I'm back.

This chapter goes out to oneal1325 for inspiring me to write again. Go read their stuff!

I'd also like to thank altol and Lady Ankaa. They inspired me to begin my journey on FFnet many years ago.

I strongly recommend you listen to "Sleep Dealer - The Way Home" as you read this chapter.

Meliodas knew they could never be together. His greed overwhelmed him and said otherwise.

He had loved her once. Wasn't that enough for his lifetime? He knew how the story would end but he could not let go. Elizabeth was infectious; a terrible plague over his heart. She knew what to say when others were hurting… when he was hurting. But she was not here now and his nerves were on fire. His soul felt raw and exposed with her words ringing in his head.

"Lord Meliodas... is it because I'm not important to you.. that you do these things with me?"

"Lord Meliodas! You said we could run the bar together!"

"Lord Meliodas…"

"Meliodas... please…"

He had lashed out at her again and again, trying to drive her away. Each time she had come back stronger, wiser, and bolder. Elizabeth had never flinched away from the darkness inside of him and it scared him. Liz had never known the depths of his mind… or body. He felt defeated. He wanted to give in; shower Elizabeth with kisses; love her so wholly and completely that she'd be ruined for any other suitor. Meliodas wanted to run away; find a new land. He wanted nothing more than to live out his days with Elizabeth by his side.

Meliodas slammed his fists into the empty bar. He wanted to run the damned place with Elizabeth. His body was shaking- from rage or sadness; he couldn't tell.

"You must have misheard."

"You'll be in the way."

"…"

"I've fulfilled all obligations with the Kingdom of Liones. Return home, Princess."

Meliodas couldn't get the bitter taste out of his mouth. He's said cruel things to her and slung her title at her like vemon. Elizabeth didn't cry. She had stared into his soul and held her footing; it was the most regal he'd ever seen her.

"... … …"

She had said something but he didn't catch a word. Elizabeth's last words to him and he was unable to hear them. He was shutting down. He was numb. Meliodas knew that saying goodbye would hurt now; he couldn't bear to imagine how bad it would hurt in five years... Fifteen years… A lifetime from now.

Droplets hit the counter. Tears were falling freely on his still-clenched fists. Meliodas hunched over the bar and wept; trying his best to contain the sounds of his suffering. The lump in his throat was impossible to swallow.

Meliodas knew they could never be together.

"Elizabeth!"

There you are. The first in a series.

Please review. Tell me what worked and what didn't work.