Unspoken Bonds - Mattheo Riddle x Reader

The days that followed felt like a waking nightmare for Y/N. Mattheo's distance had grown into an unbearable silence, a void that swallowed every room they shared. She tried to talk to him, tried to bring him back from whatever dark place he had retreated to, but every attempt was met with the same cold, dismissive replies.

He wouldn't let her in. And the more he pushed her away, the more Y/N felt herself slipping into her own well of confusion and hurt.

But it wasn't just the silence that was eating at her. It was the uncertainty. The not knowing why Mattheo was acting this way—why, after everything they had been through, he was still convinced that pushing her away was the best solution.

She had thought they were making progress. She had thought they were getting closer. But now... it was like none of it had mattered. Like he had never cared at all.

And that hurt more than anything.

It didn't take long for Theo to notice that something was wrong.

They met again at a small café near Hogsmeade, a place Y/N had often gone to clear her head. Theo had insisted on joining her this time, and though Y/N had hesitated at first—worried about what Mattheo might think—she eventually relented. She needed someone to talk to, and Theo was the only one who had ever really listened.

As they sat across from each other, sipping their drinks in the early autumn breeze, Theo studied her with a careful, concerned gaze.

"You look exhausted," he said quietly, his voice filled with worry.

Y/N let out a tired sigh, resting her head in her hands. "I am. Things with Mattheo have... gotten worse."

Theo frowned, leaning forward. "What happened?"

Y/N hesitated, unsure of how much to share. She had always valued her friendship with Theo, and she didn't want to drag him into the mess her marriage had become. But she was also tired—tired of carrying the weight of everything alone.

"He's been so distant," Y/N admitted, her voice soft. "I don't know what I did, but it's like he doesn't want to be around me anymore. We had this argument about you... and it's just gotten worse since then."

Theo's brow furrowed in confusion. "About me? What did I do?"

"Nothing," Y/N said quickly, shaking her head. "He just... he thinks you have feelings for me."

Theo's eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, he said nothing. Y/N watched him closely, her heart sinking as she saw the brief flash of guilt that crossed his face.

Oh no.

Theo cleared his throat, looking away. "I... I didn't mean for that to happen."

Y/N blinked, her chest tightening. "What are you saying, Theo?"

He let out a slow breath, rubbing the back of his neck as he struggled to find the right words. "I didn't want to complicate things for you, Y/N. I know you're married, and I never wanted to get in the way of that. But... Mattheo's not wrong."

Y/N's heart dropped.

Theo looked up, his eyes filled with a sadness she hadn't seen before. "I do have feelings for you, Y/N. I have for a long time. But I never said anything because I knew it wouldn't change anything. I know you're with Mattheo, and I respect that. I always have."

Y/N stared at him, her mind reeling. She didn't know what to say, how to process the sudden confession. It was as if everything Mattheo had said—all the accusations, the jealousy—had suddenly become real, right in front of her.

But it didn't change how she felt.

"I don't..." Y/N started, her voice faltering. "Theo, I care about you. I really do. But I don't feel that way about you. You're my friend."

Theo nodded, his expression pained but understanding. "I know. I've always known. I just... I guess I hoped that maybe things would be different. But I never wanted to come between you and Mattheo."

Y/N felt a wave of guilt wash over her. She hadn't meant to lead Theo on, hadn't meant to create this rift between her and Mattheo because of something she hadn't even known existed.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Theo shook his head, offering her a small, sad smile. "Don't be. It's not your fault."

They sat in silence for a few moments, the weight of Theo's confession hanging between them like a shadow. Y/N's mind raced, trying to make sense of everything. She had thought Mattheo's jealousy was irrational, unfounded. But now, she realized he had seen something she hadn't—something that had been right in front of her all along.

And now... what?