Mattheo looked tired. Not physically, but in the kind of way that came from caring too much about something he couldn’t understand.
In contrast, Tom sat across from him like a mirror of composure, immaculate and unreadable.
Mattheo exhaled sharply. “She snapped at me for breathing too loud. Breathing, Tom! And then, two minutes later, she wanted me to hold her. What am I supposed to do?”
Tom arched an eyebrow. “You are describing a paradox, not a problem.”
Mattheo glared. “Don’t start with your riddles. I’m serious. One second she hates me, and the next she looks like she’ll cry if I move an inch away.”
Tom set his teacup down with a soft clink. “Then don’t move,” he said simply. “That’s the point. She doesn’t want solutions. She wants you to endure it without complaining.”
Mattheo blinked. “Endure it? That’s it? That’s your grand advice?”
Tom gave a ghost of a smile. “You wanted to understand her, and yet you came to me. Endurance is all I can offer. Bring her chocolate, sit still, and keep your mouth shut.”
Mattheo stared at him for a long moment. “That’s... your wisdom? ‘Keep your mouth shut’?”
“Yes,” Tom said calmly. “And remember... she doesn’t hate you. She just hates everything that exists right now, and unfortunately, you’re the closest thing to everything.”
Mattheo groaned and sank back into the couch, dragging his hand down his face. “I swear, mate, if she throws a pillow at me again-”
Tom’s smirk deepened. “You’ll take it. And you’ll thank her for the opportunity to prove your devotion.”
Mattheo gave him a look that was half despair, half disbelief. “You’re actually insane.”
“And yet,” Tom said mildly, “you’re still listening.”
By the time Mattheo reached the girls' corridor, he was holding a bag of sweets.
He stopped outside your door and knocked softly. “Love?”
Your voice came through. “Go away!”
Mattheo winced. “I brought chocolate.”
Silence. Then, cautiously... “What kind?”
“Uh... your favourite. Raspberry, caramel cream, and one that claims to fix bad moods. No promises.”
There was a pause before the door cracked open. You were standing there in his hoodie, the sleeves hanging past your hands. Your hair was messy from bed, and your eyes were rimmed with exhaustion. You looked so soft and furious at the same time that he almost laughed, but decided against it.
You took the chocolate without a word, muttering, “You breathe too loud.”
Mattheo sighed, shoulders relaxing despite himself. “Noted.”
You left the door open, which was invitation enough. He followed you inside and sat on the edge of your bed while you climbed under the blanket and unwrapped some chocolate.
For a while, you said nothing. You just sat there, munching chocolate and scrolling through something on your phone. Mattheo stayed still, trying to be exactly what Tom had said - enduring.
After a few minutes, you looked over. “You’re really just going to sit there?”
He shrugged lightly. “You told me to go away.”
“I did.”
“And then you didn’t shut the door.”
You scowled at him, but your eyes softened. “You’re an idiot.”
“Yeah,” he said gently. “But I’m your idiot.”
You shifted closer, curling up against his side, your head pressing into his chest.
Mattheo just sat there, still and quiet, letting you rest against him. His hand hovered for a moment before settling carefully at your waist, his thumb tracing slow circles against your hoodie.
You sighed against him. “Sorry I yelled.”
He huffed a quiet laugh. “You’re allowed. I’ll just... breathe quieter.”
You closed your eyes and melted a little further into him. The tension that had been with you all day began to ease, replaced by the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against your ear.
Mattheo glanced down at you, brushed a strand of hair away from your face and whispered, mostly to himself, “Endurance, chocolate, and silence. Tom is a genius.”