#hbcu!shuri x black reader

[babyboiboyega]

Next To Me Pt. 11 (Shuri x Black!Fem!Reader)

Shuri x Black!Fem!Reader

Word Count: sittin at a cool 9.9k

Content: a little lighter on the angst, Okoye comes through as the Aunty that talks some sense into people, a scene that I am very proud of (probably my favorite scene I’ve ever written...so far)

Next To Me Masterlist

Babyboiboyega’s Marvel Masterlist

Babyboiboyega’s Masterlist of Masterlists

A/N: Wassup y’all? How y’all doin? Did you have a good week? I hope you did!

Alright, LOOK- I can explain. 

This part was ready on Monday. Beta-read, edited, all of it...but then I had to be a little impulsive and add an extra 3k words to the end of it. :) BUT that chunk of writing I added on can (and will) result in some more fluff-filled chapters in the future, so hopefully that’ll earn y’alls forgiveness (please lmao).

I do have some good news: next week I’ll be on spring break...which means an entire week of doing nothing (outside of work)...which means I’ll be able to get to the small oneshot/drabble ideas I’ve been hiding away lmao

I’m excited to get to them and I’m excited to share them!

But go forth and read! I hope yall enjoy this part <3

Recap:

You didn't bother turning back to see if she had heard your words, because you knew she had. They were a last attempt to get some sort of reaction out of her, though you didn't have to turn around to know that they failed to do so.

The only solace you gained from walking away was knowing that despite being the one to increase the distance between the two of you literally, you hadn't been the one to make the first fissure in your friendship. Shuri had done that all by herself.

*****

"You should have left me on that damn sidewalk."

The anger and malice that had laced your words had rendered her speechless and motionless to the point where she could only stand and listen to your receding footsteps.

She knew you didn't mean them- you couldn't have. If you had meant them, then you were saying that you'd rather be back in that traumatizing, terrifying moment than deal with her…and to a certain extent, she didn't blame you; but to another extent, the thought made her chest ache. It made her hands clench into tight fists to stop them from shaking.

She had no one to blame but herself, and it was a shame that she was only able to remind herself of that after hurting you once again.

The words had punched a hole straight through Shuri's misdirected frustration. Where it was once directed at you for being, what she called in her mind 'difficult', during a time when she needed to remain focused, now it was only directed at herself. Frustration and disgust.

Even a good while after you had left her in the hallway, she could still vividly see your face, twisted in disbelief and outrage at the words that she had so foolishly let out. The words that had sharpened until they were unrecognizable, and not only to you but to her ears as well.

And, Bast, the tears that had been in your eyes- the ones you tried hard to disguise. The seconds-old memory flashed in her brain, each pulse delivering another pang of anger at herself and agony at being the reason behind those tears.

The visual only continued to torment her long after you had walked away until your face was replaced with Okoye's, the General's voice making her drop harshly back into reality.

"Ikumkani wam. I thought it best to come and check on you and Y/N…though I see that it is just you here."

"…She just left."

The look of what Okoye could easily liken to despair resided in Shuri's eyes, and when paired with the roughness of her voice, it wasn't hard for the General to conclude what had happened before she arrived. She knew that the tension steadily increasing between the two of you would reach its limit…she just didn't know it would be so soon or so destructive.

"I see. Well, would you like me to send for her once we are ready to question Miss. Thizondu?"

The question prompted a visceral response out of Shuri, making her shoulders hunch and her fists clench. The tattooed skin over her knuckles was pulled until she finally relinquished the fist she had made. The deep breath that left her was full of anxiety and resentment, but she somehow managed to keep those two expressions off of her face.

However, it was Okoye who stood in front of her. She was well trained to read body language, having to do so in wide proportions when out and about, especially when it came to her main duty of protecting the royal family. But not only was Okoye a good General and warrior.

This was the same woman who had been in Shuri’s life for as long as she could remember; who had taught her her first moves in self-defense; who had been there for every scary event that had plagued their country. Despite her status as the General for Wakanda's armies, Okoye had quickly gained the title of family throughout the years of serving under Shuri's family. While Shuri was good at hiding her true thoughts from those who didn't know her beyond her title, it was futile trying to hide them from Okoye.

The General stayed rooted to her spot, awaiting Shuri's answer despite already knowing what it would be. Her eyes focused on the young queen's shoulders as they rose and fell deeply, but it was only after seeing each breath grow increasingly shakier did Okoye finally step around to face her.

"Shuri. Theta nam."

The concern that laced Okoye's words was evident as she approached Shuri, a hand raising to reach placatingly toward her. She moved slowly, giving Shuri enough time to step back or reject her offer of comfort if she wished, but to her surprise, she stood still. The tension could be felt in the way Shuri's muscles shifted underneath her skin as she raised the same hand to tug at one stubborn curl that refused to join the others.

"What am I doing, Okoye?"

When their eyes met, every ounce of resentment was on display, from the gleaming look in Shuri's eyes to the sharp angle of her clenched jaw. It rolled off of her in waves, though the anger never reached the General. It seemed to tussle and roll right around Shuri, never going far before turning and slamming back into her.

The young royal welcomed that feeling of resentment, because….well because right now, it was better than confronting the agony- your agony- that seemed to stick to her. It siphoned every iota of peace she possessed, because if her words had taken your tranquility, then it was only fair that hers was taken away as well.

"Ndingathetha? Candidly?"

Shuri's nod was minuscule, her eyes wide and both anticipating and dreading what Okoye would say because she knew that they'd ring true.

"I think you are allowing your fears to govern your most rational thoughts."

The lack of response she received prompted Okoye to continue, her voice heavy with truth but gentle with empathy.

"Shuri, you are so used to having the answer to every equation and every problem you encounter, that when a problem proves difficult to solve it frightens you. It causes you to view everything surrounding you as an equation waiting to be solved instead of what it truly is."

Okoye's words made sense. It wasn't the first time she had pointed out Shuri's tendency of looking at everything through her "scientific" tinted glasses. It was often the butt of familiar banter between the two of them, the General taking more of a traditional stance on the matter.

"Of course, it frightens me, Okoye. Not solving the problem results in it growing until I'm…helpless- until I can't do anything to remedy it. It happened with brother, and it happened with mother. I lost both of them because of my inability to solve the problem before it took them from me- I can't let it happen again."

"And while your fears are understandable, you must remember that T'Challa and Queen Ramonda's passing had circumstances that were out of your control. No one could have predicted the illness that took your brother, and Namor's actions are of no one's fault but his own." There were remnants of animosity towards the mutant in her voice as she spoke, though she didn't dwell on it for longer than necessary.

"Your fear is valid. It's real in every sense of the word. But when that fear arises, you have to remember that there are people here for you. You have a village surrounding you that wants nothing more than to help you and watch you succeed. All you have to do is let them."

Okoye emphasized her words slowly, ducking to look Shuri in her downturned eyes. She squeezed her arm gently, as a reassurance and a motivation to look at her.

"Don't push her away. Let us help you- let her help you. Before it's too late."

Shuri bit the inside of her cheek at Okoye's words, as they made the same memory of your face in her mind. The words she had said to you only minutes ago had been so harsh that they now grated against every nerve in her mind as she thought of them. With each repeat, it only cemented in her mind how much she had messed up.

She wouldn't be able to simply apologize to you, not after everything she had said or done in such a short time span; and the mere thought of you potentially not accepting her apology and wanting nothing to do with her was frightening enough for her to pause.

Don't push her away. 

Don't push you away.

It was easier said than done, and not because she genuinely wanted to increase the rift between you two; but because she was afraid that the damage had already been done…and in a way, it had.

The revelation took up space in her mind, but instead of withering her down even more, it only solidified her thoughts.

Shuri straightened, her muscles once again tensing under Okoye's hand. The General watched as she worked to wipe every bit of emotion off of her face, securing her "mask" back in place, and when she spoke next, it was clear that she had made sure to erase any evidence of those earlier emotions.

"It's already too late. I…the things I said to her. I wouldn't forgive myself if I were her."

Okoye's head had already started shaking while she spoke, a knowing look on her face.

"It isn't too late. You may have hurt her, but I see the way you two look at each other, especially when the other isn't looking. The longing is there, and it is so much stronger than your fear."

Every word Okoye spoke chipped away at Shuri's self-doubts, but there was only one person whose words could truly break through the wall that had formed around her mind…but you weren't there. Her own words, founded on her fear of getting distracted during such a dangerous situation, had driven you away, and she didn't exactly know how to pull you back.

Her face must have shown how busy her thoughts had become, as Okoye simply squeezed her arm once more before dropping her hand and stepping back. She dipped her head slightly.

"I will send Ayo and Aneka to collect Miss. Thizondu…while I seek out Y/N." The slight hesitancy at the end of her sentence gave enough room for Shuri to potentially reject her proposal; though instead of doing so, she looked at the General, her mouth set in determination.

"We will meet in the interrogation hall. Please brief Y/N on what we know so far.”

Okoye wondered if her surprise was evident on her face, though she didn't stay long to see if Shuri noticed. As soon as her Queen nodded once in confirmation, Okoye returned the gesture before walking in the opposite direction of the lab, presumably the direction you had taken.

Shuri listened to her steps recede. This time, a strong sense of resolution resided in her chest, making room for that strong feeling of longing that she had always known to be there. It pulsed sharply, sounding more and more like your name with every step she took.

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

The tears that had gathered were short-lived after you had left Shuri in the hallway. They had dried up as the encompassing hurt quickly and seamlessly changed to anger, making your face burn hot with the intensity of it.

Each step you took had a purpose: to put more distance between you and Shuri. When every step was motivated by anger, though, they tended to take any open path, no matter how unfamiliar it was. After going down 3, long and unrecognizable hallways, you finally had to come to the conclusion that you were lost.

The paintings and structures lining the halls had slowly become more traditional, losing their technological influences. There were a number of tapestries depicting African designs, some of them depicting entire scenes that involved the nation in different stages of advancement. It was a good distraction as you walked aimlessly, trying your hardest to either forget or disregard the words that had just been hurled at you; but even as enthralling as the artifacts and decor were, the moment from only minutes ago stayed at the forefront of your mind.

"There is nothing you can do…"

"Well, maybe you don't know me as well as you think you do."

Evidently, you didn't know Shuri as well as you thought. Could it really come as a surprise, though? The two of you had only known each other for a few months, and you had only ever seen her in a school setting; never in such an environment with so many stressors that applied mostly to her.

Except, it could come as a surprise, especially looking back on those months and how close you two had grown.

Every touch, glance, and word spoken to each other- all of it had meant so much to you in the moment. Now, every memory was accompanied by a question of how real it was. You hated that you were at this point, questioning the sincerity behind every word and action she had given you; but what else were you to do when the one person who unknowingly held your heart had placed doubt in it? And what were you to do when every little thing reminded you of that person, from the technology used in the palace that had undoubtedly been created by them to the very clothes you wore on your back?

You could do nothing about the clothes, as they were graciously given to you upon your arrival; but you could keep moving until you weren't reminded of Shuri. That's exactly how you ended up in a hallway that was very obviously and quite extravagantly dedicated to the Dora Milaje.

Your steps gradually slowed as you entered the corridor, your eyes raking over the various paintings, sculptures, and artifacts; each one adding to the legendary tradition of The Dora Milaje. The grandness of it was no surprise, yet it still made you stop abruptly to truly take in what it had to offer.

Huge sculptures of women, the dips of their noses and full lips the only noticeable features lined both walls of the corridor. Elaborate rings had been sculpted around each woman's neck, only adding to their regal and commanding presence. It seemed as if they stood guard over the open room at the end of the hallway, threatening anyone who had malicious intent with consequences despite being made of metal…or more specifically, vibranium. The soft glow and still nature of the corridor made you feel at ease while the powerful and intimidating aura it gave off reminded you that it was a sacred place. It admittedly made you pause right at the entrance of the grand room at the end of the corridor, no matter how tempted you were to cross the threshold.

The sound of trickling water reached your ears, and it was easy to see that it came from the crystal-clear pool in the middle of the room. Standing at the head of the pool was another sculpture, this one grander than the ones lining the entrance; and unlike the first sculptures, this one was definitely modeled after a specific woman.

You could just make out her high cheekbones and full lips that were set in a confident and stoic straight line, and her eyes stared straight ahead; undoubtedly a conscious choice by the artist so that she'd be the first eyes one would have to meet upon entering the room.

The armor sculpted around her body was different from what the current Doras wore, though you could still see the aspects that they still honored: the golden neck rings, the tribal patterns, and the gold jewelry adorning their arms. And then, of course, the same spear Okoye, Ayo, and every other Dora wielded stood clutched in her metal hand, reaching even higher than the sculpture herself.

Your eyes continued to trail over what you could see, as the room continued to expand past your point of view, and what you saw just made you want to step in even more. But you had already made your way through three, unknown hallways…by yourself…in a palace that you didn't live in. You could practically hear the voices of every, elderly family member yelling at you for 'being nosy in someone else's house', but you couldn't help yourself.

However, your desire to be respectful to the nation that had taken you in, regardless of your problems with its Queen, outweighed your curiosity, and with a sigh and one more look, you turned on your heel to retrace your steps.

You certainly didn't get far, though, as a person stood right in the path that would take you back to the main corridor. Almost immediately, your heart stopped and your mouth dropped open. The words reassuring them that you were simply lost had already been on the tip of your tongue when they stepped closer, causing you to quickly realize who it was. The realization was accompanied by a breath of relief that went through you.

"I knew that this would pull you in. Still does the same to me, even after visiting countless times."

You nodded slightly and in agreement at Okoye’s words as she walked towards you. Despite speaking to you, her eyes gazed upon the sculptures with reverence, a look of utter respect on her face.

"I didn't mean to come here, I'm sorry. This place has so many hallways and not enough directional signs."

The corner of her mouth lifted slightly in amusement, and it helped to further convince you that you were in the clear, despite not doing anything completely wrong. She nodded this time, pulling her arms behind her back and clasping them as she continued walking. Her steps brought her to where you stood, her feet stopping right where yours were at the very edge of the threshold. She shrugged, a relaxed look in her eyes that also applied to her voice as she spoke.

"You may not have intended to come here, but maybe you were meant to."

While her words made your eyebrows furrow, they also made your chest tighten slightly and for some unclear reason. You didn't have time to try and explore that reason before she was reaching for a metal staff hanging from her belt. On instinct, you took a step back, easily being able to recognize what that staff could do. A second later, she had extended it into the spear she fought with and carried around religiously.

Okoye's presence only seemed to make the atmosphere heavier with meaning as she laid the spear across both of her hands as if it were an offering. You could only watch in curious silence as she bowed her head, her lips moving in silence as she presumably spoke a greeting in Xhosa. It only made you take another, small step back in respect, not wanting to intrude in any way, shape, or form.

In a matter of seconds, she was raising her head once more and retracting her spear before crossing the plane of the room. The change in her posture was almost immediate. You had noticed that she always carried herself with a tenseness that came from always being on alert, ready to strike at any moment's time; however, as soon as she stepped into the room, her shoulders dropped in what you could only call tranquility.

You were too busy debating whether or not to turn away out of respect to notice her hand beckoning you forward. Despite being encouraged by the General of the Dora Milaje herself, your steps were still slow and hesitant as you approached her. You once again stopped at the threshold, your eyes glancing quickly between Okoye and the room she faced. Your voice was quiet, not wanting to disrupt the peace that had quickly settled over the both of you.

"…Are you sure it's okay for me to come in here? I don't wanna be rude or anything-"

"Just repeat after me."

There was a strong reassurance in her voice that cut your words off, making you pay close attention to her. Okoye's hands raised, assuming the same position from seconds before, and you copied her without hesitation.

"Enkosi…ngokundivumela…ukuba ndingene."

She inserted pauses between each word, allowing you the chance to slowly and correctly copy her, and only after you had completed the phrase did she motion for you to join her in the room.

You did so with a bated breath, a very small part of you almost expecting some type of force field to stop those unworthy of stepping inside. The second you passed the door frame, the entire expanse of the room was visible to your eye, and the wonder you had for the room earlier was nothing compared to seeing the entirety of it.

There were steps that led to the moon pool in the middle of the room, and you distractedly followed Okoye as she descended them. You noticed that there were engravings etched into the ivory floor surrounding the edge of the pool, and with wide eyes that looked closer, you realized that they were all names.

"IHolo yeDoras. The Hall of Doras…dedicated to our foremothers who laid the very foundation of the Dora Milaje, and dedicated to those who continue its legacy."

Her voice was heavy with pride and emotion, and it was clear that this room gave her the space to feel both in their entirety. Even her steps were more relaxed as she walked, yet they were still purposeful.

"The basins are for the Original 12- the first Doras to serve under Wakanda's first king and Black Panther."

Half of the 12 basins she referenced were placed on one side of the room while the other half lined the opposing wall. The direction Okoye led you in took you right past a line of them, allowing you a chance to glance at them.

Each one, upon closer inspection, held a set of folded armor that rested at the bottom of the basin. Underneath it was a sort of red sand, and sticking out of the sand, extending towards the sky, was a spear that had once belonged to one of the Original 12.

Each basin had a word, or more likely a name, etched in Wakandan on the outside of it, and as you passed them, you couldn't help but dip your head in respect. You didn't know a lot about the Dora Milaje, other than the fact that they were badass women who were some of the most lethal and trusted warriors in the nation, and the extensiveness of the room reminded you that they, too, held a history rich in customs and wisdom.

Okoye allowed you to gaze at them in silence; that is, until she stopped in front of the towering sculpture at the head of the room; in front of the same woman whose eyes looked towards the entrance.

There was a metal stand that held her spear in front of the sculpture, and you had to crane your neck in order to look at her from the bottom. Even then, you still couldn't see the top of her head. It was grand enough to show even the daftest that this had to have been the first General, and therefore, the first-ever Dora Milaje.

The current General clocked your wide-eyed gaze and she shared in the wonder the sculpture exuded, regardless of how many times she had been in the same exact spot.

"Her name is Ndiliswa. The first Dora Milaje and General Wakanda had seen. Her name translates to 'The Chosen One', as she had to have been chosen by Bast herself to take up such a mantle."

Okoye's hand raised before settling gently on top of the sculpture's foot, a deep breath flowing through her body.

"She was a trusted friend to the shaman who eventually became the first king and the first Black Panther: Bashenga. She was there when he was approached by Bast and led to the heart-shaped herb. As his companion, she knew just as much about shamanism and the ancestral plane as he did, and it gave her the skill to help him consume the herb.

"She fought by his side as he united the 4 tribes and became king, and he eventually made her his right hand, against the wishes of all of his advisors and the early council."

It was rare to hear stories of an early kingdom that had a woman in such a prominent and powerful role, but it certainly made sense when put in a context that involved Wakanda. The nation was advanced in more aspects aside from technology.

"Despite her intelligence in most, if not all fields, the council still thought her position…useless. They constantly referred to her as the 'king's consort', even after being told by Ndiliswa herself that she and the king were partners in a strictly platonic and trusted way."

To your dismay, the word 'useless' made something jolt inside your chest. It made you tense up, your jaw clenching at the word you had subconsciously applied to yourself when it came to the current situation at hand. It was a harsh word, but being constantly reminded that you couldn't really help in any way even if you wanted to surely made it make sense.

Okoye's voice, strong and resonant, managed to break through your thoughts that were bordering dangerously on self-deprecating.

"They trusted each other so much that, after a particularly close encounter with a band of slavers, intent on sneaking into Wakanda and taking who they could, Ndiliswa asked the king to train her further so that she could provide assistance from that point on."

"And how'd the council feel about that? About her learning to fight to help the Black Panther?"

Okoye huffed in mild amusement, her head shaking as she glanced at you before turning her attention back to Ndiliswa's spear.

"Unsurprisingly, they did not support her actions. And it did not help that an army, composed of all men, had already been proposed by a member of the council. While the king approved of the army, he only had one condition: that Ndiliswa becomes the General."

You quite literally couldn't imagine being in such a position. Being chosen to lead an army, albeit a small one compared to now, during such a pivotal moment in your nation's advancement was truly not for the weak. The amount of perseverance one would need when dealing with the trial and error of building a legacy; the wisdom one would have to gain on their own, not having anyone who had been in that same position to look up to. The strength and steadfastness one would need to not only build an army based on a set of principles but to stick to those principles through the years.

"Oh, I bet they threw a fit about that."

"Indeed they did. But it didn't matter how much they objected to her position as General, for in the end, the effectiveness of the army spoke for itself. Despite the effectiveness of the army, Ndiliswa could tell that a lot of the warriors shared the same sentiment as some of the elders on the council: that she wasn't fit to lead, and that her position was granted solely as a favor from the king.

"It didn't matter how fair and just she was when giving orders and leading them into battle, there was always skepticism and suspicion surrounding her position- whether it be based on her ties to the throne, or her gender, or both."

Frustration had crept into Okoye's voice as she spoke, though you couldn't blame her. Hearing how a woman who earned an honorable position because of her own skill be deduced to the 'king's consort' because of her gender made frustration swell in your chest as well.

"Ndiliswa knew that an army that relied blindly on their general's every word and decision was dangerous, and while she actively encouraged her warriors to have a mind for themselves, she couldn't ignore the fact that their sentiments were based on fruitless factors. Instead of trying to earn their respect, she decided to gather a group of women- only the bravest and most intelligent- and she decided to train them. It was an attempt to start an army that not only respected her struggles but who could relate to them as well."

It was easy to let the reverence for the Doras from the past and the present engulf you, especially Ndiliswa. While she had built an elite group that only the best could be a part of, her endurance could be seen as an inspiration to anyone who heard her story.

"So the first Dora's were not only bada-" you cut yourself off, feeling that the word would be a little too crass in the sacred space, "uh, amazing warriors, but they were also geniuses? So they had to have been some of the first inventors of Wakanda's vibranium technology, right?"

Okoye nodded, though her face twisted slightly into a thoughtful expression as she weighed her answer.

"Yes…and no. As I mentioned earlier, Ndiliswa encouraged her warriors to think freely and for themselves. The encouragement came from her desire to have an army that not only followed her to battle but who could actively work towards the betterment of Wakanda as a whole. One Dora could come from a family of farmers, only knowing how to care for and prepare animals, while another could come from a family of shamans, while another could come from a family of weavers. The Doras were, and still, are a group of women with diverse pasts.

"Despite this, Ndiliswa still expected them to put their duties as Dora Milaje first. Being an inventor meant being in the spotlight, being recognized by all who surrounded you, and expecting praise. Being a Dora meant protecting Wakanda without the expectation of being thanked or praised because it was the honorable thing to do. It still is."

The more you learned about Ndiliswa, the easier it was to understand why she was seen as such a prominent and legendary figure in Wakanda's history.

Against all odds, most of them originating from the very palace you stood in, she had gained levels of success and respect, unlike anyone who had come before her. She had taken those words of doubt and skepticism and used them as stepping stones to do what she needed to do for the country she loved.

"Well…I completely understand why they gave her this huge statue. She's an inspiration in every sense of the word, even to women who haven't gone through nearly as much as she had to go through."

To anyone, your words would have been interpreted as just words, in awe of the first Dora Milaje; but to Okoye, who could see the thoughtful expression on your face, even as it tried to hide the subtle remnants of hurt from earlier, she could tell that you weren't just speaking in general. She could hear the self-doubt that laced your words, and it prompted her to turn slightly to face you.

"Her hardships weren't what made her successful. She succeeded because she wanted to, for herself, her country, and the women who followed her."

Okoye's eyebrow raised in a knowing manner, and the look she gave you made your chest tighten in emotion. It served as a reminder of the first words she had spoken to you at the entrance.

"Okoye, what did you mean earlier? That maybe I was meant to be here?"

She responded by taking a breath and turning completely around to face the direction of the entrance. Instead of looking straight, though, her head tilted slightly to look towards the towering ceiling of the room. You didn't have to look far to see what her gaze was focused on, and when you did, the small gasp that tumbled out of your mouth couldn't be stopped.

Spanning the entirety of it, the wall that you two had entered through held a mural carved out of wood. It depicted who you assumed were the Original 12 Doras in a line. Each of them had their spears pointed at some unseen threat, their faces twisted into expressions of fierce protection. The only Dora in a different stance was Ndiliswa, who stood in the middle, her hand and spear outstretched to whoever gazed upon her...whoever felt called to gaze upon her.

It honestly felt like a trance. Your eyes stayed connected with Ndiliswa's wooden ones while Okoye's voice filtered through the heavy silence that had taken over your mind for the time being. 

"…The heart of a Dora calls to those who wish to prove not to others, but to themselves and the powers that have put them in one category for so long that they are more. That they can do more. One does not have to be a Doratoo have the heart of one."

The longer you stared, the deeper Ndiliswa's tale of resolve and endurance burrowed into your mind. Every word of self-doubt touched by the story was knocked aside, replacing it with a feeling of inspiration to prove yourself- not to Shuri; not even to Okoye, but to yourself, that you weren't useless. That word had once been used to describe Ndiliswa and look at the impact she had.

You wouldn't dare compare yourself to Ndiliswa, but you'd take the inspiration she had struck into countless others' hearts and let it strike yours. 

Somehow, from the angle you gazed at her with, the tip of her spear seemed to be pointing straight at you, urging you to do something, and then the words were falling from your mouth before you could stop them.

"I want you to train me. Actually train me. Please."

You quickly added onto the end, remembering that you were asking for something that bordered on unorthodox. You weren't asking her to train you as a Dora, for that was an honor that you knew you couldn't pursue; but you were asking for her help to gain that confidence and self-assuredness that you lacked. 

"I know I'll never be as good as a Dora, and I don't expect to be...but I want to learn for myself. To prove to myself that I can do it."

The General's eyes regarded you in silence, her mind undoubtedly working on finding any doubt within your words that could alter your decision in the long run. She evidently found none, as the next thing you knew, Okoye was nodding sharply and turning on her heel. 

You watched in mildly stunned silence as she gave the Wakandan salute to Ndiliswa's statue, whispering another phrase in Xhosa. She straightened and turned to you, a determined look in her eye. 

"Repeat. Enkosi ngokundivumela ukuba ndingene."

The phrase was the same one she had instructed you to recite before entering, and even though you tried your best to pronounce each syllable correctly and respectfully, it still fell clumsily from your mouth. 

Another amused huff left Okoye, and then she was motioning for you to follow her, your steps having to keep up with her quick and determined ones. Your eyebrows furrowed as you wound up beside her, glancing quickly between her and the ground in front of you so as to not trip over anything that could place you in a Wakandan holding cell. 

"Uh- was that a yes? I couldn't really tell-"

"First rule of training: not everything requires a question."

The sternness that you usually associated with Okoye was in her voice, but if you listened closely, you could still hear the fondness layered just under it. It admittedly made your chest loosen a little, making your words easier to say.

"Uh, yes ma'am." 

She shot you a sharp look, her eyebrow raising in a slight warning before you realized your mistake. The correction fell from your mouth while a light smile lifted your lips.

"Yes, General."

********

You had been under the impression that your training would start immediately after leaving the Hall of Doras, but you were surprised when Okoye led to you another room that wasn't the one you had first trained in. To be truthful, you had grown a little suspicious when the two of you stepped onto an elevator that took you down a good number of floors. Your suspicions only grew, even when the majority of the walk had been spent listening as Okoye explained how your training would go.

According to her, you'd train at least twice a day: once in the morning and again closer to the evening. Each session would alternate between endurance/strength training, and hand-to-hand/weapons training; two things that you had very little experience and knowledge in.

(The look that had crossed your face at the mention of weapons had been almost comical, and as much had been evident by the way Okoye had to suppress a small grin.)

You had been very close to asking more about this 'weapon' Okoye had mentioned, even with her 'first rule of training' echoing in your mind; but the questions you had about training were quickly replaced with questions regarding where the two of you were going…that is, until you two finally arrived at your destination.

The room you two walked into was unfamiliar, but it was the other part of the room, separated by a blue, holographic-like screen that tugged slightly at your memory. However, seeing who was on the other side of the screen made it all click.

The sight of Nondri sitting on the other side was a direct replica of when she had first been interrogated…which had only been the night before.

Goodness. Everything had just happened last night?

What did you expect? When so much shit happens in a short amount of time, it's bound to feel like you've gone through days.

Part of the plan going forward had been to question Nondri once more in an effort to see if they could get more out of her, though you were a little confused as to why you were here…especially when it had been insinuated that you were to have no involvement in the process by the Queen herself.

"I thought that 'Royal Council matters should be kept to the Royal Council?'"

No sooner than the comment had left your mouth did your eyes land on the very person who had said those words, and the look she gave you made you pause. It was enough to make you miss the chastising look Okoye sent your way.

The anger was still there, albeit, a little less intense thanks to the distraction Okoye had given. The hurt was still there, and it felt the same as when you had left her in the hallway, much to your dismay. But a new emotion was quickly making itself known in your chest as her eyes connected with yours.

Confusion.

Where there was once a hostility that laced her actions towards you, now there was almost a sense of…regret? Chagrin? Shame?

When only earlier in the day she could barely meet your eye, now her eyes were the first ones you saw. And it didn't take a genius to realize that the only reason you were in the room was because she had allowed you to be present, despite her words from earlier.

These changes did nothing to lessen the tension between you two.

Instead, you were the first to break eye contact with her, your eyes landing on the holographic screen in front of you.

"We thought it would be more beneficial to have everyone present. Less risk of miscommunication or misunderstanding."

"'…We?'"

Eza's voice floated from the corner where she sat, drawing your attention to her almost immediately. She greeted you with a smile as she stood, closing the folder in her hands and tucking it under her arm. There was a hint of amusement in her voice as she responded.

"Yes, 'we'. This conflict is one where we could use every hand that is willing to help, and the closer you are to the conflict, the more you'll be able to."

Silence followed her statement; a silence in which you looked between her, Okoye, and Shuri with suspicious eyes. The question of how they all came to that unanimous decision rested on the tip of your tongue, but all it took was a look from Okoye for you to swallow it and nod instead.

"Well…thank you. I'll help in any way I can."

Your words were genuine, as you would try to help despite everything that had led up to this point.

You may have been pissed at Shuri along with feeling disrespected and hurt by her words, but the last thing you wanted was for her to get hurt by this mysterious group you all had been made aware of. You could set your personal feelings aside to get through this ordeal. Shuri had certainly and already done so.

"Of course." Eza nodded once in your direction before turning to face the holographic screen. Her proximity to it made it obvious that it acted as a one-way mirror, as she looked unabashedly at Nondri on the other side.

Well, to be fair, you had a feeling that she'd do the same even if Nondri could see her, but the potential of it being a one-way mirror made sense- especially when put into context.

Eza turned to address the rest of the room, her welcoming expression having been replaced with a contemplative one.

"She hasn't said anything since being brought here, but its obvious that she's afraid of…something."

"I don't blame her. Being detained for attacking someone with ties to the queen would stress me out too."

You spoke matter-of-factly while looking around Eza and into the next room. The fear that Eza spoke of was evident on Nondri's face and in her actions. Her eyes roamed the entirety of the screen, squinting at times as if she were trying her best to see through it. The cuffs that she had been given upon her arrival were gone, giving her the freedom to fidget with the sleeves of her shirt.

There were faint, dark circles under her eyes that only made her otherwise youthful eyes look slightly sunken in. While fear resided in her eyes, one could also see how tired she was. Undoubtedly, the entire ordeal was taking its toll on her…but only she could determine how it would go for her after the questioning.

"While that is true, it is something else that frightens her."

You subconsciously took a step closer to the screen, your eyes narrowing slightly as you regarded Nondri closer. It only took a few seconds for you to realize that the answer to Eza's statement couldn't be found in Nondri's actions, but they could be found in the answers she had already given.

"She's afraid of the people who forced her to attack you."

Shuri voiced your thoughts before you had a chance to do so, and you tried your hardest to ignore the skip in your heart at the sound of her voice. The reaction was partly due to the realization that she was addressing you directly, and partly due to how she also approached the screen, stopping right beside you. Despite these changes, you could still see how her body was angled slightly away from you…as if for your benefit.

"Well, that's also a valid reason to be afraid. Knowing nothing about a group of people except that they're willing to hurt me or my loved ones? Afraid would be an understatement."

The silence after your words was heavy with the realization of how close to home they had hit. Ironically, it made you look at Nondri through a different lens, as her dilemma shared similar aspects with the one you currently found yourself in. Except her circumstances were a little direr, in a way.

"Well, we're about to find out exactly how much she knows, even if it is truly nothing."

Confidence followed Eza as she stepped back from the screen. She glanced at you before making her way to another door in the room, stepping through it, and appearing on the other side of the screen in mere seconds.

"Miss. Thizondu. I hope your accommodations last night were comfortable."

As soon as Eza had stepped into the room, Nondri's eyes had landed quickly on her, widening slightly as if expecting the worst. The tension in her body didn't relent as Eza sat across from her, placing the folder on the table between them.

"I'm sorry to pull you back in for more questions…but I feel as if you aren't telling me the entire story. Before we get to what you aren't telling me, I'd like to try and figure out why you aren't telling me what I need to know. Can we do that?"

The composure Eza displayed seemed so natural. It made sense that she had been doing this for decades, as she looked completely while speaking to Nondri.

You wondered how many people who were more prone to violence had sat across from her, which only lead to you wondering how she did it. There was a high chance that she had questioned some of the most unhinged and violent people and that, alone, was enough to admire her for.

"So, let's see. You've previously mentioned that 'they' know intimate details about you, which I'm assuming gives them the power to give you orders with the guarantee that you'll follow them. You've also mentioned that they have a way of finding your family and potentially hurting them, yes?"

Nondri's eyes had drifted to rest on her fidgeting hands, but Eza only ducked her head slightly to meet them. An understanding laced her words as she spoke.

"That's what it is. Answering our questions not only puts you at risk…but your family as well."

Nondri's lack of response was enough for the older woman who nodded, sitting back with a sigh. She allowed the silence to continue for a few seconds before she broke it.

"Miss. Thizondu…Nondri…as long as you are behind the palace walls, I can assure you that no one can get to you-"

"And what of my family? They have no palace walls to hide behind, nor do they have a group of Dora Milaje to depend on. They are farmers from the Northern Border Tribe who minds the business that pays them! They have nothing to do with this, yet their lives are in danger because of me."

Hearing her voice made you step closer, subconsciously seeing the words of passion as a stepping stone that could get you all to the answers you were looking for. Though the fury in her voice quickly made you rethink your optimism- no matter how small it was.

Nondri's eyes flashed as she looked at the older woman, anger mixing with the fear that had been weighing her down up until now. Her jaw clenched as she awaited Eza's answer while her hands gripped at the edge of the table.

"You're correct; they have none of those resources. But we do, and we're allowed to allocate them in any way we see fit…which includes keeping your family safe while you help us identify the people doing this."

The effect that came from Eza's words was slow but very apparent. Nondri's eyes widened slightly as she processed them, her brain trying to find any and every loophole that could come back to bite her in the ass.

Once again, you couldn't blame her. Being in such a position meant having your guard up at all times, even when the person sitting across from you was offering you and your family protection.

"…What all would I have to do?"

Your eyes quickly looked to your side, making contact with Shuri's. You could feel the surprise on your face as she looked at you. Instead of her expression mirroring yours, hers looked closer to anticipation; anticipation at finally making some leeway in the conflict.

That anticipation effortlessly transferred from her to you as you both continued to silently look at each. There was something else, almost as if you were both urging the other to say something…but one of you was hard-headed while the other was battling with her own shame. The voice that ended up breaking the silence was Eza's and it made your eyes return to the questioning, even when you could still feel Shuri's eyes on the side of your frame.

"All I ask is that you remain patient while we come up with a plan. You'll be given better accommodations- ones different from that of a prisoner. However, you will be under surveillance, for obvious reasons."

Eza stood, leaning forward and placing a hand on top of Nondri's. The younger woman looked up at her, eyes the slightest bit glossy. You didn't have to see Eza's face to hear the smile in her voice.

"Thank you, Nondri, for doing this. Your cooperation will be recognized by the Council and the Queen, herself."

As Eza turned to leave the room, Nondri's eyes followed her. As you watched, a deep breath left Nondri's mouth, her shoulders losing their tension in just the slightest as another guard walked into the room, presumably to lead her to her new accommodations.

"I'd say that that went well." Eza's voice reached your ears only seconds later as she joined the rest of you in the room once more. There was a light in her eye that accompanied the grin on her face while she looked between you, Shuri, and Okoye.

"Yeah, I'd say so. Uh…so what about this plan? What are we thinking?"

The question was a valid one, and the expressions on the surrounding women's faces told you that they were all thinking the same thing. But you knew enough about each of them, and yourself, to know that the question could be answered quickly and rather easily with the right information.

It hung in the air as you all thought through the possibilities and potential consequences that followed, though there was one plan that kept repeating in your mind, demanding to be confronted. Your eyes shifted to look at the chair Nondri had previously been sitting in as you thought about every consequence that could stem from this one, specific plan. While they were numerous and all ranging from different levels of danger, the plan itself was simple enough to explain.

"So, this group forces people to do crazy things, right? Assuming they forced Nondri to…you know, pull up and get reckless, that still leaves the question of how they were able to give her the instructions."

The amusement at your choice of words was clear on their faces as you looked between them, your eyebrows furrowed in question. But along with that amusement came the realization, and Shuri was the first to voice her agreement; though you were quick to add on and progress the conversation.

"You have a point. Whether she was contacted through technology or in person, it could still prove useful to us. If she were contacted via technology, then we could maybe track it."

"-And if she was contacted in person, we could set up some kind of…undercover, sting-like operation. They're probably wondering where she is, assuming that she was supposed to meet up with them after doing what they told her to do. We have her set up a meeting with one of them, and while they're meeting-"

"-We'll be waiting."

Okoye's words were firm and confident as she finished your sentence. Her knowing eyes had been looking between you and Shuri as the two of you explained the same thought that had been running through your mind.

Anyone could have seen how you two finished each other's thoughts, but only Okoye knew how much it meant to you. There was a familiarity that resided in both your and Shuri's eyes. But it was only after hers had slowly started to transform into something else did you look away, your eyes quickly landing on…anything that wasn't Shuri.

"Well, maybe you don't know me as well as you think you do."

"Ikumkani wam, do you still wish to question Miss. Thizondu's uncle?"

The room grew silent once more as Shuri contemplated Eza's question, though it didn't take long for her to come to an answer.

"Yes. I'd much rather exhaust all of our options than look back in regret for missing something. If we leave now, we can get there, question him, and get back in enough time to fully plan out our next move."

"As you wish. I'll alert the flight crew to ready the Royal Talon."

You found yourself raising an eyebrow; not at the inclusive language she used but at the reminder that the words 'our' and 'we' now included you. Only hours ago, they had only been used to address the other three women in the room with you, plus Aneka. But not you.

While you enjoyed being included in the conversation about the plans going forward, you couldn't forget everything that had happened up until this moment. It had happened too recently, and it had hurt too much.

The hurt that still resided motivated your next words.

"I think I should stay here. Having an outsider show up at your reformatory along with the Queen and the Head-Challenger is bound to stir something up."

It would undoubtedly make questions arise, not only amongst those who resided at the reformatory but amongst those who worked there as well. Those questions could then lead to rumors about the Queen keeping something from the nation, which could then lead to a sense of unease and mistrust that could then affect Shuri-

It could all be avoided if you just stayed at the palace, but judging by the look on Shuri's face, she didn't exactly agree with your words. Or maybe she agreed but she just didn't care. You truly had no idea.

"I will stay here with her. Besides, it gives us the perfect opportunity to start your training."

Okoye directed the end of her statement towards you, meeting your eye and raising an eyebrow. Both excitement and nervousness shot through you at the mention of training- with Okoye, of all people.

"Oh? Well, when we get back, I'd like to hear all about your training, Y/N."

You were quickly reminded of why you liked Eza so much despite knowing her for such a short amount of time. Her words were sincere as she spoke to you, an easy smile on her face. It admittedly made a grin of your own appear.

"I'll give you all the details if I'm able to talk. Or walk. Or breathe-"

Okoye's chastising look, once again, cut your words off abruptly, your lips curving into more of an apologetic smile. You'd have to get used to the whole 'holding your tongue' thing around her.

"I'm sure General Okoye won't go too hard on you."

Both you and Eza looked to Okoye in expectation only for her to don an almost innocent expression before shrugging lightly.

"We'll see."

Your nerves skyrocketed, even with the teasing lilt of her voice as she and Eza walked a bit away to speak to one another. You were too busy imagining the different ways Okoye could quite literally break your body that you hadn't noticed how someone had stepped closer to you. It was the scent of amber and the subtlest hint of lavender that told you who it was.

"Are you sure that you want to stay here? You can still listen in on the questioning from the Talon if do not want to be seen-"

"Thanks for the invitation, but I'm okay staying here."

Shuri spoke softly, the hesitancy in her words slowing them down. It was a stark contrast from the last time she had spoken to you; the harshness had been replaced with guilt, the malice replaced with shame.

The emotions swirling in your chest were absent from your voice, making your words sound flat- but not too flat; it sounded like the forced politeness one would use with a colleague from work; a voice you would've never expected to use with Shuri.

"...Alright. Well...good luck with your training."

You could only nod in response, too afraid of opening your mouth lest those emotions come spilling out in the form of words. You made the mistake of meeting her gaze once more, but this time, there was something in her expression that made you freeze. 

It was intense and unwavering as she returned our gaze, her eyebrows drawn slightly together in the middle. Her jaw clenched as if she were holding back words of her own, only to relax as she sighed softly.

"Y/N-"

"The Talon is ready and waiting for us, your highness. Is there anything else you wished to do before leaving?"

Whatever Shuri had been about to say had seemingly dissipated into thin air, as another sigh wracked her body before she shook her head. She reluctantly turned from you to face Eza.

You pushed down the feeling of disappointment with a curse at yourself. 

"No. We should go. We'll meet later and discuss everything."

The farewells were short and quick as Eva and Shuri walked out of the room, the latter's eyes landing on you once more before disappearing behind the door.

Silence enveloped the room, and the remaining tension made your thoughts stray. 

Luckily...thankfully...Okoye's voice was enough to bring you out of the brewing storm of thoughts before they could sweep you away.

"Come. I have a lot to teach you in not enough time."

She didn't wait to make sure you were following, walking away with the presumption that you already knew to, which you did. Once you two were out of the room, she once again began leading you through the winding halls of the palace. You tried your best to remember certain hallways or maybe certain aspects or features that you could use as a guide, but after taking an elevator different from the one you two had used earlier and arriving on yet another unfamiliar floor, you gave up.

It seemed to be a while until the two of you finally came to a stop in front of two metal doors. They opened with a silent whir after Okoye pressed her kimoyo beads to the middle of them. You were expecting it to be a room- a training room, specifically, and it was a room; just not what you were expecting.

No, instead this room held dozens and dozens of weapons in different shapes and sizes. You couldn't even catalog all of them, too in awe at the sheer diversity in types. In fact, you were still staring, slack-jawed and wide eyes at the vast room when Okoye spoke.

"Have you ever dealt with blades before?"

Your reply was immediate as you shook your head frantically. The thought of having blades, most likely made out of vibranium, in your hands made them sweat with nerves. Okoye had taken a step inside while you stayed just at the entrance of the room, 

At your answer, her lips pursed slightly and she nodded. She seemed to be looking for something while simultaneously sizing you up. 

"Hm, that's alright. We'll find something for you."

And despite your determination to go through this training, you didn't know whether to take her words as a promise or a threat. 

Maybe both. 

*

Theta nam: talk to me

Ndingathetha: May I speak?

Enkosi ngokundivumela ukuba ndingene: thank you for allowing me to enter.

IHolo yeDoras: The Hall of Doras

A/N: I hope yall enjoyed this part! We’ll be getting into more action packed parts soon, so that’s exciting! Chile, Shuri has started to *kind of* come to her senses, but she doesn’t exactly know how to go about being in your favor once again. Her overthinking ass doesn’t think apologizing is enough, which in turn makes her question exactly what she needs to do to make sure you know how sorry she is...but we’ll get more into that later ;)

I’d greatly appreciate it if you’d liked, reblogged, and/or commented (and I’d also just forever be in love with you), because I’ll continue to say this: yall’s comments truly brighten my day. Y’all are mf hilarious, and lets not talk about how some of yall are some smooth mfs too, like WE SEE YOU, and I know what you are.

Stay safe, y’all! <3

Tag list:   @shinsousliya , @honey-teaaaaaaaa , @tchhairbandhere , @jessiap , @zane2408 , @bananasplits-world , @yellowjacketmurder , @barkbarkbo , @butterflyybabe , @bananafishok , @zestgodtj , @mitsuya-takashi , @chaoticevilbakugo , @cedeni-beanie , @shuri-my-love , @kingstormpostsshit , @sailorsolar12 , @justariellove , @angelsmist , @eriksjournal , @mermaidchansons , @nil-eena , @paisholotus , @thesecretwriterblog , @brain-of-nekoma , @7tearsofatlantic , @simp4iwaizumi , @bumlyn , @jackdrawsjunk , @http-twyla , @cedeni-beanie , @taleiakirby , @brain-of-nekoma , @borderlineacademia , @honey-teaaaaaaaa , @ventingfanfics , @awolfcsworld , @bumlyn , @adharaoaklyn , @gfskwan , @sailorsolar12 , @mermaidchansons , @nil-eena , @thesecretwriterblog , @ghostlyboiii

[luvrgrl07]

THIS ATE AND THE PLOT TWIST AT THE END

Come my way

hbcu!Shuri x reader x hbcu!Emerald Haywood

summary: in which you’re a cheerleader and the school’s most popular duo decided to shoot their shot with a little twist at the end.

inspired by: bad to me by wizkid

warnings: slight cussing (it’s barely there), HEAVY teasing, stud!shuri, nervous ass reader, surprise at the end 🤭

taglist: @pinkwright @locoforshuri @axailslink @cuddl3s4shur1 @ventingfanfics @verachii @inmyheadimobsessed @generallysapphic @shuriszn @thevenusianleo @zayswriting @haechvn @percsane @risingoftime @rxcently @ziayamikaelson @blackgirlfariy @ogbells16 @n7cje @mbakuetshurisprincess @hetr0ph0bic @heejayy @heartsforjojo @shuriszn @letitias-fav @quintessencewrites @queenofsimpsblog @shinsousliya @vixentheplanet @mrsudakuu @mocha-aya

dividers: @firefly-graphics

a/n: it’s a late ass Valentines drabble but this is for all my baes!! I hope you enjoy this and the little surprise. just know that i can’t write smut for shit (gotta practice) so that’s why there isn’t any really in this one shot. @verachii your request is coming up soon bae! ok enjoy!

"Could I get some help with my bow?" You said, holding your bow out in defeat. Your hair was just not co operating today.

"You don't have to wear the bow, girl. It's optional plus you gotta show your middle part buss down, i ain't lay that shit for nothing!" Your teammate, Faith, exclaimed. Her makeup was already done and she was ready to go. It didn't seem like that for some of your other teammates as they were gossiping and barely getting ready.

Riri came in, slamming her gym bag on the bench behind her, sitting down afterwards and holding her head in her hands.

"What's up with you?" You asked, looking at your friend through the mirror. "So, I'm tryna rehearse the choreo with Amara but it's not fucking working because she over there squealin like a damn pig!"

You chuckle a little at your best friend's words, seeing her angrily tie up her sneakers. "Was it because of one of the football players? Didn't he cheat?" You asked, applying a coat of clear lipgloss and finishing your makeup.

"He did but that ain't the point. She fangirling over two people that are apparently attending the match and I swear I couldn't get a word in." Riri rolled her eyes for the nth time that afternoon.

"But you got your steps down though, right? Me, you and y/n were put in the front for a reason. If the rest of the team fucks up then it's on them." Faith expressed, making Riri nod her head at the previous question.

Before you could speak, the coach came in and gathered the team around, specifically side eying the others who weren't ready yet.

"Now imma need all of you to show up and show out tonight. When Beyoncé play, you get to strutting and make me proud. You gotta get out there in 30 minutes so to those that ain't ready, hurry up." Coach exclaimed, making everyone walk away and finish up.

As you and the other cheerleaders stood by the underground field entrance waiting for your cue, you could hear students piling in along with music playing loudly. You heard people wanting to get food from the stalls which were next to the field, reminding you to eat after this.

Coach gave you the cue to go out and stand in your places in front of the large crowd. "Is it me or did the whole campus show up because damn." You saw Riri observing the crowd, shocked by the turn up.

"It's Casey Lu's party tonight for valentines and she invited everybody and they mama so people just decided to come here before going there." Faith informed you guys as you were walking closer to the field. "Ain't she that rich girl that everybody knows?" You ask and Faith nods. "Ole girl said she got Ice Spice coming so you know everybody gone be there. Including us." Faith smiled at you two and you both looked bewildered at her last sentence.

"Inclu-" you cut yourself off when everyone stopped in their spots, with you front and centre. You looked into the crowd and saw almost everyone turn their heads towards the pair that just walked in. The seemingly popular pair quickly scanned the crowd for seats, finding two open spots which were right in front of you.

Unable to take your eyes off of them, you were forced to because you heard Amara squeal from behind. "Oh my god, it's them." She said barely under a whisper but she was loud enough that you and Riri could hear. Looking over at the pair, you saw how their eyes were looking through the cheer team and eventually land on you.

Your breath hitched as they made eye contact with you, smirking and dapping each other up in a subtle way. Before you could even comprehend any thoughts, you heard the intro to 'America has a problem' by Beyoncé. Immediately your focus was executing the steps perfectly.

After the electrifying performance that you all had put on, the crowd gave the cheer team a standing ovation with whistles and cheers flying through the air. You kept a bright smile on your face despite breathing like you ran through a marathon. Your eyes focused on the pair seated on the bleachers who were, once again, staring you down, definitely giving you more butterflies than the first time.

Throughout the game, the cheer team had to do small congratulatory cheers for their school team after every two wins which was exhausting because your school had won the game, beating the rival opponents by celebrating in their faces.

By the time the game is done, the crowd was still buzzing through the summer evening, many of them flocking towards the food stalls. You would join them but you had to change out of your uniform and make it to your dorm to change for the party. Looking over to the two empty seats that were in front, you noticed the pair was gone and as you looked around, they were nowhere to be found.

"With the way we ate today, I'm surprised we aren't in the netflix show." Faith said, making you smile about how the crowd reacted to something you choreographed. Because of your amazing performance, coach gave y'all a week to rest and to be ready when it's time to get back.

Taking off your shoes, you looked in the mirror and saw that your makeup was still intact but you wanted to touch up a little in the dorm. Hearing your teammate's voices get louder on the other side of the lockers, you tried to not listen but they were still loud.

"Yeah girl, I saw them! Make me wanna forget about my own boyfriend!" One voice giggled. Many other voices agreed with them then cackling. You didn't even realise you were done changing until Faith tapped your shoulder. "You ready? We gotta shower then I gotta fix up our hair." She called and you nodded. You walked out with her and Riri, saying bye to your other teammates who all responded back.

It took at least two and a half hours for all of you to get ready, seeing as the party only started at eleven and it was ten thirty. "Do y'all know the address?" You asked, typing on your phone to find info at the party. You finished taking pictures in your bathroom and your two friends looked at you in awe.

"Damn, I did a good ass job like? You better get hoes today!" Faith cheered as she recorded you, Riri walking in at the right moment with you and Faith hyping her up. "Our outfits are so cute . We're serving face." You said, applying lipgloss once again.

"Only the best for ice spice." Riri smiled as she hyped you and Faith up this time.

The three of you entered the enormous house with free access since cheerleaders and football players get in for free. The slight smell of weed and different kinds of perfume filled the air, with the capacity of the house shocking you. There were people everywhere. You made your way through the crowds towards the large kitchen with everyone looking at you three, feeling the attention on you but it quickly went away as the dj switched the music to 'jimmy crooks' by drake and 21 savage.

Faith assured you and Riri to join the dancing crowd while she got your drinks because she knew that this song was one of your favourites. As the rap music was slowly getting into afrobeats, you and Riri would get closer in the crowd with Faith eventually joining you two. 

You had felt eyes on you majority of the night but nothing malicious like. You hadn't taken the time to look for whoever is staring at you. The pair had shrugged off every other woman who wanted a chance with either one of them. Emerald and Shuri watched you dance with barely any alcohol in your system, taking in your beauty and zoning out from the party surrounding them.

This wouldn't exactly be the first time they would share someone. However there was just something about you that drew the two women to you without even knowing your name, with you they don't even want to mess with other people at that point.

Due to the beats of 'bad to me' by wizkid booming through the speakers, Shuri stood up from the couch and signaled to Emerald that she'll be back and hopefully with you. She danced her way through the crowd to stand near you and Riri. Faith and Riri were damn near falling over and were laughing all the way. They said to you that they're getting more drinks as the song started.

Now this was your song. You began dancing, not really caring if anyone joins you. The beats of the song were progressively getting slower and slower as the song transitioned to 22 by jayo. From hearing this song on social media, you knew to whine your waist to the beat as well to the lyrics. You felt a presence behind you, steadying your waist without touching you with them going with the flow of your waist.

The person’s scent radiated from their body, making you feel like you’re falling into a trance. You sneakily bring your hand behind you for the person to at least touch you. You placed their hand on you back and continued dancing. You hadn’t noticed the lingering stares of everyone around you, hyping you and this mysterious person behind you. You felt their hand grip on your waist, bringing your upper body towards theirs for your back to press against their chest.

They swiftly turned you around to face them and it was as if your breath had been taken away from your lungs. Looking into her dark eyes, you noticed them turn even darker under the red and white led lights. The beautiful stranger smirked at you, causing you to slightly clench your legs.

She removed her hand from your waist and replaced it with her hand, her other reaching up to hold your chin. Examining her face, it was as if it was sculpted into perfection. Seeing how your eyes were desperately trying to not make contact with hers, Shuri gave you a low smile whilst looking elsewhere, near the couches. You noticed gold peeking through and you realised that she was wearing grills on her bottom teeth, making her look even sexier than when you first saw her.

Keeping her head in the direction she was looking at, she pulled you with her, with you immediately noticing that people parted as she walked by them. Who the hell was she?

Flicking your hair behind you as you eventually reach the couches, you stopped and stared at what’s right in front of you. The second one of the duo was manspreading, staring at you as she blew out smoke in her mouth. She too had a little smirk on her face as she watched you get nervous.

Noticing her outfit which was a black tank top with what looked to be black oversized low rise jeans paired with Jordan 4’s. Her chains were dainty and small but the rings on her fingers made up for her jewellery. Her hair was curly and short, framing her face so beautifully.

Feeling your body being guided towards the other person by your waist, you stop right in front of her open legs and she took your hand, making you sit on her crotch. Holding you in place, her cold yet soft hands slid onto your waist. The one you had been dancing with looked you in the eyes this time from a higher angle now that you were sitting down.

Her outfit was simple yet so captivating to you. She wore a black Nike tech tracksuit with panda dunks. Her neck showcased a Cuban link with a shiny watch adorning her wrist and a Cartier love bracelet on the other. Her hair was curly up top with shaved sides. Her eyes stare into yours as your heartbeat increases.

You’re quite literally stuck in the middle of these two beautiful women. You could feel the second one sit up and place you nicely on her lap as she adjusts herself.

“Now tell me, ma. What’s your name?” She muttered into your ear with a beautiful accent, almost sounding southern.

“Y/n.” You stammered, barely keeping it together. Your body was eagerly calling for the both of them, not sure how long you were going to survive.

“Y/n…” The one in front of you repeats in such a sultry tone. Placing your hands on both legs of the other woman’s legs, you shift your body a little for comfort, causing her to groan behind you.

“What about you two? What are y’all’s names?” You asked, feeling the grip on your waist become a little tighter. “My name’s Shuri, mama.” Shuri began, diverting her eyes to the woman you’re sitting on.

“I’m Emerald and I’m sure it sounds amazing comin out you. Whatcha think, Shuri?” Em introduced herself then turning her head to Shuri.

Shuri could barely answer the question. She could see how introducing themselves had taken a toll on you. She could see every shiver move everytime Emerald moved her hands from your waist to your thighs. You were slowly becoming undone and they have barely touched you.

Your gaze hadn’t been on Shuri, seeing as you were staring at nothing as an attempt to calm you down. Her hand had reached for your face once again, making you look up at her in the eye.

“Mami, I want you to listen to me, aight?” You nodded. “Let’s go celebrate Valentine’s at my hotel, yeah? just the three of us.” She spoke and her grills were peaking through. It also didn’t help that Shuri’s hand let go of your jaw and landed on your thigh and Emerald was giving you subtle neck kisses.

You nod at a quick pace, almost giving yourself whiplash. “You wanna go tell your friends that you’ll see them later?” Emerald whispered to you as you nodded. Shuri helped you up, holding your hand as you guided her through the crowd looking for your friends.

You found them in the middle of the dance floor, eventually finding you through the crowd and saw you with someone. Faith gasped when she saw who you were standing with. Riri just cheered you on and you went back to Emerald who was waiting for you two.

“Now, let’s go show you how we wanna celebrate Valentine’s with you, mama.”

You walked in your dorm room limping and trying to hold all your luxury shopping bags. After a rather long night of the three of you pleasuring each other, Shuri and Emerald had promised to give you gifts for Valentine’s Day, seeing how they only courted you as the last hour of the day was coming to an end.

The two women had helped you carry the other bags into your dorm room, placing everything next to your bed. You give thank you kisses which then turned into a heavy make out session, leaving you with more hickies than last night.

Faith and Riri waltzed into your room, hoping you’d be awake or at least there for your daily coffee run. Finding you asleep with multiple hickies and shopping bags on the floor, the two looked at each other with looks that said “I told you so.”

“When is a good time to tell her that they’re succubi and that they’re bonded for life?” Faith asked as she looked at your sleeping figure.

“Girl what?” Riri reacted, giving Faith a raised eyebrow. “Yeah. They’re immortals.” She said as if it wasn’t a big deal.

“I was just being me and going through some old ass books about folklore and myths in the library. Obviously, shit like that is supposed to be fake but clearly not. Those two have been in newspapers and books from the 16th century. They got the same tattoo on their hip to prove it.”

“The fuck? And what about y/n? What’ll happen to her?” Riri asked, a concerned expression on her face.

“They’ll eventually turn her into one of them. They don’t seem like the bad ones so I think we’re good.” Faith nodded.

“So how old are they? They look near our age.”

“Probably in their 20s physically.” She said, not knowing that the two beautiful women had disappeared into the mirror, hearing Faith reveal their secret.

“Now what?! We don’t need her finding out now!” Emerald stressed. Shuri was trying to keep her cool and be calm. “It’s cool, we can erase their memories of this conversation and destroy that book. Anything to protect our princess.”

the supernatural wave for Shuri is so cool so i decided to join in. @generallysapphic inspired me with this because of vampire!shuri so thank you my love!

and thank you @vargskelegore for creating the wonder that is hbcu shuri! 🫶🏽

[chaneajoyyy]

WLW FANFICTION (PART 2)

@ljstraightnochaser

BLACK PANTHER

SHURI

senile souls- @nzia-writes

fatal touch series- @writingintheshadowsforever

shuri soft headcanons, @m0chaminx

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

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

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

generous- @gardenof-venus

our!?, permission- @demie90s

record store- @cuddl3s4shur1

they kissing!- @axailslink

imagine shuri revealing your true heritage to you- @writingintheshadowsforever

genius princess, comfortable, for a while- @solitaryearthperson

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

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

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

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

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

@prettymrswright

speak to me softly- @sloth-babied

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

next to me series- @babyboiboyega

CAPTAIN MARVEL

CAROL DANVERS

different but same, dust- @solitaryearthperson

THOR

VALKYRIE/BRUNHILDE

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

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

[aswrittenbyaj]

dance for you

pairing: riri williams x Black reader (feminine) summary: it's the first home game of the season and majorette dancer riri is excited to hear the roar of the crowd in the stans. too ad her number one fan is stuck working. wordcount: 3.1k warnings: rated 18+. minors dni. cursing. not beta’d (that’s a warning in itself). let me know if i missed any! dedications & credits: originally inspired by dominique getting ready for carnival in a couple videos that @axailslink posted a few months ago. hbcu!shuri and hbcu!riri live rent-free in my mind so i went with it. not gonna lie yall, i'm not the happiest with this, only because it was supposed to be longer. every time i tried to expand on it, it just didn't feel right to me which is why the ended may feel a bit abrupt. there might be a part 2 in the future (or a stand alone that could be read in connection to this), but for now, i hope you enjoy.

gif conversions, divider, and banner by: me

she looked so fucking gorgeous. 

it was a little after five when you arrived to riri william's on-campus apartment, smirking up at the small yet advanced security camera she had rigged in place of a key. though you were a little skeevy about facial recognition and have your face scanned into the ether, you trusted her...and you loved being able to pop in and out of her place whenever the desire was there.

you didn't have much time before your six o'clock shift, this weekend being mandatory for all bartenders and not to brag, but you were one of brimstone's best. hell, you should've been. you had worked there since you were a freshman, unable to drink, but more than capable of keeping the liquor flowing and charming your way into extra tips.

ending the door, you headed towards the open bathroom door, your feet stopping as did your heart the second your gaze landed on the beauty that was your girlfriend in makeup. your approach had gone unnoticed, riri's eyes closed as her best friend viv continued to pat the beauty blender up her cheekbones, across her forehead, her back to you. 

"oooh, bitch, i'm scared of you," viv had said, giggling as she put down the orange sponge egg, grabbing the setting spray.

a fine mist sprayed from the clear matte bottle, giving your girlfriend's skin a dewy cast. white teeth flashed between nude painted lips as she laughed, the sound your favorite melody. 

you shifted in your position, leaning against the door frame content with watching your shawty get pampered in peace. she didn't always do this. between her classes, "side hustle", and working on her inventions, riri rarely had the time to press pause on life that was long enough to take time out for herself. honestly, the only time she really allowed herself to get dolled up, outside of date night with you, was during football season.

as a fly girl, a majorette on your university's dance team, there were certain level of self-maintenance riri was required to sustain and while during the off-season that meant she was focused more staying conditioned for the next season, the end-of-summer through winter window was when your girlfriend spent more time (and your money) getting her face beat, her hair styled and her nails filled in. 

not that you were complaining. you would never complain about doing something that made her so happy, her inner glow was physically visible to the naked eye. you be able to provide that for your girl? it made you feel favored and fortunate. 

except on nights like tonight.

though subtle, your shift in movement caught her best friend's attention, eyes glancing up at you through the mirror before going back to the task at hand, rocking her weight back onto her left leg.

"looks like i ain't gonna be the only one scared tonight," she said, swapping the setting spray for a black and white circular hand fan, viv flicking her wrist back and forth, the gentle flow of air speeding up the makeup application drying time.

"whatchu mean?" riri asked, her head tilting slightly, perfectly scuplted brow quirking in interest.

"'cause with the way your girlfriend is lookin' atchu right now, anybody try to step to you tonight finna be scared for a whole 'nother reason."

you couldn't help, but laugh, throwing your head back; first, because of viv's commentary, but as always, your attention was never too far from riri. she chuckled before her friend's words fully interlocked cohesively in her mind, eyes opening immediately, knowing exactly where to look to connect with your own. your pink tongue dragged across the plump of your bottom lip as you settled into the full intensity of those brown eyes focusing on you. 

"hi baby," she said sweetly, soft smile spreading into a wider grin. 

it was clear from the alertness in her eyes, she hadn't expected you to stop by. honestly you were pushing it pretty close since it was a ten minute drive to brimstone, and you still needed to head back to your apartment to shower and get dressed, but if you were stuck working all night, surrounded but a bunch of horny, drunk, and high people, you damn sure were gonna make sure you saw your baby first.

hopping down off the bathroom sink counter, she side-stepped viv, arms immediately wrapped around your waist. careful not to ruin her best friend's hard work, you nudged her chin up, full lips coming down to press against hers, supple as always. 

"hi beautiful," you said, pulling back just enough to mumble the words against her duo-tone lips before capturing them with your own again.

"uh, yeah, girl, i'll meet you downstairs in like twenty minutes."

you barely heard viv as she grabbed her things and left, your attention solely on the young woman who had captured your heart a year and a semester ago. her hands toyed with the hem of your shirt, fingers brushing against the velvet of your skin as your hands shifted  to the sides of her head, fingers threading themselves in her microbraids. 

you pressed your lips against hers a couple more times before pulling back a few more inches to just look at her, taking her in. she used to hate when you did that, stared at her like she was the most precious thing in the world, as if just having her here proved the existence of magic and miracles. 

these days, things were different, her gaze now a mirror, reflecting back a love so deep you could free fall in it and never touch to bottom.

"you so damn pretty," you said, shaking your head slightly as if her beauty were an insult, lips curling upwards into a smile at the way she beamed at your compliment.

"thank you mami," she said, leaning up to press a kiss to your jaw before letting you go, turning to clean up the leftover mess on the counter. "so...how long are you mine for?"

her tone was played casual, but you knew how to see beyond the dramatic lightness of her words.

"forever and a day, but..."

you approached her from behind, hands brushing the terry fabric of her robe as they wrapped around her waist.  you buried the rest of your statement in the space between her neck and robe collar.

"...unfortunately i have to leave in, like, five minutes ago."

"right now? are you serious?" 

you didn't even need to glance in the mirror to see the downturn of her lips though she revealed it to you, half turning in your arms to meet your gaze.

"you really can't make it tonight?"

you sighed softly, the slump of your shoulders obvious. you hated to disappoint her.

"i wish i could." your bottom lip poked out for a second, mimicking her pouty facial expression. "brian's making everybody touch the clock this weekend and since i didn't work last night..."

your voice trailed off, hand on her hip smoothing down over the curve of her ass as you leaned back in for another kiss, this one searing with memories of just how the two of you spent your night off. you weren't the only one still drunk off recollection, a throaty moan vibrating against your lips the second they touched hers. 

all too soon, you pulled apart, a sigh falling from between her painted pout, and not the kind of sigh you loved to coax out from her.

"but you have to go."

you could see her trying to keep the disappointment out of her voice, the urge to kick yourself growing stronger.

"i have to go," you confirmed, the hand on her chin moving down to mimic your right, ten fingers splayed against the soft cotton covering her ass. "but text me where you end up after the game. i'll come find you after my shift," you promised, eyes staying locked on hers for a moment longer, waiting for her nod in agreement. 

her eyes fluttered closed as you pressed a kiss to her forehead, right hand coming down to slap her left ass cheek, the contrast in action drawing a gasping giggle from her and a smirk from you as you made your way out her dorm apartment's door.

yeah, you made a mistake coming in to work tonight. it wasn't that it was boring, not per sé, but at 7 o'clock, it was still pretty early. the only people at the bar were those who couldn't get tickets to the game and with a stadium who's capacity sat at 20,000 people, that number of fanatics without was relatively low. 

still, you weren't bored. you'd just rather had been somewhere else. 

like at the stadium cheering your hbcu's football team on at its first home game of the season...and watching the love of your life shake her ass with a touch of class in the sexiest uniform you've seen in your four years of attending. 

the worst part about it was that you hadn't even seen riri wearing it in-person, instead only getting 8-second glimpses of it on the social media stories of her dance sisters. the last one had been a casual version of the fly girl sway, complete with attitude poses and your favorite thing to see her wear, a smile.

fuck, you had to get out of here.

it took you two beer replacements and an appetizer sampler platter to come up with an easy, but fail-proof way to get out of a shift with a guy like brian. it wasn't hard to find him, the older man hiding away in his office, no doubt watching the game's live feed on his laptop.

your knuckles rapped sharply against the door twice, your boss' head snapping up immediately as if he had gotten caught doing something forbidden. he was so busted. you coughed once to hide your amusement.

"uh, hey brian, i know i just clocked in like 2 hours ago, but i gotta go home."

if anyone knew how to frown with their entire face, it was brian. even his nostrils seemed to display disappointment in your words. 

"and why exactly is that?"

"it's personal."

"so is having a job and working your intended shift to totality."

how you didn't roll your eyes at his bullshit was beyond you. instead, you looked away, left then right, weight shifting back and forth as your shuffled on your feet. after the moment of awkwardness you purposely created, you peeked up at him, grimacing.

"so my cycle just started and there's bl-

brian's work-weathered hand came up to stop your sentience from continuing to completion, just as you knew it would. this was a fifty-four year old man who took his tmi very seriously, which made it pretty easy for you to exploit in emergencies like this. 

"just go, but i expect you to prepared to pick up some extra hours next weekend."

the not-so-veiled threat barely made it to your ears the way you rushed back down the hallway, feet squeaking against the titled floor as you narrowly missed a busboy in your haste.  you rounded the corner of the small break room, using the term "room" loosely.  deft fingers spun the silver combination lock, the tumbler dropping the base so you could pull open the creaking metal door and grab your backpack from the bottom. yanking at the ties of your waist apron, you pulled out the folded bills from the front pocket, the meager tips you managed to earn in the almost two hours of your shift, before shoving the apron and your lock into your bag. 

a loud clang sounded in the room as you closed the door, your feet already in motion towards the entryway and then out the back door.

you contemplated whether or not you should change before heading to campus, your work uniform of black jeans and a black fitted black t-shirt not the worst fit in world, but still nothing close to your usual style. a glance at the clock on the dash told you that if you wanted to see riri's lithe form dancing her heart out, the outfit change would have to wait.

it was a good thing you decided to skip it, too, since the parking lots were full. the packed side streets and grass lot parking had you wishing you had finally gotten your motorcycle license.

turning the block the stadium was on, you could hear the roar of the crowd. you wanted to believe it was for your school, but since the opposing team's school was only two hours away, it wouldn't have surprised you in they had fans attending by the bus-load as well.

just as you were able to say "fuck it" and risk parking in front of the two-hour meter parking you knew was located a couple streets over, a bright orange sign caught you attention, the word "media/press parking" in bold, black block lettering. a smirk formed on your face as you cut your wheel in the new direction.  

the roar of the crowd near deafening as the home team gained 20 yard, only 10 more yards to go to widen the score gap with less than two minutes on the clock before half time, . squeezing through the slow walking and talking bodies, your hand gripped tighter the canon dslr camera that hung from the leather strap adorning your neck, backpack straps trapping the "campus media" badge and lanyard close to your chest.

you had never been so grateful to have joined the yearbook club a year ago, an extra curricular supplement to your photography minor. the navy blue and platinum silver badge pretty much let you get behind the scenes of any school event, which you used to your advantage, flashing the plastic card at the security guard blocking the tunnel gates before slipped past him.

you carefully maneuvered your way along the sideline towards the home team's side of the stans, grateful the that violence of the game was taking place at the other end of the field. it would be just your luck that you got all the way here just to get tackled by a defensive player trying to take down a running back. 

honestly, you couldn't care less about the game, about the screaming fans and the hyped up players near the bench waiting to take their turn on the turf. your eyes searched the stands, instead, easily landing on the twelve dancers sitting poised, one leg crossed over the other as the band behind them transitioned into a new tune.

holding up the camera, you took a few test shots of the fly girls, thumbing quickly to adjust the settings before bringing the viewfinder back up to your face. you couldn't help but zoom in, catching candids of your girlfriend as she waiting for the dance captain to start her lead-in. 

glancing over your shoulder to be sure you were still in the safety zone, you refocused on the task at hand. since there were already other campus photographers on the sidelines, you technically didn't have to get photos of the game, but you weren't going to break cover now, not after you busted your ass to get where you were standing in the first place.

you snapped another photo, looking down at the digital screen with a frown, not exactly happy with the aperture priority.  fiddling with the dials, you glanced up at the stands again, head bobbing as your eye caught the dancer next to riri giving her a nudge and pointing in your direction. speedily, you lifted the camera back up to your face, index pressing down repeatedly as you captured her reaction to your presence. shifting the weight of the camera to your left hand, you raised the right, returning her enthusiastic wave before catching the kiss she blew at you with a smirk.

riri was literally glowing.

the energy in the air was electrifying, supercharged, after the Bruisers took the W, keeping them undefeated at the start of the season. thankfully the teams, band, and dancers were allowed to clear the stadium before the fans, event staff such as yourself following behind.

leaning back against the sleek black of your audi r7, you settled in to wait for riri to exit the blue double doors. honestly, you didn't mind letting the thousands of people fight their way out of their spots and onto the road. you were in no rush, giving a polite smile or wave as familiar faces as they cleared the press lot.

the slight bite of the cool breeze stroked against the bareness of your arms, your hands sliding back and forth to warm them despite the perfectly working heaters on the other side of the car door. just as you were about to give in and sit inside, the petite woman emerged from the double doors, her eyes scanning the busy lot until she found who she was looking for.

you.

it was as if a switch had turned on, the way riri brightened up the moment her eyes landed on you. a smile stretched wide across her face. legs kicking dramatically behind her, she half-jogged in your direction, both hands tucked into the kangaroo pocket of her oversized h---  wait, that was your hoodie. as well as your sweatpants, tied tight to her waist though still baggy on her hips.

"you missed me that much you had to steal my clothes?" you asked, pulling her into your arms.

leaning into her, riri's back bowed slightly as you pressed your full lips to hers, arms pulling her in closer as your lips traveled to her chee bones, her nose, her forehead. her laughter stole her breath as she gave it to the wind, pearly whites to the sky as she grinned.

"well i didn't know if you were comin' or not so i had to do what i had to do." she shrugged, eyebrow quirking as she stood bold in her truth, in her blatant desire to have you close.

"well, i'm here now so no substitutes needed, aight?" your hands slide away from her as you moved to open the passenger side door for her. "so where we headin'--yours or mine? i know you prolly wanna shower before we hit up some parties and i damn sure ain't wearin' this shit out tonight."

eyes never leaving her frame, you watched riri glide into the front seat with the gracefulness only a dancer could have. 

"we can head to yours. i think my 90's lakers jersey dress is over there and you got the perfect jordans to go right wit em too." 

there wasn't anything to say to that, nothing to do but to chuckle and shake your head as your fingers pushed the door closed. there was security in the way riri was so confident in her ability to just assume your things as hers. pride would swell in your chest seeing her swimming in your clothes, her healthy appetite and habitual exercise routine aiding in the appearance of her natural petiteness. not to mention that shit turned you all the way on.

it never felt unappreciated in the way her presence carried over into your personal space, not with the way the invitation was always mutual.

[cjariot]

11

this was NOT an easy choice

cus they be eating i come back to these every month fr @generallysapphic @shinsousliya @babyboiboyega

[acommonwhor3]

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

[fentibeauty]

━ 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐨𝐮𝐭.

summary- you walk in your dorm with a serious limp after dance practice. your roommate and girlfriend notices and offers to help by stretching you out.

a/n- this randomly popped up in my head while i was listening to brent and i had to write it down before i forgot it lol. otw to my cruise so this may be the last fic i write until next month lord

warnings- mentions of sexual activity , profanity, shuri being an amazing girlfriend. shuri also being a little sneaky thang.

tags— @melodykisses @shuris-whore @saturnville @haechvn @ppawmpkin @cherios @vargskelegore @angeliquebones @szalipcombo @shurireigns @rxcently (comment if you wanna be in tag list)

*. * · ݈ hbcu! shuri ✗ black!reader *. * ·

you unlocked the door and slowly limped into your dorm. your girlfriend shuri was laying on her head reading a book she has to write a report on.

with small groans you made it to your bed with a loud “hmph.” shuri put her book down, “are you okay, my love?” there was a tone of humor in her question.

“everything hurts.” you mumble. even though what you said was a bit incoherent, shuri was able to hear you. “why does everything hurt? you’re a pro at dancing. you do everything with no effort.” she asked as she got up from bed and sat on yours.

shuri started to rub your legs, “do you need help?” she asked quietly. “how are you going to help me, ri?” shuri got on her knees and positioned herself in front of you.

“let me stretch you out.”

“let me stretch you out.”

you won’t lie, when those words left shuri’s mouth your mind took a left and thought of other thinks you knew she wasn’t referring to at the moment. shuri soon caught on and held a sly smirk before laughing. “not in that way, you nasty girl.”

“i don’t know what you’re talking about.” you smiled. shuri let out an amused scoff and looked down at your legs.

“okay, let’s see what we’re working with here, shall we?”

shuri was now between your legs, started off by using the pit of her hands to massage your thighs. you let out a noise of discomfort but also relief. shuri looked down at you, the face you had on your face reminded her of previous events.

“this position is fairly familiar, no?” shuri teased as she continued with what she was doing.

“but i was the one with my mind in the gutter.” you commented. shuri let out a smile laugh.

she rubbed over this one particular spot that was the most tender causing, what sounded like a moan leave your lips. you realized it was a bit too much for shuri when she paused her movements.

“oh, i’m sorry. it slipped out.” you let her know, shuri looked into your eyes before continuing, it seemed as though she was fighting something within her. “no need to apologize, love.”

shuri then grabbed the pit of your knees and spreaded your legs apart. you winced and hissed in pain, “it feels like you’re hurting me on purpose.” you whined.

“never love, you’re just very tense i can feel it in your muscles.”

shuri got closer, and made herself taller. she looked down at your crouch before looking back at you with a smirk. “shuri! be focused.”

“so very sorry, i can’t help it. she’s looking right at me. she wanted to say hello.” she tried to reason. “oh please, it seemed like you want to say hello.” you looked up at her with your legs still in the air; in her hands.

“i do want to say hello.” she leaned down and became face to face with your pussy, “hello, good to see you again.” she joked as she left a kiss on the top of it making you squirm just a bit.

“will you stop??!” your cheeks heated up, even with your chocolate skin, shuri could still tell you were blushing. “distracted aren’t i. that’s just what you do to me.”

shuri watched you once more, “god i love your thighs baby.” she complimented. you were indeed a very thick girl, you grew up with your greens and cornbread. it was bound to happen!

as you walked around campus with shuri, people wondered how shuri could handle someone like you. the girls you danced with swore you would break shuri as easy as a twig but they were wrong.

most nights after sex, you would be the one limping and needing to be rejuvenated. shuri on the other hand would be just fine.

shuri is definitely stronger than most people think but that’s not any of their business, they can think what they want to think.

anyway.

shuri bent your legs back as much as you allowed it. your legs very much did go to your head and boy was shuri amazed. “jesus, you are so damn flexible.” she gazed at how she had you folded like a pretzel.

shuri couldn’t help it, she couldn’t.

she brought her front and pressed it against yours. “oops.” her tone with two octaves deeper. you knew shuri wouldn’t be able to control herself.

“s-shuri.” you said in a warning tone, yes you were sore but you’ll never decline any sexy time with your lover. “sh, sh. let’s continue.” she went on like nothing happened.

she put one of your legs down and focused on one leg. she straightened it and bent it back. another moan left your mouth, this time it was far more clearer to shuri’s ears. she tucked her bottom lip and stared directly into your eyes.

“okay yeah, maybe we should stop before i make you sorer than what you are now.” she was deadass.

shuri was dead fucking ass.

[angelsmist]

UNEXPECTED CIRCUMSTANCES - HBCU!SHURI X READER

prompt: a leak in your residence hall calls for unexpected pairings…

contains - cursing, shuri x fem!reader,

disclaimers - this is not my idea!! all credits to @vargskelegore for hbcu shuri. it is an amazing idea. however, the storyline is mine. also, i would prefer if only black people read this story, simply because it is a reader insert specifically for us. thank you <3

this will be a continuous story that i use, but with different prompts. but it will follow about the same storyline. feel free to request !

“Girl, are you fucking serious?”

“Look, my girlfriend offered and I have no reason to decline. I’m sorry.”

You resisted the urge to lunge at your roommate. There was a monoxide leak in your dorm, meaning that you two were kicked out of your housing, amongst many, many others. Both of you agreed that it’d be better to just get a nearby hotel for the time being, but at last minute she switched up and decided to stay with her girlfriend and her girlfriend’s roomie.

You knew you wouldn’t be able to find anyone else on such short notice because, who the hell would accept a third person, especially a stranger, into a dorm meant for two?

“So, what am I supposed to do then? Nobody’s gonna wanna room with me, and I don’t have enough money to pay for any hotels nearby right now,” You argued, practically fuming. The agreement was to split the bill, but now that she had backed out, there was no way for you to pay solo.

“I’m sorry, (name). I’ll try and ask people if they have room to squeeze you in, but for now, just worry about finishing the rest of your classes. We’ll talk later.”

You shut your eyes, huffing loudly. “Okay. But I swear, if I can’t find a place to stay tonight-“

“Chill,” Your roommate, Tati cut you off. “We’ll figure out something.”

“We better,” You grumbled, readjusting your laptop and notebook in hand before turning on your heel to get to your next class.

You had history next, a class that you were dreading simply because your professor was an absolute snooze fest. Nothing in that class was enjoyable.

Well, scratch that. There was just one thing to look forward to in that class.

That happened to be because of the girl who sat next to you during that class. It was none other than the princess of Wakanda herself.

Towards the end of freshman year in college, there were rumors that the Princess Shuri would be enrolling there. It was all just talk, though, so you never really trusted it. Plus, out of all places, why would literal royalty waste her time at a college when she could be traveling the world?

You had moved back in a few weeks before the first day and thought your mind was playing tricks on you when you saw her while you were trying to figure out where your dorm was supposed to be.

You hadn’t even realized you were staring until her eyes eventually met yours. She offered a smile, but you stupidly stared back at her dumbfounded, still in shock. That got a laugh out of her as she walked away, leaving you feeling incredibly stupid.

That encounter had lived freely in your mind for a long time. You even told Tati about it, which only made her laugh at you and mock you for actual months about it. She couldn’t blame you, though. The princess was fine as hell.

What you didn’t know was that you’d get a second chance later to make a better impression.

Surprised would be an understatement when you saw Shuri enter your history class. You hoped your mind was playing tricks, but looking around, just about everyone had the same reaction as you.

You looked away from the princess, not wanting a repeat of last time. Everyone else in the class silently hoped that Shuri would make the choice of sitting next to them.

It was when you heard shuffling on the opposite side of you that you realized someone had taken the seat on the very end of the row you were sitting in.

The seat next to you.

And well, the rest was history. Heh, get it?

“You look stressed,” Shuri noted, snapping you out of your thoughts. It was like your brain had been in auto-pilot while you were walking to class.

Shutting your eyes, you grumbled in frustration. “Is it that obvious?”

She hummed in response with a nod, sitting up from her chair to shift closer to you. “What’s wrong?”

“Nah, we can talk about this later. We got a presentation due like next week and we’ve barely started,” You dismissed, pulling up Powerpoint. You two had been paired up for a project.

“Yes, but I know you, and I know we won’t be able to do this assignment properly until you tell someone why you are so tense.”

“Okay, first of all, you don’t gotta call me out like that.” You narrowed your eyes at the princess. “Second of all, you heard about that leak in one of the residence halls?”

Shuri’s nod was your signal to continue. “Yeah, so, I was living there. And my plan was to book a hotel room with my roommate until the college can get us a more permanent place to stay, but she just backed out at last minute because of another offer. A free one. I can’t afford to buy my own room, so as of now, I literally have nowhere to live. Like, most of my stuff is in my locker in the locker room.”

“You should’ve said something sooner,” Shuri chuckled, tapping her pencil against her notebook. “Like texted me, or something. You can room with me for tonight. Or however long you need to.”

There was no way you’d turn down that offer. “Seriously? You’re okay with me crashing for a little?”

“Of course. It gets lonely every once in a while and I have enough space for two. Consider it a thank you for helping me adjust to college in the first few weeks,” Shuri confirmed, a smile playing at her lips.

“You are a lifesaver,” You breathed out, nodding at your friend. “Thank you.”

“Anytime.”

Once class ended, you told Shuri you’d meet her in the quad as soon as majorette practice ended. Unfortunately, it was a whole lot longer than you had anticipated. The worst part was, it was an outside practice, so not only did you have to work your ass off, you also had to do with the heat of the sun basically frying you.

Practice could not be over soon enough. By the time it did end, the sun had already began to set and the sky turned a cool blue. You hadn’t had the chance to tell Shuri you’d probably be a little later than you told her because you didn’t have time.

You grabbed your water bottle, wiping sweat off your neck. When you felt a tap on the shoulder, you turned around to see Tati. “Hey, you know Kendall? That junior who bombed her tryout for the team? She has a free spot in her dorm cause the last girl moved out.”

You furrowed your eyebrows suspiciously. “Why’d she move out?”

Tati shrugged in response. “I don’t know, but I could ask her if you want.”

“Nah, I think she has like, a personal vendetta against me. Pretty sure I took her spot this year,” You replied.

“Girl, that wasn’t her spot. She messed up that audition all on her own,” Tati spoke, only half-joking.

You laughed at her harsh, but true words. “It’s all cool, though. I found a temporary roommate, anyways.”

“That’s good! I’m sorry again for bailing on you at last minute.”

“Don’t worry, I get it. We don’t got the money to be booking hotels when there’s a free option. You’re good.” You smiled, closing your water bottle.

You and Tati looked at the other group of majorettes socializing and noticed they had stopped talking to stare at something. Or rather, someone.

“Is that the princess?” You heard one say.

Tati turned to you. “Quick, look away before you end up staring at her like a deer in headlights again.”

You narrowed your eyes at your roommate. “Funny.”

You looked to the entrance of the large stadium that your group was practicing near and you couldn’t say that you weren’t surprised to see Shuri coming through them, looking around your group as if searching for something.

Once her gaze met yours, her eyes lit up as she began to walk towards you. It was like she didn’t even notice the entire team gawking at her.

“Hey, I was getting worried,” Shuri greeted you with a grin. “Are you ready to go?”

You looked at her slightly confused. “Wha…oh! You here for me?”

The princess looked at you as if you were crazy. “Who else would I be here for?”

“Right.” You mentally face-palmed, shutting your eyes for a moment in embarrassment. “I’ll be ready in a second, can you just meet me in the locker room so I can get my stuff out of there?”

Shuri nodded silently before turning away and heading towards the locker rooms just like you had asked.

When you turned to Tati, her eyes were practically bulging out of her head. “You didn’t tell me your new roommate was the princess!”

Tati must’ve said it too loudly, because her word quickly attracted the attention of your teammates, who began to walk towards you.

You knew exactly how this was gonna end. You’d be bombarded with questions you didn’t feel like answering, nor feel comfortable answering. You sent a wave to Tati before jogging towards the doors Shuri had just left through.

“You better tell me everything!” You heard Tati yell before exiting.

[vargskelegore]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

there was something neither you and shuri could deny,

and that was being friends was kiiinda overrated.

[saturnville]

garden kisses.

pairing:college!shuri xblack! reader. warning: fluuuuuff content: in which they finally see each other after time apart. song: garden kisses by giveon & say less by anthony ramos note: the concept of college/hbcu!shuri is NOT my own. the creator is @vargskelegore and should be acknowledged as such! full credit to the creator <3

Paranoia sunk into her being. The once faint sounds of sirens alerting the city of the authorities grew louder and louder with each growing second. The rate of her heartbeat increased, each moment passing only stirring up a wary feeling in the depths of his core. 

The steering wheel seemed thicker, and her hands were clammy, sliding off the top of the thick rubber. The sirens got louder. Her eyes flickered toward the electronic speedometer on the dash. 65. She eyed the sign to her left, just a few meters away from a top sign on the corner. Speed Limit 40. She'd never been so desperate to see her. 

Blue lights peaked over the hill she'd glided over. Her eyelids fluttered momentarily and his lips moved slowly, sending a silent prayer to the goddess she didn't believe in.

Her foot lifted from the gas, the acceleration decreasing with ease. The blue lights flew straight past her and swerved behind the car in front of her. Good. She'd had too many run-ins with the authorities in America. She pressed down on the gas again and with a light jerk, her car sped down the street.

It only took a total of fifteen minutes to get from point A to point B, the dorm where she laid her head at night. He only hoped she’d let her stay the whole night and not just for a portion of it.

The engine cut off as she parked next to her vehicle—a black Toyota Camry that had been passed down from her older brother.

Her nimble fingers danced across her phone screen to alert her of her presence. Come up. Roommate is gone, was her response. She raced out of the car and dashed toward the elevator quicker than an Olympian track star. 

Her footsteps were heavy as she walked down the narrow hallway full of different living areas. Hers was at the end of the hall, away from the commotion and possible distraction of the other residents and their guests. Away from the possibility of having her pulled away at any given moment. 

She wondered what she looked like. Was she dressed in her business suit or had she traded it for an oversize tee shirt and sweatpants? Were her thick, natural locks on display, full and flowing? The door peeled open slowly, and the strong scent of tropical body butter surrounded her.

“Hi,” she, Kenzi, greeted with a small smile. Her simple greeting went over his head. Such a beautiful woman, she was. She hated basking in the beauty of her for too long because she was well aware that the beauty that rested within her soul was far greater, but for the sake of everything holy. Her gaze was leering as she stood in front of her. Kenzi looked relaxed and peaceful. Remnants of a long day’s makeup still sat on her face but her work clothes had been replaced by a viridian green night slip and a robe. Her hair, long braids, was still intact and styled in a messy bun at her neck. 

“Come in.” She sidestepped to make room for her entry. Shuri slowly peeled her shoes off her feet and looked around her apartment-style dorm. Still looked the same, she noticed, save for the new black and white paintings scattered throughout. 

“You got here quickly,” Kenzi spoke in a hushed tone. “Speed your way here or somethin’?” Shuri's eyes followed her wandering body. The slip complimented her skin wonderfully. It was thin, too. Every curve and roll was emphasized through the material. The neckline was deep and showcased the swell of her chest, and the thin straps showcased her strong shoulders that she couldn’t wait to trail an array of kisses down. 

“Something like that,” she replied. She threw a smile over her shoulder before returning to fish for two glasses in her neatly organized cabinet. “So, you rush to the cabinet but don’t greet me?”

“I said hello."

“Barely.” Shuri scoffed with her hands across her chest. The sleeves of her purple tracksuit jacket ruffled.

Kenzi's eyebrow rose. “You wanted me to climb on you like a monkey or something as a form of greeting?”

Shuri pushed off the island and stepped towards her. “Wouldn’t be so bad.” She bracketed her body by placing her hands on either side of her, keeping her exactly where she wanted her. She lowered her head to her neck, the tip of her nose brushing against her soft skin. Shuri peppered a few kisses beneath Kenzi's ear cupping her neck with her hand, ghosting her lips over Kenzi's. It was a teasing game that she loved to play, and oftentimes, Kenzi played along, but there was no time for games this time. 

Kenzi reached for her lips, capturing them with her own dominantly. If walls could talk, they’d giggle at how they looked like lovestruck teenagers reuniting after a few days apart. A frantic kiss was exchanged with heavy breathing, teeth clattering, and hands wandering. Shuri's back hit the front door and a moan escaped her lips. Her gentle hands cradled Kenzi’s face before traveling down her shoulders where her robe rested. She pushed the fluffy material down and her palms followed the trail past her waist and down her hips, which she gripped tightly. 

A sweet sound from her lips spurred her further. Kenzi’s wandering hands tugged at the string that secured Shuri's sweatpants around her slim waist while Shuri's hands danced along the curve of her bottom before scooping her in her arms. 

“Missed you, Princess…” Kenzi breathed against her lips once Shuri laid her against the plush couch cushion. 

Shuri's light eyes met her deeper ones, fiery desire exchanged between four orbs. “Missed you, too…”

[babyboiboyega]

Next To Me Pt. 14 (Shuri x Black!Fem!Reader)​

Shuri x Black!Fem!Reader

Word Count: 11.6k (a little longer as an apology for being late...and for what happens :) )

Content: angst. Angst galore; fighting; mentions of bruises; did I say angst?; nightmares; Shuri finally comes to her senses

Next To Me Masterlist

Babyboiboyega’s Marvel Masterlist

Babyboiboyega’s Masterlist of Masterlists

TAGLIST FORM

Song Inspo:

“Runnin” - Beyonce, Arrow Benjamin

“No Peace” - Sam Smith, Yebba

“I wish I knew how it would feel to be free” - Andra Day

A/N: Sorry for it being so late y’all. I’ve been looking forward to writing this part for a while, and every draft I typed up was not meeting my own, absurdly high standards lmao so I kept deleting and rewriting until I finally came out with this! So I really hope y’all enjoy this, and I hope it makes you as emotional as it made me while writing it! <3

Recap:

“SHURI-”

Somehow, even over the sound of the child wailing in your ear and the sound of your voice screaming itself hoarse, you could hear the beeping stop.

There was a shockingly heavy silence that fell over the area, allowing just a sliver of hope to rest in your chest- hope that it was a false alarm…

And then the ground shook with an explosion that threw you off of your feet.

******

Ringing. The suffocating smell of smoke. The feeling of that smoke burning as it entered your nostrils and traveled to your lungs.

Shuri.

The air was filled with dirt, dust, and a heat that made your skin prickle. Your ears rang painfully with the remnants of the blast, the child's whimpering floating just beneath the sound. You could feel him squirming against your chest, and it quickly crossed your mind that maybe you were holding him too tightly; though, the feeling of his hands landing gently but urgently on your face told you otherwise. He gently patted at your cheek until your disoriented gaze landed on him, the outline of him swimming across your vision.

The ground was rough against your back, digging into the bruises and cuts you were sure to have from being thrown, but those wounds were preferred over having more harm come to the little boy in your arms.

Your breath left you in a wheeze as you sat up, and the next breath you drew in burned. The sensation made you choke slightly, one of your arms raising to cover your mouth and nose in vain. It only took hearing one cough from the child to realize that the burn you felt in your almost fully developed lungs was multiplied in his underdeveloped lungs. The thought prompted you to struggle to your feet while pushing the boy's head into your neck- an attempt to keep him from inhaling the smoke-filled air around you.

The haze in your mind remained, even as you gained your bearings enough to stumble towards the mouth of the alley. There was a pile of debris at the entrance, and the flames that danced from it effectively blocked your path back to the main clearing, and your path to the last place you had seen Shuri.

The desire to find a safe place for the boy battled with your desire to find her, which was more of a 'need' than a 'want'. The last you had seen of her, she was running into the very alley where the bomb had been planted.

There was a distant section of your mind that replayed the memory of watching as her panther suit engulfed her body, providing her an extra sense of protection; but the more keyed-up, panic induced part of your brain could only remember watching her run headfirst into danger, without a care in the damn world.

You didn't have enough mental fortitude at the moment to embrace the anger that stemmed from her actions. Instead, you busied yourself with squinting through the flames and the smoke, trying your hardest to see through to the other side.

The area that had just been filled with children and adults alike, laughing and conversing after long days at school and work, was now barren. Scattered throughout the area lay pieces of debris, still on fire and smoldering. The alley that had been the origin of the blast was just gone. Where there once had been a space big enough for a few people to walk down, there was now a pile of broken bricks and other kinds of rubble.

Your eyes took note of the destruction caused for only a second before turning your search to any sign of Shuri, only to no avail. There wasn't a single sign- not one that you could see.

The panic that gripped your chest made it all the more difficult to draw in a proper breath; the tears gathering in your eyes could have been a product of the toxic smoke, or a product of the horrific and unfathomable thoughts that shot through your mind, making you freeze in your spot.

After going through everything she had, a bomb from a cult was what took her? Took her from a country that adored her and her passed family members; took her from a number of palace personnel who viewed her as family and as a friend- more than just a queen.

Took her from you.

You simply couldn't comprehend it. You didn't want to comprehend it- not when there were still so many things that had been left unsaid between the two of you. You had forgiven her, but you still wanted so much more- you wanted to give her so much more. The possibility that you two's story- a story that had just began- had already ended sent a crippling fear through you. But you couldn't let it incapacitate you when a child's safety relied solely on your actions.

The boy in your arms coughed, letting out a choked whimper before burying his face deeper into your skin. The distress in his voice coupled with the shaking of his body was enough to kick you into action, making you turn away from the damage with the intent of finding a place that hadn't been touched by the blast.

Your legs shook slightly as you walked away. Your eyes blinked rapidly, burning with the feeling of tears trying to clear them of dust and smoke. The only cemented thought in your mind was getting the child to safety, and it prompted you to walk the same, trampled path the crowd had taken to escape. There had to be someone frantically looking for their child, and the sooner he was in their arms, the sooner you'd be able to start searching for those you had come with.

Start searching for Shuri.

Each turn was unfamiliar and unknown to you, but somehow in your dazed state, you were able to mark each turn in your mind. Though, that daze quickly sharpened, making everything around you clearer and louder in what could only be called fight or flight, when a hand landed on your shoulder.

With your arms tensing around the boy, you whirled around, taking a number of steps away from the unfamiliar presence. The man, who only copied your actions but toward you, had a distressed look on his dust covered face. His eyes were wide and as red as you suspected yours looked while his tears carved tracks into the dust on his cheeks. Even as you held a hand out as a caution and a warning, he continued forward, his own arms reached out; but not to you, but the little boy you held.

The man's voice cracked as he exclaimed something- something that held the familiarity and fear of a guardian for their child- and it was effective in grabbing the little boy's attention. His head turned to the side just enough for him to peer at the man, and then he was pulling his head up completely. His whimpering quickly changed to cries once more as his hands desperately reached out to the man, fingers flexing and almost urging him to pick him up.

The man surged forward without another word, his arms securing themselves around the little boy's body before pulling him into his chest. He placed his head on top of the boy's, his eyes momentarily closing as his lips moved soundlessly in what one could assume was a prayer of thanks. You didn't know the exact relationship between the man and the boy, but it was obvious that that they were familiar with each other. The man's utter relief at seeing the child's state of wellbeing told you all you needed to know, and it admittedly made a weight lift off your shoulders. You had kept him safe, even when surrounded by nothing but hostility and unfamiliarity.

The man started thanking you profusely, the gratitude making his voice thick with emotion, but you couldn't focus on his words. Instead of reassuring him that he had no reason to say thank you, that you were simply doing the right thing, your eyes were focused on the person slinking their way onto the small walkway you were standing on. Their head whipped back and forth before settling on you, their body freezing right afterward.

The question of whether the person needed help lingered on the edge of your mind, but the longer you watched them, the more the answer became clear. A scarf covered the lower half of their face, hiding their expression from you, but it couldn't hide the tension that gripped their body. It showed itself in their limbs which were coiled and looking ready to propel them toward you. The walkway suddenly seemed too small around you, and it only lessened as the person started making their way toward you and the father/son duo.

You didn't think when you placed a hand on the man's arm, urging him to turn and immediately put more distance between himself, his son, and the menacing figure. It didn't take much pressure for the man to do exactly that, leaving you alone with someone who's intentions were unknown but easy to guess.

And you didn't think when you spun on your heel, launching yourself down another walk away.

In hindsight, you'd like to say that you ran in a different direction so that you could lead the person away from the father and his son; but in the moment, you had run with the main intention of getting back to the clearing where you had seen Shuri, Okoye, and Aneka.

Your teeth violently clacked together with every step you took. Different parts of the village flew past your vision as you ran, but you were focused on only one thing in the moment: get the hell away from this asshole.

Each breath sawed in and out of your lungs, burning with every inhale and exhale. Your chest was tight, both from fear and exertion, and it only grew tighter as you continued speeding around corners in an attempt to get back. The loose dirt that covered the ground slid beneath your shoes, posing a threat and making it that much harder to put distance between the footsteps you could hear gaining from behind you.

In your hastened state of mind, you could've sworn you felt fingers ghosting across the back of your neck, intent on grabbing you. It only made you move faster, pumping the last bit of energy into your legs as the clearing finally came into view. At the threat of that hand growing closer, you grabbed the sleek, vibranium baton that hung from your belt. The cool metal was both comforting in its potential to protect yourself, and a stressor at the fact that it would be the first time you'd have to actually defend yourself- and possibly save yourself from an unknown threat. Except the person after you wasn't the only threat, and the real threat only became clear once you finally ran back to the clearing.

Over your own harsh and labored breathing in your ears, the sounds of combat could be heard in the area. There was the unmistakable sound of the Dora Milaje's spears grazing against other weapons, and it admittedly comforted you just a little, knowing that they were right there.

You had just stepped into the clearing when, for the second time in the day, you were being lifted off of your feet. It wasn't because of a blast, this time; it was because of the strong hand that grabbed the back of your shirt and pulled, effectively and abruptly halting your momentum and making your feet stumble under you.

It was relentless as it continued to pull you further back, away from the very people who could help you in the situation and towards a more secluded part of the area. Even through the raw panic consuming you, you were sensible enough to know that giving up could only result in harm coming to you, and it made you struggle harder against their pulling. It was no longer a thing of fight or flight; it was simply fight, and Okoye's voice seemed to appear out of nowhere, urging you to do exactly that.

"When struggling against an opponent who's bigger than you, you always use the element of surprise to your advantage. They're not expecting you to rush at them- they're expecting you to run. Show them why they're wrong."

With the next wrench of your shirt, you willingly and quickly entered their space. It was obvious that they had underestimated your next move, as they stumbled back before falling to the ground. It would've been a good chance for you to knock them out or even run, but their death grip on your shirt only caused you to fall to the ground beside them before letting go.

What little breath you had left escaped you in a dizzying rush at the impact, and when you attempted to pull it back in, it was tinged with dirt. It coated your tongue and your throat, adding on another layer of disorientation on top of the soreness wracking your body.

The dull pain that radiated from your already bruised back was next to unnoticeable as you attempted to roll over, one hand scrambling at the dirt to pull yourself away from the person's aggressive grip. You had just gotten one leg under your body, ready to launch to your feet, when a pain erupted from your scalp. The pain only spread as your own hair was used to pull you back to the ground, this time keeping you pinned into the dirt.

Your baton fell to the ground as you raised both hands, clutching at your hair in an attempt to lessen the strain of the person's grip. A yell that was equal parts pain and anger escaped through your gritted teeth at the feeling of someone climbing over you, trapping your legs between theirs despite the way they violently kicked.

Their eyes, wide and gleaming with a sick kind of satisfaction, appeared over your struggling figure, and they only brightened as they brandished an ancient, almost battered dagger. The shadows that the nearby fires cast on their face caused them to look even more menacing than their actions already made them out to be. You could see your reflection, bathed in the orange light of the same fire in their wide, manic eyes; you could see the look of pure rage that had taken over your features, your lips twisted into a snarl that probably matched the person's beneath their scarf.

That rage grew as a mocking laugh left their lips, their head shaking as if scorning a child. The hand that held the dagger lifted, but instead of plunging it into your chest, it pulled down the edge of the scarf, revealing a twisted smile at your expense.

"Don't worry…your death will precede the coming of our goddess…your sacrifice won't be in vain, child."

His grip tightened on the dagger as he raised it once more; his hand that was twisted into your locs tightened as well, preparing to hold you down for when he brought it down. Too busy was he basking in what he undoubtedly interpreted as fear that he didn't notice your fingers closing around a large rock you had managed to reach.

He only noticed once you raised it, bringing it into the side of his head with all of the strength you could muster. There was a sickening sound as it made contact with his skull, and it was accompanied by the sound of his body thudding to the ground.

The second your legs were free, you were rolling onto your stomach and grabbing your discarded baton with a shaky hand. Your scalp throbbed as you staggered quickly to your feet, your chest rising and falling heavily with the effort it took you to get to this point. But as you met the man's furious and crazed gaze, every remnant of panic still coursing through your veins dissipated, leaving nothing but a heavy and consuming rage.

Not even the thought that you had just faced certain death could cool the heat of that rage as it raced through you, and seeing the man stagger to his feet, ready to once again attack you- a person who had done nothing but fall into a set of circumstances set up by him and those like him- made you seethe even more. He looked at you as if you were the one who had tried to kill him only moments before.

You didn't feel an ounce of remorse in your body as you extended the baton before jamming the end of it into his ribcage and twisting. His body shook momentarily, electric volts running rampant throughout his entire being before going still as you retracted it.

Your eyes stayed fixated on his body, searching for any signs of movement besides the slow rise and fall of his chest. Only after failing to see any did you turn on your heel, your attention now set on the clearing and the sounds of fighting still emanating from it. One would think that the adrenaline in your body would fade after getting through the ordeal that had caused it to activate in the first place, but it was the exact opposite as your steps pace picked up the closer you grew to the noises.

Chaos was the only word that could adequately describe the scene you ran into. The Dora Milaje's red and silver could be seen moving quickly throughout the area, taking down any person who dared to approach them. It was easy to differentiate between Doras and cult members as they flooded the clearing, and you found that you were relieved to see not a single Dora laying on the ground, injured or worse.

Even with the frenzy of activity happening, you still tried your hardest to look for familiar faces: Okoye, Aneka, Eza…Shuri. Your eyes strained as you looked for just a glimpse of a gold and black suit, and it almost caused you to miss the fist aiming straight for your face.

It was instinct that caused you to duck under the arm, but it was Okoye's voice in your mind, once again, that made you roll across the ground and out of their reach. The world righted itself as you came to a stop, jumping to your feet once more. It all happened just in time for you to see another person running full speed at you, their mouth open in a threatening and almost manic yell.

Your answering yell was lost amidst the sounds of the battle, but your throat burned with the intensity of it as you rushed to meet them halfway. No longer were you looking at your surroundings through a lens of panic; the cultists had invaded this village with the sole purpose of causing destruction, chaos, and fear for a twisted cause- a cause that was built and enforced through pain and panic.

They were victims just as much as you were…and it pissed you off.

The woman held a pipe in her hands, her knuckles white where they gripped and raised it, preparing to use it in any way to inflict as much pain as she could. Her steps were quick as she approached you, and had you not been focused, it would've surely frightened you; but she was now just a person who had to be subdued and not a person who could take your life.

Fights were often depicted as happening in slow motion in movies and books, but the same could not be said for the fight you had found yourself in; instead of her movements being slow and drawn out, they seemed to happen as quick as they possibly could, almost as if someone had pressed the fast forward button on a remote. You made sure to send a silent and quick thanks to Okoye and her training, as you couldn't have possibly defended yourself without her instruction.

The pipe whistled through the air right above your head, alerting you to just how close she was as you stepped forward and ducked. You spun with bent knees, your hands twisting just slightly around your staff as you brought it into the woman's abdomen. A grunt left your mouth as the impact reverberated up the length of your arms, but you didn't dare stop there.

Your knee was waiting as she doubled over, raising and connecting squarely with the bridge of her nose. The quick attack made her head snap back, effectively freeing your staff from where it had been trapped against her bent figure and allowing you to step back. She staggered backwards, a pained shriek leaving her mouth as her hands clutched at her nose. The light from the fires allowed you to see the bright red that gushed from between her fingers and dribbled down her chin into the dirt. Her watery eyes were furious as they fixated on you, but your actions only made that fury melt into surprise as you raised a foot, kicking out and making contact with her chest hard enough to throw her back. There was a thud as she landed in the dirt, and her groans soon followed, joining the other sounds of pain and battle around you.

"What in Bast’s name are you doing here?!"

Relief shot through you at the sound of Okoye's angry, albeit concerned, voice. It wasn't hard to spot her, as she had at some point fought her way through the clearing to you and now stood in front of you. The exasperation in her eyes echoed in her voice as she stared wide-eyed at you. Her spear was held in a defensive stance in front of her, and even though her eyes were on you, you knew that should she approached, she'd be able to handle herself just fine.

"Why didn't you go with the villagers?!"

"That's kind of a long story-!"

Yours words were quickly cut off at the sound of another voice yelling and growing closer. Both you and Okoye's gazes turned in time to see a man wielding a club of some kind running towards the two of you, and you both acted without thinking or communicating.

While you swung your staff at the man's knees, immediately making his legs buckle, Okoye spun her spear until the end of it connected with the man's back. You watched as she delivered an electric blow to his body before pulling away, the man falling to the ground and becoming still.

"We have no time for stories- get to safety!" As she scolded you, she continued spinning her spear in a way that was uniquely Okoye, using it to take down every cultist that grew too close to her; but with every cultist she took down, the further she grew from you. It only crossed your mind that she was drawing them away from you when the path in front of you was suddenly clear of cultists- well, cultists who were still conscious and a threat.

You had no intention of staying there and refusing Okoye's order (even if you wanted to tell her how you took down someone all by yourself), but the matter of Shuri's location was still at the forefront of your mind. It would've been unprofessional and distracting to ask Okoye if she had seen her…but with every passing second of you thinking the worst had happened, the antsier you grew.

And it only became harder to focus when another figure entered your line of sight, blocking the exit that you had been contemplating taking. Upon seeing them, you immediately tightened your grasp on your staff, raising it to mimic the same stance Okoye had taught you; but it didn't take long for you to notice that your staff would be no good against them.

The rope that they held in their hands seemed harmless upon first glance; but as they started swinging it, the piece of metal on the end catching the reflection of the fires, it quickly became obvious that it was the exact opposite of harmless. They were the exact opposite of harmless, and their eyes were fixated on you.

Ah, shit.

Behind you was the collapsed alleyway, on fire and crumbling into ashes; on each side of you, there was fighting; the only way out of the area was through the person who was currently swinging a dagger on the end of a rope while taking slow steps towards you. By the time you reached them, they'd have had ample amount of time to throw the rope in your direction, and your staff was no use in stopping it. In Okoye's hands it might have been; not in yours.

They moved quicker than you could, twisting their body and using the momentum to throw the end of the rope towards you. It approached too fast for you to even try deflecting it, the metal shining as it whistled through the air.

You saw a flash of black move quickly in your peripheral, and it was easy to liken it to a shadow cast by one of the many people in the clearing. But then that flash of black moved closer, and much quicker than the dagger moved; and then something heavy was barreling into the side of you.

The initial impact was enough to knock the wind straight out of you, leaving you almost dizzy with the loss. You expected to be thrown like a ragdoll onto the ground, followed by coming face to face with yet another threat to your life; but the arms around you weren't tight with the intention of subduing you.

You could feel one of their hands protecting your head as you skidded across the bumpy ground. Not only that, but they had also maneuvered you so that you were half on top of them, causing them to take the brunt of the fall. The voice that grunted in your ear sounded familiar, as did the feeling of their arms holding you closer to them, even after you came to a stop. The breath that had been knocked out of you became stuck in your throat as you attempted to draw it in once more, your head raising in alarm and instantly coming face to face with black, silver, and gold.

"Why are you out here?!"

"Where the hell have you been?!"

Both you and Shuri's voices battled to be heard over the other, the same level of indignation and surprise lacing your words. As you gazed down at her, her mask retracted, showing her wide eyed and shocked faced. The relief you had felt at hearing her voice tripled at the sight of her, unharmed, albeit a little angry.

Her hands moved to grab your arms before she sat up, pulling you with her. The threat was all but forgotten as you gripped each other's arms, basking in the sudden but relieving presence of the other. She only stepped back slightly to let her eyes run over your dirtied and bruised figure, and the sudden blaze that appeared in her eyes rivaled the fires surrounding you. Maybe it was the warmth from the fires, but you could've sworn that your skin grew warmer where her hands touched you.

"Y/N, you can't be out here- why are you out here?"

Your eyebrows furrowed as she pulled you closer, her head leaning down to meet your eyes desperately. Her voice was hoarse, undoubtedly a result of the smoke and her yelling throughout the battle. Your was just as hoarse as you answered, and it was a lot more winded than hers.

"Its not like I came looking to fight! I was trying to help a kid and then got chased- is this really the time to talk about this?!"

A noise close to a growl left her mouth as she looked around, seeing that the two of you were surrounded by Doras and cultists alike. The person who had thrown the rope dart at you had at some point been knocked unconscious, and it wasn't hard to guess by who; especially after seeing Aneka's figure standing over her. You supposed it was a good thing, seeing that the cultists' numbers had dwindled significantly, but there were still a few fights going on around you that drew your attention. Shuri noticed the same thing, but it seemed to reassure her enough to the point where she could focus solely on you.

You hadn't felt her hands sliding upwards until one landed on your shoulder while the other gently tilted your face from side to side. Her eyebrows met in a frown as she inspected you, but you could do nothing but stand there and fight the chills that her touch evoked.

"You should have gone with the villagers. Or hidden. Or done anything that would have kept you from here."

The worry was apparent in her voice, but so was the slightly scolding tone she had taken on. It was the same one Okoye used when you did something wrong in training, and you had to refrain from rolling your eyes. Had you been in a normal setting and not bruised and aching all over, maybe you would have found it slightly endearing. You would have even cracked a joke or shot back something smart; but now you were just focused on how ironic it was that she was speaking to you about you the risk of your actions when she had run face first towards an active bomb.

"Trust me, I would have rather gone with the villagers and avoided all of this. But I didn't, and now we're here, so…now what?"

You raised a challenging eyebrow, your head tilting slightly. There was a small part of you that acknowledged the lie behind your words, as sometime during the night you had come to the conclusion that you'd had no problem laying cultists out; but you wouldn't mention that to Shuri. It would only result in her frown deepening and a more intense scolding being directed towards you.

Your answer satisfied her, albeit temporarily, as she turned to face the figure who approached the two of you. The fighting had come to an end, unbeknownst to you, and while Okoye approached you, the rest of the Dora Milaje worked on rounding up the cultists that they could find.

It was hard to tell your body that the fighting was over, your limbs remaining tensed and shaking slightly with adrenaline. The sensation made your brain run on overdrive, causing your eyes to dart any and everywhere, even as Okoye spoke.

"We're rounding up every cultist we can, and we plan on questioning a good majority of them. Ayo and Aneka will stay and oversee the cleanup. We should make our way back to the palace and speak about our next move." She shot Shuri a look that you couldn't quite discern, and it worried you.

Shuri spared her a glance, her jaw tightening at its silent implications before looking back at you. There was a guarded look in her eye, and you immediately chalked it up to her still being in a battle-influenced mindset, and not because she was pulling away once again.

The circumstances were familiar, as they had led to Shuri pushing you away the first time. The festival, both of you facing an element of danger, you once again coming out of it with battle wounds; it made sense for you to be nervous.

Watching Okoye and Shuri communicate silently was only a warning that you should be nervous about other matters, but you'd surely find out why sooner or later.

******

You had every intention of asking every Dora you knew how they dealt with the adrenaline drops after battles. Despite all of them being fully trained and undoubtedly used to the adrenaline drop you were experiencing, you would gratefully take any advice they had to give. It was becoming increasingly harder to focus and comprehend the words falling from Shuri, Okoye, and Eza's mouths. The conference room that had become a frequent meeting location was too bright, and the chair you were in somehow pressed into every single bruise you sported on your body. You were growing closer to the definition of 'overstimulated'.

"Wait, lemme get this straight," you leaned forward in the chair you were sitting in, hands raising to rub at your face. "The jewelry shop owner, Mr. Memvaba, almost joined the cult- uh, Harbingers of Bast- at first?"

All three women nodded in tandem, confirming your words. Your eyes closed as you tried to recount the events they had just relayed to you, including the conversation that they had with Mr. Memvaba and what had come of it.

"Okay. So after he agreed to be inducted, they took him to another site- a site that he doesn't know or remember the location of- where they started to initiate him. After hearing the terms and agreements of the cult-"

"The cult's values, yes-"

"- he changed his mind on the spot, which resulted in them attacking him?" You heard Shuri's correction, but you were quite frankly too tired to acknowledge it with other than a quick nod. Your fatigue didn't stop the questions from popping into your mind, but it did make it a struggle to articulate them.

"How did he get away? I doubt that they'd let him get away, especially after seeing a spot that they probably consider important or sacred."

Your worries that your question didn't make sense eased as you noticed the looks on their faces. Eza was the first one to speak, answering your question.

"According to him, a group from the border patrol traveled through the area at the same time, scaring them away before they could hurt him more, or do worse. The patrol group drove him to the hospital where he was admitted, though the attack caused some…memory problems." She ended her statement with a sigh, leaning her head on her propped-up fist.

The night had quite obviously taken a toll on everyone present, though some of you were better at playing it off than others. Eza, who had found herself in the midst of a group of panicked villagers and fighting off any cultist that approached was just as dirty and exhausted as you, so you didn't feel alone in your fatigue. You only wondered if her body was as close to collapsing as yours was.

"So…he doesn't remember anything?" Your indignation was clear as you quickly looked up at her, your eyebrows furrowed. "Not a single thing?"

"He only remembers being approached by followers of Harbingers of Bast, being asked if he was 'ready for her coming,' and then being blindfolded and put in a vehicle. They didn't say a word on the trip, he just barely remembers arriving at the location they picked, and his memory of the initiation itself is muddled and almost incomprehensible."

The frustration you felt wasn't directed at the man, as he had been through a traumatizing situation and his brain had done what it needed to protect him; but you were frustrated about the circumstances that were just constantly stacked against you all. For every indication that the situation was close to being resolved, a new obstacle waited just around the corner. It was maddening enough to the point where you couldn't fathom the frustration Shuri felt; you didn't know if you could at this moment in time.

A sigh mixed with an imperceptible groan left your mouth, your head lowering until it could rest on the table's top. The coolness of the surface sent a small shock through you, but you didn't move; you were too busy forcing thought upon thought of what would happen next onto your exhausted brain.

We don't know who their leader is. We don't know where they operate. We don't know what they plan on doing next.

Why were they there at the same time as you? Was it a planned attack? Had they known that you all would be there, or had it been a coincidence? Had you all brought them to the village?

There were more questions than answers when it came to your progress, and thinking about it only made the night worse. It made the headache that had been slowly forming in your temple expand until it felt like the woman from earlier had her rope wrapped tautly around your skull. The position you had found yourself in sent both sensations of pain and relief through your body. Your arched back pulled and constricted the bruises you had earned while your muscles sighed in relief as you rested your weight on the table.

"We should rest for the night." Despite having no room for disagreement in her voice, Okoye's words were spoken as softly as they could be. It signaled that although the night had been absolute hell, now it was time to accept what had happened and focus on what had yet to happen.

"We'll meet tomorrow to discuss our next course of action. Until then, clean yourself up. Get some rest. This is far from over."

Despite being given as orders, there was a hint of concern underlying her words, and as you raised your head to meet her eyes, you could see that they looked at you with concern and another emotion that you could liken only to sympathy.

"We won't train tomorrow morning. You need all the rest you can get."

"W-what?" Her words made you quickly sit up, your hands grasping the edge of the table at the soreness radiating through your limbs. "No, I'll be fine after going to sleep. We can train- I need to train."

Maybe it was that same sympathy in her eyes that made you ask for the very thing your body was dreading. Maybe it was the knowledge that with the training you had acquired so far, you had taken down a man twice your size on your own; what else could you accomplish if you continued training?

Or maybe it was the feeling that, after a night of events that had changed so much, one more change was being added to that list. Maybe it was pathetic, but with the night's events came a sense of unpredictability that washed over you with an intensity you couldn't ignore. The consistency you associated with training was being threatened by none other than the people who had already taken a good portion of your sense of safety.

The realization prickled at your skin.

"You need to rest. We need you with a clear mind tomorrow."

Your mouth opened, ready to argue against Okoye's words, but her previously sympathetic eyes had turned to a scolding look- one that dared you to argue with her. Even in your aggravated, hurt state, you knew better than to do so, and it showed in the way you clenched your jaw before nodding wordlessly.

The silence was too loud as it settled over the room. The sound of the blast rumbled in your ears, not quite vivid, but apparent enough to make you wince slightly in the silence. You were grateful when Eza pushed back from the table, standing and placing a hand on your back. As much as you liked the older woman, you had to fight to keep from shrugging it off. It was no fault of hers, but entirely because of the overstimulation your senses were slowly starting to experience.

You didn't look as she nodded at Okoye and Shuri before walking out of the conference room, shutting the door quietly behind her. The silence continued until, with a short, curt nod from Shuri, Okoye turned and followed right behind Eza. Before the door closed, she shot you a look that seemed to reiterate her words; a warning, recommendation, and order wrapped into one look.

The chair across from you was pulled out, letting Shuri sit in it while she was turned toward you. Your gaze rested on her clasped hands, making her lean forward slightly. She placed her elbows on her knees, dipping her head slightly to meet your gaze.

The concern in her eyes was undeniable as they roamed slightly over your limbs before connecting back with yours.

"I can give you something for any pain you are feeling."

Her words were hesitant, but the softness of her voice slightly cured your desire for some kind of comfort, but not just any kind of comfort; her comfort. The realization wasn't startling, as it had always been there, buried deep in your being. Even when the two of you weren't on the best of terms, it was always there, waiting to be tapped into and waiting to be cured, even for just a second.

You basked in the bit of comfort her voice gave before realizing that you hadn't responded. You took a shaky breath before shaking your head slightly.

"Uh- no, I'm fine. Just a few bruises- nothing a nice shower won't help."

She had barely spoken on the flight back to the palace except to ask if you were okay. It hadn't concerned you, as no one had spoken much.; you had all been too caught up in your own thoughts about what had happened. Now, you took the time to look closely at her, trying to discern the thoughts that passed quickly over her face.

Confusion, anger, exhaustion…fear.

That last emotion coated her words as her face shifted slightly, her eyebrows furrowing and eyes becoming guarded.

"What were you thinking, Y/N? You should have found somewhere safe to hide- anywhere but in the middle of that fight."

"I was actually looking for you. And speaking of safety- what the hell were you thinking, running straight towards the explosion?"

Your reply was quick, sitting right on the tip of your tongue. It was a question that you had been wanting to ask since the moment it happened, and now that you had the chance, you could feel your own frustration rising.

The sigh mixed with the flash of indifference that crossed her face made your eyebrows furrow. It was apparent that she thought you were overreacting, but you felt you were reacting in a perfectly logical way.

Maybe not perfectly logical, but your reaction was definitely understandable- at least in your eyes. And despite being afraid to label the feelings that had caused your worries, you could still point out the reasoning behind them. But as the conversation continued, you worried less about how logical your reasoning was, and more about how Shuri couldn't see why you felt the way you did.

"I was thinking that I have a suit made out of vibranium and that I could handle it."

"Well, maybe I was thinking that I could handle being there. And I kind of did, might I add."

Emphasis on the 'kind of', but you wouldn't let her know that. Telling her how you had struggled a bit to get away from one person would prove her point in her eyes, which was ironic because it proved the exact opposite in yours. You knew her words were coming from a place of worry and care, but so were yours; she just wasn't willing to hold them to the same light because of the circumstances that differed between the two of you- namely, the fact that she was the Black Panther.

"You could have died tonight!"

You attempted to keep your voice calm, but it only resulted in Shuri seeing it as you not bothering to care. The mere thought of you not caring about your own safety is what made her stand up before walking a few steps away. Her hands rubbed down her face in frustration, and that same frustration echoed in your words as you watched.

"I could've- we all could've. But I didn't."

"Just because you didn't doesn't mean that you weren't reckless! How can you not see that?"

You reminded yourself what Deja Vu was as you stood up in indignation. It was yet another argument between the two of you, but the only difference was neither of you could pretend as if you didn't care. This argument was taking place because you both cared deeply for the other; it didn't help, though, that neither of you could outright say what you longed to say.

Right now, those undeniable and unadulterated feelings of affection could only be expressed through words that were sharpened by the overstimulation of the night's events and seeing the other in danger.

"Shuri, the only thing I saw was you running headfirst toward an active bomb, so don't lecture me about being reckless!"

"I can afford to be reckless because I have the herb! You cannot!"

"You can't be reckless like that when you have people who need you! You have a country that needs you, you have friends who need you- I need you!"

Your words echoed back at you with a realization that made you falter slightly. The chair beneath your tightly gripped hands was cold to the touch but quickly warmed under your skin.

Shuri dropped her hands that had been waving animatedly, both of them falling to her sides. Her lips parted, and even from your distance, you could see her breath hitch. The muscles beneath her panther suit tensed and untensed, almost as if she were trying to decide whether to walk towards you or turn away.

If she turned away…

It was all suddenly too much. The adrenaline fading from your veins, leeching every bit of remaining energy you had and making your limbs shake uncontrollably; the quick flashes in your mind of the destruction and pain you had seen, and experienced, earlier in the night; the broken and shocked look on Shuri's face at your outburst.

You couldn't bring yourself to take your words back or even regret them, as they had come from a part of your being that was so raw that they were undeniable and powerful in their delivery. They hung in the air between you two, making the lab appear smaller than it was; it caused a charged energy to settle over the both of you, and you knew that it would only continue to grow until one of you broke it.

But it soon became clear that you would have to be the one to break it, and the feeling only added another blow to your already vulnerable state. Your chest tightened with emotion that you didn't want to show.

"Shuri, I-"

You raised the heels of your palms to your eyes, pressing against them until all you could see were black spots, and until you knew that you'd be able to keep the tears at bay. It took a few seconds of which you spent swaying slightly in your spot, taking deep breaths that hurt with each inhale and exhale.

You didn't see the small step Shuri took towards you, nor the way her hands clenched and unclenched with the desire to reach out to you.

"Yes, you are the Black Panther," The defeat in your words made Shuri wince, the action going unnoticed by you. "and yes, you can do things most can't. But that doesn't mean that you can just risk your life without thinking of what would happen if you didn't come back. You have no idea what I would-"

The words became stuck in your throat as you lowered your hands, your red and swollen eyes meeting Shuri's. You hadn't known what to expect when looking at her, but seeing her eyebrows furrowed in what looked like contemplation as she stared back made you pause.

A village in her country had just been attacked by a group who was increasingly becoming a problem, and here you were, the closest you had ever gotten to expressing your affections for the young royal. You took her silence as her not knowing what to say; or maybe she knew what she needed to say, but she didn't know how to say it.

Maybe this wasn't what she needed, or wanted, right now.

The thought was the last needed blow to your wounded vulnerability, and with a short nod of your head, you stepped around the chair. Your feet carried you slowly to the door, your limbs too tired to even lift your feet completely. The door handle felt like the last obstacle of the night as you grabbed it, as part of you wanted badly to stay and demand she say something. The more prideful, exhausted part of you demanded that you leave immediately and find solace in the small amount of sleep you'd try to get.

"You're more than just a Queen and protector, Shuri."

You words weren't angry as you left her in the conference room. Dejected? Sure. Exhausted with a tiredness that went way beyond a physical feeling? Absolutely. Aside from professing yourself to her, something you weren't even sure was a good idea, there was nothing you could do.

You were stuck between a rock and a hard place, and they both had taken on the shape of the young Queen you had left in the room.

*******

"You're more than just a Queen and protector, Shuri."

Your words stayed on Shuri's mind long after you left her in the conference room. She only took a break from dwelling on them to chastise herself for letting you walk out in the first place, and it took every bit of her willpower to not follow right behind you,

Igwala- coward she had called herself while watching you walk away. Half of her, the more reasonable part, she'd say, screamed at her to ask for but a minute of your time to explain how sorry she was for putting you through that. She wanted to reassure you that she needed you as well, which is why she ran straight for the explosive. She hadn't seen an active bomb; she had seen a threat to your life, and the lives of those around you, and she had acted without thinking. The thinking had come later after she had seen the disbelief and relief mix on your exhausted face, and it had only increased after your departure. It only continued to increase as she lay awake in bed, tossing and turning with every thought of what could've been.

She had fully expected these thoughts to keep her from getting a peaceful night's rest despite the night itself being the opposite of peaceful. But it wasn't the remnants of the thoughts that had woken her up.

Shuri couldn't exactly pinpoint what made her shoot upright in her bed, her chest heaving on air that seemed too little and too much all at once. Her mind was in too much of an unspecified panic that she didn't even take notice of how late or early it was. She only cared about the very real, very debilitating feeling of unbridled fear currently washing over her body, each wave seeming to scream one thing and one thing only.

Y/N.

Chalking it up to her troubled thoughts bleeding into the start of a nightmare or dream of some kind seemed the logical thing to do at first. It had happened before, the subject of your safety starring in a nightmare of hers, but she couldn't remember any nightmare happening before waking up. And even if she had been in the midst of having one, she couldn't focus on it now; there was a feeling of dread spreading throughout her entire being that took all of her attention.

Chills erupted across her skin as she threw back her covers, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. Her breath shuddered on its way out while her eyes closed momentarily in an attempt to ground herself. She could ask Griot for your status, or she could get up herself to check on you- solely for the purpose of calming her worries. Or she could leave you alone; she had already disappointed you enough for the night.

Or she could do what every iota of her being was pushing her to do, and that was to set her eyes on you, even for just a second to reassure herself that you were okay. It was foolish of her to think that she'd be able to go back to sleep after being woken up by her worries centered around you; it was a realization that came right before she stood and made her way to the door.

Maybe if she just saw that you were alright, it would ease her worries. Would you invite her in like last time? Would she leave before you woke up…like last time?

However, her body froze the second she touched the door handle, and it wasn't because of her thoughts. It wasn't because of her hesitation to face you. It was because of the sound that she could now hear floating through the walls of her room.

The heightened senses she had been gifted could be both a blessing and a burden; but now, they were something that brought only heartbreak, as they allowed her to hear the cries that tumbled from your lips.

The door was wrenched open without a care of the damage it could cause. Her feet propelled her down the familiar path to your room. Every second that passed where you weren't in front of her was a second she'd regret. Her heart had quickened to the point where she could no longer feel it; all she could feel was the anxiety and fear that made her chest feel as if it had finally caved in.

The hallway seemed too long as she bounded down it. Her steps seemed too slow as your door finally came into view. Her heart seemed to stop altogether as your cries and whimpers increased in volume, and as she finally approached your door, she could practically feel them settle over her entire being. They made weak right where she stood, her hand reaching and grasping the handle of your door for stability.

The sound that left her mouth was borderline mournful as she found your door to be locked, and she had just tightened her grip, fully intending on breaking the handle when a subtle click rang out. And then she was throwing herself beyond your door, her eyes quickly adjusting to the darkness of your room while her ears led her in the direction of your being. When her eyes finally settled on you, the weight of what she was seeing forced her to stagger to your side.

Your eyes moved around wildly beneath your eyelids, showing that a nightmare had you in its grip and had no intention of letting go anytime soon. Your curled-up figure shook slightly, as you had kicked the covers off of your body at some point, and both of your hands gripped the pillow beneath your head, the fabric stretching taught under your stiff fingers.

The fear that marred your face echoed in the words that slipped past your lips as you shifted in distress. Your eyes were squeezed shut, and as if it wanted to cause her the most pain, the shaft of moonlight grazed your face just enough to perfectly illuminate the tears that had carved a path into your brown skin. Your eyebrows were scrunched in distress, and she longed for nothing more than to reach forward and smooth away the frown that had taken up place on your face.

But it wasn't just the realization that you were having a nightmare that twisted Shuri's stomach, making her feel as if she were about to become sick.

"Please…don't leave."

"Shuri, don't…you can't leave me…"

Her eyes burned at the words that surged out of your mouth. Her muscles locked up, not exactly knowing how to proceed, but knowing that you were stuck in a part of your mind that she couldn’t protect you from. It was another failure on her part that would torment her.

She raised a hand, running the backs of her shaky, unsteady fingers against the tear tracks. Her fingers collected the tears, wanting nothing more than to catch every single one before they could fall, heavy and weighed down with fear and pain. They were immediately replaced with more as she watched. 

"Y/N...sithandwa, wake up. You're okay. You're...safe." The word became stuck in her throat as she allowed herself to dwell on it for a second too long.

How many times had she assured you that you were safe with her? And how many times had she failed to uphold that statement that had always been a promise in her eyes? How could she continue to reassure you when she couldn't even keep you safe in her own country?

How could she call herself a protector of her country and the ones she loved when she couldn't protect the one person who was the object of all of her desires?

Her other hand raised to slip under yours, unfurling your fingers from the sheet so that they could curl around hers instead. She brought them to her lips, pressing a kiss against them and hoping that the gesture would rouse you from your own mind, or at the very least bring you a small amount of comfort.  

 Nightmares were a familiar concept to Shuri, having plagued her dreams after every traumatic event she had ever been through. Her father's death had been accompanied by dreams of the explosion that had taken place; she had woken up, swearing that she could smell smoke and taste dust. The time Killmonger ruthlessly threw T'Challa over Warrior Falls; she'd wake up with tears that wouldn't stop until her brother held her with the reassurance that he was still there. The Blip had resulted in her dreaming of the battle and the moments before she faded into nothingness, the image of her skin turning to literal particles forever seared into her mind. 

T'Challa's death, brought on by a sickness she couldn't cure, had tortured her with the images of her beloved brother who was usually strong and bright-eyed, a smile stretching as wide as his skin would allow, confined to a hospital bed and the color in his eyes as she could only watch in hopelessness. Her brother hadn't been there to reassure her of his presence anymore, and she hadn't wanted anyone else to come into her room lest they see the way she had struggled to find her breath, her eyesight blurry and her chest aching with grief that threatened to choke her. 

Her mother's death...that had plagued her dreams with a crystal clear repeat of that day, except she had been in the throne room when Namor had attacked, and she had only been able to watch as her mother was lost to an inky blackness that she couldn't penetrate. The nightmare had always ended with her mother's hand fading into that blackness as an unseen force pulled her further away. The nightmare still ended with that being the last thing Shuri saw, to this very day. It still made her wake up with a fear that transcended all understanding because it was just as intense and visceral as the moment it happened. 

She could see that same fear on your face, tightening the corners of your lips and making your frown deepen. Only this time, she knew that whatever caused your fear had to do with her. 

Her eyes watered. Her throat constricted with a cry that wouldn't come out, choosing instead to choke her until it made her chest burn. She imagined that you felt the same, but hoped that it was only half of what she felt; the thought of you feeling that same unadulterated fear because of her was unfathomable.

Her voice cracked painfully as she spoke.

"S'thandwa, I'm right here-"

"love you...Shuri...stay with..."

And then she couldn't breathe. She couldn't draw breath in because your words had sucked all of the air out of the room, along with every breath that circulated through her body. She had to bury her face into the side of your bed to keep the whimper from escaping her mouth, brought on by the pain coating your words; brought on the profession you had just subconsciously made.

Her movements were prompted only by the desire coursing through her veins as she leaned forward, pressing her lips to the crown of your head. She let her eyes close, knowing that if she were to leave them open, the tears that had gathered would surely fall and join yours on your skin. Her thumbs rubbed away the tears that continued to fall as she breathed you in, her heart subconsciously matching yours as it continued to pound away. 

"Ndiyakuthanda..."

The phrase was whispered into your skin. She willed it to travel through any and every aspect of your nightmare until it reached your consciousness. She willed it to bring you back from that horrifying visual and back to her. 

Your cries turned to sniffles that interrupted your breathing every few seconds, and your grip on the pillow beneath your head lightened; but her hand remained clutched in yours, even as your breathing evened out and your pulse slowed to a steady pace. Shuri hadn't moved an inch, except to pull back enough for her eyes to once again land on your face. Your eye movement had stopped, but your eyebrows had furrowed once more. 

The hand that gripped hers tightened momentarily as a sigh left your mouth, your head shifting slightly. 

The only warning Shuri received was the muffled sound of your heart increasing slightly- a sign that you were slowly waking up. The hand that gripped hers tightened momentarily as a sigh left your mouth, your head shifting slightly.

She didn't know what caused her to do what she did next; all she knew was that the anger she felt toward herself at that moment rivaled the first time she had let you walk away from her, anger in your steps and betrayal in your eyes. Her self-inflicted insults of being a coward increased towards herself.

At the first signs of you waking up, she gently slipped her hand out of yours, laying it on the bed next to you, before staggering to her feet. Instead of staying and offering soft apologies for her actions, or for anything else she had done that had caused you to go through this, she let her feet carry her to your door. And only after she had cleared your doorway, shutting it softly behind her, did she let her own tears fall.

They scorched her skin with resentment towards herself as she pressed herself to the wall right outside of your door. They only increased as she heard your small gasp of awareness, your body shifting against the soft sheets as you presumably reminded yourself where you were.

They threatened to overwhelm her as a forlorn and hoarse cry escaped your throat, bordering on a whine that was quickly muffled by the fabric of the pillow. The sound was heavier than the ones you had let out subconsciously, and the realization as to why forced Shuri to push away from the wall and away from you so that she could drown herself in the pain, the confusion, and the longing that drew a visceral reaction out of her.

Her brain worked on overdrive, trying to find a reason as to why she ran; but it was also frozen in the moment when you had uttered those two words, followed by her name. It was frozen in the moment when you had clutched desperately at her hand, your face scrunching up in an expression she'd give anything to never see contort your features again.

It was frozen at the moment when it made her realize that her heart was genuinely, fervently, and wholly yours. There was no denying that fact- she had no desire to deny that fact.

But as she let her feet carry her past her room, through the familiar hallways that seemed to close in and to her lab, she came to realize what she was running away from.

She wasn't running away from you, or from her desires that focused solely on you; she was running from the fear that she wasn't worthy of your love. She was running from that inadequate feeling that flooded her being whenever she entertained the thought that you returned her affections- except it had now increased after learning that you did.

Shuri wanted nothing more than to give in to the yearning and the need to call you hers, as she was already yours in every sense she could think of; but it couldn't stop her from confronting the different times she had hurt you. It only made those memories harder to relive, while also providing a painful and valuable lesson.

She was on the edge of a chasm, and her limited vulnerability and acceptance of her own flaws were what separated her from the other side; a side that promised her solace and a love unlike any other…in the shape of you. She'd have to cross over that chasm- step into the deep end and deal with whatever awaited her.

She'd have to deal with the anger at herself for hurting you; the pain at seeing how she had hurt you; and the fear that came with letting herself experience that vulnerability once again, after years of pushing it away.

There was a pause in her thoughts as she finally entered her lab, her eyes roaming over it and seeking the kind of familiarity and comfort that would possibly make the process easier…but everywhere she looked, there was a sign of you. There was the bag she had gotten you from the festival, completely washed and void of any signs of the events from that night.

There was a scarf she had lent to you on one of your first days so that you could hold your locs back from your face as you watched her work.

"Shuri, it's your scarf, you keep it. I'll find a hair tie or something."

"You have a lot more hair than I do, so please." 

She had held the black and gold scarf out to you, watching in barely concealed adoration as you tied it around the edges of your locs, fanning it out so that it covered a good portion of them. She hadn't been able to get the image of you wearing the colors of her suit out of her mind since then. 

There was a sticky note where you two had played at least 5 rounds of tic-tac-toe while Okoye had half-heartedly chastised Shuri on the 'American traits' she had picked up. Her words had floated right over you, neither of you really listening as much as you should've.

"I think you cheated."

A soft laugh had tumbled from your lips at her question that had been asked with a faux-grumpiness. Despite her tone, she couldn't have hid the small smile on her face if she wanted to. 

"How do you cheat in tic-tac-toe?" 

"I don't know, but you did."

Your laugh had grown in volume until she had gently nudged your side, her eyes flickering quickly to Okoye who paced the space in front of you two. You had quieted down and nodded, but not before pulling the sticky note closer to you and writing something on it.

'Queen of Wakanda beaten by the Queen of tic-tac-toe'.

But then there was the cradle you had been placed in while being treated for poison. She hadn't been able to do anything but stand by your side while tests were run and antidote after antidote was drafted.

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

And then there was the slight dent in the wall, created by the chair she had kicked with her enhanced strength. The sound of its impact rang in her ears as she stared at it, eyes wide and unblinking; burning as her tears continued to fall.

Your hands had raised on their own, trembling harshly and outstretched as if to block something hurtling at you. Your eyes had clenched shut and your body had tensed, waiting for a blow that would never come. Your jaw had clenched in an effort to keep an alarmed yelp back…and Shuri had seen all of it happen as soon as her anger got the better of her.

The sight of you recoiling away from her had made her face twist into one of utter sorrow, her eyebrows had furrowed and her lips had parted on an apology that she couldn’t seem to get out.

In a situation that had already placed a significant amount of stress and dread on your shoulders, she had only exacerbated it. Instead of taking away your fear, she had added to it.

Each reminder stripped her soul until it was nothing but a breeding ground of negative emotions that she had to confront. If she wanted to be better for you...she'd have to confront them. 

In order to confront them, she'd have to step off of that deep end, into that awaiting chasm. 

"Griot...soundproof the lab."

The feeling that had been gradually building in her chest finally found its outlet, and with a guttural cry that forced her to curl in on herself, she stepped off of that deep end and let herself feel.

***

Ndiyakuthanda : I love you

***

A/N: As an apology for this part, this is me reassuring that you and Shuri are only going to grow closer from here on out. I PROMISE! Seeing and hearing you in distress all because of her even in your subconscious mind, has really made pull her head out of her ass. The sight of you almost being taken out during battle also helped, so look forward to that! <3

I hope y’all liked this part! Please like, reblog, and/or comment! All interaction is greatly appreciated and I’m very grateful for all of it! <33

Here is a link to a google forms for those of you who want to included on the taglist! I have a list, but a few of the usernames do not work, and I don’t know if its because of a tumblr thing or if some of you have changed their usernames- whatever it is, the google form will definitely help me! :)

Stay safe, y’all!

Taglist: Tag list:   @shinsousliya , @honey-teaaaaaaaa , @tchhairbandhere , @jessiap , @zane2408 , @bananasplits-world , @yellowjacketmurder , @barkbarkbo , @butterflyybabe , @bananafishok , @zestgodtj , @mitsuya-takashi , @chaoticevilbakugo , @cedeni-beanie , @shuri-my-love , @kingstormpostsshit , @sailorsolar12 , @justariellove , @angelsmist , @eriksjournal , @mermaidchansons , @nil-eena , @paisholotus , @thesecretwriterblog , @brain-of-nekoma , @7tearsofatlantic , @simp4iwaizumi , @bumlyn , @jackdrawsjunk , @http-twyla , @cedeni-beanie , @taleiakirby ,  @borderlineacademia  , @ventingfanfics , @awolfcsworld , @bumlyn , @adharaoaklyn , @gfskwan , @sailorsolar12 , @mermaidchansons , @nil-eena , @thesecretwriterblog , @ghostlyboiii , @naomis-daydream , @serahxney , @dovesbeauty

[saintwrld]

Come my way

hbcu!Shuri x reader x hbcu!Emerald Haywood

summary: in which you’re a cheerleader and the school’s most popular duo decided to shoot their shot with a little twist at the end.

inspired by: bad to me by wizkid

warnings: slight cussing (it’s barely there), HEAVY teasing, stud!shuri, nervous ass reader, surprise at the end 🤭

taglist: @pinkwright @locoforshuri @axailslink @cuddl3s4shur1 @ventingfanfics @verachii @inmyheadimobsessed @generallysapphic @shuriszn @thevenusianleo @zayswriting @haechvn @percsane @risingoftime @rxcently @ziayamikaelson @blackgirlfariy @ogbells16 @n7cje @mbakuetshurisprincess @hetr0ph0bic @heejayy @heartsforjojo @shuriszn @letitias-fav @quintessencewrites @queenofsimpsblog @shinsousliya @vixentheplanet @mrsudakuu @mocha-aya

dividers: @firefly-graphics

a/n: it’s a late ass Valentines drabble but this is for all my baes!! I hope you enjoy this and the little surprise. just know that i can’t write smut for shit (gotta practice) so that’s why there isn’t any really in this one shot. @verachii your request is coming up soon bae! ok enjoy!

"Could I get some help with my bow?" You said, holding your bow out in defeat. Your hair was just not co operating today.

"You don't have to wear the bow, girl. It's optional plus you gotta show your middle part buss down, i ain't lay that shit for nothing!" Your teammate, Faith, exclaimed. Her makeup was already done and she was ready to go. It didn't seem like that for some of your other teammates as they were gossiping and barely getting ready.

Riri came in, slamming her gym bag on the bench behind her, sitting down afterwards and holding her head in her hands.

"What's up with you?" You asked, looking at your friend through the mirror. "So, I'm tryna rehearse the choreo with Amara but it's not fucking working because she over there squealin like a damn pig!"

You chuckle a little at your best friend's words, seeing her angrily tie up her sneakers. "Was it because of one of the football players? Didn't he cheat?" You asked, applying a coat of clear lipgloss and finishing your makeup.

"He did but that ain't the point. She fangirling over two people that are apparently attending the match and I swear I couldn't get a word in." Riri rolled her eyes for the nth time that afternoon.

"But you got your steps down though, right? Me, you and y/n were put in the front for a reason. If the rest of the team fucks up then it's on them." Faith expressed, making Riri nod her head at the previous question.

Before you could speak, the coach came in and gathered the team around, specifically side eying the others who weren't ready yet.

"Now imma need all of you to show up and show out tonight. When Beyoncé play, you get to strutting and make me proud. You gotta get out there in 30 minutes so to those that ain't ready, hurry up." Coach exclaimed, making everyone walk away and finish up.

As you and the other cheerleaders stood by the underground field entrance waiting for your cue, you could hear students piling in along with music playing loudly. You heard people wanting to get food from the stalls which were next to the field, reminding you to eat after this.

Coach gave you the cue to go out and stand in your places in front of the large crowd. "Is it me or did the whole campus show up because damn." You saw Riri observing the crowd, shocked by the turn up.

"It's Casey Lu's party tonight for valentines and she invited everybody and they mama so people just decided to come here before going there." Faith informed you guys as you were walking closer to the field. "Ain't she that rich girl that everybody knows?" You ask and Faith nods. "Ole girl said she got Ice Spice coming so you know everybody gone be there. Including us." Faith smiled at you two and you both looked bewildered at her last sentence.

"Inclu-" you cut yourself off when everyone stopped in their spots, with you front and centre. You looked into the crowd and saw almost everyone turn their heads towards the pair that just walked in. The seemingly popular pair quickly scanned the crowd for seats, finding two open spots which were right in front of you.

Unable to take your eyes off of them, you were forced to because you heard Amara squeal from behind. "Oh my god, it's them." She said barely under a whisper but she was loud enough that you and Riri could hear. Looking over at the pair, you saw how their eyes were looking through the cheer team and eventually land on you.

Your breath hitched as they made eye contact with you, smirking and dapping each other up in a subtle way. Before you could even comprehend any thoughts, you heard the intro to 'America has a problem' by Beyoncé. Immediately your focus was executing the steps perfectly.

After the electrifying performance that you all had put on, the crowd gave the cheer team a standing ovation with whistles and cheers flying through the air. You kept a bright smile on your face despite breathing like you ran through a marathon. Your eyes focused on the pair seated on the bleachers who were, once again, staring you down, definitely giving you more butterflies than the first time.

Throughout the game, the cheer team had to do small congratulatory cheers for their school team after every two wins which was exhausting because your school had won the game, beating the rival opponents by celebrating in their faces.

By the time the game is done, the crowd was still buzzing through the summer evening, many of them flocking towards the food stalls. You would join them but you had to change out of your uniform and make it to your dorm to change for the party. Looking over to the two empty seats that were in front, you noticed the pair was gone and as you looked around, they were nowhere to be found.

"With the way we ate today, I'm surprised we aren't in the netflix show." Faith said, making you smile about how the crowd reacted to something you choreographed. Because of your amazing performance, coach gave y'all a week to rest and to be ready when it's time to get back.

Taking off your shoes, you looked in the mirror and saw that your makeup was still intact but you wanted to touch up a little in the dorm. Hearing your teammate's voices get louder on the other side of the lockers, you tried to not listen but they were still loud.

"Yeah girl, I saw them! Make me wanna forget about my own boyfriend!" One voice giggled. Many other voices agreed with them then cackling. You didn't even realise you were done changing until Faith tapped your shoulder. "You ready? We gotta shower then I gotta fix up our hair." She called and you nodded. You walked out with her and Riri, saying bye to your other teammates who all responded back.

It took at least two and a half hours for all of you to get ready, seeing as the party only started at eleven and it was ten thirty. "Do y'all know the address?" You asked, typing on your phone to find info at the party. You finished taking pictures in your bathroom and your two friends looked at you in awe.

"Damn, I did a good ass job like? You better get hoes today!" Faith cheered as she recorded you, Riri walking in at the right moment with you and Faith hyping her up. "Our outfits are so cute . We're serving face." You said, applying lipgloss once again.

"Only the best for ice spice." Riri smiled as she hyped you and Faith up this time.

The three of you entered the enormous house with free access since cheerleaders and football players get in for free. The slight smell of weed and different kinds of perfume filled the air, with the capacity of the house shocking you. There were people everywhere. You made your way through the crowds towards the large kitchen with everyone looking at you three, feeling the attention on you but it quickly went away as the dj switched the music to 'jimmy crooks' by drake and 21 savage.

Faith assured you and Riri to join the dancing crowd while she got your drinks because she knew that this song was one of your favourites. As the rap music was slowly getting into afrobeats, you and Riri would get closer in the crowd with Faith eventually joining you two. 

You had felt eyes on you majority of the night but nothing malicious like. You hadn't taken the time to look for whoever is staring at you. The pair had shrugged off every other woman who wanted a chance with either one of them. Emerald and Shuri watched you dance with barely any alcohol in your system, taking in your beauty and zoning out from the party surrounding them.

This wouldn't exactly be the first time they would share someone. However there was just something about you that drew the two women to you without even knowing your name, with you they don't even want to mess with other people at that point.

Due to the beats of 'bad to me' by wizkid booming through the speakers, Shuri stood up from the couch and signaled to Emerald that she'll be back and hopefully with you. She danced her way through the crowd to stand near you and Riri. Faith and Riri were damn near falling over and were laughing all the way. They said to you that they're getting more drinks as the song started.

Now this was your song. You began dancing, not really caring if anyone joins you. The beats of the song were progressively getting slower and slower as the song transitioned to 22 by jayo. From hearing this song on social media, you knew to whine your waist to the beat as well to the lyrics. You felt a presence behind you, steadying your waist without touching you with them going with the flow of your waist.

The person’s scent radiated from their body, making you feel like you’re falling into a trance. You sneakily bring your hand behind you for the person to at least touch you. You placed their hand on you back and continued dancing. You hadn’t noticed the lingering stares of everyone around you, hyping you and this mysterious person behind you. You felt their hand grip on your waist, bringing your upper body towards theirs for your back to press against their chest.

They swiftly turned you around to face them and it was as if your breath had been taken away from your lungs. Looking into her dark eyes, you noticed them turn even darker under the red and white led lights. The beautiful stranger smirked at you, causing you to slightly clench your legs.

She removed her hand from your waist and replaced it with her hand, her other reaching up to hold your chin. Examining her face, it was as if it was sculpted into perfection. Seeing how your eyes were desperately trying to not make contact with hers, Shuri gave you a low smile whilst looking elsewhere, near the couches. You noticed gold peeking through and you realised that she was wearing grills on her bottom teeth, making her look even sexier than when you first saw her.

Keeping her head in the direction she was looking at, she pulled you with her, with you immediately noticing that people parted as she walked by them. Who the hell was she?

Flicking your hair behind you as you eventually reach the couches, you stopped and stared at what’s right in front of you. The second one of the duo was manspreading, staring at you as she blew out smoke in her mouth. She too had a little smirk on her face as she watched you get nervous.

Noticing her outfit which was a black tank top with what looked to be black oversized low rise jeans paired with Jordan 4’s. Her chains were dainty and small but the rings on her fingers made up for her jewellery. Her hair was curly and short, framing her face so beautifully.

Feeling your body being guided towards the other person by your waist, you stop right in front of her open legs and she took your hand, making you sit on her crotch. Holding you in place, her cold yet soft hands slid onto your waist. The one you had been dancing with looked you in the eyes this time from a higher angle now that you were sitting down.

Her outfit was simple yet so captivating to you. She wore a black Nike tech tracksuit with panda dunks. Her neck showcased a Cuban link with a shiny watch adorning her wrist and a Cartier love bracelet on the other. Her hair was curly up top with shaved sides. Her eyes stare into yours as your heartbeat increases.

You’re quite literally stuck in the middle of these two beautiful women. You could feel the second one sit up and place you nicely on her lap as she adjusts herself.

“Now tell me, ma. What’s your name?” She muttered into your ear with a beautiful accent, almost sounding southern.

“Y/n.” You stammered, barely keeping it together. Your body was eagerly calling for the both of them, not sure how long you were going to survive.

“Y/n…” The one in front of you repeats in such a sultry tone. Placing your hands on both legs of the other woman’s legs, you shift your body a little for comfort, causing her to groan behind you.

“What about you two? What are y’all’s names?” You asked, feeling the grip on your waist become a little tighter. “My name’s Shuri, mama.” Shuri began, diverting her eyes to the woman you’re sitting on.

“I’m Emerald and I’m sure it sounds amazing comin out you. Whatcha think, Shuri?” Em introduced herself then turning her head to Shuri.

Shuri could barely answer the question. She could see how introducing themselves had taken a toll on you. She could see every shiver move everytime Emerald moved her hands from your waist to your thighs. You were slowly becoming undone and they have barely touched you.

Your gaze hadn’t been on Shuri, seeing as you were staring at nothing as an attempt to calm you down. Her hand had reached for your face once again, making you look up at her in the eye.

“Mami, I want you to listen to me, aight?” You nodded. “Let’s go celebrate Valentine’s at my hotel, yeah? just the three of us.” She spoke and her grills were peaking through. It also didn’t help that Shuri’s hand let go of your jaw and landed on your thigh and Emerald was giving you subtle neck kisses.

You nod at a quick pace, almost giving yourself whiplash. “You wanna go tell your friends that you’ll see them later?” Emerald whispered to you as you nodded. Shuri helped you up, holding your hand as you guided her through the crowd looking for your friends.

You found them in the middle of the dance floor, eventually finding you through the crowd and saw you with someone. Faith gasped when she saw who you were standing with. Riri just cheered you on and you went back to Emerald who was waiting for you two.

“Now, let’s go show you how we wanna celebrate Valentine’s with you, mama.”

You walked in your dorm room limping and trying to hold all your luxury shopping bags. After a rather long night of the three of you pleasuring each other, Shuri and Emerald had promised to give you gifts for Valentine’s Day, seeing how they only courted you as the last hour of the day was coming to an end.

The two women had helped you carry the other bags into your dorm room, placing everything next to your bed. You give thank you kisses which then turned into a heavy make out session, leaving you with more hickies than last night.

Faith and Riri waltzed into your room, hoping you’d be awake or at least there for your daily coffee run. Finding you asleep with multiple hickies and shopping bags on the floor, the two looked at each other with looks that said “I told you so.”

“When is a good time to tell her that they’re succubi and that they’re bonded for life?” Faith asked as she looked at your sleeping figure.

“Girl what?” Riri reacted, giving Faith a raised eyebrow. “Yeah. They’re immortals.” She said as if it wasn’t a big deal.

“I was just being me and going through some old ass books about folklore and myths in the library. Obviously, shit like that is supposed to be fake but clearly not. Those two have been in newspapers and books from the 16th century. They got the same tattoo on their hip to prove it.”

“The fuck? And what about y/n? What’ll happen to her?” Riri asked, a concerned expression on her face.

“They’ll eventually turn her into one of them. They don’t seem like the bad ones so I think we’re good.” Faith nodded.

“So how old are they? They look near our age.”

“Probably in their 20s physically.” She said, not knowing that the two beautiful women had disappeared into the mirror, hearing Faith reveal their secret.

“Now what?! We don’t need her finding out now!” Emerald stressed. Shuri was trying to keep her cool and be calm. “It’s cool, we can erase their memories of this conversation and destroy that book. Anything to protect our princess.”

the supernatural wave for Shuri is so cool so i decided to join in. @generallysapphic inspired me with this because of vampire!shuri so thank you my love!

and thank you @vargskelegore for creating the wonder that is hbcu shuri! 🫶🏽

[aswrittenbyaj]

a lil sneak peek at what's coming soon

majorette!riri x Black!reader

was inspired by the videos of dominique getting ready for carnival that @axailslink posted. i know it's a carnival fit buuuut hbcu shuri and riri have been on my mind as of late so i went with majorette!riri.

"looks like i ain't gonna be the only one scared tonight," she said, swapping the setting spray for a black and white circular hand fan, viv flicking her wrist back and forth, the gentle flow of air speeding up the makeup application's drying time.

"whatchu mean?" riri asked, her head tilting slightly, perfectly scuplted brow quirking in interest.

"'cause with the way your girlfriend is lookin' atchu right now, anybody try to step to you tonight finna be scared for a whole 'nother reason."

[acommonwhor3]

EYES ON YOU 👀

Prompt: While working at your campuses studio you catch the eyes of two women. What happens when you meet them again at a party?

Contains: Cursing, and implied drinking

Disclaimer: This is my first book so please don't be harsh. I love suggestions and tips so, please leave them. Reader will be using She/Her pronouns. This Y/N is black!! Please do not ask me to change the race. I will not and you will be blocked. Co-written with @caammiiiiii

Suggested songs: Next Lifetime-Erykah Badu (for the party scene) Welcome to The Party-Pop Smoke and Nicki Minaj

Please enjoy chapter 1!!

Chapter 2 HERE

Chapter 3 HERE

Paint Studio

“Now what am I supposed to do?…. When I want you in my world?” Y/N hummed as she doodled on her checklist for the day.

“Have you started the canvas yet?” Your friend Kahliya asked, slightly startling you.

“Girl no, I need to though.” You replied, with a chuckle. “I’ve been out of it all day and I have no idea why?” You say as you begin tracing out pictures on the canvas. “I think it’s time we go out and party, clear our heads with some drinks. Kahliya implied. “You think drinks, loud music, and sweaty bodies are gonna clear our heads?” You questioned. “Yeah, it always does!” Kahliya said, with a smirk.

As you two begin to laugh you’re interrupted by the bell. A tall, slender woman with curly hair and shaved sides walks in with a confused look on her face. You meet eyes and smile at her silently inviting her over.

“Hello, I have reservations for a couples Paint and Sip at 6 o’clock for S.Udaku?” The woman said, with a slight head tilt. You quickly look through the reservation list for the name to check her in. “Yes ma’am, the studio is ready. Would you like to go now or wait for the other person in your party to arrive?” Y/N asked. “I’ll wait, thank you for asking.” The woman replied with a slight smile revealing the glint of her grills. Your eyes feel on her lips, focusing in on them. “Well, while you wait, here are the wines we have to choose from.” You say as you hand her the drink menu. She looks at you with low eyes for a quick second before taking the menu with a nod.

While you and Kahliya walk toward the couple's room to make sure everything is in place, suddenly the bell rings alerting us of someone entering. A shorter girl with braids and sunglasses enters with a big smile on her face. She was shouting someone’s name who I perceive is the person from earlier. I walked over to them and told them the room was ready and that they could follow me.

As I walk them to their room I quickly introduced myself with a wide smile. As we approach the room the taller woman asked in a thick accent “We’ll take one bottle of Chardonnay and cheese board.“ Yes, ma’am, I will be right back.” I say as I close the door leaving them alone.

As you prepare the glasses and tray Kahliya comes up behind you and whispers with a sly smile “Bitch, they’re cute!” Kahliya says as you chuckle. “I knowwwww, but they have to be together.” You say with a frown. “And?” Kahliya questions. “And nothing! I’m not going after someone who is already in a relationship.” You say. “You’re no fun.” Kahliya says while rolling her eyes. You mock her quietly as you bring the couple their food.

With a quick knock, you alert the two of your presence. They both look up from their canvas and look at you with low eyes. You felt a little intimidated by the two but brushed it off and finished your task. “Here are your glasses and hors d'oeuvres. I hope you enjoy, please give the bell a ring if you need any help.” You exclaimed with a smile. They both give you a small thank you and you quickly leave trying to disturb them anymore.

Next Day

The next day I found myself finishing my makeup before getting dressed for school. I decided to go with green flared pants, a light red cropped top, and an oversized flannel jacket for the day. While I was heading to my first class, someone caught my eye. It was the shorter girl from yesterday’s bookings. She was wearing blue wide-leg jeans with a black cropped top. She caught you staring and smirked. You give a short smile back but quickly walked off to your first class.

That night

“Girl are you almost ready?” Kahliya whines.

“I am.” You let out a sigh. “I just can’t get my eyeliner even. Can you come and tell me if it looks good?” You asked. “Oh my goshhhhh girl, let me see?” Kahliya groans. She walks into the bathroom with a black, mesh top with a black mini skirt, and clear heels. “You look soooo good!” You squealed. “Nooo, honey you look wayyy better!” Kahliya exclaimed. You had on a black, cropped top with ties around your waist, black flared leggings, and black and white Jordan 1’s. “Thank youuu babe, now help me.” You say. “When is Kameryn coming to pick us up?” Kahliya asked while fixing your makeup. “She should be pulling up in about 5 min.” You say. *honk*honk* “Or right now.” You laugh.

As you two walk out you hear Les coming from the car. “Bitchhhh, you look good!” You squealed. Kameryn was wearing a black asymmetrical dress with black tie-up heels. “Thank you girl! Now hurry up.” Kameryn says with a smirk. As we pull up to the party, you could see the neon lights flash and feel the bass from the music. Our trio is hit with a strong smell of booze and weed as we walk up to the entrance. When you walk in you had this feeling of being watched, but you quickly brushed it off when Kameryn dragged you through the crowd toward the bar.

“Let me have a shot of Henny!” Kameryn shouted over the music. “We’ll take some too please.” You shouted. As we waited for our drinking, you still had the feeling of you being watched. “Y/N? Y/N?” Kameryn and Kahliyah shouted. “Huh?” You jumped. “You kinda zoned out there? You good?” They questioned. “Yeah, I’m good.” You say softly. Still having the feeling of being watched.

Tag List: @melodykisses @chidinma @rxcently @beautybyfire

[demie90s]

━ 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐨𝐮𝐭.

summary- you walk in your dorm with a serious limp after dance practice. your roommate and girlfriend notices and offers to help by stretching you out.

a/n- this randomly popped up in my head while i was listening to brent and i had to write it down before i forgot it lol. otw to my cruise so this may be the last fic i write until next month lord

warnings- mentions of sexual activity , profanity, shuri being an amazing girlfriend. shuri also being a little sneaky thang.

tags— @melodykisses @shuris-whore @saturnville @haechvn @ppawmpkin @cherios @vargskelegore @angeliquebones @szalipcombo @shurireigns @rxcently (comment if you wanna be in tag list)

*. * · ݈ hbcu! shuri ✗ black!reader *. * ·

you unlocked the door and slowly limped into your dorm. your girlfriend shuri was laying on her head reading a book she has to write a report on.

with small groans you made it to your bed with a loud “hmph.” shuri put her book down, “are you okay, my love?” there was a tone of humor in her question.

“everything hurts.” you mumble. even though what you said was a bit incoherent, shuri was able to hear you. “why does everything hurt? you’re a pro at dancing. you do everything with no effort.” she asked as she got up from bed and sat on yours.

“you see, we had to learn this new trick today and it stretched a muscle i didn’t know i had in my body. now i’m completely sore.” she explained.

shuri started to rub your legs, “do you need help?” she asked quietly. “how are you going to help me, ri?” shuri got on her knees and positioned herself in front of you.

“let me stretch you out.”

you won’t lie, when those words left shuri’s mouth your mind took a left and thought of other thinks you knew she wasn’t referring to at the moment. shuri soon caught on and held a sly smirk before laughing. “not in that way, you nasty girl.”

“i don’t know what you’re talking about.” you smiled. shuri let out an amused scoff and looked down at your legs.

“okay, let’s see what we’re working with here, shall we?”

shuri was now between your legs, started off by using the pit of her hands to massage your thighs. you let out a noise of discomfort but also relief. shuri looked down at you, the face you had on your face reminded her of previous events.

“this position is fairly familiar, no?” shuri teased as she continued with what she was doing.

“but i was the one with my mind in the gutter.” you commented. shuri let out a smile laugh.

she rubbed over this one particular spot that was the most tender causing, what sounded like a moan leave your lips. you realized it was a bit too much for shuri when she paused her movements.

“oh, i’m sorry. it slipped out.” you let her know, shuri looked into your eyes before continuing, it seemed as though she was fighting something within her. “no need to apologize, love.”

shuri then grabbed the pit of your knees and spreaded your legs apart. you winced and hissed in pain, “it feels like you’re hurting me on purpose.” you whined.

“never love, you’re just very tense i can feel it in your muscles.”

shuri got closer, and made herself taller. she looked down at your crouch before looking back at you with a smirk. “shuri! be focused.”

“so very sorry, i can’t help it. she’s looking right at me. she wanted to say hello.” she tried to reason. “oh please, it seemed like you want to say hello.” you looked up at her with your legs still in the air; in her hands.

“i do want to say hello.” she leaned down and became face to face with your pussy, “hello, good to see you again.” she joked as she left a kiss on the top of it making you squirm just a bit.

“will you stop??!” your cheeks heated up, even with your chocolate skin, shuri could still tell you were blushing. “distracted aren’t i. that’s just what you do to me.”

shuri watched you once more, “god i love your thighs baby.” she complimented. you were indeed a very thick girl, you grew up with your greens and cornbread. it was bound to happen!

as you walked around campus with shuri, people wondered how shuri could handle someone like you. the girls you danced with swore you would break shuri as easy as a twig but they were wrong.

most nights after sex, you would be the one limping and needing to be rejuvenated. shuri on the other hand would be just fine.

shuri is definitely stronger than most people think but that’s not any of their business, they can think what they want to think.

anyway.

shuri bent your legs back as much as you allowed it. your legs very much did go to your head and boy was shuri amazed. “jesus, you are so damn flexible.” she gazed at how she had you folded like a pretzel.

shuri couldn’t help it, she couldn’t.

she brought her front and pressed it against yours. “oops.” her tone with two octaves deeper. you knew shuri wouldn’t be able to control herself.

“s-shuri.” you said in a warning tone, yes you were sore but you’ll never decline any sexy time with your lover. “sh, sh. let’s continue.” she went on like nothing happened.

she put one of your legs down and focused on one leg. she straightened it and bent it back. another moan left your mouth, this time it was far more clearer to shuri’s ears. she tucked her bottom lip and stared directly into your eyes.

“okay yeah, maybe we should stop before i make you sorer than what you are now.” she was deadass.

shuri was dead fucking ass.

[angelsmist]

MEETING THE FAMILY

HBCU!SHURI X READER

prompt: fall break is coming up, and you’re dreading getting shamed about your love life once again by your family. but an opportunity soon opens up when shuri offers to be your fake girlfriend for the week.

contains: fluff, cursing

disclaimers - this is not my idea!! all credits to @/ vargskelegore for hbcu shuri. it is an amazing idea. however, the storyline is mine. also, i would prefer if only black people read this story, simply because it is a reader insert specifically for us. thank you <3

was gonna make this one part but it got too long 💔

“I’m racking up a tab here,” You joked, poking Shuri’s shoulder.

Fall break was coming up soon, meaning that you’d be traveling back to Tennessee to visit your family.

Of course, you loved seeing them and telling them all about your experience but there was one thing, just one little thing that could ruin your entire stay.

Your love life.

For some reason, everyone in your family felt the need to push the idea of a relationship down your throat everytime you saw them. Literally everyone.

You didn’t want to rush a relationship. You preferred to wait for one to find you, as corny as it sounds. But that didn’t stop your relatives from nagging you about whether or not you were still single.

It was exhausting and annoying.

Plus, you knew this one was going to be a handful because your sister blabbed that you were friends with the princess of Wakanda. Not only would they bombard you with questions, they’d also beg you to get into a relationship with her for royal purposes.

It’s not that you didn’t wanna date Shuri. Of course you did. You had finally become aware of your feelings with her that week you spent sharing a dorm with her last month. You had grown to like her, a lot. But you didn’t want her to find out your true feelings by the terms of your family.

And somehow while studying with Shuri, you two found a way to get onto that subject. You figured she was going to Wakanda for the break, so her offer to come with you definitely caught you off guard.

“I’ve already made arrangements to spend all of Winter break in Wakanda,” Shuri informed you. “It would be amazing to get to meet your family.”

“Oh, girl. You don’t know my family, they will have you begging to go back within a day,” You replied, dropping your entire body on Shuri’s pillow. “And when I say I have a big family turnout, I mean big. For most of it, everyone’s doing their own thing with their age group, but at some point during the night my mom somehow fits everyone in the living room for the Cupid Shuffle. You don’t wanna see that.”

She mimicked your action, turning to face you on the bed once she did so. “It’s starting to sound like you don’t want me coming.”

You didn’t want to tell her the true reason why you were skeptical about it, scared that you’d make her uncomfortable. “No! It’s not that. I do want you to come. It’s just…my family has no shame. They’ll try and play cupid the whole time you’re there and just push us together. They might even try and make us share a plate. I don’t bring nobody around my family like that, so you know how that’ll end.”

“Then let’s act like we are already together,” She proposed, calmer than one should be when saying that type of thing.

You tilted your head in confusion. “What?”

“Let’s pretend we’re dating for the week. They can’t make us uncomfortable if we say we’re together,” She explained further. “Problem solved. Now you can’t find any other reasons to stop me from coming.”

“You really not gon’ give up, are you?” You questioned, a smile tugging at your lips. When Shuri shook her head, you finally caved in. “Ight, fine. But you better be the best fake girlfriend to ever exist.”

“It would be my honor.”

“Hey, Jada. We’re like three minutes away,” You updated your older sister, entering your neighborhood that was oh-so-familiar. “How big is the turnout so far this year?”

You and Shuri were running about two hours late from when you initially said you were getting there. But, knowing your family, they’d all be late as hell too.

“Almost everyone is here,” She answered, earning a gasp from you.

Shuri looked away from the road momentarily out of curiousness. You didn’t notice.

“Almost everyone? Last thanksgiving it took a whole five hours for at least half of us to be there.”

“Yeah, well, everybody’s eager to see this princess of Wakanda you’re bringing. I still think your ass is playing, but I guess I’ll see in a minute. Wait, do I gotta bow or some shit?”

“No! Don’t do that,” You rushed to answer, still trying to remain vague so Shuri wouldn’t know what you were talking about. “Just be normal.”

“Ohh, got it.” With that, she hung up just as you and Shuri pulled into the driveway of your home. You missed it. As annoying as your family could be, seeing them brought you a tremendous amount of comfort. You turned to Shuri when she finally parked.

“I wanna warn you to be careful. My family is a safety hazard, and I’m being deadass. So, I can’t confirm that you’ll survive an entire week,” You warned, only half-joking.

Shuri let out a laugh that radiated comfort and warmth, which helped you loosen up a little. “I’m sure I can handle what they throw at me.”

By the time you two exited the vehicle, your sister was already waiting outside of the door, looking to see if it truly was princess Shuri that came with you. Once she registered that it was, her jaw dropped. Quickly.

She rushed over to the two of you who were getting your suitcases out of the trunk. Instead of assisting you with yours, like a normal, good sister would do, she helped Shuri, a polite smile on her face.

“It’s so nice to meet you, princess Shuri!” She greeted, a smile on her face you could see right through.

Shuri, however, could not and returned the smile. “Thank you, it’s nice to meet you too, Jada. But please, just call me Shuri.”

“Alright, Shuri. Both of you come on. They’re all inside waiting for you guys.”

Your sister jogged ahead of you and Shuri to lead the way, and the princess used that as the opportunity to turn to you. “I’m beginning to think you were just being a little dramatic when describing your family.”

You held a hand to your heart, fake gasping. “Don’t start. You’ve only met my sister. It gets worse.”

Shuri laughed once again as your sister opened the door to your home. During the long car ride, you taught Shuri the name of as many people as possible that were coming as far as you knew, and supplied her with pictures. You just hoped she had good memory.

Upon entering your home, your little brother and younger cousins swarmed Shuri like moths to a flame. She began to get ambushed with inquiries.

“Is it true you’re dating my sister?”

“If you two get married will that make us royalty?”

“My mama told me I’m supposed to bow to royalty. Is that true?”

“You’re a lot taller than in the pictures.”

“Can you take me back to Wakanda with you?”

You sent Shuri an apologetic look before grabbing her luggage along with yours and making a pathway for the kitchen.

You were greeted with the sight of your mom, two of your aunts, and one of your uncles.

They immediately paused their cooking to embrace you at once, practically strangling you.

“(Name), finally! It feels like years since I’ve last seen you,” Your mom spoke excitedly.

“Ma, it’s literally been, like, two months.”

Your aunt took the suitcases from your hands. “I’ll get these to your room. When I get back, you better introduce me to this princess you’re dating.”

“Speaking of, where is she?” Your other aunt tapped her foot. “Nah, don’t worry, I’ll find her myself. You don’t mind watching the chicken, right?”

Before you could reply, she was already out of the kitchen, along with your mom, leaving you with just your uncle who couldn’t stop laughing.

You walked over to him and noticed he was preparing the mac n cheese. “The hell just happened?”

“You brought royalty inside the house,” He began, pulling you into his side for a hug. Kissing the top of your head, he continued. “What did you expect?”

He was right. You brought a princess from the richest nation in the entire world, so it made sense that they’d be more excited to see her than you. Still kinda stung, though.

“I can watch the food while you say hi to everyone else,” He offered, taking notice of your lowered spirit.

You sent him an incredulous look. “All this food?”

“Don’t make me change my mind.”

Without another word, you made your way out of the kitchen and into the living room where your dad and the rest of your uncles were, as per usual.

Your dad momentarily looked away from the sports game he was watching to smile at you. “Hey, babygirl. Come here.”

Your uncles muttered greetings as well, still focused on the game like they always do. You walked over to your dad, smiling widely as he pulled you into his chest. Just like everyone else, though, he had questions.

“So, who’s this princess you brought into my house?” He questioned, furrowing his eyebrows. “I hope she’s treating you right.”

“She is,” You confirmed.

“Good,” He said. “When she comes over here, we’ll have to question her just to make sure.”

“Dad!” You raised your voice an octave. Tilting your head with irritation dripping in your town. With a sigh, you brushed your hands off. “Imma be in my room, kay?”

You hoped your room would be the same as you made your way upstairs. It usually was, but your mom liked to switch up things every once in a while when she felt like it, so you never did know what to expect when you visited your home.

Thankfully, it looked the same when you entered. Before leaving for college, you had given it a makeover so it would be something you liked whenever you visited.

Your walls were a shade of gray that looked purple depending on how close you were to it, and your desk was still a mess, with scattered records that went with your record player.

You had a few posters up that consisted of artists like SZA, H.E.R, Brent Faiyaz, The Weeknd, pretty much all the good stuff.

Above your desk, there were those polaroid things of celebrities, shows, characters, and movies like you liked. You never did figure out what they were actually called, so you stuck to “polaroid things”.

Your LEDs kept attracting bugs for some reason, so you started using fairy lights. They were on when you entered your room, so you figured that your mom turned them on before you arrived.

You took a vinyl from your stack, placing it gingerly onto your record player. It was so loud downstairs, you couldn’t even hear the music they were playing. As soon as you shut your bedroom door, it felt peaceful. The loudness became muffled and soon began to drown out when Brent Faiyaz began to flood your ears.

You closed your eyes as your head dropped onto your pillow. You missed this feeling. Of course, you loved college. But you got homesick every once in a while, and times like these made you miss your high school days.

Then, your mind drifted to Shuri. You felt sort of bad for leaving her by herself with your family, but she was the one who said she could handle it.

God, you were lucky to have her. You hadn’t taken anybody back home with you whenever there were breaks, and Shuri offered to come with you almost immediately when you didn’t even ask her to. Not to mention, she agreed to be your fake girlfriend for the time being. Although, you did hope that eventually you could take her as your real girlfriend.

It was silent for maybe a minute when you heard knocking on your door. You hoped that ignoring it would make whoever it was go away, but they remained persistent.

“Man, what the fuck do you want?” You snapped by the third knock, expecting it to be your brother or sister behind the door. You continued to curse as you made your way to the door. “If I ignore your ass twice after you knock, why the hell do you think it’s smart to knock again? Y’all are-oh!”

You were greeted by a guilty Shuri who sent an awkward smile your way. “Sorry…”

Your eyes went wide. “No, I’m sorry! I thought you were one of my siblings. That’s my bad, come on in.”

With a chuckle, she entered your room and plopped down onto your bed, waiting for you to do the same. Just as expected, you sat next to her.

“So, how were they?” You spoke first.

“Well, they were…interesting. But, they are very entertaining. Especially the teenage ones. They are bold.”

“Did one of them try to flirt with you?” You had expectancy in your eyes. Shuri nodded. “That was probably Serenity. That girl certainly knows what she wants.”

“And the men in your house are…protective. I felt like I was being interrogated,” She explained. “I think I passed their test.”

“That’s good!” You encouraged, another giggle threatening to leak through your words.

“My personal favorite were the ladies. They were funny. They kept trying to get pictures, though.”

You gave Shuri a smile in response. “They like you. That’s a big thing, actually. My family has never really liked any of my exes, so you’re doing real good for a fake girlfriend.”

“That is good to hear.”

You brushed a curl out of your face, placing your hand in your lap. “Thank you for this, by the way. I never really bring anyone with me since my family can be a handful, but the fact that you haven’t ran out of the house hysterically screaming yet definitely makes me feel better.”

Shuri scratched the back of her neck, bringing it back down to your bed. However, you had moved your hand from your lap to your bed as well. When your hands touched, you noticed immediately, but it seemed like Shuri didn’t, so you didn’t move an inch. “Let’s call it even. You know, for all your help with adjusting to college. I don’t thank you enough. It did a lot for me.”

The distance between you two seemed to be getting smaller and smaller, but you were sure it was all in your head. It wasn’t though, and that soon became clear when her eyes flickered down to your lips.

Oh.

“Hey, ma wants us for pict-” Your sister paused when she realized it was both of you in there. The two of you jumped apart as soon “Shit, was y’all about have sex?”

“Gir- no. We was not about to have sex,” You denied. “Go away. We’ll be downstairs in a sec.”

“You sure? You got the lights off and the music playing…is that Brent Faiyaz?”

You chucked a pillow at her head that she dodged with ease. You picked up another. “Get out, or I swear I won’t miss your annoying ass this time.”

Your sister listened this time, exiting the room and closing the door behind her.

You stood up from the bed, turning to Shuri and holding a hand out. “Pictures are the worst part. But all you gotta do is smile and nod, and you’ll be okay.”

Shuri pinched the bridge of her nose before taking your hand. “Bast…”