Despite the grip his thoughts held on the moon-kissed boy, an ear would twist at the sound of approaching paws. Had it not been Aelia's, perhaps he would've continued on in the twisting expanse of his mind, walking and wandering and never to be found. However, the dim-lit shadows that veiled his eyes from the rest of the world appeared to part, as though they were a swing of curtains from the memories and thoughts that had entangled him, and at last, he could see.

The world came to him in a sudden wave of rushing sounds, the trickle of water louder than his own heartbeat, and the wind singing daftly in his ears. He turned, eyes encased with the heaviness of sleep and yet shining just enough to convey appreciation for his golden sister's presence.

Our bond, He said with a smile, though his voice was no louder than a murmur as the wind silenced and the water finally turned to nothing more than a quiet burble. His attention drifted towards her, nodding solemnly along her words.

There was a pain that sliced deep within his chest, a warring of emotions that only left him battered and bruised within. Amaya had done this. Amaya had made everything go to shit with her prancing paws and dark nose in everyone's business. Aelia, he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper as his own sunlit gaze searched her own, I...

Ears would splay to his skull, the hammer of his heart appearing louder in the night's silence.

It was a lie... he wished to express. He did not remember the dream upon waking that night with Amaya. Her over-excited paws, dancing steps, and incessant heavy breathing...she hung over him like a cloak of darkness, and Amaris could do nothing more than allow any and all words to slip from his tongue then. If only to appease her overexcitement, let her live in the world she did.

I don't remember what I saw. I don't know what I did. He tried to express in the searching gaze he gave his sister.

And then, a sigh appeared to rattle his bones, and for a moment, Amaris would suffer in silence as he bore the weight of something that could not be undone. Gods, smite him now.

What do you think it wants? He managed to utter (just barely).