Disclaimer: Don't own Sword Art Online (I or II), or any of it's characters.
Rating: T
A little shorter than the others, but still hope you enjoy it.
RL
December 3, 2030
"Are they really as colorful as you said, mommy?"
Asuna smiled beside Yui, "See for yourself" she said, before nodding at him (he stood by the garage, near the switches). He raised a thumbs up, then flicked the switch-
-and the front of their house was bathed in the multi-colored lights of Christmas, which they'd worked to put up past noon.
Yui gasped, then further giggled with delight, which he enjoyed for a moment before he came over to them. "If you think they're impressive now, wait till it's dark" he said mildly, hand on his hip. "That's when they really shine."
Asuna gave a little eye-roll at the pun, but Yui didn't mind, because she was plain excited – especially since the tree and all it's decorations was set for tomorrow.
He smiled at the memory- well, if you could call it that, since it had happened not hours ago. Even right now, as the world started to turn dark, the lights remained on, which was certainly one of the stranger sights to their workout.
"Hey, you daydreaming over there again?"
He chuckled. "Little" he said mildly, looking over with a small look, even as he continued his set of pull-up reps slowly. "But aren't you guilty of the same thing, Asuna?"
She blinked. "Huh?"
"I'm pretty sure you're checking me out over there" he said suggestively.
She squeaked, heavily embarrassed, nearly stopping her own workout on the other side of the room. "H-Hey, we're here to overcome physical therapy, not get aroused" she snapped, but purely because of his tease.
"I know" he answered mildly, doing another few pull-ups as he went. "Me especially, since my day job involves laying in a bed all day, virtual exertion excluded."
"Exactly-"
"But then explain to me why I'm shirtless-" he continued suggestively, again. "-and that you're wearing a form-fitting t-shirt and shorts?"
She refused to answer that, but he still caught the embarrassed anger on her face, even as she went about her workout. Still, he knew the two answers why: the denial that it was practical for all the sweat involved, and the honest answer that they were checking each other out, to some degree. He just grinned for a moment, before he continued grunting as he did a pull-up.
During that last one though, he caught a glimpse of Yui outside, playing in the snow – which did make him smile again. Because of this, he didn't catch Asuna slowly becoming aware of the same, or how she slowly softened at the sight.
"Well, one things for sure" she said softly, continuing her workout. "You're just plain impossible – both good, and bad. Mostly good, of course."
"Hmm" he merely breathed, before continuing as well.
/
Hours later
"This too tight?"
"No, it's fine, mommy" Yui breathed, softly content as she tucked her in, smiling.
She returned it as she finished up - however, when she remained without saying goodnight yet, Yui was slightly surprised.
She held her hands together, still smiling. "Sometimes at night, the parents sing to their little ones" she said softly. "A lot of times it's to help get them to sleep, or soothe them, but I'd like to do so now Yui, if you don't mind."
"Mmm" Yui breathed gently, shaking her head a little, but turning on her side. "No, I don't mind."
"Good" she whispered, before taking a moment to compose herself.
"Twinkle twinkle little star" she sang softly. "How I wonder what you are-"
Yui basically started tearing up with happiness, not just at her light singing, but the hair-stroking involved as well.
"-Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky. Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are."
She held the last note for a little, letting it fade. "That's a little nursery rhyme I've heard, at least online" she said softly. "Strangely, there are more lyrics than the ones I just sung, but those are the ones most sung."
"It's beautiful" Yui breathed, with the biggest smile you could imagine, happy tears included.
"And all that applies to the one that I'm about to do."
A little surprised, she and Yui looked at the doorway, which Kazuto was leaning against with a soft little smile. But despite the surprise, she was curious to hear what he sounded like when singing, at least at the core anyway.
"Row, row, row your boat" he breathed gently, in a humming sort of way, but still singing-appropriate. "Gently down the stream, Merrily merrily merrily merrily, Life is but a dream."
He slowly looked at them both after he finished. "It may be short, but you'll find it everywhere" he said gently, walking closer. "Even in Japan, apparently."
She giggled a bit, taking Yui's hand in both of hers. "Those are two of the more popular ones out there, but there's a lot more" she said softly. "Would you like us to sing some more, Yui?"
Yui's smile was soft, and she squeezed her hands. "I would, a little" she said gently. "But please, mommy, daddy, save the rest for other nights. I'd like it if this continued overtime, occasionally, I mean."
"And to make sure we don't keep you up?" she asked.
"Mmm-hmm" Yui nodded. "Sleep is important, and I don't ever want to lose it if I don't have to."
Kazuto slowly leaned down beside her. "Well, life is full of surprises, but that's a great goal" he said softly.
Yui just smiled more, still curiously excited what she'll hear next.
"Now, what song is next?" she wondered to him.
"Alphabet song?" he volunteered.
She looked at him, half surprised, half exasperated.
"What? I'm serious; Yui's never heard it before, and other kids learn it in school."
"They do?" Yui breathed, even more excited. "I know all the letters, but I haven't heard them like that!"
At that, she slowly made a sound, recognizing her defeat. "Okay, but that'll be it for tonight" she said softly. "After all, none of us want you to lose any sleep."
Then she looked at Kazuto, who nodded, and they both prepared.
"A, B, C, D, E, F, G" they sang together, or well, hummed more like it. "H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P-"
Even as they sang, Yui just rested her head, as happy as could be.
/
December 4, 2030
"Here we go" he said, before he flicked the switch that had everything hooked up.
Click
The tree lit up, just as as the outside lights did – just a few feet away, Yui held onto Asuna's arm more.
"It's so pretty" she breathed, very soft – Asuna just held her close, smiling as well. "So colorful."
"And there's more" he said gently, over a few feet from where he had been, lighting up.
"Huh?"
Crackle
The noise was faint as he lit the fireplace, but steadily grew louder and louder as the flames did – pretty soon, it was roaring, as much as a fireplace fire could do anyway. Yui just breathed out in curiosity, to which Asuna gently pushed her forward, where she went to stand over beside him.
He smiled at her. "I'm sure you've seen video game fire, but it lacks certain qualities of the real thing" he merely said.
She held her hands in front of her. "It's really pretty, daddy" she breathed gently, sitting down beside him. "But, why have you built one up?"
"Well, it's part of a thing families or couples can do" he continued, holding her close (which she was happy to receive). "Sit in front of a fire, enjoy it's warmth, the company of each other, and enjoy a hot drink together. It's not exclusively a winter or Christmas thing, but, well you know."
Yui brightened against him. "We're gonna do that?"
"We already are, Yui."
Yui glanced up, surprised to find herself being offered a cup by Asuna, which was faint steaming inside. She took it (as did he), looking curiously at the contents. "What is it?"
"Hot chocolate" she said softly, sitting down on Yui's other side, but well within range of himself as well. "Which I think is delicious, as solid or liquid."
"Most everyone does" he added.
Smiling, Yui sipped at it, then she made a content humming sound – whether it was the warmth of the hot chocolate and/or fire, or just the situation, he wasn't sure. But either way, she just leaned against both of them as she took another sip, and they were happy as well (Asuna shared a little sparkling look with him). "So warm" she breathed, looking at the fire. "And so hypnotic, it's like the flames are dancing."
"Makes it seem like you could sit there and look at it all night, doesn't it?" he breathed gently.
She nodded, still with that big smile.
He returned it, holding her close against him, at the same time as Asuna leaned against both of them, sipping at her hot chocolate as he did. "Many others have said the same thing about fire" she said gently, stroking Yui's hair a little. "Still, sometimes the better experience is around a campfire."
"Huh?"
"A fire you make while camping, an outdoor activity" she continued gently. "It's too cold for one now, but after winter, it's possible."
She was curious, of course. "What's camping?" she asked softly.
"Basically, instead of hanging out at home, you and any friends or family you choose go out into the wild" he said, sipping at his chocolate. "Be one with nature, play among the trees and occasionally other stuff, and at night sit around this big fire and roast marshmellows for smores, underneath the stars."
There was some confusion over the food-related items, but otherwise, she just brightened at his imagery. "That sounds so good!" she cheered. "Sometimes my favorite parts of SAO and ALO were the views of the world! Now I might get to see more of Earth's in the future!"
"One day, we promise you will" Asuna assured; Yui just hugged her, to her happy surprise + delight.
He just smiled, taking the opportunity to lean against Asuna, but still holding Yui close. "But of course, while camping is awhile away, something else isn't that far" he added softly.
"Hmm?"
"The lake's frozen over completely now, Yui" Asuna breathed.
At first she didn't know what to think, but then the realization hit her and she gasped, eyes sparkling with excitement. "We can go skating tomorrow!?"
"We'll both have to work first" she stated gently. "So it won't be as light outside, and will have to come in sooner than we'd like, but yes."
"That's still okay" she breathed sincerely, before hugging her mommy again. "As long as we can do it together."
The two of them shared a look, leaning close against Yui. "Always."
If it seems a little rushed or haphazard compared to the others, I apologize - things got a little crazy at times. But still, it is cute I think, and sets up more experiences for the little girl to enjoy :)