So while trying to improve my creative writing I decided to make this short piece. Not sure if it's any good but hopefully it'll invoke some kind of reaction from people. (hoping for a positive one!)

Also just a quick heads up before you read it, don't expect it to really go anywhere. It focuses quite heavily on the thoughts and feelings of Kirito and Asuna, so yeah… enjoy.

(Updated - 19/09/2018)

Fear, fear gripped Asuna as her rapier slipped unceremoniously from her loose hand. That had been close, the closest yet. Her first real experience of what it was like to play the line between life and death and if she was to be honest, it wasn't an enjoyable one. She was once again partnered up with Kirito, something that had become the norm after their partnership during the first floor boss raid. They had been out exploring the fields and forests of the newest floor, a routine they had done plenty of times before and one that generally didn't result in any trouble as on most occasions they were over leveled for the area. This time however, it had been different.

Somewhere along the way they had been separated, both individually enthralled in their own battles and as such had lost site of the other. Before she even had the time to acknowledge it Asuna had become entangled in a battle for survival, the one she was just now coming to feel the effects of.

Not seconds after the last of her aggressors had been defeated did Kirito came leaping through one of the clearings, his breathing an uneven and ragged pace. An indication that he too had been in a similar fight himself and upon dealing with his adversary's had come running. Having entered the area in a dazed state his eyes shot about the place searching for something, whether it be more mobs or his partner. Asuna herself felt unsure, her chest beginning to tighten and constrict. With what though? She did not know.

Soon enough their eyes made contact, fear, elation, uneasiness. Both parties reflected equal parts the same and the feelings shared were mutual. Taking in the full view of Asuna, her ragged breathing, her unsteady posture and apparent unfocused gaze Kirito came to a decision and within a matter of moments made his resolve. Walking slowly at first, still unsure of himself and not entirely convinced that what he was doing was the right or even proper thing to do. Moving closer though, seemed to help boost his own confidence. Something that Asuna could clearly see reflected in his eyes. While they had been filled with unease and uncertainty at first they now clearly showed that his decisions had been decided on.

What happened next, Asuna could only describe as, unexpected? No that wasn't right it would be more unexpected if it hadn't come to this. Then what, was it unwelcome? Unwanted? Something she herself didn't like? No, that wasn't it either. Thankfully she didn't have to wait long for her answer as Kirito's arms made their way around her, pulling her towards his own body. The surprise only lasted a few seconds, surprise at something that she had never experienced before and something that left her unable to it hit her, that was it. Surprise, surprise at the realization that this was something she had never experienced before and something that she had been missing out on.

It wasn't like she wouldn't have had any opportunities, most children shared hugs with their parents, a way of saying I love you, I care about you and want to keep you safe. But then again her family wasn't like most others. Now that wasn't to say that she was any less loved by her parents than any other children her age when she was growing up. Her mother and for the lesser part her father had both been busy with work, which while it had afforded her the comfortable and stable lifestyle she had become so accustomed to. It had also meant that the time in her life where this would have been most likely to take place, it hadn't.

With this in mind Asuna took this experience as something new, perhaps something she should be wary of. But then all of that extra fear and unease was quickly cast aside as her own body came to rest alongside Kirito's. To her this was… nice. Just nice? She questioned herself, no that wasn't right. This was something she had wanted, something she had needed not only because of this death game she was trapped in, but in spite of it. For the longest time she had felt something was missing, there was something she needed but wasn't aware of. Thankfully the light embrace she was receiving from Kirito had given her a clear answer, warmth. It had been warmth that she had been missing, in every sense of the word.

The warmth that came from security, being told that everything would be ok, you would be safe and you didn't need to worry about anything and ultimately the warmth of another person. It wasn't as if she was some sort of social outcast, she had made her fair share of friends. There had even been the rare occurrence of some semblance of love between parent and child on the odd occasion when they had shared a family meal, or done something together as a family. But none of that compared to actually having something done so directly, almost as if she was clearly being told that. No, I do care about you despite what you may think and I want to show you that. I want to show you that if you ever need support I'll be there and if you ever need a shoulder to rest on, then use mine.

With such thoughts consuming her mind Asuna made her own decision on the situation. Coming to the conclusion that yes, yes this was most definitely something she had not only needed but also something that she wanted. As if to prove this her own arms moved around Kirito's neck, pulling herself closer in the process. As luck would have it Asuna's height was perfect when compared to his, allowing her to place her head perfectly in the crux of his neck. While also allowing her the freedom to rub against it in hopes that she would be able to get just that little bit closer.

For his part Kirito reacted as any teenage male of a similar age would, that being with a mixture of delight and astonishment. Yes, he had in fact decided that the best course of action to not only calm Asuna down, but also show how important she was to him was to give her a simple hug. But that was the point where his clear plan of attack turned into a scrambled offensive. Sure he had been given hugs and returned a number of his own while growing up, after all that's what kids did when they were younger though most of them were between him and Suguha. But unlike this time that had been between him and a close family member, as well as many years ago and long before he had begun to take any for of interest in girls.

As such once he had made the resolve to share a hug with Asuna and followed through on said resolve, he was unsure of what to do next. Was he meant to move his hands? Rub her back to help calm her down? That was something they usually did in movies right? Then again he didn't want to come off as someone who was taking advantage of the situation just to cop a feel. So what about talking? He could do talking, you just needed to open your mouth and let the words come out, easy. At least it should be, unfortunately it was around this time that Asuna had made her move. Pulling herself closer to him, returning the embrace that he himself had been so hesitant to give.

The effect was instant, his mind was awash with new thoughts and feelings; why had she chosen to recuperate his own actions? Was this some convoluted way of her saying she had returned the favour, now please get off. Then again she could have just pushed him away if that was the case. No maybe she was just using him, it was evident that she had just had her first real brush with death and merely needed someone to reassure her that she was ok. That she was still alive. Even if that reality came with being stuck in this game of death. Maybe there was no special meaning behind it. Then again, the feeling of her head rubbing up against his neck gave him a better understanding of her intentions. It was clear that no, this wasn't about needing any random person for support in the heat of the moment and no she wasn't doing this as some sort of convoluted method of repayment during a brief moment of weakness.

Having both tensed up when Asuna had made the move to return the embrace. Her, in light of the worry that he wouldn't react positively towards her actions and him at the uncertainty of the intent behind her actions. The both of them were in a state of frenzy. Though after contemplating their respective questions for a matter of mere moments, they quickly cast aside any fears and uneasiness that they felt. Instead opting to each tighten their hold on the other. It was clear now, this was something that they had both wanted, the chance to have such a clear statement from the other without the need for words or special symbolic's. Nothing left up to interpretation, just a clear and direct answer from the other. A way of saying yes I care about you and yes I care about you alot.

There was no need for anything more, simply being able to hold and be held by one of the people you cared about most deeply was enough. To be able to feel their warmth, to feel they were still there and that they cared about you as much as you cared about them was warming for the soul. Sure enough their breathing soon returned to a more regulated pace, before slowly lulling into a rhythm more commonly associated with a peaceful slumber. Than that of a solider fighting on the front lines of a battlefield.

Both leaning back at the same time, being careful not to lose the warmth and respective comfort they had now grown so accustomed to. Each of them stared towards the other, equal parts bliss and embarrassment being reflected back at them. With faces flush at the realization of what they were doing, a small but indistinguishable smile grew on each of them before they both leaned forward. Each placing their forehead against the other and closing their eyes in the process as to not let the embarrassment grow any further before finally, each spoke the first word of their encounter.

""Thank you""