Hurricane

A/N: Before we proceed, I have to ask: was last chapter really that awful? I got 11 reviews for chapter 12, but only 2(!) for the previous chapter. I didn't realize it would be so ill-received, especially since it was one of my favorite chapters to write. I guess my perceptions really differ from yours.

Chapter 14: Love

Maleficent has never been someone who's vocally vulnerable. Over the years, physical signs of her affection have grown to come easy, but when words are concerned, she is still heavily guarded. More often than not, when Diaval tells her "I love you", she replies with a kiss or an "And I, you", purposefully skipping over the L-word as if it's some contagious disease. Still, he has managed to whittle her down to her core and expose her fully. During those rare times, he makes sure he commits everything to memory. He's committed a lot of things about her to memory, but there are five special moments he's sure he will never forget.

1. The first time she said 'those three words'

Diaval has just come back from visiting Aurora from the castle. She was currently down with a bad case of flu, and Maleficent has asked Diaval to monitor Aurora's condition. Maleficent cannot visit herself because there has been some sort of dissension between some faeries and she has been requested to help settle the matter. For her peace of mind, Diaval set out alone to see how Aurora is.

Maleficent is currently situated between Diaval's legs, her back against his chest. He is massaging her head to dispel the headache that has formed because of the arguing fae.

"Have you managed to settle the arguments?" He asks.

"Yes, thankfully. I am not sure I could handle it anymore if it had dragged on longer. Faeries are overly dramatic creatures, definitely. How is Aurora?"

"She is well on her way to full recovery. She is still a bit weak, but she has regained her appetite and the fever hasn't recurred."

"That is good to hear."

"Aurora tells me to ask you to visit soon as she's missed you. We can go together. Tomorrow, perhaps?"

"Are you sure you're up for it? If you're still tired I can go alone."

"No, I'll be fine. We can set out tomorrow." Diaval drops his hands from her head and envelops her in his arms instead. Maleficent rests her back fully against him and closes her eyes.

"Diaval?"

"Hm?"

"Thank you."

"Whatever for?"

"For being my companion, I suppose. We do things together around here, and you adjust your tasks to whatever suits me best. Thank you." She says, eyes still closed. He presses a kiss on her temple.

"You've always been welcome." One of his hands toy with her hair.

"And Diaval?"

"Yes?"

"I love you." Maleficent quietly mutters, without missing a beat.

Diaval's hand freezes. "What?"

"You heard me." She replies, still not opening her eyes.

Diaval disentangles her from himself and props her up with his arms. "You're not getting out of this easy, Maleficent. What did you say?"

She turns her body to face him. "I love you. Surely you know that."

"I do, but this is the first time you've said it, don't you realize?"

"Doesn't make it any less true", she mumbles. His lips form a moue of surrender. He allows her to move back to her original position and embraces her again.

"Maleficent?"

"Yes?"

"I love you too."

She just smiles.

2. The time when she said it profoundly

Maleficent and Diaval were seated on the ground. Maleficent's legs were crisscrossed, hands on her lap. Diaval's legs were extended and he was leaning backward, supported by his arms. They would spend many an afternoon like this, just watching the sun slowly sink into the horizon. They have just spent a long time flying and they were tired. Euphoric, yes, but tired.

"Mistress?" Diaval breaks the silence.

"Diaval, how many times must I tell you that I dislike being called 'mistress' anymore?" She huffs in exasperation.

"At least once more, mistress." Diaval sends her a cheeky grin. Maleficent merely rolls her eyes but doesn't say anything.

"Mistress, can I ask you a question?" Diaval asks, eyes still directed towards the horizon.

"What is it, Diaval?"

"What exactly am I to you?"

Maleficent furrows her brows in confusion. "Why are you asking?"

"No reason, really. I just want to know what you think of me." He says offhandedly.

Maleficent's face morphs into one of displeasure. "Is this another conversation where you question my affection for you?"

"Not at all! I guess I'm just woefully fishing for a compliment from you." Diaval quips, lips forming a sheepish smile. Maleficent sighs at the bird's antics.

"If you want nice words, maybe you should dish them out first. Then I'll repay in kind." She glances at him. "Tell me. What am I to you?"

"Hmm. Let's see. For the life of me, I cannot think of anything!" Diaval sits up straight and rubs his hands together in mock-consideration. He senses Maleficent's glare and chuckles. He takes one of her hands that's on her lap and intertwines it with his. "You are my mate, mistress. You are the center of my world. You are my purpose. You are my dawn."

'Your dawn?"

"My morning light." Diaval locks his eyes with hers. Her cheeks turn pink and she looks away. He snorts because she always seems embarrassed when he blurts out things like that.

"You have quite the penchant for romance, don't you, you vain creature?"

"But of course! Now repay my words. And it better be good!" He lightly shakes their clasped hands. Maleficent falls silent, looking towards the setting sun. Her expression shifts to seriousness. Diaval awaits with bated breath for her answer. This may have started as light banter but he truly wants to know what this faery thought of him.

When she finally speaks, her voice is soft enough to be carried by the breeze. It is to his great luck that he was listening. "I suppose… you are whatever a moon has always meant, and whatever a sun will always sing is you."

Diaval hears the words and finds it difficult to breathe. "I… mistress?"

"Maleficent." She emphasizes.

"Maleficent." He concedes. He queries in a disbelieving voice, "You mean it?"

"But of course." She mutters, mirroring his phrase from before. Diaval helplessly gazes at her, not knowing what to say, body filled with awe and wonder.

Her moment of rare vulnerability is gone. "Stop staring at me, Diaval. You look like I've never said a kind word to you before. I'm not that bad, am I?"

Diaval could only shake his head and pull her in for a kiss.

3. The time when instead of saying it, she made it- with him

Diaval lays awake in the deep of the night. He is on his side, one arm folded and underneath his head, the other extended to lazily stroke Maleficent's exposed back. She is lying on her stomach, arms crossed just above her head, face turned sideways to him, breathing slowly in her sleep. Her wings rustle unconsciously in response to his touch. It has been an unbelievable night, he thinks, a one-of-a-kind night.

His thoughts keep going back to earlier that night, to memories of skin on skin, to when their bodies were bared but never cold. He remembers how they moved clumsily at first, but then found synchrony with each other. He remembers the beads of sweat on her neck and forehead, the cloud of pleasure in her eyes, the enticement in her moans. He considers the aftermath- him, breathless but satisfied, and her, spent but serene. For the first time, she has given him this intimacy and he could only feel all the more closer to her because of it. He was neither the first nor the only one she's loved, but he was the one she's granted access to the deepest parts of her. He was the first person she's ever made love to, and if he would have his way, he will be the only one.

Maleficent rouses slightly. She meets his gaze with bleary eyes and asks, "Is it not late? Why are you still awake, Diaval?"

He gives her a sloppy smile. "I couldn't sleep."

"Ah, already reliving what has just transpired, are you? I didn't know I could affect you that heavily." She quips, the mischievous glint all too evident in her eyes.

"So you say, yet you sound altogether too arrogant." He scoffs lightly. She laughs, a carefree sort of laugh that she rarely lets out. She springs up and moves on top of him, legs straddling his thighs. She runs her hands from his stomach to his chest, all the way to his face to cup his cheeks. She leans over and whispers, "I think a reenactment might be more enjoyable than mental recall."

He doesn't even have the time to smirk before her lips descend upon his.

4. The time when she promised him forever- officially

"Goodbye, Diaval. Hopefully we can come back soon. I had something I wished to speak to you about, but I guess it can wait until then." Aurora states, already seated on the horse, arms around Phillip's waist.

"You are leaving me curious? Well then, make sure you come back as soon as you can. Goodbye now, and take care." Diaval gives Aurora and Phillip one last smile, pats the horse's rear and sends them on their way. When he goes back to where Maleficent was waiting for him, Diaval notices that she looks somewhat ruffled.

"Don't worry, Maleficent, I'm sure they'll be back soon." Diaval rubs her shoulder comfortingly.

"At this point I think it would be best if they don't return for a while." Maleficent declares, clearly frustrated. Her utterance leaves Diaval surprised. Aurora's visits to the Moors have always been the highlight of Maleficent's days.

"And why is that? Has Phillip done something to offend you?"

"It would be nicer if Phillip was the problem. But it's the little beastie that gives me a headache!"

"What has she done now, Maleficent?" He asks while pulling her hand to find a place to sit. They settle down at the base of their tree, the one that used to hold Maleficent's nest when she was young. He sat across her.

"She keeps steering every conversation we have to talks of marriage."

"Is she having marital troubles with Phillip?" Diaval questions. Maleficent sends him a nasty look.

"If they were having troubles, obviously I'd be more distressed than frustrated. What I mean is that she keeps on asking me when we plan to marry!"

"The two of us?"

"Oh no, I was referring to myself and some other faery that has ensnared my heart. Of course I'm talking about us!" Maleficent's use of sarcasm, although rare, is truthfully something that never ceases to amuse him. He chortles.

"I'm so glad my frustrations make you laugh, you impertinent raven." She petulantly crosses her arms and looks away from him.

"Oh come on, Maleficent, be a good sport. You're fretting over such a small matter." When Maleficent still doesn't respond to him, he turns pensive. "Is the thought of being married to me an extremely unpleasant idea for you?"

"Goodness, no. I just don't fancy the entire thing turning into a bloody circus, which, if I let Aurora have free reign, will be certain to happen."

Diaval inwardly relaxes, relieved that her feelings for him isn't the problem. "Aurora's wedding was fantastic, wasn't it? Maybe it wouldn't be as bad as you think. It could be fun to dress up and all. We'll even have a feast!"

Despite herself, Maleficent chuckles. "I wonder whether you want to push through with a wedding just for the food." Diaval scratches the back of his head sheepishly.

"Diaval", Maleficent sighs, her frustration finally melting away. "Is a human wedding something you want to do?"

"Truth be told, it doesn't really matter to me. We're practically married anyway, aren't we? It's what I vowed when I confessed that you were my mate. This," Diaval grasps her hands sitting atop her knees, "this is for life, Maleficent. The reason why Aurora is pushing this is probably because she doesn't understand that we, unlike humans, do not need official ceremonies or words on paper to signify a lifelong bond. If you tried explaining that to her, instead of letting your frustrations get ahead of you, I'm certain she'll understand."

She disengages her hands from Diaval's hold to press her palms over her eyes in defeat. "You're right. I'm being idiotic about this whole thing. Forgive me?" She then gives him a hesitant quirk of the lips. As long as her apologies are accompanied by those kinds of smiles, he knows he'll forgive her anything. And there was nothing to forgive, anyway. He already knew Maleficent has trouble with expressing herself. He has always been the more eloquent one in this relationship, come to think of it. So he returns her smile and moves to her side, hand intertwined with hers again. She lays her head on his shoulder.

They sat in comfortable silence for quite some time. By the time she spoke again, the moon was already visible in the sky whose hues were mixtures of blue and orange.

"Diaval?"

"Yes?"

"You know, the faery-folk has an old tradition when it comes to weddings." She lifts her head from his shoulder to look at him. "Back when there were kings and queens reigning the Moorlands, their weddings are something akin to the human ones, in the sense that they're grand and widely celebrated. However, the typical faery marries differently. They can even do it on their own, without any witnesses. All they have to do is kneel across each other, clasp their hands together and declare themselves to be husband and wife. It is no longer done these days, mostly because it's such a small act that it's almost insignificant. But my mother told me, when she was still alive, that her parents married that way."

Diaval smirks in response. "Are you suggesting that we do it?"

"Just to get Aurora off my back. And only if you want to." Maleficent states nonchalantly.

His smirk grew to a full-blown grin. "Or you could just say 'I want to marry you, Diaval'." She glares at him and smacks his thigh lightly. He just laughs, stands up and pulls her with him.

"What are you doing?"

"Getting married!" Diaval pulls her in the center of the clearing and proceeds to kneel.

"What, now?"

"Why not? Now's as good a time as any!" He tugs on her arm to make her kneel across him. She rolls her eyes but kneels anyway. She stretches her hands, one on top of the other, in between them. Diaval grasps her hands in both of his, one at the top, the other at the bottom. They stare at each other for a long time. When nothing happens, Diaval laughs and tells her, "You start! I don't know how these things go." Maleficent shakes her head in amusement.

She clears her throat. "From this day on, you are my husband. I will fill your life with love and happiness." Her melodious voice rings out the clearing, conviction evident in her tone. It makes its way from Diaval's ears to his heart, and he smiles softly.

"From this day on, you are my wife. I will fill your life with love and happiness." He says, voice impassioned. He sees Maleficent's eyes fill with tears, and leans closer, until his forehead is touching hers. "I love you", he whispers.

"I love you." She replies.

He leans closer still, until their lips meld together, as their hearts had just done. They separate, and he witnesses her positively beam at him. She's smiling like she's never smiled before. He lets go of her hands and swathes her waist with his arms. Her wings stretch out, nearly cocooning the two of them. He feels her wrap her arms around his neck and he draws her closer, nose buried in the junction between her neck and shoulder. He's intoxicated, so intoxicated, and he knows he's never going to get enough of her. Give him a thousand lifetimes and he still wouldn't have enough of her. He prays to whatever deities are listening that he gets a thousand lifetimes with her.

5. The first time she's said it to someone else other than him and Aurora

"It's a boy!"

This piece of news will be heard being spread throughout the moors, from faery to faery, from one creature to another. Maleficent, Guardian and Protector of the Moors, has produced a male faery (half-faery, to be precise). The faeries that assisted in the delivery of the child have been dismissed after making sure that Maleficent and the child were in excellent condition. As soon as they were dismissed, they began flying around the Moors to share with the other fae what had just occurred.

Back in their nest, Maleficent was still tired, eyes barely open, and the boy was being cradled by Diaval. He marvels at the beauty of this new life, especially adoring the jet black feathers of his wings. The same color as his raven feathers, Diaval recognizes. He glances at Maleficent to point this out and notices her longing gaze.

"Do you want to hold him?" He says to her.

"I… I'm still exhausted. I may not be able to hold him properly." Maleficent whispers.

"Nonsense. Sit up. I'll assist you." Maleficent obliges, body language exuding apprehension. Diaval carefully transfers the boy in her arms, making sure to support the head. As soon as the child is in her arms, Maleficent stills, much to Diaval's chagrin.

"Relax." He advises her. "You're not going to hurt the child."

"How are you so sure I'm not?" Maleficent counters, eyes not leaving the winged creature in her arms. Diaval sighs.

"We've gone over this, Maleficent. You're going to be an excellent mother, I'm sure. Are you really going to spend your first moments with him on self-doubt? We don't even have a name for him yet!" It's true. They haven't decided on a name yet, Maleficent insisting that she will know what her child is supposed to be named when she finally sees him. Diaval had his misgivings, but he was prone to letting her have her way when she was still pregnant.

"Oberon."

"What?"

"I think we should name him Oberon." Maleficent briefly looks at him, immediately returning her attention to the infant. Diaval softly smiles and reaches to tuck strands of her hair behind her ear. "Oberon", he tests the name on his tongue. "I think it's a lovely name, Maleficent." The faery gives him a smile of gratitude in return.

"Oberon, my boy", Maleficent finally speaks to the child. "My child." Moisture gathers in her eyes. "I know I do not deserve to have you in my life, but I promise to be a good mother to you. I will not let anyone hurt you or make you suffer. I will not let anyone break your heart. I will make sure to do anything in my power, and beyond it, to make you happy." The first tear slides down her cheeks, but her smile is radiant. She places a light kiss on the sleeping faery's forehead. "I will spend the rest of my life ensuring your happiness. I love you, my son. I love you."

Diaval can't stop smiling when he hears the words. He's worked for years to even receive a proclamation of love from his mate, but here she is effortlessly declaring her affection- twice- to a boy who hasn't done anything but sleep. Maleficent thought love at first sight was idiotic. Yet she easily fell in love with this boy the moment she laid eyes on him- no, he amends, she loved this child even before he was born, before they even knew he was going to be a boy! Well, he muses, as long as it's his son, their son, he doesn't really mind.

END

A/N:

A/N: And it's done! This is Ending I: the original, intended ending. When I planned this collection, I knew I wanted to end with "Love". You can take this collection and end it right here- with pure fluff and feels.

DISCLAIMER: The line "You are whatever a moon has always meant, and whatever a sun will always sing is you" is from e.e. cummings' poem, "i carry your heart". I am absolutely obsessed with that poem and I knew I wanted to use that line in one of my stories someday. My other favorite line is "i fear no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet)". I wanted to include that but couldn't find the place for it.

A huge part of this chapter was written while listening to Ed Sheeran's Tenerife Sea. Take a listen here: www. youtube watch?v=4fktjAlczv8

The wedding scene was also inspired by this incredibly small passage from Mitch Albom's The Time Keeper. If you read the book, you'd know which paragraph I'm talking about. It's a good book!

This was actually supposed to end at the wedding scene (I thought that last line was the perfect exit line) but since a lot of you liked chapter 12, I wrote in the last scene for continuity.

The name Oberon is from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Thank you so much for everyone who has stuck with me all throughout! For everyone who took the time to read, for those who followed and favorited, and especially for those who reviewed- a massive thank you! There are no words that can convey how thankful I am for all of you. I love you all so so so much.

Please tell me what you think! And tell me what your guesses are regarding the alternate ending I've written.

Also, I've written a Maleval modern AU thing. I'm quite unsure whether I should continue it. If you want to read it, here: a-caffeinated-life. tumblr post/90117553878/ from-the-skin-to-my-bones (Feedback would be much appreciated)

I love you all.

Cheers!