Holding onto this ship and this story idea since Infinity War, and frankly, I'm glad I waited until after Endgame. Spoilers for Endgame ahead, no spoilers from the trailers of Spiderman: Far from Home and I expect spoilers for Far from Home to be kept out of the comments.

There's no talking me out of this ship.

Enjoy!

Chapter 1- Shuri

Shuri had never met Tony Stark. Yet she stood next to her brother paying her respects nonetheless. She said her condolences to those who clearly knew him better, including a weepy teenage boy about her age.

"Thank you, he will be missed. I'm Peter by the way."

"Shuri."

"How'd you know Tony Stark?" Shuri asked.

"He… He was like a dad to me. I don't think he intended to be, but that's how it ended up. He was protective and caring, and he wanted me to be better than him. He wanted me to learn and grow and be more than just a guy with some powers."

"It's hard losing a father," Shuri said empathetically.

"Yeah, so how did you know Mr. Stark?"

"I didn't know him personally. But my brother knew him."

"Is T'Challa your brother?" Peter pieced together, looking shocked. Shuri folded her hands together and smiled.

"Yes." Peter bowed and she stifled a laugh.

"Please do not bow."

"That's just, that's so cool, you're a princess." Shuri nodded.

"Is Wakanda really as advanced as the news portrays it to be?" Peter wore a look of wonderment.

"Vibranium is a very useful resource."

"Isn't that what Captain America's shield is made of?"

"Yes, and my brother's suit, and much of the technology in Wakanda. I could make you a vibranium spider suit if you wanted?" Peter looked flustered and surprised.

"That's so nice of you, we just met, you don't have to…"

"Part of Wakanda's outreach program should include making sure the people trying to save the world are well equipped to do so. You're doing good work here."

"Thank you. I really appreciate your offer, but… Can I think about it?"

"Of course, no problem. Let me give you my number, you can call me if you make a decision. Or if you need to talk. I know what it's like to lose a father, if you need to talk to someone, just call. I'll be in the states for a while."

"For the Wakanda outreach program," Peter guessed as she punched her working number into his phone.

"Yes." She handed him his phone back, and then, suddenly, he pulled her into a hug. She was surprised but hugged back.

"Thank you, Shuri, for everything. It'd be nice to have someone to talk to." T'Challa came over as Peter pulled away and put a hand on Shuri's shoulder.

"We should be going Shuri."

"Bye Shuri!" Peter waved as she walked away and she watched him rejoin the mourners.

Shuri didn't tell her brother she'd offered a stranger vibranium technology. She had a feeling that Peter would become more of a friend than a stranger. He had seemed eager for someone who understood. And to tell the truth, so was she. She didn't have many teenage friends, and certainly not ones who would go toe to toe with Thanos. He'd be a good friend to have.

After the funeral, they'd gone straight to California, and she began to make herself at home.

"I will have to return to Wakanda," T'Challa told her solemnly.

"Of course." She could tell he was deeply unsettled that five years had passed since Wakanda had had a true leader. Okoye was trustworthy and able, but Wakanda needed a King.

"Your guard will be in constant attendance." Her confident older brother was an overprotective basket case, fearing his inability to protect her from the Universe.

"I can handle myself, brother."

"I will not take any chances with your life. I need you to be careful."

"I will." T'Challa embraced her and held her tight for just a moment.

"You are Wakanda's representative here in America. I expect you to do our country justice."

"Yes, brother." T'Challa hugged her once more.

"I'm proud of you Shuri." Then he turned to leave, leaving her alone, with her guard in earshot. Though the outreach program began tomorrow she could hardly sleep tonight. She was excited and a little bit scared. Not much scared her, but this was a big step for her country. She was introducing new science into a country that was not her own. Maybe they wouldn't want to be helped. Maybe they would reject her process and her progress. If these Americans did not want to be helped, it would be a lesser offense. But if they shamed Wakanda, well, then she would go back a letdown. That was what scared her. Not the threats that T'Challa feared, but the shame she feared he expected.

She fell back on the bed, feeling a bit homesick. If she called T'Challa he would come back for her, no matter how far away he had gotten. Her brother would always come back for her, he was her best friend and closest ally. But if she called him it would undo all the trust that she'd earned. He would believe that she couldn't handle the outreach program on her own. He would think she that was too young. And he would be happy because he wanted her home. He was still scared after what had happened and she didn't blame him, but she knew she could handle this. The homesickness would pass as soon as she threw herself into the program. She just had to make it through tonight.

And then she got a phone call. She answered right away.

"Shuri?" It was Peter.

"Yes? What's up Peter?" Peter seemed to laugh, maybe in relief, and she felt similarly.

"Sorry, I felt like I had to call, I know it sounds stupid but girls have given me wrong numbers before…" Shuri laughed in surprise.

"Why would I give you a fake number?"

"I dunno maybe I annoyed you."

"I said you could call me any time and I meant it. How are you doing?"

"I'm okay, but everything feels different now. Different people live in my building, different people will go to my school… I don't even know if my best friend is 15 or 20. I haven't been able to get ahold of him. I don't know what I'm doing anymore."

"I understand. I'm in Oakland with the program, we start tomorrow and I feel ill-prepared. Wakanda's involvement with the U.S. stalled the past five years. I don't know if I can start it up now all by myself. I don't know if they'll be receptive or if they'll think what we're doing is too little too late."

"You're in Oakland?" Peter asked, seemingly ignoring her insecurities.

"Yes…" She wondered where this was going.

"Work the program in the morning, call me at 1 and we'll go do a touristy thing together. We can facetime and I'll do something touristy in New York and you can do something touristy in California. That way, instead of spending tomorrow stressed and homesick you can spend the day looking forward to getting to know your new home." Shuri thought for a moment.

"Peter, you're a genius."

"Ah, so are you. Talk to you tomorrow!"