Broken Promise
AO3 Link || Masterpost
Fandom / Genre: Nanatsu no Taizai (The Seven Deadly Sins) / Angst
Pairing: Meliodas/Liz
Warnings: Canonical character death, Major character death, (Technically)Temporary character death, Hurt/No comfort, Nightmares (mentioned at beginning), lmk if I need to add anything!
Summary: Meliodas promises himself that Liz will be the last Elizabeth. We all know the truth, though. It's a promise doomed to be broken.
It was a peaceful night.
Meliodas listened to the fire crackling in front of him, the only sound that filled the house. Even Wandle was sleeping soundly. Their little home was warm on an otherwise cool night, and he and Liz were cuddled close on their couch. Two empty mugs were left on their little wooden table, abandoned to be cleaned tomorrow (or later, technically, as it was a new day). It was late, far too late for anyone except night patrols to be awake.
He would have fallen asleep hours ago, if his mind hadn’t been reeling from a nightmare he had had when he had first entered the already restless sleep. It had been awhile since he had that nightmare, and it left him trying desperately to not tremble, fearing he’d disturb Liz. He did, in the end, and that’s why they were here now. Upon her insistence, they had moved to their living room to better relax.
She was curled tightly around him, her arms secure, safe, her head resting on his chest. Meliodas’ arms were also wrapped around her, one hand unconsciously brushing through her short hair while his other arm rested around her waist protectively.
The demon watched the fire in front of him for a while, watching as the flames were slowly dwindling. The steady crackling of the disappearing flames was honestly soothing, and he found himself finally growing tired.
Glancing down, Meliodas’ arm around her waist tightened slightly. Not enough to wake her, but to reassure himself, in a way. He took a deep breath, eyes falling to Liz’s chest to see it rising and falling evenly. He smiled to himself, brushing her hair from her face carefully and the anxiousness the nightmare had brought on were dispersing.
He didn’t want to think about the nightmare, it was already one he was well-acquainted with. It went how every other nightmare of his went, having started when she had first died. This one felt worse than the others, though. More often than not, the nightmares focused on past Elizabeths.
This one, however, was of Liz.
He took in a deep breath, squeezing his eyes shut and willing himself to relax.
It wouldn’t happen to her. He wouldn’t let it.
She stirred in his arms, and Meliodas opened his eyes just in time to see her look up at him groggily.
“I thought you would be asleep by now,” Liz hummed softly, shifting to rest her head under his chin and move her legs over his. Meliodas buried his face in her hair, sighing as he forced the tension from his body. Liz noted that the relaxation was forced, and she pulled her head away to look at him properly. She brought a hand up to his face, cradling his cheek, and he leaned into her touch. “Are you sure you don’t want to talk about it?” she asked.
Meliodas had claimed earlier that night - when she first woke up to him shaking and near tears - that he would be fine, that he didn’t want to talk about it, it was just a stupid nightmare. Although she had just accepted him brushing it off, she knew it had to have been an awful nightmare. Never before had she seen Meliodas look that frightened.
When she was met with silence, Liz began to run her thumb along his cheek in a soothing motion. “It’s okay if not, but… it might help you rest easier to share,” Liz added after another silent moment.
Both of Meliodas’ hands now rested at her waist, and he gripped her tightly, almost as though he were trying to ground himself. He took a deep breath, before exhaling shakily. Slowly, he opened his eyes and stared into Liz’s bright and curious blue ones.
He smiled at her, soft and appreciative. “I’m sure, but thank you.” Meliodas leaned forward to rest his forehead against hers, and Liz hummed softly at his response. She had expected it, and wouldn’t push any further.
“Alright.” She leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to his lips, one Meliodas melted into instantly. Her hands moved to his shoulders, then to his chest before wrapping around him as she moved closer. When Liz pulled away, she stared into his eyes, a familiar green she could never tire of looking into. “Just remember I’m always here for you.”
Meliodas laughed gently, nodding as Liz settled back on top of him.
“And I’ll always be there for you,” he reminded, nuzzling once again into her hair.
This is the time I end this, he thinks. I promise.
Liz would be the last Elizabeth.
He would make sure of it.
He couldn’t breathe.
Everything was too loud and too quiet at the same time, his thoughts and the smell of death lingering in the air both overwhelming. Tears streamed down his face as he stared at her, both of them gasping for breath, but only one would eventually catch it.
“Liz,” he sobbed quietly, and she smiled at him. Her brows were drawn in pain, and he knew everything had to hurt, there was a gaping hole in her chest for goddesses sake! But still, she smiled at him comfortingly.
“We’ll meet again,” she whispered, and Meliodas cried harder. Carefully, he pulled her into an embrace, his arms secure around her, and her shallow breathing was even more prominent now. “I’m certain of it.”
Meliodas buried his face in her neck, shaking his head.
“You were supposed to be the last! Fuck, Liz, I can’t-”
He cut himself off when her breathing stopped altogether, and he felt her heart no longer beating. Meliodas sobbed, feeling the darkness crawl over his skin as his sorrow was replaced with rage.
He was furious. Furious at Fraudrin, for destroying his happy life and taking away the one thing he cherished above all else. Furious at his father and her mother, for cursing them in the first place. And furious at himself, for breaking the promise he had made to himself. She was supposed to be the last, she had been so different, he had been certain she’d be the last Elizabeth. He had thought this time would be when he was finally able to break the curse.
As the darkness swallowed the kingdom, Meliodas swore to himself and to their parents that the next Elizabeth would be the final one. He didn’t care what it took. He wasn’t going through this another time.