Turning Back The Clock

Turning Back The Clock: Chapter 22

After calming down, Meliodas had taken some time to process with Ban sitting by his side. There weren't any other memories that came back, even though he pondered on it for awhile, but he knew enough to comprehend that this all was indeed the truth.

"Hey Ban?"

"Yeah?"

"Where are all the others? I sense them nearby, but I haven't seen them."

A cheshire like grin came onto the man's face as a replied. He was much more chipper in this moment than earlier. The blond was starting to think his moodswings were as bad as the boy's own.

"They're hiding upstairs and eavesdropping. We all agreed that we didn't want to overwhelm ya unless you asked to speak to all of us."

"Oh. Has it been really hard on them seeing me even though I don't remember them? Is that why they're so weird around me?"

"Yep. All of us were affected by you coming into our lives one way or another. You made us all better, and were a damn good captain. So seeing you as a little kid, and one that didn't remember any of that... well, it hit some a little harder than others."

Meliodas's mood fell a little at that. His eyes doing so as well as they looked down at his hands.

"Hey, don't start feeling guilty now, none of this is your fault. It's not like you're not trying real hard to remember us. It's okay if things haven't come back to you yet. We'll figure out how to turn you back to normal as soon as possible."

It made the boy feel a little better as he gave a weak smile, but that wasn't necessarily the only reason why what Ban had said upset him. Yeah it wasn't his fault all of this had happened, but.. it was his brother's. They had done this to him. They had lied to him, told him they'd never hurt him, and all that time were keeping a secret bigger than Meliodas could've imagined.

Honestly, part of the boy didn't even want to remember. He wanted to go back to his bubble and feel safe again. Feel happy again. But knowing what they were doing? Knowing people were getting hurt because of his siblings? He couldn't ignore that. What if Ban or people he cared about got hurt too?

He couldn't allow that. He wouldn't allow that.

"Hey Ban?"

"Yeah?"

"I think you should take me back now."

"What!? You want to go back?!"

The man's voice was incredulous, and Meliodas couldn't blame him for the reaction. He didn't want to go back after all that he had learned, but he knew he was a danger if he stayed for too long.

"I woke up super early so Estarossa and Zeldris wouldn't know I left, but they're gonna notice soon. I need to go back before they do. Otherwise they'll hurt you and the others, and I'm not gonna let them do that."

There was a fire in the boy's eyes that Ban had seen in his old friend many times, but for once he was going to have to douse it instead of add to the flame.

"I understand that you're concerned for us, but we can take care of ourselves. Besides, it's a lot for you to process right now, sending you back into what you're trying to process won't be good for you."

Meliodas shook his head, looking more determined than before regardless of his friend's complaints.

"No. I'm not gonna risk it. No offense Ban, but I think I meant to train you all more because there is no way you can defeat my brothers where you are. You'll die. And I'm not going to take a chance where that'll happen. And.. it is a lot. My head still hurts from all of the stuff you told me, but I would be a lot worse if I stay here worrying over you. So please, either take me back to the demon realm or I'll find out how to get there myself."

He could see Ban's hesitation- although he was unaware part of it was because he was debating telling the boy that his "home" wasn't in the demon realm- but his own resolve trumped it easily.

With a big, exasperated, sigh; the sin looked over to Merlin.

"Ya heard the kid. Send him back."

As soon as the words were said the other sins came tumbling down the stairs.

"BAN! What are you thinking!? You can't send him back!"

"Yeah! King's right! We can't send him back to the enemy! We need to get him back to normal!"

"Calm down Diane. He's gonna leave anyway if we don't let him. And then he's gonna get lost and it'll be our fault. Besides, it would be a better position if we could find out how to fix the cap'n before fighting the Ten Commandments. He'll be alright. He may be a kid, but he's still our cap'n."

A twinkle formed in Meliodas's eye at that. They really trusted him. They trusted him enough to listen to him. They respected him enough to listen.

Overwhelmed by the sudden warm feeling, the boy hopped down from his seat, and hugged Ban as tight as he could.

"Thank you for being my friend Ban. I'm really lucky to have you."

He squeezed tighter as the other tensed at the sudden action. Before he gently pat the blond on the head.

"Trust me Cap'n, if anyone's lucky to have someone, it's us being lucky enough to have you. When you remember everything, I think you'll see it that way too. If you ever need to get away from those brothers of yours, or if things start to become too much for ya, call for us any time. We'll deal with anything we have to to get ya out. Kay?"

The little demon nodded, still smiling brightly.

"Of course! Promise me you guys will be safe?"

"You got it kiddo."

With that, the boy let go of Ban before walking over to the others.

"Thank you for worrying about me! I know that it's kind of weird for you guys seeing me since I don't remember you, but I'll keep trying super hard! I promise."

Diane got teary eyed while the others were more solemn or sad in their reactions.

"We look forward to seeing you again, Captain. Just... know that we're always here. Even if you don't remember us, we'll always remember you. We'll always be your teammates."

King was the one that added that as Diane busted out into full-blown tears.

"Whaaaah! Captian!"

She picked up the boy and squeezed him tight in a hug, only putting him down when Merlin requested it.

"Okay, well I guess I'll see you later guys! Byyyyyeee!"

He waved with enthusiasm as they returned it.

"Bye captain!"

"We'll visit again soon!"

"Be safe!"

"When you turn back to normal don't forget to feed the magnificent Hawke scraps! Ban keeps scrimping!"

A smile given to all of them, and a much warmer feeling in his heart than when he first aarrived, Meliodas vanished a second later. Back in the garden where they had met.

It... It still hurts so much. But.. it helps knowing how much they care about me. Even though I can't remember them! Alright, now to go back to my room before anyone notices I left.

He opened the sliding door as quietly as possible before gently flicking on the kitchen light.

Only to see those same two brothers staring back. Looking more furious than ever.

Hope this was okay guys! Had some wholesome fluff.

Word count 1281