welcome back lovelies :)
i forgot to mention it last chapter, but overall this story is 6 chapters long. im not done writing all the chapters, since im juggling like 30 other stories on top of this one, but i do plan on finishing this story :)
remember, this is rated M. read with caution.
i fixed the spacing with the minor time skips because apparently when i transferred the doc, it removed them?
anyways, happy reading :)
ooo
"This is absolutely ridiculous, Lady Elizabeth," Ludociel tells the silver haired goddess. Elizabeth decided to tell the head archangel about Meliodas joining Stigma. She hadn't the slightest clue of what to expect, but she certainly did not expect him to tell her she's insane for asking a demon to join them and aid their efforts. Though she supposes with probably the most stubborn person she's ever met, it's expected he would deny her the addition of Meliodas. "Bringing a demon into our ranks is an ignorant and brainless action."
The dark haired goddess looks away from Elizabeth, his back turned to her.
Elizabeth, however, frowns. "What do you mean ridiculous? He's the demon prince; he could prove to be of great use to us!" She hates that she has to say that he's the demon prince in order to convince Ludociel to allow Meliodas entry to Stigma, but what other choice does she truly have? If there is one thing Ludociel hates more than uncertainty in a warrior, it's demons. Of course her mother would bestow upon him the role of leader - it takes a scumbag to know one.
"Exactly, Lady Elizabeth," he argues, turning his head slightly to look at her over his shoulder, "the demon prince. How do you know he won't try to simply use us for information and report back to the Demon King? Truly, you must think before you act."
Elizabeth presses her lips into a thin line. How much of a pompous ass can this man be? "You dare test my judgment? As next in line for the throne, I think I have more say than you ever will, Lord Ludociel," she says, deciding to approach this argument differently. If he doesn't want to listen with her friendly approach, maybe her status and authority will change his mind. "Maybe I'll go tell my mother how uncooperative you are. We'll have the advantage we've never been able to achieve with Meliodas joining us!"
He turns to her fully now, worry written all over his damned face. "No! You needn't say anything to Her Grace," he rushes out and Elizabeth represses a smirk. "Fine, I'll allow it. But know if he betrays us in any way, consider him as good as dead."
"Your worry will be for naught, I know he won't do anything out of line."
ooo
"So?" Meliodas asks the second she lands in Heaven's Theater. She smiles with vigor, suddenly springing onto him and pulling him into a warm embrace. A laugh escapes her lips.
"It took some convincing, but he gave you the okay to join Stigma!"
He practically carries her as he lifts her in his arms, a chuckle of his own filling her ears. "You are amazing," he praises her and she feels her cheeks redden. "What did you tell him? I know he is exactly the type to listen to any sort of good reasoning."
She chuckles nervously, Meliodas setting the goddess down on her feet. "I may or not have used my authority to get him to agree," she admits. "But it matters not! He agreed under one condition," she continues to smile. Meliodas raises a brow at her but also grins.
"And just what did you propose he loses if he doesn't listen?" He asks.
Elizabeth looks away, embarrassed. "His position as leader of the archangels. I threatened to tell my mother that he was unwilling to cooperate with me. But does it matter how I got him to agree? He said you are free to join!"
"Yes," Meliodas easily agrees, "I suppose it matters not. I'm still worried though."
The goddess' eyes dart back to the blonde demon, but he does not look at her. Instead, he looks to the side, into the distance and misty abyss of clouds that surrounds the Theater. What is it that could have the first prince of the demons so distraught? Meliodas, typically, does not care about others' opinions. What one might find as absurd or ridiculous, he might not. And that was another thing she loved about him - he never let anything deter him. A trait she wishes she had; sometimes demoralizing words, whether spoken to her directly or not, hurt her.
She would think about it for days, weeks even, until it finally stopped pestering her. As far as she knew, Meliodas wasn't like that. Meliodas knew his right from wrong - he knew what he was and what he wasn't.
"What are you worried about?" The goddess whispers as she takes a slow step toward him. Through her long lashes, she watches him turn his head to her, his eyes returning to that shade of green she loves so much. I think green might be my favorite color, she admits to herself. A blush slowly creeps onto her cheeks at the thought. Oh I'd never say that to him. He only thinks of me as a friend.
He holds his hand out, beckoning her to come forward. She does just that and he wraps his arms around her securely and protectively. This is the third time they've ever embraced (and she hopes there's more to come) but this one out of the other two - it's different somehow. Because even though she feels so safe in his arms, she feels as though he's hugging her for his own benefit - to try and convince himself of something she can quite decipher yet. Whatever thoughts might be running through his mind, Elizabeth only hopes she can help in some sort of way…
Meliodas releases a shaky exhale. "I'm- I'm afraid of what your people will think of me - of us. I'm a demon, Elizabeth. It doesn't take much to put two and two together to know that walking into the Celestial realm as a being born of darkness is a bad idea," his words are soft yet he says them as if in pain - why would he dare think like that? "I don't want any of your friends or anything like that to belittle you behind closed doors because of me. You deserve better than that."
The silver haired goddess can feel tears brim in her eyes. That's what he's so worried about? She doesn't care about how other people perceive them! Quite frankly, it's nobody's business but her's and Meliodas'. Why should other people care anyhow? They don't know the quirks and kinks of their friendship. Sure, maybe most goddesses (and other clans for that matter), believe that demons are bloodthirsty monsters - that the only thing they care about is themselves and the need for battle, but it isn't true.
Not with Meliodas, at least.
When they met, just by looking into his eyes, although as dark as the night that followed, she could tell that he was tired. Not the type of tired one is when they are beckoned with the urge to sleep - but the type of tired that consumes your being - the type of tired that drains you both physically and mentally; the kind of tired that makes you question what in the world you're even doing anymore.
That's what Meliodas had felt. Before they met, as if a mere pawn in a game of chess, he never made his own choices. And he'd told the goddess some time after they encountered one another that he felt like a puppet. Some sort of plaything for the Demon King, and now that he's left the demon realm? Zeldris will fall victim to the very same fate.
It isn't true. Not every demon is ruthless, not every demon was an evil incarnate. Elizabeth just needed people to see that. Then the war would truly and finally be over. Because really, there is no reason to fight. There is no reason to prove that someone or something is better than another.
Pointless is what this damned war is.
Elizabeth lets a tear slip and she tries to pull back only slightly to look Meliodas in the eyes, but his grip remains firm. She cannot move. "Meliodas," she begins with a slight tremble in her voice, "I care not for what others think of you. I know what is true and what is not, at least when it comes to you." He makes a weird sound in his throat - one she cannot describe. "Do you not believe me–"
She cuts herself off, the corners of her lips curling up in a bashful smile. She knows exactly how to prove it to him if he is not convinced; there is a festival to take place in her home - she'd nearly forgotten - it will be the perfect opportunity to show Meliodas that she does not care about what others think. He's the only thing she cares about - one way or another.
"Elizabeth?" He whispers and she can hear the confusion in his voice.
"Tonight," she finally manages to pull away from his hug. She wipes her tears as he stares at her, his eyes bright green and wide. "Meet me tonight at the Heavenly Gates. Please, and wear something nice - maybe some dress pants? Oh, and perhaps a buttoned-up shirt!" His lips quirk up in a slight smirk.
"What exactly do you have planned, goddess?"
Elizabeth flushes, pushing away the possible thoughts that Meliodas might be having - quite the pervert, this one! "Rid yourself of those dirty thoughts, demon, just do as I say. It will be a pleasant surprise, I promise you. Try not to arrive any later than sunset, okay?"
He laughs, the sound rich to her ears and she doesn't stop the smile that overcomes her lips.
"Okay. I'll hold you to your promise."
ooo
The goddess wears a dress, its hues mostly consisting of silvers and golds, her hair tied up in a neat bun. She brushed her bangs out of her eyes and pinned them to the side - as she looks at herself in the mirror, she can't help but think that she looks pretty. She flushes, watching as her skin turns pink at her next thought;
Would Meliodas think so, too?
A squeak leaves her lips and she turns away, making way for her door. Once she's outside of her stark room and in the halls of her home, she grins like a child that was given candy, enjoying the chilly air the pending night offers upon the world that enters through large and open windows. She refrains from using her wings to get to her destination faster; she wants to conserve as much energy as she possibly can for tonight. Her skin pinkens at her own choice of words– "Gods," she whispers to herself, "I've been spending too far much time with Meliodas."
She has absolutely no intentions of doing anything impure tonight! She simply wishes to dance with Meliodas. A laugh nearly escapes her- what if Meliodas does not know how to dance? Oh, a formidable obstacle, but it won't be anything as drastic or awful as anything she's encountered before.
Her steps are light though the soft sounds of the white flats on her feet ring out in the empty and far too spacious halls of her home. Her legs automatically take her to the direction of the gate she requested Meliodas to meet her at. Elizabeth has lived here ever since she could remember; she knows this place like the backs of her own hands. And although she would never admit it outloud (she might face certain death if she ever did), she hated living here. While it was everything that could be deemed holy, everything was simply too bleak.
Everything from the outside walls to the lack of wild life was simply white, silver or light blue. Very nice and beautiful colors, Elizabeth will say that much, however… it isn't exactly a color scheme anyone would like to see every day of their lives. Especially when Elizabeth has been alive for hundreds, nearly thousands of years. A splash of color certainly would do the place some justice. She nearly scoffs but gives a chuckle at her next thought.
This is the Celestial realm. My home is my mother's own creation; she knows no justice.
But enough of that, Elizabeth will not think so much of her mother tonight. She was going to spend the entirety (hopefully) with Meliodas and the horrid thoughts of her mother will not ruin her mood.
Nearing the large gates of the Celestial realm, she spots her favorite demon– Meliodas stands straight as he looks down at his clothing; exactly what Elizabeth suggested he wore tonight. A nice and clean white button down shirt accompanied by a dark tie to match his equally dark pants - and much to her surprise, he even wore dress shoes.
The silver haired goddess beams from ear to ear and she opens the gate for him. Once she steps outside of her home, her eyes are met with his green. He grins at her, a sight she'll burn into her memory.
"Kept me waiting long enough, hm?" Meliodas teases and she flushes pink.
She waves her arms around and looks away, breaking their eye contact. "You make me wait longer than I make you wait, Meliodas, I don't think you have any room to complain."
He chuckles and suddenly a hand is grasping hers and her blush only deepens. She can tell with the way that he does not move that he's waiting for her to look at him. When she does just that, the demon smirks at her, bringing her hand up to his lips. Her breath is caught in her throat as he presses his lips to the back of her hand in a sweet and soft kiss. If she wasn't red before, she certainly is now.
"Fret not," he tells her, his lips grazing her hand as he speaks. "I was only teasing. I don't mind waiting for you, Elizabeth. And dare I say, you look exquisite tonight. Truly, the most beautiful thing I've ever had the pleasure of gazing upon."
The goddess' lips part. Her brain stutters trying to comprehend his words but instead of speaking, she simply pulls her hand back to her person. She can feel the blood pound within her head, her pulse quickening the longer he stares at her. Why does he have this effect on her? He merely told her he didn't mind waiting! And he called her beautiful! Her speeding heart needed to calm down.
He raises a brow at her but otherwise doesn't question her. "So… what is it you wanted to show me that I needed to dress up for?"
Elizabeth quickly (at least she thinks) gets over herself and smiles once again. "You'll see!" And then she's grabbing his hand and dragging him along with her. She's almost surprised he makes no sound of protest; whenever she wanted to show him something he would tell her no or he would reluctantly accompany her. She supposes she won't complain if he's willing.
Their hands are still joined– unbeknownst to herself, she doesn't remember, let alone barely notice that their fingers are interlaced now– as they near the heart of her home where goddesses strum harps and sing with purpose. The goddess and demon watch as people dance and talk amongst themselves. Elizabeth smiles, wishing it could be like this forever, instead of having a war rage for centuries with no good reason.
Lights float above and about the area, and Elizabeth truly cannot believe just how beautiful the place feels. She glances at Meliodas, their hands still interlocked, and his gaze is fixated on the entire show before them.
She tugs him with her once more; she wants to dance with him, and dance with him she shall!
The song the goddesses play changes and the silver haired goddess looks at her blonde companion. She expected to see him with his brow pinched, his lips slightly separated as confusion laced his expression but it's quite the opposite. He smiles at her, holding their still-joined hands out, and just like before, presses a kiss to the back of her hand. Her face ignites in a fierce blush once more.
The song continues, and Meliodas places his free hand on her hip - a squeak nearly escapes her at the sudden contact.
As if they had done this before, her hand automatically reaches for his shoulder, his free hand snaking from her hip to her waist, coming to a rest, their intertwined hands coming up between them as they dance. They twirl and spin upon Meliodas' silent command and a soft laugh escapes her. When did Meliodas ever learn how to dance?
"I did not know you could dance, Meliodas," she teases him and he merely gives her a lopsided grin as he spins her, her back suddenly pressed to his front.
"I'm not a prince for nothing, Elizabeth," he responds. "The Demon King would attempt to set me up with potential suitors so that I could take over when the time came and he thought dancing was a skill I absolutely needed to know. Then the war came around and I haven't really done it since. I'm so glad I never chose any of those women," his last statement comes out a whisper and she finds herself having trouble trying to make sense of his words.
He spins her once more and she does not stop the smile that threatens to overcome her lips. They continue to dance for what feels like an eternity before Elizabeth decides she wants to give her feet a break. Elizabeth whisks him away and leads him to a large table– mountains of food are displayed on the table, ready for the taking when one desires a simple plate of nourishment.
"You are a wonderful dancer," the goddess tells him as they each grab a plate from the end of the table, picking and depositing whatever foods they choose onto their crystal clean plates.
"Thank you. I think you are the best dance partner I've ever had," he states as if speaking a true fact. Elizabeth feels her cheeks heat up under his praise once more, sitting down at a round table away from prying eyes. "Truly," he adds, sitting comfortably next to her.
Popping a grape into her mouth, she finds her gaze landing on his. They share a smile as if nothing else matters in the world. As if this festival could go on forever. "How are you liking this whole thing so far?" She asks, interested to know his answer.
"It's nice," he admits, "though I don't understand why now. We are in the midst of a terrible and gruesome war. Why hold such an event like this?"
She giggles nervously - his questioning should be a guarantee, because truly; why? Although she thinks it an escape from the harsh reality, a place to be to simply forget about what's happening outside of the realm for a few hours, there shouldn't be anything of the sort happening like it is now. Innocent people are dying, spilling blood or falling ill, and here they are, holding some sort of party as if in celebration.
Elizabeth softly exhales as her gaze darts from the demon next to her to her plate of food, barely untouched. "To be honest, it's mostly my idea." She whispers her words, in the event that someone might be listening in; albeit a foolish idea. "When my mother isn't here, I suggest to the corporate that we hold events such as these every once in a while. It's just for a night; just to simply forget about the dangers of battle and whatnot for just a few hours."
He hums, "I guess that's alright. I understand. The war has become rather stressful, especially at its outstretched continuation."
"I just wish it could all be over," she confesses, her voice small. "So many lives have already been taken, what more shall we need to lose over this-?"
"It's the Demon King's fault."
Elizabeth looked up from her plate, her eyes wide as they locked with Meliodas'. His eyes– much to her selfish joy– are still green but as she peers into them, they're etched with worry, etched and filled with an emotion she can't describe - but overall, he seems distraught. "What?" She says. She sounds breathless to her own ears.
"It's the Demon King's fault," he repeats with a heavy sigh. "He purposefully angered each clan to bring a war upon Britannia. He wanted full reign and control, not just over his own clan, but… over everything. It was a fucking idiotic move on his part; the demons and goddess have been on par with each other for a hundred millennia times over!... It's his price to pay when he finally realizes he won't win."
The goddess searches his eyes for more answers. But the same emotion is displayed; that same look of being lost still swirls in his emerald hued eyes. It's the Demon King's fault they are amidst battle? For what good reason - that he simply wants to rule land that will never be his?
"That's ludicrous," she laughs though it holds no humor. "Is that really the reason this war is still ongoing?"
Meliodas looks away from her, running a hand through his blonde locks. He sighs again. "Unfortunately."
A silence falls between the two. Elizabeth isn't sure how much time passes where she simply stares at him whilst he looks down at his untouched plate of food. She wonders if he's lost his appetite. But all worries for the reason he won't eat are thrown out the window when he leans back in his chair, throwing his head back to give her a clear view of his angular jaw. Her breath hitches in her throat - a noise she hopes he doesn't hear - and she can't seem to tear her gaze from him.
His Adam's apple bobs as he swallows thickly and for a moment she swears she can see him tremble slightly as if nervous. She wants to ask if he's alright but she knows he'll only tell her something different to put her nerves at ease.
With all the time they've known each other, surely he would know he's becoming easier to read.
Elizabeth smiles and continues to keep her gaze on him. She exhales softly, leaning toward the blonde ever so slightly. "Nobody has bothered us," she comments, and it isn't until Meliodas smirks and chuckles that realizes how suggestive she sounded.
"Just what do you mean by that?"
Elizabeth can feel her entire body heat up at his teasing tone. She watches him through her long lashes as he peeks at her through one eye - how had she not realized that he closed his eyes? His head is still thrown back and he still wears that damn smirk. He always smirked at her just like this when he felt like being an awful tease - he always smirked just like this when he felt like he knew something she didn't.
"I just meant that nobody has complained about you being here." Her response is chipped, as if she had just been burned by a blazing heat, but it does nothing to wipe that smirk off his lips. "I told you not a soul here would judge you. Do you believe me now?"
Meliodas hums. Her ears ring waiting for his answer - what in the world is he thinking right now? Does he think it's all a ruse? Does he still not think that her allies would accept him, even if for the sole purpose of being an advantage to their war efforts? Elizabeth does not want to admit to even herself - but the harsh reality is just that; most would think the first demon prince on their side is simply an advantage over the other clans. She wishes it weren't true but alas it cannot be so.
Much to her dismay.
"Yes, perhaps I do," he says. "It was just tonight though. We'll have to see if anybody says something the longer I'm here."
She smiles widely at him, pressing her hands together on her lap. "You'll fit in just fine, Meliodas."
The demon sits up and he runs a hand through unruly hair. "Elizabeth? Can I be honest with you?" He says her name in a whisper. Elizabeth looks at him expectantly, her eyes wide and searching in his posture. Is he going to tell her something disappointing? That he actually can't stand being a newly found member of Stigma? She hums, awaiting his response in hopes that it isn't something as bad as what she might think. "I… I gave up my commandment."
A gasp elicited from her throat - truly? He would give up his commandment without as much as a second thought? What sort of consequence will he face for giving up something so huge? Surely there are repercussions to face for such an action…?
"You don't have to say anything," he says as he looks at her once more, the eye contact between them heavier than ever. "I'm just letting you know. I couldn't keep my commandment. I-It was like… like a burden that I didn't want to shoulder anymore. Because it was the Demon King's power and I didn't want that to be a part of me any longer. I couldn't."
"Oh Meliodas," Elizabeth hushes. She reaches a hand out to him and she rolls her thumb over his cheek when she holds it tenderly under her fingertips. "It'll be alright. Thank you for telling me. You are so strong, you know that? So brave."
Meliodas chuckles, leaning into her touch. "I feel like a damned bastard, Elizabeth. I don't even deserve to be here."
"Nonsense," she scolds him. She pulls her hand back and he frowns - something she thinks she's imagining. "You've been through so much; I think out of everyone here, you hold the title of most worthy– that you're meant to be here."
And she hoped he would believe it.