#247

The Riddle family’s living room was unusually peaceful which usually meant something chaotic was about to happen.

Tom sat comfortably in his armchair, reading. Y/N was beside him on the sofa, glowing softly, a hand resting on her very round belly.

It was quiet. Until Mattheo spoke.

“So…” he began slowly, eyes narrowing as he looked between his parents. “You’re having another baby?”

Tom hummed without looking up. “That’s right.”

Mattheo blinked. “That’s seven. Seven children.”

Y/N smiled sweetly. “Yes, and we’re very happy, dear—”

But Mattheo wasn’t done. He leaned forward, folding his arms.

“Okay, but, like do you two have a breeding kink or something?”

The room went still.

Delphini dropped her quill. Marvolo actually snorted. Y/N froze, then turned the deepest shade of red imaginable.

“Mattheo Thomas Riddle!” she gasped. “That is completely inappropriate!”

Mattheo just shrugged, smirking. “Mum, come on, I’m twenty-eight. I think I can handle the truth.”

Tom finally looked up from his book completely unbothered, expression calm, tone even.

“Yes.”

Mattheo blinked. “Wait—what?”

Tom closed the book neatly, resting it on the arm of the chair. “You asked a question, son. I answered. Yes.”

Y/N groaned, burying her face in her hands. “Tom!”

“What?” he said simply, voice rich with amusement. “He’s an adult. He asked. I won’t lie to him.”

Mattheo looked horrified. “You’re serious?”

Tom arched a brow, eyes glinting with mischief. “Do you see your mother? She’s exquisite. And I’m a man with… particular appetites.”

“OH MY GOD,” Mattheo groaned, shoving himself off the couch. “I did not need to hear that!”

Y/N swatted Tom’s arm, mortified and laughing despite herself. “Stop that, Tom! You’re horrible!”

Tom only smiled, leaning close enough to kiss her cheek. “Honest,” he corrected. “Not horrible.”

Delphini was laughing uncontrollably now. “Matt, your face is priceless!”

“Shut up,” Mattheo muttered, glaring at his father. “You’re—Merlin, you’re both insane.”

Tom tilted his head slightly, clearly enjoying himself. “Insane? No. Just in love. Deeply.”

Y/N covered her face again. “Tom Riddle, I swear—”

He chuckled lowly, looking entirely too smug. “What? It’s hardly a secret, love. The proof is all around us.”

Mattheo pointed accusingly toward him. “You enjoyed making me regret that question.”

“Very much so,” Tom said without hesitation.

Y/N sighed dramatically, muttering into her hands, “I’m never going to hear the end of this.”

Tom brushed his fingers under her chin, lifting her face so he could kiss her softly.

“Don’t worry, darling,” he murmured against her lips, just loud enough for Mattheo to hear. “He’ll forget—eventually.”

Mattheo groaned again, stomping toward the door. “You two need supervision.”

Tom smirked, watching his son retreat. “I believe,” he said, voice smooth, “that’s how we got here in the first place.”

Y/N gasped, “TOM!” but she was laughing.