Self Pleasures

This story is garbage. So those of you who expect quality work from me, unfortunately, won't get it here.

This is a challenge I took on based on the title. Sorry for any misinformation/ooc. I'm inept when it comes to writing current manga AUs. This is also highly influenced by someone who writes a million times better than me.

-Self Pleasures-

Elizabeth eyes the cobblestone road beneath her feet with trepidation. She's heading to the small town she and the Sins stopped by in seek of a bookshop. Of course, she wouldn't be so worried if she actually knew the name of the book she was told to pick out.

She'd asked Diane for a little help with cooking, since Ban was missing with Meliodas. The two were outside at a table filled with sweets and a pitcher of lemonade Diane may have taken from Ban's freshly made stock, when Elizabeth brought up her question.

"Oh, Elizabeth, I'm so glad you came to me for help! I know a lot about cooking! You know roasted pork is one of my favorite things to make!" Diane had gushed with a glazed look in her amethyst eyes.

Smiling weakly as she'd swear she had heard Hawk squeal somewhere in dismay, Elizabeth hoped to calm her enthusiastic friend down just a bit. "While that's really nice, Diane, I think I would like to start off a bit smaller. Maybe with a book? Do you know of any that could help?"

Diane had given a little pout before picking up a perfectly made peach muffin that had brought the smile right back to her face. "That's no fun... I don't know much about the books humans have, so that might be a better question asked for Merlin."

Elizabeth had sighed, then taken a sip of the delicious lemonade.

Diane was quick to wave her free hand to try and ward off Elizabeth's lackluster mood. "Wait! I may not know much about their books, but I'm sure I heard Ban mention something to the Captain once when he tried to teach him about cooking."

Elizabeth's hands had clasped together in delight. "Really?" The idea of possibly using a book Meliodas had before had given her warm fluttery feelings.

"Yep! I remember it taught one about all the pleasures food can bring when cooked right. I'm sure it was called-"

At the naming of the book, Elizabeth's eyes had unfortunately been drawn to something over Diane's shoulder. It was Meliodas returning from the forest in nothing but a pair of white pants and black boots carrying the slain carcass of his apparent catch across his shoulder. It had been a hot morning, the reason for Elizabeth's sun dress. But something about seeing Meliodas in such a state, as she had many times before, talking animatedly over his shoulder to Ban had caused Diane's words to become a distant hum.

Elizabeth had slipped into a dazed state of gazing intently at the blond until he'd disappeared from view.

That's when Diane's voice had returned to her slightly concerned. "You okay there, Elizabeth? Your face is all red."

Elizabeth was quick to blink, shaking of the feeling that had overcome her as quickly as it came. "No, I'm fine! It's just, um, the heat."

Diane had stared at her uncertain for a moment. "Well, alright... Did you get the name of the book?"

Elizabeth had not. But she felt too embarrassed to say that aloud and more importantly the reason why. So she'd been quick to rise with a grateful smile and red cheeks. "Yes, Diane, I did. Thanks so much for the, uh, help. I'll just be going to town now to try and find it!"

Of course, now as she pushes into the bookshop's doors she almost wishes she'd gone back and told the truth. Inside she's immediately greeted by the sense of calm, quite, and the charming scent of parchment. There are rows of shelves for her to wander through, nothing like the ones she's seen in the castle's library by any means. But the way this shop is set up, with quaint little tables here and there, big windows to bring in light, and strings of colorful beads going in arcs across the roof, gives the place a very homey feel.