It all happened so fast.
Freedom, now restricted.
Shuri can't go home- not for a long long time. She is stuck here...for who knows how long?
Peter had just finished rounding up some low level criminals at a bank, and arrived back at the Avenger Facility, swinging straight through an open window and smacking straight into Shuri.
Peter tumbled over her, catching himself just in time before the Wakandan Princess was fully squashed to the floor.
"Oh hey, Shuri." He said awkwardly.
"Hi Peter," Shuri replied, voice muffled.
He looked down Shuri and saw the front of her T-shirt plastered to her face. Peter's eyes travelled further downwards and registered the rich brown skin of her stomach. Peter caught his breath, stunned at the sight of Shuri. She shifted to sit up, pulling her t-shirt down and closing the already tiny gap between them.
"Is everything okay?" Shuri asked.
Peter stuttered nervously and scrambled to stand up, relentlessly apologising, Shuri laughing so hard at his flustered expression, she fell down again.
After a moment, Shuri wiped the tears of laughter from her eyes and began picking up her dropped tools, saying,
"How did the mission go?"
"Ah pretty good, they had some guns and a few hostages but they were kinda beginner levels so it wasn't too hard if you know what I mean."
"I bet it would be even easier if your suit had some upgrades." Shuri smirked.
Ah this again. A source of ongoing friendly conflict between them. Peter knew that Shuri's abilities with technology were limitless and there were countless things she could do to improve his suit, but the Spiderman suit he had was his own, homemade, logo and all.
"Want any help with that?" Peter avoided, and gestured to the load she was carrying.
"Sure."
They walked down to the room Shuri was staying in.
"What movie are we watching tonight?" She asked, glancing at Peter.
"I think it's Pepper's turn to choose. Maybe a rom-com or something."
"Ooh yes! And pizza again for dinner?"
"Yup, every Sunday Movie night, same order from the same place."
"You Americans don't seem to have much variety in food. Most seems to be carbs, oil and cheese. Always cheese." Shuri remarked dryly.
"You know it's the best. And technically, pizza is Italian."
"So it's even more you? Right, Signor Parker?" Shuri teased.
"I can't even speak Italian!"
"I heard some of the other Avengers can. Maybe they should teach you."
They arrived at Shuri's room and stay there, chatting and laughing until Steve sticked his head through the door.
"Guys, pizza's here!"
"Yess!" Shuri and Peter cheered
"What movie did Pepper pick?" Shuri said nonchalantly, casting a sly glance at Peter. He returned the look and they snickered at each other.
"Uh, I think it's Titani-," Steve doesn't even get a chance to finish his sentence before the two teens started shrieking.
"I TOLD YOUUUUUUUU!" Shuri crowed triumphantly.
"Whaaaaaaat?" Peter buried his head in his hands, utterly confused.
"I win the bet!" She grinned. The sight of Shuri's smile lessoned the stinging blow of defeat for Peter, almost. "Now you have to figure out a way to slip that a rotten banana into Bruce's lab."
Steve chuckles from the doorway, knowing that whilst he may understand the 21st centuries' general slang, he'll never quite get the teens' humor. Making a mental note to stay away from Dr Banner's lab in the future, Steve reminded Shuri and Peter about dinner and headed down to the living room, hearing their friendly bickering follow behind him.
Everyone gathered in the Screening Room for their weekly Sunday Movie Night to watch Titanic, the tragic romance starring the eternal beauty Kate Winslet and the heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio. Pepper smiled internally as she recalled Tony's proposal to her, not the big public announcement at the press conference, that was just a diversion, but the quiet, loving reference made to Titanic to ask Pepper for a lifetime together. I figure life's a gift and I don't intend on wasting it, Tony had got down on one knee, always one for the drama, will you spend it with me?
And even though every time Tony got back into the Iron Man suit, which she swore took at least 10 years away, Pepper had seen enough of him to know that he was just the man she was looking for, and more.
"Mommy!" Morgan called out from behind her. "Mommy!"
Scooping her precious daughter into a big hug, Pepper squeezed her tight.
"Pizza's here, which slices do you want?" Morgan carefully considered her choices and took the same three varieties of pizza she always chose and sat down on the couch.
Meanwhile Tony walked into the relatively empty Screening Room.
"Where is everyone?"
"Steve's rounding them up, they'll be here in a second." Pepper replied.
Right on cue, Steve entered, followed by Natasha, Bucky, Sam, Wanda, Vision (who liked to attend despite already knowing the plot of every single movie as he is the internet himself), T'Challa, Okoye, and Bruce then the troublesome teens. They launched themselves straight at the table, overflowing with pizza. Pepper handed each Avenger, or Avengers guest, a paper plate then sat down to start the movie.
"Why do these people eat so much food?" Okoye whispered to her king in Xhosa.
King T'Challa answered with, "Great warriors require great amounts of food."
"And Shuri's included in that?"
T'Challa chuckled at what Okoye insinuated. His baby sister, despite actually being a teen, was consistently mothered by the Legion of Wakandan women warriors, the Dora Milaje. And at the head of the impressive fleet of skilled fighters, diplomats and medics, was Okoye. She was practically part of the Wakandan Royal Family, travelling with them on international foreign affair operations and covert undercover missions.
"Quick! The movie's starting!" Natasha called from the couch, sitting in between Tony with Morgan seated on his lap, and Steve, who was practically gulping down slices of pizza like he hadn't eaten for 70 years.
Soon everyone was settled in around the wide room, and the movie began playing in high definition on the massive TV screen designed by Stark Industries, their newest product. The team chatted quietly, watched the movie or did a mix both.
As Titanic neared it's famously sad ending, Peter and T'Challa teased Shuri about her old crush on Jack, the handsome hero and part-time artist.
"Did you wish he would draw you like one of his French girls?" T'Challa laughed.
"Oh Jack! Draw me like one of your French girls!" Peter said in falsetto, imitated Rose.
"Do you know she cried after watching Titanic for the first time?" Okoye chipped in and the trio cackled at Shuri's blushing face.
"Shut up and watch the movie!" She mumbled.
They just laughed harder.
Shuri rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to the movie. Next to her, sat Steve chatting with Natasha about drawing techniques.
"I've seen some of your drawings, Roger. They're not too bad."
"A bit of a critic, are you Natasha? But I'll take the compliment anyway."
Natasha smirked knowingly and Steve smiled.
Then Okoye's Kimoyo Beads started to vibrate, indicating she had an incoming call. She stepped outside to take it.
Peter and T'Challa continued their merciless mockery of Shuri's long-time fantasy. What trivial chatter for a precursor to a world-changing conversation.
Okoye stepped back into the room urgently. She yells, "My King!"
"What is it, Okoye?" T'Challa's tone is serious as he registerd the panicked look on his advisor's face.
"The American government has forbidden us to return home." Voice trembling, the usually stoic warrior struggled to keep herself together.
"What?" Shuri shot up from the couch she was resting on a moment ago.
"Calm down. There must be an explanation for this." Wakanda's king holds out a hand to his sister. "Okoye, do you know what has happened?"
She switched to her native language, Xhosa, all too aware of the many curious eyes aimed towards her.
"My king, the virus that infected many people in China has spread around the globe at an alarming rate. The American government has implemented a full lockdown for everyone in the country."
"We…We can't leave?" Shuri whispered, eyes growing wide as looked towards her brother's solemn face.
"For the sake of Wakandan-American relations…no." T'Challa admitted, knowing that this would break his sister's heart.
Shuri pressed her lips tightly together, eyes blinking furiously and walked from the room. T'Challa sighed whilst Okoye looked mournfully after her young, upset charge.
Meanwhile, everyone who didn't speak Xhosa was utterly confused at the scene played before them, and badgered Vision to translate. He displayed the English transcript in the air, and they all shook their heads in sympathy.
Steve offered to use his contacts in the government to persuade the Wakandans to be allowed to return home before the pandemic became even worse.
Bruce asked if he needed any scientific help with finding a vaccine for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, also known as SARS-CoV-2.
Pepper assured him that all their needs would be taken care of by Stark Industries whilst they were in America.
The others gave smiles and nods of confirmation to support the Wakandans, but were internally worried about the situation.
Peter was shocked. He'd never seen Shuri react like that. She was always charming, sneaky and full of spirit. Where was that girl now? Peter wasn't so sure if she would be coming back, after what he had seen.
Okoye noticed his worried gaze and she realised the depth of Peter's care for her princess. A strong relationship, friends or otherwise…Okoye met Peter's eyes and nodded sharply, shifting her head towards the direction of the door. Peter caught on immediately and ran to Shuri's room, his concern growing by the second.