Loki retreats to the far side of the lake, watching the revels from afar, until the golden portals open and groups of people return home. He knows one of them leads to New Asgard, but he isn't ready to see it yet. His thoughts are heavy and he also knows he carries precious cargo in a little pocket dimension only he can access.

He hears footsteps approaching from behind him and whirls to see who approaches, daggers at the ready, "No closer – identify yourself. Come where I can see you."

Bucky steps from between the trees, hands raised, "Hey, it's just me."

Loki sighs and the daggers disappear, "Ah, yes. What do you want of me?"

Bucky shrugs, "Can a guy come to check on you without wanting something?"

"I suppose."

Bucky sits on a rock on the shore, "So...I thought you said you weren't going to come."

"I did."

"But...?"

"But a monk stepped through the portal and told me I could end this. I wanted to simply leave this to someone else, but...I needed to see Thanos die. And when I looked through, I found the opportunity to be the one to do it," Loki says.

Bucky nods, "Makes sense. So...before this, I told you I'd tell you some stuff if we made it. Given we both did, I owe you a story."

"And I you – if I recall, I offered something of my own story," Loki answers.

"Cool – I'm gonna ask you one thing, though," Bucky says, looking to Loki.

"Oh?"

"You're not allowed to feel sorry for me. What I went through was hell, but...it happened. I don't need pity. It is what it is. You can like it or not, feel however you want about me, but in the end...I can't change a damned thing and I don't want to feel like I'm supposed to justify anything to you or anybody else."

Loki smiles, "I assure you, I feel the same way about my own story. I can do this for you, so long as you can for me."

"Good. Settle in, Loki, it's time for storytime with Sergeant Bucky Barnes." Loki sits on the grass beside him and winces as he lowers himself down. "Before we start...you do realize you're bleeding a lot from that shoulder?"

Loki glances at the gash made by Thanos' blade, "Ah. So I am."

"You didn't notice?"

"Given some of the ways in which I've been injured, this seems rather minor."

"Jesus Christ, Loki, what the hell happened to you?"

Loki waves over his shoulder and magic begins to ease the wound clean, drawing the worst of it back together, "Ah, but it's storytime with Sergeant Barnes first, my friend. And after, perhaps we'll have storytime with Loki Odinson, rightful heir of Jotunheim."

Bucky laughs, "Fair enough. So...story starts something like eighty years ago in New York City when Steve and I tried to join the army – I got in, the runt didn't, at least not until he tried to cheat his way in and got caught. One of us became a super soldier for the US. The other of us had to do things the hard way. But let's just say the war went very differently for the both of us..." Bucky continues his story, telling Loki about his capture, Hydra, his own super soldier experience, and the brainwashing that turned him into the Winter Soldier. He tells him about some of the missions he remembers or he's discovered since, and he talks about Steve's determination to save him and what it took to do so. He speaks fondly of Wakanda and the brilliant young Shuri who gave him his chance to start his life anew.

Then he turns to Loki, "So...there you have it. I went from the kid from Brooklyn always trying to get Steve out of trouble to the guy hiding in a hut in Wakanda afraid of my own head. I'm damned lucky Steve made the connections he did and got me there. Shuri's the reason I'm alive and safe for any of you to be around."

Loki nods, "It seems like she is a remarkable young person. I hope I can meet her some day."

"Well I'm headed back there after we're done here. You and Thor should come see the place, take a break for a little while."

"I'll talk to him about it. I suppose now it's my turn to share something."

"Only if you want to," Bucky says, "You don't owe me shit."

"We do have something else in common," Loki says. "Someone else has taken our minds and used them against us. But my story starts a lot longer ago than a mere eighty years. If you multiply that by ten, you're getting closer. You see, I was adopted from a race of people our culture has hated and feared for many generations, and my parents decided it best not to tell me until I discovered it quite by accident. You can imagine this did not exactly go well..." Loki tells Bucky what he has told Thor about his fall and what Thanos did to him there. It isn't everything – there are things that happened in Thanos' realm he knows he will likely never tell anyone at all. But it is enough to establish that there were horrors and tortures and mind control at play that broke him, shattered him, and remade him. He tells of what happened after, of his father's punishment, his mother's death, and their vengeance in Svartalfheim. He tells of his death, one more in a line of many, and of his excruciating return to life and to Asgard. The words come easily when he tells of the most recent branch of their story, of Thor and Hela and Odin, though he doesn't share everything he paid to get in the good graces of the Grandmaster. And then he is near to the present, his most recent brush with death, and Thanos' massacre of their people on the Statesman.

When he finishes, he folds his hands and shrugs, "And so...here we are. I've killed Thanos and I hope that somehow, it finishes this chapter and I can move on."

Bucky nods, "Yeah, will be nice if it does. But remember...brains don't always work like that. People do terrible shit to you and they die and then you still feel like they've got their hooks in you years later sometimes. Be ready for that – don't let it surprise you if you can't just get over the whole torture and mind control thing."

"I didn't think I'd ever find someone who could relate to this in the least," Loki says quietly.

"Yeah, same here. It's not like there's a lot of us out there. Lots of traumatized soldiers, but the little extra bit of hell that we've gone through..."

"I was only under mind control for a few years," Loki says, "I'm not sure it quite compares to how long you were subjected to it."

"Don't you dare dismiss it," Bucky says, "Just because it was different doesn't mean this is the mindfuck Olympics and you get to try to put yourself in second or some shit."

Loki laughs, "Alright, Barnes. I'll stop...for now."

"I'll keep reminding you so you stop more often than just now. Shuri taught me that. We can't just keep insisting that our pain doesn't count because somebody's had it worse. Bullshit. It still hurts us and working on that's what we need to focus on."

"She sounds wise."

"You should meet her mom."

"I hope to," Loki says. He hears footsteps and turns to see Thor walking toward them, "Ah – it seems we have a guest."

Thor smiles at them, "Hello! Are you both alright? The science minded among us have gone to fix the time-travel device so we can return the Infinity Stones to their rightful places in history. All will be right with the flow of time before too long."

"Good – I'll be glad to no longer have them in my possession," Loki says, "Despite...everything, I hope I never see an Infinity Stone again for the rest of my life."

"They were destroyed in our present timeline," Thor says, "So I doubt you ever will."

Bucky nods, "So...you're going to have to fill me in on how we all appeared again in a field in Wakanda after we turned to dust because whatever the hell happened...there wasn't time for the portal guy to tell us."

Thor settles in beside Loki and starts telling of their daring quest to bring back half of all life in the universe.

After it all, Loki finds himself struggling to stay focused. He is exhausted and hungry and the adrenaline rush from the battle is wearing off. He shakes his head and tries to clear his mind, but it doesn't work very well.

Bucky notices and stands, "Hey...let's go get some rest. I know there's nothing left of the compound, but there's always Wakanda."

"I don't want to intrude," Loki says, "And I don't always sleep quietly."

Bucky shrugs, "Guess we have another thing in common, then. Nightmares suck, but it's nothing I'm not used to. Come on – let's all three of us find someplace to crash." He offers Loki a hand and he accepts the help getting up. The three men walk back toward the battlefield where other Avengers are regrouping. Steve jogs over to Bucky and the men share a tearful reunion. Others who haven't seen each other since they turned to dust hug and cry, laughing with the relief that they've found one another. Thor embraces his friends, but stays close to Loki.

Dr. Strange opens portals for those who have places to go and families with whom they need to reunite. The handful of people left on the battlefield gather to discuss what to do next. A young woman their solution.

"Come to Wakanda. Our scientists can help yours fix your time-travel device so we can right the timeline faster and without having to pick your equipment from the rubble. And you will all have places to rest."

Bucky points to her, "That's Shuri – the girl I was telling you about."

Loki nods, "And princess of Wakanda, correct?"

"Yeah, but her brother died on the battlefield, so..."

Shuri hears them and nods solemnly, "Yes, he did. And so I am heir to the throne of a nation. But I am also a scientist and I will rebuild what we need to restore time to its proper place. A throne cannot dislodge my curiosity."

"Never thought it would, Shuri," Bucky says, "Pretty sure they couldn't pry that from you in this life or next." She smiles at him, her expression proud.

A teenage boy shifts between feet, "So...what if I want to see Wakanda, but I really really need to see Aunt May first?"

Dr. Strange shrugs, "You're from New York, right?" The boy nods. "Easy – I'll send them to Wakanda, you and I can go back to the city, and when you're ready, you can come to me."

Shuri looks over the group of people, "So...the rest of you are coming to Wakanda?"

Thor nods, "Until the time-travel device is ready, at least."

Dr. Strange opens a portal. Shuri gestures for her guests to step inside.

Thor rests his hand on Loki's shoulder and gently pushes him toward the portal, "Don't, Thor," Loki says quietly.

Thor looks at him puzzled, "You don't want to go?"

Loki shakes his head, "No, not that – I mean, I don't really want to be anywhere at this point, but at least it's not New Asgard...I don't want to face them yet. But don't move me. Please."

The look in Loki's eyes tells Thor there's more here than simply resisting being told what to do and he wracks his brain for anything Loki has told him that might fill in why, "This is related to something you haven't said yet, isn't it?"

"Not entirely, but I haven't given details."

Thor nods and removes his hand, brushing his fingers against Loki's hand instead; Loki takes it, squeezes it, and lets go, a small sign of affection he doesn't know how else to show.

"I can send for Sleipnir, if you'd like," Thor offers, "I'm sure we could bring him here."

Loki's face brightens, "I'd like that very much. He didn't turn to dust, did he?"

"No, he didn't. And I took care of him myself, as did Valkyrie. She's the only other person who knows how he came to be."

"Ah...I'm definitely not ready to go to New Asgard yet, then."

"She did not judge you for it, Loki. She was rather incensed at the All-Father denying your right to him and shuttering you from those who could help you," Thor reassures him. He then turns to Dr. Strange, "I have something...well, someone, I need to retrieve from New Asgard to bring to Wakanda. Could you open a portal?" Then he addresses Shuri, "And will you allow us to bring a rather unique creature with us?"

"What sort of creature?"

"A magical, intelligent, eight-legged horse."

Here eyes widen, "I'd like to see such an animal – so yes."

Dr. Strange shrugs, "Suit yourself – I'll open that portal after they're all through. Your brother want to go ahead of you?"

Loki looks a little lost for a moment until Bucky steps beside him, "I'll stick with you, alright?"

Loki glances between him and Thor and when Thor nods and tells him to go ahead, Loki steps into Wakanda with someone he thinks he might some day be able to call his friend.

#

After he has been shown his rooms, Loki strips from his armour, takes a shower, and pulls the clothes he was given on the Milano from his pocket dimension. He changes into them and settles in on the window bench, wondering when Thor will return. It isn't long before he sees a golden shimmer into existence on the vast plain he can see from his window. With the distance, he can hardly tell that the man who steps through is his brother, but Sleipnir is unmistakable. Loki runs, barefoot, out of his room, and bolts through the corridors. He knows he should slow down, act dignified, and behave like the prince he is, but his son is running through the wide-open grassland and seeing him made Loki's heart lighter. When he comes to the courtyard, he stops running and waits, leaning on the wall, trying to get that first look at them coming down the street.

Bucky joins him, "So...you were running pretty fast – everything alright? You forgot your shoes."

"Not forgot – neglected."

"OK, you neglected your shoes. Doesn't answer my question – everything alright?"

Loki hears the hoofbeats approaching, "Yes – for the first time in so very long, something is about to be exceptionally right."

Sleipnir rounds the corner, Thor riding on his back, and Loki can't help but laugh, his joy bubbling from his chest in a way he'd assumed was no longer possible. He runs to meet them, Thor leaping from Sleipnir's back before he is fully stopped. Loki throws his arms around Sleipnir's neck and buries his face in the horse's mane. He starts crying, relieved his son is safe. Unlike most other times when he has shown intense emotions, this time he doesn't cast an illusion to hide it.

Thor walks over to Bucky, "Let's give them a few minutes, shall we?"

"So...he told me he rescued the horse from Asgard when it was burning, but I get the feeling there's more to that story than he's telling me."

Thor nods, "Yes, there is. But I'm not going to share it – Loki has been through far too much for me to break the fragile trust we've been able to rebuild by revealing too much. What Sleipnir means to him is something he holds incredibly close to his heart. If you gain his trust, he might tell you. But only two people living know the full story of how they came to be as they are."

"Assuming you're one of them, who's the other?"

"Valkyrie – the acting regent of New Asgard. She helped me care for Sleipnir when Loki was turned to dust," Thor answers. "I thought it best she know just how important it was that we and we alone care for him in Loki's absence."

Bucky nods as he watches Loki. He is whispering to Sleipnir, his fingers gently woven in his mane, his forehead resting against Sleipnir's cheek. Then he steps back from him, scritches the horse's ears, and they walk to Thor and Bucky.

"I trust you find that we took care of him well?" Thor asks.

"He is healthy and happy, Thor. Thank you so very much," Loki replies, "I don't want to lose him again. A part of me wants to curl up with him tonight and let his breathing soothe me to sleep, but I know that isn't practical."

"Do you want to talk to the leaders here, or shall I?"

"I will," Loki says, "So if you would please lead us to them..."

Bucky nods, "Sure, but I don't know if they're going to let an eight-legged horse in the palace."

They hear a young voice from behind them, "He will absolutely be allowed in the palace – he's glorious." They turn to see Shuri approaching them, eyes wide, smiling, "Will he let me touch him?"

Loki nods as she approaches, "This is Sleipnir – one of Asgard's greatest treasures."

She nods and extends her hand so Sleipnir can sniff it, "Hello, Sleipnir. My name is Shuri. I am the heir to throne of Wakanda. Welcome to my home." He whinnies quietly in response and she gently pats his snout, "I don't know what you're thinking, but we'll take good care of you here. I know just the place." She looks between Sleipnir and Loki, "Follow me." Side-by-side, they do. Bucky and Thor follow. Loki tenses, hearing footsteps behind him from people he can't see. He keeps his hand resting on Sleipnir's side to steady himself.

Shuri leads them to a quiet lower level of the palace where there are large stables with plenty of room for the animals within to either lay down or walk, "There were once elephants kept here – not so much anymore, but once in a while, someone visiting from another part of our nation brings a creature with them that needs this space. For now, it belongs to Sleipnir." She opens the largest of the stalls and Loki walks him in. The straw is fresh, there is a feed trough with his supper, and a bucket of carrots outside the door. Loki takes a handful with him as he enters the stall and feeds them to Sleipnir. After taking them and eating from the trough, Sleipnir drinks and then lays down. Loki curls up beside him.

"You can stay here with him as long as you like," Shuri says, "Though I would advise sleeping in a bed made for creatures in our shape, just so your back isn't sore in the morning. But if you choose to be here overnight, I don't mind."

Loki smiles, his head resting on his son's side, "Thank you. I'm so grateful you're giving him this space and allowing us this time."

"Of course," she replies, "He's clearly very special to you. I would be a terrible person to separate you, especially after the ordeals we've all been through. He seems to brings you peace."

"One of the few things that does," Loki replies, his eyes closed as he relaxes against Sleipnir.

"We'll leave you two be," Shuri says, stepping out of the stall and closing the door behind her. She gestures for Bucky and Thor to follow, "Let them rest. You both know where to find them. I have a feeling Loki will be spending most of his time either here or in his rooms. He he has much to recover from."

Thor nods, "That he does."

"And you?" she asks, looking to Bucky.

"Remarkably, I think I'm doing alright. I know there's stuff I have to do back in the States, but...I think I'm fine for now. Can't stay long, though – somebody's already been trying to get in touch about the whole Winter Soldier history. I've got a lot to atone for to earn my way back into society."

"Yes, but we've proven you're stable and Wakanda will send records relating to your recovery to the United States. You won't be starting from nothing."

"Thanks. Right now, though, I think I'm going to take a nap. From one battle to turning to dust to another battle...I'm ready to sleep for a few days," Bucky says.

Thor smiles, "I think we all are, even if we didn't just return from dust. That you and all those who did were able to fight as you did is remarkable."

"Yeah, well...when you get to kick the ass of the guy who turned you into powder, you take it and run."

They return to the hallway where they have their quarters and go their separate ways.