A/N.: Hello dear readers and welcome to my new fanfic (that I keep on writing despite knowing that I should finish my other ones). Up until now, I didn't had enough confidence to write about romance but after seeing my RokuAka fanfic called "The Magic You Gave Me" got so many favorizing, following along with positive reviews despite being not finished yet, I decided to try to write a new one as I couldn't help but like the ship Melizabeth. So I inspired myself from the idea of making a A-Z Melizabeth guide called "A-Z of Melizabeth" that Fullmetal Pyromaniac did but I would use my own ideas instead. I don't like to steal the work of others but the least I can do is to boost my inspiration with some fanarts. It wouldn't be in the order of the manga storyline so I'll post a small summary at the beginning of this chapter so you wouldn't be confused about it. And just to say to avoid any confusions for the readers, the title isn't an apology to the readers but just the title of this chapter!
Summary of the current chapter: Meliodas ended up overdoing one of his fight with Ban and made Elizabeth worried, seeing how angry she became because of that he tried to apologize honestly but before he knew it, it became another way of teasing the princess.
The letter A is for... the word "Apology".
The third princess of the Kingdom of Liones, Elizabeth, successfully reunited six out of the Seven Deadly Sins during her journey and saved her kingdom from the dark ambitions of the Holy Knights. Thus Hendrickson who was the mastermind of all this plan was defeated, her father was saved from death, and the people found back their smiles because of the peace. Everything should finally turn back to normal from now on, so she thought...
"..."
"..."
"U–um, Lord Meliodas...?"
"..."
"I–I would like, if possible, that you wouldn't stare at me so intently―" Yes, everything should be alright from now on... if it weren't for the captain of the Seven Deadly Sins who was staring at her helpless self who was clutching her cover with both hand in fear as he was staring at her with glint glowing in his eyes like a famished shark eyeing its prey.
Even when the half destroyed Kingdom of Liones was slowly coming into reparation thanks to the hard work of their citiziens, Elizabeth still helped at Meliodas' shop called the Boar Hat as a waitress like she used to do during their journey together, though there was no need for her to continue on doing that like her father suggested, it was hard to quiet something she was already used to do everyday. But there were also times when Elizabeth couldn't make it back to the castle in time, and thus sleeping in the same bad as Meliodas like she did after Ban took her room, the pig of the group Hawk had always carefully tied up Meliodas with ropes so his hands wouldn't wonder on her body like he usually does. At first, Elizabeth thought that Hawk was just overreacting due to her trust for Meliodas, but for the first time she felt grateful for the consideration of the Captain Leftovers who was always watching over her, if it weren't for that she would surely be trembling in tears under his intense gaze... no wait, she already is!
"―Pff!" During her psychological conflict, Elizabeth heard Meliodas' stiffling laughter near her and opened her eyes hesitantly to see Meliodas on the pillow next to hers and trying to hide his grin without success and the shoulders were shaking violently. Then before she knew it, Elizabeth's cheeks became redder and hot as she thought she embarrassed herself in front of the Sin she had a mysterious attraction towards.
Then Meliodas looked at her with his green eyes shining and his messy blond hair before a teasing smile appeared on his face, "So? Feel like talking to me now?" Then it struck her mind. During the morning, Ban and Meliodas were supposed to fight each other in order to end a previous unfinished matter but before they knew it, it turned into another Fighting Festival with all the crowd of people Hawk assembled. Upon seeing the two Sins almost fighting each other to death and far more brutal compared to the previous times, Elizabeth was worried for them to tears and almost fainted upon seeing the blood of the fighters recovering almost the entire wall of the Perfect Cube Merlin created in order to contain them. So when it ended and neither Meliodas and Ban showed any remorse for their actions that not only worried her but also their fellow Sins, Elizabeth felt angry with their reckless attitude and spend the whole evening to ignore Meliodas but it seems that with the time she eventually forgot it... until Meliodas reminds that of her, that is.
"I'm not!" Elizabeth puffed her cheeks angrily as she turned away to the opposite side and faced her back to Meliodas. She had enough that he took her worries for him too lightly and never think about how much other can be worried about him! Even for him it was too much!
"But didn't you already did it earlier? I thought that it was already over." However when Meliodas asked that, Elizabeth didn't respond him this time, he could tell that she wasn't sleeping because of her unregular breathing.
"Elizabeth? I know that you are awake, don't ignore me, okay?" So he called one more time but she still didn't answered him back. Now this time he felt troubled. If it weren't for the ropes binding him, he would surely rubs his head in thought of how to deal with this situation but he can't even do such a thing because of Hawk needless worries about the princess' chastity. Even him wouldn't go that far... wait, Hawk?
"For this time only, I shall tie you a little more loosely than usual, so be sure to apologize properly to Elizabeth! And don't you dare to use my generosity in order to sexually harass her in her sleep!"
'I don't need your consideration, stupid swine.' Meliodas thought wryly despite the smile on his face (a certain pork sneezed in his sleep in the kitchen during that time), even Diane seemed to be worried about how Elizabeth and Meliodas seemed distant tonight, but he never expected to receive help from the pork who would always admonish him about his usual 'size check' on Elizabeth. But before that he would try to call her out one last time, "Elizabeth, are you still planning on ignoring me?" The back of the princess flinched slightly which gave him the certainity that she wasn't asleep when he was in his own thoughts. So Meliodas escaped his arms from the loose ropes and poked Elizabeth's back with his index finger.
"Hyah?!" The reaction was immediate, he had to hold back a chuckle and waited but the princess still didn't answered him, was she trying to play tough? If so then she was doing an awful job with her trembling back. So maybe he should try to raise the level a little more? This time instead of only one finger, his two hands stroked her back in various patterns which also got another reaction from the princess, he could see her trembling once again but her hands were clutching hard the covers before quickly putting them on her mouth as if she wanted to keep embarrassing herself further by making noise in reaction of his touch. It was like a game between the two, he thought. If he could make her talk back to him he win, but if he couldn't then... well, what about it? He would just enjoy about keep on touching Elizabeth until she finally talk back to him.
"...?!" A muffled gasp could be heard from Elizabeth as his hands went to grope her chest but even the usual doing didn't got the reaction he expected from her? She was doing a better job now than earlier at least. But Meliodas didn't knew why, he didn't felt like playing with her anymore. He already knew that Elizabeth was the most important existence to him, but to think that he would be so down just because she didn't talked with him an evening? Now, she talked to him just a little earlier before remember being angry once again, but still... to think that it would become that painful to not be able to interact with her like he usually does. He knew that the princess was someone of strong will just like the time when she risked her life in order to save btoh him and Diane from the Holy Knight Ruin's illusion.
'That's enough.' He thought as he started to get a little annoyed with it himself as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back to his chest, he could feel Elizabeth suddenly freeze in shock in his arms as he moved his mouth closer to her ear and he whispered her name, "Elizabeth."
"...!" As if she sensed the change of tone in his voice, Elizabeth's attitude changed slightly too or so he could feel. But still he didn't stop as his hands went over Elizabeth's hands that were covering her mouth and gently took them off, his physical strength would always be superior to the princess' after all. Then one more time he spoke to her, "Elizabeth. Speak to me." His voice didn't sounded like the usual cheery and joking one but serious and deeper just like when he was commanding his fellow Sins, because of that, Elizabeth's will can't help but falter a bit...
"...Lord Meliodas, please let go of me." She was embarrassed by his current actions and it was easy to say that she was blushing because even her ears were red, Meliodas smiled but refused to let go, he wasn't able to enjoy skinship with the princess this evening after all but there was also another reason. If he were to let go then she would ignore him once again, but more than anything he missed the warmth that Elizabeth was providing in his life. "If you want me to let go then you could just push me away."
"...How unfair." He felt Elizabeth's hand clench on his sleeve and she relaxed her body a little more compared to earlier in his hold as she mumbled from what he could hear surely a voice that mix embarrassment and frustration and could easily picture her having a pouting face right now, it was cute in a way but unfortunately it wasn't the problem there. "So Elizabeth, why were you so angry today?"
"Because... Lord Meliodas is always too reckless."
"But it isn't something new, you should trust me more. It isn't the first time that Ban and I fought each other like that, and didn't both of us always come back safe?"
"I know but still! This time's Lord Ban was weird, he seemed to truly want to kill you Lord Meliodas!"
"..."
"If I kill you Cap'n, Elaine will come back to life!"
It is true that during their fight before killing Hendrickson, Ban had said something like that and it had been weighing in his mind since the end of their fights. To kill his best friend in order to resurrect his lover. Of course Meliodas made sure to destroy the communication device that tricked Ban into doing such a thing, that hateful Horn of Cerrunnos that was hosting a goddess clan member. However despite the fact that Meliodas already forgiven Ban, the man in question didn't seemed to forgive himself about it.
"Lord Meliodas is always reckless for our sake, even I can understand something like that. But I still want you to consider my feelings if it isn't too much to ask..."
"Feelings...?"
"I–I mean, I am worried for your and everyone's safety so..." She was too much of a honest girl that she couldn't even lie properly. Steams popped out of her deeply flushed face and her voice was panicked, she must have said her true feelings out before thinking twice and now she was embarrassed because she couldn't take back what was already said thus she tried to modify the content, but it was useless to lie to him...
'Feelings... huh?' Crap, he tried his best to hide his smile but only find himself capable of burying his face into Elizabeth's long silver hair before breathing deeply her soothing scent much to her surprise due to the sudden action, as if he wanted to calm himself down before his laughter can come out.
"L–l–lord Meliodas?!" And of course she squeaked in an adorable way and he could feel with his hands close to her cheeks that it was burning up quite heavily. But he didn't stopped, there was no way he could show her the current expression he was making. On the other hand, Elizabeth was unable to comprehend the stiuation she got herself into, was it something good or bad? Should she be happy or keep on being angry? Her heart was racing so much that she felt it could explode, sweat was pouring down from her face out of nervosity and her cheeks feel incredibly hot, her face must surely be entirely red by now! (Elizabeth had yet noticed this but because of Meliodas' sudden and unexpected action, she completely forgot her earlier anger.) If it weren't for Meliodas who was keeping on holding on her tightly then she would already have melted out of embarrassment here and now!
"Say, Elizabeth..."
"Y–yes...?!" Aah, she couldn't calm down at all, what do do?
"...Sorry for having you worried again. I'll try to be more careful next time." His voice was soft and gentle, it tickled her ears and she couldn't help but shivers, "L–lord Meliodas is always saying that but..."
"Did I ever broke any of my promise with you?"
"You did. At the previous Fighting Festival to take back Diane's Sacred Treasure."
'Ouch... Didn't thought that she would remember of that promise back then.' Meliodas try to ask a question that she couldn't answer to but didn't expected her to be able to answer it without even missing a beat. He blowed a little in her ear like he usually did when he teased her but it was just in order to catch her attention which seems to have worked, thus he spoke once again: "Won't you face me? Didn't I already apologized honestly?"
"W–well, that is... I don't know if Lord Meliodas is even taking me seriously." She whispered as she surely hidden her face from embarrassment, it seems that despite her unwavering trust towards him she stull had doubts towards his words not that he can blame her since he is indeed hiding many things from her even if it is for her own well-being.
'...It can't be helped.' He should be offended by her unexpected mistrust towards him, but instead he find himself smiling as nostalgic memories from a distant past were surfacing back into his mind. Now that he thought about, there were times when they fought each other but only when she was displeased with something about him and that he had yet noticed she would sulk alone in her corner like that. To think that even such a trait was passed down... and the way he always dealt with it was―
"Lord... Meliodas?" Elizabeth send him a questioning glance due to his long silence but then felt a hand on her head that turned her face on the side and then Meliodas gently kissed her cheek while whispering to her: "I'm sorry, okay?" He said before kissing her cheek again and again and continued to trailing kisses on her cheek.
Elizabeth felt her cheeks grow hot again as she squeaked in surprise but not in discomfort, "L–lord Meliodas?! What are you―" However despite that Meliodas didn't stops, so Elizabeth wanted to bring a hand on his shoulder and gently push him away but his hand caught her own before putting it back to the bed, escaping was also impossible since his body was hovering hers before she even knew it and he kept her head from moving or hiding with his other hand. The ticklish feeling of his warm lips against her boiling cheek keep on send shivers in her body like electric sparks and he probably wouldn't know how much it is for her, she felt that her heart was running a marathon right now! But by each kisses she felt to lose her strength considerably, enough that she doesn't have much willpower to oppose him anymore thus leaving her powerless faced to him.
Suddenly he stopped and she found herself embarrassed to wish for more, as she opened her eyes and saw his face in front of her with him smiling warmly in an almost relieved manner as he whispered such: "You finally looked at me." She found herself being entranced by that smile and yet the familiarity of the situation that she should have never lived before much to her confusion, but all that matter to her for now was Meliodas in front of her. She felt herself being lost into his beautiful green eyes and she could almost see her own reflection in them.
"So are you satisfied enough to forgive me now?" He asked with his usual sunny grin which made Elizabeth fluster a little, what just happened wasn't her imagination, right? Right?!
Meliodas' face then came closer to hers as he smiled teasingly, "Because if you aren't then you know I would continue~"
"Wha―"
"So, what to do now~?"
"...Lord Meliodas, you are so unfair..." Elizabeth just averted her gaze in a shy manner, she couldn't hold his gaze any longer if she wanted to retain her sanity. But suddenly felt the hand that was holding hers lacing their fingers together, she wanted to ask the reason of why Meliodas would do such a thing before feeling him but when she looked up he had an unexpected serious gaze which made her heart that finally calm down to speed up once more (seriously how many times did her heart beat so hard today?!). Meliodas then approached his face towards hers but because of the bangs hiding his eyes, she couldn't see his expression anymore but it somehow felt a little more darker than usual, she then closed her eyes as she didn't knew what to expect before feeling his hand clutches her own quite tightly then a sigh before feeling a touch on her forehead.
"...?" Elizabeth then felt Meliodas' hand leaving her own before hesitantly opening her eyes to see Meliodas smiling to her like he usually did. "Lord... Meliodas?" She asked, not sure about how on earth she should react at what happened earlier.
Meliodas snickers as usual as he waved a finger in front of her face as if he wanted to teach her a lesson, "Nishishi~ Elizabeth, how about we continue further the next time you get angry at me~? Keep it secret from Bartra though."
"...! N–no, it is alright! As long as Lord Meliodas understand!" Elizabeth quickly pulled the covers to hide her blushing face and turned away from Meliodas again but this time it was from embarrassment instead of anger. Meliodas too understood that, which is the reason of why he chuckled before facing the opposite direction, so they were back-to-back but before that he said one last thing, "Elizabeth."
"Yes?"
"Even if you tell me to be careful... there would be still times when I would need to put my life on line."
"...Yes." Elizabeth silently clutched the cover of the bed on her side. She knew he was right, just like the time when he fought to protect Liones from Hendrickson, if he didn't fought of all his strength then there would be no chance to victories. But despite knewing that she didn't liked to see him hurt, is it because most of the time it is her fault? Because he has to protect her? Despite having understood that he understand his own situation, she still acted in such a childish manner...
"―That's why I'll be counting on you to heal me with your powers each time that I come back wounded."
"...!" Elizabeth covered her mouth with both hands. Did she made Meliodas worry unnecessarily again? Or did he guessed her thoughts and tried to comfort her? No matter what kind of reason it is, she was happy; to be finally able to help him into something, to be finally able to not slow him down anymore, to be finally able to return everything he had done for her, to be finally be able to keep on staying by his sides... Aah, it was not good, tears were gathering around her eyes again. But this time it isn't out of worry or sadness... but just happiness.
"Yes!" She answered happily. She didn't had to turn around to guess that he was surely having a smile on his face just like her. But even so, maybe it would have been better to turn around and see it if she could support her own embarrassment... no, nevermind.
"Nishishi! Then this case is settled! I would be more happy if you could shove me into your boobs like you did after the fight with Hendrickson though~" So he said with his usual perverted grin as he showed his hands to her and gropped the air to show a demonstration of what he want.
"G–geez, Lord Meliodas!" When she thought he finally took her seriously, there he start again with his teasing!
"Elizabeth. Let's sleep finally, shall we? Tomorrow will be another busy day with all the customers we have recently!"
"Yes!" And with that Elizabeth closed her eyes and she drifted towards the land of dream, being completely satisfied with the result of things.
Meliodas slowly at down from his lying position and turned to see that before she knew it, Elizabeth had turned towards his direction and was sleeping peacefully with a smile on her face. After confirming the fact that she may not wake up later, Meliodas wiped off some sweat from his forehead. 'Well, that was close...' It was Elizabeth's fault for always being too cute, if he didn't held her hand so tightly in order to restrain himself earlier then he would already have given in, there was not once a time he thought of her as a joke after all. As always Elizabeth was the only one who can trigger such emotions in him, wherever it was 3,000 years ago as a goddess or right now as the human princess. But because of that he needed to be twice as careful than before, this Elizabeth was only 16 years old and a sheltered princess up until now though her courage and strong will doesn't make you believe so... but still she needed to be deal delicately!
He brushed aside some of her bangs and smiled before deciding to get some sleep himself but it was more easy to say than to get it done. But Meliodas forgot that he broke himself free from his ropes, and when the Captain Leftovers would go to wake them up the next morning, the porky would immediately come under the conclusion that Meliodas abused of his generosity to feel up the princess again... but that would be a story for another time.
Preview of the next chapter: When Meliodas met Hawk for the first time, he decided to open a bar... but do you know the real reason about it? Not only about finding informations about the other Sins with whom he got separated after they were declared as criminals, well all that idea about the mobile bar actually first began 3,000 years ago...
A/N.: This scene happens around the end of the 2nd episode of Nanatsu no Taizai: Seisen no Shirushi. I know that the title of this fanfic may sound "TYPE MOON"-ish, specially towards those who are acquainted with the Fate/stay night series, but the "Unlimited" was used so many times for various things that I couldn't help but put it like this. There might be some chapters where I don't have ideas for the letters, thus I would like to ask your assistance for if you liked my fanfic. The chapters may contains spoilers for the ones who had finished to read all the currently released chapters though. The small summary is for this chapter only as I will only post previews of the next chapter from now on. Neither the cover or the characters belong to me.