If you're reading PNG, this chapter foreshadows Iqadi and Imanu's Rando Week arc.
Year Three: Wakanda Better Watch Out
Wakanda's Royal Lounge - 17:51 PM
"Princess."
Iqadi looks up from the journal she's reading to see her ten-year-old sister-in-law, Kili, walking into the room. They've known each other for about three years and have been on a first-name basis since she and Imanu have been engaged. Now she knows that if Kili throws in a formality, even when talking to Iqadi's parents, then Iqadi knows she wants something. It works on her father plenty, especially when she wants to sit on his throne for fun and pretend to be in charge.
"So polite, Kili," Iqadi responds with a sweet smile, "about to ask to try on a Black Panther suit?"
"Oh, that's cool," Kili responds now reconsidering why she came in here, "but I need extra help with something for school."
"And that is?"
Kili's a smart girl and does exceptionally well in her classes. Iqadi knows that in the chance that Kili needs school help, she'd ask Imanu despite him not having a formal education. He picked up everything he needed and more in the mines.
"We're starting a self-defense unit and I know Imanu isn't coordinated," Kili states.
"Being uncoordinated and a pacifist are different things," Iqadi responds.
"You're the best tutor I could ask for."
Iqadi hesitates despite being interested in helping Kili with her self-defence. She knows Imanu doesn't like physical violence although this is self-defense. He would've been forced through the curriculum if he stayed in school. But she wouldn't be surprised if he walked out of every class since he did that to her father during his suitor days. It's his little sister whom he still sees as a child. Iqadi's been training since she could walk.
"Imanu would hate this…" Iqadi mutters.
"But our mother would hate it if I fail this class," Kili argues.
And Iqadi doesn't want to disappoint her mother-in-law. "Good point."
-o-
Wakanda's Royal Training Room - 18:33 PM
After Iqadi and Kili changed into training outfits, they met in her training room. A big open space meant for simulations and room to throw assailants around or expand the kinetic power in the Black Panther suit. Iqadi started the session out with some stretches. She read Kili's handbook to see what she should know already. Simple dodges and basic blocks.
Iqadi's going extremely light like when she was starting to train. She feels like her father teaching her, gentle yet firm. It's almost like looking at her younger self. It'd be like teaching her own child one day.
When Kili throws a punch, Iqadi catches her fist. She holds it and wiggles Kili's arm like a noodle.
"You're loose," Iqadi states. "It would be easier to break your arm if they used more strength when catching the punch."
"You're stronger than me," Kili states.
"Fair, but so would most people who would put up a fight with you." Iqadi expected Kili's frown. She remembers grimacing at her father when he would tell her she was holding her punches or wasn't kicking high enough. "Look, Kili, it's frustrating and you're doing well for someone who just started. Success is sweeter as a slow-build."
"But Imanu says you're impulsive."
Iqadi doesn't blink. Of course, he said that. "He's right and that's why I would mess up. He thinks before acting and I act before thinking. It's why we work. But succeeding at something after working and training so hard is worth it, right?"
Kili shrugs.
Iqadi huffs, standing straight again. What's some wisdom her father told her two-year-old self when she was acting this unmotivated? "Look, something your textbook won't tell you is how impossible it is to resist the urge to fight back, especially when you're fighting for your life. It's instinct, primal. When you're in this position-"
Instantly, Iqadi twists Kili's arm that's still in her hand. Gently but with enough force, Iqadi twists her sister-in-law around so her back is facing her. Iqadi presses Kili against her, wrapping her own loose arm around her neck. Putting herself in a chokehold, not threatening. Iqadi smiles as she senses Kili still processing, head spinning with a bit of whiplash. A state Iqadi knows all too well, down to Kili's struggling to get out.
"I did say it's instinctive," Iqadi whispers with a small grin, pulling her chin on Kili's shoulder. "Right? You want to throw a punch, scratch at my face, don't you?"
"You're too pretty," Kili says.
Iqadi exhales a small laugh, riveting along Kili's body. "You're flattering me as a distraction to get out. Not a bad tactic in certain scenarios."
"Yes but you are pretty. Very pretty. Imanu says it every time I see him which is a lot."
"Again, distracting."
"I try."
"Distraction is good, don't get me wrong, because if you can get a breath in, you can keep fighting. There are some things you can't understand unless you've been through it yourself."
Kili nods within her chokehold. "It sounds cool but it wouldn't be cool to deal with."
They both look up, not breaking apart, and see Imanu walking in. His face doesn't shift upon seeing his wife holding his sister in a chokehold, or more so his wife holding his sister who's holding herself in a chokehold.
"Only I can do that to her," Imanu says with a smile.
"Yeah right," Kili says as Iqadi finally lets her go.
"Oh yeah?" Imanu questions before looking at Iqadi. "My wife, let's go."
Imanu holds up his fists like a cartoon fighter ready to fight, a reference Iqadi only understands from the glimpses of American media she's seen. Iqadi watches her husband bounce on his toes, grinning at her. She isn't sure whether to laugh or gawk.
"I've picked up some things in the mines, believe it or not," Imanu states.
"I thought all you picked up was vibranium."
Imanu glares at Kili as she shrugs and Iqadi laughs. He did more analytical work in the mines, drawing graphs and computing calculations. Occasionally, they assigned him to manual work to, literally, pick up vibranium pieces or mine them.
"My Prince Consort lessons went over the basics," Imanu adds.
"Darling," Iqadi states.
"I got this. The problem with identical training is that you have the same tricks."
Iqadi raises a brow, challenged by that claim. "Oh really?"
Imanu doesn't budge, knowing he plucked a nerve. Iqadi's face is still wrought with skepticism but she takes a breath. Kili watches to the side, cheering for Iqadi to kick her brother.
When she pounces at him, Imanu opens his arms in a hug to catch her. Once he closes his arms around her, he kisses her on the cheek. Iqadi's eyes widen as her body tenses, causing Imanu to stumble back. They fall on the ground, happily landing on the mats. Imanu holds Iqadi on top of him as he continues to kiss her all over her face. Kili was cheering from the moment Iqadi knocked him over.
"That's not proper combat!" Iqadi yells at him.
Imanu pauses kissing her, tucking her fallen hair strands behind her ear. "Then why is it working?"
Iqadi grins as she leans in closer to whisper, "you're my best friend, you know that, right?"
"I love you too."
"Ew," Kili says as they turn to face her, "do you two want the room?"
"No," Iqadi says as she gets off Imanu, pulling him up. "Kili, what do you say to an assailant when they ask if you have weapons?"
"Say myself."
"No," Imanu states, looking at Iqadi.
"I didn't teach her that," Iqadi responds, glancing at Kili. "Don't tell them that."
"Fine," Kili says, glancing at her handbook and starting to write, "okay, so fighting is primal, practice a lot, distract when you can. Got it. Imanu's part wasn't in the instructional video. Should I kiss people in class?"
"No!"
Iqadi laughs as she faces her husband and taps his nose. "Such a bad example."
Also, now that Hawkeye is out, I have a new one-shot out called Poser. It's a short Black Widow/Red Room fic so go check that out if you'd like.