Imperative

Save his life. Accept his offer of servitude. Make him your wings. Command him to do your bidding. Treat him like a servant. Let the years go by. Act as if he's just a servant, and not your only friend. Pretend that you've not gotten to know him at a deeper level. Assert your bitterness and hurt. Inveigle yourself that you're influencing him and not the other way around. Play dumb to his growing affections. Grudgingly accept his friendship but deny feeling anything more toward him. Feign coldness and indifference.

Ascertain you're doing enough to keep the little beastie alive. Convince yourself that you are only doing this to see the fulfillment of your master plan- the curse. Pay no heed to the developing attachment towards the girl. Ignore the seemingly domestic scenario unfolding- you and him as parents, raising a child as if she was your own. Avoid thinking about what this means for your relationship with him. Remind yourself that you have no relationship whatsoever.

Stop fighting your endearment to the little beastie. Do what you can to save her. Unwittingly break the curse. Realize that true love is not restricted to romantic love. Finally acknowledge that she is your family and that you love her for it. Forget the thought that he is your family, too. Do not succumb to the possibilities following that thought.

End the years of hatred and vengeance. Reestablish the beauty of the Moors. Curtail your reign and live as a normal fae instead. Get used to your wings again. Endeavor to be selfless and give him freedom because you have no need of his wings anymore. Tell yourself that that was all you needed him for. Hide your relief when he chooses to stay. Persist in the belief that you do not know why he chose to stay.

Berate yourself for your selfishness. Understand that he has given you his life, and now his heart. See that he has always been patient with you. Finally take notice of the signs of his affection. Recognize everything he has done for you. Be grateful for his devotion. Acknowledge the fact that he deserves better than what you have given him. Learn that if you can trust him with your life, then you can also trust him with your heart. Dig deep in your knowledge of who he is. Comprehend that he will never hurt you. Let him help you piece yourself back together. Allow yourself to love him. Try- for his sake, and yours.

A/N: And it's done! Merlin, writing Maleficent's side proved to be trickier than writing Diaval's. I guess Diaval's character is just a lot more maneuverable for me. Please review! Thanks so much for your kind words so far. Oh, I have a new fanfic coming in a few days. It's still Maleval. Drop me a review or a favorite if you're interested in that. Cheers!