Underwater

"What is this???" Shuri holds the thing Ch'ah just passed to her.

"You guys don't have corn in Wakanda?" Namor playfully teased. He looked at Shuri with a face full of indulgence as she looked at the corn he brought for her.

"We do. But I didn't mean the corn! I mean—!" Shuri exaggeratedly gestured and waved the object in her hand, which appeared to be a pretty shell that used to hold pearls in it but it's holding corn now! The point is this thing looked like a precious ancient Mesoamerican artifact with gold inlays and jade wording on it!!!!!!

It wasn't that she never saw such priceless, magnificent, and invaluable items, but this shell resembled something that should be preserved in a museum from centuries past, yet he had used it to HOLD CORN! Even though the corn was indeed delicious, using such a gorgeous shell for that purpose seemed incredibly wasteful!

"Can't you use something less…exquisite?" Shuri tasted the corn kernel by kernel, wondering how the salty sea water could yield such sweet corn.

"I grabbed it on the go since I was in a hurry to meet you," Namor casually said. He initially intended to use a jade cup, but it didn't have a lid.

"...How many of these do you have back in your home?" Curious and intrigued, Shuri asked Ch'ah.

Namor raised an eyebrow with interest and then looked around, gesturing towards the distance.

"An island?" Shuri nodded with her chin towards the island he was pointing at.

Namor couldn't help but shake his head mockingly while his mouth formed a wild grin, reaching out to playfully tickle Shuri's chin, urging her to face the ocean.

"The whole ocean," he said.

Shuri chuckled, not at all surprised, and playfully joined in, saying, "If I were to sell this, wouldn't I become a billionaire?"

"Have some ambition in life~ You could organize an exclusive exhibition dedicated to this shell, and people would flock to your doorstep." And then witness the relentless race of people competing eagerly to behold and catch a glimpse of these rare and extraordinary artifacts, only to reveal their greed—

Witness firsthand the carnage they unleash in their quest to plunder resources.

Massacre. 

Colonization. 

Slavery.

"—And I'll make a fortune from ticket sales for generations? That sounds great— and it would also attract treasure hunters, collectors, pirates, thieves and burglars from all over the world to my doorstep. Wakanda has already attracted enough covert government agencies, not that we can't handle a few more of them, and adding some pirates and treasure hunters along the way…"

Shuri snorted in disdain slightly.

There's been another breach in their outreach facilities.

They don't know how to stop. Until the world gets their hands on their vibranium.

They won't stop.

"I have to go, the sun's coming up." Shuri watched as the sun slowly rose. She's been like a secret spy lately, going undercover and meeting Ch'ah secretly while dodging T'Challa and Nakia's suspicious gaze. And Shuri figured out that seeing him before the sun rises was one of the best times. Her family are all asleep and—

When the sun came up, she was looking at him.

Shuri's heart couldn't help but soften as she saw the rising sun casting a gentle golden glow on Ch'ah's beautiful chocolate-like brown skin, enveloping him in a warm and tender radiance. She bet that he knew just how irresistible he was to others.

"Finish this before you go, it's good for your health." Namor insisted while pushing back the corn to Shuri firmly, giving her an "If you don't finish this, you are absolutely not leaving this place" look.

"Alright, alright, you nagged at me like my mother!" Shuri grinned widely at him and teased, finishing the food he purposely brought for her.

"Tsks, no, I don't. And this, apply this on your chest every night, it helps heal your bruises—" 

"How do you know it works—"

Namor placed the medicine he made for her, a delicate little jar, into Shuri's hand, his large hand enveloping her small one, gripping it firmly. Holding her hand softly.

"It will," Namor said determinedly.

"Okay~" Shuri threw her hands in surrender. "Now you sound like my brother—" The caring in his tone, the protectiveness in his actions, but his touch—

"No, I can be anything but not your brother." Namor rolled his eyes at her annoyingly and started swimming away.

"Hey— Wait!!" Shuri threw the shell back to him and he caught it precisely. "You forgot your shell!"

"I thought you wanted it," He swam back to her side.

"No, I don't want to keep it. Take it back." It's too precious. And If Toussaint saw it, he would definitely ask for it.

"Perhaps someone will use this shell again and hold something like offering a treasure next time." Shuri teased him one last time.

"What do you want it to hold next time?" Namor played along. He casually bantered with her, accompanying her with a carefree attitude. He never acts like this around anyone. Not even Namora and Attuma.

"Freakin' corn maybe~" Shuri smirked at him triumphantly, bursting into joyful laughter before running off, stepping backwards adorably and waving goodbye at him, leaving Namor gazing at her retreating figure with a wistful smile.

Namor watched as the newly risen sun passionately kissed every inch of her being, enveloping her in a radiant halo. And at that moment, Namor felt that the sun on the distant horizon was no match— 

The sun pales in comparison to Shuri.

As Shuri shone brighter than the sun itself.

"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Nakia bumped her love on the shoulder.

"I saw it coming long ago, Nakia, you're too slow~" T'Challa teased her as they watched Alain and Shuri grow close after hanging out together for the past few days while they tried to set up Toussaint and Anica. Besides that, they think the main reason was that Alain had helped look after Shuri in the hospital when they needed to go back to Wakanda to retrieve the medical equipment. Alain was there to guard her and helped them look after Toussaint too.

"Do you think Shuri likes Alain? I would say…no…? I think your sister is oblivious to it, I mean like, look at her…" Nakia chuckled at the scene. 

Shuri held Anica in her arms, while her other hand was holding onto T'Challa Jr., shielding him in front of her. Alain, on the other hand, was busy feeding the local delicacies to the three kids. The three of them demanded here and there, causing him to be flustered and earning laughter from the girls.

The eldest one, Shuri, laughed the loudest, making Alain feel so embarrassed and hopelessly in love with her at the same time.

"I don't know Shuri, mostly nope~? But I could definitely say that Alain favours her…" T'Challa shrugged and looked at his carefree sister and felt concerned for Alain who had feelings for Shuri. T'Challa feels apologetic for the man and wants to apologize on Shuri's behalf. His sister had always been smart, kind-hearted, and easy to get along with. You see, now it has become unclear whether she has any romantic interest in Alain! And clearly, the man is falling hard!!

People stopped by them, a woman pointing at Shuri's earrings, seemingly asking where she got them. Shuri pointed at the markets and the people thanked and waved them goodbye.

"Where did she get all those on her?" Nakia smirked at the unique green-coloured earrings, a pearl necklace, a jade pendant, and a seashell hair clip of sorts. And another seashell necklace Toussaint made for her.

"Probably gifts from Alain~" T'Challa answered, and the couple walked towards the kids, hearing the little ones babbling excitedly.

"Little mermaid! Little mermaid!" Anica squealed in Shuri's arms.

"Lion King! Or Jungle Book! Bagheera is my favourite!!" Toussaint swayed both Shuri and Alain's hands cutely. They smiled in unison at the boy.

"You guys having a movie night there?" T'Challa and Nakia walked up to them and Toussaint bumped into his parent's embrace, T'Challa gently lifted him up and Nakia kissed him on the cheek sweetly.

"Yes!! Uncle Alain said he's turning his house into a movie theater!! And he's inviting all the children!!" Toussaint excitedly told them. "Can I go? Baba, Mama!! Pretty please!!" 

"Of course, unyana wam, but take your Aunty with you!" T'Challa nodded at his oblivious sister, decided to do Alain a favour and give Shuri a little push. She stumbled and bumped into Alain. Now, the three of them are standing together. Alain, Shuri and Anica looked like a family. Like him, Nakia and Toussaint.

"You just want me to babysit Toussaint so you and Nakia can go on a date!" Shuri retorted teasingly and with a hint of playful annoyance.

"That's what aunts are for, right?" Nakia counters smoothly and Shuri raises her hand in surrender.

"Aunty? Don't you wanna watch Jungle Book with me~~~?" Toussaint pouted at her, and Shuri couldn't resist his adorable plea.

"Let's go, chop chop! How about we even have dinner at Uncle Alain's place and then watch your movie? And how about you just stay overnight and not go home to sleep? Forget about your Baba and Mama, you can sleep with Uncle Alain," Shuri playfully teased her nephew, marveling at how mischievous he was at such a young age.

"That sounds like an awesome idea, Aunty!!" Toussaint agreed with his whole being, shaking excitedly in T'Challa's arms.

"Hey!" Nakia indulgently pinched his chubby cheeks and said, "You've gained weight these few days hanging out with your Aunty Shuri!"

"Am I too heavy, Baba?" Toussaint asked innocently, wanting to get down but T'Challa hugged him tighter.

"Nope, not at all, Toussaint. Baba would carry you, I will keep holding you until you grow up. When Baba can no longer carry you and you don't want me to hold you anymore, that's when I'll let go," T'Challa said affectionately and his mini-me, Toussaint—

Son beamed at father, while the mother and sister beside them inexplicably teared up. Nakia watched her love become a father, and Shuri watched her dear brother become a dad. Deep in their hearts, they felt overwhelming joy and contentment for their family. 

Shuri silently prayed for a peaceful world, wishing for nothing more than the safety and well-being of their family.

"When I grow up, I'll carry you and Mama!" Toussaint beamed at Nakia, not leaving out his mother too.

"What about your aunty, me???" Shuri's hands on her hips, pretending to be furious as she was being left out although she didn't mind it at all~

"Uncle Alain can carry you!" Toussaint quipped while gesturing at Alain. He blushed.

"Hey~! No more bedtime stories for you, young man! And stop making fun of Alain, he's blushing!" Shuri smirked at a blushing Alain, what is there to blush about anyway??? She pondered.

"I'm joking, Aunty Shuri! I'll carry you too when I'm big enough and when you don't squish me in your sleep!" Toussaint got down from his Baba and hugged Shuri's legs to coquettishly pouted at her.

"Who made you so huggable???" Shuri's lips curved up in a wild smile as she looked at Toussaint with a gaze filled with amusement and adoration.

"I did. Don't grow up so fast, baby boy, me and your Baba still want to hold you up in our arms, and we don't wanna face your rebellious and emo teenager stage yet~" Nakia laughed at Toussaint's little "realization dawned on him" face.

"...Like Aunty?" Toussaint pointed at Shuri knowingly.

"Wow, wow, wow, wait a minute!! Your aunty, me, is way past the rebellious and emo teenager stage!! And I was busy saving the world with your Baba that time!!" She ended up boasting about being able to fight alongside her brother, the Black Panther, the protector and King of Wakanda. It is an honour.

Shuri gave her word to her brother, T'Challa.

The Black Panther lives.

And when he fights for the fate of Wakanda, she will be right there beside him.

"Not fair, aunty~ I don't have a sister or brother to save the world with~~~" Toussaint pouted jokingly, Nakia and T'Challa looked at each other teasingly, nodding their heads at each other like children. Shuri groaned as she couldn't stand them!

"It's alright, Toussaint, Anica can be your sister if you want!" Alain cheered him up easily.

"Okay~" Anica gladly accepted without waiting for Toussaint to reply.

"I can be your brother, Anica if you want!" And the kids strolled back to Alain and Anica's home without waiting for them. The grown-ups smiled and laughed.

It was a great day .

But it can be better for Shuri.

Shuri walked along the dark beach when the sun had yet to rise, rubbing her eyes and feeling sleepy. They watched both Jungle Book and Lion King last night. She even had to carry Toussaint back home at midnight, which was a few moments ago. Alain accompanied them, offering to carry her little boy but Shuri refused. She doesn't know how long she can carry Toussaint like this, he's getting heavier and heavier each day, and she wants to hold him as much as she can when she can.

Shuri stepped onto her usual rock to sit down and wait for Ch'ah to come.

But she slipped. As she didn't step onto the rock's dry surface firmly, she lost her balance on the rock and fell towards the sea.

With her eyes closed, Shuri braced herself for the hitting into a wall-like impact water and her face prepared to bear the pain. She lunged forward, face-first towards the water, accepting the inevitable. 

But to her surprise, she didn't plunge into the water; only her ankles felt immersed in it. 

Shuri found herself suspended in mid-air, and her arms had grabbed onto someone.

Shuri hesitantly opened her eyes and found Ch'ah face inches away from hers, his expression a mix of annoyance and amusement, with a hint of playful mockery. 

"Did I stop you from taking a morning swim, or were you sleepwalking?" Namor quipped.

As Namor spoke, he gently placed Shuri back onto the rock, encircling her with his arms to prevent any further mishaps of her accidentally plunging into the water.

Namor's unspoken words were written all over his face, he furrowed his brows unpleasantly.

Shuri wouldn't know how desperate he felt when he saw her close her eyes and plunge into the water. He thought she suddenly felt uncomfortable or fainted, and he swam to her side in an instant from a hundred meters away, just in time to catch her.

But Shuri, in her drowsy state, didn't pay any attention to it. She managed to playfully remark by peeking at him, her lips curled into a mischievous smile, 

"Oh, how could you stop me from taking a splash in the water?" Shuri grinned.

…

Namor grumbled something but Shuri didn't manage to catch it…

…

Heartless little troublemaker.

…

So she leaned down and hugged him softly. Gently comforting him in her embrace. Patting his back lightly. Like how she always does to Toussaint.

"I was just kidding… Thank you for saving me—" Shuri murmured beside his pointy ears.

"Hmph…" Namor relaxed in her embrace. And hugged Shuri gently.

He never wanted to let go.

"...How are you always so warm?" Shuri sighed comfortably while resting her head on his shoulders, gazing at the horizon as the sun started peeking out.

"Am I?" Namor asked gently, holding her closer.

"Mmm-hmm~" Their close proximity made Shuri remember something. The warmth of him made her remember—

The incident happened a week ago.

She was drowning. And Ch'ah came.

He saved her, and—

Shuri suddenly tightened her grip on Ch'ah, burying her face in his strong shoulder. Oh my Bast, that day he saved her and then…

At that moment, Shuri could almost feel his lips kissing hers to give her breath, and afterwards it seemed like he continued kissing her for quite a while. Her memory was blurry, but the intense sensation of his warm lips on hers lingered, brushing against her lips incessantly.

OH— MY— BAST—

Shuri wants to hide on his shoulders forever, hiding her burning face and a racing heart—

"Are you sleeping on me??? Don't you dare drool on me, woman—" Namor teased, feeling a ticklish sensation on his shoulder. As Shuri nuzzled against him, it felt like she was kissing his shoulder, causing him to burst into giggles slightly while his heart beat loudly in his own ears.

"Nonsense! I don't drool!" Shuri playfully scolded him, lightly slapping his back to protest. Finally feeling her face cool down, she got up and moved away from Ch'ah.

Namor looked at Shuri with a playful and indulgent gaze, his lips curved up in a wild smile, wearing an expression of victory. 

Childish man!! Shuri intentionally glared at him fiercely, but the next second, she couldn't help but turn her head and smirk, ignoring Ch'ah while he continued to gaze at her with an intense look in his eyes.

How could he be so foolishly childish yet adorable?

Then, Shuri caught a glimpse of him magically pulling out something from the corner of her eyes, as the sunlight reflected off the object caught her attention. Another gift for her? This person sure loves giving presents.

Namor seemed to perform magic as he presented something to her out of nowhere as if offering a precious treasure.

"Don't lose it again." And he placed a conch shell on Shuri's hand.

It's her conch shell!

Shuri vaguely remembers their stuff all flew out of the plane when she jumped down from the fighter.

"How— Is this how you are able to find me so quickly???" Shuri holds the conch shell preciously. She thought she had lost it that night.

"Yes. Surprisingly, Haiti is nearer to my home than Wakanda." Namor confessed.

Shuri suddenly remembered something else again.

"Can you get me another one? My neph- my baby saw this earlier and I promised to get him one!" Shuri tried to please him with her charm.

Namor cocks his eyebrows at her, still not used to hearing Shuri talking about her son…

Shuri smiled brightly after Ch'ah nodded after a few moments of considering.

"...I'll get another one for your baby , this is for you— only you," Namor emphasized.

Shuri giggled triumphantly and murmured her thanks to him.

"Ho, how are you going to repay me~?" Namor gazed at her with a meaningful expression.

"Ermmmm, here you go! My baby made this. Limited edition, one and only in the world, it's as priceless as your conch shells and corn holding shells—!" Shuri placed around his neck with the precious necklace that she wore around her neck. She was certain Toussaint wouldn't mind that she gave the necklace away to someone else! As a token of gratitude for him bringing a conch shell for Toussaint~

Namor looked down at it, he didn't expect to receive a gift, already thinking—

"Stop giving me gifts. I get people stopping me and asking where I get the pendant, and especially the earrings! People have been asking—" Shuri exaggerated but not entirely. Several people did stop her and asked about her accessories and she had to make something up, saying she bought it at the market.

"Oh~ you can't stop me. Actually, I have something to show you tomorrow. Can you come to the beach during the night? It might need some swimming, so bring along your gear…" Namor slowly said. Decided on something.

"Okayyyy, I'll see if I can sneak out…" Shuri looked forward to it. Already thinking about what excuses she had to come up with to sneak out and disappear in the night.

The sun was up, and he had to go.

"So long~~~" She watched him leave, Namor disappeared into the sea, and then suddenly Shuri remembered something. 

She blew into the conch shell and threw it into the ocean, laughing as she collapsed onto the rock. Namor watched her from a distance, shaking his head in amusement, and then chuckled to himself. Just as he had anticipated, he came prepared.

A long, ethereal voice of a whale echoed through the morning breeze the next moment.

Shuri gasped in delight.

She watched in amusement as Ch'ah remained where he was in the distance far away, floating on the water's surface instead of swimming towards her. Then she noticed ripples forming on the blue surface, something swimming in her direction. 

Startled, Shuri curled up on the rock, legs drawn close to her, ain't no way she's dipping her legs into the water! She could almost hear Ch'ah laughter echoing from afar.

She looked at the water’s surface with slight nervousness, unsure of what he was up to, pretty sure he was trying to scare her. And then, in the next moment, a whale shark emerged from the water, balancing her conch shell and a flower crown on its head endearingly. It swam around her, playfully, emitting adorable sounds.

Shuri slides into the water immediately, letting it come to her. It adorably rubbed against her, as if indicating that she should accept the gift from an unknown man dwelling in the depths of the sea. 

"I'll accept it because you are so cute," she said. Finally, Shuri looked up at him, his figure illuminated by the light, making it impossible to see his face. But Shuri was certain he was smiling, a triumphant and smug smile for sure.

This man! Trying to take her breath away every damn time!!

She adorned the red, yellow and orange flower crown on her head, and the whale shark, as if conveying his emotions to her, drew closer affectionately, seeking her touch. 

Shuri gently brushed its skin, marveling at the wonders of marine life. When she looked up again to see him, he had blended with the sun, vanished into the no-ending horizon, and was carried away by the gentle wind.

Namor left with satisfaction, knowing that he had won her over with a smile.

She slowly walked back to the villa, hands holding onto the conch shell and flower crown safely.

Shuri smiled.

And even though he wasn't physically present, she felt his presence linger with her every moment.

Shuri's eyelids were in a battle, she's trying hard not to fall asleep. She only slept a few hours and was dragged awake by Toussaint. The school is having a family sports event today and of course, the aunt has to join too. She's taking a break after having to climb on top of an obstacle wall. Shuri sighs as her arms sores, she dangled in the air for a few minutes while waiting for Toussaint to hit the target. She's so done for now.

T'Challa can do all the running and Nakia can do all the flipping for the next round, geez — bet no one can outrun brother.

Shuri listens to the cheers drowsily. Also, Alain non-stop chattering beside her, resting too after climbing the obstacles wall for Anica. But the little girl had a better aim than Toussaint and went on to the next round with her parents, Nate and Alice, Alain's sister.

Shuri heard Alain in a blur, he was telling her about the stories, myths, legends and gods of Haiti. Sounds interesting but she couldn't help and ignored all the sounds around her, failing to keep her eyes open—

She's far off better staying in the lab than out of the field. Shuri thinks to herself.

"—Princess Shuri? Shuri?" Shuri's head continued nodding off like a fishing rod in motion until Alain called her.

"Shuri? I'm sorry, were the stories too boring for you? Pretty sure you fell asleep there~" Alain teased and he subtly moved closer to her and reached his hand to rest Shuri's head on his shoulder.

With a thud, her head rested on his shoulder, and Shuri woke up.

"No, I'm not sleeping! I'm listening! Carry on, Alain—" she insisted and sat straight up, but after a moment, her eyelids started fighting the urge to close again.

"SHURI!"

"AUNTY!"

"WHY. ARE. YOU. SLACKING~!!!"

Her brother, sister-in-law and nephew bombarded Shuri all at once.

Causing her to jump up frighteningly like a startled cat. Her hair stood on the end as Shuri groaned annoyingly and looked at them with a helpless expression while they continued to laugh uproariously. Alain joined the fun until Anica came and asked what was wrong with her uncle.

"...Ha, ha, funny… that was so not cool, brother, not cool, Nakia— and someone help Toussaint get up! He's gonna roll on the floor~" Toussaint giggled and immediately rolled on the floor to please his aunt, Shuri cracked up in a broad grin. 

They are her everything.

"Come on, we woke you because Toussaint wants you to receive the prize with him too~" T'Challa wrapped his arms around Shuri's shoulders and led her to the stage, where they stood together with the others to receive a prize.

"Did we win?" Shuri rests her head on her brother, wrapping her arms around his waist comfortably.

"Eh! What else did you think it would be?" The trio sounded offended while Shuri chuckled.

"Yeah, bet you guys smashed it~" They got first prize along with Anica and her parents. Turns out at the end of the race, Toussaint waited for Anica and they held hands to reach the finishing line. Toussaint wanted to let Anica win but she insisted they could win together! What a little gentleman already, her nephew, Toussaint is a charming little boy.

"Next up, round 2!!" Alain announced and Shuri grumbled. It's going to be a loooong day—

"Come on, princess, keep it up! We even have a round 3 tonight!" They are having a movie night today as well, along with other kids.

"Urghhhh, I'm too old for this. And what did I tell you? Don't call me princess, just Shuri is fineeeeee—" Shuri slapped him by the arm hard. They wanted to stay low but because of the shipwreck incident, some people had known who they were. But still, T'Challa and Shuri told them to treat them like an ordinary family having a staycation here rather than a royal family from a powerful nation.

"Roger that, Princess Shuri!" Alain smirked and Shuri rolled her eyes to the back of her head annoyingly.

"Mum, I stink! Can I go back and have a shower?!" Toussaint asked.

"Yeah, let's go home, you three stinks~" Nakia mischievously pointed at the trio with a disgusting face.

"You stink— brother~" Shuri tried to shove him away playfully but T'Challa saw it coming and hugged her tighter.

"Pretty sure it comes from you, my little sister~" He teased. Toussaint ran up to them and joined the hug, and so did Nakia. 

They stink together.

"Oh Bast, up we go." T'Challa carried all three of them at once. Toussaint's bright laughter echoing in his ears, his little arms wrapping around his neck, he clings to his Baba happily. While Nakia and Shuri chuckled in amusement as their feet got lifted off the ground, being carried felt so good. And T'Challa carried his boy, the two out of three most important women in his life and headed home, not forgetting to inform Alain, "We'll meet up in the center market later!" 

.

.

.

Time flies. The afternoon passed by in a flash as they ate their lunch in the market and were busy buying more food for the kids coming to Alain's home tonight. 

T'Challa and Nakia entrusted Shuri to take care of Toussaint for the rest of the night as they'll be taking Mother back to Wakanda first as their mother Ramonda quotes, "This is the longest time, which is two weeks, that I have been away from home in my entire life. It's time to go back home. You children can stay a few days more. I will take care of everything, T'Challa." Ramonda lets them stay longer, especially T'Challa to spend more time with Toussaint and Nakia. Since the world is in peace, they earned it.

They deserved it.

"And you? Shuri, are you coming with me?" Ramonda raised her eyebrows and gazed at Shuri knowingly.

"See ya later, mum~" Shuri beamed at her. Of course, she's staying for a few days more although she missed being in the lab. Shuri wanted to enjoy all the fun here with her umtshana!

Before they left, Nakia dragged her into her room and browsed through her wardrobe.

"What are you doing?" Shuri leaned at the door, patiently waiting for her sisi.

"Ah-ha! Found it~" Nakia searched and found a dress for Shuri.

It was an orange-coloured, casual button-up long dress. A simple yet beautiful dress.

"You are wearing this tonight!" Nakia gave her the beautiful dress and Shuri exclaimed in confusion, "Why???"

"So you don't always wear your T-shirts and shorts around. You will look good in this dress." It looked perfect on Shuri.

"What's wrong with my hoodie and jean shorts???" Shuri spun around and showed off her neat attire.

"I got this when I was pregnant with Toussaint, but I couldn't fit in because my pregnant belly was so big that time! It's brand new and I never wore it before, it's kind of a waste to leave it in there. Also, it looks fresh and suitable for spending a special evening with someone~" Nakia finally spilled the beans.

"Oh, I can see where this is coming from. For Bast's sake, Alain is just a friend…" Shuri sighed while shaking her head helplessly.

"A relationship is built and nurtured through spending quality time together, accumulation and companionship. How will you know if you don't give it a try? Come on, don't disappoint your sisi!" Nakia is persuasive.

"Oh-kay~ we are going back to Wakanda soon anyway," Shuri took the dress and went into the bathroom to put it on. And came out as beautiful as Nakia foresee.

Apart from black and purple, orange has always been Shuri's colour. The gentle shade of orange complements her beautiful cocoa-coloured skin, and her braided long hair dances gracefully, cascading over her pretty collarbone. The fitted dress showcases her slender yet strong physique, accentuating her curves. As Shuri is taller than her, the skirt's hem falls just below her knees, giving her a softer and more gentle appearance.

"See? You look good~" Nakia smirked victoriously and Shuri nodded along nonchalantly to please her sister as they headed out.

"Aunty! You look so pretty!!" Toussaint came up to her and hugged her legs adoringly.

"Ha, now you know you had a pretty aunt~" Shuri thinks it's not a bad idea at all.

"Shu—" T'Challa spoke.

"Nope! I don't wanna hear any relationship advice from you, brother! Go and have a date with Nakia after you drop Mama back in Wakanda, Toussaint will be fine with me." Shuri interrupts him instantly and shoos them away. 

"Remember? Quality time?" Nakia pinched her chin affectionately.

"Yeah, watching Little Mermaid is definitely a quality time activity~" Shuri watched them board the fighter and zoom away. Later, she and Toussaint left their house hand in hand.

Shuri is ready to spend the night babysitting and taking care of the children because it will definitely turn into chaos.