Part two of braids
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You and Okoye become close. It's not surprising seeing as you both lost husbands and understood each other's pain.
You enter the throne room and rub okoye's shoulder as you sit next to her, sighing.
"Tough week?"
"I'm exhausted."
She smiles.
"Jendayi!"
You feel arms around you and then vitamin growls before snapping at the individual.
"Vitamin! It's me!"
He barks again.
"Vitamin. Down boy."
You turn to see Erik. He's in black pants and a matching open robe. His dreads are tousled.
"You took your braids out."
"Yeah. Nearly two months ago."
You now have your hair in Bantu knots with two braids hanging from the side. Erik touches your shoulder and Vitamin growls.
"Jendayi...can we please talk? After the meeting?"
You look at him.
"No. I have a date with Okoye."
She blinks before smiling. Erik swallows the lump in his throat.
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"Are her and Okoye..."
T'Challa looks at Erik.
"I'm not sure. Both are private about their personal life."
"We talking about Okoye and Jendayi?" Shuri asks.
Erik nods.
"They're dating! They're so cute!"
Erik blinks in shock.
Meanwhile, you and Okoye are seated on your balcony, drinking wine and eating dinner. Vitamin is chilling under the table as you two talk and eat.
"You know, many in the palace think we are dating."
You look at Okoye. She blushes and you smile.
"We could make it true."
Okoye blinks in shock.
"Are you..."
You move over and kiss her, silencing her question. She stands, holding your waist as you two kiss. You grin as she smiles.
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You and Okoye swap rings, a subtle announcement of the relationship. You wear her ring on a chain around your neck. W'Kabi notices and tells Erik who immediately tracks you down.
"Jendayi!"
You sigh, closing your screens and turning to see Erik. He walks over and sits down next to you. He sees the ring.
It's has a Black vibranium band with words carved into it. There's a single red ruby.
"Are...we..."
"I sent you the papers weeks ago. After I went and closed everything in our name in California."
"But...I want to work this out!"
"What is there to work out Erik? You were willing to throw me away just to get revenge on the world."
"Babe I—"
"You'd do the same thing again if the opportunity presented itself."
"No I wouldn't! Jendayi I love you! You're my wife!"
You shake your head and stand, revealing you're in a black jumpsuit. Erik stands.
"Just sign the papers."
You walk off, leaving Erik staring after you.
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Okoye kisses your cheek and you smile as Vitamin barks before jumping up to lick Okoye's hand.
Shuri grins.
"You two are dating!"
You smile.
"Yes I am. Okoye is quite a sweetheart."
"Don't tell her that! I have an image to preserve!"
You laugh as she grins.
"Dinner in the garden?"
"I'm game."
You kiss her again and she walks off, T'Challa and Erik entering the lab. You sit down and begin working on a blueprint as Shuri tinkers on some project.
"Ah, Lady Jendayi."
"King T'Challa."
He laughs as you salute him and you nod to Erik. He sits next to him but ignore him as you talk to T'Challa and shuri. He sees the tattoo on your arm. It's a matching one to his.
Flashback
"Erik...."
"Please babe? It's our first year of being married to each other. We did it."
You smile at your grinning husband.
"What design do you have in mind?"
Erik pulls the pictures up and you look at the design. It's your anniversary date and then the image of Isis and Osiris under it.
"I like it."
He grins as he makes an appointment.
End flashback
Erik traces the tattoo and you jump before looking at him. He looks at you. Moving forward, he kisses the image of Isis like he used to do and then leaves. You blink in shock.
The siblings watch.
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"Do you think he wants a second chance?"
"I don't know. Has W'Kabi...?"
"He did."
You and Okoye sit quietly.
"Men are confusing."
"Where is the lie?"
You chuckle as you take a sip of your drink.
"I think we should keep this casual until we figure out with our men."
"Took the idea out my head."
Okoye grins.
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You enter your quarters and see Erik sitting in the living room. He looks up as you notice the coffee pot and small treats. You smile as you take your shoes off and sit across from him.
Erik gives a small smile as he pours you some coffee before making it how you like. You smile as you take a sip.
"How was your meeting?"
"I really don't like that architect."
Erik listens as you rant. He reaches out and takes your hand, gently rubbing the back of your hand. You pause but smile as it reminds you of being back in California.
"Jendayi?"
"Yes?"
"Can we..." he takes a deep breath. "Can we try again? I know I messed up but please?"
You look at him.
"Fine. You get a second chance but if you fuck up—"
"I won't!"
He moves over to kiss your cheek and you giggle.
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Erik returns to how he was when you two lived in Cali. He has also started back up his tradition: doing your hair.
"Babe...let me do your hair."
"Now?"
"Yes. Come."
You sigh and push away from your desk, following him to the bathroom. You sit between his legs and he unbraids your hair, combing it out gentle. He grabs the herb infused spice scented shampoo and conditioner.
You bend over the tub as he wets your hair before lathering your hair with the shampoo. He's gentle, making sure to scrub the dirty from your scalp but also making your scalp isn't tender.
He washes it out before doing the first conditioning. He washes it out before putting the deep conditioner in and you cover your hair. You two sit in the bathroom.
"You need a retwist."
"I know. Do it for me?"
"After you do my hair."
He laughs as he nods.
"What we doing this time?"
"Faux locs."
"Sounds like a plan. You want another colour?"
"No. All Black is fine."
"Okay. We can do that."
Erik washes the conditioner out before wrapping your hair in a towel. You two enter the living room where you pick something to watch while Erik grabs everything he needs.
He begins moments later as you watch criminal minds.
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Erik yawns as you retwist his dreads. He smiles at a joke that was said before looking up at you. You smile at him and he grins.
"You want me to braid them back?"
"Please?"
"Got you."
He grins as you return to work.
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"Prince N'Jadaka? Lady Jendayi?"
You two groan and Erik looks at the servant.
"Queen Mother would like you two to join her for breakfast."
"How soon?"
"Breakfast is at 8."
You two look at the clock. It's 7:30.
"Okay. We'll be there."
"It's in the garden."
"Okay. Thank you."
The servant bows before leaving as you and Erik roll out of bed.
Erik licks his lips as you strip. He sees all the tattoos you have.
"For lunch I'm eating you," he murmurs.
You chuckle.
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You and Erik enter the garden, laughing, his arm around your waist. You are in a simple outfit: Adidas leggings and a matching cropped hoodie and sneakers. Your hair is in a neat ponytail (curtesy of Erik) and you hold his hand.
"Good Morning you two."
"Good morning Aunty."
"Good Morning Queen Mother."
You two sit as Shuri and T'Challa join. The servants bring out the food and you smile.
"What are you two doing today?" Ramonda asks after everyone has begun to eat.
"She wants to stay in bed," Erik says.
"Don't act like you didn't agree!"
They chuckle as you pinch his cheek.
"Okay so maybe I too want to stay in bed."
You smile at your husband as he grins, love sparkling in his eyes. Ramonda and T'Challa smile.
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Erik hugs your waist as you two lay in bed. He traces a tattoo on your side.
"Babe?"
You give a sleepy grunt.
He sits up and looks into sleepy eyes.
"Sorry. Go back to sleep."
You raise your arms and Erik settles in them, the little spoon, face in your neck and arms holding you close.
He's happy to have you back. He can wait to bother you later. For now, he'll enjoy being in your arms.