Wolf in Sheep's Clothing (Seven Deadly Sins: Zeldris x OC)

Chapter 4

    "Meli, really, how long has it been since I fell asleep?" Andrea asked, settling into the seat next to Meliodas at the bar counter.

    "Around five hundred years, give or take," he replied, swirling the ale in his tankard.

    "Deities above... I hadn't expected it to be that long. I thought you would have broken the seal the moment my magic power was fully drained. It wouldn't have taken more than two hundred," Andrea said, raising an eyebrow.

    "Believe me, I contemplated doing just that for a long time. But I knew that if I acted hastily, then the same thing would repeat itself," Meliodas sighed.

    "Then I was right in assuming that you found a way to siphon my powers away without a seal?" Andrea asked.

    "Not a clue!" Meliodas chirped.
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    "You haven't changed one whit in all these five hundred years," Andrea chuckled in resignation. "You need my help with something, then?"

    "Yeah.... The thing is..." Meliodas started, then began to retell the story of the Seven Deadly Sins, from ten years ago up until the present day.

    "The demon race's revival... Well, fighting them is certainly one way to drain my powers to manageable levels," Andrea muttered, stirring her teacup with a small silver spoon. "The Druids of Istal also hold great potential in controlling my powers if they have the capacity to control yours."

    "Exactly!" Meliodas said, shooting a finger gun at Andrea.

    "Enough goofing around," Andrea said with mock annoyance, swatting lazily at his finger. "The Seven Deadly Sins and the Boar Hat, hm? You've been busy, Meli. Especially since you managed to reconnect with the Daughter of Belialuin."

    "I couldn't exactly nap the years away, unlike a certain someone," he teased. "Merlin could also help with studying your powers so we have a head start by the time we arrive at Istar."

    "I suppose so... but can I trust her with having free access to study my powers?" Andrea asked hesitantly, running a finger over the rim of her teacup.

    "She's aware of me being a demon. She's one of the most trustworthy people I know," Meliodas reassured her.

    "... Only because you say so, Meli," she sighed in resignation. "Speaking of Merlin, I wonder what the rest of the group is doing?"

    "Now that you mention it..." Meliodas trailed off, staring out the window. "Hey! They're starting a barbecue without us! Wait a second- since when were Gowther and the others out there with them?!" he complained, hopping off the chair.

    "We were talking for quite a while. The sun is already starting to go down," Andrea said, getting off her chair as well.

    "C'mon, let's get you better acquainted with the rest of the crew," Meliodas said, holding out his arm to Andrea.

    "I'd love to," Andrea said with a smile, looping her arm with Meliodas's.

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    Late at night...

    "You silly goose," Andrea chuckled as she draped a blanket over Meliodas's snoring body, Elizabeth doing the same to King. Merlin had retired early to prepare for their trip to Istar, leaving Meliodas alone to blackmail King, Slader, and Arthur into a drinking contest and incapacitating the whole lot of them. Gowther had followed Merlin shortly after she left for a body checkup and to make sure that his bracelet was working properly.

    "Lady Andrea, have you patched things up with Sir Meliodas?" Elizabeth asked, starting to pick up fallen tankards.

    "I think that we cleared up some misunderstandings, but we were never really fighting," Andrea replied, snapping her fingers and making the tankards float out of Elizabeth's arms. Another snap later, and they were dancing their way to the sink.