Jinx left the door unlocked behind Ekko, not caring if someone did end up coming for her. She heard the noise outside intensify at Ekko's appearance. Never thought Ekko would be the one trying to plead her case to others, but here he was.

The room she was in was a decent size. Based on the paintings on the wall alone, Jinx summarized this was Ekko's room. She decided to make good use of her time, opening any drawer in sight and rummaging through them.

He didn't have many clothes. No one in the undercity did, really. She laughed when she found a drawer of gloves. He owned more pairs of those than he did pants or shirts.

There was a board on the walls with a multitude of notes and sketches pinned on it. They were plans for the future. Sketches of the tree she'd seen. A picture in particular stuck out to her.

Jinx's hands used unfamiliar gentleness when she pulled the pin to hold the image closer. It was her. Her hair was in it's former signature braids, the blue vibrant and captivating. Her braids looked as though they were waving in the air. Something about the picture was different from how she looked. Her eyes held a different light than they normally did. To Jinx it was almost unsettling.

She folded the paper, stuffing it and the pin in her pocket. She didn't know why, but she wanted to keep it. It may have been Ekko's art, but it was her he drew, so it was technically hers. That's how it worked in her mind, anyway.

He had a vinyl player that sparked Jinx's interest. She strode across the room to examine it. Just as she guessed, it looked like he'd made it. The pieces may work together, but they definitely didn't look cohesive. She pulled the drawer underneath the stand it was sitting on.

It was full of records. She flicked through them, fingers separating each one. She sighed when most of them turned out to be classical or just outright lame songs. Closing the drawer with a shrug, she figured you didn't really get to pick your music taste in a place like this

There wasn't much else. He had little pieces of jewelry in a tray on his desk. They would've been gold if they hadn't tarnished to a murky grey. She snatched up a hair clip of his and stuffed it into her other vacant pocket.

Jinx sunk into the chair at the desk, spinning and staring at the ceiling. Ekko had been gone for nearly twenty minutes now. With the way the noise had died down outside and the length of time he was taking, Jinx was contemplating just going out there. Patience was never her strong suit.

She stopped herself from spinning before her stomach could start to get sick. She moved to lay her back on the bed while her legs dangled off the edge. Her stomach ached, but not from spinning on the chair. Her hand pressed against it while it rumbled.

Jinx didn't know the last time she'd eaten. No, she did remember. It was when she and Isha were spying with her small scope. She lost count of how many of those oddly pleasing tasting fruits she had. The thought of food had been repulsive since then.

The door thudded, and Jinx shot up when it opened. Ekko had returned, a small smile on his face.

"Well?" Jinx asked.

"I guess we aren't the only ones who know know about the war." Ekko's smile grew. "The undercity's being rallied to help Piltover."

"Help Piltover?!"

"That's what I thought. Turns out one of the council member's mom is working against both of us. They're calling themselves Noxus. Whatever they're planning... it's not good."

Jinx nodded. "So, what's the plan?"

"They're anticipating an attack tomorrow. We still should be ready at any moment, but for now the plan is to rest up while we prepare."

"And what about me being here?" Jinx reminded.

"Right. It's split, some people are okay with you being here, even glad, but others want you out immediately."

Jinx waited for him to continue.

"We convinced them that it'd just be for a day. Probably best you stay hidden for a majority of the time anyway."

Jinx huffed. She couldn't stand twenty minutes alone, now she had to go a whole day? She did not sign up for this when she agreed to help Ekko fight this war.

Ekko slung the Z drive off his shoulder. He gently set it down to lean against his bed frame. He gave a skeptical look to Jinx, but what would she do if she'd planned on stealing the machine and not using it for good? Besides, he trusted her... enough for the time being.

"I'm gonna get us some food. Just stay here and I'll be back in a few minutes," he said.

He turned to open the door, but Jinx was quick to yank him back.

"Don't leave me here again, Ekko!"

"It's just gonna be a couple of minutes."

"Please?"

It was said with thick sarcasm. Ekko saw Jinx roll her eyes as the word left her mouth. Yet still, something about her saying 'please,' a word likely foreign to her vocabulary, was changing his mind.

Ekko didn't want Jinx to be seen for her sake, not his. He knew the controversy she'd bring. He'd just seen it minutes ago when he was arguing for her to stay here. He didn't want to risk someone snapping at her or causing a scene right before a war where they needed to be unified.

But if she didn't care about the risk of being seen...

Ekko sighed. "I guess you can come. But we're gonna be quick."

Jinx grinned, tapping a finger to her head. "I always am."

Ekko led the way to the cafeteria. Jinx followed silently as she continued to admire the base. Ekko was right, a lot of people were clearly mad at her. Recalling her many encounters with the fireflies reminded her that they probably had a right to be angry with her.

People stared at her with every step she took. It bothered her. More than she thought it would. Especially considering she didn't think she would mind the looks she received. But now, feeling the countless eyes on her, the looks on their faces, and being reminded of what she'd taken from these people...

Maybe she should've just listened to Ekko. Staying in his room might have been better than walking through this.

They made it to the cafeteria, an open space with plenty of tables and benches. Ekko got in line for food, Jinx right behind him. The differences in their portions was very obvious. The ladies who served lunch glared at Jinx, giving her minimal scoops while Ekko got two full ones.

Word must travel fast here if they already knew about Ekko's agreement to let her stay. The serving sizes didn't matter to her, though. Jinx still wasn't sure she could stomach a full meal. But whatever this food was, it smelled good. Really good.

Ekko took them to a table in the corner, far off from the glares of the people around them. They sat across from each other. Ekko dropped Jinx a fork for her food.

"The hell am I supposed to do with this?" She asked while her fingers pricked the prongs.

"Eat with it. You look like you haven't eaten in a few days."

With that, Ekko split half his serving and began to pick it up off his plate while plopping it onto Jinx's.

"Woah, woah, woah. Slow down! What makes you think I can stomach what I've already got?!" Jinx said.

She gripped her fork tightly, mechanically scooping Ekko's half back off her plate and onto his again.

Ekko grabbed her wrist, stopping her motion. She scowled at him, shaking her hand free.

"Whatever," Jinx said as she carefully scooped a small amount onto her fork.

She held it up to her nose, smelling the appetizing fragrance that emanated from it. Ekko watched as Jinx slowly opened her mouth and took a bite of the food. Her eyes grew ever so slightly at the taste.

"Mmm," She made a sound of approval as she began to shove more food into her mouth.

"Go slow or you might throw up," Ekko reminded.

He too began to eat, also unsure of the last time he had food in his stomach. It was hard to tell things like that when he had been to another dimension. A lot of things were.

"Where did you get food like this in Zaun?" Jinx asked while chewing loudly.

Ekko held back the urge to roll his eyes at her gross behavior.

"We've been able to grow some crops here. The tree has been much more beneficial than just giving us cleaner air to breathe."

"That's amazing," Jinx casually said.

She continued eating, beginning to pick off of Ekko's plate now. But her words still rang in his ears. He smiled. He hadn't heard her compliment anything since they were kids.

Ekko pushed his tray towards Jinx. He'd eat whatever she didn't. If she even left crumbs. Regardless, he could tell that she needed the food more than he did right now. Ekko had been keeping his guard up when it came to Jinx. Ever since he went to her lair and stopped her, he kept telling himself not to trust her.

But for whatever reason he found himself wanting to give in more and more. Was this Jinx actually any different from the one he pictured in his head? Was the Powder from another universe altering his view of the one in his?

Something happened since their fight at the bridge. Something that changed Jinx, matured her, even. And while Ekko still wasn't going to let his walls down and fully trust this new version of Jinx, he definitely wanted to. He just needed more time to determine if his suspicions were right.

"You got a weird look in your eye," Jinx said, wiping the food from her mouth with the back of her hand.

"I thought you said you weren't hungry."

"I said I didn't think my body would accept this much food."

"Looks like it did to me."

"Well it's not every day you eat good like this." She finished her water. "Not for me, anyway."

"Right."

Ekko stood, carrying their trays and placing them in a stack of others. Jinx placed their stack of cups next to them.

"So what's next?" Jinx bounced.

"Next, we go back to the room like you agreed."

Jinx scoffed. "I didn't agree to anything."

"Jinx, please—" Now it was Ekko's turn to plea.

"Just a short tour. I promise! Let me stretch my legs before I'm confined all day."

He could easily just say no to her and force her back to the room until tomorrow. It was probably better if she stayed out of sight for the remainder of the day anyways, and got rest before the battle tomorrow. It made sense to say no.

"Fine."

Maybe the short tour wasn't such a bad idea. Ekko had to admit hearing Jinx ooh and awe at the base made him swell with pride. It was always nice the first time showing a newcomer around. They lit up the same way a kid would when they saw candy.

But like all things, the tour came to an end. Jinx was satisfied with the look around she'd gotten, getting used to the stares. They actually came across a few Jinx supporters too, so she appreciated that.

The walk back was quiet. They were on the bottom floor and Ekko's room was a few levels up through the tree. They rounded a corner, nearing the staircase when Jinx came to a halt.

Ekko turned around, following her gaze as her eyes fixated on the painted mural of the people from her childhood. The details in their eyes took Jinx back to when she was still just a kid. When her eyes were bluish gray and her name was still Powder. When Vander was still himself. When her biggest challenge was Mylo.

Her eyes trailed to the painting of her younger self. She'd changed so much since then. Jinx thought of all the things she'd do different if she had a second chance. It was a long, long list. If only she could have a conversation with her past self. If only Ekko's time machine went back further than four seconds.

"You coming?" Ekko called out.

He stood at the end of the staircase. Jinx tore her gaze away from the mural. She nodded, continuing their walk.

"You painted that?" Jinx asked quietly.

"A portion. It's to honor those we've lost."

"It's beautiful."

A tint of red appeared faintly on Ekko's cheeks. They made it back to the room, Ekko shutting the door behind them.

"I guess I never realized how much you'd lost that day, too," Jinx said. Her eyes wouldn't meet Ekko's. "I'm sorry."

Ekko sat down on the edge of his bed.

"Something happened between when I saw you at the bridge and now, didn't it?"

Jinx looked at him.

"I don't mean the shimmer," Ekko finished.

Jinx blinked at him before nodding in agreement. She sighed, stretching her hand out in front of her and twiddling her fingers while she stared at the polish on her nails. She sat like that for a couple minutes before taking a deep breath.

"Her name was Isha."

Hello lovely readers -`❤︎´-

Disclaimer that I am NOT an Arcane expert nor do I know anything about League Of Legends. If things like the cafeteria, base, or certain wording is wrong then I apologize. Also I do realize that it's probably unlikely that Jinx would really confide as much as I've had her do but that's why it's a fanfiction and I'm trying my best to keep her as true to character along with that.

That being said, I hope you enjoy this chapter! Please let me know how you liked it and leave a review! Will upload the next chapter depending on the feedback on this one :)