Continuation of this thread with @heart-in-forge-lisbeth
During the ensuing chase back to the shop, he can’t help but think to himself about all that has transpired over the last few hours. Kirito has never drawn the physical affection of another person quite like he has now. The entanglement that he’s found himself in as his mental fatigue continues to wash away, still strikes him to be dumbfounded, but he no longer has the desire to shrink away. To avert his eyes from compassion; Instead, he finds himself filled with resolve to ensure he doesn’t ruin this. He will clumsily navigate his naivete with newfound determination to fill his heart with warmth.
Quickly, a flash of the «Moonlit Black Cats» memories floods his mind, reminding him of a happiness that once warmed his heart and now sealed his heart in ice. As he continues to slowly breathe, he finds warmth in Lisbeth’s form. And slowly… the memory of his former clan mates… they’re not replaced. Kirito has simply found something warmer. Closer. Just as surely as he found confidence in the Moonlit Black Cats, he is confident in the existence that is Lisbeth to usher him forward and out of the black, stillness of his time-stopped horror that has been agonizing him since.
He grins cheekily as he continues to be chased by the fiery blacksmith all the way back to her shop. This will never get old. I swear… His heart is lighter, his step more fleet-footed. The burden of time has lifted from his shoulders and is nigh unnoticeable. He has Lisbeth to thank for that. He will have to forever repay the debt of being lifted out of the darkness.
After another night of sharing a bed with Lisbeth (innocently), he finds himself awake bright and early. He has a meeting to attend after all - the 74th floor Boss Labyrinth has been found. All Front Liners are required to attend and attending floor meetings allows for attendance to be taken of current top players. If you don’t show up for the meeting, you are not allowed to participate in the official raid nor do you get any of the spoils where item drops are concerned. Such are the woes of a top player who needs to ensure they gear themselves for the next floor, but this time he is unconcerned on matters of loot or spoils. Instead, he will have an important announcement to make after attendance is taken.
“I’m taking a vacation,” he exclaims to the group during open discussions. He explains that after 73 floors of bosses and maintaining pace (and beyond) with the Front Liners, that he is requesting temporary dismissal from scouting parties. “I’m not taking no for an answer, I need time to rest. For myself.”
Short and to the point. He doesn’t even wait for anyone to shoot a rebuttal to his proposal, he has already stood from his seat and moved to exit, quickly scanning for particular members of the meeting. As he leaves the building, he noted the attendance of Asuna, Klein, Argo, Agil and a few others. Lisbeth mentioned spending time today having the shop closed while she renovated the guest bedroom. He knows that she would nag at him for staying at an inn, but he needed to ensure that he settled all accounts before he returned to Lisbeth. He makes sure to submit a message to everyone he believes would be concerned for his well-being by assuring them all, something he wouldn’t have ever thought of doing prior to Lisbeth. He, again, finds himself smiling to himself when just the littlest of things remind him of that pink fireball. For now, he finds himself at an inn to rest the evening away so that he may return back to what he will now consider…
Home.
--
The next day, Kirito finds himself in front of the shop with a blacksmith framed in front of the door, fists curled and flushed against hips. A curled brow and pointed stare with just a little bit of sweat sliding down their temple. He’s about to be reminded about his choices of lodging again… In a soft huff, Lisbeth’s face immediately softens as she shakes her head disappointedly before pointing… ordering… him to step inside the shop. Not a word has been spoken, yet his hair stands on end in hesitation as he meekly walks forward inside. The shop door shuts with a clang, the bell above jingling with a signal and simultaneously, he finds himself blinded with a hand. Lisbeth orders him to shut his eyes and follow her. Her opposite hand leading him along the shop until they come to a stop in what seems to be a completely different room in the house, except, he hadn’t mapped this room internally. He can normally get around places he’s been with relative ease without much light to navigate if he’s been there before, but he knows this is a different room. He’s beckoned to open his eyes and he does.
He finds himself in a nice and tidy room with ample space to move and what looks to be adequate accommodations, complete with a desk, bed, and nightstands. It was without much significance looking at it plainly, however, Lisbeth quickly ensured to reveal the true reason for the length of time needed to get the room ready as the lights flicked into darkness. The room was quick to reveal a sea of stars. Novas, auroras, and the flickering in between. A mixture of colors, soft under the glow of the stars filled the room instead of pure darkness.
“Amazing,” he finds himself muttering underneath his breath. He’s taken aback that he doesn’t even realize he said anything. Lisbeth explains that he may change the decorations however he wishes to which he simply slowly shakes his head with closed eyes and a tiny smile hidden underneath. Slowly, he opens his eyes and locks his gaze with the radiance before him, the glow of the room sharpening her form, making her all the more easier to focus on. “I love it, it’s staying…” he speaks softly, his hidden smile curling further into his cheeks,
“It’s… Home.”
