A twist in their tales (being rewritten)

"Chapter 3: Never grow up"

8 year old Mal sat on a blanket on the cave floor, making faces at her giggling, 1 year old brother, Hadie. She was unaware of the fact that both her parents were watching them, smiling fondly at them as they sat at the kitchen table.

Maleficent was sipping on her tea, smiling over her spellbook as Hades did his paperwork. Niether of them were arguing for once-- happy to just sit by and soak in the sight of their children together. Their legacies. Their pride and joy, the only good things they had ever created; they were beautiful.

"Hey Hadie" Mal said, cupping his little hands as she leaned toward him. Hadie giggled with glee, smiling a big gappy smile at his big sister-- a smile she returned without hesitation. "Wanna see something cool?" She asked, running a hand through his blonde curls. The baby squealed in affirmation, leaning toward her. Mal closed her eyes, holding out her hand and whispered the following...--->>>

"Give me warmth, give me light. Give me the strength to fight" A small, light blue flame sparked up in her palm-- causing her baby brother to scream in delight-- but the young demigoddess wasn't done just yet. "Burn BIG, burn BRIGHT. It's time to make things RIGHT" the fire flared up, illuminating the smile on Mal's face as Hadie's laugh echoed throughout the cave.

🐲🐲🐲🐲🐲🐲🐲🐲🐲🐲🐲🐲🐲🐲🐲

Ben laid in his bed, absolutely exhausted after yet another vision-induced seizure left him bedridden. "Hey baby, how are you feeling?" Belle asked softly, entering his room with a tray. She looked as exhausted as he felt and like she'd been crying.

A pang of guilt tugged at his heartstrings as his face burned with shame; he knew his seizures, curse, and visions scared her. He wished he could stop having them so he didn't scare her and his papa so much. He wished he hadn't been cursed when he was 5 to turn into a monster and he wished he hadn't been born with the sight. He wished he had been born normal.

"Tired" he answered honestly, watching as his mother set down the tray and sat down beside him on the bed. Belle smiled weakly at him, glancing at the claw marks on the walls-- obviously thinking about his curse.

Every single month, he'd turn into an animalistic beast and wreak havoc on everyone and he was racked with guilt over it. Even though his parents didn't blame him for it. Even though he had only been cursed because of his father's actions. Every time he transforms, he gets weaker and the visions get stronger...

He had transformed 36 times already and he wasn't looking forward to the upcoming transformations. Ben just hoped that his dad would find a way to break his curse-- both of them-- soon because he was getting tired of being a monster and of the seizures he kept having. Belle brushed his bangs back, tearing him away from his thoughts. "I bet you are. You must be pretty hungry too, right?"Ben nodded weakly-- he was, indeed, famished.

"That's good because I brought your favorite "Belle said chipper. On the tray was a chipped cup of tea, a small plate of double chocolate chip cookies, and a a big pipping hot bowl of Ratatouille. Ben gave her a weak but thankful smile "thanks, Mamàn" "it's no problem, petit héros" the brunette replied, smiling softly as she carefully set the tray in thr 8 year old's lap.

"Do you remember what you saw?" His mother always made a point to question him after his visions-- partly so he didn't have to bear the burden alone and partly because she was curious. It was something he appreciated greatly because it made it alot easier to get his mind off of it afterwards.

"Yes, ma'am " Ben took a sip of his tea, leaning back against his pillow. "What'd you see, if you don't mind me asking?" Belle asked eagerly, smiling happily. "I saw a boy with black hair and  blue eyes and a hook. He was in our home" the brunette explained weakly and quietly, "he was a big kid". His mother smiled slightly at the news , trying to think positively and made a positive suggestion "maybe you made a friend?"