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“You’ve been quiet all evening, Diaval. That’s nothing like you,” Maleficent said, walking through the vibrant colorful forest.
Diaval, walking behind her, responded hesitantly low, “It’s nothing at all, Mistress.”
Maleficent turned back to look at him behind her shoulder, and furrowed her eyebrows, smiling.
“You forget, I know you better than you know yourself, bird.”
Diaval let out a small, reluctant smile. She was right, of course. Maleficent was the only one who truly understood him — but sometimes, he wondered... Did she truly see all of him? Or was it just the bird she cared for?
“It’s nothing of importance, Mistress.”
“But it has been bothering you, hasn’t it?” she pressed, her voice soft but insistent. "Tell me. If it concerns you, it concerns me as well."
Diaval caught up to her, walking side by side now. He couldn’t keep avoiding her gaze, but the feeling of being seen—truly seen—made his chest tighten. He let out a faint, almost bitter laugh and looked away. He wanted to speak, but the words stuck in his throat.
“I suppose... sometimes, I wonder if you just…see more than just a bird.”
Diaval drifted his gaze to Maleficent, looking into her emerald eyes. She slowed her pace, letting his words sink in. To her, Diaval was far more than the bird he had once been. He was a companion, a confidant, someone whose heart had transcended the boundaries of flesh and feathers. He was a man, even when he took the form of a raven. His spirit had always been more than what his wings and beak could convey. Diaval was something more. His soul had grown and had evolved with each passing day spent at her side. She had watched him change, watched the raw potential of his spirit blossom.
“You don’t think I don’t see you?” she whispered. “You’re far more than a bird, Diaval.”
Maleficent paused, turning towards him. She leaned her staff to land on his heart-beating chest, closing the small space between them, “You no longer only bear those enchanting wings of yours…but you also carry a beautiful and kind heart laying beneath your flesh.”
He swallowed hard, his voice low, “You see more in me than I could ever have imagined.”
Maleficent lowered her scepter down, holding it with two hands, “As do you,”
Diaval smiled, a smile that Maleficent never got sick to see. It was then that she fully acknowledged how fast her heart was beating. She backed up slightly and cleared her throat.
“Is that…all that you wanted to say or…was there something else that was bothering you as well?”
There was a long pause. Diaval looked to the ground, trying to catch his words. Maleficent only looked at him dearly, waiting if would ever speak.
“My heart,” the bird man spoke. “I fear it has grown.”
The fae reached to rest her hand on his chest, “What are you saying? If you are in pain, I can-”
“There is pain, but it is nothing that you can heal,” Diaval grabbed her reaching hand and settled it low, both of his hands resting on hers.
“Do tell,” Maleficent looked at him with worry, her voice gentle as a rain shower tapping on leaves.
He gulped softly, trying to gain the confidence to look her in the eyes, “I don't know how to go on about this but…I just wanted to thank you for all that you’ve done for me. Without you I'd…I'd be lost. I wish...if you so allow me, to stay by your side and be with you, for as long as my life can take me,”
Maleficent looked at him, concerned, “Why are you saying this, Diaval? I’ve already stated a long time ago that I wish for you to stay. You know I can’t continue without you, right? You can’t possibly leave me!”
Her words put him at ease. He smiled, shaking his hand and gripping her hand tighter, “No, of course not, Mistress. Even if I had the choice to, I would never abandon you. You are very important, very dear to me, and I would be so hurt if something horrible happened to you. Frankly, I…I don't know what I would do with myself if something like that occurred. When you call, I’ll be there for you. You can always rely on me, Mistress.”
Maleficent gave him a small smile. Diaval then braced himself for what he was about to say, “I know you…have had a wound inflicted on you before because of this. A wound that pained you,” He paused, feeling Maleficents hand hold his tighter. He knew how much the mention of this pained her, and it hurt him to see her still have the fear of love.
“Diaval, what is…your heart trying to say?”
The once raven inhaled, trying to hide his nervousness.
“I…” He cleared his throat, words swirling like smoke in his mind, struggling to take form. “I can’t ignore this feeling, Mistress. For all I’ve been—whether bird or man, my heart... it is yours. It will always be yours. My heart will forever be in your hands because you have me. I’ve never felt anything like this before…” Diaval paused, sucking in his breath, “the way I care for you… it’s beyond loyalty, beyond gratitude.” He gathered his courage, trying not to tremble as the words slipped away from his lips, “if you allow me, I want to be able to love you, to share the life we’ve built together... I would give you all I have.”
Maleficent stared at him, trying to process the confession he had just made. After a very long time, Maleficent's heart felt at ease. She walked closer to him, allowing Diaval to rest her hand on his bare chest. She looked instantly into his dark black eyes, who never rested his gaze away from her emerald eyes. She could feel the waves of breath from Diaval, going up and down, slowly decreasing. The more she kept quiet, the more nervous Diaval grew.
Was it a mistake to tell her? To confess? He thought it was the right thing to do because she deserved to know the truth. Even if he was preparing to get heartbroken, he still had a speck of hope that she would return his affections.
As they stood there in pure solace, Maleficent knew she wanted to be with Diaval. She didn’t want him to go away. After all these years, he had earned a piece of her heart. She stood there quietly, trying to choke away a build-up of tears. How much she wanted to tell him she loved him, but she couldn’t. She was reminded of the torn heart, which took her so many years to stitch back again.
Diaval would never hurt her.
He was the one who stood by her, suffering from her cold heart.
It was then when she knew, she knew so surely, that she was going to risk her heart. She would risk it for him. It was only fair, as he had risked his all the time just for her.
Just as she felt Diaval backing away, she instinctively went up to gently catch his cheek. She could feel the raven relaxing upon her touch, letting a small sigh out.
“Mistress, I…I don’t seek anything in return. I simply wanted to profess my feelings, so my heart would be at ease. Even if-” Maleficent rapidly shushed him, quietly murmuring him to stop.
“Diaval, please…it’s alright,” she looked down at his soft, pale pink lips.
Those lips have not yet been kissed
Maleficent kept looking down at his lips, making his heart quickly fasten. She dropped her scepter, grabbing Diaval’s left cheek with her free hand. She slowly brought his face near hers but paused when their noses were merely touching each other.
“Are you telling me the truth, Diaval?” she whispered. He nodded.
“I am being more truthful than I’ve ever been.”
She looked up into his eyes, "You won't just walk away, will you?"
“No, Mistress. Never. I will be here when you need me,” Diaval brought his right hand to brush a strand of hair from her face. Maleficent slowly let go of his cheeks, setting her hands near his shoulders.
“As far as my life will take me, I will always stand by you. Even after I perish,”
Maleficent let a small smile out, “I know you won’t leave... but sometimes, the past still haunts me,” She looked up, “How can I be so sure? I am afraid, Diaval,”
Her vulnerability, her pain, saddened him. He wants her to trust him. He wants to be able to love her freely. He wants her to know he would never be capable of breaking her beautiful heart.
“Maleficent…” The sound of her name escaping from his lips immediately brought her attention, “I am not him. I would never hurt you like he did. I don’t want you to fear anymore. It pains me to know that someone had the nerve to break such a beautiful soul. You have me, and I vow to you, Maleficent, that I will always be here with you. I will never leave. You may turn me into whatever you wish, or kill me afterward if I wrong you, but please, allow me to love you. I desire no one else but you.”
Maleficent’s heart pounded. She had never heard Diaval sound so desperate. She felt her wings relax. Her whole self felt more lighter. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, the weight of her fears began to lift. Diaval’s words were a lifeline—his sincerity, a balm to her wounded soul.
“You're the only one who has stayed,” she whispered, “You have me.”
A small smile crept on his lips. He finally had the nerve to look down at her rosy red lips. He parted his lips, as he gently set his hand on her neck. He reluctantly leaned in closer, but then slightly bobbed his head back. Maleficent smiled at his hesitancy.
“Maleficent…I—I do not wish to do anything you're not ready for,”
She let out a slight laugh, a soft, teasing sound, “You’re hesitant.”
“I know. I just don’t want to rush you into anything...you deserve more than that.”
“You aren’t rushing me,”
Diaval smiled. He whispered, “Then if you allow me…may I?”
Maleficent nodded, her desperation clear as she silently urged Diaval closer. He tightened his grip on her neck, and finally, his lips met hers.
His lips stayed there for a moment longer, gentle and uncertain, as though he were afraid to break the silence that had surrounded them for so long. She could feel his hesitation, and it made her heart ache—how long he had waited for this, how long they both had suffered in silence. Her hand traveled to gently cup his jaw, pressing more firmly against him. Their kiss was slow and deliberate, feeling the long-awaited release of everything they'd buried. As they continued, their uncertainty started to fade as passion started to engulf through their lips. His lips, warm and eager, were now slowly moving against hers as he grew confident.
Maleficent let go, catching her breath. She looked at Diaval, who was still dazed by the feeling. She smiled, catching his lips once more, this time with more passion. Her hands went up to his feathered hair, as Diaval let go of her neck and placed his hands on her back. She could feel the desperation of Diaval as he brought her onto him until there was no more space between them. Both of their lips moved eagerly, Diaval letting out a soft groan. He continued to kiss her like there was no tomorrow.
Diaval let go, staring at her swollen lips. Maleficent, breathing rapidly, smiled. She let go of his black feathered hair and rested her hands on his open chest.
"I didn't mean to overwhelm you," Diaval stammered, his voice low and full of uncertainty. His eyes never left hers, his vulnerability laid bare before her.
Maleficent shook her head, her fingers instinctively brushing over the scars on his chest as she looked down, "You didn't overwhelm me," she said softly. Diaval’s heart fluttered as he felt her fingers dancing on his chest. He let go of her back and grabbed her arms.
“I don’t know what I did to deserve you, Diaval,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “I’m glad you’re here,”
“I’ll always be here,” he murmured, his voice low and tender.
Maleficent exhaled, finally feeling peace with herself after so many years. Her heartbeat began to match his for the first time in a long while. She wasn’t alone in this anymore. Diaval smiled down at her, leaning down to press a soft, long kiss on her left cheek. His left palm rested on the other side of her face. Maleficent reached to grab his wrist, eyes fluttered closed at the touch. Diaval pulled back, then reached to hold her in a tight embrace. She rested her head on his shoulder, making Diaval feel her breathing on his neck. He hugged her tightly, not wanting to let go.
They stood there, locked in each other’s arms, letting the moment stretch as long as needed. There was nothing to say now—no doubts, no hesitation. Diaval looked up at the night sky, as happy as ever.
He let go of her and let out a small laugh. Oh how much Maleficent liked the sound of his laughter. As he was about to speak, his eyes darted down to the ground. Her scepter was still lying, but she did not mind. He quickly bent down and picked the scepter up. Diaval grabbed her hand and handed it to her.
“Thank you,” she whispered. Even if she spoke low, her voice sounded like a bell.
He shifted and offered his arm to the ethereal fae.
“Shall we go, Mistress?” he asked, his voice low and steady. Maleficent looped her hand around through his arm and shook her head.
“Please, Diaval, call me by my name.”
He gently bowed his head, “As you wish…Maleficent.”
As they moved together, their footsteps fell into an easy rhythm, her wings folding neatly behind her, the tension in her shoulders melting away. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, the silence between them felt comforting rather than heavy. She was now his, bound to always be by her side. She knew he would not fail her. He would never falter. Even if she had her wings back, she would never be herself if Diaval had not been by her side. She trusted him and was her second half.
At that moment, nothing else mattered but the quiet certainty that they would face whatever came next—together.