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The Wakandan princess and the King of Talokan sat beside each other on the river's edge watching the waters ebb and flow.
“Princess,” Namor said. “What’s something you’re thankful for?”
Shuri turned to her companion.
“An interesting question,” she said. “I’m thankful for a lot of things. My people, my country-“
“Besides that.” Namor interrupted. “When you think through life’s moments. What are the ones you are most thankful for?”
Shuri was taken aback by the serpent king’s sudden inquiry, nevertheless, a series of memories flooded her mind. Memories that brought her pain as much as they did joy.
“The ones of me and my brother,” she said. “Especially when we were kids.”
Shuri’s eyes were distant as she went down memory lane.
“As soon as I was able to stand on two feet, I would follow him around. No matter where he went, there I was waddling right behind him. He never minded, or at least he didn’t let on if he did. I learned so much from him…I wouldn’t be who I am without him.”
Shuri rubbed her thumb over her hand tattoo, her smile fading into a look of remorse.
“A year and a half…”
Namor turned to her as she spoke her last words. He saw the look in her eyes, a look of a feeling he hadn’t allowed himself to express outwardly in centuries, but one he knew all too well even still.
Without a word, he moved his hand on top of hers. Her lip quivered before she squeezed his hand gratefully.
“What about you?” Shuri asked him as she kept her gaze on the river.
“When you think through your life’s moments. What are some of the ones that you are most thankful for?”
When the king beside her did not answer, she turned her gaze to find his eyes already on her. Their hidden treasures prominent as the setting sun shined into them.
“The ones with you,” Namor confessed.
He didn’t elaborate, and she didn’t need him to. Because whether or not Shuri wanted to admit it, she was thankful for those moments too.