Disclaimer: Maleficent and its characters belong to Disney.
Note: It took me more time than I first expected to write this chapter, and for a moment, I thought I would not finish it on time for today, but I did! God, I have the most amazing beta reader ever!
cannibal corncob: /!\ I'm glad you're enjoying this AU, and your excitement makes me happy, but could you tone down a little? I'm trying my best to update weekly (and I'd love to go back to biweekly updates but I can't right now) and your comment stressed me, I don't handle stress well. At all.
But thanks to all of you for these sweet and encouraging comments you leave with every update!
ma·lin·ger
(v.) to pretend illness, especially in order to shirk one's duty, to avoid work, etc.
Aurora's hands are still shaking when they reach Ms. Moore's apartment, but she doesn't even know if it's because she did not expect for the usually sweet Michael to be so terrifying, or because she believed that if anyone would be accepting of her relationship with Ms. Moore, it'd be her mother. She knew she would not have a good day - with the serious talk she is about to have with Ms. Moore - but this… She lets out a small sigh as she walks to the kitchen.
Ms. Moore pulls out her chair for her, again, and proceeds across from her. They settle down in an heavy silence, Aurora glancing around the apartment and cautiously avoiding the older woman's eyes.
"What will happen to my father?" Aurora girl asks, pursing her lips.
"He will lose his job, his company, his money and consequently, his freedom."
Aurora opens her mouth but closes it immediately, not finding words to express how she feels - she isn't sure how she feels about anything anymore. It's all so confusing. Knowing that the woman she'll soon be married to is planning on taking everything from her father… She looks down at her hands; they are still trembling. What is she so afraid of? Seeing her father go completely crazy because of his own idea? Marrying Ms. Moore?
"You won't have to worry about your own comfort, or paying for college, I will make sure that you have everything you need."
Everything but her family. Her mother lives in Boston, so they can't see each other as often as she wishes, and before the year ends, her father will most certainly refuse to even look at her - not that he does that a lot anyway, but it will be for very different reasons.
"Why are you doing this?"
Ms. Moore tilts her head to the side, frowning a little. She then closes her eyes and takes a deep breath before opening them again. Something in her eyes has changed.
"Because I promised myself that if the opportunity arose, I would have my revenge on your father. Because he has gone through life thinking there are no consequences his actions, and it's time for that to change."
Once again, the answer is simple and blunt. Too blunt, too quick to be a lie. Ms. Moore is nothing like her father, she doesn't tell lies to make sure Aurora will like her, that she will stay with her, and for a reason she doesn't understand, Aurora respects her, she appreciates her.
"You can tell you father. But it will not be of any use, it's probably already too late."
Aurora looks up to see a discreet smile appear on Ms. Moore's lips. Ms. Moore understands how she feels, Aurora realizes, because Stefan hasn't really changed - that's what her mom always tells her.
"Thank you," Aurora mutters. "For telling me the truth," she adds, seeing the confusion in Ms. Moore's eyes.
"You look exhausted, Aurora. We can resume talking tomorrow morning, if you want."
Aurora nods. Both women stand up and exit the kitchen, stopping a few steps away from the stairs. They stare at each other for a moment in a complete silence before parting ways.
"Good night, Aurora."
"Good night to you too… Mal…"
It is five to eleven when Aurora wakes up, still tired from her agitated week. Ms. Moore's cat resting peacefully on her chest, starts to purrs as her hand approaches its head. Aurora smiles and takes Ursula in her arms so she can stand up and walk to the kitchen. There is no sign of Ms. Moore this time. The only thing that's changed since the previous night is a small turquoise shopping bag on the table. Aurora immediately recognizes the shade of blue: Tiffany & Co. She quickly exits the kitchen, looking up at the mezzanine to see if Ms. Moore is working there, but she isn't. Aurora glances at the stairs. It would not harm anyone if she just checks if is upstairs, would it? She can feel herself becoming more nervous with every step she climbs, her palms are even getting sweaty. She shouldn't be so stressed, she's already been upstairs, the morning after their previous date.
"Get a grip, Rory. It's nothing at all."
The door to Ms. Moore's bedroom is wide open and there isn't anybody inside, so Aurora walks to the next door. It isn't locked. Maybe Ms. Moore forgot Aurora stayed at her apartment and went to work. Aurora pushes the door to take a quick look.
"Holy shi-"
Aurora covers her mouth with her hand before finishing her exclamation. She steps back, closes the door and leans her back against it.
"I'm so sorry, Ms. Moore! I had no idea you were inside!"
Ms. Moore doesn't say anything - probably too surprised by what just happened. Aurora's breathing is erratic and she can feel her heart pounding painfully against her ribs. She squeezes her eyes shut. The image appears to her again. Ms. Moore, standing with her back turned to her, not wearing anything. The sharpness of her shoulder blades, the curve of her back and slender waist, the dimples of her lower back. Her heart beat finally more regular, Aurora decides it is wiser to go back to the kitchen and wait.
Ms. Moore comes downstairs about fifteen minutes after Aurora barged into the bathroom, dressed for work. She may have been surprised by the intrusion and the loud apology that followed, but probably not as much as Aurora, who is sitting at the kitchen table, Ursula loudly purring in her lap.
"Good morning, Aurora. Did you sleep well?" Mal asks as she sits down in front Aurora, moving the Tiffany & Co shopping aside so she can look at the flustered girl.
"Good morning! I slept well, thank you!"
Even though her face is flushed, Aurora's usual bright smile is back, and all Mal can do is smirk in return. Aurora is squirming uncomfortably under her intense stare. Did she see the scratch marks? She can't just ask; mentioning something Aurora might not have noticed would not be smart.
"Do you want to eat something before I drive you back to your father's?"
If a casual conversation can help Aurora relax, Mal will try her best. She knows that what she is going to talk about will without a doubt be stressful. Their wedding. Mal lets out a small sigh. She knows Aurora is only doing this to make Stefan happy, and like every hopeful and optimistic girl, she probably planned her dream wedding years ago.
"No, thank you! I'll wait for lunch!"
Aurora's cheeks are still rosy but she seems calmer. Mal reaches for her pocket and takes out the small silver ring in it to lay it before the girl, whose eyes widens in surprise.
"You found it!" Aurora exclaims, grabbing her ring, squealing excitedly. "I thought I lost it!"
"You forgot it in the bathroom. But…" Mal's voice trails off as she stands up. She opens the shopping bag and takes a box out of it, stepping closer to Aurora. "You could wear this one instead."
Aurora glances between the box and Mal's face, frowning in confusion, her mouth agape.
"This is an apology for my bluntness, not an attempt to buy your affection."
Mal takes the box in her hands and opens it for Aurora, who gasps. Mal smirks, proud of the reaction the ring gets - she chose a good one, it seems. The silver band is simple, but the numerous round diamonds forming flower petals are more than enough to compensate.
"So, Aurora Rose, will you marry me?"
"I don't really have a choice, do I?" Aurora answers with a chuckle.
Mal steps out of the elevator to find Diaval already sitting at his desk, spinning on his chair, as he always does when she isn't around. He stops abruptly and smirks at her. She walks past him, ignoring his insistent stare, so he follows her in the office.
"How was it?"
Mal looks questioningly at Diaval, arching an eyebrow.
"Your date with your fiancée and your morning off at Tiffany & Co?"
She sits down, looking up at her assistant, waiting for him to explain exactly what he wants to know - as he doesn't like to ask too many questions and prefers to stare disapprovingly at Mal until she speaks, looking back in silence is the best way to make him go away.
"How is the ring? Did she like it? What did she say about you wanting to destroy her father's life?"
Mal underestimated Diaval's attachment to Aurora. It is obvious he doesn't want the girl to be hurt, that he wants for her to have a nice and peaceful life. After twenty years of living with Stefan, of doing everything he wants so he can be happy, Aurora deserves it, and that is why Mal will make sure the girl has what she needs. Mal is not getting attached to Aurora's bright smile and sweetness, she's is just… protecting her from the harm she will cause to Stefan. Yes, that's what it is.
"The ring was expensive. And I'm getting married to a girl who is thankful for my honesty. That is all you need to know, Diaval."
Here, people! You've got your Malora moments~ There'll be more, of course, but this chapter is special, I guess!
The ring is an actual Tiffany & Co ring... went as far as visiting their website, yup. The prices are so scary.