Finally Home

Reminiscence

As soon as I open the door the smell invades my senses and makes me feel especially hungry all of the sudden. My eyes close as I inhale the delightful scent. I was remembering the good old days. When I could sit back and relax after battling with the people I cared about. I could see myself in the Boar Hat, Sisi stumbling like crazy through the tavern, Hawk picking delicious leftovers as he used to call them. Gowther shows off the tavern uniform, Diane trying to help while King keeps an eye on anyone that tries to touch her, especially Howzer. The Cap takes advantage of any moment to climb on Sisi and squeeze her all over. Skinny Escanor helps with the bartending, and over Escanor's shoulder, way behind in the kitchen, Ban focuses on every dish. His concentration was impeccable, you can see him humming his favorite song with a tight grin. Nothing fills him more than that. Well, except maybe when Elaine was resurrected while fighting the Ten Commandments. I open my eyes at the realization, my heart falls lump, and fatigues. Was that jealousy? Disappointment? I shake the thought to the back of my head as I reach the kitchen.

I saw Ban walking around, giving the finishing touches to what looked like his famous stew and placing the plates at the table. I took in the familiarity and smiled.

"I didn't know you miss me that much Mer. Judging by that smile." He said it with a surprising bit of shock on his face.

"There is nothing bad in feeling happy when you know you'll feast on good food. I thought I wasn't hungry, but that smell..." I lean on the countertop and watch Ban finish our meal. "Plus it's true that it has been a long while since the last time we saw each other, not in the happiest situation either." I stopped, it was Elaine's funeral at the time.

"In that case, what the hell are you waiting for? Sit, enjoy!" I thank the gods he changed the topic. He pulled back a chair and helped me to sit. Such a gentleman. That brings another smile. "Wow, can't tell when was the last time I saw you even with the slightest smile." I stiffen a little. Instinctively Ban puts his hands on my shoulders gently rubbing the back of my neck with his thumbs, electricity traveling through my body. "If I'm being honest, I've always liked your smile."

When his hands left my skin I felt empty. Why the hell am I longing for his touch? I try to look as passive as usual. "Oh really? I'm surprised your Majesty took from his precious time to notice." I thought it will be easier if I just go with the flow and joked about it.

"Why of course. I think the way your face, especially those golden eyes lit up with your smile is quite a visual. Heartwarming." OK! I wasn't expecting that answer, and with a straight face. What is happening? I guess he ain't joking then, why would I?

"Thank you!" Really!?" Is that the best thing you can come up with? "I'm sorry, don't get me wrong. I appreciate the compliment, it's just unexpected. I..."

"Coming from me, I know." He chuckles and grabs his spoon. "You know how I am, straightforward, but I can be sensitive too." Sights. "Anyway, let's eat this before it gets cold. I'm not a fan of that microwave thing." We both smile and I thank the universe because I didn't know where that conversation would take us.

When I tasted the stew my eyes rolled back in delight, licking my lips. Ban watching every move. "I forgot how good your cooking was. It's been a while since the last time I ate something this good." When I open my eyes something has changed, his bloody eyes. It was impossible not to stare, not to get lost in his powerful gaze. My skin shivered and I have to lower my face. He raised one eyebrow but didn't say anything as we finish eating. After that, he offers to clean and I serve some drinks. When everything was done we went to the terrace, upstairs outside my bedroom. Ban looks at the beautiful city lights, the ocean on the horizon, and the lovely moon, bright and silent. The witness of all our battles wins and defeats, of our rage, desires, and secrets.

"Why are you here?" He zipped on his drink but stayed quiet.

He sights and finishes his drink. " I guess I needed..." Pause. "I needed to feel linked to this earth again."

"And I was your only option, right?" He turns to look at the city one more time with a sad smile on his face, making me feel guilty for some reason. "I'm sorry, I'm not used to this. I'd been all over the world; I finally decided to settle in this place. I've been alone all my life. Other than Escanor and the time I serve Arthur I have never felt needed, or wanted for myself. Not just for my powers or knowledge. I have never felt attached to no one. So much that I would never know how to recognize what it is." I stood next to him gazing at the stars. He didn't answer my question. And... and that power, I wanted to know where it comes from, what it was? I continue, "I'm glad you are here. You can stay for as long as you want, for as long as you need to. I guess I can relate to the feeling of linking to this earth. And it's about time I receive some real friends to visit." I place a hesitant but comforting hand on his bicep and an honest smile on my lips. But the moment he turned his gaze back down to mine, I felt that electric shock that traveled from my palm and landed straight in my core making it tingle. We were so close, his breath gracing my face. I wanted to do so many things, but I couldn't. I was sure he didn't want me in that way and I am really bad at taking rejections. He was taking in all my features, he felt lonely, and the feeling made my heart ache.

Smiling at me, and nodding his head he accepts my invitation. I was eager to hold him, for the old times. But the air was heavy, intense, so I did what was easy at the moment, backed off. Removed my hand from his silky and warm skin.

"This is quite a place. Peaceful, beautiful, relaxing." I took his empty mug, put it on a table, and sat on a lounge sofa with a questioning look. "I've been around too. I've wandered your island from time to time. But this is the longest I've stayed." He chuckled and lay on the other sofa.

My eyes open in shock. "For how long? How come I didn't know?"

"Seventy-five years, more or less. I know how to conceal myself Mer, you should know that."

"Why didn't you come out before?" I was confused about his reasons to stick around me for so long. "If you were close enough, you should know I live by myself."

"To be honest, in the beginning, I thought you had found someone to spend your life with, and me being a ghost from your past... I didn't want to bother, to be an intruder." That sigh again.

My eyes try to read his every reaction. "You are not a ghost. You are a comrade, a friend. And about the guys, that was something you could dismiss after less than a day."

"I saw you live a good life, but I thought you prefer to keep yourself a mystery to the world around you. You keep people at bay. And that guy, oh yeah, it took me two hours at the most. After looking at the guy for 2 minutes, to be honest." Now he widely grins. The usual mockery on his face.

I laughed, "Oh there you are. Where have you been? But, can you tell me why that is?"

"Average height, five percent of my total body mass, clueless look. A guy you can easily crush. C'mon Mer, too simple, the type that will run like a damn fool if he sees your feet 4 inches off the floor. Without mentioning you fought real demons." Hands in the back of his head, the usual cockyness in full display.

"Can't deny you have a point. What can I say, there was just one Escanor..." I noticed him flinch a bit. "... and I didn't want him." Looking at me a little less stressed. I stood up. "It's getting too humid and I already took a shower."

He looked at me, laying on his side, and continued in a flirty tone I haven't heard in a long time. "You can always take another one, although it could be more than refreshing." He smirks.

I used my powers to hit him in the face with a pillow. "If you want to take a shower and relax feel free to use mine. Anyway, this is the only one I have. Let me know if you need anything else. I'll be in my bed but let me know, I don't mind." I turned around before he could notice this traitor of a body reaction. I could feel his eyes on me like a bunch of hunting wasps, his laugh in the back while I entered my room.

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