⛧. THEODORE NOTT .⛧

The party was dying amidst empty laughter and poorly disguised excuses. You already had yours.

Theo too.

You found him leaning against a column, with that suspicious calm that always foreshadowed trouble.

"Well..." he said, adjusting his jacket. "Let's say goodbye like good friends... with a kiss."

You looked at him in silence. Then, with all the elegance you could muster, you extended your hand.

—Of course. Like good friends.

Theo looked at your hand, slightly confused, but he shook it.

Perfect.

—Friends don't kiss —you added calmly—. And neither do siblings.

For a second, it seemed like you had won.

Mistake.

Her smile changed, becoming dangerous.

"What a limited concept," he murmured, moving closer. "Tell me... what if I steal it?"

You didn't back down.

—I don't think you'd dare.

And then he did it.

Quick. Safe. A brief kiss, but enough to throw you off balance for half a second.

After-

The coup.

Dry. Precise.

A few laughs escaped around.

Theo put his hand to his head… and laughed.

—Interesting way to say goodbye.

—You brought it on yourself.

-Completely.

You crossed your arms.

—You're an idiot.

—But you didn't say no.

—I said you wouldn't dare.

—Exactly —he smiled—. Never that you didn't want to.

That hurt more than it should have.

You turned to leave, but his hand grabbed your wrist.

"We're not finished yet," he murmured.

—Theo…

He didn't let you finish.

This time the kiss was different. Slower. More deliberate.

Worse.

When she separated, her expression remained calm.

—Now we're talking… like good friends.

You looked at him, incredulous.

—You're sick.

-A bit.

Silence.

—But you didn't leave—he added.