Oneshots!

#104 He's A What!? [P3]

Ban could tell it wasn't really Meliodas looking up at him without even having the blond say a word. His eyes held the blank distance one had when looking at a stranger, and on a more unnerving level, the caution and study of a predator about to strike and kill its prey. But even with the chills running through the immortal at such a sight, he refused to let any of the fear or wariness he felt show through his voice and face. Because the man had a feeling that would only make the demon want to attack more. 

So, thinking quickly on his feet, Ban tried to get the attention of the part of the demon that he actually knew, or- at least thought he knew. Doubt still weighted heavily on him as he found it impossible to say with certainty that their friendship had been built on anything but lies, but... even if it meant nothing to the blond, it meant something to him, even with how much he wished it didn't. It would definitely make all of this easier if he didn't care enough to risk his very soul by coming down here, but- well- here they were. And all he could do was hope that their bonds weren't one-sided, and that Merlin's streak for being right about things wouldn't end with this moment. 

"You look absolutely terrible ya know, even worse than that time ya ate all the leftovers of your own cooking because it made Hawke sick and ya didn't want anything to go to waste. Heh, yeah, I'd say you're at least four shades greener here than then."

He got a reaction alright; the demon narrowed his eyes into a glare and tugged hard against the chains. Apparently, he didn't like that his prey was talking to him.  Or that he was calling him green. But Ban had to keep trying. If he didn't, he was sure that the blond would break free and kill him in seconds. Not to mention a few thousand others who resided in the area...

"Aw, come on, don't be like that! You...You're my best friend after all, shouldn't we be able to joke around? I thought you knew me well enough by now to know that I tease ya all the time."

Still nothing. This method wasn't working. He just didn't recognize him. He seemed like he was in far too much pain and delirium to even register the words. In fact, it almost seemed like his growling, glaring, and thrashing, was a pain response, not an aggressive one. 

Merlin mentioned that a fever causes this, right? Well, he definitely looks overheated, and I used to get horrid headaches with fevers back when I was a kid. Maybe my voice is bothering him and clouding his judgement further? I just need to get his headache down a bit... It seems like getting close to him is a really stupid idea, but that wall won't hold for much longer, what other choice do I have?

He flashed up and back downstairs so fast that Meliodas blinked a few times, as if confused and unable to process the sudden disappearance and just as startling reappearance. But the blond seemed to snap out of that awfully quick as his guard returned even higher than before when Ban began attempting to approach him with the ice. The sound was honestly terrifying. A definite warning to stay the hell away unless you wanted to go to the fiery realm yourself, because he'd send you there. In fact, the low, ominous, malicious, sound was enough to make Ban hesitate before he took another slow step.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm trying to stop the hurt, alright? You need to cool down in order for that awful headache to go away, am I right? This here is a whole lot of ice, and it's great for doing just that. But, in order to give it to ya, I have to get close. Can I do that?"

The demon didn't respond, but he didn't thrash in his bindings either, he seemed to get the general message. Pain bad, ice stop pain, prey has the ice. 

Well, this approach is working better. Talking to him like I'd talk to the Cap'n is pointless, this ISN'T the captain. And maybe... that means that who the captain realty is... is exactly who I thought he was before finding out about this. Honestly, I hope so, because as much as I'm hurt that he lied, I would never be able to strike him down like I'd need to if he really was just another monster...