There was little more than Maleficent hated more than shopping, yet here she was waiting on Aurora to be finished.

Their earlier conversation replayed in her mind as she stood some distance away from them.

Aurora reminded her of both Stefan and Leila but yet, she had been just as hurt by Stefan as anyone else, just in a different way.

"Maybe you should try this one."

She was brought from her thoughts by her goddaughter's voice, only to arch a brow at her when she saw the shirt the girl was holding up.

"Oh, I do not think so. You can get that idea out of your head, Beastie."

She retorted, only for Diaval to snicker.

"You would look good in yellow, I think."

Of course, you would say that.

Maleficent thought before retorting

"Remember, you sometimes hang your laundry out to dry. It would be a pity if something happened to them."

She seems to be testing me a bit today. Just slightly cheeky, playful jabs. Perhaps that little outburst this morning was enough to get her off eggshells.

Maleficent thought, smiling slightly as Aurora made a similar comment toward Diaval about an equally hideous neon jacket.

Stefan may have hurt her and made her afraid but if anyone can heal that part of her, it's Diaval. Man has the patience of a saint.

Diaval could tell by how stiffly Maleficent walked that she had done way too much in the past two days, yet she still put on a nonchalant look so she didn't alert Aurora that something was wrong.

"Godmother, maybe you should rest."

"Aurora, I am perfectly fine. Stop mollycoddling me."

"I'm not trying to."

The light bickering that drifted down the stairs caught the man's attention, causing him to smirk.

They're starting to warm up to each other. Wonder how that happened? Maleficent was adamant that she couldn't love the kid because of what Stefan did.

Don't know how to care for a child, yeah right. What does she not realize the only thing she needs to really do is provide a safe space for Aurora and just be a source of guidance and comfort? Which she seems to already be doing to some extent?

He thought, amused.

Besides, Maleficent isn't quite as much of a harpy as she makes herself out to be.

A snarled curse came from upstairs, calling his attention away from the stove.

"Godmother!"

"What? I'm sure you've heard that before."

Diaval chuckled at that and shook his head.

I may want to hurry this along and go help them before Maleficent loses her temper at...Whatever it is she agreed to help Aurora with doing.

Aurora stifled a giggle as she watched Maleficent attempt—and fail—at hanging hooks for a string of fairy lights around the far wall of the room, the older of the two mumbling obscenities all the while.

Maleficent was easily annoyed, certainly but her anger never really extended toward anyone, or at least not over this.

"Oh, what are you snickering at? Do you want these up or not?" Maleficent retorted, though she still fumbled with the objects until she finally got one to stay.

"If you would let me help…"

Aurora retorted, though Maleficent just sent her a look.

"And have you to fall and hurt yourself? I don't think so."

Aurora found herself wanting to argue, to say she had done so before without falling, but she didn't want to push herself and risk making the woman angry with her.

"Maybe Diaval can help me then? You've done more than enough." She said instead, earning a sigh.

"By doing what? By being responsible for you?"

Aurora knew Maleficent didn't mean to practically snap those words, though she flinched at them.

"Aurora, you're a kid and my godchild. It's my job to watch out for you. A bit of redecoration and a day out is nothing."

Those words were a shock, though it left an uneasy feeling in Aurora's chest.

"It's not only that."

She didn't even realize she had said those words until she felt her godmother practically looming over her, a hand on her shoulder.

"I could kill that man." She heard Maleficent mutter, obviously to herself before adding louder "if you mean the last few days, think nothing of it. As I said, you are my goddaughter and there is nothing to thank me for."

She couldn't keep herself from thinking back then, to that first night. To how she had felt and what she had heard on at least two separate occasions.

Yet her godmother seemed to care, seemed to at least like her. So maybe those fears were irrelevant now?

She couldn't keep herself from hoping that was the case.

"You didn't have to let me stay let alone tolerating my foolishness."

She didn't dare look up as she said this, too afraid to see her godmother's reactions.

"You're right, I didn't have to let you stay but you are wrong about one thing...What you are calling foolishness is not. Everyone has fears and needs Aurora. I never expected you to not have your own personality or needs."

She felt a gentle nudge as Maleficent said this and as she looked up, she felt the fears she had kept secret melt slightly at the expression on her godmother's face.

She couldn't keep herself from wrapping her arms around the woman for the second time that day, though this time it was loosely returned.

She didn't even notice that the door opened or that Diaval sent a look at Maleficent, who wordlessly dared him to say anything.