My Protector | Meliodas

5. Painting

You would think being in a house of this size, being as rich as this family was, there would be countless things to do. That's what I told myself when I found out I'd be alone for at least three days, cooped up in this house.

But funnily enough, there isn't much to do at all. Apart from reading, which I barely did and found to be quite boring considering I had read every book I owned and couldn't leave to buy any more, I had nothing to do. I sat cross-legged in the middle of my bed, my hair in a messy bun and my eyes shut.

I was focusing on my breathing, trying to meditate. I had heard of it and knew how to do it since Merlin and Diane participated in it regularly, but I found my mind wandering.

I tried to think of colors, but that only brought the idea to paint into my head, and I slowly opened my eyes, glancing at the floor next to my bed.

I used to be quite artistic as a kid. That was before makeup, boys and parties came into the picture.

I let out a huff as I rolled off the bed and peeped underneath, lifting the blanket that hung over the space. With my tongue on my top lip, I reached under and grab ahold of the briefcase. I slid it out and ran my fingers over the old wood. A small notebook peeped out from under the bed as well, so I grabbed that too.

I don't think I'd touched this in at least two years, which was when I last moved my room around. I slowly lifted the metal clamps and opened the case up.

A large variety of pencils of different lengths and pastels were lined neatly in their grooves, and underneath that tray were markers of each color. Underneath those were half-empty tubes of paint. I smiled and closed the case back up and reached for the notepad.

I flipped through the pages and found it was empty, I couldn't help the disappointment that filled my gut. It was short-lived though, and I felt determined to fill the entire book.

I decided there would be more inspiration outside, so I stood up with my newfound hobby and made my way downstairs. Before heading out into the garden, I made a beeline for the kitchen and grabbed myself a glass of orange juice to take outside with me.

"I was worried you had run away," I heard Meliodas comment from behind me, causing me to jolt. I put a hand on my chest and turned around, slightly breathless.

"I thought about it," I said as I rolled my eyes, pinching a few grapes from a bunch that was in the bowl on the island. I popped some into my mouth and chewed slowly, aware of Meliodas's stare.

"What?" I trailed off, glancing down at my pink shorts and white singlet. I met his gaze, which was kind.

"I didn't know you were an artist," he nodded towards the briefcase and notepad. I wondered for a moment how he knew there were art supplies inside before I shook my head.

"I used to be but I stopped a while ago. I thought now would be a good time to get back into it," I raised my eyebrows in a dismissive manner and grabbed my stuff, heading toward the door. I heard his shoes follow after me, even outside.

"Mind if I join you? It's been rather boring," he asked politely, standing with his hands behind his back as he watched me set my stuff up on the grass. I sat against the trunk of a tree and opened my notepad before I even looked at him.

"Sure," is all I replied.

He nodded and smiled before taking a seat, and then laid back with his arms behind his head. I found myself watching him, how his muscles flexed under his button-up which had its sleeves rolled up past his elbows. His long eyelashes fluttered shut against the tops of his cheeks as he exhaled through his nose, tilting his head toward the sun. His face was perfectly symmetrical and chiseled, not a blemish in sight.

His hair was golden under the warm rays, and I almost reached out to touch the strands. I frowned at myself and shook my head, adverting my eyes back to my paper.

"Something wrong?" His voice was quiet, catching my attention. I stared into his emerald eyes as they watched me.

"No," I muttered, picking up a pencil from the case. I held it above the white paper and began to think, twisting the wood between my fingers. I looked at him again, his gaze sliding down my shins to my feet. I squirmed under his stare.

I readjusted the pad on the lean of my thighs and concentrated, lazily flicking the lead in light strokes. I didn't have a particular object in mind, I decided to experiment with shading and coloring before I attempted a proper drawing.

I almost forgot Meliodas was there until he ran a heavy hand through his hair, interrupting my train of thought.

"Can I see?" He asked kindly, his eyes crinkling at the sides as he squinted up at me. I glanced down at my paper and nodded, handing it over to him.

"These are pretty good," he smiled, tracing his finger over the eye I had drawn. I looked down at the tips of my fingers and saw they were stained green from smudging the green of the eye I had drawn.

"Green is my favorite color," he commented, handing me back the notebook. I nodded in acknowledgment and opened up a new page.

"What's yours?" He quizzed.

"Uh... probably brown," I replied as I eyed him.

"What-"

"Look, Meliodas," I sighed, putting my notepad and pencil on the grass next to me, "we don't have to get to know each other okay? It's pointless anyway. Soon my father will come to his senses and realize I don't need a bodyguard, so you should just save your effort."

The ghost of a smile graced his features as he watched me take a deep breath. I almost felt bad for snapping, but it was true.

There's no point in getting close to him. First of all, he was just a bodyguard, not like, a friend or something. Secondly, he wouldn't be needed soon.

"Exactly how much do you know about your father's business?" He surprised me with his question, a frown appearing on my face.

"What? That has nothing to do with what I just said," I countered. He smiled and then stood up, brushing off his clothes. His large eyes sparkled down at me.

"If you knew what it was, you wouldn't be complaining about having a bodyguard. I suggest you get used to having me around, Miss Liones."