Chapter 13: I Always Worry About You

I glossed over the first layer of Sol's work as I wondered how he had managed to get me to lose control of my transformation. It's like my inner wolf is free from the chain I had constantly kept around it.

"Aries, let's watch a movie!" I heard Sol say as I turned to see him grinning away confidently as he placed his hands on his hips.

"Hmmm? Has the great developer come up with the idea of a lifetime to watch a movie together?" I teased as I chuckled at Sol, secretly taking the piece of paper that he had written something that seemed of interest.

"W-what is that supposed to mean?! Are you saying I'm slacking?!" Sol stammered as I broke into a grin.

"Not at all. So, what should we watch?" I asked as I took Sol by the hand and headed to the living room.

"..."

"Sol?"

"... Ah! S-sorry... I was lost in thought..." Sol replied as he looked away from me.

"What were you thinking about?" I asked, pulling him to sit beside me. I glanced his way with a gentle smile before turning on the television to Necflex.

"I... I was... Uhh... Let's watch whatever pops up in the recommended!" Sol said in an attempt to divert the topic.

I smiled before turning to look at the list of recommendations. They were all horror movies. Likely due to Halloween being right around the corner. However... Sol isn't good with horror movies.

"Should we choose a different genre?" I asked as I watched Sol studying my expression.

"N-no! I'm not one to go back on my words! J-just pick one!" Sol stammered, to which I found myself surprised.

Is he giving me the opportunity to coddle him? He knows how terrified he is of it. Maybe I should choose the scariest one available. It's nothing to me. A world without Sol is more terrifying anyways.

"I found one. Shall I dim the lights to fit the atmosphere?" I asked as I smiled at Sol. He nodded in reply before running off to grab some things from his room.

Ah... that face... He is terrified. Maybe I should choose another movie. But they all seem equally terrifying? Sigh... Nevermind, I'll just prepare some refreshments then.

***

Throughout the duration of the movie, my eyes were fixed solely on Sol. The expressions he made were cute. Why doesn't he just cling to me? Is he too "manly" to do so?

How do I make him throw away that ludicrous sense of manhood? He always pretends to be brave in situations no man could possibly be. Is he an idiot or someone who just puts someone first?

"Ahhhh!" Sol screamed as the blanket he had been holding onto to hide from the scary scenes slipped from his fingers.

"Sol, are you scared?" I asked as I looked at him with a concerned expression.

"N-no... I'm not..."

"Is that so? Well I... I'm a little scared. Can I hug you?" I asked as I gave him my best impression of a puppy dog look.

I knew Sol wouldn't refuse. Maybe partially because of my looks but it's also likely that it is because he was terrified.

"W-well... Since you're so scared, sure!" Sol said as he extended his arms towards me.

"Sol is so brave. Not like me." I grinned as I pulled him into a hug before turning him around to face the television. I leaned my chin against his shoulder as I breathed in the faint scent of the sun.

"... I think Aries is braver than me..." I heard Sol reply softly.

I smiled warmly to myself as I tightened my grip around his waist. Even without realising, he says the cutest things. Hmm?

"Sol? Are you feeling restless? You're moving around so much. Do you want to go to the toilet?" I asked as I tilted Sol's chin to look at me.

His face is so close.

"Toi--- N-no! I'll stop moving! J-just look in front!" Sol stammered as he pushed my face away.

I frowned but complied, following his gaze towards the dark hallway. Ah. I see. I nearly forgot he was afraid of the dark.

***

30 minutes later...

"Sol? Do you want to go to the toilet? I can always pause the movie. You've been fidgeting a lot since earlier." I asked again, leaning over Sol's shoulder as I studied his expression.

"I...."

"What did you say?"

"I do!"

"Oh, then... Go ahead. I'll pause the movie for you." I smiled as I waited for his invitation.

"Alone..."

"Hmm?"

"I don't want to go alone.... Can you follow me?" Sol said, his cheeks a little flushed.

"Oh! Alright. I'll accompany you. Why didn't you just say so?" I smiled as I patted Sol's head gently.

***

"Are you alright in there?" I asked from the opposite side of the door.

"I-I'm fine! You don't have to hang around outside!" Sol called out as I heard the sound of him flailing about.

"Huh? Is that so? Then, I'll head back to the living room. Call me if you need anything." I said as I used it as an opportunity to study the materials he had left around.

I headed towards his desk and went through whatever seemed relevant before digging through my pocket and unfolding the paper I had taken earlier.

I glanced at the bathroom door before heading outside to read the contents. I know Sol wouldn't hide anything from me, but, I had not told him about who I really was.

Even when I was talking with sister... I did not tell her the entire truth.

When he had used the device in me, the burning sensation was different from how it usually was. It felt hotter. It felt like the wolf was clawing its way out.

I tried to suppress it. Maybe that is why my body couldn't handle it and I collapsed. I need to know what he used in his formula. It might tell me something about how the wolf can take over my body unrestrained.

"Dammit! This doesn't hold any useful information either!" I growled as I crumpled the paper and tossed it to the ground in anger.

"ARIES!" I heard Sol's panicked voice.

Huh? Did something happen?

I glanced towards the house and back at the paper before straightening it and folding it back to fit my pocket. I then hurried back to the house to figure out why Sol had been panicking.

The lights were out. The lab enveloped in an eclipse of darkness. I glanced around and noticed the cabinet Sol kept the flashlight at by the door and hurriedly grabbed it.

I headed right for the bathroom as I yanked it open. Sol fell out of the door with a face so pale, drenched in his own tears and perspiration. My heart sank as I thought about what I had been doing when I could have been by his side, preventing this from happening.

"Sol? Are you alright? I think the lights went out. I was outside checking up on something because I heard a sound... Did you hurt yourself?" I asked as I held him tightly to my body. He was shaking.

"N-no... I thought you left... It was scary.... I broke the door knob... I couldn't get out... You also... You weren't there... No matter how long I called..."

I clenched my fists as I furrowed my brows. If I had been a little later, and he fell down in the dark...

"It's alright now. I'm here." I whispered in a soft and gentle tone. It was the most I could offer to calm him down.

"... Thank you." Sol whispered as his hold on my waist tightened.

"And uh... speaking of door... I broke it." I glanced at the door which barely hung on the broken hinge. A wave of relief settling in as I had Sol safe and secure in my arms.

"Wh-- Ho--- The door..." Sol was flabbergasted as he stammered for words.

"Well... I'll go and check on the fuse box. Why don't you wait here?" I asked as I patted Sol's head affectionately.

"H-huh? Here? But... uh..." Sol looked around before turning towards me with a terrified expression.

"It's alright. I'll be back soon... You know what? Why don't you take this? My eyes have already focused in the dark." I smiled, handing Sol the flashlight.

"A-alright."

"I'll come back soon when the lights turn on again. You have nothing to fear as long as I'm around." I said in an effort to calm him.

It had seemed to work as the fast paced beating in Sol's chest slowed to a calm and rhythmic beat.

I quickly headed outside and headed straight for the basement. I sometimes wondered what the architects were thinking when designing the place but chose to ignore it as Sol had not bothered changing the layout in the years that he had stayed here.

After flipping on the main power, I heard a loud shriek coming from the room Sol was in. I immediately jumped to my feet and rushed there.

"Did something happen? Someone broke in?" I immediately blurted out, listing out the various scenarios that may have transpired.

"St-stop it... I swear I'm going to have nightmares tonight..." Sol pouted cutely as I noticed the image of the ghost on the screen and casually blocked it from his view.

"Do you need me to sleep with you tonight then?" I asked jokingly before realising what I had said.

"No need. Also... why is your face so red? Is it because you were running here?"

"N-no... Maybe we should just watch something else." I replied as I exited from the movie we were watching, handing Sol the remote to choose a different movie to watch.

"It's alright. Let's just finish it. L-leave the lights on though." Sol said as he handed the remote back to me.

"Don't come crying to me later." I grinned as I clicked on the resume button.

My mind began to wander as I thought about Sol. If I had left for the US... He would have been here all by himself. If anything were to happen to him when he was all alone...

No... All these are just scenarios in my head. I am here with him now. All I need to do is... to keep my wolf in check. I have no idea if it would harm Sol. Maybe... being close to him now is what could harm him the most...

Why... He always makes me worried. What should I do to keep him safe? Sol... You are always on my mind. I'd trade my life to keep you safe.

I turned to look at Sol, noticing he too, was looking at me. My lips instantly tugged to a smile as I ruffled his hair.

It's fine if he sees me as a friend. At least I have the excuse to stay beside him. It would be greedy to ask for more.