Liberation
Prompt: Erik Killmonger + Reader
Type: Fiction, Present Day
Warnings: Explicit Language
Info: Erik Killmonger, pre-Wakanda (TBH, I like writing and thinking of Erik Stevens, the man, not the blood thirsty murderer.)
“Believe it or not, I can take care of myself..”
“Now you know that is not why I’m saying you need a man!”
“Then explain to me why I, an independent, intelligent woman would need a messy man in my life?” You picked up the dishes from the high counter and sat them in the small bucket you held in your hands.
“I know you’re lonely.” You rolled your eyes in response.
Your best friend of six years, Elle sat at the island facing your kitchen. Every Friday she would come over, try to convince you to go out, you would argue for a while and then it’s forgotten about. But this time she wouldn’t budge, she wouldn’t stop pestering you; you even told her to “shut the hell up.”
“I need a man like a fis–”
“Yeah Yeah! Like a fish needs a bicycle– whatever!”
She slammed her hands on your counter and then pointed one of her long, manicured fingers at you.
“I want you to go out, meet a guy, have fun and maaaaybe… fuck his brains out!” Before you could even protest she cut you off and finished with, “at least for one night!”
You scoffed and stacked the dishes into the cabinet. You couldn’t believe what she was spewing out of her mouth. Usually when she tried to lure you out, she was much smoother, more charming. Right now she’s being pretty honest and dare you say, lewd.
“What’s up with you tonight? Something going on?” You didn’t bother turning around to look at her reaction.
You learned quickly that she had an iron clad poker face, could lie like no one you've ever met. Although you could tell when she was lying, her face didn’t reveal much but her eyes did. But to you, this wasn’t anything serious so you knew she wouldn’t lie.
“No… I just want you to have fun.”
You stacked the last dish and stood facing the open cabinet. You contemplated your nest words carefully. What could you even say to her? That you were too busy to go out and party? Or you could tell her the truth…
“For one night, will you come out with me?” Her tone made you turn around and look at her expression.
Of course, you couldn’t read her face, but her eyes revealed something. You didn’t know what was going on with your friend but something wasn’t right.
“Fine, I’ll go out.”
· • — • ·
Okay you had to admit, this was pretty cool.
The night club was lively, packed to the walls with bass heavy music that seemed to vibrate throughout your body. Goosebumps arose on your skin and the heavy vibration made you a little aroused. You looked around the club, examining everything and letting it all sink in. You were actually at a night club on a busy Friday night.
“Let’s get some drinks!”
Elle grabbed your wrist and started to drag you both away from the entrance and towards the bar. Everyone was already crowding the counter trying to flag down the bartender and get their orders in. Elle elbowed her way into the space between two stools and placed an order. You tugged on her sleeve and leaned forward near her ear.
“What’d you get?” She turned around and smiled at you, you narrowed your eyes at her mischievous expression.
“It’s a surprise!” At this moment you resented your inquisitive nature, but you couldn’t help but get a bit excited.
You didn’t go out much, studying and work was your main game. Partying and drinking? Eh, not so much. You were older now not a young, naive college student. In less than a year you’d have you MBA in science and then in two years you’ll be off studying some fasciola hepatica in a petri dish.
“Hello? Are you there?!” A hand was waved in front of your face and you looked to Elle.
“What happened there you looked far away..” She handed you the drink, it was dark liquid in a short glass, a few cubes floated on top.
“Ah nothing, just taking this all in.” You murmured. Suddenly she squeezed your arm and you looked to her. She used her “encouraging smile," which looked nice but was borderline creepy. She looked terrifying, but you would never tell her that.
“Isn’t it just magical, magnificent and exhilarating!?”
You laughed at her enthusiasm and took a quick sniff of your drink, it smelled safe so you took a healthy swallow. Your eyes widened and you felt the fire go down your esophagus and then settle in your poor stomach. Your grip on the glass tightened, you wanted to drop it but then you’d probably get kicked out.
“What the hell is in this drink?!” You shriek.
“It’s a Fire Bomb, they're really strong, so take sips.” She said as she drank some of hers, but she took more than a sip.
Your frown turned to a smirk as you watched her watch the people on the dance floor. She looked so unimpressed, you then turned you attention towards the crowd. It was weird watching people dance, because they thought they looked good.
It’s been a long time since you let loose and went dancing. It wasn’t a terrible thought because you weren’t a bad dancer, it was just nerve racking because you knew someone was probably watching you.
Suddenly you saw Elle on the dance floor, dancing her way through the crowd. You nursed your drink and watched her disappear into the mass of people. You stood at the bar for about two beats before taking a nice gulp and cringing at the burn of alcohol.
You got a sudden burst of confidence and took another healthy swallow of your drink before putting it on the bar. You turned and faced the dance floor, you shook off invisible nerves and started towards the crowd. The current song was something that you listened to before, so you quickly made it to the middle. Who knows maybe you’d find Elle or a dancing partner.
You danced for a couple of songs and was proud of your choice of clothing. A halter top and cute designer skirt with comfortable heels was perfect for this club. The club was packed and bodies were grinding on each other, grasping for body parts.
Once you made it to the middle, you looked around and noticed that this nightclub had four V.I.P balconies with a good view of the main dance floor. You couldn’t see inside a few of them, those were all surrounded by tinted glass, and the others only had a railing. There was strobe lights and light beams coming from the ceiling, perfectly synchronized with the music.
It was as Elle said, exhilarating. You couldn’t help but get wrapped into the crowd and start to dance and grind. And that’s what you did, at least for a while. Goosebumps suddenly covered your arms, but sweat continued to roll down your back as you danced. You tried to ignore the obvious feeling of being watched and tried to be carefree. You ran your hands into your hair and shook it free, that’s when the hairs on the back of your neck went on end.
You looked around cautiously before finally looking up, and that’s when you saw him.
Standing in the V.I.P balcony was a tall man in dark clothing, you could see he had short dreads on the top of his head. You weren’t really sure what it was about him but your eyes went to his face, and you sucked in a quick breath.
You didn’t know this man, but something in his gaze was… Predatory.