Bound By Blood.

ch.80~Rather be safe.

"The silent treatment never worked on me. 

You should know that."

Recovered Translated Correspondents between Death Eater Mattheo Riddle, to Order Member Alexandra Brooks, 2004.

Riddle Manor, 2003.

Mattheo.

For the first time in what felt like forever, I found myself... relaxing?

I had finished my meetings with my father, sent out some groups of men to patrol, planned future attacks and strategies, and now?

I'm laying down, in my own bed.

With absolutely nothing to do. 

No where to be, just nothing. 

Even my mind was calm. 

Having just seen Alexandra last night, seeing she was okay, addressing that we needed to, and then being able to enjoy each others company for a few hours. 

Everything felt... right. 

Nothing should feel this right. 

Serenity often preceded a storm, but I wasn't going to rob myself of feeling this way now. 

I let the softness of my bed cradle me, allowing my thoughts to drift toward Alexandra, her laughter echoing in my mind like a sweet melody—a reminder that there was still good in this fucked up world.

Suddenly, the door swung open with a crash. 

Theo barged in, his usual flair for the dramatic throwing a spark of energy into my serene bubble.

He flopped himself into the armchair across the room, its cushions squelching beneath his weight. 

A sly grin stretched across his face. "Look at you! What's gotten into you?"

I let out a sigh, still savoring the calm. "Just enjoying the view of my ceiling."

"Very nice ceiling." Theo huffed, looking up from the arm chair. 

"Did you come to annoy me?" I shifted my gaze towards him, feeling the easiness leaving my body. 

"Would anything get you out of bed right now?" he questioned, sitting up now. 

"Nope. I'm done for the night." I sighed, pushing further into my pillow. 

He leaned back, feigning deep contemplation. "Hmmm... not even if Enzo stormed out?"

"What else is new?" I shook my head, dismissing the thought as easily as I'd shrug off a chilly breeze.

Theo's grin faded slightly, replaced with a look of mock seriousness. "No, seriously. He was really angry this time," he said, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

I rolled my eyes. "Like always?"

He huffed in a way that suggested he wasn't done. "No, man. Like next-level angry. We're talking steam coming out of his ears... I thought he might just spontaneously combust."

I couldn't help but laugh at the mental image, but then the seriousness of the situation settled back into my chest like a rock. 

"Nope. Not my problem," I replied defiantly, ruffling the covers in a valiant attempt to reclaim my moment of calm.