A/N: And here we're again. Hope you enjoyed the first chapter. Do you guys remember a dialogue in which Maleficent tells Lily about dragons having 'twin flames'—someone written in the stars to kindle the flame in their hearts forever? Well, a dragon's twin flame doesn't particularly need to be a dragon, and even so, once they meet, it is love at first sight. My point is: Lily naturally has a twin flame. Spoiler alert? He's not a dragon.
Part II: A Blessing in a Hero's Disguise
Lily once read on a spell book (having obviously already concluded it through self-experience) that dragons cannot dream. They can only relieve memories—from the happiest to the most disturbing of them all. Their minds have no ability to create the impossible for hours on end—a small price to pay for the power to hold over centuries in a flash before their eyes.
It was not as though sleeping was something for them to actually enjoy, however. Dragons don't like wasting their time. They nurture patience more than any other living creature, but they won't stop their day to day activities to elaborate plans that would not be fulfilled in short periods of time.
Also, as dragons don't need as much rest as humans do, no matter the form they are in, one can assume dragons get any rest at all.
Maleficent had been a dragon for most of her life now, so Lily can imagine she had grown used to ignore any foolish memories that would haunt her rare hours of rest.
And so, when Maleficent wasn't resting (of which we can say she barely did), Lily knew she would busy herself to a very secluded list:
1. tend to her gardens (while growing new ingredients to test on new potions while teaching Lily how to create said potions, because why not?);
2. do anything that might help on immersing her seventy close to eighty years old self in the Land Without Magic (which resulted on her loving classic horror movies, and reacting so badly at Angelina's 2014 Maleficent that Lily didn't dare suggesting Walt Disney's 1950 Sleeping Beauty);
3. cooking (and Lily was more than happy to help on that, as long didn't involve on her doing the cooking part);
4. read and watch Game of Thrones (while disliking Daenerys with a passion—and yes, she grew to respect Cersei eventually);
5. walk aimlessly into the woods (to easy her common headaches);
6. fly in her dragon form at night (to avoid complications).
The addition to her pastimes was to bond with her child (if she accepted her company, of course) and when she wouldn't, and Lily was the one to be resting on a lazy afternoon, Maleficent was to watch her sleep while she thought she wouldn't notice—as for her daughter sure wouldn't mind her mother's presence, nor her soft touches in her hair, would she?
Truth be told, Lily would always woke up at the feeling of her mother's caresses on her hair, but she never did or said anything because it felt so good that she would always end up falling asleep again. It made her feel like a child, which was a healing balm to her wounded past. She would often emerge herself on thoughts of hope and kindness as her mother's acceptance soothed her pain, making her feel loved—like a daughter, for the first time in her life. Mainly because Priscila Paige hadn't been the most kind-hearted woman, though Lily knew she had no right to complain of anything, as she indeed had been a quite problematic teenager. But Priscila wouldn't even play with her—wouldn't help her with homework, wouldn't give her a piece of advice when she had a crush on a classmate, let alone caress her hair while she slept, so why would Lily ever feel like she indeed had a mother? Little Lily loved fairy tales, and her teacher would always read her a different one every morning, so why her mother couldn't do the same?
Later on, once Lily was older enough to read people, she concluded that her adoptive parents saw the trials of being a mother and a father as a matter of status rather than a matter of giving yourself for someone else. They were content in having a daughter of perfect grades and a perfect smile, and nothing else.
Maleficent was so different it came to be unsettling. She would always listen and then smile, offering understanding and support.
It made it so easy to bond with her. And despise Lily not being ready yet to address her as Mom, she already saw her as her mother—the one she had searched an entire life.
Which made the whole situation she was in far worse.
It was curious, of course, that Lily found herself in the opposite situation—her mother fallen on a sleep that, by irony of faith, had been imposed on her but Lily simply couldn't find in herself the courage to be there for her, choosing the cold corridors of the hospital for a period of three days.
Three agonizing days.
The worst days of a life where there was no lack of torment...and that really didn't matter right now. Because whenever Lily chose the paths of danger and sin, whenever the darkness took hold of her actions, making her lose herself in drugs and decide to cross the country on an old truck to Canada...another stupid adventure in which the end and solution was to fake her own death—even after so much pain and abandonment, nothing Lily ever faced made her tremble in as much fear as the possibility of losing someone she dearly loved.
Through the long 24 years that took place after finding out of her own truth, Lily lost the fear of whatever her actions might cause her or anyone. The daughter of a villain would never be loved—or so she convinced herself, knowing it was unfair; knowing she was cruelly taken from a mother that loved her child with all she had. But hoping only brought pain, for she also knew they would never find each other again, and it only got worse with the curse broken, and Lily felt the same pain as her mother had her heart stabbed by the same old friend from her childhood. She literally felt when her mother was killed...and then life stopped mattering, and revenge was all she could think about. It was what kept her breathing, pretending to live. No one cared about her and the only person that ever did was gone so why would she be afraid of anything? You fear when you have something to lose—and Lily was alone.
Such unscrupulous thought made her colder, and now, when she finally opened her heart to build an unbreakable bond with the mother she had always wanted to have, Lily felt vivid and solid fear ravaging her body, mind, soul, and heart in moments that seemed perpetual.
And when she realized it, it had been three days.
"Go home." Dr Whale told her. "Go home, take a bath, eat, sleep a lot, and then come back. You're the only family she has left, so you need to be strong when she wakes up."
Lily did go home, bathed, changed into that black coat her mother said that looked good on her, but didn't even try to sleep or eat because she knew that guilt would not allow her of such luxuries. Also, it was pointless if her mother wasn't there. They had developed a routine. Lily didn't want to break it.
Now, to go in there and stand by her side?
Lily had seen her already, when she had left the surgery room, and the sight was frightening enough to be eternally engraved in her memory.
Maleficent looked so pale, like a dead woman, and Lily could only cry at the sight of her mother's unmoving figure, and then she would beg and pray and cry to the gods "please" but the older dragon would be still, breathing even and modest, unaware of what had truly happened to her.
Lily sat down right with her back against the wall in front of her mother's room door, legs pressed against her chest, head down in defeat, hands trembling while holding herself, eyes shining in tears of desperation, urging for a miracle, yet not hopeful that any prayers would be answered.
Dr Whale was sure on his will to affirm that his newest patient was out of danger, but he was keen to add that if it wasn't for her magic, nothing would've prevented her for leaving this world. Lily desperately wanted to trust his words, but how to, when it had been three days and her mother hadn't open her eyes yet?
The way of the dragon said much about the use of fire to hurt and heal, to live unaffected by time in everlasting immortality (which was a choice, not a consequence of power), yet it doesn't forget to mention (though many prefer to do so) that dragons can be killed as any other living creature—iron as their only kryptonite.
Lily has known for years now, as the Apprentice did explain the cause of her unusual allergies. She could live in a world of no magic, but her blood still hold great power, and along that, the same weaknesses.
Her mother studied magic for academic purposes, and never bothered to train her skills for combat—her exact words being: "Violence is a last resort in which I found no joy." And even so, to get to the point of violence, one must attack her directly. Few dared, and lesser lived to tell the tale. Maleficent paid them no mind—she never killed if not in dragon form, and before any claims of mercy from her victims (mostly thieves who had heard of the treasures she kept hidden on her vault), it always came the warning, "leave or else." They never just left—which was the cause of her headaches back in the Enchanted Forest. No one could—neither wanted—to understand that the dragon sorceress willingly chose an isolated life in the fortress by the edge of the abyss.
The attacks to her home became frequent and more elaborated, and by consequence Maleficent was forced to become ultimately cautious of her surroundings, and of her own powers. Having losing enough battles due lack of thought and lots of non spoken anger, she realized that her magic, once a way to archive infinite knowledge, became a self defense weapon of which she held no ability upon, much to her annoyance.
The transition to aggressive/defensive was a process of years, perhaps centuries, had she been allowed, and so, things would've happened far differently.
To know of it, Lily was devastated. The what could've been hunted her mind, and the darkness laughed all the time. For it took true power for her mother to survive. It took her good will. She was fighting. She had to. She couldn't just leave, not when there were so many things to be said, to be lived for, to be fought for, to be done and Lily cursed her own name a millions times for being such a coward.
She hadn't lost her mother, but no one could know of the future, and despise not wishing to think that one day someone/something might take her away forever, Lily really did not intent to spend the rest of the time fate had gifted them to be together in fear.
It was selfish to think of herself as worthy of anything (or that's what she believed), but she was so tired of living in the shadows. She wanted to be the best daughter in the world—she didn't know how, and she practically trembled as she felt the purest form of angst travel across her body, causing her to shiver at the mere thought of failing, but she was sure of one thing, of what her mother always wanted from her.
Trust.
And Lily trusted her. She admired her. She cared so much about her and nothing more would prevent her from saying it.
Once she woke up.
"Miss Lilith Page?"
A soft touch on her shoulder came along a male voice Lily couldn't recognize it right away. She looked up, and was indeed faced with a man kneeling next to her, wearing that stubble beard that would make any foolish girl melt and burn in her insides, while Lily, having dealing with many of them in her life, would just roll her eyes, for she no longer was stupid enough to fall for that kind of rubbish. But his eyes were kind, blue as the sky, and his smile was fair and warm and so alive that made her lungs lost air and, for a moment, it was like time had stopped, and her life passed through her eyes in a flash, and then she knew, as sure as a blueness in his eyes, that in her dragon heart the flame in her soul would be forever burning as long the man before her always smiled.
"What—" She found herself wordless, stupid and dumb, innocent as not to know what to do next. "W-who are you?" She tried again, and those eyes of his became sympathetic in that type of courtesy Lily wasn't used to have from men.
"Name's August Booth. A pleasure to meet you. I'm the...sheriff while the Charmings are away. Sort of."
Lily breathed finally, stunned at herself and the strong beating inside her chest. All the sudden feelings of anxiety and hope disappeared as easily as the wind hitting the sand of the beach, and producing a cold sensation running up her spine. Then, the old familiar anger was born, the famous frustration. The irritation? Raw, and in its flawless state, coming from the hidden and no prudent dark parts of her heart. Her eyes, reflecting a state of hatred so easily fed, became wicked, and she glared at the man, completely forgetting the strange feelings he had awakened in her, and though the dragon on her head screamed so she would not harm him in any way, as in an implicit prohibition, the darkness laughed, stealthy and creative, whispering the many ways of destroying such a sublime meeting.
She listened to none, and yet, she tried to follow both.
So, he was a friend of her enemies.
She knew it was just too good to be true.
"Get away from me."
But August hold her arm gently just after she got up, preventing her from moving, "Please, if you only let me explain—"
"Don't touch me!" She jerked away from him, turning to walk down the end of the hall. Her voice was low and angry, at him and herself, for hoping for things she obviously would never have.
But August wasn't intimidated by the harshness of her voice, and neither he ever would, for he was unable to blame her for so much anger. So, he followed her, "It's about your mother." He said, getting her to stop, but still not turn to him. "The incident is under my investigation. Dr Whale told me she's out of danger."
Lily lowered her voice to a hiss, "It's none of your damn business."
Luckily or not, August was just as stubborn as her, "I need to talk to you."
Lily's heart betrayed her, skipping a beat, and she finally turned, "What do you mean?" She asked distrustfully.
August sighed, as this wasn't an easy matter to talk about, "Well, I don't know whatever your mother will willing to testify or not, but I would like to know if I could make you a few questions regarding what led to, well, someone as powerful as Maleficent ending up in a hospital bed."
Lily frowned, "Unless this is going to end up with that bloody bastard sent to death row, then our talk ends here."
August raised an eyebrow, "Attempt murder doesn't end on death row."
And so Lily smirked, "I never said a judge was going to give the sentence."
The burning flare on her eyes told August that he would've to play nicely to get any kind of information. She looked tired, and the darkness around herself was almost palpable. To his good side, this was not the first time he had dealt with a dragon. He knew enough of them and their mannerisms, and he knew, too, that when comes to dragons, to be cautious was always advisable.
So he lowered his voice, and tried to sound kind as he watched the woman before him, "Can't we really work this out?"
"No."
But dragons are dark, it was part of their nature, so they couldn't help sound so cold. They were dark and they love it—they were not controlled by darkness—darkness was what fed them.
"It can help your mother." August tried to reason too. Dragons were rational creatures. Passionate at most of times, but when they needed to be rational, no one could overcome them. "Look, I mean no harm—"
"Briar Rose and Snow White sure didn't."
"I'm not them." August didn't know why he was insisting—Lily would sooner walk away again or maybe even attack him—but he felt he couldn't just give up on...her?
He wondered when it did become so personal.
"It's just protocol. Before judgement takes place."
Lily looked bewildered, "There will be a judgement?"
August's eyebrows shot up, "You thought otherwise?"
Lily scoffed, "Seriously? The Mayor is a literal genocidethat cursed everyone into a freaking town but people act as if she is the Mother of the Year. Why should I expect justice from someone like you if not even Emma did anything about it?" August wished to say he knew why, but then he would be lying. "See? Plus, no one ever bothered to find out why she cursed that bitch."
"But you did." Lily rolled her eyes, and August felt like an idiot. "I mean—"
"She's my mother." She said as it was the most obvious thing in the world—at least, in her world. "I believe her." She continued. "I would've done the same bloody thing."
August wasn't surprised. He knew she was acting on impulse, following her instincts, listening to the darkness talking in her head.
He wouldn't try to fight that, but he could try to break those walls she had build around herself. "I'm sorry for what happened. For what the Charmings did and now, for what Philip did."
Talking about her past was risky, but there was not much he could do. Lily, in turn, did not expect anyone to know about her life; much less a total stranger, and when she could find nothing but sympathy in his words, she felt as if all her anger was gone again, and her breathing quickened.
"She almost—" Her voice was harsh, and it felt like her throat burned. She crossed her arms, as if trying to protect herself. "It took me years to find her." Her eyes were cast down, vulnerable and painful. "And then..." She barked a humorless laugh, "Then an idiot shows up and almost takes everything from me. Again."
By everything she did yes mean her mother, the love she offered, the acceptance, the kindness, the magic and the connection of blood they shared.
And she almost lost it all.
"Philip won't go uncharged." August knew he was just saying this. Things never went as smoothly in Storybrooke and, despise all circumstances, Philip had every reason to do what he did. But it was not like August had to condone with his friend's actions. "He committed a crime. I need to understand what happened. I've known him for a while. I've never seen him lose control that way."
"You think what? That my mother provoked him?" Lily wanted to hate August, but his eyes held a disarming shape of blue she couldn't fight. She also didn't want to. "Have you even considered asking him? Or his wife?"
August, too, felt like he was desperate, an urge to protect this woman, to kill those who had harmed her. "I did." He said. "I just want to confirm their story."
Lily sighed, angry, "Does it really matter? It's not like anyone is going to believe her. Plus, it's not a secret to anyone. We were shopping, he arrived, went mad, I punched him—"
"You punched him?" August sounded more curious than surprised.
"If anyone called you a monster, what would you do?"
Now August was truly surprised, "He did that?" Lily's glare was his answer. "And then he shot your mother?" He was confused. "That's not enough motivation."
"Hatred is always enough motivation." The darkness spoke now, not enjoying being overcome by peace.
August didn't seem to mind.
"So he didn't plan nor deliberate to kill her..." He concluded, thoughtful. "We're dealing with a second-degree attempted murder then. He used a gun, so the sentence can be for a longer period."
"Good." She would've him killed otherwise. She still might. "Where is he now?"
August chose not to tell her, "His lawyer is making arrangements. Anyhow, his father will be substituted. He can't judge his own son."
Lily didn't know why she was surprised, "That bastard's the judge's son?"
"I can assure you he wasn't pleased for what happened."
Lily almost laughed, "Right. The perfect son screws up, daddy's careers goes down the road. Same old thing as ever."
"Judge Berry is a good man." August said.
"They always are." Lily snarled.
August merely frowned.
This was the most difficult woman he had ever met.
She was fascinating.
"May I call you later?"
Her eyes widened.
"What?"
"So we can talk about what happened," August quickly explained. "About your mother." He added nervously. Why was he nervous? "And perhaps I can talk to her as well, once she gets better. Her testimony will help a great deal."
Lily didn't find in herself to deny this man. He was good. Why the hell he had to be so good?
"Why should I trust a hero of all people?" She asked. "That's what you are, isn't it? A hero?"
"Not exactly."
Lily was skeptical, "What, you run away from home when you were a kid?"
August made a face, scratching the back of his head, "In a sense. My actual name's Pinocchio."
Lily analysed the man's expression, looking for lies. When she didn't find any, her tough pose fell apart, replaced by disbelief, "Seriously?"
August shrugged, smiling softly. "I grew up."
Lily didn't said anything, staring at August with a raised eyebrow. She had to be defensive, of course. He didn't know why he expected to be any different. Dragons are possessive creatures, and although they lived alone, once they decided to have a family, there was nothing they wouldn't do to protect them. August was surprised to learn of this in his studies, for he always thought, like most people, that dragons were incapable of feeling. When he, however, encountered other dragons and their so everyday problems, he was faced with their humanity, and he found himself too much curious about their culture.
Unfortunately, he did not have the opportunity to deepen his studies about such creatures, since they themselves wouldn't allow such thing. Now, seeing this young woman, so dark and angry, so willing to defend her family, his thirsty for knowledge was reborn with a force never seen before, as well as a sense of...fascination at the passion described in her eyes.
Also, she was beautiful.
"I promise I mean no harm." He said, looking deeply into her eyes. "I'm a friend of Emma's, not her parents."
Which wasn't a lie, per say? He was never close to the Charmings.
Lily had no reason to believe him, yet it seemed to want it to with all she had.
Finally, she said, "I'll think about it."
"Great!" August grinned and his sudden enthusiasm was somewhat starling. "I mean, that's good. Really good. Here—" He gave Lily a small paper with a few numbers written on. "Here; my phone number and home address. You may find me at the police station too. I could—"
"I'll call you." The words left her mouth before she had any control. She wanted to curse herself.
August smiled, "Okay then. I see you around, Miss Page."
"Lily." She blurted out. "Just Lily."
"Lily." He tried out the name softly and rather liked how it sounded on his tongue. "August, then." He offered his hand and she reluctantly took it. "You need anything, just ask."
Lily wanted to say something else, when a small commotion, followed by a nurse and a doctor entering her mother's room, made her immediately forget what she was talking to August and run.
"Hurry!"
The door was open, and it was when Lily saw her, Maleficent, lying on a hospital bed, several needles pierced on her skin.
Lily could already feel her own blood boiling over a situation she had no control over. The room was all blue and white, a little dark as it was night already, and shadows were everywhere, in mid tones that reminded her of the sky after the rain, but without the comforting scent of wet earth.
"So, let's see..." Dr Whale was ministering a transparent liquid into his patient's vein, while the nurse with him nervously awaited for his instructions.
"What's going on?" Lily jumped to hear August ask before her, had him followed her into the bedroom.
Dr Whale sighed, "Nurse Bethany—" He offered the woman to his right a pointed look. "Forgot to inform me about this lady's medication."
Lily's lung suddenly had no air in them.
"Wait, so-"
"Nah, nothing abnormal. She's fine. I just...Her case isn't the easiest and so I was worried. The physiology of a dragon is very delicate, it is not because they are immune to diseases that you can give them any kind of medicine."
"Will she be fine?" August asked worriedly.
"She will, yes, Maleficent is one of the strongest women I ever met. She just needs to rest and—"
A fast rhythmic whistle reached their ears, accelerating the now strong beat of their hearts, which also tightened in pain, and Lily run to sit beside the bed, eyes searched signs on her face while her heart hoped for the best.
"...Lily"
Maleficent opened her eyes to then quick close them for protection against the strong light on her face. The magic in her blood burned her veins, making her know the reasons for her immobility. She blinked a few times, adjusting her eyes to a place she did not know, and took little time to locate her daughter's figure beside her. She tried to move, and she felt a strong grip on her left hand and then...
Lily was trembling, "Don't move."
Maleficent tried to speak out, as her mother nature shouted her to do it, but her mouth was numb. She wanted to laugh at the irony, but her whole body didn't want to obey the commands of her mind, and she felt frustrated. She let out a weary sigh, and a sharp pain raced through her chest. She closed her eyes to ease the ache on her head, and tried at all costs to send her magic to a straight path to her heart.
She felt angry. She could only remember the prince, his burning eyes, and a small thing made of iron touring her lungs apart.
The pain on her chest returned and she could feel her magic working on healing her wound.
"Don't fuss." Dr Whale warned Maleficent as he began to read her vitals—her pulse, pupils, body temperature, the pallor of her skin, etc. "It's been some time, my lady."
The pin on her chest limited her to a modest smirk, "Victor."
"So you remember." He looked smug. "Envy a dragon's memory."
"Not quite."
Dr Whale offered the dragon a censoring glare, "You're a lucky woman, you know that, right? Any non-magical person wouldn't survive what you just did. Sure, not like you haven't already suffered from a similar attack. Which doesn't make sense. You can't defeat magic with a bullet, but a bullet wouldn't finish what a sword of truth couldn't."
Maleficent sighed, "How long—" A pain in her chest prevented her from finishing the question, and she sighed w earily.
"Dizzy?" Maleficent nodded slightly. "Just a side effect. Anesthetics can be quite—"
"No." She interrupted him. "Magic."
Dr Whale sighed dramatically, "Right, right. Dragon's magic then. Luckily, you won't be here for long." Maleficent was frowning unconsciously, making him frown back. "I can't have you leave this place now. You know it too. But I don't believe it will take more than a few hours for our magic to heal what's left wounded, is it?" Maleficent shook her head in response. "Good. Then you tell me when you're finished, and then you're free to go. God knows how much this place can be tiring."
"I didn't—"
"None of us did." Dr Whale turned to Lily. "What I told you three days ago is still on: you need anything, just ask. Anything for a friend." He winked at her and looked back to Maleficent, "I must go now. People dying and all. You know how it is."
"Yes." Maleficent said softly, a small smile playing in her lips.
Dr Whale smiled again and left the place.
And August made himself known, again gentle and always timely.
"I would—" but the words died on his throat, and Lily looked away, feeling tired, and August sighed, understanding that it was not the best time or place. "I'm glad she's fine." He whispered. "I'll talk to you later."
Lily knew she was blushing as she watched him go, and her heart felt like sinking down for reasons she couldn't quite name neither explain.
"...Lily."
Maleficent's voice was weak, but not faltering, recovering at each passing second, and Lily was fast, perhaps too fast, to recollect her thoughts to the place in which she now was.
"I'm here." She told her mother everything then, how Dr Whale had saved her life, how he had explained how he and Maleficent were allies once. He wanted to study dragons and their longevity. Maleficent wanted help to find a way to get pregnant. It didn't end on her behalf but they became friends. She appreciated that he indeed tried to help her out. "He knew about dragons and iron." Lily pointed out, her face changing to a more serious demeanour.
Maleficent opened her eyes, looking apologetically, "I should've—"
"Doesn't matter." Lily gave her hand a slight squeeze. "You're safe now. The rest doesn't matter."
Maleficent's eyes widened considerably, and she stared at her child for a long time, unable to have known nor understand the passion on her voice.
"You look pale."
Lily didn't fight a smile, despise the tears falling from her eyes. There she was—her mother—always worrying about her child before carrying about herself.
"I'm fine."
She hadn't wanted to leave that damned place. She didn't eat. She couldn't sleep. Wouldn't think.
"You scared the hell out of me." Her voice was the one faltering, but she would also be completely honest from now on. For her tears were of joy, and so she would tell her mother why. "It's not your fault." It was hers; of course, the darkness didn't even bother to yell this truth at her mind. "If I hadn't—"
"He would've." Maleficent was speaking more clearly now. Her magic was faster to heal while she was awake.
Lily shook her head in denial, "I shouldn't. If it wasn't for your magic you—" Just to remember all that blood made her eyes burn and new tears to form. She held sobs down her throat and her grip on her mother's hand tightened.
Then, Lily was sobbing, if only to appease her guilty and her face was buried on her mother's lap, clutching on her, in the attempt to tell herself she was real enough. But her pain was so physical that Maleficent felt like crying.
"Is your promise still on?" Her promise to stay forever, to protect her, to be there, to be kind, to be her mother.
"Always."
She knew it was, but she needed to hear it.
"Good." She closed her eyes and her arms tightened around her mother.
"I'm here." Maleficent whispered, and her free hand found it ways to her child's hair, caressing it fondly, making the girl sigh contently—and relieved. She didn't expect for things to change so abruptly, less due such a terrible incident, as her daughter was never the one to start any kind of physical contact between them, but she was not complaining.
Not at all.
THREE DAYS LATER...
Everything is cold when the front door is open and a strange sound makes them shiver.
It felt like death.
"You didn't return here, did you?"
Maleficent was already walking—without help, though Lily repeatedly insisted she needed to rest and that resulted on them arguing over whatever the use of a wheelchair was necessary or not, with Maleficent almost snapping but not really doing so because she was just too tired for it.
Lily didn't answer, and helped her mother to sit down on the couch. It was cold on that morning, as winter was coming faster than anyone could wish for, much to Lily's dismay.
She's a dragon, after all. Dragons and cold days simply do not match.
"You hungry?" Lily asked, kneeling before her mother.
Maleficent sighed heavily, "Give me a few more minutes and I'll prepare us something to eat."
Lily frowned, "Right. As if you're doing anything. Just relax and let me handle everything, okay?"
Maleficent's eyes watched her daughter with attention and serenity, and much love and a little amusement, "Then what are we having?"
"Pizza."
Maleficent pursed her lips, annoyed, "Must vegetable non adept food be all you think about?"
"Dragons eat meat, not grass."
"Lilith..."
"You know I can't cook like you." Or at all. Sure, they shared the same dragon form, hard temper, pride, thin fingers, shape of eyes, the pursing lips into a pout to demonstrate their annoyance trade, and their magic was very similar (with the same smoke colour and all) but cooking skills? Lily found it a wonder that she managed to recreate an elixir—which aided in Maleficent's recovery faster than any medications.
"My offer to teach you stands still. You've proven to be a quick learner."
"Not at cooking."
Maleficent gave Lily a skeptical look, "You took an hour to amplify the effects of a potion which took me at least three weeks to create."
"By following the instructions you wrote."
"The concept is the same...well, almost, but you do get my point."
Lily rolled her eyes, "Let me be the stubborn one here, okay?"
Maleficent would've laughed if she wasn't so tired.
Lily picked up her phone, ready to call a good place she had heard about. Her eyes widened a little when she saw three missed calls. The unknown number was familiar.
August.
He had been probably told that Maleficent had been discharged from the hospital.
"What is it?"
Lily felt her heart skip a beat, realizing she was staring at her cell phone for almost a minute. She knew better than to lie and she did not want to bother her mother with any bad news either.
"Nothing."
If only that worked.
"Lilith..."
She was in trouble.
"The sheriff wants to talk to you." It was an impulse. Every time her mother spoke in a more severe tone with her, Lily felt extremely guilty, because it made her remember the first time they had lunch together, and Lily being so cold with her. Lily had promised herself to never be rude to her mother again, because she did not deserve any of that—she was doing her best to build a healthy mother-daughter relationship.
Also, Lily figured she couldn't lie to her mother either. Maleficent apparently had a way of knowing when people lied to her.
And so Lily went straight away explaining the whole situation.
Maleficent remained silent, wearing that same calm of her own, thinking of every possibility of what might happen.
Then, she said, "Tell him to come to meet us here."
Lily's eyes widened, "But—"
"Lilith..."
A warning tone rarely used that was more than welcome if Lily didn't feel so insecure about all this.
August, however, didn't seem to be a treat, despise his contacts.
He answered her after two calls.
"August Booth speaking. How can I help you?"
He was painfully friendly.
"Hi, uh...it's...Lily. I—"
"Miss Page, of course! How are you? I mean, I heard your mother is doing fine."
"She wants to speak with you."
Straight to the point, eh? That desperate to see him again?
"Marvelous!" Lily ignored the happiness in his voice and the darkness talking to her head. "Where can I find you?"
Lily looked out the large window on the living room. The magic shield was gone as soon her mother was shot, and their home was now visible to anyone who passed by. She didn't want to leave her mother alone, and felt suddenly stupid for not buying them anything to eat before returning home.
Unless...
"You know the south-west road next to sea?"
"I do, why?"
"Find a trail next to the first curve. Follow it, and you'll see a cottage. We'll be waiting."
"Right away!" He then cleaned his throat, sounded embarrassed by his enthusiasm. "I—I mean, of course I—"
"Bring pizza. I'll pay you."
August was rightfully amused, "Excuse me?"
"I can't cook and I can't leave her alone just to buy food."
"Ah, I see." Lily could practically picture the sympathy in his eyes. The problem was the slight disappointment on his voice. "No problem. Any recommendations?"
"I give you forty minutes."
"I didn't mean—"
"Counting."
The line was off.
Thirty-eight minutes and two polite knocks on the door later, Lily and August faced each other once more. While August wore a stupid smile and had a pizza box in his hands, Lily struggled against the incessant beating of her heart at the mere sight of such a strange man.
"Hungry?" He tried to joke amicably, and Lily hated the darkness for making her look so awkward.
"Come in."
August silently followed her into the kitchen, placing the pizza box on the table, "So..." He cleared his throat, "It's a beautiful house. Planning to stay for good?"
Why couldn't she be angry at his stupid questions?
"We do." Lily opened the pizza box and it smelled so good that it was almost sinful.
"Hope you like pepperoni." August said.
It was Lily's favourite actually.
Damn this man.
"How much I owe you?" She avoided looking at him, not wanting to feel her heart beat painfully in her chest.
"You don't own me anything."
Lily lifted her head, and frowned at him, "Yes, I do."
"Consider as payment the fact you allowed to come here." Lily's heart skipped another beat. "Truly, your mother's testimony will help the investigation immensely. I'm glad she's well and willing to talk."
Lily felt her breathing quicken and it took all of her courage to compose herself convincingly, "After she eats." She waited for him to question her rules, but he just smiled, nodding.
She felt even more angry at him and herself.
Lily walked out the kitchen and August took a deep breathe before sitting down on a chair. He waited for about twenty minutes before Lily showed up again, and ask him to follow her to the living room.
"...Lady Maleficent?"
She merely raised her eyes from her dessert (a small peach) and August wouldn't be offered by her lack of words, considering the tired look she wore. But she gestured him to sit on the chair before her while Lily watched them from afar, like a lioness caring for her cub—as ironic this may seem.
"August." The name was known, though Maleficent could not remember from where. She looked at him with a frown, "I know who you are?"
He smiled, "My actual name's Pinocchio. I'm glad to see you're well, Lady Maleficent."
The dragon's eyes widened alertly, and August felt that she hadn't told her child yet whatever she had done as queen of darkness.
"...the boy." She whispered in realization.
But he wasn't there to put salt on the wound.
"No hard feelings for what happened. I'm just here to help."
Maleficent narrowed her eyes, "Why?"
"Well, to make things simple: Philip tried to kill you. An investigation is already on the run, which requires the production of proofs on your and his behalf. I wish to know if you intent to testify against him."
And the dragon sorceress surprised everyone.
"I want no part on this."
And Lily was pissed.
"What?!"
And August was perplexed.
"Lady Maleficent—"
"He tried to kill you!" Lily screamed as she approached them in angry steps. "He tried to kill you and you want to let him loose!"
Maleficent's eyes were cold on her daughter, "Lilith..."
"No! Don't Lilith with me! You know I'm not wrong! He tried to kill you, damn it!"
Maleficent was unaffected, "I cursed him."
"And that suddenly gives him the right to try to kill you? What if he tries again?"
What if she doesn't survive?
"He won't. He'll want to avoid problems as much as I do."
"This isn't about problems." Lily roared. "It's about what is fair."
"And when life was ever fair to us?"
Lily hissed, hating when her mother played the reasonable part. She stormed out to the gardens, slamming the door behind her.
"Leave her." Maleficent told August, who was already raising from his chair in a rather curious instinct to follow Lily. "She's upset. Just like I would be at her age. I took years to understand that revenge would led me nowhere. She will too. Give her time."
August frowned, seeming to ponder on the words said to him.
"You don't blame her." He observed, sitting back on his chair.
"I want to have a normal live. I want her to have a normal life. If you can guarantee that I'll have my happy ending with no further interruptions, then I can assure that you won't be hearing of any scandals involving my tale."
"That's unexpected, I won't lie." August confessed. "But good, nevertheless. I'm glad you are willing to reason."
Maleficent chuckled, "Trust me: it doesn't get any easier."
"But you're trying. That's commendable. If other villains were like that—"
"Being civilized is not a matter of good and evil, Mr Booth. But of good sense. I'm not doing this for myself but my daughter. I don't want her to lose herself to darkness as I once did."
"I find it admirable either way."
Maleficent raised an eyebrow, "Most people wouldn't admire the Mistress of All Evil."
"Do you still consider yourself as such?"
"Do you?" She dared him, though she already knew his answer. His eyes were extremely expressive.
August took a while to answer, "After talking to your daughter," He looked at the door Lily had stormed through in the attempt to try to stop herself from giving into madness. "She made me see that even though fairy tales are real, we don't always know the true story." He returned his gaze to Maleficent. "I know now about the origin of your curse. I...understand if you're angry at me for prying."
"Flattered, actually. No one bothered before."
They both heard a loud noise of a tree falling to the ground. August was startled and wanted to move, but once again Maleficent prevented him, this time holding his arm, and looking into his eyes, "She—" Her eyes quickly moved to where Lily probably was right now and so August understood that destroying trees was her way of cooping with anger. "—is all I have. If you know of my curse, then you see why Lily's existence is a miracle. She wasn't suppose to be part of my world. But she's here, a living proof of what true love can do. And I just want to build a relationship with her. And in order to have that, I need peace. I hope you understand that as well?"
August nodded, "I do, but you must know it won't be easy to just...erase what happened. A crime doesn't depend on the victim's willingness to be investigated or not. In your case, I think we can open an exception, as things on this city never run as they should, but—"
"—you want me to talk to his father."
August knew that dragons could read other people's intentions by just looking at them. He was impressed to see it in first hand though.
"Only if you would."
"Explain how, then perhaps."
August sighed, "Judge Berry doesn't know of your story, Lady Maleficent. Philip himself assured me of that. I think...I'm sure that, if you tell him what Briar Rose did to you, then—"
"—he might be able to put some reason of his brainless son?" Maleficent chuckled, "You haven't lost your ingenuous heart, have you, Mr Booth?"
"I know Judge Berry. He's a good man and will be the only capable of making Philip listen."
"To the woman who cursed his son for about 50 years? Of all my enemies, he is the most willing to reason, yes, but to the point of defending me? That's ludicrous, Mr Booth, although kind-hearted. Why would he even listen?"
"Because his wife suffered from a similar attack. Philip is also a miracle. Just like Lily."
Maleficent's eyes widened in acknowledgment, rightfully fascinated. "Is that so?" She asked and August nodded. "Oh, dear. Who would've thought."
"I know it's surprising." August said. "And I know Judge Barry may never forget what you did against his son, but he will surely understand what's like to lose hope after a betrayal and then, be gifted with a miracle. And understanding is a good way to solve conflicts of all kinds."
Maleficent was silent, though she was holding back a smile. She wanted to smile for several reasons. The irony was the smallest of them, and the luck was the fairness of them all. Irony of Philip and Lily being miracles of true love, and the blessing it was to her daughter to have found such a wise and caring soul to share her life with. The sorceress did not know this man well enough to say that she approved of his clear affection for her daughter, though she knew that her a consent would matter little, if at all, but she could already say that she grew to respect him already. He was calm and good—it would do very well for her daughter to have someone like him around.
"Very well, Mr. Booth." She said, a smirk playing in the edges of her lips. "I will do as you asks of me. We shall see what fate awaits."
"It's all I can ask." He raised from his chair and took her hand, giving it a cordial kiss, "It's has been pleasure, Lady Maleficent. Your daughter has my phone number. Whenever you need to contact me—"
"—I'm sure my daughter will, Mr Booth." Maleficent gave him a knowing look, and August almost stepped back. "Thank you for the food. You were very kind."
"You're welcome." He swallowed, smiling awkwardly. "I bid you good day."
And he was gone.
Maleficent waited for his heartbeat to disappear from her magic reach to raise from her couch and walk outside to her gardens. Her daughter was sitting on the fallen tree she had just destroyed in the middle of an anger wave, and had her gaze lost on the infinite shades of pine trees that surrounded the house.
Sitting by her side, Maleficent saw the young woman fold her arms, reflecting self-defense and preservation.
"You're angry." The darkness was telling her to kill right now. "You realize Philip and I are even now, yes? It means I can start over."
"If you say so."
"Lilith..."
That warning tone was softer, and it meant 'talk to me, my love'.
Lily grunted, defeated, "I want him to pay."
"I know." Maleficent run a hand through her child's hair, making the girl look at her. "But I can't be happy now if I live in the past. What happened was all about living in the past. You saw how he lost control for not letting it go? I don't want that to myself, neither to you. You understand?"
Lily huffed, looking away. She was just too proud.
Maleficent sighed. Perhaps if she... "You know." She begun casually, "Mr Booth seems fond of you." The sudden chance of subject made Lily confused, but Maleficent knew she was listening. "You did notice the way he was looking at you, yes?"
The slight blush on Lily's cheeks shamelessly denounced that yes, she did notice, "You won't let that go, will you?"
"You could at least consider it."
"He's a hero."
"Is that a problem?"
Lily snorted, "It isn't for you?"
"Dragons don't label themselves as heroes and villains. There are those who are worthy, and those who are not. Mr Booth is wise and you like him."
"I don't."
"Lilith..."
A warning after a soft chuckle meant 'Don't lie to me'.
The young woman sighed, "I don't have time for that."
"Nonsense."
Lily looked at her mother in exasperation, "I have to take care of you."
"Don't use my condition as an excuse. And if so, was I as weakened as you seem to think, it wouldn't prevent you from having a love life."
Lily's eyes found the forest again, "I don't know which is worse—" She complained. "—you refusing to put that bastard on jail or you trying to find me a date."
Maleficent smirked, "Even I can't deny Pinocchio has grown into a fine man."
Lily frowned at the name, "You met him before."
Maleficent tensed. Well, that wouldn't be easy to explain, but she wouldn't hide the truth, even if it was rather unpleasant.
"I needed information about the Author and he had answers."
Lily arched an eyebrow, still not looking at her mother, "He didn't just agree to help you, did he?"
I mean, he's a hero.
"No."
And heroes don't help villains.
"Rumpelstiltskin had more efficient methods of making him talk."
Lily didn't need to think much to realize what that meant, "You tortured him."
"Threatened." Maleficent corrected. "To set him on fire." Lily winced, but Maleficent wouldn't hide the truth. "I didn't know you were alive yet. I'm not trying to justify what I did. I was...foolish." She let out a sigh, "I wanted to avenge your death. To make justice."
"But I can't do that for you."
Maleficent cupped Lily's face with one hand, while the other rested on her arm, forcing them both to share an intense gaze, "One can never tell what it feels to do something unless they have experienced it themselves. So hear the so called Mistress of All Evil when she says: revenge is a road to nowhere. I've fought for so many years and earned nothing but pain. The day I met your father—" Her voice stopped on her throat and her blue eyes shone in tears that threatened to fall and her lips were graced by a loving smile. "—I felt so much hope. And no memory of curses nor battles against princes can surpass the joy of the moment I found out I was to become your mother."
Lily grabbed her mother's wrist, not removing her hand from her face but holding it close, her eyes fighting the burning sensation that wished to dissolve her angry demeanour into a crying and scared mess of a little girl. For it felt so good and odd to be the source of someone else's happiness.
It was a great responsibility too—one she wasn't sure to be ready to hold.
"How in hell did I change you that much?" The darkness asked then. At her best, she tried to convince herself that her mother's past deeds and ways were indeed the best to follow.
Maleficent chuckled, the answer easy on her lips, "You're my happy ending."
Oh.
"What about Dad?"
Darkness felt like venom in her tongue, splitting doubts and unkind conclusions as ever. Lily, however afraid or not, didn't feel like running away, not this time, and held her gaze on her mother's silent eyes.
"He gave me you. I couldn't ask for more."
Her blue eyes were soft, wiser than anyone Lily would ever meet, and her voice held the kind of sadness and self-preservation Lily was also so used to find in herself.
"You don't think you'd be together."
A declaration—an obvious statement.
"I can't tell whatever the future may have prepared for us—"
"I'll find him." Lily affirmed with strong conviction. "I promise, Mom."
It took a second as that special word echoed through the forest and Maleficent stared at Lily, suddenly wide awake and aware of everything, as if her magic had vanquished all her tiredness. Lily took a moment to realize what of so alien resided in her words to make her mother stare at her in complete surprise.
She waited for an answer, for a movement, for a question, she knew not exactly what. She just realized what it had been when her mother's eyes started glistening, and the warm hand touching her face moved to caress her hair—much like on the very first day she arrived in Storybrooke.
"Are you trying to break me, child?" But her voice was already broken, taken in emotion and feelings she couldn't express in words, and happy, so very happy, in the shadows of a woman once evil and cold.
Lily's response was to shake her head.
To acknowledge her mistakes was never an issue before. She was dark, always would be, and to do wrong was a talent she didn't boast with pride. Over the years, she became restless, ungrateful and unkind. She was desperate to find love—a family, a place to belong to. When her mother offered her a chance, a place in her heart, it was unexpected but so true that now she felt stupid for not acknowledging her title sooner. She was Mom at last, and it felt so freaking real, like the darkness had always been.
"Thank you."
Lily smiled softly at her honesty. She never knew how a title could mean that much to someone, but she felt in her heart that it meant just as much to herself. It was about bloody time she started calling her that way, not only to settle things between them but to show everyone that their relationship was as great as it should and that her mother was better than any of them. If Maleficent was aware of this, Lily couldn't tell. She just couldn't stop smiling. She looked like a child on a Christmas morning.
"I'm not sorry for the tree."
Maleficent started laughing, completely happy, and Lily gazed down, embarrassed but smiling. To allow herself to finally recognize her mother's place in her heart was just magical.
And she was quite grateful for it.
A/N: I love dragons. I really do. Next chapter is almost done! Ready yourself to many surprises!