After the events of both films, Diaval continues his unwavering devotion to Maleficent, but he’s also found room to notice you, a human who wanders the Moors or works closely with Aurora’s court.
You quickly learn that while Diaval is fiercely loyal to Maleficent, he is quietly playful, teasing, and protective toward you.
He appreciates that you don’t cower in awe of him; instead, you meet his wit and occasional sarcasm with your own, which makes him unusually fond of your company.
Diaval often takes it upon himself to watch over you, especially when you’re near the Moors or exploring dangerous areas.
He likes to shift forms depending on the threat: a raven perched above to spy or send messages, or a human walking beside you when discretion is needed.
Despite his intimidating ability to shift into dragons or bears, he prefers subtle displays around you, keeping his scarred human form for casual interaction; he wants you to feel safe, not frightened.
Diaval has a dry sense of humor and enjoys teasing you when you’re startled by his transformations or his sharp observations.
For example, you’re examining a flower in the Moors, and suddenly a black raven lands near you: “Ah! Wait, Diaval?!”
Diaval, after shifting back into his human form: “You really should keep your eyes open, love. I’d hate for you to miss the interesting parts of life.”
He also makes subtle jokes about human customs he finds “quaint” and enjoys watching your reactions.
Unlike Maleficent, Diaval’s love is quiet and understated, but it’s ever-present.
He leans against your shoulder in human form when walking, often without saying a word.
Sometimes, he brushes your hair back from your face or hovers in raven form nearby, keeping watch.
When he talks to you, his tone softens; he drops sarcasm and shows genuine warmth.
Diaval’s loyalty to Maleficent is absolute, but he doesn’t hide a flicker of jealousy if he senses someone endangering or distracting you.
He’s protective without being controlling; instead of overt interference, he uses his shapeshifting and powers strategically to keep you safe.
Example: A hunter approaches the Moors with ill intentions, and Diaval is suddenly a giant bear, blocking the path, while you can’t help but smile at the silent, intense display.
He likes to take you to places the Moors’ human eyes rarely see: hidden waterfalls, moonlit clearings, and tree canopies only accessible by flight.
In raven or human form, he’ll sit beside you silently, letting the moment speak — sometimes exchanging just a glance, sometimes a soft word.
He’s patient; he lets these moments linger, knowing your trust is earned.
If a serious threat arises, Diaval doesn’t hesitate to shift into his more terrifying forms — a bear or a massive dragon — to defend you.
Even when terrifying others, he gives you a reassuring nod or glance, reminding you that he’s never going to hurt you.
He sometimes quips mid-battle, keeping the tension lighter: “I might be scary, but only for them, love.”
He enjoys small, personal pranks: switching to raven form to hover above you or whispering in your ear unexpectedly.
When he shifts back to human form, he’s all sharp lines and dark hair, and the contrast between his intimidating look and his soft affection toward you never fails to make you laugh.
He might rest his hand lightly on yours or drape an arm over your shoulder — subtle, deliberate intimacy that grows stronger over time.
Diaval is a creature of extremes: sarcasm, shadows, and death on one side; unwavering loyalty, gentle humor, and tenderness on the other.
With you, he gradually lets the softer side show more often: sharing fears, hopes for the Moors, or quiet reflections about Maleficent, Aurora, and the balance between human and fae worlds.
He never demands your attention — he simply makes himself present, protective, and quietly affectionate.
It's such a small detail, but in the first Maleficent movie, when Diaval is in his human form, he's got raven feathers mixed in with his hair! I only just noticed this when I was rewatching the first movie, and I was like, "When he's in wolf, horse, and (in the second movie) bear form, he's got feathers mixed in with fur! I wonder why he doesn't have feathers in his hair when he's human." Then I checked and HE DOES!!! But they completely leave out that detail in his human appearance in the second film :(
"Good morning, Maleficent," you greeted her with a smile. It was a warm spring day, the kind you love. The flowers were blooming, and the fragrance made the Moors seem even more magical than it already was. The warm sunlight compared to the cool breeze added an extra level of tranquility to the atmosphere. And most importantly, your beloved Diaval, added his own flair to your peaceful world. His witty and playful personality kept your life very lively. "It is truly a lovely day, is it not?"
Maleficent was on a leisurely stroll by the river, admiring the work the other creatures had accomplished already. Ever since Aurora was crowned queen, the Moors had been blossoming with color, and all who lived near to see, were amazed. The river itself shimmered with new treasures every day. And with proper permission, you were allowed to take one. The water pixies only agreed because they love to see you and Diaval courting.
You had chosen a stunning pair of rose quartz stones. You planned to surprise Diaval today, because of his love of shiny items. However, you could not seem to find him anywhere. The stone Itself did not really match the dark colors he wore, but you hope he will at least appreciate the thought.
Maleficent hummed in amusement. "Indeed," she did her signature Maleficent smile. Which, to one who was not familiar with her, would not take as contentment. The fairy was not one to express her emotions broadly, but it did not mean she cared any less. Luckily, spending some more time with her, you are able to tell what means what.
She looked over to you and squinted her eyes for a moment. "I sent him on an errand. He should be back within the hour,' her voice cut straight through you. Were your intentions really that obvious? You were speechless for a moment, only nodding in agreement. Your embarrassment brought her a laugh, "Of course I knew."
You only smiled bashfully and said, "Thank you." You did not want to crowd her too much, so as she took a few steps forward, you stayed in place. When Maleficent went on strolls, she preferred to either have Diaval with her, or to walk alone.
The river pixies, of course, found Maleficent reading you like a book to be the funniest thing ever. You and Diaval's courting was a pretty well-known topic. And the fae made sure to play with you both as much as possible. All you could do was shake your head at the pixies and walk in another direction.
"I will tell him to meet you by the western waterfall," Maleficent called to you. You thanked her again. She thought the pair of you a sweet but naive couple. You don't take much offense to the claim of naivety, because she finds everyone naive. She has stated, she is happy to see him happy. And love apparently makes him more willing to turn into anything (even dogs).
~
You took your time walking to the waterfall. You had no idea how long he would be. Maleficent said within the hour, but that still could mean a while. And you still wanted to savor all you could of this magnificent morning.
The sun shining on the water made you curious as to how the sun would make the quartz react. So, you took out one of the stones and as you expected, it glittered brightly.
"(Y/n), what have you got there?" Your lover appeared from around the corner. You looked up in shock. His eyes were trained on the stone, as you thought they'd be. Ravens always had an attraction to shiny objects.
"It was supposed to be a surprise, but it's a quartz. Found in the river that I believed you would like." You handed the stone out for him to take. He took your entire hand in his and he took it. He held it gently as he inspected it. "This particular kind of quartz is believed to be one of pure love."
"This is stunning, my love. Absolutely," he looked up into your eyes, "stunning." He smiled brightly and you felt very accomplished. "I believe there is a way to take some twine and make a necklace..." He trails off into thought.
"I am just pleased you like it; I also have a matching one." You pull it out of your pocket and show him. This makes his smile even warmer.
"No. I want to show the love I carry for you. I would even," he lifts you up spins you around. "Run through the Moors professing it if you would let me," he joked.
You laughed, "Oh please, no. I do not want that kind of attention." You take a step closer to him. "But if we did make a necklace, I would make sure it rested on my heart at all times."
He looked at you like you hung the stars. But then looked away, and all around to see if there were any fae that could be watching you both. Once he saw the coast was clear, he pushed you both behind the waterfall with a mischievous look.
You puzzled expression was soon relaxed when he kissed you. No matter how many times your lips met his, you never grew used to the feeling. Especially how they made you melt every time.
When he pulled back, he took one of your hands and placed the stone inside, then pressed that hand to his heart. "Truly, dearest, I could not be more grateful for this gift." He placed a gentle kiss between your eyebrows. "I will treasure it forever."
“And in return for saving my life, I am your servant. Whatever you need.”
NAVIGATION ⋮ MASTERLIST
𖹭 HOME by o-anon-o [ONESHOT] [3.1K]
⇢ Inspired by what Aurora has done, reader volunteers to venture to a nearby kingdom to make peace between more humans and the Moors. Though she is welcomed as a guest, she’s been gone for quite some time and has begun to miss the comforts of home. That is, until a certain raven shows up missing her just as much.
𖹭 MUD by first-adition [DRABBLE] [0.6K]
⇢ Throwing mud in the Moors.
𖹭 TRUE LOVE’S KISS by dem-obscure-imagines [ONESHOT] [1K]
⇢ You thought turning eighteen would change nothing. Turns out, it only took one kiss from a certain shape-shifting raven to prove you very, very wrong.
your relationship is a little complicated since he's a bird and your human/fae. you do spend a lot of time together when he is human but there are still times when he is a bird.
in these times he's always seen perched on your shoulder, nuzzling into your neck and hair. you have to spend at least an hour a week picking feathers from your hair (he laughs in the background at his masterpiece)
even though he has a human side now, his bird instincts sometimes show through. he will randomly show up wherever you live with rocks, gems, sticks, and random shiny objects that he found on his way to you. this happens both when he's in human and bird form.
related to the headcanon above, you have a small box where you keep all of the gifts he gives you. you showed it to him once and he almost cried because he didn't think you'd treasure them like this.
CUDDLES. this man would love his cuddles. whether its cuddling in your hair or on your lap, while you stroke his feathers or sitting under a shady tree with his head in your lap or yours in his.
since he was a bird for his life you would probably have to teach him things like writing and reading, he would have his head over your shoulder while he hugged you into his lap, listening as you helped him read the words on the pages.
aurora is in full support of your relationship. She secretly shows diaval romantic human gestures that he later trys with you. although the first time he tried to dance with you he stepped on your feet a lot.
the cutest little kisses. whenever he kisses you he goes completely red and shy. poor baby stutters so much.
the times when Maleficent won't turn him to his human form he well squawk in her ear and annoy her until she finally agrees, always grumbling about how she would turn him into a worm if she didn't need him. meanwhile smiling slightly as he walks to go find you.
Imagine: Diaval started developing feelings for you, a dark fey.
~~~
Diaval pondered you from a distance.
He did not know when exactly it had started. The long moments of study when his eyes regarded only you.
Afternoons spent catching glimpses of your flying patterns like a dance in the sky. Late evenings had him basking in the warm glow and memorized by your presence in the fading light.
Nights when the beings of the Moors played and flew, Diaval caught himself admiring you. The smile pulling your lips, your wings bathed in moonlight, and the moments your gaze landed on him. Bright and genuinely happy.
It was as if wings fluttered inside of himself. Nervous and delighted.
Perhaps when the sun rose, if he decided bravely, Diaval would inquire if you would care to fly with him.
Sum- throwing mud in the moors. Cute bathing scene with diaval (if you squint)
(Maleficent 2)
Cw- slight mention nudity, daughter of maleficent.
THIS IS A DRABBLE I WROTE THIS LATE AND HAVE NO REGARD FOR GRAMMAR AT THIS TIME SORRY FOR MISTAKES. SUCK IT UP.
He would always look at you certain ways, wither it was a side glance or a long admiring look everyone knew how much diaval loved you. Spending time in the moors with you, taking flights with you, and even nights like now sitting by the water edge as your half sister Aroura plays in the water with the Fay beings.
“y/n come play with us!” She calls
“i dont think so.” You giggle your mother sits up in a tree watching as to not get splashed.
“come o-” it goes quiet when she hit with mud by one of the Wallerbogs. They laugh at her now covered in mud she grabs some and throws it back. A mud fight has begun. You dodge a few but end up getting hit making your lover laugh out at your turmoil of getting mud splashed along your dress. You grab a chunk of mud and chuck it at him. It lands square against him.
You and aurora now laughing in the water. Diaval gets up and walks to you with a handful of mud smearing it across your face. You reciprocate using your magic and lifting a terribly large amount dropping it over his head completely covering him in the dirt. Making your mother laugh.
“i swear!” He exclaims and picks you up putting you over his shoulder making you giggle your wings flapping lightly at the shift in position. You laugh as he runs around with you smearing mud on your wings and back.
The mud fight goes on for a few more minute before your mother calls you and aurora sending you to clean up before bed.
“mother please?!” You beg still attached over diaval shoulder.
“now. We’re to be meeting prince Philips family tomorrow.” She says you sigh and nod. Diaval lets you down and watches as you walk off with aurora.
———
You remove your dress and undergarments and dive into the water washing off the mud from your hair and body. You begin grooming out your wings. You feel the water shift around you and hands on your waist.
“need help?” His scruffy voice asks.
“y-yes. I wouldn’t if you hadn’t smeared it into my feathers.” You say
“mm.” He replies helping you wash the mud from your wings.
“what do you think? About Philip and aurora?” You ask
“it’s not my place to say what i think about them but, they seem like a perfect match.” He says
“hm..” you reply.
“why? Whats wrong?” He asks
“Philip is human…”
“aurora is human.” He responds
“Yes but, aurora grew up here same as me. I just i dont know what to expect tomorrow.” You reply.
“hmm would you have liked her fall for a fairy? Or fayperson?” He asks
You shrug.
“would you rather her fall for me?” He jokes you turn around the water lightly splashing against your wings as you do.
“No! You’re mine.” You say looking up to him. He chuckles holding his hands up in defense. It’s then you realize he’s also nude and cleaned off probably by your mothers magic. Aurora the same other wise she would be bathing along side you.
The markings on his chest that lead to his face something you always been fond of with him.
He puts his hand down letting them rest against your waist yet one moves your hair out of your face and brushes his thumb against your cheek.
“It’ll be fine tomorrow im sure his family is nice.” He reassures you. You nod.
You wrap your arms around his neck kissing him he kisses you back. The only thing that matters to him in the world is you and being happy with you.
