Disclaimer: I do not own The Seven Deadly Sins. I'm merely borrowing the characters and having some fun with them.
I do own this story.
A Genie Named King
Chapter 14
"Whoa," Meliodas spoke in awe.
"I've never been on a plane this nice before," Elizabeth gushed. "Even Father's jet isn't this big!"
"Wait," Ban stared at her. "You're rich?"
She blushed but nodded her head.
"Does everyone have money but us?" Ban looked at Elaine who giggled at him.
"Just because we don't own a jet doesn't mean we don't have money Ban," she attempted to pacify him. "You said yourself, we have a lot of nice things back at the shop. Not to mention our apartments."
Meliodas quirked a brow, just how many places do they own?
Merlin came out from a room in the back. "There you all are, it's about time to leave," she smirked eyeing each of them. Her smile fell when she noticed they were a couple short. "Where are King and Diane?"
"Huh," Meliodas looked around the plane. He kneeled on a nearby seat as he looked out of the window. "They stopped a while back but I thought they would have caught up by now."
Escanor paled. "You knew they weren't following?"
"Uh, yeah?" the other blonde answered unsurely.
"Ww-why didn't you say something?" The scrawny man started to panicked.
"Didn't think it was a big deal," the former demon shrugged standing back up.
Merlin pinched the bridge of her nose, eyes sliding shut in thought. "Ban, please tell me you didn't notice either."
The white haired man was asleep in a chair, not hearing her.
"I'll take that as a yes," she grumbled turning away and missing the way the Fox Sin's lips curled upwards.
"Is something wrong Miss Merlin?" Elizabeth asked, worrying her bottom lip. Meliodas hated it when she abused the tender flesh.
"It is extremely easy to lose your way. The mansion is quite large. Hallways curve and stop in dead ends. It's rather like a maze."
"Of course it is," Meliodas spoke, shaking his head in disbelief. Even this woman's house shrouded itself in mystery.
"I hope for Ban's sake they don't see anything they shouldn't," she spoke, a hint of ill intention in her voice.
Meliodas noticed the (not) sleeping man gulp.
"Are they going to be okay?" Elizabeth fidgeted with her skirt, hands wringing the material.
"Unless King has completely lost his touch from being in the lamp, he should be able to sense our energies easily enough," Merlin sighed. "Gowther, please begin preparations for launch. We will want to leave as soon as they arrive. Take Escanor with you."
The two disappeared towards the front of the airplane with a nod.
Guessing she doesn't know that he easily gets lost, Meliodas thought to himself as the memory of King losing his way shifted into his mind. The fairy had probably only made it a few blocks in the opposite direction that time. He figured it was a path the other man had never taken before. Meliodas didn't know much about this whole energy sensing but maybe King could find them using it.
It only took about five minutes before the pair scrambled onto the 'plane .
"We made it!" Diane sagged into a nearby seat, her breathing erratic.
Never letting an opportunity slip past him, Meliodas commented, "you're awfully out of breath guys. Take that extra time to sneak in a litt-"
King choking on his own tongue interrupted him. The blonde hid a smug smirk from his teasings behind a mask of indifference. The male fairy glared at him, knowing very well what he had been about to say. Meliodas shrugged. Diane was so exhausted she didn't even register the suggestive tone of his sentence.
"It took us awhile but once I was able to distinguish you guy's energy from," King paused, eyes shifting over to Merlin, almost apprehensive over something. "Well, from others in the building, it was easy."
Merlin clucked her tongue. "Ah yes," a smug smile spread across her delicate lips. "I almost forgot about… them. Well done taking them out of the equation King."
They held each other's gaze. Maybe if Meliodas knew King better he would have been able to figure out what was going through the fairy's head. He had given up on ever figuring out Merlin.
After a few tense moments (which only Ban and Meliodas seemed to notice), King finally sighed. The Grizzly Sin dropped onto a spot near Diane and closed his eyes. He appeared to have fallen right to sleep.
Meliodas frowned at the whole exchange. Ban appeared perplexed as well. Deciding to find out if the white haired man knew anything, Meliodas seated himself next to him. Ban furrowed his brows slightly, as if the white haired man knew exactly what he was about to ask. The former demon didn't get the chance before Escanor appeared from the cockpit.
"We are ready to depart whenever you wish ady Merlin," he told her, a small smile on his face.
"Very well," she nodded, settling herself in one of the large chairs. She fastened her belt as she told him, "Please begin." He bowed his head before hustling back to Gowther to relay the information. "Buckle up everyone." She told them all with a sly smile.
They did as told. Elanie and Elizabeth sat down beside one another.
"So what was that about," Meliodas asked under his breath as soon as everyone was off doing their own thing. Merlin reading, King and Diane sleeping, Elaine and Elizabeth conversing, and of course, Escanor and Gowther piloting.
Ban's eyes glanced to the sleeping King and then to Merlin. "Not a clue," he answered and Meliodas frowned. "I've never felt anything amiss in Merlin's house," Ban now took his turn to scowl. "No way that bastard found something I missed."
Meliodas chuckled. He knew there was some kind of a rivalry between the two but couldn't figure out why. Perhaps the simplest reason being Ban dating Elaine. He didn't pretend to know, but he enjoyed their little squabbles anyways.
He'd have to ask one of them about it someday but right now he wanted sleep more. He shifted in his seat, reclining it back and letting himself relax. Darkness overtook his senses as he drifted off to rest.
He jolted awake as the plane came into contact with the ground. Meliodas' green gaze filtered over the other occupants in their varying states of alertness. King being the only one still asleep. He shook his head, swearing under his breath that the fairy could sleep through anything.
A thought gripped his mind instantly. He'd have to put that theory to the test someday. Ban would surely help him find various ways to wake the sleeping Grizzly. He snickered to himself at the image of future fun. Meliodas peered out the window and was amazed at the view.
A lush forest surrounded the tar landing strip. The path itself leading to a rather impressive small airplane hanger. The building being five times as big as the plane they were in. The blonde wondered if she had conferences out here that called for so much extra space.
Or she owns more than one plane, he mused. It wouldn't surprise him if she did. She seemed to like her rather luxury living. He pondered how long it had taken her to get to this kind of wealth.
The jet came to a stop and there was an odd moment of no movement. Most of them were use to flying commercial and not being allowed to get up until the pilot said so. Gowther relieved their stress as he and Escanor joined them.
"We have arrived," the magenta haired man commented flatly.
"Thank you Gowther, Escanor," Merlin nodded at each of them as she unbuckled herself. "It was a pleasant flight." She stood and made her way to the front, placing an approving hand on Escanor's shoulder. "You did well. Those lessons are certainly paying off."
"T-Thank you, Lady Merlin," the skinny man blushed, but smiled, pleased at her praise.
"You're kiddin' right?" Ban scowled. "You didn't let him fly us here?"
"Of course I did," Gowther answered. "Those were my instructions. He needed more practice."
"We coulda died!" Ban argued waving his hands around wildly. "Why does he need to know how anyway?"
"Come now, Ban," Merlin smirked. "We can't very well only have one Sin who knows how to fly a plane."
"Why do we even need one?" He rebutted. "How often are we going to be flying around the world in one of your jets? Or separated so that Goatman can't do it?"
She merely shrugged, excusing herself from the aircraft.
Meliodas looked at Escanor and the man's prideful smile turned sheepish. "How many times have you piloted, Escanor?"
"Uh, ten. This is my first time flying so far though…" he trailed off at the end, taking Merlin's cue and hustling off the plane.
That or he just didn't want her to leave him behind.
"Well that's unsettling," Meliodas stated.
"That's what I said!" Ban sighed. A hand running down his face. "Letting a kid like him drive a plane. Is she mad?" He grumbled.
"From what I've seen of her, it's a good possibility," the blonde commented lightly causing both him and Ban to laugh.
"Meliodas!" Elizabeth scolded, standing up to place her hands on her hips. "That's not very nice."
"But it's true!" Ban came to his rescue.
"That doesn't mean you say it," Elaine glanced uneasily at the door. "We should grab our bags and follow them."
"That won't be necessary Elaine," Gowther chimed in. "The staff will grab your bags and take them to your rooms."
Meliodas let out a low whistle. "That's some kind of service. It's like we're staying at a five star resort or something."
"You are."
"Huh," Meliodas let out, baffled at their location more than ever. "Why? I thought we were training."
"You are."
His brow furrowed. "So why are we at a resort?"
"To train."
This was getting him nowhere.
"You're better off just waitin' and askin' Mer," Ban chuckled. "Goatman ain't much for conversation."
"I answered his questions," Gowther insisted, slightly confused as he tilted his head.
"Let's go exploring!" Diane spoke up excitedly as she stared out of the window. "This place looks amazing!" She squealed enthusiastically. "I've never been to a resort before!"
Meliodas should have seen her enthusiasm coming. She loved things like this. Her first time to the ocean had been with him and Elizabeth on their vacation a month ago. So it came as no surprise that she would be eager over the thought of being at a resort.
"King!" She called, shaking the man. "Wake up! You promised to go swimming with me!"
The blonde smothered a snort at that. Of course the fairy volunteered himself. He'd do anything if Diane asked him to. Can faires even swim? He found himself wondering.
"That sounds wonderful Diane!" Elizabeth clasped her hands together. "We can all go!"
A smile broke across his face. Meliodas rather liked seeing his girlfriend in her suit. Maybe that had been what King was thinking all along when he said he'd go swimming with Diane. He chuckled at the thought. The auburn haired man merely agreed because the former giantess was the one to ask. Her being half naked probably hadn't even crossed the fairy's mind.
"That's a great idea guys!" Elaine agreed. "Let's hurry!"
Diane finally managed to wake King and the group followed Gowther out. He lead them through the woods. The Goat Sin noted landmarks like he was giving a tour. From what Meliodas could follow, they were on an island that had just the one resort. Owned by Merlin of course. Where they were going was on the opposite side of the island, far from the prying eyes of tourists. It baffled him a little until they stopped at a large building.
"Whoa," slipped past Meliodas' lips.
If Gowther hadn't told them that they were on the opposite side of the island where the resort was located, he wouldn't have believed that this wasn't the resort itself. The house was smaller than Merlin's home, but not by much. While her home had been built much like an old gothic castle, this one looked like it belonged in their tropical vacation. Tan walls with brown trim covered the outside. Trees and flowers he couldn't even begin to name decorated the landscape.
Someone had put a lot of work into it. Meliodas wondered if this place had it's own staff, separate from the resort. A few people scurried by. They carried all their luggage with them. Merlin stepped out of the large front doors, Escanor not far behind. She had donned a small black bikini, the bottom covered by a purple floral wrap. Escanor too, wore his swimwear. Red shorts and a plain white tee.
"Welcome to my home," she smiled. "Well, my beach home."
How the hell did they get changed so fast? Meliodas thought. The two didn't leave that much earlier from the plane then them.
"It's beautiful Miss Merlin!" Elizabeth praised as she studied the architecture of the home. "Just exquisite," she mumbled as she ran her hands along the small railing of the steps.
"Dear Elizabeth, you haven't seen anything yet," she chuckled. "Would you like a tour?"
Elizabeth practically radiated joy at the idea. "Yes!" She blurted out then turned sheepish. "If you're not busy?"
Merlin waved her worry away with a flick of her wrist. "I assumed you all would want some time to unwind. Today will be a rest day before training begins tomorrow."
"So you woke us up that early just to get here to relax?" Ban scowled. "Where's my room? I'm going back to bed," he grumbled.
"Now, now, Ban," Merlin's smug smile was back on her lips. "You're beginning to sound a lot like Sloth."
"Hey!" Ban and King cried out together.
She ignored their outburst and spun on her heel, heading back into the house. "If you wish for a tour follow me. For anything else just ask one of the staff for help."
"Come with me?" Elizabeth whispered eagerly beside him. She wore the biggest smile, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. Meliodas couldn't deny her anything when she looked like that. So happy.
"Course," he chirped intertwining their hands together as they follow Merlin.
"I thought we were going swimming!" Diane pouted dragging her feet behind them reluctantly. King walked alongside her, a small smile on his face as he observed the sulking woman.
Meliodas rolled his eyes at the pair. "You don't have to come with ya know," he told her. "Merlin said just talk with the staff if you want something."
"But we were all supposed to go together!" She threw her arms in the air.
"I'll leave the pool for last on the tour," Merlin told her. "Then we can all just relax there. How does that sound Daine?"
The former giantess blushed, embarrassed that Merlin had heard her complaining. "That would be great," she admitted. "Thanks!"
"Well I'll meet you guys at the pool then," Ban yawned. "I don't need a tour." He turned to Elaine and threw an arm around her shoulders. He gave her a suggestive grin that had her cheeks burning. "Coming with me Lambchop?"
"Oh goddesses," King groaned, horror crossing his features. "Let's get started. Please?"
"As you wish Sloth," Merlin hid (what Meliodas was sure was) a laugh behind her hand.
A/N: I totally get the feeling that Ban and Elaine would be that couple that would have homes everywhere and travel a lot. Part of that I think would stem from Elaine being stuck in the forest for seven hundred years and wanting to see the world. Ban, well he'd want to try all the ale! XD haha that's how I think the two of them would be anyways. Merlin would be a bit more focused and want a suitable place to do what Merlin does. (I mean she had a freaking mansion/research building in Liones the size of a freaking castle!) Gowther.. well, he does whatever XD haha
Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! And of course, thanks for the continued reading! :D
Luv~