The Vaizel Festival is my favourite arc from S1, so i have fun writing this part :)

[Words: 5706]

Chapter 11:

Vaizel Fight Festival

PT 1

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I stirred while it was still dark out. Moonlight coloured the bedroom in a soft, ghostly glow. I blinked, admiring the sight. While unsure why I had awakened, sleep was creeping away from my grasp. It was warm beneath the covers, and I turned my head, gazing at Meliodas.

He was sleeping on his side, one hand grasping the pillow while the other was tucked beneath it. His lips were ever so slightly parted as he breathed. I counted the rise and fall of his chest. He looked so peaceful, expression relaxed in a way he isn't while awake. For as long as I had known him, Meliodas had carried a weight upon his shoulders. Guilt for Liz perhaps? I don't think I would have noticed it had I not known why he bore it, not when he put up a hell of a façade. Yet, now his mind is resting and unburdened, he's genuinely peaceful.

I smiled, hand creeping out from beneath the covers to brush stray hair away from his face and behind his ear. He sighed deeply.

Emboldened with the knowledge he was asleep, I let my fingers graze his cheek. His skin was a few shades darker than mine, a warmer tone, and I traced the small nick that scarred the apple of his right cheek. I wonder when he got it. Meliodas has had it for as long as I have known him. I wonder if it is from his years fighting as a Commandment. So very long ago when he was much younger and hadn't yet met Goddess Elizabeth. Maybe even before that, he had to learn to use his magic after all, and I can't imagine he nor Zeldris had it easy as sons of the Demon King.

Eventually, I pulled my hand away and climbed from the bed as gently as I could. I might as well do something useful with my time if I'm unable to sleep. I slink into the ensuite with some clothes. I slid on a pair of trousers and a long-sleeved shirt. My woollen cloak was downstairs, and I grabbed it as I made my way out the side door.

The night-chilled wind hit my cheeks, and I smiled at how refreshing it felt. I closed the door to the tavern and moved closer to the lake we had stopped at for the night after leaving the Necropolis hamlet. It didn't look too late. If anything, by the slowly brightening of the sky, the sun was due to rise soon.

I sat, crossing my legs and brought my hands together, fingers forming a diamond shape. I took a deep breath and focused inward. It had been a few days since I had used my magic and even longer since I had mediated. I had plans. Ideas to try. My magic was pliable. It didn't have a solid form if I was to describe it best. I had observed enough apprentice training to understand the magic lessons. I hadn't trusted going to Henderickson or Dreyfus about my own training. I had no wish to be exploited, but in hindsight, I could have snooped had I even had a fraction of trust. Find evidence and done things differently.

My skin warms and tingles in response. I feed my magic through my body from the core in my chest to the tips of my fingers and toes. From there, I rest my hands on the ground. I reached out, trying to feel the earth beneath me. I felt the deep roots of trees, the blossoming flowers and the presence of small animals that call the area home. Their own natural magic, as small and subtle as it may be, felt like a heartbeat—it felt like life. Undeniable proof that they live.

I can feel Mama Hawk, dozing away beneath the earth. I wasn't expecting a response from her, but I get one. It's an ancient power. It's condensed yet ever flowing. I felt…noticed. That is the best word I could find to encapsulate what she feels like.

Wasn't there something peculiar about her? I wracked my brain. There was something about Mama Hawk that I was forgetting.

Hello, I warmly greeted.

Dear-One, you-are-awake-early, she responded, consciousness stirring. The birds sang a little louder in the early morning light. The burrowed animals slept a little deeper. The world reacted to Mama Hawk. How strange.

I am, I smiled.

Mama Hawk tsked, much-sleep-is-needed.

I can't help it. My lips curled into a pout.

There was a deep rumble beneath the earth, and I got the sensation Mama Hawk was laughing at me. My cheeks gathered warmth.

I felt as Diane stirred, and I pulled my magic back to myself. But not before offering a parting to Mama Hawk, whose presence brushed against me, curlingly wispy and affectionate. It was an invitation to speak again. She didn't need to say it for me to understand.

I would be more than happy to.

I opened my eyes, twisting my head as Diane sat up with a yawn and a big stretch.

"Good morning," I said.

Diane blinked down at me with mild confusion before a smile graced her lips. "Good morning, Little Bee."

I loved a good nickname. I made a mental note to call her Dee Dee more often. I did it all the same as a child unable to pronounce words correctly.

"What has you up so early?" Diane asked.

I shrugged. "I awoke and was not tired enough to go back to sleep. I wanted to meditate a bit and stretch my magic."

Her eyes lit up. "So it was you I felt!"

I blinked. "Pardon?"

"Your magic. I didn't get a chance to register it last time. It's nice and airy. Reminds me of a bird!" Diane beamed. "It's really warm too. I've never felt magic like that before."

"Really?" I had always wondered what my magic felt like. Weinheidt said it reminded him of a warm cup of tea in the morning.

Diane nodded and she laid down on her front, kicking her legs in the air as she supported her chin. She smiled. "I meant to ask after our talk about King yesterday, but what else do you remember? You were attached to Captain's hip, you know."

I blushed. "I was," I admitted. "I'd known him all my life, as long as my family. In fact, he's the one that gave me to them."

Diane blinked owlishly. "Really? I knew you were adopted into the royal family but because of the Captain?"

"Yes. Despite the hush-hush nature of you guys after Zaratas's death, my Father did tell me in the end. At least after constant pestering," I grinned, and Diane sniggered. "Of course, I knew to an extent that Mel had been there since I arrived in Liones, just not the actual story."

Well. I did, but I wanted to know more. I had asked Father nonstop, but even then, he didn't. He cracked only after I gave him the silent treatment for an entire week straight. I was a petty child with the brain of an adult, so I had a stool to stand on when it came to underhanded tactics.

"To answer your question," I pondered over it. "The younger years are a bit hazy, but I have plenty of fond memories like that time Mel got me that fox skull and you were mortified."

Diane flushed, laughing nervously. "Right, I did overreact a bit there. But I still don't think a skull was an appropriate gift for a six-year-old."

"I still have it and it sits proudly on my desk with some of my potted plants," I beamed. "Besides all my other nicknacks too, gems and pressed flowers. Lots of little things that I cherish. I still have that rock statue you made for my fifth birthday."

Diane squealed but quickly covered her mouth. We nervously eyed the Boar Hat. Here's to hoping she didn't disturb anyone. Her flushed darkened when I giggled.

"What about you? Those shapeshifters made it sound like you had spent ten years in that forest," I asked.

"Well, I kinda did," Diana answered, looking bummed out. "I couldn't really go many places since giants aren't looked upon too kindly for our desire to die in battle. Others have gone to great lengths to meet their end and it scares humans."

She looked off to the forest sadly.

"Not you?" I asked.

"Nope," she chimed, a smile replacing that solemn look. "I fight for my friends. I've really missed everyone. I hadn't realised how much of a family I'd made until we were all separated."

I smiled widely. "You all certainly acted like a dysfunctional family."

She giggled again.

"But I know what you mean." I fell onto my back, gaze skyward. "I missed you guys so much I didn't know how to function properly for a long while. Everyone in Liones walked on eggshells around me after you were chased from the capital."

Diane crossed her arms on the ground, resting her cheek on them. I could feel her eyes on me.

"It felt like someone had reached into my chest and stolen something. An ache that gave me sleepless nights and long, exhausting days." I blinked back the tears. It had hurt so badly. "I concerned a lot of people with it."

Father had called for a healer when I had been at my worst. Depression sucks but the knowledge I would see them again eased it with time.

"I'm sorry," Diane murmured, sounding unsure of what to say but genuinely disheartened at my words. Guilt stirred. I hadn't wanted to bring down the atmosphere. "It sounded horrible."

I turned my head, flashing her a weak smile. "It's in the past, and I'm okay now."

But my thoughts turn to Father, Margaret and Veronica and can't stop myself from worrying about how they are.

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Eventually, Ban of all people stuck his head out the door.

"Mornin'," he greeted with a yawn.

"Morning Ban!" Diane chimed happily.

"Good morning. Did you sleep well?" I smiled warmly.

He grinned, cracking his neck. "Like a baby."

"Do you plan to start breakfast?" I asked, pushing to my feet and brushing any dirt from my cloak.

"I do," he confirmed, leaning against the door frame. "You wanna lend a hand? Cause you're not hopeless in the kitchen like Captain."

I laughed. Until we had found Ban, I had been doing the cooking, slapping Meliodas's hand away whenever he tried to lend it. That first night he fed me was the last time. Truthfully, it wasn't disgusting nor uneatable, but somewhere along the cooking process, Meliodas does something to spectacularly fail.

"Of course!" I chimed merrily, offering Diane a smile before following Ban inside. I hung my cloak up and plucked up an apron, pulling it over my head and tied it around my waist.

Beside some instructions, neither Ban nor I speak much, more focused on cooking. At some point, Hawk appeared, dragging his hooves and eyes sleep heavy. Ban silently set down a bowl of breakfast for the pig.

Hawk sleepily dug in, and I smiled as he lay there, taking heavy blinks.

As we waited for things to finish cooking, I grabbed Diane's barrel mug and began brewing her tea. When it had enough time to stew, Ban dragged it out to her.

"Why don't you freshen up, princess?" Ban said as he pulled the bread from the oven. "I can handle the rest."

"Thank you," I replied, untying the apron to hang up once more. I could do with changing into clothes that weren't covered in dirt.

Before I went up, I grabbed King and Meliodas's teas. Going up to the second floor, I knock on the bedroom door. King was awake but still lying on his pillow.

He sat up with a smile. "Good morning."

"Morning, King. I brought you some tea," I said, handing it over to him.

He perked up, muttering a grateful thank you.

"Breakfast is just about done," I informed him before closing the door behind me. I go down one floor to the master. Once more, I knocked. Hearing no response, I reasoned that Meliodas was either in the bathroom or still in bed.

With a click, I opened the door to peer inside. I huffed softly, a smile creeping across my face as I spotted Meliodas still in bed. He had rolled over onto my side at some point with an arm reaching out, presumably in an unconscious inquiry about where I was.

I crept closer and set the mug down on the bedside table. I paused, watching his nose twitch at the fruity smell that filled the room.

A bleary emerald eye cracked open a sliver. He blinked both open. "Elizabeth?"

"Good morning," I greeted softly, keeping my voice down. "I've brought you some tea."

His eyes flickered to the mug.

"Thanks," he hummed, voice hoarse around the edges, his eyes creased at the corners as he smiled.

I returned the smile. "No thanks necessary."

Stepping away, I reach for my day clothes and head to the ensuite. When I stepped out, hairbrush in hand, Meliodas was sitting on the edge of the bed, mug in hand. Meliodas turned to me, running a hand through his bedhead.

"I was expecting Hawk to come calling," he said as a light smirk tugged at his lips.

"He's probably finished his breakfast and napping it off," I giggled, remembering how sleepy the pig was.

"What about you? You look like you've been up for a while," Meliodas questioned.

He pushed to his feet, taking a gulp of tea as he approached the drawer. He set down the mug to rummage for his clothes.

"I have been up since before dawn," I explained, brushing my hair while being mindful of my eyepatch cord. Meliodas twisted toward me, brows furrowed with concern. "I'm fine, just couldn't get back to sleep."

"You did say you had insomnia," he remarked.

I did but thankfully I had been blessed with full nights recently. Maybe that was going to change if this morning was anything. How annoying.

"I think it's just my worrying about how my family is," I offered and set the brush down on the vanity to begin sectioning my hair to do a half ponytail.

The front of my hair was just long enough to be pulled back. My fringe fell back into place as I tied the tail off. A shoulder-length graduated bobs had been my preferred hairstyle as Bethany, and only a month before the coop had happened did I convince Alice to allow me to cut it short. I don't see why there had been as much fuss as Veronica had really short hair.

"It's a constant worrier, especially with my Father being ill."

Meliodas paused. "Do you know what ails him?"

I shook my head and worried my top lip. "No, but I suspect that the physician was working for Hendrickson."

Conveniently, the royal physician had passed away suddenly in his sleep only a few weeks before. It was out of nowhere; Atticus was a healthy man, not too much older than Father and I had worked with him over the years while learning to use my healing. I knew him personally.

"Hey." Meliodas's hand on my face brought me from my thoughts. His thumb gently pulled my tender lip from between my teeth. My tongue snuck out and tasted iron. I'd bitten until I bled.

I met his eyes; the warmth of his hand kept my focus.

"I promise we'll do everything we can," he assured with a smile, one I weakly returned.

I trusted Meliodas one hundred percent, I would never doubt him, but not even his words could stop my worry.

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"So you think Gideon is here?" Diane asked, pouting still over not being able to enter the town.

"Not too long ago, one of our customers said a hammer was brought in that was so big, nobody could wield it," Meliodas explained.

"The words are vague but, I suppose there's a chance it could be Gideon," King agreed.

The sound of the door opening and closing had me turning. A smile pulled up my lips upwards as Ban stepped out wearing a modified version of the boar hat uniform. He wasn't wearing the waistcoat nor tie, but I hadn't expected him to. To match the shirt, he wore some black trousers. Really, it was a simple, noncomplex outfit, but would do Ban for now until I could get my hands on some more material to create something he would prefer.

My original plan had been to go into town to browse while the guys joined the festival, but after Diane pouted, I promised to stay with her to keep her company. She tearfully thanked me.

"Thanks, princess." Ban threw an arm over my shoulder. "You're a real lifesaver."

I merely laughed lightly. "No thanks are necessary, Ban."

"You always say that," he complained. "Learn to accept a thanks here and there."

I blinked. "I do?"

He snorted, grinning. "You do." He turned to Meliodas. "Right, Captain?"

Meliodas nodded. "Ban's right, you do have a tendency to say that, Beth."

Huh. Well. I shrugged, not sure what else to say. "I was raised to be humble; I suppose those lessons sank in more than I had originally believed."

"You say that like you weren't expecting them to," King commented, humour on his face.

"I did tend to escape every chance I got for a long while," I admitted. "They eventually had to guard the door to stop me from sneaking away."

That got me laughed at and my cheeks warmed.

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-Meliodas-

The marketplace was bustling with merchants promoting their wears and curious tourists that were here to watch or participate in the festival.

Meliodas found his eyes tracking everything he could with a touch of awe. It had always been so strange to him to see humans going about their lives, even now after so long mingling as one of them.

Every shiny thing or the smell of freshly baked goods drew his attention. His only gripe was that Beth and Diane were unable to be here. He knew both would have loved to wander the busy streets and look over all the stalls. It was a pity they couldn't. Maybe if this festival went well and they weren't discovered since Daine eventually had to come to grab Gideon even if they didn't win (which was unlikely all things considered), he could bring Beth into town.

It brought a smile to his face to recall the way she slaved over her craft. A look so familiar and yet simultaneously just Beth. Meliodas knew she would fawn over all the cloth and materials just from a glance as he walked by. Maybe he could buy her some on the way back? Then again, recalling the pout she wore when they bickered about him not buying unless it was Boat Hat related, Meliodas mused over whether the excitement of the fabric would outweigh that irritation of him going back on his word. Decisions, decisions. It would certainly compensate the risk, especially if they never did get to come back into town.

Meliodas had hours to decide. He could weigh his options some more.

"Looking for something special for a lady friend, son?" an elderly man said, a tease in his voice. "Or are you planning on being part of the festival?"

Meliodas paused, blinking at how the voice struck a chord deep in his brain. He glanced at the man whose face was flushed red from alcohol.

He can't help the chuckle. "Perhaps a bit of both," he admitted. "You know where we could sign up?"

The man grinned. "Find that mascot by the arena, and he'll get you sorted."

"Mascot?" King asked.

"You'll know 'em when you see 'em," the man laughed before taking another sip from his bottle.

"Thanks," Meliodas remarked cheerfully despite the strange, unsettled feeling in his chest at how the man sent bells off in his brain. Was he perhaps a customer at some point? Meliodas had seen thousands of faces come and go. It was completely possible. Yet something said it wasn't.

He shoved it aside since it was probably unimportant anyway. King, Ban, and he began the walk up the village to the hub, where an irritating high-pitched voice rang out.

The mascot?

"All right, it's time to begin the annual Vaizel Fighting Festival now! Any last-minute participants, come on over to sign up before time runs out!"

Meliodas only bats an eye at the strange mascot before turning to Ban, sharing wide, excited grins.

King sighed, muttering something about barbaric behaviour that he didn't pay attention to.

"We're gonna put our names in, aren't we?" Ban asked, a near-deranged smile on his face.

"Let's see who's got what it takes," Meliodas challenged, his own excitement threatened to match that look.

"Guys?!" King exclaimed.

Ban smacked King's shoulder. "I'll go sign us up."

Meliodas grins again, spirits only damped by the lack of Beth to show off too. It was ingrained in him to want to show off to her just what he was capable of, and with Ban as a sparing partner, Meliodas didn't need to worry about seriously injuring him as someone who could take and give right back.

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In half an hour, it seemed Ban had just barely made it to the registration booth in time, the tournament had begun. Meliodas looked around at all the people standing in the arena. He noted they all looked to be average humans but looks could be deceiving. He also spotted a woman with a hat and cloak. On the back of her neck was a pair of familiar moles.

He scented the air, brows furrowing in confusion. Diane? But that was impossible considering said woman was about thirty feet tall. But there was something else in the woman's scent, a hint of something hidden underneath. Then there was a glint, and he spotted that blue earring. Beth?

What exactly was happening? He would know if Beth was the one standing there—but now that he thought about it. He scented the air again. Something was fishy. Meliodas was confident that the woman was Diane and Beth was around here somewhere, but the muddling of all these people made it hard to track when her scent was so weak. What had they gotten up to?

Meliodas turned his attention back to his surroundings.

This first round was to knock as many people out of the arena as possible and it was a piece of cake. Meliodas had been right about them being average humans, no enhanced strength in sight. A few showed promise like that dark blonde guy with his hair slicked back who remarked on finally getting to participate.

King almost gets thrown from the ring and would have hit the ground had it not been for Chastiefol.

Was that cheating? He mused. Probably, but King stayed in since Chastiefol wasn't considered a weapon.

Contestants singled out, Meliodas hopped off the edge of the arena.

"That blond guy looks familiar," King mutters quietly as they were called over to the hut.

Meliodas dares not turn his head when he hears a voice utter his team's name. He barely hears it over the chatter. An innocent look around in a false glance at the remaining contenders revealed purple hair. The young woman was stood beside a taller, beefier man, not that older than her. He knew that hair colour.

Princess Veronica?

Meliodas glanced forward, lips pursed. She was a rowdy child from what he could remember. She didn't like too many people. She was jealous of how much Beth adored him. Meliodas could remember the glares she would send his way.

Was she here searching for Beth? This was the first time Gideon was being offered as a prize, did the Holy Knights have something planned? Was that too much of a leap?

Meliodas pushed the thought aside and stepped inside the hut.

The door was closed behind them and the mascot held up a cup of sticks. "Draw your lots!" he chirped merrily. "The first round will be contenders who each have the same letter!"

One by one, each grabbed their stick.

"I wish they'd hurry it up and get to the finals already," Ban complained.

Meliodas sniggered. "Don't talk like that and get knocked out before the end, okay?"

"That is not gonna happen," Ban deadpanned.

He drew his stick, laughing. Meliodas glanced down at his letter briefly before tuning into the mascot when he began speaking again.

"The first match-up is Grimamore versus Matrona!"

"It's that girl from earlier," King remarked.

By the head tilt, Diane heard King.

"The second match-up is Howzer versus Taizoo!"

King startled beside him and leant close. Meliodas turned towards King, seeing the way the fairy's brows were pinched in concern. "I remember now, he's a Holy Knight. I saw him with Gilthunder lots of times. But what's he doing here?"

"It'd really suck if we get recognised," Meliodas mutters.

Howzer. Hm. He's sure he's heard that name before.

(Beth fiddled with the mug, resting her cheek on it. She looked exhausted, and the bruises did nothing to settle his unease.

"Gil said you had help escaping from Liones?" he asked.

"Mh-hm," Beth nodded tiredly. "His name's Howzer. He's my personal knight and my closest confidant. He stayed behind by my orders because I wasn't willing to risk his life."

"Is that his job as your personal knight?" Meliodas questioned.

Beth huffed out a laugh, lips curling upwards. "It is, but his punishment would mean death for betraying the kingdom. No harm would come to me."

Meliodas said nothing else, merely curled an arm around Beth's shoulder and tugged her close, letting her use his shoulder as a pillow. It wasn't long before her exhaustion dragged her under, and he carried her upstairs to bed once more.)

"Actually, never mind, he's B's friend," Meliodas corrected. King glanced at him, and he nodded. King returned it, understanding who Meliodas meant.

But then King twirled around to Ban. "Wait, did you use our actual names when signing up?!"

"Eh, chill King," Ban grinned, patting King's head. "Don't get your panties in a twist. I got your back."

"—And here's the third match-up. Cain versus Old Fart!"

King chuckled. "Old Fart? Who'd use an awful name like that?"

Meliodas crossed his arms behind his head, grinning as King froze in realisation. He snapped back to Ban. "This had better be some kind of joke!"

Ban just laughed and they began bickering back and forth.

Meliodas turned to the old man from earlier. Cain is what the mascot called him. "Hey, you made it to the finals too?"

The man lowered his bottle with a laugh. "Thanks to liquid courage."

"—I don't think I've heard the guy call out my name yet?" Ban questioned.

Meliodas blinks. Wait, then that would mean—

"And the last match-up is Meliodafu versus Baan!"

Ban turned to him with a playful grin. "We're in the first round!"

"Guess we are!" he laughed.

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"First up Griamore versus Matrona!"

Both participants stepped onto the area. There was a striking height difference between Grimoire and Diane—which Meliodas never thought a situation would present itself where Diane was the smaller one.

"Standing at seven feet tall and weighing 400 pounds—Griamore!"

The crowd cheered and called remarks.

"Standing five feet five inches tall and weighing an undisclosed amount, Matrona!"

Even more cheering. One guy was brave enough to ask for her measurements.

The mascot turned to Diane again. "You'll have to take off the cloak, but the hat's fine. Gotta make sure you aren't hiding any weapons, just to be safe."

Without a word, Diane unclasped the cloak and threw it, revealing black flared shorts with a brown pocket belt and a white off-shoulder ruffled crop top with bishop sleeves. Around the chest looked tighter than it should have.

Recognising it as something Beth was working on, Meliodas reasoned it was because Beth's measurements were smaller than Diane's, even with the brunette human-sized, which he still doesn't know how that happened.

She wore Beth's flared boots.

Wait. If Diane was human-sized…

The fight beginning dragged Meliodas from his thoughts—but it wasn't forgotten—and Diane moved first. Griamore used magic, forming a purple shell around him. Something Diane was unable to punch through despite trying.

Griamore expanded his bubble further, forcing Diane back and back until the very edge.

"Thanks to Griamore's mysterious power, Matrona's in big trouble!" the mascot commentated.

Diana was putting up a good fight, and Meliodas didn't doubt she would win. He hadn't known her for so long just to doubt her abilities.

"I'll be advancing to the final round," Griamore announced and babbled on some more about Princess Veronica, so Meliodas supposed his identification was spot on. If Beth was here (and normal-sized if Meliodas was wrong), had she already spotted her sister?

Something the Holy Knight said—admittedly, he wasn't really paying much attention to the fight anymore because seriously, if Diane was small, did it also affect Beth? Was she tiny? Now Meliodas really wanted to find her and bask in the no doubt adorable—

Diane broke through the forcefield and rushed Griamore. With a single punch to the jaw, Diane launched Griamore from the arena and over the ledge. Wow.

But the hat came flying off, letting Diane's long hair fly free and her face was on full display.

"Griamore's out of the ring! By default, the winner is Matrona!" the mascot cheered, followed by the audiences' even louder one. "This sweet girl just took out that hulk of a man with a single punch. This year's Fighting Festival is one to remember, folks!"

Beside him, King near dropped to his knees in shock. "D-Diane?!"

"Huh, would you look at that," Ban laughed, giving King a good smack on the back.

"I knew it! My nose doesn't lie!" Meliodas smiled, hands on his hips.

"Wait, what?" King turned to him just as Diane skipped towards them. "You knew?"

"Hey guys!" she greeted cheerfully. "Admittedly, I was hoping to stay hidden a bit longer to surprise you all! What do you think?"

"Diane, but how?" King asked, bug-eyed. "You're—small?"

"And where's Beth?" Meliodas really wanted to know.

She twirled a lock of hair as she grinned sheepishly. "I think we should step inside."

So, he and King trailed after Diane, leaving Ban to keep an eye on the next match. When the door closed, Diane began fiddling with the pocket on the belt.

"So, Beth and I were in the forest exploring when a giant mushroom startled us and before we knew it, it gave off this cloud of pink smoke, and suddenly, we were far smaller than we should be," Diane explained as she finally opened the flap of the pocket and reached it.

The two men leaned close as in the bundle of white fabric was Beth. She stared up at them, red-faced.

Meliodas was right—she was adorable.

"Hi," she squeaked, pulling the fabric up to hide her face.

"Wow," he murmured, standing upright.

"It must have been a eringi mushroom variation of the Chicken Matango. They're monsters that are timid by nature and rarely show themselves out in the wild, but when threatened, they release spores that shrink living things," King offered.

Meliodas blinked at Beth, watching as she peeked out from behind the fabric. He scented the air when he recognised that fabric scrap. A grin threatened to stretch across his face.

It was from one of his mended shirts.

It stands to reason her scent was fairly faint at this size but being surrounded by his own...

Oh, now that was deeply satisfying to his instincts.

"I had to borrow some of Beth's clothes and thankfully, she had some looser garments," Diane added with a smile.

"But there wasn't anything I could use, so I grabbed some scrap fabric," Beth added, face going red again.

"Why didn't you say something from the beginning?" Meliodas asked, reaching out to pluck Beth from Diane's hands while the latter was distracted with King.

"Well," Diane began, giving him a quick warning glance and Meliodas just grinned. "Because I wanted to surprise you guys, is all."

"Diane…" King started, only for the giantess to fling herself at him, wrapping her arms around King's shoulder. The fairy squeaked and went red in the face.

Meliodas sniggered as he brought Beth close. He held her cupped in his palms closer to eye level. "Beside the shrinking, are you feeling alright?"

She nodded, barely able to meet his gaze. "Just embarrassed at my indecent state."

With a warm smile, Meliodas sat and set Beth on his leg. "Let me see if I can tie the fabric off for you."

"Thank you." Beth returned the smile, raising her arms once he held the fabric. He crossed the fabric at the back and crosses it in the front before tying it off behind her neck. "Is that comfortable?"

Beth stood up on his leg, and he curled a hand around her in case she fumbled. Thankfully, she didn't, but did rest a teeny hand on his.

"It's good, thank you so much!" she beamed happily.

The door opened and Ban peered his head in. "The fights about the end, might as well get on out here—Beth?"

Ban blinked at Beth, who waved sheepishly. Ban blinked again and shook his head. "I'm not questioning it."

Beth shifted. "It's Howzer fighting, right?"

"Yeah," Meliodas admitted, watching how she glanced at the door. Seeing the sadness, he cupped her in his palm once again and pushed to his feet.

"Mel—?"

"The fights not finished yet," he smiled down at her. She grinned back excitedly, eager eyes turning to the arena as he stepped outside to watch the last few minutes of the second fight.