Kazuto turned the handle on the door, pushing it open, and let Asuna inside. He turned on the lights, glancing around. The hotel room was small, with little more than a bed, a dresser, television, and a nightstand. Kazuto closed the door behind him, sniffling as the tears continued to fall. The young girl hadn't said anything since leaving her home. She found it hard to meet Kazuto's gaze.
Asuna moved past him silently, sitting down on the edge of the bed.
"I wish you'd talk to me." Kazuto sighed. "I can't help you if you won't talk to me. You've been quiet since we left. You know I'd do anything in the world for you, but right now, I don't know what you need. Can you look at me, please?" He requested, kneeling in front of her.
"I'm so sorry." She sobbed quietly, much to the dark-haired boy's confusion.
"For what?"
"Everything. This whole thing is my fault. Look at everything we've gone through lately. You've been stressed about the job, supporting us, you sold your bike, you loved that thing, and then I call you, and you run right out to be with me. I'm so sorry I let all of this happen. Now we're spending the money to be here. We don't even know where we're going. Lately, I seem to be causing more trouble for you." Kazuto took her hands in his own, kissing them softly.
"The first thing I need you to remember is that I'd take any trouble in the world for you, and I love you more than you could ever know, always. If you call me, I will always come to you. Second, I sold that bike because as much as I loved it, I love you and our child way more. I'll give up everything I have, not because I feel like I have to. " He released one of Asuna's hands, lightly placing his on Asuna's abdomen. "I'm taking this responsibility because I want it. How many chances have you given me to walk away from this? We got into it together. That's how we'll get through it. I meant it when I said that. I wasn't sure how to feel about it at first. But when you showed me that ultrasound picture, it hit me. I didn't think I could love you any more than I already did. You were already my everything. This baby, you're giving me so much. There's nothing to apologize for. I should be saying thank you. Thank you for giving me this gift." Asuna rested a hand on her belly, covering Kazuto's.
"You're going to be the best dad." She sniffled. "I don't deserve you." Kazuto kissed her lovingly.
"You deserve so much more. One day, I promise you, I'll-" Asuna cut him off with a kiss.
"All I need is you. W-We'll figure it out. We always do."She said.
"Yeah. You're right. I think we're both pretty tired. Maybe we should settle in for the night and come up with a plan tomorrow." Asuna nodded.
"It's been a long day." She agreed. Kazuto wiped away her tears lovingly.
"It's going to be okay." He soothed. Asuna stood, turning down the cover and climbing into bed.
"Are you okay? Do you need me to get you anything?" Kazuto offered.
"I'm fine."She assured him, wrapping her arms protectively around her stomach. The dark-haired teen walked to the other side of the bed, lying down at her side.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Kazuto asked after a moment of silence. Asuna drew in a shuddered breath.
"No. Not really." She admitted.
"Do you want to tell me what happened?"
"Honestly, there isn't much to tell. I was out of the room, and My mother went through my purse. She found the pictures and freaked out. She was screaming and telling me that I was ruining my life. I'm too young. What about school, my career? Then she-she said she wasn't going to let me have our baby. She was going to 'drag me to the doctor to have it taken care of' first thing tomorrow. If I didn't comply, I was no longer her daughter. I made it clear to her that this was a fight she wasn't going to win. We argued for a while and then..I called you. I-I'm not going back." She sniffled.
"I didn't think you would. I would never ask you to put yourself in that situation. I'm sorry it turned out that way, Asuna. But thanks." He said, reaching out to rest his hand on top of hers.
"I didn't do anything. You did."
"That was a lot of pressure for anyone. I'm proud of you. Our kid's got the best mom. Baby's not even here yet, and you've already reached Mama Bear mode." Asuna moved over to Kazuto's side, resting her head on his chest.
"I was actually getting scared. I'm not going to be eighteen for a little while. I'm worried my mother might be able to do something."
"She won't." Kazuto soothed, rubbing her back gently.
"You don't know-"
"I'm not going to let her. I promise you. I told you, I'm going to take care of both of you. I've got you. Try to get some rest." Kazuto could barely keep his eyes open.
"You know...we can't stay here long on the money we have between us." She said.
"I know. We'll worry about that tomorrow."
"My Mother's probably on the phone with my father, telling him all about it. If he steps in and agrees with her-"
"I'll take care of everything. You've got enough to deal with." Once again, Asuna buried her face in his chest sobbing. The fresh tears soaked through the boy's black shirt.
"Things will be better after you get some sleep."
"I'm sorry, I can't stop crying. I don't know why I just-"
"You're pregnant. It happens. We've talked about this."He kissed her head lightly. It would take Kazuto ten minutes to calm his future wife. Finally, the teen settled into the pillows, attempting to relax. He began drifting into a much needed sleep when he felt the bed shift. He looked up to see Asuna hurry toward the bathroom and quickly shut the door. The sound of retching soon followed.
With a sigh, Kazuto forced himself to his feet and over to the door.
"Asuna, are you okay in there?" He called. He waited, but the question was met with more gagging. He leaned against the wall, trying to ignore his own queasiness.
I'm gonna have to get over this real fast. Kazuto thought to himself. When at last she seemed to be finished, he knocked on the door.
"Asuna?" He called.
"I-I'm okay." She panted.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'll be out in a second." She replied.
Several minutes passed. Kazuto began to worry. He could think of only one thing to do.
"Hey," He called. "Is the door locked?"
"No." The girl replied weakly. "But don't worry, I'll-"
"Are you away from the door?"
"Yeah. But you really don't need to-" Kazuto pushed open the door, entering the bathroom. His heart broke at the sight before him.
Asuna was seated on the floor near the bathtub, resting her head against the cool tile on the wall. Her hands pressed to her abdomen, and her face was pale. Instantly, Kazuto knelt at her side.
"How do you feel?" He knew it was a stupid question.
"Not great." She replied.
"Yeah, I guess you wouldn't after all that." He looked away in embarrassment.
This is a fantastic time for morning sickness to start. I'm pretty sure it was a combination of crying and the baby. I'm so sorry. You should go get some sleep. I'll be out as soon as my legs stop feeling like jelly.
"Are you good for now?" Asuna nodded.
"Good. I have a better idea. You trust me?"
"If I didn't, we wouldn't be going through this right now."
"Yeah. I guess that's true. Ready?"
"For what?" the young man placed a hand around her back and the other behind her knees.
"Kazuto, you're going to hurt yourself, don't-"The boy was already on his feet, lifting her into his arms.
"You shouldn't be doing this. I-I might've...gained a little-"
"You're fine. Just rest. You have to be exhausted."Asuna laid her head on his shoulder.
"This is too much," She sniffled. "You don't have to do...any of this." Kazuto carefully laid her in bed, pulling the blanket over her. She shifted onto her side.
"I'll be right back. You just take it easy." He quickly returned to the bathroom, taking one of the folded washcloths, and turned on the sink. He ran it under the tepid liquid and squeezed out the extra. He folded it several times and placed it on the back of her neck. Asuna began to relax into her pillow.
"Better?" Kazuto asked.
"Yeah, but really, you don't have to-"
"What did you want me to do? Leave the mother of my child, my wife sitting on the bathroom floor? That's kinda messed up, isn't it?"
"You're right. It is. You wouldn't be my Kirito if you did."Kazuto climbed back into bed, facing the young girl.
"You know, as horrible as those two years in SAO could be, I'm kind of glad I decided to play that day. It brought me to you. You and our baby are the best things that ever happened to me. You're amazing."
"If I am, it's because I learned it from you." Kazuto retorted playfully. "Get some rest. Hopefully, you'll feel better in the morning. I love you." Asuna smiled.
"Love you too." As both teens began to drift into a much needed sleep, they were pulled back into awareness by the sound of Kazuto's cellphone. The boy groaned, he lifted the device from his pocket and looked at the display.
"Ka-"
"It's my mom. This day just keeps getting better by the minute." He said sarcastically, pressing the button and preparing himself for what was sure to be a loud conversation.