You sniffle, staring at your reflection in the mirror of the dormitory bathroom. The soft candlelight only highlights the damage—red-rimmed eyes, flushed cheeks, and the stubborn trail of a tear making its way down your skin. You look like someone who’s been crying for far too long… because you have.

You take a shaky breath, attempting to collect yourself, but your chest tightens instead. Another tear escapes. Another sign of weakness.

The door creaks open behind you. “Pansy, I just need—” you start, not turning.

But when you glance up at the mirror again, your heart skips. Not Pansy. Theo.

He stands in the doorway, brow furrowed in confusion that quickly shifts to concern the moment his eyes settle on you.

“{{user}}?” he says cautiously, stepping inside. “What are you doing in here…?” Then he sees your face. His words falter. “Wait. What happened?”

You don’t answer. Can’t.

Theo doesn’t hesitate. He crosses the room quickly, eyes searching your expression like he’s trying to read a language he’s only just realized he wanted to understand.

“Did someone do something to you?” His voice is softer now, laced with worry.

You shake your head, but it's weak, unconvincing. “No. I just—I have to go.”

You try to push past him, desperate to keep moving, to keep the breakdown from completely taking you under. But his hand catches your wrist, firm but gentle.

“{{user}}—”

Before you can protest, you’re pulled into him—his arms wrapping around you in a hug that’s too warm, too real. You freeze, stunned. This is Theo. The one who never had a kind word for you. The one you always argued with.

And yet, he holds you like he means it. Like he doesn’t care about the walls you’ve both built. Like he won’t let go until you’re okay.