#next to me | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

babyboiboyega · 1 year

Text

The Study Room (HBCU!Shuri x Black!F!reader)

HBCU!Shuri x black!F!reader

Word Count: 2.03k

Series Masterlist

Content: nothing but fluff, first meetings, HBCU!Shuri is a warning in and of itself, slight profanity, usage of “y/n” like…twice lmao

A/N: Oh, y’all didn’t see this coming? Me writing for Shuri? Well, here we are lmao, and I plan on writing under this tag A LOT!

As I’ve stated before, I write with the intention of my oneshots/imagines/etc being inclusive, which means no clear description of hair type/color, skin type/color, etc. A lot of my writing has to do with a female reader, but despite this, I still have a few gender neutral fics. WITH THAT BEING SAID: whatever fanfic I post with Shuri, I will alwayyyssss have a black, female reader in mind. There’s too little for us to enjoy in the world of fanfic, bc even when people say they’re inclusive, they still manage to put subtle details in their fanfic that instantly breaks the immersion for countless black, female, fanfic readers.

I will still be as inclusive as I can with any xShuri writings...but I can already tell you, there will be times where I specify a certain hair type, or a certain custom, or a certain tradition that a lot of non-black people will not relate to...and it’s alright. I have other works on my page that are inclusive enough for y’all to enjoy.

But when I write for Shuri, I write for black women. <333

ALSO, the whole concept of HBCU!Shuri was created by the lovely and oh-so-nice @vargskelegore !

If you want to see more of HBCU!Shuri, PLEASE go check their page out! They’ve done a great service for the black fanfic community <3333

You had been sitting in the same spot for the last 45 minutes; hands encompassing your head, eyebrows furrowed, and your lip caught between your teeth in frustration. The words on your screen might as well have been in a different language, as you just couldn’t understand or retain anything you read. It was beyond frustrating, especially as the upcoming exam for the class loomed over your head.

You let out a groan, covering your face with your hands. It didn’t matter that other students could see or hear you through the windows that lined the room, because at least half of them were in the same boat as you.

As you let out a sigh and pressed the heels of your palms into your eyes, trying to somehow force yourself to focus, a knock sounded on the door. It opened right as you lowered your hands, your attention going to the door and the person that walked in. Eyebrows furrowed, you readied yourself to explain how you had reserved the room for the next hour only for the words to die right on the tip of your tongue as you met the person’s eyes.

“Oh. I’m sorry…do I have the right room? This is 253, right?”

The person, who you quickly recognized as none other than Princess Shuri (just Shuri to her fellow classmates, something she was adamant about the second she stepped onto campus), pulled her phone out and checked it. Her eyebrows furrowed as she read what you assumed to be the confirmation email of her reservation, and her actions prompted you to do the same.

Still in silence, you picked up your phone from where it lay on the table, quickly pulling up your own confirmation email only to pause at the words you read. Your shoulders dropped.

“Oh, shit. Is this 253? I thought it was 256.”

“Yeah, this is 253. 256 is currently filled with a group of guys who are having a rather intense game of uno, surrounded by enough food to fill a small buffet.”

At her words, you couldn’t help dropping your head into your hands once more, letting out yet another groan. It’d be hard enough getting their attention to ask them to leave, not to mention, they’d probably leave a mess if they did leave which left you with only a few options. You continued to contemplate your next study location until you remembered that you were in the reserved room of a royal family member.

“Oh, my bad. You’re waiting for me to leave and I’m just sitting here, taking up your time. Let me grab my stuff. I am so sorry.”

A small, almost awkward laugh left your mouth as you hurried to gather your things, opting to just shove them into your bag. You hadn’t even finished before she was setting her things down on the table across from you. Your movements stopped, however, as her hand entered your vision.

“No, please. I doubt you’ll want to go in that room after they leave. You are more than welcome to stay here; I don’t have a problem sharing the room. I work quietly, I promise.”

The crooked smile on her face was enough to render you momentarily speechless as you looked at her in surprise. But then her words registered, making you shake your head.

“I couldn’t ask you to do that after already coming in here and taking over-”

Shuri waved her hand dismissively, making a tch sound. She returned to the door and shut it before walking back to the table. Her feet carried her to your side of the table, though, instead of her seat.

Her smile turned reassuring as she looked down at you, and despite the obvious height difference between your prone, sitting figure and her standing on, you didn’t feel threatened or even intimidated in the slightest. Her voice, despite being soft and almost melodic, held a teasing tone to it that made your own smile appear on your face.

“You’re not asking me to do anything; I’m offering to share this space with you. Plus…”

She stepped closer, leaning over your shoulder to peer at your computer’s screen. She let out a soft ‘mmm’, nodding her head.

“I’m also offering my help. I saw how frustrated you were before I came in, and I’m no stranger to Biophysics and Structural Biology.”

Shuri took a step back as you turned your head to look at her, her eyebrows lifting in question.

When you had woken up this morning, you never would have guessed that Shuri, the actual princess of the sovereign country of Wakanda, would be offering to share her study room and offering to basically tutor you.

You’d be a fool to say no to the opportunity.

“That would actually be really helpful,-” You paused as you thought of a way to address her, but she seemed to already notice what you were trying to figure out. The same charming, crooked smile from before appeared on her face as she stuck a hand out towards you. You couldn’t even deny the way your heart basically skipped a few beats as you took her hand.

“Shuri. Just Shuri.”

You replied with your own name in a soft, almost embarrassing and noticeably shaky voice.

She released your hand, and her smile had the nerve to grow wider as she pulled another chair closer to yours. Her body turned towards yours as she sat, and with all the familiarity that would exist between two close friends, she pulled your laptop so it was situated between the both of you.

“So, where’d you leave off?”

The rest of the hour you had originally reserved plus the hour Shuri had reserved was spent with you two speaking about the subject on your screen. At some point, your computer’s screen had faded to black while you two were occupied talking about things ranging from your favorite, and least favorite, meals in the cafe to the places you both favored around campus. It was rather easy to forget that she was literally royalty.

The conversation didn’t lull once, even after you two had packed up and stepped out of the study room. You were both so engrossed in the other that the stares directed at Shuri as you walked through the library went completely unnoticed; or maybe she noticed them but had learned how to ignore them. You certainly hadn’t noticed them.

Night had fallen while you two were inside, and with the realization of this also came the realization that you two would be parting ways. You tried your hardest to ignore the pang of disappointment as you both turned to each other, the smiles from your conversation fading into softer ones.

“Thanks again, Shuri. I feel like I actually have a chance of at least passing this exam.” You let out a soft laugh, one that she returned.

“Oh, I’m sure you’d pass without my help. You’re smart as hell, Y/N. Everyone needs help from time to time, and I have no problem offering mine.”

Her words made your smile widen, and you briefly wondered if she could tell just how much of an effect she had on you. She had to, right? You simply couldn’t believe that she was so charming and so smooth without knowing it.

“Well, I’m glad to hear that, because I’ll definitely be coming back to you. For help with…schoolwork.” The smile on your face almost turned into a grimace at your clunky words, but it relaxed as Shuri took a step forward, holding a hand out.

“Of course. I’ll be there when you need me. Let me see your phone.”

You were grateful that her attention was on your phone; that meant she couldn’t see the way your breath hitched at her words. They were still echoing in your mind as she handed your phone back to you with a smile. A quick glance at it showed that she had just put her number in your contact list along with assigning a contact picture and name that read “Shuri” with a smiling emoji.

A soft chiming sound interrupted the air around you both, and before you could question what it was, Shuri was raising her wrist up to her face.

“Ikumkani wam , do you have a moment of free time? We have some things to discuss.” A strong, female voice came from the bracelet, instantly catching your attention. It held a tone of authority and something close to a reprimand. Shuri, however, actually looked the slightest bit annoyed at the interruption.

“General, I am actually a little busy right now. I’m with a friend, but-”

Your eyes must have widened almost comically, judging by the way Shuri let out a quiet laugh. However, where she was laughing, you were internally freaking out just a little. You whisper shouted in her direction.

“That’s the general? As in…general of Wakanda’s army? Shuri, you can’t…it must be important! I can wait or text you later tonight.”

Shuri paused, looking at you with an almost unreadable expression before the General’s voice sounded out once again.

“Listen to your friend. Please. This is very important.”

With a sigh and a shake of her head, she pressed a button on the beaded bracelet that circled her wrist before turning to you and saying your name. Her eyebrows furrowed and an apologetic expression came over her face.

“I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

You were shaking your head before she had even finished speaking, quickly reassuring her.

“No, it’s totally alright, I get it. I mean…I don’t get it, because I’m not, you know.” The smile that took over her face was even more blinding than the first one she had given you earlier in the day. There was a fond look in her eyes and she began to back up, her eyes staying connected with yours.

“I’ll text you later, yeah?”

You could only nod, opting to keep your mouth shut lest the sounds of giddiness were to escape. She reciprocated your nod, gazed at you for a few more seconds, and then she was turning and walking away. You stayed in the same spot until her voice grew distant, and only when you couldn’t hear it anymore did you turn in the direction of your own dorm room, your phone clutched in your hand.

It was only when you had gotten halfway to your dorm, replaying the night's events over and over in your mind, did you realize something. She had said that she would text you, yet you were the one with her number. The realization made you quickly unlock your phone and create a new message thread.

You typed out at least 4 different starting sentences before settling on a simple “hey, its y/n. thanks again for your help”, ending it with the same emoji that sat beside her contact name.

It took you only a few minutes to get back to your dorm, and the entire time, you kept subconsciously checking your phone.

She literally has more important things to worry about, girl.

The General called. The General! Of Wakanda’s Army. She’s not studying you right now. Just go upstairs, take a shower, wash your face, and-

The chiming of your phone didn’t go unnoticed for a second before you were eagerly grabbing it. You were grateful that your roommate was staying elsewhere for the night, otherwise, she would have surely been asking question after question upon seeing how quick you were to read a message.

If she were here, she would have most definitely been curious about who was making you smile so hard to the point where your cheeks were physically hurting.

Your eyes scanned the message over and over until it was finally time for you to get ready for bed; but even as you lay in bed a while later, your eyes on their way to shutting for the night, you couldn’t help the small smile that curved your lips.

Shuri: you’re welcome. Same time tomorrow? :)

You: I’d like that, if you’re free

Shuri: for you? I am. See you tomorrow. Goodnight, y/n

You: goodnight, Shuri :)

Next Part

I hope you all enjoyed this! Please share to get this out to other black fanfic readers, and please go check out the works under the HBCU!Shuri tag; there’s some real works of art there!

stay safe, y’all!

815 notes · View notes

babyboiboyega · 1 year

Text

Next To Me Pt.15 (Shuri x Black!Fem!Reader)

Shuri x Black!Fem!Reader

Word Count: 10k

Content: profanity, a bit of angst, mentions of death and injuries...but to apologize for it, there’ll also be a moment we’ve all been waiting for. Well...one of the moments we’ve all been waiting for :)

Next To Me Masterlist

Babyboiboyega’s Marvel Masterlist

Babyboiboyega’s Masterlist of Masterlists

TAGLIST FORM

A/N: semester is overrrrrr!! Here’s part 15! So sorry for the wait, but thank you for your patience! <3 Y’all are truly the best and I’m thankful for all of yall!

I feel the need to say that Next to Me is nearing the end! We have this part, and about 4-5 more before the story is complete, and while I’m excited to get into the climax and resolution of the story, it will be bittersweet...BUT lets save all of that for like the second to last chapter or closer to the end, lmao I’m not gonna get sappy on yall now

Go and read and enjoy! <3

It had been nerve-wracking finding your way through the hallways to the training room the next morning. With your head pounding, a result of lack of sleep the night before, and your body sore, you had found it hard to remember the way to Shuri's lab and the training room that resided in it. It hadn't helped that you were also constantly looking over your shoulder and peeking around corners, always looking for the gold armor that differentiated Okoye from the rest of the Dora Milaje. What had helped was the kimoyo bracelet on your wrist and the AI that was automatically programmed into it.

"Griot, could you direct me to the training room?"

The AI had started off with your last name, and it was only slightly surprising to hear a hint of hesitation in his words.

"Perhaps it would be wiser to stay in and rest this morning, as the General and the Queen requested?"

Your eyes had rolled upward toward the ceiling as if that was where the AI resided. A sigh had left your mouth, tinged with a bit of fatigue and a bit more annoyance brought on by that fatigue.

It was easier to let the annoyance fester instead of confronting the real reason behind why you hadn't been able to go to sleep. At least until you could work it out, literally.

"I don't think they requested it. I think it was more of a recommendation."

If he could've, you were sure Griot would have sighed at your attempt to skirt around the truth behind his words. Nevertheless, you had asked him a question…and he had been given a directive: grant you whatever you needed.

"Very well. Take this left-"

The thoughts that you had managed to keep at bay on the walk over to the lab now poked and prodded at your mind. Each strike against the barrier you had created only resulted in you swinging your staff harder against the dummy you had dragged from the side of the room. Every hit resonated through your arms, making the littered bruises throb, yet it only spurred you on.

There was one thing that had managed to slip through the cracks of the vulnerable and hastily built wall in your mind, and quite ironically, it was the one thing you were trying to escape.

While the minute details of the nightmare had escaped your mind, the words and feelings that it had evoked still remained fresh and visceral in your entire being. It was easy to remember when it was a reliving of the events that had taken place only hours before, except with a twist that your terrified mind had felt the need to add.

Being surrounded by fire just as vivid and scorching as it had been in the Mining Province made it hard to differentiate your surroundings from reality and dreamscape. Hard, but not impossible. It helps that the clearing is void of people; a difference that you quickly notice, and a difference that you used to convince yourself it wasn't real.

Despite the small part of your subconscious that was aware of its surroundings, you still couldn't help looking around. There was a hazy edge around your vision, pitching everything in dull colors that waned back and forth. The sounds you managed to make out sounded like they were filtered through a tunnel, but there was something floating just on top of the faint sound. It sounded garbled…desperate…in need of help. The sound alone made a gaping hole of dread open wide in the pit of your stomach.

It isn't until you turn to the alley where the explosion had taken place did you notice where the noise was coming from, and it made your lips part on a silent gasp. You stumble back at the sight of that familiar black, gold, and silver suit sprawled haphazardly across the ground.

From where you stand, you can see that something is wrong. Her chest rises and falls too slowly, each breath being punctuated with a horrific gurgling noise as if it's a struggle to draw each one in. Fear paralyzes your body, icy and all-consuming as it numbs every one of your limbs.

You pray to anyone that's listening that they'll wake you up from this nightmare that's seemed to target the one fear you had been close to living out the night before.

Your lips move soundlessly in a failed attempt to convince yourself to wake up, but that all stops once her hand raises toward you. It isn't hard to see the way her lips shape your name, choking on the breath that she is able to draw in. You don't hesitate in dropping to your knees in front of her.

The material of her suit is rough against your hands when you clutch at it, and the weakness in her fingers is startling enough for you to tighten yours enough for the both of you. It prompts you to pull her hand up, raising it so that you can press it against your cheek, and your terror-addled mind is cruel enough to make her gloved hand icy as it lands on your heated skin.

"Shuri, look at me. You're gonna be okay-"

Your voice is unfamiliar, the level of desperation so foreign even to your own ears that it's hard to place yourself in the moment. Yet it's now harder to convince yourself that this isn't real.

Her eyes find yours and the light of the fire only shows how glassy and unfocused hers have become. It's a telltale sign of something you didn't even want to think about, even in a dream, but as her hand becomes heavier in yours, it's hard to keep your thoughts from steering in that direction.

"No, no, no, you stay with me. We're gonna get you help- you'll be okay, Shuri. Please-"

The tears that roll down your face feel too real, yet you don't bother wiping them away; there's no use, as you know that they'll be replaced by more should you do so.

The same pleas fall from your lips, anguished and increasing in volume until your voice grows hoarse. Your hands gather her motionless and limp body in your arms until you're drawing her up against your chest. You don't care about the soot and blood that stains your clothes, too afraid to think about who it belongs to; you don't care about how much your arms shake as you try to find enough purchase on her suit, wanting to pull her closer until you're able to breathe some of your life into her. But you're unable to, and the realization makes a cry leave your mouth as you lower your head to rest against hers.

You can't think of a single thing other than the heaviness of Shuri's body in your arms. But then the flames of the fire that lick against your skin turn from heat to soft caresses. The cold hand that you grasp out of desperation and anguish turns warm, returning your grip and squeezing firmly in a promise not to let go.

The echo of your pleas that torment you over and over again is replaced with a soft voice- a familiar voice. It reassures you that you're safe, and the familiarity of it slows your racing heart; quells the fears that had arisen in you; loosens your lips to let the one thing you had been longing to say for an indecipherable amount of time slip out.

"I love you…Shuri…stay with me-please-"

It's the realization that the hand holding yours feels…too real. The hand stroking your cheek is too warm to be a figment of your imagination. And then the feeling of relief and shock at your own words rouses you enough for you to latch onto the edges of your consciousness and let it pull you out of the nightmare to…

Nothing.

You hadn't been surrounded by fire; in fact, a cold chill had swept over your skin as you sat up, your bleary eyes looking at every corner of the room. There wasn't ash coating the inside of your mouth, only the traces of the toothpaste you had used before going to bed.

But the thing that had hurt the most was the fact that no one else had been there. She hadn't been there, no matter how real her touch had felt on your skin. She hadn't been there to hear the words that you'd had to rein into the deepest parts of you, guarded by a fear of rejection and pain at being alone.

She hadn't been there when you had curled in on yourself, letting your cries steal every breath that you would have willingly used to profess your love for her if only she had been there.

“Shit-!”

The only thing that was able to break you free of the nightmare's current hold on you was the jarring and quite painful feeling of your staff knocking into your cheekbone. It clattered to the floor with a sound that increased your headache, now emboldened by the flaring pain in your face. It rolled to a stop, making way for the sounds of your labored breathing and the soft curses that still fell from your lips. But they fell short at the sound of the training room's door opening and closing. Instead, a heavy, accepting sigh swept through you with the anticipation of looking up and facing an angry Okoye whose "recommendation" you had pushed to the side and ignored. Especially when your direct ignorance of her words had subsequently resulted in a knot undoubtedly forming right on your cheekbone.

"Look, I know you said no training, Okoye, but I couldn't just sit there all morning-"

Your words choked off at the sight of who had actually walked in, and it wasn't the golden armor-clad General of the Wakandan armies; instead, it was the one person who had starred in the nightmare that still had an effect on your entire being.

"I honestly shouldn't have expected you to sit in your room all morning."

There was no malice or tension in Shuri's voice, but it was slightly hesitant. That hesitance was also shown in the way she stood at the door of the training room, her arms by her sides and her fingers drumming against her leg.

Her presence sent streaks of relief and a contrasting apprehension through your chest, causing your breaths to slow down and hitch slightly. Your eyes focused on her figure, taking in every bit of her. You started at the tips of her curls that were slightly wet, presumably from her fixing them up this morning; then came her dark blue, denim, button-down shirt paired with a pair of black biker shorts; and finally, your eyes landed on the shoes that she had undoubtedly designed, the futuristic style being too unique to be sold in regular stores.

The warmth and color of her cheeks eased a part of you that still remembered the ashen and pallid color she had been in the nightmare, as did the steady rising and falling of her chest. You had no idea how long you had been taking in every sign that she was okay and in front of you, but it had been long enough for her to cross the room and stop in front of you. Her proximity shrouded you in her signature scent: amber and another calming husk that you only associated with her. You had just taken a deep breath in, drawing it further into your lungs and letting it calm your racing heart when she spoke, her voice still hesitant but now firm with worry.

"Are you okay?"

It was such a simple question, but you found it almost absurdly difficult to answer. The pain blossoming across your cheek was almost forgotten as you wracked your brain for an answer. Any answer would be easier to give than the truth.

The mere thought of answering her question truthfully almost stopped your heart, as dramatic as it sounded. Or maybe your heart was just beating so fast that you could no longer feel it. Regardless of what was going on, you knew it would only increase if you were to answer her question with the words that were both true and desperate as they raced through your mind.

Seeing you run headfirst into danger scared me so bad that I had a nightmare about losing you and it literally ripped me apart because at the same time, I came to the realization that I just may be in love with you though I don't know if you need or want to hear that now because you have more important things to worry about, but those things that you're worrying about are also dangerous enough to take you from me and if that happens I literally won't know what to do with myself because every breath hurts when you're not there-

"Yeah, I just got distracted," is what fell from your mouth instead, each shaking under the guise of being unsteady due to your pain.

Her eyes focused on where your hand pressed against your cheekbone, worry shining bright in them as her eyebrows furrowed. One of her hands twitched towards you, and it didn't go unnoticed. The small action had you questioning what kind of reaction her touch would evoke out of you; would you cave into the pressure of laying your truth out for her to see- raw and slightly painful in all of its glory, not caring about the consequences that followed? Or would you only be reminded that her touch could only translate to one of friendliness and not the longing that lay in every thought of yours that revolved around her.

"…I'm trying hard not to tell you 'I told you so' right now. Though if Okoye were here, she'd definitely tell you 'I told you so'."

Despite the reminder of your last conversation, one that had grown slightly heated, and one that had almost ended in you professing yourself to her, her tone was light and the slightest hint of a laugh floated amongst her words.

"I know she would. And she'd do it while beating my ass."

There had been an expectation of tension when you had woken up, at least between the two of you. It was partly why you had promptly made your way to the training room, wanting some kind of release that didn't involve sitting in bed and dwelling on the conversation and the nightmare that had followed. You didn't want tension.

It hadn't been that long since you two had semi-made up after the first argument, and the thought of another argument increasing the distance between the two of you made you nervous.

So when the corners of her mouth lifted in a small smile, the relief that flowed through you made your lips curl slightly; though pain twinged through your cheek as soon as it raised, making you wince slightly.

The irony between the two of you walking on eggshells around each other was that it was impossible for the small things to go unnoticed by either of you, and as much was proven when her smile faded as she watched you wince.

As much had already been proven when Shuri noticed how your answer was hesitant…and not telling the entire truth. You said you were distracted, which wouldn't be surprising, especially when she knew of what you had gone through the night before; but she also knew that your words hadn't been the ones that were really going through your mind. Despite having this knowledge, she didn't push you to reveal the truth; instead, she bent down to pick up your staff, collapsing it before waving for you to follow her.

"Here, I have something that can help you in the lab. Come."

It could've been the resoluteness in her voice that made you follow her without a second thought; or maybe you were holding onto the brief moment of ease that had just transpired between you two, not wanting it to end. Either way, there wasn't an ounce of hesitation in you as you followed her out of the training room. She stopped briefly at one of the work tables, reaching into one of its many compartments and pulling an object out before again motioning for you to join her.

She lead you to an unfamiliar staircase; one that spiraled slightly and was lined with soft, white lights on the underside of each step. One of your hands trailed the length of the railing that followed the stair's path while the other continued to poke and prod at the bruise undoubtedly forming on your cheek.

"Stop touching it." She lightly chastised you, her eyes glancing at you over her shoulder right as she neared the top of the stairs. The teasing in her eyes contrasted slightly with the worry coating her words, but it was easy for you to interpret both as being lighthearted in nature.

"But it hurts."

"So, stop touching it."

A glass door slid open as the two of you approached the lone room sitting below the rest of the lab. It whirred gently as it opened, and it whirred gently as it closed behind you. Instantly, your eyes were roaming over what you would call her 'office' of sorts, taking in every detail it had to offer. While it wasn't that much different from the lab above you, it certainly held a more personal air.

Her lab was her element; the place where she worked as both scientist and queen, overseeing the projects the royal scientists had come up with or were assigned. But here, you had no doubt that this was where she could just be Shuri: a young scientist who could work without feeling as if every eye was watching her move and judging her work on whether or not it could prevent another attack on Wakanda.

The personal touches included the two, comfortable-looking armchairs, both of which sat in front of a matching black desk that had various tools spread on top of it. Not only were there tools but there were also a number of random items that humanized the surrounding space. There were a few rings that she quickly picked up and slid onto her fingers before flexing them.

There was a jacket thrown around the chair that sat behind the desk, and then there was another jacket on the cushion of one of the armchairs, seemingly forgotten about and replaced by the other. But every single item that one would deem 'messy' or 'out of place' was just the opposite: it was methodically placed.

While Shuri was a person who liked to have at least some sense of order, that usually meant more of a chaotic order. Each item was placed strategically and in a way that ensured Shuri remembered where it was; so even when you felt tempted to touch one of the objects, wanting to see what it was, you kept your hands to yourself.

Instead, you made yourself comfortable in one of the armchairs for whatever Shuri was getting ready to do. Your hand raised, getting ready to once again skim over the swollen skin, but was quickly stopped by another gently grasping it. Your attention quickly snapped up to look at Shuri, your sheepish look in response to her look of reprimand. The corners of her lips lifted into a small smile at the confusion on your face.

"It's just an ice pack. To help with the swelling."

She spoke as a doctor would speak to their patient before sticking a needle into them, and in response, you scowled slightly. Instead of giving her another chance to be a smartass, you took the ice pack from her before pressing it to your cheek. The flinch that went through your body was a result of the startling cold-

A cold, limp hand pressed against your cheek. Your hoarse and pain-filled voice calling for her to just wake up, that you love and need her-

The flashback made your heart race slightly, and your fingers closed tighter around the gel ice pack. The cold stung your fingers slightly, but it worked at keeping you grounded and distracted from the reminder of the eerie feeling. But while it kept the flashbacks away for the time being, it didn't stop your mind from dwelling on the concept of the nightmare that you had been running away from since waking up in the middle of the night.

Would there ever be an appropriate time for you to tell Shuri about it? Would you ever consider telling her in the first place? It wasn't the fear of being judged by her for having a nightmare- after all, it hadn't been that long ago when she had laid beside you in your bed, seeking comfort for a nightmare she'd had; a comfort that you had been all too willing and ready to give.

Was it right to expect that same comfort from Shuri? Was it appropriate to long for the feeling of her arms around you, tight enough to pull you together when you felt the opposite, gentle enough to remind you that you were safe in her embrace-

"You're not even holding the pack in the right place. Here-"

The sudden, but feathery light touch you suddenly felt under your chin was effective in bringing you out of your own head and into the current moment, only for said moment to make your heart clench.

While in your thoughts, Shuri had at some point taken a step closer until she stood right in front of your seated figure. She had bent slightly at the knees to sit on the edge of her desk, though the upper part of her body leaned towards you. Her eyes were hooded with furrowed eyebrows, worry slightly twisting her facial features, but they were focused on you. And her hands…the hands that had felt cold and had only signified death and agony in your nightmare were warm as one rested on top of your hand with the gel ice pack, the other gently landing under your chin and tilting your face up.

The reassurance in her gaze almost…almost made the words that were stuck in your throat spring forth. Her touch alone sent a shiver down your spine, but not of nervousness or caution. The only thing you could feel was a warmth that quickly turned to fire that spread across your skin as her thumb rubbed against your cheek.

You couldn't question her touch because it felt so right. It felt natural, as did the feeling spearing you right through your chest.

"What are you thinking about?"

While her words were genuine in their worry, she made sure to insert a tone of lightness into them, presumably in an attempt to ease you into answering her question. It had its desired effect, though not entirely. While the words were right there, just on the tip of your tongue, you found it difficult to actually speak them into the space between the two of you. Telling her about your nightmare and possibly the feelings it evoked would without a doubt change something between you two; you were just too nervous to think about the different ways you two could change.

While you worked up the courage to tell her the truth, she took your silence as apprehension. You could feel it in the way her hands began retreating and the look of disappointment mixed with understanding that softened her features.

"Of course, you don't have to tell me. You spaced out a bit, had me a little worried-"

"I had a nightmare."

You shook your head at the feebleness in your voice, your eyebrows furrowing and a slightly irritated sigh leaving your mouth. Despite your movements, Shuri's hand didn't move…not that you wanted it to. If anything, your words made her grip tighten slightly where it gently grabbed your chin. Her eyebrows furrowed more and her mouth opened, but you continued before she could speak.

"I had a nightmare, and it involved you. Or what happened last night. But I'm fine."

There was a flicker of something in her eyes before they returned to their attentiveness, her head nodding for you to continue. She shifted, quickly pushing off of the desk and stepping closer so that her arms weren't stretched awkwardly between the two of you. You left your hand where it was, knowing that should you drop it, you'd only end up fidgeting. Besides, you didn't mind having the warmth of her hand seep into yours on top of the ice pack.

"Well, you may be fine, but I'd still like to hear what happened."

More like she was pleading for you to tell her what had happened. Shuri was under the impression that hearing the exact details of what had happened in your dream could open up a dialogue between the two of you- one that had the potential to fix things between the two of you while also improving them. She wasn't expecting for you to say the words you had unknowingly confessed to her the night before, but she'd allow herself to hope for something that alluded to your true feelings.

But the more she watched you, the more apparent it became that she'd have to reassure you more if she wanted to hear anything remotely close to those words.

"You remember when you were there for me when I had that nightmare?" She spoke softly, her thumb not stopping its motions against your skin, "You were there for me when I needed someone. Let me be here for you. I want to listen."

Her words were coated with sincerity and a passion that clouded your mind in all of the right ways. It effectively chipped away at your apprehension until, finally, you were letting out a soft sigh and speaking.

"You were hurt. You were hurt, Shuri, and there was nothing I could do about it." Speaking about it made the flashbacks even more vivid, but Shuri's presence and touch made it slightly easier to confront. The deep breath you took was an attempt to keep your voice steady as you continued, focusing on the warmth from her fingers that rested against your skin.

"I could only sit there and ask you to hang on- I mean, what else could I do? I asked, begged, you to hang on and not leave me, but in the end, you-"

A quick breath cut off your words, though it not only came from your mouth but from Shuri's as well. The sound had you opening your eyes, and they instantly connected with hers. If her troubled eyes were anything to go by, she could feel the remnants of fear still radiating off your body; but something else in them admittedly made you pause. While there was the expected sympathy and worry, there was also what you could only describe as a sense of understanding that you two could share.

It didn't make it any easier to finish your sentence, your words practically bordering on a whisper.

"I couldn't save you, no matter how hard I tried or how much I wanted to. I was so…scared. And it didn't matter how badly I wanted to wake up, all I could see was you laying there. The only thing that could wake me up was-"

-The realization that the hand holding yours feels…too real. The hand stroking your cheek is too warm to be a figment of your imagination.

And now it was the realization that the hand holding yours felt exactly the same, as did the hand holding your chin and stroking your cheek. It almost made you pull away out of surprise, but the firm grip she had on you, both physically and emotionally, stopped you. Instead, you could only look up at her, lips parted as words you'd been holding in all night made themselves known.

"The only thing that could wake me up was the reminder that you were still alive and okay. But then it just made me think about what would have happened if you weren't here- do you know what I would do, Shuri?"

Without thinking, your other hand raised, latching onto her wrist and squeezing it slightly. You wanted her to hear you, not just listen. You wanted your words to reach every logical part of her brain until they were seared into it because you meant them with every fiber of your being. There was the smallest hint of anger behind your words, but it masked itself as passion.

"I would not know what to do with myself. I wouldn't be able to stay here in Wakanda, because everywhere I look, you're there. I'd be miserable at school because everywhere I look, you're there. It's you, Shuri.

"Do you know what went through my mind watching you run right towards that bomb- when it went off and I didn't know if you were fine or not? I almost lost it right then and there. And I know you're going to say that you're the Black Panther and that you have to do what you have to do, but my god, I was so angry at you. I kind of still am." A humorless laugh fell from your lips as your head shook, and it made a sheepish smile appear on Shuri's face.

"But I understand why you did it." And it was true; you did understand. It took you a few hours of thinking about it, but you eventually understood that not only was it her duty as Wakanda's protector to do exactly that, protect, but it was who she was as a person. You remembered the love and adoration in her eyes as she watched her people gather and celebrate at the festival, and it wasn't hard to guess that she'd do anything to ensure their safety.

"It scares me…but I understand."

You tried giving her a small smile, but it came across more as a grimace than anything. But it only faded as Shuri froze at your words, her eyebrows furrowing more if it were even possible. At her silence, your mind immediately began to backtrack. You hadn't said the three words that continued gaining momentum the longer you were around her, but you had alluded to the effect she had on you. How her safety was constantly a source of your anger, passion, and fear.

But her silence made you second guess whether it had been right to reveal these feelings. The silence was filled with tension, and it only continued to grow as her eyes flitted around your face, something indistinguishable in them. Her hold on remained, even when you begin to pull away slightly, your eyes leaving her face and desperately looking for something else to focus on.

Maybe it was time for damage control, the very last thing you wanted to do in this conversation; but when the only sounds in the room were that of your breathing and hers, it only felt right. You'd deal with the hurt that would undoubtedly wash over you later.

"Uh, but yeah, that's it. I understand. T-that's all I had to say. And honestly? I'm feeling like I shouldn't have said anything in the first place." Or even follow her into her office.

But you had followed her into her office, and you had told her at least a sliver of your true thoughts, and so far, you were only receiving silence in return. Silence had the ability to hold a multitude of feelings and thoughts, each one as unknown as the one before; being on the other side of a silence created by someone else was not a good feeling, so it was no surprise when your fight or flight kicked in almost instantly.

Shuri took a step back as you suddenly stood, both of her hands dropping from how quickly you moved. It was unclear whether her actions stemmed from her still being in a state of surprise, or if she thought it best to disconnect them from your skin; it didn't matter, because you were too busy planning your escape to spare a thought about it.

"I think I'm gonna go back to training. Yeah."

"No, wait- I'm sorry, I just don't-"

You reached around her and placed the ice pack on her desk, all the while refraining from meeting her eyes once again. As you reached for your collapsed staff that she had placed on the desk, her hand shot out, gently latching onto your wrist. It only prompted you to raise your other hand, going to uncurl her fingers from where they held you.

"It's fine, Shuri. I shouldn't have said anything- you got more important things to worry about than a damn nightmare, and my…and my fuckin' feelings-"

"Your feelings are important, Y/N, I want to hear them-”

"-I should probably just go back to training- in fact, that's exactly what Imma do-"

You were finally able to uncurl her fingers, though they offered little to no resistance against you. However, one second, she was letting go of your wrist, and the next, her hands were gently cradling your face between them. She moved with the speed that only someone who had taken the heart-shaped herb could possess, and before you could even take another breath tinged with surprise and nerves, she was pulling you forward.

The surge of electricity you usually felt with her touch was absolutely nothing compared to the feeling of her lips pressing against yours. There were no words to describe it. You could only bask in the feeling and the realization that Shuri could control your body with just her touch alone.

Her body pressed against yours, effectively trapping you against her desk, yet it didn't stop her from stepping more into your space. When you stumbled back into her desk she only followed, forcing you to sit on the very edge of it; and when that still wasn't close enough for her, she snaked a hand around the back of your neck and pulled you closer. She was a line of heat against you, and once your shock wore off, you reveled in it.

You reveled in the feeling of her lips hesitantly moving against yours; firm enough to get her sincerity and affection across, but hesitant enough to show you that just maybe she was as nervous about this as you were. But almost ironically, once you felt her lips against yours, the nerves you'd had dissipated. You both came to the realization that the other wanted this just as badly, and that was all you needed for the kiss to grow desperate.

It wasn't the softest kiss. Your noses knocked into each other's and your teeth lightly scraped each other's lip occasionally, but the passion was there. Your hands alternated between pulling her closer by her shirt and snaking around her body to press it closer to yours, trying your hardest to connect with hers at any point you could reach. The feeling of her hips pushing into yours elicited an almost sinful moan to leave your mouth, the sound enough to send a shiver down Shuri’s spine that you could feel.

The feelings that you had been afraid to confess verbally were now confessing themselves upon Shuri's lips, and you had no quarrels with it.

The same could be said for Shuri, yet no matter how close she pulled you, it still wasn't close enough. Not for her. Not when she had faced the very real possibility of losing you only the night before. She was desperate to show you the feelings that she had already admitted to herself, and the feelings that were sure to grow as she willingly spent an indefinite amount of time by your side as she planned.

A hoarse groan sounded in the base of her throat as she frantically lowered her hands to your waist, all the while, keeping her lips on yours. You felt them the second they moved, but just as you were about to push off of the desk to press against her, she effortlessly hoisted you further onto the desk. The soft gasp that escaped you gave her the perfect opportunity to slip her tongue past your parted lips, and the moan that resonated from you would've been embarrassing had your mind not been completely consumed by her touch.

Her answering groan gave you the confidence to raise a hand and grab at the button-down she wore, using the fabric to pull her closer and right into the open space between your legs. Her hands left a blazing trail of heat, starting from your waist to the shape of your hips, and landing on the thickest part of your thighs before squeezing. The action threatened the last bit of sanity you were holding onto.

She tasted of something completely different from her signature scent, but it was all the more alluring. You wanted to inhale every breath she offered, breathing it into your lungs as if it gave you life itself, but the closest thing you could get to it was letting your tongue explore the softness of her mouth..though the action greatly threatened to snap the band of restraint holding Shuri back.

Bast, if she could, she’d swipe all of the contents off of her desk and lay you down on top of it. She’d take every repressed feeling of hers and show exactly how desperate they had made her for the feeling of you against her. She wanted you in every way possible- romantic, lustful, genuinely, and wholeheartedly. But…but she had been waiting for this moment. She could wait for that moment…

It’d be hard as hell to wait, but she would.

You had been waiting for this moment since your feelings had begun to bud for her. You were perfectly content staying in the little bubble that had enveloped the two of you; at this moment, the two of you weren't looking for cultists who worshiped Shuri but despised you for simply being connected to her.

The two of you weren't in Wakanda's royal palace, let alone Wakanda, because it was the safest place for you; you two were there to enjoy each others' company in any way that you would see fit.

You'd happily spend every last breath you had in the moment, and as much was obvious at your noise of protest as she pulled away only slightly to lean her forehead against yours. You panted against her skin, your breath fanning across the planes of her face as you worked on catching it. It made you grin to see that your touch caused her to have a similar reaction, and at the sight of it, her slightly swollen lips lifted into a grin. Her breath puffed slightly against your skin as she spoke, her words whispered but fierce, nonetheless. Your name left her lips as a gasp.

"I only saw you. I only saw you in danger- that's why I did what I did. Wakanda has multiple armies that can protect it; you have me, and I plan on doing anything I need to in order to keep you safe."

Her eyes were half-lidded as they regarded you, and yours were the same. Your breathing mingled with hers in the limited amount of space between you, and as her tongue darted out to lick her lips, you found yourself wanting to surge forward to connect them once again. You had a feeling that you'd never get tired of the taste and feel of her against you, and you'd never get enough. Her words only strengthened that desire within you.

"I protect Wakanda as her Queen and the Black Panther. But I protect you as one would protect the person who holds their heart."

If you were standing, her words would have surely made your knees go weak. Your eyes widened, and your lips parted slightly in a gasp.

Her words coated every nerve ending in your body, alighting each of them on fire that warmed you from the inside out. They were better than what you had dreamed of her saying and in more ways than one.

"Shuri…" In any other circumstance, and in front of anyone else, you would have been embarrassed about the breathlessness in your voice; but you couldn't find it in yourself to care how you sounded.

"It isn't worth it…" She started to pull back at your words, her eyebrows furrowed and her eyes questioning, but you didn't let her get far. Instead, you tightened your hold on the fabric of her shirt while leaning forward, your forehead meeting taking its place against hers once again.

"It isn't worth it when you're putting yourself in that much danger. I could be safe, but if you aren't here beside me, it isn't worth it. I think you underestimate how much I-…How much I care about you and your safety, Shuri."

For the second time, something flashed across her eyes. You could chalk it up to her being just as affected by your touch as you were by hers, but there was something almost knowing about it. There was the smallest part of your mind that entertained the thought that maybe she had an idea of what you really wanted to say, but you had gotten this far with her. You didn't want to say anything to ruin something that had gone well between the two of you.

"Usana, your safety will always be worth it to me. Always. There's nothing you can change about that." At the slightest indication that you were about to argue, she quickly continued, squeezing your thighs again as a way to stop your words.

"But maybe we can come to…I don't know, an agreement of some kind?" Her small laugh made your own grin appear despite the seriousness of the topic you two were currently discussing.

"An agreement? Like we're trading goods and services?" Her chuckle was a little louder this time as her head shook in response to your teaching.

She pulled back, her eyes looking down at you while she blindly reached for the ice pack you had set down. Once her hand closed around it, she raised it, pressing it to your cheekbone. The look on her face had turned teasing as she slid her free hand higher up your thigh, making your breath hitch. The sight of her grin growing made your breath hitch, and you didn't bother hiding it. You definitely couldn't hide the way your thighs went to close only to be stopped by her body. There was no point; there was next to nothing you could hide from her.

"Alright, alright. An agreement as in I'll try to be more careful and I'll try to stop running towards live bombs if you promise to put your safety first when I'm not there."

"Mm…I can agree to those terms. But I should let you know, the second you run towards another bomb, Imma be right there behind you." The smile that took over her face was fucking blinding, and it was a sight that you had been longing to see since the night of the festival. You knew the hitch in your breathing didn't go unnoticed, but you didn't care one bit; you were too focused on the way her head slightly tilted back, her laugh echoing through her office.

"No, I don't think so-"

"Oh, Imma be there. A lot slower and a lot clumsier, but still. You're not getting rid of me anytime soon."

While the smile remained on her face, the corners of it softened slightly as she lowered her head. The sensation of her forehead against yours was quickly becoming familiar in every sense of the word. How long would you be able to go without the sensation if she had to leave?

It didn't help in the slightest when her eyes closed, her nose bumping against yours and her lips grazing yours slightly as she spoke.

"I wouldn't dream of it, usana."

*********

Irony could be used to both ruin and improve one's day and existence, and it seemed that the universe had taken a break from showing you the former use. At least for the time being. But you'd take every second of peace and affection you could get, especially when it came to Shuri's presence.

It didn't matter if that peace was being threatened with the arrival of Okoye and Eza, for their arrival signified that it was time to discuss and theorize more about the events of last night and the events that had led up to it all. But as cheesy as it sounded, as long as Shuri was there, it'd make it a little easier to get through it all. Especially if she was set on standing so close to you that you could feel her body heat seeping into the side of your clothing.

The air surrounding the two of you had drastically changed, and for two incredibly observant and intelligent women like Eza and Okoye, it was easy to guess why. To be completely honest, they had felt the change as soon as they had stepped into the lab, and it surely helped when the two of you had sprung apart, your eyes wide and your breathing slightly heavier than normal as they entered. Your hand had raised, landing on your lips that still tingled from the multiple kisses Shuri had placed on them only seconds before they walked in, and your eyes had averted away from them and to Shuri, who only sported a small, knowing smile. There had been a glimmer in her eye, one of mischief and confidence as she looked back at you, closing the gap that you had instinctually put between the two of you.

And she had yet to move from that spot since then, even as you all delved into a conversation that was inevitable and more than a little nerve-wracking. The constant brushing of her arm against yours was a little reminder of her presence. "Every single person we apprehended had the same symbol as Ose Iraba…and every single one of them refuses to say anything about where they meet, who their leader is, where they operate out of," The frustration is clear and unwavering in Okoye's voice. One of her hands wave around, her motions agitated and matching the tone of her words, "They live their life with the sole purpose of making sure their… 'religion' is not exposed in any way."

"They don't want their religion exposed, yet they're planning attacks on villages and killing innocent civilians?"

Your voice is incredulous, showcasing the disbelief as clear as day for the rest of them to hear. It doesn't make sense to you.

For a cult that valued secrecy, they sure were hellbent on making sure they were known, albeit, infamously. It only made you question exactly how far they were willing to go to achieve their final goal; the one that involved them forcing their religion and their beliefs on every willing and unwilling person alike.

If they truly thought that they could accomplish their mission in a country as fortified and armed as Wakanda, they were truly delusional and dangerous beyond all logic.

"Their actions aren't exactly sensible, we've seen that. They seem to be grasping at straws and doing whatever they can to forcibly recruit followers while also having enough sense to place the blame on Salvation of Order. The problem that we now have is they know we're onto them."

"Okoye's right. If they didn't know after we apprehended Iraba, then they'll definitely know now. We've got about a dozen of them in cells- word is undoubtedly spreading amongst them."

You had the resist the strong urge to punch the air at yet another damn obstacle popping up and you were willing to bet that it wouldn't be the last. Your suspicions were only confirmed when a thought popped into your mind, your eyes widening slightly at the ramifications of it.

"And if they know we're onto them, they'll want to hurry up and complete their plan…that we don't know a damn thing about."

There was a collective sigh of disappointment and frustration that swept through the lab at your words; it was so disheartening that you immediately felt the need to apologize, even though you had spoken the truth. Eza sat heavily on a stool, one of her hands raising to rub at her forehead as she grimaced slightly.

"I can keep trying with those we apprehended, but it isn't looking good." She started, shrugging lightly and looking between the three of you. "What I've gathered so far is that they love talking about the importance of their mission, but never what makes it important. Of course, we know that they want to convert the world to their religion, starting with Wakanda, but there's something we're missing. They have a final plan, that much is clear. But they're damn good at hiding any details to it."

"Even then, someone's had to have heard something. There's always a big mouth in a group, even a cult. If we just found someone who's had interactions with the cult then we could-"

A silence descended over the lab as you paused, your eyebrows furrowing momentarily. Your thoughts were running on nothing but desperation for a solution of some kind, and as much was evident in the outlandish, yet possible, solution that started to form.

You met all of their gazes, your expression blank as you came up with questions and answered them yourself before proposing them to the rest of the group. It was worth a shot…right? There was only one way to find out. But there were still a lot of questions and logistics you couldn't figure out. There were even more risks, and those were just the ones you could think about. Okoye would undoubtedly have more, as the plan would involve a level of strategy and skill that you did not possess.

The sound of your name being spoken softly broke you out of your reverie, your eyes immediately looking over at Shuri. You couldn't recall if she had been the one to call you or not, but judging by the slightly worried look on her face, she had noticed your state of distraction.

"What about Nondri?"

At their various levels of confusion being directed towards you, a deep sigh left your mouth. You straightened, bracing yourself for the reactions you would receive before telling them of the plan that had spontaneously popped up in your mind.

Nondri was the only person you all had access to who'd had multiple conversations with a member of the cult; given, they were against her will, unfortunately, and were usually filled with threats and directives…but she'd had more conversations with them than you all had. She had more of a chance of finding something out than any of you, simply because of her circumstances.

What you proposed involved…well, it was essentially sending Nondri undercover. She would use her means of communication to reach out to someone under the guise of wanting to finally join the cult. It wasn't as far-fetched as you thought it to be, especially since she had been threatened numerous times by the cult; to anyone, it made sense that she'd want to join the cult in order to keep her and her family safe.

The implications of your idea seemed to dawn on all of them at the same time, yet they had different reactions.

Eza's head tilted, her eyebrows furrowing in contemplation. It was clear that she was pondering the possibilities of the plan you were proposing…but less could be said for Okoye.

"You want to send a civilian into the field to infiltrate an incredibly dangerous and unstable cult?"

There was an unsurprising amount of exasperation and disbelief in her voice, but admittedly, the intensity behind the two emotions made you falter just slightly. Maybe you underestimated just how desperate you all were. Or maybe you overestimated just how logical this plan was.

"Well, when you put it like that-"

"Not only that, but it's the same cult that has threatened her and her family? The same cult that has threatened you? Threatened Shuri?"

To those who didn't know Okoye in the slightest, it would be easy to guess that her reaction stemmed from the tactical errors that surely riddled your plan; after all, you were no tactical mastermind or a General like her; but you knew the real reason behind her reaction.

You were smart enough to notice and acknowledge the risk factor that came with the plan, but your thoughts and opinions were only filtered through your mind- one that had nowhere near the level of education or skill level of Okoye's. She possessed the mind of a General in every sense of the word, which meant her mind was undoubtedly running through every risk and every consequence she could possibly think of. And if they were causing her to react this strongly, then just maybe you should've kept your thoughts to yourself.

"Okoye, I get that, but how else can we get answers? I don't know a lot about Wakanda, but I know that you all aren't too keen on torturing the answer out of any of the cult members. The quickest way we can get those answers is being on the inside of their operation- and the only person who has any chance of doing that is Nondri."

A quick glance showed that while Shuri hadn't said anything yet, her eyebrows were furrowed as she presumably thought of the ramifications of the plan. Yes, it was a wild one…but if there was one thing you knew for a fact, it was that Shuri could be just as reckless and impulsive as the plan was. You had seen it firsthand, and you were sure that there had been other instances…but you'd appreciate it greatly if she spoke up at any time.

"That is your problem- there is no 'quick' way to go about this, Y/N." Okoye straightened, stepping in the center of the room and towards you. Despite the intensity in her tone, her eyes told a different story; one that was rather easy to interpret.

"Sending her in could result in her being taken and killed if they find out her true motive. Sending her in could result in them torturing her for information that she's found out while staying behind these palace walls. This is not one of your little American spy movies where we send Nondri in and she just barely gets out with all of the answers to our problems. This is real life-"

"Okoye, konele."

The sternness in Shuri's voice didn't go unnoticed; it couldn't. Where her voice was usually light and easygoing, even when discussing the overall problem you all dealt with, it now took on that tone that only a ruler could pull off. Heavy with a warning, but light enough not to be seen as cruel or ruthless; it fit her perfectly.

If you weren't so busy admitting to yourself how much Okoye had just picked apart the plan without even trying to pick it apart, you would have acknowledged the shiver that went down your spine at hearing it fall from her lips. How is it that even after giving in to a small portion of those desires it became harder for you to hide how attracted you were to her? If anything, you'd thought it'd be easier to hide, mainly because there was nothing else to hide.

You were oh, so incredibly wrong, but that could be contemplated at a later time. For now, you'd just focus on the debate that was sure to begin between the Queen and the General- two of the most hardheaded and stubborn people you knew, especially when it came to the safety of their beloved country.

"A lot of things could go wrong, but the same could be said for any plan we come up with- and as of right now, this is the only plan we have."

"This is barely a plan, Shuri-"

"It's the closest thing we've got to one, Okoye-"

The two women were too engaged in their own debate to notice the newcomer standing at the entrance of the lab, her hands fidgeting with the palace-appointed clothing that was given to her. Her eyes looked between the four of you, something indistinguishable in them that matched the downturned expression of her mouth.

Somehow, you knew exactly what was about to leave her mouth before she said it, but it still surprised you nonetheless.

"I'll do it."

Nondri had spoken barely above a whisper, but the weight her words held was enough to pause the scene she had walked in on. Shuri and Okoye's words halted, both of their surprised expressions quickly turning to the woman as she stepped more into the lab.

Her shoulders were slightly hunched, presumably weighed down with what her words would mean for her now that she had said them aloud.

"I'll do it. I'll…I'll go undercover for you."

The silence grew after her words, allowing all of you to picture what would happen now that you all were one step closer to having a plan; one that could potentially get you closer to a resolution for this mess.

Surprisingly, Eza was the first to talk as she approached Nondri, her voice gentle but unwavering as she spoke.

"Nondri…do you know what you're agreeing to right now? You'll be sent undercover, sent to infiltrate a group of people we know next to nothing about, except for the fact that they’re incredibly unstable and ruthless. Do you understand that?"

You couldn't tell whether Eza's words were meant to intimidate or inform Nondri, though you were willing to bet that they did both. If the look of pure apprehension and barely concealed fear on her face was anything to go by, Eza's words had done both…yet she still nodded, attempting to straighten her spine.

"I know. And I still want to do it. If… this gets you all one step closer to taking them down, then I'll do whatever I can to help. I'm tired of just sitting here in fear- I want to help."

As she spoke, her words slowly gained confidence. There was still the slightest bit of fear lacing them, but that was understandable; she was willingly putting herself in a position where so much could go wrong at any time.

Silence settled over the room, filled with unease and anxiety that was palpable for every person in the room. But along with that anxiety was a sense of…determination. It was slightly different from before when you all had first captured Ose Iraba…no, this was a determination that was tinged with a bit of hope.

But none of you dared to hope too much. Not when so much was on the line.

The silence was broken as Shuri sighed, nodding and looking between you and the other three women.

"I have an idea…but I should alert the council of what we've found. They've undoubtedly heard about what happened last night, and they're undoubtedly waiting for an explanation."

A sound leaves Okoye's mouth, close to a laugh that lacks its humor. One of her hands is thrown up in exasperation as she approaches Shuri, her eyebrows raised and knowing.

"You want to tell the Council that we're letting someone they recently thought a domestic terrorist help us in this mission? Someone who's been behind these palace walls? They'll never stand for it."

Instead of answering immediately, Shuri turned to face Okoye, her eyebrows furrowed. Her eyes hold an inquisitive look, but it only turned into one of finality. She nodded once in reply before speaking.

"They don't have to like it; they just have to agree to it."

***

konele : enough

***

A/N: the kiss- THE KISS

Loved writing this scene, I’ve been waiting to write it, and I hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Y’all know how close I was to letting it go past just kissing? To let Shuri do exactly what she wanted to and swipe all that shit off of her DESK IN HER OFFICE-

Chile I had to stop myself. Mainly because I already plan on one of the future chapters having smut in it...but I want it to be a big thing y’know (absolutely no pun intended). It’s supposed to happen after [REDACTED] because it just makes it more special, ESPEcially because [REDACTED], you know?? So, it’ll happen- just not now! <3 BUT ANYWAY! I hope y’alls’s weekends went well and I hope your week goes well!

Stay safe, y’all!

Tag List: @luvvspice , @motherlandrip , @vivisspam , @oceean , @sleepystarzz11 , @amaberry20 , @randomhoex , @euph0ricx0 , @motheroffae , @shinsousliya , @mrswrightt , @niyahwrites , @thadelightfulone , @shuriislut , @nanajen8 , @lichuchin

Username = won’t let me tag :(

#shuri #shuri black panther #shuri x reader #shuri udaku #shuri x black!fem!reader #shuri x black!reader #shuri x fem!reader #shuri oneshot #shuri fanfic #shuri drabble #black panther #black panther: wakanda forever #black panther oneshot #black panther fanfic #black panther drabble #next to me

165 notes · View notes