Stand By Me by Fullmetal Pyromaniac

Chapter nine


"It's just so infuriating!" Elizabeth vented later that day. She and Meliodas were sat in the club room, Elizabeth still in her wheelchair.

"I'm ill, that's why I'm in here! If I was okay, if I could walk, I would be at home. Why can't she accept that?"

Elizabeth leant back in her chair and signed, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Why?" She whispered brokenly, "I hate fighting with her, but I hate that she won't acknowledge that I'm unwell. What should I do, Meliodas?"

Meliodas, who had been sitting silently on the stool, frowned. Then he sat up straighter and took Elizabeth's hand in his own, gently playing with her slim fingers.

"I think she's just scared" he started, avoiding eye contact with her.

"I mean, imagine your younger sister going into hospital to be treated for the same illness your mother had. Not to mention your mother died from that illness. I'm sure she's just afraid"

"But I'm not dying, I'm fine. I just...can't walk..."

"Yeah, maybe you are fine, maybe it's just your legs that are the problem but it won't make her feel better until she knows 100% that you're okay.

"I think Veronica ghosts over the fact you're in here is to assure herself that you're not dying. It's just assurance, I think you going into hospital really scared her"

Elizabeth hung her head, she hadn't really thought about what her family would be feeling. They probably would be scared, nervous, maybe even terrified.

"I never even thought of that" she whispered, "I just thought...maybe she didn't want me to be ill because then I wouldn't be normal" She buried her face in her hands.

"I'm so stupid"

"Hey, don't say that. Come on, you're not stupid. I'm just speaking from experience. I think you should speak with her"

Elizabeth snuffled and wiped her nose, "From experience?" She asked, peering at him. Meliodas seemed to curse under his breath.

"Never mind, the bottom line is I think you should speak with Veronica. I can't bear to see you upset over this"

"Thank you, Meliodas. I can't thank you enough"

He laughed and rubbed the back of his neck.

"I didn't really do much, but thanks anyway"

"Trust me" Elizabeth confirmed, "You've done more than you realise"

Meliodas' cheeks turned pink just as Diane, Ban and King walked in the room.

"Hiya Captain! Hiya Ellie!" Diane said cheerfully, then she spotted Elizabeth's wheelchair and her eyes went wide. "Elizabeth! What happened, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, honestly. I had a bit of an accident this morning. It's nothing major"

Ban walked up next to her and ruffled her hair affectionately.

"You gotta take care of yourself, Ellie. If you don't, the captain will have our asses"

Elizabth blushed a bright red and Ban, Diane and King exchanged knowing looks. Meliodas glared at them.

"Well" King said, smirking and clutching Olso, "Shall we get on with the club meeting?"

"Yes, let's" Diane said and opened the story book once again.

...

Elizabeth and Meliodas returned to their rooms around five o'clock for tea. He gently pushed Elizabeth along in her wheelchair, chatting all the while. Her legs were feeling better now. The ache had faded into nothing.

"I think I just over used them" Elizabeth said, "maybe I should just refrain from walking for large amounts of time. I should just walk when I need to, during exercises and going to and from the club. In between them I'll be sitting or lying down"

Meliodas nodded, "That's a good plan, as long as you look after yourself"

Elizabeth was quiet, "Meliodas?"

"Yeah?" He replied.

"I'm going to meet with Veronica tomorrow. Well I'm going to text her to meet with me tomorrow at twelve"

"That's great!" Meliodas said enthusiastically, "I'm really glad for you"

"I want to you meet her with me"

Meliodas froze, "What?"

"I want you to be there with me when I talk with Veronica. You mean a lot to me, Meliodas, you give me courage. I know it's just my sister but I've never been good with confrontations"

Elizabeth looked up and saw his shocked expression. Instantly, she looked away.

"Sorry, you don't have to. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable"

"No, I'd love to be there" he said, "It's just...weird to think I've had such an impact on someone's life, y'know?" He began pushing Elizabeth again.

"I'll definitely be there tomorrow, I'll be at your room around eleven?"

"Sure, I'll add my number to your phone so if anything changes I can text you. Saves you coming to my room or me going to yours"

Meliodas nodded and pulled his phone out of the pocket of his pyjama bottoms. Elizabeth typed in her number and Meliodas did the same to her phone. Then the two went on their way, exchanging banter all the way.

When they reached Elizabeth's room, Meliodas wheeled her to her bed and helped her into it.

"I think that's you, Elizabeth. Remember I'm just next door so text me if you need anything." He winked.

"I will thank you, Meliodas"

Meliodas then leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. Elizabeth turned beetroot red and began spluttering, Meliodas chuckled a little and gently shut her door behind him.

She sent a text to Veronica asking about tomorrow. Veronica said she was available and would gladly meet with her. Elizabeth confirmed the times with Meliodas and turned on her side. The octopi were wriggling about in her stomach, it was a weird feeling. Her cheek still tingled where he had kissed it. She vowed never to wash her face again.

Elizabeth would ask her sisters for advice on crushes later.

Tea time came and went but Elizabeth couldn't get rid of the octopi, she fell asleep dreaming of that kiss with Meliodas and a smile on her face. Everything was looking up for once.

...

It was midnight in the hospital and Meliodas couldn't sleep. The small light from his phone illuminated his face, he was scrolling through pictures.

Him and Ban. That day was so fun, we painted the Boar Hat.

Diane and him. That was when Diane had a small crush on him, she wasn't too bothered when he let her down gently. Diane was the best.

Him, Gowther, Ban, King, Diane and Escanor. That was last year, when Escanor visited. He brought in cake!

Him and Liz...

Meliodas took a shaking breath and scrolled again. They were all pictures of him and Liz. Her in her night gown, in her knight costume, scowling at a grinning Meliodas...kissing his cheek...

What was the date?

On yeah, it was nearly that time of year again.

Meliodas turned off his phone and covered his face with his pillow, letting his tears be soaked up by it.


End of chapter nine.

A.N. First off I'd like to apologise, the last few weeks have been really hard on me. I've had one test after another, a physics test which I've failed miserably and I've been helping a friend over a tough breakup and another through the loss of a family member.

I've not really been motivated to write either, and I don't want to sound naggy or like I'm forcing you guys to, but reviews motivate me to write. They help me look forward to posting and seeing what you guys thought. But hey, what's done is done and I'd like to thank everyone who has reviewed/favourited and followed so far- You guys are amazing and thank you for not giving up on me!

I've also updated Chapter Seven, fixing typos and adding a small but of information that becomes more important in chapter 10 onwards.

Thank you all for reading and putting up with my shenanigans! Review and tell me what you thought! Give me 'K' prompts on A-Z of Melizabeth because this is the hardest writers block I've ever had. If you've seen Now You See Me 2, I've just written a one shot for it! Thanks to all who've reviewed that too! ^\\\\\^

Love you all!

-Ruby xxx