Ephemeral

Scenario #2 [Mello x Theo]

Synopsis: Theodore finds a broken and vulnerable Meliodas. He tries to comfort him. In the end, he ends up as the one being comforted.

It was different, to say the least, to see the usually confident demon curled up on the cold ground, their knees held tight to their chest. Their wings hung behind their back, limpid and shedding feathers, battered and bruised. Blood-like tears streamed from their face, leaving wet puddles on the snow which only mixed with the pre-existing crimson pools. Theodore had never seen him look so...vulnerable.

"What's the matter, Theo? Never thought you'd see me like this?" The demon snarled out upon seeing the brunette, a pair of defiant magenta eyes stared at the silent angel, a pair that though they burned with determination, looked so...lost, a flicker of fear and apprehension as the angel approached him.  

Theodore's hand instinctively reached out and the demon flinched, shock on his face.

"W-Wha- Why don't you take a picture, it'll last longer." The demon was initially surprised before he recoiled,  his anger renewed, bubbling to the surface like molten magma.

"Why aren't you laughing? Don't pull that mercy act on me, I know you don't mean it.  Go ahead! Laugh! All the others did.  Look how far the mighty, cold-hearted demon has fallen, reduced to a mere snivelling ant," Meliodas sneered, self-deprecating and mocking in his words. Despite the trails of blood, his wrath remained.

He was surprised once more as the angel wrapped their arms around him, wings covering their forms. Meliodas' surprise only grew as the angel wept onto his shoulder.

"W-Why are you crying?" He stuttered out, unsure as to what to do. Comforting was never his strong point.

"I'm so, so sorry, you never deserved this, I should have been there," the angel whispered out apology after apology, tears leaking from his eyes.

Meliodas fell silent. Why was HE apologizing? The demon had hurt him, had betrayed him and backstabbed him more times than he could count,  yet this angel continuously had faith in him, had never given up on him, believing he could be redeemed.

A warm feeling swelled up in his cold, blackened heart, replacing the bitterness. Anything he said would have ruined the moment, so Meliodas only hesitantly wrapped his arms around the angel in turn.

The two sat there in silence, one's weeping had died down to hiccups and sniffles, and the other stroked the angel's back stiffly,  rethinking their choices.