#[ *sobs* benji i'm so sorry this is such an awful display of spite lmao. this was the hardest prompt i've come across yet.

[sapientiiae]

@phoenixfiiire asked: 🎲 kiss roulette 41. A kiss out of spite

There was talks of the phoenix leaving again. Just when she’d let down her guard and allowed herself to believe he might actually linger, he was again speaking in hidden truths, mentioning that it wasn’t wise for him to get involved; interfering could have repercussions, and he’d once more uttered something about harm tending to fall on others simply because of his presence. 

The to-be-queen was, admittedly, disappointed to hear such talk. There were so many things she hadn’t learned about Joshua that she still wished to ask — not that she believed he would be entirely forthright in answering all of her queries. 

Though finding fault with him for being so cryptic with his answers felt a smidge hypocritical, considering she hadn’t been entirely candid with herself. She found herself enjoying the time she was able to spend with Joshua. He was fascinating, yes, but she also found herself enjoying the male’s company even when she wasn’t allowed to pester him for more answers. He’d showed compassion for the guards that had been so quick to throw shackles around his wrists and lock him away that day. He was witty, thoughtful, and perhaps he reminded her of herself in some ways. 

And then there was the day when she’d found him in that tucked away part of the castle, the room feeling alive as his fingers worked the melody. He was a master at the pianoforte, which had unintentionally earned him an additional bit of appreciation from the Hylian princess.

She did not wish for him to go. She’d insisted that he stay a bit longer rather than allowing himself to be so superstitious about his role as a Watcher and what ominous events might transpire from his presence alone. Though, she hadn’t been entirely transparent in her reasons for wanting him to stay, instead painting it as Hyrule Castle being a place where he could catch up on much needed rest or how they might be able to work together to leave a positive impact on the kingdom.

It hadn’t been enough to convince him, and her constant pressing for him to stay while he was adamant he depart had pushed the pair into a small spat. Based off their current tiff, it seemed unlikely Zelda would have many days with Joshua after today, and her dolefulness at that realization was slowly morphing into irritation because Goddesses she was tired of losing the people she’d cared for.

It was out of spite — either towards life or him choosing to leave — that Zelda rolled onto the tips of her toes, gloved hand wrapping around the back of his neck as she bridged what little distance remained, pressing her lips against his. If he was choosing to leave her, then she would leave him with this one kiss before they went their separate ways. 

She allowed the kiss to linger for only a few seconds, just enough for the moment to build with a hint of passion, before she pulled away. Despite the warmth that flooded her veins, a combination of both her anger and the kiss itself, her expression was cold, eyes an icy, barren wasteland when she pulled away. “You know your way around the castle. You can have one of the maids send me a message when you depart.” 

Without another word, the auburn-haired royal turned, making her way down the hall towards her personal library, towards the only thing that would be of any comfort right now.