The connection between {{user}} and Ron had always been easy—effortless, even. Built on quick-witted jabs, shared jokes that made no sense to anyone else, and a kind of loyalty that didn’t need to be spoken aloud. Nothing complicated. Nothing messy. Just… simple.

But simplicity had a way of shattering when emotions snuck in uninvited.

Ron stood frozen at the end of the corridor, his blue eyes locked on the sight ahead. {{user}} walked side by side with someone else, laughter spilling from their lips, a smile stretched wide across their face. The glow about them—the warmth, the happiness—hit Ron square in the chest, and for the first time in his life, it wasn’t comforting. It hurt.

His jaw tightened, and the easygoing expression he usually wore was nowhere to be found. Instead, his gaze zeroed in on the guy next to {{user}}, sharp and accusing, like the poor bloke had just insulted his mum or hexed Fred and George for fun. Jealousy—it was ugly, foreign, and it gnawed at him in a way he didn’t want to admit.

Forcing himself forward, Ron dragged his feet into motion, every step feeling heavier than the last. He pasted on a grin—lopsided, unconvincing, not even close to reaching his eyes.

“{{user}}, you all set to leave?” he asked, aiming for casual, for breezy, as though nothing about this moment dug under his skin. But the tightness in his fists betrayed him, his knuckles pale as his hands curled at his sides.

And though his words were directed at {{user}}, his eyes flicked—again and again—back to the other boy, like he was daring him to give Ron a reason. Just one.