Okay this is my first time writing anything like this so please don't judge me too hard (Bear In mind that I'm only 13) and please review as I am open to suggestions.

Also I would just like to say thank you to all of the authors that are in my Favorites list (Lickitysplit, BettyBest2, Seriphia and all the other greats) for inspiring me and giving me enough confidence to write this story.

Ps. This story is taking place after the battle with Hendrickson.

"We're re-opening the tavern tonight!" said a cheerful Meliodas in his usually light tone. "Alriiiight~" "Yaay! I get to be pretty poster girl again!" " I'd rather sleep..." and "The money that we receive would be most beneficial in the case of us barely having any food," was all you could hear as all the sins expressed their feelings towards their Captain's opinion in turn.

"We're gonna need to prepare a bit so here are the jobs: Diane & King, you guys go and hunt for tonight's opening. Makes sure that there's a lot to go around and that it's easy to prepare." "Got it Captain!" replied Diane with a determined tone while the fairy beside her turned into a stuttering, blushing mess at the realization that he would be working ALONE with Diane. "Ban you go with them to make sure that they get exactly what you need to cook for the next few days" "Aaaaaw~ Cooome ooon Caaaptain~ You wouldn't want me to be intrudin' on their 'alone time' now would you~?" At these words both fairy and giantess began to blush; King stuttering even more so and Diane curling her pigtails on her finger and covering her face.

Meliodas ignored his comment and continued, "Gowther you just... sit there and do whatever," A slight nod from the currently reading Gowther was the only sign that he had even acknowledged his Captain's presence. "And Merlin you go-" "I'll be in my room completing my research," she stated before the Captain even had the opportunity to give her a task. "Alright guess it's settled then," just as he was about to send them off to go and complete their jobs, Ban said, "Hey Captain~" Meliodas sighed, "Yes Ban?" "How come Merlin and Gowther here get let off the hook while I have to chaperone these two~?" he said while pointing at the already flustered pair who blushed even more furiously A/N: At this rate they'll probably explode with embarrassment XD.

Meliodas look at the fox sin as if the answer was obvious then continued, "Well I can't tell Gowther to do anything; he'll probably brainwash the first person he sees." The goat sin barely glances up at his Captain before looking back at his book and flipping the page, "And you know better than to interrupt Merlin from her research; besides she was smart enough to give herself a job before I could." Merlin merely nodded and cast the fox sin a sly grin.

"And what about you and Hawk~?" Meliodas sighed again; clearly his friend wasn't done questioning him just yet. "I'm gonna stay back and pick out some nice ales for tonight and Hawk can go get the ingredients from the market." "What about me Sir Meliodas?"

"..."

The air got tense quickly as the other sins backed away to complete their tasks as soon as they heard the princess mention the fact that she herself was indeed, the only one without a job to do. They all knew that the Captain had changed his behavior towards Elizabeth, although nothing had visibly changed. Sure he was still handsy with her, but now he was much more possessive and protective of her than he was before. Even Hawk had noticed. Everyone knew; everyone except Elizabeth.

"You can just go upstairs and rest until opening time," he said, flashing her his cheeky-Meliodas smile. "No Sir Meliodas, I want to help as well," she stated matter-of-factly. "Elizabeth," he said with a slight edge in his tone, "Go up and rest." She paid no attention to his change in tone and persisted, "Sir Meliodas, it wouldn't be right if everyone was working so hard while I go and rest; so please let me help too."

"The princess is quite right," said Gowther who still hadn't moved from his corner of the tavern. Meliodas shot him a cold look. "Indeed she is. Perhaps there is something that she can do after all." Meliodas turned around to see Merlin standing by the door to the cellar. He sent another icy glare her way before saying, "And what exactly would that be?" Merlin just gave him a smile as Hawk said, "She could come shopping with me of course!" Now it was his turn to be glared down by Meliodas. "Yes I can do that!" "Then I'll come wi-"

He was interrupted yet again by none other than Merlin putting a hand on his shoulder, "Oh but Captain; You must pick out today's ales," she said slyly.

"Yeah there's no need to worry; I, the mighty Hawk, will protect her," announced Hawk as he puffed his cheeks and stuck his snout in the air, causing Elizabeth to stifle an oncoming giggle. "I'll be okay Sir Meliodas. I promise." He sighed in defeat. "Okay then here's the list and the money," he replied handing her a piece of parchment and a large sac of coins. "Come back in three hours or I'll come looking for you."

"Okay!" she replied as she ran out the door so hurriedly that she didn't notice the concern behind those words.

"Hmph," he sighed as he shook his head lightly; that girl would be the death of him. Then he turned around and walked towards the cellar; not forgetting to give Merlin a dark look as he passed.

.0.0.0.

It had been just over 2 hours since Elizabeth had left and she and the other sins should be back within the hour. He had finished his 'oh-so-important job' of picking ale well over an hour ago and was getting impatient as he continued to wipe the same mug he had been wiping for over half an hour.

The only reason he had given himself such a 'job' was so that he could stay behind and take care of Elizabeth; But what was the point if she wasn't even there? Why had he let her go shopping of all things? Why couldn't he have given her a task that was inside the tavern and near him? Why had he sent her with Hawk of all people (Well in this case creatures)?

I could have protected her better than Hawk. After all I am stronger than him thousands of times over... His eyes widened as he realized what he was doing. He loosened his grip on the now broken handle of the once-was mug and in his shock of his actions proceeded to wipe just that.

Tsk, look at me! Being jealous of a PIG! And HAWK no less! "Why hadn't I just gone with her in the first place?" he wonders aloud, "Oh yeah. Because Merlin decided it was a good idea... Not to mention that Elizabeth had wanted to go..." He continued his mumbled rambling until he sensed a change of magical energy behind him and heard Merlin's distinct voice saying, "Now, now Captain. I don't believe I've seen 'broken mugs' on the menu anywhere; although I have heard that they would greatly complement YOUR cooking as a side dish*" she said and Meliodas could practically hear the mischievous smile that she probably held. "Speak of the devil and the devil shall arrive," he mumbled under his breath. He then proceeded to throw away the broken mug A/N: Even after he had worked so hard on cleaning it :'( , taking extra care to make sure that he washed every single germ away from his hands and wiping them extra carefully as if they would fall off any moment, before finally turning around to look up at Merlin.

"What is it you want now Merlin," he said with edge and annoyance clear in his tone. She smiled at the acknowledgement of her presence, "Oh nothing much Captain, I just thought that it would interest you that I have been creating a potion to help you control your darkness more easily."

*Also my version of Merlin is basically a badass trolling queen. Just thought that you should know that she has the potential.

So just though I'd point out the fact that Meliodas will be struggling with his demonic powers, that fact that he's become a baby, and the urge to take Elizabeth as his own ALL AT THE SAME TIME!

I hope that you guys will enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it during class. ;)