Although Phillip's first official (attempt) to visit Aurora hadn't gone so well, Maleficent could not keep trying to scare him off forever. Instead, there finally came a day when he managed to reach Aurora first and, after that, a friendship began to bloom between the two of them. There had always been a little spark between Aurora and Phillip, but once time entangled itself between them and that spark, it only grew into something even bigger and brighter. The two were very unalike, one being a prince raised in a castle with the other being a princess raised as a peasant in the Moors, but their interests and personalities ran similar lines.

As time passed and as Phillip's visits to Aurora became more and more frequent, they began to understand just how alike they were, in terms of temperament and hobbies. They were both fond of the outdoors. They were both playful, cheerful, friendly and open-minded. They were both somewhat athletic (even though Phillip's training had come from the captain of the guards rather than the creatures of the wild). They both liked to talk, sing and dance. They both were interested in peace between fairy and humankind.

And then as even more time passed, they found another commonality between themselves. They were both in love with each other. It finally happened that Phillip felt ready to initiate their first (real) kiss, taking it slow and steady and making sure they were both comfortable.

"We've known each other for almost a year now and I think I can truly say that I have come to care for you. Deeply! There has been no other woman who has understood me quite the way you have. Sure, many of them are wonderful people, but they do not have the same flare or taste for adventure or thirst for justice that you do…" Phillip continued to speak to Aurora, fumbling through a long, awkward, well-meant compliment before preparing himself to initiate the kiss. Aurora, meanwhile, looked up at him with wide, adoring eyes. She may not have had much human contact outside of Phillip, but she was not stupid. She knew very well of human rituals and customs. She knew exactly what he was doing and exactly what he wanted, but that was ok. She wanted it too…

"Oh no they don't!" Maleficent growled as she watched Phillip and Aurora link hands, faces drawing closer and closer together.

"Mistress, maybe you ought to let them be," Diaval whispered back nervously. "They've been friends for almost a year. Phillip has proven himself to be patient, gentle and kind. It wasn't like he developed feelings for her over one night!"

"I don't want that imbecile anywhere near my Beastie! Especially not like that!" Maleficent replied, still looking close to snapping. "I don't care how long he's waited. Remember that Stefan waited for years with me!"

"But he's not Stefan, Mistress," Diaval pleaded, placing a gentle hand on Maleficent's shoulder. Although he knew all too well why Maleficent held such a dislike and distrust for Phillip, Diaval was trying to get her to see that the choice was not in her hands this time. Sure, she was allowed to have an opinion and have some minor input on the matter, but this was Aurora's choice, not hers.

"She does not know what she is getting herself into!" Maleficent shook her horned head angrily. "She is far too innocent!"

"But she's not stupid," Diaval continued to remain calm and gentle, advocating for Aurora, but Maleficent wouldn't have it.

"Nor was I. It is not a matter of intelligence, Diaval. Sometimes these humans can be wicked and devious beyond all comprehension, and brains have nothing to do with it! I only want to keep Aurora safe, is that so wrong?" she turned to him with a patronizing look, trapping him with a question he could never hope to answer right. Instead, he only heaved a frustrated sigh as he felt Maleficent rise up. They'd been stalking Phillip all day and now it seemed like Maleficent was finally ready to strike. Diaval rubbed his temples while Maleficent went on ahead.

While he watched from the trees, Maleficent crept closer and closer to the unsuspecting couple. Right before they were about to kiss, however, Maleficent finally spoke up and made her presence known to them.

"Well, well! What an awkward sitaution!" she gave them both a cruel smile and while Phillip jumped away from Aurora as if he'd been singed, Aurora only heaved the same tired sigh Diaval had just mere seconds ago. She was all too used to Maleficent's antics regarding Phillip.

"Godmother!" she chided tiredly.

"I was simply passing through," Maleficent replied with a mock innocent smile. "I hope I wasn't interrupting anything?"

"Actually, you kind of-" Aurora began, but Phillip cut her off.

"Not at all," he said, trying to hide his fear behind a calm and respectful expression. Maleficent could at least admire him for trying to put on a brave face, even if she knew how he was really feeling at the moment. "I was just saying goodbye."

"Ah. Well then. Goodbye," Maleficent smirked and Phillip gave her an awkward little bow before not-so-subtly turning around and running. While Maleficent watched him run with a smirk, Aurora only sighed and shook her head.

"Godmother!" she chided again.

"What?" came that same mock innocent tone.

"We were about to have our first kiss! Almost…"

"I know. Dreadful," Maleficent was egging Aurora on now, pretending to shudder in horror at the idea, though the horror was not entirely false.

"Godmother," Aurora crossed her arms and her frown deepened, but Maleficent only shrugged again.

"Well, with him gone, we had best we off! There is nothing left for us now that he has departed. Come along, Beastie! We have a kingdom to look after!" she instructed, extending a hand to Aurora. With nothing else to do, Aurora was forced to comply, but she did turn around one last time to get a final look at Phillip. He had turned around as well and when their eyes met, they both smiled. Maybe they would have better luck next time, but for the time being, Aurora would be content with their Almost First Kiss.

AN: marycamp, here's Maleficent being a jealous, smug little thing, interrupting her Beastie's first kiss.