The battle was still raging. Dust was flying and the ground was shaking and Elizabeth and Hawk watched on in despair.

Lady Diane stomped her feet, trying to squash Sir Meliodas like a he was a bug. But Sir Meliodas dodged each giant footfall.

'You're small, Holy Knight, but you're pretty tough,' she said.

'Yeah,' said Sir Meliodas, 'and you're huge but you're fast on your feet.' And he launched his own flurry of attacks that Diane blocked.

Hawk squealed. 'Each one of them seems to think that the other one is a Holy Knight.'

'It can't be,' said Elizabeth. She looked to Sir Meliodas and Lady Diane. 'Both of you have to stop it. Now that's enough!'

Amazingly, it worked. Sir Meliodas and Lady Diane stopped glaring at each other and instead looked around with brows furrowed in confusion. They both looked over at where Elizabeth was huddled with the shepherd boy and Hawk.

'Princess?' Lady Diane's voice was hesitant. 'What are you doing here?'

'We should be asking you that,' called up Hawk.

Then Lady Diane caught sight of Sir Meliodas. 'Captain?' she said. 'You're here? Where's that Holy Knight?'

Sir Meliodas looked around. 'Hey, you're right.'

The young boy started to struggle in Elizabeth's arms so she let him go. He ran up to Lady Diane and started to talk to her. Elizabeth took the opportunity to study Sir Meliodas. He was standing off to the side looking disoriented, like he'd just woken from a deep sleep. She was sure there was something off about him even though he'd stopped fighting Lady Diane, but she just couldn't put her finger on it. Wait a minute... finger? She looked closer at Sir Meliodas's left hand and gasped. His ring was gone!

But it was too late to warn him.

Elizabeth watched in horror as Lady Diane and Sir Meliodas's eyes went blank again.

'Everybody's gone again,' said Diane quietly, looking side to side even though Elizabeth, Hawk and the shepherd boy were right in front of her.

Sir Meliodas tensed. 'That Holy Knight!'

Elizabeth ran to the boy standing stunned in front of Lady Diane. 'Sir Meliodas, no!' She grabbed the boy by the shoulders. 'Come on, you're in danger here.'

'You're hiding everyone from me again!' Lady Diane's yell was so loud it made Elizabeth's head spin. The two Sins started fighting again. Elizabeth twisted her fingers and looked around frantically. If only she could find Sir Meliodas's ring; that would be sure to snap him out of it.

Out of the corner of her eye, Elizabeth noticed the shepherd boy run up to his father.

'I'm so scared,' the boy was saying, 'I don't wanna die! Please!'

The twinkling of a tiny bell rang in Elizabeth's head. It was such a small sound, but it blocked everything else out. And it didn't go away. It kept buzzing in her ear like a persistent fly.

'I'll protect you,' the princess shouted suddenly, 'I swear! Even if it means trading my life for yours.'

'You - you'd do that?' The shepherd man sounded so unsure it broke Elizabeth's heart.

'Yes,' she shouted over the continued ringing in her ears.

'Touching to see a princess who actually cares,' said a voice from behind Elizabeth. She whirled. Another Holy Knight! This one was in pink armour with a weird helmet that looked like a spider. Elizabeth felt goosebumps erupt on her arms. 'But is that truly what you would do or an empty promise?'

And the knight flicked her whip in a mesmerising pattern. A swarm of bugs started to fly. It was like the knight was conducting them with her whip. The buzz of thousands of insect wings mixed with the bell still ringing in Elizabeth's ear in a discordant and jarring way. She shook her head in an effort to dislodge the sounds, but they just got louder.

'I don't believe it,' said Hawk from Elizabeth's side. 'Another Holy Knight?' One of the bugs zoomed over and pincered Hawk right on the nose. The pig screamed.

'Storm Rondo,' said the Holy Knight. The swarm of bugs grew in size and formed the shape of a giant funnel. 'Now, my little beetles, their flesh is yours to pierce with your sharp wings and horns.'

'No, I'm scared!' The little shepherd boy ran away from the storm of bugs. 'Don't let her get me!'

The Holy Knight flicked her whip again. 'That kid's whining is really annoying me. You die first!'

The funnel of bugs moved at her command. They surrounded the boy in a cloud so thick Elizabeth could barely see his outline. But she could see it. She could see it jerking and twitching as the bugs tore into him. She could hear him screaming. If only that bell would be quiet she might be able to think of something that could help.

'Let me see, "even if I have to trade my life for yours", was that the phrase?' the Holy Knight said from behind Elizabeth. 'For all your brave platitudes, you never believed you'd actually have to follow through with it, did you?'

'Oh, that's sick,' muttered Hawk.

Elizabeth didn't take her eyes off the boy. She could almost see something... glowing in the centre of the bug whirlwind. It was hypnotising. Maybe she was seeing things. Either way, she had to do something. So Elizabeth stepped forward.

As she got closer, the buzzing got louder. It was all she could hear. A monotonous drone pierced by the tingling of the bell. And that light, shining brighter and brighter.

Elizabeth stepped into the storm.

Immediately, she felt the bugs tearing her skin. Her clothes tore, too, and she felt sticky blood start to trickle from the multiple wounds.

'I promised,' she said, narrowing her eyes. The boy was getting clearer and the light was getting brighter. 'I gave my word to you. Even if you die along the way. I would do it.' She reached out. 'Even if I were left all alone.' And she was through the bugs. 'I would still protect the kingdom and all its people from the Holy Knights.' She knelt down and wrapped the boy in her arms. The glow was coming from his tightly fisted hand. It was warm on her back as he hugged her.

All of a sudden, the bugs were gone. Elizabeth sagged in relief.

'Are you okay?' called Hawk.

'I'm fine.' Elizabeth ignored the stinging cuts and looked at the boy. 'You're okay? You're not hurt are you?'

The bell rang again.

'So,' said the boy, all emotion gone from his voice, 'you would risk your life to save a poor boy like this one? That's quite commendable of you.' Elizabeth stared. 'However...'

And before Elizabeth's eyes the boy began to grow. He wasn't becoming older; he was becoming a different person entirely.

Elizabeth looked up at the Holy Knight. The ringing was still in her ears. The knight's fist that wasn't holding his staff was still glowing. It was all very strange.

'Reality can be rather cruel,' said the knight's deep voice. But, before he could do anything more, he gave a great yell of pain and opened his clenched fist.

Sir Meliodas's ring fell to the ground. It wasn't a lucky coin. And it was still glowing. The knight waved his hand about and hollered. It seemed the ring had burned him, which meant it must have been hot, but for some reason Elizabeth reached out a shaking hand to touch it.

The ring wasn't hot. It was warm. Warm and comforting. As soon as her finger touched it, the bell ringing in Elizabeth's head stopped. Blissful silence and blissful warmth swept over her. It felt like a hug and Elizabeth felt tears spring up in her eyes. She grasped in carefully in both her hands and looked up at the knight. She knew what she had to do.

'You did this,' Elizabeth said. 'You're responsible for everything. Their behaviour.'

The knight laughed. 'The Seven Deadly Sins are nothing more than little playthings to me.'

Elizabeth was scared. Her stomach knotted and her palms began to sweat, but she held on tight to the ring and steeled herself.

She grasped the knight's robe. 'Turn them back to normal, now!'

He reached down with one giant armoured hand and lifted her up by her hair. Elizabeth grimaced. Something hard slammed into her stomach. She felt herself fly through the air and hit the rough ground. She didn't want to move. But the ring was so warm. She looked up at the impassive gold mask of the Holy Knight.

'As we speak, the two Sins are engaged in battle and will be dead within moments.' The knight was still laughing.

Elizabeth got to her feet. She gripped the ring even tighter. 'Turn them both... back to normal!'

She saw the staff blur towards her head but didn't move. It slammed into her. A firework exploded. A drum pounded. The hot metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. And she flew.

All Elizabeth could feel was the pain. It punched her. It kicked her. It was tearing up her insides. It was black and red and black and red, pulsing with her heartbeat and pounding in her head. But then there was something else. Elizabeth found it, a tiny voice that said 'hold on'. So she held on.

'Princess Elizabeth.' The Holy Knight's voice was coming from far away. She forced herself to focus. 'Out of respect for your bravery, I will tell you something. The source of the hypnotic suggestion I placed on them resides here on my staff.'

Elizabeth opened her eyes in time to see the knight stagger back in shock.

'It's gone!'

Elizabeth smiled. She laughed. And she spit out the bell. It wasn't tinkling anymore.

And Elizabeth wasn't there anymore. She was floating in the dark. She looked around and saw a light. She went towards it.

'Well done,' it said. 'Well done.'

¾

When Elizabeth picked up Meliodas's ring, you fell over.

You quickly sat up and leant against a tree, ignoring the protests of your aching body and just-healed wounds. You cupped your own ring in both your hands like it was a butterfly and then stared at it. She was there. So close. It had been so long.

She needed help. She was scared. If it weren't for how weak you were feeling, you'd be at her side in a second. So instead you held the ring close to your heart and urged her on. She was so brave.

Your magic power was still rising. Most of it was being spent of healing your injuries and you had spent quite a bit on punishing whoever had stolen the ring (bastard).

You felt Elizabeth's exhaustion and helped ease her to sleep. And then you stopped healing your own wounds and began to heal hers instead. Screw being there for the battle. You'd be there to welcome them home.

¾

Meliodas looked at the overlarge Holy Knight in front of him and scowled. Was its size contributing to its sturdiness? How annoying.

There was a ringing in his ears and a nagging in his brain. He tried to shoo both of them away but they didn't listen. So he didn't listen to them. He didn't need any distractions in this battle.

Then the ringing stopped.

Meliodas blinked.

Where there had once been the giant Holy Knight was now simply a giant. Diane, to be precise. She was blinking and staring at him.

'Wha-?' she started, but Meliodas shushed her. That nagging was still there even though the ringing had stopped. What was it?

But before he could think properly, there was a loud shout behind him. Meliodas whirled and what he saw almost made all seven of his hearts stop beating at once.

Elizabeth was lying on the ground. She was covered in scratches head to toe. Her clothes were tattered. Her face was contorted in pain. She wasn't moving. The Holy Knight Meliodas had been fighting mere moments ago stood over her, no longer giant but still bigger than average.

Why wasn't [Y/n] saying anything? Meliodas looked at his left hand and his just-restarted hearts stopped again. Stolen.

The world slowed down. All there was were his heartbeat(s) and the roaring in his ears.

The knight charged at Elizabeth and Meliodas stopped him. Meliodas gripped the armour so tight it buckled and warped. He had to try so hard not to just rip the knight apart right then and there, but he had to make sure Elizabeth was okay first. He had to find [Y/n].

'Not a chance,' said Meliodas to the knight. 'You're the one who's gonna pay now.'

'The spell's been broken?' And the knight ripped his arm away from Meliodas. Meliodas let him go. He could feel [Y/n]; she was close.

Meliodas looked down at Elizabeth. In her limp outstretched hand was his missing ring. It was pulsing with a soft light and, despite everything, he smiled a little smile. Seemed Elizabeth was in good hands.

'Elizabeth.' Meliodas cupped her cheek and held her hand that wasn't holding the ring. 'You were so brave. Now I see how far you'll go.'

Meliodas wished he could stay, but there were sins that needed to be punished.

The knight hit Meliodas. Again and again. Meliodas let him. These hits were nothing. The knight picked up Meliodas by his head and started to brag.

And now it was Meliodas's turn.

He pulled his fist back and swung. The knight flew back in a cloud of dust screaming. Meliodas gave chase. He caught up just as the knight managed to stand up. They were at Baste now, but Meliodas hardly noticed.

Meliodas punched the knight again and watched with grim satisfaction at the aerial acrobatics the knight was suddenly able to do. The walls of the prison shook. Meliodas waited.

'All right,' said the knight as he stood up from the rubble, 'this is more like it. Wouldn't you agree, Dragon Sin Meliodas?'

Meliodas walked up to the knight. Other guards were talking. He couldn't hear them. He punched the knight in the stomach, shattering the armour.

'Impossible,' said the knight. 'How could you have crushed my armour with a single blow? Well done indeed. Is that what you expected me to say, you fool?'

The knight kept on ranting and Meliodas waited. He counted to ten. The rant hadn't stopped. So Meliodas punched one more time with all his hate and anger and revenge and hurt. Blood seeped out of the crevices of the knight's armour.

'I had no choice,' said Meliodas, ''cause you hurt someone who means so much to me.' Meliodas pulled back his fist and jumped out of the way of the falling knight. 'And that, well, that sin was yours.'

When Meliodas saw Diane and Hawk approaching, he stood up.

'Where's Elizabeth?' he asked as soon as they were within earshot.

'In my backpack.' Diane pointed to it. 'She said to give this to you.'

Meliodas reached up to take his ring back. When it was back on his finger, it was like the world slipped back into place. He felt how tired [Y/n] was and smiled. You can rest now. She'll be fine, I promise. Something like a sigh washed over him. She wasn't out cold, he could tell, just sort of asleep.

Diane and Hawk led the way to an entrance of the prison. It loomed above them like a giant rocky mushroom.

'Are you sure she's in this tower?' Meliodas asked as they stood before the gaping hole that passed as a door.

'Well, let's just say he didn't strike me as the kind of soldier who'd be willing to lie to my cute little face,' said Diane.

'Well who would?'

Inside the prison was cold. Not the nice cold that meant rain and fires and cuddling. This was a cold that dragged its way up your spine like the crooked old finger of a witch. This was an evil, empty cold. The door led to a passageway, dark and dingy, lit at intervals with torches. Meliodas walked in with Hawk and Diane following.

'So weird,' said Diane, her voice echoing. 'This whole place looks totally deserted.'

'I guess my kicking that Holy Knight airborne put 'em off a bit.' Meliodas looked back at her.

'Talk about wimps,' said Hawk.

They walked through the empty corridors, their footsteps echoing. Eventually they came to an entryway Diane couldn't fit through. Meliodas and Hawk went to investigate. In the very last cell was a girl asleep.

'This is her,' said Hawk, 'without a doubt. The doctor's daughter.'

'Then let's get her out.' Meliodas looked back at Diane. 'Got room in your backpack for another one?'

'Mhmm, no problem,' said Diane. Meliodas and Hawk hopped out the way as she reached down the hall. Someone started screaming. Sennett must have woken up. Diane plucked the cell door off its hinges, grabbed the now passed out girl and put her beside Elizabeth in the bag.

'Sure she's okay?' asked Hawk as he watched Diane resecure her bags clasps.

'Yeah,' said Diane. 'I think she's gonna be just fine.'

Footsteps floated out of the darkness. Not the clanking proud footsteps of a Holy Knight. These footsteps were soft, barefoot and kind of... blasé. Meliodas knew those footsteps. He turned.

Ban walked towards Meliodas, Diane and Hawk slowly. He was wearing ripped trousers and no shirt. He'd also gotten a haircut.

'Ban?' said Meliodas.

'Hey, Captain.' Ban stopped.

They stared at each other.

'They both seem upset,' Hawk said, looking from Meliodas to Ban. 'What's going on? Got a bad feeling about this.' And he took one tiny pig step backwards.

'You're right,' said Diane. 'I think you wanna get behind me and hide there.'

Meliodas kept staring at Ban.

Ban kept staring at Meliodas.

No one moved.

'Ban!' Meliodas threw his hands up in the air and beamed.

'Captain!' Ban did a weird goofy grin.

The two best friends ran to each other, laughing the whole way. They met with a high ten and kept clapping. Harder. Faster. Meliodas felt his hands begin to sting and grinned wider.

'Captain.' Ban drew both his hands into a fist and swung it right into Meliodas's stomach.

Meliodas sailed back. He crashed through five consecutive walls, broke a sixth and got up.

'My turn, me next,' Ban called, jumping up and down and laughing.

Meliodas jumped and slammed his head into Ban's chest. Now it was Ban's turn to go flying and crashing through just as many walls.

The ceiling began to fall. The walls began to shake. Meliodas didn't care. His pride was on the line.

'So great, I thought you might've gotten soft on me,' said Ban once he got back to Meliodas.

'You've still got it.' Meliodas dusted off his shirt.

They got into position. [Y/n] wasn't here to referee this time and Meliodas was going to take full advantage of that. From the grin on his face, it looked like Ban was thinking the same thing.

'Ready?' said Ban.

'Go!' Meliodas shouted.

He started to push against Ban's hand but it was like pushing a mountain. So Meliodas pushed harder. So Ban pushed harder. This was so much fun.

'Seven hundred and twenty times,' Ban said, not breaking eye contact. 'If I recall correctly, and I do, I've beat you three hundred and sixty one of 'em.'

Meliodas smirked. 'You must've lost your mind. I've won three hundred and sixty one times.'

Vaguely Meliodas could feel himself falling and hear what sounded like a waterfall made of rocks. But he didn't let go of Ban. He couldn't let Ban win.

The falling feeling stopped. Meliodas looked around. Whoops. Better not tell [Y/n] about this.

The three Sins plus Hawk and Sennett walked back to Dalmally. It wasn't a nice walk even though the sun had just begun to set. They had to tell Sennett what happened to her father.

When they finally made it into town, Sennett ran on ahead. Meliodas and Hawk followed behind. Even though the doctor was dead, they still needed medical supplies for Elizabeth. They walked down a hallway, peered into a side room and stopped. The no-longer-dead doctor was sitting up and hugging his daughter.

'What? You're back from the dead?' Hawk screeched.

Meliodas gaped. [Y/n] couldn't have done this. So that must mean... Guess it's your turn first this time he thought, even though [Y/n] was still asleep. He'd just tell her later.

The doctor looked at Meliodas and Hawk and seemed to come to a decision. He took off his shirt and gestured to a giant pink scar on his chest.

'Look at this,' said the doctor.

'Wow, it's just like what happened with Meliodas's wound,' said Hawk.

'Is that true?' Doctor Dana put his shirt back on. 'Though I'm a doctor, I'm ashamed to say that I have no idea how I'm still alive right now.'

Meliodas smiled. 'Bottom line is you are alive. I say just take the win. Well, we oughta be going. Besides, there's no telling whether or not more Holy Knights'll be coming to town when they hear the news.' And he turned to leave.

'Meliodas,' the doctor called. Meliodas stopped and looked back at him. 'Will you let me do something to say thank you? Even if it's something as simple as a meal.'

'Well now, maybe I'll take you up on that,' Meliodas said. Free food? Always a win.

'Leave out the poison this time,' said Hawk. Without looking away from the doctor, Meliodas punched the pig.

The sun was truly setting by the time Meliodas and Hawk made it back to the Boar Hat. Diane was sitting outside, alert but relaxed.

'How's Elizabeth doing, Diane?' Meliodas asked as they drew near. He grabbed Hawk around the middle and hopped up onto Diane's shoulder. She bent so they could all look through the window to where Elizabeth was sleeping in Meliodas's bed.

'She's resting comfortable,' said Diane.

'That's good.'

'But why is she sleeping in your room, Meliodas?' asked Hawk. Diane narrowed her eyes. ''Cause I thought Elizabeth was up on the third floor.'

Meliodas looked at the pig. 'Yeah, about that... Ban completely took over her bed. He said he laid claim to her room and that now it's his.'

'So,' said Hawk as he and Meliodas dropped back to the floor, 'what's Elizabeth supposed to do for a bed then?'

'Don't you worry about that.' Meliodas smirked. 'Once [Y/n] gets here, Ban'll be wishing he never went in her room, let alone claimed it as his own.'

Diane perked up. 'Is she far away, Captain?'

Meliodas shook his head. 'No, she's close.' He looked at his ring and sighed. At least, he thought she was.

'All right, Elizabeth, time for me to officially introduce you.' Meliodas gestured towards Ban who was perched on a barrel. 'This is Ban. He's the Fox Sin of Greed.'

'Hey,' said Ban. 'Don't bother gettin' up.'

They were back in town at the doctor's place. It had been a bit of trouble thinking of a place everyone could eat together, but in the end it was decided the roof would be the best. Sennett and Doctor Dana got to work preparing the feast, refusing help. Meliodas carried Elizabeth from the Boar Hat to the roof where a bed had been set up so she could join in. And that's where they were, waiting for the food to be ready.

'Woah.' Meliodas finally looked at Ban properly. 'Where'd you get that suit?'

'I can't very well parade around naked in front of a princess.' Ban looked at Meliodas like it was the most stupid question ever.

'How'd you buy clothes without any money?'

'I kinda stumbled across 'em. It was a total fluke.'

Diane rolled her eyes and sighed.

'So yeah, haven't seen you in a while, Diane,' Ban said looking up at the giant girl.

Diane tossed her hair and turned away from him. 'I'd have been perfectly happy to go a hundred years without seeing you again.'

Ban smirked and untangled his long legs. He walked over to Elizabeth.

'I'm Elizabeth. Please forgive me for not rising to greet you,' said the princess from her makeshift bed.

'Oh, your highness, no worries at all. We're not big on ceremony.' And Ban bowed surprisingly gracefully. 'So let's just be friends, the four of us.'

'You mean the five of us,' said Hawk, disgruntled.

'Er, Captain, you need glasses? There's four of us here. Oh, are you counting ahead for when [Y/n] gets here?'

Meliodas said nothing.

'Um, there're five of us. Are you sure you haven't got a couple of screws loose?'

Ban looked around. 'Eh? Who said that?'

'I did,' said Hawk looking up at Ban.

Ban was still for a second before shouting, 'There's a talking pig here!'

Meliodas left them to their own introductions. His ring had just warmed up again. But there were no thoughts. What was [Y/n] playing at? He knew she was close. And he knew she knew that he knew she was close. So why...?

'Hold on,' Ban was saying, 'that's it. You're King, right? Of course, you were cursed and finally turned into an actual pig.'

'Guess again.' Diane's voice was exasperated.

'I heard that King's dead,' said Meliodas, drawing himself from a spiral of he-knew-that-she-knew-that-he-knews. 'Least, that's the rumour.'

Looking at Ban's face, Meliodas had no idea how Ban felt about the news.

'I warn you now, I'm no ordinary pig,' said Hawk, drawing Ban's attention. 'I'm Sir Hawk, captain of the Order of Scraps Disposal!'

Ban leapt back. 'Wow! I've never heard of that Order before!'

'Are you finished with the introductions?' Doctor Dana's voice spoke before Meliodas could say something rude. 'Come, you need to eat up before your dinner gets cold.'

Meliodas stared at the huge buffet table that was now almost sagging under the weight of all the food on it. There was meat and fruit and bread and vegetables and cheese and bottles of all types of alcohol. Smells so tantalising danced on the breeze and Meliodas inhaled deeply. It made his stomach rumble and then twist uncomfortably. [Y/n] was out there, so close to all this food and warmth and yet so far away. If she'd just tell him where she was, he'd go and get her in a flash. He forced those feelings down. She'd let him know when she was ready.

So instead he laughed a laugh that sounded 99% believable and ran to the table, Ban and Hawk hot on his heels.

¾

When you finally woke up again, it was cold. The last rays of the sun clung on to the horizon and the first stars were poking through the sky. Your power had fully recharged. Your wounds were almost completely healed. And you wanted to stab yourself.

How could you have fallen asleep for so long? They must be back at the Boar Hat by now. You punched the tree you were leaning up against. There go your plans for a surprise meal and a prank that you'd wanted to try out for weeks (it involved a spider, a bar of soap and one of Meliodas's shoes). Damn it!

You reached out through your ring to Meliodas and sighed. He wasn't happy. Not angry or in danger or disappointed just... lonely. You narrowed your eyes. Like hell you were going to sit there wallowing. So you got up, took a deep breath and started to run.

You ran and you ran. You ignored the twinge in your leg. You ignored the stabbing in your chest. And then, finally, you saw it.

Home.

It was slightly illuminated in the settling night, its crooked pointy roof reaching to poke the moon. You stopped, panting, and slipped your ring onto your finger.

Come and get me.

¾

Meliodas looked up from his definitely-not-first stein of ale.

Without a backwards glance, he dropped it and ran.

He ran back to the Boar Hat.

He ran back to the person he missed the most.

¾

'Where's Sir Meliodas?' Elizabeth looked around. She could see Sir Ban messing about with Hawk. She could see Lady Diane resting on the roof beside her. But she couldn't see the familiar blond head of Sir Meliodas.

Lady Diane paused mid-way to another plate of apples. 'Huh? Oh, guess he must've wandered off somewhere.'

'We need to find him, he could be in danger.' Elizabeth sat up quickly, ignoring the stinging of her multiple wounds.

'Hey, careful.'

'Don't worry so much, princess,' Sir Ban slurred. His eyes tried to focus on Elizabeth. 'Can't you feel it?'

Elizabeth frowned. 'Feel what?'

'There's an incredible amount of magic power coming from the Boar Hat,' Lady Diane said as she gently pushed Elizabeth back down with one finger.

'Which means?'

Lady Diane and Sir Ban smiled and said, 'She's back.'

¾

You rested your hand on the handle of the door to the Boar Hat and wondered if you should wait inside. But you didn't need to wait. He was right behind you.

'[Y/n].' His voice was soft, barely a whisper, a feather falling from the sky, but it was the one voice you could always hear.

You turned and there he was. Moonlight rested on his golden hair like a veil made of spidersilk and stardust. His eyes shone like beads of water clinging to leaves. And then he was running and you were running and his arms were around you and yours were around him and you felt yourself relax for what felt like the first time in five years.

'Meliodas,' you whispered. You could feel his hearts, that strange, seven beat rhythm that had been your lullaby for so many years. You could smell him, grass and apples and something dark that made your toes curl in your shoes.

Arms still around each other, you pulled back a bit. His eyes were hungry, staring at your face, your body. You knew because you were doing the same. He was the same, the quirk in his left eyebrow, the tiny scar just under his jaw, the messy hair that made you laugh when it bounced and the slightly-heeled boots that drew him closer to your height. You stopped at his lips and watched them lift on one side in that sexy smirk which meant he knew exactly what he was doing to you, and you would've rolled your eyes. But not now.

Because now you were leaning forward and he was leaning forward and he was kissing you and you were kissing him. One of his hands was on your waist, the other on your butt. Your hands were in his hair, tangling in the soft strands like you wanted them to get stuck.

Time was nothing. Your heart swelled and burst over and over again like a firework of happiness. It made sparks that zinged throughout your body making you shiver. Everything faded away, even the floor you were standing on, until it was just you and Meliodas.

Eventually you pulled away. You were both panting, little puffs of air that hung in the space between your bodies. His hand was still on your butt. You took it in yours and, hand in hand, you and Meliodas walked into town.

'How is she?' you asked as you walked, unable to stop yourself glancing at him out the corner of your eyes. His eyes met yours and you blushed. Why were you blushing? You were married. His lips twitched and you fought the urge to poke your tongue out at him.

'She's amazing,' he said. 'So strong and kind and beautiful. Oh and guess what? It's your turn first this time.'

Your eyes widened. 'No way!' Meliodas laughed.

He led you into one of the houses and up the stairs. As you climbed, your heart began to beat faster and faster. Your hands were sweating and shaking so you tried to let go, but Meliodas just held on tighter. Your stomach was in knots, your feelings a big tangle of spaghetti that tumbled around and turned your legs to jelly. You probably would have collapsed if it weren't for Meliodas's hand in yours and the soothing feelings he was sending through your ring.

Then you stepped out onto the roof. There was a fire and people and her lying on a bed of sorts. Your heart leapt up into your throat.

And then there was an arm around your shoulders. The smell of alcohol tickled your nose and you looked up at Ban.

'Hey,' he said, slurring, face red. You sighed but couldn't stop the smile that tugged at your lips.

'How much have you had this time?' You looked round at all the empty bottles.

He laughed but before he could reply, something had plucked you off the ground. You let go of Meliodas's hand and laughed as Diane brought you to her cheek for a hug.

'[Y/n]! Welcome back!' Her voice vibrated through your body.

'No fair, I want a hug too,' Ban whined from the rooftop.

'You had her first, it's my turn.' Diane glared down and moved you further from Ban.

You couldn't help but smile at their bickering. It was just like before. You could feel eyes on you and looked down to see Elizabeth looking at you curiously. You swallowed.

'It's great to see you again, Diane,' you said and she beamed squeezing you once more before placing you gently down again. 'You too, Ban.' He held out his arms and you jumped into them. 'And I love the new hair.'

His laugh rumbled in your ears. Ban only let you down when Meliodas called your name.

'There's someone you need to meet, [Y/n],' he said, beckoning you over. Your breath hitched and you forced yourself to walk calmly over to your husband and not to cry. 'Elizabeth, this is [Y/n]. My wife.' Once you were beside him, he held you hand. 'She's the-'

'Don't say "eighth sin",' you interrupted.

Meliodas put on an innocent face you didn't believe for a second. 'I wasn't gonna.'

'It's a pleasure, Lady [Y/n],' said Elizabeth. 'Please forgive me for not standing.'

Instead of supporting, Meliodas's hand was now the only thing stopping you from rushing to Elizabeth and pulling her into your arms. Your eyes drunk her in, her gentle face, her jewel bright eye, her long silver hair and the smile on her lips.

'Not at all,' you said with a smile you desperately tried to keep at a reasonable size. 'And there's no need for the "lady", just [Y/n] is fine.'

'Oh, of course.' Elizabeth's smile melted and she frowned. 'I'm sorry, but is it possible we've met before?'

You were saved from answering by a screech from behind you. '[Y/n], can you get this lunatic off me?'

'It's nice to see you too, Hawk,' you said, turning to look at the pig with Ban draped across his back like a scarf.

'Yeah, yeah, just do something would ya?'

With a sigh you heaved Ban up and propped him up on a table that bore the remnants of a feast. 'Honestly, I've been here like five minutes and I'm already breaking up squabbles. You lot better not do this every night.' Your tone was serious but, as you looked at the smiling faces around you, you couldn't stop the smile that spread across your face.

The rest of the night passed in merriment, with laughter joining the sparks from the fire in the air. You were acquainted with Doctor Dana and his daughter, Sennett, and heard their recount of what had happened that day. You caught up with Diane and drank with Ban. You chatted with Elizabeth, carefully controlling your emotions. You ate food with Hawk (well, what was left) and, through it all, Meliodas never left your side.

As the night wore down, you found yourself on Meliodas's lap, one of his arms wrapped securely around you, the other holding a bottle of ale. You yourself had a stein cradled in your arms and your head felt light with the mixture of alcohol and happiness. It had a very heady effect, making your eyelids droop and your smile lazy. You were vaguely aware of Elizabeth and Diane talking and Ban was, well, being Ban.

'Come on, don't hold out on me, please, Captain Hawk. Teach me what you know, master.'

You looked around and giggled at what you saw.

'Would someone please get this guy off my back?' Hawk groaned as he walked, Ban once again draped over the pigs back.

You just left them this time. Meliodas's hand had found the aching spot on your back, right between your shoulder blades, and started rubbing it. Your legs stretched out involuntarily and you sighed and almost melted. An image flashed across your mind so fast you almost missed it. It had the air of a memory, but you didn't remember it. Were you and Meliodas... flying? But you couldn't fly. You pulled back to look at him with heavy lidded eyes but he was determinedly looking away.

'What was that?' you asked, voice thick.

His eyes darted to you and away again. 'Nothing.'

You frowned but let it go. There were things you hadn't told him and you didn't want to get into it, not tonight when you were finally back together and everything was so calm.

'Father, see that?' Sennett's quiet voice drifted over to you. You looked over at her and she was looking at the sky so you did too, leaning back precariously in Meliodas's arms.

Shooting stars were streaking through the night. Their paths crossed, so many it looked like they were trying to weave a new sky. You looked at them and then at Meliodas. The stars were reflected in his eyes. But then he looked at you too and you knew, even without the rings, that you were thinking the same thing.

When shooting stars fill the night sky in the form of crosses, Britannia will face her most desperate hour. This is a trial, preordained since ancient times, and will herald the beginning of a Holy War between the guiding hand of the Light and the bloodline of the Darkness.