#hbcu!shuri imagine

[babyboiboyega]

Title: touchin’, lovin’, fuckin’

Relationship: HBCU!Shuri x Black!Fem!Reader x HBCU!Emerald Haywood

Word Count: 12.8k

In Collaboration with @shinsousliya​

Synopsis: Emerald and Shuri finally meet for the first time, and when coming to the realization that you’ve been keeping yourself away from them deliberately, the two women plan to give you exactly what you want.

Content: profanity, smut, use of drugs (cannabis), smut, mentions of greening out, and uhhhh more smut :)

A/N: let me preface this by saying that if you are not 18+...getcho ass off of this fic right neow. Not tryna catch any type of case, and neither one of us are responsible for you reading something you weren’t supposed to.

This fic first started out with Liya and I’s headcanons about the differences  between how Shuri would treat you and then how Em would treat you. Then our thirst got the better of us, and well...here we are LMAO

NOW...this is my first time writing smut. First ever. With that being said...we hope you enjoy this, and Happy Valentines Day <3

Today is the day.

There’s a pool of anxiety forming in your tummy, and you’re not sure why. Not even your music can sway you into calmer waters, which tells you that the feeling in your tummy is nothing to play off.

You’re standing in the mirror, going over your figure once more. The three-piece cream lounge set you wore, complete with fuzzy shorts, cropped tank and long flow-y cardigan contrasted beautifully against your honey brown skin. Your braids had been pulled into a half-up ponytail, with two on each side left down in the front to frame your face. It was the set Emerald had bought you for your birthday, knowing that you’d love the fabric used. Ironically Shuri bought you the exact same one, color and all, saying that the color of it reminded her of you.

God, how did you manage to have Emerald Haywood and Shuri Udaku wrapped around your dainty little finger? Even you couldn't answer that question.

Looking at the both of them, who’s polaroid pictures had been taped lovingly on the fringe of your full length mirror, anyone could tell that you had a type. Dark skin, brown eyes, curly hair - the only thing making them different were their origins and occupations. And the one thing tying these two women of completely different worlds together, was you.

You remember the day you first met Emerald. You’d been shopping at Best Buy trying to find a new camera to take better pictures with for your photography class. Emerald was there, and from the moment she saw you, she knew she had to have you. Sparking up a conversation was easy, and the laughter that was shared in that camera aisle was one you’d never experienced before. Despite her brother cockblocking, as she would recall it, urging for them to go, Emerald took her sweet time typing her number into your phone. The wink she sent you had butterflies dancing in your stomach, and til this day, it still does.

Then, two weeks later, you met Shuri Udaku. Despite her wanting to keep her social status under tight lock and key, the air of regality and confidence she held did little to help her keep her identity under wraps. Not to mention, she’d seen you in her African American Literature class, and was immediately captivated by your intelligence. After class, Shuri didn’t hesitate to pull you aside, apologize for her abruptness, and ask you out on a date. She wanted to court you properly, and, if things went well, she would propose the option of making things official.

Suddenly, you found yourself catching feelings for both women, who wanted you just as much as you wanted them. And what made it harder to choose was that they not only said how much they wanted you, they thoroughly showed it in acts of service, giving you gifts, and taking on roles that previous partners of yours had never done before, and could never compare to.

At first, you believed you had to choose, but then the thought came to you; why choose, when you could have both?

You’d since begun your plot of making them both yours, and only yours, and step one had been to slowly introduce the idea of polygamy to each woman. Shuri was more susceptible to the concept, having grown up in an environment where queer relationships and polygamy were just as normal as heterosexual relationships and monogamy were. She verbally told you that she would be more than willing to give polygamy a shot, and you were more than happy that she accepted the idea.

Then, there was Emerald, who you had to put in a bit more work when talking about polygamy. She is in no way a stranger to queerness, but polygamy as a concept was something she found a bit hard to grasp. But after explaining it a few times, using a few analogies that pertained to her and her interests to better help her understand the concept, she, too, was all in for it.

Emerald and Shuri had met before, only over the phone via Facetime and in your shared group chat. The two got along swimmingly, becoming the fastest friends and soon enough shooting flirtatious words at each other within the month after confirming that they’d each be willing to give this three-person relationship a shot. The last part of this scheme, to absolutely make sure that all three of you were willing to put in the effort to make this work, was for Shuri and Emerald to meet in person.

And today was the day that Shuri and Emerald could be coming to your apartment to do just that.

You’d taken special care in your attire today, hence the lounge set you’d chosen to put on, as well as the purple diamond studded necklace with panther claws that Shuri had gifted you a while ago, and Emerald’s favorite scent on you - sage and vanilla bean, as the scent drove the woman insane.

A knock sounded at your door, breaking you from your daze and making you jog to the door to answer. It was none other than Shuri, who had also gotten the memo about loungewear, since this would be a pretty laid back and chill day. Sporting a simple dark gray sweat pant and hoodie set, and her hair in a fresh twist out letting her curls hand low on her forehead, and her ears sporting the same kimoyo earrings she always wore; Shuri looked so fucking attractive.

“Hi, usana,” She says, immediately reaching out to pull your frame against hers. Her arms instinctively snaking around your waist, her warm, slightly calloused hands feeling so warm against the small of your back as she pulled you in. Your arms instinctively went to wrap around her neck, embracing her back, and if it wasn’t in the doorway of your apartment, you’d stay there in that embrace forever.

“Hi, baby,” you whisper against her neck, the similar smell of sage and lavender ticking your nose, making you smile against her skin. You brung Shuri into your apartment, taking notice of the backpack she’d brought with her and ignoring the heat that trickled down your legs. Shuri knows your apartment by heart, and once she tucks her bag away in the storage closet, she makes her way to the couch with you.

“Where’s Em?” Shuri questions, noticing the missing presence in the apartment.

“She got held up with her brother on something, she should be here in, like, an hour.” You reply, to which Shuri acknowledges with a hum as she takes a seat on the couch. Her body sinks into the cushions, her legs spread, and she stretches, and you catch the tiniest glimpse of her toned tummy. The little sound she makes from stretching makes you giggle a bit, as you walk over to take your place on her lap.

Shuri’s hands are instinctive and skillful, positioning your body so you’re sitting across her lap, and her hands are on any bare skin she can get in contact with. She’s clingy, she normally gets like this after a long day of classes or doing her science projects. You go to embrace her once more, and her head finds comfort in your breasts, inhaling your scent, bringing her comfort.

“Missed you, my love,” she whispers against you.

“Missed you too, baby,” you reply, pressing a kiss to her temple.

The next hour is spent with the two of you just talking about your day. Your hand dances on Shuri’s undercut as she speaks, your nude acrylics creating soothing friction against the nape of her neck and the design in her undercut. It’s one of the mundane, completely normal things that turns her on the most, and while Shuri tries to keep her composure, you notice how her breath hitches ever so slightly, and the subtle shifts she makes under you.

There’s another knock at your door, and the only person it could be is Emerald. The anxious pool from before finds its way back into your stomach, as you quickly stand up to answer the door. Shuri follows after, albeit keeping a few feet of distance away to allow Emerald easy passage into the humble abode.

There in the doorway stands the last addition to your trio, in all her glory. She sports an oversized graphic t-shirt, baggy jeans and her signature Doc Martens. She has a chain dangling from her neck, and her curls also dance along her forehead beautifully.

Similar to Shuri, Emerald greets you with a “Hey, mamas,” as she brings you in by the waist, and you by her neck. After your embrace, you rush her inside, and you turn to see Emerald and Shuri greet each other warmly, with Em initiating a hand shake that Shuri gladly reciprocates, and it ends in the two women embracing each other.

“Man, you don’t know how good it is to finally meet you!” Emerald beams, showing off her killer smile to the young royal. “Wait- I ain’t gotta curtsy or none of that right? We cool off that?”

“It is good to see you, too, Em.” Shuri replies, her own smile, brighter than any sunrise you’ve ever witnessed, adorning her face. “And no, no curtsy needed. I’m just Shuri here.”

The anxiety that once pooled in your stomach disappeared the moment you saw them embrace each other. The two women took their positions on your couch (Emerald had also discarded the backpack she brought in your storage closet, and again, the heat that pooled in your core came back, more intense than before), and the two immediately made space for you between them.

“Ain’t you comin’ to sit, ma?” Emerald asked.

You shook your head, bringing the two confusion. “As much as I’d love to be in between my two favorite people - dinner isn’t gonna cook itself.” you replied, instead making your way into the kitchen, “But please, talk, get to know each other! I’m not even here!”

Your little chime brings laughter from both Emerald and Shuri, and they do as you wish, conversating amongst themselves and entertaining each other while you focus on dinner.

It’s sometime in the evening, determined by the way the pretty golden beams of the setting sun shine into your apartment through the large floor to ceiling bay windows.

Emerald had gone to fetch your bottle of wine from the kitchen, planting a quick kiss to your forehead and an even quicker swat at your butt, causing you to gasp in surprise. You shoo her out of the kitchen as she grabs two wine glasses for her and Shuri. As she approaches the couch once more, she catches sight of the way the sun does wonders to Shuri’s skin, making glow effortlessly, and damn, Emerald finds herself enraptured by this princess. And Shuri takes note of it, a small smirk plastering itself on her face.

“Something catch your eye, my gem?” Shuri asks innocently, using the nickname she had given to Emerald the moment the other became comfortable with the concept of polygamy, using it as a stepping stone to further the attraction.

Emerald scrunches her nose as she places a glass in front of Shuri, pouring the red alcoholic beverage into it, as she replies, “Shut up, princess.”

Her reply gains a chuckle from Shuri, who takes a sip of the wine when Emerald finishes pouring. She immediately recognizes the taste as the fruity bitterness slips down her throat, “Barefoot?”

“Aww, you know your liquor, aye?” Emerald sings, pouring her own class.

“It's the only thing I can keep down,” Shuri explains, “anything other than wine and I go bat-shit crazy. Learned that at my first college party.”

“Don’t tell me they gave you Henny right off the bat? No chaser?”

“Man, they didn’t even give me a warning of what would happen!” Of course, Shuri’s experience was not a laughable one, but the way she spoke of it brought a rumble of laughter from the other brown skinned woman.

“They did you wrong, princess. Don’t worry though, I ain’t gon’ set you up like that,” Emerald hums, “Besides wine, I only fucks with light liquor anyway, so that dark shit don’t even be up my alley.”

Shuri rests back on the couch as she takes in Emerald’s side profile. The sun that once shone on her skin now hit Emerald’s beautifully. The hoop earrings that hung from her ears, her fresh, shiny curls, her sharp jawline - Shuri couldn’t help but feel something warm pool into her stomach from the sight of such a beautiful woman. It’s a miracle she’s even able to be here now - her schedule had been hectic as of late, which is why the meeting between the two had been postponed until now - but she’s now grateful to be in the presence of both the women she loved.

“You look beautiful, Emerald,” Shuri suddenly blurts out, albeit confidently and not ashamed in the slightest. It catches Emerald off guard, not used to verbally hearing Shuri’s straightforwardness, but nonetheless, it excites her.

“You not bad lookin’ yourself, ‘ri,” Emerald replies, but she’d be lying if she said there wasn’t heat creeping up her neck from the sudden compliment. “Aye, do you smoke?”

“Not really, no,” Shuri replied, “I’ve only ever gotten contact high, thanks to that one in there,” she continued, gesturing to your figure in the kitchen, still cooking.

“You wanna? I got a couple of blunts on me.” Emerald offers. Shuri takes a moment to think, before shrugging her shoulders in indifference. “Wouldn’t hurt, I don’t think.”

With that confirmation, Emerald fishes out a blunt from her front pocket, as well as a lighter, and with swiftness and expertise, she lights the brown roll up and takes a pull from it. Soon after it leaves her lips, she emits a puff of smoke from them. Shuri watches intently, more so the other woman’s lips than the actions she took to pull the intoxicating smoke from the blunt.

“Aight, so, it's simple shit,” Emerald begins, turning her body to face Shuri, and the princess does the same, “you just put to your lips and inhale. Don't do it too deep, though, just do it a lil’ bit, and once you feel like you got enough, you just blow out. Aight?”

Shuri nodded in confirmations, as Emerald handed Shuri the blunt. Shuri took it, examining the roll quizzingly, before raising it up to her lips and doing as she was instructed. Her lungs took a slight burn from the intake of smoke, and when she released it from behind her lips, a cough also escaped as a form of relief to her stinging lungs.

“Aye, good job, princess!” Emerald praised, raising a hand to pat Shuri’s back to aid in her slight coughing fit. She took the blunt from Shuri’s hand, seeing that she may be good for another few puffs before it was handed back to her.

“Why did it taste fruity?” Shuri inquires, intrigued by the taste of grape being left on her lips.

“Oh, the roll is flavored. This is white grape.” Emerald explains as she takes another pull of the blunt.

Shuri could feel the effects of the cannabis already taking hold, or at least, feel the smoke beginning to muddle her mind. It was an interesting feeling, made her feel light and airy, and oddly clingy. The next couple of pulls from Shuri had her fishing for Emerald’s hand to hold, of which the other woman found adorable and endearing. It reminded her of the first time she got high with you, and how incredibly touchy and clingy you were, desperate for her touch. The first night you got high together was forever emblazoned in Emerald’s mind.

“You good, princess?” Emerald asked, to which Shuri nodded, her voice becoming non-existent as the cannabis took control over her mind. She now laid her head against the couch, still fiddling with Emerald’s hand, and an idea came to Emerald’s mind. “Sit up for me, baby.”

Shuri obliged eagerly, curious to what Emerald was doing. The smoker took a deep pull from the blunt, took Shuri gently by the throat, and brought the princess’s face closer to hers. Slowly, Emerald blew the stream of smoke right into Shuri’s lips, which had already formed an ‘o’ shape to receive it. Their lips were agonizingly close, and if it wasn’t for Emerald’s hand keeping her in place, Shuri would have leaned in to kiss Emerald.

Shuri withstood the smoke, feeling her mind becoming even more muddled by the drug. And as if her mind had been read, Emerald leaned in and connected her soft lips onto Shuri’s. Immediately, the princess melted into it, following Emerald’s guiding hand.

Emerald is the first to pull away, a smirk gracing her lips once she sees just how hooked Shuri is.

“Fuck, that was hot,” Emerald mutters, and Shuri couldn’t agree more.

A voice - your voice - calls from the kitchen, your tone amused and slightly worried by Emerald’s antics. “Are you done corrupting my baby? The food is almost ready.”

“We comin’, we comin’,!” Emerald says back, putting out her blunt and setting it on the ashtray on your coffee table, moving to stand up. Now that her mind isn't consumed with how pretty Shuri looks high and intaking the smoke from the shotgun, she notices that the princess is a bit too quiet for her liking. Giving Shuri’s figure a once over, Emerald’s expert eyes ntoice the slight tremble that’s overtaking Shuri’s body.

“A-Are you my hands suppose to be shaking, Emerald?”

“Shit-”

“Em, what’s wrong?”

Emerald is no stranger to green outs, witnessing and experiencing them alike, but the idea that she was too fast and too much for the princess to handle made a pang of guilt spring in her chest.

“Nothin’! Bring Shuri a glass of water, bae!”

Perplexed, you complied, reaching into the fridge for a bottle water and bringing it to the couch where Emerald and Shuri had made themselves at home, and you soon saw why Emerald requested the clear beverege.

“What the hell- Did you green her out?!”

“It was an accident, I swear!”

It takes a split second for you to take Emerald’s previous spot on the couch, immediately going into nurturing mode and examining the extent of Shuri’s trembles. It’s only her hands and legs that are shaking, not violently but also not slightly either.

“Em, help me take her sweatshirt off, she’s sweating,” you instruct, and in another swift motion, Emerald takes a seat behind Shuri on the couch. With care you strip the princess of her sweatshirt, leaving her in her black sports bra, her skin damn with a thin layer of sweat.

“Hey, baby, look at me,” you whisper softly to Shuri, who’s blown out eyes find yours with ease despite her current state, “you’re alright, okay? Just take some deep breaths, and drink this-” your hand gently pushes the small bottle of water into her own hands, which seemed to have calmed down from their light tremors, “-and I’ll bring you something to eat, okay?”

Shuri nods, taking in your words, though her mind is too foggy to comprehend much of anything else. Emerald embraces her from behind, and Shuri graciously finds comfort in leaning back into Emerald’s chest. The cotton fabric of her shirt is cool and refreshing against Shuri’s heated skin. As you stepped away to make your two lovers their plates, Emerald assists in bringing the water to Shuri’s lips to drink. The woman downed the liquid feverishly, and returns to her previous behavior of reaching for Emerald’s hand to ground her.

Once the bottle is done and discarded, Shuri goes to her wrist, pulling off the bracelet Emerald had been eying for its simple beauty. The princess places the beads on her chest, and before Emerald has a chance to ask what she’s doing, Shuri speakds;

“Griot, read me my vitals, please.”

“Hello, princess.” a male voice sounds out, spiraling Emerald further into confusion.

“Hol’ on, is your bracelet talkin’-?”

“Your blood pressure is 80/120. Your heart rate is 102 beats per minute, slightly higher than your average 90 beats per minute. All organ and artery functions are good. You seem to be experiencing Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) overdose, specifically due to a potent strand of cannabis known as Indica. This can cause nausea, abdominal pain, and dehydration. Would you like me to recommend foods and beverages to counteract the Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) overdose?”

“No, that is all, thank you-”

“Wait, wait, wait,” Emerald’s voice interjects, “your bracelet just fucking talked-!”

In Emerald’s astonishment, Shuri directs the AI to introduce itself to Emerald, as she’s still a bit far gone in her mind to fully concentrate on explaining her invention.

“Hello. May I register your name into my memory stores, so I know how to address you?”

“Uh….Em..-Emerald Haywood?”

“Hello ‘Em’. Is it alright if I address you as such?”

“Uh…sure?”

“Okay, Em. My name is Griot. I am an artificial intelligence designed by and to assist Princess Shuri in her scientific and engineering endeavors. My primary functions outside of laboratory duties are to read the Princess her daily vitals, generate answers to the Princess’s questions based on searches through the World Wide Web, and set and read out reminders for the Princess throughout her day.”

Emerald is too shocked to speak - never in her life had she encountered a piece of technology so advanced. She knew that Shuri was a pretty important person, and a literal genius, so it’s no surprise she would come in contact with one of her creations, but nothing like this ever crossed her mind.

“Thank you for the vital read, Griot,” you say, as you come from the kitchen holding two plates of food in your hand. You set them on the coffee table, one for each woman.

“Hello Ms. (Y/N). You are welcome for the vital read.”

“Does Shuri have any important messages from home?”

The AI beeps, stalls for a second, before responding, “No new messages, Ms. (Y/N).”

“Good, you can go on standby, then. We’ll take care of Shuri’s green out.”

The AI bids you farewell and beeps off, and Shuri sends you a look that says ‘thank you’ in reference to you checking her messages, something she’d been bad on doing as of late. You turn to Emerald’ who is still staring at the silver beads resting on her partners chest, then shoots a look back up to you.

“She got a talkin’ bracelet-”

“They’re called kimoyo beads, babe. And it’s an AI installed in it-”

“Do you got a talkin’ bracelet I don't know about?!”

You shake your head, instead bringing attention to a pair of earrings similar to Shuri’s. “I have earrings instead. They’re more discreet this way.”

“....so when can I get a talkin’ bracelet, or earrings, or whatever?”

“Oh my god, Em, just help Shuri eat something so the THC don’t eat away at her more than it already has.”

At that, Shuri makes a move to sit up on her own, slow and albeit a bit wobbly, still coming down from the unpleasant experience from the THC overdose. “I’m-I’m okay. I can eat on my own….I think.”

After you’ve gotten your food, the next hour is spent with Emerald and you practically doting on the princess as she recovers miraculously fast from her green out. Perhaps it is due to the vibranium herbal stores in the kimoyo beads, of which would have been released onto the skin and penetrate the surface level when Shuri’s body began displaying signals of distress. Or, it could be the enhancement the heart-shaped herb gave Shuri’s immune system when ingested long ago. The cause of her recovery didn’t matter as much as the fact that she was better, and was able to function without tremors disrupting her movements.

The three of you ate in peace while a movie played - Emerald’s commentary being more of the star of the show than the actual characters in the movie. In that time, you were able to take in both women in all their glory. Their warm, sun kissed skin which now glowed from the warm white light your LED’s were shining, the way they were so trained on the television, the way they interacted with each other. You couldn’t believe that earlier you had any doubts of the two not getting along once they’d met each other in person. If anything, they seemed like they’d already known each other their whole lives.

Once dinner was finished and another round of wine was shared, you took the dirty dishes in the kitchen and prepared to clean up what little mess was left from your cooking. Emerald watched your figure shrink away into the kitchen area, thinking of something.

“Hey, princess,” she calls to the other woman, who responds with a hum, as her lips were currently occupied with the red alcoholic beverage in her cup.

“You’re around here more, right? Cuz you go to the same college bae-bae does right?” Emerald asks, using her nickname for you. Shuri nods, confirming Emerald’s suspicions with another hum.

“So have y’all, like, fucked recently?”

The question takes Shuri off guard, but gets her to think as well. After a moment, the princess shakes her head. “I think the last time we were intimate was…a month ago?”

“Damn, a month?”

“Yes - but I believe she had a lot of important projects coming up for that one photography class of hers.”

“Hm. Interesting.”

Emerald peers over her shoulder to take a glance at you, still scrubbing away in the kitchen. Shuri follows her gaze, slowly catching on to what Emerald was insinuating.

“And you two? How long has it been, I mean?”

“Shit, probably like a month and a half. I been dealing with shit with my brother, but normally she goes crazy if she don’t get it, y’know?”

“Indeed, I do know. The longest we’ve ever gone without sex would have been two weeks. I was away at home, and when I came back…for lack of better words, she was quite feral.”

There’s another pause, and Shuri and Emerald share a look.

“You don’t think…it was deliberate, her making us wait this long?”

“I think that she thinks shit is sweet, tryna play us like this.”

Emerald takes a swig of wine from her glass, swirling the red liquid inside. Then, abruptly, she stops. A lightbulb goes off in her head, and it’s evident by the smirk that grows on her lips. Shuri catches this, and has an idea of what Emerald’s mind is already concocting.

“What’re you planning, my gem?” Shuri questions with a knowing look, a crooked smile of anticipation gracing her lips.

“Just thinkin’...we should give her what she wants…” Emerald replies, placing her glass back on the coffee table, her smirk increasing, “...or not.”

Shuri’s eyebrows raise, though not with surprise; more out of anticipation…excitement. Admittedly, as soon as she had caught onto what Em was insinuating, she had felt that bud of excitement slowly unfurl in her stomach, only furthered by the attraction she had quickly grown towards Em and the attraction she already had for you.

“Oh, we’ll give her something. Who knew our girl could be so schemeful?”

The sound of the sink turning off interrupts Em before she canspeak. They both hear you rummaging around, tidying up whatever you had used before presumably joining them. Em takes the chance to connect her gaze with Shuri’s, nodding subtly to the storage closet where they both had placed their bags…the bags that contained the items that would surely make you think twice about doing something like this again.

Shuri, her smile widening, stands and quietly makes her way over, opening it and grabbing both bags. Ever since she had seen Em walk in and deposit the bag in your storage, a small part of her had been constantly thinking about what could be in; now, her heart speeds up slightly at the thought of finding out soon enough.

The silence in the other room makes you pause, as only a few seconds ago you had heard their voices, slightly drowned out by the running water, but there nonetheless. Now…it was silent. Almost abruptly so.

You quickly wipe your hands on the nearest towel before turning and making your way back into the main room, your eyes instantly flickering between your two favorite women. The sight that you meet makes you pause in your tracks, your heart seeming to know what was going before you did as it speeds up slightly.

“Is everything okay?”

Shuri sets the bags her and Em brought on the ground, her gaze landing on you afterwards. There’s a knowing look in her eye paired with something you could only liken to the look she adopted whenever you did something that amused her or made her proud. Your body reacted on its own, the same ball of heat from earlier slowly gaining size where it rested in your core. Though, as soon as you turn your gaze to Em, that heat turns into something you can just barely contain.

Her eyes narrow as she gazes at you from her spot on the couch, the dark pools of brown harboring a look that you recognize immediately.

“You think you slick, don’t you?”.

The question paired with the smug tone in Em’s voice has your body clenching around nothing, the ball of eat moving to envelop your entire body. The next breath you take in is shaky as your eyes move to Shuri. She only cocks her head, her eyes appraising you from where she stood.

“Em, baby, what are you talking about-”

Emerald sets her wine glass down with a sigh, leaning forward and pulling herself to the edge of her seat. Her eyes connect with yours with an intensity that’s so strong that it practically has you shaking as she motions for you to walk closer. It's so intense and so heady that you don’t realize you’re being surrounded until you feel a solid line of heat against your back, effectively trapping you in front of Em’s sitting form in front of you.

A small gasp leaves your mouth as Shuri’s hands snake around your waist. One is pressed open-palmed against your stomach, holding you in place, while the other raises and presses right against the space beneath your breasts. Her hands are gentle, but firm enough to tell you that you aren’t going anywhere unless she lets you. Her hands don’t move an inch as she lowers her head, placing a kiss against the shell of your hair only to continue placing them down the length of your neck. Her actions make your eyes flutter slightly, every other breath of yours hitched and shaky.

“Don’t play that. You know exactly what we talkin’ about- tryna play us like we wouldn’t figure it out.” There's a hint of authority in Em’s tone as she speaks, and you’re no stranger to it, as you had heard it more than once. But if it isn’t her voice and her words that make the insides of your thighs slick with arousal, then its the way she suddenly grabs your hips and pulls you down, right onto the apex of her thigh. The feeling of her thigh against your clothed core is consuming enough to make you shiver, your hands raising and landing on her shoulder to give yourself more leverage.

“Keeping us away from you…makin’ up those excuses ‘bout being busy…and then gettin’ us to come here?” Every sentence is emphasized by her hands rocking your hips with a precision that's almost deadly. With every rock, the sensitive bundle of nerves between your legs brushes perfectly against hers, making you curse.

“Thought you were doin’ somethin, huh?”

Shuri’s hands had shifted as you straddled Em’s leg, one raising to cup the underside of your jaw while the other slipped deftly under the cropped tank top adorning your top half. She cupped one of your bra-clad breasts, her thumb rubbing over the underside of it. The waves of pleasure emitting from your top and bottom half makes your eyes flutter until they close, your head falling back slightly to rest on Shuri’s chest.

“We’ll give you what you want, what you schemed so hard for…”

Shuri’s voice is almost raspy as she speaks into your ear, her lips brushing against your skin. The hand placed on your jaw reaches around until her slender fingers cover the expanse of your neck. Her hand presses into the diamond and vibranium encrusted necklace she had given you, the points of the panther claws digging slightly into your skin and only adding on another layer of pleasure.

EM’s hands tighten, increasing the speed with which she maneuvers your hips until you’re panting slightly, your throat bobbing with each breath under Shuri’s hand.

“But we’ll do it on our terms, now.”

Her sentence is almost close to a reprimand, making your eyes snap open right as Em’s hands stop, holding you in place. The pleasure that had been building quickly comes to a stand still, making a whine leave your mouth as you try rocking your hips once more. Em’s hands are unrelenting in their strength, not letting you move an inch as she stares up at you, a smirk slowly raising the corner of her mouth.

Any and all words you think of die on the tip of your tongue as Shuri’s hands pull you backwards, prompting you to stand on your feet once more. Your core throbbed as the pressure made by Em’s thigh disappeared.

Emerald watches as Shuri pulls you against her, one hand still on your neck while the other is placed on your hip. With a sound of frustration in your ear, Shuri quickly reaches for the cardigan hanging off your shoulders, pulling it until she all but rips it off your frame, and leaving you in the matching cotton shorts and cropped tank top.

“An entire month of nothing, and now you want to act shy. Why is that, usana? Hm?”

Emerald leans forward, blindly reaching for one of the bags that had been brought out, and the mere sight of her reaching in before pulling out the strap you had grown very comfortable with has your thighs clenching together and a whine crawling up your throat. It makes itself known as you breathlessly speak,

“Please. I just wanted-”

“We know what you want.”

Her movements are quick as her fingers wrap beneath the necklace adorning your neck, tightening it slightly. Every coherent thought of yours flies out of the window as Shuri’s hand suddenly delves beneath the waistband of your shorts, cupping your clothed core. The sudden sensation makes you jump, your ass pressing firmly into the front of her body as you bend over slightly.

“Shit-!”

She doesn’t give you time to recover or even catch your breath before her fingers are moving in tight circles over your clit, her other arm pulling you up until your back is pressed against her chest.

The feeling of Shuri’s fingers working you over while the other gently squeezes your neck makes your eyes roll back in pleasure, a drawn out moan leaving your lips. Her arm across your chest is strong enough to keep you standing on your shaky legs, as with each pass of her skilled fingers across the most sensitive part of you makes it harder to function.

It makes a tightness build in the pit of your stomach, one that only threatens to send out waves of pure pleasure and make you lose your bearings. One hand lands on her wrist where it disappears beneath your shorts, fingers wrapping around it while you soundlessly plead for her to keep going, while the other raises and grabs the back of her neck.

You can feel it building, the urge to let go and let Shuri’s hand alone work you through the orgasm cresting like a wave over your consciousness. Your mouth falls open and your breaths come quicker, pleas being mingled in with small cries…

And then Shuri wrenches her hand away, and the sound that leaves your mouth is borderline mournful as your orgasm is stopped abruptly.

Maybe you should’ve thought more about your little scheme and what would happen if they found out. You had been banking on them both being too worked up after a month or so to punish you like this, but that was obviously a mistake.

“Shuri, please…”

“You waited an entire month for this moment…I think you can wait a little longer.”

Her words make a whimper leave your mouth because…how much longer would you have to wait?

“Which one you want, princess?”

It's the sound of mischievousness and anticipation in Em’s honey smooth voice that makes your eyes snap open…and its the sight of the strap dangling from one hand while her go-to vibrator is in the other that makes your pussy clench around nothing.

This is it, this is how you die.

Em had at some point taken off her shirt and her pants, leaving her in a sports bra and a pair of boxers that hugged her hips. You swallow hard as she walks towards you, the toys in her hands taunting you with how much pleasure and punishment they could bring.

“I want something that’ll make her beg.”

Shuri’s words are emphasized by her hands turning you around before pushing you onto the couch, her and Em’s eyes appraising you as you lean back.

You wanted to tell them to hurry up and get on with it. You had been waiting for an entire month, albeit by your own willingness; but that entire month had been filled with you having to physically restrain yourself from jumping them whenever you saw them.

You weren’t in any position to make demands, though. You were completely and utterly at the mercy of both of your lovers…and it made you nervous and excited.

“We gon make her beg, alright.”

Sucking your bottom lip into your mouth, you watch with hooded eyes as Em drops the vibrator in its protective case on the table. She wraps her arms around Shuri’s waist from behind, her eyes holding yours as she lowers her lips to press a lingering, open mouthed kiss to where Shuri’s neck and shoulder meet.

Her hands spread Shuri’s legs slightly before hooking into the waistband of her sweatpants and pulling them down, all while continuing to press her lips against any skin she could reach. The sight of Shuri’s head falling back against Em’s shoulder, her strong jawline in perfect view as it clenches makes your hand act on its own accord. It slides down, running over your breasts and the tips of your hardened nipples before continuing its path to your leaking pussy. The warning in Em’s eyes makes your actions halt, your eyes instantly focusing on the sight of her hands skillfully wrapping the buckles around Shuri’s thighs before fastening them in the back. Her hand picks up a bottle that had been placed on the table, opening it and squeezing a generous amount of the lube into her hand.

“Look at her, ‘Ri.”

Shuri’s eyes follow Em’s words, connecting with yours right as Em’s hand closes over the shaft of the silicone dildo hanging between Shuri’s legs. She glides her hand up and down the length of it as the corner of her lips curve into a smile you know all too well; one that says she knows exactly what's about to happen but you don’t.

“Look how needy she is...after a month of playin, now she wanna act impatient.”

It only takes a few steps for Em to step around Shuri and make her way around the couch you’re on, your eyes following her until they physically can’t anymore. You crane your neck to try and get a glimpse of where she disappeared behind you, but your attention is quickly pulled back when you feel your necklace being grabbed.

Shuri’s eyes are hard when you look back, and she’s closer than she had been mere seconds ago. You rarely forget about the Black Panther’s abilities she had adopted, but her speed, agility, and endurance whenever you two fucked had always served as a good reminder.

“Take these off before I rip them off.” Her hands fist into the material of the cotton shorts adorning your bottom half, and you eagerly and quickly move to follow her directions, knowing full well that she could.

Your hips lift off of the couch and your hands scramble to pull them off, something you’ve been waiting to do ever since they both showed up, but your movements aren’t fast enough for the princess; that much is obvious in the way she growls before grabbing your hips, pulling them to the edge of the couch and quickly wrenching your shorts and underwear down.

The startled yelp that leaves your mouth quickly turns into a gasp as the air hits your pussy, the slickness making the air colder than it is as Shuri pushes your legs further apart. The sound of your folds separating with a squelch has a hissed breath leaving Shuri’s mouth, her eyes focusing on the part of you that she loved to bury her face into; the part of you that fed her when she was thirsting for you and gave her life while simultaneously making her want to stay until she could no longer breathe.

“How’s our girl looking, ‘Ri?”

Em’s question comes right before her hands abruptly pull your shirt up and reach beneath the cups of your bra, replacing them with her cold, firm hands. In a single motion, she has them spilling out, the straps of your bra falling down your shoulders. She rolls them in the palms of her hands, your back arching as her fingers tweak your nipples, rolling them between her fingers and gently pulling on them.

Shuri presses the pad of her thumb right onto your clit, the pressure making you jerk slightly. She drags it down between your folds, collecting the slick that’s gathered and just spreading it more, taking special care to spread it around your entrance. Your eyes threaten to close at her actions, your jaw becoming slack as heavy breaths leave your mouth; but you’re hellbent on watching everything they do to you. You had been waiting for this moment; you’d be damned if you didn't see everything.

Shuri’s voice is rough but proud as she answers Em’s question. She slows her motions, drawing out the sounds that come from her thumb swirling through your folds.

“She’s practically dripping, and its all for us.”

“And we not wasting a drop of it, are we?”

Instead of answering, Shuri separates her thumb from your clit before lifting it. Before she can get far, Em’s hand is reaching forward to grab it, lowering her head until she can wrap her lips around Shuri’s thumb. She’s positioned right over you, giving you the perfect view of how her jaw works as she swirls her tongue around Shuri’s fingers, collecting every inch of your arousal she could.

Em hums as she pulls back, the sound coming from low in her throat and shooting straight to your center.

“Oh, we not wastin’ that.”

Shuri lets go of your necklace, but its only to grab the backs of your knees and hike them into the air. She places a knee on the edge of the couch, pushing your knees towards your ears and just about folding you in half. As if they had communicated without speaking, Em’s hands replaced Shuri’s, keeping your legs suspended.

Needless to say, your flexibility had improved greatly after fucking around with Emerald Haywood and Shuri.

The position has your pussy bared to Shuri in its entirety, clenching around nothing in anticipation for the slight burn of being stretched.

Shuri’s eyes take it all in, dark and half lidded as if intoxicated from the sight, the smell, and the sound alone.

“What's your safe word?”

You can barely get the word out, your breath trembling. Her question only tells you that what's about to happen to you may warrant a safe word. It isn’t surprising, as it was a regular occurrence for both of them to ask for your safe word in separate settings…but being reminded of it while being in the clutches of both Emerald and Shuri had you trembling.

You have the nerve to think that she’ll continue even without you answering the question, but when her eyes, questioning and demanding at the same time, raise and meet yours…you know that it's in your better interest to answer.

“B-button.”

The word is barely out of your mouth before Shuri is wrapping a hand around the dildo and lining it up at your entrance, her eyes not straying from yours for a second.

“You good, ‘bae?”

Em’s voice is soft as she whispers into your ear, placing a kiss on your earlobe where your kimoyo earring sits. She shifts so that the crook of her elbow holds your leg, freeing her hand and letting it go back to your breast. She firmly cups your breast in one hand, her fingers rubbing over your nipple slowly. You can only nod in silence, your lips parting and your breath leaving you quickly. Shuri’s eyes meet Em’s as she braces her hands against the back of the couch.

A cry tears from your throat as Shuri snaps her hips forward, burying herself until the base of the strap brushes slightly against your skin. The burn is familiar, as well is the feeling of being stretched close to your breaking point…but it's welcomed.

There’s a slight burn in your legs as they start shaking already, but you don’t have to worry about them moving.

“Open your eyes, babygirl.”

“Look at me.”

Both Em and Shuri’s voices ring out at the same time and your eyes open, not wanting to disobey either one of them. You hadn’t even noticed that they had closed, too engrossed in the feeling of Shuri firmly situated between your walls while Em’s hands worked you over, adding a layer of pleasure that penetrated your entire consciousness.

Your lips move soundlessly, your breath being stolen by the waves of pleasure wracking your body and lighting every nerve of yours on fire. You want to beg Shuri to just move- you want to feel the length of her hitting every spot it could reach inside you…but she just stays still, buried fully inside of you.

“Use your words, mamas.”

Emerald’s voice reminds you that you answer to both of them tonight, and its with great difficulty that you find your voice.

“I want you. Fuck, use me. Use me, use me-”

That was evidently all Shuri needed to hear.

Her fingers close around the necklace she gifted you, pulling you forward just enough for you to have the perfect view of her disappearing into you before pulling out and slamming back in. Every stroke makes you jerk slightly, though you can’t go far due to both of their grips on you.

The desperation and lust in your voice makes a quick breath leave Em, her own pussy throbbing slightly as she watches her princess drill into her babygirl. She can hear her own breaths, slightly louder than usual, as she quickly raises her fingers to her mouth, quickly swiping her tongue over them.

She only has to lean forward slightly to reach what she’s been wanting to touch all day.

Your legs threaten to close as her fingers land on your clit, but Shuri’s hand grabbing your ankle stops that from happening. In doing so, it only allows her to hit a different angle…a different spot; one that has black spots entering your vision.

Incoherent words leave your mouth at the overstimulation that's quickly building, forming a ball of heat in your stomach. It’s almost too much, having that one spot hit over and over, relentlessly, while Em worships your clit with only her fingers.

“Oooh, baby. I’m bout…I can’t. Em, please, I can’t hold it…”

Your words are slurred as your head lolls back. It lands in the crook of Em’s neck and she takes the chance to wrap her slender fingers around your jaw, tilting your head back more to where she can whisper directly into your ear. Her breath is hot as it brushes against your skin, and the small sensation makes another whine leave your throat.

“Yes, you can. Take it. Take it, babygirl.”

Her words only push you closer to the edge, making your moans rise in volume until…well, until you’re sure you’ll have to apologize to your neighbors in the morning.

There are a multitude of sounds echoing through the space around you; the sound of Shuri’s thighs slapping against your ass, the soft squelching that comes from her strap entering your pussy, her heavy breaths that she emphasizes each stroke with, Em’s whispered words that alternated between demands and words of praise.

Shuri can’t stop the sounds of pure lust from leaving her own lips as she drills into you. Her eyes rake down your body, lingering on the way your bare chest heaves and how the thin layer of sweat reflects the lights above you. They zero in on the way Em’s fingers rub relentlessly at your clit, slipping slightly because of how wet you are.

They zero in on how your hand lands on the back of Em’s neck, your acrylics digging slightly into her skin to hold her closer…and they zero in on the look of pure adoration, love, and lust in your half-lidded eyes as you look at her.

She can tell by the way you’re mumbling incoherently, tears gathering in the corners of your eyes, that your orgasm is close to washing completely over you. While she loves to hear you whimper and plead for sweet release, knowing that she had you right under her thumb, she has to admit that the sight of you cumming is a sight that she’ll never grow tired of. Its the desire to see exactly that which makes her push your leg back further, opening you up even more and drilling almost impossibly deeper.

“Shuri, ‘m bout to cum. Don’t stop, don’t stop, don’t stop-”

“You gon cum? Hm?”

Em’s fingers speed up, enough to make your bottom half tremble with how fast her motions are.

“Didn’t we say you have to beg for it?”

Shuri’s words don’t affect her motions at all; if anything, they only intensify. It makes the cry that had slowly been building in the base of your throat leave your mouth, hoarse and full of pleasure.

“Please! Please, can I cum- please, let me, I can’t-”

There are tears leaking from the corner of your eyes as they shut tightly, making you miss the look shared between Emerald and Shuri.

Its easy for the both of them to share in a feeling of desire, as they both harbored a need to take care of you…and to fuck you so well you wouldn’t be able to remember your own name.

They communicated silently, only talking to you after they both gave subtle nods to each other.

“Let go. Let go, usana.”

Almost immediately, your orgasm washes over you, stealing your breath and making your body lock up. Your back arches off of the couch as your hand scrambles to grab something, eventually landing on Shuri’s wrist. It feels like it lasts for a few minutes, at least, and the entire time, you have to focus on not passing out. Its so intense that you can barely hear both Shuri and Em as they talk you through it.

You can feel Shuri as she continues to slowly pump into you, every detail on the strap rubbing deliciously against your walls, and you can still feel Em as she slows her movements down, only slightly, as she continues rubbing at your overstimulated clit.

It’s only after your body sags against the couch once again, breaths heavy and hard to control, that they both stop their movements. Shuri slowly slides out of you, making a small noise leave your mouth at the empty feeling that follows.

She lowers herself onto the couch beside you, her eyes scanning your face for any sign of discomfort or dissatisfaction only to find nothing but something she would liken to ecstasy.

Em slowly brings her fingers to a stop, reveling in how slick they are, and reveling in the fact that it all belonged to you. She lets her wet fingers brush over any skin they come across as she drags her hand up your sweat covered body before gently lowering your legs . She uses the same hand to turn your face towards hers, your eyes fluttering as you tried to find her through your blurry vision.

“You good, ‘ma?”

You can only nod, an affirming tone escaping your throat. Ignoring the fact that your limbs are so heavy you can’t exactly move them yet and the realization that your legs will most definitely be nonfunctional tomorrow, you’d say that you were in a blissful state.

“How is she?”

Your vision clears just enough for you to see the satisfied smile on Em’s face as she looks at you, and it makes a groggy, tired grin appear on your face. She leans in, connecting her lips with yours for a few seconds before pulling back and planting another kiss on your forehead.

“She’s good. A lil out of it…but she’s good.”

‘Out of it’ is probably an understatement.

A soft laugh leaves Shuri’s mouth as her hand fixes your necklace around your neck, her fingers running gently over the small marks the necklace made in your skin. The sensation makes your head loll to the side to find her eyes, and when you do, her smile widens.

“What do you need, usana?”

You were coherent enough to recognize both of their questions as the same ones they asked after fucking you separately. The realization that you really had the best of both worlds within this relationship made your grin widen and made your heart soar.

“I’m okay. Just…stay here, both of you.”

That was something they both were eager to do, and it was evident in their actions. Shuri reaches down, grabbing her discarded sweatshirt before helping you sit up and pull it over your body. Em stands, making her way to the bathroom and grabbing a washcloth on the way only to quickly come back with it soaked in warm water.

She sits on the other side of you, taking notice of how quickly Shuri had unfastened the strap and set it to the side. The princess looks up and at Em, a fond and loving look on her face that’s undoubtedly a result of seeing the dopey smile on your face. Em shakes her head in amusement as she lowers herself onto the couch before using the wash cloth and cleaning between your legs. The feeling makes you jump slightly as it brushes against your sensitive bundle of nerves, Em gently reassuring you that she’s basically done before she even started.

The wash cloth is set somewhere, but you can only focus on the feeling of pure relaxation that's taking over your limbs, making a small yawn escape your mouth and your eyes close.

Your limbs are maneuvered by two sets of hands until you’re laying on someone’s chest, your body pressing along the line of theirs with their arm around your shoulders. The light scent of sage and lavender tells you that you’re laying on top of Shuri, and you look forward to the feeling of Em joining you, but a few seconds pass without that happening.

“How the hell we all gon fit on this couch?”

“We’ll figure it out. Come, my gem. You know you want to join.”

There’s a teasing tone in Shuri’s voice as she addresses Em, and you can feel one of her arms lift to presumably beckon her closer. Without even lifting your head, you reach out blindly until you grab onto her hand. You pull until her legs hit the couch, and only then do you scoot until you’re pressed against the back of the couch, making room for her to join.

“If I fall, I’m gettin on both of y’all’s asses.”

Your lips curve into a smile at her words and at the feeling of the couch dipping further. An arm is thrown around your waist, and the feeling of comfort intensifies as you’re embraced by the two people who hold your heart between them.

Shuri loves the early morning sunrise that your studio apartment gets in the morning. The floor to ceiling windows does wonders for allowing natural lighting into your space, and she’s found herself sitting in the space right in front of the clear glass, where the wooden floor of the main room meets the little one-two steps that lead into the tiled kitchen area. It’s where the light shines the brightest, where the heat of the suns beams is strongest.

Shuri communes with herself here, whenever she visits you. Early in the morning while you're still fast asleep, curled in your blankets and pillows just like you were now, Shuri takes the time to sneak away into the warm little spot on the floor, to meditate, to ground herself, to just think.

But sometimes, Shuri thinks too much.

She thinks of everything, and she thinks of nothing. Millions of thoughts plague her mind every day and every night, even protruding into her dreams, on the rare occasions she does have. It’s only in your arms that the thoughts quiet down, and the voices are held at bay, but they aren’t kept away for long. Because at some point, she’ll have to face them again, and they will consume her, and you aren’t always in her corner when she needs you to take them away.

So, she’s learned to sit with them. Let them overwhelm her brain like static. Eventually, they calm down, and she can breathe again. And it's mornings like these, where she sits in the glow of the morning sun, where the thoughts aren’t so loud, and Shuri’s mind is at ease, that she enjoys the most.

“What’chu doin’ up this early, princess?”

Her voice comes first - rich, smooth, slightly raspy from sleep, and for a moment. It’s addictive, especially now that she’s had the pleasure of hearing it in person, and not from her holographic screen next to her bed from the three of you falling asleep on call together.

Then, comes the gentle touch of her hand - short french-tipped nails brush against Shuri’s cheek and the warmth of her open palm causes the princess’s head to lean into it. She stands behind Shuri, and it takes all of her to not lean back into the other woman’s legs.

“Nothing, my gem,” Shuri assures Emerald, as she opens her eyes, greeted by the reflection of her lover caressing her face lovingly, “just thinking.”

Emerald is a sight to see in the morning. Sweats that hang dangerously low on her hips revealing the band of her boxers that are snug on her pelvis, and a loose cropped shirt that hangs off one shoulder. Her hair hangs low, curls obscuring her eyes, and it only makes her look more tempting to the princess.

“Thinkin’ ‘bout what?” Emerald asks, moving to take a seat next to you, her body pointed to Shuri’s, which faces the window.

The princess shrugs, not really knowing the answer herself. “I don’t know, really.”

“Do you think a lot?”

“Unfortunately.”

Emerald hums in response, her hand still resting on Shuri’s cheek. “What about?”

“A lot of things,” Shuri answers, “a lot of things that would certainly overwhelm you, or (Y/N).”

“So, princess things?”

“Princess things…and then some.”

A soft chuckle escapes both of their lips, with a smile that stays on Emerald’s as she takes in Shuri’s appearance. She still had on the same sweatpants as yesterday, as well as the sports bra, but the sight couldn’t be any more delicious to the dark skinned woman. It didn’t help that her eyes were half-lidden and her curls were a mess, a sure sign that the princess was still riddled with sleep.

“I don’t like thinking sometimes,” Shuri mutters after a moment. Emerald hums once more, urging her to continue.

“It’s too much to think, sometimes. People expect me to, though. To think, to have all the answers. I do- well, not all the answers to everything, but I do get answers. But I also get overwhelmed. Sometimes…I wish someone else could do the thinking for a while. Let my brain get quiet for a bit. I can’t remember the last time I didn’t have to think, but I’m sure, compared to now, it was pleasant.”

Shuri mumbles on, and Emerald takes into account her body language as she speaks - she’s relaxed, but still slightly rigid. She can see it in the way Shuri’s stomach is tense, possibly with anxiousness. Emerald understands why, even though she jokes about it often; she knows the job of a royal isn’t easy, especially for Shuri. She think’s for everyone and has no outlet of her own to turn to.

“You don’t wanna think for a while, right?”

Shuri pauses for a moment, before nodding her head ‘yes’ in response.

“I can make that happen for you, princess.”

Before Shuri has a chance to question Emerald’s statement, she feels her other hand gliding against her midsection in a soothing, almost sultry motion. The low octave of which she spoke made warmth pool into Shuri’s stomach, into her core. Chocolate brown irises bore into each other deeply, tempting each other to lean in.

“I can help you stop thinkin’, is that what you want, baby?”

Shuri nods, this time her reaction is almost immediate. Emerald leans in and captures Shuri’s lips in a breathtaking kiss. It soon turns passionate; Emerald is on Shuri’s lap, and the princess’s grip on her hips is deadly as she whines into the kiss, heat pooling into Shuri's core, begging for attention.

Once the need for oxygen becomes too great, Emerald is the first to pull away, lips swollen and chest heaving from the intensity of the kiss. She stands, pulling Shuri up with her, and places a quick kiss onto the princess’s lips while tugging at her bottoms.

“Bed. Now.” Emerald demands. “And take these off, too. I’ma be right back.”

Shuri is quick to follow instructions - as Emerald goes to retrieve her strap from her bag in the storage closet, Shuri makes quick work at discarding her clothes and takes back her place on the bed, of which the three of you had retreated to at some point during the night after your previous lovemaking session.

It’s only when she’s back on the bed that she remembers your presence there, too, her eyebrows furrowed together. Although you were a deep sleeper, and can - and have - slept through violent storms and countless other loud actions, was Emerald seriously about to fuck her right next to you?

Out of her peripheral, Shuri sees Emerald return, her sweats discarded and now replaced with the boxer briefs needed for her strap. She makes a trek for the coffee table, grabbing the vibrator case that was discarded there the night prior, and from it, she produces one of the two vibrators from the set. A tiny bullet vibrator, and the sight of it alone forces Shuri to swallow the whine she desperately wants to emit, while she can feel her pussy leaking with anticipation.

Emerald climbs onto the bed, her presence demanding Shuri’s attention, knowing what the princess beneath her is thinking.

“Don’t think ‘bout her,” Emerald says, referencing your sleeping figure, your back turned to them as you snoozed soundly, deep in slumber, “don’t think, baby, just feel, can you do that for me?”

Fuck, Emerald is too good at this. Too good at taking command, too good at picking apart Shuri’s mind.

“Need you to let me in that pretty head of yours, princess. Let me take control,” Emerald leans down onto Shuri’s body, leaving kisses from her lips, trailing down her jawline, into the dip of her neck. It leaves the princess breathless, so much so that she doesn’t even hear when Emerald activates the vibrator.

“You gon’ let me in there, Princess?”

Shuri nods eagerly, but it’s nothing compared to the gasp that leaves her lips when Emerald presses the tiny bullet right onto Shuri’s dripping heat, the unholy noises that come from the vibrations and her slick meeting. The metal of the device is cold at first, but with Emerald’s skillful hands circling the device around Shuri’s clit in agonizingly slow motions, it’s not long before Shuri’s brain becomes muddled and weak.

“Fuck, fuck, Em, please…” Shuri whines when the device is place right onto her clit, which is only encouragement for the other woman to continue. There’s a slight tremble in Shuri’s legs already, and it gets Emerald excited.

“Princess is already goin’ dumb,” she hums affectionately right into Shuri’s ear, and the statement awakens something deep within her that she wasn’t aware was even present, “goin’ dumb over a lil’ vibe?”

Shuri’s ability to speak was stripped from her with Em’s words, even more so when she slipped a digit in between her seeping folds. A silent moan left Shuri’s lips at the added pressure, her head began shifting from side to side, overwhelmed from the littlest of contact.

Emerald pressed soothing kisses onto Shuri’s neck while her digit pumped in and out of Shuri’s folds, a gasp of her own slipping past her lips once she actually got a feel for how wet the princess was. Shuri’s pussy was practically sopping with slick, making her in and out motions seem effortless. There was so much, she was surprised her entire hand wasn’t covered with it. It was too tempting - Emerald had to have a taste.

Shuri’s eyes were closed, too caught up in the feeling of pleasure. The sudden absence of Emerald’s face in her neck made the princess whine, but it was soon replaced with a silent scream when the vibrator that had been abusing her clit for the past few minutes was removed, and replaced with Emerald’s tongue.

“Oh, fuck, n-no, Em, please-” but it was too late. The vibrator deactivated and discarded, Emerald’s now free hand went to place itself on top of Shuri’s abdomen, steadying the princess’s desperate attempts at shying away, but Emerald wasn’t having it. She added another digit, picked up the pace, and started curling her fingers inside Shuri’s velvety walls, trying to pinpoint the spot that would have her legs trembling. And when Emerald did find it, and started brushing it mercilessly while her tongue did wonders on Shuri’s clit, the princess couldn’t control the volume of her voice anymore.

“Em, em, I’m cumming-” Shuri whines, her eyes beginning to swell with tears of overwhelming pleasure, “please- please, I can’t- oh, Bast, I’m cumming, I’m cumming-!”

Emerald’s assault on Shuri’s pussy remained ruthless as the princess rode out her high, the blinding pleasure being taken out on the poor sheets and Emerald’s poor curls, but the sting only edged Emerald on further. It took everything in Shuri to not let the Black Panther strength overtake her as her legs closed around Emerald’s head, tremors racking through her limbs in waves. IT’s only when Shuri is coming down that Emerald’s actions begin to slow to a halt.

Emerald lifts her head to see Shuri, spent and breathless, her chest heaving from the intensity of her climax. She’s so effortlessly beautiful, it drives Emerald insane. She slowly pulls her fingers from Shuri’s fluttering core, making the princess’s legs close once again and her core clench around nothing. The lack of presence inside of her makes her whine, but Emerald has plans to fix that soon.

When Shuri opens her eyes once again, the sight before has the slick between her legs pooling once again. Emerald has brung the fingers which were previously buried deep inside of her to her lips, relishing in Shuri’s delectable taste. It’s a sight that has Shuri’s head falling back onto the pillow, desperate for Emerald’s touch once again.

Said woman climbs her way back up to Shuri’s face, taking care to glance at your figure to make sure you were still sleeping. Once your figure is confirmed to be still fast asleep, Emerald plants a series of kisses onto Shuri’s lips, of which the princess returns just as eagerly. “You good, princess?”

Shuri is too breathless to speak, so all that comes out in response is a nod and a short whine, which makes Emerald chuckle. “Got you so dumb, can’t even speak.”

Her words have an intense heat creep up Shuri’s neck, because she knew part of it was true. “That’s fine. I’ll just learn your body instead.”

Shuri jumps when the tip of the cool silicone brushes against her sensitive clit, another whine emitting from her lips. She’s about to question when did Emerald have time to slip the strap into place in her boxers, but the other woman is already a step ahead of her. She’s stroking Shuri’s thighs as she gets them into position, helping the princess relax, even though the events of her previous orgasm are still present in the light trembles that run through Shuri’s legs.

“Hold ‘em back for me baby,” it’s so embarrassing, but Shuri complies, holding the back of her knees in the crevice of her elbow, bearing her sopping wet heat to Emerald, and she all but gasps at the sight of such a pretty pussy on display just for her. It’s nothing compared to the pictures and videos she was blessed with until now, and Emerald takes her time drinking in the sight. Though it’s not long before Shuri gets needy again, and Emerald has to shush the princess with promises of taking care of her soon enough.

“Need you to do somethin’ for me, princess,” Emerald says, as she aligns the strap to Shuri’s entrance, lubricating the silicone with the other woman’s cum and slick, “Need you to focus on my strap, okay? Don’t think ‘bout nothin’ else, you hear me?”

Emerald’s hand rubs soothing strokes along Shuri’s inner thigh; the princess nods with a hum, but it’s not enough for Emerald this time. “Use your words for me, baby.”

“I will,” Shuri chokes out, “I’ll focus on the- oohh my god-!”

In the midst of Shuri’s response, Emerald pressed the silicone strap between Shuri’s folds, and she and Shuri watch as it disappears into the princess. Shuri wants to shout, scream, but nothing comes out of her throat, so she’s left in a silent scream as the overwhelming feeling of being filled by Emerald consumes her entire being.

Emerald buries herself to the base, her stomach brushing ever so gently against Shuri’s sensitive clit, and it makes the princess jerk and the strap inside of her to move ever so slightly, and Shuri is seeing stars.

She feels it, everything in its entirety. The veins that run the length of Emerald’s strap, the tip of it that is oh so close to brushing against that spongy spot of pleasure. And she’s full, so incredibly full and stuffed that there’s nothing else her mind can even begin to think about. Her brain has been emptied of everything else, and the only thing in it is Emerald, and how deliciously she's filling her.

Shuri can’t speak, and Emerald doesn’t force her to. Instead, she takes note of Shuri’s body language, allowing that to be her guide on how to proceed. Once Shuri has calmed down from the overwhelming sensation, and she begins to release noises of desperation, Emerald begins to move.

Her pace is slow and steady, but even so, it has Shuri belting out mewls of pleasure, incoherent babbles spewing from her lips, and it’s here that Emerald confirms she has officially made Shuri dumb for her dick, and the thought alone boosts her ego to incredible heights.

Though Emerald is enraptured by the pants and moans that are spilling out from Shuri’s lips, she can’t help but notice that there’s another spill of them, and when she turns to check on your supposedly sleeping figure, she finds you, in fact, not sleeping, but very much caught up in your own pleasure, with one hand fondling your breast, and the other rubbing circles into your own clit.

It causes her to chuckle, seeing you so easily worked up out of your sleep, and while she maintains her long, languid strokes into Shuri, she reaches over to you, surprising you when her two digits slip right into your slippery heat with ease.

Soon you and Shuri are moaning messes, so close to coming undone together, when Emerald has the best idea she’s ever had in her life.

“Shuri, baby, open your eyes for me,” and Shuri obliges, being met with the delicious sight of Emerald looking down at her with so much love and desire, and in following down her outstretched arm, she sees you, utterly lost on Emerald’s fingers pumping in and out of you as well.

“Can my princess come pleasure my babygirl? While I fuck you from behind? Can you do that for me?”

Emerald doesn’t even have to ask, because the minute she retracts her strap and her hands from both you and Shuri’s core, the princess makes quick work to settle herself between your legs, immediately dipping down to lick and suck at your clit, and you release a desperate, “Haaa, fuck, please…-!” when Shuri’s long fingers slip into your core to replace Emerald’s.

Not a moment passes before Emerald is right behind Shuri, once again aligning herself with the other woman's entrance, and Shuri releases a long, drawn out, “Fuuucckk,” when Emerald slips back inside of her with ease. She picks up her pace, her strokes causing the princess to jerk forward with every thrust, which in turn causes delicious friction against your clit as Shuri’s tongue laps and sucks as it with hunger. Heavy moans and high-pitched whines fill the tiny yet luxurious studio apartment, and as Shuri was still reeling from her last orgasm, it’s only natural that she’s also the first to feel the knot in her stomach tightening once again.

“Shuri, Shuri please, I wanna cum…!” you beg, which only insights her own spiel of whimpering for release, “fuck, fuck, I’m cumming, Em, I’m cumming again!”

And Emerald would be lying if she said she wasn’t feeling one coming for herself, too, because delivering these back shots to Shuri had the edge of the base of the strap brushing against her own clit just right in these boxers. She couldn’t hold out for long. None of them could.

“You gon’ cum for me, princess?” Emerald slurs, and Shuri’s hums of response in such a beautiful, lust filled voice has the dark skinned woman drunk, desperate to hear more. “You gonna make babygirl cum, too?”

“Pleeaaseee, wanna cum, wanna cum so bad, please!” Your squeal of desperation doesn’t go unnoticed by either woman, and it’s Emerald’s whispers of praise - ‘make us cum, princess’, ‘you’re doin’ so good, baby’, ‘fuck, you makin’ me feel that shit, baby’ - that drive Shuri over the edge.

Shuri cums once more, no, she squirts this time, her orgasm spraying all across the sheets and Emerald’s bottom half. You’re soon to follow, releasing right into Shuri’s mouth, and the princess drinks every last of your release. And Emerald is the last, her strokes becoming uncoordinated and unsteady as a sign of her impending climax, and it’s with one last thrust that she stills inside of Shuri, allowing herself to be overwhelmed by the intensity of her own orgasm.

It takes a moment, but all three of you collapse back onto your respective places on the bed - Shuri in the middle, you on the right, and Emerald on the left, closest to the wall. In synchronized heaving and shared glances of love and adoration for one another, a smile graces on each of your faces.

“Well, if I ain’t know any better, I’d say this is a great morning,” hums Emerald, who is the first to recover. You and Shuri, still spent - Shuri more so, as she endured not one, but two earth shattering orgasms - release breathless laughs of agreement to the dark skinned woman.

“Goodmorning, my love,” Shuri hums, “and yes, great morning, my gem.”

“G’morning…” you yawn.

And what a good morning it was.

**********

A/N: Once again, we hope y’all liked this! TBH, we’ve been sitting on this for a while, but we’re just glad we’re getting it out there! There will be a LOT more collabs coming; we’re scheming <3

Stay safe​, y’all! <3

[vargskelegore]

OK! So transfer student shuri showing up to your practice, with an extra water bottle! Transfer student Shuri who says "I'm here for _____" and takes ur bag with all ur stuff in it, slings it across her shoulder and walks u to ur dorm!. Pls I need this!

author's note: now thats some gay ass shitttttt, ain't no way reader's friends would assume their relationship is straight.

friends, huh? - hbcu!shuri x black!reader

word count: 958 words. (shorter than normal, sorry!)

homecoming was coming up fairly soon, and your majorette team was stopping at nothing to perfect the routine that was being prepared for the school.

your school’s band decided the song they would play for the homecoming game was remember the time by michael jackson, and your majorette team would prepare the dance for the song.

with being homecoming being a little under a week away, these practices got more intense. you were the leader of the majorettes, too, so this was more pressure on you than anybody else.

as the practice continued, your water was beginning to run out, and as of right now, since your school was so cheap, the water lines in the gyms and practice rooms/halls weren’t working properly.

you mentally cursed yourself as your team went over the dance routine one more time. “fuck.. i think i’m gonna die if i don’t get no damn water soon.” you muttered. “alright ladies, we’re gonna take ten, if you need to go get water from the other building, feel free, i don’t care.” you were out of breath, and needing a towel asap.

you went to go sit down in the locker room, checking your phone. your face lit up when you saw a message from shuri. opening up your phone, it was a selfie of her, smiling, walking outside. you tilted your head a bit. where was she walking to? not that it was any of your business.

you replied a quick ‘cute :)’ before setting your phone down to get a towel from your locker. coming back, you see she read it, but nothing more. you frowned a bit, because usually she’d walk and text you at the same time, but not this time you assumed.

you overthought a lot-- you never meant to do that, but it always happened. combine that with dance practice, and you were bound to have a stroke.

you sighed for a bit before turning off your phone, because you realized the ten minutes was up, and everyone was back, chatting.

you left the locker room with your towel, setting your phone down next to your bag.

a couple of girls were having a conversation about someone, squealing and giggling. “y’all seen that girl that transferred here? shit, i didn’t think i liked girls til i saw her.” a couple of them laughed, and you raised your eyebrow, wondering what they were talking about, you called out.

“who y’all talkin bout?” you simply asked, getting prepared for another practice.

“nothin, just that new girl.. where she from, wakanda?” you stopped in your tracks once you heard that. they were talking about shuri. your stomach turned a bit hearing them talk about her like that.

“oh, her.. yeah i know who y’all are talking about. why are y’all talking about her?” your voice was a bit weary, but you tried not to show it.

“we saw her walking down the sidewalk.” another girl said, her voice getting all giggly from talking about shuri.

you stomached the way they spoke, clearing your throat before clapping. “alright y’all we need to run the dance again! we ain’t got much time.” your leader voice came through because you couldn’t bare to have this conversation.

there was about ten more run throughs of the dance in twenty minutes, and you were burnt out.

as the rehearsal came to a close, you gathered the girls in a circle to talk about things that need to be fixed in the future rehearsal.

“alright y’all, we did good today but it needs to be better tomorrow. i’m really proud of what we have going on as of right now, but i’m sure we can do better--”

you were interrupted by the loud door opening. all the girls turned around to look, and you were confused yourself at who could’ve came in.

“..are you looking for something?” one of the girls called out. you could hear some of them giggling at who walked into the room, and whispering.

“uh.. i’m here for y/n.” your ears perked up at who it was. shuri.

she was holding up a water bottle, other hand in her hoodie pocket as she stood there awkwardly.

you moved away from the girls to walk up to shuri. you could see her face visibly light up once she saw you.

“what are you doing here? i thought you were studying..” you whispered to her as you walked up to her. she only laughed.

“when you were complaining about there being no water in the gym, i asked you when rehearsal ended so i could give you some.. i didn’t want to interrupt during the rehearsal.” she was clearly shy and embarrassed because everyone else was staring at you.

“that’s so sweet.. um- thank you, shuri.” your face was getting warm as you grabbed the water from her.

“oh, so you wasn’t finna tell us that you know her, y/n?” one of your co-majorettes called out. everyone else just laughed. you cleared your throat.

“well, she and i are friends-- wait, why are you in my business? rehearsal is over, y’all go back home.” you were quick to speak as shuri went over to grab your bag and put it over her shoulder. “i’m ready when you are, y/n.” her voice was back to being soft as the girls giggled some more.

“friends, my ass.” one of them whispered. you were so embarrassed at this point, there was nothing more to say.

“girl hush, y’all better get out of here before y’all get locked inside.” you warned as you walked out of the dance practice room with shuri.

there was something neither you and shuri could deny,

and that was being friends was kiiinda overrated.

[acommonwhor3]

Y’all I saw this today and I’ve been writing non-stop. I need their sexy ass!!! PLEASE LORD PLEASE HAVE MERCYYYYY!!!

[liyawritesss]

ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ᴅᴀᴛᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʜʙᴄᴜ!ꜱʜᴜʀɪ

Characters: HBCU!Shuri Udaku x Black!GN!Reader

Type: Headcanons

Synopsis: What would a first date withHBCU!Shuri entail? Can you make it past the texting stage, or will you be stuck imagining it all in your head?

Warnings: mild cursing, but other than that, nothing but pure fluff.

A/N: it’s been a minute since i’ve seen anything HBCU!Shuri related, sooooo I decided to take my stab at it. Just a cute lil idea I’ve had for a while now, and thought to finally put it into words.

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 @rosielovesfashion @lulu-network @nichole-224 @niyahwrites @Lppriceisright @hufflehans

Sign Up For My Taglist Here!

The two of you meet by chance in a campus cafe. Shuri was there working on assignments for class, and you’d asked to sit at her table as all the other chairs in the cafe were taken. In engaging in light conversation, the two of you found comfort in each others company. Shuri was surprisingly easy to talk to, which soothed your worries when engaging with the royal.

You noticed that the particular assignment she was struggling with dealt with Literature, and in an effort to befriend toe royal, you offered to tutor her. Shuri graciously accepted your offer, and so, the two of you traveled back to your dorm for the impromptu study session.

Before either of you knew it, night time had come, and you’d been ‘studying’ for hours, which was more of watching random tik toks and getting to know one another.

To return the favor, Shuri asks you out on a date. Though her tone is nervous, she expresses that she thinks you’re cute and your company soothes her, and she would like to take you out sometime. The two of you agree that the next day would be the best, to avoid any unwanted anxiety from the prolonging of the occasion.

When the next evening rolls around, Shuri shows up to your door dressed comfortably yet stylish. She wears a cream colored hoodie with a white tee underneath, a pair of black shorts and cream sneakers to match. It was ironic, because you wore the same color palette for your outfit. A sheepish laugh was shared between the two of you at the realization of your unintentional matching.

Shuri brings flowers, because she’s got such good manners. She’s not basic, however, so in an attempt to make a good impression, she researches the meanings of certain flowers, and has a bouquet made at a local florist to make it extra special. It’s a mixture of purple tulips and daisies, to signify the start of whatever relationship the two of you may have, be it romantic or platonic, and the excitement that comes with it for her.

I believe Shuri would be the kind of person to prefer chill dates to ones that are extravagant or heavily thought out. You’ll probably drive to a nearby corner spot or late night food truck to grab a bite, and either sit at a trail overlooking a body of water or a beachfront. She’s taking it slow purposefully, as the two of you are still getting to know each other and don't want to push you into anything that may make you uncomfortable.

Doesn’t mind handing you the aux cord as the two of you eat in the car - in fact, she more than encourages it. She thinks that a person's taste in music tells a lot about them, so whatever happens to slip from the conversation, she’ll probably pick it up from whatever music you decide to play.

After eating the two of you will just sit at the spot, talking as if you’re two souls reuniting again and catching up on centuries lost. She’s quite the schemer though; will definitely slip your hand into her while you’re so engrossed in what youre talking about, or ghost a hand on your thigh while she maintains interest in your words. Licking her lips, maintaining eye contact, she does it all with intention. She knows it can be intense sometimes, though, and tries to dial it down for the first date at least. But if you reciprocate? She’ll absolutely melt into it.

The date will end with a sweet kiss at your dorm door. Depending on your body language, she’ll either give you a kiss on the forehead, cheek, or lips; she asks first in any case of course. ‘They’re sweeter that way’ she says, which makes you laugh and the heat creep up your neck menacingly.

Shuri texts you to let you know that she’s made it home, as to not have you worry, and throughout texting until you fall asleep on the phone, she definitely hints that she has another date in mind already.

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

[chaneajoyyy]

WLW FANFICTION (PART 2)

@ljstraightnochaser

BLACK PANTHER

SHURI

senile souls- @nzia-writes

fatal touch series- @writingintheshadowsforever

shuri soft headcanons, @m0chaminx

i do, mentor, grieving, jealousy, a helping hand my cheerleader, focus series, how i met your mother, surprise visit, a+ series, sweet girl, stolen heart, shuri hc's, butterflies, satisfied, eat me for breakfast, unexpected love, mommy's girl, we'll meet again, shuri smut drabble, miss me kiss me, paint me, my heart and soul, i'm not over you- @heejayy

don't run from me, 24/7 (ft. riri williams)- @kisskourt

come and see me, heart of iron & steel (ft. riri williams), tulips, the panther's muse- @risingoftime

generous- @gardenof-venus

our!?, permission- @demie90s

record store- @cuddl3s4shur1

they kissing!- @axailslink

imagine shuri revealing your true heritage to you- @writingintheshadowsforever

genius princess, comfortable, for a while- @solitaryearthperson

dating shuri headcanons, beach day, i'm not sure, stop trying, maybe it's the jazz, is that what you think? hold on, when i had the chance, don't play with me princess, what did i tell you?, sit down please, smoking that 🍃 with shuri- @haechvn

insecure, valentine's day with shuri, believe me series, stressed out, nights like this, griot, rivals, too much series, christmas with shuri headcanon series, training with shuri, cooking with shuri, @queenofsimpsblog

swallow (your pride), i miss your there series, private session, meet me under the golden tree, motel princess, for you i'll try, all eyes on you, eyes on me, seven wonders, wouldn't change a thing, vampire shuri series, black tracksuit shuri (photos), shuri (photos)- @sapphicvqmpires

crown royal, the elevator, your panther series-@pocketsizedpanther

forbidden fruit, seven deadly sins, on the throne, the panther's prey, touchin', lovin', f*ckin' "- @naomis-daydream

@prettymrswright

speak to me softly- @sloth-babied

everything that's broke leave it to breeze, first date with hbcu!shuri, shuri w/ a college!reader, domesticwife!shuri headcanons series, summertime curshin', i have loved you since we were eighteen series, you are my peace of mind, iceskating with the bp:wf girls (search: shuri x black!reader)- @shinsousliya

next to me series- @babyboiboyega

CAPTAIN MARVEL

CAROL DANVERS

different but same, dust- @solitaryearthperson

THOR

VALKYRIE/BRUNHILDE

soft, hardness (sequel to soft), it was my fault- @solitaryearthperson

***PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE FICS!!!***

[mbakuetshurisprincess]

Everything You Come With

AN: Okay so a while ago an anon said this and the idea has bounced around in my head for so long. So today I was like fuck it sit down and write that shit and that’s what I did! It’s super short but I’m trying to get better about not writing fuckin BOOKS for every post so here's this bite-size fic. Unrelated, a few housekeeping/general notes, I’m about to start back with university (Penelope Scott was really right about sophomore year in Cigarette Ahegao) so my posting is going to be a lot less frequent. I’m still gonna try to post and not go TOTAL ghost like I did before but it’s definitely gonna be a challenge. So please bear with me and send me all of your positive HBCU academia energy 

Summary: After the events with Namor, a fear of water plagues you wake or asleep. 

Pairing: Shuri x Fem!Reader

Warnings: Descriptions of drowning and panic. Cursing, think that’s it.

Word count: 1,808

Suggested listening: Circles - Mac Miller

“And I can keep you safe, I can keep you safe Do not be afraid, do not be afraid You're feelin' sorry, I'm feelin' fine Don't you put any more stress on yourself It's one day at a time”

Water. You felt the sensation of cool water pooling underneath your feet, looking down you saw the clear water just starting to reach your ankles. Where were you? You looked up from your feet and tried to take a step forward, only to be met with a clear glass wall no more than a step in front of you. What? You looked around and noticed the other three walls, encasing you in some sort of glass box. What the fuck was going on? 

Your confusion was only increased by the feeling of the water rising higher on your legs, now reaching your calves. How had it gotten that high that quick? The coldness was starting to get to you as you were just in leggings and a shirt. You took a moment to study your surroundings, outside of the clear box you were in, you saw nothing. Not like a room with no objects in it, nothing. Surrounding you was the kind of nothing that leaves a person with uneasiness, a black void that can’t hold anything or anyone within it. This couldn’t be good.

Where was Shuri? Surely if you were in some sort of danger she would be there to save you, she always was. You tried to call out to her, to yell her name in hopes that the sound of your voice would bring your love to your rescue. But the sound just bounced around the clear walls and echoed back to you. There was no one to hear you scream. The water started rushing into the box faster now, sending cool waves across your mid-thigh. 

You found yourself fighting to stay calm, as the water level rose around you. Water hadn’t been a fear of yours before this year. You’d been a well-known swimmer in your tribe and were known to often be found hanging out by the river's edge during your free time. When Namor attacked Wakanda you were almost drowned, having been held underwater by waves for nearly five minutes before Shuri saved you. It took divine intervention by Bast herself to save your life some said because there was no way you should've survived being unconscious for so long. The incident left you with a fear of water so strong you couldn’t even shower for months without Shuri being with you to calm your anxiety. But you had worked through that, you and Shuri both had started seeing therapists separately, attempting to heal from the year's events. And slowly but surely your water-based worries had lessened. 

But right now feeling the water rest at your waist, you felt it all slowly start to creep back into you. You forced yourself to take a deep breath in and out. The only thing that could calm you right now was Shuri, so you imagined what she would say if she was with you. 

“Look around you usana. What’s going on?” 

You surveyed your surroundings once again and gathered all of your information. You were in some kind of clear plastic box, surrounded on all sides with water filling it. 

“Where’s the water coming from?” 

Looking down at your feet you tried to find a hole or valve where water could be coming in from, but you found nothing. How was the water rising if there was no place for it to come in from? Strange. As you made the realization that there was no water valve the water started rushing in faster, almost as if it heard what you were thinking. The feeling of water rising up just below your breast sent panic through your body, this was now becoming dire and you still hadn’t found a way out. 

“Hey hey, stick with me usana.” You could practically hear Shuri’s reassurance in your head. “Use that brain of yours, breathe and think about this rationally.” 

You did as Shuri commanded, closing your eyes and taking a deep breath. The word rationally replayed in your head and finally, it all clicked. You were dreaming. Somehow you were stuck in one of your top nightmare scenarios. Armed with this information you opened your eyes, ready to apply the coping skills your therapist had taught you to break yourself out of this nightmare. But the sight that you saw when you opened them did nothing but bring horror into your heart. The same as before as if triggered by your realization that something was up, the water level had risen now to your shoulders.

Its coolness and sudden appearance instantly brought you back to Namor and slowly you felt the calmness be ripped away from you. Dream or not this was becoming too much. As the water raised past your shoulders and to your ears you tried to move but your feet were anchored to the ground as if they weighed thousands of pounds. The feeling of your heart beating fast in your chest was sending you into overdrive and it took everything in you not to scream. You tried to move once again, to swim upwards and try to beat the water, but your feet stayed stuck to the ground. 

Swiftly the water covered you and everything went silent, just the echo of your heart to let you know you were still alive. You didn’t know how long you could hold your breath, but you still wasted energy thrashing your arms upwards trying to pull your feet from underneath you. It wasn’t working, you could feel the panic reaching its precipice within you, your body fighting an urge to just scream and let the water overtake your lungs. 

“Y/N.” 

You could hear Shuri calling you from above, you knew it was her. If only you could just unsecure your feet from the bottom and swim up to her. She would be able to pull you from the water, you knew it. You stopped your scream of fear and worry from coming out to try to swim upwards again, to no avail.

“Y/N.” 

She called to you again, her voice sounding more desperate for you this time. Every muscle in your body was trying to push you off the ground and get you out of the cold water to your Shuri but it wasn’t working. Why wasn’t it working, you begged yourself. Your body gave in and finally let out the scream it had been holding in. You felt the water rush into your lungs and fill them, choking you with its coolness and sudden invasion. 

Your eyes shot open and you sat up abruptly out of bed, gasping for air. You looked over and saw a very worried Shuri staring at you, sitting up. You tried to speak but only managed to get out an “I-” before the tears spilled from your eyes. 

“Oh usana,” Shuri said with a sad sigh, pulling your body on top of hers so you were straddling her waist. She wrapped her arms around your waist and slid them up your back and rubbed soothing circles. You couldn’t help all the tears that you let out as you buried your head into Shuri’s shoulder, holding onto her neck tightly as if she was going to slip away. 

Shuri would let you stay like that for as long as you needed, just content that she could bring you some type of peace at the moment. Deep down it scared the shit out of her. Your movement in your sleep is what first woke her up, she watched as you tossed and turned debating if she should wake you or not. When she finally did call your name and you didn’t wake up, that's when she started getting concerned. It was obvious to the Queen that whatever dream you were having wasn’t a pleasant one and it pained her to know that the figments that your mind created were the one thing she couldn’t make go away. Your scream shook her to the core and when she saw your tears it took everything in her for her to not cry right then with you. She hated seeing you in so much pain. 

After allowing Shuri’s presence to ground you for a while you finally spoke into her warm body. “I’m sorry.”

“There is nothing to be sorry for my love.” 

Her response didn’t do anything but bring more tears to your eyes, what did you do to have such a sweet partner. “I’m sorry for being such a burden to you.” You said quietly with your head still buried in Shuri’s shoulder. 

Shuri stopped rubbing your back for a split second as she processed the gravity of what you said. “Have I made you feel like a burden?” She asked the question sincerely. 

“Never.” You reassured softly, Shuri never made you feel like a burden even with everything you dealt with. She always said she had agreed to love you as a person and that included everything you came with, no matter what. 

Shuri tapped your back signaling that she wanted to look at you and you shook your head no. You knew your eyes would be all puffy from crying and that your hair probably looked crazy since your scarf had slipped off sometime during tonight's events. Your ‘no’ was met by a meek “Please,” from Shuri and how could you deny her. Slowly you lifted your head from her shoulder to meet Shuri’s eyes. When you finally looked at her she gave you a small smile “There is my beautiful girl.” 

Despite the grim mood in the room you couldn’t help but blush at Shuri’s compliment. She had a way of doing that, of making you happy even when you didn’t think it was possible. 

“You are not, have not, and will not ever be a burden to me,” Shuri spoke the words seriously to you, holding your eye contact. “We went through something and it’s okay that you’re still not at a hundred percent yet, you don’t have to be.” 

Hearing Shuri say those words felt like a weight had been released from your shoulders. You felt like since everything with Namor had happened a year ago, you for some reason needed to move on. Like your healing was supposed to be on some fast-tracked timeline and at some point, you had fallen behind. But Shuri freed you from that with her words and you knew she meant them. 

“Thank you.” You said quietly ducking your head back into her. Normally she would insist on more talking so you two could work through the nightmare but the Queen could sense your tiredness. She kissed your forehead and pulled you close to her body so that your chests were touching; you rested your head on your favorite pillow, her shoulder. You fell asleep on Shuri that night, knowing whatever was next she would be there beside you. 

Taglist: 

@shuriszn @sokkasbae25 @verachii @cuddl3s4shur1 @takeyaki @jinnie10101 @letitias-fav @sweetalittleselfish-honey @beautybyfire @6-noir @mocha-aya @yvxmpire @mysticalmarss @ziayamikaelson @youralphawolf72 @n7cje

[angelsmist]

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS 2

HBCU!SHURI X READER

prompt: shuri invited you to wakanda for the holidays, and you can’t help but feel homesick

contains: fluff, kissing, suggestive themes

note: probably not gonna have the new years chapter ready in time since it’s tmr but it’s okay 😁!

translation: kulungile ngokuhlwa = good evening

for the next few days, shuri had been taking you out to explore wakanda, and everything was just better than you could possibly imagine.

the food was way more organic than in america, and tasted better. especially the fruits.

not to mention the people. they were so welcoming. probably because it was incredibly unlikely that someone from the royal family would want to bring an outsider into their home, but they still made you feel like you were apart of the community they had long before you were there.

not only that, shuri bought you almost everything you looked at for over ten seconds. you’d tell her you were fine and didn’t need it, and she’d somehow go behind your back and get it for you. you currently had jewelry on that had to be worth more than your life.

tomorrow was christmas, and although you had been feeling homesick, shuri did her best to make you feel better about not

celebrating christmas. and it worked. for the most part.

you two had been out for at least five hours, and even though you were having a great time, you were getting quite tired. each time

you’d even mention the palace, though, shuri would find something else to occupy the both of you with.

you two were currently sitting on a bench, eating meat pie. you tapped on shuri’s shoulder. “yo, what’s the time?”

you gave shuri your phone so you wouldn’t get distracted, so she had been holding onto it for the past few hours.

“it’s almost midnight,” she answered.

one thing that wakanda and america had in common was how busy the two still were at night. you loved it, though.

“shouldn’t we be heading back to the palace, then?”

she hummed. “not yet.”

you furrowed your eyebrows. “why not?”

“there’s just a bit more explore.”

“we’ve been doing that for the past week, shuri,” you replied, growing suspicious. “you’ve been keeping me away from the palace all day. is something going on?”

her silence made you continue. “shuri, you’re royalty. i get it if you got sum to attend to. i don’t wanna waste your time.”

“nonsense,” she dismissed immediately. “the only place i’d like to be right now is here. with you. i can assure you nothing is happening at the palace. i just don’t want the day to end.”

“that’s what tomorrow’s for,” you informed, even though the line felt corny. you were tired and your feet hurt.

shuri thought for a second. “the palace is a twenty minute walk from here, right?”

you nodded reluctantly.

“alright, let’s go, then.”

you were kind of confused by her change of heart, but you didn’t complain, since as stated before, you were exhausted.

you and shuri had been walking for maybe ten minutes, when it occurred to you how nervous she looked.

you nudged her shoulder. “you good? you look like you finna pass out.”

when your words registered in her mind, she plastered a smile onto her face that was clearly fake. “i’m okay.”

you showed your teeth, looking at her for a second before continuing to walk. “you sure?”

“mhm! i’m great.”

you would’ve bought it, if your eyes didn’t land on her hands. she was messing with them like crazy, and usually it was the other way around. you reached towards her to grab one hand, intertwining it with yours.

you tried your best to limit the effect her touch had on you. “i get if you don’t wanna tell me, but i’m sure whatever’s got you acting like this will be fine. just sleep on it.”

your efforts were successful, though they didn’t last permanently. shuri couldn’t calm down because the reason why she had suddenly grown nervous was you. she had planned something and wasn’t sure if it would go the way she wanted it to.

it amazed the princess how passionate you could get when you talked about things you loved. that included christmas, and thanks to your endless stories, shuri was able to pull a few strings specifically for you.

this wasn’t all for nothing, though. she hoped to get a relationship out of it. like a real, romantic relationship.

she was sick of the game you two had going on and figured that it was time to make a move.

the downside of this plan?

well, there was a chance that her feelings for you were not reciprocated.

“kulungile ngokuhlwa, princess shuri,” aneka greeted her as soon as you two entered the floor where the bedrooms were. she looked at you. “would you like me to escort miss (l/n) to her room?”

she shook her head. “that’s okay, aneka. i’ll do it tonight.”

aneka knew something. you could tell by the look she shared with shuri. all it did was grow your suspicion. as aneka walked off, you gave shuri a stare.

she stared back as if she was clueless. “what?”

you began your journey to your room next to shuri, a playful grin on your lips. “what are you hiding from me, shuri?”

“i don’t know what you are talking about,” she fibbed.

once the two of you stopped at your door, she opened the door for you kindly, and you sent her a nod jokingly. “so kind.”

when you finally entered your room, your jaw felt like it touched the ground.

shuri had given your room a complete christmas makeover. and not just that, everything was decorated in all the ways you had described. green tree with the fake frost on it, the white lights stringing across the entire room, literally everything. somehow the vibe in your room matched the one you felt back home with you family. the lights were off, aside from the christmas ones that dimly lit up the place.

shuri waited from the door as you took in every detail of the room. you tried to speak, but all that came out were stutters since you were literally at a loss for words.

“i know you told me to leave it alone…but i just couldn’t,” she explained.

she closed the door behind her as you turned to the princess. “is this why you kept me out the palace all day?”

shuri stared back at you with an innocent shrug.

“we don’t celebrate christmas here in wakanda, so i hope i did a good job.”

you let out a breathy laugh. “you did great. i mean, every part of this place…” you paused your scan of the room when your eyes looked above the two of you.

shuri followed your gaze and stared at the ceiling. “what?”

you blinked awkwardly with a tight-lipped smile. “it’s just…that’s a mistletoe, and…”

she raised an eyebrow, and you literally could not tell if she was being serious. “and what?”

“there’s, like, a thing with mistletoes where you, like, you know…”

“i don’t think i do,” she spoke in an amused tone.

“you for real don’t know what a mistletoe is?” your voice raised an octave. shuri shook her head. “well, it’s supposed to be this thing where whoever’s under it…locks lips.”

you head fell in embarrassment and she kneeled just a bit to catch your eyes. “locks lips?”

“yeah, like a kiss.”

“i know what locking lips means.”

it was when you looked back up from the ground and into her orbs that it occurred to you that she was staring at your lips.

your breath hitched in your throat. when her eyes returned to yours, realization flashed in her eyes. but, she didn’t move, and neither did you.

she seemed to be taking her time. you felt one of her hands touch your elbow softly as it trailed up, and she used it as an opportunity to pull you closer.

your eyes closed shut when you felt her breath on your lips. but her eyes remained open, and she took in every detail of your face. in her eyes, there was not a single flaw.

“just say the word, and i’ll stop,” she whispered, a rasp clear in her voice because of how quietly she spoke.

you didn’t protest at all.

when your noses touched, so did your top lips, but it seemed the princess had fun teasing you rather than giving you what you wanted.

she moved her head back, and you chased it for half a second before realizing she wanted to stop. “i’m sorry, i just…i need to hear you say it.”

you pulled on her sleeve to bring her closer to you once again. “i don’t want you to stop.”

within seconds, her lips collided with yours hungrily, and neither of you showed any sign of stopping.

she broke the kiss after a few seconds. “can you just open your mouth a little bit more, just a little?”

your lips touched once again, and you complied. you couldn’t help but moan when her hands trailed down to your waist from the inside of your jacket.

the kiss was growing heated, but once again, shuri broke it. there was caution in her eyes, but there was also lust right behind it that she failed to hide.

“are you sure?”

you pulled off your jacket easily, all while catching your breath.

“more than anything.”

[babyboiboyega]

The Study Room Pt. 3 (HBCU!Shuri x Black!Fem!reader)

HBCU!Shuri x Black!Fem!Reader

Word Count: 6.9k (wHEW)

Content: fluff, a little profanity, angst, slight violence, shit is getting real lmao

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A/N: HELLO! I did change some things in the first part. Instead of Queen Ramonda calling Shuri, Okoye is the person who calls her! Mainly because I kind of changed my mind about bringing Ramonda back to life for this series. I love her character literally so much...but I think its important to stay with the storyline of how her death affected Shuri. I think that's all I have to say. OH! This series will have another name sooner rather than later! With the plot I have in my mind, "The Study Room" doesn't really fit...but we'll see!

Other than that...enjoy the third part! 

TRANSLATIONS:

Ikumkani wam: my queen

Ukumkanikazi: queen

Ngoku: now

******

Recap: 

“Okay. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

The smile on Shuri’s face radiated fondness and a softness that no one else on campus had seen as she watched your breaths even out. Even as she was sure that you were asleep, she continued to rub your hand, the motion that had put you to sleep relaxing her more and more.

You weren’t awake to hear her words, but she spoke them nonetheless into the darkened room.

“Goodnight, Y/N.”

**********

You didn’t know how long you had been sleeping when you were awoken by your phone buzzing on the bedside table next to you. It had been so tempting to ignore it, but then the memory of recent events flew to the forefront of your mind. The only people you could think of that would call you at such a time of the night were close family members, Imani, and Imani’s parents. After the night’s events, it wasn’t surprising when you picked up your phone to see Imani’s mother calling you.

Quickly sliding out of bed, you quietly walked into Shuri’s bathroom, closing the door softly behind you.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Y/N. It’s Mrs. Byers.”

It was easy to keep the fatigue at bay for the meantime, especially as you figured that she was only calling because of some kind of update on Imani. However, you couldn’t stop your eyes from closing, one of your hands reaching up to rub at them.

“Hey, Mrs. Byers. How’s Imani? Is everything okay?”

The both of you spoke quietly on the phone for the next few minutes. She told you of the small update they had been given in the middle of the night, and how the update meant that they’d be able to take Imani home first thing in the morning. She had even asked if you were okay and if you had found a place to stay for the night, to which you replied with a rather vague confirmation that you had indeed found a place to stay. 

After asking her to have Imani call in the morning, if she was up for it, the call ended with both of you bidding the other goodnight. Almost immediately after hanging up, the stress that had been seizing your body during the entire ordeal dissipated. Mrs. Byers’ confirmation that her daughter would be perfectly fine prompted that exhaustion from earlier to smack into you, this time, completely unbridled and without the influence of stress and worry. 

You didn’t waste another second stepping back into the darkened room, intent on crawling right back into Shuri’s bed and resuming your sleep. Your steps came up short as you saw Shuri’s shadowy figure sitting up on the edge of her bed, facing you. She reached over, fiddling with something on the bedside table, and then there was a soft, purple glow emitting from some kind of crystal/rock. 

“Everything okay?”

Despite being dead tired, your exhausted brain still held enough energy to start racing at the sound of her groggy, raspy voice and how it was full of worry. She moved to stand up but you quickly held out a hand, walking towards her.

“No, it's fine. Everything’s good. That was Imani’s mom and she was just letting me know that they’ll be able to take her home in the morning.”

She nodded, rubbing at her face. In the dim lighting of the room, you could make out a small smile on her face. 

“That’s good. I’m glad. So…you comin' back to bed?”

Her question quite literally rendered you speechless, and it was solely because of the innuendo her words held. The question was one that most would expect to hear from their partner…not their friend that they had surely grown feelings for and who they had to share a bed with.

Not to mention the light and hopeful tone in her voice as she asked the question, almost as if she wanted you to get back into bed. As if she wanted to share a space that could certainly be seen as intimate in some settings with you. 

“Y/N?”

“Huh? Yeah! Yeah, I’m coming back to bed.”

God, were you thankful for the dim lighting of the room. If not for it, she would have surely been able to see your face and the way you had to bite back a giddy smile as you walked back to your side. She held the covers up as you slid back into your space, and only once you were laying down did she pull the covers over the two of you after turning off the lamp.

It felt natural getting back into the same position you two had initially gone to sleep in. The only difference this time was that, instead of Shuri reaching for your hand and tracing shapes, you reached for hers. This time, you traced idle shapes into her skin, letting your eyes shut and letting sleep once again claim you both. 

*************

Waking up just a few hours later was a little different. As the first signs of consciousness reached you, the various reminders that you weren’t in your own bed once again confronted you. 

For starters, where the sun usually streamed through your window, beaming directly into your face in your dorm, the opposite could be said for Shuri’s. There were nice, blackout curtains covering the windows of her room that you hadn’t noticed the night before (presumably to provide her a good enough sense of privacy), and the same crystal that had given off the soft, purple light last night was on. The relaxing aura it gave off reminded you of the woman it belonged to- the same woman who was missing from her own room. 

Slowly sitting up, you fixed your bonnet, surprised to not find it on the other side of the bed (or room). Your eyes, still a little heavy with sleep, looked around the room for the one person you wanted to see only to come up empty. They closed again, your head falling to the pillow as a sigh left your mouth. The urge to grab the cover and pull it right back over you continued to grow the longer you laid there, but your attention was soon drawn to the door of Shuri’s room as the sound of keys being inserted rang out. The door swung open right as you sat up, eyes instantly finding the princess herself.

“Oh, good morning. How’d you sleep?”

She carried two paper bags in her hand that she sat down on her desk while she shed her coat, exposing her t-shirt and sweatpants, the clothes she had worn to bed.  Kicking off her shoes and turning to you, she walked in your direction, picking up the bags.

“I slept pretty okay. How’d you sleep? Also I’m sorry for waking you up last night.” Shuri proceeded to grab a tray-like item, setting it on her bed in front of you. She set the bags on the tray before crawling back into bed, sitting beside you.

“It’s totally fine. I’m just glad your friend is okay.” There was a smile on her face as she glanced at you before reaching into her bag. Your eyebrows furrowed as she motioned for you to do the same, and upon leaning closer, the smell of food became apparent. 

“Thank you- did you get us breakfast?”

To answer, she unboxed her food, showcasing it to you. She held a bagel topped with cream cheese and fruit out for you to see. It looked delicious, and you found yourself actually wanting to try it; that is until you remembered that she had gotten you your own food.

Reaching into your own bag, you pulled out a sandwich item wrapped with parchment paper. The mouth-watering smell grew, and as it did, you could feel it tugging at a familiar part of your brain. Opening the paper showed that your breakfast consisted of a croissant that was stuffed with what looked and smelled to be nutella and slices of fruit. You immediately recognized it as your go to order from one of your favorite cafes on campus. 

You looked up, ready to thank her generously for breakfast, but then you realized not one, but two things. The first realization was that Shuri’s dorm wasn’t the closest to the cafe, having to be at least a 10 minute walk. The second realization came after you looked closer at Shuri and saw little droplets of water in her curls. Eyebrows furrowing, you leaned forward without thinking, catching a drop of water that had been getting ready to fall off of a curl and right onto her face. You quickly pulled your hand back, though, at the way Shuri froze, her eyes softening at your actions.

“Shuri…don’t tell me it was raining and you walked to get breakfast.”

Once again, instead of answering, she simply shrugged with a knowing smile on her face. She raised her bagel to her mouth, taking a bite as she gazed at you.

You gawked at her, eyes wide in disbelief. She let it go on for a second before she motioned to your food in your hand, her eyebrows raising.

“You need to eat before it gets cold.”

She somehow sounded both teasing and demanding at the same time, and the thrill that it sent through you made you lose all words you were going to say. Wordlessly, you lifted the crescent to your mouth, taking a bite. You couldn’t help the small, satisfied sigh that left your mouth at the taste of your favorite breakfast item. 

It had admittedly been a while since the last time you had it, due to things just being a little extra hectic lately. Winter break was approaching which also meant the arrival of finals, something you had gratefully finished the week before. But even after finishing your last exam, going to your favorite cafe hadn’t been on your list of priorities, unfortunately. But leave it to Shuri to provide a reminder of why and how much you loved the cafe.

A minute or two of you both eating in content silence passed until you broke it. You spoke softly, not wanting to disrupt the air of tranquility.

“Can I ask what kind of lamp that is?”

She glanced over her shoulder at the crystal lamp still providing a little bit of light before turning back to you. 

“It’s quartz crystal infused with vibranium from Wakanda. Given to me as a ‘going away’ present by a friend.” She smiled fondly as she spoke, but then she motioned to something behind you.

“I have two. One on this side, and one on your side.”

The only thing that distracted you from possibly overthinking her usage of the words ‘your side’ was when she placed her food back on the tray and leaned over. She rose onto her knees, reaching over your lap to turn the lamp on. She was close enough for you to smell the hair products in her hair, undoubtedly activated by the rain outside. They smelled natural and soothing; nothing like the chemical filled products often found in the states. 

You set a hand behind you, leaning back on it to give her more space, no matter how much you wanted to lean forward. Her hand landed on the other side of your lap, propping her up as she leaned over, fiddling with the lamp. You watched as the same light emitted from it only for it to change into a soft, blue color. 

Leaning in the same direction as her, you looked closer at the light, taking the time to truly admire it. The only word that could be used to describe it was…enchanting. You wouldn’t call it magical; there was something much deeper about its appeal to call it simply ‘magical’. 

“So the quartz reacts to the vibranium, making it glow like that.” You assumed, eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity. “I’m assuming it was your genius addition that makes it possible to change the color.” 

Your words were said with a smile as you turned your head to look at her only to finally realize how close you two were. She nodded, her gaze unwavering from where it connected with yours. Her voice was soft as she responded.

“Yeah…I developed a way to alter the smallest bit of irradiation inside of the crystal, which makes it change colors.” 

The answer was simple enough, but you still couldn’t help staring in awe at her. She had taken an already scientifically advanced item and further advanced it. It wasn’t a surprise that she could do it, but it was still something to be in awe of.

“It…it makes sense. It’s also not surprising that you made it better.” A breathless laugh left your mouth, making her laugh softly. She propped herself up more which only brought her face closer to yours. It was obvious how your heart sped up if your quickened breaths were anything to go by. 

“Is that what you think? That I make things better?”

Was this really happening?

Shuri’s eyes unabashedly looked down at your lips, and the next breath you took in stuttered slightly. Her movements were slow as she leaned closer, drawing her face closer to yours until the air from her next words could be felt on your lips.

When she spoke, her voice was rough around the edges, as if she were straining herself back from doing more and trying her best to get them out. Her free hand raced, tracing a path from the tips of your free hand up to your elbow, which she used to pull you closer. You didn’t offer any resistance, essentially a pile of puddy in her hands. Your name left her mouth on a  breathless exhale.

“Tell me to stop…if you don’t want this, tell me to stop.”

You couldn’t possibly make your voice work right, so you settled with shaking your head. Her movements paused in their entirety; she stopped drawing you closer and her tracing stopped.

“I need to hear it.”

“I don’t want you to stop.” Your voice was merely a whisper, almost getting stuck in your throat as you forced them out. The breathlessness of your voice made a crooked smile appear on Shuri’s face as she leaned forward once more. She lifted her hand, using it to tip your chin back.

Your body felt as if it were on fire as she paused again, simply observing the position she had you in. The spots where her skin came into contact with yours were the hottest, though it felt as if molten lava flowed from those spots and through your veins. She still had that damned smile on your face, and you wanted nothing to kiss it right off. You could feel something close to defiance entering your mind, spurred on by the way she continued to tease you, even in the slightest. It made you clench your jaw, lifting your chin more as you hardened your gaze where it connected with hers…and she immediately recognized your look for what it was. 

Her eyebrows rose in a mixture of surprise and amusement, and then she was finally about to close the gap, her lips skimming just the surface of your bottom lip-

Only for you both to quickly separate at the sound of 3 heavy knocks landing on her door. It quickly shattered the air surrounding you; the tranquility, the vulnerability, the tension.  It didn’t get rid of it in its entirety, for it still simmered right there on the surface, turning more into a need than a want. 

A quick glance Shuri’s way showed her rubbing a hand down her face in frustration and turning towards the door. She quickly scooted to the edge of the bed before pausing, sending a look over her shoulder at you. The attraction that had been in her eyes mere seconds ago was still there, but it almost seemed masked now. You couldn’t find an ounce of regret in her eyes, but the sudden change had your heart beating quickly, and not in anticipation. More so in nervousness.

“*Ikumkani wam…I know you are in there. You know I have no reservation about kicking this door down.”

Shuri’s eyes widened almost comically as she turned back to the door, quickly making her way towards it. As her back was turned, you took the chance to place a hand against your chest, willing your heart to go back to its regular pace. 

“Okoye? What are you doing here?”

She swung the door open, only enough to speak to the person outside- Okoye, she had said. The name sounded familiar, though you were seriously questioning your own judgment at the moment.

Okoye. Okoye.

Connecting the name to the multiple stories Shuri had told about the stoic, intelligent, and deadly General of Wakanda’s army made you scramble to get out of bed. You had no idea what you would do, but for some reason, being caught in Shuri’s bed by the general of an army seemed to be at the bottom of the list of things you wanted to go through so early in the morning. 

Flinging the covers to the side sent your phone flying and bouncing off of the wall. A few events happened in the span of a few seconds, effectively turning the morning into chaos. 

Your foot became caught in the comforter as you hurried to reach for it, causing you to follow its path and land in a heap on the floor. Shuri quickly turned at the sound just in time to see you go over the side of the bed, and the door was pushed out of her hand as the general quickly stepped in.

Hand closing around your phone, you managed to right yourself and grabbed the bed to pull yourself up. You came face to face with something metal and something so sharp it almost became invisible as you pulled yourself back up. Your body tensed so quickly and so much that it wasn’t a surprise when a painful tweak went through your back, though you didn’t dare move. 

Eyes flickering from the edge of the weapon to the face of the newcomer, the damn General, you slowly and shakily raised your hands. You didn’t even blink, too afraid of doing something that could even potentially be seen as threatening. 

“Okoye, wait!”

Shuri’s voice seemed like the damn voice of an angel as she quickly rushed forward, placing a hand on Okoye’s arm. She spoke slowly but firmly.

“She’s a friend, not a threat. You brought a spear in here?”

Your gratitude undoubtedly showed on your face as you looked at Shuri, because she nodded assuredly, giving you a small, tight smile. At Shuri’s actions and words, Okoye retracted her spear, tilting her chin up as she assessed you. When she spoke, her voice wasn’t unkind…but it wasn’t kind either.

“Oh, I can see that. And I brought a spear because I felt the need to.” Her head turned to face Shuri and you almost immediately sagged in relief, though your eyes widened as her spear retracted into a small, hand sized pole. 

“You felt the need to bring a vibranium spear to a college campus, and then threaten my friend with it-”

“Shuri, we need to talk. It’s important.”

There must have been something in Okoye’s voice that spoke to the seriousness of the situation because Shuri paused, stepping closer to her. Her eyebrows furrowed and the typical playful Shuri you knew quickly disappeared, a more regal version of her appearing. 

“What is it? What’s happened?”

Assuming that the two of them would have just forgotten about you while discussing, presumably what would be Wakandan business, was a little foolish of you. So when Okoye didn’t respond, instead choosing to look expectantly in your direction. She raised an eyebrow, and you immediately got the message. 

Once again, you found yourself rushing to stand to your feet. You were able to do so without incident this time, quickly snatching your phone up. You nodded in understanding.

“Oh! Yeah, of course. I’ll go-uh, do something and let you two talk.”

Nevermind the fact that you had no idea where you would go. You still had on your pjs and bonnet and it was raining outside…but now Okoye was staring at you, waiting for you to leave. Her attention only made you move faster. 

“Wait, no, wait.” Right as you reached for your shoes, a hand landed on your arm, effectively pausing your actions. You spoke before Shuri could continue, placing your hand on top of hers. 

“It’s okay. If it’s important then I probably shouldn’t be here. Especially if it has to do with…Wakanda. I’ll go get us some lunch. Just call me when you’re done.” You sent her a smile that was surprisingly easy to muster up, especially in the face of all the chaos and confusion that had just happened.

She looked at you for a few seconds, undoubtedly trying to see through your words and to see what you were truly thinking. When she was seemingly satisfied with what she saw, she sighed in resignation. Nodding, she squeezed your arm gently before letting it go. 

“Alright. I’ll call as soon as we’re done.” 

You nodded, leaning down to put on your shoes. Once you grabbed your coat, you made your way to the door, pausing to awkwardly nod a goodbye at Okoye. She had the heart to give you the tiniest, strained smile before nodding back, and then you were closing the door behind you. 

The second the door closed, Shuri was whirling to stare incredulously at Okoye, mouth agape. 

“I have to say, Okoye. I’m both surprised and not that you’d barge in while I’m at school and then basically order my friend to leave.”

“We both know that’s not just your friend.”

Okoye rolled her eyes, stepping around her and in the direction of the covered windows. She pulled a curtain aside just enough to peek outside before letting it fall back into place. Shuri opened and closed her mouth, looking for a response. Before she could find one,  Okoye  turned to face Shuri, letting out a sigh.

“You’re being watched.”

Shuri tensed, her body freezing at Okoye’s words. She was being watched? Who would follow the sitting queen of Wakanda? Who would risk getting in trouble with Wakanda because of their stalker tendencies?

At Shuri’s silence, Okoye stepped closer. She brandished her kimoyo beads and then they were both looking at projections of pictures…pictures that consisted of Shuri in different parts of the campus they were currently on. There were some of her walking between classes, eating in the dining hall, even when she had studied in the library. 

Instead of feeling fear or nervousness, she felt irritation. Annoyance. Leave it to some person without boundaries on campus to make her college-going experience weird. Her irritation showed on her face as she looked at Okoye. 

“It’s probably just some weirdo here on campus.”

Her words trailed off as Okoye shook her head, her eyes widening to convey the seriousness of the situation.

“You don’t understand, Shuri. They sent these to the Doras who are assigned to you. They knew who they were and what they were here for and managed to send pictures to them. Not only that, but we are unable to trace where they came from as of right now. Whoever they are…they know how to cover their tracks.”

Shuri’s mind raced slightly as she turned away, her fingers fidgeting. What the hell did they want- what were they hoping to achieve by sending those pictures? Was it a scare tactic? A threat of some kind? A demand?

“**Ukumkanikazi, I think it's best if you come back to Wakanda. At least for the time being, and until we can figure this out.”

Shuri instantly hated the idea of letting this nameless and faceless person, or people, put her life on pause. Sure, she had a life in Wakanda, but that life was one full of royal duties and inheritance. She quite enjoyed this life she had made on her own; she had gotten into college on her own, picked out her classes, made friends…all on her own. And now this…creep felt entitled enough to insert their unwanted and stalker-like personality into it. 

She felt as if she were running, despite the fact that she had already planned on going back to Wakanda for winter break. That was the only reason she wasn’t giving Okoye such a hard time right now, but she’d make sure to carve time out of her schedule to do so later on. 

“I had already planned on coming back for break. I…can’t just up and leave now. Let me at least talk to my fri- to Y/N, explain what's going on.”

She wouldn’t even entertain the thought of leaving without explaining herself to you. Even if she were to do something like that, she had a feeling that you wouldn’t be…too mad at her, especially in the face of a situation like this. You’d want her to do exactly what Okoye said, especially if it meant that she’d be away from the people surveilling her.

Okoye sent her a knowing look, one that let Shuri know that she knew exactly what had been happening at the time of her arrival. She sent one back that let Okoye know that she wouldn’t be leaving unless she spoke to you.

Finally, after a brief staredown from the two hard-headed women, Okoye let out a resigned sigh. She waved a hand, turning towards her door.

“Fine. Call your little…friend. And then pack your things and meet me on the roof. I don’t want to have to come and find you, Shuri.” 

She copied Okoye’s actions, raising a hand and half heartedly waving in agreement as she sought out her phone. Her hand closed around it right as she heard the door shut, and it took her less than a few seconds to find your name and click on it. 

As it rang, she moved around her room, taking note of the things she’d end up packing. It wouldn’t be a lot; she had everything she needed and more already in Wakanda…but she wanted to take her posters and the little trinkets she had acquired during her time in America. Maybe she’d have time to come back and get them once everything calmed down-

No. Why was she thinking as if she’d never be able to come back? She’d make sure she’d be able to come back, so she would leave those posters and trinkets. Okay, maybe she’d take a few of them. 

The phone continued to ring, making her eyebrows furrow. She pulled it away from her ear, hanging the call up only to call right back. She tried not to let the nervous feeling in her chest grow, but the longer the call rang without being answered, the more it became apparent. 

She continued to listen to the ringing as a series of knocks landed on her door. She barely registered the knocking, even as she went to open the door. There had been a small, hopeful feeling that your face would’ve been on the other side of the door, but instead it was Okoye once again. Upon hearing your voicemail answer instead of your voice, she let out a sigh.

“I’m coming, Okoye. I’m still trying to reach her-”

“Shuri, you need to see this.”

The urge to tell Okoye to just wait a second died instantly as she caught a glimpse of what she wanted her to see. She had more pictures projected from her kimoyo beads, all of them still showing Shuri, but she wasn’t the only one in them this time. 

Shuri’s heart dropped as she stepped closer, her eyes focusing on the other face in the pictures; the only person she had been seen with on campus.

You.

She quickly looked at Okoye, worry clear as day on her face. That worry that had been gnawing at her nerves turned into a violent pang that wracked through her body as the pictures continued to change, all of them consisting of you and her. As she continued to watch, she dialed your number again, internally pleading that you’d just answer the phone.

“For Bast’s sake, answer the phone. Please-” Her words cut off abruptly at the last picture in the stack. 

If it hadn’t been taken by some threatening stalker, the picture would have been sweet. Perfect, even. But no, because of the circumstances, the moment captured became tainted. It became…scary.

The picture showed the two of you leaving the library after one of your many study sessions, right as you two bid each other goodnight and went your separate ways. You both were faced the opposite direction of the other, hands up and undoubtedly waving bye. 

On the back of the last picture, crudely scribbled in red ink, were the words:

DONT YOU UNDERSTAND THE SAHDE IN HER HEART

BE GRAETFUL DEAR  OUR UNION IS FATED

DELIVERANC DEMANDS YOU DO YOU PART

The lack of punctuation, the scribbling, the typos, the message itself said enough about who this person was, and just how unhinged they were. The projection allowed her to see how the word “HER” seemed to be worse than the other words, almost intelligible…and scribbled right over where your face was on the other side of the picture. 

“When did you get these?” 

The look on Okoye’s face didn’t help the situation at all. In fact, it only made it harder for Shuri. She to take a deep breath around the tight feeling in her chest, though the feeling didn’t go anywhere. 

“Ayo received these 10 minutes ago.”

Shuri cursed loudly, quickly walking around Okoye and towards her door. There wasn’t an ounce of hesitation as she stepped into the hallway, Okoye hot on her heels. 

“Shuri, we have to have a plan!”

“The plan is to find Y/N before anything can happen!” 

There wasn’t room in Shuri’s voice for any negotiation as they burst into the stairwell and flew down the stairs. Okoye could only follow, speaking into her kimoyo beads to the assigned Doras who were placed on campus. She gave them your description and stressed how important it was to find you.

Shuri, on the other hand, only thought about how she would literally go through anything and anyone to get to you. 

**********

You literally hadn’t known what to do the second you stepped out of Shuri’s dorm building, so you had picked a direction, and simply started walking in it. It didn’t take long for you to realize that you were walking in the direction of the library. You hadn’t brought your bag with you, so you didn’t have your computer, but maybe you could find something to do while there. 

Of course and unsurprisingly, as you walked, hood up and trying to shield your face from the rain, your thoughts strayed to Shuri and what she and Okoye had to talk about. You hoped it wasn’t anything too worrisome, for you knew exactly how much Shuri cared for her home country. She’d drop any and everything in a heartbeat to go and deal with whatever needed to be dealt with.

Making this conclusion made you come to the realization that…any and everything included you. You honestly couldn’t fault her; she was queen of an entire country. There were more important things she’d have to worry about- things a lot more important than you two meeting in the library and eating things from the cafe together. More important things than…than whatever had happened in her room. 

You let out a heavy sigh, one full of acceptance that there’d probably never be a time where you’d be considered above her duties- nor did you expect to be. 

You pulled out your phone, glancing down at it for a quick second, looking for a call from Shuri that you knew hadn’t come yet. That one second was enough for you to practically run into another person, so hard that you stumbled back a few steps.

The other person, also with a rain jacket covering their body, their hood up, simply rushed past you. Your head turned to follow their retreating figure, eyebrows furrowed and your lips twisted.

“Excuse you. Damn…I thought we learned manners at a young age.”

You placed your hands back in your pockets, turning to continue your walk. The interaction was instantly pushed to the back of your mind as you thought of maybe picking up lunch for the two of you. But you two had literally just had breakfast, not even an hour ago. There was nothing wrong with an early lunch, right? Maybe you could call it brunch?

Or maybe you’d ask if you could take a nap. Maybe it was the rain and dreary skies making you feel a little tired, because you hadn’t felt so…heavy and slow moving when you had left Shuri’s dorm. 

The feeling persisted, and it only occurred to you that something was wrong when you felt as if you were running out of breath. It was impossible; you’d only been walking. Then came the feeling of being hot despite seeing your breath leave your mouth in a white cloud. The cold rain couldn’t offer any reprieve.

Something was wrong. 

The next step you tried to take felt too heavy, too clumsy. As soon as you managed to lift it and bring it down, you felt your knee go out. You couldn’t do anything but allow gravity to take over, your body coming into contact with the brick walkway. You tried to catch yourself with your hands, though the second you settled your weight on them, they flew out from under you.

Your tongue felt like lead in your mouth, too numb to move. The feeling of your heart speeding up was concerning and honestly the scariest thing you had ever been through. You could feel your heart beating, but it felt too violent- like it was trying to burst from your chest. 

Your actions weren’t your own as you ripped your jacket off, rolling to lay on your side. The fact that you were laying in the middle of the walkway didn’t cross your mind; the only thing you could focus on was the feeling of your body burning from the inside out. 

Your phone had flown out of your hand as you had hit the ground, and in a distant part of your mind, you could hear it ringing. You didn’t have the strength to reach out and find it. 

Your lips formed words but your throat was too dry to push them out. Just the effort of trying to call out for help was painful, but you continued to try, nonetheless. Your pain-addled brain kept thinking only one thing. Only one name continued to form on your lips as a threatening and malicious darkness seeped into your vision. 

**********

“Have they found her yet?”

Shuri’s voice was firm in her questioning, but anyone who knew her could hear the thinly concealed panic in it. 

Her and Okoye had raced outside before picking a direction. It wasn’t just any random direction, it was what Shuri had thought of. Her reason for picking the direction was because it led straight to the library, one of your comfort spots. Where else would you go after being unexpectedly kicked out of her dorm?

Okoye barked a question into her kimoyo beads as they ran, but the answer they received back only made Shuri’s footsteps quicken. She had to remind herself that with her recently acquired…abilities, she could now outrun Okoye, so she tried her absolute hardest to keep pace with her.

“Get the talon in the air and locate her. ***Ngoku!”

She heard Okoye’s orders, but they seemed to go in one ear and out the other as soon as Shuri looked ahead. If she thought her heart dropped earlier, that was nothing compared to what she felt as she saw a figure lying in the middle of the walkway, still. Too still.

The gasp she let out was ragged as she recognized the jacket you had walked out of her dorm with. It was easy to completely forget Okoye as she sprinted to your side, instantly dropping to her knees. 

Her hands hovered, not knowing where to touch you… not knowing what was wrong with you. She hastily pulled her kimoyo beads off of her wrist, placing them on your chest. She sucked in a sharp breath at how cold your skin was and prayed that it was only because of the cold rain. 

“Griot, what are her vitals?”

The beads projected your too slow heart rate above your chest, the sight making Shuri’s hands shake as she placed them against your cheeks. 

“She appears to be suffering from bradycardia as a result of some unknown substance. Life scans show a small puncture wound on the inside of her right elbow.”

A quick glance at the mentioned limb proved the AI’s words. There was a small circle, almost imperceptible, in the crook of your arm. There was a bead of dried blood near the site, probably having dropped at the time of the injection.

“Your highness, she seems to be slightly gaining consciousness.”

Shuri leaned over, shielding the rain from falling into your face and calling your name softly. In response, you let out a low, hoarse groan, the action physically hurting you. 

“We’re going to get you help, okay? I’m not going anywhere. Can you hear me?”

Your eyes wouldn’t open, but you didn’t need your sight to know that it was Shuri leaning over you. Your lips once again formed her name, though you couldn’t tell if sound escaped you or not. 

“I’m here. You think you can stay awake for me? That’s all I need you to do- just stay awake.” You were too out of it to hear the way her voice shook. It was hard to distinguish anything when your body was in a constant state of crippling pain- a pain you had never experienced before. 

Shuri could see your lips moving slightly, and she had to lower her head to hear you whisper her name. It gave her a little solace that you were able to tell who she was, though she wouldn’t calm down completely until you were stable and back to your regular self. 

“The talon is here. We’ll put her in the cradle and stabilize her.” 

Okoye spoke quickly, glancing up as the aircraft arrived and hovered over them. Shuri didn’t dare look away from you, her eyes flickering between your projected vitals and your face. 

She’d have to confront her fear and panic at the idea of losing you later; right now, you needed her and she needed to keep a clear head in order to help you. She still didn’t know what you had been injected with, which meant she didn’t have a cure. She didn’t know how to help you, and that thought alone made her chest seize. 

She lifted your upper half onto her lap, wiping away the tears that had unknowingly leaked from the corners of your eyes. Seeing you, someone who was usually so lively and who always made her laugh, in such a state of pain was all it took for her to take the situation more seriously. 

This person had targeted you; an innocent. Your only mistake was befriending her, and she didn’t need to think hard to assume that you thought the same thing.

Shuri’s gaze stayed on your still figure, willing you to open your eyes or say something else; even as the talon’s levitating technology carefully pulled them inside the ship. The second the ship’s entrance closed, she was pulling you into her chest and placing you in the cradle: the technology used to stabilize and treat the injured until they could get back to their lab. 

“Griot-”

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“Stabilize her vitals. Take a blood sample and analyze it for familiar properties, and then compare it to every cure we have in Wakanda.”

She put her hands flat on the cradle as you were slowly sealed inside of it, as if she could reach through the glass and heal you yourself. Bast, she wished she could. Anything to help you. 

Even after her AI had done everything requested of it, she stayed in the same spot. Even after she was alerted that you were stabilized for now, she stayed in the same spot. She’d be damned if she left your side after you were hurt because of your connection to her. 

“General Okoye.”

She appeared by Shuri’s side almost instantly, eyebrows furrowed and eyes questioning.

“I want you to lead the search for the person that did this.”

They had both known that Okoye would lead the search, as it was her job. But hearing her agree to it calmed the smallest portion of Shuri’s nerves. It reassured her that someone she could trust and someone she knew would get the job done was working on it. 

“Of course, Ukumkanikazi. We’ll find them.”

Shuri lifted her eyes, meeting Okoye’s hard and confident gaze, and nodded once in thanks. 

She knew that Okoye would beg to differ should she hear her inner thoughts, but this was no longer about her being surveilled. This was about them targeting a woman who she cared immensely for…all to get to her. 

Oh, she’d find them. By any means necessary.

Sorry for the little cliff hanger and...ya know...the whole “we nearly kissed but got interrupted” trope. I love slow burns with palpable tension, but with circumstances that keep them apart LMAO

Hope you all enjoyed this part! I'm really excited to continue this series, and once again, I'd like to thank you all for the continuous love and support y'all are providing.

Stay safe, y'all! <3

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@honey-teaaaaaaaa , @tchhairbandhere , @jessiap , @zane2408 , @bananasplits-world , @yellowjacketmurder , @barkbarkbo , @butterflyybabe , @bananafishok , @zestgodtj

Underline won't let me tag the account!

[babyboiboyega]

The Study Room pt.4 (HBCU!Shuri x Black!Fem!reader)

HBCU!Shuri x Black!Fem!Reader

Word Count: 6.2k

Content: TW (mentions of seizures/convulsions), near death experience, the start of this chapter is pretty rough, but we get back to the fluff, also mentions of needles

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Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

A/N: Y'all thought I forgot, didn't you? DIDN'T YOU? Smdh, of course I didn't forget. I just got off of work a little later than usual tonight and had to edit some stuff and rewrite some stuff! But here y'all go! <3

I also totally forgot to add this (bc I was editing and posted this at 2 am), but I got a little bit of inspiration for a part of this chapter from the lovely @shinsousliya ! They’re literally a joy to talk to and they’re also an amazing writer 👀 🫶🏾

Recap:

“Of course, Ukumkanikazi. We’ll find them.”

Shuri lifted her eyes, meeting Okoye’s hard and confident gaze, and nodded once in thanks. 

She knew that Okoye would beg to differ should she hear her inner thoughts, but this was no longer about her being surveilled. This was about them targeting a woman who she cared immensely for…all to get to her. 

Oh, she’d find them. By any means necessary.

**********

“-going to get you help, okay? I’m - going anywhere. Can you hear me?”

“I’m here. - stay awake for me? - I need you - just stay awake-”

Shuri’s words echoed in your mind despite you not being able to remember the events that preceded them. The only thing you could remember was just…this feeling of dread flowing through you. If you tried hard enough, you could feel a sort of phantom pain that still wracked your limbs, though you still couldn’t remember where the pain came from. 

You were confused. It was hard to tell up from down, but you knew that you were awake-or semi awake. While your brain worked on waking itself up, it still hadn’t connected with your body, no matter how hard you willed it to. You just wanted to open your eyes, get some answers. Find Shuri. Finding her would surely result in you getting the answers you wanted. And even if she didn’t have answers, the confusion would be easier to deal with with her by your side.

But before you could find her, you had to wake up first. If you could just concentrate on gaining each sense back, one at a time… 

An unknown amount of time passed, and it was filled with you focusing first on your hearing. Your ears were eventually able to pick something up; something that beeped. It wasn’t as annoying as it was grounding, really. There was a kind of ambience in the air, one that was obviously meant to be calming, but you couldn’t focus on that detail right now, especially as your taste was the next sense to come back. 

If there was a taste in your mouth, you couldn’t distinguish it, too busy dealing with how dry it felt. Trying to swallow proved to be difficult, feeling more like you were trying to swallow sand. The next glass of water you would have would surely taste like it came straight from heaven.

Next came your sense of touch; there was something soft and warm draped over your body. It was simultaneously heavy against your limbs, which also served as something else you could use to ground yourself. It seemed to take everything you had just to curl your fingers against the blanket on top of you, but you considered it a small win. You squeezed at it as you worked on your other senses.

It was fitting that your sense of smell came next. You exhaled, and the following inhale was filled with the light scent of lavender and something else that pulled at the familiar parts of your brain. 

The last sense was your sight, and it took its sweet time coming back. You directed all of your thoughts and efforts towards cracking open your eyes, no matter how heavy they felt. When they finally did what you asked them to, the first thing you saw was a blurry room. It took blinking your eyes a few times, trying to get rid of the fatigue in them, for the room to come into focus.

It was a nice room…but it was an unfamiliar one. The walls were bare and a light brown color, and there were no windows. There was a comfortable looking couch against one wall, pillows that matched the colors of the room on the ends of it. Directly across from you, on the opposite wall was a tv; possibly the biggest tv you had ever seen. There were details on the wall and throughout the room that had the purpose of making the room feel more…lived in and accommodating. Despite their efforts, the bed you were laying in was undoubtedly a hospital bed of some kind, letting you know exactly where you were.

Except for the fact that you didn’t know where you were. And there was no sign of Shuri or Okoye or anyone you knew. Of course, right as you noticed how unfamiliar your surroundings were, your mind decided that now was the perfect time to replay the moment right before your memory blanked out.

You set your head back against the bed, closing your eyes once again to orientate yourself, and welcoming whatever flashbacks you could get.

On your way to the library…Checking your phone for Shuri’s call…running into the hooded person…collapsing. 

The hooded person…

Your eyes snapped open and you quickly looked around. You tried to raise your hand to rub at your face but it was stopped by an uncomfortable tugging sensation. Looking at your arm, you finally noticed the IV sticking out of your hand, the needle disappearing into your skin. Trailing your eyes up the length of your arm caused you to see a small bandage, seemingly placed randomly in the crook of your elbow. Without even thinking, you grabbed the edge of it and pulled, displaying the smallest needle mark. 

The hooded person…bumping into them…them rushing off…you collapsing.

The dots were connecting faster than you could keep up, bringing forth the startling and scary realization that you had been injected with something. You had been injected with something, and now you were in an unfamiliar room in an unfamiliar bed-

The next breath you took caught in your throat. The feeling of what you could only describe as fear shot through your body, and your next actions were simply the product of your panicking mind.

You reached for the IV in your hand with the intent of pulling it out, but before your hand could close around it, a voice spoke from beside you.

“I wouldn’t do that, I think it’s important.”

You quickly turned towards the voice, seeing a woman leaning against the furthest corner of the room. Had she been there this entire time? 

Asking ‘who are you” to a stranger is considered rude according to the way you were raised…but desperate times call for desperate measures. The last time you had interacted with a stranger, you were sure they had injected you with something that almost claimed your life, so to say you were on edge was an understatement. 

“Who are you?” Your voice was hoarse, probably a result of not talking for…however many days you had been here. Had you been here for days? Did anyone know where you were- where was Shuri?

Instead of waiting for her answer, you proceeded to grab the IV, pulling it out. The stinging sensation was instantly forgotten as you threw it to the ground, your eyes still on the woman. Had you been paying attention, you would’ve noticed that the longer you sat there, your mind asking more questions than you could keep up with, your breathing had started to pick up. Your panic not only presented itself physically in your heavy and quick breathing, but it was also picked up by the heart monitor that you had heard beeping earlier. 

You glanced at the heart monitor beside the bed, following the wires and seeing how they disappeared beneath the clothes you wore…that you were only now realizing weren’t yours. 

What the hell is going on?

With shaking hands, you grabbed the wires, pulling them harshly away from you. The sensation of something sticky pulling away from your skin followed as the patches fell away before joining the discarded IV. Seconds ago, the heart monitor’s beeping had been steadily increasing the more you panicked; but as soon as the patches fell away from your skin, a long, drawn out tone emitted from it.

“I don’t think you’re supposed to be doing any of that! Please, just take a minute-”

The woman tried talking to you again, pushing off of the wall and walking closer. Your mind was too deep into its panic to question whether she was friend or foe. Despite the way she held her empty hands out in a placating manner, her expression open as she looked at you, you couldn’t tamper down the feeling of fear that threatened to choke you. In response to her steps growing closer, you swung your legs over the side of the bed, before staggering to your feet and keeping it as a barrier between you and the woman. Your legs shook with the effort, and there was a heaviness in your limbs that only served as a reminder of the events that had led up to this moment.

There were too many unknowns, too many unfamiliar aspects, too many questions with not enough answers. 

“Who are you?” You spoke through gritted teeth, not knowing whether it was best to appear threatening or appeal to this stranger in the hopes they’d help you. The former was chosen as your fingers closed around something heavy next to you and lifted it just enough for it to appear threatening. 

The questions falling from your mouth were rushed and relentless, and the woman tried her best to placate you, but you weren’t having any of it. You’d either get some answers, no matter how unhinged and unpredictable your actions were, or you’d go down swinging.

*******

The second they had landed, Shuri was barking orders left and right at the medical professionals in the lab. She’d have time to apologize later, but there was only one thing on her mind, and that was getting a cure to whatever was ailing you. 

“Her heart rates at 53 BPM. It’s too slow, she’s experiencing mild bradycardia. Early stages of cyanosis-” she hadn’t been able to suppress her frightened gasp as you started to convulse on the gurney you had been placed on. She grabbed your hand, squeezing it for her sake just as much as it was for your sake. She kept her eyes on you, blinking away the tears that had gathered, once again sending plea after plea to Bast.

“She’s experiencing a grand mal seizure- get me 10 milligrams of Diazepam, we need to stabilize her, now!”

“Your highness, her blood analysis shows a moderate amount of Crotalinae Envenomation- rattlesnake venom- and something else.”

There were so many people gathered around you, and Shuri knew that they all played a part in making sure you would survive, but the room was the epitome of chaos. There were words being thrown back and forth in the lab, all of them concerning your condition; hands gently touching you, cutting your shirt, applying wires that were important. She knew the people around you were trying to help…but she couldn’t tamper down the fierce protectiveness that she could feel rising to the surface. 

“‘Something else’ like what? Find out what it is, and hurry.” Her hands were steady as she inserted the IV filled with diazepam, and her eyes were wide and unblinking as she watched your convulsion slow until you lay still. Only after another nurse placed the electrodes on your chest, the sound of your heartbeat emitting from the monitor, did she let out the breath she had been holding. 

“She’s stable for now. I want the unfamiliar agent in her blood to be identified as soon as possible. Until then, administer 10 milligrams of Crotalinae Polyvalent. I want her under surveillance at all times.”

Three days had passed since bringing you to Wakanda, and Shuri had spent two of them constantly switching between watching over you and working in her lab for the cure. It gave her a little peace of mind when she sat at your bedside, hand holding yours, asking you to wake up; but that restless feeling would eventually rear its incessant head and she’d feel the need to go to the lab and lend her efforts in finding the cure; just so she could feel as if she were doing something. 

Of course, in her efforts to help, painful memories of the last time she had been this frantic in her lab flashed through her mind. The last time she had wanted to help someone who was sick and who she cared deeply for, she had failed to do so. Her brother’s death and her inability to cure him would forever haunt her, and she’d always carry a piece of responsibility and guilt with her, no matter how many times she was told it wasn’t her fault. 

T’Challa’s illness could only be cured by the heart shaped herb, something they didn’t have access to at the time of his death; but whatever was ailing you could be cured with the right medication. The possibility of you pulling through was high, and she had to continuously remind herself of that fact. It was something that she continued to remind you as she sat beside your unconscious form. In fact, that was where she had been when she had received word that the scientists had identified the foreign substance in your blood and had reverse engineered a custom cure; it had been the beginning of the third day.

She had been there when they had administered the cure to you, and she had been there immediately afterwards as the doctors and nurses left. She didn’t have any intention of leaving until your eyes opened, despite knowing that it would probably take a few hours at least. That changed with the arrival of Okoye and Aneka. 

Okoye had come with the intention of speaking to Shuri about the now very real situation that had resulted in you being targeted, and she had brought Aneka so that someone they both trusted could watch over you. Before she could object to leaving your side, Okoye had reminded her that you were now in the stages of healing from being poisoned and that you wouldn’t go anywhere. It took Okoye promising not to take too much of her time and promising that Aneka would stay the entire duration of their talk for Shuri to finally relent. 

She stepped outside with Okoye, her eyes lingering on your unconscious form and willing you to open your eyes before she stepped out. As you stayed in the same position without a sign of anything changing, she let out a heavy sigh before walking out and closing the door behind her. 

The two of them walked in silence for a minute before Okoye finally spoke up. 

“I can see that you care for your friend…but I must remind you of the situation at hand, and how it puts you in danger.”

To be truthful, her own safety had been the very last thing on her mind as she worried about making sure you were fine, but with Okoye’s reminder, it was now on her radar…but not for the sole reason of it being her own life. As long as she was in danger, you were in danger; that much was made clear by the perpetrator’s letter and actions. She couldn’t let anything like this happen again, but in order for that to be true, she had to find this…stalker.

“I know, Okoye. You’re right. The sooner we catch this person, the sooner we can put this all behind us. What do we know so far?”

Okoye let out a sigh before relaying all of the information she had managed to dig up regarding the pictures…which was very little. Whoever had sent them knew how to cover their tracks so that when they thought that they had figured out a clue, it only led to more questions. 

“So, we essentially have nothing?”

“I wouldn’t say ‘nothing’. We were able to trace the metadata hidden on the pictures and find out that they came from a printer on your campus.”

Shuri abruptly paused, turning quickly to face her. It was something. 

Maybe it was a student who had seen you and Shuri around campus. Considering the fact that only students could use the printers in the library, it was something they could use and investigate. 

“Then that’s where we’ll start. We should go back-”

The sound of something crashing to the floor rang out just as Shuri’s kimoyo beads started beeping frantically. While Okoye turned towards the noise coming from down the hallway, Shuri’s attention towards her wrist. To just anyone, it would’ve seemed like a random alert blaring from them; but the truth behind why they were blaring is what sent Shuri running back in the direction of your room.

“Griot! What’s happening?”

“Your highness, I’m not detecting any heart rate from Miss Y/L/N, and it seems that Aneka is calling you.”

Upon your arrival, she had synced your heart monitor to her kimoyo beads, ensuring that she’d be notified of any changes at all in your condition. The change that they were indicating- the change that had sent her mind into a frenzy and made her stomach drop- was your heart rate abruptly going flat. The alarm coupled with Aneka’s incoming call prompted her to push herself faster. 

No. But…she thought…they had given you the cure. 

Okoye followed closely behind Shuri as they followed the sounds of raised voices. Admittedly, her confusion and worry mixed into one as they realized the voices were coming from the room they had placed you in… and a feeling of relief only joined as she recognized the raised voice as yours.

A surprised but relieved breath quickly left her after opening the door and seeing you, standing and moving around…and holding a vase threateningly above your head. 

*******

Had your mind not been so flooded with panic and confusion, you would’ve noticed that your questions were coming too fast for the woman to keep up with. You would’ve noticed that she was trying her hardest to reassure you, even mentioning that Shuri would be back; but it was hard to hear her words over the pounding of your heart and roaring in your ears. Your head pounded hard enough for you to feel it at the base of your skull, and with every other blink, your vision blurred.

It was all becoming too much- you just wanted to leave. Your voice was quickly becoming shrill, undoubtedly drawing attention to whoever stood on the other side of the door, but you couldn’t find it in yourself to care; the commotion you had caused so far had surely already drawn attention to the room you were in. 

“I keep asking who you are, and you’re not answering me! Who the hell are you?”

The woman let out an exasperated sigh. If the situation hadn’t been unfolding the way it was, you would have surely felt an inkling of an attitude at seeing the woman sigh as if you were inconveniencing her.

“My name is Aneka-”

“And what does that have to do with me?”

“You asked!”

The woman, Aneka, risked taking another step forward only to stop as you frantically backed up. In your haste to keep space between you two, you ended up backing right into a chair, making it clatter to the ground. Your stumbling didn’t help your already weakened state; instead, in an effort to right yourself before you could topple to the floor, the vase fell from your hands. It shattered against the floor with a deafening crash, making your headache flare even more. 

The next logical step, at least in your mind, was reaching for one of the broken pieces and holding it up.

“And now I’m asking to get the hell out of here. I want to go home!”

The door to the room opened and the panic you felt only grew at the frantic thought that more people were coming to keep you in here. However, taking a quick glance at the newcomers showed two familiar faces; two faces you could’ve cried over seeing. 

“Shuri?” 

Hearing her name and seeing the look of hysteria on your face, she raised her hands in front of her. Her eyes widened slightly as she spoke your name softly; it was almost enough to calm your racing heart. Almost.

“You’re okay, you’re safe. Look at me…”

Before, your eyes had been swinging between Shuri and the woman named Aneka, quick and frantic. At Shuri’s words, they finally settled on her face. 

“You’re not in danger. I can explain everything…but I need you to breathe, okay? It’s not good for you to be standing right now.”

Her words served as a reminder of the light waves of pain and tremors that wracked your body, only made worse by the way you had jumped out of the bed. With a shaky breath, you nodded, trying to heed her advice. As you tried making your breaths even, she took the chance to slowly walk closer, all the while, subtly signaling for Okoye and Aneka to leave. You tracked her movements, wanting to meet her in the middle, but your feet wouldn’t move.

“Good, you’re doing great. I’m just going to take this…” her eyes held yours as she reached forward, using her hands to gently open the hand that was clenched around the jagged vase piece. “And then I need you to sit down, okay? Here.”

The piece was placed on the nearest table and then she was gently guiding you back to the bed you had woken up in. It was easy to appreciate her cautious mannerisms; the way she explicitly announced her actions before doing them. The trust you held in her was unwavering, and you both knew it, but she was willing to take that extra step in the face of a traumatizing event you had gone through. It made a strong, unnamed emotion pang through your chest.

As soon as your legs touched the edge of the bed, it seemed as if the tremors reached a new intensity, causing you to fall heavily onto it. 

Shuri immediately crouched in front of your dangling legs, her hands coming to rest on your arms. Instinctively, you grabbed her forearms, using the feeling of her skin against yours to ground yourself. She let you squeeze as tightly as you needed to, her thumbs rub calming circles into your skin. 

“I’m right here, okay? You’re okay and you’re safe. I know you have a lot of questions, but I need to make sure that you’re alright first. Can I do that?”

Her face was the epitome of worry as she looked up at you; eyebrows furrowed slightly, lips twisted into a small smile. You nodded, letting your limbs become pliant in her arms as she stood and helped you lay back against the bed. If you thought you had felt exhaustion before, it was nothing compared to the heaviness that weighed your limbs down. 

“My head hurts like hell.” You mumbled, wincing slightly as another wave of pain gripped your head. “What happened?”

Your wince wasn’t lost on Shuri; as much was evident by the way she frowned and leaned forward, her hand gently prodding around what you could now feel was a very sore area on the back of your skull. Her frown deepened as you winced once more. A sigh left her mouth as she pulled her hand back, only to use the same hand to press a button on the wall. She situated herself on the edge of the bed, her eyes finding yours.

When she spoke, her words were hard to listen to and even harder to come to terms with, but the softness that coated them made it all the more easier. 

“You were poisoned, but we created and administered an antidote. It is no longer in your bloodstream, but your body is still recovering from the strain it went through which is why I just called the doctor to reinsert your IV. Which is also why I need you to take it easy.” She emphasized her words by gently pushing you back against the bed the second you started to sit up in objection. Her gaze and words were gentle, but they held no room for negotiation. With a sigh, you relaxed as much as you could and rested back. 

With her presence came a sense of safety- enough of a sense for your mind to slow down and give you the opportunity to voice them in more of a sane manner.

“Okay…” You took a deep breath, closing your eyes momentarily before opening them again to connect with Shuri’s patient ones. 

“So, I was poisoned.” You never predicted that you’d say those words, “with what, exactly?”

Her eyebrows furrowed slightly as she recalled the results of your blood test. Shuri’s reaction made you simultaneously nervous and curious to hear how the poison had affected you and what she had seen. 

“There were small amounts of rattlesnake venom and components of physostigma venenosum- or the calabar bean, which is highly toxic. The small amounts we found in your system were enough to…” Her eyes looked down at the bed and her shoulders rose and fell once. 

She raised a hand only to hesitantly and gently bring it down on your blanket covered leg. To you, it was merely a gesture to reassure you while recounting the harrowing ordeal you had gone through; to Shuri, it was a way to reassure herself that you were okay and breathing and right in front of her. She seemed almost hesitant to tell you. 

“You suffered from mild bradycardia, a grand mal seizure, and cyanosis; irregularly slow heartbeat, a seizure, and your skin turned a blue-ish tint due to there being low levels of oxygen in your blood.”

There was a morbid part of your brain that made you think about the scene, your mind trying to picture what they had stumbled upon. The more you tried to, the more your headache grew, acting almost like a warning to yourself. You were content with letting your morbid curiosity go. Instead, you took a deep breath and nodded in response to her explanation. What does one say after being poisoned? There wasn’t a class or seminar on this subject.

“Alright. Who poisoned me…and why?” You’d had a chance to calm down for the most part, and the more you thought about the entire ordeal, your anger grew. It didn’t matter whether it was an instance of ‘wrong place, wrong time’ or if you were, for some absurd reason, targeted; you couldn’t stop your anger from brewing, and the same could be said for Shuri. 

Her attention was still on the hand that rested on your leg, but that didn’t keep you from seeing the way her jaw clenched in barely concealed anger. Her other hand tightened into a fist where it rested in her lap.

“We are working tirelessly to find the person that did this, and we’ll find them. As for the reason why…” When she looked at you, there was an apparent look of guilt in her eyes that made you sit up in alarm. Your exhausted muscles protested but you disregarded the feeling, instead focusing solely on her.

“Three days ago, when Okoye arrived on campus, she was there to speak to me about a set of pictures they received. The pictures were of me at different locations on campus.” 

Your eyebrows furrowed at the idea of someone having the unhinged courage to not only follow the queen of Wakanda around the campus she attended, but also to take pictures and send them to her. It wasn’t a secret that people still gawked at Shuri, no matter how much she ignored their stares; but now there was a person who was willing to go to stalker-like lengths. 

Despite being in no position to actually do anything, you felt a surge of worry and protectiveness seize ahold of you. 

“You have a stalker? And they haven’t been found yet? Did they try tracing the origin of the pictures? Looking for fingerprints?” 

Shuri’s hands once again raised as you subconsciously tried sitting up more, stopping you from straining yourself further. You absentmindedly waved her hands away, scooting further up the bed with shaky arms to look at her better, but her hands stayed raised until you settled. Her eyes narrowed at your insistence on moving despite your body still recovering, and you met her expression with one of your own; one that showed how little you cared about your sore muscles and more about her stalker that she had just informed you about.

“We have been looking for them, and we have a small lead…but Y/N…that’s not all.” The heaviness in her voice made your worry spike and you felt the urge to either grab her hands and ask her what was wrong, or grab her shoulders and gently urge her to tell you about what was stressing her out so much. 

“The day Okoye arrived, and after you left my room, more pictures were sent. Y/N, they were of both of us. In the dining hall, at the cafe, in our study room. And there was a message- a poem of some kind scribbled on the back.”

She reached for her kimoyo beads and within a few seconds, the pictures she spoke of were projected in the space between you two. Looking closely as they slowly changed showed exactly what Shuri described: her in the library, walking out of her dorm building, even getting food. Then came the pictures of you two at different places around campus, eating together in the dining hall…in the study room you two liked to meet in. The pictures were unnerving enough, but as the last one was finally projected, so was a message that had been written on the back of it. 

“DONT YOU UNDERSTAND THE SAHDE IN HER HEART

BE GRAETFUL DEAR  OUR UNION IS FATED

DELIVERANC DEMANDS YOU DO YOU PART”

Upon closer inspection, you noticed the word “HER” had been placed strategically so that, if held up to the light, it would land right over…right over your face. 

Your lips parted in uneasiness and you had to tear your eyes away from the picture. Looking at Shuri and seeing the mix of trepidation and anger on her face was all you needed to see in order to start connecting the dots. Eyes landing back on the picture and the message, you seemed to answer the ‘why’ behind you being in a hospital bed in…God knows where.

“Um…okay…so…” the breath you let out was shaky in just the slightest and Shuri took that as a sign to get rid of the projected images. Her hand returned to where it had been resting on your leg, lightly squeezing it in comfort. 

“I am so sorry this happened to you, Y/N. It’s…If I would’ve known that this would happen…” She trailed off, her voice rough and quiet. The regret and guilt was palpable in her voice as she spoke, prompting you to grab her hand. Your grip was firm around hers, her eyes landing on your joined hands.

“What? Shuri, this is no more your fault than it is mine, and vice versa. The only person who’s at fault here is this damn creep. You couldn’t have known that they would go to such lengths, and I won’t let you blame yourself for this.”

You hoped that she could hear the genuineness in your words, because you meant them with your entire being. Despite this,  you knew Shuri well enough to know that if something happened- something that she considered preventable- she’d harbor a sense of guilt so thick that it’d be nearly impossible to convince her otherwise. She was hard headed like that. 

“Okay, but maybe if I had been more aware, more conscious of those around us-”

“You’re so hard headed,” you softly chastised. “I don’t think there was a way for you to prevent this from happening unless you knew of every single person around us…which is impossible.” 

As you spoke, her other hand landed on top of yours, her fingers skating back and forth over your knuckles. Thank god you weren’t hooked up to the heart monitor, because if she would have heard the way your heart sped up, you would’ve had some explaining to do. Despite her soothing touch that warmed your skin, the current conversation took up a lot of space in your mind. 

Exactly how could this have been prevented? Neither of you had known about this…stalker until it was too late. Nothing suspicious had happened to either of you while on campus; at least nothing too suspicious. The only time you could think of someone showing too much interest in Shuri was whenever you were asked those absurd, out of pocket questions about her. They had all seemed harmless, nosey even; but now, the situation at hand had you questioning every single interaction with someone who had a question. You could’ve spoken to this person; answered a question they had about Shuri. 

It was unnerving enough to make you feel a little sick to your stomach. 

Shuri mistook your silence and change in expression as fear in the face of the situation you two were facing, which was true to a certain extent; you were more afraid for her than yourself. She moved herself further up the bed, closer to your top half, before looking at you. She was close enough for you to see the dark circles under her eyes, and it made you feel bad that you were only now noticing them. Before you could ask her when she had rested last, she was speaking softly to you.

“Maybe I couldn’t have prevented this…but I assure you that something like this won’t happen again. You’re safe here, I promise. I won’t let anything else happen to you…not if I can help it.”

Almost subconsciously, your hand tightened around hers. The confidence in her voice eased your worries a substantial amount, at least for the meantime. There would come a time where your mind would overthink things as it always did; besides, what better time to overthink and stress yourself out than when you both had a potential stalker? 

You offered her a small, grateful smile, one that she immediately reciprocated, before yet another question popped into your mind. 

“Wait…where exactly is ‘here’?” Your eyes wandered around the room, your grimace being subtle as they landed on the still shattered vase and overturned chair. Now that you were sure you hadn’t been kidnapped and held hostage, you could feel embarrassment inflating in your chest.

Right as she opened her mouth to answer, a knock sounded on the door. She called a quick ‘come in’ before turning back to you with a smile that somehow looked both excited and sheepish. It was at least better than the regretful and guilty expression she wore a minute ago. 

The door opened and a woman with a see through lab coat walked in, a small tray in her hands. There was a small smile on her face as she approached the other side of the bed, pausing to formally address Shuri with a small bow before turning to you. Her voice was deep, her strong accent making her words melodic. 

“Good evening, Miss Y/L/N. I’m glad to see you up and talking. There’s not a lot to do; I’m just here to check a few things and reinsert your IV-”

“The one you ripped out.” Shuri interjected softly while maintaining a soft, chastising tone in her voice. One of her eyebrows raised in a knowing look and her lips pursed in a mock disappointed expression; one you simply rolled your eyes at before holding your arm out for the patiently waiting doctor. 

“In my defense, there was a stranger in the unfamiliar room that I had just woken up in, and I had no idea where I was.” At the mention of the stranger from earlier, the woman named Aneka, your embarrassment flared more. You’d have to ask Shuri to introduce you to her so that you could apologize for freaking out on her.

“I still don’t know where I am.” 

The subtle sting of the IV went unnoticed as you watched Shuri stand and walk over to one of the bare walls. She slid her hand over a portion of it, a small projection glowing where her hand had grazed over. She pressed a series of buttons before turning to you with a knowing smile.

Your eyes widened slightly, and continued to widen, as the wall seemed to warp and shift. Sitting up slowly, you watched in stunned silence as the wall literally disappeared, or rather changed, into a large window spanning from one end of the room to the other. 

The view that greeted you was astonishing, to say the least. It was night time, but that only made it easier to see the futuristic buildings that made up the city below your window. There were aircrafts flying around, but not one of them looked like a typical airplane. Every light that you could see twinkled in the night time, serving almost as a welcoming beacon to anyone on the streets below. 

It was utterly and breathtakingly beautiful. 

You were still coming to terms with what you were seeing when Shuri spoke, her voice proud and confident as she answered the question that had been on your mind since waking up.

“Y/N…welcome to Wakanda.”

Next Part

Hope y'all liked this part! Finals are basically over, so hopefully we can really get into the plot of the story! I have some exciting things for this series, and I can't wait to actually post them!

Stay safe, y'all! &lt;3

Taglist:

@shinsousliya , @honey-teaaaaaaaa , @tchhairbandhere , @jessiap , @zane2408 , @bananasplits-world , @yellowjacketmurder , @barkbarkbo , @butterflyybabe , @bananafishok , @zestgodtj , @mitsuya-takashi , @chaoticevilbakugo , @cedeni-beanie , @shuri-my-love , @kingstormpostsshit , @sailorsolar12 , @justariellove , @angelsmist , @eriksjournal , @mermaidchansons , @nil-eena , @paisholotus , @thesecretwriterblog , @brain-of-nekoma , @7tearsofatlantis , @simp4iwaizumi , @bumlyn​

[babyboiboyega]

The Study Room Pt. 7 (Shuri x Black!Fem!Reader)

HBCU!Shuri x Black!Fem!Reader

Word Count: 6.7k

Content: minor angst, mention of character death, mention of illness, but fluff

Babyboiboyega’s Marvel Masterlist

Babyboiboyega’s Masterlist of Masterlists

Series Masterlist

A/N: IT’S HERE! I’M ON TIME (DONT LOOK AT THE TIME), HERE YALL GO LMAO GO GO GO

Recap:

If she didn’t want you to know her real thoughts right now, then you’d wait until she was ready. You had no problem waiting- not when it came to Shuri. 

Shuri could feel you relax more into her as the minutes went by until you were breathing deeply and evenly. She didn’t have to look to know that you were fast asleep. 

As she let her own eyes close, she couldn’t help but pull you closer. The feeling of you breathing, warm, and alive in her arms would be enough to keep the nightmare at bay; at least she hoped so. She’d certainly find out sooner or later, but for right now, she enjoyed the peace and reassurance that your presence brought her. 

**********

It wasn’t the sun’s bright rays filtering into your room that woke you up the next morning; it wasn’t even the sound of soft music being played in the streets of Wakanda that woke you up; instead, it was the lack of one person’s presence that had you turning around in bed, eyes half lidded and eyebrows furrowed. The sun illuminated the empty spot beside you while also warming your skin, only reminding you more of the way Shuri’s arms had been wrapped around you the night before. 

With a yawn, you slowly sat up in the huge bed you still couldn’t quite wrap your head around. Your tired eyes scanned the room only to quickly come to the conclusion that Shuri was, in fact, nowhere to be found. At least not in your room. 

You weren’t prepared for the small, flustered feeling that went through you at the realization. Against your own wishes, your mind immediately started going to war with itself; part of it replaying every word and actions of yours from the night before, looking for something you could have done or said, while the other part chastised you for being a little selfish.

Maybe your true feelings - feelings you had yet to confront- had leaked too much into your words last night. 

“I’m just glad you’re here and that you know you can come to me for anything.” Had that been too much? Too sentimental? You had simply been speaking the truth, wanting her to know that you were there- especially in the face of her distraction from something you still had no clue about. 

Or, wait…was that it? What if she felt as if she couldn’t come to you for anything? You quite literally couldn’t imagine what she had to go through being the ruler of a country who had suffered the loss of not one, but two of their rulers in the span of a year. Add on the fact that the loss she had felt in the face of her brother and her mother’s deaths were insurmountable, yet she had been forced to carry on quickly afterwards. 

How in the hell could you understand and empathize with what she had gone through?

At some point during your busy thoughts, you slipped out of bed. Your morning routine was done with little acknowledgement, letting your limbs do what they were accustomed to doing: showering, washing your face, brushing your teeth, getting dressed.  In the midst of all of these actions, your mind still ran on overdrive. Except this time, the other part of your brain, the one adamant on calling you selfish, took over. 

Did you forget that she’s the Queen? She’s the actual Queen of the country you’re currently in; maybe she had royal duties or something important to do- something more important than laying in bed all day with you. You’re already taking up one of the bedrooms in the palace; you want her to spend every second of every waking day with you?

Of course you didn’t expect her to spend all of her time with you, as she had already given up a lot of it in order to keep you safe; but it wasn’t hard to admit to yourself that you immensely enjoyed her presence…almost a little too much for you to claim that you two were just ‘close friends’, and it seemed to you that she also enjoyed your presence. You were a little…hesitant, nervous even, to apply any other word except ‘friends’ to you and Shuri…but the events and actions that had taken place between you two almost made it easy to do exactly that. 

She has enough on her plate. Keeping you safe, running a country, her education.

The thought made you pause in your actions of making the bed, your eyes lingering reflexively on the spot she had been in. It was true; she did have a lot on her plate. But you didn’t know if you could just ignore the bond you two had created- the same bond that definitely crossed the line that two friends usually stayed behind. 

“Miss Y/L/N, the General wishes to speak with you. She is currently outside of your room.”

If anything could have broken you out of your thoughts, it was the sudden sound of Shuri’s AI coming from seemingly nowhere and everywhere at the same time. You couldn’t help glancing around quickly before replying, as if the voice had a body to match it.

“Uh, thank you…Griot.”

“You are most welcome.”

Maybe the earlier statement was a lie, because if there was anything that could have truly broken you out of your reverie, it was the news that the General was not only outside of your door, but that she also wanted to speak to you.

Your steps were somehow both quick and hesitant as you approached the door, looking around as if you were a child afraid of being chastised for having a messy room despite not a single thing being out of place. A number of different concerns raced through your mind as you opened the door, coming face to face with Okoye. Her head was tilted as she regarded you, an eyebrow raised in slight suspicion. What could you have possibly done already to receive this look-

“I have been knocking for the past minute.”

Her words took a second to register and when they did, your head tilted in a manner similar to hers. Eyebrows furrowed, you wracked your brain for the memory of hearing a knock or anything similar only to come up empty. You shook your head slowly.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you. I must have been in the bathroom.” Or confusing myself with contradicting thoughts that regard your queen and how I feel about her, you added internally. “Is something wrong?”

She stayed silent for just a second too long, simply looking at you. It only reminded you that she was the General for a reason, and the way she could intimidate someone with a simple look was only one of those reasons. You were perfectly and entirely fine with not being on the end of any of the other reasons. 

You had just started shuffling slightly on your feet because of the silence when she decided to have mercy and break it. 

“Follow me. I have something to show you.”

One thing, amongst the many,  you could easily admire about Okoye was the way she could give a command while simultaneously sounding…not exactly gentle, but still showing those she spoke to respect. It was easy for someone in her position to look down on those beneath them, speaking to them as if they were a petulant child; but so far, despite being a stranger to her and her home, Okoye hasn’t made you feel…unwanted or as if you were a bother. She doesn’t exactly hide her suspicions of you, but you could understand why.

Your trust in her was enough for you to nod in understanding, quickly slipping on your shoes that sat just inside the door. Your trust, however, didn’t lessen your nervousness as you followed her words, letting the door close behind you with a soft click. You turned to her, opting to send a half-confused, half-nervous smile her way in lieu of asking questions. In response, she let out a near silent huff that could have been in annoyance or amusement before turning and once again motioning for you to follow her.

You managed to match her pace, walking not completely beside her but not completely behind her. The path she took led you past a door that was shut and had elaborate carvings in it, automatically making you assume that it was Shuri’s. Every thought you had just managed to ignore upon Okoye’s arrival seemed to rush to the front, and with a tiny headshake, you continued following the General. 

Every person you passed, whether it be other Doras, scientists, doctors, or any other person working in the palace nodded in acknowledgement and respect as Okoye passed them. Most of them nodded to you as well, some of them even offering small smiles. It only reminded you that the entire time you had been in the palace, not once had you been made to believe that you were a hindrance or unwelcome.

“How’s your day been?”

Okoye turned to you at your question, her eyebrows raising slightly to show her surprise. Hell, you were pretty surprised at your own attempt to make conversation, but you had already asked it and there was no taking it back. You bit the inside of your cheek as you waited nervously for her reply. When she gave one, she seemed to be choosing her words carefully in a voice that was both strong and patient.

“My day has been okay.”

There was no surprise at all that she kept her answer short and straight to the point. It spoke perfectly to who she was, or who she presented herself to be; straightforward, not playing any games, not there for the bullshit. You couldn’t even be mad at it.

You nodded, mumbling a soft ‘that’s good’ under your breath in response. It wasn’t until she had led you to an elevator and you two had stepped in did she speak once again.

“How has your day been?”

“Good! Well, I mean, I had just woken up not too long before you had come to get me- but so far, it’s been okay!” 

A noise that sounded close to a huff left her, and a quick glance over at her showed that she had the smallest grin curving the corner of her lips. Your eyes almost widened at the sight, but you managed to contain your surprise…and the small bout of pride you felt.

It was only a matter of mere seconds before the elevator doors were opening on a new floor, causing you to look out in confusion. The ride had been so smooth that you had barely even known you were moving, which wasn’t a surprising feat when it came to Wakanda’s tech. 

The doors opening were followed by the sound of music that seemed to surround you as soon as you stepped out. You quickly recognized the interior of Shuri’s lab- or rather, her secondary lab. Her first and main one was located under Mount Bashenga, the beautiful towering mountain that held a panther statue on top of it. You hadn’t been to it, but your curiosity had certainly grown as Shuri described it to you during your short tour. You didn’t bother asking when you could visit; the way she described it made it obvious that the lab was one of the most important things to her and that it was a safe space. The only way you’d get there was if she invited you personally, and you were okay with that. The last thing you wanted was to encroach upon a space she deemed safe, secure, and intimate without her permission or explicit invitation. 

This lab, however, had been one of the first things you had seen upon waking up. It was the same lab where you had received previous updates about you and Shuri’s mutual menace, which is what your mind immediately went to as Okoye led you further inside. 

“Is there an update on Shuri’s stalker?”

Okoye shook her head silently, continuing to lead you past several engineers who were so engrossed in their work, that they didn’t bother looking up. Your eyes lingered on the projects sitting in front of each of them, knowing enough to recognize what they were using, but not knowing enough to recognize how they were using it. You were in school for biophysics, so your range of knowledge extended to knowing how to use different physiological theories and concepts in order to analyze and understand biological phenomena; the projects you walked past were the exact opposite of biophysics. They looked technological, unsurprisingly; but none of them looked done, that much you could tell. 

You found yourself slowing down as you walked past, your head tilting just slightly in curiosity. They may have not looked finished, but upon closer inspection, it was obvious that each piece complimented another in some way, shape, or form. Whatever they were building was big and complex enough to need at least 5 engineers working on it at the same time. 

“What are they working on-”

Your words faded upon turning around and finding that Okoye had continued walking without you only to stop in front of a set of double doors. An eyebrow was raised as she stared at you, her lips pursed slightly and an unimpressed look on her face. It was enough for you to grimace sheepishly before quickly walking over, your mouth opening to offer an apology. It quickly closed as Okoye opened the door, motioning for you to go in ahead of her. 

“We will be in here.”

You had no idea what you’d be walking into once you stepped past the threshold; however, a nearly empty room save for the multiple racks of spears lining the walls and a cushioned floor was the last thing you had expected. 

There weren’t any windows, but the light that filled the room seemed almost soft and natural; it did nothing to ease your nerves, though. You didn’t know whether you wanted to touch the spears in childlike wonder, or stay far away from them and voice the question that had been on your mind since being picked up from your room…so you chose the latter option. 

“What exactly are we about to get into?”

Your question hung in the air as Okoye closed the doors with a resounding thud before walking over to one of the racks which held multiple spears. She set her own against the wall before turning and making her way to the middle of the room and the padded floor. 

The longer you stood there, the more pieces your brain connected, and soon you were able to answer your own question. Why else would Okoye, the incredibly skilled, incredibly badass General of the Wakandan army bring you to a room that looked close to a training room? And why else would she be motioning for you to join her? 

Your steps were slow as you walked towards her, stepping onto the padded area. It was soft enough for your feet to leave small impressions, but firm enough that you knew should you be slammed into it, you’d have bruises and aches for at least a day. 

“General Okoye…can I ask why we’re here-”

“Tell me, Miss Y/L/N, have you ever been in a physical confrontation?”

You had already held suspicions about the reason behind you two being here, but her question only confirmed them. Fully expecting her to laugh at the fight you had been in, especially when compared to the battles she had been in, you let out a breath before explaining. 

“I…fought this girl who was bullying my friend. Of course, it was nothing compared to the fights I’m sure you’ve been in, but I got suspended for a few days.”

Okoye looked incredibly unimpressed at your story; so much so that you felt the need to clarify and further explain yourself. The more you spoke, the more vivid the memory became. You weren’t one to hold grudges, but you had a sneaking suspicion that if you were to ever see that girl again, you’d probably say something so incredibly out of pocket. 

“My friend, Alice, was in a wheelchair, and this girl who was new, Lilliana McMillan,” the girl’s name left your mouth with an air of annoyance, “kept messing with her. She’d stick things into her wheels, move desks and other objects just to make it harder for Alice to move around. Just being an entire bitch to one of the nicest people in the school.”

Okoye’s eyebrows raised slightly at your choice of words, though she didn’t comment; she’d heard worse from Shuri. Hell, she had said worse herself. 

“I wanted to fight her much sooner, but Alice kept telling me that it wasn’t worth it. ‘Take the high road’, she’d say. ‘She’s not worth it’...and I listened.” 

A short, unamused laugh left your mouth as you shook your head. Even after years of being out of high school, you could still feel the anger from that day as if it were yesterday. 

“But then, Lilliana pushed Alice so hard one day that her chair tipped sideways. Alice’s elbow was busted up and her chair- a wheelchair that cost her family thousands of dollars- broke. All because Lilliana Mc-fucking-Millan thought it was cool to pick on a person who was too nice to fight back.”

As you explained the events of that day, Okoye’s face changed from being impassive to what looked like a barely perceptible look of understanding. You didn’t know Okoye well, or really at all, but you could tell that she didn’t take too lightly to bullies. 

“As soon as I walked around the corner and saw Alice on the ground, crying, with Lilliana’s flat footed ass standing over her, I saw red. I checked on Alice first, made sure she was okay…then I turned to Lilliana…and I just went in.”

You shrugged, taking a deep breath. Looking back, you remembered the events leading up to the fight, and the events following the fight. The fight itself was just a blur of anger, thrown fists and feet, and handfuls of hair.

“It was the first real, and worst, fist fight I’ve been in.”

Okoye nodded in acknowledgement, crossing her arms and looking at you with an expression you couldn’t place. You’d liken it to being inspected for a job or even being appraised to see if you’d be able to do something. The regret at telling her the story of the fight started to build in your body, but just like those years ago, you couldn’t find a hint of regret at your actions back then. 

That small bit of regret grew as Okoye walked forward, still looking at you peculiarly; but it disappeared completely at her next words.

“Did you win?”

You couldn’t stop the self satisfied smile from appearing on your face as you nodded, and admittedly, you felt a pang of pride as the corner of Okoye’s mouth twitched up slightly.

“I did. Alice got on me about it, though. I think she was more upset at the fact that I had busted my wrist up.” You shrugged, glancing at the wrist that you had worn a cast on for a good bit afterwards. 

 Either you were trippin’, or there was actually a proud look on her face as you looked back at her. 

“Good,” but then she stepped back, her usual stoicness returning, “but that was a high school fight. You’re not in high school anymore, and now you have an unnamed , faceless person pursuing you who has already made one attempt on your life.”

Her statement was rather obvious, yet it still made your smile drop quickly. There was nothing quite like being reminded that if you weren’t in Wakanda, you’d probably be dead. 

“And that is precisely why we are here, today. After all of this is over, these skills will still come in handy as basic self defense.”

She walked towards you, motioning for you to presumably get into a fighting stance. You paused, your mind momentarily going blank as the thoughts of simultaneously embarrassing yourself and looking like a fool in front of Okoye ran through it. 

You weren’t in the MMA by any means, but you had always felt that if need be, you’d be able to defend yourself; the whole fight or flight thing. That was until you got to Wakanda and witnessed the Dora Milaje and how lethal they were firsthand. 

With a quick prayer to whoever was listening, you raised your fists and situated your feet in a position you hoped was right…only for Okoye’s eyes to furrow as she tilted her head.

“What in Bast’s name are you doing?” 

You looked quizzically at your hands, growing confused at the exasperated look on her face. Hands covering your face, thumb on the outside of your fingers, thumbs folded down, feet parted, knees bent…what were you missing?

The confusion must have been obvious on your face, as Okoye held back a sigh before copying you, holding her arms up and blocking her face. With one closed fist, she motioned toward you again. 

“Throw a punch.”

…

“You want me to punch you?” 

She had the nerve to let out a quick laugh at your words, her head shaking quickly. She shuffled closer to you and almost on instinct, you shuffled backwards. Instead of stopping, she continued getting closer…and instead of stopping, you continued to back away.

“You’ll never land a punch, but I need to make sure you know how to throw one.”

Not giving yourself time to hesitate or overthink it (and maybe thinking you would catch Okoye, the General of an army, off guard), you quickly threw a punch. 

One second, you’re on your feet, punching at Okoye, and the next you’re on your back. It takes a while for your brain to catch up with what happened, but when it does, your body’s reaction isn’t far behind. 

All the air in your body had left as soon as you hit the ground, and it was hard as hell to draw another breath in. Once you did, though, the only thing that came out of your mouth was a drawn out groan; one that Okoye paid no heed to as she crouched beside your laid out figure. You could see her out of the corner of your eye, though you kept your eyes fixated on a detail in the ceiling in an attempt to let the room stop spinning.

“Do you know what you did wrong?” 

Her voice didn’t seem mocking or sarcastic, but there was humor in it. You shut your eyes, the sudden thought that Okoye had to have started somewhere popping up in your mind. She wasn’t just born as the general of the Wakandan army, and you were pretty sure she wasn’t born a Dora, so the thought of her at one point being in your exact position was enough for you to finally open your eyes and look at her.

“You deadass?” 

Your voice was still winded, but your question was exactly that: deadass. Completely serious. Because how would you know what you did wrong if you barely saw her move in the first place?

She nodded in response, her expression a mixture of seriousness and that of a teacher who got on you for not ‘applying yourself’. 

“I am completely…’deadass’. What did you do wrong?”

You’d definitely be telling Shuri that you got Okoye to say the words “deadass”.

“Well, for one, I followed you in here. That was a mistake. If I would’ve known that I was just going to get thrown around like a damn rag doll- how’d you even do that, first of all? I didn’t even see you move-”

Okoye held a hand out, effectively silencing your words while also offering a hand for you to get up. You took a few more breaths, savoring them as it’d probably be the last time doing so, before grabbing her hand and letting her pull you up.

“Learning how to defend yourself is not a ‘mistake’. Shuri doesn’t seem to think so, and neither should you.”

You weren’t surprised in the least bit at learning that Shuri may have been the one to put Okoye up to this, nor were you surprised at the fact that if there was one thing Shuri would make sure you could do was defend yourself. You didn’t know whether to feel giddy at the reminder that she cared for you in some way, or like a burden because maybe she had no other choice. It was a quick callback to the thoughts you had had after just waking up, but you managed to keep them at bay. It was rather easy to do so when Okoye once again walked closer to you, your heart spiking on its own accord. 

“I never said learning self defense is a ‘mistake’; I said learning self defense with you may be a mistake, as in ‘I’m not ready to get my ass handed to me multiple times today’.”

Okoye reached forward, faster than you could track, her hands latching around your wrists. On instinct, you tried to wrench your hands away, struggling only for a moment before realizing that you weren’t going anywhere unless Okoye let you.

Her eyes stared pointedly at you, waiting for you to stop struggling, and only then did she continue speaking. 

“That won’t happen if you pay attention and learn what I teach you. What would Alice say? I’m sure she would appreciate you learning what is needed in order to not ‘bust your wrist up’ again.”

Her words made you stop, your eyes glancing away for a second as a quick surge of anger ran through you. It only took a second for you to remind yourself that she didn’t know that Alice had passed only earlier in the year, so you couldn’t exactly fault her for her unintentional guilt-tripping. 

Feelings that you had long since come to terms with regarding your old best friend resurfaced quickly, and you tried your best to keep them from showing on your face; but this was Okoye. What the hell couldn’t she see? Might as well rip the bandaid off. 

“She passed earlier this year. Osteosarcomas- bone cancer.” Okoye’s grip on your wrists slackened, her face falling in the slightest. You hurried to respond despite having a feeling that she was a person who would offer sympathies, but who wouldn’t dwell on them.

“But I’m sure she would tell you to kick my ass and to do whatever you need to do to teach me.”

The more you thought about it, the more appealing the idea of actually being able to take care of yourself became. It certainly made you feel slightly better in yourself; stronger; maybe Shuri would stop worrying so much and focus on things more important…like her own damn safety. 

Okoye gave a small grin, directing your hands to a position that was better than your last one had been. Once she was satisfied, she let go and stepped back. 

“Oh, I had already planned on doing that.”

You believed her, however, with a small thought that maybe…just maybe she’d go a little easy on you, seeing as you had only been in one real altercation. That couldn’t have been further from the truth, and you found out the hard way during the next few hours.

Despite Okoye’s tendency to knock your ass to the floor first and then tell you what you did wrong, you found that it was almost surprisingly getting you to learn the small things. The first things she focused on were learning your strengths and your weaknesses. It was fair to say that in this specific activity, your weaknesses outnumbered your strengths, but she was good at pointing out both. 

She had her own way of commending you for doing something right, and in the beginning, it had involved her nodding her head with a look that wasn’t as exasperated. Sometimes she’d even let out a surprised ‘hmm’. It admittedly boosted your pride each time. However, as the hours passed, it was evident that the two of you grew more…agreeable being around each other. Or maybe her frustration had just gotten to a point where she didn’t bother hiding it anymore, instead, letting her more sarcastic side show.

Whatever the cause, the change in her demeanor had made your little ‘training session’ a little more bearable. You no longer felt the need to walk on eggshells around her or even hold in your comments. It had resulted in her hearing you let loose a few choice words in weird combinations spurred on by your own pain and frustration. There had even been a few times where she had mumbled a sarcastic comment under her breath in response to a question you had or if you did something wrong. 

Her comments had only made her appear more…human, to you at least. It didn’t make anything weird and it didn’t make you any less enthusiastic. Regardless of this, there eventually came a time where you both could tell that you had been training enough. It became obvious to Okoye after you failed to block an easy jab that you had blocked easily an hour ago, and it became obvious to you after you fell unceremoniously to the mat as Okoye told you that you were done. 

You leaned against the wall, letting your head rest back as you focused on taking deep breaths. Every breath was shaky, but they were slowly becoming more steady. Your limbs shook, even as you sat still, and the mere thought of waking up tomorrow and having to do anything made a small groan leave your mouth.

All of your ailments were completely disregarded, though, as Okoye asked a question that had your eyes snapping open. 

“How exactly did you and Shuri meet?”

Your eyes trailed over to land on Okoye who busied herself with reattaching her arm cuffs that she had, thankfully, taken off before beginning. You thought over your response under the guise of still trying to catch your breath. 

There truly wasn’t a reason behind being so nervous to answer her question; you two had met in one of the most mundane ways. But it was the way Okoye asked the question coupled with the look on her face as she gazed at you. 

That same calculating look was in her eyes as she waited for your answer, except this time, it seemed as if she were trying to clock a potential lie that you could tell. The agreeableness from earlier hadn’t completely vanished, but it was eclipsed by an air of skepticism. 

“We met in the campus library. I accidentally took her study room, and after I offered to leave, she insisted that I stay. Then she…uh…helped me with my homework.” 

It almost seemed laughable; such a mundane and…normal meeting that involved the monarch of an entire country. Okoye seemed to think so as well. In fact, she seemed to think that it was a little too normal as she tilted her head slightly and narrowed her eyes. Just that quick, you felt like you were back under a microscope she was looking into. 

“Did you know of her status as Queen at the time of your meeting?”

You sat up more at her question, already sensing where she was going, and instantly becoming nervous. Had any of your words or any of your actions raised suspicion with the General? Who else shared her suspicion? 

Did…Shuri? Was that the reason behind her absence earlier? Was this entire ‘training session’ just a chance for Okoye to get into your mind and see if you had ulterior motives?

Who else shared her suspicion? Had you been walking around the entire time, comfortable, feeling welcomed…while simultaneously being looked into?

“I did- everyone did. As soon as she arrived on campus, everyone knew who she was. It’s hard not to recognize the Queen of Wakanda when she shows up on your campus.” You swallowed hard, willing your heart to slow down because you had nothing to be guilty of. 

“What the hell is this about, Okoye? Am I a suspect?”

“Of course, you aren’t a suspect,” She spoke quickly, stepping towards you, “if I considered you a suspect, you wouldn’t be free to walk around this palace.”

There was a promise of a threat behind her words, and you believed her. Any person who dared to go after the princess wouldn’t have gotten nearly any of the same courtesy as you had received while in Wakanda. 

“I am asking because I have noticed that…you two are pretty close. Closer than normal friends are. And as someone who cares about her and wants only the best for her, I feel the need to-”

Your eyes widened a comical amount as she continued speaking, the pieces clicking together in your mind and causing your face to heat up. What made it worse was that Okoye didn’t look any more comfortable, as her eyes flickered between her metal braces and your face. 

“Okoye. Wait a minute, are you…giving me the talk?” 

Her eyebrows furrowed as she went to speak, her mouth opening and closing for a second. You beat her to it, your words coming out rushed. 

“I got it, okay? You’re protective of Shuri, that’s understandable. I haven’t known her for a very long time, but I can say that I am, too. But I promise you, you don’t have to worry about me doing anything to put her in any type of jeopardy or risk.”

You struggled to your feet, holding onto the wall for balance as you stood on shaky legs. There was no point in hiding the confused, albeit present, feelings you had for Shuri; especially not from someone who loved her as much as Okoye did. 

“I want the best for Shuri as well, even if that isn’t me.” You prayed that she chalked the shakiness of your voice up to your fatigue, “And if it isn’t me, then I’ll go ahead and move on after all of this is over. But until then, I’m like you: I just want her to be safe.”

Okoye’s expression softened at your words, and you took it as a sign to keep going, no matter how much of a hole you were digging yourself into.

“She has this wild idea that it’s her responsibility to keep me safe, when in reality, this stalker is after her. I’m only an obstacle in their way to get to her- she’s their endgame, and we still don’t even know what they want with her!” 

The quick laugh that left your mouth was humorless and bitter, a good representation of how you were feeling with the entire situation. 

“I’ve told her that between the two of us, her safety takes priority, and I’m sure you can agree.” Okoye wordlessly nodded in agreement before you continued, “but we know how stubborn and hard-headed she can be. That’s part of the reason why I’m even trying to learn all of…this!” 

Your arms raised, motioning aimlessly around the room in reference to your training.

“Maybe if I learn how to take care of myself, she’ll start to care more about her own safety.”

Okoye’s eyes seemed to take on an understanding look right before they connected with something over your shoulder. She cleared her throat and motioned to whatever was behind you, prompting you to turn around. 

The universe liked to play jokes, sometimes. And sometimes, you were the butt of those jokes, because of course Shuri had to be standing in the doorway to the room after your little tirade.

Her eyebrows were scrunched together slightly and she held a bag in her hands. You froze at the sight of her, your eyes widening and your heart literally skipping a beat at the thought that she had heard…well..any of that.

“How much of that did you hear?”

Your question sounded panicked, even to your own ears, as you asked it. 

“I heard enough.” You should just run out of the damn room. “General Okoye, do you mind giving us a second? I’d like to speak with Y/N.” 

The worry that shot through your body was enough for you to take a deep, shaky breath. You never would have thought that this kind of nervousness would plague you, especially when it came to Shuri and having to speak with her. 

She doesn’t look mad…not really.

But there was still a slight frown on her lips as Okoye nodded, quickly retrieving her spear before walking past you and towards the door Shuri stood in front of. She had the decency to stop at the door and look back at you, providing what could’ve been an encouraging nod, before stepping out and closing the door behind her. 

The silence that enveloped the two of you was so heavy that you immediately wanted to break it, but doing so would open the possibility of saying something embarrassing. So with fidgety hands and a racing heart, you waited for Shuri to speak first. She did so not too long after Okoye left, walking towards where you stood in the middle of the mat.

“Do you really see yourself as some ‘obstacle’?” So she had heard that part.

Her voice was low, almost hesitant as she spoke. Her eyes didn’t leave your figure, even as yours darted around slightly.

“Maybe not an obstacle…” you trailed off, letting out a sigh as she continued to approach you. Unlike Okoye, you didn’t feel the need to move; you didn’t want to move. 

“Just…not as important.” 

Her frown deepened at your words and she shook her head, looking away for a second and letting out a heavy sigh. 

“Y/N, we talked about this.”

Regardless of how nervous you were, you still held true to your words, believing them wholeheartedly and genuinely. No matter how nervous she made you, you’d continue to fight her about her safety.

“We did, and my thoughts are still the same.” The longer you spoke, the more steadier your words became. “I don’t think there’s anything you can do or say to change my mind.”

She stayed silent for a while, almost seeming to hold her breath as she thought something over. After a few seconds of silence, she finally faced you once again, letting out another sigh and nodding in resignation. 

“There isn’t anything you can do or say to change my mind about your safety, Y/N. There never will be. We’ll both have to live with it.”

She held the bag in her hand out to you…and it honestly threw you for a loop. You had expected her to argue you up and down, again, about your safety and where it was in relation to her own…but she hadn’t. It relieved you while also making you suspicious.

It must have shown on your face because a grin curved her lips as she pushed the bag more towards you, encouraging you to take it. You took it, instantly opening it and taking a look inside. At the sight of clothes, you raised a quizzitive eyebrow and looked back at her. She instantly understood your silent question, letting out a soft laugh.

“Clothes for you to change into;” She paused, having the audacity to look slightly nervous before she continued, “I’d like to take you somewhere. Only if you’re okay with it.”

If you thought your heart had been racing at her arrival, it was nothing compared to the way it raced now. She wanted to take you somewhere?

Her nervousness paired with her request to take you somewhere had a bashful, yet excited look appearing on your face as you nodded quickly. You didn’t dare think about the implications behind her request; the last thing you wanted was to think too much into everything and then either disappoint yourself or disappoint her when the truth came to light. 

But you could let yourself enjoy one night with her…right?

A/N: sorry for the wait y’all lmaoooo

BUT I hope you all enjoyed this part! Part 8 should actually be out later this week if my timing is right!

Please like, reblog, and/or comment! Y’all’s comments are the best part of my day, honestly, I love reading y’alls comments <3

Stay safe, y’all!

Tag list:   @shinsousliya , @honey-teaaaaaaaa , @tchhairbandhere , @jessiap , @zane2408 , @bananasplits-world , @yellowjacketmurder , @barkbarkbo , @butterflyybabe , @bananafishok , @zestgodtj , @mitsuya-takashi , @chaoticevilbakugo , @cedeni-beanie , @shuri-my-love , @kingstormpostsshit , @sailorsolar12 , @justariellove , @angelsmist , @eriksjournal , @mermaidchansons , @nil-eena , @paisholotus , @thesecretwriterblog , @brain-of-nekoma , @7tearsofatlantis , @simp4iwaizumi , @bumlyn , @jackdrawsjunk , @http-twyla , @cedeni-beanie​ , @taleiakirby​ , @brain-of-nekoma , @borderlineacademia​ , @honey-teaaaaaaaa​

[babyboiboyega]

The Study Room Pt. 6 (Shuri x Black!Fem!Reader)

HBCU!Shuri x Black!Fem!Reader

Word Count: 6k

Content: ANGST, mentions of nightmares, drowning, but turns into a good bit of fluff!

Babyboiboyega’s Marvel Masterlist

Babyboiboyega’s Masterlist of Masterlists

Series Masterlist

Part 1  Part 2  Part 3  Part 4  Part 5  Part 6

A/N: I didn’t forget! The day just went differently than I expected and then it took me longer to edit and revise because I changed an entire scene and had something completely different happen- you know what. Imma stop talking, go and read! go, go go <3

Recap:

She grabbed the door handle and opened it before turning to glance one more at you. You’d never grow tired of the smile she reserved for you, and it'd always draw a visceral reaction from you. 

“Sleep well, Y/N.”

You gave a small wave, reciprocating the farewell in a hushed tone. The door closed behind her with a soft click, leaving you standing in a beautiful room meant for royalty and with a heart that belonged to them- her- as well. 

********************

As soon as the door closed behind her, a deep sigh was making its way from Shuri’s mouth. Unbeknownst to anyone but herself, her heart was pounding away, erratically, in her chest from the moment between you and her- the moment that had been interrupted yet again. The first time it had happened, in her dorm room, it had had the same effect on her: heart palpitations, literal heart eyes, the sudden desire to either make poetry or verbally express her feelings for you…the usual happenings whenever you were involved. 

Even as she made her way to the throne room where the elder council waited for her, something that would usually put her on edge in just the slightest, she had to force her thoughts and affection for you behind a wall. Not because she wanted to, but she knew that as soon as she stepped into the throne room, the elders would be looking for a certain…version of her. 

They had only ever seen the “ruling” side of Shuri; the one where she would hyper focus on her royal tendencies, wanting badly to live up to her mother and her brother’s legacies. Where half of the time, she was in her lab, thinking of more ways to keep her nation and her people protected. Where most of the time, her eyes only held enough emotion to reassure the elders that she still cared immensely for her home and the people that resided there.

They hadn’t seen the kind of person she was at school…and with you. They didn’t see how loud her laughing was; how she threw her head back, completely carefree at anything that she found funny or joyful. They definitely didn’t see, or hear, the small differences in her speech that she had adopted from you and her fellow classmates. They hadn’t seen the swirls of emotions that she felt deeply residing in her eyes- not like you had.

She reminded herself to put that first mask on as she approached the throne room doors. Her eyes flickered between the Doras that had been stationed outside, nodding in a respectful greeting. At the sight of Shuri, they bowed their heads, their arms raising quickly to complete the Wakandan salute. 

Shuri took a deep breath, reciprocated the salute, and then pushed open the doors. 

The light conversation in the room ceased immediately, all eyes in the room turning to rest on her as she walked towards the half circle comprised of the elders. She could feel the tension that usually came with a council meeting already blanketing the room as she stopped in front of them, bowing her head slightly in respect before looking at all of them.

“I apologize for my tardiness. I was making sure our guest was settled in.”

They all glanced at each other before the elder from the Border Tribe sat straighter in his seat, speaking towards Shuri.

“This meeting was called because the Council would like to know what you are doing in the face of this…stalker from your American University.”

She had to refrain from narrowing her eyes in the slightest. Ever since the first pictures had been sent, she had made sure that the Council knew of the events that took place. Every piece of information they had would also go to the Council for this exact reason; so she wouldn’t have to constantly call meetings to update them. 

“Of course.”

Her hands stayed by her side as she gave them every piece of information they had found out so far, no matter how badly she wanted to fidget slightly. She found that as she started relaying to them every event that had taken place so far, the acute feeling of anxiety grew. While she could recognize that it was important for them to know everything, she also recognized how important it was that they explain the true reason behind this meeting, which was something they had yet to do.

“While I respect and appreciate your desire to stay updated, I cannot help but feel as if this meeting was called for a different reason.”

She made sure to insert the same tone of authority she had heard in her mother’s voice while also incorporating the easy-going, calming tone of T’Challa. The last thing she needed was the Council thinking that she was becoming defensive; she wouldn’t get any real answers if that happened. No matter how many times they stated that they respected her and her rise to the throne, she could still see in their eyes how they viewed her as the princess who suffered tragic event after tragic event. They still viewed her as the princess who was willing to be consumed by her own vengeance- who even welcomed that feeling of vengeance. 

They didn’t see her as the ruler of Wakanda who wanted to forge her own path while also honoring those who came before her. They could see that she still had a good bit of healing to do, and that was something she could recognize about herself; but they didn’t see how she was already on that journey of healing and how much she had improved since…since Talokan. 

The Council shared looks that practically broadcasted what she had already known: that there was an ulterior motive behind tonight’s meeting and they were hesitant to bring it up. The Mining Tribe’s elder spoke up, her voice strong and without an ounce of hesitation.

“We called this meeting to discuss the connection between your safety and the safety of your…guest that you’ve brought to the palace.”

Her eyebrows furrowed immediately at the elder’s words. Not simply because she had mentioned you, but because of the almost imperceptible tone of disdain that came with the mention of you. 

“What about Y-Miss Y/L/N?”

“What about the potential risks of inviting her here?” 

Shuri’s mouth opened and closed in acute disbelief at what they were implying. She took a breath before voicing her own question, making sure that her voice would still be seen as respectful.

“What exactly are we risking by inviting her into the palace? She was attacked because of her connection to me, and in order to save her life, I had to bring her here. What would the council have me do; leave her in the states while someone is after her?” 

It was obvious that her words were making a few elders a little antsy; annoyed even, if their fidgeting and whispers under their breath were anything to go by. However it was the same elder who had started the conversation that spoke.

“Ubukhulu bakho, we are simply wanting to be cautious, as the last time an outsider was brought to the palace, we almost lost our city, we lost countless warriors…and we lost your mother-”

“Yes, I remember quite well. I was there.” 

Shuri’s words echoed through the throne room, an underlying tone of pain and anger present. 

At the mere mention of her mother’s death being used to justify the council’s fear of helping you, an innocent, Shuri’s façade almost broke completely. Her jaw tightened as she clenched her teeth in an effort to stop more words from spilling from her mouth. Instead, as she spoke, she channeled her frustrations into her words and the effect she wanted them to have on the elders sitting in front of her. 

“The events that took place were of no fault of Miss Williams, nor was my mother’s death. If my mother were still here, she would agree that the safest place for Miss Y/L/N is here, behind these palace walls. She would agree that because Miss Y/L/N was targeted due to her connection to me, then it is only right that we work to capture the stalker that is after not only her, but me as well…which is what I plan on doing.”

Some of the elders had the decency to look abashed, looking away from Shuri as she mentioned her mother and what she would have wanted. She made sure to look at each of them, willing her words to reach them in a way that they’d understand. 

There was a brief silence that settled over them after Shuri’s words; a silence that was filled with brief glances between the elders.  At the realization that they’d have nothing else to say, Shuri once again bowed her head slightly. 

“If you will excuse me, it is getting late, and today was a long day. I hope you all get to your homes safely and have a good night. Ulale kakuhle.”

She didn’t bother waiting another second before turning on her heel and making her way back to the door she had walked through. She knew that her mother and her brother were probably chastising her from another plane for turning away from the council during a meeting, but she also knew that they’d agree with her. The thought made it that much easier to leave the throne room, her head held high in confidence about her words. 

She couldn’t find an ounce of hesitation in her as she quickly walked the familiar path back to her own room. There was no hesitation, but with the mention of her mother’s death and the comparison between the conflict with Talokanil and now, she could feel the memories that she had worked so hard to come to terms with…the memories she had worked her damned hardest on confronting, resurfacing. 

It seemed that with every step she took, the more the memories thrashed against the barrier she had built. Memories of feeling the same responsibility for someone she cared about, albeit, in a different way. The guilt and blame she had placed on herself at the time of her mother’s death- the same guilt and blame that gave way to a vengeance so dark she shuddered when thinking back on it. 

All of these phantom-like feelings from the past followed her as she arrived at her room. She had given your room a quick glance before hightailing it behind her own doors, nodding a quick greeting and farewell to the guards stationed outside. Had she not been plagued by memories that demanded to be acknowledged, she would have surely made her way to your room, even if it were just to check on your sleeping figure. Her mind had other plans.

Shuri’s hands raised, rubbing down her face roughly as she spun in the middle of her room. Her eyes flickered about, looking for something to ground herself with. It became very clear that the next best thing, other than going to your room and potentially waking you up, was to climb into bed with the hope that she’d be able to get at least a few hours of sleep. 

But as she distractedly completed her nightly routine, she could tell that the night wouldn’t be as calm as she had prayed for. Her suspicions were only confirmed as she managed to drift off to sleep, and immediately entered a memory that quickly turned into a nightmare. 

She felt cold. Not the kind that came from standing in cold weather for an extended amount of time, but a cold that permeated every cell of her being. It was a heavy coldness, making her limbs numb while also making her feel how heavy they were. She tried her best to move an arm or leg and quickly found the reason behind the heaviness in them.

The cold she was feeling had to come from the water that surrounded her. 

It was almost unnaturally still, not a single bubble or current as she moved her limbs in the slightest. She couldn’t feel a shift of the water around her as she worked to turn in a circle, only seeing endless water in every direction. 

Shuri took  a deep breath to calm herself in the face of such endless oblivion only to immediately panic. Her mouth opened in a gasp, waiting and expecting to feel the agonizing sensation of water filling her lungs, but they only filled with air. It was a weird sensation; feeling the water against her skin and her clothes, but also being able to tell that she was dry. She had only ever experienced something like this when she had crossed to the Ancestral Plane.

What she had experienced then had been a heartbreak so vivid and blunt, the only thing she could do to stop it from consuming her was feed into her cousin’s anger and vengeance. She had felt panic then; panic at the prospect of her own version of the heart shaped herb not working. Panic that none of the family members she loved and cherished had showed up.

This nightmare, though, put her through a different type of panic; especially as she trailed her eyes up, looking for a surface she could swim up to, only to see a sight that both froze her and kicked her into action.

In the distance, also surrounded by the endless, dark water, she saw her mother’s struggling figure as she tried to swim herself and another person to the surface…a surface Shuri couldn’t see. A surface that wasn’t there.

There was no indication that her mother was swimming in water, as there were no bubbles or rippling currents, or anything that would allude to it. She looked as if she were suspended in air, struggling against an unknown force to save herself and the person she held onto. 

Despite not seeing a surface that would serve as a saving grace, Shuri tried her hardest to swim in their direction. She gritted her teeth against the pressure pushing against her limbs, moving them as fast as she could in order to get to them. It seemed that with every pump of her arms and every kick of her legs, the distance between her mother and the other person grew larger. 

“Mother! Mama!” 

As she opened her mouth, calling out desperately to her mother, she could hear her own agonized, breaking voice echoing around her. There was something off about the echo; almost as if it was tinted with a hint of…laughter. 

“Mother, ndiyacela!”

If she hadn’t realized that she was in the midst of a nightmare, the sight of her mother stopping and turning to her, expressionless, would’ve made it clear. There was something nagging from the deepest confines of her mind, yelling at her that it was a nightmare and that she just had to wake up. She clenched her eyes shut, willing herself to wake up lest the nightmare become worse. 

When she opened her eyes, she wasn’t looking at the ceiling or wall of her room; she was still in the same spot in that endless body of water- at least she thought it was the same spot. The only thing that had changed was she was now closer to where she had seen her mother and the other figure; though upon closer inspection, she was almost mortified to see that the spot where her mother had been, now resided someone else. Someone with a startlingly familiar face; one that simultaneously made her heart pick up in…fear. Anxiety. 

Shuri’s eyebrows furrowed as she looked into her own eyes. The version of herself that floated across from her regarded her with a hard, judgmental sneer in her eyes and on her face. In her hand she clutched someone else’s, and as Shuri followed the arm up to the person it belonged to, she quickly shook her head in denial. 

You floated beside the other version of herself, face slack and lacking emotion. Where your melanin usually resided, bright and warm, there was now a paleness to your skin. The sight of it paired with the milkiness and lifeless look in your eyes made Shuri’s face twist into a soundless cry. She managed to raise her hands and place them against your cheeks, her thumbs rubbing against your cold skin in an effort to bring back some sort of semblance of life. 

She stared in horror as the motion made you blink, your eyes remaining milky…glassy, almost. Despite this, she could feel your gaze on her face. It was heavy, and it didn’t bring with it the usual feeling of warmth and comfort. Instead, it only brought a feeling of deep dread that permeated her bones. Your name left her lips as a desperate, whispered plea.

“Please…come back to me. I can’t lose you, too-”

She abruptly cut her words off at the feeling of a harsh grip landing on her arm. The hand seemed to siphon the small amount of energy and nonexistent warmth she had been harboring the entire time, and against her wishes, her hands fell heavily from your face. It only took her a quick glance to see that she was being grabbed by…herself. The hand that grabbed her had been the same one holding onto you, but now that there was nothing keeping you close, you started to drift away; deeper into the water that showed no sign of ending. 

Shuri felt herself being pulled, but she didn’t care where. All she cared about was that she was being pulled away from you- that the two of you were being pulled away from each other. Without even thinking, she reached out, seizing hold of your wrist in an almost bruising grip. She gritted her teeth at the sensation of your wrist slipping from her grasp, an invisible force pulling you deeper while a malicious one pulled her further away.

“Y/N, please!”

She didn’t know what she was pleading for you to do; fight against the invisible force, fight to stay with her; all she knew was that if you were to disappear into the abyss surrounding them, she’d never see you again, and she’d never know what to do with herself.

Pain radiated up her arm as the hand continued to pull forcefully, every tug making your wrist slip further out of her grasp…but she never loosened her grip. 

She watched, mouth agape, as your lips parted. Your voice sounded croaky- breathless, even- as it left your mouth. The words you said made violent chills wrack through Shuri’s body as they seemed to surround her, pressing in on her until her chest heaved from the pressure.

“You can’t save us both.”

With a final tug, your wrist was wrenched out of her hand, and she could only watch and call out desperately to you as you were dragged deeper until you disappeared completely. 

Shuri’s eyes snapped open as she shot upright, her chest heaving and eyes darting around the room. Her room was cloaked in a darkness that only reminded her of the nightmare she had just wrenched herself out of. With a shaky voice, she called out to her AI.

“Griot, turn on the lights.”

“As you wish, your highness.”

Her room was quickly bathed in a soft light, though it did nothing to calm her nerves. She pressed the heels of her palms into her eyes, trying her best to push the nightmare to the darkest confines of her mind to no avail. The hopeless, panicked feeling she had felt in said nightmare transferred to real time, making it a challenge for her heart to slow down. Her breathing was loud to her own ears as she hunched over, taking deep gulps of air. 

She didn’t know how long she sat in that position, hands against her eyes, back hunched. It evidently wasn’t long enough, as the nightmare was still at the forefront of her mind when she pulled her hands away. 

Her nerves hummed with panic, making her restless. The feeling prompted her to throw her legs over the side of her bed, her hands clenching at the sheet covered edge. She hung her head, focusing solely on drawing deep breaths into her lungs and convincing herself that she was no longer submerged in that…place.

“Your highness, I couldn’t help but notice that you’re under distress. Do you require assistance?”

So distracted by her own fear induced thoughts, she jumped slightly as Griot’s soothing voice sounded from her kimoyo beads. She rubbed a hand down her face, releasing a shaky sigh.

“No. No need to alert the palace because of a…a nightmare.”

She stood up, taking a few steps across her room before turning around and re-tracing them. She pressed her hands together, hoping that the pressure could stabilize or ground her in even the slightest, but let out a soft groan as it did the exact opposite. If anything, it only reminded her of the feeling of your hand slipping from yours right before you were pulled away from her. The warmth in her own hands was a huge difference from the shocking cold that enveloped your skin in the dream. The way her chest rose and fell, still a little too quickly, was a vast difference from the way yours had stayed still in the dream. 

Your lifeless eyes, the sickly pallor of your skin, your words-

You can’t save us both.

“Griot, is Y/N asleep?”

She hurriedly grabbed a hoodie from her closet as she made her way to her door, moving quickly before she could talk herself out of what she was about to do. She honestly didn’t think she’d be able to talk herself out of it if she tried, or anyone else for that matter. It was easy to figure out that the only way she’d completely calm down was when she laid her own eyes on your alive, healthy, and safe figure. 

Opening her door made her come face to face with the two Doras standing guard outside of her room. They instantly turned to her, eyebrows furrowing in question and concern.

“Ubukhulu bakho, is there something wrong? Do you need something?”

Shuri shook her head quickly, trying to seem unrattled and as nonchalant as she could. She had absolutely no intention of telling them what had happened, for the last thing she needed or wanted was to have to answer questions about the nightmare when all she wanted was to see you.

“No, nothing’s wrong. I was only going to take a trip to Miss Y/L/N’s room and check on her. I failed to do so after my meeting and only just remembered.”

She wondered if they could see the poorly concealed anxiety and tiredness in her eyes; judging by the way they glanced at each other before nodding in tandem, they definitely noticed something was off. What were they to say, though? They couldn’t stop her, and while they held a great respect and fondness for their queen and vice versa, their formality wasn’t as familiar as her and Okoye’s. 

Shuri nodded in response, stepping between them and walking down the hallway to the room you were in. There weren’t any guards outside of your door, something you had begged Shuri for,  and something she had very reluctantly agreed to.

“I’m already in the safest building that’s in the middle of the safest, most secretive nation in the world. I don’t need guards outside of my door, Shuri. I’m safe enough being in the same building as you- let alone, the same hallway.”

“...Alright! Alright…but if anything happens, I will have the entire Dora Milaje outside of your door.”

She raised a hand, getting ready to knock when a small bout of hesitancy went through her at the prospect of waking you up at such a hellish hour of the night. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly and she closed her eyes momentarily only for a quick flash of your lifeless eyes to flash through her mind. The reminder prompted her to knock lightly on your door. 

Stuffing her hands in her hoodie’s pockets, she rocked lightly on her feet while her eyes focused on the door handle for any movement. She supposed she could have just asked Griot for a status check, or even called the kimoyo beads you had been given. But something told her that she wouldn’t have been satisfied with either of those. So waking you up and potentially facing the wrath of your tired self was the next best thing. 

Right as she raised her hand to knock once again, she heard the lock on the other side of the door being fiddled with. It only took a second for you to unlock and open the door, and then you were standing in front of Shuri in all of your half-asleep, groggy, and confused glory.

It seemed to take a second for you to register who exactly it was, your eyes squinting against the light that flooded in from the hallway. Your mouth twisted in confusion as you spoke, voice slightly hoarse.

“Shuri?”

She wanted to respond right away, but she couldn’t help but let her eyes run over your figure a few times, reassuring herself that she had left that horrifying version of you in her nightmare. Your eyes, albeit half closed and squinted, were still the same color she admired whenever looking into them; your skin still held the melanin that the sun had the privilege of kissing every time you stepped outside; and your voice still sounded like…you; calming and reassuring with every syllable that passed from your lips.

“Shuri, what’s wrong? Is everything okay?”

She blinked quickly at your questions, her eyes widening slightly. She nodded quickly.

“Uh, y-yes, everything is okay. I just wanted to check on you since I didn’t get a chance to do so after my meeting.”

You leaned your head against the door as she spoke, eyes unwavering from where they connected with hers. There was something that resided in your expression as you regarded her, and she had half a mind to ask you what was wrong. But knowing you, it wouldn’t be surprising if you had picked up on the barely imperceptible tremor that still resided in her voice.

 “The, uh, meeting went well. We can discuss it further in the morning, but like I said, I just wanted to come and check on you.”

Her words stayed suspended in the air between the two of you as you let your eyes take note of the different indicators that something was bothering her. Fidgeting hands, anxious eyes, slight tremor in the voice.

“Thank you for coming to check on me, but is everything okay with you?”

Shuri’s eyebrows furrowed and she shrugged one shoulder lightly, though she didn’t bother lying; she knew that you’d see right through her. Her actions made you straighten, your head coming off of the door frame. Your eyebrows furrowed in worry. 

“I am…okay now. It isn’t anything you should be worried about.”

She received your signature ‘I know you’re lying’ look paired with one of your head tilts that always made her slightly weak. Your eyes glanced quickly at the two Doras standing not too far behind Shuri before you stepped back, opening your door more. You motioned for Shuri to step in, offering a reassuring smile. 

“You show up at my door in the middle of the night, looking as if there’s something wrong and like you need to talk to someone. I’m already worried. Please…come in.”

Shuri let out a sigh, but not at your request for her to enter; it was more so at herself and at having woken you up to bother you with her own worries and troubles. As she stepped past, she sent you a small, apologetic smile. Your worry only increased at seeing how her smile seemed a little tight around the corners, and you wasted no time in nodding to the Doras before softly closing the door behind Shuri. You had barely turned around before her arms were wrapping around you and crushing you against her body, making a light gasp leave your mouth. Despite the slight surprise, your arms immediately wrapped around her as well, hugging her tightly.

Instead of talking, the two of you took the time to just feel the other’s presence, one of you needing it for reassurance while the other was more than happy to give it, despite not knowing the reason why. You found yourself rubbing her back slightly, the other hand lifting until it could land lightly on the back of her head. When you took a breath, your chest brushed against hers, wordlessly prompting her to do the same.

“Talk to me. What’s wrong?”

Shuri’s arms tightened around you, momentarily stealing your breath, before releasing you completely. She pulled back, though she kept you close enough to rest her forehead against yours. The action told you that she either didn’t want to talk about it just yet, or she didn’t have the words to do so right now.

You were immediately transported back to only a few hours ago when you two had been in this exact position, her lips brushing against yours. But this action had been made with attraction and adoration then; now, it was obviously made with something else if the slight tremor in her hands were anything to go by. 

Shuri’s eyes were closed yet you continued to look at her from your close proximity. Her eyebrows were scrunched together, making you physically restrain yourself from reaching up and gently massaging the affected area. She bit the inside of her lip nervously, and you could feel her fingers clenching and unclenching around the fabric at your waist.

Without a word, you set a hand on top of hers before pulling back. A small groan left her as you did so, but you were quick to intertwine your fingers. With a squeeze of her hand, you turned and started leading her to the bed you had just crawled out of.

The two of you moved synchronously, both of you knowing what the other needed in that moment. It was only after you two had settled in the bed and pulled the covers up did you break the silence.

“You wanna talk about it?” 

Instead of replying, she continued shifting slightly even after you had already settled. You watched her patiently until you could figure out what she was doing, shifting to make her task easier. 

You scooted further under the covers, laying on your side and facing her. She copied your actions, lowering herself until she was at the same eye level as you. One of her hands landed in the space between your bodies, palm up, and seemingly asking for something. You took her actions as an invitation and set your hand in hers, intertwining your fingers. 

Her other hand lay under her head, allowing her to prop herself up in just the slightest. Only after she was comfortable did she let out a long sigh, her eyes never leaving yours. 

“Can we just…lay here?” 

Admittedly, your curiosity and worry grew at her request to not speak about what was obviously bothering her, though you wouldn’t think about pressuring her to do the opposite. Instead, you nodded wordlessly, squeezing her hand once. 

“Of course we can. Do you want to talk about…something, or do you just wanna go to sleep?”

As she continued to gaze at you, you could see unspoken words and feelings swirling behind her eyes. You wanted desperately to ask how her meeting went- the meeting that had pulled her away from you at what you considered to be a very important moment. But it wasn’t what she needed right now; in fact, it became very clear what she needed with her next actions.

Without giving any warning, Shuri shuffled closer to you, using the hand in your to prompt you to do the same. Your eyebrows furrowed slightly as you waited to see what she would do.

Shuri’s hand left yours before her arm was being draped across your waist, and that sensation combined with the warmth from the blanket across you both made you relax immediately. The yawn that you stifled, and that Shuri saw, served only as a reminder that it was either very late or very early.

“Please, go to sleep. I apologize for waking you up so late.”

Shuri’s voice was quiet and slightly hoarse as she spoke, but the tremor that had been in it earlier had smoothed out slightly. She knew it was because you were finally in her arms, the only thing that could have possibly reassured her after the night she had just had.

“There’s no need to apologize,” you started, placing your head under her chin and letting your eyes close. “I’m just glad you’re here and that you know you can come to me for anything.”

Shuri stayed silent, letting your words soak in and trying to convince herself that you weren’t just saying them to make her feel better. Your actions had definitely proved that you meant the words you spoke, constantly making sure she was okay despite the scary position you had been put in, and she wished that she could do the same; but when it came to her and her own worries, thoughts, duties, concerns…she didn’t want to dump them on you. She knew exactly how stressful it all could be, and she didn’t want to feel as if she were adding onto the stress you were already experiencing by…dumping her troubles onto you. 

She decided not to acknowledge the small voice in her mind that insisted there was another reason- another fear of hers- that stopped her from being so open and vulnerable with you; and that fear was that the more she confided in you, the more you’d realize that being around her only resulted in stress, danger, and more stress. The fear that it would all continue to build until you would feel the need to escape from what she brought into your life; escape from her.

But then there was another voice, one that was more insistent; one that taunted Shuri by using the words said to her by the Elders and the nightmare version of you. 

“... The last time an outsider was brought to the palace…we lost your mother.”

That was no one’s fault but Namor’s and the forces that started the entire conflict.

“You can’t save us both.”

I will save us both. We’ll both make it out of this-

“Shuri?”

Your voice calling her name softly made her blink, snapping her out of her own thoughts that were quickly spiraling. She took a breath and nodded slightly, not wanting to jostle you in your comfortable position too much.

“I know. Thank you, that…means more than you can know.” 

There was something in her voice that made your thoughts pause and made you want to look up, wanting to try and gauge her real thoughts. While you could tell what she was thinking most of the time, if she truly didn’t want you to know her real thoughts, it’d be a challenge to figure them out. 

If she didn’t want you to know her real thoughts right now, then you’d wait until she was ready. You had no problem waiting- not when it came to Shuri. 

Shuri could feel you relax more into her as the minutes went by until you were breathing deeply and evenly. She didn’t have to look to know that you were fast asleep. 

As she let her own eyes close, she couldn’t help but pull you closer. The feeling of you breathing, warm, and alive in her arms would be enough to keep the nightmare at bay; at least she hoped so. She’d certainly find out sooner or later, but for right now, she enjoyed the peace and reassurance that your presence brought her. 

ubukhulu bakho - “Your highness”

Ulale kakuhle - “good night”

Ndiyacela - “please”

A/N: I hope you all enjoyed this part! I know it was mostly angst, but I fully plan on part 7 being just a lot of fun and fluff (mainly because after that chapter is when shit gets real for both reader and Shuri)! 

I hope y’alls holidays were safe, warm, and full of love and celebration! If you didn’t celebrate anything, I still hope life has been treating you well lately! 

Y’all stay safe!

Tag list:  @shinsousliya , @honey-teaaaaaaaa , @tchhairbandhere , @jessiap , @zane2408 , @bananasplits-world , @yellowjacketmurder , @barkbarkbo , @butterflyybabe , @bananafishok , @zestgodtj , @mitsuya-takashi , @chaoticevilbakugo , @cedeni-beanie , @shuri-my-love , @kingstormpostsshit , @sailorsolar12 , @justariellove , @angelsmist , @eriksjournal , @mermaidchansons , @nil-eena , @paisholotus , @thesecretwriterblog , @brain-of-nekoma , @7tearsofatlantis , @simp4iwaizumi , @bumlyn , @jackdrawsjunk , @http-twyla , @cedeni-beanie​ , @taleiakirby​ , @brain-of-nekoma 

[babyboiboyega]

Next To Me Masterlist

Babyboiboyega’s Marvel Masterlist

Babyboiboyega’s Main Masterlist

Started: Nov 30th, 2022

Pairing: Shuri x Black!Fem!Reader

Summary: Accidentally stealing the Queen of Wakanda’s study room leads to friendships being formed and bonds being made, though it doesn’t take long for those bonds to be threatened in a multitude of ways: emotionally, physically, and mentally. 

Content (so far): fluff, angst, profanity, mentions of violence against reader, slow burn romance (each part will have it’s own, specific content warnings)

A/N: I finally got around to making a masterlist for the “Next To Me” series! Everything regarding the series will be added to this masterlist!

fluff: ✿

angst: ☁

Parts (14/ ??)

Part 1  ✿

Part 2  ✿

Part 3  ✿ ☁

Part 4  ☁ ✿

Part 5  ✿

Part 6  ☁ ✿

Part 7  ✿

Part 8  ✿ ☁

Part 9   ☁ ☁

Part 10  ☁ ☁

Part 11  ✿ ☁

Part 12  ☁

Part 13  ✿ ☁

Part 14  ☁ ☁

Part 15  ✿

[babyboiboyega]

The Study Room Pt.5 (HBCU!Shuri x Black!Fem!Reader)

HBCU!Shuri x Black!Fem!Reader

Word Count: 5.9k

Content: nothing too bad in this part, a little bit of angry!shuri, but then we also get protective!shuri, and another close call (but a good one ;))

Babyboiboyega's Marvel Masterlist

Babyboiboyega's Masterlist of Masterlists

Series Masterlist

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

A/N: Once again, I wanna thank you all for wishing me and my family well! I'd also like to thank y'all for your patience! It definitely takes a lot of weight off of my shoulders knowing that you all are patient and understanding! I hope you enjoy this part!

Also! Translations are at the end! There is a conversation that is spoken in xhosa in this part and the translations are provided at the end instead of right after the conversation because I meant it to be that way! The reader (you) doesn't speak Xhosa, so it's meant to be a little confusing and unknown!

Recap:

The view that greeted you was astonishing, to say the least. It was night time, but that only made it easier to see the futuristic buildings that made up the city below your window. There were aircrafts flying around, but not one of them looked like a typical airplane. Every light that you could see twinkled in the night time, serving almost as a welcoming beacon to anyone on the streets below. 

It was utterly and breathtakingly beautiful. 

You were still coming to terms with what you were seeing when Shuri spoke, her voice proud and confident as she answered the question that had been on your mind since waking up.

“Y/N…welcome to Wakanda.”

*************************

After the reveal, you had, understandably, been a little overwhelmed to say the least. So overwhelmed, in fact, that you had only blinked and nodded wordlessly at Shuri’s words. Her eyebrows had furrowed and she had looked almost suspiciously at you.

“I won’t lie…I was expecting more of a reaction from you.”

“Shuri, I’ll be honest with you…I don’t think I have enough brain strength to fully comprehend this. Try me again tomorrow, and I promise I’ll give you a more appropriate reaction.”

She had softly laughed, but nodded in understanding nonetheless. The window had been replaced with the wall once more, and then she had approached your bed. 

“Well, then in that case, I suppose I should let you rest.” 

The effort it took to keep your eyes from fluttering closed was enough for her, prompting her to grab the edge of your blanket and pull it higher on your body. 

“Sleep well, Y/N. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Upon waking up, you found that Wakanda looked very different in the daylight. It was still just as beautiful as it looked the night before, but as you stood at the same large window it had been revealed to you through, you could see things you hadn’t seen before. The details that had been covered by the blanket of night were now easy to see, and you couldn’t help but stare in awe at every building you could see. 

Every single one was a masterpiece of architecture; a mix of what looked to be traditional, African architecture and modern, technologically advanced architecture that was unique to only Wakanda. The taller buildings, similar to skyscrapers, were surrounded by smaller buildings alternating in shape, size, and color. Most buildings were covered in a beige or brown material, whether it be metal, clay, or a mixture; despite this, other colors still popped out and caught your eye.

The room that you resided in, a room that was in the actual palace, Shuri had been excited to tell you, was high enough for you to see the street level market that ran as far as you could see. The tiny figures of the people below were visible as they congregated in small groups and undoubtedly shopped the diverse array of goods. 

Had you been in Wakanda under different circumstances- better circumstances, you would’ve surely been trying your damnedest to get to street level so you could see Wakanda up close; interact with the people who lived there, buy your fair share of cultural food and items. Instead, after waking up, you had been given a new outfit (which you were very grateful for) and told to sit patiently until someone came to escort you…somewhere. 

You had taken the opportunity to actually work on comprehending your circumstances, along with trying to organize your questions that arose from them. It was about as challenging as you expected it to be, but you managed to get a good grip on it before a knock was sounding on the door to the room. 

“Come in!”

The door opened, revealing Shuri and an almost wary looking Aneka. At the sight of the woman you had positively embarrassed yourself in front of, your eyes widened a fraction and you took a few steps forward. It was ironic how you two had switched places since your first, eventful meeting, for now Aneka looked cautious as you stepped forward. 

“Aneka- wait,” you turned to face Shuri, dropping your voice to a whisper, “does she have a title? Do I call her by a certain title?”

 Shuri’s eyebrows furrowed and she looked at you in silence for a second. Then her lips slowly curved into a smile- one that you recognized as the same one she wore whenever she was thinking of something smart or mischievous to say. Your eyes narrowed and you tried to convey a slight, faux warning with your eyes. You opened your mouth to further convey your threat, but a voice interrupted you before you could do so.

“It's just Aneka.”

Facing Aneka, you gave a small, apologetic smile before diving into the apology that you may or may not have rehearsed. 

“Aneka, I’m sorry for reacting the way I did. I was so disoriented, especially after waking up after everything that had happened, and then I didn’t know where I was, and then I didn’t know who you were, and I should have just listened-”

You were bordering on a rant that only stopped when you felt a hand land on your arm. It caught your attention, your head turning in Shuri’s direction to see that her mischievous smile had been replaced with a reassuring and amused one. Her eyes were looking behind you at Aneka, and as you faced her once more, you could see that she had a smile similar to Shuri’s on her face. 

Her smile admittedly lessened your worries that you had seriously messed up any cordialness between the two of you, making a relieved breath go through you. Well, that was one task out of the way. 

“Shuri has already explained your circumstances, and I understand why you reacted the way that you did. I am curious, though, on how you were intending on using that vase.”

The mention of your impromptu weapon had you looking for it, or rather the pieces that had been left of it, only to see that it had been cleaned up. Add another task: apologize to whoever had to clean it up.

Add another task: apologize for breaking it in the first place.

You let out a sigh, shaking your head at yourself. Maybe it was best to just issue a general apology for any and everything you did while so disoriented and confused and hope that it reached the right people. Maybe that was for the best. 

“I have no idea, but I don’t doubt that I would’ve hurt myself trying to use it.”

Aneka pursed her lips in thought, raising an eyebrow that was literally sculpted perfectly. 

“I don’t know about that. You seemed prepared to do what needed to be done.”

A short and amused laugh left your mouth at her words. You could remember the feeling of utter confusion you had felt in that moment and how it had made you so illogical that, now thinking back on it, could’ve made you do things that you wouldn’t normally do. Hell, you had picked up a vase and threatened a member of the Dora Milaje with it. You normally wouldn’t do that.

“Well, I, for one, am happy that you both made it out alive and unharmed. Who knows what she could’ve done with that vase, Aneka? Thank Bast, you’re alive and with us.”

You blindly reached out, lightly pushing at Shuri’s arm until a laugh escaped her mouth, Aneka watching amusedly. 

The interaction between the three of you felt normal enough that it temporarily distracted you from reality of your circumstances, though it came quickly crashing down as the door opened once more.

Okoye’s eyes flitted between you, Shuri, and Aneka as she entered the room. There was something in her expression that not only made Aneka straighten, being in the presence of her General, but it also made Shuri step forward. As she stepped past you, her furrowed eyebrows and worried expression were apparent. The joking atmosphere that the three of you had developed quickly dissipated until a more somber one descended over the room. 

“We may have found something.”

Okoye’s words served as both a statement and an incentive for the three of you to follow her as she turned on her heel and walked out, which is what you did. You fell into step behind Okoye and Shuri while Aneka kept pace with you. A quick glance over at the woman showed that the smile that had been on her face a minute ago had been replaced with a tightly focused expression, and it was easy to figure out why as you tuned into the words being spoken between the two women in front of you. 

“What is it, Okoye? Please tell me there’s an update on the printer.”

It wasn’t surprising to learn that they had been working on finding the culprit behind everything while you were unconscious; what was surprising was the fact that they hadn’t found any substantial leads yet. Wakanda was the most technologically advanced nation on Earth, and this person was managing to evade their efforts. It didn’t say anything about Wakanda’s efforts, but it said everything about this person you were looking for.

It only showed how elusive and cunning the person was. It showed how patient they were to follow Shuri around for months, taking pictures from the shadows. It showed how unhinged they were to then send those pictures to her own guards with a threatening message for you, the person who dared get close to the person of their obsessions. It showed how dangerous they were to then try and take you out of the picture altogether. 

But was their intention truly to kill you? Shuri had said there was enough poison in the dosage to severely affect you, but not to kill you. Was it simply a mistake on their part? No, this person was calculated; they wouldn’t mess something as important as eliminating any obstacles between them and Shuri up. 

It all being a scare tactic seemed to be the most feasible option.

“Y/N?”

You had been following Shuri and Okoye the entire time, unknowingly zoning out of their conversation and entering your own reverie. Unknowingly, you had passed multiple windows that gave an unobscured view of the city below, but you hadn’t even paid attention to them. 

Shuri had looked back upon approaching the entrance to her lab, eyebrows instantly furrowing at the expression that was both dazed and acutely worried on your face. It worried her; seeing a multitude of thoughts on your face that you didn’t verbalize for unknown reasons. 

She didn’t want to assume, though she could imagine the anxiety and uncertainty going through your mind. She only hoped that you didn’t have any uncertainty about your safety while you were here with her; as long as she was here, she’d do anything and everything in her power to not risk seeing you hurt again. She’d tell you and show you however many times she had to until you believed it.

“Is everything okay?”

Shuri’s worry was conveyed clearly in her words as she turned to face you, and it made your heart skip a beat…or two. You quickly nodded in reassurance, offering a smile that hopefully looked more genuine than it felt. 

“Yeah, everything’s okay! Was just…thinking.” 

There were three pairs of eyes on you, Shuri’s, Okoye’s, and Aneka’s; none of them looked as if they believed your words. 

With a huff, you motioned for them to continue, not wanting to be the focus of their attention for another second longer. If they looked any longer, they’d surely be able to see the barely concealed panic dancing behind your eyes; a panic you were trying your hardest to tamper down. You were doing a pretty good job at it, so far.

“Please, continue. I’m listening now.”

Okoye and Aneka looked away, but Shuri’s eyes stayed connected with yours. There was a question swimming behind her eyes, and it wasn’t hard to figure what she was asking. You could hear Okoye speaking as you sent another nod at her, trying your best to convey your message with your eyes. 

It had the exact opposite effect, ironically. Whatever she saw in your eyes made her’s narrow in suspicion before she turned to listen to Okoye. There would undoubtedly come a time where she’d corner you and ask you about what was plaguing you, and you’d give the obvious answer: “Oh, getting stalked and poisoned tends to mess with someone’s sense of security a little bit. Not to mention, I’m in a different country- don’t get me wrong, I’m honored to be here. It’s just a lot.”

That’s what you would say, despite your real thoughts and worries centering around not only your safety but Shuri’s. She wouldn’t brush them off, per se, but she’d try to reassure you that you were safe while pushing her own safety to the back burner. 

“The university keeps a database of all of it’s students. It includes in-state, out-of-state, on-campus, off-campus, and online. Each student is assigned an ID at the time of their enrollment-”

“Yes, we know that. How is that any different from what we already know?”

“Mamela, Shuri.” Okoye’s words made Shuri pause, her eyes closing for a second before she nodded. She motioned silently for Okoye to continue.

“Because of this database, we are able to see each and every student who has used a printer in the library.  And because of basic cross-referencing technology, we were able to detect a slight abnormality.”

Okoye approached a structure that looked like it was a simple sheet of glass, though as she ghosted her hand across it, it proved that it was anything but. A countless number of rows appeared on the glass, every row holding a number of columns. The first column held the familiar 9-digit ID you, and every other student, were assigned when you enrolled. The second held the student’s first and last name, and the third held the student’s major. 

“After accessing the database for your library, we found that one student tended to visit the library often. Not only that, but they frequently used the printers.”

A knowing look was shared between you and Shuri, the same thing running through both of your minds. It wasn’t a surprise at all that a student frequented the library a lot and used the printers just as much. You had been to the library and used the printer more times than you could count, despite having to pay a small fee (as if the university wasn’t already siphoning enough of your money). How could a person doing the same thing as you be singled out and their actions be labeled “abnormal”? The list of reasons why they were in the library so much was almost unimaginable: annoying roommate, annoying neighbors, important exams year round, being an incredibly studious person. 

Okoye, unsurprisingly, clocked the look between you two, and she raised her eyebrows as if to ask ‘are you done’? You mumbled an apology as you turned to face her once more, taking note of Shuri’s slightly amused grin. Before continuing, Okoye pressed a few more spots on the screen, prompting another set of information to appear. 

Your shoulders tightened at the sight of the pictures of you and Shuri, separately and together. To the right of each picture showed the day, the time, and what printer the picture had come from. Where it said source type, presumably where the word ‘pdf’ or ‘png’ would go, a simple dash mark resided. 

“There is one student who not only used the printer rather abundantly and used their own, personal computer; but almost always printed their things using an anonymous FTP- a file transfer protocol.”

The words ‘anonymous FTP’ immediately piqued your interest, and the same could be said for Shuri. She straightened, her eyebrows furrowing as she stepped closer to the screen. 

“They configured their own laptop to make an anonymous protocol, and then through that anonymous protocol, they were able to print those pictures without the source being recorded.” Shuri quickly summarized Okoye’s findings, her eyes drifting away from the screen as she undoubtedly began thinking of ways to get rid of all of the anonymity. 

“Precisely. I have already given the information to those in IT who are more than capable of finding the student, and they have been working on it since receiving it…though there is something else.”

The small hope of having a piece of solid information froze as Okoye’s eyebrows furrowed, her mouth twisting as if she had just tasted something bad. Shuri’s head tilted slightly, an almost exasperated look on her face. 

“Something else such as…”

“The IT technicians were able to break the anonymity of the profile and find the student behind the printed pictures.”

Your eyes widened slightly, that small hope blooming into a feeling that made your heart quicken in just the slightest. The anticipation you felt was clear on your face as you stepped forward, willing Okoye to continue.

“Who is the student?”

There was something in Shuri’s voice that made you quickly look at her; a hardness that you’d never heard from her before. Her eyes stared, hard and unrelenting, at Okoye as you all waited for her answer. You could see that her jaw was clenched, and you could practically see the anger manifesting on her face.

“That’s the thing, ukumkanikazi,” Even Okoye looked slightly taken aback at the tone of her voice and the air surrounding her. Unknowingly to you, the last time Okoye had seen Shuri anywhere close to this level of anger was a mere few months ago…around the time of her mother’s murder. “The student who’s profile they uncovered doesn’t exist.”

The silence that followed would’ve been comical had her words not just thrown every single one of you for a loop; an incredibly confusing, frustrating, scary loop. The silence was filled with an exasperation that weighed heavily on all of you. Aneka was the first to break the silence, her voice loud in disbelief.

“...Doesn’t exist?”

“I’m sorry, but what do you mean it doesn’t exist? Like…the person doesn’t exist?”

Okoye heard your question, but her eyes were focused on Shuri, who had taken a step back. She raised a hand, pinching the bridge of her nose and closing her eyes. Her reaction was a good reminder that finding this person was of the utmost importance to her safety. Her safety directly affected her home country that she loved so much, and now she had to worry about…an outsider’s safety as well. 

You suspected Shuri was holding an immeasurable amount of stress back that she wasn’t showing. 

“The person exists, but the information they gave the university is false. It isn’t real.”

Shuri turned away slightly, placing her hands on the nearest desk and leaning over it. Her shoulders raised and fell with a deep breath before she was speaking.

“Are the IT technicians working on finding the real identity of the student? Or whoever this person is.”

Okoye nodded, going to stand beside Shuri. Her words were both confident and reassuring as she spoke softly to her.

“They are. They have been working tirelessly since we were made aware. We will find them, Shuri.”

She straightened, taking another breath before turning to face the general. From your spot, you could see the effect Okoye’s words had on her as her shoulders slowly loosened, dropping slightly. It wasn’t exactly surprising; she had once told you about how close they were, Okoye being a sister, a general, and an advisor all in one. Their relationship was obvious as they seemed to have a conversation with their eyes. 

Okoye quickly glanced at you before looking back at Shuri. 

“Akukho nto ingako sinokuyenza ngoku, Shuri.” 

In response to Okoye’s words (words you didn’t understand one bit), Shuri nodded in resignation. Her face still held that look of almost dangerous determination, though it softened as Okoye continued speaking.

“Mhlawumbi ngoku lixesha lokuba ubonise umhlobo wakho.” 

Whatever she said made Shuri turn and look at you, her eyes softening even more. You felt the corner of your mouth uplift in a small smile; an action Shuri copied before she looked at Okoye.

“Unyanisile, ngumbono olungileyo lowo.”

Her voice had also softened, going back to the light, yet confident, tone she always had. 

Right as you turned to Aneka, ready to ask if she could translate, your name was being called softly. Your attention went back to Shuri, hoping that she hadn’t seen the way you had stared at her as she and Okoye spoke, only to see her already making her way back to where you stood. 

“I was told that now is a good time to show you around, and I have to agree.” Your eyebrows rose in slight surprise as you looked between her and Okoye. You supposed it made sense; there was only so much you all could do while waiting for the real identity of the culprit. Sitting around and worrying didn’t seem like a fun past time, so despite your surprise, you were grateful for the change.

“Oh? Well…lead the way. I can’t wait to see more of everything.”

Your words were genuine as she waved for you to follow her, leading you out of the lab. The excitement was palpable in your voice; you had heard multiple, spectacular stories about Wakanda from Shuri, and now you were able to experience them first hand.

Maybe you could push the whole…stalker thing to the back of your mind for the time being. It’d be easier as long as Shuri was by your side, and it proved to be true the entire time she led you around. 

Each room you visited provided a unique sense of awe. The lab had been mesmerizing enough, but as she showed you more rooms that had different purposes, it was easy to realize why Wakandan was the most technologically advanced nation in the world. It made it easier to fall in love with the country.

The majority of your day was spent following Shuri around in a daze, mouth almost constantly dropped open in awe. Despite all of the hours in the day, there was no way she could show you the entirety of the palace before the day ended; so as she led you to the room that you’d be moving into for the time being, she promised that she’d find another time to show the rest of the palace to you. Of course, you eagerly took her up on her offer. 

The last room she showed you was ‘your’ room, which was coincidentally placed in the same hallway as hers.

You had immediately objected to the placement as you stepped inside, and not because you didn’t want to sleep as close as you appropriately could. Being told that you were staying in the same hallway as Shuri, a queen, in her own country made you feel…intrusive. Alerting Shuri of these thoughts caused her to look at you amusedly.

“You are staying here because you’re my guest. And also because it makes me feel better that you are just a few doors away, should anything happen.” 

Her words registered, but not fully, and it was because your attention had been captured by the room that surrounded you. If you’d thought that the medical room was the height of luxury, it was nothing compared to this room. 

The room was covered in tones of gray and brown, neither colors being too overbearing. There were strip lights built into the tops of the walls, allowing for an even and bright light to help you see the details, which were immaculate (no surprise there). It was modern with obvious cultural touches sprinkled throughout the room that took it to an entirely new level of beauty. It brought an entirely new meaning to the word ‘architecture’. 

There were steps leading up to a platform that held the bed; one that was almost too large to be considered logical for one person to sleep in. But as you approached the bed, walking up the steps, the bed was pushed to the back of your mind.

Instead, you were quickly drawn in by the sight of the absolutely huge window that spanned the entirety of the wall next to the bed. The sight beyond the window was what had your breath hitching.

The market that you had caught a glimpse of upon first waking up was now perfectly viewable from your bedroom window. The night life was different from the day, and as much was obvious as you looked down.

The surrounding buildings’ lights cast a soft glow over the hundreds of people milling, dancing, singing, congregating about below you. The sight was enough to draw a soft smile onto your face. Every second you spent here, you could feel your love and adoration for the culture and its people growing, despite still not having interacted with them face to face yet. Hopefully that would change soon.

“Shuri…this is… I don’t know what to say. Thank you, truly. For everything you’ve done.”

Her steps were quiet as she joined you at the window. She leaned one shoulder against the window, looking down at the scene that still captivated you. 

“There’s no need to thank me, ixhoba. I couldn’t just leave you there after everything that has happened. I only wish that we had been fast enough to stop you from getting hurt in the first place.” 

Your gaze traveled to land on her, seeing the way her eyebrows were furrowed and the way she bit at her lip. She was still looking down at the market, though at the feeling of your gaze on her, she turned her head to meet it. You put all of the conviction you could into your words. 

“What happened, happened. I’m here because you and your team helped me in time. You couldn’t have known they’d go after me the way they did. You’re a genius, but you can’t predict the future, Shuri.” You let out a soft laugh, seeing how she playfully rolled her eyes at your words. When she looked back at you, there was a vulnerability in her eyes, and it showed just how guilty and apprehensive she felt about everything.

Instinctually, you took a step forward, taking a risk and taking her hand in yours. Her fingers instantly intertwined with yours, squeezing gently as a reminder that both of you were there, against all odds.

“I know you’re going to get pretty upset when I say this,” she tilted her head in suspicion, her eyes narrowing. You continued quickly before she could stop you, “But between the two of us, I’m…well I wouldn’t say I’m glad that it was me, but I’m glad it wasn’t you.”

Just as you suspected, Shuri’s eyebrows scrunched together and her lips parted immediately. She shook her head quickly.

“Don’t say that. You are in this mess because of me. I should be the one they’re after- they are obsessed with me.”

“I’m in this mess because this person is deranged and has an unhealthy, almost manic obsession with you. But between us two, Shuri, one of us is the ruler of an entire nation- a nation that needs you. That’s why I need you to promise that you’ll focus as much on your safety as you do mine.”

In your passion, you grabbed her other hand, bringing them to hold in front of you. You looked down at them, your thumb idly tracing the shape of the spiral tattoo on her right hand. 

She used the hold you had on her hands to pull you closer, the tips of your shoes almost brushing against hers. 

“Look at me.”

Her voice was soft, but there was an edge to it. You would’ve interpreted it as her being upset at your statement, but as you looked up and met her eyes, you were almost taken aback at the strong look of protectiveness in them. 

“I respect you and I hear you, Y/N…but no matter what you say, your safety will always be my priority. I know that my country needs me, but what if I need you?”

In your surprise at her words, your grip loosened just a fraction. She was quick to retake your hands in hers, holding them tightly. 

“I was so…Bast, I was so afraid when you were poisoned. I had no idea what would happen to you- I felt helpless.” She shook her head again, gazing intently down at your joined hands. 

“That is a feeling that I do not want to experience again. So forgive me if I want to make sure that the woman I care for is safe while a stalker is after her.”

Your next breath left you in a shaky exhale, your eyes unable to move from her face. You ducked your head in an effort to meet her eyes which she gave you the pleasure of doing a second later. 

“You say that as if I don’t care about you, Shuri. I care about you enough that I want you to view your safety as just as important as mine.” If not more important, you silently added. “That’s all I’m asking.”

Her eyes roamed about your features as her fingers fidgeted with yours. She let out a sigh, letting go of your hands only to raise hers and gently set them on your cheeks.

You were practically shaking, the feeling of her hands on your skin sending waves of what you would liken to electricity down your limbs, alighting every nerve of yours on fire. 

The sensation only intensified, almost stealing your breath, as she leaned down, close enough for the tip of her nose to skim yours. You prayed you weren’t breathing as loud as you thought you were, though you had a suspicion that she wouldn’t focus on that. Not when her eyes were flickering meaningfully from yours to your lips and back. 

The last time you two had been in this position, something had almost happened. You two had been this close, and this vulnerable with each other, but something had interrupted you-or rather someone.

Now, in the safety of the room you had been offered, in the palace that was placed right in the middle of Wakanda, you two had another chance. Another chance to cross the line you two had been constantly toeing without preamble.

“I…will try. I’ll try to do as you ask.” 

You nodded, the motion making your bottom lips whisper against hers in just the slightest. She tilted your head up in just the slightest, and you silently willed her to close the gap between you two. There was a tremble in your hands as you placed them on her waist, nerves and anticipation battling for dominance in your body.

Just like last time, she was right here in front of you- close enough to feel her breaths on your lips. Just like last time, she was holding you with the firmness of a person wanting to meld into one and with the softness of something that was precious. 

And just like last time, right as her lips landed on yours, a god-forsaken distraction had to pop up.

The sound of Shuri’s kimoyo beads beeping was startling enough to make you blink quickly and jerk your head back from where they were making sound right beside your ear. You couldn’t go too far because her hands immediately landed on your waist, keeping you close enough for her to lower her face until she could rest her forehead against yours. 

A mixture of a groan and a growl left her mouth as she closed her eyes, her hands gently fisting the material at your waist in irritation.

“Ngalo lonke ixesha.” 

She lifted her head as another beep came from her beads, and after groaning a word that sounded very much like a curse, she stepped back, raising her hands to answer whatever call was coming through.

“The elders wish to speak with you, Ukumkanikazi.”

You could admit that Okoye scared you, but god, were you annoyed with her as soon as her voice sounded out. This was the second time she had interrupted such a moment between you and Shuri, and you suddenly felt the strong urge to grab Shuri’s beads, hang up, and then grab her by her collar. 

But the last thing you needed was to be on the general’s bad side for not only hanging up on her, but keeping Shuri away from royal duties; duties that she had long before you were in the picture, and duties she’d had long after you were gone. 

“Okay, tell them I will be there as soon as possible.” 

To anyone, the tone of annoyance in her voice would’ve been inaudible; but to you, and most likely Okoye, it was very much there. 

“I will.”

Shuri let her hand drop heavily to her side before looking at you. She looked apologetic, and you couldn’t help letting a soft laugh escape your lips, no matter how shaky or breathless it seemed.

“One day, sithwanda. One day.” 

Your eyebrows furrowed at the second term of endearment that you had now heard in a 10 minute time span.

“What does that mean? Sithwanda? And...ixhoba?” 

Instead of answering, Shuri’s lips curved into a crooked smile before she leaned forward to place them on your forehead. When she pulled back the smile was still there, and it let you predict exactly what she was going to say next.

“I’ll tell you. Eventually. Goodnight, Y/N.” 

She gazed at you for just a second longer, letting out a disappointed sigh, and then she was turning on her heel and heading towards the door.

“You know I can just ask Aneka. Or Okoye.” 

The laugh that left her mouth was carefree. It sent a jolt through your body and a feeling that manifested on your face in the form of a giddy, wide smile. 

“You and I both know that neither of them will tell you. You’ll just have to be patient.”

She grabbed the door handle and opened it before turning to glance one more at you. You’d never grow tired of the smile she reserved for you, and it'd always draw a visceral reaction from you. 

“Sleep well, Y/N.”

You gave a small wave, reciprocating the farewell in a hushed tone. The door closed behind her with a soft click, leaving you standing in a beautiful room meant for royalty and with a heart that belonged to them- her- as well. 

Next Part

Mamela - “listen”

Ukumkanikazi - “queen”

Akukho nto ingako sinokuyenza ngoku - “there’s not much we can do now”

Mhlawumbi ngoku lixesha lokuba ubonise umhlobo wakho - “maybe now is the time to show your friend around.”

Unyanisile, ngumbono olungileyo lowo. - “you’re right, that’s probably a good idea.”

Ngalo lonke ixesha - “every time"

A/N: once again, I hope you all enjoyed this part! I also hope y'all have a happy holidays and stay safe and stay warm! <3

Taglist: @shinsousliya , @honey-teaaaaaaaa , @tchhairbandhere , @jessiap , @zane2408 , @bananasplits-world , @yellowjacketmurder , @barkbarkbo , @butterflyybabe , @bananafishok , @zestgodtj , @mitsuya-takashi , @chaoticevilbakugo , @cedeni-beanie , @shuri-my-love , @kingstormpostsshit , @sailorsolar12 , @justariellove , @angelsmist , @eriksjournal , @mermaidchansons , @nil-eena , @paisholotus , @thesecretwriterblog , @brain-of-nekoma , @7tearsofatlantis , @simp4iwaizumi , @bumlyn , @jackdrawsjunk , @http-twyla , @cedeni-beanie

[babyboiboyega]

Next To Me Pt. 13 (Shuri x Black!Fem!Reader)

Shuri x Black!Fem!Reader

Word Count: 9.8K (wasn’t even supposed to be this long lmao)

Content: mentions of injuries, killing/death, a little banter bit, but uhhh I felt like making things a little more stressful exciting :)

Next To Me Masterlist

Babyboiboyega’s Marvel Masterlist

Babyboiboyega’s Masterlist of Masterlists

A/N: I feel the need to make this known because it is mentioned in this part: in this universe/story, Shuri is the first female Black Panther! In the comics, she is not; in fact, there are a few women who hold the mantle before her, but solely for plot purposes, Shuri is the first female Black Panther in this universe!

I hope y’all enjoy this part! And I apologize in advance! I still love y’all <3

Recap:

The relief in her voice transferred straight through the connection and to you, calming your pulse almost immediately. You internally cursed at how easily her voice and reassuring words affected you, your head shaking slightly.

"Okay, well...be safe. And we'll see you when you get back."  

Her grin grew as she nodded in response, her voice softening enough to tighten your chest in a pleasant way.

"As always, Y/N."

*****

3 days.

3 days of sitting in the observation room and watching as Eza and Okoye tried to get the man (quickly identified as Ose Iraba) to talk, and 3 days of watching as he managed to hold back every emotion possible, giving you nothing in terms of anything you all could use against him.

It didn't matter how he was approached; a thinly veiled threat received the same response as a guarantee that his cooperation would benefit him in the long run, and that response was virtually nothing. He simply sat in the same seat he was escorted to, watching calmly as they restrained his wrists to the table, and watching just as calmly as Eza and/or Okoye entered. The only indication that he was listening was the movement of his eyes as they followed each woman while they spoke.

But there was something else in his eye- something that you were hesitant to label at first, but eerie as you finally put a name to it. It was…an almost crazed, sort of obsessed look. It didn't matter what Okoye or Eza said, his eyes remained emotionless…until they mentioned either you or Shuri.

It absolutely made your skin crawl once you realized the reason behind the reoccurring look in his eye, and it admittedly made your stomach turn slightly when recognizing the look associated with your name as disdain and…hate.

"How in the hell has he lasted this long?"

Your frustration was shared and reflected on Shuri's face as you spoke. The two of you stood in the observation room, arms crossed and eyebrows furrowed as Eza once again attempted to get a word out of Ose to no avail.

"Keeping quiet is not as beneficial to your case as you think it is, Ose. The sooner you tell us something, the sooner this is over."

Silence.

"It's like…he's waiting on something. He's patient, nonchalant- he's not even trying to come up with a fake story or anything."

Shuri nodded in the corner of your eye, and once you looked at her, you found that her eyes had narrowed in thought. It made your own narrow slightly, seeing how concentrated she was on a thought that she had yet to voice. You turned more towards her, leaning your shoulder against the wall.

"What are you thinking?"

You asked quietly, giving her the time afterward to respond whenever she could but keeping your attention on her.

Her mouth opened and closed a few times, her eyebrows furrowing more before she copied your actions. Her body turned towards yours, one arm crossed against her chest while the other motioned slightly while she spoke.

"The only indication of emotion he has is when Eza mentions either of us."

You weren't surprised that you both had noticed the same thing; Shuri was a genius who studied every aspect of a problem, and it was hard for you to not see how the man's face changed with every mention of your name. Maybe being in the midst of this conflict had made you a little more observant.

Nodding in agreement, you glanced once more at the man on the other side of the screen. Your words left you with a sigh.

"Yeah, I noticed. He has opposite reactions for us. For you, it's almost like he…gets excited, even though it's disgusting to say. For me? Oh, his ass hates me…but the feeling is mutual."

Almost as if he could see you, your lips curled into a small scowl. Knowing he had a hand in not only your own safety being threatened but also Shuri's and Nondri's was enough for the mere visual of his face to turn your stomach and raise your blood pressure. If you had Okoye's skill, you'd lay him out.

"I agree, it is disgusting. But, hear me out…"

Suspicion and a small sense of dread struck you at her words, making you turn towards her with raised eyebrows. The thoughtful look on her face had quickly morphed into one of consideration and something else that made you nervous.

“‘Hear you out’- what are you thinking, Shuri?”

She didn't answer at first, which only made your nerves worsen; instead, she took a step forward, her hands raising in a placating manner. You had the strong urge to slap her hands away and demand she answer your question, but it wasn't long before she was continuing.

"Listen, Eza and Okoye aren't getting anything out of him. When we picked him up, he only acknowledged and spoke to me, and even now, he only reacts…positively at the mention of my name. I feel as if I could get him to talk-"

"Are you crazy?" You spoke quickly, your hands moving wildly at her insinuation. 

"You wanna go in that room with his crazy ass after seeing how obsessed he is with you- and we don't even know exactly how obsessed he is, Shuri! He could try something with you in there."

She regarded you in silence, her lips in a slight frown as you disagreed. The worry in your voice was apparent, and she knew that you were coming from a good place, but she also saw this as something she had to do- especially if it would finally make him talk.

The determination in Shuri's face alone told you that she had already made her mind up, and the realization made you sigh heavily. You turned back to the screen, your eyes landing on Ose with nothing but disdain and anger.

Not only had you spent 3 days watching this man as he wasted everyone's time, but now you could only watch as he somehow got what he wanted: Shuri in front of him and speaking to him.

Things between you two had…gotten better, but they weren't fixed. There was still a hesitancy on both of your parts. You both were hesitant to be completely vulnerable with the other, but for different reasons.

That complete and unadulterated vulnerability could only be reached with effort from both of you, and while it was obvious that Shuri was putting in the effort, it was also obvious that there was still something holding her back. You wouldn't force her to 'come clean'; you couldn't. Doing so would only result in you two taking more steps backward than forward. But you also couldn't ignore the apparent, albeit thin, wall of questions that still separated you two.

Despite that wall that built off of your uncertainty, it didn't stop you from worrying about her safety, which is why you were so against this absurd idea of hers. You were well aware that she was smart as hell with heightened senses and strength due to the Heart-Shaped Herb, but that did nothing for your worries.

"He can only try. He's restrained, and you all will be on the other side of this screen. I'll be fine. I can handle myself."

A quick puff of air left your nose, your head shaking as you glanced at her from the corner of your eye. While she spoke, she had stepped closer, her head bending to try and catch your eye. You were tempted to keep your eyes away, but all it took was her softly calling your name for you to turn with a relenting sigh.

"I'll be fine, you know that."

"Yeah, I know. But it doesn't make me feel any better about watching you go in there with him. But if it'll get him talking…" You trailed off, shrugging slightly. A small smile appeared on her face, not at the sight of you finally agreeing, but at the sight of being worried over her. It was absurd of her to think that you'd just stop worrying about her safety after your argument, and she hadn't even entertained the thought, but it was still reassuring to see it firsthand.

"Okoye won't be happy about it."

This time a soft snicker left her mouth, her eyebrows raising in a challenge. Her head tilted slightly and it was a challenge to keep your heart steady as her playful eyes connected with yours.

"That's only if she finds out-"

"-She will because I'm gonna snitch as soon as I see her."

Her smile dropped, though the playful gleam in her eye remained. They narrowed slightly, her arms raising to cross in front of her. You reciprocated the same teasing energy, but your words were completely serious, and she could see that in your face.

“You wouldn’t.”

A quick laugh left your mouth.

“Try me.”

Not only was there also a teasing look in your eye, but she could see the challenge behind them as well. Her reaction only emboldened you, prompting you to take a step forward, the tips of your shoes lightly bumping against hers.

The last time you had been in each other’s space like this, hurtful words had been spewed; there had been an air of conflict and heavy emotions that spurred on those words. Now? Well, now there was something else heavy sitting between the two of you. It was undeniable, as was the feeling of your heart picking up in pace; as was the slight darkening of Shuri’s eyes as they flickered down to land on the curve of your lips.

You had lifted your chin slightly, looking at her with an unwavering gaze that was captivating enough to render her speechless for a few seconds, something only you could do. It was a slightly dangerous power you unknowingly had over her, and it only proved how effective it was as Okoye's sudden appearance surprised her in the slightest.

"Only if she finds out what?"

Now, Shuri wasn't exactly…afraid of Okoye, but she knew that she'd be in for an earful should the General find out. Unbeknownst to both of you, the very woman you were talking about had already heard enough to know that you two were up to something. Had she not been distracted, she would have heard Okoye's footsteps growing closer, but leave it to you to render even her heightened senses useless.

It was your turn to snicker as she stepped into the observation room, her eyes suspicious and wandering between the both of you.

"That she," you motioned to Shuri across from you, "is trying to go in there with him." You motioned to Ose in the other room. There was no need to look at Okoye to know that she had a strong look of disagreement on her face; you instead looked at Shuri, raising an eyebrow and giving a small smile of innocence.

"You want to do what? Ingaba uphambene?"

One of Shuri's hands raised to rub at her face as Okoye continued to question her in Xhosa, the General's words passionate and quick. The scene reminded you of an older sibling getting on their younger sibling for doing something they weren't supposed to. You had to chew on the inside of your cheek in order to keep your smile at bay.

The two continued debating back and forth, sometimes in English and sometimes in Xhosa, as Eza quickly left the interrogation room. She walked into the observation room seconds later, her face tight with frustration that soon turned to confusion upon hearing Okoye and Shuri.

You almost missed her approaching you, too busy focusing on the few words of Xhosa you could hear and understand. There was a small sense of pride as you realized that you actually could understand a few words; the result of studying the dictionary you had found only a few days ago. Despite always being busy, whether it was training or meeting with the rest of the group, you still found time to practice a few words. You kept the knowledge to yourself, though, not finding it necessary to let others know.

"It's a lot livelier in here. What's going on?"

You scoffed humorlessly but nonetheless, nodded in agreement to her statement.

"Shuri thinks that she should go in and question him because he has some sort of infatuation with her."

A hum escaped Eza as she nodded, glancing with furrowed eyebrows at Ose. She continued nodding almost absentmindedly, looking as if she were contemplating something until she finally relented with a shrug of her own.

"It certainly wouldn't hurt to try."

The silence that followed her words was sudden as Okoye and Shuri halted their debate, their eyes instantly landing on Eza. Shuri's were wide with anticipation while Okoye's were wide with disbelief, her lips parting to undoubtedly argue with Eza next.

"It makes sense because they're right. I've noticed it as well. Neither of us have been able to get anything out of him…except for when Ukumkanikazi is mentioned. At any other time, he is collected and emotionless. She may be our only chance of getting answers from him, General."

If you could liken Shuri's expression to anything, it would be the same expression a child would get when rubbing in the fact that they had won something. You half expected her to stick her tongue out as she looked at Okoye, her grin widening slightly.

Okoye looked to be considering Eza's words, though she turned to you with raised eyebrows, her expression questioning, and waiting for your input. You shook your head slightly, throwing a hand up helplessly before letting it fall.

"Her mind is already made, so we might as well try what we can. He acts like he has the upper hand, which is honestly a little worrying, so maybe we can catch him off guard by letting Shuri go in. I don't like it either," you added quickly, emphasizing your words with a hard stare at Shuri, "but we have to try something different."

The silence that followed your words was filled with reluctance that radiated from all of you, save Shuri. No, she had a look of expectation that showed exactly how ready she was to go inside. She wasn't exactly looking forward to talking to Ose, you knew that; but she was ready to do something that would further the group's progress, and you couldn't be mad at her for that. Had you been in the same position, you would've done the same.

"Fine. But the moment you become uncomfortable, you come out, alright? Or I will come in."

Okoye's words were both a threat and a promise; ones that Shuri heeded as she nodded quickly and exited the observation room. Your next breath caught in your chest in a nervous fashion upon seeing the door to the interrogation room open, Shuri stepping through right after.

The change in the man's demeanor was instant and unnerving as Shuri revealed herself. His eyes which had once been emotionless now gleamed with something akin to excitement, and the corners of his mouth lifted into a twisted grin.

You should've known from that second that Shuri's presence would change something, but you were still surprised when the man's voice reached your ears.

"My Queen, Ikumkani wam…I have been waiting for you."

Shuri's back was to you as she walked further into the room before sitting across from him. The angle gave you the perfect view of her back, and while she did put on a show of indifference, her tensed back muscles gave another story. They shifted slightly under the mesh material of her dark brown shirt, tensing before relaxing and repeating.

"Have you, now? Well, I'm here, and since I took the time to come and speak with you, I think the least you could do is answer my questions."

The man leaned back in his chair, his gaze unwavering as it rested on Shuri. His wrists were restrained by a pair of cuffs, though his hands rested palms down on top of the table; relaxed, still.

You couldn't help but think that it was all a part of some ploy to look unaffected, and the thought made you more nervous. If he was acting now, what would he do once finally dropping the act?

"Who instructed you to approach Miss. Thizondu?"

"I was instructed by those who have seen what you cannot."

Somehow, hearing him speak in riddles instead of giving a clear answer was not surprising to you. It made it all the more frustrating, knowing that Shuri's safety was potentially being compromised just to hear this man speak in damn riddles.

"I did not come here to play games or to listen to you speak in riddles-"

"I know that's right." You mumbled under your breath, crossing your arms. "Tell his ass."

"I came here to get answers. If you do not have those, I have no choice but to let the Council decide your fate-"

Even though you were ready for the questioning to be over, you found yourself leaning forward in anticipation; partly hoping that he'd give some kind of answer.

"The answers you are looking for are clear to see, should you see them for what they are, Ikumkani wam."

"And how exactly should I see these answers?" 

"Only through the lens of a goddess who knows her birthright."

His voice grew in intensity, as did the look in his eye. He looked at Shuri in reverence, but there was something dangerous about his sense of reverence. It looked too much like infatuation and delved a little too far into mania. The look only intensified at the mention of Shuri's so-called 'birthright'; the definition for which Shuri undoubtedly had a different one for.

"My birthright? My birthright involves me following in the steps of my family and leading this country- nothing more, nothing less, Mr. Iraba."

While her voice remained confident, there was now a hint of questioning lacing her words. She shifted only once, straightening and placing her hands in the same position as his.

"Even after all of this time, you still do not get it. You were born into a position that is a first of its kind. Your title as Queen is nothing compared to your true birthright."

Your eyes slowly looked at Eza, needing to see that you weren't the only one completely clueless as to what he was talking about. Not that you expected Shuri to know, as you were still categorizing his words as those of a madman.

"If my birthright isn't sitting on the throne, then what is it?"

Eza, undoubtedly feeling your questioning gaze on the side of her face glanced at you quickly. She took a breath before answering your silent question.

"She has to make it seem as if he is in control of the interrogation. He has to think that he's giving the answers he wants and not the answers we need when in reality, everything he says can be used."

The doubt about the entire situation lessened only a little at Eza's words, as you trusted her in terms of interrogation techniques and in terms of getting answers. She may have not been able to get answers out of him, but she knew that Shuri would be able to.

Shuri's question seemed to do exactly what Eza had said it would, as it prompted him to lean forward more. His fingers curled slightly as if beckoning Shuri to lean closer. You wondered if she could hear you internally yelling at her to in fact, not lean closer because she refrained from doing so.

"You were chosen, thixokazi wam, to lead us in spreading the gospel- your gospel to every corner of the world. To every drop in the sea, every blade of grass, and every mind alike. Chosen by Bast herself."

A questioning hum left Eza's mouth, her eyes and Okoye's meeting. They shared a look of confusion and You had a suspicion that it had to do with the new title he referred to Shuri with, and with furrowed eyebrows, you looked between the two of them.

"Now, my Xhosa is still very rusty, but that didn't sound like 'My Queen' to me."

Both of their heads shook, frowns appearing on their faces immediately afterward. 

"No, it wasn't. He called her 'my goddess'."

Okoye's answer was simple, yet the feeling of puzzlement that went through you wasn't. You were no stranger to the story of Wakandan's creation, but you had a feeling that you'd have a good number of questions that only they could answer, but now wasn't the time for them. Instead, you trained your attention back on the interrogation room, your eyes glancing between Shuri and Ose. She still had yet to answer, her head tilted slightly in wary curiosity. You didn't have to see her face to know that it was genuine. 

"You were chosen to become the first, female Black Panther; the one to lead Wakanda in her expansion- the one to lead us to new heights. But you've become distracted by your fruitless...futile...impotent desire to become American."

The air surrounding the three of you become heavy with tension as his voice grew harsh. The reverence that had once been in his eyes was replaced with contempt. You hadn't noticed, too focused on his body language in response to Shuri's questions, but upon taking a closer look, you could see that his pupils were blown wide. They caught the angle of the light perfectly as he abruptly sat back and suddenly looked at the screen...at you.

You reminded yourself that he couldn't see you as his maniacal eyes remained on you, but it still sent a chill through your body. Your body remained in its spot, your eyes focusing on him.

"That American girl you brought to Wakanda is a distraction- something put in your path by the enemy to stop you from rising to the throne of all thrones. Something to steer you away from your true destiny- something that aims to twist your view of who you really are! As your servants, we are tasked with making sure you rise to that throne...by any means necessary."

His words confirmed only a part of what you all had already known: that there was most likely a group behind everything that had happened. They had also told you the purpose behind this group's actions, as twisted as it was. The rest of their plans still remained unknown, and he said nothing to allude to them.

"Any person who stands in our way...any person who does not share our sentiments...is seen as a distraction."

They had also told you-

"Oh, this nigga crazy."

The words tumbled from your mouth quicker than you could stop them, filled with disbelief and disturbance. You could only give an apologetic look at Okoye's look of reprimand, though it didn't last long; she looked just as unsettled as you.

The fact that Ose had been involved in one of your attacks coupled with his words made your pulse quicken. 'By any means necessary' were heavy words when paired with this group's sentiment. 

And the word 'group' had started growing a little too underwhelming when describing whatever Ose was a part of; 'cult' was sounding more and more logical to describe them. 

Even while you worked on settling your mind, you were still tuned into the conversation and Shuri's reactions. At the mention of you, the 'American girl', her shoulders had visibly tensed. You couldn't see her face, but you knew her jaw was clenched. 

"Is that why you've gone after her? Because you see her as a distraction?" She paused for a second, seeming to have another thought before adding, "Is that why you've been killing innocent civilians? Because they won't join your cause?"

At the mention of the killings, of which you had briefly learned of, Ose's mouth snapped shut. His own jaw clenched as if he were both fighting to keep words in and fighting against the anger at the fact that Shuri had gotten more out of him than anyone. His eyes landed on Shuri once more, narrowing in suspicion, yet he stayed silent. His hands had clenched at some point, but now they slowly and shakily unfurled. 

It was obvious as he tried his hardest to compose himself in the same way he had earlier, but it was also obvious just how unhinged he really was. His outburst had testified to it. It had also given you all just what you needed; a purpose and an explanation.

There was no point in asking him for details about this cult he spoke of, for he knew that he had said too much already. The next, logical step would be to use the information gathered to find the name of the cult, and then hopefully find where they operated. There'd of course be a lot of middle-ground work...but this was as far as you all had gotten since the beginning of the conflict. 

At the realization that he was done speaking, Shuri pushed back from the table and stood. Without a word, she walked to the door of the interrogation room only to pause in her stride at Ose's voice once more.

"I may be here, but there are more of us out there, and we all know the importance of you rising to your true destiny...and we'll stop at nothing until we see it done. By any means necessary."

************

Admittedly, the man's threatening words continued to echo in your mind, even after the interrogation was over. The safety and openness of the palace's lab helped with the uneasy feeling that had washed over your body, but it did nothing to stop the echo of his words.

It didn't make it any better that the next step had been to look further into the deaths that had been terrorizing Wakanda. You had been quickly informed of them on the short trek back to the lab and by none other than Shuri. It was ironic, but you were too engrossed in taking in every detail she gave to call attention to the irony.

It was hard to accept that such violence could happen in such a secure country, but when it was so secure and fortified, you supposed there were bound to be threats from the inside. You were sure that the current conflict wasn't the only one Wakanda had faced, and you were sure that it wouldn't be the last, but it was a little more daunting when you were involved in some way.

According to Shuri, the deaths had started only a few weeks ago, while you two were still at school. She had been juggling her schoolwork and her royal duties at the same time- the likes of which had involved learning of the deaths and then deciding how they would go about it. She hadn't gotten any information that was vital or damning enough to expand the search for the perpetrators, but Ose's words had been the one thing she had been missing.

"These are all of the reported and unsolved deaths we've had in the given time span, including the one assault that happened under the same circumstances," Okoye waved her hand between one screen and seemingly into the open air.

A number of reports appeared, floating in front of your face and showcasing the numerous faces of the victims. The idea of having to read the details of each, horrible, senseless death made your chest tighten…but seeing each of their faces spurred on the determination you felt- the determination all of you felt to find those responsible for their deaths.

"The victims' wounds were all caused by the same weapon. Most likely a knife or dagger of some kind that has a straight edge. No residue of any kind was left behind at any of the scenes, which makes our jobs more difficult."

Okoye's eyebrows furrowed as she recalled a few of the details that they had already established, her eyes narrowing as she looked between all of the reports. You took a deep breath before doing the same, willing your expression to stay neutral even despite being confronted with the grisly details of innocent civilians' deaths.

You refrained from swiping through the photos the examiner had taken, knowing that they'd only make the process as a whole more challenging. It wasn't that you had a weak stomach; you just didn't see the need to subject yourself to those images when you could simply look at the chart that the examiner had filled out. Each victim's wounds were marked on their corresponding chart with small descriptions of what could have caused it.

It was only when you were looking at said charts and comparing them to each other did something catch your eye. It was completely unintentional, happening only when you placed three of the victims in a row to better read their charts.

Somehow, all three of them had both restraint marks and defensive wounds, but the latter only existed on their hands. It was absolutely plausible that some of them could've broken free of their restraints and tried fighting, but when paying closer attention to their wounds and the circumstances that may have surrounded them, that theory was becoming more and more implausible. Not only were the restraints tied so tightly that they dug into their skin, as marked on the charts, but two out of the three victims in front of you were less than 150 pounds. Unless the killers were absolute rookies in restraining someone, there was no way they could've gotten out of their restraints.

All of these little details started to unravel and connect to each other as you continued your search. You could faintly hear Eza and Shuri conversing somewhere to the side of you, both of them occupied with their own small group of victims they were looking at. The longer you looked at your own group, the more your theory cemented itself in your mind.

"They were all restrained, but they all have defensive wounds…on the same hand. If they all fought against someone with a dagger- or something sharp- wouldn't they have marks on their arms too? Not just their…left hand?"

The possibility of the theory continued to grow as you offered it to Shuri, Okoye, and Eza. It instantly caught their attention, prompting them to quickly turn back to their own set of reports. There was a short bout of silence, during which all three of them compared their reports to the theory you had just given, though it didn't take long at all for the silence to be broken.

"She's right. They only have a cut on their left hand. It's either a part of some twisted ritual, or-"

"-Or it could be something deeper."

Sometime during her and Okoye's moment of realization, Shuri had gradually made her way over to where you stood, stepping close enough to ignite a line of heat that originated from where her sleeve brushed against your skin. You subconsciously turned slightly, your eyes glancing quickly at her. Her furrowed eyebrows and intense gaze were the exact same as yours: questioning, suspicious, and as she looked between the various screens in the room. But she had a look that you couldn't exactly share, as it was a look that only a leader who mourned the lives of her people could wear.

It was an amalgamation of guilt, anger, and a fierce sense of determination; three emotions that Shuri felt strongly whenever the need called for it. You may have shared the emotions, but only to a certain degree. Wakanda, its people, and its customs had effectively secured a place in your heart during your short stay, and you wanted nothing more than to help Shuri with the task of getting rid of any threats to the nation.

"Griot, please display the defensive wounds that were documented for each victim."

"As you wish, Your Highness."

With a quiet, whirring sound, each report changed to the picture that Shuri requested. The images were jarring and only reminded you of how necessary it was to stop the people who had committed these crimes.

You found yourself tensing slightly as they appeared, your hand subconsciously rubbing at the scar that was in the same place as the victims', though you quickly dropped them at the sight of Shuri's eyes catching your movements.

Her head turned, just enough to catch your eye and for you to see the question in them; the same question she had asked upon first revealing the details of the deaths.

She had pulled you to the side with a gentle hand that had sent streaks of heat running under your skin. Her voice had dropped slightly, her body angling in your direction and effectively creating a space with the sole purpose of providing the two of you privacy.

"Are you still willing to help? I understand if you'd rather step back…"

Your answer stayed the same as you silently communicated back, your head nodding slightly.

"I'm willing to help…as long as you let me."

It had been a reminder of your earlier conversation and a reminder that you were there to do exactly that: help her. Support her.

The short interaction had only confirmed your suspicions- that Shuri's refusal of you seeing and learning about the deaths had been because she hadn't wanted to expose you to something that could potentially scare or push you away. Ironically, her own words had done the same.

Your response did the same as it had done when she had first asked you, and that was send a sharp pang of gratefulness through her; a gratefulness that she could only communicate with her eyes and pray that you received it. She prayed that you remembered it until she learned how to communicate just how deep her gratefulness ran…and just how easily it combined with the love she felt for you.

But for right now, all she could do was take a smaller step towards you, seeking that comfort that only you could give her at the moment as she spoke.

"Each victim has a laceration in their palm, surrounded by knicks and cuts that are superficial. Each laceration is different in terms of shape, but they're all the same in regards to length and effort."

"It's obvious that these lacerations were made purposefully. They're too clean to be a defensive wound. And look at the ends of each one-" Okoye stepped closer, moving her hands and making one of the pictures larger. She pointed to where the wound began and ended before pointing to one of the cuts surrounding it.

"This one resembles more of a quick slash, dragging messily across their skin. The lacerations have a clear starting and stopping point- as if the killers knew exactly what kind of mark they were trying to draw."

The concept was easy enough to believe as Okoye explained it, but it still left the question of the cut’s purpose. It had to have been a part of a ritual of some kind- something that only helped them justify their violent actions. The enlarged picture returned to its normal size, joining the collection of others…and only then did something catch your eye.

"It certainly makes sense. The reports say each cut was made post-mortem; why cut them after they were deceased?"

Okoye and Eza's conversation faded into the background as you tilted your head, regarding the photographs. There was a nagging feeling at the edge of your mind, and it was urging you to realize…something about the photos. It was almost as if each photo- or rather each laceration- pointed to another…or maybe they connected to another. Each curved laceration gave you a sense of vague recognition, and when that recognition fully formed, so did your speculation.

"Shuri, what if they're a part of something bigger?"

Her eyebrows furrowed as she looked quickly between the photos. You took the chance to speak again, this time, addressing her AI with a hint of urgency in your tone.

"Griot, could you sort them into chronological order?"

"Sorting now."

The photos shifted accordingly, and in the span of a few seconds, what had been individual photos telling different perspectives of the same story had become something larger; something concrete; something that made your lips part in surprise and recollection.

"What the-"

"Griot, pull up the video footage from Ose Iraba's interrogation."

"Yes, My Queen."

As soon as the footage appeared, Shuri raised a hand to the projection, pausing it and using both hands to zoom in. The frame she zoomed into was a still of Ose's head and the myriad of markings that covered it.

The same markings that were carved into the victims' hands.

"It was right there the entire time."

It was obvious that the cuts on the victims' hands when put in the right order, showed a partial image of the same markings Ose had. It had been some ritual, but it'd also been a calling card of sorts; a way to still connect themselves to the killings while making it seem as if it wasn't them.

"Griot, search every one of Wakanda's databases and compare that marking to them. If there's nothing in our database, search for any mention of it in Wakandan cultural traditions, folklore, mythology- any and everything."

"Searching now."

The prospect of finally finding such a vital piece of information hung over the entire lab, making the air heavy with anticipation as Griot did as instructed. Your fingers ran nervously over the kimoyo beads encircling your wrist, feeling the grooves of each symbol you had, and then they went to the faint scar in your palm. With furrowed eyebrows, you looked down at it before looking back at the photos.

It ran right through the middle of your palm, cutting through the lines that made your palm unique from any other person, and stopping at the very edge of your wrist…in the exact same way as the victims'.

Right as you began raising it toward the screen, a voice sounded out, effectively halting the small feeling of victory.

"It's incomplete. There's still a part of it missing, which can only mean that they aren't done killing."

The dread was clear in Okoye's voice, but it was still strong. The truth behind her words rang loud and clear; they were as logical as they were foreboding, and it made a small chill run down the length of your spine.

"Well, what happens when they are… 'done'?"

"We won't have to find out," Shuri stepped closer to the screen right as it froze on what looked to be a page from an old book, the same symbol in the center of it. There were a number of paragraphs surrounding the symbol, which looked to be a myriad of crossing lines in the vague shape of a panther's head. It looked both ancient and menacing, even if the cult defined itself as the followers of Bast- a goddess that was a warrior, but also the embodiment of protection and good health.

There was a single line of words below the symbol, and you refrained from reading them out loud.

Harbingers of Bast.

"Because we'll stop them before they do. We'll start by going to the mining province and questioning the only survivor of an attack. He has to know something, and whatever he knows, we will too."

Her voice was unwavering, a hint of anger in it that made heat spread in your chest. It made your heart pick up slightly with resolve and a strong desire to do something, and the same could be said for Shuri; as much was obvious in her eyes as she turned to face you, jaw tight, eyes set in determination.

Something else resided in them- a question. It was one she had asked before, and one you already knew the answer to, as you meant it every single iota of your being.

Are you still with me?

Your eyebrows raised in expectation while you looked between all three women. They all wore the expressions of someone who knew what the next step of a plan was, but still wondered what exactly would come out of it. It didn't matter what came out of it next, though; you were all still willing to do what was needed.

"So…when do we leave?"

************

The Mining Province was the epitome of vast. It certainly had to be in order to accommodate the process of mining for vibranium. But along with being vast in terms of service and the production of mined vibranium, it was also vast in terms of customs, culture, and architecture.

The flight over had been in the Royal Talon Fighter, as Shuri had explained, and the view had been one that you'd wanted to sear into your mind. As you all, plus Aneka, had flown over the sprawling landscape, the glittering, towering buildings of the Golden City had gradually become replaced by hills that held mountains worth of vibranium and other valuable resources native to Wakanda.

The sun had already set by the time of your arrival, but if anything, the village only seemed to stand out more against the endless night sky. Their homes and buildings were just as advanced as the ones in The Golden City, but the differences were apparent. While the tips of the metropolitan city's buildings touched the sky, the entirety of the Mining Province would rather be situated on terraced hillsides.

Each terrace held a number of businesses and homes, and at the very top of each terraced hill sat a market for easy access. There were bridges that stretched between each hilltop, connecting each one for easy transportation and trading purposes. And as you stood at the edge of one of those hilltops, you could see a good number of villagers utilizing them while toting wagons of goods and personal belongings. The liveliness didn't let up as the sun set fully, music and voices being heard from each occupied hilltop, including the one you were on. It also included the jewelry shop where the owner had been assaulted under the same circumstances as the other deaths, but he had survived the ordeal.

He had been incredibly apprehensive to talk about the attack, undoubtedly wanting to refrain from reliving it; but after being visited and reassured by the Queen herself, he had agreed to talk. However, before he had begun speaking, he had glanced at you multiple times in confusion and wariness. It hadn't taken long for you to realize that your status as an 'outsider' was what made him increasingly apprehensive.

Despite your desire to sit in on the conversation to hear every vital detail, you had volunteered to step outside in order to make him more comfortable. The group's need for any information had taken priority over your want to be there, and you were more than willing to accommodate.

Shuri had initially followed you with furrowed eyebrows and a frown on her face, reassuring you that they could come to an agreement about if you could stay. At your refusal, she had even offered to use her kimoyo beads as a type of hidden surveillance, intending to let you listen in on the conversation; you had considered it, but after seeing how she had hesitated to propose the idea in the first place, you had simply grinned and shaken your head.

"It's okay, Shuri. You can just tell me what was said when you're done. I'll be fine."

Her insistence and obvious want for your presence had twisted your heart in a pleasant, yet confusing way. It had only made you want to show your appreciation in a way that would certainly turn heads and make everything between the two of you more confusing…but you couldn't have ignored the feeling if you wanted to. It had consumed your mind while she promised that they wouldn't be long, and it continued to consume your mind as you stood outside of the shop, leaning against the cool brick and fiddling with your baton.

"I'm honestly surprised that Shuri let you come along- especially after the festival."

Aneka's voice reached your ears as she circled back on her patrol, her eyes still scanning the surrounding area. She had been asked to come, along with a few other Dora's for obvious reasons; but Shuri's ulterior motives had quickly become clear when she had asked Aneka to wait outside with you. Shuri, herself, had even done a quick scan before making you promise that you'd call for her as soon as you needed her, and she hadn't left your side until you finally did.

With the mention of the festival came the memories of the following events, and you found that while it still wasn't impossible to completely forget them, it was a little easier to let them appear in your mind before fading away like thin wisps of smoke.

"Yeah, I am too. We…talked, and I'd like to think that I got through to her, but I don't know. We're okay."

We're okay. Not great. Not…together. Not as close as we were.

You hoped that Aneka couldn't hear the unspoken words beneath the ones you had replied with, for the day had been long and you didn't think the current situation called for such a conversation. A glance at the Dora showed exactly what you were nervous about, her eyes narrowed slightly and knowing. Yet, she only replied with a hum and a nod of her head before turning and continuing her path of patrol.

Your eyes followed her as she walked away, your fidgeting increasing as her words continued to float around your mind. They stirred up emotions and thoughts you had vowed to keep at bay until the time was right- and that time was not right now. Not when you both were distracted by such an important task and couldn't sit down, face to face, and speak; not when neither of you could properly and truthfully express those undying feelings to the other.

The intrusion of those thoughts prompted you to push off of the wall, a sigh leaving your mouth as you walked a few steps away. Your gaze stayed on your shoes as you toed the dirt beneath your feet, watching it swirl into the air slightly before settling once more. It only raised once you heard excited and laughing voices, immediately landing on a group of kids engaged in different activities. The ages seemed to range from primary school level to secondary, with the oldest kids looking to be around the middle of their teenage years. 

Some of the activities were familiar, like the older kids double-dutching while singing songs in Xhosa, and a few of the smaller kids playing a game of football. Others weren't as much, like the game that involved a large box being traced into the dirt before being divided into smaller boxes. As you watched, each child threw haphazardly threw a rock before hopping into every box, excluding the one where the rock had landed. You found yourself walking closer while watching, subconsciously trying to understand the rules without any help whatsoever.

You had just begun to grasp the concept, a small smile appearing on your face as the obvious enjoyment of the kids, when a light voice caught your attention.

"Nkosozana? Ma'am?"

The group of girls playing double-dutch had stopped, all four of their curious, yet open gazes on you. They all had smiles on their faces, but only one waved you over excitedly.

You couldn't help but glance back at the jewelry shop, seeing that Aneka had still yet to get back from her patrol and hoping that you'd be back before then. You also hoped that Shuri wouldn't step outside and see that you had walked away; you had a feeling that she wouldn't take too kindly to you stepping away and not telling her. Nevertheless, you found yourself walking over to the girls and offering a small smile.

"Uh, molweni. Is something wrong?"

Even though you had arrived with the Dora Milaje and the Queen, and even though your weapon could be seen hanging from your waist, you doubted that you'd be of substantial help if something was really wrong- especially in a province that you really didn't know anything about.

At your question, they all shook their heads, their smiles widening as the same girl quickly walked up to you and took your hand. You stopped yourself from pulling back as she urged you to follow her, and it was only after the two of the girls started spinning the two ropes did you realize what she wanted you to do. Your smile immediately grew sheepish.

"Oh, no- hayi- I don't want to intrude! It's been a while since I've done that."

A laugh was laced into your words as you continued to insist that you were okay just watching, but she continued to pull you closer. There was a girl already jumping amidst the spinning ropes, and as you were pulled closer, she waved for you. Her smile encouraged you to join her with a wide smile and she jumped back a little to make room for you.

Your hand was let go of as the girl stepped back, her hands clapping as they all started singing the same song. The completely carefree feeling settled over you, prompting your smile to grow as you bobbed your head along to their words. 

You found yourself indulging in the playfulness of the children surrounding you, knowing that just a few yards away, Shuri, Okoye, and Eza were recounting the details of a horrific assault that could’ve ended in someone’s death. The last few days of interrogation were still on your mind, as was the reason for your arrival, but the easygoing atmosphere, emphasized with laughter and smiles that welcomed you more than the jeweler spurred you on. 

That's why you took a deep breath while making sure your baton was secured before stepping closer to the spinning ropes. You bounced slightly on the balls of your feet, looking for the perfect opening until you finally threw caution to the wind and jumped in.

Surprisingly, and to your delight, the movements came back naturally. It had been years since you had played the game, the last time having been in middle school with a group of friends; so when your feet effortlessly lifted and landed when they needed to, having found the perfect rhythm to keep going, you couldn't stop the laughter from leaving your mouth.

That was another thing Wakanda and its citizens were good at: making you smile and improving your day even when you were stressed beyond belief. It only made sense, as their Queen was good at doing the same thing- given, when she wasn't letting her own unhealthy habits influence her decisions.

The words of the song were unfamiliar to you, but the girls still made it clear when it was your turn to jump out. You did so with another laugh, the smile on your face so wide that your cheeks were becoming sore. The girl who had initially pulled you over took your place amidst the spinning ropes, her hands finding her friends as they continued the game.

Once in the clear, your eyes quickly returned back to where you had been standing, seeing that Aneka had made it back and was now looking at you with a slightly amused look. She shook her head, and you knew that it was your cue to make your way back, despite how much innocent fun you were having.

"I have to go, but thank you for letting me join- enkosi! Y'all have fun!"

The two in the middle waved wildly while the two holding the ends smiled at you, yelling what sounded like a farewell as you turned. You hadn't gotten far when a ball was kicked across your path, eventually knocking against a table and coming to a stop in the mouth of a small opening between two buildings. Looking in the direction it came from showed that it belonged to the group of younger kids who were playing football, and who were now looking at you with apologetic but hopeful expressions.

You raised a hand and motioned that you'd get it, giving them a reassuring smile. After sending your own apologetic look to Aneka, you switched paths, turning and making your way to the ball.

You skirted around the edges of the other kids and their respective games before finally approaching it. Bending at the waist, you grabbed it, wiped the dirt off, and began to turn back to the children. Your movements paused as a moving shadow caught your eye.

It quickly became apparent that it wasn’t a shadow, but a person, and it made your eyebrows furrow as you took a step closer. The light in the alley-like space was scarce, making it difficult to make out exactly what they were doing.

Despite being a firm believer in minding your business, there was something about the scene that made a heavy feeling pool in the base of your stomach while simultaneously setting off alarms. Your grip on the ball tightened as you squinted, taking a step into the alley.

The thought of calling Shuri crossed your mind, even with the possibility of it being a person who was actually minding their business; but you'd rather call her for a false alarm than not and have something happen. You raised your kimoyo beads, tapping them and waiting as they chirped.

That heavy feeling only grew as the figure reached out to the wall in front of them. They secured an object in place before pressing it once more, making a red light blink to life. Their movements were hurried, yet controlled and careful. It was obvious that they believed themselves to be completely hidden and alone as they took their time picking up the supplies surrounding them.

Your call was answered right as your mind finished processing what you were looking at, Shuri's voice ringing out and echoing into the alley.

"Y/N? Is everything okay?"

Her voice caught the attention of the person, their body quickly turning in the direction of yours. They quickly stood, reaching into their pocket and slowly drawing something out…something that had a matching red light that blinked.

The ball dropped from your hands as you took a step back, shaking your head as if your actions would stop them. Instead, the person only raised their other hand, using it to press against the contraption in their hand.

"Where are you? Why is it dark-"

beep, beep, beep-

"What is that? Y/N?!"

Your body acted on instinct as you turned and lurched towards the clearing, your mouth opening on a yell. The beeping echoed in your ears, along with Shuri's panicked voice as you tore your war across the clearing.

Every head in the immediate vicinity turned towards you, smiles instantly dropping and games stopping at your yelling.

"RUN! YOU HAVE TO LEAVE- GET OUT OF HERE!"

You thanked whoever was listening that the villagers immediately took your warning, everyone in the immediate vicinity clamoring to get away from the area- thankfully in the opposite direction you were coming from.

Even through the chaos, your eyes managed to find Shuri's as she hurried out of the shop. She looked over the crowd of running children and adults, meeting your gaze and yelling your name. You wanted nothing more than to run straight to her and deal with the aftermath that would surely be destructive, but another sound reached your ears.

Over the sound of the beeping and people's panicked yelling was the sound of a child crying, and it immediately drew your attention as you came to a quick stop. The shrill cry came from the mouth of a toddler whose face was streaked with tears, his eyes closed in fear.

Not a single doubt ran through your mind as you lunged for him, quickly scooping him up and holding him against your chest. The realization that you wouldn’t make it to Shuri made your heart pound painfully in your chest, but the presence of the child in your arms made you determined to find somewhere.

With a grunt, you took off towards another opening between two taller buildings, tucking yourself inside and tightening your arms around the child.

You could see Shuri across the clearing, her eyes meeting yours and widening as she took a step in your direction. Your head shook frantically, your eyes undoubtedly as wide as hers and the panic clear as day on your face. She paused, though it looked like it pained her to do so, before raising her kimoyo beads. Not even a second later, your beads were chirping. You managed to answer them, making Shuri’s voice fill the small space around you.

“Y/N-”

“Shuri, there was some person in the alley. They pressed something that started beeping before pressing a button of some kind. I didn’t see if they left- they were over there.” 

You quickly looked over to the alley as you spoke before returning your gaze to her. Though it didn’t last long, as the second you motioned to the alley, Shuri was stepping into the clearing. Something distant in your mind registered Okoye and Aneka behind her, both of them reaching out for her, but you could only focus on Shuri’s actions.

“Shuri, what the hell are you doing?!”

She held a hand out to you, silently urging you to stay where you were. In the span of a second, her suit was materializing over her body, quickly flowing from the necklace around her neck, and then she was quickly disappearing into the alley you had indicated.

“SHURI-”

Somehow, even over the sound of the child wailing in your ear and the sound of your voice screaming itself hoarse, you could hear the beeping stop.

There was a shockingly heavy silence that fell over the area, allowing just a sliver of hope to rest in your chest- hope that it was a false alarm…

And then the ground shook with an explosion that threw you off of your feet. 

***

Ingaba uphambene : are you crazy?

Thixokazi wam: my goddess

Nkosozana: ma'am

Hayi: no

Enkosi: thank you

Game mentioned: Suwe

***

A/N: I hope y’all enjoyed this part! I’ve already started on the next part, so the cliffhanger won’t be a cliffhanger for much longer...but I still enjoyed writing it LMAO

Please like, comment, and/or share! Reminder: I look forward to reading your comments, and sharing can help other black readers come across new content for them! Its also greatly appreciated :)

Y’all stay safe!

Tag list:   @shinsousliya , @honey-teaaaaaaaa , @tchhairbandhere , @jessiap , @zane2408 , @bananasplits-world , @yellowjacketmurder , @barkbarkbo , @butterflyybabe , @bananafishok , @zestgodtj , @mitsuya-takashi , @chaoticevilbakugo , @cedeni-beanie , @shuri-my-love , @kingstormpostsshit , @sailorsolar12 , @justariellove , @angelsmist , @eriksjournal , @mermaidchansons , @nil-eena , @paisholotus , @thesecretwriterblog , @brain-of-nekoma , @7tearsofatlantic , @simp4iwaizumi , @bumlyn , @jackdrawsjunk , @http-twyla , @cedeni-beanie , @taleiakirby , @brain-of-nekoma , @borderlineacademia , @honey-teaaaaaaaa , @ventingfanfics , @awolfcsworld​ , @bumlyn​ , @adharaoaklyn , @gfskwan​ , @sailorsolar12​ , @mermaidchansons​ , @nil-eena​ , @thesecretwriterblog​ , @ghostlyboiii​  , @naomis-daydream​

[babyboiboyega]

UPDATE: HBCU!Shuri Series

HEY Y’ALL! How are y’all? Hopefully good!

First off, I just wanna thank yall for the continued love and support for the HBCU!Shuri series; it literally makes me so happy knowing that people enjoy my writing. Your comments are so funny and so nice to read, so keep em coming!

I do have an update while working on the third part! I’ve decided to turn this into a mini-series...that just may turn into a not to mini-series lmaoooo

When I posted my first ever HBCU!Shuri oneshot (The Study Room), I had intended on doing at MOST 3-4 parts. However, while writing out this third part...I came to the conclusion that I do not want to let go of HBCU!Shuri! Despite this, I can tell you now that eventually, the story won’t exactly take place at their HBCU campus, but the characters will be the same. 

With that being said, third part should be up by late evening tomorrow, or by noon on Wednesday! Please send me a message if you’d like to be included on the tag list, as I have no problem making one!

Also, y’all might be a little mad at me after this chapter... :)

I just love slow burns!

Stay safe, y’all! <3

[babyboiboyega]

The Study Room Pt. 2 (HBCU!Shuri x Black!Fem!reader)

HBCU!Shuri x Black!F!reader

Word Count: 6k (gotdamn)

Babyboiboyega’s Marvel Masterlist

Babyboiboyega’s Masterlist of Masterlist

Series Masterlist

Content: fluff, a little bit of angst, mentions of hospitals, the very high potential that the second part of this doesn’t make a lot of sense, as I finished this around 4 AM, running on nothing but a Canada Dry and a family size bag of Cape Cod chips (my faveeee)

Part 2 is heerree! I know I said it was gonna be posted sometime last night...but I have a problem where I’ll start writing, and instead of keeping with the plot I had already planned, my mind is just like “okay but what if we did this??” That’s exactly how this part turned from 2k words to 5.7k. I stayed up until 4 am writing this because I was so excited to finish it and post it.

So y’all better not let this flop, or TRUST...you will be dealt with.

I’m just kidding. I hope y’all enjoy this part! 

Recap: 

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 :)

**********

It took only a few days for you and Shuri to become a set of bonafide friends. It took the same amount of time for something to start developing between you two, something that didn’t exactly scream just friends. It unsurprisingly took less than that for people to start asking you questions. 

You hadn’t exactly predicted that it would happen, but you didn’t put it past your fellow classmates to ask questions; the way some of them gazed at the two of you when walking across campus told you enough about their curiosity. The attention wasn’t exactly enjoyable, but you felt as if you couldn’t complain compared to what Shuri probably went through on campus. 

The questions you were approached with ranged from humorous to downright nosy- so nosy you couldn’t even answer them. Some questions were healthy reminders that you weren’t the only one potentially attracted to the princess, and ironically, those were the hardest ones to answer.

Almost every time you met with her, you had new questions to spout her way on behalf of your classmates. Only the semi-normal and funny ones were discussed, though. If the question was even the slightest bit out of pocket, you didn’t even bother mentioning it to her, not wanting to even risk making her uncomfortable; not if you could help it. 

However…you had to admit that even you were curious about her answers to a few questions…especially one that you were asked mere minutes before leaving your last class and meeting her in one of the study rooms. 

“Hey, there she is!” 

You heard her voice before you saw her, her accent making it easy to recognize who it belonged to. 

Shuri had a habit of making you smile as soon as you saw her, no matter what type of mood you were in, and tonight wasn’t any different. The smile that appeared on your face echoed on Shuri’s as she approached you, lifting her arms to embrace you in a hug. She didn’t exactly tower over you, but she still had to bend a little at the waist to hug you, her arms wrapping around your back while yours did the same. 

“Hey, girl. How were your classes?” You had somehow learned how to keep the nerves out of your voice when you spoke to her, but it was also partly due to Shuri just making you feel comfortable enough to forget about those nerves. 

You were never the one to pull away first, simply because you could stay in her arms for as long as possible if you had the chance, but as you waited for her to pull away, she did something different. 

At your question, she let out a soft groan of annoyance, resting her forehead against your shoulder. Her shoulders also dropped, her hands on your back fisting for just a second before relaxing. If you weren’t so worried about her reaction, you would have surely been worried about keeping your limbs from shaking against hers. 

“Ah, hell. What happened? You wanna talk about it?”

She let out a breath before finally pulling back, much to your dismay. There was still a smile on her face, yet it had dimmed in contrast to the one she had just sported a minute ago. She shook her head, gently turning you in the direction of the study room. When she spoke, the regular, but subtle, playfulness was back in her voice.

“Not right now. Maybe later. Besides,” she stopped to open the door to the room, letting you walk in first before following and closing it behind her. When she turned to face you, there was a slight mischievous look in her eye.

“I want to know about this Serena girl who was oh-so-interested in us.”

Her usage of the word ‘us’ made your breath hitch, but you quickly covered it with a short laugh. You could only shake your head at first, remembering the conversation you had been subjected to earlier and how you had immediately texted Shuri about it. 

“Nah, I’d say she was more interested in you, Shuri. You should’ve heard the questions she was asking me.”

Instead of getting her own computer and supplies out, she pulled out the chair next to you, sitting down and turning to face you. Her eyes were narrowed as she waited for you to continue, which you did. However, instead of looking at her, you worked on pulling out your own supplies in an effort to hide just how annoyed you still were at the conversation. Your annoyance was partly due to the kind of questions you had been asked and partly due to the insinuation behind them. 

“The sparknotes version? She basically asked me to put her on with you. I asked her ‘how do you even know if she likes women?’. You know what she asked me?”

“What’d she ask?”

“She asked, and I quote, ‘well can you find out? I’m not the only woman here who wants the answer.’ The hell you mean ‘can I find out’? You really live in a lot of women’s heads rent-free, Shuri.”

A quick glance over at her showed that instead of looking anything close to annoyed, she looked amused. It wasn’t lost on you how she indulged in your storytelling, which only made it easier to fall for her. But the way she gazed at you in silence, undoubtedly as you recounted the conversation, told you that she was more amused at your reaction than at the story itself. It was all but proven as she let out a quiet snicker, making your eyebrows raise.

“You think that’s funny?”

Your words may have sounded genuinely annoyed to anyone else, but Shuri could see the small smile that threatened to curve your lips. It only made her find the situation funnier. She attempted to hide her smile, shaking her head.

“What? No, of course not.”

The look on your face showed exactly how much you didn’t believe her words. The shit-eating grin on her face told you enough. Silence settled between the two of you as you looked at each other, daring the other to break first. It only lasted for a few seconds before you were both letting out laughs.

“It was lowkey funny. I had to try so hard not to laugh. But, yeah, that was today’s out of pocket question.”

You didn’t even think about sharing with her the moment another girl asked if the two of you were ‘talking’. Having to explain the meaning behind two people ‘talking’ and how someone had applied it to you two, and then having to see Shuri’s reaction to it was nerve-wracking enough that you had no problem pushing it to the back of your mind.

“Not the weirdest one I’ve received, and certainly not the last time I’ll receive it. It isn’t even the first time I’ve been asked something along those lines.”

This time, your eyes narrowed slightly as you looked over at her. You propped your head on your hand, tilting it slightly as you motioned for Shuri to continue.

“Hold on…are you telling me people have been hitting on you? When has this happened?”

You prayed that the slight jealousy you felt wasn’t reflected in your question, because in all honesty…you didn’t know if you had that right, yet. Yes, you two had grown close over the span of a few days, and there had even been some slight, shameless flirting from the both of you…but until either of you acknowledged that there was something there, the line was blurred. 

Apparently, you didn’t try hard enough to hide that jealousy if Shuri’s knowing smirk was anything to go by. She seemed to realize that your attention was solely on her as you waited for her answer, and she almost seemed to revel in it, taking her time to actually answer. You waited, eyes focused on the side of her face as she turned to finally take her own supplies out.

“Not a lot of people. Just the very brave ones.”

Your eyebrows raised, yet you kept silent. It took a few seconds of that silence for Shuri to realize that you were still staring at her expectantly. Her own eyebrow raised in question as she glanced at you.

“What?”

“What do you mean ‘what’? And? What did you say to them?” 

Shuri turned to face you fully, her knee knocking against yours. There was still a questioning look on her face, but that damned smirk hadn’t gone anywhere. Instead of replying right away, she leaned back in her seat, letting her legs stretch out until they were placed on both sides of one of yours. She crossed her arms over her chest.

She had to know. She had to know the effect she had on you, and she constantly loved to see just how far she could push it. How close could she get before she had you glancing away nervously, slipping on your words? What could she say that would leave you speechless while simultaneously wanting to tell her all of the thoughts that ran through your mind at the mere thought of her?

How long would you two toe the blurred line between you two? How far would you two have to go in order to erase that line completely?

“Well, of course, I said that I wasn’t interested.” Her voice brought you out of the thoughts that were quickly bordering on spiraling, and instead heightened your curiosity. 

“And that’s it?”

“That’s it.”

The unanswered questions were right there, on the tip of your tongue, yet you held them back. Grilling her about her answer felt a little too close to becoming…relational, and the last thing you wanted, or needed, was her to realize that you were asking the questions for yourself. Asking questions that would ease your mind when it came to thinking of Shuri getting with someone else. 

You put on your best nonchalant expression, nodding your head in response. 

“Hmm. I was kind of expecting at least one person to catch your eye.”

What are you doing? Are you dumb? Perhaps stupid? Now your feelings are about to be hurt.

Her smirk widened into a full blown smile, teeth showing and all. She shook her head, casually pulling her laptop closer to her and opening it. Instead of answering, she simply shrugged, letting out a soft “mmm” sound before turning her attention to her screen.

Without thinking, you reached out, lightly flicking her knee before turning to your own laptop. The laugh she let out was easy to listen to, almost calming, despite your mind still being preoccupied with analyzing her answer. 

Even as you both started working on your respective assignments, you were constantly interrupted by your own thoughts, no matter how hard you tried to keep them at bay.

Shuri was now living in your mind rent-free, and you couldn’t seem to find an ounce of regret about it. 

**********

You were quick to realize that any time you hung out together, time seemed to speed up, always making your time together too short. However, whatever ruling force in the universe had decided to remedy that, if only for just one night. 

Right as you prepared to bid each other goodnight, your phone rang. The screen flashed your roommate’s name and after giving Shuri an apologetic smile, one she waved off, you pressed accept.

“Hey, ‘Mani. What’s going on?”

There was a moment of silence, at least in the foreground of the call. In the back, you could hear the distant sound of…sirens?

That wasn’t what made you feel uneasy, though. No, it was actually the sound of someone who wasn’t your roommate, but rather your ‘neighbor’, answering you paired with the sounds of sirens. 

“Y/N, it’s Monica. Something’s happened at the dorm.”

Your eyebrows furrowed and your body froze, going tense. 

“What do you mean something happened? Something like what- Where’s Imani?”

Monica didn’t respond immediately which only made you grow more uneasy and irate. It undoubtedly showed on your face and in your voice, as the next thing you knew, you were looking at Shuri face to face. She had slid into your line of vision with an expression of worry on her face. Between all of the sounds on the other end of the phone and your racing thoughts, the sight of her standing in front of you, obviously worried, helped ground you a little.

“They’re taking her to the hospital-”

“The hospital?”

“-There was a monoxide leak in the building and she said she wasn’t feeling well when we were evacuated. They said she’ll most likely be fine, but they just want to monitor her for the night. She also told me to grab your bag from near the door before leaving the building, so I have that with me.”

A heavy sigh left your mouth as you reached up to rub at your face. You covered your eyes as you took a second to think, trying to categorize which questions were most important to ask and which ones could wait. 

“O-okay, can you meet me at the hospital? I’m gonna visit ‘Mani, make sure she’s alright. And then I can get my bag from you- thank you, by the way. Oh, shit. I don’t know how the hell I’m going to get there-”

You were cut off by a hand landing on your wrist, gently pulling your hand away from where it still covered your eyes. They snapped open to see that Shuri had stepped closer, her worried look only deepening as she looked at you.

“I’ll take you, it’s okay. We’ll take my car.” 

You could’ve hugged her right then and there, and you were damn close to doing it. A fine mist fell over your eyes at the situation and at Shuri’s reassurance, but you only nodded quickly in thanks.

“Okay, I actually do have a ride. I’ll meet you at the hospital, okay? Thank you for calling, sis. Really.” 

Shuri’s hand was already in the middle of your back, guiding you in the direction of, presumably, where her car was parked. You let yourself be steered, her hand a firm and reassuring guidance, until you finally arrived at her parked car. If you weren’t so overwhelmed, you would’ve surely gawked at the sight of her car, undoubtedly decked out with all of the most up to date tech. Hell, the car itself probably came from Wakanda, which automatically meant that it was technologically advanced in every way possible. 

You were aware enough to notice Shuri open the door for you and wait until you were situated before running around to the drivers side and sliding in. It took less than a few seconds for her to start the car and pull off. As she effortlessly weaved around turns and bends, you could feel her constantly glancing your way, undoubtedly clocking the way you anxiously shook your leg. 

“Griot, how far to the the nearest hospital?”

You looked over at her in confusion, a question on your lips; one that was quickly answered when a voice spoke over the car’s internal speakers. 

“About 15 minutes, Princess. Roads are mostly clear and you are on the quickest route.”

“They would’ve called her parents by now, right? Isn’t that a part of a protocol? No, they most definitely called her parents, but I’m going to call them just to be safe. But I don’t want to call them and-”

Out of the corner of your eye, you could see her hand reach towards you, and only a second later, you felt it land on your knee. That was all it took for your leg to slow down in its shaking. She continued to glance at you, catching your gaze each time. Her voice was soothing as she said your name, yet it held a firm tone that helped ground you.

“Your friend will be fine, I’m sure of it. The hospital most likely already called her parents. I need you to breathe.”

The more you replayed her words in your mind, the more they made sense, making you nod quickly. They played on a loop as you turned your attention back to the windshield. Her hand on your knee hadn’t moved; if anything, her grip only tightened in just the slightest, flexing on your knee. It provided you with warmth. Safety. Security. 

All of these things you continued to feel until Shuri pulled into the parking lot of the hospital. As soon as she put the car in park, you were opening the door and sliding out, Shuri not too far behind you. She effortlessly caught up to you as you quickly walked into the hospital, checking your phone for the text from Monica that told you what room your roommate was in. 

Your steps took you to the elevator, Shuri sliding in right behind you. She stood so close to you in the elevator that her arm pressed into yours. Did she know just how much her touch affected you, in more ways than one?

The doors opened not even a minute later and then you two were stepping out, your feet instantly carrying you in the direction of the room. Your steps brought you closer to the room but as soon as you reached for the door handle, a voice was calling out to you from down the hallway. 

“Excuse me! I’m afraid you can’t go in there, only family members are allowed in after visiting hours are over.”

You let out a sigh, turning to face the nurse who had approached you. It was obvious that you weren’t the first person she had to say that line to, yet it still irritated you. 

“Ma’am, my roommate was admitted after possibly being poisoned by carbon monoxide in our dorm hall, along with countless other students. I just want to make sure that she’s okay.”

The nurse approached you, raising her hands placatingly despite your voice being just as calm, if not calmer, as hers. Your eyebrows furrowed at the gesture.

“Look, I understand that you’re worried about your friend, but I assure you she’s fine. Her parents are in there with her, they’ve been with her this entire time. We found very minimal levels of CO in her system; minimal enough that she’ll be released in the morning.”

You cast a lingering look at the door your roommate was behind before nodding. That was all the nurse needed, for she promptly turned on her heel and walked back to whatever station or assignment she had been on. The nurse’s presence was almost immediately replaced by Monica’s, and in her hand was a familiar bag that belonged to you.

“I’m glad you made it. I’m sorry to rush, but here’s your stuff. I have to get back to my sister’s room. Our parents are coming up from North Carolina, she was uh…she was in the building a little longer. They want to watch her for a few nights.”

She tried to say it as nonchalantly as possible, but you could hear the worry in her voice. It made you all the more grateful that she had still brought you your bag, even when her sister was in more of a critical condition than Imani. 

“Damn, I’m sorry, Monica. I hope she recovers quickly. Please let me know if you need anything. And thank you, so much, for getting this.”

The smile she sent you was tight around the corners, obviously forced, but somehow still genuine. She nodded, and only then did she seem to realize who the person behind you was, prompting her eyes to widen slightly. 

“Oh, Princess Shuri-”

“Just Shuri.”

Monica once again nodded at the correction from her, glancing at you incredulously. 

“Alright. Y’all take care, and I’ll see y’all later. I’ll keep you updated, okay?” Her last question was directed at you and you nodded, sending her another grateful smile. She waved before turning and going back in the direction she came from, leaving you and Shuri in the hallway.

You had to take a second to process everything that had just happened, though it was hard when you could feel a headache coming on. Amidst everything, you had absolutely forgotten that the last thing you’d need to find out would be where you would sleep for the night, or for however long it would take for the building to be checked and secured.

“You okay?”

Your head lifted from where you had placed it in one of your hands, your temple throbbing slightly. Shuri’s eyes were the first thing you saw as you looked up, as she had bent down just the slightest to be able to look you in the eye. Looking at her, it was hard to ignore the fact that the night would have been increasingly difficult if she hadn’t stuck by your side. 

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m good. Just a small headache.”

Her lips twisted into a sympathetic grimace, and then she was standing back to her full height. She nodded, placing a hand on your shoulder.

“Alright, well let's get you out of here. It’s pretty late.”

Almost as if her words reminded you that it was indeed pretty late in the night, a pang of exhaustion washed over you. You let out a breath, nodding in agreement and once again letting her basically lead you to the elevator you two had gotten off of. 

You two walked in silence all the way to the car, and it was only after you arrived did you notice that at some point, she had slipped her hand into yours. Every now and again, she would squeeze your hand, whether it was to comfort you or just remind you that she was there. Regardless, you appreciated it more than she probably knew. 

The silence continued as you both slid into the car, yet as soon as the doors closed, you were letting out a soft groan. You rubbed at your face, missing the way Shuri had turned to face you, worry plain on her face.

“What’s wrong?”

“I just realized…I’m gonna have to find a hotel and hope that it isn’t completely booked by other students.”

As you spoke, you quickly realized that finding a hotel would only happen if you asked Shuri to drive you to one. Despite not a single complaint leaving her the entire night, you still felt slightly bad about asking her to drive you somewhere once again, especially considering how late it was. 

Unbeknownst to you, while you worked up the courage to ask her for yet another favor, her eyes were flickering back and forth in your direction. Her lips were pursed in thought as one of her hands gripped the steering wheel. 

“You know, I don’t have a roommate. I have a single room, perks of being royalty, I guess.” She sounded slightly nervous, yet you didn’t clock it as you were too busy thinking over her words. Your eyes widened slightly at her insinuation, your head shaking quickly.

“Shuri, no. That’d be asking too much of you; you’ve already driven me here and stayed with me, even when you didn’t have to-”

“I didn’t have to, that doesn’t mean I didn’t want to.” Gone was the nervousness in her voice; now it was unwavering as she spoke. She looked determined as she turned more in your direction.

You were too tired to hide your shaky inhale at her words; at the prospect of Shuri genuinely wanting to stay with you and comfort you. And now at the idea of her offering her own room to you for the night. 

“We haven’t known each other for too long, but I can already tell what's going through your mind, and I can assure you that you are not inconveniencing me- at all. I am offering my place for you to stay tonight, or however long it takes until you’re able to go back to your own dorm.”

Silence descended between you two for a few seconds as you contemplated her words, eyebrows furrowed. There was no indication that she wasn’t genuine in her words, nor did you expect there to be one. But seeing the determined, reassuring expression on her face was just enough for you to cave in.

“Alright, but only if you’re sure. I don’t want to impose or anything.”

God, you wished you could’ve snapped a picture of the smile that broke across her face at your words; it was wide enough for you to see her dimples. The mere sight of it made your own appear.

“I promise, you aren’t imposing. You can’t impose on someone who enjoys your company.”

**********

You must have been more tired than you thought, because one minute you were looking out the window as Shuri drove, and the next she was crouched down inside of the passenger door, gently shaking you awake. She called your name softly, shaking your shoulder.

“Sorry to wake you, but we’re here.” Once you remembered where ‘here’ was, you jolted awake, sitting up quickly. 

“Oh, my goodness, I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you. My bad.”

A soft laugh left her mouth and she stepped back, grabbing your bag before you could get it yourself. She hoisted it on her shoulder which only left you with the task of grabbing your bookbag and stepping out of the car. You sent her a smile as you followed her into the dorm hall, yet upon entering it, you couldn’t help but be slightly impressed. Everyone knew that this specific dorm hall was one of the nicer ones on the entire campus, and you weren’t surprised that Shuri had been placed in it. However, you still were a little surprised that you were now about to spend a night in it, with Shuri, nonetheless.

“I’m on the top floor.”

“Do they have, like…suites on the top floor?” 

Her laugh echoed in the mostly empty lobby, save for the front desk attendant who simply nodded as you two walked past. She shook her head as she pressed the elevator button, the doors automatically opening. Even as you two stepped in and pressed the appropriate floor, there was still an amused smile on her face.

“No, there aren’t suites on the top floor. It’s just…for easier access.”

The doors opened and she stepped off first. You trailed after her in confusion, lowering your voice with the hopes of not waking anyone on the floor.

“What do you mean by ‘easier access’? Easier access to what, exactly?” 

You two approached the door at the end of the hall and she took her key out of her pocket. She glanced at you and shrugged lightly before turning and unlocking her door.

“The roof.”

She answered with such finality, as if you wouldn’t have follow up questions. Every one of those questioned died on your lips as she swung the door open, letting you walk in ahead of her. 

If anyone would have told you that you’d end up in Princess Shuri of Wakanda’s dorm room, readying yourself to spend the night there, you would have promptly replied with a “nah, you’re trippin”. But here you were, stepping further into her room, looking at all of the memorabilia on her walls. 

It was a spacious room, and she had filled the empty spaces with trinkets and posters, and other keepsakes. It was all an amalgamation of her own culture and the african-american culture she had grown to love during her time in the states. It was possibly the coolest room you had ever seen. 

“I have a connected bathroom that you’re more than welcome to use if you want to take a shower or anything. There are towels and washcloths already in there.” 

You nodded in response, already looking forward to taking a shower after the long day you had; and that’s exactly what you did. 

Usually, you’d take as long as you wanted in the showers in your own dorm, but for some reason, you didn’t want to take up such time. 

Who the hell were you kidding? You knew exactly why you didn’t want to take as long as usual in the shower, and it all had to do with the beautiful, cool as hell woman whose dorm you were in. You truly didn’t know when this would happen again, so maybe you just wanted to experience it in its entirety. Despite these wishes, your body protested against staying up for much longer as you stepped out of the bathroom, leaving a steamy room behind you. 

It even protested as you set your things in a corner of her room, turning to realize that there was only one bed in the room. Shuri, presumably seeing your reaction and the way you looked at her bed, stood up. She motioned slightly to the bed.

“Oh, you can have the bed. I have enough covers to make a pretty comfortable pallet on the floor.”

Pushing a loose part of your bonnet off of your forehead, you met her in the middle of the room. She seemed almost a little surprised as you approached her, but you only looked up at her while occasionally glancing at the bed in question. 

“Hell no! What? You’re not sleeping on the floor, Shuri. Not in your own room. I’ll sleep on the floor-”

“If you think you’re sleeping on the floor when you’re my guest, then you’re delusional, sweetheart.” She had the nerve to step closer, prompting the need to tilt your head a little further back. Her smirk spoke words you were almost scared to think, too afraid that you’d be reading too much into it. But the way she leaned over you, both of your individual spaces becoming one, had your face heating up. It also had you thinking nonsense- some of it slipping out before you could stop it.

“Then we’ll both sleep on the bed. Or I sleep on the floor.”

Her eyes narrowed at you for a second and maybe, just maybe, you were trippin’...but you could have sworn you saw your eyes flicker to the lower half of your face. It was in between one blink and the next, and yours were pretty slow from exhaustion, so you didn’t know what to think.

“It’s a deal. We’ll share the bed.” She emphasized her words by raising a hand into the small space between you two, offering it to you. With an eye roll, not an unkind one, you took her hand and shook it once. After letting go, she stepped back, motioning to the bed. 

“Go ahead and pick your side. I’m going to hop in the shower.” 

You didn’t make a move towards the bed until she had disappeared into the bathroom, closing the door behind her, and even then, you hesitantly walked towards it. It looked so damn comfortable, and you were so damn tired…

It didn’t take much self-convincing to grab your charger and locate the nearest outlet before crawling into…into Shuri’s bed. You turned on your side, graciously taking one of her pillows and tucking it under your head before pulling up your text messages.

It took a few seconds to send a text to Imani, one that simply said how much you were thinking of her and how you hoped she would feel better soon. You placed your phone on the table beside the bed before letting yourself get comfortable. 

You wanted so badly to wait for Shuri to exit the bathroom. Maybe you two could stay up, talking, laughing. Or maybe she would just want to go to sleep, something your body was screaming at you to do. 

In the end, your body won. The subtle smell of something that was undeniably Shuri paired with the soothing sound of the shower was enough for you to knock out. Well, for the most part. You were still awake enough to hear the bathroom door open and Shuri step out.

You heard her footsteps pause as she realized that you were close to falling asleep, and upon wrenching one eye open, you could see her sneaking around her own room in an effort to not wake you up.

“I’m not sleep yet.” You wondered if your voice sounded as tired as you thought it did. Shuri didn’t stop moving around. In fact, she merely glanced at you while grabbing her own bonnet, carefully pulling it over her curls before settling into the spot beside you. 

She reached over to the lamp, turning it off, and then she was laying on her side and facing you. You sent her a tired smile, your eyes slipping closed once more. When you spoke, your voice was basically a whisper.

“Thanks again…for letting me stay.”

“No need to thank me. I wanted to help.”

Your head nodded where it rested on the pillow. The sound of soft shuffling hit your ears, yet your eyes wouldn’t open again. Next time Shuri spoke, it seemed as if her voice was louder. No…closer.

“Y/N.”

“Hmm?”

“What soap do you use?”

There was a pause as you willed your mind to remember the scent you had been using for the last few months- one that quickly became your favorite.

“Um…I think it's called…cherry almond twirl? No, swirl. ‘S a black owned company. Hunny Bunny. Yeah.”

You felt a puff of air on your face, but were too out of it to recognize that she was laughing at your groggy voice. The gentle pressure of something on your hand that rested between you two broke through the exhaustion that clouded your mind, but it only seemed to relax you more. 

The tendrils of sleep were slowly curling around your consciousness, dragging it down until you were almost completely unconscious. 

“Hm. I like it.”

“Me too.” 

Silence descended over the room only to be broken not even a minute later by a gasp coming from your mouth followed by your eyes snapping open. Shuri’s face was closer than you had expected it to be, but you didn’t bother moving away. You didn’t want to move away. 

“Y/N? What’s wrong?” 

You lifted your head off of the pillow slightly, squinting to find her eyes in the darkness of the room. 

“You never told me about what happened today. You didn’t have a good day, and when I asked if you wanted to talk about it, you said later. It’s later.”

Shuri couldn’t keep quiet as she laughed, shaking her head where it rested on her pillow. That gentle pressure you had felt on your hand returned, and you were quick to realize that it was Shuri’s hand resting atop yours. Her thumb rubbed across your knuckles, a soothing motion that had your eyes fluttering. 

“It can wait until tomorrow. You know you’re ready to go to sleep.”

The yawn that you turned and let out into the pillow answered her assumption perfectly. Your eyes had closed when you yawned, and they didn’t open again.

“Okay. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

The smile on Shuri’s face radiated fondness and a softness that no one else on campus had seen as she watched your breaths even out. Even as she was sure that you were asleep, she continued to rub your hand, the motion that had put you to sleep relaxing her more and more.

You weren’t awake to hear her words, but she spoke them nonetheless into the darkened room.

“Goodnight, Y/N.”

Next Part

I hope you all enjoyed this part! Fun fact...I transferred all of this from google docs to tumblr, then as I was rereading it, I decided to add more. Sooo it went from 5.7k to a cool 6k. 

You remember what I said in the first author’s note......

Stay safe, y’all! <3