How did I end up like this again?

Ah yeah, the fight we had.

I held my breath, opening my eyes slowly and looking beside me, at a still sleeping Meliodas. Blonde bangs fell over his face, which had softened considerably while sleeping. His chest rose slowly and evenly, slow breaths coming out of his mouth and tan hands curled slightly in my sheets. With his eyes closed like that and an expression so relaxed, he looked so adorable I could almost forget everything we'd lost.
I admired my love quietly for a minute and sighed.
I stiffened and tried to wiggle out of bed silently and slowly. I was really starting to wonder how the heck it had ended like this.

~~~><10 hours earlier><~~~

"So who's Elizabeth going to room with?" Hawk piped up.

The tension suddenly increased in the room, and Hawk shivered at the sharpness of the silence. I stiffened on the bar seat, crossing my arms and looking away with a scowl. Hawk just had to bring it up.

He was right to ask though. Last night we had fallen asleep on the doctor's roof and we had been traveling for the day; now that it was time to sleep again the touchy subject had to come up.
Ban had already fallen asleep in Eli-Ban's room, and so he had left me alone on this one. Elizabeth sat on one of the tables with a guilty look, sensing that this fight was somehow about her and squirmed awkwardly in her seat.

Meliodas and I stayed silent and I refused to look at him. We still hadn't really talked since the small fight we had and I was still upset that he hadn't really apologized besides that pathetic attempt with the meat. I huffed, "Don't look at me."

Hawk shivered at the sudden tension, shaking a bit. "H-hey what's the problem? Somebody just has to room with somebody, right?"

Meliodas held his chin in thought from where he stood behind the bar, glancing at me and Elizabeth with an unreadable look in his bright green eyes. Then he beamed and grinned, "I'll just room with (Y/N)! That way Elizabeth can sleep in my room comfortably, and all's fine!"

I spewed out my water, coughing. Elizabeth was immediately by my side, patting my back as I coughed with a red face.
"Lady (Y/N)! Are you okay?" She exclaimed worriedly as she patted my back.

I nodded as Meliodas' smirk widened mischievously at me and what little blood I had in me rushed to my face.  Whaaaaaaat?! With me?! Why though?! "W-What!?" I exclaimed sorely, patting my chest.

"Well yeah, it's the obvious solution! Hawk and you are worried about Elizabeth sleeping with me, but your room is not exactly fit for you two, so the obvious thing is for me to sleep with you." Meliodas exclaimed cheerfully with a grin, shrugging and suddenly dragging me up the stairs.
"Well good night Elizabeth, Hawk! Just go up to my room, 'kay?"

I could only gape at him as he dragged me and before I could even break out of my shock trance and protest, say anything at all, Meliiodas was already in a night shirt he had grabbed from my closet and had tucked himself in my red sheets.

~~~><Back to the present><~~~

And that's how I ended up in my current predicament. I whined and covered my flushed face, peeking at Meliodas through my fingers. This is so unfair. How can anyone look so pretty?! This should be illegal.

Not to mention the fact that he was tied up; because Hawk had decided he couldn't be trusted around any woman. Hawk had tied him up tightly, legs to torso and hands in there too, but he had wiggled so much during the night that he'd managed to free his hands. It was a way too positively sinful sight for me to handle.
I flushed brighter at that and let out a quiet squeal. Totally unfair. Specially with how comfortable he looks on my bed. Gods help me.

I stood up slowly and stiffly, trying not to wake him up. The wooden floor of my room was cold in the mornings, but it did not bother me through the thick socks I wore. A cloth extended over the window on the ceiling, darkening up my room so much it almost seemed like it was still night time, but I could hear the birds singing outside and Hawk shuffling about downstairs.

I had just managed to get out of bed and make my way to the closet when Meliodas squirmed on my bed and turned to look at me, blinking blearily and then grinning wide.
"Good morning (Y/N). Did you sleep well?"

Immediately I almost jumped at his voice and blushed in the darkness of my room, thankful that Meliodas could-probably, hopefully-not see it. I coughed a bit, clearing my throat to cover up my sputtering. "Y-yeah. You were surprisingly quiet and did not kick me."

Meliodas laughed at that, a soft look on his emerald eyes as he stared at me. I flinched at the feeling of his gaze as I reached for my white shirt and narrowed my eyes at him. "What? Shouldn't you look away?"

Meliodas blinked, a bit of disappointment flashing in his eyes. Then he pointed at the rope still tied around him.
"Can you untie me then, please?"

"Ah, right." I said. I untied him despite the fact that we both knew his hands were free and he could totally do it himself, but I'd take any chance I got to be close. I untied him with gentle quick movements, my blush softening as I looked at him.
"Done."

Meliodas wiggled out of the rope and sighed in relief, jumping out of bed. He stretched a bit and sighed with a smile, "Well I had a great sleep. Slept like a babe."

I flushed at that and coughed, turning around to my wardrobe and grabbing clean clothes. "Good for you then Captain."

I waited a moment to hear him walk out so I could get dressed and ready but he just stood there. I blinked at him, tilting my head. "Umm.. Meliodas?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you get out so I can get dressed?"

He tensed for a moment, opening his mouth as if wanting to say something but seemed to regret it. He smiled his usual cheerful smile and walked out, "Yeah, okay!"

I finally breathed as my friend walked out and quickly took a bath and dressed in clean clothes. That's so unfair. It's like he's teasing me! His existence should be illegal.

~~~><><><~~~

"Maybe you should tie Sir Meliodas a bit looser next time Hawk. He can't get a good night's sleep like that."

"It defeats the whole purpose if he's not tied up tight! He's gonna get all gropey if he's in the same bed as (Y/N)!"

I snorted at that. Yeah right, in what world? I stabbed the sausage with my fork, rolling my eyes. "Well given by the fact that he got his hands free I'd say you need to practice your knots Hawk."

"She's right, you know?" Meliodas said with a smile as he chewed.

Hawk gasped and gaped, jumping up and down on his hoofs. "Whaaat?! Did he do anything to you (Y/N)?!"

I laughed at the impossibility of that, shaking my head. "Of course not. Besides, he knows I'd kick him off the bed if he tried."
"True that." Meliodas agreed, voice muffled with food filled cheeks.

Elizabeth sighed in relief, with a smile. "So you slept well despite the rope?"

"I'd damn say so. He was completely out of it." I assured her, as I finished up my plate, which had really just been a tower of meat, ham and sausages that I had fried and cooked for myself, most of them on the rare side. The meat helped with the hunger a bit, it was really pretty much useless for my body; besides if I kept eating this much meat I'd run our pantry into the ground and the tavern to bankruptcy.

"Besides," Meliodas started as Elizabeth smiled in relief at us, raising his fork in thought. "It's really pleasant if you think of it as foreplay. Maybe next time you could tie me up (Y/N)."

I choked on the water I had been sipping on, coughing it out. The worst thing was that he said it with such a nonchalant face and smile as if he were talking about the water. He really should be illegal!! "WHAT?!" I burst out with a furious blush, trying to chase away the sinful thoughts.
Meliodas simply smiled innocently as he looked at me, a bit more intensely than I could handle.

"You pervert!" Hawk  yelled at him with narrowed eyes.
Elizabeth tilted her head at us, holding her cheek with a confused look. "Foreplay?"

I tensed up, skin blushing as much as it could, shaking my head at her. "Nothing you need to be aware of Elizabeth. In fact, forget your innocent mind ever heard that word." I muttered, as I quickly stood up with my empty plate.

"What's that? Tie up who? Hawk?"

"No, not me!"

I facepalmed, as Diane looked in from the window with a confused look. Oh great. Good thing she didn't hear that.
I put my plate on the sink and cleaned it up as Ban walked downstairs sluggishly and plopped down heavily onto the bar seat.

"Captain, I need a drink." Ban groaned with a grumpy pout.

"Isn't it a little early?" Diane protested, as she narrowed her purple eyes at him.

I sighed, shaking my head. "For Ban it is never too early for a drink. He drinks alcohol as much as I eat meat."

"Would you like some breakfast, Sir Ban?" Elizabeth asked sweetly, not even halfway through her own plate.

Ban almost snorted at that, raising his hand to catch the expected drink. "You expect me to eat the Captain's lousy cooking? (Y/N)'s is more bearable, but I'd still rather drink."

I stuck my tongue out at him playfully with mock anger. "Yes yes, we know. We are terrible cooks."
Meliodas threw the bottle of mead at Ban, who caught it easily. "Make it yourself then!"

Ban lit up at the sight of the alcoholic drink, "Thanks Captain!"
Of course when he opened it the liquid burst out and spewed onto his face like a broken faucet.

I snorted and laughed at him, as mead dripped from his silver blue hair. "It's one of those mornings, huh?"

~~~><><><~~~

"We're heading for the Necropolis. We'll look for King there." Meliodas declared, as he tapped the spot on the map.

I squinted at the small letter size on the paper, holding my chin in thought. The map Meliodas had spread out on the table after we had cleared up the plates showed most of the kingdom, and Necropolis wasn't so far away. It was known as the city of the dead, hence the name, but I hadn't been there before. If King really is dead... No, but I don't think he is. I think Gil was trying to tell us where to find him, even though he couldn't directly. Besides, even if he was really dead, what is the Necropolis exactly? Just a meeting point between this world and the next, a fleeting connection. We'd only be able to talk to him. Resurrection... well, even we can't do that.

"Didn't you say that Fatty was dead?" Ban asked skeptically, as he leaned his chin on his hand, holding the half empty bottle in the other.

"It's our only lead, so we have to check it out." Meliodas replied.

Elizabeth looked down at the map curiously, and asked, "What sort of place is the Necropolis?"

"Beats me. We've never been there, right (Y/N)?" Meliodas shrugged, crossing his arms in thought.
I nodded in agreement, resting a hand on Valhalla's pommel. "All we've heard about it are rumors."

Hawk started sweating and furrowed his brows in fear. "If it's called the Necropolis, it's gotta be hunted, right?" Hawk squeaked in fear, whimpering. "Gloomy even in the middle of the day, with graves all in a row?"

Elizabeth shivered at that and gulped nervously too. Diane was quickly infected by the fear too and frowned at us through the window, "There.. won't be any bugs, will there?"

"But if King is really there, what are the chances that he's alive?!" Hawk exclaimed nervously.

Elizabeth trembled and covered her ears, shutting her eyes. "Hawk, cut it out!"

I laughed a bit at them, fidgeting with Valhalla's pommel in thought. "All fair questions I suppose."

"Ghosts, huh?" Meliodas wondered.

~~~><><><~~~

"We're here!"

"This is the Necropolis?" Diane asked in confusion and slight disdain, a hand on her brow as she looked at the 'city'.

"How can they call a run-down hamlet like this a city?" Hawk asked in confusion and exasperation.

As I looked at scarce buildings here and there, old and broken down I couldn't help but agree. Fair statements. But it's the Necropolis for a reason. If it's a point of connection between this world and the next, I would have been more surprised if there actually had been a city waiting for us.
The real Necropolis must be close, but on the other side. There is probably an entrance here.

"Rumor has it that this is the place that's closest to the Necropolis." Meliodas said. "We'll start by gathering intel on King and the Necropolis."

We all nodded, as Meliodas dished out the tasks for us.

"We also need money to feed ourselves. Okay, let's get ready for business!" Meliodas exclaimed cheerfully, gesturing to the tavern.

I chuckled, arms crossed. "True. The pantry is almost empty."

"You're seriously gonna run the bar you two?" Ban asked them with a smirk.

"He's seriously cute when he's working!" Diane squealed dreamily.

Meliodas turned to them with a serious look. "You guys are gonna work too!" He exclaimed at them, pointing at the two. "Start attracting us some costumers, jumbo billboard girl?"
"Me?!" Diane beamed happily, starry eyed.

"And you cook up some tasty grub, jailbird cook!"
"Me?" Ban replied slightly flattered.

"Are you sure you didn't mean smelly?" Hawk asked skeptically.

I laughed at that, shaking my head. "Ban is actually an amazing cook. Loads better than the two of us."

Ban huffed in mock embarrassment, pretending to blush at the praise. "Hey hey stop, hang on."

"To work then! Put your backs into it people!" Meliodas declared, clapping.

"Please give me a job too! My injuries aren't bothering me anymore." Elizabeth pleaded with a smile, even though she still had bandaids and bandages on.

Meliodas studied her for a moment with a smile. "Just don't push yourself okay?"
"Okay!"

I bit my lip at the exchange and sighed turning around and walking away just as Diane grabbed the Captain and started happily squealing. I'm sure they'll handle it without me.
I chuckled a bit and decided to look around. Ban bolted at the sign of having to work anyways, as usual. I sighed in annoyance, walking around and studying the buildings.
Why is this place so run-down anyways? I got closer to a building and peeked inside through the window glass, glimpsing a broken table and chair and some dirty cloth that gathered dust in a corner.
No one has lived here in years. I doubt Meliodas didn't notice. He's probably trying to lure whoever is around.

"We've got delicious drinks and super cute billboard girl will welcome you! Come to the Hot Boar Tavern!"

"You'll get plenty of goodies on the house!"

I chuckled a bit. At least Diane's having fun with the spotlight. I narrowed my eyes a bit, studying the buildings and the area. They didn't seem broken or missing parts; they were just plain run-down and deteriorated by time. Still, I had to wonder why this place would be the closest to the Necropolis. You'd usually think that there'd have to be a reason for it; like an old battle or massacre happening in the area that somehow got it closer to the other side.
But there didn't seem to be any sign of such things. I didn't know whether that comforted me or made me more nervous.

I sighed and looked up at the tallest building, a three story  stone home that seemed to have been part of something bigger. There was nothing particularly special or familiar about it. Well, can't decide whether I'm disappointed or relived. For the place supposedly closest to the Necropolis, it seems like a normal abandoned village. Well, if five buildings can be called a village.

I walked around a bit more, exploring without getting close to wherever Ban had headed to. Something caught my eye, catching the light on the ground. I crouched and brushed the grass away.

It was just a small turquoise crystal, so small it was more of a splinter. It seemed to have broken off of something bigger, the cut unclean and slanted. I squinted at the small crystal the size of my pinkie, studying it. It's not exactly glass.. it's not completely transparent. And it's as heavy as a stone the size of my hand.
I studied it with great curiosity, turning it around in my hand, trying to make it catch the light.
When I managed to get it right, the sunlight reflected off and on it and suddenly there was a flash of face in the crystal.

It startled me so much I dropped it with a gasp. What was that?! I gulped. It was just for a moment, but the face of dirty blonde young man had stared at me, through the crystal and smiled. Somehow. It was impossible but I was sure he had looked straight at me.
I hesitantly picked up the crystal and pocketed it.
Definitely something weird going on, nevermind normalcy.

Then I heard the crashes and rumbling and stood up in a hurry. I stopped paying attention for a few minutes and suddenly they are in trouble, seriously?!

I quickly ran to the spot, glimpsing the wall that had been shattered and Ban standing tense with his hands in his pockets.
I frowned and followed his gaze, halting right behind them, out of their sight.
The attacker seemed to be a child, not much younger than Meliodas in appearance, but he floated beside an enchanted large spear, and the glare in his golden eyes was much too dark for a child. I stared at him for a moment, confused as I squinted. Why does he seem slightly familiar? I stared at the kid in confusion; the slightly red hair, the pale skin.

If Ban needs my help I should.. I kept staring at the kid, and then glanced at the spear again.

Wait. That spear looks suspiciously familiar.

"Hey!" Meliodas appeared, jumping and hitting Ban's head with a stein, effectively cutting off whatever magic he was about to pull out.

Ban stilled and looked down at the Captain, scratching his head in annoyance. "C'mon, Captain, butt out!"

"What's the big idea, skipping out of work?" Meliodas said, hand on his hip as he stared at Ban.

"What's the big idea?" Ban repeated full of annoyance. "That pipsqueak I've never seen before picked a fight with me!" He replied angrily, pointing at the kid. "He ruined my sweet threads!"

I got closer, since Meliodas was already there anyways. I bumped shoulders with the two of them, as I kept staring at the kid, who had frozen at the sight of us for some reason.
"Hey is it just me or does he look familiar?" I muttered, nudging Meliodas' elbow as he stared at the kid too.

"Hey, what's all the ruckus over here?" Diane asked, as she walked up to us, blinking in confusion. She followed our gazes, and looked beside her, where the kid was floating right at the height of her head.

I kept staring at the spear and glanced again at the kid. And then it was like the light had been turned on in my brain and I gasped in synch with Diane, Meliodas catching on in a mili-second.

"King!" We exclaimed in surprise.

I gaped at my old friend, whose appearance had changed so much I had taken too long to recognize the familiar of nature and flowers that followed him. Whoah! KING! No way! Found him a lot faster than I thought we would.

Ban blinked and froze and then his eyes widened and he blurted out furiously, pointing at King. "On what planet is that King?!"

"Well... maybe he lost a little weight?" Meliodas suggested unhelpfully.

"A little?! And that ain't even the issue!" Ban replied furiously, obviously feeling upset. His shirt had been side to side and that told me enough. If this was really King, he had stabbed Ban with Chastiefol, from side to side. No wonder Ban was upset, the two of them were really close.

"King we've been looking for you! I'm so happy to see you again!" Diane exclaimed excitedly with a smile, giving the boy a wink.

Surprisingly, King gave no reaction to Diane. His face had hardened and he just turned around and flew away.

I gaped as he left, fidgeting with my sword. Well, this was completely unexpected. Something's up. Why would King fight with Ban anyways? He must have said something really upsetting, going by Ban's expression. I glanced beside me, as Ban's scowl had set into a slight frown, almost unnoticeable.

Clearly something happened between the two. But still, what could possibly make King attack Ban?!

~~~><><><~~~

" 'Precious memories shared with the dead will guide you to the capital' ".

Ban smiled and patted the girl's head gently. "That tip paid for your meal and then some. Thanks Elaine."

"Um, my name is Ellen."

"Oops, sorry Ellen." Ban said with a close eyed smile, ruffling her hair. "Go on, you haven't cleaned your plate."

" 'Kay!"

I stared at the children Ban had brought back to the tavern as they ate gratefully Ban's cooking. Ban can sometimes be surprisingly good with kids huh. I held my chin in thought, thinking back to what the girl said. As I thought, King wants to go to the Necropolis.

Precious memories shared with the dead....
Do I have such a thing?

"Why do you suppose Sir King wants to go to the Necropolis?" Elizabeth asked.

"That's a very good question." Meliodas replied and smiled at her. "I guess we'll learn the answer when we get there."

I touched the small crystal in my pocket, running a finger by the cracks and slanted edges. Precious memories of the dead...
Is there anyone I cared about that much who is dead?
My stomach grumbled quietly in hunger and I sighed, biting my lip. My guts stirred uncomfortably and I looked behind me, out the window.

Something's off. Are we the only ones around here?