Heathcliff: I understand the situation. Now I just have to explain it to the rest of the guild.

Me and Asuna were currently standing in front of Heathcliff, reporting our case about Kuradeel.

Heathcliff: I understand the situation. Now I just have to explain it to the rest of the guild.

Asuna: Also, we'd like a temporary leave of absence from the guild.

Heathcliff raised his eyebrow from this request.

Heathcliff: Really? Why?

Asuna: We have concerns with the current state of the guild, and we need time to think.

Heathcliff closed his eyes in thought.

Heathcliff: Very well.

Me and Asuna both looked at each smiling.

Heathcliff: Although...

We turned our attention back to Heathcliff, who had a smile on his face.

Heathcliff: I'm positive you won't stay away from the battlefield for long.

We both stood there in silence. He put his hands together.

Heathcliff: Is there anything else?

Asuna: No sir.

Heathcliff: Very well then.

With that Me and Asuna both left the room. When we walked out the door, I leaned my back against a wall.

U/n: That wasn't ominous at all.

Asuna: At least we got our leave of absence.

I nodded in agreement, still though. I can't help but feel that he's hiding something.

U/n: Hey, Asuna? Can I ask you something?

She looks at me.

Asuna: Sure.

U/n: Do you ever get the feeling; Heathcliff might be hiding something?

Asuna: What do you mean by that?

I crossed my arms and stared at Asuna.

U/n: It's hard to explain, but I feel like he's hiding something. Ever since our fight, I just have this feeling, like he's got some big secret.

Asuna: U/n you're thinking too much into this, maybe the commander got lucky. It was all just a fluke, next time you'll get him for sure. Until then...

Asuna comes up to me and cups my face with her hands.

Asuna: Let's enjoy our time together.

I nodded at her, taking my hand I placed on top of one of her hands. I looked at her lovingly.

U/n: I'm so lucky to have you met you.

Asuna: As do I.

We continued to look at each, not looking away once. We both started to slowly move towards each other, our lips getting closer and closer. At last, our lips touch. Asuna wraps her arms around my neck as I had my hands on her hips.

We stood there and continued to kiss. A few seconds have passed, and we broke away from the kiss. We smiled at each other.

Asuna: I love you, U/n.

U/n: I love you too, Asuna.

We both walked down the hallway, hand in hand.

Asuna: Where to?

U/n: Floor 22, to buy our home.

(Timeskip)

October 25, 2024 Floor 22

We arrived on Floor 22 through the teleport gate. The whole floor was filled with trees. In the distance was a wooden path that leads into the woods.

Asuna looked around the area with stars in her eyes.

Asuna: It's so pretty.

She runs forward and stops right in a middle of a field, taking in the scenery. I followed Asuna who continues to walk towards the path. The birds in the tree started chirping almost like they're greeting us.

Asuna sees me lagging behind and quickly ran back to me.

Asuna: Come on Slow poke!

She grabs my hand and practically drags me along with her. The sun's rays hit her hair making it glisten, her smile brings warmth in my chest.

I'm head over heels for this girl. At first, we didn't like each other that much. And yet here we are, married and about to buy a house.

Asuna: There you are again, zoning out.

I snapped out of my thoughts and looked at Asuna sheepishly.

U/n: Sorry.

We continued walking on the wooden path, after a few seconds of walking, we arrived in front of a large lake. It glistens from the rays of the sun

Asuna: I never seen a lake this huge in SAO! It's so pretty.

U/n: Pretty neat, huh? We're almost there. Just keep following the path.

We continued on down the as Asuna skipped along the way while humming a tone.

After a few seconds we came to a small clearing in the forest. In that clearing stood a large wooden cabin that was surrounded by trees.

Asuna's eyes widened in surprise and happiness at the sight of the cabin. I took her hand into mine and led her over to the cabin.

Reaching close to the cabin, a little menu popped up saying if we want to purchase the cabin for 500,000 Col. It tells us to place our hand on it for purchase.

U/n: This is really expensive. Oh, well.

I was about to place my hand on the little menu until Asuna rested her hand on top of mine. I looked at her and saw a wide smile on her face as well as some tears in the corners of her eyes.

I smiled and nodded at Asuna. Together we placed our hands on top of the menu and just like that, the cabin is ours.

A blue like barrier that kept us out of the cabin soon came down allowing us to enter.

Asuna: How first house together, I can't believe it. It's like a dream come true.

I grabbed Asuna's hand and led her over to the stairs. We walked up the little stairs and stopped right in front of the door.

U/n: Believe it Asuna. This is our house now and we get to live in it together. As a married couple.

Asuna: Right, as a married couple.

Together Me and Asuna opened the door of our new home. Once inside we see two couches opposite side of each and in the middle of those two couches was a table. Asuna looked at the inside of the house happily.

U/n: Not a bad place. Real cozy inside, definitely worth the 500,000 Col.

Asuna: I agree!

She ran into another room and opened the door revealing it to be a bedroom with two beds inside.

U/n: Bedroom, check.

Asuna: The beds look really comfortable.

U/n: You think so? Just looks like a plain bed to me.

She looks forward and her eyes lit up as a big bright smile appeared on her face. She runs forward towards a balcony and went past two large glass doors that leads outside, she giggles and places her hands on the railing looking at the view of the lake.

Asuna: Wow, this view's amazing!

I followed her outside, I can hear the sounds of birds chirping outside. I walked towards Asuna and wrapped my arm around her waist.

U/n: Sure is. But you should be careful, don't want you falling off the balcony.

We both looked stared at the view that was in front of us, feeling the wind blow against our face.

We both sighed contentedly and stared at each other.

Asuna: We bought the best house.

U/n: At the cost of our wallets, I never felt so broke in my life now.

She laughs. Asuna places her hand on top of mine.

Asuna: It's worth it though, cause we can live in peace here.

I stared off into the distance. A thought dawned on me. Asuna noticed my silence.

Asuna: U/n? What's wrong?

U/n: I was just thinking... does our relationship exist only in this world?

Asuna: I can't believe you'd say that.

I could hear the stern in her voice. Asuna turns to me and leans in close to me menacingly. Feeling nervous I leaned back.

Asuna: I don't give a damn if this is a virtual world. My feelings for you are real.

I instantly felt ashamed of myself for saying such a stupid question. My head dropped. Seeing this Asuna places her hands on the side of my face, she lifts my head up.

Asuna: If I learned anything in the last two years, it's this-- to keep doing the best we can till the very end. And if we make it back to the real world, I promise I'm going to find you again, no matter what, and fall in love with you again.

She brings my head closer to her and plants her lips on mine, kissing me. I instinctively closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around her lower back and pulled her closer, deeping the kiss.

We broke the kiss and looked at each other lovingly.

U/n: I think I'm beginning to get used to these kisses.

Asuna: So am I.

We both stood there smiling.

U/n: What now? I don't mind standing here and smiling at you for hours. But I prefer to do something that involves me using my legs.

Asuna: I actually don't know; we have all this time together and I don't know what to do.

I chuckle.

U/n: Don't worry, I know a few activities we can do.

Asuna: Oh, yeah?

U/n: Sure do, you're gonna love it.

I grabbed Asuna's hand and led her back in the house with a smile on my face.

(Timeskip)

Me and Asuna are currently at a dock, I sat on a chair holding a fishing rod in my hands as Asuna stood beside me watching the lake.

Asuna: Have you ever fished before?

U/n: I come here every now and then. Something to keep me busy when I don't feel like grinding or shopping.

Asuna: And how often have you come?

U/n: Long enough to level up my fishing skills by quite a lot.

She giggles, I looked at her then at my fishing pole.

U/n: You wanna try?

Asuna looked at me surprised. I offer the pole; she stares at it for a while. She grabbed the pole and pulled it closer to her.

Asuna: All I have to do is wait until a fish bite?

U/n: Yup, it'll tug on the pole when it gets the bait, so you'll know when to pull the pole back. If this was real life, you'd have to reel in it.

Asuna: Sounds simple enough.

I got up from the chair and gestured for Asuna to sit down, she walked towards the chair and sat down while I stood right next to her.

We both waited for what seemed hours until the pole in her hands started to be pulled on.

U/n: Nice, now pull it up.

Asuna did just that and a fish was up in the air when Asuna pulled up. I quickly caught the fish with my hands, I grabbed the hook on its mouth and held it.

U/n: It's a big one!

Asuna: Oh, wow! My first fish!

I tapped on the fish with my index finger, and it disappeared into my inventory.

U/n: It's pretty fun isn't?

She nods.

Asuna: At first, I didn't know what to expect, but when you did it becomes fun.

U/n: Sure is, it can be boring sometimes when you have to wait hours to catch one fish.

Asuna: What got you into fishing?

I walked towards Asuna and grabbed the pole from her hands, I gestured with my index finger for her to follow me. We both sat down on the edge of the dock with our feet dangling.

U/n: When I was young, my parents took me fishing one time. Just like you I didn't know what to expect, but when I first caught my first fish it made me happy and proud of myself. Being here with you, reminds me of those long and boring times fishing out in the boat with my parents.

I pulled the pole behind me and threw the string back in the water.

U/n: It's been a while since I felt... normal so to say.

Asuna: I see, you must miss those times with your parents.

I nod.

U/n: I do, but I don't regret putting on that NerveGear, I do regret getting bit by that spider though.

Asuna: Spider?

U/n: Yeah, I got bit by a spider before coming to SAO.

I remembered what I saw down on the basement, lab equipment, a glass container that had the spider that bit me, and the pictures of Spider-man and Ghost Spider. And the Spider that turned invisible when I killed it.

Asuna: Is it poisonous?

I could hear the worry in her voice. I chuckled a little.

U/n: I doubt it, if it was, I probably wouldn't be sitting here with you.

Asuna leaned closer to me and pinched the side of my face.

U/n: Ow!

Asuna: My god, your such an idiot! You should've gone to the hospital instead of SAO! You couldn't have known if it was poisonous or not!

U/n: It wasn't! I swear!

Asuna: And how do you know that?

She gave me her signature stare. I started to sweat nervously.

U/n: That doesn't matter now! What matters is that I'm still alive.

Asuna: You honestly make my head spin.

I rubbed the back of my head and laughed sheepishly.

The fishing rod in my hands suddenly started to get tugged on. I instantly gripped the pole with both hands and pulled.

Another fish comes out of the lake, this time Asuna was the one who caught it. She freaks out and practically juggles the fish in her hands.

I laughed loudly at the scene before me, I walked over to Asuna and grabbed the fish from her and put it in my inventory.

U/n: You crack me up sometimes Asuna.

I reversed the grip on the pole. Asuna notices this and looks at me.

Asuna: I got a question? Why do you reverse the grip on your sword?

U/n: My sword?

I looked down at the pole in my hands and saw that it was reversed. Then it finally clicked.

U/n: Ohhhh, now that I think about it, I don't know why I do it. Just feels natural.

Asuna: I'm asking cause I never seen someone fight with their grip on their sword reversed.

I brought my hand to my chin.

U/n: Now that I think about it, I never fought like this during the Beta.

Asuna: You have a strange fighting style.

U/n: Hey, I last this long fighting like this.

Asuna: And that surprises me.

I looked at her faked being hurt.

U/n: For someone who loves me, you sure do say harsh things to me. I'm hurt.

I pretended to wipe tears off my face, Asuna clearly knowing I'm faking it lightly punches me on the shoulder.

I stood up and stretched my arms.

U/n: Anything you wanna do?

Asuna: Sorry, but I got another question.

U/n: What's with the questions all of a sudden?

Asuna: Sorry, but whenever we fight together. I noticed whenever a mob goes to attack you behind your back, you always seem to know. Like you got this sixth sense.

I looked away from Asuna not wanting to answer that. She got in front of me and stared into my eyes, like I'm some sort of puzzle you have to solve.

Asuna: Little suspicious if you ask me, reminds me when I asked why you don't use a shield and later found out why. So, what's the skill called? I'll keep staring at you until you tell me, "White Devil".

U/n: You can be so persistent "Lightning Flash". Fine, I'll tell you later.

She puffs out her checks in annoyance.

Asuna: Now!

U/n: Not happening, now let's go.

I took my hand in hers and dragged her along with me.

Asuna: Where are we going now?

U/n: Another one of my favorite places.

I lead Asuna back into the wooden path.

U/n: Heads up, it's gonna be a very long walk.

She nods and we resumed our walk on the path, walking towards our destination.

(Timeskip)

It's been a couple of hours; the sunny sky was replaced by one that is dark and sparkly in the sky. Me and Asuna were close to our destination.

Asuna: Are we almost there? We've been walking for quite a bit.

U/n: I told you it's gonna be a long walk.

Asuna: Yeah, you did. But I didn't expect this long of a walk.

U/n: Don't worry, it'll all be worth it when you see it. It's a beautiful view.

Soon enough we stopped right in a flat field and around us were trees, but it was nothing compared to the view in front of us. Asuna's eyes glimmers when seeing it.

The night sky stars, all of them glimmered above the sky.

Asuna: OH, wow! Look at the stars! They're so pretty!

U/n: I found this spot when I was searching the area for anything important. Ever since then I come here often.

We both sat down on the grass. I laid my back down on the ground as Asuna looked up at the night sky. I closed my eyes enjoying the nice breeze.

U/n: Back to your question.

Asuna: Huh? My question?

U/n: You asked me why I could tell when enemies attack me from behind, remember?

I opened my eyes and looked at Asuna.

U/n: Well, far as I can tell, it isn't a skill.

She gasps.

U/n: I checked my skills but found nothing. At first, I thought it was a glitch in the system, maybe a bug. But I came up with a hypothesis.

Asuna: And that is?

U/n: Sorry, that's my little secret.

I looked up at the sky. Asuna did the same. We both sat there looking up at the sky.

Everything was peaceful, with her I totally forgot about the death game and how I might die any second. Only thing on my mind, was her. Asuna.

Asuna: I wish we could see real stars in Aincrad.

U/n: Same, but this view isn't so bad. Better than nothing in my opinion.

Asuna: I've never seen a shooting star in the real world before. Where I live, the sky's too bright at night.

U/n: So, you live in the city, so do I. But my parents take me out in the country sometimes. And I gotta say, the stars are way better than some giant billboard.

Asuna: I'm quite jealous of you now, you experienced so many things.

I sat up from the ground and looked out in the distance.

U/n: There's this one spot in a town that's really famous for stargazing. It even got a little observatory.

Asuna: Oh, I know! Let's make a date to go see the stars there someday!

U/n: You got it.

She scoots closer to me.

Asuna: We just have to make sure we survive long enough to clear this game.

U/n: Yeah, and when we get back to the real world, I'll get you a real ring. Or do you prefer a ring pop? I can do both, a real ring and a ring pop.

Asuna: You sure know how to ruin a moment like this, don't you?

I looked down and saw Asuna placing her hand on top of mine. Looking at both of our hands, I see the rings on our fingers that signify our marriage here.

U/n: I'm not much of a romantic guy.