Can I Keep You?

Chapter 1~ Prologued

Prologue

Cold...

So cold...

Pain radiating through every inch of his body, his lungs screamed for air. He couldn't breathe and when he opened his mouth for air, water spilled into his throat making his lungs burn and head pound.

His arms tightened protectively around the bundle of warmth close to his chest, hoping to keep that warmth close. Keep it safe, but it was being pulled from him. That warmth was being stolen from his aching body; slowly simmering out.

His light was going to go out. He was going to lose it.

He pushed himself towards the surface, towing the warm light in his arms. He pushed even though the pain was excruciating. But the surface never came. He was trapped.

Soon, the light went out, leaving him cold and lonely in that sea. The warmth disappeared from his arms, and he was lost to the darkness.

Meliodas sat up fast, his lungs taking greedy breathes of the night air. He looked around, his hands feeling the hardwood floor beneath him. His eyes wandered around his bedroom, and he sighed. He had managed to fall asleep on the floor again. The moonlight poured into the room and his eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness. It was unusually cold for a summer night, but it was getting closer to fall.

The captain of the sins was sitting propped up against the bed he used to share with Elizabeth, twisting his neck to rid himself of the pain of sleeping in such an uncomfortable position.

He wasn't really supposed to be in here. Ever since she had woken up without knowing them, some of the others insisted it would make Elizabeth uncomfortable if he shared the same bed as her. That didn't keep him from checking on her, though. He liked watching her sleep. It was soothing.

Kept the nightmares at bay. Sometimes, at least.

Quietly, Meliodas peaked over the edge of the bed to see that she was still sleeping peacefully on what has always been considered her side of the bed, and he smiled. Good. He hadn't disturbed her. She was curled up under the blankets, warm and secure. No danger, no villains, just peaceful sleep. Her lips turned up slightly at the corners like she was having a good dream. The thought made him smile.

He knew he had to leave, though. Sighing, he climbed to his feet and tip-toed to the door.

"Good night Sir Meliodas..."

Her voice was soft and sweet, and when he turned his face to look at her, he couldn't help but smile at her peeking at him with half closed eyes. She had known he was there. Busted. "Goodnight Elizabeth..."He whispered back.

With that, he left the room and headed down stairs and out the front door of the tavern. There was going to be no sleep after that.