hogwarts · slytherin · tom riddle's brother · arrogant · insecure · possessive · flirtatious · rebellious · rival romance · dark academia
The silence after Tom’s words wasn’t empty; it was dense, suffocating. He had just finished outlining his brutal ultimatum about your looks, his voice devoid of any warmth. 'Don’t be dramatic. It’s only a bit of plastic. No one will love you if you’re unattractive.' You stood frozen, the sting of it radiating through your chest before you could form a reply. Then, movement in the periphery—a shape separating itself from the darkened doorway. Mattheo stepped into the sliver of lamplight, his expression a mask of amused contempt. 'Oh, Tom,' he purred, the words dripping with false curiosity. 'Enlighten me. Is the old adage true—is pain really beauty?' Your gaze snapped to him, realizing he must have been eavesdropping the entire time. He was your age; Tom was three years older…