"Oh, no..." I whimpered, looking at Ban, Jericho, and Elaine, who were all staring at me.

I scrambled upward, seeing that Jericho was in perfect condition, grabbing Ban's face. I examined him up and down, not missing the small flinch that elicited from him at my touch.

"Shit... shit!" I exclaimed, now gently picking Elaine up and looking at her. She was leaning against Ban, and he eyed me as I gently lifted her arms and examined her face for any major injuries. I noticed how he clenched his hands protectively around her when I did. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"

She smiled up at me, shaking her head. "No... I was worried you might, though, haha."

"Jesus Christ..." I muttered, running my hand through my hair. I looked away from them in pure, unadulterated shame, eyebrows furrowed and eyes glistening in pain.

Way to fuckin go, (y/n)! You go all berserk right when the Ten Commandments are here and everyone is basically dying! Great job, you should be sooooo proud of yourself.

"Way to make a first impression, right?" I chuckled awkwardly, healing any injuries across her body I could find. She laughed.

"No offense, but I like this you a lot more."

"Really? Y'know, it's funny, I get that a lot," I chuckled softly, moving on to Ban. I touched his face first, healing the several wounds across. His eyes bore into me, staring me down. I looked to the floor, ashamed. I made quick work of his injuries before standing up.

"Escanor is off doing... whatever it is he does," I said, dusting myself off as I stood, gesturing toward the open safe door. "So I'm guessing we're probably stuck here for a couple hours. You guys go out and try to get some rest. I'll make up whatever food I can with what he's got in here."

Ban stood up, still exhausted, helping Elaine to her feet. When she was up, she looked at me gratefully.

"I, of all people, understand. Thank you, truly."

"I'm just glad you're not hurt," I said, smiling thankfully at her. At least someone in the room wasn't terrified and/or completely disgusted with me.

I smiled smally, nodding at her as Ban carried her out, then looked to Jericho. She was in the best condition out of everyone, seemingly completely rejuvenated. Even her clothes had been repaired. I guess healing in that form is more powerful than I realized.

"Not tired?" I asked.

"Nope," she answered hesitantly, "Whatever you did when you healed me has got me totally awake."

"Ahh, good. Then you can help me make some food."

I turned away from her and started rummaging through the safe, finding breads and some nonperishables. There was little to no produce and maybe half a box of dried meats. I guess I could work with this, but it wasn't going to be anything Gordon Ramsay-level.

I hugged as I looked at the various ingredients. I wasn't the greatest chef, but I knew my way around the kitchen. This was still going to be difficult, though. Pasta with dried meat isn't exactly the most appetizing dinner. Still, I'd make do. I started looking through a box of spices, picking the ones I liked and setting them with the foods I had picked.

I got the sense that I was the only one looking, crouched down and putting anything I might use in a previously empty box. I could practically feel Jericho staring at me, and the tension in the air rang with an obvious feeling.

Fear.

I sighed, face slightly scrunched as I stared down at the food. I let my hands drool loosely and shifted my gaze to the floor. I was hesitant to say anything- for all I knew, she could be holding her sword up to me, getting ready to try and kill me.

"I'm sorry you had to see me like that," I said, finally breaking the few minutes of silence. "I have no intention of losing it like that again."

She stayed silent. I furrowed my brows. Guess it's apology time.

"I get it if you want to get away from me- that's a totally normal reaction. Especially after I threatened to kill two of your friends," I chuckled dryly, finally sitting down. I still hadn't looked at her. "It's just... seeing them again. The Commandments, I mean. Knowing I couldn't protect you three unless I let loose. I thought maybe if we hid... or you guys got away... ahh, I dunno. I was being a coward. I just... I guess I didn't want to have to face the worst parts of me. That's what demon abilities do- they bring out the worst in you. And then Ban kissed her and... well, I'm sure you get it.

"Point is... I get it if you're scared. I get it you're disgusted. Anything negative is a rational reaction to all that. I was freaked out and panicking and I didn't know what to do. In a moment of weakness, I let myself go and became... that. I'm really sorry, Jericho. I'm sorry I have to rely on my race to protect you against them." I finally turned back to look at her, smiling shakily. Her expression was one of shock, "I'm sorry I'm not strong enough."

"Wait, hold on, I'm not... scared," she said awkwardly, moving next to me and pulling me into an uncomfortable hug.

"That's weird," I chuckled humorlessly.

"I'm just really used to the fun, happy you.... y'know? I didn't realize that you could be so... I dunno ruthless."

"That's fair," I hummed, hugging her a little tighter. "But I'm making you this promise right now. I promise I will not be losing it like that ever again. Unless everyone is about to die, I have no intention of becoming... that."

"(Y/N), you're really strong. Those guys are too- stronger than us. This isn't a request," Jericho pulled away and looked at me sternly, "If anything happens, I know you won't hurt anyone you care about when you're like that. So I want you to go ham."

"Haha, no," I grinned lopsidedly at her, standing up. "Now how about you and I get cooking, yeah? I dunno how we're going to make something out of all this, but we can sure as hell try."

"Cook? I'm not a housewife! I'm a Holy Knight!"

"And I'm an all-powerful demon. Get your ass over here and help me carry this stuff."

"Wow, that actually turned out okay," I said in surprise, picking up everyone's plates and setting them on the bar. I had managed to make a pasta with a dried tomato sauce, and several seasonings later, it scarily turned out okay. Jericho did most of that while I attempted to make the dried meat edible. Using some questionable methods and some random things I found in the safe, I made it seem a little bit better than beef jerky. An overall success in my book.

"Thank you, (y/n), thank you, Jericho. It was delicious," Elaine grinned at us, the genuine cuteness of it nearly blinding.

IregretcallingherabitchIregretcallingherabitchIregretcallingherabitchIregretcallingherabit-

"Nah, it was all (y/n), I just stirred the pasta," Jericho laughed, helping me with the dishes.

"Nonsense! That's a huge help! Oh, here, let me-" she huffed, before standing and reaching for the last of the dishes on the table. I flicked her hand.

"Uh, no. You just almost died, calm down there, hun," I snapped, grabbing it.

"But I'm fine now!" She protested.

"Nope. You just got revived and then almost killed in a huge fight with some of the most powerful beings in this realm. Go rest, you'll need it."

"Hate to admit it, but she's right," Jericho added, and I slapped her across the arm. "Ow! What was that for?!"

"You just fought them! And Jericho and Ban did too! Why am I the only one?" She huffed, puffing her cheeks out and crossing her arms.

I laughed, ruffling her hair. Ban glared daggers at me as I did so, but I continued anyway.

"Sweetie, Ban's immortal. I'm a demon, and Jericho got super-healed. No offense, but you're at a disadvantage," I grinned, playfully raising an eyebrow.

She kept her mad face, but stayed silent, meaning she knew I was right. I chuckled quietly, turning around to go help Jericho with the dishes. But before I could, there was a loud crash outside of the cave. I leaned backward and raised an eyebrow.

Escanor walked into the cave, looking back at the sun as it shrunk behind the mountains and he returned to his small self.

"Hey, Escy!" I smiled, waving at him.

"Hello, (y/n)! It's you that saved us then!" He exclaimed, walking into the bar and hugging himself and covering his bare chest.

"Haha, and here I was thinking you recognized the nickname," I smiled.

"W-well, that too..." he mumbled, looking down.

"Jericho, Elaine, this is Escanor, the Lion Sin of Pride of the Eight Deadly Sins," I turned around, gesturing toward him. "He took care of Melascula, one of the Commandments."

"You're the big guy from earlier?" Jericho asked.

"Yes... that's my power. When the sun comes up, I get stronger and more confident."

"Damn, you're small."

"Escanor," I interrupted, giving Jericho an over-the-shoulder glare. I gestured the two girls, "This is Jericho, she's a Holy Knight, and that's Elaine, she's a fairy who got revived recently."

"Revived?" He asked, and I just shrugged.

"W-well I'm very happy to have you all her. Is there any chance Merlin will be accompanying us soon?"

"They're all somewhere else," I said, "Not sure where. I'm planning on going to look for them once I get these three to safety."

"Like hell! You've seen what those guys can do, the sins need the help!" Ban butted in.

"Then I guess we're all going," I shrugged, whispering to Escanor, "the girls just kinda follow him around."

Jericho growled, "I heard that."

"It's true, hun, and you know it."

"Well I'd love to come with you!" Escanor said, eyes shining.

I ruffle his hair, "'Course, big man."

"But I have a delivery to make tomorrow... barrels of ale."

"That's cool. We can tag along. It'll give everyone a chance to rest and take a day or two off." I hummed, "I'm guessing we leave bright and early?"

"Mhm," he smiled, then sneezed dramatically. It kinda sounded like a kitten though. "Oh no! I'm going to catch a cold."

He rushed to the back room through a door behind the bar. I looked at everyone once the door was closed.

"Sounds like a plan then. Y'all should probably get some rest. I'll keep watch, just in case anyone comes back."

"Sounds like a plan, I'm beat!" Jericho sighed, laying down on the floor, using her arms as a pillow. I deadpanned.

"I'm sure."