A/N: Sorry for not updating in a long time. I've been focusing on tests and exams, trying to finish the school year strong! 💪🏽 Feels good to be done!

. . .

You curled up in a ball, gripping your arms and digging your nails into your skin. You started reliving those scenes from the past. You could feel hands all over your body and hot breath against your neck.

Your breathing picked up, your chest rising and falling rapidly. And the wave of fear and anxiety, which you thought you buried long ago, resurfaced and you felt tears forming in your eyes.

But you won't cry. You refused to cry. You were not some weak little girl anymore.

You are Toxin.

Though no matter how many times you said that to yourself, those memories kept plaguing your mind. The fear and anxiety wouldn't leave. Your breathing rate was still rapid.

You felt like you were trapped inside a box. A pitch black box that prevented you from moving your limbs. It was so dark, you couldn't see anything around you.

You felt claustrophobic at the moment. Suffocating from darkness.

If you could see yourself in the current state you were in, you'd laugh. You spent years after your escape, locking these feelings away. And now, it seems like it was all for nothing.

A part of you blames Cobra. It was him who spoke those three words. You bet if he saw you right now, he'd take back those words in a heartbeat. This part of you is submerged in fear.

But another part of you is tired. It just wants to be rid of fear and anxiety, of the pain and trauma. It grows weary of this long path down the road of darkness and suffering.

Time to take a different route.

COBRA'S CELL

The Poison Dragon Slayer scratched at his wrists, a low growl escaping his mouth.

I'm an idiot. I'm an idiot. I'm an idiot. He repeated over and over in his head. He regretted telling you that he loved you and was now too embarrassed to look you in the eyes.

Whenever he would actually get the chance to look at you, that is.

He probably just ruined whatever friendship he had with you. And now you probably hate him. You're probably disgusted by him. Appalled.

A wave of drowsiness hit his body. He was emotionally tired and drained. And he didn't hesitate to let sleep take him.

Maybe he'd have a pleasant dream.

His eyes snapping open, Cobra sat up with a gasp. His chest rose and fell rapidly. After getting over his state of shock or panic, the parasympathetic nervous system activating, he began to notice his surroundings.

He sat in the middle of what seemed like an old forest. But there were no animals around; there was barely any people. In fact, Cobra assumed that he was alone.

'Where am I?' He wondered.

There was no Sun in this forest, but it wasn't entirely dark either. The area was dimly lit, clouds covering every inch of the sky.

He slowly rose, standing to his feet, and surveyed the area. He felt a presence behind him and turned around, only to be met with a dagger coming towards his chest.

Unable to react fast enough, Cobra simply stood there with his eyes widened.

But then the person who had suddenly attacked Cobra stiffened and collapsed to the ground a second later.

And standing behind the unknown person was a woman whom Cobra knew very well.

"Toxin?" He gasped.

You lowered your blade, which was covered in other people's blood, and furrowed your eyebrows.

"Uh, sure, okay." You said in confusion. "Call me what you want." You turned your back to him and started to walk away.

"Where are you going?" Cobra asked.

You stopped walking and looked at him over your shoulder. "Away from here." You said as if it was obvious. "If we stay here, we'll be killed."

"Uh . ."

"Well, don't just stand there like an idiot! C'mon!"

Cobra just nodded and followed behind you. As the two of you walked, he seemed nervous and uncomfortable from what you could see from the corner of your eye.

"What's your name?" You spoke up, attempting to make conversation.

Cobra raised his eyebrows. 'She doesn't know me?' He thought. "Uh, C-Cobra." He stuttered hesitantly. He debated with himself on whether he should tell you his real name or not.

"Cobra, huh? That's pretty exotic." You smirked. "I'd tell you my name, but you already gave me one."

"Huh?"

"You called me Toxin, remember? Pretty hardcore nickname if you ask me."

"Oh, uh, yeah . ."

It would seem that you didn't or hadn't met Cobra yet, which confused him. But he was also slightly relieved because he could get a do-over with you. Since in this world, wherever he was, he had never told you that he loved you.

And even here, he still did. You looked exactly the same to him. The same (h/c) hair, the same (e/c) eyes, the same (s/c) skin, and even your voice. Although, now your voice didn't sound as venomous.

Could he have a chance with you now?

Only one way to find out.

"Do you believe in love?" He mumbled shyly. He was nervous. He didn't want to be rejected a second time.

You scoffed, laughing lightly. "In a place like this, you don't exactly have the time to fall in love."

"But could you?" There was hope in his voice.

"Suppose so. It's not impossible, but I doubt it'll ever happen any time soon." You looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Why're you asking?"

You barely got a chance to breathe after your question before Cobra pressed his lips to yours. He cupped your face with both hands, keeping you close to him. He slipped his tongue in your mouth, groaning at the feeling.

You were surprised at first, kissing a total stranger, but the kiss wasn't bad. So you let him have his way.

You suddenly became aware of someone sneaking up on you. You pushed Cobra away, breaking the kiss, and spun around just in time to swing your blade across a man's neck.

You went deeper than you thought you did and ended up chopping his head off.

The head and body fell to the ground. Separately.

You turned back around to face Cobra, breathing heavy. "You don't have a sense of awareness, do you?" You chuckled.

"Not with you." He said, becoming more confident after the kiss. "You . . You take all my senses away."

You couldn't help but burst into a fit of laughter. Cobra's eyes widened. You were laughing . . . and smiling. He's never seen you genuinely laugh or smile.

And you were beautiful.

"You're funny." You smiled. "I like you. Try not to get killed, okay? Then maybe we can take that kiss a step further." You playfully winked at him.

"Hey!" A voice called. It echoed in Cobra's head. "Hey!"

"Hey!"

Cobra's eyes snapped open and he jerked in his prison cell.

At the bars of his cells was a guard. "Finally awake." He grumbled. "Here. Food." He pushed the tray of food into Cobra's cell and walked away.

Cobra just stared at the food. He didn't feel like eating at the moment. All he could think about was his dream.

Did you really smile like that? Could you actually fall in love with him?

He wanted to know. He wanted to know badly.

And that dream gave him the hope he needed to find out.