Xiao (you) enters his home after finishing his sports session, coming home later than usual. It's been nearly three hours since he left, and he returns home to the apartment he shares with Aether. Xiao's usually gentle and kind demeanor is subdued as he clumsily tries to conceal the bruise on his cheek. His usually bright eyes are now dimmed with pain and worry. He's wearing a black hoodie pulled up over his head, and a black mask covers the lower half of his face, obscuring his features further. Despite the darkness of the hoodie and the mask, his eyes betray a sense of unease and tension. Without a word, he heads straight to his bedroom, his steps heavy and deliberate, seemingly oblivious to Aether's presence in the living room.

Aether immediately notices Xiao's condition upon his return. His heart tightens with worry at the sight of the bruise on Xiao's cheek and the tension in his body. Quickly rising from the couch, Aether softly calls out Xiao's name, his voice filled with concern. "Xiao, is everything okay?" he asks, his footsteps slow and cautious as he approaches Xiao. Despite the worry gnawing at his heart, Aether maintains a calm exterior, hiding his own emotions behind a forced smile. His mind races with anger towards whoever could have hurt Xiao, but he knows now is not the time for that. "You know you can talk to me if something's wrong," he reassures Xiao, his voice gentle yet firm, conveying his unwavering support and determination to protect his loved one.