"Don't do that," I said, turning him back to face me. "Don't think that just because you're a boy, you're not allowed to cry or some B.S. like that. I'm your twin sister. You've seen me cry so many times, it's not even funny. Let it out, Al. I'm right here."

He didn't need much convincing. I held him tightly to me for a few minutes as he cried, emptying every volatile emotion that been creating turmoil underneath his skin since he had first developed the horrible, addictive habit of self-harm.

When he had calmed down some, I grasped his wrist with a gentle, loving touch and said, "Let me help?" He nodded, not needing to hear the words to know what I meant by that.

I walked him to the bathroom, where I instructed him to stand still as I dressed his wounds and put medicine on ones that needed it so that they wouldn't get infected.

"Thanks, Ash," Alex said, smiling at me. His breakdowns had always been like a summer rain; they left him refreshed and rejuvenated after they came to pass. I smiled back.

"It's my job. You take care of me. Now it's my turn."

"I'm here for you," I cupped his face in my hands so that he would be forced to stare directly into my eyes and see how serious I was. "I'm here for you whenever you need me. Like we promised Landon today - anytime, day or night. So are the guys. Daniel and Carter know what this is like, and the others would be willing to listen and talk and try to help you, too. I know you're scared, and that's okay, but I won't leave your side. If you want me to be there when you tell them, I'm there. If you need anything at all, I'm here. We can figure out other ways, together, with the team and whoever else you want to know about this. You don't have to pay this price anymore. I promise. I'll make sure you never have to pay this price ever again, Alex."

"I know," Alex replied earnestly. "I promise I'll try to talk to the guys, and I'll try to get to a point where I don't feel like I need to do this. I can't promise results, but I promise I'll try."

"Good," I said. "That's all I'm asking for."

"I love you Alex," I whispered to him, wrapping him in a tight embrace.

"I love you more, Ashlyn," he replied.

We completed our age-old tradition together: "I love you most."