#darling i’m noticing your flaws; they’re exactly what i want ♥ ᴄʟɪᴠᴇ: ᴠᴀʟɪsᴛʜᴇᴀɴsʜɪᴇʟᴅ

[sapientiiae]

Once again, they found themselves in the gardens, watching the sun set over the horizon. Again, his hand twined with hers, fingers lacing together warmly and keeping her close. But this time, Clive turned to her, cupping her cheek with his free hand, tilting her head up to his ever so gently. And then he pressed a gentle kiss upon her lips, letting it linger for a short moment before pulling back just a bit, his nose gently nudging hers.

While the castle gardens had always been a place of serenity for the Princess of Hyrule, a place visited in solitude so she could breathe and clear her mind, it was nice to not always be alone when visiting a place she favored. To know the gardens was no longer a refuge solely for herself but instead for them made something stir in her chest she could not quite describe. 

The pair sat perched on the edge of the stone fountain, watching as the sun began to bow below the horizon, a cloak of coral, lilac, and buttercup billowing behind it to shroud the sky.

Clive’s hand was warm within her own, the male having reached for it again once they stepped out into the fresh air to begin their stroll through the gardens. They’d walked with their fingers intertwined, the warmth of his skin radiating into her own, providing a level of comfort that only the gardens themselves had ever done. It was this comfort and the way he’d held her hand that encouraged the Hylian maiden to sit so close, nestled into his side when they’d stopped at the water fountain to watch the sun set. 

His body was like a protective wall that she leaned against, firm and secure, allowing the princess to feel safe at his side. Luckily, he hadn’t seemed to mind the close proximity — Nayru no, he seemed to encourage it by keeping his hold on her hand, the two sitting in a comfortable silence as the sun dipped lower and lower. 

It was out of her peripheral that Zelda noticed the man move. She’d been about to turn and face him, perhaps even ask what it was he was thinking, but his free hand reached her cheek before she could turn or say anything. The caress of his hand was gentle, his calloused touch soft against her smooth flesh. He moved so carefully, not applying too much force as he coaxed her to look towards him, guiding her to lift her chin. 

Briefly did her blue topaz eyes meet sapphires, gaze softening just before Clive leaned in, pressing his lips to her own. It was such a delicate kiss, though the touch left butterflies dancing in her stomach despite how light and fleeting it was. That kiss, however brief, made her heart slam against its cage, and while she would have liked for that kiss to continue, she instead settled for still having him close. 

Inhaling a shaky breath, Zelda’s forehead pressed to his as she felt the tip of his nose brush against the side of hers. 

“I shall forever thank the Goddesses for bringing you to Hyrule…” 

[sapientiiae]

@valistheanshield asked: Knowing you could get caught at any moment. life is sweeter (but add spice.)

Though the Royal Gardens were regularly patrolled by the castle guards, there were few others that worked or lived in the palace that frequented the space, save for the gardeners that were hired to keep everything thriving and neat.

It seemed the Princess of Hyrule and those gardeners were one of the few that appreciated the beauty of the garden, though she supposed that worked to her advantage since she was seldom disturbed when here, with the exception of occasionally crossing paths with one of the sentries that took their duty very seriously.

Right now, she was appreciative that so little of the staff and guests sought to wander the grounds, though the thought was fleeting — going as quickly as it had come. The garden seemed to have become a special place for not just the Princess of Hyrule but for Zelda and Clive as a pair. It was amongst the tall hedges that the outlaw had reached out to hold her hand for the first time. It was in this same area that they’d stood to enjoy the sunset after a long day, and when that sunset had looked the most magnificent, that was when the dark-haired male had leaned in and kissed her for the first time.

While this was not their first time to enjoy such intimacy with each other, it was their first time being so bold and reckless about it. Three firsts (of some sort) — third time was the charm, she supposed. What else might this garden become for them?

Not that she could really think on that right now. Thinking was hard to do when you considered what he was currently doing to her body.

Thus far they’d managed to duck out of sight of the ever watchful eyes of the royal guards. The moment they’d made it to the covered pavilion, Clive had wasted no time in backing her up against one of the cement posts, her body pinned between his and the column. His usually sea blue eyes were now dark and stormy, his body hard as the statues that decorated portions of the garden. 

It was with efficiency that he’d hiked the skirts of her dress up, calloused fingers sliding up milky thighs until he had each layer of her skirts bunched up near her hips. Their time was limited — this was risky — but Goddesses they couldn’t seem to get their hands off one another.

It was that restricted amount of time that had Clive pushing aside her undergarments rather than attempting to remove them, his eyes locked on her own as a small whimper escaped from her throat. She wanted him, but—

“What if someone walks by? What if we are caught?” 

Not a no to the idea of all this, simply a vocalization of some reservations and valid concerns. He didn’t speak, but the lusty flash in his eyes seemed answer enough: they make this quick, and she needed to be quiet the entire time to avoid drawing the attention of the guards. She barely deciphered the meaning in that stare before his hands were at the backs of her supple thighs, hoisting her lithe body up so he could nestle between her splayed legs. 

She felt the pressure of the column at her shoulders before the head of his cock pushed into her, Zelda’s back arching so that her chest pressed flush against his. When Clive rocked his hips forward, pushing the full length of his erection into her, the princess was forced to bury her face into his neck to muffle any noise that threatened to escape. 

Farore above, not getting caught was going to be a challenge.

[sapientiiae]

A moment of quiet between them was welcome, secluded in the castle away from prying eyes. Calloused hands cupped her cheeks, thumbs brushing against her skin while his forehead rest against her own. Blue eyes half-lidded, he couldn't help but to smile as he remained close, only to then shift his head so his lips could tenderly touch to hers.

While they weren’t tucked away behind closed doors away from ever observant eyes, the palace library still offered more than enough privacy given how vast it was and considering the space didn’t receive nearly as much attention as it deserved. 

Though she’d done her best to answer each of Clive’s questions and explain how Hyrule operated as a kingdom, he still seemed to wonder at the history of the land he’d found himself in. Zelda had immediately thought to recommend a visit to one of her most cherished locations — almost as much as the Royal Gardens — where they could peruse row upon row of shelves teeming with her kingdom’s history and any other knowledge he could every seek to acquire.

Well….almost.

To the princess’s delight, the lord had accepted her offer, and the pair had talked quietly as Clive escorted her to the library, her arm casually looped through his. 

While they had run into someone almost immediately upon entering through the large, walnut double doors, it hadn’t taken long for the pair to disappear amongst the endless shelves, each neatly stacked from floor to the very top shelf with an endless supply of tomes. The Hylian maiden had nodded and smiled politely to one of the librarians that weaved through the rows, meticulously returning each book she carried to its proper location on the shelves. The woman hadn’t thought twice at the sight of Zelda, so used to seeing their future queen here; nor had she batted an eye as the golden-haired maiden nearly dragged her much taller companion to the shelves and tables located in the furthest corner of the library. 

Finding a row that seemed suitable, they’d separated and spent some time combing through the leather-bound texts, each book varying in age. They’d both returned to their designated table behind them, carefully laying out their finds, when Clive stood before her once more. It was that towering presence that beckoned for her attention, the princess angling her body towards him to see what he needed.

Instead of speaking, Clive seemed to settle for cradling her face in his hands, his touch comforting despite the roughness of his fingers and palms; she’d grown so accustomed to that calloused touch. Yearned for it.

He’d craned his neck down to rest his forehead against her own, and Zelda relished in the close proximity — the feel of his body against her own. Leaning into his touch, the royal allowed her gloved hands to press agains his abdomen, slowly working their way up his body until she was able to wrap her arms around his neck, wrists crossed and resting at his nape. She’d been content to stand there in his hold, breathing in his familiar scent of leather and smoldering wood (soothing like a fire burning in a hearth). 

She’d been about to speak when Clive intervened, angling his head and leaning forward so that the tip of his nose grazed hers before the touch was replaced by his lips on her own. The kiss was gentle like the caress of a breeze, chaste and sweet. Her heart swelled at the touch, and the princess found it hard to believe she hadn’t fallen into one of the fantasy tales that may very well line some of the shelves in this library. 

For that was how it felt to be with Clive. He was her own little fairytale. Her happy ending. 

[sapientiiae]

Clive was...forward with things this time. He had always been careful about how he touched her, what he did with her. Now, not so much! His arms wrapped around her from behind, pulling her back into him, while he pressed his lips into the crook of her neck. Slowly, he kissed up her neck, to her jawline, and all the way to her ear. Frankly, he had always been a little curious...and thus did his teeth nip at the lobe, wondering what sort of reaction he might pull from her in doing so.

Having made plans to go for an evening stroll through Castle Town with Clive, it was no surprise when the man knocked at her bedchamber door, having arrived a few minutes before the designated time they’d planned to meet. She hadn’t though much of it when she’d opened the heavy wooden door and stepped back to permit him entrance, thinking he would not mind waiting in her room while she took those few extra seconds to finish getting ready.

When the male crossed over the threshold into her bedchamber, the princess carefully shut the door behind him before crossing over to her vanity once more. After having collected her gloves and put them on, she’d just reached for her earrings when Clive stepped up behind her, the maiden’s keen hearing detecting his footsteps before she saw him in the reflection of her mirror. 

Meeting his gaze through that reflection, she offered a sheepish smile before averting her eyes, trying to focus on her jewelry as her heart seemed to skip at his close proximity. Before she could actually grab the first earring, she felt strong arms curl around her waist, pulling her away from the vanity into a muscled body. She felt safe in his arms, despite the way it felt as if a herd of horses galloped within her chest. Enjoyable as it was, she’d been about to insist he let her go so she could make the final touches and they could leave for their stroll.

But then his lips found their way to the crock of her neck, pressing tenderly against the exposed flesh. 

Any words she’d thought to utter died on her tongue, her whole body going still in his hold as his lips began to trail up her neck at an agonizingly slow pace. 

“Clive….?” His name was both a question and a warning — a question of what mischief he was up to and a warning to stop before she herself got carried away while they were within the privacy of her bedchamber. 

His lips continued to roam up, inching higher, as her gaze slid back to the mirror. She watched their reflections as he craned his neck, the tip of his nose skimming the shell of her ear as he paused and lingered. She’d been so close to saying his name once more when he nipped at her lobe, the graze of teeth against flesh making her legs suddenly feel like water — no support or structure to hold her upright.

It was well known that Hylian ears were sensitive. Oh so sensitive. But Clive….well Clive was human. He was not from Hyrule, so he might not have expected the whimper of longing that escaped her as her lithe body seemed to melt beneath his touch and those teeth. Already her cerulean stare was glazed with desire as she kept her attention on the mirror, color rising to the surface of porcelain cheeks as she continued to watch him.

[sapientiiae]

Standing at her side, Clive reaches out gingerly, his hand brushing against her own. A moment's hesitation, before his hand is squeezing hers, fingers lacing with hers to hold her hand as if he never wanted to let go. [What else is he supposed to do for sinday? xD ]

The Royal Gardens were always the place where she felt most at ease while in Hyrule Castle. After a long day listening to her advisors squabble over the most minute details, she’d been ecstatic to flee from the meeting room as quick as possible, looking to exchange the stone walls and drab decor, which hadn’t changed since her father ruled, for open air, a cool breeze, and pops of color that proved to be soothing to the mind.

Her mind at least.

When she’d come across Clive standing outside the doors, she didn’t know if it was a coincidence that he happened to be in that portion of the palace as the session with her court adjourned or if he’d instead been waiting for her.

Why he was there mattered little — the more important question had been if he wished to join her, and she’d felt the tightness in her chest loosen a fraction when he’d accepted her offer. At least she would now have the male to accompany her on her walk, and as much as she might occasionally enjoy her solitude (especially after meetings with a bickering court), she would always prefer the presence of a companion than being left alone to mull over trivial matters.

The outlaw, however, hadn’t been very talkative as they navigated the maze of a castle, but the princess wasn’t going to press him on the matter. There was always the possibility he was waiting for her to speak or sought to provide her reprieve from all the noise, which she did appreciate.

Besides, the silence between her and Clive was rarely uncomfortable — save for when they managed to pull each other into compromising scenarios.

Not that she was going to dwell on those more frequent moments right now.

Gravel could be heard crunching beneath their feet as they exited onto one of the paths in the gardens, Zelda leading the way down her favorite trail that she knew would eventually lead them to the tulips. They’d just rounded a corner, blocked on either side by the large shrubbery, when she felt Clive’s knuckles graze the back of her hand. At first, she’d thought it an accident — caused simply by one of them swaying while walking too close to one another. 

The Princess of Hyrule hadn’t thought to draw any attention to it if it had been an accident, but she felt her heart skip a beat when his hand suddenly curled around her own. Breath hitching, color was already beginning to bloom in her cheeks as his fingers weaved through her own, their hands now intertwined in a way that was very clearly not an accident. 

While she couldn’t quite muster up the courage to actually tilt her head up to try to catch his stare, she did allow herself to walk a little closer, giving his hand a squeeze as teeth worried at the inside of her cheek. A few more seconds passed before Zelda decided to make her own move, beginning to hum softly as she gently rest her head against his arm.

[sapientiiae]

Presents her with a bouquet of Heather, Field Lilac, Blue Hyacinth, Freesia, and Calla Lily.

send zelda flowers! Calla Lily: your magnificence and beauty captivate me Freesia: you constantly find your way to my mind Heather: i wish to bestow unto you my protection Blue Hyacinth: i will always wish for your presence beside me Field Lilac: your charitability is exceptional

Having just dressed and slipped from her bedchamber, the Princess of Hyrule was surprised to see Clive already roaming the corridors of the palace. She’d barely noticed him out of her peripheral when she’d walked through the intersection where the two halls met. Were he not so tall (certainly taller than the maids she usually saw shuffling about the corridors and a few of the sentries), she might have missed him entirely.

Though his usual clothes, much different than the ones worn by the guards, did help him to stand out as well.

The golden-haired royal took his presence as a pleasant surprise, and she hadn’t hesitated to pivot, now heading towards the outlaw rather than the direction she’d previously intended to go. She’d been so delighted to see him — eager to greet him — she hadn’t noticed what it was he carried as she bound down the hall, having to use every ounce of restraint to refrain from flinging herself into him, her smile as bright as the morning sun. 

“Good morning Clive,” she greeted, one gloved hand reaching up to press against his shoulder to better balance herself as her lips grazed his cheek in a tender kiss. “What has you up and roaming the palace corridors so early?” she inquired, her curiosity getting the best of her.

It was Clive’s pointed stare and the way he cleared his throat that had the Hylian maiden pulling back, finally taking notice of the crystalline vase he carried.

Lovely as the vase was, it was of little importance compared to what was inside the vase. Nayru no — the vase was nothing more than a vessel for the large bouquet that had been skillfully crafted. Whoever pieced together the bouquet had a careful eye for detail, and Zelda immediately began mentally sorting through each of the flowers as Clive held out the vase to her.

The Calla Lilies, meant to express enamourment with radiance and beauty, and the blue Hyacinths, used to convey a longing to keep someone close, were the main focal points of the bouquet. The Heather and Field Lilac — near indistinguishable from one another as the sprigs were placed intermittently around the arrangement — were symbols of a desire to protect and praise of a person’s generosity, respectively. Finally, the Freesia, a pale purple in color — nearly blue — drew the eye back to the larger florals and was a way for the sender to disclose to the receiver that they frequently thought of them.

Considering the princess’s fondness of the Royal Gardens, it might come as no surprise that she would not only recognize most flowers but also understand the meaning behind each.

The question was….did Clive know the meaning behind each of the flowers that made up the exquisite bouquet? And if he did, did he realize that Zelda herself understood the message behind each one? 

Not wanting to give too much away — or embarrass the male if he did know their meanings but meant for it to be a silent confession, thinking she herself did not  — the royal graciously accepted the vase, her smile now soft and warm as she peered up at him. “Am I to assume these come from you? Or are you running deliveries on behalf of another?”

[sapientiiae]

👀

SEND  👀  FOR  A  DIRTY  THOUGHT  AND / OR  FANTASY  MY  MUSE  HAS  HAD  ABOUT  YOURS !

While their interactions thus far had been chaste, there were moments when her mind couldn’t help but to wander. There was no denying that Clive was handsome, with a body that was just as impressive as his face. He was so unlike the nobles she was used to seeing, that rugged exterior only amplified when his shirt was removed to reveal beautifully sculpted muscle. 

Her cheeks flushed at that thought alone, though the color that had risen to the surface became more vibrant as her thoughts drifted in a less virtuous direction. Having to admit to such thoughts in front of anyone, much less Clive, would only make it worse. 

“There have been moments where I cannot help but to wonder if the hot springs was a missed opportunity,” she confessed, her skin as flushed as if she’d just stepped out of those very springs. “That day when I walked up on you in the springs by accident….that moment is permanently engrained in my mind. Even exhausted from our travels and everything you endured, you looked so…” Was handsome even the right word? Princes, in their polished refinement, were handsome. Clive, with his brawny physique, was so much more. 

“Then you offered me to join you, and I was a frazzled mess. I think your offer was innocent in nature, but I knew people would balk if they ever found out. And if I—“ She wouldn’t have been bold enough to ever try making a move on him, but Goddesses the temptation would have been there. 

“Now, there is a part of me that wishes I had; that fantasizes about what might happen if we—“ A shiver rippled down her spine, her core tightening even as she attempted to fight off becoming flustered. “The feel of your muscled body against mine in the hot springs…it would likely drive me mad, yet I cannot help but to wonder what might have been.”

[sapientiiae]

@valistheanshield asked: I want the K kiss roulette 7. A romantic kiss

When Clive invited her to spend the day with him, she hadn’t expected this. At most, she thought they might find something to do around the castle, or if she was lucky, they might visit some of the shops in Castle Town. She��d thought a day spent together would be simple, and she’d just been happy to have the opportunity to spend even a few hours with him.

When she was lead to the place stables, she hadn’t thought much of it, even when she found her mare saddled and waiting. His own steed — a horse like her own, not a Chocobo like what he’d ridden in Rosaria, based off his stories — had been saddled and packed as well, and the pair rid off through the palace gates without the Princess of Hyrule receiving any sort of explanation as to where they were going or how they would be spending their day. 

In the months they’d spent around each other, he seemed to quickly pick up on her appreciation for being out of the castle, even if it did possess a few places (namely the gardens and the library) that she was rather fond of. So learning they were leaving the palace wasn’t surprising, though she did have to shoot him a questioning look when they’d also rode over the drawbridge that allowed access to and from Castle Town.

What she hadn’t realized was that Clive’s horse had also been carefully packed for a picnic, which was Clive’s idea on how they should spend their day. She hadn’t learned about it until they arrived to Lake Hylia, though he’d kept her away from the water and insisted she turn her back and close her eyes (both a necessity for good measure) until he was ready. She’d had to swear to keep her eyes closed (not that Clive had trusted her, which was why he’d gently placed his hand over her eyes as well) as he lead her down towards the shore, only able to look when he gave her the cue to do so. 

When the order came and his hand was pulled away, she’d been overwhelmed by the sight of the quilt carefully spread out on the sandy shore, a lovely meal for two having been prepared (likely by the palace staff) and now arranged for their enjoyment. 

The pair sat and talked and laughed until the princess felt as if her sides split. And once the sun started to set, lighting the lake up as if golden flames danced over the surface, Zelda had found Clive moving to sit a bit closer to her. And she, herself, might have shifted to nestle in to his side, the brush of her arm against his enough encouragement for the male to wrap aforementioned arm around her shoulders, pulling her just a little bit closer.

That change, along with the wonderful day he’d planned for them, had coaxed the Hylian princess to turn into him, leaning up until her lips pressed against his. He was gentle with her, as if worried she might crumble into the sand or be frightened away, yet the kiss lingered, her stomach aflutter as she reached up with a gloved hand to gently press her palm to his cheek.

They stayed like that for a few seconds, until Zelda pulled away, just enough so that she could speak as the tip of her nose brushed against his. “Thank you, Clive, for inviting me here today. This was…the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me—it was perfect.”