The blinding radiance of the ancient star extinguished as swiftly as it had ignited. Noir's luminescent white eyes flickered, the overwhelming divine majesty receding to reveal the warm, familiar pools of melted chocolate that Solis knew and loved so dearly.
With the retreat of the golden aura, the colossal weight of channelling such primordial energy crashed down upon Noir's mortal shell. He gasped, the last reserves of his adrenaline evaporating, and his knees instantly buckled.
Solis was there before Noir could even begin to fall. He caught his husband with desperate, fiercely protective arms, pulling Noir's limp form flush against his chest.
"I have got you," Solis murmured, his voice a low, steady rumble against Noir's ear. "I have you, my little darling. You are safe."
