Note: Because I love this pairing so freaking much :)
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Her lips were warm. Diaval sighed quietly as Maleficent's hands combed through his hair, her nails scratching at his scalp as her mouth pressed against his. He could feel the places where their bodies met, as though her touch were threatening to burn him alive.
"I love you." He whispered.
"Diaval..."
"Always..."
"Diaval... wake up."
Diaval's eyes snapped open, his breath catching in his throat as he looked around wildly. "M-Mistress?"
Maleficent stood above him, a concerned expression on her face. "Are you well?" She asked him.
That was a loaded question, Diaval sat up and dragged his fingers through his hair, feeling each sore muscle without mercy. "I'm fine." He said stiffly. "Just a... dream."
Maleficent lowered herself down to the ground, crouching next to him. "You said my name." She said quietly. "Why?"
"I... I don't recall." Diaval dodged.
"You're lying to me." Maleficent reached out and tapped her finger against his nose. "Now tell the truth."
"You, a faerie, asking for the truth?" Diaval chuckled and shook his head. "There is no more truth than for me to say that it was nothing but a dream, and one that I don't wish to recall." He explained.
Maleficent's eyes narrowed. "It is unlike you to dodge my questions, my pretty bird." Her smile was fierce. "Did you have a dream about... me, perhaps?"
Diaval's eyes narrowed. "You ask Aurora to respect your wish of not talking about the loss of your wings, and yet you press me about my dreams after I ask you not to?" He snorted quietly. "Hardly fair, mistress."
"But your beautiful self loves to talk about himself." Maleficent countered. "And we both know that you are never shy."
"I have my secrets!" Diaval argued. "I don't tell you everything."
"Oh?" Maleficent sat fully on the ground beside him. In the distance, a few birds were beginning to chirp, the smell of dawn was in the air now. "What haven't you told me?"
Diaval shook his head. Of all the things he hadn't told her... he couldn't even find a single one that would not end badly. He had never told her that she was the most beautiful woman he had ever looked upon, or that her touch quickened his heart, and made him feel as though he might die.
That her smile was what he lived for, and the flattering words she said to him were like water to a dying man. He desired her more with each passing day, but knew that her heart still lingered with another.
"I have my secrets, Mistress." Diaval repeated in a softer voice. "I don't care to share them with anyone."
"Diaval..."
He turned away from her. "May I return to my normal form?" He asked, getting to his feet. "I want to be away from here... for a while."
"Have I done something to upset you?"
"No... I upset myself." Diaval soothed. "You are just the kindle for a fire that was already burning within myself."
"What was your dream?"
Diaval closed his eyes. "Love." He answered. "It was true love... or as close as one such as myself will ever find it."
Maleficent closed her eyes and raised her hand. With the fluttering of wings, Diaval was gone, the beautiful raven vanishing into the sky. She watched him, an envying look on her face, the stiffness in her back reminding her of the old ache of long-lost wings.
"Diaval..." She whispered to the night.
