AN: I just want to thank all of you for reading, sharing, for the likes and the follows. This is my first multi chaptered Maleval story but it's certainly not the last one. I really hope you like it and you enjoy it, thank you for sticking with me to the very end
Forever after
"You are an idiot." Maleficent said without looking back at the petulant stare Diaval must be sending her way.
"I am not!" He replied and Maleficent rolled her eyes because even if she wasn't looking at him she knew he was crossing his arms looking away.
"Yes, you are." Maleficent said turning to face Diaval who was just sitting on a fallen trunk near the lake. Maleficent eyed him her lips curling up at the sight of the raven-man she had been with for twenty-two years but who she had allowed completely in her live and heart for over six years.
"But, don't worry, dear." She continued her endearment making Diaval lifted his eyes at her with the same bashful smile he wore every time she was affectionate with him "I still love you."
"I know." Diaval said locking his eyes with hers. "Still, I'm not an idiot."
Maleficent snorted shaking her head, "I gave you one task, Diaval…"
"Yes, I know. But it wasn't my fault. I know I put it in our nest, but…"
"But you were completely distracted as to where it went." Maleficent replied condescendingly, it wasn't the first time Diaval had misplaced some important artifact given by her. It certainly wouldn't be the last.
"And whose fault is that?" Diaval replied smirking in a way that told Maleficent she was in delicious trouble.
"I don't know what you're talking about." She retorted growling at her own incapability of keeping the blush off of her face. Diaval wiggled his eyebrows at her. he was highly amused at the effect his words were having on her.
"Oh, you know what am I talking about, Mistress." He said lowering his voice just an octave, eyeing Maleficent in a way that made her shiver. "You were the one who thro…"
Diaval didn't get the chance to finish his sentence because he was suddenly attacked by a handful of mood. The raven-man opened his mouth astonished at what had just happened, he glanced towards Maleficent who was smiling beautifully at him, her eyes shone with mischief.
"Oh, dear…" Maleficent chuckled eyeing Diaval. "I'm sorry, you were saying?"
Maleficent opened her eyes moving away when a ball of mud flew towards her. She evaded it successfully only to hear someone behind her grunt and yelp in surprise. She turned around to see Aurora, now a woman, on the ground, her face, dress and hair covered in mud.
"Aurora!"
"Beastie!"
Aurora was there looking startled, she glanced up and saw Diaval much in the same state she was in whereas Maleficent was looking spotless; both of them though were wearing the same concern towards her. Aurora shook her head touching the mud on her dress, she opened her mouth a couple of times but not sound came forward.
"Beastie, are you…" Malefcient's words were rudely interrupted by some of the mud from Aurora's dress colliding with her face. Diaval laughed loudly along with Aurora and, from that point on the only thing coming from this corner of the Moors was laughter and screams.
By the time afternoon came Aurora was finishing dressing the playful smile still in her face. It had been six years since the curse had been broken and she had taken upon herself both Kingdoms. It hadn't been easy, she had to take over a human world that was almost in ruins by the time she sat on the Throne. She had to fight with a council of old men who wanted to take her as their wife to legitimate their mandate and ruling; if it hadn't been for Maleficent and The Moors, Aurora was pretty sure her fate would had been a horrible experience. But she not only had Maleficent, but Diaval, her aunties and even Prince Phillip had backed her up until there was nothing the council could do. Her ruling The Moors had been easier; after all, Maleficent had made sure everyone knew and love her before she was crowned.
Now, on the eve of her twentieth-two named day she was still happy that from time to time she got to enjoy mud fights, late talks or children stories coming from her two favorite people in the world. She glanced over at her Godmother who was bickering with Diaval over something trivial; Aurora smiled knowing how long the path towards their relationship had been. Aurora shook her head having gotten used to this from their part; the first time she brought Phillip to The Moors he had been scared at the display of sharp words. He had glanced worriedly at Aurora but his worry turned to confusion at the please look on the girl. It hadn't taken long for Aurora to explain to Phillip this was their way to declare their undying love for one another.
"So, Diaval, Godmother, are you going to tell me why are you two arguing again?" Aurora finally asked coming from behind her Godmother and glancing at the woman with curiosity.
"Diaval lost your named day gift." Maleficent said placing her hand on top of Aurora's shoulder.
"Do you want me to tell her how I may have misplaced it, Mistress?" Diaval retorted putting a special emphasis on the Mistress. Aurora rolled her eyes when she sensed another argument rising from Maleficent.
"You know you don't have to give me anything, right? You two are the only gift I want on this day." Aurora said feeling warm under Maleficent's eyes.
"We know." Diaval said approaching the two women, he glanced at Aurora before leaning in to kiss Maleficent.
Aurora watched them smiling gently at the display; for some time Maleficent would feel self-conscious, always trying to find a way to return Diaval's affection in private hating the stares they would usually get. But Diaval, of course, would have nothing of it; he had told Maleficent so when he screamed at the top of his long how much he loved her and loved making her happy day and night. For Maleficent it was mortifying knowing she would blush every time he did that, she would find herself looking away shyly with a soft smile playing on her lips. Diaval winked at Aurora who merely giggled.
"So, my love, am I forgiven?" Diaval said putting out a silver chain with a blue sapphire hanging from it. Maleficent lifted an eyebrow glancing at the necklace then at a very smug looking Diaval.
"Sometimes, I believe you love watching me annoyed at you…" Maleficent replied putting Diaval to her kissing him with just as much energy as he had done so a minute ago.
"Okay, no more of this." Said Aurora coming in between them. "You…You really get pretty scary when like this."
Diaval moved away slightly daze, grinning goofy, "Oh, now you know how we feel every time you kiss Phillip. By the way, where is he?"
"Oh, some of the men we sent to the north had arrived; he and his cousin King Erik went to meet them." Aurora replied her smile softening and her eyes gleaming brightly at the mention of her husband.
"You were given a day off of your duties then." Diaval said wrapping his arm around her. "The better for us, because it's been too long since we last have a family dinner in The Moors."
"Yes, that's right." Aurora said smiling. "I really missed the both of you."
"And we missed you, Beastie." Said Maleficent placing her hand on top of Aurora's head. "I think Diaval is right, we should enjoy a family dinner and tomorrow attend to your named day before we tell you what we have learnt from the Northern border of the Moors."
Aurora sighed glancing between Diaval and Maleficent, "Yes, I agree. Today I just want to talk to the both of you."
The afternoon was spent with the three of them speaking animatedly; it was actually more of Aurora and Diaval sharing stories about the last two weeks. Maleficent observed them with a found smile on her face; her eyes gleamed with affection every time she heard Beastie's laughter or Diaval's deep voice. Never before had Maleficent thought her life would turn out the way it did; she never imagined her broken heart would find a way back to love again, much less that her love would be divided between a mother's love and a lover's one. Diaval lifted his eyes glancing at her with the same affection she had denied herself to see for so long, now it was like a taste of cool water in the middle of a desert. Even after all this time her heart still hammered against her chest at the sight of Diaval's eyes on her. She lifted her eyebrow; her lips curling up in a tiny smile, Diaval wiggled his eyebrows at her before turning his attention back to Aurora.
"…And well, everyone came." Said Aurora. "I think Belle and Ariel along with Rapunzel and Eric, Flynn and Adam had attended the festivities but they are also here because of…other matters."
Maleficent said tilting her head curiously; it was the tone of voice coming from Aurora what called Maleficent's attention. There was a strange warmness in her voice, a softening Maleficent had never heard before. The faery leaned in knowing the different monarchs Aurora had mention, they were Phillip's best friends and they had become Aurora's friends as well.
While Aurora had been married to Phillip for more than a year and a half, the both of them had been friends ever since their first meeting. It was Phillip the one to take Aurora in different adventures while making commercial and social relationships with other kingdoms. Little by little, the attraction they felt on their first meeting had transformed into love but the friendship was still there; it was one of Aurora's wishes becoming a reality: being a friend to the man she loved much like Maleficent and Diaval had forged their relationship.
Aurora then stared at Maleficent, she bit her lower lip hesitantly and Maleficent furrowed her brows worriedly.
"Aurora, are you well?"
Aurora looked flabbergasted at the sudden suspicion and worry in Maleficent's face; she eyed her Godmother and then Diaval who apparently had missed the silent contemplation from Maleficent. Aurora nodded, her lips curling up into a tender smile.
"Yes, Godmother, I am. I'm perfect actually." She said and there it was again the warm in her voice, the tenderness…Maleficent stood up approaching her and sitting right beside her.
"What is it you haven't told us?"
"Well, I think…I believe I am with child."
Maleficent blinked once, twice her mouth hanged open for a second. Aurora was fidgeting nervously under her stare, biting her lower lip but unable to contain the happiness growing deep inside of her. She and Phillip had talked about it and she remembered the talk she had with both, Maleficent and Diaval, about how should she proceeded to give herself on her wedding night and the process of having a child. While Aurora had enjoyed the stress these conversations brought to her Godmother and Diaval, and she had enjoyed just the many shades of red and awkward analogies; Aurora and Phillip had also decided to not have a child so early in their marriage. But, things had happened and they were equally happy about the prospect of being parents.
Aurora then felt a pair of hands on her arms; she was turned around to look Diaval. The raven-man eyed her up and down, then her face, then her abdomen and finally her face again. He tilted his head his face breaking into a brilliant smile.
"You…you're going to have a mini you?" Diaval asked and Aurora couldn't help but giggled at how childish Diaval looked at the moment, she nodded and soon found herself being wrapped in his warm embrace. "Oh, Hatchling, you…you're going to be an amazing mother!"
Aurora felt tears forming in her eyes, rolling down while she returned Diaval's embrace, turning her head slightly she saw the glint of tears in Maleficent's eyes. Maleficent stared at her with her lips quivering as she smiled softly at her; Aurora broke the hug with Diaval gently just to wrap her arms around Maleficent.
"Oh, Beastie…" Maleficent hugged her tightly and asked, not for the same time, the same question. "When did you grow up so much?"
Aurora didn't answer this time around, she merely allowed the two people she thought of as parents to engulf her in a tight embrace.
The twentieth-two named day of Aurora started early in the morning.
Everyone around the Kingdom would greet her with flowers, laughter and respectful bows dedicated not only to her but to the woman with enormous wings on her back and the raven flying around them. Aurora would smile brightly at the townspeople, greeting the children with a special care until her personal guard would catch up to her and help her back to the castle.
Phillip approached his wife with a huge smile, he picked her up making her giggled before placing a soft kiss on her forehead. He then turned to Maleficent who had a half smile and hug the young man back.
"Lady Maleficent." He greeted before turning to Diaval and bowing to him. "Ser Diaval, thank you for coming."
Maleficent and Diaval waved away the formalities and Phillip smiled shyly at them.
"She told you the great news, didn't she?"
"Yes, he did. Congratulations, your Majesty." Said Maleficent smiling at the young man who was hugging Aurora.
"Yes, congratulations." Said Diaval coming forward. "You've been keeping your promise of making her happy and thus I don't think I have to say anything to you regarding the unborn child, right?"
Phillip paled slightly remembering the promise he made a long time ago, the young monarch nodded solemnly. Maleficent rolled her eyes taking Diaval's hand between hers and shooting him a tender smile.
"Good then, that's pretty good." Said Diaval nodding back at the young man. Aurora shook her head kissing Phillip on his cheek, turning around the four of them enter the castle.
"Oh, dear, stop bothering King Phillip." Whispered Maleficent making Diaval shivered at her closeness.
"You have to admit is funny." Diaval answered back his heart stopping just a moment when his eyes found Maleficent's ones.
"Yes, Dear, it is." Diaval stopped then just there brushing his lips against hers, his heart almost escaping his chest the same way it usually did when he kissed her. After all this time, Maleficent was still his weakness and his strength, she was everything to him and he felt lucky knowing she was by his side.
The fireworks were lightning the night sky.
While the people in the Kingdom were out celebrating, Phillip had made sure Aurora shared a more private dinner with her love ones and their friends.
Diaval and Maleficent found themselves subjects of the many questions from the different young men and women curious to know how the life in the Moors was. Some of them, much like Aurora, had their own magical Godmothers but this was the first time they met someone who had go from a dark path to a lighter one. It was Diaval, however, the one who stole the attention as his abilities as a story teller caught the attention of the females in the room.
Maleficent watched in growing amusement her mind prodding annoyingly with something she knew was off about Aurora and the situation. Aurora was close to Diaval resting her had on his shoulder while the other young women sat around them, some of the men were sitting beside their wives but Maleficent and Phillip were watching everything from afar.
"She misses you, both of you." Phillip said glancing at Maleficent.
"I know. The Moors and some business beyond the northern borders had kept us away these last few weeks." Maleficent mumbled Phillip nodded gravely flashing Maleficent a serious countenance.
"I heard. Eric, my cousin, told me about the strange happenings in the North. It seems it has almost reached the Moors and our Kingdom in the form of rumors."
"We attended these rumors as well. Diaval and I found nothing but mist and confusing words…"Maleficent turned to the laughter happening around the fireplace, her lips curved up in a smile she shared with Phillip.
"But, your Majesty, I believe this is better discussed at another time, for now we should probably enjoy the calm night and the festivities."
Phillip nodded grinning widely, "Yes, you are right."
"I also hope you don't mind if we stay longer than may be prudent." Maleficent said suddenly, Phillip turned to her curious.
"You know you are always welcome here. Besides, Aurora would be happy to hear this."
"I really don't want to get away from her while she is with child." Said Maleficent. "I wouldn't mind helping around to take care of her."
"That would be terrific." Said Phillip letting out a sigh of relief, when Maleficent shoot him an amused stare Phillip tried to explain. "You know? Her aunts told us of their intentions of helping around, and we are grateful, really but they are…"
"A handful. Yes, I know." Maleficent answer dryly. "However, they can be very useful if there is someone watching over them. "Don't worry, your Majesty, Aurora is going to be well taken care of and the child is going to be born among people who love him."
"Of that, my lady, I have no doubt."
Time passed and with it Maleficent realized some things in life were meant to be obtained after hardships to forge your character. What had happened with Stefan had been a lesson Maleficent wasn't ready to admit at that time. She had loved him, he was her first everything and a part of her would always love the little boy who threw away the only valuable thing he had on him so he could grasp her hand. But Maleficent would forever forget the man he had become and what he had done to her and he had allowed him to do to her.
Maleficent had learnt about her own hatred, what her words of hurt and revenge had almost caused on an innocent child. She had also realized sometimes the people we don't notice are the ones who loved us unconditionally. Maleficent wrapped her hand with Diaval's one, the young man turned to her sensing the changed in her mood, the faery smiled weakly and he only had to approach her placing his forehead against hers for her to feel better.
"I love you." Maleficent closed her eyes smiling at those words, words she never got tired of hearing morning, afternoon and night.
She opened her eyes to glance into black orbs gleaming with pure and unaltered love; and she remembered the little boy she had met in a corner of The Moors. A boy gentle but reluctant, a boy who had seen and feel pain way before any child should. The raven-boy and man who had loved her for her kindness and brightness of her smile; the raven-man who was ready to sacrifice his feelings for her to be happy; Maleficent closed the space between them and kissed Diaval as a reassurance of his presence in her live.
"Are you well, Love?" Diaval whispered always with the same wonder in his voice when addressing her in the midst of a private moment.
"She is going to be a perfect mother, isn't she?"
Diaval turned to Aurora who was placing her children on their crib, he smiled nodding turning towards Maleficent.
"She learnt from the best."
Maleficent felt her lips quiver at Diaval's words; Diaval squeezed her hand and then proceeded to face the monarchs who were now announcing the presentation of their children.
The sky was bright with the sun shining brilliantly in the sky.
The celebrations had started almost as soon as it was announced Queen Aurora, beloved by her people had given birth to twins. A little boy called James and a little girl called Emma. The siblings had been blessed in so many ways: grace and love, beauty and wisdom, with light and kindness.
Maleficent had watched as one by one the humans and the inhabitants of The Moors had bowed to their prince and princess. She had watched the tenderness in Aurora who already loved her children like nothing in this world. Maleficent sighed remembering a time when she had entered this very same chamber to curse a baby.
"You know? You look stunning when you're pensive like this." Mumbled Diaval. "It makes you look a little dangerous, cold, as if you're plotting something and yet your eyes show you're just really feeling more than you care to express."
"You shouldn't know me so well." Maleficent replied shaking her head, but Diaval smiled when he realized she wasn't as serious as before.
"And yet, I do, Mistress. I do." Diaval winked at her knowing just how mortified she felt every time he called her like that. "It is a good thing I do so, because that way I can see when you start blaming yourself for the past."
"I know."
"Come, it is time for us to bless our first grandchildren."
And they did.
This time around, when Maleficent approached the kids she snorted at how much they look like the Beastie and her husband. She felt the burn of tears in her eyes as her hand moved in small circles while she spoke words of blessings and talents. The children, much like their mother at their age, smiled at her. Diaval gave the scene a half smile, crossing his arms while glancing at Maleficent then at Aurora and finally to the children.
He had known the moment he laid eyes on Maleficent he loved her.
And now, watching her like this…he knew he wanted a family, a bigger family, with her.
Maleficent's laughter filled his ears giving him a warm, fuzzy feeling when the faery grabbed his hand and dragged him away from the main room. She dragged Diaval down the road to a secluded area in the Royal Garden. Diaval was surprised but followed her with a tentative smile in place, they moved past the noise from the festivities and sat under the tree Aurora had gifted them once.
Diaval loved when she was in this mood. Happy without any particular reason, her wings would stretch their length accommodating themselves so she could rest her head on Diaval's lap.
"Are you okay?" The question was followed by a soft kiss on her forehead, Maleficent smiled with her eyes close sensing Diaval's eyes on her.
"Yes, why wouldn't I be?"
"You look …thoughtful." Diaval then allowed his fingers to map out her neck and face. "You didn't even sit beside me to hear my extraordinary story-telling. And, most importantly, you didn't want to stay for the rest of the celebrations. I'm betting Aurora is going to come looking for us any minute now."
"I thought you were enjoying the attention of the woman, Belle." Maleficent said deciding to ignore the rest of Diaval's words. "You two seem to have so much in common."
Diaval smirked admiring the frown on Maleficent's face and the purse of her lips, of all the things she noticed she had to pay attention to that one. He loved it when Maleficent got jealous like this, it made for interesting ways to convince her she was his world.
"Are you jealous, Love?"
"Should I be?" Maleficent opened her eyes to emphasis her question, Diaval chuckled earning a soft smile in return.
"No, you shouldn't." Diaval said closing the space between them and kissing Maleficent softly.
It still amazed Diaval just how soft were her lips, how responsive she was or how she would return his kisses with hunger and tenderness. He was still amazed that she loved him and she let him loved her in return. Maleficent caressed his face her eyes were so far away Diaval didn't seem capable of interrupting her thoughts.
"I want to have children." Diaval spluttered suddenly.
Maleficent tensed her eyes went big at those words, she locked her eyes with Diaval's ones before standing up. Diaval stood just as fast almost colliding with her when maleficent turned around to face him.
"Are you serious?" Maleficent asked almost violently, Diaval winced stepping back.
"Well, yes." He said shrugging. "I watched you today and I decided I want children."
"Just like that?" Maleficent was baffled at how casual, how normal Diaval made it sound.
The raven-man shrugged nodding, "Yes, just like that."
"Why?" Maleficent finally asked to which Diaval could only blink puzzle.
He approached Maleficent tilting his head in a sheepish way that usually got him out of trouble, Maleficent pursed her lips knowing the posture all too well.
"You have got to be kidding me." Diaval exclaimed opening his arms looking at her with bad contained happiness. "Can you imagine just how beautiful our kids would be? Or how powerful? Can you imagine them with their little wings learning how to fly or playing with the twins? Can you imagine how much I would love the five of you?"
"Five?!" Maleficent raised an eyebrow the fear at hearing such a declaration evident in her eyes, Diaval chuckled earning himself a punch on his arm.
"That's not funny, Diaval."
"Okay, maybe not five. I mean, we already have Aurora so…perhaps…three?"
"And you came up with all of these just now?" Maleficent asked, Diaval shrugged.
"Well, yes,"
"Why?" Maleficent was slightly confused. She had considered this scenario, the one in which Diaval and her would sit down and talk about having children, perhaps. A part of her mind, the one still remembering the horrible things that happened, that she did, told her having children was just not an option.
Another part of her, the one ready to leave the past behind had been dying to ask Diaval the very same question he just asked.
"What do you mean why?" Diaval replied rolling his eyes, he then put his hands on Maleficent's waist putting her to him. "Because I love you, of course! And having a bigger family with you is just one of the many things I wish to have with you."
"Oh? And what else do you want to have with me, Dear?" Maleficent asked rather amused at Diaval's antics, the man approached her sharing her same smile.
"A happily ever after."
"Like the ones in your stories?"
"The very same one."
Maleficent couldn't help it, she laughed.
Diaval grinned pressing his forehead against hers; she placed her hands on his neck brushing her warm fingers against the naked skin, her wings covering the both of them. She looked into his eyes raising a daring eyebrow.
"I get to name our children, though." And with that Maleficent leaned in promising with her kiss, with her caress and her words the happily ever after both of them had been searching for since the day they met.
