The Story of Us

Work For It

*edited and revised 7/26/22

Rating: 18+, smut, language

Upon Maya's Royal engagement to T'Challa, she was now officially invited to more events than ever before. Some she would attend alone and others, her fiancé would beat her side. Many people wanted to get a glimpse of her and be in her presence before she became completely "untouchable" as Tae would like to joke and say.

Maya's arrival always started a buzz and it was intriguing for people to see T'Challa, who had never liked to attend American events because he felt they were beneath him in a sense. But after being invited to a gala to help impoverished inner city children, he was on board.

His philanthropy knew know bounds and any chance to get his love out of an outrageously expensive dress and into the bed was always a plus. This evening would be different though.

Tension between the two in her New York apartment was at an all time high after a having a huge argument that beforehand, was a passive aggressive disagreement. His arrival to New York was happy until he asked her a question, "Have you been preparing yourself for the council evaluation?" Was the question he decided to ask before his bag could even touch her hardwood floors.

Letting out a big sigh, she ignored him and turned around to the kitchen. "Maya?"

"Why do I have to be evaluated?"

After her courtship and engagement, she was told that she had to find something, a niche, that would keep her busy aside from helping T'Challa run the country. It was similar to what all First Ladies' had to do; Jackie Kennedy focused on Historic Preservation and Michelle Obama dedicated her time to making sure children across the America got fit and ate healthy with shitty school lunches.

Her head spun because Wakanda hardly had any problems but she found it, something she could do to make her mark on Wakanda. As an E.G.O.T winning actress, she saw that Wakanda was devoted to STEM and naturally so, leaving the arts to fend for themselves. After a long discussion with Queen Mother, Erik, Shuri, and T'Challa Maya realized she could help in that area. But of course the council wanted her to show herself worthy. They had completely dismissed all of her talent and hard work in Hollywood and told her that in order for her to receive the title of 'Director of Wakandan Arts' she had to work for it.

Something she had done her entire life, especially as a black woman in a racist space. She waited patiently for T'Challa to back her up but instead he agreed. His agreement to them and disloyalty to her caused a bit of tension ever since then and his questions only made Maya more agitated.

"Because, entle, our arts are different then here." That wasn't a good enough answer for her so she remained silent and finished dinner. He squinted his eyes and noticed her mood shift but decided to say nothing.

Dinner was served and he tried to make small talk, "Are you ready for tomorrow's event?"

"Mhm." Is all that slipped through her lips before she took a sip of water. "I believe our stylist will be arriving around 4 to get us ready."

"Okay."

"Maya?"

"What?"

He put his fork down and stared at her, "What is the matter?"

"Nothing."

"If you say so." He knew that it wasn't just nothing and began a mental countdown and as he reached 1, she began to rant. 

"I just think it's funny how I have to obtain another degree in something I am already good at. Is me breaking records not good enough for you people?"

Taken aback on how you phrased the question, he threw his clothed napkin on the table. "You people? Soon you will be one of us."