11Hawk paced around the empty bar, whining his fears for Elizabeth aloud. It felt as if he'd been alone for hours, abandoned by the sins as they left to save Elizabeth.
"He's never left me behind before," Hawk cried.
The sound of footsteps from above caught the pig's attention. A quiet thud causing him to let out a startled yelp. Shaking under a table, Hawk mustered up the courage to confront the intruder.
A smile washed across Elizabeth's face as Merlin teleported them into her and Meliodas' room. She was gone only a few hours, but she certainly was glad to be back.
"Rest on the bed. I suggest your left side so I can attend to your leg first,"
"Thank you, Merlin-sama," Elizabeth smiled before doing as asked. A soft groan escaped her lips as she landed with a slight thud on the bed.
"Are you alright?"
Merlin stood at the table next to the wall, setting her sacred treasure down so she could hear the battle their team were in. Looking across the room, she saw the spotted the medical supplies tucked away in the corner.
"Just who do you think you — Elizabeth?"
"Hawk! Kindly do not barge in like that again." Merlin lectured, watching Elizabeth flinch at the pig's unexpected arrival.
"Is she okay?!"
"She will be, but I need to do my job."
Hawk sat to the side, watching Merlin clean and treat Elizabeth's cut. He remained quiet as Merlin carefully wrapped the bandage around her leg, half listening to the battle several miles away.
"How are they doing?" Elizabeth asked, her voice but a whisper.
"They sound like they're doing a good job. He's a strong opponent, but they're good at what they do."
Elizabeth looked up, her eyes meeting Merlin's, "Will I be okay?"
Smiling at the princess, Merlin brushed a few strands of hair from her face, resting her fingers on her cheek. "If we can't get you to heal yourself, then the pain will last a bit longer, but once you've fully recovered, you'll be well again,"
"Thank you, Merlin-sama, for everything,"
"It is my pleasure, Elizabeth,"
"Merlin! We need you here!"
Turning to face her sacred treasure, she focused on their team in the battle.
"Elizabeth, I need to go. I'll be back, and when I return, I'll have the others with me,"
"Okay,"
"Hawk. Look after Elizabeth while I'm gone,"
"Yes, Merlin!"
"Full Counter!"
"Seriously, six against one and this guy is still acting like he can win?" Ban whined as he watched Zeldris retaliate to his brother's attack. "I'm going to need a big bottle of booze after dealing with this idiot."
"This coming from the man who's deciding to stand and watch from the sidelines, instead of fighting with his comrades. Making it five against one." Gowther countered, jumping back into battle.
"You called?" Merlin asked, teleporting next to the immortal.
"Cap'n wants you to trap Zeldris in a perfect cube once he's weak enough. We're hoping to keep him trapped in there for a couple hours while we get moving,"
"So, we're not ending him?"
"Not today, it seems,"
"Very well,"
"Hey," Ban called, stopping her from walking away. "Elizabeth, she alright?"
"Elizabeth's recovering. She'll be fine."
"Good,"
"Merlin!"
Teleporting to the voice, Merlin watched the human-sized giant catch her breath.
"Is there any chance you can lock both the Captain and Zeldris in a cube, then teleport the captain out?"
"I can try. Why?"
"He's not wearing out like we thought he would. Only the Captain and Escanor are truly keeping up with him right now,"
Turning her head to observe the fight, she saw their Captain and Escanor mainly fighting against Zeldris, while the rest of their team attacked when possible. Her comrades were obviously worn out, as shown by the beads of sweat trickling down their faces.
Focusing on the two brothers, Merlin directed her power through her body to the tips of her fingers. Pointing in the direction of the two, "Perfect Cube," smirking at the two's reaction to their surroundings.
"Merlin, this isn't what I had in mind!"
"Hold on, Captain."
If the perfect cube were created by someone else, she would've only been able to teleport through after using absolute cancel. But, because it was her creation, she was able to channel her power through to swipe their Captain from their enemies' grasp.
"Thank you, Merlin,"
Meliodas watched as Merlin teleported the others back to the Boar's Hat.
"If there's anything you wish to say to him, do it now before I take you to Elizabeth,"
Stepping forward, Meliodas approached the glowing cube. "You're remaining trapped until we decide to let you out. Should you even think of trying to harm Elizabeth again, then we'll end you."
He kept his face serious as Zeldris laughed.
"Brother, when will you free yourself from that cursed Goddess?"
"I'm not trapped—"
"Yes, you are!" Zeldris roared. "You're just too blind to see that!"
"Captain let's go. I need to finish tending to Elizabeth,"
"He'll betray you next. Just you wait and see."
"I highly doubt that," Merlin smirked as she walked away. Once she was a short distance from Zeldris, she waited for Meliodas to catch up. "Captain, if you happen to have any tricks to help with Elizabeth healing herself, I highly suggest you try it some point soon."
"Is she that bad?"
"No, just in a lot of pain. I'm sure we all want to see her recovered as quickly as possible."
He smiled at the thought of seeing her again. "Merlin, take me home."
Elizabeth shut her eyes as a bright glow filled the room. Grimacing at the pain the motion caused. She heard gentle footsteps make their way towards the door, before fading down the staircase.
A hand gently brushed some hair from her face. "Miss me?"
Opening her eyes, she smiled at the green eyes staring directly at her.
"Meliodas!" she cried. Throwing her arms around his neck.
"I've got you!" he smiled into her hair, holding her close.
Earning a startled squeak from the princess, Meliodas scooped her into his arms as he climbed onto the bed. Adjusting his position, he lay in the centre of the bed with Elizabeth cuddled up to his side.
"I figured this would be comfier for you," he muttered against her hair. Allowing his lips to gently graze against her forehead. "If you feel like you're up for trying to heal yourself, then go for it. But if not, we are all more than happy to take care of you, Elizabeth,"
"But you all need to train, I don't want to be a burden,"
"That would be impossible, Elizabeth," he smiled against her head, "You're one of us."
He smiled as she snuggled in closer. Enjoying the comfort she brought him. One thing he had learned in her first few reincarnations, was how his gentle touch could send her into complete relaxation. Be it his lips brushing against her, or even his fingers lightly touching her skin. It always worked, every single time.
She hummed with content as Meliodas' fingers slowly brushed across her arm, the sensation distracting her from her pain.
"That's nice," she whispered.
"I'm glad," his breath brushed against her forehead, sending a shiver through her body.
In their current moment, Meliodas didn't have to grope, or act the way he does with Elizabeth, but simply be the version he can't wait to be with her again. Leaning his head back into the pillow, he left Elizabeth lay her head across his chest. Knowing she could hear the steady beating of his hearts.
Listening to her steady breath, Meliodas realised she had fallen asleep. He tilted his head forward to whisper into her ear.
"You are incredible, Elizabeth, I know you'll be able to heal yourself, if not for you, then for me," he paused, checking she was still asleep, "I need you in my life,"
Kissing the back of her head, he lay his head back. Watching the gentle glow travel across her body.
Smiling to himself, he left his eyes close. "That's my girl,"
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