Chapter Text
"Baba? Is this the flower from your story?" T'Challa questioned, leaning in close to the heart shaped purple herb that glows. The boy is on his hands and knees to see it better, his curiosity still large.
His father, the King of Wakanda, chuckles at his son's antics. "Yes, my son. The power of the panther comes from this very herb. Once it's liquid is consumed you would feel stronger, faster and have better instincts than anyone."
"Wow." T'Challa says, awed by his father's teachings with his eyes shining brightly. It is small moments like these which makes the boy love his father even more. His Baba had sent everyone away from the Hall of Kings so they could have some father/son bonding time instead of upholding a king/son relationship. The boy idolises his Baba so much.
"My king." A messenger scurried across the room and bowed his head, making his Baba return to signal to continue. T'Challa stands up to be next his father. "Message from Zuri. He seems to have found the evidence you seek."
If the young prince had not been standing next his Baba he would not have heard him make a small grunting sound before speaking. "Thank you, you are dismissed."
The messenger nods before walking away back out of the entrance. The king sighs before looking down at his son in thought. "I must go, my child. Duty calls but we will resume our talks at a later date."
"Ok, Baba. Be safe." His Baba smiles before stroking his son's cheek making him smile in return before departing from the Hall of Kings. Almost like a switch do the gardeners come back with baskets, ready to pick the weeds and care for the magical flowers. All of them mostly middle aged and above except for one.
T'Challa notices a smaller boy amongst the pack, wearing a dark green robe that reaches his bare feet, the basket almost as large as him. The boy crouches down and starts picking at the garden sorting through the weeds and the magical herbs like they were an everyday occurrence.
'He's so small,' the young prince thought as the kid had to constantly roll up his sleeves otherwise they would be down to his fingertips. A robe that would probably be around his size. It only occurred to him that maybe he was staring a bit too long when the boy suddenly turned his eyes towards his accompanied with a head tilt. "Watchu staring at?"
The sudden attention has the young prince flustered as he feels his head burning from embarrassment as he looks anywhere but the boy to find an excuse. "N—Nothing, just the flowers."
"Kade." A woman to the right of them hissed at the boy before looking apologetic towards T'Challa. "I'm sorry about him, my prince. Kade is new here and hasn't learned basic human decency yet."
Even though the first part was indeed apologetic it quickly turned into a jab at the boy who sneered back at her, her reaction was an annoyed huff before doing her own thing. Now that the two boys were left alone it seemed Kade had gone even more quiet than before. T'Challa was just feeling awkward, swinging his arms around to distract him from the tense atmosphere. He felt bad for getting the boy scolded even though it wasn't really his fault. He didn't really interact with people his own age besides Nakia and Okoye, but they mainly hang out with each other.
"Don't feel bad, Prince T'Challa. Ambi always had it out for me ever since I came here." Kade speaks up, yet again pulling out another weed and putting it in the basket. The other boy felt inclined to sit besides the other and begin to help out. The boy didn't say anything but just takes the weed out of the prince's hands and setting it on the pile. T'Challa backed off eventually once he got the message. He, who is a member of the royal family, should not get his hands dirty.
"Why?" The young prince couldn't help but ask.
The reply was a shrug. "I don't know. I was told I'm not truly a citizen from Wakanda, that I was lucky that someone took pity on a dying baby on the border."
T'Challa had to smother a gasp at the honest answer. Kade saw the surprised look before sighing and moving away. The prince quick to follow. "As they should. They would be punished if they left someone so vulnerable to die."
Even though T'Challa couldn't see, Kade smiled at the words. His heart growing warm. He knows it's just common decency for any human to help one in need or to speak up, but hearing it from the prince is a different matter. Kade believes that T'Challa would make a very nice king when he grows, he couldn't wait to see the day.
The young prince thought about their conversation and it's words, he also looks over the boy as he speaks. Kade keeps his hands busy by weeding, fiddling with his amazonite stud earring on his right and rubbing his eyes as he stifles a yawn. It makes the boys aware that sunset is fast approaching. T'Challa promised himself one last question before heading back home, considering that he is holding Kade back from his duties and further pushing away sleep. "Why so honest?"
Kade gave him a weird look. "Because you're the prince. Can't necessarily lie to you."
"Oh." T'Challa was stumped. He wanted to know, yes, but not because he was prince but because the boy wanted to tell him. "You didn't have to, you know?"
"I don't mind." The boy shrugged before facing him once again, this time with a small smile on his face. "It's nice to talk to someone."
"Oh?" The prince was saddened by what he said. He couldn't imagine finding no one to talk to or finding anyone he wanted or liked to talk to. The fact too depressing to think about for long. When he watches Kade tug on his earring at the silence before turning around to sit and weed, he suddenly found his determination and small bravery inside of him well up before it busted out of his mouth. "Well, I'll come everyday to talk to you then, if you like?"
Kade looked shocked for a moment, a second passes that makes T'Challa nervous he had said the wrong until the gardening boy lets out a shy smile, his eyes refusing to meet his out of embarrassment along with his blushing cheeks. "I would like that."
The prince grins broadly before saying a quick goodbye and departing from the Hall of Kings. His heart thumping at the thought of making his first real friend.