Isla shot up from the bed the second she heard the front door being slammed shut.

It had been hours since they returned from that shelter. The whole day had passed since they brought that little heart home, and now, her other heart had returned home as well.

Looking down to her right, she saw how Draco had his eyes closed. One of his hands was tucked underneath his head, and the other fiddled with the little dog's floppy ear.

''He's home—'' Isla nudged him to the side, and she sounded so excited, ''I just have to talk to him. Then I'll call for you, and you can bring him downstairs.''

Draco hummed quietly at what she'd said, and he felt the weight of her body lift from the mattress. He didn't want Isla to go. Draco wanted her to stay there, right there with him. He knew she couldn't. It upset him that she didn't. He just wanted to snatch her arm and pull her back down.

Catching her eager steps out of the room, he turned to his side, feeling their little puppy crawling closer to his chest. Perhaps Draco didn't loathe this as much as he thought he would.

The dog had been asleep the whole day, close to him. He'd licked his cheek from time to time, given him small, nearly inaudible yawns near his ear, and he'd looked after Isla as she so anxiously lapped around in Theo's room.

Perhaps Malfoy liked the idea of a new life being added into theirs.

He'd done something — something he didn't tell Isla.

When she walked in to get the puppy they'd picked out, the man and Draco stayed behind. He made sure they did, and when his girl was out of sight, Malfoy used magic to compel the man never to put another dog down, to get off his lazy behind, and work hard for each and every single dog to find a home.

Draco even donated a large amount of money to ensure that the facilities would be improved and the dogs were well taken care of, no matter how many they would become and how much time passed.

He acted like nothing when Isla came back with their new little family member, but he could tell that she sensed a change. She didn't say anything. He was glad that she didn't, and now — now he laid there, on that bed with a puppy against his chest, a puppy she wanted to name Golden.

Draco damned that messy girl for what she was turning him into.

For turning him into someone who got a dog, someone who had a dog named Golden, someone who accepted the fact that she just ran away from him, down to the other person they both needed.

It ached a bit in his chest as he thought about it. He just didn't know if it was a pained feeling or a beautiful one. She indeed turned him into someone he wasn't used to being, but maybe that wasn't a bad thing.

Isla sprinted down the stairs, and she headed straight for the kitchen.

Her heart stopped as she entered it. Her face fell into complete agony.

Theodore stood with his head sunken between his shoulders, his hands splayed out on the counter, and his spine was rising and falling at a slow pace, nearly as he was gathering himself.

''Theo?'' Isla stepped inside, her voice being low and filled with worry, ''Theo, are you okay?''

He shook his head without even looking at her, and he sighed heavily, ''I'm sorry, Isla.''

Her steps up to him were quick yet stumbling. Her hands nudged his clothed back, and she slithered her arms around his waist.

There was something in the way he spoke, something in his vocals that made her insides flip and her heart breaking, ''You have nothing to be sorry for.'' Isla tipped her forehead to his back, and she hugged him even tighter, ''You never have to apologize for anything.''

''I do,'' His tone was almost tormented now, and a knot raveled in her chest, ''I have a lot to apologize for, and I have a lot of apologizing to do.''

Her arms tightened around him, and she buried her whole face against his spine, ''Not to me, Theo. I don't know what happened today or where all of this is coming from, but I want you to know that you have nothing to apologize for. I'm the one who should be apologizing.''

He tensed a bit. She could feel how he held his breath and how one of his hands lifted from the table to cup the tangled fingers she kept over his chest.

''I haven't been... myself around you, and that's not fair. You asked me not to treat you differently because of what your blood has been cursed with. I promised that I wouldn't, and I did it anyway. I treat you differently, and that's not fair to you.''

Her voice stained in something pained, something broke inside her, and something even graver shattered inside of him.

''You trusted me with your secret, and you trusted me when I said I wouldn't change because of it, and for that, I apologize, Theo. I am so sorry that I haven't been myself around you—''

''Isla...'' Theodore turned around in her arms as they stayed locked across him. His hands moved up over her shaking frame to hold her trembling jaws, ''You don't have to apologize—''

''I do,'' She cut him short, tilting her head up to look at him, ''I do have to apologize for that, but what I won't apologize for is the fact that I worry about you.''

His jaw tightened, tucking a loose wave behind her ear.

''You are half of me, Theo. You are so much more to me than you think, and I won't apologize for being scared for you. I won't apologize for checking up on you and for making sure that you are alright in all of this. I won't apologize for loving you and for wanting you to be safe.''

Her eyes rimmed in tears as her forehead fell to his chest, and she buried herself in his safety, ''I love you, Theo. I love you so much that I can't breathe when I can't see you. I love you so much that it hurts falling asleep because I can't hear your breaths. I just... I'm so scared. I'm so scared for you, no matter how much you tell me that you won't leave me, I'm terrified that I'll wake up one day, and you'll be gone.''

Theodore stared down at his girl, and something both broke him apart and pieced him back together, something he didn't clearly understand.

Perhaps it was the way she was holding onto him, her fingers moved over his shirt, and how she knitted them into the fabric just to be closer to him. Perhaps it was the way her tears began to roll, how her cheeks became wet with sorrow.

He loved her even more as he looked down at her, hearing her pour her heart out to him.

''I can't—'' She drew a shaky breath, ''I can't lose you. I refuse to lose you, Theo, and I will never be sorry for holding onto you with everything I have.''

A bitter arch ghosted over his parted lips, and he nodded. He angled her face up with the hold he had of her jaws, and he dipped down to kiss her.

Theodore kissed her so deeply, so emotionally that it tickled inside her stomach, that something else ached.

Isla felt more pain, more faliure, more hurt.

''And I treated Draco... I treat Draco differently, too. I'm not myself with him, and it's not right, Theo. I'm... This is my fault. I need to think more, and I need to think more about him too, not just you, and not just me. He's... He's been through so much.''

Theodore withdrew slightly, and he looked down at her.

''He's everything too, Theo.'' Isla swallowed, ''I can't lose him either. He's the other half of me. I haven't been fair to him, and I will do better. I promise I'll do better. I don't want him to feel left out, or forgotten about, or anything like that. He's too important, and I feel like I've taken him for granted. He's... and we just... we're lying and I...''

Isla drew a breath, ''He's been through so much... and lying, Theo... It doesn't feel right. I just...''

''You love him.''

Isla blinked, shocked.

Theodore smiled, ''It's alright to admit it. Just because you love him, doesn't mean that you'll love me any less. You love him, Isla.''

It took her a minute where she swallowed, and her eyes flickered. Nervous. This made her nervous. She'd barely spoken it before. She'd never admitted it. She was scared.

Loving Draco made her scared. It was everything they'd feared, and now she stood there, with her heart in their hands.

Her fingers moved a bit on Theo's chest. She smiled slightly. Nearly a shy smile at the thought of him. Draco. And the look of Theo. Both of them. Always the both of them.

''I do...'' She whispered, her heartbeat paced, ''I love him.''

''See,'' Theodore kept his smile, ''It's beautiful, isn't it? Loving him?''

''You're both beautiful...'' She looked up at him, ''I can't explain it, and I don't want to, but... You're both so beautiful.''

Something softened inside of Theo.

''I love you,'' He breathed, placing all of him in all of her, ''I love that you love him, Isla. I love that you see what needs to be changed, and I don't want you to be sorry for caring, Isla. It's nice to see that someone cares about us.''

''I always will,'' She nodded, her fingers coming up and grasping at his hands, ''No one compares to you two.''

Placing another kiss on her lips, he pulled away, and he let her be close. He let her body cave to his, and he drained her of all the comfort she could possibly give him.

''How—'' Isla whispered after long minutes, ''How did it go today? What did the results say?''

''Nothing we didn't know already,'' Theodore settled his chin on the top of her head, ''Nothing new.''

''When are you going back?''

''Tomorrow,'' He sighed. He sounded so exhausted, so worn, ''I have to be there in the morning for some bloodwork.''

Isla took a step back, and she met his hooded eyes. Theodore even looked exhausted. It ached to see him this tired, ''Can I... I mean, do you want me to come?'' Her voice was hesitant, nearly stuttering her words, ''I don't have to, I just... I figured it can't be fun being there on your own, and I'd love to be there for you—''

''Of course, you can come. I could use the company,'' He leaned back against the counter, his arms crossed his chest, ''Did you see Leo today?''

''No, he left when Draco and I—'' She pushed her lips tight, preventing herself from spilling any secrets, ''We were out for a while, and Leo wasn't here when we got back. Just a note saying that he'll be here later tonight.''

''I see, and you and Malfoy? What were you up to today?''

He frowned at the smile she gave, and just as he stepped around the kitchen island, placing his hands upon the wood and looking at her from across it, Isla spun towards the door.

''Draco!'' She shouted loudly, ''Come here!''

''Fucking hell,'' Theodore shook his head, giving her a grimace, ''Don't have to shout, do we?''

Minutes passed where she just looked at the door, full of anticipation. Nearly jumping up and down on her feet as she heard Draco step down the stairs with a trail of grunts clearing his throat.

She looked back at Theodore, biting down her lower lip as Malfoy stepped into the doorway.

''I wasn't asleep, Clarke. You don't need to shout.'' He rolled his eyes at her, ''Well, I'm here.''

Theodore's shoulders sunk, and his face fell as he watched Draco step through the door with something furry in his arms.

Isla twisted a bit on her feet, spinning back and forth between Draco and Theo with so much excitement flooding through her. She couldn't keep a straight face. Her smile was so broad on her lips.

''What...'' Theodore trembled, and he gripped the counter tightly. His voice was shaking, ''What is that?''

''This...'' Isla nearly jumped over to where Draco was standing, and she looked down at that little heart in his arms, ''This is Golden.''

Draco frowned, not clearly sure what to make of the situation. His fingers nervously brushed over Golden's fluffy fur.

Theodore narrowed his eyes at Isla. His jaw dropped, but quickly gritted, ''Whose dog is that, Isla?'' He asked.

Isla smiled widely. There was so much emotion in her eyes as she aimed them back at the brunet, ''He's ours, Theo.''

Theodore drew a deep breath, and he pinched his eyes shut. He couldn't control himself anymore. He was the one who usually did that, the one with the ability to tame his emotions and put on a fraudulent smile.

He couldn't do that now.

He just stood there, peeling his eyes open to watch the two most important people in his life hold a little heart. Their little heart.

Draco and Isla had gotten him a new little heart.

There was something that crackled inside of him. Something that broke so hard. Yet he'd never felt more whole.

Something Isla never thought would happen — did, and she saw how Theo spun around. His spine faced them as his hand flew to his mouth.

Theodore sobbed out.

He tried to hide it.

He tried so hard to conceal the fact that he'd burst out in tears — tears he couldn't explain.

Isla didn't know what to do. She didn't know how to react. She didn't understand if he was upset with her.

She didn't comprehend if he got mad that she took the freedom to get him a dog, that they'd done it without his permission.

Perhaps he didn't want this. Perhaps he was so shattered from Isaac that he didn't want someone new, someone so similar to the heart he'd so unfairly lost.

She didn't understand.

She didn't know what to do.

Nodding towards Draco, he immediately took the hint and backed out of the kitchen to the sound of Theodore's sobs filling the room.

''Theo—'' Isla whispered, taking hesitant steps up to where he was standing, rounding the corner of the counter he stood leaning against, ''Theo, I'm sorry—''

He didn't say anything.

Theodore didn't speak.

He simply shook his head and buried his face in the palms of his hands as his curls spilled wildly around him.

He was shaking. Theodore was heaving and shaking and breaking before he hunched to the floor. Dragging his knees up to his chest, he tucked his arms around himself, and he sobbed out again.

Isla's whole face fell into pure agony. It hurt so much within her, it ached out in her wrists, and it nearly made her nauseous as she watched the brighter part of her heart cry.

She kneeled beside him. Her hand brushed over his clothed shoulders, ''Theo... I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking. I wasn't thinking, and I'll take him back. He doesn't have to—''

Theodore kept shaking his head. His fingers dug into his own arms so hard that they scratched the shirt he was wearing.

It hurt.

It hurt so much inside him.

He couldn't bear it. He couldn't take that pain.

Theodore was so used to pain. He'd felt every last ounce of pain there was to feel in this world. He'd taken it, he'd processed it, and he'd moved on. Nothing hurt him anymore. Nothing made him feel such physical pain as he did now.

He couldn't breathe. He had to heave, to drag that stabbing air down to the depths of his lungs not to pass out. He couldn't see. His vision was too blurry, too rimmed with tears that wouldn't stop running.

It just hurt.

It hurt to think about Isaac, someone he'd let go of years ago, someone he'd mourned and put to rest. He thought he was over it. He thought that Isaac was behind him and that he'd moved on.

He hadn't.

It all came pouring down on him now, worse than anything ever had.

''I'm—'' Isla held her breath, nearly breaking herself at the look of him, ''I'm sorry, Theo. I'm so so sorry—''

She was about to pull back, distance herself from him, and let him have his space to figure out how he felt. She didn't want to overwhelm him more. She just wanted to let him be.

But the very second Isla sought to do that, to stand up and back away — she couldn't.

Theodore would never leave her if she were the one in that position. He would drag her down on his lap, and he would wrap his arms around her. Hold her so tight that she couldn't breathe, bury her face against his chest, and whisper how much he loved her.

She couldn't leave him. Not now.

So instead, Isla swallowed the dry taste in her mouth, forcing down the lump in the back of her throat, and she climbed over him.

His legs fell plain to the floor, and he wrapped his arms around her instead.

He didn't want her to leave. She could feel it. She was so happy she didn't. He was thankful she didn't. He loved that she stayed, that she put him above everything and that she slipped down on his lap.

Theodore loved that she saved him from drowning in the sorrows of his own tears.

She loved him more.

''I—'' He tried to speak, but his voice kept breaking, ''I can't—''

''I know,'' Isla nodded. Her knees slid along the floorboards, making her inch a bit closer to him on his lap. Her arms came around his neck, ''I know, Theo. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to overstep.''

His forehead fell to her chin, and she pressed a kiss to it.

''I will find something else for him. I promise. I just... You give us everything, Theo, all the time, and we just... We just wanted to give something back to you. I didn't tell him about Isaac, but I... I know that this is as much from him as it is from me.''

He held her a little tighter, broke a little louder.

''We love you, Theo. We love you so much, and I am sorry if I hurt—''

''You didn't—'' His voice was thin, weak almost, ''You didn't. I... I fucking love you.''

Her heart missed a beat.

''Both of you. I love both of you.'' Theodore groaned against her, his lower lip quivered, ''I can't— I don't fucking deserve this. I couldn't... I couldn't save Isaac. I couldn't, how am I supposed to—''

He broke again.

''Oh, my love...'' Isla brushed her fingers over his hair, down his neck to cup his jaws, ''What happened to Isaac will never be on you. That wasn't your fault, Theo. You loved him. You loved him so much that he's still here with you.''

He couldn't breathe.

Isla pressed another kiss to his head, ''He loved you so much, Theo. I can't imagine a world where someone doesn't love you. You are the most beautiful soul I've ever known, and you deserve everything. No heart is as pure as yours.''

She believed that to the depth of her bones.

Theodore had a heart so pure, even if it was cursed and doomed to stop beating. He indeed had the warmest, most beautiful soul she'd ever had the blessing to know.

''Tell me—'' He tried to collect himself, ''Tell me about him.''

''His...'' Isla swallowed a crack in her voice, and he combed her hands through his hair, ''I named him Golden.''

Theodore sobbed out again. He shook his head, and he buried his face in her shoulder.

''You said... You said Isaac was golden,'' Isla held him so tight, ''And I wanted you to have a piece of that. I wanted you to have a piece of him, and the man who worked at the shelter said that Golden had been... through a lot too. His past owners treated him horribly, and I just... I figured you two could heal each other.''

Never had anyone loved someone as much as Theodore loved her.

He loved her so much. He couldn't even understand what he was feeling at that time.

Looking up, he met her worried eyes, ''Isla, I—''

''Fucking hell! Come back here!''

Both of them winced at that, snapping their heads to where his voice came from.

There was a trail of paws mirroring over the floorboards, and before Isla and Theo knew what was happening, Golden came running.

That fluffy little ball jumped up right between. His tiny head moved so fast, and he poured licks of his tongue across their faces.

''I fucking told him to stop—'' Draco gripped the corner of the counter as he came running after Golden, out of breath, ''What kind of dog doesn't listen? Is there something wrong with him? Do we need to like... change him?''

''Draco—'' Isla laughed out, shaking her head at him, ''He's a puppy. We need to teach him how to listen.''

His lips parted, and he gave her a glare, ''You expect me to... Clarke, no. I'm not teaching that thing anything. It's something wrong with him.''

''There's nothing wrong with him,'' She tried to speak against him, her hands moved to calm Golden down as he showered Theo with kisses, ''Stop being so mean.''

Draco rose a dry brow, and he stared down at her, ''You named him fucking Golden, Clarke. You're the mean one.''

Her jaw dropped, and her brows knitted, ''Draco, you are so bloody foul—'' She snapped her stare to Theo, noticing how consumed he was by that little heart. Her own heart melted at the look of it.

She believed that they could use some time together, just them. To get to know each other, for Theodore to process this properly without hers and Draco's bickering.

''You know what, Malfoy?'' Isla shot him a glower, ''Let's give these two a minute, and let's discuss this elsewhere.''

Draco would lie if he said she didn't intimidate him a bit when she spoke with that voice, and he slightly gulped as he watched her kiss Theodore's head before standing up.

''We'll be upstairs,'' Isla let her fingers linger over Theo's cheek as he tilted his head up to see her, ''I'll be down if you need anything.''

He nodded, and his arms wrapped around Golden a little tighter. He knew Isla wanted to apologize to Draco, and he knew that they needed some time alone to talk. He needed some time on his own too.

''But—'' Draco tried, but Isla snatched his wrist, and she pulled him with him out of the kitchen, all the way upstairs until she'd shut the door to the bedroom behind them.

''Clarke...'' He watched her wide-eyed, and he groaned as she closed in on him again, ''What the hell are you playing at?''

Isla smiled sweetly at him before her palms struck his chest, and she had him fall back over the bed, ''I want to apologize....'' She whispered, climbing on top of him, ''I haven't... I haven't been fair to you.''

''What?'' Draco frowned, confused as he braced himself up on his elbows, ''What are you on about?''

''I'm keeping things from you, Draco. I lied when I said that I promised to be honest because I'm not. I'm not honest, and I can't be honest right now.'' She leaned back slightly, running her hands over his clothed chest, ''But that doesn't excuse the fact that I've been treating you differently. That I'm... thinking about Theo when I'm with you.''

Malfoy pushed his lips tight, and a crease showed between his eyebrows.

''And that is wrong, Draco. It's... it's so wrong of me, and I'm sorry. You have done more for me than I could ever do for you, and I have...''

This was hard for her, he could tell.

''I've been taking you for granted.'' She said, and she looked away.

Draco tangled his fingers into the sheets, slowly nodding at her.

This was a time he should be mad, furious with her for what he'd felt. He felt as if she was slipping away from him, that she wasn't as appreciative of him as she was of his best friend.

He blamed himself. He thought it was his fault. He'd hurt her so much in the past, so they didn't stand a chance now. It was his fault.

He knew something was different, and the fact that she was sitting there, on top of him, admitting to her wrongdoings, only made him love her more.

It wasn't his fault. He wasn't to blame. He wasn't going crazy.

He wouldn't be able to explain it if someone asked, but there was something about her when she was vulnerable, when she admitted her flaws and when she put herself on full display for him.

When she stripped her soul bare and her heart raw.

Draco loved her more than he did a minute ago, and he would love her further in another second.

It didn't stop. He couldn't help it.

''I have been taking you for granted. I have been... unfair to you, and I have no excuses for that.'' Isla whispered, peering down at the hands she nervously brushed over his dressed stomach, ''I've been so caught up in my own problems that I forgot about yours.''

It hurt within him again.

''Clarke,'' Draco shook his head, and he pushed himself up, sitting straight with her on his lap, ''Your problems are my problems. You haven't taken anything for granted.''

Isla was quick to push a finger up to his lips, and she hushed him, ''Don't,'' She said, ''Let me have this, alright? You excuse my behavior enough. It's not fair to you, and I want to say that I'm sorry, Draco. I'm sorry for pushing you away and for not seeing you as you see me.''

He took it. Usually, he wouldn't have.

He would've fought her in it, told her that it's not her fault, that this is hard enough as it is.

Sometimes Draco forgot what she had ahead of her, what she was doomed to do.

That she was meant to choose.

It had gone too well lately. They had been happy, all three of them. Even if her friends were struggling, the trio had managed to find some peace within each other, and that made him happy.

Draco was happy.

He was happy with them, with her, and with Theodore.

He'd lie if he said that it didn't get to him every now and then, seeing how Theodore kissed her in the morning, knowing that they showered together at night.

He was so jealous sometimes that he had to bite his knuckles not to lash out. He wanted to beat the living hell out of Theodore for touching his girl in ways he did, for having to share her with his best friend.

But he knew it was hard for Theodore too. He could see it on Theo's face when Isla nestled up next to Draco on the couch at night, when they snuck off to be more than unholy with each other.

They made it work, even if it was hard.

They caused it to function because they knew it would be over soon.

The two boys let the other have her as much as they could, both alone and together, in all ways possible.

They gave each other as much time possible to be with her, to be happy with her, to find peace and safety within her. They loved her. They loved Isla so much, and they loved each other enough to let their rage and jealousy go.

''I just... I know we don't say it to each other, Draco. I don't know why. I don't know if we're there yet, or if we're scared that it will ruin everything if we do... but I—''

She swallowed hard again, her eyes flickering, ''I... I love—''

''No,'' Draco spoke up, his eyes begged hers not to do that, not to give him the last piece of her that he wanted. The one bit of her he craved and needed.

He couldn't have it.

He didn't want to hear it.

Draco couldn't take it if he heard those words falling from her lips, knowing that he might end up without her. She was ready to say it once, but he wasn't ready to hear it. Then when he was the one to speak it, she wasn't ready for him to say it.

They were so complicated, so tangled and messy. Yet so crystal clear to each other.

They knew, even if they didn't.

''Don't do this to me. Please.'' He whispered. His hands caught her jaws, and he brushed his lips over hers, ''Not now, Clarke. I can't take it. I can't... I just can't.''

This hurt her. He hurt her. He could feel that she was hurting. He couldn't blame her for being hurt. This pained her in ways he'd yet failed to hurt her.

All Isla wanted was for him to know that she loved him, and he wouldn't let her say it.

''I won't...'' Isla forced a frail smile, and he could see tears in her eyes, ''I won't, not if you don't want me to.''

Relief washed over him while sorrow drowned her.

''But just know,'' Her throat tightened, ''Please know that I will do better. I want to do better for you, be better for you, both of you. I can't choose, and I know it hurts all of us, but just know, Draco that—''

''I know,'' He nodded, and he angled her face to level his, ''I know, we both do. We have the chance to walk away every day, but we want this just as much as you do. We don't want you to choose.''

Isla couldn't hold her tears back. She couldn't breathe as she nodded right back at him. She didn't know what she'd done in this life to deserve those two chaotic boys, but she was given them anyway.

Her beautiful boys.

They sat there with their foreheads pressed together, tears running down her cheeks, and his heart was aching. He held her. Draco held her so tight.

''You are so beautiful, Clarke.'' He breathed against her, almost as of he'd caught her pained mind, ''My sweet witch.''

''And you're mine,'' She whispered, draping his shoulders with her arms and inching herself even closer to him, ''You're mine, Draco. No matter how this ends.''

''Only yours.'' His lips ghosted over hers, ''There won't be anyone after you.''

She didn't hold back anymore, and she kissed him.

Isla kissed him so slowly, so full of all the emotions she had for him, both the ones he let her speak and the ones he didn't want to hear.

Draco kissed her back, with his arms tightly wrapped around her.

_____

Leo returned a bit later that day.

He was both a bit stunned and taken by surprise that Isla and Draco had managed to get a dog during the hours he'd been gone, but he wasn't against it. The opposite, actually.

He spent nearly an hour on the floor with Golden, casting spells that made toys appear, treating him with cheese from the fridge, and running around on the front yard with him.

Theodore smiled as he watched Leo play with their newest family member, and Draco just rolled his eyes at them all.

Isla was happy. She was happy that they got along, that everyone seemed to be so taken by Golden and his adorable persona, and how Golden seemed to feel safe with them.

The man who'd worked at the shelter told her that Golden had been rescued from a horrible family, by people who didn't take care of him, who had no control or knowledge about the fact that their dog had puppies.

They left Golden and his two siblings outside to die. They'd stuffed them into their trash can and waited for them to freeze to death.

Luckily, a neighbor had heard their tiny whines, picked them up, and taken them to the shelter. His siblings were chosen the first day, but not Golden. He was left behind.

Isla couldn't help but think that it was the world again, that it saved Golden because it knew that he was meant for them.

Nothing had ever felt this right, not even Draco seemed to hate the idea as he sat with Golden on his chest, the little heart was nestled up against his neck, and his fingers brushed over his fur. 

Isla smiled as she watched them. He gave her a glare when he caught her staring, but minutes later, he snapped his fingers at her, and he gestured for her to sit down next to them. She did, and it didn't take long until Theodore joined them. He slipped down next to Isla, wrapping his hands around her legs, and he brought them up to his lap while her head was resting against Draco's shoulder.

A mess had never been that perfect, and chaos had never been this complete.

At least, so she thought.

''I can't believe you convinced Malfoy to get a dog,'' Leo snickered from the armchair across the table, ''Seems like a death sentence to me.''

Draco clicked his tongue, rolling his eyes before they were back on the boy, ''Well, you're up for an actual death sentence, so I wouldn't be so cocky if I were you.''

Leo's jaw dropped, and a scoff merged from his chest, ''Excuse you—''

''No, excuse you. You're the one living up in a fucking treehouse. You don't get to talk.''

''Seriously—''

''Enough,'' Theodore grinned, his hands stroked over Isla's thighs, squeezing them every now and then, ''No need to act like children.''

Isla tried to hide the fact that she was smiling at them, but the curiosity of how Leo actually managed to live in that treehouse took over, and she tipped her head towards him.

''How did that work, though?'' She asked, studying her best friend, ''I mean, living up there? Were you there for that whole week?''

Something cold dragged into the room, and Leo sighed, leaning back into the chair, ''I need to tell you something.''

''Here we go again,'' Draco muttered, ''What did you do this time?''

''Malfoy,'' Theo shot his best friend a glare, ''Shut up.''

Isla brushed the two boys off of her, and she sat up straight between them, almost feeling a bit nauseous. As if she'd been waiting for something like this to happen, some bad news to come.

''What?'' Her eyes narrowed at Leo, and she nervously tucked her hair behind her ears before flipping it back over them, ''What happened, Leo?''

He swallowed the doubt he felt, and he looked back at her, ''I wasn't... I didn't stay in the treehouse, Isla.''

She frowned.

Theo and Draco looked suspiciously at each other. Even Golden felt the tension as he shifted a bit on the blond's chest.

''What do you mean?'' She pushed her hands to the couch, propping herself up more, ''Where were you then? Don't tell me you went to see your father, or Ava, because that's just.... Wrong, Leo.''

''Not them,'' Leo looked away, feeling a bit pressured.

''Then where—''

''Mila.''

Isla's eyes widened, and she slowly nodded. It wasn't what she thought he'd say, but she wasn't against it. She was happy if they found a way to work it out, especially since he told her his plan.

His plan.

She felt a rush of panic take over within her, ''You didn't—'' Isla shook her head instead, ''Tell me you didn't obliviate her, Leo. Tell me you wouldn't do that, not yet—''

''Obliviate?'' Draco's iced sight snapped between Theo and Isla, more confused than ever, ''What?''

Theodore raised a brow at the two best friends, his jaw slightly gritted. He was very close to Mila, one of the closest friends that girl ever had. He didn't like the sound of what Leo spoke in the slightest.

''He was—'' Isla bit her own tongue, feeling a bit stupid that she accidentally said too much, ''Leo wants to obliviate her, to make her forget about him so she can live without all of... this.''

''What?'' Draco scowled, ''And why the hell is this the first time we hear about it?''

''Malfoy—'' Leo tried, ''It has nothing to do with you.''

Draco's lips parted to argue, but Theo quickly hushed him.

''The hell it does,'' Theodore sounded so cold again. It wasn't often Isla heard it, but when she did, shivers stabbed their way down her spine, ''This has as much to do with us as it does with you.''

Leo's face fell.

''You have exactly as little to do with her fucking memory and her God damn mind as we do. You stay the hell out of it unless she asks for it. Am I clear?''

Theodore even had Draco looking away now.

Isla twisted around to face him. Her hand landed on his thigh. She could see how concerned the brunet was for Mila. They'd gotten close. Isla knew that. He was like a brother to her.

She turned back to Leo, ''He's right.'' She said, feeling how Theo's hand slithered around her waist, seeking comfort and strength in her, ''That's not up to you.''

''But—''

''No fucking buts,'' Theodore suddenly shot up on his feet, pointing his finger at Leo, ''You don't get to do that to her. I understand that you pity yourself for the fucking mess you've caused her, but she stays with you because she wants to and because she needs you. Now, break her God damn trust, and I'll personally put you back into a fucking cell.''

That was what he said before he stormed out.

Isla looked over at Draco. Her lips parted in shock. It was as if he knew something she didn't, as if there was more to it than him protecting Mila.

Draco nodded towards the door, ''Go, and find out what the hell is wrong with him.''

Isla ran after with her breath stuck in her throat. She rushed after Theo, all the way up to the door he'd slammed shut.

Something ached in her chest as she let her knuckles collide with the wood, and she slowly shoved it open.

''Theo?'' She whispered, looking inside, and she found him pacing around, ''Theo, what was that—''

''What?'' He snapped, not even looking at her, ''What do you want?''

Isla's gaze dropped to the floor, sensing that this might not be the time to do this, to ask him what he was holding from her.

So instead of questioning him, she tensed her jaw, and she began backing out of the room, ''I'm sorry. I'll come back later.''

She didn't make it far out the door before she felt his hands wrapping around her waist to pull her back in.

''Theo—'' She gasped as he slammed the door shut again, pressing her spine against it, ''Theo, what is happening right now?''

His hands settled on each side of her head, and his own head dropped between his shoulders, ''I'm sorry—'' He nearly heaved, ''I didn't mean to be rude to you. I didn't—''

Isla didn't want to think about it. She didn't want her head to reach that place she knew was forbidden, but she couldn't help it.

She couldn't help but think that Theo and Mila were more than just friends.

It was wrong. She knew it was wrong. He loved her, no one else. It was them, and Mila loved Leo. They wouldn't do this to them. Mila was her best friend, and Theo was one of the biggest loves of her life.

He wouldn't hurt her. He wouldn't hurt her. He wouldn't hurt her.

Right?

Her hands came to his skull, and she combed her fingers through his hair, still being pressed against that door, ''Theo...'' She whispered, she sounded uncertain, he caught it immediately, ''What is happening? Is there something you're not telling me?''

''Like what?'' The coldness in his vocals was back.

''Like...'' Oh, how she hated herself for doing this, but she couldn't help but to be insecure, ''Like... nothing. I'm sorry.''

She didn't want to.

Isla trusted him more than anyone.

He sighed, and he took his hands off the door, letting them drop to her waist instead, ''I know what you're thinking, and it's not like that.''

''I'm not thinking anything—'' She sought to speak, but he cocked his head at her, making her hush down.

''It's not like that, Isla. You know it's not.''

''I never said anything.''

''But you're thinking it. You just don't want to say it because you're afraid that it will hurt my feelings.''

''I'm not—''

''I'm not fucking her.'' His eyes met hers, and he pinned her down with them, ''I know you're thinking it, and it's not like that.''

She looked away, not really sure how to react.

That was the whole reason she didn't ask. She did trust him, and she didn't want for it to become something it wasn't.

''Isla,'' Theodore mumbled, and his body pressured against hers, ''You know that I can't be with anyone who isn't you. The only one who gets me hard, and the only one who can get me off, is you. You know that. That will never be questionable.''

Her cheeks took on a feverish color, and her eyes snapped to meet his.

''You're the one person I want. It's not like that, it never will be, and I never want you to think like that again, alright? You're the one I want to fuck, the one I want to marry, the one I want to grow old with, that will never change.''

She was speechless. She hadn't heard him talk like that in so long.

''Alright?'' Theodore asked again, harder this time, ''You're ours. You're mine, and you're ours, and I am yours.''

She nodded, letting her fingers brush over his neck until her hands stopped on his chest. He tugged her closer to him by her waist, ''Okay.'' She said.

''Okay, what?''

Her eyes slightly rolled, and she had an arch teasing at the corner of her lips, ''I'm the only one you can fuck, and the one you want.''

''You're irreplaceable,'' His tone dropped, and his mouth was suddenly close to hers, ''No one can compare to you, do you understand that? You are the love of my fucking life, and I am so hopelessly in love with you. I never want you to think that I would hurt you in that way because I wouldn't. You know that.''

She felt both bad and stupid for even being insecure in the first place. He wouldn't. She knew he wouldn't.

He loved her, and she loved him more.

Isla nodded, she nodded so quickly before his lips caught hers, and he kissed her.

Theodore pushed her harder against the wall, with his mouth attacking hers.

She didn't let him touch her like that anymore, but she did now. Isla let go of the fear, and she let his hands roam her body. His lips bruised hers.

''I love you,'' He panted, tipping his forehead to hers, ''Only you.''

''And I—'' She slightly heaved, knitting her fingers into his curls, ''And I love you.''

She'd missed him like that. She'd missed him so much. He missed her more.

He held her there for a second in silence, waiting for the courage to take over so he could tell her the truth about Mila.

The truth of why they had a fight that night, the truth of why she left, the truth of why he exploded when Leo said he wished to take her memories away.

''Theo?'' Isla frowned, her eyes scanned him,'' I don't understand—''

''I've been lying to you,'' He said, quietly as he pushed himself off her, ''I... but this isn't my thing to tell, Isla. It wasn't... It wasn't about me.''

Her hands rushed through her own hair, tugging it back as what felt like pain began to ache inside, ''What are you talking about?''

''The reason... she left the night you woke up, the reason he went to see her now, the reason he wants to wipe her memories clean.'' Theo turned around, and his hand came up to rub at his temple, ''There's a reason behind it, and I... I knew because she told me. That's why I got upset down there. That's why this is so fucking sensitive to me because she's like my little sister, you know?''

''I know...'' Isla still had no clue what was going on, ''Theo... you're scaring me.''

He groaned as he tipped his head back, so conflicted in what he wanted to do with everything.

''Just... If you don't want to tell me, that's fine. I love you for being there for her, and for keeping her secrets, but if something is wrong, and I can help—''

He spun back around, his arms fell to his sides, and he stared so emptily at her. It had her heart slowing down, her veins icing.

''Theo...''

''She's pregnant, Isla.'' With agony blurred on his face, Theodore said, ''Mila is pregnant.''

_____