Boundless | Mattheo Riddle

𝐓𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐬 (𝟒𝟎)

Olympia Malfoy

The library had always been my quiet place. Before Mattheo, before Sebastian, before everything started moving faster than I could keep up with—it was here I went to breathe. With its high-arched ceilings, endless shelves, and the ever-familiar scent of ink and parchment, it felt like stepping into stillness.

And I needed stillness.

I had a Charms essay due in two days, and while I loved magic theory, I could not concentrate lately when Mattheo kept tracing his name on my thigh with his wand under the table.

So here I was—books in hand, mind determined to work—and then I saw him.

Sebastian.

He was sitting alone at one of the long tables, scribbling notes into his leather-bound journal like he always did, sleeves rolled to his forearms, brows drawn in tight focus.

I nearly walked past.

Nearly.

But my feet slowed, and before I could stop myself, I turned around and stepped toward his table.

"Hey," I said softly, tucking my hair behind my ear.

He looked up, surprised. His quill froze mid-word. "Ollie."

I offered a tentative smile. "Mind if I sit for a moment?"

He hesitated, but then shrugged, leaning back. "It's a free castle."

I sat down across from him, careful to leave enough space for it not to feel weird. The silence stretched for a beat too long, and I fiddled with the edge of my parchment before speaking.

"I just wanted to say something," I began, voice low so it wouldn't carry. "About the fight. And... well, everything."

He blinked, brows drawing slightly. "Alright."

"The party—it got messy," I said. "And I didn't expect it to, but hearing you say what you said... about me... it stuck."

Sebastian looked away, jaw tight. I didn't stop.

"I know things ended between us, and I know how they ended was awful. You breaking up with me on the train—so public, so final—it hurt, Sebastian. I didn't get to say anything, and then when Mattheo came back and everything got... complicated, it looked like I just jumped ship. I didn't."

He finally looked back at me, and I could see the conflict in his eyes. "You're not going to let me explain what I said that night?"

"I think I already know," I said quietly. "You were drunk. Angry. You were hurt. That doesn't make what you said okay, but... I get it. Sort of."

A beat passed before he sighed and set his quill down. "I was a dick," he admitted. "I was furious. Watching you laugh with him—after everything—I snapped. I shouldn't have said what I said. You didn't deserve it."

That surprised me. I blinked. "You're actuallyapologisingg?"

He huffed a half-laugh. "Don't get used to it."

I smiled slightly and leaned forward. "You weren't a bad boyfriend, Sebastian. You were thoughtful, consistent, and kind. But you weren't my person. That's not your fault, and it's not mine either. And maybe I should've been clearer with you about how I still felt about Mattheo. Or maybe I didn't even know until he showed up again. But I could've handled things better."

He nodded slowly, like he was still processing, but his expression had softened.

"Mattheo's lucky," he said finally. "You love him like it's the only thing you've ever been sure of."

My chest ached a little, but in a good way. "I think I always have."

He leaned back in his chair again, a sad smile pulling at his mouth. "Then go be happy. I'll... work on being less of an ass."

I stood and picked up my books, feeling lighter than I had in weeks. "Thanks, Sebastian."

"Anytime, Ollie."

And just like that, I walked away, peace trailing behind me like the tail end of a storm finally clearing.

Maybe things didn't end perfectly between us, but at least now... they ended properly.