The corridor was spinning, so you braced yourself against the stone wall. You’d left the party in a haze of emotion; unspoken feelings were burning beneath your skin more intensely than the alc0hol was.

You weren’t even sure why. Perhaps you were running from your thoughts. Or maybe it was because of the way Mattheo had looked at you earlier across the room — something dangerous that you refused to name.

Your steps faltered again.

You nearly fell, but strong arms caught you.

You blinked hard, trying to focus on the face hovering inches from yours. “Mattheo…” you whispered. “Are you really here?”

He stared at you for a moment. “I am here,” he said softly, his tone far too gentle for someone you supposedly hated. “Are you alright, my love? Can you walk?”

My love.

You almost missed it.

You blinked slowly, frowning in confusion, but didn’t question it.

However, Mattheo felt the weight of what he had said. He knew you wouldn’t remember it the next day. You would wake up with a headache and a foggy mind, and he would go back to being your enemy.

But he was also the one who was always there for you.

And tonight was no different.

He kept one arm around your waist, trying to test your balance. When you stumbled again, he cursed under his breath, scooping you into his arms without wasting another second.

You gave a startled gasp, but didn't resist. You were simply too tired and overwhelmed by his scent.

“Put me down…” you murmured, but you didn't really mean it. Your head rested against his chest. “You’re warm.”

His jaw clenched slightly as he carried you. “Let’s just get you to bed,” he muttered.

You closed your eyes, lulled by the motion, the quiet and the feel of him. For the first time that night, your heart stopped racing.

Mattheo didn’t speak. But his thoughts were loud.

You were supposed to be enemies. And yet here you were, in his arms. Trusting him. You were soft in a way you had never allowed yourself to be before.

He tried to remind himself of the arguments, insults and walls you had worked so hard to build between you...

But none of that mattered now.

Despite all the tension and bitterness, he was always there for you.

Always.

And now, more than ever, he realised that he could no longer bury the truth beneath smirks and sarcastic comments.

He cares about you.