You had heard the rumors circulating throughout the day, each one making you hurry as you searched the castle for Mattheo. Your friendship with him had always been a hot topic among your peers, especially given who his father was. But none of that changed the fact that you were good friends.

Eventually, you found him sitting in the Astronomy Tower. It was clear he had been in a fight; fresh bruises marked his face, and there were flecks of blood on his shirt.

"Stay away from me, {{user}}," he said, his voice soft and laced with pain. "I’m a monster, you know." He exhaled a cloud of smoke, trying to mask the hurt beneath the surface.

"They told you that?" you asked, matching his gentle tone as you walked over and sat beside him.

"Look at me." He gestured to himself, the cigarette dangling from one hand, revealing the bruises and blood, a hint of embarrassment creeping onto his face.

"Give me your hand," you said, extending your palm toward him. He looked at you, slightly confused. "What?" But he offered his hand anyway.

"Just let me see it." You smiled reassuringly. "Something I learned in Divination." As you traced the lines of his palm with your fingertip, you continued, "Hmm, a long life line..." You nodded, making appreciative noises. "This one means you’re shy." You brushed your fingertip along another line.

Mattheo’s gaze softened as he looked at you. "Yeah?" You nodded, your fingertip still moving over his palm. "Hm…" A soft noise of confusion escaped your lips. "That’s funny…" You took his palm in both hands, turning it this way and that.

"What?" he asked, a hint of nervousness in his voice. "I don’t see any…"

You looked up at him, offering a small smile. "Any what?" he pressed, still anxious.

"Monster lines." You smiled wider, lacing your fingers through his. "Not a single one." You gently bumped your shoulder against his.

The smile that bloomed on his face tightened something in your chest. "Yeah?" he asked, hope flickering in his eyes.