Finally Home

Almost Perfect

After hanging out for a little longer, they took a quick shower and walked to Sinners for dinner. On their way, Ban keeps thinking about Merlin's expression. She was a little hard to read and stubborn as hell. He knew pretty well her temper when she gets mad, but he also knew how much she cares. Right now he was feeling so many different things, and for sure he can smell how she got aroused with their interactions. Every time she looked at him it was like he was ablaze under his skin. He was thinking about the right way to make her understand that he didn't come for a season. If she wants him he will be hers forever. That was intense, thinking about the subject of his desires. They have known each other for a thousand lifetimes and yet he was so focused on his quest for Elaine that he completely stopped looking at anybody else. He was so stubborn to realize she was right there in front of him. What he needed. Now it was him who was lost in his thoughts and she noticed, hesitantly, clinging to his arm. He was shocked. "Are you the real Merlin?" She loses her grip.

"I was just enjoying an old friend's company. Sorry." She thought about how silly, childish, and needy she became around him. A completely new era for Merlin, that was for sure.

"Nah! I'm an asshole. I don't mind, I just wasn't expecting you to do that." He puts his arm around her shoulder. "C'mon Mer, fix that sad face, I'm messing with you. I'm glad to be here too." Her smile was a little brighter as she leaned closer.

As they arrived at their destination Ban's expression was very satisfying. He likes the place a lot. The reminiscence of the days where The Seven Deadly Sins used to live together, fight together, laugh together, die together. All of that plus being able to taste Bernia Ale one more time was priceless. They eat, drink and rejoice in each other's company. Even though Ban loved the ale, he considered himself a better cook, to which Merlin added that he was her personal cook and she didn't have the slightest intention to share. His ego was more pleased, kept in check. It was later than usual. Ban got a few unnecessary but needed extra ales, and Merlin let him be his old self, careless, carefree. Oh, how she misses the good old days. Watching him get sassy, silly, and bold.

Out of nowhere, Ban saw somebody paying too much attention to her. He saw Marcus eyeing and walking towards Merlin from the other side of the bar. Well, he was almost eating her up with his gaze, his intention clearly shown. No wonder she chose him, he recognizes that look on his face, that desire close enough to greediness. As Merlin smiled widely at Ban's jokes, she noticed the moment he stiffened and his face changed into predator's mode. She looked in the direction his eyes were taking and spotted Marcus enraptured with her. She turns to look at Ban once again and the worst happens, he charges, his speed faster than lightning. She has no other choice, her heart beating like a train.

"Kurono Kofin!" Everything stopped for a few seconds, enough to erase them from everybody's memories, and then, snapped her fingers and they were gone. Everything returned to normal, as it should. Nobody notices how close they were to being in the middle when hell breaks and Marcus never knew he used to be a dead man.

Ban slamming into the living wall was loud and almost tore it down.

"What in the fucking hell is going on with you Undead!?" She was furious, why did she have to call a forbidden spell? He was going berserk, throwing everything around him. He wanted to kill.

"Perfect cube" Immediately he was restricted, still banging at the walls in rage even though he knew only her could set him free, literally. "Calm down." Her words came out too composed, as usual, crossing her arms, following his pace with her gaze.

He was standing in place, his skull and half of his face healing itself from the epic crash. His chest heaving like a feral and wild creature, his fist so tight blood was dripping. He was tipsy alright, but this has nothing to do with the ale.