My heart hammered in my chest and my eyes were wide in shock, but still, I remained unmoving. There was a moment of silence, the only sound being the quiet thumps of Ban's feet as he walked to the door. It clicked closed, and I waited a few seconds before shooting upward from my sitting position. My cheeks burned bright as I stared down at the sheets.

I put my hands on my cheeks, a small smile making its way to my expression as I bit my lip. My smile slowly got bigger, and butterflies raged in my stomach. I brought my knees to my chest, squealing as I fell backward into the pillow. I was smiling like a total idiot- but I was too ecstatic to care.

"I have a chance!" I said, quiet and content.

I paused for a moment, then shot upward, pumping my hands in the air and laughing. "I have a chance!"

My heart swelled in excitement as I hopped out of the bed, a new spring in my step as I bounced to my side of the room. I approached the pile of random clothes, picking out a feel-good outfit. We all have them, don't we?

After throwing on my jeans and a shirt that was way too big for me, I plopped down on my bed, grinning like an idiot. I curled up in a ball, hugging a pillow to my chest and burying my face in it.

He didn't say he chose me. He didn't say I was his one and only. He didn't guarantee anything. But still... somehow I feel so, ridiculously happy.

"I know he likes Elaine more than me," I mumbled into the pillow, still smiling widely. "But I have a chance- which is a lot fuckin better than I thought I was doing...!"

I giggled like a maniac, the bubbling in my chest making me feel euphoric. I jumped up from the bed, unable to stay still. I grabbed a brush and quickly calmed my hair down, then found two hair-ties and put my hair up in a messy bun, then tied my shirt up to make it look more flattering. I skipped over to the door, swinging it open and walked over to the stairs.

I started hopping down them, almost like an excited three year old. I'm sure I looked like an idiot from an outside perspective. Before I reached the bottom, however, I was halted by a very familiar irritated voice.

I screwed my face up in curiosity, my joy calming down as I listened in, curious as to what was going on.

"... and Elaine is your one and only. I tried to tell you otherwise- that you like (y/n) because it's so ridiculously obvious- but you said I was wrong. Then you two got together, and then you attacked her for Elaine. You're not good enough for her- especially with all the shit you've put her through."

My expression fell- and I went to the bottom stair, so I could listen better.

What is he talking about...?

My elated mood quickly faltered upon hearing King's statement, replaced with concern. A feeling of sadness quickly settled in my core, driving out the euphoria with ease. I wasn't exactly sure why yet, but I had a sick feeling in my stomach that told me this wasn't good. My brows furrowed and my fists clenched as I pressed myself up against the wooden walls separating me and the fairy. My bottom lip quivered- somehow I already knew where this was going.

"The shit I've put her through? Are you serious? Believe it or not, asshole, I have my own shit to deal with!" It was Ban's voice this time- so the two of them are arguing.

"Don't drag her into that!" King hissed.

"I'm not! I'm keeping her away from it! All you ever do is say it's my fault, but have you ever stopped to consider anything but her?" Ban growled, "You have problems. Captain has problem. I have problems. (Y/N) has problems. We all have fucking problems! She's not special!"

My heart caved in on itself, and I choked on the air in my throat, throwing my hand up over my mouth to stay quiet. I knew it was true, but hearing Ban say it....

It hurt so much more.

"That's why you don't deserve her!" King's shout was loud and furious. "She's the only person here who has been mentally destroyed beyond all belief! If I were here, I would've killed myself by now! So would you! She lost everything! She was tortured for most of her life! And this is how you treat her? I don't know why she fell for you. You are the worst of all of us. You didn't learn from your Sin. You're still just as greedy as before."

Why would he say that...? Why would he say that?

I started to shake as I stared down at the floor. What is King's problem? Why the hell would he talk like he knows everything about me? He doesn't know what I'm feeling! And-and even if he did, he has no right to tell Ban about it!

What the fuck?!

"You little-!" Ban snarled, sounding much more angry than before. "You don't know what you're talking about. The only reason I'm not with (y/n) right now is because I know she deserves better! I'm still fucking bent on finding Elaine and she doesn't deserve that! You dumbass- I'm not a fucking idiot!"

What the fuck?!

And now Ban is acting all high and mighty?! Taking the moral path and taking my feelings into consideration?! Bullshit!

What is wrong with these two?

King replied in an instant, equally as angry. "Yes you are! You think you're helping her but you're just making her feel worse about herself! Just tell her! It's so obvious, and you can't see it! She thinks it's all her fault!"

I felt my entire body begin to burn with anger, and I moved out of my hiding place and over to the bar counter. Both of them were standing just to the left of the staircase entrance, faces a few inches from each other. King was red and Ban was glaring daggers, his teeth bared. They were too enraptured in each other than they didn't notice me.

I grabbed two wooden pint cups off the counter.

"Wh... you fucking-!" Ban started, but before he continue, I whirled around, throwing the pints as hard as I could. They hit both of them in the skull, making them freeze, eyes wide with horror as they stared at each other. Ban was preparing to punch King, who had his Chastiefol ready to attack.

Tears creeped up to my eyes, and my bottom lip quivered. I was too angry to notice.

They both rigidly turned their heads toward me, still with the same, shocked and scared expressions. I returned my hands to my sides, clenching my fists as I stared at them.

"What is wrong with you guys?!" I demanded, moving my gaze between the two of them as I shouted. I watched from the corner of my eye as Elizabeth and Hawk came out of her room to see what was happening, peering down the stairs. "Are you seriously arguing over me?!"

"Wait, (y/n), let me ex-"

"No, let me explain!" I seethed, deciding to go after King first since he had the balls to try and talk to me right now. "You don't get to decide what I deserve! Don't criticize Ban for something he can't control, don't pretend like you know what I'm feeling, and don't make decisions for me! I'm not your little sister- I'm older than you, for Christ's sake! You have no right to compare me to everyone else. Like Ban said, we all have our own shit! Nobody is more damaged than anyone else."

I panted in anger, glaring at the boy, who looked so helpless. Whatever- serves him right..! He doesn't know what he's talking about.

Diane and Gowther had come down and joined Ellie and Hawk at the bottom of the stairs.

"And you," I snarled, turning my attention to Ban. He looked... sad. Almost like he was ready to cry. I hadn't yet noticed the crocodile tears falling down my cheeks. "You have love problems- I get that. But don't you dare pretend that you're conflicted. You like Elaine more than me! Just fucking admit it!" My voice broke. "We all know it, okay?! I'm not something to be won! You don't get to decide whether your 'finally worthy of my love' or some other bullshit! Don't get on some high horse and say there's some greater meaning to everything you do, because there's not!"

I sniffed loudly, grasping at my hair and intwining it in my fingers. Hairs got pulled out of the bun, making it so that there was a strip loosely hanging on either side of my face, framing it. I was shaking vigorously, tears falling from my face and turning the wood of the floor slightly darker where they landed. I shook my head.

"God, you're both idiots..!"

I whimpered, crying out quietly before turning and running toward the door. I didn't look back when I heard Diane and Elizabeth call out for me.

I sobbed as I ran away from the bar and toward the kingdom. I didn't care where I was going- I just wanted to be in the place where they couldn't find me. Where I was unnoticeable by them- hidden from their judgmental and unwanted stared. So, I headed to the most crowded part of the area- the kingdom. Who cares if they stare?

I moved much faster than a normal person, so I got there in no time. I just need to get to a bar. Or maybe to the castle- they wouldn't think to look there.

God, what's wrong with me..?

Why was I even mad?

King was defending me from what he saw as a toxic relationship, and Ban is just trying to get his head straight. They were both doing good. They were both trying to help me. Defend me and try to get me out of something they didn't see as a good situation. While they were trying to help me, all I did was focus on myself... god, why can't I do anything right?

The only reason they were fighting was because of me...

I'm the idiot...

It's all my fault...

I stumbled through the kingdom, moving at a slow pace, which probably made it look like I was running to the civilians. They all gave me concerned looks as I passed.

I bet they can't even stand me right now. They both regret even associating with me- they're probably wondering why they even liked me in the first place. King hates me... and Ban...

You have love problems- I get that. But don't you dare pretend that you're conflicted. You like Elaine more than me! Just fucking admit it! We all know it, okay?

Why did I even say that? I mean, it's true... but it probably made him realize it. That he likes Elaine more- that I'm not worth it because I'm so moody and unreliable. That I don't deserve him- not the other way around.

I bet Elaine isn't like this. I bet she's perfect- she's a saint for Christ's sake. She's probably somehow cute and hot at the same time. Kind and smart- able to calm Ban down without a problem and make him happy with a smile or a few words, like he does for me. Instead of making him upset and confused and mad all the time.

Like I do.

I have so many problems. I guess in a group full of people with problems, that doesn't really matter, does it? I'm just the only one who can't deal with them...

No wonder Ban doesn't like me.

Sometimes I wish I would just disappear, you know? Just stop being a burden to everyone else. Stop being a nuisance and causing problems for everyone but me. I can't remember the last time I tried to solve a problem and didn't make it worse.

But I can't even do that.

Because I'm a coward and I don't want to lose everyone. I'm a selfish, stupid, good-for-nothing coward who can't even kill themse-

"Woah, there, pretty lady! Watch where you're going- wouldn't want you getting hur..t..."

I was stopped by something- or someone, rather- who now had me held within their arms. I looked up at the person holding me, finding bright purple eyes, wide and concerned, but still shining with an underlying joy. Dark blonde hair styled obnoxiously, but two strands hanging down over they're forehead. They're skin was tanned, and they're muscles toned, only covered by a dark green tank top and light yellow sleeveless vest, which was left open. Obviously they had pants on too- calm down you pervs.

"Woah, (y/n)?" Hauser asked, eyes wide as he looked down at me. I stared up at him, face scrunching up in pain. My bottom lip quivered and tears resumed falling as I recovered from the shock of seeing him. "Are you okay?"

"I-I'm sorry," I sobbed, pushing out of his arms. I moved to the side, hoping to escape him. "I'm such a burden..."

"Woah, woah, woah, calm down, there," he said, grabbing my arms and stopping my escape. I stared up at him, hiccuping, whimpering, and sniffling- I probably looked even more horrendous than usual. He smiled down at me. "You're a hero now, remember? We can't have a beautiful girl like you crying, can we?"

He reached down and wiped the wetness from my cheeks with his left thumb, then wiped it on his vest. His hand was still on my wrist.

"Hero?" I mumbled, staring bitterly at the floor as I ripped my arm away from him. "Me? Fat chance. All I do is cause problems..."

"Uhuh, yeah," he snorted, "You're talking to the king of trouble."

"This isn't something to joke about!" I shouted, clenching my fists so hard, half-moon cuts formed on my palms. My tears fell to the floor, staining the dirt road a darker brown. "All I do is make everything harder for everyone... I'm useless in a fight and I managed to get my whole race killed because I'm an idiot..." My voice broke, and I watched as the wounds healed on my hands. "I can't even die unless I'm stabbed seven times... I'm a monster..."

He was quiet for a minute, moving his hand to my shoulder. He was taller than me. "...why're you thinking about dying..?"

"Because that's the only way to lessen the burden on everyone!" I sobbed, looking up at him, "Rid the world of a murderer and useless, ugly, sad, unloveable fucking Demon!"

"Oh, shut it," Hauser huffed, grabbing my shoulder slightly harder and pulling me into his chest, wrapping his arms around me. He was a bit shorter than Ban, so my eyes were around his shoulder height.

Oh, god, Ban...

"You're beautiful and any guy who you get with is lucky to have you... You're smart and independent and stupidly strong. You're not a burden- if anything, you're as helpful as it gets." He pulled me away from him, and smiled.

"You made me realize that you Sins aren't so bad," he chuckled sheepishly, "I talked to you for less than five minutes at the festival, and all I saw is a normal person hanging out with her friends at a festival. Not some ugly, useless, unloveable Demon." His haze softened as he stared down at me. "You don't give yourself enough credit- and whoever made you believe that is the idiot. Unless it was you. Then you're wrong- wait, no, I mean... you just... have a bad perception if yourself! Wait, I mean..." he stumbled over his words, and I let out a quiet giggle. He sighed, smiling and rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm not making this any better, am I?"

"Not really," I laughed, sniffling as I wiped my nose and cheeks. I managed a small smile, "but you did make me feel better. So thanks, Hauser."

"Anytime!" He beamed, then pointed over to a building. "Wanna stop by the bar? It's one of the only places that didn't get destroyed."

"In the end, booze prevail," I grinned, and he laughed. "Always."

"See, I told ya you're smart!"

I snorted, laughing as we began to walk over to the bar. I stayed close by his side, finding comfort in his confident and positive aura. He seemed to have an unwavering spirit- always optimistic, from what I can tell. Maybe not the brightest, but... he's a good guy. I smiled to myself as we sat at a table, and he shouted for two ales and some food, earning a nod from the man at the counter, who told some girl the order.

"So, you good now?" He asked after a moment of silence, "I mean, I know stuff like that just doesn't just go away, but... do you feel any better at the moment?"

"Yeah..." I smiled, "Yeah, I do. Thanks, Hauser. I oughta consider you as a bachelor."

His cheeks lit up with a pink, and he scratched the back of his neck with a sheepish smile. "I'm sure I'll be pretty far back in line."

"Ooh, humble too~" I purred, "I think you're my dream man. Strong, tall, funny, kind. Not to mention hot. You're the whole package, sweetie."

His face lit up more, burning a crimson all the way up to the tips of his ears. I laughed at his expression, making him give a shout of protest. The lady bar-person had shouted to walked up to our table, holding our drinks and food. She didn't look like a waiter, though- she was dressed much to too casually.

"(Y/N), you've got to stop flirting with every cute guy you see," she hummed, setting our orders on the table. "You'll confuse our readers. Lord knows how many comments I had to respond to after the Arthur thing."

I stared up at her in confusion. "P-pardon?"

"Oh, my bad!" She laughed, "I'm Emma, or, I guess most people will call me Shadow. Something like that. I control this universe!"