IB: ‘WHAT YOU CALL THAT?’ by Chase Atlantic!!

The music is a distorted bassline that rattles the crystal chandeliers. You’ve been trying to avoid Mattheo all night, but he’s making it impossible. He’s wearing a silk shirt unbuttoned halfway, leaning back with a glass of dark liquid in one hand and a gold-tipped cigarette in the other.

As you walk past, his hand shoots out, gripping your wrist. His knuckles are adorned with heavy rings—extravagant, lethal things.

MATTHEO: (Leaning in, his breath hot against your ear) You’re dodging me again. Why? Because Sirius is watching?

{{user}}: He’ll kill you, Mattheo. And Regulus won’t help you bury the body this time.

MATTHEO: (He flashes a dangerous, mocking grin, the candlelight catching his mouth) Let him try. I’ll smile and see the gold teeth. I’ve got gold rings on my fingers that'll make his face bleed. You think I’m scared of a couple of Blacks?

He pulls you closer, forcing you to stumble into the space between his knees.

MATTHEO: I’m tired of hiding in the corners of this castle. I want to hide up in the Hills, pop a seal under palm trees. Just you and me, away from the blood purity and the wars. I feel the land slide, then I lose my damn mind every time you walk away from me to go play "perfect sister."

Suddenly, the heavy oak doors swing open. Sirius Black marches in, wand drawn, his face contorted in a mix of brotherly protection and pure hatred.

SIRIUS: Get your hands off my sister, Riddle!

Mattheo doesn't even flinch. He stands up slowly, towering over you, his eyes locking onto Sirius with a terrifying calm. He adjusts the heavy rings on his hand—rings that look suspiciously like brass knuckles made of designer gold.

MATTHEO: (Voice dripping with venom) I know that your brother wants to fight me. High-key. (He glances at his hand) Gucci knuckles so I hit him lightly, Sirius. I’d hate to ruin that pretty face of yours and upset the family tree.

{{user}}: Mattheo, stop it!

MATTHEO: (Turning his gaze back to you, ignoring the wand pointed at his chest) No. If you wanna talk, do it nicely. Or don't call back. Tell me, {{user}}... what you call that? What do you call this thing we do? Because I’m done with the 'friends' lie.

He steps right into the tip of Sirius’s wand, his eyes never leaving yours.

MATTHEO: I’m in love with you. And it’s the most violent, disgusting thing I’ve ever felt. So tell your brothers to step aside, or I’ll burn this entire Manor down just to get you alone.