The gentle stroke of a caring hand through Kirito's long black hair brought them back into the fold of the waking world. The air hung heavy with the scent of peach and strawberry, the soft smells easing their transition from slumber to their new digital life. Kirito let out a jaw-cracking yawn as their eyes opened, revealing a new and unfamiliar setting. Panic, a cold lance of fear shot through them, rooting them in place as the cobwebs of sleep rapidly cleared from their mind. Who is touching me? Where am I?

A gentle voice, softer than the ocean breeze drifted into Kirito's ear. "It's me, Asuna, it's okay. We fell asleep on the couch, I can move if you want."

A wave of relief washed over Kirito, the frozen fear melting away at Asuna's warm voice. Words came to Kirito's mind, but none of them managed to press past their lips. In lieu of speaking, Kirito simply nuzzled further into the warm, muscled bosom of their… girlfriend? Oh beans, Kirito thought, I must have fallen asleep on her lap! I trapped her on this, uh… surprisingly comfortable couch. Still! She'd probably rather be in bed… Kirito sighed, the nagging anxiety already settling in their sternum.

Nonetheless, Asuna kept stroking their hair. "I slept really well," she said, "I've never actually slept with someone before. Sleep slept, that is. Well, also slept slept." Asuna leaned to the left, her hard and somewhat intimidating features peeking into Kirito's line of sight. "It was really nice having a warm body to cuddle with."

Kirito slowly looked up, meeting her eyes. "It was nice?"

Asuna nodded enthusiastically, easing the anxiety that had just rooted in Kirito.

"How long have you been awake?" Kirito asked.

Asuna shrugged. "Probably, uh…" She looked around for a second, then just shrugged. "I dunno, twenty, thirty minutes? Not that long."

She's been petting me for at least 20 minutes? Kirito tried to snuggle even closer to Asuna's warm body. This level of simulation is incredible, they thought, even accurately replicating the warmth of the human body. It'd probably be even better in real life though… I can't believe Asuna gave me her profile! And her number!

"Kirito?" Asuna's voice cut through their unending stream of thought.

Kirito jumped. "S-sorry! I was just… thinking…"

Asuna smiled gently and kept stroking Kirito's hair. "It's okay, you don't have to apologize. What were you thinking about?"

"It's… it's dumb, you don't have to ask... " Kirito mumbled.

Asuna's smile failed to falter. "You're right, I don't have to, but I want to ask. That's why I did. Of course, you don't have to tell me."

Kirito looked up in awe at this hulking muscled beast of a woman. Why was she being so nice? "Why are you being so nice?" They decided to ask.

Asuna smiled gently. "Because being nice is nice."

Kirito blinked. "What?"

"You asked why I was being nice." Asuna said with a raised brow.

"Well yeah but why…" Kirito fumbled with their words, "Why are you being so nice to me?"

Asuna made an odd face. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Kirito looked at her like she was dumb. "Because! I…" Kirito drifted off.

Asuna's eyes softened and she pulled Kirito closer. "Oh, baby, it's okay." She nuzzled Kirito's hair as she embraced them. "There's nothing wrong with you, I'm nice to you because I like you."

Kirito felt tears bubbling up, burgeoning behind thei— no, wait, no definitely crying. Yep. Crying and babbling. Kirito blushed as they buried their face in Asuna's bosom, embarrassed that they, a gamer in top emotional shape, would so quickly buckle when exposed to the slightest emotional care.

Time passed unbidden in Asuna's abode, their emotional cuddling session cut short when Kirito jumped into a sitting positon, their hair flying in all directions, including Asuna's yawning maw.

"How long have we been in the game!" Kirito shrieked. They looked at Asuna, whose blissful face melted into a similarly nervous expression.

"Uh, I think at least, like," Asuna opened her menu, then hissed as she looked at the clock. "24 hours? What the hell?"

Kirito jumped off of the couch, their warm body leaving a cold void where Asuna had once held them. "Shit!" Kirito's hands pulled through their hair, tugging at the roots as they paced in the relatively cramped living room. "Theres no way! This thing—" Kirito knocked on their head. "Is directly interacting with my brain chemistry! I can't let it run for twenty-four hours! That can't be healthy! Why hasn't it given us some kind of warning or kicked us out!"

Asuna rose from the couch too, the worry beginning to furrow her brow. "This is weird, c'mon Kirito," She took a hold of their hand, halting their pacing. "Let's go outside and ask around."

Kirito froze. "A-ask around? Talk to people?"

Asuna gave their hand a squeeze. "I'll do the talking, if that's okay."

Kirito looked at the ground, not sad but just pondering. "Yeah, okay. Let's go."

A/N
fufufu~~~ perfect timing :))) an author is never late, nor are they early, they arrive precisely when they mean to
lmao sorry uwu~~~
Kirito: what the heck why are you so late o nthis upsdate
Asuna: hey kiki dont you love me
~ pls guys no flame no hate i ws busy! college is hard ;~; and so is writing UWA~~~!
Asuna: is ok bby just be quicker nxt time hahaha
Kirito: If you update late again I will commit war crimes in Yugoslavia.