The Darkest Love Maleficent X Hades

23 Perfect revenge

Maleficent POV

"We're here!" I called out as Hades and I hurried to catch up with Uliana, James, and Morgie. "Took you long enough," Uliana scoffed, crossing her arms as she shot us a look of mock annoyance. "Yeah, yeah, whatever," Hades grumbled, clearly unamused. Uliana just rolled her eyes and waved him off, not in the mood to spar with him yet.

"Let's go now, we don't have time to lose," she said, her voice sharp as she stomped ahead, leading the way toward the ominous swamp of the Black Lagoon. The air around us grew heavier with the damp, earthy scent of the marsh, the dark waters ahead barely visible through the twisted trees. As we walked, Hades casually draped an arm over my shoulders, his touch familiar and warm. I glanced up at him with a soft smile.

But just as quickly, James sidled up to us, his hand gently brushing mine. "Uh, mind if I steal her for a second?" he asked, flashing a polite smile. Hades shot him a dirty look, clearly annoyed by his presence, but with a dramatic scoff, he let his arm drop from my shoulders and stepped aside. 

James tugged me a few steps behind the others, far enough so we wouldn't be overheard. "What's going on?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at his sudden need for privacy. He shrugged, his lips curling into a mischievous grin. "I see fire boy's still grumpy." I laughed and playfully swatted his arm. "Oh, shut it. Seriously, what's on your mind? You look like something's bothering you." James exhaled a heavy, sad breath, and my eyebrow arched higher. "Okay, it's more serious than I thought," I said, concern creeping into my voice.

"It's just..." He paused, rubbing the back of his neck as his face twisted with uncertainty. "I can't keep going like this. It feels like I'm invisible to him." I rolled my eyes, half-exasperated and half-amused. "Oh God, are you for real? Morgie is as in love with you as you are with him. Open your eyes, James." He didn't seem convinced, the frustration lingering in his expression. "Well, it doesn't seem like it to me," he muttered, his voice low and defeated.

"You need glasses or something" I said, shaking my head. "But fine, if you're so blind to it, what's your genius plan? Flirting with every guy you see until he magically gets jealous?" I teased. James's eyes lit up, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Actually..." "Oh no, no," I cut him off immediately, wide eyed. "I was joking! Do anything but that." He rolled his eyes, the playful spark in them still lingering. "I thought it was a smart idea." 

"Honestly, I wonder how empty your head must be to think something like that is a good plan" I shot back, giving him a pointed look. "How about, I don't know, trying to talk to him?" He glanced at me, the uncertainty creeping back in. "I don't want to ruin things if he doesn't feel the same way," he said quietly, his voice betraying a deeper vulnerability.

I scoffed, shaking my head in disbelief. "You both think like that, and you'll never get anywhere. Just try, James. It won't cost you anything." He was silent for a moment, considering my words. "Maybe... I don't know. I'll see," he said, though his expression finally relaxed, a bit of the tension leaving his shoulders. At least he looked somewhat relieved now, but honestly, the guy was so clueless it was painful to watch.

Ahead of us, Uliana's voice cut through the air, sharp with irritation. "Ugh, that little stupid girl, how dare she?!" James chuckled, swiftly cutting through some branches with his hook as he jumped ahead. "I thought you were a beautiful flamingo, Uli," he teased, glancing back at her with a cheeky grin. I gave him a surprised look, half-expecting Uliana to explode, but she only shot him a withering glare. "Knock it off," she snapped, clearly not in the mood for his antics.

And just like that, we arrived at the edge of the Black Lagoon, the dark, murky water stretching out before us like an ominous, endless pool. The eerie quiet of the swamp settled over us, and with that an annoying melody begins playing... oh wow, just perfect, I think rolling my eyes.