Within the Death Game (SAO; Kirito X Reader)

The Hellbeasts

(Your POV)

"Kirito, what happened back there? Why'd you say things like that?" You and Kirito had walked in silence, and you were at the entrance of Floor Two. You stopped, causing him to stop, too.

"I had to," was all he said. He avoided your gaze. Your shook your head, your eyebrows creased.

"Had to? What do you mean?"

"I had to. I had to take the hostility off of the other Beta Testers." Shock filled you. He would go through so much trouble, just to help people he didn't even know?

"Kirito..." you began. You reached out to put a hand on his shoulder, but he had started moving again, not giving you a chance.

"Let's just keep moving. We need to get to the first town." Many words left unsaid, you closed your mouth and began following Kirito again.

It seemed like a lifetime before the first village came into view. You thought it was odd that you hadn't encountered any monsters, but you didn't complain. By that time, Kirito seemed to have put the events from earlier that day behind him.

"I didn't spend much time on this floor during the Beta. I don't really know my way around the town. We'll have to use a map."

"That's okay," you reassured him, looking around at the buildings.

Your friend merely shrugged. "I suppose," was all he said. You looked down, scuffing your feet across the ground's pavement. You desperately wished you could cheer him up somehow. You figured it out when you turned into the town's main Plaza.

Glancing at Kirito, you ran off, to a small stand. You didn't know why, but you were surprised they even had this in SAO. Buying two, you ran back to your companion, who had just noticed you ran off.

"Here," you said, handing the item to him. "I bought this for you." Kirito looked surprised. Reaching out his hand, he took the ice cream cone from your hand.

"T-thanks," he stammered. He raised it to his mouth before giving it a tentative lick. His eyes widened. "It's delicious!" Kirito exclaimed, before taking another bite. You smiled, beginning to eat your own treat. Both cones soon vanished, and you licked some leftover ice cream from your finger. Kirito appeared to be in a better mood.

Gently tugging on your arm, he led you through the town, using a map he pulled up. "There's a nice place over on the edge of town. We could go there to spend the next few nights." Kirito looked up from the hologram, and at you. "Does that sound good?"

You nodded. "That sounds great. So, where is it?"

The boy looked down at the map once more. "Um... It's this way. Follow me." Leading you by the arm, Kirito led you through the Safezone.

After rounding a few more corners he paused, looking around. "It should be nearby here," he said, letting go of your sleeve.

Peering around the bright area, you watched NPC's walk up and down the street. Crossing your arms, you said, "You know what? Let's buy a room, then do a mission. I haven't done any yet."

Kirito smiled at you. "That sounds like a great idea. Let's hurry and find this place so we can get to that, okay?"

"Oh, there it is!" You pointed at a building at the end of the street. It looked like a log cabin, with an old-time sign swinging from chains at the doorway. Gengook's Cabin.

Excitedly, you ran off towards it, leaving Kirito to chase after you.

You skidded to a halt at the wooden stairs, panting slightly. "Looks cozy," you commented as your friend arrived beside you. Glancing at him, you climbed the stairs and pushed your way inside. The room was warm, with a river stone fireplace in the back, a fire crackling inside it. Wooden tables lined up at the building's edges, with polished oak chairs to accompany them. At the center of the floor, an animal skin rug lay stretched out. You spotted the clerk, who was standing by a table, washing it with circular motions. She looked up with a friendly smile as you and Kirito approached.