Raven held Manoj for a long time, longer than he had held anyone in his life.
His fingers dug into the burned fabric of Manoj's clothes as if he could stop the world from moving by holding tighter.
His tears soaked Manoj's shoulder, warm at first, then cold as the air dried them.
"Manoj… you left me so early, buddy…" he whispered, voice shaking so badly the words almost broke apart.
He pressed his forehead against Manoj's neck, breathing in that faint smell of smoke and metal that still clung to him.
"You idiot… you always rush ahead… why did you go first…"
He hugged him even harder, squeezing him like he could still keep the life inside.
His shoulders trembled, but then something changed.
Under all the heartbreak, something sharp pushed through. Something dark.
"But don't worry…" Raven said quietly, his chin resting on Manoj's shoulder.
His tears kept falling, but his voice gained a strange steadiness. "I'll join you soon."
He meant it. Every word.
