Secret Recipe

An unexpected turn came.

After their three-month runaway, their dads agreed. 

It’s spelled as “fishy as fuck.”

Namor and Shuri looked at each other with an eyebrow raised, they were zero-believing, full-on-doubting when their mums called them together. Rising from their hammock, they nestled into the sofa of the inn where they had stayed for the last three months. They went somewhere totally new, a place even Shuri hadn’t been before… starting from zero and as a fresh start— to a new beginning together.

“Are you sure it’s okay for us to come back, Mama?” They looked at their mothers in unison, still suspicious as hell. Ramonda and Fen grinned like they won the million-dollar lottery.

“Of course! We handled them!”

“We only called a month later, okay! You better thank us for giving you two some holiday time!”

Of course, under the pressure from their wives, the daily nagging and tears, saying they drove away their children, T’Chaka and Ch’atoo reluctantly agreed to their relationship, including them getting married in the future— after Shuri graduated.

They had set aside their differences and tried their best to let go of their past grudges… for the sake of their children.

Besides that, Shuri promised Namor that she would defer her studies for only a few months to travel around the world with him. He made her promise and assured her that when she went back to her studies, he would figure it out.

They went back home eventually, even if they didn’t fully believe it… they missed their mothers.

After three months of deep self-reflection under their wives, Ramonda and Fen’s guidance, T’Chaka and Ch’atoo apologized to their daughter and son as soon as they saw them linger by the door of their own home, hesitating to come in.

They ran to hug their children.

Namor and Shuri’s resolved and hardened hearts quickly softened, and they forgave their stubborn fathers.

However, the fathers had their demands…

“They can get married after Shuri graduates.” 

“After Shuri graduated, wait a few years to get married. I’m sure Namor can wait.”

And conditions… besides reminding themselves not to disrespect each other’s children and by formally addressing them by their names. T’Chaka and Ch’atoo glared at each other for a while before one of them compromised.

“She’s my daughter, I’ve been bringing her up for years because I’m her father, not to become your daughter-in-law, not to continue your family line, not to just bear children—”

“Hah! That’s not what I said, T’Chaka, you said it yourself! Then don’t say Namor has been stringing Shuri along for years! They can get married a year after Shuri’s graduation!”

“Three years.”

“Two years. Let them play for two more years. Three years is too long, either one of us might be dead by that time, do you want to be a grandfather or not?”

“Two years.”

They shook hands.

Namor and Shuri looked at each other and shook their heads. They knew it wasn’t that easy… but their journey to build a family together is closer than ever. Along with their father’s blessing. They thought that they wouldn’t get it in this lifetime.

“Have you ever asked for our opinion, hello???” Shuri murmured helplessly on the side. 

“Ignore them, Shuri.” Namor was a bit amused at their father’s friendly banter instead of annoyed.

He turned to Shuri, assuring her, “I’ll marry you whenever you want to marry me.”

“Huh? Isn’t it up to you when you want to propose to me? Then I only consider it?” Shuri smirked at him.

“Move out or move back in?”

“You guys move back in.”

“You guys move out.”

“You guys—”

“...If I propose to you, will you definitely say yes?” Namor knew the answer.

“What do you think?” Shuri gave him a “Duh?”

They gazed into each other and smiled.

…

“They suddenly change their mind? Something fishy.” Fen had to admit.

“Conspiracy,” Ramonda added.

“You think so too?”

The two mums whispered together.

…

Then they caught their husbands having a peaceful teatime together, settling things.

“Our plan will definitely work.”

“Having them under our noses makes it easier to break them up.”

The first time in decades they’ve seen eye to eye.

And the mothers exploded!

“So, that’s what you two were thinking!!!” That’s why they changed their minds! “You two despicable men!!!” They are plotting to break them up!

“Sithandwa sam, don’t hit! Not the face!!!”

“You misunderstood, in yakunaj! We are not breaking them up! How could we even do that when they are practically glued together, haven’t you noticed???”

“Howwwww could WE possibly separate them?! We old fucks are not that powerful!”

“Tell that to Bast!”

“Tell that to Chaac!”

…

“We figured it out, sweethearts…”

“Your dads only agreed just so they could tear you two apart...”

Namor and Shuri munched on their lunch, giving each other naughty looks.

“...So, my dad has a crush on you??? That explains everything!” Shuri joked without choking on her poc chuc.

“...My dad wants you to be my… stepmum???” Namor reached out his plate, wanting more jollof rice.

“Nonsense, both of you!!!” Ramonda slapped their foreheads.

“I’m not dead yet!” Fen took away his plate, no amount of adorable pouts can make her return it!

“Just kidding, Mama, ei, don’t hit my head—”

“You are still the most beautiful woman ever, Na’, Shuri? Nahhhh~”

They held hands under the table, grinning like idiots on successfully cheering up their mothers. Besides…

“We knew it, we knew they had ulterior motives.”

“We’ve taken on this challenge to see whose plan falls apart first, theirs or theirs.”

They high-fived with enthusiasm because…

Nah, they’d win.

The four of them chuckled with mischief in the kitchen, having their precious mother-child time.

“The two old men are heading here, better start your performance.” T’Challa came in with a milk bottle, grinning too.

Life goes on, and this holiday feels like riding an intense roller coaster, but it’s all worth it.

However, the two dads continue to fan the flames around them.

“Look at him, Shuri, that daughter of a restaurant owner from the city, always spinning around him and he lets her!”

“Look at her, Namor, that so-called top chef, Moron-what? Always bothering Shuri in the news!”

“Got it, Baba, I’ll go ask Namor later.”

“Understood, Yuum, I’ll find a day to confront that guy.”

…

“Oi, Namor! Where did that girl come from, the one clinging to you? I’ll kidnap her and settle things for you.”

“Hey, Shuri, is that moron bothering you again? I’ll go kill him.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, that’s not what I meant, Shuri!”

“Son, don’t act rashly!!!!!!”

“Oh, really? In that case, no need to kidnap her, I guess~~~”

“No need to kill him either, it’s a waste of my energy~~~”

The two laughed over the phone, while their dads stomped their feet in frustration. All of this ruckus because Shuri is graduating next month, their agreement of two years will be zooming away like the F1 races!!!

They had to be quick!

On her graduation day, Shuri’s friends finally met the legendary country boyfriend.

They rarely saw his photos because Shuri was hella secretive! But they heard his voice all the time because Shuri was on the phone with him from day to night. They swore they could recognize her boyfriend if they ever met him in the crowd and he only needed to speak one word like, “Shuri.”

They never met the real person, one would have thought Shuri was faking this “country boyfriend” all along to make things easy. But when Shuri tells them on their convocation, they are gonna meet the real deal.

“For real?!” They all screamed.

“For real,” Shuri smirked.

Every summer break or whenever Shuri had time, she would go back to her hometown, but her country boyfriend never came to see her. So, they had their… guesses.

“Was he too ugly to show his face? But Shuri is such a tasteful person…”

“I’ve seen his photos, gurl, Namor ain’t ugly at all,” Shuri’s best friend, Riri Williams smiled as she told the others while Shuri was talking on the phone, again. “I know why she doesn’t want to let people know.”

“Why???”

“Is it because he’s kinda… poor? It doesn’t sound like it when they talk on the phone, or…”

“Nope, that’s not it.”

“But we always heard Shuri talking about food and cooking all that stuff, her boyfriend is a chef?”

“Might be!”

“Strange… then why didn’t he study here too? With Shuri? It’s the best culinary academy in the world. He could’ve been Moran No.2—”

Riri shook her head in glee, “According to Shuri always bragging about him, he’s gonna kick Moran off his throne.”

“Tsk!” Said Moran flashing them his middle finger, that ain’t happening.

“No way, Moran might be an asshole plus playboy, but he is THE chef! Why else would Shuri partner with him? They are like double alphas in the culinary world…”

“Not everyone as arrogant as Moran, okay?”

Riri signaled them to shut up when Shuri ended her call, informing them one last time.

“You all know Shuri, she doesn’t like to share when she has good food.”

“Y’all gossiping about me? No wonder I kept sneezing.” Shuri came back with a sarcastic comment.

“Yeah, we are,” Riri laughed. “They are talking about your boyfriend again.”

Rolling her eyes, Shuri exasperated, “You guys know everything about him.”

“Not everything! We never really had a good look at him!”

“On things that I’m generous enough to let you and want you to know. That… is not included,” she grinned hard.

“I thought we were besties!”

“Then why didn’t he study here with you? We all know he’s a good chef!”

Shuri beamed, “Technically, he’s not a chef like you, a bunch of busybodies, but more capable than just a cook! Do you keep an eye on who he’s with? Me! He can be brutal with reviewing as well after years of my influence!”

“Scarier than you?” Moran asked.

Shuri nodded smugly, “Scarier than me.” 

“Then why doesn’t he pursue further education? Is he doing poorly academically?” 

Shuri scratched her chin, “No, he’s always been at the top of his class, I mean, the whole school? In his grade, of course.”

“W-H-A-T?!” Everyone here, the majority, came to learn culinary because of poor academic performance, even Shuri, oops, but she was in another league.

“So why…”

“Well, he’s not interested in studying, but he said since he’s doing it, he might as well be the best,” Shuri remembered how she gaped like an idiot at him after what Namor said back then.

“...Wow, this guy is even more arrogant than Moran…” Riri raised a toast towards the man, Moran’s interest and curiosity to Namor only grew.

“Hehe, and you know, with my shitty grades, I used to ask my desk mate for help, but she couldn’t be bothered to teach me... and then…”

“And then??????”

“Namor is my desk mate’s cousin, so I asked him if he could help me with homework. He’s a senior, he must be good at it, and as he taught me…” Shuri shrugged with fondness, grinning all the way.

“We’re being spoon-fed with dog food…”

“You didn’t see that coming?” Shuri laughed at Moran’s sarcastic remark, kicking him in the leg as he grinned along.

“Then at one point he just started doing my homework for me, so I decided to make him my boyfriend.”

Everyone in the gang started covering their eyes and shouting, “I’M BLIND! Where are my sunglasses?!”

Shuri didn’t stop there, “And then after graduating, he took over his family stall business, just like my brother. We were secretly dating all these years, and we couldn’t let our dads find out because it was forbidden. They had a grudge in the past and they would kill us if they knew. Namor’s been helping his dad with the stall since he was a kid, and he enjoys cooking and takes pride in it. His parents were getting older, so he didn’t go for further studies, not that he was interested anyway…”

“He didn’t plan on becoming a chef? Most chefs have the drive to learn different cuisines and then…”

“No plans. And he’s just as protective of their Mayan cuisine as his dad. It’s sacred to them, they don’t share their cooking secrets and it’s only passed down within the family.”

But when Shuri remembered how Namor just showed her all of the secret recipes that Uncle Ch’atoo passed down to him and told him not to share them with anyone except his wife— when they are in the mood, he’ll also teach her how to cook some mayan snacks step by step.

“Even you don’t know?” Shuri smiled like she was skinny dipped into a pot of honey. Not noticing the fiery gaze of her best friend. She continued to speak with that adorable cocky tone of hers, Moran was… charmed.

“Of course, I know! We don’t hide anything from each other, but of course, because he’s willing to show me, he could have not… and I’m only responsible for eating!” 

“But how can that be? You know, any food or cuisine is also a form of cultural heritage. They don’t plan to open a restaurant in the city or anywhere like your family and promote your cuisine?”

Shuri thought Moran was drunk. He’s always been too clever for his own good. “Weren’t you listening? I said it’s sacred, they don’t have plans to do that.”

“That won’t work, Shuri, you know that… It’s precisely because it’s sacred that it needs to be passed down.”

Moran’s gaze was so serious, it burned her skin. Shuri waved it off with a soft smile, “Like your Atlantean cuisine? Not everyone is as ambitious as you, Moran, no offense. And I don’t think much of it, or would I even have a say in it… it’s his family’s. It’s just a bit of a… shame, I admit that. Namor has the gift like you, I can tell you that, we both know how rare it is… but do you know what he told me, when I mentioned before about taking what he loves to the world, he told me…”

“I don’t need the whole world to know about our Mayan cuisine, Shuri. As long as you know, you enjoy eating it, and you’re proud of me, that’s enough for me.”

The excitement and cheers from their group almost drowned out the band music of the restaurant, and Shuri suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. 

“Could you guys tone it down a bit? People might think we are a bunch of lunatics.”

"No wonder you guys are still so passionately in love after so long, your guy is a master of love!”

“We are each other’s first love.” She’s going to tell Namor all this later.

That her friends were so happy for her with someone like him.

“Hey, if you are that interested in Mayan cuisine, I’ll cook for you.” She swatted Moran’s shoulder, offering him slyly.

“Forget it, I’m not ready to die~” Moran was being serious.

“Then come with me to my hometown next time we have a break. I’ll have him show you what real cooking is.”

“Not interested.”

…He was just curious to know what kind of food made her fall in love after just one taste, keeping her hooked for so many years.

“Tsk, too proud to admit it!”

“I am proud enough to look down on everyone.”

“That’s why all your girlfriends had neck problems, there’s no one capable of humbling you, Moran. I humbled Namor all the time, it keeps him on the ground.”

…But you don’t realize you always humble me, Shuri.  

“You two really can’t end without getting married!!”

“We have plans... we will probably get married after I graduate… we didn’t know back then we ended up secretly dating to marry.” Shuri dropped the bomb while smiling oh so sweet.

“Really?!” They exploded again.

“Really. But before that, we have to pass our dad’s test, and it’s gonna be r-o-u-g-h,” she shrugged, sipping on her chocolate milkshake.

“What if your dads don’t agree?!”

“If they don’t agree… we’ll just elope?”

“YESSSSSS!!!!!!”

“Tone it down people!!!!!” Shuri chuckled as she looked at them, everyone gawking at them like they were crazy, but she just felt grateful.

“Are you guys serious? Marriage isn’t a joke.” Moran wanted to bless her, but at this moment, it was a bit difficult.

“Yeah, we are serious.”

“I hope you’ll be happy.” He really wished.

“Thank you, Moran. Then I’ll accept your blessing first. I just know…”

“...as long as he’s with me, I have a place to belong.”

A while ago

Sometimes Shuri wondered if their questions were valid— how have they managed to stay together for eight years? “We hardly ever argue,” was one of the reasons. “And oh,” also because after eight years, they are still passionately in love.

During their three-month runaway, Namor did ask.

“Why don’t we stay where you study? We can squeeze in your bed, and you don’t need to defer—”

“No, too lazy to explain to all of them why you are staying with me now. They are really, really nosy.”

“You seem to have never introduced me to your friends…”

“Who said that? They even know your height, weight, shoe size, favourite colour, birthday—” Shuri sat in his embrace, snuggling into him, “Just that they don’t know you feel as cozy as being nestled in a blanket,” swaying her like the wind.

His fingers played with her braids softly, “Or was it I’m embarrassed to be seen with?” Namor jokes, pretending to pout sadly. But he knew Shuri didn’t want to bring him into the public eye because she lived in the spotlight.

“Of course NOT! I—!!!” She tackled him onto the bed, straddling and holding his face, a little embarrassed to say the truth.

“I was joking, Shuri. I like being a mysterious boyfriend, oh no, according to our dads, anti-boyfriend-fiancé-future husband.”

“No, I…” She leaned down, lower and closer, breathing the same warm air with him...

“I- I- I- what? Bite your tongue? Princess?” Now Namor was curious.

Shuri playfully pinched his laughing face and then grabbed his jaw, softly whispering right above his alluring lips.

“I just want to hide you away, so you’ll always be mine alone.”

Namor’s heart stopped. Pupils dilated. Breath halted.

Shuri’s face flushed as quickly as she pecked his lips and got up, only to be pinned against his lap.

“Oh, so you don’t like sharing, do you? ”

Namor got up and pinned Shuri beneath him. Feeling her tremble. Cradling her hand that was pushing against his chest, and brought it to his mouth to kiss her palm softly. 

“Neither do I, Shuri.”

Namor leaned down and just as Shuri was about to arch herself up to kiss him, he playfully turned his head away, grabbed her jaw while she whined and finally kissed her fiercely. 

He kissed her with force, revenging, tangling his tongue fervently with hers, moaning aloud into her mouth. He kissed her until her breath became rapid and ragged like his, her whimpering non-stop, and her body ignited with blazing heat before releasing her. Pressing firmly against Shuri’s forehead, they breathed heavily together, Namor finally spoke, oh so slowly…

“—I want to keep you hidden forever… by my side… where no one else can ever find you. You will be all mine, Shuri… All— mine— ”

Namor’s voice low and husky, murmured as his hand traced circles over her exposed slender waist, spinning and spinning.

Spellbound, Shuri nodded along the nuzzling of his forehead and the friction of their bodies rubbing in heat.

“Then keep me instead.”

She breathed out shakily, swallowing hard after saying that, and began to undress him.

Every inch of skin-to-skin was fervently scorching.

Shuri arched her body, pressing tightly against Namor’s feverish flesh, their chest heaving with longing and desire. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, licking and nibbling at his sensitive ears, feeling his growing tremors, she purred with affection.

“I want to possess you forever, Namor. No one else should even think about having you. You’ll be mine and mine alone, and I’ll be yours and yours alone before anything else— ” 

She claimed him as her own, daring anyone else to lay claim to him.

Namor’s breath hitch so deep his heart hurts.

“Possess me all you want, my love… should I reward you with something?” His body responded on its own, his lips chasing hers, his heart beating only for her.

“You should~” Shuri chuckled, evading his desperate attempts to kiss her, she was a runner. Namor only got to kiss her cheeks, alternating between left and right until she surrendered.

“I should? Hmm…”

His fingers kept spinning and spinning… until he reached the hem of her hiked dress and slipped into her soaked panties, Namor growled upon the wet heat with his chest rumbling like an underwater earthquake.

“Always so ready for me, my good girl.”

His breathing grew even more rapid when Shuri rubbed against his painfully hard cock, whimpering frantically and seeking his affection.

“Good girls are only meant for…” Shuri cries out in pleasure when Namor pressed on her clit, massaging softly, “—good boys! You’re my good boy!” She shook with want, heart swelling with Namor’s honeyed chuckles.

She slapped him in embarrassment, this man would forever make her scream such things, “Good boy my ass!” which only made Namor laugh even more, the 300 square inch cozy room they will be staying in for now rang and echoed with his childlike laughter.

“I missed the younger Namor! So pure! So cute! So naive! Innocent and lovely! Now you turned into an old man! A menace! Bullying-me-all-the-time asshole! Still down bad! Simp! I missed the 18-year-old baby you—!!” She taunted him while gently patting and caressing his cheeks, his beautiful high cheekbones and nose, his once smooth chin now adorned with a super handsome beard, always scratching her, which turned on her!! Which is outrageous, which is—!!

Namor’s playful, taunting and demonic smile only made Shuri have goosebumps when she stared at him. He clicked his tongue and shook his head at her, mocking.

“Lying good girls won’t have any desserts, princess. And you love the now 26-year-old man me more than anything—” 

“...Alriiiight, I love my old Namor now! But I- I- I- still miss my young Namor! He’s—” 

The boy who opened her up by glaring at her when she couldn’t even do a simple math equation, the boy who planted a seed of budding love in her heart, and the boy who has been watering it tirelessly for the past eight years and most probably for the next 80 years too.

Namor slammed their mouths together affectionately and kissed Shuri until she could not speak more lies as he purred the wildest things on her glossy lips.

“Then let me taste how much you miss me, Shuri. The young me and also the old me, all of me.”

With hearts thumping in sync, her eager anticipation reflected in his equally fiery eyes.

He placed her on the edge of the bed, kneeling in front of her like a devotee, kissing his way down, leaving her heart pounding. She gripped his hair, her trembling legs lifted onto his shoulders, his hot breath against her soaking wet core.

“Feel free to taste me all you want.”

Namor’s pleasant chuckles sent a rumbling heatwave towards her. Shuri grinned and pressed his head, sinking into the soft sheets, thinking they were here, far away from home, finally alone, she definitely didn’t need to suppress her moans anymore.