Ready Player: START (Parzival x Reader)

Wish I Could Turn Back Time

You, Aech, and Parzival were hanging out in Aech's workshop. He was busy building his own things, and you and Parzival tagged along. You were nonchalantly sitting in one of the chairs and reminiscing memories, apparently, you were reminiscing them a little too loud because Parzival asked, "what's wrong?" you jerked your head up to see Parzival sitting in another chair looking at you in concern, "that's like the fifth time you've sighed in the past thirty seconds."

"Oh," you looked away from him in embarrassment, "it's nothing."

Parzival stood up and dragged his chair over to sit next to you, "what's up?" you fought to keep the blush down from your face. You were touched by how much he seemed to care for you.

"Just reminiscing," you explained, "everything's just going so fast. It's kind of crazy to say, but I kind of wish that we could just take a moment to stop. Calm down." You sighed, "take time for ourselves, you know?" you looked over to Parzival. "We met Artemis and then the next thing you know we've got the first key, IOI's everywhere, more so than before. It's been years since anything big has happened, and now, everything is happening." You mused and let your gaze fall onto the wall in front of you.

"Yeah," Parzival nodded, "I get it."

You smiled and looked at him, "remember when we first met?"

He looked almost shocked at your question, "of course I do." He also sighed and slouched in his chair, "still don't understand why you decided to save me."

You lightly punched his shoulder, "that's because I'm magical. I knew you'd be an amazing friend." Parzival laughed and you laughed with him, "honestly, I'm surprised I didn't die in that moment too."

"What?" he gasped, "no way! You were so confident!"

You gave him a wink, "fake it 'til you make it!"

✧✧✧

You wielded your rapier and rushed in. It was poised straight at the heart of the giant beast that was about to smash the fallen player on the ground. You didn't know why, but some strange impulse told you to go in and save the person, even though you had never met him before. Luckily, your aim was true and it pierced easily through the beast, causing it to burst into a flurry of glowing sparkles and for the drop to appear in your inventory.

You turned around and held a hand out for the fallen player. He didn't move, but instead just stared up at you in shock. "Are you just going to sit there?" you questioned sassily, "I'm not going to wait here all day for you to get to your feet."

"I, uhm," he grabbed your hand and you pulled him up to his feet, "I had that." He mumbled.

"Sure," you rolled your eyes and crossed your arms, "because 'having it' means getting killed."

He cleared his throat, "thanks. But I," his eyes darted to the side, you followed his gaze, but nothing seemed to be there, "I don't clan."

You scoffed, "I wasn't going to ask you to clan anyway. I don't clan either."

His eyes widened slightly in surprise, and he seemed to get a little friendlier, "maybe we can be, not-a-clan-ers together?"

You smiled, "sure." You held out a hand for him to shake, "(g/t)."

He shook it and smiled back, "Parzival."

"Pleasure to meet you." You gave him a brighter grin which he returned.

"Same to you."

✧✧✧

"Don't you sometimes wish life could go back to that way?" you mused and looked at your crush best friend. He had a faraway look in his bright blue eyes, and in the low-light it almost made them gleam brighter.