XElenea
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MT - 56 Kiss
🕑 Added 2024-12-18 06:23:04 +0000 UTCAsuna's mind was in complete turmoil, her heart racing uncontrollably. The phrase butterflies in her stomach had never felt so fitting. Roy pointed toward the bright moon outside the window, his gaze lifting to the sparkling stars above. In a rare shift from his usual carefree demeanor, he spoke in a low, magnetic voice:
"Why not think of these years as part of a journey—our journey? Everything we're experiencing is something no one else ever will. Since we can't change reality, why not try embracing it?"
Her cheeks burned crimson, her head spinning. His words felt like a melody, soothing and enchanting. Roy's voice was softer than she had ever heard it, his usual frivolity replaced by a steady reliability that caught her off guard.
Or perhaps, it was this version of him that was truly captivating.
Roy's gaze drifted downward, landing on her face. Her delicate features were so close—her cherry blossom-like lips, long lashes, and those mesmerizing chestnut eyes. Everything about her in that moment was irresistibly alluring.
A surge of emotion overtook him, and he wrapped an arm around her slender waist. The faint fragrance of her hair, the softness of her presence—it all blurred his thoughts.
Under the radiant moonlight, in the quiet stillness of the night, on the white sheets of the bed, what would happen next seemed inevitable.
Asuna's lashes quivered lightly, and overwhelmed by shyness, she closed her eyes.
Roy leaned in, teasingly nibbling on her earlobe. His playful whisper sent a shiver down her spine. "Asuna, you're such a tease. Closing your eyes like that—what are you expecting?"
Her heart, which had been overflowing with tenderness and longing, sank at his words. Embarrassment quickly gave way to frustration and indignation.
He was always like this, wasn't he? Stirring her emotions only to pull away.
Biting her lip, Asuna tried to suppress the growing ache in her chest. She opened her eyes, intending to retort, but before she could speak, Roy's lips claimed hers.
Warmth. Soft, heated, and utterly overwhelming.
The words she had been ready to say melted away. The tender pressure of his lips was the final straw, breaking down the last remnants of her defenses.
Asuna found herself responding instinctively, drawn into the moment. For Roy, a fierce sense of possessiveness welled up inside him. He fought to keep it in check as his gaze lingered on her flushed, innocent face, her delicate features glowing in the moonlight.
He took a deep breath, pushing her gently onto the bed. His lips trailed along her cheek, and his eyes shone with a quiet adoration as he looked at her.
"I'll stay here tonight."
Asuna hesitated for a moment but then nodded, not refusing him.
Could she even say no in a moment like this?
Roy held her close, lying side by side on the bed. The warmth of her body against his and the softness of the mattress beneath them quickened his heartbeat.
Heat surged through him, making it difficult to keep his composure. But he paused, considering the situation. It wasn't the right time—not yet. Their relationship hadn't reached that point, and he could sense that Asuna wasn't ready.
Every subtle brush of his fingers against her skin made her body tense ever so slightly.
With a resigned sigh, Roy decided to slow down. "Haste makes waste."
Asuna, too, was conflicted. While she trusted Roy, his boldness had pushed the boundaries of her comfort. She wasn't ready to cross that line—not yet.
She knew Roy could be impulsive, but the thought of giving herself to him entirely left her feeling a twinge of regret.
Sensing her unease, Roy stilled his teasing gestures. Instead, he tightened his embrace, holding her closer.
Asuna's cheeks flushed again at the unexpected tenderness, though she noticed that he made no further moves.
She exhaled softly, relieved yet inexplicably disappointed.
Neither of them slept. Asuna lay with her eyes closed, her long lashes fluttering occasionally, betraying the fact that she was still wide awake.
Roy stared blankly at the wall.
Under the soft glow of the moonlight, he could see it clearly: the wall was a pristine white, adorned with the carving of a single crimson rose.
For reasons he couldn't explain, the vibrant, seductive rose seemed almost alive, its vivid hue brimming with an otherworldly allure.
Neither he nor Asuna spoke. The room was filled only with the sound of their breaths and the rhythmic beating of their hearts.
Time trickled by. The chatter from the streets outside gradually faded, the creak of shop doors closing punctuated the quiet, and the dim yellow streetlights cast their glow over the distant roads.
Enjoying this rare tranquility with Asuna in his arms, Roy felt a strange, surreal sense of disbelief.
Not long ago, they had been something more than friends, but not quite lovers. Now, it was as though they'd shattered that boundary, their relationship progressing rapidly.
The night passed in silence.
When dawn's soft light kissed Roy's cheek, his lashes trembled briefly before his eyes fluttered open. The spot beside him was empty.
Sitting up abruptly, he scanned the room, his heart racing. Then, he caught sight of Asuna's figure in the kitchen.
Letting out a sigh of relief, he got to his feet and opened his inventory to quickly switch his outfit.
Roy's chosen attire was a loose, flowing robe—not particularly rare in terms of stats, nor impressive in bonuses, but its design had a certain charm.
It resembled the medieval knight uniforms, primarily white with subtle black accents along the edges.
Dressed in this outfit, Roy's demeanor seemed to shift. He exuded a sharper, more polished presence that left a strong first impression.
After tidying his slightly messy hair, he made his way to the kitchen. Though their inn room was modest, it was well-equipped. Watching Asuna work diligently at the stove, a smile tugged at his lips. Quietly, he crept up behind her and, without warning, wrapped his arms around her waist.
Asuna froze mid-action, then turned to glare at him, exasperated. With a quick swat, she smacked his mischievous hands away.
Scooping the fried egg from the pan onto a plate, she huffed, "You're awake? Good. Go eat."
Roy chuckled, nodding obediently.
After breakfast, their next destination was inevitable: the fields outside the town. It was time for their daily grind—fighting monsters and leveling up.
Time, as it always does, slipped by unnoticed.
Days turned into weeks, weeks into months. The rhythm of their lives—combat, leveling, and occasional moments of playful intimacy—formed a steady cycle.
In what felt like no time at all, the group of four—Roy, Asuna, Kirito, and Misumi—had already conquered the 30th floor.
For those struggling on the lower floors, the rapid pace at which new levels were unlocked didn't go unnoticed.
Even the higher-level players took note. It didn't take much investigation for them to identify the culprits.
Four young players.
Two men, two women.
Every boss on every floor cleared thus far? Defeated by them.
