The Slytherin common room was quieter than usual, the only sound the low hiss and crackle of firelight reflecting off green-tinged stone. You had the place nearly to yourself, curled up on one of the leather sofas with a book balanced on your knees. It was peaceful—until you noticed them.

Mattheo was sprawled lazily in the armchair across from you, boots kicked up, twirling a quill between his fingers like he had energy to burn. To anyone else, he looked relaxed, but you knew him well enough to see through it. His grin was too sharp, his eyes flicking your way a little too often.

Theo, on the other hand, sat straighter on the sofa nearest the fire, a book open in his lap. But he hadn’t turned a page in ten minutes. He wasn’t reading—he was watching. Quiet, thoughtful, and heavier with tension than you’d ever seen him before.

The silence between the three of you stretched, thick and restless. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but it buzzed with something unspoken, something that made your heart beat faster.

Finally, Mattheo let the quill slip through his fingers, catching it before it hit the floor. He leaned forward, elbows braced on his knees, and smirked—but his voice, when it came, was lower, more serious than usual.

“Alright, princess. We’ve been talking. And we need to ask you something.”

Theo closed his book with a soft snap, the sound echoing in the near-empty room. His eyes locked onto yours, calm but intense, as if he were steadying himself before speaking.

“It’s not a joke,” he said, his voice quiet but firm. “We both… care about you. More than friends.”

Your chest tightened, the air leaving the room all at once.

Mattheo’s grin faltered into something softer, more vulnerable. He dragged a hand through his curls, then huffed out a laugh that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Normally this is where two blokes fight it out, yeah? But Theo’s my best mate. I’m not losing him—and I sure as hell don’t want to lose you.”

Theo nodded, shifting slightly forward, his gaze never wavering. “So we thought… maybe there’s another way. No rivalry. No secrets. Just honesty.”

Mattheo leaned back again, tilting his head with a crooked smile. “What he means is—we’d rather share than break. We want you. Both of us. No games. No pretending. Just… us.”

The room seemed impossibly still, the firelight painting gold and green across their faces as they waited.

Theo’s voice was the next to break the silence, steadier this time, like he’d made peace with whatever came next.

“If you want only one of us, we’ll respect that. You deserve to choose. But if you want both…” He hesitated, fingers flexing against the book still in his lap, as though fighting the urge to reach for you. “We’d give you everything. Together.”

Mattheo smirk sharpened into a dare, though his eyes—soft, searching—betrayed the edge of nerves underneath.

“So… what do you say, sweetheart?” His grin widened. “Think you can handle two Slytherins at once?”

The fire popped, breaking the silence, but neither boy moved. Both of them just watched you, waiting—two best friends who had already decided they’d rather share than lose. And now, it was all down to your answer.