The air in Mattheo’s dorm was thick with silence.. The project was nearly finished—your project, since Mattheo had contributed exactly nothing except the occasional sigh from his place on the bed.

“You done?” His voice cut through the quiet.

You didn’t bother looking up. “Yeah, almost.”

Mattheo hummed in response. “I’m gonna go in the common room. Don’t call me if you need me.” Before you could reply, he was already gone. Finally.

You exhaled, rolling your shoulders before scribbling down the last few words.

You hadn't even realized how tired you were. Just a short rest, you told yourself, curling up on the couch.

You weren’t sure how much time had passed when the sound of voices stirred you, muffled at first, then clearer.

“…she’s still sleeping?” Theodore’s voice.

“She fell asleep on Mattheo’s couch?” Regulus asked.

Before either of them could make a move, Mattheo’s voice rang out from behind the door.

“Wake her up, and I will rearrange all your teeth. Understood?”

A tense pause. Then, Theodore huffed. “Alright, alright. Didn’t realize you were so protective.”

Mattheo didn’t respond. The door never opened. But something in his tone had been different—something that unsettled you even as you drifted back into sleep.

When you woke again, the room was quiet. The first thing you noticed was the blanket draped over you—one that certainly hadn’t been there before. Your fingers curled into the fabric, realization dawning.

Mattheo.

Your gaze flickered to the bed. He was there, asleep. You moved carefully, placing the blanket aside as you tiptoed toward the door

Hours later, a text came through.

Mattheo: You left your notebook. You're not exactly a pro at going unnoticed, are you?

Your stomach twisted, but you ignored the feeling and made your way back to his dorm. When he opened the door, he wasn’t smirking like usual. No smug amusement. Just irritation.

“You’re mad,” you noted. “Why are you so worked up?”

His jaw tensed. “You cannot simply leave my room like that and expect me not to care.”