Archer (Klein x Reader)

Chapter 9 - First Watch

It had been four months since Klein kissed you in the town outside the level three front lines. Since then, the two of you had become much closer.

You all managed to get through level three without any scratches, thanks to your information on the boss's attack patterns- allowing for Klein's guild to become official. The group agreed on the name 'Fuurinkazan,' which translated to 'Wind, Woods, Fire and Mountain.'

You still turned down the group's offer to join their guild.

By this point, you were all at level 27. You were somewhat closer with all of the men now, and things weren't as awkward as before. They understood your terms.

You were all traveling through a forest when it became nighttime.

"Do you guys want to stop here for the night? We can take turns keeping watch," Klein loudly suggested.

Everyone nodded.

Placing your bow on your back, you turned and climbed a tree to try to get a good vantage point to see how close the nearest town was.

Purging your head through the tree leaves, you looked to see dim lights in the distance. Way too far.

You heard yelling below you and looked back down to see them all looking and pointing at you. You slightly waved and then climbed back down.

"The nearest town is too far for one night," you stated as you reached the bottom of the tree. "I'll take first watch."

"I'll stay up with you," Klein said. Knowing he wouldn't take no, you simply nodded. The other men exhaustedly moved to find a soft patch of grass.

Pulling yourself up onto the lowest branch of the tree you climbed earlier, you turned around to see Klein struggling. You moved his hand to a better place to grab to pull himself up next to you, then sat down.

He sat down facing the opposite direction from you towards the open forest in a huffing and puffing mess. You stifled a laugh.

"I don't know how you even manage to do that," he whispered. You smiled and shrugged as you looked at the forms of the sleeping men below.

The two of you sat in silence for a couple of hours. You took the time to assess your current situation.

Although you were comfortable with the men, you were worried that you were becoming too attached. You liked Klein- that you were sure of. If you needed to escape were you really sure that you would be able to? It was an option you didn't really want to consider, but with all the recent player killings, and the fact that you were a known beta tester, you didn't want to endanger everyone else. But it's not like you could slip out unnoticed anyways. That's why you didn't want to join a guild. If you "disappeared," there would be no data of you ever connecting with them unless they took in-game pictures of you. Less complications.

It was then you noticed Klein staring at you.

"Are you okay?" he quietly asked.

You nodded.

"Just thinking. That's all," you replied.

He turned his gaze back to the forest.

"Was it about the real world?" he asked.

"Kind of," you whispered back. It wasn't entirely false- if they stayed alive, they could go back to the real world.

"I was just thinking about that too."

You were both silent for a minute, and Klein lightly grabbed your hand.

"If we ever get out of here," he said, gesturing to the virtual forest with his free hand, "Let's meet in the real world. I mean, we each know what we look like. Let's go on real dates."

You widely smiled, held his hand a little tighter, and nodded quickly.

"Yes," you whispered back.

He smiled equally as large.

Then you remembered your previous thoughts and laid your head on Klein's shoulder, as if in defeat of yourself.