Black Boys Bloom Thorns First: Volume 2 (A Black Panther Fanfic)

Black Boys Bloom Thorns First: Volume 2, Chapter 7

"You're the prince to my ballerina
You feed other people's parking meters
You encourage the eating of ice cream
And you would somersault in sand with me

You talk to loners
You ask 'how's your week?'
You give love to all
And give love to me
You're obsessed with hiding
The sticks and stones
When I fear the unknown
You feel like home
You feel like home..."

Zero 7 – "Somersault"

N'Jobu breezed through his evaluations.

His debriefing meetings were informative. War Dogs in London and China were discovering connections between the Shield Organization and off-shoots of Hydra participating in the removal of targeted individuals with special powers and extraordinary abilities. He informed his handlers of Terrell Greenley and the trace he put on them. He had made a few covert trips to Los Angeles and found the institution where the family was being housed. More than likely the boy was now a human lab experiment, his DNA captured and saved for further study like a modern-day Henrietta Lacks.

He sent field reports back to Birnan Zana and shared surveillance photos of Shield and Hydra agents to a Southland embedded War Dog. He felt compelled to help the family escape, but he wasn't set up with the support and resources to place them anywhere. And even if he could, it would jeopardize his placement in Oakland. It could sever his ties to Califia. He wasn't willing to do that.

His parents were pleased to see him. Still disappointed that he wanted to be so far away from them, but happy that he looked well and thrived in his assignment.

Alone he called Califia to keep in touch with her and soothe her nerves. He spent a short bit of time with his friends in private, but his last free day took him to a protected domain connected to a military base.

He found himself walking through a private residence and being greeted by a cheerful looking Zinzi. In her arms, she held a baby.

"Prince N'Jobu," she said bowing to him slightly.

His arms went around her and he kissed her cheek and stared down at the child in her arms.

"There he is," N'Jobu said touching the baby's fingers.

"This is Gcobisa. Say hello! Say hello to the Prince."

"May I?"

N'Jobu had his hands outstretched. Zinzi placed her son in his arms and watched him rock the baby.

"He's heavy!"

Zinzi laughed and stroked her son's hair.

"This next one will probably be heavy too," she said stroking her stomach. N'Jobu could see the slight bulge in her dress.

"Kakade?"

"Yes, already again," she laughed.

"You were serious about pumping them out."

"Come, let us sit Prince N'Jobu."

She guided him to her receiving room that overlooked a grand hill. She had a tray of nibbles and libations awaiting him as they sat near one another.

"You look well, your Highness."

"So do you."

Her face was heavier and her body was fuller, but she was still his delightful friend and confidante.