hello!

so it's been a while and i apologize. i have a million other stories im writing for and it's all a mess lmao. im working hard though, i can promise all my dear readers that.

happy reading!

ooo

"Are you feeling any better?" The boy asks, resting his chin in the palm of his hand as he leans his elbow against the table. "Some color's returned to your face - that's a good sign!"

The princess smiles gratefully. "Yes, thank you. I appreciate your hospitality, but… I must go. I need to find some people so they can help my father." Should she be telling this strange boy about her quest and why she's embarking on a journey? Maybe, maybe not.

But he went out of his way to make sure she ate… she can't ignore his kind actions. Because what sort of princess would she be if she took it all for granted? She was not raised to be roaming Britannia with the intent of causing harm– emotionally or physically. She would act accordingly - she would act as her heart desired her to.

The princess has nothing but kindness in her heart. And she hopes the Seven Deadly Sins will show and prove to be the same.

"Yeah," the blonde replies with a sheepish smirk, "you said somethin' about the Deadly Sins, right? What is it that you need? Last I heard, half of them were dead. Plus I don't think they'd hear you out and help without some sort of handsome reward."

Blue eyes stare into green. Is he serious? Yes, mayhaps the Sins could be as awful as people describe and perceive them to be - but what other choice does she have? They're a group of legendary knights (or, well, ex-knights). Surely they know of some way to help her father! They'd been praised and even worshiped for being such extravagant and skilled knights - never failing a mission.

"Maybe so…" she trails off, looking away from him. "But I sincerely doubt such people spoken with high regards and respect would allow themselves to meet such a fate." Her words are stern, firm, and sure. She's never met a Deadly Sin, but she feels it in her gut that she's right. So, she turns back to the blonde boy, a slight frown on her face. "If you won't help me, then I'll be on my way. I need to help my father!"

The young woman moves to make a stand, but as she does, something… pink seems to roll around the corner of the bar, staring at her with wide beady, black eyes. A yelp leaves her, the boy grabbing her by the wrist and pulling her to sit back down.

A snicker, then a short sigh. "That there is Hawk," the blonde informs. All the silverette can do is stare. "If you couldn't tell, he's a pig!"

The pig - Hawk - snorts. "Hiya, lady!" Oh this is so strange. "Meliodas' cooking wasn't too bad for you, was it?"

Her mind short-circuits at the name. Meliodas… this boy is Meliodas? As in the Dragon Sin of Wrath? That Meliodas?! She slowly turns her head back to the blonde, earning her a cocked brow from the boy in question. He can't be! But… Meliodas isn't a common name - not at all…

"Way to blow my cover, Hawk," Meliodas - oh he really can't be—he simply can't - says with a tired tone of voice. "Before you freak out even more," he then addresses the princess with a warm smile, "if you think I'm gonna harm a single hair on your head, I won't. Even if you gave me a reason to, which I'm sure you wouldn't."

Shock. That's all she can feel.

"She seems way more out of it than she did earlier," Hawk jokes, and judging by the clacking of his small hooves, she thinks he's approaching the table.

Meliodas chuckles. "You're tellin' me!"

How could her life get any more strange?! Going into the lands of Britannia unknown to her in old, rusty armor - only to find out she'd forgotten her packed bag of food sometime after she'd left her kingdom's territory - then not sleeping for two days time, then the rain causing her to leave her armor behind, leaving her to be recognized by anyone. And now… the captain of the very people she's trying to find is staring her in the face, alongside a pig.

"I…" the woman tries, but her mouth feels far too dry. "You can't…"

"Oh? But I can," Meliodas frowns. "What should I do to prove to you that I actually am the Sin of Wrath?"

She breaks away from his grip on her wrist, putting her hands in front of her as if to defend herself. "You needn't do anything! I-I believe you, but it's just… it feels unreal. I'd been searching for days and I stumbled into a tavern of all places, and here you are."

Meliodas stands from the chair at one of the many tables in the tavern and grins lopsidedly at her. He crosses his arms and leans his body toward her, but makes no effort to come any closer. "Well, you know who I am now - care to tell us who you are?" His tone is somewhat teasing—most definitely curious as well. Could she really tell him who exactly she is? Where she came from, who might be after her (because by all means, there was no way not a single knight would be searching for her; a runaway princess!)...

"I'm, uh," she swallows. "I'm Elizabeth Liones, the third princess," she tells them anyway. There couldn't be any harm in telling them her identity.

Then it is Meliodas' turn to feel the shock she had just felt. His jaw slackens and his eyes widen ever so slightly. And he really isn't to blame; a princess shouldn't be in a bar, much less so far away from home. However, she left for a good reason. The king of Liones is sick - terribly ill - and he needs some sort of aid. No one is willing to offer assistance. But the way he stares at her, eyes wide and pupils blown, she can't help but flush in embarrassment.

"The– the third princess?!" Hawk repeats, absolutely unwilling to believe it. Elizabeth can't blame him for it, either. A princess like she should be living within the confinements of her own kingdom, not traveling by her lonesome self in search of wanted criminals.

"Fuck," the blonde Sin curses, "the Holy Knights are probably looking for you!"

Elizabeth comes to a stand herself, looking down at the ground to avoid both Hawk and Meliodas' eyes. "I know, I'm aware." Her voice is hushed, even yet somewhat monotone. "But I couldn't just stay in the kingdom of Liones knowing that my papa is sick. No one wishes to help him and my sisters are worried sick about him!"

The silver haired princess raises her head. Her hands clench on their own accord. She is determined to find someone - anyone at this point - to help her sickly father.

"If you don't want to help, that's fine," she continues, "tell me no and I'll be on my way to find someone that wi—"

"Hold on just a minute–" Meliodas cuts her off, laughing softly and waving his hands in front of him in (figuratively) self-defense "–I didn't say I wouldn't help you; this conversation is just a lot to process, y'know. I'm sure you're still comprehending that Hawk is a talking pig and I'm the captain of the Seven Deadly Sins."

Well… he isn't wrong. So many things - unexpected things had just happened in the span of only a few minutes. Elizabeth is almost afraid her brain won't be able to process it. However, it is a bit ridiculous and excessive. After all the Sins should be in hiding, at least according to the many rumors she has heard.

Though, if only the captain is here in this bar, then where are the others?

"So you will help?" Elizabeth asks with a grin, something along the lines of excitement and relief filling her veins.

Meliodas hums and drops his hands, shoving them into his baggy pockets. "Yeah, sure. I'm not busy! It just… might take a while for us to find the other Sins. We all split up after we were exiled from the kingdom we served for nearly a decade ago."

Exiled? But what for? From which kingdom? Elizabeth wants to ask, but she fears she will intrude. It's a bit insensitive after all…

"Thank you," she says regardless, appreciative of the help he's willing to offer. "I'm not sure how much longer my father has left, though. We can't waste time."

"Aye, aye, princess," Meliodas grins.

ooo

So as it turns out, Meliodas and Hawk travel by boar. Very large, very green, boar. Hawk's mama burrows into the ground when Meliodas wants to sell ale and simply set up shop. Elizabeth piques it odd - she's never heard nor seen such a thing in her life. Yet, having spent half the day with the Sin captain and his companion, the princess supposes nothing else could be quite as weird.

Britannia is full of curiosities, she's sure. Meliodas and his pig are only a few.

Regardless, the blonde showed her around the tavern. Obviously the bar was downstairs and the living quarters were up the stairs. Hence why she woke up in his bed after she passed out. However… there was no room for her. According to Meliodas, even when the Sins were together, they never slept in the tavern. They would either sleep outside or on the floor of the bar, or they'd simply just sleep elsewhere.

And because of that, Meliodas never thought to clear up one of the rooms upstairs for another bedroom. All the rooms that used to be bedrooms had slowly become storage closets.

So… she has to share his bed with him. Share a bed with a man she had just met!

"We'd ought to get you some clothes," the captain wonders out loud. Elizabeth looks at him from the very same table he sat her at earlier in the day, observing him as he dries the recently washed dishes and mugs. "As much of a treat it is to see you in that bodysuit, I'm sure the patrons would appreciate having you covered up."

She raises a slender brow, her cheeks heating at his comment. She chooses to ignore it. "What? Why?"

"I thought," he clears his throat, "maybe while you're here, you could help me by being a waitress. Since I'm gonna help out with your father, you can help me here. An eye for an eye, right?"

Elizabeth bites her lip. It does sound fair, she can't deny him that, but she knows nothing about waitressing! Imagine it; a sheltered princess running away from home to pursue becoming a waitress for a man she knows nothing about! (Not exactly like that - she isn't running away, nor is she purposefully trying to become a waitress in some unknown bar, but if the shoe fits…)

"I'm– I'm not sure if I'm able to," she admits. "I've spent most of the years of my life inside the castle of Liones. I've never even seen a waiter or a waitress at work!"

Meliodas snickers, "It's real easy, princess, I promise." How he laughs at her without preamble. The nerve! It isn't her fault she was born into royalty. "If it would make you feel better, I could go out on the field so you can observe and see how it's done. Then you could have a go at it with some sort of idea, yeah?"

"I suppose that could work."

Then silence ensues. The bar is quiet - or at least as quiet as it can be with the rumblings of the objects inside the tavern as Hawk's mama trots on the lands. It's still so new to Elizabeth. She isn't quite sure if she'll get used to it; the whole talking pig and overly large mother pig…

But it's for her father. She needs the Sins to come to her aid. They'd split up years ago, Meliodas not knowing any of their locations. Her next thought however frightens her - Meliodas had said he heard that his comrades were found dead. It couldn't be true, could it?

"Um," she speaks softly, gaining Meliodas' attention as he sets down a newly-dried mug. Her gaze finds his and his face is stoic - a straight faced expression is all he shows. She frowns slightly, but disregards it. "I'm wondering… do you think some of the other Sins could be dead? Like you had told me earlier?"

He doesn't respond immediately; he simply stares at Elizabeth like she had just grown two heads. Though when he smiles, a beaming stretch of his lips from ear to ear, her heart aches uncomfortably in her chest. "Nah, I don't think any of them could've been killed. Not yet, at least. I would know if one of them met some sort of end."

How would you? Elizabeth wants to ask, but she knows it would be futile. His answers have been vague and they will likely continue to be. Which, he can't exactly be blamed. He doesn't know her, just as she doesn't know him.

"If you think so," she says instead. "But why were you trying to convince me that the Seven Deadly Sins weren't worth searching for?"

"That's an easy question. Usually, when someone's trying to find one of us, they're chasing after some sort of reward for turning us in." Oh. An answer that wasn't extremely vague. A refreshing change of pace, but how long will it last for? "I ordered everyone to split into pairs so that if one of us did get caught, they'd have someone to help them escape. But it's been so many years, I don't know where anyone could be."

"Pairs? Then why are you by yourself?" Elizabeth questions.

Meliodas gives a chuckle, tossing the rag he was cleaning the dishes with onto the bar. "Trust me princess. I can fend for myself."

The silver haired princess exhales softly - a short laugh. "Yes, of that I have no doubt." So none of the Sins are truly dead, however… "When you said the Sins would want a reward in exchange for completing a mission, did you mean money? Is it true that you'll want a large sum once you've helped me?"

She watches the blonde walk away from the bar in favor of nearing her table. Her gaze is curious, the way he walks with confidence accompanied by the laidback and careless attitude in his eyes causes her to wonder if he really is the Sin of Wrath. Elizabeth still doesn't fully trust him, nor truly believe that he's the Sin leader. Maybe asking him to prove that he's the captain wouldn't be such a bad idea after all…

"Mmm," he sighs wistfully, "some money would be great for the tavern, but nah. I'm not looking for money or whatever else could be considered a handsome reward." Meliodas takes a seat opposite of her on the table, closing his eyes and resting his chin in the palms of his hands and he leans his elbows against the wood. "Since I'm not a knight anymore, it's not exactly easy to help people. But with this bar, I can at least offer people food and drinks and help them some other way, y'know?"

Oh. The Sin of Wrath has a kind heart (hell, the third princess of Liones experienced it first hand). Why are the Seven Deadly Sins being shut out from the world?

"I suppose I can understand that." Her words are soft. She darts her eyes away from the blonde, her heart aching at her next thought. "I left the palace in search of some way to cure my father. The knights started to act strangely and no matter what I said, not a single person believed that my father had fallen ill. I could only think that the Holy Knights are conspiring against the king. My home isn't safe any longer, and I'm not exactly sure what to do about it."

"How do you think the Seven Deadly Sins could help you with your father's sickness?"

The question stumps her. Of course she had thought about it - they are known as knights, not medics or doctors - but at least one of them must know something about poisons and cures!

Elizabeth still does not look at Meliodas. "I don't know," she admits quietly. "I've no one else to turn to. No one wants to help my papa," she repeats once more, "not a single soul. They say it's just a cold, but I know it isn't. He's been coughing up blood and he's as pale as a ghost—has been for nearly weeks now. And yet, no one believes me - only my sisters but they can't help either."

If he dies while she is away from home, she doesn't know what she'll do… Her father is a kind and generous man, with a heart of pure gold. If he is to meet his end because the knights of Liones wish to overthrow the kingdom…

"Well, lucky for you, one of the Deadly Sins just so happens to be a mage," he says. Elizabeth instantly turns her head back to him, her eyes lighting up with hope. She brings her hands up to the table, splaying her fingers upon the wood. "Don't get too excited, though; I have no idea where she is. Could take days or even weeks 'til we find any of them."

The silverette deflates a tad, but she doesn't allow his words to deter her. "You must have some idea as to where one of them could be."

He simply shrugs, "Maybe."

Elizabeth huffs softly, her brows furrowing. She gazes at him, observing the way he doesn't meet her eyes any longer. Is he hiding something? Does he know something she doesn't? Well of course he does but… this feels strange. She can't quite put her finger on it.

"We'll open tomorrow, some time in the afternoon," he tells her, glancing at her frame. "When I show you how it's done, I want you to try to listen for information about any of the Sins. Altho, maybe ignore anything regarding me. You already know where I am." Meliodas winks at her and she flushes pink, embarrassed and not expecting him to do such a thing.

"Okay," she finds herself agreeing anyway. "Is there… a bath I could use? And maybe a change of clothes, too? I'm embarrassed to say it's been a few days since…"

The blonde chuckles, the sound resonating from his chest. His hands fall to his lap before he comes to a stand. "Of course! C'mon, princess!" Then he beckons her forth with an inward wave of his hand. He starts to walk away, toward the staircase leading up to the living quarters. The princess comes to a stand, finding it oddly easy to maintain her balance considering Hawk's mama is trotting the lands of Britannia at a considerably quick speed.

As she follows the captain, she can't help but think that the whole situation is odd. He is supposed to be in hiding, yet his method of transportation is anything but sneaky.

It's been nearly a decade since he'd been exiled, and he's yet to have been caught…

Her eyes stay glued to the steps, making sure she doesn't trip and fall down the stairs. She feels bad enough for making Meliodas go through all the trouble of nursing her and providing her with a bath…

Once they've reached his room, Meliodas turns to her with a small grin. He points over to his dresser. "You can take a shirt of mine and some pants. Sorry I don't exactly have any proper clothes for you - I hadn't really expected to harbor a runaway princess in my lifetime," he teases, dropping his arm, allowing it to return to his side.

The princess in question huffs, pushing past him and opening his drawer. "I am not a runaway princess," she argues. The drawer is filled with identical off-white button up shirts, Elizabeth realizes. Does he not have other varieties in his clothing options?

"Whatever you say, princess," Meliodas simply responds. "Shower's over here," he then directs and Elizabeth turns her head, looking at the blonde over her shoulder. He points at a closed door, some of its green paint chipping off the wood. It seems as though it has been months - maybe even years - since he'd last given the room a fresh coat of paint.

Elizabeth quickly grabs a shirt before closing the drawer. She turns to him with a faint smile, his eyes holding hers. "Thank you."

He grins in response, waving a hand. "It's no problem. I'll be down in the bar if you need me."

And she watched silently as he left the bedroom, leaving her to her own thoughts. Still, Hawk's mama trots along the plains of the countryside, and Elizabeth wonders if the large pig ever gets tired. Surely she does, right?

With a sigh, the young princess tightens her hold on one of Meliodas' many shirts and forces herself into his bathroom.

When she enters, she marvels at how neat the bathroom is. There isn't a single article of clothing on the floor, the room in general seems to be fairly clean and pristine. At least Meliodas knows how to clean up after himself, Elizabeth supposes.

She strips herself of her clothing, turning on the showerhead and waits for a moment for the water to warm. A soft exhale leaves her nose as she steps into the water, relieved she is finally able to get rid of the grime and dirt that she is sure decorated her body over the course of the past few days.

As she washes herself, she can't help but think… She found Meliodas in a bar of all places - the captain of the very people she'd been trying to find. It's still a shock to her - though that piques another question. Will the other Sins also be hiding in such odd places?

This will be a long journey…