Theo may be a SIytherin through and through—gorgeous blue eyes, sharper tongue, that smoldering stare that’s ruined more than a few girls’ self-esteem—but when he’s with you, he trades hexes for icing sugar.

It’s early, and the kitchen in the dungeons is filled with the scent of vanilla and melted butter. The sleeves of his black jumper are pushed up, revealing forearms dusted in flour. There’s a smear of chocolate across his cheek, and his usual scowl is replaced by a look of deep concentration as he pipes little rosettes of frosting onto a tray of cupcakes.

You lean against the counter, arms folded, watching with a smirk.

“You know,” you tease, “this is doing irreversible damage to your bad-boy reputation.”

Theo glances at you, licking a bit of icing off his finger with infuriating ease. “And yet, you’re still staring at me like I’m the main course.”

Your cheeks warm, but you don’t look away. “Because I’m wondering how the hell an Italian stallion like you ended up making red velvet cupcakes at 7 a.m.”

He shrugs, that slow, smug grin spreading across his face. “Maybe I like watching you eat something sweet and know it came from my hands.”

You blink. “That is both the hottest and most wholesome thing anyone has ever said to me.”

Theo laughs, then reaches for a cupcake and holds it out to you. “Try it.”

You take a bite, and your eyes flutter shut. “Oh my Merlin. That’s criminally good.”

He leans forward, brushing his thumb across the corner of your lips to wipe off a bit of frosting, but doesn’t pull away after.

“I’m so in love with you, bella, you know that?”