PLEASE VOTE AND COMMENT

It was supposed to be an ordinary evening. After hours of studying with Mattheo in the library, Y/N had decided to take the long way home. The rain had started softly, a gentle pitter-patter against the windshield, and she enjoyed the solitude, letting the peacefulness of the road soothe her mind. It was a familiar route, one she had driven many times before.

But that night, something felt different. The road was slick with rain, and her tires slid slightly on a sharp turn. She corrected quickly, but the car seemed to lose its grip more than usual. The steering wheel jerked in her hands, and before she could regain control, the car skidded off the road, careening into the dense forest. There was a deafening crash as the vehicle slammed into a tree.

Everything went black.

Back at Hogwarts

Mattheo was sitting in the common room, his leg bouncing nervously as he stared at his phone. Y/N hadn't answered his texts or calls. It was unlike her. She was always quick to reply. He stood, pacing back and forth as worry tightened in his chest. He tried calling her again—nothing. No answer.

Draco, Theo, Enzo, and Blaise were nearby, but they could see how agitated Mattheo had become. They exchanged uneasy glances.

"Has she replied to you?" Draco asked, his voice calm but laced with concern.

"No," Mattheo snapped, running his hand through his dark hair. "Something's wrong. I know it."

Before anyone could respond, Mattheo's phone buzzed. He snatched it up, and his heart nearly stopped when he saw the message.

Enzo: Y/N was in a car accident. She's in the hospital—head trauma, broken ribs. They're working on her. I need you to come now.

The message was enough to make Mattheo's blood run cold. His heart hammered in his chest as he read the words again. He didn't hesitate.

"Let's go," he barked to the others, and without another word, they rushed out the door.

At the Hospital

The hospital was silent when they arrived, the cold, sterile air filling their lungs as they hurried through the hallways. Mattheo's heart raced. He couldn't shake the image of Y/N's lifeless body. It replayed in his mind, over and over again.

They reached the reception desk, and Mattheo barely noticed the nurse's words as she explained what had happened.

"She's in critical condition," the nurse said, her voice soft. "Multiple fractures, head trauma. We're doing everything we can. Her condition is stable, but we need to wait until she's out of surgery."

Mattheo didn't hear the rest. His mind was too focused on Y/N. The nurse paused, eyeing Mattheo carefully.

"Are you her emergency contact?" she asked gently.

Mattheo nodded without hesitation. He couldn't wait, couldn't be kept from her.

"You're allowed in then," the nurse said. "Just for a moment. Follow me."

He didn't waste a second, rushing after her. His heart was pounding so loudly in his ears he could barely hear his footsteps.

Y/N's Room

When they reached her room, Mattheo was led in alone. The door closed behind him with a soft click. The sterile, quiet room smelled of antiseptic and hospital disinfectant. The heart monitor beeped steadily in the background, but everything else seemed muffled.

Y/N lay on the bed, pale and bruised, her face swollen from the accident. Her body was covered in bandages, and she was hooked up to several machines, tubes running into her arms and mouth. It was more than Mattheo could bear. His chest tightened, his vision blurring for a second as he stepped closer to her bedside.

The sight of her—so fragile, so still—was a punch to the gut. He took her hand in both of his, his fingers trembling as he gently rubbed her skin.

"Y/N..." His voice was barely above a whisper. "Please, baby, please wake up."

The moment he spoke, he could see her face twitch slightly, her lips moving in response. Her eyelids fluttered, and for a brief moment, Mattheo's breath hitched in his throat. He didn't dare move, didn't dare speak any louder. His heart soared as she tried to open her eyes.

"Mattheo..." she whispered, her voice so hoarse it barely came out. But hearing it was like a balm to his soul. He felt tears prick at the corners of his eyes.

"I'm here," he said, brushing her hair gently from her forehead. "I'm right here, Y/N. You're safe now. You're going to be okay. Just stay with me."

Y/N's eyelids fluttered open just enough for her to focus on him. Her eyes were blurry, but there was a flicker of recognition there, and it was all Mattheo needed to see.

"Mattheo... it hurts..." Y/N's voice trembled, barely a whisper, as she shifted slightly.

He squeezed her hand, brushing his thumb over her knuckles in a soothing motion. "I know. I know, love. But you're strong. You're going to fight through this. Just like you always do." His voice cracked slightly as he spoke, the raw emotion threatening to spill over.

Y/N tried to lift her hand, but the movement was slow, weak. She winced in pain but smiled faintly. "I'm sorry... for scaring you."

Mattheo shook his head, his eyes softening. "Don't apologize. You didn't do anything wrong. I'm just so happy you're here."

He leaned down and kissed her forehead gently, lingering for a moment before pulling back to look into her eyes.

"I love you, Y/N. I love you so much."

She blinked at him, her breathing slow and steady now, though still labored. "I love you too... Mattheo..."

The words were quiet, but they were everything. Mattheo's heart swelled with relief. His mind could finally quiet, knowing she was still there, still fighting.

Y/N's eyes fluttered closed again as she drifted into a peaceful sleep, her hand still resting weakly in Mattheo's. He didn't let go.

Two Days Later

For the next two days, Mattheo stayed by her side. The others came to visit, offering their support, but Mattheo couldn't tear himself away. He was her emergency contact—her safe place, her anchor—and he refused to leave her, not when she needed him the most.

Slowly, Y/N's condition improved. The doctors were cautiously optimistic, though they told Mattheo it would take time for her to fully heal. She had moments of clarity, moments when she recognized him, her voice growing stronger with each passing day.

When she finally woke up properly, her eyes were clearer, her breathing steadier. Mattheo was sitting next to her, holding her hand, his thumb brushing the back of it soothingly.

"Mattheo..." Her voice was weak, but it sent a rush of relief through him.

"I'm here, Y/N. Always," he whispered back. "You're gonna be okay. I'm not going anywhere."

Y/N smiled softly, her eyes heavy with exhaustion. "I know... because you're my rock."

And just like that, Mattheo knew—no matter what happened, he would always be by her side. Through every storm, every trial. She was his, and he would always protect her. Always.