A Year Ago, in the Common Room

The crackling fire in the common room filled the space with warmth. You and Mattheo were nestled together, tangled in a soft blanket, his arm lazily draped around you.

"Remember the deal?" Mattheo’s voice was low, playful as he tucked a stray lock of your hair behind your ear, his fingers brushing your skin.

You smiled, feeling the familiar warmth of his presence. "Sing the song when you need help," you replied softly.

He grinned, his eyes lighting up with a mischievous gleam. "Exactly. And no matter what, I will always protect you."

And in that moment, you knew—no matter where life took you, Mattheo would always be there when you needed him most.

A Year Later, After the Breakup

The air in the room felt different—charged with unspoken tension. You hadn’t seen Mattheo in months, not since the breakup. Out of nowhere, you heard his voice. "Hey, it's been a while… How have you been?"

You glanced over, forcing a smile. "I’ve been good." But it was a lie. The words slipped from your mouth easily, but inside, it was a different story.

Mattheo’s eyes were searching, like he could read the unspoken truth in your expression. "I hear you got a boyfriend... What's he like?"

You froze, caught off guard by the question. "Umm... he's good."

Just then, you felt a presence across the room. Your new boyfriend had walked in, and you could feel Mattheo's eyes narrow instinctively, watching him with quiet scrutiny. "Oh look, I think he's coming." Mattheo said.

You barely had time to react before Mattheo’s tone shifted. "What's wrong?"

Your heart was racing, and without thinking, you found your voice trembling as you softly began to hum the song—the song. The one that had always meant something between you two. The melody was simple, but to Mattheo, it spoke volumes.

His eyes darkened with recognition, and in that instant, he understood exactly what you needed. His stance shifted—protective, alert, ready.