Archer (Klein x Reader)

Chapter 18 - Reconciliation

Pulling yourselves down from the rooftop, you noticed that the sun was going down.

"(Y/N), where have you been staying the whole time?" Klein asked.

"Uh..." you replied. You didn't want to tell him that you haven't really slept since you left them in the cavern, not only because of situational insomnia, but also because you were scared of being PKed.

"Don't tell me you've been up on those rooftops the whole time," he said to you as you walked through town, people still giving you weird looks on account of you beating up Issin.

"Uh..." you replied once more.

"Okay, you're sleeping with me."

You gasped and slapped him across the face, leaving a temporary red mark.

"I didn't mean it like that, (Y/N)!" he exclaimed, grabbing his red cheek.

You laughed awkwardly.

"Sorry about that," you said. "Guess I'm still in a defensive mindset."

He just shook his head and chuckled as you both walked into the hotel.

"I'm just glad we're back together," he replied.

Walking into his hotel room, you looked out the window to see the final rays of the setting sun.

Taking off your cloak, bow, and armor, you threw yourself exhaustedly onto the bed. Klein laughed at you and propped his katana against the wall.

"I forgot how nice these felt," you said, burying your face into a pillow. "Even if it is virtual."

You felt the other side of the bed dip down, and lifted your head to see that Klein had joined you. He was wearing a t-shirt and a pair of shorts.

"Doesn't beat the real world though," he added.

You agreed with him, and then rolled over to face the ceiling.

"It's not as shocking as it used to be, being in here and all," you quietly said. "I still want to get back- but it's not like I'm as scared of this anymore..."

You were both quiet for a minute.

"You were scared?"

"Terrified," you replied.

"I never knew," he said, turning over to face the ceiling as well. "You didn't show it."

"Thank you," you said, slightly smiling.

He then reached under you, flipped you over, and then pulled you up onto his chest.

You stiffened from the movement, and then relaxed.

Keeping a hand on your lower back, he then began twisting strands of your (H/C) hair with his other hand as he closed his eyes.

"We'll all get out of here," he quietly said, rubbing circles on your back with his thumb. "When we do, you and I can go on real dates and then get married."

You blushed and smiled into his chest, then lifted your head as you realized something.

"But... I don't even know your real name," you said.

He opened his eyes, and then reached his hands up to hold yours.

"That's true- it's Tsuboi Ryoutarou," he said with a smile, moving your hands out to the side with his. "And yours?"

"(F/N) (L/N)," you said, making a quick mental note of his name.

Tsuboi Ryoutarou.

You rested your chin on his chest.

"(F/N) (L/N)," he repeated, emphasizing each syllable. "So you used your real name for SAO."

You then closed your eyes and turned your head to the side to lay it flat on his chest, pretending you could hear his heart beat.

~~(Timeskip)~~

You woke up to see the inn room bathed in the orange morning sunlight. Klein and you were still in the same position as last night, and you moved your head slightly to look at him.

He was facing the ceiling with his mouth open, a slight snore escaping his mouth every once in a while. His headband had slid down over one of his eyes, and his hair was spikier than normal.

You quietly giggled at his appearance, not wanting to wake him.

His eyes fluttered open and landed on you.

"What are you laughing at?" he drowsily asked with a crooked smile.

You just smiled and shook your head, then reached up and moved his headband up to its usual position.

Klein sat up and moved you onto his lap.

"Don't run off again, please, (Y/N)," he said in a husky morning voice, wrapping his arms around you. "I need to know that you're okay."

You nodded.

"If I disappear again, I can guarantee it won't be my doing," you replied.

You closed your eyes and pressed your lips to his, causing him to pull you closer and press back against your lips. As he smiled into the kiss, he began gently biting your lower lip. Surprised, you gasped and he took the opportunity to deepen the kiss. Your trembling hands trailed up his chest, around the back of his neck, and into his roan hair.

The two of you were suddenly interrupted by a knock at the door.

Parting, you looked at him wide-eyed and blushed. As he got up to go to the door with a smile, you remained on the bed gasping for air.

You watched as Kunimittz, another guild member, poked his head in the doorway, and began speaking to Klein.

"Are we going to the front lines today?'

"Uh..." Klein replied, running a hand through his hair. "We can."

Kunimittz looked into the room and saw you sitting on the bed.

"Hey! (Y/N)!" he exclaimed. "You're back!"

"Let's hope there's no problems this time," you said with a smile.

"Wait a sec," Kunimittz said, putting his hands up. "Were you guys just... I'm really sorry!"

You quickly jumped off of the bed.

"No! We weren't doing anything like that!" you awkwardly responded, feeling your face heating up.

Klein was laughing the entire time.

"Don't laugh!" you said to Klein, lightly slapping him across the arm.