Archer (Klein x Reader)

Chapter 7 - Don't Change

"Alright," Klein boomed next to you, "what's the info?"

Issin stepped forward slightly to speak.

"My group spoke with some info brokers. They said that there's a town outside of the floor three front lines that grants guildships."

A couple of men behind him nodded.

So, you had no choice but to go through floor three anyways.

"That's pretty much the information we got from an NPC," Klein said. "I guess we can get going then."

Along the way, you worked with your sword more to get the hang of using it. At first, it was rather awkward, but then the skill started falling into place.

You had just killed your fourth warthog that day, and exhaustedly smiled as the statistics popped up once more.

Feeling a hand land on your left shoulder, you turned to see Klein smiling down at you.

"You catch on quickly, don't you, (Y/N)?"

You shrugged.

He walked off, throwing his arms across two other men's shoulders and laughing.

Issin walked up beside you.

"He likes you," he spoke quietly.

You turned to look at him, mouth slightly agape. He glanced at you, almost as if he were amused by your reaction, then walked off to join the others.

You had not really given thought to Klein like that. You obviously regarded him as a friend, but more...? It would be something you needed to think about. It was so abrupt the way Issin said it, that it quite frankly scared you.

You decided to play it off like it never happened. Maybe that was best.

You ran to catch up to the group.

~~(Timeskip)~~

Once in the new town, you looked around. It essentially had the same layout as the previous town you were in, so it was not difficult to navigate through.

You began walking to the town square, kind of wanting to simply rest your legs and think through things while sitting.

"Hey, (Y/N)!" you heard Klein's voice call from behind you. You turned around and smiled to him.

"Uh, hey, Klein!" you replied awkwardly as Issin's words on Klein popped into your mind.

Klein's eyes widened and he lightly grabbed your hand.

"Are you okay, (Y/N)?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" you questioned, pulling your hand from his.

"Well," he said placing a hand on the back of his neck, "you've never really greeted me with a smile before..."

"I didn't realize you noticed that," you quietly spoke.

He turned bright red.

"I DIDN'T MEAN TO BE CREEPY!"

You laughed.

"I didn't find it creepy. It was more of a realization for myself. Thanks," you replied.

You turned away from Klein to continue walking to the town square.

Finding a vacant bench, you sat down on the boards to rest and think.

So, Issin says Klein likes me. Klein probably likes a lot of girls though. Issin also seemed amused by my reaction to his statement. Maybe he told Klein? No, he couldn't have told Klein- otherwise, he would have acted strangely. I need to figure out if I'm more than just another girl to Klein...

A large figure plopped down on the bench next to you, causing you to slightly jump.

You looked at the figure to see Klein. He seemed to be in deep thought as well.

"(Y/N), when you said that you not greeting me happily often was a realization for yourself, what did you mean by that?"

"Well, I've never been good at making friends, probably because I used to push people away. I suppose it makes sense that I should start being friendlier to make friends." you explained.

"You shouldn't change!" he exploded.

You furrowed your eyebrows in irritation.

"Why can't I?"

"Because you don't need to!"

"That doesn't even make sense, Klein!" you slightly yelled.

He closed his eyes briefly.

"Look, you're fine just the way you are! I know what I'm coming from, because I like you the way you are! A lot!"

His pupils were dilated at this point.

You felt your cheeks growing warm.

"You don't have to change for people to like you! You didn't change, and I like you!"

You stared down at your hands in your lap. By this time, you knew you were bright red, and you felt like everyone in the square was staring at the two of you.

He lightly held your chin and turned your head to face him.

"Am I not enough?" he said with a weary tone in his voice.

And then, he kissed you.