Nashuri Collection (Namor x Shuri)

28 - 31

28. Apology

The quiet was wearing on Namor's nerves. He didn't like to be ignored. How unbecoming was it for him to be expected to grovel at her door? Like, a dog begging for scraps.

"Itzia, enough of this foolishness." He knocked once more. "Come out."

The door swung open furiously.

"No!" Shuri screeched. She was still in the beautiful black dress and had gold beads adorning her hair. His vision of beauty was upset. "How dare you turn the Avengers' dinner into a mockery! First, your people burst in, chanting, interrupting the agenda, and then taking all the food! Uninvited I may add."

His reasoning of "What if it had been poisoned? Your ogre of a king was chomping away so merrily, I'm sure no one checked" was ignored.

"What if this had been a United Nations gala? Do you know how embarrassing that would have been? Thankfully, the Avengers have a sense of humor."

He twitched his nose. "The United Nations is an embarrassment by itself. The Avengers—this oddly dressed team of heroes—don't have the wherewithal to enact true justice or protection. Though you seem to think so."

Shuri seethe between her teeth. "They try. And that's more than anyone else. But they have alien attacks and New York collapsing daily to steal their attention away. Also, my brother was closely affiliated with them. Watch your mouth!"

Namor opened his mouth and then thought better. T'Challa was a sensitive subject, and he was here to lower himself to apologize.

"I'd rather you watch my mouth for me though your tongue might get tangled," he said cooly, his attempt to lighten the mood.

Shuri wasn't amused by the innuendo.

"If you're going to continue being insufferable, then stew in your own delusions elsewhere." She turned away. "Do you realize how long it took me to find catering, arrange travel, and invite guests? Just for you to bulldoze in? Great, make the princess of Wakanda look more incompetent than I already feel."

His good-winged foot stopped the door from closing.

Namor frowned. "Princess, forgive me for the intrusion on your dinner. I know you worked hard to coordinate it. But when your attention is elsewhere, with horrid men in tacky outfits in tow, I cannot help myself."

She snorted, impressed he was capable of apology though not where it really mattered. She wasn't satisfied.

"Did you think the Hulk was going to sweep me off my feet? What was your expected outcome?"

"I wanted to see you. I wanted to see you smile. And, I wanted it to be because of me."

Shuri looked at him. Some of the fire burning out of her.

"You also wanted to ruin the event." She played with the earring in one of his ears absentmindedly.

"Yes, I wanted to ruin your king's event—not your planning and not your day." He reached his hand out to smooth the crease at her brow.

Humming, she let him pull her forward. She always said his eyes were intense, all-consuming black holes, but hers were simply just beautiful. He rested his forehead against hers.

"Well, you failed!" Shuri taunted, a surge of pettiness bubbling up. Then, all at once, she pushed him away. And slammed the door in his face, and the tip of one of his wings was caught in the doorframe. "Beg harder and maybe I'll forgive you!"

Namor cursed and gingerly nursed his foot. But he could hear her laughter through the door, knowing she was a little less angry.

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