The blinding, golden shockwave receded as rapidly as it had erupted. It left behind a profound, ringing silence on the veranda, broken only by the gentle lapping of the ocean waves against the distant shore.
The terrifying, luminescent white faded from Noir's eyes, replaced once again by the warm, liquid chocolate brown that Solis loved so dearly. The moment the divine aura retracted, the sheer exhaustion of channelling such ancient, primordial magic caught up with the young man. Noir's eyes fluttered shut, and he slumped forward, his body completely entirely limp as he collapsed onto Solis's chest.
"Noir!" Solis gasped. He sat up in a frantic rush, catching his husband before he could hit the wooden decking.
