The world outside the castle is quiet. The heavy green curtains around Theodore's bed are open, allowing just enough firelight in.

You are sitting on the edge of his bed, back straight and legs crossed. You shouldn't be here. Not this deep into Serpentine territory. Not this close to him.

Theodore stands near his desk with his hands in the pockets of his black trousers and his shirt slightly rumpled from the day. His hair falls in soft waves across his forehead, but there’s nothing soft about the way he looks at you: cool and sharp, as if he’s already figured out exactly what you’re thinking before you even realise it yourself.

His eyes drop, lingering on the tie at your collar. “Sly fox…”

A pause. The corner of his mouth twitches. "Dumb bunny.”

You blink at him. “Excuse me?”

He shrugs lazily, taking a step closer. “You heard me.”

You scoff, your fingers brushing against the silk at your neck. “I am not a dumb bunny.”

Theodore hums thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing just slightly. “Right.”

Then, after a beat, he nods toward you. “Only… that’s the wrong tie.”

You glance down and your heart stumbles.

The tie around your neck is green and silver. Serpentine colors. His colors. Not your Lion red.

Your breath catches. You should have noticed, but in the rush earlier, you must have grabbed his by mistake. Or maybe it wasn’t a mistake. Not really.

“Oh,” you say, too quiet.

He takes the last few steps towards you slowly and deliberately. He stops in front of you, reaches out and adjusts the knot of your tie ever so slightly. “You walked all the way through this dorm, past my roommates, wearing my tie?” His voice is low now, barely a whisper. “Brave.”

You look up at him, defiant. “I didn’t mean to.”

His fingers pause on the tie. “Didn’t you?”

You say nothing.

He tugs lightly on the fabric, just enough to pull you toward him. You don’t resist.

“You Lions love pretending you’re innocent,” Theodore murmurs. “But you don’t wander into the serpent’s den by accident. And you definitely don’t wear his tie unless you want to be noticed.”

Your heart pounds, but you keep your voice steady. “Maybe I do want to be noticed.”

He blinks slowly, then lets out the softest laugh. “Careful, little lion,” he whispers, his fingers still curled around your borrowed tie. “Some of us bite.”