#and how were t'challa and nakia even together because he was king of wakanda and she was living in haiti | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

devnicolee · 3 years

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The Chosen Ones (8)

A/N: Enjoy! If you read chapter 7 like shortly after it was posted, the council scene was originally in Chapter 7 but I moved it here because that chapter was too long. So you may have already it read the first section.

This is the last chapter - I am really sad to end this series :( but I might do an epilogue or something if anyone is interested. I have been writing this for literally a year so thanks to everyone who liked and commented and read a chapter here or there. I appreciate it!

Warnings: Smut

Word Count: 6,000 words

Pairings: M’Baku x OC

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

Asha fidgeted nervously, sharing anxious glances with M'Baku as they waited with bated breath for her brother to enter the council meeting. They arrived back in the Golden City with mere minutes to spare before the meeting, two herbs in her pocket and a video of the garden. Shuri chastised them for giving her an ulcer during their long absence. However, she couldn’t hide the deep sigh of relief as the pair rushed through the tall gold trimmed throne room doors with triumph and hope in their eyes.

Asha scanned the council circle, passing by M’Baku’s reassuring eyes, to connect eyes with Elder Shani. Far from her usual contempt, her eyes were filled loathing and disgust. Instinctively, Asha felt herself starting to wilt like a dying flower. But something in her pushed back, forcing her to sit up straighter and send a pointed, cold glare back at the woman. Never again would someone else’s disdain silence her or force her to cower.

Their staring match only ended when the double doors entered. They all rose from their seats, saluting T’Challa as he walked to his seat, as cool and calm as ever. They did not have to wait long before he started speaking, getting right to the point of this meeting.

"I have called this meeting because much has changed in the last 36 hours, many things revealed about the Panther Tribe. Many have questioned my fitness to be king in light of these revelations. A lesser man would sit here and defend these lies but I cannot. They were an error in judgement, an error that was not my decision to start but could have,” he sighed, “Should have been mine to end once I became King. I did not. And for that, I am sorry. A king that cannot admit his failures is no king at all, only a tyrant. I know Elder Shani has lobbied many of you, encouraged you to demand a new challen-“

Elder Shani jumped up from her seat, her disrespect toward the throne on display as she cut the King short. "That is right! He is not fit to be King! Not while you and your family hid this abomination.” Her finger wagged in Asha's direction, forcing all eyes toward the young woman. She sat up a bit straighter, noting the looks of fear from some, the admiration from others.

"You expressed no qualms with our secrets when you were blackmailing my sister into an engagement with your abusive son, when it suited your needs. I have forcibly removed you from this throne room once, do not make me do it again. Sit down," T'Challa threatened, his voice low and menacing.

The elders of the Mining and Border Tribes shared a concerned look. They had taken the time to listen to Shani's pleads, and agreed with her in many ways. But they were quickly realizing the error in taking her words as the only truth.

"Now. I could plead my case, preach to you all about why I am fit to wear the crown of King and hold the mantle of the Black Panther. However, this conversation is not about me or my fitness. It is about our country's distrust and hatred toward the more powerful... the chosen among us... the Wakandan like my sister." He offered Asha a small smile before continuing, "Prior to today, Wakandan's future was in a precarious state. Prior to today, the mantle of Black Panther was to die with me. And if we went through with today’s challenge, the centuries-old legacy would die today. That is just one of many reasons why Elder Shani’s desires are so short sighted. However, Bast... and Hanuman, it seems, have other plans. Asha, a powerful and chosen member of this family, and Lord M'Baku, have breathed new life into our dying future."

"What do you mean?" Elder M’Kathu inquired, leaning forward with interest.

"I shall allow my sister to show you." T'Challa nodded at Asha, giving her the cue to pull the bright purple herbs from the pouch in her lap. They attracted everyone's eyes, captivating everyone with their glistening light.

The throne room filled with exclamations of shock, joy and excitement.

"How is this possible?" He asked in amazement. "N’Jadaka burned all the herbs."

"He burned all the herbs we knew of, yes. But there is another garden hidden on the edge of Jabariland. Bast led Lord M'Baku and I there. There are enough herbs on the top of that mountain to sustain the Black Panther for hundreds of years," Asha explained.

"Without my sister, without this gift Bast bestowed upon her, we... this country would have been lost. Without the Jabari so many of you despise, we would have been lost. Bast led the first Warrior Shaman to the herb years ago to save us from tearing ourselves apart. Today, she led Asha and a Jabari there to do the same. Together, two people, who represent what so many fear, opened a door that our failures shut forever.”

He stood up, pacing behind his chair as he spoke.

“That is bigger than me, it is bigger than Elder Shani, and it is bigger than our ignorance. Her campaign against me is rooted in hatred, hatred for a people who just saved our country. I ask you to vote against a new challenge, not because it suits me, but because we have the opportunity to build a new Wakanda. A Wakanda built on love and mutual respect for all of Bast's and Hanuman's people, not on the unstable foundation of distrust and prejudice.” He paused. “Now Elder Shani, I believe you have a proposal to raise for our vote. I await you all’s judgement and decision.”

Her brother’s passionate monologue was met with silence, silence as Asha watched each person introspectively think about the future they wanted, the Wakanda they wanted.

Elder Shani stood up once more, clearly unmoved by this new discovery or her brother’s passionate speech unlike everyone else in the room. It seemed she was committed to dying on this hill and was more than willing to do so alone. “This boy speaks of a new Wakanda, a new order. Wakanda prospered for hundreds of years before King T’Challa and it will do so after him. He does not think the way we do, he does not respect our traditions and so, he should not be King. I raise the motion to invoke a new Challenge Day, so we may have a King that will respect our traditions.”

“The motion is on the floor. Elder Shani, how do you vote?” Asha’s heart raced, praying that her faith in Elder M’Kathu and Elder Olabisi was not misplaced, that her brother’s words had swayed them to choose progress over hate. Asha felt Shuri’s hand grab hers and squeeze it tightly as they listened.

“Yay.”

“Lord M’Baku?”

“Nay.” Unlike his girlfriend, who was clearly filled with nervous energy, M’Baku seemed annoyed and bored with this whole spectacle, simply ready for this to be over so they could officially move on with their lives.

“Elder Kwame?”

“Nay.” Nakia’s stoic and quiet father responded swiftly with a nod to his daughter who sat beside the Queen Mother. Asha’s already racing heart seemed to beat even harder as they reached the two undecided Elders, the two that had the potential to change the fate of her family forever.

“Elder M’Kathu?”

A beat.

“Nay.”

Despite wanting to jump up and praise Bast, Asha maintained her composure, they all did. T’Challa offered the older man a head nod as a silent thank you for his support before finishing the roll out of obligation. For good measure, Elder Olabisi also voted against the motion, effectively leaving Elder Shani on an island alone.

“Thank you, thank you all. I believe together we can build a stronger Wakanda. Thank you for believing in that future as well. This meeting is now adjourned and I will see everyone at the King’s Exhibition.”

The room stood and saluted him, all except Elder Shani and her son who swept from the room as soon as the final word left T’Challa’s mouth.

At the official end of the meeting, Asha immediately walked to her brother and wrapped him in a tight hug.

“I am so glad I didn’t ruin everything,” she whispered in his ear, finally letting out that sigh of relief she had been holding in. She felt as if that weight finally evaporated from her shoulders. “Thank you.”

“Thank you,” he emphasized, pulling back to look at her. “You could never ruin us, Asha. You are the best of us. You saved us and for that, I could never thank you enough. You both,” he motioned for Shuri to join their group hug, “are the best sisters I could ask for.”

Asha broke apart from her siblings, giving space for others to congratulate her brother, and walked toward M’Baku. He stood, in the now-repaired window she destroyed, staring down into the heart of the Golden City, which was bustling with activity and life as everyone prepared for the coming festival.

She stood beside him, looking out at her home with something other than envy and heartache for the first time. Hope. They stood in silence for a bit, the chatter of Asha's family fading away as they slid back into their own small world.

"Thank you, M'Baku. T-this would not have been possible without you, without the Jabari. Thank Bast you decided to concern yourself with the drama of us lowlanders," she teased.

He chuckled, his brain conjuring that moment on the fields of the Great Mound, deciding to play along with her game. He remembered exactly how that conversation went… he would never forget it. "Well, it seems you all continue to need us to save you."

She turned briefly and smiled at his profile, leaning against the window. "Yes... it seems we do. Wakanda is forever in your debt. Perhaps she will find a way to repay you one day." She added, stealing his line.

A tug at her arm brought her close to him, the space between them evaporating. He cupped her face, uninhibited love and adoration passing between them. Her signature sparks immediately encircling the couple as he stared down at her, the love of his life, the woman he felt Hanuman destined for him to be with until the end of his days.

“She led me to you and now I am forever in her debt,” he whispered as his lips captured hers, the audience of her family mere feet away from them mattered little. The two kissed deeply for a few moments before a wolf whistle caused them to break away.

Asha laughed as she looked over and saw her entire family, minus her mother, staring at the couple with shocked and excited grins. Shuri continued to cheer loudly before her brother pinched her and ushered her out of the throne room. He winked at her before allowing the doors to slam shut and giving them some much-needed privacy.

“Come to Jabariland.”

“What?”

“Later this week. I-I need to head back tonight and you should spend time with your siblings. But come to Jabariland for a few days, spend some time together where you aren’t almost dying and I am not having to save that brother of yours.”

Asha mulled it over in her head. Though she figured her brother would be slightly annoyed at her absence from some of the festival events, she yearned for the private and uninterrupted time with M’Baku. She had not truly rested in the last 4 days, had not taken a real breath. There, they could finally do that together.

“I would love to.”

****

“Nakia!” Asha smiled as she threw some more clothes in a bag and beckoned her friend into her bedroom. She eyed Nakia and the medium-sized gift bag in her hand suspiciously as one of her closest friends sat down on her king-sized bed.

“What is that?” Asha asked, gesturing toward the bag as she pulled a dress off the hanger.

Nakia smiled slyly, “We will get to that in a second. First, I just wanted to see how you were doing. The last few days… weeks, years frankly, have been tough for you.”

Asha smiled and reached across the bed to squeeze her future queen’s hand. Nakia was the big sister she didn’t have but always hoped for. And she knew she would be the perfect queen for them all.

“I am good, Nakia. Fantastic, actually. I got what I wanted, T’Challa’s position and title are safe. Everything is good now.”

Nakia nodded but Asha could see the speculation in her eyes, the look that called her positive attitude into question.

“Yes. All of that is true. But look at what it took to get there? Your father died, you watched your brother get murdered, you endured verbal abuse from all sides, you almost died… twice, according to M’Baku. I’ve seen enough of this world to know a happy ending doesn’t mean the road to them wasn’t paved with trauma and pain. It’s just… I’ve seen what happens when people don’t address what it took to get them what they wanted, what it cost them. I don’t want that for you, nor does your brother. Just, if you ever want to talk, let me know?”

Asha bowed her head, she didn’t like to think Nakia was right. What mattered most, in her mind, was the fact that they were ok now. But she could not ignore all the tragedies littered throughout her life, the scars they left. She couldn’t pretend like those wounds of her chains healed just because she escaped them.

“You will be my first call, I promise.” Asha came around to sit on the bed next to her. “Thank you for being here for me.”

Nakia smiled and squeezed her hand. She pushed the bag toward the young girl. “Always. Now onto the fun part of my visit. This is for you.”

Asha grinned brightly as she excitedly tore the tissue paper out of the bag and pulled out several pieces of lingerie, her grin fading slightly with shock.

“Nakia,” she whined. “What is all this??”

“It is for your trip. Essential wear.”

“’Essential wear??’ N-Nakia, I d-don’t think we are going to get there yet.” She let the skimpy Burgundy lace fall back into the bag, laughing lightly.

“Maybe you won’t, but maybe you will. Look, I see the way Lord M’Baku looks at you - he is ready to rip those clothes off your body every time you’re in the same room. He wants to show you the might of the Jabari, FIRST HAND!” Both girls laughed at her callback to M’Baku’s epic entrance at the battle on the Great Mound. “And if that is what you want, you should.”

“I am sure my brother does not know about this part of your visit,” Asha mused.

“No, he doesn’t,” Nakia admitted. “Because it isn’t his business, or mine, to be frank. I just wanted you to be prepared if you decide to travel down that road. Essential wear for the journey.”

She threw Asha a wink before leaving her to mull over her thoughts. Asha didn’t understand her own hesitation. Perhaps she was just overthinking it. The cave… it was spur of the moment, natural, intimate and unexpected. All their best moments were just that… unexpected. They produced magic when she didn’t have time to analyze or second guess, when she just lived in the moment with him. And here she was overanaylzing and second guessing. Her fingers fiddled with the edge of the gift bag as she thought. Nakia was right; M’Baku wanted her and she wanted him, desperately so. She pulled each piece of lingerie out, eyeing each one with speculation. They left little to the imagination but they were gorgeous. She slipped both into her suitcase.

Just in case.

****

“Try not to destroy the palace while I’m gone eh?” She implored as she gave Shuri a hug outside.

Shuri, who looked like someone had just stolen her pet panther, nodded sadly. “You’ll call me tomorrow right? Make sure they haven’t turned you into an anti-vibranium fanatic?”

Asha laughed, “Yes I will call you tomorrow, I promise. Don’t look so glum, I will be back in a few days.”

“I know, it is just hard to say bye to you. I am usually begging for this one to get out of here.” Asha laughed as T’Challa clutched his imaginary pearls in faux offense. “But you are the constant of our triangle. It’s not the same without you.”

Asha’s nose wrinkled, shocked to see her sister so despondent about her leaving. She glanced at T’Challa, whose face was also a bit crestfallen but he did a better job of hiding it.

“Come on guys! I’m gonna be gone for a few days, a week tops. I have to come back… all my clothes are here,” she joked, trying to lighten the mood. Her joke only earned her small chuckles much to her dismay.

“Would you want it to be permanent, though?”

“What do you mean?”

“Would you want to live in Jabariland? With M’Baku?” T’Challa asked, already knowing the answer even if she didn’t yet.

“I hadn’t thought about it honestly. Maybe, one day.” Under her siblings’ knowing stares, she amended her statement. “But M’Baku and I are trying to go slow, take our time. We have been dating for two days, I doubt he is redecorating the Lodge for me yet.”

T’Challa and Shuri shared a knowing glance that didn’t go unnoticed before ushering her toward the plane, a sudden 180 turn from their original despondent looks. “What was that look for?”

T’Challa smiled, “Nothing. We just think you are underestimating the speed of the Jabari. Have fun sister. Try not to burn Jabariland down while you are there,” he winked.

“Too soon, brother… too soon,” she chuckled before waving them goodbye as the Talon ramp closed and the plane sped off.

****

“M’Baku! It was foolish to think you could redecorate your quarters in three days,” N’Danna reminded him as the man rearranged furniture and put new things he got at the market out. “I thought she had been here once, I am sure she likes it just fine.”

M’Baku scoffed, “I do not want her to like it. I want her to want to live in it. I spoke to T’Challa to learn a bit more about her, things she liked. I picked up a few things from being in her office but he gave me some other ideas. I commissioned two new paintings from her favorite artist but those won’t be here until her next visit, Olabisi was able to make her flowers again,” he pointed to the red-orange tipped roses on the bedside table, “I put them on this side of the bed because… well, does liking sunsets mean you also like the sunrise? I have only slept with her twice so who knows if she is a morning person. Oh but T’Challa said she really doesn’t need much sleep so… Oh look at these… I just got them carved.”

He rushed to the bag by the door and pulled out a box that contained wooden panthers and rhinos. He laid them on the coffee table in his lounge area, excitedly looking from them to N’Danna like a child showing off a new toy.

“You have been inside the mind of a woman, you think she will like them?”

“Relax brother. She will love all of it, they are… cute.”

M’Baku nodded, taking some of his older carvings down and sliding the animals into their place, putting one by her side of his bed. Just as he was examining the room, looking for another thing to move or switch out to expel his nervous energy, Kide popped his head in.

“The Talon is approaching, my Lord. About 5 minutes out.”

M’Baku nodded, rubbing his hands together nervously. He nodded at N’Danna to walk with him toward the landing outside the Lodge.

“Oh N’Danna, I need one more favor.”

N’Danna rolled his eyes before they bugged out of his head, his chief’s passing thoughts cueing him into the favor before the words left his mouth. ��A-are you serious? M’Baku? So soon?”

M’Baku sighed, it didn’t feel too soon to him. “I have known since the moment I first spoke to her. I do not need to see anything else. I-I do not need anymore time. And I don’t think she does either.”

N’Danna stood and pulled the man into an embrace. “Congrats. I will get everything squared away for you. Don’t worry about a thing. Just spend time with your girl.”

The two men shook hands before N’Danna took off in the opposite direction and M’Baku headed to greet Asha.

This time when Asha stepped off the plane and into the fresh snow of Jabariland, it felt totally different. She was still nervous but not in the anxiety sort of way. It was nervous excitement filling her belly. She didn’t have to wait long before M’Baku rushed forward and swept her into a tight hug.

“I have missed you.”

“I missed you too,” she whispered, kissing his lips.

Their hands joined, her fear of burning him long gone and almost forgotten. She felt sort of out of place as she walked, soldiers saluting her and M’Baku as they strolled through the Lodge.

“I hope you do not mind but I was hoping you would stay in my quarters this trip. But I had your room from your last visit set up for you, should that make you more comfortable.”

Asha smiled, appreciative of the sweet but unnecessary gesture. Where ever he was, that’s where she wanted to be.

“Your quarters are perfect, thank you.”

And thus started, what Asha could only describe as three magical days with the love of her life. M’Baku spent half of the day working, during which a guard would take Asha down to the market. She spent most of her time chatting with Olabisi, who told her thrilling tales of the Jabari and The Chosen, stories Asha imagined she would have read in that book, had she ever gotten past the first page. She explained all the different powers the Chosen in the tribe had now: flight, chlorokinesis, elemental control like Asha, mind reading, telepathy, invisibility… they were as diverse as they were powerful. She offered book recommendations for Asha, which she immediately went and found in the Lodge’s library.

After, she just roamed the market, under the watchful eye of one of M’Baku’s guards. She stopped at every merchant asking them every question she could think of about their work and life in Jabariland. She sat and watched the wood makers carve Jabari wood and knobkerries. Every day she met someone new, learned something new, and basked in the beauty of Wakanda’s most plentiful resource: her people. This is what she knew she was missing her whole life. This was her freedom, to be among her people. No one was afraid of her here, no one cared about her powers. She watched all day as Chosen used their powers to help get things done faster and more efficiently, assistance that was not only accepted but appreciated. Asha thought back to her conversation with her brother, about potentially living here permanently. And she knew, in her heart, she could… that she wanted to. Jabariland was starting to feel more like home than the Golden City ever had.

After leaving the market and shops, she would meet M’Baku for a late lunch and then he would take her to his favorite spots around the Lodge and mountains. They would hike each evening, catching the sunset at a spot, Asha giddy like a child at every single one. Her third night, he even had a picnic set up waiting for her at the end of their hike.

“How was the market today?” M’Baku asked as they walked back to his bedroom after returning from their hike.

“Amazing as always. I met this man, he said he has been carving Jabari wood since he was 10. He made the cutest rhino figurine for me - I am going to give it to Okoye. He was so nice and just told me about all the different things he carves and all the Jabari symbols, what they mean. Oh I met the Chief Fisherman and his husband at their shop. They were so sweet, told me all about their daughter who, apparently, wants to be an engineer like Shuri. I will have to tell her, maybe on my next visit she can come and meet her? Do you think she would like that? I think Shuri would be really excited.”

M’Baku smiled brightly, listening to her go on and on about the Jabari, all stories he already knew as Chief but there was something about hearing her say it. The excitement and passion for the people she was meeting… she sounded like she born for the title of Queen of Jabariland.

“What? Am I rambling? I am rambling, aren’t I?” She asked as she noted the look on his face.

“No, no not at all. I just like seeing you like this. So excited about the people here.”

“Well, the Jabari are the first Wakandans I have had a conversation for longer than five minutes with. To be among the people, learn their names and their stories? There is nothing better. I didn’t realize how much I was missing, how much joy it brings. Thank you,” she stretched her body and kissed him gently on his lips.

In lieu of responding, he just wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her in deeper for a long, passionate kiss. After a few moments, they broke apart, Asha muttering that she wanted to take a shower after such a journey. The hikes still didn’t seem to bother M’Baku, but Asha always felt like she had endured a rigorous workout afterward.

M’Baku shook his head slightly. He understood and respected her desire to go slow. But that wasn’t making it any easier. He wanted her so badly it hurt. But he wanted her to be ready.

After her shower, Asha stood in his mirror, giving herself a pep talk as she examined the dark red lace lingerie on her slender frame in the mirror. Though there was always something she could find wrong, aside from the blemishes she could not get rid of in 5 minutes, even she could admit that she looked good… sexy even. She whispered confident words to herself before opening the bathroom door. His back was to her as he stood, looking out his window. Her walk faltered for a minute, her confidence fading fast as she realized she would have to actually get his attention.

He wants you. You want him. You can do this.

“M’Baku,” she whispered. He turned around slightly at the sound of his name, doing a double take as he realized what exactly covered her beautiful frame.

“Usana,” he breathed quietly as she had literally stolen his breath and ability to speak. He had never been rendered speechless by a woman before, usually he had that effect on them. But here his goddess stood, more beautiful than anything he had seen on this Earth. His eyes studied the smooth brown skin peeking through the triangle cut outs of her bra and panty set, studied her so closely as if he had to commit her to memory.

“You like it, my love?” She teased, his inability to form words fueling her confidence as she walked toward him, her fingers trailing up his biceps once she was in arm’s length of him.

“Who wouldn’t? You are a vision, sithandwa sam” He whispered back before gently grabbing the back of her thighs and hoisting her up. Her legs instinctively wrapped around his midsection as he carried her to his bed. She quickly found herself laying on her back among the mountain of soft white furs covering his bed. He stared down at her for a moment, soaking in her beauty. This is how he always wanted to see her… wild and unreserved.

He leaned over and kissed her deeply before creating a path of kisses down her body. Her body and mind knew his end destination, her quiet squirms begged him to make the journey there faster. But he didn’t care, he wanted to take his time… watch her come undone piece by piece. His mouth explored her soft, supple skin, kissing or gently biting every available and exposed inch. Soft moans escaped her lips, a sensual symphony to his ears.

“M’Baku, please,” she begged as he placed soft kisses everywhere but where she needed it most. Asha’s eyes clenched shut in anticipation and her hands gripped the furs on his bed as his lips finally reached the promise land of her sensitive bud. Her back arched slightly as he sucked on her clit, sending shockwaves through her body. His thick finger entered her, curling immediately into her g-spot, increasing her pleasure tenfold.

“Fuck… M’B-Baku… don’t stop, please,” she begged. Unnecessary words because stopping was the furthest thing from his mind. He was doing Hanuman’s work, pouring all the love and adoration she missed out on in her life into her, showing her what it meant to be worshipped and adored as she deserved. He had no intention of stopping that important work. Hell, he could do this all night.

Asha’s eyes clenched shut as she rode the waves of passion and pure ecstasy his mouth and hands were providing. His eyes never left her face as he devoured what was now his favorite meal, each moan, groan, and plead for mercy or more spurring him on. Her thighs clamped around his head as he pushed her farther up the mountain of desire. He inserted a second finger in her as she grew louder, signaling that her orgasm was near.

It didn’t take long of his expert ministrations for Asha to feel that snap that led to the most life-altering orgasm of her life, years of self-pleasure paled in comparison. She let out a continuous stream of praise and curse words as she road the waves of bliss.

“That’s it, come for me my queen. Hanuman, you are beautiful.”

He emerged from between her legs, immediately kissing her deeply. The smell of smoke caught both of their attention at the same time, pulling them out of their own little world of pleasure and passion to find smoke rising from the comforter. A large black patch of burnt fur now staining his white fur blanket. Asha quickly removed the smoke from the air before hitting herself in the forehead, embarrassment and frustration quickly sliding onto her face.

“I am so sorry, M’Baku! Ugh, I h-have never done this, especially without the rings. I-I didn’t know that would-“ He captured her lips to shut her up, laughing lightly.

“It is just a blanket, my love. I have five more just like it in the closet. And if we burn all of those, I can get fifty more made. Take a deep breath. I do not care about that.”

She nodded, laughing lightly before recapturing his lips. There he was again, pulling her back from the cliffs just as she was about to tumble down with such ease and care. Her anxieties and frustrations melted away as he kissed her, her hands drifting down toward his pants, preparing to pull them down.

“Are you sure? We don’t have to do this.”

His breathy whispers in her ear made her want him even more, despite the content of his words.

“I want you. I want this.” She offered him an encouraging smile before he stood up and pulled his pants and boxers off. Her voice hitched and eyes widened as she took him in. He was more than she could have ever imagined… in every way. The bed dipped as he climbed back on top of her. Every second felt like cruel and unusual punishment as she waited, every pleasure sensor in her body begging and pleading to be catered to.

She gasped as he pushed into her, her body wholly unaccustomed to being stretched this much before. It was painful, as she expected, but she could already feel the pleasure brewing underneath… the pleasure that made getting passed this uncomfortable part worth it. He kissed her softly and whispered sweet nothings into her ears as he slowly slid into her. She was thankful he was a thoughtful and gentle lover, her mind briefing thinking about the bullet she dodged with Hasani, who wouldn’t have cared how painful the experience was for her.

It didn’t take long for the pain to quickly fade into earth shattering, mind-blowing pleasure as M’Baku started his slow and steady strokes into her. His dick curved right into her g-spot, forcing moans and words of love and adoration at the end of every stroke.

“How does it feel, my queen?”

“F-fuck, M’Baku,” she panted as he rocked into her, slowing picking up the pace as her moans grew louder and her orgasm approached. “Feels… so.. g-good. D-don’t stop.”

M’Baku’s never-ending stamina meant that stopping wasn’t in the cards for him anytime soon. Through orgasm after orgasm, the couple spent the evening completely enthralled in passionate love-making. His quarters soaked up the screams and moans of the princess of Wakanda as they transitioned between positions and he took her to places she never knew possible. She lost track of the orgasms he pulled from the depths of her soul throughout the night. She was completely spent by the time M’Baku came and rolled off her.

She shifted to her side lazily to watch him walk to the bathroom, eyes half closed. “How are you not exhausted?”

“The might of the Jabari,” he called from the bathroom. When he returned, he sat down next to her and cleaned her up with a warm wet towel before climbing into bed. She shifted to lay on his chest, listening to his heartbeat as they fell asleep in each other’s arms.

***

“My princess?”

Asha looked up from her spot curled up in an oversized arm chair in the library to find Kide looking at her. After last night, she didn’t really have the energy to walk around the market today and M’Baku had a long day of meeting so she opted to stay in the library and snuggle up by the window to read.

“Asha will do just fine,” she reminded the young guard as she slide her bookmark in place.

“Asha, Lord M’Baku has asked that I escort you to your spot on the west mountains. He will meet you there. The carriage is waiting outside.”

Asha’s nose wrinkled at the break in their tradition of hiking to the various spots together but she let go of it rather quickly. She imagined that the only reason he would break their tradition was for some sort of surprise. And while she had no earthly idea what it could be, she certainly didn’t want to ruin it by messing up his plans.

She followed Kide outside, one foot in the carriage before an idea struck her.

“Kide?”

“Yes?”

“C-could we maybe get there a different way?”

Kide’s eyes widened before a smile graced his face. “Are you sure?”

“Well, the last time I tried it… I almost died? So I figure I could use the practice?”

She wasn’t sure if her black jumpsuit, while insanely cute, was functional for flying. But she decided not to let that stop her. She looked up to find Kide already circling her head, waiting for her.

I can do this. I can do this. She chanted before pushing off of the ground. She wobbled a bit before finding her balance and propelling herself higher into the sky next to him. The cold air whipped against her face as she flew behind Kide, slightly lower than him, around the mountains. She looked down and she could see everyone walking around below them, the occasionally hand pointed up or waving at them as they flew past.

The higher they climbed up the side of the mountain, the more her eyes watered. However, she continued to push forward. She followed close behind Kide, circling the clearing she knew too well before diving behind him to land. The first thing she heard was applause when her feet touched the white snow. She turned to find M’Baku sitting on a rock, waiting for her, a bright smile on his face.

“Thank you, Kide.”

“Any time, my princess.” He turned and walked back to the guards waiting on the snow-covered road by the carriage. She turned her attention to M’Baku, noting the nervous look in his eyes, the way his hands fidgeted with his fur collar.

He didn’t say anything as he approached her, holding out his hand. She immediately placed her small one into his. They stared out at the horizon, the sky starting to fill with the oranges and yellows of sunset.

“Asha…”

She quickly turned her attention back to him, facing him as their fingers interlocked.

“I-I had this whole speech written out b-but seeing you here… I just… I am in love with you, Asha Udaka. My love for you has only grown stronger and deeper since the moment you walked into my throne room filled with grief and pain. And since then, I have witnessed you step into your power, into who you are and demand acceptance from the people who would deny you with the power and grace of a Queen. I don’t know what Hanuman has for my future but I know I want you in it… I need you in it. I don’t need anymore time to know you are the love of my life. We have proven that our love can melt away even the toughest of hardships, that this… w-what we share is unlike anything else in this world. And I know you will make a beautiful and compassionate Queen. And so…”

Asha expelled a shaky breath as M’Baku spoke. She had a feeling she knew where this was heading but she wouldn’t dare let herself believe it until he said the words. She watched as he pulled two wooden bands out of his pocket. The tears streaming down her face obscured her vision slightly but she knew exactly what those meant. Her mind called back to one of the many books she had read over the last few days, one detailing the engagement tradition of the Jabari. The dark brown wooden bracelet was the standard tribe engagement band, engraved with Jabari symbols that represented the future they would build together. But the gold one, reserved only for the tribe’s chieftess, carried a small inscription chosen by M’Baku.

“Will you marry me?”

“Y-yes, yes! 100 times yes,” she whispered immediately. She didn’t need to think about it, didn’t need more time. Her love for M’Baku… she knew nothing like it in this world. And here he was, offering her a future she thought she would never get to have. “I love you so much.”

Her hand shook slightly as he slid the bracelets onto her arm and wrapped his arms around her. He peppered her face with soft kisses as she laughed, pure joy radiating off them. They only stopped when Asha heard cheering from around them.

“What is th-“ she turned to find all the important people in her life emerging from the trees. Shuri was the first to rush toward her, running into her like a small train as she always did. Her crying intensified as she hugged her sister and looked at T’Challa, Nakia, Okoye and all the Dora behind her.

Shuri released her and T’Challa wrapped her in a tight hug, wiping away the tears that streamed down her face.

“D-did you all k-know about this?”

“We may have had an idea or two. Congratulations, Asha. T-this is truly amazing.”

Asha shared hugs with everyone as they offered her congratulations, before returning to M’Baku’s side. The guards brought out rum from the carriage for the group to toast, passing cups around for each person.

Asha felt as though her heart was so full it may burst at the seams, her happiness almost overwhelming.

“Lord M’Baku, if I may? A toast!” T’Challa called out, raising his glass. “To my younger sister, Asha and Lord M’Baku. I don’t know if I have ever met two people more destined for each other than you. We are so happy for you, you both deserve the world and I know you have that and more here. Congratulations and here is to many more sunsets together.”

Asha’s smile could have lit up all of Jabariland as she listened to her brother. They toasted and drank rum as they watched the sun fall below the horizon together. Asha nestled herself into her fiancé’s side as she looked around at the people she loved and who loved her immensely. Bast was right, Asha’s life was overflowing with love and her future with hope. She couldn’t wait to spend every moment of it surrounded by M’Baku, T’Challa, Shuri, Nakia and Okoye… the people she loved most in this whole world. Their journey had been long and rugged, but every step brought her to this summit. And it was worth it.

****

Tag List: @destinio1 @muse-of-mbaku @jellybean531 @skysynclair19 @ashanti-notthesinger @gloriousgam3r @archivistofwakanda @leahnicole1219 @mygirlrenee @dramaqueeenamby

#m'baku smut #m'baku x reader #m'baku imagines #T’Challa fan fiction #black panther fanfiction #Black Writers #black writer #m'baku x oc

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gladdygirl18 · 4 years

Text

A Bond Only Siblings Have

Summary: Shuri was having a boring day in her lab and had nothing to do. The King had a day off and she decided to have some fun with him. T’Challa may be King of Wakanda, but he was still Shuri’s older brother; both sharing a “special” bond only siblings would have and understand.

Word Count: 1742

Okay, let’s get one thing straight. Shuri is the smartest person in Wakanda, a princess, and a scientist; and, when she has to be, a warrior. With her high-tech gadgets, you would think she wouldn’t get bored with them, right? Wrong!

It was a slow day in Shuri’s lab, and said princess was very bored. She remodeled the same gadget three times in the past hour and found nothing else to do to amuse herself.

“Boredom... Why must you haunt me...?” Shuri asked tiredly.

Standing up, she stretched her tired and aching body. Letting out a heavy sigh, she crossed her arms and looked around her lab. Everything was still and quiet.

“What am I going to do today...?” Shuri asked herself.

Leaning back against a desk, she looked up at the high ceiling in thought. A smile soon came across the princess’s face when she came up with an idea.

T’Challa is not doing anything today... Shuri thought.

T’Challa may be the King of Wakanda, but he will forever and always be Shuri’s older brother; someone who she looked up to more than anyone else, someone who she will love and care for, someone who she will always play pranks on.

Ever since their father passed away, it was rough for the both of them and their mother. But after the whole Killmonger and Thanos situation, both T’Challa and Shuri became closer than ever. T’Challa would take the time from his busy schedule to visit his sister in her lab, and Shuri would make time to visit her brother when the other tribes were there.

Shuri then started to ponder what she and T’Challa should do together. She thought about taking a stroll through the city, but she wanted alone time with her brother, and her brother alone. No guards, no other people; just her and T’Challa. Shuri stood up and started to walk to T’Challa’s room, still wondering what she and him should do together.

“Maybe we could... no, that’s not good either. Or maybe... no...” Shuri pondered.

When Shuri reached her brother’s room, she breathed out and knocked on the door.

“Come in.” answered a voice on the other side of the door.

Shuri smiled at the recognizable voice. Turning the doorknob, she pushed the door open and walked in T’Challa’s room. She had forgotten how big her brother’s room is. Shuri soon spotted T’Challa sitting on the edge of his bed reading a book. When T’Challa saw his sister, he smiled.

“Ah, welcome little sister.” he said.

“Hello Brother. What have you been doing, besides reading?” Shuri asked.

T’Challa breathed out a heavy sigh before setting the book in his lap.

“To be honest, nothing much. I was just looking through an old photo album.” T’Challa said, handing his sister the book.

Taking the burgundy book, Shuri opened it to a random page. She smiled when she saw all the photos of her, T’Challa, their mother, and father.

“Brother, do you remember this photo? It is when Baba took us to the Border Tribe for the first time.” Shuri said, showing her brother the photo.

“I do remember, Sister. And this one was when Baba took us to the River Tribe.” T’Challa said.

When Shuri sat down next to her brother, the two of them started reminiscing on all the times when they were kids.

“I remember you used to be so serious when you were younger, Brother,” Shuri said.

“I was going to be king, Sister. I had to be,” T’Challa said.

“In my opinion, you were more cute than serious.”

“I am afraid I have to disagree. You were cuter than I. Everything you did was cute and adorable.”

Shuri rolled her eyes with a fond smile plastered on her face.

“My statement still stands. Whenever you tried to be serious, you would just end up looking cute,” Shuri said.

“Now that I am king, I have to be serious,” T’Challa said.

“Eh, you still look cute to me.”

“I am not.”

“I bet if I ask Nakia, she will agree with me.”

T’Challa breathed out and averted his sister’s gaze, knowing that she was right. Shuri and Nakia were as close as sisters. They would always gang up on T’Challa. Of course, T’Challa doesn’t mind, but it was annoying to say the least.

“You know I’m right, Brother. Just admit it,” Shuri said.

“I never said you were right,” T’Challa said.

“And you never said I was wrong.”

“Why would I admit that you are right?”

“Because you are afraid to be proven wrong by your little sister.”

When Shuri said this, she prodded her brother’s side. T’Challa twisted away with a smirk growing on his face. Shuri then smiled mischievously at her brother.

“And I still remember your weakness, Brother.” Shuri said.

“Shuri, don’t!” T’Challa pleaded with a nervous smile.

Shuri just shrugged and then pounced on her brother, dancing her fingers all over his torso. T’Challa let out a yelp before dissolving into adorable giggles.

“See? Even your laugh proves my point,” Shuri said.

“Shuhuhuhuhuhuhuri stohohohohohohop!” T’Challa laughed.

“Not until you say I’m right.”

“Why shohohohohohould I?”

Shuri sighed and started attacking her brother’s ribs, getting a wild buck in response.

“Stohohohohohop Shuri! Plehehehehease!” T’Challa begged.

“Amazing. My brother, the King of Wakanda, and the Black Panther, taken down by tickles. Better hope your enemies don’t find out.” Shuri taunted.

If anything, that only fueled T’Challa’s urge to get away from his sister. T’Challa then grabbed his sister’s wrists and removed them his body.

“Aw, you ruined my fun...” Shuri whined.

“But you did not ruin mine.” T’Challa said.

Shuri looked at her brother in confusion and fear.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Shuri asked nervously.

Her question was soon answered when she felt her brother’s fingers dig into her side. Shuri’s reaction was much more immediate than T’Challa’s. Her laugh was music to the king’s ears.

“T’Chahahahahahahalla! Stohohohohohop ihihihit!” Shuri laughed.

“You did not stop when I asked. So, why should I show you mercy when you did not give me any?” T’Challa asked with a sly grin.

Shuri couldn’t answer brother’s question, nor form a word. Shuri has always been more ticklish than T’Challa, but she knew that T’Challa had sweet spots to make him defenseless as a newborn baby. If only her brother’s grip around her wrists wasn’t so tight.

“Brohohohohohother! Stohohohohohop!” Shuri laughed, twisting her body every which way.

“Not going to happen, little sister.” T’Challa said, scratching his finger in his sister’s armpits.

Shuri’s laughter reached a new volume and octave. Shuri flopped back on her brother’s bed with laughter.

“THIHIHIHIHIS IS SOHOHOHO UNFAHAHAIR! STAHAHAHAP!” Shuri laughed.

T’Challa continued his onslaught, not acknowledging his sister’s plea. He missed Shuri’s laugh. So pure and childish. Exactly why she takes the award of being the cutest little sister, in his opinion. T’Challa then let out a giggly yelp when he felt fingers on his sides.

“You should know not to let your guard down around me, Brother.” Shuri said.

“I cohohohould say the sahahahahame about yohohohohou!” T’Challa laughed.

T’Challa simply attacked his sister’s side and listened to her melodic laughter.

“Ahahahahahaha! Cuhuhuhuhut it - OUT!” Shuri cried.

Her laughter doubled when her armpits started getting attacked.

“T’CHAHAHAHAHALLAHAHAHAHA! STAHAHAHAHAP!” Shuri cried.

“You stohohohohohop first!” T’Challa laughed.

Shuri hated how she was dying laughing whereas her brother was just giggling. She wanted to hear T’Challa’s laugh. She missed it. Shuri gave up trying to tickle her brother and just accepted her fate.

“COHOHOHOME OHOHON! GIVE ME A CHAHAHAHANCE!” Shuri begged.

“And why would I do that?” T’Challa asked, resting his hands on Shuri’s sides.

Shuri panted before looking at her brother.

“Because I’m your little sister and you love me.” Shuri answered.

T’Challa smiled and shook his head in amusement.

“I was expecting a better reason.” T’Challa said.

Taking a gamble, Shuri pounced on her brother and wrestled with him until she was finally able to pin him down.

“Again. Never let your guard down around me.” Shuri said, smiling down at her brother.

Shuri then started attacking her brother’s hips, making said man buck in response. T’Challa was soon producing loud laughter instead of giggles.

“SHUHUHUHUHUHRI! NOHOHOHOHOHO! STAHAHAHAHAP!” T’Challa begged.

“There’s that laugh.” Shuri said.

Shuri smiled down at her brother. This is exactly what she wanted. A moment with her brother, and her brother alone. She never expected their conversation to turn into a tickle fight, but in her opinion, this was so much better than a conversation.

“SHUHUHUHURI! PLEHEHEHEHEHEHEASE STAHAHAHAHAP!” T’Challa begged.

“Not until you say that I was right about you being more cute than serious.” Shuri said, massaging her brother’s hipbone harder.

T’Challa let out a new wave of laughter at the new sensation.

“NOHOHOHO WAHAHAHAHAHAY!” T’Challa spat out.

“Then I guess I’m never stopping.” Shuri said.

In all honesty, T’Challa really didn’t want Shuri to stop, even though he would never admit to save his life. Like her, he’s been craving time alone with his sister. Right now, in this moment, T’Challa wished he could stop time and spend it with his little sister.

"Do you really want me to tickle you forever, Brother? Because I have no problem doing just that." Shuri said.

T'Challa's laughter soon fell on deaf ears. Taking a gamble, T'Challa shot his hands into Shuri’s exposed armpits. Shuri laughed out but still continued to tickle her brother.

“BROHOHOHOHOTHER STAHAHAHAHAP!” Shuri cried.

“YOHOHOHOHOHOU STAHAHAHAP FIHIHIHIRST” T’Challa laughed.

This back and forth tickle fight went on for what felt like hours. The two siblings soon stopped and rested, panting slightly with wide smiles plastered on their faces.

“I missed this.” T’Challa said.

“Me too.” Shuri said.

When the two of them sat up, T’Challa pulled his sister into a hug.

“Brother, can you promise me something?” Shuri asked.

“Anything, Shuri.” T’Challa said.

“Promise me that you’ll always be my big brother, no matter what...”

What Shuri said brought a smile to T’Challa’s face.

“As long as you promise to always be my little sister.” T’Challa said.

“I promise.” Shuri said the second after her brother’s statement.

Shuri wrapped her arms around T’Challa and snuggled closer into her brother’s embrace. T’Challa let out a content sigh and rested his head on his sister’s. T’Challa may be a king and Shuri may be a princess, but they were still brother and sister, and the bond they share is something that cannot ever be broken.

Hope you enjoyed! Stay Safe, Stay Blessed!

#tickle fic #tickle #tickling #ticklish!shuri #ticklish!t'challa #black panther fic #black panther #ticklish!black panther

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justkending · 5 years

Text

10 Year Time. Chapter 7.

Series Summary: As princess of Alberia, it is your duty to grow into a rightful young lady if you plan on ruling your family's country. Of course, the only way your father can see this happening is sending you off to a boarding camp at the age of 14 for 10 years to learn what it means to grow into a Queen.That means leaving all your friends and family behind. One specific person, your best friend, you never want to say goodbye to. But 10 years later, you come back grown into a young lady like your father hoped, and find your best friend has grown into a knightly young man. How will you two adjust after 10 years apart? Will things be the same, or will all that’s happened in that span of time affect your relationship?

Pairing: Steve Rogers x Stark Daughter Reader

Warning: SLOOOOOOWWW BURN!!! (Yes, because that’s how I do it. Gotta leave you wanting more;)

A/N: I promise we are getting closer to the reason! Just a few more things I need to add in before we get there;)

Chapter 7:

Sure enough, the next day came and Y/N found herself standing next to her father, Pepper, and Morgan waiting for the new King of Wakanda and his family. They were in the same spot Y/N was dropped off when she returned home those few days ago.

“I’m guessing we’ve stayed good allies with Wakanda if you see them as regularly as you do?” Y/N asked toward her father, but still kept her eyes forward as they saw the carriage far off in the distance approaching.

“Of course. Though, it was hard after T’Challa’s father passed. Wise man that king was,” Tony said in a moment of solitude.

“I still can’t believe he’s gone. T’Chaka was such a humble and down to earth man,” Y/n said with a sad sigh.

“Yes, but he did a fine job raising T’Challa.” Pepper said brightening the mood.

“Yes he did. The young man has been running their kingdom quite impressively. If he wasn’t engaged to Nakia, I would be trying to set you up with him.” Tony winked Y/N’s way.

“Very funny father,” she retorted rolling her eyes with a smile. “They’ve been set to marry since before they were born practically.”

“I know. I should have got to the matching making ceremony on time,” he joked. “Maybe you would already be engaged and on the way to marriage.”

“Ok. Enough joking around. They’re here.” Y/N said with a forced laugh because she honestly hated the idea of being sold off for marriage practically. Tony may have been playing around completely, but a piece of it was still true.

Pulling around the front, was the carriage that screamed Wakanda. It was sleek, modern, and very technical looking. Two more pulled behind it. Guards and luggage and what not in those. Once the carriage had come to a stop, the footman came around and opened the door. T’Challa being the first one out.

“Ah, Y/N!” he said with open arms as soon as he spotted her. “Look at the flower you have blossomed into.” he went in for the full hug, and she graciously accepted it wrapping her arms around the old friend and hugging him tight.

Once they pulled back, Y/N saw Shuri coming up behind her brother.

“Shuri! Oh my goodness look at you!” she squealed with glee.

Without hesitation, Shuri ran into Y/N’s arms. She was 16 now like Morgan, and Y/N had always seen her as her adoptive sister.

“Princess Y/N. You look absolutely stunning!” Shuri said pulling back and holding Y/n at arms length. “This dress! Is it an Aunt Jay special?”

“No other like it.” Y/N said blushing at the comment and moving to where her dress flowed around her subtly.

“The woman always knows how to make people’s jaw drop.” Shuri winked before falling back.

“T’Challa,” Tony said as him and the other king talked. “Shall we head in and begin our meeting?”

“Lead the way,” He nodded.

_____

Morgan and Shuri ended up running around together after Tony told them to find Peter so he could watch them and hang out with each other too. They were all the same age, so they were making up their own little friend group like Y/N had of her own growing up.

T’Challa and his mother as well as Okoye joined Y/N, Tony, and Pepper in one of the meeting rooms as they talked about bits and pieces of business. Tony informed Y/N about how once a month they would meet up and discuss any issues or knowledge they felt needed to be shared with the kingdom's allies.

Now happened to be a slow time, so nothing of major importance was worried about on their visit.

About 3 hours later of meeting, and catching up, T’Challa was about to head back home when Y/N remembered something she meant to bring up earlier.

“Oh, T!” she stopped abruptly as they were headed back to the carriages. Making every royal and Okoye stop in there walk.

“Yes?” he said sending her a kind yet curious look.

“Father and I have been discussing a change in our battalion,” Y/N said getting straight to the point and then looking at Okoye who now was intrigued in the conversation.

“I see. What kind of changes?” T’Challa pushed on.

“Well, long story short, I learned quite a bit in my time away, and I wanted to find ways to incorporate more women into our forces.” Y/N nodded for them to carry on walking, and Okoye stepped closer in to listen. “As we all know, you’re kingdom has the best defenses anyone knows of and it’s all thanks to the Dora Milaje. A group of women I’ve admired since I was able to understand what they stood for.” She turned seeing a genuine smile from Okoye and a nod showing she was appreciative of the princess's comment.

“A fine group of warriors indeed. Hard to not admire such a group.” T’Challa nodded looking ahead with a smile and his hands behind his back. “What exactly are you asking of me Y/N?”

“Well, Father and I agreed we want to help the women here have a chance at something like that. At least to let them know they can join the group of knights and fight along side of them.” He nodded for her to continue. “I guess what I’m asking is that we only have so many trained women here that can teach these techniques and we were wondering if we could ask some of your own women warriors to lend a hand in training if possible.”

“Why does it have to be a woman who trains them?” T'Challa's mother, Angela, asked on the other side of Y/N.

“No woman wants to me mansplained how to do things.” Okoye said speaking up. “What I believe Y/N is getting at, is that this group of individuals that the princess speaks about wants to be taught by someone who understands their side of it. A man does not fight the same way a lady does. All kinds of different forms of techniques to go about.” she bowed to her own queen.

“I see.” Angela nodded looking back ahead as they reached the carriages.

“Precisely.” Y/N smiled and subtly winked at Okoye who returned it. “So what are your thoughts on it T’Challa? Think you can lend some knowledge?”

“I think that sounds like a great change for this kingdom,” he agreed stopping in front of the carriage doors.

Looking off in the distance, the group noticed Shuri, Morgan, and Peter all coming from the stables to head back to the meeting spot.

“I would love to help if the King allows, but since I can’t come all the time, I will be willing to send some of my best trainers if need be.” Okoye suggested.

“Would you be ok with that?” Y/N asked T’Challa.

“I don’t see any issues with that. I’ll just have to figure out a schedule and what not.” he smiled a big grin.

“You’re amazing T.” Y/N grinned before moving in for a goodbye hug.

Tony nodding and talking with Angela on the side as the two conversed.

“You’re going to do amazing things for this Kingdom. You make a very promising Queen.” he said pulling back from the embrace. “Beauty, brains, and stubbornness.”

“I can say the same about you T’Challa. You’ve seemed to really fulfill the role of your father. I’m sure he would be proud.” Y/N said with a little sorrow in her eyes at the late king.

“He is,” Shuri said coming up from behind. “We all are.” she smiled up at her brother before turning back to Y/N. “As for you, you will have to come visit us the next time your father comes to Wakanda. Many things have changed and I have so much to show you!”

“I’ll be counting down the days.” Y/N chuckled pulling the younger princess in her arms. “Ok, now you all have a long journey back home. Get there safe and I presume we will be seeing each other soon.” she said stepping back and positioning herself by her father again.

“Will do.” Angela said. “It was great seeing you again Y/N. You’ve got an energy about you that I can’t wait to see bloom even more.” she smiled.

“Safe travels.” Tony waved as they loaded in and everyone watched them disappear down the way. “You and Okoye exchange schedules and what not?” he asked Y/N.

“Yes. We should be good to start training soon.” Y/N beamed happy that her plans were coming together.

“Perfect. Now, lets get inside it looks as if it’s going to rain soon.” he said looking up. “Morgan, Peter, come with me in the lab. I have something I want the two of you to see.”

The teenagers listened and followed the king inside while Pepper and Y/N followed further behind talking.

___

A week had gone by since their meeting with T’Challa. Y/N had become overwhelmed with work that her father was letting her have a go at, and rarely got to see any of her old friends like she had the first few days she was back home.

As for Steve, he was put on a mission about possible Infiltrators on the outskirts of the Kingdom. He ended up taking Clint, Sam, and Bucky with him as well so that was another reason Y/N never got to see them much. It was about a days travel, and they weren't sure how long they would be gone.

Today however was a very exciting day for Y/N, Wanda, and Nat as well as a good chunk of women who had come forward saying they wanted in on the training the future queen was offering.

Okoye had fulfilled her promise, and came back to Alberia from Wakanda to help with the first day training as well as making a schedule to keep them on track for the times she couldn’t come.

So far only about 10 women had come forward wanting to train. Y/N wasn’t really sure what to expect when she got the word out, but this group of young women seemed promising and eager to learn.

They were all gathered in the training building where most of the knights come to spar. The men were repositioned in another area of the colossal building since this was more of a private training.

Y/N, Nat, Okoye, Wanda, and Xoliswa (a woman of the Dora Milaje) were all standing that the front of the room in what Aunt Jay had made for them to train in.

Yes, that meant pants. Most places in this time would think it’s absurd for a women to wear anything but a dress, but let’s just say that Alberia, as well as its allies, were not as taken aback by these kinds of things. As for a princess doing it… It was a little outlandish, but nothing people were going to say anything about.

They were black and baggy, but cinched at the ankles to keep from dragging. The tops were long sleeve white shirts that tucked into the pants, and they wore flat shoes to help move better. Y/N’s hair was up in a braid on the top of her hair that flowed down into a ponytail done by Nat. Nat had hers in a french braid that was pulled to the side, and Wanda’s was pulling a low bun since she wasn’t really doing any physical work more than just observing and watching tactics.

They were ready for training.

Okoye looked over at the princess silently asking permission to start. With a nod from Y/N, she turned back to the crowd of women talking quietly and stretching.

“Ok ladies. You all signed up today because you want to be a part of something bigger that this Kingdom has to offer. Because of that, I applaud you for being brave and strong.” Okoye nodded. “Princess Y/N has asked me to assist where I can so that you all have a better chance at fighting in the real world. Today, we are going to just start with some simple tactics and moves so that you can handle the smaller things. I’ll have Lady Natasha as well as the Princess, and my co-leader Xoliswa here to help demonstrate where I need it.”

The group of women nodded and Y/N took a step up next to Okoye.

“I understand that some of you have no idea what you’re in for, and signed up because you want to make a difference. I admire you for that. Just know that if you have any questions, concerns, or apprehensions I would love to talk and work with you. We are doing this with all women for you to be comfortable. So please don’t hesitate to ask questions and make statements. You are here to change our Kingdoms future. Have a voice and make it loud.” She smiled at the group of ladies who looked a little more at ease now. “Okoye,” she gestured back to her.

“Agreed Princess. Now. Shall we get started?” she gestured in front of her.

An hour and a half of training later, Okoye and Y/N called the session to an end.

“They did really well. I’m extremely impressed.” Okoye said coming up to Y/N as she got a drink while watching the women pack their things and leave.

“I know. For people who never had a form of training in this area, they showed us potential.” Y/N nodded with a smile proud of the women in her kingdom.

“That Carol girl definitely has some spunk too. You sure she hasn’t trained before?”

“I didn’t think so, but yet again, no one knew Nat still trained and look at what she can do.” Y/N shrugged.

“True, true.” Okoye nodded along watching as the last woman left leaving just Nat, Wanda, Y/N, and Xoliswa by themselves in the large room. “Speaking of not knowing about certain people training. Where did you learn all those moves?” she said slightly nudging the Princess.

“I told you. The Academy.” Y/N laughed nudging her back.

“Yes, but that was a different fighting style than one I’ve ever seen.”

“Valkyrie taught me. I just did what she asked.” Y/N shrugged moving back over the other group of women.

“Ah. Makes since. They train different than the Dora Milaje.” she laughed lightly. “I would love to spar with you at some point so you could teach me a few of their techniques.”

“I would love to show you some things.” Y/N smiled. “How about now? Do you have to head back soon?”

“We have about 2 hours before we head home, so now works.” Okoye said crossing her arms.

“Now works for what?” Nat budded in.

“Okoye wants to spar.” Y/N said setting her water down and stretching a little.

“Hate to tell you this, but I think she’s got you beat Y/N/N.” Nat chuckled.

“You haven’t seen what I can do, now have you Nat?” Y/N questioned back getting her friend to raise a questioning eyebrow. “Ok, Okoye. How about we grab a staff and get to work?”

“Yes Ma’am.” Okoye laughed doing as told.

They both grabbed a staff and met in the middle of the sparring mat. The rest of the girls in the room gathering around to see just what Y/N was capable of. They all knew she could fight considering her stories, and also watching her work with the group of soon to be women warriors, but going against Okoye who had been training all her life practically was different. Especially considering she was a prodigy with a spear.

After bowing to each other almost immediately Okoye went in for a hit. Y/N deflected it without hesitation, and had a keen smile on her face as they fought.

On the sidelines Wanda, Nat, and even Xoliswa watched with amazement at how graceful and at ease Y/N looked. The two of them pulling moves on each other that the other seemed to know how to retaliate immediately.

“I’ve never seen anyone last this long with Okoye and a staff. She usually has them on their ass by now.” Xoliswa spoke up.

“Holy hell.” Nat scoffed with a smile watching Y/N continue to work with ease.

There was a sound of the door closing behind them and Nat and Wanda turned to see who was coming in. Bucky, Sam, and Clint walked in with grins on their faces laughing at something Sam had said not even noticing their training room was overrun by girls.

After hearing a few grunts, Bucky looked up and looked at Nat.

“What are you doing here?” he asked noticing the other two women as well.

“Today was our first training day.” Nat answered before turning back to the mat that was a bit of a distance away from them all.

“Is that Okoye?” Clint asked squinting toward the two moving figures.

“Yep.” Wanda laughed.

“Who's the other girl?” Sam spoke up.

“Holy shit.” Bucky said being the first to figure out who it was. “Y/N?”

“Wait what!” Sam said taking a few steps closer and seeing what Bucky saw. “No way…”

“Can’t say I’m surprised.” Clint laughed crossing his hands over his chest and standing next to Nat.

Y/N and Okoye had stopped and were now circling each other with the staff still prepared to attack. A grin on both of their faces showing they were enjoying the challenge.

“How long have they been going at it?” Bucky asked nodding toward the mat.

“About 3 minutes or so. Not long.” Wanda answered.

“Long for Okoye. She usually has her opponent begging for mercy about 30 seconds in.” Xoliswa chuckled.

“How did the mission go?” Wanda asked turning to Sam.

“Good. Ended up being a little band of rebels making threats they couldn’t actually fulfill. Surprise, surprise.” Sam rolled his eyes.

“Where’s Steve?” Nat asked next.

“He was headed here with us, but I think one of the guards stopped him on the way in.” Bucky answered looking back at the door that was now opening. “There he is.” he smiled turning back to Y/N. “Wait ‘till he sees this. Man’ll shit his pants.” he chuckled getting an elbow from Nat. “Ow!”

“Watch yourself Barnes. Your jackass is showing.” she said with a playful glare.

“Hey guys. What are you watching?” Steve asked looking at the mat, but not paying much mind to the sparrers before turning to the group of friends.

“Look closely.” Bucky said pushing his head back to the two women.

“What-” Steve started, but as soon as he focused on what was in front of him, his jaw dropped. “Is that-?” he said with wide shock ridden eyes.

“Yup.” Clint said popping the P.

“Is she-” Steve started again, but the words died out as soon as Okoye went back in for the strike. He took a protective foot forward, but immediately Y/N fought back and was somehow able to get the Dora Milaje warrior to become unbalanced and land on her side.

With another swift move, Y/N swung the staff around, and brought it inches from Okoye's throat showing that she had won the match.

“God dam-” Steve started, not blinking as he looked at the princess.

“Language Cap.” Bucky snickered slapping his shoulder. “Also, close your mouth. You’re going to catch a fly.”

Steve finally broke out of his concentration and shot a glare toward the dark haired man. Just now taking notice of the messenger that was talking to Nat as her and Wanda nodded.

“Princess!” Nat shouted turning back to Y/N who was helping Okoye off the ground. “You’re father said you have a visitor. We need to get you dressed.”

Y/N looked her way and nodded. She shared a few words with the woman warrior she just went against, and a laugh as they walked back. She smiled as she saw all her friends home safe and waved, but as she went down the line she laid eyes on Steve who now had a nervous and small smile on his lips.

Her laughter dulled and her lips went to an awkward smile that was clearly there to be polite.

“Wow Y/N/N. Taking down one of the Dora Milaje. Didn’t realize you got that kind of training at the academy.” Bucky spoke up making her attention come to him.

“Oh James. The things I learned would leave you awestruck.” she winked turning back to the group. “You all came back without a scratch I hope. The rest of the crew safe as well?” she said switching to royal mode. Something she tended to do to hide herself from Steve.

“Yes. Everyone is back in one piece.” Sam answered. “Nothing we couldn’t handle.”

“Not much you can’t handle now is there?” she smiled at them.

“Very true.” Clint laughed.

Steve was about to speak up, and ask what all he missed since everything happening was so confusing to him. No one told him about the training or why Okoye and her co-leader were here. He felt like he had been left out of the loop. But before he could get a word in, Nat spoke up again. More demanding this time.

“You’ll have time to kick Bucky’s ass later. Right now, we have to get you cleaned up and dressed for the guest your father is waiting with.”

“Right. Well, I’ll catch up with you boys later. I would like to know all that went down. Mission report and all.” Y/N nodded grabbing a few things before walking toward the doors.

“Steve and I will be by shortly to do just that.” Bucky shouted toward them.

She sent him a head nod before giving Steve one last look. Noticing he hadn’t drawn his eyes off of her the whole time. She gave him a simple nod as well with what looked like a sad smile. Almost as if she didn’t want to leave just yet, and actually did want to stay and talk.

Once she was out the doors, Bucky patted his back again snapping him back to reality.

“When the hell are you going to do it?” he said. Clint and Sam coming around and sending him knowing looks as well.

“Stop Buck. Times not right.” Steve said shrugging him off.

“The times never right. You just have to man up and do it.” Bucky groaned. “You’re dragging this on too long and all it’s doing is making it more painful for the both of you. I don’t want to have to tell you these things every freaking time I see you lingering at her.”

“Then don’t. No one asked you to.” Steve said harshly.

“Ease up Cap. We all just want whats best for you and Y/N. You guys were so close and reliable on each other back then. We just want to see that again. For you and for each others wellbeing.” Sam spoke up.

“I agree.” Clint chimed in.

“Well, it’s not my fault it’s taken so long. I probably would have done it by now if it wasn’t for the mission that took a week.” Steve said running a hand down his face.

“Ok, well you’re back now. Talk. Do something. This has gone on too long. It’s been almost two weeks since she’s been back and all there is between you two is awkward tension. It’s hard to watch.” Sam sighed crossing his arms over his chest.

“Listen Steve. There are things Y/N learned at the academy. Patience and understanding being some of them.” he chuckled a little before the next comment. “And apparently how to kick ass too.” All the men slightly laughing at that too. “Besides that, I can tell she wants to understand. You can see it in her eyes. As much as you’re scared to talk to her about it, she’s just as scared to ask.”

There was a pause as Steve thought about it. He looked out the door where she had left and let out a long sigh.

“Ok. Tomorrow, or at least the next time I can get her alone.” he shook his head. “I can’t stand seeing her look at me like I just shot her horse. It makes me want to literally die.”

“Yeah. We can tell.” Sam scoffed. “Man up Cap. You got a girl to get.”

“That’s not going to-” Steve started.

“What about a celebratory drink boys? On the king since it’s his stash.” Clint broke in knowing Steve was going to make the mood dark by thinking about how him and Y/N could never actually be together and all.

“Steve and I will catch up with you two when we get the mission report done. Let’s all go wash up first. I haven’t had the chance to clean up since we got back. And neither have any of you.” Bucky said sharing a look with the men as they walked out.

“Not all of us smell as bad as you Sergeant.” Sam spoke up.

“Oh, bite me Wilson.” Bucky retorted shoving him slightly.

“I’m flattered, but I don’t swing that way Barnes.” Sam continued to tease.

“You little-” Bucky said running after him after Sam took off in a sprint.

“Two of my best men ladies and gentlemen. How lucky am I?” Steve groaned getting a laugh out of Clint.

10 Years Time Tag:

@starstrucknature @zlixlle @thorne93 @captainsteveevans @girlintheshire @shreddedparchment @queenie4ce @laneygthememequeen @averyrogers83 @sp2900 @heyiamthatbitch @purpleclodpastamug @noobmaster63 @snow30285 @zeilenkrieg @twizzziee @buckybarneslove76 @srrymydood @kaytizzle @cheeseburgersstuff @teller258316 @thejourneyneverendsx @notyourtypicalrose @sebastianstanfavpita @capsiclesdoll

Other Tags:

@shamelesslydean @sleepless-sin @sandlee44 @gripmetight-raisemefromperdition @spnwoman @ravengirl94 @carryonmywaywardcaptain @ezilyamuzed @thosekidswhohuntmonsters @anise-d-castle6 @tailsoflightning @spookycowz @snffbeebee @angelessquirrel @deans-baby-momma @natura1phenomenon @tftumblin @gh0stgurl @screechingartisancashbailiff @herscrunchiehairtie @dreaminemz @monkeymcpoopoo @a-girl-who-loves-disney @andthatsmyworld @greenarrowhead @savio-the-depressed-moose @awesome-badass-cafeteria-sauce @greyeyedsmile14 @adoptdontshop-blog @casper57 @traceyaudette @rainflowermoonlibrary @luciathewinchestergirl @almostelegantfire @thefaithfulwriter @the-is13 @kaz11283 @jerkbitchidjitassbutt @squirrelgirl67 @jackles-15 @lauravic @deansgirls-1968 @a–1–1–3 @spnbaby-67 @deannotmoose @naomi02hook @were-not-the-losechesters @lilulo-12

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give-me-back-my-rhodey · 4 years

Text

The Stars Reflect Our Love - AUgust Day 30

Title: The Stars Reflect our Love Author: Purple_ducky00 Warnings: N/A Square Filled: Y2: Forbidden Love for @ladiesofmarvelbingo Pair: Nakia/T'Challa Link: Read on AO3 Summary: Nakia is the mage for King T’Chaka of Wakanda. She falls in love with his son, but their love is forbidden.

+++++++++

Nakia is the mage for King T’Chaka of Wakanda. Her mother sold her to the coven when she was a baby, and she became a mage at such a young age. Now, at 18, she has her first job. As mage to the king, she is in close contact with the royal family.

King T’Chaka is truly kind. Nakia has heard rumors from other mages about how their king treated them, but Nakia knows she has nothing to worry about. Queen Ramonda is a treasure. She takes Nakia in under her wing as if Nakia were her own daughter. Princess Shuri, at age 5, is already taking apart machines and putting them back together. The royal technician, N’Yonte, gives her little projects to work on, telling the king and queen that she will surpass him quite quickly.

The prince heir, T’Challa, is seventeen. He shows a special interest in her, and she thinks it’s because he’s going through puberty and found a pretty female onto whom he could latch. He watches her closely with wide eyes. One time he calls to her in the hallway. Nakia knows she must answer him, but she is afraid of what he might say.

“Nakia.” He calls.

She stops in her tracks, steels herself, and asks, “Yes, Your Highness?”

“Do you think you could teach me?” He queries. When she gives him a questioning look, he hurriedly continues. “Magic, that is. Could you teach me how to do magic?”

“You are a prince. What would you need magic for?” She wonders.

T’Challa shrugs. “I’m not sure… but you make it look so amazing. I wish I could do what you do.”

“Magic does not come without a price,” Nakia warns him. “No one is ever sure what the price is for them. I will not agree to help you with this until you have fully thought this through and discussed with the correct persons.”

The young prince tries to argue, saying that he can pay any price. Nakia reiterates that she will not help him until he follows her previous instructions. He leaves in a huff. The mage shrugs. She cannot be bothered by spoiled princes and their fickle wants.

King T’Chaka commends her the next day for her unyielding stance. “My son does not know what he wants, nor does he understand the risks of learning magic. Thank you for not just agreeing to help him.” The queen nods, and Nakia knows she made the right choice.

She is surprised, however, when T’Challa apologizes to her before the week ends. “I’m sorry Nakia. I was stupid and arrogant, thinking I might know more about this than you. You clearly are the expert. Could you forgive me?”

“Of course, I can forgive you… as long as you have learned your lesson.” T’Challa swears he has. They stand there awkwardly for a few minutes, then the prince asks if they can be friends again, to which Nakia agrees.

As time passes, Nakia and T’Challa become fast friends. T’Challa turns eighteen, and the king and queen want him to look for a spouse. They bring in candidate after candidate, but T’Challa thinks it is too soon. He rants to Nakia about each person that his parents send in. “They’re not terrible, but I don’t want to get married! I want to be able to live my life a little longer before I have to worry about wives and children. Why can’t my parents understand that?”

Nakia herself agrees with him and understands his reasoning; however, it’s her job to defend the king and queen. “they probably just want to make sure the kingdom is secure, forbid anything happens to them.”

“I’d be fine.” T’Challa sulks. “I’d have you.”

One of the Doras comes to get the prince as his parents have called for them, and Nakia mulls over his words. What does he mean “I’d have you”? She knows he probably just means that she’ll be his mage as well, but she can’t help thinking that he meant more. Damn her feelings. She doesn’t need them… right? Does she want more from him? Nakia knows she needs to stop thinking about this.

She overhears an argument between T’Challa and his parents a few weeks later. He had asked them to stop sending in candidates for a spouse. “It’s not fair to me or the candidates.” T’Challa argues. “I’m not ready for this yet, and you’re giving them false hope.”

Queen Ramonda speaks. “What if something happened to your father and I, and you took the throne? A good king always talks with his partner when things get too hard.”

“But Nakia will be here. She knows the kingdom like the back of her hand.” Comes T’Challa’s reply.

The king’s voice thunders. “You will by no means at all marry the mage. Or come onto her at all. She is our servant, for one. She may feel obligated to be with you. Secondly, she is not of royal blood or a citizen of Wakanda. How does that look to your subjects? To be a king fueled by lust? No, I will not have it.”

“Baba, I did not mean it that way. We are only good friends.” T’Challa tries to placate his father. Nakia’s heart sinks. She does not know why. “I had only meant that she would be a chief advisor.”

T’Chaka seems to relax. He tells his son that he would prefer to T’Challa to marry young as he did, but he will respect his decision. T’Challa thanks him and asks that the courting candidates stop for the time being. The king and queen agree. He thanks them happily.

That night, Nakia cannot sleep. She often has trouble sleeping when many things plague her. As usual, the mage ends up on the roof of the palace. There are no guards up here, and she feels one with the sky. A sound startles her, and she readies herself with a knife. She lowers it when she realizes that it’s T’Challa who has joined her on the roof.

She smiles at him, and they sit in a comfortable silence for a while. The prince speaks first. “I got my parents to stop trying to marry me off for the time being.”

“That’s great! Did they give you the reasons I did?”

“Yes, and I told them that I had you. My father had a strange reaction to that, however.”

Nakia raises an eyebrow to look unbothered, but inside her heart is pounding. “Oh? What happened?”

“He told me that I was not able to marry you. First, you are our servant and might feel obligated to say yes. Second, you are not royal or a citizen of Wakanda, which apparently means I cannot control my own lust, which is why I went after you in the first place.” T’Challa scoffs. “Can you believe that?”

“Well, he probably has both our best interests at heart.” Nakia isn’t sure where T’Challa is going with this. Is he trying to hammer home the fact that he is not interested? Has Nakia been acting like a lovesick fool?

T’Challa takes her hand. “Nakia, if I told you I loved you, would you feel obligated to say you love me back? Are you afraid that I will do away with you if you say no?”

“I… I trust you.” Nakia replies. “I trust that you are not too petty a man to cause a stir because you were rejected.”

She is thrown for a loop when the next thing he says is “Nakia, I love you.”

“T’Challa, I-I I really like you, too…” She begins, and T’Challa sighs happily and pulls her in for a kiss. Unable to stop herself, she deepens the kiss. T’Challa moans and pulls her down to lie on the roof. Nakia looks up and the night sky, and it seems as if the stars are closer to them than before. Does this mean the ancestors agree?

Quickly, she pulls back. “You didn’t let me finish. I like you, too, but we are forbidden. Your father has spoken.”

“Why can’t I choose who I marry? I love you.” T’Challa frowns.

Nakia shakes her head. “You will get over me all too easily. We cannot do this.”

T’Challa relents. They stay lying on the roof, looking at the stars, talking about anything other than love until the sun rises the next morning. T’Challa sneaks down first, and Nakia comes down an hour later, as the Doras are used to her sleeping on the roof.

Life goes on normally for Wakanda. Nakia does her job. She and T’Challa often spend time together, even if things are a bit more awkward between each other. King T’Chaka asks her for advice on the prince. He tells her that he thinks the prince is in love with someone already, and he doesn’t understand why the prince doesn’t act on it. The king doesn’t know why the prince isn’t ready for marriage. He asks for any insight that Nakia might have.

“At what age did you become king, Your Majesty?” Nakia wonders.

“I was eighteen, like T’Challa today. My father was killed in battle, and I needed to step up. Thankfully, I loved Ramonda, and we were ready to marry.”

Nakia hums. “But you married due to necessity. Wakanda is now peaceful, and you are in perfect health. T’Challa does not feel the need to marry quickly because he is sure that you have many years left. I do not have the ability to see into the future, but I can tell you that I do not think you will die soon.”

“So, you are saying that you believe he will step up in time of need?” He asks.

“I do. T’Challa has shown that he is able to read situations for what they are and keep a cool head in times of adversity. I strongly believe he will do what is needed if anything were to happen to you and the Queen Mother.” The king thanks her for her insight and dismisses her.

T’Challa visits her on the roof that night. “What if we did everything secretly?” He asks. “We will be sneaky, and no one will be the wiser.”

“I…” Nakia knows this is wrong, but she finds herself wanting to throw herself in T’Challa’s arms while they are both in court. If they do things like this at night, maybe she can control herself better during the day. “If we make sure that absolutely no one else knows about this.” She warns.

T’Challa breathes a sigh of relief. “Absolutely no one.” And he lunges for her. “I have missed you.” By the end of the night, with the prince sleeping on her shoulder, Nakia notices again just how low the stars are hanging tonight. They’ll be ok.

#nakia/tchalla #t'challa x nakia #magic au #forbidden love #ladiesofmarvelbingo20 #lomb2020 #AU_gust_2020 #i write!

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maladaptive-ninja-returns · 5 years

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Kira (10)

CHAPTER 10: A Flower in Green

Loki x fem!Reader (Kira)

Series: Will contain fluff, smut, bloodshed, violence, anxiety, tears and the cries of my wilted soul.

Chapter content: the good, the bad and the ugly. Yup. I did all of that.

Warnings: I might have added someone *whispers* reeeally hot!

Word count: I want to live in a quiet place, have a nice job, fulfill all my passions and have a yard full of animals that come over to eat what I cook.

MASTERLIST & Taglist in bio, my love

"It's okay. You can say Stark has too much money."

Loki does not turn at the voice but the familiarity makes him smile nonetheless.

He catches the bartender's eyes in front of him. "Amarula Cream for the lady. Make it the traditional way if you can, please."

Solaris forces out a chuckle. "Really? Just because I'm African, I'd like an Amarula?"

Loki smirks and turns towards the woman, leaning on the blue-lit bar surface. "So you don't like it, Solaris?"

Solaris presses her lips together to suppress one delicious grin forming up to her cheeks. She mirrors Loki and takes the cold glass filled with creamy liqueur waiting for her.

"Shut up and let me enjoy insulting you," she mentions softly, sipping her drink and smacking her lips.

Loki observes the crowd that has gathered in the open air in the back of the villa that is a temporary abode for Stark for the expo. Lights are set in lamps which adorn the trees lining up the lawn, lighting up the area with the softest hue. The bar sits by the corner away from the stairs coming down from the villa. Despite the supposed season, the air seems colder than usual but the company is warm.

"What," he finally states, sweeter than expected, feeling Solaris' eyes burning on his side, "do you want?"

Solaris doesn't even blink as she's watching him with a tilted head.

"Where is she?" Her voice is nearly a whisper.

He simply shrugs.

She frowns.

"Did you leave her alone, Loki?"

Loki turns to face her. "I'm sure she'll be fine, darling."

"Mm-hmm," Solaris nods her head, taking a generous sip of her drink. "I'm sure she'll be fine. But what about you?"

Loki blinks. "What about me?"

She wants to laugh out loud and smack Loki lightly in the face but she holds on to those emotions for future, downing her drink all at once. "Doesn't matter."

"So..." Loki continues, gesturing the bartender for another round for the lady, "did you meet him?"

"Who?"

Loki licks his lips, preparing himself to say the name he knows Solaris has an aversion to lately.

"Nakia."

And he's a second late.

Loki can feel her freeze just for a second, the playful smile disappearing from her eyes as she composes herself to turn around and face the source of the voice.

T'Challa stands in a glorious purple suit with the embellishments of the land he rules decorating the fabric with love.

Love.

That's not exactly the emotion Loki would think of when he sees the king of Wakanda freeze where he stands, his eyes searching for something familiar when he sees Solaris.

"Nakia I..." He knows not what to say.

"Solaris," she helps him. "My name is Solaris," she softly declares with the slightest smile on her lips before turning to the king's confidant. "Okoye," she greets.

"Umngcatshi," Okoye acknowledges, making Solaris feel a cold wave go down her spine.

"Okoye," the king barely lets his lax voice scold his right hand, sensing old emotions surfacing between the two women. "Ndidinga ukuthetha naye..."

Whatever he says does not seem to sit well with Okoye, who bores her eyes into T'Challa. "...yedwa."

"Curse you-ah freaking...stupid...arms! Ugh!"

I give up.

Your arms ache with the fruitless effort of trying to get to the back of your dress right.

Stupid stupid dress. Arrggh!

You sigh and let your arms drop down on the sink in the empty bathroom of the villa.

Everything was perfect. Your hair, makeup; you were even wearing shoes that matched the outfit! Boy, you were feeling confident till a woman standing outside the villa pointed out that the back of your dress had hidden protrusions that were supposed to be tied at the back. Only if you had some sort of help.

"Solaris!" you whispered to yourself with relief, picking up the phone and feeling your body jump when the door to the bathroom opened.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," a voice came from behind you, "I should have knocked."

Deep, clear, sweet and definitely belonging to a male.

"Y-yeah I'll just be a minute," you announce softly, easing the shiver in your voice before whispering to yourself, "just need to figure out how to tie a knot without dislocating my arm."

You can see the reflection of the door nearly turning behind you, stopping right before it can click close.

"If it's okay," you hear the densely luxurious voice again, "is there anything I can help you with?"

You think about the offer for a few seconds before internally staring at your ego and thinking about going through the torture of having to bend your arms again.

"Yes, please," you blurt out before your brain can process, "but before that, how good are you at tying a knot."

"Hmm," you hear the man behind you, somehow relieved that the small bathroom space is saving you the embarrassment of looking him in the eye through all this, just giving him barely any room outside the door to have a view of your back, "does bow-tieing gift boxes count as a good knotting skill?"

"You know I was thinking how will I find Loki in this crowd but then I suddenly see the most heated corner and thought to myself 'why did I even think it was possible for you to get lost in a crowd'."

Loki has to roll his eyes as he raises his glass of soda just a few inches.

"I apologise if I'm stealing your thunder, Stark," he spews ever so gently.

Tony raises his brow at the cocktail of modesty and high attitude that Loki serves him with a smirk.

"Were you drinking something stronger than soda I would have felt the need to tell you not to shit where you eat but..."

Loki chuckles.

"...clearly it is not my day to tell you that, is it?"

Loki follows his gaze towards the lone steps under a tree where T'Challa and Solaris- Nakia- are having a word.

"They look good together," Loki mutters- surprising both him and Stark, neither of them giving away much except for blinking at the sudden soft outburst.

"Yeah," Stark shrugged, "They do look together."

"Idiots," they hear from their side, turning to watch Okoye judging them, "idiots are running this world."

"Well, I agree," Stark raised his glass of orange juice to her before chugging the cold, pulpy drink down.

"Wonderful party, Mr Stark."

A new voice greets the host and all three of them turn to watch the greeter.

A man stands at a respectful distance from Stark in a tuxedo, wearing a soft smile, both on his lips and in his eyes. None of the audience seems to recognise this tall man with a perfect physique and clearly a really good taste in clothes.

"Thank you, man I don't really seem to recall," Stark responds, narrowing his eyes at the guy still smiling at him, only this time his perfect teeth shine through.

"William Billy Russo," he introduces himself, bringing forward his hand for a shake, "owner of Anvil Corp."

Loki's ears flare up at the name and suddenly he is all interested in Billy Russo.

The man has dark eyes, caramel but way too cooked for the light to reflect back. His ebony hair is pushed back with a generous amount of gel with a soft cut at the sides. His stubble is clean, the jawlines making it all the more better to look at and suddenly Loki feels the inception of some unspoken curiosity tickling his nerves.

"The company that deals in private security, isn't it?"

Billy's head is angled slightly upward. Only his eyes move to meet Loki's before his hand presents itself to Loki.

"You must be Loki Odinson."

"I prefer Loki."

"Of course," Billy corrects himself, "You have made quite a name for yourself, your grace."

"Woah," Stark mutters while Loki gives him a wry smile.

"Like I said," Loki asserts with great poise, "I only prefer Loki. Any person deserving to be royalty is probably in the corner behind us," he indirectly gestures at T'Challa, who is now standing alone as Solaris comes back to the bar to see what the group meeting is about.

"Solaris, I presume," Billy is the first to address the lady, giving out his hand for her, already earning raised brows from the gentlemen.

"Billy Russo," she smiles at the man as he kisses her hand, "I am charmed that you even know my name."

"And I am charmed that I get to be the name you remember," he replies.

"Okay," Tony breaks the flirty air, picking up a glass of champagne, "Hozier is in the house. He is about to start getting medieval lovers crazy so I'd rather be with my girlfriend than in the company filled with-" he looks at all the men around him- "sophisticated testosterones. Let's just leave it for another day. Or lifetime."

Stark walks away and the strums of guitars can be heard on the stage by the end of the lawn with a decent space ahead of it for people who are interested in enjoying the music with dance. A couple of them are already on that glowing platform, waiting for the singer to begin.

"I wonder what Stark did to get Hozier to perform at this gathering," Loki mutters to Solaris, who is facing the stairs with wide eyes right now. "He went all out, didn't he?"

Solaris' lips go wide along with her eyes. "Looks like not only Stark went all out."

Loki turns to look at her and then follow her gaze to the villa's stairs, feeling everything around him stop when he notices the figure standing on top right when the music begins.

I still watch you when you're groovin'

As if through water from the bottom of a pool

Stars have been brought down from the sky to be embellished in the green fabric that covers your body. Going down your shoulder, covering your arms with a God-like grace, laying bare the middle of your chest as the neckline plunges further than you would like it on any normal day. A slit till up your thigh lets the chilly wind tease the flowing fabric around your legs while your shoulders, waist and the very tips of this royal green is kissed by tiny suns trailing their way down to the slit.

You're movin' without movin'

And when you move, I'm moved

You are a shimmering delight for anyone who sets their eyes on you; no matter which angle they look from. Your hair sits on one side in the front to let the bare back with just a sweet little bow on the upper back play with imagination.

You are a call to motion

There, all of you a verb in perfect view

The eyes that are looking at you with a lingering gaze are riling up your anxiety and you realise you are right in the middle of the marble steps, feeling the nausea when you start questioning if you can really do it. You begin scanning the crowd for anything familiar. Anyone at all.

And then you see him.

Like Jonah on the ocean

When you move, I'm moved

"So she is the one I had the privilege of helping."

Loki hears Billy but he is not swayed by his words because those smaragdines are stuck on you. Only you. No corner of his imagination could have thought how stunning you could look when you willingly wanted to put in the effort. And here he stands watching you become the gravity of this place as every human seems to centre themselves around you tonight, bringing out a burning sensation right in his chest.

When you move

I'm put to mind of all that I wanna be

He can see you look at him, watch how your chest rises and falls in one long moment and your shoulders relax. Because of me? He wonders. You pass him a smile and a piece of his soul seems to melt; he blinks. And just in that blink he watches something expected and yet unacceptable by his heart.

When you move

I could never define all that you are to me

You have been walking down the stairs in the block heels of gold that Gustav had been kind to add to your costume. Your eyes are still stuck on Loki, blinking away once when you notice Solaris wave at you and wink, gesturing at how you look gorgeous, catalysing the heat rising at the back of your neck. You do not realise when you've reached the end of the steps.

"May I have this dance?"

So move me, baby

Shake like the bough of a willow tree

You don't want to look away from those green eyes shining under the soft lights but the voice forces you to look at dark embers waiting right in front of you.

"Uhh..." You are lost for words

"As a token of gratitude for helping you earlier?" The man smiles.

You do it naturally

Move me, baby

It takes you a second before you are able to recognise that deep voice and can now finally place a handsome face to it.

Oh well, one dance won't hurt would it?

He already has his hand out. You take it a little hesitantly.

"Don't worry," that soft face says with a smile, his thumb caressing the back of your hand as it guides you to the platform where other people are already swaying to the tunes, "I won't bite."

I hope so.

You let him take you on the floor, but your body certainly isn't ready when he wraps his hand around your bare back as it flinches at his touch.

"I don't really know how to dance," you partially lie to cover the jerk your body feels on the foreign touch.

"I'll lead the way," the man smirks down at you, taking your other hand in his, "you just have to follow me."

You are the rite of movement

Its reasonin' made lucid and cool

You can feel your muscles twitch. But those strong arms are already flowing, taking them with you, making you move as they move.

"What are you waiting for?"

I know it's no improvement

When you move, I move

Loki snaps out of a self-constructed trance where Billy isn't holding you so close to him. He watches Solaris look at him with mischief in her eyes. No, he thinks to himself, you don't get to do that.

You're less Polunin leapin'

"Whatever are you talking about?"

She sighs.

Or Fred Astaire in sequins

Honey, you, you're Atlas in his sleepin'

"Loki, I think we can both agree she is not comfortable in the arms of a stranger," Solaris comments, making Loki shrug.

"So? What am I supposed to do? Swoop her in my arms? I'm sure she's adult enough to handle it on her own. Believe me," Loki asserts, stopping himself from looking in your direction, instead, turning to the bar, nursing his glass of soda, his thumb feeling the edge of the glass.

And when you move, I'm moved

Solaris shifts a little to Loki's side, her voice nearly a whisper. "Kira is at an event with the highest dignitaries where she represents Sun Corp, Loki."

When you move

I can recall somethin' that's gone from me.

The movements of his thumb stop

When you move

Honey, I'm put in awe of somethin' so flawed and free

"She represents you tonight. Do you really think she is in a position to say no to anyone who approaches her?"

So move me, baby

Without an invitation, a graphic picture enters Loki's mind and the glass in his hand bears the impact- having developed a crack right where Loki's thumb was a second ago.

Shake like the bough of a willow tree

You do it naturally

Move me, baby

Shit, shit, shit.

So move me, baby

Like you've nothin' left to prove

And nothin' to lose

Move me, baby

Your nervousness is showing in your eyes, and you have an idea why, which is why you're keeping your face low, hidden from prying eyes. Too many eyes on you. Too much pressure to not fall down on the floor face first. You have begun sweating. This is bad.

Ooh, ooh, ooh

Oh baby, oh baby

As if to accelerate the anxiousness building up inside your throbbing heart, you feel the man leave your waist to make you twirl.

Move like grey skies

Move like a bird of paradise

Before you can even open your mouth or your brain to absorb what's happening, you are moving a three-sixty, looking for some kind of support to stop your spin right when your chest lands smack on Loki's.

Move like an odd sight come out at night

The song reaches the highest pitch right at your contact. You are impressed by the timing, no doubt, and by your boss' skill to make an entry.

"You all right?" He looks into your Y/E/C eyes, looking for honest answers.

Move me, baby

Shake like the bough of a willow tree

"I am now." You don't know where the authority comes from but you don't let the rush you're feeling dilute.

You do it naturally

Move me, baby

You don't even realise his hold on your waist, never touching your bare body until his fingers are holding yours.

"Would you like to-" Loki's words are hesitant.

"Yes, I'd love to dance with you," you reply before he can change his mind. "But I must warn you I'm not very good at it."

So move me, baby

Like you've nothin' left to lose

Loki smiles at you and all tied up muscles inside you release themselves one by one.

"Just move as you please," he assures you, "and I'll follow."

And nothin' to prove

Move me, baby

And so you do. Oh, the grace that befalls on the floor is a one time wonder that people witness. The softness of the motion between the two of you, the effortlessness of the way the arms glide over the other's, the heat that flows through your body, being greedily devoured by the envious eyes witnessing the two of you till the song recedes and stops and you are left breathless and glowing in Loki's arms.

So move me, baby

Shake like the bough of a willow tree

Billy watches you two from where he stands and smiles before leaving the floor. Solaris watches the smile quite carefully, not sure what to make of it for she is distracted by the vibrations you and Loki are giving off tonight.

You do it naturally

Move me, baby

"I didn't know you could dance so well!"

Compliments from Pepper and Solaris are flowing like a monsoon river while you stand in between them with heated cheeks, trying to find some way to be thankful but all you can do is chuckle bashfully.

"I didn't know Loki could dance!" Tony quips, taking away Pepper's empty glass for champagne, doing the same for you and Solaris.

Neither did I, apparently.

His name makes your eyes scan the crowd for him, wondering where he went right after the dancing stopped. And while doing so, you spot a little girl standing by the bar trying to get the bartender's attention.

You excuse yourself from the company to walk towards her and politely ask her what she wants.

"Orange juice," she replies with the most unadulterated curiosity.

"Orange juice for the young lady, please," you tell the bartender, watching the little one's eyes light up.

"With ice!" She jumps up and down.

"Now, now. We can't have ice unless your mother or father allows it, can we?" You ask her.

She thinks for a moment before turning to look to her left. You follow her gaze and see a beautiful Japanese woman smiling delicately at the two of you.

She shakes her head and speaks something only her daughter understands, who turns back to you. "No ice," she says.

Picking up the small glass from the bar, you carefully hand it to the girl, who thanks you and runs to her mother, who bows to you to thank you for your kindness and you mirror her for her gratitude.

Not another moment passes when you spot Loki's back at the corner of the villa with another man. There's no thinking twice and you're already walking on the little gravel path on the boundaries of the lawn to go to him.

"It is unwise of you to do so, brother," you hear from that direction, unable to make out the features of the other man in the dark.

"Oh, please do tell," Loki's voice never rises it's usual pitch, "what else is wrong of me. Apart from being adopted from the slum of your father's most hated enemy."

A drum sounds in your heart at the words and your pace slows down but never stops.

"Brother please," the other man is stressing, "this is madness. Come back to us. And father will take care-"

"Do not."

The weight in Loki's words throws a rumble inside you and this time you stop; just five steps short of where he and his brother stands.

"Don't you dare complete that sentence if you have a sliver of empathy for your brother, Thor. Don't you dare say another word if you truly think of yourself in any way human or somewhere close to it."

You feel your feet sink an inch into the ground at the harshness coming out of Loki. It is just a glimpse but the darkness of his emeralds is hard to miss even in such weak light reaching this unlit corner.

"Leave him be, Thor," another aged voice comes from the dark, making the buffed up figure of 'Thor' move aside to give place to a much shorter one- with an air so daunting you can feel it up to your throat, "this scum born from dirt does not know the privilege he was bestowed when I carried him from soil."

One step into the light from the shadows and you watch as the part where an eye should be, glimmers in gold in one single patch while the other is...blank. the wrinkles on his face tell his age but there are no emotions. He is expressionless for his son.

"There is nothing wrong in Thor saying you will be taken care of," the man announces quite close to Loki's face and can't help but see your boss' hand twitch and curl up much to your internal fear. "Because, boy, you will be taken care of once you step foot back in Asgard. Broken and disarmed of anything precious to you for the good of everyone living in this goddamn world."

The words are spit on his face. The man walks away and Thor follows but not before he sees you standing there, your eyes only set on his brother's back.

You take one step forward. Then another.

"Loki?" You whisper despite your heart's frail attempts to stop you from doing so.

You feel his head rise just a noticeable bit and your body wants to take a u-turn and dash away but your dull reflexes just freeze you there and then.

It is hard to make out at first but the moment you register his erratic breaths your feet move towards him.

"Lo-"

"Walk. Away."

His whisper is ice burning straight through your heart, breaking your resolve bit by bit. But somewhere some intuitive part of you can smell the fear surrounding him.

"I can't," you admit.

Not after...not after last night. You take another step but a firm hand stops you.

"I'd leave him be if I were you," Thor gesticulates at you, his eyes turning with a single shade of diluted but subtle animosity. Loki is already walking away as Thor speaks. You want to follow him but the grip on you is hard if not abusive. "Believe me, woman," he continues with a sigh, "he does not deserve the love and compassion that is given to him."

The walk back to the chalet is tedious. Not because the road is long but because of Loki's inability to breathe right now. He barely manages to get the key in the door's lock to open it and shove himself inside. Sweat marks his brows and his heart burns because of the speed it is beating at. Water. He heads straight to the kitchenette from the door to pick up the nearest bottle only to find it empty. Curses fly out of his mouth as he leaves the bottle to roll on the slab before it slips by the edge shatters on the ground. Tears blur his eyes. He tries to wipe them away but they just do not stop.

It burns. Everything burns. Inside out.

His bowtie is loosened when he is in the nearest room- your room- making his way to the bathroom to get some water inside and over him when nausea starts hitting him. He is on his knees when the bathroom door opens, opening the toilet cover and seat to regurgitate every bit of sickness he is feeling on every level.

He can't take it anymore. It is too much. Another rush hits his throat and he bleches it out, the tears turning his eyes red. He wants to move hands to help himself but they're numb along with his legs.

Why.

Heavy clouds mark his mind, the sweat beads being the rainstorm.

Why am I even alive right now?

There is a slight shift in his weight, unknown wetness around his neck. He is wondering about the source when the prison that is his collar opens up for him to let in as much air as he can.

"Yes, breathe. It's okay. Breathe." Your voice.

It's you. Kira.

"Here, let me take care of your hair." Your voice. Why does it feel so good? Like a Kalimba being played on a sunny day in the mountains. He can feel your fingers run through his hair, catching all the strands with too much affection before tying them up. "Here," you say softly, almost killing him with all this kindness, "let it all out. It'll help you. I promise, it will."

He shifts towards the bowl feeling your hands ever so gently run up and down his back. All the heat gathered up is slowly phasing away and the sweat beads grow bigger, trickling his forehead to the tip of his nose before falling down. Another filth-ridden rush comes up his throat and he lets it all out. Cold air rushes all over him. The sweat is soothed down. His heartbeat relaxes from the rush, his insides feeling four levels lighter. Oh how heavenly it feels to breathe normally again! Or maybe it's your touch. Your hands resting on his arms, leaving this breathy lightness wherever they have touched him.

How is it possible? He has to ask himself.

"Wash your face, I'll get you a change of your clothes," you state.

Loki is in no condition to argue and so he does what he thinks should be done, not what you told him to. Getting up with whatever strength he has left he turns to the sink to wash his face and rinse his mouth. The air that leaves his lungs rots with the stench of his burning insides but it feels good to let it out in any way. The towels are soft and help him neutralise the harshness left on his skin.

Loki's clothes for the night- his black pyjama and shirt are waiting for him on your bed but you are nowhere to be seen and he would drown himself in that sink before calling for you. The tux is thrown in the laundry box by the corner of the room and the cool clothes feel so much better on his skin. With a relieved sigh that escapes his mouth, he settles on the bed and falls asleep.

The nightmare comes again. One filled with tortures and screams, blood etching his skin and claws digging deep into him while he cries for help. He sees himself fall, wake up in freezing coldness, die more than once after.

But this time he wakes up before he can see the most barbaric climax.

The heavy breaths are silent this time when his eyes see the unfamiliar surroundings around him. He is not home. He is somewhere else. He is...

Kira.

You sleep on the settee by the wall next to the bed. Back into your PJs. It comforts him- because you finally looks comfortable, snoring lightly as you sleep without a care in the world. How he wishes he could have an ounce of what you have right now.

Loki turns where he lays to face you, resting his head on his shoulder as he watches peace glide right from your face. He does not even know when there is a smile brewing over his lips. The arm your head rests on stretches out, nearly halfway to Loki, your fingers curled downwards; he knows this is going to ache in the morning.

In this moment, he does not think.

It just happens.

The hand under his head slips away and reaches under your hand. He does not dare touch you. Not yet. You are too pure- is what he thinks. But his heart aches for the healing touch you left on him tonight. Never in a million years did he think you would come back for him, rescue him from this darkness that has been building in his heart for so long. With that thought, his fingers rise up and touch yours, feeling the soulful cold on his tips from yours along with a buzz that lights up his insides.

Of all things, he thinks to himself, why did you have to be my cure?

He feels your fingers twitch, pausing for a second before feeling them lower onto his, delighting his heart beyond recognition.

Sleep crawls into the room, taking her sweet time to let Loki be lightened by your touch before she makes his eyes heavy after aeons, bringing well-deserved tiredness with her.

With one thought he floats into a dreamy sleep; this time with Y/E/C eyes smiling and dancing amongst the stars.

Pure.

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iliketowrite1996 · 5 years

Text

Mistakes, Mismatches, and Near Misses 2

trigger warnings and themes- heartache, regrets, secret relationship, crushes.

Princess Shuri Udaku of Wakanda has always been a very… auspicious human being. She’s always strived to make the very best, most innovative devices and armor that she can. This means she spends countless hours in her lab, designing and perfecting each and every invention that she comes up with.

It also means that, at the tender age of fourteen, she sought out the only other person in Wakanda who she deemed to have the scientific and technological intellect that she posses- you.

Shuri came to you whilst you were in the middle of teaching one of your science classes at the University of Wakanda. She sat quietly in the back, waiting for you to finish as her Dora Milaje kept watch both in the classroom and outside of the classroom.

The way you explained the lesson was so in depth, so detailed, so animated that she couldn’t help but be fascinated by your knowledge and passion. Of course, she’d heard of you- her baba had a great deal to do with the University of Wakanda and often times mentioned that Shuri should attend, just like T’Challa did. And, not that she’d ever tell you, but she loved watching the live streams of presentations you’ve done,

‘’That’s all for class today,’ you had said, glancing at your watch, ‘’Any questions?’’

One student in the front raised her hand, tossing her locs over her shoulder after having been called on, ‘’Not to be rude, but how long is it going to take for you to knowledge that the Princess of Wakanda is just oh so casually sitting in our classroom?’’

At your confused expression, she pointed up to the entrance, where Shuri offered you a sheepish smile and wave while the Dora Milaje offered blank expressions and fierce protectiveness.

‘’I could not interrupt your lesson. I was happy to wait while you finished. But I would like to speak with you in private, if you have a moment.’’

‘’Um, yes… I mean, ‘Yes, Princess Shuri’,’’ you spoke again, awkwardly giving the Wakanda Salute as your students file out of the classroom.

Shuri had descended the stairs then, her two Dora Milaje members following and giving you wary looks.

‘’I have heard that you are the best that the science department has to offer,’’ Shuri piped up, not one to scurry around the matter and wanting to get straight to her point.

‘’I would not say that,’’ you had shaken your head.

‘’My baba says it, though. And he is right. I’ve seen your presentations, your lectures, heard the podcast… you’re a genius. And I want you to be my mentor.’’

And that’s how it all came to be- the princess of Wakanda, Shuri Udaku, the most intellectual person that you’ve ever met- asked you to be her mentor. Anf, of course,you accepted. This led to countless visits to each other's labs, working side by side, Shuri being your teacher’s aid for a year ( and -note the sarcasm- students totally were not distracted by a princess in their midst) and finally, just last year, you being offered the job to work side by side with her.

Of course, you accepted.

This job has brought you happiness, resources, and a girl that you consider to be like your younger sister, despite the fifteen year age gap.

However, it’s also brought you face-to-face with T’Challa Udaku- the now King of Wakanda.

The Black Panther.

And someone you can almost- almost- honestly say you wish that you had never gotten close to.

It’s been two years now. Two years since you accepted, and you aren’t exatly sure if you regret your exposure to T’Challa or not.

And, as cliche’ as it may sound, it’s not him. It’s you.

T’Challa had always been polite, ifa bit quiet, while you were in the lab. He’d say helo, ask how you were doing, having the manners of any other person.However, you often felt that it was forced. It was expected for him to be princeley and pilite, and that’s why you felt he even acknowledged your presence in the first place.

And you were fine with that. You’d listen to Shuri taunt ehr brother,s, sarcastic remarks bouncing back and forth between the two of them like the ball at a tennis match. But it’d always be Shuri-5, T’Challa- love.

Currently, it’s been about

‘’Brother. As you know, I am going to speak at his a science and technology expo this weekend.’’

‘’Ah, yes. This must be like going to an amusement park for you, Shuri,’’ T’Challa smirks.

‘’...I will let that slide. But that means that my lab would be left unattended, and you know that I do not like that.’’

‘’I understand. So do you want me to guard over your lab?’’

‘’I do not trust you.’’

‘’I am the protector of Wakanda,’’ he sputters out, looking over to ypu for help.

‘’I am just here for the inventions,’’ you laugh, going back to your own blueprints.

He purses his lips then, before looking back to his younger sister, anticipating her next launch of witty comments

and jokes at his expense.

‘’You are the Black Panther, yes. You should focus on taking care of Wakanda. And Erik, since you decided we could let him live in the palace. Of all places.’’

‘’It’s been six months, and I have seen a tremendous change,’’ T’Challa shrugs, ‘’Any way. What do you want me to do,’’ hebquestions, crossing his arms over his chest and eyeing his sister warily.

‘’I want you to meet my second in command scientist,’’ she clasps a hand on your shoulder.

‘’Princess Shuri… with all respect… you want me to be what now?’’

‘’There is no one that I trust with this lab more than you,’’ Shuri states, ignoring T'Challa's indignant scoff, ‘’And this lab is just as much my baby as it is yours. You will take care of it. You know it like the back of your hand.’’

All of what she is saying is true. THis lab has become like a second home for you. Grieving, insecurities, laughs, good times, bad times.s. You and Shuri have had them in this lab.

‘’I will do my best.’’

‘’That’s all I ask,’’ Shuri grins at you, ‘’Oh. By the way, I need you to make the necessary adjustments to T’Challa’s Black Panther suit while I’m gone.’’

‘’Shuri!,’’ you and T'Challa both cry at her lack of tact and warning at this moment.

‘’Can’t hear you, gotta pack, bye,’’ she shouts, running up the stairs to the main level of the palace.

You and T’Challa both stare after the teenager as she winds the staircase, leaving the two of you alone in the lab.

‘’Listen, Prince T’Challa-’’

‘’I do not mean to cut you off, but, please. Call me T’Challa. Please.’’

‘’T’Challa,’’ you try out, liking the way it rolls off of your tongue so excellently and effortlessly, ‘’I understand that you may not trust me to work on your suit that’s main functions are to… well… keep you alive.’’

‘’I do trust you. If Shuri trusts you, then I do, too. And Shuri does not trust lightly,’’ T’Challa looks to where his sister exited, ‘’She is wise beyond her years.’’

‘’She really is. I value her intellect and opinion,’’ you admit.

‘’As do I. So, if she thinks this is a good match, then… I do, too.’’

Little did the two of you know, at the time, that this is exactly what Shuri intended.

So the two of you spent all of the weekend together, coming up with designs and ideas. Well, during the time where T’Challa was not busy running a whole country. Which meant a lof of late hours and early morning.

‘’You should sleep, my king,’’ you tell him as he rests his head on a clean and cleared lab table while you worked.

‘’I do not need to sleep,’’ he speaks before a huge yawn falls out of his mouth.

‘’I can tell that you and Shuri are related. She does the same.”

“I am nothing like my sister,” T’Challa frowns.

“Youre making the exact same face,” you laugh, closing your laptop, “Why don’t we go get something to eat from the kitchen? Unless you want your cook to make you something.”

“I am capable of making my own meals,” he chuckles, standing and stretching.

And cook he can.

If cooking involves a quick pasta dinner followed by a gigantic ice cream sundae.

“This is going to rot our teeth.”

“It’ll be worth it. For me, at least. You’ve got a beautiful smile.”

You stop eating then, spoon stuck in your mouth as you look to the king of wakanda.

“I apologize,” he begins as you give him nothing but silence, “I do not mean to make you uncomfortable.”

“You didn’t. I guess I just want to know where this is coming from.”

“It is not hard to notice that you are a very beautiful woman,” he looks off, “But I fear that I may have overstepped my boundaries.”

“Thank you fit that. You’re very handsome, T’Challa. I just… I am not looking for anything serious right now. So… sorry to disappoint you.”

“That is quite fine. We can be just friends. If you are alright with that,” T’Challa amends.

You give him a smile then, scooping up another spoonful of ice cream,”i would like that.”

So friends you became. When you weren’t working, you were spending with him and vise versa. You’re working on the suit, hanging out, getting dinner or lunch together.

But pretty soon you find yourself laughing at his bad jokes.

Thinking about his brown eyes.

Thinking about his eye lashes, his smile, his walk, his personality.

And you feel that it’s wrong to fall for him. You both agreed to be just friends. He is the older brother of a girl that’s just like you’re little sister and yet… if it’s so wrong…

If T’Challa doesn’t feel the same way…

Then why are you getting the strong feeling that he does?

And why are you letting yourself accept these feelings?

It’s wrong. It’s so wrong. Because it can never really be.

You know this.

He knows this.

He has certain duties and expectations, and you know better than to get your hopes up.

And yet… and yet he lifts them and you let him. And you agree to see where this goes. And it goes well, it does.

But had you known that you’d be in this spot now… watching Nakia show off that ring on her finger…

You never would have taken that leap.

Disclaimer- I own no Marvel characters or their fictional worlds, countries, galaxies, planets, etc.

@ashanti-notthesinger @destinio1 @afraiddreamingandloving g @starsshines-blog @airis-paris14 4 @syreanne @chaneajoyyy @90sinspiredgirl @shemiahsmelanin @zillmonger r @skysynclair19 @marvelpotterlove @constantlycravingtheunknown @imaginewhoever @wakanda-inspired @pocmarvelworks @theunsweetenedtruth @dreampovx @adrioola21 @supremethunda @thisiskayesworld @mcusocialimagines @priya212 @kumkaniudaku @airis-paris14 @alexundefined @fonville-designs @mellowjellow6 @omg-itsnadi @maddiestudentwritergaines @dadinhas-heat @jozigrrl @kaykay0829 @nerd-lovely @babygotl01292003 @oceanscorazon @id-rather-be-an-outsider

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tallulahchanel · 5 years

Text

Flying Rings

Notes: This is a reupload of a previous post. Some very much needed rewrites took place. Reader is black, but non-blacks are free to enjoy as well.

Fandom: Black Panther

Pairing(s): Nakia & BabysisterReader; Everkia (Everett/Nakia)

Summary: All it took was a little tinge of jealousy to make Nakia act out of character.

Words: 1.4k

Tags: @queen-of-the-jabari @killmongerkink @marvelheaux

Nakia put the straw between her lips and sipped on her Diet Coke, and a scowl fixated on the secluded room of Shuri’s lab while she watched the pair listen to the young genius explain the functions of some new gadgets.

Was it necessary for her to touch him so much? It seemed like her hand would stroke his shoulder or his bicep—caressing him through the fabric of his grey t-shirt—after every other sentence.

Nakia rolled her eyes at herself. Why did she care about her—or any other woman for that matter—touching him? They weren’t together, so no lines were crossed. And yet, she couldn’t help the feeling of wanting to slap that perfectly manicured hand off him.

Despite your best efforts, you couldn’t focus on the conversation with your king and queen. Not that you needed to. Anytime the king decided to ask about your schooling, it was to make sure you were adhering to the scholarship agreement of maintaining a 3.0 GPA. More like protecting his investment in your education. Your gaze continuously shifted to your sister, noticing the frown on her face. You told her a thousand times how that look would cause wrinkles and crow lines, but she refused to heed your warning. Will she ever listen to you?

“All in all," T'Challa continued, "we think you're doing very well and would like for you to continue to do a good job."

“Huh?” You mumbled, coming out of your revelry. “Oh right....um...thank you. I’ll continue to do my best and work hard in school.”

"We do not doubt that one bit," Queen Naomi replied with a beautiful smile.

You nodded respectfully and gave them both a smile. “Congratulation again on the baby. Will you excuse me?”

Before either of them could reply, you walked over to the table where your sister sat and waited to see if she’ll notice your presence. She continued to glare at the secluded room with the straw in her mouth. You glanced over at the pair, then back at your sister and you rolled your eyes.

“Nakia,” you grabbed her attention, “you have jealousy written all over your face.”

“Me?” Nakia questioned with an obnoxious scoff. “Jealous? I laugh at the implication.” She followed her statement with a bitter “ha ha ha”, causing you to roll your eyes again.

“Say what you want usisi omkhulu, but you’re the one sitting here looking like someone stole your best friend.”

Nakia began to refute, but got distracted by the door to the room opening and the group of people exiting.

Her charming laughter filled the lab, and it took everything in Nakia to not want to wring her by the neck.

“Oh Shuri,” she addressed the young genius, “you’re so funny. Agent Ross told me you were smart, but he never mentioned you were witty too.”

It happened again. As soon as she mentioned his name, her knuckles brushed against his chest. She tried to make it seem like a playful backhand, but Nakia could see right through her.

“Agent Ross!” You greeted him with a hug, excited to see him for the first time in months.

“Hello,”’ he responded and returned your hug. Once you pulled away, his eyes shifted to your sister, and he gave her an adorable smile. “Nakia.”

Her face softened for the first time in hours as a smile appeared on her face. “Everett.”

“Ahem,” she released to grab Everett’s attention again.

“And hello to you too, Ms. Greene,” you greeted her with a friendly smile, but you had to fight the urge to roll your eyes. “It‘s nice to see you again.”

Savannah Greene was beautiful, at least by colonizer standards. Gorgeous tanned skin, sparkling blue eyes, and shiny blonde hair. Along with that, she had perfectly toned arms and a curvaceous backside—an asset she most definitely made sure to show off in her moss green tights. At your first initial meeting, you were sure it was the works of expensive injections—like her lips—but the thickness of her thighs proved that it was authentic.

“It’s nice to see you too.” She then turned to Nakia and flashed a fake smile. "Hello again, Miss Nakia. How are you?”

“I’m doing well. Thank you for asking, Ms. Greene,” Nakia replied with a fake smile of her own.

Just then, Shuri walked over with Nakia’s energy rings, and your sister stood out of her seat to carefully inspect the weapons.

“I just updated them. Now, when you use the rings, they'll come back three times as fast."

“Thank you, princess.” Nakia gave her a warm smile. “I’ll test them out later.”

“Please do.” Shuri then turned to Savannah and gave her a kimoyo bracelet. "Here you are, Ms. Greene. I've simplified them, so you won’t have too much difficulty using them while you’re in Wakanda and on your special assignment.”

“It’s so pretty.” Savannah’s eyes lit up while slipping on the bracelet. “Thank you.”

“Think of it as a welcoming gift for joining the War Dogs.” Shuri gave her one last smile before turning on her heels and walking to a nearby table to show her brother and sister-in-law her new invention.

“Well," Nakia began in a faux-friendly tone, which Savannah caught, "from a former War Dog to a new one, allow me to wish you good fortune on your assignment."

“Thank you, but I don’t need it. After all, there’s a reason Agent Ross personally recommended me to the king of Wakanda for this special assignment.” She turned to him and brushed her knuckles against his chest while flashing a charming smile. “Isn’t that right?”

Nakia’s eyes narrowed and her mouth became fixed in a way that you recognize as her grinding her teeth—another habit you’ve warned her about.

“Well yes,” Everett replied while gently pushing Savannah’s hand away, which Nakia didn’t catch because she was too busy thinking about dragging Savannah through Wakanda by her blonde hair. “However, I’ve seen Nakia’s work and she’s very good at what she does. I’d say you have big shoes to fill, Ms. Greene.”

“Keep this up, and she’ll be experiencing Nakia’s skills first hand,” you mumbled under your breath, but no one seemed to pay you any mind.

“I don’t need to worry about that, Agent Ross. After all, I have my own set of skills.” As the last word left her lips, she inclined her neck to flash Nakia a devious smirk, receiving a glare in return. Turning back to Everett, she batted her eyelashes and gave him a smile that showed off her pearly whites. “I’m a little hungry after our very physical training session earlier. Why don’t we get something to eat shall we?”

“That sounds nice,” Everett replied. “But there was something I wanted to discuss with Nakia.”

“I’m sure it can wait,” Savannah interjected before Nakia could think to utter a syllable. "Besides, she's probably swamped with work for that Outreach Center you're always talking about. I say we give her space."

Before Everett could protest, Savannah grabbed his wrists and began pulling him towards the ramp.

“Maybe we can even get dessert," she said in the midst of their ascend, emphasizing the last word—furthering Nakia’s annoyance.

You shook your head at Savannah’s foolishness, but your eyes widen when you noticed the glowing energy rings in your sister’s hands. “NAKIA, NO!”

When you lunged forward to grab your sister’s arm, you ruined the trajectory of her aim and, instead of flying towards Savannah, the ring soared past the table where Shuri was explaining her new invention to T’Challa and Naomi. Then, the ring hit the nearest wall before it boomeranged back towards your direction. Fortunately, both T’Challa’s and Nakia’s instincts kicked in, and he was able to pull his pregnant wife out of the line of fire while your sister caught the ring with ease.

Once she realized what she had done, she looked towards the king and queen with shocked and apologetic eyes, mentally kicking herself for her actions. How could she allow that woman to make her act in such a way?

“Hey!” You said with an upbeat tone, hoping to lighten the mood. “It does come back three times faster!” Unfortunately, your nervous laugh was met with silence and a series of shocked and confused looks.

Oh boy! What a pickle your sister has gotten herself into this time!

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inky-duchess · 6 years

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What Writers can Learn from Black Panther

Black Panther was the movie, the movie that rocked the box office, our expectations and in some instances: society.

Black Panther followed the newly crowned King T'Challa of Wakanda and covered his ascent to the throne, fall and battle with his cousin Erik Killmonger. Now that we are vaguely caught up, let's see why Black Panther was so effective at wowing us and what lessons writers can learn.

Characterization

T'Challa comes to us fresh from an introduction from Civil War. We know nothing about him save his father is dead and he is Black Panther. Over the course of the film we see T'Challa grow from an idealist who believes that Wakanda should maintain obscurity to somebody who wants to stand up for all the injustices Wakanda ignored. We see T'Challa become a hero through pain, realization and fear. His arc is extensive for a two hour film but they pull it off beautifully.

Side Characters

T'Challa may have been the star but Shuri wins the vote. The girl is walking sass. Shuri is introduced as a run-of-the-mill little sister. She wins us over through humour, a great personality and some memorable moments (Colonizer). Shuri, though important, is a minor character. By giving her as much attention as a main protagonist, you give us a real relatable character.

The role of women

Who really rules this movie? The women. They own this movie, hands down. Nakia is one of the best love interest Marvel characters. She doesn't always agree with T'Challa and doesn't seek power for herself. She wants to help the people in Africa who really need help. The Dora Milaje, T'Challa's bodyguards are effortlessly bad ass and imposing. Nobody ever questions their place in battle. Okoye is one of my favorites. Her banter with T'Challa and the royals makes us feel apart of a family. Her fighting skill is unparalleled. She is loyal to Wakanda even against her husband. And Shuri? We have no space to write down how much she rocks.

Worldbuilding

Wakanda is real from the first moment you see it. No arguments. You see the Wakanda scenes and it feels real. The ceremonies, opinions, culture and language strive to build Wakanda into a realistically feeling world. This is worldbuilding at it's best.

Diversity

Black Panther only has two white characters, the Tolkein white guys if you will. Black Panther is a movie that has brought thousands of people of different backgrounds. Diversity brings people closer together and let's audience members feel represented and celebrated. Black Panther has succeeded where other superhero movies fall short: it has saved a world by bringing people together.

Themes

Black Panther's main theme in a sense is the injustice black history and culture. Wakanda is a superpowered nation with resources we can only dream of. Yet when the people of their country were being enslaved, Wakanda did nothing. This creates the initial conflict and gives Kilmonger a reason to challenge T'Challa. Injustice is our theme. It's heavy and poignant. It weighs on the mind even months after seeing the film. Themes are supposed to stay with you and make you question your opinion on the subject. One line from Black Panther sits with me even now : "Bury me in the ocean, like my ancestors who threw themselves off the ships...because they knew death was better than bondage."

Subtlety

This is the cherry on the sundae for me. Throughout the movie we get little subtle foreshadows. Shuri contests T'Challa's opinions about change, then later he changes them. Kilmonger's dad tells him that the Wakandan sunsets are the most beautiful, Kilmonger repeats the line as he dies. When picking a suit, T'Challa picks the plainer necklace for practicality but staring longingly at the more ornate one first, showing us the kind of person he is: wanting glory but choosing a different path.

Villain

Erik Kilmonger is one of fiction's greatest antagonists. He takes T'Challa's place as king, destroys the Black Panther herb, tries to send weapons out into the world and tries to kill our favorite characters more than once. Why is he effective? Because he is right. Kilmonger believes that Wakanda failed the world which it did. Even T'Challa realises this, lashing out at his ancestors. We know Kilmonger's view is right but his execution is screwed. He wants to cause mass war and genocide. This is not alright and this makes him our villain. We sympathise with Kilmonger, during his death and scenes with his father. The best villains are those we understand.

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go-fandom-imagines · 6 years

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Being Peter Parker’s twin sister and Dating Shuri Headcanons

Requested by: @sarah-paulsons-bottom-lip (I did NOT write about reader being of any specific race, as I wanted to avoid any possible missunderstandings)

Peter and you were really close, you grew up together, both raised buy your aunt May

He was really protective of you for being his sis

So you met Shuri through social media

You were quite a big fan of your brother’s little technological inventions and even taught yourself how to manage some of them

You also began aquiring knowledge and ended up being quite good at technology and engineering

So, scrolling through your social media you came across her account, which contained pictures of the most cool devices

You immediately followed her and send her a message to tell her your amazement of her creations

When she woke up in the morning, she was surprised at seeing a comment in one of her posts

Even though the message was friendly, she wanted to be sure of who it was from just in case

Being the little sister of a king means anyone can be a threat at any times, so better not to take risks

At seeing that your account seemed pretty innocent, and supposing you just wanted to be nice, she messaged back thanking you

After some messages being sent back and forth, she discovered how passionate you were about technology too

You quickly became pretty good friends

Shuri was intrigued about who you were, what you looked like, where you lived

Not in a creepy wat though, but because she finally had met someone who shared her interests and ambitions

She started to search information about you, and being such a pro with technology, she quickly found out you were the famous Spiderman’s sister

So, when she asked you about it and you confirmed it, she confessed to be Black Panther’s sister

Your reply was nothing like she expected, it went like “oh cool, I bet it was you who made that cool suit though;)” and she couldn’t help but smile at her screen

So when her brother T'challa had to travel to New York, where you lived, she jumped of happiness and tried to convince her brother to take her there

She excused herself saying she was just excited of being able to visit the Stark Tower in person

Though T'challa was a bit suspicious cause Shuri’s devices were “far better than Tonny Stark’s toys”, as she always said

She sent you a message that same day, telling you how you’d both be able to meet in person, which made you euphoric

It was even better when you finally were able to stand in front of each other, you both were so happy but didn’t really know what to say

It just took you two about 5 minutes to be completely comfortable and become two walking memes and go back to your carefree conversations

It didn’t take long ‘till you both realised your feelings for each other

So when you started dating, you agreed to not tell anything to anyone, not even your brothers; just in case they’d react in a negative way

But let’s be honest, it’s quite hard to hide a relationship when Shuri won’t stop “visiting a friend”, smiling at her phone all the time, and stop being to sarcastic towards her brother

T'challa is a man of words, he knows how to use them well, and he gets Shuri to tell him she’s dating someone

“Well sister, as your brother, I can’t say that it is something I wanted to happen this quick, but I would like to meet him as soon as-” “Why does it have to be a 'him’?” “…it’s not?”

T'challa was rather confused, but as his mind processes the information, his eyes widden

He’s quite worried about what will his family’s and the kingdom’s reaction be, but thinking back at how happy Shuri has been lately, he soon realises that none of that matters when it comes to his sister’s happiness

“Well then sister, I’d love to meet this soulmate of yours… and welcome her to this family”

Now, Shuri is releaved that her brother was okay with her relationship, so she called you and told you everything about what had happened you were

You decided to tell Peter that same day during dinner

But instead he asked you

“So, today I received a phone call from the king of Wakanda itself. Weird, right?”

You told him everything, how it began and how you ended up like that

His reaction was the cutest one ever, trying to hide the fact that he was a bit jealous of Shuri

“Does that mean that you’ll spend more time with her? I mean, it’s not a problem at all… will you show her your inventions before me, though? And what about our friday movie night? Not to be rude, but that’s a twin-bros thing…”

Now, you and Shuri will be THE power couple

You don’t care about what others think of you two, and always defend each other without hesitation

You’ll both watch the sunrise in Wakanda together, cuddling and being intimate

Once her family gets familiar with you, they’ll be your second family, and will be vERY protective of you two

Specially T'challa and Nakia, who’ll act like your parents

Also, T'challa teasing Shuri a LOT for being so in love

“Now who’s the one who froze, uh?”

Fights are very rare between you two, when things get hated you both prefer to talk things out without raising your voice

Also, really shamless PDA, as you hold hands and kiss in front of anyone

Your first holiday together will be a whole weekend at Disneyland because you both are lil’ kids

Also, helping each other when creating new devices just beig a smartass couple

The relationship would be overall very fun and full of special and unique moments, which none of you would change for anything

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wakandanmoonchild · 6 years

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Can’t Live Without You

In case y’all can't tell I been in my feelings lately so this is a result. I’m working on another Professor Boseman pic, so that’s coming soon! Enjoy xx

T’Challa x POC!reader

Warnings: not proofread

Austin…

"Don't you ever just get tired of it all? All the running, the meeting up in random hotels," you murmur against his chest. "I feel like some kind of addict, sneaking around at random hotels to get my fix."

He groans and rolls you off his chest. "This is what you wanted Y/N. You wanted this!"

"Nigga, don't push me like that," you go for rage but it's just not there this time. "I didn't know it would be like this, Challa," you hate that your voice sounds so broken. You pull your hair back up into a pineapple and gather your clothes. "This was the last time."

The door to the bathroom seems a million miles away as you hurry toward it and lock the door. You stand there with your back pressed against the cold, unforgiving wood and gather yourself. I'm not going to cry.

Deciding not to shower, you throw on your clothes and splash cool water on your face. Bitch you look like you were fucked up instead of well fucked. With them damn raccoon eyes, no wonder you're his dirty secret. You clean the mascara from under your eyes and then exit the bathroom. You don't spare him a glance as you grab your bag and your keys and leave the hotel room.

"I willl see you in a few weeks, kumkani," his voice follows you out of the hotel room.

You sigh in frustration because you know he's right.

4 Weeks later in Seattle…

Your sweat slicked body slides against his as you ride him in the sauna, your moans interspersing with his as you both reach your peak. He kisses you deeply, his hips still thrusting up into your heat even though he's already softening. "Kumkani, stay. With me."

"T'Challa don't do this," you plead with him. "This is just sex. We said no feelings-"

"WE SAID THAT IN COLLEGE YN! COLLEGE!" He pushes you off of his lap and rises, hands tugging his hair in frustration. He's never raised his voice at you before. You stay silent and watch as he paces the room. He stops and glares at you, but the defeat in his eyes is evident," it does not have to be like this. You can love, have passion and still be a strong woman, entle. Loving me does not make you weak."

When he sees that you aren't going to reply, he leaves you staring at his strong, proud back as he walks away. You can't hold your tears this time and they fall down your face, mingling with your sweat and the steam in the room. You cry until you're all dried up, the scent of your shared passion still wafting in the steam of the sauna. Then you go home and cry some more.

Why am I so fucked up?

Two weeks pass before you try to contact T'Challa.

"What do you want Y/N?" his voice is brusque through the line.

"We said we'd meet at that cute bed and breakfast we saw just outside of Paris next week." Your hands are trembling in fear that he will reject you, "are we still on for that T?"

"No. I will be in New York next week."

"T'Challa we planned this mon-" You pause as you hear a feminine voice call out to him. "Who's that?"

"Oh, Nakia is back in Wakanda but she is leaving today. For New York. As am I." The background noise fades and when he speaks next, his voice is quiet, "I can meet you in LA one week from today, after I have finished my business in New York."

This business sounds suspicious as fuck, but you really need to see him, "yeah alright."

CLICK. The line goes dead. Guess I'll see you there.

His business in New York turns out to be a huge Stark gala. You feel sick as you watch your man (is he though? You won't let him) walk the red carpet in his custom tuxedo with Nakia on his arm. She looks stunning. They look stunning together. You roll your eyes and turn the tv off. Well damn.

The next week in LA…

"Challa!" He pushes you against the hotel door and roughly tugs your skirt down. His fingers deftly push your panties to the side before seeking entrance to your pussy. "Ahhh…"

You grip his shoulders as he lifts you up and slams you down onto his waiting cock, "Fuck T…"

He fucks you roughly against the door, hard and fast. He comes first, pulling out and spending against your stomach with a soft grunt before turning you around and using his fingers to bring you off.

He steps back when you turn around and walks into the bathroom. You hear the shower running and you look around the room. He didn't bring anything with him.

You storm into the bathroom, "Where are your clothes T'Challa?"

He blinks soap out of his eyes, looking at you in confusion, "What now? I give you 'just sex' and you are complaining about that too?"

He rinses off the remaining soap while you stare at him in shock. "What are you saying? You-you're leaving after only fifteen minutes?"

"Sometimes that's all it takes, you are that good," he gives you a dirty smile and you want to slap him for disrespecting you like that.

Instead you just stand there and watch as he gets dressed and you only move when he's in your personal space, looking up at him in disbelief. His hands are cupping your face and you feel used and cheap and disgusting.

"I will see you in three weeks, yes? Maybe I will bring you a gift, eh," he presses a chaste kiss to your mouth before exiting the room.

When the door closes behind him, the silence in the room is deafening. All you hear is your pounding heart as you bring your fist to your mouth to stifle your heartbroken cries.

6 Weeks later NYC…

There's a ghost wandering around, living your life. You're selfish, you're empty, your heart is beating but the rhythm is all wrong. T'Challa called three weeks ago and you didn't answer. He only tried twice but you weren't even expecting that much. You develop a routine to try and cope with the T'Challa sized hole in your chest. Wake up. Breathe. Try to eat. Fail. Work. Go home. Try to eat again. Fail again. Sleep. Until one day at work you pass out from sheer exhaustion and dehydration. He's your emergency contact so they call him and of course he comes. You wake up to his body slumped across your bed.

He smiles softly at you, "Hi."

You try to smile but tears roll down your face instead. "I'm sorry."

"Y/N-" he stands in alarm and starts walking to the door.

"Just…T'Challa, b-before you go…tell me something. D-do you l-love me? I've been praying ever since LA t-th-" you look up but his intense gaze is unreadable and it shakes you to your core. You find you can't meet his eyes for long and you look down at your blankets, preparing for rejection.

"Y/N, look at me." His long fingers tip your chin up, "I told you. You-you never listen! I just hope you see now…that when you bleed, I bleed."

A small crooked smile lifts one corner of his mouth, and you want to kiss him so bad. You settled for squeezing his hand.

"And I wasn't leaving, I just wanted to tell the nurse you were awake. I'd never leave you, kumkani.” He lays back on the narrow bed and gathers you into his arms, “rest now sithandwa sam. I will be here when you wake up.”

1 Year later at a quaint B&B just outside of Paris…

You walk in to the quaint living area and look around. It has this beautiful lived in feel and you imagine how much fun you are going to have this week. You're greeted by the owner, an older woman of African descent who tells you that your guest is already waiting for you.

As you walk to the room you're planning on where to go for dinner, how nice it would be to sit on that huge porch swing with T at night, this week is going to be perfect.

"Hey Challa," you lean up to kiss him but his lips remain firm underneath yours. "What's wrong baby?"

"I-I," he closes his eyes and takes in a deep breath, releasing it slowly. You see that his fists are tightly clenched and you take his hand and gently unfurl it.

"Kumkani, whatever it is, it will be fine my love. We can get through it together, " your fingers massage soothing patterns into his palm. When he finally opens his eyes, you smile gently and cup his cheek.

He turns his face into your touch and kisses your palm softly before taking your hand in his and sinking to his knees, "T'Challa!" Your soft gasp is drowned out by his low, firm voice.

"Y/N, a king never kneels. A king never kneels unless it is for his queen. And you, you are my queen, you make everything brighter, better."

He hesitates, pressing his face to your abdomen, "I am empty without you, I-I-," he sighs and mutters, "I am usually more eloquent than this."

"I know," you giggle and can't help but tease him, "must be that Oxford education."

"Bast! Woman this is serious," he looks up at you eyes glinting in shared humor, all nerves gone. "Y/N, will you marry me? Be my queen, rule at my side? Love me forever..?"

You pull him to his feet with a teary eyed smile.

"Before I met you I didn't know how to love. I didn't want to love. I thought it was for the weak. But you, you saved me. From a fate worse than death. You saved me from living a loveless life. So yes, a million times, yes. I would be proud to be your wife."

His answering smile is glowing, full of life, of hope and you remember that exact moment for the rest of your life. You carry that feeling through all the ups and downs, the loss and it's what you see when you get the news of the coup and his death. It is what gives you courage to fight for the fate of Wakanda. It's what you see when his weary body limps over to you after being restored as rightful king of Wakanda.

Taglist: @eriks-girl @adiafegan @brianabreeze @90sinspiredgirl @sarahboseman @wikiwakanda @ourwakandanerik @wakanda-4evr @loveandcigarillos @kumkaniudaku @sisterwifeudaku @royallyprincesslilly @wakandan-aesthetic-deactivated2

*If you want to be added/removed from my tag list let me know!

#t'challa #t'challa fanfiction #t'challa x poc #t'challa x reader #wakandanmoonchild #black panther fanfiction

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devnicolee · 4 years

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The Chosen Ones (5)

Warnings: Slow burn

Word Count: 10,079

Pairing: M’Baku x Original Character

M'Baku's hands painfully clutched the sides of the window, half of its shattered glass scattered around his feet. His eyes were transfixed on the path of smoke slowly dissipating into nothing like he was hypnotized, as if his intense stares alone could bring the woman who flew out the window moments prior back to him. Every second that passed and every mile she traveled farther away from home and him, his frustration and rage at the people left behind grew. It only took moments, barely enough time for the group to catch their breath and truly process everything that transpired, for his rage to boil over.

"I hope all of you are happy," he said slowly, voice quiet and deadly as he turned around to face Asha's family and the remaining council members. Despite being in the presence of the Dora and the Black Panther, most of the group shrank in his shadow. Usually, M’Baku’s bark was bigger than his bite, not nearly as terrifying or intimidating as his appearance would have someone believe. But it seemed his gentle giant personality flew out the window with the love of his life and before them stood, simply, a raging giant.

"Excuse me?" T'Challa asked as silence fell over the group. "Are you blaming this on us?" T’Challa was frustrated, already internally blaming himself for how utterly spectacularly his plan failed. He genuinely thought he was helping, and perhaps foolishly, did not even once consider this outcome. He expected outrage, anger, of course. No decision he made came without those from someone. But this? This type of catastrophe? He was wholly unprepared. But he did know that hearing someone voice the thoughts already swirling around in his mind caused rage to flare up in him.

"Well, who else is to blame King T'Challa? You are the ones who were forcing her to hide and pretend and lie. You all created t-this system that treats her like a second-class citizen, that allows people like that woman to attack her. What in Hanuman's name did you expect? That she would be able to sit here and take that all her entire life?" M'Baku yelled, his voice booming, vibrating throughout the large throne room.

"Not that I need to justify the choices of this family to you or anyone, Shuri and I have been trying to help Asha. You wouldn't even know her, wouldn't be able to sit and judge us if I had not forced her to join the tribe and take that job in Jabariland in the first place! She didn't even want it. You have known her for what? A month? We," he emphasized, gesturing toward the sister he had left, "have been here by her side her entire life!" T'Challa voice raised to match M'Baku's as the men traded verbal jabs at the other, neither willing to shoulder the blame the other carelessly tossed at their feet.

"Yes, and some help the two of you have been while she was being emotionally abused and mistreated in her own home. This," he scoffed, "this isn't a life! What you and your parents forced upon her isn't a life. And you didn't fight for her to have the life she deserved. From where I am sitting, you never have. If you had, it wouldn't have taken 25 years. If you had, she would not have felt the need to flee out of your window to Hanuman knows where!"

"And what of you hm? Did you ever stop to think about why Asha didn't flee up to the mountains to be with you the first chance she got? Since you know her so well... since you offered her freedom and a real life that we didn't? Because maybe Asha understood what it could cost all of us, maybe she understood there are larger obligations at play. But you don't care about the cost! To us... or to Asha for that matter. You don't care about what is best for her and her family. You just care about her being who you want her to be. You don't love her for her, you love her for her powers. How is that any different than Hasani? Or my father who demanded she be who they wanted?" He took a deep breath in an attempt to calm himself before adding, "If you knew my sister as well as you think you do, you would know that she would never choose to sacrifice this family for herself."

"I knew you didn't deserve to be King, time and time again you prove that you are just a boy. A child who has no concept of leadership," M'Baku spat. "Because if you did, you would have been willing to sacrifice it all for her. It would never have to be her choice! You all had countless opportunities to do something different, to avoid the consequences of being indifferent to hate. When your parents or the Council plucked at the threads holding your sister together, you did nothing. Because you do not care about her, you only care about your family's grip on power, just like your father."

T'Challa's eyes flashed red as M'Baku's words sank in. A king no longer stood before him, the Black Panther and a very overprotective brother did. His suit instinctively wrapped its protective fibers around his body, launching him into attack mode. The only sounds in the room were sharp breaths and the collective bang of the Dora banishing their spears, ready to defend their King if needed. There was no room for God, Bast or Hanuman as the safe space separating the two vanished completely. Verbal blows were over, physical ones were zooming toward them with the speed of a panther as T'Challa said in a low voice, "Do. Not. Ever. insinuate that I --"

"Alright, enough boys, enough!" Nakia yelled, cutting off her boyfriend and pushing her way between the two men. Her hands pushed against each of their chests to force them apart. She didn't expect to actually move them, and she didn't, but it gave them both a physical signal to retreat to their figurative corners. They could argue all day if they wanted but Nakia knew it would be a worse end to an already terrible day if T'Challa killed one of his council members.

"You are all dismissed," she called out forcefully to the remaining council members, who no one else seemed to realize were still there. They all seemed to be too invested in the drama, feeling that the council meetings had gotten far more interesting now that T'Challa was king. And though Nakia actually did not have the authority to end any meetings, they all scampered, quickly gathering their things to leave. Once the last soul exited, leaving M'Baku and the Royal Family behind, Nakia added, "We all failed her and so we all shoulder the blame for this. Had we not... she would here and not... not lost. Arguing over who failed her the most and who loves her the most won't help us find her or help us get her back. So, let us focus on that for now and then Asha can tell us all how much we failed her in person. Agreed? Good." She answered herself, not waiting for either man to respond before redirecting her attention to Shuri. "Now, Shuri, can you trace the signal from her beads?"

Shuri had been silent those far, watching the two men argue from the window. She wiped the stray tear or two from her eyes as she walked back to her original seat and picked up her tablet. After a couple of seconds, a large-scale 3-D map of Wakanda was projected at their feet. The group moved out of the way to get a better view, looking down to see a thin red line labeled "Princess Asha Udaka" appear and slowly zigzag its way out of the inner dome around the Capitol. The dot traveled a short distance in the wilderness before stopping abruptly above the Land of the Heart-Shaped Herb.

"Her trail ends here," Shuri stated, pointing at the end of the line.

"So she is there?" M'Baku stated, half as a matter of fact statement and half as a question. "Let us go and get her."

"I didn't say she was there. I said her signal ends there," Shuri snapped back, understandably still angered at M'Baku's earlier attack as they were directed at both she and T'Challa.

She continued tapping away as Nakia said, "How is that possible? Override her tracker bead and find her that way."

"I am working on it," Shuri responded immediately, clearly agitated. There was silence as Shuri tapped away on her screen, eyes growing bigger.

"What is it, Shuri?" T'Challa asked.

"She destroyed her beads, either accidentally or on purpose. We won't be able to find her this way."

"How do you know that?"

"Well, if she manually turned off her tracker, I would be able to override it but I can't. And right before it stopped transmitting a location, her health bead sent out a distress signal, then stopped tracking and recording all health data. That bead never turns off, it can't. It records everything to the minute. So, best guess, and my guesses are usually never wrong, she destroyed them."

"I thought you couldn't destroy vibranium?" M'Baku asked, not truly understanding how the beads or vibranium worked.

"You can destroy anything if you have something powerful enough. Asha's powers certainly aren't enough to destroy vibranium, you know - reduce it to atoms. But with enough sustained fire, it can melt. And the beads are made of more than vibranium. Once exposed to an open flame for too long, the tech can be rendered useless. The point is, her beads won't help us. She could be fine and not want to be found. But... she could be hurt and be unable to tell anyone. We just don't know, so we have to find her the old-fashioned way."

"She didn't leave Wakanda, nothing has crossed the exterior border in the last hour," Okoye offered as she checked a log on her beads.

"So aside from the border, where could she be headed in that direction? Any place of significance to her?"

"That path is on the road to everywhere significant. The border, Warrior Falls, Jabariland, the Hall of Kings... It also depends on if she is looking for a place to be alone for a few hours or shelter for days. The mountains could give her shelter but who would she go there for besides you? Warrior Falls is her favorite spot but she won't find shelter there."

"And I doubt she would choose to go to the Hall of Kings," Shuri added. "It houses the Garden of the Heart-Shaped Herb," she added for M'Baku's benefit. "No one has been there for over a month. After Killmonger destroyed it, the priestesses refused to return, saying Bast cursed the land."

"My son... perhaps we should just let her be," Ramonda offered, approaching the group from her seat off to the side. Everyone's heads turned, almost as if they forgot she was even in the room. Her words coupled with the almost annoyed look on her face caused a cloud of anger to settle over the group once more.

"What? How could you suggest such a thing, Mama?" Shuri asked in disbelief.

"Your sister can only bring this family ruin. Why bring her back here to further destroy everything? Whatever she is searching for outside of this palace may be what is best for her."

"Asha is our sister. She is a member of this family, a leader in this country. The only people who have destroyed everything are you and Baba for creating this mess. We are finding her and we are bringing her home."

"I am just sugg-"

"That is the end of this discussion. And you would do well to never make that suggestion in my presence again." His tone almost as lethal and harsh as the one he banished Elder Shani with earlier. T'Challa turned his back to his mother before continuing, "M'Baku and I will take the Talon and clear every inch of Wakanda like a grid. The body scans will identify her tattoo. You all stay here in case she returns."

He did not wait for confirmation or approval from anyone else for a plan, deciding if someone had a better idea then they would have said it already. He motioned for M’Baku to follow him out of the throne room without another word.

****

The ride on the Talon was virtually silent as the airplane piloted itself and T'Challa intently examined the sand table in the middle of the ship that reflected the passing landscape beneath them. He transitioned for pacing, throwing aggressive glances at the table, to standing hunched over it, staring at the sand disheartened and frustrated. The sand rapidly transformed into the different trees and rivers they passed over and people they passed over, all the dark gray color of the sand. T'Challa warned M'Baku that they would be waiting for purple sand, that it would be her. M'Baku let T'Challa do that while he just stared out of the window at the sea of black as if he could see Asha's body in the darkness.

"Why do you love her?"

M'Baku wondered if T'Challa got pleasure out of asking him deep questions out of the blue. "What's not to love?" M'Baku asked, not looking away from the window. At the returning silence, he grinned slyly and glanced back to see a very unsatisfied look on his face. He understood, understood the question and its purpose. If his thoughts were any indication, perhaps T’Challa worried that he was merely infatuated with his sister, not actually in love with her. He knew he did not need to but he did care about convincing T’Challa that that was not the case here. That his love was real and not some childish fantasy or obsession with magic.

"You know I noticed her at your challenge. There I was, down the mountains for the first time in my life, determined to die for that throne. And when I looked at the crowd, she was the first thing I noticed. My eyes drew to her like a moth to a flame. It was fleeting though, I could only focus on her for a second for there was fighting and honorable dying to get on with. And then the first time I saw her... truly saw her, in Jabariland… I mean, Hanuman. I have been with a great deal of women in my life but I had never seen one like her before. I saw it - that sadness you spoke of. But I also saw fire, passion, fierce determination. What do I love about her? I love the way you can see her heart soar at every compliment or kind word. I love the way her eyes, already filled with fire, light up when she discovers something new about herself. I love how she values family despite hers being so fragmented. I love that she is so dedicated to Wakanda, loves Wakanda so deeply despite not receiving that love in return. I love her quiet strength, her endless compassion."

He paused for a few moments, turning around to lean back against the wall of the ship. A hearty laugh escaped his lips as he stared across the ship at nothing. "You know the first time I realized it?" he asked as he walked up to T'Challa, looking down at the sand table. "We uh... we have this small cliff across from the Lodge. From there, you can see the best view of the sunset in all of Wakanda. To most of the tribe it isn't anything special, truth be told. Myself included, having had access to it my entire life. It became mundane and ordinary. But Asha, she likes sunsets so I took her there while she was in Jabariland. And you could see her whole being fill with joy and excitement, like this ordinary, mundane cliff was the best thing she had seen in her life. I don’t know, up until that point, I had tried to keep my feelings at bay. I didn’t deserve her I told myself. But the idea that she could love something so boring and ordinary made me feel like maybe she could love someone who was boring and ordinary. Who did not possess the power she did.”

The two men fell silent for a moment, T'Challa not knowing what to say. After a few minutes, M'Baku added, "You were not totally wrong earlier. When I was young, I wanted so desperately to be like her. I would pray on my knees until they ached to be blessed with a gift. I thought I had grown out of that. But your sister... I just wanted her to see what I saw, to accept the freedom I could offer, to choose me. Because if she chose me, if she could love me, then maybe I was not as ordinary and boring as I always felt. But I didn't think about the cost to her or you all, what was the cost to mere mortals in the face of her powers? But that... that selfishness isn't her way. All I saw was two people who were wholly unfulfilled. And I was so desperate for her to be mine so I could fill us both… so she could be free and I could be a part of something that was not ordinary that I never stopped to consider that maybe it is time for her to be hers. Time for others to stop forcing their wants on her and that includes me."

T'Challa simply stared at him, not expecting even half of an answer as detailed, nuanced and passionate as that. “I-I am sorry. For the throne room,” he started to say but M’Baku stopped him.

“We both said things, things I know I regret and you did not deserve or earn. Let us leave them in the past, yes?” M’Baku asked, extending an olive branch to his king. T’Challa nodded but before he could say anything else, a flash of purple sand caught his eye.

"I found her!" he called out.

M'Baku moved quickly to the sand table where purple sand was interrupting the field of gray while T’Challa directed the Talon to turn around and slowly lower to hover above the trees. "She is in front of the Hall of Kings."

M'Baku touched the purple sand that represented her horizontal body, expecting it to crumble in his hand like sand usually did to but it remained solid. He held it in his hand, silently pleading with Hanuman that she was alive and well.

"We cannot get any closer?” M’Baku asked as T’Challa activated his suit and motioned for him to follow him down the ramp.

“Out of respect for Bast’s whole place, we do not fly or hover the Talon directly over the Hall of Kings or its immediate surroundings.

M’Baku nodded then questioned, “Any idea why Asha would come here?"

"My father used to come here and pray. Only the Panther Tribe and those who tend to the Garden are even allowed here. It is sacred ground. Asha has never even been here."

"And they believe it is cursed now?" M'Baku asked, an eerily feeling falling over him as they moved through the darkness with little light to guide them. But he could not tell if that was because the land was actually haunted or because he was simply overthinking after what Shuri said.

"That is what the priestesses have told us... that Bast was enraged at the destruction of the Garden. Everytime they come here, they say they are overcome with dark thoughts, visions of Bast. They hear cries and rustlings in the trees," T'Challa answered.

"And you believe them?" M'Baku pushed a low hanging branch out of their way as they approached the clearing she was supposed to be in. "I do not hear anything."

"The priestesses have tended to this garden for most of their lives with Zhuri. It is their whole world. They have no reason to lie," his voice trailed off as the reason for their journey came into view. "Asha!"

T'Challa and M'Baku raced forward when they saw her body in a heap on the forest floor. As they approached, T'Challa quickly inspected the area and noticed the scorched black Earth branching out from beneath her body, her lack of shoes, and the cuts littering her arms and legs. Her face was hidden from view, covered by all her braids. She was knocked out cold. M'Baku reached her first, recognizing that T'Challa should have due to his enhanced speed, but understanding and appreciating the gesture.

M'Baku knelt down into the soft earth beside her, gently shifting her head so her face was facing up. He was startled at the lack of warmth in her body. Usually the girl felt like a furnace but now? She was as cold as ice. M'Baku felt her coldness as if someone had replaced his own blood with ice. He was so sure, convinced they would find her alive and well, probably too convinced. He had not prepared himself for any other possibility, refused to even consider it. Now all the other possibilities were vying for his attention, demanding he reckon with the reality that Asha was no goddess at all... she was human, a mere mortal like the rest of them.

"Check her pulse," T'Challa said, his voice even and cold. He knew from the way M'Baku held her cheek, the way the man seemed paralyzed that all was not right. He had not allowed himself to consider this either, forced the thought out of his mind every time. But staring at her, wishing for a different scenario would not change the current outcome. They needed to know and prolonging it would not ease their pain.

M'Baku nodded, signaling that he heard the question. He couldn't get his mouth or vocal chords to work enough to verbally respond. He took a deep breath, sent a silent prayer to Hanuman before starting to move his hand down to her neck to find a pulse. For a moment, he thought back to their time in the mountains, that sunset on that cliff. It truly was a perfect moment, a perfect stolen moment that ended too quickly. Asha seemed to believe that was all they were, all they would get: a selfishly seized stolen moment that was not actually in the cards for either of them. But M’Baku refused to believe that as he prayed to Hanuman. He prayed that life, no matter how strong or feeble, would still pump through her veins when his fingers pressed into her neck. Because he knew she deserved more… and he knew that they deserved a lifetime of moments designed especially for them and freely given to them to fulfill.

****

Asha groaned as she opened her eyes, shifting a bit as she registered the hard forest ground beneath her and the pain radiating through her body. One look at the sky above her caused her to sit up quickly, completely ignoring the immediate frustration and pain born from crashing to the ground. She quickly noticed several things that were not as they should have been. It was pitch black outside when she left the palace but now? The sky was ablaze with deep hues of purple and blue, lights that moved across the sky like a living organism. If she were not so perplexed, she would have been content simply lying there to admire its beauty.

She didn't even really understand how she got here - she crashed in the forest, that much she remembered. But now? She was surrounded by tall swaying grass like that of the Alkama Fields, not the towering thick trees and greenery that surrounds the Hall of Kings. She stood up quickly, dusting the dirt off her purple dress and turned from side to side, trying to notice any landmarks or buildings that would help her discern where she was now.

She walked a few paces ahead of her before an eerie feeling settled over her causing her to stop in her tracks. There was nothing out of the ordinary ahead of her and yet, the hairs on the back of her neck stood at attention. She turned around slowly, the sight behind her rendered her speechless. And thank Bast it did or else she would have let out a blood-curdling scream and she doubted theblack panthers staring at her from this tree would have appreciated that. She counted 10 or so of them as her eyes swept across the tree frantically. Her legs turned into jelly as examining stares passed between her and the majestic but deadly creatures. They seemed to regard her with interest, while Asha was too busy looking from the tree to the very short span of grass that separated them.

That is an easy leap for any one of them.

Asha's mind started racing, trying to access years of knowledge about Panthers and quickly sift through it all for something that could help her. As if her knowledge was a roaring rapid, the facts flew past her at an unnatural speed, uselessly until one old legend jumped out at her. Many believed that the Panther Tribe had a deeper connection with all panthers, those on the island and those in the wild, and so no panther would ever harm them. However, now seemed like a poor time to test that theory in Asha's opinion.

She pushed down with her hands, deciding that flying was far safer than walking and would help her find her way home. However, much to her shock, nothing happened. She tried again, facing scrunching up in intense frustration and concentration as she tried to force fire out of her extremities to gain flight. But she couldn't even get sparks... she was completely and utterly powerless. She groaned softly in frustration, not understanding how she was rendered powerless - something she had hoped and prayed for - the one time she actually needed them.

As she stood there examining her hands, her legs started to feel warm. She ignored it initially, hoping it was her powers finally starting up again. That was until the unmistakable smell of smoke reached her nose. She looked behind her and realized the grass around her was slowly catching on fire.

"Oh no," she said quietly, trying to wave the flames away, using all the tricks she knew to absorb fire but nothing worked. She backed away from it, edging closer to the tree of panthers who seemed completely unperturbed by the fire coming closer to them. Every time she tried to channel her powers and absorb it, it grew larger and spread faster. Soon, she was surrounded. Asha covered her mouth with her arm, trying to avoid breathing in the smoke that was now obstructing her vision. Deja-vu poked through the haze of panic settling over her - she had been here before.

She lifted a hand to the flames, praying that she, at least, still had her ability to touch fire and be unharmed. But that proved to be wishful thinking as well. She cried out in pain as the fire burned her skin and caused the palm of her hand to turn red and immediately blister.

She clutched her burning hand to her chest, tears flowed freely at the throbbing pain radiating from it. She had never known the pain fire caused and now she wished she still didn't. She looked around wildly, trying to find an escape from the blazing inferno that seemed intent on killing her. With no other plan or recourse available to her, Asha simply yelled out "Bast! Help me!" Who else was there to seek help from at this point? There was no living soul anywhere near her, she was sure of that.

She was just about to close her eyes, resigned to dying alone in this inferno far from home, when a glowing light caught her eye. She looked up and the smoke seemed to clear just enough for her to see a panther approaching her through the flames. If Asha hadn't been so awestruck, she would have collapsed with fear. This was no ordinary panther, she realized. Its skin appeared to be made of diamonds, glistening and shining in the light of the flames, and was as tall as Asha herself. It walked through the flames as if they were nothing more than colorful air that had no effect whatsoever. When it was close enough, Asha was able to look in its eyes. They were a rich purple, almost like someone hand-picked the finest jewels and plucked them in its eyes. It reminded her of something, something distinct that she couldn't quite put her finger on with the haze of panic around her.

Bast.

She didn't know how she knew but she knew. It couldn't be anyone else.

She and the panther stared at each other for, what Asha considered to be, an uncomfortable amount of time. Asha realized how often she blinked as she stared into its jeweled eyes, examining the intensity in which this animal tilted its head from side to side to study her.

"If you are Bast, give me a sign? Or you know... be quick about it if you are going to kill me?" She whispered, laughing uncomfortably to herself. She wondered if she was losing her mind, here in this unknown place trying to escape fire by talking to an animal.

The fire. Asha was so taken by this panther in front of her that she had forgotten about the flames so quickly, flames that she had been terrified of only moments prior. She looked around wildly, realizing that the smoke was no longer affecting her. She could breathe easy again, it felt like nothing different than standing in a field of flowers. And almost as beautiful, she thought to herself as she watched the flames rage around her for a second, relieved now that she knew it couldn’t hurt her. She knelt down and bowed her head, understanding who was causing this, who was in front of her.

"Open your eyes, Asha."

Asha lifted her head at the sound of a voice to find a woman where the panther once stood. Asha looked around and found untouched, seemingly perfect grass, replacing the burning field that was there before. She also realized that her hand was no longer red and pulsing with pain. All the evidence of the last five minutes seemed to vanish, like it never happened.

"Y-You are Bast?" Asha asked, her voice echoed the disbelief in her head. The answer was obvious, other-worldly radiated off the woman before her. She certainly was not human. Her deep chocolate skin glowed like the sun, adored from head to toe in gold robes. Nestled on top of her long, flowing black locs was a simple golden crown with purple jewels settled around it. The rest of the world fell away as Asha stared at her, captivated and sure that she could look at her for the rest of her days and it would never be enough.

"You called for me, did you not?"

Asha blinked a few times, her desperate calls for Bast almost forgotten. It felt like ages ago now despite only being minutes. But she hadn't actually expected the goddess to show up; after all she called on Bast for decades and she never came to her aid those times. "Y-yes, yes I did. Thank you f-for saving me. I suppose I didn't think you would show up," Asha admitted with an apologetic tone. There was an awkward pause as Bast simply stared at her across the field, clearly waiting for Asha to speak. "I am in the Ancestral Plane, yes? I died after my crash?" Her tone was surprisingly calm and casual, as if she was confirming the weather and not her livelihood.

She laughed lightly, "Yes and no, you are in the Ancestral plane but no, you are not dead. You came close, that is certain. That flight was a dangerous venture even for experienced flyers. But worry not, you are very much still among the living."

"Oh." Asha stopped her silent walking just behind Bast, causing the Goddess to instinctively stop as well and turn to her. Asha looked to her left and saw yet another set of panthers leering at her from a tree beside her, each woman standing on either side of its trunk, staring at the other. Asha's eyes flinted from Bast to one panther in particular. Most stared at her with interest for a moment before going back to sleep or turning their attention elsewhere. But not this one, its deep brown eyes bored into Asha's soul so intensely that even when she turned away, it felt like a laser on her profile.

"You almost sound disappointed by that fact." Bast responded, interrupting her staring match with the panther. Asha turned her attention back to Bast, an amused look on her face.

"Oh no, I mean I am happy to be alive. I guess I am just confused. Why am I here then?"

"Well, I wanted to speak with you. I have been watching you... waiting for the opportunity to approach you. The moment finally presented itself. You have visited us before."

"Yes, in my dreams. I did not know what it was though, but I thought it was just some place I made up. And I never make it past the flames. Wait - what do you mean you have been watching me?"

"I have been watching you as I do with all I have deemed worthy of a gift, waiting for them to reach out to me. I meet with all the gifted at some point in their lives. When they have reached a point in their self discovery, I find that most need to be pushed forward, as you do now. Some reach that point earlier than others though. The waiting can be difficult, as it was with you but you finally got there."

The breeze passed by the two women as Asha stared at her. She opened and closed her mouth, 15 years worth of questions, anger, and frustration rising to the surface but Asha wasn't able to put any of it into words.

She settled on saying, "'The gifted?' That sounds like the Jabari?" It didn't feel sufficient but she was still gathering her thoughts.

"Yes, on this Hanuman and I agree. He calls them the Chosen, I call them gifts but they are all the same. All chosen... all gifts to Wakanda, especially now since your brother has reunited all the tribes. It just seems, unfortunately, that my people have yet to catch on as the Jabari did. But I am hoping the Jabari can lead them on that path of understanding. Your father was a particularly tough subject, clearly my plan to humble him with a gifted child did little to help him see the light. I am always right, people believe. But even once a century or two, I get it wrong."

"Doesn't sound like much of a gift," Asha muttered to herself, upon processing the idea that her life was nothing more than a pawn in Bast's master plan. Asha suddenly felt angry, anger that felt like it appeared out of nowhere all of a sudden. But really, it had been building, boiling below the surface for 15 years.

"What was that child?" The tone of Bast's voice signaled that she was not asking because she had not heard. She just wanted Asha to say it out loud.

Asha drew herself to full height, standing tall before her goddess, anger still steadily rising. "I said it doesn't sound like much of a gift... to have your existence used as a pawn in someone else's life. I endured years of pain and abuse for what? My father left this world hating mutants just as much as he did before he had me. You are Bast… all mighty and all powerful and you couldn't humble him a different way? Dangling my life in the balance was the only way? Is that what you want me to believe?"

"I leave my people to make their own choices. I give the signs, I give the lessons, sometimes I give explicit instructions... it is your choice to follow them. Your father chose many times not to follow, did not recognize the signs or actively chose to ignore them. I realized quickly that there was little I could do for a man like that."

That isn't good enough, Asha thought angrily to herself. But she didn't respond, she just turned her head away from Bast, frustration clear and evident. She turned to find that damned panther still staring at her, and somehow it made her even more angry so she looked up at the sky, hoping its beauty would calm her. But it didn't.

"Your life was never in the balance. You grew up strong and powerful, as I intended," Bast added, breaking the silence between them. "I was always here for you but I thought you had forgotten me... you stopped praying."

And with that simple phrase, Asha snapped. She scoffed loudly as her anger boiled over, "'I stopped praying??' I prayed to you every day for years. I begged and begged, pleaded and cried for you to take this gift back. I begged to be normal. Were those prayers not loud enough? Were the sobs and agony of one of your gifts not loud enough to earn an audience?"

"And you weren't there! I stopped praying because you weren't answering, or giving any indication that you heard me at all! Is this what you intended? I mean, look at me! Look at my life!" Asha yelled exasperated as she paced by the tree, ranting angrily. "My mother hates me, my father went to his grave hating me, the only real family I have are T'Challa and Shuri, I am not connected to my home or country in any real way, and I have spent my whole life lying and hiding."

Asha roughly wiped the tears before adding, "A-and to top it off, I have a man back there who I am madly in love with that I don't deserve," a small sob escaped her lips. "That I can't be with because of things I didn't ask for. Because of you! Because of this life you forced upon me… This life that you call a gift but has been nothing but a curse for the last 15 years. A-a-and you call me here and what? Expect me to thank you for it? You call me here after 15 years of misery, 15 years of watching my life fall apart and you say it is what you intended?? This is NOT a gift!" She shouted, her voice startling a few panthers in the trees.

Asha's chest heaved slightly as she tried to calm herself after unloading years of pent-up anger onto Bast. She couldn't help but blame Bast for every bad thing in her life right now, after all she just told her that she orchestrated it all. All that pain, all that tragedy she flew away from, she laid it at Bast's feet. She didn't know why or what she expected in return.

"I do not expect you to not be angry with me, child. Your anger is fair. But where you see a life of darkness, I see one overflowing with potential.” Bast’s eyes were filled with understanding, despite just being yelled at. “But you are tired. And I understand that too."

Asha nodded, she was tired. That was how she felt, simply exhausted. Life... her life was too much work right now. She looked around, the soft swaying trees, the serene violet sky, the peace. There was such peace here, there were no powers here. Asha craved for it.

"You could just... you could just stay here," Asha whispered to herself.

"This place is not for you. You have many years ahead," Bast answered, voice matter-of-fact and clear.

"Why not?" Asha asked, now considering the notion seriously. "Y-You get to choose right?? That's what we are taught, what all the stories say? Well, then choose to let me stay!"

"No." Bast answered again. "You have a job to do. You cannot do it here."

"Fine, send me back, but take my powers. I do not want them." Asha began to bargain. In her mind, Bast owed her something, owed her what she asked. If she couldn't stay here, she could bring one aspect of this peace back with her. She could finally get Bast to do the one thing she had begged her to do her whole life. She can set her free.

"No, you were chosen. Wakanda needs you, as you are today."

"You have my brother! He is the protector of Wakanda. Whatever job you need to do, he can do it!"

"Your brother is not enough. For centuries, the Black Panther has been enough. But your father made terrible mistakes, mistakes that have altered the future of Wakanda. And your brother, rightfully, has opened Wakanda's borders. With it, new dangers unlike any we have ever seen will come. He needs you. Wakanda needs you."

"No... no!" Asha cried out in frustration, falling to her knees before her goddess. She hunched forward as her hands grasped the ground in front of her, her nails digging into the soil. She wondered if Bast thought this was amusing, how quickly her anger turned to desperation. "I cannot do this. I asked you for years and you ignored me. Listen to me now, please. I am begging you. I d-don't want this anymore. P-please." Asha's voice broke as she sobbed on the ground before Bast. She imagined she looked as pitiful as she sounded.

"Stand up, Asha Udaka," Bast commanded from above her. "You are a gift. You were made from me, my children do not kneel or grovel at my feet."

Asha steadied her breathing, stopped her silent sobbing as best she could, before standing before Bast once more. "Do you know why you have never made it past the flames before? Because you are so terrified of who you are. Instead of accepting them, accepting the fire and all that comes with it as part of you, you shun it, you run from it, you hide from it. And you are right, with a life like that, you will never be happy. You will always be afraid, you will always be running, you will always be living with the constant fear of being burned. You will always be tired."

Bast took a step toward her before continuing, "Or... you could make the choice to do something different. The life your father promised you is not the life you must have. Perhaps the role you believed you were going to have in Wakanda is not the role you are destined for. It will be hard, I will not tell you otherwise. Going back is hard. There are very few on Earth whose lives aren't exhausting, that is the burden... the sacrifice paid for breath pumping through your veins. But it will be worth it, it is always worth it."

Asha looked around, everywhere but at the woman in front of her, unsure of what to say. Was it that easy? Trusting her, having faith in her after feeling forsaken and forgotten for so long?

Bast's hand cupped Asha's cheek gently, wiping away the tears that still streamed silently down her face. "You could stay here. Truthfully, it is not my choice, it is yours. I will not stop you... Your brother had to make the same difficult choice not too long ago. He is destined to be the best of them, the man to lead my people to new heights. He returned home because there was work to be done. I believe he is better for it. I believe you will be better for it as well."

"How? What can I offer Wakanda? Or anyone like this?” she gestured to herself, imaging what her emotionally-broken form looked like to Bast. “Half of the country hates me, half of my family hates me. My brother had a role - King. I have nothing but powers that most of the country would rather me not use."

"That is far from true, my child. You have everything, everything you need already. You are rare... destined to be the best of them, I know this. And the path to that power hasn't been easy. You can hate me for it but this was the path you needed, this is what Wakanda needs. You have the power no other gift has had, power to do things the normal hand would not dare dream of - the power to undo atrocities and build lasting bridges all across Wakanda. You are rare... destined to be the best of them. I know this because I willed it. You just have to learn to love it, for all its beauty and terror. And then use it to save my people, save Wakanda's future. And then, you may find that giving and receiving love from others, and knowing you deserve it, is far simpler than before."

Bast squeezed her hands tightly. Asha didn't know what future she could save, what she could do for Wakanda. But as she stared around at the panthers and the Ancestral Plane, she knew one thing for certain - she couldn't stay here.

A small whimper next to her caught her attention. The black panther in the tree next to them was no longer just staring at Asha, it was sitting up as if it sensed her soul was about to leave. It almost looked like the idea pained it. As Asha stared at it, she realized that something about it seemed oddly familiar. She knew this didn't make sense, she had never seen a real panther in her life to remember one. But she could not help but think this one seemed to know her. She suddenly remembered what her brother told her after his visit here. He was there.

I wonder... she started to think, taking a step toward the tree, when Bast squeezed her hand again, stopping her movements. "It is time to go now, Asha. I fear we are sending you home with more questions than answers. But you will see me again when you have done what you are destined to do. Then you will get those new answers you seek, understand?"

Asha gave the panther one last look of longing, knowing whose soul inhabited it, wanting nothing more than the same opportunity to talk to him as she just had with Bast. But she knew this was all in Bast's plan so she answered, "Yes," before turning away from the panther for the last time.

Bast opened her arms wide and Asha tentatively walked into them, immediately leaning into the hug as she felt warmth and safety she hadn't felt in ages rushing through her. Bast smiled and whispered, "You know... I must hand it to myself. The Golden Trio... you all are the rarest flowers in my garden. Brilliant, capable and meant to help us in such different ways. You are the three pillars on which the progress of Wakanda will stand upon. In the absence of one, she would fall. It is a heavy burden I ask of you and cruel that I should ask it without offering any guidance. But like all my gifts, you must walk it alone. Right the wrongs, protect our future. And then we will speak again. Goodbye until then Princess Asha."

*****

Asha's eyes fluttered open, blinking profusely to adjust to the dim light surrounding her. Her head fell to the side as she laid there, recognizing the space as her bedroom in the palace. . She shifted beneath her deep red duvet cover, an audible groan escaping from the pain radiating through her body. Asha couldn't think of a time her body felt such extreme pain like this, feeling like she was just flung and subsequently trampled by a border tribe rhino. But she knew she had little space to complain. The fact that she was alive was a gift from Bast, that fall should have ended her life.

Bast... her meeting with the Panther Goddess was fresh in her mind. It felt more like a dream, except she remembered it so clearly, so vividly. Usually dreams disappeared from her memory within seconds of waking up. But this seemed to be burned into her brain, like Bast wouldn't let her forget a second of it.

She started to sit up, deciding to find her family and apologize for her impromptu escape when a soft but firm hand stopped her movements. "Lay back down, Asha. You need to rest."

Her heart leaped into her throat as she heard his voice. She looked up and saw him sitting on the edge of her bed. She didn't understand how she missed him, he seemed too big for her space. But she supposed she was too preoccupied with her own thoughts. "M'Baku?"

A small but distinct smile fell on his face as he heard the relief in her voice, there was no hiding it. He squeezed her hand, the pair simply staring at each other as he helped her ease back onto the pillows beneath her back. She stared at him, happy but extremely confused.

"W-what are you doing here?"

His hands left her shoulders, rubbing up and down her arms in a comforting fashion. She appreciated the warmth of his hands, helping her realize how cold she was. She felt like her body would never be warm again.

"I was worried about you. I wanted to make sure you were alright. Um... Let me get you some water yes? Stay here." Asha took in his nervousness, the anxiety in his voice. He was clearly trying to find busy work, something to do that was not simply staring at her or having the difficult conversation looming over him like a dark cloud. She watched him grab the water pitcher in the sitting area of her quarters. She stared around her, the profound desire to get up coursing through her. She just wanted to sit on the couch and talk to him, not lay in her bed like a patient. She swung her legs out of bed, ignoring the exhaustion and pain it caused to do such a little task. However, she would soon learn to regret that decision as she pushed off the bed to stand. The moment her legs took on her full weight, they turned to jelly. She crumbled back to the ground, with a soft thud.

"Asha!" He ran back over to her, forgetting her water. "What do you need?"

Asha tried to stabilize her breathing to talk, but nothing would come out. She had been so preoccupied, so trapped in her own thoughts that this was the first moment she actually registered how exhausted she felt. As if she could visualize it in her mind, she could see her internal tank empty, something that had never happened in her life. Panic settled as her eyes moved wildly around her room, trying to understand what she needed in this unforeseeable scenario. Her eyes fell on the raging fire in her sitting area. Was it that easy? she asked herself as she stared at the flames dancing in the fireplace. Her intense staring and look of longing did not go unnoticed by her companion. He picked her up bridal style, the young princess too tired to even be excited by being in his arms, and sat her as close as humanly possible to the fire without sticking her body in it. She hesitated for a moment, knowing it was crazy. But the flames seemed to call out for her, beg for her, growing taller and wilder as she watched them. She reached her hand out into the fire, the warmth immediately washing over her like someone basking in sunlight. She held her hand there, eyes closed, as her body soaked up all the fire in the hearth. Warmth spread through her arm and into every area of her body until she could feel it in every finger and toe, finally feeling full again. The price of her resurgence was the loss of fire in her room but she didn't feel as though she needed it now. She was not at 100%... she knew it would take some time to get back where she was. But this felt good.

"Better?" M'Baku asked softly from behind her, a comforting hand still on her back. He figured it worked, instead of deathly cold, he could feel the warmth circulating beneath her skin now. It wasn't as powerful as once before but it was there.

"Much. Not 100% but close. T-thank you."

He picked her back up and carried her back to bed. Once she was settled, he sat down on the side of the bed next to her.

"You gave us quite a scare. Flying away like that. On your third try? You could have died."

"Flying is the only way to escape a brother with super speed. Before I knew it, I was in the middle of nowhere and couldn't hold myself up any longer. I didn't mean to scare anyone.”

“You could have died, Asha,” he lectured. His words fell on her ears like a parent scolding a child instead of like a… she still didn’t know what they were.

“No one would have cared,” she mumbled under her breath. She couldn’t even stop herself from letting it slip but as soon as it did, she wished she had. The hurt on his face was clear.

"The King, Shuri, Nakia and the Dora care about you deeply Asha."

"Are they the only ones?" She asked softly.

M'Baku bowed his head, avoiding her expectant stare as he thought of a response. He cared about her, deeply so. But was now the time to have this conversation? After she almost died? He supposed it was foolish to back down now. This was what he wanted this whole time, to express his feelings. But now that it was here? He wished he had a few more days to get his thoughts together.

"No, not just them. There are some that care about you more than you know, more than you will let them show you."

It was Asha's turn to avoid his stare, his expectant look. She was in love with him, there was no secret about that. But 12 hours ago, there were so many barriers in their way. Now those barriers turned to wreckage and recycled into new barriers. They were different, but how different if she still felt unable to commit to him and this?

"The woman you want... she is not who I am always M'Baku. If this day hasn't shown you. You watched her attack me a-a-and I just sat there. I surrendered so easily like a c-coward. I- is that the woman you want? Truly?"

"Asha, stop. You are that woman, I see her every time I look at you. What other woman could have survived what you survived tonight? You are strong, you are deserving. You just have to believe it."

She nodded softly, looking out the window of her bedroom, confused and struggling. Her mind like she was standing in the Great Mound, watching hundreds of trains whiz by her and she could not grab hold of any of them. So many thoughts, so many tracks moving in different directions. Here she was again, standing at the crossroads of what she wanted to have, what reality dictated she must have, and what the world deemed her worthy of having. There was not a fiber of her being that didn't want M'Baku, but did she truly feel she deserved him? Bast told her she did… everyone told her she did… but did any other opinions matter if she still felt unworthy?

And this being the first moment, she really considered the possibility of being with him and its implications, would the Jabari even accept her? Many of them did not want to rejoin Wakanda in the first place? How would they feel if their chief married a lowlander? How would the Wakandans feel if their princess married a Jabari? That was a bridge the two tribes hadn’t been crossed once in history.

Beyond that, it was difficult to focus on sorting out her feelings for M'Baku when she knew her tribe was at risk, all because of her. She was surrounded by the very real reality that Elder Shani was trying to tear their house down. Her engagement was off, of that she was sure. Why would she uphold the end of the bargain when Shani figuratively set their deal on fire? But did that mean she was relieved of her obligation? Does that mean after giving her the ammunition to tear their world apart, Asha could just escape to Jabariland and live a different life? She was still the princess, after all. Her obligations to marry were gone but her obligations to her family, to the throne, to her people were very much present.

And then there was Bast. Apparently, there was work to be done. Could that work be done from Jabariland? Or did she have to stay here? What future did she have to protect? How does one even begin to learn to love themselves or powers they have been conditioned to hate? She wished she had more time to ask Bast questions as a million tumbled through her mind right now. Now, she just felt like she wasted the short audience Bast gave her ranting like a child. The goddess wasn't wrong - it was cruel to ask her to do whatever job she needed doing with no guidance, no direction. She wasn't equipped for this... any of it.

"Asha." M'Baku saw it clearly in her face, she was drowning, unsure of what to do, her confusion and concern etched into her face. She looked older, more tired and weary than he had ever seen her. Like in one day, she lived a thousand lives. He knew that look, saw it on his own face a million times as chief. He knew what it looked like to carry the weight of the world and he also knew how grateful he was to the people in his life who forced him to lay that weight down, who gave him a break for a moment. He just wanted to help her do the same. "How about we do this? We deal with the big questions tomorrow. And tonight, we just be. No big questions, no overthinking,” he gently tapped her head, causing her face to scrunch up and the first genuine smile he had seen all night grace her face. “No decisions, no complications. We just rest."

Asha's heart immediately felt lighter with his permission not to think for a moment, his permission to lay her baggage down and rest her arms for a while. It would do her a world of good, she knew that. She nodded, smiling at him. "Let's just be. Sounds like a plan to me."

M'Baku leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead, Asha's body heating up at his touch. He looked at her for a moment before getting up from the bed, "I will take the couc-"

A small hand grabbed his, tugging him back. Her dark brown eyes looked up with him, unspoken pleads clear and on the tip of her tongue. "Stay. I want you to stay."

Her meaning was clear, but M'Baku searched her face for confirmation. There were no reservations, no doubts. He rounded to the other side of the bed and slid in. She immediately nestled into his side, attracted to him like a magnet.

"I would care," he whispered as she laid on his bare chest, her small frame dwarfed by his. He didn't hear a response but soon, he felt the unmistakable wetness of tears and knew she heard him.

"T-thank you," she whispered back, throat tight as she tried to keep her emotions in. He kissed the top of her head before closing his eyes, another eventful day behind them and the start of something beautiful ahead.

****

Tags: @destinio1 @muse-of-mbaku @missmohnique @jellybean531 @afrolatinpami @leahnicole1219 @archivistofwakanda

#Black Writers #black panther fanfiction #black panther imagines #black panther fics #m'baku x reader #m'baku x oc #m'baku smut

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dontbeallupinmyfriesdawg · 6 years

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Okay so I'm going to write these T'akia headcanons because I've been dying to and I need cheering up.

So T'Challa and Nakia grew up together from when they were children

Nakia's tribe has always been very prominent and close to the royal family she practically grew up in the palace.

I imagine they train children in Wakanda from a young age to be skilled in combat so the first time they meet T'Challa and Nakia are paired as sparring partners and Nakia wipes the floor with him.

Anyone present will tell you that Nakia won because she was clearly the more skilled and talented fighter, which is true

But the real reason T'Challa fell flat on his ass is because he spent the entire fight mesmerised by Nakia so she took him out effortlessly in a matter of seconds.

Imagine baby!Nakia towering over T'Challa scowling "You didn't even try!"

Meanwhile T'Challa's on the floor grinning like an idiot, look at her like she's the sun thinking "I'm gonna marry that girl,"

Naturally after that day T'Challa follows Nakia around like a lost puppy (something that everyone especially his mother finds hilarious). Nakia doesn't mind as long as he keeps up with her and goes along with her numerous schemes (or 'missions', as she likes to call them), whether it's scalling the tallest tree she can find or sneaking into the palace kitchens to swipe a snack. T'Challa is right behind her. Eventually the two become inseparable.

I like to think that spot in the movie up on the cliff is their spot and they go there whenever they want to talk privately for hours and escape T'Challa's security or their parents. If one of them is upset then the other all knows they can find them there. And it's the best place to watch the sunset. (One of their favourite activities)

Nakia has always expressed interest in becoming a war dog, reluctant to remain complacently in Wakanda and assume leadership of her tribe like everyone else.

This prospect terrifies T'Challa because he's not naive, he knows all about the outside world and that not everywhere is a safe and as peaceful as Wakanda. His uncle was a war dog and he never returned home. But he knows better than to try and discourage Nakia or patronise her (because she'd kick his ass and he respects her far to much, plus he knows it's her dream and wants to be supportive but at the same time he also wants to latch his arms around one of her ankles and beg her not to go anywhere)

Their first kiss happens under a tree in the palace gardens Nakia is 16 T'Challa is 17.

He's listening to her speak about the world and how much good she wants to do in it (that conversation in the market place in BP can't have been the first one they've ever had on the issue) she so passionate, her eyes light up and she gesturres contantly and he can't help but stare because she's so beautiful and brilliant and how can she not know how in love with her he is.

Caught up in that train of thought T'Challa forgets to actually listen to what Nakia is saying and earns himself a hard whack on the chest as she questions whether he is listening to her.

Instead of answering he just keeps staring with a weird look on his face and Nakia considers going to get Zuri or someone inside for help because T'Challa is possibly having a stroke.

Some magical wave of courage overcomes him, T'Challa's brain switches off momentarily and he leans in to kiss her.

It's so sudden it takes Nakia by surprise.

This kiss is so gentle tho, T'Challa holds Nakia's face like he's afraid he's going to break her and brushes his lips against her in the sweetest barely there kisses that leaves them both breathless.

For a split second after its over T'Challa goes into panic mode and thinks that Nakia might knock him out or worse never speak to him again but before he can explain himself (the coherent apology he formed in his head coming out as stuttered nonsense) Nakia reaches out and takes his chin gently in her hand brushing her thumb over his lip before kissing him back.

During that second kiss he holds her so tightly under that tree like he's afraid its the last time he'll ever get to do it.

The agree to keep their relationship a 'secret' because they're unsure if the King and Queen will approve and they'd rather not be under scrutiny anyway.

The tea is that they're both idiots because literally anyone with eyes knows they're a couple.

Ramonda's known since they were toddlering around in diapers long before either of them remember. A mother knows her son and Ramonda knows Nakia is going to be her future daughter in law as soon as a six year old T'Challa returns from sparring practice proudly bearing a bruise on his forehead given to him by Nakia.

Shuri's too young to notice anything at first (or care) but she catches on to T'Challa's crush real quick "For Baast's sake will you just tell her!?" (because the kid is sharp)

and she figures out his and Nakia's 'secret relationship' in about 0.5 seconds. "A war dog trainee and the future black panther and neither of you can keep a secret to save your lives"

Okoye definitely knows cus she knows everything but doesn't bring it up to the king because she had only just become general at the time and is a stickler for proper conduct and that would be inappropriate. However she's not above giving him those looks when he and Nakia are somewhere they're supposed to be paying attention (like being addressed by the king or something) making eyes at each other instead of listening.

T'Challa tells Nakia he loves her for the first time right before she leaves for her first war dog mission.

It is not customary for a royal family member to see off war dogs before they depart but T'Challa goes anyway.

He waits to the very last minute when Nakia is promising to write and email Shuri with her progress, to hit her with "I love you,"

She kind of just panics and kisses him before leaving

And T'Challa spends the entire two months she's gone worried sick a) for her safety and b) that he's embarrassed himself by saying I love you too quickly and ruined their relationship.

He's so miserable the whole time that Shuri can't even bring herself to tease him

Although she can't resist bringing him glasses of milk and gently petting his head while murmering "There, there kitty,"

When Nakia finally comes back he is obviously the first the greet her. She's actually bruised all over and covered in dirt when she returns but she's still the most beautiful sight T'Challa's ever seen including the Wakandan sunset

They both forget themselves and run to each other. T'Challa picks her up and they embrace and Okoye, Ramonda and Shuri just stand in the background and smile at the two idiots .

T'Chaka looks hella confused tho because he is literally the only oblivious one in the family. (Zuri has to lean over and explain)

When he finally puts her down Nakia cups his face and says she loves him too and that's she's sorry she didn't say it before and T'Challa's heart feels as if it's going to burst.

Like Danai once said in an interview it's kind of obvious who broke up with who (although like Lupita said it was less of a break up and more an agreement on difference). Either way Nakia definitely inniatiates and even though it breaks his heart T'Challa agrees because he just wants to make her happy.

You cannot tell me T'Challa didn't keep tabs on Nakia during her missions tho.

Like he knows she can handle herself but there are at least five war dogs dotted around the globe who's sole purpose are to keep tabs on Nakia.

Bonus points: if Nakia has identified each and every one of them and has warned them firmly to stay out of her way.

After the events of the film T'Challa proposes to Nakia under the tree where they had their first kiss with his father's ring.

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letaliabane · 6 years

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Own My Heart - 3

PAIRING: T’challa x Reader ft Black Panther Characters

GENRE: ULTRA Angst in this one!

REQUEST: T'challa fic where he’s bringing the reader to see wakanda for the first time ever and she’s worried that his family and advisors and the general public won’t accept her bc she’s an outsider (is non poc okay?)

A/N: This was a bit shorter than the other chapters but it hits right to the feels. I’m so sorry for not updating faster! I’ve had a busy few days, I went to both Bruno Mars and Ed Sheeran concerts and they were amazing, but that meant I literally had no time at home because I was in for an hour and then out again. But anyway hope you enjoy this chapter! Please don’t hate me too much for this.

After the encounter I had had with M’baku, I was worried about the amount of guests that really were against the relationship T’challa had with me. I couldn’t help but look around in fright, but at the same time, I tried to stay calm.

Perhaps the great Jabbari leader had been exaggerating? But with the reaction to Erik’s taking of the throne, I couldn’t help but wonder if my position was compromised, having already seen how the Wakandan people hated outsiders.

Even as I made my way through the ballroom, many smiled towards me, however many indeed gave me looks of disgust, and though I had entered the room with a heart full of confidence, it began to wither away as the hours went by. At least the villagers and leaders were enjoying themselves.

However my doubtful thoughts flew away as I smiled at the sight of Shuri who stood on the sidelines, happy to see another familiar face.

She too turned to me with a large smile, ‘Thank god your here, I was bored half my brain out. Seriously could be doing something more productive in the lab that meet all these people.’

I chuckled, looking towards the crowd of people, before spotting T’challa, but he wasn’t with others, alone with Nakia, speaking quietly to one another. ‘Shuri?’ She turned to me as she sipped her drink, ‘Who is Nakia to T’challa? They seem pretty close.’

Shuri paused at the question, her body language being rigid, ‘Well ... we grew up with her as she is the leader of the River Tribe’s daughter. She went to school with us and so forth. We almost did everything together. And eventually they-they entered a relationship.’

‘Oh.’ I said in pure shock. I could see that they were close but I never thought that they had dated, ‘Could you tell me what they're relationship was like with her?’

‘Well they got along very well. He respected her a lot as she was a spy for Wakanda and put her life on the line many times, and she respected him. They loved each other very much and the people actually thought that he would propose to her! But he didn’t, instead, they broke it off a couple of years ago.’

‘I’m guessing they both were loved by the people of Wakanda. I’m not so sure if I’ll get the same reaction from them.’ She turned to me at this, her eyebrows furrowed, ‘What do you mean?’

‘Well I’m an outsider Shuri ... And I just-From what I’ve seen so far in this room, it seems that not many people are very happy with the fact that your brother is in a relationship with a foreigner-’

‘Okay who opened their dirty mouths? Do I need to teach someone a good lesson? My gauntlets aren’t that far from here!’ I chuckled at this, shaking my head, ‘No Shuri, it’s okay, really. I’m just blabbing now, stupid me.’

‘It’s okay to feel nervous Y/N. Really it is,’ She said, turning to me fully, ‘You know, our family weren’t really sure that T’challa would ever actually marry or have kids, considering his age, and when my Mama warned me that I may take the crown and become Queen, I was terrified! As Queen, like a King, there is so many eyes pointed at you that it gets scary at times. But as long as you are surrounded by those that you love, it’s going to be okay. Just know that since you took the weight off of my shoulders, I’ll be right here with you.’

I smiled at her at this, squeezing her hand gently, ‘Thank you Shuri. Really.’

‘No problem at all, I’m going to get a refill, do you want anything?’ I shook my head, shooing her away as she just gave me a wink before sidelining everyone so she could reach the bar that was on the other side of the ballroom.

I turned to look at T’challa who was now surrounded by others, so with a deep breath and a smile on my face, I made my way over. Okoye noticed me first her expression falling at the sight of me which stopped me in my tracks, as the words from the man before T’challa resonated with me.

‘... She will be a disgrace Wakanda sitting on the throne beside you! A foreigner T’challa! What were you thinking!’

‘What I was thinking was none of your concern-’

‘Well it should’ve been!’ The man seethed, many of his company nodding and muttering under their breaths to each other, ‘The reputation of not only your people, but your family is at stake and your happy to just throw that all away for some ihenyukazi!’

Many of those who were listening in to the man’s rant gasped loudly, even the eye’s of Okoye widened in horror. ‘Uhambe kakhulu umzalwana, khula ngoku!’ A another man had hissed to the one who had just spoken.

And though I couldn’t understand any of what was being spoken, I knew that was the man had not addressed me in any kind manner.

The man just smirked, stepping towards T’challa, shaking his head, ‘You should’ve married Nakia when you had the chance, instead of embarrassing yourself here tonight with the outsider-’

My heart dropped at this. I didn’t stick around to hear the rest. I pushed through the crowd hurriedly, keeping my head down as Shuri called after me from somewhere amongst the people as I left through the double doors of the ballroom.

‘How dare you talk about sister Y/N in that way!’ Okoye said through gritted teeth as she stared W’kabi down, only to stop as the King raised his hand to silence her anger.

T’challa stared at his old friend in shock, moving towards him slowly, ‘What did you just say?’

‘You heard me, you will lose all respect from your people for loving such a ihenyukazi! A bugqwirha-’ The man silenced himself when T’challa gripped his arm tightly, the group freezing in their actions at the very scene before them.

‘If you let the next words leave your mouth, I promise you that you will not make it out of this palace, instead you will be thrown into a prison cell, and in fact you should consider that a kindness.’

W’kabi stared down T’challa, but the King could see the fear in his eyes.

‘Now if I hear you talking about my Queen in such a way ever again, you will meet an even greater punishment from me. Or you could face your old companion? You can choose if the time ever comes.’

The fear was more evident than ever as W’kabi looked towards Okoye who smirked, taking a step forward to stand beside the King. T’challa finally pulled away, only to face his sister who’s features were painted in grief.

‘What is it Shuri?’

‘It’s Y/N. She just left the ballroom in tears and I’m not sure as of why!’ T’challa turned just in time to see the doors shutting, Okoye at his side as she spoke, ‘Majesty I think she may of heard what W’kabi had said.’

‘T’challa she’ll be okay-’

He ignored Nakia’s words, making his way through the crowd, ignoring the bows of those who surrounded him, making his way out, Okoye sending Nakia a glare before following the King out through the grand doors of the ballroom.

I stood in a corridor a few feet from the ballroom, calming my breathing as I wiped the tears away from my face. I couldn’t believe that so many people were against T’challa’s relationship with me, if I had known I wouldn’t have allowed it to continue for so long. Perhaps they were right, T’challa possibly could belong to Nakia-

‘Y/N?’

I turned at the calling of my name to find T’challa making his way over to me. Before I could make a sound, I found myself being dragged into an empty room, shutting the door firmly behind us. Without even a word spoken to me, he embraced me, holding me close to him.

I was frozen, unable to even lift my arms and return the same warmth he gave me. At this T’challa pulled away, wiping the stray tears from my face gently, his face filled with worry. ‘Are you okay my love?’

‘No-No I’m not,’ I say shakily, trying to breath accordingly, ‘I just-I thought I could do this! With you by my side I knew I could do anything! But I just couldn’t!’

I pulled away from him, the anger now rising within me as his face contorted in confusion. ‘T’challa you left me all on my own tonight! You said that you would be there but you weren't!’

‘I was meeting other diplomats-’

I scoffed. ‘No! You were off with Nakia tucked in a corner talking about God knows what!’

‘Y/N Nakia is just a friend of mine-’

‘She’s your ex-girlfriend T’challa!’ His eyes widened at this as I just nodded with a deep frown, ‘Yeah, I know! Shuri told me! At least someone is telling me the truth around here!’

‘I was going to tell you-’

‘When T’challa?!’ I exasperated, ‘We’ve been together for more than three years and somehow you just forgot to mention her to me?’

‘Your not always truthful with me! Why are you trying to make me the bad guy!’ He cries, staring me down now, his anger also bubbling within him. It wasn’t like the night had gone his way either.

‘What is that supposed to mean? That is utter bullshit and you know it! I open myself up to you all the time but you never knew.’

A silence fell over us as we grew further and further apart. I knew that the build up of tension between us over the years had accumulated and right now we were taking the opportunity to take it out on each other.

The long distance stuff was hard, as all couples struggled with it, but we suffered with it on another level, T’challa being King and all. However, it wasn’t just about that, ever since his father died, he had closed himself off continuously, whether it was to remain strong as a King or for the good of his own pride, I had no idea.

‘You know maybe you should just go back to the party ...’ I said under my breath, my back now turned to him. I heard him stutter. ‘W-What?’

I just chuckled darkly. I had had enough of this night, ‘T’challa, at first I thought this would go okay. People were discussing things with me, actually talking to me about different issues. I knew I had to make you proud, so even when I got the ugly looks and the glares and the comments in your language that I couldn’t even understand, I still kept a brave face on. But you know what really bugged me the most. It was seeing you alone with Nakia for most of the night-’

‘Y/N I already told you! Yes she’s my ex, but she’s my friend as well-’

‘T’challa!’ He froze when he heard the desperation in my voice, unable to stop watching me as I shook my head, ‘I am your girlfriend! I needed you tonight-Tonight was about us! That was what this was about! You WANTED this! But then-then you were with her ...’

I couldn’t help but choke at the words that caught at my throat, feeling disgust just looking at him. ‘Maybe that man in the ballroom was right! Maybe I really am disappoint a disappointment to you.’

‘Why would you think that Y/N?!’

The way his voice was still calm as ever began to put me on edge, and when I span around to face him, his eyes widened at the resentment present on my face, ‘Why would I think that?! Why would I think that T’challa?! Because it feels like this is one-sided! I am trying my hardest for you but you have so far done nothing to help me! All you have done is stand beside Nakia and walk around like she’s the one your dating! You know what? Go back to the party! To her! Why don’t you just go and marry her like everyone is telling you to-’

‘ENOUGH!’ I freeze at this as T’challa grabbed me, shaking me roughly as he spoke through gritted teeth, ‘Enough of this.’

There was an anger in his eyes that I had never ever seen before. Yes, we fought like every other couple, but this, this frightened me. My whimper was silent but prominent as his fingers tightened at my arms as I hung my head, avoiding his eyes as he shook once more.

However door was slammed open at this, and in the corner of my eye I saw Okoye, her eyes widening at the scene before her. A moment of silence passed before she actually spoke, ‘Beg Pardon my King, I thought some sort of trouble had occurred …’

At her words T’challa finally pulled away, taking a few steps away from me before pulling at his robes, straightening them as if he had dirtied them. ‘It is quite all right Okoye. Were finished.’

I looked up at him in horror as he gave me one last glance, one that was unreadable, ‘We will discuss this later.’

And with that he swiftly left the room, passing Okoye without a another word. It was if I hadn’t taken a breath the entire time, gasping as the pain hit me slowly, my whole body shaking as a result.

Okoye made her way over to my side, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder and her eyes filled with concern, ‘Are you all right sister Y/N?’

I shook my head, breathing heavily, ‘We-We just had a little argument. I-I’m so sorry, Okoye.’ She shook her head at this, taking my hands into hers, ‘It’s perfectly okay Y/N! You don’t need to apologise to me, just take deep breaths. Deep breaths now.’

I followed her as she demonstrated, allowing her to rub my arms gently before my breathing returned to a regular pattern. I sighed deeply, before looking up at her once more, squeezing her hand, ‘Thank you Okoye for that.’

‘As I said, it’s perfectly okay. Would you like me to escort you back to the gala?’

I shook my head at her words, my heart beat racing and embarrassment dawning on me, I couldn’t go back in there. ‘No, no it’s quite all right. You go and enjoy yourself. I think I will retire to my room for now.’

Okoye paused at this as she had been leading me out of the small, ‘Are you sure? I can walk you to your room and make sure your comfortable in your quarters-’

‘N-No! It’s all right, I can find my way back. I’ll see you in the morning.’ I drew a weak smile, squeezing her hand once more before making my way down the corridor.

And only when I reached the very end of the hallway, I let out my whimpers, my cries echoing across the marble, Okoye turning back at the very sound, before she made her way back to the ballroom.

I took a deep breath as I leant against the marble podium. Maybe it really was the end. With one last sigh, I made my way back to my room, the clicking of my heels the only vacant noise that seemed to register in my mind.

ihenyukazi: Prostitute/Slut

Uhambe kakhulu umzalwana, khula ngoku!: You have gone too far brother, silence yourself now!

bugqwirha: Witch

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