The morning light spilled into the courtyard, glinting off the frost that had crept over the stone overnight. Students bustled to and from classes, their chatter filling the crisp air. Among them, Lando hurried towards the library, his bag slung over one shoulder. He was distracted, replaying Alonso's words about Carlos in his mind:

"He hides from the world because he fears what it will see. What he doesn't realise is that hiding only makes it lonelier."

He hadn't seen him much since their emotional confrontation, and it gnawed at him. He knew Carlos needed space, but the distance felt wrong. His mind kept circling back to Alonso's cryptic warning: "When the truth comes, be ready to stand beside him."

His thoughts were interrupted as Oscar fell into step beside him, his usual sharp-eyed expression softening slightly when he glanced at Lando.

"You look like you're carrying the weight of the castle," Oscar remarked dryly. "Forgot to turn in an essay, or is it something else this time?"

Lando hesitated before answering, his hand tightening on the strap of his bag. "It's nothing. Just... thinking."

Oscar stopped walking, forcing Lando to halt too. "You've been 'just thinking' a lot lately. Everyone seems to be 'just thinking' a lot lately. And every time I ask about it, I get brushed off. What's going on with you? And don't say 'nothing' again, because I'm not buying it."

Lando sighed, glancing around to make sure no one was within earshot. "Carlos. I don't know how to help him, and I think I've made things worse."

Oscar frowned, crossing his arms. "You're not the only one worried about him. He's been acting strange for weeks. I thought it was just stress, but now I'm not so sure."

"Do you know why?" Lando asked, his tone sharper than intended. "Because I've been trying to figure it out, but I've got nothing to go off of."

Oscar hesitated, thinking about his conversation with Carlos the day previous, his expression unreadable. "No. But whatever it is, it's eating him alive. You're not the only one he's shutting out, so don't take it personally."

Lando stared at Oscar, trying to decipher his tone. Was there a hint of bitterness there? Or just concern? Either way, Oscar's words stung because they were true.

"I just want to help him," Lando said quietly. "But I feel like every time I try, I make it worse."

"Maybe he doesn't want your help," Oscar said bluntly, then sighed when he saw Lando's crestfallen expression. "Look, I don't mean that in a bad way. Sometimes people need to deal with things on their own. But if you push too hard, he's going to push back."

Oscar paced outside the potions storeroom, the quiet hum of activity in the nearby corridor doing little to settle his nerves. He replayed his earlier conversation with Carlos, guilt festering in his chest. His words, however well-meaning, had only pushed Carlos further into isolation, undoing any and all progress he'd made.

"Alright, Oscar," he muttered under his breath. "You've faced worse than a grumpy Sainz. Just- apologise. Start there."

Taking a deep breath, he stepped inside. As expected, Carlos was perched on one of the stools near the back, sorting through ingredients with a distracted expression. His movements were mechanical, a stark contrast to the sharp precision he usually wielded.

"Hola," Oscar greeted awkwardly, earning a brief glance from Carlos.

"What?" Carlos' tone was clipped, his gaze flicking back to the rows of jars.

"I, uh..." Oscar scratched the back of his neck. "I wanted to talk about...you know. What I said. I think I might've been a bit- harsh."

Carlos let out a dry laugh, setting down a jar with more force than necessary. "Harsh? That's one way to put it."

"I'm trying to apologise here," Oscar retorted, irritation creeping into his voice.

"Well, you're not doing a great job."

They locked eyes, the tension between them palpable. For a moment, neither spoke, until Oscar sighed heavily and sat down opposite Carlos.

"Look, I messed up, alright?" Oscar admitted, his voice softer. "I keep pushing because I want to help, but I know now that I've been going about it the wrong way. I don't know what you're dealing with, but...I want to be someone you can count on. Not just Lando, not just Alonso. Me too."

Carlos hesitated, his fingers hovering over the next jar. When he finally looked at Oscar, his expression was conflicted. "Why do you care so much? We've done nothing but argue since day one."

"Maybe that's why," Oscar said with a wry smile. "If we can survive all that, we can survive being actual friends, right?"

Carlos snorted, but the tension in his shoulders eased. "You've got a strange way of showing it."

"I'll work on that," Oscar promised.

The silence that followed was tentative but not uncomfortable. Carlos eventually gave a small nod. "Gracias, Piastri."

"Anytime."

The library had rapidly grown quiet, the muffled scratching of quills and rustling of pages providing a soothing backdrop. Lando's fingers curled around the edge of his book, though he hadn't read a single sentence in the past half hour. Alonso's calm yet pointed advice had struck a chord. He thought about Carlos' walls- those carefully constructed barriers that kept everyone at arm's length. Lando had always believed he could break through them, but maybe that wasn't the answer.

"Trust goes both ways," he murmured to himself.

He shut the book and stood abruptly, ignoring the startled glance from a nearby student. If he was going to prove to Carlos that he could be trusted, he needed to show it, not demand it.

He found Carlos in one of the quieter courtyards, sitting beneath a sprawling oak tree. The shadows cast by its branches danced across his face, and for a moment, Lando hesitated. Then he squared his shoulders and approached.

"Carlos," he called gently.

He glanced up, his expression guarded. "¿Estás bien?"

"I want to talk," Lando said simply, taking a seat beside him.

Carlos audibly sighed but didn't protest.

"I spoke to Alonso," Lando began.

"He told me you wouldn't force answers out of me," Carlos interrupted, a bitter smile tugging at his lips.

"Yes, but he also told me to trust you," Lando countered. "And that's what I'm here to do. I don't need to know everything, Carlos. I just want you to know that whatever it is...I'm here. No judgment. No conditions."

C's mask faltered, his hands curling into fists in his lap. He recalled the strikingly similar words from Oscar all those weeks ago. "It's not that simple though. If it was, I'd tell you."

"I know," Lando said softly. "But I need you to know that I won't walk away from you. Not now. Not ever."

The sincerity in his tone made his throat tighten. He looked away, blinking rapidly. "You're making it really hard not to tell you," he admitted.

Lando's heart leapt. "Then tell me."

Carlos shook his head vehemently, his voice barely a whisper. "I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because..." Carlos hesitated, the weight of his secret pressing down on him. "Because if I do, everything will change. And I can't lose you, Lando."

"You won't," Lando promised, reaching out to place a hand on Carlos' shoulder. "I'll make an unbreakable vow if I have to.

For a fleeting moment, Carlos thought about spilling everything- the truth about the full moons, the glamour, the chamber. But fear held him back once again. He pulled away, shaking his head.

"Lo siento, Landito" he said hoarsely. "I just...I can't."

Ladno's disappointment was palpable, but he nodded. "Alright. I won't push. Just...don't ignore me, or what I've said, okay?"

Carlos nodded, though his guilt gnawed at him.

As Lando walked away, Carlos leaned back against the tree, his thoughts a tangled mess. He had almost told Lando the truth, but he couldn't shake the fear that once the secret was out, things would never be the same.