The soft glow of the fireplace flickered in the corner, casting warm shadows across the dimly lit room. Draco lounged in an armchair, a glass of whisky cradled in his hand, his sharp eyes glinting with mischief. Mattheo sat beside him, looking relaxed, his fingers absently flipping through a book, though his attention was clearly on you. The air between the three of you was thick with an unspoken tension.

Draco glanced at Mattheo, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Mattheo, please say… ‘Darling’ in a seductive way," he said, his voice smooth, a glint of amusement in his eyes.

Mattheo looked up from his book, his lips curling into a teasing smile. He set the book aside and leaned closer to you, his voice dropping into a slow, almost lazy purr.

“Darling,” he said, the word slipping from his lips like honey, smooth and velvety.

For a moment, everything seemed to still. You couldn’t help but feel your heart skip a beat at the way the word rolled off Mattheo’s tongue. It was like the room got warmer, your breath catching in your throat as you felt the pull of something magnetic between the two of you.

Draco raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying watching the effect Mattheo’s words had on you. His lips curled into a knowing grin.

You were certain your cheeks deepened in color, your breath shaky. The word itself was simple, just a term of endearment, but when spoken with that tone, that look in Mattheo’s eyes, it felt like the world had tilted ever so slightly.

You couldn’t help it. You swooned.

Draco chuckled softly, clearly entertained, while Mattheo gave you a wicked wink, clearly enjoying the effect he had on you.

“How do you feel now, darling?” Mattheo teased, his gaze never leaving you.

You opened your mouth, but no words came out, your mind completely preoccupied with that one little word.