Tense

Tense

pairing - mattheo riddle x fem!reader

summary - just a little massage with a happy ending

warnings - soft!mattheo, smut, fingering, 18+ MINORS DNI

wordcount - 1k

As soon as you step into your dorm room, the weight of the day crashes down on you. Your body feels stiff, tense, and achingly tired, and all you want is to collapse into bed and forget about the world for a while. But even as you kick off your shoes and toss your bag onto the floor, you know the stress will still cling to you, burrowing deep into your muscles.

Just as you’re about to let out a long, frustrated sigh, the door creaks open behind you. You glance over your shoulder to find Mattheo leaning against the frame, his dark eyes scanning your exhausted posture with a knowing smirk.

“Tough day?” he asks, voice low and smooth, the familiar rasp sending a shiver down your spine.

You let out a humorless laugh, running a hand through your hair. “You could say that.”

He steps inside, closing the door behind him as he watches you with that sharp gaze of his. But there’s something softer beneath it today, something that shows he’s not just here to tease you. He walks up behind you and rests his hands gently on your shoulders, thumbs pressing into the knots of tension in your neck.

“You’re so tense,” he murmurs, his lips brushing against the shell of your ear. “Let me help.”

You tilt your head slightly, his touch already working its magic, but the exhaustion still weighs heavily on you. “How?” you ask, your voice quieter now, more vulnerable than you meant it to be.

He steps in closer, his breath warm on your skin as his fingers slide down your arms before they settle on your hips. “Lie down,” he says softly, guiding you towards the bed. “I’ll give you a massage.”

A flush creeps up your neck at his offer, but you’re too tired to resist, too drained to pretend you don’t want it. You nod wordlessly and let him lead you to the bed.

“You’ll need to take these off, though,” he adds, his voice taking on a playful edge as his hands toy with the hem of your shirt and pants.

You hesitate for just a moment before you peel off your clothes, leaving you in nothing but your underwear. You’ve been with Mattheo long enough to trust him, to know where this might lead, but even so, the thought of his hands on your bare skin sends a thrill of anticipation through you.

He gestures for you to lie down on your stomach, and you do as he asks, sinking into the softness of your bed. The cool air of the room brushes against your skin, sending a shiver down your spine, but it’s quickly replaced by the warmth of Mattheo’s hands as they begin to move across your back.

His touch is firm but gentle, his fingers pressing into the knots of tension with precision, easing the tightness in your muscles with every slow, deliberate stroke. You can’t help the soft sigh that escapes your lips as the stress begins to melt away, your body gradually relaxing under his expert hands.

“You’ve been overworking yourself again,” he says, his voice low as his hands move lower, kneading into the small of your back, just inches above the swell of your ass. “You need to take better care of yourself.”

You hum in response, too lost in the sensation of his touch to form words. His hands are magic, each movement drawing out a bit more tension, until all that’s left is a pleasant warmth spreading through your body.

Mattheo’s hands glide down to your hips, his thumbs pressing into the sensitive skin just above your underwear, and you feel a flicker of heat beneath the surface of your relaxation. His touch lingers there, teasing, as he leans down, his lips ghosting over your ear.

“Feeling better yet?” he murmurs, his voice dripping with suggestion.

Your breath hitches, and you nod, though you can sense the shift in the air between you.

Without waiting for a response, Mattheo’s fingers slip beneath the waistband of your underwear, tugging them down ever so slightly as his lips trail soft kisses along your shoulder, sending waves of heat coursing through you.

You can feel your heart racing now, your pulse quickening as his hands begin to explore your thighs, his touch more intimate, more insistent. He whispers your name, his voice thick with desire, and your legs open wider ever so slightly in response, silently telling him what you need, what you’ve been craving.

“Turn over,” he commands, his voice rougher now.

You do as he says, rolling onto your back, your eyes meeting his as he looks down at you with dark, hungry eyes. His hand slides over your thigh, fingers brushing up toward your center again, but this time he doesn’t hesitate.

It only takes one short motion, a flick of his thumb, for him to press into the hot flesh of your core. Your back arches sharply upwards at the contact, and he grins wickedly down at you, leaning forward to run his tongue against your throat.

“So responsive,” he breathes. “Does it feel good, sweet girl?”

Your breathing catches at the question, and then you nod eagerly. Mattheo's thumb rubs slow circles over your clit and just as you feel his teeth on the skin of your neck again, his finger teases itself inside you. You writhe beneath him, desperate for more.

“Yes,” you moan, the sound echoing around the silent dorm room. “Please, please, more…”

With a quiet chuckle, Mattheo's finger presses deeper, his thumb speeding up slightly, and you groan loudly, feeling the familiar pressure build up, your entire being thrumming with pleasure. A few moments later, your orgasm hits, and when your body falls limp in exhaustion you hear Mattheo's quiet chuckle as he pulls away.

He lies down beside you, his warm body pressing close to yours. He wraps an arm around your waist and brings your face close to his, his other hand reaching over you to pull the blanket over the both of you. Your lips brush together once before he kisses you, lingering a bit longer than usual.

“Still feeling tense?” he mumbles, a smile pulling at his lips.

“Not anymore,” you reply as he pushes your face towards his neck, his fingers dancing lazily across the small of your back.

Masterlist

Requesting Guidelines

𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐊𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭

Oneshot | Theodore Nott | 🤺⚔️₊˚⊹♡| | Masterlist | Taglist | requests are open

SUMMARY: Theo Nott surprises Y/N with a charming introduction as her "white knight," even though they’ve known each other for years. A flirtatious exchange ensues, complete with a hand-kiss and a few Italian words that leave Y/N unexpectedly flustered.

AUTHORS NOTE: Inspired by an Edit of Seth Cohen lol

The music was loud, the room buzzing with laughter and chatter as students from all houses gathered for a party in the Slytherin common room.

Y/N stood near the fireplace, her smile bright as she joked with her friends. Across the room, Theo Nott watched her, his heart pounding harder than it should have. He'd always admired Y/N from a distance. She had this effortless charm, a way of lighting up any room she entered. But he'd never quite managed to say more than a few words to her. Not because he didn't want to, but because… well, he was Theo Nott, and small talk wasn't exactly his forte.

He took a sip from his drink, trying to muster up the courage. Tonight might be his chance.

Y/N’s laugh echoed through the room, pulling his attention back to her. She was mid-conversation with a group of her friends when she said, with a playful smirk, "Honestly, everyone needs a white knight sometimes, don't you think?"

Theo felt a smile tug at his lips. Without overthinking, he straightened up, fixing the sleeves of his shirt as he made his way over to her. His heart raced, but there was a surge of confidence coursing through him. Maybe it was the energy of the night, or maybe it was just… her.

Y/N noticed him approach, her head tilting slightly in curiosity as he stopped right in front of her. The group of friends fell quiet, intrigued by the sudden interaction. Theo met Y/N’s gaze and, with a soft smirk, offered his hand. “Theo Nott,” he said, his voice smooth but with a hint of teasing. “White knight, at your service.”

Y/N blinked in surprise, a playful smile spreading across her lips as she looked at his outstretched hand. Y/N raised an eyebrow but placing her hand in his anyway. “Nice to meet you, Theo Nott, white knight. even though, we've only been going to Hogwarts together for, what, six years now?”

He didn’t miss a beat. Instead of shaking her hand, he leaned down, brushing his lips lightly against her knuckles. His gaze never left hers as he straightened up, still holding her hand gently in his. “Piacere di conoscerti, bella,” he said softly in Italian, his voice low and warm, the words rolling off his tongue effortlessly.

Y/N’s cheeks flushed, the unexpected flirtation catching her off guard. “What did you just say?” she asked, her curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar language.

Theo’s smirk deepened, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “It means, ‘A pleasure to meet you, beautiful.’”

Her friends let out a series of “Oohs,” making her laugh despite the way her heart fluttered at his words. She couldn’t help but smile back at him, shaking her head in disbelief. “Smooth, Theo. Very smooth.”

Theo grinned, still holding her hand. “I’m just stating the truth,” he said softly, his eyes locking with hers in a way that made her stomach flip.

For a moment, the noise of the party seemed to fade away, and it was just the two of them standing there, hands intertwined. Y/N felt a warmth spread through her, something new and unexpected as she realized maybe, just maybe, Theo Nott wasn’t as quiet and mysterious as she’d always thought. There was something deeper there, something that made her want to know more.

“Well,” she said, her voice a bit softer now, “I suppose every white knight needs a damsel in distress, right?”

Theo’s smirk turned into a full smile, his thumb gently brushing over her knuckles. “I'll be there if you need me bella.”

mattheo's mixtape.

pairing: mattheo riddle x reader.

song inspiration: lovesong by the cure.

author's note: this idea has been in my head for so long, but now it's finally out. strap in babes, we're simping for mattheo on main. something about those pretty brown eyes and angelic little curls just get me. your honor, i adore him.

The bell outside the door to the record store chimed softly as the boys ventured inside. Mattheo peered curiously at the buzzing neon sign, the slightly scuffed black and white vinyl floor, and the racks and racks of records lining the walls. Though he hadn’t been to the muggle side of Edinburgh, it didn’t look all that different from its magical counterpart.

Yet Mattheo felt like a fish out of water all the same. 

Behind him, Theo continued rambling as they perused the vast collection of records laid out before them. “What songs have you picked out? Is there a theme? We’ll need to collect all the tapes for the cassette recorder and compile them all into a single tape.” 

The slew of questions Theo threw his way was enough to make him feel overwhelmed. Mattheo was well aware that he was completely out of his depth here, but he was determined to learn. Admittedly, he was quite ignorant of the muggle world until you came into his life. The more you told him about the queer customs and traditions of the non-magical population, the more he began to crave your stories of taking the tube, eating fish and chips until you were sick, and visiting Brighton with your cousins over the summer holiday. 

There was a whole world out there that you were a part of, which made him want to be part of it as well.

“You boys alright?” asked the kind woman behind the counter. "Would you like some help?"

Mattheo shied away from the attention, but as usual, Theo turned on his charm and flashed a winning smile at the older woman. “As a matter of fact, we do,” his friend drawled. “My mate here is looking to make a mixtape for his girlfriend.” 

The woman smiled warmly. “How sweet. I remember those days. There’s nothing quite as magical as first love,” she said with a dreamy, faraway expression. “I’d be happy to help. What songs did you have in mind?” 

After turning over his list, the woman, who turned out to be the owner of the record store, helped compile the cassettes Mattheo needed in order to make the mixtape. She patiently showed them how to record each track and slowed down the instructions so Mattheo could diligently write down notes. 

As Mattheo waited for the next track to record, he watched as Theo tried and failed to flirt with the older woman. 

“I’m flattered, dear. But I’m old enough to be your mum.” Mattheo snickered, causing his best friend to glare at him. 

“Age is nothing but a number, Annette.” 

“You’re a persistent one, aren’t you? I’m sure you’ll find your match someday, Theodore. As I have in my husband, whom I’m happily married to.” She turned over to Mattheo and smiled. “He was my first love too.” 

Making small talk had never been Mattheo’s strong suit and you often teased him that engaging in polite conversation with a stranger every once in a while wouldn’t kill him. Without fail, he sarcastically responded that it genuinely might, which earned him an eye roll. A fond one, though. Followed by a lip bite as you attempted to conceal a smile. 

“How long have you been together?” Mattheo asked curiously. 

“Twenty years,” Annette answered proudly. “Though we were friends for ages before he finally mustered up the courage to ask me out.”

Theo snorted. “Sounds familiar.” 

Mattheo swatted the back of his head. “My girl and I started out as friends too. Best friends, actually.”

“Hey!” Theo whined. “I take offense to that. I’ve known you longer. Only difference is that you and Y/N snog, which I’m more than open to if you asked.” The wink he sent Mattheo's way made the other boy blanch.

“Sorry about him.” It was a sentiment he was quite familiar with when it came to Theo. The twat tended to flirt with anything that had a pulse. Come to think of it, he wouldn't put it past Theo to chat up a corpse. Merlin knows Mattheo had witnessed his friend trying out a pick up line on the Grey Lady. “So, your husband. When did you realize he was the one?” 

“There wasn’t a specific moment, per say,” Annette said thoughtfully. “It’s a culmination of our history together. Since we were friends for so long, Declan just knew me. He knew how I took my coffee and had it ready for me first thing in the morning. He knew that I hated driving in the snow and always offered to give me lift to work when it did. He knew that I had a soft spot for strays and never complained when I brought them home. Declan makes me feel safe. Like I could weather anything the world threw at me as long as he was by my side. I guess when you know, you know."  

Mattheo pondered her words. He couldn’t help but recall all the times that his life felt like a never ending shit storm, like it would swallow him whole and drown him from the weight of his troubles. Yet at the end of the day, he always knew that after the storm came the rainbow. That’s what you were for him. You colored his world so brightly that the dark seemed inconsequential compared to your light. 

“Y/N makes me feel like that too,” Mattheo declared. “She’s patient and kind. She’s the type of person that always sees the good in people. She saw it in me even when I couldn’t see it myself.” 

Behind him, Theo sniffled as he patted his shoulder. For all his jokes and sarcasm, his friend was actually a hopeless romantic deep down. “For Salazar’s sake, Mattheo. Don’t make me bawl like a baby in front of the pretty lady.” Theo wiped at the corner of his eyes rather dramatically. “If Y/N doesn’t marry you someday, then I will. I bet my legs would look amazing in a white dress.”

At that, Mattheo chuckled. He was suddenly glad that his best friend was more than willing to be dragged along in Mattheo’s endeavors to impress his girl. Salazar knew he never would've gotten this far without Theo's self-proclaimed expertise on all things muggle, thanks to his Advanced Muggle Studies class.

As they wrapped up, Mattheo thanked Annette for all her help. Theo promised to come back and winked over his shoulder as Mattheo gathered all of his supplies. The older woman smiled at him as they parted ways.

"Best of luck, Mattheo. Though I doubt you need it. Thank you for indulging an old woman. It was genuinely a pleasure to be able to help you today."

"No, thank you. Y/N is going to love it."

"Your girlfriend is a very lucky girl."

Mattheo shook his head. "I'm the lucky one. This is the least I could do to show her how much I..." he trailed off, trying to find the right words. "How much I care for her."

Care didn't seem like a strong enough word, but it was close. Mattheo wasn't sure he could fully verbalize the intensity of what he felt for you. You weren't just his girlfriend. You were his best friend, too. His confidante. His rock. You were everything to him.

“Remember what I told you. When you know, you know." She patted Mattheo's shoulder. "You talk about Y/N like I talk about my husband. It's clear that she's very special to you. Don't let go of that one."

Mattheo smiled to himself, his cheeks flushing. “I won't.” 

The midnight moon glowed above the Scottish Isles, enveloping the rocky shores of the Black Lake with a chilly breeze that made you shudder even underneath the comfort of your red and gold striped sweater. 

“Are you cold?” Mattheo asked softly, his voice echoing through the empty beach. 

Before you could respond, your boyfriend shrugged off his coat and wrapped it around your shoulders. With a shy smile, you thanked Mattheo and flushed as he took your hand in his. As you continued on your late night stroll, he cleared pebbles in your path to ensure that you didn’t trip over them on the way to the dock. 

It was the little things—the small gestures that Mattheo enacted on a daily basis that made you fall for him even more. Though the relationship was fairly new, the connection between you was undeniable. Perhaps because you started out as potions partners, which eventually blossomed into friendship and now you couldn’t even remember a time when he wasn’t part of your life. 

The two of you settled at the end of the dock and the rickety wood creaked underneath the weight, adjusting to its visitors as Mattheo cuddled you into his side. Warmth radiated off of him, heating you from the inside out with a pleasant flush. Mattheo chuckled as you shoved your cold hands underneath his sweater, curling his fingers around yours and warming you up like your own personal heater. 

“So, why did you want to come out here tonight?” you asked after a moment. 

As you peered up at him, the moonlight kissed your boyfriend’s features, illuminating the sharp edges of his jawline and cheekbones, curving down the slope of his nose and stopping right above his Cupid’s bow where his soft, plush lips curled into a shy smile as he blinked down at you. 

The flush on his cheeks was almost an exact match to the crimson scarf around your neck. He absentmindedly fidgeted with your fingers, his chocolate brown eyes flickering over your face nervously. Mattheo looked so shy and earnest, so unlike the bad boy persona that everyone else seemed to attribute to your boyfriend. 

“I made you something,” he stated. You watched as he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a cassette tape that you hadn’t noticed before. “I noticed that you listen to music while studying or walking through the halls, so I thought I’d compile a few of my favorite songs for you.” 

Your heart warmed at this beautiful boy. “You made me a mixtape?” 

Mattheo nodded, his angelic curls grazing his cheeks. “I can’t take all of the credit. Theo helped me quite a bit. I wasn’t sure how to make the tape for you, but he did since he’s taking Advanced Muggle Studies. We went into town last weekend and this lovely woman from the record shop showed us how to track and record the songs. I picked the ones that remind me of you the most.” 

You looked down at the cassette tape and smiled. The front was covered in little red hearts and spelled out in your boyfriend’s familiar scrawl was Matty’s Mixtape. As if that weren’t enough to make you swoon, underneath the tape was a small booklet with more of Mattheo’s handwriting. You smiled at his selection of songs. There was a mix of Queen, the Cure, the Clash, and of course, the Smiths. It was like having a little piece of Mattheo in your hands.

“I made you a booklet too. There’s a tracklist with reasons why I picked the songs,” Mattheo shuffled beside you, his body language conveying an uncharacteristic shyness. “I also drew a couple of things.” 

Sure enough, the booklet was filled with your boyfriend’s drawings. Your eyes filled with tears as you turned the pages. Mattheo rarely showed anyone his art. He was incredibly protective of anything he created since it showed a certain vulnerability. The fact that he was trusting you with it wasn’t something you took for granted. 

You traced over the drawings with a fond smile. There were portraits of you on one page, while the others contained memories that you were quite attached to. Your first date at the Three Broomsticks. The first time you wore his quidditch sweater to a Slytherin vs. Ravenclaw match. The day you shared a cup of hot chocolate at Madam Puddifoot’s when the two of you were just friends. They were all in here, immortalized on paper. 

Beside you, Mattheo watched anxiously as you flipped through the pages. When you got to the last one, you grinned up at him. “Matty, these are incredible.” 

“Really?” He asked, sounding a bit unsure. “You don’t think they’re cheesy?” 

“No, I love it!” You threw your arms around him and squeezed your boyfriend into a bear hug. He chuckled, burying his face in your hair and savoring the feel of you in his arms. As you pulled away to face him, Mattheo tucked a stray strand of hair behind your ear. His heart hurt just to look at you. He really couldn’t believe you were his. You smiled softly. “And I love you.” 

You said it firmly, like it was a matter-of-fact. Like you were reciting a truth as fundamental as gravity. 

“You love me?” 

“I do,” you replied with a smile. “I love you, Mattheo Riddle.”

“Are you sure?” 

“Absolutely positive.” 

“I just don’t want you to feel like you have to say it because I made you this mixtape and gave you cheesy drawings—”

He stopped mid-sentence as you grabbed his face with both hands. Mattheo softened at the fierce determination in your eyes. “Mattheo. You’re the best boyfriend I’ve ever had. Before that, you were the best friend I’ve ever had too. You treat me like a queen and I never have to worry about other girls trying to talk to you because you never even give them the time of day. You make me soup when I’m sick. You give me your jumpers when I’m cold. You bring me coffee when I’m pulling all nighters. I couldn’t ask for a better boyfriend, so yes. I love you. Not because of the mixtape or the drawings, but because you’re you.”

Mattheo was taken aback. Before you, he never thought he was capable of caring for someone so deeply. You were ingrained in him. It was like the universe had cleaved his soul in two and he’d spent an eternity searching for you. You were his other half—the better half of him that he’d been missing all along. Now that he found you, he had no intention of letting you go. 

The lovestruck expression on his face warmed your heart. His eyes—those sweet, warm brown eyes made you feel weak in the knees. Mattheo cradled your jaw and looked at you like you were the only girl in the world. 

“I love you too, Y/N.” 

You smiled as he leaned forward, bringing your lips to his in a tender kiss. He sighed in relief like he’d been waiting for this all day, fingers snaking through your hair as your body melted into his. Mattheo hummed, peppering kisses all over your face. You giggled as he pecked your cheeks, nose, jaw, and neck. 

“I love you, I love you, I love you,” he declared with every kiss. 

Burying your face into his neck, you inhaled the familiar scent of amber, cinnamon, and leather. Mattheo sighed as you scratched his scalp.

“Will you tell me about the songs while we listen to them?” you murmured against his skin. 

Mattheo nodded as his curls tickled your cheek. “Of course, sweetheart.”

He pulled out a cassette player and popped the tape in. You cuddled into his side, smiling as he presented you with one half of the headphones. The soft crooning sound of the Smiths filled your ears as Mattheo played with your hair, telling you little anecdotes about the band and how Theo almost knocked over the cassette recorder while he tried to flirt with the record shop owner. 

You chuckled as you listened, picking up the sweet lyrics that made Mattheo choose the songs in the first place. You loved each one of his picks, but the best song by far was the sound of his heartbeat thudding in your ears, syncing with your own as it beat for him and him alone.

Desperation

Photos ltr: Pinterest by gabrielle_lcrx here, Pinterest by jkswxt here, Pinterest by Tish_9426 here | Divider by @saradika here

Mattheo Riddle x Reader

Word count: Approx. 3.2k

Summary: Mattheo Riddle was the only guy you'd ever felt desperate for. You were never expecting the tables to turn all these years later.

Warnings/be aware: Gryffindor!Quidditch Player!reader, fem!reader, confident reader, reader is mentioned as wearing makeup, alcohol consumption, reader being hit on, mentions of reader being laughed at/embarrassed in the past, pet names

A/N: Yes this is yet another impulsive fic I wrote before finishing my Theo series oops! I just love a confident reader so much. Experimenting with this character dynamic was quite fun and I do hope you enjoy!

The roar of music echoed in your eardrums, bass thumping in your chest and deep red lights obscuring your vision as you played along with some ill-conceived game that Ginny Weasley had concocted. She stood next to you, shooting ping-pong balls into beer-filled cups that the opposing team – Harry and Ron – were shuffling across the table. It was all you could do to keep up, attempt to successfully land your ping-pong balls inside the cups, and chug when she told you to. Occasionally she would cheer victoriously, so you supposed the two of you were doing well.

To celebrate Gryffindor’s victory in the Quidditch match played earlier that day, you were playing party games in your dimly-lit common room, clad in a dark red bodysuit, black jeans, and black strappy heels. You were attracting your fair share of attention, and not just because of the eight goals you’d put up that day as a Chaser.

“Heads up, Malfoy’s staring.” Ginny’s voice lilted playfully and you could picture the smirk on her lips even as you struggled to bounce your ping-pong ball into the cup in front of you. Across the table, you heard distinct scoffs from Harry and Ron.

“Relax, boys, you know that blonds aren’t my type.” You wore a smirk of your own as you sank a shot into the cup and passed it back across the table. So long as the male population of Hogwarts stuck to looking and not touching, you didn’t mind the attention. However, you weren't looking for a dance partner, and you definitely wouldn't be searching in the corner where Malfoy and his teammates resided.

“Don’t look back, eye contact with him is liable to turn you to stone.” Ron’s lip curled in displeasure as he glanced across the dance floor, eyes searching until he found Draco across the room. In a less-than-subtle move, he stepped to the other side of Harry to block the Slytherin Seeker’s view of you.

“Very mature.” With a derisive glare, you accepted the cup of alcohol that he slid across the table.

“Yes!” Ginny cheered as she sank a shot before her gaze whipped towards you. “Come on, come on!” Thankfully, your ping-pong ball immediately sank into the cup. “Yes, yes, yes! We win!”

Your mouth fell open in surprise and you leapt up to high-five her. “Let’s go! Take that, boys!”

“Oi, she’s manipulating the rules!” Ron gestured at his sister, who stuck her tongue out at him. “I demand a rematch.”

“Absolutely not, that beer you put in there is foul.” Harry shook his head ardently. “I’m going to go drink anything else.” He stepped away from the table and towards the drinks.

“Ditto.” You nodded in agreement. “Harry, while you’re over there, will you get me a glass of water?” He shot you a thumbs-up as he departed and you turned to Ginny. “Dance floor?” Taking your hand, she strode eagerly across the common room.

You didn’t make it far before you heard a voice calling your name. Sharing a look of exasperation with Ginny for a brief moment, you braced yourself and turned around. In front of you stood Seamus Finnegan with a red cup in his hand, swaying slightly to the music.

“Hey, pretty girl. Great match today.” He winked, running a hand through his hair.

“Thanks, Seamus.”

“Care for a dance?” The fellow Gryffindor shot you what you supposed was intended to be a flirtatious smile, but looked more like a wince in the dim lighting.

“You know me, Finnegan, I'm flying solo.” You brushed off the request with a grin.

He let out a playful sigh. “You’re going to kill me someday, you know.”

“And yet you always come back.” Giving him a teasing wink, you caught up with Ginny, a little swing in your hips. She turned towards you as the two of you stepped onto the dance floor, a knowing glimmer in her eyes.

“Shooting down Finnegan again?” She practically had to shout into your ear to be heard over the thump of the bass that resonated in your chest.

“Would you believe me if I told you that I’ve tried to put that guy out of his misery? Repeatedly.”

Her brown eyes rolled back into their sockets as she scoffed. “Don’t I know it. Corner was the same way until I finally caved. You’ve got the right idea, I’m telling you.”

Around Hogwarts, you had a bit of a reputation for putting guys through the ringer, never letting anyone too close. It wasn’t entirely earned, you had given one boy a chance in the past year or two. Granted, that one guy was Roger Davies, Ravenclaw Quidditch captain and school heartthrob, but so what if your standards were high? Unfortunately, once Roger had left Hogwarts to play professional Quidditch it had proved too difficult to maintain your relationship. That didn’t mean you were in a rush to find someone else, though. You knew your worth, and anyone intent on catching you would need to prove that they deserved to keep you. Until then, you were content to dance alone while they stared after you.

Soon Harry joined you and Ginny on the dance floor. The three of you sang along to the songs blaring over the speakers after you downed your water and a shot of Firewhiskey. With the party in full swing, the dance floor was packed, and you lost track of the world around you. Jumping and dancing to the music was the only thing that mattered, the floor buzzing beneath your feet. At some point, Lavender and Parvati squeezed in next to you, and you soaked in the company of your little Gryffindor girls corner while you celebrated your victory.

“You look so gorgeous!” Parvati eyed your outfit before taking a sip of her drink. “Where in the world did you get those jeans?”

“My sister sent them to me from Muggle London! I’ll see if I can get you both a pair.”

“Never mind that,” Lavender dismissed with a wave of her hand. “You’ll never believe who’s been eyeing you up all night.”

“Lav, unless it’s literally Dave Franco I couldn’t care less.” You reached out your hand, trying to encourage her to dance with you instead of telling you about more boys.

“Oh, I promise it’s good.” She eyed you intently and you let out a heavy breath, reluctantly giving her a nod of assent. Drawing close to you, she leaned over and whispered in your ear. “Mattheo Riddle.”

You froze, your eyes wide.

She looked back at you, grinning. “See, didn’t I tell you?”

Mattheo Riddle was, quite possibly, the most attractive guy at Hogwarts. Unfortunately, the two of you had a rather…regrettable history.

“Well of course he is, this is a great outfit.” Smoothing your jeans, you couldn't quite make yourself believe your words. You were horrified at how quickly your usual self-assurance had faltered at the mention of him.

During your first year at Hogwarts, when you were a shy and awkward new student still trying to plant your feet in the magical world, you’d developed a huge crush on Mattheo. Every time he’d enter a room you were in, it was like he’d stolen the breath from your chest – your voice grew quiet and your hands shaky. You’d never felt such a strong attraction to anyone, and you’d thought that you might die if he didn’t notice you. Though you initially expected the feeling to fade, it only grew stronger until you were spending endless lessons sneaking glances at him from across the classroom.

In your third year, you’d finally summoned the courage to ask him on a date. With a deep breath, you’d smoothed your frizzy hair and your wrinkled school robes as best as you could and approached him and his friends at the Slytherin table during breakfast. Your voice quiet and shaky, you’d asked if he would like to go to Hogsmeade with you. He’d asked you to repeat yourself, and, with your face burning, you’d done so. Then he’d looked you in the eye and laughed in your face, all of his friends laughing with him. By the end of the day, the whole school knew what had happened. It was the most embarrassing moment of your life.

“What are you waiting for?” Lavender’s voice snapped you back to reality and you blinked. “Go over there and flaunt how good you look in his face.” She nodded towards the corner where several members of the Slytherin Quidditch team stood, including Mattheo.

You raised an eyebrow. “If he wants to see me so badly, he can come over here himself.”

She eyed you incredulously for a moment before laughing with a shake of her head. “You’re my hero.”

It was safe to say that you were nothing like the timid little girl you’d been back then. Fourth year was when things really began to change for you – improving your flying skills and joining the Gryffindor Quidditch team had done wonders for your confidence. You’d also grown more assured in your magical skills, discovering a natural talent for Ancient Runes and delving into the world of cursebreaking. To top it all off, during the summer between fourth and fifth year, you and your older sister had started doing weekly self-care nights together and you’d fallen in love with your new skincare and makeup routine. Once you returned to Hogwarts for your fifth year, you seemed to glow from the inside out. You were so content with your little world – your friends, your teammates, your future plans – that you didn’t even notice the stares that you’d begun to attract until the other Gryffindor girls pointed them out to you. Since then, the attention of boys wasn’t something you had to wish for in the Great Hall, looking longingly at the Slytherin table. You could choose to take it or leave it on any given day; it was always available in spades.

One thing hadn’t changed, though. You still avoided Mattheo and his friends, even though you were now in your seventh year at Hogwarts. Though you could occasionally feel their cold stares on your skin along with those of others in class and at parties, you never ventured anywhere near them and they never approached you. When you’d dated Roger, he would wrap his arm around your shoulders and glower in their direction when he saw their eyes wandering, but you didn’t need his protection anymore. Your confidence alone kept them at a safe distance.

This confidence suddenly began to waver as you turned around to continue dancing and saw the occupants of the dance floor hastily parting to make way for a familiar head of curly black hair.

“No way.” Parvati stared at the approaching figure, eyes wide. “Come on!” She pulled Lavender to the side, away from you in an effort to, presumably, make room for Mattheo.

“No, guys, don’t leave, I –” Your protests were futile as they disappeared into the crowd. Spinning around, you frantically searched for Ginny, but saw that she was some distance away now, her arms twining around Harry’s neck. Your stomach sank. There was no way you were going to cross her mind anytime soon. Reluctantly, you turned back around and your chest tightened as you found yourself face to face with Mattheo Riddle.

You let out a deep breath. He’s literally just some guy.

“Riddle.”

A spark of pride ignited in your chest as you heard the sound of your own assured, even voice in the air. You raised your eyebrows, sizing him up. To his credit, he didn’t waver from your gaze.

“Sweetheart.” It would've been flattering if you hadn't heard him call a thousand girls stupid nicknames in passing. His voice was flat and unreadable, and Firewhiskey swirled in the cup he held in his hand. His deep brown eyes swept up your body, sending a tingle across your skin. “Enjoying yourself?”

“Always.” Your ego rose forward in your voice. There was a siren singing in your chest, begging you to dash this man across the rocks if he gave you the opportunity. You were ready to indulge her. “What brings you over to my little corner of the world?" Trying to push down the swirl of emotions in your mind, you took a step towards him.

“Figured you’d prefer my company to Smith’s.” His voice twinged with bitterness as he nodded to your right. You glanced over your shoulder to see the approaching figure of a stumbling Zacharias Smith. Mattheo met your step forward with one of his own, and suddenly he was close enough to touch.

“You sound awfully certain.” Your lips lilted upwards in a slight, amused smile.

“Looking good, gorgeous!” The alcohol-soaked tones of Smith’s voice drifted across the common room over the music. With a smug glimmer in your eye, you saw Mattheo’s frown as you turned towards the Hufflepuff boy instead.

“Feeling good, Zachy!” You stuck out your tongue playfully and he shot you an approving grin. However, your expression quickly sobered as you felt Mattheo’s fingers digging into the flesh of your hips possessively. You had half a mind to smack him, but Zacharias had already changed course away from the two of you. Once Smith had cleared the area, Mattheo turned back to you.

“Zachy?” His low drawl was disapproving as his dark eyes bored into yours. He raised one incredulous eyebrow. Meeting his gaze, you rested a hand on his chest. You didn’t miss the way his eyes darkened as your fingers grazed his skin.

“What?” You eyed him innocently and he scoffed, shaking his head.

“You’re unbelievable.”

Your sweet smile fell like a proscenium curtain. “I should be very believable to you, all things considered.” Fixing him with the same dry glare he was giving you, you looked him up and down. The whole school knew about Mattheo’s tendency to snog a different girl in a broom cupboard every week – he had remarkably little room to judge. “Get to the point or go away, Riddle.”

You were certain that he would pick the latter, and frankly, part of you felt relief at the thought of him disappearing into the crowd. His unexplained presence in front of you, his dark eyes boring into your psyche, his strong hands wrapped tightly around your hips as if he wanted to claim you, though you weren’t his…it was all too much. Being around other guys didn’t feel this way. To your surprise though, he just gave a wry laugh.

“The point was keeping you safe from the likes of Smith.”

You rolled your eyes. “You know perfectly well that I don’t need a bodyguard. I promise some Hufflepuff won’t end me.”

He gritted his teeth ever so slightly. “It’s not about that.”

“Then what is this about, hmm?”

Pausing, he seemed to deliberate before opening his mouth again. “You looked great on the pitch today.”

“Why, thank you.” You gave a nonplussed nod, knowing that he was still holding back. “If you’re in the mood to talk Quidditch, you ought to go have a chat with Weasley. She put up even more points than I did.”

His grip on your hips tightened as he pulled you flush to his chest, making you inhale with surprise.

“Is this all just a game to you?” His hot breath tickled your ear, sending a chill down your spine as his hand rose to your face, his thumb stroking your cheek and his fingers coming to rest on the back of your neck. “You know exactly why I’m here.”

That siren in your chest could feel her desire in her grasp, but it wasn’t enough. You hungered for him to lay all of his cards out on the table, to know the vulnerability you’d once felt every moment you were in his presence.

“I haven’t the foggiest, actually.” Your eyes flicked up to meet his and you fluttered your eyelashes at him. The stormy look in his eyes, as dark as the Black Lake when thunder rang out above the castle, told you that he saw right through your innocent act. Still, he had no choice but to play along or walk away. Lip curling ever so slightly, his hold on you tightened impossibly further.

“You look so good, I feel like I’m going crazy.” His lips grazed your ear imperceptibly, his strained whisper echoing in your mind. "You want to hear it? Fine. That's why I'm here, even though from the first step I took I knew you were going to laugh in my face.”

For a moment, you paused, allowing the victory to radiate through your body like warmth. Yet with it came an anger – at his nerve to even approach, at the fact that his presence had caused memories of your past to come flooding back, at the infuriating arrogance and short temper he’d never managed to shake. Stirring beneath was a fear, too. Though you pushed it down, the desire he awoke in you was agonizing. Composing yourself, you leaned back, hanging off his neck so that you could look him in the eye.

“Aww, Matty.” With a mocking pout, you gently patted his shoulder. “I would never.”

The words hung powerfully in the air despite your banter. No matter how many admirers you kept at arm’s length, you would never act like he did, never stoop so low. As he looked back at you, you could tell that the implication of your words wasn’t lost on him.

“Then dance with me.”

“I would never do that either.” The desire in his gaze quickly gave way to a brief flash of anger as you untwined your arms from around his neck and stepped out of his grip. He quickly hid the emotion under his usual unfeeling veneer. You turned your back on him before looking over your shoulder. “There. Is that settled?”

You could tell he was coming after you before you even felt his fingers wrap around your wrist. Somehow, though, you still felt your body tense with shock when you found yourself pulled back to him.

“Please.”

The simple word seemed to silence the room for a split second. Mattheo Riddle didn’t ask nicely for anything – you wondered how many times he’d used the word in his life and whether he might be able to count them on one hand. But in his voice, wavering ever so slightly, there was a hint of the desperation you’d once known so well, the feeling that only he had ever been able to bring out of you. The word he'd spoken had so many possible implications – forgive me, let me have a second chance, don’t hurt me – but for Mattheo, you knew it had only one meaning. Give me what I want.

Your eyes flicked to his lips, ever so slightly parted, then back up to his deep brown eyes as he pulled you in closer.

“Show me how badly you want it, then.”

𝐴𝐹𝑇𝐸𝑅 𝑇𝐻𝐸 𝑆𝑇𝑂𝑅𝑀.ೃ࿐

↳ bf!mattheo riddle x fem reader (slight angst ? fluff) requested by @ilovematteoxx ♡

↳ 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 : 1.2k

𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑦 : you can’t find your boyfriend after an argument, but the castle is on lockdown and surrounded by dementors

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

the argument had started over something small. ridiculously small, actually. you couldn’t even remember the details anymore, but somehow, the two of you had managed to let it escalate and before you knew it, mattheo and you were throwing sharp words like hexes.

your boyfriend, as loving as he was, had a way of getting under your skin sometimes. he was all about teasing smirks and cocky grins that usually made you laugh, but tonight you weren’t laughing. tonight, you were tired and on edge from a long week of classes and when he joked about you taking things too seriously, something inside of you snapped.

“not everyone has the luxury of not giving a damn, mattheo.” you’d answered with your arms crossed. “not everyone has parents who don’t care.”

the moment the words left your lips, you swore you could’ve felt the air shift. it was like time froze, everything suddenly stood still and went way too quiet. mattheo’s expression shifted, the usual soft gaze he saved for you disappearing. you saw how the hurt flickered in his dark eyes, before he quickly covered it with cold indifference.

“forget it,” he said sharply before walking out, turning his heel and disappearing out of the common room before you could even get a word out.

you stood there, frozen, the weight of your words slowly sinking in. merlin, you hadn’t meant it like that. in fact, you hadn’t meant to hurt him at all. but you had and now he was gone, and you didn’t even know where.

you couldn’t focus on anything for the rest of the evening and as wandered around the castle - silently hoping you’d bump into him around the corner - the hallways felt emptier than ever. dinner passed in a blur too. every time someone entered the great hall and sat down at the slytherin table, you quickly looked up, only to realise it wasn’t him.

you spent the rest of the night alone in your dorm, laying in bed and staring at the ceiling, trying and failing to get any sleep. your last conversation kept replaying in your head, what if you’d really hurt him this time ? what if he didn’t come back ? sure, mattheo had his walls, but he never stayed mad at you for long… your mind spiralled. outside the window, everything was dark and still. inside your heart, everything was twisted in knots.

and then, just as you were finally drifting off, a loud noise jolted you awake. it wasn’t just you either, you heard frantic footsteps outside your dorm, and voices raising as well. you sat up, heart pounding and confused. it wasn’t long before a frantic knock echoed through the door, and your best friend pansy came in.

“you have to get up, everyone is being taken to the great hall. now !” she said quickly. “what’s happening ?” you asked in a panicky tone as you got out of bed. “dementors,” she muttered, pulling you outside and rushing you to join the many students making their way through the dark halls. “they’ve been spotted outside.”

your heart skipped a beat. dementors.

the crowd of students rushed to the great hall, tension filling the air, already thick with worry and whispers. you scanned the faces around, searching for any signs of mattheo. but he wasn’t there. he wasn’t anywhere.

“pansy,” you breathed, tugging on her sleeve as realisation dawned on you. “i don’t see mattheo. where is he ?”

she shrugged, concern flickering in her eyes “don’t know, i haven’t seen him since this afternoon”

you swallowed hard, your chest tightening. where was he ? the last time you saw him was when he’d left after the argument, angry and hurt. what if he was outside when the dementors had left ? what if… what if the last thing you said to him was the stupid comment about his father ?

your breathing picked up and theo noticed it from across the room, before making his way over. “what’s going on ?” he asked with furrowed brows.

“i can’t find mattheo,” you whispered with a trembling voice. “we had a fight earlier and now he’s probably out there, and-“

theo exchanged a knowing look with pansy before cutting you off by gently pulling you into a reassuring side hug “he’s fine, amore. probably just running late, you know him, always slipping off to do merlin knows what.”

but you weren’t reassured. not when the castle was in lockdown. it when dementors were around. not when mattheo was nowhere to be seen, and the last thing he heard from you was something you didn’t mean.

“i didn’t mean it,” you whispered with regret. pansy rubbed your back to comfort you but it didn’t stop the tears from welling up in your eyes as you reached the great hall. the place was crowded with panicked students and teachers, but you still felt terribly alone in your world of fear.

“i shouldn’t have said it,” you choked out, wiping your eyes and ignoring the people running around and bumping into you. “i shouldn’t have-“

before you could finish, a heavy sound echoed through the hall. the giant wooden doors swung open with a gust of cold air, and every head turned toward the entrance.

mattheo stood in the doorway, along with some others students you didn’t even glance at. his curly hair was damp with the rain, and his robes slightly disheveled. he looked like he’d been through a storm, but he was there.

without thinking, you ran. you pushed through the crowd, not caring who you bumped into, your heart racing as you closed the distance between you. by the time you reached him, a tear had managed to roll down your cheek, but you didn’t care. you threw yourself into his arms, your hands fisting his robes as you breathed him in.

“mattheo,” you gasped, holding onto him like he might disappear. “i’m so sorry. i didn’t mean it, i swear i didn’t mean it.”

his arms came around you immediately, pulling you close, his chin resting on top of your head. “hey, hey, it’s okay,” he murmured, his voice low and soothing. “it’s okay, love. i’m not mad.”

you pulled back just enough to look up at him, your slightly red eyes searching his face. “you’re not?”

he shook his head, his hand coming up to cup your cheek. “no. i just… needed some time. but i’m not mad. i promise.”

you bit your lip, trying to stop the flood of emotions threatening to overwhelm you again. “i thought—i thought something happened to you. i was so scared.”

mattheo’s gaze softened, and he wiped the tears away with his thumb. “i’m sorry i scared you. i shouldn’t have just left like that.”

you shook your head quickly, you knew your boyfriend’s habit of walking out during arguments was just to help manage his anger. it was something he’d started doing when he realised you were the only good thing in his life, and he didn’t want to take his negative feelings out on you.

“no, it’s my fault. i shouldn’t have said what i did.” he leaned down, pressing his forehead against yours, his breath warm against your skin. “it’s okay,” he whispered. “i’m here. i’m not walking away this time.”

for the first time that night, you felt the tightness in your chest ease. the panic, the fear, it all melted away in his arms, replaced by the steady, grounding warmth of his presence. “nice pajamas by the way,” he chuckled, and you rolled your eyes.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

tag list (comment if you wanna be added) @tateshifts @redeemingvillains @helendeath @jolly4holly @larmesdevanille @dexoq @shiftingwithmars @shiftingwithleah @fbvreadingblog @moonlightreader649 @bellatrix-lestrange5 @sp7-mr @sunkissedscribbles @chelawrites @myunperfektstorys @iris-qt @yikesitslush @clar2aa @deadsnakey @deadghosy @slut-for-fictional-men @romantasyreader28 @witchsrecs @mattiesgf

Kiss Me Again - Mattheo Riddle

Request: heyy oh my God I seriously love your work, could you do one where they are best friends but like each other and won't confess but one day they both realise they are in love wc: 4.2k warnings: fluff, kissing, swearing Summary: you and Mattheo have been friends since the beginning of school, the two of you like each other but neither wants to admit it, scared that it would damage your relationship. The two of you decide to take a break from studying and sneak around Hogwarts and then one thing leads to another...

Mattheo Riddle, he had been your best friend for pretty much as long as you can remember. You grew up together, helped eachother threw everything, stuck by each others sides. You were fortunate to have most of your classes together, and even outside of class the two of you hung out.

You had the same friends, got pretty much the same grades and had very similar hobbies... it was rare to see one without the other. 

The Hogwarts library stood as a citadel of tranquility, a bastion of wisdom and knowledge amidst the bustling halls of Hogwarts. Right now, you and Mattheo Riddle found yourselves engrossed in your studies, the air thick with the scent of parchment and the soft murmur of whispered incantations.

Seated side by side at a wooden table tucked amidst towering shelves, you and Mattheo immersed yourselves in textbooks and scrolls, the task at hand a mere facade for the unspoken emotions that danced between you.

Mattheo’s voice cut through the silence, "You alright, you've been pretty quiet for a while?"

You shot him a playful glare, a smile tugging at the corners of your lips. "Well we are in the library Mattheo, we're meant to be quiet."

Mattheo rolled his eyes, a small smile tugging on his lips, "yeah well you practically never shut up," a small laugh falling from his lips. This of course earnt him an eye roll, which he caught onto, yet he somehow managed to miss the little sparkle that glinted in your eye as you looked at his smiling face.

You sat there for a while, occasionally bickering or leaning over to ask for help when getting stuck on something, but due to exams coming up in only a few days, the two of you understood that you had to try your best to stay on task. Textbooks sprawled open, parchment filled with notes, and a shared determination to conquer the complexities of magical theory.

"Have you seen this spell?" you queried, pointing to a particularly intricate incantation in your book. You had been looking at it for the past 10 minutes or so, waving your wand around trying to get the right movement, but it seemed no matter how hard you tried, it just wasnt working how you wanted it to. 

Mattheo leaned closer, his presence enveloping you in a warmth that sparked an indescribable sensation. You felt the hairs on your arm stick up, a warm feeling flushing in your chest as he leaned over your shoulder. "Ah, that one’s tricky. Let me show you a more efficient way to cast it."

His nearness sent a flutter through your senses, a magnetic pull that threatened to unravel the careful veil hiding the unspoken desires within. He reached over, his hand landing on top of yours and guiding your hand smoothly, "there you are, easy peasy."

"Thanks..." you murmured out, finally taking a breath as he leant back away from you.

As the sun dipped lower, signaling the arrival of evening, you and Mattheo began to gather your belongings. The unspoken feelings simmered beneath the layers of laughter and stolen glances, a silent understanding that bound your hearts in a dance of friendship and concealed affection.

Mattheo broke the tranquil silence, his voice softer than usual. "The library is closing soon, we should continue this in my dorm. You should head back to your dorm and get in something more comfy then come over"

You nodded, a faint smile gracing your lips. "Yeah, ok are the boys in the dorm?"

"Nah Jasper and Theodore are over in Lorenzo's dorm and Draco is with Blaise," Mattheo replied, his gaze holding a depth that hinted at more than mere friendship as he packed his books, "so it'll be just us."

"Cool, see ya soon," you grinned widely, brushing your hair behind your ear unconciously. 

*

After getting changed into something more comfortablein your dorm and a fresh spritz of purfume on you began your walk back to Mattheo's dorm (I'm trying my best to make it so it doesnt matter what house you are in so sorry if it's a little confusing). You couldnt help it as your mind trailed off to Mattheo. You knew you shouldnt be feeling this way, but you couldnt help it... this is wrong, he's my best friend. 

He was more than that though, he was an important aspect in your life, and you couldnt imagine life without him.He’s always had your back and stood up for you. He's defended you against teachers and students, he's protected you from the dark horrors that come with being born to Bellatrix Lestrange and Tom Riddle, growing up in Malfoy Manor.

You were well aware of the fact that you've liked him for a while now, just a small girl crush... but lately its only seemed to get worse. You’ve caught yourself staring at him frequently, admiring his brown curls and earthy eyes, you've tried to ignore the overwhelming feeling of butterflies that you get every time he laughs, or the tingling sting that you get whenever your skin comes in contact with his. 

In the embrace of his hug, you find solace, pressed snugly against the contours of his toned chest. The rhythmic thud of his heartbeat against your skin forms an intimate symphony, a melody that soothes your very core, making you feel inexplicably safe.

His gentle touch, brushing away a stray tendril of hair from your face, sends a wave of warmth coursing through you. It's a tender gesture that beckons you to close your eyes and surrender to the comforting sensation of his fingers against your skin.

As his hand encircles your waist, drawing you nearer, an undeniable sense of belonging washes over you. In that moment, with Mattheos’s touch securing you, it feels like the perfect fit—your bodies in sync, entwined in a moment that feels destined.

The yearning for more intensifies, an undeniable craving for closeness, for the electrifying sensation of his touch. It's a desire that lingers, urging you to lean into the embrace, to savor every shared moment with Mattheo, wishing for an eternity in his arms

Shit I sound crazy you rolled your eyes at yourself, shaking the thoughts off and continuing your walk. 

What you didnt know was that Mattheo had felt the same way. You didnt notice how he had started sitting even closer to you now, or the fact that he was constantly trying to come up with ways to inconspicuously touch you. You didnt notice the way he would put his hand on your back and lead you threw the halls when there were lots of people, or how if you were ever close to hitting your head on the corner of a cupboard or desk he would reach over and cover the surface with his hand. 

Once you finally get to the door of his dorm, you knock a few times before pushing the door open, walking in to find Mattheo on the bed. "Hey Theo," you grumbled, dropping your bag to the ground and then jumping on the bed next to him with a tired sigh.

"Hey love."

*

“come on, you've got it, just try it a few more times and it'll be perfect”, Mattheo says from his desk, his chair rolling around to face you where you were lying on his bed, books laying around you. 

“I cant do it Theo”, you sigh loudly, throwing your head back dramatically, “it's a stupid spell and I probably wont even use it after we leave school so why the hell do we even have to learn it.” 

“Quit whining”, Mattheo replies, laughing whilst shaking his head, "it's not even that hard."

“It's not fair, why does an idiot like you get to be so smart without even trying”, you pout softly, pulling yourself up in a sitting position.  

Mattheo's insistence on revisiting the notes for the umpteenth time made you almost desperate. You were tired and this was beginning to get frustrating, you hated it when you werent good at something.  You took a deep breath, gathering the courage to speak up. "Please, Theo. I understand that good grades mean everything to you and how pressured you are with all of this, but I'm seriously starting to go out of my mind. I have hardly slept and this is giving me a really bad headache."

His silence made you nervous; you hadn't intended to come across so harshly. Mattheo seemed absorbed in his thoughts, clearly thinking about what to say or do. He understood that you were tired, the two of you, along with much of your grade had been waking up early and going to sleep late for the last few weeks in order to study for the exams. But this was all important, the two of you planned to become Aurors together when you left school, and you needed really good grades for that.

You bit your lip, grappling with your impatience. "Matth-"

A frustrated sigh escaped Mattheo's lips. You felt guilty, you knew why he tried so hard for his grades. He didnt want to turn out like his mother and father and the people around him at home, he wanted to do good. He needed good grades to help him escape. 

Meeting his gaze, you found his intense brown eyes locked onto yours. "I apologize. You're right," he admitted, raking his hand through his brunette curls, your eyes went wide in shock, you hadnt actually expected him to agree with you, and you definietly didnt think that the next words would fall out of his lips, "hell it might even be a good idea for me to have a break, i'm tired too-"

Mattheo stood up, shutting his books and then stumbling over to the bed, a goofy smile on his face as he stuck his hand out in your direction. You looked up at him with furrowed brows, not exactly sure where he was going with this. When you said that the two of you needed to take a break, you just thought that the two of you would just chill and talk for a while, maybe lay down for a bit. 

"Up ya hop," he beckoned, making a grabby motion with his hands a few times before sticking his open palm closer to your face, "move it or lose it mate," he continues. You raise your brows at him, hesitating before carefully reaching out to take his hand

Should I grab his hand?

"Merlin," Mattheo groaned, rolling his eyes before just grabbing her hand and then tugging her off the bed

"Hey asshole!" you complained, glaring up at him as he tugged you towards the door of his dorm, grabbing a jumper that was hanging over the back of his desk chair. 

"Dont blame me, if we sat around here waiting for you to make up your mind then we'd be waiting till christmas," Mattheo complained sarcastically, pulling her down the hall and towards the main part of the common room. 

As Mattheo dragged you along, you stumbled to keep up with his brisk pace, shooting him an annoyed glare. "Seriously, where are we going?" you demanded, trying to slow his progress by digging your heels into the floor.

But Mattheo seemed determined, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Just trust me," he said with a smirk, not offering any further explanation.

You let out an exasperated sigh but relented, deciding to go along with whatever crazy idea he had in mind. You allowed him to tug you through the common room and out into the crisp evening air of the halls of the castle. It was late at night and since they were in the dungeons, it was freezing. There were no students anywhere, and the teachers were also more than likely in bed. 

"Wait, Mattheo, it's freezing out here!" you protested, shivering as a gust of wind swept by, making you regret not grabbing a jacket.

He chuckled, seemingly unfazed by the cold. "Don't worry, I've got you covered," he assured, reaching for the jumper he had grabbed earlier. With a grin, he draped it over your shoulders, the warmth of the fabric immediately comforting.

"Thanks," you mumbled, feeling a bit guilty for calling him an asshole just moments ago.

Without missing a beat, Mattheo resumed his course, leading you through the halls. Mattheo glanced around the halls, noticing the dimly lit corners and hidden alcoves. With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he leaned in and whispered, "I've heard rumors about secret passages hidden within the castle. Wanna go on a little exploration?"

Your curiosity piqued at the mention of secret passages. Nodding eagerly, you followed Mattheo as he led the way, navigating through the deserted corridors of the castle. Shadows danced on the walls, and the quiet of the night added an eerie yet thrilling atmosphere to your adventure.

Stopping in front of an intricately designed tapestry depicting a hunting scene, Mattheo grinned. "This is it," he whispered excitedly, pulling on a loose thread near the edge of the tapestry.

To your amazement, the tapestry shifted, revealing a concealed entrance behind it. Mattheo gestured for you to follow as he stepped through the hidden doorway. The passage was dimly lit by flickering torches, the air cool and musty.

You trailed behind Mattheo as you ventured deeper into the hidden corridors. The passages twisted and turned, leading you through a labyrinthine network beneath the castle. Dusty tomes and forgotten artifacts lined shelves carved into the stone walls, hinting at the secrets hidden within.

Occasionally, you stumbled upon locked doors or dead ends, but Mattheo's enthusiasm never waned. He seemed to have a natural talent for navigating the hidden passages, leading you further into the mysterious depths of the castle.

After what felt like an exhilarating journey through time and history, you stumbled upon a chamber bathed in a soft, ethereal glow. In the center stood an ancient-looking pedestal with a book resting upon it, emitting a faint shimmer.

"Is that...?" you started, your voice barely a whisper as you glanced at Mattheo, both of you captivated by the enigmatic sight before you.

Mattheo nodded in awe, his eyes reflecting the soft light. "I heard that there used to be this Ancient magic around Hogwarts that only a select few could see and use... apparently a goblin called Ranrok or something tried to gain control of that power but was stopped by a Hogwarts student who could see and use the magic, this is supposed to be her diary or something, there could be some cool stuff in there," he murmured, approaching the pedestal with caution.

You joined him, the book's pages radiating an otherworldly aura. As you reached out to touch it, a distant sound echoed through the chamber—a faint rattling followed by the unmistakable shuffle of footsteps.

Startled, you exchanged a quick glance with Mattheo before hastily retreating back into the hidden passages, leaving the mysterious book untouched. Heart pounding with excitement and adrenaline, you navigated the twisting corridors, making your way back to the safety of the castle's main corridors.

Breathless and exhilarated, you both burst into laughter as you emerged from the hidden entrance, relieved to have escaped without detection.

Caught up in the thrill of your secret exploration, you and Mattheo leaned against the castle wall, trying to catch your breath. The rush of adrenaline and the shared excitement created a bond between you that felt unbreakable.

As you exchanged a knowing glance, the unspoken promise of more adventures lingered in the air, filling you both with a sense of anticipation for the mysteries yet to be unraveled within the castle's hidden passages.

"Students out of bed!" They suddenly hear, their eyes widening at the familiar voice or Filch. They turned their heads to look down the corridor, a small hint of light making its way closer from one of the corners further down

"Oh shit!" Mattheo whispered, grabbing your hand and then yanking you through the halls once again. 

"You can run but you cant hide!"

"Ouch Mattheo! You're gonna rip my fucking arm off you pri-"

Mattheo had grabbed you around the waist and thrown you over his shoulder. A small 'hmph' falling from your lips at the rough impact of his shoulder digging into your stomach. "Theo that hurts!" you whisper yell, smaking him softly on the back as he continues to run, Filch on your tail. 

Mattheo quickly turns the corner and then pulls you both into a cupboard, slamming the door shut behind you both and putting you on the ground in front of him, his chest heaving up and down as he tried to catch his breath, a few small beads of sweat trickling down his forhead. 

Mattheo let out an annoyed groan, "Fuck that was cl-"

You slap your hand over his mouth with one hand, using your free hand to put your finger up to your lips, telling him to shush before leaning your head against the door, trying to listen to whatever was going on outside, praying to god that Filch wasnt going to find you. 

The footsteps outside grew louder, the sound of keys jingling and muttering becoming clearer. Filch's voice pierced through the silence, his grumbling indicating his frustration at not finding the mischievous students.

Mattheo's chest rose and fell rapidly as he tried to control his breathing, his eyes wide with anticipation and a hint of nervous excitement. You pressed against the door, your heart racing in sync with the rapid beat of footsteps passing by the cupboard's hiding spot.

Silence descended upon the corridor, broken only by the distant echoes of Filch's fading voice as he continued his search elsewhere. Mattheo let out a relieved exhale, his shoulders slumping as he leaned back against the cupboard.

"Phew," he whispered, a small grin tugging at the corner of his lips.

You shot him a playful glare, still catching your breath from being carried over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "Warn me before you decide to play hero next time," you teased, trying to suppress a giggle.

Mattheo chuckled softly, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Sorry about that, had to think fast. You know how Filch is, always lurking around looking for cool kids like me."

"I think you mean dumbasses," you shot back jokingly

"Well you're out here too arent you?" he fired, a raised eyebrow paired with a smirk on his handsome face

"Hush," you grinned. 

"Merlin im buggered," Mattheo yawned. Mattheo flashed you a grin, his eyes alight with excitement. "Well, that was fun, wasn't it?"

You couldn't help but laugh, the thrill of the chase mixing with the shared relief at narrowly avoiding getting caught. "Definitely an adventure I won't forget anytime soon," you replied, still catching your breath.

You nodded in agreement, the adrenaline still coursing through your veins from the near encounter. The adrenaline rush began to fade, you went to open the door, pushing on it, but it didnt seem to budge.

“It won’t open.” You mumbled out, trying to push the door again

“What?” Mattheo asked, his breathing starting to go back to normal

“It won’t open.” you repeated with a frown as you pushed against the door yet again, but the hardwood didn’t budge. 

"Yeah right," Mattheo muttered out, going to push the door thinking that maybe you just werent pushing it hard enough, "what the hell..."

“It’s…not so bad. It is probably just jammed or something — do you have your wand?.”

The realization that the door wouldn't budge sent a jolt of unease through both of you. Mattheo reached into his pocket, rummaging around for his wand, but his expression turned to one of dismay.

"Damn it, I left it back in the dorm room," he muttered, a tinge of worry edging into his voice. "But don't worry, its only a few more hours till everyone is up so someone will find us soon, and until then we can just chill or try and get the door open"

"This isn't good," you murmured, trying to keep your tone steady despite the rising worry in your chest.

*

The night was not supposed to go like this.

Heat sweltered between them, and not only because of the walls encasing them on every side, and the small space plus their added body heat, but the fact that they were so close together. 

“Stop moving.” Mattheo mumbled as he looked up at the ceiling, his cheeks pink as he forced himself to look away from her, trying his best to stay calm and not freak out from the close proximity

"Sorry," you muttered, but once again shuffled unconsciously, the nerves taking over you as you grew more and more anxious, you didnt do well with small spaces, you were tired, and you were chest to chest with the boy you cared for more than anyone else 

"Y/n." Mattheo grumbled sternly

“I can’t help it!” You responded anxiously. “Im tired and my legs are so sore, theres rat shit on the ground so I cant sit down, and I'm fucking cold Mattheo,” She pounded on the door, no longer caring if they got in trouble from the teachers, she just wanted to get out of there

“Hey, hey, you've just gotta stay calm okay, its alright!” Mattheo said softly, realising just how much she was beginning to freak out.

The cramped space amplified the tension between you, a mix of frustration, anxiety, and the unspoken feelings lingering in the air. Mattheo's attempts to keep the atmosphere calm were admirable, but the situation tested both your patience and composure.

"I know, I know," you muttered, attempting to steady your breathing. "I'm just... I'm not good with this. It's too much."

Mattheo's eyes softened with understanding, his usual mischievous demeanor giving way to a more caring expression. He reached out and gently placed a hand on your shoulder, offering a reassuring squeeze.

"It's okay. We'll get through this," he said, his voice calming, though the unease lingered in his own words, "im here okay, you're okay."

You looked up at him, gazing into his brown eyes. He gave you a small smile

Damn it, theres that stupid feeling again. 

His smile was then replaced with an unreadable expression. "You okay?" you muttered, confused by his atttitude change

Mattheo's eyes lingered on you, an unspoken question reflecting in their depths. "You know, I've been thinking..."

Your heart raced, sensing the weight of his unspoken words. "About what?"

"I uh... nah its stupid," he muttered, shaking his head, looking annoyed with himself

"It isnt stupid Theo, you can tell me, I wont judge you," you smiled softly, giving him a small nod. 

He hesitated, "well its about..." his usual confidence faltering as he looked away, his words carrying a raw vulnerability. "About us... about our friendship."

You swallowed the lump in your throat, your heart beating a frantic rhythm. "What about it?"

"We've been dancing around something," Mattheo confessed, his voice barely above a whisper, "something we've both been too scared to acknowledge."

Your breath hitched, the gravity of the moment sinking in as your gazes met, an unspoken understanding passing between you.

"I've been... feeling things," Mattheo admitted, his voice trembling slightly, "things that I've been too afraid to voice."

Your eyes softened, your vulnerability mirroring his own. "I know. Me too."

Even the cupboard seemed to hold its breath, the weight of your shared revelations hanging in the air. In that moment of quiet confession, the unspoken words that had lingered between you for so long found their voice, weaving a tapestry of emotions that had been hidden away.

With hearts laid bare and emotions laid bare, the unspoken became spoken, and the unacknowledged became understood. Love, so long restrained by the fear of losing a cherished friendship, now flowed freely between you, binding you in a bond deeper than friendship.

Your eyes widened slightly as you felt his arms wrap around your waist, his gaze flickering between your eyes and your lips. "Mattheo..."

Are we moving too fast?

"Can I kiss you?" Mattheo asked softly, a pleading tone in his voice as he anxiously knibbled on the inside of his cheek. His anxiety wasnt soothed as you stared at him with wide eyes, shocked that all of this was actually happening. 

He went to pull away, his cheeks flushing in embarassment, "I uh, you know... joking... just jo-"

You cut him off, pushing your lips against his, catching him by surprise. His eyes widened, his breath getting caught in his throat but he quickly regained composure, pulling you against his chest firmly as he kissed you deeper. 

The two of you pulls away for a second, wide, giddy grins on your faces as you looked into eachothers eyes for a few seconds before leaning forwards again, your lips moulding together perfectly. The kiss became heated, your hands wrapping around his neck and his hands cupping your face, his thumbs rubbing against your skin softly. You stood up on your tippy toes, leaning into him even more. 

You were the first one to pull away, looking up at Mattheo whose eyes remained closed for a few more moments, basking in the taste and feel of your soft lips. You smile widely, his smile matching yours as his eyes flutter open. His left thumb moves from your cheek to your lip, rubbing it softly. 

You look up into his eyes and you see it. 

Love. 

"Kiss me again?" he whispered

"Only if you say please," you joke, leaning forward once more. 

Credit to adiraargent. Please do not copy or repost anywhere. Hope you enjoyed, and feel free to leave a request :p

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