Hi cuties! So in this chapter, there is a gross infection scene. I've alerted people when it starts, so if you can't stomach that kind of stuff, I urge you to skip. Enjoy and don't forget to review!

Love pookiepoodle xx

Elizabeth stood in the hallway, nervous to enter the room. She could hear Meliodas' groans and whimpers of pain even through the solid oak door. His cries made Elizabeth remember the weeks events that had led up to this situation.

A week earlier, Meliodas and the rest of the Sins had been on a mission which involved fighting massive scorpions in the deserts. When they'd arrived back, Elizabeth had noticed that Meliodas was slightly pale, but insisted he was fine.

In fact, he continued to do so until he collapsed whilst sparring with young Gilthunder, who panicked.

When Merlin had examined him, she found that on his leg, there was a massive cut which was likely from his fight with the scorpions. Normally a wound like that wouldn't affect Meliodas, but it had become infected.

"Meliodas's wound is extremely infectious and is causing him to have a fever," Merlin explained," hence his fainting earlier. I can cure him but unfortunately I have ran out of the balm. It will take a few days to make, so in the meantime, Meliodas must be kept here."

It had broken the young Elizabeth's heart to see someone so precious to her lying on a bed, his face twisting in pain as he sweated.

"Come in," a voice said. Elizabeth walked into the room where Meliodas lay and Merlin stood, making the new balm," How may I help you, Princess Elizabeth?"

"I...I wanted to see if there was anything I could do to help," Elizabeth meekly replied. Merlin studied the girl. She seemed genuine. The additional help would also make her job easier.

"Hmm…" Merlin thought aloud," Well, his dressing could do with a change so I suppose you could assist me. You could also keep him cool with these wash clothes."

"Yes, of course!" Elizabeth exclaimed, thankful that she could help.

"Come over here then," Merlin instructed," You need to wash up first."

After doing so, Elizabeth stood next to Merlin who was prepping the new gauze.

"Elizabeth," Merlin began," I must warn you. This wound has been infected and left untreated for nearly a week now. It will not be pleasant in any way, but you must remain strong. Is that understood?"

"Yes Miss Merlin," Elizabeth replied. With a nod, Merlin unwrapped the bandages.

GROSS CONTENT: SKIP IF YOU CAN'T STOMACH!

To say it was "unpleasant" was an understatement. It was ghastly. The area of the wound was swollen and red. The actual cut itself was festered, with pus staining the bandages. The smell coming from it made Elizabeth feel nauseous as she handed Merlin a wipe, but she steeled herself. It was for Meliodas after all.

As Merlin wiped the wound, Meliodas grunted and let out small whimpers of pain in his feverish state.

"It's worse than I thought," Merlin mumbled to herself before turning to Elizabeth," I need a scalpel."

Nodding, Elizabeth handed Merlin a scalpel she'd found in the medical kit. Merlin began to cut into the wound. As soon as the blade entered the skin, pus poured out. Elizabeth felt faint from the sight. Meliodas let out a cry of pain and moaned as the wound was drained.

Elizabeth, not knowing what else to do, found his clammy hand and grasped it.

Once the wound was emptied and cleaned, Merlin sewed the gash closed and applied the new bandages before covering the leg back up.

"All done," Merlin said, before turning to the pale Elizabeth," I must say that I am impressed by your lack of nerves."

"I was slightly scared," Elizabeth confessed before turning back to Meliodas," But it's for him."

A secretive smile appeared on Merlin's face as she returned to creating the balm.

…

Over the next day or so, Elizabeth was Meliodas' bedside nurse. She gave him a sponge bath (thankfully Merlin instructed her to leave his boxers on), applied cool compresses to his head and would sit by the bed, telling him about her day. Meliodas was still unconscious, but Merlin noted how he always seemed to toss and turn less when Elizabeth was by his side

Soon, Merlin had finished making the balm and its effect was quick, with Meliodas' temperature returning to normal. Elizabeth had nearly cried with relief as his whimpers stopped.

When Meliodas finally awoke, it was nearly midnight. Elizabeth was gone, as she had been ordered to go to bed by the concerned Queen. Instead, Merlin stood near, looking at the moon through the castle window.

"Where am I?" he groaned, as he pushed himself up. His muscles ached.

"You're in my lab," Merlin cooly replied," We have been nursing you back to health after you fainted due to your infected wound."

"Oh…" Meliodas nervously chuckled. He'd not wanted to scare anyone so he'd tried to keep the cut a secret. Guess the cat got out the bag.

"This is nothing to laugh about!" Merlin snapped, causing Meliodas' laughter to stop." Imagine how Elizabeth felt seeing you like this!"

"Elizabeth's seen me?" Meliodas softly asked.

"Not only has she seen you," Merlin exclaimed," But she's also been helping me take care of you."

"She nursed me?"

"Yes. She helped change your bandages, clean you, keep you cool and sat by your side continuously. In fact, she was even reluctant to go to her own room tonight but she was ordered to her room by her mother."

Meliodas couldn't respond, still in shock that Elizabeth had taken care of him. This obviously wasn't the first time he'd become ill. It also wasn't the only time an Elizabeth had cared for him. But this Elizabeth was so young and a princess to boot. Little kids, particularly from higher social classes, don't deal with infections. Yet that's exactly what Elizabeth had done.

"I'm sorry…" Meliodas said, his voice low and full of remorse.

"Well, you seem to be better," Merlin commented, pressing her hand against his now cool head," Your temperature appears to be normal."

"I need to go see Elizabeth-" Meliodas began, starting to get out of the bed. But he seemed stuck.

"Invisible Cube," Merlin smirked," You are still weak and need to rest. Elizabeth is tired as well. You can see her in the morning."

Normally, Meliodas would have been angered at this cage, but to Merlin's surprise, he simply nodded and went to bed.

"I'll see her when I wake up," Meliodas mumbled.

"Very good," Merlin nodded, leaving Meliodas to his thoughts of the beautiful princess who'd cared for him in his weak state.