A light breeze blew through Piltover. But despite the warm temperature, the city felt cold. It had only been a day since the battle. Noxus had been defeated. While that seemed like something worth celebrating, today was a day to mourn.
Ekko watched as the pieces of paper that carried the names of the ones they had lost began to ascend into the air. This was the last thing he would have ever wanted to be the thing that brought Zaun and Piltover together.
He used to dream of a day like this. Of course, there were still going to be differences. The disgust and disapproval that the people of Piltover held over the Zaunites was evident. It was just as obvious as the indifference and indignation the Zaunites held over Piltover.
Yet still, today, they were able to be civil. While it took a great deal for that to even happen, Ekko knew it was a step in the right direction. The flares from the flames in the sky reminded him of his own paper he held between his fingertips.
Jinx's body wasn't found. There were small traces of her, like some pieces of her clothing, but nothing more. While it gave Ekko some sort of hope for the better, the same traces were found of Vander. And neither had been seen since. He refused to believe she was gone.
He still wasn't sure what name to write. Powder or Jinx? Had the incident happened before Ekko got to see a new side of her, he would have written Powder without a doubt. But she still wasn't Powder now. Ekko knew that. She also wasn't the same Jinx he'd always known either.
Whether it was Silco's death, meeting Isha, Vander's return, or maybe all of those things combined, there was no denying Jinx had changed. The name didn't taste bitter in his mouth like it used to. Writing down Powder felt like it would be an injustice to the new Jinx. Writing Jinx felt like it would be disregarding to Powder.
He just didn't know what to put. Maybe both?
Ekko sighed. It would have been better to not have to worry about which name to write at all. But he decided on what to put. Slowly, he wrote the name, followed by folding the paper in half. He lifted the flame to the paper, watching as it caught fire and flew away.
"Hope you—didn't put down Powder." A strained voice said behind him.
Ekko froze. His eyes widened. It couldn't be. Some weird part of him didn't want to turn around to find that no one was there, but his curiosity and desperation got the better of him. He spun around, eyes widening further at the sight.
Jinx leaned heavily against the archway, a small smile on her lips. Her hair was a mess. Holes burnt into her clothes and burns coating her body. She panted heavily while she tried to hold herself upright.
Ekko was by her side in a flash. He hauled her arm over his shoulder, moving her gently to the edge and sitting her down. She didn't look steady, even when sitting.
"How did you—?!" Ekko began, but didn't know where to start.
Jinx laughed at his confusion. Bad idea, because the ache in her head spiked, making her have to squeeze her eyes shut until the pain subsided. Ekko, however, wasn't finding any of this funny. His face was littered with concern, wondering how she was still alive.
He figured questions could wait. Jinx needed medical attention, ASAP. He stood, cautiously eyeing Jinx.
"I'll go get you help. I swear, I'll be quick—"
"Don't!" Jinx's word was rushed. Here eyes were back open, desperately pleading Ekko not to go.
"Jinx, you need someone to tend those burns, and the obvious concussion you have, and you need it now."
His voice was serious. He turned to leave, but was stopped once more.
"Ekko, if you leave now... you'll never see me again."
The boy froze in his tracks. He quickly sat down next to Jinx again.
"What's that supposed to mean?" He asked.
Jinx shrugged, her head lolling to the side. "I'm not staying long."
"You're not staying?" Ekko repeated. "You're not in any condition to be leaving, either!"
"I'm already... a lot better than I was yesterday. Having shimmer for blood—has its perks... I guess." Her words were slurred and slow.
"Yeah, well that doesn't mean you shouldn't be treated," Ekko countered.
"I came... to say goodbye, Ekko." Jinx's voice was soft and pained.
Ekko blinked. "Say goodbye? Say goodbye?!"
Jinx turned her head away from his as her eyes wandered over Piltover. She couldn't look Ekko in the eyes right now. She didn't want to see the disappointment, the hurt, the bitterness.
Ekko scooted closer to Jinx. He reached for her, his hand gently turning her head towards him. He held her face, waiting for her to look at him. Her eyes remained on the ground. He decided to say something anyway.
"You can't say goodbye. Not now. Not now that I know you're okay. Not... Not after I just got you back."
Jinx eyes remained downcast. She lifted her hand to the hand Ekko used to hold her face. She held onto his wrist and bit her lip before speaking.
"It's what's best—for everyone."
"How could you say that? Zaun looks to you, now more than ever. What about Vi—"
"Vi especially!" Jinx interjected. She squinted, in pain from her concussion. She took a deep breath before continuing. "She needs to let me go... She'll be better off."
Ekko caressed his thumb over her face. "And what about me?"
Jinx bit the inside of her cheek. "Ekko..."
Her voice trailed off.
"What about us, Jinx? You told me—you said—"
"I know," Jinx said regretfully. "I know what I said... And I meant it."
Ekko used his other hand to tuck Jinx's bangs behind her ear. He held her face in both his hands, willing her to just look at him. And she did. Her eyes were brimming with tears. It stunned Ekko before he realized that he, too, was nearly about to cry.
"Then... why?" He asked.
Jinx swallowed thickly. A tear rolled down her face that Ekko wiped away. "We just... it's too risky."
Ekko gave a look that begged her to explain.
"Anyone who gets close to me dies. I get these hallucinations from all these different people, from Mylo and Claggor... Silco and Vi... even her dumb, stupid girlfriend! But... never you." Jinx said as she shook her head. "Never you. I've lost too many people, Ekko. I've even lost myself... I could never forgive myself if I lost you, too."
"Jinx—"
"I didn't even think I should come here tonight, but I couldn't leave without saying something. I couldn't—not tell you... I told myself—I told myself that I came here for you. So that you'd at least know I was okay... but," Jinx hiccuped, "I think I really just came here for me. I just wanted to see you—one more time before I left!"
"Then don't leave! Stay with me, take me with you, I don't care!"
Jinx frowned while she shook her head. "It's not that simple, Ekko. I—"
Ekko cut her off, his lips pressing against hers. Jinx froze for a second before Ekko pulled away.
"Shit! Sorry, I shouldn't have tried that again! I mean—I shouldn't have done it. It was just in the moment, and I thought—"
Jinx silenced Ekko this time, hands lacing behind his neck as she pulled him into her. He melted at her touch, sinking deeper into her lips than before. His hand rested on her neck while his thumb lay on her face.
It was sweet bliss. Better than kissing alternate universe Powder, though Ekko knew better than to compare the two. But it was easier to be a different version of himself, kissing a different version of Jinx.
But here—where Ekko was himself and Jinx was herself, the versions he'd known his whole life... it was way different. He long since had buried the dream of the day where he and Jinx could be friends again, let alone one day more.
Jinx's mind was just as swirled as Ekko's. Her heart twisted, never having kissed anyone before. And she'd hoped Ekko would do something, tonight, before she left. It all happened so fast, she nearly didn't get to enjoy it.
The two pulled apart, resting on each others foreheads.
"Don't go," Ekko whispered.
Jinx sighed. "I have to, Ekko."
"Then let me go with you."
Jinx leaned back, her fingers moving up to massage her temple. "You're needed here. Who will the Firelights look to without you?"
"I'll help them figure it out before I go."
"I would never ask that of you."
"You'd never have to. I want to be with you."
Jinx bit her inner cheek as she contemplated his words. Did she feel she could truly start over if Ekko tagged along? Was the part of her that said yes to that question the truth or just what she was telling herself?
No
Jinx was set in her ways. She couldn't agree to let Ekko leave the Firelights, to leave Zaun. No matter what he said, she knew he found purpose in being there. In his goal, his mission, his vision for the Undercity.
"You have to stay, Ekko."
"Jinx—"
She pushed herself up, shakily, to her feet. Jinx stood still for a moment as dizziness passed. Ekko shot up behind her, ready to catch her if she fell.
"You can't ask me to stay." Ekko said. "It's my decision."
"Then take a minute to think about it, and I'm sure your choice will change."
Ekko watched as Jinx slowly walked back to the archway exit from the rooftop. She was breathing heavier, but managing on her own.
"...Goodbye, Ekko." Her voice was unsure
"I'll find you," Ekko stated.
Jinx lightly scoffed. "You'll try."
One second she was there, the next she was gone. Ekko's plan was sprung into motion the second she disappeared.
The wind blew in Jinx's hair as she leaned on the railing of the airship. It was surprisingly easier to sneak on than she'd anticipated. Getting on the ship was the easy part. Stealing someone else's ticket was also easy, but a little more challenging.
It had been just hours since she last saw Ekko. The sun had just risen. She found ointment to put on her burns and took a short nap for her concussion, and already there were major signs of improvement. Her words weren't slurring anymore and she could walk without sway.
Her elbows propped over the railing as she looked ahead. She knew better than to look back. The second she boarded the ship, Jinx told herself not to look back at Piltover. She never thought it would be harder to leave Ekko than it would Vi, but last night's goodbye still rang clear through her head.
She fished inside her pocket to pull out the drawing of herself that Ekko had made. It was the last piece of him she carried, really. That and the pants. Though, the pants were pretty battered and burnt. She'd have a lot of patching up to do on them.
Her fingers smoothed over the drawing, imagining Ekko's soft hands tracing her from his memory. A small smile grazed her lips. She folded the paper back up before placing it back in her pocket.
A new life awaited her. A fresh start. Jinx closed her eyes while the wind washed over her. She took a deep breath before opening her eyes again. She had a good feeling about it this time. A really good one.
"Did you really think I'd be that easy to shake off?"
Ekko stood beside her, copying her stance as he propped his elbows over the railing. Jinx's jaw dropped in disbelief.
"Ekko?!"
He let out a heartily laugh at her shock. "Hope you know you're a lot easier to track when you're not 100%. It's like you wanted me to find you."
Jinx blinked. She could feel the tightness in her throat, the wetness in her eyes.
"You really came after me?" She whispered.
"Told you I would," he said with a smirk.
"But... what about the Firelights?"
"I appointed a new leader. He's just as passionate about the vision as I am, and he's dedicated. I have no doubt Scar will be just as helpful in the movement." Ekko seemed pleased. He gave Jinx a sideways glance. "I had time to do that all while keeping my eye on you. You need to step up your stealth."
Jinx's lips stretched further than Ekko could ever remember seeing them. Tears of joy flowed down her face as she half jumped, half tackled Ekko to the ground. Ekko laughed and pulled Jinx into him. He hugged her tightly. While Jinx appreciated the affection, after a few minutes she felt like she was going to suffocate.
"Are you ever gonna let me go or what?" She asked, lightly tapping Ekko's arm.
Ekko smiled and shook his head. "Never."
— The End —
Thank you all for joining me on the journey it has been to write this story. Your reviews have motivated me greatly to keep at it, and I cannot thank you enough for your kind words.
Please let me know your thoughts on this chapter, as well as this overall story. I wish you all well and hope to write again soon
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