a/n: This is a malora (Maleficent/Aurora) fic. It takes place just after the end of the movie. If you are opposed to a romantic element to their relationship you do not have to read. For those you who will read this, I thank you! Reviews are welcome and add to my writing morale. Rated M for later chapters. Enjoy!
(I don't own jack shit, unfortunately.)
Dazzling.
Dazzling in the sunlight, like a ray of beauty and love in tangible form. A brilliant smile beneath messy golden locks splayed out into the air around her as she spun and danced and laughed, nearly tossing the crown from her head.
Maleficent found her own lips pulled back in a full smile, real and fresh. That girl's smile was contagious, but it was a sort of infection that one could sink into gratefully, happily.
After a quick flight around the Moors to stretch her wings, as she was still growing accustomed to their return, she had settled on a small rock ledge above Aurora's coronation, yet had not re-approached the girl. This was something she was familiar with, watching Aurora from a distance with a protective eye. And over the years, a loving eye at that.
The boy, Prince Phillip was there as well. He had been invited, as it turned out by the pixie trio: Knotgrass, Flittle, and Thistlewit. He made to approach the queen; Maleficent's eyes flashed green as she watched.
"Won't you join us fairy godmother!" Aurora called, after finding her balance from a twirl, fay flittering and zipping around the girl in some sort of ridiculous celebratory dance.
Spreading her wings against the sky, Maleficent leapt from the cliff and let her wings carry her down the air current and settle gracefully to the ground in front of Aurora, giving a last flap before they folded behind her. Diaval followed behind in his original form. She noticed, out of the corner of her eye, that the young prince shrunk away at Maleficent's arrival. She made a soft sound of prideful approval at the boy's display of fear.
"As my queen commands." Maleficent turned her gaze to Aurora and smiled softly down at her.
The smile dropped from Aurora's face, her head tilting a bit to the side, a sudden seriousness altering her body language, concern in her summer sky eyes, "No, never a command, not for you."
The fairy's eyebrows raised slightly, "Then as my queen wishes."
That lovely glow returned to her face as Aurora's lips pulled back into a smile and she reached for Maleficent hands, "Commands do not apply to fairy godmothers."
A gentleness came over her, as the fairy looked down at her strong hands in Aurora's smaller one's, she ran her thumb over the top of the queen's knuckles and across the space between her thumbs and forefingers, her skin was soft as a baby bird's down feathers, and pretty things for hands. She had for years she had deflected and pulled away from the girl's touch and now she not only welcomed it, but found that she yearned for even the smallest of contact.
Suddenly Aurora pulled her hands away and did a sort of twirl in front of her, spinning sunbeams everywhere, one hand holding onto her gold leaf crown as she did so to keep it on her head, "What do you think of my dress?"
Aurora's beauty surpassed that of any human or fay she had ever come across, and any that existed as far as Maleficent was concerned.
"It's a lovely dress for a little beastie."
The fairy folk had finally begun to tire and settle from the excitement of the day as the sun lowered itself to lie upon the horizon, resting there for a moment before making its final decent into night.
"You've wondered off again." Aurora announced as wandered over and sat down heavily next to Maleficent beneath a drooping tree, the winged woman sat with her wings lay on either side of her, overlooking a stream bordered by tall grasses.
"Too much excitement for me." she smiled softly, "And I much prefer watching you than needlessly chatting with the three dimwitted fools."
Aurora scoffed, "You mustn't be so mean! They do try their hardest. Besides, they raised me."
Maleficent chuckled darkly, "No, they merely succeeded in not getting you killed for sixteen years. And even that is a stretch."
Lacing her fingers together, Aurora smiled up at Maleficent, "I was always safe with you around."
The protector of the Moors raised her arm and lifted her wing up a bit, motioning for Aurora to sit closet to her, the girl did so and Maleficent brought her arm around Aurora's shoulders, the young queen leaning against her, she closed her eyes and sighed. Maleficent leaned her head down to kiss Aurora on her temple, just as she had done not too long ago, in utter despair at losing the one person that had taken the last of her heart and given her so much more in return.
They sat there like that for some time, silently enjoying each other's company.
"You know, I'm actually glad. For the curse I mean." She said before yawning, the day had worn her out.
Maleficent stiffened and turned to look at the girl, shock plain on her face, "Your life would have been far different." She would have a mother and father, have lived a life of luxury and comfort. If not for Maleficent's own rage and jealousy.
The queen smiled up at her, "If not for the curse, I might not have known you and you might still be alone and sad, and I'm glad I helped in some way to make you happy."
"I was not alone, there is Diaval."
Aurora chuckled, "Are you saying that he is your friend?"
Maleficent did not reply to that but merely continued to smile down at her queen.
"I know you. I was born for you." Aurora said, holding Maleficent' golden, emerald gaze.
Maleficent gave a chuckle in the back of her throat, amused, "Now that is where you are wrong. For I know you, and the sun was not made to rise for the moon."
"Oh fairy godmother!" Aurora sat up on her knees and placed a hand on either of Maleficent shoulders, she leaned in and kissed the smooth expanse of Maleficent's cheek as the last glimmer of coppery daylight shone across the Moors, before inevitably being swallowed up by the night. The girl's hands moved to cup each side of the fairy's face, the tips of her fingers brushing Maleficent ears and hair.
Her hands were just as warm and soft as they had been before, and Maleficent was very aware of how close she and Aurora had become, emotionally and at this moment, physically. Probably the closest they had ever been.
There was something different in Aurora's eyes as they flickered back and forth across the face of the fairy. She was searching the fairy's face, seeking something under the calm and collected expression that was Maleficent mask.
"Beastie." Was all that Maleficent said, her hand coming up to the small of Aurora's back, brining her even closer.
"I know you." Aurora repeated, a statement of confirmation.
She leaned in, her eyes fluttering closed and her sweet breath against Maleficent's lips so close to touching the girl's own, just before the fairy blew a swirl of golden dust softly against the girl's face and she fell limp against Maleficent chest into a gentle sleep.
"I'm sorry." She whispered, wrapping her arms around the slumbering girl. "But I can't."
Darkness had fallen across the Moors once more.
