Welcome to... this. I'm calling this the story I shouldn't write. I hope you enjoy it! Feel free to review.

DISCLAIMER:i own nothing, just playing with some characters i simply enjoy.

Rated M for a reason

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It was a normal night at the tavern. The room was filled with noise as the towns' working class relaxed to let go of their long day. Men filled the tables and lined up at the bar, the sound of beer filling up the mugs was almost a constant. Every so often a story being told would earn a collective laugh from the crowds. Everything was normal.

Until it wasn't.

The barkeep, a young man with an unruly mop of blond hair kept moving throughout the space, working effortlessly to keep up with his customers. Many drunkenly commented of his age, or his cooking. He refilled their drinks anyways.

This mans' name is Meliodas. He is not young. He is quiet old, around 3,000 years to be exact. Currently, he was collecting bits & pieces of information covertly. He needed to know where his comrades, the Seven Deadly Sins, were. Ten long years they'd been separated. It had taken him a long while to stop the worst of his grieving. For his scattered friends, and for Liz.

The break had been healthy & good, in the end. His powers were less than they used to be, and for that he is thankful. It made it so much easier to get himself under control after this recent betrayal. He is the Sin of Wrath for a reason, you know.

In order to do so, he had a tight lock on his emotions. Being a tavern owner suited him, as he never had to get too personal with the guests. Just a charming young man, and a horrible cook to drive people back to their homes. Well, that and he was just a horrible cook anyways.

Occasionally, his thoughts were interrupted by darker ones. Now that he had it locked down, it happened less so. It wasn't so much a separate person, his wrath, but a different lens he could look through. A startling lens, as much himself as his toes, even though he didn't much like to admit it.

Currently he was participating in a fascinating conversation about a 'Wandering Rust Knight'. Not much of a lead, but more interesting than the fairytales he'd heard about himself a thousand times over. Didn't sound like much. None of his companions would wander around in rusty armor. That's just uncomfortable. Except maybe Gowther, but that armor was magic.

Hawk was muttering something about rust, but I wasn't paying attention. I was focused on NOT thinking about my last encounter with the sins. NOT thinking about the Grand Master's death. And absolutely NOT thinking (anger) about the (blood) battle (and the killing) that ensued after the fact. Definitely NOT thinking about that.

The door burst open, and the screams of the people made it hard to continue staying calm. It took all my focus, frozen, as I watched the individual make its way through the door. What do you know, an actual wandering rust knight. Too small to be Gowther. What a bust.

The bar empty, I leapt over the counter. "Who are you?"

All I could smell is rust. Something, though, was off. I could sense it. It wasn't until the soldier fell back, and then helmet clattered to the floor that I knew. Her scent was faint but it didn't take me but a breath to know.

(Elizabeth)

"It's... a girl!"

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Frozen.

That's how I felt while we took Elizabeth upstairs. I wasn't breathing more than I needed too. Her scent was (outstanding!) overwhelming me. I hadn't seen her since... it had been a long time. (too long).

I had to think fast. But it was so SO hard to think, seeing her face, her eyes closed as I carried her upstairs. Hawk was wondering aloud, but it didn't warrant a response from me. I knew who she was. But why was she here?

She's here for us

I shook my head gently, laying the princess down on the bed. It was never good when my darker thoughts were clear. Her presence is too much, pulling forth old emotions I just do not have time to unpack right now.

Touch her

I swallowed thickly, careful not to let my emotions rise to my face as I raised my arm to scratch the back of my head.

Suddenly I was moving, approaching her, "The sleeping face" she is beautiful

"Those curves" all grown up

"The smell" I inhaled her scent, my Elizabeth

I couldn't stop my hand as I touched her "the firmness..." I whispered, squeezing her breast gently. "I knew it! It is a girl!"

So different from Liz. I'd been through many reincarnations of my love, but Liz I loved more than many. We had more time together. We got to live together.

Then she died in front of my eyes. A horrible, brutal death.

This Elizabeth was more like the first than any before her. Her silver hair, perky breasts, gorgeous blue eyes.

Wait.

"Uhh... can I help you?" spoke the soft voice. Red covered her cheeks. I could hear her heartbeat faster under my hand, still squeezing... still squeezing?

Agh I jumped back. "Her heart beats regular!"

Hawk was yelling at me. Idiot. My face gave nothing away, as usual, a perfect act. On the inside I was struggling.

I promised to keep my distance from her this time. Staying away and detached was the best way not to get hurt again. Not to get her killed again. Logically, I knew this. But... touching her. Smelling her. It let part of me relax.

Idiot. She doesn't know you. You're a stranger. Keep her guard up, in case yours fails. Only one problem, with that one touch, I could tell.

This is going to be interesting.

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