A sigh escapes Elizabeth's lips as she takes off her masquerade mask. She tosses it onto one of the tables in the bar with Meliodas close behind her. He wraps his arms around her waist, a contented sigh leaving him as she closes her sapphire eyes in bliss.
"I'm sorry," she hears herself say.
He then chuckles before removing his arms from her body. "What for?" He questions her apology before moving her to the comfortable couch in the bar.
"For having us leave so early. You seemed like you really wanted to dance with me." He smiles up at her as he sits down, patting his lap, clearly wanting her to... well, sit on his lap. Blood rushes to her cheeks as her body seems to move on its own regardless if she hadn't wanted to comply. Would it be bad to admit that she was more than willing to climb onto his lap like this? Probably.
Once she's seated comfortably in his lap, his arms snake around her waist once more, holding her close to his own body. He's warm - she notes mentally, enjoying the heat that radiates off his body.
"It's alright, Princess." He says, his voice filling her ears. Elizabeth rests her head snug against his chest, counting each beat of his steady heart. "I swear I'll get more chances to dance with you, I don't mind. And I understand that you were a bit bothered by that guy; I don't blame you one bit."
"Bothered is an understatement," she retorts with humor lacing her words. For a quick moment, she takes in her surroundings, and besides the low noise of the television, she doesn't hear anything else. "Where are the others?" She asks.
"They're out dancing around in the ball, like we were," his answer is swift and smooth, "and probably getting more evidence. We'll need all we can get for what I have planned."
Elizabeth stills for a moment, just enjoying hearing the natural beat of the blonde's heart as he holds her. She wants to change out of this dress, but the time will come, she supposes. She doesn't want to get up right now. Momentarily, she closes her blue eyes, listening to each breath he inhales and exhales. It's crazy to her - she thinks; it's been sometime between a little over a month since she'd decided to help out the Sins, an experience she never thought she would ever get the chance to even choose.
And being able to spend time with Meliodas and everyone else is such a gift.
Though, she's thought about it for a while, subconsciously, regarding the Seven Deadly Sins. Surely they didn't name themselves that, right? It sounds... cool she supposes, she'll give them some credit but wouldn't it relate too much to the legend or whatever it's called at this point?
"Can I ask you something?" She says slowly, her voice sounding somewhat heavy with sleep.
He softly chuckles, rubbing his hand up and down her back. "Anything."
"Why-" she begins, sighing as she tries to find the right words. "How were you deemed with that name?"
"My name?" He questions, not understanding what she was getting at. "I don't know, Princess, you'd have to ask m-"
"No, you idiot," she smiles, "your group. The Seven Deadly Sins."
"Oh." Meliodas hums, shifting a bit. Elizabeth lifts her head to lock eyes with him. He has a small smile on his lips and Elizabeth doesn't stop herself from smiling a bit wider. "It was the name those judges gave us when they found out we were a group. They even gave us specific names, too. They call me the "Sin of Wrath". Could you even begin to guess why?"
The silverette shakes her head, not getting the slightest clue as to why they would call him that.
"It was sometime after I finished high school and I was getting curious about my mom's death," he answers, "so I marched on down into the court after some messy claims because I knew they had something to do with it, and they - that Mael guy - told me I was fucking crazy. So I found his car and I slashed his tires out of frustration. Also kinda lashed out in court when he said he didn't know anything about my mother. He didn't seem to remember me tonight, so I guess I'm sort of in the clear?" The blonde man dryly chuckles. "As for the others, you'd have to ask them; it's not my place to tell their stories."
Elizabeth takes in his words, and she didn't know her opinion on Mael could get any worse. How could you tell someone they're crazy or deluded when they knew the reason for their mother's death? That's more than hurtful; she couldn't imagine the amount of shit Meliodas had to go through because of it. "Could you at least tell me Merlin's? I-I don't know when I can see her again, and I'd rather not discuss that over a measly phone call."
His arms around her tighten the embrace, and he sighs. Reluctantly, he begins, "Okay. Fine, but if she gets mad at me, it's on you, alright?" He smiles down at her, and her cheeks redden a bit as she dares to lean up to place a soft and quick kiss to his lips. He hums as she pulls away, his eyes darkening a fraction.
"Merlin was branded with the Sin of Gluttony, yeah?" She takes in his every word carefully and thoughtfully as he speaks. "We're not talking about gluttony like food-wise, we're talking in terms of knowledge. You said she had outstanding grades in school, right?" Elizabeth nods with her sapphire gaze looking curiously into his own greens. "I guess in a way, whatever they'd taught her at school wasn't enough. By the time I met her to potentially recruit her to help us out, she'd already been stealing from, well, your dad and stuff - just general stuff about medicines and whatever. Turns out, she already had some information on the drugs Mael forcefully gave every president that served in the last twenty or so years. He gave her that name because she was caught once. It's a miracle they don't know what any of us look like; with all the shit we almost didn't get away with."
Elizabeth flickers her gaze down to his chest as she comprehends his words. She knew Merlin always had a knack for knowing things - hell, the now-young woman is smarter than she ever could be - but the silverette never took Merlin as someone to start stealing, and especially from someone who works directly for the government.
Maybe it's for the better. Merlin had told her that she was working on making an anti-drug or something along the lines thereof for whatever bullshit Mael had been forcing on her father - or the past presidents for that matter.
"We're trying our best to stop Mael and whoever else from evolving this drug," he says genuinely, stroking her silky silver hair. "I already lost my mother to him; I don't want you losing your father to him either."
"I don't get it," she mutters, "how can he be so stuck on doing something so terrible? Does he not feel guilty for taking these people's lives?"
The blonde man continues to stroke her hair as she leans her head against his chest once again. It's a mesmerizing feeling he gives her - she can't quite put her finger on it. Regardless though, it's a touch she happily welcomes. For a split second, his fingers still and she knows he's trying to look for the right words to say.
"There's awful people like that in the world Elizabeth," he utters, his voice soft and low. "It's tragic but that's just how it is. Some people just aren't reasonable. Mael deserves whatever hell is destined to be brought upon him."
Elizabeth giggles as she lifts her head back up to look at the man holding her. "I can agree with that."
He smiles, his eyes rounding a bit in adoration the more he stares at her. It's silent for what feels like an eternity, millions of thoughts running rampant in her mind. Elizabeth can't believe in nearly two months time that all this has happened. It all started when she decided to go to her dear friend's bar; then a man she hadn't expected to get so close to (both literally and figuratively) sweeps her off her feet - though it took a bit for her to actually trust him - and honestly? She won't complain. Regardless of the circumstances she faced when she first met him, she's glad she's here with him right now. Elizabeth can tell that he's genuine, even if he tries not to show it.
Maybe, she'll admit that she's really falling for the blonde. Even if Meliodas ends up hurting her in some way, the Sins would probably give them a piece of their mind. Especially Diane - Elizabeth almost laughs - Diane had gotten so close to Elizabeth in such a short amount of time; it's amazing. Truth be told, Elizabeth wouldn't want it any other way.
The Sins - Elizabeth realizes - are like a little family, and she feels lucky to even be considered family by them.
"Hey, we're ba-" a voice sounds out in the room and immediately Elizabeth's head turns at the noise. "Oh!"
Elaine, Ban, King and Diane walk into the bar, and they don't exactly look surprised except for Elaine. The silverette's cheeks heat up in embarrassment and she hides her face in Meliodas's chest. He chuckles and rubs a hand up and down her back, which is oddly both soothing and definitely more arousing than it should be.
"Don't act so surprised, Elaine," Ban sighs.
"We catch them doing something like every other day," Diane adds with a laugh.
The blonde woman sighs, swatting Ban on the arm, the sound echoing in the bar. Elizabeth nearly winces at how loud it sounded, but she knows Ban could take a blow. "Don't tease them!" she scolds. "Leave them be, won't you? It's none of our business."
Laughter erupts from Ban's lips. "Hah, yeah okay, short-stack. 'S not like he isn't doing stuff with Princess like this all the time anyways."
"He does own the place," Elaine reminds the white-haired man, who in turn scoffs knowingly.
A small smile makes its way onto Elizabeth's face as Meliodas runs his fingers through her long periwinkle tresses. Nights like these are amazing; nights where her friends joke around and jab at each other playfully are times she'll never get tired of.
{-}
"Harlequin did that?" Elaine gasps in disbelief.
Diane and Elaine had dragged Elizabeth out of the bar for "girl time" as they called it. The silverette didn't mind; in fact, she enjoys the time she spends with the women. They're like sisters to her. Currently, they sit outside at a restaurant - one that Elizabeth had never been to, and if she were honest, it's quite nice.
The food though, is very expensive. She feels bad for making them waste money on her but time and time again they tell her that it's fine.
"Yes," Diane giggles, taking a sip of her water. "It doesn't seem like something King would do, so it was a surprise!"
Elizabeth hadn't been paying attention to what the women were conversing about. She'd been staring off into the distance, patiently waiting for their food to be served to them.
Though Elizabeth feels lucky she's even here with Diane and Elaine anyway; Meliodas hadn't wanted her to leave the bar. She thought it was cute - the little pout he bestowed upon her when he begged for her to stay. It seemed very out of character for him, but it brought a smile to her face regardless. In the end, Meliodas let her leave, much to Diane and Elaine's appreciation.
She won't say that she doesn't miss him - because God, even if it's only been nearly three hours, she realizes how attached she is already! Elizabeth loves the way he holds her, the way he encourages her, the way he kisses her so softly and warmly to the point where she thinks her heart is going to jump right out of her chest. He's amazing, he really is, but... There's some part of Elizabeth's brain that she can't help but let it run wild. The doubts - the very thing that plagues her and clouds her judgement.
She wishes it could all just go away - she knows what she wants, so why does that tiny part of her mind tell her she's wrong?
A hand waves in front of her face, and she blinks in surprise. Her eyes lock with a pair of amethyst and a wry smile. "Are you okay, Elizabeth?" Diane asks, letting her hand drop to the table.
The silver haired woman sighs with a grin. "Yeah. I-I was just thinking."
"Oh! Was it about Boss?" Diane smirks, earning a tired glare from Elaine. Elizabeth almost laughs; Elaine must be tired of all the teasing, whether it be directed to her or meant for her other friends.
"Actually, yes," Elizabeth says, "it was about Meliodas."
Diane gasps, putting her hands over her mouth (and rather dramatically). Elaine raises a brow, her interest seemingly piqued. "Ooh! What about?"
Elizabeth folds her hands on her lap, looking down at them. She might sound a fool or even a bit anxious when the words will leave her mouth, but maybe Diane and Elaine could help her. Maybe they could tell her that she's worrying for nothing - that all her doubts are for naught.
"I..." she pauses, looking for the right words to say. "I really like Meliodas, I really do! But I just can't help but think that it's all an act to make me stay or maybe he has an ulterior motive. I mean - there's something else that he wants, right? He took the time to track me down, he sucked up to me to get me to agree to help him. I-I just can't help but feel like he has something up his sleeve."
Diane and Elaine share a look as Elizabeth lifts her head. The blonde woman smiles and the brunette puts her elbows on the table, interlocking her fingers and resting her chin on her hands.
"Elizabeth," Elaine begins, her tone and words soft. "Meliodas is a sincere man. Now - I'll say it again - I may not have been here long enough to determine his definite feelings, but I can tell that he does care for you - even more so than all of us. And like Diane had mentioned, he looks at you like you're his entire world. He's genuine; and I know for a fact you hold a special place in his heart."
"Yeah," Diane cuts in, "I've never seen Boss look at anyone the way he looks at you."
Elaine smiles unabashedly and Elizabeth doesn't know how to react. It's not like Elizabeth hasn't experienced feelings like these; she nearly got married, but with Meliodas… It's just different with him. He makes her feel things she's not used to feeling, and she doesn't know what to do with herself or how to cope with it.
"Either way," the blonde woman continues, "this is something you'll have to sort out on your own. We won't be able to help you when it actually comes down to it."
"I know it is," Elizabeth sighs, looking down at the table once more. "I just can't help but worry, you know? But thank you both, for the kind words of encouragement." The silver haired woman smiles at the two women sincerely, authenticity laced in her voice. Truth be told, Elizabeth doesn't know what she would do without Diane or Elaine. She would probably still be losing her head over this entire "Do-I-have-feelings-for-Meliodas?" situation if she didn't have these two wonderful women to talk her through it. After all, they've known the blonde man for much longer than Elizabeth has known any of them.
"Speaking of which," Elaine hums, catching both of the women's attention. "How are you and Harlequin, Di? Any progress?"
Diane blushes a bright red, "I-I think so? We haven't really made any moves on each other. But I'm just scared, Elaine! What if I say something wrong and then he'll think of me as weird from then on out?"
Elizabeth smiles - it makes her feel a bit better that she isn't the only one that has doubts about love. Diane, too, worries about building a relationship with someone she holds dear to her. Though, it isn't the best way to go about things; it can take a terrible toll on one's mental health and bring unnecessary stress.
Elaine on the other hand, keeps a straight face, her overall expression seeming like she's done with Diane's shit. "Di, don't be ridiculous. He couldn't change his mind about you even if he wanted to. And if he did, I'd make sure he wouldn't hear the end of it," the blonde woman smiles endearingly at the brunette.
"You don't have to do that," Diane says in a hushed tone of voice, looking down at the table. "If King doesn't want to be with me, I'd understand. I'm not the ideal significant other," she chuckles.
Elizabeth wants to retort - as does Elaine, judging by the look on her face. Diane is one of the kindest women she's ever met and grown to know and cherish. She's helped Elizabeth out (but at the cost of teasing her about Meliodas) numerous times, she's talked to Elizabeth in reassurance, fucking hell; she'd bought her an expensive dress and Diane had told her she doesn't need to pay her back!
Diane is amazing; that much is certain. And Elizabeth knows that King can see that, too.
The situation is quite ironic, though. Diane is doubting herself the same way Elizabeth puts herself down - and maybe the silver haired woman shouldn't be one to talk, but she can't help it. Diane is great, one way or another, and it should be a crime for her to even think so lowly of herself!
"Diane," Elizabeth begins, reaching out onto the table to grab Diane's hands with her own. "You are amazing - you're nothing short of it! You've done so much for me without me having to ask you anything. And I know King can see how kind-hearted and genuine you are, so please don't doubt yourself, okay?"
The brunette is smiling, her violet eyes tearing up. She rubs a slow, small circle on the back of Elizabeth's hand with her thumb, "Okay. As long as you promise you won't either; deal?"
The silverette smiles, "Okay."
{-}
The women are giggling as they return to the bar, many eyes focused on them. It was nearing the time of night - the hour they normally open the bar for business. And here they come, giggling like little children at a birthday party while people are trying to enjoy their drinks and food.
Elizabeth's face ignites in a warm heat, her face unbearably pink and red. But nonetheless, she smiles sheepishly in embarrassment, and grabs the women's hands and beelines for her room in an attempt to not embarrass herself or Diane or Elaine any further.
"Lord, that's embarrassing," Diane giggles as she shuts the door to Elizabeth's room. Elaine mumbles her agreement, flopping onto the silverette's bed.
"Tell me about it," the blonde laughs, "out of all of the times I've gotten back to the bar from somewhere, this has never happened to me!"
The brunette pushes herself from the door and laughs once more. "Elaine, that's a lie and you know it! We've come back totally drunk off our asses on multiple occasions! Don't you remember the amount of times King had ridiculed us for being so "reckless"?"
Elaine doesn't respond; she only buries her face into Elizabeth's pillow.
Elizabeth stands off to the side, smiling awkwardly at the two other women. At first, she'd thought that she had something to do with the fact that they'd been acting like children when they returned, but… The other two seemingly already do that on their own.
A ding sounds out in the room, and it is quickly silenced as Diane gives a small yelp. The silverette turned to Diane only to see her with her phone in hand. With a sigh coming from Diane, Elizabeth watches as the brunette turns to the door once more. "I think I'm gonna head to bed. It's been a long day," she yawns. "You coming Elaine?"
The blonde lifts her head from Elizabeth's pillow, giving Diane a confused look. But after a second, Elaine's eyes light up - only for a moment - and she gives a nod.
"Yes, good night Elizabeth! We'll see you in the morning!" Elaine bids her temporary farewells.
"Good night," Elizabeth replies softly.
And just like that, she's left alone in her room. She allows a soft exhale to leave her nostrils. A yawn escapes her as she moves to her dresser, taking out something comfortable to sleep in. It doesn't take long for her to change, but the more she thinks about going to bed, the more she feels drowsy and tired.
The bedsheets are somewhat cold yet comfortable as she lays on her bed, a contented sigh leaving her as she closes her eyes, wanting sleep to consume her.
In the midst of the night, she wakes, however, not in her bed in Meliodas's bar.
Instead, she's in a field - much like the one she'd dreamt about all those nights ago. A hand grasps hers, and Elizabeth looks over, a head of messy and unruly blonde hair and grassy green eyes enters her vision. It's Meliodas, she knows that much, but why is she dreaming about him?
He smiles at her - the same smile he would always throw at her when he wanted to kiss her, or do something improper. And that's exactly what he did; he kissed her softly and slowly, like the first time he had kissed her.
Her heart implodes in her chest, her hold on his hand tightening just a bit to ground herself. Meliodas had kissed her a handful of times by now but she still isn't used to it. Every time that his lips had descended on hers, she always felt like she was at the top of the world - like she was unstoppable. She doesn't know how or why Meliodas provokes these feelings in her, but in all honesty, she doesn't care. This feeling is like a drug - and an addictive one at that.
Meliodas pushes her ever so gently to the grass, her back pressed against the pillowy flowers. His lips move tentatively against hers, and a soft moan leaves her as his hand makes contact with her slowly-exposing waist and hip. He smirks into the kiss as a result.
When they separate to breathe, her eyes remain closed (is it bad that she doesn't remember closing her eyes?) and he peppers light kisses to her cheeks, her forehead then back down to her cheeks, and soon enough, her neck. His other hand still holds hers, only now their fingers are intertwined. The blonde's lips are so soft - she wonders how they always manage to stay like that, so soft and plush without any given effort. The hand on her hip slowly moves - a torturous tease - to her flat stomach and she can feel the blood rushing to the surface of her skin. She feels her body burn and she doesn't know what to do.
His soft lips now press open mouthed kisses to the base of her neck, slowly moving to her collar bone. Something between the lines of a whine and a whimper falls from her lips and she wants Meliodas oh-so badly to do something - to touch her how he knows she needs to be touched.
His hand moves upward, just barely grazing the underside of her right breast, but she still moans softly all the more. She tries to grind her hips into his as he nestles himself between her legs, but the hand that was so damn close to kneading her breast moved to keep her hips planted to the ground. The blonde's breath is hot and heavy on her heating skin and it only drives Elizabeth to want release. In fact, her thighs that she'd only now taken notice of, are becoming decently drenched with her own arousal. She can feel Meliodas grin against her collarbone, still littering kisses along her pinkening skin.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth's breathing is ragged and at the near point of sounding like she might be distressed. But of course, that simply isn't the case; Meliodas is just driving her insane with the need to release, but he isn't giving her what she wants.
His touches stay teasing and slow.
And then - oh, how her heart skipped a beat - he gave a shallow thrust and grind to her core, and a wanton moan left his lips. His fingers tightened around hers as he gave into his desire and grinds, rotating his hips against hers. Elizabeth's lips part in a soundless moan, but her entire body is lit up in an indescribable pleasure.
His hand finally makes full-on contact with her breast after moving away from her hip, and she only falls deeper into this hole of pleasure she can't - nor does she want to escape from.
His lips seal over hers once more, slow and soft yet so passionate as if he's trying to savor her sweetness. The hand on her breast pulls and tugs ever-so gently, as if she were fragile, but her keening certainly disproves her fragility, physically, at the very least.
Her hands - she didn't know what she was doing with them in the first place - dug themselves into the blonde's unruly tresses, tugging whenever he caused her to release her sinful praise, only for him to hear. He's driving her crazy at this point but in all honesty, she can't find herself to care. He could continue to make her feel like this - like she's at the top of the world and she wouldn't want it to end, no matter how bad she'd want to finally have release. Because as she'd described before, this feeling is a drug - the most intoxicating one she'd ever encounter.
Finally, she opens her eyes, and then she feels nothing.
She shoots up, her breathing still very much ragged, her heart beating erratically against her rib cage, and her hand comes up to grab at the soft fabric of the sleep shirt she wears, the material bunching up in her hand.
Elizabeth falls back into her pillows, her eyes closing for a moment, trying to calm her body down.
Oddly enough… It wouldn't have been the first time she's dreamt about Meliodas like that… She won't deny that she's had a fantasy or two about him in a sexual manner - or vivid images around the line thereof - but why now of all times? Just earlier in the day, she practically admitted her feelings for Meliodas to Elaine and Diane - and after that dream, it only makes her head spin more at the thought of the blonde man.
She was already seemingly confused with how she felt - what in the world was she meant to do now?
As her breathing slows, she can't help but wonder… Does Meliodas think of her the way she does of him? Does he dream of her the way she had just dreamt of him? If he does… maybe it would make this easier for her, knowing that it is mutual. But what if he doesn't? What if she admits to having these feelings, and these odd, sexual dreams about him and he begins to disregard her?
Then what is she to do?
Because she can no longer deny; she has intense feelings for Meliodas - feelings she can't just ignore no matter how much effort she would give to forget. Because Lords above, just the sound of his voice would have her heart doing flips in her chest.
Elizabeth wonders, as she takes note of how hot it is under the bed sheets; what if she had never met Meliodas? What if she'd never gone to Arthur's bar that day? Would he have still found her? Surely, perhaps he would; he said Gowther excelled in finding people. It's just crazy to her - all of the things that have happened to her these past two months are because of him.
If she hadn't met Meliodas - if he hadn't felt the need to mess with the government for a liable reason, she wouldn't be here. She wouldn't be here getting to know Diane or Elaine, she wouldn't have gotten to see Merlin again. She wouldn't feel so bubbly and lovestruck and she wouldn't feel nearly half as good without Meliodas or any of the Sins for that matter. And despite the few fights and arguments that happen from time to time, she feels appreciated here. Like she's a part of a big and generous family. Of course, she feels the same (somewhat) with her own little family with Margaret and Veronica and her father, but with the Sins? Lords, she can't explain it, but it makes her happy.
They give her the leverage to do what she wants - nothing overly huge, of course - but she finally feels like she has some sort of freedom here. There's nothing weighing her down, she has people to talk to that wouldn't judge her, and overall, they try to bring her joy, consciously or not.
And that is why she's glad to be here - because she feels accepted.
Now, it's not like her own family doesn't make her feel that way, too - they absolutely do - but with the Sins, it's so easy to feel this way. They don't even have to try to get her to smile. Just by simply walking into the bar in the morning, and smelling the aroma of sizzling baking and cooking pancake batter, no matter what mood she'd be in, it would immediately turn into something lively and high-spirited.
If she were honest, she wouldn't have or want it any other way.