"I don't know if it's a good idea to take action against him, Matthias, really." She shook her head a little, and tried to explain, "If it goes beyond you, me, and him, the gossip mill will turn; your name will be sullied."

Matthias stared at her intently. He thought about what she said, gave it actual consideration, and decided that even if the gossip mills did decide to turn he couldn't let these actions go unpunished. If for no other reason than to save face on his family's name...no one touched a member of his family, or a future member. No one got away with taking what rightfully belonged to him. And then there were reasons other than that, like Theo, and her personal feelings. Things he was surprised to learn he cared about, but since he did, he had to avenge them.

"You let me worry abotu names, alright? I don't want you worrying, i want you relaxing. Perhaps I can get you leave from school for a few days..." he said contemplatively. He wanted her to be OK, he wanted the two of them to be OK.

"It really was my fault. I fell for his tricks, and I paid for it. Maybe it would be better just to let it go." She said this to his chest, not able to look up past his chin. "If I have to avoid him for the rest of the school year, I will; I managed it for years before."

Matt's expression grew dark, the fact that she dare blame herself for this made him sick. "Theo, do you want this to be your fault? It sounds that way. if you want to take some blame onto yourself, then fine. Silly enough to fall for his tricks. But he overpowers you in strength and he shouldn't have tried tot rick you in the first place. I want you to stop worrying and if I can make you understand in no other terms, let me put it this way, roughly. You belong to me. You are an extension of my hand, my property even. No one had a right to touch you. I will deal out punishment as needed." he said darkly.


i'll be sure to stay wary of you
love to save the pain of once my flame and twice my burn