A/N: This entry has gone through a lot of changes before reaching its final phase. I originally wrote and completed it before finishing Pretty Beachy Times, but in the space it took for me to go back over, edit and refine Hot and Heavy, it changed a lot. Like... A LOT.

Nevertheless, the general gist of this entry is that it's an AU where Elizabeth is your typical A-star student and Meliodas has challenged himself to get her to loosen up. Quite a bit had changed from the original plot (although some of the bare bones still remain). I hope you all enjoy the product of my archive of jumbled, wasting files. There are definitely many more to follow this one!

Till next time my lovelies,

Drama (formerly D.L.D)

*Warning this story is M rated*

Hot and Heavy

"Good morning to you, sweetheart!"

As per every usual morning, Elizabeth Liones is greeted at the front gate with an array of sexual harassment coded as simple greetings. Ever since she has become the most noticeable figure in their year group - the passionate class president and helpful A-star student - she's been receiving all sorts of weird advancements from her peers. Odd comments such as her backside looking nice, or even whispers about how she would be in bed, have become a common thing to hear.

In the past, that hadn't been the case. Before Elizabeth had hit puberty, had first laid her eyes and given her heart away to someone else, she had never really received such comments. Shy, meek, she had been the kind girl that everyone sort of looked over in class. None of her classmates - let alone her peers - would have even thought about flirting with her.

Recently, though, that has changed. That's all due to her ex, who just had to go and spread lies about her.

Now, every day, Elizabeth braves the inevitable attacks on her character. Every morning, with a smile as sweet as honey dipped in sugar, she walks past the same crowd of boys, bats her lashes in such an innocent and lovely way that even a baby would look evil, and says 'good morning'. No arguments. No outrage. No anger. Instead, all smiles and grace and class, she continues about her day; she does not give them what they want.

"Good morning, boys!" Waving to them with her signature smile, adjusting her bag on her shoulder, Elizabeth walks past the front gate, "Try not to be late to class this time."

Part of being class president, one of the school's best students, is trying to encourage her peers to do better. Even if they only ever listen to her because they're staring at her chest, Elizabeth sees it as a win-win situation. They listen and she sets an example. No-one loses out. Plus, she only has one year left. One more year and she could leave this place - not burning it down out of sheer frustration and surviving the petty gossip of her ex.

Just one more year...

Not long after passing through the front gate, Elizabeth heads into the main building. Rectangular, the brickwork lacking paint, the building is no different from any other local school with its sleek sign and plain square windows. Some students are already inside, many of them cleared out of the main entrance and looking for their lockers or certain classrooms. Multiple kinds of conversations drift by Elizabeth's ears as she strolls by, but she doesn't focus much on them. Instead she's intent on getting to the south side of the school. The side that houses the playing fields.

Due to some stupid belief in age and wisdom, the older students at their school often have their designated lockers on the south side of the school, meaning Elizabeth is also graced with this locker area. The farthest area away from the main entrance and definitely the one with the most hassle to get to. Therefore, most mornings, Elizabeth has to endure a longer walk around the school, warily watching out for anyone who thinks that it's a great idea to bring back 'ass slap month'.

Oh that stupid game! How Elizabeth loathes 'ass slap month'! One whole month was spent last year with people going around and smacking each other on the ass. Some people - the more decent kind - didn't take part in the events. But of course others did and targeted people with 'round and juicy' behinds, as they seemed to describe it. Just like asses are some kind of fruit to be picked. Disgusting.

Sadly, poor Elizabeth fits that exact description pretty well. Joined with the rumours, and her round, voluptuous rump was a prized target of said attacks. A real annoyance as Elizabeth had only wanted to be left alone.

"Elizabeth!" Diane, her best friend, greets the girl with a large and vigorous hug. Strong, tanned arms wrap around Elizabeth's body, a wide grin present as a pair of chestnut pigtails swish, "I'm so glad you came in today! I have the perfect cure- "

Elizabeth shakes her head before Diane can finish, her intentions clear as she presses her lips into a thin line.

"If it's about me being celibate, try something else," As if reciting a paragraph, Elizabeth rattles off her immediate answer. Unblinking, her eyes give away the strict stance she holds over this topic and Diane's many (failed) attempts to sway her.

Not too long ago, in the messy aftermath of her first breakup, Elizabeth had announced to all her loved ones that she would be absitinate. At the time, her younger self had seen it as the best option with the men of this world. Sealing away her sweet gift of sensuality had been the only logical response she could muster. After pressuring her into losing her virginity, her ex had called her a prude - showing the real intention of the relationship - and so Elizabeth chose to be one. She chose the option that made her look like a nun.

And she couldn't have been more right either; guys treat her a lot differently when she reveals her no-sex policy.

Ever since then, no-one's ever really bothered Elizabeth for a 'real' relationship. And she's content with that. Extremely content, she's almost euphoric from the happiness that comes with her mundane and more or less bland life. A life where she has little adventure and often enjoys the smaller, everyday things. Things like an evening spent curled up on her window-seat, drinking a hot chocolate and reading a deliciously addictive romance novel. However, things like the romance in Elizabeth's novels are things she doesn't want. No matter how much people try to offer it to her.

"Awww, come on!" Frowning, Diane pouts as Elizabeth slowly steers them both toward her locker. Throwing her hands into the air, Diane's pigtails swish once more as she lets out a sigh, "I even told Meliodas about you."

Automatic, instinctual, Elizabeth freezes in her tracks, face blanching white as she turns to look at her well-meaning but oh-so-stupid friend. Diane's told Meliodas. Meliodas! Of all the people she could've told about her celibate, witty and attractive friend, of course Diane chooses to involve her rebellious friend, well-known to seduce and easily steal the hearts of virgin and non-virgin girls alike their age. Sometimes even older women too.

Infamous, a name that carries meaning around this place, Meliodas is one of those guys that everyone knows about. There isn't a single challenge that he wouldn't try to beat and he could be very damn stubborn about it too. Emphasis on the challenge aspect though, as girls like Elizabeth are a specific specialty of Meliodas. Loosening up the uptight class president would definitely be an enticing challenge for someone like Meliodas.

However, the distinct difference between Elizabeth Liones and other girls like her is that they have lower mental guards against cretin like Meliodas. Ready, strategic, Elizabeth is prepared for people like him - the sort to call if you have a highly stubborn and abstinent friend in your midst.

But, of course, Diane just had to tell him about Elizabeth's problem - the same guy that she had held an insignificant crush on when she was younger before falling for her ex.

Believe it or not, Elizabeth found herself falling for them both because they were the only ones to shove her face into the sandbox when she started crying. Meliodas did it because they didn't get along. Her ex did it because Elizabeth missed it when Meliodas stopped doing it. Funny, right? Elizabeth had fell in love with her childhood enemy and her old best friend, one of them becoming nothing to her and the other a bitter ex.

Now that she thinks about it, she has a horrible taste in men. Honestly, Elizabeth really needs better judgement.

Swallowing thickly, Elizabeth blinks, "Did you say- "

"Yes," Diane admits meekly, her pigtails now hiding her face. Fingers twiddling nervously, she chuckles sheepishly as she smiles slightly, "Now he's gonna be super determined to beat my bet because you're like a super challenge. Plus..." Pressing her lips, Diane shrinks a little more into herself, "I-might-have-told-him-to-remove-the-huge-pole-up-your-ass."

"Of course you did..." Elizabeth releases a sigh, too tired to protest as she unlocks her locker. Instead of ranting about the problem Diane has caused, she focuses on packing her books and junk inside her locker, keeping her eyes glued to the task despite Diane's desperate whines and pleas to give it a try. To give talking to Meliodas a try. Like that would ever help Elizabeth with her men complex - talking to a guy who literally knows every single way to invade a girl's private circle. Yes, that is the perfect thing to cure Elizabeth's almost genetic dislike of men.

A person who literally treats women like objects.

Seeming to be Elizabeth's saving grace, the school bell rings, the sound echoing around the hall and gathering the remaining students within the building. Sighing at the sound, Diane wears a sorrowful expression as she looks at her best friend. Elizabeth, on the other hand, shrugs and lets a small smile crack across her features.

"Don't worry, I'll sort it out," Elizabeth reassures her friend, dainty smile still on her lips as she turns to head to class, "I'll see you later Diane."

"Yeah... later."

Lunchtime. The hour where all of the school runs rampant and free, the staff unable to control the students as strictly as during classes. Like always, it's no surprise when half of the student body goes missing during lunch hour. Many of them leave the site to get some decent lunch or try an (unsuccessful) side hustle. It's no secret that the school's lunches are terrible, a pile of crap probably being a lot more palatable than the food served in the cafeteria. So it isn't at all unusual for students to pull out home lunches, only a few unlucky people queuing up for the shitty school options.

Enjoying the peace of mind for once, Elizabeth sighs as she sits at her empty table. Eating a lunch she's brought from home, she sits gracefully be herself. Since Diane and her other friends have gone to get some lunch from a local food truck, she's been left alone with her thoughts and feelings. Her brewing thoughts and feelings. Things that often invade Elizabeth's mind when she doesn't give them space to grow and eventually wither into nothing.

So Elizabeth sits there contentedly, munching on her lunch and not at all feeling lonely. In fact, she finds it extremely annoying with an intruder plants himself across from her, his green eyes seeming to sparkle with amusement as he flashes her a friendly grin. A grin that sends involuntary shudders through her body.

Damn, she thought she'd be over the light fluttering that smile gives her.

"Hey, Elizabeth," Nodding toward her, the intruder seems to study her as she continues as she was. An interesting reaction most likely since people who avoid the opposite sex end up having panic attacks when they appear at random. A great example of this is a very bashful man thrust into a group of bikini-clad women. Not a good reaction is it? Said man might die from blood loss, not to mention smacks from outraged women.

"Hello, Meliodas," Elizabeth nods in return, her tone neutral as she continues to think. However, all thoughts have been taken off balance with the unwanted presence of the blonde. So, giving him her best smile, Elizabeth's voice becomes a lot more chipper as she tilts her head in 'interest', "And what do I owe the pleasure of this intrusion?"

"Not much," Answering simply, Meliodas shrugs as he idly flits his gaze at their surroundings. There is something intruding about her - and not just the fact that she is strictly celibate. Something else about her is capturing his attention. Perhaps the fact that she is no longer the shy, meek creature she had been in their youth. "Just thought a change might be nice today."

Like stated before, Elizabeth is very odd for someone who supposedly 'avoids men'. Well, someone who is their age and male-avoidant. Normally, they are the super mature, geeky people, or the types with families that are so religious that they make their kids drink holy water because tap water could have traces of evil. Ok, that last part is an exaggeration, but you get the point. Not many students are actually celibate and say they are; usually it's hidden and even then they wouldn't act like Elizabeth. They'd be a mess from just a look from the blonde devil.

"Very well then," Huffing slightly, Elizabeth goes back to picking at her lunch. Now she doesn't feel so hungry. People like Meliodas often make her feel too sick to stomach anything of substance. Not when she knows that those deceptive smiles have lured so many girls toward heartbreak.

Silence settles between the two, hot and heavy with awkwardness but also oddness as they both study the enemy. One is taking mental notes for what seems like one of his best challenges yet; the other watches in calculated silence, not wanting to act before knowing exactly what the blonde devil has planned for her.

He has so many different approaches for stubborn girls like her: charming, charismatic, just using the plain attraction laws of hormonal teenage change... Meliodas has a long list of weapons to use against her. Elizabeth has none. She knows nothing about him aside from the small snippets she has gained during their time as peers. Therefore, she's feeling shaky toward even talking to him, something about his clover stare already causing her stomach to roll with prickly warmth.

"Why choose to be celibate?"

Random, the question is random, just thrown in by the looks of his wide grin. Animated, it matches with his wild golden locks, eyes dancing with amusement as Elizabeth only blinks in response.

Casually, he adds, "I'm asking for a friend."

"Well- " Elizabeth pinks a little, clearing her throat as she blushes, "I-I just think that it's best to wait until marriage. I come from a family where that sort of thing is very important."

Humming, a respective nod comes from the blonde devil, his smile still curled upon his lips as he decides to press further. To Meliodas, each of her answers must seem like they'll be a lot of fun, especially since she clearly isn't like your average uptight high-achiever. She's a lot more... open. Yeah, open. She's more open to talking; a lot more open toward being around the opposite sex; a lot more open to discussing why she chooses the boring celibate life. She's just open all round.

Would it be that hard for him to open her legs?

Probably. Maybe. If she isn't careful, certainly not.

"What if marriage never comes?" Raising a brow, Meliodas asks his next question. He probably loves how it usually causes panic, the targeted person often scrambling for an excuse. "Would you die a virgin?"

Another storm of pink blooms on her face, Elizabeth's features dusted most adorably with the shade. It matches her round and soft face perfectly, highlighting her pure blue eyes and silver starlight hair. Anothing thing worth noting for the inquiring blonde.

"I would - if I still was one," Elizabeth answers softly, nodding and offering him a sweet smile. A smile that says much more than sweet behind its sugary nature. It's more of a 'Can you fuck off now?' smile, Elizabeth clearly not in the mood to converse anymore about her life choices. But too bad. Meliodas seems to have more questions to press and as long as she answers them in an entertaining enough way he'll continue with the personal questions.

For him, this must be a lot of fun. No-one's probably lasted this long at resisting his charm.

"So you're not a virgin?" Surprised, Meliodas actually seems caught off guard by her admission. Almost as if he hadn't believed the rumours that have so rapidly spread around their school.

"Yep," Nodding again, Elizabeth smiles as she stares right back at him.

Rather obvious, she knows what he's doing. She knows that the probing is just so he can find an easy way to find her weakness. It's a way to exploit her uncertainty in being celibate, in catching out the naive people who just want to keep their v-card throughout school without seeming like prudes. Being celibate is like a fancy title to some and it's very easy to catch them out. But that won't work on Elizabeth. She chose this way of life after researching and making sure that she would more or less be like a nun without being shipped off to a nunnery. Plus, she's already experienced the highs and lows of sex. She doesn't need anything else.

Nevertheless, that doesn't mean there isn't some kind of pull from the way Meliodas looks at her, his emerald eyes boring into her own sapphire ones. Odd since eye contact is something you share with strangers daily. It shouldn't cause her to start panicking inside, her brain scolding her about holding onto that silly childhood crush. It shouldn't make butterflies squirm within her stomach. Nor should it make her want to run away.

But it does anyway.

"Well, who would've thought," Whistling lowly, Meliodas seems impressed with Elizabeth's admission. He probably never believed that she had actually done something like that. Following the rules to the very letter, she had always been so good and perfect. "Elizabeth Liones isn't a virgin. Maybe you aren't so uptight after all."

Flushing red, Elizabeth kicks him under the table in return and goes back to picking at her lunch. Really, she shouldn't have shared that information with him. No-one really knows that Elizabeth isn't a virgin - it's all hearsay on the gossip grapevine - but now she's given away one of her biggest secrets to the enemy. A familiar enemy at that. What a silly mistake.

Noticing how he's now on his phone, Elizabeth gingerly glances up from her food to look at Meliodas. She can't deny that he hasn't changed much over the years; he still has the same messy hair and shining emerald eyes, but even so she's noticed how they've matured slightly. They've grown with him. Those features that had looked so odd when they were kids have actually grown to suit him. They actually suit him nicely and make him look... handsome.

Biting her lip at her own thoughts, Elizabeth quickly turns away from the blonde who raises a brow at her slight eep.

When he goes back to fiddling with his phone, Elizabeth finds herself sighing internally, frowning as she shakes her head. Her crush from way back when is still there. The one that she'd thought she'd buried away all those years ago. Really, her ex hadn't been wrong to accuse her of not loving him; perhaps she had always been so hesitant to give him her virginity because she was secretly waiting for someone else.

Breaking her thoughts, the bell rings. At its sound, Meliodas pockets his phone and flashes her a daring grin, "Guess that means the game begins."

"What game?" Blinking at his words, alarmed by his excitement, Elizabeth can feel herself shrinking into a tiny ball of anxiety.

Only, Meliodas doesn't answer. Instead, he walks away, leaving Elizabeth only able to stare at his disappearing form.

Damn Diane for doing this...

For the rest of the week poor Elizabeth is plagued by none other than her own personal demon. Her own personal blonde demon. Often, he'd pop up at the most random times, sometimes remarking about her outfit choices, other times trying to rope her into some sort of scheme or shenanigan. Sometimes, he'd take her to places after school, act like an actual person and then go back to his stupid antics. Sometimes he would even place her in the most compromising of positions, only to be there to help her if she appeared distressed or upset.

In short, it has been a very confusing week.

Up and down, left and right, Elizabeth's emotions have not had any time to rest. In fact, even now, she's still thinking over the blonde devil, her mind frazzled from how someone could invade her brain in as little as a couple days. If anything, he's done it in less, the first day more or less cementing his annoying presence in her life. Meliodas had done it in a really grand way too, taking it upon himself to deliver Elizabeth home after school. Consequently, she'd gotten home late, flushed and with messy hair. Her sisters and father had not been happy.

Then there's the matter of what he did during school as well. Countless times Meliodas had peeked up her skirt, his critical gaze and stupidly perfect memory being the bane of Elizabeth's existence whenever he snickered a comment about her underwear. To combat this, Elizabeth had tried to wear shorts under her skirts or to avoid skirts all together; those just led to inappropriate comments about her 'tight' ass.

However, the skirt peeping and comments aren't the only acts that Meliodas has done. Spontaneous gestures, intimidating the boys at the front gate, insisting to bring her home every day - Elizabeth has began to wonder if Diane's told Meliodas that she needs a new boyfriend instead of a lay. After all, he's going way too overboard just to bang. Like really the efforts are starting to go really crazy now.

So Elizabeth had been intensely relieved when it finally became Friday, racing out of school before Meliodas could even offer her a ride home. Now she's sat at her desk, trying to get through some homework but failing miserably as her mind continues to wander.

Ringing from her phone is what breaks Elizabeth's thoughts, the young woman immediately answering.

"Thank god you picked up, I was getting worried!" Diane seems to sigh with relief as she hears her best friend, her voice filled with joy.

Elizabeth, on the other hand, is a little more uptight, still slightly peeved at her best friend for setting this up with Meliodas. If Diane hadn't told the blonde about Elizabeth's celibacy then he wouldn't have been bugging and confusing her in the way he is right now. Nor would Elizabeth be reminded of the reasons why she had a crush on him in the first place.

"Hey Diane..." Spooked by her friend's panicked tone despite her peeved mood, Elizabeth ends up trailing off, "What's up?"

"The party," Diane reminds her, the sound of a balloon popping abruptly following her answer. Someone else yelps in the background - most likely from the balloon's popping. "You're coming on Saturday, right?"

"Saturday?" Elizabeth raises a brow, instantly checking her calendar and seeing the date that's circled. Underneath it is the words 'Diane's b-day', which had been written in glittery, purple pen by the brunette herself. Every time Elizabeth bought a new calendar, Diane would mark down her birthday saying that it is a major annual event. Much like how Diane makes a big deal about Elizabeth's birthday too. Funny that Elizabeth would forget something Diane always goes on and on about.

"Well, yeah, we planned it for weeks, remember?" Taking a playful tone, Diane giggles as she lands a jab against her friend, "The birthday bash that I was talking about. The one that will definitely be the event of the year."

"Oh... Then, yes, I'll be there," Elizabeth nods, mentally noting to get out her dress tonight so that she would be ready. Typically, she has a bad habit of rushing around when getting ready for things like this so she often lays her outfits out the day before, makeup and such ready to go so that she can't forget anything.

"Great!" Diane's voice beams, what sounds like claps following, "Make sure to dress real sexy, ok? It's a mature event and I want the pictures to be flawless!"

An eye roll follows that, Elizabeth knowing how Diane's parties get. They are often wild and really out of hand, everything taking a dangerous turn at around ten pm. Therefore, Elizabeth always sees herself leaving before the madness kicks in. She'll definitely do the same tomorrow. Staying after ten, even if it is at Diane's place, is just too risky with Meliodas bugging her as constantly as he does now. It'll be safer to just leave earlier.

"Ok Diane, I'll note that," Answering simply, Elizabeth finds herself sighing as she heads toward her closet, "I have a ton of homework to do, so I'll see you later."

"Ok, bye!"

"Bye!"

The call then ends and the stressed out Elizabeth lets out a long sigh. A long, hard sigh. Elizabeth slides to the floor, back turned to her closet as she closes her eyes and just lets the silence sink in. The calm, soothing silence she has missed during this past week. This past, busy, hectic week...

Ring! Ring!

A groan sounds as the young woman's phone rings out once again, the silence gone and her mood severely soured. Why can't she catch a single damn break?

"It sure is loud..."

Suddenly feeling like it's a huge mistake to turn up in the way she has, Elizabeth stands outside of Diane's house. Unlike usual, she has arrived quite late into the party. Getting ready had taken longer than expected, Margaret using the household's only curling iron when Elizabeth had needed it. That led to Elizabeth arriving a tad bit late, her white dress feeling thin in the coolness of the evening breeze. Not that it's anything special. With a flowy skirt and off shoulder sleeves, it's modest enough for her but flamboyant enough for Diane.

However, since Elizabeth's rushed out of her house, she's forgotten to put on her safety shorts. That means all she has underneath the dress is her trusty underwear. But that doesn't bother her too much - she can always avoid anyone who barks up the wrong tree.

For a few moments, she just stands outside of Diane's front door, high heels on and jacket draped around her shoulders, contemplating whether to knock or just call Diane and say that she feels quite sick and can't make it. Only, that wouldn't work. Diane had called earlier. That debunks the whole feeling sick lie.

Damn it.

Cursing under her breath, Elizabeth then presses the button on the doorbell. Almost instantly, the door is answered, Diane smothering her friend in an extremely enthusiastic hug as she takes in her fashionable outfit and attempt to look decent for the night.

"I see you went with my advice," Nodding, Diane's approval is evident as she hums and drags Elizabeth into the warmer interior of her home, "The pictures are definitely going to be perfect now."

Rolling her eyes at the remark, Elizabeth shakes her head as she tries to ignore the loud music blasting into her ears and vibrating the floorboards. Potent, the smell of alcohol was strong from just the front door, the cheers and shouts of all the other guests being heard over the pulsing music. Then there's also the bathroom line forming on the stairs, many of the people there turning to look at the latest newcomer.

Out of the corner of her eye, Elizabeth catches someone nudging their friend. They both grin at her as she stares back at them.

"I only did this because today's your birthday," Batting back the urge to blush and shrink into her shell, Elizabeth focuses on her best friend. She ignores the way her mind says otherwise, tickles her nerves about the possibility of something else driving her motives. "Plus it might drive off the annoying devil you sent my way."

Diane's smile falls slightly at her words, a look of thought and genuine confusion on her face.

"Devil?" The brunette repeats, her voice thoughtful as she frowns a little. Soon, the confused look is replaced with something else, a smile forming on her glittery lips, "Oh, Meliodas! Well, I did tell him to get you out of your shell and look! You actually dressed up in the outfit I bought you last year."

Blushing deeply at Diane's words, Elizabeth feels herself flood with guilt - she had kept the outfit locked away in the back of her closet ever since it had been bought. Before now, she's never had a need to wear something so eye-catching and showy. That's more in Diane's department, her much more bold and brave friend being known for her attention-catching and amazing outfits. So the white dress had remained hung up in Elizabeth's wardrobe as it never had a reason to be worn.

Except for tonight.

"Oh, don't look like that!" Diane fusses, shaking her head at Elizabeth's pink face, "Come on, I'll cheer you up with a game of seven minutes in heaven."

Now Elizabeth definitely doesn't feel soothed. Blinking at the suggestion, Elizabeth senses her responsible and abstinent mind screaming from panic as he friend drags her toward her bedroom. On the way, Diane snags Elizabeth a cup of punch, urging her to take a sip before guiding her friend to the room. It's only once Diane has pushed Elizabeth into the familiar room that the brunette allows the other girl to talk.

"Diane - you know I hate games like that," Grimacing, Elizabeth doesn't bother to hide her crinkled nose as she takes a sip of the punch, expecting it to taste normal, only there's a bit of a bitter edge to it. Very bitter. But still Elizabeth ignores it and takes another gulp, "They go against everything I believe in."

Diane simply shakes her head at that, tutting, "Well, you're dressed for it," Providing reason to her logic, Diane shrugs as she sits her friend down on the bed, "Now you wait here while I grab some players and put Dolores in charge of hosting. Feel free to help yourself to the stock."

Leaving Elizabeth alone, Diane then disappears from the room. To fill the void of boredom, Elizabeth finds herself looking at the array of stuffed animals on Diane's bed, naming each of them for the animal they are, before idly glancing over the posters littering the walls. While doing this, she steadily makes her way through her cup of punch, not feeling anything but about the bitterness anymore and instead refilling a new cup with the backup punch Diane has left in her mini fridge. She'll definitely need that to survive this game.

Not too long after Elizabeth is finishing her second cup and filling her third. Just as she tops off her third cup, Diane bursts into the room with players for the game. They're all familiar faces to Elizabeth, each of them people she knows pretty well and often speaks to when they cross paths. Of course that means Meliodas also happens to be among the mix. Why wouldn't he choose to insert himself into the equation?

Knowing what was at stake with this game, it's easy for Elizabeth to find a spot within the circle, the young woman choosing to sit between a guy called Ban and a blonde named Jenna. Ban is a friend of Diane's, who dates one of Elizabeth's friends. Jenna sits next to Elizabeth in chemistry and used to be her neighbour growing up. They both would keep her calm and relaxed despite the blonde devil sat right across from her.

Once the group has sorted themselves into a circle, the game soon begins and the spinner (an app on Diane's phone) is placed into the centre. All too soon the first pair is being selected.

"Jericho and Howzer!"

Both parties have the same expression when the spinner lands on Howzer's name second. Neither of them look happy and both mutter grumbles about always being put together as they stomp toward Diane's closet. Once the closet door is closed, the countdown begins and everyone in the circle starts talking with each other. Somehow, in that process, Elizabeth ends up slipping into a conversation with Meliodas. But then again it isn't so surprising since he's spent the whole week with her. There's no way that he wouldn't know how to bug her enough to talk to him.

"The odds of you being here coincidentally are way too slim," Shaking her head, Elizabeth takes another sip from her cup, "Diane rigged this, didn't she?"

"Who said she had to?" Amused by her statement, Meliodas laughs.

Elizabeth huffs at that, deciding to finish this cup and pour herself no more. After all it would only make her act recklessly and idiotically, leading to actions that she could not easily reverse. So, she downs the rest of her cup before shaking her head once more, addressing Meliodas.

"A lot of things do," Serious, solemn, her answer does not match the intoxicated flush to her cheeks, "Plus I know her a little too well."

Seven minutes soon end and the closet is opened to reveal that nothing has happened between the pair. Instead, sat at opposite ends, they're still talking about how stupid it is that they were chosen to go in first. After Jericho and Howzer, the next pair is Elaine and King (ending in a very strict talk about no incest); Ban and Diane go next (which was hilarious as they somehow manage to break one of her shelves); Elizabeth and Jenna are fourth (they end up trading recipes for cakes); and so on and so forth until it reaches the final round.

Now it's nearing ten pm, Elizabeth's favourite time to leave. She's about to depart too but Diane stops her by urging just one more round. One more round where they can see if they'd get a funny reaction like when Jenna and Howzer were locked up together. So, releasing a sigh, Elizabeth relents and sits back down in her spot. Just one more round. Just one more little game and then she could leave and never speak of this night again.

Then the spinner is spun.

"Elizabeth!" Diane cheers the loudest as the spinner stops on her name, an explosion of confetti filling the brightly lit rectangle of Diane's phone screen. All Elizabeth can do is blink as her friend instantly presses the button for the spinner once more, her grin only growing wider as it slows and stops on another name, "And, what are the chances of that? You and Meliodas have earned yourselves seven minutes in heaven!"

'You've got to be kidding me,' Internally, Elizabeth sighs as she stands from her spot in the circle, dusts off her skirt and makes her way toward the closet. More than anything, she's ready to drop down and die. All week, all week, she's tried to make sure that she wouldn't get into a situation like this. Constantly, she has avoided any tiny hint of closeness or isolation between herself and Meliodas. But now, due to the worst luck ever, she's going to be locked in a closet with him for seven minutes. She may as well sign away her self-restraint now.

"Can I not do this?" Turning back to the crowd of onlookers, a nervous smile on her lips, Elizabeth provides a tiny chuckle.

Resounding, a chorus of 'nos' is her answer, causing Elizabeth to sigh once more as Meliodas pulls open the closet door and holds it open for her. This is definitely going to be the longest seven minutes of her life.

"You actually know how to love?"

Elizabeth raises a brow, aware of the position she's in despite her slightly clouded mind. Not that she could make sense of how she's allowed this to happen. All Elizabeth knows is that they went into the closet and talking has led to this. Well, talking about the past and how they were a hop, skip and a jump away from being more than distant friends in their early high school days. But that ship has sadly been burned and wrecked after her ex confessed first, Elizabeth drifting toward her childhood friend while Meliodas became a bitter afterthought.

However, despite that, she can feel his weight against her, their bodies not that far from each other at all. Noses and lips barely graze the other, doe-like blue irises meeting impish and intent green ones. In fact, causing a blush to scatter over her face, Elizabeth could feel the heat from his solid body permeating her own, a network of rigid muscle and flesh hidden only beneath the material of his clothing. Clothing that her mind couldn't help but think of ignoring...

No! Bad Elizabeth! She can't do that. She knows what that leads to. Remember the seven Bs! Books Before Boys Because Boys Bring Babies! Religiously, she's vowed to not give away yourself after her ex. Least of all to him...

"Depends. What's your definition of love?" He's right near her ear, hot breath sending tantalizing signals towards her stomach's pit.

Elizabeth squirms slightly, her mind spinning as she can feel the tingling within her gut as she tries to ignore the fact-paced fluttering of her heart. As she tries to ignore the enticing whisperings of her mind. It doesn't help much that Meliodas' hands are slowly wandering, rough appendages somehow supply soft and guiding touches against her skin. A hand firmly grasps her rear, "If you're looking for romance, I can't help you there."

No he couldn't. He never would be able to help her there. That's why she had grown distant, pined for him from afar and eventually cast him to the depths of her memories. Only... in this past week alone, Meliodas has managed to spark up those feelings again. He's renewed the intense burning of her heart that she's wanted nothing more than to ignore.

"B-but what about..." Breathless, windy, Elizabeth feels like the air has been stolen from her lungs - an odd sensation for her. Never before has she felt so lightheaded, her thoughts swimming in a pool of mist and fog as she tries not to focus on the hands that are so freely roaming the span of her body. The ones that pinch and squeeze at her hips, tickle her spine and raise goose flesh on her arms. Not to mention the twisting of her gut.

Did he just put a hand up her skirt?

"Sex?" Finishing her question, Meliodas raises a brow, his grin seeming to grow as Elizabeth presses her lips. Not at all subtle, she shivers against him, "Then, I'm kinda an expert."

"Kinda?"

Staring at him, Elizabeth's eyes are wide and her face fully flushed, even though knows she shouldn't give him this satisfaction. She shouldn't give his ego that confidence boost; nor should she make it this easy for Meliodas to make her become goo. Elizabeth knows that she shouldn't melt beneath Meliodas' touch, nor should she feel a slight twinge in her heart from the smirk he sends her way. She shouldn't think of how his eyes are a pure shade of emerald green; nor should she think of the way he runs his hands over her so antagonistically slowly, seeming to savour every squeeze and curve and trace as he plants feather-light kisses on her skin.

Elizabeth shouldn't want to know what it feels like to have the actual mind-blowing sex that everyone's always talking about. The type that leaves you with a bedhead and throbbing sores. The type that leaves you satisfied or with lovebites littered all over you. The type that you read about in romances and leaves you marked. Imprinted. Addicted.

But the slowly building feeling between her thighs speaks differently, a warm sensation forming as her stomach knots and her mind drowns. They shouldn't be doing this. This is dangerous.

"I - we - shouldn't do this..." Shaking her head, Elizabeth lets the words out in a powerless rebuttal. Foggy and muddled, her mind is a mess, all sorts factoring into her already clouded judgement. Right now she can't do this, her logic still scolding her for being so detached.

In that moment, Elizabeth goes to push Meliodas away, but her mind is too boggled and she finds that she enjoys the sweet, burning touches he permits her. If anything, over the past week of spontaneous adventures, she's grown to like them - despite how open he is with being so intimate. Deep down, not tethered by her inhibitions, Elizabeth couldn't deny that a part of her likes what Meliodas does; she's actually glad that he is here with her.

Only, right now isn't the right time for these sorts of feelings. Not now. Not with them. Not like this. After everything that's happened - the rumours and the challenge and Diane's meddling - it's simply not right.

"It's not right," Final, a weak conclusion, the words leave her lips quietly, almost like a reluctant whisper as Elizabeth closes her eyes and turns away from him. Powerless, still, her soft hands push gently against him, her bottom lip captured between her teeth.

"Elizabeth," The way he says her name is enough to summon more butterflies to her gut. Not to mention the hand that holds her so securely against his shorter frame, "Do you really believe that?"

Those words are what gets her. Neither know if it's the fact that Meliodas can read her excuses, or the fact that Elizabeth has finally had enough of following the image of rigid perfection; but what both parties know is that when their lips meet, it leads to something explosive. Like a match dropped into a pool of gasoline.

In her lifetime, Elizabeth has kissed a boy before - many times, countless times. Never before in her lifetime has that boy been Meliodas, has that kiss felt like such a wonderful power struggle between herself and the person she's kissing. Sweet kisses, fickle kisses, the tickle and brush of her lips against someone else's as she attempts to not burst into a fit of delirious giggles, are the types of kisses she's experienced. But this one is different.

Filled with passion, a desperation she's never thought she'd ever hold, Elizabeth tries her best not to let Meliodas get the upper hand in this situation. Yes, he may have gotten her resolve to crumble. Yes, he may have made her heart melt with a few simple words. But none of that will mean that she will spill and drain between his fingertips, reduced to nothing but a pool of molten mush and goo. Not yet anyway.

Racking her brain for Diane's useless kissing tips, Elizabeth focuses on maintaining her flimsy guard. However, it's all futile as Meliodas' persistent attempts gradually wear her down, teeth catching on her bottom lip. He's trying to enter, but Elizabeth won't let him. Not yet. She won't allow him to reduce her resistance into nothing but a bunch of empty, meaningless words. She won't become melted butter like everyone else.

Well, that's what she thought.

Suddenly, his hand slips into her underwear, coarse fingers meeting the sensitive flesh of her inner thighs. Another motion of his fingers and Elizabeth gasps, the sound engulfed by his lips melding against her own. Now, with no defenses left, Elizabeth's left exposed, open, as Meliodas' tongue slips into her mouth.

Sweet, overwhelming, the taste of honey lingers in her mouth - perhaps from the cakes that Jenna had given her earlier on. To Meliodas, she's sweet, sweet and fragrant, just like a flower. He can taste it on her tongue, can feel it in the way she gently uncurls and presses against him. Ever so slightly, Elizabeth's back arches and he swears that he can feel every part of her pressed flushed against him. The sensation, the taste, the smell - it's overwhelming. She's everything he's been waiting for, the perfect person to crumble.

But does he want to destroy her?

"Please, don't stop," Involuntary, it passes from her lips as more red climbs the column of her throat. Now pressing against his hand, hips rocking with the rhythm of his fingers, Elizabeth's trying to release the tightened coiling of her stomach. The building pressure that she has to release.

Meliodas all but pauses here, his mind beginning to ponder on what he should do as his fingers move with a mind of their own. This isn't what was supposed to happen. When Diane had approached him, voiced her wishes to get her timid friend to loosen up, this wasn't the goal he'd had in mind. Sure, Meliodas knew who Elizabeth was at the time; he was well-aware of what he was getting himself tangled into. But what he hasn't anticipated for is his own response - his response to her.

Intense, he's been habouring intense feelings for her for years now. Only, Elizabeth has been oblivious to it, unaware as she went about her everyday life. Maybe that's why Diane had thought to come to him; she knows about his feelings, she probably knows about Elizabeth's and decided to be the grand catalyst in their chemical reaction. Honestly, that wouldn't surprise him much. Sounds right on brand for Diane.

But... this isn't what was supposed to happen. Being locked in a closet together, somehow tumbling faster and faster down a steep hill of wants and desires, they're both headed toward an unknown territory that they haven't planned to explore. And none of them know how it's going to end. He doesn't know if he can handle being around her in this way.

Getting her to loosen up had been his goal. Getting Elizabeth out of her shell had been Diane's request. Getting to know her like this, his fingers literally inside her, had not been one of the plan's steps. At all. And now that it's happening, now that this is real, Meliodas is finding his logic is slipping.

He doesn't want to corrupt her. He doesn't want to ruin and taint her and add to the rumours already swirling around her name. Meliodas doesn't want to destroy her. No - he wants to do something to her that he's never wanted to do before. He wants to-

"Please," Elizabeth's begging now, all her burning resolve seeming to be gone as she rolls her hips, his fingers buried knuckle-deep inside her. At the same time she's ducked down to kiss him, captured both sides of his face with her smooth, cool hands. Clearly, she's itching to get this over and done with. Even if it isn't actual sex, even if it isn't love; in this state of mind, she'll settle for anything at this point.

"Are you sure?" Serious, he pins her with a stare that doesn't match the disbelief ringing through his system as he utters the question. The one game-changing question that so many seem to miss the small detail on. On whether they are sure about what they're doing.

"Yes, I'm sure," Nodding, humming, Elizabeth affirms her conclusions, "I'm sure."

Binding, the reply is the last chip in the grand wall of Meliodas' resolve. After all, who is he to refuse such a pleading offer? He's made it clear from the start that his goal hasn't been to get into her pants - that's all been a recent development. He's never lied about his penchant for charming the socks off just about any woman; he's never lied about how he definitely isn't a virgin either. He's never lied about anything to her. So who is he to refuse Elizabeth of her wants?

By now it's grown hot and heavy within the closet, both Elizabeth and Meliodas awaiting the breach of the growing tension between them. Gathering, swelling, all the pieces appeared to be clicking into place, locking into Elizabeth's system as she felt her inner walls tighten, clench around his fingers, when...

"Seven minutes are up!" Diane appears from out of nowhere, a beaming grin sat on her face as she glances at the two. Immediately, it fades, both of her eyes wide with realisation as she blinks and her face flushes, "I - Um.. Did I just...?"

"Get out," Turning to block Diane's view of Elizabeth, Meliodas more or less cradles her body against his. Rough, protective, his voice leaves in a harsh bark as he adds, "Geez, can't you people knock?"

"Sorry!" Diane squeaks, both her pigtails whipping with the speed of light as she skitters out of the closet and slams the door behind her. Through the door, they both hear her slightly flustered voice announce, "They need a few more minutes, guys," An awkward chuckle follows, "Tension, you know?"

Despite herself, Elizabeth finds a giggle erupting from her once mortified face, the sound muffled against Meliodas' shoulder. Joining her, he's also laughing, the both of them shaking from the humour of the entire situation, as well as the irony of it all. Out of all people, of course it would be Diane walking in on them. Almost karmic, she deserves as much after pulling so many strings to get them both alone together.

"You know," Breathless, Elizabeth struggles to voice her thoughts as laughter still threatens to escape her lips, "If I knew you felt that way about me, I would've spoken to you a lot sooner."

"Oh, so I actually stood a chance?" Feigning surprise, a bright twinkle settles into Meliodas eyes as he grins at her. No doubt he's known that he's always stood a chance. No doubt he's known that the rumours are false, spread to reduce her chances of ever moving on from her ex. Yet the delivery of his words, the amusement laced into them, only makes Elizabeth laugh as Meliodas adds, "If I knew that we would've started a fling ages ago."

"Buy me dinner and maybe I'll consider it," Elizabeth surmises, a small grin lighting up her already glowing face, "I may have just done that but- "

Another kiss is all it takes to cut her off, every word about her condition almost forgotten within her mind as Elizabeth could feel the familiar heat pooling at the depths of her stomach.

"You were saying?" Cheeky, downright audacious, the crafty bastard knows he's won the argument just from her face alone.

Nevertheless, Elizabeth humours him, rolling her eyes as she says, "Just shut up and kiss me already."

Complying with her orders, Meliodas steals another kiss from her lips, unable to hide the elation invading his system. They're going to have a lot of fun with this. Though something tells him he should take her up on that dinner offer - it just might be worth something more.