Chapter Text
They had two wedding anniversaries and both were celebrated every year. In the first few years of their marriage, back when they acted little more than friends with a special title, the anniversaries were celebrated simply. They’d have dinner together or watch the sunset, simply enjoy each other's company without the burden of titles and duty. When their relationship began to change and grow into something more, so did their celebrations.
She was the first to start with gifts, shyly muttering “Happy Anniversary” when she gave him a pair of vibranium bracers that she’d etched with the geometric designs that marked all her metal work.
A few days later, when she came to Talokan for the other anniversary, he gave her a necklace of jade beads that he’d polished smooth, simple enough that she could wear it everyday without issue and tight enough to her throat that it didn’t interfere with her panther suit. His mothers bracelet had a permanent home on her wrist, the fibers practically worn together in a way that would make removing it near impossible. He knew it would never fray or break though, the fibers from the plant that had blessed them both were strong enough to last.
Once they’d taken the next step in their relationship, physical intimacy was as easy as breathing by the time their anniversaries rolled around. By this point as well, both days were something they looked forward to all year. With a longstanding agreement of no work allowed it made spending time together all the more special. They could do things as if they were a regular couple who hadn’t been brought together by alliance and bloodshed.
With comfort came confidence and when she was involved, confidence and daring were interchangeable. As they walked down the streets of the Golden City she separated from him to head into a shop, asking him to wait. She came back out a few minutes later with a small bag which he of course tried to look into.
“Ah, that is not for now. Be patient.” She teased, turning his face away with a smirk.
He laughed at the mischief in her eyes “As you say Itzia. ”
He found out later just exactly what was in that bag when she emerged from the bathroom in a lingerie set the same shade of green as the necklace he’d given her. He was immediately struck speechless and she taunted him for it “Lost your voice K’uk’ulkan?” 500 years of life and she would be the death of him. He watched in awe as she approached the bed with the easy grace of a panther, rings of vibranium in between straps catching the light of the setting sun and practically making her glitter.
By the time he got his wits back and sat up, she had reached the bedside. He pulled her between his legs and pressed his nose to her skin, the oil she had used made her skin soft and supple and smelled of sandalwood and sea salt. She rested her hand at the side of his head, thumb flicking at the sensitive tip of his ear. As she leaned down to speak to him he pressed his lips to the skin of her chest not hidden by lace.
“Happy Anniversary Umyeni .”
He pulled her into his lap so that they could be face to face and kissed her deeply, hands already trailing down the skin of her sides and legs. He pulled back and rested their foreheads together.
“Happy Anniversary Itzia. ”
They spend their anniversary in Talokan similar to how they spent their anniversary in Wakanda. Except this time instead of lace and vibranium she’s draped in jades and jewels.
“You would think you hate the way I look without all these with how quick you are to cover me in them when I come to Talokan.” She said as she admired the bracelet he’d put in place of his mothers. She had been the one to spend nearly an hour working at the knot so she could tie it around her throat like a choker instead of keeping it on her wrist.
“You are a Queen here, it only seems fair that you dress that way.”
The look she gives him shows that she doesn’t quite believe that explanation “And it certainly has nothing to do with you liking the way I look in green. Especially the green things you gave me.”
“Would you believe me if I claimed it was tradition?”
“No more so than when you claimed it was tradition for my feet not to touch the floor in the sanctuary cave so that you had an excuse for us to have sex against the wall.”
“See, I knew you were fond of our traditions.” He teased, cupping a hand around her neck as he leaned down to kiss her.
“You’re possessive.” She said as she began to lead them to the bed.
“And you aren’t?” He countered, moving her hand to rest against a panther claw scar on his chest. His knees hit the edge of the bed and he grabbed her as he fell back, pulling her so that she lay on his chest. The gems dug in slightly but he would take a little discomfort if it meant seeing her covered in the gifts he’d crafted.
She pushed herself up on her hands, her legs straddled at his waist. “I’m allowed to be. You’ve got an entire nation of adoring people but you are mine. And,” She leaned down to bite his bottom lip. “I’m your wife.”
“And I thank the Gods every day for that.”
He traced his hands from her hips up to her waist, leaving one there as he moved the other up and up and up to the back of her head, pulling her closer so he could kiss her again. Their eyes met when they separated for breath, her pupils blown wide and lips swollen.
“Happy Anniversary.” He breathed.
She smiled at him, soft and gentle, then pressed her lips to his so delicately he found himself chasing after her when she pulled back again.
“Happy Anniversary.”