Layla instantly sprang back up and released the Lopin from the embrace.
"Woah there!" yelled Matt as he shot up to grab the girl before she could fall off.
"Why did you do that?!"
" Because you're adorable and no protests on that. Anyways, all I can tell you is to trust me and don't mind what Teemo says about me. You have secrets, and so do I. Let's leave it at that," explained Matt as he lay down on the right side of the bed.
"Promise me one thing then…" said Layla as she sat at the foot of the bed.
"Yes?"
"Promise me you won't hurt me."
The Loplin's gaze turned solemn as he sat up again to reach out for the girl. With one movement, Matt pulled Layla down to lay beside him, causing the girl to squeak.
"I never thought a Dragoon could make that noise but I'm not complaining. But never mind that…" said the bunny as he scooted closer to the blushing mess.
"I will promise you on the white cherry blossoms that I will never turn or hurt you," announced Matt as he gently cupped the girl's reddened cheeks.
Layla's face was drained of its redness when Matt spoke about the white cherry blossoms.
"How could you have known about the white cherry blossoms? Who… Are… You…"
Matt gently hushed the Dragoon as he placed his forehead onto hers, closing his eyes.
"That's the most I can give you. You just have to be patient with me and trust me. Now then, I shall take a nap because I have to stay up a bit later to discuss things with Teemo," replied the Loplin, turning over to face away from Layla.
The Dragoon kept silent as she allowed the rabbit to take his rest. A million thoughts raced through Layla's head. How could he have known a secret that was meant for her and her twin to share?
Layla slowly sat up and slouched over as she tried to calm herself down. The more she thought about it, the more she became nauseous and her Elemental Energy levels started to become unstable…
"You have to stop thinking about it. Just try and nap, though you don't really need it as much as I do," said the bunny man, as he grasped the Dragoon's wrist.
Layla nodded and laid back down, slowly drifting away to sleep for the first time in a few weeks. Matt smiled as he too went into his slumberland…
The Loplin opened his eyes to a barren land of dust and dirt, with dead trees and an ashen sky as a backdrop. He then looked down at himself, noting that he was in full combat uniform and was holding onto his weapon.
"Another nightmare… I honestly need to take a break…" grumbled Matt as he started to walk around with his guard up.
His ear twitched and he halted in his tracks when he heard footsteps approaching him from behind. He knew who it was and sighed.
"I wish I could have some peaceful dreams like a beachside or running river area. Would be such a nice change from always looking at my past… And maybe you would stop showing up in my dreams, Alex," said the Loplin as he slowly turned around.
Now the rabbit was facing a dark red, concentrated cloud that was slightly taller than himself.
"You seem tired of me... I thought you would be more happy to see me since I was your partner in crime," replied the cloud.
"I always sound tired... I would be more happy to see you in person, instead of always appearing in my dreamscape in that cloud form. But that isn't going to come true, is it? You will forever appear here based on my previous memories of you."
"How dumb is it that I can't even remember what you look like?"
The cloud remained silent as the Loplin sighed.
"I don't know why you are here, nor what kind of sick Dream Magecraft is going on for you to appear before me again. As if I haven't felt enough guilt for what happened to you. But I can't keep dwelling on the past so I'll leave now," announced the rabbit as he continued forward.
"Just make sure not to make the same mistake you did for me to that Dragoon."
The Loplin froze in his tracks before abruptly turning around to protest, only to find that the cloud had vanished.
"Damn that kid..."
The rabbit marched onwards, hoping to find something else. The place felt dead; with no signs of life or movement other than the ashen sky moving its clouds. Embers started to fly around as Matt continued to walk. He then halted when he saw a familiar figure.