THE BEST ROOMMATE
Namor smelled something burning the moment he stepped out of the elevator.
“Fuck,” he cursed under his breath, pacing to his unit with trembling fingers, quickly unlocking the locks while shouting in a high-pitched voice.
“—SHURI UDAKU! You are going to be the death of me!!!”
“—NAMOR! NAMOR HELP! Helpppppp!!!!”
He barged into the house, dropped everything he was holding, and made a beeline for the kitchen.
Namor watched Shuri’s frantic attempts to put out the blazing fire shooting straight up from the pan. At that moment, he couldn’t help but want to laugh and cry at the same time.
“Move aside, woman!”
“My steak is ruined!”
He quickly pulled her away, positioning himself in front of her, and calmly covered the raging, flaming pan with a matching green-coloured lid, extinguishing the fire in an instant.
The whole room fell silent.
With hands on his hips, Namor took deep, deep breaths and turned to face the woman who set his heartkitchen on fire.
Namor sighed, “So the saying ‘one year of pregnancy, three years of stupidity' is true.”
“That is after you gave birth.” She still had the knack of mouthing back at him.
“I don’t think so because, congratulations, you are already acting foolish.”
“Just wait till I start crying, then you’ll see.” Now she’s threatening him!
Namor tried so hard not to smile when she doesn’t even look him in the eyes when he’s talking to her. How rude.
“If you burn down the house, I’ll definitely start crying, and then you’ll see.”
Shuri carefully lifted her dipped-to-the-ground head to meet his gaze, but Namor was not looking at her.
She let out a relieved breath, looking at the mess she made, her head bowed down like an ostrich finding its home in a hole, but relaxing when he reached out with a comforting touch, a gentle flick on her forehead washed away all her worries.
Shuri pouts; she lifts herself up to meet—
Namor finally looked into her slightly widened eyes. Smiling, oh so—
“Are you hurt anywhere?” He carefully removed her arms, which were tightly wrapped around her eight-month-pregnant belly, to check if she had been burned.
“No, when that oil started splattering, the baby kicked me so many times to the point it so fucking hurt that she made me step back, drop my spatula, and then the fire started!” Shuri dramatically waved her arms around to explain the situation.
“Language. You know, sometimes I really appreciate the baby.” Namor finally relaxed, making sure she was okay before heaving a sigh of relief, his heart gradually calming down.
For Chaac’s sake, this woman never let him rest.
“Someday you’ll give me a heart attack, Shuri. What were you thinking??? You are a kitchen disaster.” He said it as sincerely as possible, remembering what the doctor said about pregnant women’s mood swings because of hormones and blablabla—
“I’m hungry.”
Not that he’s complaining, but—
Namor stared at Shuri, falling into her confident, glimmering brown eyes.
…Usually, she would’ve started tearing up, but no, the doctor lied to him!
“...I’m already worried after the baby is born. She might get choked when you breastfeed her.” Namor jokes, running his fingers through his aching scalp.
“No, she won’t.”
Shuri beamed oh so brightly that his eyes hurt.
“You wouldn’t have had any trouble if you had put your current confidence into cooking just moments ago.”
“It was the baby kicking me that distracted me!”
“I think it’s the baby who saved you. That thing you burned there? I won’t call it food.”
Shuri starts pouting.
Namor wouldn’t risk that.
“There are restaurants downstairs, you know? They have your favourite steamed eggs?”
“I don't feel like eating them anymore.”
“Then why not order takeout???”
“I’m lazy.” Shuri grinned, as she had the best excuse in the world.
Namor tried not to bite his tongue. “Why don’t you call me so I’ll bring you some food on the way home???”
“...Erm… I don’t want to bother you...”
Shuri watched as Namor crossed his arms in front of his stupid chest. With a smug smile on his face, he slightly bent down… and taunted,
“ OH. W-h-e-r-e did you leave your phone this time?”
…Shuri hates it when he knows her all too well… and leans so Bast damn close—
Namor chuckled and began dialing her number. Her phone rang so loud— it was in the washing machine…
Quickly brushing away her embarrassment, Shuri tugged at his sleeve and repeated, “I’m hungry.” There’s nothing more important than getting food now!
“Throw away that burnt steak of yours and start cooking a new one, I’ll watch.”
“The baby is hungry.”
“If she doesn’t come out loving steaks, I’ll—”
Namor looked at her… Shuri, grinning adorably with that smug smile of hers…he— He reluctantly pointed his fingers at her forehead, nudging her away.
“Go sit down before I make you.”
—Before she set his heartkitchen on fire again.
Shuri sat obediently at the dining table, soothing the baby with endless caresses on her belly, watching Namor’s back as he cooked. How she wished...
And complaining on the phone like he always does, “We almost went homeless, NAMORA! I was this close! THIS CLOSE 🤏🏾!” and hand gestures flying everywhere that made Shuri grin so hard.
What a gossiping auntie he was— she burst out giggling in silence to avoid getting death stares.
“So did the house get burned down yet?”
“NO! Were you even listening?!”
“So we are not moving? What a pity.”
“Why are WE mov—”
“I saw you LOOKIN’ at houses just a few days ago.”
Namora smirked when the other side of the phone fell silent. After a while, as the sizzling of meat cooking filled her ears, Namor dryly uttered, “You might need to check your eyes, I was looking at-”
“Even someone as blind as Attuma could see it, but me? My eyes are as bright as ever.” Namora blew a kiss when Attuma, who sat across from her, rolled his eyes at her and then gave her a big thumbs up.
Namor lets out a string of annoyed little grumbles, “I AM cooking for your best friend. You better bring dinner back tonight. I don’t have all the time to cook for her every day and—”
“—It’s not ME who spoiled her for these past few months, K’uk’ulkan.”
Attuma sprang up and high-fived his cousin, his deafening cheers ringing out loud enough to be heard on the other end.
Being hit in the sore spot, Namor huffed and puffed, “Sh-She’s pregnant-! What can I do?????”
“—And I’m definitely not the one who wants to be the baby’s daddy.”
Namor dropped his phone.
Horrified, he suddenly remembered that Shuri had been sitting behind him all along. Nervously, he turned to look at her, hoping she hadn’t heard anything Namora had said out loud.
…But all he saw was her whole being basking in the high afternoon sun, mouth slightly open, cradling her belly against the chair, dozing off already.
…Even the sun was being gentle with her.
Irrepressible, Namor chuckled softly, picking up and putting the phone back in his ear, preparing for a comeback. “I—”
“—Oh, sorry, not only that one, because thankfully, I’m not the one who wants to be her husband either.”
Dropped his phone, Namor did. Again.
Again, he sheepishly turned around and saw Shuri still dozing off. THE COAST IS CLEAR! He crouched on the floor for a few moments, praying to Chaac and got back on his feet once more.
“I don’t have any of those kinds of thoughts, Namora,” he lied.
“When I asked you if we could take Shuri in after her parents kicked her out, and her brother was abroad, you said you didn’t have— a-n-y thoughts about it too. I know you weren’t exactly cool about her moving in, but because I asked so…”
“I did not. I was so cool about it, okay?”
He was just worried Namora couldn’t take care of a four-month-pregnant Shuri! It’s a lot of care! And-
“Ask her,” Namora’s encouraging, soothing voice spooks Namor.
“Ask what?” Playing dumb, are we?
“Ask her that.”
“I can’t ask her that, Namora.”
“Oh, you will.”
…
“I will.”
…
Namor wanted to retort but Namora had hung him up.
“For Chaac’s sake,” he grumbled under his breath, turning to check on Shuri who was still resting. His head spun as he continued to cook the unfinished nutritious pregnant meal for her, “One, two, and three giving me headaches! GEEZ.”
He had a lot of reasons why he didn’t want to ask Shuri that.
Because he genuinely cares for Shuri’s well-being and wants to support her during her pregnancy. He prioritized the well-being of her soon-to-be-born daughter and hoped to provide some emotional support and stability without necessarily being in a relationship with her.
He didn’t want Shuri to feel they were here for her not only because of the baby, but also because of her. Everyone had gotten along pretty well for the past few months.
He respects her and understands that she may not be ready for a romantic relationship, especially considering her current situation. He values their friendship above all else after spending time together these past months and doesn’t want to risk jeopardizing it by complicating things with his feelings for her.
He didn’t want Shuri to end up in an awkward situation where she might reject him and feel uncomfortable staying with them anymore. She would certainly leave, and they knew she had nowhere to go… Or not, she wouldn’t have asked for help from Namora.
And obviously, he also acknowledges that the timing may not be right and he’s willing to wait or simply be there as a supportive friend. He’s willing to put her happiness above his own desires and everything else, recognizing that what Shuri needs most right now is his, Namora and Attuma’s support.
His love for her has sprouted after a deep mutual understanding, a desire for emotional connection, but Namor genuinely wished to see her happy and well even more, even if it meant not being romantically involved with Shuri.
Namor shook his head, focusing back on cooking, moving with much lighter actions, afraid to wake her up… Shuri always had trouble sleeping at night because of her large belly, and this momentary peaceful rest was much needed.
With half-opened eyelids, while Shuri pretended to sleep all this time, she stared at Namor’s back… bathed in the gentle orange glow from the sun, which warmed her heart greatly. Her uh… conversation with Namora echoed in her mind once again… How she wished…
…
“Ask him that.”
“I can’t ask him that, Namora. It’s not his responsibility, and I don’t want to burden him.”
“If you don’t ask, how will you know if he doesn’t want to be with you and witness your baby grow up together?”
“Namora…”
“I’ve never seen my cousin so devoted to any woman before.”
“...But I’m pregnant...”
“To put it accurately, he’s head over heels for you.”
“You’re exaggerating. I don’t believe no one’s ever gotten Namor’s interest…” Although he’s a bit of an asshole sometimes, women are gonna come his way.
“Since you came, he couldn’t see anyone else in his eyes anymore, not even me, his favourite cousin. You know how Namor ignored Attuma’s call last time when you texted him and asked if he could pick you up in the rain and he—”
Namora started waving her arms dramatically, Shuri could tell it was running in the family, “—immediately ditched Attuma and went to you. But don’t worry, Attuma said if it’s you, he doesn’t mind getting his underwear soaked!” Namora caught that sparkle of joy shimmering in Shuri’s baby doe eyes.
“I don’t know, Namora… I…” Shuri sucked a sharp breath when her baby kicked her hard as if… “See! The baby girl agreed with her favourite auntie!”
Shuri caressed her belly, smiling in love, “Little traitor…”
“Awww, my niece just wants a daddy! And Namor will be the best dad in the world, trust me.”
Shuri’s smile slowly faltered, frowning in sadness, “You know I failed in relationships, Namora… Look at my parents and my ex… They don’t want me anymore…”
“You know that’s not true, Shuri. Your parents will come through, and since your ex is an asshole, might as well forget about him.”
Shuri thinks Namora is right. Mama had been sending her lunch boxes at work and Baba would text her a paragraph or two about postpartum and baby stuff. She also ended things with her ex clearly when he didn’t want the baby.
Everything’s gonna be alright.
In fact, everything has been so okay ever since she moved into their home.
“Just ask him.”
Shuri whispered, “Ask him what?”
“Ask my big cuz Namor, if he wants to be your baby’s daddy and your husband, duh.”
“You are stressin me out, Namora,” but Shuri chuckled instead because…
“You were already stressing yourself out before I made you, girl. Thinking whether you are worthy of him or not, it’s all over your face, Shuri.”
Namora’s right. Hate to admit it. Again.
“I respect him, Namora, as a friend… like a lot-” She’s not stupid. She is aware of Namor’s feelings for her. Like… it was just so obvious in plain sight… She greatly values their friendship… Just that— she wants to focus on her baby, it’s her main priority for now.
“Doesn’t seem like it when you two argue with each other like children all the time.”
Shuri gave up.
“Trust me, Shuri, if you ask, the best outcome is that Namor will be so happy he’ll probably cry, then fall to the ground on his knees and propose to you.”
“...How about the worst outcome?”
Her dread of losing Namor as just a friend is already killing her from the inside. If one day he figured out she was not the one for him, she would be— Heartbroken. Devastated. But so glad… that she and her baby wouldn’t burden him any longer.
“Snap it out, Shuri, none of that in your mind is going to happen. The worst outcome is that Namor will probably be so stunned, that he will look at you and start crying, that he will tell you how much he loves you, and then he will tell you how much he wants to spend the rest of his life with you…”
Shuri teared up just by imagining it.
Oh, she definitely could see Namor react in these two best and worst ways. “I… People will talk, Namora… Gossip and all that, it’s crushing—” She doesn’t want him to be subject to any slander.
“Do not mind what others think or say, Shuri. If you love him too, just go for it.”
“Just go for it?” she repeated.
“Just go for it.”
Namora squeezed her hand, staring as the hope in Shuri’s eyes burned brighter than ever.
And oh, how Shuri wished…
that her baby’s father was Namor.
“Ma’am, your food is ready.”
The gentle pat and little squeeze on her shoulder, the soft chuckles on top of her were the only things Shuri wanted to wake up to every day.
Shuri opened her eyes, gazing at the well-cooked, sliced steak and a bowl of mushroom soup before her on a bed tray… The mushroom soup was her latest comfort food.
“My food is ready??? Thank Bast! I fell asleep waiting for it. It better be good.”
“That explains the drool.”
Shuri subconsciously reached out to wipe away said drool, but only ended up like a fool, with Namor laughing adorably at her.
“I hate you.” She playfully swatted at his arm, still, letting him help her sit up properly, placing a soft pillow to cushion her back, and sitting back across from her, urging her to eat.
“Excuse me? You’ll regret saying that after you take a bite.”
Very soon, their cozy home was filled with the sound of Shuri enjoying her meal and the satisfied hums she emitted.
“Is it really that delicious?” Namor always wondered.
“Try it yourself, have some?” Shuri gladly offered him the soup. Namor shook his head with a tiny grin, “I’m not hungry, you eat.” She then beamed like the sun.
His love for her grew stronger day by day, and Namor hoped it would never cease.
“Hehe, I’m not sharing with you anyway. This is so good, right, baby!” Shuri gasped when she got a few strong kicks, looking at Namor in surprise, as if it hadn’t happened a hundred times.
“You see that?!”
“I did.”
Namor softly smiled, amazed and in awe at the sight where a little foot and a little hand poked out of Shuri’s belly, as if it hadn’t happened a thousand times.
In the blink of an eye, Shuri had finished everything and still had a few spoons left of soup. She gave Namor a cute thumbs up, generously praising him.
“You are the BEST roommate in the whole world, Namor! You can cook so well and take care of a pregnant woman!”
Namor laughed, crossing his arms in disbelief, praising back.
“And you are the worst roommate I ever met, Shuri.”
Shuri stuns.
“Except for cooking, you’re an all rounder sweetheart~”
Shuri starts—
“-My poor kitchen has suffered so much in these 4 months, we all know, you—”
Shuri starts bawling her eyes out.
Namor got up in shock, gawking at her in astonishment and fear, “?!?!?! My kitchen hasn’t even cried yet!!!! Why are you-?!” He nervously patted her shoulder to comfort her, “Heyyyyyy, there’s still a few sips of your soup left, aren’t you going to finish it??? Come onnnnn!”
“Waaaaaahhhhhhhmmm-wu-I—”
“I’m sorry, Shuri, don’t cry—!!”
Namor anxiously held the bowl of soup, trying to feed her to make her stop bawling. Shuri sobs, she wails, and she blubbers all the way. Small, involuntary gasps interrupted her crying while she glared at him with tearful eyes.
She went from glowing with happiness one second to tearfully sniffling and complaining the next,
“Y-Yu-You sAid I AM THE w-WOorRsRrttT Roo-roOomMATE you EVer MeT iN the enTirE world, I-I-iiii hmmm so SaD!!!!”
Shuri rubs away her tears with extreme sadness, choking and whimpering at him, cradling her belly tightly.
“I WAS JUST JOKING, you silly woman!!!” Namor exclaimed. “OH MY CHAAC!!! Don’t cry, Shuri, I beg you, I was just kidding!!! You didn’t react so dramatically when I teased you earlier!”
“BUT-BUT I’m pregnant!!! I-I-I—!!”
Finally, feeling helpless and heartbroken, Namor set the bowl down, bent over, and gently wiped away her tears, patiently soothing her.
“Alright, okay, don’t cry, I won't tease you anymore, Shuri… shhh… the baby will sense that you are upset…shhhh, you are the best roommate I ever had, okay?”
“T-tttthe B-E-S-T?”
“THE BEST.”
Namor’s soothing voice spread like a warm blanket as he gently stroked her tangled braids, knowing he could easily protect her head with just one hand.
“O-okayyy… I’m the b-besT roo-roomate y-you ever h-had… an-and I think I’m… hmm… still hungry… I’m s-sadddd… and hun-gry now—” She’s on the verge of crying again because she still wants more food.
But then Shuri saw Namor’s dumbfounded face and burst into giggles at last. She had stumped him, hahahaha, impressive, right?!!
Her emotionally honest reaction to him shows that Shuri felt safe with him to express herself so freely like this.
Namor’s suppressed love surged uncontrollably beneath her tearful, yet thrilled expression.
He really couldn’t do anything when Shuri set his heartkitchen on fire.
“Oh, come on, now you are crying because you are still hungry! For Chaac’s sake, Shuri, why didn’t you say so earlier!!! There’s nothing to be embarrassed about with me, I’ll make more for you, just so you wait! I saw some new pregnancy meals that…” Namor starts nagging her to cheer her up tirelessly.
Until Shuri got enough of him, “You will age quickly if you keep nagging me like a grumpy old lady!!!”
“Hmph! I ain’t cooking for you-”
“Lemme start crying again, I wuUuhhHh—”
“AlRiGhTtttffuck, Shuri Udaku, I’m scared of you!!! I’m cooking RiGhtT NOw!!!”
Laughter erupted from the two, echoing in the house until late into the night. Even the moon seemed to smile upon them, shining down on these two idiots who held back their love for each other, yet it still seeped through, like moonlight illuminating every gentle crack in the wall over time.