The tension between you and Mattheo has been building for days.. The fire crackles softly in the common room. But, the warmth of it does nothing to melt the ice between you.

"Can you at least spend Christmas with me?" Mattheo asks with a hint of frustration. "You spend all your time with Blaise anyway."

You scoff, arms crossing over your chest. "Because he treats me like something other than mentally ill."

The words hit harder than you intended, but you don’t take them back.

Mattheo's expression shifts into something vulnerable. His jaw clenches, and for the first time in a long time, he looks wounded.

"I do too," he says barely audibly.

You hesitate. For just a second, swallowing and looking away.

“{{user}},” *Mattheo says drifting your attention back to him. “Please…”