Thorn and Ember

·. 𝒬𝓊𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝐿𝑒𝒶𝒽 ·.

THE EVENING SUN cast a warm glow over Merlin Academy's garden as Maleficent and Hades walked side to side, their casual banter punctuated by shared smiles. The garden buzzed with the sounds of summer—chirping crickets and rustling leaves.

"Dinner at The Enchanted Tavern sounds perfect tonight," Hades said, his voice light with enthusiasm. "Heard they've got this amazing dragon stew." 

Maleficent chuckled. "Dragon stew? You and your adventurous taste buds. Fine, let's go. I'm in the mood for something different." 

As they made their way to the gathering spot, their friends—Eve, Cruella, Zeus, and Poseidon—joined them. Laughter and playful teasing filled the air. 

"I heard Belle's wedding is going to be the talk of the year," Eve said, her tone dripping with mock seriousness. "Everyone's abuzz about it." 

Cruella rolled her eyes. "The wedding of the century. More like a royal headache if you ask me." 

Hades and Maleficent exchanged a glance, amusement flickering in their eyes. "Let them have their drama," Hades said with a smirk. "We've got our own plans." 

The group continued their light-hearted conversation, but their evening took a sharp turn when a figure emerged from the shadows. An older woman, with a commanding presence, walked toward them—Queen.

Maleficent's smile faltered as she recognized Leah. Leah's eyes blazed with anger as she approached, her face a mask of fury. 

"Maleficent!" Leah's voice cut through the evening air like a knife. "How dare you show your face here!" 

Before Maleficent could react, Leah slapped her across the face. The sharp sound of the slap echoed in the garden, leaving Maleficent stunned. Hades stepped forward immediately, his eyes flashing with protectiveness. 

"Hey, back off!" Hades said, his voice low but firm. "You've got no right to hit her." 

Leah's gaze shifted to Hades. "This is not your concern," she snapped. "This is between me and Maleficent." 

Maleficent, her cheek burning from the slap, took a deep breath and met Leah's furious eyes. "Yes, Leah, I did put a curse on Aurora. But it wasn't just for the sake of it. You don't understand the whole story."

Leah's face was a mixture of anger and pain. "You cursed my daughter. Do you have any idea what that has done to her?" 

Maleficent's expression hardened. "I was wronged, and I reacted poorly. But you're blaming me for everything that's happened to her? You don't know the whole story." 

Leah's eyes filled with tears of frustration. "Aurora's life has been shattered, and you're responsible for that! How can you stand there and act like you're innocent?" 

Hades moved closer to Maleficent, trying to defuse the tension. "This isn't going to help anyone. If you have grievances, you should handle them more constructively." 

Leah's gaze flicked between Maleficent and Hades. "You think you can just walk away from this? You've caused so much pain." 

With that, Leah turned sharply and walked away, her cloak billowing behind her. The tension in the garden was palpable, and the group stood in stunned silence. 

Maleficent's hands were clenched into fists, and she exhaled slowly, trying to calm herself. Hades reached out and gently touched her arm. 

"You okay?" Hades asked softly, concern etched in his voice. 

Maleficent nodded, though her eyes betrayed her turmoil. "I didn't expect her to come after me like that. It's. . . It's hard to face the consequences of my past actions." 

Hades gave her a reassuring squeeze. "We'll deal with it together. We can't let this tear us apart. We need to figure out how to make things right." 

As they walked to The Enchanted Tavern, the atmosphere was subdued. The group remained mostly silent, each person lost in their thoughts. 

Inside the warm, inviting atmosphere of the tavern,
the ambiance was a stark contrast to the earlier confrontation. The candlelit tables and the aroma of delicious food created a cozy setting, but the shadow of the day's events lingered.

Maleficent and Hades sat in a quiet corner of the booth. Hades reached for her hand across the table, his touch grounding her in the midst of the evening's turbulence. 

"I'm sorry about earlier," Maleficent said, her voice filled with sincerity. "I didn't expect Leah to confront me like that." 

Hades looked at her, his expression softening. "It's not your fault. We'll get through this. We just need to stay united." 

Maleficent gave him a small, grateful smile. "Thank you. It means a lot to know I have your support. I've been trying to move past the curse, but it seems like the past keeps catching up with me." 

Hades tilted his head slightly. "We'll figure out a way to make amends if we can. We can't undo the past, but we can work toward a better future." 

Their conversation was interrupted as their friends joined them, each trying to bring some levity to the evening. The chatter around the table was light and easy, but Maleficent and Hades's earlier discussion lingered in the background. 

As the group wrapped up their meal, the mood was still tinged with the earlier tension. Maleficent and Hades walked home, the night air cool and refreshing after the warmth of the tavern. 

"I've been thinking about Leah's words," Maleficent said as they strolled under the starlit sky. "About the curse. Do you think there's a way to make things right? I'm not saying I really care you know, it's just all her daughter had to find is her true love the. It'll be broken, then I can get my scepter back."

Hades glanced at her, his gaze thoughtful. "I'm not sure, but we'll figure it out. We're in this together, and we'll face whatever comes our way."

Maleficent nodded, feeling a sense of determination. "Thanks for being here. I know we have a lot to work through, but it helps to know we're facing it together."

Hades smiled, his eyes reflecting a shared resolve. "We'll get through this. One step at a time." 

As they reached their shared quarters, the weight of the day's events seemed to lift slightly. They stood on the balcony, looking out over the quiet landscape, their connection a source of comfort amidst the trials they faced. 

In the stillness of the night, their embrace spoke of a future filled with hope and unity. Despite the challenges, the bond between them remained unshaken. Together, Maleficent and Hades would navigate their past and present, finding strength in their shared commitment.

·.༄࿔

-I probably won't be posting another chapter today, I think it just depends if I have enough motivation