“I don’t need help.”

Arthur always said that. He didn’t need anyone. He was capable of anything, and emotions only got in the way. He shoved them down. Bottled them up and taped the cap shut. They were unimportant anyways. Sure, they leaked out here and there, but he was always able to get a hold of them again. He didn’t have panic attacks. At least, not usually.

But he didn’t say that today. Today, looked his sibling in the eye, his own filled with tears, and he begged. The one person he knew he could trust was them. And even though he knew he was undeserving, even though he knew he had been cruel to them, he couldn't help but look to them now. His heart kept beating so fast, his breathing erratic. He didn't know how to stop it. He choked down a sob and he whimpered, “help me.”