Past Hidden by a Broken Smile (Being Edited)

Chapter Six: Nightmares

        The day came fast for the sins and Zeldris to start prepping for the party set to take place that night. And the whole morning as the ravenette planned, he kept expecting a headache to hit him. Yet strangely, none came. He was so used to being either hungover or drunk that the lack of pain was a bit weird to him, it left him feeling almost naked without it.

He had little time to focus on that though as he kept having to keep the sins in check. It was chaos every two minutes as they tried to work together! Ban forgot to do preparations the previous night for baking that morning and was scrambling to get the cake and other foods done, Diane and Harlequin were arguing about decorations as she was trying too hard to make everything perfect for the captain and Harlequin was trying to set it up how he design intended; although the true cherry on top of the chaos going on was during Diane's and King's bickering they knocked over a barrel of ale that not only filled the air with the heavenly scent, but also stained the cloth with the purple color!

It took absolutely all of Zeldris's willpower to not drink after the stress and smell hit him all at once, although he knew that will alone could only get him so far, so he stepped out for a moment to get some fresher air.

This is a complete disaster so far!  No, it's fine, it's gonna be fine. Elizabeth will keep Mel out until sunset, that gives us plenty of time to fix this. Ugh, I'm so tired though. I barely slept last night.

Flopping back on the soft green grass that tickled his skin, Zeldris found himself taking deep breaths of the air around him that seemed to smell so much better than at home. It was crisp, fresh, and just.. calm. It was gentle as it moved the grass surrounding him and shook the trees lightly, causing them to let out that soothing crinkle sound that seemed to push him even deeper into his state of peace.

His breath grew even as the sounds seemed to blurr together and his remained shut as he slowly, gradually, drifted into a dream he was used to having by now... with a slight twist.
_________________________________________

Meliodas was frowning slightly in confusion at Elizabeth's weird behavior. She had begged him to go into town with her and was now looking around at every shop, taking her time in each one and showing anything she found to him hyperly.

Dont get him wrong, he didn't mind spending time with the princess, not at all, but she wasn't typically the type to initiate these things. And she was never this hyper around him. She was more bashful, shy, and timid. Although even if it was odd of her to act like this, he couldn't deny it was cute.

Seeing her big smile as she would say his name before going  "Look! Look!" and shoving something else in his face.. it was very endearing to see.

Shaken from his thoughts by a tap on his shoulder, he turned around and saw the girl he had been thinking about holding two bags and with that big smile still present.

"Are you ready to head to the next shop, Sir Meliodas?"

He nodded, giving her one of his signature grins as the two exited and continued walking on the sidewalk with him a foot behind her. Although now that he wasn't so lost in thought, the blond found himself staring at the bags with curiosity. She almost never bought anything for herself, she was too kind and generous to do so, regardless of her royal status. Which made it practically unheard of for her to buy two things for herself.

"Hey Elizabeth?"

She turned around and looked at him, her smile never leaving her face.

"Y-Yes Sir Meliodas? What is it?"

"What's with the bags? Not that I mind you treating yourself of course, it's just that you typically don't really buy anything."

A brief look of something similar to panic crossed her features, but she quickly covered it up, making the Sin wonder if he had really seen it.