I'm just a girl

You smiled, your heart heavy with emotion, as you watched your best friend join her life with Draco's in an unbreakable vow.

You felt a swell of happiness at how sweet and sacrosanct the moment was, completely in awe of the beauty of it; weddings were always emotional, but this was the first for your group of friends, and in many ways it felt like it marked the start of a new chapter of your lives.

You glanced down the row of seats to see each of the boys dressed impeccably, dazzlingly handsome in their tuxedos. Blaise and Theo were watching intently, though Theo was tugging at his collar, and Enzo was slouched in his seat, arms crossed, impatiently waiting for the open bar at the reception though even his gaze was locked on the couple at the front of the room.

Finally, your eyes came to rest on the boy next to you. Mattheo was sitting rather unusually still, breathing calmly with the faintest hint of a smile on his lips that made your heart flutter. It was nice to see that despite all of their antics, there might be something in each of these boys that made them realize how special this was.

Your attention was pulled back as Draco began to speak his vows. He was the picture of calm, but you knew him well enough to hear the shake in his voice, his nerves.

"I pledge to honor you, love you and cherish you today and every day. Today I say 'I do' but to me that means 'I will'. I will stand by your side in the good and the bad. I bind myself to you, your happiness, your success, and your smile."

In a moment you felt the warmth of Mattheo's attention and turned to see him looking at you as Draco's soft whispers continued, though Mattheo didn't look away, instead, he was searching your face, drinking you in, like perhaps he was imagining saying those same words to you one day.

You blushed furiously as you felt goosebumps rise on your skin and your breath caught in your throat.

"I promise to be your guiding light in the darkness, your protector, a warming comfort in the cold, and a shoulder to lean on when life is too much to bear on your own."

Mattheo smiled at the words as he looked at you, eyes twinkling, like he was saying them to you in his mind, like he was sure, now, that that's exactly what he wanted you to hear him say. You felt tears line your eyes.

"You are my every dream come true. And if you give me your hand—"

Mattheo extended his palm to you subtly, mirroring the vow with one of his own. You glanced down and gently set your palm in his, tangling your fingers together as he grasped you tightly.

"—I will give you forever."

Your eyes lifted to his in surprise, but he didn't so much as flinch, instead, he let his smile swell on his perfect lips in a way you felt somewhere deep in your chest as he gave your hand a gentle squeeze.

His mind flickered for just a second to the small velvet box tucked in the back of his dresser, of the emerald and diamond ring inside of it, and then he tugged you toward him, pulling you close as he ducked his head, his lips softly brushing your ear as he whispered, "I love you pretty girl."

“You’re very whiny for someone who’s getting a treat.” His eyes flicker over your head, frowning at the commotion happening up further. A frustrated sigh as he makes a move hand motion to his idiot friends who are blocking his door, worried they’re about to ruin your surprise.

“It’s dark and my birthday.”

“No shit y/n.”

“Hey don’t take that tone with me.”

He places his lips on your cheek, a soft apology, murmuring gently in your ear, “sorry not much longer. You’re gonna love it, I promise.”

He whispers calm instructions to you for every step up the stairs and you cling to him walking with slow precision. Feeling your nerves spike for the reveal, though excited Mattheo is pretty unpredictable and the unknown plans for your birthday doesn’t help ease your mind. 

The wood creaks under the pressure of both your weights, and you hear some light snickers surrounding you. Catching the familiar voices of Mattheo’s friends causing your brows to crease, the hair tickling his hand. “Matty?” A subtle whine escapes you and he lowers his free hand to squeeze your waist reassuringly. 

His tone is low and smooth as he chuckles, “Relax, ignore them, just another 10 seconds aight.” He pushes his way into his dorm, shuffling you forward with the guidance of his chest pressing against your back. 

The fuzzy blackness darkens blocking out the remaining light and you bite your tongue clinging to him a little tighter, sure he’s going to pull some sort of prank on you. He mutters “Lumos”, and removes his hand breathing a sweet whisper, “happy birthday baby.” 

He leans back against the door frame, crossing his arms across his chest, biting back his boyish grin in excitement watching for your reaction. 

The once messy and unorganized boys' dorm shared amongst him and his friends stares back at you, transformed into something unrecognizable. It’s pink. So very, very pink. 

Amongst the array of his usual blankets and cushions is the cozy sweetness of pink presents, candles, and balloons. You never thought you’d see the day your favourite colour was associated with the boy whose aura was full black.

You let out a shocked gasp covering your mouth with a choked laugh, “Mattheo, what in the hell!” The giggle escapes you in your awe and bewilderment at the man who has so openly stepped out of his comfort zone to make your special day even better. 

The more your eyes trail, flickering over everything miraculously, your heart tightens with warmth, a pure swell of pride and love for Mattheo. Sweet blueberry wine and the comfort of your favourite ramen ready to indulge nests between the scream movie he’s picked out for you to watch. 

“You did all this? For me?” Turning around to face him, you cup his cheeks with bright shining eyes filled with excitement and affection. His hands find their way back around your waist and he nods, giving a casual shrug, as if no big deal that his room looked as if a pygmy puff had sneezed. 

But a small satisifed smile slips through, lightening his eyes, and he pulls you in for a kiss. He uses the moment to share all his love and appreciation for being with you, a kiss that holds so much meaning no words need to be uttered. It’s short and sweet, but it still leaves you starstruck, like with everything Mattheo did for you.  

“You’re the best.” You mumble against his lips, “I love you.” The gift is perfect, simple and everything you wanted. He grins mumbling a soft love you too back before he’s so displeasingly interrupted by the forgotten-on watchers. 

“You’re so welcome y/n!” There’s a shout that calls from the hallway behind Mattheo, before another holler “whipped boy spent hours planning this for you!”

Mattheos head cranes with unnecessary speed, looking back to glare at the hecklers he knows to be Theo and Lorenzo. He scowls, unappreciative at their playful jabs, fighting back the blush that threatens to rise, flushing his neck. “Sod off you fuckers.”  

There is a chorus of snickers from them while they retreat down towards the common room, Enzo yelling at once more, “Remember the curfew Riddle! She’s out by 11!!” 

He rolls his eyes with exaggeration, pulling you closer and biting back the grin, running a hand through his hair. He redirects his attention back to you hearing your stifled amusement and cocks a brow, his eyes holding a playful threat, “oh you think that’s funny, huh?”

He shuts the door, trapping the two of you alone, his hands already gliding over you in an attack of tickles. He walks you till you fall back on the couch, his hands continuing his onslaught, “you're such a little minx baby.” He leans his head down, planting ticklish kisses along your neck, enjoying how it adds to your squirming and attempts to push him off with your little stops. 

“It’s a good thing it’s your birthday or who knows how I'd punish a brat like you.” His eyes flicker over the adorable flush that adorns those cute cheeks. His teeth dig, biting into the swell of his lips before helping you back up and settle in beside him. His arm snuggles comfortably over your shoulder. 

“Damn right it’s a good thing. You’re supposed to worship me all day.” The attitude slips out as you tuck yourself lovingly under his arm, looking up at him with cheekiness.  

“Worship you?” His brows scrunch amused, challenging your statement before sliding his hand through your hair tugging you closer. “Oh baby, that I can do just fine, c’mere.”