The flickering firelight cast shadows across the common room, lending an eerie warmth to the dark stone walls. The tension was thick as you stood toe-to-toe with Theodore, your voice wavering between frustration and confusion.

"You're being unreasonable, Theo," you argued, arms crossed defensively.

He ran a hand through his hair. "No, I'm being honest. We need to break up."

Your breath caught. "Wait, what? Are you serious?"

"I like Pansy now anyway," Theodore said bluntly.

From the corner of the room, Mattheo scoffed loudly.

"What?" you whispered, hoping you'd misheard. "Theo... what are you talking about?"

"I don't like you," Theodore said flatly.

The words stung and before you could process it, Theodore turned on his heel and stormed toward the door.

"Theo, wait!" you called after him. But he didn’t stop.

The room fell into a suffocating silence. You stood frozen, heart racing, until the weight of someone’s gaze pulled you back to reality.

Mattheo was there in an instant, stepping into your space with surprising gentleness. His warm brown eyes flickered with frustration — not directed at you but at Theodore’s retreating figure.

"Why do you stay with him?" he asked. "He clearly isn’t the right one for you."

You looked down, the ache in your chest still raw. "I... I’m not sure."

Mattheo shook his head, stepping closer. The warmth of his presence chased away some of the cold Theodore had left behind. "I could treat you so much better," he murmured, his voice steady but filled with conviction. "I've known you forever, figured you out... I could love you with my eyes closed, kiss you with a blindfold, figure you out."

You blinked up at him, heart stumbling at his words. "Mattheo..."

"I might hold you with my hands tied," he went on, voice softer now, almost a whisper. "Show you I'm the right guy... to figure you out."

Your breath hitched as he cupped your face gently, his eyes searching yours. "I love you," he said plainly, without hesitation. "What do you say?"