'Gowther!'

'Where are you?'

'Gowther, answer me!'

The shouts of your friends rose up to where you flew over the rooves of Liones. Each breath froze your throat and lungs. The fog was easier to navigate through than you had originally thought. You hadn't collided with any buildings or chimneys. Yet.

You scanned the streets for Gowther's hot pink hair. Occasionally, you caught glimpses of the other Sins as they searched. Meliodas and Ban went together, as did King and Diane.

'Let me get this straight, Captain,' Ban was saying. 'You and [Y/n] have known this whole time that Gowther was a doll?'

Meliodas told Ban what he knew about Gowther's origins. You only half-listened, worried that a story from your past would trigger that weird sensation again. If there was any way to not feel that again – to not worry Meliodas again – you would take it.

Down below, a flash of pink. You flew lower, sighing in relief as the pink turned out to indeed be Gowther. His face still betrayed his pain. In fact, he looked terrified. You flew faster, reaching out a hand.

'Go—'

But something made you stop. You hovered in mid-air, wings beating automatically and mouth open. Your arm fell limply to your side.

A vivid pink light began to flicker around Gowther's hands. 'Time for Lost World.'

Anger ripped through your body so fast and hot you thought for a moment you had caught fire. Your hands itched for something to break, to stab, to smash. Your chest heaved and your head span and the back of your throat burned.

[Y/n]? Meliodas's voice wasn't loud. But it made all the anger become sadness. A deep, deep sea with water that filled your lungs.

I just— You realised you hadn't blinked in ages and forced yourself to as hurried footsteps came from below. I can't— Diane collided with Gowther. You turned away. I need a moment.

You flew away from Liones. Away from your friend who needed you. Away from Meliodas. But no matter how far you flew, the sadness followed. Just as your back began to ache, you made it to the Boar Hat. Through the downstairs windows, you could see Elizabeth and Hawk chatting in the bar, so you flew straight up to the roof and landed as quietly as you could.

The wooden floor wasn't cold as you sat which normally would have alarmed you, but right now you barely noticed. Your hands weren't shaking. Your cheeks weren't wet. Were you real? Somehow, for some reason, the world was still going. Time ticked on. You tried to keep up, tried to keep your head above the waves.

But you were tired. So tired. And so cold.

—

Once again, Meliodas was worried. More about [Y/n] than about Gowther, which sounded kind of bad, but he didn't care. The story of Gowther's past hung in the air between him and Ban, heavier than the fog.

Ban peered down at Meliodas. 'You worried about [Y/n] or something?'

Meliodas blinked. 'How'd you know?'

'I'm not completely stupid, you know.'

'Could've fooled me.'

'Oi.' Ban flicked Meliodas's head. 'Besides, you know what you have to do.'

'Yeah.' Meliodas smiled slightly. 'Make her feel better—'

'—and kick the ass of whoever made her feel this way.'

Meliodas laughed but it stopped quickly. The anger rushed through his body so fast it made his head feel light. [Y/n]?

And then the anger wasn't anger anymore. It was a sadness that closed up his throat and choked him with cold fingers.

I just— I can't— I need a moment.

The sounds of a fight came from the direction of the castle. Meliodas started running instinctively, Ban at his side, even as his head continued to spin.

'One last thing, Captain,' Ban said. Meliodas looked up and gasped at the anger that twisted Ban's face. 'When you find who it was, you better let me get in a few hits too.'

Meliodas laughed once, a hard smile on his face. 'If I haven't killed them by the time you get there, sure.'

They reached the others just in time to see Gowther crying, his powers restored in a bright light. Meliodas hopped onto a wall and crouched, ready to jump down, but there was no reason to now.

'From the looks of things, I'd say they didn't really need us,' he said.

'Guess not,' said Ban.

Meliodas sighed. So Gowther got all his memories back. Maybe ... maybe he could help [Y/n]? Excitement fizzled. Why hadn't he thought of it before? Gowther was excellent at magic that concerned the mind. Down below, Escanor had appeared. Meliodas barely noticed.

'Coming, Captain?' Ban had already begun to make his way down to the others.

Meliodas blinked. 'Sure.'

'Ah, Captain!' Diane beamed at him once they were all together. 'The whole gang's here. But ... where's [Y/n]?'

'Back at the tavern. Said she was tired but also happy for you, Gowther,' Meliodas lied easily, waving an airy hand.

Merlin watched him carefully for a moment before saying, 'For the Seven Deadly Sins, today is a day to celebrate. Let's drink and be merry, Captain.'

Ban laughed. 'He's gonna pick up the tab, right?'

'Me?' Meliodas followed the others through the streets, watching Gowther. The light of the setting sun melted the fog and turned the sky from grey to a soft orange.

Just before they got back to the Boar Hat, Gowther slowed slightly. Meliodas frowned, also slowing. The others went inside, calling out their greetings to Elizabeth and Hawk. Meliodas stared at Gowther. Gowther stared back.

'Look, Gowther—'

'Captain, I—'

They both stopped and laughed awkwardly.

Meliodas straightened and looked Gowther in the eye. 'Gowther, can you help [Y/n]? Can you bring back her memories like yours?'

'I'm sorry.' Gowther looked at the ground. 'I can't.'

'You haven't even tried.' Meliodas clenched his fists. 'Maybe if—'

'No.' Gowther interrupted. 'I am sorry, Captain, but ...' He sighed and looked at his hands. 'Ever since my powers returned, it's like I can feel it. The curse. There's no way I can break it. And even if I could, that might mean breaking—' Gowther broke himself off. 'Sorry.'

Meliodas sighed and tried to smile. 'Guess it was a long shot anyway. What did you want to say?'

Gowther took a deep breath. 'I know you probably hate me right now, as does [Y/n], and I don't blame you, but do you think I could see her? At least try to apologise? My actions have been insensitive, I know.'

'I don't hate you, Gowther,' Meliodas said, folding his arms and tilting his head. Gowther blinked. 'And neither does [Y/n]. Give me a moment to see her alone first, though. I'll let you know when you can come.'

Gowther nodded and stepped into the Boar Hat. Meliodas sighed once more before following. Instead of joining the others as they laughed and messed about, Meliodas slipped upstairs to the roof, snagging a blanket as he went.

—

You took deep breaths and watched the sun sink to the horizon. It wasn't like you weren't sad anymore, but you felt strangely at peace. In fact, you were sure you'd be feeling normal enough to rejoin the others in a few minutes. You could hear them laughing all the way from the roof.

At that moment, a messy blond head popped through the hatch.

'Hey,' said Meliodas with a small smile.

You returned it. 'Hey. I'll be down in a bit.'

Meliodas rolled his eyes and chucked something at you. It hit you in the head. You picked up the blanket and your smile grew. Meliodas walked over and crouched in front of you, fixing your hair that the blanket had messed and tucking the blanket around your shoulders. You held out a corner so he could join you. Meliodas searched your eyes for a moment before sitting beside you.

'Sorry I ran away again,' you said, looking down and fiddling with your hands.

'You don't have to apologise for feeling sad or angry you know.' Meliodas rested his head on your shoulder.

'But it's like I'm the only one breaking down all the time. I keep making everyone worry.' Your voice broke. 'And I'm so scared, Meliodas. What if I wake up one day and I've forgotten everything? You and Elizabeth. The Sins. I can't do that to you. I can't. I—I—'

'[Y/n].' Meliodas put a finger on your chin and turned your face to him. His face blurred in the tears. He looked in your eyes for a second before tucking your head under his chin and wrapping his arms around you. You clung to his shirt and tried to slow your breathing again.

'When I saw Gowther, I just got so angry. That he would willingly give up his own memories and I'd do anything to get mine back.' You spoke softly, half hoping Meliodas wouldn't hear, that he wouldn't know you could be so terrible. 'And then I thought about you and how awful it is of me to make you suffer like this.'

It was quiet for a moment. All you could hear were the voices from downstairs and Meliodas's hearts. Then Meliodas sighed.

'I don't think I realised just how much she had taken until now,' he whispered.

'Huh?'

Meliodas shifted and you raised your head to look him in the eye.

'I know you, [Y/n],' he said firmly. 'I've seen all of you. I've seen your rage and jealousy. I've seen you throw up and cry so hard that snot ran down your face.' You blinked, blushed and tried to pull away slightly. Meliodas didn't let you go. 'I remember it all. And you know what else I remember?'

You shook your head slowly.

'I remember you being there for me when I was the exact same way.'

'... You threw up and cried so hard that snot ran down your face?'

Meliodas nodded solemnly. 'You've taken care of me when I was sick. I held your hand as you gave birth. You've cleaned the blood from my hands. You've held me when I cried. So I need you to listen to me right now.' Meliodas looked at you so intensely you gasped. 'I feel the same way about you as you do about me. Loving you is not a waste. It is not suffering. It is a privilege. I am so so lucky.'

You stopped trying to hold back your tears. 'But ... but aren't they bad memo—'

'No,' Meliodas interrupted you and shook his head. 'There are no bad memories. Not with you.'

'Oh.' You sat up straight. The tears slowed.

'And I don't know whether I should tell you this,' Meliodas said, 'but I'm gonna.' He smiled that slightly cheeky smile. 'I don't think you'll ever be able to forget us completely.'

'What?' You frowned.

'You might forget us here—' Meliodas tapped your forehead '—but you won't forget us here.' He put his hand over your heart. You felt it beat faster at his touch. 'You know how I know? Because you dream about it. So don't worry, okay?' He beamed. 'I'm not going anywhere.'

You beamed back. 'Okay.'

~~~~~

okay hello! thanks for your patience :)

https://discord.gg/YHskkgc9

there's the link for the discord. um let me know if it goes weird or anything. it's super basic because, well, i'm not good at this kind of stuff lol. 

BUT

feel free to join if you want! first livestream on Sunday 11th 10am AEST. super chill, will probably just be chatting like last time. i look forward to being able to meet you all properly :)

love you all and stay safe 💕💕💕