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Meliodas and Dreyfus walked away from the castle together after their shifts were over. Meliodas rolled his shoulders to work some of the tension out of them. "I don't know about you, but I could use a drink."
"Are you sure you should be drinking?" Dreyfus looked down at him with a raised eyebrow.
"Bet I could drink you under the table." Meliodas smirked. This was going to be fun to watch.
"I'll take that bet." Dreyfus laughed. This little shit thought he could drink him under the table? Not likely.
They came to a fork in the road and Meliodas took off to the right, following the road to the tavern he frequented, Dreyfus following behind. "You really think a kid like you could drink me under the table?" Dreyfus asked still chuckling.
"I keep telling you, I'm not a kid. If this is what it takes to convince you, I'm fine with it. I'm just glad Bartra bought it after I kicked your brother's ass."
"That's the leader of the Holy Knights you're talking about."
"Doesn't change facts."
"Why is it you're guarding an infant then? It would make more sense to have you on the frontlines."
"Because I'm the only one who can. Besides, frontlines? We're not at war right now."
"Something destroyed Danafor. How do we know whatever it was isn't coming here next. The King has had visions of a Holy War as well."
Meliodas walked to the door of the tavern and opened the door. "Trust me, you don't want me on the frontlines of a Holy War." 'Been there, done that, got the curse to prove it.' He added to himself. The last thing he wants is another Holy War.
He held the door for Dreyfus and followed him in. "Why is that?" Dreyfus asked.
Meliodas laughed. "Sorry, pal, you've gotta be a level 10 friend or higher to unlock that backstory."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means you're not going to get that answer."
Meliodas walked up to the bar and took a seat. He really liked the feel of the place. It was pretty busy tonight, which he was sure the tavern owner appreciated. He'd appreciate the good chunk of gold that Meliodas was going to fork over for the debt he owes him.
"Meliodas, my boy, how are you tonight?" The tavern owner made his way over to where he was sitting.
Meliodas grinned at him. "I'm doing well. How are you today, Urien?"
"Oh same as usual. Getting too old to work this bar. I should hire someone. Either of you up for the job?"
"Appreciate it, but we've both got a job that keeps us busy seven days a week." Meliodas replied.
"Apparently not busy enough if you've got the time to sit around here and drink up all my ale." Urien grumbled.
"I'm your best paying customer." Meliodas smirked.
"When you actually pay me." Urien raised an eyebrow. The boy was usually pretty good about paying his tab, but the past couple of days he'd been short when it came closing time.
"Speaking of, I have the money I owe you. If you want to be a stubborn ass, I can hold on to it."
"I know where you sleep." Urien glared at him.
"Only because you're the one renting me the room."
"Wait, you live here?" Dreyfus asked, looking between the two.
"Upstairs."
"Not for long if you don't give me that money."
"You'll get your money when I get a drink." Meliodas grinned at the old man.
Urien started pouring his ale, and turned his attention to Dreyfus. "What can I get for you, sir?"
"I'll have the same. He thinks he can out drink me." Dreyfus said, an arrogant smirk on his face as he looks over at Meliodas.
"You sure you want to take that bet? In the short time I've known him, I've learned not to bet against Mel here. Especially if it seems like an easy win." Urien set his mug in front of him.
"Shut up, Urien. I'm still trying to figure out what I want when I win." Meliodas smirked over the rim of his drink. "First round is on me, then your on your own, Dreyfus." Draining his drink he motioned to Urien for another.
"Better catch up while you can. If he gets too far ahead of you, you'll never beat him. The little bastard could only drink quicker if he unhinged his jaw." Urien gave Dreyfus another drink too.
"Hey, old man, what's taking so long? I need another drink!" A guy from the end of the bar yelled.
"Just leave the bottle and go take care of your customers." Meliodas said with a glare down the bar.
"Bloody impatient, they are." Urien grumbled before setting a full bottle on the bar and walking down to the other end.
Meliodas turned in his seat to look out at the crowd. It was a rowdy bunch tonight. Mainly men, needing to take the edge off after working all day. This place made sense. At least, to Meliodas it did. He imagined what Urien's life must be like. Waking up every morning and having coffee with his wife, making sure everything was stocked and clean for that night's service. With the exception of a few rowdy customers here or there, it seemed like a peaceful life. One that he wanted. "I'm going to be a tavern owner one day."
"A holy knight/tavern owner? Have you ever heard of such a thing?" Dreyfus snorted into his third drink. He took Urien's warning to heart. Good.
"No. But the world has never seen anything quite like me either. Besides, the Holy Knight thing will come to an end at some point, and one thing I've learned over the years is always have a contingency plan." He reached for the bottle that was left for them and popped the cork. He took a long drink straight from the bottle. Dreyfus raised an eyebrow at him. "Oh, this was just for me. You're gonna have to get him back over here if you want any more."
Urien had made his way back down the bar to them, and Dreyfus motioned for another drink. "So, Urien, Meliodas here wants to be a tavern owner, do you have any advice?"
"Oh is that so?" Urien asked with a glance at Meliodas.
"Yup. A version of your life is what I aspire to." Meliodas gave him a wide grin.
"Well, first, you'll have to find a woman crazy enough to settle down with you, and if you're lucky she'll be your first waitress." Urien gave him a doubtful look.
"Well that's going to be complicated." Meliodas said, taking another drink. He knew the next question and while he can dodge Dreyfus' questions with a ridiculous nonanswer, Urien deserved an answer after everything he's done for him.
"Well you look like you're twelve, of course it's going to be complicated!" Urien exclaimed.
Meliodas let out a startled laugh. He hadn't seen the shot coming. "If I had a gold coin for every time I've heard some variation of that, I'd be sitting pretty for the rest of my long life."
"Pretty enough to buy you a wife, if need be." Urien quipped.
"If I'm going to be taking this sort of abuse, I'm going to need something stronger. Shots! Charge me for ten." Meliodas placed his hands on the bar, and turned to Dreyfus. "How many do you want?"
Dreyfus' eyes went wide. "What?"
"How many shots do you want? You've gotta try to keep up with me."
"How are you not drunk already?" Dreyfus asked. He'd seen him down two bottles, at least, but he didn't seem the slightest bit buzzed.
Meliodas gave him a droll stare. "This is why you'll never be a level ten friend, Dreyfus." He threw back the shots he'd ordered one at a time. "And this is why you're paying my tab. Told you I could out drink you."