Jovis Finally Leaves

"Oh, Solis! I envy you so much for finding this little darling to yourself!" Jovis muttered, eyeing Noir.

Solis pulled Noir into his arms protectively and glared at his half-brother.

"Even if I were to be the reincarnation of Noir's master – that doesn't explain why you're here," Solis pointed out to Jovis.

Jovis sighed again. "Ah, brother mine – you have even forgotten that owed you several life-saving favours!" he said, a flash of sadness flitting across his face. "I wish you would regain your memories soon. Even though we're still only half-brothers when we are demi-gods, at least you don't hate me in that form…"

"Solis doesn't hate you – or any of his siblings. He doesn't even hate your mother," Noir said softly. "All we want is to be left in peace."

Jovis frowned at Noir. "Do you really not want Solis to regain his memories? To be Tygr again? To be a demi-god again…? Even though he gave up his life to save you and send you here…?" he asked. There was a hint of anger in his eyes.

Noir went very pale, but his chin was determined. "If Master chose to send me to his reincarnation, then he clearly wanted me to be with his reincarnation. Besides, regardless of whether Solis is Master's reincarnation or someone else – for me, Solis is Solis, and he is the one I love, and he is the only one I will love. I don't want him to lose himself and become someone else – and I know Master would never do that, either," he declared.

Jovis sighed defeatedly. "I told Tygr that mortals are ungrateful," he murmured, almost to himself. "Especially mortals with royal blood. You, too, are the same, Prince Noir. You, too, have betrayed Tygr despite all his sacrifices, despite his firm belief that you were different from the rest of the mortals." There was so much bitterness and anger in his eyes that Noir was stunned.

Noir trembled in Solis's arms and Solis's chest hurt again.

"Shut up," Solis hissed at Jovis. "If Tygr sent him to me, then he's mine to keep, especially since we love each other. There is no betrayal here!"

Jovis laughed again. "Look at you, still defending him like this even now," he said. "You really are Tygr – except that you don't have his memories."

"Then where is the betrayal?" Solis questioned. "Noir is right here with me and we are engaged to be married!" He narrowed his eyes. "Besides, how do you know that it is not a deliberate action to Tygr's part to seal his memories away? If I were him, and I was unsure of Noir's affections, I would do that, too, and let Noir choose for himself. Noir still chose me – and I am very grateful and very pleased with that. Also, as long as Noir remains a mortal, I, too, would want to be a mortal. If Tygr really was me, the current situation would be the best possible outcome I would wish for!"

Noir stared at Solis with his eyes full of admiration and adoration.

Even Jovis was stunned, and he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "You may actually be right," he murmured, almost to himself. "Well, then, I'll leave you two to it – and if you need my help anytime, do let me know. After all, even in my mortal form, you still managed to save my life, brother mine."

And with that, Jovis jumped out of the window and disappeared.

Noir burst into tears the moment Jovis was gone.

Solis held him close and let him cry, even though his chest throbbed.

"I'm sorry," Noir said after some time. "Am I a terrible person, Solis? I love my Master, and I wouldn't hesitate to give up my life to save him – but you – I can't give you up. I still want to be with you as you are. I don't want you to become my Master. I want you to be you." He looked down at his feet. "I must be the most ungrateful and horrible wretch ever…"

Solis planted a gentle kiss on Noir's brow. "Don't worry so much, my little darling. If I really am your master's reincarnation, then aren't you effectively with your master anyway? Whether he chose to seal his memories or not – that's not something for you to bear the blame for. If I were him, I'd prefer for you to make your own choice, always."

Noir didn't reply. He simply buried his face in Solis's shoulder.

Solis decided to use different tactics to distract his fiancé.

"Noir," he said softly. "My chest hurts." That statement was completely true. "My legs also hurt." This one was completely false. "Will you give me a massage, please?" This was heartfelt.

Noir was immediately concerned, and led Solis to the bed, checking him over. Seeing Noir fussing over him instead of crying and blaming himself unnecessarily, Solis was relieved, and his chest stopped hurting as well.

Noir gave him a full body massage until Solis felt utterly relaxed and boneless. The activity also put Noir in a calm frame of mind, exactly as Solis had intended – and that's when Noir understood why the stoic Solis, who rarely ever admitted to being in pain, would suddenly volunteer such information and even request a massage by himself.

Warmth spread through Noir and his heart softened into a pool of melted chocolate, just like his eyes. He leaned forward and pressed a kiss on Solis's shoulder.

"Thank you," he whispered.

Solis immediately pulled Noir on to the bed and held him in his arms. "What on earth are you thanking me for? I was the one who got a world-class massage – shouldn't I be the one thanking you, my little darling?" he asked, wriggling his eyebrows in a rather comical manner.

Noir rewarded him with a small smile. "You already know what I mean," he said softly.

Solis simply pulled him closer and kissed his brow again. "Let's rest for a while and gather our bearings, all right?" he murmured.

Noir nodded.

Five minutes later, both of them were fast asleep.