Stand By Me by Fullmetal Pyromaniac

Chapter seven


The next morning after another meeting with Arthur, Vivian and Merlin, Elizabeth wandered back to her room. There had been something wrong between them that morning, especially after Elizabeth told them her legs were hurting worse. They had told her not to worry.

Brushing it off, Elizabeth checked her phone. A message from Veronica popped up on the screen.

-Veronica xx

-Hey Ellie, I'll be in the hospital 2morrow so don't go 2 ur club. Can't wai lots of love, Veronica xxx

-Veronica xx

-*wait

Elizabeth grinned at the prospect of seeing her sister again and quickly typed a reply, how she missed her. The breakfast trolley came along once again, offering cold-ish toast and lukewarm eggs but pretty amazing hot chocolate so that made up for the mediocre food.

As she ate, Elizabeth gazed outside her bedroom window, she had been doing that a lot recently. Because of her weakened immune system she was more susceptible to serious illnesses from going outside in weather like today's.

It was mid September. The days were getting damper, greyer, colder and shorter. Typical Britannia weather. The only good thing about it was that it meant Halloween and Christmas were getting closer.

Elizabeth finished her hot chocolate and sighed, turning on her side to fully face the window. She only hoped her father was okay, when the weather was like this it always made him sad.

...

Eleven o'clock came around and there was no sign of Meliodas or the others. Immediately, Elizabeth's breath quickened. He'd given for tests yesterday, what if something had happened? What if he'd-

She shook her head vigourously and stopped herself. If something had happened, she would have known after all she was next door to him and the sins would have told her.

Elizabeth let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding in and slowly stood up, wobbling on her sore legs. Picking up the leather book and her phone, Elizabeth began taking long strides towards the club room, hoping it'd take less time and make her less tired.

When she walked past Meliodas' room, Elizabeth peeked into it and breathed out. The bed was recently unmade. Her heart lightened, she continued walking.

Soon the wooden door came into view. Elizabeth strode up to it and knocked on the door. There were hushed whispers and footsteps on the other side before a lock became undone and Meliodas stood in the doorway, covered in red and grinning sheepishly.

Elizabeth yelped and crashed backwards into the wall before landing on her behind. Meliodas rushed over to her offering her his hand and hauling her up.

"Meliodas! What's happened to you?!" She shouted, Meliodas cocked his head curiously.

"What do you mean, Elizabeth?" She hesitantly pointed to the red covering him and Melidoas laughed nervously scratching the back of his head.

"Ah, you don't need to worry Elizabeth, this is just paint. I swear"

Ban appeared at the door a few seconds later, covered in the rainbow, and saw the two, then promptly doubled over and burst into laughter

"I told you not to answer the door, Captain" Diane scolded, wheeling herself into the hall. She herself was covered in greens and oranges.

"You're just in time, Ellie! We're making you something special, come in!" She cheered and disappeared once again, Ban following her. Meliodas took Elizabeth's hand.

"I'm okay, you know"

She nodded, "I know, I was just being silly. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions"

"If I wasn't okay" Meliodas said seriously, not looking her in the eyes, "You'd be the first to know"

Elizabeth was taken aback, "Why?" She asked softly.

Meliodas shrugged and looked at her, he was eye to eye with her, if not a couple of centimetres shorter.

"No reason. Now come see the surprise we made you"

...

The club room was brighter than she remembered. The paintings on the wall were sharper and the floor definitely messier. Though that just made it more homely.

Ban was standing at the back wall, two paintbrushes perched between his ears and another gliding across the blue background of the wall. Elizabeth's heart nearly stopped. A gasp left her lips.

The paintbrush flicked a final strand of silver along the wall and Ban stood back, admiring his work.

"I've always had a thing for painting, I haven't done it in a while though. I sure hope,it's good enough"

A life sized portrait of Elizabeth stood on the grass. Her silver hair floating in the imaginary wind, her white nightgown painted to the minutest details, the pattern of lace along the cuffs and hem. He'd even remembered her blue earring.

It was beautiful. Elizabeth didn't even notice the single tear that had dripped down and fallen on the mucky floor. Diane, who'd been observing quietly, squeaked and wheeled herself forward suddenly. King, who'd been reprinting the Boar Hat with Gowther, spun around suddenly.

"Diane?! Are you alright?"

"It's not me! Elizabeth? Why're you crying? Do you not like it?" She asked, holding her hands. Ban looked disheartened but hid it well.

"N-no" Elizabeth said softly after a few seconds, "It's nothing like that. It's just...no ones ever done something like this for me before"

She turned around, offering the sins a wide grin.

"Thank you all, I love it!" She exclaimed, her eyes brimming with tears. The sins all signed in relief.

"Geez, don't scare us like that, I thought you hated it!" Ban complained, though he looked happier. Diane mock scowled.

"Sorry, I guess I'm a big crybaby. I've always been like this" Elizabeth said sheepishly, shifting on her feet nervously. It was then the shock died away and an ache shot though her legs and she winced, clutching the leather book in her arms harder. Meliodas put his hand on her shoulder.

"Elizabeth? Are you okay?" He asked softly, Elizabeth nodded hesitantly.

"Yeah, I'm okay, just need a seat. It's a side affect of my illness- aching legs"

There was a dead silence before Meliodas spoke up.

"Let's get you a seat"

He pulled up one of the stools that fit around the round table and placed at the back of Elizabeths knees, beckoning her to sit. She said her thanks and sat down. Meliodas took the book from her.

"By the way" Elizabeth said while pointing to the two curtains covering part of the wall, "Did you paint behind the curtains? Would you mind if I looked"

King looked uneasy, as did Ban. Meliodas shook his head,

"Sorry, Ellizabeth, but it's not dry yet and we don't want you getting your pristine night gown all painted. Maybe another time"

Elizabeth stared at the curtains whilst Meliodas announced her story to the group.

"Guys, let's take a break and check out Elizabeths story. She's out a lot of effort into it"

and so they all pulled the round table into the middle of the room and sat down at it. Meliodas stood on his chair and opened the book at the marked page.

"Woah, this is really easy to read. You've nice handwriting, Elizabeth"

Elizabeth simply blushed and looked away, "Thank you Meliodas, your handwriting is nice too"

"Ahem, now on with the story..."

...

"Okay, King, it's your turn this time. And remember, if your writing gets unreadable, get Diane to help"

King mumbled a response and went to the door.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. I'm going to go, you coming Diane?"

Diane looked away and clenched the armrests of her wheelchair.

"Actually, would you mind if I talked to you, alone?"

Ban covered his mouth and 'Ooh'-ed, slinging an arm around Kings tense shoulder and laughing.

"In trouble with the mistress, eh?"

"Shut it, Ban" King snapped, Elizabeth took Bans arm.

"come on, let's leave the two in peace. You too Gowther"

Gowther frowned and cocked his head, his pink hair falling to the side.

"Why? It'd be a good way to observe you and how you fight and how you make up. I believe there are a few ways of reconciling and I'd like to witness them for myself"

Meliodas took Gowthers arm and lead him out the room, offering a good luck to Diane and King.

"Gowther, why don't you ask Merlin or Guila about reconciliation? I'd better be taking Elizabeth back, see you tomorrow?"

Ban waved a hand, "See ya, captain, 'Lizabeth" then out his arm around Gowthers neck, not aggressively, and pulled him down the corridor. "C'mon freak"

Gowther lifted two fingers into a salute and waved, "Ta ta!"

Meliodas took Elizabeths hand and the two began walking down the hall.

"It's an odd relationship these two have" Elizabeth commented. Meliodas nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, though I suppose you could say that about all of us" he grinned, "We're not exactly 'normal'"

Elizabeth chuckled, "I wouldn't have you all any other way"

"good, because we may be misfits and rogues of the country of Britannia but we have feelings too"

Elizabeth gasped and winked, "Really? I thought all rogues and criminals were heartless and cold" she said in mock surprise.

Meliodas let out a loud, heartwarming laugh.

"Wow, you're certainly breaking out your shell a bit there"

"I'm getting used to having friends my age, it's fun! I've never been in a club before, I've always wanted to though"

"Well don't you worry, you'll always be a member of our club, whether you like it or not, there's no say."

Elizabeth was filled with a warm euphoria that felt addictive. She blushed red. Finally the two reached their hospital rooms and stood outside them, still holding hands.

"I guess this is it, huh?" Elizabeth whispered, Meliodas smirked.

"'Tis for tonight. Parting is such sweet sorrow" He quoted, Elizabeths eyebrows rose.

"Shakespeare? I'm impressed"

"Well" Meliodas put his hands on his hips smugly, "there's more where that came from. Tomorrow though, I'll see you tomorrow"

Elizabeth nodded, Meliodas raised her knuckles to his lips and brushed over them. Elizabeth managed to hold in a squeal.

"Until tomorrow, Juliet" he winked and disappeared into his room. Elizabeth staggered into hers, her aching legs long forgotten. Lying on her bed, the moon was radiant that night. She turned on her side and smiled softly. Was this what love felt like? was this what the lovers in her novels felt?

She'd have to google it the next day.


End of chapter seven.

A.N. Well howdy doodly neighborinos!

Sorry. My inner Ned Flanders coming out. Well, it's been a while since I've seen this chapter, not much happens but the next few chapters are going to be pretty DRAMATIC :) nine onwards especially.

Okay, thank you all for reading, favouriting and following. A super special thank you and hug to those who reviewed on here and A-Z of Melizabeth! It means a lot (=^ェ^=)

I asked this on A-Z of Melizabeth too: I'm writing a short story for my English class as part of my higher qualification and I was wondering if you'd like to read it once I had finished? It would be posted on my wattpad account maybe two weeks (ish) from now. Tell me if you're interested or not ^_^

Okay! Bye bye!

-Ruby xxx