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Tweak says, ""The stupid - it burns!""

ｐａｎｔｈｅｒ (

kingly) wrote in

avengers_logs,
@ 2019-12-23 08:53:00

Who: T'Challa & Natasha
What: A trip to Wakanda - kind of immersing Nat in things
When: Backdated to before the holidays
Where: First the penthouse, then mostly the royal palace
Status: Complete

Natasha had packed light, not expecting this to be a very long trip to Wakanda. And if it was, she was fairly certain she could pick up more appropriate outfits in Wakanda. She hadn’t been to the Tribeca residence in an official capacity until now. She had wondered where T’Challa had been keeping the aircraft he used to get back and forth. She nodded at the security as she was waved in and directed toward the elevators that would take her upstairs to meet her escort.

There was a luxury here that reminded Natasha a lot of the Tower. It wasn’t intentional. Simply unconscious and what one was accustomed to. Well, it was a good thing she could fit in anywhere. The elevator doors dinged open and she made her way down the hallway to knock on the penthouse door.

T’Challa missed his home, of course, and while the penthouse in 30 Warren was no royal palace it was decorated to remind him of home as much as possible. The colors were similar, shades of purple and black, the furniture custom-designed and some of the upholstery velvet. There was a private elevator used to get to his domicile (which also included Shuri’s lab space), a rooftop garden and pool, glass curtain walls, and barrel-vaulted ceilings.

A palace in the sky, he supposed - so a more than decent substitute for his proper homeland.

Natasha had access to the penthouse elevator by now, and T’Challa was also considering giving her a key to his place - or was that too soon? Was it even proper? He didn’t really know the rules about this sort of thing, but if nothing else, her having a key would be convenient. They could talk about it during this trip, perhaps.

He answered the door right away, wearing a sleek black and gold Dashiki-style suit. “All packed?” he asked Natasha, taking her hand to show her inside. Then he slid his arms around her to pull her in, chest to chest, for a kiss - this would not be appropriate to do in front of his family, so best to get it in now.

She dropped her bag on a chair near the doorway. “Yes, I expect that if I’m missing something I’ll find something more suitable there anyway.” Natasha ran her eyes over T’Challa and there was something to be said for a man that knew how to dress even in normal everyday clothes. She wrapped her arms around T’Challa’s neck in return and returned his kiss.

It was still something of a surprise to be able to openly show affection like this. She was used to stolen moments and visits under a time limit. It was a very welcome change of pace. “I should visit more often it seems if that’s the welcome I’ll get every time.” She teased with a laugh.

“You should,” T’Challa agreed, giving Natasha’s waist a squeeze in encouragement, lips curling in a coy grin. “Visit anytime. It gets lonely around here anyway - I would not mind someone to ease that.” The kisses in greeting were a fun bonus, no?

He stepped back a little but didn’t let go of her hand. “We will catch the royal talon fighter up on the roof,” he said. It had many defense mechanisms, cannons and a sonic overload, and could also be rendered invisible to the naked eye using the cloaking mechanism - but one of the most useful aspects was that it could be piloted remotely using the correct kimoyo beads.

Heading out via the penthouse’s roof access, he gathered their bags and waited only a moment before the jet faded into view and the hatch door opened - ladies first, so he grandly swept an arm to indicate Natasha should head on in, and then he was right behind her.

~*~*~*~

The flight to Wakanda had been uneventful. Natasha’s hands still twitched with not being at the controls with the plane’s ability to fly itself, but she let herself get distracted in conversation with T’Challa who had plenty to say about the view and about what he needed to do in Wakanda.

They’d disembarked with little fanfare though she wasn’t sure T’Challa’s Royal Guard had been too pleased to see her again. She wasn’t sure that was a result of the memories from their last encounter or something else. She’d been dropped off in Shuri’s lab to while away some of the time discussing Shuri’s latest work and some of Natasha’s own questions about physics while T’Challa was busy in meetings.

It was mostly Okoye that held reservations about the infamous Black Widow, but that was due to her protective nature - she was protective of the King, her country, everything about Wakanda and that was why she was T’Challa’s top general (not to mention she was one of the best warriors in the country, if not the best). But there was something else too, and in the back of his mind, T’Challa knew what it was.

If he was to continue this romantic entanglement with Natasha, the color of her skin was something of a concern to those close to him - he wished it was not that way, but it was. He would need to talk to her about it, being in Wakanda just solidified that for him much more. But his country had been isolated from the influence of colonizers for years - having a lighter-skinned woman fraternizing with the King was jarring to those in the royal family and the guard.

Except Shuri, however. His little sister didn’t care - she was happy to get to have a visitor, and talk to Natasha. T’Challa appreciated her sunshine outlook now more than ever.

“I hope I am not interrupting much,” he greeted as he entered, smiling fondly. “I must steal her for a moment, sister, if I may?” He held out his hand to Natasha. “I will show you the gardens, Ms. Romanoff.”

They were in the midst of a lively discussion about ethics and inventions especially as it pertained to the wondrous technology that Wakanda had kept to itself and what would happen if people outside the country started getting their hands on it. Natasha was laughing as T’Challa entered and was promptly waved away with a quip about her brother being so very bothersome. “I’d love to come back and chat some more if you’ll have me,” she told Shuri over her shoulder as she took T’Challa’s hand and let lead her out.

“Your sister is lovely. She should come visit the States more. I think everyone would love her.” Her irreverence was lovely and exactly the kind of thing they needed more of. Gallows humor and the deflection she and Tony were masters of were nice and all but Shuri would be a breath of fresh air. “How did your meetings go? Everything taken care of?”

“She does enjoy traveling to the States and visiting the Outreach Center,” T’Challa agreed with a chuckle, fingers lacing with Natasha’s as he meandered toward the palace gardens. “I’m sure she’d be glad to come back more often.”

He showed them outside, past the large doors and into quite a beautiful sight - or at least, T’Challa always thought so. The thick canopy of leaves and vines, other spaces overflowing with gorgeous flora but also flowers and herbs - aromatic leaves, air scented by blossoms, the sweetly pungent smell of oregano and the woody stems of rosemary. It was calming out here too, someplace he’d often turned to when he’d needed a moment to think and reflect.

“Everything has been taken care of,” he continued. There was a bridge to stroll on, over a pond filled with koi fish, and he stopped there briefly. “I simply - well, there is something I should talk to you about. I wish it were not necessary and I will understand if you wish to...cut our visit short,” and never talk to T’Challa again, but he really hoped it wouldn’t be that. He liked Natasha quite a bit and he was certain they’d be just fine overall, but he felt it was good to be honest with her. “Nothing bad. Just something that will...provide more perspective on the guard, for one thing?”

Natasha squeezed his hand back and took in all the wonders she was being shown. Wakanda and its mix of opulence, technology, and natural beauty was a place unrivaled by much of anywhere else. She trailed her fingers along one of the flower blossoms. She was far from the best caretaker of plants but she wondered if she couldn’t bring a piece of this beautiful country back home with her. It was a true pleasure to be shown all these wonders by someone who knew them so well and had many a story to share.

She tilted her head as the mood shifted from one of relaxed comfort to something...a bit more strained. What could have him looking like that? His business here had seemed routine with nothing that should have brought her into it. “What is it? Is there something happening that means I should leave?” She did wonder if she’d offended someone that T’Challa had to play nice with and this was his polite way of saying so.

“No, not at all,” T’Challa assured. He took both of Natasha’s hands in his, holding them in a gentle grip, his touch warm and hopefully reassuring. “You just - you know that Wakanda has been isolated for many, many years. It is only of recent times that we have shown ourselves, and offered our resources to our brothers and sisters in need around the world. I also differ from my father in that I understand the importance of allies - we have a few now, the number growing steadily. But my interest in you - it goes beyond that of an ally. It will just take Okoye and the guard some time to get used to it. I am sure they believed I would choose someone...from here.”

He had Nakia, but they were so roller coaster it just didn’t work out - she was a spy, and meant to be one, which had her traveling on various assignments all around the world. T’Challa yearned for something stable, and he finally had hope that he’d found what he was looking for.

Of all of the things she was expecting T’Challa to speak of that was the last thing she would’ve predicted. Her face stayed still, keeping her emotions and thoughts close to the vest. She supposed she should’ve seen that coming. Wakanda was a proud and strong nation and outsiders interfering was the last thing they wanted especially after everything and so close to the throne at that. They’d already had enough trouble on that front even if this incursion was less militaristic.

Natasha let herself relax and her expression softened. “I’ve dealt with far worse. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.” She flashed a smile. She had and she would be. It wasn’t unfamiliar for her to be seen as the enemy no matter how far from that intent she carried. “I don’t blame them for their wariness especially when it concerns their king.”

“We will be fine,” T’Challa said, thumb stroking over Natasha’s cheekbone, before he slid his hand up into her hair. He anchored himself in and kissed her gently. “I just wanted to explain a few things. Ultimately, I make my own decisions. Make my own choices - especially when it comes to my personal life.”

He wasn’t about to give this up because of something like skin pigmentation - not happening. His family, his people, may be strong and resilient and stubborn - but so was he. On this, he wouldn’t yield.

The reassurance that T’Challa was also willing to go counter to the wishes of his people was unexpected and also warmed Natasha. She leaned into his touch with a soft sigh, eyes half closing at the enjoyment of his touch, and letting herself sink into the kiss. “Well, I know how obligations are and how choices sometimes are less than choices.” She stroked a hand over his cheek.

If you’d told her a year ago or even several months ago this is where she would be right now with the horizon of a new future in front of her she wouldn’t have believed it. This was far out of her realm of imagination in any shape or form. Work and her ledger had always defined her. But maybe there was space after all for more outside of that. “But then obligations are nothing but rules and I’ve had a penchant for breaking those.” She teased with a soft husky and low smolder to her voice.

“Yes, you have,” T’Challa laughed a little, his tone fond. “It is part of the reason I enjoy your company so much.” There were other reasons too, and no doubt he’d go over those with Natasha - later, perhaps.

Now, he’d just finish the tour of this garden and continue to show her around his homeland. A personal tour, for someone he very much wanted to impress.

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