Anger seethed out of Maleficent's pores as she watched the girl chase her raven around the river. Her feelings of hate for the princess had changed considerably these past years, the hole in her heart filling as she watched Aurora grow into a beautiful, kind hearted woman. Maleficent could feel a part of herself in the child, but one thing she could not abide was the closeness between Diaval and the child, from the moment he had kissed her hand, all those months ago, she had kept a close eye on both of them. Her eyes narrowed as the raven curled into Aurora's shoulder to rest. The only thing she could not understand was why, why her heart hardened when they touched, and why she could feel a sharp clench in her stomach when Diaval the man smiled affectionately at the blond beauty.

Diaval tried to keep from touching the girl, but his protective nature made him keep close, despite knowing the rage that coiled in his mistress's glowing green eyes. He could feel them staring into his back as he played with the princess, burning guilt into his conscience. She had never kept her vow to remove his wings or hands, but the threat remained and he was ever vigilant. Much as he hated to admit it, Maleficent scared him. He feared that hate for those who had wronged her and he feared the agony in her that one day might escape, destroying everything in its wake. And he feared his own feelings towards her.

Maleficent sent the girl home earlier this time, unable to cope with the guilt of the curse and the strange bubbling feelings in her chest that had her wanting to shout at everything. Including the raven now soaring towards her. Just as he reached the river's edge, she slyly gave her hand a wave and turned him into a man, causing him to stumble into the water and soak his clothes. She smirked, but bullying Diaval was never as much fun as the fairies. The once raven rose and shot her a glare, not saying anything, knowing her anger was far greater than his. But he could feel his growing. His usefulness was ending for her; he did not wish to become a simple plaything.

"So clumsy, Diaval. Silly bird, perhaps I need to make a hybrid man/bird thing, just make sure the vocal chords are gone, they aren't the most useful-"

"Stop it!"

He grabbed her hand and her fingers curled into claws instantly, but still she did not strike. She glared at his nerve but his grip tightened as if to enforce his sudden anger. He had never lashed out at her before; she never believed he had the courage. But now, a new man, a new Diaval stared into her eyes, determined to be heard.

"Mistress, Maleficent. Enough. You cannot hide from yourself. If even you are incapable of feeling again, release me. I have served my time, over sixteen years of it. Don't let me burden you with pointless jealousy and spiteful remarks. None of it hurts me as much as knowing that I'll only ever be a set of limbs to you, feathery information you will to come and go. Don't do this to me anymore."

Those were the most words Diaval had ever spoken to her, apart from ranting about turning into a dog. Maleficent was in shock, her composure failing her has her hands shook with repressed emotion and the sudden strange desire to wrap Diaval up in her arms. Diaval stood quietly, watching his mistress struggle, unable to help the small tear that had started to leak out of one of her wide eyes.

"You think…you dare assume…"

A squeeze on her arm told her Diaval was not finished, but his other hand slowly rose to remove the tear, watching her eyes watch his fingers gently brush it away, down her sharp cheek and along her jaw, slowly and gently as though he was stroking a baby bird.

"I don't need to assume or think anything, Mistress. That is your job, I am simply the wings. But don't let me just be that. I am Diaval the raven, but with your touch I become Diaval the man. And I know which I prefer. Even the raven would be at your side no matter the consequence, even if the man could never exist again."

The curled up fingers on Maleficent's hand had relaxed, and now sought to hold the one confining them. Diaval released her only to be the one restrained, her swift reflexes catching the man's large hand in hers. The hand on her cheek remained, and unconsciously she had leaned into it.

"You are never just the wings, nor just a man. You are Diaval, my raven, my trusted confidant, my Diaval the man. Why does my heart clench when I see you with her, when you touch her I want to scream. Why? What have you done?"

Diaval smiled, knowing finally that his feelings were never for nothing, that she had never taken him for granted, wings or arms.

"Nothing Maleficent, but if you like, we can always find out together?"

Diaval curled his human arms around the fairy queen, feeling the small bumps where her wings used to be. Diaval the raven had filled that void, now Diaval the man could fill that gap in her heart, just a small bit, but enough for both of them. At last, he felt useful and needed, as both a raven and a man.

Woah sorry it's so long, my end chapters always seem to rant on a bit. Got a bit sappy towards the end there, so I do apologise. Hope everyone enjoyed reading the story as much as I did writing it. Once again thank you so much for all the wonderful past comments, they really helped inspire

Much Love xx