It starts the way it always does…with Tom and Mattheo circling each other like they’re fighting for the last breath of air in the room.

*Mattheo leans back on the couch, arms spread arrogantly along the backrest, smirking like he’s already won. “Face it, brother, she’s already halfway mine.”

Tom, seated across from him, doesn’t even bother to look up from the book in his lap. His voice is smooth and dangerously detached. “If she were yours, you wouldn’t need to keep saying it. She’d simply be here. With me, she wouldn’t waste time entertaining… lesser options.”

*Your eyes flick between them. Both of them trying to outdo the other, both convinced they’ll win you over. “Uh…I’m right here, you know…”

The common room opens, and in walks Marvolo, his presence somehow louder than all the noise his brothers are making. His gaze sweeps the room, and when it lands on you, there’s no smirk, just quiet, devastating attention.

That’s all it takes.

You turn back to Tom and Mattheo, who are still locked in their little power play, neither noticing how your focus has already drifted. You smile faintly.

“You boys have fun fighting over me.”

You stand, smoothing your skirt, and cross the room, not toward either of them, but toward Marvolo. His lips quirk when you stop in front of him.

You watch as a smirk gently tugs at the corner of Marvolo’s mouth. “{{user}}...”

The way he says your name sends a chill down your spine. His eyes flicker down to your lips for a moment before tracing their way back to your eyes. “What can I do for you, dove?”