Within one of the caves in Purgatory, a fire flickers illuminating Meliodas and Ban surrounding it, eating their meal. Ban seems to be up in spirits enjoying the moment, commenting on how good the meat tastes. Meliodas however did not share his friends upbeat attitude and was sullenly taking bites of his meal.

"It's been almost 400 years since we started challenging the Demon King and we're no closer to getting back" Meliodas says dejectedly. "Hey don't get yourself down. There's a way to defeat him, we're getting back there no matter what." Ban responds shooting Meliodas his signature confident grin.

"Yes that's right Mr. Ban, I'm certain one day soon we will win this battle and see our loved ones in the mortal world" Wild adds on, ever hopeful and enthusiastic as usual. Meliodas merely gives a half hearted grunt in response, setting his half eaten plate down beside him.

"Don't get me wrong I want you guys to make it back, but I just don't think it's in the cards for me. It's likely because of the curse placed upon me, it will never let me leave" he hangs his head low, succumbing to the harsh reality of his fate.

"Oh shut up captain don't give me that crap." Ban says, causing Meliodas to lift his head. Before he could say anything Ban continues "Look I know you want to be down and feel sorry for yourself but you need to cheer up and start embracing the idea of being alive"

Meliodas gives him a grateful yet still sullen look. As if he wants to believe the words but still can't escape the grip of his despair. Ban notices this and moves around the fire to sit next to his friend.

"I know Purgatory sucks and all but giving into your fear isn't going to help us get out of here. Once you get your real body back you'll be able to break the curse on the princess and live happily ever after. So cheer up okay?" Ban says, giving Meliodas a poke in the side to punctuate 'real body' causing him to jolt up from his crouched position.

"Hmmm? Captain don't tell me the Dragon Sin of Wrath, feared and respected by all races … is ticklish" Ban says, giving a few more intentional pokes at his sides.

"H-hey agh stOHP that. I just dONT want to be t-touched right now." Meliodas responds, swatting at has hands clearly having a hard time steeling his composure.

"And I don't want to hear you whining all about how you don't think you're going to make it back." Ban responds with a grin as he advances again on his friend "What I do want to hear is some laugher, the perfect opportunity has presented itself to cheer my buddy up. How can I not take advantage of it?" Ban continues, grabbing onto Meliodas' arm when he attempted to get up to flee.

"Ban what the hell are you doing, this is ridiculOUS wahahait" his complaint was quickly lost when Ban pulled him back down to his side with one arm and dug the other into the captains belly.

"Nope, no waiting. Sorry buddy but this is for your own good. Plus, since you're basically just a soul this is the only time I'll be able to this without you mutilating me so of course I gotta do it." He says, continuing his assault.

"Thehere are other wahays to cheer m-me uhuhup" Meliodas complains, leaning away from his mischievous friend only to be tugged back to his side. Without his usual strength he was completely at the mercy of his friend who clearly didn't intend in on going easy on him.

"Yeahhh maybe but we've got time to kill and this one seems a lot more fun to me." Ban responds, pushing forward on Meliodas so his back was forced against the ground. He resumed his attack on his stomach and sides before Meliodas could adjust to the position change and attempt an escape.

"Youhuhu jeherk! I'm going to - AHAHA WAHAHAIT BAN NOO" his threat was cut off as his resolve broke when Ban moved his hands up his ribs approaching the underarm area. "What was that you were trying to say? I can't seem to hear you, but it sounds like you're having a good time." Ban teases, stopping his assent to focus his attack on the captains middle ribs which seems to have a particularly good reaction.

Meliodas was already in hysterics, helplessly tugging and swatting at Bans persistent hands. As he moved his hands higher Meliodas' laugher hitched up a notch again and his arms flew up to block his armpits and cover part of his face. "YOHOHOU AHAHASS!"

"I seem to be approaching a bad area for you Captain. I don't think I've ever seen you look so panicked." Ban laughs along with his writhing friend on the floor who was now spewing incoherent pleads and threats.

"Sorry Captain but surly you know the sin of greed can't let his best friends worst spot go untouched hmm? I just have to hear that reaction you're holding back." Ban responds, adjusting himself to sit on top of his legs to keep him still before easily forcing the Captains arms from where they were locked at his side, up over his head.

"Hey Wild, you mind doing me a favor by sitting on the Captains arm here. I'd like to have both hands for what I'm about to do." Ban says, laughing as Meliodas once again started thrashing and kicking, his face already flushed from the pervious attack.

"Ban come on buddy, I'm cheheheared - stop that, Wild get off me - I'm cheered up now you d-don't have to - WAHAHIT NOHOH." Meliodas was cut off the moment Wild settled down on his arms and Ban began his ruthless attack digging into his underarms.

"I don't have to wait? How kind of you." Ban teases earning a glare from Meliodas. The glare lacked any malice and Ban knew that secretly his friend was enjoying the playfulness and carefree nature that comes with being absolutely wrecked with tickles.

"Wow he really is quite sensitive isn't he?" Wild observes, still perched on top of Meliodas' arms. Not minding at all as he frantically tugs and thrashes underneath Wild's fluffy body, still babbling incoherent pleads.

"STAHAHAP PLEHEHEASE, I CAHAHANT." He yelled through his frantic laughter. "Oh sure you can Captain, here I'll show you." Ban responds, ignoring his blonde-haired friend's immediate protests. Ban moved his one hand to Meliodas left hip while his other hand stayed in his sensitive underarms.

The moment Ban resumed his attack Meliodas let out a single shout - more like a shriek actually, before collapsing into silent laughter. His tugging from under Wild ceased as he finally succumbed to his ticklish fate.

His green eyes were squeezed shut, slightly wet from tears of laughter. And his face was red and scrunched up in a genuine smile as Ban continued his assault on his sensitive areas.

Seeing that his work was done and not wanting to kill his friend, Ban relented his attack. Finishing with a few quick squeezes to Meliodas' sides to make him jolt and yelp before getting off his legs. Wild followed suit to allow him access to his arms again.

Meliodas stayed on the ground for a few moments, breathing heavily still recovering from the ticklish assault. "Ha did I kill you Captain?" Ban asks, sitting back down on the other side of the fire. "No, you sure tried to though." Meliodas responds with a chuckle, settling back into an upright position.

"Hey it was exactly what you needed and was an extremely entertaining use of time. I mean you in hysterics squirming on the floor? Ha, never thought I'd see the sight." Ban says laughing.

Meliodas, still slightly red from the comment shoots him two middle fingers before saying "Yeah well just wait till I have my real body back. We'll just have to see which of us is in hysterics on the floor then." He says with his signature cheeky laugh and smirk.

"Ha, I guess we will Captain. So let's go beat your old man so I can wreck you a second time in your real body." Ban responds, not missing a beat in their banter.

"Oh-oh tough talk for someone I know for a fact is ticklish. I saw that time King used his Guardian to hold you down while he tickled you after you drank the fancy bottle of wine he bought for Diane." Meliodas shoots back, snickering.

"Why you little punk. Have you already forgotten the situation you're in?" Ban responds, launching himself back around the fire to tackle his friend to the ground.

Laugher once again echoed throughout the cave for the rest of the night. Fighting the demon king could wait.