Hello Reader, real quick I wanted to let you know self-harm is mentioned in this Ch it's short but there just FYI. Also

deviantart /divinedarkness2/art/Helbram-859517159

This lovely link will take you to see Helbram's new outfit cause I wanted to draw it and it was fun. I see it's not highlighted to take you there. Sorry, I don't know how to fix that. If you want to see it please type in the url again sorry.

The light poured onto Helbram's face as he slowly opened his eyes. He gazed at the broken window, cursing the sunlight. He slowly sat up, and his hands fell into his lap. A dull pain rang in the middle of his back, the end of a headache fading away. He looked at his forearms, guilt, and hatred washing over him. They were covered in hundreds of scars.

Dam Hendrickson! He lied to me about that doll's curse. He told me that the blood just takes magic from the host and, if destroyed, it curses the person who destroyed it. I didn't know it cursed the person whose blood it received. Even if I refused to give him blood he would have ordered me to do it anyway, or he would have taken it by force.

Helbram scowled as his anger burned his insides.

If I could have, I would have killed him as soon as he revived me.

He looked away from his forearms leaning forward as he raised his top set of wings up and fanned out his lower set. He examined them, and from what he could see, there were no tears or holes in them. He flexed up and down to make sure there was no pain where the wings met his back. He sighed in relief to know that they were still perfect, for he had feared that the curse had damaged them.

Helbram laid back down, looking around the room. He saw movement out the corner of his eye and turned his attention to it. It was Harlequin. He smiled lovingly at the boy asleep on the big green pillow. He watched him breath in and out, before moving a hand over to him, poking him on his nose.

"Haaarrlequinnn~."

King twitched and swatted at his nose, turning away from Helbram. Helbram pouted.

"Harlequin, wake up."

"Ban, it's too early… Let me sleep."

Helbram huffed in frustration.

"Ban? BAN! How dare you call me by that idiot's name. I have never been so insulted in my life, Harlequin."

King's eyes flew open as he sat up on Chastiefol, turning towards the voice. He looked at Helbram with a surprise painted on his face. Helbram was sitting up in the bed looking at him.

Tears formed in corners of King's eyes, a smile on his lips, and the overwhelming joy invaded his tone,

"Helbram, you're awake!"

"Of course I am. I always get up before you. You bum."

Helbram gave him a smug smile, as he leaned back into the pillow.

"Hi, Harlequin."

King sniffled as he grabbed onto Helbram, giving him the biggest hug he could.

Helbram huffed in surprise as King hugged him, the dull pain in his back flared up. Helbram brought his hands up and pushed King away slowly and carefully.

"Sorry as much as I love~ the hug. You're hurting me."

"Oh, I'm sorry! Did I grab onto the cursed spot?"

Helbram gave King a surprised look, he didn't think King knew about the curse, however, he should have known he would know, since he had been treating his wounds for a couple of days now. Helbram averted his eyes, guilt invading his voice,

"Harlequin, I'm so sorry. Hendrickson made you fight that demon doll and kill it. I know it looked like me because…"

Helbram closed his eyes as he showed King his forearms, the guilt burned greater in the back of his throat.

"It had my blood and whose ever blood it had, it would resemble that person. It's because it's easier to borrow the person's magic if you look like that person. I didn't know that the doll was actually cursing me in order to steal my magic forcefully. Hendrickson lied to me about that damned doll."

King looked at Helbram's arms, and his blood boiled upon seeing all the scars. He grabbed onto Helbrams arms, holding them carefully, rubbing them in a comforting manner, anger invading his tone,

"Did Hendrickson hurt you? Did he inflict all these old cuts on you?"

Helbram finally looked at King again, a mix of fear and sadness on his face.

"Not all of them. I mean, if I didn't obey Hendrickson he would stab through my forearms to get my blood but… Some of them are self-inflicted."

King looked up at Helbram, tears in his eyes, his frustration high.

"So Hendrickson did hurt you and he made you hurt yourself. That's unforgivable… that's just cruel... If I had known, I would have-"

"You would have what, swooped in and saved me? Harlequin, this isn't your fault, you didn't even know I was alive and I couldn't disobey Hendrickson. If I tried, I would have been paralyzed where I stood, a side effect of the spell he used to bring me back. And besides..."

Helbram looked down at his hands, King was now holding them. Despair filled his voice,

"You had no reason to think I was around anyway after all... you killed me, 200-years ago."

King's anger subsided and guilt replaced it.

"I know, I know. I killed you once, but it's my fault you ended up on the black market. It's my fault you ended up in Hendrickson's possession. I should have buried you back then or brought you back to the forest, but I didn't. I let myself be taken in to pay for the crimes you committed, and I still can't do anything right."

Helbram chuckled at him.

"Yeah, you can't do anything right without me, can you?"

They gazed at each other with a comforting look on their faces. Helbram smiled at King, shifting the conversation as he asked,

"So Harlequin what happened to my shirt, my helmet, and my sunflower charm?"

King blushed as he let go of Helbram's hands and stammered,

"O-o-oh haha funny story. You see, in order to heal your back, we had to cut your shirt off. Your charm is fine though. I-I got it!"

Helbram pouted.

"I liked that shirt."

King frowned at him saying apologetically,

"I'm sorry, but the curse had completely engulfed your back, it even crawled onto your wings."

"Well if it was for a good cause, I guess I'll be fine, but I'm cold and can't address anyone without a new shirt, Harlequin. That's just proper etiquette, you know, to be dressed for a meeting."

"Well, you're in luck! I made you a new outfit that I know you'll love."

King smiled brightly at Helbram as he pulled out a box.

"I worked all night on it just in case you woke up today. Good thing I finished it a few hours ago."

Helbram gazed at the box in amazement.

He didn't have to do that. I could have just worn something he bought in town. Hell, I forgot he could sew. But it's something Harlequin made for me, just like my sunflower charm. I'll wear it and brag all about it to anyone who asks where I got it from.

"And my helmet?"

King smiled as he turned around to show off his hood.

"You said you got it for me, so I attached it to my hood. Now anytime I wear my hood, I'll be wearing the helmet you got me."

Tears of joy welled in Helbram's eyes as he looked at King.

"That's great, I'm surprised you remembered what I said about that helmet."

King was stunned to hear Helbram say this. Concern laced his voice,

"Of course I remembered what you said. I thought I killed you again, and you used all the strength you had left just to tell me why it meant so much to you."

Helbram hummed happily as he leaned into the pillow even more.

"I'll get dressed in a moment, you know if you go get some breakfast ready for me."

Concern overtook King's face.

"What? Can you move? Does your back hurt? Isn't the curse still affecting you? I-I think you should rest a while longer, while I get you-"

Helbram cut King off, giving him an annoyed glare,

"I'm not as weak as you, you know. I can move. I just can't float because my magic isn't back yet, and physically flapping my wings to fly for a long period of time will tire me out, probably... You know, I did walk on the ground for eight years, so I think I'll manage."

He pulled the blanket off and slowly got up.

"Tada~!"

Helbram stood in front of King, showing off that he could stand. King was still concerned as he examined Helbram from every angle, gazing at the black spot on his back. His brow knitted into worry as he asked,

"Are you sure you want to get dressed? Maybe you should wait 'til Elizabeth removes the curse. You still have a mark in the middle of your back. What if it gets hit and you-"

"I. WILL. BE. FINE."

Helbram grabbed onto King and spun him around. He pushed him out the door, grabbing the door handle.

"Now, go make me some food."

As he slammed the door in King's face, Helbram turned back to the bed, looking at the box. He slowly made his way over to it and opened it. Looking at the outfit, he thought to himself,

Harlequin, this is too much. It's really a whole outfit, boots and all...

He pulled out a plain light green shirt with a high collar and short sleeves that stopped above the elbow. There was a vest that was the same green as his previous shirt, and the front was styled the same way. It had two tails hanging down the back that looked like petals, with six orange petal-like shapes fanning out to his shoulders on each side. His sunflower charm now rested on a yellow ribbon which tied around his neck. There were two light purple gloves that ended before his elbow, thumb, and fingers opened, revealing his skin. The new pair of pants were just like his current ones, except that they were navy instead of black and had red x's climbing up the sides. His new belt had three feathers that resembled his wings hanging down the left side, each one slightly shorter than the last. And, finally, there was a pair of brown boots which started a little under his knees. They folded downward with a white rose attached in the middle, directly under the folded part. A belt was wrapped around them, just above his ankles.

Helbram gazed at the outfit. A deep blush covered his face.

King stared at the door and wanted to burst back in to force Helbram to rest, but he knew better than to do so. Helbram wouldn't talk to him for a week if he didn't do as he asked. King sighed in defeat as he headed downstairs.

King looked around the tavern. A sense of deja vu washed over him. He saw Ban passed out drunk, Gilthunder and his pals were asleep on a table, the captain was cooking, Gowther was reading a book at the bar, and Diane was sleeping in a corner. King smiled at Diane. He wanted to tell her that Helbram woke up and that he was already up and about. He floated over to the bar asking,

"Captain, what are you cooking? It smells awful."

Meliodas smiled.

"It's a new breakfast treat, the berry bacon stack, want to try some?"

"Um, no. I would rather eat a shoe."

King floated over to Ban, yelling in his ear,

"WAKE UP, YOU DRUNK!"

Ban stirred and looked at King, asking in a groggy tone,

"What do you want? I was sleeping."

"I need you to make breakfast. The captain can't cook and I'm not letting Helbram suffer by eating that food."

"Hey!"

Meliodas yelled out from behind the bar.

Ban perked up immediately. He got up and headed for the kitchen. He wrapped his apron around his waist, asking King,

"Alright, what does your boyfriend like?"

King blushed as he yelled back,

"He's not my boyfriend! Just make something that you would make me."

Ban gave him a thumbs up and a smug grin.

"Got it, pancakes~."

King pouted but floated over to Diane, she was just waking up. She opened her eyes and saw King right in front of her. She squealed in surprise as she slapped King across the face, yelling,

"Geez, King don't do that!"

King crashed into the wall and fell onto the floor, twitching in pain. He slowly got up and floated over to her again.

"I wanted to let you know that Helbram woke up."

Diane mumbled to herself in confusion as realization hit her.

"OH, your friend! That's great, King. I'm happy to hear that."

She grabbed him, giving him a spine crushing hug.

Joy and pain crossed King's face.

"Thanks, Diane."

She let go and stared at him.

"Hey King, since your friend is ok, do you want to go to the town festival with me tonight?"

King felt his face heat up as he blurted out his answer,

"Yes!"

"Great, I'll see you at the clock tower at 4 pm."

Diane then ran out of the bar calling back to him,

"Don't forget!"

King smiled gleefully as he watched her leave.

Ban called out to King,

"Look at you getting a date with Diane. Good job man. So when's your boyfriend coming downstairs?"

King wanted to yell at Ban, but he couldn't as his mind lingered on the word boyfriend. King suddenly felt a sick, nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach.

What's this feeling? I get to go on a date with Diane and I should be happy. I AM HAPPY!... But this feeling.

Helbram had appeared in the doorway of the staircase, holding onto the wall with both hands. King gazed at Helbram as a blush colored his cheeks.

He looks really cute.

King quickly snapped back to reality as he gasped in shock and floated over to Helbram.

"I knew I shouldn't have let you get up. You're-"

"I didn't know I was on the second floor Harlequin. I'm fine."

Helbram scowled at King as he made his way over to a barstool and sat down.

Meliodas was the first to address him,

"Hey Helbram, you're King's buddy, huh? How do you feel?"

Helbram just looked at him, refusing to answer.

Meliodas shrugged.

"Okay, I get that you don't like people, but you can at least say hello to the owner of the tavern?"

Helbram looked at the tabletop.

"I'm sorry for Hendrickson's actions and my own when he captured Elizabeth. Even if I was following orders, it wasn't right and she could have died. Saying I'm sorry, doesn't express how sorry I am."

King looked at Helbram with concern as Meliodas thought for a moment. He jumped over the bar, wrapping an arm around Helbram. Helbram looked at Meliodas, confusion evident on his face. Meliodas spoke,

"You don't need to apologize, I get it. Hendrickson made you do all that bad stuff. You were just along for the ride against your will. I appreciate your apology, which is why for now I'll accept it, but if you ever do anything to Elizabeth again..."

His voice became a whisper, as venom dripped off his sentence,

"I will kill you. Even if King tries to protect you. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, I understand."

The two gazed at each other for a moment until Meliodas smiled, hitting Helbram on the shoulder before walking away.

Helbram rubbed the spot that Meliodas hit.

Gowther put his book down.

"Oh, the patient is awake."

"Wha?"

Helbram gazed at Gowther and cocked an eyebrow in confusion.

"Heartbeat normal, pain level two. He appears to have a slight headache due to lack of water. King, why didn't you water your friend?"

The two fairies stared at Gowther. King sighed as he floated behind the bar. He got a glass of water and set it down in front of Helbram. King addressed Gowther.

"Happy Gowther? I got him water."

Gowther nodded his head in approval, returning to his book.

"Um thanks, Harlequin."

He picked up the glass and proceeded to drink the water.

Ban placed a six stack of cinnamon pancakes and a fork down in front of Helbram, a devilish grin on his face.

"Your breakfast is served, princess~."

Helbram turned towards King and spit the water into his face. He coughed as he wiped his mouth, giving Ban a hateful glare. King was disgusted.

Ban continued to smile evilly at Helbram.

Hah~ that got his goat.

"I AM NOT A PRINCESS!"

Helbram hissed as he glared daggers at Ban. King wiped his face with a towel, addressing Helbram.

"He's just being a jerk. After all, he did make you breakfast."

Helbram glanced at the pancakes,

"I'm not eating that unless you take a bite first, Harlequin."

He pushed the plate towards King.

Ban put his hands on his hips asking as annoyance laced his tone,

"Afraid I poisoned it?"

"I don't think you can cook."

Helbram shot back as he handed the fork to King. King looked at the stack and then glanced between the two men. Helbram waved his hands at him, encouraging him to take a bite. Ban looked at King, waiting for him to eat it to prove to Helbram that he can in fact cook.

King sighed in defeat as he cut off a piece and ate it, smiling in delight. Helbram watched as he turned his gaze to Ban, looking at him in contempt. King handed Helbram the fork.

"It tastes amazing. Now eat, Ban made it for you."

"Yeah, he even woke me up to make them for you."

Ban stated as Helbram took the fork and looked at the plate.

"Well if Harlequin made you, of all people, make them for me, and he enjoyed them, I guess I'll eat them."

He stabbed into the stack and picked one up, shoving the whole pancake into his mouth. Helbram lit up in delight as he chewed the savory breakfast treat. Ban smiled victoriously, as Helbram proceeded to devour the rest.

King hummed as he watched Helbram eat. He seemed like his old self again.

Helbram pushed the empty plate away, sighting happily. He addressed Ban.

"Alright, I admit you cook better than the chefs at the palace. They pale in comparison to your cooking."

Ban smiled in gratitude.

"I already knew that, but I'm glad you liked them, princess~."

Helbram glared at him, his good mood was instantly soured.

King chimed in,

"Would you stop calling him princess? It's getting on my nerves."

Ban looked at King and frowned.

"Why is it getting on your nerves? Is it because he's your prince charming?"

Ban gave King a playful grin as he finished his sentence.

Helbram just stared at the two, annoyed that they were arguing about him while he was in the room. He grabbed King's arm, stopping the argument in its tracks. King looked at him, his cheeks felt hot.

"Harlequin, why don't you go find your giant-cutie and help her fix up the town in my place? Besides, I want to talk to Ban, alone."

King felt a twist in his stomach at his friend's request. He wanted to protest but Helbram's eyes were pleading with him. King gave in to Helbram's request.

"Well, alright, as long as Ban is fine with that."

Ban looked at King in surprise, he didn't think he would leave his prince-charming. Ban then gazed at Helbram and saw the sly, devilish glint in his eye. Ban quickly understood what he wanted. He smiled at King.

"Yeah, it's fine with me. Go have fun, slugger."

King gave the two a skeptic glare as he slowly made his way for the door. He stopped and made his way back over to Helbram grabbing his hands. He placed a bag in them. Helbram gave him a puzzled expression. Then, King floated away, as he yelled back to Helbram joyfully,

"It's chocolate-covered sunflower seeds, I heard you liked them."

Helbram stared at the bag in a loving daze, smiling.