A/N Sorry Everyone, for some reason I've been having a hard time with this story. I will finish it, I swear.

Ban sat down at the table across from King. The fairy sighed, sliding the box over to him.

"Open it, "Harlequin instructed. Ban lifted the lid, setting it aside, removing the contents of the box. Inside he found a jar of strawberries and a neatly folded red outfit. A faint smile appeared on the man's face as he picked up the clothes and examined them.

"You made this?" Ban asked. King nodded.

"Yeah. It was supposed to be a birthday present, a long time ago. I didn't have much of a chance to finish it until today. I had such a hard time doing anything when-I was working on it just before I knew I was pregnant. I tried to work on it when I could, but I couldn't get it done with everything that was going on. After you left, I thought about getting rid of it but I don't know, I just couldn't. I threw it in a box and forgot about it for a while."

"Thanks, Harlequin. Listen, I know I haven't-"

"It's fine." King insisted. "I'm surprised you didn't go right for the jar. Do you even remember those?"

"Yeah, I remember aleberries. You used to laugh at me for calling them that. You made these every year we were together. We'd sneak off to our favorite spot and eat 'em. Been a while since I had those." Ban replied.
"I showed you how to make them. You could've had them any time you wanted."King pointed out.

"Could've, but that was our thing. Aleberries without you just didn't seem right. After all this time, what made you decide-"

"I wanted to say thank you. You didn't have to be here with me. It's not your responsibility. I know you think it is after everything that happened, but it's not. I don't think I could ever be as forgiving as you've been with me, especially being blamed for such terrible things. So thank you for staying even when I acted like I didn't want you to. You always seem to know when I need someone and...thanks."

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to be. I'm glad you let me hang around. You say it's not my responsibility to take care of you, but it's my fault you go through this. If I thought for a second you'd have such a hard time or that any of this was going to happen, I wouldn't have put you through it. I got you into this, I'm not gonna make the same mistake twice. You're always gonna be important to me and I'll always want to look after you." For the next several minutes, the pair sat in silence. King gazed down at the table. Ban sighed. He reached out, grabbing the jar and removing the lid. He stood, making his way to the cabinet, and selected a large bowl, taking it to the table and poured the strawberries into it, setting it in the center.
"I think we could both use some of these right about now. For old times' sake." Ban offered. King and Ban selected a berry, taking a small bite.
"You got the good stuff."

"If you're going to make something, make it right," King replied, earning a chuckle from Ban.

"Damn right." he laughed. "You're amazing, you know that?"

"That's what you've been telling me."

"Because it's true. We had a lot of interesting conversations when aleberries were involved. Some good times." Ban reminisced.

"Yeah, we did. It was so easy to mess with you after you had a few. You were probably too drunk to remember this, but Elaine and I used to wait until almost all of them were gone, you were really out of it by then. We'd sit there and start making up words. We'd act like we were having a normal conversation and switch between real ones. You'd get so confused. It was the funniest thing. You'd stare at us with this stupid look on your face until you'd finally yell 'what the hell are you two talking about?' Then we'd make something up and talk normally for a while, then do it all again."King laughed.
"See, now that's just wrong," Ban teased. "Starting trouble and you yell at me when I-"

"If you would've listened to me about moderation, you would've caught on. You're the one that chose to eat most of them." King countered. He bowed his head. "I miss her." He said quietly.

"Yeah, me too." The man said.

"Sometimes I wonder if...they've somehow found each other. Is that stupid?"Ban shook his head.

"No. You just want to know someone's looking out for Tiana. I wish I had that answer for you."

"We should be taking care of her," King said, taking another bite. "We were supposed to be her parents."

"We are. Just because couldn't she couldn't stay doesn't mean we're not her family. It's not right, but I like to think that She's the one looking out for us. I mean we did find each other after all that time. She'll always be our daughter, no matter what. If I could give her back to you-"

"I know you would. I'm sorry." King wiped the tears from his eyes. "I didn't mean to go back into it."

"It's okay. We'll go through it as many times as it takes." Ban soothed.

"It feels like I always end up right back here. There's always going to be a huge piece of my heart that's missing and I can't -"

"We're gonna get through this, I promise." Ban rested his hand on top of Harlequin's, giving it a gentle squeeze. "We've been through a lot of shit, Harlequin, but we always come back from it stronger than we were. Eventually, that's gonna happen. It's just a long road to get there. But this stretch of the road isn't one we have to travel alone." Ban popped the rest of the strawberry into his mouth before selecting another.

"I guess," King said. "I just hate that we have to be there at all."

"Me too. Life sucks sometimes, Harlequin. We both know that by now. I'm sorry I dragged you along with me." King stood up from his chair, crossing the short distance to his former lover, and embraced the man. They didn't need words as Ban held King tight.

"I don't want to fight anymore, Ban," King said softly. "It won't be the way it used to be. I'm not sure if it's possible, but I'd like to try to be friends. I don't think I can give you more than that."

"I'll take that over completely losing you."

"If we're really doing to try this, we both need to change some things. I'm going to need to trust you again. That's not easy for me."

"I know. I'm more than willing to work hard to earn it back. It won't happen overnight, but I'm going to show you that I meant everything I said to you. I know you said you don't think we could ever be like it was, but I have to ask and if you're not ready to answer, I'm not going to push it any further than this, do you think that you'd be open to one day...if I can get you to trust me and I can prove to you that I'm not who I was that day, maybe you'd think about...Us?"

"You're asking a lot, Ban. Honestly, we'll always have a connection with Tiana's memory. I'll feel something for you for that reason but aside from that-I mean, I guess we'll have to see what happens, but right now, I need time and you've got a lot to prove to me, but I know I have a lot to change in myself to be able to offer you much. I can't give you the answer you're looking for." Ban nodded.

"I understand. I'll stand by what I said either way, about being there for you when you need me, "Ban vowed.

"I know you meant it. It's just going to be hard to believe it once we leave here. We're alone here, but once we get back there's a lot of-"

"You'll see, Harlequin. Tomorrow let's start over."

"Yeah."King agreed, pulling away. He took another berry and returned to his chair. Ban cleared his throat, raising the fruit slightly.

"To a new beginning and the start of an amazing friendship." He said. King shook his head in amusement.

"Don't you need a drink to make a toast?"

"Usually but I'm assuming you only bought enough to make the aleberries. I know what you think about my drinking." King sighed.

"Alright, Ban. To better days ahead." The fairy joined in the toast, both took a bite. Ban woke the following morning to find himself and King both asleep at the table, the bowl which had been used to hold the aleberries the previous night was now empty on its side. Ban's head ached terribly, causing him to let out a soft groan as the sunlight came through the window. He forced himself out of his chair, swaying slightly, he pulled the curtains closed, turning to King. He lifted the sleeping fairy carefully into his arms, carrying him into the bedroom and laying him on the bed before laying down on the floor. He was close to sleep when King's voice reached his ears. He forced himself to sit up.

"You okay?" Ban asked.

"Head's killing me."The fairy replied, burying his face in the pillow.

"Yeah, I figured."

"I don't even remember coming in here, sorry I ate your-"

"Aleberries are meant to be shared. Should probably relax for a while, it was a long night. We both fell asleep at the table."

"Then how did we end up here? Did we-"

"I brought you in a few minutes ago. I figured you'd be more comfortable in bed."

"And you laid down on the floor?"

"Yeah. Do you remember our talk?"King was silent for a moment, attempting to recall the conversation.

"Kind of. Do you?"

"Most of it. I want you to know I'm taking this seriously. I said I wouldn't push you and I-"

"Come up here...if you can." King invited. Ban forced himself to his feet, making his way over to what used to be his side of their bed. He sat down on the edge.

"Is this allowed?"Ban asked half-jokingly.

"I'm allowing it." The immortal man laid down, grateful to be off the floor. King further surprised Ban by shift closer. He instinctively wrapped his arms around the fairy.

"You're still drunk, aren't you, Harlequin?"

"Maybe a little. Thanks."

"For what?"

"Blocking out the sun that'll be coming in soon. Those curtains kind of suck."

"Rude." Ban chuckled. King smirked."If that's all you wanted, I should just go back to my spot on the floor and make you deal with it."

"You wouldn't do that." King challenged.

"You don't think so?"

"I know you wouldn't. It's not in your heart to do something like that to me. You're not as much of a jerk as you try to show everyone you are, at least some of the time. I was hoping to start back today, but I don't think it's a good idea. The day after tomorrow maybe. You still feel like sticking around?"

"As long as you want me to, Harlequin. I'll go make breakfast in a bit. It should help you feel better."Ban offered.

"All jokes aside, thanks for looking after me through all this. I think I said that already, but it means a lot."

"That's what friends do, we take care of each other. Get some rest."King didn't need telling twice, allowing himself to drift into a peaceful sleep, Ban soon followed.

***
Diane wiped down the counter while Elizabeth finished cleaning the floors in the tavern. The giantess had been thinking about King since he left, wondering if the fairy would ever return.

"Diane, are you okay? Do you want me to finish cleaning down here?"The princess offered. The giant shook her head.

"No. I can get it. I keep thinking about how upset King was when he left. I can't help wondering if I'll ever see him again. When he does leave around this time, he's usually back by now. What If he decides he doesn't want to be near me or he hates me for making him talk about his daughter?"

"If King's mad at anyone for making him talk, it'll be me," Meliodas said, joining the girls. He set the crates down beside the bar. "And as far as him hating you, it's never gonna happen. I'm pretty sure he's incapable of hating you. You know you're important to him."

"I've lost people I love and I know how much it hurts, but I never lost a child. Maybe it was too much for him and he never wants to see me again. What if-" Elizabeth wrapped her arms around Diane.

"Sir King loves you so much. I'm sure he'll be back soon. " She soothed.

"Do you think he's okay?"Diane sniffled.

"Yeah. Ban's probably annoying him. They'll be back here before you know it, arguing and fighting like they always do." Meliodas said dismissively. "If he did run into some trouble, King's not exactly helpless. Ban's there too and I don't think he'll let King get hurt. King might hate Ban, but you heard them."

"I hate not knowing. I want to believe he'll forgive me and everything could go back to normal, but I don't see how he could."Diane sobbed.

"He can't forgive you if you haven't done anything wrong. You two are gonna be just fine." The dragon sin assured her.

"I don't know, Captain, He-"

"Maybe you just need to get your mind off of it for a while. You've been worried about this the whole time. Why don't you and Elizabeth go out and have a girl's day? You've been stuck in here helping out, it'll be good for you." The princess smiled.

"We can do anything you want, Diane. "

"I don't feel like going out, sorry. Maybe I'll just go upstairs for a while. Maybe we can get together later." Diane turned, making her way up to her room. Elizabeth and Meliodas shared a concerned glance.

"Do you think she'll be okay?"Elizabeth asked in a worried tone.

"Yeah. When King gets back, he'll talk to her. I just hope it's sooner rather than later, for Diane's sake."