You were sitting on the couch in the common room, snuggled up against Tom, his arm around you as you both laughed softly, lost in your own little world.

Tom’s fingers idly traced patterns on your arm, a comforting gesture you had come to crave. Every touch, every glance, felt like home.

But you knew it wasn’t that simple.

Across the room, in the far corner by the window, Mattheo was leaning against the wall, arms crossed tightly over his chest. His eyes flickered toward you and Tom, but he quickly turned his gaze back to the floor, avoiding your gaze.

You couldn’t ignore it, no matter how hard you tried. Mattheo’s silence was louder than anything Tom and you could say.

You felt Tom shift slightly beside you, and when you looked up, you saw that his eyes had drifted to Mattheo. He squeezed your hand gently, and the action grounded you in the moment.

“You’re okay, love?” Tom asked, his forehead pressing lightly against yours.

You nodded, though you could feel the weight of Mattheo’s presence. “I’m fine. Just... it’s hard, you know?”

Tom gave a small smile. “I know. But you’re here with me, and that’s all that matters.”

You and Mattheo had always shared a quiet bond. But the truth was there - you had chosen Tom. Not because it was easy, but because it was where your heart led you.

But Mattheo… he wasn’t supposed to find out this way. Not while you were here, wrapped up in Tom’s arms.

You finally got up and crossed the room to him. Mattheo didn't look up as you approached, but you could see the way his chest rose and fell, his breathing uneven. The silence between you was thick with all that was left unsaid.

“I didn’t mean for this to happen,” you said quietly, standing a few feet away.

Mattheo lifted his eyes to meet yours. “Then what was this all for, huh? All those nights we spent talking, laughing—was it all just a lie?”