"Why did your dad assume we were a mafia gang?" Meliodas asks Elizabeth one bright morning, very randomly. Elizabeth had forgotten that her father even said the Sins were a supposed mafia gang.
Elizabeth paused, allowing the suds bubbling in the water of the kitchen sink to graze her skin as she lowered a dish into it. "I… I don't actually know," comes her response. "I guess he just believed whatever rumors had spread about you guys and relied the same information to me. I never really believed it, and I was right not to."
Meliodas merely hummed, passing the woman another plate to clean.
"Why the sudden ask?"
Elizabeth washes the plate like she's on autopilot and she patiently waits for the blonde's response. "Just curious," he says, "I've heard plenty of rumors about us; I wanted to know what your father thinks."
She sets the plate Meliodas gave her down on the countertop next to the sink. His reasoning is valid, she thinks, but why would he really care in the first place? As far as Elizabeth knew, the only thing he cares about is justifying his mother's death and ensuring her own father doesn't meet the same fate.
As much as she wants to ask, she lets it go. Despite the established trust between the two now, she doubts he would give her a direct or straight answer. And much to her dismay, he still has a wall built up - he's still abiding by his secrecy. But of course, that should be a given regardless of… whatever they might be. It's been nearly two and a half months that Elizabeth has been here in his bar - certainly not enough time for Elizabeth to know the entire story of how and why the Sins came to be.
But even then, she hopes. She hopes that he'll open up to her, she hopes that they could be something more, because damn it, she feels so strongly for him and it's getting to the point where she doesn't know what the hell she should do.
After all, maybe Elizabeth can't really talk either; she has her boundaries (as does Meliodas, she's sure) and there are things that she can't bring herself to admit to Meliodas. While she does find it easy to trust him to a certain extent, she's not going to just tell him everything he wants to know about her, should he even want that information.
When they finish washing the dishes together, it's silent. There's no sounds of running water or the drag of a cloth on a plate or silverware. Meliodas and Elizabeth's gazes meet, and it feels like time stops. The only thing Elizabeth can note is his eyes on her and the erratic beat of her heart. Somehow, without her noticing, they'd inched closer to one another - they were so close that Elizabeth could feel the fan of his breath fanning against her lips.
But then the kitchen doors are being swung open and Elizabeth yelps in surprise.
Her eyes dart from Meliodas to a curious red, and the woman feels like her skin is heating and becoming the color of the man's eyes.
"Why is it always me ta' catch you two like this?" Ban asks, though Elizabeth isn't sure he'll get an answer. She isn't sure why he's almost always the one to catch Elizabeth and Meliodas having a moment to themselves when they're (supposedly) alone. "Get a room, why don'tcha."
"We've got plenty of rooms here," Meliodas retorts. "Do I have to remind you that I own the place? I can do whatever I damn well please, wherever I feel like it."
"Yeah, well, all things considered, I think this is my kitchen, and I would appreciate it if ya didn't give Princess those fuck-me eyes where I fuckin' work. I know you're just dyinnnn' to dick her down, right? Do it somewhere else, for fuck's sake."
Elizabeth is mortified. How could Ban say something so… so vulgar?! And in front of not only her, but the man in question too?
"Hmm. It's too bad you think the same of Elaine, aren't I right, Ban?"
Ban laughs, "Aw but lil' ole Harly wouldn't like ta' hear that, Cap'n."
"Captain?" Meliodas echoes back. "What happened to Boss?"
"Eh, has a better ring to it than Boss, don'tcha think?"
…What in the world is happening? How did the topic go from… that to teasing King and Meliodas suddenly having a different nickname? Code name? Lord have mercy on Elizabeth's soul, please.
While the two men were distracted racking jokes at one another, Elizabeth sought her chance to slip away before either of them - before Meliodas notices she's leaving. Quietly, she leaves Meliodas's side and bolts for the kitchen doors and when she finds herself to be successful in her escape, she releases a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She doesn't stop moving however until she's inside her room, the door shut firmly behind her.
Elizabeth flops onto her bed, releasing a fit of giggles - or perhaps they're soft sobs? She can't really tell but she supposes that it doesn't matter. She's just glad to be out of that situation. King was right - Ban truly is unrelenting with his teasing. And here she thought Diane was bad. God she just hopes it doesn't get worse than that.
There's suddenly a knock on her door and she lifts herself to a sitting position, her gaze falling to the door. Her heart races in her chest, expecting to see Meliodas or Ban - or even both - but she's relieved when a different blonde reveals herself. Elaine smiles and shuts the door softly behind her.
"I heard commotion from the kitchen," she grins, "nothing happened, did it?"
Elizabeth laughs - nothing besides Ban and his vulgar teasing, no. Damned bastard. "No Elaine, just Ban and Meliodas joking with one another."
Elaine giggles softly. "Knowing them, I just hope they weren't making any teasing jokes about you or Harlequin." Elizabeth's eyebrows raise, and Elaine smiles knowingly at the silver haired woman. "Judging by the look on your face, either they made jokes about one or both, am I right?"
The silverette simply smiles wearily at the blonde. She supposes Elaine would know how and what they joke about, especially since she's dating one of them…
"I wonder if they ever get tired of teasing everyone so much…" Elizabeth wonders out loud. It earns her another giggle from Elaine and the blonde woman sits on the edge of her bed. Elaine's amber gaze softens as she looks at the silverette.
"It's a terrible habit," Elaine nods. "But it's not really as bad as you might think. Though I could just be saying that because I'm used to it! I don't know though, I don't think their teasing is nearly as bad as it used to be. I remember this one time when they teased Harlequin; he didn't leave his room for a week unless it was Diane that asked for him to come out! Times seemed so much simpler then…"
Elizabeth's lips part. "Simpler?"
Is her being here… does she make things complicated for the Sins?
Elaine's eyes go wide and she begins to wave her hands around. "No no no! Not like that! Just y'know, before we knew what we do about Mael and all that! When everyone was… oblivious. You being here doesn't change the fact that what government officials are doing is absolutely dehumanizing!"
Elizabeth smiles softly despite the situation she's in - despite the terrors and horrible fate that her father may or may not face. "I can't believe him, Elaine… and to think he's working so closely with my father. Or to think that my father has no idea he's being brainwashed!" The silverette exclaims, her blood boiling by the second. "Even my sisters have realized how dire that problem has become. How will I ever tell them that our father is being controlled by another? Or that he will inevitably die at the hands of those that have sworn to protect the people?"
"Oh Elizabeth," Elaine hushes as she reaches for the silverette, pulling her into an embrace. "I can't imagine how you must be feeling." And Elizabeth feels tears prick at her eyes, and she doesn't stop them from running as she buries her face into Elaine's shoulder.
"Why can't I ever just live a normal life…?"
And Elizabeth had never wished to simply turn back time, and pretend her life would never turn into the shambles it was destined to be.
{-}
"Let's get down to business," Meliodas says, his voice ringing out in the bar. Currently, every Sin that lives in the bar along with Elizabeth sit by the counter of the bar, their attention on the blonde man.
"What's new, Boss?" Diane asks.
Elizabeth notices the slight smirk in his expression, "Oh, tons. We'll have to move for this one."
"Move?" Elizabeth parrots, "What do you mean move?"
She was answered with a simple 'you'll see' and nothing more. She watches as Meliodas hands King a thick file - perhaps ones they'd taken from Mael's office? She isn't sure - she doesn't really remember much from that night, besides dancing with Meliodas and telling Mael off for being an asshole.
Soon, Meliodas is leading everyone through the hall that consists of their rooms, but they don't move far into the hall; Meliodas is unlocking a door closest to the entrance into the bar with a key he pulled from his pocket. Elizabeth's brow furrows, confusion littering her veins. Has that door always been locked?
The door leads to a staircase that goes down - not too far however, and it's dark.
As they're led into another room, Elizabeth's eyes immediately find a corkboard and a small almost inaudible gasp leaves her as she notices many papers and photos pinned to the board.
What is all this…?
The door shuts behind them but Elizabeth can't tear her gaze from the corkboard. She can't make anything out but the faint yet clear depictions of the four judges - Mael being the more prominent person appearing in more photos. Red strings of yarn are pointed and wrapped around the thumbtacks pinned to the board and Elizabeth wants nothing more than to walk away, maybe run back to her room, or better yet; run back to her apartment and pretend nothing's happened in the past two months and some.
"This is all the info we have on the judges and the drug, down to what I really hope is the nitty-gritty," Meliodas says. His hand brushes against her waist and she jumps at the contact.
Elizabeth breathes in deeply, "And you think there could be more?"
"Well," a new voice cuts in - King, "we know there's more. With all we have, should it have been all we needed, Mael could have kissed his life goodbye. Plus, he'd be pretty shit at covering up his tracks if this was all we needed."
Of course there's more than what meets the eye.
"...How long have you people been gathering all this?" Elizabeth can't help but ask, her gaze finally moving from the board to Meliodas. His expression is blank - a sight Elizabeth isn't fond of and probably never will be. His hand moves further up her waist, a sneaky little touch that has her heart hammering against her chest.
"Few years." Is his response.
"We gather all that we can," Diane cuts in, "otherwise, our attempt to eradicate that drug will be as futile as-" she cuts herself off, which causes Elizabeth to look at her with a raised brow.
"She knows," Meliodas says.
Diane looks at Elizabeth with surprise but otherwise continues. "Our attempt would be as futile as Boss's when he found out what happened to his mom."
Well… of course it would be smart to get as much dirt as possible, but… how would they know exactly what they need in the first place? That Mael or someone close to him developed and put this drug to use? There's very much a drug being forced onto people, but Lords with all this information and possible evidence, how would they be able to pinpoint anyone specific?
They sit in this little room for god knows how long (Elizabeth had lost track after a mere few minutes of being down here), and mainly King and Meliodas gave Elizabeth a run down of what they know and what they hope to achieve.
So far, they know Mael has connections - people that can deliver and manufacture components to the drug used on previous presidents and who knows who else. They know that once a month he has certain shipments - appointments, even - at different locations. He trades, or exchanges certain things for something to develop the drug even further, to make it more lethal than before. He exchanges either money or private information about civilians. (Terrible people ask for that private info - hitmen, Elizabeth thinks, though she could be wrong.)
While they know Mael is the one making orders, there's nothing solid enough for fingers to be pointed at him - it's always other people going out and marching around under his order, but to just accuse him of being the one responsible for everything? They'd only dig themselves a hole and they'd only bring attention to themselves - nor would anyone believe them even with enough solid evidence.
One thing is certain however; there is a horrible problem of drug use, and whoever is responsible for the initial creation is trying their damndest to keep it under wraps.
But even then… if Mael truly is the one behind this whole hypnotic drug, he's being far too messy with his coverups. Something isn't right, Elizabeth knows it, but just what exactly…?
"This Friday," King says, Meliodas nodding beside him, "there's a scheduled meeting of sorts at a… club. We plan to take two or four of us to go undercover and see what they do - if they exchange shit, or just talk business, we'll be there to record every second of it as soon as we know where and what they're up to."
"A club?" Elizabeth repeats. "What kind of club?" She almost regrets asking.
King's lips quirk up, "A sex club. Downtown."
She definitely regrets asking.
"Hah!" Ban suddenly laughs after being far too quiet this entire ordeal, "You should see your face, Princess! Oh, it's priceless!"
She brings her hands up to her face, the warmth from her cheeks quickly spreading to the palms of her dainty hands. God, not Ban teasing her again.
"Leave her alone, Ban," Diane says in Elizabeth's defense, punching him in the shoulder, causing him to cry out and rub his shoulder. "Find someone else to tease, or even better - shut the fuck up! I know everyone here is tired of hearing your damn voice!"
"And ya don't think everyone's tired of hearin' your voice?"
"Just you, Ban," Meliodas cuts in.
"I-I'm not tired of hearing Di's voice!" King admits, embarrassment lacing his voice.
Elizabeth's eyes find Diane, and the brunette has a sharp blush dusting her skin. Her lips part in what Elizabeth thinks is disbelief before she turns and leaves the room all together. King shoots Ban a glare and goes after her, causing both Ban and Meliodas to laugh. Elizabeth's hands drop from her face as Ban comes to a stand, shooting Elizabeth - or maybe Meliodas - a knowing smirk before leaving as well.
Now - to Elizabeth's mortification once again - it's only her and the blonde alone. Again.
Her eyes immediately find him and he smiles - no, smirks down at her as he comes closer to her. Elizabeth's breath is caught in her throat as she looks up at him, her blood running warmer along with her entire body. However, despite the fright that pumps in her veins along with a bit of adrenaline, she finds herself rising from her seat and grasping his face with her hands and pulling him into a warm kiss, closing her eyes all the while.
His own hands come to a rest on her hips, urging her closer to the point where she gives a slight jump to wrap her legs around his waist. His lips move softly and slowly against hers as he guides her onto the table, her hands moving to grip at his hair when he nips her bottom lip. When she gives a short gasp, she feels him grin in their kiss before swiping his tongue over the same lip.
Her body throbs as his hands move from her hips to her waist, to her stomach and up to her breasts. He cups them gently and she squeezes her eyes tighter at the sudden feel. Elizabeth moans softly when he squeezes her just a tad - but oh Lord, just a simple touch from this man has her blood set aflame and her brain short-circuiting.
When she tugs at his hair, he groans into her mouth before pulling away. "Elizabeth," he whispers tenderly against her lips, and an alarm flares off in her head when she realizes he'd called her by her actual name and not Princess. She timidly opens her eyes, only to lock with his greens. His eyes are lidded, clouded with nothing that she can't describe as lust, and her heart only beats faster. Elizabeth lowers her hands from his hair to his shoulders, and she pulls away just enough that his hands are falling to her sides once more, then she presses a kiss to his right cheek, to his nose, to his other cheek then to his lips once again, her eyes falling closed as she does.
She's pulled closer to him (though it seems damn near impossible for them to get any closer), his hands resting on the small of her back whilst her own hands stay clutching at his shoulders. When his fingers make contact with her exposed skin - damn it to hell, this uniform he makes her wear - and she flinches all the while they continue to kiss.
His hands - soft yet rough and calloused all at once - caress her skin and she can't seem to stop herself from moaning out against his lips.
As his fingers skim the warmest parts of her body - as it moves to her front and fumbles with the belt of her skirt, they both freeze, their eyes shooting open as they hear a voice call for them.
"Hey," a voice laced with humor calls, "ya both better be up here in the next five minutes! I'd really hate ta' walk in somethin' else like I did this mornin'."
Elizabeth stiffles out a giggle, leaning her head against his shoulder and tries to muffle her laughter. Meliodas laughs along with her and rests his head against hers. She tries to catch her breath and while she's at it, she tries to calm down the immense blush on her face before she goes back to the bar with Meliodas.
"What's so funny, Princess?"
His voice sounds so loud in her ears, yet somehow the thundering beat of her heart rivals the sound. "Nothing," she giggles, sounding out of breath. "It's just… every day is so odd, but it feels right… like I was meant to be here, if that makes sense?"
Meliodas pulls away from her though his arms stay around her, "I get what you're trying to say. And I feel the same! All the Sins really like you, Elizabeth. You really do bring us all together."
"No," she whispers, "no I don't… I mean, you've all known each other for years. There's no way I have that much of an impact on you people besides just being an extra person to feed throughout the day."
However, Meliodas shakes his head with a slight grin. "You know none of us think of you as baggage, Elizabeth-" and there he went using her actual name instead of that horrid nickname "-you're one of us now, whether you like it or not! And believe me when I say that we all see you as family."
And so, Elizabeth smiles at him before leaning towards him and planting a kiss square on his lips.
Not before long, the pair finally left the room, taking their dirty little secret with them. Elizabeth nearly giggles at herself - as if the rest of the Sins don't already know exactly what kind of secret (or shall she dare say, sin) the two carry. Meliodas and Elizabeth walk hand in hand into the bar without anybody throwing any teasing remarks at them. Perhaps they're all used to the two showing one another affection like they're the only two people to roam the earth?
Maybe.
But if there is less teasing about herself and Meliodas, Elizabeth supposes she won't complain. The goddesses know Ban teasing her is enough as is. Hell, she might prefer Diane's little jokes over Ban's…
"Wooo!" Diane cheers at the sight of her dearest friends, "Captain and Ellie are here now! We can get this party started for real!"
"Captain?" Meliodas whispers with a chuckle. "What's the reason for this party?"
Diane brings her mug up to her lips and takes a rather gracious gulp of her alcohol - wine, maybe? - before setting the offending object down on the table she sits at with Ban, King, and Elaine. "There isn't a reason! Do we need a reason to get shit-faced? Ban does it all the time, so why can't we?!"
Meliodas shakes his head, grabs Elizabeth's hand and guides her towards the table. For a moment, she glances at him and he flashes her a quick grin and a flirtatious wink. "Well, I don't see why not. Just don't overdo it; you guys are gonna get busy tomorrow - wouldn't want to deal with a hangover so early in the morning, do we?"
Diane pouts and crosses her arms under her chest. "Aw no!" She protests, "I didn't know we had a job to do so soon!" The brunette then turns to King and Ban with a stern glare. "Did you two know about this?"
"Not a clue," King expresses with a sigh, bringing his own mug of ale up to his lips.
Ban, however, laughs drunkenly and pulls Elaine closer to his body with a yelp escaping her, much to King's dismay. "Nahhh… Captain sure does love springin' surprises on us!"
"Humph."
Meliodas pulled up a chair next to Elizabeth and handed her a mug with white wine sloshing within its confinements. She smiled and thanked him before taking a swig of her drink.
As the night went on, everyone joked and laughed, naught a single one of their faces was spared from a drunken blush. Diane had jabbed at Ban about Elaine and marriage - King protested all the while - and Meliodas and Elizabeth simply laughed and watched as the scene before them unfolded.
The blonde next to her had thrown and wrapped an arm around her shoulder and she unconsciously leaned into his touch with a sigh. She's wondered one time a many, but truly; if she had never agreed to help Meliodas and the Sins, where would she be? Certainly not here in his arms with his friends - their friends, she supposes - not here feeling as if she's a part of a big supporting and caring family. She'd probably still be finding ways to subdue her father and his unrelenting requests (nearly demands) to join his wing.
Elizabeth pauses in her drinking. If her father really and wholeheartedly is under some sort of hypnotic spell due to a drug, and he wants her to partake in the government's actions… will she fall to the same fate? Will she be forced to participate in some sort of drug use?
On a more pressing matter, will she lose herself just as her father did?
Just as Meliodas' mother did…?
She's brought out of her thoughts as something loud bangs on the table in front of her - which she quickly realizes it's Diane as she slammed her own mug down onto the table.
"Elizabeth!" Diane says with a voice full of authority. Elizabeth finds herself looking into a pair of peeved amethyst eyes. "Did you hear what this man just said?!" She asks, pointing an accusing finger at Ban.
The silverette shakes her head slowly, because she truly hadn't but she's also afraid, in a sense, of what Diane's next words could be.
"He said I'm too much of a pussy to do anything daring," she says in air quotes. Her brow furrows before she relaxes her face and pouts slightly. "You don't think I am, do you? Tell me you don't!"
Elizabeth releases a soft exhale before smiling, however not at the cost of Ban laughing and howling like his life depends on it. Elaine tries her best to calm down her immature boyfriend. "I don't think he's right, Diane," the silverette says truthfully. "After all, I do not believe he's really aware of how amazing you are!"
"Hah!" Diane exclaims, suddenly turning to the pale blue haired man. "See?! Even Ellie thinks I'm great! You're just an asshole!"
"Diane!" Elaine scolds with a drunken grin. "You can't say that to himmm! You're gonna start a fight! Hehe…"
"Elaine's right," King yawns and lays his head against the table, clutching at his mug with half-assed effort. "It's way too late for you two to be arguing like this… hmm…"
The brunette in question frowns before turning back to Elizabeth and Meliodas. "I can put an end to this argument," she slurs, her face igniting in a bright pink blush - and it isn't from the alcohol she's consuming.
"How?" Elizabeth asks with a grin.
Meliodas snickers from next to her, "She's probably gonna suggest you two make out or something. I'd pay to see that to be honest!"
The silverette's lips part and as she processes his words, she flushes, embarrassed.
"Well…" Diane bites her bottom lip. "What better way to prove Ban wrong?"
"What?!" King bellows. "You want to make out with the president's daughter, Di? Isn't that… some sort of criminal offense?!"
Diane raises a curious brow as she turns to her chestnut haired companion, "What? Of course that isn't!" She suddenly turns to the woman in question, eyes wide. "That isn't true, is it?"
"N-Not that I'm aware of," Elizabeth smiles as she closes her eyes for a moment.
"Okayyy," Ban whistles. "Are you two gonna make out or what? Put on a show, why don'tcha!"
Diane smiles sheepishly at the silver haired woman. "Would you be okay with that, Ellie? You don't have to! Gosh, it's so embarrassing to even ask, isn't it? I mean, what kind of person just asks something like that-?"
Influenced by the liquid courage coursing through her veins, Elizabeth detangles herself from Meliodas and reaches for Diane. As she successfully grabs the brunette by her forearms, she pulls Diane to her, her lips just ghosting hers. Gasps elicit all around the room and Elizabeth can't help but smile as she presses her mouth to Diane's. Diane snakes a hand to Elizabeth's cheek, her hand cold against her skin. Elizabeth shivers and squeezes her eyes shut.
Her nerves feel like they're on fire - sort of in the way they would be when doing this kind of thing with Meliodas, only it's a lot more mundane.
She only wonders how she'll react when remembering all this tomorrow morning…
As their kissing escalates, both women aware of the stares piercing them, a moan is drawn out from both parties.
However, before things could truly escalate, Elizabeth feels a hand on her shoulder pull her back from Diane. She turns once her eyes are open only to lock gazes with a certain blonde man. His eyes dance and twinkle in mirth and mischief, but there's something else that lingers. She can't quite place a finger on it.
"That's enough," Meliodas announces. "As… enjoyable that was to watch, we don't need you two going any further than that."
Ban on the other hand chortles. "What Cap really meant to say was; he doesn't wanna see his girlfriend have sex with King's girl… at least not before he gets into Princess' pants!"
"And that's enough alcohol for everyone!" He says, pulling Elizabeth towards him. Groans of disappointment and reluctance sound out in the room, but as Meliodas looks down at her with that playful smirk, it only makes her feel warmer than she already did. "And for you," he whispers, "hmm, what a show you put on there, Princess."
Her breathing starts to become ragged and she tries her best to level it out. "W-What about it?"
A hand trails from her shoulder down her back - and by the Gods, he doesn't miss touching the exposed skin of her lower back - before his hand settles just over her rear. "What about it? Well, do you remember when I told you I can get quite possessive? It's starting to show, I suppose." A quick peck to her cheek is her reward for listening so intently.
"Possessive?" She repeats in a low whisper, her heart beating erratically. "But it was your idea."
"Doesn't mean you have to act on it," he simply replies.
Another cackle from Ban causes the pair to return to the general conversation between the group in the bar. Elizabeth surveys everyone at the table, noting how terribly red everyone is - especially Diane and King. Elaine still has a pink flush on her face, but she seems to have more dignity than the rest of them; she hasn't taken another sip of anything for a while now, unlike Ban and Diane.
"I doubt we'll ever see somethin' like that ever again!" He yells, attempting to take his mug back from Elaine, but being as drunk as he is, it proves to be quite the challenge. "Huhhh, guess I was wrong, Di! You're a Deadly Sin, that's for sure!"
Diane flushed, whether it be from Ban's odd praise or simply the alcohol taking further effect to her body.
Not before long, everyone helped one another in cleaning the bar before checking out and heading to bed, longing for the comfort sought exclusively from the soft sheets that lull them to sleep.