#attuma x okoye fanfiction

[theattoyearchive]

Join us July 14th-20th and celebrate our favorite top: Attuma x Okoye for the second year!

♡♡♡We can't wait to see your works! Feel free to send an ask or message for any questions you may have, and stay tuned for the guidelines and rules ♡♡♡

- The Attoye Archive

[mickimomo]

Smile At Me For Once - (Attoye)

I finally got the motivation to write Attoye again! I figured I’d do a few warm ups again, by writing out little prompts that have been living rent free in my mind while working on the next chapters of my fics. Enjoy! :)

p.s. this isn’t set in the Sun and the Sky AU. It’s just post-BPWF, after a treaty has been signed.

Since the treaty was signed between Wakanda and Talokan, little workshops were being held between the two nations to give the people opportunities to learn new skills and build friendships. 

Okoye had been very eager to sign up for a few artsy and combat workshops. The midnight angel was hopeful to learn some new ways to kick ass but also embrace this foreign culture. Throughout the entire cultural exchange, she had been very openminded about it all until she had crossed paths with Attuma in a sparring workshop where they played a rougher version of hot potato mixed with floor hockey using a weaker water bomb and wooden spears. 

Essentially, you had an unknown number of hits to get the ball in a goal.

If it explodes while you’re maneuvering it around, you’re out until your team scores a goal.

It was a fun game that really boosted everyone’s morale but seeing Attuma and Okoye go against each other while their teammates sat on the bench with bated breaths really got everyone invested.

The man had used every chance he had to be near her, trying his hardest to start a conversation as he maneuvered around her. Through mean mugs and stank eyes, Attuma refused to leave her side. Even causing his team to lose a couple of rounds until she made it clear that she only wished to kick his ass.

Attuma understood that as, ‘I will only respect you if you defeat me or lose to me after giving your all.’

Okoye left the workshop sore, wet, and tattered while Attuma watched her retreat with a bruised grin and blood-filled rebreather.

He had managed to win a few rounds, but he played nastier than she ever wished to discuss or think about after today.

It wasn’t even nasty in a dishonorable cheating manner.

He just played without mercy or restraint or any sense of personal space. This resulted in Okoye having to literally fight for her life or peel him off of her.

There were moments where the wind had been knocked out of her and other moments where Attuma had sent her flipping across the field. He’d always be there to break her falls though, unintentionally groping her during inspections that often ended with gentle touches and the occasional Band-Aid.

Okoye never complained out loud though.

If he wanted to be rough, she could be just as rough.

She had been successful enough to knock him down a few times, but it always left her muscles screaming at how much strength it required to send the blue titan into the muddy earth. 

Once she claimed the final victory, earning cheers from her team, Okoye left. She could feel Attuma’s gaze on her back, but she refused to turn around.

She was a wounded cat, desperate to lick her wounds in private.

“Um...Okoye...why did Attuma pin you down like that-”

“-Because he is an idiot.”

“Well, you look like you had fun.” Aneka grinned.

“Do I look like I had fun?” Okoye turned to glare at her friend.

“Well, now you don’t.” She pouted. 

“I hope I never have another workshop with that man present.”

“Eh? Why?”

Okoye’s eyes burned into the midnight angel, forcing her to lift her hands in surrender.

“I’ll be quiet.”

“Good.”

Aneka remained quiet as they left the muddy field.

Okoye’s wish of not seeing Attuma had been granted by Bast temporarily.

She’d gone to weaving workshops, cooking workshops, and even carving workshops without seeing Attuma.

It was all going well until she went to the painting workshop that was being led by the king of Talokan.

She should have known Attuma had been praying to Chaac to see her when the sky opened and dropped an ocean’s load of rain.

The downpour was relentless as it soaked her clothes and pebbled her skin, scolding her until she moved faster.

Sandaled feet carried her towards the citadel and down a gilded hallway before she entered the workshop room that was at the beginning of a well-lit corridor.

Rain dripped from her eyelashes as her eyes scanned the room, eager to find a seat without disrupting the class.

Attuma was the only one sitting by himself in the back, while the king paced the front of the room, talking about a painting he had created.

Namor seemed fixated on the painting he had done while he talked, so now was the best time to go.

She gritted her teeth and mouthed a slew of curses as she took off her shoes and tip toed to the empty seat next to the warrior.

Dark brown eyes locked onto her as she quietly pulled out the chair and sat down, successfully making her way in without Namor noticing.

Attuma breathed out a single word. 

“In ba’ate’el.” (Warrior.)

But this time, it made her skin feel warm as it fell from his covered lips.

It had somehow gone from something he called her out of respect to perhaps a term of endearment. A nickname between foes to something Okoye refused to acknowledge.

Attuma accepted her glare as a warm welcome before sliding her a few pieces of paper.

“I.” He gently touched his chest. “Write.” He pointed at the papers.

She glanced at the papers apprehensively before taking them when she realized they contained details on the culture behind today’s workshop. Little fun facts and important moments of Talokanil history written neatly in English.

She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t impressed by his act of kindness.

It was clear that whatever his king had written on the board had been duplicated neatly- just for her.

He stared at her, patiently waiting for an ounce of praise.

“Thanks.”

He allowed his lips to curl upward behind his rebreather before he refocused on the speaking king.

Her eyes moved forward too, watching the king pause to put down a piece of paper.

“Alright. Now that we’ve covered the history, let’s jump into today’s craft.” Namor smiled. “Today, you will be working in pairs to create a mural of each other. In Talokan, we keep our culture strong by spilling our history into our art. We tell stories, sing songs, weave tapestries, write music, carve statues, and paint grand murals to record the past. Then, each generation adds to it. This makes our art better and the culture richer.” He lifted up a large painting. “Here is a small example I whipped together for this class. Here we have Chaac leading our priest to the plant that helped our ancestors move to the sea.” 

He began to repeat himself, speaking in his mother tongue.

Her ears were able to pick up a handful of words to verify it, but she eventually tuned him out as she took in the large painting. 

Namor was talented.

Talented felt like a small word.

An insult almost.

His painting skills were known to be amongst the greatest between both nations, so it made sense that he was leading this workshop. However, seeing his craft in person truly left the group speechless.

The mural was detailed, swirling with various cool tones.

Somber ceruleans, rich viridians, and regal violets.

Sprinkles of sand and clay browns as painted hands reached for a plant that floated down from a watching deity.

Everything was outlined with obsidian and highlighted with white and lighter cool tones.

He pointed at each component of the painting before looking up at everyone. “The story is clear that this is how Talokan came to be.” He put the painting down. “I want you all to work together to make a story about the two of you and paint it. At the end of this workshop, you all will present it to the group.”

He repeated himself once more in Yucatec Mayan before he moved forward to start handing out materials. “If you have any questions for me, please do not hesitate to ask. We have three hours to work on this, so please pour out your creativity and make something beautiful and meaningful with your partner.”

Okoye recoiled at the word ‘partner’ as he began his final translation.

Attuma on the other hand was elated.

His eyes moved to the woman beside him, drinking in her soaked attire.

He was used to seeing her in uniform, but today she was wearing a cropped orange and yellow blouse that tied in the front with a floor length orange and red skirt that moved like lava whenever she walked. She was heavily accessorized with golden bangles, a gold idzila, and a few jade waist beads.

Before he could take in anymore of her beauty, she snapped her red polished fingers in front of his face, sporting a scowl she always wore around him.

He blinked and she sighed before moving forward to place a kimoyo bead in his ear.

The world sounded foreign until she tapped her bracelet and looked up at him curiously.

“Do you understand me?”

He blinked before nodding slowly. “Yes. Can you understand me?”

She nodded. “Yes. Technology.” She offered jokingly before leaning back. “So, we need to tell a story. Let’s make some draft sketches of the mural and then pick the best one.”

“Ok.” He nodded. “Do you want to work separately, or do you want to work together on these drafts?”

“Separately.”

“Ok.”

“Let’s regroup in twenty minutes.” She tapped her kimoyo beads to set a timer.

“Ok.”

He watched her grab a piece of scrap paper and begin to doodle before doing the same.

Every few minutes, he would glance at her, stare at her longingly, get scolded, and refocus on his work. 

By the time the twenty minutes was up, he had twenty drafts and she had four.

“I’m surprised you have so many.”

“I’d probably have more if you didn’t yell at me so much.”

“It is difficult to do my task with a creep staring holes into my head.”

“I’m not a creep. I was referencing your features. Your face has to be a part of the mural.”

She gave him a pointed look before she began to lay out her drafts. “Well, let’s see what we’ve got.”

He nodded before laying out his drafts.

He had drawn Okoye twenty times, each one slightly lewder than the first time.

Okoye on the other hand had drawn both of them, taking inspiration from Namor’s style as she drew out different tales from different battles, they’d fought each other in.

There was depth and details and a story.

Everything that was supposed to be there but was missing in Attuma’s work.

He could draw, but nothing he created told a story.

It didn’t capture anything more than the curve of her breasts and ass- amidst the vibrancy of her eyes and fierce scowl she always wore around him.

Very similar to the one she wears now.

“What do you think?” He smiled warmly at her.

“Attuma, you are talented...” She started. “...but you lack the ability to write a story. In fact, you drew me explicitly in every draft.”

“The way I have drawn you is not offensive to my people. Is it offensive to yours?”

“No, but I am more than my tits and ass.”

“Would it look better if I added myself?”

“Why-” She pinched the bridge of her nose to compose herself. “Quality over Quantity. Have you ever heard that phrase before?”

He thought it over. “Not exactly like that...”

“But you understand what I mean, yes?”

“Could you explain?”

“You have nothing more to offer to this idea besides explicit doodles of me. Although the doodles look nice, it’s the same thing... which means you’ve basically given only one idea.” She held up an index finger. “One idea that can’t be used or enjoyed by anyone because there’s no story or lore or creativity behind it.” 

“But you are beautiful.”

“Right, but that’s not the theme of this mural. People will get tired of seeing the same thing over and over again. If I showed someone the same doodle twenty times, under the façade that it was something new each time, they’d grow sick of me. Which is why I’m disappointed with your drafts… beyond the obvious explicitness.” She shot him a look as he listened attentively. “We have to be innovative and creative. Just because it has Attuma and Okoye in it, doesn’t mean it’s good. Especially if it’s just the same thing over and over and over again. Whatever we present has to be new and additive to the story we’re trying to tell and something we’re proud of. We have to present this at the end, you know. It should be something of good quality. Something I would want to hang up in my living room and read books under.”

“Then let’s look at your ideas.” He tilted his head. “Maybe I can help draw one of those in a rough draft before we work on the mural.” He offered a small smile. “Whatever we make, I want it to make you happy.”

Okoye nodded as she looked away shyly. “Ok.”

Her four drafts were amazing, each blending the cultures of Wakanda and Talokan to create an ornate mural.

The first one centered around Bast and Chaac blessing her and Attuma in combat as they fought on a bridge.

The second portrayed a midnight angel descending on a warrior adorned with the head of a hammerhead shark, pointing her spear with a vow of sending him off to his ancestors.

The third centered around her kicking Attuma off the sea leopard and into the sea.

The fourth centered around Attuma pointing down at Okoye while she stood underneath an aircraft, holding a child close.

She spent a few minutes explaining each doodle before waiting for Attuma to pick one to work on.

He stared at each doodle with great focus before picking up the third one. “This one.”

She looked at it. “Why?”

“In that moment, we truly became equals.”

“You looked down on me before I kicked you off that ship?”

“No, but the fire in your eyes burned the brightest that day.” He smiled fondly at the doodle. “It makes me wish we had never been enemies.” His smile dropped. “Perhaps you wouldn’t glare at me as much.”

Okoye stared at him as they sat in silence for a minute or two.

“I glare at everyone.” She huffed under her breath, ignoring how his eyes brightened as she looked away.

“I will keep that in mind and not be offended by your angry gaze.”

“Yeah.” She dismissed him, suddenly feeling uncomfortable by her attempt at comforting him. “How long do you need to add your own style to it?”

“Twenty minutes.”

“Ok.” She set another timer. “I’ll start making paint swatches, so we know what colors we want to use.”

“Ok.”

The pair worked quietly on their parts of the project before regrouping when the timer went off.

Okoye looked the doodle over, while Attuma waited patiently for her feedback.

“This looks good to me.” She looked over the patterns he included to add more dimension to the mural. He even cleaned up the design of her characters, being mindful to not erase the notes of her culture she had woven throughout the design.

There were a few creative differences incorporated, but it was definitely something she wouldn’t mind hanging on her living room wall if everything turned out great in the end.

“Can we start working on the sheet of canvas now?”

“I think so.” Okoye nodded. “You can draw the outline and then I’ll paint it.”

“Do a rough draft of what colors you want to use on the draft I just finished while I work.” He glanced up at her. “I don’t want to be in your way when you’re painting.”

“Ok.”

Attuma took a deep breath as he lifted the roll of canvas and rolled it out on the floor. Azure fingers began to spread out the dense material before he grabbed a piece of charcoal and got to work.

Nimble fingers skillfully mixed different colors of paint on a palette before pressing themselves into the wet paint.

She stamped her finger into the areas to denote where each color would go, occasionally going over colors with something different when it didn’t look how she wanted.

Once she was satisfied with her work, Okoye dried her fingers off on a rag and turned back to face Attuma with curious eyes.

At some point while she was working, he had pulled his hair up into a messy bun, failing to catch every single fly away.

His brows were furrowed in concentration while his hands moved with precision and accuracy across the canvas.

Upon closer inspection, it dawned on her that Attuma wasn’t dressed in his usual uniform.

He had on a long jade skirt that complimented his many piercings and a thick band of cream cloth that wrapped around his waist twice before trailing a line diagonally up and over his shoulder.

He didn’t even have his headdress on.

He instead wore a viridian and a cream feather tucked behind his ear with a few shark teeth charms attached to the handful of braids that had been neatly done throughout his hair.

At a quick glance, he looked like a sculpture of a deity who was heavily invested in something.

He was some sort of sea god or water god.

Enchanting her like a siren, luring a pirate out to his demise.

His gaze lifted to meet hers for a moment before he lifted his brow in curiosity.

“Is something wrong?”

“No.”

“You’re staring.”

“I just wanted to make sure I mixed the right shade of blue for your skin.”

“You can do swatches of paint on my back to test it out if you want.”

“No need.” She turned around, flustered, and ashamed that she had been caught.

Attuma chuckled softly as he refocused on his work.

Once he was done, he got up and leaned over her, forcing her to meet his gaze.

“It’s your turn, warrior.”

“Okoye.”

“Hm?”

“My name is Okoye.”

“My apologies. It is your turn, Okoye.”

She offered a small nod before getting up and retreating to the floor.

“Is this okay?” She held up her rough draft.

“It’s perfect.”

“Ok.”

Attuma sat at the table and watched her begin to paint, being extra careful to be neat with each stroke.

Time moved slowly as Okoye worked.

He watched her every move quietly, being mindful not to gawk or make her uncomfortable.

If he was a water god, then she was a goddess of fire.

Beautiful opposites that could destroy one another if not careful but be steamy if allowed to mix.

Okoye could feel him staring but decided not to acknowledge it.

Once she was done painting, Attuma sat back down to finish outlining and highlighting the mural before they signed the bottom right corner.

The pair stepped back to admire their work, covered in smudges of charcoal and a few flecks of paint.

“We’re done.” Okoye breathed out.

“Mhm.”

“We did it.”

“We did.”

“Alright.” Namor spoke up. “While some of you add the finishing touches to your mural, let’s start presenting so that we can clean up and go.” His eyes scanned the room. “Do I have any volunteers?”

Okoye kept her hand down, but Attuma raised his hand.

Her eyes burned into the warrior as Namor grinned.

“Great! Attuma and Okoye will be our first presenters.” He waved them forward. “Come to the front and discuss the lore of your mural.”

Okoye sighed as she helped Attuma lift their mural and carry it to the front of the room.

Gasps filled the air as everyone took in the painting.

The painting was mostly various hues of blue, teal, and gold.

An unmasked midnight angel, striking Attuma into the waves with fire in her eyes.

Instead of painting a ship or an actual sea leopard, a large black panther was painted fighting with a feathered sea serpent in the sea.

The people of Wakanda were denoted by small purple panther cubs clinging to the panther’s back and the people of Talokan were denoted by small jade serpents trying to move up K’uk’ulkan’s back.

Attuma explained it all in Yucatec Mayan first before Okoye spoke in Xhosa.

He removed the kimoyo bead in his ear to relish in the sound of her explaining things in her own mother tongue.

It was beautiful.

She was beautiful.

Her lips stopped moving as her dark brown eyes moved to meet his.

She looked him over as the sound of clapping and soft cheers filled the air.

It all became background noise the moment she smiled at Attuma.

His skin purpled as she parted her lips to say, “Dios bo’otik.” (Thank you.)

“In k’áatech.” (I love you.) He breathed out.

“Huh?”

“Mixba’al.” (You’re welcome.) He spoke up as his blush deepened.

“Ah.” Okoye laughed softly as she looked away.

“That was a brilliant presentation you two! Thank you for volunteering to share first.” Namor beamed at them.

“Thank Attuma.” She jutted a thumb at the General before taking the mural from him. “I just wanted some art for my home.”

Attuma watched her quietly, drinking in all the joy that crossed her face before looking at his king with wide eyes when he snapped his fingers.

He arched a brow before realizing he was gawking at Okoye again.

Namor only shook his head as Attuma retreated and chuckled. “Alright, who’s next?”

The End

[neptoons1998]

Babysitting

Summary: Okoye had to go to work. Attuma likes kids. Riri is forced to put up with him.

A/N: I want more fics about Okoye &Riri having a sisterly bond. They would roast the fuck out of each other lol

Okoye has always tried her best. As her late father would say you won’t know until you tried. That’s what Okoye was doing with her life, trying to keep her head above water. After the unfortunate accident that leads to her family’s death. Okoye quickly gained custody of her kid sister, Riri. The child protective service tried to take her sister away from her. Okoye had to go to multiple court hearings to pled her case that she was the perfect fit to be guardian for Riri. Okoye would be damn if she let the government lose her sister. So like all things Okoye worked hard. 

Sure she had to work two jobs, take night classes, and parent her kid sister. But she can handle it. That was until tonight. Her boss from her second job, request for her to help with the third shift tonight. Normally Okoye would say no, Riri was always her priority. 

That extra pay would help with the increasing rent her shitty landlord decided to rise last minute. Of course, the night of all nights had to be on a school night. Okoye knew she couldn’t call Ayo and Aneka they deserve time to enjoy motherhood with their newborn. Okoye could only think of one person who could help her. 

Riri gave her a pout as she glared at Okoye’s giant boyfriend, “Why are you leaving me with him? He’s your boyfriend.”

The older sister knew Riri actually liked Attuma, she just had a funny way of showing it. Attuma for the most part liked the young girl enough, the man loved children in general. With the late passing of their parents, the girl didn’t want to be close to anyone except her sister. Okoye sighed she knows it takes a minute for things to get better, the older woman did miss her young carefree sister. 

Okoye decided against playing into her sister’s mind games. She was running late after all. Okoye rolled her eyes, “Because I’m still working  and you're underage to leave  you alone.”

Riri crossed her arms in annoyance, “I’m not five, I’m eleven.”

“And still underage,” Okoye retorted back. Before she softly kissed her sister’s forehead, “Play nice.”

Before she left she looked at Attuma mouthing out a quick thank you to him before she left. 

“So,” Attuma started as Riri unflinching gazed looked at him. “What would you like to do?”

Riri rolled her eyes, her sister’s boyfriend was stupid, “Nothing. Leave me alone.”

And with that, the young girl left the living room going to her room.  Riri couldn’t believe her sister thought she was some baby that needed to watch. She was in the double digits and she knew how to make grilled cheese by herself. Attuma was a bad guy or anything. Riri just liked it when it was Okoye and Riri against the world. Now it’s more people, Riri didn’t want her sister to forget about her.  As Riri stewed in her anger she heard a knock on her door. 

“What is it?” Riri peeked out her door to look at Attuma. Attuma gave a warm smile, “I made some mac and cheese. I was wondering if you're hungry.”

Riri nodded her head as she closed her door behind her. Her sister talked too much about her, and now the man knows about her love of cheesy noodles. 

Attuma placed the bowl in front of the girl. Riri gave a quiet thank you before digging into noodles. 

“Y’know your sister is worried about you,” Attuma said. Riri wiped her face with a napkin. One thing she liked about Attuma, he was blunt. There was no way his words could be misinterpreted. That didn’t mean Riri was allowed to feel unsettled by his bluntness, she thought about what to say next.

“I know,” Riri sighed. “I just wished she would stop worrying.”

You’re so much like your sister. Worrying about other people before yourselves, Attuma thought, “That’s what big sisters are supposed to do.”

Riri twisted the metal fork around her hand, “I guess. I know I’m holding her back.”

“Holding her back how?” Attuma’s eyebrows pinched together. Riri screwed her lips together as she bite into a lemon. I said too much, Riri thought. Attuma placed his hand on Riri’s wrist, “You should know that your sister would never see you as a burden.” Attuma hoped the statement would help ease the girl’s mind. He knew he would have to tell his girlfriend about this, so the sisters could communicate about this heavy subject. Riri placed her fork down before looking at him.

“Well, you should know. That Okoye thinks you’re butt looks great,” Riri confessed. It was nice to hear that she wasn’t a burden to her sister. Maybe one day Riri would believe in it, but until then she will make jokes at her sister’s expense.  

Attuma felt his face a little warm.“H-how would you know?” Attuma asked. He would plead and beg to know the answer to this question. Riri could only smile, “Because I read her diary.”

“Oh really?” Attuma said  before looking around the kitchen as if Okoye would pop out of nowhere, “What else did she write?”

“It depends,” Riri said as open one of her palms, “How much you got?”

[mickimomo]

Look at us. 🥳 #TheAttoyeChefs

EVERYONE ‼️

🎊CONGRATULATE THE ATTOYE (attuma x okoye) COMMUNITY 🎉

BECAUSE….

Attoye Has officially breached 100 fics and is OUT of the rare pair category! 👏🏾👏🏾🎉🎉🎉🎊

ENJOY ALL 100 FICS HERE! ⬇️

[attoye]

a love letter to danai 🤍🐚

[brattonez]

YALLL OMG

THATS AN OKOYE HOODIE….

OKOYEXATTUMA SHIPPERS WE UPPPPPP

[imthataliensuperstar]

thinking about the way attuma put his hand on shuri’s back to hold her then said breathe. i squeezed my legs together cuz something was PURRING

[mickimomo]

N'Tando got so serious, I couldn't help but giggle when Attuma started fumbling.

I hope things work out for him. 😂🤣😭

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...

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 😅

[theattoyearchive]

The Attoye Archive Entries (003)

The Queen's Ward

(Link)

By Siancore on AO3 (@siancore )

Part 1 of The Alliance Kingdoms series

Featured in Attoye-Week 2023, 1st Kiss Prompt

Rated Mature

This fic is a part of a series, but it is only one chapter long. It's 6,764 words long, and I plan on reading the next few parts to see how Attuma and Okoye's relationship blooms. There are many moments where I can't help but smile or chuckle because of how cute or funny a moment is. I won't spoil what parts, but Siancore did a phenomenal job with this fic!

It all starts with Attuma and Okoye meeting for the first time at a young age. Attuma is the prince of Talokan, and Okoye is the Wakandan Queen's Ward. They're amidst other children who are either young royals or children of powerful diplomats who are all having fun in a courtyard. They're playing their own version of tag, and Attuma catches her, resulting in Okoye falling in a puddle of mud. In retaliation, she throws mud at him, and he laughs. This sparks the start of a beautiful friendship that lasts through distance and time.

After crossing paths a few more times and overcoming their differences in politics, they get to see each other slowly grow up little by little before they're torn apart once more.

This time, they meet again as young adults. Okoye has blossomed into a refined, intelligent beauty who enjoys a good competition and Attuma-? Well, Attuma is smart and strong, and he's really got a stream of ladies eager to marry him. To their dismay, Attuma only has eyes for a certain someone. A certain someone who only sees him as a friend.

Attuma's gaze is like lava dripping down the side of a volcano as they stand in a room with other diplomats. Once they approach, his eyes feel less intense. Something reminiscent of the morning sun. Warm and gentle.

They exchange a stream of banter that can only be described as flirty and playful. Revealing a beautiful rivalry of sorts in which they dare to see who will outdo the other during the Great Games. Unfortunately, Okoye finds out she won't be competing. And to top it all off, there are rumors of Wakanda giving vibranium away to someone else- resulting in Talokan demanding a marriage to reaffirm their alliance. There is no better candidate than Talokan's prince, Attuma, and the Queen's Ward.

Will Okoye agree to this proposal?

You'll have to read to find out!

[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. 

[neptoons1998]

Double trouble

A/N: So I decided I wanted to write a cute kidfic with attoye's twins. Hope you guys enjoy it! It does contain minor shuriri in here.

Zariah always thought she could do anything. After all her mama told her so.

"Really?" Zariah tucked into her bed the night before. Shuri and Riri sitting on opposite sides of her small bed. Riri nodded, "As long you put in that work and dedication."

Zariah nodded, "Okay mommy."

Shuri kissed her cheek, "Remember that mommy and I love you very much."

And with that, Zariah fell asleep. Today was a new day, Zariah could barely handle her excitement that she was going to hang out with her cool older cousins, Yaxkin and Yunuen. The twins agreed to watch over Zariah since their mother had meetings in the city same as their father, who meetings with the council underwater.

"Please remember to be gentle with the princess "Okoye instructed her boys, "She's not like you. So don't play rough okay?"

Yaxkin smiled at his mother, "We know mother. Don't play rough,

Okoye looked at Yunuen, "I'll make sure Yaxkin doesn't play too hard with the princess, mother."

"Hey!" Yaxkin ready to argue with his brother.

"Thank you, Yunuen," Okoye said before leaving her boys to the nursery. It should be a cakewalk, how hard was it to entrain a small child.

Yaxkin and Yunuen knew that they were in big trouble. But in their defense, how were the twins supposed to know what was too rough for a human anyway?

"I failed. Mother will never trust me again," Yunuen cried out. He couldn't bare the mere thought of his mother not trusting him anymore. Is this what Yaxkin feels all the time?

Yaxkin cradled the small girl, who was physically fine, "Look all we have to do is distract her. Then boom no more problem."

Yunuen nodded, his brother was right if they could distract Zariah long enough, she would forget this ordeal. How hard is it to distract a seven-year-old?

Apparently, it's tough. The twins tried everything, Yaxkin wasn't above pleading with the young girl. He refused to clean up rhino poop as punishment if his mother finds out.

"We're thinking about this all wrong," Yunuen said to his brother. The pair huddle themselves in the small corner of the room. Yaxkin scoffed, "What do you mean we? I've been the one throwing ideas!"

Yunuen sighed, "Let's do the game."

"No, I refuse to play that game!" Yaxkin exclaimed Yunuen and he was far too old now to play that stupid party trick.

"Come on, brother," Yunuen said as he grabbed his brother's arms, "Focus on what's at stake here, or do you really want to clean up rhino poop until we die or play the game?"

A few beats of silence pass, before Yaxkin kicked his feet in frustration, "Fine, but I don't like it."

Yunuen patted his brother's arm, "I know."

"Zariah," Yunuen called over. The little girl came over to the twins, it's not that she didn't mind being with her cousins. Like her mama said they are a bit different from her like they don't have to come up from the air when they swim. This confused the young girl because her mama said she could do anything if she puts her mind to it. Zaraih doesn't think passing out wasn't what her mother meant by that.

"Let's play which one is Yaxkin game," The twin said at the same time.

"Oh!"Zariah exclaimed, "I love playing this game !" The small child clapped her hands with excitement.

Yunuen and Yaxkin smirked, "Well can you tell which one is Yaxkin?"

Zariah paused as she looked up at her cousins, "Hmm I can't tell you to look too much alike."

"Many people tried to tell us apart, but so far no one can," The twins explained to their cousin. The group was too consumed in the game

"I thought you guys said you were too old to play this game, "Okoye as she looked at her boys.

Yunuen straightened up his back before answering his mother's question, "Well we decided we'll do it on special occasions."

Okoye gave a soft hum, and the warrior felt a soft tap on her leg. Looking down at Zariah, "Auntie, Can you tell you which one is Yuxkin?"

"That one is Yunuen," Okoye pointed to her left, "That one is Yuxkin."

"Oops wrong answer, " The twins leaned into each other, "It's really ashamed that our own mother can't tell us apart."

Okoye rolled her eyes, Dramatic just like your father, she thought, "No I'm right after all I was the one who pushed you out."

The twins crinkled their noses in disgust, "Gross."

"So Auntie, is right?" Zariah wanted to know the answer. Okoye looked at her boys, "Please tell the princess. I'm right so we can go home."

The twins sighed in defeat, at least Zariah was too distracted to tell their mother about the incident so it was won, "Yes, mother's right."

"Wow, "Zariah said in astonishment, "You're really good at this game auntie

Okoye laughed, "I better be. What type of mother would I be if I didn't know my own boys?"

"A horrible one," The twins answered before following their mother to go home, "See you later Z."

"Bye," Zariah waved her hand. Zariah could wait to tell her mothers what happen today. As well as to prove her mama wrong about she could do anything.

[mickimomo]

They all hid poorly, because why were they peeking through the window so obviously? 😭🤣

Just go outside and stare. 💀

Everyone in the nursery plant shop look at Alt! Attuma and Soft!Okoye in Túumben comienzo

Word got back to Shuri by Aneka. Namor and Namora had a hunch because Attuma was gone all the time.

finally I can use this meme for this fluff story lol

[xblackreader]

Congrats to Attoye on their Newly Wedded Bliss 🌺💙

art by me | tip option in bio | chibi commissions open !

As some of you may know, I married the man I love this weekend (no not Alex, Winston or Tenoch 🙄🤣) and guess what ? - I wanted y’all to have this piece to celebrate the nuptials 💞 thank you for supporting me through my hiatus, I love you. Based on a Aphrodite/Ares piece I can’t find rn but will!

[pilesofpillows]

Stars Aglow Ch. 4 || Okoye x Attuma

A Sea of Stars ~ Part 3 of 3

Ch. 1 • Ch. 2 • Ch. 3

Warnings: An Excessive Amount of Fluff, Talk of Marriage

Tags: @mamajankyy @xenokattz @tvreadsandsleep @ariyannah @iccedays @blissdoutbyattuma @karimk2 @umber-cinders @mickimomo @dontruinmymorning @princess-of-gondor

Okoye smothered a laugh with her hand, studiously avoiding Nakia’s eyes as they watched Toussaint peer cautiously over the oversized crib the triplets slept in. T’Challa’s son stood on his toes, glancing back and forth between Okoye and her children skeptically. His face was twisted into the most adorable of frowns, and she nearly lost the fight to keep her composure when the boy turned to them with an aggrieved sigh.

“They’re very small, umakazi. And they’re sleeping again,” T’Challa whispered— or at least, attempted to as he stepped into the space between her legs. 

Okoye hugged her precious nephew, trying to quell the laughter bubbling in her chest at his decidedly underwhelmed expression. Junior had waited an eternity (nearly three weeks) to meet the triplets, and Okoye feared the three small infants (who did very little but sleep and eat) hadn’t quite lived up to his expectations. 

“I know they are, sweet boy. But they will grow; you have to give them time,” she consoled with a chuckle. “They’ve only just arrived, you know.”

He returned her embrace, sinking into her arms and sighing again. “Can I still teach them Go Fish?”

“Probably not anytime soon, ingwe enci. But when they are old enough, I’m sure they would love to learn.” Okoye lifted T’Challa into her lap, relishing the ability to hold him close without the barrier of her belly. “You will be the first cousin they know, the one they love the most. You’ll be their best friend and greatest protector, and when the time comes, I’m sure you will be the best Go Fish teacher in all of Wakanda.”

Her nephew grinned at that, chest puffing out proudly. “I will teach them Go Fish when I am–,” he paused, counting quietly to himself, “ten!” he announced, holding out both hands, fingers splayed. “I’ll know other stuff then, too, so I can teach them lots.”

“Indeed you will, chan baláam.” Attuma’s voice sounded from the doorway of the nursery, drawing both of their attention. He and Namora stepped into the large room, both still damp from escorting Ixtli and the Talokanil nursing team to the eastern side of the Continent for the journey home. 

Toussaint wriggled from Okoye’s lap and greeted them with exclamations of joy, only looking a little abashed when Nakia reminded him to keep his voice down. Nonetheless, he took a running leap toward Attuma and giggled when he was caught and hoisted onto her beloved’s waist. Attuma received an affectionate forehead press and Namora, a series of salutes followed by an enthusiastic high-five. 

Her nephew touched Attuma’s hair, taking in his and Namora’s damp appearance, and scolded them in a loud whisper. “You’re still wet, Uncle Tuna! You and Nacomora need to use the dryer better.”

His face and countenance were so serious that Okoye lost the battle with her laughter at Nakia’s unrestrained snort, the mangled combination of Namora’s title and name sending them into a fit of hushed giggles. It didn’t help that Namora refused to correct him. She claimed it was a blessing from her chan aj baláam and even prohibited them from correcting him. 

Indulging T’Challa was a crime they were all guilty of, and Okoye could already tell it would be the same, if not worse, with her children. 

Her giggles tapered off, and she shook her head at her sister as Attuma set Toussaint down, crouching before the boy and solemnly promising to use the dryers better next time. Her nephew beamed at him, offering his littlest finger and extracting a pinky promise from his uncle before darting across the room to his mother, pestering her for the cashews she was snacking on. 

Attuma rose with a quiet chuckle and crossed the room, stopping at her side and dropping a kiss on her head. Reaching up, Okoye pushed his hair out of his face and pressed their foreheads together. He’d been gone for less than an hour, but she’d missed him like it’d been days. They hadn’t been apart since the triplets were born, and if this was how she felt now, Okoye dreaded to think of what she would feel when he went back to work. 

That wouldn’t be anytime soon, of course, so she put the thought out of her mind and tilted her chin up, kissing the corner of his mouth. Attuma turned his head and caught her lips in a brief kiss, and she gave a quiet hum.

“Ts'o'ok u taktal in wilech xan, in yakunaj [I missed you too, my love],” he whispered against her lips, kissing her quickly again. 

Okoye offered him a soft smile as he drew back and settled into the reclining rocking chair beside her, then turned to Namora. “Did Ixtli and the team get out okay?” 

“Chaac has blessed the winds and the waters are calm; their journey home should be swift,” The Talokanil general replied, softening her voice as she neared the crib. She reached a careful hand in and traced the pattern on the edge of B’atz’s blanket, smiling down at her godson. 

“Good, I’m glad to hear it.” Okoye said sincerely. “We’ll miss them— Ixtli especially. Please thank her again for me, for us.” She would always be grateful to the iyom k’exelom for helping her bring three children safely into the world. She and the Talokanil nurses had made a world of difference in the delivery room and helped immensely in the week of bed rest she’d been mandated to afterward. 

Namora gave the slightest nod of acknowledgment, eyes fixed on B’atz, gazing down at the sleeping infant with pure adoration. The Talokanil general loved all the triplets, but Okoye knew her secondborn already held a special place in her heart. Shuri and Ayo were the same with T’Khwezi and Ixazaluoh, and between their grandparents and godparents, Okoye could proudly say her children were well loved. 

“I don’t think she heard you, diosa. Her ears have gone, along with her head,” Attuma quietly teased his fellow general. He leaned close with a smirk and interwove their fingers. “You could not have known, of course, but babies are one of Namora’s greatest weaknesses.” Okoye snickered at his antics as her beloved gave a heavy sigh and a solemn shake of his head. “I fear our formidable Yeh Kaaye’ Nacom has gone k’iinich [sun-eyed].” 

The Lionfish turned to Attuma with a glare as venomous as her way and arched a sharp brow at him. “You have little depth to tread, Uncle Tuna,” Namora spat back playfully. She leaned back on the railing of the crib and crossed her arms.“You’ve been k’iinich since a K’iino [your Sun] buried her foot in your chest.” 

Attuma let out a garbled sound of protest, trying to deny it, but Namora pressed on, shooting Okoye a conspiratorial glance. “His head has been full of ja'páak'alo' [seaweed] since he hit the water. I fear our mighty Xook Nacom hasn’t been the same since,” she finished, flashing her beloved a triumphant smile. 

The petulant look Attuma sent in Namora’s direction caused Okoye to snort gracelessly, drawing chuckles from Nakia and Namora. Their amusement was only intensified by her mother entering the nursery with a bewildered reprimand clear on her face for their somewhat raucous behavior. Her stern expression nearly caused Nakia to choke on the cashews she’d been snacking on, and Okoye’s attempts to explain sent them back into fits of uncontrollable laughter, their mouths covered in failing attempts to keep quiet. 

Okoye blew out a shaky breath as their laughs faded, wiping tears from the corners of her eyes. Bast as her witness, she couldn’t remember if she’d ever been this happy. Here, in this blissful bubble where smiles didn’t cease and laughter came easier than breathing, there was only joy. She was surrounded by more love now than she’d ever known, and her heart sang.  

“I leave for 10 minutes and come back to a pack of cackling hyenas,” her mother scolded, hands on her hips.

Okoye smiled at the newly minted grandmother’s unimpressed glare. “Jokes are meant to be laughed at, mama,” she replied.

“Keep it up, and you’ll have more than just me to contend with,” the matriarch said, shaking her head, but the mirth in her eyes gave her away.

Okoye pressed her lips together to smother the last bout of giggles that threatened to escape, and she looked over to the crib where her babies slept, blissfully unaware of the lively chaos surrounding them. Namora’s attention had returned to the trio as well, and she reached her hand in again, thumbing the edge of Ixazaluoh’s blanket this time as Okoye’s youngest grizzled in her sleep. 

The Lionfish hummed, smile dimming slightly, and she cleared her throat, glancing back at Okoye. “K’uk’ulkan has also sent word— he plans to be here by the afternoon.”

Okoye couldn’t hide her wince at the words, feeling the giddy atmosphere dissipate abruptly at the mention of the Talokanil king. She cast a fretful glance toward her mother, and the matriarch scoffed as if on cue.

“He plans?” came the scathing question, her voice pitching along with her brow. “Did he ask?” 

“Mama, nceda,” she pled, seeing Namora stiffen and hearing Nakia sigh. “Ndiqinisekile ukuba unqwenela ukudibana nabantwana. [I’m sure he just wishes to meet the children.]” 

“Iminqweno yakhe ichitha iimbeko ezilula ngoku, hm? [His wishes overrule simple courtesies now, hm?]” Her mother retorted with a disbelieving huff, drawing a pointed hum from Nakia.

Okoye shot her sister a chiding look, and the woman shrugged, popping another cashew into her mouth. Nakia wasn’t an avid fan of K’uk’ulkan either, but they both knew her mother needed no aid in expressing her discontent. She turned to her mother, silently imploring her to choose peace. The woman kissed her teeth in response and gave a dismissive wave of her hand, agreeing to be civil for the time being. Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, she shook her head and muttered a quick prayer, asking Bast for patience.

“Did he send word on how long he plans to stay?” she asked, turning back to Namora, who’d tuned them out, murmuring quiet words over the triplets instead. A dazed, questioning hum came in response, and Okoye elaborated. “I know M’Baku won’t mind, but Ayo certainly will.” 

The Talokanil woman blinked as she considered the question, and then her eyes widened almost comically. 

Okoye bit back a snort at her friend’s distressed expression. “I’m sure it’s fine. The guest chambers likely won’t need much preparation, and Nakia can go with you so she can assist the General with security protocols.” Her sister stopped mid-cashew, gaze narrowing at her, and Okoye smiled blithely.

“Well, I suppose I’ve been given my marching orders,” Nakia huffed with a roll of her eyes. She unfolded her legs and stood, passing the rest of her snack to Toussaint. “Come, Nacom. Let’s pray to Bast and Chaac that the General is in a gracious mood this morning.”

Okoye chuckled at the pained expression that crossed Namora’s face as they left the room. “You can always bribe her with baby cuddles,” she called after them, snickering when Nakia kissed her teeth in response. 

Hearing Ixazaluoh grunt softly, she glanced at the clock. If the pattern established in these first two weeks held true, they would all wake soon, and her youngest would wake first— loudly. She turned her head and found Attuma already standing and smiled as he leaned close, bracing his hands on the armrests of her chair.

“Any requests for your midday snack, na' in paalal? Fruit? Yogurt? One of your snack bowls, perhaps?”

“Can you check and see if we have more of those protein balls your mother made?” She cupped his cheeks and made her requests known through a series of chaste kisses against his lips. “The peanut butter and date ones?” A few more kisses because she couldn’t resist the smile in his eyes. “Maybe a cup of yogurt, too?”

“Bix in yaakunaj ku k'áatik,” he whispered in reply, kissing her soundly before beckoning Junior to come with him as they went to raid the kitchen for more snacks. 

Okoye rose from her seat, briefly meeting her mother’s knowing stare before rolling her eyes. “Don’t start…”

“Eh? Start what, intomba?” 

Her mother’s attempt at innocence was laughable, and Okoye snickered accordingly as she crossed behind the elder woman. 

“He’s a good man, Okoye,” she said, putting her hands on her hips and fixing her mother with the same earnest expression she’d been hit with far too often in the past few months, “He’s already an excellent father. Why not make him your husband?” 

Her mother harrumphed at the imitation and mirrored Okoye’s stance. “And why should you not?” she whispered exasperatedly. “Aside from the fact you’re both singularly devoted to one another and have three reasons to remain so, that man worships the very ground you walk on. Every day I become more convinced he believes the Sun rises and sets at your behest. And no matter what you are determined to call it, the two of you are certainly not ‘co-parenting’.”

She spat the word with such derision that Okoye couldn’t help but shake her head. Sighing, she scooped her own daughter from between her brothers, hushing her gently with sweet kisses to round cheeks. They’d had this conversation no less than ten times and would likely have it ten more until Okoye acquiesced— out loud. 

She already knew she was going to marry Attuma. She’d known even while she was pregnant. There’d been no moment of grand revelation or wonder, just a deep ease— something quiet and sure that settled over her while she’d lain in the cradle of his arms after one of their countless hammock naps. There, in the afternoon sun, the pieces of it, of them, fell together seamlessly. 

They’d be married next spring, just after the children’s first birthday. She’d wear blue, but not the blue of the Border. His blue. Attuma would wear white, as was Talokanil custom, and the children would wear a mix of both. Tradition also required they wed where land and sea met, and for that, Okoye could see no better place than Warrior Falls. It was fitting, and in some roundabout way, it would heal something in her she hadn’t quite found solace for yet. They’d create a new memory there, a better one. Yoltzin and her mother would watch the triplets, Nakia and Ayo would be her matrons of honor, and the Muscle Brain would escort her bridal procession. And she’d have henna this time. Maybe Mayan glyphs instead of the traditional patterns.

But the details weren’t so important as the man, and the man was perfect. 

Her mother’s insistent murmurings broke her from her idyllic reverie as she bustled around the room, grabbing Okoye’s support pillow and a few burping cloths while she pressed forward on her mission to secure herself a son-in-law. “I’m simply saying–”

“–as you’ve been saying–” Okoye mused, settling back into the rocking recliner and unfastening Ixazaluoh’s swaddling blanket with deft fingers. 

“–as I’ve been saying…” the matriarch looked ready to swat her with one of the burping cloths. “He would be an excellent husband. He will be an excellent husband. And you wouldn’t even be doing it just for you! Wouldn’t you like to give your mother a son-in-law? A good son-in-law?”

“Have I not just given you grandchildren?” Okoye asked in false exasperation. “Three grandchildren?” she added before her mother could protest. “Let’s adjust to them first, eh? Then, we can talk son-in-laws.”

Her mother huffed in acceptance as she stepped closer and helped Okoye arrange the baby and the support pillow for both their comfort. Ixazaluoh’s eyes blinked open slowly as she settled into Okoye’s arms. The depth of their color hadn’t fully settled yet, but they were dark and hooded, just like her brothers— just like Attuma’s. Her daughter huffed, face almost immediately scrunching into a frown, and her mother chuckled above them. 

She lifted her youngest from her swaddle and kissed her a few more times. “Good afternoon, intombi yam,” she whispered soft words against soft skin, “Your brothers are sleeping. Let’s not wake them just yet, hm?”

Ixazaluoh paid her no mind, nuzzling into Okoye’s shoulder with soft grunts. Patient was not an apt descriptor for their youngest; cuddles would come after food. 

Okoye balanced her daughter in one arm while undoing her dress with the other. Her mother kissed the side of her head, then Ixazaluoh’s, before excusing herself to go find Attuma and Toussaint. She nodded absently, repositioning Ixazaluoh, cradling her against her left breast and helping her latch before her sweet girl kicked up too much of a fuss. Okoye traced the ridge of her brow, lowly humming that same lullaby from her pregnancy. The soft woosh of the door sliding open alerted her to Attuma’s return, and she glanced up, smiling at the overflowing tray of snacks he carried. 

“I see she wasted no time,” her beloved said with a chuckle, setting down the tray on the small table between their chairs. 

“Does she ever?” Okoye replied, echoing his amusement. 

Attuma retook his seat and held out the cup of the peanut butter and date balls she’d asked for. She popped one into her mouth and smiled, humming in pure contentment. The man she loved smiled back, wide and warm, and Okoye never wanted to be anywhere else but here. 

With him and their children. 

In this space. 

In this time.

She couldn’t have prayed for anything better.  

~plus venire~

A/N: There's a long ass author's note on Ao3 if anyone cares to read that. It details my upcoming writing plans in a little more depth. I won't bore you with the specifics here 😂 Instead, I'll say thank you forever and always to the Attoye Fandom for their continual love and support. Sharing my writing has been a privilege, and I hope to continue as the years go on. Thank you to every reader and for every reblog, reply, comment, and kudos. You all make my heart ridiculously happy 💕

[black-pussy-supreme]

This. This is the moment I knew he was completely enraptured with her.🤣🤣🤣🤣

[theattoyeportalofmadness]

This series is AMAZING! Check out all of it from @siancore

Chapter 2 from the third installment of The Alliance Kingdoms series.

Summary: The aftermath of Okoye and Attuma's first night together as husband and wife.

Excerpt: She wanted to proclaim that he was strong and handsome. That he was drawing pleasure from her the likes of which she had never known. That she thought she would not enjoy coming together with her friend in that manner, but his hands and lips and manhood was washing the doubt from her. That his touch was incendiary and made her feel as if she was on fire. That his lips already knew her so well. That his eyes were like the Wakandan night skies: Dark and beautiful.