Tony stumbled into his bathroom and retched into the sink. For the first time, it wasn't alcohol, but pure revulsion that bubbled up through his throat.
It all made sense, too much sense. It was so clear, and the fact that he hadn't seen it before was on him. For his entire life he'd been so carefully kept, a pampered pet. He'd been all too happy with his gilded life to realize that it had been a cage all along.
His weapons weren't saving the world from the Wizarding Order, they weren't protecting people. They were tools of slaughter. The battle had seemed to last an eternity, and he'd been helpless, only able to watch as his creations murdered and destroyed. Every person- every child- who had died in that city, it was all on him.
Tony heaved- it came up dry- and he splashed water in his face. He wondered what other lies he'd been told. He remembered his childhood, the rare visits with his parents. He'd been told that they were just too busy saving the world. But with the sudden clarity afforded to him, he saw his position for what it had been. He'd been leverage. His father had helped Hydra, but only because they'd had Tony. His parents' distance hadn't been because they didn't care about him, but because they'd had no choice.
Worse, if anyone in Hydra realized that Tony had doubts, that if for a moment they suspected he knew more than he should, they wouldn't hesitate to force his cooperation as well. His mind reeled, triaging his position. He couldn't run, and he couldn't fight against them.
At least… not directly.
-----
Natasha grabbed Lily's ear, who squawked indignantly. "What the hell were you thinking? Running into Wakanda like that, without telling anyone?"
"I told someone." She pouted.
"Who?"
"Err, some sorcerer?" Natasha looked distinctly unimpressed. "Look, I saved T'Chone's life!"
"She did!" T'Chone came to her defense. "I'd be dead if it weren't for her."
"And why." Shuri cut in. "Was your life in need of saving in the first place? You were supposed to be rescuing civilians, not picking fights with Hydra."
"I didn't mean to! It just sort of happened."
"God, he takes after his father." Natasha sighed. "What are we going to do with them?"
At that moment, portals opened up around them and people began streaming out- Sorcerers, Wakandans, and… others? Natasha scanned the crowd, not sure what to make of the dark blue skinned giants, the humanoid beings composed of stone, at least not until she spotted a couple of Asgardians. Then things started to become clear. It was a retreat, but not a disorganized one- better than she'd feared. "Dad!" Lily shouted, pelting towards Harry the moment she saw him. T'Chone watched them as they hugged, stunned.
Harry spun her around and set her down. "I made a friend!" Lily chirped, leading him back. "This is T'Chone."
"I see that." Harry said, a tired smile on his face. He was far from jubilant, but the battle couldn't have gone that poorly, Natasha figured.
"Aba." T'Chone said, the word still unfamiliar on his tongue. "What… how…" Finally, he spit it out. "Is she my sister?"
"Well, half-sister, yes." Harry said with the straightest face he could manage. Natasha didn't envy him. Having to explain how he'd had children from two different women, and yes this was all consensual with all parties wasn't an easy task.
Shuri came to his rescue. "T'Chone, your father and I have a… unique relationship." T'Chone nodded numbly. "You and Lily were conceived at around the same time, and both Nat and I knew what we were getting into."
"He's my brother." Lily breathed. She was just as dumbstruck as T'Chone. However, she'd had time to acclimate to her parents' unorthodox relationships. "Why didn't you tell me I had a brother?" She asked, accusing.
"Well…" Harry stumbled, caught between the demands of his two children. "We weren't even sure if you did until we reconnected with Shuri. We didn't want to get your hopes up if it turned out…"
"Oh." Lily nodded, somewhat mollified. She was very sensitive to things being kept from her, but was as quick to calm down as she was to anger.
"But why, mother?" T'Chone asked, sounding utterly lost. "If he was already with another, why…"
"Let me tell you a story, T'Chone." Shuri said soothingly. "Back when we'd first met, Hydra attacked Wakanda and tried to kill my parents. Your father nearly killed himself saving us, pushed his magic so hard in healing my father that he collapsed and almost died. He's… special to me. And the other women we were with… it was never a competition between us. We were friends, teammates, partners. It felt natural."
That was as good of an explanation as Nat had heard, and Shuri cemented it by throwing a playful arm around her shoulder. "We're still friends, right?" She teased. "You're not upset I slept with your man?" Natasha smiled, rolling her eyes.
"And I'm out." Lily said, turning on her heels.
"Wait just a moment." Natasha disentangled herself. "You're still in trouble!"
"What for?" Harry raised an eyebrow.
"This is your fault." She jabbed a finger into Harry's chest. "She charged headfirst into a warzone. She's got your stupid saving people complex."
"I saved T'Chone!" Lily shouted. "My brother, apparently!"
Harry held a hand up. "Let's discuss this before doling out punishments." He cautioned. "And I'm sure this is at least partly because you did such a good job raising her to be compassionate and brave."
"Flattery will get you nowhere." Natasha said, smiling despite herself.
"Harry!" He turned his head to find Ginny rushing towards him. She looked not much worse for wear. Natasha found herself wondering what exactly had gone down in the battle outside Wakanda.
"You were incredible out there." She gushed. "Going toe to toe with her like that."
Harry wrapped her in a hug. "You scared me for a moment there, Gin."
"Wait, Gin?" Shuri asked, putting the pieces together. "Oh my god! You're his magic school girlfriend!"
"Yeah, I guess that's me." Ginny said awkwardly, reluctantly releasing Harry.
"I'm so happy for you two." Shuri crowed. "He missed you so much, it was obvious." She offered up a fist to bump. Blushing, Ginny knocked her fist to Shuri's. Natasha chuckled under her breath. She doubted Ginny had been expecting such an enthusiastic reception from Shuri. Shuri looked back at Natasha. "We need to catch up. Get on the same page."
"Yeah, right after we get on the same page with our children." Natasha said under her breath. She glanced around, to find that both of the little miscreants had disappeared. "Son of a-"
-----
"Thank you." Harry said. "I don't know what would have happened without you. I know you don't remember me, but it is good to see you."
"So its true, then?" Thor asked. "Heimdall told me of your situation, but I confess I couldn't quite believe it." Heimdall was with them, then, that explained how Thor had known to arrive at exactly the right time. Harry could only begin to imagine the advantage that having eyes and ears everywhere would give them.
As much as Harry would like to spend time with his nascent family, getting up to speed with their new allies couldn't wait. The Asgardians and his wizarding friends had been eyeing each other warily, and Harry wanted to cut any distrust off at the head. He hoped this wouldn't be a difficult conversation. Thor had always been easy to get along with, but then, the Thor he had known hadn't had his kingdom taken from him and spent decades as a resistance fighter.
"It is." Harry bowed his head. "I'm… we're going to fix this. Its not going to be easy, but with your help… we're that much closer."
"I always thought an alliance between me and your people would make sense." Thor said. "I sent a messenger down to discuss cooperation, but she… never returned." Harry winced. He instantly knew who Thor must be referring to- the woman from his vision.
"We have nothing to do with the Order." Harry said. "They're as cruel and racist as Hela is. I have a source within the organization." He wasn't prepared to regale Thor with the details of his horcrux connection with Voldemort. "I believe she's alive and imprisoned."
"She's alive." Thor breathed, relieved. "We need to save her."
"Thor-"
"Its my fault she met this fate." He barreled on. "I sent her down here. I cannot stand by and-"
"Thor!" Harry belted. "I have friends down there too. I'm not going to abandon them. We will get them back."
Thor breathed out a heavy sigh. "Thank you, Harry Potter. I confess, I was worried about this meeting."
"Why?"
"After what happened to Valkyrie. I feared that no wizard would speak with any of my kind. Not after what my sister has done."
It was Harry's turn to sigh. "You are not your sister, and I am not the Order. Neither of us is responsible for what our people have done. But together, we can break the cycle, and make things right."
-----
Shuri felt the tension in her gut grow as she followed Harry away from the common areas. There hadn't been time for intimacy, not with danger so close and with so much to do. Housing an entire city's worth of people should have been a nearly impossible task, but the Ancient one had merely opened a door and presented a complex with hallways, rooms, gardens and courtyards that seemed to go on forever (when asked if they truly did, the Ancient One had only smiled enigmatically).
Then there was Lily and T'Chone to deal with. Shuri found herself unable to punish T'Chone too harshly, her resolve breaking as soon as they'd tracked the two down. They were in an alcove, talking excitedly to each other and occasionally breaking out into giggles. Shuri couldn't remember the last time she'd seen T'Chone so happy and carefree. Her heart thawing, she couldn't bring herself to do more than give him a lecture about safety and recklessness.
There promised to be meetings later, to discuss strategy and no doubt argue endlessly, but certainly not tonight. Tonight, everyone would settle in and get some rest. Though she planned to be in bed, perhaps Shuri would be getting less rest than the others.
"Princess." They had been intercepted, and by someone Shuri was loathe to see. Okoye bowed her head, showing more deference to her than she normally would have. Shuri's memories of Okoye from her previous life were different. The woman, then and now, was driven by honor and a warrior spirit, but this world had hardened her edge and her prejudices, at Shuri's expense. "Please allow me to escort you to your quarters."
It was a peace offering, but Shuri realized as it was made that she had no interest in taking it. She was done playing that game, of court politics and intrigue, of trying to adhere to conservative standards that she'd never fit into naturally. "Thank you for your offer." She said. "But I will be sleeping with Harry from now on."
"Sleeping?" Okoye asked, apprehensive.
In an unspoken answer, Shuri leaned forward, rising onto her toes to catch Harry's mouth in a kiss. Harry hesitated for a moment, before leaning in. She moaned purposefully, drawing herself against Harry's body as their kiss deepened. It felt good, being close to Harry, but it felt even better to show Okoye just how much she enjoyed being close to him. Let her see, let her stew and judge. And if deep down the woman was secretly jealous? All the better.
When they broke the kiss, Shuri found herself pressed intimately against Harry and her back against the wall. She could feel his breath ghost against her lips as he panted, his own lips alluringly flushed. She wanted to kiss him again. "I think we've got the situation well in hand, general." Harry said. Amused, Shuri watched Okoye spin on her heels and beat a swift retreat.
"You know, I'd like them to at least tolerate me." Harry told her.
"I don't care." Shuri said. "I've been playing their game all my life, and I'm sick of it." Having gotten a taste of rebellion, she wanted more. She wanted to rub her relationship with Harry in her parents' faces. She wanted gratuitous displays of affection with him in front of the elite families. She wanted to see the looks on her old suitors' faces, who had always treated her like they were doing her a favor, making her a proper woman by associating with her. She wanted to tell them that Harry was the only man who had made her cum, who had made her scream and see god.
She wanted to see them steam with impotent rage and humiliation. Their princess, dating an outsider. But not just an outsider, but a white man. And not just a white man, but the man who had saved them all, who was completely untouchable. And she wasn't merely dating him, she'd already had a child with him, already tainted her royal bloodline with his foreign seed. And worse still, she wasn't even a 'proper' wife, she was one of his lovers, part of his harem like the kings of old.
She wanted to tear apart every one of Wakanda's traditions, and fucking Harry was a good place to start. She kissed him again, bowing to the allure of his parted lips. He grabbed her ass, crushing her to him and rubbing his erection against her abdomen. An idea occurred to her, triggering a shiver of arousal. She sank to her knees, looking up at Harry. He cut an imposing figure from this position. Already significantly taller than her, he towered over her now. However, it was the prominent ridge of his cock, now right in front of her, that monopolized her attention. She unclasped his pants and dragged them down. "Shuri." Harry panted. "Someone could see us."
"Let them." She said. That was the point. If some Wakandan nobleman walked in on her gagging herself on Harry's cock… she felt another shiver of pleasure. She tugged down his boxers, and her breath caught. He was every bit as impressive as she'd remembered. His pale shaft, engorged and flushed with blood, called out to her. "I'm gonna worship your white cock." She moaned gratuitously for her imagined audience. Harry's cock throbbed at her words. "Fuck." She moaned again, this time not exaggerating one bit.
She pressed her lips against his flushed head, swiping with her tongue almost tentatively, lapping around his crown as she got a feel for his taste and texture. "Shuri." Harry hissed, his cock twitching again. It was all the encouragement she needed. There was something hypnotic about it, bobbing her head up and down his length, hearing him moan, tasting him and feeling him throb into her mouth. She took him deeper, until she was gagging herself on him. She reveled in it, how depraved she must look and how lewd she must sound.
She felt Harry's hand on the back of her head, though it was little more than a gentle caress, it felt like a promise that he could do more. "I'm close." He said, his voice low and gravelly. She didn't let up, staring up at Harry with darkened eyes and hollowing out her cheeks as she sucked. Harry moaned, shivering as he began to release himself. Shuri knew from previous experience that she wouldn't be able to swallow it all, which was just as well. After the first few shots, she released him and let his essence streak across her face, marking her up, claiming her.
She gave a delirious giggle, feeling high. She could taste Harry's seed in her mouth and feel it warm and thick on her face. It was intoxicating. She must look like a sight. Then she heard footsteps behind her, and panic mixed with a sudden, intense spike of arousal. Had someone actually been watching, all along?
"Alright you little rebel." Natasha chuckled, and Shuri felt a strange mix of relief and disappointment. They hadn't been caught, not really. "I think we have a lot of 'catching up' to do."
Shuri stood, wobbling, prompting Harry to place his hands on her shoulders to steady her. She felt lightheaded, coasting on a high that was partly sexual, and partly the thrill of rebellion. "C'mon." She giggled again. "Whisk me away, white boy."
She squeaked when Harry scooped her up into his arms. "As the princess wishes." He said with faux formality. Shuri giggled again, swatting his backside, causing Harry to jolt in surprise.
"He has a nice ass, doesn't he?" Natasha smiled, giving it a swat of her own. "Come on, Ginny's waiting for us. Let's all get acquainted, shall we?"
-----
"What are you doing, sister?" T'Challa asked.
"Something I should have done a long time ago." Shuri said. Sexual rebellion was one thing, but it didn't mean anything without some real rebellion, without something concrete. In her hands, she carefully cradled one of the most carefully guarded treasures of the royal family. She hadn't asked permission, of course, and she wasn't going to ask for forgiveness either.
T'Challa merely raised his eyebrows. "I hope you aren't giving that to T'Chone."
Shuri snorted. "God no. We're going to have a hard enough time with him as it is." She shook her head. "No, I'm giving it to Harry."
It wasn't the first time she'd thought about it. She'd given him the Heart shaped herb once, to save his life. It had been withdrawn under her father's orders, and Harry had consented, but all along, the procedure had left a bad taste in her mouth. Harry had nearly sacrificed his life to protect her family, and with the herb he could have done even more to save people. But she'd bowed to her father's will, and Harry had taken it with equanimity.
Now, she had far less patience with authority and the traditions and strictures of Wakandan society. It had been those judgements that had led to her hiding her son away, to them living in subtle disgrace, and she was sick of it. Harry deserved this, and more importantly, he could use it.
She could see her brother coming to terms with her intentions in real time. There was a brief flicker of conflict, and then acceptance. He had been in the battle against Hela and had seen firsthand how outclassed they had been. "Don't worry, sis, I won't try to stop you." T'Challa nodded. "And I won't tell our parents either."
"If they find out, they find out." Shuri said brazenly. She wasn't going to go out of her way to tell them, but she felt surprisingly flippant about what they might do if they did figure out what she'd done. What, would they leave, send all their people to certain death? Unlikely. Her father may still be the sovereign of Wakanda and hold the loyalty of her people, but he no longer held the cards. "They can rage about it all they want, I won't move."
"One thing." T'Challa added. "You should consider taking a second herb."
Shuri blinked uncomprehendingly.
"If we're going to be giving the herb to our allies." T'Challa explained lightly. "Shouldn't Wakanda's honored princess also be gifted with it?"