Solis passed out soon after the insignia of the silver tiger finished appearing on his chest. Noir waited by his bedside, too worried to move.
Several hours later, Solis opened his eyes and looked straight into Noir's red-rimmed ones, swollen from crying.
Solis lifted his hand and patted the younger man's cheek. "Didn't I tell you not to cry?" he said softly.
Noir grabbed his hand with his own trembling ones. "You were in pain and I couldn't do anything to help you," he cried softly, tears pooling in his eyes yet again. "I couldn't do anything…" he repeated.
"Don't say that," Solis cajoled in a gentle voice. "You being here with me is already more fortune than I ever expected in my life," he told Noir. "With you, I can be happy. Isn't that what everyone wants?"
Noir hiccoughed. "How are you feeling now?" he asked instead.
