"That's enough!"
Standing up, the action is so forceful and sudden, Asuna upturns the chair she was sitting in. A foul scowl imprinted upon her face, she glares poison-tipped daggers at the despicable monster before her.
"Hmm?" Oberon, King of the Fairies in Alfheim Online, hums thoughtfully, turning around to face the only other occupant of the gilded cage. To Asuna though, he'll always and only be the loathsome man Sugou. "What troubles you so lovely bride?"
Fixing the ribbon helping to hold her attire together, Sugou's words only serve to make her blood boil. And considering how he kept going on and on about his malevolent plans to one day twist her thoughts so she'd think of him and only him instead of someone she actually loves, Asuna thinks that she might combust.
Kirito.
Her thoughts drifting to the man to whom holds her heart, Asuna feels herself become grounded and her fury controlled.
"Go." Asuna says, shortly, sternly. She points at the gate leading into her cage. "I don't want to listen to you talk about your sick fantasies any more."
"Oh, beauteous Titania," Sugou says, crossing the distance between them. "It isn't a fantasy for one day it will be reality and you will love me."
"I'd sooner kill myself than spend one moment more in your presence." Asuna snarls, her anger spiking at Sugou's next action. When he places a thumb upon her lips, a disgusting lustful look in his eyes, Asuna feels her entire body tremble, coming alive like a electric wire.
"Soon you'll say you'd rather kill yourself than spend any time alone." Suguo muses.
His carefully - though blatantly false - affable façade fractures when Asuna grabs his hand.
"Touch me again and I swear I will make you live to regret it." Asuna says, her voice measured.
Resisting the overwhelming urge to try and twist his hand and cause her captor physical pain, Asuna watches and listens as Sugou mutters something under his breath.
Something suspiciously like disobedient bitch.
Breathe Asuna, the young girl thinks. She knows that in her current position, there is only so much she can get away with. The bastard'll get what's coming to him.
"Very well." Sugou hisses, his own lips contorting into a snarl before smiling earnestly. "If you'll release your hold on me my darling Titania, I'll leave you alone for now."
Sensing it's more of a demand than a polite request, Asuna does as he asks. Just before she lets go though, she tightens her hold on his hand, only slightly.
"Get out of my sight." Asuna demands coldly, the offensive beast already making his departure to the gate.
"It won't be long my dear." Sugou says, the lustful look surging for a moment before fading away. He exits the gate. As he closes the gate and locks it, he says this: "Until then, you can enjoy the company of the birds." He smirks, tinges of ice in it. "If any of them decide not to fly away that is."
Breathing deeply to try and rid herself of the rage culminating inside of her, the last thing Asuna hears from her jailer is his cacophonous, ugly laughter as he departs.
Picking her chair back up, Asuna sits back down on it. Looking down at her hands in fists on her knees, the young girl soon glances out her cage to the world of Alfheim.
As she does, thoughts of him circle around and around inside her head. Thinking about such a handsome and amazing man serves to comfort her and keep her sane in equal measure. Closing her eyes, she allows herself to imagine.
Exhaling, the sound of birdsong all around, she thinks of the last time she felt true, unadulterated jubilance.
The cabin small, her memory and desire intermingle together. Her and Kirito, sitting together on the porch of their home. Both of them in a rocking chair, Kirito reads something, a book or news article. The words sound of charming nonsense as Asuna rests in the crook of Kirito's arm, his voice slowly lulling her to sleep alongside the cheerful sound of Yui's voice as she plays inside.
Her, equipped with an apron as she cooks up a delicious meal for their small family, Kirito and Yui insistent on the spiciest food she can conjure up. The three of them doing what they can to clean up considering the nature of their world. After, Kirito and herself tucking Yui in before going to bed themselves.
A light rosy hue blossoms across Asuna's cheeks as the scenarios her mind devises become more passionate.
Asuna, gazing into Kirito's eyes, the time either soon or in the distant future. Their eyes perfectly conveying the absolute love and affection they feel for each other. Both of them, leaning in at the same time before Kirito raises a hand to gently caress a cheek. His fingers, long and warm against her skin, send electric currents rippling through her. And judging from the look in his eyes, through him too.
The images soon become more risqué.
Kirito and herself in a heated make-out session.
Kirito, taking her shirt off as Asuna does the same to him.
Kirito, unclasping her bra.
Asuna, unzipping his pants.
Kirito, leaving a blazing trail down her throat with his mouth.
Asuna, reaching a hand into her lover's pants, feeling a swell of pride at the groan that comes from his mouth.
Things getting more heated, the temperature of the room practically rising.
Both of them, falling apart in each other's arms.
Both of them, coming together in each other's arms.
Eyes opening wide, a gasp rips itself from Asuna's throat. Taking deep, even breaths to try and calm down, she feels herself trying to recover from the overwhelming love and pleasure her fantasies gave her. If just the mere thought of truly consummating her relationship with Kirito managed to do so much, the reality of it all could be nothing short of transcendent.
Stop it, Asuna thinks, mentally chiding herself.
Whether she wants herself to stop thinking such thoughts because the time isn't right or because she's still a prisoner in a video game or because the two of them haven't actually met in real life or something else entirely, Asuna isn't entirely sure.
What she is sure of though, as she looks outside her cage, Kirito's name a silent prayer on her lips, is one day they will be reunited.
Kirito…
Placing a hand over her heart, Asuna sighs, eyes coming alight with hope.
One day, they will be reunited.
Little does she know, he's already well on his way.
Whether or not Kirito arrives and comes to her rescue, Asuna knows that she'll be desperately trying to get free herself.
No matter what.
And her love for Kirito?
Well, that's one of the most powerful things in the world, in her mind.
Author's Notes: Considering how much of a depraved monster Sugou was, there were three instances in the latter half of Sword Art Online where I actually had to pause the show. And thus, in my bid to write something cathartic, three short stories were born.
Originally Posted: August 31st, 2017.