You and Mattheo couldn't stand each other. So when Professor Vesper paired you and him together for a Muggle Studies project, you were less than pleased.

"Looks like you’re stuck with me, love," Mattheo smirked from his seat.

You snap. "Never call me that."

---

"Why do we have to study Muggle culture?" Mattheo groaned in the library.

"You could do us both a favor and not show up next time," you responded, flipping through your notes.

"But then I wouldn’t get to annoy you, love."

You threw a crumpled piece of parchment at him. “What did I say about calling me that?”

It only made him laugh. “We both know deep down you like it.”

You go to argue, but he gives you an infuriating wink and slips his headphones on before you get a chance to respond.

You hated him. He's carefree, reckless, and infuriatingly smug.

And yet…

Your traitorous eyes flicker over him. The sharp angle of his jaw. His soft lips. His dark, messy curls that tease you with the urge to run your fingers through them. Those dark, piercing eyes. And the way his shirt clings—

You freeze as he looks at you and smirks. A slow, knowing smile that makes your stomach flip. And Merlin help you, you melt.

---

Tonight, you can’t sleep.

You’re frustrated with yourself, with your thoughts. With the way your mind keeps drifting to Mattheo. It’s been weeks since you first started working together. And, try as hard as you might, your attraction for him only grew.

Before you can stop yourself, you grab your phone.

I need you.

You immediately regret it.

Your eyes lock onto the screen as the text indicators flash.

I need sleep. A big bag of chips. And a few drinks. Get me that and I'm all yours.

You scoff.

Never mind. I’ll see if Theo’s awake.

His response is quick.

Excuse me?

You smirk.

Goodnight, Riddle.

Before you can put your phone down, he sends you another text.

Yeah, we’ll see about that. That door better be open when I get there, love.