#King T'Challa Imagines

[captainsophiestark]

AP Test Season

Platonic!Shuri x Reader

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Written for Fictober 2023!

Fandom: Marvel

Day 24 Prompt: "Is it over? Is it really over?"

Summary: Shuri's in Santa Monica to help her best friend through quite an ordeal.

Word Count: 1,071

Category: Fluff

A/N: @bandshirts-andbooks this is for you, I don't know if you remember but literally forever ago you sent me a request for platonic!Shuri and reader and because I can't read I didn't see the word platonic so I said I wasn't comfortable writing for her. Ngl it's 100% haunted me since I was going through old requests and realized that I'd completely missed the word platonic lmao, so here is a fun and sweet fic that I hope you like! Sorry for my terrible reading comprehension lmao

Putting work into an AI program without permission is illegal. You do not have my permission. Do not do it.

I staggered out of the building, head throbbing, sunlight burning my eyes. I almost tripped on the first of the stairs and did a header down the whole set, but thankfully, someone else reached out to steady me before I could.

"Y/N! Are you alright?"

I turned, blinking blearily at Princess Shuri, one of my best friends in the whole world. She stared at me, concern written across her face as I took a deep breath in and out.

"Is it over? Is it really over?" I asked, my voice croaky from lack of use. Shuri nodded.

"Yes. It is really, truly, completely over."

"Oh thank God," I sighed, flopping back dramatically. Shuri laughed, guiding me over to a retaining wall outside the school where we could sit together shoulder to shoulder while I recovered.

I'd just finished my last AP test of my last year of high school, after a grueling two weeks filled with four-hour tests. It had been literal hell, and had almost killed me, hence the current brain fog. But I'd made it. And now, I never had to take another one of those stupid things as long as I lived.

"Come on," Shuri said, standing and holding out a hand to me after giving me a few minutes to recover. "You cannot sit on this wall in a stupor all day."

I scoffed. "Watch me."

"No! We have fun things to do! You survived your last round of testing, we should be celebrating!"

That peaked my interest enough to get me to sit up straighter. Shuri grinned, and I sighed, giving all the way in with an eye roll. I slid off the retaining wall, landing on the sidewalk next to Shuri and trying to muster as much energy as I could.

"Alright, Your Highness, you're in charge, because I don't have the brainpower left to contribute. Where to first?"

"Just follow me!"

Shuri took off down the sidewalk, smiling and laughing under the sunny Southern California sun, and her energy was infectious. A smile spread across my own face as I followed her, and with every step in the opposite direction of my school, I felt my strength returning.

Shuri led me to the Santa Monica pier, site of a scene from one of our favorite movies, Hannah Montana: The Movie. We wandered up and down the pier, grabbing snacks and taking ridiculous pictures together, then made our way into Pacific Park. We rode the rollercoaster, the Ferris wheel, and did every single other thing that looked remotely interesting until the sun started to set.

"Shuri, you are a literal lifesaver," I said as we strolled towards the end of the pier together. "Seriously, I think I would've just been catatonic for the rest of the day if you hadn't been here to pull me out of my funk."

She laughed. "I am glad I could help! It's been fun to be in California with you."

"Agreed. Couldn't imagine a better start to the summer."

We shared a smile, clinking our bubble teas together as we turned to watch the sun sink slowly into the ocean. Finally, once it got dark to the point that the lights of Pacific Park glowed as bright as the stars behind us, we turned and headed for home.

Shuri was staying with me and my family while she was in town, and as soon as we walked through the door, I felt a wave of exhaustion crash over me. My shoulders slumped, and I let Shuri take the lead as we wandered through the kitchen.

"Okay! So I thought we could make some popcorn and have a movie marathon to finish the night-"

She stopped mid-sentence as she turned around to smile at me and found a zombie smiling back. She huffed a laugh, a small smile coming to her face.

"...Or maybe we could do facemasks and watch something shorter, then go to bed."

"The second one," I said, nodding. "But let's keep the snacks part."

"Deal!"

Shuri and I loaded up on all our favorite foods, then headed upstairs. Thankfully, it was a Friday, so we could stay up late without me having to worry about going to school tomorrow.

We picked out facemasks, then decided on watching Wizards of Waverly Place from my queen sized bed with her laptop. The Wakandan tech got a higher quality image than even our TV downstairs, and we never had to wait for it to buffer.

My phone timer went off a little ways into the episode, telling us it was time to take off the facemasks. We took even more dumb pictures together of our faces in the mask before removing them, rubbing in the remaining serum as we flopped back into bed. We snacked for the rest of the episode, and I made it through without falling asleep. Once it ended, Shuri closed her laptop and shut off the lights as I sank down underneath the covers.

"Goodnight, Y/N!" she said as she climbed in on her side. I sighed and muttered a goodnight back. Then, even though I was quickly losing the battle to stay awake a second longer, I spoke up again, holding true to the sleepover tradition of continuing to talk after saying goodnight and shutting off the lights.

"Shuri?"

"Hm?"

"Thank you for today," I said. "Seriously, AP test season sucks, and knowing we'd get to celebrate and have fun on the other side of it is the only reason I didn't just draw a cat on the DBQ page of my AP History test and call it a day."

Shuri laughed. "I won't lie, I would have liked to see your cat drawing. But I'm glad I could help you get through this. I had a lot of fun, too."

"Wakanda's next, alright?" I said. "Now that I'm done with classes, there's nothing stopping me from coming for a visit this summer."

"Deal! There are so many things I want to show you in person. T'Challa will not know peace as long as we're in the palace together."

I laughed, opening my eyes enough to share a smile with my best friend. We did our handshake, and then I rolled over and closed my eyes again, ready to go to sleep for real.

"I'll see you in the morning, Shuri," I sighed. She huffed a laugh.

"I don't expect to see you before one in the afternoon. But I will see you tomorrow."

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

Everything Taglist: @rosecentury

Marvel Taglist: @valkyriepirate @luv-ghostie @songbirdcannabe @infinetlyforgotten

[livstarlight]

I love and appreciate wakanda forever exactly as it is, but a part of me grieves the version we didn’t get with T'Challa in it.

Because him having his story to follow with his son, while at the same time Shuri is having her own arc in Talokan with Namor, it makes everything 75% funnier.

Just imagine T'Challa, returned from the blip, mourning the years he has lost, especially trying to catch up with his son... meanwhile a god mutant king shows up to cause some mayhem and calls him out because he put his kingdom in danger by revealing Wakanda to the world. Then proceeds to kidnap his sister, who truthfully doesn’t seem to exactly mind, and who when comes back she's all like "He is not so bad once you get to know him." "What? Wait-" "And Talokan? Oh brother, it's beautiful." "Shuri..." "THEY HAVE A SUN UNDERWATER, BROTHER. A SUN."

[writing-house-of-m]

Endgame

Wanda Maximoff x Reader

Summary: The group talks about the fight against Thanos

A/N: Three for three! I hope this one makes up for the angst posted yesterday 😊 For those who care, here is the request. Comments, reblogs and likes are much appreciated!

Prompt: "That was the night I nearly lost you."

It is the end of another party. This time, one thrown in celebration of successfully defeating Thanos once and for all.

It didn't matter where you were hiding Vision from him, Thanos kept finding him. So, when a plan was formed to hide Vision in Wakanda, everyone was ready to make it the last stand. It was a good thing Strange and Wong were able to gather so many people.

Most of those who helped in the final battle were still here, dotted around in the lounge area.

Everyone was exchanging stories about their version of events. All of you were in agreement about being in awe when Carol destroyed a ship single handedly.

You wouldn't have believed Bucky when he spoke about the raccoon he was fighting alongside if you didn't see the creature with your own eyes. You along with Thor and Peter had to corroborate his story. Especially to Tony who was sceptical.

Okoye spoke about the relief she felt at seeing the King again after he was thrown across the field. King T'Challa commented, saying the experience was not one of his finest moments making everyone laugh.

There were no major casualties and no deaths so it felt easy to joke about such things. You can only imagine what it would have felt like to fail such a risky plan.

It was Wanda's turn to speak, "That was the night I nearly lost you," she says, looking at you and squeezing your knee as she leans more into your side.

You and Wanda had each other's backs the whole time, fighting alongside one another. You have always worked well together. Finishing off enemies for the other left and right.

"I left your side for like, a second," you scoff, cinching your eyebrows, everyone laughing and looking amused at the scene.

Knowing Wanda could hold her own you left her so you could help Scott who was covered with aliens, like an apple overthrown by ants. Because she didn't notice you leave, too busy 'kicking names and taking ass,' as Mantis put it, Wanda was worried you were hurt. That was until she heard you compare Scott to Godzilla through her comms.

"I know, but I thought you were hurt," Wanda pouts.

You smile at her antics and begin to lean in to kiss her saying she is being ridiculous but you are cut short with all the jeers you hear from everyone in the room.

"No one needs to see that, lovebirds," you hear Natasha's disgust, loud and clear.

The conversation swiftly moves on to Thor talking about his new axe, Stormbreaker, and all the things it can do. Your attention is turned to Wanda as his voice drones on in the background.

"Hey," you whisper to get Wanda to look at you. When her green eyes meet yours you think of how lucky you are to be able to call her yours.

"You know I'm never gonna die, right? I still need to marry you," you say quietly while grinning.

Wanda smacks your chest, her grin matching yours. Before her next action she quickly looks around the room. You don't have time to ask what she is doing because in the next second her lips are on yours but gone just as fast.

"That's all good and well but you have to propose first," she says, centimetres from your lips.

You want to rebuttal but your attention is sucked back into the discussion around you when Scott says your name, recounting his events on almost being drowned alive by 'smelly aliens'. Hope, who is sitting beside him, shakes her head giggling at his explanation.

Conversations and drinks keep flowing long into the night.

Steve makes a heartfelt speech about everyone doing a good job in keeping the people on this planet safe. He goes on to say everyone who showed up for the fight has given everyone on Earth and even life beyond the stars a chance to appreciate their loved ones and live another day.

You always wondered what the endgame of this superhero life would be for you. But it's this. You're holding it in your arms and are surrounded by it.

The next step in your life is to make Wanda your wife, which you will do as soon as you perfect the proposal you have been planning. Together you will build a real life together and your friends will be there to witness it all.

Resting your head against Wanda's, your mind drifts to a normal life filled with white picket fences, crying babies, school pick ups and drop offs, regular home cooked meals. The stress of PTA meetings, bake sales, sports tryouts, college options. It all has you smiling to yourself.

You can't wait.

[taraljc]

assuming Armor Wars actually happens One thing I hope they do is finally explain how War Machine's armor works since while we do see brief shots of Rhodey's heads up display, we've never had any hint as to the operating system and it couldn't have been JARVIS...

also, if they stick to the Secret Invasion director's intention that Rhody was in fact snatched and replaced after being hospitalised in Civil War then that raises a fuckton of questions. I mean imagine you've been hooked up to a machine to let someone else read your mind and you come out of it to find out it's been ten solid years and your best friend and your whole entire team with one exception (Sam) is dead or missing. Wanda, Vision, Cap, Tasha, the entire roster of his iteration of the Avengers just... gone.

Hawkeye is retired. Thor is wherever the fuck Thor is. Banner is Hulk all the time now and that is just too fucking weird. And Hulk has a half-alien kid and there's a She-Hulk now (but she is not the kid's mom and both she and Banner are completely grossed out when he asks).

He has no idea who the hell Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, and Ant-Man are. King T'Challa's dead. Maria Rambeau's dead. Maria Hill's dead. Monica Rambeau's MIA.

And like a cockroach, Thaddeus fucking Ross survived them all and that pompous asshole is still his goddamn boss.

(Unless Carol Danvers is leading The Avengers from now on which would actually make the most sense.)

Admittedly I am really excited to see him dealing with the fact that there are a bunch of goddamn toddlers calling themselves Hawkeye, Black Panther, Falcon, and Black Widow.

And then there's Riri.

I really am looking forward to all of the Riri Williams ever and Rhodey and Riri ending up bonding. And I am not going to lie, I really really hope they don't kill off Isaiah Bradley because I need Carl Lumley and Don Cheadle sharing the screen.

[boozenboze]

Male reader x T’challa

Side note-Reader is a Top and is Dominant

-This is based off of the Black Panther movie -M/n = You

Females She/Her and She/They DNI

Imagine

Digging your way out of the debris of the fallen building. The same building you and your boyfriend had been in, where his father was giving a speech. You struggled to stand up due to the pressure that was once bestowed on your legs. Your eyes jolted from one place to another, trying to find the prince of Wakanda. The sound of debris being moved immediately caught his attention. A feeling of relief went through him as he saw his lover pushing himself up from the rubble. He used whatever energy he had left in him to pull him up, to which the male gripped onto him.

“Are you okay?” The e/c eyed male asked as he cupped the princes face. T’challa muttered something before his eyes widened.

"I-i'm fine...wait where is my father?!” T’challa responded with sudden concern in his tone. The both of you turned to where the King had last been seen, and there he was. Laying there with no signs of survival being shown.

T'challa stumbled towards his now deceased father and began to hug him, rocking back and forth after realizing he was gone. M/n didn''t know what to do, all he could do at the moment was wrap his arms around T'challa as they both mourned the loss of the king.

Imagine

Wrapping your arms around T’challa, as you both admire the beauty of Wakanda. The mission you had been on was relatively easy, but T'challa was still worried. Either way, he was glad that they both came out all right. Nakia was also doing well, and you were both happy to see one another. Their was a comfortable silence between the two of you as Okoye announced that you were home. Going through the illusion that covered your nation was something that had never gotten old to the T'challa. The loss of the previous king still weighed heavy on their hearts, but that was all part of grief. It was time to look forward now and see where this change would bring you. M/n took a glance at T'challa's face, seeing how he looked lost.

"You know, if your so nervous about becoming the King I could just challenge you and take that place." M/n said with devious smirk on his face, as the Prince looked back at him with an unamused expression.

"Oh please, you wouldn't be able to handle it..." T'challa said in a sarcastic tone of voice. Nakia and Okoye listened in on their conversation as they approached the Citadel.

"Well...even if that is the case there's always one thing that I know how to handle." The h/c haired male said with a smug look on his face.

"Oh? And what would that be?" T'challa asked in curiosity as the other man looked him up and down before winking, proceeding to walk towards the exit. T'challa froze again like he did not so long ago, he felt his face heating up at his lovers comment before following close behind him. He held his head low to cover the look of embarrassment on his face. Nakia and Okoye gave each other a look before following the two, both wondering how T'challa met someone like you.

Imagine

Being in the lab with Shuri, helping her with T’challa’s new suit. He had became King, and you were very proud for him. Although, it did feel like hell having to watch him get stabbed by M’baku’s staff. Shuri had brought up the new suit for her brother to test out to which he did. When his attack was absorbed Shuri had started recording which led to T'challas confusion.

"M/n ,....why is she recording..?"

"Research purposes...?"M/n replied in faux confusion. T'challa squinted and eyed the both of them before striking the suit in the same spot. The release of the kinetic energy sent the king flying, which caused the two who were preasent to laugh.

“Delete that right now!” T’challa demanded as you and Shuri laughed at the footage that had been recorded. You helped him stand up but he gave you a fake glare. You couldn’t help but kiss him on the cheek which caused him to push you away with a smile on his face.

“Ah come on you can’t stay mad at me~.” M/n teased as T’challa looked away in embarrassment.

“Aw..my brother is blushing.” Shuri said with a wide smile as T’challa rolled his eyes.

“Shut up Shuri....”

Imagine

Sharing a heated kiss with T’challa, which led to him being under you. His hand was buried in the h/c haired males scalp as he moaned at the feeling of M/n’s lips being against his skin.

“You enjoying yourself my King~?” M/n asked as he slowly palmed his hardening cock through his pants. The dark skinned male could only whimper in response as the s/c skinned male began to play with his nipples. The King arched his back in response which made him moan. M/n pulled away to which T’challa stared at him through lust filled eyes.

“W-why’d you stop.” T’challa asked as he watched M/n grab a small bottle of lube.

“Well....I don’t think either of us would enjoy seeing you in pain.” M/n said softly as T’challa stared up at him with a softened expression, the once heated moment turned into something more gentle. T’challa used one of his free hands to place it on M/n’s cheek, pulling the male into a short but meaningful kiss. He gave him a droopy smile before M/n guided one of his hands towards the other mans penis. M/n began to give the Kings cock long strokes before using the thumb technique, while his other hand grabbed the small bottle.

T’challa’s hands gripped onto the sheets, breathy moans escaping his mouth as M/n poured a generous amount of lube onto his fingers. He slowly circled T’challa’s rim before pushing a finger into him. The man beneath him hissed at the intrusion as M/n stared down at him.

M/n held T’challa’s cock in a gentle grip as he began to thrust his finger in and out. The stinging sensation turned into something blissful as the King moaned in pleasure.

“More...-ah! Please...?”

“Patience my love, you'll get what you want.”

Imagine

Wakng up early in the morning, the sun not even being out as the moonlights rays shined. T'challa's head was laid on your chest, his steady breathing indicating that he was in a deep sleep. You smile and checked the time seeing that it was barely 2 am. Your session lasted for about 4 rounds before T'challa had to tap out. Despite you being the dominant one of the relationship, it seemed that he would be using his title as King to give you orders of what to do. You stretched for a moment, leaving T'challa to lay on one of his many pillows. M/n sighed and was about to stand up when he heard a grunt behind him.

"Where are you going....what time is it..? T'challa questions as M/n ran a hand through his h/c hair.

"I was gonna go take a walk, didn't expect you to wake up." M/n said with a nervous smile making its way upon his features. T'challa sat up and pulled M/n by the arm, signalling for him to lay back down.

"I didn't feel your warmth anymore so I couldn't sleep." T'challa explains as he turned so that his back was facing M/n. The male that was mentioned smirked and pulled the covers over the both of them. He wrapped his arms around T'challa's waist and pulled him closer to him. The king hummed in content as he closed his eyes, now being able to bask in his boyfriends warmth once again.

[mbakuxblackpanther]

Meeting the Jabari leader

Requested❌

Warnings or triggers: none

Characters: Shuri, Tchalla, Queen Ramonda, Mbaku, nakia, okoye, kuba(m'baku's helper)

Story type: MbakuxReader

This is my first imagine on this page so it may be a little bad but it'll get better as I write more of them😂

Excuse any errors and Enjoy the story!

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Y/n pov:

I was in shuri's lab helping her make parts for T'challa's new suit when she called me over to her. "Y/n come here please" she said. "Yes princess" I said laughing. She hated when I called her that considering I was her bestfriend. "Bast y/n please stop with the formalities I beg of you" she said sighing playfully. We both laughed and sat down. "Your help is needed in jabariland. They are having trouble with their trading system and are in need of a Trade manager." Shuri said. "What will the job consist of?" I asked nervously. I didn't like talking in front of people or presenting things. I was very shy and quiet. "Nothing much all you have to do is help the Jabari tribe manage their trading business with the merchant tribe" shuri said. "Oh ok. That doesn't seem too hard" I said taking a breath of relief. "Very well your flight leaves tomorrow. Here are your communication devices in case you need me for anything." Shuri said handing me a kimoyo bead bracelet. "Thank you so much shuri." I said pulling her into a hug. We parted ways and prepared for my departure. The next morning I packed my suit cases and waited outside with shuri. Today was also the day T'challa returned home from his mission with Nakia. Suddenly, I felt a big blast of air wash over me. I looked up and noticed the royal talon fighter landing. The king-to-be and nakia stepped out of the aircraft. Shortly after, the dora Milagé came to take nakia and prepare her for the upcoming ceremony. "So suprised my sisters both came to see me before our big day" tchalla said smiling at us. I wasn't his real sister but tchalla always treated me like family. Every since me and shuri became besties at 7 years old he's always referred to me as his sister. "You wish, Im here for the emp beads I've developed an update. I'm also here to see y/n off for her departure" shuri said smartly. "Update? But it works perfectly" tchalla replied. "How many times do i have to teach you, just because something works doesn't mean that it cannot be improved." Shuri said to tchalla. "You are teaching me? What do you know?" Tchalla said as he handed the kimoyo beads to shuri. "More than you." She said while walking off to the royal talon. "I can't wait to see what kind of update you make to your ceremonial outfit" tchalla said. shuri flipped him off as she walked away to take me to the royal talon. "Shuri!" Queen Ramonda said. "Sorry mother" shuri said quickly putting her middle finger down. Shuri walked with me to the royal talon. Okoye was going to be taking me to Jabariland. "If you need anything use your kimoyo beads to contact me" shuri said pulling me into a hug. "I will. See you later shuri" I said getting into the aircraft. Shuri waved to me as the royal talon took off into the air.

*timeskip*

"Y/n we are here." Okoye said. As we landed in Jabariland, I grabbed my suitcases and prepared to go to my chamber where I'd be staying (imagine a big room but with fur couches/ furniture and big windows). "Y/n Mbaku wishes to speak with you" Kuba said leading me to him. *what could he possibly want? it is 12:00am* I thought. Kuba led me to M'baku's room. I was greeted by two female guards with both of them standing at each side of the door. "Ulapha ukuza kubona inkokeli yesizwe" (she's here to see the tribe leader) Kuba spoke in Xhosa. The two guards nodded and motioned for me to walk into the room. "Welcome to Jabariland" Mbaku said with a deep,raspy voice. He was very sleepy considering it was now 12:15am. "Thanks for the welcome" I said smiling. "I have some things I wanted to give you" Mbaku replied reaching into his closet. As he looked through the items, my eyes scanned his body. He was very tall with curly black hair, had strong muscles, and thick thighs. I find him very attractive. I was knocked out of my daydreaming by a hand waving in my face. "Hellooo y/n you there?" Mbaku asked. "Yes I'm sorry I was daydreaming." Mbaku chuckled at my slightly embarrassed face. "Here are some of the things you may need for your stay here." He said. I was given a warm blanket, documents for managing the trading business, and also a brand new wooden spear. "What's the spear for?" I asked. *i thought only warriors get those* "you are new to jabariland. It would be rude if I didn't give you anything to protect yourself now wouldn't I?" Mbaku replied. *he does have a point.* I thought. "Thank you for the gifts" I said smiling happily. "No problem nkosazana ." Mbaku said smiling happily at me.

*time skip*

As I prepared for bed, the events of the day flooded my mind and a particular word came to me. *Nkosazana I wonder what that means* I thought. I tried to go to sleep but the word kept ringing in my brain. I thought of an idea and quickly grabbed my kimoyo beads that shuri gave me. *it has an automated ai voice system that can answer any question I have. Almost like the internet but better* "Griot" I spoke into the bracelet. "Yes y/n. What May I help you with?" Griot the ai voice said. "Transalate the word Nkosazana into English and tell me the language." I replied. "The word Nkosazana means "princess" in English and comes from the Xhosa language." Griot spoke. "Thank you Griot" I said.

*princess. He called me princess* i thought.

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Thank you for reading! This is my first imagine so it may be a lil cringe but I promise it gets better 😂let me know if y'all want a part two. I also take requests.

[thestreamweaver]

Was Shadow King in X-Men Evolution?

If he wasn't that would be a great prequel story when Storm and Wolverine were the only two X-Men.

Imagine him coming back for Storm.

Yo, that's so true!! I don't think he was named at least. But I don't know if the Hungan had anything to do with him or not... if they did then yes. But even then the fact that Logan reacted like he did when Marumbo told him they'd come for her says that he already knows who they are and probably had some first hand experiences with them...

Let's not forget he'd been to Africa before as well. The movies did have a hand in the Series since they came out around the same time.

In my theory, they met around Kenya / Tanzania and traveled some together, I guess, kind of like her and T'Challa as children... but she wasn't a child, and he didn't have his adamantium yet, and his memories were all intact... for the most part anyway.

She had people who were hunting her already. Some were the Hungan, some were not, hence one reason she was also traveling...

[weclassybouquetfun]

With the release of AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM, the DCEU has officially ended.

You could never make me hate you.

AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM THOUGHTS. MORE SPOILERS THAN FISH IN THE SEA.

THE GOOD

-Loved the humour of it. The DCEU has been so serious and I find myself loving the lighter ones like WONDER WOMAN 2, the SHAZAM films and THE FLASH. Plus, Jason Momoa is better equipped for comedy/action, than drama. Meanwhile, Patrick Wilson excels at both! How great is he in this?!

Wilson was just so game. The cockroach scenes (scenes because there is a mid-credit call-back) would have been downright dumb if it was played by someone less committed than Wilson.

And the humour in their interactions weren't clunky because this is Arthur having the brother experience that he never had. It ties back to his father Tom (Temuera Morrison) saying Junior should have a sibling and how he wished Arthur had one. Now we see it played out, complete with the older sibling bullying (convincing Orm to eat a cockroach by saying it's the shrimp of the land. Which is priceless because people call shrimp the cockroaches of the seas).

-As soon as Kordax said his darkest night had ended, I knew what was going on.

Blackest Night!!!!!

Yes, the core story was vastly different but this was the their nod to it.

-People living under the sea should stoke the imagination so I'm happy they finally made the civilization under the sea so lively instead of us just watching Atlantean council meetings. Give us the nightlife!

THE BAD

-I don't think we got enough time with Black Manta.

It honestly felt like Randall Park's Stephen Shin had more screen-time.

Stephen who is obviously Jimmy Woo's identical twin cousin.

I think the film should have gone deeper into David Kane's slip into madness due to the trident with more of his "Gollum" scenes where we can see how Kordax is spurring him on.

But at least they gave Black Manta a great death. I was just waiting for Arthur to grab him and Black Manta still fall to his death. But it's so fitting that David wouldn't dare let the man who killed his father (a man who doesn't even feel bad about it) save him. True standing on business! Or falling... Falling on business.

-The water effects are horrible. I think it likely looks better in 3D but in standard - hazy, uncanny valley.

THE REST

-Pilou Asbaek plays Kordax and I find it fitting that my wretched sh!tty despot uncle of the Iron Islands plays a power hungry Atlantean.

-I was the only person to laugh at the Topo line spoken by Atlanna (Nicole Kidman).

Return of the King.

And Storm!

-Though in the SnyderCut we get Martian Manhunter, thus fulfilling the motto of Unite the Seven

in this film we get another united seven - the seven kingdoms of Atlantis which includes the titular lost kingdom.

-Felt like James Wan did a fair bit of nods. We get Orn living above ground at an outdoor restaurant a'la Bruce's retired life in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES. Arthur and Orn's team-up is like Thor and Loki's in THOR: RAGNAROK. Arthur even calls Orn Loki before making a Harry Potter reference.

There's a shot of Black Manta sat in the navigation chair in his Black Manta gear casting the same type of demeanor as T'Challa in BLACK PANTHER. The ending with Arthur deciding to tell the world about Atlantis is straight cribbed from BLACK PANTHER and IRON MAN. Is this the cinematic version of someone losing a match and shaking the hand of their opponent?

[paisholotus]

Hard Times

T'challa x black fem reader

Summary: T’Challa’s wife is dealing with the after effects of having a baby.

Warnings: Postpartum Depression, Strong Language, Mentions Of Suicidal Thoughts

Translations: Sthandwa (My Love) Intombazana yomntwana ( Baby Girl) Uthando lwam (Beloved) Ukumkanikazi wam ( My Queen) Ndiyakuthanda ( I Love You) Ndiyakuthanda, nawe ( Love You, Too) Nobabini ( Both Of You)

❗DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE TRIGGERED❗

Requested By: @bluesapphire2

A/N: This MF Long. But I hope you like it fren. And I hope y'all like it

3rd Pov

It’s the most glorifying day for the kingdom of Wakanda. A new heir has been born.

Princess Lesedi Udaku came into the world. Her name meaning “Ray Of Light”, she gave that to her family and everyone who knew about her.

Except for the most important person. Her mother. Who couldn't seem to have any light in her eyes, when she looked at her daughter.

The King T’Challa fawned over his daughter even more since she was born. She was a perfect mix of him and his wife, having both of your features. T’Challa’s high cheekbones, your smooth coco brown skin, his tight curls, and your big beautiful brown eyes. She was beyond the words perfect, she was everything he could have imagined. T'challa thanks Bast every day, for bringing his beloved Intombazana yomntwana into the world.

➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️

Y/N Pov

I looked at her and felt nothing but emptiness. I couldn’t help the blank expression on my face when I held her close to my chest, holding her skin to skin. It’s not that i didn’t love her. How could i not love her? SHE'S FUCKING MINE, FOR BAST SAKE! Shit, I begged for her. I spent 9 months caring and nurturing her, but why did i feel nothing when she looked at me? I felt absolutely nothing, and it was gut wrenching. I waited and prayed for my child, and she's gets here and I couldn't feel nothing. What is wrong with me?

T’Challa, being the observant husband he was, noticed the joy i had during my pregnancy disappeared once our child actually came. His face held concern every time he looked at me. I would hear him ask his mother Ramonda, about what was wrong with me, and she simply replied with: “My son, she spent 12 hours in labor trying to give birth to your daughter. She is exhausted, mentally and physically. Give her time, she'll be fine and back to herself in no time."

It's been two weeks, i had multiple mood swings. I was irritable, and having thoughts about my baby that i shouldn't be having. And it scared the hell out of me, because Bast knows i would never hurt my baby. I didn't have the strength to be around my little girl, but I was constantly sad because i wasn’t around her.

What added to my stress was me not producing enough milk as much as i wanted to. I already felt like i didn't bond with her, but now I couldn't do the SIMPLEST THING which is feed my baby. I slowly felt myself getting more and more depressed. I started thinking what good is it for me to be here, if I couldn't feel any love for my child. I truly felt broken.

T'challa walked into the room as I paced back and forth beside the bed. “Why am I feeling this way, T’Challa?!” i questioned him angrily as hot tears ran down my cheeks.

He looked like he didn't know what to say, but walked towards me. “I-I do- I do not know, my love, but it'll get better. You know I'm always here for you." He said, reaching out for me.

I glared at him backing away taking in a ragged breathe. I angrily placed my hands on the sides of my head, and let out a choked sob. I looked back at him, his eyes glossy and a frown on his face. And it made me Angry! Not because of him, because of the stress and worry I was putting him through. It just seemed like I couldn't do ANYTING FUCKING RIGHT!

“Get out, T’Challa.” i turned my back away from him, so he wouldn't see me crying, and walked towards the bed, to get in the covers. When he attempted to grab me, i pushed him away.

“I SAID FUCKING LEAVE!” He slowly backed away, and began walking out of the room. I got in the bed and pulled the covers over my head, and began sobbing. What is happening to me?

➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️

T’Challa’s Pov

I went to the doctor monitoring Y/N and Lesedi. The doctor informed me that it was common for her to be extremely sad, which occurs in a lot of women after giving birth.

“The Queen is suffering from postpartum depression, my king.” he told me. I looked at him confused.

“I've never heard of this....depression.” i was genuinely confused. I did not know she was depressed. How could i not see this? I just want to understand why.

“How is she depressed? She gave birth to the child we begged Bast for? I don't understand why she isn't happy. I said, looking at the doctor who gave me a sympathetic look.

“It’s not that she is not happy, T'challa. Her hormones, her worries, the stress of dealing with a newborn, can all bring upon this depression.” he said. He went to grab his clip board and started naming all the symptoms of Postpartum Depression.

anger

anxiety

guilt

hopelessness

loss of interest or pleasure in activities

mood swings

panic attacks

I folded my arms and frowned at each symptom he named. My Love was going through all this this?

Uncontrollable crying

irritability

restlessness

 fatigue or loss of appetite

depression or fear

The thought of Y/N feeling like this, and trying to deal with it by herself hurt me. I felt tears brim my eyes but I quickly held my composure. I needed to be strong for Y/N, and to make sure she knew I was here for her.

I now had a better understanding, and thanked him, taking my leave to check on Y/N. I don't know what's going on with my Uthando lwam, but I will not stop until I figure it out.

➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️

3rd Pov

T'challa walked in the room to see you in the bedroom again curled up in a ball. You were in bed with a pained look on your face. Y/N saw his face, and looked like she wanted to cry even more. This wasn’t only hurting you, it was hurting him too. It was hurting the baby. He got into bed and after a few moments of silence, he spoke.

"I need you to tell me what's going on with you, Sthandwa."

Y/N sighed deeply, shaking her head and turning away from him.

“You won’t understand, T’Challa.”He turned your body back towards him and stared into your eyes. “You’re not letting me understand. We are one, Ukumkanikazi wam. You can't keep shutting me out. I need you, our daughter needs you." He said, softly.

"She deserves a mother that’s happy to be around her and I’m not. I feel EMPTY! And I don’t understand because those 9 months I spent with her in my STOMACH, I felt so close to her but now she’s actually here and I don't feel ANYTHING! LIKE WHAT IS THE POINT?! I CAN'T FEED HER RIGHT! EVERY TIME I TRY TO HOLD HER SHE CRIES! AND IT'S MY FAULT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A BOND! I just feel like she'll be better off without me." She said, As tears streamed down her face.

He grabbed your face. “D-Do...... Do not say that! You are everything to me and you are everything to her. Do not say you are nothing! AND SHE WOULDN'T BE BETTER OFF! AND NEITHER WOULD I! WE NEED YOU! this WORLD and this COUNTRY NEEDS YOU! Do you understand?" Y/N wrapped her arms around his neck, and cried into his shoulder and slowly nodded.

T'challa rubbed her back soothingly and kissed the side of her head, and turned her head so she could look at him. "I need you. Our daughter needs you. This kingdom needs you. You have to believe me when I say you are needed.”

After a hour of them comforting each other, T'challa got an idea, and kissed Y/N's head saying he'll be right back. Y/N sat up against the headboard and watched her husband walk out. Y/N sat in thought and tried to think positive, her and T'challa was going to make it through this, she'll just have to keep fighting.

T'challa walked in carrying Lesedi as she dranked from her baby bottle. T'challa got In bed beside his Queen, and slowly handed Lesedi to Y/N. She carefully took her and stared into her big brown eyes. Lesedi stared at her mama and reached her little chubby arm up and placed her hand on her mama's cheek, smiling letting out a gurgling noise.

Suddenly, it all hit her. A rush of happiness, joy, and love came barreling into Y/N, tears streaming down her face, as she started laughing. Y/N prepped many kisses on her daughters face. This is your daughter. This is yours. All yours. You knew you loved her with every fiber of your being, but now you finally felt it, and it was the most indescribable feeling you ever felt in your life.

T'challa looked at his wife with tears in his own eyes, and scooted over wrapping his arm around her back, and kissed her cheek.

"Ndiyakuthanda." He whispered to her. She turned to look at him with the biggest smile he's seen in a long time. "Ndiyakuthanda, nawe." And kissed his lips, pulling away and looking back at her daughter. "Nobabini"

[bookishtheaterlover7]

Random Realization and thought...

So, I've been rewatching the X-Men 97 series(felt like it😆), and I realized a few things now that I'm older...

Wolverine is awesome! - he's got lots of issues to work through but he cares for the X-Men, and not just himself. (Several episodes can attest to that. And here's to hoping they won't change that when the series revival comes🥂)

Cyclops and Jean are goals - come on! Are y'all gonna dispute that? And I honestly cannot imagine Emma being the side-chic, to that power couple (y'all can explain to me how that happened 😅)

By Season 2, there is a slight change in art style, but the stories are just as awesome

Jubilee is definitely a kid with a big heart - girl wants to be included, do some action, fix broken relationships... I can go on🥹

Gambit and Rogue are also one of the best pairings - she loves him but hates him, he loves her, and that's why he riles her up on purpose, and enjoys it like the little shit he is. Why didn't I notice that when I was younger?!😅 (And she takes his name in an episode in Season 5 when undercover to protect a young mutant in a small town🫶)

Beast deserves to be with his family, and Carly😭😭😭😭😭 'nough said...

And other Marvel characters really do make cameos in this series

X-Women are badass😍 - some of my fave superheroines growing up

But what is with them somehow getting manipulated by red flags🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩 - I ain't kidding! Let me list:

Jean = Jason Wyngarde (I get that he manipulated Jean's mind to get to Phoenix, point is dude "married" Jean and used basically mind control on her)

Rogue = Cody (he was shit, and the definition of young love)

Storm = Arkon (right now, he's definitely a red flag when he first meets Storm. And his overly dramatic way of speaking makes me go🤢)

I need to see Storm meet T'Challa and rule Wakanda, even for a few episodes 🥺- I've wanted to know since I found out she married and divorced our King, plus being queen suits Storm

Well, I've nerdily ranted, and I feel much better 😁 and as usual happy to discuss more and basically nerd/geek hangout with y'all. I may have more, when I do, I might make another post. Let me know if I should make this a recurring thing😊

I honestly can't be the only one who adores X-Men 97 OG, right?😃

[mickimomo]

I just had a random thought (Just a headcannon not a suggestion). Do you think Wakanda would have popstars or celebs the way the rest of the world does? Because I imagine that if they did, it would be really local since they were so closed off from the world. Because I'm trying to imagine a Wakandan popstar wanting to perform at Attuma and Okoye's wedding now or actor from a Wakandan TV show showing up and I'm crying at how confused the Talokanil would be about it.

You know what. Yes.

Hear me out.

I think their dynamics with celebrities aren't as chaotic as they are in the rest of the world.

Like, you see how T'Challa and Shuri can roam around Wakanda. And everyone is really kind and respectful. No one is fainting because the King of Wakanda is walking down the street with his girlfriend in BP1. No one is foaming at the mouth working in a lab with Shuri.

So, I think that same dynamic would apply.

Like, maybe a really well-known Wakandan singer comes up and greets Okoye and Attuma, and he's very indifferent about her.

And Okoye is like- "She's an amazing singer. I listen to her while I'm training. Alllllll the time."

And Attuma is jealous, because he's a great singer.

And then the singer goes up there and gives us Beyoncé in Dubai vocals. And he has no choice but to be impressed. 🤣😭 So Okoye has him listen to one of her albums, and now he's a fan.

(I think the other talokanil people present would be impressed or have their own talents go up there to rep Talokan with a song. This may or may not lead to drunk karaoke later.)

Okoye is amused by the entire thing, because after the wedding and honeymoon Attuma is so invested in imitating her notes. Singing in xhosa, but not knowing what he's saying because he's still learning.

And Okoye is like: 🤭 "Baby, you just sang about fucking a woman you yearn for until daylight."

And Attuma is just: 😏 "Yeah. You."

(P.S. That last part was based on my love for music in other languages and how some of their best bops are freaky songs. 💀 You'll be getting down to a song about wet dreams and never know it until you google the lyrics. 🥹 Attuma has no shame though, so he'll be singing it to Okoye proudly.)

[aikaterini-drag]

Chapter 17 Courage

Find more chapters of the "Fading Scars" Series here ♡

It was a quiet day. Almost two months passed since the last time Grace had seen or heard from James. Sometimes, Natasha would reveal a tiny bit to her. Until now, Grace knew they were on the hunt, looking for Silas, aiming to destroy Hydra. Their group had apparently expanded, receiving support from the people of Wakanda.

It was a relief... that James was no longer a criminal in King T'Challa's eyes. Finding Silas could clear James' name, leading to a pardon from the government. He could finally lead a normal life, safe and no longer chased by anyone. Grace sighed hopefully, sinking into the chair beside her. She imagined James enveloping her, his musky scent and warmth embracing her.

Longing and need replaced her frustration.

Ever since arriving in Stark Tower, she had made a promise to herself; to find her inner strength and help James. She understood and accepted his rush actions to protect her but she refused to remain a powerless pawn in Hydra's game. She wasn't powerful and strong in matters of strength but she could help him.

"Grace?" Braylon's honeyed voice interrupted her thoughts. "What's with the deep frown?"

Grace turned to him, her lips curving into a small smile. "Nothing. Did you bring the files I asked for?"

"Sure did," he replied, placing envelopes, papers, and a USB on the table. "I'm just curious why you wanted this info."

Grace opened a file, pointing to the name on top. "See this? Felicity Landon."

Recognition dawned in Braylon's eyes. "She has the same surname and... and she looks like you!"

"She's my mother, of course, I resemble her greatly," Grace said with a nostalgic smile. "I need to study these and meet with Tony Stark. Can you arrange it?"

"Consider it done," Braylon said, contacting Tony through his phone. "He'll come down in a jiffy. How can you read these?"

"My mother and I bonded over her work."

Grace delved into the papers, with Braylon curiously crouching beside her. There were reports, medical charts, and mathematic formulas that he had no idea what they meant. Soon, Tony made his entrance, waving his arms in a grandiose manner. He noticed the mess of papers and leaned down, his sunglasses sliding down his nose.

"What's all this?"

"My mother's files. Thanks for hacking Hydra's database," Grace said, acknowledging Tony's effort.

"No problemo. So, your mom was an anti-Hydra researcher?" Tony asked with interest.

"Yes. She was a brilliant scientist, struggling to take down its most cruel power; brainwashing."

"I'm curious... How did they brainwash people?" Braylon asked, genuinely intrigued.

"They manipulated personal memories, used hypnosis, and some sort of mental reprogramming," Tony answered. "They came up with certain trigger words for those who held great potential for their operations... like Barnes."

Grace tried to remain calm and push aside the haunting images of James's ordeal. His every scream was embedded in her mind and she thanked God that he was so resistant to Hydra's brainwashing, fighting against it with all his might. With her mother's knowledge, she could help him once and for all and free him from the Hydra's sickening control.

"However, even if you save him, you can't guarantee his safety..." Tony's voice carried a somber note. "The knowledge of what he did for Hydra... the burden is too heavy. It will be hard to make amends, to confront the person he used to be and the person he has to be."

"And what should I do?" she muttered, troubled and weak. "Leave him be? With those things they've put in his mind?"

"I think what boss means to say is that James deserves to be saved but he might never return to normal..." Braylon explained. "It's not easy to escape from one's past."

"I understand that," Grace replied weakly. "But I'll stand by him, help him if he lets me."

Tony exhaled. "Did your mother have a plan to revert the process of the brainwashing?"

Grace smiled bitterly. "She developed an algorithm to neutralize the vocalized codes without erasing memories. She named it Project Meminero."

"Smart," Tony mused. "Meminero means 'I will remember' in Latin."

"Yes..." Grace said, her features pale. "And that was why Silas approached her. He seduced her by pretending to be a kind, soft-hearted man in order to gain intel about her project. They married and I was born. I was always afraid of him... I could tell that he did not want me. Though an excellent scientist, my mother failed to see his true colors until it was too late."

"What happened next?" Braylon asked.

Grace's lips trembled as she spoke. "When I was a child, we joined SHIELD's protection program. I was eighteen when tragedy struck. Natasha was the head of our security, still, Silas managed to find us... he killed my mother but I managed to escape with knowledge of her work."

Her tone shifted, mournful. "I changed my identity, but he still... well, you know the rest."

"What a terrifying man," Braylon said.

"That's why I need your help," she said and met Tony's stare. "Hydra is also your enemy. We can combine our data and cooperate to take down their most monstrous project."

"And what is it that we must do?" Tony asked, eager to get this mission going.

"This is where it gets tough." She paused meaningfully then added, "My mother hid everything in a place only I know of."

"Then all we have to do is take it," Braylon said. "Grace... you hold the future in your hands."

"You've found your strength, your courage," Tony smirked. "Revealing all of this shows your dedication to him."

Grace let out a nervous chuckle. "I just want this nightmare to end. Ignoring the pain won't lead me forward. Confronting Hydra and Silas is the way to save James and myself."

Tony nodded. "You have my unwavering support. Prepare yourself. We're heading out. Let's uncover your mother's work and make her proud."

"But... what about Natasha?" Grace asked, well aware that the redhead spy wouldn't let them off so easily.

"You forget who I am," Tony smirked. "So... where are we heading?"

▪️▪️▪️

James rolled out of bed, a long groan escaping him. Once again, his sleep had been plagued by frightful images and screeching voices. He rubbed his throbbing temples and swallowed hard, tasting the agony, the disrepair. The nightmares persisted, he couldn't rest, and not even the sleeping pills could help rid him of the nightmares.

With a heavy sigh, he lifted himself from the makeshift bed on the floor, berating himself for being so foolish, so heartless with Grace. Leaving her had affected him more than he had imagined. She had been a comforting refuge, a warm embrace in a world rife with chaos and pain. And he had turned away from her, deceiving and abandoning the only person who managed to make him feel such precious feelings.

For all the above, he refused to break his resolve. He cared for Grace, more than words could possibly describe, and it was precisely the reason that compelled him to keep his distance. Danger followed him at every corner and she had to remain safe, pure, and gentle. That was what he repeated to himself day after day. It had turned into a mantra as he focused on his mission.

With these thoughts in mind, Bucky navigated the corridors of the jet, eventually reaching the upper level. In a matter of hours, they would reach Croatia, following one of T'Challa's leads. He stared outside blankly, lost in the sight of the night sky and its shimmering stars. He stared blankly until the sound of approaching footsteps grabbed his attention.

"Can't sleep?" Steve's voice carried through the air.

"Got a lot on my mind," Bucky muttered, discomfort and vulnerability in his tone.

"You're having nightmares..." Steve was now only a few steps away.

"Every damn night," came Bucky's response, hoarse, almost inaudible. "But I can handle it."

Steve narrowed his eyes. "This is not good, Buck."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, it's just... the same old stuff," he replied, though his haunted eyes betrayed the true weight of his ordeal.

"Why don't you call her?" Steve suggested. James yearned for Grace. He called out her name in his sleep, begging her to come to him.

"No," Bucky said, ignoring the bittersweet pull on his heart at the mere thought of hearing her voice.

"Why are you so strict with yourself? Why deny happiness?"

"What happiness, Steve?" James said, his red-rimmed eyes focusing on him. "I'm a lab experiment, a bomb about to go off. Silas can hurt Grace just by using the goddamn words on me."

"You are strong and resilient. You always find your way back."

"What if I suddenly can't come back? What if I break down?" Bucky replied, the context of his words more frightening than death itself.

"Buck..."

"Look. I need to eradicate Hydra and disappear from the world. Find peace, someplace where I can no longer hurt people."

"Grace trusted you. Even with her memories gone, she trusted you." Steve knew he was venturing into sensitive territory but refused to give up. "You must speak to her. No more hiding the truth."

With a pathetic sigh, Bucky covered his face with his hands. "After what I've done?"

"She might lash at you. I'm sure. But once I tell her what a moody slump you've been ever since you two separated, I'm sure she will forgive you."

For the first time after so long, Bucky laughed. "Really?"

"Really," Steve half laughed. "Think it over. If you lose her, you'll regret it forever."

Bucky cleared his throat and changed the conversation. "So what's our plan once we arrive?

"T'Challa's intel suggests unusual activity at an abandoned house in Krapina, Croatia," Steve explained. "CCTV spotted a jet resembling the one Silas used."

"It's worth checking out."

"Silas might have created more super soldiers with the new serum," Steve said and crossed his arms in front of his chest. "And judging by what we saw from Rumlow, it is incredibly strong."

"Hydra is more dangerous than ever. With nothing to lose, I say they definitely injected most of their agents," Bucky said, coiling in disgust.

"We'll manage—"

Steve's words were cut short by the insistent ringing of his phone. It was the ungodly hour of the call and Natasha's number flashing on the screen that instilled a sense of urgency. And once he did, her news plastered a worried expression on his face.

"What's wrong?" Bucky strained his ears, catching snippets of conversation, and his heart skipped a beat as he heard Grace's name. "Grace?"

Steve grumbled. "She and Tony Stark have left the tower."

James released a heavy breath. "We should figure out where they're headed." Without waiting for a response, he strode forward. "I'm altering our course to track her down."

"Hold on!" Steve interjected, grabbing his shoulder. "No need to change direction. Grace is actually quite close by."

[themculibrary]

Maria/Sam Masterlist

Autumn Thorn (ao3) - LittleMissSyreid M, 41k

Summary: When a woman rescues Bucky from his imprisonment as the Winter Soldier, he seeks Steve Rogers' help to cope. However, HYDRA is not to be underestimated and quickly enforces a new recruit to take the Winter Soldier's place... Based during and after the events of Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Breakfast Negotiations (ao3) - ifwednesdaywasaflowerchild T, 565

Summary: Maria misses breakfast. Sam is not happy.

Five Times Maria Hill Handled Things (ao3) - ShannonXL T, 857

Summary: There is no +1 because Maria Hill handles everything.

Found the Right Guy (ao3) - uofmdragon N/R, 680

Summary: Maria needs help corralling the Avengers after they've been de-aged.

i do (ao3) - Aquariusgarbag M, 1k

Summary: “We should sleep together.”

“Okay, first of all I know you speak English perfectly, so like, phrasing.” Sam says.

“Sam, I think we should sleep in the same bed. For appearances sake.”

I Knew Life Was Never Meant to Be Easy (ao3) - ChElFi T, 6k

Summary: Maria knew there would be fallout when she followed Steve to take down SHIELD and HYDRA, she just never imagined how far and wide it would spread across her life. Still, she wouldn't go back and change it. She knew life was never meant to be easy. First story in a five part series. MCU canon-compliant, as far as my old brain can recall. T for language.

It Happened One Afternoon (ao3) - lionessvalenti E, 2k

Summary: Sam wasn't sure if he was more impressed with himself for getting a booty call on a Thursday afternoon or concerned with the state of the city if Maria Hill was in town.

Limerence (ao3) - grimeysociety E, 4k

Summary: (n.) the state of being infatuated with another person.

Maria finally takes some time off to attend Tony and Pepper's wedding weekend in France.

playing pretend (with real feelings) (ao3) - svgurl410 maria/sam T, 2k

Summary: Sam and Maria have to go undercover as a couple.

Sure Movin' Down the Line (ao3) - circ_bamboo T, 20k

Summary: Sam Wilson needs his wings fixed. Steve Rogers thinks he knows a guy who can do that, but as it turns out, Tony Stark didn't make the wings. He knows who did, though: T'Challa, the king of Wakanda and the genius behind the Wakandan Design Group. Sam, along with Rhodey and Maria Hill, goes to London to meet T'Challa . . . where unexpected dangers await them.

The Bounty Hunter and the Spy (ao3) - uofmdragon T, 7k

Summary: Sam and Maria meet for the first, second, and third time.

The breaking table (ao3) - Majestic_Moonwolf M, 3k

Summary: Sam tries out a trick he saw on TV, but it's not going as well as he had hoped

The Caretaker Instinct (ao3) - annathecrow maria/sam T, 5k

Summary: The door creaks and Wilson comes into the room. Maria doesn’t bother to turn and ignores him, only to be surprised when he shoves a plastic coffee cup right under her nose. She looks up at him dubiously. “You look like you need it,” he answers with a small smirk.

The Moon Don't Hang Quite As High (ao3) - geckoholic T, 2k

Summary: In hindsight, he probably shouldn't have asked her out in her office, separated from her nosy minions only by a glass wall. He should maybe not have made his intent quite so obvious by bringing flowers – never let it be said his mama didn't raise a gentleman – and shouldn't have aimed straight for a dinner invitation.

Too hurt to comfort (But they'll try anyway) (ao3) - uofmdragon G, 1k

Summary: Normally, Sam and Maria don't get typically get injured at the same time. It's usually only one of them at a time and then the injured one doesn't want to move. The uninjured is always happy to take care of the injured one.

Today though...

Today is completely different.

Wrapped Around You (ao3) - GlassesOfJustice M, 533

Summary: Nothing like sex to kill time while on a mission.

[tobiasdrake]

Here we go. Black Panther. Before we begin this movie, I need to establish something.

Black Panther is a cultural phenomenon. This movie hit theaters and it did numbers that only full-on Avengers movies are supposed to make. King T'Challa outsold Iron Man, the MCU's biggest name at the time.

And you can see why. This movie presents a rich and unapologetic afrofuturism. It dares to imagine an Africa untouched by colonialism, by the slave trade, and to celebrate the idea. To say in no uncertain terms, "What a great place to live that would be."

While also setting aside time to talk about the legacy of enslavement and its effects on the African diaspora today. And doing so through the lens of the people who were directly affected by it, without the influence of white voices controlling the conversation.

This movie has so much to say. And if you're looking for a real strong understanding of what its messages are and its impact on the diaspora, then I'm not the person you should be hearing that from. There are a wealth of black voices around the internet that are more than happy to talk about Black Panther and what this movie meant for them and for the culture.

Personally, I recommend this video by YouTuber F.D. Signifier which examines the history of Black Panther, the character and comic, as well as the historic and cultural contexts that went into creating this film.

[anarkissm]

“Some things just aren’t made to make sense.” / for claudette

before the nation of wakanda entered the global stage, major political players knew it only as a pastoral region; scattered tribes and nomadic clans permeating a rich, mountainous geography. but the kingdom's power revealed itself through various philanthropic efforts which first began with a series of wakandan international outreach centers created across several continents.

claudette never imagined the new and fascinating realities that wakanda's presence shared, blooming like black roses across the illuminated young minds of inner-city kids and youths from disadvantaged backgrounds.

she had experience with community work, future investments cultivated through people; primarily for her role with canada's montreal metropolitan science center, as the leader of its first tutoring program. it had hosted an exclusive winter gala in celebration of that work, and invited her as an honored guest. it was possibly the third most invigorating experience of her scientific career. the second: awarded to her first day interning at one of the leading centers in biochemical research.

the first, easily, is this: to have wakanda's pioneering scientists invite her to their country, their sacred research facilities, with some of the most innovative biologists and physicists of the global south.

her father tells her that she should be so, so proud. in the privacy of a guest room, she would listen to his voicemails as a comforting reminder that claudette morel, maybe, deserved this opportunity. in spite of feeling foolish for bringing a spiral notebook with her luggage; quickly discovering that every writing surface in wakanda was made of holographic nano-projectors and touch-sensitive glass screens, powered by free energy afforded to them through their vibranium.

but visiting princess shuri's laboratory, built on the highest floor of their city's highest building, was an experience that still haunts her; claudette's eyes took in every technological marvel, every thoughtful creation processed through projectors and algorithms; her mind collects information in the same way a corvid collects shiny trinkets, avidly watching on as wakanda's young, leading scientist worked on her latest research: synthesizing a heart-shaped herb, currently extinct.

afterwards, claudette finds herself writing with paper and a ballpoint pen more and more, over the course of the next several weeks. scribbling and scratching at each wandering thought that propelled through the finite spaces of her mind, sleepless and homesick. carrying it with her to do field work and research projects, tucked against her chest like a shield.

inevitably, someone notices.

t'challa peers over her shoulder, as claudette is too preoccupied to notice, moving towards the sun, trying to find a better angle of light; the yellowing glow filters through the laboratory's panoramic windows, as she sketches the heart-shaped herb in the margins of her notebook.

she thinks she hears him ask, what are you doing? she thinks it is, possibly, an honest question; a question that her restless mind has been waiting for.

"i-it's not important. just daydreaming. well. m-more like hypothesizing. i've only read about the herb, but i heard it was used in an important ritual...?" her mouth is moving, talking, of its own volition. "my grandmother used to tell me that rituals were a way to connect us with our past, people. i wonder if it wasn't just a metaphor. there are billions of billions of neurons in the brain alone, more than all the stars in our galaxy. we can recall memories and images faster than the speed of light. there has to be something more than just utility in that, r-right?"

she closes her notebook, keenly aware of the king's attention, now. he stares at her, as if expecting her to answer her own question.

"because― because there's been studies about the possibility of quantum processes occurring in the brain's microtubles. mostly experimenting with anesthesia. but wakanda's heart did more than that. at least, that was my impression." claudette's face darkens, flushed with an abrupt spell of uncertainty. she averts her eyes, raising her hand to adjust the glasses framed around them. "i-i know it isn't in the curriculum, but it's just been, um. bugging me. like, maybe we do connect with... something. some part of our four-dimensional space that can only be experienced through that process. and processes are like rituals, too. e-everything is a mirror. does that make sense?"

some things just aren’t made to make sense.

she thinks that the tone of his voice may have been kindly. or neutral. it is not always easy for her to tell the difference.

but t'challa's succinct answer, and the somberness of his expression, reveals that claudette's curiosity had wandered into potentially restricted territory.

she feels like shrinking. tilts her chin downward, as if in apology. hugs the notebook to her chest.

"oh. right, of course, i― i was just thinking out loud."

[vvolfstare]

Bucky had never imagined he would long for the days when they were sleeping in crappy motels, hiding out from the Avengers, and risking their lives to destroy HYDRA bases. But as strange as it sounded, those had turned out to be some of the best of his life. It was where he'd fallen in love with Clint, where they got to be together, something he thought he'd lost for good when he first saw his face in that newspaper. It seemed like he'd lived a lifetime since then. If they could never go back to that, he wanted to find a way forward, together. Though he had his doubts about whether the Wakandans could help him, it was the first time he'd dared to hope they might have a future together.

Clint wouldn't have found anything even if he'd looked. Bucky had been helping him stay sober long enough to guess how he must be feeling, and he'd already done a thorough search of the jet before they ever picked him up and dumped what he'd found. He worried he wouldn't be able to do the same for him in Wakanda though. If they had to put him back into cryo for a time, who was going to take care of Clint? A little worried frown had formed between his brows while he gazed at nothing in particular.

His head turned slowly, and for a second his gaze was blank, a remnant of the Winter Soldier. He blinked and it cleared, some of the life returning to him as he pulled in a breath. "We're going to Wakanda," he said quietly. "That guy who was chasing us… the Black Panther… he's King T'Challa. He thinks they can help get the programming out of my head." He explained as succinctly as he could about Wakanda and vibranium, this secret they'd kept from the entire world, and how T'Challa had had a change of heart when he learned the way Zemo had used the Winter Soldier.

Fourteen days. Fourteen days imprisoned on the Raft in 23/7 isolation, stripped of his rights as a living being. There was no lawyers or trial. Simply, put in cuffs and hauled off to somewhere in the ocean to be thrown in the cell. If he had known on the helicopter ride it would be his last time seeing the sky or feel the sunshine on his face, he would have appreciated it more. Taken his time to memorize the colors and soak in the warmth one last time before he started his life in a new definition of hell.

Tony arrived on day four of their incarceration and so did his anger. The genius stood outside his cell and raged on about how for years he had been sleeping with the enemy, calling him selfish, a traitor, and far worse things. As he went on about how he dragged Wanda into this and ruined her life as well, Clint could only sink deeper into himself until he finally broke and asked the question that had been plaguing him for days; was Bucky alive? He just needed to know.

If what Tony had been shouting at him before through the reinforced plexiglass wall was bad, the slough of hate rained down on him after just broke his spirit. No sunlight. No human contact. No knowledge if Bucky was alive or dead. After that, he couldn't bring himself to leave his cell during the single hour they were allowed to interact, despite Sam and Wanda's attempts to draw him out.

Most days Clint laid on shitty cot staring at the wall daydreaming of Bucky; how it felt to have his arms around him and his weight pressed against his back. The smell of the cheap shampoo he used on his hair still clinging to his pillow the morning after he showered. His hot breath on the back of his neck while Bucky slept. The drawl in his voice when he was being charming and called him doll. Tender forehead touches that said everything but somehow at the same time not enough.

When was the last time he told Bucky he loved him?

Every minute ticked by in hours, dragging painfully on. Night was when the guards dimmed the light, day returning when they were flicked back on, and all he wanted to do was sleep. Privacy was a commodity he was no longer privy to. A thing of the past. There was no hope left in him, finally coming to accept the fact he would never see Bucky again. Hell, he doubted he would ever see the sky.

Another time the lights were dimmed down to almost nothing and another time Clint rolled over on the stiff cot to face the wall. Blue eyes slowly closed and with a deep breath, he let his mind wander off to better times and places; the way the bed dipped as Bucky was slipping beneath the blankets, how he would scoop an arm around his waist and pull him back flush against his chest, the comforting heat radiating off of him that seemed to envelope him whole. It was enough to allow him to drift off to sleep, briefly forgetting he wasn't in some cheap motel room with the man he loved.

@vvolfstare