The rhythmic clang of weights echoed through the otherwise quiet gym. Muscle Hero moved through his routine, each repetition a physical punctuation mark to his racing thoughts. He stared at his reflection in the mirrored wall, the image a towering figure of strength, a stark contrast to the knot of anxiety in his stomach.
"Another set," he thought grimly, pushing through the burn in his muscles. "Distraction is key. Keep the body busy, the mind will follow." But it wasn't working. The ghost of Moonbeam's brother's words kept replaying in his head.
He moved to the punching bag, each strike a release of pent-up frustration. "Distance. That's always been the answer, hasn't it? Keep everyone at arm's length. Protocols. Schedules. Walls built higher than any skyscraper I've ever stopped."
A pause, his fists resting against the worn leather. "But look at you, MH. Stronger than ever, but... lighter? Emptier?" The reflection offered no answers, only the stark reality of his isolation.
He moved to the bench press, the weight heavy above him. "It worked before. At the academy. With everyone. Why doesn't it work now?" The strain in his muscles intensified, mirroring the tension in his jaw. "Because some walls don't keep others out. They trap you in."
Lowering the weight, he sat up, breathing heavily. He looked at his calloused hands. "When did 'protection' become 'prison'?" The question hung in the air, unanswered but undeniable.
He stood, the weight of his realization heavier than any barbell. "Time to try a new routine," he murmured to his reflection. "One that builds bridges, not walls. Even if the first step is just admitting the old one broke."
