(Sinon's POV)

We weren't in much of a rush, strangely enough since what's happening in this game. I'm sure some people are beginning to notice the missing log out button.

"Shouldn't we hurry back?" I questioned, obviously confused. We were walking home, not flying. He held my hand.

"I thought it'd be a good time to cool down, after everything that's happened," he said meekly. I look at him with a questioning face, clearly confused.

"I'm fine," I replied.

"Don't give me that, Shino, I know that's not true," he responded, his voice sounded concerned and frustrated. I look over to him, alarmed at this.

He had a bittersweet smile.

"It's okay to not be fine. But don't lie if you're not," he stopped dead in his tracks, still holding my hand, trembling.

"I want this to be different," he mumbled. He looked to our locked hands.

"It will be," I stood directly in front of him.

"I don't want any secrets. I don't want to lie to each other, saying we're fine when we're not," he said, with serious eyes.

There was a moment I felt I couldn't face him any longer, scared he be able be able to read me like a book.

They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. I'm scared what he'd find in mine.

"He did things to me Kazuto," I murmured, now not able to face him any longer, turning my eyes away from his.

"I know," he said grimly, rubbing my hand with his thumb, his hand still held to mine.

"Things that haunt me. Things I wouldn't let anyone else do but-" I stopped myself, clearly embarrassed.

"But?" He asked innocently. And that's what I love a about him. His innocent, curious nature. His dense, innocent, curious nature.

"But you," I whispered, avoiding his gaze as much as I could, feeling my face burn intensely.

I felt his other hand gently turn my head, to face him. My heart beat increased, now not having a choice but to stare straight into his eyes, and his at mine.

"Shino, I'll make things right, I promise," he mumbled before he pulled me in a hug, wrapping his arms around me.

"We'll find him. And he'll regret the day he messed with us," he said, stroking my hair.

"Because the day he messed with you, he messed with me too," he said.

"Kazuto," I whispered.

He pulled away and smiled gently at me.

"I'll make that nightmare go away," he reassured, before taking my hand again.

"Shall we go?" He asked sweetly. I nodded.

"Kazuto?" I asked.

"Hmm?" He asked, tilting his head in curiosity.

"Yes, I'll be your kitty," I mumbled, and he was pleasantly surprised.

"Now that I think about it, I never gave you an answer," I murmured, a bit shyly.

"Glad to hear that," he sighed in relief and I couldn't help but smile at his cute antics. He pulled out a ring from his pocket.

"Kazuto," I gasped, and he chuckled.

"Do you Shino, accept me to be yours?" He teased. The cute jerk. I felt my face heat up even further.

"Yes," I whispered.

"This ring keeps you from dying," he said, with a serious face now. I looked down in the ring with awe.

"If a attack would pKO you, instead of your HP reaching zero, it goes down to 1HP instead," he slipped on the silver ring with the blue gem placed in the middle.

"Kazuto," I whispered.

"Now is a good time as ever," he slightly smiled, still holding my hand, looking at the silver ring.

"What about you?" I asked, worried, giving him back the ring.

"I'll be fine," he reassured with a smile.

"No, you wear it," I pleaded. He frowned and took the ring.

"I have one of my own," he pulled out a matching one, except it was a graphite colored gem.

"So you keep this one," he slipped the ring back on my finger.

"And I keep this one," he held out the ring to me. I took it, a bit embarrassed, and slipped it on his finger.

"Does this mean," I said, pausing.

"This is a promise," he looked at the rings.

"Of what?" I questioned. He smiled.

"That we'll get out of here alive. Instead of dying, we'll live for each other," he said.

But what if the one of us dies? I thought grimly, now shaking the terrible thought from my head. No. I won't lose Kazuto. I've already lost my mom. I've lost Kyoji, my first friend. But I won't lose him. This is a promise. A promise I'll keep to myself. You help heal me, Kazuto. Bit by bit, gradually but surely.

•••

(Kirito's POV)

I've already lost Sachi. I'm not going to lose you, Shino. That's where I draw the line. This time, I won't break my promise. Even if it costs me my everything.

My mission is to protect you, Shino. Until the day I die.

•••

Authors note: D'awwww I love those two. Anyway if you have some feedback, leave it in the comment section :)

I tried my best guys, hope you liked it. More to come soon, No need to worry!🎵

Until Next Time!

-InGameProdigy out B-P