Chapter Text
Riri didn’t know exactly how it started. The past few months had been a whirwind.
One moment she was studying like a typical day, the next moment Princess Shuri of Wakanda was standing in her room.
Everything changed after that. She flew back to america, but deep down Riri knew life as she knew it would never be the same again, the beads strapped to her wrist in the form of an inconspicuous bracelet confirmed this.
There was also ... whatever was going on with Shuri. Riri knew she wasn’t the best with girls, her mind went blank and she struggled to find the right words.
But even in her stupor, she couldn’t ignore the way she felt about the princess. There was some sort of electric charge.
And as much as she hoped her feelings were reciprocated - Riri knows how busy Shuri is. Romance would be the last thing on her mind.
They keep in contact as lives moves into semi normalcy. She returns to school, working especially hard and sleeping far too little, to make up for the hours missed.
She doesn’t always focus though, and when watching the news - Riri is transported back to Wakanda.
Sometimes, she imagines a world where she never left, staying and fighting alongside the princess she feels so deeply for.
She wonders if something might have blossomed, under the right circumstances.
But Riri isn’t a dreamer, she is a realist. Shuri is preoccupied as it is, by ruling her country: and she needs to prioritise school too
They stay in touch, through video calls and sporadic texting. The time difference doesn’t seem to matter, and if Shuri is tired she doesn’t mention it when they talk at 3AM Wakandan time.
Riri expects her feelings to dissipate over time, expecting distance to help them to do so. She reassures herself constantly that it is a harmless crush.
Then Shuri turns up on her doorstep unexpectedly, the afternoon of her STEM awards ceremony.
Her hair is buzzed shorter at the sides, curls slicked back. She wears a deep blue windbreaker and tracksuit bottoms, somehow managing to pull off the frat bro look.
She looked good, painfully so and Riri feels paled in comparison as she slouches in her striped pyjamas. Her mouth is still agape at the unexpected surprise, this wasn’t how she anticipated the day turning out.
”Surprise!”
It’s comedic, how she waves her arms with an awkward flourish. Riri feels a stab at her chest, fondness at the woman’s antics.
She’s ridiculous, and perhaps the small tiny crush isn’t just that anymore.
”Hi”
She blinks once, then twice as though the princess is a figment of her imagination and could disappear at any point.
”Hi” Shuri repeats, leaning against the doorframe and flashing a wide grin.
She manages to look impossibly cool, and Riri is struck with the sudden urge to tug her into the room, away from any other students who would inevitably fall under her spell.
“Are you going to ...” the spell is broken when Shuri points past her to the door, which she is blocking.
Riri moves as though scalded, busting out of the way and gesturing her in.
“Right. Yes. Of course. Come in! I just didn’t expect you to ...” she trails away, biting her lip as the princess surveys her surroundings with apt interest.
“Just like I remember it” Shuri sits precariously at the end of the bed.
And it was. Riri didn’t have a penchant for too much change, ironic considering the state of her life recently. The room remained untouched from her last visit.
”Minus a heater” she quips, and the woman snorts loudly. She shakes her head at the memory.
”Not that I mind you being here....” Riri begun, words unsteady as she tried to ask. “But why did you come? I thought you have a bunch of meetings this week”
Shuri nods. “I do. I mean I did” she grins goofily and the sight makes Riri smile too.
”But I remember you were telling me about today, how important it was for you. And I couldn’t miss it for the world”
It feels strangely domestic, to have Shuri pouring her heart out in her bedroom, dressed in civilian clothes and looks as attractive as the first day Riri ever saw her.
She doesn’t respond, somehow lost for words and the princess continues. “It’s been a busy week but I’ve managed to squeeze the meetings in. I know you’re probably going to win something so I thought you might like the support”
Her eyes sting, and Riri doesn’t realise she’s crying until she notices the slightly horrified expression on Shuri’s face.
”Baby” she starts, and Riri is too distracted to unpack the pet name. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you cry”
Long arms curl around her waist, and the touch is so familiar and safe that it almost makes Riri sob harder. As much as she loves school, enjoys learning - she really missed the princess.
“It’s just...” she buries her face in the crook of Shuri’s neck, taking comfort in the safety her arms provide.
“No one’s ever been so thoughtful. I mean, you’re literally royalty and you’ve travelled this far which short notice just to take me to this ceremony”
Shuri shrugged, pulling back slightly to meet her eye. She looked bashful now, cheeks slightly tinted red. “You deserve it baby, to have a fun night”
Her hand reaches for Riri’s chin, cupping it slightly. The touch is intimate, almost too intimate and it takes all of her self control not to lean forward and connect their lips.
”Thank you” she smiles, and Shuri nods. The air shifts then, as they break away and Riri finally notices the numerous bags hanging off her friend.
”Ready to see your outfit?”
Now Riri doesn’t remember exactly the first time Shuri started buying things for her.
It wasn’t a big deal until MJ questioned all of the new parcels arriving at her place.
Anything from small bracelets brought because “the colour reminded me of your eyes”, to amother laptop - “you can never have too many”
Riri didn’t think much of it, Shuri was a kind person and insisted she had far too much money. Giving gifts was second nature, and Riri assumed she was the same for all of her friends.
She had already planned on going semi formal to the event, wearing one of the only good dresses she owned.
Granted it was a bit snug and not as fancy as some of the competition, but it would do the job.
”Shuri, you shouldn’t have” she murmured, hesitant to accept the bag being offered. “I saw it and thought of you, try it on!” Her friend demanded
At this, Riri caved. Shuri had enough money and clearly didn’t mind buying her gifts, so she would wear the outfit which would clearly be well chosen. She knew her well.
She headed over to the bathroom, holding the bag carefully. Whatever the garment was, it was most likely very expensive.
And it turns out Shui knows her taste impeccably well. Minutes later Riri stares at her reflection, smiling at how the long flowy purple dress manages to accentuate each curve.
It dips low, exposing perhaps too much cleavage for a school event but she can’t bring herself to care. It looks perfect.
“You okay in there?” Shuri calls from the bedroom and Riri fixes her hair, swallowing as she opens the door.
”Can you zip me up?”
She walks over to the bed, smiling at her friend. “Woah” Shuri mutters, more to herself than anything. If the expression on her face is anything to go by, the dress is clearly a hit.
She looks less composed than usual, her hand shaky as she zips up the dress. The warmth of her touch causes Riri to almost shiver and she rocks back into it.
Before she can process how good the princess’ hands feel on her bare skin, she drops them and holds up another bag with a rueful smile.
“More stuff. Shur! How much did you spend!” Riri takes the small bag, producing a small box.
“It’s nothing” Shuri looks distracted, eyes slightly glazed over as she remains transfixed on the dress. “Good choice” she tells herself, and Riri flushes; delighted at the attention.
She opens the box, and inside reveals a small silver pendant. Before she protests, Shuri explains. “You need jewellery to complete the outfit, and I really think it will suit you”
“Put it on me?” Riri requests, delicately holding the necklace out. Shuri obliges, clicking the chain around her neck with a familiar precision.
”There we go” she murmurs, hands lingering on the side of her neck.
Riri bites her lip and tries to ignore how good the touch feels. She can’t get distracted at a time like this, with the ceremony only hours away.
No one moves as they stand huddled together. But friends definitely act like this, right? Riri isn’t as convinced.
“So... I was thinking” Shuri moves away finally, sitting back down on the bed, her eyes still trained on the dress.
“Do you want a date for the ceremony, she comes with a matching suit?”
And in that moment, there is nothing that Riri wants more