Stand By Me by Fullmetal Pyromaniac
Chapter twenty-three
A few days later Meliodas burst into Elizabeth's room unexpectedly. Elizabeth, who had been reading quietly, squeaked and nearly thrown her book at him. Chuckling, Meliodas hugged her and kissed her cheek.
"A book, princess? What kind of weapon is a book?" He taunted. Elizabeth hugged him back and shuffled over so he could sit beside her.
"Books are the best weapon someone could have! How about I get my hardback H.P Lovecraft book and test to see how much damage it does?" She flirted back, a little red, still not being used to being someones girlfriend.
"Nah," Meliodas dismissed, "I trust your judgement"
Leaning her head on his shoulder, Elizabeth sighed a "Good" then gazed up at him, "So what are you doing here, not that I don't enjoy your random visits"
Meliodas' face brightened and he took Elizabeth's hand, "Well guess what Elizabeth? I'm off my double dose of medicine, and as long as I keep taking it regulalry, I'll be out here in a month, two months tops!"
Elizabeth flung her arms around Meliodas' neck and the two had fallen forwards, or backwards. She hid her face in his neck and squeezed Meliodas tightly, hd in return laughed and hugged her back with equal vigour.
"That's amazing Meliodas! I'm so proud of you!" Elizabeth exclaimed.
"Thank you" He replied, shuffling them both over so she was lying on his chest, "I really couldn't have done it without you" and he pressed a soft kiss to her head.
The couple lay together for a bit, just taking in each other's presence. The world outside bustled by yet time stood still in their room, the perfect safe haven for them.
A steady ache began to ripple through Elizabeth's legs, she yawned and shuffled her head onto Meliodas' collarbone. She gently tried to move her legs closer to his own but realised she couldn't. She couldn't move them at all.
"Meliodas?" She whispered, Meliodas hummed, eyes closed.
"I can't feel my legs" His eyes snapped open, eyes filled with panic, similar to the fear rising in Elizabeth. Her breaths came out in shorter gasps as Meliodas scrambled from the bed and gently helped her sit up.
"Hey, hey, hey, it's okay, I promise you'll be fine. I'll just ring Merlin, okay, just breathe. Nice and slow, that's it" His voice soothed Elizabeth, who matched her breathing with his.
Meliodas stroked her hand until Merlin came and whisked her away in her wheelchair, and he was left alone to contemplate everything. What Elizabeth meant to him, which was a lot. Would he be able to give her up?
Never, but Elizabeth fought for her future. Meliodas went through to his room, took the story book and his quill that King got him for his birthday, steadied his hand and began to write.
...
Ages of injections, blood tests, x-rays, and numerous leg exercises later, Elizabeth sat exhausted in her chair. Arthur placed the blood samples in sterile bags and gave them to Merlin.
"There, I'll get the results to you tomorrow. For now, relax Elizabeth, there's no point in stressing about the results yet" Arthur assured her, but it did nothing to calm her nerves. She nodded mutely, and went back to her room.
Meliodas was still sat on the bed, this time he was staring at the ceiling, his eyes almost glazed over.
"Hey" She mumbled, wheeling herself inside, Meliodas sat up and helped her onto the bed.
"How's your legs?" He inquired softly, Elizabeth shruggged.
"I don't know, they're numb, and I get my results tomorrow. So it's anyone's guess"
Meliodas nodded, and the two sat in silence, Elizabeth leaning her head on his shoulder.
"I always wanted to make an impression on the world" she spoke after a while, "I wanted to be a super-princess, a hero, I wanted to do good. I wanted to live and get married, have three children, I wanted to be a waitress, I wanted to help people..."
Elizabeth trailed off and closed her eyes, "But I guess I'll have to make do"
"You can still make a difference" Meliodas protested, "You can be a survivor, you could inspire people. You have that magic, one that enables you to change hearts, and that's pretty impressive thing to have"
She flushed a deep crimson and hid her face in Meliodas' neck.
"Thank you, but I wish I could do more, though I suppose everyone does"
Meliodas was quiet, then replied, "There's still a chance, Elizabeth"
"It's a small one though"
"A chance nonetheless"
Elizabeth huffed to herself, "I'm just trying to prepare you for the worst"
"I can handle it" Meliodas replied, a little put off.
"Can you though? I don't want to put you through what you did with Liz, I couldn't hurt you like that"
Meliodas sighed and pulled her closer, "You'll be fine, I can feel it, and in any case, if you're not; I'm a different guy now, I've been through pain before. It'll hurt, but you'll be watching over me from wherever you are, and you'll put me in my place. I'll always treasure you Elizabeth, you're the best thing that's happened to me"
"And you're the best thing that's happened to me" She replied, hugging his waist. The two stayed like that, eventually falling asleep. Merlin didn't have the heart to wake them, so she let them sleep.
...
The next morning after breakfast, Elizabeth sat drinking her Earl Grey tea as usual. Meliodas had gone back through to his room, reluctantly, after Merlin had let him stay the night.
The sun was shining, there was a single white dove nesting outside Elizabeth's window, it was calm. There was no disturbances, just the way Elizabeth liked it.
There was a knock at the door and Merlin came in, a sheet of paper in her hands and a stony look on her face.
"I have the results of your test, Elizabeth"
End of chapter twenty-three
A.N. Hey guys, sorry for being away for so long. I posted on my twitter a brief explaination (so if you want to be kept up to date follow me on there) basically I am depressed. Simple as. My friendships have been suffering, my relationships with people have been suffering, I've been suffering. It hasn't been pretty.
So i want to thank you all for sticking with me, even during my darkest hours, and for reading this story even though it's not the best. Thank you.
Follow me Fullmetal_RUBY for updates about stories and my life.
Also check out my tumblr oddwriting for story tidbits.
I love you all so much and please, id you're feeling he same way I was. Get help. It's worth it. You're worth it.
Love,
- Ruby xxx
This chapter is dedicated to YOU. To everyone who's reading right now, who has followed, favourited, and reviewed. To everyone who enjoys my stories. This is for you.
