The Visit

Yesterday is History

Loki was resting his hand on Bucky's leg. There were delegates from Wakanda coming today to discuss the usage of one of their spaceships. Loki was thrilled to meet the people who had the closest thing mortals had to alien technology in their hands. Bucky was less so. Though he was grateful to them for being able to get hydra out of his head, and the people were kind enough, he still didn't have the fondest memories of the facility.

Bucky fought off the soldiers intending to drag him back to hydra. One of them held him with her spear. Another injected something into his neck that made him drop like a sack of potatoes.

When he woke up about an hour later he was told he had a violent ptsd attack. That happened often and they tried to make him comfortable but there was only so much they could do.

Loki understood his anxiety and turned into a cat so Bucky could pet him. Tony raised an eyebrow but apparently thought it was better not to ask.

Steve walked into the meeting area with four Dora Milaje surrounding the King and princess of Wakanda.

Loki turned back into himself, keeping a hand on James' knee while everyone kept looking between the wakandans and the brunet
soldier.

The King looked at Bucky and nodded his head. "How are you Sergeant Barnes?"

Bucky's voice was a bit stiff. "I've been better, your majesty."

"I am sorry to hear that," T'challa responded gently. He noticed the tenseness in the man's posture as soon as he walked in. "If you feel the need to take a break at any time, feel free to tell us, we can take a break."

Bucky nodded.
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The Wakandans had agreed to allow them to use their spacecraft on a few conditions that were easily met. Shuri was very excited to talk to the god of mischief upon his return.

While the wakandans brought over the spaceship, the avengers were getting ready for their missions.

Loki sat on the couch in the living room while Barton packed provisions. He summoned a small book that fell into the palm of his hand. It was bound with dark blue leather and was stamped with intricate knots making up an image of a tree. He brushed his fingers across its surface.

He opened the cover carefully to see a note from his mother telling him that she was proud of his first magic lesson. He flipped the page and saw a picture of him and his mother shooting fireworks out of their palms. The page next to it had a caricature of him reading on one of Asgard's many balconies.

Every page was like the ones before and he didn't even realize he was crying until his tears slipped onto his hand. His mother had made this throughout her life and had given it to him while he was in prison to help cheer him up and retain good memories while in there.

It was the only thing he had left of her.

He flipped to the last page where a short note was written in her hand:

My dearest son,
I hope this finds you well. I know you are afraid to accept your situation and I cannot blame you. Do not torture yourself with the past though, and don't say anything cannot happen. Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift, that is why it is called present.
I love you, never forget that.
~Mum

Loki closed the book and held it to his heart. He sighed and shut his eyes.

"Loki. It's time to go."

He vanished the book, and stood up. He opened his eyes that were filled with sadness before, but now they shone with something else.

Determination.

He turned to face the group, who all stared silently at the god.

"Let's go kill this son-of-a-bitch."