A love to Emulate
Tony pockets the circular disk and shuts the box, giving T’Challa a flirtatious smile. “Lead the way Prince Kitty Cat.”
In response he holds his arm out. “Allow me to be your escort.” It thrills the younger man when Tony takes his arm with ease, as if they had done this a million times. It felt right to have Tony by his side. It was here that T’Challa could announce to Wakanda and all of the world that Tony was his equal. It was here that he could protect him. It was by his side, the closeness making his heart leap in joy. And so it was here he always tried to keep Tony, even with simple tasks as heading down to the kitchen for food and chocolate.
“Beautiful!” Tony greets the cook. “The maker and bringer of all yummy things. What do you have for us today?”
The plump lady shakes her head. “Why is this the first time I see you in my kitchen? I always have to chase you around with food to get you to eat,” she gently scolds him.
“Now we both know that is not true.” Tony kisses her cheek and makes her blush. “There is no chasing. You’re food is too good to avoid. If I thought it wouldn’t risk the food, I would set up shop right here at your table.”
“Hmmm yes. Oil does not taste good.” With a flourish she grabs plates and starts piling food on them. “I made Brown Spinach Rice, Dukkah Chicken, and a Milk Tart for dessert. Make sure to eat it all, both of you. Need to get some meat on your bones.” The cook shoos them off with the goods.
“Should I be jealous?” T’Challa asks as he takes his spot at a table tucked away in a little nook.
“Very much so.” Tony grins as he takes his own seat. “The moment she decides to leave her husband, I would be right there on bended knee and with a huge diamond ring.” He takes a bite and moans. “Definitely with a big diamond.”
T’Challa stills, his body refusing to take in air, as he ponders over how much truth was behind the engineer’s words. He knew the man didn’t have a preference towards any gender, and the way Tony could make a person feel, to feel they are special, couldn’t all be a lie, so maybe he would prefer to date the cook, Mrs. Ori Arudoba.
“If I had to pick someone though,” he continues on not noticing how his companion was feeling, “I would want someone to love me the way Jarvis loved Ana. That was the only relationship growing up that I thought was worthy of legends. Even now, I haven’t really seen any love that could compare to theirs. And love is more than food.”
“Yes…” T’Challa lets out a little sigh of relief. “The love my father has for my mother was one I also wish to have some day. Two powerful beings that can stand side by side and defend together, and can also be soft and sweet together. They bring out the best in one another.” He happily eats his food now.
“Love also makes one weak. When Ana died, Jarvis wasn’t the same.” He pokes a bit as his food. “It was like the world was drained of all its color. It’s when I realize…..” Tony doesn’t continue and pushes his plate. “I think I will go to bed. Take a raincheck on our stroll?”
“Oh. Yes.” T'Challa stands up when Tony does. “Please allow me to walk you to your room.”
“No. Finish your food.” Tony smiles and pats his shoulder before taking his plate over to Ori and asking her to save it for him before bidding everyone goodnight. It worried the prince how much Tony’s mood shifted so quickly, and he felt the need to dig into it.
He just had to decide would doing so be betraying Tony or not.