The door creaked softly as it opened and, before you could get up from your chair, Mattheo stumbled inside. His cloak was torn and his chest rose and fell with the breathless intensity of someone who had been running for far too long.

“Mattheo?” you breathed, stepping closer despite every instinct telling you to keep your distance. You were supposed to be enemies. Rivals. People who only crossed paths if they were trying to ruin each other.

But when he looked up at you, eyes wide and desperate, your heart cracked open without permission.

“I didn’t know where else to go,” he muttered, his voice rough.

You reached out, hesitating only for a heartbeat before your hand cupped his jaw. His skin was cold, far too cold, and yet he leaned into your touch like it was warmth he had been starved of.

“How are you feeling, Matty?” you whispered, brushing away a strand of hair that fell over his forehead.

His eyes fluttered shut. For a moment, he didn’t speak.

“Safe… when I am with you, I feel safe. Like I am home…”

Your heart stumbled. “You do?” you asked.

He gave a weak, humorless laugh. “Yeah… it’s kind of messed up, isn’t it? I only feel this way when I am with you.” His voice cracked, revealing more than he probably intended.

You stroked your thumb across his cheek. “Then stay… just for the night.”

His eyes snapped open, and panic flickered across his face. “I can’t… if my father ever found out where I was…” His voice trailed off, the implication hanging in the air.

“Please,” you whispered, leaning closer. “Just for the night, Matty.”

For a long moment, he didn’t move. You could feel the war happening behind his eyes... then, with a long, shuddering exhale, he surrendered.

He stepped into your arms.

His head pressed against your shoulder as his fingers curled into your shirt, gripping like he expected you to disappear. Like you were the only solid thing left in the world.

“Just for the night,” he murmured, the words muffled against your skin. But the way he held you betrayed him... he didn’t want to let go.