The top of the Boar Hat was the best place to watch fireworks. Each whistle and pop made your heart beat faster and you were struck with the sudden urge to fly up and touch one of the explosions. But you didn't. Instead, you breathed in deeply, enjoying the fresh smell of night-time.

'What's going on, Elizabeth?' Meliodas's voice came from below. You tore your eyes from the sky and looked down instead. Meliodas's hair glinted like a golden coin and Elizabeth was a silver one.

They spoke together and you caught bits and pieces in the quiet between the fireworks, not trying to listen through Meliodas, content nothing bad would happen tonight.

'This is it,' said Elizabeth in one quiet moment. 'It's finally over.'

'Not exactly,' said Meliodas, 'because our journey isn't wrapped up just yet.'

'Huh?' Elizabeth turned and, in the flashes of multicoloured light, you could see the confusion on her face.

But Meliodas didn't say anymore, just grinned and turned back to the tavern, his cat-like eyes catching yours for a second.

Heart aching for a reason you couldn't quite put into words, you turned back to the sky and watched the sparks fall like jewel-bright tears.

When you woke up the next morning, Meliodas wasn't beside you. Not thinking much of it, you got ready for the day. As you walked down the stairs to the bar yawning, your stomach grumbled and you hoped Ban had already gotten breakfast started. Though, you stopped at the foot of the stairs and grimaced, it didn't look like it.

The bar was a mess. Empty bottles and steins littered the floor and tables. There were tables and chairs overturned. The sleeping bodies of your comrades and tavern patrons were slumped on tables or just the floor. King and Diane were propped up on Chastiefol.

Groaning at the thought of cleaning first thing in the morning and deliberating whether to wake up the drunken fools, your attention was instead caught by the sound of voices outside. Stepping over bottles and bodies alike, you made your way over to the window.

Elizabeth was crouched on the verandah talking to Hawk. In one hand she held a brush and there was a bucket full of water. You smiled fondly at the two before turning and running straight into Meliodas.

'Good morning,' he said, voice muffled as he buried his face into your chest.

You rolled your eyes but hugged him back, pressing a kiss to his cheek when he emerged. 'Good morning.'

The door creaked open. 'You're right. They don't seem to be in the tavern,' said Elizabeth looking around at the messy room. But then her eyes caught yours. Colour flooded Elizabeth's cheeks and she looked away.

'Morning, Elizabeth,' said Meliodas cheerily waving one hand, the other fondling your chest.

'Ah, good morning,' she said looking back just in time to see you chopping Meliodas on the head.

'Can't you two behave normally?' Hawk said indignantly from his perch on Elizabeth's shoulder.

Meliodas pouted. 'What do you mean? Isn't it normal for a husband to show his wife how much he loves her?'

Blushing slightly at his choice of words, you said, 'Not like that, idiot.' But your words were at contrast with the smile on your face.

Meliodas smiled at you. You still blush when I say I love you?

So it makes me happy. You gonna sue me?

'Were you two fast asleep in here with the others?' Elizabeth's question drew your attention.

'No, no, not at all.' Meliodas shook his head and crossed his arms. 'I was busy making a whole new food item.' With a flourish, Meliodas pulled a plate out from nowhere. On it was what looked like Hawk if he had been made out of pastry and gently toasted. 'Take a look at this! It's a meat pie that looks exactly like a roasted pig. And you know the best part? There's no pork in this thing! It's made entirely of leftovers and vegetable scraps. I'm a genius, aren't I?'

Your stomach, which had been rumbling this whole time, abruptly silenced. You sidled slowly away from your husband, knowing what was coming.

'Well, visually I'd say it's a bit ... er ...' Elizabeth's voice trailed off. You silently praised her effort of being polite.

'Leftovers and vegetable scraps? Isn't that really just plain old scraps?' said Hawk.

'You wanna try it?' asked Meliodas, his voice innocent and cute.

Elizabeth started to sweat. 'Oh, um, I've already had breakfast, so maybe another time.'

'Yeah, eat it yourself,' said Hawk.

'Aw, so you won't eat it either, Hawk?' said Meliodas.

'I have Ban's yummy food to look forward to.'

'Where is he?' said Elizabeth.

'[Y/n]?' Meliodas called in that same cute voice. 'You wanna try some pie?'

You bit your sleeve. How dare he try to win you over with that voice? You were just thankful you'd manage to crouch behind the bar in time. If it had been paired with his face you didn't think you'd have been able to resist.

'Huh, guess she must've gone upstairs,' said Meliodas. You sighed over the sound of Meliodas's footsteps. 'Little Gil, Howzer, wake up. Got something for ya.'

The two knights groaned. You popped up from your hiding place, catching Elizabeth's eye and pressing a finger to your lips. She nodded with a grin and you both watched as Gilthunder and Howzer sat up.

'What a headache, oh man,' said Howzer as he stretched.

Little Gil's eyes were still closed. 'Good morning, Meliodas. Thanks for the food.'

Howzer joined Gilthunder and Meliodas at the table. Meliodas set the pie down before brandishing three forks and a knife. In a blink the pie was cut into three equal pieces. You leant over the bar to get a look at the filling. It really did look just like a pie.

'Breakfast time!' Meliodas, Gilthunder and Howzer lifted their loaded forks in salute before swallowing their portion in one bite.

Silence.

Chaos.

Meliodas spat his mouthful out right there. Little Gil had the decency to run outside before puking.

'That wasn't the flavour I was hoping for,' said Meliodas, his face blank as he wiped his mouth with a napkin.

'Your cooking always sucks,' Hawk shouted.

Meliodas ignored him and turned instead to Howzer. 'Hey, Howzer, you seem to have taken a liking to it. How–?' But Meliodas was cut off as he saw Howzer's face. 'He died in mid bite.'

You couldn't help but laugh as Elizabeth clasped her hands to her mouth. Meliodas whirled to you with a pout.

'You were hiding?' he said and you bit your lip.

'No, no. I was just cleaning. I would have tried it. It couldn't have been that bad, right?' you said, waving your hands in front of you.

'Oh? In that case, I'll go and make another one.'

Your eyes widened and your smile faltered. 'Ah, perhaps after seeing these reactions you might want to change it first?'

Meliodas sank into thought, cupping his chin with one hand and frowning. 'How can I make it better? How did I make it bad in the first place?' he mumbled.

'Um, probably the same way you always do,' said Hawk angrily.

Meliodas gasped. 'I get it. It won't be any good unless I use real pork for the roast pig!'

'You have gotta be kidding me,' Hawk screamed. His whole body vibrated as he shivered. And then he was gone, just a tiny pink blur, jumping from Elizabeth's shoulder and zooming out the still open front door, passing Little Gil who was still on his hands and knees.

'Hawk, wait,' Elizabeth called. 'It's dangerous out there.'

Now with both hands linked behind his head, Meliodas ambled over to Elizabeth. 'Huh. Oh well. He'll be back soon enough.'

You chewed on your bottom lip and stared out the door. Hawk wasn't dumb, but he was so small now. You went to go comfort Elizabeth who was looking paler than usual but stopped when your foot hit something. You watched the bottle roll away across the wooden floor. Well there's something to keep your mind off Hawk.

The morning passed. The sun rose higher. The bar was clean. And Hawk was still missing.

You stared at his full food bowl and twisted the material of your shirt sleeve. Hawk never missed lunchtime or an opportunity to eat.

'Still not back,' said Meliodas beside you. 'Wow, he really did get out of dodge, didn't he?'

Elizabeth clasped her hands to her chest. 'Oh no. If something awful were to happen to him at that tiny size ...'

She trailed off but the damage was already done. Your mind began to conjure vivid images of Hawk in trouble. The tiny pig could've been captured by a cat, drowned after slipping through a drain cover, or crushed by someone walking by. Your heart began to beat faster.

Elizabeth looked like she had just seen the exact same images as you.

Seeing the panic on both your faces, Meliodas nodded. 'All right.'

He stepped up to the front of the bar and put his hands on his hips. 'Listen up, everyone!' King and Diane groaned and rolled over. Howzer was still frozen in place. Little Gil looked up. 'Hawk is missing and we're going to find him.'

King grumbled and opened his eyes slightly. 'Wait, what'd you say?'

'So Hawk's missing?' Diane's voice was soaked in sleep.

King gasped. You had a suspicion it was more to do with Diane being near him than with Hawk's situation though.

'Starting now, we're gonna search for Hawk together,' said Meliodas with his captain-face, stern with arms folded. 'As your captain, that's an order.'

'But shouldn't you be the one to go and look for him, Captain?' said King.

Diane snuggled deeper into Chastiefol and closed her eyes. 'Still so sleepy.'

'No way. Diane's all snuggled up and asleep on my Chastiefol.'

If you weren't so preoccupied with worry for Hawk you might've told King she had been all night. Instead, your mind kept creating more and more horrifying scenarios of Hawk in danger. We need to go soon.

But we need more people to cover more ground.

Maybe an incentive? Some sort of prize?

Meliodas hummed and then perked up. 'Hey, I think I've got it.' He smiled. 'Whoever can capture Hawk first can ask me or [Y/n] to do anything they want for a whole day.'

You stared at him. Um, what?

Elizabeth gasped.

Diane sat up quickly. 'What? Sounds good. I'll do it.'

'Huh?' King glared at Meliodas. 'Then count me in too.'

Little Gil raised his hand, cheeks flushed in anticipation. 'I'll participate as well.'

'Wait, Gilthunder, are you sure you're well enough?' Elizabeth asked him.

'After purging my stomach I feel fine. And you'll be joining in on the search too, won't you?'

Elizabeth blushed and nodded.

Meliodas raised a fist into the air. 'Then it's settled. Let's go. Time for operation Snag Piglet!'

'Yeah,' Gilthunder and Diane cheered, raising their fists.

Howzer stirred, looking around blankly.

The streets of Liones were calm, the only signs of the recent battle were the crumbled buildings and walls. Even the castle bore scars, half of it supported by scaffolding. You took all this in as you flew above the kingdom, eyes scanning for Hawk.

You were also keeping an eye on the two groups of your friends. Meliodas, Elizabeth and Little Gil formed one group and the other consisted of Diane, King and Howzer.

Why did you put me in your offer? you asked Meliodas, landing on a roof for a breather.

Aw, come on. It got everyone on their feet, didn't it?

It would have worked if you just offered yourself!

But I need incentive too.

You didn't know whether to laugh and feel flattered or to be angry. I do things for you all the time though.

Not things like this.

You've already got something in mind?

Oh yeah.

Something in Meliodas's voice made you blush. You pressed your hands to your cheeks in an effort to cool them down, almost missing the glimpse of a tiny pig just finishing eating something from the street. But you didn't miss it and followed Hawk with your eyes, watching as he walked right behind Meliodas's group.

Looks like you're in luck then, you said with a small smile.

Hm?

Look behind you.

You watched with a grin as Meliodas whirled and shouted, 'Look, Little Gil. Behind you!'

The chase was on. Hawk dodged Gilthunder's swipe and started to run away. Meliodas hoisted Elizabeth over one shoulder and took off after the speeding pig.

'Don't let him get away.'

'Right,' said Little Gil. Even from your perch you felt the air start to crackle. 'Thunderbolt Execution.' In a flash of lightning, Gilthunder appeared in front of Hawk. 'End of the road. It's checkmate, Pork.' He reached out.

'It's not Pork, it's Hawk,' shouted the tiny pig. 'Take this. Super Roast Illusion!'

And, just like he had been launched from a catapult, Hawk slammed into Gilthunder's face. Maybe it was rude of you, but you couldn't help but laugh as Little Gil clutched his face and Hawk made his escape.

Follow him, [Y/n].

Yeah, yeah, I know. With one last chuckle, you took to the sky again, catching up to Hawk as he ran through the streets. He ran at full speed for a good few blocks, weaving between legs and jumping over storm drains, before slowing down to a walk.

'Heh, I'm not getting grilled today,' said Hawk to himself. 'Good job me.'

Familiar voices drifted up to where you hovered and you bit back a laugh. Hawk was heading straight for Diane's group. Guess he couldn't catch a break.

Which was probably what Hawk was thinking at that very moment. Diane, King and Howzer all lunged at the pig. Hawk screamed and dodged, running straight at Diane. He leapt up Diane's dress and started to make his way upwards, only visible as a small lump.

Knowing this could only end poorly, you could only watch as King tried to grab Hawk but ended up grabbing, er, something else instead.

Have you found him yet? Meliodas asked.

Keeping one eye on the chaos below, you half turned instinctively in the direction Meliodas was. Yeah.

Well? Where is he?

I'm not gonna tell you. You folded your arms. That'd be cheating. Gotta let the other team at least have a shot.

You felt Meliodas smirk. So he's with the others.

... You don't know that.

Meliodas laughed. So I guess I just have to find them, huh? That shouldn't be too hard.

You scoffed and folded your arms. Like you could find them any better than – crap.

Below, Howzer thrust a hand in the direction Hawk had started running. 'Quick Wind!'

Immediately you were buffeted around by Howzer's spell and landed on a roof so you wouldn't have to fight the strong wind.

Found you.

You felt Meliodas change direction and get faster. Below, Diane and Howzer began tearing after Hawk. With a roll of your eyes and a smile you couldn't stop, you took to the sky once again. But your back was beginning to ache, each beat of your wings slower and more laborious than the last. So you landed at a run a few steps behind Diane and Howzer, following them into the town square that often held markets. There were no stalls today though, which you were thankful for as Howzer stopped and slammed his palms to the ground.

'You're not going anywhere,' he shouted. 'Super Cyclone.'

The wind picked up again, dust swirling into the air. You were silently grateful you weren't flying. Until you noticed innocent bystanders being blown away. With a curse, you tried to unfurl your wings but they wouldn't show. Before you could get too panicked, though, a bolt of lightning stopped Howzer's attack.

The wind vanished as quickly as it had appeared. You zipped quickly through the square, catching the people who had been tossed too high to land safely and setting them down with a hurried apology. You turned just in time to see Little Gil approach Howzer.

'I won't let you have Pork,' said Gilthunder, his face fierce.

'Ha.' Howzer smirked. 'Is that right?'

They faced off, power crackling around them. Hawk screamed. You bit your lip, unsure whether to stop them or not. Before you could decide, however, a warm hand wrapped around yours. Meliodas grinned at you and you automatically smiled back, not noticing Hawk running towards you.

The tiny pig shot between Meliodas's legs. Your husband bent double to watch Hawk's escape. 'He's getting away.'

You raised your free hand. 'Hey, don't look at me. I'm done for today.'

Meliodas raised your joined hands and pressed a kiss to the back of your hand. 'That's cool. Besides, look.' You turned to where he pointed and saw the sky turning orange as the sun sank below the horizon. 'Why don't we head back to the tavern now?'

'Aw,' said Diane with a pout. 'We still haven't found him.'

'But I –' Elizabeth started but was cut off by Meliodas.

'Hey, don't worry about a thing,' he said with an easy smile.

'We'll go look for him a little later, okay?' you said.

Elizabeth nodded, not looking as worried. 'Sure.'

'They were like peaches,' King said in a dreamy voice. You looked at him from the corner of your eye and away again quickly. He had to figure this out for himself.

As you approached the Boar Hat, the tantalising smell of Ban's cooking drifted through the air. You breathed in deeply and opened the door revealing ...

'So yummy.'

... Hawk with his mouth stuffed full, happily sitting in his food bowl. You blinked.

'Well,' said Ban with his cocky smile. 'Hey, Captain. Late getting home, huh?' He scraped the last of Hawk's scraps into the bowl.

'Hawk, you came back,' said Elizabeth.

'Nothing beats the scraps Ban makes.' Hawk didn't even pause in eating to answer Elizabeth. 'They're amazing.'

'So after all that running around, you came back here on your own.' Meliodas didn't look impressed.

'You don't really think a nose like mine would miss out on this heavenly aroma, do you?'

You just shook your head. Why didn't you think of that?

Ban smirked. 'And this would mean I'm the winner of your little contest, isn't that right?'

You sighed and scratched the back of your head. 'Yeah, I guess –'

'Look, I got him.' Meliodas's triumphant voice interrupted you. He grabbed Hawk, almost squeezing the poor pig too tight. 'I'm the winner.'

Everyone blinked. 'Huh?'

Meliodas turned to you all with Hawk still in his hands and a wide grin on his face. 'Remember? I said whoever captures him first wins.' He laughed.

The tavern erupted into chaos. Everyone involved in the competition was outraged, shouting at Meliodas about fairness and cheating.

Ban turned to you. '[Y/n], put him straight. There's no way he's the winner, right? I am!'

Everyone stopped arguing and turned to you.

You sighed and rubbed your face before speaking. 'If we look at it purely technically, then I'm afraid Meliodas did win.'

'What?' Ban shouted. Everyone else slumped onto chairs in defeat.

'There you go, see?' Meliodas held out a bottle of Vanya Ale to Ban. Ban glared at your husband before swiping the bottle. 'I'm the winner.'

'Only technically,' you said. 'If you think as Ban's cooking as like the bait in a trap, Meliodas was just the one who took advantage of that.'

'Tch.' Ban pulled the cork off his bottle and took a swig.

'Oh man, all that work for nothing,' said Diane, leaning on a table.

'Well I had a good time either way.' Elizabeth smiled. 'After all, it's been a while since things were so crazy.'

'I guess you're right.'

'I had no idea you that you joined the contest too, Ban,' said King, lying on Chastiefol.

Diane turned to look at the Fox Sin. 'Hey, what was it that you wanted the captain to do for you anyway? Or did you want [Y/n] to do something?'

Ban sniffed. 'What does it matter anyway?' He took a long drink. 'The captain just cheated his way to a win.'

Meliodas looked up from his own bottle. 'Cheated? Don't think I like the sound of that.'

Ban choked on his drink. 'Well you did.'

'No I didn't.'

'Cheater.'

'No.'

'Cheater.'

'No.'

'Cheater!'

'No!'

As they continued to bicker, you filled two steins before placing them on a serving tray. Elizabeth picked up the tray with a smile and took the drinks to Little Gil and Howzer.

The evening passed as evenings usually did at the Boar Hat, with booze and laughter. You sat on the bar and watched everyone with a fond smile, your own bottle of ale beside you. In contrast to the easy atmosphere in front of you, Meliodas and Ban were caught in a cloud of tension. You glanced at them worriedly just as Meliodas began to speak.

'You can rest easy, Ban,' he said, leaning back against your legs. 'Don't think I've forgotten our promise. Tomorrow morning. Top of the mountain behind us. Okay?'

'Right,' said Ban.

You looked down at the top of Meliodas's head. He had told you everything – how Ban had been tricked by the Trumpet of Cernunnos into attacking Meliodas, thinking it would bring Elaine back to life. How Ban had found out Meliodas was a demon. You gripped your bottle tighter. Meliodas hadn't answered your question about whether Ban knew if you weren't human or not and, to be honest, you weren't eager to know the answer. Especially after what that stupid trumpet told him.

The moon had fully risen by the time Elizabeth remembered she was supposed to be home by dinner.

'Too late for that now,' you said with a smile. 'Come on, Meliodas and I will walk you home.'

Elizabeth nodded and said her goodbyes to everyone still at the tavern before following you out the door.

The still night air was cool on your skin and you breathed in deeply, looking at the stars. They looked like handfuls of pennies scattered on a navy-blue tablecloth. It was peaceful, silent, but you couldn't relax. Not when you knew what you had to do.

None of you spoke until you were almost at the castle.

'I wonder if Bartra's mad at me,' said Meliodas casually, even as you felt the tense undercurrent of his emotions.

Elizabeth stopped. 'You mean about what you were discussing with Ban?'

Meliodas turned to looked at her. 'Yeah. My promise to him.'

'It's not something dangerous, is it?'

'I wouldn't be that reckless.'

You huffed a laugh and patted Elizabeth on the back. She looked at you, but you didn't say anything.

'So I was wondering,' said Meliodas, ignoring you and changing the subject, 'if you'd won, what would you have asked us for? Remember, it's anything you want.'

Elizabeth frowned and took a step forward. 'Are you about to go off on another journey?'

You looked from her to Meliodas. He met your gaze for a second, eyes softening slightly.

Go, he said. I'll catch up.

Your chin trembled, but you nodded and slipped away, unnoticed by Elizabeth. As you walked through the empty streets, a few tears trickled down your cheeks. You let them. You felt Meliodas's heart crack a little more as he spoke to Elizabeth until, neither of you able to bear the look on her face, he amended his statement.

'We'll always need you. You are our purpose in life.'

Those words warmed you as you stood at the top of the stairs that led down into darkness. You shivered once, stealing yourself before heading into the cold. Your footsteps echoed. The air became colder. The room you had entered was big, the emptiness pressing in and making you feel tiny. But you kept walking forwards.

It came into view slowly, glowing softly in the dark. The Trumpet of Cernunnos was as massive as you remembered, towering above you, twisting into the darkness. You imagined Ban standing here alone and gritted your teeth. The Trumpet lit up, the light piercing your eyes.

'So,' said the voice, 'it's you.'

'It's me,' you said.

'That's all you have to say after three thousand years? You really are an ungrateful child.'

You didn't say anything.

'What, no witty comeback? My my, how the years have changed you. Although, if you recall, we did try to warn you this would happen. How much you'd suffer if you continued down the path you were walking.'

You took a deep breath and clenched your fists. 'Yeah, I've suffered.'

The Goddess laughed. 'And what? You've come to beg for forgiveness? To ask us to take you back?'

'I came to tell you to stop lying to my friend.'

There was no reply and you blinked, but quickly understood as you heard footsteps. Meliodas joined you, standing at your side.

'Well what have we here? He failed to kill you after all, Meliodas,' said the Goddess. 'Although I should have guessed that.'

'What's up? Been a long time, hasn't it?' Meliodas tried to be casual, but his words didn't quite match his stance or tone.

'You two really haven't changed since three thousand years ago, have you?' She laughed without mirth. 'How incredibly amusing. So why are you here? Do you want to continue the battle we waged? If that's the case, I'm sorry, but I no longer have a physical body.'

'That's not it,' said Meliodas. He grabbed your hand. 'We're here because we want you to stop filling our friend's head with all those lies.'

'Your friend?' Another giggle, one that rose goosebumps on your arms. The Goddess's voice became even colder. 'Never have we Goddesses, the humans, the giants or the fairies been your friends. Which means, apart from that traitor beside you, you don't have a single ally in this world, least of all among your own demon kinsmen. I guess what they say is true. Traitors really do band together.'

Meliodas's grip on your hand became crushing. You didn't care, though, because you were holding him just as tight. Was it for support or to hold him back? You couldn't be sure, but there was anger pounding inside you like a drum.

'Such pitiful cursed children,' said the Goddess. 'Those who adore you, those who believe in you and those whom you yourself love will surely leave you. In the end, you will even abandon each other. This I can promise. When they find out what heinous sin you've considered.'

The black flames ripped up your arm suddenly but you hardly noticed. Your vision pulsed red and you let go of Meliodas's hand at the same time he let go of yours. The flames grew in Meliodas's hand and he launched them at the Trumpet. You watched them go, filling the cavern with the acrid scent of smoke, your lips curled back in a snarl.

With a bang, the Trumpet of Cernunnos was consumed by flames. Black lightning flickered as its surface began to crack. As she burned, the Goddess laughed, not stopping until the Trumpet fell to pieces. The air scorched your skin and the smoke burnt your lungs but you didn't move.

'Even if that's true,' said Meliodas, 'there's something I must protect. With my life if I have to.' You looked at him, at the scowl on his face, and felt your heart speed up. The black flames on your arm flickered and died. 'And to accomplish that goal, I will fight.'

You stepped up to him and grabbed his hands in yours. Your eyes met and you shivered. 'Even if it's true, I will fight too,' you said.

'Even if we have to turn everyone against us.'

You tugged him forwards and your foreheads met. 'Eventhen.'