Chapter Text
Lilith circled the mirror with her finger in a carefully practiced motion, and watched as the image materialized on the screen. She sighed as she took in the picture, wondering if this cycle would ever end.
It wasn’t the worst panic attack Zelda had ever had. This time, at least, she wasn’t balled up on the floor against herself. Instead her hands were in her hair, grabbing at it too roughly for Lilith’s liking. With her keen hearing she could detect soft crying too. Without lingering much longer she concentrated until she appeared in Zelda’s office.
She placed a hand on Zelda’s shoulder to get her attention, and once Zelda realized who it was, she tried to make quick work of her tears as to not seem weak. But Lilith did not care if she was crying, she cared if she was alright.
“I’m sorry, my queen. What can I do for you?” The demoness took to wiping away the remaining tears away, another practiced motion for her.
“None of that, sweet Zelda. Now tell me, what started this? You were making progress.” Zelda sighed, leaning into Lilith’s hand that was still on her face.
“I was looking for some important papers, and I found the stupid music box. I didn’t recognize it at first, but then I opened it and the music started playing... “
“Where is it now?” The witch motioned to the offending box , half careening off of a table near the far wall in the office. Lilith concentrated until the damned thing burned in flames, and was left in ashes that fell to the floor.
“There,” She whispered. “It’s gone now.”
“But it’s never going to be over, is it? There will always be reminders wherever I turn. It’s in this Church, in the mortuary… I will never escape this.”
“If it’s the Church, Zelda, burn it. Burn it and start over because I promise you, he doesn’t deserve it. He doesn’t deserve to break you, he wasn’t even worthy of marrying you.” The redhead shook her head half in distress, half to reply to what Lilith was suggesting.
“I can’t. I can’t Lilith, it’s your Church.” Lilith kneeled in front of Zelda, holding on to her forearms to steady herself in her human body but also for Zelda to understand that she wasn’t going anywhere.
“I don’t care about a stupid building, I care about you. If you take a blowtorch towards this whole place and build from the ashes, my temple, then so be it. If you find strength in the destruction of what and who hurt you, then you would not be dishonoring me. In fact you would be doing quite the opposite.”
“I’m not sure I understand, my queen.”
“Lilith. You can call me by my name. I’d like to think we are friends. And you don’t have to understand now. Just know that I do because I have been in your shoes. And know that you are stronger than you think. If you weren’t, I would not have made you my High Priestess.”
Zelda had calmed, and she listened to Lilith’s words intently.
“We’re really friends?” Was her only verbal response.
“The both of us are very secretive women, and have seen each other cry. I think that warrants friendship, as well as the work we’ve done together these last few months.” Zelda nodded her head and smiled.
“That makes sense...Lilith.” She tried her name on her lips, relishing in how it felt. It was a weird change in their relationship dynamic. But there were only so many times Lilith could come and bring Zelda back to reality before they had to familiarize themselves.
“Would you like me to stay?” The demoness asked.
“You aren’t busy?” Lilith shook her head.
“Not if you need me.” Zelda thought over the notion, and figured it couldn’t hurt to have some company.
“Of course. Stay.”