Chapter Text
It had only been 2 months since Shuri had returned from Haiti. And whether or not she wanted to admit it, she almost immediately made a beeline for MIT.
There, she spent about a week chilling on Riri’s pullout bed attachment. If Shuri’s memory served her right, which it usually did, it wasn’t there the last time she was in the dorm.
Although Shuri was kind of running anywhere but home, she still kept in close contact with everyone back in Wakanda. So of course, her makeshift family back home had to hear all about her time chilling in Cambridge.
Shuri had told them she was visiting art museums, parks, and such. Riri just happened to be a short 15 minute trip away from the hotel she was staying in. Coincidence? They knew better.
* * *
“You ready?” Riri asked.
“Yeah, I just can't get this baby tee off.” Shuri replied.
Shuri had been here long enough now that her presence had been noticed by Riri’s neighbors. That night they’d been invited out to a party down the block. Now Shuri was struggling to get the top she’d borrowed from Riri off.
“Here let me help,” Riri said as she approached Shuri.
“Wait,” Shuri inhaled and inched the shirt closer past her shoulders before sighing in defeat stepping towards the sound of Riri’s voice. Half raising her arms up, inviting her to help. The giggles Riri was laughing were a little too embarrasing for Shuri’s liking.
Shuri cut off the giggles, “Maybe I wouldn’t have trouble with this stupid shirt if you weren’t so damn short.”
Riri paused her advance to grab the top. “Well now I ought to just leave you right there. Probably wouldn’t be able to reach anyhow since the little miss princess with the attitude thinks I'm so damn short.”
Shuri could feel the eyeroll she was doing without even having to see it past the shirt objecting her view.
“Aye Williams, you know I was just joking with you.” Riri tensed slightly at the use of her last name. Shuri had been calling her by her last name for almost her whole stay. Except that night during the last dance.
Something besides the music filling the room felt electric during their all their dances. But especially that last one.
“Riri” came a lot better from Shuri’s mouth. But it’s not like the student really cared. Walking through her moment of pause, she pushed Shuri down a little by her shoulders to reach.
“Arms up bab- big baby.'' Now it was Shuri’s turn to freeze.
With a tug Riri hoped would cover her slip in words she huffed out, “You don’t have to try to be so formal around me you know.'' The shirt was now past Shuri’s head, “It’s just Riri” she flashed a grin up at Shuri whose feet were stuck in place gazing at Riri’s a little too long.
Riri didn't mean to dare Shuri by stepping into her space the way she did. To peek past the taller woman’s cornea and into her soul. Communicating with no words, just the sparks reigniting between them. Shuri was entranced in all that was Riri, but mustered just enough to step even closer. Riri leaped at the invitation and into Shuri’s waiting embrace.
Shuri was timid in capturing Riri’s lips. After the uncertainty, the fear of rejection grew into safety and confidence. Shuri had never been one to be possessive ever, but the smell of vanilla and shea in Riri’s aura had her craving her. Grabbing at her body to be closer to her than she already was.
Riri was in no way believing that she was kissing the girl in her dorm. The woman was holding her and pulling her up into her arms.
Accepting her. Wanting her.
Their lips danced to a rhythm only they could keep for what felt like a lifetime. The one people dream about. But these two just had it.
Over all too soon, the two stared at one other. In wait for one to show an inch of regret. Waiting for the other girl in front of them to realize that the electricity was just lust.
It never happened. It would never happen to them
* * *
A ding came from the royal’s wrist.
Breaking eye contact to read the message that came from the beads, Shuri’s glow dimmed. Apologetically she turned to Riri who had already taken a step back.
She understood.
“Time to go?” less of a question and more of an affirmation from Riri.
“I wish I could stay.”
Shuri knew that if she stayed in her world that was now Riri, Wakanda wouldn’t see her for eons. So she forced herself to gather her things.
Before crossing the threshold, Shuri looked back. Riri nodded with glassy eyes. Letting her smile take over her face, “See you soon?”
“Oh yeah, you’ll be back in Wakanda soon for sure.” Shuri jokes.
“Heh, yeah right.” Riri replied, shaking her head at her shoes fiddling with her hands.
Shuri had left a minute ago. She had kissed Shuri minutes ago. Been hers for minutes. Standing alone now grinning to herself like a child, Riri realized she had kissed herself a princess.