Disclaimer: I own nothing.

A/N: so a bit more insight on Stefan's treatment of Aurora...and Maleficent starting to hate the man tenfold.

There will eventually be a chapter focusing on an actual discussion about Stefan and how "Not all abuse is physical".

Maleficent awoke to the sound of thunder and to something, or rather someone, curling up against her. That was when she realized that she had a catch in her neck and was stiff from sleeping in a sitting up position on the couch.

When had she fallen asleep?

She wondered, attempting to move without waking her goddaughter who seemed to have decided that using her shoulder as a pillow was a good idea.

It's no wonder I'm stiff! Couldn't she go to bed like a normal person? Maleficent wondered though she was careful not to wake the girl as she slowly moved forward and—after switching off the tv and grabbing a throw pillow from the nearby chair—made her godchild as comfortable as possible.

She assumed that the girl's willingness to sit so close to her—paired with a few cheeky comments from the previous night—was a good sign, as she seemed to be growing more comfortable there.

Her mind slipped back to the conversation they had about Stefan, though it was brief Maleficent had learned a few things about the nature of the man she had once loved. Sure she knew he was selfish and didn't seem to care what he did but to constantly lose one's temper over any small thing that a child did. That was not how a parent, or anyone else, should react to any child and least of all their own.

Shaking the thoughts from her head, lest she feels the need to hit something, Maleficent stood and headed to get dressed for the day, though she paused to grab a jacket from its rack and tossed it over the girl like a blanket.

She may as well get some sleep. Heavens know last night probably frightened her. She seemed too quiet until that jab about my lack of interior design.

Maleficent thought, chuckling to herself at the memory. Aurora had seemed a bit taken aback by her own words until Maleficent had responded by a quip of her own. That memory leads to another thought:

I need to get Diaval to take her shopping. I have no patience for it but she will need things and since her mother wished me to be her guardian, that falls on me to provide. From what I gather from both her and those idiots, her father tended to attach strings to everything.

You would think a man who grew up without much would wish to give his daughter the world.

Diaval sighed as his phone rang, leaning against the shovel he had been using to clean out the enclosures. He was drenched from getting caught in the downpour that had come out of nowhere and he had to get this done.

Yet he recognized Maleficent's ringtone. So he answered.

"Maleficent? Is something wrong?" He asked, knowing that it was rare for her to call him at work.

"I need you to stop by after you get off work. If Aurora is to live here she may as well have what other children her age do."

Diaval couldn't keep from chuckling at that response.

"Well, you always wanted a family of your own." He retorted, earning a sigh.

"Goodbye Diaval."

"I thought you would sleep the day away."

Aurora managed not to jolt at the sudden voice, still not used to how quiet that her godmother could be.

"What time is it?"

She managed to respond, stifling a yawn as she got to her feet.

"Noon. I left you some breakfast in the oven."

Aurora noticed an odd note in Maleficent's tone. Something that was akin to being lost in thought or perhaps even emotionally tired.

"Godmother? Are you alright?"

She asked, earning a sigh from the woman who turned toward her.

"Yes, just thinking. Go eat then get ready. Diaval's taking you shopping today." Maleficent's response caused her to perk up a little, though it was in confusion and not excitement.

"Why? Also aren't you coming?"

She asked, earning a look that was nearly unreadable.

"I guess I can come along if you want."

Before Aurora could even conjure up a response, a crash of thunder quite nearly caused her to jump out of her skin and caused Maleficent to chuckle.

"Afraid of a little storm are we?"

"No! That was just loud!"

Aurora felt the heat crawl into her face and ears at her godmother's teasing. She knew the tone—which was often used with Diaval—and knew her godmother would never say anything to actively hurt or insult her. That had been made very clear. Yet she couldn't stop her embarrassment, especially as another loud clap of thunder caused a similar reaction.

"I just really don't like loud noises. I'm not afraid, I know it can't hurt me and I love the rain it's just…"

She began, only to feel a hand lightly touch her arm.

"Beastie, pretty sure anyone would be jumpy if they partially grew up with constant shouting and slamming doors. There is no shame in being frightened."

Maleficent hadn't expected a hug so when she suddenly felt the girl clinging around her waist, she froze before finally carding a hand through the girl's hair.

"What brought this on?" She questioned, though something about how the girl didn't verbally respond caused her to suspect that this was more than likely Stefan's doing.

What did that man say to you?

She wanted to ask but also didn't wish to cause the fourteen-year-old any stress.

"Sorry."

The apology came quickly as Aurora put distance between herself and her godmother, though Maleficent's hand never left where it came to rest on her shoulder.

"No Aurora, you have nothing to be sorry for. However, I want you to answer me one thing, alright?"

Aurora nodded her answer, eyes suddenly downcast.

"Has someone insulted you for being afraid?"

It was the only thing that made sense and Aurora's hint of a nod (if it could be called that) was enough to prove it.

"Never again." She vowed, her voice barely a whisper.

That bastard may have hurt you but I won't let that happen again.