Thorn and Ember

·. 𝒰𝓃𝓈𝓅𝑜𝓀𝑒𝓃 𝒲𝑜𝓇𝒹𝓈 ·.

THE DAYS THAT followed were unusually quiet between Hades and Maleficent. With the dance class unexpectedly canceled due to a last-minute staff meeting, there was no reason for them to cross paths. And so, they didn't.

Maleficent found herself relieved at first. Without the constant pressure of Hades's presence, she could focus on her studies, practice her spells, and spend time with Eve and Cruella. But as the days passed, an uncomfortable emptiness began to settle in. She hated to admit it, but she missed the verbal sparring, the way he always knew how to challenge her, how to push her buttons just enough to make her feel alive.

She shook off the thought as she sat in her usual spot at lunch, Eve and Cruella flanking her on either side. They were in the middle of a heated discussion about their upcoming potion exams, but Maleficent's mind was elsewhere.

"Mal?" Eve's voice cut through her thoughts, pulling her back to the present. "Are you even listening?"

"Sorry," Maleficent muttered, pushing her food around on her plate. "Just distracted."

Cruella arched a brow, a sly smile curling her lips. "Distracted? By what, I wonder?"

"Don't start," Maleficent warned, though her heart wasn't in it.

Eve exchanged a knowing glance with Cruella before turning back to Maleficent. "Is it Hades?"

Maleficent stiffened, but she quickly forced herself to relax. "What about him?"

"You two haven't spoken in days," Eve pointed out, her voice gentle. "It's not like you to let something go this long."

"There's nothing to let go," Maleficent insisted, though the words felt hollow even to her. "We're just. . . taking a break. Besides, we don't need to talk every day."

"Maybe," Cruella said, her tone light but probing. "But it seems like there's more to it than that."

Maleficent sighed, leaning back in her chair. She hated how perceptive her friends could be. "I don't know. It's complicated."

"Complicated how?" Eve asked, her concern evident.

"It's just. . . ever since that almost-kiss, things have been weird," Maleficent admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what to make of it, and I'm not sure he does either."

Cruella's eyes gleamed with interest. "So, you haven't talked about it?"

Maleficent she shook her head. "No. And I'm not sure I want to, What if talking about it makes things worse?"

"Or it could make things better," Eve suggested softly. "Sometimes, the only way to deal with something is to face it head-on."

Maleficent sighed again, her frustration mounting. "Maybe. But I'm not sure I'm ready for that."

"Take your time," Cruella advised, her usual teasing replaced by genuine care. "But don't let it fester. The longer you ignore it, the harder it'll be to deal with."

Maleficent nodded, knowing her friends were right. But that didn't make it any easier.

·.༄࿔

Across the lunch room, Hades was having a similar conversation with his own friends. Zeus and Poseidon were eating lunch, talking about their plans for the day, and enjoying the rare break from classes, but Hades couldn't seem to relax.

Poseidon, always the observant one, noticed his friend's unease. "What's got you so wound up?"

Hades shrugged, trying to play it off. "Nothing."