#n’jadaka is a menace

[i-am-in-serious-trouble]

N’Jadaka sitting back in Shuri’s brain just observing the emotional turmoil she is going through as she falls for Namor and occasionally offering shit advice

[devnicolee]

The Chosen Ones (8)

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

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

Warnings: Smut

Word Count: 6,000 words

Pairings: M’Baku x OC

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Yay.” 

“Lord M’Baku?” 

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

“Elder Kwame?” 

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

“Elder M’Kathu?”

A beat. 

“Nay.” 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Come to Jabariland.” 

“What?” 

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

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

“I would love to.” 

****

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“It is for your trip. Essential wear.” 

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

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

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

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

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

Just in case. 

****

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“What do you mean?” 

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

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

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

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

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

****

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Oh N’Danna, I need one more favor.” 

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

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

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

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

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

“I have missed you.” 

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

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

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

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

“Your quarters are perfect, thank you.” 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“How does it feel, my queen?” 

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

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

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

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

***

“My princess?” 

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

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

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

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

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

“Kide?” 

“Yes?” 

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Thank you, Kide.” 

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

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

“Asha…” 

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

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

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

“Will you marry me?” 

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

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

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

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

“D-did you all k-know about this?” 

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

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

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

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

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

****

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

[heyauntieeee]

First Impressions (1)

T’Challa X Black!Reader

Warning: Language: I said nigga way too much yo

Summary: After meeting Reader in a restaurant in the strangest way, T’Challa can’t help but be fascinated by her.

Words: 2,701

“First impressions last the longest.”

“So, what are you gonna do?” Kadijah’s question rang through your ears as you sat and ate your food. You were at dinner with your cousin and a couple of your friends in a desperate need top get out of the house. The restaurant wasn’t as crowed as it usually would be on a Thursday night. The atmosphere was pleasant, filled with the murmur of conversation and utensils clinking against the plates. No different than what was going on at your table. You shake your head and sigh. This wasn’t necessarily the desired topic of discussion for you tonight. You wanted to forget about your troubles at home, even if it were for just one night.

“I don’t know Dee,” You say putting my fork down. I sit back in my seat and sigh again. “I don’t know what I can do about the situation. I just want what’s best for Olivia. Will needs to be present in her life. That’s all I want.”

She smacks her teeth. “Ok but he barely is. He’s still fucked up from when Ciara left, he can’t hold on to that shit forever. It’s almost as if he want’s nothing to do with that child cause she not here.”

At this point you were starting to get a headache. “Can we talk about something else please? That’s the reason we came out right, to get away from all the bullshit?”

She takes a long look at me with her deep brown eyes letting you know that she was adamant about having this conversation, but she sighs, signaling that she’s giving in.

“Yeah I guess.”

You let out a breath. “Thank you.”

“Well now that we done talking bout depressing shit, can we talk about how fine them two niggas at the other table are?” your friend Gina pipes up flipping her braids over her shoulder and resting her chin on her hands. Her eyes peering over at something behind us. “Dude with the dreads got me feeling a way, I need him to rearrange my guts yesterday!”

You look at her unimpressed. “Bitch you always talkin about getting ya back blown out. Weren’t you just complaining that you couldn’t walk the other day when you hooked up with Daquan? Walked into work all bow-legged and shit. I thought you need a handicap decal.” You feign concern. “Ain’t you tired sis?”

She rolls her eyes. “Tuh! When you can’t walk that just mean he hitting it right you can call me Kevin Gates cause ion get tired!”

You stare at her “Wow.”

Kadijah shook her head. “You are triflin as hell.”

“Indeed, she is. What you need to do is find you a husband and not just some guy to fuck. I’m telling you, you’d be much more satisfied.” Your other friend Danita says looking at Gina with disgust. She just got married last year and now she thinks she’s above everyone else. She’s like that light-skinned girl from Insecure who thinks she has the perfect man and the perfect marriage, but the more layers you peel back, the more dirt you find. Not to say that you weren’t happy for her, cause you were, but you just wish she would shut the fuck up sometimes and let ya’ll single bitches live, shit.

Gina throws Danita a look. “Girl shut yo boring married ass up and besides fuck me, look at the them.”

You and Kadijah both roll your eyes and finally turn around to see 5 people sitting at the table behind us two men and three women. Two of the three women had shaved heads and were dressed in what looked like armor the red uniforms highlighted their dark skin as their alert eyes scanned the room wearing bound and determined looks on their faces letting folks know that they weren’t anyone to fuck with and they were prepared for anything to pop off. Sitting next to them was the first man, and you had to admit he was fine as hell like Gina said. His short dreads hung on the left side of his face, brown eyes, nice full lips, he looked kind of irritated though, like either he didn’t wanna be there or he wasn’t feeling the conversation that was taking place at their table. But damn even with that scowl on his face he still looked good. He was looking kinda swole too, like he was finna bust out that jacket he had on. The other girl looked to be the youngest out of all of them. Her braided hair was done up in a high bun and was wearing a black and white dress. She was talking to the man sitting next to, who, if you were being honest, the most beautiful man you had ever seen in your life. From his brow skin to the curls in his hair, large dark eyes that you could get lost in for hours, that smile and infectious laughter. Jesus Christ, he could light up a room with that smile and his full lips, not as big as the other one’s but still you could think of quiet a few things he could do with tho-

You shake your head and turn around you didn’t need those thoughts in your head with all these people around.

“He aight,” you say dismissively trying to shake off those feeling. But sis you were shook.

“Aight?” Gina questioned. “Bitch is you blind?! You see two fine black men sitting 10 feet away and you just say they aight?”

“Yeah Y/N you trippin,” Kadijah.

“I couldn’t agree more.” Danita spoke up.

You roll your eyes. “I was talking about the nigga with the dreads but go off I guess.”

“When you’re loud and wrong but ok so then what you think about the other one?” Gina asks. Like why she gotta know your opinion about shit? Nosey ass. You look away not wanting to look her in the eyes cause you knew she’s know what I thought right away. A big grin makes its way on Gina and Kadijah’s faces. Ain’t this bout a bitch.

“He’s cute,” you mumble not wanting either of them to hear you.

“I’m sorry what was that,” Dee says putting her hand up to her ear. “I couldn’t quite hear you.”

“Yeah hoe speak up,” Gina says.

“I would like to hear what you have to say as well,” says Danita. This bitch was starting to get on your nerves.

You huff. “I said he’s cute damn! Finest man I ever saw in my life. Y’all satisfied?” You fold your arms and pout. Bitches always putting you on the spot.

“Mhm I knew it! She want that di-”

“Dammit Gina!”

“You should go over there and say something,” Danita suggests. Dee and Gina nod their heads in agreement.

“Yeah and I should say ‘fuck you I ain’t doing that.’ Can we just enjoy our meal please?”

They throw their hands up and go back to eating their food. You take a sigh in relief and do the same.

Meanwhile, T’Challa, Erik, Shuri, Okoye and Ayo were at their table eating when Erik chuckles. It seems that your conversation wasn’t as quiet as you thought it was.

“What is it cousin?” Shuri asks wanting to know what was so funny.

“You know they over there talking about us, right? Well not all of us, just me T’Challa.”

“Who?” she’s really curious now.

“Them female sitting across from us. Apparently, we some ‘fine ass niggas T.’” He says full on laughing now. Shuri rolls her eyes and so does T’Challa.

“Don’t be ridiculous Erik,” he says cutting his food.

“Ain’t nothing ridiculous about it. You heard everything they said just like I did so don’t even try to deny it. That one,” he begins, pointing toward your back. “Thinks you’re the finest nigga she ever seen. I mean ion know what the fuck she talking bout but-”

“N’Jadaka!”

“And her sexy ass,” he continues pointing toward Gina. “Wants me to turn them guts inside out. And far be it from me to block her blessing.”

“Isilwanyana esilwe ngesondo” Okoye mutters as she sips her tea and Ayo chuckles. She’d much rather hear anything else in the world than hear about Erik’s sexual exploits.

Before Erik can form a rebuttal, a loud voice yells from the front of the restaurant.

“AYO E!” a tall dark-skinned man shouts and starts making his way over to their table.

“Aww shit man here this nigga go.” Erik says under his breath.

“Who is that man?” T’Challa asks.

“Man that nigga Tyrone. I used to run the street with him a until I left for MIT. I fucked his ass up cause he stole from me. I shoulda murked his shit but I let him go, made an example out his ass, but he wouldn’t let that shit go and started talking shit round the block. Said when he saw me again it was a wrap. Bitchass.”

“Bast sake,” T’Challa says pinching the bridge of his nose.

Tyrone gets to the table, folds his arms and smirks. “Wassup nigga you thought I wasn’t gon see yo ass again? I said on sight nigga and I meant that shit.”

Erik stays seated and sucks his teeth. “I see you ain’t learn the last time. Get the fuck outta here with that bullshit you ain’t bout it!”

T’Challa tries to intervene. “Excuse me sir, I understand that you have some issues with my cousin here, but I can assure you that we can settle this, how you say “beef” another way.”

Tyrone looks at him like “Man sit yo dumbass down and shut up.” T’Challa clutches his invisible pearls.

“This ain’t got shit to do with you. And as for you nigga, I want my round let’s take this shit outside.”

Erik takes a deep breath as he tries his best to keep his cool. Every bone is his body is telling him to get up and snap this nigga’s neck, but he let the man talk his shit cause he’s just been redeemed and had been trying to check his temper.

“Aye man I’m telling you now back the fuck up, you don’t want no smoke nigga”

Okoye and Ayo stand and give Tyrone a menacing look. Okoye speaks. “I suggest you leave now before anyone gets hurt. Rest assured, it won’t be them, it will be you.

“Man who the fu-”

T’Challa and Erik stop them, they didn’t want to cause even more of a scene. Other patrons were starting to look toward their table because Tyrone was so loud.

“It is ok, General no need to cause a scene.” T’Challa says. “We’ll get him out of here soon enough. Have a seat.”

“Yeah, y’all ain’t even gotta do allat I got it handled.” Erik conceded. “Imma tell you one more time keep it up and Imma rock yo shit.”

Okoye takes looks at T’Challa then looks at Tyrone and takes her seat. Ayo does the same.

Tyrone chuckles. “Bet you broads don’t think you’re so tough huh?”

Shuri is finding this entertaining as hell. “Bast, dinner and a show this is going to be fun!”

T’Challa shakes his head, trying to figure out a way to deescalate the situation. ‘I can’t have one moment of peace’ he thinks as he sits back with a sigh.

You can hear the commotion coming from the other table. You all were trying to figure out what was going on.

“Man why niggas gotta come up in a spot all loud and acting a fool?” Gina says as she strains her neck to see what was transpiring. “What the hell is going on?”

You roll your eyes. “I don’t know but he starting to get on my fucking nerves.” You say. All you wanted to so was have a nice dinner with your friends and this nigga was just killing the vibe. “And there ain’t nobody from management coming to throw his Bruhman looking ass out here yet.”

Then you hear again from across the room. “Nigga I’m not finna say it again we going outside or what?”

“That’s it!” You say turning around in your seat despite your friends’ protest.

“Y/N, don’t!” Kadijah hissed as she grabs at your arm to turn you around. You snatch your arm away.

“That nigga probably crazy as hell, you don’t know what type time he on.” Gina says.

“Gina, I don’t care that nigga is outta control messing with them for no fucking reason. Ain’t nobody doing shit so Imma handle it.”

You turn around once again and glare at the offender.

“Do you know exactly how loud and annoying you are? We can hear you all the way over here.”

They all freeze and look at you. You start to lean over your chair still looking right at Tyrone.

Tyrone looks at you and scowls. “Who the fuck you talking to?”

“I’m talking to you. What y’all exes or something you sound like a bitter baby mom.”

“Aye what the fuck is your problem yo? Turn ya ass around and eat ya food.” You were really starting to get heated. This nigga was starting to get real disrespectful and it was only so much you could take before busted his shit wide open.

“You my goddamn problem! You coming up in this bitch like you big bad and bold, tryna start shit with this dude and he ain’t even tryna fuck with you like that yet you keep running yo mouth. If was really bout shit you woulda been swung on his ass but you ain’t did shit yet. Talking all that shit and can’t even bust a grape get the fuck outta here.”

Shuri’s confused. “When did we start talking about grapes.”

T’Challa just stares at her both surprised and amused that a complete stranger would go out of her way to defend his cousin. He wasn’t sure if it was because she cared or because her dinner was being ruined by Tyrone. Either way, he was interested to see how this would play out. Even though he knew this couldn’t continue for too long as he didn’t want he, his family, or the other party to be kicked out by management.

“What would you like us to do, my King?” Okoye asks. She was growing annoyed with the commotion, but like T’Challa, she did find this stranger entertaining as well.

“Stand down for now. I don’t see this going further than exchange of words across the room. I’ll take care of it if necessary.”

Okoye’s purses her lips. “As you wish.”

Ayo just sits, watching the fuckery unfold and she is here for it.

Kadijah is desperately trying to get you to turn around and just shut the fuck up but you just can’t let it go. “Y/N turn the hell around and mind yo business!”

Tyrone smirks and still wants to talk shit. “Sweetheart I suggest you listen to ya friend cause I’m not gon say that shit a third time turn the fuck around”

“I ain’t turning shit around and I suggest you shut the hell up and go home. Cause you ain’t nothing but a fucking bully and that shit is whack as fuck!”

Erik decides to intervene before shit really gets outta hand. He turns to you. “You ain’t gotta fight my battles for me babygirl, his punk ass ain’t gon do shit, believe that.” He gives Tyrone a look so fierce that if looks could kill he’d be dead and gone.

Tyrone sucks his teeth. “Man, ion even know why we wasting time on this raggedy bitch, let’s handle this shit right now.”

Shuri shrunk back in her seat, T’Challa’s mouth hung open like a fish, Okoye and Ayo looked at each other in shock as well, Erik puts his head in his hands and mutters “Shit”. You looked back at your friends to make sure this bubblegum-built bitch was talking to you. Time literally froze. Before T’Challa could even think about standing up and doing something you speak in a low voice.

“What the fuck did you just call me?”

Y’all... I can’t even tell you happy I am to have this out. This has been in my head for months and took me over a month to write it. Y’all would’ve got it last week but my computer is a whore and she don’t like me right now but it’s cool tho. 

Anyway let me know what you think. I tried to edit and proofread as best I could so I’m sorry for any errors. And if you want to be tagged let me know!

Tags:�� @youreadthatright @muse-of-mbaku @sunigyrl @brianabreeze @misspooh @killmongersaidheyauntie @kenqueenken @princesskillmonger @ororowrites @texasbama @wawakanda-btch @purplebish @royallyprincesslilly @halfrican-heat @curls-and-crosses @princessstevens @lunaerly @tchallamakesmeh0lla @kumkaniudaku @sarahboseman @sisterwifeudaku @dramaqueenamby @laketaj24 @hearteyes-for-killmonger @pocmarvelworks @bartierbakarimobisson @adahjones @uhlxis @panthergoddessbast @babygirlofwakanda @killmongerdispussy @erikismybitch @bakarijordan @thehonorablekingerik @teheeboo @eriknutinthispoosy @wakandas-vibranium @wakanda-4evr @90sinspiredgirl

[master-sass-blast]

Strong as Stone --Part Thirty-Seven.

Well, hi there!

Last time, we got to see a wonderful little bit of fluff with Okoye and M’Baku as they planned for the future! How lovely!

This time, the future gets disrupted when Thanos shows up. That’s right, folks, we’re at Infinity War time!

For the record: I haven’t seen Infinity War. I don’t plan on seeing Infinity War. I don’t care about Infinity War. I’m rewriting Infinity War because I know I can do a better job than the Russo brothers did. If you don’t like any of that, I don’t care.

Anywho.

Rating: T for language and general tone of plot, given the context of what we’re dealing with.

Pairings: Okoye x M’Baku.

@skysynclair19, @the-last-hair-bender

All battles are a choice. Whenever you decide to pick up your spear and fight, you’re making the choice to do so. You always have the option to walk away, even when you think you don’t.

Every life you take is a choice. This isn’t to say that you’d be guilty of murder when committing an act of self-defense; it simply means that you must be aware of the choices you make and why you make them.

Not every choice you will make will mean a victory for you. Absolute success is a luxury none of us can afford. Sometimes, you will walk into battles you know you won’t win, but you’ll walk into them anyway because you choose to, whatever the reason may be.

Think carefully about your choices, my dears.

Okoye was a firm believer that Bast gave her followers signs for when shit was about to hit the fan. Little precursors that alluded to the larger insanities soon to follow.

N’Jadaka’s uprising and the fight for the throne? They’d had to endure a crazy car chase with Klaue in South Korea.

The embassy explosion and the Accords debacle? Countless incidents with the Avengers causing swaths of collateral casualties had predated all of that.

The incident where Dewani and Shuri rigged every single door --every. single. door--in the palace with fireworks? Full blood moon earlier that week.

So, when two Asgardian demigods, an Asian man dressed like some sort of martial arts-monk fusion, a group of aliens that included a talking raccoon and tree-thing, a guy that looked like a Las Vegas magician with a cape that could actually make him fly, and Dr. Bruce Banner showed up on the landing platform outside the palace in a swirl of light, she knew the sense of foreboding that crept up her spine was going to be valid. Bast help us.

“He’s collecting the Infinity stones, and once he has them he’ll wipe out half the universe.”

Okoye cast a subtle, doubtful glance at Ayo, grateful to see her own wariness mirrored in the eyes of her second-in-command and friend. We’ve seen a lot over the years, but this doesn’t even sound possible.

If the green-skinned woman --Gamora--that had arrived with the group was to be believed, a tyrannical alien overload named Thanos was in search of ‘magical’ stones that granted the bearer unimaginable powers, and that once he had them he’d destroy half the universe.

Because... reasons. Apparently.

“We already have two of the stones,” the raven-haired Asgardian --Loki--said, holding up a glowing blue cube that she recognized from War Dog intel reports as the infamous Tesseract with one hand while gesturing to the glowing green gem held in Dr. Strange’s --she laugh over that choice of name later--amulet.

“Three,” Thor --he was easy enough to recognize on his own from all the mass media coverage on the New York and Sokovia incidents--corrected. “Stark’s and Banner’s creation --Vision--has the Mind Stone. But there’s no guarantee that Thanos won’t be able to take them if he accrues the other three.”

“And what do you want from us?” Nakia asked.

“Thanos has access to an unstoppable army,” the bald, blue-skinned woman --Neubla--spat out. “He’ll find a way to get the other three stones, and then he’ll come to Earth with the last three.”

“Wakanda has the most advanced weaponry in the world,” Dr. Banner added. “If we’re going to have a shot at stopping Thanos, we’ll need your help.”

Okoye watched T’Challa carefully as he sat back in his throne, gears clearly working behind his eyes.

On one hand, the story seemed almost entirely implausible. ‘Magical’ stones, a madman that wanted destroy half the universe without rhyme or reason, alien armies...

On the other hand, she’d seen a lot of weird shit in her time, and the group standing in front of them had nothing to gain by lying.

T’Challa looked at Nakia, who nodded, then looked over at Okoye.

She pursed her lips, but nodded as well.

“I need to contact some people first,” T’Challa said with a resigned sigh.

The reunion between Tony Stark and Captain Rogers went about as well as Okoye could’ve expected.

T’Challa had called the renegade Avengers as soon as the Asgardians, the group of aliens --who had named themselves ‘Guardians of the Galaxy,’ apparently--along with Dr. Strange, Wong, and Dr. Banner were escorted from the throne room. From there, Steve had contacted Tony and told him to come to Wakanda immediately, along with Vision and whoever else was willing to help.

She still couldn’t help but smirk, just a little, as she watched Tony and Steve glare each other down. “Men.”

“Tell me about it,” Ayo muttered back as she kept a careful eye on Natasha Romanoff, alias ‘the Black Widow.’ “Give them two years and they still can’t speak five civil words to each other.”

“And yet they call women the ‘emotional ones,’” Djabi added under her breath.

“Of course we are,” Aneka whispered. “We actually interact with our emotions, instead of opting to shove them down and hide from them.”

Okoye smoothed her expression out as M’Baku and the other council members walked into the throne room, along with--

“No! No, no no! What is she doing here?”

Jhanvi grinned as Tony yelled at her. “Stark! It’s good to see you!”

“Miss Singh is working for the Wakandan Scientific Outreach program,” Shuri announced primly as she walked into the throne room, followed by Dewani and her friends. “She’s been called in to assist with weapons development and systems monitoring.”

“‘That--’” Tony pointed at Jhanvi “--is a menace--”

“We don’t have time to argue,” Thor interjected, voice heavy. “Thanos is coming. We need time to prepare.”

Okoye grimaced as the groups of former Avengers and various heroes all started arguing with each other. If this alien overlord is actually real, we are screwed.

The look on Ayo’s face told her the Commander was thinking the exact same thing.

Fortunately, between Sam and T’Challa, the two men managed to get everything calmed down enough to make working through the facts possible.

Fact: Thanos was in possession of an item called the Infinity Gauntlet, which would allow him to wield the powers of the Infinity Stones once he had them.

Fact: They currently had three of the Infinity Stones in their possession, but no one knew where the other three were or how to stop Thanos from getting his hands on them.

Fact: Thanos would, eventually, make his way to Earth to procure the last three Infinity Stones.

Fact: Thanos would bring along his army and other warriors to help him procure the last three stones.

Fact: If Thanos managed to get his hands on all six stones, it meant the end of the world.

This is insane, Okoye thought as she listened to T’Challa, Thor, Gamora, and Tony talk back and forth. This is actually insane.

She’d been taught from a young age on not to assign labels like ‘impossible’ to a situation. Every obstacle was a problem waiting to be solved, and all one had to do was find the solution. Not always easy, but not impossible.

But she’d already calculated the odds. Run through possible strategies and scenarios over and over while listening to the others assess the status quo.

They were in over their heads. Way over.

Before she had a chance to voice the obvious --that things were shaping up for a brutal fight they couldn’t win--the windows behind T’Challa’s throne started shaking.

Her spear was ready and in her hands before a flash of gold light swept over the room.

A massive, hulking, purple-skinned alien dressed in gold armor stood in the center of the room, lips curled into a smirk as he assessed them the way a boy with a magnifying glass assessed a cluster of ants.

Even if the pompous armor and physical markers hadn’t tipped her off, the way the Guardians quickly made a barrier between the newcomer and Gamora and Nebula was all the confirmation Okoye needed. So. This is Thanos.

“He’s a lot uglier than I was expecting,” Dewani stage whispered to Izgebe, who had to clap a hand over her mouth to stifle a snort.

“I take it you must be Thanos,” T’Challa said as he eyed the intruder cautiously. “And that you must have good reason to appear in my throne room without warning.”

“I am.” His voice boomed across the room, deep and full of the type of pride that often accompanied those who had made their way through life with minimal challenge to their status or way of thinking.

It made her skin crawl with unease.

“I’m here to offer you all a chance to shape destiny. To play a role in weaving of the fabric of fate.”

“You want us to help you collect the Infinity Stones,” Nakia surmised, eyes narrowed.

“I am a reasonable man,” Thanos said with a nod. “I am not a lover of violence and senseless bloodshed. If you hand over the stones already in your possession, you have my word that I will not return to Terra or unleash my armies upon you.”

“And if we don’t?” Tony asked.

“Destiny has chosen me to bring balance to the universe. No one can stop it, not even me. I will do whatever I must to complete my life’s purpose.”

“Yeah, whatever, but what gives you the right to destroy half the universe?” Dewani asked with an impertinent sneer.

“This is not about destruction. This is about balance. The universe is expanding beyond what its finite resources can sustain. Life must be culled to ensure its survival.”

“Genocide in the name of survival,” Peter Parker --a teenager that had come in with Tony that Okoye recognized as ‘Spiderman’ from T’Challa’s recounting of the airport fight after the embassy bombming--muttered. “I’ve heard that before. It didn’t wind up working.”

“Wait, pause a minute,” Dewani said, pinching the bridge of the nose. “You’re looking for the Infinity Stones, which could basically make you all powerful. Why not just... make infinite resources?”

“Solve global warming,” Peter added.

“End world hunger,” Abayomi suggested.

“Make space travel and colonization more readily accessible and affordable,” Shuri said.

“Eradicate all known diseases, disorders, and disabilities,” Izgebe spoke up.

“Create world peace,” Fukayna said.

“Guys, I got it!” Dewani said with a dramatic gasp. She pointed at Thanos. “This guy’s a moron!”

Okoye kept her eyes carefully trained on Thanos while the teenagers cackled and crowed. They were funny, yes, but anyone who was willing to make genocide his first choice wasn’t likely to be fond of being mocked.

“I mean, what kind of fucking idiot--”

“Enough!” Thanos snapped, proving her theory. “I did not come here to waste my time with children’s foolish antics.”

“And yet you wasted your time anyway,” T’Challa interjected, voice sharp and posture tense, clearly ready to jump in if the purple madman so much as looked at Shuri --or any of the other teens--wrong. “You won’t find anyone in Wakanda who would help you commit genocide.”

After a quick glance at the others, confirming that everyone else in the room was willing to side with T’Challa, Thanos let out a huff of haughty laughter. “So be it. Since I am merciful, I’ll give you three days to reconsider. If you won’t by then, I’ll just take what I need.” He tapped at a device strapped to his wrist and disappeared in another flash of gold light.

“Merciful?” Nebula spat out, seething and visibly trembling as Mantis tried to soothe her. “He cut out a part of me every time I failed, and he calls himself merciful?”

“Do you really think he’ll be back in three days?” Peter asked, a little wide-eyed from the encounter.

“There’s no way he won’t be,” Gamora said. “He needs all of the Infinity stones to execute his mission.”

“Well, in that case, we better get busy,” T’Challa said as he stood. “Thanos has given us a deadline; we need to make sure we’re ready for him when he comes back.”

Everyone divided off into teams almost immediately.

Jhanvi and Shuri immediately took off for the lab, taking Peter, Nebula, Dr. Banner, Vision, and Tony with them. “We’re going to need a mass amount of weapons,” Shuri had tossed over her shoulder as she’d darted out of the throne room. “The sooner we get started, the better!”

Dewani had also left almost immediately, heading back to the Jabari lands with Fukayna, Izgebe, and Abayomi. “I’ve got an idea, and they need you here for the bulk of the planning,” she’d said to M’Baku. “It’ll be fine; stop worrying.”

Shortly thereafter, Thor had left with Loki, the talking raccoon --Rocket, apparently--and the talking tree --which only said ‘I am Groot’ over and over--to remake his hammer that allowed him to wield lighting.

Because her day just couldn’t get any weirder.

That left the remaining Guardians, Captain Rogers and his group, Tony Stark and his friend Lieutenant Colonel Rhodes, T’Challa, M’Baku, Ayo, and herself to plan the inevitable battle.

There are too many people in this damn room, she thought with no small amount of irritation as she listened to Star Lord and Stark argue about how to handle things.

“What do they even do?” Tony snapped, gesturing at Mantis and Drax.

“Kick names, and take ass,” Mantis said, too emphatic to be sarcastic.

“Bast help us,” Ayo muttered in Wakandan as she physically braced herself against a nearby chair.

They did, eventually, manage to work out a plan. Shuri and Jhanvi would spend the next three days mass producing as many drone weapons as possible, which Jhanvi would control from the lab. Shuri had her team working on making other weapons for Captain Roger’s team to use, while Tony was working on upgrading his, Rhodes’s, and Peter’s suit.

Sam, Rhodes, Vision, and Tony would be in charge of running air defense along with Jhanvi; take out as many of Thanos’s army without ever getting close to them.

Clint, along with the Wakandan snipers, would work on the back line; take out any stragglers or those that tried to breakaway, and generally keep an eye on everyone’s back.

T’Challa’s Border Tribe army, M’Baku’s warriors, the Dora Milaje, Dr. Strange and Wong, and the other Avengers and Guardians would take on the rest of Thanos’s children and the mad Titan himself, along with whatever army members the other groups couldn’t handle.

No one was sure when Thor and Loki would return, but everyone trusted that they’d fall into place in the battle when they did.

They’d done as much as they could to prepare for the onslaught that awaited them, less than a day away. Which was precisely why Okoye was knelt in front of a statue of Bast in Birnin Zana’s main temple for the Panther goddess.

She believed in doing for herself what she could --she’d always believe it. But she wasn’t about to leave the lives of her friends, of the people she loved, in her hands alone.

Be with us, Okoye prayed, head bowed. Ensure our victory over Thanos. We’ve done all we can.

A nagging doubt in her stomach told her it wouldn’t be enough, but she knew better than to entertain that thought for too long --or at all.

She stood, blew out the candle she’d lit before starting her prayer, and walked out of the temple.

“You should be in bed.”

“I could say the same about you.”

She shared a brief, wry smile with M’Baku that faded all too quickly, wicked away by the knowledge of what was coming.

For as much as dwelling on the possibilities didn’t help, it was entirely possible that one or both of them would be dead by the end of all this.

They stared at each other for a long moment, eyes burning with dread and foreboding, and then M’Baku was crossing the space between them, crushing her against his chest, kissing her until they were both gasping.

If this is my last night alive, I’m going to enjoy it, dammit, Okoye thought as M’Baku carried her to his bed. She broke the kiss long enough, planting a hand against his chest to slow him down, to look him in the eye and whisper the words “I love you.”

M’Baku let out a soft sigh, eyes closing as he pressed his forehead against hers. “And I love you. More than anything in the world.”

There wasn’t anything else she could say to that, so she yanked him back down to her and kissed him.

[youcantkillamutant]

A Map Made in Heaven (Chapter 6)

Prologue…Chapter 1…Chapter 2…Chapter 3…Chapter 4...Chapter 5

Author: youcantkillamutant

Fandom: Marvel (Black Panther)

Pairing: Erik Stevens/Killmonger x Black!OC

Summary: Erik ‘Killmonger’ Stevens is the biggest bootlegger in South Carolina, but he wants to be more than the middle man. After he receives a letter from an ‘old friend’ of his father, he embarks on a quest to find his homeland. Enter Audrey Cade, the finest mapmaker in the County.

Warnings: Mentions of slavery, death, and a lil angst

Words: 7K+

A/N: Back with that 1920’s AU! This is the final chapter before the epilogue y’all. I literally wrote this all today I don’t even know who I aim anymore I can’t even believe I wrote all this???? Thank you to everyone for reading liking and reblogging and recommending (!?!??!) this story. I love that y’all read and review. That stuff always makes my day! 😘😘😘

I only own my original characters of course. As usual Marvel don’t sue me I’m broke.

Listening to: Falling for Me by Johnnyswim, WATER (IF ONLY THEY KNEW) by Kojey Radical ft. Mahalia, XXX by Kendrick Lamar and City Burns by Andra Day

If ever there was a chapter to listen to the suggested songs, it’s this one! 

CHAPTER VI

June 28, 1920: Wakanda

“What exactly are we looking at here?” Erik didn’t mean to sound rude, only annoyed. W’Kabi had interrupted his night with Audrey to show him what exactly?

The duo lurked in the hall just outside the garden of the Heart Shaped Herb. Erik had never bothered to spend much time here, even as a kid. He much preferred the Royal Greenhouse to this singular garden. Cast in the purple glow from the flower itself, the whole room looked like a menacing dream. Women in long robes shuffled around, standing and stooping to complete their duties along the way.

“Zuri has been sending gardeners away all week. They leave with something wrapped in cloth and return with nothing.” Just as W’Kabi said it, a gardener scurried off with a cloth wrapped package.

“What does that have to do with me?”

“He started doing it the second you arrived my Prince.” Erik’s head spun with the possibilities, but he didn’t latch onto anything just yet. He needed to do some research.

“W’Kabi, tomorrow, I’m going to talk to a few people who knew my father. You coming?” W’Kabi nodded easily. He didn’t know N’Jadaka anymore, the princeling had changed a great deal in his time away from Wakanda, but those changed seemed to be for the better.

“Anything you need my Prince.”

—o—

Zuri of Badu was running out of time. He’d never been a stupid man, so why he deluded himself into believing he could hide the truth made no sense at all. Still his brain scurried like a rat, reaching for life rings in the form of ideas that would never truly save him. The evidence of his service to T’Chaka was littered around his room. There were small things he’d never gotten rid of, only swept under his bed and behind his wardrobe until he forgot about them completely.

It was like N’Jadaka was the catalyst for all of these things resurfacing. Like an earthquake, he shook evidence free. Tickets flutters from the place in the rafters of his room, dust trickling down alongside it. A blindfold found its way from under the bed. A bloody panther claw rolled out from underneath the wardrobe.

Each of these items he sent to burn. He promise T’Chaka there would be no evidence, and in since the deed had been done, he grew lethargic in its wake. Now the prince had returned, and the Gardener scuttled to complete a twenty year old task.

—o—

June 29, 1920: Wakanda

Erik rose with the sun to meet Nelene Okiyete. Nelene was one of the two chairwomen for the Wakandian Farmers Association. The other was her twin sister Mokate. Nelene was a stocky woman, skin darkened by the sun and arms strengthened by working the land. She had a smile a mile wide and welcomed N’Jadaka to her lands with open arms.

“Come in, come in my prince.” She shuffled N’Jadaka into a sunroom that overlooked her vast fields.

“I must admit, I was happy to hear that the lost prince hadn’t lost his love for the land. Just like his mother.” N’Jadaka could only smile and duck his head at the mention of his mother, heart twinging at the thought of her.

“Thank you for having me over Aunti.” Nelene waved him off and poured some tea, gesturing for N’Jadaka to seat on the plushly cushioned wicker chairs. He sank into the seat reaching for a cookie from the low silver table. No doubt it was made of vibranium or gilded to look so.

“How is Kae doing?” Nelene asked innocently as she child into a chair of her own beside N’Jadaka. She could see so much of his father in him. The quiet intellect that simmered beneath the surface, how his eyes scanned every part of a room the second he entered, those sharp little ears.

“What?” Nelene nodded to Erik’s hair and his hand shot up to the dreads.

“I’d know her work anywhere.” N’Jadaka nodded uncomfortably, flashes of his last meeting with Mrs. Kae flooding his mind as shame filled his gut. He wondered what Kae would think of him now, having found Wakanda.

“She’s alright.” Nelene nodded into her tea, taking another sip before speaking.

“Well you’ve got me here Prince, what do you want to know?”

“Anything you can tell me about my father and Zuri would be good.”

“Your father and Zuri?” N’Jadaka only nodded intently, encouraging Nelene to continue.

“There’s not much to tell. I’m pretty sure those two hated each other.”

“Did they always?” Nelene nodded and then slowed, biting her lip and furrowing her brow. Thinking.

“I suppose not. I think Zuri’s true anger reared its head when N’Jobu met your mother. Bast he had stars in his eyes for that women and no one could shake them free. Not that I blame him. Your mother was a beauty.” Nelene winked her brown eyes at Erik jovially.

“N’Jobu couldn’t do enough for that girl. Always coming to Wakanda to bring her fresh blooms and new seeds. He would have done anything for that woman. Would have done anything for you too.” She nodded to N’Jadaka seriously.

“So Zuri hated my pops because he was in love?”

“I don’t think that was it.” She paused and glanced around. “I overheard a conversation between the King, your Father and the Gardener once. N’Jobu was trying to convince the king to provide aid to the Southern American states. Zuri and the king would not have it.”

Nelene could remember the conversation like it was yesterday. She had just finished her first meeting as secretary for the WFA and may have found herself a bit lost on the way out. The trio stood there bickering back and forth like children about the fate of an entire country.

“The King said something along the lines of ‘I cannot rule Wakanda and the Southern United States brother’ and N’Jobu grew increasingly frustrated.” Nelene turned to see N’Jadaka nearly tipping forward out of his chair to listen. She gave him a sad smile.

“I’ve never seen your father so angry before. By all accounts, he was the fun brother.” A small chuckle escaped her mouth. “But not after what the King had said. Bast he was heated. He told the king that ‘This is not about ruling or power’” Nelene paused for effect, turning her entire body towards N’Jadaka

“N’Jobu practically spat the words at his brother. He told T’Chaka ‘We have turned our backs on our brethren for too long. If we do not check ourselves now it will be too late to salvage even a sliver of our humanity ubhuti.’”

“And Zuri?”

“Zuri comforted the King.”

—o—

Audrey had work to do. The next Council meeting is in a few days, and she promised Shuri to have the maps done by then. In return, Shuri had slid an impossible amount of American Dollars into her suitcase. Audrey nearly had a heart attack when she saw the envelope. She would have never thought to charge that much for a commission like this, but she is working with royalty.

She made her way to the Lab to find Shuri and continue her work. Music was blasting from the space as usual, it made it easier to find in the winding hallways and staircases of the vast Wakandan palace. Shuri was jumping up and down excitedly as she spoke to Ayo, who listened on, unamused.

“…and that way the bucket falls on his head.” Shuri slapped her hands together excitedly and Ayo rolled her eyes.

“Shuri, what are you talking about?”

“Oh nothing dear cousin.” Audrey raised her eyebrow and Shuri crumbled.

“Fine. Ayo and I were just planning a little prank for the king and his future advisor, cousin.”

“I am not planning anything. I am merely in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Audrey’s smile lifted at Ayo’s smart retort and it only took a second for her to respond.

“I want in.” Shuri pumped her arm excitedly whispering ‘yes!’ while Audrey continued. “And why are you calling me cousin? We aren’t related.”

“Not yet, but I am sure we are about to be cousin. I saw the way N’Jadaka gazed at you. That man is point two seconds from professing his love to you and proposing.” Audrey couldn’t keep her heart from jumping at the idea of it, but she still shook her head at Shuri.

“He’s not focused on me. He’s got too much ambition to focus on me Shuri.”

“Sure.” Shuri rolled her eyes at Audrey’s comment. She’d spent plenty of time with N’Jadaka since his return and she could tell her cousin was 100% gone on Audrey. She watched his eyes dart to Audrey every time she entered a room. His hand hovered behind her back whenever they walked together. His eyes twinkled whenever they bantered. Bast, at this point Audrey could propose and he’d say yes.

“I didn’t come down here to plan pranks with you though. I need to keep working on those maps of Jabariland for the Council meeting.” Shuri had mentioned that Audrey could use the old cartographer’s office today and she was ready to spread out. The desk in her room was perfectly adequate for letter writing, but she needed more space. For the first time since she’d arrived in Wakanda, Audrey missed Cade’s Atlas.

Catching on quickly, Shuri led Audrey back up the steps of the Lab. She wove them through small walkways Audrey had never noticed before and expansive rooms that held windows bigger than her apartment. Finally they reached a room with a wooden door. The only wooden door Audrey had ever seen in the palace.

“The old cartographer married a Jabari woman. This was a gift from her wife I think. We haven’t had an official cartographer since before I was born though.” The door swung open to reveal a room twice the size of Cade’s Atlas. The vibranium floors, while dusty, still glittered. A large window was covered with a dark heavy drape and Shuri coughed as she pulled it open.

“Baba used to warn me against going in here. Said I would be bored to tears.” Shuri shrugged as she found the light switch. The bulbs took a moment to flick on, and Audrey was stunned to see the immaculate vibranium table. Half of it was covered in glass and lit from beneath creating an amazing lightbox, and the other half was the smoothest surface she’d ever felt. Her fingers itched to dip a pen in ink and get to work.

—o—

July 2, 1920: Wakanda

Audrey paced the vibranium floor so much she thought shed run a hole in it. She’s finished mapping Jabariland days ago. That wasn’t what compelled her to pace. That wasn’t what tied her stomach in knots. That wasn’t what kept her completely puzzled. When she had first started working in the old cartographer’s office, she’d flown through the Jabariland commission. She even made the changes Shuri suggested before tracing a copy in archival ink.

She found the maps on the lightbox. Audrey was planning to neatly pile all of the papers to the side of the table so she could finish up the commission, but the maps on the lightbox would let her. So instead, she studied them. They were maps of Wakanda and the southern states. In the mid 1800’s the island looked to be 500 or so miles away. But when she placed the map from 1900 over top of it, the island seemed to be drifting farther into the sea. Another map from 1905 confirmed her suspicions.

According to these maps Wakanda was drifting out to sea. Which in itself wasn’t too much of a cause for alarm, but there were numbers—calculations written all over the maps. This drifting wasn’t natural, it was plotted, planned, calculated even, and right underneath the calculations on every map was T’Chaka’s name, scratched in black ink.

It was more advanced than anything she had ever seen. No one had ever moved land mass like this. It shouldn’t have been possible. Audrey knew that Wakanda was advanced but she never imagined something like this. And why would T’Chaka push the island further away from civilization. Sure the south isn’t the greatest place to live, but southerners are notorious for being friendly neighbors. Why would anyone go to so much trouble? To push an island into the sea?

Audrey thought for a moment about telling Erik. He might be able to explain some of this, but something stopped her. This was bigger than whatever they were. It was definitely bigger than what Erik probably knew. This is a question for the king. Audrey bit her lip and pushed away the pang of betrayal she felt when she wrote Erik off. T’Challa is king, he has to know about this first.

It took her half a day to sketch copies of the maps, but by lunchtime she had gathered them into a thin folder. It took her another half day to write a note to T’Challa. She wasn’t sure how to word any of this, especially if T’Challa had no idea this was happening so she did her best to be concise. The moon illuminated the sky by the time she finished.

Winding her way through the palace, Audrey made it to T’Challa’s office. She only knew where it was because it was right beside Erik’s. She caught sight of his glittering vibarnium nameplate and smiled. N’Jadaka Udaku, Advisor to the King. Erik had come a long way, hell he had come home. Audrey hoped this wouldn’t ruin anything for him, hoped that her curiosity wouldn’t get her in trouble. Still unsure of her decision, Audrey slid the papers under T’Challa’s door praying to whoever was listening that she made the right decision.

—o—

Zuri could remember the night it all happened. He was a garden apprentice then, only trusted to purify the water and prune the new growth. T’Chaka and N’Jobu had made their way into the garden, voices carrying angrily as they drifted closer to Zuri. On his knees Zuri could just see their figures huddled close.

“Brother you can not keep pushing the island away from this! They will come soon enough.” N’Jobu had never cared for their plan to push the island further away from the mainland.

“I know you are upset about your wife, but moving Wakanda is the only way to keep our people safe.”

“This is not about my wife. This is about Wakanda brother.”

“Are you sure about that ubhuti?”

“As your trusted advisor, I propose we go to the mainland.” Zuri had to hold back a scoff at the use of the word ’trusted.’ T’Chaka hadn’t trusted his brother since the day he returned from the mainland, calling for a better future for people that were not his own.

“Talk to the people there, fight for them. If we build those people up—If we build our people up, protecting Wakanda from the mainland’s oppressors will no longer be an issue brother. If we welcome them home, they will see its importance. They will help us protect it, just as we helped them.”

“This is too great a problem to bend to your ridiculous ideologies N’Jobu.”

“So you would hide us away?” T’Chaka was silent for a time, Zuri held his breath even tighter then.

“We must help them. They are people just like us. They come from our lands, they are our people.” The rest transpired so quickly Zuri could not fathom it. The pair fought for that last time that night, and when Zuri scrambled and surveyed the scene he retched. The king on his knees, his brother in his lap, a gleaming vibranium claw stuck in his chest.

“My King. I am sorry.” Zuri could remember the embarrassment that flamed in his queasy stomach after vomiting in front of the king.

“Zuri, speak nothing of this day.” Zuri had agreed, even offered his assistance in any way he could. The king commanded he clean up the mess of N’Jobu, and they plotted what to do with N’Jadaka. From that day on, they were co-conspirators. Now the king was dead, another in his place, and Zuri, son of Badu could do nothing but choke on the secrets and the lies.

—o—

Another morning in the fields and another afternoon at the palace. Nelene had been helping N’Jadaka with well…everything. She taught him how to test the soil, and replot the land. She helped him research the best hops that would grow in the Wakandan climate and encouraged him to try a few different seedlings along with his main planned harvest.

Overnight, Nelene had become like a mother to him. Erik remembered when he would sit with his mother at the end of every winter. He would swing his feet beneath the wooden kitchen chair as he sat at the table with his mother, plotting the coming year’s harvest. She would always let him chose a new plant to try, grinning when he chose something outrageous. Still somehow, his mother made something grow.

He had to blink away the memory when he arrived at the palace before being swept away by his tutors. He’d already had all of the lessons he could from Ramonda, and the Council demanded he be well versed in all things Wakanda, but there were only so many senseless Wakandian etiquette rules that a man could take before he felt ready to bump off the next person who demanded he greet his cousin like a ‘king.’

Erik sighed with relief when he was finally released from his classes, deciding to make his way to the greenhouse. He could catch up with W’Kabi another time. For now, he just wanted to breathe in the plants and admire their color. Halfway to the royal hothouse he ran into Okoye. The two had never talked much, silently sized each other up and ignoring the need for communication. Apparently, that was over for Okoye.  

“I have half a mind to ask you what you are really doing in Wakanda, but even I am not bold enough to question royalty.” Erik rolled his eyes and held back a snort. He’d seen the general in Council meetings. She couldn’t hold her tongue any more than he could hold his.

“You can relax Okoye. I’m not here to to anything but farm my father’s land.” An easy lie for it was a half truth. Erik still searched for the truth of what happened to his father, but Okoye didn’t need to know that.

“So you are N’Jadaka Udaku, the first Wakandan prince without ambition?” Her voice dripped with skepticism, and N’Jadaka shook his head.

“I didn’t say all that. Just that I don’t want no dinky ass chair to get fat in.” Okoye studied him for a long while. He raised his brow in challenge and she nodded in acceptance.

“Kuba ngumthetheli ongenakunqwenela. Ubukumkani abukho indawo yezihlunu.” With that warning uttered she marched off, leaving N’Jadaka to his devices.

—o—

July 3, 1920: Wakanda

“Shuri!” The prank went off without a hitch. Well, sort of. Erik was supposed to get hit with the water too, but he was a bit too fast for the bucket.

“It wasn’t all me brother! Audrey did it too!”

“Shuri!” Audrey gasped the name and whipped her head back to a bewildered T’Challa. “I didn’t sir, um I mean, your majes—” Audrey couldn’t continue her fumbling because Erik had burst out laughing.

Audrey had never seen him like this, clutching his sides and bending over in glee. Shuri wasn’t much better, even Ayo cracked a smile. Still, Audrey was happy that the throne room sat relatively empty. The queen was there, sat regally in her throne. A few of the Dora were there too, Okoye doing a much better job at hiding her amusement than Ayo.

“Audrey, do you have a moment?” Shuri’s laughter ended abruptly. Erik whispered ‘ohhh’ like a school child. Audrey squared her shoulders and followed Ramonda’s retreating form while Shuri and Erik whispered back and forth.

Audrey followed Ramonda through the ornate palace halls squinting as the sunlight strobed in her face as she passed window after window. She wasn’t sure if she was meant to catch up to Ramonda or stay behind but after a few minutes of walking she nearly bumped into Ramonda’s back when she stopped in the center of the hallway.

They had passed a few doors along the way, glittering with vibranium locks and panther carved handles, but now there were only paintings. Paintings of prestigious Kings and Queens, panthers and generals. Ramonda had stopped the pair in front of a painting of a woman. The entire image was cast in blue. Violet and cerulean glanced off of the woman’s broad nose and left a dreamy glint in her big brown eyes. With her left arm outstretched Ramonda grazed her fingers along the wall beneath the painting.

“Years ago, my mother was the country cartographer.” The vibranium nameplate gleamed under her brown thumb. Cebisa Undakewe, Official Cartographer of Wakanda.

“She travelled all over the island mapping courses and painting worlds on paper. She was the first to map Jabariland. She was the only one they allowed in. I can still remember when the king requested her presence in the palace. It was how I met T’Chaka.” Ramonda’s face drifted into a soft smile.

“He was so rude to my mother, I told him off. I Let him know that no one, prince or otherwise speaks to my mother with anything less than respect. I can still see the shock on his face!” She chuckled a bit, and Audrey’s face lifted into a tight smile still wondering what she was doing here.

“You remind me of her. I can see a world of wonder in your eyes. They way you hold your pen…Bast she never went anywhere without a pen.” Ramonda pressed her thumb into the wall, and to the right the wall split, drifting into the floor and ceiling respectively.

“The king was impressed when he saw my mother’s map. Hired her on the spot. Gave her this room to map the world ten times over.” Ramonda gestured for Audrey to walk in ahead of her and after another moment of hesitation she did.

The room itself wasn’t much to look at in comparison to the rest of the palace.

“I don’t mean to be rude Queen Ramonda, but—”

“Why did I bring you here?” Audrey nodded. “I’ve kept this place a secret for longer than I care to remember. I was hiding it. After my mother died I would come here until it no longer smelled like her sweet jasmine and cocoa scent. When that faded I could not bring myself to return. T’Chaka did not understand the pain of it, losing a mother, but I could not fathom another being in this space, her space. Until I met you.”

“You tumbled onto our little island and brought my nephew home. I prayed to Bast for him back and She dropped you into our laps like a gift. My mother would want you to create more worlds here. I want you to use her space as she did in the past.” Revive her memory. If only for a moment.

“Queen Ramonda I—”

“Please, call me Ramonda, or Auntie if that suits you.” Audrey’s eyes widened at the queen’s wink and she nodded.

“I do hope you stay Audrey. N’Jadaka is very clearly taken with you, as he should be.”

“Enkosi.”

“Your Wakandan is getting better!” Audrey could only nod bashfully. She wasn’t perfect, but she was trying.

—o—

July 5, 1920: Wakanda

“Stevens! Wait up.” Each day since she returned from Jabariland Audrey saw Erik in his father’s fields talking to all manner of people. Farmers mostly she assumed, but sometimes a guard slipped into the crowd, or a Border Tribesman. Audrey knew that N’Jobu had never had any sort of official affiliation with the tribe, so this had to be a new alliance. The idea of an alliance of any kind made Audrey…suspicious.

“Hey babydoll, what do you need?” Erik’s answer was easy. After all talking to Audrey had become eat most simple thing in his life at the moment. He hadn’t told her anything about the clandestine meetings, or his heavy surveillance of Zuri. She was a smart broad but she didn’t need to know all of that.

“What are you up to?” Erik should have known that he wouldn’t get anything past Audrey. He should have been surprised that Audrey held her tongue for this long. Instead, he let her question roll off of his back.

“What do you mean A?”

“I mean why are you meeting with the Border Tribe.”

“There’s something going on here Audrey. I need to get to the bottom of it.”

“Of course there’s something going on here. There are a million things going on here! It’s a Royal Court Stevens! That doesn’t mean you need to do whatever it is you’re doing now. I thought you came here for land. To start farming it and brewing and selling? have you forgotten about that?”

“Of course I haven’t forgotten. But ever since we got here, things have been strange Audrey. Certain stories just don’t add up.”

“What stories?”

“My disappearance for one. Everyone thinks I was taken by Klaue. That he killed my father and kidnapped me, but that’s not what I remember.”

“I thought you didn’t remember it at all.” Audrey remembered him mentioning that when they were first working on the map, that he couldn’t remember exactly how he got to America from Wakanda, just that he did.

“I don’t remember much. Just a blindfold, leaves brushing against my arms and silence.”

“That’s not nothing. Eri—” Audrey was interrupted yet again by a small Wakandan man. he held a satchel and a tablet the lit up his face. The back of it gleamed with solar panels and it fit into the palm of his hand. He tapped the screen with his fingers frustrated, murmuring about ‘annoying prototypes’ and something in Wakandan she couldn’t understand.

“Miss Cade, there’s a letter for you from Jabariland.” He tapped the screen a few more times with his pointer finger and then dug into his satchel for a small envelope. It was brown, and covered in childlike lettering. The stamp held an image of a Gorilla with the word Hanuman stamped below it. Audrey was so stunned to receive a letter that Erik had to take it for her.

He studied the woman he had grown to admire closely. He knew at some point she had to have received a letter from someone but this one seemed to trigger her somehow. Audrey’s mind flashed to the last time she had gotten anything hand delivered like this.

In Audrey’s eyes this man looked just like the other postman that knocked on the door of Cade’s Atlas nearly a decade ago. Tired eyes and slouching back, spine curving into a ‘c’ under the weight of his messages.

“Miss Cade, I am sorry to have to share this news with you, but on his latest expedition your grandfather met an untimely end—” Audrey had stopped listening then, having heard all she needed to know. A large envelope fell into her hands. The deed to Cade’s Atlas among other things. Erik’s voice interrupted Audrey’s detached memory.

“Audrey! Babydoll, hey.” Erik waved his hands in front of her, crowding her space and shuffling her towards the wall and away from the center of the hallway. “What the hell is going on? You want me to get rid of this thing?” Erik motioned to the letter in his hand and Audrey snapped back into action, snatching the brown paper from his hands.

“No. I—I got it, thanks.” Audrey ran her hands over the rough brown paper, admiring the pulp and blotchy ink.

To: Bincinke Audrey Cade

From: Princess Ti of the Jabari Tribe

With a smile and a deep breath Audrey broke the chunky wax seal. There were two pieces of parchment folded into the envelope, one a letter that detailed all of Ti’s exploits with her sisters and a question on when Audrey would return to Jabariland; the other was a map “home to Jabariland. Just in case you forget bincinke!” Audrey breathed out a laugh at the map’s title, and Erik couldn’t stop himself from speaking.

“Audrey, what was that abo—l” He could see Audrey shutting down, her lips closing tightly and eyes going hard. “Never mind, what did you get?”

“It’s a map. Ti drew it for me.” Audrey ran her fingers over the chunky hills and watery lakes that lay between the palace and Jabariland. Erik came around to her shoulder, leaning over it. He was so close to Audrey that his breath fanned the page and she could smell the earth on him.

“Cute.” Audrey nodded, and the pair resumed their palace stroll. Erik standing closer to Audrey than before and studying her for any sign of…whatever had just happened. They ambled past the kitchens and library in silence nearly at the Council Chambers before Audrey spoke again.

“What are you going to do?” Erik took his time formulating his response. He knew Audrey would wait for him. Raised voices from the Council room interrupted his thoughts and drew his and Audrey’s attention.

“You were never going to tell me? That my father the King—Bast Zuri.” It was T’Challa speaking to Zuri the succinct gardener that also happened to be T’Challa’s most trusted advisor.

“How could he kill his own brother?”

“N’Jobu was never fit to lead Wakanda. He always had his eyes in another man’s revolution. When N’Jobu came to the Council begging to aid the newly freed slaves in building their lives, T’Chaka refused. He knew Wakanda would stretch itself too thin.”

Zuri could remember that night. T’Chaka had sent the Council home after a full hour of arguing went on between him and N’Jobu. The sun has melted into the horizon and the moon rose from the sea. Still the pair fought.

“How can you turn your back so easily brother? And to actively push the island away from the mainland…I assume the Council does not know.” N’Jobu had been disturbed to learn of T’Chaka’s plan to push the island farther into the sea. Zuri saw no problem with the action. It was the only way to keep Wakanda out of the clutches of oppressors who would see to pillage the island they so deeply love. The country they so violently fought for.

“I am not our father. I refuse to indulge every one of your whims N’Jobu. I have a country to lead.” T’Chaka had been dismissive of N’Jobu’s pleading since his coronation. N’Jobu did not understand what had happened to cause such a marked change in his brother’s ideals. He could still remember the days they vowed to free the mainlanders of their chains and help them build a Wakanda on the coast.

“What is that supposed to mean ubhuti?”

“It means that Father turned his head when you brought that white man into our country to steal for your little rebellion. I will not do the same. I will not allow you to betray Wakanda for people that are not our own.” T’Chaka spit the words. N’Jobu had been at this for too long, and it was his fault, T’Chaka thought. As king, he never should have allowed that extended war dog mission to the American South. It only served to radicalize his brother and produced an unnecessary heir to the Wakandan throne.

“He knew?”

“He was the Black Panther. King of Wakanda. Nothing gets past him brother. He encouraged me to indulge your whims, but I can not in good conscience allow you to do this any longer.” Zuri remembered the relief that flooded his heart. Finally the king would no longer be beholden to his brothers indiscretions. Finally T’Chaka could truly be great.

“Why did he not say anything then.”

“He believed your cause noble. Honorable even.” T’Chaka’s derisive snort rivaled that of their mother’s. A woman known for her intelligence and intolerance for idiocy.

“And you ubhiti? Do you not feel the same?”

“They fought. T’Chaka lived. N’Jadaka was all that was left. We had to loose him, leave him.” Zuri was still shaking himself from the memory when T’Challa responded.

“No. No.” T’Challa’s head spun. For years he had allowed Zuri to lead the search for N’Jadaka. For year he had searched for his cousin himself. Now to find he was never meant to be found, to learn that his father killed his own brother.

“Klaue attempted to break out of the prison that same night. We staged a kidnapping. We had to maintain the lie. We left him far from the border of. To grow and forget our Wakanda.”

“Zuri—”

“We had to do it T’Challa, if he is his father’s child…his presence here will bring more pain than joy.” Erik had heard enough, and he was gone before Audrey could reach for him. She stood in the glittering palace hallway, wishing for the first time that she had never found Wakanda at all.

—o—

July 6, 1920: Wakanda

N’Jadaka had a plan. A plan that would prove Zuri right, just before he burned the entire island to the ground. It’s what they all deserve. He had already relayed a version of the plot to W’Kabi, telling him just what he needed to know and nothing more. W’Kabi would get him access to where he needed to be, and all he would need to do is light the match to watch the island burn. Finally, he felt like Killmonger again.

Audrey had spent all day searching for Erik. He wasn’t in his cottage, or his palace room, not in his father’s fields or in the lavish library overflowing with books. He didn’t want to be found so Audrey changed tactics. She looked for his allies. The farmers were all home, and she didn’t find a border tribesman to follow until the morning. After two hours of following the man on errands, she found Erik in the palace basement. The only dark place she’d ever seen in Wakanda.

The basement was cool, a stark contrast to the wet island heat Audrey had gotten used to. Erik stood centered on the concrete floor surrounded by vibranium chests and rolls of parchment. Audrey could only see his back, covered in keloids and broad shoulders rising and falling slowly. he looked larger than Audrey remembered.

“Erik.” Audrey voice drifted through the room and Erik cocked his head towards the sound. He never answered, or turned so Audrey tried again.

“Erik, what are you doing down here?” Erik reveled in the way his name fell from her lips, knowing it’s probably the last time he’ll hear it.

“He killed my father.” Audrey had nothing to say to that, and Erik knew she wouldn’t. He reveled in her cautious silence like he never had before.

“I can’t let that go dollface.” Audrey’s lip curled in annoyance. The nickname was enough to know that she was speaking to the infamous Killmonger. Erik Stevens was no longer rational, no longer calling the shots.  

“You should talk to T’Challa.” Killmonger scoffed. “I’m not telling you to let it all go, but T’Challa didn’t even know, Erik.” It felt strange saying his name so often, but Audrey was willing to try anything to bring killmonger to his senses. Whatever he was planning would be too much.

“Why are you trying to protect him?”

“I’m not trying to protect him I’m trying to protect you.” And she was. She had already caught sight of the matchbook clenched in his hands. Audrey had a feeling that there was more than vibranium chests and parchment down here.

“Everything you’ve worked for, all of this? You want to destroy it like that?” She snapped her fingers before continuing.

“They offered you a position as advisor to the king! You can use your position to get what you really want. You can use it to better the world like your father wanted.” Erik twitched at the use of his father’s words. Audrey knew he would hate her for it, but she also knew he would hate himself more if he destroyed his home.

“They killed my pops Audrey. My father! All because he ain’t agree with the king. I can’t let that slide.” Erik finally turned, and Audrey hated herself for jumping. She had never seen him so angry. His dreads fell in his face and his golden fangs were bared in anger. Steeling herself, Audrey pushed forward, closer to Killmonger.

“So what are you going to do? Kill the royal court?” Audrey’s arms waved in question. “I wish you could hear yourself Erik! God I wish you would just take a moment to think. Erik Azzuri Stevens.” Erik stilled, it was the first time he’d heard Audrey say his full name. It burned on the way down. He knew he’d never hear it again.

“Imma do what I have to to honor my father Audrey.” Audrey shook her head in disappointment.

“You know, I always wondered what it would be like. To know my home, to know who I’m really supposed to be. I would kill to feel like I truly belong somewhere, to stand in my history. Hell to even know my history and you— You have it all. You’re a freaking prince. You’re home, and you want to throw it away?”

“You don’t understand.”

“Of course I understand Erik! They left you, they took me. My ancestors, our ancestors were never even supposed to be here. We were traded and sold and left alone in this world—” Tears fell, and Audrey tried to wrangle her cracking voice.

“Of course I understand Erik.”

“It’s not that simple dollface.”

“It never is, but that doesn’t mean you throw it all away.”

“You should go.”

—o—

So she left. Audrey packed her things, grabbing the key to Killmonger’s model T and hopped on the next ferry to the mainland. The border tribe said nothing as she boarded the boat and only one thing when it docked on the soil of South Carolina.

“NgoMeyi Makugcinwe udade okhuselekileyo.” Exhausted and cried out, Audrey couldn’t even begin trying to decipher that sentence.

Instead she unfurled the map that got her into this mess, and made her way to Erik’s automobile. The sleek black machine started without a problem and she pushed the pedal hard, sailing down Highway 17, towards home. In a blink she was back in Charleston rolling the car to a stop in front of Oakies.

It looked just as dingy as it had when they left, Lights flickering in the lettered sign and music spilling into the street. Her feet carried her into the bar before her mind could stop them and she made her way to Killmonger’s golden booth. The music tonight was harsher than she’d ever heard it, and Audrey closed her eyes to listen.

I know a couple of devils in Prada tuxedos…

A dark skinned man spoke into the microphone while a woman crooned beside him. Audrey gazed at the pair, taking in the woman’s braided hair tucked into a silken scarf. She swallowed and sunk further into the booth, letting the music wash over her.

I think there’s something in the water…

Slowly, Audrey’s mind awoke from being on autopilot during her journey. Inhaling made her heart lurch. She couldn’t believe what had just happened. What she just left. Who she just left. Erik was—is hurting. She shouldn’t have— The front door banged against the wall and Junie’s voice jolted Audrey out of her spiraling mind.

“Audrey Cade! You’re back!” Junie ambled to the gold booth where her friend sat, taking her in. Her skin shone like it never had before, she looked younger and wiser somehow and Junie couldn’t stop the grin that formed on her face. She missed her little sister. Sliding into the booth with a smile, Junie waved down a waiter.

“So how was it? Tell me everything.”

That sentence was all it took for Audrey to break down in tears.

—o—

His car key was gone. Audrey was gone. He sent Audrey away. Erik didn’t think she would actually listen. This is the first time she’s ever truly listened to his demands. Fuck.

Erik had already been to her room. He had already stared at the empty closet for too long and rooted around the desk. The drawers were empty, no ink, no paper, no Audrey. Erik even went where he shouldn’t have, to her secret mapmaking room. he ran his fingers searchingly along the walls until he found the button that allowed him access. He spent hours pouring over the maps, her maps. The whole place even smelled like her.

For a second he convinced himself that nothing had changed. Erik imagined a future where even in his prince hood she would come home to him every night. He would pick something from the fields to cook, and she would tell him all about her daily adventures. After dinner she would sketch him as he read, or did dishes, or wrote. When the moon and stars kissed the sky they would fall into bed together lazily, and drift into a dreamless sleep. They didn’t need dreams anymore, they lived one.

“My Prince.” N’Jadaka was jolted from his reverie by W’Kabi.

“Everything is prepared.” Erik nodded. Still, even with Audrey on his mind he couldn’t shake his ideals. She may have soothing answers but the truth still burns him. Flame was licking his stomach from the inside out.

“My prince, are you ready?” W’Kabi questioned.

With a strike and a breath, N’Jadaka lit the match.

—o—

Translations

Kuba ngumthetheli ongenakunqwenela. Ubukumkani abukho indawo yezihlunu: Be careful ambitionless Prince. The monarchy does not have room for fools.

—o—

Enkosi: Thank you

—o—

Bincinke: Explorer (Hausa)

—o—

NgoMeyi Makugcinwe udade okhuselekileyo: may Bast keep you safe sister.

A/N: So...yeah...Erik’s going through it. All has been revealed and...shit stinks okay. To be honest that last conversation between Erik and Audrey was one of the first scenes I wrote when I was imagining this story. As an African-American I found it so so easy to relate to Erik in the movie because DAMN y’all didn’t want to help nobody Wakanda??? For real???? But I’m with Audrey on this one, if some how I could find my way back home and be embraced the way that Erik is...Idk man...I might not feel so adrift. At least in terms of family history and whatnot. 

I think I’m in love with the idea of knowing who I could have been had slavery and all that foul shit not happened. What my culture would have been, or how my diet would be different, even the different bedtime stories I might have heard as a child. I’m into theorizing about that I guess if that makes sense. Which is why the conversation Audrey has with Erik is so important to me. 

Anyways...enough about me. So...the couple is separated and Erik is ready to drop that match on Wakandan soil...I can fix this I think. It’ll just take some time for those two to find their way back home. 

I really hope no one is disappointed by this. I’ve put a lot into this fic and this is always how it was going to end. I actually never start writing a story until I know how I want it to end. Either way, I love you all for liking and reading and reblogging and reviewing, you’ve made my life much richer! 😘

Only the epilogue to go, and then it’s on to another story. 😎An even crazier AU

Also! I’ve been posting this fic on Ao3 my username there is thegirlwiththebags here’s the link if you want to read it there! I always post on tumblr first though 😊😊😊

Taglist: @muse-of-mbaku @k-michaelis @nemesispawn @queenamaniii @thatrandomfangirl98 @princessstevens @killmongurl @bidibidibombaclaat @thelovelyliterary @panthergoddessbast @dreadedphilosphy @elaindeereads @thedom223

[tjadakaa]

Thinking about an AU where N’Jadaka has beef with T’Chaka on the basis of his uncle fucking his mom (N’Jobu) and forcing the both of them to comply with Udaku standard of things. Eventually he gets his comeup but just imagine… 12 year old N’Jadaka… fucking menace man

[yasbxxgie]

In September 2016, Netflix did something that was then seen as risky: It released the first major superhero show populated almost exclusively by black characters. One would understand if executives were nervous and chose to play it safe. Instead, in an already volatile cultural climate dominated by discussions of police shooting unarmed black men and the Black Lives Matter hashtag born in the wake of these injustices, they put out a show that featured a bulletproof, and oft-shot, black man wearing a hoodie—an aesthetic comment on the death of Trayvon Martin. Instead of ignoring the growing influence of Black Lives Matter activists or merely gesturing toward their existence, this was a show that chose to lean into the movement—going so far as having Alfre Woodard’s character, Mariah Dillard, say the slogan 30 minutes into the first show. It was a bold move for Netflix and the show’s corporate co-parent, Disney, a media conglomerate not known for its willingness to take chances. And it set the stage for what was to come 17 months later in February 2018, when the world took a trip to Wakanda. Yet, many forget that before Black Panther broke box-office records, Luke Cage broke Netflix.

In its second season, and a very different cultural climate, Marvel’s examination of what would happen if a black man in the inner city had superpowers is, whether intentionally or not, in conversation with Marvel’s film featuring an African king. One thing it shows is that there is more than one way to use music to tell a story about a black character in this universe.

Black Panther reminded me of black films that came out in the ’90s. Like them, it featured an incredible soundtrack showcasing some of the best that black music had to offer. Hip-hop permeated the score and provided the background to many of the scenes, but in Boyz N the Hood and Menace II Society, few characters in the film actually seemed to listen to the music. Luke Cage does things differently.

“For me, everything in this show starts with the music,” Cheo Hodari Coker, showrunner and former hip-hop journalist, said in an interview from the Season 2 press note. “It begins by selecting the song titles that become the episode names which in turn impact my idea of structure and become touchstone storylines for me. This season, I chose songs by Pete Rock and CL Smooth; and, like Gangstarr last season, these are artists I interviewed in their prime.”

Coker understands that an important part of fully appreciating black music is showing how listening to the music inspires a physical reaction. It might be dancing (as illustrated by the scenes in Harlem’s Paradise, a club that has the best music-booker of all time) or reacting to the vibe the music creates (like when Luke Cage puts on headphones before every fight). He further shows that black music exists on a continuum and gives extended time in almost every episode to black musicians representing the history of black music in America. There are blues guitarists like Gary Clark, Jr., R&B soul singers like Joi, and hip-hop legends like Ghostface Killa—not to mention the indomitable Rakim, who created new music that is featured in the Season 2 finale. This is a show that understands the centrality of music in day to day life of black folks, but it’s not only music that puts Luke Cage in conversation with Black Panther. It also shows us that black anger is not limited to the African and African American experience.

Michael B. Jordan’s N’Jadaka (Killmonger) is unquestionably the best thing about Black Panther. His anger with the leadership of Wakanda and his love for those he saw as his people (mostly men, apparently, given the violence he inflicted upon black women) was evident. Luke Cage has a villain in a similar vein with John McIver, a Jamaican crime boss known as Bushmaster. With both characters, there is an understanding of one’s connection with those who have come before—and a drive to avenge the past.

Mustafa Shakir is quietly menacing as the primary villain of the season, but as the story develops, we learn that Bushmaster, like Jordan’s N’Jadaka, has family trauma at the center of his motivations. Like Killmonger, Bushmaster feels that he was denied his birthright; however, unlike the struggle that ensued for Wakanda, Luke Cage is not the enemy; he is just in the way of Bushmaster’s quest for vengeance. The motivations of these characters mirror each other in ways that deepen their humanity while moving the narrative forward. Bushmaster and Killmonger are what make these stories work, and both Black Panther and Luke Cage show that the black experience, whether in America or the motherland, is rich with potential for future storytelling.

I don’t know if Cheo Hodari Coker intended to put Season 2 of Luke Cage in conversation with Black Panther. Yet, intentional or not, Marvel’s show about a superhero serves as a fascinating counterpoint to Marvel’s film about the king of Wakanda.

[tchallasbabymama]

Troubled Waters Chapter Twelve PREVIEW

I literally just finished the first draft and figured I'd get ahead of y'all asking, so here it is! I'm still deciding between two songs for this chapter, and honestly, I might just defer to my betas on that one because they both fit the vibe to me. We'll see.

Just outside of Birnin Zana, on top of one of the surrounding hills, stood a round, one-story building that nearly blended into the trees. Nia hadn’t noticed it once in all her time in the city, so when they arrived in the Royal Talon, she was more than intrigued by the inconspicuous-looking structure. The prisons that she had seen in movies looked much more menacing. She had expected barbed wire and a watchtower, but instead got a glass dome ceiling and two guards stationed at the door in their usual royal purple and gold.

“This is it?” she asked, slightly underwhelmed, making T’Challa chuckle.

“What were you expecting?” he asked while the guards saluted him and opened the doors.

“Something… bigger I guess.”

“We don’t keep many prisoners, so we have no need for a huge compound.”

Nia nodded and thought back to the night when she and T’Challa reconnected.

“Is that man here?”

“The trafficker?”

"Yeah."

“No. He chose our rehabilitation program instead, and I’ve been told he’s doing well. We only have his boss, N’Jadaka, and… one other.”

“Who?”

“A former friend who refuses rehabilitation,” T’Challa grumbled, and Nia looked up in time to catch his nostrils flaring and jaw clenching in anger. She decided not to push further on the subject.

They walked in tense silence through the small prison until they came to a door with two more guards stationed outside. They saluted T’Challa and barely looked in Nia’s direction.

“Anything to report today?” he asked.

“Hayi, kumkani wam,” the tallest of them responded with a terse shake of his head. “The prince is still refusing food.”

T’Challa sighed and turned to Nia to explain.

“He stopped eating two days ago.”

“Why?”

“I’m not sure. He won’t speak to anyone but himself.”

T’Challa signaled the guards to open the doors, and Nia’s eyes were drawn to the prince like magnets. Her stomach dropped into her gut at the sight of him.

N’Jadaka sat on the side of his bed with his back facing the door. A thick layer of glass separated him from the outside world, but he wasn’t taking in the view. His head hung low between his broad hunched-over shoulders and his elbows dug into his knees. Nia could see hundreds of carefully placed scars spanning across his back, and one not-so-carefully placed at the base of his neck. It looked newer than the others, and like it had been scratched into the skin.

T’Challa took a step forward, and Nia followed after him until they were inches away from another wall of glass that contained the prince. T’Challa reached out to a holographic control panel and pressed his hand to the center, making it light up in recognition. He pressed a button, and N’Jadaka’s voice carried to their ears. Nia couldn’t make out his words, but judging by the king’s face, he understood.

“What’s he saying?” Nia asked.

T’Challa looked down at her tentatively, and she rolled her eyes.

“Just tell me,” she said with a huff.

“He’s saying he should have killed you.”

“Why?”

T’Challa sighed and gestured towards the control panel, “You’ll have to ask him that.”

Nia stepped forward and scanned her eyes over the holographic buttons before they landed on one in the shape of a microphone. She took a deep breath and pressed it.

“N’Jadaka.”

The second her voice pierced the air, his body tensed and his murmuring stopped as if a switch had been flipped. He rose from the bed and turned around to face them, but when his dark eyes trained on her, Nia almost lost her nerve. Even with three inches of glass between them, those eyes shook her to her core, more than any human’s ever had before. Nia’s tongue felt too thick for her mouth as she tried to swallow around it, but looking at him just brought her back to that night. Her heart nearly beat out of her chest, and fear crept into her bones.

“I knew this wasn’t a good idea. We should go-”

“No.”

She shook herself out of it and stood her ground as N’Jadaka stalked over to them, stopping so close that each breath he exhaled fogged up the glass. He didn’t even blink.

“Come to let me finish the job?” N’Jadaka sneered, surprising T’Challa who had tried everything short of torture to get his cousin to talk for the past few weeks.

“Why me?”

N’Jadaka chuckled darkly.

“Don’t act all innocent now that he’s here with you. You know what you fucking did, Nia.”

Her name sounded like a curse on his lips.

“Watch your tone,” T’Challa growled.

“Or what? You already took my powers away, and I know that’s the most your soft ass is willing to do to me.”

“That’s not all I’ll strip from you if you’re not careful.”

“You gone deny me my birthright? Just like your daddy?”

T’Challa narrowed his eyes.

“That’s what I thought. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m talking to my next scar.”

“Scar?”

“Three thousand one hundred and seventy-six.”

Nia’s brows furrowed, and she shook her head, still not following him.

“That’s how many scars I got now… and I got space for you right here.” He rubbed the back of his neck. "Right next to your friend. Sebo was it?”

“Sego.”

“Whatever.”

Nia’s temper flared, but she pushed it back down. She had mentally prepared herself for this on the way over. She flexed her hands from the fists they found themselves in when N’Jadaka purposely attempted to get under her skin and rolled her shoulders back. She could feel her anger rising in her, but needed to remain cool.

“Tell me what you think I did to you.”

“I don’t think, I know. You kept my baba from me and you thought I wouldn’t find out about it.”

“And just how would she do that?”

N’Jadaka refused to acknowledge his cousin’s presence, making T’Challa roll his eyes.

“How did you find out what I did?” Nia decided to play along.

“So you admit it?”

“I do.”

“I knew it! She told me- ah!” N’Jadaka yelled as his hands flew to his ears and he fell to his knees. A pain split through his head as the urge to kill Nia grew stronger and stronger.

“Who told you?”

N’Jadaka couldn’t hear her through the ringing in his head. Even after all these weeks, he hadn’t grown used to the intermittent tortures from Sekhmet and her minions. They came at the most random times, seemingly on purpose, so he wouldn’t get used to any sort of routine. He’d hear high-pitched ringing that almost made his ears bleed or Sekhmet’s thunderous roars as she admonished him for his failure. Every night, the masked figure and the obambo returned to torture his mind, taking great joy in every scream and whimper.

“Who told you?” Nia repeated herself in hopes that he’d respond, but he seemed to be in too much pain to answer. She turned the microphone off and turned to T’Challa. “Has this happened before?”

“While he sleeps, yes.”

“The seizures….” Nia’s mind wandered back to when he was in his coma. “Do you have cameras on him in there?”

“Of course.”

“Show me after this.”

T’Challa nodded and Nia turned back to look at N’Jadaka but found he was already staring back at her with contempt in his eyes.

His eyes.

Nia gasped and stepped back when she noticed the ring of red that circled his nearly black irises.

“We need to go.”

“That’s it?” T’Challa asked, confused about what spooked her.

“Yes.” She didn’t spare a glance back at the prince, just left without saying another word, T’Challa close on her heels.

“What was that about?” he asked.

“That’s not N’Jadaka.”