For a moment, neither spoke.
Jun Kai's gaze remained fixed on the darkened bruises along Jin Yue's throat.
"…Why are you always the one getting hurt?" he asked quietly.
Jin Yue blinked once. "No one wants to get hurt."
Jun Kai's jaw tightened slightly. "But it's you. Every time."
His fingers hovered near the bruise but did not touch yet.
"You stand in front of people. You intercept attacks. You let him hit you."
Jin Yue met his gaze calmly. "It was calculated."
Jun Kai's expression sharpened.
"Calculated," he repeated. "Look at this."
His thumb pressed lightly against the faint imprint of fingers at Jin Yue's neck.
"There's a hand mark on your throat."
His voice dropped lower.
"I don't like it."
The admission was abrupt. Almost childish.
Jin Yue held his gaze.
"I don't like it either," he replied evenly.
Jun Kai huffed a quiet breath, frustration flickering across his face.
"You say that like it doesn't matter."
"It doesn't change what happened."
