Archive of Our Own ^beta

“I never knew you had it in you, fishboy.”

“I didn’t know you did too, scientist.”

Shuri scoffed, “You know that’s not an insult, right? Quite of a compliment actually.” She adjusted the placement of the jade beads on the stand.

“What? Makes sense right?” Namor exclaimed, hands shrugging outwards. He was holding a wine glass with pink lemonade inside. She thought that was all for his royalty sake, but Namor also requested a cocktail umbrella and a straw with it.

The ice pool bath was also the last thing that Shuri would let in her lab, but, the serpent feathered-king God (oh, emphasized on the titles), demanded as he can go on land for so long.

“It doesn’t make sense that you have a whole inflatable pool in my lab,” Shuri snarked back.

He shrugged. “Princess, this is how I survive.”

“And I’d pop that with my claws if I had the chance.”

He laughed, “You just don’t have the luxury that I’m in right now.”

Shuri was astonished. Very astonished actually.

She raised her eyebrows, “In that? Really?” She scoffed. Shuri didn’t know he was a kid in a king’s body, wondered how he actually had a kingdom underneath his feet.

When both of their cities became official allies, they had a rough patch of acceptance. Neither sides didn’t want to cooperate after the battle, and did their own petty tricks on each other once in awhile.

It has gotten better though through communication, but so as they thought.

Shuri looked up. “Grito, check the functions of the beads.”

“Yes, princess. The beads are functional by a hundred percent. Would you like me to check again?”

Shuri wavered off, “No, that’ll be fine.” She brought the beads off from the stand and went towards Namor.

“This,” she revealed to him, “is your version of kimoyo beads.”

They had engravings within each bead, connecting together when you see it afar. Of course, it might not impress Namor, but it does it’s job.

When Namor saw the beads, she didn’t know what he was thinking. ‘Was it too fancy? Too simple? Hell, why is she even doing this for him?’

The only reason why Shuri even made the beads in the first place was out of bribery, begging. She wouldn’t have licked the thought of creating kimoyo beads, but he was one stubborn and arrogant man. Added, charismatic also.

Shuri raised her eyebrows curiously and crossed her arms. “Well? Are you satisfied, my king?” She emphasized.

His face was in the state of observing. One where no one can find, but only on a queen and a king. He put down his drink on the floor, and touched each jaded bead like it had a story to it. Each and every one of them gently caressed in his hands with care.

Namor’s eyes looked at the beads softer, “It’s… it’s impressive.” He finally slid it onto his wrist. “I may be a king, but I do prefer simple things at times.”

Shuri sighed. “Well, at least I have an easier way to signal you.”

Namor tipped his head upwards to look at her a bit offended. “Oh, my apologies princess. Does my presence bothers you?”

“It does actually.”

(It really doesn’t. She prefers it that way).

Shuri smirked, “A joke is always available to be taken, but I made this because out of your begging.” She paused “Also.. because of your soldiers.”

“Oh, I can always take anything I want.” He said while picking up his glass gracefully. “But regardless, what has my people done to disturb you?” He looked back at his drink and sipped like it was a first time treat.

“Well.. they’ve been messing with our machinery recently. Some small breakage, but it’s been quite a handful when it comes to emergencies.”

Namor sipped on his drink again— almost done with the drink but listened.

“So, I’d actually appreciate it if you had a little chat with them.” Shuri plucked his straw out of his mouth of him midway drinking.

Namor looked at her with a deadpan face. “Seriously? As I was trying to finish?”

Shuri suddenly poked his head, seeming like Namor was missing something obvious. “Like I’m gonna let you flop around in my lab anymore than I did.”