'Hey, Ban,' King called, catching the attention of the tall man. 'Did you have an extra one of those outfits?'

Ban turned with an angelic smile that you didn't trust for a second. 'Nah, I picked this one up on the way to the village,' he said, proving you right.

'Stole you mean,' said Gowther.

You sighed and took the basket of rolls King was carrying. 'One day,' you said as you placed the basket on the table that had been brought outside for the purpose of tonight's meal. 'One day someone will listen to what I say.'

'And what will you do on that day?' asked King as he bobbed just behind your shoulder.

'Die of boredom, obviously,' said Ban before you could even open your mouth.

Your laugh was drowned by Hawk's squealing. 'This looks so good!'

'Hawk, mind your manners,' said Diane.

'I think it's bad manners to sit like that,' Elizabeth pointed out.

You watched Diane apologise and reposition herself with a small smile. The battle with the Holy-Knight-turned-demon had finished and this meal was a celebration slash excuse for everyone to drink too much alcohol. Also a welcoming/reuniting party for Gowther.

Meliodas had left the setting up to see off Cain. The old man hadn't lingered after you had all returned from the forest. He had given you a hug, waved goodbye to everyone with a small bow and headed off. Meliodas walked with him.

He thinks we're seeing Liz in Elizabeth.

You couldn't exactly tell what Meliodas's tone was, so you replied cautiously. Did he tell you not to?

No, but I mean, I don't think he approves.

Elizabeth's soft voice washed over you and you watched her talk with Diane and King. Well, it's not like we can stop.

Meliodas hummed pensively. No, I guess not.

'Um, [Y/n]?' Elizabeth's voice was right beside you. She had appeared at your side while you were distracted.

'What's up?'

She twisted her fingers. 'Well, I don't know how to talk to Sir Gowther. I want to ask him to join us, but I'm not really sure ...' Her voice trailed off.

'Hm.' You put a finger to your chin. 'He can seem quite intimidating. All you need is some back up. Come with me.'

And so, ignoring Ban's groans and King's stammers, you positioned Diane, Ban and King and stood Elizabeth in front of them. The five of you faced Gowther, whose expression didn't so much as flicker. You gave Elizabeth a nudge and she took a deep breath before speaking.

'Nice to meet you, Sir Gowther,' she said confidently, all signs of shyness gone. 'My name is Elizabeth. I'm the third princess of Liones. Would you please consider joining all of us on our quest to save the kingdom from the Holy Knights?'

It was silent for a moment before -

'No,' said Gowther.

'No?' everyone else cried, eyes and mouths wide open. You blinked.

'This isn't the first time we've met.' Gowther walked forward until he was directly in front of Elizabeth. You shook your head – of course Gowther would remember.

'Really?' Elizabeth stammered.

'We crossed paths once before in Ordan, and before that you became acquainted with us when you were a small child.'

'Huh?'

'Well, what do you know,' said Ban as he rubbed the back of his head. 'So she was the little runt always hanging around the king.'

Diane giggled. 'How weird, I totally don't remember that.'

King floated up to Gowther and whispered loudly, 'Show respect when you speak to her highness.'

'I beg your pardon, Princess,' said Gowther with zero sign of bashfulness or remorse.

'Oh, sure,' said Elizabeth. 'So, um, think you could tell me if I've met Sir Meliodas or [Y/n] before too by any chance?'

You opened your mouth but the voice that spoke wasn't your own.

'Course you have.'

Ban stared at you. 'You know, your impressions are getting kind of freaky.'

'Don't call me freaky.' You punched his shoulder. 'And besides, I didn't say that.'

The group turned as one to see Meliodas strolling over, hands in his pockets with his usual smile. 'What'll it be, Gowther?' he asked with a tilt of his head. 'Wanna join up with us?'

'I think I should,' said Gowther. 'It was the king who appointed me to the Seven Deadly Sins, so the least I can do in return is submit to his daughter's wishes.'

'Great.' Meliodas pumped his fists. 'And with you, our Seven Deadly Sin count is up to five. Plus [Y/n].'

'And me too,' said Hawk indignantly.

'Let's get drunk to celebrate!' Meliodas cheered, ignoring the pig completely.

Ban and Diane whooped.

'Well we would have done that anyway, but I'm in,' said King.

In what seemed like no time at all, there was quite the feast prepared. Meats, cheeses, salads and stew weighed down the table so much you could almost see it sagging. And, of course, there were barrels and barrels of drink.

After a few drinks, King and Diane made some sort of toast. You couldn't tell if the colour on their cheeks was because of the alcohol or because of their proximity to each other. A small giggle escaped your lips, drawing the attention of Gowther who was sitting beside you but he quickly went back to observing Meliodas and Ban. The two of them had gotten into a drinking competition for some reason.

Out the corner of your eye you saw Elizabeth preparing a plate of food. She brought it over and set it down in front of Gowther.

'Eat,' she said with a wide smile. 'I'm sure we have something here you like.'

'I have no preferences when it comes to food,' he said blandly before his attention was captured by Hawk.

'And you, Elizabeth? Have you eaten yet?' you asked her.

'Ah, yes, mine is over there.' Elizabeth pointed. 'Can I get you anything, [Y/n]?'

You smiled. 'I'm good. You go enjoy your food.'

With one last smile, Elizabeth left to go eat her own dinner. You slumped onto the table and picked at a roll, mushing it between your fingers. Everyone around you was so at peace and their playful chatter never stopped. But you felt weird, so you just stayed next to Gowther and didn't join in. at least, not until a warm hand was suddenly on your back.

'I'm so moved,' said Meliodas in a quite good Gowther impression. 'I was starting to think I'd never be reunited with the others again.' Then he draped over your back, plonking his stein onto the table. You gave a half-hearted 'oof' but it was drowned in Meliodas's normal cheerful voice as he said, 'That's what you were just thinking about, wasn't it?'

You shoved Meliodas off your back but he kept poking you so you scooted along until you were both perched on the same chair. This meant you were sandwiched between Meliodas and Gowther, but you didn't mind. Meliodas was as warm as usual, but Gowther was cooler (and didn't seem to smell of anything). You rested your head on Meliodas's shoulder.

'I was noticing none of us are from the same species,' said Gowther.

'That's all?' asked Meliodas.

'That's all.'

Meliodas laughed. You felt it vibrate through his chest. 'Now that you mention it, I guess you're right.'

There was a moment of silence. You felt Meliodas's mood shift and turned to look at him but he just stared at the table.

'So, Gowther,' said Meliodas. 'Ten years ago, when all of us were framed for trying to overthrow the Kingdom of Liones, well, I was wondering if you remem-'

He was cut off as a strange sensation shivered through the both of you. Gowther had reached an arm behind you and was pointing at Meliodas's neck. A jagged stream of light connected Gowther's fingertip to Meliodas's neck. You watched it writhe.

'I know what you want to ask,' said Gowther. 'I see your own memory of the event is clouded, incomplete, but you wish to find out who assaulted you and [Y/n] when we fled.'

You whipped around to stare at Gowther. Meliodas leant closer, his chest pressed against your back, a hand at your waist clutching the fabric of your shirt tightly.

'Do you know?'

'Yes, I do in fact. It was the Boar Sin of Gluttony. Merlin.'

As Gowther spoke, an image swam in your mind. It was hazy, like you were watching the scene through a pool of water, but you could see everything. Your own body and Meliodas's lying limply on the ground. And her, Merlin, standing over you both.

Meliodas gasped. 'Merlin? But why?'

Did she say anything when you saw her before, [Y/n]?

You stared at the little purple star still shining bright on your right wrist and poked it. The skin around it lightened, but the star stayed stubbornly vibrant. No.

'I can't speak to her motive,' said Gowther. 'I did hear several rumours, but none of them proved to be reliable. And whenever I got close to the truth, she would disappear without a trace.'

As you and Meliodas absorbed this new information, Ban snuck up and nabbed Gowther away. He was up to something, and you were almost positive it was a way to make fun of King, but you didn't do anything.

Merlin. You had been with her for almost five years and she hadn't said a word. But if she was the one to take your memories, did that mean she was also the one who took-?

I was just thinking that. Meliodas had obviously been on the same track as you.

But if that's true, why didn't she say anything?

You stared blankly at the other Sins and Elizabeth as you thought. They were crowded around King for some reason.

I guess Merlin always has a reason for doing things, said Meliodas eventually. You hummed in response. But that doesn't mean I have to like it.

Are they ... sniffing King?

Looks like it.

You sighed. Why are they all so odd?

Just as you thought that, they stopped. Gowther shot the same white light he had used on Meliodas into Diane and Ban.

'Diane, you claim to be twenty-nine feet tall when, in fact, you know you're actually closer to thirty,' said Gowther.

'Huh?' Diane reeled back. Her face, already flushed from the alcohol, turned a darker red.

Gowther pointed at her matter-of-factly. 'The fudging of your weight is even more severe-'

You buried you face in your hands and groaned. Good God, how can Gowther be so smart and so dense at the same time? Diane started punching him into the ground and, honestly, you didn't blame her.

'What's the point in lying about a foot when you're as tall as she is?' asked Meliodas.

'You're a boy,' said Elizabeth. 'You wouldn't understand.'

Undeterred and apparently uninjured from his recent pummelling, Gowther said, 'As for you, Ban, during the battle with the vampires in Edinburgh twelve years ago, you got rather unreasonably drunk.'

'Yeah, that's right,' said Ban, almost proudly, as he took a swig from his bottle. 'I got pretty hammered and decided not to join the mission. I said I was sorry.'

Gowther got to his feet and straightened his glasses. 'But you didn't apologise for using Physical Hunt to steal King and Diane's power or for laughing at them as you watched them both struggle.'

Ban spit out his drink. You narrowed your eyes but, as King and Diane got their overdue revenge, you just sighed. Like you hadn't had your suspicions when it happened.

'Knock it off!' King started yelling, waving his fists in the air and stamping his feet. 'Why do you always have to make trouble for everybody? Could you please just give it a rest?'

'Yeah, there's no reason to air out dirty laundry,' said Meliodas. 'Right?'

'That's right.' Then, seeming to realise what he had agreed to, King whirled on Meliodas. 'I mean, not that I have any dirty laundry.'

Meliodas snickered.

Gowther took off his glasses and started to clean them. 'You could've defeated that opponent without me. As a matter of fact, King, you would've won easily if you'd pushed your power to the absolute limit.'

King frowned and tiny beads of sweat started to bead on his face. You stared at him.

'Perhaps the alcohol is affecting my judgement, but Elaine?'

'Gowther, no!'

'This Helbram person, who is he? It seems, because of this man, you find yourself unable to - perhaps unable isn't the word...'

Gowther's musings were cut off as King yelled. 'No, no, no!'

And however Gowther's sentence ended, you didn't find out. King transformed Chastiefol into the giant bear and it restrained Gowther, effectively turning his voice into a jumble. King panted heavily.

'Calm down,' said Meliodas. 'Nothing to get worked up about.'

'Oh yeah?' said King.

'This is why you probably shouldn't delve so deep into other people's memories, Gowther.'

'He's right,' said Hawk. 'Gotta read the room a little, dude.'

Gowther frowned and cocked his head. 'Read the room?'

'Sir Meliodas!' Elizabeth called. 'Your meat just came out of the oven.'

'Oh, thanks.'

Gowther watched Meliodas and Elizabeth talk with a strange expression on his face.

'What's up, Gowther?' you asked.

'The relationship between the princess and the captain, I don't quite know how to describe it,' he said.

You hummed as you bent down to pick up some of Ban's discarded bottles. 'One of a kind?'

'No.' Gowther shook his head. 'Because it's like the relationship between you and the princess, too. Familial? Parental? It's said parents care deeply for their offspring, is that true?'

'Yes.' You smiled.

Gowther peered at you. 'Are you sad? I can help.'

He pointed his finger at you, but you pushed it aside gently. 'I think that's enough powers for tonight, don't you? Besides, you haven't finished your food.'

You watched Gowther walk off and sighed before heading over to where Ban and King were talking.

'Ban,' you said quietly.

The tall man shivered and turned quickly. 'Yes?'

You stared at him. His smile began to falter. You kept staring. He started to sweat. You shoved the bottles into his arms. 'Start picking up after yourself.' And then you turned and walked away.

Behind you, you could hear King sniggering and Ban retaliating and then both of them bickering but you didn't turn back. Because Meliodas and Elizabeth were talking and there was a sword in Meliodas's hands that would recognise from miles away, enhanced sight or no.

'I was just wondering about what kind of person Liz was,' said Elizabeth. She looked down at the ground but she couldn't hide the blush on her cheeks.

'Let me see,' said Meliodas. 'She was the exact opposite of you, really strong-willed, so we'd fight sometimes.'

'You fight with anyone if they stood still long enough,' you said. Meliodas poked his tongue out at you.

'Oh, [Y/n].' Elizabeth looked at you and away again just as quickly.

'But you two are a lot alike as well.'

Elizabeth looked up. 'You think so?'

'Yeah.' Meliodas smiled. 'You're strong. Both of you.'

'Really? I am?'

'Definitely,' you and Meliodas said at the same time.

The sky slowly turned from soft orange to inky blue as if someone had spilt ink over it. The air turned cooler and the conversation was punctuated by yawns. Diane was already asleep, snoring softly, and Elizabeth looked like she would be soon as well. The princess rested on your shoulder and each of her blinks was longer than the last.

'Time to pack up, I think,' you said.

Elizabeth jerked upright. 'Oh, let me help.'

You folded your arms and stared at her. She swayed on the spot but her face was determined. 'Okay. Can you take the plates inside? Just leave them on the counter and then go up to bed.'

'Of course.'

You turned around. 'And just where do you think you're going?'

Meliodas and King froze mid-step.

'Busted,' Meliodas whispered loud enough for you to hear and then said louder, 'Look, [Y/n]! I just caught King trying to get out of cleaning!'

'Mhmm.' You folded your arms. 'Just hurry up. If we all help then it'll be done faster.' There were footsteps behind you. You shot out an arm and snagged Ban's sleeve as he tiptoed away. 'Trying to sneak away earns a punishment of washing up.'

'Let's get to work!' Meliodas, Ban and King cheered.

With you, Meliodas, Ban, King and Gowther all working together, it took almost no time at all to clean up the remains of Gowther's welcoming/reuniting party. Ban did whine about Diane getting to not do anything but, when you said he was welcome to wake her up, he quickly shut up.

Finally everything was done. You stood in the kitchen and stared at the mountain of dishes that needed to be cleaned. With a sigh you started to roll up your sleeves but stopped when you heard a tiny sniffle. What was that? You were just about to investigate when a pair of arms wrapped themselves around your waist.

'Tomorrow,' said Meliodas and pressed a kiss to your neck. 'I'll help, I promise. But you're about to crack, [Y/n], I can feel it. Come to bed.'

You twisted in his arms and looked into his eyes. His beautiful eyes. 'Okay,' you said. 'Just give me one second. I'll meet you there.'

Meliodas kissed your forehead. 'I'll be waiting.'

You watched him go and then listened hard. Quiet. Until ... There it was again. You followed the sound of the sniffling and found Diane with silent tears pouring down her cheeks.

'Oh, Diane,' you said softly and hurried to her side. 'What is it?'

'It's just – I just ... It's silly.' She hiccupped and you patted her hand.

'It's not silly. Is it about what Gowther said?'

She nodded and a giant tear splashed onto the ground next to you. 'Now everyone knows I'm even more of a monster than they thought. It's not fair. I just want to be small like everyone else.'

You sat in silence for a minute, just patting her hand. Slowly Diane's breathing returned to normal and her tears stopped.

'None of us think you're a monster, Diane,' you said. 'If we did, King would've killed us by now. And so would I. And Meliodas. Elizabeth would give it a red hot go. Even Ban and Gowther wouldn't leave you.'

Diane stared at you with watery eyes.

'Besides, if you're a foot taller, that just means there's more of Diane, which is always a good thing.'

She laughed quietly and you smiled.

'Go to sleep, Diane,' you said and pressed a kiss to her thumb. 'You don't need to be small to fit in our hearts.'

'Thank you.'

You headed back into the tavern. Your eyes itched with tiredness and the stairs up to your bedroom seemed to lurch. Somehow you made it to the bed and collapsed onto it, not bothering to take off your shoes, your clothes. You stared blankly at the ceiling for a moment before everything that had happened in the last day fell on top of you like fifty houses.

The tears came without warning. You didn't realise you were shaking until Meliodas's arms were around you, strong and comforting like they always were. You were vaguely aware of something warm dripping on your shoulder and, realising that of course it wasn't just you crying, you clutched onto your husband tighter.

You and Meliodas sobbed and, in the corner of the room, in a puddle of moonlight, sat Liz's sword.

The next day the Boar Hat was on the move again. Meliodas helped you with the dishes as he promised. It was just a normal morning. King and Ban sat at the bar. Gowther came down last and joined them. Elizabeth was wiping the tables and Meliodas was restocking the drinks. You brought out a bowl of scraps for Hawk and sat next to Gowther.

'So does anyone have a clue where we're supposed to go next?' asked Ban.

'Any chance you might have a lead on where the next Sin might be?' said King.

'Escanor and Merlin,' said Gowther thoughtfully.

'No,' said Meliodas firmly. He turned to face everyone with a hard stare. 'First thing I'm gonna do is break into the capital and get my sword back.'

This seemed to shock Ban, King and Gowther. King actually sat up straight.

'What are you talking about?' said Ban. 'You mean that dragon hilt you lost?'

'I'm not going anywhere without it.' Meliodas slammed his fists onto the counter. 'Okay! Now who's coming with me?'

Ban leant back and put his hands behind his head. 'Fun as that sounds, think I'll pass.'

'Besides, it's your own fault you lost it in the first place,' said King, once again slumped over.

'He has a point,' said Gowther.

Meliodas puffed out his cheeks. He stayed like that for a moment before launching headfirst over the counter straight into you. Caught by surprise, you fell backwards with a squeal, Meliodas's face buried in your chest. The two of you landed in a tangle on the floor and, before you could even register the embarrassment of being in such a position in front of everyone, Diane's head burst through the window.

'Captain!' Diane shouted so loud you could hear it over the crash.

'Right, the Coffin of Eternal Darkness,' Meliodas explained as he started to board up the brand new hole in the wall. 'That dragon hilt is a fragment of a ritual relic.'

Everything had calmed down after Diane's sudden entrance. Your face had returned to its usual colour rather than one that would get you mistaken for a tomato. King was once again resting on the bar. Gowther was staring at ... something. Only Elizabeth and Ban looked interested in what Meliodas was saying. Oh, and Diane, who was watching through the broken window.

'The sword you had?' asked Elizabeth.

'Yeah.'

'According to an old legend, it's part of a relief that was created a long time ago,' you said. 'One that the goddess, giant, fairy and human races created to seal away the demon race.'

'Why do the Holy Knights want it?' Elizabeth said. 'What could they be planning to do with something like that?'

'More than likely, the resurrection of the demon race,' said Meliodas without turning around.

Ban tutted. 'Those miserable bastards again?'

'Now that you mention it, wasn't it Hendrickson who turned Dale into that monster? It's not every day you see someone who can do that,' King pointed out.

'True. Excellent point,' said Gowther.

Elizabeth looked down sadly. 'Hendrickson ... I don't understand why he and Dreyfus would do such a thing. It doesn't make sense. Why would he resurrect the demon race? What could he accomplish?'

'Maybe he just wants to be friends with them,' said Hawk.

'No way.'

'Well, then, what does he want?'

In an effort to make the repairs easier, Meliodas asked Hawk's mum to set down as soon as possible. So now the Boar Hat was in the middle of a grassy field, but the window was still broken.

'Hey, Captain? If that sword of yours really can resurrect the demon race and Hendrickson has it, do you think he's already brought them back?' asked Diane.

Meliodas folded his arms. 'Not yet. It's a pretty powerful seal, so even if they do manage to break it there's bound to be some kind of sign.'

A huge gurgling groan interrupted the conversation.

'It's a sign!' cried Hawk, who was the source of the gurgling. 'I think I'm getting a sign.'

'That you gotta poop?' asked Ban with more interest than was really necessary.

Hawk hobbled to the door. 'The seal is about to be broken.'

'Hawk, are you okay?' said Elizabeth, getting up to hover over the pig.

'Hang on. Eep! I get why those guys are going after the sword, Eep! But I don't understand what they wanted with Elizabeth.'

You frowned. And then, someone was there. A woman stood in front of the door. She was wearing a red dress and a helmet that looked like a contorted face.

'It's simple,' said the woman. 'She's the last key to breaking the seal.'

Your body was moving before you knew it, leaping over the table to get to Elizabeth, Meliodas at your side.

'Oh crap! Get away from her!' Meliodas shouted. 'Elizabeth!'

You reached out and he reached out but it was too late, too late because Elizabeth and Hawk and the woman were gone. Gone. The only thing left was a shower of tiny sparkles that hung in the sunlight.

'Damn it!' Meliodas roared. His power rampaged through the bar, whipping your hair across your face. His anger, your anger. His fear, your fear. It was all too much.

And now Meliodas was running. He snatched up Liz's sword, which had been resting against the wall, and yours and thrust it into your hands. You both ran out the door.

'Captain,' said Diane.

'Follow me,' Meliodas shouted then looked at your hand which was clutching his shoulder and trembling. 'Follow us. We're heading to the capital to save Elizabeth!'

'But how? It's more than forty miles away,' said King.

Your wings unfurled. 'No problem.'

'Not so fast,' said Ban and suddenly Meliodas was out of your hands and scooped up into Ban's. 'I changed my mind. I'm going too.' Ban had a wide smile that seemed out of place considering the circumstances.

King floated down to glare at Ban. 'Ban, would you stop fooling around?'

Ban looked at Meliodas. 'You've got your reasons for going, I've got mine.'

You huffed and folded your arms. 'Well, fine, but -'

'I'm coming too,' said Gowther, wrapping his arms around Ban's waist.

'You don't like making things easy, do you?' you muttered before turning to Diane. 'Could you give me a boost, Diane?'

She nodded and picked up the three boys. You flew up and landed on her hand. You grabbed Ban's shoulders, twisting your hands into the fabric of his jacket.

'Ready?' asked Diane. You bent your knees and nodded. She drew back her arm. 'No matter what happens, just bring Elizabeth back safe.'

'On it,' said Meliodas.

You just nodded, keeping your eyes fixed on the horizon.

Diane took two giant, bounding steps. Her arm shot forward so fast your eyes burned. As her hand opened, you pushed off.

And you were flying.

The wind roared. It was all you could hear. Ban's jacket slipped a little so you tightened your grip, feeling your fingers beginning to cramp. You couldn't close your eyes even if you wanted to. Your back began to ache.

I can't keep this up much longer.

You don't have to get us in. Just get us close.

You blinked and it appeared. The great walls, the towers, the buildings. Liones. You were slowing down, the wind feeling less harsh. And then you weren't flying, you were falling. Your wings faded and it was all you could do to keep holding onto Ban.

The ground welcomed you like a punch to the face. Your fingers were bent into weird claws and you shook them out impatiently and drew your sword. The first step you took was a stumble, but then you were running, right behind Meliodas as he sped towards the gates, Ban and Gowther following.

'The only reason we're here right now it to rescue Elizabeth,' said Meliodas.

'Try and keep the fighting to a minimum,' you said.

'Understood,' said Gowther.

'Yeah, but we can still kick a little ass while we're here, right?' You didn't have to look to know Ban was smiling again.

'Go straight for the kill,' said Meliodas.

The knights were in front of you. They charged as one, a jumble of bright armour and magical power. They weren't enough to stop you. Meliodas reflected all their attacks with one well-placed Full Counter. You didn't even have to slow down.

'We're coming, Elizabeth,' Meliodas shouted as he took down more knights.

They were panicking now, and rightly so.

You dug your feet into the ground and skidded to a stop, half aware that the others had done the same. There was more power, way more power, coming from the opposite side of the kingdom. You could hear the confusion of the Holy Knights but paid them no mind.

'What's that strange power?' asked Ban,

'It appears to be coming from the other side of the castle,' said Gowther.

The purple star on your wrist began to glow.

'It's her,' you mumbled. 'And Arthur.'