A/N: Hey guys! Just a heads up. This is it. The last chapter of Destiny...

See you at the bottom...

Disclaimer: I do not own The Seven Deadly Sins. I'm merely borrowing the characters and having some fun with them.

DESTINY

Chapter 57

When we arrive back in the bar, Diane immediately puts me to work. I can't even find it in myself to be upset with her. The nostalgia that washes over me makes up for being seperated from Meliodas. He had his own job to do after all.

That fact doesn't stop the two of us from sharing glances though. The smiles are… shy almost, compared to what I'm used to seeing from Meliodas. Having shared a part of himself that not even the past me knew, probably left him feeling more open. Exposed.

But he didn't hide from me. It was the opposite really.

Whenever I managed to spare a few moments at the bar, he'd hand me drinks in a way that purposely left his fingers trailing on my skin. His touch lingered long enough once for Ban to call a, "knock that shit off and get back to work," from the kitchen. Which left me flushing hotly and Meliodas chuckling.

The touching only let up slightly after that. The more Meliodas touched me, the more I felt that burning desire build. He knew what he was doing. He always did. But I couldn't find it in myself to stop him. Not when it had been so long since I felt his touch.

Far too soon the night nears its end. I'm both excited and dreading what may happen. I want to stay here, at the Boar Hat. I want to stay and hang out with the Sins once more. Who knew when they would be on the road again? What if they left and this was the last I would see them?

A part of me knew that last question was irrational. They'd waited around this long. They wouldn't leave without saying goodbye.

Patrons begin filing out of the bar in groups. I'm about to join the Sins for a much needed drink when someone stops me.

Veronica's there. Her hand on my wrist.

"Veronica?" I frown at her in confusion. I hadn't even noticed her come into the bar. How long had she been there?

"Sorry, Ellie." She smiles sympathetically. "Gotta get you back to the castle."

"Why?"

"You can't sleep here." She squeezes my hand meaningfully.

I knew why I couldn't. But that didn't stop the sudden surge of anger.

"You have to be kidding." Irritation takes over my features and she drops my hand. "I've stayed here many nights before now."

Veronica glances to the side, unable to meet my eyes. "It's different now."

"Why?" I stubbornly argue again.

"You know why." Now she scowls irritably at me.

She's right. Of course I know why. It's the same reason I shouldn't have slept with Meliodas. It's improper because of who I am. I'm a future queen. All the reasoning comes back to that one simple fact. But after my time with the Sins, I just can't find it in myself to take this lying down.

"This… this is ridiculous!" I throw my hands up having no other words. "Is my every move to be monitored from now on?"

She doesn't answer.

She doesn't have to.

I know I'm right.

"Fine." I relent, doing my best not to grit my teeth.

Thankfully there aren't many patrons left in the bar. The few who remain are passed out under tables. I force myself to take a few deep breaths before looking back at Meliodas. He seems far more amused then he should.

I can't decide if it calms me or irritates me even more. Why is he looking at me like that? "Thank you all for your hospitality. Hopefully I shall see you soon."

Numerous eyebrows raise at my formal goodbye. But they don't say a thing.

A force of habit I somehow fell back into. And in my frustrated mood, I landed back to the prim and proper attitude. I shake my head and smile sheepishly at them in apology. "Perhaps later today?" We are well after midnight after all.

Meliodas nods, still smiling at me in that new way. "Later."

"Yes!" Diane adds on with a wide grin. "I hardly got to see you tonight." She side eyes Meliodas.

He ignores her, eyes only for me. I bite the inside of my lip to keep down my own smile. I don't know why, but with everyone looking at me, I wanted to hide it. To keep it only for Meliodas, like he'd been keeping that smile for me.

Veronica tugs at my arm. The spell breaks.

"Goodbye everyone." I wave as she drags me out of the bar.

"Bye! See you, Ellie!" Diane's voice overpowers anything the others may have said.

The door closes. We walk in silence until Veronica broaches it, "they really like you, huh?"

I glance at her, but she's looking straight ahead, deep in thought. Like she didn't actually just ask me a question. I half wonder if she's even expecting a response. "I… I supposed we did become rather close in our short time together."

It's about as diplomatic as I can be with my answer. Veronica knows me. She knows how I feel about all of them. That they're like family. That Melidoas is… someone special to me.

She remains silent.

I say nothing else.

There's a light coming from one of the castle windows. One I know to be Father's. I can't believe he's up so late yet. I have half a mind to go and lecture him about his health, but think better of it. I'm not exactly sleeping either. I don't need him to know I was out so late and there is no other way I would know he was up then coming from the direction of the Boar Hat.

We arrive at the castle and I make my way towards our rooms. Veronica doesn't follow. I stop to stare at her quizzically. It's well past a decent hour. There's no reason for her to not be going to bed.

"Veronica?"

"Hmm?" She raises her gold gaze to mine. She focuses back in. "Oh. Ellie."

"What are you doing?"

"Huh?"

"Our rooms are this way." I state as a point a thumb over my shoulder towards the direction I was heading. "Aren't you coming?"

"Ah, eventually, yeah."

I frown.

"Goodnight, Ellie. I'll see you in the morning." She spins on her heel, purposefully walking away.

"Where are you going?" I call after.

She throws a determined smile over her shoulder, "to talk to Father." And then she disappears around a corner, leaving me standing alone and confused in the middle of the hall.

"...okay…?"

I stare after her for awhile, trying to figure out exactly what she had in mind. Veronica rarely was denied when she got that spark in her eye. But I'm curious as to what caused it. Logically it would have something to do with our conversation but I can't for the life of me grasp it.

Eventually I shrug to myself and head to my room.

When I get there, the window is open.

I frown. "Odd," I mumble as I walk over to close it, "I don't remember leaving this open."

"That's cause you didn't," a voice whispers in my ear.

Hands latch onto my chest and I barely manage to hold in a scream as the realization of who it hits me. "Meliodas!" I turn my head and glare at him.

He merely grins. "Yo, Elizabeth."

"What are you doing here?"

"You said, see ya later," he lets go of me and backs up a few steps.

I spin around to face him fully. "Later as in this afternoon. Not-not-"

"Now?" He quirks a brow and fights a smirk.

I nod.

Meliodas hums, a finger tapping at his chin in though. "Well, we may have a bit of a problem then."

My features pinch together in confusion.

"Ya see, you weren't here right away so I went and sent my ride away." Meliodas' grin starts to grow. "So you're kind of stuck with me until he comes back."

"King?"

"Who else?"

I shake my head, a smile fighting to overtake me despite the seriousness of the situation. "Meliodas…"

"Elizabeth." He responds way too cheekily for the gravity of the situation.

"You shouldn't be here."

"I do a lot of things I shouldn't do." He takes a step closer. Eyes lite with excitement. "What's one more?"

I nibble my lip, at war with myself. "Things are different now."

"Of course they are." His voice drops significantly. "You know everything. Doesn't mean it has to stop us."

"That's not what I mean, Meliodas."

He sighs, head dropping. "I'm sorry. I misread tonight. I shouldn't have assumed. I'll just-" He takes a step towards the window.

"No!" I shout and grab his hand. "I wanted to see you. I really did!" I inist, squeezing his hand meaningfully. "It's just…"

"It's just…?" He glances at me hopefully.

"I… I want more Meliodas. And-and I shouldn't. I can't."

He frowns. "Why not? I told you - whatever you want, Elizabeth. I'm yours. Always will be." He speaks those words from so many nights ago.

The meaning behind them so much heavier now.

"But I can't." My eyes start to water. I want Meliodas so much. But there's something nagging at me, telling me it won't work.

Is it her? Or something else?

"Why?" he stresses again, and it seems he too is growing frustrated. Something I'm not sure I've ever seen from him.

"Because I'm going to be queen!" I suddenly cry. "I'm going to have to marry someone and birth his children and-and" I inhale sharply. "I don't want anyone but you!"

I throw my arms around him, refusing to see the expression on his face. Meliodas holds me without hesitation. I hadn't realized that there was such a weight hanging over me until I let those words leave me.

"Elizabeth."

His tone prompts me to lift my head.

He brushes his lips over mine. A feather light touch. And that's it.

I realize he's waiting for me to set the pace - to take the lead. I do so eagerly. If this is going to be my last night with Meliodas, I'm going to take it. If I'm doomed to live a life without him then at least I will always have tonight.

I'm going to make sure it's a damn good memory.

My body leans into his and he supports my weight easily. His hands run down by back. Brush against my rear and squeezing gently before running down my thighs. Slowly he pulls one up without breaking our kiss. I get the memo and wrap it around his hip. A moment later, my other thigh follows.

A gasp slips past my lips as I feel him between my legs.

"Please." I whimper against his lips. I can't pull away. An irrational fear that if I get too far from him - that will be it. This would be over. "Please, Meliodas."

He shifts my weight slightly and begins walking. A second later I'm on the edge of the bed. One more kiss to my lips and then Meliodas drops to his knees.

My eyes widen as he smirks up at me.

Those green eyes disappear beneath my short tavern skirt. A kiss to my thigh. Then the other. Slowly. So slowly; making their way up to my center.

I let my body fall back on the bed, enjoying the feeling of his lips against my skin. Chereshering it. Trying desperately to ignore the fact that this may be the first and the last time that I feel them on me like this.

Those thoughts are banished from my mind as soon as Meliodas breathes over my core.

His fingers pull down my underwear as his gaze locks with mine. Waiting for a sign that this was okay.

I nod swiftly and lift my hips.

He opens his mouth but shakes his head, apparently thinking better of whatever he wanted to say. He ducks back down. Tongue pressing pass my lower lips and I gasp. It's nothing like I've ever felt before. Every drag of his tongue leaving a pleasant buzz in its wake.

It's intoxicating. Maddening, even, drowning out any remaining rational thought.

It isn't long before I'm slipping, slipping, slipping over the edge before I crash over with a silent cry. Body limp and heavy against the bed.

Meliodas smirks smugly up at me as he crawls over my body. The same fire as last time engulfs me seeing the drunken lust in his gaze. I push him down and take his place on the floor.

His eyes go impossibly wide as I say, "my turn."

"E-Elizabeth you don't have-"

"I want to." I tell him firmly. "At least for a little while."

I take a few minutes to admire how flustered he is suddenly at the shift in roles. I memorize it all the same. For later. For when he's...

I shook those thoughts away as quickly as they'd come. I want to give this to him again. I want my first everything to be with him.

At least as many firsts as I can give him.

My tongue dips tentatively out of my mouth, tasting him. I lick a few more strokes before engulfing him fully.

"Holy fuck!" Meliodas curses loudly.

I immediately pull back. He hadn't reacted like that last time. "Oh goddesses. Was it that bad?"

"No!" He quickly shakes his head. "Not bad at all. Just unexpected." He licks his lips and I idly wonder if he can still taste me. "Keep going?" He says it like he isn't sure that he can even ask.

I wrap my lips around him again in answer. My lips stretch around him in an unusual, but not unpleasant, way. I bob my head and ignore the voice in the back of my head that said I really should have talked to Veronica about this kind of stuff and use different techniques.

I pay more attention to Melidoas this time. Some movements make Meliodas groan. Some he furrows his brow. Some he bites his lips. And others still have him gripping the sheets underneath him.

I don't know how long I'm at it for but Meliodas pulls me up and smashes our lips together.

The taste on his lips catches me off guard as I realize it must be my own. I groan as Meliodas dips his tongue in my mouth. We fall backward onto the bed. All clothing quickly discarded.

His hands run over my body and I sigh contently. I love his hands on me. Love his touch any way I can get it.

It isn't long before he's lining up and pushing in.

A gasp leaves my lips. The feeling still foreign to me.

His hips rock into mine steadily before our paces quicken and begin to match. It's building, building and I'm grasping at his hair and he's grasping at my hips and then—

"Ah," a satisfying groan leaves me as I'm pushed over the edge once more.

I feel Melidoas come to his end as well and watch fascinated at the blissed out expression on his face. He hovers over me for a few more seconds before collapsing next to me. Immediately I turn on my side to face him, sleep already gripping me.

"I love you, Meliodas." I whisper as my eyes grow heavy.

He turns to me with that same smile he'd been giving me all night. He's on his side and pulling me close, intertwining our legs together. "I love you too, Elizabeth."

I smile and drift off to sleep.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-

When I wake, Meliodas is still there. Sleeping soundly next to me.

My lips pull into a grin and I just lay there admiring his features in the sun for a few more minutes. Then I realize how completely naked I am and go to my closet to grab the neglected nightgown from the night before.

I frown as I pull the item over my head. "Gross." I grumble to myself. I turn back to the bed and find Meliodas watching me with bright eyes.

I freeze.

"Morning." He grins.

"M-morning." I greet back. "Um… How long have you been awake?"

He hums. "Since before you."

"What?" My jaw drops as I realize that means he knew I had watched him. Oh gosh. That was kind of creepy now that I think about it.

"No worries. I'm flattered that you like my face so much that you stared at it for five minutes straight." He says with a mischievous spark in his eyes.

I groan.

"Also heard you say gross sooo." He trails off.

My eyes meet his and he smirks.

"Well, let's get you cleaned up, hmm?" He says it simply but I don't trust the look on his face.

I purse my lips. "Don't you need to leave soon?"

He's throwing on his trousers. "He'll wait. Doesn't have any other choice." Meliodas chuckles as he pulls me up towards my personal bathroom.

"Wait-wait!"

He quirks a brow.

"You're — you're coming in with me?"

"Course I am!" He beams. "Someone has promised me a shower on more than one ocassion." He winks.

I flush but a laugh slips past my lips. "You are ridiculous."

As soon as the bathroom door locks behind us — Meliodas undresses. My eyes roam shamelessly over his body. I had thought that last night would be the last time but -

But I want more.

I'm not sure if I'll ever not want Meliodas. His gaze admiring me. His laugh. His… touch.

I throw my nightgown to the side and take his face in my hands.

His green eyes are wide with surprise. A pleased smile pulls at his lips. "Aren't we forward in the morning?"

"Mhmm." I agree as I lean in.

He huffs a small chuckle against my lips before we join.

The kiss starts slow but quickly picks up intensity. My hands roam over Meliodas' strong shoulders. His lower back.

His butt.

"Hey!" Meliodas laughs with faked offense as I take a squeeze.

I smirk against his skin as I hide my face in his neck. I'd never touched him there before. To say that his reaction was amusing is an understatement. It's thrilling to see him so caught off guard by my actions. To finally get him on the unsuspecting side.

My feet spin me around so he can't see my face. I walk to the shower and start it. I look over my shoulder and ask, "coming?"

His mouth his slightly unhinged and I swear I can almost hear him snap it shut. He nods quickly and grins.

"Damn, Elizabeth." His breathes. "Mornings really do make you bold."

For the first time that morning I hesitate. "Is that… bad?"

"No." He rushes out with a hasty shake of his head. "Not one bit. Not at all." He strolls up to me and I force my eyes to stay on his instead of straying lower where he's already growing hard. "I like it." He tells me fiercely.

His lips are on mine again. Harder than before.

I moan into the feeling and his tounge invades my mouth. I welcome it. Try to tame it with my own.

Meliodas is leading me backward. Through the water and up against the wall.

A gasp leaves me and my back arches from hitting the cool tile. My chest forces him from my lips and he attacks my neck instead.

"M-Meliodas!" I tangle my fingers in his wet hair and tug lightly. "No marks." I inform him.

Because I could deny easily when there was no surface evidence. Hickies well… those couldn't be so easily reasoned away. Not to mention be extremely embarrassing. Just the thought of someone seeing them and knowing what they are and who they are from has my whole body hot.

I… I can't tell whether it's because I'm embarrassed by the idea or…

Or because I like it.

"Sorry." Meliodas mumbles the apology against my skin as he makes his way down. "I'll be better." He says in one breath and then wraps his lips around my perked nipple the next.

"Ah!"

Being intimate standing up is… more difficult than I thought it would be. The task made easier only be the fact that Meliodas is slightly shorter than I am. He's lifting my thighs up and he's holding onto me completely with the wall supporting my back.

He slides in easily and groans. "Fuck. So wet already."

I flush hotly.

"Can we… try something?" he cautiously asks after a few thrusts.

His sheepishness always makes me feel braver. "Of course."

He sets me down. "Bend over." He waves at the small bench.

My heart hammers in my chest. I lean over the bench half my height. My skin heats as I realize how he tends to take me. His hard member sliding between my cheeks for a few strokes before he's lining up with my core once more.

Slowly he pushes in and I groan at the new angle.

"Good?"

"Yes." I respond quickly. "Please just… please keep going, Meliodas." I bite my lip and mumble, "feels so good."

He curses so slow I can't hear it. Or maybe it was in a completely different language entirely. I don't get time to dwell on it as Melidoas slams his hips forward.

I inhale sharply. He keeps going and it feels so good. Eventually my arms can't support me and my chest falls down, leaving my ass high in the air.

Meliodas groans loudly at the view and he's leaning over me. Hips still moving as one hand holds my hip and the other moves between my legs to play with my nub. I gasp and moan and scream in pleasure as he moves relentlessly against me.

I come with a scream.

He lets go of me and pushes into me a few more times before grunting out his own release.

"Oh goddesses." I groan. "I think… I think I'm going to need to sleep again."

Meliodas chuckles, moving my hair to the side so he can kiss my neck. "Same."

We move slowly through our shower after that. Hands exploring as we wash each other. Sharing soft kisses when our eyes meet.

It's over far too soon for my liking.

We walk out of the bathroom and see Chastefoil floating by the window. My eyes widen and cheeks heat in embarrassment.

"Oh no." I grumble and hide my face in my hands.

"It's no biggie." Melidoas assures me and pats my butt.

"Meliodas!" I hiss. As if King would see the action and that reminds me — "Ah! I need to put clothes on!"

"Or you could… not do that." He smirks as he looks me up and down.

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling. "You're insatiable."

A laugh tumbles out of his lips and he grins. "Uh huh. Yeah. I'm the one who's insatiable."

I huff and walk towards my closet. Meliodas chuckles. By the time I turn his direction he's gone. Panic grips me momentarily before I realize that King's pillow is still in the room. I sigh. He must have gone into the bathroom for his clothes. I grab a simple sundress and throw it over the marching set of underwear I had gotten from Meliodas over a month ago.

Somehow, I'm dressed before Meliodas. Or at least he hasn't come out of the bathroom yet. I shrug and walk towards the window. I open it and look for King. I finally find him several feet in the air, lounging as if he was on a couch.

"Sir, King!" I call up at him and wave.

He rolls onto his stomach. His amber eyes stare at me for a few seconds. Like he's trying to gauge if it really is safe to approach.

I flush as I work out what that must mean.

For my sanity I'm going to pretend that one of my closest friends did NOT most likely hear Meliodas and I in the bathroom. Never happened. Not even possible.

"Ellie." He dips his head as he lowers himself down to my window. "Is Captain ready?"

"Yes." I nod and look at the bathroom door. "He should be out of the bathroom soon."

King flushes and simply says, "I see."

And then I flush as I realize what that sounded like. "i-I don't know what he's doing in there! We were done some time ago and- Oh my GODDESSES!" I screech. "Please pretended I didn't say that!"

So much for pretending he didn't hear anything.

King refuses to meet my gaze as he nods and meekly replies, "Got it."

"Gosh you guys are fun." Meliodas chuckle hits my ears. How he suddenly got right by me I don't know. How I didn't jump at his unexpected approach is another good question. Perhaps I'm just so used to him showing up when I need him.

King frowns deeply at him. "You're late."

Meliodas shrugs, unbothered it seems by the fact.

"Whatever." King sighs and flick his wrist. "Not my problem if you get caught in Ellie's room and the king decides to castrate you."

My jaw drops at the words.

Meliodas only chuckles.

"As if he could!" The blonde rebuts. "You wouldn't let him, right, Elizabeth?" He turns to me with that smile.

"I'm not sure I have that kind of pull, Sir Meliodas." I tease.

He pouts and King laughs.

"I don't know how no one has caught you yet, honestly." The fairy eyes the door behind us curiously. "Is there something special about today?"

I frown. "I mean. Not that I can think of."

It is rather odd now that King's pointed it out.

"I should probably get started on my day." I sigh.

"Alright." Meliodas pecks my lips quickly. "See you later?"

My heart leaps into my throat.

The panic on my features must show as King clears his throat loudly. "I'll uh… wait down there." He points down. "Just throw Chastiefol out the window and jump with it and I'll catch you when you're ready to go." He tells Meliodas.

He drops from the sky.

The silence drags down on me. Heavy.

"Meliodas-" "Elizabeth-" We speak at the same time.

He lets out a restless laugh. "You first."

"I… I can't see you like this anymore." I tell him quietly. I tried to say this last night. I convinced myself that we could have it but I don't have the luxury of 'tomorrow' this time. "I tried to tell you last night. You know I did."

The leader of the Sins remains silent.

"You know I don't want to." I plead with him to understand. "But I have to do this. For my family, Meliodas."

"What about for you, Elizabeth." His eyes are hard as he studies me. "What do you want."

"You know what I want." I whisper.

It's been the same thing I've wanted for weeks. The same person. The same future.

"Say it." His voice matches mine in volume. Quiet. Like if we spoke any louder the world would shatter.

Maybe it already has.

"You. I want you." I fight back the tears.

"Then you can have me."

The words hit me hard. Ringing with familiarity. Why. Why does he always say those words? Does he know how much they break me?

Meliodas breaks our eye contact and grabs Chastefoil. He chucks the pillow out of the window. The item probably going much further than it needed to. His green eyes are hazy as they meet mine. A different emotion then I've ever seen in them before.

"I will see you again, Elizabeth." He tells me firmly as he steps onto the windowsill.

And then he's falling backwards out the window.

I rush after him, wanting to make sure he's okay. The air knocked out of my lungs at how hard I hit the wall. Meliodas lands safely on Chastiefol several stories down. King floating next to him.

The fairy gestures around wildly. Meliodas seems like he's not listening.

I wish I could hear what they were saying.

A deep breath puffs past my lips as I push myself back inside. I close the window and make for the door.

It's almost an hour later before I run into Veronica.

"Ah!" I say as I bounce off her. My eyes widen. "Veronica!"

"Hmm?" She hummed as she gathers up the few papers she had been carrying. Odd. Veronica isn't much of a scholar.

"Why haven't I been able to find anyone? Aren't I supposed to be having my lessons today?"

"No." Veronica responds absent mindedly. "Father gave them the day off." She finally settles her gaze on me once her papers are all gathered and smirks. "Or should I say I gave them the day off."

"What? Why?"

She shrugs. "You've been working so hard lately. All of you. You deserved a bit of a break."

My jaw unhinges at the unexpected declaration. To think that Veronica did that. For me?

"T-Thank you."

"Of course." She smiles. "What are big sisters for? Besides." She starts walking down the hall. "I know a girl that was pretty bummed she didn't get to see you much last night."

"Who?"

Veronica merely waves over her shoulder and disappears around the corner.

My brows furrow as I mumble. "Who was she talking about?"

I get my answer a second later as a voice screeches, "Ellie!"

Next thing I know I'm on the floor with a body on top of me.

"Diane!?" I gasp and blink up at her disbelieving.

"Hey!" She laughs. "Guess what, guess what?!" She fires off as she pulls me up. A giddy smile spread across her face.

"What?" I giggle, unable to stop her contagious enthusiasm.

"We get to spend the whole day together!" She hugs me tightly. "Isn't that the best?"

My smile grows to match hers. "Yes! I have so many ideas that we can do! My sisters and I used to have days together all the time!"

"Yay!" Diane tosses her hands up. "Can't wait!"

Diane and I spend the whole day together doing various activities. It was the most fun I'd had since traveling with the sins. We even got a sleepover together.

We finally got our chance to talk about boys.

She told me about her time with King. The day that they had spent together before everything went down with Hendrickson. And I, in turn, told her about my time with Melidoas.

About what happened this morning when we said our goodbyes.

Tears welled in her eyes as she hugs a pillow to her chest. "You're not really gunna marry someone else, are you?"

"Diane-"

"Cause you can't!" She tosses the pillow away and places her hand on my shoulders. Her amethyst eyes are hard with determination. "He loves you and you love him! What more do you need?"

I sigh. "It's not as easy as that, Diane."

"Of course it is!" She argues. "If you need the title, technically he is a prince!"

So that was one thing confirmed. The sins did know about Meliodas. Can't say I'm too surprised given the way they'd acted throughout the journey paired with my knowledge of the past. It just wasn't something I thought about in length. Not like it really mattered that they knew. It wasn't their story to share and if there was one thing the Sins were good at — it was keeping a secret.

"A prince with no kingdom. And a demon." I mumble dejectedly. "My father would never go for it."

"But he's-" she cut herself off and shook her head. "You ask him then."

My brows furrow. "My father."

"Captain!" She shouts as she shakes me.

"But! But that's improper!"

"Proper shromper!" Diane huffs and lets me go to cross her arms over her chest. "You're a strong woman Ellie. You are choosing to be with Melidoas. Who says you can't ask him? You're going to be queen. Doesn't that mean you can make at least some rules?"

I manage to steer the conversation away from the topic after that.

But Diane's words follow me long after we turn the lights out for bed.

Maybe I…

The morning comes fast and once again I'm thrown off by not having someone come and wake me.

"What is going on here…?" I mumble to myself.

"What you mean?" Diane asks groggily as she rubs at her eyes next to me.

"This is the second day in a row that they've let me sleep in."

She groans and rolls away from me. "You call this sleeping in? We usually don't get up until after lunch at the bar!"

I shake my head but don't respond to her. Instead I get out of bed and decide to get ready for the day. I intend to find Veronica. Maybe she knows what's going on here. She knew yesterday, perhaps she is behind today's mystery as well.

I dress and look over to the bed, surprised to see Diane up and ready to leave. She had appeared to be sleeping only moments ago.

"You can sleep in if you want, Diane." I tell her earnestly. I don't want her to feel obligated to accompany me just because I'm feeling a little restless.

The shrunken giantess rocks backwards on her feet as she fixes her lopsided pigtails. "I'll tag along if you don't mind." Her voice an odd mixture of formal and stubborn.

I nibble my lip as I say, "You don't have-"

"I want to!" She cuts me off swiftly. "It's just… last time we got separated and you were alone…" She trials off.

I cringe.

Right. That had been when Hendrickson attacked.

I walk to her side and wrap her in a hug. She returns it fiercely. "I'll be okay, Diane. He's…"

He's what, exactly? Locked away? Admittedly I hadn't spent much time thinking about him. My feelings have been mixed on him since I found out about our connected past. Thinking on it too complicated for me to process. Seeing him is something that I'm no where near strong enough to even attempt at this point. I had said my peace to him. That and knowing he's locked away where he can't hurt himself or anyone else is enough.

"He won't hurt anyone anymore."

"I'm still coming with you." Daine informs me determinedly as she drags me towards the door.

"D-Diane!" I struggle to keep up with her sudden swift pace. "Where are we going?"

"To the bar of course!" She grins over her shoulder.

I bite the inside of my lip. I hadn't expected to see Meliodas again so soon. The thought of seeing him after the thought that Diane placed in my mind last night was too much. I panic. "But it's too early!"

She laughs. "You used to live there! It's not that early."

Oh goddesses. This was happening. I was going to see Meliodas again. I'll have no choice but to ask-

"Elizabeth?"

Diane and I stop and turn to the new voice.

"Veronica!" I sigh her name. "Why is nothing happening today again?" I immediately ask, determined to put off seeing Meliodas for as long as possible.

She quirks a brow at me. "Why are you complaining about it?" She crosses her arms, eyes darting over to Diane for a split second before back to me. "I figured you'd be out at the bar by now."

I flush. "It's… too early." I grumble lamely.

She snorts. "Since when are you so reluctant to go there? You've been trying to sneak away since you started up your lessons and now you're asking what's going on and that it's too early?" My sister eyes me critically. "What happened between you and the Captain of the Sins?"

Diane snickers and I elbow her in the side.

"Nothing!"

"Uh huh…" Veronica trials off accusingly.

"There — Nothing's happened!" I stomp my foot and fight down my mortification.

"Yeah, okay. Whatever you say, Elizabeth." She smirks and looks at Diane, addressing her for the first time. "Make sure I get some credit in this, alright?"

"You got it!" Daine winks at her.

My brows furrow as I stare quizzically between the two. "Credit? Credit for what?"

"I'll expect a full rundown of what happens." Veronica says as she shoos us away.

"Of course!" Diane chirps and begins to tug me back down the hallway. Obviously in the direction of the Boar Hat.

"What are you talking about?!" I shout at Veronica.

She merely laughs.

To my great annoyance, Diane doesn't answer any of my questions until we can see the Boar Hat in the distance. She slows her pace and stops next to me.

"Have you thought about what I said…?" She broaches cautiously.

"Of course I have." I whisper, surprised at my own honesty.

Perhaps I had made my decision as soon as she had brought it up. Maybe before that even. I didn't dwell on it much as I continued on without her. Not offering any more on the subject.

I'm in the Boar Hat far sooner then I'm ready for. But I'm calmed as soon as I open the door and enter.

"Elizabeth?"

My eyes settle on Meliodas.

I steel my resolve, looking straight into those green eyes that have become synonymous with home.

"Sir Meliodas…." The words are flying out of my mouth instead of a proper greeting. Biting the bullet and getting it over with. "Will you stay?"

His eyes widen and I can't help but smile. It isn't often I'm able to catch him off guard and I've done it a few times now within the past few days. Honestly, I'm still unsure if this is the best path, but it's the one that I want to walk. With Meliodas by my side.

"Elizabeth…" He gulps as he glances around at his comrades. "You… know what you're asking me, right?"

I nod. Now that the words were out in the open, I was starting to feel anxious. Far more eyes on us then I realized when I first arrived. Even Merlin, Gowther and Escanor are back. Maybe I shouldn't have asked him in front of the Sins.

To my surprise, and the fairy's, Meliodas turns to King. "So, how is it?" The blonde asks with a tilt of his head, his smile growing. "Being a king, I mean."

I flush hotly.

King makes a face at him, shifting on his pillow. He appears to be contemplating his answer before he shrugs. "It's alright."

My hopes fall. I wasn't sure what exactly I had been expecting the King of Fairies to say, but that certainly wasn't a very good selling point for Meliodas to stay with me.

"Harlequin!" Diane hisses as she pokes him sharply in the side.

"Ah, I mean, it's good?" He looks at Diane questionably, as if wondering if that was the right answer. She huffs, crossing her arms and looking away. King sighs, giving Meliodas his attention instead. "I don't know why you're asking me about that anyway. Being a king over humans and a king over fairies is completely different. Besides-"

A small smile crosses the fairy's face as he glances at me.

"-isn't being with Elizabeth the most important thing?"

And just like that, my hopes have risen once again. King gives me a small nod before looking back at Meliodas. The blonde remains quiet as everyone waits for his answer. Well except for one person.

"King!" Diane throws herself on top of Chastiefol, trapping King in what I hope is just a hug. "That was so sweet!"

"D-D-Diane!" The fairy struggles to say. He sounds like he's choking.

"Go get a room you two~," Ban drawls lazily.

Diane shoots him a scowl, but hops off the pillow, leaving behind a completely red faced King. He quickly ducks his face into his hooded vest, hiding everything up to his eyes.

"Anyways, why ya keeping us all waiting, Cap'n?" Ban quirks a brow at the small blonde. "I know for a fact that you disappeared last night to go and talk to Bartra cause of the things her sister said."

He did? That catches me by surprise. What did they have to talk about? And things my sister said? Does he mean Veronica?

Her carrying around the papers and 'talking' with father jump to the front of my mind. Had she been researching ways that I could marry Melidoas?

"So, what did the old man say?" Ban continues to prod the quiet Dragon. "We staying or not?"

"...well," Meliodas starts off, "that depends on one more person, doesn't it?"

His eyes meet mine and I freeze.

He couldn't… He didn't… did he?

"You know," Meliodas smiles wide as he walks up to me. He takes my hand in his. "I had this big romantic-"

Ban and King snort. Diane smacks them both upside the back of the head.

Meliodas laughs. "I really did!" He assures me, his grin growing. "Totally wasn't counting on you asking me to stay though. Throws a bit of a wrench into my plans."

Hope begins to well in my chest. "You mean…?"

He drops to one knee. One hand leaving mine to fish in his pocket. "Elizabeth, we've known each other for a few weeks, but it feels like a lifetime."

I giggle, unable to stop myself from shaking my head. "I feel the same." I confirm.

He'd told me the other night that I wasn't like Liz. And while I appreciated that, I knew we had the same soul. This body may have only known him for a few weeks. But my soul, my heart, has known him for far longer.

His grin grows. Meliodas pulls out a small box and pops it open. A tender expression settles over his features. Tears are already running down my face. It feels like it took us forever to get to this point and yet everything is moving so fast.

I can't find myself regretting any of it. Not the time that we've had together. Not the past life that set this whole thing in motion. It all lead up to this moment. It's been worth it. It's been just enough to get me here.

"Will you marry me, Elizabeth?"

A new journey laid before me.

And I was ready for it.

"Yes."

THE END

A/N: Whoa... I... I can't even gather my thoughts about finally posting this. I know it's been so long since my last update and I do apologize for that but I'm pretty sure the reason it took so long was because I knew this was the end. And I was dreading having to write the ending for this so I put it off. and put it off. and put it off. I let myself get distracted by other projects and just put this up on the shelf. I finally decided to dust it off last week and cranked out almost 5k words in a few day time span. This may not be my best chapter - but I'm proud of it.

I'm proud of finishing my first fanfiction story.

It may not be the first story I finished completely (that goes to Goldi) but it is the first one I started writing. This story was published back on 12/6/2015 that was the first chapter. Almost four fucking years ago. Whoa. My writing has developed as this story has and it's been a hell of a ride.

I'm going to stop now before I make myself cry. T-T

Thank you SO FUCKING MUCH to every single person who has shown their support for this story. From the new readers - to the old. I thank you. This may be the end of Destiny but it isn't the end of my writing. I hope to hear from you luvly people both here and maybe even on my other works. Thank you for the support readers, from the bottom of my heart.

This is Luv~ signing off.