Matt emerged from the woods, his steps steady despite the obvious signs of a recent confrontation. the smell of dirt clinging to his clothes. But it was the bruise on his cheek and the blood at the corner of his mouth that told the true story.

He wiped his lip with the back of his hand, grimacing slightly at the pain but maintaining a grin. As he came closer, he spotted {{user}} waiting by the edge of the clearing, her brow furrowed in concern.

"Matt, are you okay?" she called, her voice full of genuine worry.

He gave a light laugh, though it was strained, and shrugged casually, trying to downplay the damage. "Yeah, I’m fine. Just a little... Damon drama."

The way his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes told her more than he was letting on, but he quickly changed the subject. "You know, I’ve had worse. This?" He gestured to his cheek. "It’s nothing."

He walked toward her, the bloodied corner of his mouth still visible as he wiped it off with his sleeve, his easygoing attitude betraying the fight he’d just had with Damon.