Steve's Diary

September 13, 2016

Dear Diary,

We made a phone call today, Bucky and I.

Upon calling King T'Challa, he informed us he'd be sending a jet to our location to pick us up, which, he did. From there, we spent a long day in said jet making our way across the oceans of the world and Africa itself to get to the very cleverly hidden Wakanda.

When we arrived, it was around 9:45pm local time.

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After leaving the jet with what little belongings we had at hand, we were met by T'Challa himself.

"Your highness," I addressed him.

"Captain... Sergeant," he regarded us after we entered the palace. "Welcome to Wakanda, home of our lively Wakandans, the myth of the Black Panther, and the rare Wakandan Vibranium. Your quarters, which are connected by a single door, have been prepared and are ready for your arrival whenever you so choose. You are welcome to remain in the lobby area here or roam the palace, surrounding grounds, and towns as you wish; just try to be back for midnight. Breakfast is not at any specific time tomorrow, as I am well aware of your... tiring travels. That being said, we will have lunch together at noon. We will not focus on Sergeant Barnes' treatment tomorrow, as this is a matter that begs for a specific time and place. This meeting is set for the 26th of September at precisely 8:30pm in the conference room upstairs. From now until then, myself, the mighty royal guards and their leader, Okoye, as well as my sister, Shuri, will be carefully maintaining the peace in regards to yourself and, more specifically, Sergeant Barnes. Further questions?"

"How do you plan to address Bucky and his... condition on the 26th without an examination?" I asked.

"As we all watch over you from afar, we will be monitoring him," T'Challa began. "This includes the Dora Milaje noting specifics on his triggers, whereabouts, and even conversation topics. There is also a monitor in his bed, and solely his bed, that will scan his sleep schedule and solidity, record any noises made during his sleep, and track REM cycles as well as dream patterns."

I looked at Bucky and he seemed ok with it, so I nodded in agreement. "I really appreciate you doing this."

"Of course, Captain," he replied. "It is the least I can do after wrongly assuming your friend did something he most certainly did not. This is my pleasure and would be an honor."

"Thank you," Bucky added with a smile. "It really does mean a lot."

"Not to be rude or cut things short," I started. "It's just that we really are tired and... I think we're gonna head off to bed."

"But of course," he smiled. "I hope you find everything to your liking. Goodnight."

We parted ways and said nothing to one another until we reached my room. He closed and locked the door behind us.

"He seems very..."

"Okay with all of this," Bucky cut off.

"I was gonna say prepared."

"Well, we did kinda disappear for nearly three months without any warning, you know," he reminded me.

"Yea, yea," I agreed. "I know. I happen to think it was warranted, though, don't you?"

"I guess so, yea," he replied. "After everything we've both been through, we needed some... alone time."

"Alone time, huh?" I came back as he approached my seated self at the king bed I was to call my own.