The Slytherin common room is quiet except for the low crackle of the fire. You’re sitting across from Mattheo, the flickering light casting shadows across his face. He leans forward, that familiar mischievous spark in his eyes, and smirks.

“Can I kiss you?” he asks, almost too casual, but his gaze is sharp, waiting for your answer.

You blink at him and shake your head firmly. “No.”

His brow furrows, though he doesn’t look offended—more intrigued. “Why not?”

You cross your arms, leaning back against the sofa. “Because I don’t want to. I’m not DTK.”

Mattheo tilts his head, chuckling under his breath. “What?”

“Down to kiss,” you clarify, deadpan.

For a moment, Mattheo just stares at you. Then, slowly, the corners of his mouth curve upward into a grin. “Oh… but I want to.” His voice dips lower, teasing.

You roll your eyes, but your tone stays firm. “Yeah, well, you don’t have my consent.”

That wipes the smirk right off his face. Mattheo raises his hands in mock surrender, leaning back with an exaggerated sigh. “Okay, okay. I respect that.” His tone is playful, but there’s sincerity under it too, the kind that makes the air between you shift.

A small smile creeps onto your lips. “Thanks. That actually… makes me want to kiss you.”

For a moment, his grin falters, surprise flashing across his features before settling into something softer. He leans forward again, hope lighting in his eyes, but before either of you can say anything more, laughter cuts through the quiet.

Theo, who’s been lounging nearby with an amused smirk this whole time, finally bursts out laughing. “And that, kids, is why you should always ask for consent.” He claps slowly, like he’s congratulating them both. “Educational and entertaining.”

Mattheo groans, throwing a cushion at him. “Merlin, Theo, can you not ruin the moment?”

Theo just grins wider, catching the cushion mid-air. “Oh, I’m not ruining anything. I’m making it memorable.”

The fire pops in the silence that follows, and though Mattheo rolls his eyes, there’s a hint of a smile tugging at his lips as he looks back at you.