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Chapter Text

Here She Goes!

The girl couldn’t have been more than fourteen with her small stature. She was average height, thin with triangular ears, and deep brown skin. Her very pronounced front incisors were eye-catching. If Thanos could go around snapping everyone in and out of existence, of course, there could possibly be vampires in Wakanda.

Poor Wakanda had been overrun with unwanted visitors lately. The Dora Milaje scrutinized the intruder, weapons ready to jab and stab if needed.

Shuri knew better than to underestimate anyone, having been on the receiving end all her life (as a woman, a genius, and an African), but this girl was no threat. She just knew it. Her big, round eyes and the two puffballs on each side of her head gave her an air of innocence.

The girl’s unnatural yellow-orange eyes weren’t hostile despite her being cornered in the council room.

Not being able to take anymore, Shuri broke the silence. The intruder and the fidgety elders were wearing on her nerves.

“Who has sent you? How did you maneuver past Griot's security— a system I built myself?” Shuri pointed to herself for emphasis. She stood in the stands with the other voting members. A routine meeting had so quickly turned to chaos and paranoia when the girl appeared seemingly from a glowing orange slit in the air.

“Small girl, what’s your business in the palace? How did you appear here?” M’Baku finally asked, leaning forward in his throne chair. The dolt had been stalling for dramatic effect.

Either she had to be a brilliant genius or a thief who had been stalking the palace for months.

“Whatever vibranium you seek you’ll not get. Don’t think we’ll go easy on you because you’re a child. Even young ones have to right their wrongs,” M’Baku declared.

The youth moved her cuffed arms as much as she could in a gesture of surrender. Her cheeks pulled into a pout. The Dora didn’t play around with security, having flung Shuri’s latest invention, magnetic cuffs that could tighten and loosen at her command, at the girl like frisbees across the room.

“I’m not here for riches. My baba has far more than this. But I request an audience with queen—princess Shuri and the Feathered God Serpent K'uk’ulkan.”

She had a weak Wakandan accent like one from a citizen who had gone abroad before returning. However, she didn’t have the typical features of a Wakandan. Maybe of mixed race?

“Why?” Shuri asked, getting up from her spot to stand in front of the restrained girl. One of the Dora quickly followed behind their reckless princess.

“I’m looking for an item that only you two can help me find.”

“I can’t offer assistance until I know you mean us no harm. Surely, you understand what predicament you put us in.” Shuri placed her palm on her cheek. “We don’t like when others sneak around. It doesn’t end well … for them.” Her eyes narrowed before she caught herself.

The girl bit her lip before sighing.

“I’m not from here.”

M’Baku slapped his knee with raucous laughter. “Ahh, give the girl a medal. Her intelligence astounds even me.”

Shuri and the girl rolled their eyes in unison. She knew she shouldn’t let her guard down, but she shared a smile with her.

The girl continued, “My name’s Yemi, and I promise I’m not trying to hurt anyone. Once I find what I need, I’ll return the way I came.”

Shuri focused on the girl’s clothes. The collar and the material looked so unique yet familiar.

“So you’re a time traveler then?” She asked, coming to her conclusion.

Yemi shrugged her shoulders. Her eyes darted to the looks of confusion and apprehension of the elders. Even M’Baku was giving his full attention.

“Not exactly. I mean it’s in the future, but it’s really a different universe.”

“Oh, yes! The multiverse!” She cheered, doing a little dance that should have been entirely too immature for a woman in her late twenties. As if feeling a ghost look of contempt from her mother, Shuri regained composure. “Ahem, and you came to me first, why?”

“In my universe, we’re very close.” Yemi had a sweet smile. “You’re like a mother figure to me.”

Elder Marwa shook his head. He gestured to the other elders. “Are we really going to believe this girl just because she says this?”

“You know I speak the truth, Elder Marwa,” Yemi replied in Xhosa. “In my universe, you’re happily fulfilled, and have a family and a life besides being a giant hater. Sucks you’re on a different timeline here though.” Her impish smile had Shuri snickering.

This girl, she thought amused.

M’Baku to his merit didn’t join in but he seemed convinced. “I believe that you’re from a different world, but again why come here? And involve us?”

“I came for my—Shuri—I mean princess. No disrespect!” Yemi apologized sheepishly. “The princess and the Talokan king are the ones I request help from. I mean you no harm, so please let me go.”

“Since you’re from the future albeit a different universe, it shouldn’t cause any paradoxes to answer a question.”

Yemi nodded slowly. Perhaps, a little concerned with revealing too much.

Shuri swallowed. Her only question felt thick in her mouth. She placed her hands on top of Yemi’s metal cuffs.

“I’ve to know is T’Challa sick in your world?”

“No, King T’Challa wasn’t.”

Her voice got high at the end. “Wasn’t?”

“One day he passed in his sleep with a heart attack before I was born. In his thirties, I think. Everyone was shaken, and he is loved to this day. Okoye took over the throne though you two share responsibilities.”

“What about Toussaint?”

“Who?”

“His …” Shuri looked over her shoulder at the elders around her. There was only so much excitement the council could take in a day. “A close family member of his. How is he?”

Yemi’s eyebrows scrunched together. “Uh, T’Challa only had you after your parents went to the ancestral realm. No wife and no heirs.”

She smiled with bitterness. There was no universe where her family or happiness was fully intact, was it? As always, she would have to move forward.

“Okay, Yemi what is it that you require Wakanda’s greatest mind to help with—M’Baku, hush! Stop laughing!”

“But I’m your king!”

“And you’re an annoyance … my king. Like, a buzzing mosquitoe in my ear.” Shuri started again, releasing Yemi’s cuffs while she talked. “Whatever you’re looking for I’m sure my Griot can find it.”

“With Ku’uk’ulkan too? Can you show me the way to Talokan?”

Frowning, she firmly said no. “There’s no need to include him. The less interaction we have the better… The fact that you know about Talokan is interesting. Who is he in your world? Here, he’s no friend to anyone.”

Stars shone in Yemi’s eyes.

“He’s the best king ever! Sometimes, he’s annoying because he’s so overprotective of me—but he’s that way with everyone, really. I love him with all of my heart.”

Not wanting to ruin the girl’s adoration Shuri just raised an eyebrow. Would it be right to inform her how ruthless her precious king could get? Her world’s Namor may have been drastically different anyway. He could have been kind and understanding. If that was the case, then the Shuri of the other world probably shared Yemi’s sentiments.

Too much what-if thinking wasn’t good for her, so she pushed away that train of thought.

“Forgive me if this is considered ignorant, but is your genetic makeup like his too? Your skin isn’t blue at all.”

“Umm, I’m just special.”

M’Baku cleared his throat. “If I may barge into the princess’ private conversation, what’s this item that only the princess and the fish man can find?”

Yemi’s golden eyes seemed to water but her voice was determined. “It’s an ancient Talokan artifact, but more importantly it was my grandmother’s bracelet. Only one of its kind! It’s been destroyed in my world, so I was maybe really hoping you could 3D print me a new one to take back home. I would be forever grateful!” the girl finished in a burst of words.

Shuri blinked. She was a genius, so she had an educated guess as to what bracelet she wanted to copy. But she had to remember the bracelet probably didn't share the same meaning in the other world. Did that Shuri even know that Namor? 

“Sure, I can make you a copy, but to tie it you'll need new rope from Talokan. The string is too delicate for my lab to reproduce.” Shuri rubbed her neck. "And that will require a visit with him."

M'Baku explained what was obvious. "A very unserious fish man!"

"Don't call him that!" Yemi yelled, then covered her mouth as if remembering the situation. "I mean it's very offensive to Talokans when you refer to him like that."

Shuri led her out of the council room to the path that led to her lab. The elders were still grumbling and whispering at Yemi's sudden appearance.

"I hope we'll have a chance to talk more about the multiverse. I find it fascinating. Have you met other Shuris?" Shuri rummaged around her lab for her tools and the safe where she secretly stored the bracelet. She still wore it from time to time, not that anyone would ever know.

Yemi smiled softly. Her attention was directed to the bracelet rather than Shuri’s question.

"It's beautiful. Looks just like the one from my world."

"Yes, while the printer does its work, we'll need to get you fitted for a deep diver suit. Something lightweight."

"No need. I'm an excellent swimmer." Yemi held up a hand.

"In this universe, Talokan is at the bottom of the ocean."

"Well, let's say I can hold my breath really well," Yemi giggled and as if to prove her swimming prowess she wiggled the tips of her triangular ears.

"So you're from Talokan then or you lived there for a period? You've lived in the capital of Wakanda judging by the accent, and that's peppered with the tones of another language. And your fangs ... I'm sorry to be so invasive but as a scientist, the questions keep piling in my head." Shuri stopped for a moment.

Feigning nonchalance, Yemi answered, "I'm a lot of things." Then, she changed the subject, more content to fangirl. "So, do you guys have Coachella in this world? Do you've Usher here? He's the best Wakandan entertainer the world has seen!"

Shuri eyed Yemi incredulously. Just who was this girl?

Chapter Text

Here She Goes! 2.

Shuri examined the untied jade squares and pearls on the table. The only sign that the bracelet wasn’t the original was its artificial shininess but some things had to be sacrificed.

Yemi was absolutely ecstatic, thanking Shuri over and over. She was also happy to help out with the lab's overdue cleaning to Shuri’s embarrassment.

“I’m surprised you knew where to find the lab coats and safety goggles. Most people wouldn't think to look below the microwave.”

Yemi continued cleaning a beaker out with soap and water at one of the sinks in the lab. Water drained down the stainless steel in a rush.

“Easy. You keep things in the same place as my mama.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Hmm, so your mother works in a lab? Is she from Talokan too?”

“Yes, something like that,” Yemi finished. She set the beaker down and started for the countertop. “Anyway, continue the story! What happened after you guys found Riri? She’s not in my world to my knowledge. Some old dude is Ironman.”

“Ironheart, I think is what she named herself.” Shuri paused. “Well, to no surprise, the Talokan caught up to us rather violently. But I tried to negotiate for them not to harm her.”

Yemi’s eyes widened.

Answering her silent question, Shuri said, “I requested they take me to their king, Namor, and the big one Attuma obliged. Waking up in Talokan was a sight to see.”

Despite her excitement for the story, Yemi looked confused.

Upon further inspection, Shuri noticed the girl’s long eyelashes. If there was one thing people praised the Wakandan princess for, it was her genius intellect, golden sense of humor, of course, but then her long lashes. Naturally thick, black long eyelashes were a genetic trait passed down mainly through the royal family. It was very rare to see a non-family member with their type of lashes.

The girl frowned. “How can you call him that? What does Namor mean here? In my world, that name is horrible. It's reserved for his enemies.” Horror flashed across her face. “You’re a good guy, right?” She seemed to whisper.

Shuri could only roll her eyes. Of course, she was the villain in his story.

“I’m not his subject, so I won't call him Ku’uk’ulkan. Namor is the next closest thing,” she said. This was the most Shuri was willing to reveal. Yemi would be back home soon. No need to judge her Namor for this Namor's actions.

Calling him that name seemed to hurt Yemi, so she fell silent.

There was a sizeable lull in the conversation now. Yemi quietly scrubbed away and Shuri, beyond herself, wanted the girl to talk to her again.

Shuri held her hands behind her back. Her 3D printer weaved another bracelet as a backup, creating the base of the jewelry. Only the whirring of the machine filled the room.

She coughed. “Yemi?”

“Hmm? I mean yes, ma—ma’am?”

Ma'am? She was still in her late twenties!

“You said I’m a mother figure to you. Am I a mother to anyone else in your world?”

“The best mama!” Yemi beamed. Those golden eyes were like the sunrise. “You’ve one girl as of now.”

How did that make her feel? There was a Shuri somewhere that had a family, even if it had to be of her own making. Her lips were threatening to quiver into a smile.

“And what about your father?”

Yemi opened her mouth and then closed it. Clearly, she was picking the right words. “Ch’ah Toh.”

Shuri frowned. She tried the name on her tongue. “Who is that? A Talokan man judging by the name, right?”

“Ask your Ku'uk'ulkan. He’ll know that name in any universe.” Satisfied with the cleaning she had done, Yemi put her wet rag down on the counter.

More questions were still swirling around in Shuri's head, but Yemi abruptly reached for the almost-finished bracelet.

“I wanted to talk more, Shuri, but it's getting late. I've to see Ku’uk’ulkan as soon as possible! I’m on a deadline.”

“Why didn’t you mention that before?”

Yemi groaned, pulling at her face. Instead of a vampire, her features appeared catlike from the expression.

“Because I’ve to be back by tomorrow!” Yemi’s voice rose into a shriek. “But I’ve been having so much fun with you that I got distracted. Sometimes, I forget you can have fun. The you from my world is very strict.”

Shuri placed a comforting hand on the younger girl’s shoulder.

“All right, then let’s get you to that fish man pronto … Little girl, did you just hiss at me?”

"Of course not, princess," Yemi said, rolling her eyes. Shuri gave her a playful shove and led her to the lab exit.

"Come on, pretty-eyed girl."

"Ha!" Yemi smiled tenderly. "You call me that in the other world too!"

"Huh? Great minds think alike."

Yemi swam closer to the bottom until she could see Talokan’s city lights. Besides the difference in buildings and food stands, this Talokan was just as beautiful as her own.

Shuri had forced her to take a pair of kimoyo beads with her underwater, so she could contact her if need be. But she was always safe in his waters.

She maneuvered around families waiting to be served dinners, out-swam a group of annoying jellyfish, and returned the rubber ball a group of kids were playing with. Yemi was much more athletic than her mother was as a child. She played any game with a ball as much as she could find an opponent who wasn't a sore loser or too prideful.

Kicking the ball back to the children had made her lose her train of thought. She needed to find Ku'uk'ulkan, but she had no clue where his home was.

Also, she wondered what was he like here as well. Would he want an unwanted visitor? Shuri was tight-lipped about him, but she could tell they weren't on the best of terms.

"Oof!"

Yemi ricocheted against something strong. Bubbles flew from her mouth at the impact.

She was deep into the city and had lost any sense of familiarity now. It was less populated here besides patrolling security and delivery people.

"Who are you?" A male voice startled her.

Even surrounded by so much water, her mouth went dry. She had literally run into him. He was dressed in an aquamarine cloak and a short gold sarong around his green shorts.

Wow, he had a beard and a noseplug in this version of the world. The rest was the same, and she could see strength, danger, and kindness in him all at once.

"I ... I'm Yemi." She introduced herself.

He grabbed her upper arm in a tight but not painful hold. Never had she seen him look at her like that before.

Like, he detected a threat.

She started then shut her mouth. “Ba—Ku'uk'ulkan, I’m one of your citizens but from the outskirts of Talokan.”

“You'll do well not to lie to me. I know every child born here and the ones on the way. Who has sent you? The Americans?” Ku'uk'ulkan sneered. He stared at her. No surface dweller could survive without equipment yet she didn’t turn blue.

His grip loosened, and he traced a finger to her right triangular ear. Her ears were pierced with small purple jade earrings. 

He touched his forehead to hers. His eyes closed in deep concentration then opened with genuine surprise.

“You’re … you’re like me,” Namor said, close to a whisper. "Breath of land and sea."

"Not exactly. I didn't get the winged ankles," she joked weakly.

Hope brimmed in his eyes.

Yemi gently pushed away from him to stare at his face.

“Ku'uk'ulkan, where I’m from you’re like family to me. A father figure."

He nodded.

"And what is that in your hands?" He examined the bracelet in her hand. "Shu—So the Panther gave this to you? Did she send you here? You wear her beads also."

"Uh, more like borrowed."

Whatever connection they shared a moment ago vanished. Namor's face turned stormy.

Yemi swallowed hard. She had never been on the receiving end of his wrath. Ever! Annoyance and disappointment? Yes, but he looked genuinely angry. Would he hurt her? No. But he looked like he was hurt himself.

He chuckled with no humor. "How lightly she took my gift. If this is so insignificant to her, I could gift any jewel to meet her tastes."

"Why do you want to impress her?"

"You're mistaken."

"No, I'm not. Y'know ma—my princess Shuri valued that bracelet more than anything. It was grandma's after all," Yemi rambled on. "You should know these are just 3D copies. The real one? She guards it in a voice-activated lockbox with lasers and a set of trivia questions."

Namor said nothing but his eyes regarded her seriously.

"Her favorite color is purple though, so you could gift her an amethyst or a topaz gem." Deja vu flowed through Yemi in the form of a dull brain freeze. She had said this before. The time travel was starting to wear on her. She would need to be on her way soon.

He turned the unfinished bracelet in his hand."Your grandmother's bracelet? How could it be hers before my mother's? You're no older than a seventh swimming year."

Yemi bit her tongue. "Well, when I say grandma I mean it's been passed down from my great great great—"

His dark eyes stared her into silence. "It's the same. Transcribed on the back of the largest jade stone is ..."

"Ch'ah Toh," Yemi finished softly. She felt younger than fourteen now. More like eleven under his scrutinizing gaze, which turned softer.

He placed a hand on her chin. "Little one, how do you have this?"

She gulped. "Because I'm not from this world, I traveled here using my mother's invention."

Namor nodded. "Your visit has been ordained by Chaac."

Yemi sputtered. She wasn't expecting him to be so receptive.

"At my age, you realize there's more to life than what the natural eye can see. And your mother is Wakandan?"

"Well, my father is Talokan—"

Namor held up a hand with a knowing smile. "Already I realized I'm your father. But I need my theory confirmed. There are few women I'd consider for a partner—less alone to share a child with. Your mother?"

"Yes, she is," Yemi murmured. She could detect his longing.

His voice was full of sadness. "My dear Shuri. It certainly could've been different."

"It still can be! Whatever went wrong you two need to fix it. Because I've seen the other side of it, and it's beautiful. And a little gross!" Yemi laughed.

He shook his head, smiling to himself.

"It's not that easy, little one."

She shrugged. "Then, make it that way! But whaddya I know I'm just fourteen."

Namor placed his hand in Yemi's, leading her toward his lodging closer to the outskirts of the city.

"Enough. Let's get your rope, so you won't be worrying them anymore. If your Ch'ah Toh is anything like me, then he desperately wants his child returned."

"Yes, Ku'—yes, Baba! Can I have some extra ropes too? And a shark teeth headband too? Mama keeps saying I'm too young for it, but Aunty Namora had one even younger!"

He pressed a kiss to her forehead. Now, he was so much like her own father. Her baba always got everything she wanted!

Maybe this world would have its own Yemi soon? She wouldn't be here to find out, but she had an inclination it would happen.

This universe's Ku'uk'ulkan ushered her passed a woman who looked oddly like her aunt and a big guy she guessed was Attuma. No time for questions! He took her to his bedroom where he filled her bag with the jewelry she wanted. Including the shark teeth headband and a new Talokan dress!

"Go in peace, my precious stingray."

They shared a Talokan salute before she wrapped herself around him. No matter the universe she was his daughter, and she loved him. That's why she hated the name Namor so much. He would never be without love with Mama and her around.

After one more fleeting hug, Yemi prepared herself to leave.

How could her father figure it out almost instantly, but her genius of a mother was still oblivious? Glory to Hanuman, her mama was either dense or her baba was too clever!

Chapter Text

Here She Goes! 3.

Yemi stepped out from the machine's orange glowing slit into her bedroom, falling face-first onto her bed. She felt a sharper pain of brain freeze this time from the prolonged multiverse usage. Once that settled, she sighed in relief.

Her bedroom was left as it was before. Broken pieces of shells, string, and glue littered her table. She had tried everything before deciding to go to the source.

She jingled her bag full of other world goodies. Her secret shark teeth headband was hidden in her drawer, and she stuffed the new Talokan dress under her Wakandan lapa skirt.

Checking again that the bracelet and the backup were in her pocket, Yemi stumbled into the hallway. Mama was talking to one of the house attendants about something until she caught her eye.

Her mother's long, beaded box braids made a loud slap sound from the swift movement of her head. Queen Shuri was beautiful and frowning.

If Yemi didn't explain this right, she was going to get in trouble and be banned from whale riding again!

"Mama! I've been looking for you," Yemi said, shifting to give her a hug careful to miss her prominent baby bump.

Mama wasn't easily fooled. "Girl, I've been looking all over for you! Where have you been? The attendants have served dinner, and it's getting cold. More importantly, your father was expecting you to teach the little ones how to basketweave. Thankfully, Attuma filled in, but you let those guppies down."

Yemi sighed. She would make it up to the little kids later for sure. Being Ku'uk'ulkan's daughter, he expected her to be as involved with the community as he was. Sometimes, it was downright annoying but most of the time she didn't mind. There was still no way she was going to follow in his footsteps.

"Baba!" She yelled.

Shuri fought a smile. "Don't call for him. He won't save you."

A pair of strong arms wrapped around her mother's waist. Yemi was getting better at detecting his near-silent movements.

"I'll always protect our daughter." He planted a loud smack of a kiss on Shuri's cheek, which drew out a squeal from her.

Yemi cleared her throat. "Okay, enough you two. You already have twins on the way, sheesh."

"No promises."

"Ku'uk'ulkan!" Shuri cried, more amused than aghast.

"ANYWAY," Yemi began. Eww, she knew how her parents got when left undisturbed for too long. "I know how sad you were Mama when your bracelet broke, so I fixed it. Happy anniversary, guys."

Yemi didn't mention how she had been playing around with the bracelet beforehand. It was just so pretty and Mama barely let it out of her sight. For good reason! Maybe its age had finally shown up or a bit of bad luck for her mama, but the next time Shuri slid it on her arm the bracelet broke apart. Either way, it was best not to mention her own involvement with its weakened state.

She placed the bracelet gently in her mother's hands. Her father had the gentlest expression she had ever seen. It was a two-fold gift, his mother's bracelet and his first gift to his wife.

Shuri covered her mouth, tears brimming in her eyes. "Aye, these babies oh are making me so emotional, but my precious daughter you're a joy. You pretty-eyed girl … I cannot love you any more than I already do, so I'll just say thank you and postpone any punishment until later."

"Mama!"

Shuri laughed while her husband wiped the trail the tears had left with his thumb.

"You think I didn't notice a multiverse jumper missing from my lab? Oh no, missy, you must be quicker than that."

"Leave the child alone. She has done us a deep kindness." Ku'uk'ulkan released Shuri and kissed his daughter's forehead. "My little stingray is so resourceful. The other world treated you well, correct?"

Yemi leaned into his hug. "Yes, Baba. No need to drown anyone."

"Because if anyone dared to hurt you—"

"Baba!" She laughed. Her father was such a jokester, threatening to flood someone was one of his favorites. As if that man could hurt a seahorse!

Shuri clapped her hands and pushed them both toward the dining room in their family's private cavern. "Come on, you two. Go finish dinner while I polish my new old bracelet."

As Yemi piled her plate high with shrimp, she remembered the most startling thing from her trip.

She began. "Y'know something crazy?"

Shuri shared a look with her husband. Sighing, she said, "No, but you're going to tell us, aren't you?"

"Mama!"

"Go on dear," Namor said dryly.

"Well, in the universe I went to your counterparts weren't together. In fact, I think the other Shuri hated Baba. She called him Na—a terrible name."

To her surprise, neither parent looked alarmed. Shuri put down her cloth rag and the bracelet on the table while Ku'uk'ulkan pulled her chair closer.

Ku'ulkan squeezed Shuri's hand. "No matter the universe. Chaac has destined Ku'uk'ulkan and Shuri to be together.

Shuri snorted. "I don't know about what this guy is saying, but yeah. It's inevitable. Any Shuri is smart enough to know this."

"My queen, in any multiverse I would find you."

Yemi was as touched as her mother to hear those sweet words. But these were still her parents, so it was equal parts sweet and gross.

But for however hard and strange the journey was, the happiness on her parents' faces was well worth it.

Chapter Text

Here She Goes! 4.

M’Baku figured it out first. He wouldn’t mention that it only occurred after the child left. But he was the smartest in the room because he wasn’t dumb enough to think it ridiculous. Those ears weren’t from any party store!

Yes, he was smarter than most gave him credit. The child’s insistence on Shuri and Namor’s involvement made better sense. Even Shuri’s eagerness to help the girl could have been an unconscious connection being recognized.  

“Enough! Let’s adjourn the meeting before any more of Shuri’s children spawn into this room.” He had said it in jest as a throwaway line. It had been a week since the random interruption, so the cat-eyed girl’s image was fresh in their minds.

At the confused murmurs in the room, he bit his carrot. Nothing was getting done regarding the Golden City’s reconstruction of Akinwumi’s statue. This was more entertaining anyway.

Shuri squinted her eyes at him, gripping her armchair tightly. She didn’t appreciate the sudden spotlight on her.

She wouldn’t sacrifice her comfort for the elder’s expectations even for a royal meeting. She wore a black hoodie dress that reached her ankles and boots. Her head's shaved undersides grew until she had something akin to an afro bob.

It was bittersweet that she sat on the council board before her time. Any other time M’Baku would lament seeing such an annoying ruler. T’challa had been itchy enough though he never hated him truly. But that young lady drove him up the wall. He had to increase his daily prayers to Hanuman over her foolishness and odes to new technology like a Wakandan scammer.

“M’Baku, what the hell are you talking about?” She asked to gasps in the room. Her face was screwed into a frown.

Queen Mother wasn’t there to chide her, so another female elder did.

“Language, princess! This is a council meeting as you have so quickly forgotten.”

Shuri held her hands up. “My sincere apologies, elders. King M’Baku has been dear family for so long. It’s easy to forget the proper decorum.”

M’Baku snorted. When had Shuri ever shown him proper respect? Even when he had offered refuge to her mother and she so many years back, it had been with begrudging thanks.

He blinked.

He had been protecting this family, mostly Shuri, for a while now, so maybe that source of brotherly love was making him want to tease her.

“Naymor, your fish man has softened towards you considerably. You’re not sweet in your commands and he like myself is a proud man.” He twirled his mighty hand in gesture. “His eyes are open for you. He tries to please you, I think. He’s fond of you. Do you not think it strange why that child asked for both of you?”

“He’s not mine. What’s the point, M’Baku … King M’Baku?” She gritted out.

He smirked, standing up from his throne. “I’m saying nothing. You know I like to hear myself talk as others have said. Go on, you may leave.”

The council room murmured in agreement, shuffling to file out of the room. The meeting had been too drawn out to ponder any insinuations.

It wasn’t unusual for him to acknowledge the special attention Namor gave her. That fish man could be unreasonable until Shuri stepped into the room. He was willing to work with her in ways he didn’t allow him, the actual ruler of Wakanda. A cleverer woman may have exploited that leeway to her advantage, but Shuri had made no move toward this.

A still-annoyed Shuri marched to his side. He guessed the remark had hit a nerve somewhere.

“For what reason did you waste everyone’s time?” She shook her head. “You took valuable space where I could have requested to help oversee the reconstruction of Akinwumi’s statue. I don’t mean to overstep, but your meetings lately have been bloated with no real solutions—”

It was with great pleasure that M’Baku interrupted her.

He scratched his beard.

“Suddenly, I’ve found the point: that child from before looked very much like you,” he said. “Ignoring, of course, those cartoon eyes and elf ears.”

Shuri watched him closely, genuinely confused.

“Okay, I wouldn’t be surprised if she had a Wakandan parent.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if she was from the royal family with those eyelashes either. T’Challa was rather loose with his loins, then.”

Shuri snorted. “As if. Actually—”

She opened her mouth and then closed it.

“Yeah, I’m sure she’s no secret child of his.”

M’Baku ushered her closer to him.

“Just as well. I saw you in that child, not him. But I saw someone else as well.”

“Who?”

“Obliviousness isn’t a good look for you, hardheaded child. Maybe mild confusion, but for you, it’s embarrassing.”

“You’re implying something. Yemi was from a different universe than ours, so whatever you think—”

“Deep down you know whose face she carried.”

Shuri grimaced. She was no fool.

“You’re insane!”

M’Baku threw his fur cape over his shoulder for flare.

“And you—though it may be you from a different world—are a lover of fish in more ways than one, Shuri.”

After an afternoon of playing with her little brother and sister, Yemi tried to carry one in her arm and rock the other to sleep when her desk shook. Mama’s multiverse jumper vibrated on her desk, shaking the shark teeth headband and the basket she had been weaving earlier.

“Grace, are you going to go to sleep for your big sissy?” Yemi cooed to her baby sister.

The baby’s excited squeal confirmed that as a negative, and her twin brother Favor struggled to slip out of Yemi’s arms. His chubby legs kept kicking in every direction accompanied by fussy cries.

“Last time, I ever try to give the nannies a break,” Yemi sighed. She finally set Favor down to crawl on the floor and moved Grace to her other arm. “Your parents are taking their sweet time coming back from their date.”

The multiverse jumper shook again.

“All right, all right! I’m coming!”

With her free hand, Yemi transferred the call from the jumper to her kimoyo beads. She had promised and served enough punishment for taking the gadget the first time (anniversary present or not). She wouldn’t get caught using it again without permission.

“Hellooo,” Yemi greeted softly while trying to soothe Grace to sleep. Favor crawled around as if he were on a race track.

Shuri looked somewhere between disturbed and surprised in her comfy hoodie. Yemi noted how similar the bedroom looked to her own. They had the same taste, and Shuri seemed to love the color purple in every universe.

“Yemi?” Her voice sounded strained.

“Yes?” Yemi asked.

She wasn’t considered a genius in anyone’s book, but she could guess the motive behind the frantic call.

“I’M YOUR MOTHER!” Shuri shrieked, pulling her hoodie strings tighter and enclosing her face. “I mean in that universe—your universe I birthed you and was impregnated by your father.” The last words were said in a hurried whisper.

Yemi laughed, which made Favor laugh, and encouraged Grace to squeal again. Further proving, that these babies weren’t going to sleep anytime soon.

“Mama, it has been 6 months my time. You just now realized this?” Yemi told her patiently.

Shuri gave a sickly look and stumbled. The kimoyo bead’s video screen readjusted to Shuri falling off her bed and onto the floor.

Quickly, Yemi apologized. “Sorry, is Shuri better for you, right?”

Wincing, Shuri said, “Yes, thank you. It’s … still a lot for me to reconcile with. I had been wrestling with myself until I decided to call you.”

For a while, Shuri said nothing. She released her hoodie strings and pulled the hood from her head. She lay on her purple carpet just breathing and looking at Yemi. No longer hiding from her full gaze. Maybe committing her face to memory.

“Ma—Shuri, I guess I get why it’s a big deal for you. To be like married with three kids here, since you’re still a kid yourself over there, right?”

“Hardly, in my late twenties,” Shuri replied, closing her eyes. “Being married with a family isn’t what is alarming me. It’s the fact that who your father is in your universe confirms something for me here. Confirms feelings that I would rather pretend weren’t there.”

Yemi bit her lip. “I’m only fourteen, but I know that love isn’t a bad thing. Embrace it! Everyone knows that's all you two do in this universe. I mean you’ve just had a set of twins here.”

“Your father is a Talokan, right?”

Yemi nodded, zooming her beads on Grace.

The twins looked the most like their father. Same deep brown skin and triangular ears, but neither had the yellow cat eyes. Their eyes were dark brown like both parents, which made Yemi wonder if she alone had a weird recessive gene. She resembled Shuri the most.

She sat up. “Can you … Can you tell me how we fell in love in your world? What made me love Attuma? He seems so serious and quiet.”

“Well, it started when Baba gave you his mother’s bracelet ... Wait. What? Are you serious?”

Shuri had the nerve to roll her eyes.

“Yes, it makes perfect sense. In my world, he’s always finding excuses to hang around in Wakanda. Begging to escort Namor when he visits for alliance meetings. I thought he was there for Okoye, but all along he’s been there for me.”

Even the babies looked confused.

“So, there’s no other Talokan man that’s interested in you over there, Shuri? No one?”

Yemi had heard for herself that her father in that universe loved Shuri. They weren’t together yet for whatever reason, but Baba was a bold man. No way he hadn’t at least hinted he was interested in her.

Shuri rubbed her chin. “You’re right, Yemi. It’s possible I haven’t met this other Talokan man yet that I love in your universe. Or, maybe he doesn’t exist in my timeline, so that might rule out Attuma. Then, I’m clueless. Who’s your father?”

Favor whined in the background, filling Yemi’s stunned silence. Grace squirmed in her arms and began to get restless.

Shuri wasn’t joking.

Yemi recollected herself. “Hey Shuri, if you REALLY think about it, you know who my father is. Over here, he’s a great leader and father. And not BLUE! Some might say he’s Talokan royalty. Be real. Who else fits that description?”

With a gasp, Shuri’s eyes widened and she covered her mouth.

“Namor.”

“Yes, finally!” She cheered.

“Namor has a brother? It wouldn’t be unusual for another Mayan woman to have ingested the herb as well during pregnancy.” Shuri smiled, pleased with herself. “Honestly, knowing this might make him feel less alone or deflate that huge ego of his. He thinks he’s a god.”

The twins began to cry in unison. Perhaps, disturbed by this woman who shared their mother’s face but none of her intelligence.

She tried to shush them.

“Shh, Grace and Favor, that’s enough. You’re literally fighting sleep, but it’s whooping that behind. Sleep!”

Shuri waited for her to put the twins in a cradle before hanging up. Her countenance appeared lighter compared to the start of the call.

“Those two seemed overdue for a nap. Anyway, thank you for putting away my doubts, Yemi. As a scientist, I always look for logic, so this ordeal with your parentage had been perplexing. You’re a bright kid, and you’re always welcome to hop into my universe any time. I’ll let you go now,” Shuri said, ending the call.

Yemi had no words.

It was like Shuri had a mental block. He never even occurred to her as an option, or maybe it scared her too much to consider him.

The multiverse definitely was different. In Yemi’s world, her mother was a genius, but this Shuri certainly wasn’t.