Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"You're insane to drag me all the way to Wakanda" Axel scowled as he pulled at the tie that was hung around his neck.
"I needed someone to fly the plane" I argued, knowing that was the only reason why I brought him with me. Besides the fact that I knew Axel could use some time away from the missions.
"Something tells me there's more to it" Axel disagreed as we were walking toward the palace where we had agreed to meet Shuri who I had called yesterday in the morning.
She agreed to my plan on letting me talk to T'Challa. I had told her specifically to not let him know I was here yet. I didn't want him to rush things with this ball he was throwing or festival you could say.
I still wasn't sure what exactly was celebrated or what the gathering was called. All I knew was that it required Axel and I to be wearing formal attire at the moment.
"It's so you can have fun and live a little" I explained, holding onto his arm with him playing the gentlemen role.
"Oh, really?" He mused, looking down to his outfit where he wore a simple black suit and tie with jewelry that had the tribes designs on it that Shuri demanded he wore,"Cause this is the right way to go."
I couldn't help but chuckle,"If you had met me five years ago I would tell you to enjoy the alcohol and party while you can but now I'm gonna tell you I completely understand if being at a party isn't your thing."
After all, when Shuri forced me to wear my hair in its natural curly state while I put on a peach silk dress that had a bunch of stars and moon designs on it, I had forgotten what it truly felt to dress for the part. I had missed the old me. I wonder what my past self would say to me now.
"Right well I'm sure I wouldn't be any less annoyed with you" Axel almost teased. I smiled at him lightly as I examined the people around us wearing the designs of their tribe. The kids and teenagers with a group of adults were having celebrations of their own at the streets as they began to light up fireworks.
Others that were around us cheered and made their way faster to the kingdoms doors.
"So what exactly is your plan?" Axel suddenly questioned, forcing me to look back up at him.
My plan.."Well it involves me talking to T'Challa" I answered.
"Does he know where to meet you?"
I drifted my eyes away,"He doesn't know I'm here."
I could tell Axel rolled his eyes unamused,"And why not?"
"Because I told Shuri to keep it a secret. Look all she's gonna do is tell him to go to the kingdoms ponds and I'll be there to talk to him privately" I explained more.
"How do you know no one will be there before you?"
"Because no one is actually allowed to go out near the garden. But Shuri allowed me to do this just this once" I replied, as I noticed the afternoon sky was turning darker to the navy blue shade that would be soon have a sheet covered in blazing hot stars.
"Well we're gonna be parting ways soon all I gotta say to you is good luck" Axel said offering me a warm smile that almost made me surprised.
Axel usually said some nasty remark towards me. He never let a good compliment come out of his mouth. But today was definitely a change.
I smiled back thankful,"I'm gonna really need it."
—————————
After Axel went inside the palace to accompany Shuri, I was lead to the garden by Okoye who told me I was doing the right thing. That talking to him was all what they needed.
I wanted to ask more about it but I was too scared to hear what had happened to him when I left for two weeks. It was ridiculous to think he didn't do too much damage because if I had learned anything it was that anything could happen at the snap of the fingers just like that.
When I picked up the hem of my skirt to help me not trip over myself, I admired the fireworks that bursted into the air as the lanterns around began to light up with the garden becoming darker. The moonlight was reflecting onto the pond.
I suddenly felt nervous about T'Challa coming here. What would he say or think? All I know is that I have for sure disappointing him more with my behavior and that he was right. I was more than what I had become.
To ease on my nervous mind I watched a couple baby elephants drink the clean pond water through their trunks as they blasted a bit of drops at each other.
The thought of being nervous vanished as I couldn't help but laugh at how adorable they played. I kneeled down, and petted the baby elephants noticing that the one I was petting was smiling. I smiled in awe taking in the moment as I had suddenly forgotten why I was here in the first place.
"Why aren't you two the cutest thing" I said but I jumped back surprised when feeling a bit of cold water touch my skin.
I looked to one of the baby elephants seeing as it had splashed a bit of water on me. I laughed shaking my head,"You're cute but a trouble maker aren't you?" I playfully asked with it in response trumpeting.
Yet, the sound of someone coming close behind made me stop giggling with my smile faltering. One of the baby elephants trumpeted again as it went to the person behind me.
I carefully turned around meeting the eyes of T'Challa.
He looked at me gobsmacked with his mouth hanging open, his body frozen. He looked so hesitant, knowing that I needed to explain myself.
I wanted to smile at him but that would be forced. I had to now show him my actual feelings. No more hiding.
"What I did leaving you was wrong. I know that but despite it killing me I don't regret it" I told him, slowly walking up to him,"If I hadn't left than I wouldn't have realized the person I've become. I've been caught up in the past too much that it paranoid me about what was in front of me. I'm done being that girl now. I'm done keeping secrets from you and everyone else."
T'Challa watched me carefully knowing he was allowing me to continue going. I sighed shakily with my hands suddenly beginning to tremble,"There's something you should know" I whispered almost too soft that if weren't for his super hearing he perhaps wouldn't have heard me. I hesitantly grabbed his hand, softly putting it to my stomach seeing him frown with confusion.
Tears formed in my eyes as I shook my head feeling bottom lip quiver,"I did something terrible."
