Evening
T'Challa may be in his 30s but that did not stop him from seeking out his mother to make things better. To right the wrongs that he had been dealt.
"Umama," he greets her the moment he finds her in the library, "the council, and even Baba, are wanting me to take a queen. They are ignoring that I love Anthony. The same Anthony Wakanda loves."
Ramonda stares at him, trying to parse through his words, and it leaves T'Challa feeling like he is floundering when all he wants to do is hide his face against her the same way he did when he was a child and had a bad dream or was hurt.
"Anthony is a fine man. A good person," she says slowly, "I do not see why he cannot be the one by your side."
"They desire someone here, and someone that can give an heir."
"And what do you wish for my child?"
"To be by his side forever. To have him as my partner."
Ramonda smiles and gestures for him to come sit beside her and so he does. "Then that is what you do. Ignore the council and your father. While Wakanda believes itself progressive, it is not always so. Especially in terms of the ruling family." She takes his hands in hers. "T'Challa," she says softly, "I know you have always thought of me there with you, but you are not of my womb but of my heart." She takes a breath, steading herself. "Your birth mother…her name was N'Yami, and she was of humble origins and the council did not want her to wed your Baba. But he still married her." Her hand leaves one of his to cup his face. "Bast blessed their union when Wakanda stood against them - we see the proof in you - and Bast will stand with you in this. Wakanda stands with you on this. And I definitely stand with you."
T'Challa feels the tears spill from his eyes at her words, and quickly moves to kneel in front of her, head resting over her hands. "Thank you, Umama."
*******
"You are more foolish than I thought if you believe you can push this on T'Challa," Ramonda sternly tells her husband in the privacy of their chambers. "And the council are bigger idiots than I credited them if they think they can get away with doing this to him."
"It needs to be done, my love," T'Chaka tries to reason with her.
"Wakanda's people will not stand by and allow you all to hurt T'Challa and Anthony this way."
"I know they love him, but that does not change that he needs an heir and he cannot produce one with Doctor Stark."
"I did not produce T'Challa, but he is still heir. Does an heir only matter if they are related to the king? Do I not matter?"
"Of course you matter."
"Then why, if my blood does not run through his veins, that he can still be heir?"
"Because at least one of our blood does."
"My blood runs through Shuri. So does yours. She could be his heir."
T'Chaka sighs and moves to stand in front of his wife. "They will likely live the same lifetime. Who then will take the throne after them?"
*******
T'Challa: Tony, please. I need you. I can't do this without you. It hurts too much. I can't take this pain anymore.
******
Shuri: Calling all Geniuslings. We have some butt whooping to do.