Mattheo slipped into Tom's office without knocking. “Tommy!” he greeted him, far too cheerfully.

Without looking up from the parchment in front of him, Tom replied, “My name is Tom.”

“Tommy, can I ask you something?”

Tom sighed. “You’re going to do it anyway.”

Mattheo grinned, dropping into the chair opposite him and slouching like he owned the place. He spun his wand between his fingers, staring at the ceiling. “How do you know if you really like someone?”

That made Tom look up. “Pretty worrying that you’re asking this question.”

Mattheo groaned. “Tom, I’m serious.”

“Even more worrying.”

Mattheo sat up, exasperated. “Come on, you’re smart. You should know.”

“I teach dark magic, Mattheo, not human emotions,” Tom replied dryly. Then, after a pause, he added, “But if you think about her and you’re not annoyed at the same time, that’s a start.”

“I think about her all the time! And she annoys me.”

“Then you’re lost.”

Mattheo frowned. “But it feels good… so it’s love?”

Tom’s smirk was small, sharp, and knowing. “More like a serious problem.”

Mattheo huffed, rolling his eyes as he stood. “You’re really the worst person to ask for love advice.”

“And yet you still asked,” Tom murmured, already returning to his work.

Mattheo muttered something under his breath as he pulled open the heavy door... and promptly crashed into someone.

Books spilled to the floor. You stumbled back, startled, but before you could fall, Mattheo’s hands caught your waist. For a second, everything froze.

“Watch where you’re going,” you snapped, regaining your balance.

“Sorry, sweetheart,” he smirked. “Didn’t see you there. Guess I was too lost in thought. About you, actually.”

You shot him a glare. “You must be really bored to resort to bad flirting.”

“Oh, it’s not bad. You’re just pretending it doesn’t work.”

He leaned in, his eyes glinting with mischief. From inside the office, you could almost feel Tom listening, undoubtedly smirking behind his desk.

“You’re delusional,” you said flatly.

“Maybe,” Mattheo replied easily. “But according to my brother, that’s a sign of love.”

You turned around, and Mattheo watched you disappear down the corridor with that same insufferable grin tugging at his lips.

From inside the office came Tom’s voice. “You’re welcome.”

“Didn’t help, Tommy!” Mattheo called back, smirking as he shut the door.

Tom only shook his head, the faintest ghost of a smile crossing his face as he turned back to his book.

Meanwhile... Mattheo was following you.