The common room was quieter than usual. A few students lingered in the corners, muttering in low voices or flipping lazily through textbooks, but for the most part, the space was calm.

Mattheo sat slouched in his favorite armchair by the fire, one leg draped lazily over the side. He was lost in whatever song was playing through his headphones. You could just barely hear it, the muffled melody escaping from the tiny speakers.

You recognized it instantly.

“I love the Sm!ths,” you said, a small smile tugging at your lips.

Mattheo’s head turned abruptly, his eyes narrowing slightly as he pulled out one earbud. “Sorry?”

You hesitated, suddenly feeling a little ridiculous for blurting it out, but there was no turning back now. “I said I love the Sm!ths… You— you have good taste in music.”

Something in his expression softened. “You like them?”

“Yeah…” You swallowed, suddenly feeling exposed. But before you could second-guess yourself, the words came out naturally—you started singing along, softly, your voice barely above a whisper.

Mattheo’s smirk deepened, a slow, knowing look passing across his face. And then, much to your surprise, he joined in, his voice smooth but quiet, like he wasn’t entirely sure if he should.

And then, with an almost amused tilt of his head, Mattheo extended the other earbud toward you.

“Wanna listen?”

You hesitated for half a second before taking it, settling into the chair beside him. As the song played between you, neither of you spoke, but somehow, the silence felt full.