Author's note: The fluff is strong in this part. I regret nothing. It also happens to be the beginning of Maleval week on tumblr. While I don't know if I'll be able to participate every day, I would like to contribute at least a couple of things. So if there a few one shots that pop up from me randomly over the week, that's why ;) Enjoy the new chapter!

Part Four: The Start of Something

Maleficent woke with two realizations: one, she was currently nursing what had to be the worst migraine on record (at least in her experience), and two- she was not alone.

At some point in the night, she and Diaval had fallen asleep in each other's arms on the couch in his living room.

The lawyer glanced down covertly to make certain that they weren't naked, and was relieved to discover that they were both sufficiently clothed.

Well, that was one bullet effectively dodged. As much as she had enjoyed herself in his company, sex on the first date would have been moving way too fast.

She tilted her chin so she could study him while he slept. His boyishly handsome features seemed even younger in repose, and his soft lips were parted slightly as he breathed in and out.

A lock of hair fell rakishly across his forehead, and she was suddenly consumed with the temptation to kiss him awake.

She bit at her lower lip as she considered the thought: it was so utterly cliché, and yet, they had spent the better part of their date watching fairytales.

Oh to hell with it! Unable to resist any longer: she leaned in and brushed her lips lightly against his.

Slowly, his dark eyes fluttered open and he gazed at her sleepily before breaking into a cheerful smile. "Good morning."

"Hi…" she kept her eyes locked with his and made no move to rise just yet.

He seemed just as content to remain where he was, even going so far as to drape his arms over her waist. "What time is it?"

She willed herself to tear her gaze away from his in order to glance at the clock above his mantel. "It's 8. …oh shit, it's 8?! I need to be at the office!" she shot up abruptly and regretted it instantly when her head protested. "Ah!"

Concerned, Diaval sat up carefully and rubbed gentle circles over her back. "Too much wine last night?"

"Mmm…" she nodded, wincing as her migraine worsened. "Do you have any aspirin?"

"I'll do you one better," he pressed a light kiss to her cheek and then rose. "I'll be right back. You should lie back down."

Unable to protest, as her vision was starting to swim and she might have been stubborn but she wasn't an idiot: Maleficent did as he suggested.

She stared up at the ceiling and was in the middle of a vow to never again touch alcohol when her companion returned with a large glass.

The second she heard a familiar fizzing sound, she managed a small smile. "Alka-seltzer?"

"More commonly known as fizzy-good-make-feel-nice," he joked, sitting on the coffee table across from her and handing it over. "Now sit up slowly this time."

"Yes dear," she may have grumbled the words, but there was genuine gratitude in her eyes when she accepted the drink and took a small sip to start.

"Also, I feel like I should probably inform you that it's 8 on a Sunday morning."

Upon hearing this information, Maleficent's cheeks colored. "Oh…so, I don't need to be at the office then."

He laughed softly. "No. But that's good news for me because it means that I can make you breakfast and take you out for the day."

The Alka-seltzer was already starting to do the trick, and she managed another brief smile. "What'd you have in mind?"

"Well, first: breakfast. What would you prefer?"

"What's your specialty?"

"Easy. Cinnamon French Toast."

Her stomach grumbled at the mention. "That sounds divine. Is there any place I can freshen up first though?"

He smirked and leaned close. "I'll have you know that you look stunning even while hung-over; but I'm sure a shower will be appreciated. Go straight down to the last room on the right, that's the main bathroom."

"Thanks," she gingerly rose from the chair and walked slowly in the direction he had given her, looking back only once to see him moving about in the kitchen: a sight which made her bite back a chuckle before she focused her attention on getting that shower and feeling normal again.

The combination of the Alka-seltzer, a hot bath, and finding Diaval's supply of aspirin in the bathroom cabinet proved to be just what she needed. After her shower, Maleficent felt much more like herself again. Once she was done, she sauntered into the kitchen to check on her date's progress with their breakfast.

"Mmm…that smells wonderful," she murmured, messing with her still-damp hair as she moved close to his side.

He looked over at her and sweetly brushed a loose tendril of hair out of her eyes. "You feeling better now?"

"Much. And I'm starving," she peered over his shoulder, pressing her chest up against his back as she studied what he was doing.

"Then you're just in time. There's fresh coffee in the pot on the table. I would have poured you a cup but I wasn't sure how you liked it," he pointed at the small dining table that took up a corner of the room.

"Right now, I think I'll have it black as I'm still reeling from all the wine last night. How do you like yours?" She wandered over and began to pour two cups of steaming hot, nearly-black colored liquid.

"Two sugars and some creamer," he stated, concentrating on his task.

She fixed his drink and then sat down, sipping at her own as she observed him.

Her heart jumped in her chest when he threw a glance over his shoulder and winked at her.

It wasn't long until he was finished with cooking their meal, and after turning off the stove, he walked over with two plates of delicious looking cinnamon French toast, topped with powdered sugar.

He presented hers first. "Bon appetit. I hope you like it,"

She inhaled the heavenly, sweet scent and then wasted little time in pouring maple syrup on top and digging in.

Diaval's eyes widened slightly at seeing how much syrup she doused the bread in. "I'm getting the feeling that you like the sweet stuff."

Maleficent mumbled something incoherent around a mouthful.

"You're gonna have to repeat that."

She swallowed and glanced at him apologetically. "Sorry. It's really rude to talk with your mouth full, I know, but this is the best French toast I've had in ages! And yes: I do have a sweet tooth. It's my one weakness."

"Well I'll be happy to exploit that weakness as I share it," he chuckled and took a bite of his own toast.

They ate in companionable silence for a while, until Maleficent decided to broach another subject. "So…you said something about taking me out today?"

He looked over at her again. "Only if you're up for it."

"I am," she reached across the table and squeezed his hand lightly. "What'd you have in mind?"

"How about the zoo? I heard that they got a new bird exhibit recently. I wouldn't mind checking that out."

"You like birds?"

"Ravens, mostly."

She arched an eyebrow. "Ravens?"

"Like my last name isn't a dead giveaway?" he teased.

Maleficent shook her head, her lips quirking in amusement. "All right, bird-man. The zoo it is."

He tilted his head back and laughed heartily at the nickname. "You've got it, mistress."

She blushed fiercely. "Don't call me that in public."

Diaval just laughed some more.

Her date was kind enough to allow her to stop at home and change into clothes that were different from the ones from the night before.

When she came down the steps wearing black jeans and the lavender top that she thought was perfect date material to begin with, it was with a slightly smug grin.

That grin only widened when Diaval told her that she looked gorgeous, and she made a mental note to boast about the fact to Aurora the next time she saw her.

The zoo was quiet for a weekend, but that was fine by the couple as they walked slowly through the exhibits hand-in-hand.

Maleficent wasn't sure what it was about the man at her side that made her feel so comfortable. All the previous her previous relationships had been short and utterly disastrous, but Diaval was vastly different from the other men she had dated.

It just felt right being with him, and though she was the furthest thing from a romantic, she was drawing to the conclusion that maybe, just maybe she had finally found her soul mate.

When they reached the bird exhibit, and she saw his entire being light up at seeing a pair of beautiful ravens, Maleficent was sure of one thing: Diaval had found a place in her heart.

She watched him fondly as he drew close to the glass partition to examine the birds more closely.

"They're lovely," she leaned into his side.

"Aren't they?" He looked at her, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

She just nodded and brought a hand up to his face, caressing his cheek gently before whispering. "Thank you."

He tilted his head curiously. "For what?"

"For bringing me here; and for last night. I have a tendency to get so caught up in my work that I forget to relax."

Diaval gazed at her warmly before framing her face with his hands. "I could tell that from the moment we met."

"You could?" her eyes went wide this time.

"Yes. It was obvious that you were fantastic at your job but getting to know you beyond that…I could tell that was a challenge. Luckily: I like challenges."

She stared right back at him for a moment that felt like forever, and then inhaled shakily before admitting to him: "I'm no good at this. I've never had a relationship since Stefan that lasted more than a few weeks."

"Stefan…was that the guy that?" he didn't finish his question, instead moving one hand to her back and stroking over the area where her scars were located.

She nodded.

He sighed and pulled her closer. "Look: It's not like I'm getting down on one knee and promising forever. I just…I think we'd be good together and I'd like to give us a chance."

"I want to give us a chance too," she confessed. "I just….I hope you'll be patient with me."

"I have a feeling you'll be well worth the wait," he pressed his lips to her forehead, and then nuzzled lovingly at her hair.

Maleficent closed her eyes and leaned into his touch.

They stayed like that for a while, until he broke the silence again. "Did you know that ravens mate for life?"

She chuckled and brought her eyes to his. "I had no idea."

"Well then…let me enlighten you," his tone lowered to a husk as he dipped his head towards hers for a kiss which she gladly reciprocated, and then he gathered her in his arms as he told her all that he knew about the species.