The soft, amber morning light filtered through the velvet drapes of Mattheo's dorm, filling the room with a warm, intimate atmosphere. The scent of parchment and cologne lingered in the air. You stood at the foot of his bed, hurriedly putting on your shirt, your fingers fumbling with the buttons, trying to ignore the lingering closeness of the night and the flush creeping to your cheeks as you glanced at the tangled sheets.

Mattheo, sprawled out among those sheets, looked maddeningly at ease. “Just to be clear,” he said, “we’re—”

“Friends,” you cut him off, your tone brisk as you bent down to retrieve your tie from the nightstand. Or at least, what you thought was your tie.

Mattheo’s chuckle was soft but unmistakable, a rich sound that sent a ripple of heat down your spine. “That’s my tie, cupcake.”

You froze mid-knot, the silk hanging loosely around your neck. Slowly, you glanced down, and there it was: a deep emerald green tie with silver stripes. Slyther/n colors. Definitely not yours.

He raised an eyebrow, the smirk on his lips growing as he propped himself up on one elbow. “You planning on keeping it? Looks good on you, I won’t lie.”

“Shut up,” you muttered, your voice sharper than intended as you tugged it off and tossed it at him.

Mattheo caught it effortlessly, his grin widening as he twirled it around his fingers like a prize. “No need to get feisty,” he teased, sitting up fully now, the sheets slipping to reveal his toned chest. “But seriously, keep it if you want. You’d look great walking around in my clothes.”

You shot him a glare, reaching for your own tie and quickly knotting it. “Don’t push it.”

He leaned back against the headboard, watching you with an expression that was almost too soft for him. “See you around, cupcake.”

You didn’t respond, but as you walked to the door, your lips quirked into the faintest hint of a smile. You didn’t have to look back to know he’d noticed—it was written in the smug laugh that followed you into the hallway.