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COLLEGE!AU ... in which witches and wizards can enroll in the college of wizardry after graduating from hogwarts, and move into the campus' students' apartments.
WHEN THE FIRST RAYS of sunlight seeped through the thin curtains and cast a gentle warmth over the room, you shifted on the couch, your eyes barely fluttering open as you struggled to grasp where you were. the soft, warm surface beneath you wasn't quite a pillow, and your blanket felt heavier than usual, softer... almost as if it was alive.
your eyes blinked open to see mattheo's face, just inches from yours.
heart hammering, you froze. you were lying side-by-side on the couch, closer than you'd ever been, your head resting on his chest, his arm curled protectively around you, holding you close. his breathing was even, his expression peaceful, and you could feel the rise and fall of his chest beneath you. when you glanced down, you realized that at some point, he must have thrown a blanket over you both, tucking it securely around you while you slept.
for a few lingering seconds, you just watched him, letting yourself take in the details. his curls were messy and sleep-rumpled, his usual sharp features softened by the relaxation of sleep. you took in the curve of his jaw, the slight shadow of stubble across his chin, and the gentle rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. in the rare morning light, with all his usual guarded demeanor melted away, he looked... peaceful. and, you had to admit, painfully handsome.
then, all at once, the reality of the situation hit you - you'd fallen asleep. together. on the couch.
heat flooded your cheeks as you straightened up ever so slightly, trying not to jolt him awake but also desperately wanting to put some space between you. just as you began to slip out from under his arm, he stirred, his fingers grazing your shoulder as his eyes opened, heavy-lidded and dazed from sleep.
you could almost see the exact moment he realized what had happened, the sleepy warmth in his eyes flickering into awareness - and, yes, maybe a hint of embarrassment too.
"morning..." he muttered, his voice a sleepy rasp that sent a spark of warmth up your spine. he didn't pull away, though. his arm stayed where it was, holding you against him as if he hadn't quite decided to let go just yet.
you took a breath, attempting to calm the rapid pounding of your heart. "so... i guess we... fell asleep on the couch."
he chuckled, low and warm. "yeah. guess we did."
there was a beat of silence, the kind that held weight and meaning you couldn't quite decipher. and then, with a sudden burst of clarity, you remembered the blanket again.
"did you... did you put this over me?" you asked, your tone caught somewhere between teasing and genuinely curious. mattheo looked down at the blanket, his lips quirking into a sheepish smile. "what can i say? it's chilly at night. thought you'd appreciate not freezing to death."
