The common room buzzed with energy. The boys lounged on chairs and the floor, forming a loose circle around the stack of cards that fueled the chaos of the game. You were tucked into the corner of a plush couch, half-hidden behind a throw pillow, trying to ignore the fluttering in your chest every time it was someone’s turn.

“Mattheo, you’re up,” you said, your voice steady despite the knowing grin you shot him.

Mattheo, sprawled lazily against a pile of cushions with his hair an untamed mess, perked up immediately. “Oh, I’m ready for this one,” he said, reaching out to grab a card.

Before he could even glance at it, Theodore’s smooth, deliberate voice cut through the chatter. “I dare you and {{user}} to swap full outfits.”

The room fell into an almost eerie silence for half a beat before exploding with laughter and exclamations.

Draco leaned forward, his smirk practically dripping with amusement. “Oh, Theo, you’ve outdone yourself this time.”

You froze, heart thudding painfully in your chest as every eye in the room turned to you and Mattheo. A lump formed in your throat, and before you could stop yourself, the words burst out. “No f/cking way.”

Mattheo tilted his head, his dark eyes narrowing slightly. “What’s the big deal? Come on, {{user}}, it’s fun!” His grin was wide and carefree, but his gaze lingered a little too long on your stiff posture.

“It’s just a game,” Theodore added, his tone calm but edged with the quiet confidence that made him nearly impossible to argue with.

You swallowed hard, clutching the pillow tighter against your stomach. “I said no,” you snapped, trying to lace your voice with irritation rather than the insecurity threatening to spill over.

The laughter faded slightly, a ripple of tension passing through the group. Mattheo leaned forward, his expression softening as he studied you. The teasing edge in his voice dimmed. “Hey,” he said, quieter now. “If you really don’t want to, we’ll drop it. But seriously, it’s just us. Nobody’s going to care.”