So it's not smut like I had originally planned, couldn't get it to work with the idea I had planned. So you'll have to wait for a little only for that sort of thing.

I'd also like the mention a few things: this includes assault, it's not exactly a Christmas-y one-shot, originally I wanted to integrate humour and obviously the smut but after unable to do that, I still wanted to stick with the prompt. I won't be including a lot of this sort of thing int he actual story often, so I wanted to write something like this.

It's short but dragging it out more makes the flow awkward.

Set some time after King joins but before Meliodas' sword is stolen.

This includes a panic attack, it's minor and not the main focus but it does happen.

(I hope you guys have a great Christmas, and if you don't celebrate, hope you have a generally good holiday.)

Respectful Etiquette

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It had happened before, minor instances really—nothing that made him more than just annoyed, mostly because Beth handled the unwanted attention remarkably well for someone of her status.

Pointed looks, stern words and that I'm not mad, just disappointed stare that she had perfected would often discourage and dissuade a large majority of men (even a few adventurous woman) and Hawk was always there when his quote-unquote 'pervert senses' started tingling.

(One of those few instances Meliodas was actually glad to have Hawk around…)

Honestly, Meliodas was glad he had no need to step in because the likelihood he'd end up injuring the offending party was, well, higher than it should; he wasn't fond when others touched his Beth.

(So having others around so his, ah, possessiveness had no need to lunge for throats was amazing.)

He and Ban were the typically last resort, King and Hawk always handled them well and the patrons stirring trouble left after paying for what he (and his friends if it was all of them) brought.

However this evening the Boar Hat was busy and far rowdy than normal, or seemed that way anyway. Beth was running back and forth to deliver drink or food and Meliodas could already see she was lagging behind the slightest bit, overwhelmed by the number of patrons. And something in Meliodas's gut was telling him something was bound to happen, he just didn't know when or how.

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There was a yell, the chattering of a tray and cups hitting the ground, and Beth reared back, arms crossing to cover her breasts, eyes wide in modification.

The man leered up at her, very much revelling in her discomfort. "Problem, gorgeous?"

(At the door to the kitchen both King and Ban lingered, drawn by the yell. King made to move forward, to tell the men to scram when Ban grabbed his arm. King shot him a confused look.

"Don't bother." Was all Ban said.)

Beth just took another step back, arms still very much crossed over her chest, mostly now in an attempt to hide her shaking hands, her heart pattering harshly in her chest. She swallowed and tried to not allow her breathing to become short in her anxiety. "I—no..."

"Ah, c'mon sweetie. We just want to talk a bit." His eyes flickered up and down her and Beth felt objectified.

The man reached out, making an attempt to swipe Beth by the clothing at her waist but it never met fabric. Halfway a hand brought it to an abrupt halt, the hand tightening its grip and the man grunted in pain.

"Beth, is there a problem?" Meliodas smiled at her while retaining the grip and not letting up an inch.

"I—I…" She couldn't stop the stutter, looking much like a deer in headlights. Her chest hurt, tight and felt like it was crushing her heart that was beating too fast—

Ban finally moved, appearing beside Beth, hand gently settling on her shoulder. She flinched, wide eyes turning to the man. "Let's go get some fresh air." He whispered quietly and with a hand on the small of her back, guided Beth to the kitchen.

(Ban peered back only once to see Meliodas had already turned his eyes back to the man, expression controlled and the immortal man knew the Captain was pissed—beyond that even.

Ban just hopes he doesn't kill anyone. It would be bad for business.)

"I think you and your friends ought to pay your bills and leave." Meliodas's smile didn't give anything away, but his grip certainly did, the man's fingers were beginning to turn red from the lack of blood flow.

The man wrenched his hand way, Meliodas allowed him. Reining in his temper was far more important. Not only had he groped Beth, but force her to have a panic attack.

"Listen, brat." The man gave a haughty sniff.

"No, you listen." Meliodas bit back the snarl that bubbled in his chest and instead managed to simply glare. "Who are you to come here, into my tavern and harass my waitress like that? Just because you're paying for food and drink does not give you free rein to assault the staff. Now, you will pay your bills and leave. Don't think I'll say it a third time, because I'm not going too."

Instead of answering, the man sneered and made to shove the tavern owner, his friends cheering him on.

It ending quickly and it was rather anticlimactic.

Meliodas grabbed the man's arm and with his free hand landed an open-handed punch to his solar plexus. The force, while weak compared to his true strength, still sent the man flying. The tavern door open just in time too, the to-be patrons quickly ducked out of the way as the man soared past them.

Meliodas turned to the friends. "Well?"

They dumped their money and scrambled to get out. As they lurched through the doorway, Diana glared down at them all and they grabbed their downed friend before sprinting away.

Hawk made a comment on leftovers but Meliodas didn't care much as he'd already started for the kitchen.

Ban was lent against the doorframe of the open backdoor. He met the Captain's eyes briefly before nodding and left the way Meliodas entered.

The demon took a moment to take a breath to cool his anger the best he could, it still fizzled beneath his skin, howled for justice.

He stepped outside to see Beth sat on the edge of the patio, bowed over and shaking. He knelt in front of her, hand gently settling on the back of her neck, thumb stroking soothing circles. He listened to her racing heart and short breath; could feel her quivering fingers when they reached up to clench at his shirt. Meliodas resting his forehead against her hair.

Neither said anything for a long while.