Thanks all for the reviews and the favs! And thanks again to RavenDiablo for beta-reading!
She opened her eyes slowly, as a blinding light was filling the room. The pain on her back was still aching, and still she was, lying on her stomach. That surely meant she hadn't died just yet, thought the fairy. She lifted her gaze only to see a bowl of water and several fruits next to her. What on earth- She started thinking, but her eyes met Diaval's human form near the window. He was nonchalantly eating grapes.
Their eyes locked and she called out to him in a frail voice, "Diaval?"
"Mistress" he responded flatly.
It was pretty obvious that he was still upset with her. Why would he want to come back?
"I brought food. Eat," he commanded, before staring back at the window.
Fighting the pain, she weakly leaned on her elbows, and obeyed him. Maleficent knew he was watching her from the corner of his eye, and started to wonder what brought him back with grapes, that he knew to be her favourite fruit. She glanced at him and her eyes widened as she started to piece things together: He wanted her to change him back into his original self, so he could fly away and be free.
"Come over here, Diaval," the fairy said softly, lying back on her stomach.
He eyed her suspiciously, but didn't move a muscle. "Why?"
"I'm not sure I'm strong enough to turn you back into a raven from this distance."
"That's a good thing, because you're not turning me into anything until I've fixed you. Is that clear?" he answered firmly.
The fairy looked at him in awe. Now she was just clueless about the whole thing. His reaction didn't make any sense to her. Why would he stay and help her if it wasn't for something in exchange? He seemed so furious at her… Didn't he?
"W-What? Aren't you mad at me?" she let out at once, without being able to hold it back.
"No, you think? Of course I'm mad at you, Maleficent!" he cried, standing up. "You've left yourself dying, without telling me anything! I could have helped! How do you think that made me feel?"
The fairy couldn't answer that, as it appeared she had been mistaken about his intentions from the beginning. She helplessly gazed at him, not knowing what to say.
He had never dared being that sharp with her before. He hoped he would never have to talk to her like that again, because he hated it, not to mention he may not survive it next time. Furthermore, it felt so wrong in his mouth... Especially with her looking so distressed.
But he really was mad at her. He had to make her understand that she couldn't just give up on life, that her life was important. If not to protect the Moors, it was important to him. With his new human feelings, he had realised he grew quite attached to her during those three months together.
"Well I've freaked out. Like big time. Thank you very much, Mistress," he said with an annoyed look on his face.
He had softened his voice, but it still let his deep irritation show. What was he supposed to do if she wasn't capable of thinking rationally when it came to her health? He couldn't take the risk to let her handle everything herself, or something bad was to happen to her.
"Anyway, from now on and until you're strong enough to stand, I'm in charge," he pointed out decidedly.
The fairy who was looking at her servant agape, broke eye contact with him to rest her head on her crossed arms. She felt resigned to do whatever he needed her to, and relieved to see she had someone by her side, relieved he stayed with her despite her weaknesses.
"I thought you left forever…" she managed to say, with a shaken voice.
At this, he bit his lower lip and sat down on the chair beside her. He had to do something to make her feel better.
The raven-man slightly cupped his hand onto one of hers and said with a smirk, "You saved my life that day. It's my turn to save yours."
Her eyes found his and she smiled slightly. He removed his hand, remembering how she felt about touching, and leaned into the chair. At least, she was ok, and the whole scolding scene was behind them, thought Diaval. But the harder part will not being able to keep her alive or preventing her to give up on life. The hard part will be to make her trust him.