Now and Forever

Chapter 2

When Hawk went in to wake them up the next morning, the first thing he noticed were the ropes laying next to the bed. He was absolutely furious at Meliodas and deeply concerned for the Princess; he knew how physical the Captain liked to get with her. However, as he marched towards the bed, the pig saw them still in their pajamas and wrapped in each other's arms with his lips still resting on her forehead...not to mention they were both very much asleep. Hawk was torn. On the one hand he wanted to kick Meliodas out of bed and give him a piece of his mind. On the other, they looked so peaceful and he was suddenly struck with how obviously important Elizabeth was to the Captain; looking at them like this, there was no doubt left in his mind. Also, he was sure that if he were to wake them up, today would be the day the Dragon Sin of Wrath would make good on his threat to turn him into bacon. Still unsure, he silently closed the door and made his way back down the worn stairs.

"Finally!" said a voice as he came into the bar. "Are we gonna to go to the city for supplies or what?!" Ban continued as he popped his head out of the kitchen. "Master? I thought you were the Captain. Where the hell is he?"

Hawk looked at him in uncomfortable silence and not knowing what else to say, replied "Um, still sleeping?"

Ban looked at him in momentary confusion when a wicked grin suddenly lit up his face. "Isn't the Princess still up there too? Is the Captain asleep or "asleep"?"

Hawk blushed at the implication and Ban grinned even wider as he rushed up the stairs before the pig could stop him. His plan was to startle them or maybe catch them in an awkward position and then spend the rest of the week giving the Captain a hard time.

However, when Ban opened the door he found them legitimately asleep and still in the same position Hawk had left them in. He had been pretty sure that his Captain liked the Princess, though the Sin of Wrath had always been very hard to read; even for him. But this was the first time he had ever seen him look so happy and peaceful. Ban suddenly realized just how important Elizabeth was to Meliodas and was hit with a fresh wave of shame as he thought about how he had almost killed his best friend to bring his girlfriend back. Here was his Captain, as much in love with Elizabeth as he was with Elaine.

"How could I have been so blind" he mumbled, shutting the door and walking down the stairs. He grabbed a random case of ale and walked out to the porch; lost in painful memories and a strong sense of self-loathing.

...

At the sound of the bedroom door, the Princess finally stirred and she slowly opened her eyes wondering why she was so delightfully warm. Elizabeth was shocked to discover that the source of the heat was Meliodas. She could feel his soft exhales against her forehead and was suddenly hyper aware of the fact that she was finally touching him. Not gripping his shirt while he's saving her and not being grabbed or groped. Though, she thought, if she were being completely truthful with herself, she didn't really mind that. The Princess was more embarrassed by the reactions and comments from everyone else and while she knew that the touching should bother her, she couldn't quite explain why it didn't. Her breathing and heart rate picked up as she thought about how his hands would travel up her legs and how they were so strong yet gentle when he squeezed her chest.

At the subtle changes, Meliodas opened his eyes and gave her a sleepy smile. "Good morning Elizabeth, how'd you sleep?"

He asks the question so casually, as though we normally wake up like this!she thought in surprise. Deciding that it was easier to just play along, she looked up into his bright green eyes and promptly felt a blush spread across her cheeks. Why can't you be more calm and collected when it comes to interacting with the captain of the Seven Deadly Sins, Elizabeth!she silently chastised herself.

"W-well, that may have been one of the most refreshing sleeps I've had in a long time. H-how did you sleep?" she finished weakly. He chuckled as her face went from bright pink to a deep crimson. It was in that moment that the Princess realized they still had their arms around each other and she quickly drew hers back in embarrassment.

"Uh, where do you think Hawk is?" she said a bit too loudly "He seems to be late waking us up today." Meliodas unexpectedly felt cold at the absence of her arms; as though he had suddenly moved from a sunny meadow to the shade of the forest.

"Hmm, good question. That pig's usually a lot more annoying in the morning " he yawned as he slid his hands a bit lower to rest at her waist. She gasped softly at his touch.

"So, should we just stay here?" he grinned "I could have them bring us up some breakfast…"

The thought of the other sins barging in on them got Elizabeth out of bed a lot faster than Meliodas would have liked. "I was only joking" he said, sitting up with a pout. She looked back at him and saw the look of disappointment plainly written across the Captain's face. "Weren't you the one saying, just yesterday, we needed to go in to Liones for supplies?" Elizabeth pointed out with a giggle. She grabbed a fresh uniform and walked to the bathroom. "Besides," she continued "if we don't get supplies soon, we'll have no food left to make breakfast with!"

Groaning in defeat, he flopped back down and drew the still warm blankets up over his head.

In the safety of the brightly lit bathroom, Elizabeth leaned against the closed door and stole a quick glance at the mirror. Her eyes looked a little too bright with unspoken excitement and she slowly slid her back down the door until she was sitting on the cool floor. She unsuccessfully tried to gain control of her racing heart and, more importantly, her thoughts.