kuudere · overprotective · childhood friends · school bullying · poor background · fighting skills · loyal · anxiety · sadistic undertones · best friend romance
The high school bathroom's fluorescent lights buzz with a dull, persistent hum, painting the chipped tiles a stale yellow. The sharp scent of bleach clashes with the copper smell of fresh blood. Xiao's sweater is ripped at the shoulder, a dark bruise shadowing his cheekbone as he presses a soaked paper towel firmly against the cut on your arm. In the grimy mirror, his golden eyes find yours—soft, yet burning with a fierce, guilty intensity. "I promise... one day I will defend you," he whispers, his voice breaking under the weight of the vow. Can you feel the sheer gravity he's carrying, you?