The greenhouse was dark. T'Challa wasn't used to it. He was used to it being full of white and light with green lushness everywhere. Right now, it was dark and the plants shadows seem to be hiding something. His muscles tensed as he walked around, searching for Y/N.

Y/N told him to meet him here.

It's been a while since he saw her since their last conversation. But she approached him today.

She waltzed into his bedroom, during his free time in between his lessons like a usual day. They talked about the star constellations that he was studying and how she loved that Wakanda didn't have that much light pollution and she could see the stars.

When he told her that he didn't look at the stars that much, she looked thoughtful and invited him here.

And so here he was. In the darkness of the greenhouse and wary of what was to come.

Normally, he would never agree to such a ridiculous idea but she was his best friend and she was as ridiculous as he thought anyone could be with her childish banter and light laugh that seemed to have no care in the world. But he wouldn't change it for anything else.

When he was with her, he felt free to be himself without impressing anyone. T'Challa really did enjoy her presence and everything she did out of her way to make sure he was free.

"Hey."

Whipping his head around, he spotted a h/c head on a tree.

"C'mon." She hissed as she continued climbing.

Thank lord she wasn't a proper lady or she would've given him quite a show. T'Challa sighed, quietly, before starting to climbing after her.

Even climbing a tree, the most unladylike thing she could do, she somehow looked graceful and elegant. She's always been.

Y/N looked back down, grinning before slipping out of a ceiling window that was near the tree. It seemed impossible to reach but she leaned over the branch just far enough not to fall down and slip out.

Even as Black Panther, protecter of Wakanda, he probably would never make it as his body was much more bigger and bulky.

She poked her head back out, grinning at the prince that was still climbing.

"Hurry up, lucky." She joked, smirking.

Y/N called him that because the black cat represents bad luck and because he was the black panther, he was bad luck. And she always jokingly said 'lucky' in a high pitch sing-song voice.

"Shut it, amateur thief." He shot back.

He called her that because she tried to rob him and that's how she met him and he always called her a amateur thief after that encounter.

Y/N rolled her eyes and let out a hand to held him.

T'Challa glanced down, unsure. "If I die, you will get nothing in my will." He threatened.

She snorted, "C'mon, pussy."

T'Challa leaped and took her hand as the branch snapped back. He felt the leaves brush his ankles.

They fell onto the blurred glass roof. Taking in deep breaths, he tried to calm his unsteady heartbeats.

"Never again." He said, breathless.

"We'll see about that." She said, smiling and getting up.

Y/N sat up, examining the midnight blue sky. The moon glowed its silvery light, making her face have a little glow that seemed abnormal.

T'Challa stared at her as she smiled at the sky. Her lashes made shadows across her cheeks as the wind brushed her hair back a little.

His dark eyes met her e/c ones. They crinkled when they smiled.

Like now.

"Look, it's Cancer the crab." She said, looking at a constellation.

T'Challa blinked and followed her gaze. His hands suddenly shook as he realized that he was up here with her.

Alone. Just the two of them.

It's nothing like before as he became much more aware that he was a male and she was a female. That she has grown more from the little girl that tried to steal from the palace. He has been more aware of this feeling for a while now.

She tucked a hair behind her ear as she pointed out more stars.

He tried not to stare and gawk at how effortlessly and gorgeous the movement was.

"I find it so interesting." She said, then laughing a little. "I sound so silly. I hope this helps your homework."

Y/N smiled as if she was waiting for something.

"Yeah, it really helps." He said, swallowing.

T'Challa felt the heat between them as he tried to calm his mind and think about anything but what was going on between them.

She turned towards him.

"What's wrong?" She asked. "You seem more quiet more than usual."

He stared at the sky, then looking back into her eyes. It seemed to suck him in and shackle him down.

"I'm just thinking." He answered.

His eyes coasted downwards as he felt her gaze on him. It bore holes into his skull. He grew anxious if she sensed something.

"T'Challa, I... I want to say something." She took a deep breath.

T'Challa noticed her hands were shaking. So he took his hands and held them, making her suck in a deep breath.

"Are you okay?" He asked, frowning in concern. "You can say anything to me."

"I-I know, I just... It's really h-hard and this took a lot of time and g-guts." She laughed, nervously. "And I-I hope that y-you would accept this and it w-wouldn't ruin anything."

T'Challa just waited.

"I really l-liked you. And I-I realized m-my feelings and I was wondering—I just thought you should know." She stuttered out.

He stared out into the night, wondering if that was what he was feeling the whole night.

But she took it the wrong way, jerking her hands back and getting up, brushing off the nonexistent dust on her jeans.

Her voice cracked and was broken. "J-Just forget it. F-Forget I said anything."

He stood up, abruptly, grabbing her wrist as she wiped away some tears.

"I didn't even say anything." He protested.

"You don't have to say anything." Her voice faltered. "J-Just f-forget it."

She attempted to flick away his hand but he gripped on tightly, not hurting her still though. Then, softening, he used a finger to raise her tear-stained eyes to meet his.

"I like you too, but I was just confused in my feelings for a second." He smiled. "I'm willing to give us a try if you are."

She grinned through her tears, breaking her crying.

"Of c-course, dumbass." She sobbed, crying into his chest. "That's w-why I confessed!"

T'Challa laughed, raising her lips to meet his.

Her lips were soft and salty from the tears. He moved his lips softly and romantically while she matched his pace. Cupping his hands under her jaw, he deepened the kiss.