"Futuro Negro" (A Black Panther Fanfic)

Erik Stevens and Marisol De Souza have known each other since they were born. Having mothers that were best friends, their lives have been intertwined so much that they have become family--play cousins--and like all families, they have their ups and downs together.

Raised in Black activist households (Erik in Oakland, California, and Marisol in Sao Paulo, Brazil) and taught to master the art of Capoeira since they were children, both Erik and Marisol go through an unexpected trauma together one summer when Marisol's politically active Aunt, Lia De Souza, is assassinated after winning a city council seat in Sao Paulo, right in front of Erik.

Forever changed by the assassination and the loss of Erik's parents, Erik and Marisol become closer while living in two different countries, and vow revenge as teenagers, carrying through on that vow as young adults, setting the stage for Erik's transformation into Killmonger later in life.

Marisol shares many of Erik's darkest secrets, even his plans for Wakanda as she marks his body for him with the keloid scars that start even before Erik joins the military.

Throughout their journey together with Capoeira, Carnival, and Candomble, Erik and Marisol learn that Black life throughout the diaspora only changes with direct action, and that love is for the brave, even a forbidden love that Marisol hides from Erik.