The Demon's Lover (Meliodas)

Chapter 35

Ayano watches Meliodas and Fraudrin silently. Merlin had appeared with everyone and had a perfect cube around the top of the castle, protecting them all inside.

"It's time we bring our dance to an end, Fraudrin, and this tie, I'll be sure to wipe every last tract of you from this world" Meliodas turns and looks at Ayano "you just stay up there dear, I got there"

"all yours sweetheart" Ayano blew him a kiss before sitting down "now don't keep me waiting"

Meliodas rushes to Fraudrin, attacking him all over without his clones. Fraudrin, covered in holes, falls to the ground.

Fraudrin tries to stand, his entire purple body shaking "3000 years ago... and when history repeated itself 16 years ago, while you were off dancing in your sweet little dreams... We sat waiting... Biding our time to take revenge against the goddesses and you.. after everything you've done.. the princess still chooses you over us.."

Meliodas pats the purple demons cheek twice "Trust me, I've been in your shoes and... Ayano will always choose me over anyone else" He smirks and taps again sending Fraudrin flying into a ruin of a wall then he walks forward "You're a tough nut to crack, aren't'cha?" 

"Something's off... This ain't the Cap'n I remember"

Ayano turns her head "Ban!"

"Sup princess" Ban smirks "been awhile"

"welcome back, did you have fun kicking the shit out of demons?" Ayano questions with a smirk

"you know it" Ban replies happily

"You were never bestowed the title of commandment by the Demon King," Meliodas says "You always were nothing more than chap, third-rate-substitute"

"Zaratras" Fraudrin stands up, getting ready for an attack "Was kind enough to provide me... An inspiration of sorts... So don't expect me to roll over and die quietly!"

"How much longer will you be able to keep up that smug smile I wonder?" Fraudrin questions "After all, even if you somehow manage to survive this... I'll most certainly be able to wipe Liones off the face of the map and thanks to you, every last human in this kingdom will perish!!" He says and begins the self destruct, "Now then... How about you count down together with me... For the grand finale!! 10..."

"If you wanna kick the bucker, then hurry up and just do it. You're putting me to sleep over here..." Meliodas says

"So... He really is an evil, heartless villain through and through!" Veronica shouts

Ayano looks at her causing her to hide behind her father.

"Merlin, Ayano, what's the Cap'n trying to accomplish by riling up an opponent resolved to a plan like that?" Ban asks and they don't answer.

"GRIAMORE!!!" Dreyfus yells

Ayano looks down, seeing the tiny boy hugging the purple demon

"How did he get out of the Perfect Cube?!" Ayano asks "Why did you not notice?!"

Ayano teleports herself and Dreyfus beside Meliodas "

"It was my negligence that allowed the kid to get out" Ayano says to Meliodas "When the wall is down I'll take Griamore and Dreyfus again"

"Of course darling" Meliodas replies "no worries"

"Don't kill daddy!" Griamore looks up at the demon "Don't kill everybody!" He cries.

Dreyfus start banging on the magic wall, "No!! I order you to stop this! Release your magic this instant, Griamore!!"

"Please... Be a good boy" Fraudrin says, but the child looks away, "So be it" Fraudrin pats Griamore's head, "I will not kill your father or anyone else for that matter."

"Do you... Promise?" Griamore asks looking up at the demon.

"Now return to your father's side" Fraudrin says

Griamore releases the power and the two, father and son, run to each other. Ayano puts her arms around them and teleports the three of them into the Perfect Cube.

"Kill me" Fraudrin says 

Ayano turns around to see Meliodas doing just that with a devilish smirk on his face. Merlin then lowers everyone to the ground and releases the Perfect Cube. Ayano runs over to Meliodas and hugs him, Meliodas deactivated his demonic power. Ban walks over to them.

"How long you plan on standing there staring at me? You look like you've got something you want to get off your chest" Meliodas asks, looking the ground, his bangs covering his face and his voice sounding guilty.

"Yeah, something like that.. I'm glad.. My partner in crime hasn't kicked the bucket" Ban tells him before he carries on walking "How about we have a toast and kick things off properly later tonight?" he continues walking

"Meli" Ayano looks up at him "You avenged Danafor.. that's good isn't it?"

Meliodas just wraps his arms around her and pulls her into his chest.

-

Later that night, as everyone was attending funerals for those fallen in today's battle, Meliodas and Ayano made their way to their broken home, the tavern.

"Man, they really did a number on this... I can't even tell what's what..." Meliodas says and looks at me "it's kinda cold, you wanna make a fire?"

"yeah, I got it" Ayano smiles

Ayano puts some logs together and creates a fire with her magic power. Meliodas sits besides her, pouring them both drinks

"It'll probably be freezing tonight, but beggars can't be choosers..." Meliodas says "..and you were right" he hands Ayano a cup "I've finally avenged Liz, she didn't ask to die how she did and I avenged the city... So I suppose the occasion calls for a celebratory drink... Besides... Drinking with you, isn't without its merits!"

"You dummy" Ayano puts her cup down and hugs him "if you want to cry you can"

"I'm sorry... The face ban made at me earlier... I didn't recognize it... Goddamn... Those unspoken words you have with your best friend just by looking in the eye... I couldn't read them at all..." Meliodas pushes his hands through his hair as his voice breaks "What's... Happening to me...? When I killed Fraudrin, it felt good... So good... I felt... Too good... Hell... even now, just thinking about it, makes me feel so giddy"

"Meli" Ayano puts her hands on his cheeks

"Ayano..." tears started falling from Meliodas's eyes, rolling down onto Ayano's hands "I'm scared shitless right now... I'm horrified at the thought of turning back into him... Into that guy I used to be, but if I don't go back into that guy... I can't... I won't be able to protect you or save you.."

"It's ok" Ayano pulls Meliodas into her chest where he just wraps his arms around her and cries "just let it out, I'm right here, forever and always"