Now and Forever

Chapter 5

After a very successful night in which Meliodas did not end up making dinner and the tavern was packed until last call, Elizabeth slowly made her way up the worn stairs to her shared bedroom. She was exhausted but proud as she had only dropped one plate and it had been empty anyway. She laid in bed waiting for Meliodas and was feeling surprisingly anxious but was having difficulty pinpointing why. "Oh I don't know, maybe it's that conversation from earlier or possibly having to visit the castle tomorrow" she muttered to herself as she rolled over to face the door. The Princess wasn't sure how to tell her family why, despite being just outside of Liones, she didn't want to stay at the castle with them. It was hard to admit and she would never be able to explain it to her father, but the halls and rooms she had once wandered as a child no longer felt safe or familiar.

She looked up as Meliodas came into their room. "I thought you would have been asleep by now" he smiled.

"I was waiting for you."

He looked over at her curiously, "why?"

Perhaps she was a bit overtired. Maybe it was the stress of thinking that he wanted to leave her in Liones or the sad realization that her childhood home was no longer familiar to her. Maybe it was even a mix of all three but she sat up deciding that she was going to continue the conversation from that morning.

"Earlier today, what was all that about leaving me in Liones forever? Why would you say something like that? Are you tired of rescuing me? Or…or of giving up half your bed?" she said, getting worked up as she made a broad sweeping gesture over the covers.

"Whoa, Elizabeth! Just slow down a second! For the record, I have absolutely no problem sharing the bed!" he interrupted with a grin.

At this, the Princess blushed and hugged her knees to her chest.

"Sir Meliodas, I'm just trying to understand why you don't want me around anymore" she mumbled as tears began to spill down her cheeks. "Please" she asked as she placed her chin on top of her knees "tell me."

Every time she cried like this, he could practically feel his heart breaking and a strong desire to severely injure whoever had caused her to cry. Unfortunately, this time it was his fault and he sat down heavily on the bed.

"Is that what you think" he asked in astonishment "that I don't want you around?"

The surprise in his voice was enough that she stopped crying and turned her head to look at him.

"Elizabeth, the only reason I asked you that was because it always seems like I'm the one putting you in danger and I'm worried that one day I won't be there to protect you"

"I'm not sure if you remember this or not but I was in danger long before Iset out to find you" she said with a brief, halfhearted grin. She suddenly gasped and her eyes grew wide as a new thought occurred to her. "Or maybe, Sir Meliodas, I'm actually the one putting everyone here in danger and you feel that it would be safer for you if I stay in Liones. If that is the case, then maybe I should stay."

He stared at her in momentary shock.How can she possibly think this is her fault? he thought in confusion. Quickly coming to his senses, he leaned forward stopping just inches from the Princess' face. "Absolutely not! How can I protect you at all if you stay here alone? May the Goddesses forgive me because as much as I hate myself for the danger it puts you in and how selfish it is, I won't leave you and I will always do my best to protect you" he whispered.Even if it means giving my own life he silently finished in his head as he leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers.

It was at this precise moment that Hawk came into the room and glowered at Meliodas with such intensity that Elizabeth quickly scooted back a few inches.

Amazingly terrible timing Hawk, as usual he thought as he rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Oh damn" exclaimed the captain as he snapped his fingers "I completely forgot to pick up some new sleeping ropes in town. I knew I had forgotten something!"

"No problem" smirked the pig "I picked some up for you; extra strong this time."

"Well gee, aren't you just super prepared today" Meliodas muttered sarcastically.

Elizabeth tried to hide her smile and said nothing as she lay back down on their soft bed. She was relieved that he wanted her to stay. Does this mean that he truly cares for me? she thought as she felt the thrill of it course through her body.

After Hawk had left and the lights were out, she turned to face him. Not knowing if he was asleep or awake, she whispered into the quiet darkness. "Thank you for wanting me to stay; this is one of the only places I feel safe anymore. It feels like home." There was no response from the mound of ropes so she turned back and fell asleep.

Though he hadn't responded, Meliodas was still awake and his eyes grew wide at her statement. Waiting until he was sure she was asleep, he rolled to his side and looked at her. He then shifted his gaze past the Princess to stare out the window. The Sin of Wrath tried to make sense of everything that had happened that day but quickly fell asleep to the rhythmic sound of her soft breathing and surrounded by the smell of the new rope mixed with the comfortingly familiar scent of her shampoo.