Everyday I Love You

Years went on, T’Challa and his preparations to be a suitable heir only got harder, he was happy about the sucession, his relationship with Erik was… a weird one. They both really enjoyed their life together, but there was feelings there that neither could ignore, but the did and in the end things got akward as the grew up. Time alone between the two of them was even more seldom than before, Erik started his training for being a spy for Wakanda and working outside the city, to help his people, since he was fluent in English and had an American accent, he could be positioned back to America without any problems, he’d come back to visit everyone though. At least that was his plan.

T’Challa promised Erik he’d go with him to the unit’s base that day so they could have a little time together as well, since it’s been nearly weeks they didn’t spend any time together.

They entered the building, tons of warriors from Wakanda were there.

T’Challa spoke “Wow, are you sure you’re ready for this? There are a lot of strong warriors here.”

Erik smirked “Of course I am, cuz, I’ve stopped slacking off makes a long time. I caught up to you.”

“Oh did you? Well, good luck anyways.”

A woman then looked at the both of them in surprise. “Oh? Prince T’Challa and Prince N’Jadaka?” she walked over to them.

She was very pretty, extremely beautiful skin and short hair. She was short but her muscles were toned, T’Challa was startled by her and Erik noticed it. He was frozen on the spot.

“Hey there” Erik said, nudging T’Challa.

“O-Oh, hi” He was visibly shaking.

“My name’s Nakia.”

“You here for the whole spy thing?” Erik said.

“Spy thing? I guess I am. Are you?”

Erik nodded.

“Well good luck on that, I’m off” She left the bulding.

T’Challa was still frozen in place. “Careful not to drool there, cuz” Erik said and T’Challa recomposed himself in a hurry.

--

Erik finished his test and T’Challa was waiting for him, they left the examination area and left to eat.

Erik noticed T’Challa was instantly smitten by Nakia, was he annoyed? Yes. Was he ever going to admit that? Nope, he promised to himself he’d not care about T’Challa’s love life, and that little incident 4 years ago was nothing and just 2 kids playing around. But the dreams didn’t stop, that wasn’t something he could control.

“Looks like our majesty has a little crush.” T’Challa started coughing on his food.

“No I don’t.” He frowned and kept eating.

“Yeah, you completely do. You stopped working when she talked to you.”

“So what if I do, Erik?” He glared at his cousin.

“Why so defensive, you can be open to me. About anything”

“What… What are you insinuating?” He looked suspiciously at Erik.

“Goddamit man, just tell me if you want help ok? I’m sure you’ll need it anyway.”

“Tch… fine. She is pretty indeed. Do you think I have any chances?”

Erik looked at his cousin, almost 20 years old and looking so attractive and in shape. “Of course you do. Just ask for a date.” Erik was trying to hide his annoyance.

“I’ll try, wish me luck!” He said joyfully. Oblivious to the clear annoyance of his cousin.

--

Time passed, T’Challa was able to actually start dating Nakia. He was happy but she would always be off in missions. Erik got in the spy unit as well, sometimes he and Nakia went on the same missions. He started to get to know her, she was a nice girl. T’Challa was a lucky man. ‘But I guess I’m not huh’ he tried to dismiss that.

No matter where he went he’d think about his cousin, the boy he spent years with, the boy who helped him so much through the hardest time in his life up until now. How could he not fall in love with that sweet smile, warm personality and everything that T’Challa is.

He tried to spend more time with him, but both of their schedules didn’t really meet. T’Challa was now always occupied being thaught about politics and those kingly things and Erik was working already to help others outside of Wakanda while also learning about the rest of the world.

He couldn’t deny he missed his younger days where he and T’Challa would spend time just playing around and were attached to the hip. He wanted to have continued that kiss years ago...

‘Goddamit…’ he thought ‘Ignoring all of this just made the problem bigger huh’

“Prince N’Jadaka?” Startled by the hand in his shoulder, Erik looked up.

“Uhh, what is it Nakia?”

“You look sad today, are you okay?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine. We’ll arrive at out destination soon, let’s not get distracted” he tried to dismiss the whole thing but Nakia was suspicious of him.

--

On their trip back from the scouting Nakia decided to interrogate Erik, they we’re not super close, but this was her boyfriend's cousin, she felt the need to be considerate.

“Prince N’Jadaka, I’ve noticed you’re a little aloof today, are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes I am, Nakia. You don’t need to worry really.” He smiled and scratched his head.

“You don’t look like it at all. You can trust me, you know.” She sat beside him and gave him a reassuring smile.

He had nothing to lose by telling Nakia, but of course he’d omit some… less important details.

“Well… It’s just someone’s in my mind a lot and it doesn’t seem like these thought will stop anytime soon.” She nodded, telling him to keep going. “And well, I can’t be with them. They’re on a relationship already, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt y’know?” He could feel his eyes watery, he didn’t want to break down in front of her, so he just hugged his knees and borrowed his face in them. “It’s just really hard, but if they don’t want me what can I do right?”

She patted his back. “That… must hurt indeed. But, I’m sure this person would be happy to know someone loves them this much. That I’m sure.”

“Are you suggesting me to tell them?”

“If you want, but if you don’t want to it’s ok as well. But do what will help ease your heart.” He looked at her.

“Well… thanks,Nakia.” She hugged him.

This felt weird since she was with the man he loved, but he’d gain absolutely nothing hating on Nakia. She never did anything to hurt him and has been a nice companion and friend.

--

“T’Challa since you’ve finished go tell your sister to get out of that lab, she doesn’t answer my calls.” Ramonda said clearly bothered that Shuri was still in the lab fiddling around and studying all that high tech, she really was a prodigy. But she feared her daughter wasn’t eating correctly.

“Ok, mother.” He cleaned his mouth and got up.

“Oh, I’ll go too” Erik had finished his food as well and decided to follow T’Challa.

“So… T’Challa, how is it going? We haven’t talked in a while.” He tried acting casual.

“Yeah… we’re both really busy huh, sorry about it Erik.” He was genuinely sad he couldn’t spend more time with his cousin… but that was for the better. He had to supress these feelings, especially now that he is with Nakia.

“So are you happy with Nakia?” T’Challa caught off guard by that question.

“Uh… Yes of course, she is a wonderful girl. Couldn’t have asked for a better girlfriend.” He paused. “And are you happy, Erik? With everything I mean.”

‘no’ “Yeah… I guess.” He tried not looking at T’Challa. “I-I mean if you’re happy I’m happy!”

“O-Oh is that so?” He giggled, Erik wasn’t helping his thorn heart with these words.

“Ummm… I’m sleepy. You can fetch Shuri by yourself right?” Erik said. He wasn’t feeling good right now, a lot was on his mind and maybe he let slip words he didn’t mean to.

“Oh, ok then Erik,good night.”

Erik surprised hugged his cousin, T’Challa was startled but didn’t object.

“You’re a great cousin T’Challa.” Erik buried his face in T’Challa’s shoulder. The other boy patted his back. ”Thanks for, you know, always being here for me. I mean it.”

T’Challa was silent. They broke the hug apart.

“W-Well… I’ll go---” T’Challa interrupted Erik with a small kiss.

“Wha…” Erik said in awe.

“Good Night. Erik.” And  he left without saying another word.

Erik stood there, unable to really absorb what just had happened.