Welcome back. Uh, kinda short chapter but it has lots of cute fluff! I couldn't stop grinning throughout the time I was typing this, hehe. Um, not a lot to say up here but I'll see you at the bottom for more!

Sorry for any errors.

Please enjoy!

"Stop prodding your fingers in the food!" Malia snapped her wooden spoon over Jordan's hand.

Jordan pouted as he held his wounded hand to his chest, "But I'm hungry!" Jordan complained.

It was approaching dusk and the castle was filled with warmth lit by the fireplaces. Chatter and laughter was ringing through the stone hallways and rooms. The kitchen reeked of heavenly aromas and it spread throughout their home. Malia gave an amused smile at her dark-skinned friend as Asuna came back into the large, stone kitchens with an easy smile on her pretty face.

"Jordan," Asuna tsked with a scolding look but her lips were tilted upwards, "We let you in here to help not to eat all the food." Her voice was soft and teasing as she wrapped an apron around her petit figure.

Jordan gave out a dragged out whine, "I was helping but I got distracted."

"Then get your butt out of this kitchen." Malia playfully hissed.

Jordan groaned but complied with a string of playful complains. The Potions-Master strolled out of the kitchen and went to join the rest of the Guild in the main living area. Asuna began mixing ingredients together with poised ease. Nami rushed into the kitchens looking breathlessly, "Sorry, I'm late! I took a nap after training with Kirito and, well, overslept." Her fiery curls were being pulled into a messy bun on the top of her head. Her gentle spring eyes still lingered with sleep.

"Ah," Asuna grinned knowingly, "Don't worry, Nami-chan, we all know how training with Kirito can be. We're still missing Sachi and Ryku." The Knight of Blood Vice President dropped another prepared turkey into the oven with the other two turkeys that Malia had already prepared.

"Sachi was on her way but Kirito whisked her off to talk about something." Nami breathed putting on her apron on.

Nami's cooking levels weren't as high as Asuna's or Malia's but it was still higher then the others. Nami sure as hell couldn't bake amazing turkeys but she could make a mean side dish—which she was eager to do.

"Wonder why?" Asuna cocked her head to the side.

"Maybe they have a surprise for Malia-sama." Ryku graced the girls with his godly presence.

"Nice of you to join us," Malia greeted with a small smile, "Whatever Sachi and Kirito are speaking about is most likely private so, let's keep it that way." Malia gave a firm stare to her friends knowing how nosy they could be.

"Okay, okay." Ryku held his hands up before tugging on an apron to join the girls in their cooking.

"We're starving out here!" Jordan whined from down the hall.

"While you're starving," Malia called out with her voice ringing with authority, "Make sure to set up the tables outside! Gather everyone, take out plates, and set the silverware, please!"

"Yes, ma'am!" Jordan's voice echoed throughout earning snickers from her friends.

A few minutes later, Sachi raced in, "Sorry! Forgive me, Malia-sama!" Sachi breathed her blue hair in disarray.

"Don't worry about it, Sachi," Malia chuckled softly, "Let's finish up, ay? Jordan's stomach sounds like a dying whale from here." Her friends began to prepare the remaining dishes remaining on their list. Outside, Malia could hear the remaining members of her family rustling around getting the table ready for the feast.

Chatter was lively in the kitchens for the short twenty minutes that passed. Malia looked up through her eyelashes and smiled fondly. Asuna and Nami were giggling to one another as Sachi had gotten slop on her apron and face from Ryku's over zealous stirring. "Ryku! Careful!" Sachi laughed wiping at her face.

"Sorry, I have a mean swing." Ryku laughed heartily as he wiped at his face to get rid of the slop that was there.

Malia watched with gentle eyes trying to engrave this moment into her mind. She wanted to remember this…wanted to remember the warmth coming from the hearths…wanted to remember the aromas…wanted to remember the smiles on her friends face. She was once again that despite the horrible situation they were in…that there would always be light even in the darkest days. Malia never believed that she would feel what she was feeling in this moment in such a bad situation.

Here she was…surrounded by the people she's come to love and care for. Enjoying their lives despite the situation they were in…living care-free even if for a moment. She smiled gently as the oven gave off a series of soft beeps signaling that the turkeys were finished. Happy cheers resonated through the kitchen as Malia and Asuna took out the warmed food and immediately sent Sachi and Nami to take it out to the table.

Asuna, Malia, and Ryku helped take out the remaining side dishes outside. The courtyard was lightly decorated with glowing lights hanging from above. Solantir and Kraytor were lazily sprawled out a few feet from the table. The boys rowdily setting the table earning an annoyed glare from Kraytor but the obsidian dragon huffed and ignored the Guild.

Kirito was nowhere to be seen. Malia glanced around unsure where the Black Swordsmen would be. Surely he wouldn't miss Thanksgiving? "Oh, I forgot the sauce." Malia huffed and excused herself to get it from the kitchens.

She was sashaying back towards the kitchen when an arm grabbed her forearm and pushed her against the wall in one, swift motion. She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion and slight agitation, "How the hell did you manage to sneak up on me?" She demanded nose-to-nose with her lover.

Kirito's dark eyes were gleaming with mischief while his face was adorned with a sly smirk, "I am a few levels higher then you remember?" He murmured gliding his nose against hers before pressing gentle kiss to her lips.

Malia made a small noise of compliment but pressed her lips firmly into his. Her hands were gripping his forearms—as if she needed him to stand properly. Kirito gently held her hips feeling the soft flesh from where her shirt had ridden upwards. His fingers rubbed against the flesh marveling at how smooth and soft it was. He wondered briefly if her skin felt the same in the real world…or better.

Kirito pulled away realizing they need air but leaned his forehead against hers, "You're so beautiful."

He liked seeing the usually cool and collected leader so flustered. Her cheeks were tinged pink, her eyes wide, her chest pressing against his as she breathed in air, and a smile lingered on her pale pink lips. He ran his hand up her side and curled it into her soft hair savoring the feel of the silky tresses before pressing his lips back onto hers.

Malia's head was spinning. She felt drunk—floating on cloud nine as Kirito steadily pushed his lips against hers. His hand running through her silky curls; hand on her waist, fingers rubbing against her warm flesh, and his familiar scent filling her senses. Her fingers were grasping his shirt while the other rested on his chest.

Her heart was beating loudly in her chest—a part of her wondered if Kirito could hear it.

"Oh, god!" Someone cried out as they rounded the corner, "Found them! Ew, and they're making out, oh god, I'm going to be scarred!" Ash called out racing back to the courtyard where Malia could hear laughing.

"I told you not to go looking for her, brat!" Shen laughed at him.

Kirito detached his lips from hers and gave her a lazy grin, "You smell good." He drawled out as he tilted her head to the side and nuzzled his nose against her throat taking in her familiar warmth and smell. What was it about this girl that had him so…affected? Was it her shimmering eyes? Or was it her beaming smile? Perhaps her infectious laugh?

Or was it the fierceness in her that drew him to her? The way it did when they first fought together? The way she handed a blade was marvelous too. Or was it her own recklessness to protect those she cared for what drew him in? He pulled back with wonder on his features as Malia stared up at him curiously.

His hand caressed her cheek and gently thumbed her flushing skin, "What is it about you that affects me so much?" He asked in a gentle whisper gazing at her with evident fondness.

She was taken by his sudden question but allowed a grin to stretch across her face, "My charm, obviously." She whispers cheekily.

He laughs and shakes his head, "Definitely the charm." He agrees placing a kiss against her forehead. Somehow, in this reality they were in…he managed to find someone who kept him sane…who reminded him how precious their time was…in the reality of a game and in the reality of real life. How he was fortunate to come across someone as pure as Malia was beyond him. Part of him realized that he didn't deserve her…but the bigger part—the selfish part—didn't care.

"We're waiting!" Asuna cried out with impatience.

Malia chuckled, kissed Kirito once more, before moving into the kitchen to grab the sauce she had come for before Kirito led her back into the courtyard. Their friends grinning or smirking with knowing looks—Ash was the only one to be scowling.

"About damn time!" Agil grumbled with a soft smile.

Malia took a seat at the head of the table while Kirito sat to her right. Their friends had already piled their plates with food. Malia and Kirito quickly piled the still warm food onto their plates before Malia stood up with massive shit-eating grin on her face as she held up her glass of fruit wine, "To family."

The fearless leader watched with tenderness as the faces of her most cherished friends softened before they all lifted their glasses in the air and chimed in unison, "To Family."

Malia's heart warmed at the sound before she sat and dug into her food reassured that nothing would go wrong today and that everyone she cared for was, at the moment, safe.

_break_

It was hours later when Malia tossed and turned in her bed. The sky was littered with tiny, sparkling stars while a breeze coursed through her room. The moon's beams lit her room up dimly as she sat up and blinked groggily. She didn't understand why sleep would not take her peacefully. She had turned in for the night an hour ago with a stomach full of delicious food and warmed ale, but sleep evaded her.

Outside her balcony windows, she could hear the laughter of the boys who still remained up at such late hours. By their laughter she concluded; Shen, Jordan, Ryku, and Ash. The rest were either dead asleep or training. The only person who would train at this hour was Asuna but Malia had seen her chestnut-haired friend turn in for the night before her.

Her eyes danced around her room—she felt reassured by the familiarity of her room. It gave great comfort but tonight it wasn't enough for sleep to take her. The white furs draped over her body didn't give her the warmth she was used to. The fireplace flickered lazily giving some warmth to the room despite the breeze floating through her room. All this should've provided Malia with the sleep she so desperately craved and yet, it didn't.

She sighed softly as she threw the fur covers from her body and onto the side. She swung her legs over the edge of her bed and leaned down until the bottom of her feet touched the cold, softness of the fur rug. She blinked a few times adjusting her sight to the darkness before moving forward. A shudder worked through her small, sleepless body at the feel of the icy cold wood underneath her feet but kept forward towards her balcony.

She briefly walked over the massive fur rug in the middle of her room before once more stepping onto the cold wood floor of her room. She didn't pause as she walked out onto the balcony. The view from her balcony was breath-taking to her no matter how many times she saw it. Her eyes drank in the nearby mountains, the healthy woods at the foot of the mountains, and the rolling hills that set off towards the distant city of Star.

She could gently make out the twinkling lights of the city from her balcony. Her restless gaze flickered downwards towards the courtyard watching her friends take one more gulp of their drinks and began to head inside. Shen and Ryku seemed to be tipsy as they lumbered into the warmth of their home and trailing behind was Ash and Jordan—both must've felt her gaze because they both looked up towards her.

Ash shot her a wide grin and waved.

Malia smiled fondly at the young warrior and waved back.

While Ash pranced inside with a grin, Jordan remained looking up at her with concern. He spoke a bit louder then normal so Malia could hear him "Is sleep evading you?"

Malia leaned against the stone wall of her balcony and nodded, "Terribly so and I do not know why." She answered raising her voice just a smidge.

Malia could see the smirk growing on her friend's face, "Perhaps your body aches for the presence of another." Replied the Potions Master with a mischievous voice.

Malia cocked her head to the side, "But why now?" She questioned with a frown ignoring the butterflies fluttering in her stomach.

"How would I know how our mind works sometimes?" Jordan laughed, "Our souls are odd but we must do what we can to appease them," Jordan took one last sip of his wine before advising his leader gently, "Find your lover and see that sleep will come easily." Before striding back into the warmth of his home.

Malia tilted her head to the side considering her friend's word. Were they true? Would sleep come to her at last with Kirito at her side? A blush crept up on her face as she pondered this. Surely, he'd be asleep at this hour and who am I to wake him?

Movement caught her attention. She glanced up lazily and caught the figures of her dragons hunting near the mountain. Malia smiled softly. Her fingers restlessly running through her silky locks before a sigh fell off her lips. She craved sleep desperately…perhaps she'll see if Kirito was awake.

Malia wondered back into her room and shut the balcony doors shut to prevent the cold from entrering her chilly room. She did not bother putting the fire out from her hearth as she moved with purposeful strides to her door. Her feet were making no sounds against the wooden floors. She pulled the heavy, wooden door open cringing softly at groan it made. She slipped out from her room and quietly shut the door before making her way to a certain player's room.

The stone underneath her feet gave her an occasional shudder. The halls were dimly lit by jars filled with glowing moon stone. Malia silently paused in front of a wooden, black door and stared at it with a slight frown. She cocked her head to the side trying to listen for any signs of the player being awake but before she could hear anything—the door was torn open.

Surprised, Kirito stared at her.

"M-Malia?" Kirito murmured keeping his voice low as he took in her sleepy figure. His eyes drinking in her lack of clothing—she only wore a cotton tunic that came to mid-thigh and no doubt shorts that weren't visible since the tunic was so long. He couldn't help but to stare at her long, tanned legs—they seemed to go on for miles.

"Sorry, did I wake you?" Malia squirmed underneath his scorching stare.

Kirito shook his head, "No, I was awake," He stepped back while opening the door a bit more gesturing for her to come inside his room, "Come in."

Malia blushed and lightly stepped into his warm room. The balcony doors were firmly shut but he kept one of his bay windows propped open. Malia fidgeted in her spot while Kirito peered at her with an almost knowing look. "Couldn't sleep either?" He offered with an amused tone.

Malia pouted softly and whined, "Was it that obvious?"

Kirito's amused look softened, "Of course. You look agitated and sleepy." He shrugged gently taking her cold hand into his warm, large one, "I was hoping you'd come. I couldn't sleep either." He murmured as his other hand gently trailed up her side upwards until he caressed her flushing cheek. His thumb gently rubbing at her lower lip, "Wanna share the bed?" He suggested with a twinkle in his eyes.

Malia stared at the foolishly handsome face of her lover. She had never seen such a beautiful Kirito before. He looked tired but being bathed in the beams of the moon made him look surreal. His pale skin seemed to glow against the beaming light and his eyes seemed to twinkle more. His knowing smile almost seemed to beam.

How could one be so damn perfect?

She cleared her throat trying to get rid of her thoughts before nodding shyly, "If it's okay with you."

Kirito grinned, "It's more then okay with me." He answered earning an eye roll from her.

Kirito tugged Malia towards his bed. While Malia had her canopy bed pushed into the center of her room, aligned with the balcony doors—Kirito didn't. He had his bed pushed up against the corner on a raised platform. Somehow, his bed seemed larger and comfier then hers. The furs on his bed seemed warmer then the ones she had on her own bed. How strange was that?

Kirito yawned softly and rubbed at his eyes, "Ladies first." He gestured with a sleepy smile.

Malia crawled under the fur covers and curled against the many pillows Kirito had. The young man stared at the silver beauty with sleepy but hungry eyes. He honestly had never seen something so damn enticing before. He inwardly sighed. She laid with her silver tresses surrounding her head like a silver halo, her eyes gleaming brightly up at him, her smile stunning him, and her pale skin seemed to be glowing in the moon's light. His breath caught in his throat.

How could one be so damn perfect?

The best part?

She was his.

"Kirito?" Malia whispered blushing. Why was he looking at her like a blind man seeing the sun for the first time?

Kirito shook his head and joined her. Instinctively, she curled into his warm body as he draped the covers over both their bodies—he made sure she had most of the covers so she wouldn't be cold. His arm pulled her flushed into him as he kissed her forehead wondering what he did to gain something do damn amazing.

Her body was fitted almost too perfectly against his own. He could feel the steady beating of her heart. Malia yawned sleepily and draped her arm across his chest whispering, "Better."

Kirito was glad that she was falling asleep. She wouldn't be able to see the slight red-tinge on his cheeks.

Malia was aware of Kirito staring at her as she lazily drifted off into the slumber she had been desperate for. She smiled gently and whispered once more, "Good night, Kirito."

Kirito hummed contently as he tucked a few strands of her silver hair out of her face, "Good night, Malia." His voice was shrouded with fondness and warmth.

It made Malia want to whisper three little words but before she could register the sudden thought—her world was beginning to be taken over by the lure of sleep and the promise of blissful dreams.

Ugh, I really wanted to make this longer but I just have a lot going on with my mind-so, instead of leaving you all with nothing I gave you this. I work six days a week now, so, ugh, did not want to leave my readers empty-handed! But hopefully the fluff made up for the length of the chapter. Next chapter, we will doing the Christmas Episode which I am very eager to do! Ah, I have such a great idea! XD

So, not a lot to say because I am dead on my feet haha.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Until next time,

SleepyVanessa XD