#attoye snippet

[siancore]

“Your beauty has no rival,” said Attuma while holding Okoye’s gaze.

She became somewhat bashful at his admission as a sweet smile graced her lips.

“The stars in your midnight skies are envious of you,” Attuma continued. “For they can only wish to be half as beautiful as you, and just as bright.”

Okoye said nothing as her eyes softened further at his earnest words.

“You possess me, Okoye. You possess all of my desires. How can I be away from you? My want for you is too great. Do you want me as well?”

Okoye let out a shaky breath and said, “Yes. Yes, Attuma. I want you, too.”

[pilesofpillows]

First Comes Marriage (We're Already in Love, Keep Up) || Attoye Excerpt

Attoye Week Day 3: Fluff/Comedy

A/N: Peeks in... Hi, it's been a minute 😅 I do have updates to deliver and I will get there, I promise. For now though, here's a quick snack from one of my Attoye Week fics...

A snackie for @attoye-week

This is the premise and I know the title is long, but it'll make sense later 😂

Attuma stood at the edge of N’Tando’s property, taking in the sprawling expanse of Okoye’s family land. Herds of goats, sheep, and horses grazed behind deceptively frail-looking fences. A round house sat on top of one of the hills, simple in its outward appearance, but Attuma knew better. 

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. It was strange, this disquiet coursing through him. His feet felt rooted in place, yet his soul felt like an untethered island drifting in the sea. Attuma did not get nervous. His assurance in who he was had carried him through many of life’s highs and lows. Even on the eves of great battles, Attuma remained steady. 

But this was not battle. At least not one he was familiar with. 

As if sensing his nervousness, Iktan grabbed his hand in both of hers, squeezing slightly. “Ko'oten, nacom. K ilej wa Chaac ka Bast u séen kaxa'antbil ti' le eek'o'obo'. [Come, general. Let us see if Chaac and Bast have met in the stars.].”

Attuma chuckled, “Yaan ti' leti'ob [They have]. No other could compare. You will soon see.”

“Then let us go and meet your wife, General,” Iktan smiled.

Attuma nodded and gave a low whistle, calling his múuch to attention and instructing them to wait at the bottom of the hill while he and Iktan spoke with his love’s father. Hopefully, the man would not reject the gifts or his proposal. 

N’Tando greeted them with a wide grin, waving as Attuma and Iktan made their way up the hill. Attuma waved back, a small smile lighting his face at the baby goat in the man’s large arms.

“Molo, General Attuma! This is a surprise!” N’Tando said jovially, shifting the small animal in his arms to give him the Talokanil salute. 

Attuma’s smile widened, and he crossed his arms over his chest, returning his salute with the Wakandan variation. Ignoring Iktan’s surprised glance, he asked the elder Wakandan if he had a moment to talk.

“Of course!” the man answered, leading them toward the house. “Let me get this one settled with his mother, and we can speak inside. I should warn you, though, Okoye isn’t here. She mentioned a new trail she wanted to hike, out in the thicket.”

A quick sigh of relief left him, and Attuma silently thanked Chaac for the serendipity of this moment. It would be awkward to ask permission to marry Okoye in front of her. If she was traipsing through the jungle, there was little chance of interruption. And when she did return, she would likely be wearing one of the sinfully tight outfits she called workout gear. The gods were indeed smiling on him today.

Attuma could picture the maddening amount of rich, brown skin that would be on display, glistening with sweat from her exertion. The deep cleft of her breasts pressed together by her top. The sumptuous curve of her behind outlined perfectly in skin-tight shorts. His thoughts nearly ran away with him when Iktan cleared her throat, drawing him back to the present.

“That is fine,” Attuma replied, clearing his own throat. “I did not come to speak with Okoye.”

N’Tando’s smile faltered as he released the goat behind the fence. A brief look of confusion graced his face, but he shook his head and pressed on. “Well, no matter. Let us go inside.”

As they entered the main living area, Attuma was once again fascinated with the ingenuity of the Wakandan people. The outside and upper level of the house was simple. The hut was round with a sloping thatched roof, appearing simple and innocuous. The upper level was the same, a modest living space with a small kitchen and two bedrooms. However, a hidden panel in the kitchen revealed a set of stairs leading to an underground structure every bit as advanced as Okoye’s sky-high home in the Golden City. 

N’Tando invited them to sit at the table in his dining room, offering them drinks of water before taking a seat across from them.

“So, General, what brings you here today?”

Attuma felt the same nervousness from before take hold of his tongue, sticking it to the roof of his mouth. Being nervous was not unthinkable; this was a monumental moment. But his silence was quickly making it awkward.  He gulped and removed his rebreather to take a drink of water. 

Sighing, Attuma looked Okoye’s father in the eye. “I would like to introduce you to Iktan. She is an atanzahab. A matchmaker. She has divined matches in my family for three generations.”

N’Tando once again looked confused but smiled at Iktan. “It is good to meet you, Iktan. I am N’Tando, son of N’Jabulo. I imagine you must be very good at what you do to have the General’s trust.”

Iktan smiled warmly. “I do nothing but consult the gods on behalf of those who seek to join their souls eternally. But yes, I do consider myself quite good.”

N’Tando laughed at that, loud and boisterous, and Iktan joined him. 

Okoye’s father was a joyful man, always ready with a bright smile and an easy laugh. He took pride in his work and in his family, unafraid of making difficult choices or confronting hard truths. When Okoye had introduced them the first time, Attuma feared the man wouldn’t be receptive to the one directly responsible for his daughter’s demotion. However, N’Tando greeted him like an old friend and commanded him to help wrangle the goats back into their pen. Attuma had done so, half-shocked by the ease with which the proud man accepted his presence in his daughter’s life. The one time Attuma questioned N’Tando’s approval, his love’s father had answered simply. “You make her happy.”

Attuma fully returned the sentiment. He’d been captivated by her battle prowess on the bridge, enchanted by her ferocity when they’d faced each other aboard the Wakandan Sea Leopard, and enthralled when she’d demanded to be taught water combat after the alliance between their people was formalized. When they’d begun sparring regularly, trading combat techniques and family remedies, Attuma found himself falling more and more in love with each passing day. They built trust, stone by stone, laying an unbreakable foundation of friendship. And eventually, when the formidable woman allowed him past her defenses and into her heart, he knew. 

There would never be another for him. Okoye brought a joy to his life like he had never known. A light and warmth to his soul he’d never felt. 

As their laughter died, Attuma straightened in his chair. “I have brought Iktan here in hopes that we can begin the conversation to formalize Okoye and I’s courtship.”

N’Tando was silent. 

The man’s blank stare sent a trill of panic through Attuma, and words began to pour from his lips in a rushing tumble of air. “I realize she has been married before, but I still wished to follow tradition. It is why I brought Iktan. I was not sure of Wakandan traditions, but still, Okoye deserves the respect of a proper proposal. I asked Aneka and she mentioned an exchange of aalak’, so I brought goats raised in a small village by the surface dwellers near Talokan. I brought other gifts as well, hand-plucked pearls, and even a fertilizer that my chiich created for your squash and melon plants.”

N’Tando sat back and crossed his arms, stroking his beard. “You have come to ask if you can marry Okoye.”

Attuma nodded, “Yes. It is my belief that our destinies have been twined since the moment she spilled my blood.”

~ magis postmodum ~

A/N 2: That's all for now folks... I'll see y'all next week sometime with a chapter of at least one of my WIPs that needs updating 😅

[mamajankyy]

Attoye Week snippet anyone? 

This is from a lil sumn sumn I whipped up for Day 4: Freestyle. Hope you like it! ♡

Summary: Attuma and Okoye have the day off and they plan to spend it at home, because downtime at the same time is rare.

:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆ ｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆

"That can't be who I think it is" Attuma mumbled, a sleepy husk controlling the timbre of his voice.

Okoye groaned in response, further hiding in the tent his long flowing hair pitched. "If we remain still they'll have no choice but to accept defeat and leave," she said, nuzzling her face into his neck.

He scoffed incredulously "Leave? Accept defeat? We are talking about Aneka and Nakia.. the very definitions of bullheaded a-"

"Alright Shark-" she cut him off and pulled away to catch his eyes, feigning a warning tone to stave off the laugh that was building in her chest.

It was no secret that Attuma despised anyone who disrupted his rest: especially on days off.

This morning it seemed that he had sharpened his tongue in a way that was much like hers.

But that didn't mean he could speak so freely about her sisters.

Maybe she was corrupting the blue man?..oh well.

"Unless you plan on letting them in they have no other choice" Okoye offered.

Attuma had no rebuttal so he settled back into his pillow with a quiet huff. Okoye chuckled at his antics and began pressing languid kisses against the hollows of his throat. She lazily massaged his scalp in an attempt to lull him back to dreamland. Once again undermining the effects she had on him.

"If you continue that, they'll be running from our door for different reasons." He rasped.

The hand that was stationed at the base of Okoye's spine traveled down and over the curve of her cheeks, until it was settled under, and his palms were full with the cuff of her bare bottom.

"Ah ah!-" She popped his hand and removed it before he was able to try anything further "I am going back to sleep and so are you" muttering under her breath as she turned over and pulled his arm over her chest. She unintentionally wiggled her behind against his groin trying to get comfortable.

Her tortuous actions caused Attuma to clench his eyes shut and mentally curse whoever decided to not only interrupt his slumber but also bestow him with such a sexy sadist. A severe tongue click and mutters of his own were what Okoye heard as she drifted off to sleep.

[mickimomo]

Attoye-Week Snippets (Part 1)

So, I decided that since I’m participating in Attoye-Week, I’d drop a snippet of the first chapter of each entry I intend on dropping for each theme as I work on them. Hopefully it’ll either get you motivated to participate or interact with the peeps who make something for this Attoye-centered creation event. 

For whatever reason, Day 6: Fairytale had my brain ready to type out every thing. So, this is the first snippet you’ll get outta me. The final draft will definitely have more added to it, so keep an eye out for when Day 6 comes around for @attoye-week! 

Siren Tears and Fairy Wings (Fairytale AU)

Torrential rain dropped from the heavens as a group of men chased after a flickering ball of light.

They ran through the dark forest filled with a few bioluminescent plants and fungi that glowed eerie shades of pink, violet, and teal as they pursued their target.

“FAIRY! FAIRY!”

“Where is it?!?”

“It’s just up ahead! Go! Go! Go!”

The men spilled into a small clearing and began to search around, hitting bushes with sticks and prodding leaves with blades.

“Damn it, Cap’n! We lost em’. I just saw the lil sprite dive intah one of these bushes!” One man grunted. “It’s so hard tah see in this storm!”

“Keep looking!”

The man nodded as he tried to blink away the rain and continued his search.

“Come out lil fairy!” Another crew mate sang softly as he abused a few bushes with a slew of violent swings. “We haven’t got all night!”

Another man moved closer to the captain as the rain poured down harder, making it nearly impossible to see beyond the forest line that circled them.

Just like the others, his white-puffed-sleeve shirt was soaked to the point that it clung to his skin, while his dark brown pants whispered threats of chafing his thighs with every step he made.

“Captain Namor, it’s getting harder to see and we’re not familiar with the terrain or wildlife of this island. If we don’t stop, someone may get hurt-”

The older pirate glanced back at his quartermaster. “Do you know how much money we’ll get with that fairy, Attuma?”

“Lots.” He bit the inside of his cheek at his captain’s incredulous look.

“Not just lots, Attuma. Enough to stop going out to sea! Enough for us to all settle down and live comfortably with our friends and families until our souls depart.” He narrowed his eyes as his eyelashes became curved ledges to raindrops. “Two fairy wings are worth so much. Too much for me to be pouting over someone slipping and busting their ass in the rain or getting nibbled on by a feral critter.” He held up two fingers and wiggled them. “Do you know why?”

“Because they can extend one’s life.”

“Because they can extend one’s life.” He nodded with a grin before tapping his two fingers against the taller man’s chest with each word. “We just need one little fairy and we’re back on the ship and on our way home.”

“I understand, but this weather could cost us a few men.”

“They all want this fairy just as badly as I do. We’ve already injured the little bug, so it’s an easy job.”

“Right, but-“

“-If you want to minimize casualties, I suggest you help us look, so we aren’t out here much longer.”

Attuma’s lips parted slightly before he nodded apprehensively. “Aye, aye captain.”

With a curt nod, Namor walked away leaving the soaked man in a corner of the woods as shouts of possibly spotting a fairy stirred the others up on the other side of the clearing.

This was all futile.

It was only a matter of time before someone got injured and he was forced to patch them up.

Namor was a great captain, but his dreams and ambitions made him reckless and uncaring of the sacrifices it took to achieve them.

Always reminding everyone about how their voyages and discoveries benefited the greater good.

Never caring about the sacrifices, it took to benefit the greater good.

He loosened the collar of his shirt around his neck before he began to look around for any signs of the fairy.

“OI! I THINK I FOUND IT! THIS WAY! THIS WAY!”

Shouts rivaled the thunder as the men rushed onward, leaving Attuma behind as he quietly searched the clearing.

Part of him wanted to call out to them to slow down, but it would only go in one ear and out the other.

There was no point in chasing after them and trying to convince them to give up either.

For now, he could only make sure he was safe and well enough to help in the event of an emergency.

From where he currently stood, he could find his way back to the ship without any issues.

Those idiots would probably get lost and need him to come find them or lead the way back to the ship.

It was only a matter of time.

He shook his head at the thought before examining a small patch of mushrooms beneath a bush that had been smacked and rattled by one of his crew mates.

He carefully lowered his head to find a pair of shaking legs by the base of one of the mushrooms and sighed softly.

He turned around to make sure he was alone before reaching out to carefully scoop up the hidden fairy.

“LET ME GO!” The fairy screamed before tossing a handful of mushroom spores at his face.

“Hey- shhhhhh.” He hushed her frantically before falling into a fit of coughs. “What is that?” He frowned as the rain slowly cleared his senses.

“Something that should have killed you, but surprisingly didn’t.” She scowled as she tried to free herself from his grip.

“Hey. I’m trying to help. My name is-”

“I DON’T CARE WHO YOU ARE! LET ME GO!”

“Shhh!”

“NO!”

“Will you be quiet before you summon my shipmates?” He hissed. “I’m trying to help.”

She let out a scream of frustration after slamming her tiny fists into his hands until she was temporarily burned out, her fairy magic dimming until she was lightless as she panted.

“Hey, will you just calm down and listen to me?”

“Calm down?! Calm down in the hands of a fairy hunter?!” She squirmed in his hold and tried her best to claw at his wet hands with her tiny fingers as the rain poured down on them.

“I’m trying to help you.”

“Help me?”

“Yes.”

“You can’t help me, and I don’t need or want your help.” She glared up at him as rain slipped down her bald head. “You’re with those monsters.” She slapped his hand. “You are a monster.” She curled her hand into a fist before rapidly opening her hand, as if to shoo him off with a sharp flick of her fingers.

“So, what if I am? I want to leave. It is not safe here.” He frowned. “I don’t care if we capture a fairy or not.”

“LIAR!”

He huffed as he carefully lifted her and rose to his full height. “I don’t intend to argue with you all night in this awful weather. I need to get you somewhere safe and go find my shipmates before someone gets sick or injured.”

“You don’t have to get me anywhere. Just let me go!” She smacked at his fingers before landing a bite with her sharp teeth.

He let out a shout of pain and his hand opened. “Fuck-” His eyes widened as he watched the fairy drop to the ground with a wet thud, sparkling dimly as she sat in the mud and tried to flap her broken wings.

“Stupid human.” She spat as she stared up at him. “You were crushing my wings to worsen my injuries. You did that so I couldn’t get away, didn’t you?”

“I didn’t do it intentionally.” He frowned as he looked at his bleeding finger before taking note of the sparkling blood that coated his palm and fingers. “You’re bleeding.” He whispered as the rain slowly washed it from his warm tan skin.

“It’s your fault.” She scooted back a little as her body shivered in the cold rain. “All you humans ever do is take and destroy.” She narrowed her eyes. “You do not know how to coexist peacefully or let things be. You’re always trying to conquer things that are deemed weaker and murder what you do not understand.” She looked around the forest as an inkling of grief shined in her eyes. “You all will be the death of my home. A terrible illness.”

“I won’t let that happen.”

The pirate slowly crouched to look at her properly.

Her skin was a sparkling dark brown that was lined with dimly glowing white and black markings.

Upon further inspection, they were various symbols that he couldn’t comprehend but he knew they meant a great deal to her.

She wore a tattered red dress that sparkled with her blood and was damn near a permanent burgundy brown from all the mud and rain.

Her wings were transparent, but extremely iridescent, looking as if they were paper thin slivers of detailed glass.

Every twitch they made in the light the lightning provided as it danced across the stormy late afternoon sky revealed a bright rainbow.  

He leaned in to inspect the damage that had been done to them, only freezing when his close proximity earned a nasty hiss and baring of sharp teeth. The sound and gesture explicitly promised to do more damage with her razor-sharp teeth if he touched her again.

“I won’t touch you again unless absolutely necessary.” He raised his hands in surrender. “Let’s just talk.”

“I do not want to talk. I want you to go away.”

He sighed. “Look, I’m sure every single human on the face of this planet has a flaw that will prove you right for hating us.” He stared at her solemnly. “I am sorry for hurting you and for assisting with hunting you down. A lot is depending on your wings right now.” He held her fiery gaze. “However, right now, I just want to get my men and my captain back to our ship without any casualties.” He pressed his hand to his chest. “They are like family to me. I don’t want anyone to suffer.” He pointed a finger at her. “But… if I could get you somewhere safe and sound, far away… I could tell them to give up on their pursuit because I know they’ll never find you.” His gaze softened like melting chocolate as he stared at her. “You’ll never see us again if I can get them back to our ship. I just need you to trust me.”

The fairy stared at the pirate long and hard before screams and shouts of panic filled the air in the distance as a loud beastly roar filled the air.

Attuma looked back with wide eyes before looking down at the fairy.

A wave of curiosity graced her features before shifting into a soft smile.

“W-What was that?” He whispered.

“All of you will be punished for coming here.” She looked up at him. “You will all die here.”

“And you’ll die too.”

“I’ll be just fine.” She scoffed. “I belong here. You do not.”

The screams grew louder as they drew near and Attuma reached down carefully. “I have to hide you.”

“No.”

“If my shipmates see you, they will kill you. You can’t escape in your condition.”

“I’ll just hide here.”

“This place is not safe.” He frowned as the shouts came closer to where they were.

“I am not afraid of death. The death of a fairy will curse a hundred men.” She spat.

He shook his head before carefully picking her up. “You can curse some other humans, but not my men.” He scolded her softly. “They have friends and families to return to.”

“Do not touch me!” She struggled to smack away his hand. “Put me down! All of you deserve to die! I’ll be fine-” she snarled before falling silent as he pressed a finger to her lips. His body grew tense as the trees rattled and the bushes began to shake.

He slowly backed himself into the forest before hiding amongst the bushes they had searched earlier, keeping his dark brown eyes locked in the clearing before them.

The fairy froze and looked out into the clearing with curious dark brown eyes.

A ferocious roar challenged the thundering sky as Attuma watched a large monster’s silhouette get highlighted by a strike of lightning.

A slew of bloodied and battered pirates came tumbling and stumbling out of the woods into the clearing, following their mighty captain in hopes of escaping the pursuing monster.

Attuma gently placed the fairy in his shirt. “Hold on.” He whispered before getting up to run parallel to the fleeing men.

A/N: Alrighty! I’ll drop the rest when Day 6 gets here. Check out @attoye-week​ for the deets on when that is and all the other info if you wish to participate.

I hope to see you then and stay tuned for other snippets! <3 

p.s. And yes, I’m working on updating Storm and Exchange. I am slowly and steadily making my way back to the Attoye cookout. 

[dontruinmymorning]

ATTOYE AU

Okoye is Attuma’s best friend’s sister.

He met Nkosazana (Kosa for short) his first day of his first year.

Despite being from different backgrounds they hit it off immediately and both tell each other about home and their families.

He’s heard Kosa mention his sister countless times but has never met her despite meeting his parents.

In the beginning of the semester, when Attuma is home alone, there’s a knock on their apartment door.

It’s Okoye. She had transferred to the neighbouring University and decided to surprise her brother with a visit.

When Attuma opened the door he was awestruck.

He’s seen pictures of Okoye but obviously they’ve never done her justice.

He stands there gaping at her for a second before his brain catches up with what she said.

He lets her know Kosa will be back in a few and she’s welcome to wait.

Attuma had never been so nervous in his life. She had him flustered, with sweaty hands and shaky knees. He hasn’t felt like this since middle school.

He was obviously crushing and crushing HARD.

He knew he was in deep shit cause this is his bestfriend/roommate’s SISTER. Kosa would KILL him if he ever found out how Attuma was feeling.

They end up talking and getting to know each other. While listening to her talk about her passions and watching how her face lit up he knew he was a goner.

He was so SCREWED.

They got so caught up in their own little bubble that they barely noticed when Kosa came back.

He was so excited to see his sister that he didn’t even notice how cosy his roommate and sister just were.

As Okoye bid him farewell after hugging her brother and promising another visit, she smiled at him and his chest felt like it was gonna explode.

Yeah he’s royally FUCKED.

Part 2?

[chottopoco]

How this one Attoye fic is going atm:

[theattoyearchive]

Attuma x Okoye sims for Attoye week 💙💙💙💙🦈🥺!!!

Permission granted to upload by artist: Itsjayjelly18

Speeding through their love life from the beginning to the present day

Follow and Like the artist here

[mickimomo]

Ahhhh! @iccedays you did a splendid job! ✨️

@attoye-week is gonna be super exciting!

Moodboard dedicated to Attoye and the lovely writer @mickimomo 's Siren Tears and Fairy Wings (FairyTale Au)

Fairy / Pirate Special featuring Okoye & Attuma

Attoye - Week Day 6

Please check out her story sneak peek for Attoye week

Look forward to Attoye Week!!!

How cool would be if some artistic attoye fans drew okoye and attuma within this setting

[xenokattz]

Beautifully Created - Ch 8 snippet (Attoye; Black Panther Wakanda Forever)

Hi all. IDK how many of you are here for the sweet fandom memes vs fanfic but *kicks dirt* *hands in pocket* I kinda am not gonna be able to post Beautifully Created for another few weeks. School is SO much harder when you've been out 10+ years who knew?

The good news is 90% of the story is already outlined! It just needs to be written. The bad news is I don't have the spoons to write it at the mo. So here's a little snippet I wrote prior to the vicious cycle of giddyness-despair-rage that is grad school to tide all 5 of you over until I find said spoons.

Attuma saluted Ramonda as deeply as he would have bowed to K'uk'ulkan. The doors to the Council Room shut. The Dora Milaje on the other side banged their spears on the stone floors. He cupped a hand over his fist, shifted his feet, and resting in ready stance. Only a minute or so had passed by when he heard the door open again.

"My-Tuna?"

Attuma startled out of his stance. "Ife?"

"My-Tuna!" The little girl ran out from behind a smaller set of doors behind a pillar. As before, she jumped up at him, trusting him to catch her. And of course he would catch her. He would always--

Attuma blinked and cleared his throat. "What are you doing here, yuyum? Where is your mother?"

"She working," said Ife. "I stay with Makhulu and Makazi sometimes when she working."

Now he understood why she was so confident. Who would not be if they could call Queen Ramonda "grandmother?"

"I do not think you should be here," said Attuma. "This room is only for  grown-ups. Who is with you here? Do they not have a guard for you?"

Ife ignored his questions in favour of squeezing his face between her little hands. "You not visit me ever."

His heart shattered. "I know. I am sorry, my pearl. I have been working a lot these past five days."

"I ask Mama. She say that, too." Ife brightened. "We play now!" 

"I cannot. I must wait here to speak with the queen and the princess."

Ife locked her arms around his neck and sighed, so deep and so sorrowfully, that Attuma nearly left to play with her as she requested. 

"I promise, yuyum, as soon as I am able, before I leave for Talokan, I will visit you again."

Ife reared back. "You leaving?"

"Not for another few days."

"No!"

He pressed a hand on her curls, like coral, like anemone. "Let us not speak of it. Tell me, what shall we do when I visit? Do you want to make a necklace?"

"No leaving!"

"Or we can visit M20 and J10 again to see how the baby is doing."

"You. Not. Leaving!!" In her anger, Ife smacked his shoulder. Hard. Harder than any child, Wakandan or Talokanil should have been able to hit. The membrane on his gill rebreather burst and her fist slammed into the sensitive skin flaps. Attuma's vision flashed white with the pain. His arm went numb. Ife slipped out and she fell on the stone floor, shocked into silence. A second later, she wailed.

The throne room doors slammed open. Four Dora ran in, spears pointed. Behind them were two Talokanil with their own weapons raised.

"Get away from her!" yelled one of the Dora as two others charged in. Seeing him surrounded, the Talokanil let out a war cry and leapt to his defense.

"Ma'!" Attuma commanded, shooting up to his feet with his arms raised. He sensed the Dora reign her rage in but one of the Talokanil-- a scribe, perhaps, the name slipped his mind-- was not as well trained. He could not stop the downward arc of his axe. It connected with the shaft of the Dora closest to Ife. The Dora twisted to change the direction of her spear point but it was still too close. Attuma reached out with one arm and dragged Ife under his body. The point skimmed his flank.

Furious, he grabbed the scribe's axe and stomped it into two pieces. "Control yourself! There is a child here!"

"We thought–"

He grabbed the man's collar and hauled him up, dangling, half-choking. "When I say stop, you stop. I do not care if your head is in the mouth of a shark, you will stop, or I will have your balls bled for the next harvest festival. Do you understand, warrior?"

"Y-yes, Nacom. Forgive me, Nacom."

"And you!" Attuma turned his wrath on the Dora whose spear nearly hurt Ife. "Weapons are never drawn so close to a child! Never! Four centimetres to the left and it would have cut her leg. I will speak to your general about your carelessness."

The Dora crossed her arms in a crisp salute, her eyes widening a second later when she realised what she had done.

Of course, the queen, the princess, and General Ayo stalked in at that moment. Queen Ramonda scanned the scene in front of her as she demanded, quiet as the eye of a storm, "What happened?"

[umber-cinders]

🔞🚨Attoye Kinktober Fic Snippet ❥ 🔞🚨

Incubus!Attuma x Witch!Okoye - Monsterfucking Category

I may be 5 foot irl, but my writing is 6'6", if you know what I mean. So longer snippets for my oneshots are required. So just enjoy the 600 word appetizer because there's more to come when it drops later 😂💕 Join us for Attoye Kintober at @theattoyearchive for more, we'd love to have you visit ❣

Updating this snippet post with the full fic link!:

[pilesofpillows]

Like Real People Do || Attoye Excerpt

Attoye Week Day 1: First Kiss

A/N: Here begins my Hozier Anthology… there will be two Attoye Week fics inspired by my beloved Celtic Bog Faerie.

I hope you enjoy this lil snackie for @attoye-week

The dress was white.

One shouldered with a fitted, intricately beaded bodice, a similarly besparkled sleeve, and a skirt that pooled around her feet— and it was white.

Stark and breathtaking, carefully thought out, beautifully and painstakingly crafted— and it was white.

Okoye stared at the full-length mirror, and a bride stared back at her, somber as she was stunning.

She’d be married anew, cloaked in grief— wasn’t that fitting?

At least her outward appearance would match the inner turmoil rollicking through her body.

“You look beautiful.” Izefia spoke in a reverent tone from behind Okoye, making the final adjustments to the fit.

Their eyes met in the mirror, and Okoye gave the woman a forced smile. The same smile she’d plastered on through every dress fitting and council meeting and treaty mediation and contract negotiation. It was cracked at the edges and never reached her eyes. But it had saved her from endless questions and empty reassurances, so it became the only form of armor she possessed.

Izefia grinned back proudly, just as she had when she’d presented the dress earlier that morning. Okoye didn’t– couldn’t begrudge the elder woman’s pride. Her work was always exceptional, no matter the occasion. It was why she’d been chosen to design Okoye’s wedding dress.

The dress she would wear to marry her new husband and cement her kingdom’s new alliance. The dress she would wear to provide Shuri with a measure of protection while she healed and keep the nation that she’d bled and spilled blood for whole.

“Just one more thing,” the tailor said, gesturing to one of her assistants.

The young woman stepped onto the raised platform with Okoye and Izefia, arms gingerly cradling yet another white piece of fabric. Okoye kept her eyes on the mirror, watching Izefia reach for one end of the garment, delicately lift it, and move behind her. She heard the faintest of clicks, and Izefia’s arms encircled her, careful hands securing a jewel-encrusted belt to her waist with another soft click.

“Oh.” Okoye breathed a soft sigh of wonder as the tailor moved her hands, her eyes fixed on the center of her midsection.

The belt was not white.

The top edge was lined with pearls and diamonds like the bodice of the dress, but the rest was an explosion of color that nearly made her weep. Aquamarines and emeralds swirled with yellow topaz and onyx to form a pattern she knew intimately. And at the center of it all: a sapphire. It’s blue so rich and deep it felt like coming home.

Her eyes watered, and she sucked in a deep breath, meeting Izefia’s gaze in the mirror once more.

The older woman smiled gently and fanned out the skirt affixed to the belt, revealing the familiar blue-dotted pattern of concentric circles and lines. The Border Tribe. Home.

A single tear trailed down her cheek, and Okoye choked on the grateful sob trying to crawl out its way out of her throat.

“Thank you.”

Izefia turned Okoye and cupped her face, carefully wiping the lone tear from her cheek. “You are as much his bride as he is your husband. But first and foremost, you will always be a daughter of Wakanda.”

~ magis postmodum ~

A/N 2: It’ll get better, I promise 😅

Thank you for reading! Can’t wait until Attoye Week begins! 💕💕💕

[karisomk]

Túumben comienzo- Chapter 4∘°∘♡∘°∘ A little crumb after brushing the dust off this one.

Last Line Tag Game

Thank you for the tag @nerdieforpedro !

Trying to update all my series that I left by the wayside in my brainrot for Yahya lol. First up, It Started With a Whisper!

You hadn’t spoken to Sam all week and your body was finding it hard to cope without him. After a year and a half of being together, you found that you couldn’t sleep in the middle of the bed anymore. You couldn’t resist turning over and stretching your arm across cold sheets feeling for someone who was no longer present.

You missed him like crazy, yet every time you thought about how he ambushed you, you got angry all over again. Hurt all over again. When you thought about it, it was an oozing scab that you picked at constantly.  He knew better than to cross that boundary at work, content to stare at you down the hall while he attended his meetings. You promptly ignored him. Ariel could tell something major happened, demanding answers from you that you didn’t know how to give. Where to start.  Once one word fell from your lips, you felt as if the rest would come tumbling out like Niagra Falls. Gallons of words spilling from you, no end in sight, until you were balled up in a fetal position. You knew you had to talk to him, you just weren’t ready. Not yet. Too soon. Because you loved him with all of your heart and it felt like he was going away forever.

Oh, this chapter gon' hurt me lol.

No pressure tags: @wide-nose-and-wonderful @harmshake @umber-cinders @ramblers-lets-get-ramblin @targaryenvampireslayer @j0kers-light

[black-pussy-supreme]

Ensnared: This story is for Attoye week. The theme is Gods and Goddesses. This is my retelling of Aphrodite Ares and Hephaestus and their entanglement. This is a snippet

Lord T'Chaka made a gift of her. It was of course to keep the peace and stop the inevitable infighting that would have taken place had she remained unwed. They all desired her. Even the High-Thunderer lusted but he knew he had to be careful. A new goddess who rose from the depths  covered only in sea foam. Her beauty so terrible that it would drive gods and mortals to madness. It made them willing to risk oblivion for her favor. So she was given to W'kabi, the outsider god, sullen,rancorous, implacable W'kabi. He begged and cajoled Father T"Chaka, appealing to his title as Horkis, the Oath Keeper. After all, W'kabi had been promised a reward for his gift of lightning bolts.

So the most homely was wed to the most beautiful.  Okoye resigned herself to it. She tolerated his clumsy touches, his sooty ashiness and repugnant kisses. He tried. He wanted her passion and devotion so he made her things. Fashioned her extraordinary gifts of Jewelry and vestments, items so exquisite that even the queen of heaven was covetous. But he did not know her. He did not see or understand her. He was angry and resentful at her indifference. She was the ultimate status to him, his boon but he knew the Olympians laughed him to scorn.

But the other…he saw her, understood who she truly was. A goddess of beauty, desire and love yes but a goddess of War. Because love is war. She was every bit the warrior as much as he was. Attuma God of War, bold force, courage and strength saw his equal in her, a daughter of battle.

The others in the pantheon thought him stupid, a blunt instrument used by Olympus to cull the humans and keep the Titans at bay. But she saw him and recognized their shared duality.

There is wrath in her. A savagery that beckons him. The cosmocrats are sightless to it. But the Lord of Bloodshed perceives it. And her violence summons him, join me Layer of waste it whispers.

Adulation indwelled between her thighs. The unconquerable conquered. They found a home in one another.

At first, he was careful not to touch her. His stench coppery, his hands always with the remnant of blood.

He would not take as his Stygian Uncle Namor had. Abducting Shuri the Maiden of Spring and absconding with her to the underworld.

Who does a God pray to when her embrace was his weakness?

[mickimomo]

Attoye-Week Snippets (Part 2)

Ok! So, I decided to not be a chaotic soul today and release the snippet for Day 1 of Attoye-Week. I’ll try to be good and work on Day 2 next. 💀 Enjoy the snippet and keep an eye out for my stuff when @attoye-week​ starts! 

Moonlight (First Kiss Prompt)

Whispers filled the gilded throne room as large holograms displayed several clips of masked people bursting into various facilities to steal misplaced pieces of vibranium.

“These are who… exactly?”

“They call themselves the Wrath of Killmonger.” Shuri spoke up, her dark brown eyes flickered over the many moving images as she sat on her throne.

“As in Erik?” Zawavari tilted her head. “N’Jadaka?”

Namor arched a brow as he glanced at the queen who sat beside him. “N’Jadaka?”

“Yes. He is a traitor of Wakanda. My brother handled him. He is dead.” She offered before tapping a few of her kimoyo beads to pull up a large map with several red dots. “Unfortunately, his dreams of unifying and bringing home the Lost Tribe did not die with him.” She sighed. “There are people out there working together to start an uprising to finish what he started.” She pointed at the map. “These are all of the facilities they’ve attacked so far to gather vibranium.”

“How much vibranium do you think they have?” The Merchant tribe elder looked at all the points.

“Just bits and pieces. Little scraps. Maybe enough to make another Captain America if they truly wished to.” Shuri offered. “It’s not like that Ultron incident where a mass of stolen vibranium was painfully obtained from a criminal we were trying to hunt down.”

M’Kathu scoffed. “Klaw.”

“Yes.”

Namor arched a brow. “Did your brother handle him as well?”

“No. Another traitor did.” She sighed. “He will be in prison until he dies of old age.”

“Ah.”

“Do you think this situation is serious enough for us to deploy the Dora Milaje?” The River tribe elder furrowed his eyebrows. “Or do you think the War Dogs will be sufficient?”

Shuri shook her head. “We must keep our defenses here strong, but I don’t think we should leave the War Dogs to their own defenses. We should treat these people as seriously as they appear. We do not want to repeat the mistakes we made with the people of Talokan.”

“I agree with the Queen.” M’Baku nodded. “If they are simply weeds that can become something harder to kill, we should wipe them out with our heaviest hitters and leave the Dora here to keep the people safe.”

“Then we should send what? The Late Night Angles?” Zawavari arched a brow.

Okoye rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms over her chest. “You mean the Midnight Angels?”

“Yes. That.” The elder stared at the former general with narrowed eyes. “Do you think you can handle this situation on your own? I know Aneka is currently recovering from a mission. It may be too much for one teal demon who has a reputation of failing.”

Okoye buried the urge to erupt by forcing on a hard smile.

“If the Queen commands it, it will happen without hesitation or failure.”

Dark brown eyes moved to Shuri with a question resting in them.

What do you want me to do?

Shuri stared at her for a moment before speaking. “Wipe them from the earth.”

Okoye crossed her arms across her chest in salute. “Ndiyabulela.” (Thank you.)

“I would like to offer a warrior to assist with this matter.” Namor spoke up. “I do not feel comfortable only sending one warrior out to fight an army.”

Okoye frowned. “Do you think I’m inadequate?”

“I do not see the point in burning you out. You do not know what you’re up against.”

“Anarchists with vibranium.” She shrugged. “I promise you, it’s nothing new.”

His gaze hardened. “Taking a comrade from Talokan will benefit you.”

“They will slow me down.”

“Attuma will not slow you down.”

The warrior went rigid before looking across the gilded throne room to see the mighty General looking her over.

“He will slow me down.” She corrected before glaring holes up at the king before looking at Shuri for help.

The king spoke before Shuri could open her mouth. “Attuma is the warrior that bested you-”

“-Once.”

“Once.” Namor nodded. “You know his ways and you know him well. Take him with you.”

“I do not know him.”

“In ba’ate’el.” (Warrior.) Attuma frowned.

Okoye ignored him before looking at Shuri once more. “Ukumkanikazi…” She called out to her.

Shuri allowed a sisterly look to slip through the cracks of her hardened gaze.

Okoye knew what it meant.

She didn’t want to see her getting hurt while trying to be mighty.

And for that reason, she’d have to suck it up and work with Attuma.

The midnight angel offered a firm, yet disappointed nod before curling a finger at Attuma.

“Ko’oten waye’.” She beckoned.

Whispers fell from the council at her use of the Talokanil’s mother tongue.

“How did she learn their language?”

“Is he truly a stranger to her?”

“Okoye is very odd.”

“Well, Okoye is always enthusiastic about learning new languages. Let’s not start claiming treason.”

“Shut up M’Kathu.”

M’Baku barked and they all fell silent.

Attuma approached the Wakandan slowly before stopping beside her.

His eyes rolled over her slowly before her he offered a nod as a greeting.

She didn’t even acknowledge his presence as she turned back to the royals.

“I will take him with me. We will be back once the mission is complete.” Okoye kept her expression devoid of her ever-growing irritation.

“May Bast give you strength.” Shuri offered.

Okoye saluted once more as she crossed her arms across her chest before turning around and walking out of the throne room with Attuma following quietly.

A/N: Alrighty! I’ll drop the rest when Day 1 of Attoye-Week gets here. Check out @attoye-week​ for the deets on when that is and all the other info if you wish to participate or read what other people have created thus far!

I hope to see you then and stay tuned for other snippets! <3

[dontruinmymorning]

ATTOYE COLLEGE AU

Here’s a snippet of possible scenes in this fic idea:

Okoye chuckled to herself as she glanced in Attuma’s direction and saw him look away quickly. He thought she didn’t notice how much he looked at her but it was kind of hard to miss. It was cute how he tried to act nonchalant, but she was starting to get a bit frustrated with him. For weeks now she’s watched him move to approach her then he…just…wouldn’t.

She had to roll her eyes at his antics.

“You know he’s like in love with you right?” Nakia said as Okoye watched Attuma blush and chase after Namora instead of attempting a conversation with her.

“Yes, i’m aware he has a crush on me. I am not blind.” She said as she crossed her arms, “But i do wish he’d get on with it.” Her voice filled with exasperation.

Nakia’s eyes widened at that. “Wait! You knew?!” Then something else clicked to her. “Wait! get on with it?!”

“Be real Nakia. Of course i know. I know about the little bet y’all have too.” Nakia’s eyes widened again. She moved to explain but Okoye waved her off. “I know it was tweedle dum and tweedle dee’s idea.”

“So…” Nakia hedged, “do you like him?”

Okoye rolled her eyes and smirked. “Well, duh. That’s why he needs to get on with it. But i fear the whole school year is gonna end and he still won’t have said two words to me. It was cute at first, i mean it still is, but I just wish he would move faster.” she said almost petulantly.

Nakia laughed at that. “Well you might have to take matters into your hands this time usisi.”

Okoye laughed along with her and agreed.

————————————————————————

Their next class together, the teacher announced a paired assignment. When her name was called with Attuma she couldn’t help smirking to herself.

She leaned over to Nakia and whispered, “Looks like i won’t have to after all.”

She looked at Attuma through the corner of her eye and saw his shocked look and the slight blush on his face. He kept stealing glances at her as the teacher continued explaining the assignment. She made sure to listen because something told her he hadn’t heard a word the teacher said after his name.

She smiled to herself while making notes when needed. Now he has to talk to her. She hopes this is the nudge needed to get him to finally come clean. If not, she really will have to take matters into her own hands. Ugh, he’s so lucky she’s so attracted to him.

[theattoyearchive]

@siancore Thank you so much for this teaser for @attoye-week . Aaa!!! I'm already eager to read the rest!!!!💙💙💙

The Queen's Ward - Attoye Arranged Marriage AU

Summary: Okoye is Queen Ramonda's ward. She enjoys all of the privileges that the Queen's own children enjoy. She also has to take up duties and responsibilities to Wakanda as they do. She is happy to serve the throne, but what happens when she is told she must marry Attuma of Talokan? Attuma, her childhood friend. Whom she used to play-fight in the mud with as a child. Whom she trained with and had a rivalry with. How can they go back to being friends if he is to wed and bed her? To fill her belly with his heir? Okoye is just nineteen summers old. She has never even kissed a man let alone lain with one. Especially not a man who is her friend. She fears their friendship will not survive marriage; she fears she will not survive their wedding night if Attuma is to take her to the marital bed.

A/N: This is a teaser for my story for Attoye Week 2023. Sorry it's so long @attoye-week I hope Dear Readers are keen for the whole story.

The journey to Talokan was long, and sometimes arduous. Okoye did not really recall it being this way the two times she had made it in her youth. She remembered caravans of laughter; discovering new things; the excitement of the Games; getting to see old friends and make new ones. Now, as she sat quietly atop the grey Arabian steed, she wished for it to be over. She wished to return home to Wakanda. She felt tears welling in her eyes as her arms wrapped haphazardly around the wide midsection of her soon-to-be husband: Attuma of Talokan.

Her mind was still spinning, even though she knew this day would come. The day where she would have to leave to be with her betrothed. What Okoye did not foresee was that it would be with Attuma.

She had known him when they were children. They had played together; trained together; got into mischief together. They were friends. Yes, he was the heir to the Talokanil throne; yes, he was the mightiest warrior they had. But to Okoye, he was a friend.

How could they go back to being friends now? After he would wed and bed her? How could she look at her friend the same way again after he would fill her belly with a child that would be heir to Talokan? Okoye had never even kissed a man, let alone lain with one – especially not one who was a friend. She shook the thoughts from her head as her mind drifted back to how this all came about…

…..

She had not seen him in almost five summers, but when he and his convoy arrived for the Great Games, Okoye was shocked (though she should not have been) to see that her childhood playmate was now a man. A tall, regal man. A handsome man. She could scarcely meet Attuma’s eyes when all of the Alliance Kingdom delegates met in the Wakandan Throne Room. She could feel his gaze on her. It made her discreetly fix her clothing and test the temperature of her face. Why was he looking at her with such intensity? They had not spoken in so long.

After the formalities had ended, Attuma approached. They greeted one another amicably, and Okoye felt better. His gaze was not so fiery when he was near. She felt at ease.

“Okoye,” he said firmly. “It is good to see you. You look – well.”

“Attuma,” she replied. “It’s good to see you, too. You’ve – grown.”

“So have you,” he offered, causing her to smile coyly.

A quiet settled around them and they each looked around the room until Attuma spoke again.

“Tired of the formalities yet?” he questioned, standing next to her. “We should sneak off together and wade in the Great Lake like we used to do.”

He was close. Close enough that his arm brushed against hers. Why was heat radiating from him? Why was she noticing? Okoye was feeling flustered.

“Ready for me to best you at the Games this summer?” she asked, playfully nudging his shoulder.

“It is only in your dreams that you would ever best me, Princess,” he replied, Okoye rolled her eyes.

“I’m not a Princess,” she proffered. “I’m the Queen’s ward and that is all.”

Attuma looked at Okoye and his gaze softened as he said, “You are more than both titles. You are rival to the stars in the heavens, Okoye of Wakanda.”

Okoye felt her skin flush warm, and she needed to look away. She needed to return to the playfulness of their youth. The teasing and antagonizing. The rivalry.

“And I’ll soon be the victor of the Spear Tournament,” she offered. “Get ready for defeat, Shark Prince.”

Attuma laughed. He had no choice. Okoye had reverted to the teasing of their youth.

“You are the only warrior worth my time, Princess.”

“I told you I’m not –”

Both Okoye and Attuma straightened their stance and ceased their banter when the King of Talokan approached. He nodded to Okoye but spoke to Attuma.

“Son, it is time for discussions to happen. You will sit at my right hand.”

With that, Kukulkan walked away and left the two young people standing there.

“I have to go,” said Attuma, with an apologetic smile. “I will see you this evening at the feast? Maybe at the lakeside after the feast?”

There was something akin to hope in his eyes. Okoye smiled and nodded.

“Of course,” she said. “Enjoy the discussions.”

…..

“Queen Mother, this corset is so uncomfortable,” said Okoye as servants fixed the garment to her slender frame. “How can I compete in the Spear Tournament wearing this all week?”

Queen Ramonda let out a small laugh and then walked over to her ward.

“Child, you will not be competing this summer.”

“Why not?” asked Okoye as she knit her brow. “I always compete.”

“Yes, in your youth,” said the Queen. “But you are near nineteen summers old, Okoye. It is time you stepped into your role as my ward. Time to attend more social gatherings and take on more diplomacy. And present yourself as a young lady would.”

“Why now? Because the delegates are here?”

Ramonda let out a sigh. Okoye was strong-willed, always spoke her mind, and asked questions. She would make a great leader someday.

“Yes, child. Because the delegates are here. You are old enough to take on more duties around the palace. To be more of a representative for Wakanda. It is your birthright.”

“I am not T’Challa, Mother.”

“No, but you are Okoye. You are my ward and like a daughter to me. You will have every opportunity that my own children have. I promised your parents, and I promise you, too. You will have it all.”

Okoye smiled as Ramonda placed a kiss to her head.

“Thank you,” the younger woman said. “I will make you proud.”

…..

“We heard that some of the non-Alliance Kingdoms were looking to trade Vibranium with Wakanda,” said Kukulkan.

“Where did you hear such a thing?” asked one of the Tribal Elders, Ke’n’tika.

“Our spies in faraway lands,” Kukulkan replied.

“That is false,” Ramonda offered. “We would never share our precious metal with anyone outside of the Alliance.”

“Do you not trust us, Kukulkan the Great?” asked T’Challa to his mother’s right.

“It is not about trust, Prince of Panthers,” said the Talokanil King. “It is about protecting our resources from those who would wish to harm and exploit us. About holding true to our promises. Trust is a nice notion. I like to see action.”

“What would you have us do to show that we are still upholding our promises, Great King?” asked Ramonda, wondering where the fallacy would lead both Nations.

“We need a stronger alliance.”

“Our alliance is strong.”

“But we could make it stronger,” said Kukulkan. “A royal marriage between our Nations.”

“My son is already married,” Ramonda replied. “And my daughter is far too young to even be promised.”

Silence fell over everyone in the room. Kukulkan glanced to his right where his son was seated, then back at Her Majesty.

“But you have a ward, yes?” the Great King asked.

“You know I do.”

“The girl.”

“Okoye,” said Attuma to his father; the only word he had spoken thus far.

“Okoye, she is of one of your elite families?”

“Yes.”

“And your ward.”

“Yes.”

“Is she promised to someone else?” asked Kukulkan. “To another Lord or Lady of the Alliance?”

“She is not.”

“Then, arrange for her to wed my son, Prince Attuma, and offer your ward and this alliance everlasting protection.”

Queen Ramonda’s face remained composed as she considered what the King of Talokan was asking.

“If you need more time to think my proposal over, can we agree on the end of the Games for you to give an answer?”

“Yes,” the Queen Mother replied. “You will have your answer before the Great Feast at the end of the Games.”

…..

When the drinks began to flow and dinner was being served, Okoye sat with the Queen, T’Challa, and his wife, Nakia, daughter of Yaa. While the evening was festive, there was a certain tension in the Dining Hall. Okoye assumed it was because of the discussions that the delegates had engaged in. The Great Games was a time for celebration and for the Alliance Kingdoms to come together, but it was also a time for debate and talk to occur. For treaties to be amended. For arrangements to be made. For the alliances to be solidified. Whatever had been spoken about during the discussions seemed to have had everyone on edge a little.

Okoye watched as T’Challa approached Attuma. The pair had always been friendly growing up. Okoye wondered why both were wearing such stern countenances. She could not hear their conversation, but kept her eyes on both young royals.

“Was this your idea?” asked T’Challa of Attuma as he sipped from his wine.

“What are you speaking of?” Attuma replied, finishing his own drink.

“A marriage to my sister.”

Attuma glanced over at Okoye. Her wide, bright eyes were trained on him. Attuma looked back at the prince beside him.

“My father has his own ideas, T’Challa. If he wants this marriage to happen, it will. You know as well as any that arrangements like this keep Nations strong. If my father wills it, and your mother accepts, then I will do my duty and marry Okoye.”

“Right,” T’Challa proffered. “Your duty. Tell me, Attuma, is it your duty to bed as many young women as possible with the risk of having a dozen bastard heirs roaming your great lands?”

Attuma’s jaw clenched. He did not know his reputation for seeking female companionship had reached as far as the Golden City.

“What I do in my lands and in my bed is not your concern, Panther Prince.”

“My sister’s honor and happiness is my concern, Great Shark.”

“You will not have to concern yourself with Okoye’s happiness once she belongs to me,” Attuma said, staring down at T’Challa. “When she is my wife.”

T’Challa let out a wry laugh and then said, “Okoye may still see you as the plump boy who she got into a mudslinging match with as a child, but I see how you look at her. I see how your eyes follow her. How your intentions are not as innocent or honorable as you make them out to be. Hurt my sister –”

“I would never.”

“Hurt my sister, Shark, and you will deal with me.”

…..

“I thought you wouldn’t make it,” said Okoye as she dipped her toes in the cool water.

“The discussions ran late,” said Attuma as he came to stand beside her. “So, I had more deliberations to sit through with my father after we feasted.”

“Ha! Such important dealings for you. Do not let it go to your head,” she teased before sitting down on the soft sands of the lakeside.

Attuma sat beside her and kicked off his sandals. He placed his feet in the water and looked over at Okoye. The moonlight cast a pretty sheen over her flawless skin. She was breathtaking.

“All of this responsibility is getting to my head,” Attuma admitted. “But not in the way you think. I have so many more duties than before.”

“I understand,” said Okoye. “The Queen Mother said I am to take on more as well.”

“So, you see how some things may change between us?”

“Between Talokan and Wakanda?”

“No, not specifically,” Attuma replied, glancing over at Okoye as the firelight that lit the bank reflected in her deep brown eyes. “Between you and I.”

“Oh,” she said, and dipped her head. “Is that why you brought a chaperone?”

Attuma looked back to the Talokanil guard who was standing out of earshot but watching the pair.

“Yes.”

A beat of silence passed between them and Attuma felt like he needed to elaborate.

“You are of age, Okoye. A young woman. It’s not proper for us to be alone together anymore. We are no longer children. The time for childish games between us has passed.”

“But you are still my friend,” she said, lifting her gaze. “No impropriety would ever occur between us. I know you would protect me from such things.”

“I will always protect you,” he said and the earnestness in his voice made her breath hitch. “But, things have changed. And they will continue to change. I hope that – I pray to the gods that when they do, you will not view me any differently.”

Okoye smiled at her friend and reached for his hand. He took her small one in his large palm.

“Nothing will ever change how I view you, Silly Shark,” she teased, resting her head on her friend’s shoulder. “Not a thing.”