Chapter 12-Ned

Ned sat in the diner and tried not to throw up out of nervousness. This wasn't really a date. But it was kind of a date. This was kind of a date! And so he had to be on a date. He had to be Date Ned. Date Ned didn't exist. He wasn't smooth and he wasn't charming and he definitely wasn't even coherent with like, maybe two hours of sleep that night, but probably not even that. And he had never been on a date before. Being charming and smooth was part of his personal fantasy but it wasn't who he was. He was awkward and kinda sweaty and definitely sleep deprived. If he got through this breakfast without relying heavily on memes that would be fantastic.

Oh yeah, she might not even come. He was going to wait until 6:15 before he ordered his food. It was 5:55. His heart was racing and his palms were sweating and he was thinking about earlier in the evening- morning, whatever- when he had met her in person for the first time. Seeing her across the convenience store wasn't exactly the meet-cute he had longed for, especially when framed by the anxiety of a missing friend. It meant everything to him that she had been willing to drop everything to help him find Peter. She barely knew them but she was already so loyal and kind. It meant even more to him that she'd kind of agreed to this breakfast date. 5:59. He was so tired…

The bell above the door rang. He'd closed his eyes for a few seconds and jumped at the sound, more on edge after last night. Then he saw her. She'd managed to change clothes. All he'd done since last night was put on deodorant. Her brother walked in behind her. Ned had stood to greet Shuri but shrank back down at the sight of the intimidating man. The King of Wakanda.

"You look nice," He squeaked out to Shuri, his voice cracking badly out of nervousness.

"Thank you, I feel like garbage though. I don't need to pull any more all-nighters any time soon." He laughed at her joke, but he couldn't help staring at T'challa in fear.

"Are you ready to order?" A waitress asked.

"In a moment, miss. Thank you." Shuri was so warm and kind. He felt his face warm up. T'challa was just a few tables away!

"I invited you to breakfast, so let me pay," he offered, his words tripping over each other, mind muddled by sleep deprivation and certainly nothing else.

"I'll pick up the check," T'challa said from his nearby table, indicating that he could hear and see everything Ned and Shuri were doing.

"Oh, no, sir, you don't have to, it's okay," Ned was humiliated and desperate.

"It isn't good to refuse the generosity of kings," Shuri whispered, embarrassing him all the more. He put his heads in his hands, trying to pull himself together. Be smooth and charming, Ned! Then both Shuri and T'challa laughed.

"Oh relax," Shuri urged.

"We're just pulling your leg, I promise," She reassured, laughing a little at his paled face.

"You can't do that to me! It's been a rough day!" He laughed in relief, though he was still unsettled.

"You did great today," she promised, putting a hand on his. Color returned to his cheeks, perhaps more color than he would prefer.

"I'm still paying for your little date though," T'Challa said, interrupting their moment very purposefully.

"I-it's not a date," he said hurriedly.

At about the same time Shuri was asking, "Is it a date?"

They blushed and stared at each other.

"Peter seems to think I like you or whatever," Shuri mentioned casually. Her hand was still on his.

"Oh, that sounds like Peter yeah. That boy. Reading so much into everything." Ned laughed nervously.

"So is this a date, Ned?"

Ned contemplated it.

"You don't have to answer right away. In fact, I have some other stuff I'd like to talk about."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Absolutely. I have a list."

"Should I be scared?"

"What? No! Of course not why would you be scared? I'm not scary lol, don't be scared of me!" Shuri laughed.

"It's early," he mumbled in apology.

"I was just thinking of some things that I wanted to ask you and Peter. Favorite musical?"

"Oh, shoot… Give me a second. I really like Be More Chill. It's a fun story."

"Oh, Broadway or Original Cast?"

"Ack, don't make me choose! I don't like figuring out what I like more because I think the story is arguably better in the Broadway adaptation but I just love the original cast recording so much more… Anyway, what kind of sick freak thought it was fair for BMC to hit Broadway while half the population was blipped out? I may never get to see it."

"Yeah, that sucks." Shuri agreed.

"What're your favorite musicals?"

"Bold of you to assume I have more than one favorite, but you're right… Six and Waitress."

"Do you feel like you're a patron of Lulu's diner by being here?'

"I would if we could get pie but it's too early," she frowned in sadness.

"Shuri, respectfully, there are some things you clearly don't know. It is never ever too early for pie. We haven't ordered yet, we can eat pie for breakfast."

"Is that a good idea?"

"Seems like the perfect end to this crazy night, to be honest."

"Okay, pie for breakfast." T'challa snorted from his own table as they ordered.

"You're children."

"We are children," Shuri agreed, "That's why you've grounded me."

"Oh, oof, you're grounded? I bet Peter's grounded. I'm the only one who got out unscathed," though he was afraid and so so tired.

"I wouldn't say you got out unscathed. You didn't have the easiest night. You should skip school."

"No," T'challa broke in again, "you should not skip school. I was afraid that your influence would steer my sister down a bad path but she is clearly so much worse of an influence on you than you are on her. So please allow me to protect you from my overly reckless sister."

Ned glanced at Shuri, "I'll take my chances."

Two pieces of pie were put in front of them and for a while, they were mostly invested in their breakfast. Shuri asked a couple of questions, about his family and American school and what the deal was with taco bell. He answered all her questions as best he could but kept the first, arguably more important question at the forefront of his mind.

As T'challa was settling the relatively cheap bill, Ned had an answer for her.

"It's not a date Shuri. Not because I didn't think it could be or because I don't want it to be but because if we ever have a for-real date, there won't be a chaperone." Shuri glanced at her brother and then glanced at Ned, surprised he had an answer for this when she'd mostly just been teasing him.

"Sounds nice. Good luck getting rid of the chaperone, though."

"I think two people as smart as us will be able to figure out a way," Ned said confidently, making her smile.

"You're probably right. Thanks for the not-date. Best one I've ever been on." Shuri stood and they shared a hug before parting ways. She had to get back to California and he had to get to school, but neither of their fates seemed too bad right now. They were filled up from their breakfast not-date, and even after a night like last night, the future seemed bright.