Amarok stood before Lucian and Julian, the twins' expectant eyes locked on him, their expressions full of concern and confusion. He wanted to speak, to explain everything that had been eating away at him, but the words wouldn't come.
His chest felt tight, and his throat burned from holding back the truth for so long.
Every part of him screamed to tell them, to unload the burden, but fear and shame kept his lips sealed. His heart was torn between wanting to protect them and the growing agony of hiding what he was going through.
"Amarok," Lucian's voice broke through the silence, soft and pleading. "Please, just tell us what's wrong. We can fix it. Whatever it is, we'll handle it."
Julian stood beside his brother, his face equally filled with worry. "You've been distant for weeks. It's like you're slipping away from us," he added, his voice barely masking the desperation he felt. "We love you. Please, don't shut us out."
