(You're twenty in this.) 

-

You smile sadly. Aurora's fifteenth birthday is today, and that means only one more year till the curse comes into effect. 

One year left to live. 

Your friendship with Maleficent and Diaval has certainly grown. Diaval hasn't left your side, and you are glad for his companionship. 

You've grown so close to Diaval, that it's hard to imagine being without him. And, Diaval feels the same. 

You sit against a tree with Diaval, his arm around your shoulder. Your even breathing matches his, and you can feel his chest rise and fall steadily. You rest your head against his warm chest, and his free hand holds yours, lazily drawing circles across your soft skin.

"Diaval, it's Aurora's fifteenth birthday today." You say, trying to keep the sadness at bay.

"I know." He replies knowingly. 

"How's Maleficent?" You ask him. 

He sighs, "She still hasn't forgiven herself."

You smile sadly, "She should. Revenge blinded her, as I'm sure it would have done to any of us if we were in her position."

He sighs, "I wish she hadn't sought revenge..."

You glance at him with a laugh on your lips, "If she hadn't, I never would have met you. Think of the things that would never have happened if she had not done the things she did. . ."

He looks down at you, "I suppose this whole ordeal has made us more grateful for the time we have..."

"Yes, it has. And I'll make the most out of my remaining year."

"You should reconsider trying to find your true love. After all, it's the only way to break the spell." 

You chuckle, "I can't leave. Aurora needs me." Although, the real reason you want to stay is for more selfish reasons. 

"But this is your only chance to break the curse," He pleads.

Maleficent walks over to where you sit with him, "True love does not exist, that is why I chose it."

"I'm sorry you feel that way Maleficent," You reply, starting to stand up. 

Diaval hops to his feet before you, and helps you up. You smile gratefully at him, before you move towards Maleficent and gently hug her. She stiffens at your touch, but hugs you back. Diaval smirks at the sight.

You sigh, "I have to go make Aurora a proper cake before anyone else tries to make one." 

"Shall I escort you to your home, m'lady?" Diaval asks, holding his arm out in true gentleman fashion.

You grin, "Yes, thank you." 

Grabbing onto his strong arm, you allow him to walk you back to the cottage. 

"Diaval, would you like to bake with me?" You ask him teasingly.

He coughs nervously, "I don't think I'm much of a baker."

Rolling your eyes, you step over a tree branch, "You never know until you try." 

"Well, I think I'd rather watch you work your magic." His eyes twinkle as he lifts you over a large boulder blocking the path. You giggle, as he then helps you down a small steep cliff. 

He looks at you in curiosity. 

"How do you do it?"

"Do what? Bake?"

"No, how do you stay so happy even in the midst of all this?"

You frown in thought before replying, "There's no use crying over something that I can't change. I have embraced my destiny and have come to terms with it. Making the most out of the life I have is a way for me to be okay with myself. I like to think on the positive side of things."

He admires you for a moment, "Y/n, you are truly amazing and deserving of a happy life."

Blushing, you dip your head, trying to hide the colour dusting your cheeks. When you arrive at the cottage, you begin making the cake. 

Diaval, true to his word, watches you work, occasionally asking questions or making remarks. You welcome his company as you slave over the cake, making it perfect for your baby sister. 

Staring at the finished product in triumph, you beam at Diaval. The warm scent of sugary pastry floods the small cottage, making your mouth water.

"My, that is a fine piece of art there." He comments, admiring it. 

"I'll save you a portion," You reply, before pushing him out of the house. He squawks in protest, even though he's in human form, as you start to shut the door.

"Now I have to clean up!" 

"I could help-"

"Nope, I'll be fine on my own. Besides, my aunts will be back any moment. Can you imagine the uproar they would make if they saw you in the house? For all they know, you could be a runaway vagabond." You taunt, a glimmer evident in your (e/c) eyes. 

He gasps in mock outrage, "Me, a runaway vagabond? How dare you insult my beautiful self?!"

You chuckle at him before shooing him away, "Sorry Diaval, but I'm afraid you must go. I'll see you tonight!" 

Diaval has been sleeping on the windowsill for the past however many years, and you've enjoyed his company. 

"Farewell then." He says, and you shut the door.

You clean up, certain to not miss a single area. You set the table and wait for Aurora and your aunts to arrive. 

When they do, you celebrate her birthday with joy, happily offering her the cake. Her eyes light up as she takes it in. You let her cut it into seven pieces, and you all enjoy the delicious cake.

Your aunties start squabbling about the colour of the cake, though, but you and Aurora simply laugh at their antics. 

"Happy birthday Aurora!" You hug her tightly, smiling.

"Thank you Y/n!" She beams at you.

You ruffle her hair and send her off to wash the dishes. Sneaking a piece of cake in a napkin, you walk outside and travel a small distance, where you find a human Diaval.

"I brought you cake," You grin, handing it to him.

He smirks and inhales the intoxicating aroma before biting into it.

"Mmm," He mumbles, "This is amazing..."

He finishes it swiftly, licking the crumbs from his fingertips before leaning casually against a tree.

"I've been meaning to ask, does it hurt?" 

He stares at you in confusion, "What hurt?"

"When you change form," You answer, hesitantly tracing the raised scars on his half-exposed chest, "Does it hurt?"

His breath hitches at my contact on his pale skin before he replies, "It did a lot at first, but it's gotten better. The first time was the worst..."

After a quiet pause, you ask more questions. "Do you wish to go back to being only a raven? Do you ever want to return to your own kind?"

He pauses for a moment, taking these questions into deep consideration. In the silence that ensues, you study him. His sharp nose, brown thoughtful eyes, and his slick black hair. 

"I like it here, with you. I like how I am now, changing from bird to human. I don't think I could ever permanently give up flying though..." 

He smiles fondly as you think of another question. 

"You know, I never really thanked you for saving me that day at the stream..." You say, eyes straying towards the ground.

"It was my pleasure. Though, Maleficent did turn me into a dirty sinking dog to do so. Dogs eat birds you know!"

You chuckle, "Well, I am very thankful. And I'm sorry you had to be a wolf." 

He smirks but is still thinking about the horrible experience of turning into a dog. You playfully toss a ball of moss at him. It hits him in the face, and he retaliates by throwing it back at you. 

Laughing, you run around throwing moss at each other. Eventually exhausted, you both collapse on a small grassy hill. 

Looking up at the stars your hand slowly meets Diaval's, and you entwine your fingers with his. The sky is slowly darkening into night, and the faint image of the stars is visible. Inhaling slowly, you grin at the majestic sight.

"I've always loved night. It's such a mysterious time." 

"Yeah, it's very lovely," He adds, gently squeezing your hand. 

"You know, I could stay like this forever..."

"So could I, Y/n..."

And, you lie here most of the night by his side, until it is time to go back to the cottage. Diaval helps you up, and you meet Maleficent on the way back.

"Goodnight Maleficent," You say, smiling at her.

"Goodnight Y/n." Maleficent replies before turning to Diaval and turning him into his raven form.

He caws, and flies ahead of you, landing on the windowsill. Entering the house you snuggle into the warm blankets of your bed before opening the window to let Diaval in.

"It's cold out there," You inform him patting the place beside you. He nods his thanks and hops in.

Shutting the window, you listen to the steady breathing of your three aunts, Aurora, and Diaval. You smile as you fade into sleep, grateful to be surrounded by the people you love and who love you in return.