Klein(SAO)x Reader

Chapter Thirteen

Floundering out of the dungeon, I pull a teleport crystal from a sack on my waist and teleport us all to the neighboring settlement on this floor. We get treatment for the troop there, and eventually, it's just me and Klein again out on the fields. The domains on this floor remind me of the first floor, around the Town of Beginnings. 

"This place bringing back memories?" I giggle, out of breath from transferring the men. Klein nods, grinning to himself. Then, I remember that Klein had been trying to say something before we had to leave. "Oh, wait. You were trying to say something before we left for the boss. Do you wanna tell me now?" His cheeks revert to burning red, and his eyes dawdle to the ground. 

Why does this always happen to him? He always blushes when he tries to tell me something, and it's probably important.

"Klein, if there's something bothering you, I hope you know you can tell me anything. It won't hurt my feelings or lower my opinion of you. Trust me." I beam, and his eyes lift a little, and he scratches the back of his neck self-consciously. 

"Uh, I- it's not that I don't trust you, I really do. It's just um, that I uh--okay. Skylar, I like--" He stammers, but is interrupted by footsteps pounding on the dirt road behind me.

"Hey, guys! Long time no see!" I whirl around, nearly slamming into Asuna, my friend I had met on floor thirty-seven, running up and winding her arms around me. I totter back under her weight, laughing a little. 

"Hey, Asuna. It's good to see you again! Hey, I thought you liked to travel with Kirito?" I indicate to the blank space where Kirito would usually stand. Klein and I have always known there's something between them, but they would never admit it, and we like to tease them about it.

"Oh, he's out with another group. Probably being an idiot like always," she responds, slightly annoyed, letting go of me, "but enough about him. I was so worried about you in the boss room! What were you thinking of? Taking the boss on all by yourself?" She lectures, putting her fists on her hips and leaning towards me threateningly.

"Uh, actually, part of the group got locked in there, and they managed to send a message to Klein, and we made it there, but the guys were injured. Klein got them out of there, and I fought the boss one on one," I pause, rubbing the back of my head nervously, "and I kind of almost...maybe....died? B-but I'm okay!" I frantically shake my hands in front of my face, but they do no good, and she practically swaddles me once again, stroking my hair like a little kid. I mutter to myself as she starts rambling about how I should be more careful and that I was going to be okay, I think indignantly to myself; 

I'm probably older than you.

She finally lets go of me and then turns to Klein. "Where were you, huh? You couldn't have gone back inside to help her? Yeesh!"

"I-I was making sure everyone was okay! And Skylar was being awesome and raging with her sword, so I couldn't step in, or I would get sliced by her, and not just the boss!" He blurts, looking frantic. After a moment, I can't help but break into a fit of giggles. Both of them turn to me questioningly.

"I was being 'awesome and raging'? That's not something I hear every day! Most of the time, it's just raging in real life!" I laugh, and Asuna laughs quietly. When I look to Klein from my laughing fit, I see him blushing like crazy. I stop my fit and raise an eyebrow at him. "What's wrong? Not used to being complimented for complimenting people? Maybe I should compliment you more often?" 

"N-no! I mean, that would be nice, but it's not that! Well, it kind of is, but---"

"It's fine." I interfere since he starts to look flustered and disorganized. "I was just teasing." His face stays the same crimson color, and Asuna starts looking smug. This time I'm the one turning questioningly. When she sees my face, she laughs.