Can I Keep You?

Chapter 4

"You can't just call yourself the winner, dumbass. You're not the one who has to cook it all, so my votes should count for more!"

Elizabeth, Diane and Hawk could see the Boar Hat at the top or the hill, when, Ban's voice echoed to them. When climbing the crest of the next hill, they could see he and the others standing around three undiscernible piles; two of which outweighing the third.

"Why do you guys have to turn everything into a contest?" Diane groaned once they were close enough, and upon seeing Elizabeth, Meliodas was quick to appear behind her, his hands finding her curves, "Because, otherwise, I'll never get these lazy bastards to work."

Elizabeth's face flushed and she squirmed away from his wandering hands. "Well, Elizabeth? Who do you think the winner is?"

Her eyes widened as she looked at him and then back to the freshly hunted game in piles in front of her, "You... want me to decide?"

He smiled at her confidently, "Sure, why not?"

"I don't think that's such a good idea..." She whimpered, not entirely certain she was qualified for spice shopping let alone game judging. "Besides, I think Sir Ban is right. The person who spends the most time preparing the food should be the one who decides, right?"

Meliodas pouted at her, making her turn crimson, while Ban and King snickered behind him, "Fine, you win this time Ban." Obviously, Meliodas was a sore loser, but he seemed content in letting it slide this time as he managed to grab hold of Elizabeth's rear; making the woman squeak.

"Alright, let's get up and running! It's going to be a good night for sales, I can feel it!"

CRASH

Elizabeth groaned, looking at the mess that was her person and the floor, disappointment evident in her face. She was no more graceful or good at waitressing now, than she had been when they had first met.

Meliodas grinned, watching her from behind the counter of the bar, towel drying a wooden beer mug. "I guess some things never change." He mused under his breath, placing the mug on the counter in the row next to the others.

Even as the night was coming to an end, the Boar Hat was unusually busy – having been right about this night being good for sales, they were making record money from the advertising Diane had done in the town - and he could tell Elizabeth was feeling a bit overwhelmed. When she came crashing to the floor with a full tray of food, he knew that it was probably time for her to call it quits for the night.

"Hey Hawk, we need some clean up!" He shouted, coming around the counter with a clean towel in hand, then while standing over her, offered it to her with a knowing smile. She offered an apologetic look as she took the towel from him and wiped what she could from her uniform and skin.

"Why don't you go take a bath, Elizabeth?" He asked offering his hand to her and helping her to her feet as Hawk came on to the scene.

"o-okay," she stammered, and he gave her a sly grin, "I could always join you, if you want..."

"THE HELL YOU WILL!" Hawk squealed, managing to kick him square in the chest with his hind hooves then snorting at Elizabeth, "You go on and get cleaned up. I'll make sure no one bothers you!"

She placed a soft hand on Hawk's head, "Thank you Hawk." And with that she climbed the stairs while Meliodas and the others began to kick out the stragglers and close down the tavern for the night.

"Ah, good evening Elizabeth."

The voice caught her off guard as she turned the knob to the bedroom door. Turning, she was met with Gowther's bright and inquisitive yellow eyes. Since meeting him after waking up, she had always found his eyes to be unusually cold and clinical. Like the man had no emotions. But, that didn't stop her from interacting with him as she did the others.