Alone Again

"You are not my father,"T'challa said in a calm manner.

"What?" He said a little confused.

"You," there was a slight pause, "Are not my father."

"What do you mean dear son. I am your father." He said still confused

"You couldn't possibly be," T'challa said turning his face to the man standing before him, "You see my father... he's dead." There was a look of horror on the man's face, "Now I'll ask you again, "This time his voice wasn't calm. His sweetness replaced with venom," who are you. "The boy was shocked. He didn't know what to say.

"I.... I'm so sorry, "he said looking down. This only made Tchalla even angrier. In one swift motion he grabbed the man's wrists pinning them above him head and surged forward pressing his knee to the man's crotch,"ahhhhhh!!!"

"Who are you really? SHOW ME." The boy was trembling now. There was no use in pretending to be someone else. To be someone he wasn't. He closed his eyes and revealed his true form. Skin pealing back leaving a pale skinned teen with black hair and blue eyes," don't lie to me," the boy's eyes shot open locking with Tchalla," don't you dare lie to me. Show me who you really are." Who he really was? Could he mean? The boy shook his head feverishly," you can't deny me."

"I.... I can't." The boy ripped his gaze from T'challa, squeezing his eyes shut.

"You can and you will." T'challa said squeezing his wrist a little tighter, pressing his knee a little harder. The boy yelped and whimpered in T'challa grip. The new king leaned in close, just barely touching his ear he whispered lowly, "show me, "As if to show defeat the boy dropped his gaze to his lap.

There was a shift in his skin again. This time instead of a pale boy it left a blue one. Soft plush slim replaced with a rough harsh scale like texture. Crystal blue eyes replaced with yellow. The boy, feeling ashamed of his true body, buried his face in T'challa's suit.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I... I didn't know about your father... you must think me to be so cruel." He said voice muffled. Its then Tchalla realized he wasn't dealing with a monster or a master assassin. He was dealing with a boy, a child, frightened, trembling and whimpering in his hands," I understand if you want to kill me. I-I won't fight it." That's what broke Tchalla put of his shock. He instantly let go of the boy's wrist and wrapped his arms around the smaller frame.

"I'm not going to hurt you. I am sorry I scared you. I thought you to be a treat. I know now you are merely a child." He said rubbing the boys back with long comforting strokes. He watched as the boy became undone. Turning to a sobbing quivering mess in his arms. There moment was interrupted by a loud rumble coming from the boy's stomach.

"Are you hungry?" T'challa asked pulling away from the boy. He looked up embarrassed as he nodded. Keeping his gaze to the floor. Tchalla put his hand on the boys chin tilting it up so their eyes met again," you don't have to be. There is more than enough food here. You don't ever have to be hungry again." The boy looked at him, eyes wide and nodded." What do they call you?" T'challa asked extending his hand.

"R- Riven." The boy said smiling shyly and taking T'challa's hand.

"Well then Riven there are a lot of new things happening around us." T'challa said walking, guiding the boy," I am the new king, I've made a new interesting friend." This comment made Riven blush," He lives in this my palace now and you know what?" T'challa said with a question.

"What?" Riven said curiously. Tchalla smiled broadly at Riven innocents.

"He is never going to be alone or hungry again."