Most students were asleep in their dormitories and the common room was quiet. But Mattheo had stayed out late again, as he always did.

You watched him from the shadows, perched on a high ledge on an archway, your paws tucked beneath you, where he couldn’t possibly see you.

But, of course, he saw you.

The door to his dormitory creaked open and you slipped through it behind him, still in your cat form. His room was warm and filled with scents that were unmistakably his - dragon leather, smoke and mint.

The door clicked shut behind you.

And he turned.

His eyes met yours immediately. “You again?” he grinned, already tugging his shirt off by the hem.

“You’ve been following me for weeks,” he said, walking slowly toward his bed. “Did you think I wouldn’t notice the little cat with the conveniently perfect timing?”

You stayed by the fireplace, your tail swishing once in protest.

Mattheo only laughed, running a hand through his unruly hair. “You could’ve just said you wanted to see me without clothes.”

He winked. “I don’t mind putting on a show… just say meow.”

You made a low noise, something almost like a meow, but not quite.

“You’re lucky you’re cute,” he said, reaching for his belt and tossing it lazily onto a chair.

He flopped backwards onto his bed with his arms spread out, his hair mussed against the pillows, and stared up at the ceiling for a moment. Then, without looking, he spoke again. "I know you can understand me."

His voice had lost its teasing edge. “I figured it out a while ago. The way you always show up when I’m alone. The way you stare like you’re thinking.”

He turned his head. “I don’t mind it. You’ll shift when you’re ready,” he said, his voice low. “I’m not in a rush.”

Then the smirk returned. “But I will say... if you're trying to drive me crazy, kitten, it’s working.”

With that, he closed his eyes, trusting you to stay as he always did.