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 46
Loud shouts of joy echoed in the clearing following Merlin's statement.
King collapsed on the ground, a relieved laugh leaving his lips. He couldn't believe it. They really did it.
A hand landed on his shoulder. He looked up, surprised to see Ban of all people smiling down at him. His crimson eyes held something King couldn't quite place. But he smiled anyways.
"We did it." King told him quietly. He wasn't entirely sure why his voice had dropped all of a sudden. Especially with the volume everyone else was at.
Ban snorted, shaking his head as he let go of King's shoulder and offered him a hand up. "Yeah, we did." That familiar smirk spread across his lips.
King opened his mouth to say more as he reached out his own hand. To accept the help from a long time friend —
When he was suddenly tackled right back to the ground.
"Harlequin!" Elaine spoke much to loud in his ear. She pulled back, a wide grin and wet eyes on the face of his little sister. "It's over! It's finally over!"
He laughed breathlessly. A giddiness starting to overtake him as the reality of it all started to set in. "Yeah…. Yeah!" He said louder as he hugged her tightly.
She wiggled out of his grasp a few moments later and launched herself at Ban. When the two began to lean in for a kiss, King quickly lifted himself from the ground and rushed to find someone who wasn't his sister making out with his friend.
He took in the site of everyone happily relaying their fights in their own separate groups. Eagerly telling of their exchanges and how they managed to best their opponents.
"Let's celebrate this occasion properly!" Meliodas' loud voice echoed through the self made clearing. "Merlin's gotta have some good stuff in that mansion of hers!"
"Yeah!" Multiple people shouted and followed the blonde towards the mostly untouched building about a mile away.
King noted that it was all the reincarnations along with Gowther and Elaine.
Leaving just himself, Ban and Merlin behind.
"So that's it, huh?" Ban spoke in the lingering silence as he took a step forward.
King and Merlin stayed by his side, slowly trailing the larger group.
"It would appear so." Merlin responded and King couldn't help but notice the happier lit of her tone. And the slight stain of tears on her cheeks.
He smartly didn't comment on either.
"Musta been worse for you guys than me." King admitted quietly. "Time was weird in the lamp… sorry you had to wait so long."
Ban belted out a laugh. "Wasn't so bad. I didn't have to deal with you for a long time. So that was a win." He smirked haughtily.
King merely rolled his eyes, too exhausted to strum up his normally animated replies to Ban's taunts.
"Running into the reincarnations of them was always interesting at the very least." Merlin added.
"That it was!" Ban carried on enthusiastically. "It was kind of nerve wracking but after awhile it was fun to purposely mess with the capt'n."
Merlin pursed her lips. "Knew I should have kept a closer eye on you." She narrowed her gaze.
But both King and Ban could see the teasing in her eyes. The two men shared a look and then a laugh. Merlin's chuckling joined them soon after.
That night was filled with laughter and drinking far more than they should have.
Everyone partied until the sun came up once again. Passing out in varying states around Merlin's home. Some split off into groups of two or more. To either carry on with the party or share time with a special someone.
They stayed at Merlin's for another day before they all decided to integrate themselves with back into the real world.
A disappointing thought to some more than others.
For the reincarnations especially it seemed.
They had enjoyed the thrill of the fight. Of the excitement that finding out who their past lives were and the part they played in history was. But deep down they were grateful to finally get back to normalcy.
They had helped save the world after all.
And even if no one outside of the fairies on Merlin's island and the ones involved in the battle knew that — it was still something.
So everyone continued on with their after graduation plans.
Some continued school. Some found jobs.
And some moved in together.
King and Elizabeth ended up switching roommates. Elizabeth moved in with Meliodas and King moved in with Diane. It was a decision they had managed to come to naturally.
Honestly King couldn't imagine not going to sleep next to Diane after everything they had been through. And he figured that Meliodas and Elizabeth must have felt the same way.
There was just something about a life and death battle that really made the whole 'waiting' thing seem obsolete.
Which was why King shouldn't have been as surprised as he had been when Diane approached him with a question a few months after the battle.
"So what do you think about marriage?"
Diane's question floated in the air of the living room as they lounged lazily on the couch. She'd spoken them slow and cautious. The words, as much as the way they were delivered, completely caught King off guard.
"What's marriage?"
A memory began playing out before his eyes. Of a time when a young giant Diane had asked him about the human ceremony.
"Well," he recalled saying, "humans have short lives. So they enter into a sort of contract that binds them together. Promising each other to one another."
"Y-yes!" Kind found himself responding before he really knew why. But the word didn't feel wrong. Nor did the sudden rush of feelings that accompanied it.
Diane tilted her head curiously. A small blush coated her cheeks. Her eyes widening as she squeaked out, "What?"
"Yes." He said more firmly as he shifted on the couch to face her fully. "I want to marry you."
He had no idea what kind of toll the magic would have on Diane's body. Whether it would extend her life or end it sooner. Either way King wanted this with her. A future.
"W-what?!" Diane flushed completely. Her entire body probably capable of steaming any water dropped on her. (An interesting thought to be tested out later). "I meant like Meliodas and Elizabeth getting married!"
King stalled at that. "Huh?"
"Meliodas approached me the other day!" Diane rushed to explain, not looking him in the eye. "We went ring shopping. He… he's gunna ask Elizabeth to marry him!"
"Oh…" He forced himself not to be embarrassed by his earlier babbled confession. "Uh… What does that have to do with me?"
"What?!" Diane snapped her gaze up to scowl at him. "They're our friends!"
"Yes and I am and will be happy for them. When the time comes." He nodded, making sure to relay that he was happy for them, but — "I don't understand what them marrying has to do with me specifically."
Diane pursed her lips. "Well I wanted to give you warning that he's going to ask you to be in the wedding."
"Really?" He scrunched up his nose.
He didn't exactly understand what that meant. Weddings were bound to be celebrated differently in this time but King hadn't bothered to figure out in what ways. Hadn't needed to before now.
"Yes. And since I know you're still unsure of all things human —"
King had to smile at that. Diane had always been very considerate of his lack of knowledge on this time and it's new traditions.
" I wanted to let you know what that means." She turned her body toward him, pulling her feet on the couch to tuck them underneath her. "Basically a groomsmen — that's what you'll be in the wedding — just stands up next to the guy when he gets married. It's an honor to be asked and you should say yes."
"Okay." He agreed easily.
It sounded odd to him, but he would participate if that was really what Melidoas and Elizabeth wanted. He may not know the specifics of human marriage, but he knew enough about the ceremony to release that it was a big deal. And that it was an honor, like Diane mentioned, to be involved.
Silence settled over them. Not an uncommon occurrence between the two now that they were living together. King shifted back towards the television. Not really seeing what was on it as his mind focused on Diane's anxious shifting next to him.
"... Did you mean it?"
King glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. "Mean what?"
"What you said about the marriage stuff…" Diane placed her hands on the couch cushion as she leaned towards him. Determined fire in her eyes as she explained what she meant, "That you want to marry me?"
"Uh…" He flushed and looked away. "Yeah. Of course I did."
"You don't seem so sure anymore."
"Of course I'm sure I just—" He inhaled deeply. "I just don't want to sway your answer one way or another because I completely misread the situation."
His ability to more properly relay his feelings to Diane may have changed. But his inability to understand her still stood strong.
"Sooo... you're asking me?" She walked her palms closer, almost crawling towards him.
"Yes." He paused. Eyes flashed to her and then — "No."
She quirked a brow and asked, "Well, which is it?"
"Not yet." He settled with. It felt like the right thing to say. "I know marriage is a big deal for humans and… well I'm thinking we should wait until after things settle for Meliodas and Elizabeth's. Or go before? I'm not sure on the courtesy of these things."
Diane giggled and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "Well everyone would be happy for us regardless of when you ask…"
She then punched him in the arm.
"Ow! What was that for?" He scowled as he rubbed his arm.
Diane may have gotten the hang of her power so she didn't crush his bones, but the hit still hurt.
"You better get a ring and ask me properly Harlequin!" She huffed as she puffed out her cheeks. Her arms crossed over her hefty bust.
"I will, I will!" He nodded quickly. He may have to check with Meliodas on the correct way to do things but… he definitely would do it properly.
For Diane, he'd do anything.
"Good."
"As long as you say yes." He smirked as she scowled at him.
"Of course I'm going to say yes you dummy!" Diane tackled him back onto the couch. She buried her face in his neck. "You're an idiot, you know that?"
King hummed, wrapping his arms around her. "Yep."
She turned those big amethyst eyes on him. "But you're my idiot."
"Til the day I die." He vowed.
"You sap." She whispered jovillay before pressing her lips against his.
Meliodas proposed to Elizabeth a few days after that.
Everyone had been very excited for them and partied too hard to celebrate the special occasion. It was like they'd defeated the commandments all over again. It was the first time they'd all gotten together again since then. It was weird to see a group of people everyday and then not see them for a few months.
It felt good to be together with them again. Like their own little wacky family.
The wedding was… well Meliodas didn't really have words for it, honestly.
He'd known shortly after him and Elizabeth had started dating that he was going to marry her. He just… well he didn't actually ever see it in his future if that made sense? They'd only been together for roughly a year before he had proposed ya know? They were young. People had constantly told them that.
But Meliodas gave zero fucks about that negative shit.
He loved Elizabeth.
Elizabeth loved him.
That was enough.
Throw in the whole mess that was finding King in a lamp and all the other reincarnation bullshit and Meliodas figured they had more than earned this. Something about knowing you loved someone for more than one lifetime kind of made him feel like he needed to be with her in every possible way that he could. As fast as he could. Especially given the history of those past lives.
Which he knew was a little silly. Elizabeth wasn't going anywhere whether they got married right away or not.
But still…
He glanced down at their joined hands as they watched their guests mingle amongst themselves at the reception. They had a fairly small wedding. Not wanting to overdo it. Elizabeth's father paid for all of it and despite the event not putting even a damper in the man's pocket — Elizabeth still wanted to keep it as cheap as they could. She was a sweetheart like that.
And Meliodas was more than glad to let good ol Batra foot the bill. He had just graduated from college not too long ago after all. And despite saving the world, that didn't exactly give him a lot of cash. There should be some monetary reward for that shit.
"Elizabeth!" Diane showed up suddenly and pulled the bride away from the table they were sitting at. "You can't sit here all night! You're the bride! Come dance!" She demanded, taking her job of bridesmaid very serious.
"O-okay!" Elizabeth struggled to say through a giggle. She had a few glasses of wine and the excitement of the day had the smile on her face never faltering. "See you after I dance, husband!" Her smile grew even brighter.
Meliodas smiled just as wide back. "You got it, wife!"
She blushed, so obviously happy.
He still couldn't believe she was now his wife. He her husband. A bond that they had never gotten the chance to take to this level in the past. His heart revealed with satisfaction. At finally getting to have this life with her.
He sipped his beer. Trying to force away all the sappiness that was beginning to overwhelm him.
Ban and King joined him a minute later, already talking amongst themselves.
"Seriously," Ban pulled a face, "how do they call this kind of shit dancing?"
King rolled his eyes, a rosy hue to his cheeks. The two were obviously taking advantage of the free booze. "You would know more than me! I've been in a lamp for the past how many centuries!" He waved his hands around, exasperated in a way that told him King and Ban probably already had this conversation a few times before joining him.
Meliodas smiled at his new friends. Ones that he may have only known for hardly a year but felt like a lifetime. Which wasn't far off either if he really thought about it.
"Meliodas?" King quirked a brow at him curiously.
"You alright there, Capt'n?" Ban eyed him with a crooked grin. "Bit too much to drink already?"
He forced out a laugh. "Yeah right! You know my tolerance is three times what it was before I got my magic back!"
Back… what an odd way to think of it.
Felt right though.
"That sounds like a challenge." Ban grinned wickedly.
"Maybe it is." Meliodas grinned back.
"No!" King pushed the two apart. He turned to scold Meliodas. "You just got married, idiot! Don't go spending your first night together as man and wife completely wasted!"
"What makes it different than any other night?" Ban popped his chin in his open palm as he leaned his elbow against the table. "Pretty sure they've already fucked."
"Ban!" King panicked and looked around them anxiously. "Don't say that so loud!"
Ban snickered. "Come on now, I'm sure that you and Di-"
King tackled him to the ground. "Shut up!" He hissed.
Meliodas laughed as King and Ban rolled around on the floor. Apparently Ban had more to drink than he initially thought. Because there was no way that King would ever be able to manage in a physical match like this if the taller man was even a little sober.
"Well, guess we can just compare notes after the fact huh, King?" He teased quietly.
The fairy immediately forze, allowing Ban to get the upper hand.
"Ha!" The Sin of Greed boasted with a crooked grin. He then paused, turning his attention to Meliodas. "Wait a minute. What?"
Meliodas blinked at King as he shimmed out from his captor. He had honestly thought that Ban knew. He hadn't really meant to out the fairy's intention. But the ginger didn't seem upset.
King wiped off his suit and sighed as he quietly said. "Diane and I are going to get married."
"What!?" Ban shouted.
"Shh!" King smacked the taller man.
"When?!" He barely lowered his voice.
The fairy shrugged. "Not sure yet. Speaking of, are you going to marry my sister ever? It's been literal centuries."
"What's the point?" Ban stuck his pinkie in his ear, a sure sign he was done with the conversation.
"The point?!" King scowled deeply. "The point is—"
Meliodas tuned out right after that as Elizabeth and Diane joined them. His wife stayed next to Diane as the burnette slid up to King's side. The fairy didn't hesitate to lay a hand on the small of her back. Touching but giving her an easy out to leave if she wanted. She stepped closer and joined in on the topic.
"Wait, wait, wait!" Diane shouted. Ban wasn't the only one enjoying the open bar. "You and Elaine aren't married yet?!"
"What's the big deal." Ban deadpanned.
"The big deal!? Are you kidding me!"
"Thank you!" King threw his free hand out to the side. "See! I'm not crazy."
"You literally popped out of a lamp less than a year ago and still hate trains and are clueless on plenty." Ban quirked a challenging brow. "I think you're probably a little crazy."
"Hey!"
Meliodas smiled as his best friends bickered. Hayden slowly joining the fray along with a few other reincarnations. He stopped paying attention to who exactly as Elizabeth joined his side.
So many new — and at the sametime old — faces surrounding them.
He slipped his hand in Elizabeth's and grinned. He met her and Diane before this whole mess. And things likely would have still gotten to this point with or without the past lives revelation, but…
But.
He couldn't imagine a reality where he didn't know the goofballs fighting before him over a new topic he didn't catch. The thought of never meeting Hayden and Elaine. Or Ban. Or Diane never finding King.
It wasn't a reality he ever wanted to be a part of.
"I'm so happy." Elizabeth whispered quietly. She turned those blue eyes on him and his heart swelled with affection at her soft gaze. "I've never been so happy."
"Me either." He told her truthfully. "Not sure I've ever been more thankful for Diane then I am today if I'm honest. I… I never would have met you without her." He spoke the words he'd thought many times over outloud.
"I know. I feel the same." She leaned over to peck him on the cheek. "I love you, Meliodas."
"I love you, Elizabeth."
A few moments passed blissfully as they watched their guests.
Then Elizabeth giggled softly. Meliodas followed her gaze and bit back a smile.
King and Diane looked to be both simultaneously arguing while heavily flirting. A weird way they'd began to show affection since they got together on the island.
"You know… things would be so different if we hadn't found that lamp." Meliodas thought out loud.
"If Diane hadn't found that lamp." Elizabeth corrected him with a small smirk.
God he loved it when she got all bold like this.
He looked forward to exploring it more that night.
"To think this all happened because of one simple antique find." She shook her head fondly as she recalled the memory.
Meliodas couldn't resist adding cheekily —
"And because of a Genie named King."
END
A/N: Holy... I can't believe that this is the end of Genie! Seriously... Both of my huge solo projects for SDS are now finished and... Idk what to do with my feelings! T-T Sorry if this last chapter seemed a little rushed but I didn't want to add extra content just for the sake of it! Hopefully you guys still enjoyed it and the journey it took to get here!
Thank you so much for reading! Hope to see you on another story!
This is Luv~ signing off.