Prompt from OrdinaryThings: AU High school, T'challa being the most popular of school and he wants Everett, Stephen being the newest there, they both fall in love with Everett, and T'challa even warns Stephen about getting close to Everett, but at the end. .. Love wins
….
Stephen really liked Everett Ross… not that he'd ever admit it though.
Ever since arriving at his new school, the Head Boy had instantly caught his attention, causing him to hide his flush in his bright red scarf as the shorter teen led him around the school.
He'd learnt Everett's schedule, specifically the empty periods where he'd make up some sort of excuse in order to be with the other teen, wishing that they could just hide away, stealing kisses from one another in the shadows.
So lost in his daydreams, he spent a good portion of the more boring lessons, doodling 'Stephen & Everett' in a large heart.
There was only one problem with his daydreams.
T'Challa… aka, the most popular kid in school, right up there with Steve Rogers and Tony Stark.
Stephen could still remember when he first came to the school… his affection for Everett was plain for all to see, and T'Challa wasn't happy with this, even cornering Stephen in the boys bathroom one day, and politely warning him away from Everett.
It was polite, so it wasn't if he could complain to a teacher about it.
But it also wasn't threatening enough to dissuade Stephen from pursuing Everett.
On this particular day, Stephen had given Everett a ride home, which then led to the pair of them curling up on the soft, carpeted floor, watching some cheesy movie on the TV. Stephen had his arm around Everett's shoulders, as the shorter man rested his head on Stephen's shoulder.
It was perfect, and Stephen didn't want it to end, not even trying to fight the smile on his face.
All he needed to do, was actually ask Everett out.
"Stop it…" Everett nudged him harshly in the side, "… your thinking is drowning out the film." He twisted around, a fond smirk on his face, "You want to ask me something?"
Stephen nodded eagerly, desperately hoping that him and Everett were on the same waveline, "Y-Yes! I was thinking that maybe you and I could- "
"- Everett?"
Stephen felt like he was going to be sick…. Especially when Everett's face lit up.
"Oh, hey T'Challa!"
Everett was pushing himself to his feet and rushing over to greet the other teen, who was smirking at them from the doorway… well, smirking at Stephen anyway.
As Everett wrapped his arms around T'Challa, Stephen felt his heart break just a little… especially when T'Challa returned the hug eagerly.
He was nothing compared to the 'prince' of high school. He was just a distraction for Everett whilst he was away from T'Challa. As he pushed himself to his feet, T'Challa turned to him, fake shock on his face, as though he'd only just noticed that Stephen was there.
Liar
"Stephen!" T'Challa smirked, "What are you doing here?"
As Everett opened his mouth to explain, Stephen forced a smile onto his face, and pushed himself to his feet.
"I was helping Everett with a project… Biology." He smirked, hoping that T'Challa got the reference as he pushed past the pair and headed out into the corridor.
"I'll email you my bit…" he called out to Everett, who moved to follow him, "… have fun!"
"Stephen- "
"- I'll see you in class."
With those final words, he made his way down the stairs and out the front door as quickly as he could, feeling like he couldn't breathe. His entire world seemed to be falling down all around him as tears welled in his eyes.
Everett would never see him as he saw T'Challa, that much he knew.
Walking home, he felt a few tears roll down his cheeks. Quickly, he swiped them away, hands shaking dramatically.
It was official.
He hated T'Challa.
…
"Stephen! Stephen!"
Stephen didn't react to the voice, slamming his locker shut and moving to rush away. He felt so emotionally drained, especially after how long he'd spent crying last night.
"Stephen!"
Before Stephen could disappear into the crowd, Everett grabbed his arm and pulled him into an abandoned classroom.
"I thought you might… stay last night."
Trying to act like he didn't care, Stephen shrugged, "Didn't want to cramp your style, what with T'Challa coming around."
Everett rolled his eyes, "Honestly, he needs to call before he comes around. I think he thinks he's royalty or something." He then paused and frowned, "Last night… you were going to tell me something. Something important."
"… No."
The frown deepened, "Are you sure? It sounded like it was going to be important."
Stephen remained silent, however, before he could leave Everett's hand was on his cheek.
"You make me happy you know…" the shorter teen whispered, "… so, so happy."
And then they were kissing. Gentle, chaste kisses that meant so much more than anything else Stephen's had ever experienced, the sensation giving him butterflies in his stomach.
After a moment, they broke apart and Stephen cleared his throat. "That… important thing. I-I-I was… I was hoping you'd go on a date with me."
Silence.
"I've never met anyone who makes me feel the way you do, Everett…" Stephen started to panic, "… You're a little bit of serenity in my life, my calm in the storm… you make the dull colours seem brighter, and your smiles make all my problems just fade away! You make me happier than anyone I've ever met, and I really hope you'll say yes and- "
A kiss cut him off.
'Huh' Stephen thought to himself, 'I hope T'Challa is watching this.'