Nashuri Collection (Namor x Shuri)

24 - 25

24. Reverence

"Queen Shuri!" was their ebullient cry. The children swam around her in a circle. Their eyes were bright with wide smiles.

Shuri blinked in surprise but returned their greetings. Some of their little hands touched the shoulder of her water suit or held her hand for a few minutes before another child fought for their turn. The scene was so jovial.

"We know all about the great Shuri. The only equal to our K'uk'ulkan. Smart and beautiful! Long live Queen Shuri!" was the watery chant her beads translated.

What was more surprising? That they knew of her or that they thought highly of her? They couldn't have been aware of the handmaiden killed in her retrieval. As far as they seemed to be concerned, she was a goddess among them.

M'Baku smiled. Her inventors had trouble creating a water suit that could carry his sheer weight and brawn comfortably. Only Herself, M'Baku, and two Dora Milaje were able to make the Talokan trip. Namor had only acquiesced with requiring Shuri to attend as well. Otherwise, she wouldn't have come. Beautiful underwater kingdom be damned. She couldn't stand their ruler. But she could stomach him for the greater good. And his people carried none of that burden in her eyes.

"Calm yourself, children," Namor said, exasperatedly but with no anger in his gaze or voice.

The children formed the Talokanil salute, and one was bold enough to kiss Namor's cheek before they swam away, giggling.

Precious children, Shuri thought. It was easy to see the mutual love between the citizens and Namor. The ruthless killer. Man who had altered her life significantly.

People weren't black and white. They had as much complexity as quantum physics. But it was hard to wrap her head around a man filled with so much wrath and love.

"You told them of me?" she asked Namor.

"And forgot me! King M'Baku ... lord of Jabariland. Ruler of Wakanda!" M'Baku screamed from behind them, laughing. He didn't move as nimbly as Shuri or Namor, but he was keeping up with them well enough.

Namor only sped up, not giving him the dignity of ignoring him fully.

"Princess, I only told the truth. That you were magnificent. My true equal." He turned his head, swimming ahead. "Come, our council room isn't much further."

Shuri shook her head. A small smile fought through her resolve, and she quickly followed behind him.

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25. Connection

"If Things Had Been Different."

They were drawn to each other. However, Queen Ramonda had made it very clear she was repulsed and bothered by Namor, but it didn't stop Shuri from seeking him out.

There was just something fascinating about him. She had deciphered that just from attending one of the Wakandan meetings. Namor had made his displeasure known about vibraninum and Wakanda compromising his kingdom. Shuri had only been there to give a progress report on manufacturing her kimoyo beads. Every Wakandan should have access to healing energy was her pitch. It would lessen the strain on their hospitals.

But Shuri had started attending even after her presentation was successfully funded (because hello, her mama had the final say; of course, everyone knew it was a sound investment).

Namor himself had been intrigued as well just from hearing Shuri speak in the meetings. He had seen her smile. Wondered how she'd look draped in jade jewelry.