Mattheo Riddle One Shots

August pt. 2

Part Two: A Different Kind of Forever

weeks passed, but the ache in your chest lingered like a stubborn bruise that refused to heal. every time you saw mattheo in the halls or caught whispers of his name, it reopened the wound, a constant reminder of how easily you were cast aside. but despite the betrayal, part of you longed for closure—a resolution to the whirlwind that left you shattered.

one rainy afternoon, you sat by the black lake, hoping the cool air would calm the storm in your head. the gray sky mirrored your mood, heavy and overcast. you stared out over the water, thinking about the boy who managed to ruin and define your summer all at once.

"angel?"

the familiar rasp of his voice made you freeze. mattheo stood a few feet away, his hands shoved deep in his pockets, dark curls damp from the drizzle.

"don't call me that," you snapped, turning away.

"please, just hear me out," he pleaded, stepping closer.

"what's the point, mattheo?" you demanded, standing to face him. "you've already made it clear what we were. or weren't."

his jaw clenched, and for the first time, he looked genuinely remorseful. "it wasn't just a summer fling for me," he said, his voice low.

you laughed bitterly. "could've fooled me."

he sighed, running a hand through his curls. "i know i messed up. i didn't handle things right—"

"you lied to me," you interrupted, your voice breaking. "you let me believe i was the only one, and then you ignored me. do you know how small that made me feel?"

mattheo winced. "i never meant to hurt you," he said. "daphne and i... it wasn't real. our families wanted us together, but i ended things before the summer. i didn't tell anyone because i didn't want the drama. but pansy found out about us and—"

"so what?" you cut him off. "you let her control you? let her guilt you into treating me like i didn't exist?"

"no!" he said quickly, his voice rising with desperation. "i was scared, okay? i've never felt this way about anyone, and i didn't know how to handle it. i thought if i stayed away, i could protect you from all the mess that comes with me."

you stared at him, your heart torn between the truth in his eyes and the pain he caused. "you don't get to decide what's best for me, mattheo. you don't get to play with my feelings and call it protection."

he took a hesitant step closer. "i know, and i'm sorry. i've been a coward, but i don't want to lose you. not to my mistakes, not to my fears. please, give me another chance. let me show you i can be better—for you."

silence hung between you, the only sound the gentle lapping of water against the shore. part of you wanted to walk away, to protect yourself from more heartbreak. but another part, the part that remembered his soft touches and stolen kisses, longed to believe him.

"actions speak louder than words, mattheo," you said finally. "if you want me to trust you again, prove it."

his shoulders relaxed, and for the first time in weeks, you saw a glimmer of hope in his expression. "i will. i promise."

over the next few weeks, mattheo kept his word. he sought you out in the great hall, sat beside you in class, and walked you to your dorm every night. whispers followed you both, but he didn't care. for once, mattheo riddle wasn't hiding.

he apologized to daphne, clearing the air and putting the rumors to rest. though she wasn't happy, it was clear their so-called relationship was over for good.

slowly, he began to win back your trust. he showed up when he said he would, listened when you needed to talk, and stayed when things got hard.

one night, as you sat together in the astronomy tower, he turned to you, his dark eyes soft. "i don't deserve you," he said quietly, taking your hand. "but i'll spend every day proving that i'm worth it."

you studied him, the boy who once seemed so untouchable now baring his soul. and for the first time in a long time, you smiled—a real, genuine smile.

"you're off to a good start," you said, leaning into him.

mattheo's lips curved into a grin as he pressed a kiss to your forehead. "you're stuck with me now, angel."

this time, you didn't pull away. because this time, you believed him.