Contrary to popular belief, Maleficent was not immortal. Some people even believed that she was a goddess. Others thought she was merely a sorceress with a knack for shapeshifting and age reducing potions. Both of these were incorrect as well. Maleficent had always been a dragon. She could trace her bloodline back to the beginning of time and name each member of her family with barely a second thought. Power flowed through her veins, the likes of which could not even be named. No one had witnessed the full extent of her power, simply because she had never found a reason to do so. She was over 3000 years old. In all that time, she had never learned to properly hold a relationship with anyone. Solitude was something she was used to, and heartbreak. Lust was nothing new either. But this desire that she felt when she thought of Zelena, was unlike anything she'd ever felt. Sex was not her immediate thought, although she wouldn't have minded. She wanted the redhead's trust. She wanted to be wanted. She wanted to make sure that Zelena knew she was wanted. All of that required patience and for the first time, Mal found herself being a little impatient.
She was erecting the pillars in the area that she'd marked off for their new home. It wasn't far from the lake and had a road not far away. They weren't too far from the town but they weren't too close either. She liked the convenience but she needed her privacy. The house would be situated on a tall rise overlooking the countryside and it was just a coincidence that Zelena's farmhouse was within walking distance. She used magic to finish the grand recreation. Everything had been sketched and designed down to the last detail. The house became a mansion, nearly a castle, with white stone walls and a great roof rose over the pillars. The first floor was a large area designed to look like a roman villa with a long hallway where the ceiling didn't cover so rainwater could be caught and flow into marble lined pools and troughs. There were even floor to ceiling stained glass windows running down the walls. Once entering the main room, the living room, which Lily had offered her insight on decorating since Mal was old fashioned apparently, was filled with cozy and relaxing furniture, a flat screen tv dominated one wall, resting above the fireplace mantel. Mal had decorated with some of her hoard, fine rugs covered the floors and tapestries and painted pictures of elaborate nature scenes covered the walls. There were stone statues of various objects, all jewel encrusted of course, and Mal handcrafted the chandelier that hung from the ceiling. Upstairs was just as extravagant. Both had master bathrooms, a game room for Lily, a few guest rooms that Mal doubted they would ever need, a vault for her magical equipment and a library. The basement would serve as their training room. Lily went through and added in the lights and master bathrooms and other entertainment appliances that Mal was sure she would never use.
"This place is awesome. If I didn't live here, I would be here everyday." Lily said, watching her grow a beautiful garden in the backyard, complete with a small waterfall, pond and brook.
"That statement made no sense." Mal replied.
"It meant that this place is awesome. We should add in a pool next." Lily paused, noticing that her mother had grown quiet, looking out over the garden with dark eyes. "You okay, Mom?"
"No. I do not know what to do. How do I get Zelena to see herself as I do? Should I get her another pet? Buy her another gift? Silk dress, emeralds, diamonds?"
"You've never dated before?"
"Of course not. I am inexperienced in these matters."
Lily smirked, finding it rather amusing that there was something the age old Dragon Queen didn't know how to do. "Why don't you take her to dinner? We could go, all four of us to Granny's. That way Zelena won't think it's too much of a date."
"Are you sure that will work?" Mal asked.
Lily nodded. "It's a start. Why don't you go ask her and I'll call Ruby."
Mal shrugged. It was worth a shot. She teleported directly to the farmhouse. Tiberius was eating apples next to the house, but came to greet her as she walked up to the porch. She petted his head and knocked on the door. It opened a moment later and she stepped in, a smile touching her lips at seeing Zelena curled up on the couch drawing on a sketchpad. Zelena glanced up and smiled.
"Hey Mal. What's up?"
"Lily and I are going out to dinner with Ruby. I was wondering if you would like to join us." Mal said, sitting next to the witch on the couch. "What are you drawing?"
"A shield." Zelena handed her the book. It was a square shield, emblazoned with a lion's head. "Lions were rare in Oz, and cherished. The elite Ozian guards used the lion as their symbol, as well as the royal family."
"Why did you never take up the symbol?" Mal asked.
"I am no royal." Zelena replied. "I had never lived in palaces or wore gems and such. It felt...weird."
"You deserve a palace, and gems. And much more." Mal said.
Zelena smiled. "Thank you, but-"
"But nothing. You deserve it." Mal interrupted. She looked back down at the drawing, committing it to memory and handed it back. "Get your shoes, you're going to come eat with us."
Zelena rolled her eyes, but she smiled as she walked over to put on a pair of boots. "Let's go then." Mal offered her arm, which she took. The dragon teleported them straight to the diner. Lily and Ruby were already seated in a booth. Mal and Zelena sat opposite them.
"So, Zelena, how does it feel to be free?" Ruby asked with a smirk.
"Wonderful." Zelena replied. "It is a nice change."
"One that will remain that way." Mal added, earning a smile from the witch.
"Thank you dear. But it is nice. I ride Tiberius everyday and I don't have to eat that crap that they serve at the ward." Zelena continued. "And how are you two? Too busy making little dragonpups to notice much huh?"
Ruby, who had been sipping some water, nearly choked. "What?"
"Oh don't act so surprised, babe." Lily smirked, patting on her back. "They know we're freaks. I wonder if I get it from mom."
Mal shrugged. "Probably."
"Dragons are naturally... insatiable?" Zelena asked.
"Yes, but I have spent years learning to control it. It doesn't bother me."
"Funny." Lily snickered. "I heard you calling you someone's name in your sleep all last night."
"Who was it?" Ruby asked.
Mal glared at her daughter, daring her to answer. Lily grinned, about to do so anyway when a waitress came over to take their orders. She seemed apprehensive about talking to the Dragon Queen and the Wicked Witch, but Ruby's presence seemed to soothe her. While she scurried off to place their orders, the women shared small talk about Ruby's work, her life as a wolf and with Lily. They were talking about the house when the waitress returned with their food.
"You guys have got to come see it. It's amazing." Lily said.
"Perhaps tomorrow." Mal quickly suggested. "It would be better appreciated in the light."
"Sounds wonderful." Zelena smiled, as she turned to her food and Mal felt her heart skip a beat once again. She had some work to do before tomorrow morning that was for sure. She turned to her steak, cooked well done and slightly burned, but it tasted marvelous. They finished eating and ordered dessert. Having devoured that, all four were pleasantly full and leaning against each other.
"Having a nice dinner?" Mal raised an eyebrow in Regina's direction.
"Indeed. It was delicious." She said. Zelena was leaning against her shoulder and was nearly asleep. She didn't respond to her sister's passive aggressive tone.
"Regina, why don't you back off?" Lily asked.
"I asked a simple question."
"You were being snobby." Lily replied.
"Please, little girl, I was conquering kingdoms before you were born."
"And I had razed a thousand before you were even thought of." Mal growled. "Don't ever threaten my daughter."
"May I speak with you privately, Dragon Queen?"
Mal rolled her eyes and turned to Zelena, gently leaning her away against the wall and stood up, following Regina into the back hallway that lead to the bathroom. "What?"
"What the hell is going on with you?"
"You're the one trying to be passive aggressive and all we were doing was enjoy a night out. I know you so don't pretend that that's not the case."
"You're serious about her?" Regina asked.
Mal rolled her eyes. "That's my business isn't it?"
"But she is only going to hurt you. She's fucking crazy!"
"You lost your mind once. What makes her any different than you? Both of you had the same terrible mother who ruined your lives. Both of you were seduced by darkness. Both of you have been outcasts for the majority of your lives. Why are you any better than her? Why is she so incapable of change? Didn't people say the same thing about you?"
"I am nothing like her. She-"
"I am done having this conversation with you, Regina. Don't pretend as though you give a damn about me after the hell you put me through."
"I'm sorry." Regina whispered.
"Sorry doesn't change the past."
"It doesn't mean we forget it either." The queen countered.
Maleficent sighed. The past had been good between them. Some of the best of her life was shared with the brunette. Unfortunately, she also contributed to some of the worst. One day they might be friends again, but the romantic relationship that Regina so desperately wanted seemed a little farfetched. Zelena was by no means a sure thing. Hell, she was a huge flight risk. But there was something about her. Something that Mal had felt the moment she saw her. Something she wanted to see though, even if her heart was broken in the end.
/
Mal watched Zelena as she leaned against the railing of the porch, looking up at the starlit sky. She took so much pleasure in such simple things that it surprised the dragon. After their dinner had gone sour because of Regina, she walked the witch home, leaving Lily to help Ruby and Granny close up shop.
"It's such a beautiful night." Zelena said. "I think I might stay outside and look at the stars."
"Mind company?" Mal asked.
Zelena quirked an eyebrow as she looked at her. "Maleficent, why do you spend so much time with me? You can't possibly enjoy my company that much."
"Why not?" Mal asked. "I happen to enjoy your company very much thank you."
"Really?" The question sounded almost timid and it annoyed her. Zelena hid her insecurities as well as Regina, but every now and then it slipped. Zelena was still far harder to read than her sister as well. The witch seemed to be able to go from a haughty bitch to a timid little girl in seconds, unlike Regina who often hid her emotions completely. Zelena didn't hide them. She tried to control them, but she couldn't.
"Of course." The blonde said. "You are right, the night is beautiful."
Zelena turned back to the sky for a moment before removing her shoes and stepping onto the grass. Mal frowned slightly at the sight of the intricate blue tattoos on her feet. Zelena must've felt her confused gaze and looked down as well, sheepishly smiling. "They're a rite of passage."
"Care to explain?" Mal said, following her across the sea of grass to a small hill. Tiberius whinnied and quickly made his way over to greet his rider. Zelena kissed his nose and sent him on his way and sat down in the grass, tucking her knees up to her chin. Mal sat down as well, crossing her legs and leaning back on her hands.
"There are these people in Oz. Most people only saw them as savages, but they were very spiritual and sophisticated. I lived with them for a bit, while I waited for the necessary parts for my plot of revenge. They are called the Vinkus, but there's a lot of sub groups. I stayed with the Arjiki tribe."
"What do the diamonds represent?"
"The tribe." Zelena answered. "It's their symbol, their emblem. Some of them tattooed their entire bodies with it. But it's far more than it appears. Every line, every curve, every dot, means something. I couldn't tell you what exactly. They let me into the tribe and treated me like one of their own. They trained me-"
"In what?"
"Defense. Hand to hand combat. Their favorite weapons were axes and these blunt things. One hit from one of those and it's lights out forever."
"If you know how to fight, why didn't you fight back against Regina and the heroes? Regina knows the sword but she is barely proficient."
"Well I can't reveal all my secrets, can I?" Zelena smirked. "And besides, she wasn't going to kill me. I didn't plan on the cuff though."
"I can see that." Mal smiled. "Your past is quite fascinating, Zelena. If you enjoyed being among the Arjiki, why didn't you stay?"
"Because I was stupid." The witch hissed. "I wish I had stayed. I wish I hadn't wasted my life on Regina."
"I'm glad it worked out this way at least." Mal looked up at the sky to avoid Zelena's curious gaze being thrust upon her.
"What about you? Do you have any tattoos?"
Mal scoffed, but after a moment she turned her back to Zelena and pulled down the sleeve off her shoulder to show her right shoulder blade. Slowly, she dispersed the spell that usually hid said tattoo. It was an elegant floral design of an orchid stretching from the center of her back, across her shoulder blade and onto her upper arm. "I got it when I was young and still believed that the world was beautiful. My mother loved flowers so i got it to commemorate her i suppose. It since has lost some of its luster so I use a spell or a dress to cover it up most of the time."
"It's beautiful." Zelena whispered. "How long did that take?"
"A few minutes with magic."
"You drew this, didn't you?"
"I did." Mal pulled her sleeve back up and turned back around. "There you have it."
"Mine don't seem as nice now." Zelena smirked.
"Oh please, they're wonderful." Mal waved her hand dismissively and looked out across the empty land that Zelena owned. Tiberius was trotting back and forth, cantering around the yard playfully. Mal sighed. She felt so at peace. Zelena lay down in the grass to look up at the stars and as she did so, Mal started to think about the differences and similarities between her and her sister. She knew she shouldn't compare Zelena to Regina because they were nothing alike, but their pasts, their stories, were almost mirror opposites of each other. Zelena had a loving mother and a terrible father. Regina had a loving father and terrible mother. Whereas Regina had been rich and already knew what love was because of Daniel, Zelena had grown up in poverty and had never been loved, or loved anyone else as far as she knew. Regina had been pushed into the darkness by Rumpelstiltskin and Zelena had only needed a little coaxing. And now, Regina had a loving family, she was accepted, she was loved, while Zelena was still hated and despised and alone. While Regina had wanted to change and be better, Zelena seemed perfectly content being herself. "Does it bother you? Being alone?"
"Usually no. When I'm alone I don't need to change and play nice and have others approve of me. Believe it or not, I like myself."
The dragon smirked. "I've noticed."
Zelena grinned. "I've been alone most of my life. Why should it suddenly change?"
"You're not alone anymore." Mal said matter of factly.
"Because of you?"
"Yes. I would say Lily too but she's always busy playing with wolves."
"Why me?" Zelena asked. "Why not my sister? Everyone knows how miserable she is with her thief. You could be her happy ending."
"Regina made her decision when she locked me up and even before that, our relationship had deteriorated because she lost her fucking mind. It wasn't meant to be."
"She regrets it then. Leaving you."
Mal shrugged. "It was her decision. They're her consequences."
"Tell me about dragons." Zelena said, changing the topic quickly. "Are they all solitary creatures or is it just you?"
"Usually when I was alone, it wasn't by choice, dear. But no, all dragons aren't solitary hunters. Family units often stay together for life. The males most times would leave to find mates. Some females would leave too, but they'd always come home."
"Almost like lions."
"Indeed." The dragon smiled. "Almost."
"You never wanted a dragon mate?" Zelena asked, looking at her curiously.
"None ever caught my eye I suppose."
Zelena sat up. "What else? Do you guys have any special customs and stuff?"
"Like the tattoos?" Mal asked, gesturing to her feet. Zelena nodded. "They're not exactly customs, but dragons enjoy...touching. We reassure each other with touch." Zelena slowly nodded, having noticed Mal's behavior with Lily, and the times Regina had tried to touch her and she had moved. "We're a simple species, I'm afraid, but family units do share birthmarks. It flows through the generations." She held out her wrist, revealing the star birthmark that Zelena knew Lily also possessed. "I remember I used to rub my mother's a lot."
"Dragons sound amazing. But I thought you were a fairy."
"I learned magic from the fae when I was very young. That is one reason why my magic is so ancient and strong compared to what you see now."
"I bet you could kick anyone's ass. Why didn't you ever build like an empire or something?"
Mal shrugged. "Conquering wasn't my thing, when it wasn't necessary. I can teach you a few tricks if you'd like."
"I'd love that." Zelena smirked.
Mal sighed as they fell into a peaceful silence and she lay back in the grass as well, staring up at the great expanse of bright stars laid atop a brilliant black background. A light breeze blew across them and Zelena slid a little closer to her for warmth. She wanted to wrap her arms around her and hold her close, but that seemed a little too much at this point. "What time is it?"
"Around one, I think."
Mal sat up quickly. "I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow when you come to the house."
"Is something wrong?" Zelena asked as Mal scrambled to her feet.
"Not at all, I just have to do something. I'm sorry but I must leave."
"Well, okay then." Zelena sounded a little disappointed, but Mal couldn't dwell on it. She had a lot of work to finish before the morning. She teleported home and headed out to the large barn like structure that she had built as her workshop. She changed her clothes into a tanktop and yoga pants, something light and she didn't mind getting dirty. Her workshop was filled with crafting materials from silk to cotton to black steel to every kind of gem her talons had managed to collect over her lifetime. She had a couple worktables, a forge and a surplus of tools. She chose a block of white steel and laid it on a table before going back to her shelf of supplies and picking off a few blocks of gold alloy. The dragon had always loved crafting. She used to make shields and swords and necklaces, all of which could've fed a kingdom for a year if sold, but she never did it for the money. She simply enjoyed making things.
"Mom?" Lily walked in, looking confused. "What are you doing up so late?"
"I want to make a gift for Zelena." Mal answered, inspecting her stock of materials. She chose a slim piece of silver and pulled it to the table as well.
"Another gift?" Lily smirked, hopping onto the worktable.
"Yes."
"Why don't you just tell her that you might some other relationship with her than just friendship? Why beat around the bush?"
"Because she has never felt loved before and I want to do this right. Besides, I'm afraid if I suddenly reveal my feelings to her, she'll only think I did this to sleep with her." Mal sighed.
"Mom, I think you might've friendzoned yourself." Lily said.
"What? What is that?"
Lily waved it away. "Did you and Regina have a thing in the Enchanted Forest?"
"Yes, but I'm sure you can see how well that turned out. Why?" Mal asked, setting fire to the forge so it could be getting hot.
"I've spent a lot of time learning how to read people. When I was kid I was lied to a lot so I started teaching myself how to see past the bullshit of what people say." Lily said. "Regina's jealous of Zelena."
"I know."
"She wants to be with you? Or she just doesn't want Zelena to be happy because she's still pissed at her?"
"You know how men like to say women are crazy?"
"Yeah."
"That applies here." Mal said.
Lily laughed. "What are you making?"
"An Ozian shield, and something special." Mal looked up at her daughter. "Want to help?" She and Lily hadn't had the chance to properly bond over something. Sure, they both loved fighting and flying and Mal was teaching her magic and stuff, but this was something Mal particularly enjoyed, and she wanted to share that with her daughter. Lily grinned and she needed no other answer.
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Zelena would never admit it, but she hadn't wanted the dragon to leave last night. She woke up alone and unusually excited to see her again. She got out of bed and put on a bathrobe as she walked into the living room, stopping dead at seeing the large oblong shield sitting on her couch wrapped in a red bow. She tore it off and smiled. The shield had been made almost exactly like her drawing with a few extra details. The lion's head looked almost real and hanging out of its open mouth was a charm bracelet. She picked it up and examined the intricately crafted charms. There was a witch on a broomstick, a lion, a pegasus, a dragon, and a flying monkey, each one with tiny emerald eyes. It confused her, the dragon's willingness to give gifts of such magnitude free heartedly. She asked for nothing in return but for Zelena to simply talk to her and it completely baffled the witch. She didn't understand it. She wanted to, but she simply couldn't. She didn't believe Mal wanted anything more from her. Why would she want something more from the Wicked Witch? And yet, why would she- Now she needed to return the favor. But how?
She didn't go to the dragon's house, and didn't even open the door for either one when they showed up on the porch. She hung the shield up on the wall and started work on her gift. She knew she should thank Mal because she understood the thought and sentiment behind the gesture. She spent the day using her magic to create a gift of her own. She was so engrossed in her work that she didn't even notice Regina walk in for her daily checkup.
"What are you doing?"
Zelena scowled as she quickly covered the kitchen table. "What do you want?"
"What are you up to?" Regina demanded.
"If you must know...I'm making a gift for Maleficent." Zelena gestured to the shield on the wall. "She made that for me and gave me a charm bracelet."
"Why is she giving you all these things?"
Zelena shrugged, remembering Mal's reason for giving her Tiberius. Because I wanted to see you smile. "And as you can see, I'm not doing anything terrible. So good bye." The house suddenly shook and a moment later there was a knock at the door. Zelena waved her hand, opening it and smiling despite herself as Mal strode in in a long purple dress. "Maleficent, hey."
Mal looked around, tilting at the sight of the shield on the wall. "You didn't come to see the house. I feared I had overstepped."
"Oh no, it's just I thought I was...trying to make something to repay you for all this. Thank you by the way." Zelena said quickly. She didn't want the dragon to think her efforts were unappreciated. The witch was having a difficult time dealing with the woman's generosity as it was.
"What is it?" Mal asked, noticing the covered kitchen table. She tilted her head, watching curiously as Zelena nervously walked over to pick up her gift. A necklace made from silver threads of magic, creating a sterling silver chain with a pendant with swirling designs. Set into its center was what looked like a diamond, but was actually far more precious. Mal stared at it while Zelena magically cut off the lights and shielded the house from any form of light, throwing them into pitch darkness. The diamond started to glow brightly. "This is a star."
"It is." Zelena was glad of the darkness so that no one could see how red she knew she was turning. She'd never been given a gift before, much less given one to someone else. She brought back the light and smiled as Mal quickly put on her new necklace and looked down at it with a smirk.
"Thank you, dear. I will treasure it."
"You're very welcome after all you've given me."
Mal continued looking down at her necklace, hardly noticing anything else, again making Zelena smile. She looked up with a disdainful look at Regina, who was watching Mal closely. The brunette quirked an eyebrow, but said nothing. Mal finally looked up. "I have a request."
Zelena smirked. "Okay, what is it?"
"I wish to see you fight."
"You want to fight me?"
"No. Lilith came up with an idea. We will play capture the flag with armies."
"How exactly are you going to do that in Storybrooke?" Zelena asked, exchanging a confused glance with Regina.
"In a dream. I am the master of dreams. It will be easy then. Say yes?"
"Sure." Zelena shrugged. "But why do you want to see me fight?"
"You can tell much about a person by the way they fight." Mal grinned wickedly. "I'll need to get some background on your army of choice. Lily wants to use the Spartan Army and Ruby wants one made of wolves. It will be fun." The blonde said giddily.
Zelena smiled at her enthusiasm. "I want the Arjiki warriors then."
"You'll have to tell me about them so I can make the dream and battle as realistic as possible." She sat down and pulled her legs underneath her, looking expectantly at the witch. After a moment, she teleported Regina away. "This is none of her business so she doesn't need to be here. If you want me to enchant the house, I can, so she can't get back in."
Zelena quickly nodded and Mal cast the spell in a matter of seconds. She sat down on the other end of the couch and Maleficent pulled her feet into her lap, absently touching her tattoos. "When I first arrived at the Arjiki, I was just a foreigner to them. I gradually gained their trust by training with their shaman in magic, but I wanted to learn to fight a little bit. I went out and I fought some village idiot. And I lost. The tribe leader refused to train me so I tried to teach myself, and I went out and fought again. And lost again. I lost count of how many times I got my ass kicked."
"What'd you do?" Mal asked.
"The shaman saw me one day and said if you're serious about this, then you might as well not look like a fool doing it." Zelena smiled at that memory. "He used to say that we all have to fight our battles, but we choose our weapons. So he helped me forge one and taught me to master it."
"Then you fought again." Mal surmised.
"Yep, and I lost." Zelena smirked. "It took a whole year before I won anything. But I enjoyed my time there more than anywhere else I've ever been."
"Really?" Mal raised an eyebrow.
"Except...maybe now." Zelena looked down at her hands folded in her lap.
"I know that I said I wanted us to be friends." Mal said slowly, looking down as well. "However, I will not deny a certain attraction to you, Zelena." They both looked up, meeting each other's gaze. "One that I promise I will not act upon until you're ready. Unless...you act first."
"What do you like about me?" Zelena asked curiously.
"Many things." Mal shrugged. "You are beautiful, cunning, fearless, powerful. What is there not to like?"
"The insanity, the inferiority, the wickedness." Zelena supplied, watching the dragon as she carefully regarded her words.
"There is no...perfect person. We all have flaws. We all must learn to deal with them or overcome them. I don't care if you are insane. Crazy people make the most fun companions. I do care if you see yourself as inferior to anyone because you are not, and if I must spend the rest of our days convincing you then so be it. Wickedness is just another word for delightful, right?"
Zelena smirked, heart twisting at the heartfelt words. "No one has ever cared like you before. My mother never saw me this way."
"Wrong." Mal said immediately. "You keep saying no one ever has, but I do, I have. And I believe your mother would proud of her little witch. She has accomplished extraordinary things." The dragon paused. "And me?"
Zelena scoffed and rolled her eyes. "You're not serious."
"What?" Mal asked. "Please tell me. I have never met someone else whose opinion I truly valued. I am not perfect. What is it you don't like about me then?"
"That is an even stupider question." Zelena sighed, rubbing her face. "Bloody hell." She whispered to herself. "The things I love most about you, Maleficent is...you're very understanding and accepting, after everything I've done. I mean, you haven't done worse, but you know what I mean." Zelena sighed again, avoiding the dragon's gaze. "You're very beautiful and intimidating and strong and...you're everything I wish I could be." That seemed to surprise Maleficent, because she raised her head from where she'd been looking at Zelena's tattoos again. "I've never met anyone like you before. It terrifies me because I don't know what to expect, I don't know how to deal with this. I've never even had a date, or a boyfriend or anything like that. I've never even...had a friend. Sounds...pretty pathetic, huh?"
"Not at all." replied the blonde. "I wish I could give you all you desire." She leaned her head against the back of the couch. "I do not know why, but I wish I could take away all of your pain. I would bear it for you in a heartbeat. However, you would not be you then, and I would not be me."
Zelena watched the dragon in silence, slowly taking in the sight before her with new eyes. Mal had her eyes closed, her head tilted up to the ceiling. Her hair framed her like a glossy lion's mane, golden tresses freely falling since she wasn't wearing her helmet, something she never seemed to wear nowadays anyway. The dragon possessed an unnatural beauty, but it wasn't like that one would imagine. Perfect fair skin, bright blue eyes, thin frame. No, the Dragon Queen carried a fierceness to her. Her skin was not perfect and fair, it was golden and marred by scars from previous battles. Her eyes were not simply bright, but burned. Zelena's eyes traveled lower than the full, luscious lips and elegant cheekbones to the graceful neck of the dragon and the nice shoulders that she knew could break down doors and dent shields with ease. The dragon was wearing a long black dress that hugged her frame. Mal was in shape, but she had a certain thickness to her hips and sleek legs that Zelena thought was more to be muscle and found quite tantalizing. Not to mention her cleavage. Just thinking about it made her mouth water.
"Are you done?" Mal peeked out of one eye.
She smirked, seeing as how Mal knew that she'd been staring anyway. "Perhaps. There is something I would like to see properly, but I can't do so while you're sitting down." Mal raised an eyebrow and rose to her feet. Zelena licked her lips, watching the fluid grace of the dragon as she turned her back to the witch and bent over, showing off her gorgeous ass. Zelena almost wanted to bite it. "Just as I suspected."
"Oh? And what's that?" Mal looked over her shoulder as she stood back up and retook her seat, this time stretching out her legs next to Zelena's.
"You said there are no perfect people, but apparently there are people with perfect asses. Perfect bodies too."
"You're so cute when you're being flirty. It's really a shame, Cora's only gift to the world being the ability to create beautiful children. One, having hair that has been kissed by fire and eyes as cold and piercing as burning ice. You truly have no idea how alluring you are. It's almost amusing." She smirked.
"You are aware of your own allure, but you do nothing with it. I might've hopped into bed with you a long time ago if you'd asked." Zelena tried to joke, but the dragon didn't laugh. Her expression turned serious in fact.
"I don't want sex, some roll in the hay, a single night of passion. No, I want more." Maleficent replied. "I want you to want more."
"What if I don't deserve more?"
"We all deserve more." Mal said, crossing her ankles. "Are you a virgin?"
"Where the hell did that come from?" Zelena asked.
"Curiosity." the blonde shrugged. "Unless that's a little too personal for you."
"It's a little personal, yes, but I am...a virgin." That made Mal's pupils dilate and she sat up straighter for some reason.
"You become even more precious by the second, little witch. Why have you never had sex?"
"No one peaked my interest. I was hated, why would anyone want to sleep with the Wicked Witch? Before that I was just the little freak with magic or the poor soul with an abusive father. People weren't exactly lining up to jump into bed with the green lady."
"The wizard, Walsh, was under your command. You and he never…"
Zelena frowned at the thought. "What, so he could stare at me the entire time with hatred and fear in his eyes? I would rather remain the way I am than force that on someone else. Unlike Regina, I guess I've never quite as comfortable with my body."
Mal tilted her head curiously, and suddenly grabbed her foot, dragging her across the couch and into her lap. Zelena's felt her cheeks flush involuntarily at being so close to the dragon. "You are quite interesting." She leaned forward and sniffed along her neck. Zelena swallowed hard as Mal placed a kiss to her collarbone and leaned back with an eyebrow raised.
"What would you do, Dragon Queen?" Zelena asked. "If I desired only a platonic relationship with you?"
"I would be sorely disappointed." Mal replied as Zelena climbed out of her lap to stretch her legs. "However, I would be the greatest friend I could possibly be."
"Thank you, I suppose."
Mal stood up as well. "Did you know that Snow White is throwing an Enchanted Ball?"
"Enchanted Ball?"
"One must dress up as they would in the Enchanted Forest." Zelena smiled as the dragon's eyes slowly roamed back to her new necklace.
"The Wicked WItch is Ozian."
"Zelena was born in the Enchanted Forest." The blonde countered. "Lilith wants me to dress up as some woman in a movie about me."
"Angelina Jolie?"
Mal shrugged. "You come too. She's just going to be sniffing around Ruby the entire time and I do not feel like listening to Regina try to make small talk."
"I don't have anything to wear."
"Make something. You can use my workshop if you need, it's full of fabrics and gems. Which will also be a good excuse for you to come see the house…" The dragon continued to prompt. "You're really gonna make me go alone?" She pouted.
Zelena sighed. "Fine. As long as I get a dance."
Maleficent grinned. "Whatever you desire." She grabbed Zelena's hand and teleported them to the house. Zelena's jaw dropped at once. "It's amazing, isn't it?" The dragon gave her a tour of the lavish home before leading her out to the workshop and leaving her as Lily returned to the house to drag her mother inside to get their costumes together. The ball wasn't until tomorrow night so they had plenty of time. At least Mal had given her free reign over her workshop. But what exactly was she going to make?
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Maleficent was reeling as she got ready for the ball, almost giddy to see what Zelena would wear. Lily had already outfitted herself in her black leather, accented with blood red dragon scales, emphasizing her persona as the Black Knight, or something, Mal wasn't really paying attention when she explained it. She magically changed her clothes into a long, long sleeved fitted black dress with a purple diamond studded neckline. Great dark wings arose out of her back and tall horns spiraled out of her head. "Who the hell is this Angelina Jolie and why did she get my story so wrong? Who said I have wings?"
"Mom, it was just a movie." Lily smirked. "They get stuff wrong all the time. It's about money."
"Well the movie is about me, it should at least be accurate." Mal countered as she magically brushed her hair and applied her makeup. She almost wanted to ask if Zelena would like her outfit, but that sounded too much like something some lovestruck teenager would say. She hated to admit it, but the more she found out about Zelena and her past, and who she was, the harder she seemed to fall for the witch. That platonic relationship was not going to work. Absolutely not. She made the dress off the shoulder so she could display her tattoo with pride. Even Lily complimented her on it. And of course she wore her new star necklace, her new greatest possession.
The ball was to be held in the town hall, which obviously had been made bigger with magic. It even resembled the elegant ballrooms of the Enchanted Forest. Lily quickly wandered off to find Ruby, and Mal got herself a drink and sat down to watch everyone else turn up while she waited for her witch.
"I never knew you had a tattoo." Regina's voice made her turn to find the queen in one of her famous dresses, a fitted blue one with a sequined back and her hair neatly pinned up in a pompadour style. She was as effortlessly beautiful as always, but she no longer had the same effect she once did on the dragon. The blonde could only anticipate Zelena's arrival, once again noticing the strange effect the witch was now exuding over her.
"You never needed to know." Mal replied, sipping her wine and watching as the Charmings were the first to start dancing, followed by Hook and Emma.
"Care to dance?" Regina asked, lightly touching her shoulder as she walked around her.
"What have I said about touching me?" Mal growled.
"For old times' sake?" Regina continued. "You know she might not even show up."
Mal rolled her eyes. Zelena would come. The woman had spent nearly all day and night in her workshop constructing her dress. Why waste all that time if she wasn't going to come?
"Please, Mal?" Regina asked.
"Why don't you dance with your thief?"
"No one dances like you." came the reply.
Maleficent sighed as she stood up and roughly took Regina's hand. "Don't step on my feet, these are brand new shoes."
The queen smirked. "As you wish." She lead the dragon onto the floor and they quickly fell into step with the others. It had been years since Mal danced. She had fun even though she would've rather had a different partner. Still, Regina possessed the same grace and skill that she always had and Mal found herself quickly swept away by the deep brown gaze and the haze of royal blue. That is...until Lily whispered her name. The dragon froze mid dance and turned to the door. She gulped as Zelena strode into the room, wearing a deliciously fitted pagan style green dress that nearly trailed the ground as she walked. A black corset with long tails fitted over the dress and it was adorned with diamonds and emeralds in a diamond pattern, highlighting her generous cleavage. Her hair was straightened and sleek and her eyes practically popped due to her makeup. She walked right up to Regina and smirked.
"Evening, Baby Sister. Have you been keeping my dragon company in my absence?" Mal nearly purred at being referred to as Zelena's dragon. Zelena glanced at her with another smirk.
"Your dragon?" Regina asked.
"Indeed." Zelena turned to Mal and opened her arms. "Well? What do you think?"
"You made this?" Mal made a turning motion with her finger and Zelena spun for her.
"I did. My mother taught me about sewing. It's nowhere near as good as something she could've made."
"It is magnificent." Mal said firmly.
"Where's your broomstick and hat?" Regina asked, glaring at her redheaded sister.
"Those belong to the Wicked Witch. Tonight...I am just Zelena."
"And she's even better. Shall we dance?" Mal said.
"Sure-" Lily suddenly swooped in and spun the witch away, grinning evilly at her mother as she danced with her desired mate.
The dragon's eyes flashed with dragon fire as Zelena laughed and danced with Lily. "I'm going to kill her."
"What do you see in her?" Regina asked, looking up at the blonde. "How can I get you to forgive me?"
"I forgave you a long time ago, Regina. My only concern now is-"
"Zelena?"
"My family. Not everything's about Zelena...or you." She stepped off the dance floor and motioned to Ruby. The werewolf happily leaped up to join her in dance. Regina was quickly swept up by Robin, but anyone could see she was no longer into it. Mid dance, Ruby and Zelena switched places, and Mal smiled at dancing with her lovely witch. Zelena was a far better dancer than she imagined, and the way she smiled, clearly having fun, made Mal's heart skip a beat once again. She was immensely pleased at seeing the smile on the witch's face, and couldn't help matching it with her own. As they danced, nothing else seemed to matter, no one else was in the room. It was them and the empty world. It felt like an eternity had passed before Mal stopped and pressed her palms flat against Zelena's, looking into her eyes, allowing their foreheads to touch. The sudden cheering of half the town nearly made her set everything on fire. Zelena laughed at her and lead her outside.
"You dance marvelously, Maleficent. For an old woman." Zelena said, sitting down on a bench.
Mal sat next to her with a smile. "You are not bad either, for a little freak."
"I enjoyed myself. It's been so long since I danced. I almost didn't want to stop."
"We don't have to." Mal said. "Why don't we enjoy the rest of the night, and then we can continue to dance."
"Just don't blow anyone up." Zelena laughed as they went back inside. It was a fun evening of talking and drinking and more dancing. However, all good things must come to an end. Lily started arguing with Emma, over what, Mal never discerned, but Regina came to the blonde's defense as Ruby tried to calm the irate dragon. Zelena picked up the long, thin staff that she'd carried with her and positioned it between the angry women. "Enough, Lily. Whatever you're angry about, they're not worth it. Trust me." Lily growled as her mother touched her shoulder and gently lead her away.
Regina glared at her sister so hard Mal was surprised the witch didn't burst into flames. Zelena didn't back down. "Back off, Zelena."
"Not a chance, Baby Sister. I don't like fights where it's two on one. If you want to fight, do it right."
"We don't need to fight." Emma said, taking Regina's arm to pull her away, but the queen shook her off. "Regina, let's just go."
"No, I am sick of you." Regina growled. "Just because you have Mal kissing your ass-"
"She hasn't kissed it yet." Zelena interrupted.
"I plan to." Mal called with a grin.
Zelena grinned back and looked back at her sister, who was getting angrier. "You think you're so special, Regina? Because you're the queen, right?"
"Because I tried to be better than I was. I changed. You haven't."
"No, because we're just supposed to ignore all the shit you've done because we're supposed to believe you deserve a happy ending. Because so much shit has happened to you. Well, guess what, Regina, you're not the only one who's felt pain. You're not the only one who's been through hell."
"I changed, for the better." Regina hissed.
"Tell that to the people you already murdered for no reason and their families. Tell them that you've changed and see if that makes things any better. See if you're forgiven so easily."
"Go to hell, Zelena."
"I've been there. Wasn't fun. Not as much as I thought it'd be."
"Why don't we settle this?" Lily asked. "A little fight. Me and Z, against the Savior and the Evil Queen."
"Now?" Zelena asked.
"I accept." Regina scowled at her smirking sister.
"Regina-" Emma tried to warn her.
"She accepts too. Let's do this."
"Yeah! Mom, can you swing that?" Lily looked up at Mal.
"You want to do this in a dream?"
"I'm sure the queen doesn't want her reputation tarnished by being beaten in front of the whole town."
Mal quickly took Zelena's arm and lead her away from the others. "Do not do this."
"You don't think I can beat her?" Zelena looked both hurt and offended and it made her sick to her stomach at having caused such emotions to fill the redhead.
"I know you can, but I don't want you needlessly putting yourself in harm's way. Fuck Regina."
Zelena frowned. "You're afraid for me?"
"I'm afraid for you both."
"But if it doesn't happen now, it will happen one day, Maleficent. Me and Regina will never be friends. We will never see each other as true sisters." Zelena said. "This must happen."
Mal leaned forward and let their foreheads touch. "You are precious to me. More so than you should be. I don't want to see you bleed and break and fall."
"You won't." Zelena chuckled. "Have faith in me."
"I do." Mal sighed as she leaned away and kissed Zelena's forehead. "To the farmhouse then."
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Maleficent was not pleased as she cast the sleeping curse. Normally she liked violence, she liked fighting. Lily was an excellent swordsman and she knew Zelena could hold her own. And yet she found herself dreading watching Zelena and Regina fight. In the dream, they undoubtedly would be fighting to the death, and it'd been so long Zelena fought with her treasured weapon. She was worried, she didn't like this. She didn't want to see the witch's blood stain the ground or hear her cry of pain. She didn't want to watch her die…
The group found themselves in a grand coliseum like structure with cheering fans in the stands. Regina conjured black leather pants and a simple black corset and boots, along with plated armor. Zelena conjured something similar, except in green, and made greaves appear on her legs and a pauldron on her right arm that also had a steel plate over her heart. Lily kept her armor and unsheathed her two swords, forged by Maleficent's own hands. Emma changed her white dress into a white suit of armor and pulled out her father's lion emblazoned blade and a similar shield. Ruby stood at Maleficent's side, looking worried for Lily.
"This is so unnecessary." Ruby hissed.
"Very true." Mal replied. "However, it cannot be avoided."
Zelena walked over to the dragon. "You're staying?"
"I suppose I must. I did say I wanted to see you fight. If I rip your clothes off when we get home, it'll be your fault."
"If I die in this dream, then I'll still be okay in real life, right?"
"Of course."
Zelena nodded. "Wish me luck then." Mal handed her the long staff and she twisted it. The staff made a cracking sound as it expanded into a weapon with two sides being great jagged emerald blades. Mal's eyes went wide at the sight of it. The witch jogged back to her place next to Lily and spoke to her softly. Regina conjured her own black sword and Mal tensed as the battle began. Her eyes locked onto Lily as she went low, diving beneath Zelena's swinging blades and quickly knocking a stunned Regina onto her back. She circled Emma and started bashing at her shield and Mal scowled at her terrible form.
"Lilith! Break!" Lily quickly followed command and rolled away from Emma's blade, dropping to a knee. "Form up. Do not charge in like a raging bull. Dragons use…"
"Finesse." Lily mouthed the word with a smirk and quickly fell into a more disciplined stance, Mal's training starting to take over as she stuck one of her swords in the ground and approached the blonde with authority, ducking her blade again and stepping on her foot. Emma ducked slightly as though to hold her foot, but tried to straighten up. Lily hooked her shield and knocked it away, but the Savior was prepared.
Mal turned her attention to Zelena and Regina, her heart starting to pound at the sight before her. Zelena and Regina matched each other step for step, blow for blow. Regina had adjusted well to her sister's fighting style, but Zelena kept her movements to a minimum so as to keep her stamina. Zelena was incredibly disciplined, every movement having a purpose, no energy being wasted. Courtesy of her training with the Arjiki no doubt. She felt her eyes glow in response to Zelena suddenly back bridging beneath Regina's sword. She couldn't help but be aroused at seeing the witch's fighting ability, which was why she was wanted to see her fight in the first place. It was more than she'd hoped for. The spell starting flickering around them as her magic started fluctuating. "Shit."
"You okay, Mal?" Ruby asked.
"No, I need to leave." She ended the spell over herself and found herself back in Zelena's house. She stood up and tried to think of anything else besides the owner of the house. Not an easy task. She didn't care who won a pointless fight, she'd seen all she needed to to know that she wanted Zelena. She decided to go for a quick flight and maybe a dip in the lake. She shifted and took to the skies, quickly realizing that she was not alone. Tiberius flew at her side and she let out a pleased purr at his company. When the spell started to dissipate, she returned to the farmhouse. "So...who won?"
"Should've been there." Lily countered.
"Regina did." Zelena answered. "And now that that's been settled, please get off my property."
Mal was surprised to hear this, but she turned to tend to her whining daughter as she complained about a backache.
/
"Why'd you lie?" Regina asked as Zelena walked her and Emma to the end of the road.
Zelena shrugged. "Because it only proved what I already knew."
"What, that you're better than me?"
"Well yes that, but also...someone cares about me. I know It's crazy, but Mal only left because she didn't want to see me get hurt. Do you really love her?"
"Of course I do."
"Then fucking act like it instead of some jealous bitch." Zelena hissed, clearly catching her sister off guard. "Make her happy. If she doesn't want you then back off. She deserves love, just as much as anyone else." She smirked. "But we both know she wants me. You know what they say, Baby Sister." She said, turning to go back home. "Once you Green, you never go Queen."
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