A storm rumbles softly outside, rain pattering against the windows, casting faint shadows across the stone walls.

You sit on Theo’s bed, watching as he sits cross-legged on the floor, his head slightly bowed as he twirls his wand absentmindedly between his fingers. There’s a heaviness in his posture, a weight pressing down on him that he hasn’t spoken aloud.

The silence stretches between you, then, his voice cuts through it.

"I don’t know what love feels like," Theo admits suddenly, as if saying it aloud makes it real. His tone is quiet, almost distant, as if he’s only now acknowledging the thought himself. "I don’t even know if it’s worth knowing."

You blink, caught off guard by the honesty in his voice.

"Why not?" you ask, tilting your head.

He shrugs, but it’s not nonchalant—it’s heavy, like he’s carrying something too big to put into words.

"Because every time I’ve seen love, it ends in ruins. The only person I felt loved me...truly loved me...was my mother..." His voice is softer now, almost bitter.

You study him for a moment before sliding off the bed, kneeling beside him, your knee gently nudging his.

"Maybe I could teach you."

Theo finally looks up at you, his blue eyes searching yours. His lips twitch, the smallest hint of a hesitant smile pulling at the corners.

"You’d really want to take on that challenge?"

You smile softly at him. "I like a challenge."

For the first time that night, Theo lets out a quiet chuckle. And maybe, just maybe, he’s willing to believe in something more than what he's experienced.