summary: joshua, your butler, comforts you after a frustrating encounter, offering to drive you away from the chaos.
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joshua leaned casually against the polished car, a gentle smile gracing his features as you stormed out of the grand doors, your eyes flashing with frustration, "take me far away from this royal chaos," he nodded silently, opening the car door for you.
the car sped through the winding city streets as joshua glanced at you. a subtle smile played on his lips as you stared out of the window, letting a tear roll down your cheek which didn't go unnoticed by joshua.
wordlessly — he reached into the compartment, giving you a delicate handkerchief, knowing not to speak unless spoken to.
"i hate this, joshua," you say, dabbing away the tear. joshua's gaze remained steady on the road ahead, "i understand, princess," he replied in a soothing tone.
"don't call me that," you sniffled.
despite your plea, joshua couldn't help but push back with a teasing tone, "alright, princess. even in the chaos, there's a certain elegance to your rebellion."
"stop calling— oh my god," more tears streamed down your face and joshua only chuckles.
"so, where are we headed, princess?"
"..."
"where are we headed, y/n?" joshua asked again, the anticipation hanging in the air.
you sighed, gazing out the window at the passing city lights. "i don't know, joshua. just drive,"
"won't your parents—"
"no. don't talk about them,"
"i might get fired if—"
"just drive," you interrupt, refusing to let him finish his sentences, "for an hour or two or three,"
"a three-hour long drive. noted," joshua says, adjusting the rearview mirror. "but before that, we have to visit the gas station," you simply hum.
the car pulled into a dimly lit gas station, the soft glow of fluorescent lights casting an otherworldly ambiance. joshua parked — as you both stepped out into the crisp night air.
as he began refueling the car, you leaned against the side, deep in thought. "it's strange, finding sanctuary in a place like this,"
joshua chuckled, his hands still busy with the pump. "sometimes, unexpected stops lead to unexpected revelations,"
you glanced around at the flickering neon signs and the distant hum of the highway. "i never imagined a gas station could be a refuge,"
he finished refueling and joined you, a playful glint in his eyes. "life is full of surprises. now, shall we continue our journey into the unknown?"
"..."
"princess?"
"joshua, my parents...they've already started arranging suitors for my marriage," you admitted, the weight of their expectations heavy in your voice.
a subtle change crossed joshua's expression, a fleeting emotion surfacing in his eyes when the topic of suitors arose, "oh," is all he exhaled out.
"joshua?"
"yes?"
"...lets go?"
he simply nods, with a shared understanding hanging in the air, you both climbed back into the car, leaving the gas station's ethereal glow behind. the engine hummed to life as joshua merged onto the open road, the city lights fading into the distance.
"three hours of silent drive. am i right, princess?"
you turn your head to look at him, "no, not silent,"
"do you wish to play some music then?"
"no. i want to talk to you. and i want you to talk to me. like a friend. we're hardly two years apart, joshua,"
"im afraid, i can't do that," he says, changing the gear.
"why not?" you asked, the quiet urgency in your voice breaking the serene atmosphere.
"because, y/n, every stolen glance, every shared silence, they echo with something more profound. i can't simply be a friend when my heart whispers a different story,"
"...what do you mean?"
joshua simply takes your hand in his, holding it so delicately, his lips brushing against your skin in a tender kiss.
joshua, sensing the need for a moment of solitude, steers the car toward a isolated place.
"why here, joshua?"
"because, i need to do this," he replied, undoing the seatbelt and leaning towards you. in that secluded haven, he captured your lips with his in a chaste kiss, a gentle exchange of emotions that spoke louder than words.
the night enveloped you both in its quiet embrace, the car now parked in solitude. joshua's kiss lingered, a silent promise between the flickering stars above.
"unexpected turns," he murmured, his voice a soft echo in the stillness. you met his gaze, finding solace in the unspoken connection.
"what now, joshua?" you whispered, the vulnerability in your words hanging in the air, "what about the suitors?"
"let them chase shadows," he replied, intertwining his fingers with yours. "our story, princess, is written in the stars, not in the scripts they pen."
and so, the road unfolded, weaving a narrative of love, rebellion, and the quiet strength found in the spaces between whispered confessions and stolen kisses.
