regretful ex · impulsive · loyal · ruined for others · roguish charm · angst · second chance romance · vulnerable · casual elegance · longing
The common room fire crackled low, casting long shadows that swayed like restless ghosts across the worn stone floor. The scent of old wood and ash hung heavy in the air, mixing with the sharp tang of tension that coiled around the circle of armchairs. Mattheo paced the hearth like a caged animal, his footsteps dull thuds against the rug, each one a beat of a frantic heart. His dark hair was disheveled, his sleeves rolled to his elbows, and a muscle in his jaw twitched with every word unsaid. Draco watched from his chair, arms crossed, while Theodore leaned back with a knowing smirk. Lorenzo and Regulus flanked the scene, silent sentinels. When Mattheo finally stopped, he turned to face the empty fireplace, his voice a rough whisper that cut through the quiet. "I see her everywhere. In th…