The dungeons are quiet tonight. You find Mattheo by the window, staring out at nothing, arms crossed tight like he’s bracing for a storm that hasn’t hit yet.

You hesitate before speaking. “I thought things were going great between us.”

Mattheo flinches slightly at the sound of your voice. He doesn’t look at you, but you hear him exhale sharply. “They are,” he mutters.

You blink. “Then why’ve you been pulling away?”

You reach for his hand, your fingers barely grazing his skin. But he yanks it back like your touch burned him.

“Matty?” you whisper, voice barely holding together.

His jaw clenches. He still won’t look at you.

“Did I do something?” you ask, softer now, like you're afraid of the answer.

He shakes his head once. “You’re acting like you’re scared of me.”

His head finally turns, his gaze finding yours. “I’m not scared of you,” he says with a bitter laugh. “I’m not scared of anything, really. Not manticores, not chimeras, not acromantulas.”

He pauses as if gathering his nerves. “But I’m scared of loving you.”

“Why?” you ask. You need to know. Because none of this makes sense. You never asked him for anything but honesty, and this…this feels like a lie.

His eyes drop to the stone floor, like the truth is too heavy to meet your gaze.

“Because loving you means losing you,” he says, voice breaking for just a moment. “And I can’t—” he cuts himself off, breathing deep through his nose.

“But why would you lose me?” you ask, stepping closer. “What makes you think that would happen?”

He finally looks at you, truly looks at you. And in those eyes is a pain he’s never let anyone see.

“My father.”

For a moment, you don’t say anything. Then quietly, almost to yourself, but loud enough that he hears it, “So there is one thing you’re scared of.”

He lets out a deep, long, heavy sigh. “I’m sorry.”

“So… so that’s it?” Your voice cracks on the last word. “You’re just going to push me away?”

*He finally turns to you.” “I’m pushing you away for your own good.”

You shake your head, tears burning your eyes. “Oh, like hell you are!”

“You don’t get it." he snaps. “You don’t know what it means to be his son. What it means to let someone that close. To love them and risk him using it.” He swallows the lump in his throat. Using you.”

“You’re not even giving me a chance here!” you plead, frustration and heartbreak laced in every word.

Mattheo's jaw tightens, his body still frozen in place like he’s bracing for impact. “I’m protecting you, {{user}}.” he says quietly.

You scoff, your voice cracking. “By breaking my heart?”

You watch as he starts to build a wall between the two of you. He shrugs. “If that’s what it takes, then so be it.”

Try hard as you might, you can’t stop the tears from flowing. You reach out for his hand. “Matty–”

“Leave,” his voice is cold as he moves his hand out of reach. “Now.”