Lucid Dreams: Melanin Imagines

The Assistant II

Theme Song: Stephen Sanchez - Until I Found You

Erik's P.O.V.

I followed Shuri's advice and went to the Wakandian library to talk to Rose. I just wanted to get to know her more. I approached the library, admiring how neatly the people of Wakanda kept it, even though I almost destroyed it. I am grateful Shuri didn't give up on me. She definitely is T'Challa's sister. I walked up the grand stairway and there she was. She was so engulfed in searching for the perfect book that she never noticed that I was standing there.

She is absolutely beautiful. Her golden curls framed her face perfectly and her blue eyes sparkled in fascination as she read the teachings of the Black Panther ancestors that came before us. Like I told Shuri, everything about her invites me in. Suddenly sensing that she was not alone, she looked up, slightly gasping when she saw me. I smirked, knowing that I had an effect on her as well.

"E-Erik, hey! What's up?", she said, putting a book back in place. "Did you need something?"

"Nah, I'm good, Princess. I actually came up here to talk to you.", I replied as I watched a smile grace her beautiful face.

Rosalie's P.O.V.

I can't believe he came here just to talk to me! Does he....like me?? I looked down as I attempted to hide the blush that crept on me. I looked at him to find that infamous smile on his handsome face. "What did you want to talk about?", I asked, curiously.

"I want to know more about you. You got a brotha intrigued.", he said as we began to walk through the library, glancing at all of the books around us. "What would you like to know? I lead a pretty boring life.", I said as we both shared a laugh.

"You gotta give yourself more credit than that.", he said as we both grabbed a coffee, sitting at one of the reading nooks that lay adjacent to the shelves of books that held the entirety of Wakanda's history.

"I mean....I'm just Shuri's assistant, honestly. There's not much to tell. I like to paint and draw. Science has always been intriguing to me and I'm truly an introvert so I always have my head in a book.", I answered honestly as I took a sip of my latte.

"Nah. That ain't it. That's just the surface...I can tell. It's more to you than meets the eye. Just tell me something that I don't know about you and I'll do the same.", he said with a smirk. He had me cornered and he and I both knew it.

"You sure do drive a hard bargain, Mr. Stevens.", I said with a smile. Just go for it, Rose. "Well, one fact that many don't know is that I've always dreamed of owning my own cafe one day.", I said quietly as I glanced at him.

"I can definitely picture you doing that. You look like the chill type that loves cafes and spoken word. That's dope. I appreciate your painting during my session. I can't explain it but you being there is calming.", he said softly and I felt that he was being genuine.

I glanced at him as long as my eyes would let me before I put my head down, staring at the latte that sat abandoned as I tried to filter reality from fantasy. Could I possibly be feeling something for the bad guy who ever stepped foot on Wakanda? I looked at him to find that he was already watching me with that sexy ass smirk.

"You look so cute when you try to fight your blush.", he said as I chuckled as I felt my cheeks get warmer than the coffee that I was holding. "I'm glad that my art helps you. I appreciate that you are so vulnerable that you even want me there during this process because I know it isn't easy.", I said, taking another sip of my coffee.

"Aiight, mamas. A deal is a deal. Ask me anything you wanna know.", he said as we each grabbed a book and came back to our reading nook.

I had so many questions that I wanted to ask him but I didn't want to upset him or bring up any bad memories. "What made you want to talk to me? I know it's not easy opening up to someone you barely know.", I said as I watched his reaction.

This time, it was him fighting off a smirk. He scratched at the back of his neck, playing with his dreads. "I won't lie. I'm feeling you. You're just so easy to talk to and you're breathtakingly beautiful.", he said as I smiled at him.

"By the way, I'm sorry that I scared you the other day-"

"Water under the bridge. It's a process. I get it. I saw in your eyes that you instantly regretted grabbing me like that.", I reassured him. My kimono glowed, showing Shuri's face.

"How are the love birds doing?", she asked, making Erik laugh out loud. "Shuri, we literally just-"

"I said what I said. Erik, I'm super proud of you. Since you are very comfortable with Rose, I am putting her in charge of your sessions. Is that okay?", Shuri asked.

I looked at Erik who had the biggest smile on his face and it was so beautiful to look at. "Yeah that's cool, Shuri. I appreciate all that you're doing.", Erik said as he took a sip of his espresso.

"Well, that settles it!!!! Tomorrow, you'll begin sessions  with Rose twice a day and I'll be getting your input on your progress, Erik. ", Shuri said.

With that, she was gone as she ended the call. "So, Rose, may I take you on a date before I become your patient?", he said as we both laughed.

"You want to take me on a date?", I said softly. He nodded as he stood up, reaching for my hand as we grabbed our books, leaving the library.

"I'll take you out for breakfast and then we can start our session.", Erik says as we walked back to Shuri's lab.

"Thank you.", Erik said, gazing at me. "For what?", I asked, confused as I sat my book down at my desk. "For not judging me based on my past. Plus, you didn't call me Killmonger not one time.", he smirked.

I can't explain the effect he has on me. It's like when our eyes meet, everything else is nonexistent. "Erik, your past does not define you. You went through a lot. What matters is that you're allowing positive change to take place. I'll be looking forward to that breakfast date, Mr. Stevens.", I said as I smiled at him. He grabbed my hand, kissing it gently and with that he walked up the stairs towards Shuri's lab.