Can I Keep You?

Chapter 3

Mama Hawk had made her claim to a fine piece of land outside of a little city, just shy of a few hundred miles outside of Camelot.

The place they had decided to set up shop was a quaint little town that Hawk knew pretty well, so when Meliodas asked him to take Elizabeth shopping for spices for the opening of the tavern, he was more than happy to do so.

"I want to go too!" Diane whined, latching on to Elizabeth like she might lose her if she didn't.

"We would love for you to join us Lady Diane!" Elizabeth smiled sweetly at the shrunken giantess, but Diane pouted a little.

"Elizabeth, I told you to just call me Diane. Why are you being so formal with me?"

Elizabeth's eyes widened, and she covered her mouth embarrassed, "Oh, right! I'm sorry! I keep forgetting!"

Diane smiled at her and began to tow her along, "Alright! Let's go get some spices!" she shouted excitedly.

"Be sure to advertise the Boar Hat while you're at it!" Meliodas yelled as he was left to wave them off with his usual smile in place. Before long, though, he turned on his heals to address the remainder of the sins hanging about the bar, "Alright, we need fresh meat for the tavern tonight. Ban and King, let's go hunting!" He shouted with his own brand of excitement. A little friendly competition was exactly what he needed to cheer him up! Besides that, the day was young and the sun was shining outside. No sense in keeping cooped up.

Ban chuckled darkly, cracking his knuckles and stretching his arms high above his head, "Bet I can beat both you lazy bastards!"

Meliodas grinned, squaring up to Ban ready for the challenge, "I'll take that bet!"

"Captain?" Merlin's voice reached Meliodas' ears and he flinched, before turning around to look at her. She had a knowing grin on her face, and he knew what she wanted.

What a slave driver.

"That time already, huh?"

She nodded at him with that same mischievous look she always gave. It was like it was her personal mission to make him feel like she had it out for him. He sighed and waved Ban and King off, "Fine... I'll catch up with you guys later."

He followed Merlin upstairs to his bedroom, where he threw himself on the bed. He took a moment to stretch out before sitting up and watch her expectantly as she closed the bedroom door and sauntered over to him.

"Alright Captain, you know the drill. Strip down." She was completely serious about it too. These words coming from her made him feel like he was about to be dissected. Nothing sexy about the request at all.

Might as well get it over with. She wouldn't leave him alone until he did.

He sighed, removing his vest and button-up white shirt so that he was sitting in nothing but his trousers. "Next time you should have Elizabeth be your nurse assistant. I wouldn't mind having her tell me to strip down." He grinned, and Merlin shook her head with a chuckle.

"Turn around, please." She instructed, twirling her finger in a circle to emphasize and Meliodas did as he was told, turning so that his back was facing her and he could see out the window. It really was pretty out. Light blue skies, little puffy clouds. It was like a scene from a picture book.

Cold deft fingers found the skin on his back making him shiver a little, "You have terrible bedside manner," he grumbled, still stuck on the idea of Elizabeth being his nurse. What a sight that would be. Perhaps he could get King to make her a little nurse's uniform?

"Your wound seems to be healing nicely. I'm surprised it took so long to get to this point, though." She hummed, pressing still tender skin around the fresh scar down his back. This was the wound Atlas had dealt him with that scythe of his. What a nightmare that had been. And with Elizabeth lacking all memory of her abilities, it was back to healing the old fashion way: time.