Coincidentally, I'm writing this chapter on a Thursday. (Proofreading on a Wednesday and publishing on a Sunday).

Year Three: Another Thursday

Wakanda - 11:09 AM

Iqadi runs down the stairs and waves to passing staff on her way out. She heads outside and sees Imanu waiting for her on the front steps. He smiles as she stops in front of him, both dressed casually for the day. Iqadi rests a hand on his arm and he quickly kisses her on the cheek.

"Sorry if I kept you waiting," Iqadi says. She looks around and sees they're standing outside on their own with no ride or other officials. "Imanu, what are we doing?"

Imanu grins from the corner of his mouth. "Iqadi, darling, I blocked time on your schedule so we could hang out."

Iqadi's lips part but she's silent, unsure what to say. Her mouth curves into a smile, thinking that her husband pushed aside all duties and responsibilities for the afternoon so they could spend some time together. She forgets what it said on her timetable but she believes Imanu wrote that it's an unofficial city tour, which is why they're dressed in clothes they'd wear when visiting their friends in America or having a day to themselves.

"On our own?" Iqadi questions.

Imanu nods. "On our own."

"Any plans?"

"Not really. We could go into town."

"We'll get recognized."

"We won't."

Iqadi's brows perk up as she purses her lips. "Shall we bet?"

Imanu looks at her questionably yet intrigued. "Name your terms."

"I bet that we will get recognized if we're out there."

"And I bet we won't. What's the wager?"

Iqadi thinks for a moment since he's letting her choose, wondering what she could put on the table that would make this impromptu bet worth it. When an idea comes to mind, she pulls him close and whispers it in his ear. Imanu's brows furrow for a second before his face softens and he bites down on his lips with a tempting grin as Iqadi pulls back, still holding on to him.

"Oh…" Imanu mutters excitedly, making Iqadi grin excitedly. He glances at her. "You, my wife, are on."

Still linked, they leave the palace and enter the town. At first, people don't notice them since they're too preoccupied with their own lives. Civilians are entering and leaving shops, getting what they want or need. Some are getting food on their lunch breaks from restaurants that make Iqadi and Imanu's mouths water. They plan to grab something on their way back. Iqadi's occasionally visited the kingdom but it was mostly in a formal matter, planned where people would expect to see her. Imanu grew up here, spent his life here between shifts in the mines before he got swept up in royal life. Now, they're on their own agenda with no rules or predetermined path to walk.

It's thrilling.

"Prediction without preparation is just curiosity," Imanu whispers to Iqadi.

Iqadi frowns with a smile. "That's not fair, I can't argue that."

Imanu mocks a pout which strengthens her frown. "Aw, my dear, you look concerned. All royal and concerned."

"Saying that will make you lose."

"Maybe I want to lose." He sneaks a kiss to her cheek as she nudges him away, failing to hide her smile.

"Oh, hush."

He laughs but stops when he sees a group of small kids playing jump rope staring at them. Iqadi notices and, for a moment, she thinks they're recognized, especially when one of them runs up to them. Before Iqadi says anything, the little girl takes her hand and brings her to the jump rope with her friends. Imanu follows and watches as Iqadi in pure amazement as she partakes in a game of jump rope with the kids. Iqadi laughs and cheers as she jumps with them, meeting Imanu's eyes every few seconds to get his reaction.

Imanu turns around for a second and his eyes widen when he sees his sister staring at him. She's in her school uniform with her backpack on her shoulders, excusing herself from her friends before scurrying up to him.

"You're supposed to be in school," Imanu states.

Kili shrugs. "Aren't you supposed to be in the palace?"

Imanu keeps quiet despite being a married grown man. His sister is twelve. A child. Still, they promise not to tell their parents they saw each other, let alone being in town.

"You lost the bet," Iqadi says once she's done playing. She's walked up to him and immediately hugs Kili tightly, not bringing up that she was supposed to be in school.

"What do you mean I lost?" Imanu asks.

"Kili recognized you."

Imanu struggles for words, especially since Kili sticks out her tongue at him while still hugging Iqadi.

"She's my sister, she doesn't count," Imanu argues.

"You never specified," Iqadi says. A grin grows on her lips. "Prediction without preparation, dear."

Imanu can't argue back on his words that, ironically, Iqadi said earlier she couldn't refute. He can't get enough of Iqadi's giddy expression that winks, making him remember their wager for their bet. Suddenly, he's not so mad about being recognized in the kingdom over a technicality.

-o-

Sci-Tech Faculty Building - 13:52 PM

James wasn't sure what to update Prof Nine with when he decided to drop by his office. He knows he's supposed to check in with his SO often enough, but he didn't get another assignment after his adventure, to put it lightly, at Camp SHIELD. He's glad that he wasn't in Xavier's shoes since Agent Vander is eyeing and will likely force Xavier to be an RA next year, or Dr. BV making Daniel do another dissertation in limited time or Merida in Communications. Sometimes, James thinks he's got the better end of the deal. He thought Angela had the best outcome since she wasn't given the infamous first assignment but he knows that when she gets it, it could potentially be worse than Camp SHIELD, which is a terrifying thought all on its own, especially after his … adventure with Xavier.

So when he took a seat in Prof Nine's office, they engaged in small talk. They went back and forth about current events in their lives. James spoke about what his friends were doing and his upcoming plans while Prof Nine spoke about the courses and the entertaining rumours of any fellow faculty members, especially if they concerned any profs James had. Despite James doing well in his classes, somehow, if he could hear any hints about his upcoming finals, he's listening.

James was so relieved he got the chillest prof as his SO. The man who somehow got his own office that had a mini-fridge full of White Claws was in charge of him. Sweet.

"Since you seem to be relatively fine, which is odd since we're here," Prof Nine starts, "I'd check to make sure your friends are okay. You're almost halfway through your third year and this is when the Academy really hones in on you guys. You don't truly know how much time you have left."

"Noted," James responds.

"And take this on your way out."

James smiles as he receives a cold can from the mini-fridge.

-o-

Darwin Library - 14:45 PM

James didn't need to text Daniel to find out where he is. Since Prof Nine pointed out that they're almost halfway through the year, James knows that Daniel is running out of time on his second dissertation. And Daniel doesn't like running out of time. James knows that it's mostly because Daniel had the task thrown in his face unexpectedly and it was made mandatory if he wanted to be his SO's teaching assistant next year. Daniel needed that job to pay off a debt he owes Fury for Emily's engagement ring. James offered to pay for it since they're his best friends but he understands how it's Daniel's responsibility. Hell, he wouldn't want anyone to help him pay for Angela's ring if he didn't have money.

James walks into the library and finds Daniel sitting at a table in the midst of other students. Like the others, he's zeroed in on his laptop, eyes scanning the screen as his table meant for four is littered with papers and textbooks. Even when James stands next to him, Daniel doesn't notice. Come to think of it, James isn't even sure when he last saw Daniel, if he was even coming back to their dorm at night or sleeping here or in a lab.

"Hey, you alive?" James asks, nudging Daniel who glances up at him with a small frown. James smiles as he hands Daniel the rest of his White Claw. "My SO said to check on you."

"Glad you needed Prof Nine to tell you that," Daniel responds with a small laugh, putting the can down.

"That's not the point. Where have you been?"

"Here."

"Knew it." James takes a seat. "So, what's up?"

Daniel sighs. "I had a 106 in Agent Lachlan's and got a perfect score on the midterm and the essay. Now my mark in the course is 105. I don't get it. I couldn't have gotten more than 100 on the midterm so, of course, it dropped."

"It's one mark."

"A fallen soldier."

James should call Emily about how dramatic her fiancé's being. "Just one."

Daniel doesn't nod or process the information. His face doesn't budge as he closes his computer. Immediately recognizing this crisis, James takes a seat and forces Daniel to finish his drink. It's got a bit of alcohol. It should help. Other students look up at them from their own work in pity, recognizing the situation.

"Daniel, keep your eyes on me," James reassures. "I get this feeling all the time and it will pass. Let's get some fresh air. So, screw that class. How are you? How's the second dissertation? Looks like you got a lot done."

"I have a thesis and a literature review," Daniel mutters.

"That's way more than the dissertation I was supposed to have for first year. What about your field test? Still thinking of skipping it?"

"Yes. Can't lose fights if I don't participate."

James notes to definitely call Emily after this conversation. "Okay, you're using my logic so I'm concerned."

"Why be bad at something when I could just not do it?"

James pauses. "You can't already be drunk on my leftover. Very concerning."

-o-

Just Outside Campus - 22:52 PM

Xavier, Ashton, and Brody had nothing to do once they got dismissed from their late-night training session. Still feeling energized enough to have some fun, they went with Brody's suggestion to head off-campus. They took Ashton's car and stopped at the corner gas station since he needed a refill. As they waited, the three boys walked inside of the corner shop. A lot of the other customers in there were Academy students (hell, they're the customers 99% of the time. The other 1% are faculty).

"My roommate suggested we get the donuts around this time," Brody says.

"Sure," Xavier says.

"Sounds good to me," Ashton adds. "Are we splitting?"

"No, no," Brody says, "they throw away the donuts close to midnight but we could just ask for them and we'll get whatever's left for free."

Xavier, Ashton, and Brody glance at the donuts in the display case that are sort of decent enough when they're put out in the morning. Then they sit in the dimly lit case all day, not changing in appearance whatsoever. If they're even made from real ingredients is out of the question.

And they'll get over a dozen donuts if they act now.

"That sounds like a stupid idea," Xavier states before smiling.

"Let's do it," Ashton cheers.

-o-

Hudson Residence - 7:12 AM

"Xavier!"

Xavier jumps awake and Orchid's smiling face is right in front of his. He's spooked, still in his clothes from last night, unsure of when he got back in his dorm. Stupid gas station donuts. They must've passed out back in his dorm and left the door open, which is how Orchid got in. She laughs a little as she takes a seat on the edge of his bed, nudging Brody, who's asleep on the floor cuddling a gas station donut.

"Morning, bestie," Orchid says as Ashton stirs awake from the top bunk. "Welcome to Friday."