From the End to the Start
Chapter 15
"Why are you staring at me?"
Diaval has developed a weird habit lately, one that involved letting his gaze linger on her for more than what was appropriate whenever he can: during classes, at the Great Hall during meals, and when they're studying in the library- like now. It takes a lot of things to distract Diaval when he's reading, as he was a Ravenclaw through and through. Recently, though, he studies her as much as he studies his books. It's beginning to get on her nerves, but mostly because she feels self-conscious under his intense scrutiny, and for someone who's used to not caring, the feeling of suddenly being aware of her physical imperfections is incredibly vexing.
"Nothing." Diaval shrugged, as if what he's going is perfectly casual and not at all out of the ordinary.
"It's not nothing", she snapped, "especially when you're always doing it. It's annoying."
"Didn't realize it would irritate you. I'll stop, then." He mumbled.
"Of course it would vex me. I mean, what would you feel if I creepily stared at you all day?"
"I do not creepily stare at you all day! And I wouldn't mind if that happened, seeing as I am a sight to behold, after all." Diaval smirked.
Maleficent rolled her eyes at his vanity. "Why do you stare so much?" She pressed.
He cocked his head to the side in consideration, then he said simply, "I like looking at you." She waited for him to elaborate, but he just went back to writing his essay.
"That's it?"
"That's it."
When Maleficent realized she wasn't going to get anything more out of the befuddling boy, she focused her attention back to her work, fighting down an unsettling sensation in her stomach.
Her uncle was rushed to St. Mungo's.
Maleficent only found out days after the incident, when her uncle was well enough to write to her. Apparently it was a heart attack. Balthazar told her not to worry, but how can she relax? He almost died! He could've died and she wouldn't have known until after the fact. She could have lost the first person she's ever loved in an instant and she wouldn't have known. She wouldn't have been able to say goodbye.
For days she had been in a trance- a mixture of anxiety and relief and self-loathing. Her class performance was suffering, and she had become more reticent than usual.
Then he hugged her.
Diaval wrapped his arms around her, lightly treading his fingers through her hair, his voice muttering words of comfort in her ear.
She cried, for the second time, in front of him, and just like the first time, he just held her until she had exhausted the tears. In his arms, Maleficent realized that Diaval has been her sanctuary all these years, and she feels safest when he's around. With him, she can be as vulnerable as she wants and he'll never judge her or turn her away. He's always been good to her, he's always been there for her, he's always been what she needed.
She doesn't know how to be without him anymore.
Everything's changed, somehow.
Ever since the day Diaval took her flying, Maleficent has started to see him in a different light. It was weird, really, because he was still the same boy who tried to make her smile and listened to her stories as if they were the most interesting things he's ever head. He was still the boy who liked studying and would debate with her on anything and everything. He was still the boy who teased her, accompanied her to class, and took her to walks around the grounds when she was feeling upset.
He was still Diaval.
Yet somehow, he wasn't the same.
He was now the boy who would stare at her during mealtimes, during classes, during breaks in the library. He was now the boy who would casually hold her hand whenever she read her uncle's letters full of stories about Aurora. He was now the boy who would buy her things- trinkets she had no real need of- just because it made him think of her. He was now the boy who would smile at her as if her mere presence was enough to make him happy. He was now the boy who wouldn't hesitate to wrap an arm around her shoulder when she was in one of her melancholic states. He was now the boy who would look at her as if there was something to be revered about her.
He wanted her.
She wanted him to want her.
She wants him.
But she can't.
A/N: I'm sorry for the extremely short chapter and the seemingly abrupt story development! This chapter and the next has been weird to write, because I felt like I was rushing things, but the truth is I'm running out of time. I feel like in a few weeks' time I won't be able to write, and I want to write as much as I can before I have to take a break.
My first week in med school was weird, exhausting, annoying and fun at the same time. Bizarre, I know.
To the precious anon: I do choose the muggle books I put in because I like them and also I thought they'd be appropriate. Thanks for the kind words!
Cheers, people!