys, "I suppose that is a rather long list...." Loki lays down on Sleipnir, the warmth of the great horse comforting. He closes his eyes, "I'm so sorry I lost sight of what I have right in front of me. I have so much I'm struggling with and it's hard to stay in the present sometimes."

Sleipnir sighs and rests his head. Loki starts to fall asleep against him. He's snoring lightly when Bucky checks in on him. Bucky sits down in the stall corner and waits, keeping watch, hoping Loki once again sleeps peacefully.

But he doesn't, and not even a half an hour after Bucky settled into his vigil, Loki starts muttering in his sleep, clearly distressed. Sleipnir rouses and neighs, wondering what his mother's doing. Loki starts to toss in his sleep and Bucky moves closer, wondering what he can do to help his friend. When Loki starts yelling, there are no words, just absolute terror. Sleipnir tries to scamper away, dumping Loki on the ground. Loki curls in on himself, his knees to his chest arms over his head, still crying out.

Bucky gathers him up and tries to wake him, "Loki. Loki. Come on, you need to wake up." He gently shakes him, "Wake up, Loki, you're not back there anymore." Loki doesn't wake up until something startles him and he scrambles to a sitting position, breathing heavy, eyes wide. Bucky reaches out and hovers his hands above Loki's shoulder, intending to try to steady his friend, but not wanting to surprise him with the touch, "Hey...it's alright. It's just me." Loki's eyes dart between his shoulders and Bucky removes his hands.

"What did I do?" Loki asks.

"Nothing I haven't done," Bucky answers, "But I think you spooked Sleipnir."

Loki turns to see Sleipnir laying against the far wall, "Oh...I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." Sleipnir huffs. "I'll be alright. It's just nightmares." Loki smooths the front of his shirt and sits cross-legged facing Bucky, "I was yelling, wasn't I?"

"Yeah, you were."

Loki sighs, "I hate that the memories don't let me sleep."

"There's always Shuri's hot chocolate," Bucky offers.

Loki smiles, "Yes, this is true. And it was quite good. But I won't have that when I leave here and I need to figure out how to sleep then, too."

"Well you haven't gotten to that point yet, so take advantage of her magic while you can."

"That seems reasonable."

Bucky stands and offers him a hand, "Do you want to come back up to the human world or are you staying down here for a little bit longer?"

Loki looks over to Sleipnir, "I'll be back before too long and we can go running then. But right now...I think I need to go find something to eat." He pulls a handful of carrots from the air, "Here...a peace offering until I can come again." Sleipnir eats them eagerly and sniffs his hand for more. Loki laughs, "No, not now. But when I come back, I'll bring more of them." He takes Bucky's hand and lets the other man help him to his feet.

They leave the stable; when they are partway down the hall, Bucky turns to Loki, "Look...coming to check on you wasn't the only reason I came down here. I've got some bad news. The US government's decided they want me sooner than we'd planned...like, today. I'm leaving as soon as the helicopters get here. They didn't tell anybody they were coming – Shuri's pissed that they'd just ignore Wakandan sovereignty. Her mom's been advising her on how she should respond when they land, but...let's just say there's going to be a chilly reception for the agents they send for me."

Loki's face falls, "How long do we have?"

"Maybe just a few hours. Want to go out to the cabin and have some tea?" Loki nods.

They are still sitting together outside of Bucky's home when the black helicopters come into view. Bucky washes their mugs, makes sure everything is in order in his house, and slings a duffel bag over his back before they leave. Loki walks with him to the palace.

Shuri, dressed as a young queen, resplendent with her skin painted and bedecked in jewels, stands beside her mother. An agent is addressing them both.

Loki and Bucky walk in to hear, "...the war criminal and international terrorist James Buchanan Barnes. If he's not handed over to us within the next three hours, the United States will consider this a hostile action and act accordingly if Wakanda harbours-"

"Oh for fuck's sake," Bucky says, cutting the agent off, "I'm right here."

Loki tries not to smirk as the agent turns to them, a look of shock on his face.

"You're...not going to resist this, are you?" the agent asks.

Bucky shrugs, "I mean, I could, and if I wanted to, none of you would be in one piece by the time I was done, but I don't really think that's a great idea, for the sake of Wakanda. Kinda like it here, don't want to hurt anybody that doesn't deserve it. Don't really like how you showed up to the party a few days early and without an invitation, though."

"The US government-"

"Don't really give a damn about your excuses," Bucky says, "Wakanda's not the US and you need to get that into your head. Knock off this colonizer bullshit." He sees Shuri biting her lip, trying to keep her composure, holding back laughter. Her mother looks amused.

"Excuse me?" the agent says.

"Nah, there's no excuse for this. Just the US being a bully state. Again." Bucky shrugs, "So...you going to actually take me somewhere or are we going to just keep talking?"

The agent turns to the royal family, "Queen Ramonda-"

She shakes her head and stops him, "No. Not queen. She is queen," she says, nodding to Shuri.

The agent stops, a little shaken, and then continues, "Queen Shuri, if there's anything you'd like to add to the charges against Barnes, we're happy to consider them."

Shuri shakes her head, "No. Sergeant Barnes was a considerate guest in Wakanda and is a friend to the throne. You would be wise to consider that in your treatment of him. We will be watching." She pauses, "But I would like a moment to say goodbye, as would some of my companions."

The agent shrugs and says something into his earpiece before nodding.

Before Shuri can turn around to call for him, Peter jogs from the palace, straight to Bucky, and gives him a hug, "Mr. Barnes, I'm gonna miss you."

"Hey, we'll be on the same continent again soon. When I can, I'll send you a message, OK, kiddo?"

Peter nods, "Yeah, please do."

Bucky pats his back and Peter steps away, "Take care of yourself."

Thor is the next person to say his goodbyes to Bucky and he thanks him for his friendship and the care he showed Loki.

Loki simply nods to Bucky, "I can't express how deeply indebted to you I am. I owe you my life. And as much as I didn't want to...I'm glad I do. But please...find a way to get word you're alright when you're able."

Bucky offers to put his hand on Loki's shoulder and Loki smiles, so he does, "Loki...you're one of the only people I think knows a little about what it's like in my head. Thanks for taking tea with me and all. And for introducing me to Sleipnir. Take care, buddy, and tell him I'm gonna miss him, too."

"I will, James. Be well. I will miss you."

"Same here."

Bucky walks away and stops in front of Shuri and Ramonda; he shallowly bows to them, "Thank you both for everything you've done for me since I got here. You undid a lot of mess and let me stay when I needed the safety. I'm not going to forget this."

Shuri's stoic expression dissolves as she steps forward and hugs him, "Goodbye. I'll be watching out for you. As always."

Ramonda gives her daughter a moment and then places her hand on Shuri's back, a gentle reminder that she has to act as queen, not as Bucky's friend.

Shuri steps back and addresses the agent, "You may take him from our nation, but know this: it is not without reservation that we do this and not without anger. You violated our right to secure boarders by crossing into our airspace without notice, demanding to take someone from us, breaking the agreement we made regarding this situation. That is the action of a country with no respect for others and no consideration for the right to our self-determination. We don't appreciate this and you will tell your superiors that it will not happen again, am I absolutely clear?"

"Ma'am, the US government-"

"Do I make myself clear?" Shuri says, emphasizing each word, "May it be known that I fully understand how your country has treated other African nations. Wakanda requests a formal diplomatic meeting to discuss this violation of our sovereignty at the soonest date possible. You will also tell your superiors this. We will be waiting and I will be pursuing this through other diplomatic means if I haven't received word within three days."

"With all due respect," the agent says, "I don't know that I can do that."

"Then I suppose you'd better hope your superiors can," Shuri says.

He hurriedly nods and turns to Bucky, "Are you ready to go?"

"That's why I'm still standing here, waiting," Bucky says.

As they're leaving, Bucky waves and they all wave back.

Loki hears Shuri mutter under her breath once the agent is out of earshot, "Good riddance, colonizer...." She turns to her mother, "So...how did I do?"

Ramonda nods, "Well, my child. These nations need to know that Wakanda is strong and you have more than said it today."

Shuri leans against her mother, "I'm going to miss him."

Peter steps over and takes her hand, "Me too."

Loki nods, "And I as well."

Thor joins them, "Yes, the same."

Ramonda sighs, "Come, all of you – this won't be an easy transition, but I know what we all need right now."

"Oh?" Shuri asks.

"Yes," Ramonda replies, "We need ice-cream and chocolate and possibly some coffee. Let's go treat ourselves while we get used to this."

"And we should definitely have whipped cream on it to celebrate Shuri telling that agent off," Peter says, "That was pretty badass."

Ramonda grins, "Yes, my child, it most certainly was."

They gather in a private living room full of fluffy cushions, soft chairs, and low tables. Palace staff brings them their treats and they spend the time quietly together, all of them a little worried about what awaits Bucky back in the United States. Shuri tells them what little she knows. Bucky will be dealing with psychological evaluations, criminal tribunals, and strict security measures while they determine if he's a threat to others. Wakanda has sent their data and the science behind the deprogramming Shuri did. But the question is if the United States will believe them.

Long after the treats are gone, Ramonda leaves and the four friends to themselves. Shuri cuddles up beside Peter and cries, overwhelmed. Thor sits beside them and rests his hand on her back. Loki feels awkward, staying at a distance, but he doesn't know what he should do. His eyes meet Thor's and Thor nods to him, indicating he should come over. Loki slides closer. It takes him a few moments to be beside the teens, but when he is, he can't help but reach out to rest his hands over theirs. Shuri clasps his hand and cries harder, the full weight of everything that's expected of her fully weighing on her shoulders.

"Princess, Loki says with gentle affection...I know this is hard. But please, remember you aren't alone. And there's no way you can do worse than I did when I was handed a throne before I was ready." She almost laughs through her sobs. "Exactly, my friend – you did an excellent job with your first act of diplomacy and you didn't decide to destroy the United States, so you've already sped far ahead of my first venture." This time, there's a small smile, "I know you're worried about James, but...you have the eyes and ears of Wakanda at your fingertips. The world knows your tiny nation was a battlefield for the entire universe and you all rose to meet one of the most vicious tyrants I've ever known in a war you knew you were unlikely to win. My child...the world will not discount the will of Wakanda and if you choose to speak in favour of James, you will be heard."

This time, Shuri does smile, sitting up and wiping her eyes with her free hand, still holding his, "Thank you, Loki. It means a lot that you see this in me."

Thor smiles, "Shuri, you are already a strong queen. I wish our mother could have met you – she would have been just as proud of you as we are. And I hope some day you can meet the king of New Asgard and strike up a diplomatic relationship with our tiny nation. I think you and Valkyrie will have a wonderful time together."

"I hope to," Shuri says, "It will give me an excuse to occasionally visit when I might need to somehow justify it. And I want to play with your scientists. I think they'd like access to my labs, too."

"Absolutely," Thor says, "We will find ways for you to come to New Asgard for diplomatic reasons and for us to visit you because you're our friend."

Loki lightly squeezes her hand, "But you don't need an excuse, Shuri. You can visit whenever you'd like."

She nods and smiles, "Thank you. You're always welcome in Wakanda, too. Our home is your home."

Loki leans against Thor, happy. It is the first time he's felt at peace and at home in a very long time.