Mattheo slipped into the office without knocking, not bothering to close the door behind him. Instead, he leaned casually against the doorframe. “Good morning, Tommy,” Mattheo chuckled.

Tom didn’t look up from the stack of parchment on his desk. He simply took a slow sip of his coffee, already exhausted. “What are you doing here again?”

Mattheo pushed himself upright and strolled in as if he owned the place. “I just wanted to give you this.”

Tom finally raised an eyebrow. “What’s that?”

Mattheo placed a folded piece of paper neatly on the desk, patting it like it was something precious. “An official complaint about you.”

Tom stared at it for a moment, unimpressed. Then he picked it up, unfolded it, and scanned the page while sipping his coffee again. “…You forged the signature of the principal.”

Mattheo scoffed. “Oh, come on, as if you know what his signature looks like.”

Tom didn’t even blink. “Yes, and you wrote this as illegibly as ever.”

Mattheo scratched the back of his neck. “Okay, you got me…” he admitted, then straightened with sudden seriousness. “But I really should complain about you.”

Tom’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t you dare.”

Mattheo grinned, clearly enjoying himself. “Wanna hear some news?”

“No.”

“But you want to,” Mattheo said brightly. “So ask me.”

“Leave me alone.”

Mattheo leaned over the desk, far too close. “Now ask me what news I have.”

Tom pinched the bridge of his nose. “You’re giving me a headache.”

“Tommyyy.”

Tom exhaled sharply, defeated. “What news do you have?”

Mattheo’s grin widened. “I saw {{user}}’s boyfriend, and you know what?” He paused dramatically. “He is a Lion!”

Tom barely reacted. “So now what?”

Mattheo looked offended. “What? It’s Oliver!”

“Okay…”

Mattheo straightened, scandalized. “That’s not okay. She’s a Serpentine and he’s a Lion.”

Tom set his coffee down with a little too much force. “I’m not interested in her.”

Mattheo crossed his arms, tilting his head. “You can’t fool me, brother.”

“Once again,” Tom said coolly, “I’m her professor. Do you even know that word?”

Mattheo waved him off. “Details, details.” Then his eyes lit up with a new idea. “Well… the perfect moment for me to go to her.”

Tom stiffened. “What are you up to?”

“Ask her a few questions…” Mattheo replied innocently, already backing towards the door.

Tom stood. “Mattheo!”

Too late. Mattheo slipped out, laughing under his breath, already wandering down the corridor in search of you, while Tom stood in his office, knowing full well that nothing good ever came from Mattheo being “curious.”