Fitting, merited (3)
I believe the answer is:
due
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">I believe this clue is a double definition.<br/ ><br/ >'<span class="explanation-format__original">fitting</span>' is the first definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(both can mean appropriate)</span><br/ ><br/ >'<span class="explanation-format__original">merited</span>' is the second definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(similar in meaning)</span><br/ ><br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for due that I've seen before include "Owing, unpaid" , "imminent" , "Rightful" , "Outstanding" , "Requisite" .)