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liyawritesss · 10 months

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ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴀᴛ'ꜱ ʙʀᴏᴋᴇ, ʟᴇᴀᴠᴇ ɪᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʀᴇᴇᴢᴇ

Characters: MCU!Shuri Udaku x!Black!Fem!Reader

Type: Fic

Word Count: 11.8k

Synopsis: It’s your sister’s 25th birthday, and she invited you over for the extravagant birthday bash. However, there’s only one problem. Shuri has never met your family. She also isn’t aware of their past mistreatment of you. So when your parents begin to make jabs at you on what is supposed to be a joyous event, Shuri might have to apologize to your sister for what is to come next.

Warnings: cursing, mentions of verbal + physical abuse, mentions of severe anxiety, a very angry Shuri shuts shit down, shitty parents, dysfunctional family dynamics

A/N: So....this came about after watching a clip of Love & Hip Hop ATL, where in the clip one of the guys on the show was confronting his mother about the mistreatment and neglect he got as a kid and how his mother took all her frustrations out on him when he had nothing to do with what she was going through. That video touched exceptionally close to home so I wanted to writing for such an event but with Shuri, as I think for someone who is quite family oriented (or who appears to be), she would definitely have a few choice words to say to parents like that. Plus, I wanted to provide comfort to those going through similar situations as teenagers and young adults with their own parents. So I hope that this brings comfort to some of you, as it has done to me when writing it.

Song Suggestions: "Naked" & "Everything" by Ella Mai, "Let Me Down Slowly" by Alec Benjamin ft. Alessia Cara, "Let It Go" by James Bay, "Losin' Control" by Russ, "Control" by Zoe Wees, "You're Not Here" by Cynthia Erivo, "You Let Me Down" by Alessia Cara

Tags: @6-noir @playhousedistee @shuririsdefenseattorney @shuriszn @venusdraco @wrendermedone @writingintheshadowsforever @mbakuetshurisprincess @verachii @slytherin-34 @the_lesbian-fangirl @h34rtsformilli @strangefishflapturtle @cuddl3s4shur1 @shuriislut @dejaonline @babyboiboyega @badass-dora-milaje @inmyheadimobsessed @aaliyg @cafehyunji @chunkybabygorl @rosielovesfamily @lulu-network @nichole-224 @niyahwrites @lppriceisright @blacksapphhicmaddonna @pantherheart @marsfunzon22

Note: there are some of you that for some reason tumblr won't let me tag, so I apologize in advance.

The closer you were to pulling up to your sister’s home, the harder it was becoming for you to breathe.

It wasn’t like you were ignorant enough to believe you could escape this. You’d always known, deep down inside, that one day, you’d have to face them again. Yet, here you were, tucked into the smooth tan leather of Shuri’s car, hiding the fact that you were on the verge of an anxiety attack, and your girlfriend to the left of you filled with positive anticipation to meet your family.

Your sister, Alex, was turning twenty-five today. It is a big celebration for your bloodline, and though much of the original purpose of the celebration had been lost due to oral passing, the general belief was that the lucky lady who’d survive to her twenty-fifth birthday was to be guaranteed a long, fulfilling life.

Of course your sister would have a long, fulfilling life. Alex was a woman of greatness. She’d worked hard in school, got into an amazing college, met a handsome guy who she’d married as soon as she landed her first official big-girl job at some law firm in your home city. There wasn’t a doubt in your mind that Alex was guaranteed for greatness.

Alex was…perfect.

You didn’t want to go. As much as you knew it would have hurt her to not have her sister at her side for her big day, Alex would’ve understood. You never liked the elaborate, extravagant lifestyle. You were a simple girl with simple pleasures, who led a simple life and wanted nothing more than to live simply.

Though, that seems contradictory, since about a year ago, you found yourself gaining the attention and affections of the very Queen of Wakanda. How you managed that feat, you would never know.

It was Shuri who had found the invitation. She was visiting you during an monthly check up at one of the outreach facilities posted in your town, when she had inevitably seen the pretty invitation sitting on your kitchen island. It was all written in cursive, no doubt the product of your sister’s perfect penmanship, and most of all, it was addressed to you and Shuri.

You’d only told Alex of your relationship after the six month mark. You wanted to be certain that such a relationship would last; though, now that you thought back on it, what good would it have done Shuri to play you? Her intentions and integrity were clear the first day she had introduced herself to you. She’d never given you any reason to not trust her, and yet, you had still doubted her. It was a period of time you regretted most, and yet, Shuri still loved you. And in realizing that she would continue to do so, even after seeing the ugly parts of you, you allowed yourself to truly love her back.

Shuri was ecstatic to go. She wanted to meet your sister in person, having only ever seen each other through video calls and communicated through text. And with Shuri’s pretty brown doe-eyes that had always been a weakness to you, you couldn’t say no.

And now, here you were, gripping the door handle tightly as you released tight breathes, wondering if it would have been beneficial to sit Shuri down and tell her the reason why your eyes showed a glimpse of dread when she’d picked up that invitation.

“Darling?” The Queen’s voice cuts through the cloudiness that fogs your brain, grounding you in a way only her honey-laced voice could do. “Are you alright?”

No, you want to say, turn the car around, take me home. I don’t want to go there-

“Yeah, just a bit tired.”

Shuri looks at you quizzingly. You have not been acting as yourself since the day she’d stopped by your apartment. Since, she’d been trying to pinpoint the cause, but to no avail. Even after a year together, she still found you hard to read sometimes. It was endearing to her, a challenge she greatly accepted as part of the packaged deal that came with your relationship.

However, she couldn’t deny that this time, things felt…different.

There’s a melodic beeping that comes from the vehicle, and the red flashing on the dash panel alerts Shuri that the car is running out of gas. And not a second later, a familiar voice speaks from the surround-sound speakers:

Panther, the vehicle is reaching low fuel. It would be wise to refuel soon. There is a petrol station approximately ten miles ahead. Fuel here is priced at four ninety-seven per gallon.

“Thank you, Griot,” Shuri hums, turning to you, “we shall stop there. Fill up on gas and get some snacks. You haven’t eaten much today, my love.”

Though you fix your lips to protest Shuri’s ever so keen observation, the way her hand slips over your thigh, her open palm meeting your skin through the large hole in your ripped jeans, it’s almost enough to have you relent. “I did eat; at breakfast.”

“Which was eight hours ago,” Shuri reminds you, “almost nine, once we arrive at your sisters. I’m sure there will still be room for the food if you just have one bag of chips to hold you over.”

You hate how well Shuri knows you. It makes it hard to hide things with her keen perception and observation skills. Though, you suppose those traits all come with the territory of being The Black Panther.

A sigh escapes your lips, and the lack of a reply worries Shuri. Yet, she does not push. Instead, her thumb continues to swipe in soothing strokes along the smooth skin of your thigh as she continues to drive to the designated gas station.

All of five minutes pass until it comes into view. When Shuri parks at one of the gas lanes, she fishes into her pocket for her wallet. From it she produces a black card, and hands it to you. “Fifty should bring it back up,” the Queen says, “and a bag of chips for you should do the same.”

“Shuri, I said I’m fine-”

“Darling.” Shuri’s tone is firm, yet gentle, and leaves no room for argument. So all you can do is press a kiss to her cheek - a practice routine of mundane intimacy that brings you both pleasure - before exiting the car and walking towards the entrance of the gas station.

Shuri sits back in her seat, a sigh pushing past her lips. She’s not quite sure what to make of your behavior.

In the year that the two of you have been dating, never once did you bring up the topic of your family. Shuri didn’t even know you had a sister until six months ago. Alex reminded her much of Nakia in some sense - powerful and self made, and in that regard, she was glad that you had some semblance of family you could reach out to.

Your parents, however, were another story. A story you had well avoided, and as of recently as a few months ago, downright refused to talk about. It became quite clear that it was a touchy subject for you, so Shuri didn’t pry. However, she could not deny that part of her grew…heated, at the unpleasant thoughts that plagued her mind when it came to the reason for the non-existent relationship between you and them.

“Griot.”

“Yes, Panther?”

“What were my beloved’s vitals during the ride?”

A beat passes, as Griot computes.

“(Y/N)’s heart rate had been jumping from one hundred forty-five to one hundred seventy beats per minute. Her grip on the door was strong enough to break a thin glass cup. It appears (Y/N) was on the verge of an anxiety attack, but had been fighting it off for the duration of your journey.”

Shuri curses under her breath, more or less to herself at the information that had been relayed to her.

“She has been on edge all morning,” Shuri says aloud, “I did not ask, for fear of triggering her, but I cannot allow her to feel threatened.”

Shuri knows your triggers like the back of her hand. She’s learned to speak in a level tone to avoid startlement; she’s learned to make her presence known when entering your space; and most importantly, she reassures you, letting you know each and every day how much she loves you, how much she treasure your existence in her life, and how she vows to hold your heart with the utmost care in the world.

Shuri is the smartest person in the world, and yet, she cannot decipher the reason behind her lover’s heightened emotions. If it weren’t for the fact that she was focused on figuring out why you were like this, and how to calm you down, she’d surely find the thought embarrassing.

“Might I speak freely, Panther?”

A hum rumbles from Shuri’s throat as a sign for the artificial intelligence to continue.

“(Y/N)’s vitals have been heighted since one week ago,” Griot points out, “around the same time she had received the invitation to her sister’s birthday party. It would be safe to assume that these two instances have a correlation with one another.”

“You are insinuating that Alex’s birthday party is somehow the cause of my love’s anxiety spiking?”

“Perhaps not the party, but rather, who will be there, Panther.”

Silence fills the car as Shuri takes in the information given to her. Though, she doesn’t have much to think on it, as she spots your figure exiting the sticker-covered glass door of the gas station, a black plastic bag in hand, of which she hopes holds the snacks she had requested of you to get for yourself. She exits the car and takes hold of the gas nozzle, opening up the tiny door and unscrewing the protection cap, and slots the nozzle into the car to fill with fuel.

A few moments pass before Shuri returns to the car, having placed the nozzle back in it’s place and secured the gas compartment. Her black card rests on the arm rest, which she slips back into her wallet as the corner of her eyes catches you with something in your hand - something that’s not a bag of chips.

“I thought I told you chips, darling?” Shuri asks as she starts up the car again.

“I got chips!” You respond. “I wanted a Twix, too.”

Your free hand fishes into the black plastic back to produce a bottle of water for Shuri, slotting it into the cup holder.

“What is this?” Shuri asks, gesturing to the water bottle.

“You were thirsty,” You point out.

Shuri indeed was thirsty. She can’t help the smile that paints her lips soon after, taking the water bottle into her hand, unscrewing the cap, and taking a swig of the water.

“Are you sure you’re alright, my love?” Shuri asks once more after setting the water back down, preparing to put the car into motion.

To busy chewing on the cookie-chocolate-caramel treat, you opt for nodding your head, a short ‘mhm’ to accompany it.

As much as Shuri wanted to question further, she knew nothing would come of it. So she slips her hand back onto your thigh, presses down on the gas, and rolls out of the gas station, the conversation with Griot filing back into her mind as she drives down the long strip of highway.

“My parents are gonna come.”

You’d said it the second Shuri had parked into the driveway of your sister’s home. With each second that passed on the way there, your chest kept growing tighter and tighter. You thought that maybe if you focused on Shuri’s touch on you, or her low singing voice when Tems starts to flood the car with her hypnotic, warm and swelling voice, that maybe you would be able to calm down and not worry her. It usually worked, but perhaps because this instance was due to the fact that you would be seeing your parents for the first time in years, what was usually the cure for your attacks did very little to help.

Shuri pauses as the words leave your lips, and for a moment, it looks as if she is cross. And while she has every right to be, you hope that it isn’t at you.

You should have told her before the two of you left, as you thought to do. It plagued your mind when you were in the shower, when you were fixing your hair, when you were choosing your outfit. And Shuri had been in the same apartment with you the entire time. You had ample enough time to tell her and yet…you didn’t. You couldn’t.

You know Shuri. She would try to remain calm and collected for you, to not show her anger, because of course she would be angry either way. The car ride would have been in silence, the air thickening with each mile crossed from one city to the other. But you would know that she was upset. She should be upset now because you just dropped this bomb on her and-

“Beloved,” the Queen mutters to you, bringing you from your thoughts once more, “look at me.”

Your head turns to face Shuri. She’s put the car into park, one arm leaning on the arm rest, the other reaching over to soothe your nerves by caressing your outer thigh. She looks at you with a softness that relieves some of the pressure on your chest stunting your breathing. Her gaze tells you that she is not cross with you.

“Hey,” she says, “I am not upset with you.” And the reassurance helps you unclench the fists your hands have balled into.

She doesn’t speak again until she’s certain that your breathing has evened out, as opposed to the harsh and forced inhale-exhale pattern from before. “Is there…anything I should know?”

You tear your eyes away, but Shuri’s gaze remains firm. Consistency is key, she’s learned, when it comes to you confiding in her. Her eyes are your safe space, you will return to them. And you do, after a short moment, trying to gather your mind together.

“They’re not nice people,” you confess, eyes hesitantly returning to hers, “they’ll try and woo you and shit, but don’t fall for it. They ain’t shit.”

“Okay,” Shuri hums, “and…is there anything I can do? For you?”

“Um,” a shaky breath racks through your throat, as you speak, “they’re not here now. Alex texted me that, so I should be fine, but when they get here…j-just, don’t leave me alone.”

“I will not leave you alone.” Shuri assures. Her hand gathers yours into hers, your palms rendered chilly from cold sweat. “I promise.”

Gathering your hands into hers, Shuri brings them to her lips and presses a kiss to them. She then reaches over to press a kiss to your lips, of which you reciprocate gladly.

“Thank you for talking to me about this,” the Queen commends, “and telling me how to best take care of you. I know it is not easy-”

“I hate it-” you correct, which brings a grin to Shuri’s lips and a chuckle from her throat, because yes, she knows you hate it.

“-but you are doing it, and I am very proud of you for it.”

It’s sincere, Shuri’s praise. It’s still not easy for you to digest it, but you know her love is not transactional, conditional. She means what she says, and you know her love for you is unconditional and unyielding.

She loves you.

She is proud of you.

The pressure on your chest becomes lighter.

Upon exiting the car, you’re approached by your sister, Alex, who had seen the two of you pull into the driveway and wanted to be the first person you’d engage with. You’re not shocked when you see her eyes glassy looking - it’s been years since you two last saw each other face to face.

Alex is hesitant when approaching you - she wants to envelop you in the most bone-crushing hug she can muster, because she misses you and it has been so long since she’d held her baby sister. Though all it takes is for you to outstretch your arms to her, and Alex embraces you in the way she had been dreaming of.

“Oh, mama,” Alex breathes as she pulls away to get a better look at you. You notice the youthfulness in her face and the life in her eyes. She looks happy, “look at you. All grown up. My baby sissy is all grown ‘nd shit.”

It’s heartfelt, her words, and they make you smile. Alex turns to look at Shuri, who’s chosen to stand to the side to witness the sisterly reunion without interrupting. “And you have a girlfriend? You have to tell me how this happened.”

“By complete accident,” you say, as Shuri steps up. Her hand presses into the small of your back, encouraging you while she holds the other out to greet Alex officially, “but I guess anything can happen when you spill coffee on someone in the middle of a morning rush.”

“It is a pleasure to finally meet you in person, Alex.” Shuri says.

Alex shakes Shuri’s hand, and the Queen notes the hesitance in the older sister's movements. “Well, it’s not every day you meet the queen of a country. Much less, a queen of a country that’s also my sister’s girlfriend.”

“Well, I hope not to bring too much excitement with my titles,” says Shuri, “I am more than alright with being just Shuri.”

She sincerely hoped that she could just remain Shuri. For if a situation arises that she would have to act in the manner of either of her titles - Queen or Black Panther - she could not promise that the birthday celebration would remain a splendor.

An hour passes before either of you know it. You’ve found entertainment amongst the younger cousins who all gawk at your girlfriend, who sits not too far away. Shuri has a cup of punch in hand as she watches you chase the children around the yard, a small smile on her lips. It’s as if you are reliving a part of your childhood you’ve missed, the way you seem so content with the children. It all but warms her heart.

“So,” Alex’s voice interrupts Shuri’s not so discreet admiration of her girlfriend, nearly making the Queen jump, “you and my sister?”

“Ah,” Shuri breathes, looking down into her cup as a rush of heat travels up her dark skin, “me and your sister.”

“I’m not gonna go into the whole interrogation thing, grilling you on if you’re treating her right,” Alex says, “I see how you look at her. If that ain’t the look of someone in love, then I’on know what is.”

Shuri chuckles at that, because she knows that Alex’s observations are true. In fact she has no idea just how correct her observation is.

Shuri leans forward in her seat, elbows propped up on her knees as she finds your figure amidst the mess of kids once again. Her necklace dangles from her neck, the gold contrasting against her black tee that nearly meets the fabric of her ripped blue jeans with her hunched over position.

“(Y/N) is…the ray of sunlight one sees after a long, dark night,” the Queen hums fondly, “and had I known my gods would send me such a woman, I would have prepared myself better.”

Alex smiles warmly. She can tell the strong connection between you and Shuri is pure and unadulterated. It warms her heart beyond comparison.

“Thank you for coming, truly,” Alex says, “I was almost worried she wouldn’t, since our parents would be here and everything.”

And at the mention of them, Shuri finds her jaw tightening just the slightest.

“Your parents?” Shuri is beginning to put two and two together, and she doesn’t like the outcome that is unfolding from her assumptions, however careful they are.

“I…assume she’s told you about them?” Alex implies.

Shuri shakes her head lightly, taking a sip of her semi-forgotten punch. “I find myself piecing the picture together on my own…She does not talk about them.”

“That isn’t a surprise,” Alex says, “given…well, everything.”

Shuri turns her head to look at Alex. Her eyes are firm, inquisitive; Alex’s words have sparked an interest in Shuri.

”She says they aren’t good people. Is that true?”

“Depends on who you ask,” Alex replies, “to the community, their saints. To us they’re just….people.”

Shuri notes the hint of solemness that laces Alex’s voice as she speaks. “They weren’t good to either of us…but they were especially bad to (Y/N).” Alex clarifies. “You know what they say; hurt people, hurt people.”

Not when the person is your child, Shuri thinks, but keeps to herself, taking another sip of her punch. Things are starting to make sense now, and Shuri finds that perhaps she will also have to have you at her side to ground her whenever your parents decide to show up.

“So you mean to tell me you got yourself stuck in a tree, and then got angry because she tried to help you get down?”

“I was not stuck! I was admiring the view.”

“Sure you were…with tears coming down your face.”

“I think this classifies as bullying-”

Shuri had grown quite comfortable as the next hour passed. More of your family had begun to show up, a number of aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and cousins wishing Alex a happy birthday as they passed through the foyer of her house and into the backyard. Shuri couldn’t count the amount of gasps she’d heard when their eyes fell upon her, sat comfortably in the outdoor gazebo, her presence obviously a surprise to the many relatives who had come to celebrate the special birthday girl. Much more, the fact that she had you close to her side as she greeted them.

The behavior of your family members irked her. Shuri suspected that Alex had talked to each of the adults to assure that they’d be on their best behavior for the occasion, given the tight smiles and curt greetings between each of them and you. Or perhaps it was because of her own intimidating presence next to you, and the fact that she wasn’t even trying to hide the look in her eyes as she analyzed each adult that seemed to pass through.

“Babe,” you cleared your throat, “stop looking like that, you’re scaring them.”

“Looking like what?”

“Like you’re contemplating murder.”

Would it have been so bad if she was, though?

Shuri sighs as she places the red solo cup she had been nursing for a while onto the table. “Just behave, for Alex-”

“I am behaving for you,” the queen clarifies, “and your sister would say the same.”

Unable to comment any further, you released an exhale through the nose, sinking back into Shuri’s side.

“It’s guilt, y’know.” You try to reason, but Shuri had already considered that route. Perhaps there were a few who did have a guilty conscience. Shuri didn’t find herself caring if that was true or not. “They’re not bad.”

“Beloved-”

“Shuri.”

“-I am merely observing,” she says, “I promise.”

Of course Shuri was only observing. Observing the behavior of each adult family member. How they acted towards you. How very little regard was given to you. How, with the amount of bodies that have accumulated in the backyard, the gazebo area remained relatively desolate, beside the two of you, Alex, and Alex’s black and white spotted cat, who had made a home on the red painted banister.

Sure. Shuri was just observing. Definitely not questioning anything at all. Definitely not formulating words she would say to your parents if they decided to make themselves an issue.

“I’m gonna go get a shot,” you say, before propping yourself up with your hands and lifting from the cushion of the outdoor couch, “you want a refill?”

You take Shuri’s cup before she officially gives you a response. You needed a way out, to move around so that the beating in your chest could quell.

Inside there isn’t much of a party scene - it's practically empty besides a teenage family member fighting their sleep on the couch while watching an infant in the living room. The music from outside is muffled when you enter the house, and you take the time to admire the mahogany walls and deep maroon floors of the home. You could compare it to the childhood home you’ve grown up in, and you think that perhaps this was Alex’s way of healing. Recreating your shared childhood environment in a more peaceful manner.

You find the kitchen quite easily, rounding the kitchen island in pursuit of the adult punch purposefully left inside so that the underaged family members wouldn’t get it confused with the family friendly punch that rested in a big glass bowl on the party table outside. On the counter is an array of liquor choices, from fruit flavored tequila to everyone's favorite, Hennessy. You weren’t a drinker, but this far into the party, you needed some sort of incentive to get you to relax a little bit.

Once you’ve chosen your choice of liquor, you take a red solo cup, pour what you deemed to be a shot's worth, and downed it in one gulp. The burn in your throat definitely woke your senses, of which you were grateful for.

On your way towards the kitchen doorway, Shuri’s refilled solo cup in hand, the sound of familiar voices drifted to your ears from the foyer, and it made you stop dead in your tracks.

“Happy birthday baby!”

“Happy birthday, babygirl.”

“Oh, look at you, all grown up-”

It took everything in you to not drop the cup in your hand at the sound of your parents making their presence known. You backed into the kitchen again, your back finding a nearby wall to ground yourself with. Your chest began to tighten, a tight lump forming in your throat, and in that moment, your hand fished for your phone in your back pocket to text Shuri.

Kitchen. Now.

There was a light shake in your hands. You hated how just the mere sound of their voices sent you into a spiral; how much of an influence they still had on you after trying so hard to separate yourself from them. Then they had the nerve to act pleasant.

There was a growing ringing in your ears, accompanied with the muffling of surrounding noise that made you breathe harder as you tried to stabilize yourself from the very apparent anxiety attack that was waiting to crash into you. You couldn’t decipher if it was the same one from before that you had fended off by sheer will, or if this was a new, more powerful one. However, when the smell of patchouli made its way to your nose, the thought of it became seconded.

“Hey,” Shuri whispered, one hand running the length of your arm, the other taking the cup from your hand that was seconds away from meeting the floor, and settling it onto the kitchen island, “hey, I am right here.”

“They’re out there, Shuri.” You breathe out.

Something shifts in Shuri’s eyes, and you can’t quite tell what it was, but the way her grip on you tightens in the ever so slightest way lets you know she’s thinking something.

“We can leave, beloved,” Shuri begins, but you’re quick to cut her off with a shake of your head.

“No,” you say, swallowing thickly, “I can’t leave, it’s Alex’s birthday-”

“Alex will understand, love; would she really want you to risk your own self for her?”

I’ve done it for years, the little girl in you voices tiredly, what’s another evening of it?

Shuri never wants to be forceful with you. She knows you’re your own woman and can make your own decisions, even if they go against her better judgment, even if they hurt you. Which is why, against every logical bone in her body, she proposes a compromise.

“Three chances,” Shuri says, “three chances is all they have. Then we will leave. How does that sound?”

Knowing Shuri, she’ll want to throw hands at the first encounter. It was endearing, really, how hard she went for you. The extent of such craze was never explored, simply because she was always calm, cool and collected. There was a part of you that always wondered the extent of it as well.

And, in hindsight, you weren’t wrong about her.

Shuri peaks from the kitchen doorway and into the foyer, seeing Alex still entertaining the two adults, their backs turned towards the Queen, which gave her the incentive to leave while the trio were occupied.

She mutters a quick ‘let’s go’ with a gentle smile, and after a few seconds, you nod. Your hand finds her, tightly interlocking your fingers as Shuri pulls you back to the backyard gazebo. Shuri had no idea the depths she was about to breach in the layers of your estranged family, but whatever the case may be, she will not let you face it alone.

It was almost the perfect getaway, too, but apparently Shuri wasn’t fast enough in getting you out of the house. She heard the matured voice of your mother call out to you, asking if it was her other daughter, and Shuri supposed that it wasn’t meant to be taken in a demeaning way, but the queen certainly did. Perhaps it was predisposed biases, perhaps it was intentional. Either way, Shuri would make sure to take as much of the burden off you as she could.

“Mom,” you say, jaws tight, but Shuri stands close behind you, a hand on your waist, and it stabilizes you, “good to see you.”

The older woman, short in stature, with wide hips and thick arms, saw Shuri standing behind you, but whether or not she didn’t address her because she didn’t recognize the queen or because she simply didn’t care couldn’t be deciphered. “Come give me a hug-!”

“I’m good,” you hurriedly said, “just- uh, not feeling well.”

“Don’t be like that,” the deep, bolstering voice of your father chimed in; a large man with an intimidating physique. Shuri was not phased, her arm only snaked it’s way around your waist, “give your mama a hug, lil’ girl-”

“I said I’m good.” You reiterate more firmly, though there was an added incentive to clear your throat shortly afterwards to make your fib more believable. “Really; I know how easy it is for y’all to get sick.”

There was a moment of pause - and exchange of glances and a shift in energy before a light ‘humph’ came from your mother’s throat. “Well, I suppose that makes sense,” she snooted, “and I suppose that’s why your friend there is the exception-?”

“Girlfriend, actually,” Shuri interrupts, though it wasn’t planned, and surely wasn’t expected, “it is one of many perks of being the Black Panther. I do not succumb to normal colds and illnesses as easily.”

The pads of Shuri’s fingers press into your side as she steps beside you; she’s now side to side with you, face your parents with a high chin and a look you were sure she’d only pulled out when in front of important people - or people who she suspected would try to intimidate her, yet she’d still have to play nice for publicity purposes.

“Allow me to introduce myself formally,” Shuri said, holding out her hand for your mother to take; the shorter woman did just so as Shuri spoke again, “I am Queen Shuri to my people, but for tonight's festivities, I would like to remain just Shuri.”

“A queen?” Your mother breathes out in an amused chuckle, though you couldn’t tell if it was in actual amusement or in disbelief. “Well, perhaps we did do something right with her, hm, honey?”

Strike one.

Shuri’s hand then reaches out to your father, who stares at the long, brown arm outstretched before him for a moment, before taking one of his thick, meaty hands, and shaking Shuri’s tinier one. Though, the look on his face when the queen’s grip strengthened around his hand was enough to tell you his surprise and lack of proper judgment on the brown-skinned woman.

“Got a…firm grip for a lil’ lady.” He says.

“Well,” Shuri begins as she slips her hand from your fathers, “my baba and big brother always said a firm hand makes a firm leader.”

“Well, wise men they were.”

There was much to observe in the few words shared between Shuri and your parents. Your father hid very well behind the facade of a pleasant man of few words. Perhaps he was sculpted that way, by your mother or by his own parents; either one didn’t matter, only that the end result was a man with a weaker grip than the elders she held council with, and they were pushing their latter years of nineties and hundreds. Your parents looked to be in their mid-forties.

Your mother…Shuri admits that she wished her own were still alive, for the words she knew Ramonda would have for this short-stack of a woman would be more lethal than any weapon produced by her own hands. Condescension laced in her voice with a familiar tone of jealousy that she’d heard and witnessed many black mothers having towards their own daughters. It wasn’t hard to tell, Shuri thought, but perhaps when enough people ignore such a dangerous thing, the ugly nature becomes a tolerable norm.

“Well, if you will excuse us,” says the queen, “I’m going to take my beloved to sit down. She is in much need of rest.”

Shuri did not give your parents time to react, nor to object to the sudden ending to the conversation. She’d quickly pivoted your body around and walked back outside to the gazebo, a firm hand on your back and a ticking clock in her head for when the next strike would come.

Sure enough, Shuri did not have to wait long for that second strike.

After getting you back to the gazebo to take a seat, on the verge of hyperventilating from the amount of anxiety the back and forth gave you, despite the fact that you weren’t even the one talking, Alex had come with a look of disdain. Your parents were in tow, as they claimed to want to ‘have a sit down and reconnect’. Of course, Shuri didn’t buy into that bullshit. Neither did Alex. And surely, neither did you.

And yet, neither you nor Alex yet had the courage to send them off, and Shuri, keeping herself in check, had no other choice but to allow them to sit with the three of you. So now you were tucked into Shuri’s side, phone in hand as a distraction, while Alex sat on a beige-cushioned chair to your left, and your parents in a similar-fashioned loveseat to the queen’s right.

Alex was kind enough to hide her discomfort in nervous laughs and meek agreements as your mother and father raved on about your childhoods. Specifically, the accomplishments of Alex, which would have been understandable as it was her birthday, if it didn’t have to include the ‘disappointments’ of yours they had to bring into the light.

“Remember the speech competition your grammar school had, Lexi-Pooh,” your mother chimed, using the youthful nickname Alex very physically cringed over, “you won your first ever trophy then at eight years old! Oh, we were so proud of you-”

“Mom, everyone got a trophy,” Alex reminded, putting emphasis on the word ‘everyone’ as she spared a glance your way, “we were babies, and it was a participation trophy. They just didn’t want us to be left out.”

“Well, still, my baby had the best poem on that stage!”

“Mom, I literally stole that poem off the internet.” Alex reasons.

“Yeah, off DeviantArt no less,” you speak with a chuckle, remembering the nights your sister scoured the internet for a poem to read because she, for the life of her, couldn’t write her own. Which she couldn’t be faulted for, she was in third grade after all.

Alex shares a small laugh as well. “If anyone should have won that competition, it should’ve been (Y/N),” She says. “All the teachers swore up and down she was gonna be the next Lorraine Hansberry or Audre Lorde. I bet you she got some bars hidden somewhere.”

Your mother could only hum in response; “Well, we can’t all be winners, I guess.”

There was a familiar sting that ached your heart. Despite how used you were to such rhetoric coming from your mother, it didn’t make the twang in your heart any less hurtful.

“You never liked that kinda stuff anyway, (Y/N),” your mother says, “so why did you join it-”

“I do like writing,” you say sharply, “and I wanted to be like my sister. Who doesn’t wanna be like their older sister at seven years old?”

You glanced up from your phone to look between the three people sitting before you. Alex shifts in her seat, uncomfortably, slightly shaking her head as she knows what is to come.

“Or were you just so busy with your perfect princess that you ain’t have time to learn me?”

“(Y/N)!” Your mother scolds, and you feel the protective arm of Shuri’s curl around you in defense. “Hush your mouth with them lies, girl!”

Your father remains silent, as he’s always done when your mother gets this way, and Shuri sees this, and takes note of it.

“I swear, I don’t know where we went wrong with you,” your mother huffs, “lost yo’ damn manners and mind talkin’ like that.”

Your mother then turns to Shuri, sporting an apologetic look, though it is not sincere, and merely a coverup for her own outburst. “Now I know your mother taught you well and good, Shuri, about how to talk to people and behave-”

“My mother is dead.”

There is an inevitable shift in the conversation now, one that brings the eyes to Shuri as a deafening silence befalls the gazebo. Even you rise from your curled position into Shuri’s side to eye her demeanor, checking over her form to note any changes that came with the sudden mention of her mother. Yet, she is calm and collected, her eyes showing no shifts and her demeanor intact. All seemed well…on the surface, at least.

“My mother is dead, may she be at peace with the ancestors,” Shuri says, “and she is incomparable. I do not wish to speak further of her.”

A beat passes. Your hand travels to Shuri’s leg, providing a comforting touch to the woman beside you. You weren’t ignorant to the news of her family’s passing - since her father’s death, you’d had a semblance of understanding the inner turmoil she had endured. With her brother and mother gone, she was virtually alone - save for a sister-like figure and a nephew she’d only told you a little bit about in the past few months or so.

You wanted to say something, but your mother beat you to it - this time, she actually sounded somewhat apologetic for her ignorance.

“My condolences,” the woman mutters softly, clearing her throat, “I only meant that she must have had it easy raising you. You’re so well put together and polite, if only some of that would rub off on (Y/N)!”

Strike two.

“Mom, stop it,” Alex interrupts, voice firm with a scowl on her face, “you doin’ a lil’ too much now.”

“Now, your mama ain’t said nun’ wrong,” your father suddenly speaks, who had been quite the entire conversation, but suddenly decided to stick up for his woman who was clearly in the wrong, “it’s just ladies spat, y’all know how y’all do.”

“And like I said before y’all got here, I don’t want it in my house.” Alex emphasizes. “If that’s the type of time y’all on, the door is very clearly marked with an obnoxiously pink birthday banner. Period.”

There was a small swell of pride in your chest for Alex as she set her foot down to your parents. She was determined to have them behave; she wanted a classy, friendly party for her birthday celebration. Though, she would know just as well as you that even when being put in place, the audacity of your parent’s always found itself back into trouble.

Your mother mumbled out an apology, along with something along the lines of ‘got me apologizing to my child’ under her breath as well, before you cleared your throat in an attempt to cut through the tension.

“Shuri, baby,” you hummed, “don’t we have something for Alex? In the car?”

Shuri turned to look at you, eyebrows slightly furrowed, before she officially caught on to what you were insinuating.

“Yes,” the queen breathes out with a small smile, “we do have something in the car. For the birthday girl.”

Alex, too, shares the same look Shuri previously sported, with furrowed eyebrows and confusion written on her face. “M-Me? Something for me?”

“Of course!” Shuri answers. “Surely you did not think we would show up empty handed?”

Shuri’s hand rests on your leg, both as a reminder of her very physical presence as a grounding for herself, “How foolish of me to forget. I do not know what I would do without you, my darling.”

Shuri stands, offering her hand to you as well, adding on how she will need your help to retrieve it, before escorting you from the gazebo. While on your way to exit the yard, Shuri can hear Alex giving your parents a further scolding, which makes the queen smile mischievously.

It wasn’t a complete lie for escape, however. Shuri was nice enough to buy a gift for your sister for her birthday, though it wasn’t anything massive, and despite your constant jokes of it, wasn’t a pair of kimoyo earrings (though, from Alex’s birthday outfit, she could tell that she was a jewelry girl, and a pair of earrings probably would have sufficed better).

“I’m starting to understand why you never told me about your parents,” Shuri says in a breathless scoff, pressing a button on her beads to pop open the trunk of her car, “infuriating doesn’t even begin to describe them.”

“Are you okay?” You ask in all seriousness. “The..comment about your mom, I mean.”

How could you be worried of her feelings when she’d just had to watch your mother berate you in front of her? Shuri wonders this as she turns from the open trunk of the car to face you again. Though, she supposes that from that interaction, you were more used to centering others and their emotions than yourself. Although it caused an ache in her heart, the revelation made sense of previous actions between the two of you.

“What I said was true,” the queen replies, “though I admit, perhaps there was a bite in my tongue.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t curse her out.”

“Well…I do have a promise to keep to Alex.” Shuri says in a soft laugh. “I do not want to be the cause of her birthday being ruined. Your parents are making it fairly hard to do that, however.”

Shuri closes the trunk of the car, the tiny bag holding Alex’s gift inside being set on top of it as the queen leans against the sleek black vehicle. She invites you into her embrace, pulling you between her legs and resting her hands on your hips; yours make their way onto her shoulders, a weak smile on your face.

“That’s two strikes by my count.”

“I know.”

“We have yet to even make it to dinner.”

“I know.”

“What do you want to do, beloved?”

I don’t know anymore, you think, this is all just too much.

“Let’s…stay.”

Part of you was reluctant to leave due to wanting to experience your sister’s birthday with her. You’d all but promised that you’d come to enjoy yourself with Shuri, even if your parents made that hard. But there was also an inkling of pettiness inside of you that wanted to show the assholes your parents were to the rest of your family members (who, while had suspicions of their weird behaviors and holier-than-thou rhetoric, would rather not engage in family drama to keep peace amongst the ranks).

“I’m not letting them get the better of me,” you add on, “today is for Alex. And if they wanna make it a problem, it can be a problem.”

The look on Shuri’s face was a mix of shock and pride; she hadn’t expected you to say that, and if she were being honest with herself, she was secretly anticipating such a moment to occur. Perhaps because it would give her a chance to release the pent up frustrations that had collected within her due to your parents actions; perhaps it was because seeing you stand your ground had always been an attractive sight to her. Regardless, the small smile that spread across her face was a reflection of her hopefulness.

“One more chance, then?”

“Hopefully they make it count.”

Shuri remembers how she used to dislike family dinners.

The prospect of eating with her family irked her at a young age. Though she loved her parents and her brother dearly, her teenage self was far too absorbed in her technological advances to actively partake in the family tradition. She’d taken such a routine for granted, and now, the dinner table in the large palace she called home was barren. She barely ate there anymore, consumed by the regret of not making such precious moments a priority in her youth.

As she sits next to you at the elongated party table with the rest of your family members, she notes the same air of barrenness, but not of presence of people. It is a barrenness of love.

The behavior of certain family members began to change as the night progressed. Despite the lingering glares of your family members, many aunts and uncles approached you again, expressing their joy in seeing your presence. Perhaps it was truly the guilt that you mentioned earlier, how these extended family members were subject to the bystander syndrome, and hadn’t known how to deal with their guilty consciences for whatever reason. Perhaps these people did genuinely want to reconnect with their long lost niece, cousin, auntie. Shuri would never admit it aloud to anyone, but seeing the look of distaste upon your parents face was entertaining to say the least.

“So do you drive a space ship everywhere you go?” One of your many nephews asked the queen out of curiosity, big brown eyes and white bucked-teeth shining with glee, as he’d never seen anyone of her status before.

“Not everywhere,” Shuri answers, “only the far away places.”

“Do you go to other planets? Like Mars? Or Pluto?”

“Hmm,” the queen thinks, “I don’t think I have. I shall put that on my books and tell you about it upon my return. How does that sound, little one?”

“Awesome!”

Seeing Shuri interact with the younger children eased your tense body and racing mind. She was almost a natural with them, it seemed. You leaned into her side, your cheek squishing against her shoulder with a playful huff. “Can I have my girlfriend back, please? You’ve been askin’ her questions since we got to the table.”

“Nu-uh!” Objects the little boy. “Have not!”

“Have too, lil’ boy,” you reject, “now gon’ eat so your mama don’t yell at you.”

“Can we talk about spaceships after dinner then, Auntie Shuri?”

Shuri wasn’t sure if she should adhere to the new term, having only known the child for an hour or so, but to entertain him, she allowed it. “Sure. We can talk about spaceships after dinner.”

Thankfully, the young boy seemed to be satisfied with the compromise, and began to eat his plate of food. Shuri turns to you with an amused grin, eyebrows raised as she asks “Were you jealous of your own nephew?”

“I can be jealous if I want to,” you pout, bottom lip tucked out in protest, “lil’ shit was taking you away from me.”

Shuri laughs at your banter, both glad that you’ve somewhat relaxed, and that the evening seemed to be going well. She hoped that it would stay like this.

The clinking of metal to glass caught her attention, as well as the other partygoers. Looking towards the head of the table, Alex is standing, grasping the attention of everyone in order to speak.

“Now, we all know the reason today is such an important day, aside from the fact that it’s my birthday,” Alex begins, glancing around the table, making eye contact with each individual, “though some of the kids might not know. And since we have a newcomer with us,” she says, gesturing to Shuri, who returns a nod of acknowledgement as she speaks, “I figured now is as good of a time to talk about why we celebrate the twenty-fifth birthday of the girls in our family.”

Alex sets the glass down, clears her throat, and speaks again. “Now the story has never been written down, but anyone who has sat between Nana and Great Nana’s legs to get their hair done will know the story by heart. A generation or so before them, our family had a ‘curse’ on us girls. One of our enslaved ancestors was forced to ‘engage’ with their owner who desired a mixed child. That ancestor cursed our bloodline so that no girls would survive, and slowly our numbers began to dwindle.”

You always loved to hear this story. You were never sure why, but it had always been more than hair braiding entertainment to keep a child's attention. The raw history that your grandmother and great-grandmother passed down your line of lineage always held a special place in your heart.

“Then one thing lead to another, a generation passes, and a girl is born…and she lives old enough to run away with another slave guy she fell in love with. And that ancestor had Great Nana, who had Nana, who had mom and the aunties…who had us.”

You’d been sitting to Alex’s right when she extended her hand to you to hold. You accepted it with a warm smile. She’d done the same to your mother as well.

“Reaching twenty-five is like a right of passage. Guarantees to a long, fulfilling life. And that is what we celebrate tonight.”

There were a series of claps, cheers, whoops and hollers that erupted from the table, coming from the queen herself as well. It was indeed a remarkable retelling, she thought, and she even noticed the way that Alex posed herself as a bridge between you and your mother. She applauded the woman for still trying to reconcile, but knew that there was no hope for such a feat.

As soon as Alex sat down, your mother took a stand. “I’d like to make a toast as well.”

Shuri felt you lean just a little bit closer to her.

“My baby, oh, what can I even say?” Your mother begins, striking up a face of pride. “You were perfect since the day I first laid eyes on you. I knew you’d be destined for greatness, and I can’t be any more proud of you than I am now. My baby girl is all grown up, and I can’t wait to see more of the outstanding woman you’ve become…”

Another round of applause echoes throughout the backyard, and Shuri breathes. Though she doesn’t trust your mother one bit, the words that came from her mouth seemed very genuine-

“...and you are more than fit to carry on this tradition. My only daughter that can.”

-nevermind.

The distant crickets could be heard as your mother took her seat again, seemingly proud of her little stunt. Perhaps she thought it was something good to say, but neither you, Alex, or Shuri saw the need for the ending.

“That ending wasn’t needed, but thank you.” Alex says through gritted teeth, a sigh leaving her lips. It was much like the older woman to need the last word, and although Alex truly hoped she would behave, her own patience was waning thin with the woman and her antics.

“We have a toast as well!”

Shuri whips her head to you, brows furrowed in confusion as she whispers, “We do?”

The words leave your lips before you can actually think about what you’re about to do. Upstaging your mother had never been something you’d acted upon, although you’d fantasized about shutting her up numerous times with your own words; the courage was just never there. Perhaps it was because now you were older, or perhaps it was because you now knew that Alex was on your side, or perhaps it was because you had Shuri next to you to back you up. Whatever it was, it began surging through your veins that once were riddled and crippled with anxiety.

Nonetheless, you’re standing up, and so is Shuri, so there isn’t any backing down now. All eyes were on you.

“Sister,” you begin, reaching your hand out Alex who stands up again to be eye level with you, “I will make this quick, ‘cuz you know I hate sappy shit.”

Alex laughs a little. Her grip on your hands is comforting, and the way she looks at you is almost in a coaching matter. She hadn’t expected such a burst of confidence either, but wasn’t about to let you face it alone.

“We’ve had our…ups and down,” you say, “and there were ‘things’ happening that I blamed you for, that I pushed you away for. But you’ve always been there. You were..the only person there.”

You feel Shuri’s hand caress the small of your back for support. You feel like crying, and you're not sure the reason for it, but you push it down and continue.

“I am grateful for you, and I’m glad I came to celebrate with you…and I love you.”

The air that was once thick when you started to speak seemed to ease when you said those last three words. And again, claps and praises flew out into the air at the confession. Alex, the much more sappier of one of the two of you, tried to keep her eyes from swelling with tears, but of course it was harder for her to do so.

“Don’t you start crying,” you say playfully through the loudness of the table, “‘cus you know if you do, then I’ma start crying, and we just gon’ be two snotty nosed bitches-”

Yet you didn’t get the chance to finish, because Alex then pulls you into her embrace. It’s tight and full of love, and she gives you no choice but to sink into it. For a second, it seems like the noise drowns out as you bask in the love from your sister, and you hear a faint ‘thank you’ being whispered into your ear right as she pulls away.

“I suppose this means it is my turn,” Shuri says sheepishly, once the embrace has finished and you’ve returned right at her side. She’d been thinking of what to day this entire time, though each scenario that she had run through her head didn’t seem worthy of a quality toast to a quality woman, “I shall try to make this toast worthy of your time, Miss Birthday Girl.”

“Sitting at this table, surrounded by all of you; it reminds me of a similar family routine that I took for granted in my youth.” Shuri’s eyes gaze from person to person as she speaks. “You see, I was too absorbed in my technological advances to truly appreciate the aspects of family dinners. The mundaneness of sitting with one another and being present. I used to want to give anything to be left to my own devices. And now, I sit at the head of the same table, with no one. I am Queen of the most powerful nation in the world, and my entire family is gone.”

Another silence fills the table as everyone looks onto Shuri; her head is held high as she speaks, though, voice unwavering. She breathes when she feels your hand slip into hers.

“Alex, you are a very blessed woman to have your family here with you to celebrate a generational obstacle overcome,” the queen bids, “and for that, I propose a toast to you, and a saying from my people to yours.”

The queen picks up her red cup, and watches as each individual picks up their own, before speaking again. “To Alex, a woman of virtue and genuity. ‘Akukho mntu ngaphandle kwesidenge ophika usapho lwakhe’.”

A round of cheers sounds before everyone downs a gulp of their chosen drinks in unison, applauding Shuri for her heartfelt toast and gratitude. As the both of you sit, and light chatter begins to cover the table, your mother calls out to Shuri with a look of curiosity.

“Such a lovely quote, Shuri,” your mother says, “what does it mean?”

“Oh, the proverb,” Shuri says, “it is one my baba used to say.”

“Did he now?”

“It means ‘No one but a fool denies their family’.”

Hearing this, your gaze shifts from the food in front of you to Shuri, who sports a proud smirk as she watches your mother grow uncomfortable in her seat from the queen’s words. As if she were putting the dots together in her own head.

With Dinner done, your nephew was all too quick to pull the queen aside to continue their conversation about her fancy spaceships. While his eagerness was endearing, Shuri had to put the conversation on hold because of an important phone call that came through. You assumed that it was Ayo, a name you had heard in fleeting conversations, but knew it to be a person of importance to Shuri. A captain of her Queen’s Guard, which Shuri had respectfully asked to fall back on attending the outing with the both of you, since it was a family thing, and Shuri didn’t want Alex’s neighbors questioning why so many bald-headed women were lingering around her house.

She said she would make the call quick, five minutes at most, before stepping into the house for quiet and privacy. The loss of her presence made you slightly anxious, but you maintained your spot in the gazebo, and Alex popped in here and there. She was the host, so she had to engage with the rest of her partygoers, but you were more than grateful that she took the time out to still check in on you, despite it being her day.

You took a sip of your drink - the adult punch that had been put in the kitchen so kids couldn’t get to it - and watched the party goers enjoy themselves from the comfort of your seat. Children running around, chasing each other with sparklers; aunties and uncles dancing to the old school remix; teens making TikTok videos with dances and skits. For a moment, things were content, and everyone was happy. Normal.

For a moment, for the first time in a long time, you felt happy with your family.

“You’ve found this corner real comfortable, I see.”

The voice of your mother slips through he peaceful silence that previously covered the gazebo, and although you don’t feel it at first, your body begins to tense. She herself sports a red solo cup, though you can’t tell what’s inside of it.

She doesn’t ask to join you - just takes up a single seat across from you - and even if she were to ask, you aren’t sure if you could even mutter an answer.

“It’s been so long since you’ve left,” your mother says, “since you decided you were grown enough and left your family behind. How has life been for you?”

“Good.” You reply, short and curt, taking a sip from your drink.

“You seem more than good,” she continues, “I assume living with a queen gives you a lot of financial relief-”

“If you came over here to start shit, please don’t.” You quickly cut off. “One; my relationship is of no concern to you, but Shuri doesn’t pay for shit of mine that I have. I was good before I met her, and I’m still going good on my own.”

You weren’t sure where the sudden crossness came from, but you definitely knew it had something to do with your mother’s constant mention of Shuri, as if she held prominent importance tonight and not the other child she’d birthed. “And it’s Alex’s birthday. I’m here for her.”

Your mother scoffs at your words, “-and there you go, twistin’ my words around and making me seem like the enemy. I’m just trying to talk to you!”

“Bullshit,” you spit, rising from your seat in a quick bid to find a quick exit into an area more populated, and more importantly, away from her, “I’m not doing this with you.”

You turn to try and leave, but your mother continues to speak behind you, pushing you further, “you’re so ungrateful; after everything we’ve done for you, you can’t even show an ounce of respect to your own mother.”

In that moment your body froze on the steps of the gazebo. A dull chill awakens within you, spreading through your limbs, your skin nearly rising into goosebumps, before a wave of anger crashes in.

“Fine,” you mutter, “you wanna ‘talk’?”

You turn to face your mother once again, eyes burning holes into her face, which has the audacity to hold a look of shock. “Let’s fucking talk.”

“Oh, but where to begin?” You scoff. “Maybe lets talk about how you can’t seem to ever say one good thing about me. It’s always some backhanded comment that you can’t help to point out how amazing Alex was and how shitty I was in comparison-”

“-that is not true,” your mother tries to interject, “but you were - and still are - a difficult child-”

“-I wasn’t fucking difficult!” You shout, drawing a few pairs of eyes to you and your mother. “I wanted fucking attention that you weren’t giving me! And you thought beating me was the best way to get me to ‘stop acting out’?”

“It was discipline!”

“Oh, but Alex never needed it though, right?” You question. “Alex was just so perfect to yall. She got the best of everything while your little mistake became the punching bag you took your frustrations out on!”

The increasing shouting started to draw attention from the other partygoers, who muttered among themselves, wondering the reason for the altercation, questioning if they should intervene. And it only got worse when the sound of skin slapping skin echoed throughout the backyard, making the music that played from outdoor speakers seem quiet.

Your mother, the pious, religious, righteous woman she claimed to be, just slapped you in front of the rest of your family.

“What’s going on over here?” The voice of your father bellows as he approaches the gazebo, having only made his presence known after a few gasps from seeing your mother hit you.

“I will not be disrespected by you, you ungrateful wench,” your mother seethes, “I was a damn good mother to you, even when we fell on hard times. I raised you!”

“I was a fucking kid!” You yell back. “How does a fucking adult take their anger out on their own kid!?”

“And you,” comes your voice through gritted teeth upon seeing your father coming to console your mother, which seemed to anger you even more, “dear old dad, who never ‘picked a side’. You sat there and watched as she fucked up her own kid.”

Your voice comes out more strained, wavering at the sight of your father. The man you saw treat Alex like a literal princess while you could only ever dream of being treated as such. You knew the next words you’d say were going to push his buttons - perhaps part of you wanted a reaction from him that could show that maybe, somewhere inside of him, he cared when your mother didn’t.

“If anything you’re more of a bitch than her!”

You weren’t sure what scared you more in that moment; the loud grunt and your fathers arms menacingly reaching out towards you, or the flash of black that shot across your vision right before you closed your eyes shut, anticipating something to happen.

The silence was deafening as you felt your legs stumble back into something warm but you were too scared to open your eyes yet. Of all your senses that had been stricken with tension, the first to register with reality once again was your hearing.

“I want you to think carefully about your next actions,” the queen’s voice comes out hardened and unyielding, “because I can assure you, I will not have to think about mine.”

That flash of black that had crossed your vision earlier had been Shuri. And if your eyes had been open, you yourself would have shuddered at the pure rage that was present on her face.

Shuri’s hand, albeit tiny and delicate in most cases, held your father’s wrist in a right grasp, and despite the broader man's struggles to pull free, it was futile. She was not letting him go, and neither was the intensity of her stare that held your mother’s gaze.

“If you don’t let my husband go-”

“Shut. Up.” And her words were absolute, leaving no room for question. Perhaps it was part of the authoritarian aura that she’d gained from taking on her queenship that shut your mother up, but whatever the case may have been, Shuri admits that she certainly enjoyed the look of surprise on your mother’s face.

“Alex,” Shuri says, and it now becomes clear to you that the thing you had back into was your very sister. It also became clear how tight her grip on you was, as if she were scared to let you go, “take my beloved back to my car. We will be leaving shortly.”

There’s a gentle nudge and a hushed ‘c’mon’ before you feel yourself being moved sideways, then forward, Alex doing as Shuri says and relocating you to the front of her home to get you into a safer, calmer place.

It isn’t until Shuri sees your figure disappear behind the wooden fence that she releases your father’s wrist. The man winces as he regains control of his limb, his wife bringing her hands to soothe the skin where it was beginning to turn purple from just how tight her grasp was.

Shuri turns in a slow circle, eyes scanning each and every one of the individuals who’d stood by and undoubtedly watched the scene unfold, offering no sign of intervention. “This is what your family is?” She calls out. “It is sickening.”

The guilt shines in their eyes but Shuri has none of it. To her, they are all just as guilty as your parents, for they've watched the same scene unfold many times before, and just the same, no one stood up.

The queen turns back to your parents, as she bites the inside of her cheek to control her composure. “I do not know your story,” she says, “nor do I wish to, and now, nor do I care. I only leave you with this as I leave.”

Shuri takes a step forward to your parents, jaw clenched tight and piercing eyes meeting theirs once again. “My (Y/N) will be loved…as it is clearly something neither of you could bestow upon her.”

And in the same flash of black she leaves the party, that had long gone silent, and biting her tongue so hard she thought she’d draw blood.

Exitting the back yard, Shuri comes around the front to see you and Alex sitting on the porch steps. She holds a towel to your cheek, whispering to you with care about holding the cold, wet cloth gently on your cheek to battle the inflammation. It was the first and only thing she could grab without immediately leaving your side, the green garden hose still running into the grass proof of it.

It takes everything in Shuri not to run to you, to pull you into her arms and cradle you into her embrace, to shield you from the cruelness that has surely been brought back to the forefront of your mind. There’s a pit in her stomach that churns with the pain of unease, and it eats at her as she thinks; if she had just been swifter with that call with Ayo, or better yet, not even answered at all, then you wouldn’t have been left alone, and you wouldn’t have gotten hurt.

Shuri grows closer and realizes that the both of you are crying, and her heart tightens in her chest. She bends down to meet you on eye level, resting a soothing hand on your leg. Alex holds her head in one hand, her other still grasped tightly onto your side, holding you close to her. Shuri finally understands what Alex meant when she talked about the varying levels of harm done to the sisters in their youth. You took the physical and verbal brunt, while Alex took the emotional.

“This was not suppose to happen.” Shuri hears Alex mutter, and the queen quickly cuts in before Alex has a chance to even say as such.

“It is not your fault, Alex,” the queen asserts, “you cannot be responsible for the actions of your parents.”

Alex looks up to Shuri, sniffling as their eyes connect. A beat passes before the older sister nods, though her jaw is still tight with tension. There’s a shift in Alex’s eyes, from sadness and regret, to a hardened security.

“I need to get my house in order,” she says, glancing to her side, and reluctantly peeling her arm from around your waist, “party’s officially over.”

Alex stands to do just as she intends, and as she leaves, Shuri grows closer to you. One hand rubs circles into your knee, the other one gently lifts your face up to meet hers. Your eyes are tired, likely due to adrenaline fatigue, but your body still shakes with a light tremble.

“I am taking you home.” She says, leaving no room for argument; even though, in your current state, you couldn’t refuse her if you wanted to. So when Shuri wraps her arms around you and lifts you to your feet, you all but lean into her warmth.

And the kiss she presses into the crown of your head provides reassurance that even after the events that have unfolded, with Shuri, you will be okay.

If you enjoyed, please leave a like, comment, and reblog for others to see! And don’t be shy to send in a request!

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sharonrb · 1 year

Text

Okoye x Attuma: For the Love of You pt 3

No warnings, all clear here😊

Side notess: First I would like to thank all of you who have read the story so far, liked it, reblogged it, commented on it and asked to be tagged in it. I learn something new on Tumblr because I had see how to tag. So now I know. If anyone would like to be tagged in just request it in the comments.

I had wrote so much of the next chapters of part two I had to divide into part three, so here it is. Thank you again for reading this.

Enjoy

Chapter Five pt3

Okoye went to the doctor; making sure she had no fractures, or broken bones. Everything checked out, it was just a sprain. She was told to wear a sling for a week, and give the arm a rest. She was still thinking about her encounter with the seaman. She wished she had asked his name, since they had a moment of intimacy. She blushed, and laughed at the idea. She heard one of the hover crafts landing just outside her home; she went out to investigate. It was Ayo and Aneka coming to call. Oh damn, she thought. She had forgot she invited them over for some catch up.

“Ladies,” she came out to greet them. They did a big group hug. “It had completely slipped my mind you were coming today.”

“That’s not like you,” Ayo said. “What happened to your arm?” She notices her arm in the sling.

“Let me prepare us some food, but a drink first,” she said. “Wait until I tell you what the last two days has been like.”

“Oh, seems like someone found someone?” Aneka joked. Okoye laughed.

“Is that true?” Ayo asked.

“Let’s get that drink, and I will tell you about it,” she told them, and the three went inside for the full disclosure.

Namor had put on his best diplomatic attire, to impress Queen Shuri. He wanted to make a good impression. This will be his first time seeing her; since her officially, becoming the new Queen of Wakanda. He still had high hopes, they could get back to where they were; before the tragic death of her mother, and the attack on Wakanda.

Yeah, he knows he killed the former Queen, her mother. But all is fair in love and war, right? The kings’ guards and the Dora Milaje met him as he came ashore. His flying days are on temporarily restriction; since Shuri, the Black Panther, stripped them. But he’s not angry, he deserved worst.

The Palace was alerted of his arrival, and his request to see the Queen. They were told to escort him in; Namor felt optimistic, if she was willing to see him. After all, she did spare him. He was led into the throne room, the doors closed behind him. The throne stood was empty, she wasn’t there yet. Then someone entered the room from another door. Namor’s eyes grew large at the entrance.

“Namor, how nice of you to finally come visit. Is it to talk about the alliance; and what it means for our nations?” Namor was speechless; as M'Baku took his place on the throne.

Attuma sought out Namora, seeing if she knew anything about Namor’s meeting with Queen Shuri. He found her in their Capitol; speaking to a group of warriors, and giving them instructions. She saw him swimming their way, and was curious; since he had been hardly interacting with her, as he had once. She dismissed the warriors, and swam towards him.

“Looking for me, or just here on official business?” She asked.

“Maybe both,” he told her. “First, to see you, and apologize for the mood I have been in lately. I have been trying to see things from the Wakandan point of view. I know, if it had been Talokan attacked, and nearly destroyed, and our K’uk’ulkan killed in the process; I would go on a murderous rage. But they didn’t; and our people live on in this peaceful harmony, while the Wakandans are rebuilding, and readjusting to so many changes.”

“When you explain it that way,” she said, looking around, and seeing how unaffected their people were by the battle with the Wakandans. “We were exempt; and we should be grateful, the Black Panther showed mercy.”

“The other thing,” he added. “Have you heard anything from K'uk'ulkan, and his meeting with Queen Shuri?”

“Not one word as yet, and I am sure he just arrived there,” she told him. “They may be starting the negotiating.”

“Maybe,” he echoed.

“I do not understand,” Namor finally speaking, after the initial shock. “Where is the Queen?”

“The Queen? Remember you killed her,” M'Baku reminded him. Namor shook his head, trying to register what was going on.

“I know that, but the Princess became the Queen,” he told him.

“Oh yeah, how well do I remember you telling Shuri that; after drowning her mother in front of her. Now, what was that you said? Oh yes, bury your dead, mourn your lost, and you are Queen now,” M'Baku repeated Namor’s speech, as far as he could recalled. “And oh, let’s not forget the part when you said; you will be back in seven days, with your entire army. And if Wakanda, did not join you; in waging war on the surface world, you will destroy us. Did I miss anything, fishman?” M’Baku glared at him. He had nothing, but a deep hate for this man; for all he did, to Queen Ramonda, Shuri, and the citizens of Wakanda.

The three ladies made small talked, and drank their red wine; while Okoye prepared them a meal. Aneka was the impatient one, and kept looking at Ayo to ask the question. Ayo kept gesturing for her to not pressure her, and allow her to tell her story as she chooses.

“Alright you two; you know I can see the facial expressions, along with the hand gestures,” she informed them, as she came from the kitchen with a salad bowl.

“Come on Okoye,” Aneka was bursting at the seams, to hear about this possible new person in Okoye's life. Okoye sat down, and made each of them a plate of salad. Then she sat back sipping her wine.

“I have to give you a quick back story of who he is,” she prepared them.

“Wait, you knew him before, and never mentioned him?” Aneka basically interrupting.

“Aneka, let her finish,” Ayo gave her a look, Aneka ignored her. Okoye laughed at these two.

“Yes, Aneka I knew him before,” she confirmed. “But not in a pleasant way.”

“Do not tell us you reconcile with that traitorous ex of yours?” Aneka protested.

“No, you wouldn’t. Would you?” Ayo injected.

“First, we are still married,” she informed them. “And second, that’s a no. We will never be as husband, and wife again.” They could see this was still painful for her.

“So, if it isn’t him, then who?” Aneka asked.

“He is the Talokan warrior I fought on the bridge, and the warship.” She revealed.

“Wait, that big, big; blue guy?” Aneka asked.

“Yes, him,” she said. They all took a sip of wine; thinking about the different aspects of how this could go for Okoye.

“Why are you bringing up things we should move pass?” Namor asked.

“Did you?” M'Baku asked. “Now I was told one of the reasons this came about; Nakia killed two of your people, while rescuing the Princess of our nation. Am I right?”

“Yes, she invaded my kingdom, and kill two of my people,” he validated the claim. “That would never be tolerated.” M'Baku felt his blood boiling; the arrogance, and entitlement of this fool.

“Do you remember the night, you interrupted a scared ritual; my people perform a year after their love one has-been buried?” M'Baku took him back. “That’s what our Queen Ramonda, and our Princess Shuri were doing, after the death, and burial of a son and brother, T’Challa. It is to burn the mourning garments; for them to be able to move on, and live. Allowing the love one to have peace in the Ancestral Plane. But you wouldn’t know much about that, since you had no respect.”

“I do apologize for that, but there were more pressing matters I had to present before the Queen,” M'Baku, restrained himself. Namor didn’t enjoy this traveling back down memory lane. He wanted him to move on to the more pressing matters at hand. So he would understand the boundaries of the alliance.

“You can apologize as long as you live, and I am sure it will probably be another five hundred years or so. And Shuri may have spared you, but make no mistake; there will not be any forgiveness from her, or from me, nor any Wakandan.”

“I do not understand; how you are King, and she is not the Queen,” Namor asked, confused of the turn of events. M'Baku was pleased to explain.

“After she spared your life, and we were back home; she asked me to take on the role as the King of Wakanda. She was dealing with so much pain and loss; she knew she was not ready to lead the people, and be Black Panther also. We came to an agreement.” Namor stood silent for quite some time, digesting what this alliance will mean; now that M'Baku inherited the throne, and Shuri is off to parts unknown. “Are you ready to discuss, where do we go from here?” Namor stared at him, and if looks could kill. But M'Baku didn’t mind, he said what he had to say on the matter. But one thing he needed him to know, Wakanda never forgets.

“Let me begin at the beginning,” Okoye took a sip from her glass, then placed it on the table; and went into deep thought. Her emotions were getting the best of her. “When I lost Shuri on the bridge that night; it set a train reaction of events. Some that impacted us all.” She looked to the two.

“You’re speaking of Queen Ramonda's death; aren’t you?” Ayo inquired. Okoye nodded, and the tears rolled down her cheeks.

“She warned me it was not a good idea; but my arrogance got in the way of my better judgement.” Okoye confessed the truth as she knows it. “Never make that mistake Ayo; being Dora does not mean invincible.” Ayo stared at her, taking in the wisdom of the statement.

“Thank you for saying it, and your support,” Ayo said to her.

“Go on,” Aneka urged.

“Aneka, so impatient,” Ayo scolded. Aneka rolled her eyes. Okoye laughed, but Aneka was right. There are things she needed to express; and who better than with friends.

“As I was saying, a lot was weighing on my mine,” she begins. “When Queen Mother demoted me; I was devastated. Being Dora was all I knew; her death hit hard, because that meeting was the last time we spoke. The next time I saw her, she was face down in a water filled throne room. And as much as I tried; I couldn’t revive her.” By now, all three was feeling the lost; and becoming emotional.

Attuma sat, waiting for Namor’s return; and hoping Queen Shuri will allow Wakandan and Talokanil to interact. Soon Okoye will get this intense longing for him; he needs to be there to calm it down. Without him, she could die.

“He has to convince the Queen, he has too,” Attuma whispered to himself. He paused, a sorrow crept in. She is sad, he thought to himself. Their integration was beginning. “Hurry back, K'uk'ulkan; she needs me.” He begins to pace back and forth, like a caged animal. He made a conscious decision. It didn’t matter; what decree or law in place, either by the Queen or K’uk’ulkan, he will not lose her.

“Now that you have set me straight on the Wakandans feelings for me,” Namor took a seat to discuss the boundaries of the alliance. “There is a matter we both can agree; the interaction of our citizens.” M'Baku frowned.

“And what is it with interaction of our citizens, you have a problem?” He asked him.

“Mating,” he told him. M'Baku eyes constringed.

“Is there any reason; you would think, any of them would want to go that far?” M'Baku has no trust for him. He thought of Namor, as this pompous manipulator; and would not have come, if he knew Shuri was not there, nor was the Queen. Has he not hurt her enough? That he dared to come, and ask for more?

“Well, it is not that it would not be possible,” Namor replied. “Talokanil may live in the sea, but human they are. And it’s physically possible for Wakandans, as well as Talokanil, to find each other attractive. Which could heighten their curiosity; and then lead to experimenting.” M'Baku heard him, but listened more.

“And if they did, would that be something you would want to discourage?” M'Baku asked.

“It could be a tragic relationship; as Wakandans are surface dwellers, and Talokanils are water base,” Namor explained. M'Baku tilted his head to the side, wondering what this clown fish was up too.

“I find it strange you are taking this stance,” M'Baku rose from the throne, and walked over to the very window Namor threw his grenade bombs, killing their Queen. He stared out; looking at the city, and his people going about their business. Then he thought about how Shuri dug deep inside; thinking about what killing this egomaniac would cost those people. “When you kept Shuri from her mother; what was your plans?” He turned to face Namor. Namor looked away, seeing M'Baku was a shrewd leader. This alliance will not be an easy one; nor would any thoughts of a future where he would rule by Shuri.

“So, after I tired of the pain, and guilt of my decision to take Shuri, then losing her. Which set off everything that came afterwards,” Okoye took a sip of wine. “I just wanted to throw caution to the wind. I wanted to be wild for once in my life. So, I mounted Mbandi, and allowed her to run wherever she wanted. I was merely along for the ride. I think she went to a place she frequents; the River tribe banks. She stopped there, as the sun was setting. It was so tranquil. I sat and watch it disappear; and the moon rise and the stars twinkling. Funny how these things have always existed; but we get so caught up in life, we forget to enjoy them.” She grew quiet, and went into deep thought.

Attuma focus, a melancholy sensation washed over him. He closed his eyes, touching his heart; it was heavy with grief and regrets. But those were not his; they belonged to her and what was going through her heart. He should be there with her, and holding her in his arms; kissing her so deeply, she could faint. His body was craving her touch. He needed to sooth the increasing effect of the merge; and of them becoming one, in mind, body, and soul.

“Hold on my Warrior, hold on,” If it means defying K'uk'ulkan, so be it. He will deal with the consequences; just as long as she is a live. Attuma went into the water, swimming through the channel; and making his way down to the depths of the ocean, to Talokan and his home. He will wait there for word of Namor’s return, and the decision of the Queen.

“Plans? The Princess and I were negotiating a peaceful solution,” he told him. “Your Queen messed that up.” M'Baku made a step towards him, but refrained himself.

“Never mention her again to me,” M'Baku was shaking with anger. “Show some respect for a woman; who gave her life to save a child, you didn’t give a damn about killing. You had her daughter, the only living relative she had left. And you dare to fault her, because she sent someone to rescue her. But in the same token, you felt it was alright to attack a city; because two of yours were killed? Now you come to me, with this proclamation; forbidden Wakandans and Talokanils finding love, if they so desire? If that is what you want on your end, I can not stop it. But, if any of either nation do find themselves in that predicament; I will not interfere.” Namor wasn’t to pleased with him saying that.

“I sat for some time taking everything in, enjoying this time. I looked at the river, it was so inviting. It had been a while since I swam. I searched the area and seeing I was a lone, removed my clothing, and walked into the river. It was warm and soothing,” she told them.

“You swam nude?” Aneka asked, then looked at Ayo who was smiling.

“Yes, Aneka and it was enjoyable,” she confirmed. “You should try it; you may like it.”

“Wait a minute,” Aneka just realized something. “When did the big blue guy come in; during this nakedness?” Okoye was confused.

“When did I say--,” she paused as a memory flicker in her mind. “While I was swimming; all the time I had this feeling I was not alone. But I did not see anyone to validate it.”

“Maybe he was hiding somewhere,” Ayo suggested.

“I don’t think so,” she said. “The landscape was pretty much flat land; except for a few rock formations.”

“Could he had hid behind the rocks?” Ayo asked.

“If he was actually there, he could have,” she couldn’t rule out the possibility. “There is something that was quite strange, that occurred and frightened me. This is where I really felt someone was there. While I was swimming, it felt like a large presence was under me; then there was this energy that washed over me, and this loud groan. I lowered my head in the water to see what was there; but saw nothing. I quickly swam to shore, and sought out any movement in the river. But it was still as far as I could see. I stood there in a panic, wondering what it could have been.”

“Groan, like what?” Aneka asked.

“A person when they; you know,” Okoye was too embarrassed to describe it. “You know, when you reach that point--.” Okoye trying her best to be discreet, in describing the sound of a climate.

“Oh,” the two said in unison. Then the two begin to laugh at the possibility, that Okoye may have excited and satisfied, the big blue merman with her naked self. Okoye was solemn, and deep in thought; and wondered. Does that mean; he and her, had some type of sexual experience? She gulped down the rest of her drink.

“I want you to understand something King M'Baku,” Namor approached him; just a few feet away. “I will not tolerate any of my people going against my wishes. And I hope you will never indulge any of them to do so.” M'Baku took those couple of feet; and towered over him.

“The last time we had an encounter; you hit me in the chest, and broke my breastplate, sending me across the water, and into the floating café. I did not forget it; but dare you to try it again.” Namor glared at him; wondering what game he was playing, challenging him.

“Why would I do that?” Namor replied. “That was war; we are allies, so I thought.”

“Only because Shuri wants it for our people; and I agree.” M'Baku informed him.

“Where is she anyway?” Namor dared to ask.

“Somewhere far from here; getting the time she needs to heal, mentally and emotionally.” Namor knew not to press the issue any further.

“I want to make something very clear, Namor,” M’Baku's voice was low and stern; his eyes cold and dark. “I will honor this alliance, because it’s important to Shuri. There is a thing called asylum in the world. We do acknowledge anyone; who wants to come here, from whatever they want to get away from. If any of your people so desire, they are welcome; because that is what Queen Ramonda would have done, and certainly Shuri would do if she were Queen. Now if you want to break the terms of the agreement of the alliance, then so be it. But sneaking an attack on a kingdom, is not the same as meeting the same kingdom head on. Think about your threats, and what is it you have to lose. I will not tolerate my people going through what happened before, and not answer in like manner.” Namor stared into M’Baku's eyes, and saw how much hatred he held for him.

He came into Wakanda one night uninvited, threatening the Queen, and demanded something from her with a threat if she didn’t carry through. He held her daughter from her, then after she sent someone to rescue, killing two of his’. He promised and did attack Wakanda, killing the Queen. What did he expect from this new King? This is going to be a shaky alliance; but for his people he had to do whatever is necessary to keep them safe. Wakandan will keep their part, he would have to his. His constant threats will soon get tiresome; and he has no idea the true power of Wakanda. Is he willing to find out?

Chapter Six

Okoye took a sip of wine, thinking about that sensual groan beneath her; while swimming, and what the energy that flowed through her signified. She recalled exactly what it felt like, its residue had haunted her since it happened, though she tried to deny it. Talking about it made it clear, it was the most stimulating interaction, she has ever had. She smiled, now he had her attention more than ever. Somehow, she had to contact him, and allow him to finish telling her what he tried, when she interrupted him. He was right, she would need him.

She rose from her chair, and walked to a window staring out. Mbandi was grazing not far from the house. The only way she could describe it was; being a part of something or someone, and no longer feeling alone anymore. Maybe better; a part of someone; a part of him? Then another memory of that night surface.

“Wait, there was another thing that was strange,” she came back to her seat. “I thought this part was a dream, but I am not so sure anymore. A song that has stayed in my head, all night. I heard while standing on the banks.”

“Song? What kind of song?” Ayo asked.

“More like a hum,” she said, then she began to hum the tune. As she did, she got into it; closing her eyes, and felt the soothing relaxing affect. She found herself being pulled into a place; she never had been.

Attuma laid in his hammock, trying to stay calm until Namor’s return, and word on if they are still allowed to go into Wakanda. He rested his eyes for the first time in a while. That’s when he felt her just above him, descending towards him. He knew exactly what was occurring. She was humming the siren song, he hummed to relax her from the fright of their vibe.

“Warrior, stop humming,” he warned. She wasn’t listening, as she came closer.

“You?” She said, as if surprised. She looked around, as if absorbing her surroundings. “Is this where you live?”

“Yes, this is Talokan,” he told her.

“This is incredible,” she told him. “Like an underwater Wakanda.” She came to within inches of him; face to face, she smiled. “What did you do to us, General?”

“What I did wasn’t meant to be done,” he told her. “It was an accident; but it is true.”

“I do not understand,” she told him.

“You will, but now you must wake up,” he told her.

“What are you talking about?” She was bewildered. “I am here talking with you, awake.”

“No, you are not” He took her into his arms, and captured her mouth with his own; she was intoxicating, his kiss deepens. He took away her breath; she passed out.

“Okoye,” Ayo shook her, trying to wake her. She finally came too. She laid there in a haze, trying to clear her mind, and focus.

“What happened?” She asked, falling back as she tried to sit up.

“We do not know, Okoye,” Aneka told her. “One minute you were humming, the next you were knocked out. You fell to the floor; we laid you here.”

“You were having a dream I guess,” Ayo told her. “You were speaking in another language, we didn’t understand.” Okoye grew quiet, her mind replaying events of the dream; and her encounter with the Talokanil. He knew she was not actually there; but how could she know, what Talokan look like? She has never been there before.

“It’s ancient Mayan, the language of the Talokan,” she explained.

“When did you learn their language?” Aneka asked.

“After Wakanda was attacked, and he called me out,” she told them. “He was there in my dream.” She looked at both of them. “I found him there in Talokan, and he told me to wake up. I didn’t believe him, it felt so real. He took me in his arms, and kissed me so hard; I passed out, and woke up here.” They looked at her with some concerns.

“Maybe we should take you to the doctor to evaluate you,” Ayo suggested.

“I am fine, I went today, remember, my arm?” She pointed to it.

“How did you hurt that arm, again?” Ayo asked.

“Yesterday I went into the catacombs alone,” she told them.

“Okoye,” Ayo spoke. “What is wrong with you? You know not to ever go there alone. And that’s why you fell?”

“I know, Ayo, I know,” she agreed. “But these days I am lost; I need to find my purpose. Being a Dora was my life’s goal; becoming one was my life. But I am no longer Dora; where do I go from there?” Ayo and Aneka looked at each other.

“I thought we were going on a journey together, Okoye; forming the Midnight Angels.” Aneka injected.

“We are Aneka,” she confirmed. “But being in another military role is no longer enough for me. Having that special one in my life; having a family is what I desire now.”

“You can not have both, Okoye,” Ayo reminded her of the rules.

“Why not, Ayo? The men do; why can’t the women also?” Ayo and Okoye stared each other in the eyes.

“Maybe that is something we need to bring before the King, and the Council?” Aneka suggested. “Right now, I want to hear about the catacombs; and what transpire there.” Okoye looked at Aneka shaking her head.

“I went down and when I say went down; I mean I fell below,” the other two gasped.

“Okoye, that’s why your arm is slanged,” Ayo reminded her of the carelessness of being alone.

“Yes, it’s just sprung,” she assured them.

“And maybe a concussion along with it,” Ayo told her. Okoye smiled, Ayo forever the mother hen.

“Anyway, I was dazed and in excruciating pain,” she told them. “At some point, I realized I wasn’t alone. I was asked if I was alright. I remembered saying my arm may be broke or something like it. I looked and saw the face of the Talokanil warrior staring down upon me. I said, ‘you?’ to him, I think; before passing out.

“You may have hit your head when you fell, and have a concussion.” Ayo reiterated. “With passing out, speaking to some blue guy from the water, and in his language. Thinking you are in a undersea world, while dreaming; thinking you’re actually there.”

“That may be the case, Okoye,” Aneka chimed in. Okoye slowly sat up.

“I fear what is wrong with me; only my blue merman will be able to cure,” she told them. Ayo looked over at Aneka, who shook her head.

“You think he put a spell on her?” Aneka whispered to Ayo.

“I don’t know,” she said. “In our world; stranger things have manifested. One thing may be clear; he has a hold on her.”

Attuma’s eyes shot open, and saw Okoye wasn’t there. He knew she had learned the ability to infiltrate his mind, and see what he sees. That was a concern for him; he needed to be there physically, to help her maneuver in and out. If he had not kissed her, making her disconnect; she could not have been able to return to her mind, and then she would have passed away.

“What is taking so long?” He swam to find Namora, fearing there may be something else to trigger his Warrior’s demise.

“Okoye,” Ayo stared at her. “This is serious, there is something we need to reveal. The song was similar to what Namor’s people used to hypnotized our emergency workers, sending them to their deaths. Yours only subdued us.

“What does this mean?” Okoye looked to them for answers. “I sing like a Talokan, bending the will of others; what has he done to me?”

Attuma swam towards Namora hoping there was news, but from her expression it was a no. He swam to a distance from her; a ball from some who were playing a game flew their way. Attuma punched a hole clear through it. Namora observed his actions, noting every movement; and his demeanor. She suspected what he refuses to disclose; he had integrated with the Wakandan warrior, and failed to inform their ruler.

“Why are you so desperate to get back to looking at the landscape?” She asked. He looked at her.

“Why do you care?” he inquired.

“You know, the truth always comes to light,” she said. “I suggest you be honest with K'uk'ulkan; or you will regret it.” She left him to think about what she said. It didn’t matter to him. All that matter; was getting to her, the Wakandan woman, who has literally stolen his soul.

“I want this alliance as much as anyone,” Namor conveyed to M'Baku. “Together we are stronger.”

“I am glad you feel that way,” M'Baku said. “Wakandans and Talokanils, together in anyway; makes for strength. I heard you said your mother use to tell you about Wakanda.” Namor figured this knowledge had to have come from either, Queen Ramonda or Shuri; maybe both.

“Yes, she did,” he confirmed. “Why?”

“Did it ever occur to you, how miles away; she and your ancestors knew about our kingdom?” He asked him.

“I am not sure, maybe the slavers?” M'Baku shook his head.

“We have lost tribes all over the world,” he informed him. “It is not far fetching your mother’s people were once part of us, and fled during the constant fighting our ancestors were going through.”

“That would make sense,” he said. “How else would she know if it was not true? But I am not sure, what it has to do with my request.” M'Baku laugh, which left Namor bewildered.

“You and your requests,” he continued to laugh. “You requesting, is really demanding; with a hint of intimidation. But to clarify what I meant; sexual relationships between the two nations, would not be out of the question. In fact; we have no idea what kind of people, we could develop from it.”

“Finding out what kind of people could come from Wakanda and Talokan is of no concern of mine,” Namor told him, rejecting the very thought. “I want my people to thrive as they have for the last five hundred years.” M'Baku stared at him; and wonder why he was so against, the possibility of the two kingdoms, bringing into existence, a new generation. One that could survive land as well as water.

“Humor me, Namor,” M'Baku became curious why now, he chose to have this topic of conversation. He knew if Queen Ramonda hadn’t sent Nakia to rescue Shuri, and the young woman, RiRi; he would have taken Shuri as his wife. And it couldn’t be because Shuri rejected him; he’s there now, thinking he could have persuaded her, to reconsider their relationship. If there were any. “What prompted you to want to put this law in place? What is it you are aware of, that I am not? And please do not play with my intelligence.” Namor laughed within; that wouldn’t be hard to do; since he felt M'Baku was about as intelligent as a seaweed. But he digresses.

“It came to my attention, your general and one of mine; may be forming a relationship.” Namor informed him.

“Male or female?” M'Baku queried.

“She fought the same general on the bridge, and your warship,” he answered. M'Baku thought for a moment, then knew.

“Okoye,” he said.

“Okoye?” Namor repeated, registering her name for future reference. M'Baku took notice how he pronounced her name

“Yes, but she is no longer with the Dora Milaje,” he informed him. “She was one of the collateral damages of your actions. Queen Ramonda stripped her of her rank, and out of the Dora for losing Shuri.” Namor stared, saying nothing. “Who is this general of yours?”

“Attuma,” he revealed. “He is like a son, I raised and trained him; after the death of his mother, during his birth.”

“I see,” M'Baku sat on his throne. “And you are certain there is something between the two?”

“I am not certain as of yet; but he has been moody, and seeking to be alone,” he told him. “And he has become fascinated with your kingdom; which I understand. Wakanda is stunning, the culture is like no other; not unlike Talokan. So, I can understand why he is taking in; and would believe his excuse of his visiting, if he was not so temperamental and standoffish.”

“I get you,” M'Baku smile. “He sounds like a man smitten.”

“Or in love,” Namor surmised. M'Baku nodded, that right there is where Namor’s problem lies.

Attuma felt he would go crazy if Namor’s didn’t return soon. So far, he didn’t sense Okoye stressing. The merging of their souls was accidental, true. And he is actually surprised it worked, as she is not Talokanil. He took a chance when he reached out to her that night. The force of their merge was so powerful, it coursed through his body so strong it shocked him. It was pure ecstasy; he knew then they were meant to be. Holding her in his arms looking at her lovely face. All he wants is to be there with her forever; he needed to define what he was feeling. Was it love or infatuation?

“Where are you, Namor?” He was getting restless, never one for patience.

“I wouldn’t worry about these two bonding as yet,” M'Baku said to him. “She is already married, and can’t be with anyone until that bond is broken.” Namor lit up; something useful to slow Attuma down. M'Baku shook his head, actually reading this cold-blooded spawn’s face. How could he get such joy in his people’s displeasure?”

“Married?” He wanted to make sure what M’Baku informed him was accurate.

“Yes, he is exiled, imprisoned for treason,” M'Baku revealed.

“Oh?” Namor was intrigued. M'Baku enjoyed indulging him; giving him this hope of seeing another’s life ruined. Little did he know, his hope will soon be crushed. Okoye has already begun the process of severing her bond with her ex. She will be free to be with whoever she so desired; but then that is something Namor will need to know, once Okoye and his general are together.

“Yes, he was part of a insurrection,” he told him.

“I see,” Namor said. “Not to sound rude, but If we are finish here. I must get back to speak with my general. He needs to know some things moving forward.”

“We are done,” M'Baku told him. Namor nodded his head, then turned and left. M'Baku stared after him until he went through the doors, and out of sight. If it wasn’t for Shuri making the agreement, and the citizens of Talokan; he would lay waste on this narcissus. But as much as he feels for this general; he’d rather have Namor wreaking havoc on his nation, than Wakanda.

“And when I woke up, we were here; and he was standing over me staring. Of course, I recognized him, how could I not?” Okoye told them. “Now this is where it gets strange; when I asked him how we got here. He said Mbandi, brought us.”

“Your Mbandi?” Ayo asked.

“Yes,” she said.

“I thought that thing did not like people?” Aneka injected.

“She does not, but for some reason she loves him,” she told them.

“Loves him? Isn’t that extreme, because she allowed him to help bring you home?” Ayo said.

“Well, why when he headed back to the cave, she ran after him, and offer him a ride back to the cave. It was like she knew; he desperately needed to get back, but would not make it in time, even with his speed.”

“Wow,” Aneka said.

“Something we all are overlooking, “Ayo said.

“What, Ayo?” Okoye was curious.

“If he was running out of whatever is needed for them to survive on land. Would he not know, it was a possibility; he would not make it back in time?” She looked at Aneka, then at Okoye.

“Are you saying, he may have risked his life for me?” Okoye already knew that answer, when she asked.

Attuma sat on his bed, waiting for Namor to return. His mind went to Okoye, wanting to see her again. He could feel the residue of her in his arms, the kiss on her soft lips. A feeling came over him; in his soul, he could sense her thinking about him too. No, she was talking about him; and there was a question.

“Yes, beautiful warrior, I knew it was possible; but for you, it was worth it.” He answered the question he felt in her heart.

Okoye gasped, and begin to tear up for no reason. She didn’t understand how entangled she was with him. Their linkage was growing stronger; his already established, hers just beginning. Ayo and Aneka looked at her, then each other. Confused to why she was getting emotional.

“What is wrong, Okoye?” Ayo came and put her arms around her.

“I am not sure,” she said between sob. “I just suddenly had this overwhelming sentiment wash over me. It was like he was speaking to me. I could not hear it, but more like I perceived it.”

“What?” Aneka asked

“It was like he knew, what was in my heart, and he answered,” she told them.

“What was in your heart you wanted to know?” Ayo asked.

“I wondered did he knew, it was possible he would run out of his breathing supply; when he brought me home?” She told them.

“And you think you felt him answer all the way from Talokan?” Aneka asked being skeptical.

“We fought aliens twice, remember?” Okoye reminded them both. Ayo looked at Aneka, shaking her head.

“What did he say?” Ayo asked, thinking it possible, somehow these two became connected, during the time she was in the water. She also thinks the energy burst, may have been what caused it.

“He said, ‘Yes beautiful warrior, I knew it was possible, but for you, it was worth it'. What is going on?” Okoye started crying again. Ayo looked at Aneka, neither knew how to help her.

Attuma could feel her stressing. It was starting. He couldn’t wait for Namor to return; he had to get to her, and help her through this, only he knew how. He swam up and into the to the open sea; calling his whale Tmay; it would be quicker that way. He was met with resistance; the four warriors who was with Namora, stopped him.

“We can not by orders of Namora allow you to leave. A decree by K'uk'ulkan has a lockdown in place; that includes everyone.

“I am needed somewhere, it’s a life-or-death situation,” he explained.

“Who in Talokan is in a life-or-death situation, Attuma?” Namora joined them.

“I need to go, and no one is going to stop me,” he knew he could out fight all of them put together.

“And me,” Namor came from the direction of Wakanda. “Would you fight me to get where you’re going?” Attuma thought for a moment, which unnerved Namor. His hesitation told him everything. “All of you leave, now. I need to speak with my son alone.” Attuma looked away, ashamed he hesitated his answer; but she needed him, and he had to get to her. He did not make the rules for the vibe, it is what it is. Namora and the others swam away, leaving just the two.

“I am sorry, my father; but I have to go to her,” he was desperately asking for his permission; so he wouldn’t break what was between them. One thing will always be true; Namor loved his people, but protecting them comes at a price.

“The Wakandan warrior?” He asked.

“Yes,” he answered.

“So, you lied to me,” he stated.

“Yes, I did, and I am sorry,” he admitted.

“I am sorry too, but I can not allow you to place the rest of us in harm,” he told him.

“I do not understand,” Attuma says.

“An agreement between the new ruler, and myself, on boundaries; so, no misunderstandings will arise. Talokanils are not welcome in and out of WaKanda; unless with authorization. And the same for Wakandans in Talokan. Therefore, you are prohibited to go see her as you will.”

“You do not understand, K'uk'ulkan,” he was nearly in tears, which alarmed Namor.

“Tell me you did not, Attuma,” Namor felt a dread come over him, expecting the worst, from what Attuma had to say.

“We did, I vibe us; but she does not know,” Namor, growled out loud, sending a thunderous rumbling. Attuma was subdued. Namor knew the cost, if he did not allow him to go to her. Could he afford to lose his son, who he loved as if he held his blood flowed through his veins. Or protect the kingdom from mingling with the Wakandans. Namor was clear on Wakandans coming, and goings in his kingdom. He made his decision, that was the only one he could make.

“We better take her to the medical unit,” Ayo said to Aneka. Okoye suddenly, became lethargic, and they do not know why.

“Attuma,” she kept saying, repeatedly. “They have him imprisoned.”

“Attuma? Is that his name?” Aneka asked.

“I have no idea,” Ayo said. “Let’s take her now Aneka.” Ayo lifted her up in her arms, and carried her to the aircraft.

“Please let me out of here K'uk'ulkan,” Attuma pleaded. Namor took a deep breath, staring him in the eyes.

“I had hoped I would not have to tell you this; but you leave me no choice,” Namor says to him. “The other reason you are not allowed, and could cause a incident; Okoye is married. Therefore, you integrating with her; was a foolish gesture, as well as selfish on your part. Did you not inquired, whether she was attached to someone, or not?” Attuma turned away, trying to absorb what was just unveiled.

“Okoye?” He smiled. “That is her name?” He closed his eyes, envisioned holding her in his arms, once again; gazing in her big brown eyes, kissing her enticing full lips, in reality. Knowing he could whisper her name, while loving her, was the best. Namor glared at him.

“Did you not here a word I just said?” His voice was not that usual calm, and deviant tone; he usually exemplifies, whenever he is being manipulative. Attuma slowly turned to face him.

“I do not give a damn, who thinks they are attached to her,” his voice was unhurried, and straight forward on his intent. “The vibe does not make mistakes; on who is chosen to be with each other. You know this to be true, I don’t make the rules. She is my one, and some way and how; I will get to her. With or without the Queen, or your sanction.” Now Attuma is pissing him off.

“Here’s the thing, Attuma,” he spoke calmly, with a hint of precise and unyielding. “The Princess didn’t become the new ruler, she delegated to another; and he is relentless in his rule. I will not chance a nation-to-nation combat; because you have this notion you can defy me, and get away with it. No one does that.” His voice crescendo with every word. “I will not put Talokan in danger, because of your whim. I have spoken”. The tears welled in Attuma's eyes; and for the love of her, he begged.

“Please, K'uk'ulkan,” he pleaded. “Just allow me to go to her, and save her. Then I will return, and never question whatever you ask of me. Let me go, or she will die.”

“One thing is true, Attuma,” he stared him in the eyes; with out any empathy, nor one bit of sympathy. “Sometimes life’s tragedies can be our best lessons. Next time; you will be careful on the things you do. I will not risk Talokan’s tranquillity; not even for you.” He turned, and walked away. Attuma let out a growl, equal to a roaring lion; shaking the surrounding area.

“Namor!” Attuma called. “Namor! I hate you; I hate you!” Namor heard him call him by that name, as he walked away; knowing, something had been broken between them. “Namor! I will never forgive you for this. You hear me? I will never, forgive you!” The worst thing, that can be done. Is come between a man, and the woman he loves. Namor left the area, and returned to his quarter; then stood in front of a blank space on his wall. He picked up his paint, to begin depicting a story, of Attuma and himself.

Links:

Okoye x Attuma: For the Love of You

Okoye x Attuma: For the Love of You PT 2

Taglist

@pixieyosi

@skysynclair19

@misslackey

#alex livinalli #danai gurira #attuma #okoye #attuma x okoye #okoye x attuma #attuma of talokan #general okoye #mcu attuma #attuma thirst post #attoye #okoye x reader #mcu okoye #okoyuma #black panther: wakanda forever #black panther 2 #mcu

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whollyhapa · 1 year

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Mutant--A Namor Fanfiction Ch. 3

Thank you so much for the love this fic is getting! Sorry for updating late for the lovies on tumblr. If anyone can let me know how to tag people when I release chapters that would be amazing, as I am technologically challenged. Thanks again!

Ch. 3

You don’t tell anyone about your abrupt meeting with the fishman that calls himself Namor. Shuri doesn’t bring it up.

She also doesn’t make another offer for you to meet your rescuer. So you let the subject fade, though it’s hard to ignore the way your meeting, his face, his stare, has seared itself into your fucking hippocampus by now. You decide to avoid the water entirely each night, opting instead to sit at your room’s balcony and stare at the sky wistfully. A part of you hopes you never meet him again. The other part, your curiosity, you suppress.

And your broken bones heal steadily over the next week.

By the time you’ve regained intact ribs, you’ve shared an amicable meal with the queen, and you’ve stood in the throne room before the royal counsel to awkwardly thank the elders for the stay they’ve granted you. You’ve met M’Baku, the queen’s right-hand man, and he invites you to spar, which you humbly accept for the future. You’ve memorized the footpaths both within and outside the palace gates. You’ve treated each member of the palace with the same stiff, clumsy courtesy—and the Dora Milaje don’t glare at you with as much intensity as they first did, which you would consider a success.

By the time your scapula is fully-fused again, you make a big decision. You accept Shuri’s offer to stay in her city beyond your healing days—in exchange for Shuri’s non-invasive studying of your genetic build. She gives you her word that her intentions aren’t malicious—simply intellectual, and that you’ll fly again soon—and enough of you believes her to acquiesce. Besides, you can find your comfort and solace in your isolation whenever you’re ready, you think. Not many other lands would be so welcoming of individuals like yourself.

So you stay.

And at the end of the week, when you can flex your shoulder with little to no pain at all, you bound into Shuri’s lab for your morning exam. As per usual, you complete the standard tests, but politely reject any tests that require things that make your brain’s alarm bells go off—including needles. After one of Shuri’s secondary lab directors tells you your healing’s reached ninety-four percent, you shoot up from the lab’s medical table and shake your wings excitedly. Good enough.

Elevator doors hiss again and you turn to see Shuri step out into the cavernous lab. The queen dons a sleek lavender pilot’s jumpsuit and hightops, and she carries one of her digital white pens, twirling it around her fingers. Her eyes come to rest on your seated figure, then to the green glow of a hologrammed-replica of your winged shoulder spinning slowly beside you, and she beams.

“Glad to see you well again,” Shuri calls out, making her way down the steps to you. “Even without intravenous treatment your healing has been remarkable to watch.”

You give a slight shrug, not knowing how to respond to that. Your body’s regenerative capabilities…again, you were bred to withstand much worse. Shuri reaches you, places the tips of her slender fingers on the edge of the exam table, and looks at you steadily. You think she knows the next thing you’re about to say.

“I expect you want to fly again.” She doesn’t phrase it as a question.

You nod rigidly. “I don’t think I could stay otherwise,” you tell her candidly.

She nods in return, looking down at the table. “I have a proposition.” She looks back up. “But first, I am trusting you with heavy information. In two days’ time is an annual banquet. It commemorates an alliance of our kingdom with another. Three y—”

“This wouldn’t happen to be a kingdom off the map, would it?” You interject, swinging your legs off the exam table and shifting to lean on the table adjacent to her. “Led by a large naked man?”

Shuri’s irritation at your interruption turns to surprise, and she exhales. “So you’ve met?” she asks incredulously.

“I did have a chance encounter with a soggy guy on your shores,” you say dryly, pushing off the table and straightening up. “Said Wakanda calls him Namor.”

Shuri holds your gaze, like she’s trying to decide how to mitigate your sudden awareness of extremely confidential information before she’d allowed it. You raise your brows. “So there is a secret nation.” Crossing your arms over your chest, you shake your head. “I really thought that guy was insane for a second. What was he doing within your borders? He called the waters his own.”

There’s a moment of silence that hangs in the air, and again you can feel the queen debate how best, how queenly to curate her explanation. Shuri beckons to the lab elevator.

“Walk with me, amaphiko.”

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Namor leads a vibranium-rich nation deep below the water’s surface, a kingdom called Talokan.” Shuri speaks briskly, eyes trained ahead as you both stroll through an open stretch of palace courtyard. You can guess that she’s given this account many, many times. “Three years ago, Namor revealed himself to me, and gave Wakanda an ultimatum. Stand with Talokan through war with the surface world, or be the first to burn. Her voice tightens. “Naturally conflict arose. Rage consumed us. We lost…much. On both sides.”

You catch the way Shuri glosses over the war itself. For someone as young as she is, her eyes hold a maturity and grief that isn’t lost on you. You focus your gaze on the clouds scattering the pink morning sky, listening intently as the queen continues to explain.

“Ultimately, Namor and I both—we chose our people over vengeance, and once Namor yielded to the Black Panther, our nations came to a truce…a compromise. Wakanda would protect Talokan’s mystery so long as peace could be maintained.” You follow Shuri’s lead as she turns into a corridor. “Namor is allowed mitigated visits into our lands, yes. The problem lies in his belief that our waters belong to his territory. It’s a kink we’re working out in the treaty. For being 500 years old he still governs like a teenager.” Shuri is matter-of-fact in tone, and when you both reach the door at the end of the corridor she doesn’t hesitate to wave her kimoyo beads over the silver pad next to the doorframe. The door whizzes open and you follow her inside, through yet another corridor. As you reach what you hope is the final door, because you’re really starting to get turned around, Shuri turns to you and looks at you steadily.

“Namor knew he did not have permission to enter our waters that night,” she emphasizes. “Yet he shows up on our doorstep claiming he found you half-drowned, pleading for us to take you in, to heal you, imploring for us to let you meet. He’s violated the sacredness of our treaty often over these three years, but never like this. Never so outright.” Shuri shakes her head. “And now with the communion banquet approaching…I sense Namor’s growing erraticism may cause obstacles for our peaceful alliance in the future.”

With a final swipe of her kimoyo beads, Shuri leads you into a cavernous space filled with white light and…mannequins?. “This is where you come in. Please, sit.”

You ruffle your wings nervously and take a wary seat on the edge of the luxurious velvet couch Shuri points to. Where is she taking this? You were promised a vacation and some down-time to fly in exchange for a little research, and now suddenly it seems you’re about to be sold off to a god to appease a treaty he can’t even abide by.

Shuri seats herself in the sturdy metal chair across from you, resting her elbows on the armchairs and threading her fingers together. You remember suddenly that you are sitting across from the ruler of a country still recovering from war—what lengths would this queen go to to protect her people? You narrow her eyes at her. You weren’t one to meddle in politics. You weren’t one to meddle in anything anymore, if you could help it.

“Namor arrives with his nobility, with his warriors, in two days’ time. I want you to hold off on flight until that day. And I want you there, in attendance at the banquet.”

You’re kidding. You scoff and immediately open your mouth to protest, but Shuri starkly cuts you off. “You don’t need to do much. Mingle, eat, enjoy the festivities. But I can bet you anything Namor expects you there, and he seems to have a fascination with you, with those.” she gestures loosely to your wings, “And I’m hoping having you there satiates his need to breach any more dire aspects of our already-unsteady treaty. You would be doing Wakanda a great service.” Shuri says the last part loudly, and you realize she’s no longer giving you an option, if you want to stay here for any particular period of time.

“So you just want me to show up and humor the king of an underwater nation?” You throw your hands up, knowing you’ve lost already. “Keeping the peace sounds more difficult to me than just fighting it out like men.”

Shuri gives you a wordless smile, and the friendliness returns to her eyes now that she’s got you backed into a corner.

“Not just ‘show up’, Amaphiko. You must look the part.” She turns to a wall of ornately-decorated mannequins and dread fills your stomach. You stand up and start to back up.

“Oh no. Nonononono. You’re not dressing me up like a doll for the mayor of Talokan. I refuse. Find another freak to entice your king.”

Shuri ignores you, standing up herself and beckoning three assistants forward from the shadows of the fashion pit you’ve suddenly trapped yourself in.

Despite your objections, they descend on you like hawks with tape measures and pins.

#Namor x reader #namor x you #namor fanfiction #black panther 2 #black panther wakanda forever #eventual smut #smut inbound in the next few ch #wakanda forever spoilers #namor x ofc #Namor #namor of talokan

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submissivegayfrenchboy · 2 years

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20 / 09 / 2022

🧚‍♀️🌴🧜‍♀️🧁🧞‍♂️🍹⛲🎠🎡👸🍨🎢��🏰👑🧙‍♂️

🇫🇷 FRANÇAIS / FRENCH 🇫🇷

J'AI QUELQUE CHOSE À VOUS DIRE #4

Je reviens d'un séjour à Disneyland Paris, parc d'attractions qui est d'ailleurs la première destination touristique d'Europe. J'y suis allé en famille et c'était un bonheur dont je souhaite vous faire profiter en vous racontant ce que j'y ai vu et ce qui m'a plu.

C'est donc un article personnel certes mais que je tenais à vous partager car Disney (et maintenant son univers étendu, avec notamment Star Wars et Marvel, des univers que j'affectionnais avant qu'ils ne soit détenus par Disney).

Je sais que tout le monde ne va pas être intéressé par cet article mais je tenais à le publier ici, sur Tumblr, car c'est non seulement le seul réseau social sur lequel je suis.

Je le publie donc afin que vous puissiez avoir une idée de l'ambiance mais surtout du plaisir que j'ai pu ressentir là-bas, pour, quelque part, vous donnez l'impression d'y avoir été. Même si mon but est de vous partager cela avec moi, rien ne vaut je fait d'y aller soi-même : les photos/les vidéos et les récits des autres ne sont rien comparés à ceux que l'on se fait soi-même.

Il faut savoir que je ne suis pas allé à Disneyland Paris depuis six ans.

J'ai donc été très heureux d'y retourner, et de découvrir l'Hôtel New York Art of Marvel, thematisé sur l'univers Marvel. L'hôtel est sublime, spacieux et largement décoré avec des affiches de comics et des objets qui font des références aux comics et films Marvel.

Il y avait un stand photo, la Superhero Station, où il est possible de se prendre en photo dans des décors des films ou alors avec des personnages de l'univers Marvel : nous y avons vu Loki et Natasha Romanoff / la Veuve Noire.

La chambre était spacieuse et bien décorée. La nourriture de l'hôtel est généreuse et le restaurant (buffet à volonté) le soir est réparti en plusieurs gastronomies (américaine, italienne, asiatique), décoré d'œuvres d'arts sur l'univers Marvel.

Ma famille et moi avons pû faire plusieurs attractions. À Walt Disney Studios se trouve le Avengers Campus qui a ouvert en juillet.

Nous avons testé l'attraction SpiderW.E.B. qui est une attraction interactive où il est possible de gagner un score élevé. Il s'agit de tirer sur des spiderbots (des robots araignées) devenus incontrôlables. Si elle demande de l'énergie et nous fait participer, cette attraction est bien différente de l'autre de l'Avengers Campus : Flight Force.

C'est une attraction à sensations fortes, mais vraiment très énergique !!! Il y a des loupings et on est là tête à l'envers ! À chaque fois que je fait une attraction j'ai peur que mes lunettes s'envolent, mais là c'était obligé que je les enlève tellement cela va vite et haut !!! C'était quand même très amusant, ce roller-coaster est placé sous le thème des Avengers, avec comme prétexte une guerre entre les Kree et la Terre.

Après le déjeuner, nous avons rencontré un super-héros de l'attraction Superhero Training Center où il est possible de rencontrer un personnage. Pour nous, c'était Carol Danvers / Captain Marvel. Les cast members nous ont posés des questions sur l'univers Marvel avant de rencontrer le personnage. Contrairement au groupe d'avant qui n'avait aucune bonnes réponses, je les impressionné car j'ai eu toutes les bonnes réponses même pour des personnages peu connus !

Sinon, Captain Marvel était vraiment super avec nous, il y a eu une bonne interaction et nous avons fait des photos.

À part elle, nous avons vu dans le Avengers Campus deux personnages que j'aime beaucoup : Jane Foster / La Puissante Thor et Sam Wilson / Captain America! J'ai eu une discussion avec Jane Foster, mais je n'ai pas eu le temps de parler avec Sam Wilson /Captain America qui devait se rendre ailleurs.

Il y avait aussi deux spectacles : celui des Dora Milaje, guerrières du Wakanda, et un autre avec La Veuve Noire et la Panthère Noire affrontant Taskmaster et ses sbires. Spider-Man fait même une apparition !

Le soir nous avons vu les spectacles lumineux Disney D-Light et Illuminations. Les spectacles étaient impressionnants, notamment Disney D-Light avec des drones. Le spectacle suivant, à 22 h, quoique plus classique, était quand même très beau. J'ai apprécié qu'il y ai aussi des extraits de Star Wars sur le château, mais ça aurait été sympa s'il y en avait eu aussi avec Marvel. Dans tous les cas, j'étais en train de chanter les chansons tellement j'étais joyeux et ému.

Le lendemain nous avons eu le temps de faire des attractions sans qu'il y ai beaucoup de monde. La première était Big Thunder Mountain que nous avions déjà fait il y a six ans. Elle fait un peu peur mais elle est drôle. Située à Frontierland, sous le thème du Far West et de l'Amérique Latine, il s'agit d'un grand wagon lancé à toute vitesse dans une montagne. C'était vraiment impressionnant !

Puis nous avons eu la chance de faire l'attraction Pirates des Caraïbes que nous faisons à chaque fois, tout comme celle que nous avons fait ensuite : Buzz l'Éclair à Discoveryland. Il faut tirer dans des cibles et j'ai pris beaucoup plus de plaisir cette fois.

En sortant de l'attraction de Buzz l'Éclair, nous sommes tombés sur la Parade des 30 ans du Parc. C'était très fun et coloré. J'avais très envie de la voir, mais j'aurais aimé plus de personnages. C'était très bien quand même, avec un feu d'artifices (même si évidemment moins long que celui de la veille lors du spectacle nocturne Illuminations).

Nous avons ensuite été à Adventureland et avons mangé au Restaurant Agrabah où de la nourriture orientale est servi. C'était délicieux, et nous avons ensuite fait le Passage d'Aladdin, une attraction qui ne demande aucun temps d'attente et qui permet de revoir le film Aladdin sous forme de figurines et de statues. C'était très beau.

Avant de partir, nous avons visité le Château de la Belle Au Bois Dormant (mon film Disney préféré) et vu le château dans sa grotte, accessible depuis une boutique du château.

Enfin, nous avons pris le Railroad Train qui fait le tour du parc, et nous avions une vue incroyable sur les différents lands du parc. C'est là qu'il nous est arrivé quelque chose d'inoubliable pour ma part : la Princesse Aurore, héroïne de La Belle Au Bois Dormant, nous a salué depuis un espace que traverse le train en pleine forêt ! C'était tellement inattendu et cela m'a fait plaisir car Aurore est ma princesse préférée !

Nous sommes partis, et ce séjour fut extraordinaire.

Il y avait même des statues inédites rappelant des personnages Disney divers, et ces statues tournaient sur elles-mêmes, ce qui créait de même magnifiques effets de lumières, et aussi le soir. Je vous met quelques images pour que vous voyez de quoi je parle. J'espère que vous aurez pris du plaisir à connaître ce que j'ai vécu à Disneyland Paris et que cela vous donnera envie d'y séjourner un noir. À bientôt ! 😉

Je récapitule les personnes que nous avons pu voir ou que nous avons pu rencontrer.

Au Avengers Campus :

Carol Danvers / Captain Marvel (x 2)

Scott Lang / Ant-Man

Roi T'Challa / La Panthère Noire

Les Dora Milaje, dont Okoye (chef de la garde royale du Wakanda)

Taskmaster

Spider-Man

Sam Wilson / Captain America

Jane Foster / La Puissante Thor

Thor Odinson

Loki

Natasha Romanoff / La Veuve Noire

À Walt Disney Studios

Buzz l'Éclair

À Disneyland Paris

Winnie l'Ourson

Bourriquet

Tigrou

Pluto

Dingo

Max (le fils de Dingo)

Mary Poppins (x 2)

Bert le ramonneur (dans Mary Poppins)

les pingouins (dans Mary Poppins)

La Reine de Cœur (Alice au Pays des Merveilles)

Tweedle Dee et Tweedle Dum (du film Alice au Pays des Merveilles)

La Princesse Aurore (La Belle Au Bois Dormant)

Parade des 30 ans de Disneyland Paris :

Mickey Mouse et Minnie Mouse

Winnie l'Ourson

Tic et Tac

Clarisse (le personnage féminin qui accompagne Tic et Tac)

Peter Pan

Le Génie

Tiana (de La Princesse et la Grenouille)

Raiponce (du film Raiponce)

Woody (de la saga Toy Story)

Jessie (de la saga Toy Story)

Nicolas "Nick" Wilde et Judy Hopps (dans Zootopie)

Miguel (dans Coco)

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🇺🇲🇬🇧 ENGLISH / ANGLAIS 🇺🇲🇬🇧

I HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU #4

I have just returned from a stay at Disneyland Paris, an amusement park which is also the number one tourist destination in Europe. I went there with my family and it was a joy that I want you to enjoy by telling you what I saw there and what I liked.

It is therefore a personal article of course but that I wanted to share with you because Disney (and now its extended universe, with in particular Star Wars and Marvel, universes that I liked before it was owned by Disney).

I know not everyone is going to be interested in this article, but I wanted to post it here on Tumblr, because it's not only the only social network I'm on.

I therefore publish it so that you can have an idea of the atmosphere but above all of the pleasure that I could feel there, for, somewhere, you give the impression of having been there. Even if my goal is to share this with you, nothing beats doing it yourself: the photos/videos and stories of others are nothing compared to those that you make yourself.

You should know that I haven't been to Disneyland Paris for six years.

So I was very happy to go back there, and to discover the Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel, themed on the Marvel universe. The hotel is sublime, spacious and largely decorated with comic book posters and objects that make references to Marvel comics and films.

There was a photo booth, the Superhero Station, where it is possible to take pictures in film sets or with characters from the Marvel universe: we saw Loki and Natasha Romanoff / the Black Widow there.

The room was spacious and well decorated. The hotel's food is generous and the restaurant (all-you-can-eat buffet) in the evening is divided into several cuisines (American, Italian, Asian), decorated with works of art on the Marvel universe.

My family and I were able to do several attractions. At Walt Disney Studios is the Avengers Campus which opened in July, we tested the SpiderW.E.B. which is an interactive attraction where it is possible to earn a high score. It's about shooting spiderbots (spider robots) that have become uncontrollable.

If it requires energy and makes us participate, this attraction is very different from the other of the Avengers Campus: Flight Force. It's a thrill ride, but really very energetic!!! There are loopholes and we are upside down! Every time I do an attraction I'm afraid my glasses will fly off, but there I had to take them off, it's so fast and high!!! It was still very fun, this roller-coaster is placed under the theme of the Avengers, with the pretext of a war between the Kree and the Earth.

After lunch, we met a superhero from the Superhero Training Center attraction where it is possible to meet a character. For us, it was Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel. The cast members asked us about the Marvel universe before meeting the character. Unlike the group before that had no right answers, I impressed them because I had all the right answers even for little known characters! Otherwise, Captain Marvel was really great with us, there was a good interaction and we took many pictures.

Apart from her, we saw in the Avengers Campus two characters that I really like: Jane Foster / The Mighty Thor and Sam Wilson / Captain America! I had a chat with Jane Foster, but I didn't have time to speak with Sam Wilson who had to go elsewhere.

There were also two shows: one of the Dora Milaje, warriors of Wakanda, and another with Black Widow and Black Panther taking on Taskmaster and his allies. Spider-Man even makes an appearance!

In the evening we saw the Disney D-Light and Illuminations light shows. The shows were awesome especially Disney D-Light with drones. The next show, at 10 p.m., although more classic, was still very beautiful. I liked that there were some Star Wars clips on the castle as well, but it would have been nice if there had been some with Marvel as well. In any case, I was singing the songs, I was so happy and moved.

The next day we had time to do attractions without a lot of people. The first was Big Thunder Mountain which we had already done six years ago. It's a little scary but it is funny. Located in Frontierland, under the theme of the Far West and Latin America, it is a large wagon launched at full speed into a mountain. It was really impressive!

Then we had the chance to do the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction that we do every time, just like the one we did next: Buzz Lightyear at Discoveryland. You have to shoot at targets and I had a lot more fun this time.

Leaving the Buzz Lightyear attraction, we came across the Park's 30th Anniversary Parade. It was very fun and colorful. I really wanted to see her, but I would have liked more characters. It was very good all the same, with fireworks (even if obviously shorter than the one the day before during the Illuminations night show).

We then went to Adventureland and ate at the Agrabah Restaurant where oriental food is served. It was delicious, and then we did the Aladdin Passage, an attraction that requires no waiting time and allows you to see the Aladdin film again in the form of figurines and statues. It was really beautiful.

Before leaving, we visited the Sleeping Beauty Castle (Sleeping Beauty being my favorite Disney movie) and saw the Dragon in its cave, accessible from a castle shop.

Ultimately, we took the Railroad Train which goes around the park, and we had an incredible view of the different lands of the park. That's when something unforgettable happened to us: Princess Aurora, heroine of Sleeping Beauty, greeted us from a space that the train crosses in the middle of the forest! It was so unexpected and it made me happy because Aurore is my favorite princess!

We left and this stay was extraordinary.

There were even new statues reminiscent of various Disney characters, and these statues turned on themselves, which created the same magnificent light effects, and also in the evening. I'm posting some pictures for you to see what I'm talking about.

I hope you will have enjoyed knowing what I experienced at Disneyland Paris and that it will make you want to stay there as a black person. See you soon ! 😉

I recap the characters we were able to see or that we were able to meet.

At the Avengers Campus :

Carol Danvers / Captain Marvel (x 2)

Scott Lang / Ant-Man

King T'Challa / The Black Panther

Taskmaster

The Dora Milaje, including Okoye (Chief of Wakanda's Royal Guard)

Spider-Man

Sam Wilson / Captain America

Jane Foster / Mighty Thor

Thor Odinson

Loki

Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow

At Walt Disney Studios :

Buzz Lightyear

At Disneyland Land Paris :

Winnie the Pooh

Eeyore (from the Winnie the Pooh films)

Tigger (from the Winnie the Pooh films)

Pluto

Goofy

Max (Goofy's son)

Mary Poppins (x 2)

Bert the Chimney Sweep (from the movie Mary Poppins)

Penguins (from Mary Poppins)

Queen of Heart (Alice in Wonderland)

Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum (Alice in Wonderland)

Princess Aurora (in Sleeping Beauty)

Disneyland Paris 30th Anniversary Parade:

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse

Winnie the Pooh

Chip and Dale

Clarisse (the female character who accompanies Tic et Tac)

Alice Kingsley (Alice in Wonderland)

The Mad Hatter (Alice in Wonderland)

Peter Pan

Genie (from the Aladdin saga)

Tiana (from Princess and the Frog)

Rapunzel (from Tangled)

Woody (from the Toy Story saga)

Jessie (from the Toy Story saga)

Nicolas "Nick" Wilde and Judy Hopps (in Zootopia)

Miguel (in Coco)

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