Shuri is staring at T'Challa as if he has grown two heads.
"You want us to do what?" Shuri ask, head tilted.
"Save him. Please!"
You roll your eyes before taking Erik and placing him on the slab. You get to work, putting a bead to help stabilise him before pulling the dagger out. Shuri rushes to help you and T'Challa watches as you two work to save him.
T'Challa Prays that he has done the right thing.
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You are jolted awake by a thump and you see Erik standing there. He looks at you and lunges only to be kicked in the groin.
"Hanuman damnnit!"
You pick him up and set him in the chair. He looks at you.
"Who..."
"Amare Jabari. M'Baku's younger sister and genius. We never met when you were king because well, I was dragged back home by M'Baku."
"Older brothers are like that."
"No kidding. Anyway, I know you're probably mad that you aren't dead but any pains? Beside your groin."
"No. I feel fine."
"Good. I hate to do this but..."
You snap an arm band in his arm before putting a matching one.
"So, that just prevents you from leaving the palace or attacking anyone. Yes, you still have the strength of the Black Panther—"
You mimic Zuri's accent making Erik laugh.
"And all that good stuff. Anyway, would you like a shower and new clothes?"
"Yeah that would be nice."
You motioned for him to follow you.
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You glare at the council.
"So I am now a whore because I helped him?! On the King's orders?!"
Erik reaches out and places a hand on your shoulder. He has seen you mad and knows you can beat someone to a bloody pulp. He saw you do it to a man who grabbed your ass on the streets.
"I will be in my quarters. Don't call me: even if the palace is burning."
You storm off and Erik gives T'Challa a look and he chases after you.
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"I'm a tyrants whore because I obeyed orders?!"
Erik walks into the room and sees you are packing.
"Where are you going?"
"Home."
"I thought this is your home?"
"I get more respect from my people than here. Here I am an outsider even though I am of Wakandan blood. Even though my brother is on the council! I am going home and you can't stop me."
"Well, let me come with you."
You blink.
"I have no friends except you and well, it will get boring without you."
You look at him before grabbing a tablet and gently putting in the code to remove it. You remove the arm bands before throwing him a fur coat.
"You'll need it."
Erik smiles as he helps you pack.
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Erik is in awe at the palace. It mixes traditional with modern.
"I guess you had to battle M'Baku for this."
"Yes I did."
He chuckles as you show him your room.
"I told the servants to prepare the room next door so you can stay there. I also sent them to get you some clothes. Don't need you freezing your ass off."
Erik smiles as he helps you unpack.
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M'Baku enters the room and stares. Erik is being used as a pillow by you and he's snoring softly. You shiver and M'Baku grabs a fur and drapes it over you.
"Brother?" Your soft, sleepy voice said.
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
M'Baku smiles as he nods and leaves.
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You, Erik, and M'Baku walk into the palace and Erik snorts as M'Baku says that the council members are more traditional than his fur.
"More like your marriage."
M'Baku pinches your arm and you yelp.
"Erik! Protect me!"
Erik stands between you two and M'Baku chuckles as he pretends to come at you.
"Amare!"
"Shuri!"
You two hug and jump up and down.
"Do they..."
"All the time. You would think they don't talk everyday."
You and Shuri walk ahead of the boys and M'Baku looks at Erik.
"You like her."
"Who?"
"Amare."
Erik blushes and scratches his dreads.
"Yeah...I do."
"I give you my blessing to court her."
"Thanks M'Baku. That means a lot."
They enter the throne room and take their seats.
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"This is the most boring shit," Erik and Amare say in unison making M'Baku laugh.
They are eating lunch in the garden and Erik wraps an arm around your waist and kisses your temple. You smile and M'Baku smiles.
"I envy you. In love and all."
"I mean, T'Challa is single," Erik says.
M'Baku blinks.
"And he does go that way, shuri says," You say.
They sip their drink and M'Baku blushes.
"Me with the king? Hanuman is roaring with laughter."
"He sounds pretty silent to me," Erik says and you Choke on your drink as M'Baku squeezes his cheek making him laugh.
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You grab M'Baku and pulls him after you. He knows not to ask because you won't tell. Erik drags T'Challa to the garden.
"Erik what—?"
"Doing you a favour cuz. You've been heart eyeing this guy all day."
T'Challa gasps and tries to pull away but Erik pulls him along. He enters the garden where M'Baku is already sitting on a blanket.
"Go get him Panther!"
Erik pushes him over before running off. T'Challa blushes as M'Baku smiles.
Several months later
Erik and T'Challa give you and M'Baku unamused looks.
"Why do we date panther tribe men?" You whispered to M'Baku.
"Because we do not love ourselves."
Erik snorts.
"I guess I gotta find a new man. M'Tala is pretty cute."
Erik glares at you.
"The new warrior?"
"Yeah with the white tribal tattoos. He seemed rather pleased I gave him his warrior necklace and not you."
"I'm not as cute."
You laugh before standing.
"Well, off to find him. Wish me—Erik!"
"Oh no you don't! I am the only one!"
You laugh as you are carried away.
"I swear you Panther men are so possessive," M'Baku murmurs against T'Challa's lips.
"Well, we do protect what we love. And just a warning, if I smell another man on you or touching you in ways I do, I will rip you and him to shreds."
M'Baku sweat-drops before kissing his (terrifying) boyfriend.
Meanwhile, Erik has you in bed and is hugging you, nuzzling your cheek.
"You wouldn't really leave me...would you?"
You look at Erik and kiss him softly.
"Never my golden jaguar. I would never leave: even if you wanted to take the throne again."
"You would rule with me?"
"If you asked nicely."
Erik laughs before kissing you again.
"I love you my silver gorilla."
You two settle down for a nap, the setting sun shinning through the windows and colouring the room gold and orange.