~Kirito's POV~
I awoke with a pounding headache and an excruciating pain in my arm. The sight that welcomed me as I opened my eyes agape couldn't strangle back my smile. I leaned close and kissed (Y/N)'s forehead, leaving my lips frozen for a moment. When I stirred, she seemed to clutch to me harder. Her face had a fixated expression of fear, and I didn't know why... I couldn't leave her alone like that. Laying back down, I hugged her for a few more minutes.
"I love you, (Y/N)..."
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~Your POV~
Stuck in the supposed hell of a dream, my body was chained to a chair and I was being tortured. This wasn't a dream at all. This was a nightmare. Of the worst degree. It seemed as though the pain of mine wasn't enough. There were screams lingering in the air with more flowing through. It was so loud that it was almost as white noise was thrashing my head and ears.
There was one thing that hooked my attention like a billboard.
"I love you, (Y/N)..." Everything seemed to fade. Nothing was there anymore. Hell was chained. Heaven was released. That nightmare soon turned into the heaven that I wish to have on earth. I felt a violent shaking.
An earthquake? What is this?
"(Y/N)!" Kazuto shouted, gripping my shoulders. I woke up, springing up and into his arms. He stiffened but seemed to relax simultaneously. He lightly pushed me away to look at my face.
"(Y/N)," Kirito started, cupping my cheek and wiping away my tears.
"You're crying... What happened? Are you alright?" He held my hand.
"Y-yes... Nightmare..." I whimpered. He looked at me quizzically.
"Then why did you say 'I love you too' out loud?" He asked, and I froze.
"I... Did...?"
He nodded faintly and my face flushed. Coughing nervously, I looked away.
"It's just... H-hard to explain..."
"What's so hard to explain?" I saw his face tinted red, and I wondered why. I remembered hearing the voice-
Wait.
That voice sounded awfully familiar in my dream...
