Day 9
While the two have been spending time together and enjoying meals together, today was the first time that T’Challa would be able to take the older man out to eat. According to his research, Americans put a lot of emphasis on public dates vs private ones. He wasn’t sure why except that it was a new scenery and no clean up on their part but it did cost money. Of course that wasn’t a concern for them, and he did enjoy outdoor dates, but the ones done in private always seemed better to the prince.
Still, T’Challa was excited for the date and had decided on wear a red button up in the color of the Iron Man suit, with the two top buttons undone and the sleeves rolled up. He paired it with some slate gray slacks and black leather combat boots. It gave the air of casual but was still classy, and what he dubbed “ready for anything”. There was no way between their statuses that they wouldn’t be mobbed or would have to change their plans so they could actually have a moment alone.
The prince also decided to pick up a bouquet of pink camellias (longing for you), white camellias (you’re adorable), pink roses (happiness), and violets (Loyalty, devotion, faithfulness). He liked that the violets popped so brightly against the pinks and white; it felt suiting because it was rare in Tony’s life that he had someone with loyalty/devotion on his side. T’Challa promises to be one of those people, and maybe even more devoted than anyone else (Rhodey and Pepper had show some wavering with past actions, and while that happens, he had no plans to do the same).
“What do you think, JARVIS?” He asks the AI, looking up towards one of the cameras. “Will he pleased?”
“With you or your choice of flowers?”
“Both.”
“He will be pleased with the bouquet, and dare I say delighted and attracted to you. You make a remarkable figure. Might I suggest a suit jacket though in case the weather turns, and should sir happen to get cold……..”
“Thank you,” T’Challa chuckles. JARVIS was proving to be an excellent aide in the his endeavors to woo and court the engineer, and as long as proved to be a good person and choice for Tony’s wellbeing, JARVIS was likely to continue to do so. “Is he ready?”
“Not quite. He lost track of time and didn't shower when he planned to, and is now debating outfits.”
“Understood.” T’Challa makes his way to the kitchen, flowers in hand, and sets about making Tony some coffee and himself some tea. He understood the need to dress to impress, and just how much finding the right outfit could set the whole tone for an occasion (he was a prince and diplomat after all). However, T’Challa was perfectly fine with Tony being in his shop clothes and covered in grease, and would still find him to be the most beautiful human being ever. “Let him know please that I am making us some drinks and to take his time.” Maybe he’d make the man a fancier coffee than just black and a little bit of sugar just to waste time and to (hopefully) get that cute bashful smile Tony denied to have.
“Done, your majesty.”
“Thank you, JARVIS. And please, call me T’Challa.”
“Maybe one day.”
*******
Tony and T’Challa walk around the park as they drink from their to-go cups; the prince had made a tea from his homeland for himself, but for Tony he made him a dark chocolate and caramel latte with a bit of whip cream added to the top with chocolate and caramel sauce drizzling. The impromptu drinks led to an impromptu walk at the park before dinner just so the could enjoy their drinks beyond a kitchen setting. Of course they verified with the restaurant if they could push their reservations back first, because they refused to be rude to service workers. Politicians and reporters, ok, but not your everyday person.
It also gave him time to admire Tony without any pressure from the outside world, and to see him interact with the few kids they did meet there. T’Challa thought that Tony would make a great father, and with every new interactions from the baby geniuses to random kids on the street, he was proven right more and more. Unfortunately, it had the odd side effect of him wishing he could give Tony kids, to mix their two DNA and have off-springs kind of way. It was a troubling thought, not that he really minded too much.