#zzbottomz

Title: Swim Lessons (ao3) |

Author(s): ZzBottomZ (ao3)  |  @zzbottomz (Tumblr)

Fandom(s): Black Panther Wakanda Forever

Pairing/Ship(s): Nashuri (Shuri x Namor)

Type: Normal AU

Rating: Explicit

Status: Unfinished (updating weekly)

Updated: 06.29.23

Summary: Shuri, a brilliant and ambitious young scientist, dedicates herself to her work, sacrificing the usual experiences of her peers. She accidentally overhears a conversation that devastates her, leaving her confidence shattered and her heart broken. Her next door neighbor, Namor, has no problem showing Shuri everything she’s missed out on. What could possibly go wrong?

Why I Love It: Man! This is the second work from this author that I have read. What lead me to them was their “Adventures in Co-Parenting” series. Their take on Shuri and Namor as domestic regulars just trying to navigate raising their adorable daughter in the wake of their divorce is sweet and handled with care. I will say – it does have a Romonda as the villain trope in there, but the focus is mainly on Shuri and Namor finding their way to falling in love again as parents who want the best for their daughter.

The “Swim Lessons” verse is completely different! It’s young scientist Shuri meets cocky playboy Olympic swimmer Namor and it is so good! It’s like one of those rom coms you see where the uptight young woman finds her arrogant next door neighbor to be rude and annoying, but quickly falls for his charms as he tries to get her to loosen up a little. And the best way for Namor to do that with Shuri is to give her the pleasure she’s been missing out on! 

It’s got cameos from Riri Wiliams and MJ (among others), which I will leave as a surprise! And the characters are so well written, you just go with it. You’re in this world, you believe this set-up, and you are rooting for Shuri to get the guy, even though they both are trying to pretend like they aren’t falling for each other.

What I really appreciate about this story is that it is updated regularly every week.