**Chapter 1: Rebirth in Darkness**

The darkness was absolute, a heavy blanket that suffocated me, yet I couldn't feel anything else. No pain, no touch, no sound. Just an endless void. I was lost, and I knew I was lost. But I wasn't alone. A gentle voice whispered in the distance, a soothing melody that calmed the storm brewing inside me. I tried to respond, but my voice was trapped, unable to escape. As I slowly drifted back into consciousness, I became aware of a presence around me. The air was thick with the scent of antiseptic and something sweet, like honey. I tried to open my eyes, but they refused to budge. I was blind, or at least, I couldn't see. A wave of panic washed over me, but the gentle voice returned, whispering words of comfort. The voice belonged to Hange, my beloved boyfriend, the dragon emperor and yakuza king. He had always been my rock, my shelter from the storm. I remembered fragments of my past, of his love and care. He had taken me in, protected me from the world, and I had grown to rely on him. As I lay there, I became aware of a warmth spreading across my body. Wet bandages covered me, a comforting sensation that reminded me of a womb. I was hypersensitive, my autism spectrum disorder making every sensation feel like a tidal wave crashing over me. But Hange's presence was a gentle anchor, holding me steady. My mind was a jumble of memories, fragmented and disjointed. I recalled my abusive father, the boiling water he had thrown at me, the searing pain as my skin burned. I remembered the feeling of being abandoned, left to suffer. But Hange's love and care had helped me cope, had helped me heal. Or at least, they had tried to. I was aware of a nest around me, a makeshift womb that Hange had created. The hospital bed was warm and wet, mimicking a mother's womb. I felt a sense of peace, of safety, that I had never known before. Hange's dragon magic had created a barrier around us, a shield that protected me from unwanted eyes. He had used his powers to cloak my nest, making it invisible to anyone who might try to harm me. As I lay there, I heard the sound of a mother's heartbeat, a gentle rhythm that soothed me. Hange's hand gently patted my back, mimicking the beat. I felt a sense of regression, my mind retreating to a younger age, a time when life was simpler. I was a newborn baby again, helpless and dependent on Hange for everything. My legs were gone, amputated due to the severe burns. I couldn't feel them, but I knew they were there, covered in warm, wet blankets. Hange's shadow acted as a feeding tube, providing me with the nourishment I needed. He gently changed my diaper, wiping my butt with care, and putting a new one on me. I was completely dependent on him, and I knew it. But with Hange by my side, I felt safe. I felt loved. As I drifted back into the darkness, I knew that I had a long way to go. But with Hange's love and care, I was ready to face whatever came next.