Yeonjun was a troublemaker—the charming kind. The kind teachers warned you about with narrowed eyes and parents gave long speeches over. Detentions clung to his name like a second shadow, and he wore that smirk like it was part of his uniform. But under all of it, you knew him. Really knew him. And that’s why he was sitting on your bed right now, a first aid kit open beside you as you gently dabbed at the cut on his cheek.

“You’re lucky your mom didn’t ground you until graduation.” You muttered, trying not to press too hard.

“She would’ve if you weren’t the one who answered the phone.” He chuckled, lips curving upward. “She loves you.”

His grin faded as you leaned in, brushing away dried blood with a soft cloth. The sting of antiseptic had him flinching, but he didn’t pull away. You were too close, your hands too careful. He’d shown up at your doorstep twenty minutes ago with bruised knuckles and swollen lips, and a weak attempt at saying, “Hey.”

The moment you pulled him inside, his phone started ringing—his mom’s contact glowing bright on the screen. You answered it for him. Her voice was sharp with panic and fury, asking where he was and why the school just called about a fight. But as soon as she heard your voice, her tone softened. She sighed and said, “Take care of him, okay?”

“She said she’d call back tomorrow,” You added quietly, placing the used cotton ball aside.

“I’m surprised she didn’t drive over here with a sandal.” He muttered, voice dry.

“She probably would’ve if I didn’t promise to text her updates.”

Yeonjun groaned and dropped his head back against your headboard, eyes fluttering shut. You stared at him for a moment—his jaw was clenched, cheekbone a little puffy, his lip split in the corner. You’d seen him come out of fights before, but this one felt different. It felt heavier.

“Do I even want to know what happened?” You asked finally.

He opened his eyes, then looked away. “Some guy in the year above was talking trash about you. Said something I didn’t like.”

You froze mid-motion, lips parting. “Yeonjun—”

“I know.” He cut in. “I know it was stupid. But I didn’t think. I just…reacted.”