WhIP

by footfungus

nederlands verhalen over mijn otp

253. Arcane 1

"If I guess, will you shut up?"

"Not if you talk to me like that. Now I want a guess AND an apology."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"No."

"Yes-." Ekko paused, realizing her game a second too late. Her shoulders were shaking in silent laughter while a grin grew large across her face. "Tch.Andrei hurry up will you?"

"Sorry I was distracted…You two are weird."

"Andrei."Ekko's voice mirrored that of a scolding parent. The thought tickled her silly.

"I'm going, I'm going. Jeez."

There wasn't any time to continue the conversation. Not when a metal hand shot through the fading wisps of ash aiming to snap around her throat. She dodged the attack and latched onto the metal cable, pulling it taut while her nose wrinkled in irritation.Thisguy.

The chem-tech prisoner began sprinting towards her with three remaining cyborgs following close behind.

"Andrei. The checkpoint." Ekko's voice continued to speak in her ear as she entered into close combat with the man that pulled her hoverboard out from underneath her.

A quick step to the side avoided a straight-on collision, though his separated bicep began sparking, reeling his metal hand back and yanking her along with it. The powerful tug made her stumble, trip over her own feet as she let go and crashed into the man. They both tumbled to the floor messily.

"I opened it." Andrei's voice replied.

She quickly scrambled on the floor to avoid another man eager to jump on top of her while she was downed. Her cloak was trapped underneath the weight of her accidentally tackled foe and Pow-Pow. It tore as she maneuvered away.

"The path's still blocked!" Ekko shouted over the radio with an increasingly raised tone of voice.

Jinx bounced to her feet, spotting the black fabric torn from her outfit crumpled on the floor. Son of a bitch. She really liked this outfit.

"I pressed the button!" The Firelight boy screeched into their communication channel, "I pressed it like seven times!"

Her eye twitched. Even her capacity to tolerate voices in her ears was being tested while inmates continued to swarm her. Sweaty palms clenched tightly around her pistol grip, trying to focus on the remaining four enemies.

"Will you two shut up! ?" She barked into her radio while dancing around another flurry of jabs and kicks. "Can't focus on killin' with you yapping in my ear!"

"We can't get to Urgot if this sector doesn't open soon!" The Firelight leader yelled.

"I don't know what else you want me to do!? There's only one button!" Andrei shouted in return.

Okay. She was done. Fun was over the moment she had two idiots shrieking in her ear. Her anger had reached a boiling point and juggling the four prisoners while listening to them argue was too much. Fine. Ruin a perfectly entertaining fight. The amount of pain Ekko and Andrei had waiting for them in the form of pranks just increased ten-fold.

"I'll dye his hair fuckin' pink if I have to." She growled to herself.

Pale hands reached for the strap on her back, heaving her most devastating weapon into her waiting palms and her boots shifted on the concrete to give her a widened stance. The barrels of her minigun whirled to life as the four prisoners raced towards her. They'd be running towards death.

Her own battle cry ripped through her lips while clenching the trigger beneath her fingers and swinging the gun across her field of view. Hundreds of bullets tore through the air, lighting up the ground with yellow streaks. When she crossed the prisoners, their bodies, cybernetics and all shredded instantly. Blood and metal littered the ground as they fell, dead in a matter of seconds.

She was panting when it was over, sweat dripping down her temple and coating her hair which stuck unpleasantly to the insides of her mask. The disguise was ripped from her face and thrown to the ground. Much better. It felt like she couldreallybreathe now and the victory tasted sweet on her tongue. Sweet enough, that a break felt as enticing as it was needed. One step after the other led her towards the railing of the prison, forearms bracing atop the metal while peering into the hollowed hole.

She actually did it. Playing her part in this wild mission, she actually succeeded. Not that it was ever in question. It just felt good, like she had seized the very concept of reliability, snatched it into her grasp and absorbed it completely. If they were smart, the Firelights might actually realize just how useful she was now. Even she couldn't promise a perfect execution of a plan in the past. That was different after today, wasn't it? Ekko seemed close to understanding. Scar was getting there. Brina…Nevermind. Brina was a lost cause. It would only sour the sweet taste of victory in her mouth thinking about the snarky bitch.

Not a moment later, her ear buzzed and she groaned out loud. Reality settled in and disrupted the bubble of pride she'd created to settle herself in the moment. Ugh! Just shut up! Can't even take a moment to be proud of a little carnage. Sometimes she wondered if helping the Firelights was even worth it.

This was one of those times.

"How about you improvise a little, dumbass." Her words directed at the leader of the operation many floors below. If she could learn to be more dependable, Ekko sure as hell needed to learn some lessons too.

"What do you expect me to do?" Ekko argued in return, "It's a giant metal wall. Nothing like the others."

"How would I know,figure it out yourself!"

Brina suddenly entered the conversation.

"It's the most secure part of the prison. Maybe there's two switches required to open it. Look for something nearby."

"There's nothing here. It's just a wall..." He paused, taking a breath and letting static fill the radio with his silence. "..."

"Ekko?"

"..."

She could imagine the boy deep in thought, brows slanted as he contemplated his options. Maybe she could ride down there and try her remaining chompers on the barrier, but Ekko wouldn't be stupid enough to miss an idea like that unless he was sure it wouldn't work…right?

"...If there was a second switch, it'd probably be behind the wall. Chances are it's not even used unless there's an emergency." The boy's voice returned in her earpiece. "The alarms might've sent the lower level into a complete lockdown. Caitlyn wouldn't have known that."

"Good job detective." Jinx said sarcastically, "Doesn't solve the problem though."

"We got less than thirty minutes before reinforcements arrive." Brina added.

Her expression winced at the sound of metal being bashed into by a heavy blunt object over the radio. No doubt Ekko was taking out some frustration on the sole obstacle in their path. Who'd have thought a simple thick sheet of steel would ruin their night? Not like she could help either. At least she took care of the prisoners. That might be their only win to bring home tonight.

She leaned further into the railing while lifting her head and sighing loudly. Guess she should've seen it coming. Plans weren't her thing for a reason. Too much disappointment, not enough fun either. They better not blame her for this. She didn't jinx it.

Hey! Her eyes opened to stare at the ceiling, though her mind was too distracted by the surprise of the thought to focus on the roof. She didn't jinx it! Nevermind the failure. There really was a gem to be found in the pile of shit they called a plan. Hot damn! Heimy would be so excited to hear about it too.

"Dammit!" Ekko shouted into his mic, "Dammit!"

The epiphany of her realization was paused as she heard him yell. His curses were that of pure rage, each one accompanied with a pointless attack into an impenetrable wall. But then he started sounding depressed, tortured. His desperation to overcome such a helpless situation gripped something within herself. Anyone else would be labeled pathetic in her eyes, weak, but as his tortured voice continued to relentlessly rumble in her ear, she couldn't help the lurch of her heart.

There had to be something they could do, right? Anything? It didn't feel right to lose, not after how far they'd gotten. Was there some way she could help?

When nothing came to her, eyesight refocused towards the ceiling. Scrambled lines and dancing ghosts seamlessly faded from her attention as she marveled at the mining drill hanging above. Damn shame they couldn't use that mammoth of a tool to drill into the lower ring…

"..."

Oh! She whipped her head to stare into the abyss below before snapping back up to stare at the drill. Then down again, then up. Oh shit! Her finger found her radio as she began bouncing in her boots, energy flooding back into her body at the thought of a wild idea.

A wicked smile stretched her lips, eyes glowing with anticipation already.

"Hehehe…I think I can help."

So what if she didn't think it through. A grunt of effort escaped her as she reached above her head for a metal hold, climbing higher and higher. They needed a solution and she found one. The details would be worked out as it went along.

"Jinx. What are you doing?"Ekko's worried voice repeated the question many times now. At least three times. Maybe four? Point was, she'd lost count already. Couldn't he tell she was busy?

"I told you..." Another breath of effort left her lungs as she hopped further up the metal drill. It was tedious to keep pausing and lifting a finger to her ear in order to reply, "...Helping."

"I know. So why do I think you're doing something stupid?"

"It's brilliant actually." Her tongue poked out the side of her pursed lips as she grabbed another ledge. "Totally gonna work."

"Brina? What's she doing?"

Seriously? He didn't trust her enough? Had to send Brina the bitch to check on her? Ooh. That was a good one. Brina the bitch. She'd have to use it the next time the Firelight pissed her off. Not a second later, the metal barrier that sealed the top of the prison from the underground levels lifted. She didn't have time to glance towards the woman entering the room.

"Oh my god." Brina's voice was barely audible from where she was climbing, but the dismay was clear enough. Not like the woman would understand anyway. A true fun sucker, that one.

"Brina?" Ekko asked again. The Firelight was quick to radio their leader.

"Definitely something stupid."

"Brilliant!" She insisted again. They just didn't have vision like her, couldn't see the grand plan as the work of art that it was. Mylo got it. He loved the idea! If this worked, which it totally, probably, would, she wanted them bowing at her feet after this.

With a final pull of her strength, she hoisted herself to the very top of the drill, wiping the sweat off her forehead as she sighed in relief. The hard part was over now that she could stand upright on the metal contraption. Pesky metal cables crossed vertically all around her, like a maze to maneuver around.

Her head lifted to stare at the anchor points and the 'arm' of the drill that pushed the device deep into the depths of the prison. Yep. Both would have to go.

Deft fingers slipped into her cloak and pulled her four remaining chompers into her hands. Judging by the material above and the power of her explosives, they should be just enough to get the job done.

"She's going to kill herself." Brina spoke monotonously.

"Nuh uh."

"Jinx. Seriously. Tell me what the hell you're doing?"

He soundedreallyupset…and concerned. That was good and all, and she even considered telling him, but the surprise would be worth it. Absolutely. Hopefully, she'd get to see the look on his face too. Oh, it'd be too good to miss.

"Fixing." She spoke with one finger to her ear while the other hand activated her chompers and threw one above.

"Your." Another one thrown, perfectly latching onto one of the metal cables.

"Damn." The third bit into a portion of the metal arm of the machine.

"Problem." A final chomper attached next to the third. She'd need a little more force to shatter the arm than the ones near the cables.

Whew. All set. Now for the fun part! She was racing against the clock at this point. There was only so much time to prepare. Her hoverboard was pulled from her back and set onto a flat portion of the drill. It was a bummer that she had to leave Pow-Pow behind to carry the board, but she'd come back for the weapon as soon as she could. Besides, if this played out like she expected, Ekko, Scar, Caitlyn and Vi would be her backup.

She jumped onto the inactive surface of her board, legs braced for the violent shockwave of her multiple detonations. Her eyes flashed up, syncing the count of the blast in her head as she watched her chompers tick away. Then…

.

.

.

Her world was ablaze!

Explosions blasted the ceiling above. Prison walls shook as if an earthquake had rampaged through its structure. The drill whined and staggered from the pressure as supporting cables ruptured. The main arm splintered as if it were wood. Only threads of the once magnificent mining drill held the machine.

"Focus Jinx." She told herself as her balance wavered from all the violent ripples. "You got this."

"Jinx!" She could barely hear Ekko over the shriek of metal and she had no time to reply as the drill dropped a few feet, catching on a fraction of remaining support.

Braced knees quivered under the pressure of the catch until the very last pillar of the ceiling had severed completely. Her stomach dropped as the head of the drill rocketed towards the depths of the mines. Crazed laughter burst from her open mouth as she went into a free fall. It was hard to keep still as the metal rocked unevenly through the air. The occasional clash into sides of the surrounding walls fractured the concrete while also disrupting her continuous effort to stay upright.

Bright pink eyes glanced to her side, watching a few of the broken metal cables, still attached to the head of the drill, whip violently in the rushing stream of air. Her arms outstretched, catching two of the lines in her hands. The hold allowed her to pull herself down, tightening her connection to the surface she stood on and steadying a shaky balance.

"Yeeeaaaaahhhh!" Her unbridled joy ripped through her throat but the roar of the air covered the sound of her voice as she plummeted deeper and deeper.

Countless floors of the prison raced by before she could even realize. The surface of the surrounding walls seemed to blur into racing lines to match her speed, sparks on the edge of the drill shooting up from the friction of the fall.

This was amazing! Better than amazing! Exactly as planned and yet so much more! A forceful wind blew off her hood as her lungs struggled to intake air. Not like it mattered, she was too busy screaming to even consider taking a breath.

She had a split second realization before releasing one cable in her hand and tightening the other in her grasp. Her shoulders turned with the slightest angle to face the wall. He'd fly past her any minute. Wait, technically she'd fly past him. Heh.

Not a second later she spotted him, Scar close behind.

Time slowed as she watched Ekko come into view. Yes! He'd pushed his mask to the side of his face, giving her the wonderful sight of his face. Horror, awe, and dismay all wrapped into such a beautiful expression, it filled her with delight. With her free arm she waved. Jinx to the rescue!

"What the fuck?"

More giggles bounced in her chest at his words. She couldn't hear them, not at all, but his lips moved in a way that spelled only one obvious sentence. See Little Man? Brilliant! Bet he wished he was as smart as her.

As fast as he appeared, Ekko disappeared along with the rest of the middle ring.

With quick deduction, she noticed the stability of the freefall was starting to deteriorate as the sides of the drill continued to slam into the walls, eroding away at the stone. The top-heavy surface she stood on was beginning to flip and her boots shuffled to counter the sliding platform. Soon enough, the machine had tilted at a rate that could no longer avoid minimal destruction. The metal jammed into the concrete, screeching from the battle of momentum and weight vs the strong integrity of the concrete.

The collision began tearing the very foundations of the walls around her, carving into them with reckless abandon.

"Easy.Easy." She warned the drill as if it could understand. There was such little separation between a perfect landing and a disastrous crash.

The machine groaned under the pressure, nuts and bolts sporadically zipping off their designated positions. Even with her boots atop her hoverboard, she could feel the drill's desire to split and fracture. The odds were turning against her, but that's what the hoverboard was for! Shoulders slumped as she reached for the power switch of her board. It glowed to life, vibrating against the platform and wanting to push into the air.

She just needed the right moment, a little more. To her incredible relief, though she would assert it was planned if anyone asked, a section of the prison walls shattered apart, broken debris giving way to the insides of the lower level. Perfect!

The board beneath her feet shoved itself away from the death trap that was utterly crumbling with each passing second. Hastily, she pressed on the accelerator and flew into the air, swerving to avoid falling rocks aiming for her head. Speed was a necessity and the opening was slim. There was a threat of death looming over her as she rushed towards her only chance. One stupid mistake, one slip of her balance, and she could slam into the walls before meeting her end at the bottom of the mines. A precision lean of her body sent her through the gap while her speed against stone scratched at her cloak. It was just enough to squeeze through before the board snagged on a jutting brick and she was tossed forward.

Her shoulder was the first to collide with the ground before rolling relentlessly. Dust and pebbles covered her body and surroundings when she stopped, forearms quick to brace against the floor and push herself up. Nah. She gave up on getting to her feet the moment she felt the limits of her exhaustion settle in and instead rolled onto her back, letting the back of her head drop onto the ground.

Eyes shut tightly while groaning at the dizziness in her brain. It felt like it was still rolling inside her skull. She bit her lower lip, taking a quick moment to gather some semblance of comfort before letting the feat of her actions brighten her mood.

"We nailed it." A single fist pumped into the air as her tired voice celebrated alongside her ghosts. So tired, yet so proud. "Fuckin' nailed it."

Getting back to Ekko and Scar was an easy matter.

She sped through the lower level, spiraling up the winding path on her hoverboard, all while shaking out her limbs and stretching away the tightness in her muscles. Apparently riding a collapsing drill through the hollowed cavern took more strength than she thought. Still worth it. The little cracks in the walls closest to the core of the prison served as an awesome reminder of her adventure thus far.

Something was wrong though.

Alert eyes scanned the halls for the expected platoon of guards to initiate an attack. But floor after floor, nobody came into sight. Nobody! If she recalled correctly, Ekko said there'd be a whole squad of officers lying in wait for their arrival into the most secure sector of the Dredge. Caitlyn and Vi's absence were also noted.

Her gaze shifted to the other wall furthest from the drilled mine. Not a single cell embedded along the surface. Strange. This whole area wasn't adding up.

"...inx! Are you alive? Say something!" Oops. Her earpiece must've loosened in the chaos. She pushed it deeper into her ear canal, catching the tail-end of Ekko's repeated worries. She better respond before the boy collapsed in despair.

"I'm good." She replied, "Heading up towards the gate to let you in."

Andrei suddenly shouted in her ear.

"She made it!? Holy shit that's awesome! Go Jinx!"

At least someone was excited about her success. The same couldn't be said for the Firelight leader who was busy lighting up their communication channel with strings of curses, rants, and viscous scoldings directed at her recklessness. Her eyes rolled as she tuned out the radio and continued to push ahead. They probably needed to know what she was seeing though.

"I don't think there's any guards down here."

As she spoke, her attention snapped towards two double doors on her right, cracked and dented as if they'd been forced open with blunt attacks, separated with enough space to enter. Huh…Pretty sure her ride into this area hadn't caused that. The doors were on the completely opposite side of the mining hole.

"Nobody?" Brina asked.

"Nope."

The giant steel gate suddenly blocked her path and she swerved to a stop on the board beneath her feet. Exactly as Ekko said, a small metal box attached to the wall beside the barrier holding a small glass box containing a large button inside. The glass had already been shattered, little broken crystals pooling beneath the switch…She wasn't the first down here then, that had to be the only explanation. Her head spun to glance behind, checking her immediate surroundings. Safe. For now.

She carefully slipped her hand through the jagged edges of the open box and pushed the button.

"Opening it now."

"Me too." Andrei confirmed.

The solid metal shook for a moment before mechanical gears hidden in the walls spurred to life. Their obstacle was lifted, slowly rising into the ceiling and she bent over to smile and wave towards her partners on the other side.

"Sup losers." She giggled in her greeting. Ekko entered the lower level, taking quick strides to pass her. Damn he looked pissed. If looks could kill…yep, she'd be dead for sure.

"Do you have any idea how insanely dangerous that was?" He growled.

"Thanks Jinx for getting us past the checkpoint." Her voice mimicked a less than stellar impression of the boy. "What would we do without you?"

Thatwas how he should be greeting her. None of this, 'how dare you' shit'. Idiot Firelight.

"I can't believe you." He pushed his fingers into his eyes and groaned.

"Dredge won't mine." Scar added from behind as he followed Ekko past the checkpoint.

"Hey yeah!" Good thinkin' big guy. His observation was true! Better yet, it gave her actions even more importance than she realized, "You said you wanted the Dredge to send its prisoners to Stillwater. Now they'll have no choice with their big mining operation in shambles. Big BIG win."

"I-..." Ekko tried to argue, but that was his anger talking, not his smarts. She could see the frustrating truth battling inside his head. Eventually he sighed, "You're right. But let's focus on finding Caitlyn and Vi. I don't like that they're not here."

Yeah. She didn't like it either. Though they had a good lead on where to search first. Those double doors she passed on the way up were too curious to ignore.

"I saw something interesting a few floors down." She added while skipping in her step to match Ekko's brisk walk through the halls. She grabbed her levitating board and strapped the device to her back.

The trio continued to descend through the prison, careful in their movements and scanning the environment for anything out of place. Ekko was beside her, brown eyes staring intensely ahead. The frown on his lips never faltered once. His expression was unnerving, silencing whatever random conversation she wanted to use in order to break the silence.

Each step brought more worried thoughts across her frenzied mind. Her sister and best friend…did something bad happen to them? What if they were found out? What if…What if they were injured, or worse…Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fu-. They should walk faster. No! They should be sprinting or riding through these halls. Now! Right now! Her demons were already racing past them, shouting for her to follow.

Ekko's hand touched her back, the pressure of the gesture freezing her thoughts. She glanced towards him, staring into his eyes that remained locked on their path forward.

"Keep calm." He muttered quietly. "Take it slow."

"You're one to talk." She pouted.

It hadn't even been a few minutes since the boy had been freaking out on her, shouting all the reasons he'd die of an early, stress-induced heart attack. He didn't reply to her accusation though. Instead, she felt his fingers pull her lowered hood back over the top of her scalp. The feeling of the fabric brushing against her hair was soothing enough to allow her a shaky breath. Had he noticed how panicked she'd gotten?

Even if he hadn't, it was smart to maintain her disguise. If someone saw her bright blue hair and lived to report the attack, there'd be trouble for them all.

Just like Brina said…

"There. On our left." She pointed with an outstretched finger towards the two doors.

Ekko held up his hand, motioning them to pause as he slowly approached the busted entrance. His palm pressed into one of the dents before he leaned to check inside the opening. She swallowed a lump in her throat. Behind those doors, a world of nightmarish possibilities could be waiting for them. The widening of Ekko's eyes only fueled the dread in her stomach.

"No." He gasped at something witnessed beyond the doors. Without any hesitation he took a few steps backwards and rushed forward to slam his shoulder into the metal. The small opening widened and he quickly glanced back towards herself and Scar. "We gotta move. Now!"

All careful restraint was abandoned the moment she heard him yell. He disappeared behind the doors and she leapt into a sprinting pursuit. As she slipped through the door frame, her eyes grew large. A lengthy corridor stretched into a deep yet narrow hallway with damaged chem-tech lights flickering from the aftermath of an unseen battle. The worst of it though, the sight that really sent her pulse into an erratic beat, was the dozens of prison guards dead on the floor.

She tried to ignore them. Dead strangers never once had an effect on her sanity, but when each one had the potential to be Cait or Vi, her heart shuddered at every corpse. She'd never been religious, but found herself desperately praying to whatever deity would listen.

Please don't be dead. Please don't be dead. Please don't be dead.

"Inside job?" Scar questioned from behind, his large boots stomping loudly on the floor as he ran.

"I don't know." Ekko replied while continuing to sprint towards another set of doors at the end of the corridor.

Her fists clenched tightly, teeth grinded in her mouth, as anger coated her every thought. It was becoming too difficult to not linger her gaze on each passing corpse and wonder if her loved ones were behind the ruptured enforcer masks. Most of them appeared to be men, a very slight relief to her mind, yet ultimately useless. There were too many bodies and some were definitely women.

Her speed allowed her to catch up to Ekko, running swiftly alongside the boy while her agility allowed for quick steps over the bodies that littered the floor. With a charged cry of frustration and rage, they both slammed themselves into the doors and blasted into a new room. The only room.

She ignored the open cells, looking beyond more bodies lying still on the ground. Nothing grabbed her attention more than the bald titan of a man, standing in the center of the room. His rugged skin looked gray, chem-tech wires pumping fluid connected to his covered mouth and winding down his large body to attach to a metal gun replacing an arm. He had no legs. Nohumanlegs. The entirety of his lower body was replaced with mechanical, crab-like legs, each one glowing from their own chem-tech fueled wires.

Urgot.

The next thing she noticed was the container behind him. A shockingly large and complex cage that was empty, green gas still oozing from the empty structure. She then spotted more men, all enforcers that stood beside the man proudly. Her breath hitched as her eyes fell to the familiar sight of deep violet and bright pink hair atop her companions as they lay still on the ground.

She glared at the man responsible, eyes glowing with a fury so intense that her body shook uncontrollably. The itch for complete and utter annihilation was only amplified by the scribbles and jagged lines that surrounded her peripherals and clawed the insides of her skull. Urgot didn't say a word, didn't even react to their intrusion. His breath wheezed through the device covering his mouth, startlingly calm compared to the ragged hot air being expelled from her lungs.

"Jin-." Ekko's warning was entirely ignored as her shriek of pure anger flooded the room.

Her pistol was drawn in a flash, trigger squeezed in the blink of an eye. The glow of the muzzle flash lit her enraged expression while the bullets sliced through the air. Urgot was quick despite his size, shifting his weaponized arm to defend his exposed chest. Her shots sparked against the metal.

She couldn't think straight, couldn't reason a strategy in her head to beat the unknown enemy. It was all too much. Too many sounds, too many voices, too many thoughts to sort through, so she filtered them into a single, overwhelming desperation to kill as she charged towards the gang leader.

Another few rounds were fired from her pistol, a single shot grazing a chem-tech wire and forcing the man to stumble and flinch as chem-tech leaked from the broken pump. Her vision tunneled and before she could realize there were others in the room that were armed, a few enforcers raised their rifles and fired back.

"Ah!" Her breath seized for a fleeting moment as a bullet sliced through the skin of her arm.

The pain was nothing. She could take it. If she could just get close, force her thumbs through Urgot's eye sockets, stab into his brains and finish the man off with her barrel against his temple, it'd all be worth it. He deserved nothing less.

He wasn't leaving this place alive.

The guards fired another wave of bullets towards her rapidly approaching form. She grit her teeth, bracing for whatever damage would rip through her, but suddenly she was slammed from the side, tossed off her feet as Ekko struggled to carry her in his arms. They were flying on his hoverboard, twisting through the air to avoid the continued rifle shots into the air.

Urgot recovered from the broken fuel line on his face. Her eyes never left him, even while Ekko swerved through the room, grinding the bottom of his board along metal pipes and getting them closer. Pink eyes met green. The malevolent fury between herself and Urgot rivaled each other and soon the man raised his gun and blasted a flurry of shots after them. The bullets riddled the metal pipe and wall behind them, but Ekko dove from and maintained a speed greater than Urgot could track.

"Get me close." She growled in the boy's ear, arm outstretched to return another few shots of her pistol that were frustratingly blocked.

"No." Ekko asserted, "We have to kill the guards first. We won't last another minute otherwise."

"I said get me to him!" She screamed in his ear.

Fuck the guards, fuck the dead bodies or the Firelights, or this stupid prison. None of it mattered. The only thing that mattered was the sight of Urgot's brains splattered on the floor.

"Will you just listen to me for once!?" Ekko shouted in return before a stray bullet found the back of his board and shook the stability of their flight. His grip on her tightened painfully as he held her close and the feeling allowed for a brief pause of her wrath to hear his words. "Trust me!"

He was on her side. They were fighting together. Alone, she knew the odds, but with Ekko watching her back, the potential of victory was greater. It came with uncertainty. She hated the unknown of it all, hated placing her trust in someone when all the world has ever done was betray her. But Ekko was right. Dammit, he was right!

She shifted her aim towards the men that surrounded the chem-tech beast, piercing shot after shot through their helmets and watching them drop in a crumpled mess of armor. She whipped her wrist to pop open the weapon in her hand, reloaded by digging more rounds from her pockets and snapped the cylinder back into place.

Scar was entering the battle too, rushing towards the enemies furthest from her sight and throwing sap bombs into the guards. Two more were flung to the ground and sealed while a few managed to scramble away from the attack. She closed a single eye and fired a shot into a man's leg, forcing him to stumble before Scar's spear slashed across his chest.

"Nice." Ekko cheered as they spun to reorient themselves in the air and circle their opponents for another wave. With their new position, she found Caitlyn and Vi on the floor, struggling to push themselves up.

Tears pricked the corners of her eyes. Not dead. She had to repeat those words again and again. They weren't dead. Something flew across her vision, catching her attention as a chem-tech device planted itself into the wall ahead. A vial strapped to the mysterious object began glowing brighter and brighter before she realized the danger.

"Watch out!" She gasped, pulling against Ekko to force their balance to the side and avoid the attack.

A burst of poisonous gas erupted from the wall, burning the surface with an acidic reaction. The ends of her cloak singed from the narrow dodge, and luckily that was all that was caught in the cloud. But it wasn't over. In their sudden shift of direction they were forced closer to the ground, riding into Urgot and the last two enforcers able to fight.

"I'm gonna throw you!" Ekko shouted over the roaring wind, "You got the one on the right?"

"Yeah!"

The Firelight leaned into the speed of their shared board, ducking as a bullet soared overhead. With a grunt of effort, she was launched from his arms and into the air. She caught sight of Ekko in her peripheral vision pulling the club from his back and whipping it into the face of his target while she tackled her own enemy, knocking the gun from his grasp as he fell backwards. In the tangle of limbs and armor, her orientation was recovered and she shoved the tip of her pistol into the guard's armored chest.

A rapid fire of rounds pierced through the plated metal and the man's body violently lurched before going slack. Victory was fleeting. Urgot's metal leg stomped into the ground just before her and she swung her arm to shoot into the mess of chem-tech lines behind the metal, only a small hatch opened within the leg and her eyes went wide as she stared down a hidden barrel.

She tried to roll away, escaping the brunt of the blast but losing her pistol as a bullet clashed into the weapon. Her safety was disintegrating, constantly forced to dodge and roll on the floor as Urgot continued to stomp after her with his augmented legs.

"Jinx!"

The sound of her sister's voice caused herself and Urgot to switch their focus, alert to the woman now sprinting towards them both. What was Vi doing!? She had no weapons, nothing to kill the man amidst a battle of chemicals and bullets.

She watched with parted lips, hoping Vi was sacrificing her own life to save hers. But to her surprise, Vi crouched low, pulling a discarded rifle from the floor and tossing it to the side. Wide eyes followed the gun, startled as it settled into the hands of Caitlyn who now slid to one knee and fired a single shot. The bullet tore through an exposed fuel-line connected to Urgot's leg and the man stumbled in reaction.

An opportunity!

Agile fingers slipped into her cloak, pulling her make-shift knife into her grasp before throwing it towards another exposed chem-tech wire. The knife stabbed into the material, spewing glowing fluid all over the floor and forcing the Urgot to fall lower, unable to hold the pressure of his own weight.

A battle cry from her sister echoed in the air as she watched the woman leap towards the man with an uppercut of her fist into his chin. The attack sent the gang leader soaring backwards, gasping as he landed in a heap just before the cage that had kept him in prison. Not a second later, she crawled towards her pistol, snatching the gun and aiming it towards any exposed gray skin she could find.

'Click'

Shit. She turned the weapon in her hands, noticing the damage it had taken from Urgot's earlier attack and cursed under her breath. Now look that bastard did! He was dead for sure! With a short burst of effort, she hopped to her feet and began walking towards her downed opponent until Ekko screamed out in warning. She watched the metal arm of the man shake and rumble as his voice raged. Suddenly the whole room was showered by random bullets firing in all directions, some nearly connecting with her as she began sprinting.

A single spark against an object near the wall behind them caught her attention. A bullet ricochet off a container of pressurized green fluid. Oh shit. She knew enough about her own inventions to know what happened to chem-tech and sparks in a sealed environment. They didn't want to be here. Ekko also seemed to notice the unsettling expression on her face, shouting towards the group.

"Run!"

She ripped the hoverboard from her back and threw it forward, leaping on the surface and speeding towards Vi. In sync with her own intentions, Ekko sped towards Caitlyn. They both jumped onto the boards, holding tight while the levitating force wavered from the weight. Scar was right behind them as they fled, Urgot still screaming with an unfathomable hatred before an explosion pushed against their backs. The concrete above was collapsing, sending a tidal wave of rubble in pursuit. She didn't dare look back, no matter how exciting the sight would be. She had to focus on getting out safely.

"Andrei, open everything!" Ekko shouted into the radio.

"What's happening?"

"Just do it!"

They made it through the first checkpoint, still open from when she'd assisted earlier and climbed up the spiraling prison as fast as they could. While there was no immediate threat racing behind anymore, the structure of the Dredge was quaking from the blast. She was once again helpless to stop the fits of giggles bubbling from within as her adrenaline peaked.

"Wooooohhhhh!" She cheered as their surroundings fell apart. "Oh! Can't forget."

She ducked low on her board to snag the strap of her minigun resting where she left it. She would NEVER forget Pow-Pow. No way!

Soon after, they entered the hallway above the upper ring and swerved around a corner, flying past the security center as Brina and Andrei poked their heads out in curiosity.

"Go! Go! Go!" Ekko shouted and the two Firelights didn't waste a single moment grabbing their boards and joining the great escape.

There was no effort to avoid the lights in the field outside. They'd already caused enough mayhem that it'd be pointless to worry about another retrigger of the alarm. And as she stared outwards towards the dark under-city, she could only reflect on a single thought.

Best night ever!

Notes:

Annnd that's the chapter! Dredge mission complete!

The first thing I wanna say is that I had an incredibly fun time writing Jinx and their Firelights in a coordinated mission. I think it really helped me flesh out out characters by having them all interact, argue, cheer and just talk together. Especially Andrei. Another thing I wanted to bring up is that y'all know I'm typically pretty nervous when it comes to fight scenes and battling. I hope that this chapter - despite having a TON of enemies and different fights - was easy to follow and exciting to read. Let me know what you think about that? I'm always working hard to get better, provide more ambitious chapters, and this is my latest attempt.

Lastly, I had two VERY vivid references for this chapter. The "warriors" league cinematic may be the most recognizable among this audience and I like how I handled integrating it into the chapter with a few twists, but can you guess the other one? As a hint, it's not the fight between Jinx and the prisoners. Hehe. I miss Cayde. T-T

Anyway, I hope you really enjoyed reading and that these two chapters made your day! (Also might have to go back and edit a few things- I did sorta post this in a hurry) Can't wait to see what you all have to say in the comment section. I'll be there for sure to engage with all and share even more excitement about it and maybe discuss what's up next for CH 30. I haven't written it yet, but I think it might be my favorite so far. Oh! and also, I'm still running that Fanart contest which just got a two day extension! There's already been so many incredible submission so follow my twitter: /elsanndra to see those when the contest is over, other awesome pieces of fanart like a recent celebration post of hitting top 3 Arcane fics, or getting updates on when you can expect the latest chapters.

Until next time!

Chapter 30: Our Little Escape

Notes:

AHHHHHHHHH! I've been working like crazy this last week. I'm exhausted but it's been so worth it. SO WORTH IT! Oh and Hi!

I'm back with another chapter, my favorite one thus far and I'm sure there will be plenty of readers that would agree...hopefully hehe. BUT Remember last week when I double uploaded and said that CH 29 was my longest chapter yet at roughly 13K words? Well, this one is EVEN longer! BOOM! 16K words in a single chapter! And no month-long wait! Isn't that a nice surprise? I think the reason I'm so excited and proud of this one, along with how many words it is, is because this chapter was so easy for me to write. The words and conversations just came so naturally and I don't think there was a single time that I had to struggle with a section for a long time. It's wonderful when that happens.

So, I won't ramble about how excited I am for you to read this one any longer. I just can't wait for you to dive in and see what awaits you.

(Last little heads up) There is a content warning: Drinking & Discussions of Suicide

Please enjoy 3

(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)

Chapter Text

"Hell yeah!"

It wasn't clear who shouted into the air with a triumphant cry. So many chattering voices, all excited and cheering while wooden tankards clashed together, alcohol sloshing over the rims. As a smile spread across her face, she couldn't help but raise her cup as well, basking in the glow of their successful mission.

For the first time ever, it actually felt like they'd been given a chance to celebrate a victory. The air around them was charged in the presence of food, drinks, and the ever present warmth of a campfire. Never mind the lateness of the night or the remaining missions they had in order to defeat the Ogre of the under-city, tonight was long overdue. And of course, there was no way in hell she'd refuse a party!

She took one glance at the cup in her grasp, watching the drink bubble and foam at the brim. What kinda drink was it? Did it matter? If it had alcohol…then FUCK NO! She threw her head back while pulling the rim to her lips, gulp after gulp, letting the alcohol burn her throat to the point that her eyes watered. She released a hearty gasp after finishing the drink, clenching her eyes shut and gritting through the foul taste.

"What is this shit?" She whined.

It tasted like something they'd collect from the sewer tunnels mixed with whatever cheap alcohol the Firelights could find. Definitely not her drink of choice. She preferred the fruity flavors that danced on her tongue and masked the alcohol just enough to still burn as it went down. The perfect balance of fun and pain. Was it too late to venture into the under-city and find something palatable?

"Isss not that bad!" Her sister, already a few drinks beyond her, argued while Caitlyn's arm was holding the woman upright. "Just drink!"

She giggled. Not like she could argue with that logic and seeing Vi sway on her feet, face slowly but certainly reddening with each passing sip. Before she could even consider refilling her cup, Andrei, the diligent servant of the night, was already pouring another. The boy smiled as he offered her a filled tankard.

"To the most impressive member of the night."

"Thanks squirt." She acknowledged as she swiped another drink into her hand.

It felt nice to be recognized for her actions, especially in a way that wasn't negative. Pink eyes grew unfocused as her thoughts scattered from that initial realization. She couldn't even think of a time when she felt this…warm. All these people…everywhere she looked…there were smiles, laughter and energy electrifying the air. Did she help create this feeling? Was she a part of this?

Memories of her life before mirrored like an image overlaid atop the present. She had parties. She had laughter and energy…But in the end, it couldn't compare. Not when all she had back then were figments of imagined friends. Their cold, lifeless bodies could never match the warmth she felt in this very moment.

Her eyes drifted towards another Firelight smiling as she spoke with Scar. Despite their turmoiled relationship, imagining the night without Brina was hard. Dare she say, she'd miss the bitch if she wasn't here. Shit. She shook her head as if to erase such a horrid thought. Let's not get too mushy about it. Brina wasn'tthatneeded.

If she was having such ridiculous thoughts, it was definitely time for another drink.

As she drained the cup in her hand, ignoring the vile sting of its flavor, a sudden weight collapsed onto the log she was sitting on. Curiously, she turned to see her sister sigh with the comfort of no longer standing and stretching her legs outwards into the grass. A quick glance around allowed her to spot Caitlyn speaking with Ekko just a few feet away. It didn't seem like a serious conversation judging by the smiles on their faces, yet she couldn't help but feel something akin to concern rising up from within. Was that what it was? Concern didn't feel like the right description.

"Whas got you all pouty?" Vi slurred as she leaned close. "Do you need anotha drink?"

"I'm not pout-."

"Andrei! Get my sista another one!"

"On it."

Well sure…she wouldn't refuse another drink. No way. This was too much fun! The best part was that her body was feeling all floaty and tingly already, and the flavor of the drink was fuzzy on her taste buds. A few more and hehehe. Jinx couldn't even finish the thought as she giggled.

"Now yur happy!" The bump of her sister's shoulder into her own was met with an equally giddy bump of her own shoulder right back.

"You're drunky as a skunky!" She laughed.

There wasn't a single memory dormant in her head that recalled seeing Violet drink. They were too young back then…or maybe her sister had been adept at hiding it. Nah. Vi couldn't be sneaky like that.

"I'm celebrate-." Eyebrows furrowed on her sister's face, like she was confused and trying to make sense of her words. "Celebar-. Er. Cele-."

"Celebrating." She finished for the older woman.

"That's it!"

Wow. She was starting to wish she'd been counting Violet's drinks. It hadn't been that long since they got back and popped open a bunch of bottles, right? How the hell had Vi downed so many? A better question: How the hell was she letting her sister out drink her?

There wasn't a single wasted second after Andrei refilled her tankard for a third time before she was gulping down the alcohol as if it were water. Whew! A gasp of air left her lungs, already feeling the weight of the liquid in her belly. How liberating was this? To just spend her time drinking like there's no tomorrow. Silco wasn't very fond of letting her drink as she pleased. Therewerea LOT of accidents. Totally not her fault though…okay maybe a few of them were her fault..

The warmth she'd been so keen to notice before was spreading to her skin, rather, her whole body. Pink eyes opened to stare at the blurry image of the campfire still roaring in the center of their circle. The flames danced and flickered into the air, pulling her into a trance while a smile spread on her face. Fire was such a pretty thing. Beautiful. Alive.

Wonder if the Firelights would be mad if she made it bigger? What if…what if she made itreallybig! So big, it could rival the height of the grand tree in their hideout? Then the whole base would look as bright as a sunny day, but at night! How cool would that be!?

"Ffffuuuucccckkkk." She slurred out, struggling to keep her head from bobbing and swaying as it pleased. "I'm thinkin' bad things."

"No." Vi gasped beside her before leaning close enough that she could smell the intensity of the alcohol on her breath. "No bad thoughts."

She slowly turned her head to face her sister, each movement of her muscles feeling more and more like she was underwater. A small hiccup interrupted whatever response she had planned. Actually, she hadn't the faintest clue what she was going to say. It all disappeared with that single hiccup before her sister burst out laughing and she quickly followed.

"You're drunk as a skunk too!" Vi sputtered as she held her stomach.

"Am not!" She tried to argue against the tears in the corners of her eyes and her rumbling shoulders as she laughed. "But you said-. You said I'm happy!"

That's what she said earlier. That was the truth.

"Youare!" Vi gasped, still unable to control her fits.

She couldn't take it any longer. Her body fell to the side, draping over her sister's slumped form and resting atop the woman as they continued to spiral into incoherent, contagious laughter. All the while she continued to whisper in Vi's ear.

"Happy! Happy! Happy! Happy!"

"Good god, what happened to those two?" Brina's voice teased her ears, but she couldn't get a hold of herself to respond. Couldn't the Firelight tell? They were having a bubbly bonding moment. A bubbly, bubbly-. Heh. Bubbly was a funny word, wasn't it? Buh Buh Lee.

"They've had a lot to drink." Ekko sighed as he entered the circle, clearly too distracted by the sight to continue whatever conversation he was having with Caitlyn.

Good. About time he stopped talking to her. Cupcake wasn'tthatspecial. He should loosen up and have a drink! Wait. He already had a tankard in his hand…Well he should have another! And then come sit next to her and PRAISE her genius that she showcased in the Dredge. She wanted to hear him say it and then pat her head nice and good, and do a little victory dance and-. Pause. Where was all that coming from?

"You'vehad a lot to drink." Vi cut back lethargically.

"Yeah!" She added with a bombastic shout, eager to end whatever thoughts she was having. "But not enough. Don't you seeeeee? You're ruining the mood. Is a party!"

"I'm taking it slow." He replied.

"Booooooring!" She groaned while her sister nodded her head rapidly. The weight of Violet's arm was easily ignored as it draped across her shoulders.

"Should we be concerned?"

"I don't think they would do anything stu-."

Ignoring whatever conversation was happening with the losers of the party, she gripped her pistol from the side of her hip and raised the gun straight into the air.

"Vi, you shoulda seen me." She giggled, "I went into tha prison and was like- Blam! Blam! Blam!"

The muzzle of her pistol flashed as the gunshots cracked into the sky.

"Jinx!"

"Jinx! No!"

Ekko and Caitlyn had sprinted towards her, seizing her outstretched arm and stopping another round being sent into the air. Nothing but teary-eyed laughter came from her lips and Vi was stomping the ground with her boots while she snickered.

"I was just showin' her." She breathed airly while her pistol was wrestled away from her grasp. How else was Vi gonna understand how cool she was in the Dredge? She hadn't even gotten to the best part. Did they have something that resembled a drill to blow apart? Visual demonstration was her speciality.

"Let's not shoot into the sky." Ekko suggested.

Hmph. Fine. Ruin her fun. But if that's how it was gonna be, he needed to make up for it. She snatched his arm in her grasp and yanked the boy downwards so he stumbled onto the log and sat forcibly beside her. His cup was quickly pushed towards his lips, forced by her own hand.

"Drink." She demanded.

He looked at her, staring for what felt like an eternity. He also seemed to be swaying. Or was that her? Whatever. It was too hard to tell at this point. All that mattered was seeing the Firelight leader relax and gulp down a healthy amount of alcohol.

He pushed against her hand forcing the cup to his mouth.

"Don't tell me what to do."

At first she was upset that he'd go against her wishes, but a string of slurred curses died in her throat as Ekko closed his eyes, leaned back, and drained the cup in his hands. That wasn't so hard! Although, he was coughing the moment he pulled away, pounding his chest with a closed fist.

"You suck at havin' fun." She pointed out blandly. "You should be more like Vi."

"Damn*hic*straight."

"Vi," Caitlyn started as she moved around the log, the stolen pistol tucked into her belt and stood beside her sister, "Maybe we should head in for the night?"

"No!" For the first time in her life, Jinx heard her sister whine like a child. "I wanna stay here."

Suddenly she felt the suffocating sensation of her sister's bandaged arms wrapping snuggly around her neck, the entirety of the older woman's body leaning against her. Had she not been so relaxed, so uncaring of the world around her, she might've shoved Violet away. But it felt good, being embraced so fully. Pink eyes closed to further focus on the feeling. It felt really good.

"I luv you Pow." Her ear was hot with the whispered breath. "So, so, so, so much."

Her sister was the best. The bestest of the best. She couldn't help but tuck her head to the side to rest on the shoulder of Vi's red jacket. Life wasn't so bad. Not like this. There wasn't anything to be worried about.

"I luv you too Fat-hands."

"..."

"..."

"Fat-hands!?" Her sister came alive, like a beast turned feral, erupting with anger in her voice as she suddenly pulled away. "They're not fat!"

She giggled and swayed in her seat at the reaction. The name just came to her. It was too funny to NOT say it! If she had a nickname, why couldn't Vi?

"It's a nickname, silly!"

"I wanna 'nother one!" Violet raged.

"Not how it works." Her voice teased as if she were singing.

"Caitlyn!"

"What do you wantmeto do?"

"Make her change it."

Silly, silly sister. Cupcake wouldn't make her change shit! This was family business and that meant no interference! Right? Oh no. What if Caitlynbecamea part of her family? Ah shit, well…she could always say it's a blood thing. Yup. That would work!

"I think we'll head to bed." Caitlyn sighed before assisting Vi onto her feet, letting her sister use her body as a much needed crutch.

"I'm nat done celebra-. Fuck wat was the word? I'm not done yet." Her sister moaned aloud.

"We can celebrate tomorrow too, butafterwe rest."

The top-sider turned to direct her sister's steps and Violet, unable to stand upright on her own, was helpless to be led like a lost animal. They began walking away, almost far enough to not hear them. Almost. Her sister's voice was still heard despite the distance.

"Are we gonna do it before we go to be-?"

"Notanother word." Caitlyn scolded.

"Mmkay." Her sister replied, the barest hint in her tone that she was disappointed.

Yikes. She really had to hear that? Maybe her sister was better off sober. The LAST thing she wanted to think about was Vi and Caitlyn playing bumper cars in the bedroom. Though, Caitlyn's response was a relief. Definitely no shenanigans tonight. She'd just have to lie to herself and pretend that was the case every night. Yup. Ignore it. Just ignore it. Everything's totally normal.

"Sleep tight Fat-hands!" She waved enthusiastically towards her retreating sister, receiving a middle finger in response. Snickers from Mylo at her side had her angrily snapping towards the ghost. She didn't have to think twice about what the little thief was laughing about. "I said ignore it, you perv!"

Silence quickly ensued, only pops and crackles of the fire wafting through the night. The flames were dwindling and nobody seemed intent to keep the warmth alive. Brina and Scar seemed to distance themselves from the circle as well, walking into the darkness of the hideout without announcing their departure. Man, this party was getting lame fast. Was she the only one interested in staying up till the crack of dawn? She still had more in the tank. And where the hell was Andrei!? Her cup was empty!

She began twisting her head, scanning the circle for the boy that seemed to disappear, only to pause when she realized there was a person she'd forgotten about. He was sitting right beside her, staring into space like he was trapped in a trance.

"Ekko!" She shouted in his ear while waving her hand in front of his dazed expression.

"Huh?" He mumbled, raising his head slowly and turning to look at her.

Oh damn. That last drink must've settled in his stomach fast. The darkened hue on the bridge of his nose and on the tops of his cheeks spoke more loudly than words. Not to mention how out of it he was. Hah! Lightweight.

"Where's everybody else?" He asked slowly, brown eyes drifting towards the empty circle.

"Called it a night?" She shrugged, "Wimps."

"Mm not tired though."

Oh hell yeah! His words gave her hope! A newfound energy raced through her veins. An even more fantastic observation came when she spotted a pitcher resting on the ground, just opposite of where they were sitting. She quickly leapt to her feet, stumbling towards the object and snatching it into her hands. She was fine, hadn't even tripped.

When she returned, Ekko had his arm already outstretched, an empty cup waiting to be filled once more. That's the spirit! Way to go Little Man! This night was far from over.

She poured the alcohol.

"Blub, blub, blub." Jinx cooed, mimicking the sounds the liquid made as it splashed into his cup. She wasn't able to pull it away fast enough before the tankard was filled completely and overflowing onto his hands. "Oops."

For a moment he seemed to just stare into a pool of liquid, watching it drop from his coated skin before his shoulders started to shake with a slow chuckle.

"Nice goin dumbass."

"I'm not the dumbass!" She pouted as she began pouring her own drink. "You're the dumbass, dumbass."

Shit. She spilled hers too. Well, maybe it was Ekko's fault for distracting her with such a baseless accusation! Not a word was spoken between them as she settled back into her seat. But that wasn't very good either, because in the absence of words, she realized she didn't really have anything to say.

Um…

It wasn'tallbad. They could sit here for a little while longer before boredom consumed them. And it was sorta nice. Sitting here, letting the fading fire heat their skin for a little while longer before the cool night's breeze would sober them up. They could just sit in silence together, letting their thoughts drift, the peace of the victory lingering in the air. Maybe they could contemplate-.

"Wanna see something cool?"

OH THANK GOD! All that peace and quiet shit was just a poor attempt to excuse away her growing desire to do anything else. The very thought of sitting still, ew. What a nightmare!

"Absolutely!"

"..."

"..."

She faced Ekko as he stood beside his workbench. He took her to his secret workshop beneath the grand tree to show herthis? Pink eyes darted to the boy whose eyes were shining with excitement. The sheer intensity of his expression forced her to take an involuntary step backwards. Then she glanced at the prototype device placed on his workbench. Did he say what she thought he said? Or was the alcohol in her system still screwing with her senses?

He wasn't making any sense.

"...What?"

"Time travel!" He emphasized with his hands, putting his whole body into the words.

"..."

"..."

Welp. That's it. Ekko was officially as crazy as her. Actually, he was crazier. She almost felt bad seeing him so trapped in delusion, but madness kinda worked like that. She too was enamored by the voices in her head when she first heard them, desperate to ignore the malicious horror that hid behind jagged scribbles and forced, taunting smiles. He wasn't quite there yet, but heaps of disappointment and fear were just around the corner. Guess leading the Firebugs really broke him. Poor guy.

Question was, should she play into the fantasy? Or try to snap him out of it before it was too late? That second option seemed like a fairy tale in itself. Not like she had any experience solving crazy. Nope! She had no answers in that department. Right Mylo?

The ghostly boy nodded his head vigorously over her shoulder.

Right. Time to play along then. Jinx shifted the features of her face to match his energy, an awe struck expression displayed confidently. It wouldn't be too hard to give a convincing performance.

"Woah! Time travel?" She gasped.

"I know, right? It's insane!"

"That's like heebie-jeebie voodoo stuff!"

"It works though! Well, not entirely. But the math works out." He spun in his boots to shuffle through a pile of papers like a mad scientist looking for his maniacal plans. "I ran the calculations, hypothesized with Heimerdinger. With the power of a hextech gem, there's no end to the possibilities of what we can do."

Oh no. Ekko was already too far gone. He got the yordle involved? Little Heimy must not have the heart to break it to him either. Such a shame. She still didn't break her act of surprise.

"What are you gonna do when it works?"

The question alone seemed to overwhelm the Firelight, forcing him to press his hand into his palm while he paced from side to side.

"I-I don't know. I could go back to the past, save everyone from dying. I could fix my mistakes."

"Uh huh! Uh huh!" She nodded rapidly.

"I could stop Silco from taking over the under-city. Pick the right date and time, and capture him before shimmer hits the streets."

"I got a better idea!" She cheered and Ekko's attention curiously snapped towards her, fully concentrating on her suggestion. "You could go back in time and give yourself a wedgie! No! You could go back and give Urgot a wedgie!"

"What?"

"You'd have to find out when he, you know, actuallyhadlegs. But imagine how funny it would be!"

She wasn't afraid to admit the chem-tech leader was still on her mind. He didn't get enough punishment for hurting Caitlyn and Vi in her opinion. His death, albeit unconfirmed, was a bit too short for her tastes. If only she could travel back in time with Ekko and get more revenge. They could ruin the brute over years and years of pranks and torture. Oh well. It was still fun to imagine, despite how ridiculous the idea was. Not just ridiculous, impossible.

"You don't believe me, do you?" He asked, though the question was rhetorical. Ekko's excitement fell from his face as he spoke to himself.

What? Shit! Did she lay it on too thick? It was just too hard not to run wild with her own imagination and hijack the idea.

"Look, I didn't wanna say it." She shrugged while walking closer to the boy and laying her palm onto his shoulder. "But welcome to the cuckoo life! It's not so bad when you get used to it. People might look at cha' weird, or hate you, or try to kill you, ! More importantly, you don't see weird scribble thingies do you? That'd be-."

Her advice was interrupted the moment he pushed his shoulder into her hand, severing their connection.

"Jinx. I'm not crazy."

Her head tilted, confused by his insistence.

"You sure? You sound like you've lost a few screws in that noggin of yours." She suddenly gasped, realizing another potential explanation. "Don't tell me you hit your head in the Dredge! That'd be good actually. Means we can fix you. Do you think I can hit you hard enough to reset your brain?"

"I don't need to befixed." Ekko growled, "I'm perfectly sane."

"That's what all the crazies say."

"You don't."

"That's cuz I'msupercrazy!" She really did sound like that was something to be proud of. Acceptance was the first step in self love after all. Maybe? Pretty sure the yordle scientist said something like that.

"I'm telling you it's real." The Firelight refused to retreat from his claims.

Whatever. She really didn't have the energy to argue with the boy. He could wallow in his insanity. Hell, maybe that would make more things exciting around here. Though imagining Ekko eroding away into a crazed shell of his former self was a depressing thought. It just wouldn't feel right.

"Okay Little Man." She sighed, "Just don't whine to me when you realize the truth."

"I'll show you." Ekko replied with a pout as he grabbed a lit candle from the workbench and carried the item past her and set it in the doorway behind. She spun to lift an eyebrow, watching the little flame of the candle flicker as it was revealed to a subtle breeze from the outside.

He returned to the bench, grabbing the metal container into his hands. One side of the container was cranked to the side, snapping open the device and illuminating the room with a bright blue glow. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the gemstone floating inside, runes carved on the insides of the prototype.

Why was magic so pretty? The power of the gem had its tantalizing hold over her attention.

"The Professor didn't know much about Hextech, but he'd seen enough throughout the years to help me configure these runes, not that he really knows what I'm working on."

Okay…She knew enough about Hextech to recognize the inscribed runes in the metal. Though their design was different from her own runes for Fishbones, or the ones listed in the notebook she stole, they certainly looked legit. Weird. But still…time travel?

"I'm gonna start it." Ekko stated as he gripped a rope attached to the device and she found herself gulping in nervous anticipation. "I made a starter rope that spins the gem like an engine. The kinetic energy leaks off the stone and activates the runes on the inside."

Yeah. That also made sense. Without flaws in his logic, her "Ekko turned wacko" theory was becoming more and more unlikely. It was too soon to tell if that was a good thing or not. He still sounded pretty crazy, not unlike the shimmer addicts rambling incoherent conversations on the streets.

Without any further warning, Ekko ripped the cord from the gemstone container and she was mesmerized by the round crystal as it blurred from the rotational speed. Sparks of blue lightning sparkled before her eyes, shocking the insides of the device and the carved runes glowed with a matching blue. Pink eyes widened as it spun faster and faster, more runes lighting up with each passing second.

Suddenly, a shockwave of magic blasted from the invention. Immediately her arms shot upwards to cover her face and shield from the power that flooded the small room. She could feel the energy as if it pierced through her body. The magic felt like it bled through her skin, coating her bones with a tingly sensation. Ekko wouldn't accidentally kill them both would he?

"Look."

Ekko's softened voice said a single word and the gentleness in his tone was enough to convince her guard to lower. She opened her eyes, delighted by the magical particles in the air. She scanned the room with a startled smile. It was like a bubble. They were in a magical bubble! It was beautiful!

"Woah." It was like they were in a whole new world. A magical world where beauty was tangible.

The tips of her fingers reached out, poking the particles in the air as if she were touching stars. As her arm moved, she glanced towards herself. Afterimages of her arm seemed to follow her movements, like she wasn't just one thing, but many.

"The candle."

Her eyes flashed towards Ekko, catching the way he nodded towards the object behind her. She would turn to look where he wanted, but not before staring at his face. The blue light made the teeth in his smile glow. His eyes were bright, like little suns burning with warmth. How? How was he so beautiful? So ethereal?

What…what did he see when he looked at her? Was she affected too? Was she pretty?

It was hard to tell. And before he could motion towards the candle again, she broke her adoration and turned on her heel to stare at the candle. The bubble that surrounded them wasn't far enough to reach beyond the door frame. Just outside the edges she spotted the little flame atop a small wax pillar.

"What about it?"

"The fire." He said simply.

What was so special about the-...No. Her jaw dropped. No freaking way! This had to be a trick! Just some spooky illusion meant to prank her for all the times she got on the boy's nerves. What else could explain what she was seeing?

The fire, once alive and flickering in the breeze of the outdoors, was completely, absolutely still. Frozen. Unmoving.

"What's going on?" She asked, desperate for answers to the many unknowns presented before her. This wasn't just some bubble. It was more than that. Her vocabulary lacked description.

"I stopped time."

Pink eyes widened to the size of plates. She couldn't imagine they could get any larger. This wasn't possible. There's no way.

"You just…stopped it?"

"Everything outside this room is frozen."

"Everything?"

"Mmhmm."

She took a step towards the candle, arm reaching out to touch the object just beyond the bounds of the room. What would happen if she grabbed it?

"Don't!" Ekko practically shouted as his hand caught her by the shoulder. Her muscles stilled at the urgent tone in his voice. "Don't leave the time-field."

"Why?"

"I've tested it many times." He replied, "When I threw a ball outside once, it disintegrated. Some laws aren't meant to be broken."

Oh. Okay. Whatever that meant. If you asked her, no law was ever exempt from being broken. In fact, that's where all the wonderful fun of this twisted reality was hidden. But if some spooky space wizardry said otherwise, how could she argue? Still…to think the outside world was stuck, unmoving, and she was only one of two people in the whole wide world able to see it for herself. Literally existing beyond time!

She giggled and giggled, thrilled by the proof before her eyes. This was magic! Magic! Her fairy tale dreams suddenly felt too small. She could dream bigger, better! With a world that allowed such an impossible feat, was anything too great to be accomplished?

"Ekko you're a genius!" She gasped between her fits of uncontrolled laughter, "I thought you were a total idiot, but-."

Her sentence didn't need to be finished. When she spun to face the boy once more and met his trademark smirk with her gaze. Of course he would flaunt his pride right in front of her. She'd let him have his moment though. He earned it.

Without a warning, the bubble of time suddenly fractured, like the air had solidified and shattered into little shards of magical crystal before fluttering into a dust, dissipating into nothing. The weight of her body shifted, only now letting her realize that the floaty feeling within herself was real, as if gravity had a lesser impact on her frame.

"It only lasts for a minute." Ekko started to speak while twisting the container and closing the hextech invention. "The size of the affected area is also pretty small. As it is now, the Z-drive is nothing more than a proof of concept."

"Z-drive?"

"That's what I've been calling it." He placed the prototype back onto the workbench, "I can figure it out. IknowI can, I just need to push the hextech further. It can be done but…"

Jinx didn't waste a single second before snatching his hands into hers and leaning towards the boy, eyes bright and feet bouncing in her boots. Please, please, please! She couldn't imagine a world where such a wonderful invention wasn't finished. This was as serious as life or death! The little taste of magic wasn't enough to satiate her newly discovered obsession.

"I wanna help!"

He offered her a smile, squeezing her hands with his own.

"I was hoping you'd say that."

Okay…sure…If you accounted for her smarts and experience with Hextech, especially since developing a super-awesome-mega-death rocket launcher like Fishbones, she wassortalike an expert with the arcane arts. The less than optimistic side of her mind was quick to argue that a single successful experiment was hardly proof of expertise. Ignoring that particularly annoying part of her brain for a few days was easy enough. The fourth day though…well…

"This is stupid." She sighed while tossing an inactive chomper shell in the air. Her boots kicked up on the wooden desk, leaning on the back two legs of her chair and catching the object. She tossed it up again. "You think we could just scream at the Z-drive and it'd do what we want?"

"Tried that." Ekko's voice was as unenthusiastic as she was feeling. "A couple times, actually."

"Damn."

The bright luster within the possibilities she'd seen just a few nights ago was dulling to the point of indifference. That was no good. She made a promise to help Ekko travel through time and the new and improved Jinx stuck to her promises! Er…guess she didn't really make enough promises to say for certain, but that seemed like a good goal to strive for. So yeah! She stuck to her promises!

But HOLY MOLEY did she want to break this one.

Apparently Ekko had made all the important discoveriesbeforeshe joined him in the quest to conquer time or whatever. Stop time? Easy. A one man job! Travel through time? Nope. Not happening. Save your tireless efforts for something more achievable I guess. Three days cooped up in this cramped little workshop and all she had to show for it was a sore ass from sitting in this shitty wooden chair all day.

"What are we missing?" Ekko sighed aloud. Was it the eighth or ninth time that question had been asked?

"Our sanity." She sarcastically rolled her eyes before blinking owlishly. Oh yeah. "Actually I lost that a long time ago so…"

"We have the rune for time." He continued, ignoring her completely. The Firelight boy looked like he was deep in thought as he fidgeted with the prototype in his hands. "The runes for power and reversal should be working too."

"What if we can't go backwards?" She speculated, "Maybe the whole reversal idea isn't compatible with the magicky mumbo jumbo laws you mentioned."

"What good would traveling to the future be if we can't go back?"

"Don't ask me." She replied, "I'm not a time wizard."

"What!? You're not?" He gasped.

They both cracked a small smile amidst the banter. At least working with the Firelight wasn't nearly as bad as it used to be. His stubbornness and proclivity to be an ass with that cocky smirk of his occasionally got on her nerves, but Ekko's optimism lasted longer than hers. Hell, at this point he was more of a cheerleader than her. Weirdo.

She threw the chomper into the air and caught it again. Her only source of entertainment was just a stupid ball of scrap metal. Used to be, life would never get boring. Even her demons had become nothing but broken records, ignored as if they were white noise filling the silence. As she threw her chomper into the air once more, the sound of children playing her attention towards the closed door of the room. Muffled cheers and shouts from the kids had been lost in their losing streak. After a successful mission in the Dredge, it seemed like the merriment was finally back. Whatever those brats were doing outside, it sounded like a lot of fun.

God. Now she was jealous of children. This must be rock bottom.

"Maybe it's a timed activation?" Ekko guessed, breaking her focus on the wooden door sealing her away from fun. "What if the runes need to be activated in a specific order?"

"Maybe." She shrugged.

"You're no help at all." The boy sighed.

"Are you forgetting thatIwas the one that told you about the power rune?"

"It fits into the calculations, but hasn't changed anything."

"Not my fault."

Ekko's hands clutched the sides of his temples while his eyes clenched tightly. It wasn't her first rodeo with an impossible problem. The look of frustration and exhaustion on his face was all too familiar. Sleepless nights used to plague her when her inventions had yet to prove themselves. It took her a long time to realize a bright and chipper mind was better than repetitive head bashing against a wall a second!

Her answer to their problem was so close!

"I got it!" She snapped her fingers as she spun to face the Firelight with an excited grin.

The boy made an effort to lift his head and catch her eyes, though he had a wary expression marring his face at the sight of her newfound enthusiasm. Please. She rolled her eyes. It wasn't some crazy idea that'd put them in danger like he expected. At least, itprobablywouldn't.

"What?"

Hmph. She didn't appreciate his tone. But whatever, her boredom was on the line as well.

"Let's have a race!" She pumped her fist in confidence. Such a good idea really.

"Like a race to see who figures it out first?"

"What are you stupid? No. I mean a race. Like an actual race! You, me, hoverboards and the finish line."

He stared at her for a few quiet moments. Jinx couldn't help but bounce in her seat and bite her lip with anticipation. She wassoready to kick his ass. It'd be the perfect escape to break the curse of failure and get her out of this stuffy room. If she had to stare at that stupid prototype for a second longer, it might end up broken.

"We don't have time to mess around." Ekko argued, "Figuring this out might be the advantage we need to beat Sevika."

"Or we die of boredom, never figure it out, and Sevika kills us all when we're too tired to pay attention. We need a break."

She liked her argument. It wasn't very often that she could articulate an idea in her head and have it not sound like it was absolute lunacy. Yep. No imagining it. She was making sense. With that logic, Ekko's resistance would crumble without fail. Heck yeah!

"I'm not racing hoverboards with you." He crossed his arms over his chest as he frowned, "This is more important."

Okay. He was still against the idea. No problem. She'd just have to use her trump card. There's no way he'd fight back once she got under his skin. Another expertise of hers. Hehehe.

"I get it." She leaned back in her chair nonchalantly with a smug smile on her lips. "You saw how awesome I was with my board back in the Dredge and you don't think you can win now."

"Get real." He scoffed at her words with a chuckle.

"You don't want those brats outside to see you lose, do you?"

"Doesn't matter. I wouldn't lose. Who do you think invented those boards?"

"Ooooh. Losing would be even more embarrassing then, wouldn't it?"

She smirked the moment she saw his eye twitch in irritation. Ekko was faltering, letting her words distract him from the device in his hands. His patience was being pulled to the brink. Any moment he'd snap and they'd get out of this prison of a room. All that was needed was another simple push.

"Look, how about we race anyway and I let you win?" She giggled, "Nobody has to know."

"Alright." He clapped his hands on his knees and pushed himself out of his chair. The fire burning behind those brown eyes of his tickled her silly. He moved to grab his hoverboard leaning against the wall. Exactly as planned. "You wanna talk that talk?"

"Uh huh." She nodded, a smile unbroken on her face.

He grabbed at her board as well, shoving it into her open arms as she stood up. They were close, staring each other down like they were going to war. She remained unflinching, even as the boy used the slightest bit of height advantage to look down on her. No way he'd win. No way.

"You better put your money where your mouth is then."

He turned towards the door of the workshop and walked outside. Jinx was hot on his heels, putting a little pep in her step with the breath of fresh air that graced her lungs. Soon enough, they were side by side marching through the Firelight base. She paid no mind to the eyes that curiously lingered on their leader and once prisoner rushing through the hideout. Instead, she reveled in the feeling of electricity in the air. A furnace of flames empowered by an ignited rivalry.

"Past the wildlands." Ekko started, his brown eyes locked on the metal entrance of their base.

"Yep." She acknowledged.

"Through the tunnels."

"Right."

"First one to the under-city outskirts wins."

Oh no. That wouldn't do. The last bit was a bit too safe in her opinion and much too short. Her mind was racing with other ways to finish the race. This was a long time coming after all. Their previous race, if one could call it that, was nothing but playing around. But now she had some miles on her board and taking something as silly as a race seriously, was the best damn thing she could ask for. Fun, leaving the base, beating Ekko. All good things. Allreallygood things.

"What if we went through the tunnels,pastthe under-city, and the first one to touch the bridge wins?"

"The Bridge of Progress?"

"That's the bitch."

Not a ton of pleasant memories there. But certainly far enough to warrant a long and interesting race with a not so simple finish through a secret route to the bridge. They had to capture the thrill of the race and this was the way to do it. She was sure about it.

"I like it." Ekko smirked.

When they arrived at the giant entrance of the hideout, hoverboards were activated and thrown outwards. The inventions hovered in the air, humming as the fuel lines glowed neon green. A shared glance filled the silence with unspoken words and she leapt onto the floating platform, quickly steadying her balance. Pink eyes glanced towards the boy as he kicked the edge of his board, spinning it in place as he jumped at the opportune time and settled his stance immediately.

Show off. Not like those flashy tricks would make him any faster. It…sorta did shake her resolve though. Just a bit. Nah. She's got this. One hundred percent.

"Where are you two going?" A combined shout from children drew both of their focus towards the little Firebugs scrambling towards them.

We're going on a scoutin-." Ekko started, only to be interrupted.

"We're gonna race to see who's better on these flying thingies!" She burst out.

"Really!?" The sight of wide, awestruck eyes was strange to her, albeit a tad heartwarming. "Ekko's gonna race?"

"Yep." She smiled.

"But youneverrace with us!"

"Yeah, yeah." Ekko sighed, "Just need to take a break. Will you guys open the door?"

The mere idea of participating in the spectacle of a race must've been exciting for the kids. She'd never seen such small human beings rush towards the door controls. Well, she was actually pretty quick as a child too, a skill that's only been increasingly honed over the years. Ekko would realize that soon.

"Ready!" The children confirmed with their little hands raised to slam the button to open the metal barrier.

"Alright." The Firelight leader nodded before turning to glance towards her once more. "Just so we're clear, no cheating. If you do some crazy shit and shove me off my board, it won't count as a win."

"Lame."

"Jinx." He warned with an increased octave in his tone.

"Relax! No funny business. I got it. Grandpa Ekko can't handle a little rough and tumble."

He shook his head before turning towards Kaya, Benji and Jaz who were frozen with baited breath. After a quick nod, she braced herself, heel lifted to rest just above the accelerator. The boy floating beside her seemed unfazed by the tension, merely relaxing his shoulders and leaning backwards with the slightest tilt.

She'd like to say she was unconcerned with what Ekko was doing. It shouldn't matter at all. This was her race to win. Fretting about her opponent would get her no-. Hey! What the fuck! The doors opened and Ekko was already blasting off. With a startled fluster of movement she slammed her boot into the accelerator and shot off after the Firelight. The take-off was shaky at best, but easing into an aerodynamic posture was simple enough.

The world blurred around her with the speed she had amassed, though her focus was on the jacket fluttering in the breeze, far ahead. Her eyes narrowed, determined to catch up to Ekko before he was unreachable. The heel of her boot was already aching with how hard she was pressing into the invention beneath her feet, as if more effort would somehow increase her speed.

When Ekko shot out of the tunnel entrance and into the outer wilds, she was only a few seconds behind. Leaning her body completely into the speed, she was catching up quickly. The Firelight was close enough for her to identify his stance hadn't changed. It was like the dumbass was taking a stroll through nature or something! This was a race, not some scenic escape! Why would anyone want to go slow in the wilds anyway? It was a hideous place with bubbling gas and slimy sludge coating the land.

"You keepin' up?" A taunt was heard just over the sound of wind rushing past her ears.

"Watch your ass Little Man!"

"No thanks! I'd rather you keep watching it for me." His head shifted to the side just enough to reveal his trademark smirk.

Motherfucker. She'd make sure he cried when he lost!

Before she could delve further into her own fury, a sudden gust of green gas shot out from the ground and she swerved around the geyser of fumes before it consumed her. Her balance was the key to weaving through the maze of dangerous gasses. Meanwhile, Ekko seemed to be casually maneuvering around the obstacles in her path, completely unfazed. He even seemed bored, but she had to quell her anger, knowing it was all an act to throw her off.

Sooner than she expected, the wilds were behind her, they raced towards the sewage tunnels. Ekko disappeared into the shadows and she lost sight of the boy. When the darkness of the tunnels enveloped her, she clenched her teeth and pressed harder on the board's power. The absence of light was where her demons festered. Without the ability to see well, it was as if she was all alone. The pulse of her veins throbbed faster and faster as white scribbles and taunts obscured her vision.

Eyes went wide, startled as a rounded corner was planted directly in her path. She tossed her body to the side, leaning as far as she could into the turn. The edges of her board sparked and screeched against the friction of the concrete. That was close. Too close.

She pressed into her ears, trying to block out Mylo's shrieking laughter at her near collision. Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! No good thief, running his mouth for far too long! Shut the fuck up!

"You gotta go slower in the tunnels." The Firelight's voice echoed through the depths of the tunnel ahead. "Go too fast and the board won't be able to turn quick enough."

Ekko's voice…it was like a shining beacon. A moment of reprieve away from the chaos. He was still here, still present. She held onto the sound of it, breathing at each reverberation bouncing off the walls. It…it was good to hear him.

"You still alive back there?" He asked with a hearty chuckle.

Though she still couldn't see him, she felt his guidance. She almost found herself asking him to keep talking, keep filling the darkness with a familiar sound. No. No, that was weak. There was no need to do such a thing. But, maybe she could get him to keep talking without a fear of the boy putting two and two together.

"Right behind ya!" She tried to taunt. The shakiness in her voice was barely hidden.

"I don't see you."

Good. Keep it up. Please just keep talking.

"Obviously you c-can't see me." Dammit. Did she stutter? Did he hear? "We're blind in here."

Maybe she should've understood the significance of a "homefield" advantage. Ekko probably knew these tunnels like the back of his hand. Blindness was an insignificant issue to him.

"Ready to admit you lost?" He asked, his voice continuing to reflect through the tunnels.

"Race isn't over." She growled lowly, though it was starting to feel pointless.

Another sudden turn entered her vision and with a lowered speed she was able to lean into the curve without issue. Ekko was right about navigating the tunnels, but the reduced speed was doing her no favors. If the Firelight was already ahead, the gap in distance would only increase once he got out and she'd be stuck here. All alone. No voice to steady her heart. No hope of winning this stupid race.

"You're half the person I was when I was your half age."

Pink eyes froze at the sound of her voice. Vi. Clutching to her shoulder and whispering those taunting words directly into her ear. She could almost imagine the breath of the whisper brushing against her ear. How long had it been since she heard the illusion of her sister?

She shook her head incessantly. Fuck off. Too many times in the past she'd crumble and break at the sound of her sister's voice. But she was a fake. The real deal was back at the Firelight base and the disparity between the two women was incredible. The creature in her ears was just a poorly constructed copy. There was nothing to be afraid of. Not when the real Violet was devoted to repairing whatever rift had split them apart. Years and years of separation stitched through careful understanding and love.

She'd show her ghost exactly how much those words didn't matter. Ekko too. In her rage, the only thing she could understand was that she was losing the race, losing the battle in these tunnels, but she was Jinx! Jinx didn't lose! Jinx didn't need to be afraid. Jinx didn't need to be safe. She was beyond it all. If there was anything special about her, it was time to prove it here and now!

"Sorry Ekko." She mumbled aloud, guessing the boy was even closer to the exit of this pitch black maze. "Your advice just isn't my style."

Her boot stomped onto the accelerator, rocketing forward with a sudden thrust of power in her hoverboard. The renewed speed was sending her rapidly through the tunnels, but she had to be quick before she met a disastrous end by another turn. She had to go faster, had to maneuver better, and that had everything to do with her hips. She shuffled her stance to better center herself and began rocking her hips back and forth.

The pull and shift of her own weight made the board wobble from side to side. Starting it was the hardest part. She had to use all her strength to maintain control until the board shifted beneath her. A quick glance ahead solidified her plans. A turn was coming. High risk, high reward. Exactly how she liked it.

With a speed that would leave Ekko's jaw hanging, she whipped her hips to send the board along the outer curve of the turn. She crouched on her board, tightening the center of gravity in her movement. With a nervous bit of her lower lip and a steeled resolve she rushed into the wall, swerving upwards and keeping her speed.

The hoverboard stuck to the wall, levitating just inches from the concrete as she spiraled upside down. The circular movement was forced upon her and she dare not break the loop. Blue braids fell towards the floor while blood rushed towards the tip of her head, but as quickly as her world flipped, she rode the curve of the loop back towards the ground.

"Wooooooooo!" She screamed into the air before starting another spiral. The speed of her board and the maintained angle of the loops would have her catching up to Ekko in no time. "W-woah!"

Didn't exactly account for all the dizziness involved with spiraling through the tunnels, but when the faintest outline of Ekko's jacket was visible in the dark depths, the fabric served as a perfect target to lock onto. She held her stare through the brain-rattling maneuvers until she was close enough to reach Ekko.

"Outta the way slowpoke!" She screamed in his ear as she curved up the tunnel wall once again.

For the first time in their race, she laughed at the sight of the boy flinching on his board and breaking his relaxed posture. The moment she squeezed out the lead, she had the perfect chance to stare into brown eyes. His jaw dropped as he stared at the ceiling. Her hanging braids slapped the back of his head before she finished the loop and settled into a straight shot towards a light at the end of a tunnel. Perfect timing. Absolutely perfect!

"Hey!" She heard him shout from behind, but didn't bother to reply. Instead she focused on the feeling of the speeding wind forcing her eyes to water.

The path to the bridge wasn't far. It wasn't that long ago that she and Ekko had used that very path to steal the gemstones. Or maybe it was that long ago? How much time had she spent with the Firelights at this point? Ah well. Didn't matter. The path was still in her memory.

A quick turn away from the under-city led her through a concrete valley, laughing mercilessly at her all but assured win. That's what the idiot gets for lowering his guard. Never underestimate Jinx! Another round of laughs caught in her throat the moment she spotted the tip of Ekko's board in her peripheral vision. She spun to see the boy crouched low, focused ahead with an intense expression firmly planted on his face.

"You're trying too hard!" She snapped. It was annoying!

"Race isn't over." He replied simply.

Nuh uh! Don't use her words against her! That was stupid and unfair. And the most infuriating part was that he was slowly, slowly gaining on her. He must've upgraded his board without telling her…or maybe his weight was allowing his top speed to be greater than hers. Also unfair. New project once this race was over. She'd strap an extra rocket booster to her board or something. Not that she was giving up just yet! But-. Er. It just made sense.

They entered the final stretch, the Bridge of Progress looming above from the cliffside path they entered. The platform below them was narrow, pushing them shoulder to shoulder as they climbed the ramp higher and higher. The end was just below the true structure of the bridge, and her eyes kept darting to the side, measuring the difference between the tips of the hoverboards.

A minute. No thirty seconds. Now less. The pillars underneath the bridge were so close! Her entire body lowered as far as she could manage. Every ounce of speed she could muster would make or break the finale.

Five. Four. Three…

Her tattooed arm outstretched, reaching for the metal brace. An unbelievable amount of strain caused a bead of sweat to slide down her temple. Blinking wasn't possible, not with Ekko's fingers also reaching for the finish.

Two. One.

"NO!"

"YES!"

.

.

.

She closed her eyes and took a breath to fill her lungs as her hoverboard swerved to a halt. When she opened them, pink eyes glowed with a burning fury at Ekko's hand firmly planted on the steel beam. Her own fingers settled beside them, but she saw the outcome. She saw him get there first. Bastard! No good, stuipd, cocky bastard!

The sound of his victory chuckles was like nails to a chalkboard in her ears. With a disgruntled huff, she jumped off her board and planted her feet firmly on the ground, pale arms crossed over her chest.

"You cheated." She pouted, turning her head away from the Firelight. She couldn't even look at the smug expression that was sure to be on his face.

"Woah. No need to play the blame game already. Let me enjoy this for a little while. Loser."

"Shut up."

"Maybe next time you'll have a chance to win? I could give you some more pointers."

She spun on her heel and jabbed a finger towards the idiot.

"It was close! Don't act like it wasn't!"

"Not close enough apparently."

"Fuck you." She shoved into his chest with her hands, pushing the boy onto his ass.

She didn't expect him to take hold of her wrists. Shedefinitelydidn't expect him to laugh as he fell backwards. He landed with a grunt and she followed soon after, crashing onto his chest. His chuckles vibrated his ribcage. She could feel it as she pressed against his body.

Suddenly, she couldn't really think. Her limbs were flailing against him, trying to figure out why she felt so tangled? He wasn't holding onto her anymore, just laughing and clutching his sides while she eventually pushed him away. They separated just enough to allow her to settle onto her back, both of them staring at the underside of the bridge above.

"How the hell did you go upside down back there?" He sputtered through his laughter, "You're incredible!"

She was going to yell at him to stop laughing, but…did he say she was incredible? Heh. She was, wasn't she? The dizzy loops of the tunnels were hardly easy, but she performed the feat on her first attempt. The race would've been lost had she not improvised such a tactic. Suddenly his wonderful laughter was contagious. Her shoulders shook for a moment before she couldn't contain it any longer.

She burst out in a fit of giggles, playfully pushing into his side while they continued to lay on the ground.

"I'm the best." She laughed, "Obviously."

"But you lost."

"Yeah, but I still think you cheated."

"How'd I cheat?"

"Still working that part out."

"Heh. Good luck with that."

When the bright afternoon sunlight began to lower over the horizon, warm hues of oranges and pinks glittered along the river. Tucked into the shadows, the once scorching heat of the day began to cool. After so much energy had been wasted, the shift in the climate was miraculously soothing on her pale skin and even from under the bridge, the view was incredible.

"Ooh!" She pointed outwards towards the water. "I see another one."

A passing steam boat was the center of her attention, slowly making its way through the wide river while small ripples of waves followed in its wake. If she'd been asked whether or not boat watching was a worthwhile activity to waste the day, until now she'd have believed it would be the most boring idea in the world. But when her muscles were loose and exhausted, and a silly game of imagination was played, it was surprisingly enjoyable.

"Where do you think it's going?" Ekko asked beside her.

They were both sitting on the edge of a metal platform, legs dangling over the ledge while they stared outwards towards the river.

"Hmmm." Her finger lifted to her chin in thought. Wherewasit going? What sort of funny tale could she weave this time? Ah! Got it! "They're going out into the ocean, hunting other ships for their treasure!"

"Pirates then?"

"Pirates." She nodded. Rugged, swashbuckling criminals with eyes for gold and adventure! Predators of the sea!Ugh.So cool.

"So a simple fishing boat is disguised as pirates? Doesn't seem like a well thought out plan."

"That'sexactlywhat they want you to think." She felt a wicked grin spread on her face as she continued to watch the boat drift farther and farther down the current. "They lure their enemies in close with the lack of aggression. Right when the other ships think there's nothing to worry about, BAM! Hook, line, and sinker."

"The most dangerous steam boat in the world." Ekko surmised with a small smile.

"You got it."

This was fun. Not a single regret lingered in her mind with the way they chose to spend their break from the Hextech project. Really, it was only possible because Ekko was here beside her. None of this wasted day would be nearly as exciting by herself. Sure, her ghosts were pretty good at spinning ridiculous stories of their own, but it just wasn't the same. Alone, it'd be more like, agreeing with herself? Kinda? Her demons weren't capable of nuanced reactions. But Ekko…

He laughed. He rolled his eyes. Sometimes she caught him staring at her like she was insane. Other times his stares made her feel like he was…well…not actuallylookingat her. The glimpses of warmth and tenderness within those brown eyes just didn't seem right. Like he was seeing someone entirely different. She knew herself, knew what she looked like. Whatever person had captured his attention so intensely, couldn't possibly be her. No. His adoration should only be reserved for the beautiful. Not her. That wasn't whatshewas.

But besides that, the day went by faster than she realized. Hours of conversation had slipped by as if mere minutes had passed. She was none the wiser until the sunset had finally coated the land in softer colors and the shadows cast over them from the bridge cooled. To be honest, the cold was starting to seep into her skin, another indication that too much time had been spent here.

They should be getting back soon, yet she couldn't fathom the idea of moving.

"Not as many people walking above." Ekko's words broke her distracted mind and she followed his eyes towards the bridge above.

He was right. When they first arrived, they didn't bother keeping their voices low, or hiding their presence in the shadows in an effort to avoid detection. The many citizens of Piltover and Zaun made enough noise as the bridge was flooded with travelers and merchants from both cities. Now, there was hardly any noise coming from above.

"Yeah."

Her response was simple, just an acknowledgement. Because any sane person in her shoes would suggest that their time in this place had come to an end. Danger increased exponentially with each passing second. Sooner or later a patrol of enforcers might check under the bridge. To their surprise, they'd find Piltover's most wanted criminal entertained by mundane sightseeing. But still, she didn't want to leave. Not yet.

The air was too fresh, her muscles were still sore, and the company was too rare to not enjoy the few precious moments they had. Listen to her.Precious moments?The thoughts she came up with over each passing day was a surprise in itself. What kinda sappy dork would even think about it like that? Maybe she needed to find another marvelous battle to shake the mushy emotions from her stupid brain.

"I uh…"

She turned to glance at the boy, hands clasped in his lap while he continued to stare above.

"I'm glad that you made it out."

"Made it out?" She quirked her brow upwards in confusion.

"Er…" Ekko stumbled with his words, rubbing his chin with a lifted palm as if he wasn't even sure what he was trying to say.Orthe right words just weren't coming to him easily. "I mean, I'm glad that you're okay."

"Yeah?" She replied slowly, unsure of his point. He wasn't making any sense. She was totally okay. Was there any reason to doubt that? Far as she was concerned, she felt fine. No debilitating injuries after the Dredge to account for. No breakdowns of any notable magnitude. Everything was just fine. Somehow…

"I'm not explaining it very well, am I?"

"Nope." She confirmed, "Got no clue what you're talking about."

He sighed, closing his eyes from the bridge and lowering his head. She watched his hands fidget together, constantly circling and rubbing at his skin. The inner turmoil with him was oozing off his body like a thick fog. Her lips shifted into a frown. It was frustrating. Mostly because of how distant she felt. Seeing the worry in the wrinkle of his usually smooth brow was just another reminder that she wasn't capable of understanding the depths of his emotions. Or anyone's for that matter.

It was times like these, that she never felt more different. Ekko was right beside her, sorting through whatever mysterious emotions were trapped within his heart and just theideaof reaching out, attempting to connect to that part of him, felt pointless. How could she possibly understand without his explicit words? In that same vein, she didn't expect him to understand her either. Nobody could.

Somewhere deep inside, she could feel herself wishing, hoping that whatever thick glass box kept her from the pulse of the people she cared about would shatter in one single, life-changing moment. But wishes were for children and that elusive moment was a silly dream.

"What you did that night." Ekko started again and her focus was completely ensnared by his words. "I think about it sometimes, about what happened."

Pink eyes lifted towards the concrete and metal above. That night. Then he was talking about their fight. The battle for the gemstone that ended in catastrophe.

"I think about what youwantedto have happen." He uttered the words as if he felt physical pain.

Her heart was pounding in her chest, unsure if the night of agony would worm its way into her thoughts. He was talking about when she pulled the pin. She should've never revealed what her intentions were that night she lost all hope for her future. It felt like he had a key to a lockbox that was never meant to be opened again. A key that she had no control over.

"I don't want to talk about it." Her voice dropped to a whisper as her head lowered in shame and uneasy tension.

"I know. I-." Ekko paused, shaking his head as if to wipe away the pain spreading between them both. "Sorry."

"It was stupid." She murmured.

"So you never-?"

"-Have those thoughts anymore?" Jinx finished his sentence for him. It was easy enough to guess. She shrugged. When the weight of their conversation was so heavy, it was all she could do to ease his worries. Though shrugging away the question didn't satisfy her the way she anticipated. "Not really."

"That's good…"

"I guess." She winced at her response. Anything else would have been better. Why couldn't she just settle the Firelight's fears and spin the conversation into another round of insulting banter? That would've been better. It would have lifted their dull spirits in an instant.

Maybe her devotion to the truth was too strong. Maybe whatever lies or act that she wanted to play were smothered by a deeper, indescribable yearning to present who she was, who shereallywas. Funny…when Ekko had sneered in her face while she was imprisoned in the Council tower he'd told her something she vehemently rejected. A scared little girl, that can't do anything right. She'd admit it. In the worst of times, that'sexactlywhat she was. Desperation to prove otherwise only solidified that inescapable dread.

Did the boy have any idea how deep his words pierced back then? Or does he believe them to be what they were in the heat of the moment, nothing but harsh insults to accompany a fractured bond?

"It's good that you're alive Jinx." He replied with a frown marring his face, clearly disturbed by her lack of confidence. "It's a good thing."

"I know."

She's heard that a few times before, saw those words in the way Violet and Caitlyn looked at her too. It was also something that seemed self-evident. Though when your soul is as broken as her own, self-evident was just a piece of the puzzle. A piece that couldn't be trusted. A lie that could be used to bandage the shards of her heart together, just long enough to keep breathing, keep moving forward. Itworked.

But…

Sometimes she found herself wondering where the next piece was? How long would she have to wait to feel whole again? Time was already taking its slow, yet inevitable toll.

She didn't even hear herself sigh heavily, only feeling it after as the air in her lungs expelled through her lips. An automatic attempt to survive against the insurmountable uncertainty. Her palms pressed flat into the metal floor beside her hips, bracing her body to hide subtle tremors.

"I'm really happy you're okay." Ekko whispered, his voice warm and filled with affection. She shivered as she heard him speak. But…

If he thought his words would be enough, he'd be disappointed. It wasn't enough. Relief was a fleeting sensation, reserved only for those that feel safe. Safe from the world, from their enemies, from their friends and family, even from themselves. She had no such luxury and no way to take pride in making him happy that she was okay.

His words aren't enough. Nobody's, not even her own, were truly, completely, enough.

It was fine though. Shecouldbe happy. In fact, she was just the other night as she drank with the Firelights after their successful mission. Just had to do more of that. More victories, more parties, more friends close by. While the war inside her would never end until death, she could manage her best. Find bright spots to hold tighter, praying that her next step would be forward, not backward.

Then his hand brushed against her own. She stilled at the contact of his fingers sliding across her skin before resting over the top of hers. He was warm. Maybe even more warm than the words he uttered just a few seconds before.

"Ekko." Her tone was confusing to her ears. She didn't know if it was meant as a question or a warning.

Even more concerning were the thoughts in her head, amplified by the demons chattering inside. Was this what friends did? What if it wasn't? Frustratingly, she still couldn't stop the voices from questioning everything. Was he intentionally doing this? Worse, was he trying to tighten his control over her so he'd have a weapon to fight his war for the under-city?

She hated that last question. It made her feel like a skittish prey, soon to be eaten by a merciless predator.

"I-I'm not trying to be weird." He stuttered his words, apparently equally aware of his actions and how she was struggling to interpret them. "I promise. It's got nothing to do with how I feel, I…"

Go on. Say it then. She longed to hear his explanation. The murky emotions were too unclear, too confusing to understand. Couldn't he see just how uncomfortable she was without understanding? What did he want? What didshewant? Just tell her!

"I'm here for you." Ekko finished with a sigh that forced his shoulders to slump. Almost as if just getting them out into the open air was difficult enough. "If you ever feel that way again…tell me?"

"Why?"

"Because I want to help."

"What if you can't?"

That was the hardest part. She wasn't confident enough in him,inherself, to know that she'd be alright. Patching up the holes in her heart, soothing the pain and fear of the past, strengthening her resolve to look far into the future and dream again, all of it was too much for one person to bear.

"I can try."

As he spoke those words he squeezed his hand over top hers, pressing into her pale skin with a comforting pressure that stole a portion of her breath away. She didn't expect that answer. It was genuine, honest, nothing like the blind confidence she was waiting for. He didn't say he could fix her. Didn't promise that things will get better. Those other responses were blatant lies standing atop foolish naivety. But saying that he can try…that he wants to help…it meant the world.

"I-." She choked on her own voice, fighting against the building sob in her throat. She wouldn't let herself break like this. There had to be someplace to draw the line between leaning on Ekko and standing up on her own two feet. She'd start the line here then, holding back the emotions that threatened to consume her. Because she was strong too. "I'd like that."

Her wrist turned, slipping around his hand and stitching their digits together. She could feel his pulse racing as she tightened her hold. Pink eyes stared at the connection curiously, watching as each silent second passed, testing the feeling of her hand within his. He was larger than her and his skin contrasted against the paleness of her own. The surface of his palm was more rugged too, certainly the experienced difference between wielding a metal club or the handle of a gun. Each little observation was noted, until he squeezed her back.

Her eyes flashed upwards to stare into his. Compared to the last time she held his hand, this was already different. It felt…natural, or as close as it could be. Beyond that, there was one other realization. It felt good. It felt…right. It felt…wanted.

She never understood what it meant before, to be wanted. Not like this. Surely Ekko wouldn't want her after learning so much. Not just the conversation of the evening, but before that. She was dangerous, reckless, had voices in her head that told her to do bad things. Despite it all, she found her heart lurching in her chest, craving-. No,starvingat the chance to be wanted. Did he really like her? It wasn't just some stupid lapse in judgement? What did he see when he looked at her? What did he feel when they touched like this?

"Why do you like me?" She couldn't help but wonder aloud as she stared into his wonderful brown eyes.

"Why do I like you?" He repeated as a question. She could only nod her head once and his eyes averted, breaking their connected stare. "Do I need a reason?"

Yes. Yes you do. Because without a reason I just don't believe you. I don't believe anyone. And if he was playing a game with her heart, forcing her to confront a part of herself that had been so deliberately ignored until now, she needed a reason.

"Please?" Her vulnerability was impossible to conceal. Wide eyes lined with the lightest sheen of tears, lips that trembled ever so slightly, she even pulled her other hand from her side to clasp them both around his own.

His eyes returned to hers.

"Because you get under my skin."

Huh? No. That wasn't-.

"Because I feel like you see so much more than everyone else."

Was he complimenting her insanity? The ability to see her ghosts? That's not it eithe-.

"You know me better than anyone. You know when I'm struggling or overwhelmed."

Oh.That'swhat he meant.

"Because I wish that I could be as brave as you, leaping into the under-city without a second thought."

"I would call that reckless." She added, because that's all everyone said after they'd learned what she'd done. He didn't stop at her pointed remark.

"Because I've seen you grow into someone worth saving."

Um-. He leaned closer. With each word spoken, another inch was closed between them. She clenched her eyes shut, unable to handle what would happen if she kept them open. It was too much. This was too much! The soft bump of his forehead pressed against her own was enough to cause her to blink, opening her glowing eyes to stare into Ekko's. He was close, close enough to feel his breath on her lips. And she hadn't even realized that her hands slipped from their hold and instead gripped his jacket on either side of his chest. She could keep him there. Keep him still, push him back…or pull him closer.

She decided to keep him still, right where he was.

"Because at the end of the day, when I'm frustrated and tired and can't think straight, I still want to find you and make sure you're okay."

"Youdocheck on me a lot." She was scared to raise her voice any higher with them being so close. She followed her words with an awkward chuckle, "It's kinda creepy."

"Sorry."

His silken voice made her shiver, like little tingles crawling up her spine. It was also hard to know whether to groan at the smirk on his lips or laugh. His apology didn't seem very genuine. Not one bit. Dork.

Silence slipped between the small space that remained between their lips. She didn't know what she expected from her question. Shallow compliments? Deep, mushy forms of praise that could only be uttered by a crafty thief looking to persuade their way out of trouble? Maybe something in between?

Dammit.

She'd have to accept that his reasons were enough. Judging such words by the merit of their value was impossible. Were those good reasons? Were they terrible? I guess if they were pleasant to her ear, then that was something of note, right? There was one thing he didn't say though. Something that she'd hoped wouldn't have to be uttered, but his silence remained so…

Fuck it. Shame, embarrassment, here I come.

"Am I…" She paused, flustered and already feeling her pale cheeks redden,"...Pretty?"

Ekko blinked. Then he blinked again. A few seconds passed before anger began brewing from within. If he didn't stop looking at her with that perplexed, dumb face of his, she'd throw him into the river below! Just say something already!

Suddenly he leaned back, creating some distance between them as he began shaking. Her brow furrowed, confused by his actions before his laughter burst into the air like a siren.

"Are you serious?" Ekko continued to chuckle.

"Yes!" She snapped angrily. What a giant dick! She just wanted to know! Did he really have to laugh? All it was doing was making the situation more painful!

"You want to know if you're pretty?"

"Yes!" She growled. What was so hard to understand about that? "Am I pretty? Like Caitlyn?"

His laughter paused the moment he heard the top-siders name. Of course, she didn't know who else to compare to. When she shared a bath with the officer, all she could remember was the floating thoughts of jealousy. Caitlyn was tall, she had curves and unblemished, healthy looking skin. Cait was caring and gentle and soft and…well,shewasn't. She was the opposite of those things!

"Jinx-."

"Look!" She interrupted, "I get it. I'm not some pampered little top-sider that gets beauty sleep every night. I have eyes too, you know. Someone might look at me and think I'm starving. I don't know what it's like to have tits either! All my life people look at me like I'm a freak. So just laugh it up at the uggo, insane little girl that's curious whether or not she's an eye sore."

She crossed her arms over her chest and spun in her seat to face away from the Firelight. Actually. Maybe it was time to leave. She was just about sick of sitting here and wasting the day. The sun had already set and it was a decent ride back to the hideout. She quickly got up from the floor and stood, ready to grab her hoverboard.

"I only laughed because I thought you were joking."

She froze in place at his voice behind her. A curious glance was sent behind, watching as he stood up after her.

"Jinx." Ekko lingered on her name softly. "You're beautiful."

"...I am?"

"Yes. Fuck. You are. I'd say it a thousand times if I have to."

She clutched her arms to her chest, feeling a newfound swirl of butterflies mixing in her stomach.

"One more time would be fine." She mumbled, still unable to face him as he spoke.

"You. Are. Beautiful." He enunciated each word, forcing them into her head as if to annihilate any doubt.

"…"

"..."

She was beautiful? She'd never ever heard that word be used to describe her. Not one person in all of the under-city had mentioned such a thing. T-that was. Shit. She rubbed at her eyes angrily, thankful the boy had been behind her and unable to see her faltering expression. No tears! None! It was just a word. Just a stupid word.

"Jinx?"

She breathed in deeply, clearing the nerves and weakness in her scrambled thoughts. When she exhaled, her voice carried another request.

"One more time? Again?"

She technically said that she only needed to hear it twice, but there was an addiction that she couldn't fight. If she was beautiful, and had all those wonderfully strange qualities that Ekko liked, then she was wanted, right?

She heard him take a few steps from behind before she felt his arms snake around her frame and pull her back into his chest. She leaned into the hold, feeling him press against her snuggly as his lips leaned into her hair. His next words were muffled by the blue strands.

"You're beautiful."

Yes. She was sure now. Feeling him wrapped around her, hearing the adoration in his calming voice. The flutter in her heart and the heat of her skin further confirmed her suspicions. This was what it was like…This was what it was like to feel wanted. It was beautiful. Just like her.

Her thoughts shifted to consider what to do next. They could leave now, but…would they have another moment together like this? Would the little world they escaped off to in their adventurous race crumble the moment she stepped back in that base? Would Ekko be embarrassed to admit his feelings to the Firelights? Would this budding relationship be squashed in an effort to hide?

So many questions. Too many questions.

None of it mattered. It shouldn't matter. If she understood what her heart was telling her, racing in her ribcage with each passing second, then…

She spun in her heels and faced Ekko. His arms loosened just enough for her to slide against him and her eyes were planted on his before falling to his lips. It shouldn't be too hard, right? Just a quick touch, enough to feel it out, right? Right!?

UGH! What was she nervous about!? Just-.

"I got back a letter from Tedrick this morning."

"Oh? How's he doing abroad?"

No!

Their eyes went wide, alerted by the sound of two officers heading down the stairs that led upwards to the bridge. She spun her head to see two bright beams from the top-sider's flashlights and the clank of their boots against the metal surface. No. Worst timing ever! No!

"C'mon." Ekko urgently rushed, breaking his embrace over her and grabbing the two hoverboards leaning against the walls.

They didn't have much time at all, forced to activate the boards and leap into the air at the same time. The rush of the wind blocked out most of the noise, yet she could still faintly hear the sounds of the men yelling to stop. She didn't have any taunts to shout back or insulting gestures to make towards the enforcers.

All she could do was stare at Ekko who matched her speed, a frustrated frown upon his lips, identical to her own.

The ride back to the Firelight base was slow, far from the intense speed of their race out.

Despite the awkward tension still drifting between herself and Ekko, it was relieving to know that he was close as they entered the darkened tunnels. The green glow beneath her feet was only bolstered by Ekko's board beside her. And…

There wasn't anything to say.

Nothing.

Shewantedto say something.Anything!A few times she'd also seen Ekko open his mouth, only to close back up after a few seconds of nothing. They were just stuck, lost, and she had no idea how to recover the moment. So they just continued hovering towards the hideout.

She had it. An opportunity to take a step forward. A safe few moments were she could throw her doubts and fears to the side. Maybe it was for the best. It seemed even harder than before to convince herself that it was a good idea. There was more danger in opening herself to Ekko than she realized. Too many things could go wrong.

What if it wasn't what she expected? What if it wasn't what Ekko expected? Her heart would be shattered by her own stupidity for trusting someone so strongly.

But…

What if it wasn't a bad idea? What if it worked out?

She curiously glanced towards Ekko, still silent and staring ahead towards the upcoming exit. The moonlight, while not as bright as the sun, still shined as a beacon to mark the end of the tunnels. That left a quick journey through the wilds until they were back. It would be if nothing ever happened outside those giant walls.

There was still time though…

No. She shook her head. It wasn't right. Ekko wasn't saying anything and it didn't look like he had any intention todosomething either. Then that was it. Simple.

"..."

"..."

But why the hell did she needEkkoto do something? Such a shitty excuse! Cowardly! If Jinx wanted something, dammit, she'd get it! It wasn't her fault those damned enforcers had to ruin everything, but if she left it at that, wouldn't it be her fault too? No. Ekko was to blame! Jerk! Idiot! Take a hint!

UGH!

Okay. Okay. She could think of a plan. She could fix it.

No. It's still a bad idea. Too risky.

Shut up!

Youshut up!

Her internal argument spiraled, warring with her own thoughts as the end of the tunnel neared closer and closer. Why did it feel like time was running out!?

"Arghhh!" She shouted aloud, startling the boy hovering beside her.

"What's wro-?"

"Screw it!"

She crouched on her board before pouncing into the air. Her arms wrapped around Ekko's midsection, tackling him off his board and slamming him onto the ground. The hoverboards clattered and clashed together before falling to the ground but she didn't spare them a single glance.

"Ow, what the hell!?" Ekko snapped only to freeze beneath her.

Her fingers firmly gripped his jacket, a frustrated, anger scowl on her face. Pink eyes glowed in the darkness of the tunnels, though they were close enough to the exit to just barely be bathed in the gentle moonlight. Her breath was coming and going in rapid succession. Whether that was due to the effort in her tackle or the nervousness pooling in her belly, she didn't know. It didn't matter anyway.

"Shut up and kiss me!"

"Jin-!"

Though her command demanded action on his part, she threw herself into him, holding onto his clothes so tightly that her knuckles were sure to be white from the strain. All thoughts expelled from her mind as she clumsily plunged into uncertainty.

Her lips slammed into his, teeth crashing together with reckless abandon. She craned her neck, searching for the right feeling as she tasted him. As their lips fumbled against one another, she struggled to breathe. A gasp was all she could manage against his open mouth before dipping back into the searing kiss.

Should she be breathing through her nose? It was hard with how frequently she bumped into him. There just wasn't a way to position herself against him comfortably, but did that matter? The sensation of his lips was too distracting, too new. An inconsistent pace of questioning and searching was set in her movements as her lips roughly pressed into the soft plumpness that connected them.

In a split second, he breathed into her, filling the heated cavern of her mouth with more curiosity and a chance to better improve the passionate kiss as her tongue slipped deeper. The warmth and wetness that coated her tongue was strange. Tasting Ekko, brought a curious flavor to her mind. She'd never experienced such a subtle, almost non-existent, tang that could only be used to describe a person and nothing else. Was she supposed to enjoy him? Wasn't it supposed to taste sweeter? Like a dessert that could be savored? That wasn't what it tasted like at all.

When she couldn't juggle the hasty collision of their lips and breathe, she pulled away. The parted space between them was burning from panted breaths and she opened her eyes to stare at the disheveled appearance of the boy she pinned to the floor. They continued to breathe, staring at one another until she lifted her arm and wiped the saliva from her lips with the brush of her hand.

That…was a kiss? Where were the fireworks she'd been told about? The sparkles and glitter? Where was the addiction? For all the nervousness she held inside, imagining this moment as if she were leaping off a cliff, it was hardly spectacular. It didn't feel special at all.

The disappointment soon bubbled into something far worse inside her chest. Shit. It was a mistake, wasn't it? Her heart ached at the realization. That was exactly what she was afraid of. Capturing Ekko in a heated kiss, forcing her lips to melt against his own…it was just…okay. Nothing but the flutter of lips, wrestling of tongues and spit. It was as real as it sounded, but nothing greater. No explosion of love. No desire. Just...a kiss. Her imagination could produce an experience far more enticing.

She thought it'd be different, special…All the stories she heard, all the times she witnessed two people going at it like rabid animals in the alleys of the Lanes, it looked like kissing could've been a drug in its own right. What a bunch of lies. Or maybe, she was justtoodifferent.

It'd been a while since reality truly let her down, but she should've seen it coming.

"What wasthat?"

Jinx clenched her eyes shut to avoid staring at Ekko, his off putting words only digging deeper into the insecurity. He didn't enjoy it either, huh? What did that mean? Were they done? Giving up? If that was the case, she'd prefer to stay in the tunnels a while longer by herself. She didn't want to be in his company after such a horrendous end.

"Sorry." She mumbled sadly.

"Idiot." He replied, though the tone in his voice was hardly insulting. It was a quiet whisper, coated with a gentleness that brushed against her fragile state. "For once in your life, try to take it slow."

Before she could understand what he meant, Ekko's arms had wrapped around her, guiding her back into his chest. Pink eyes opened wide, immediately taking notice of how close he was. His lips were parted ever so slightly and his eyes lowered. She blinked. Then she noticed his hands that had splayed over the small of her back slowly snaking their way along her body.

Her breath hitched as the pads of his fingers smoothed over her pale skin. One hand climbed even higher, tangling his fingers in her hair and gently nudging her to lower once more. The other hand pulled to her side, holding just above her hip. His touch was like fire and she helpless as she dipped back into his lips.

This time, just before she'd made contact, he pressed into her, capturing her lips so delicately that she released an involuntary gasp. Her eyes, once intent on watching the boy, had fluttered against her will. When he moved against her, cradling her head and holding her tight, she could focus on every subtle shift. He was slow with his lips, careful yet earnest. A stark difference from when she'd tried to capture a kiss like a wild animal. He was as soft as rain, teasing her with a delicious kiss that lingered just long enough to make her yearn for more. His wetted lips smoothed against hers with a passion she could taste. Still not sweet, but really, she had no words to describe what he was doing to her.

The feeling was completely different than before.

She wanted to chase after him when his lips lifted from hers and return to the comfort she'd been granted. Luckily, he was back before she could miss him for too long. A sudden surge of his lips caught her in the midst of taking a breath, wrenching open her mouth as if all she needed to breathe washim. A sound she hadn't meant to produce whined in her throat. A whimper in response to the way his nails pressed into her scalp and into her side.

Her heart felt like it was being squeezed inside her chest. Her abdomen tightened in a way that made her shudder in delight. He attempted to keep her still while his tongue brushed against hers. His fingers were tightening in their positions, focing a deeper and deeper union. Each passing second, she could feel his nails digging into the soft side of her exposed stomach, as if he was worried about an escape.

Yeah right.

Another groan came from her smothered mouth, wishing that he pulled on her side even harder. It wasn't hurting yet, but-. Fuck. Shewantedit to hurt. Wanted to feel his overwhelming desire meld with the pain because she'd never known love quite like this. Harder. More.Please. Her chaotic mind was delirious from the feeling. It was so hard to think, so hard to remember the feeling of his tongue exploring her like there were secrets to be found.

When he pulled away once more, she was certain it was over. His hold on her had loosened and she could feel his body lean away from under her. When she could breathe again, it was like all her strength had been sucked from her soul. Her forehead dipped to rest upon Ekko's, eyes still shut while she recovered from the kiss that ignited her from within.

"Was that better?" He asked carefully.

She smiled, unable to offer anything more than a few breathy chuckles. Her tongue was swiping at her lips in order to clean them and remember the moment that had flipped her tummy upside down.

Again. She wanted to do it again and again and again. She could feel herself glowing from within, trapped by the allure of feeling his lips against her once more. The relief in knowing that she was able to feel his affection, embrace it and find serenity in his kiss was making her heart burst in joy. She wasn't broken or disconnected from it at all. No. She might've just been too rambunctious in her first attempt. Too worried about the mechanics instead of soaking into whatever came naturally. But the kiss that followed…

Fuck it was good.Betterthan good.

So when she felt like her muscles were no longer made of jelly and she could open her eyes to offer the Firelight a brightened smile, it was just so easy to tease him.

"Maybe." She replied with a giggle.

"Youknowit was better than whatever the hell you tried to do."

"Could we try again? You know, to compare?"

"Do you even have to ask?"

She slid down his body to hover above his lips. Twin smirks spread across their faces before her eyelids fluttered once more. She couldn't help it. They just had to kiss some more. Let the Violet, Cait, and the Firelights be worried about how long they'd been outside the walls.

There was still plenty of time for themselves.

Notes:

Annnnd that's the chapter!

I'm squealing. Are you squealing?

At long last this fic can actually be called a TImeBomb fic XD. It's taken a long time to get Jinx and Ekko to where they are. I hope that you approve of how things have developed. If you have any thoughts at all about the ending of this chapter, please let me know in the comments! I do want to improve however I can so if something didn't feel right, or it felt spectacular, I wanna know! There were a few fake out moments, and for a long time before writing this chapter, I often wondered how exactly I'd handle the moment. How would they do it? Who would make the first move? I feel like it was exactly how it would go given their personalities. Jinx especially becoming increasingly frustrated and taking matters into her own hands, only to kinda screw it up because she's like a damn tornado and doesn't know what she's doing at all. Ekko just has to give them a do-over, right? Ah...I'm a bit nervous how I described it though. I hope that it reads well.

And before that ending, I really had a lot of fun and big feels when they were under the bridge. We get to see a bit more of Jinx's struggle with connecting to others and how her depression isn't really gone. My poor baby :(

The race I had in this chapter was also something that I had thought of in my head since chapter 3. Silly me thinking it would be written by chapter 14 or something, I had no idea just how long it would take me to get Ekko and Jinx ready for it. I had a very vivid idea of how it would play out, especially if you link it to this song: https/watch?v=YDX6zNxXCiA which I think is the perfect song for Ekko and Jinx to have a competition. It literally is the reason why that race exists. Try to give it a listen, I wonder if you can imagine it well too?

And drunk Jinx and Vi. Ugh. I loved writing that scene. For those of you that want to see more Vi moments, and those of you that want to see more Caitlyn moments, don't worry! There's a ton of scenes planned in the coming chapters that I think are gonna be so great to read and continue on Jinx's journey. Maybe we get to see Viktor soon too...

God there's so much to talk about. I didn't even mention the Z-drive yet. It's been a long hinted at development. For any readers not invested in League but still love Arcane, it might be strange or a surprise to know that Ekko is themed around "Time Manipulation". I hope to keep that part of the story grounded, explaining things in a way that fits Arcane and also do my best to weave in the League lore. That said, how it will eventually work probably won't be as similar to the game. I want to make it as easy to read for those that don't really know about it, while also giving you league fans more fun references. So there's another little plot in development.

Okay, last bit I swear, The My Boy Savior Fanart Contest was an awesome success! We got so many talented artists submitting their work and I wanted to share with all of you. The winners were posted on my twitter elsanndra, but if you want to see the entire Gallery that was set up (Which you totally should if you haven't) you can go to: The link to the gallery is active.

Please leave a kudos if you can. I can't wait to read your comments. I really wanted to find time to reply on the last chapters but with this chapter being written, and the contest wrapping up, I just couldn't find the energy. I'm very sorry about that. BUT this is the biggest chapter I've ever released (litteraly and figuratively) so you can bet your booty that I'm going to be deep in the comments section to have a discussion with you all. Can't wait to see your responses 3

Until next time!

Chapter 31: Nightmares of the Past

Notes:

Hello my awaiting readers! I'm back with another chapter! :D It's been another long break since the last chapter. So sorry about my inconsistent schedule, but I was severely sick after posting the last chapter. Knocked out for an entire week and then some. It really sucked. BUT, after recovering and catching up on life, I'm proud to bring y'all a new chapter to enjoy!

I say enjoy...and you might...but my warning to you all is that this chapter is intense. I'm very serious. I startled myself with what I wrote in some sections and I hope that all of it was treaded appropriately.

[Content warning: Graphic depictions of torture, Suicide ideation, PTSD, depression, and panic attacks.

I hope the above warnings don't effect the way you feel about this fic negatively. Please enjoy!

(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)

Chapter Text

The world was a blur when she returned to the Firelight base, though it was mostly her fault. A single moment had passed when her boots touched the dirt before she was sprinting towards her room. It wasn't hard to guess Ekko was confused at the sudden parting. Her more rational side argued that it made no sense to run from the boy she'd just locked lips with.

But those same rational thoughts were much quieter than the insanity that dreaded the inevitable awkwardness of a goodbye.

Mere seconds in his presence were already feeling like too much.Evenjust returning from their adventure, the few minutes of content silence was incredibly bothersome. Her entire being was vibrating with anxious tension, wondering if everyone felt like this after their first kiss. How could she possibly sort out all the exuberant, gooey feelings in her chest and not make a fool out of herself by his side? Running away just seemed like the best option. No goodbyes. No worries. For now…God…She really wasn't normal, was she?

Maybe she fucked it all up already.

The regret of her actions didn't linger. Not by the time she made it to her room and slammed the door shut, only to leap and crash face first into the creaky, old cot that she called a bed. Smooshed against her pillow, she'd like to think her blushing cheeks were slowly being smothered in the soft material, but her racing heart disproved that immediately.

So much energy. Bundles of it rushing through her limbs. Her legs kicked up and down rapidly against her bed, almost like an involuntary attempt to dispel everything within. She'd always been good with chaotic thoughts, but this felt entirely different. Memories of his lips, his hands on her skin, and her erratic pulse flashed through her mind. Little bits and pieces that continued to replay and replace each other. She couldn't even complete a thought, just continuously moving on, remembering, cherishing, then questioning it all.

Did it feel as good as she remembered? Did Ekko enjoy it as much as she did? Would their next kisses be just like that? Oh god- NEXT kisses?!

She released a muffled groan into the pillow, both irritated that her thoughts had been hijacked by the shift in her relationship and longing for the next time she'd feel him again. Her head and heart seemed to work together, tangling and harmonizing with each other in a way that was scary.

Scary because she knew with absolute certainty that she couldn't unravel the jumbled dreams. Not about this. There were many times she had the opportunity to choose between her thoughts and her heart, practically everyday she made dozens of those choices. So feeling her entire being aligned, bursting with joy over the idea of Ekko holding her again, tightening his grip on her andwantingher, was almost too much.

Maybe it was how fast it all felt. For years she'd been alone, trusting only herself and guided by Silco's distant ambitions. Ekko was an enemy then. For a long while after, he still played that role. But somewhere along the way, she slipped. Her guard was broken in what felt like an instant and now her heart was in the hands of someone else.

And her traitorous soul wascelebrating! What the hell?!

She rolled to her back, forearm placed atop her forehead while she stared at the ceiling of metal pipes. Another flicker of their kiss teased her mind and in a losing battle of wills, her lips pulled into a smile.

It felt good. Really,reallygood. Better than when she finished building Fishbones…and that was saying something! Though Fishbones had been for someone else, created out of a request that she was tentative to fulfill. Of course she loved the launcher, poured blood, sweat and tears into making him.

But this was different.

She wanted this, initiated it out of her own volition. She pounced on the Firelight and kissed him like there was no tomorrow. Her arm on her head lowered to shield her eyes, a poor attempt to block the flourishing embarrassment behind recalling that first kiss. It really was a mess. A clumsy, stupid mess. She was quite thankful Ekko had shown her how to do it better, because the kisses after were divine.

An intrusive, unwanted thought questioned whether or not making out with someonealwaysfelt like that. Could she kiss others and feel the same? The second the question entered her mind, she knew the answer. An icky, hollow sensation filled her belly at the thought of anyone else's lips on her own. Shame might've been the most appropriate response to her pondering if it hadn't been so repulsive.

No. Ekko was special. Theirbondwas special. If it wasn't that, then why did her heart soar for him? It seemed self-evident the more she thought about it. Few people in this twisted world were able to be called her friends. She could count those individuals with a single hand. And just now, just an hour earlier, Ekko had somehow found a little crack in her defenses and wiggled his way towards something she didn't even fully understand. There was a special place in her heart now, carved out for one specific person.

Ekko better be grateful, dammit.

A little giggle escaped her before she realized the elated feeling in her chest wasn't going away. Had she not experienced the lowest this world had to offer, she might've been naive enough to think this bubbly feeling would last forever. But that didn't matter, not really. Because her happiness was already lasting longer than ever before. So it was wonderful to hold onto the feeling, coveting it like a sacred treasure.

She released a breathy sigh as she settled onto her back. So much had happened and there was so much to be excited about. The future was brighter than she could've ever possibly anticipated and knowing that, she eagerly closed her eyes.

Maybe her dreams would let her relive that moment once more. Better yet, she giggled, maybe she could imaginemore.

Pink eyes snapped open in the dark.

Immediately she knew in her heart that she was in danger.

Her breath was hot in the air while her chest was heaving in panic. Where? Where was she? Strange wasn't quite apt enough to describe the sensation of impending doom that had taken hold before she could even piece together the environment.

W-what's happening?

Pupils constricted, hastily searching for answers in the darkness that surrounded her. Her pale skin was lined with a sheen of chilling sweat, a side effect of the burning aches in her body. The raw, piercing cold at her back gave no relief to the heat radiating from within.

"Ekko?" She gasped aloud, "Vi?"

Vocal cords quivered in uncertainty. Again, it was the impending doom, the feeling of something greater than death lurking in the shadows. She tried to lift her arms, only to feel her body struggle helplessly against leather restraints. Her legs encountered the same peril, strapped tightly to a cold, lifeless metal table.

"No." Her heart dropped, "No, no, no, no, no."

This wasn't happening. It wasn't! As her consciousness grew increasingly alert to the situation, familiarity started to settle in her mind. Her teeth chattered behind trembling lips while she continued to writhe and thrash with her bound limbs. Eyelids clenched tightly, aching in their sockets. This wasn't real. It wasn't real. Nothing but a nightmare.

Just a nightmare.

When she craned her neck upwards to get a better view of her trapped body, a pair of hands gripped her at her temples and slammed the back of her skull back onto the metal slab. It created a sharp sound that reverberated through the room.

"Ah, ah, ah." A disgustingly amused voice rasped in the dark. "You need to be still."

Why was it so real? Why did it feel like reality? I'm scared. Stop. I-I-I want to go home. What awaited her was nothing but her mind playing tricks. She tried her best to remember that, but fear was powerful and potent, coating the very fabric of her subconscious. Her own understanding was not enough to break whatever spell had trapped her mind. Every muscle in her body strained, every vein pumping her blood with increasing pace, and sweat continued to ooze over her shaking skin.

There are things worse than death…And the feeling of torture had left it's permanent scar on her soul.

"Don't." She gasped, already feeling the burning sting of tears in the corners of her eyes. The lump in her throat bubbled and bobbed as she pleaded to a monster. A true monster. "Don't do this!Please!"

"Shhhh." The voice whispered gleefully and it sounded like its owner was everywhere, surrounding her. "You need to be still. So I can make you better."

Her eyes lifted to see hands place a long leather strap over the center of her forehead. No matter how much she struggled, her head was rooted to the table, unable to resist in any meaningful way.

"Stop it! Stop it!" She nearly screamed into the empty void before screaming until her throat felt raw. "Ekko! Ekko! Help me! Vi! Caitlyn! Anyone!"

Why now? Why did this nightmare return? She'd lived so long in bliss, forcing the trauma into the depths of her heart. It was supposed to be contained! Was it the bridge that had triggered such a horrid response? Or was her efforts to quell her agony always in vain? Happiness and terror. Oil and water. Helpless to resist the inevitable pendulum that would swing her back from bliss and into the abyss.

"Typically the first injection is always the most difficult." Her eyes snapped to the large needle gleaming in the darkness. The glowing purple liquid pooling behind it was enough to break her, forcing her tears to stream down her cheeks and leaving a burning path in their wake. "I wish I could say that is the case here…"

"Please." She blubbered, shaking her head with what little movement was possible while strapped down, "Please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please don't!"

"This is for your survival."

I don't want it. Not like this. This wasn't a saving grace, nor a chance to survive. Lies. The man spoke lies. She would rather die than to experience it again. Even in her wildest panic, she was quick enough to know what needed to be done. A swift, deliberate bite of her tongue, deep enough to choke her with her own blood. That was the only way. That was the only-

Before she could even bite, her mouth was smothered by cloth. The fabric pushed deep into the cavern of her mouth and muffled her screams while she gagged against it. Her body convulsed, unsure of how to get air into her desperate lungs through just her nostrils. Wide eyes continued to stare in horror at the needle that neared her forearm.

No. No! NO!

The piercing sting slipped into her skin and her body lifted from the table with everything she had. It wasn't enough to break the restraints. It wasn't enough to fight against the shimmer being pushed into her with an apathetic, clinical intent. Her vision blurred, in part from her tears that continued to flood alongside her choked cries, but also from the shimmer that began forcing itself through her veins.

Like molten lava under her skin, the drug blazed through her, ravaging her insides. It felt like she was being melted from the inside, boiling in her own blood. Fear continued to pound in her heart. Like a feral animal, she thrashed in her restraints, only what was once an attempt to escape was now an involuntary reaction to such a vile poison eroding her humanity.

Another needle hovered just over her belly. She shook her head rapidly, unable to even beg for death before she felt the tool stab into her gut. Her very core was crumbling, organs felt like they were bleeding acid while her stomach was hollowed. Every minute, every second, she sobbed while her body died. Decay and disease spread through her like wildfire and she was helpless, only able to clench her teeth in the gag and scream.

"The largest vein is in your neck." The voice spoke aloud, still mysterious in its origin. "Try to bear through it."

Stop! STOP! I can't take it! Make it stop!

Another needle, another denial of her will. Shimmer continued to be pumped into her. The cloth that gagged her was forced from her mouth as purple liquid rose up in her mouth, pooling like bile before bursting like a bubble. Splatters of the drug soared into the air as she choked and gurgled on the foul taste.

"Try not to move. You made me miss the vein."

Hands suddenly forced her head to the side, painfully twisting her neck while another needle entered her. This time fully sheathed in her artery and drowned her system in more liquid fire. Why wasn't she able to wake? Why did she have to feel every stab, every droplet of poison killing her body as fresh as the night she experienced months ago?

"St-augh-op!" She begged while another surge of shimmer traveled up her throat and spilled out of the corners of her lips. The whites of her teeth were stained purple now, and her neck felt like it had all but melted into a chemical mess.

The shimmer continued to find every nook and crevice inside and overwhelm her senses. Her tears now stung with an even more agonizing intensity as they began leaking purple. In the depths of her eyes, she could feel the blood vessels pop and burst, blinding her vision as her blue eyes were annihilated.

Unable to see, the cackles of her demons surrounded her, cheering, howling, loving the unending torture that ripped her apart. It was different than before. Caitlyn and Vi were nowhere to be found and even though it had been torture to have them watch as her soul was ripped from her body, she found herself begging to see them both one last time. The feeling of betrayal would be welcomed over the loneliness of abandonment. In a dire situation like this, she was certain that was the case.

"Last one." The voice spoke, "Though it may take a few tries to get it just right."

Her heart stopped when she felt the cool metal tip of the needle against her ear. Her pleading screams were incoherent as shimmer coated her tongue. The restraints only seemed to tighten even more and her very soul quivered in complete and utter fear. The damage that was done, the damage that was still to come was irreversible. He was killing her! He was killing her, didn't he see!?The fact that her skin was able to contain this lava, float it around her insides while it destroyed anything that could be considered natural life, was a shattering thought.

"No." Her voice was a whisper after so much screaming. Her throat was raw and aching while shimmer continued to leak from every orifice. "No."

The needle in her ear crept forward, pushing deeper and deeper into her canal while her trembling body continued to silently beg the man to stop. Don't break her any further. Life wasn't worth it. Not if this was the cost.

"Here we…go!"

"Grk!" A sudden slam of the syringe caught the shriek in her throat for a single moment.

A shock of electricity bolted from her head to her feet and she was silent, seized by the vivid feeling of the needle piercing through her skull and digging though her brain. She could feel it. The cold rod squeezing between blood, bone, and brainmatter, playing with her head in a way no living person should ever be able to describe. The darkest, most disgusting violation of herself. Her very identity was nothing but putty to be molded and shaped against her wishes.

The needle wiggled inside, swimming through her brain. She was stunned, broken, as connections to her past life went up in flames. The needle sliced through her precious memories, turning everything to ash with each careless stab and prob into her flesh.

Who was she? What was she? Nothing made sense.

Her mouth was agape, wide pink eyes staring into nothingness as she twitched mutely. Words couldn't be formed. Coherent thoughts were impossible. Only shimmer. That vile sensation of the liquid swimming in her skull, filling every space before dissolving into agony. Was she alive? Was she melting or freezing? She couldn't tell if her brains were morphing into a puddle of toxic slime or if it was being frozen, crystalized, and shattered.

"NO!" Her first word, the only word she could put together in her broken mind. "NO! NO! NO! NO!"

The needle was removed from her head before another was shoved in its place. Deeper, at a different angle, and more shimmer continued to rush through her mind. Her vision was long gone. Touch, hearing, also gone. The pain was all she understood. The only feeling she could interpret amongst fragmented thoughts. It was everywhere. It was everything. Pain. Pain. PAIN.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Her shrieks went past her limits. The roughness in her throat exploded as the word expelled from her purple-stained lips while her eyes rolled to the back of her head. Nothing but that one single word, spiraling into the void, unheard, uncared for. Nobody was coming to save her. Nobody could…She'd seen it already. She knew what this was.

This was hell.

Despite staring at the porcelain tiles of the bathroom floor, she took no notice of their design. Ice cold water that had once been hot, now splashed onto her exposed back. She didn't react to the chilling sensation either.

This early in the morning, the showers were empty and after such a night filled with terror, that was a blessing. The undersides of her eyes were dark, unhealthily so. When she woke up from the nightmare, sweating and afraid, sleep was the last thing she could manage. Pale arms wrapped around her midsection, holding her quivering, naked body as if she could manage to keep herself from breaking apart.

Things had been so good…what happened? Why did she have to witness such a thing once more? The answer was clear. She should've known it was going too well. All the love, happiness, and joy she felt in the past few days were nothing but distractions from a greater threat. Sevika might be her enemy for the time being, but there was no greater evil than her own twisted mind. The true villain in her broken tale.

The splattering sound of water hitting the floor gave a soft, ambient sound to focus on. Her ghosts that chattered in her mind were ignored with the pitter-patter of rain. She just sat on the slippery floor, holding herself, bracing against the trauma. When her fingers tightened at her sides, she could feel her ribs beneath her skin. Never had she felt so weak, so scrawny and malnourished. Though food and sunlight wouldn't fix anything. This was who she was now. Skin and bones desperately trying to figure out how to survive when the past had such a crushing grip on her health.

Her teeth chewed on her bottom lip, eager to prick her flesh and taste the red iron of her blood on her tongue. That's right. Compared to her nightmare, no pain was great enough. A simple cut of her lip was pleasant. A sting so small that it could be savored, enjoyed, and then repaired without thought.

How fucked up was she?

A hollow smile curved at the question in her mind. Chasing after pain, just to prove that nothing could ever match what she experienced in that dark, desolate room of experiments. Just a wild comparison between the night of her surgery and everything else. If it wasn't as bad as that night, then maybe, just maybe, the torture had been worth it. In some fucked up way, she hoped it was worth it. Fuck. Did that even make sense? Would any sane person come close to such twisted thoughts?

Nope.

Just her. The only thing that made her special. To be both horrified and proud of her survival was just another muddled feeling that had no sense and left her feeling hollow. The real question was how she could find a path forward? Would the nightmare return tonight? Would she wait with baited breath, praying that for every night she had left in this world, the nightmare would lay dormant in the deepest pits of her mind?

Doubt was quick to enter her thoughts. That was no life to live. There was no freedom there. Brina was right but for the wrong reasons. She could escape the law. She could run from every trencher or enforcer with a gun, but she couldn't escape herself. Never.

"Never escape!" Mylo giggled at her side, "Never!"

"Please." She murmured under her breath. Her hold tightened while her head dipped low. If she could just curl into herself and disappear, that would be good. Better than good. "Just stop."

Never once had pleading with her demons ever worked, but shouting, fighting against them, was too hard. She just wanted to be alone. For once in her life, could she just be alone? She didn't have the energy. The whiplash of the nightmare was too great. Her body felt worse than when she plummeted into the under-city with Ekko in her arms. Physical pain was always easier to deal with…

When her body felt shriveled and pruned from the water and she no longer had any desire to be outside of her room, her hand reached for the faucet, stilling the shower that rained upon her back. Her teeth were chattering from the cold as she reached for a towel and dried herself.

Maybe she'd finally reached her limit. All this time with the Firelights, with Caitlyn and Vi, and Ekko had pushed her too hard. Maybe she was never meant to be happy. Had she known going with the Firelights was gambling with her life like that, it would've been easier to rot in a place like Stillwater. She would've made more of an effort to end up there instead.

Her fists clenched tightly around the cloth that covered her while she bit her lip. It was too cruel. She had only gotten a taste of what it felt like to be accepted. As a sister, as a friend, and something more. Why give her a glimpse of what life could be like, if it would be ripped away a second later? Now all she had was the bitter taste of what could've been.

She walked out of the bathhouse fully clothed as the sun was making its first appearance. There were a few Firelights up, groggily yawning and beginning whatever the day had in store. They didn't pay her any mind as she walked through the fields and towards the stairs of the grand tree. Good. There was no way for her to stand even a single moment of social interaction. Instead, she slowly placed one foot in front of the other, trudging up the wooden stairs as fast as she could muster.

The sight of her darkened room, not yet touched by sunlight left an unsettling pit in her stomach. She waited just outside, hesitant to return to a place of nightmares. White scribbles taunted her from within the room, shifting and scattering as if to laugh at her and bring her in. A memory of herself from just a few months ago, chained to the metal pipes made her quiver. She took a step back before she even realized it.

It was easier when everyone hated her. When she was able to lash out at anyone or anything that dare threaten to approach. Everything was so black and white then. She'd so easily convinced herself that she alone was all that mattered and all else was out to get her. But now it was all muddled, confusing, and not at all like she predicted. If that shower had bestowed any revelation it was…

She turned, unable to follow that line of thinking. Not while she was out in the open like this, where curious eyes could watch her break apart.

Without any real semblance of reason, she continued up the stairs of the grand tree, snaking her way around the structure with slow, unfocused steps. One step after the other, she carried herself higher and higher and blinked when her path came to a halt. There were no more steps to climb, no more distance to travel and distract herself with, and it all came to a head at a single door.

Never in a million years did she think she'd end up in a situation like this. Wasn't it too soon? He did say that he would help, but that wasyesterday.Fucking yesterday. What if it was all just lies? Sweet talk with no substance. Not only that, would he see her differently already? Disappointment, shame, embarrassment, all those uncomfortable emotions pooled in her head as her hand hesitated to reach out.

There was nowhere else to go though. Nowhere safe. Maybe Vi…or Caitlyn…but she washere. Did she have the strength to turn around and seek anyone else? If there was a chance Ekko could help, just sit there in silence and comfort her through his presence, then it was worth a try, right? Caitlyn was the first to teach her about trust, Vi taught her that not all bonds were so easily broken…Could Ekko teach her something else? She really needed more right now.

She skipped knocking and went for the knob right away, pulling open the door to the Firelight leader's room and revealing the inside. The first thing she noticed was the boy in question was still asleep. His face was slack, lips parted in the least glamorous way as a thin line of drool cascaded into his pillow. The next thing she noticed was the warm yellow colors that filled the room as tiny rays of light slipped between the cracks of the bark and made the room glow. As gently as she could, the door was closed behind her.

Her breath was still in her throat, watching with an alert attention to ensure nothing she would do could ruin the peace in this space. When she focused her hearing beyond that of the voices in her head, the only sounds in the room were little mechanical ticks of his many clocks, all in sync, and the sounds of his soft, calming breaths.

Her back hit the door and she slid down the surface to take a seat. It felt so wrong. Who did she think she was, coming into this place of safety with all her problems and disrupting the pureness within? Knees tucked to her chest and her arms wrapped around them while she sat. Hopefully she wouldn't have to face him. She could just sit here a while and revel in the comfort of this room. It was beautiful here. Ekko was beautiful too in his own way. If she could just calm herself enough, she could leave without Ekko even knowing she'd been in his room uninvited while he slept.

That's exactly what she intended to do.

Minutes passed, maybe hours, and she sat still while observing the boy. Every once in a while the rays of light from outside would shift with the rising sun and she followed them like a performance to be enjoyed. Hell, she even counted the rings of the tree on the floor, confirming Ekko's earlier declaration that the tree had been far older than anyone in Pilover or Zaun could've ever expected. Yep…239.

Eventually she found no other objects to distract herself with and honed her gaze onto the sleeping boy that cared too much. Despite all the turmoil from the nightmare, just looking upon his face, unguarded and pure, made her smile ever so slightly. He'd worked himself too hard as the leader of the Firelight's. There was no subtle way to hide it. Often she thought the lines on his face were too deep for his age. And as someone that's never been as ugly as her, inside and out, he shouldn't have to experience life in ways that she could understand.

He lost people, he made terrible decisions, and watched his whole life go up in fire and ash, only she was the one to fuel that fire. But he never lost the will to care about the Firelight's, the undercity, his friends…her. That last thought brought an ache to her throat and a sting to her eyes. Stupid, stupid Ekko. If he just had the strength to hate like she did, maybe his life wouldn't be so hard. But selfishly, she couldn't be more grateful for that weakness.

Her eyes lifted to the ceiling as she sniffled. The brink of tears needed to be contained and it wasn't like her to reflect so deeply. All this sappy shit, it ached differently than anything else. If she could wholeheartedly reject it, she might. But their kiss re-entered her mind and she resigned herself to the inevitable. Her heart had already been stolen, just as she had warned herself not too long ago. This elaborate trap of friendship and love had its hooks deep beneath her skin and suddenly she felt even weaker than before. There was so much to lose now.

How could people do this?

How could they give pieces of themselves away?

She sounded like a hypocrite already. Obviously she'd done it and with a smile on her face too. The reward was a vibrant world, filled to the brim with potential and comfort. It just so happened that a single nightmare was able to remind her that the highest of highs came with the possibility for the lowest of lows.

Was it too late to leave? Could she slip past the metal gates of the hideout, pick a direction in the wildlands, and just start walking? It would all be left behind. And sure, she'd never fully recover from losing parts of herself like that. Losing Vi, Caitlyn and Heimy, never seeing Scar or the children in her daily chores…But at least when everything ended, when she would eventually take her last breaths, the world would be a better place. They wouldn't be able to mourn what they didn't know was gone forever.

Another wave of sadness poured over her and she tried to take a breath. The air was sucked in unsteadily, a constant pull and stop that made far too much sound than she'd like. When she tried to snap her mouth shut, it was accompanied by a quiet whine that snuck past her defenses. Her palm slapped over her mouth, fingers digging into her cheek as if the aggressive self-inflicted pain would somehow get her body back under control. It just made her feel worse.

Then Ekko stirred.

Pink eyes snapped towards the boy the moment she saw him move. The culprit may have been her anguish slipping out, but more likely, she spotted a little line of light from the outside slide over his closed eyes. His expression scrunched, irritated by the disturbance before fluttering open. She watched him closely. Those warm, brown eyes of his now revealed to her, but still unfocused and groggy from a deep slumber.

She took another shuddering breath, a final attempt to present herself with any sort of proper normalcy. He didn't need to know what was in her mind. He didn't need to bear the burden so soon…if ever. So she tried to find the strength to lift off the ground and slip out before he could question why she was here, but her body was rooted in place. Almost as if wanting to be discovered. Wanting to hear the questions and concerns from his voice.

Dammit. Dammit. Dammit.

"Mmph." Ekko made a noise as he stretched in his bed before his eyes lazily fell towards the one thing in the room that was out of place. His fingers swiped over his eyes to clear the haziness. "Oh. Hey."

Hey? That's all he had to-? She didn't finish her thoughts before his entire body jolted like he'd been struck by a bolt of lightning.

"Jinx!" He flipped under the sheets and flailed in his bed, "W-what are you doing here!? This is my room, right? Shit did you need something? Did I oversleep? What about-!?"

He paused, catching his startled words in a moment of self-reflection before twisting his body on its side, resting his cheek in his palm while his elbow braced his head upright. His eyelids lowered halfway in a strikingly calm manner. It contrasted so starkly with everything she'd witnessed before.

"I mean…Yo. What's up?"

Her lips parted as she watched the boy spiral through a myriad of emotions. First laziness, then panic and confusion, and somehow he decided the best way to recover was to try and act cool? That was just…what a dork!

She laughed in reaction. A sharp burst that ripped through her lips and filled the room. She watched as his cheeks darkened, knowing that his cover had utterly failed. It was a hilarious sight! One she'd surely remember to tease him for later, but her laughter came with a price. The stirring emotions of pain and sadness that were held at bay had latched themselves into the giggles, impossible to separate or contain any longer.

The pit in her stomach grew from the shame of it all when her laughter cracked and the tears that built in her eyes dripped onto the wood of the floor. She wasn't fast enough to catch it, but the boy was now alert enough to notice. Shit.

"Uh…you alright?" He asked carefully.

Her hand once again clamped over her mouth, but there was no remedy for her shaking shoulders and shining tears. Without any words, she shook her head.

I'm not alright. I'm really, really, really not alright. It was fucking pathetic. How many times had she promised herself that she wouldn't cry any longer? She'd been so adamant about it. Nobody would see her like this. Not ever. Because if she wasn't strong enough to hold back the agony then what was the point of rising above it? If only she wasn't so weak! Weak, exactly like her ghosts enjoyed pointing out. Guess this was just another failure to add to the neverending list.

A stupid girl with stupid ambitions. That's all she was. That's all she's ever amounted to really. Even admitting to such thoughts felt good in the worst of ways. Like all she wanted to do, all that made sense, was to repeatedly bash her character into the depths of hell. Because fuck it, maybe that's what really rung true. That's what she deserved anyways. It was just the weakest parts of her that were feebly resisting.

"Hey." She heard Ekko's voice, more gentle than ever before. It infuriated her that she found herself yearning for him to speak to her that way even more. As if enjoying his comfort was proving her weaknesses right. And before she even realized it, his palm was on her shoulder.

She looked at him through reddened eyes. His own shined with what she feared most, complete and pure concern. Oh how she loathed him right now. Looking upon her as if she were frail. As if she wasn't capable of mass destruction and death. It wasn't hard to recognize she was telling herself lies, but that's what made everything worse. Because now her very identity was spiraling into chaos and there was no way to understand up from down.

Was she good? Was she bad? Was she strong or weak? Which of those things was it?! She wanted to know.Neededto know.

Her questions wouldn't be answered. How could they be? She wasn't capable of addressing them and no words were uttered from her trembling lips as she was pulled to her feet and guided towards Ekko's bed. His hold on her adjusted, placing a palm on the small of her back and pushing her along while his eyes stayed on her tear-stained face. The soft plushness of his mattress was far more comfortable than her cot. She felt like she was sinking into it completely and she welcomed the cozy feeling. There was only so much pain she could take, physical and mental. At some point, just the sensation of a soft mattress was enough to give her some sort of relief. Because of that, she cried harder.

"Did something happen?" Ekko asked carefully as he took a seat beside her. The palm on her back was hesitant, much too light, but she couldn't blame him for being nervous. The guidelines for their relationship were still so raw, fresh, and unknown.

With as much effort as she could manage she nodded her head.

"Do you want to talk about-."

"No!" She sobbed, interrupting him immediately.

She didn't want to talk about it. She didn't want to talk at all. Where would she even begin? Could any of this anguish be pinpointed to a single issue? Her nightmare was horrible. Her lack of sleep was taking its toll. But those were just two of the thousands of thoughts in her head that made her crumble and she wasn't capable of discussing a single one. It was all locked within, never meant to be shared.

"Okay. Sorry."

Her fists clenched at her sides with a new resentment for herself. She was ruining everything! Ekko was just trying to help and she lashed out with a single word. If she could promise him that it wasn't his fault, she would, but her quivering body was already too preoccupied with the endless waterfall of sadness in her heart. She just hoped that when she pushed him away like this, that she could count on his return. Though even that hope felt like a childish dream.

"C'mon." Ekko ushered with a palm to her shoulder, pushing ever so slightly and getting her to lean. "Lay down."

That was a request she could manage. It took no effort to lay on her side and sink into his bed, still warm from where he slept. She nuzzled into the feeling, allowing herself a brief moment to close her eyes while her breaths still stuttered and her shoulders still shook. She rubbed at her face when the tears from her eyes began sliding over the bridge of her nose and darkening the sheets below.

"Is it something I can fix?" He asked as he slid behind her, laying on the other half of the mattress and no longer beside her.

Not being able to see him frightened her more than she thought. That, and the fact that his palm had lifted from her skin. She felt so empty, so cold without him. Another weakness that made her bite into the flesh of her lip and release a muffled groan against the rawness in her throat. The noise melted into the rest of her cries so thankfully Ekko wouldn't have misinterpreted the sound.

The only solution, the only thing that could make her feel better, was spurred the moment she twisted on her side and faced him. Her eyes lowered from his, unable to stare at the way he looked at her. It was then that she noticed he wasn't wearing a shirt. His dark, muscled skin was distracting, and she had questions about how he was so young and yet so seemingly strong, but those thoughts were gone in a second. No distraction could ever overwhelm the agony within herself. Not right now.

"I-I don't know." She croaked a response to his earlier question. She really didn't know. Could he fix it? Could she? Could anyone?

The answer seemed pretty obvious, but the lack of certainty was equally disturbing.

"It's not about…us…is it?"

"Us?" She questioned.

He shifted awkwardly, seemingly hoping to find a comfortable position on the bed without touching her. Once again, she was forced to consider the loneliness that festered within because of his distance. Why was it so hard to ask him for more? Or better yet, why did it feel so necessary?

"I uh, I was just thinking that you might've regretted yesterday. You ran off when we got back and…"

He left the words hanging in the air between them, but before they could settle into something wrong, she shook her head. Yesterday may have been one of the greatest moments in her life. How could she regret that? Regret them? It was just so hard to explain it though. It was so new, and so delicate, and, and-.

"That's good." He smiled in a moment of selfish relief before he straightened and once again repositioned himself on the bed. "Shit. Sorry, I shouldn't let it get to me. Not right now."

"You're scared." The words from her lips came out as a whisper and not at all like she intended. It seemed like a statement rather than a question.

"Let's not worry about me, okay? You're all that matters."

A small smile, the first she'd felt since this whole breakdown had begun, slowly spread across face as she nodded. Though it was frightening to lose a conversation that could've led them away from the pain she brought with her into this room, maybe it was better to let it play out. Her breathing was already smoothed and the tears in her eyes halted. Whether that was because her tank was empty, or the comfort of the bed, she couldn't tell.

"I'm sorry." Her voice cracked and of course, just when she thought she had no more sorrow to give, her lips trembled and her eyes blurred.

"For what?" There was genuine confusion on his expression.

For being who I am. For making you feel afraid. For killing your friends. For putting everyone in danger. For taking advantage of your feelings to have you here with me now. She wasn't even sure which of those had true merit. The last one seemed particularly relevant though. But she didn't voice any of it.

"I don't know." She replied, closing her eyes to try and alleviate a mere portion of the sting behind them.

"Is there something you want me to do?"

She took a breath. A heavy, deep breath as she considered his question. There were lots of things that she wanted right now, none of which Ekko could satisfy. He shouldn't have to do anything. This was her problem, her pathetic, ridiculous problem. Just being beside her should be enough, but it wasn't. She realized it wasn't enough the moment her eyes wandered towards his lips. If he could kiss her again, just like he did in that tunnel, would she feel better? Would she feel all those amazing, sparkling emotions and be free of the turmoil in her chest?

He could put his lips on hers and she'd be filled with light once again. The only thing to do after would be to race out of this room and throw herself over the railing. Fuck. That'd be everything. One last taste of happiness and then she'd end it all before the darkness had a chance to come back. Just imagining it…love then death. Happiness then silence. It'd be amazing. So. Fucking. Perfect. There was nothing left for her in this shitty world anyways.

Her eyes widened, lips opened and aghast at her answer to everything. A shiver traveled down her spine, recounting every damaged thought in her head before a wail tore through her throat. She wished Ekko didn't flinch at the sound, but she couldn't blame him for a reaction to an unexpected outburst.

"Hey. Hey." Ekko tried to reach her with his words. His palm returned to her shoulder and she burned under his touch.

He had no idea, did he? No idea how worthlessly broken she truly was. Now she was afraid of him too. Of kissing him. Because she couldn't say for certain that she wouldn't do exactly as she fantasized the moment it was over. Maybe he could do something else though. She'd been longing for it the moment she lay on his bed.

"H-hold me?" She stuttered through quivering lips. Shame was once again bubbling in the pit of her stomach at such a potent weakness. She hated that she had to ask that of him.

No…she hated herself.

Suddenly she was consumed in his arms and pulled to his chest. His skin was hot against her face, and he made no indication that he was uncomfortable with her tears dripping onto him. He did as she requested, so absolutely and without question that she shook. His embrace was so gentle, yet so devoted, that she couldn't help but feel like her concerns of shattering were pointless.

Ekko was holding her together, more than he could possibly realize.

She latched onto him with her own hug, sliding her hands over his exposed sides and digging into his skin. Holding him as if he was the only thing stopping her from drowning. She couldn't get enough, just desperately clawing at him in ways that would surely leave bloody scratches. Her sobbing apologies were incoherent though her bumbling words, but she repeated them every time she felt her nails tear into his skin. Sorry wasn't enough. A hundred apologies weren't enough. But not once did she feel him twitch or pull away and for that she would be eternally grateful.

"I'mscared." She whined into his chest.

The least she could do was be honest about how she felt. Out of all the confusion and fragmented trauma, she could offer him just a few truthful words. He deserved that and so much more. And when he didn't respond, she continued.

"I'm so scared of myself."

His embrace tightened to offer a silent reassurance that he was here. That he was listening. That he understood what she meant. If a single nightmare could make her want to end her own life, how could she possibly live?

"I don't know what to do."

She felt his chin rest upon her head and in a time like this, she couldn't imagine letting go. He was everywhere, all around her, and it was better than perfect. When his voice whispered to her, his tone so quiet and gentle, she listened through her hiccups and cries.

"We'll get through this." Ekko spoke, "I promise."

He repeated those words so many times that she lost count. Yet she longed for him to keep talking, keep promising, because she was utterly incapable of doing it pressed her face into his chest, continued to hold him and then shifted her legs to tangle between his. If all she felt was Ekko and his love, his confidence and his promises, then she could trust in him. Trust that he was telling her the truth. She wanted to get through whatever hell was trapped inside her soul. If Ekko would be by her side the whole time…

…then she wanted that more than anything.

Notes:

Hey...Hi...I'm sorry.

I know that a lot of you were expecting a bright, bubbly chapter after the last one, but I really wanted to connect with Jinx here. Push her to the brink, almost like her breakdown with Caitlyn in order to deepen everything. She needs to know that she isn't able to handle it alone. I know I wouldn't be able to. But that's okay because we all need others to support us. Which means I had to write something so raw that Jinx, myself, and you all can have this understanding. (I might just be weird about why it's included, but my thoughts are earnest) I set out to define her mental anguish in this fic realistically and that requires fully diving into her trauma. In the torture scene, I kept scaring myself with what I was writing. It really does feel awful in the worst of ways. I felt like I was watching someone I love go through all that and it made me nauseous, but the only way I could see how Jinx recovers is through a brutal examination of why it is so significant.

If you felt turned off by the scene, I completely understand and hope you continue to give this fic your time and support. I can say with confidence that scene will be the worst it's ever gonna get. And the saving grace is that despite Jinx's anguish, we can celebrate and root for her to grow stronger. She will overcome her trauma and Ekko will be there too. His devotion to her is another thing that really hit me hard. I don't know how to say it, but sometimes I feel like these characters write themselves and I'm left an emotional mess from it all. Ultimately, I love it and I hope you do too.

So much more to come soon! I hope to get back to a somewhat consistent posting schedule and follow my Twitter elsanndra if you want updates on chapter drops (or delays like when I was sick) and plenty of awesome fanart gets posted on my page too! Recently retweeted two amazing artists RedrumAlice and Dehsenh0s who made incredible pieces of Jinx and Ekko's kiss from last chapter. If you need some lovin or bright happy vibes after this chapter, I'm sure those two will make you smile 3

Until next time!

Chapter 32: Reflection

Notes:

Hi everyone! I'm back with another chapter and it's right on time! Actually, it's a day early...woohoo! It feels good when I can adhere to a consistent posting schedule of a week and something I've also noticed is that the chapters have been getting longer. Not by much, but I remember a time when I promised 5k words as a bare minimum yet that was also difficult to deliver sometimes. BUT I'm not even sure when the last time I posted a 5k word chapter, which I suppose is a good thing! More stuff to read, and more fun for me to write!

Thank you all so much for your support of the last chapter. I know it was intense and heart-breaking, but I really liked reading your responses and how nice it was to end on a hopeful note. I'm excited to say that this chapter will be considerably more fun! I had a lot of laughs while writing it and I hope this chapter really brightens your day!

Please enjoy!

(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)

Chapter Text

She was safe.

The inexplicable feeling settled deep in her core as her eyelids slowly fluttered open and took in the gentle light of Ekko's room. While sleep still eluded her, she was able to rest in the comfort of this place, wrapped in his arms, and taking gentle breaths. Mere hours were enough to revitalize her exhausted body and she could think a little more clearly when it didn't feel like her whole world was caving in. Relief wasn't a strong enough word to describe the sensation now that her racing heart had the time to recover. Shewassafe.

"You awake?"

Ekko's voice honed her vision as she was met with the center of his bare chest. Pink eyes lifted to see the boy in the middle of yawning. His limbs lifted from hers as he stretched into the air. Chapped lips parted to say something, anything, but she was too preoccupied with the realization that he'd stayed by her, just like he promised.

"Do you feel better?" He asked carefully as he settled back into a comfortable hold.

When his arms were once again wrapped around her, it was then that she noticed just how warm her skin was. Like she'd been wrapped in a blanket then placed next to a roaring furnace. Any longer and she'd surely sweat from the heat and that just wouldn't do.

"Yeah." She replied casually as she began to untangle herself and sit upright over the edge of the mattress. She caught the way his lips turned downwards ever so slightly as she separated from him. "Kinda hot though."

Recognition lit his face with understanding and he managed to scoot himself around her and take a seat by her side, legs thrown over the mattress and onto the wood below. A flash of irritation tickled her temple. He was a little too close, too suffocating, especially when the thing she wanted most right now was a breath of fresh air. But that was selfish, wasn't it? Ekko was just worried and determined to know she was okay. She didn't exactly make it easy for him earlier, barging into his room uninvited at the break of dawn and sobbing away all her anguish.

Yeah. He deserved no animosity even if there was a stacking stimuli of annoyances fueled by his close proximity. Shit. Her head fell into her hands and held her hunched form still as the events of the night were once again recounted. It was easier to think about though. She was still alive, still breathing, and her fears seemed to dissolve just like that. She almost chuckled at how bizarre it felt. Rest had all sorts of wonderful properties apparently.

A sudden dip in the mattress followed by Ekko standing on his feet was enough to draw her attention and she turned to face him.

"We should probably go get some food. It's lunchtime."

Woah. It was already that far into the day? Maybe she had actually slept after all. Time didn't seem to match what she thought. But was that all Ekko had to say? Surely there was a storm of questions, concerns, and theories swirling in that head of his.

"About earlier-." She tried only to see Ekko offer a quick smile and pull a shirt over his head. The fabric muffled his voice.

"Don't worry about it. I'm just glad you're feeling better."

"I am." It felt right to confirm it for him once more. Actually, she could use the confirmation herself. She was fine. It was okay. Her heart didn't quiver with anxiety when she repeated those words in her mind.

"You hungry?"

The moment he asked, she was suddenly aware of how insanely empty her stomach felt. Like a pain she'd been ignoring was suddenly alive and burning. Holy shit. Shereallyneeded food. When was the last time she even ate?

"I bet I could eat more than the big guy right about now."

Ekko chuckled.

"Maybe we should put that to the test? Scar eatsa lot."

"So you've said."

She quickly scrambled to find her boots that she'd kicked off at some point while she was on the bed and slipped them over her feet before standing upright and reaching for the ceiling in a lovely stretch. Ahhh that's the stuff. A little moan rumbled in her throat before she was ready to head out.

Ekko was by the door, brown eyes on her as she neared. The closer she got, the more obvious it was that the boy had questions. Whether he'd voice them though was another thing entirely. It gave her the slightest shiver, knowing that they were stuck in a field full of landmines. He knew it. She knew it. Would he risk it all on a question to satisfy his curiosity?

"Look uh…"

Great. Justgreat. She had half a mind to just pass him and walk outside. Still considering it as she waited for whatever he had to say.

"I won't say anything. To anyone."

She blinked. Not a question then. And it was a thoughtful sentiment too. One she couldn't help but smile softly at. She should give Ekko more credit. He was a smart cookie some of the time.

"Okay…um." It was hard to craft the words in her throat. The emotions inside were still unsettled and finding gratitude was more difficult than she imagined. She swallowed once before murmuring a shaky reply. "Thanks."

"No problem."

Huh? It was that simple? Just like that? No games? Or wasthisa game? A sneaky little plot to knock her off guard. Maybe he was sacrificing the questions of now to cash in on the future. Oh ho ho. A little devil, wasn't he? Nothing was simple, especially not a task so demanding as what she'd asked of him earlier. If she could just figure out the prize, the goal, the reward that the boy was secretly coveting.

"Think any harder and you might explode." Ekko smirked as she lifted her eyes towards him.

"Tryin' to figure you out…" She muttered.

"Yeah? And what's the working theory?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"Because you like me."

"Do I?"

"C'mon." He gestured to himself with his hands, "Don't tell me I'm not irresistible. I got charm don't I?"

She snorted and rolled her eyes. The only thing Ekko had was the ability to look like a total idiot. Charm?Pfft. No way. Though she'd admit that he made good company. Dammit. That was irritating to think about. Stupid brain.

"You wish."

He released a hearty laugh, the kind that was contagious and forced a smile on her face. The kind of laugh that tickled her tummy and invited her to join. And boy was she a sucker. After all the doom and gloom that threatened to smother her entirely, laughing felt incredible. Like she could be free, even for just a moment.

His body maneuvered away from the door frame, placing their errand on pause while they continued to fill the silence of the room with giggles. His footsteps were slow, posture calm and relaxed before he was standing right in front of her. When her shoulders stilled, and her lips closed, it was then that she felt the tension of his closeness. There were so many things he could do, so many things he could say, and her attention was focused solely on him. Because the possibilities were endless.

Ekko stared at her warmly, capturing every fleeting thought in her head and grinding them to a halt. It was hard not to flinch when she saw his hand raise from his side, but before she could wonder what his intentions were, she felt his finger lightly flick the center of her forehead. She blinked in reaction before her brows scrunched in confusion. The tiniest of stings was left imprinted in her pale skin as a little speckle of pink.

"You don't have to worry so much." He whispered again with that damned smile that melted her insides in the most delicious way. "Trust me, okay? I'll always have your back."

Then his eyes lowered ever so slightly. Her breath hitched when she lined up his gaze and found him staring at her lips. The tips of her toes wiggled in her boots, ready to lift just enough to close the distance. It wouldn't be far, but he was still taller. The right opportunity was lingering, waiting, just like her pounding heart.

Then he turned away and beckoned her with his hand.

"Let's go get some food. I'm starving."

"..."

Fucker! He knewexactlywhat he was doing, played her like an instrument. And for what? A little fun at the thought of teasing her with a kiss? Idiot! Her boots stomped against the wooden floor, pursuing the boy before shoving him from behind. He grunted as he collided with the edge of the doorframe, barely fast enough to catch himself before she'd taken hold of his shirt and tugged him back into her.

As precise as she could manage, she pulled his unsteady body into her, slamming her lips against his. She didn't quite hit the target, finding herself capturing just a corner of his softness between her own but it was corrected as he leaned into her. Shifting the supple, velvety flesh against her lips, sliding along the wetness of his mouth as if it were a flowing stream of water. She reveled in the feeling, thirsty, in need, and delightfully able to tastehim. A slow, deliberate pull of her lips against the Firelight only deepened the feeling. So soft, so wonderful, and satisfyingly gentle despite the force she initially placed behind her actions.

She had half a mind to slap away the hands that had taken hold of her hips. A childish, pouting need to remind the boy that he was an idiot and didn't deserve to touch her after playing such a stupid game with her heart. Unfortunately, her body was too enthralled by the shiver that raced down her spine and the spreading heat pooling in her abdomen like boiling honey. It wasn't until she felt her lungs burning that she pulled away, breathless and still feeling after tremors of pleasure ripple through her core.

"Do that again and I'll kick your ass." She growled while her tongue darted from her mouth and swiped over her glistening lips.

"Yes ma'am." Ekko breathed, a slight chuckle hidden beneath his panting words. She could see the satisfaction in his eyes. Even in the soft light of the room, it looked as if they were sparkling.

Hmph!

She spun away from him and was the first to walk outside. Her ears perked at the sounds of him following closely behind, still chuckling like he'd won. If he was trying to be sly and quiet about it, he was utterly failing. Well, it wasn't like she lost either. Her heart was glowing from the inside, rejoicing in the victory of yet another kiss. It may have been different than their first few, but that just excited her more because it still felt so good.

"Just so we're clear." Ekko spoke from behind, "Was it the flick or…?"

Her head tilted just enough to give him a good look at her glowing pink eyes. A fiery intensity in her orbs dared him to finish the question. Silently she warned him with unspoken words. What doyouthink Little Man? His bright expression dropped in a playful display of startled terror before he gulped and glanced away.

"Yep. Nope. Got it. Message received."

Good boy. At least it was settled. For now. She could actually focus on getting some food in her system. But before that, she'd have to brainstorm ways to leave the Firelight in shambles of wanting desire. She could tease him too and if that was the game he wanted to play, fine by her.

She'd fucking winthatgame…er…somehow.

A bowl of rice and steaming fish was tossed onto a wooden table as she took her seat amidst one of the many wooden tables near their rations stand. The rugged, splintered wood beneath her ass was hardly comfortable, yet it was one of the many things she was used to after living with the Firelights for so long.

The rest of the table was empty making it the ideal candidate to eat in peace and think about what to do for the remainder of the day. The most tempting idea was to tinker with her hoverboard. It'd been too long since she'd felt the slick of oil on her palms and heard the sounds of metal being pieced together to create something new. Something super fun! Of course, she'd decided the moment the thought entered her head that the hoverboard needed a bit moreumphf!A rocket strapped to the back was obviously crude, but when had that ever stopped her?

If it wasn't stupid and dangerous, why build it?That'sher motto. Plus, she wasn't about to lose some stinkin' race to Ekko again. It was only fair. He had his experience, she'd have a rocket. Makes perfect sense in her mind.

"Fast!" Mylo shouted before swiping his arm through the air like a whip, "Swoosh!"

Right. He got the idea. Not really expressed in the most intelligent of ways, but that was to be expected of the idiot thief that had been following her for years. Sometimes it felt like she had a false sense of genius, because c'mon, compared tothatdumbass? Yeah she felt like the smartest person on the planet.

Before she could dig into her food, the peculiar question of where her actual companion was asked. With a quick glance towards the ration line, she spotted Ekko wrapped in conversation with Brina. The sight was enough to twist her brow and pucker her lips like she'd tasted something sour. It required a good shake of her head to remind herself that it really didn't matter. Not like it was anythingnew.

"Hey!"

She turned her head in time to see her sister approach before walking around her and taking a seat on her left side.

"Didn't see you at breakfast this morning." Vi commented as she placed her own bowl of food on the table. "What gives?"

"Oh." Shit. Her thoughts felt empty, unable to search for a little white lie to excuse her absence. Her lips parted but nothing of value really came out. "I…uh."

"We were working on something in my workshop."

Both of them turned to see Ekko casually walking towards the table before taking an empty seat across from her. Ever so slightly she breathed a sigh of relief. Never in her life had she been more thankful for the boy's quick thinking and nonchalant attitude to reinforce it all. Her pink eyes shined with an appreciation that she was sure he noticed.

"Ah." Vi shrugged as she grabbed a piece of slimy blue strip of fish between her fingers and threw it back into her mouth. With stuffed cheeks she continued, "Smart science shit, right?"

"That's a way of putting it."

Her sister smiled as she swallowed her food. "Only way Icanput it. Never been good with any of that stuff. All the techy genes went to my sister."

"That's a funny way to say you're stupid." She giggled.

"What was that brat?"

Violet turned to offer her a small glare, one she eagerly matched with a teasing sneer. Now that she'd had time to recover from the night before it was quite fun to pick unwanted fights, especially with Violet. The air between them was charged in a silent war before her sister's hand shot outwards and snatched a piece of her fish.

"Hey!"

Her own fingers shot outwards in a blur, fully submerged her sister's bowl and trying to steal as much food as she could manage. The icky sensation of holding onto a bundle of steaming fish was hardly pleasant, but the sheer horror on Violet's face made it all worth it when she stuffed the food into her mouth. She hummed in victory while her cheeks bulged outwards to the point of pain. Total win…Until the woman made another attempt to take her food from under her nose.

She made sure to wrap her arm around her bowl and slide it away from Vi, but her sister wouldn't give up so easily. Vi nearly tackled her, placing her knee on the wooden bench and stretching far into her personal space. If it wasn't for her quick reflexes, her entire bowl would've been forfeit. Yet instead, she grabbed it and extended her arm as far away into the air as she could muster.

"Gimmie your food you little gremlin!" Vi growled.

"Back! Back demon! It'smyfood!" She swatted blindly at her sister, unable to focus on attacking while also defending her precious lunch.

"You stole mine!"

"You stole mine first!"

Even through the chaos she caught a glimpse of Caitlyn approaching their table in her peripheral vision. Surely the top-sider would be disappointed at the tantrum on full display. But it was funny and she was giggling as she heard the Piltie accent comment on the situation.

"Do I want to know?" Caitlyn asked with a deadpan expression towards the Firelight leader as she took a seat next to the boy, food placed gently on the table.

"The usual." Ekko replied, occasionally reaching out to hold his bowl still while the random, frantic bumps of her sister's or her own body rumbled against the table.

"Right."

To her horror, Violet's size over her was enough to eventually overwhelm her struggling defenses and grab a handful of rice out from her grasp. And with that single, small win, her sister pulled away and sat in a huff, chomping at the portion she captured while smirking.

Fine. Have the stupid rice. Hope the lack of protein comes back and haunts her in a few hours. She sat back in her seat, a small pout marring her expression before fully noticing their new company. Caitlyn smiled.

"Have fun?"

"No!"

"No!"

Her sister and herself both yelled before glancing at each other and breaking out into reluctant smiles. Okay, it was fun. But only because the clear winner of the scuffle was obviously herself. Violet was probably just lying to herself, spinning the battle in her head to make it seem like she won. Dumb sister.

"Anything new?" The top-sider asked the table as she began carefully picking at the rations before her.

"Apparently the reason these two were missing this morning was because of some secret project." Vi jutted her thumb outwards to point beside her.

"Oh?"

"Progress is slow." Ekko grumbled. "We're stuck on some tricky runes."

"Runes? Like Hextech?" Caitlyn's brow lifted and she watched Ekko's lips part in astonishment.

"Uh…yeah. How do you know about runes?"

"Well my family was Jayce's patrons growing up, so I've heard a bit here and there. Most of his early work really."

"That's right." Ekko put his fist into his palm as he made the connection in his head. His eyes lifted to the sky, recalling the relevant information. "Jayce was one of the founders of Hextech, wasn't he?"

Caitlyn nodded as she took a bite of her food, making sure to swallow before speaking. A silly thing if you asked her. What the hell was so important about manners out here, miles from any real civilization and far from the stuffy confines of the top-side communities? Eh, maybe it was just old habits and all that.

"If you're struggling with something, perhaps you could visit him? I could write you a letter if that helps you see him sooner."

"You would do that?" Ekko's eyes lit up like fireworks, slamming his hands on the table and standing in an excitement that couldn't be contained.

"Of course."

"You hear that Jinx?" He spun to face her with a brilliant smile. Frustratingly she could feel her face heat up at the sight. She really was losing her cool these days, but how could she ignore the pull of his joy as it vibrated in the air? "We should go top-side!"

She crossed her arms over her chest.

"I'm not exactly welcome up there you know."

"So? When has that mattered? You'll have a mask."

Oh. Right. Duh. She was long past respecting others, especially those snobby top-siders. They could rot for all she cared and any opportunity to get under their skin, whether they realized it or not, was an entertaining idea. On second thought, why was she resisting Ekko's excitement to begin with? Usually any excuse to venture out of the hideout was met with an eager attitude. Fuck it. She had no real objections.

"Alright." She let a small smirk spread on her face, "Let's go see how smart the ol' Man of Progress really is."

"I'll need some time to make sure everything will be fine for us to leave for a day." Ekko surmised before turning to Caitlyn, "Do you think you could have that letter to me in a few hours?"

"Shouldn't be an issue." Caitlyn nodded.

Cool. That also gave her plenty of time to tinker away with her board, really dive into the joys of engineering. Ooh! If she was really fast, maybe she could have it done by the time they left!

"Don't suppose you'd be up for stealing from the council…" Vi questioned under her breath and all eyes snapped towards the pink-haired woman.

"You need something?" Caitlyn pondered, sending the unspoken question all of them had in their minds.

"Atlas gauntlets." Vi smirked, "If there's a war coming, I wouldn't mind the extra fire power, you know?"

Ekko rolled his eyes.

"I get where you're coming from, but we're not stealing from the council again. It hardly worked the last time."

Her sister deflated and grumbled something of an acknowledgement. When the moment passed and Ekko was distracted following up with Caitlyn, she made sure to discreetly kick Violet from under the table. Curious eyes glanced towards her in question. The air was still between them, no words shared, and yet, she hoped her subtle actions had been very clear. She found herself smirking when Vi did, almost like mirroring her sister as the secret mission had settled in their minds. Their own little secret.

Her leg was bouncing up and down at the thought already. Behind enemy lines, watchful eyes following her every move. There were so many dangers in getting caught. She'd need to find an opportunity to slip away undetected and locate the prized gauntlets, butthatwas the fun part. Yes! A super-duper stealth mission that required as much finesse as it did luck! The thought of Violet's face, proud and grateful as she returned with success, was strangely warming to her heart.

"I owe you." Violet whispered low enough so only her ears could decipher the words.

She nodded once. Just a single tilt of her chin to not alert the others sitting close by. Vi shouldn't be thanking her just yet, but while Ekko was distracted with fixing his precious Z-drive, maybe she'd get the perfect chance to walk out of the council tower with far more than they anticipated. Plus…what fun was calling her sister "fat-hands" unless she had the weapons to back it up?

She wasn't gonna do it for free after all! There was plenty of reward for herself too. Plenty of relentless jokes and teasing was in her future.

Silly sister.

"Hard at work again, I see!"

Her hunched shoulders lined with oil and sweat straightened upon hearing the cheery voice break the expected sounds of her mechanical finagling. Her eyes drifted from the many loose nuts and bolts scattered on her workbench and turned to meet her tiny guest. Heimerdinger waddled into the room, hands contained behind his back. She offered the yordle a smile, waving the wrench in her hand as a partial greeting and gesture to her activities.

"You ever realize how much stuff you got here in your lab?" She asked before remembering that she hadn't exactly asked for permission to work here. "Ah! Hope you don't mind me takin' over your workshop."

"By all means child, you're welcome here as often as you'd like." The professor smiled as he walked closer. While he fiddled with a small step ladder under her bench, he continued. "And one should know that a laboratory without its resources is hardly valuable."

The ladder was positioned beside her and allowed the small man to climb to a better view of her project. He stared at the hoverboard splayed across the wooden surface, a furry finger to his chin in thought.

"Is there an issue with your hoverboard?"

"You bet!" She spun back towards the object in question and cranked her wrench around a particularly stubborn piece that refused to separate. "It's not fast enough."

"I was under the impression that all the hoverboards were made with a specific speed in mind."

"They are." She agreed while her tongue poked out of her mouth. With a tiny leap and leveraged push towards the ground, she breathed a sigh of relief when the tension finally gave way. "I just want mine to be faster."

"I see."

She tilted her head to give the yordle a grin, her eyes sparkling with an intense passion for the project. Heimerdinger may think he understands, but did he really? A scientist of his caliber may be under the assumption that she wanted to squeeze out just a bit more speed, optimize an already magnificent build, but that was such a limiting assumption.

"I'm expanding the fuel lines, cleaning up the internals, and rounding out the edges." She started, already feeling a giddy pressure in her chest as the yordle nodded with understanding.

"Yes. Making it more aerodynamic and capable of outputting more energy. I would do the same in your situation."

"Then I got this bad boy!" She laughed as she reached over towards a partially constructed rocket booster and plopped it right down in front of Heimerdinger. His eyebrows raised high on his face, mustache ruffled from parted lips, as he stared at the monstrosity that she'd been working on. It was larger than his head! Ha!

"Are you…" The professor muttered slowly, "...certain this is necessary, Jinx? It seems a tad…much."

"It's abso-freakin-lutely necessary! I wanna leave that dumbass in the dust!" She shook her hands in front of her as she growled with the spoken thought.

"Dumb…ass?"

"Ekko." She clarified as a fiery lust for victory burned in her pupils. "I'm not gonna lose to some cocky punk in a race like that ever again."

"You've engineered a rocket so that you can win a race?"

"Among other things." She shrugged nonchalantly before grabbing the constructed object and spinning it in place. "Dumb dumb Firebugs made a working hoverboard and didn't think about making it any faster? Where's the fun in that?"

"Perhaps it was a safety precaution?"

"Lame." She groaned lethargically, "I wanna go so fast I can't even breathe."

"Please be careful dear."

"Don't be such a worrywart." She waved the yordles concerns away, with the swipe of her hand through the air, "I know what I'm doing."

A sudden sound pierced the air and she snapped her attention to the sight of her fuel line cracking under the pressure of her many adjustments. Green chem-tech sputtered out of a tiny hole and sizzled on the wood of her table.

"Ah shit." Her hands were quick, snatching a safe material to smother the hazardous liquid at its source and simultaneously loosening the points of pressure that had inadvertently caused such a defect. Her chuckles were awkward in the air as she faced Heimerdinger, who was now undoubtedly taking note of similar scorch marks littering the surface of the workbench. Okay…so it wasn't the first time it happened, no biggie. A tiny problem in the grand scheme of things really. Can't make a threat without breakin' some legs…or however the saying went.

"You know what you're doing, you say?"

"Oh hush!" She frowned under his critical stare. "Okay. Yeesh. Tell me what you really think. Isortaknow what I'm doing. Is that better?"

Heimerdinger hopped off the small ladder that had given him a good vantage point of her project before walking further into his laboratory towards his desk. She followed his little, stubby legs as he walked and couldn't help but giggle. How did such a keen mind end up in such a tiny body?

"Knowing one's limits is quite important." The yordle offered as he began shuffling through papers and documents of his own work. "Too often I see students of mine make grave mistakes that could've been avoided had they spent time on self-reflection."

"Yeah." Her expression fell upon hearing his words. "I'm starting to realize that myself."

The second part of that sentence went unheard. Just a fading whisper of a thought that was frozen in the air. His advice wasn't on deaf ears. Though it didn't particularly address her ambitions of creating a faster hoverboard. Pushing things to the very brink with her many inventions was a source of joy. She couldn't justNOTrestrict herself from making greatness.

Yet…

The words struck something deep in her core. Forget about inventions and plans, none of that was of any concern. She could feel a different kind of remorse trapped inside as her very identity was scrutinized. It was unsettling, knowing that there were limits hidden from her own mind. An intangible ceiling that forced her desires into the dirt, suffocated them with a terror so great that she could hardly fathom it.

Getting closer to everyone here was doing something to her. Opening doors she didn't know existed. Worst of all, what was behind those doors was a complete and terrifying mystery. Was it love that awaited her, or a behemoth intent on her annihilation? It was starting to feel like she was playing that game of chance a bit too much.

"I've been meaning to ask," Heimerdinger started and her unfocused eyes returned to the scientist as he continued to read his papers, "How are you, my dear?"

"Me?" Her hands gestured to herself as if it was strange to think such a question was directed towards her. Then again, it was just the two of them in the lab. "..."

"Indeed." The professor confirmed with a nod, "I've noticed that you seem to be quite comfortable with the others."

"Maybe..." Her defeated sigh was immediately regretted. It seemed to just slip out as a newfound wave of exhaustion flowed over her body.

"Is something troubling you?"

She swiveled in her chair to place her back towards the scraps of her hoverboard and spot the look of concern on Heimerdinger's face. Her hand reached for her temple and smoothed her displaced hair back over her scalp.

"Probably."

When wasn't something troubling her? Something wasalwaysin the way, always stealing her joy. Maybe things were just more clear. She could actually see it. All the issues that stacked up like layers of an onion. Each time she peeled away a single piece, it just became harder to stare. It stung with an intensity more potent than the last. A blurred, heavy fog seemed to weigh upon her shoulders. When Heimerdinger placed himself in her view, she realized she was staring at the floor.

"Is there something you wish to talk about?" He asked gently, "I can offer you my ear."

Her lips pulled into a thin smile. She even thought about reaching for a blade and diverting the conversation with a literal joke that she'd gladly accept his "ear", but she found herself yearning for his kindness. How utterly annoying.

"I just…" Her breath came out in a sudden, tired sigh as she paused to formulate her problem. It wasn't easy, not in the slightest, but some semblance of an issue could be crafted with her words. "It feels like I'm stuck."

He didn't reply, so she continued.

"One step forward, two steps back." She pushed on her knees to stand from her seat and began pacing around the room. The flash of her nightmare forced a shiver down her spine and she paused to take a second, needing to collect herself before she cracked again. "Every time I think I'm getting better, it implodes. It just fucking implodes."

Her companion was still silent, yet she could tell he was vigilant with his attention entirely on her.

"It's getting worse!" Her voice suddenly raised, her arms thrown in the air in anger. "And sooner or later I'm gonna figure out that I was right. There's no fixing me! Just like I've always known. All of this shit is pointless. I'm wasting my time."

"Are you?"

The first question to be uttered from the yordle paused her rant in her throat. Such a simple question. Such a stupid question too. She thought Heimy was supposed to be smart.

"Obviously!" She yelled.

"What of the friends you've made?" He asked.

"They're wasting their time too." Her voice broke as her head lowered in silence.

How soon would it take for Ekko to lose interest? If she had to find him again, ask him to hold her while she shuddered under the weight of her past, how long could he keep that up? Two times? Three? At some point he'd have to admit his frustration and she'd have to accept that when there's no solution to a crippling problem, the only way forward is to leave it behind. Leaveherbehind.

Caitlyn and Vi would get there too.

When Cait finally understands that no amount of "understanding" her ghosts would ever stop them from torturing her with their noise, she'd surely have to give up. There were better, more important things to do with her time as an officer for the police force. If the woman had to juggle all sorts of responsibilities, she would be the first one to drop.

And Vi…

Her heart clenched the most for her sister. Of all the people she felt closest too, the undying fear was that she wouldn't be enough. Vi was building a new relationship, one that she'd been jealous of the moment she laid eyes on her sister hugging Caitlyn on the Bridge of Progress. The day was coming. The day when Violet realized that she had an out from all the muck, dirt, and shit in the undercity. She could have an opportunity to live top-side, breathe fresh air, and wake up next to a person that loved her. And what could she offer Violet to stay? To forego such a life?

Nothing.

"You're getting better, Jinx. These things take time."

"Howmuchtime?" She whined.

His head lowered to stare at the floor as well. "I can't say."

"Then what's the fuckin' point. I can't just make everyone wait! Maybe I just need to leave."

Some time apart from the Firelights might actually be good. Though even as she considered it, she could feel her body reject the thought as if it spoke for her troubled mind. She felt sick.

"You mustn't abandon your loved ones, my dear. I fear that would do you no good."

"I just hate it! I hate it, hate it, hate it!" Her boots stomped against the wood with each punctuated shout. "They're all waiting for some stupid dream where we're all happy and I'll just screw it up, and, and, and…and I feel like I'm lying right to their faces."

"I understand you're scared." She stilled when she felt Heimerdinger's tiny palm take rest on her knee in a small offer of comfort. She didn't quite know how he could see through her anger and make such a claim. He wasn't wrong though. "I'm sure it's quite unsettling to reflect so deeply on your troubled past, but a greater disservice to your friends would be to give up."

She bit her lip, processing his words slowly, thoughtfully.

"Everyone wants you to succeed Jinx, but if you give up now, then I'm afraid it'll be exactly as you said. Pointless. Is that what you desire?"

The conversation was heavy. Too heavy. She hadn't expected to open such a fresh wound when she escaped to the professor's lab. Her body lowered to the floor, as if the discussion was truly pressing upon her shoulders and she needed to sit, needed to feel like she could listen without getting exhausted at the mere act of standing. Seated on the floor, her concerned eyes were level with the yordle's.

"No." She shook her head, whispering under her breath. "I don't want that."

His mustache lifted in a smile, blue eyes shining with a hope that she wanted to capture for herself.

"Youaregetting better, child. Reflect on your time here and you'll come to the same conclusion."

His words were frustrating because the second she heard them, she knew he was right. There were a lot of things that had changed for the better. Frustrating because when she thought about it, all her concerns and anger seemed like a petty tantrum of a spoiled child. But that wasn't true either, was it…There were real horrors in her mind, an endless abyss of pain and agony that would certainly attempt to rip her apart, piece by piece if she wasn't careful. So the real answer was somewhere between those extremes.

"I wanna believe I can do it." She whispered, "But it's asking a lot."

"While it's important that you face your fears and overcome them, please don't think that you must make that journey alone." Heimerdinger spoke softly, "Seeking and accepting help from others is no waste of time, I assure you."

Her expression softened at his words and the insistence behind them. Funny how she found it so easy to talk to Heimy. Even better, this was the first time in their relationship that the little yordle was making total sense. She almost felt stupid, doubting the little scientist, but at least she could see the hope in his eyes and find solace there. He really wanted her to succeed, didn't he?

"C'mere ya friggin teddy bear." She was half inviting, half commanding as her arms splayed outwards.

The hefty weight of the yordle was immediately scooped into her arms as he approached. She wrapped around him tightly, letting his fluff warm her as his smaller arms settled on her shoulders. Her nose wrinkled as the tips of his hair tickled her. Sneezing into the yordle wasn't exactly what she had in mind, so it required a pit of restraint to force the sensation back. Her head tilted to rest over him and she sighed.

"You'll be alright, Jinx." He spoke into her, muffled, but heard. "You'll be alright."

GAH!

It was already hard enough trying not to squeeze the stuffin' out of his little body. After being reprimanded so many times, she thought she had that urge under control. But then the professor had to go and say things like that, and she couldn't help but tighten her hold a little harder. Just a little bit though. Heimy may not be the most vocal to oppose her handling, so she'd have to restrict herself the slightest amount to ensure he wasn't suffocating.

A few seconds of warmth passed over them in silence. She smiled while her heart thudded against her chest. He was right. She could keep going, keep pushing to overcome all the hellish memories and crippling fears. Right now, when she recounted all her friends and the opportunities bestowed upon her, she couldn't help but feel lucky for once in her life.

"Jinx!" Her head lifted when she heard her name called into the open air. Not a second later she saw Ekko appear in the doorway of the laboratory. His prototype hanging from a strap around his shoulder. "Jin- oh. Here you are."

His brown eyes found her on the floor of the room, Heimerdinger deep in her clutches.

"..."

"..."

"Haven't you been told Heimerdinger is not a stuffed animal?"

"I'm not so sure about that." She giggled while swaying the yordle in her arms, "Do you evenrealizehow fluffy he is?"

"Perhaps I could be put down now?" Heimy mumbled into her top and she reluctantly removed him from her grasp and placed him back on his stubby legs.

Ekko shook his head with a disbelieving chuckle before straightening.

"You ready to go? Grab your hoverboard and we'll head for the council."

Her eyes diverted to stare at the pile of scraps and de-constructed board on the workbench nearby. She began rubbing the back of her neck as she stood.

"Hehe…About that…"

He caught her gaze and followed it to the source of her embarrassment. His fingers pinched the bridge of his nose in a flash of irritation.

"Why would you take it apart when youknewwe were leaving today?"

Hmph. She didn't like the boy's attitude.

"I didn't think it'd take a long time to fix."

"What's wrong with it?"

"That's a secret!"

"...Whatever." Ekko sighed, "We'll ride mine together then. Let's go."

She was quick to skip after Ekko as he disappeared from the door but turned around once more to wave goodbye to the yordle she was leaving behind.

"Watch my stuff for me Heimy?"

"Of course."

"I owe ya one." She grinned before feeling an even deeper gratitude pool in her heart. Such a kind creature, one she was excited to call a friend. "I really do."

"Why couldn't we just use the airship?" She muttered, standing behind Ekko as they raced across the wildlands on his hoverboard.

"I don't know how to fly it…"

"But-."

"AndI'm not letting you figure it out with me on board."

She laughed. That was a fair point. She had no issues tinkering with the controls and figuring out how such a large contraption soared through the sky. It would've been a good idea though. That hunk of metal has been sitting next to their hideout, probably all sad because nobody thought to use it. Well, maybe not today, but one of these days she'd take it to the sky. That'd be so cool!

Her eyes shifted to stare at Ekko's back, his cloak fluttering from the wind. She subconsciously pulled at her own and was aware of the mask resting on top of her scalp. Another trip to the top-side…and it may have not been the most important mission, nor dangerous to leave the others behind. There were more than enough preparations and defenses should Sevika suddenly appear. Chances were less than slim on that though, but the stiffness in Ekko's shoulders was bugging her. He was far too concerned than he needed to be. He needed a distraction to break the weighty spell of leadership.

Pink eyes glowed with an idea that tickled her silly.

"Hup!" She released a small sound as she jumped, slipping her arms around his neck and crossing her legs around him at his waist.

"Jinx! What the fuck!?" Ekko cursed as the board beneath them wobbled and stuttered in the shifted balance.

She giggled as her palms reached up his face and covered his eyes. In an instant his hands were on her wrists, desperately trying to yank her away.

"I can't see!"

"Not such a hotshot now, are ya?" She laughed, leaning them both to the side to avoid a particularly large crater.

"You're insane!"

"I know! Isn't this fun?"

When he finally managed to pull her hands away from his face, she let them settle back around his neck. He turned his head just enough to glare at her though nothing he could do would make her regret the awesome fluttery feeling in her stomach from unnecessary danger.

"Not cool."

"Oh lighten up." She smiled only to see him face forward, a stern expression on his face.

Well, so much for making him forget his worries. She actually might've made it worse…With her legs still crossed around his waist, she leaned forward and hovered right over his shoulder. Despite her staring and giggling sounds, he remained steady in his resolve to push forward. And it was super frustrating!

"Isaidlighten up!" She repeated only this time, she had a different idea.

It took a little maneuvering, but she was able to push even further into his space. Her lips pecked the side of his cheek. A quick, innocent kiss that left her laughing and giddy because it was then that she saw the boy's resistance break. His hand found her arm, holding her, squeezing her with just the slightest amount of pressure to convey thanks.

"Was that so hard?" She teased. "Don't gotta be all serious ya know."

"Shut up."

His words may have been harsh, but the tone wasn't. He was smiling as they continued to venture towards the top-side, his posture more relaxed. Because of that, it was infinitely more pleasant to hang onto his back, lean into his frame, and rest her head against his shoulder. All things considered, things turned out exactly as planned. Actually better now that her lips were still tingling and her heart was warm.

The ride was much faster with those thoughts and feelings bubbling within.

Notes:

Annnd that's the chapter!

I hope this was the fun, bubbly, and heartwarming chapter you all wanted (or needed) and we're back on track with the plot! I've mentioned it before that I really want to give all the other characters scenes with Jinx because I find her relationships so interesting. I hope that Heimerdinger's was nice and sweet to read and the sister spat earlier in the chapter was a lot of fun to write too. I was smiling quite often when I imagined both of those scenes.

Again, hope you liked the chapter! We got some top-side stuff to get into for the next one and that'll lead to some interesting developments I think. Please leave a kudos if you can and if you want to comment your thoughts about the chapter, I would love to read what you have to say! I made an effort to really respond to everyone on the last one and I plan to do the same here.

Until next time :)

Chapter 33: The Beauty of Imagination

Notes:

Howdy! I'm back with another chapter! This one took a little bit longer than a week, mostly from a bit of writer's block but I'm very satisfied with how it turned out! Also, apologies for not replying to the comments of last chapter. I was swamped with work and getting this chapter out, but I'm going to go back and definitely give responses, especially to some of the questions I saw. As always, please don't ever doubt that I don't appreciate your comments! I read every single one, often many times (and also giggling like mad, pacing around my apartment XD) They make my day and you all have been so wonderfully supportive!

I hope you enjoy this chapter! 3

(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)

Chapter Text

Brown leather boots tapped against the hardwood floors of the councilor's office. Nervous? No, she wasn't nervous. Impatient maybe. She watched through the holes in her mask as the very man they'd come to see was scanning Caitlyn's letter. His gold eyes seemed to travel along the words, occasionally lifting to stare at Ekko and herself in a mysterious curiosity before continuing to read.

She was mildly interested in what sort of letter her friend had written too. When they arrived unannounced at the council tower, they'd almost been sent away immediately. Ekko's pleading with the office steward nearly failed until the same letter between Jayce's fingers had been thrust into his hands. It only took a few minutes before they were ushered into the Hextech creator's personal office.

A tired sigh from the man broke her recalled thoughts and she shifted the weight of her feet. Couldn't he at least have offered them one of those comfy chairs she spotted near the edge of the room? Nice plush chairs cushioned with red velvet and overlooked a glorious view of Piltover from a giant glass window, they looked more like thrones than seating.

"You've brought Cait into this…" Jayce started and her eyes were back on him as he scratched at his stubbled jaw.

"She's been helping since the very beginning." Ekko replied, "I've told her this isn't her fight, but…she isn't too keen on letting things continue as is."

"Yeah." The councilor nodded his head in agreement, "Sounds like her."

"So." The man turned to set the letter on his desk and placed his hands behind his back as he took steps towards the window, peering over the horizon in thought. "The reason I'm staying late today is because you needed my help with something. Something important enough that you couldn't make an appointment and wait like everyone else. I try not to play favorites, you know."

"You could make an exception." She muttered through her mask, the distortion in her voice keeping her identity a secret.

She watched Jayce's fists clench and he spun to face them, a newfound frustration burning behind those golden eyes.

"Let's cut the bullshit." He growled, eyes locked on her. "You're not fooling anybody Jinx."

Oops. Guess her identity wasn't a secret. So much for Ekko's bright idea of wearing a mask. She even remembered to hide her braids from falling beneath the seams of her cloak this time! What a waste of effort! Her hands grabbed the chin of her mask and removed the entire thing from her head, pushing back her hood in the process and revealing her bright blue hair to the world.

"Maybe this guy's not so stupid after all." She glanced at Ekko while jabbing a thumb towards the man. "I mean-. Damn he figures things out fast! You think I'm not trying hard enough? Is it the voice-?"

"Jinx isn't going to cause problems." Her companion insisted, eyes equally stern as they stared at Jayce.

Okay...Ekko was ignoring her. Fine. Whatever. She threw her hands up in exasperation and huffed to herself. So lame. Shenevergot to talk in these sorts of meetings. Which was…well, given her history of shoot first, ask questions never, it was understandable that the target of their solutions was uneasy, but she hadn't done a single thing wrong! Er…yet. She still had yet to spot those chunky lookin' gauntlets. Maybe Ekko shouldn't be making promises she was pretty sure to break.

Jayce's posture didn't falter at Ekko's words. His eyes were still trained on her with intense suspicion and thought.

"Reports came in not too long ago about the Dredge prison." The man started, "Whole place was blown to bits, critical mining operations halted, and Stillwater's struggling to take in the sudden influx of criminals.Shewouldn't have had anything to do with that, right?

Oops again. Actually, not technically her fault. Urgot did a pretty big number on the place when he shot up those chem-tech barrels and, sure…the drill was her idea…but it wasn't like she planned for the prison to crumble apart. That was just a cherry on top.

"I can explain-." Ekko started only to be interrupted by the councilor again.

"Look kid," He rubbed at his clenched eyes with the pads of his thumbs, "I already did what I could. I gave you those gemstones to win your fight, but what exactly have you fixed since then? Almost everyday we hear new stories about the struggling under-city and I'm not so sure you've been able to handle it."

"In case you hadn't noticed, we're basically a seven man team against an army of shimmer users. Some of which were being smuggled out of the Dredge and backed by some powerful people. So I'd say we're doing pretty good, all things considered."

Yikes. She listened intently as Ekko's voice grew darker and darker by the second. His face was scrunched into the slightest hint of a snarl as he spoke to the councilor. Guess Jayce was also good at striking the right nerves.

"Doesn't change the fact that the council has its growing concerns."

She scoffed, arms crossed over her chest. "Maybe if they'd stop getting off on that stupid light show of theirs and make some real decisions we wouldn't be stuck in the shitshow downstairs."

Jayce's eyes snapped to her, at first in anger at her clear disrespect- not like she cared, but then a newfound exhaustion settled in the lines on his face. The bite behind the glare was reduced as he found himself unable to refute her claim. Shewasn'ta liar.

The silence that coated the room spoke their thoughts clearly, marinating the conversation with a tension that seemed to resonate on the shoulders of the two men in the room while she shrugged with her hands in the air. Was she helping? Making things worse? Did it matter? She wasn't keen to play this fake game of acting to get what Ekko wanted. She'd never suck up to the council and her attention was on the boy beside her, questioning his intentions as well.

"I'm not asking for much." Ekko broke the silence as his hands pulled his prototype device from behind and presented it to the councilor. "Just need some help understanding Hextech."

The cylindrical container snapped open, revealing the glowing orb within. She turned to stare at the Man of Progress, smirking when the lines on his face seemed to fade as his golden eyes lit up with curiosity.

"What is that?" Jayce muttered as he scanned the device, no doubt taking note of all the runes that had been scratched into the metal.

"Something I think can change the world."

"Those words are dangerous, you know." The man spoke while taking a step closer.

"OhIknow. I don't speak them lightly." Ekko smirked.

Jayce paused, eyes squinting to better decipher the little scribbles etched into the Z-drive before lifting his eyes to the door of his office. He straightened before glancing towards Ekko.

"Let's take this conversation to my workshop. My partner should be there too."

The container was snapped closed and returned to hanging off the Firelight's shoulders as he nodded. The light of the gemstone may have disappeared, but she could still see the glow in Jayce's eyes. Maybe they'd actually get some answers to Ekko's theories.

"Sounds good. Lead the way."

"Time travel?"

The single question lingered in the air and spoke volumes to the insanity that was presented to the councilor.

"That's what I said." Ekko replied as seriously as he could.

"Time travel?" Jayce repeated, as if he'd misunderstood the explanation. Honestly, she couldn't blame the guy either. She was equally skeptical of such an idea when she first heard it. "Is such a thing even possible?"

"Of course it isn't."

The attention of the men snapped towards the third voice that suddenly spoke aloud. Viktor was sitting at his desk, back facing towards them while he jotted down some sort of notes with a pencil. Jayce and Ekko almost seemed like they'd forgotten about the sickly, pale man keeping to himself in the corner of the workshop. Not her. Her eyes never strayed from Vikor the moment she entered the room.

It'd been an awkward introduction at first. Jayce danced around the topic of having someone likeher, in their workshop. Not like it was the first time she'd seen it either…but having an official invitation was better than breaking and entering in this case. And when Viktor had stated that they'd already met, that was even harder to explain. Thankfully, the issue was hardly worth the time and Ekko had begun reciting his findings, his experimentation, and lastly their problem.

"It's not…possible?" Ekko asked slowly, confused by the insistent declaration from the scientist.

She watched Viktor reach for his cane beside his chair and the act of struggling to his feet that was all too easy for her to spot as a continued facade. The scrawny man was still hiding it, wasn't he? Mylo danced around the man, pretending like he could trip him.

"Not right now, at least." Viktor's accented voice responded, though he had an uplifting note in his tone.

"What do you mean, 'not right now'?" Ekko's eyes narrowed in thought.

When Viktor finally faced them, she was struck by his sunken eyes. His skin was nearly as pale as hers, brown hair tousled like it hadn't been maintained for days, and his clothes hung loosely on his frame. Despite all of it, there was still a brightness to his eyes that made her wonder. Had he stopped whatever strange experimentation he was doing before? Or just paused it temporarily?

"Conceptually, time travel is impossible. It would be like trying to travelthrougha mountain." His strange, under-city accent was thick with his words, yet she was following along for now. "You cannot travel to a place that has no path."

"You mean we can't go back in time." Ekko stated.

"No." Viktor agreed, "But that doesn't mean you can'tcreatea path. Once time-travel is possible, reverting to the moment it was created seems feasible."

"So they can't go back, but if there was a point created in time…a marker or something, that would work?" Jayce pondered aloud with his hand to his chin.

"The mathematics allow for this." Viktor nodded. "Though I only speak of a concept."

Suddenly something clicked in her head. A little light of genius electrified her brain and she spun on her heels to face the boy beside her. The problem wasn't the runes that they'd been trying to fit together, but the lack of information needed to complete the equation.

"That'swhat we're missing!" She practically jumped in her boots.

She didn't even need to speak the words aloud before Ekko's eyes widened, quickly following her line of thinking.

"We need a point in time. Location. Time. Runes to store that information."

"Then you could send something through it. Boom! Time travel! " She finished for the boy before they both raced to the nearest desk.

Ekko hastily removed the prototype from his back and began opening the device while she scrambled for clean papers and a pencil. Immediately she began scribbling notes and drafting a sketch of the runes they could try. The Firelight beside her began opening the drawers of the desk, searching for an appropriate tool to carve the designs.

"We need a rune that acts like a clock or something. A way to measure a span of time."

She nodded her head rapidly while drawing on the paper. "We'll need something to store a physical location, telling the gemstone where we want to end up."

"God it's so obvious. How did we miss this?" Ekko practically gasped as he continued to work alongside her.

"Iknow!" She replied with equal astonishment. "We're fuckin stupid or somethin! Here's the first sketch."

The paper was slid to the boy as he reviewed the draft and began outlining the design with a pen on the insides of the container.

"Are you evenlookingat what you're drawing?" Ekko groaned, "Is that supposed to be an 'L' or a 'J' shape?"

"How about you grow a pair of eyes!? It's clearly a 'C' shape, dumbass."

"Well draw it so I can read it next time."

"Sure." She rolled her eyes, "I'll remember that you're illiterate next time I draw heebie-jeebie magic shit. OR. You could quit being a whiny baby and copy what I did."

"You're an infuriating psycho, you know that?"

"Takes one to know one."

Their banter continued with meaningless insults while the energy of the room pulsed around them. It was so easy to focus on their newfound revelation and craft the final pieces of the puzzle that had stumped them for so long. For a few moments, nothing but the sounds of their work filled the room. Amidst the distraction, she paused and turned around to face the other two men they'd forgotten about in their excitement.

The two top-side scientists were staring at her. Er…rather they were staring at herandEkko. For a moment she considered if something had happened. Jayce and Viktor looked…brighter, more alive than she could recall. A tenderness was leaking from the warm smiles and relaxed postures. She could only tilt her head and furrowed her brow in clumsy confusion.

"What're you nerds lookin at?"

It was like a spell was broken between the two men. Suddenly both of their expressions raised in a self-aware alertness that hadn't been present before. Jayce coughed awkwardly in his hand while Viktor seemed to shift his body away from everyone.

"I uh…" Jayce started only to pause, searching for the right words, "Well…Seeing you both so enthusiastic about Hextech…It uh..."

"You remind us of ourselves." Viktor finished for the councilor with a small smile, "When we were younger. As equally curious as we were excited."

She shrugged her shoulders and spun back towards the table where Ekko had paused to listen to the conversation.

"Mhmm. Maybe you're just stunned that two punks from the streets like us figured out your fancy shmancy science magic." She turned to offer the men a playful smirk, "But feel free to keep spouting that nostalgia crap. Whatever makes you sleep better at night."

Ekko suddenly snorted in what she assumed was meant to be a quiet chuckle. Hah dork! Way to be subtle! Her hand clapped him roughly on the back as she laughed alongside the boy and they continued to work together. She couldn't deny it. The energy, the excitement, the fun of whipping her pencil across a canvas, inventing just like she's always done was incredible!

For a long while, and what seemed like forever, she'd never had people interested in the weird gadgetry and tech that was only limited by the tools in her hands and the inspirations in her twisted mind. But right now, her tongue slipped from between her lips as she continued to scribble, right now she was among friends. Okay…that was sorta a stretch, but nevertheless, she was among multiple people that enjoyed the process of creation! And they were all real!

What an awesome feeling this was!

It wasn't soon after her epiphany that the odd sensation of Jayce and Viktor looming over their shoulders, dripping with unspoken curiosity. Of course the Hextech creators would be interested in Ekko's device. A new, unfathomable variant was on the very cusp of being born and she could proudly claim her efforts were involved.

"You're saving two instances of time?" Jayce's voice questioned the Firelight from above.

"Yeah. A double safety. Ya know, in case the time field adjusts itself and records bad data? Ensuring there's two copies of a time is probably unnecessary, but who knows."

"I've told him it's pointless." She argued while her eyes rolled, "You need to save two copies of physical coordinates, not time. Idiot."

"Yeah? Maybe if we're gonna toss a ball into this thing, but we're talking about human life. Pretty sure getting back to the right location is better than getting back to the right time."

"Wait. You can't be serious." Viktor's voice almost startled her with how randomly loud the man was. All past encounters with him, portrayed him to be a more quiet man. "You cannot use this invention on yourself."

"Why not?" Ekko questioned aloud as he continued to carve into the metal.

"Hextech isdangerous. You have no idea what variables you are introducing by merging it with human life."

She lifted her pink eyes to Viktor's amber ones, watching as genuine horror seemed to bleed from his expression. He definitely knew something about Hextech and its limits. Far more than Jayce. She could see that the councilor was almost as perplexed as Ekko, though he also seemed to know a bit more than the Firelight.

"What's the point of time travel if I'm stuck in the present?" Ekko argued, "You already said I can't go back in time. Now you're saying I can't use it at all?"

"What you are suggesting is reckless."

Ekko slammed his hands on the desk hard enough to make her flinch. It silenced the room. An angry scowl on his face slowly marred his expression as his brown eyes were ablaze with fury. The only thing he was glaring at was the sickly man in opposition. She wanted to lean back and watch the whole situation play out. See where things would go…

"I'm tired of hearing that shit." Ekko growled. "All you top-siders ever do is complain about your problems and whenImake an effort, whenIcome up with a solution, suddenly it's not good enough and everyone is doubting me."

"I get it, kid. It's not easy" Jayce attempted to place a hand on the boy's shoulder only to give up as Ekko's body spun to face the councilor.

"You think saying that will help? You think I don't understand what's going on?"

"I'msayingthat I understand how you feel." Jayce replied as he straightened his posture and composed into a stern visage. "We encountered our own share of problems trying to invent Hextech, some of which we're still dealing with today."

Yeah…well, theydidhave experience. Maybe the stupid ones in this room were herself and Ekko for barreling straight into an idea that clearly had far more ramifications than they understood. Damn. Agreeing with the concerns of Piltover's most prestigious inventors? She needed to get her head checked or something.

"I've planned it all out. It'll work just fine." Ekko replied.

"If it doesn't?" Viktor questioned.

"Then…Then…" Ekko paused and she cringed at his silence. She could tell he was stumped. The difficult part to understand was whether she was anxious about how fast his plans had been dismantled by the experts in the room, or whether she was anxious about how desperate he seemed to complete the Z-drive. "Look. I won't mess this up. I'm sure of it."

"The consequences of messing with time on yourself could be far greater than you anticipate."

Viktor's words seemed to actually get through the Firelight's thick skull, forcing the defiance and anger out of his stance as he settled into a contemplative expression. The sickly looking man gave Ekko a reserved glance, as if insisting that his words should be considered before he turned and began limping towards the door of the workshop.

"Oh…Jinx?" Viktor called nonchalantly, though a shiver still raced up her spine while she flinched. Here we go. She expected something to happen already, "Would you care to help me move some stuff from my office?"

"You sure you wantherhelp?" Jayce interrupted, "I can-."

"It's alright Jayce. I trust that she will not cause any problems. Besides, one of us has to watch the boy and his prototype."

The councilor reluctantly agreed, golden eyes locked onto her as she stood up from her seat and began following Viktor. She swallowed the lump in her throat before finding some sort of strength within herself to move forward. Obviously Viktor hadn't forgotten their deal made long ago. With all the horror of her nightmare still yet to perish in her mind, she wasn't sure talking to the scientist now was in her best interests, but there was no backing down.

She wasn't a coward. Not at all.

The door was quickly shut behind her as she entered the office of the Hextech inventor. No words were shared as he hobbled over to his desk. She watched his cane tap against the wooden floorboards, but only until he lifted the object and shifted his walk into something more natural, unobstructed by his "condition".

"I have to say, I was excited to see that you had shown up with your friend today."

She sighed, placing a hand on her hip as if to convey her disinterest in his pleasantries.

"Don't get it twisted. I didn't exactly plan on seeing you."

"Of course not." Viktor smiled as he pulled a small piece of paper from a locked drawer and began walking around his desk to approach her. She was determined to firmly plant her feet on the floor, pink eyes watching every move of the man's.

He wasn't a threat…but he could be…she'd be careful.

A small paper was lifted towards her, offered between two fingers. Her head tilted to stare at the gift before glancing back towards Viktor. An explanation was needed.

"What's that?"

"I spoke with the doctor." Her breath hitched in her throat at his words. The insidious image of that evil man appearing in her mind. "I wasn't able to get any significant answers about your…transformation. But not all is lost."

The paper trapped between his fingers was fluttered in the air once more, asking for her to take it, so she did. Her fingers plucked at the edges and unfolded the note, letting her eyes scan its contents. A few bolded words, numbers, and a hasty sketch had her brow twisting.

"Am I supposed to understand what this is?"

"Oh!" Viktor's eyes widened as if he forgot that such information needed context, though she had many similar situations when trying to explain her blueprints to others. "Singed is an illusive man, so I took the liberty of detailing information you might need to find him. Dates, times, coordinates, the sketch is the location of his current laboratory."

"Huh." She smirked as she once again looked over the contents of the paper. "Not bad."

"Will you visit him?"

"Visit?" She scoffed as she put the paper into her pocket. "More like murder. When I find that bastard, I'll make him pay for what he did to me."

The dark tone in her voice seemed to startle the scientist, forcing him to take a hesitant step backwards.

"You wish to kill him? Even after the successful mutation?"

Her eyes narrowed. There was that disgusting word again, even more pronounced with Viktor's strange accent.Mutation. Like she was a freak. Like she wasn't human anymore. And yeah, sure, maybe if everything worked out and she survived the night on the Bridge without the torture,maybethings would be different. But that's not what happened. Even though there was a potent amount of fear in her heart, her hatred for the doctor was equally intense.

Viktor sighed after a moment of silence.

"My apologies. This topic must upset you." His expression fell, sadness leaking from his features, "I spoke with him to see if I could undergo the same procedure, but my body…it's too weak. I wouldn't survive."

"That's not such a bad thing you know."

He turned, surprised. "You're saying you wouldn't do it again? You'd rather die than receive a gift like that?"

Her fingers smoothed back her blue hair as she shrugged.

"I don't know." She spoke quietly, "I barely understand what he actually did, but it's no gift buddy. Not in the slightest. Sometimes it's better to go 'Boom!', 'Bang!', 'Whoosh!' into nothing."

Her words were backed by dramatic gestures of explosions before posing as a dead body. It was a theatrical performance of death, though it was her only method of toying with the idea in a lighthearted way.

"Is that so?" The man questioned skeptically, "What of your friends, your loved ones, all the things you could accomplish?"

Her teeth clenched painfully in her mouth, partly because she could understand Viktor's questions. There was a deeper, existential concern that accompanied his words. And yet…that still didn't matter. Because there was always the slimy, malevolent darkness within was always festering in the pit of her soul. She could feel it writhing beneath her skin.

"I'm worse than I was before. In other ways." She spoke through her tightened jaw. "If you think there's no downsides to living longer than you should, you're stupid."

"Perhaps." Viktor nodded with a genuine effort to understand, "I suppose I won't ever truly know, will I?."

"Yeah." She agreed before her thoughts drifted. Seeing a man doomed to die so early, it served as a decent reminder. There were things she hadn't been considering. Everyday felt like an effort to just survive and maintain the bonds with the people she loved. Considering her life in a new context, each breath she took was borrowed, granted to her from a mad scientist. Maybe she should spend less time trying to survive and more time thinking of what she could do with this second chance…

Eh.

That all seemed a bit too heavy to consider right now. She'd save those thoughts for another day, file it in the back of her mind.

"Thanks for the info though." She patted the pocket of her pants to remind the man of his information that he'd given her.

"Of course." Viktor gave a small smile, "Is there anything else you need?"

Ooh! There was! Her eyes glowed with an eager light and she grinned in a way that typically instilled concern in others. It was easy enough to tell, especially after all the times she smiled at Ekko like this.

"Actually, I do want something."

"You do?"

"Yup!" She cheered, "I want those big gauntlet thingies you and Progress Man made a while back."

"The Atlas gauntlets?" The man questioned, "What purpose would you need for those?"

"Some request my big idiot sister made." She giggled, "She's got fat hands andreallylikes wearing them. They also pack a pretty big punch, in case you weren't aware."

The inventor paused, clearly unsure of the request.

"We did not invent them to be used as weapons." Viktor spoke with a new edge to his voice, a conviction she hadn't quite anticipated laced within his words.

Silly her. She forgot that the best way to get something you want is to steal it! Er wait, no, that was if someone wasn't going to give her the gauntletswillingly. What was the other way?...Hmm…Ah! Give them something they want in return! That's it! See, she didn't ignore all of Silco's teachings, just like…eighty percent of them.

"You might not be able to handle the same sort of surgery, but I bet you still want some blood to study, huh?"

Her hook was cast out into the air between them, floating on the surface of the conversation until she saw amber eyes widen with a peculiar gleam. Gotcha.

"I thought you were against the use of needle-."

"No needles." She agreed vehemently before swiping a blade from her belt and holding it to her forearm. "Iamgenerous enough to still give you some though."

The sharpened blade was slowly pushed into her pale skin, not enough to cut, but just enough to show the man that with his simple nod of approval, he could have a sample of what he wanted in minutes. Sure, it could be considered taking advantage of an addict, Viktor was already unsteady in his posture and a thin sheen of sweat was noticed on his forehead. Despite his smarts and resolve to never create weapons, she could tell he was warring with himself. The tantalizing lure of furthering his knowledge, finding alternate ways to survive in this fucked up world was a great force upon a weakened will. In a matter of seconds she knew he'd found his answer. The slow, deliberate smile that spread on the man's face was exactly what she was looking for.

"Very well. We have a deal."

"So he just gave you resources from his lab?"

Ekko asked the question as they walked along the path back to their hideout. She repositioned her arms to better hold the large box of scraps she was given. Of course, with all these "supplies" they couldn't hoverboard back, but she didn't mind. Mission successful!.

"Yup!" She chirped happily.

She may have put a bit too much joy in her voice. It took the Firelight two seconds before his eyes narrowed in suspicion. Whoops.

"What did you do? Did you threaten him or something?"

"Threaten?" She gasped, "Of course not."

His skeptical brown eyes surveyed the contents of the box, scanning over the many gears, wires, and tubes that laid on top of her very important prize hidden beneath.

"I guess the professor will appreciate his laboratory being restocked."

"Mhm."

Her chest was tight, mostly from the increasing difficulty of keeping such a secret. A true genius like her needed to share the accomplishment and Mylo was hardly a rewarding confidant. Sure, he was dancing behind them both and the thought made her giggle. Gah! So tempting…

"Well today was good." Ekko started, "Visiting Jayce paid off. I should be able to complete the Z-drive soo-."

"I got those gauntlets too!" She blurted out uncontrollably. Shit.

"The gauntlets?" He asked before his eyes widened and his hands swiped the top layer of scraps in her box to reveal two freshly repaired mechanical fists. "God damnit, Jinx!"

"Calm down! I didn't steal anything. I just asked for them and Viktor gave 'em to me!"

"He just gave them to you? Because you asked?"

Her eyes drifted to the side guiltily.

"Yeeeeaaaahhhh."

"You think I'm stupid?"

"Uh…do you want the answer to that one?" She asked, "Cuz most of the time…yeah. You are."

He pushed his fingers into his eyes and sighed as they paused their journey back to base. It was quiet at the moment. With the night slowly settling in and their distance from the cities, all she could hear were her ghosts and the chirping noises of the firelights now glowing in the open air. She was momentarily distracted by all the tiny green lights fluttering above their heads.

"What happened to keeping a low profile?" Ekko groaned. "We can't afford to cause problems with the council."

"I got permission!"

"You know Jayce would've said no." He chuckled, partly in disbelief of her insistence. "You can't just go behind his back like that."

"Whatever."

"That's like going behind Vander's back when he already said no and finding someone else to give you what you want."

"And?"

"Ugh." Ekko slid his hands down his face, smudging the white chalk on his face and dragging his skin along with it as if he were a corpse. "You know what, fine. But if anyone asks, I'm blaming Viktor and you."

"When did you become such a goodie two-shoes?" She asked. It wasn't often, but every once in a while she noticed the boy acting in a way that would put her on edge, like he was shifting into someone else.Especiallyas his precious Z-drive neared completion.

"I'm just looking out for all of us."

"Is that what you're doing?" Her voice suddenly raised, an unconscious anger was slipping into her words, tainting them in frustration. "Or are you just making sure that nothing ruins your little time travel experiment?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" His shoulders squared, coupled with his abrasive tone.

"Looks to me like you're obsessed with that thing." She pointed to the container strapped around his shoulder.

"Do you even understand what thisthingcan do?" He argued. "The Z-drive is gonna win us the war against Sevika."

"Will it?"

"What?"

Maybe she hadn't really spent a lot of time thinking about it, but there was some sort of uncomfortable emotion pooling in her stomach at the idea of Ekko's device. The way he talked about it, what he wanted to do with it from the very beginning, she hadn't really considered the implications. But just now, her worries developed into a newfound anxiety that chewed into her head.

"This whole trip you've been focused on that thing. Sucking up to the top-siders and doing everything you can to get it done." She growled, "I noticed how buddy-buddy you were with them once they started helping."

"You were just as excited too!"

"..."

Dammit. She really didn't have a way to argue that point. Though she could sum it up as her own joy with inventing. It still didn't settle the twisting pull at her gut just thinking about what would happen if Ekko finished his project. If he could use it to go through time, venture far into the future…what would such a device do tothem? Would she be left behind?

"You got pretty angry when they said you couldn't go back in time." She pivoted the argument.

"Of course I did, that was the whole point of the thing!"

"That's stupid." She scoffed.

"What's so stupid about it?" Ekko's brows twisted with a deepened irritation, "Is it stupid to want to go back and change everything? Save the people that have died? Stop the under-city from becoming what it is today?"

"That's the worst idea I've ever heard."

"I get that you don't share the same empathy for others. I get that you're all fucked up. But what if that was different?"

Her heart stilled in her chest while her eyes widened. His words…to anyone else would feel noble, sweet even, but the message behind them was clear. More clear than the cleanest piece of glass. What if she wasn't the way she was…What if she were better…

It felt like a rejection. Of herself.

He must've seen something in her eyes because he immediately took a step forward, hand outstretched to reach for her, but she stepped away.

"I didn't mean it like that." Ekko tried.

"What other way is there to say it?" She muttered in response, her body felt hollow. "I'm not good enough."

"That's not-." The Firelight took a heavy breath. "I want you to be happy."

Her heart was pounding in her chest, beating in her ears as she struggled to breathe. It felt so hard to even stand upright so she set the box filled with the gauntlets and metal supplies on the ground and placed her hands on her temples, desperately trying to shake away the increased volume of her demons.

"No you don't."

"Ido." The boy insisted, "Imagine if I could go back and stop Silco from killing Vander. You, me, Vi, Mylo and Claggor too. We'd be fine. We could have a normal life."

"Sheisn'tme." Her lips trembled at the thought. If Ekko had such dreams, was she just a temporary replacement? Did she have a hold on his heart like he said, or was that Powder? That stupid, naive little girl. Scared, helpless…useless. "Besides, they already said it's impossible."

Brown eyes lowered to the concrete floor.

"I know."

"And you hate that you're stuck here with me. Hate the way things are."

"It's not like that."

"Then what is it?!" She exploded, glaring daggers at the boy that seemed increasingly ashamed of the words being spoken. The truth of it all being ripped from him without any way to hide. He couldn't use delicately crafted words with her, not anymore.

The Firelight seemed to physically recoil at her question, taking the words like a punch to his gut and she didn't feel any better seeing the pain on his face. When he turned away from her, she thought it might be the end of whatever bond they shared, but the worry crumbled as he found a seat along the edge of the concrete valley and stared into the night sky.

"I don't hate that I'm stuck here with you." He whispered as his eyes traveled with the firelights above. "But Idohate the way things are."

Her leather boots shuffled in place, unsteady, just like her stability and wildly beating heart as he continued.

"I never signed up to be a leader." Ekko sighed, "After all that's happened, I don't think I would want to be one. Once I figured out the gemstone could manipulate time…I started dreaming."

His words brought her in, made her walk closer and take a seat by his side, intent on hearing everything. If Ekko was opening himself, she had to listen. Her own insecurities demanded answers to selfish concerns.

"What if I could change the past? Rewind time?" He spoke with a quiver in his voice. "What if I never had to form the Firelights and never had to watch my friends die?"

Her eyes lowered in shame. She only made reality worse for the boy. Amongst all the death and destruction, she was the catalyst for many incidents. While regret was still absent for the act of killing, seeing his sadness pulled at her heart. Maybe there was a time, not too long ago, that she wanted to watch the world burn. Break people in the very same way the world had broken her, but now that Ekko was so closely tied to her, his pain bled into her soul. She hated the feeling.

"So yeah," Ekko paused to swallow, "I was pissed when they said I couldn't go back."

"That still means you hate being here." She murmured. "With me."

His hand suddenly clamped over hers as they both sat side by side.

"No." He rejected the thought, "I don't. I-...I just don't know what I'm doing."

"..."

"When you came to my room this morning, all I wanted was to fix it. I want to see you happy. But I think I'm just confused. I'm not prepared."

She hummed in acknowledgement because she's often felt the same in this strange journey of recovery.

"You're right. If I changed everything, there's no guarantee that we would be the same." He sighed once more, "If I hate anything, it's that I can't help you as much as I want to."

"You've helped a lot." She replied. His presence this morning, holding her while she cried was more than anything she could've asked for.

"It's probably for the best that I can't go back." His palm over hers pressed further down upon her skin. In a strange way, she almost felt like she was holding him in his moment of anguish. "Some stupid part of me thinks that I could keep the best parts of today and merge it with the past, but that's just not possible, is it?"

"What are the best parts now?"

He turned to face her, a bittersweet smile on his face.

"I have friends, family, more than ever before. You and Vi came back and it almost seems like we can pull off this war against Sevika." He whispered, "There's so much that's happened in these last few years, I had a lot of dreams fade into nothing."

"..."

"I guess the craziest thing is that I think I'm actually able to…"

He let his sentence drift into the cool night's air, but she wanted to hear what he had to say. No. She needed to hear his words because for far too long she'd been oblivious to the man that had her heart, despite their years of hatred for one another.

"Actually able to what?"

His eyes lifted to hers, swirling with an intense emotion she'd never seen. Trying to describe what she saw was like a puzzle, identifying bits and pieces of a whole. There was warmth and kindness, intensity and comfort, and something else.

"I'm able to love you."

Her lips parted in shock as her heart stilled in her chest. Pink eyes widened as she stared into the depths of his feelings, searching for anything that would hint a lie, but all she found was that same, indescribable emotion that overwhelmed everything else.

"I…" She tried to speak only to feel her voice die in her throat. There were no words, no thoughts she could convey. Even her ghosts couldn't break the hypnotic spell that captured her heart and mind as she stared at Ekko.

"I know you've been struggling." The boy continued, "And I wish I could do more. But all I can offer is…well…me. I don't think that's enough. I wish I could be more."

Her breathing was hard to control. Even harder was the stinging ache in her eyes that blurred his face for just a moment. She blinked against the beginnings of tears before croaking out the only words she could muster.

"You're enough." She trembled with an unsteady smile. If he was saying that he could love her…that was…she didn't even have the words… "Morethan enough."

The need to feel him, touch him, was growing, almost like an itch that demanded to be scratched.. His hand over hers was just a fraction of what she wanted. So as they sat side by side, she let her head fall onto his shoulder, warming her cold insides despite the coolness of the night. She could feel the side of his head press over her hair and the act allowed for them both to take a deep, calming breath.

"I…I can give up on going to the past." His words were so close, she could feel them as if they were vibrating through her skull as she leaned deeper into his shoulder. "But I'm going to use the Z-drive on myself."

"This is kinda against my own judgment, but if you do…be careful."

"I will be." He replied, "I can't afford to lose this."

She felt his hand squeeze against her own, filling her with a sense of comfort. Those were reassuring words, knowing that he would do everything in his power to stay by her side. It could work. The whole time-travel thing. He could use the power of the gemstone to get short glimpses into the future. Maybe that was a can of worms that didn't need to be opened. Maybe there were mystical laws in place that would stomp his ambitions into paste. But she never really believed in laws, and it seemed like Ekko didn't either.

In the stillness of the night, she heard the soft, fluttering sound of a firelight as it approached them. Curious, she raised her pale forearm outwards into the air and watched in fascination as the glowing green bug gingerly landed on her skin. She eyed the creature, watching its movement and giggling at the tickling sensation of tiny legs scurrying along her arm.

"I thought you said the firelights annoy you?" Ekko questioned as his eyes stared towards the bright little bug.

"Eh." She shrugged, moving her arm through the air like a wave and letting the firelight surf on top. Her eyes lifted to stare towards his angular jaw, traveling upwards over his lips and resting upon his soft brown eyes. "They aren't so bad."

Notes:

Aaannnddd that's the chapter!

It was a fun one right? I really enjoyed the scene of Jayce and Viktor watching Ekko and Jinx work on Hextech. I had such a warm nostalgic feeling when I imagined that scene and used my imagination to kinda depict Jinx and Ekko in a way that matched how Jayce and Viktor might've acted when they were starting out developing the Hextech. I know some people ship Jayce and Viktor, personally I'm not exactly sure how I see them. I haven't given it that much thought., so I tried to depict them in a way similar to the show. At the end of the day, how you interpret the characters matter most, so I hope their portrayal was overall satisfying there.

Also! Hope the time-travel aspect of Ekko's Z-drive is starting to make more sense, especially for those of you that aren't too invested in League. We are definitely NOT going back in time. He isn't really able to do that, and it would definitely be an odd development given the plot of this story. I can assure y'all that his Z-drive will be used more like a weapon / tool. Something to help fight. We'll see more of that soon, and he's definitely gonna need the firepower for what's coming hehehe.

Lastly, Jinx and Ekko had their first argument! Good for them on not ruining their relationship XD One of the things I want to do with this story is make their bond feel real. I hope the concerns they both shared in that fight achieved that realism. Jinx has an insecurity and selfish desire to keep Ekko by her side and Ekko has to juggle with the fact that things "could" have been better if he were able to go back, but those two things are at odds with each other and ultimately impossible to have together. I felt like they both shared the cores of their insecurities in that moment and the mutually agreed notion that they can be happy together as long as they move forward and grow themselves, not worry about the past or what might have been.

Whew that was a lot! I hope you enjoyed the chapter and that it brightened your day 3 Please don't be discouraged to leave a comment! I really love hearing what you have to say and it makes my day! If you got a kudos to give, I'd also appreciate that, and if you've already given your kudos to this story...THANK YOU! I can't wait for the next arc to come. We got more drama, action, and perhaps a solo mission that may be quite the obstacle for Jinx hehehe. Until next time!

Chapter 34: Fears that Still Bleed

Notes:

Hello! It's good to be back with another chapter! I gotta a pretty awesome one for you all to enjoy if I do say so myself and guess what! It's a 14K word chapter! That's a bit like having two lengthy chapters in one! Woohoo!

This chapter will be kicking off the next little adventure in store for Jinx and friends and MY GOD! I feel like there's so much left to write and at the same time, so little. It's such a weird feeling! Rest assured for many of you not wanting the story to end soon, I think the ending is still a bit aways. ALSO, thank you so much for all your kind compliments and comments last chapter! I didn't get to a few of the ones that came in, but I loved every second of reading them 3

Without further delay, please enjoy!

(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)

Chapter Text

Oh she was loving this.

Every second, every ragged breath from her parted lips forced her heart to hammer wildly in her chest. She could feel herself being pulled deeper and deeper into the chaotic tangle of limbs. It was easy to get lost in the movement, lost in the violent whiplash of a carnal sensation rumbling in her veins. As sweat poured from her pale skin and stuck loose strands of ruffled blue hair to her forehead, she could only laugh wildly.

What a wonderful feeling!

Her dance partner hadn't gone easy on her. Stamina was one of her strongest qualities and yet, she was dumbstruck as her greatest strengths were being challenged so equally. In a struggle for pure and complete domination, she was forced to grit her teeth and tumble with everything she had while the blooming satisfaction in her belly was an ever present reward.

At one point she thought she was floating, swaying uncontrollably while the world spun upside down. Maybe she was losing focus. It was hard to tell. But the sole thought running through her head was how divine it was to be pushed, to be grappled, to feel something strike at her insides with such a staggering amount of pain. Strong arms had wrapped around her frame, holding her tightly as if her resistant will could be squeezed from her lungs. Another string of giggles erupted from her mouth. A clever attempt to seize control of the messy, strenuous war between two bodies.

Oh she was loving this.

Suddenly Mylo was in her ear. He was cheering, or maybe…coaching? His words were scrambled in her rattled brain as she tried to find the strength in her muscles to roll and reclaim the upper-hand.

"Bite! Kick! No wait, pinch!" The ghostly boy screamed his random thoughts. As if she hadn't thought of those ideas already. His warnings had their uses, but in a situation like this, they fell on deaf ears.

Then again…a particularly open portion of flesh from the arms that held her down was within reach. Her tongue wetted in anticipation as she lurched forward and sunk her pearly white teeth into vulnerable skin.

"Ow!" Her partner yelled before she was tossed from the hold. Her body tumbled from the force, thrown as if she were as light as a feather and not once did she stop laughing.

Dirt was quick to stain her sweaty body and she took a few short breaths while she laid in the muck, making full use of each passing second to recover the smallest bits of renewed fire in her core. Her head whipped upwards, pink eyes bright with joy as she stared down her opponent.

"Did you really just bite me?!"

"Get close enough and I'll do it again." She giggled.

"That's fuckin' cheap and you know it."

She pulled herself to her feet, wiping the sting of sweat from her eyes and squinting as the sunlight cascaded upon them from overhead. Heated rays of light sapped her energy, weighed her muscles down as if they were nothing but useless clumps of iron. As long as she could revel in this feeling, cherish every aching bruise under her skin and invite the delicious combination of pain and pleasure into her heart, she could do this all day. Not once had the smile on her face dropped.

Her sister on the other hand…

Vi was panting, equally as hard as herself as her boots shifted along the dirt and mud of the training arena. The woman pulled herself into a tightened stance, arms raised like a true, practiced fighter.

When she was approached with the offer of a sparring session she'd almost rejected her sister. It was a friendly attempt to prepare for the greater threats lurking beyond the walls of the Firelight's hideout and she'd almost said no. What was she even thinking?! This was fantastic! Their battle had lasted for longer than she expected, and it was a bit unsettling to think she could be pinned and potentially lose, but nonetheless…this was fun!

"You do that again and you're gonna get an even bigger ass kicking." Vi growled across the distance between them.

"Ooh." She raised her hands in a taunting fashion as she swooned with mockery, "I'msoscared."

Sometimes she questioned why she loved to tease her older sister. Of course, Violet's twisted, angered face was just about the most entertaining thing she could witness. It tickled a part of her that nothing else could. Like the blood they shared resonated with such a temptation to irritate one another. That was just about the only way she could describe it. And it was lovely!

A strange satisfaction bubbled within as the woman scowled at her. Yet admittedly, she hadn't quite figured out how to manage the flurry of fists that inevitably crashed towards her. Sure she had the flexibility and speed to maneuver through subtle openings, but her sister was relentless. Shockingly so! As much as she teased the lack of a brain underneath that short pink hair of hers, she couldn't deny Vi's prowess on the battlefield.

Given enough time, the older woman would find ways to match her dance, anticipate attacks and counters differently. At first it was difficult to understand how the woman, void of any shimmer enhancement, could keep up. Once she'd had enough time to think it through, she could only come to the conclusion that she was witnessing the fruits of intense training. Her sister boasted about it many times, only now did she understand just exactly what she meant. Every day in Stillwater. Every second in that prison was spent under three conditions. Eat. Sleep. Fight.

Her pale arms crossed in front of her face as a fist smashed into the center of her guard. The bones beneath her skin quaked under the pressure of the blow and it thrilled her to no end. Heels pivoted in the dirt to shake the weight of the clash, allowing her to spin and get close. Pink eyes went wide when she had just a fraction of a second to tilt her head and watch in slow motion as Vi's other fist slid along her cheek. Any slower and she would've been finished, but it was nice to see that her sister had abandoned any guilt of not holding back.

"Stomach punch! No, uppercut! Actually, sweep her legs!" Mylo's urged in her head.

He was a stupid boy. Every suggested strategy was far too obvious at this point. Even past Violet's guard, the woman would definitely counter such uninspired attacks. Instead, she gripped the arm near her cheek, using it as leverage to launch into the air and rotate into a sweeping kick at Vi's head.

Before her shin could slam into her sister's ear it was caught. She was suspended in the air, astonished as a cocky smirk spread on Violet's lips, her other arm now crossed over her chest to block the kick. It was almost impossible to fathom, being held in the air as if she were frozen, until her instincts kicked back in and she twisted her stomach to curl upside down and slam a direct fist into the woman's stomach.

Only that too was caught.

Her opponent must be getting faster, shifting her limbs with lightning fast reflexes, or maybe she was getting slower…After training for so long, who knew. She didn't have time to dwell on the thought before suddenly feeling her entire body crash into the ground. A flash of pain burst from her joints as she struggled to pull herself away from Vi's grip. There had to be a way out of this tangled mess! Damn Fat-hands!

"Surrender!" Vi laughed from above.

"Never!"

Her chest was pushed painfully into the ground as her flailing was strangled by the increasing weight of her sister's body on top. Resistance was fleeting, victory fading. Her entire body was restricted, wrists caught in an unbreakable grip behind her back while her thighs were pinned under Violet's butt.

"Say the magic words." Her sister taunted as if she were singing.

God, Vi was a horrible singer.

Ugh,shewas one to talk. Her own voice almost sounded like a feral animal, growling and screeching in desperation until all she could do was dig her chin into the grass. Fuck. It was over. Every fighting sensation in her body disappeared like wind in the breeze and the tension in her muscles gave in. Her cheek settled into the ground, pushing her skin into her face before she sighed.

"Fine." She groaned, "You win."

"Wooo!" Her sister roared into the air as the pressure on her back was lifted, "Damn straight, I win!"

Now that she could breathe again, the sore ache of the loss stung.

"Yeah, yeah. We'll see how cocky you are when we have a shooting competition." She grumbled under her breath as she pushed to her knees.

"Oh c'mon. Don't be all pouty."

The sound of her sister's boots in the grass forced her eyes to watch as the woman walked around her and suddenly she was staring at an offered palm. Her chin tilted to stare into Vi's face, glistening with sweat, still panting, and yet there was a bright joy in her eyes coupled with a matching smile.

"Ya did good." Vi said. "I'm impressed."

There was a genuine aspect to her voice, an emotion that struck her heart and parted her lips in a moment of silent shock. Before she could even truly dwell on what it meant to lose so absolutely, her sister was smiling at her? She was…proud? Her lips slowly closed into a thin line, spreading ever so slightly with a giddy smile as she reached out and clasped her smaller hand into her sister's. She was lifted to her feet effortlessly and she couldn't help but notice that Violet still had so much strength.

Wow…

"I'm gonna win next time!" She scoffed as she found her footing. Couldn't let big sis see the mushy feelings brewing within. No way! The brute already had one frustrating victory for the day, no need to further inflate that ego!

"Hah! Yeah right." Violet laughed as her hand clapped the small of her back. She stumbled at the unexpected touch, "I don't plan on losing hand-to-hand anytime soon squirt. But keep tryin'."

Whelp…that ego she was so cautious to inflate was exactly as she predicted. Much too large for Vi's own good. Knowing that, she felt the rising ambition to tackle the spoken challenge. She'd let her sister win today. But tomorrow, and the next day, and the next…

She'd fightevenharder.

"Ahhhh!" The bench she sat on creaked under the pressure of Vi's sudden sprawling stretch and hearty sigh. Suddenly a cup was thrust near her side and her sister offered a simple question. "Water?"

"Thanks." She gripped the cup and took a deep gulp, letting the warmer than preferred water clear the dryness in her throat. Sharp, uncomfortable pinpricks faded as she drank.

Her skin was still hot as the sun continued to beam down on them and the sweat that dripped from her pores was hardly cooling. After training so vigorously, there wasn't much she could do to soothe the sheer exhaustion that had settled in. Her rapid heartbeat and uneven breaths had also faded as they both took time to rest and recover. As a short silence stilled the air between herself and her sister, it was quite easy to focus on her body. The aches, the stings, the sensation of torn muscles already in the process of repair. Super weird though, the most notable thing…An odd sense of satisfaction pooled in her stomach.

But she lost…

Thatdidn't make any sense.

"Whew!" She watched as Vi sighed once more, this time pulling her discarded red jacket from the ground and wiping her soaked forehead and bangs. "Been a while since I've fought that hard."

She just smiled in return. There wasn't much energy left in her tank and despite that, it was sorta nice to see Violet so happy. So energetic. It was almost like the older woman could go another round and the thought of that just made her chuckle under her breath.Shemay be the crazy sister, but Vi seemed to have a different type of crazy. The type that hides from everyone until the right conditions force it out. Yep. Just two crazy sisters. It was no wonder that they were able to find trouble almost as surely as trouble found them. The world just couldn't let them exist in peace. Not really.

"Just imagine what kinda damage I can do when I get those gauntlets back on." Her sister proclaimed loudly while clasping her palm over her bicep. "I feel like I could take on Sevika's whole army."

"Sure." She rolled her eyes, "I'd bet you wouldn't last more than thirty seconds before you'd be eating the concrete. Munchin' on the rocks. Hehehe."

"Thirty seconds?!" Vi gasped in offense, "What kinda low ball bet is that? You should know better than to doubt my strength."

Any other time in recent memory she'd wave those statements away as woeful negligence of facing reality. Life was a fickle thing and it just loved to strangle the confident, the brave, and the innocent. Yet she pondered her sister's words, letting fragments of memories flash in her mind as she recalled the many brawls she witnessed when she was younger. In all those quick memories, shrouded and fuzzy as they were, she could still remember Vi's fighting spirit. Sure, her sister blocked a lot of punches with her face, but by the end her opponents were always, inarguably defeated, broken, and whimpering like babies as they scurried off.

Why did she remember those aspects so clearly?

It was also frustrating to even recall them. The perspective of those fights were always the same, observed by a cowardly little girl, hiding until Vi had dispensed with the danger by herself. That's right…back then her inventions never once worked. She never helped. Or maybe it was that shecouldn't. It didn't matter. Powder was weak and that's exactly why Powder was dead. It was a hard lesson to be taught, but Jinx would never make that same mistake. Jinx was better. Shehadto be. The memories still invited questions, many she couldn't answer. The most curious one…

"Why are you so strong?" She murmured aloud and from her peripheral vision she could tell Vi had heard the question.

She didn't understand. Violet wasn't. Like. Her. Never once relied on cheap tricks, dirty tactics, or the power of shimmer. Her dear sister wasn't some twisted science experiment, nor did she have the inventiveness to craft tools or weapons for a greater edge. Just her fists. Just herfuckingfists! She didn't understand.

"I've been training all my life, duh." Vi replied casually.

"Obviously, you dummy! But there's gotta be something else." She whined before snapping her eyes to the girl, "Wait. You don't worship some spooky god or magic thingy do you? Nah! 'Course not. Unless you are…Are you!?"

Vi seemed to lean away from her pressing accusations, eyes wide in both confusion and mirth.

"What the hell are you talking about?" She laughed.

"I just don't get it!" Her head swiveled back to face the open fields, counting all the times she could remember watching her sister fight. There had to be something more, right? Talent could only take someone so far. Genius might be a better explanation, but…quite frankly…that was even more ridiculous than some creepy god worshiping.

Vi? A genius? Hah! Definitely not! If her sister was a genius, then what wasshe?! A super-genius? Ah. Wait. That doesn't work either. She was certainly no super-genius. Then what was it that made Violet so special?

"You know…"

Her internal ramblings were halted when she heard her sister's voice. It was somber, reflective, and she watched with fascinated eyes as Vi turned and stared outwards into the fields as equally lost as she had been just moments before.

"...Maybe there is something."

Oooh! A secret! She knew it! Oh Violet really had to spill the beans now! What would it be? Some secret pill she'd been taking all these years? A prison fight club? Damn. What if Vi was part of some freaky tournament that forced her to fight or die, bringing out the very best in her fighting abilities? Ugh…it sounded awesome! Er, aside from the whole, traumatic portion that may or may not've been a thing.

"I think…lately…I'm just not afraid anymore."

Really?Thatwas the big secret? Now she was sure to check off the possibility of Vi being a genius. What a bummer. Not being afraid was actually something…it just didn't account for Violet's inextinguishable strength.

"Look." She groaned loud into the air, "I know you think not being afraid is something to be proud of, bu-."

"No." Her sister replied quickly. "You know, but you don'tknow."

Her breath was still in her throat as she listened. Vi's tone was more firm than she'd ever heard. Not angry, just…firm. Even more peculiar was the way her sister's eyes widened, as if she was hearing her own words and finding something special hidden within them. She watched Vi pause and breathe a short, swift exhale from her nose while her lips pulled at the edges. Was she remembering something?

Suddenly her sister was talking again, leaving the fleeting question to fade from her mind.

"When we were younger, I had to look out for you. Mom and Dad…Well, they weren't there and back then you were so small."

Hmph…notthatsmall.

"There was also Mylo and Claggor, and I didn't realize it then, but I think I got into fighting because I wanted to protect us. I was scared that I'd lose everyone if I wasn't able to fight."

Her head lowered, no longer able to stare into the somber eyes of her sister. It was starting to feel like another reminder that if she hadn't been so weak back then, maybe everything would've been better. No. It was pointless to go down that road. She'd told Ekko just how stupid it was. The least she could do was take her own advice.

"I thought I was strong." Vi breathed shakily, "Until the night Vander died."

"..."

"I lost him. I lost my friends. And…I lost you."

"Yeah…" What else could she say?

Suddenly Vi's fists slammed against the wood of the bench, rattling her seat and forcing her eyes to dart towards the scowl on the woman's face. She looked intense, focused, and a newfound layer of rage coated her expression.

"I was stupid! I thought I could do everything myself, that if people just got out of my way things would go smoothly. And well, they didn't."

"It's not your fault." For the first time, she felt like she could offer those words of sympathy. The past, shrouded in malevolence within her mind was fading after all this time in her new life. Under the same circumstances, could she really say she wouldn't do the same? If everything went to shit because of some idiotic, half-brained plan from the mind of a chaotic child, could she stop herself from lashing out?

"It's not yours either." Vi murmured. "I don't think it ever was."

Her throat ached as her sister's words lingered in the air. Powder may be gone, fallen down the great big well inside her soul, but there was some piece of her that yearned for those words. Cherished them. Her hands gripped the edges of the bench beneath her, forcing back the torrent of emotions in her chest.

"..."

"But that's not the point." Vi continued, "After that…I was afraid. Afraid that I'd never see you again. Afraid that even if I did find you someday that you'd push me away."

"..."

Her sister turned to her and in a shockingly uncharacteristic sight, she gazed into Violet's wavering eyes, filled to the brim with tears and holding them back with every ounce of strength she had.

"You didn't though." Vi laughed with a watery smile, "Do you remember that night I found you? When I followed your flare? You hugged me back."

"I…" Shedidremember. Just before her world had been completely upheaved, she recalled the feeling of her sister's arms wrapped tightly around her small frame, promising that things would finally,finallybe okay. "I remember."

Her sister sniffled against her jacket.

"I know things were hard after that. A lot of shit happened…and I guess I was still afraid. I was afraid as a kid that I wouldn't be strong enough. I was afraid in prison that I'd never make it out and see you again. And I was afraid that you'd hate me so much that I couldn't ever feel like a big sister again."

She bit her lip as Violet's voice raced through all her concerns, all her fears and realized there were quite a few of her inner demons that shared the same irreparable beliefs. Those fears had a malicious quality to them, a tainted evil that only ever seemed to strangle her hopes and dreams. Knowing Vi encountered those same internal demons…

"But things are better now.We'rebetter." Her sister's voice raised, introducing a subtle cheer as she smiled once more, "I have you. I have Cait, Ekko and the Firelight's. That's a damn good team and I've decided that I won't be afraid anymore."

"You just decided that?" She asked. Was that even a possibility? And was that really the secret to all of Vi's strength? It…didn't seem as far-fetched as before.

"It's taken time." Vi nodded, as if to acknowledge the difficulty of her decision. "For a while I didn't even know Iwasso fucked up from it all. But I've had time to think about it and Caitlyn was right there by my side helping me figure it all out. I know the reason I had so much fear inside and I could finally face it head on. Since then, I've felt stronger, lighter, like I can take on the whole world!"

"You said earlier it was just Sevika's army." She smirked.

"Oh shut up!" Vi laughed, "You know what I mean."

Suddenly the bench lurched as her sister slid across the space between them. A large arm wrapped over her shoulders and gently nudged her closer. She released a soft, unresistant sigh as her cheek rested over Violet's bosom. There was a safeness to the feeling and it felt natural to reach her arms around her sister's midsection, holding the older girl tight on her side.

"What if we fight Sevika and something bad happens?"

Her sister's arm squeezed around her shoulder at the question.

"It's possible…but I won't let it shake me. From this point on, I don't ever want to look back and think that I could've done more. I'm giving it my all. I'm strong because I have nothing to fear anymore." Vi spoke from above, "I think that's my secret."

"Helluva secret." She giggled the tease through her muffled lips against Violet's tank top.

"Brat."

She closed her eyes while the vibrations of her sister's soft laughter rumbled through her ribcage and shook against her cheek. It was too easy to just relax and embrace the strange sensation that was in some way missed, absent through all the long, difficult years. But she also couldn't let Vi have the last playful insult either.

"Fat-hands."

They both stayed silent after her loving insult. There wasn't anything left to say. Her mind was blank, no longer filled with questions of her sister's power or puzzling thoughts. It made sense. It sounded crazy, but it made sense. Vi was strong because she was no longer held back by the fears that plagued her. The true question now, the only question in her mind…could she do the same? If she faced her greatest fears head on…how much stronger would she be? What sort of mysterious potential was waiting for her? All she had to do was dive into the abyss.

Easier said than done.

"IT WORKS!"

Her head snapped upwards at the voice blasting through the hideout, so loud and clear that she was sure everyone could hear. Even Vi seemed to flinch in startled surprise and repositioned herself to once again sit beside her rather than being a comforting pillow.

Connecting the dots wasn't hard. The owner of the voice could only be one person, only one man in the entire camp would have reason to shout to the heavens and her eyes narrowed towards the newly spotted blur racing down the winding stairs of the grand tree.

"It freakin' works!" Ekko shouted once more and her stomach flipped as she caught a glimpse of unbridled joy upon the boy's face as he sprinted towards the lower fields.

He nearly tumbled over himself as he landed on the ground, stumbling and flailing as the container strapped over his shoulder bounced behind. God, what a dork. He looked ridiculous all happy, energetic and blissfully stupid. She cupped her hands over her mouth to give him a piece of her mind.

"Stop yellin' so loud you freaking nerd! I'm trying to have a moment with my sister and you're ruining it!"

The Firelight's head jolted towards the sound of her voice, brown eyes wide and focused on her location as he began running towards their bench. When he arrived seconds later, he keeled over, hands on his knees, panting like he'd been fleeing for his life.

"I…I did it." Ekko stuttered between ragged breaths, "Jinx, the Z-drive works."

"Z-drive?" Vi asked, "That's the name of your little science project?"

Ekko straightened, his chest pushed outward, shoulders wide, proud and cocky in his posture.

"Oh this isn't just somescience project." He exclaimed as his hands pulled the device from behind and displayed it clearly beneath the bright sun. "This baby lets me travel to the future!"

"Get real." Her sister rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest.

Once again, another appropriate response to such a wild claim. She still didn't quite fully understand what Ekko meant. Maybe he didn't necessarily understand either. If he'd just completed the prototype and declared it worked, that meant he hadn't had much time to limit test the device.

Pink eyes locked onto the steel container still in Ekko's gloved hands. A myriad of emotions swam through her brain at the accomplishment. They were all emotions she could identify clearly. Curiosity, excitement, concern, and maybe a tad bit of jealousy. If it could do exactly what Ekko had said it could, what would that mean for him? What did it change?

"Okay…" Vi acknowledged with a healthy level of skepticism, "If you can go into the future, bring me tonight's dinner. I'm starving."

Ekko shook his head.

"It doesn't work like that. When it activates I'm the only thing that goes into the future. Right now I think it can only handle a few seconds before I teleport back to the present, but that alone is insane!"

"So what…you disappear for a few seconds, then come back? I don't see how that's helpful?" She asked aloud, injecting herself into the conversation.

All this time-travel mumbo jumbo made her brain hurt, too much confusion. She'd stick to explosives thank you very much! Those were much simpler to understand. You make something. It goes boom! Then there's a big heaping pile of debris left after the blast. Perfectly simple. That's why it was so pretty!

"It's hard to explain, "Ekko began as his eyes turned towards her, "To you guys, it'll seem like I'm still here in the present, but tomeit's like I get to move forward in time, experience the future, and then reset back in the present."

"Then just say you can see the future dumbass! No need to make it complicated!"

"But that's not how it works! It'ssomuch more than that!"

Vi leaned forward to add her thoughts into the mix.

"Yeah, just say you can see the future Little Man. That makes way more sense to me."

He groaned, throwing his head back in frustration as she and her sister criticized his methods for explaining his great invention. Maybe he should just accept that his nerdy hextech project just wasn't meant to be explained. She was all for the idea, breaking the laws of physics and all that, but getting lost in the concept was the most boring thing imaginable! Not her fault it was hard to describe! Pick an easier concept to break next time!

"Just…" Ekko paused to pinch the ridge of his nose, "You wanna see a demonstration?"

"Hell yeah!" She cheered back. Now he was talking! Show don't tell was always a good strategy.

"Which one of you wants to spar with me?"

Oh. Yeah…no thanks. She was more than exhausted from her match with her sister. It'd be at least a little while longer before she could properly kick someone's ass. Her eyes drifted towards Violet, offering a questioning glance towards the woman who caught the look and shrugged.

"Why not." Vi said as she leaned forward in her seat and jumped to her feet. "But I'm not holding back on you. Demonstration or not, I don't lose."

Ekko chuckled at the challenge, pupils ablaze with a rising determination that matched her sister's.

"You say that, but I don't think you're ready for what's coming."

"Show me what you got Little Man."

She leaned back on the bench, hands clasped behind her head and legs jutted outwards to rest her heels on the grass. Hopefully this would be entertaining. One one hand, she was kinda hoping for Ekko's Z-drive to actually work and knock her sister's ego down a peg or two. On the other hand…she kinda wanted to see what Ekko would look like after getting knocked on his ass. This might be a win-win situation! Lucky her!

Ekko and Violet continued to walk further away towards the center of the field. Curiously, she spotted a few more Firelights with their heads turned towards the preparing spar. Marenth, Brina and Scar were amongst the few she could identify and it wasn't a surprise that they would take interest. Not with how obnoxiously their leader raced down the grand tree.

Her sister took a few steps away from the boy, fists raised and boots shifted into a proper fighting stance while Ekko swung the container behind his back and reached for the cord handle that would activate it once pulled. Nothing but the soft, gentle breeze in the air and the rustling of leaves could be heard as the two stared each other down.

"Should I wait for you to attack or do you want me to close the distance?" Vi smirked as she spoke aloud.

"You sound confident." Ekko replied with a smirk of his own, "Why don't we make a bet?"

"What're you thinkin'?"

"You land a single punch, and I'll make sure you get extra portions in your meals. You don't land a punch…shit I can't think of a reward."

"Ooh! She has to do all my chores!" She shot upwards and shouted.

"You don'thaveany chores." Ekko deadpanned.

"When I get in trouble I do."

He sighed.

"Those are calledpunishments, but fine…works for me."

"Same." Vi nodded, "I could use a few extra meals."

Ekko spun towards herself and pointed an accusing finger.

"If I win that also doesn't mean you get to cause more trouble than usual, Jinx!"

"Wha-!? C'mon!" She whined. That was half the fun of the bet! Party pooper!

With the new conditions set, Ekko and Vi once again turned to face each other. Her chest was tight with excitement, wondering what would happen, but before she could craft any theories, Ekko pulled the cord of his Z-drive, spinning the gemstone within and releasing sparks of blue light that erupted outwards from his body. Blades of grass pushed away from the center of the blast, the breeze shifted to accommodate a sudden burst of energy. When the activated blue particles faded in the air she saw the boy relax, his shoulders slumped and most interestingly…she squinted to confirm her suspicions…his brown eyes were outlined by a glowing blue ring, similar to the color and energy of the Hextech.

So he was using it now…Is that what it meant?

Vi rushed forward, crossing the distance between them in a blink of an eye. Her fist was already cutting through the air, aimed directly for the Firelight's vulnerable chest. Ekko sidestepped the blow, letting the attack pass without making contact, but that was an easy enough feat. Evenshecould dodge her sister's punches with relative ease. She wanted to see if he could keep it up. As expected, Violet hadn't finished her rapid assault.

Another fist soared through the air, this time in the form of a speedy jab, yet Ekko's arm raised and pushed her sister's arm to the side, throwing its trajectory into nothing. It was strange. His counter was perfect, but when she stared at Ekko, his eyes were distant, like he was unfocused and his body was still relaxed.

Another flurry of jabs and kicks were sent in scattering directions, each one met with a block or dodge. His movements almost seemed sluggish, slow. In her experience fighting Vi, she needed to be faster than ever, more flexible than anticipated, but Ekko was only moving his body in fractional adjustments. Her eyes widened as she realized what she was witnessing.

No wasted movement.

None. Zero. Every action performed required the minimal amount of effort with maximum efficiency. Her lips parted in shock as Ekko jumped over a sweeping kick, flipping his body to catch himself in a handstand. He pushed off the ground and avoided a surprising kick from her sister.

Bah! Show off. She could see the annoying smirk on his face to know that's exactly what he was doing. Though it did sorta give her a nice view of his angular, defined muscles as his arms held his weight. Not bad. And there was clearly an ulterior motive to his confident display of defense. The scowl on her sister's face deepened with a growing number of misses. Each time her attacks failed, she could hear the noise of frustration and see the increasing recklessness of Vi's battle strategy.

Eventually Ekko spun, avoiding a direct punch aimed for his center and his boots slid across the dirt like he was skating. Only issue was, his back was to Vi and it didn't seem like he had any intention of spinning to face her. Violet was quick to advance towards the boy, fists clenched and raised in the air in an effort to strike him from above like a hammer to a nail.

He took a single step forward and she watched her sister's fists miss by a fractional distance. It looked impossible. Ekko hadn't evenseenher sister's attack and he was able to maneuver away! But then it all clicked. Because she was wrong. He had seen the attack. He'd experienced every moment of the fight already. With that knowledge of the future being relayed to his present self…was he…unbeatable?

No. She could easily theorize a few different ways to overcome such an advantage. For one, if she'd used fishbones against him, he may know where it would land, but there was no possible way for him to escape the blast. If Vi had those gauntlets of hers, he'd still lack the reflexes to avoid such powerful blasts of energy. There were holes in his abilities, but she still couldn't deny the awesome display, the sheer importance of such a device. If they were destined to face an army, the Z-drive might very well even the odds.

Vi landed her fists into the ground and followed up her missed strike to instead charge the boy, aiming to tackle him to the ground. All it took was a simple side-step and his leg jutting outwards to catch her sister's shin and Violet was sent tumbling to the ground. And when Ekko confidently placed his boot atop the center of her sister's back while she was face down in the dirt, it was over. Even more insane…he didn't have a single scratch on his skin.

"Had enough?" Ekko teased from above.

"Son of a bitch." Vi growled into the grass, "You're a fucken twerp, you know that?"

"Is that a yes?"

"Ugh." Vi expelled her frustrations through clenched teeth before sighing, "Yeah, yeah. Get off me."

She had no words. Her jaw was slack as she processed the events that had played out in less than a minute. Sure, Vi might've been more exhausted from their spar earlier, but her efforts were clearly strong. Incredible.

Ekko lifted his boot and fished a simple pocket watch from his coat pocket. He stared at the device and clicked it before showing his feats to his defeated opponent.

"Forty six seconds." Ekko declared and just like her, Vi's face was slack with confusion and surprise.

The time piece was placed back into his pocket as he turned to walk towards her. His stride was strong, proud, and she was tempted to insult him just to wipe that cocky smirk etched on his lips, but then she locked onto the sight of that strange glow around his eyes as they began flickering.

"Cool isn't it?" He questioned before the rings that lined his eyes completely faded, "It lasts for about a minute and I'm able to experience the future the entire time."

"Is it weird?" She asked curiously. The idea of seeing the future and acting on it in the present seemed…odd.

"You bet." Ekko nodded, "It takes a lot of focus to handle all that inf-."

Suddenly and to her startled alarm, his eyelids fluttered, expression slackened, and his body went limp. She raced to meet his falling body in the field, her sister not far behind as they hovered over his downed body. Fortunately, he was already in the process of recovering once she arrived.

"Fuck." The Firelight winced, clutching at his head, "Guess I pushed it harder than I thought."

"Dumbass!" She snapped. The itch to slap him in the face was only quelled by the clear pain already displayed on his face. "You said you'd be careful with this shit! Are you trying to piss me off?!"

"I don't think so?"

Her sister kneeled beside them.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine. It'll pass. Just took me longer to figure you out."

"Huh?"

The boy chuckled as he continued to rub at his forehead, propping his other elbow underneath him to curl upwards.

"You think I could doall thatjust seeing the future once?" He shook his head to answer his own question, "Nah. I must've replayed that fight a hundred times over to nail down the timing."

"So even though it was just one fight to me, you were able to experience it over and over?" Her sister asked.

"Now you're gettin' it."

"Heh." Violet smirked, "So I at least got to kick your ass a hundred times before you humiliated me just now."

"Something like that."

Pink eyes drifted towards Vi while they talked. Then to Ekko. To Vi, then Ekko. Everything's good now? He wasn't in some sort of intense, crippling pain anymore? Good! Her hand shot out to pinch a portion of his skin on his arm.

"Ow!" Ekko flinched, "What was that for?"

She attacked again. This time a swift jab to his abdomen. Of course, her power was restrained, but she just couldn't think of any other way to get the idiot to understand! Don't scare her like that! Don't go making reckless decisions! That was her job!HerJob!

Stupid!Jab. Stupid!Pinch. Stupid!Slap.

The last hit of her open palm landed across his cheek and snapped his head to the side in an instant.

"Hey! cut it out!"

"Youcut it out!" She growled as she went in for another strike only to have her wrist caught by her sister's hand.

"What's the matter with you?"

Her eyes met Violet's stern judgmental gaze and she felt a bit of the rage that swirled inside her fumble. Why are you looking at me like that? Like I'm doing something wrong!? But…when she opened her mouth to voice the reasons for her fury, the words never came. Instead she glanced towards Ekko, watching her with a rising sense of apprehension.

How did they both not get it? She shouldn'thaveto say it out loud, it was clear enough! She didn't even hit him that hard! And what, it was all fun and games untilshetook it a little too far? Why were they so quick to turn on her? She wasn't the bad guy here, Ekko was! He…he…

Fuck!

He didsomething. What that was, was a bit unclear, but she was sure of it! Otherwise the need to beat him up wouldn't be so enticing.

"Nothing's wrong with me!" She yanked her wrist from Vi's hold and began standing up from her kneeling position. "He's just an idiot and needs to know it!"

"Jinx-."

"Vi." Ekko interrupted with a calm, small smile on his face and his hand outstretched between them. "It's cool."

"But-."

"She's just worried." He replied casually as he rubbed his face and turned towards her with a softer smile than before, "Right?"

Her cheeks were aflame, face hot as blood seemed to paint its reddened hue across pale skin. Was that what it was? This was all new territory…to be worried like this…and dammit she hated the feeling already! It was one thing to casually voice her warnings for the boy to be careful with his Hextech invention. Guess it was another thing entirely to actually feel the concern deep in her trembling heart. Stupid Ekko. Stupid Heart.

"Whatever." She scoffed as she stood up completely and crossed her arms over her chest. "Just…Isaidbe careful."

"I know." Ekko said with a lurking sense of seriousness that eased the tension in her shoulders. "I'm fine. The headache's already gone and I'll be more prepared when I actually have to use it out there."

"Good. I'm not gonna have you dragging me down cuz you get all woozy in a fight. Loopy Ekko is a dead Ekko. Dumbass."

He smirked. God it was annoying! Like really, really annoying! Stop smirking all the damn time and act like a normal person for once!

"I promise, I'll be keeping up with you every step of the way, pulling my own weight, of course."

"I'll believe it when I see it."

Amidst the chaos of the sudden argument, she noticed Vi watching them in silence. Her sister was far more relaxed, calm, almost as if she were enjoying the bickering between Ekko and herself. Well…if she thought hard about it, maybe Vi was on some sappy nostalgia trip. After their earlier conversation, it was hard to deny that with all these twisted, fucked up years of separation, everyone was beginning to glimmer with the whimsical mimicry of their childhood fun. Despite the fragmented memories in her damaged brain, glimpses of the three of them together were still pieces she could see.

Even crazier…Through her eyes, it felt evenmorelike back then. Ekko, Vi, and herself were present, but she'd never forget the ghostly apparitions of Mylo and Claggor standing behind her. Vander not too far off to the side, his hulking body just on the peripherals of her vision. Their presence was among them, even if her two companions had no idea.

Never in her life would she think to be happy that her ghosts clung to her shoulders, but now…It really did feel like bits of the past were coming back. The good bits.

And that thought brought a tentative smile to her face.

"So!" She clapped her hands together as the team filed into the war room one by one. "What's on the agenda for today?"

Ooh. Hold that thought. Her attention focused on a single empty chair surrounded by dozens more as they all took positions around the large wooden table. Not justanychair though. Brina's chair. Her strides were rapid and swift as she rushed her prize and leapt into a twisting jump, planting her seat right where she wanted. Hehehe. And just as expected, Brina was right on time.

"Really?" The woman asked.

"Finders keepers Toots." She bit her lip to stop the giggles within, "This ismychair today."

"You're ridiculous." Brina muttered under her breath.

"Don't get your panties in a twist. There's plenty of other chairs in the sea. Go on and find one."

The glint in her eyes didn't go unnoticed but to her unamused disappointment, Brina just shook her head and walked towards another empty seat. Dammit. She was hoping for a bit more of a reaction. A shouting match! What the hell Brina? Grow a pair!

Almost as if the Firelight could hear her thoughts, Brina began speaking once more.

"Unlike you, I'm an adult. If you think I'm gonna get all pissy because of some stupid chair, you're deranged."

Hmph. Bitch.

She just stuck her tongue out in defiance and pushed her butt deeper into the wooden surface beneath. Hopefully it was far more comfortable than whatever shitty chair Brina had to settle for…though even she knew that was just a petty win to a game that wasn't being played.

It was sorta bothersome. The more time she spent with the Firelights, the more accustomed to her antics they became. Sure, she didn't exactly mind the shifting mindset from viewing her as a prisoner to now viewing her as some sort of reliable ally…but how come she couldn't get under their skin anymore? Even Brina! Fucking Brina seemed like she just didn't care anymore! What was that shit?!

It was better when people tread around her with more thought. Like she could rip their heads off at any second. She liked the dangerous edge in that implication. Then again, she had…friends.

Hmm. Friends or wardens? Which did she like more? Dunno. That one seemed a little hard to answer. Her main worry was the lack of entertainment! What would she do if all her pranks were just brushed off the shoulder? Just a simple, "Oh that's just Jinx." and then nothing. Maybe she needed better pranks.

"Alright everyone!" Ekko's voice bounced off the walls as each person within the room finally took their seats. "We made some decent progress with Sevika and the Shimmer factory."

Her ears perked at his words. Progress? Since when? They'd been together so much these last few days and there was new information? Why didn't he say anything? Rude!

"Actually, Caitlyn gets all the credit." He nodded towards the top-sider who seemed to lower her head in a hesitant, shy smile. "So why don't you tell them what you figured out."

With the short introduction, Caitlyn stood up from her seat and began placing large sheets of paper onto the table. She leaned forward to get a better look, and the images in front of her were puzzling at best. Maps? Streets? The main page seemed like some sort of city blueprint for the under-city.

"I've been looking at the city layout these past few days. From what I understand, our biggest problem is that we have no discernable way to attack the factory, especially with Sevika's forces focused in that location."

Oh right. That was the reason they weren't attacking the factory. She kinda forgot. The last time they attacked that base, things didn't go too well for the Firelights. No wonder there wasn't any movement in that plan. Her thoughts faded once Cailtyn pulled another map from her bag and spread it over the table right next to the under-city layout.

"This is the city layout of Piltover. If you arrange the maps like this," The woman stated as she pulled the top map halfway over the under-city map, "This represents the entire area."

True enough, there were portions of the Piltover map that seemed entirely separate like the council tower, noble district and the academy. Scanning along the length of the two sheets, the portion that crossed was obviously where the city began to dip into the lengthy depths of Zaun.

"Why're we wasting our time with top-side?" Brina asked aloud, "The factory is downhere. Surrounded by stacks and stacks of concrete, rocks and wood. It'sburied."

Caitlyn nodded.

"That's why I never bothered with the Piltover map. Based on the factory location, I thought maybe we could find a specific route in the under-city to get close, but that doesn't seem possible. Andrei's scouting reports shot down every decent idea too."

"Is there a better option?" Scar asked as he towered over the table, searching for an answer that seemed hidden amongst the dozens of streets and buildings spread across the surface.

"I had an idea." The officer replied while pulling out red string and tiny needles, placing them along the surface of the papers and creating lines that seemed to follow along the structural foundations of the two cities. "It's hard to see in two dimensions, but when I traced along the architecture of the top-side and under-city, there'sthis."

One by one, the red strings were sewn across the maps, each one narrowing their focus until Caitlyn placed the final line. She saw it immediately. A gap. Every parallel string suddenly felt crooked as she stared at the faintest deviation. A sliver of space between one string and another. Lining it up with the location of the factory…it fit perfectly.

"There's a space between the cross-beams. At the right angle from above, there's a gap wide enough to give us an opportunity for an attack." Caitlyn explained.

Her heart began hammering in her chest, feet bouncing on the tips of her toes underneath the tables. There was only one thing that could get the job done in this situation. One weapon that could handle the destruction of an entire factory from a distance. Oh please say it Cupcake! Say it!

"It'd be the perfect spot to use Jinx's rocket launcher." Caitlyn turned to face her, "Fish-bones, right?"

"FUCK YEAH!" She struck her fists in the air with excitement as she leapt from her seat.

All eyes were on her as she tapped her toes against the wooden floorboards. Was she not supposed to dance? This was awesome! Finally Fish-bones would be relieved of the dust that was coating his frame. God! She could already imagine the size of the explosion. There's no way it wouldn't be the most beautiful thing she's ever seen!

"Fish-Bones!" She shouted again, before dropping into an animated reenactment of the scenes in her head. "Big Boom! Wahhh! The whole world shakes as his mighty blast levels the factory! Raaahhh! Cheers of the Firelights in the air for their wonderful savior! I hug him tight to my chest. You're the best Fish-bones!No, you're the best for makin' me, Jinx!Ah you're too much buddy, let's go celebrate!"

When she was finished, nobody said a single word. The entire war room went silent and she blinked owlishly.

"What? That's how it's supposed to go."

"Right…" Caitlyn replied slowly.

C'mon! They were acting like her performance was ridiculous, which it totally wasn't. The visual learners in this room should definitely appreciate her actions. Lookin' at you big sis! Don't act like it didn't help solidify the idea. Vi just seemed to stare at her strangely, like it was weird that her gaze fell upon her.

Gah! Losers. All of them.

"Our boards won't be able to make it that high and I'm not sure Jinx would be safe launching that thing without some solid footing." Ekko added to the conversation.

"Please." She waved his concerns away with her hand, "I totally got this."

"No, he's right." Caitlyn agreed. Traitor. "But we have something that can get to that altitude and still provide enough support for us to launch the rocket."

Okay, she took the traitor thing back. Caitlyn was on her side again.

"The airship!" Vi gasped aloud, receiving a complimentary nod from the top-sider.

Woah. What a plan! Everything made sense. They fire up the hunk of floating metal outside, climb high into the sky and let Fish-bones loose from a safe distance away. Sevika would never see it coming! Let alone be able to defend the factory!

"Wow." Brina smirked, "Can't believe the council actually gave us something useful. This could work."

"Could work?" She asked the Firelight, "More like WILL work! Fish-bones will get the job done no problem."

"Are you sure you can fire that thing accurately enough?" Ekko interjected.

"You doubt me?" He opened his mouth but she suddenly followed her words, "Don't answer that. Nobody knows what Fish-bones is capable of more than me. That factory is gonna be dust and rubble after I'm through with it."

Suddenly the room was alive with bright spirits, excited mutterings of everyone in their own little conversations. It could work! No, it definitely would work! She beamed as she stared towards each person. They all knew it too. Bye Bye Sevika's factory! It's been long overdue!

"Wait."

Her sister's voice made the entire room pause. She seemed distraught, annoyed at herself like the next words from her lips would kill the hopeful cheer resonating in the air.

"What is it?" Ekko asked.

"The factory is full of kids. Young kids." Vi spoke gravely, "I've seen it before and…I don't know. I thought shutting down the factories was worth a few sacrifices, but if we do this…that's a lot of dead kids."

"..."

"..."

"..."

The words stung. Even she had enough of a right mind to know that a bunch of dead kiddos was not super good, but they were starting a war. It's not like they could avoid casualties. In her eyes, the plan was still a solid one. No. Theonlyone. But yet again she felt herself grow distant, isolated, as the heavy contemplation and worry on everyone's faces was absent from her own. Was she…wrong?

"You're right." Ekko sighed, "Their lives aren't worth the win. It goes against everything we're trying to accomplish."

"Perhaps we should keep thinking." Caitlyn suggested.

No.

No!

This was her chance to fire Fish-bones and how could she possibly let that go! There had to be a way to fix the problem. There had to be a way! Think! Think! Ah! Ding! She had an excellent addition to the plan.

"What if we warn Sevika?" She stated plainly into the room. Everyone stared at her, thoughtful expressions matching their curious eyes. "We just go to Sevika, let her know that her precious factory is gonna be wiped off the planet in a few days, and done! No more kids in the factory."

"Why would Sevika evacuate the factory? She's smart enough to know that it's good leverage against us."

"Easy." She smiled as she nodded her head. That was a question she was expecting. "You tell her thatI'mthe one firing the missile."

"..."

"..."

Ekko straightened in his posture. "You think that'll convince her?"

"Duh. The Ogre's a mean bitch but she isn'tthatheartless." A smirk spread along her chapped lips, "And sheknowsI'll do it too."

She would. If that's what was needed, let the insane person take the burden. There were enough graves under her terrible deeds. What was a few hundred more? She would do it without a second thought. That explosion was totally worth it. It'd be beautiful!

"Is that something we can gamble on?" Ekko replied.

Another person stood up in front of the table, the shortest Firelight of the bunch.

"I can keep watch over the factory from a distance." Andrei spoke confidently, "If they don't evacuate I'll let you know through our radio and we can call off the attack."

Hell yeah little dude! She sent him an appreciative wink which seemed to force a flustered blush on his face. Hah! What a weird kid. But hey! He was helping her grand plan come to fruition. A in her book.

It was all coming together. The more time they spent in the war room, the more she could see the hesitant opinions of her companions shift, returning to a more hopeful, positive disposition.

"We'll have to meet with Sevika which'll be a whole operation on its own." Ekko started as he scanned the room before freezing on her. "But I like it. We finally have an edge we can use to our advantage."

Wooooo! Again, life seemed to erupt inside the war room. More details, more thoughts spewing from excited lips. She couldn't help but pull her arms to her chest and squeeze with eager enthusiasm. Fish-bones is gonna be so thrilled to hear the news. AH! She couldn't wait! The slow passage of time was already killing her at the idea of standing aboard the airship, a rocket launcher resting over her shoulder as the biggest blast to ever have been created ignites the air. She briefly turned to face the room, searching for the Firelight leader, hoping that he'd see her joy and share in her happiness. Oh. Maybe they could spend some time together tonight! After all the extra boring plans and discussions.

When she spotted him, he was smiling brightly, bumping his fist into Caitlyn's as his voice carried through the air.

"You're the best!" He cheered, "I don't know how we could've figured this out without you."

The elation in her chest fell. Just the tiniest bit. It's not like she was jealous or anything. No way. Just…something sorta clicked inside. A strange interpretation that had her puzzled and uncertain.

Vi was getting stronger, beating her in a training spar. Ekko had his Z-drive and wiped the floor with her sister. And Caitlyn was…well they wouldn't have even thought of this plan without her, like Ekko said. Her closest friends were improving…they were special in their own right. All necessary to pull off their most important mission.

As the war room continued to bustle with a newly formed hope and steeled resolve…she could only wonder what difference she made. It didn't have to be her.Anyonecould pull Fish-bone's trigger and the victory would be guaranteed. If she wasn't able to keep up, would they need her at all? Was she slowly, inevitably being left behind?

No! They can't. They can't!

Despite the warmth in the air, her core felt hollow and chilled. She wanted to get stronger. No. Needed to get stronger. She wouldn't let them abandon her. She'd give them no reasons. Her fists clenched tightly at her sides.

She had to get stronger…no matter what.

"Are you okay?"

His words were soft, warm, and flowed over her lips like a gentle breeze. As Ekko hovered above her while she splayed herself along the simple cot below, her thoughts were distant, fuzzy, much too distracted by the lingering taste of his lips upon hers. It took a second to realize their connection was broken and the tingling sensation on her tongue was starting to fade.

"Huh?"

What's with the concern? Better yet, why'd he separate from her? She was having a perfectly wonderful moment, drowning in the bliss of kissing. Her scattered thoughts had been drifting sure, but if anything her intention was to focus more on the boy that she'd invited to her room. Was it so wrong to melt into him, abandon her frazzled thoughts and embrace him completely?

I thought that was the whole point?

"You've been pretty quiet since the meeting."

Her hands clasped around his neck, parted to slide downwards and rested upon his shoulders.

"How am I supposed to talk with your tongue in my throat? That makes like…zero sense."

His eyes diverted in embarrassment, much to her entertainment. Heh. Seemed like the little Firebug was still a little sensitive to her colorful vocabulary. But hey, was she unclear? The message was received loud and clear, plus if that was the sort of reaction she could expect from Ekko, it was definitely a habit she'd keep.

"No. I-." He paused, flustered as he continued to piece his shaken thoughts. "Course not, it just seemed like you've been sorta distant. We haven't really talked much since I came to your room."

What? That was a problem?

"You'd rather us talk instead of makeout?" She asked quizzically, "Are you for real?"

She didn't have enough fingers to count all the stories she's heard of men's desires in the under-city. Whether it be in the sleazy brothels, energized clubs, or even The Last Drop, all she heard from the women there were the groans and whines of their partners never listening, never talking, only ever in search of a way to satisfy their immeasurable lust like they'd been without water for days.

Then again, her sources of information weren't necessarily the best the under-city had to offer…or maybe they were andthatwas the problem. She also didn't find the conversations to be that fascinating. Back then she couldn't give two shits about the stupidity of someone's love-life and the complaints that had been fraying the edges of some random relationship.

Damn. It was starting to hit her all of a sudden.Shewas in a relationship. Holy hell, how'd that happen? And screw those gossiping women! They made it seem like it was a chore to appease their own needs. Like itwasn'tfun to be horny.

Reality check! She focused on the burning heat in her abdomen, the lovely pull of desire swimming just below her belly. It was almost like she was plummeting through the air, flipping and turning on the inside. Her skin was hot, nearly sweating and her heartbeat raced in her veins. The indescribable ache in her pants was as frustrating as it was addicting while she continued to hope that the wetness tickling the crux of her thighs was exactly what she thought it was.

Yep. She was horny as FUCK!

So Ekko better give up on his strange distraction with her silence and get those hands of his back on her skin! Like, right now! She wanted to feel him dig into the softness of her flesh, wander towards the pulsing areas of her body that her own touch couldn't quite satisfy. Damn. Was it normal to feel so…needy?

"I just wanna make sure you're not uncomfortable with the plan."

"I'm not." She answered quickly, returning her hands to the back of his head and nudging him back into her, "So quit thinkin' about it and kiss me."

When his lips returned to hers, she arched into his body, flush against his chest and thrilled as his weight pushed into her. Every arc of her body continued to be met with his rigid frame, forcing the writhing tension in her muscles to squeeze in desire. It was like she was made of rubber, being stretched further and further apart and all she could think about was the snap. The break. God she wanted it so bad. She didn't want to think about anything else.

Her lips parted in a breathy gasp against Ekko's mouth as his fingers grabbed at her sides, once again filling her heart with an unspoken plea. Shit. She loved it, loved to be wanted. Nobody else in her whole life ever held her like this and Ekko was perfect. So perfect. But he could do better. There were other places she wanted to feel him pressed into her. There were ways he could show her that she was his for the taking. And dammit, he was hers! There was no end to the inventive, lustful ways she could mark him filtering through her scrambled mind. It was delicious, the way everything came so naturally. Like her body and mind were in sync, desperate to tame the ache in her loins. No. Not tame. She wantedmore.

She kept a palm on the back of the Firelight's neck while lowering the other to push on one of his, guiding him lower and lower. Meanwhile, Ekko's lips pulled at her own, his teeth scraping over the plumpness of her bottom lip as his guided hand curved around her hip and settled on her butt. Ooh.Muchbetter. Yet he didn't stop there. His head slid down her body, the other hand wrapped in her braids and pulling ever so gently. She followed his unspoken demand and whimpered as his tongue lashed over her throat.

"Fuck." It sounded like he whispered the word, but as they both tangled themselves with each other, grabbing, pulling, kissing and biting, it could've been spewed from her own lips. Where she was and where Ekko began seemed to blur in the depths of her mind.

The whole rest of the world was absent. Her eyes fluttered and shut uncontrollably as she focused on her breathing while he trailed his velvety tongue across the smooth expanse of her neck. Everything was hot, increasingly so as she pushed herself into the palm beneath her and felt his fingers tighten into the roundness of her ass. It felt amazing, like her petiteness was perfectly suited for his stretched grip to hold her entirely. And to her squealing delight, his grip was powerful, strong enough to send shivers down her spine and give her the slightest taste of pain.

"Do it harder." She commanded, though through her breathy sighs, it might've sounded more like begging. It didn't matter. She'd do whatever she needed to get his hands to tighten on her skin.

"What? My hands?" He whispered in her ear.

She shivered in response, uncaring of the hesitation in his voice. Her need overpowered any fleeting sense of shame as she moaned through pursed lips.

"Mmmh. Make ithurt."

"If…that's what you want…"

Again he seemed unsure, careful, but as she released an uncontrolled mewl from between her lips, as her hair was pulled tighter against her roots and the fingers on her ass pricked the rounded flesh with his nails, Ekko grew more sure of himself. Yes. Yes! It was everything she wanted.

"You're so hot." He murmured those words directly into her ear, his lips brushing against her in a way that would've tickled her silly if not for the radiating heat of his breath scorching her sensitive skin.

"God yes." She meant to keep those words to herself, but the thoughts were uncontrollably crafted into a pleading prayer.

Now that she could feel him aboveandbeneath her, her free hand was able to travel over his shirt, slide along the fabric and press into the ripples of his muscles beneath. He was so sturdy, so…angled. Was that a good word? It was the only thing that came to her hazy, lust-filled mind as her fingers lifted the edge of his shirt and snaked underneath the clothes. The pads of her fingertips mapped his skin for her mind, letting her explore him in a way she'd never known. He was warm, unbearably warm, but all she could imagine where the ways she could brush over every portion of his dark skin, feel the tactile pulse in his veins and her tongue licked over her lips, wetting them in eager anticipation to place as many suckled bruises as she could manage.

Her neck craned to reach for his collarbone, wondering how delectable the taste of his salty skin would feel in her panting, breathless mouth.

"Holy-!" Her eyes opened in time to see his brown eyes widened and she could feel his abdomen twitch against her touch.

"What?"

Uh oh. Did she do something wrong?

He looked startled until he started chuckling, "Your hand is freezing."

"Huh? No it isn't."

There's no way. Her body felt like a furnace. She could feel the thin veil of sweat beginning to line her forehead. In every conceivable understanding, she was certain that she wasn't cold. Maybe he was too sensitive for his own good. Idiot!

"I'll get used to it." He grinned before falling towards her. "Just gotta lean into you."

He continued to lower, letting his weight overpower her own, smothering her body with his as her hand lingered on his abs. They were closer now. Close enough to feel every trembling muscle in his body and surely he could feel hers.

Oh!

She gasped as something pressed hard into her waist. It could only be one thing. Her lips pulled into a cheshire grin. It may be her first time being so intimate with someone, but even she knew exactly what pressed into her front. Shealsoknew where she wanted it. They may have still been clothed, but its presence against her body teased the possibility for more. And holy fuck…he washard. Many times she's heard that the first time is the most painful…good. Then she was uniquely qualified to enjoy every second. Pleasure or pain, it didn't matter. Anything Ekko could offer would be more than enough to satiate her thundering desire that cascaded through her wanting core.

"You'll get used to it alright." She laughed, "Cuz we're not stopping unti-."

A sudden tearing sound tickled her ears. It sounded like fabric being stretched, torn, and she looked up towards Ekko confused.

"Did you just tear my pants?"

She feltsomethingback there and it wasn't exactly theworstpossibility in the world. At the rate they were going she was pretty sure they'd have to come off eventually. Though they were her favorite pants. Actually, more like her only ones. If she had to spend the entirety of tomorrow sowing them back together-!

"Uh…No?"

Oh. He didn't? Then what was-?

Another tearing sound burst from underneath them both, this time she felt their bodies lurch further into the cot. They both stared at each other as the dots connected.

"I think that's-." Ekko's started only to be immediately interrupted.

"W-woah!" She cried as the fabric holding them up split underneath her. "Uhff."

Her back hit the wooden floorboards as they crashed from the broken cot and now Ekko was suffocating her as his body tangled messily atop her own. She shoved at his chest, pushing through the wild tangle of their limbs until he rolled to the side and laid on his back. They both stared at the ceiling of metal pipes, silent, stunned, and reflecting on the disastrous event.

"Hah!" She was the first to laugh sharply. "Hahahahaha!"

Ekko soon followed her with a few chuckles of his own. It was ridiculous! Absolutely crazy! What the hell was that? Her butt had landed with a jolting pain that traveled up her spine. Ow! There was also a rather uncomfortable lump underneath her, but she was too distracted by her own giggles to care.

"Itoldyou my room was better."

"You broke my bed!" She laughed through the miniscule tears at the corners of her eyes. Ah! Her stomach hurt just thinking about it. Of all the stupid shit…She couldn't find it within herself to be upset about the destruction of her cot.

"Me?" Ekko laughed, "I think you mean WE broke the bed."

"Heh! Youwishwe did!"

"What are you talking about?" He chuckled before pausing, "Oh. Good one."

"Ya know, cuz youwishwe could keep going and end up fuck-."

"Yeah, I got the joke the first time." He interrupted with rolling eyes and they both continued to laugh. "Don't act like I'm the only one wishing."

His tease was enough to shut her up, a pinkend hue spread across the ridge of her nose. Shit, he wasn't wrong. Was she that obvious? For some reason it just felt embarrassing. Thinking back on recent memory, all she could do was groan and throw her forearm over her eyes, shielding her from the world. Man, she really was drunk on lust earlier, wasn't she? Entirely consumed by the indescribable itch to be ravaged. Only after the sudden interruption could she realize her behavior and cringed.

Damn she really went for him, didn't she?

"Shut up." She muttered, though her words lacked any sort of sting. Ekko already knew he was right. No point in trying to argue it.

"Hey uh Jinx." Ekko asked.

"Hm?"

"My hand is still kinda trapped under your ass." Oh! That's what that weird feeling was! Of course! Whoops. "I mean, I don't really mind but-."

She rolled her body to the side, lifting her butt high enough to give him space.

"Just get your stupid fucking hand you perv."

"Haha sure."

After a few moments, she heard Ekko grunt as he pushed himself to his feet. The smile on his face was contagious, forcing one onto her own lips before he turned towards the broken cot.

"Guess I should go see if we have another one. Not gonna leave you without a bed tonight."

"What? Don't wanna go for a second round on the floor?" She teased.

Though it really was just a tease without merit. Nothing killed a mood faster than a sore tailbone and no immediate place to get comfortable again. Wasn't she supposed to put a couch in here or something? That would've an awesome plan B.

"You know I'm not exactly opposed." He smirked, before his eyes warmed as he gazed upon her. She was momentarily struck into a stunned silence at the shifting emotions that appeared in his pupils. "It might be for the best though."

"For the best?"

"Yeah. Our first time should be a bit more special don't you think?"

Damnit! Why'd he have to go and say shit like that! Those kinda words made her heart pound and her insides feel all mushy. Far as she knew, there wasn't any kinda quick relief for those types of feelings in her tummy. Stupid Ekko!

"R-right." She stuttered embarrassingly, "Totally what I was thinkin'."

Maybe things were moving too fast. She wasn't gonna complain, that was exactly her style. Charge into the chaos without a second thought was always in the forefront of her mind. But yeah, they could take it slow. Er. Maybe not too slow either.

He nodded to her before turning on his heel and venturing out of her room. As the door opened, she watched his back disappear into the night, searching for an easy replacement for her bed. Maybe he was right. Maybe their first time should be more special. It was hard to really think about it, she didn't have the slightest clue as to what that really meant. Was she supposed to feel like it was special? How the hell was she supposed to figure that out? Guess that was another thing to think about.

Ugh!

That list was getting longer and longer everyday.

Fortunately, or actuallyunfortunately, her night was restless. The new cot beneath her back was far more rigid than the last, a quality that forced her to toss and turn, enabling plenty of time for her rambunctious mind to just…think.

It was scary.

Ekko hadn't stayed the night. Of course he didn't. The new cot she was given was no bigger than the last. So she was alone. Well, technically that wasn't the case. Claggor seemed to hang in the corner of the room, deadened eyes staring at her writhing form. She couldn't shake his gaze, not ever. And Mylo was excited as always, practically bouncing off the walls, flashing from one shadow to the next laughing and taunting her with his incoherent words. Even Vander made his presence known, standing in the center of the room, growling like the beast he was every so often.

She'd learned to sleep in these conditions obviously, but something wasn't clicking. There were thoughts lurking in the darkest depths of her mind. They spoke to her clearly. They said she wasn't enough, resurfaced her earlier concerns of being left behind. Ekko might've been more aware than she gave him credit for. Shewasquiet after the meeting. It took a lot of focus and will to keep the torrent of worries at bay and distractions were necessary. Now that she was alone, awake, and surrounded by her ghosts, those same worries were spilling over like waves crashing violently onto the shoreline.

"What if they don't need us?"

Her head swiveled towards yet another presence in the room. Herself. Cold blue eyes, heart-breaking frown, and sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall.

"You're just paranoid." She replied while keeping herself as calm as possible. "They wouldn't leave us. Not again."

"Not intentionally maybe."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Her younger self turned towards her, rooting her gaze in place as she stared into those broken blue eyes that held no light. If there was such a description for a dead woman walking, she was staring it right in the face. She shivered.

"They'll get tired of us eventually." Her ghost spoke softly, "One decision after the other, it'll be just like it's always been. We might help them. They might help us. But someday it'll just be too bothersome…and that's when we'll die."

She snorted in defiance. It was the only reaction she could manage to fight the temptation of those words. It was nothing but lies, lies woven together as a blanket to blind her ambitions. The fact that she could see it now, might be the very proof that she was getting better.

"That won't happen." She said confidently, "Unlikeyou, I'm not stuck in the past anymore."

"Is dying really such a bad thing? Don't you feel how freeing it would be? We could finally rest."

Her eyes shut tightly, teeth clenched in her mouth as she resisted those damned words. The bitch was pulling on a string, unraveling the mess inside herself and letting the wounds that hadn't healed, bleed from her core.

"Shut up."

"You know I'm ri-."

"No!" Her shout boomed in the small confines of her room, reverberating through the metal pipes strewn about. "You're not right! You're wrong! I'm not weak and that's exactly what you don't understand!"

"You've been saying that all this time. That you're not weak." Her ghost's head lowered as if it was ashamed. As if it hurt to speak her heinous lies. What a fucking joke! "Has it ever been true?"

"I-!" Her throat seized the rebuttal, froze it in place as she thought about what was said. "O-of course it's true! I'm strong! Stronger than anyone else in this stupid base."

"Not for long."

Dammit! Dammit! Dammit! Why did it have to feel like she was speaking to a brick wall? Every answer, every ounce of confidence in her voice was met with an unyielded judgment that leveled her claims. With every violent lash of her voice, an equal measure of doubt seemed to seep into the cracks of her heart. And…shit…if she thought about it logically, thereweregaps in her reasoning.

Since the day she'd escaped that wretched laboratory, she'd claimed she wasn't weak. That she couldn't possibly be weak with all the shimmer in her veins and rage fueling her heart. But…She'd also said she was getting better. The people around her insisted that she'd grown, that she was becoming strong. So what was the truth?

Has she always been strong?

Or was she weak and just lying to herself?

Dammit! Dammit! Dammit! Fuck! Fucking fuck! She didn't know! Why was it so hard to figure out!?

"Have you faced our fears?"

She stilled in her bed at the ghostly question. It was exactly like Vi had told her before, that her fear had been holding her back. And that single question, floating in the air like a poisonous fog, was hard to hear. She knew the answer. Her ghosts knew the answer. She's tried a lot of things, shouting at them, fighting them, ignoring them, but not once had she ever just stared into the darkest pits of her soul and sought answers.

She wasn't able to face the mural. She wasn't able to truly reflect on all her sins, stacking every corpse in her mind and seeing them for who they were. Seeing what she truly stole from them. Another flash in her mind made her flinch. Fragmented memories of the torture she endured at the hands of that vile scientist.

There were so many things wrapped around her heart like barbed wire, piecing into her at the faintest reminder.

"You don't know shit." Her words were soft yet laced with a rising hatred. Her eyes, glowing with fury, raised to glare at the ghost leaning against the wall. "You gave up. You wanted out. Well fuck that, I'm not the same as you. I'mbetter!"

Her apparitions faded into the background, in part as a method to ignore them, but also from the current distraction as she fished a folded note from her pocket. If she had to face her fears to get stronger, if that was the only way to keep her loved ones from leaving, fine. She'd do it.

The images on the page burned into her head, carving a permanent mark in her brain as she gathered the information available.

Singed. The "Doctor". She could already see the location of his laboratory in her mind. The directions listed internally as clearly as they were written. His house of horrors was where she'd start. These damned fears of hers that refused to die would be shredded by her own actions. It started with the Doctor's death. One of many terrors that needed to be laid to rest.

He wouldn't be the last. But he'ddefinitelybe the first.

She shot up from her bed and walked across the room, phasing through Vander as she approached her darkened cloak hanging on the wall. The fabric was thrown over her shoulders, her pistol snatched from a small table and strapped to her belt. She could already see it, the look of complete and utter fear in his eyes as her barrel shoved into his forehead. He'd get just a glimpse of the hell she'd suffered through before his brains would be splattered on the wall. Just a taste of what it was like to know death. Only he wouldn't survive like her. She'd make sure of it.

The paper Viktor had given her was crumpled in her hands and tossed over her shoulder as she exited the room. Even at this hour, the moonlight above showered upon her shoulders and allowed her an easy path down the winding stairs of the grand tree. As she crossed the fields towards the tunnel exit, pink eyes narrowed at the sight of a smaller Firelight standing watch.

"Jinx?" Andrei asked, confusion faintly visible on her face. "What're you doing up?"

"I need to go outside the walls for a bit."

It was hard not to be so short tempered. Her voice nearly shook with the rage bubbling under her pale skin, but she had to soften her tone. The boy would be suspicious of anything other than a clumsy excuse. Luckily, he seemed to be one of the few that took a particular liking towards her. Andrei would be easier to trick than the others. A little white lie never hurt anybody either.

"It's pretty late." The boy replied as he rubbed the back of his neck, "Ekko wouldn't like anyone outside the walls at this time of night."

She closed her eyes and took a subtle breath. Mask it. Mask the fire burning on her insides. Ignore the sensation of shimmer being injected into her veins while the haunting chuckles of a deranged man echoed in her mind.

In an instant she opened her eyes, a bright enthusiastic smile stretched painfully across her cheeks.

"Oh you remember that box of scraps I brought in with Ekko earlier?" He nodded, "Yeah, stupid me. I think something really important fell out and I need to go get it before someone steals it."

"You think someone would?"

"Ofdefinitely!" She wrapped her arm around his shoulders and stretched her hand into the sky as if to spin a tale. "It's like, super valuable. Top secret stuff if you know what I mean. I've been trying to be good, but if I don't get it back soon, I think Ekko might get really pissed! Help me out, would ya? I'm tryin' to survive here!"

"Yeah." Andrei chuckled, "It really sucks when he's pissed…Okay. I'll open the gates."

"You're the best, kid!" She separated from the Firelight and began marching towards the steel door that was slowly opening towards the dark tunnels ahead. She spun on her heel to give an exaggerated wave. "I'll be back before you know it!"

"Sounds good!" He waved back, "See you soon!"

Yeah. Sure.

Her forced smile disappeared the moment she turned her back. This was it. Only one way to get stronger. As she stepped into the darkness, hatred fueling her every move, she promised she'd be back soon. But nottoosoon. What she was going to do to that disgusting man…she'd make sure she enjoyed it.

The only way to get stronger was to murder those pathetic fears until there's nothing left. That's her mission now. She didn't need anyone else. This was her fight, her monster that she intended to slay on her own.

That was a fucking promise.

Notes:

Annnnndddd that's the chapter!

Did you enjoy it? Hopefully Ekko's Z-drive makes sense and seems really cool! I tried to make it easy to understand but if you're confused, please let me know!

We got quite a bit of different scenes with some fighting, some plot with Sevika, some STEAMY Ekko & Jinx time, and some personal drama that has our girl going on her first ever solo mission! I think next chapter is gonna be so exciting and a bit scary!

And...ya know, I hope the romance between Ekko & Jinx in this chapter landed how I intended. It feels weird since I'm not as experienced in writing those sorts of "Hot n Heavy" scenes. Nothin wrong with letting me know what you thought about it. I tried to really dive into that scene and write some descriptive stuff without being too explicit...yet Hehehe. But seriously! If you're comfortable with the idea, let me know if you got into it! I'm trying to improve all aspects of my writing and getting my readers hot and bothered every once in a while falls in line with my goals to provide a realistic, mature story. Hope that all makes sense. If you loved it, or it was meh, or you hated it, you won't hurt my feelings by letting me know. Constructive criticism is great and appreciated!

Finally, if you're able to leave a kudos and you feel like this story deserves it, please leave one! I also am so excited to see your comments and discuss plenty of topics and predictions for what's to come! 3

Until next time!

Chapter 35: Singed and the Beast

Notes:

Happy Halloween!

I've got a special treat for you all today and I hope it makes you excited for this next arc! TWO CHAPTERS, 15k words. Can you believe it!? I just updated five days ago with a 14k word chapter and I'm shocked I was able to deliver even more so quickly. Of course, I'm exhausted, but I hope you really enjoy these next two chapters. I really put my all into setting up this arc.

Please enjoy 3

(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)

Chapter Text

There was a chill in the air.

She welcomed the cold sting against her pale skin as she ventured through the twisting narrow alleys of the under-city. Every confident stride forward, every shift of her glowing pink eyes honed by the biting temperature. It kept her alert, awake.

Just as she'd expected, the Doctor liked to keep his distance from the noise and chaos of the Lanes, instead opting to hide in the shadows, far from any suspicious eyes. There were no lanterns along her path, no drunken bums or addicts to be seen. This place was isolated from life itself, cold and unfeeling, just like the man she was searching for. Her only source of light were a few rays of moonlight showering from above through gaps in the under-city's architecture. That, and the soft mist below her ankles that reflected such faint sources of light. She moved through the wispy fog, swirling it as she carved a path through a seemingly hopeless maze.

A few times her head snapped to the darkness, wary and suspicious of the figures lurking within. Were there people in the shadows, watching her every move as she delved deeper into this lifeless world? Or were her ghosts playing tricks on her again? The latter seemed more likely, though they wouldn't scare her off. She was fueled by a blazing fire in her heart far greater than any semblance of paranoia worming its way into her fractured mind.

"Where are you hiding?" Her voice whispered her thoughts out loud as she chose a questionable fork in the alley streets. Vague ideas of her location and the Doctor's was all she had until she somehow spotted the sight of his domain.

"I'm comin' for ya." She giggled to herself eerily as she traced her fingertips along the rigid bumps of a brick wall on her side. It was fun to imagine a knife in her hand, scraping against the layered concrete, screeching as if to signal the beginnings of a hunt. "I'm gonna get ya. Snap you in two."

The best part? Her prey had no idea of the death that was approaching.

Viktor had warned her about Singed. He spoke of the man's genius and innate ability to escape certain peril. Apparently he was some sort of professor living top-side at one point in time. That was, until they'd discovered his adoration for the vile art of illegal experimentation. He was sentenced to a life in prison back then, yet somehow found his way into the slippery underbelly of the criminal world. They never found him and of course they didn't, no enforcer dared venture into the nastiest regions of the under-city. Pussies. Because of their fear, the crafty bastard survived, even as his previous facility burst into shimmer laced flames, he still found some sneaky little hole to escape.

If only she'd known back then how utterly repulsive it was that the man escaped the burning warehouse. If only she'd known that Silco's use of the man's genius was never meant to be exchanged for trust.

She reflected on Viktor once more, remembering his words as he handed her the box filled with the Atlas gauntlets and scraps.

"You should reconsider killing him."The sickly man warned in his unique accent, "Taking another life is never in one's best interest."

Whatever. That was just some top-sider arrogance masked as concern. The world wasn't full of sunshine and daisies. Sometimes. No. Almostalwaysit's better to kill your enemies, break them until they can never hurt you again.That'show she survived all those years as the scrawny brat in Silco's most dangerous crew. The scientist seemed to realize his words held no meaning, and instead offered her more information on her target.

"The Doctor has conducted other experiments besides you."He spoke carefully and watched the confusion settle on her face. "He hides many secrets. Most of which still reside in his laboratory to this day. If I cannot sway you from finding him…be careful."

It was cryptic to say the least, but there wasn't much time to discuss when Jayce and Ekko were expecting them to return any moment. So his words were filed into her brain, remembered only as she traversed the dark of the night in search for the man that tortured her very soul.

She was getting close. The coordinates on the paper she'd left in her room flashed through her mind alongside a map of the under-city. As her path narrowed towards a dead end, a moment of doubt forced a frown on her lips. There was nothing here. Did she make a wrong turn? Unless…she eyed a rusted metal dumpster pressed against the stone wall blocking her path. Her gaze traveled to the wetted street, taking note of the rugged scratch lines that curved outwards from the wheels of the metal bin.

"Sneaky sneaky." She muttered, shaking her head at the lengths the Doctor went to conceal his hideout.

She grabbed the corners of the metal blocking her path, forcing the rusted wheels alongside the tracks formed only by a slow erosion of this very act many times before. What was revealed was a small hole, nearly half her size. She rolled her eyes because it was just so damn perfect. Imagining the pale, skinny man crawling through such a space like a rat. The comparison was uncanny.

There was another entrance to this secret laboratory of course, surely one less bothersome to actually enter, but Viktor said that it was a location accessed closer to the Bridge of Progress. It made sense, she likely used that other entrance to flee from the metal table where she was experimented. After her…operation, her escape had been a blur of terror and lost in memory. Well, it didn't mean much either way. She didn't have the time, nor the patience to venture that far towards the top-side tonight and surely Singed would be far more unsuspecting of an intruder sneaking through his most hidden path, where no sane person would ever willingly travel.

Hopefully she'd get him with his back turned, her gun tapping against the back of his skull as he realized how meaningless his life had been. Bang! Wait, no. That was too quick. She'd blast his knee from behind, crippling his chance of escape and letting him suffer through the pain of fragmented bones. It would let her keep him alive longer. Yeah.Thatwas a better idea. He was old anyways, there was a decent chance the shock of her appearance would kill him immediately. Fuck that. He better not ruin her night like that.

Dirt and grime coated her pale forearms as she crawled through the hole with ease. She was small enough to make it easy and found her footing on the other side in just a few seconds. As she rubbed her arms, cleaning them of the muck they'd gathered, she lifted her head to stare forwards.

Suddenly she was face to face with glowing white eyes, beady and jittering upon the visage of a cold, dead corpse. Her lips parted in shock, unprepared for the rapid invasion of her personal space. The white scribbles of her mind filled in the details, scratching all over Mylo's face and shifting into a chomping laugh upon the boy's sunken lips.

"Nice one, shithead." She spat while her heart recovered from a momentarily startled pulse.

Stupid Mylo.

He must've felt confident in his terrifying image and the knowledge that she was surrounded by the night. But she wouldn't lose focus. Her demons had no impact on the hatred that pushed her forward. They had no idea just how determined she was to bury the mad scientist tonight.

For a moment she paused. Her brow fell into a disappointed angle as her recent thoughts were reviewed in her head. It's been a long time since she felt such lasting, immeasurable rage. Upon reflection, it was unnerving. What would Ekko think of her if he could hear such thoughts? What would Vi or Caitlyn think? She wasn't the good person they wanted her to be. Did that mean she was lying to them? Hiding the truth of her tainted identity?

No. Forget it. It doesn't matter. As soon as she was rid of this evil man and sure of his destruction, she could leave these disgusting emotions with his grave. She was positive that would be the case. There was nothing left in this world to hate once Singed was gone. More importantly, there was one less horror to fear as well. She was doing this. Nothing could sway her ambition.

She once again focused on the path ahead. The mist swimming at her ankles parted as she stepped forward, eyes bright with steeled resolve. Then she saw it. The sketch Viktor provided mirrored the structure she stared at. No windows, no lights, just a concrete box that appeared more like a pile of rubble than a home. The steel door jutting outwards from the rock said otherwise. This was the place she'd been searching for. Inside, her target was waiting for his death.

He just didn't know it.

Silence was key. There was plenty of opportunity to go loud once she made her way through the lab but until then, she needed to avoid any chance of being discovered. With slow, careful efforts she opened the door and slipped into the Doctor's hideout undetected.

Immediately she was distracted by the soft glowing lights. The sources were not lanterns, nor chem-tech powered machines, but instead ambient, glowing tubes of varying sizes. Her first realization was that Singed wasn't here. The man must be deeper inside the compound and his lack of presence was actually welcomed. It gave her time to investigate the strange sights in this eerie room.

Viles, tubes, and folders filled with paper all organized in neat rows along a wooden table that spanned the length of a single wall. She walked alongside the table, taking note of the strange creatures trapped in containers filled with glowing sludge. They were getting bigger as she traveled down the table's length. The first vial held a tiny creature, not yet formed and every vial after held a progressively larger and larger unidentifiable beast. Placed neatly in front of each container was a small folder marked clearly as a means to keep records of some sort.

"What a creep." She muttered under her breath. Those things looked disgusting, unhealthy, like their mere existence was a vile stain in the natural order of things.

Tick. Tick. Zap!

She spun on her heel at the sound, alert and pistol drawn into her palm. She didn't like this. Not one bit. What the hell was that noise?

Tick. Tick. Tick. Zap!

A flash of blue electricity glowed in the corner of the opposite side of the room. With wide, unbelieving eyes she spotted a monstrosity hanging from chains suspended above. From this distance, she could just barely see the outline of the thing, enormous in size, far larger than herself. The barrel of her pistol aimed directly ahead as she took hesitant steps across the lab. For just a moment her eyes shifted to stare at another grotesque specimen floating in a tank of bubbling water, tubes surgically attached all over its corrupted, disfigured body. What the fuck?

Tick. Tick. Tick. Zap!

Again she shifted her head to stare at the source of the consistent tone. This time she was able to see the body hanging from the chains violently lurch as electricity pulsed through its body. As she grew closer to her curiosity, her eyes fell towards a contraption on the tiled floor. Her analytical mind piecing together little bits of information like the clock that was being used as some sort of timer.

Tick. Tick. Tick. Zap!

She watched as the clock struck the top of its rotation and blue light pulsed through a bundle of wires leading all the way up towards the creature and shocking its unmoving body. The beast twitched from the involuntary stimulation but made no indications that it was conscious.

Up close she could finally peer into the shadows and see the figure in its full glory. It was a monster covered in matted, black fur. Chem-tech implants piercing into its joints like some sort of pump system. The deep expansion of its hairy chest indicated the creature was alive, breathing. And most terrifying of all, it looked like an unnatural hybrid of a wolf and a man, surviving off a constant influx of electrical pain and chem-tech in its veins.

She took a step to the side, still wary of the elongated muzzle of the beast, its lengthened canines that looked as if they could gnash through metal, and the sharpened claws revealed from its hanging arms. There was a book on a small table next to the werewolf and she reached for the cover.

"Subject…Warwick?" She mused aloud at the bold written letters displayed prominently on the first page. She turned the page, curious as to what sort of unknowns were hidden in the book.

Day 10: Subject has flatlined. Surgical procedures fusing chem-tech fuel lines into the muscle and tissue was a fleeting success. No response to stimuli. No recordable pulse. Time of death marked 1:15am.

More tests are scheduled.

The Doctordidhave other experiments. Viktor's previous warning seemed irrelevant at the time, but seeing such a disgusting monster and the cold, indifferent notes of his actions were more than enough to make her blood boil. This sort of corrupted, evil experimentation needed to be stopped. It actually felt a bit relieving to know her desire to see the man dead was backed by a moral responsibility. Something didn't make sense though. This wolf in front of her was breathing. It was alive. What happened?

She turned to another page.

Day 46: Resurrection successful. Subject has regained a pulse through injections of shimmer solutions mixed with chem-tech into the aortic valve. No consciousness observed, but bodily functions have been preserved and raised to appropriate levels. Side effects of the operation include rapid hair growth, presumably from the external tissue of another organism used in the solution. Irrelevant development.

I have conquered death.

Holy shit.

Day 152: Subject regained consciousness. No reaction to outside stimuli and appears to have lost all memory of his former life. This is good. The body has adapted to a more animalistic appearance. High levels of aggression have been prevalent during tests and may require additional sedatives to maintain safety.

Day 167: Subject is aware and alert. Control is difficult. There appears to be no capacity for logic or comprehension, yet the aggression remains. I received a laceration on my arm from the subject's claws. Subject howled and responded to the scent.

Conclusion: Subject has a thirst for human blood.

With each flip of the page, a rising chill in her stomach bloomed outwards and traveled up her spine. The recorded notes were terrifying, inhuman, and she couldn't help but question if her life would have the same fate had she not escaped in her shimmer-filled rage. Would Silco have saved her from the man's clutches? Maybe the more reasonable question to ask would becouldhe have saved her had she been unable to save herself?

She didn't know. But that was irrelevant, she was getting lost in the book and time was precious. Singed had not yet been found and was either away from his laboratory or somewhere further within. She needed to keep moving. Just one last page. She wanted to understand the most recent developments. God…this thing has been here foryears.

Year 4, Day 229: Measures of control are no longer effective. Warwick has been ignoring commands and experimentation has produced lackluster results. The rage is insatiable. Subject has been heavily sedated and managed by consistent electrical shocks. Methods of pain have successfully restricted the subject's movements despite consciousness. Subject has been more obedient since implementation.

Holy shit. Pink eyes lifted towards the beast hanging from the chains, staring into the glowing red eyes that burned like fire. Warwick…could heseeher? Was he aware of her presence? The monstrous wolf's eyes snapped towards her in a flash. She gasped and retreated with a few quick steps, finger tight on her trigger. The beast didn't do anything though. It merely breathed through its jaws, only ever clenching as the machine underneath him electrified his body.

Tick. Tick. Tick. Zap!

"That fucking psycho." She cursed under her breath before lowering her weapon, "Don't worry big guy. Maybe I'll feed him to you as a nice big snack. Bet you'd love that, wouldn't you?"

Warwick didn't respond to her question. It wasn't surprising either. The notes had documented just how hideously successful the Doctor's method of restraining the once-human creature was. And with her understanding fully fleshed out, she turned and walked towards the only other exit in the room. Her ear pressed against the steel double doors, listening for any peculiar movement on the other side. When she heard none, her hand pushed the one of the doors open, pistol raised and scanning ahead.

No!

Horrifying images flashed through her head as she realized where she was. The metal table, the leather straps, trays of needles and scalpels patiently waiting for their next victim. The barrel of her gun was shaking and her lower lip quivered.

This was the room.

This was where she'd been violated.

It looked clean, but not clean enough as her mind toyed with her vision, placing splotches of dried blood and purple shimmer over reality. She took a step back, unable to tear her eyes away from the nightmare and hoping that her legs would stop feeling like rubber so she could get away. Her eyes were wide in fear while it felt like she was choking on her own saliva.

And then the door on the other side of the operation room opened.

Her pistol snapped towards the movement as the man she'd been looking for oozed from the shadows. He was just like she remembered. His bald head, bandaged mouth, a sunken look to his beady little eyes. He didn't seem to notice her presence until just a few seconds passed, though to her those seconds felt like an eternity.

"Jinx." His soft, gravely voice exclaimed in surprise, eyes just as wide as hers though there wasn't a single ounce of fear swirling in his pupils. "This is an unexpected surprise."

He didn't even seem to comment on the pistol aimed directly at his chest.

"I'll kill you." She whispered shakily as the gun in her hand rattled uncontrollably. Get it together! Get it together! He was here! She had to calm down enough to grab hold of the situation and re-enact all the plans she'd made for him. Only that wasn't possible. She couldn't stop repeating her words as if she were pleading for her own life. "I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you."

He wasn't the slightest bit disturbed at her intrusion, calm and causal as he slowly walked towards the sink in the corner of the room. Her eyes and pistol followed his every step, furious that he didn't once feel like she was a threat.

"You fucking bastard." She growled as he began washing his hands underneath flowing water. "You'll pay for what you did to me."

"I saved your life." He replied softly as his hands reached for a nearby towel.

"You think I care? Hahaha!" She laughed with a high pitched tone that screamed instability. "I'll chop you up into little tiny pieces! I'll burn you alive until there's nothing left! I'll make you scream so loud all of top-side will hear it!"

How dare he! How dare he act like he'd done something worth praise? Saving her life? No. No, that was just an accidental side effect. What he really wanted was to see the permanent scars of torture and enjoy every second of her agony. She could see it in his eyes. In that hideous bandaged smile. Even in those disgusting notes she'd found earlier. She may be insane. She may find pleasure in violence and pain, but he was a grotesque insect deserving of nothing but to be stomped into paste.

He started moving again, alerting her suspicions as her grip tightened around her pistol, pushing the gun forwards as if that may somehow steady her aim. Stop shaking! Stop it! Her heartbeat was racing under her skin as the Doctor pushed his hands into his pockets.

"Don't you do that!" She screamed with her trembling hand, "Don't you fucking move!"

His eyebrows raised curiously as his hands settled, hidden from her view. She didn't like it. He seemed so unaffected by the danger in the room. It was as if he viewed her as someone no more dangerous than a child. Why wasn't he afraid? That wasn't how this was supposed to go! If she could just control her own breathing, take command of the situation…

"You seem nervous. Are you unwell?"

"What!?" She gasped before shaking her head incessantly. "No. No, of course not! I'm…I'm…"

Her eyes were drifting to the side, away from her target and towards the empty metal table that seemed to vibrate in her head. It was calling to her, growing in size as if to say it could not be ignored. Another flash of her tortured screams forced her hands to her ears. The side of her pistol scraping one side.

"Get out of my head!" She screeched before bashing the side of her temple with the butt of her gun. "Get out!"

Another step. In an instant she whipped her pistol towards the mad scientist and shot a round next to his feet. The crack of the gunshot bounced off the concrete walls, forcing a lingering echo to travel the room. He paused, staring at her with indifferent, uncaring eyes.

"I saiddon'tmove!"

What was so hard to understand!? She was clear in her words.Shehad the power here! Any second she'd aim for his chest and blast away all the swirling demons this room contained. It just took a single bullet. Just one bullet. Just one bullet. Just one fucking bullet.

"Does this room bring back memories?" Singed asked. She didn't reply, but the paralyzing shock on her face must've told him something. "Fascinating. I thought you had no recollection of our time together."

Fascinating? What a horrible word. It was like she was still his experiment to observe. Like she'd never escaped.

"But I did escape!" She snarled to her inner thoughts out loud. "You were gonna keep me here. Keep injecting me with thatdisgustingshit, but I escaped!"

The man's bald head tilted at her words.

"You believe you escaped?"

"I did! I-..." Suddenly she was at a loss for words. No matter how hard she searched the depths of her mind, she couldn't find a single memory of breaking her restraints and rushing out the door before she could be caught. "Iescaped. IknowI did."

"You must be mistaken." The Doctor replied, uncaring that the barrel of her pistol had been placed back on him the moment he spoke. "I released you from your bindings the moment you woke up."

"No, no, no, no, no, no." That wasn't how she remembered it. Something deep inside her core was screaming, insisting that she'd been the one to leave this hell. He hadn't let her go! "You're a liar."

He took another step towards her. She was helpless to do anything other than whimper as she realized the pistol in her hand was no threat. If she was going to kill him like she wanted, it would've already happened. But the fear that tunneled her vision and made her stomach heave had overpowered even the simplest ability to squeeze her finger on the trigger.

"I promised Silco I would save your life." He explained, "I did what I had to. For your own sake. I never had any intention of keeping you here."

"You should've let me die."

He shook his head.

"I am not an evil man. I find ways to help others survive."

Bullshit. He was spinning her scattered thoughts down a pointless tangle of lies and distraction. It shouldn't matter whether or not she escaped on her own. It was such an insignificant detail to the larger scheme of her intentions. She came here to kill the man for the pain she suffered not to argue what was true or what wasn't.

She clenched her jaw, straightened her posture, and ignored all the white scribbles that violently clouded her vision.

"I don't care. Nothing you say or do won't stop this." She spoke through gritted teeth. "You're dead. Simple as that."

"You would kill the man who gave you a second chance at life?"

"Shut the fuck up!" She roared another gunshot fired in the air, nearly colliding with his head but instead whizzed by the scientist and crashed into the wall behind.

"How unfortunate." He sighed as his head turned to scan the bullet impact. The clang of her bullet case seemed to ring in her ears as it bounced on the tiled floor.

Why?

Why? Wasn't he afraid? Why wasn't he listening to her? She just wanted to see him scared. Wanted to see the dread in his eyes as he took his final breaths. She just wanted him to suffer, even if it was merely a fraction of her own trauma. Dammit! Dammit! Dammit! Just beg for your stupid pathetic life!

The man just simply walked towards the lifted tray of his surgical tools, removing his hands from his pockets and placing all sorts of objects onto the surface. A pen, some loose gold pieces, a small knife, all mundane items yet her guard was still up, pistol never faltering despite his closer proximity.

"It's a little late to be worried about emptying your pockets, old man." She laughed hysterically. It was funny to think his last act in this world was so ordinary.

"I hope there won't be too much of a mess." Singed muttered. Oh how wrong he was. She'd make sure the pool of his blood touched every surface in this damned room. She'd splash in the puddles if she had to. "I like to work in a clean environment."

Huh?

Why would that matter? He was dead either way. Her brow furrowed as if there was a piece of a puzzle that wasn't fitting into place. Her eyes drifted towards the tray he stood over and noted a peculiar device piled next to the rest of the objects.

It looked like…some sort of switch?

Her heart dropped. Little hairs on the back of her neck raised. Something wasn't right. She could sense danger in the air. It pooled like a fog over her head. It was quiet.Veryquiet. Like a consistent noise she'd grown accustomed to had been silenced.

Her eyes went wide, realizing it at the same time she felt a warm, panting breath over the top of her shoulder.

Suddenly, teeth longer than her fingers pierced into her pale skin, clamping over her shoulder as she shrieked from the sudden pain. Without a moment of hesitation she curved her pistol to aim backwards and blasted into the monster behind. Fear nearly seized her as the jaws clamped on her body lifted from her skin and howled an ear-splitting roar.

Warwick swiped at her, his fur covered arms so long that she was forced to leap away from the claws slicing through the air. Her heels spun once her boots touched the floor, facing the humongous beast and firing as many rounds as she could into his chest. To her horror, she watched every bullet rip open holes in his fur before the skin slowly, effortlessly, sealed itself shut.

"Try not to kill this one." Singed spoke from her side. Her head turned to see he was speaking to his unnatural creation. "I have some tests I'd like to perform on her."

No. No. No. No. She shook her head at his words! She wasn't going to be his victim any more! Her pistol snapped to the side, ready to fire at the heinous man. She had to kill him now! If she didn't do it now-!

Bang!

The bullet was absorbed into an outstretched arm, blocked as the werewolf leapt in front of its master. Shit! Shit! It was defending him!? Pink eyes flashed towards the door no longer blocked by Warwick. She had to run. Had to get out! Fuck!

With all her strength, she sprinted towards the door, free hand pressed against the bleeding holes in her shoulder while firing his pistol blindly behind. She had to get out!

She had to get out!

Her lungs were burning as she raced from the compound, the cool night's air stinging her insides as her breath clouded from her parted lips.

She could hear the chaos behind her, Warwick smashing and growling like a rapid animal as she narrowly avoided his clutches inside. The steel door of Singed's lab was blown off the hinges as the hulking wolf followed her trail. Her mind was scattered, millions of little thoughts racing through her head, ghosts screaming to run, and all the while her shoulder ached from the torn muscle of her wounded bite.

She dove towards the hole in the wall, the same one she'd discovered on her way in. No amount of scrambling and flailing in the mud could match the haunting knowledge that the werewolf was right behind her, chomping at the mouth and eager to taste her blood once more.

"Go, go, go, go!" Mylo whispered in her ear as her knees pushed off the ground and brought her back to her feet.

The darkened alleys are where she'd have to lose him. There were plenty of doubts that she could run all the way back to the Firelight hideout with a beast of that size on her trail. Just as she stumbled around the first corner of the misty streets she heard the sound of Warwick's body crash into the wall, blasting rock and debris through the empty street and narrowly missing her when she turned.

She glanced backwards, only for a split second to see the creature rolling and flailing along the ground. It wasn't the smartest thing in the world, but the sheer power within his burly frame was enough to shatter a solid wall. Holy shit! Another quick turn, then another, if she changed her direction enough times, the monster intent on shredding her to pieces would surely lose her.

This wasn't how it was supposed to happen. She cursed herself under her breath, blue braids whipping back and forth as she sprinted. She should've acted sooner. She should've killed Warwick the moment she saw him. It would've been a mercy kill too after all the shit she read in that terrible book.

As her path was redirected, it became difficult for even herself to know where she was in these under-city streets. Every alley looked the same, just desolate, abandoned buildings void of all life. Her boots stumbled over a jutted crack, but before she fell, she managed to slide into a skidding stop at a fork in the streets. Shit. Which way? She couldn't afford a mistake and end up cornered by another dead end.

A howl rang in her ears, forcing a wince upon her face as she held her bleeding shoulder. The red liquid rolled down her side, flowing along her tattoos before forming little droplets and splattering on the bricks beneath her feet. She wasn't making a decision fast enough. There was no time! So she abandoned her choices and ran towards the street on her left. Not too far down, a small indent of darkened shadows teased the faintest possibility of relief. She leapt at the chance, diving out of the main path and pressing her back into the cool concrete slab behind her.

Her chest heaved, outwards and in, and though panicked efforts she tried her hardest to smother the exhaustion from her efforts to escape. She slapped a hand tightly over her gasping mouth, only letting the tiniest bit of air to breathe from her nostrils. From the sound of it, Warwick had arrived at the intersection she'd just been. His snarls and growls rumbled through the silent night. She could tell of his confusion, known only by the sound of his thumping feet taking one step forward then one step back. Her eyes widened as the beast went still, quiet, and then began sniffing the brick-laid street like a dog. She dare not look behind the corner, desperate to remain hidden.

Her body trembled at the distinct sound of Warwick's snout being wetted by his thirsty tongue. He took a step down the street where she was hidden. His giant paws slamming on the ground and she swore the entire alley quaked under his weight. It was okay. She had to be calm, remain hidden in the deepest, darkest shadows. He didn't know where she was. Any second he'd race past and she could find another path. Warwick stomped again. Her pistol was tight in her hands, ready at a moment's notice to aim for the head. He might be weaker there.

A deep, rumbling growl vibrated the air and then…

"I have your scent."

W-what?

He could fucking talk? Worse, she stared at her arm, wet and stained red with her blood. It didn't matter if she was concealed in the shadows, he was never chasingher…he was chasing her blood. With every step of the beast, her heart pounded in sync. He knew where she was and she'd let him get too close. There was no outrunning the monster now. In her head she counted the bullets left in her pistol. Three shots was all she had to take down a creature capable of healing its wounds. God dammit.

She would NOT die like this.

Jinx wasn't prey to be slaughtered. Jinx was the killer, the beast, the devil in disguise. Reminding herself of that truth was the only fleeting sense of confidence she could muster as her hand tightened on the grip of her weapon. Her body froze the moment her eyes spotted his claws wrapping around the indent where she was hidden. They laid against the wall, scraping them with an unsettling screech as her pistol slowly raised, pointed towards the sky.

She had one chance.

One opening.

As his paw stepped into view and the moonlit shadow of his beastly form painted the main street she dashed into action. Her body was small enough to twirl under Warwick's limbs and with lightning fast reflexes, stabbed the tip of her gun into his furry jaw. The crack of her gunshot flashed brightly in the dark and scorched the tips of his fur before his claws were swinging through the air.

He roared in pain, lashing in all directions as she rolled under his hind legs. To her terrifying surprise the werewolf seemed to be chomping, crushing, and swallowing the metal of her bullet like it was food. It wasn't enough. She spun around to face his back then ran towards the other wall, jumping up the side and pushing off the surface with her foot. Her lithe body soared over his distracted form, giving her enough time to straighten her arm and line up the shot.

Bang!

The top of his head split open from the bullet above. She caught herself on the chem-tech implants protruding from his spine and used them to swing herself back towards the ground. Pink eyes watched with bated breath as the demon seemed to falter and fall forwards. Two shots down, but that seemed to do the trick.

And one left to spare for the bastard that ruined her night. Wonderful!

Then Warwick caught himself.

His strong hind legs tightened before he could crash to the ground. She took a step backwards from his hunched over body, terrified of her failed attack. If a direct shot to his head wasn't enough…how could she-?

The wolf spun on his heels, upper body raised as she stared into the bullet hole slowly being repaired on the center of his forehead. Glowing red eyes pierced through the night, his jaw opening to reveal the nasty set of canines dripping with hungered saliva.

She took another step back.

It looked like his body was still unsteady, still unable to operate properly. She might've bought herself enough time to escape only the waves of fear in her heart made her limbs feel like stone. It wasn't possible. She shot him in the head. Why wasn't he dead? He should be dead!

"You…" Warwick growled as his eyes loomed over her tiny frame. Those red eyes of his glaring at her as if he knew her. "You were there. Let me forget."

Wha-? It was nonsense. It had to be. Nothing but the incoherent ramblings of a monster with a bullet scrambled in his brain, yet the deep guttural voice made her legs tremble, her entire body seizing as if she were being shocked. It was like she was staring down the gates of hell and being shown how helpless she was to fend off certain death. Her grip on the pistol was sliding, loosening in an alarming fashion. Whether it was from the sweat of her palms or the unconscious urge to give up any hopes of winning a battle, she didn't know.

"S-stay back." She stuttered as she took another step backwards.

He didn't listen. Instead, Warwick took a slow step forward, matching her hesitant retreat. Then another. The claws at his sides raised, itching to tear into her flesh and rip her apart. No! No! She wouldn't die at the hands of a monster!

With a desperate roar of her own she leapt towards the werewolf, faster than he had time to swing his blades. Her chest bashed into his snout, forcing him to snarl as she hung from his muzzle. Her tattooed arm raised, and once again jammed the barrel of her pistol into his head, this time between the fiery red eyes. Take this you rabid anima-!

"Ahhhhhh!" She cried as his claws dug into her back, snapping her finger around the trigger before she was flung into the air. The gunshot was drowned by her screams.

As she flew through the sky, the sight of crows dispersing from the buildings in the distance made her stomach drop. The bullet…her last bullet…had missed completely and landed somewhere far off in the distance. She felt the muscles in her back twitch in agony as the claws pulled from her body and she landed on her side, rolling along the wet concrete. Her blood was pooling underneath her, she could feel the difference between the cold ground and the warmth spreading on her side.

Her wheezing breath was mixed with coughs as her body struggled to gather the air that had been expelled from her lungs on impact. The world was spinning. Did she hit her head? Or had she lost too much blood? Her vision blurred as she stared at the wolf monster approaching. Her wrist feebly lifted to point her pistol at the abomination and she pulled the trigger.

Click.

Click.

Oh…that's right…she didn't have any bullets left. It was so hard to think.

Warwick howled into the night as if he'd completed his hunt. And he certainly did. She released a hollowed chuckle from her hopeless expression. Maybe shewasthe prey after all. The animal meant to be eaten the moment it was outmatched. Fucker. She only wished she could've gone out with more flair. She always imagined her death in a battle like this to be filled with explosions, ash falling from the sky, buildings burning through the rain.

Where was Fish-bones when you needed him?

The werewolf's claws were raised into the sky, glinting off the moonlight. She closed her tired eyes and waited for the pain. It shouldn't be too bad. She could handle it. And if she were lucky enough, maybe she wouldn't feel a thing. Just silence. Empty and calm. If her ghost was right about that, then she'd be okay.

Bang!

Pink eyes opened just in time to hear a gunshot followed by an object piercing into Warwick's side.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

One after the other, every gunshot kept her eyes focused on the beast as it swung violently through the air, unaware of the source.

Bang! Bang!There was a pause to reload.Bang!

The final attack, crashing into the furry chest of her toughest enemy yet and she was stunned as the creature began swaying, stumbling, and ultimately falling to the side.

"Caitl…yn?" She whispered as her eyes drifted towards the figure standing in the street to her side. What was she doing here?

"I'm afraid not." A raspy voice replied and her blood froze in her veins as Singed stepped out of the shadows, a strange rifle in his arms.

She glanced towards Warwick again, this time spotting the many syringes jabbed into his fur. Sedatives. Not bullets. The man casually walked towards her and she once again pulled her pistol to the air.

"Get away from me." She shivered. "Get away!"

Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click-.

"I think we have much to catch up on."

Her finger froze on the trigger as the Doctor's palm laid atop the barrel, gently lowering her useless weapon until all she could do was stare in horrified silence. His indifferent eyes made her want to fight, kick, punch, resist all she could as his other hand raised, but she was utterly defeated, physically exhausted. Then she spotted the gleaming needle in his grasp and shrieked until her throat was raw.

"No don't! Don't! DON'T!"

Her neck was pricked and then her vision went dark.

Notes:

Aaannddd that's the chapter! But not to fear, I wouldn't leave you on a cliffhanger.

The next chapter should be posted at this point and ready for you to find out what's to come for Jinx! I really leaned into the creepy, horror aspect of this chapter and I hope you liked it. That was always the intention, but I really leaned into it since Halloween is right around the corner. What a fun coincidence!

Also, Warwick! Some of you were eagerly waiting for his appearance, some of you may not know who he is...Well, this is my interpretation that sorta fits into the League lore and also fits with the hints we got in Arcane. If you're confused about him, look him up! He's a very interesting champion and if you didn't catch it in the S2 teaser trailer...there's a reason they included a howl in the background haha. Can't wait to see him in the series, but for now, my version is hopefully interesting!

See you in the next chapter!

Chapter 36: A Family to Cherish?

Notes:

Hello again!

This is the second chapter upload of the day, so if you clicked on this chapter first, please make sure you read CH 35 first! Otherwise, it might get confusing haha.

I don't have much to say, only that I hope you're ready to see Jinx in the most dire situation for her thus far. Everything is on the line, and hopefully she can pull through.

Enjoy :D

(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)

Chapter Text

Ooooh.

What was this funny feeling?

It was like her stomach was rolling on the inside. Like she was submerged beneath the cold, dark abyss of the sea. Her legs and arms…she couldn't feel them. What happened? She opened bleary eyes only to clench them shut. The world was all spiny, doing loops and twists that made her head pound with an incredible, disorienting ache.

She tried to lift her eyelids, this time more slowly, as the murky mixture of light bled across her vision. All these strange oversaturated colors, they were as pretty as they were mysterious. There was a sound of rattling metal and her chin arced to find the source. She was able to gather enough information to realize she was staring towards open doors, two darkened blobs shifting as her eyesight continued to struggle with wavering clarity. One of the figures was being lifted, hoisted upwards into the air by the other.

Uh oh. She giggled.Someonewas in trouble.

She blinked long and slow before she was faced with one of the figures directly at her side. The sweeping, double doors swinging behind the blob.

"Why're you so close?" She questioned. Every word felt light, airy, as if she had no control of how they tumbled from her lips. She giggled again, elated by the sensation. "Haven't you heard of…personal space? Get back in your own bubble."

Ha! She said bubble. What if she said Bubble-bobble instead? Or Bubbly-bibble-blop? Funny words. Always funny words from the mouth of a funny girl. She lazily drifted towards the person at her side and frowned. Why wasn't he laughing? She wasfunny!

The scribble sounds of a pen against paper tickled her ears as she rolled her head on the table beneath her. Her neck felt so loose, or maybe it was her head that felt so heavy? Who could tell? Everything was still so tricky to understand. It was as if she were floating in a pool of water, muffled and distant from reality. She liked it here, liked the shift and pull of her insides that felt warm yet numb.

"The sedative solution ratio per body weight proves less potent than anticipated, noting a faster than expected recovery time."

"Sedative?" She asked like a child hearing the word for the first time. "That's astupidword. What else ya got?"

"Lacerations and puncture wounds are showing preemptive signs of considerable healing."

Woah. Slow down there buddy. She didn't even gethalfof that as her head lulled once more to the side, letting the pen scratch further notes as she hummed to herself. Turned away from the speaker, she opened pink eyes and squinted at the bright, bold words floating in the air. They danced in front of her, jagged and defined.

GET OUT!

"Get out?" She questioned aloud. The sounds of the writing pen paused as she spoke. "What's the big…deal…?

Her voice faded from her lips as feeling returned to her limbs. With her senses slowly returning, it was as if she were pulled from under the water, gasping and flailing in the open air. Her limbs jolted only to feel limited and restrained. Wide eyes traveled the length of her body, now acutely alert and aware of the world around her. Leather straps held her down, tied her to the cold metal table beneath her back. Her wrists pulled against the straps with frantic strength to no avail.

"You-you bastard!" Her voice struggled to find a dangerous edge as her worries lined the corners of her mind. This was all too familiar. "Let me go so I can rip your head off!"

"I don't think so."

The hatred in her eyes had no effect as she glared menacingly towards the bald man. His tiny eyes seemed distant and cold as she continued to writhe against her captivity. One loose strap is all she needed, one faulty clasp on her restraints and she'd break free. Despite those hopeful words, every failed attempt to struggle free made the pit of her stomach drop harder and harder.

"Don't you dare fucking touch me!" She shouted as Singed approached the silver plate beside the metal slab.

His fingers danced over the rows of tools, contemplating the proper methods for his experimentation. He settled on a scalpel, lifting it into the light as if to inspect its surgical integrity. His fascination made it hard to swallow the lump forming in her throat. It was all too easy for her heart to race, pounding against her ribcage like an animal desperate to be set free.

"I know you did not have a great experience last time we were together." The doctor spoke, his voice soft and not at all matching his haunting appearance. "I can assure you this is for the greater good."

"W-what're you gonna do?"

She hated how nervous she'd become. How her voice was slipping as an endless list of terrible horrors flooded her brain. Why was she here? Why did things turn out like this? Death from the werewolf would've been better. That was a truth she knew to be undoubtedly clear.

"Just some simple tests." He said, as if that was somehow reassuring. "I'd been hoping to see you again. Your successful transformation begs many questions I have yet to answer. I believe you will be important for my work."

"Fuck you!" She spat in his direction, taking only the slightest bit of satisfaction in seeing the man wince from the saliva splattering on his cheek.

He gently lifted a clean white cloth and dabbed at his face before reaching for something beneath the table. A trembling whine broke through her pursued lips as she shook her head. He was already reaching for her, grabbing her chin and stuffing something into her mouth as she resisted. The thick, dry cloth pooling in her mouth made her gag, choking as she was forced to take increasingly panicked breaths through her nose.

"Your scars have healed nicely." He commented as the cold, sinister tip of his scalpel dragged across her arm. The sharpened edge lay flat on its side, never breaking her skin, but letting her feel the angled prick of the tool as it trailed along her pale surface. "You seem to heal from all sorts of impressive wounds."

She closed her eyes, chest heaving on the metal table, flinching violently at every press of his blade. This wasn't real. This wasn't real. It had to be a nightmare again. She couldn't be here! Yet the burn under her eyelids and the wetness dripping from the corners broke her heart. The crippling truth was in the tears that were threatening to fall. No, don't cry. Keep resisting! Don't let him win!

Her arm struggled once more against her restraints, pushing into the scalpel's edge and slicing her skin upon the tool. Singed lifted his hand from her, staring at the fury in her wrinkled expression. You damn monster! I'll kill you! There won't be anywhere to hide!

He sighed.

"I'd hoped my variant of shimmer would've reduced your aggression." He murmured as he studied her. Like she was some sort of creature to be observed and learned from. "It's taken me years to refine the formula yet the anger is still present."

No shit! Take anyone and experiment on them and they'd be pissed! It wasn't the shimmer in her veins that made her burn with the glorious hope of revenge. She'd had that capacity foryears.

"Though…" His slimy eyes drifted over her body, making her abdomen tighten in fear and shiver in disgust. "Your appearance has remained intact. I will mark this as a success."

Wait…she connected the dots of his words and lifted her chin to stare at the double doors in the room. Behind them, she could imagine the werewolf hanging from his chains, being electrified every few moments in order to subdue the mighty beast. Was he the first to undergo such vile operations? Had she received the same concoction of shimmer only tweaked after many years of trial and error?

She screamed against the cloth in her mouth, shaking her arms and legs wildly upon the table as the doctor scribbled more notes in his book. She wasn't somethingto be tested on! She wasn't some pet to be forced into an obedient servant! He wouldn't turn her into that! He wouldn't!

"I assume you've realized your situation." He spoke, this time while he dragged the tip of his blade along her forearm. She breathed heavily as the sting lit a fire upon her nerves. The pain was manageable, though her lack of desire, the unwelcome, vile intentions of the man at her side made her want to vomit. It was repulsive.

"I have found that pain is a useful mechanism for controlling anger." He lifted the bloody tool from her skin, taking a moment to watch closely at her sliced skin then glancing towards the defiance in her eyes. He must've seen something interesting, the way his eyes lit up like a child in a candy store. "You seem to manage it well. I would like to try another method, if you don't mind."

What a load of bullshit! If she doesn't mind? There was no way to resist! And every whip of her head back and forth, denying his suggestion was ignored as the man walked towards one of his cabinets on the other end of the room. When he returned, her fearful pink eyes locked onto the mechanical box in his hands, two attached wires dangling in the air. She tried to shift her body against her restraints and block the encroaching cords as they were taped to the flat of her stomach. She whimpered at the cold metal placed on the softness of her skin.

What was he-?

ZZZZZZSSSTTT!

Her whole body arched, contained only by the leather straps on her limbs. Eyes were wide and unfocused as a torrent of electricity rushed through her body. She wanted to scream, wanted to fight, but every muscle beneath her skin was locked in a seizing fire.

Then it was over.

Her back crashed onto the metal table, limbs twitching as she tried to gather her senses. The edges of her mind felt frayed, consumed by a lingering static that made it difficult to know if she was even conscious. The gag in her mouth was removed and she gasped for a desperate breath, coughing violently in the process.

"Do you find that you are able to manage the pain?"

"W-what?"

His question was confusing. It didn't make sense. What did he mean by "manage"? His unsettling eyes peered over her, his thumb pulling at the skin under her eye as he flashed a blinding light into her cornea.

"Finding your limits will be difficult. I'll have to increase the voltage until I find the appropriate levels of subduction."

Oh…Her mind was still hazy as she processed his words. Pink eyes lowered towards the mechanical box resting on his tray and taking note of the dial. It was set halfway around the circle and after a few moments everything made sense. He wanted to know how far he had to push until she was broken. A tired smile spread across her lips. The doctor had no idea.

Shehadno limits.

There was nothing in that little box of lightning that would break her because by all accounts, she was already there. That particular line had already been crossed before she ever stepped foot in this shitty lab.

"You're smiling." Singed stated, confusion written all over his face.

"Don't think you'll find my limits Doc." She began giggling as she spoke, realizing just how little power he had.

She'd been scared all this time of the devil in a lab coat. Terrified of the things he could do. But the thing was…she'd already seen the worst of it. There was nothing. Not even those hideously large needles of shimmer could push her beyond where she's already been. For the first time since arriving in this damned hideout, she was absolutely, completely unafraid.

"We'll see about that." He replied as his finger shifted the dial one notch.

ZZZZZZSSSTTT!

Again her body flew upwards into the air. Every tendon and joint in her body solidified under the pressure of lightning. A few choked, incoherent noises were all that came from her jolted throat as her shouts failed to travel outwards from her open mouth. The moment it was done, she collided backwards in her restraints, panting and struggling to regain control of her electrified body.

"Did you find that you are-?" The Doctor started to repeat his question only to be interrupted by the burst of laughter from her lips.

"Hahahahaha!"

She couldn't help it! It was so hilarious! He was wasting his time, so much time, thinking he could find a way to control her. That stupid box was all he had? Pathetic! Hilariously pathetic!

ZZZZZZSSSTTT!

Her noises were strangled by another river of electricity flowing through her veins. She could feel the increased voltage trying to burn its way through her insides, but the pain, the agony was twisted by her fractured mind into nothing ticklish fun.

"HaHAaHahA haHA HAhhaHahHAAahaha!" Her laughter transformed into malformed cackles as her wide pink eyes stared at the swaying ceiling above. The smile on her face stretched so far across her cheeks that it almost felt like her face would tear. "Higher! Let's go higher!"

"What is this?" He took a step backwards from the table, eyes wide and finally, FINALLY, she could see his fear. She saw the desperate, yet failing logic of his thoughts trying to piece together how she was resisting every increased shock.

"I said go HIGHER old man!" Her eyes snapping towards his torture device and nodding towards the object. "Let's see how far we can push it!"

His fingers hesitantly reached for the dial, this time cranking the machine into the red zone, three whole notches above the last setting. She closed her eyes, waiting eagerly for the powerful blast of energy that would course through her. C'mon. Bring it! Let's have some fun! Try all you can, nothing will work! It was a wonderful realization!

ZZZZZZSSSTTT!

Her body thundered against the metal table, shaking uncontrollably as the leather restraints stretched from the force. She couldn't even feel the material digging into her skin, too numb and on fire to feel anything but pure elation. Her vision was getting dark at the edges while her ears had an everlasting ring. Above her, her ghosts danced and cheered for her pain. They fluttered around the ceiling, and she couldn't help but want to join in on their fun. It was like she was invincible, like she was special. The stars in her eyes made her heart soar. She understood now. Those fears she'd let herself be consumed by night after night, they were nothing. Nothing but the haunting insecurities of her weakness within. But that weakness was being electrified, scorched out of her soul and left like ash in the wind. When faced head on, it wasn't quite so scary anymore. Vi was right!

"I get it now!" She cheered as blood pooled at her harnessed limbs. The leather had rubbed her skin raw.

Her crazed smile remained on her face as she giggled endlessly. Glowing, malevolent eyes turned towards Singed, loving how his expression made it seem like he was looking at a monster. Something he couldn't fathom.Hewas the weak one.Hewas the pitiful creature that needed torture and pain to keep others in line. Her brow curved as she began to see the man in a new light.

She should kill him.

Not for all the terrible things he'd done to her. Not for the endless experiments he performed on the werewolf in the other room.

No.

She should kill him because he was an evil man. Simple as that. Weak, pathetic, and a vile stain on this world. If she killed this bad, bad man would Ekko be proud? Would he rest easier knowing that the under-city was a better place without this insect crawling in the gutters?

She couldn't even answer the questions in her head, too overwhelmed by the lust of insanity that gripped her broken mind.

"I…I believe I will need to use more extreme measures." Singed said as he turned and walked briskly towards his cabinets.

She frowned.Thatwas his conclusion? How long would they have to go through this pointless, increasingly boring experimentation? She could endure it. That was absolutely certain.

But…

Her eyes lowered in somber contemplation. With nobody but herself, she'd have to accept that when she stepped out of this room, she may never be the same. It was all her fault. She left everyone at home, desperate to see her revenge through. Even in her wild, frantic state, the severity of the price she needed to pay was high. Too high. There were already permanent cracks in her mind and if the Doctor thought he could shatter her with the result being her obedience, he'd be sorely mistaken.

She closed her eyes and took a deep steadying breath as the sounds of Singed hurriedly searching his cabinets for more torture devices filled her ears. It was sad…She really liked her time with the Firelights. Looking back on it, it wasn't so bad. She had friends, she had her sister, Ekko…if only she didn't stupidly throw it all away because of her own fear. So when she saw the many blades, electrical wires, glowing syringes and a large canister of chem-tech bubbling within a glass container being wheeled towards her, she made peace with the fact that this was it. Jinx wouldn't die, but what stepped out of this room would not be the same. She didn't know how long it would take, but eventually…Atruemonster would be born. Singed would be dead. This entire lab would be burned to the ground. All it would cost is her humanity. Fair enough.

The ringing in her ears didn't help her attempts to think through the inevitable though.

She was tryin' to prep herself for what was most likely going to be the worst torture of her life here! Hello!? Stupid ears! Get with the program and make this easier, not harder! She hit the back of her head repeatedly on the table below. But then the most bizarre thing happened…

Singed paused.

Almost as if he could hear the sounds in her ears too. It was getting louder. She had no choice but to follow the Doctor's line of sight, tilting her head towards the closed double doors. Lips parted in silent shock as a green glow spilled through the cracks. It was getting brighter.

But…How?

The doors blasted open as a person landed onto the tiled floor, crouched and one hand bracing his weight. The rage in those familiar brown eyes left her speechless.

Ekko.

But it wasn't just him.

Not a second later she felt the yearning pull of her heart as she spotted her sister's red jacket, Caitlyn's violet uniform, and the silhouettes of Scar and Brina standing behind them. It was…her throat clenched tightly as a relieved sob tore through chapped lips…it waseveryone.

T-they came. Somehow, they came for her and she couldn't be more grateful.

Not a word uttered amongst the cramped room.

Not until Ekko's brown eyes snapped towards herself and assessed the situation instantly. The deep, angry lines on his expression almost made her wince had it not been for the fact that she knew his emotions were not directed at her, but how she was found, tied to this damn table with blood seeping from her wrists and ankles.

He was smart. He could piece it together.

"Caitlyn." Ekko called without looking behind himself, knowing she was there. "Help me with Jinx. Vi, Scar, Brina, you know what to do."

"You bet your ass we know." Her sister smirked, Atlas gauntlets raised and crashed into each other as the woman glared towards the Doctor.

Singed was not a fool. Not entirely. He knew his chances, she could see the fear and worry in his eyes. Once her rescue team sprang into action, he bashed into the chem-tech canister, flooding the room with a green gas that blinded everyone.

"Hold your breath!" Ekko shouted as he arrived at her side, fingers nimbly working with the clasps around her wrists. Soon after, she felt Caitlyn's fingers releasing the bindings near her boots.

"We'll get you out of here!" Caitlyn exclaimed while pulling up her blouse to cover her nose and mouth.

She hastily glanced towards the other three members of the team, spotting their shadows in the gas, waving the substance away from their faces as they backed into the room from which they entered. Another quick glance was sent to where Singed had been standing, and to her horror, the man was already running. He threw open the door exiting towards the top-side and she growled in frustration. No! The rat was escaping!

"You can't let him get away!"

Any warnings or directions issued towards her as her restraints were released was quickly ignored. She rolled off the metal table, stumbling as her legs hit the floor until she recovered and sprinted through the green fog.

"Jinx wait!"

Sorry Ekko. Thanks for the save, but this wasn't over. It would never be over until that disgusting man was mutilated beyond recognition. The whole world would be a better place.

"Follow her!" Violet's voice yelled from behind as her shoulder charged into the door Singed had fled from.

The hinges split from the frame as her body crashed through the door. Immediately the sting in her eyes and the burn in her throat was quenched by the cool air. They were in a dark cavern, filled with water she could only assume was a stream split from the Pilt river. It took a few moments to adjust her vision, but eventually she spotted the man running up ahead, using the edges of the land to sprint towards an opening into the moonlight.

"Oh no you don't." She snarled as she took off, muscles pulsing and arms whipping back and forth as she sprinted.

The sounds she'd mistaken for a ringing in her ears returned and her eyes shifted beside her as Ekko matched her speed on his hoverboard, gloved hand outstretched for her to take. She clasped her palm in his before being yanked into the air and placed directly in front of his chest.

"You're in so much trouble!" He sounded angry, probably looked super pissed too, but there was no time for that. She'd take the much deserved scolding after this was over.

"I can explain later." Well, that might actually be difficult, but it seemed like the right thing to say. "Just keep after him."

"Right."

The twin sounds of two Firelight hoverboards behind them had her glance backwards in time to see the other four escape the toxic room. Violet on Brina's board and Caitlyn on Scar's. Good. They had more than enough firepower to ensure Singed wouldn't get away. There was nowhere he could hide.

With a head start on the others, she rounded the cavern's exit hot on the Doctor's trail. He was a quick little thing, wasn't he? It seemed unnatural for his age, but the old man was still far ahead. He ran along the edge of the land, racing up a natural forming ramp beside the flowing water and headed for the top-side.

"He wants to lose us in Piltover!" She shouted over the rushing wind.

"He won't make it." Ekko assured as they both leaned into the speed.

The world was rapidly traversed beneath their feet. She glanced towards the ground, watching as the rock below blurred like lines. But then she spotted something, a device tossed on the ground, laying innocently on its side as they passed. Her head curved to stare at the object behind them.

"Isn't that…?"

"What?" Ekko asked, but before she could answer, she caught the sound of Ekko's earpiece.

"Heads up!It sounded like Brina. "Something just ran past us and is headed straight for you! It looked like a huge fucking wolf!"

Her face paled as Ekko lifted a finger to his ear.

"A wolf?"

They both looked back, terrified of the beast that came screaming around the bend of the cavern they'd just rounded. The dark, midnight fur gleaming in the moonlight, chem-tech implants glowing green, and huge limbs barrelling across the land on all fours.

"That thing is alive!?" Ekko shouted.

"Meet Warwick!" She laughed at their newfound danger. Just when she thought things couldn't be more exciting. What a thrill! "He's a nasty one for sure. And I'd say he's awerewolf, not a wolf."

Warwick howled as he leapt in the air, covering a vaster distance that she could've ever imagined. She shifted her weight to the side and hoped it would be enough to avoid those sharpened claws.

"Holy shit." Ekko cursed as he followed her actions and leaned them to the left, narrowly avoiding an overhead slash.

The beast crashed into the ground, rolling and tumbling along the ground before ending upright and chasing them again. She felt the sweat on her temple slide. There was a split path ahead. One towards the top-side and another keeping a straight path. As expected, Singed turned and ran up a stone staircase towards the streets of Piltover. With Warwick close on their right side, they'd have to avoid the monster and take the straight path, finding another way up to the top-side. It was too dangerous to cross over the beast's path.

"Stay left!" She yelled and just before the werewolf could attack again, he was racing up the stairs while she and Ekko continued forward.

"Halt!" The voice of an enforcer could be heard up above, surely shouting at Singed as he raced through the streets. But Warwick was coming. The poor patrolling officer had no chance.

A nasty roar was heard, the crunch of metal armor and screams of terrified men followed after. She shivered and glanced towards her partner. Ekko had a concerned expression as he began lifting them high into the air, climbing up the side of the trench they'd found themselves in. It didn't take long before they were hovering above the buildings of Piltover, his eyes staring towards a courtyard splattered in blood, limbs, and shredded metal.

They took a moment to hover and assess the damage. Ekko's finger lifted to his ear.

"Brina, Scar, there's bodies in the streets. It was that wolf. Can you check for anyone that needs medical?"

"On it."

While the forms of her companions raced up the stone stairs towards Warwick's latest massacre, her eyes traveled over the maze of the city, spotting a lone figure running through the streets.

"Over there!" She pointed Ekko towards their target and quickly shot after him along the rooftops.

Building after building, they raced towards Singed, narrowing the distance of their chase until capture was all but assured. There was just one thing though. She hadn't spotted Warwick. The occasional glance behind her and scanning the other streets had resulted in nothing. But she was sure he was top-side. And if her assumption was correct. Those enforcers that had crossed his path were nothing but midnight snacks to the monster.

Her ears prickled with the sounds of broken tiles and pink eyes snapped towards the source. A pair of huge claws lifted over the edge of a building across the street, a guttural growl vibrating the air. Soon the hulking mass of black fur was pulled to the rooftops and glowing red eyes locked onto her. Warwick took off, sprinting across the rooftops opposite of them, parallel in speed with the only distance between them being the street below.

"Faster!" She shouted.

"I'm trying!"

"Well try harde-. Oh Shit!"

Warwick blasted himself over the street, flying through the air in a single powerful leap with his claws outstretched. The collision was inevitable. Her mind raced, predicting the clash of the beast against them and she readied herself for a rough landing. Ekko swerved to avoid the hit, but the claws managed to slash against the edge of the board, shattering her balance and hopelessly tossing her into the air.

She reached for Ekko's hand, fear wide in his eyes as he was shouting an incoherent string of words. The snarls of the werewolf and sounds of the rushing wind made it difficult to hear him as their hands missed each other. Fuck!

"Uhhff!" Her body hit the roof, tumbling in an uncontrolled roll from the momentum of the short fall.

Warwick's fall was much more violent and undignified, crashing into the opposite side of the roof, breaking the many tiles under his mighty weight and scrambling like a feral animal. She had to get over the ache in her shoulder and twinge in her spine. The enemy was recovering just as quickly as herself and when she scanned the air, Ekko was already in the process of turning to come back for her.

No! She understood the boy's intentions, but every wasted second would give Singed more time to hide!

"Keep after him you idiot!"

That was all that mattered.

"I'm not leaving you!"

As she got to her feet, she prepared herself to leap over the edge of the roof. Fine. If Ekko wanted to play the hero, she'd make it as easy as possible to return to the chase. She just had to make the leap of faith, knowing that this time he'll catch her. A few steps back, then sprint!

She raced to the edge, leaping and on course to grab his approaching hand.

It was pointless. To her horror, she felt the weight of Warwick slam into her midair. The crushing pressure of his weight threw her into a rapid descent. She maneuvered her body to face the menacing teeth chomping at her face as she grappled his furry chest. He was trying to rip her apart but his body was too large, and hers was too small, easily able to fit into his frame as they crashed into the side of a home.

Her eyes clenched shut, ignoring the light slashes on her body as Warwick's claws swiped wildly in the air. She just had to hold onto him, endure the whiplash and impacts. His body was heavier, naturally shifting their falling weight to take every hit of the building as they fell towards the street. Instantly Warwick's back slammed into the paved street, her own lungs gasping for air as she laid atop his chest.

Fuck. Even though the wolf took the brunt of the hit, itstillhurt!

But she wasn't an idiot. Her hold on his fur was immediately released and she rolled off the beast's body. She nearly slipped as her boots hit the ground, spotting the culprit of leaking chem-tech now wetting the concrete. Warwick's implants on his spine were shattered from the fall, spewing the glowing green liquid out from underneath him and creating a massive puddle.

It seemed to do no significant damage other than fuel an even deeper rage for the werewolf. He roared so loudly that she was forced to cover her ears. The muffled screams of the citizens inside the homes surrounding them could be heard in response. It was only then that she realized they were in the lively streets of Piltover. It may be the middle of the night, but this was no abandoned district like much of the under-city. Horrified eyes watched from the now lit windows in the buildings.

"Jinx!"

She spun, quickly spotting Ekko diving towards her and leveled himself along the streets as he raced to the rescue.

"Just go!" She shouted. It was too dangerous and this savior complex of his was interfering with the mission. Ugh!

He was forced to duck under a massive slash of Warwick's claws and once again was unable to find an opening to pull her to safety.

"Use your Z-drive. Dammit!" Why was he wasting his time with these risky maneuvers only to fail and circle back.

She dove away from Warwick's sudden pounce towards her, narrowly missing the attack aimed to cut her down.

"I didn't bring it!" Ekko shouted back.

"Dumbass!"

"I didn't think you'd be in THIS much danger!"

God! This was the shittiest of situations. Her legs tensed as Warwick recovered from his missed attack. His snout wrinkled and saliva dripped from his pointed teeth as he slowly turned to glare her down, chem-tech still oozing from his back and staining his black fur. The sheer size of the monster was intimidating. Those lengthy claws and teeth weren't too exciting either.

Her stance widened, spreading her boots along the surface of the street while her shoulders lowered. She'd have to deal with Warwick fast. There was no other way to ensure her true target wouldn't get away. Ekko was still overhead, panicking as he swirled in the air around them and tried to find another opening. But she preferred it that way. He wouldn't get hurt if he kept his distance.

Suddenly Warwick pounced, crashing into her and sending them tumbling in the streets. Her hands pushed into his chomping jaw, keeping the worst of his gnashing teeth away from her skin as they rolled. His strength was much stronger though and the moment he gained the upper hand, she felt the whole of his clawed paw slam on her chest, pinning her to the floor.

"Fucking mutt." She growled with glowing pink eyes, furious as the tips of his claws were piercing into her front. The leather of her top was tearing as the claws seeped through the fabric. She punched at the arm that pinned her, desperate with a fleeting hope that she could escape, but he didn't budge.

"You'll choke on your screams!"

Warwick's hot, nasty breath made her cringe as it flowed over her face. She could smell death on his tongue and see it in those hate-filled red eyes. She had another idea, grabbing one of the claws on her chest into her grip and snapping the nail with all her strength. The werewolf screamed with disorienting rage as his claw, dripping with chem-tech, was now being stabbed into his own flesh.

She removed her newfound knife, only to gasp as his weight pressed harder on her ribcage. It was so hard to breathe! Shit! Any second her ribs would crack under the pressure.

"Keep your mangey paws!" Her eyes widened at the sound of a familiar voice and watched in slow motion as a metal fist entered her vision before planting itself into Warwick's vulnerable side. "OFF MY SISTER!"

A blast of blue energy flooded the streets. Suddenly the paw on her chest was lifted, allowing her the ability to finally breathe. For a second, everything was still, frozen as she stared at her sister's enraged face before Warwick was rocketing through the streets, air whipping into a powerful torrent. He rolled and flailed, skidding across the concrete surface like a rock over water. A particular ringing sound filtering through her ears as the flash of blue light faded. She stared at Vi, standing tall, proud, and pissed as her arms raised into a fighter's stance. The Atlas gauntlets were still glowing and shifting mechanically from the impressive strike.

"You okay?" Her sister didn't take her eyes off the beast that was struggling to his feet.

She laughed.

"That was one hell of a punch! Ka-pow!"

"Told you these things are fuckin cool." Vi smirked, before the seriousness returned to her expression. "You're after the bald dude, right? Go. Caitlyn and I will handle this freak."

At the sound of her suggestion, a gunshot echoed through the air and Warwick was sent backwards on his tail from a bullet to his torso. Cailtyn was approaching beside her sister, rifle raised and lever cranked to reload as her piercing eyes stared at her target. For a second she was speechless, then grateful as she rose to her feet, chem-tech dripping claw still in her grasp. She knewexactlyhow she was gonna use it too.

The sound of Ekko's hoverboard nearing from above was the perfect cue that she could return to the mission in her mind. She gave an appreciative nod towards her sister and friend, reaching her free hand into the sky as Ekko grabbed hold and swung her back onto his board.

"Be careful Fat-hands!" She called as they climbed higher and higher into the air, "You too Cupcake! He's like a freakin rabid animal."

"Then he'll be put down like one." Caitlyn replied easily with a nod tossed her way. Her rifle was then raised once more, another shot followed and soon after Warwick was howling in pain.

It felt good to have backup for once.

And hot damn they were badasses!

"This night couldn't be worse." Ekko sighed as they soared through the night's sky in search of the Doctor's fleeing form. She grit her teeth and lowered her head in shame. "The council's gonna have questions and I don't have any answers."

"I had to do this." She said thoughtfully, still scanning the streets below.

"Alone?" He asked, "Why didn't you tell us you were leaving?"

"I…" She paused, hating the growing pit that settled in her stomach. "It was my problem to fix."

"Well now it'sourproblem." Ekko spoke, frustrated and confused. She didn't mean for things to turn out like this. Honest.

"Once we get him…I'll tell you."

Her words were shaky, uncertain. The fear ofthattraumatic night may have been confronted, but sharing that with others…it was an entirely different mountain to climb. One she'd been dreading for some time. What if Ekko looked at her differently? What if the friendships she'd cultivated through Caitlyn and Vi were stressed, maybe even broken? They would find out that she wasn't even human anymore. That her body and mind had been broken long before she'd been taken in.

"I know you have your secrets." Ekko murmured from behind as the wind flowed over her ears and through her braids. "I don't need to know everything. Only what you're able to share and what helps me understand."

"I know." She replied as her eyes lowered thoughtfully. "I just…If Icouldshare…I want to share everything."

Because that was truly what she wanted. The ideal of overcoming her fears and being able to share herself, wholly and completely with the people that trusted her. It'd been so long since she felt like she'd had a family. But there were demons in the shadows, complicated feelings, and if she could pour her heart out to her friends without the fear that plagued her, shewould. It was just…that was asking a lot.

"I get it." Ekko murmured, and the conversation ended. She was grateful. He wasn't pushing and took her words for the promise that they were. Right now, above all else, she needed to find Singed.

Her hand tightened on the broken claw in her palm.

"I see him!" The Firelight suddenly exclaimed and she followed his outstretched finger towards a tiny dot sprinting through the darkest alleys Piltover had to offer. "I think it's time we finished this, yeah?"

A wild smile spread across her face, pink eyes bright with anticipation.

"Hell yeah. Let's do it!"

"Hold on."

They dove, cutting through the air as their speed doubled. Her stomach dropped, forcing a laugh from her lips at the ticklish feeling. Working together, leaning in sync as the hoverboard raced across the sky. She loved the speed and the ramping adrenaline.

As they entered the tightened, dark alleys, every movement mattered. The board beneath their feet rumbling and groaning from the focused maneuvers as they weaved through the buildings. The twisting, winding path blurred into an afterthought. The Doctor couldn't escape, couldn't use the buildings to conceal himself any longer. The hunt was on! And together…they were unstoppable!

Her eyes locked onto Singed's back, his head spinning to stare aghast towards the sky. That's right, bastard. I'm comin' for ya! There's no escape!

Their altitude lowered and lowered, right on the heels of the man who'd tried to ruin her. Look where that got him. Running, afraid, his life on the line and nothing but death in his future. Her boots raised on the board, lifting her heels and readying for a jump. Wait for it. Wait for it.

Now!

She leapt from the hoverboard as Ekko soared overhead, crashing into Singed and using her arms around his neck to violently throw him to the ground. The man stumbled and fell from the weight of her attack, sliding on his face with a pained grunt. Her own body rolled across the street smoothly shifting to balance herself upright and focused on his crumpled body. The cheshire grin on her face never once wavered as she lifted the claw in her palm, perfectly ready to be used like a knife.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Those beady eyes of his stared at her, terrified as he scrambled to his feet and tried to limp away. Only, it was useless. His path was blocked as Ekko swung towards the ground and pulled his board to his back as he landed solidly on his feet. The path of escape was blocked. She was on one side, Ekko on the other.

"Seems like you've been up to no good." Ekko smirked as his club was removed from his back and shifted into his hands. He tapped the weapon in his palm with a menacing threat of pain. "Your wolf did a lot of damage back there."

He warily glanced between them both, hands raised as if there was a possibility of surrender. Yeah right. She rushed forward, claw raised and slashed across his torso. The wound was light, just a scrape, but that's exactly how she wanted it. This wouldn't be quick. Singed stumbled backwards but Ekko was at his back, slamming the club across his back and forcing a gasp from the old man's bandaged mouth.

She stabbed the chem-tech stained claw into his shoulder, leaving it there while her fist struck him in the face. His body was floating, uncontrolled and trapped between a flurry of blows. Her punch was planted into his stomach letting him double over before her knee struck the top of his head.

Singed whipped backwards from the blow, only to be kicked at his side and sent spinning from Ekko. The boy grabbed his clothes, steadying the Doctor and giving him a moment of balance before the metal club hit his other side. In perfect sync, she followed up on the attacks. Rapid jabs, one after the other struck into the vulnerable body of her enemy. He was caged in a series of endless blows, all made with the intention to keep him upright for as long as possible and ensuring that Singed received the full brutality of every blow.

The pained, spluttering sounds from the man's gasps was music to her ears, as she smashed her fist into his face. Over! And Over! And Over! Just when she was sure he couldn't take much more, she ripped the claw from his shoulder and pushed him towards Ekko who easily followed up with a sweeping kick at his legs. Singed crumpled to the ground, body and face purple and bruised. He was panting through cracked teeth, choking on his own blood, no longer able to see through his puffy eyelids.

She could leave him here and know that his final breaths would be taken in these empty streets. There would be no help to save this man from certain death. But no. She wanted to see it. Needed to see his life be silenced by her own actions.

"Think he's had enough?" Ekko asked.

Her head snapped towards the boy, fury blazing in her pupils as she shook her head. Obviously Ekko didn't know this man. He didn't understand just how vile this human was.

"He needs to die." She growled.

"You sure?" He asked seriously. He was offering a chance to redact her internal promise to ensure this man was dead. But with an unwavering resolve she nodded her head.

"He's more evil than you could imagine."

She'd never uttered words more seriously in her life and the emotions in her tone must've connected with the Firelight leader. He took a step back from the downed, dying man and nodded. Good. He understood then. This wasn't over until the Doctor was no longer of this world and the boy had placed his trust in her that this was what needed to happen.

The claw in her hand was tight in her grip as she crouched. She tilted her head curiously as a smile returned to her lips.

"Do you find that you are able to manage the pain?" She asked him, throwing his grotesque words right back in his face.

Her answer was nothing but the choked gasps and red liquid oozing from the bandages over his mouth. Through bruised, swelling eyelids, she could just barely see the beady little pupils beneath and felt more sure of herself. He was afraid, dreading the finality of death.

Her hand raised in the air, claw tip pointed downwards.

"Raaaaaaghhh!" She shouted.

The chem-tech tipped claw pierced through his left eye, jammed deep enough to tear into his skull. Singed's body beneath her twitched for a single moment before it went slack. Her breath was heavy as she panted, no longer plagued by the existence of this man.

It was over.

It was over!

A light, airy feeling bloomed in her tight chest. She laughed at the sensation. It felt like a dark weight in her core had suddenly been lifted. Like every breath she took was cooler, more freeing than before. Pink eyes lifted towards Ekko, searching for his judgment but found nothing other than a simple nod. He might've not agreed with her decision, but he wasn't holding it to her.

She gave the boy a tired smile.

"It's finally over."

As they walked through the streets, back towards the courtyard of the massacre, she reveled in the energy flooding her body. There was a pep to her step as Ekko followed closely behind. The buildings they passed showed damages from a battle she could only assume had been between Warwick and Vi. Those gauntlets really did pack a punch and certainly explained the splintered wood and stone craters.

She hoped her sister was okay.

And to her relief, she was met with the sight of Vi's red jacket standing beside Caitlyn with their backs to them. They were surveying the massacre in the courtyard, Brina and Scar tending to the wounds of the few surviving enforcers. The men looked like their armor had been ripped from their bodies, shredded, bloody, but still conscious and receiving whatever help they could from the Firelights.

"Hey!" She waved towards Vi with a smile, "Where's the big bad wolf?"

She didn't see Warwick's body.

Violet and Caitlyn turned, both equally relieved when they saw Ekko and herself approaching. Though Caitlyn's lips turned into a frown.

"He escaped." She replied, "Didn't stick around long enough for us to capture him."

"Pussy!" Vi growled, "I only got a few hits in before he was running off with his tail between his legs."

She released a hearty laugh at her sister's disappointment. Sure, Warwick had escaped, but without his master and the constant threat of pain in exchange for obedience, maybe he'd leave the city. She couldn't imagine a beast surviving top-side or in the under-city depths. He'd be happier in the wilds. So…Warwick problem solved! Hopefully…

"Did you get the other one?" Caitlyn asked.

She nodded and clapped her hands.

"Dead and gone." The grin on her face just wouldn't drop. It was still so unbelievable! "His body is down by the shopping district."

Caitlyn nodded as her hand pressed against her temple.

"That's good. I should stick around and give a report about what occurred here tonight. We'll have to send a team to retrieve him and clean the area."

Oh. Right. There was the whole mess of cleanup, wasn't there. Well good thing they had an officer on their team! Caitlyn to the rescue!

"Need me to stay and help?" Violet asked.

"If you wouldn't mind."

"The rest of us should get out of here before more enforcers arrive." Ekko surmised and Caitlyn agreed.

"That would probably be best."

Before she turned and waited for Ekko to place his hoverboard on the ground so they could fly back to the under-city, Caitlyn walked towards her. She felt her brow furrowed in confusion before being pulled into a deep, smothering embrace. Her face was kinda pressed to the top-sider's boobs, but the shock of the hug was more distracting.

"I'm glad you're safe." Caitlyn mumurred and she felt her lips quiver.

It was areallygood hug. The kind she didn't even realize she needed until she was wrapped in warm arms. Then another weight was added to the embrace. She peaked through the tangle of limbs to see her sister's arms around them both.

"You had us worried, you stinker."

"Thank you." She whispered through watery eyes, deepening the hug with her own arms wrapped around the two women. "Thanks for coming to save me."

"For all the trouble we went through, you owe us an explanation."

She parted from the hug to see that Brina had spoken, arms crossed and staring at her with a frustrated expression. Even so, the girl offered a subtle smile.

"But yeah, glad you're okay…or whatever."

Scar nodded beside the Firelight and she felt bright on the inside. Warm, giddy and full of life. After such a whirlwind of a night, her conquered fears and Singed no longer a threat, she couldn't help but realize these people that surrounded her-. She turned towards Ekko, can't forget him either-. These people were worth keeping around.

It was like an epiphany.

A realized truth.

There was no place she'd rather be than with these people. Her dysfunctional, yet oh so important family. They'd protected her, risked their lives to ensure her safety…Guess she had the responsibility to do the same.

She may owe them an explanation, but really...

…she owed them so much more.

Notes:

And that's the chapter!

What'd you think? Was it exciting? I really hope so. A lot of speculation was had about Ekko coming to the inevitable rescue, but it was actually so much more than that! Everyone came to save Jinx! Gah! Imagining that scene with Ekko breaking into the lab and the rest of them arriving soon after really got me emotional. She has a family!

Also, she's conquered her fear of Singed. It may have been a dangerous mission and she took a lot of risks, but ultimately Jinx faced her fear and came out relatively unscathed. Plus Singed is dead! I actually killed a league character...which btw, he got his ass BEAT. I hope that was as satisfying to you as it was for me to write.

Please please please leave a comment to let me know what you thought of this arc. I really pushed myself to deliver for you all and I would love to hear any and all opinions. Also, as always, leave a kudos if you can. If you already left one, you're a rockstar and I appreciate you so much! I'll be seeing you all in the comments. I'm so excited!

Until next time!

Chapter 37: Negotiations with an Ogre

Notes:

Hi everyone! So excited to be back with a new chapter for you all! Sorry I went pretty silent after the last double upload. I was so exhausted lol, it's also why it took me a bit longer to write this chapter too. We got some "fun" conversations ahead that I think are really important to flesh out.

I won't bore you with a long beginning note, I just hope you enjoy this chapter and get even more excited for what's to come!

Also...CW: Panic attack

Enjoy!

(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)

Chapter Text

"So…"

She watched Ekko saunter into her room, hands in the pockets of his dark green coat as he stared absently at the metal pipes hanging from the ceiling. As she closed her door behind him, a slow, steadying breath was needed because she could tell what was coming. All those mushy feelings of having her friends come to the rescue dissipated the moment she realized she had some explaining to do. And Ekko obviously wanted answers.

"So…" She repeated him awkwardly as he turned to face her, his shoulder leaning on the metal pillar in the center of the bedroom.

Brown eyes stared into hers, searching before the words had even been spoken.

"Care to tell me what that was about?"

He'd need to be a little more specific. Was it tricking Andrei into letting her past the walls? Finding Singed in his laboratory? Explaining what the hell Warwick was? Or the fact that she so desperately wanted to kill the mad scientist? Shit. It was all of the above, wasn't it? Her nerves weren't helping either. Despite a successful night, her body was still shaking from the fear and adrenaline that had been present since she left.

"I'm stupid?" She offered dumbly, lightly chuckling as his stare hardened on her. "Made a bunch of silly mistakes one after the other until I was getting electrocuted, hunted by a werewolf, and needed a handsome savior to save the day?"

He didn't find humor in her words like she did. Damn. It only made her look more psychotic, unable to ground herself still. Ekko's silence spoke volumes and suddenly she felt the need to speak more, filling the empty air with rambling words as she paced around her room.

"Andrei totally let me through the gates." She grinned, "That kid was so easy to trick, I think you should be blaming him for not keeping your security standards up to snuff."

Sorry Andrei. Love ya, but I'm taking you down with me.

"Leave him out of this." Ekko's voice dropped in pitch, eyes narrowing and she internally cursed because apparently dragging the young Firelight into this mess wouldn't work. "He trusts you, and I don't put the blame on him. Though from what I heard, he should've known better."

God what was this!? An interrogation? It felt as though they were pacing around each other, scanning for weaknesses. Or maybe that was just her. She was searching for a soft spot within the Firelight leader, trying her damndest to find some semblance of forgiveness, but his posture and demeanor were strong, unmoving, and simply waiting for answers that she wasn't sure how to give. Where was she supposed to even start?

"WellIdon't know what you want from me." She huffed, arms crossed over her chest as she faced the boy, defiant by every stretch of the imagination.

Ugh. Didn't change the fact that there was a growing puddle of guilt in her stomach that wouldn't go away.

"Let's start with the fact that you just killed someone, in Piltover, in the middle of the street, while he was running away." Every added statement emphasized his potent curiosity and twisting the situation. It felt like he was blaming her…and that pissed her off.

"Last time I checked, you were there too! Total accomplice to murder!" Her voice was raising involuntarily. It was just so frustrating! He'd given her a nod and stepped away to let her finish the job, why question it now? Wasn'tshemore important than some stupid, fucking deranged doctor? Why wasn't he concerned abouther?

"I trust your judgment." He argued back, "But I need to know exactly why you did what you did. We stuck our necks out for you tonight. There might be huge consequences and the last thing I want to hear is that this was all done on a whim."

"Well what if it was?!" She shouted, "What good would that do you? Huh? I wanted Singed dead and now he is. It's done. No going back now."

"God!" She seemed to strike a nerve in the boy, watching as his hand grabbed at his dreadlocks in frustration and began pacing back and forth. "Why are you acting like this? I'm trying to be onyourside."

"Doesn't feel like it!"

"Are you serious right now?"

Stop making her feel like she's crazy! Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! She did the right thing. That psycho doctor deserved what was coming to him and apparently that was her fault? If Ekko trusted her judgment like he said, why did it feel like his words and tone directly opposed that statement?

"Areyouserious right now?" She countered, "What happened to the Ekko that wants to free the under-city? How the hell do you think you're gonna pull that off when you're acting like Piltover's bitch?"

That was a low blow. She realized it the moment the words tumbled from her lips and Ekko's face stilled, stunned into silence as her poisonous words tore into him. She didn't even know why she said it…they weren't supposed to be fighting like was just supposed to be a conversation about what happened. No. Fuck that. He had no right accusing her of anything. She wasn't some dog on a leash. She didn't need his approval to do anything.

He marched towards her. Before she could even think of taking a swing or stepping back, his fists clenched around the straps of her top and pushed her into the wall behind. Her back hit the surface, yet her glaring eyes never wavered as they matched the fury in his.

"I'm responsible for all the dumb shit you do." He growled in her face, "Your actions tonight threatened all of us. If you don't see that, you're blind. So how about you just answer my questions like you promised you would and we don't have to fight like this."

"Fuck your questions." She spat, "You don't get to be mad at me just because you don't like the answers."

"I'm not-!" He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, erasing the angry lines on his face and reigning his temper back in. "I'm notmadat you. Ijustwant to know."

He wasn't mad? Bullshit. He came in here, asking questions, staring at her like she was some sort of menace. A troublesome stain on his band of freedom fighters that was to be tolerated. She didn't like it! Not one bit! Where was the man that said he could love her? Why didn't he just-...

Her heart was hurting. Suddenly, she was aware of a deeper, more hidden need within herself that made all the scattered feelings inside piece together. Stupid Ekko! She ripped his hands from her top and shoved him backwards. He was on his heels and she stomped after the boy, shoving his chest again.

"Why do you care about that bastard so much?"

Like Singed and Piltover were more important.

His hands deflected her next attempt to push him over but it didn't stop her from trying.

"Why don't you trust me?"

He batted her attempts to fight him. All she could do was press forward, keep physically contesting with the boy and backing him further into her room.

"You act like it's my fault!" Her fists made contact with his chest, hard enough to break his balance and force him onto his back.

She didn't waste a single second following Ekko to the floor, straddling him to maintain dominance over the battle. Her internal emotions were flaring in ways she didn't understand. Thoughts and feelings leaked between aggression as he continued to fight against her repeated punches into his chest. They were growing more half-hearted with every swing, like she didn't have the energy to hurt him, or maybe it was that she even didn't want to.

"Why do you care about him?" She asked again as a difficult to swallow ache spreading in her throat. "W-why?"

"Jinx."

"You're stupid, stupid stupid!"

His hands caught hers, halting any physical punches while they struggled against one another. She wasn't even looking at him, unable to open her eyes while her emotions poured outwards. Fuck, she usually had so much control, but these weaknesses in her heart, these feelings that spewed from her lips stung with the realization that she was in the wrong.

Of course, Ekko needed answers. Of course, he needed to know what happened. But the way he spoke to her, the accusations in his tone, he didn't need to make her feel like dirt. Like she was an ever-present thorn in the side of the Firelights.

"What aboutme?" She whimpered as their hands trembled together as they battled with their strength. "W-why don't you care about me? You didn't even ask how I-."

His grip shifted, climbing up from her palms and latching onto her wrists before she pulled downwards and splayed across his chest. Her eyes widened when she felt him tighten around the small of her back, holding her and forcing the anger in her head to fade.

"Idocare about you." His words were soft, whispered in her ear as her head lay tucked under his chin. "Jinx, I care about you so much."

"Then why are you acting like it's my fault?" Her arms reached around him, desperate to hold him even tighter. The push and pull ever present in her emotions.

It was so difficult. To hear him talk to her like he did and not think she was losing something, losinghim. There was always that chance. The possibility that she'd go too far and she'd turn around one day to find herself alone, abandoned, because she was a bad person. It hurt to even think about it, but that was the truth, wasn't it? She was a bad person sometimes. Can't help it. The world she lived in was so fucked and full of monsters, how else could she survive if she wasn't one herself?

Ekko, Caitlyn, Vi, they all seemed to get by, never once faltering with their ambitions to be stronger, better, to do the right thing. Yet she was always breaking those unspoken rules, reveling in death and destruction. Those pieces of herself…they can't be changed. She was selfish in that way. That was the truth. Maybe this whole relationship was doomed.

"I'm-." Ekko started only to pause for a moment, considering his words, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel like you're wrong."

"He was a bad man." She spoke, tightening her grip on the boy beneath her. "He did bad things and Ihadto kill him."

"What…kind of things?" Ekko's question was more gentle, aware of the tension in her muscles and now rubbing his hand soothingly across her back.

If he wanted answers, then she'd give it to him. In the comfort of his hold, it was easier. She was more sure of her reasons when they weren't facing off, desperate for answers and placing her in a position of good or evil.

"I was supposed to die that night on the bridge."

She felt him flinch beneath her but simply closed her eyes and took a breath to continue.

"I didn't because Silco took me tohim. He hurt me…a lot. But I survived."

"He saved your life?"

She shook her head, not to deny the claim but to offer more.

"Death would've been better."

"..."

Ekko didn't seem to like her words. She could tell by the way his body tensed, but she couldn't blame him for not understanding. He didn't know what she meant and it was hard to argue that she too wasn't the slightest bit grateful that she'd been given a second chance. It was strange to hold such opposing opinions at the same time, but in her mind, it made sense.

"You wonder why my eyes are the way they are? Why I'm stronger, faster, and can heal better than anyone else?"

She felt the tilt of his chin against the top of her head, nodding to her questions.

A hollow chuckle slipped from between her lips as she dug herself deeper into him. The words would come, but facing him, seeing the horror in his eyes would be the last thing she wanted to see.

"Turns out you can inject a lot of special shimmer into someone. Every vein, every muscle, even my brain was stabbed with needles and needles and needles."

"Jinx."

"Ithurt." She pressed her lips tight to his chest, forcing them shut to hold back the whine of remembering the surgery. She may have put her fears to rest, but the ghostly sensation of pain was a bit harder to deal with. "And I've been having nightmares of it over and over again. I hate it."

She felt her whole body shift as Ekko maneuvered beneath her. He was curling upwards, still holding tight as he settled into a seated position and allowing him to better wrap his arms around her. The feeling of his palm against the back of her head, nudging her deeper into him was everything. A welcomed re-assurance that made her feel safe, like she was surrounded and protected within this little nook he'd created.

"I'm sorry you've had to go through that on your own."

She released a wild, uncontrolled laugh. It was sharp, pointed like the emotions inside that continued to prick and sting. Wait a second, she didn't need to be coddled like this. She was better than that. If he thought she was some fragile piece of glass, he'd be sorely mistaken.

"Sorry? What're you sorry for?" Her knuckles were white as her fists tightened around his clothes. "It was my fault. Always my fault. If I hadn't been sostupid-."

"Don't say that."

"But-."

"I get it." He interrupted again, "You blame yourself for a lot of the terrible things that have happened."

She nodded slowly. Of course she did. There were so many awful things she'd done. Helpless and forced to contribute to making the world a darker place.

"Please don't." He requested of her, his voice soft, almost pleading as he whispered those words into her blue hair from above. "Don't blame yourself."

"But you're right." She argued, "Brina'sright. I'm bad and I put everyone in danger. What if…what if I left the Firelights? Wouldn't that be better?"

"No." Ekko shook his head, "No, we need you. Vi needs you.Ineed you."

"Because I can fight Sevika?"

"Is that what you think?" He asked, holding her by the shoulders and leaning her back to stare into his big brown eyes. "You're not a weapon, Jinx."

Her eyes diverted, unable to gaze into the overwhelming trust and warmth shining in his pupils. This was pointless.

"It doesn't matter anyway…" Again, another hopeless chuckle escaped her, "I just find ways to screw things up. It's what I do."

"What're you talking about?" Ekko's brow was sharply angled with his confusion, "You saved the Firelights from Sevika's ambush, we captured Margot, the Dredge is out of commission, Vi has her gauntlets and my Z-Drive works. All of that is thanks to your help."

Oh. Thatdidsound like a lot when it was listed out like that. But Ekko didn't know what it was like. He didn't understand what she saw, what she hears from the many ghosts of her mind. For some time, she never really considered mentioning them to others. Caitlyn was the only one that ever asked…and it was still so hard to even think about bringing them up. Maybe it was for the best though. Ekko needed to understand how pointless this relationship was, how inevitable the crash would be. Better now than never.

"..."

Well, here goes nothing.

"I hear voices." She spoke slowly, carefully, watching his reaction in case she needed to drop the subject immediately. It wasn't a good sign to see Ekko flinch at her words. Or maybe it was. That was the sane response.

"I…I know." He replied, though it looked like his understanding was as limited as she guessed. He seemed awkward, out of place, and unsure of how to follow-up on her words. So she continued.

"I hear them all the time." Her eyes lifted to stare into his. She was rarely serious, but her disposition was exactly that. If she was intent on destroying the feelings in Ekko's heart, at least it was with the truth. There was no way for the boy to look at her the same after he understood. She wasn't good for him, for anyone. There was a certain level of insanity that evensheknew was unnatural and ugly.

"I know."

"Do you!?" She burst out an accusation.

He didn't get it! Why was he acting like he did? All this shit was worthless when it was so clearly flawed, misunderstood. Why did he insist on sticking by her, comforting her, when he didn't have the slightest clue as to what she was saying. Just listen!Listento her!

"Jinx-."

"I seethem!" Her boots hit the floor and pushed her onto her feet. She pulled from Ekko's warm hands, separating from him entirely to stand opposed to the Firelight leader.

"I see Mylo!" She gestured to a blank space in her room. But it wasn't empty to her. Mylo, that stupid little brat was laughing and bouncing on his feet, loving the tension building in the air.

"I see Claggor!" Her hands switched to point to a dark corner. The large boy's eyes set in stone, locked on her shaking frame.

"I see Vander and Vi and Silco and Myself!"

Ekko got to his feet, his concerned eyes following every gesture, unable to see what she saw. Unable to witness the dozens of white scribbles clouding her vision or the talkative ghosts living inherreality.

"You don't know what it'slike." She muttered as her strained muscles suddenly went limp. Her shoulders slumped in defeat until she found enough anger inside to raise her knuckles in the air. "They don't stop. All day. Over and over and over and over!"

Every repeated word was accompanied by her fist knocking against her own temple. The pain, the disorienting pulse of the hits to her skull is the only thing that worked. The only way to break the nightmare and even then, it was hardly a solution. They were still there…just her own senses were muddled enough to ignore them.

"I'm weak! I'm stupid! I'm bad, bad, bad!"

Before she could strike herself again, her wrist was caught, held still in the air as Ekko's grasp tightened around her arm.

"Stop."

She ripped her wrist away from him immediately and took a step backwards, pressing her back to the wall and glaring at the boy who only looked like he pitied her.

"Why should I? Huh?" God, she was furious. Acting all soft, like he could help. "What do you know about it? You think that I'm pretty, t-that I'm that same little girl you knew back then? Maybe you think you can fix me with your stupid feelings."

She stumbled over her own words as they resonated within her head before smiling.

"That's it, isn't it?" She laughed wildly, "You idiot. You wish I was her! You wish I was Powder, don't you? Well open your fucking eyes! You're just as delusional as me, hoping that I'll get better and she'll come back?"

"That's not it." He argued. She could see the love and comfort in his eyes transform into something stronger, something more absolute.

"She's dead. I killed her. You get that?Ikilled her."

"Jinx-!"

"I knew it." She threw her head back, staring at the ceiling but actually traveling through her mind, through all the memories of her time with Ekko and the Firelights. He was only ever happy when it felt like they were kids again. Their argument over time-travel, what he wanted to do, it all made sense. "You don't like me at all. You're just tolerating all my shit until-!"

"Will you shut up!?" Ekko roared, his voice bouncing off the walls of her bedroom and stunning her into silence. "...Just shut up."

They did nothing for a few moments, said nothing. Two pairs of eyes just glaring at one another, fire burning in their minds. Her lips parted to scream and yell and cry, but nothing came out. Ekko didn't seem to be faring well either, his chest heaving from his outburst, mind racing and she wanted to hear exactly what he wanted to say.

"I wasn't mad before." He started to speak as his gaze lifted towards hers, "ButnowI'm pissed."

"Good. Maybe you finally understan-."

"No." Ekko interrupted her, "No,youdon't understand. All you ever do is doubt me. Doubt my feelings."

"I-."

"You think it's easy for me? To just ignore the fact that I love the person who murdered my friends?"

"Love?" She winced as she spoke the word tentatively, carefully, like its power was almost too much to bear.

"Yeah." Ekko replied harshly, "Love."

"That doesn't make sense!"

"Iknow!" He yelled at the top of his lungs, "We've been over this. It's hard. It doesn't make sense at all. But-."

"..."

His boot took a step forward, shortening the distance between them both and she felt her shoulder blades press more deeply into the wall behind her. There was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide and he took another step.

"I love you." He repeated, "From the moment I realized you were gone, when I found your crumpled paper and gathered a team. When I saw you on that operating table. All I could think about was that my life was meaningless unless you were safe."

"Ekko-."

"Can you believe that? Can you believe that out of all the responsibilities I have to the Firelights, I was so quick to put everyone in danger to save you?" He shook his head disbelievingly, "I hate it. I hate that whenever there's a choice to be made, I always pick you."

His face was inches from hers now. His glaring eyes and hot, angry breath washing over her. It took all her strength to fight him with equal resolve.

"I trust you." He growled, "I want you to be safe and happy and Iknowthat I'll mess that up. But I also know what you're doing, so quit trying to make me give up on you."

"You said you gave up before. If you're half as smart as I think you are, maybe you should do it again." She fought back.

"Maybe I lied." Her breath hitched, unable to fathom just how strong of a statement that really was. All this time, all these years…had he still…?

"I-I don't love you though. I don't know what thatevenmeans!"

It was a weak counter. She didn't know what else to say. Every single argument in her mind, every wish for the boy to understand felt flat when staring into his passionate glare.

His words were suddenly soft again, his brow lifting from an evaporated anger, "Can we not fight? Can you trust me too? I'm never against you Jinx, I can't be."

"..."

"And yeah, maybe I don't understand what it's like for you, but I want to help. Anyway I can. I don't care if you don't love me, just tell me what I can do to make things better?"

"..."

"Please."

What can he do to make things better? It sounded so heavy, so impossible. She was still reeling at all the other information angrily spewed from his lips. Maybe she was just paranoid, jumping too far into rabbit holes that didn't exist. He wastrying. So yeah, Ekko didn't understand, but how could he if all she did was accuse him of unspoken betrayals?

Fuck.

What can he do to make things better? No. What canshedo to fix this chaotic mess she'd started? From one fire to the next, finding comfort in his arms when she needed it and turning on him the second she felt like it. She was being unfair to Ekko, playing with his feelings and…well, she didn'tmeanto. It wasn't her plan. Her mind is such a mess.

Love.

He said he loved her. Just like that. In the heat of the moment. How was she supposed to process that?

"Jinx?" His voice was careful as he called to her, breaking the trap of her internal thoughts and allowing her to stare into his questioning eyes.

"I'm sorry." She replied in a whisper as her arms reached around his shoulders, locking behind his neck. They were brought closer together from her actions, lips nearly touching. "I'm sorry."

Sorry for being such a pain. Sorry for not being able to love him the way he loves her. Sorry for the years of sorrow she'd created. Sorry for everything.

"You don't have to be sorry." He murmured. "It's okay. I-. No,weare still trying to figure things out, right?"

Her hands tightened their hold around him. God, what did she ever do to deserve Ekko? If there was anyone in the whole wide world that could care for her, that could ease her troubled heart with such simple words, it was him. Why was she trying so hard to get rid of that? His love was precious, valuable, and so very important.

She touched her forehead to his, letting the light pressure steady her rambling mind and replacing the anger in her veins with something far more gentle. She released a tinkling little giggle at the feelings in her stomach. The twists and pulls in her abdomen that were wonderfully welcomed after such a fight.

"We're both a little crazy, aren't we?" She asked him softly.

He chuckled in response.

"Me? Maybe a little. You? You're pretty fuckin crazy."

Hah! Fair! She laughed alongside him, taking his teasing words in stride. He earned a little jab of his own and it wasn't exactly wrong either.

"Are we good? Can we make up?" She paused, reflecting on the words before giggling, "Make up n' make out?"

"You know I still have questions." He muttered.

She felt his hands slide to the backs of her thighs, grabbing them and hoisting her into the air. Her legs stretched over around his waist, locking behind his back as her arms hung from his neck. He leaned forward, pressing himself into her and letting his lips brush over hers as he smiled and spoke.

"But fine… they can wait for now."

Unfortunately, despite their passionate lip-lockingandher insistence that Vi losing to Ekko in a sparring match meant she couldn't be punished, she was still stuck with plenty of chores. Menial tasks were the bane of her existence and the boredom it carried was hell! Guess it was rather cheeky to think she'd be fine after explaining the minute details of her solo adventure.

You can't just leave Jinx. You gotta tell someone where you're going. Don't you realize how much danger you're in? What if we didn't come looking for you?

Her finger wagged every scolding from memory, whispering those words as she walked back towards a pile of trash bags she had been tasked with moving from the kitchen to their sectioned waste. And fair. She didn't really consider any of that when she left. And yeah. It was thanks to her friends that she wasn't tortured for all eternity or clawed to death by some wacko wolf man. She deserved a little bit of punishment, but c'mon, moving trash? That wasreallyscraping the bottom of the barrel.

Even worse, she had an observer the entire time.

Brina.

The Firelight was a distance away, not close enough to communicate without shouting, but her amused eyes were clear as day. She hadn't once said anything, hadn't taunted her like she first expected, just watched while sitting upon a wooden fence.

Her pink eyes rolled in her head as another large bag was heaved over her shoulder and she turned to trek the same repeated path that had been her life for the last thirty minutes. It wasn't difficult, just boring…and a little gross. The scraps of food and leftover waste was starting to smell and it was tempting to just give up on the whole operation. Who was gonna actually stop her? But…no. The last thing she wanted was to seem like she wasn't pulling her weight.

The little victories of labor weren't nothing. And- OH for the love of-!

"Don't you have something better to do!?" She shouted towards Brina.

God. You'd think after so much experience from her ghosts that she'd be used to eyes following her every move, but the arrogant satisfaction oozing from the Firelight was just an extra layer of annoyance!

"I'm curious." Brina replied nonchalantly as she hopped off the fence to casually approach her. A few seconds of silence hung in the air.

"Curiosity kills cats." She chuckled her reply as yet another trash bag was thrown into the air. "And cats kill little birdies like you, so that's double trouble."

"Hilarious." The Firelight rolled her eyes sarcastically.

She shrugged her shoulders. Obviously it wasn't the smartest, most well-thought out way to tease the woman, but if it got under her skin, even the slightest bit, she'd consider that a win.

"But seriously," Brina started as she began walking back towards her pile of stinky punishment. "Don't you ever get tired of this?"

She paused, turning to face the girl with her own curious expression. Tired of what, exactly?

"Don't think I getcha."

"This." Brina gestured to her with her arms and the trash she was moving. "I don't think I've seen anyone as stupid as you. You know the rules, know all the boundaries we have and I know I've warned you, but you never listen, do you?"

"..."

"Are you allergic to learning or something?"

"What do you care?" She replied before shuffling back towards the pile of garbage and heaving another bag over her shoulder to carry.

Her mood soured immediately in a way she hadn't expected. Brina's words were often like poison. They stung and infected her from the inside, but this time she couldn't find any malice to brush off. There was no anger being directed at her per say, just…seeking an answer to a question not easily known.

"Do you get off on breaking the rules? How many times have you done things you know are wrong, drag people into your problems, clean up your mess, you get punished, and it's like you never learn anything from it."

"I don't do that." She argued.

"Silco on the mural, breaking curfew, I even overheard that you stole those gauntlets from the council."

"Okay,maybeI do that sometimes." She had some fair points dammit. "But again. What. Do. You. Care?"

"Look, I'm not trying to be mean." Brina sighed, her tone matching the hesitant, pensive expression on her face. "Let's get some things straight. I don't like you. You don't like me. I realize though, a lot of people here care about you."

Oh. That was a surprising statement coming from her most vocal critic. She didn't expect to hear anything even remotely resembling a "compliment" or at the very least an acknowledgement that Brina was aware her hatred was not resonating with the rest of the Firelights as clearly as she'd hoped.

"They want to give you another chance, right?" Her head nodded to Brina's question, "Then why do you make life harder for them? You'll be the end of the Firelights in no time."

"Yeesh, dramatic much?"

"I'mserious, Jinx." Despite the tension and severity of their words, not once did Brina raise her voice. It was unsettling because she expected a shouting match by now. The genuine curiosity in her eyes had set her back on her heels. "It's like you never learn. Just one thing after another. Always off in your own world, not thinking about the fact that we were forced into a tight spot with Piltover last night."

"I didn't ask for you all to come save me." She whispered lowly. Thankful as she was, the responsibility wasn't on her shoulders. "Besides, I already spoke to Ekko about it. It's done. All under the bridge."

"Yeah, maybe this time, but when will you put us in another shitty situation?"

"Like I said-."

"It doesn'tmatterif you don't want the help." Brina interrupted calmly, again putting her in an uncomfortable spot. Shereallyexpected yelling at this point. "What you don't get is that they'llalwayscome to your side.We'llalways have your back."

"...We?"

"I was there last night, wasn't I?"

Ugh! This whole conversation…she couldn't find a single edge, a single comment to push back on. Never before had she been so calmly dismantled without sparking a more intense debate. It almost reminded her of the days under Silco's wing. The many times she'd been at the mercy of Silco's deliberate and focused scolding.

Brina wasn't wrong. That was the hardest part. It was frustrating to concede to the Firelight, but the woman hit the nail on the head without ever realizing it. For quite some time, she'd been living her life on her own, distanced from responsibility and family. Her actions were not limited to just her anymore…

Fuck.

"I don't know why I do what I do!" She suddenly exclaimed, "I can't help it! I get distracted. A new idea pops into my head and I go for it. Maybe I'm crazy! Maybe I just love messing things up!"

"Can I ask something of you then?" Brina spoke softly, slowly approaching her until a hand was clasped over her pale shoulder.

The gentle look in the woman's eyes, the sincerity of her features and the sad smile spread across her lips did nothing but silence her, waiting for the words to come. She gave a hesitant nod of her head.

"Leave."

.

.

.

"Huh?"

"Leave the Firelights." Brina murmured. "You know as well I do that you don't belong. Ekko, your sister, they think that everything will get better if you're here, but I'm worried they're blinded by themselves."

"Hah!" She laughed, loud and sharp as she shrugged the hand off her shoulder, "Good one. Knew you were just tryin' to mess with me. You just want me out of your frizzy hair"

Brina frowned. She appeared genuinely disappointed.

"I'm not messing with you."

"Whatever you say little birdie."

"I know what I'm saying sucks. I know that Ekko and Vi, and the others wouldn't take it well if you left. And I know it's not easy. But think of the alternatives? Do you really want them chasing after you all the time? Putting their lives at risk to save yours? Sticking around is only gonna make it worse."

She hated that Brina's words made sense. A cold, dark pit formed in her stomach as she considered the future that the Firelight was questioning. She was never one to plan for her future, but right now, it seemed necessary. The outcomes…they weren't good, no matter how she sliced it, Brina was still right. Staying with the Firelights was probably worse than leaving on her own accord. Did she really want Ekko and Vi and Caitlyn risking their lives for her every time she did something reckless? How pointless was that?

Would she really lead everyone she loved into hell?

"Do you remember what I said? That day we fought?"

"..."

"..."

She sighed, taking in a deep breath that shuddered with her next words.

"You said that…I'm always gonna be the bad guy?"

Brina nodded.

"Unless you're willing to change everything, don't make the people that care about you put their lives on the line for nothing."

"Whatever."

"I'm telling you because I think we both know there are parts of yourself you don't intend to change. It's better if you face the facts now."

"Yeah…sure."

"Just…think about it, okay? This isn't me trying to get rid of you because I don't like you. I just wanna make sure the others are safe. I think we both want that, don't we?"

Nothing else was spoken as the Firelight turned and left her to her thoughts. There was a decent amount of work to still be done…but how was she supposed to focus on that now? Such heavy concepts were fogging her head with a growing uncertainty for the future.

Shit.

She rubbed at a newfound ache in her eyes as Brina walked away. The Firelight really wasn't there to start a fight. It was clear as day. It almost felt like she'd been offered an enticing deal, one she couldn't refuse. She was alone, surrounded by garbage, rubbing at her eyes incessantly as the words continued to echo in her head. Shit. Shit. Shit.

Why did it feel so true?

"You seem quiet today."

Her eyes drifted to the side, catching Caitlyn's curious speculation as the top-sider looked through the scope of her rifle, scanning the horizon.

Guarding the Firelight base with the officer was one of the more calming chores she was tasked with. Maybe it was the company she kept, or maybe it was sitting high up on the walls, staring into the vast wildlands that settled the frantic, scattered thoughts, but she quite liked spending time up here.

She smiled softly while kicking her feet over the stone ledge and letting them dangle in the air.

It was like she was in a world all her own, yet not alone. Never alone. Caitlyn, as she'd come to realize, was a precious friend…One she'd have to leave behind if Brina's offered path were to be taken seriously.

"Are you thinking about last night?" Caitlyn asked as her initial observation was met with silence.

"Nah." She shook her head, "Er…Maybe? Sorta? Shit's crazy up here in this noggin of mine."

A fit of giggles filled the breeze as she tapped her fingers against her temple. Truly too many thoughts were bouncing around inside her skull at this point. There was a lot to be anxious about these days.

"That's…good? Anything I can hel-?"

"Actually!" Her voice blurted into the air as she turned towards the top-sider, brimming with excitement and anticipation to new answers. "Maybe you could help me sort through some stuff."

Caitlyn smirked as she lowered her rifle.

"Sure. What's on your mind?"

Her spine suddenly straightened. Uh oh. She might've beentooeager for answers. Totally jumped the gun. It was increasingly apparent that she didn't exactly know how to articulate her concerns, let alone form them into questions…Um…

"Do I…uh…Do I belong here?"

Caitlyn offered her a pointed look that made her wince. She didn't know how else to put it though. Even in her time here, with the many efforts of her friends to put her on the right path, it seemed inevitable to realize that she just wasn't like these people. Her life would always be on the edge, dangerous and wild. Where the Firelights were driven to end the conflict, she couldn't deny she was just excited that there was conflict to begin with.

"You belong with us, if that's what you want." Caitlyn replied softly.

"I don't knowwhatI want." She sighed.

"Are you thinking of leaving?"

Oh. Leave it to Caitlyn, plenty of brains behind that pretty face of hers. She was quick at figuring her out.

"Maybe. Once all this stuff with Sevika is over."

The response was as tentative as it was honest.

"I see."

"..."

"..."

The woman didn't say anything, but she could see the top-siders mind working through the unspoken problem that had been presented. Advice would be pretty great right about now. There were so many factors, so many things to consider. Leaving was a lot harder than just heading out of the Firelight base, picking a direction, and just…walking.

She chuckled.

"Thinking of ways to convince me otherwise?" She asked, "I couldreallyuse some reasons."

"I'm not sure I could convince you." Caitlyn replied, "I've considered your options before, you know. There aren't many."

Right. She assumed as much. Brina wasn't an idiot. Caitlyn wasn't either. The two women may have different perspectives, but the concrete certainty of their conclusions was probably the same. After all, the world wasn't full of fairy tale endings.

Vi would be against her leaving. But was that her sister thinking through the situation, or a blind devotion to right the wrongs of her past? And Ekko…he had responsibilities, people to care for, if she constantly pulled him away and forced him to make choices he had no control over, was she taking advantage of his love?

Dammit. When did it all get so messy? It felt like she'd just got her footing here in the Firelight's home and now she was forced to consider that maybe it wasn't the right place to be. In the end, could she live here? Would it be a life worth living? Always under the watchful eye of Piltover's council, always assumed to be a prisoner?

Gah. It was too complicated. Maybe if she switched up the conversation, got a little space from her own head, it'd be easier to think.

"What will you do?" She pondered aloud, "When the Ogre is gone, I mean."

"Assuming that's the end of our problems, I think I'll be headed back top-side." Caitlyn surmised, "My family, my home is still up there."

"Right." Her eyes lowered to her kicking boots and sighed once more. The response from her friend just seemed to solidify what she already knew. The dreaded conclusion. She couldn't just expect things to stay the same. "I guessed as much."

Once upon a time, she might've actually lost it, just hearing those words. A looming threat of abandonment would have weighed heavily on her shoulders. Heh. Guess she was capable of surpassing those fears too. It didn't hurt any less, she just felt more readied to deal with the eventual pain.

"I've spoken to your sister about it." Caitlyn started, her bright blue eyes gazed into her own and she saw a silent apology in her pupils. "To be honest, I was hoping she might want to come with."

"Live with you…top-side?"

"I think she'd want a place of her own, but I could help her find work, get her-."

"NO!"

Her outburst silenced Caitlyn. Suddenly her skin felt hot, itchy, like an unknown pressure was placed on her chest making it hard to focus on the rapid sensation of impending doom. Her nails clawed at her arms, worriedly trying to calm the involuntary actions of her body.

"No! You can't. You can't do that!" She rambled as she stared blankly over the horizon. "You can'tstealher from me! She's mine! MINE!"

"Jinx."

"Why would you do that?!" Her fingers were digging into her scalp. "Why would yousaythat?!"

Liar! Thief! Mylo's voice bounced around the insides of her skull, Caitlyn's voice echoing every stabbing word as she tried to understand. It didn't make sense. Her best friend was plotting against her! Taking her sister away and leaving her alone, all by herself! Why? Why? Why?

She felt arms around her, embracing her, but all she could feel was the strangle of her lungs. She needed to breathe. Air! Air! Why wasn't it coming? Was she dying? Was the world on fire? It felt like it.

"Shhh." A gentle, soothing voice was distant in her mind, "Shhh Jinx. You're okay. You're okay."

"I'm not!" She shouted into the body that was now holding her. "You're ruining everything!"

"It's okay." Caitlyn whispered a reply, "Deep breaths. Nothing bad is happening. I promise."

"You can't take her. You can't!"

"Shhh. I won't. I promise. It's okay."

What felt like hours was only seconds. The heaving, desperation of her breath was slowly, slowly calmed as she focused on Caitlyn, on the words that were spoken. The apocalypse wasn't happening. They were just words. Nothing was happening.

Caitlyn promised…she promised…That had to be worth something, right? She held onto the woman's words like a lifeline, her only safety from the hell of uncertain, intruding thoughts.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel startled." The top-sider spoke softly, carefully, and rubbed her shoulder with the palm of her hand in a comforting manner. "It was just a thought. I never mentioned it to her seriously."

"I…" It was hard to speak. The recovery of panic was slow and never fully complete. Yet embarrassment still pooled in her stomach as blood rushed to her face. "You're right. I-. I overreacted."

"I know you love her." Caitlyn murmured, "I would never take Vi away from you."

"Right." She nodded with her eyes clenched shut. The desire to remember those words, how honest and clearly they were spoken was immense. "Right…Of course you wouldn't."

The more she thought about it, the worse she felt. If there was any indication that she was still flawed, still weak, it was in the horror she'd just experienced. Fractured pieces of herself were still filled with fear, chained by forces she had yet to face. Singed was just the first piece…but there was still so much more.

"Sorry Cupcake." She wanted to cry.

"You don't have to be sorry."

She laughed, a bit wildly and loose.

"I'm just thinking about so much!" Her face fell, "Nothing is ever easy anymore."

"I know." Caitlyn sighed before gently parting them from each other. The earnest look in the woman's eyes was nice. It was nice to know that her craziness could never scare off the top-sider that had become her friend. "Like you said, we can think about this after Sevika is taken care of, right?"

She nodded her head but offered no words.

"I'll help you however I can, Jinx. We can talk through everything. At your pace."

"Okay."

They were silent for a few moments. Letting the time pass and ease her troubles.

"Shall we get back to our guarding duties?"

"Yeah. We're gonna be stuck here for another few hours anyways."

Caitlyn smiled as she scooted back towards her own seat, grabbing her rifle and lifting it to stare through the scope. The brief moment of reprieve from conversation allowed her to finally catch her breath. Okay. She wasn't anywhere close to understanding if it was a good idea to leave…then again, if Caitlyn was going top side and - she gulped roughly, as if her thoughts were like swallowing poison - if Vi…wanted to go with her, then maybe that was for the best?

Man, why the hell was she having so many difficult conversations today?

"Since we have time," Caitlyn's voice broke her focus and she turned to face the woman now looking smug. Uh oh. The last time she saw that look-. "Perhaps you'd like to enlighten me about that bruise on your neck?"

Her hand suddenly clapped over the side of her throat, pink eyes wide as a blush coated the bridge of her nose. Mother fucker! Ekko, you damned idiot! How the hell was she supposed to explain this? She hadn't planned it out at all!

"Looks like a hickey to me."

"I…uh…"

The top-siders' eyes were gleaming with a particular amusement. Damn detective. Nosey, stupid, no-good detective! She felt like prey, trapped in a corner and unable to escape the curiosity sparkling in those pupils. Fuck curiositykillingcats!

She was gonna be the next victim for sure!

Notes:

Annnnnd that's the chapter!

Whew. We made it. I know it wasn't the most action packed or necessarily the sweetest most hurt/comfort chapter. I really wanted to give Jinx three critical conversations in this chapter. There's some stuff she really needs to sort out soon, and I hope it was interesting to see Ekko and herself fight the way they did, Brina actually being nice-ish? but also still clearly not wanting Jinx around, and Caitlyn oh gosh she really set off an explosion when she mentioned Vi living top-side.

I tried hard to make sure everyone felt like they had realistic reasons for acting they way they did. And when Jinx is confronted by Brina in a way that isn't combative, I think that leads to interesting thoughts. What do you think? Is Jinx gonna leave the Firelights? Hehe, more to come on that front, and next chapter we get to see Sevika again! :D

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think! Did you like it? Did some conversations feel awkward or not ring true? Let me know! I'd love to discuss it in the comments. I'm also glossing over a LOT so feel free to give your many thoughts below! I'll try to really respond to everyone :)

ALSO, HOLY COW - We're hitting so many milestones. Narrowly in TOP 2 for most kudoed Arcane story, just officially passed 250K words and can you believe the 1YEAR anniversary of this story is at the end of the month!? I sure can't. But thank you to all my supporters new and old! I have a few more exciting things planned for future chapters and I hope to repay you with the joy those things will hopefully bring 3

Until next time!

Chapter 38: Concerns

Notes:

Hi everyone! Happy New Years Eve!

Gosh it's been too long. With the holidays, work, and a massive writing block, I'm so incredibly sorry it took so long for this chapter to come out. That said, I'm really happy that I'm finally able to give y'all this chapter and I wanted to make sure my return had a good chunk of story so this is coming in a little over 11K words. I hope that makes up for such a long drought.

So excited to post this one. Lot's of sweetness, some heat, and uh oh...a wild butter knife appeared!? I won't spoil any more for now.

Please enjoy! :D

(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)

Chapter Text

Their next mission was already upon them.

A quick turn around for their shenanigans, but necessary if their efforts to stop Sevika were as imperative as Ekko made it seem. Because of that, they moved with purpose through the wildlands, like a well-coordinated squad. Ekko led the small group, Vi positioned just beside him, meanwhile the more ranged combatants like herself and Caitlyn walked a few paces from behind.

She liked being in the back which may have been unusual. Hell, working together as a team was already raising some figurative eyebrows, but nonetheless, she liked trailing behind Ekko and Vi particularly.

And thank god for her cloak.

She pulled at the collar of the dark fabric, ensuring that whatever marks appeared so clearly on her pale skin were hidden from the world. Wary eyes watched Ekko and Vi walking ahead before drifting towards Caitlyn at her side. As expected, humored blue eyes accompanied by a smug expression was reflected towards her. The only reasonable response in her mind was to stick her tongue out and sneer towards the officer.

Whatever. So what if Caitlyn knew about her relationship with Ekko? Not like she had any intentions of really hiding it from everyone. Maybe if she spent time searching within herself, she'd come up with some sort of mystical reason as to why she preferred to keep her secrets, but introspection was totally boring and it just made it easier to shrug off the nervousness in her belly as anticipation for their upcoming meeting. Yep, that's what it was. If anything, she was aiding the group by keeping some silly drama from slipping into their already frazzled minds. Ooh! That was a good thought!See. She's a team player. Good thinkin' me.

And they definitely needed to keep their heads straight for this one. Venturing deep into the under-city, just outside the territory of the Lanes and meeting with their greatest enemy was a far cry from a walk in the park. The weight of her minigun strap on her shoulders was reassuring to say the least.

"I'm not complaining," Her sister's voice spoke ahead while glancing towards Ekko, "But wouldn't you want some of the other Firelights joining you instead of us?"

Ekko shrugged.

"You know as well as I do that we're the most capable for the job."

She snickered at his response, "Finally. He actually admitted it."

Sometimes Ekko was weird, like the amount of respect and love for his fellow Firelights was something that needed to be proven as often as possible. Their inclusion was as sticky as glue to many of his ideas, yet, she noticed his increasing desperation to separate himself from them in times of peril. The Firelights are the resistance fighters of the under-city, until the danger is too great. Then Ekko shifts his way of speaking. Returning the Lanes to its former glory changes, weighs deeper on his shoulders, and suddenly every danger, every decision ishisalone to make.

Chalk it up to his ambition to be seen as a leader. In their more personal conversations, she could begin to see through the act. When they laughed together, when they played together, she could see his desire to drop such an important title, but it was irritatingly stitched to his heart, inseparable. When his smiles faded, she was beginning to find herself wishing it hadn't. Like her, he was carrying burdens she considered too great…but unlike her, he didn't seem to deserve such an unfair life.

"Besides," Ekko continued and her eyes lifted from the ground to stare at the back of his cloak, "Having you and Jinx with us when we meet Sevika could make her feel a bit more pressured."

"What about Caitlyn?" Vi asked.

He turned his head to smirk towards the two of them following behind, his eyes locked onto the top-sider beside her.

"I've got a plan. The message I had Andrei send said I'd only have two others with me. I don't expect Sevika to play fair, so Caitlyn will be our ace if anything gets outta hand."

Awww. Not her? She could be an ace! Honest! Bet she'd make quick work of however many goons Sevika brought with her. Pow-Pow would tear through an army in a matter of seconds! Why can't she be the ace!?

"I assume I won'texactlybe attending this meeting then?" Caitlyn stated confidently.

Ekko nodded, "We're arriving at the location earlier than the message said. It should give you plenty of time to find a good vantage point with that rifle of yours."

"Oh!" She suddenly skipped in excitement as the pieces fit together, "You mean Cupcake will be our backup, emergency sniper!" She turned towards the woman in question with a wagging finger, "Don't take the Orge's head off too fast! I wanna get a few hits in myself!"

"Nobody's taking anybody's head off." Ekko replied, "Hoping this all goes well and Sevika actually shows, there won't even be a fight. There's still a chance for this whole thing to resolve peacefully."

"Boring!" She groaned as her head was thrown back. Why can't they just shoot first and ask questions later? It was by far the most entertaining strategy. All this, "we're the good guys" mambo jumbo just puts them at a disadvantage anyways. Let's get some backstabbing cut-throatery up in here! Ah well, not her decision to make…

Though her head was already filtering many ideas on how to tease the ol' Butter Knife into a rage. If you can't find any fun, you just have to make your own. She nodded to her own thoughts.

Words to live by.

Wait! Ugh! Bad Jinx!

She couldn't screw this up! That was important to remember. It almost tickled her to think she needed to reign her own proclivity to create chaos. Nearly every moment of her life before, she could imagine being frustrated at the thought of holding back, being careful. Life had always been meaningless. With nothing to lose, with nothing to care for, why would she ever tread lightly? Hesitation was weakness and weakness was exploited in the under-city. She wasn't a sucker.

Or maybe she was…

Breaking from her thoughts, she watched Vi smile, probably saying something cocky and clapping Ekko on his back. The boy stumbled forward before catching himself and laughing alongside her sister. His expression was wrinkled by his lips stretching. She idly heard him reply with something equally confident and hopeful, and she couldn't help but think that she was watching the many years of leadership and difficulty melt from his skin. Ekko looked more relaxed, more alive, and how could she not stare?

He was beautiful like this.

When the weight of his responsibility slipped, when the lines on his face were formed from joy and not time, some part of her treasured the idea that she was one of the few to see him like this. In their time alone, separated from the rest of the world, she could gaze into his eyes and believe that inevitable ruin was just her imagination. She could believe that the world wouldn't destroy her and everything that she cherished.

"They're similar in a lot of ways, don't you think?"

Caitlyn's whispered voice in her ear forced her walking pace to slow as she glanced to the side. The top-sider was closer now, watching Ekko and Vi get slightly farther ahead while they followed. She redirected her eyes towards the two in question and quirked an eyebrow upwards. Similar? Ekko and Vi?

"Don't know whatcha mean." She mumbled in response, thankful that Caitlyn had started the conversation quietly, meant only for themselves.

"A bit too caring for their own good." Cailtyn whispered with a small smile gracing her lips, "Not always making the best decisions, but strong and willing to push through so much in order to love the people around them."

Oh. Her eyes fell to the ground, watching her boots take one step after the other, avoiding any sort of craters or uneven ground. Just a few simple words put in such a way made her chest warm. God, she was getting too mushy these days. It was uncomfortable. But not necessarily unwelcome.

"Yeah…" She nodded her head slowly. When Caitlyn put it like that, she could see the similarities. But with that same realization, a sense of inadequacy brewed in her heart. Her friend could easily fit into those attributes as well. Not her though.Shewas selfish, brash, unable to trust easily and just as likely to lash out at the people that seemed to care.

Betray them before they can betray me.Always.

"Ekko's been smiling a lot more." Caitlyn continued, "I think you two are good for each other."

"Maybe."

She wanted to believe that was the case. That her relationship with the boy had something positive to offer. But when left alone with her thoughts, she couldn't ever come up with the reasons. Wasn't a relationship supposed to be a give and take? What was she actually giving Ekko that someone else, someonebetter, couldn't give? It only ever felt like she was taking from him, grounding herself in his presence and letting his loving words fight against the demons in her mind. Wouldn't that fail eventually? What if his love wasn't enough? Even worse, what if she was stealing it, consuming those feelings until Ekko was nothing but an empty husk, unable to live for himself? Was she killing him?

"You don't think so?" Caitlyn asked. The question was matched with an equal level of confusion and curiosity.

"I'mme." Her hands were thrown out in a moment of exasperation but it only made Caitlyn frown, like she didn't understand. Ugh. Guess she had to be a bit more specific. "I don't think I'm good for anyone."

It sucked. A cloud of self-pity hung above her head, raining over her with the most unsavory feelings. How depressing. Even staring at his wonderful smile, she couldn't ignore the jealousy bubbling within. There was a desire, growing by the second, wishing that he wouldn't smile like that around others. Frustrated that his radiance was shining outside of their alone time. She shook her head, trying to clear such thoughts, but it was hard, so hard, to not want to own him. She wanted to own all of his handsome beauty, hoard it for herself. Nobody else should see Ekko like this. The more he smiled, the more his shoulders relaxed and his adopted persona of a leader slipped from the well-constructed mask he'd developed, the more she felt like a clock was looming over her heart.

Heh. That was a funny way to think about it given the boy's fascination with time.

But true nonetheless.

It was only a matter of time before Ekko could be the person he truly wanted to be. It was odd for her to want that for him and yet also dread the day it came. Every intimate moment they shared would dissolve into normalcy. Others would see him the way she saw him in secrecy. What was special to her would be common, mundane, people would look at him and think that's just how things are, how he is, and when she was no longer solely privileged to his happiness, what then?

She tensed when Cailtyn's arm draped over her small shoulders and pulled her ever so slightly into her side. The warmth of her friend only made it worse. Was this an attempt to comfort the truth? Did Cait see it too? The writing on the wall that spelled an inevitable outcome? If Ekko was happy…he wouldn't need her. No-. It was more than that. Heshouldn'tneed her. She'd only drag him down like a splinter stuck in his skin, always pinching him and pulling his attention away from his own life.

"You sell yourself too short."

"Or…I'm selling myself exactly how I should." She countered. Nobody knew herself better than herself. Caitlyn may have eroded her guard, seen her in moments of great vulnerability, but the top-sider couldn't possibly fathom the lifetime of failure she'd accrued. Cait was good though. Her advice was starting to feel like a beacon of hope. There was hardly anything she couldn't say to the woman, knowing those blue eyes of hers would hold no judgment. "Is it…wrong that I'm jealous?"

It felt wrong.

"What are you jealous of?" Caitlyn's words were soft, gentle, and it certainly helped the unsteady fluster of her heartbeat as she formed the words in her throat.

"Ekko. I-..." She paused, brows furrowed as she needed a moment to craft her thoughts. How do you even say it, without sounding gross or disgusting? Owning a person's happiness? It sounded evil and for once, she was hesitant to speak her thoughts. They needed more tact and thoughtfulness - of which she was sorely incapable of formulating. "I don't like it when he smiles like that."

She tried her best to avoid Caitlyn's reaction, but even through her peripheral vision she could see the woman beside her stare ahead towards the Firelight in question. Just imagining her friend's thoughts, the confusion being rolled into connections that couldn't be made, made her quiver. Surely Caitlyn wasn't like her. She wasn't the type of person to hold such ugly, selfish thoughts.

"Why?"

An unsteady breath slipped from between her lips at the question. Just one word, but that was all that was needed, right? Why? Because it didn't make sense. How could it?

"He's mine." She sighed while lifting a palm to run over her forehead and smooth back a portion of her hair. Just how stupid was she? If only her vocabulary were larger. If only she could smother these volatile feelings in her heart. Her shoulders slumped ever so slightly. "It's supposed to be just for me."

"Ah." The top-sider nodded, almost like she pieced together the puzzle presented before her. Pink eyes swiveled towards her, desperate to know the answer.

"Am I terrible?"

The hand on her shoulder squeezed, a subtle reassurance that made walking a bit easier. She didn't need to focus on placing one foot in front of the other nearly as hard. The judgment that she feared was nowhere to be found.

"I don't think you're terrible, Jinx." Caitlyn's hand began rubbing her arm, up and down, slow and steady, and steadying her frantic thoughts. "Is this your first relationship?"

"Isn't it obvious." She rolled her eyes while simultaneously kicking some dust off the ground and gesturing to herself, "Who'd wanna datethiswacko?"

"Ekko." Caitlyn chuckled and she joined in.

"That's because Ekko's a dumbass."

The lighthearted laughter was quick to die. A fleeting break from the heavy weight of their conversation vanished in an instant. Caitlyn wasn't talking and she sure as hell didn't know what else to say. Luckily, it seemed like her friend had more to discuss, she was just searching for the words.

"You're jealous because you think you're losing something special." Pink eyes widened, both fearful and impressed that Caitlyn had nailed the core of her concerns in a matter of seconds. "That…the more Ekko opens up to others, the less meaning it has when you're together."

She nodded mutely. Sounds about right. Disgusting isn't it? Stupid. What was worse is that she knows it. There's a feeling in the pit of her stomach, like a thick, heavy slime was writhing within herself and forcing a growing sense of paranoia that couldn't be argued against.

"I want him to be happy." She spoke earnestly. I do. "But-."

"You're worried that he won't want you the same way."

Another question spoken more as a statement. Another bullseye.

"Dunno. Probably." It was difficult to fully embrace what was being said, no matter how true it was. Then a wild laugh bellowed from her mouth, crazed and shaky just like herself, "It's dumb. I know. And Ihateit. It's not right."

"It's not right." Caitlyn agreed and she felt some mixture of relief and anguish, but then the officer continued, "But it's normal."

Her face contorted, deeply confused. How was it normal? How was any of it normal? She saw the way Caitlyn and his sister grew their relationship. She watched them grow closer without any semblance of the toxicity she held within her own heart. It was…so different from what she experienced. No amount of mimicry, even to her best efforts, could handle such a corrupted jealousy. It's exactly why she knew she was different, flawed, and nothing compared to the people around her.

"It'snotnormal." She muttered, upset that her friend seemed to be treading around the issue.

"It's your first serious relationship." The top-sider soothed, as if that was the answer to her problem. She didn't see how. "You've never cared for another person this strongly, Fish-bones excluded."

Hah. That was a good one Cupcake.

"So?"

"When I was a bit younger than yourself, I had my first serious girlfriend." Caitlyn started. It was kinda funny that her reaction was surprise. For some reason, she seemed to think her sister was the first and only relationship for the top-sider. And vise-versa. Guess she never really thought about it. "I got jealous too. Thought that if she did anything that didn't involve me, it was like she was trying to pull away, like I wasn't enough for her. I didn't handle it well. I suppose it was one of the larger reasons we broke up."

"Youwere jealous?"

"Is that hard to believe?"

"Kinda. You're smokin' Cupcake. My sis would be crazy to leave your ass."

Caitlyn chuckled before tilting her eyes to stare down on her. Beyond the lighthearted mirth in those blue eyes, she was enamored by the wisdom that seemed to sparkle in her pupils.

"Yes, well. How you treat someone you love is far more important than appearance."

Sure but-.

"The point is that I know what you're feeling. From my experience, it's important to recognize that the person you love has their own life. Things that make them happy and dreams they want to achieve and those things might not always be about you."

"What am I supposed to do?" She argued, "I can't just get rid of these thoughts."

"You'd be surprised. It does take time, of course. Especially since you and Ekko are still trying to figure out what you both want in life. You're both treading a lot of new territory."

"Tell me about it."

"But you know what?" Caitlyn asked, her tone bright and hopeful and exactly what her timid heart wanted to hear. "You're already aware of those feelings you have. Some people struggle to even figure it out, if ever. And you can work on them. You can grow and choose to be someone capable of wanting nothing but the best for him, without all the worries."

"But if it's not about me…"

"If he loves you, it doesn't matter." Caitlyn was quick to interrupt her. "Whatever he wants in life, even if it's not about you, he'll want you by his side."

"Think so?"

"There's no greater feeling than sharing your life with the person you love most. And all those special moments you share, you'll have even more, you can cherish them, and you'll always be closest to his heart."

"..."

Silence fell upon them. It gave her time to lift her head and stare at Ekko's back as he continued to walk ahead. His head turned towards Vi, she could see his mouth moving, animated and energetic in whatever conversation the two were having. She could feel her muscles relax, a gentle smile sliding across her pale cheeks. He was so…alive. If there was a future where she could see him like this always, if she could see the life and passion shining in his eyes, it was worth fighting against her own selfish desires. She could do that - her neck craned to glance once more towards Caitlyn, searching for a bit of extra confidence for her internal claim - right? I can do it, right?

Without words, her closest friend seemed to understand the question swirling in her pupils and gave a comforting nod. As if to say, "Of course, you got this." and it filled her with a bubbling optimism for the future.

When she spun for a final time to continue admiring Ekko from afar, she spoke.

"Wowser. You're really good at pepping me up, you know? Like always."

"I should hope so." Caitlyn smirked. She couldn't see it, but the way the words were spoken was clear enough. "I wouldn't be a very good friend if I couldn't."

Absently, without even thinking about her response she grinned and spoke quietly.

"My best friend."

She didn't pay any mind to Caitlyn's body stiffening beside her for a moment. It hardly lasted a second before she was pulled even tighter to the woman's side. Things were already much too sappy for her to continue the lovey-dovey friendship game. Besides, she caught Ekko turning to look backwards towards them both. His brow scrunched at first, both confused and amused seeing herself and Caitlyn embraced so close, but then he smiled. She could feel her heart hammer in her chest, only able to offer an equally bright grin and an awkward yet somehow needed wave of her hand. As if she could send him a bit of the joy she'd acquired across the distance.

His responding wave almost made her laugh. It was so casual, so unaware of her thoughts, but it was wonderful.

When they arrived at the meetup location, she couldn't help but pause, wince and clutch her temple. Memories, fragmented and sharp, scattered in her mind like broken glass. Mylo was tumbling on the ground, flailing in desperation to fight off an enemy she couldn't see. Claggor, stomped across her vision, arms wrapped around shadowy figures as if he were using his strength to smother resistant foes.

The ghosts in her mind were flickering, skipping around the dirt-coated streets. Her focus snapped towards her sister, many years younger, throwing a punch in the air before another blur caught her attention. She tracked a leather bag soaring through the sky, launching towards a small body and her lips parted as she watched that…child…catch the sack, retreating and pressing her tiny back against a wall.

Her teeth clenched as she saw the fright in Powder's eyes. Such a useless, fear-ridden BABY.

Of course,thiswas the place they chose to meet Sevika and her cronies. The beginning to the end. The single fight that spelled the end of her childhood. Just a few days after this pointless incident, her friends would be dead, her sister would be gone, and…everything would be up in flames. If Powder had been more confident, or maybe if she were smart enough to get one of her earlier stupid inventions to work, would things have turned out differently? Sometimes those thoughts return, usually in the strangest of ways. Memories she's unprepared for burn in her mind and question the very significance of her life. It's all bullshit. She doesn't even remember it, not really. Yet her insides hurt like she's been punched in the stomach by a ghost. There's no trace of physical pain, no sensation to latch onto, just a hollow hole being punctured into her heart.

"You good?" Vi nudged her from the side while lifting an eyebrow towards her. In an instant the past was dispelled. "Headache?"

"Yeah." She muttered, "No big deal."

Her expression soured as she heard her sister's concerned question. Hilariousthat she'd not even recognized this place. For Vi, this place might as well have been just one of hundreds. One of many arenas for herself to fight in the past. Another abandoned district that had no more meaning to her than the polluted streets of the under-city.

"You sure? You seem a bit-."

"I said I'm fine!" She snapped a little harshly. It wasn't her intention to yell at her sister, but as usual, the emotions pooling in her belly were quick to burst outwards. "You don't need to worry about me. I'm not a baby."

It wasn't until she saw Vi's face fall into an apologetic expression that she felt the whispers of regret, maybe even a little embarrassment. But it washard. How could she forget the years of betrayal, years of loneliness? Her sister may be back in her life and sure, their issues had been buried under the bridge. But buried and gone were too different concepts. She hated how sticky those feelings were and in the worst of times, she wondered if there'd ever be a time that she could truly abandon the past. One question, one look of concern, one moment in time was all it took for those thoughts of abandonment to resurface in her thoughts. Fleeting as they may be, it seemed like she could never stop herself from posing the question: Is this real or am I just being played all over again? Hell, Caitlyn just casually mentioned the idea of Vi moving top-side with her and before she knew it, her whole world felt like it was collapsing.

How pathetic.Reallykilled the positive mood from their walk here. One problem after the other. So many vulnerabilities. She had to work on that. Easier said than done.

Might as well fix things now though.

"Vi. Wait." She caught her sister's wrist before she was able to walk away. It took some effort to lift her head and stare into Violet's eyes, not in a way to feel confident or stubborn, but to allow an apology to be communicated. "I'm just…thinking a lot."

"Hey." Vi fully spun to face her now, her lips pulled into a smile, "Don't worry about it. I feel it too. I have half a mind to put my fist in Sevika's face before Ekko has a chance to start this thing."

"Oh! If you do, I totally got your back." She pushed closer to Vi, her palm placed on the side of her mouth to hide her lips from Ekko watching them. "You go for the face, I go for the crotch?"

"Deal."

"No deal!" Ekko shouted towards them, "And you're not even whispering!"

She rolled her eyes and lazily backstepped from her sister.

"It was just a joke." She whined, "We're not gonna do shit."

"Good."

"Unless Sevikastartssome shit." Vi added.

"Right."

"Seriously?" Ekko groaned. "Are either of you capable of not resorting to violence the first chance you get?"

Her sister crossed her arms over her chest and broadened her stance.

"Vi stands for violence." She couldn't help but snort at her sister's words. It was dorky, but funny, totally fits her idiot of a sibling. "So no, Little Man, you're stuck with me like this."

Ekko walked over to them both, leaning against the wooden booth nearby and despite his frown, she could tell he was enjoying this. The friendly banter before the unknown shit-storm waiting for them. She scanned his form, noting that his Z-drive was tucked beneath his long dark cloak.

"You worry too much, dummy." She chuckled, "Why don't you just use that time-doohickey to see how the meeting plays out? Get the outcome you want?"

"Good thinkin'." Vi chimed in.

He sighed, dropping his head before glancing up towards them. He looked frustrated, but that's what he gets for choosing the two most troublesome sisters in the under-city to be his companions.

"Sevika doesn't know I have it." He spoke insistently, "If things do go wrong, which it worries me how much you both seem to want that, I'll use it as a backup. But this meeting might take a while and I don't love the idea of miss timing the Z-drive or Sevika learning about it. Gotta play things as safe as possible."

"Which also is why Cait's watching over us." Vi surmised, "You got a lot of backup plans."

"I do what I can." Ekko smirked, but his voice dropped into a more serious tone soon after. "No more screw ups. Ever."

Vi seemed content to agree and nod at the Firelight's words, but her sister didn't see him like she did. Ekko's tired eyes were back. He was thinking of his past mistakes. The lives he couldn't save. It should make her feel more confident, safe in his meticulous plans, but instead she felt the need to reach out. She wanted to press her palm onto his forearm and offer whatever little comforts she could. Like he and so many had done for her all this time.

That would be weird though.

It was unlike her to care, she wasn't even really sure if she did, and Vi might actually read into it. Her hand stayed by her side, hanging loosely. Sure, she'd have to tell her sister about them sometime. She…deserved to know. But now didn't seem like the best time. Yeah. Totally not the best time. When they got back to the base she'd get her alone and go over all the juicy details. How they got together. When it happened. How awesome it was to feel his hands on her, pulling, wanting, kissing-. Er. Okay maybe she'd leave thejuicybits out. Lord knows she wouldn't want to hear a single thing about her and Caitlyn. There's still some sort of mental scar from seeing them making out that one time. Ew.

Mylo seemed to be thrilled to death about the idea, dancing around her, making kissy faces and roaring in her ears with a chomping laughter.

"Shut up, you little bastard." She mumbled, just low enough to avoid detection from her partners. She wrinkled her nose as she thought about it…Mylo, Claggor, Vander, Vi and Silco…were they watching her while she-? Nope! Done with that line of thought too! Even more EW!

"We got some time to go over the plan." Ekko broke her distracted thoughts.

"Lay it on us." Vi replied.

"In about twenty minutes Sevika should hopefully be showing up." The Firelight leader started, "She might have more numbers than us. Actually, I would expect that from her. But, there's no need to panic. We gotta stay calm and worry about negotiations."

"Panic?" Vi scoffed, "The more the merrier."

"Temper that hothead of yours Vi. Like I said-."

"Yeah, yeah. No fight if it can be avoided."

"I mean it."

"I know."

"Okay." Ekko's eyes drifted to hers, probably making sure she was listening. Which she was! Sorta. Maybe. It was a little boring, plans and all that, but she was following along so far. "After the Dredge, we know Sevika's lost a lot of her strength. We'll use that to our advantage and make our case for evacuating the Shimmer factory. I'll do most of the talking, but Jinx, you'll be the one to back me up on it when we get to the evacuation. She's gotta believe you'll blow it up even if there are kids inside."

"Which I will." She replied blandly.

"But you won't."

"I can."

"Jinx."

"I'm just saying."

"Stick to the plan and it won't be necessary."

"Plan B. Gotcha."

He paused, pressing the pads of fingers into his eyes and rubbing them to quench some sort of pain in his head. She found it funny. Not necessarily in a humorous way, but seeing him argue for the best outcome. Maybe he still didn't quite grasp how messed up she actually was, but did it matter? The one way they put Sevika in a corner is by destroying that factory. The bright future Ekko envisioned, it required sacrifices, maybe he was still hesitant to admit how many, but she wasn't. Truthfully, she wondered if the evacuation wasn't possible, what should she do?

No. There wasn't any point in thinking about it. She knew what needed to be done. He wouldn't even need to ask. Actually, she wouldn't give him the chance. If he ordered her to do it, he'd feel responsible for the immeasurable amount of graves. It would crush his spirit. The only way to solve that problem is to greedily take the burden for herself. He once told her it was okay to hate him and not the Firelights. She'd offer something similar. Though…with such a decision locked in her mind, she could admit how scary it would be. If she had to destroy her chance at love for him…well…maybe it wasn't quite as easy as she thought. Now she had her own doubts. Dammit.

"Fine. No blowing up the factory if there's no evacuation." She muttered in defeat. It wasn't her final answer, but one she could promise for now.

"Thanks." Ekko gave her a smile, one that helped alleviate the turmoil in her mind. It might not even be an issue. If there was anything of late to pray about to some deity, maybe she'd pray for a good outcome.

Wait. Praying? Screw that. When has that ever helped in this shitty reality? She'd have to do whatever she can to make her future, Ekko's future, come true. She doesn't need some magical spooky creature to save the day. No way.

"If there's any opportunity to discuss a treaty, I'll do my best but even I'm pessimistic on that front." Ekko finished.

"Sevika's not gonna like this." Vi muttered, shuffling her boots in the dirt absently. "It's hardly a negotiation. They're not getting anything."

Ekko faced her sister, a grim expression on his face, "We're willing to negotiate too. Our goal today is to get that Shimmer factory shut down one way or the other. If that means disbanding the Firelights to get shimmer off the streets…"

"What!?" She and her sister shouted at the same time. It was wild, crazy, and why hadn't he said anything before? Disbanding the Firelights? Letting Sevika stay in charge of the Lanes? What the hell! That was totally NOT the plan at all!

"That's the most idiotic idea you've ever had." She grumbled, almost furious that this information was being relayed just minutes away from the Ogre's arrival."

"Is it?" Ekko glared at her. The strength behind his eyes was enough to silence her immediately. "Shimmer off the streets, the under-city can start healing, who are we to demand the Firelights are gonna take charge? It's much better than the alternative."

"You wantSevika, the bitch that planned a coup on Vander, helped Silco ruin our home, to run the under-city? Does anyone else know you got this fucked up idea in your head?" Violet asked, equally upset.

"Actually yeah. They all know."

"So you've kept us in the dark?" Her sister growled, "I thought we were a team."

"We are. But this is about the Firelights and the Firelights agree with me that that's one of our better outcomes."

"I can't believe this." Vi kicked the wooden booth with the tip of her boot before storming off.

"Vi!" Ekko called after her, "Vi!"

She watched her sister flip the boy off without looking back, continuing towards a random alley and distancing herself. He seemed annoyed at the reaction, but it was deserved. Her own eyes lowered to stare at her fists, clenched tightly at her sides. She was shaking, angry, and…fuck why didn't he say anything sooner?

"You didn't, tell me." Her words were short, choppy. It was hard enough to steady her voice and reign in some of her emotions. The fact she hadn't exploded was already a miracle in itself.

"It was between the Firelights." Ekko spoke quietly, softly, as if his gentle delivery explained everything. As if she'd understand. She didn't.

"You didn't tell me." She repeated.

"It's not-. I don't want to drag anyone else into this mess. Vi, Caitlyn, especially you." The boy sighed. "There's a good chance it won't even happen. Just another backup to a backup."

She laughed. Right in his face. The fucking dumbass. He didn't even get it. Sure, Vi would be upset. The whole idea felt like keeling over after everything. Her sister has a grudge against Sevika, the kind that only ended violently. And Cait might be peeved that all her assistance would amount to nothing. None of that mattered to her. Fine. Sure. Disband the Firelights to save the precious under-city. Like she cared. But…

Why. Didn't. He. Tell. Her?

How many times had they been alone? Playful nothings and loving affirmations, shared in intimacy. In a little corner of their own, away from the rest of the world. He said he loved her…and yet, he was hiding this? How long had he known?

"You didn't tell me." She repeated once more.

His eyes seemed to widen, catching onto her frustration and the reason lurking behind it all. He reached out, offering to take her hand. It was automatic, she laced her fingers in between his.

"You're hurt." Ekko murmured, a question and a statement.

"Don't you trust me?"

Guess she wasn't really all that mad. It's just a shock. Especially since she'd only just reaffirmed her unspoken commitment to him on the way to this stupid meeting. It was almost like a betrayal. Then again, maybe she was overthinking everything. It wouldn't be the first time, and he's maintained his patience with far too many of her secrets. Just…they were more than a team now. Together. Dating. Whatever it was.

"I do Jinx, you know I do."

"I can keep a secret."

"It's- I didn't think it'd even matter. The odds are so low anyways."

"Probably…I don't think Vi's gonna like that answer."

"I know. Like I said, I just wanna keep you all out of it. Being a Firelight…it's not necessarily the best marker to your name. We've made a lot of enemies over the years. What you, Vi and Caitlyn have done for us is amazing, but we don't want to drag any of you into all of our problems. It's a whole other life. Even if we disband, people will come after us. There's risks."

She paused. Just like Caitlyn said, Ekko…he had his own life, things that didn't include her. No, things thatshouldn'tinclude her. Even Brina knows that she can never be a Firelight. It'd be too much of a mess.

"Mmhmm." She hummed. Not like she couldn't understand his points. He made sense. But there was a duality to his words. In the oddest of ways, it felt like Ekko didn't tell her merely because he hadn't ever considered it. The alternative more closely matched the words she was hearing. But did the truth matter?

"I understand if you're pissed about it." Ekko muttered, his eyes downcast, but he wasn't ashamed. It was the right decision in his mind after all. A decision backed by the people he cared for. Sure the presentation to herself and Vi could've gone better. But whatever.

She took the moment to raise her unoccupied hand and flick him in the forehead, marking her nail with the faintest bit of white chalk from his hourglass face paint. He flinched, rubbed at the mark with a frown as he stared up at her in question.

"I'm not pissed, idiot." She smirked. Okay,maybeshe was initially, but that was just an impulse reaction. His honesty, his method behind the madness was all she wanted. It was just that simple. "It was just a helluva surprise."

"I thought you like surprises?"

That earned the boy another swift, playful jab to the abdomen. He gasped and recoiled in reaction.

"Hey!"

"I like surprises likethat!" She giggled.

"You're crazy." He grumbled.

Okay then. Another jab. Ha!

"Ow! Cut it out."

"I'm not crazy. I'm super crazy!"

"Facts."

Hmph. Her nose wrinkled. He wasn't supposed to just agree like that. What kinda boyfriend was he? Where were all the insufferable compliments and adorations? Then again, she'd die if that was the kinda man he was. Sometimes a little playful truth was better than anything else. Ekko seemed to know exactly how to play her, always blurring the lines between lovers and friends. It also meant that he deserved every tease she wanted. Like another flick of her finger! Take this idiot!

As her curled finger shot outwards towards his face, her eyes were bright with mirth, focused on the flat plane of his forehead. She never saw Ekko's hand grab at her wrist from the side, his grip strong and demanding, halting her completely.

Her brows lifted in astonishment and before she could even fathom it, he was pulling her closer and twisting their positions. Her back hit the table of the wooden booth. Dumbstruck, she was now staring upwards towards the sky until Ekko's confident smirk leaned into her vision, hovering above her while her hands were trapped in his. Her legs hung over the table top, boots barely touching the dirt by the tips.

"Firebug's got some fight, huh?" She chuckled, matching his visage in her own defiance.

"You started it."

"Did I?" Her smile was stretched wide across her cheeks. "Think you're wrong about that."

"Yeah?" Ekko asked. He began leaning closer, pressing himself further into her and lifting her hands, still entwined within his above her head. At some point she could feel her wrists connect, as his grip exchanged, trapping her with a single hand. The other hand brushed over her shoulder, slid across her top and smoothed over her pale skin, finally settling just above her hip.

She was giggling. She couldn't help it. It was hilarious, knowing that if she really wanted, she could break free from his "powerful" grip and fire off a rapid fury of punches at his unsuspecting chest. But that wasn't what she wanted. Not at all. The pads of his fingers tickled her as he traveled along her tummy, snaking his way across her smooth skin and warming her completely. He was so close. So close.

"Careful Little Man," She teased, "Fat-hands might come back and get the wrong idea about this. You'd end up with a swollen face."

Her lighthearted words did make the boy pause. His eyes drifted from hers, taking time to survey their surroundings and more specifically searching for any presence of her sister. When the coast was clear enough in his mind, he shook his head, almost disbelieving his own thoughts.

"It might be worth the risk."

"Might be? I'mdefinitelyworth the risk."

It wasn't hard to guess where things were going. At this rate, the distance between them was charged with unspoken wants. And hell, she was down for a little fun. When was she not? This was a careful game, walking a tight-rope with limitless danger. The fear of being caught thrilled her to bits. It was the kinda risk she lived for. The kind that offered unparalleled fun and her brain was tingling with the idea, no longer able to consider the consequences. Besides, what did the consequences matter? She just wanted to feel good.

"You push me to do the craziest things." Ekko grumbled, though she could see the playful glint in his eyes, like saying those words aloud absolved him from any responsibility. Heh. That wasn't very leaderly of him. "You're infuriating."

Good. Then she was doing her job. Breaking down his defensively constructed walls, destroying all sorts of apprehensions. Might as well consider it her gift, poisoning others. In this case, she was more than willing to do so. Especially watching the way his eyes traveled down her body, inking over her as if she could feel his hungry gaze.

"You gonna sit there and gawk or actually get me back?"

Her taunt seemed to spur the boy into action, no longer content to merely pin her to the table and that was wonderfully perfect in her mind. Fuck the worries about displayed affection. Vi was probably long gone, pacing in the backstreets grumbling to herself. It'd be fine.

"I think you jabbed me…" His thumb stretched from her side before settling on her abdomen. The pressure was light, but increasing feverishly with every passing second. He pushed into her softness, and she groaned, stretching her torso without command. "Right here."

"Sounds about right." She chuckled, though she could tell her own words were breathy, loose, and victim to a newfound heat in her loins. Almost exactly where his thumb was digging into her. Yeah, that's the spot. "Why don't you quit whining and jab me back already?"

"Nah." His voice lowered, sending shivers down her spine in the most delightful ways. He was leaning closer still, close enough to feel him entirely and her mind felt hazy as his whispered breath heated her lips. "I don't want that."

"Mmmm." She tried to test him by wiggling her outstretched arms. His grip only got stronger and she felt her breath catch as her hips writhed against his waist. For a fleeting second she could see through hazy vision, Ekko closed his eyes and savored their bodies grinding together. "What do you want then?"

His face lowered to hers. Without thought she felt her eyes flutter and her lips ready to embrace his own. She waited for the kiss, ready and practically panting, but when it didn't come, her brow twisted in confusion. Just before she was about to open her eyes and question him, she felt his lips tickle the shell of her ear. His breath burned her sensitive skin. And as he whispered, she felt his hand on her abdomen squeeze with all his strength.

"I wantyou."

Her own breath hitched in her throat and forced her teeth to bite into the plumpness of her lower lip. If she weren't so clouded in lust, so deliciously under his spell, she might've actually been embarrassed by the low, needy whine that rumbled in her throat. Everything he was doing, it was controlled, slow, and melting her frazzled thoughts into nothing but puddy. Still…he was toying with her, almost like she was one of his timepieces. His fingers, his breath, his body, all working in synchronized pace, no more frantic than a dial slowly ticking around a clock. Every touch was pushing her further into insanity.

"What're you waiting for?" She chuckled, trying her best to make light of the situation. "Permission?"

"Do I need it?" His question was followed by a soft kiss placed just under her ear and along the curve of her jaw.

Her fingers clenched and unclenched above her head, now spurred by a desire to grab him, pull him deeper into her. She wanted to suffocate beneath him, merge into one, if just for a few moments. At the same time, she loved this, loved feeling him above her, his hand on her skin. Trapped and helpless to his whims. It was almost like she was his prey. Not weak. But desired. Wanted. Like she could be devoured at any second, but was waiting for the decision. Fuck, this was so hot.

"No."Never.

She listened to the sounds of his inhale, breath filling his lungs and her heart soared, knowing Ekko was going to kiss her, smother her lips and dance with her tongue for as long as they could manage. Her entire chest raised, pushing into him as much as she could while still held from above and groaned into his lips.

Now she really wanted to hold him, run her fingers through his locks and scratch at his scalp. It was so tempting, she considered breaking whatever unspoken rules this game of theirs had, but her flustered struggles were met with an insistence that she remain in his hold.

He was slow, measured as his lips captured hers. The softness of him binding her heart and mind to his. She could feel her pulse become rapid in her veins as she kissed back. Intoxicating was the word. Nothing else in the word could make her feel like this. Nobody could do the things he was doing to her. God, she wanted more.

"Kiss me." She panted between the short moments of separation when their lips glided along each other in fluid motion. It was a silly request. Desperate and unnecessary. He was already breathing into her, filling her mouth with warmth and the slippery taste of his saliva. He was already kissing her, but she needed it. More and more. Don't stop. "Kiss me."

When his tongue touched hers, it felt like heaven. The most indescribable sensation in the world. He'd entered between her lips, confident and searching. Like her lips had been hiding a treasure not yet found. At first she pressed her own tongue against his, trying with fleeting success to guide him where she thought he wanted. Wrestling with him only to realize his tongue gliding along the points of her teeth wasn't a mistake. Every bit of her was explored to the fullest and knowing that, she ripped her wrists from his hand and latched onto wherever she could find purchase.

"We should stop." Ekko whispered. The words had no substance, as if the breeze was speaking to her though the air, not him.

No. You're the one that started this. You're the one that pinned her to this creaky table and turned her into a smoldering, needy mess. You can't just pull back. That's unfair.

Her fingers tangled in his white locks, nails digging into his scalp. She was breathless only now beginning to feel her lungs burn with every twist of her tongue and every clawed motion. It wasn't too much. She could keep going. No. Shehadto keep going. In times like these, when her mind was blank and reality was nothing but a distant memory, she found herself yearning. Someone was loving her. Not just someone.Ekko. Her beautiful Ekko. And maybe there was fear beneath all her lust. Desperation used to mask the worry that she'd lose this feeling. Anything could happen. This world could take him from her in the blink of an eye. So please. Keep kissing me. Keepwantingme. Don't ever stop. I don't think I could take it if this was the end.

Despite her wishes, there was an end. Albeit, just a temporary one. She still whined against his lips when he began pulling away, her hands doing all they could to keep his head right where she could keep going.

"We shouldn't push it. Vi…" Ekko's concerns were muffled against her moving lips. It was all he needed to say to break the desire in her heart and force an embarrassed blush on her already reddened cheeks.

With a struggled reluctance, she lowered from him. Slowly, letting her lungs inhale cool air while her arms hung from his shoulders. The back of her head hit the table softly, her braids splayed across the surface, winding and curving on their own accord. Her chest was rising and falling in rapid succession and she couldn't help but drape an arm over her eyes.

"You're so lame." She moaned.

But with a clearer head, she knew it was the right call, lame as it was.

Damnit. Carried away again. Learning to control her emotions was one thing, but her lust? God. It felt like an impossible task. She didn't even know how it started. Just…she loses herself in the moment, revels in the fact that the insanity in her mind can be ignored and focuses solely on Ekko. Jeez. She really needed to figure out how to manage it better. Ekko was totally right. What if Vi came back and saw that? One of them would have to die. Her from embarrassment or Ekko from Violet's fist. Maybe both.

"Sorry." She muttered as Ekko backed away and she curled herself to sit upright on the table. "I'm a weirdo, I know."

"Heh." Ekko chuckled at her apprehension, "You don't see me complaining."

"I'm just glad Vi didn't come back." She shivered uncomfortably at the thought.

"Think she will?" Ekko asked. He was worried. The deadline for their meeting was fast approaching.

"Oh yeah. She wouldn't miss a meeting with Sevika for the world. Though you're gonna hear it from her afterwards."

"Damn. You're right"

They lingered in the silence for a few moments. It was…nice. She'd once thought that nothing could be more awkward than the minutes directly after intimacy. A few times she would just ramble about nothing, try to make jokes and fill the empty space, but Ekko showed her how to embrace it. Accept the silence and enjoy the glow that settled between them. A quiet celebration of sorts.

"Oh shit." Ekko suddenly gasped before rubbing the back of his head and chuckling sheepishly towards her.

"What?"

"I uh…think Caitlyn might've seen us. She's got the view and scope." He spoke carefully, as if gauging her reaction but she merely shrugged. That got a funny look from the boy. "You're okay with that?"

"She already knows."

"Oh." He seemed as relieved as he was confused.

Her eyes snapped towards him with a quick flash of fury.

"Only cuz I had to explain the damn hickey you left on my neck!"

"I mean…I didn't- How was I supposed to-? Sorry."

She brushed him off, leaving the boy floundering for words as she lined the top of her brow with her palm, scanning the ridgeline of the many buildings that surrounded them. Upon seeing a small, twinkling glimmer of a reflective scope she narrowed her eyes and lifted a middle finger in the air.

"Hope you enjoyed the show!" She shouted, knowing that her voice would never fully carry across the distance needed. Oh well. Cait could read her lips or something. The message was probably received.

Then she smirked to herself. Quick flashes of their make out crossing her mind.

Itwasa pretty good one, if she did say so herself. Just a tad short. They'd need to fix that when they returned home.

"Took you long enough."

Her sister finally returned, clearly still sour with the information she learned before storming off. Even her teasing was met with an irritated huff of breath as Vi returned to her side, leaning against the wooden booth where she was currently sitting. Ekko's wary eyes followed them both and the boy was smart to keep his distance. Whatever trust they'd had wasn't broken, just questioned, and that was enough.

"Had to clear my head."

She didn't miss the rust colored stains of her sister's bandaged knuckles, no longer pristinely wrapped. Out there somewhere in this abandoned district, she guessed there were quite a few dented objects. Watch out world, her killer sister is on the loose and ready to break some trash bins!

No amount of internal joking could dispel the tension in the air. Looked like Vi and Ekko were refusing to talk about it now. Likely for the best. Sevika would hardly be intimated if she arrived to see her opponents bickering like children. But why did she have to be trapped, suffocating in this thickened air, waiting for a spark to ignite a furious argument? She only ever liked that sorta thing whenshewas starting it. Then she could kick back her feet and watch the disaster unfold. Now it was just uncomfortable. Man, teams were overrated sometimes.

She thought about breaking the insufferable silence with a nonsensical rambling, but something shifted in the air. A movement in her peripherals. It was enough to stop the words in her mouth and glance towards the dirt covered street. It was in the direction of the Lanes and true to her observation, she saw the formation of an approaching group, lightly shrouded by dust fluttering in the air. Ekko and Vi followed her gaze, each one of them straightening and glaring ahead. She counted five.

The Ogre had finally arrived.

She was already sizing up the approaching group. Sevika in the middle, leading the pack. At her sides, two men matched her size and clearly looked like they'd been shimmer addicts for life. Bulging muscles, thick veins lining their forearms. The one thing that never changes is the dirty, rugged nature of their appearance that was all too commonly produced by living in this shit-hole of a city. Expanding further out were the lankier companions. A man and a woman. She vaguely recalled their attendance amongst Silco's ranks. The guy had spikey, dirty blonde hair, dark and dark eyeshadow. He was a slimy one, already grinning with yellow-stained teeth and a pep in his step that starkly stood out. The kind of wimpy man that only knows how to stab in the back. The woman was less notable. All she could see was the short black hair, angled like an edgy bob and stiffly marching alongside Sevika. Always staying in her place. Never challenging their leader's ambition and content as long as she was merely included.

She couldn't remember their names, but who the fuck cared?

The moment the dust settled and Sevika had gotten close enough to reveal the snarled anger on her face, she hopped off the table and walked with Vi and Ekko to stand in silence. This kinda tension was better. It felt like the cusp of war was flickering in the future. One egregious step outta line and no words would even be exchanged. Ekko wasn't intimidated.

"You came." He spoke loud enough to be heard clearly, no fear, no apprehension in his voice.

"Be glad that I cared." Sevika snorted.

She had to stifle a giggle. Butter Knife was trying her hardest to sound cool and in charge. Like her power and strength in the under-city wasn't fading. Hell, a few more missions of sabotage from the Firelights and she was sure that Sevika would be facing the same disgruntled munity that Silco had seized from Vander. There was doubt to her name, to her effectiveness as a leader.

While pink eyes constantly darted to each member before her, she could sense Vi's presence beside her. Not once had her sister's gaze drifted. She was burning a hole in Sevika's head with the nastiest of glares and the woman in question appeared to match her sister's stare uncaringly. With no words yet spoken and the rhythm of their negotiations not yet determined, all they could do was wait, watch, and anticipate the carnage.

"I'll get right to it then," Ekko finally spoke. She wasn't able to see his face, not with him standing a few steps in front of herself and her sister, almost like he was shielding them. Of course. He may not like being a leader, but he couldn't just drop his concerns for protecting his friends. "Over the last few weeks, we've been at odds. You underestimated the Firelights and I think we've proven that we're not just some flies you can get rid of."

"Flies, stupid children in over their heads, not much difference." Sevika smirked, though she could see the frustration in those rough, gray eyes of hers. Ekko's reminder hadn't fallen on deaf ears.

"Maybe." The Firelight nodded, "But you know that things will only get worse unless we have this talk, here and now."

That earned a raised eyebrow.

"You mean like meddling with my plans? Making the whole under-city weaker and ripe for Piltover's taking? You brats have no idea what kinda game you're playing."

"That's a matter of perspective. Piltover may be your biggest concern. Shimmer is ours."

"Hah!" Sevika laughed, "Shimmer's the only reason the enforcers up top stay out of our business. It's given us the strength to fight back and take what's ours. Silco knew that perfectly well and I do too."

Just the mention of her father's name was enough to make her teeth grind in her mouth. Flashes of his skeleton swirled in her mind, burning her thoughts like acid. She'd never really come to terms with him. Never understood his view. Good? Evil? Maybe he really was just another shitty trencher, like the rest of them, greedy and selfish, but not to her. To think Sevika, his ever-loyal right hand could spout his ideals like a hasty adoption. The bitch may have been close to the man, butshewas closer. There was no doubt in her mind after the many conversations she had alone with him. Teachings, scoldings, the efforts he went through to imbue some sort of life wisdom and care. However you wanted to put it, nobody knew him like she did.

She just didn't realize it until he was gone, bleeding from the holes she'd created.

"You got the Lanes." Ekko spoke, breaking her internal rage and remorse. "Piltover's out of your hair. Don't you think that's enough? Stop filling the streets with shimmer and maybe it won't be too late for everyone trapped down here."

"Ah." Sevika seemed proud, catching his many words and fitting their true meaning into the mystery behind his request to meet. "This is about the factory, then?"

"We want it destroyed."

"I'm not an idiot." The under-city leader replied, "Shimmerisa drug. But without it, we'd be right back where we started. Under the boot of Piltover's wealthiest, waiting to be crushed. You should remember that I never rebuilt the other factory that…" Her eyes turned to Vi, "...you were so quick to trash, throwing your fists around like you always do. Doesn't matter. I think that's been a generous compromise."

Vi took an aggressive step forward.

"You're fucked if you think child labor is a worthwhile sacrifice to get that slime into your filthy hands. Those kids' lives are ruined because of you."

That one claim seemed to enrage the woman before them, her face twisted, contorted into the darkest anger she'd ever seen from Sevika.

"I don't like it any more than you do." The Ogre frowned, "But the only reason we're even in this mess is because your fuck-up of a dad didn't have the strength to fight back when we had a chance."

"Don't youdareblame Vander." Vi muttered darkly, as if just one more insult would spell death.

"Don't act like you didn't see it. Stupid girl. You were raised in the Lanes your whole life. Do you remember the enforcers as I do? The random searches? The beatings? We were no more significant than dogs. An experiment to see just how obedient they could make us while they sip their Noxian wines and breathe the freshest air into their lungs. Maybe I should smother your face in the dirt to remind you of the feeling."

Ekko decided to step in, retake control of the spiraling argument before Vi or Sevika set each other off to the point of no return.

"I'm asking that you shut down the factory." He almost sounded like he was pleading. If she heard him speak like this without knowing what was at stake, he sounded weak. But no, he was trying his damndest to resolve the coming war. He didn't want a civil war in his home. She bit her lip, almost sorry that the boy had to face reality.

It was starting to sound impossible.

"No."

The nail in the coffin might as well have been the sound of a doomed bell. Sevika's response was absolute, unwavering, and she watched Ekko shift his boots on the ground, struggling to gain composure and accept the fate laid before them.

"I was asking." Ekko started slowly, his voice quiet but accompanied by a threatening gaze. "But I don't have to. We'll destroy that factory ourselves if that's your answer."

"Because that workedsowell the last time." Sevika rolled her eyes.

"Three days." He said, unresponsive to the taunting insult of the many Firelight deaths that came before. "If you care about those kids. You'll evacuate them three days from now."

Sevika chuckled, her goons laughing alongside her as Ekko's demand tickled them silly. She smirked, knowing that each one of them were truly unaware of their plan. They didn't know how helpless they truly were, did they?

"Assuming you even manage to get close enough to blow it, you don't got the guts to take that many lives, kid. Like I said, you have no idea what sorta game you're playing."

"You're right." Ekko smirked, "But it's not up to me."

Ooh! That was her cue! Yes! She jumped for joy, literally throwing her hand in the air as if to remind everyone that she was here. Present! The pink of her eyes glowed brightly with bloodthirsty ambition while she gave a grin only the insane like her could possibly produce.

"Ding dong! Hello! Hi! It's me!" She giggled. Sevika's features fell at her exuberant outburst. What? Did the Ogre forget she was here, listening the whole time? Silly, silly. "Personally, I think the whole fireball of an explosion would glitter just a bit more if you threw in some child ashes. Boom! Ahhh! Sparkles!"

It totally would. She thought about it before too. Has anyone here seen just how quickly bone turned to ash with a hot enough inferno? There really is something pretty neat in the way the dark speckles flutter from the blast.Reallypretty.

"And here I thought you'd actually found some sanity spending time with the rats beyond the city." Sevika acknowledged her before facing Ekko. Guess she was pretty tame and focused until jumping into the conversation. Huh, thatwasweird. Totally not like her to sit still and give a shit about politics, but hey, there's a first for everything! "But I see through your bluff. You'd be just as responsible if Jinx did it."

"You're not leaving me a choice." Ekko responded. "I'm willing to give everything to fix the under-city? Are you?"

The question forced Sevika's lips to shut. She was thinking hard, eyes scanning the three of them and when a venomous glare landed on her, she just blinked innocently as if she'd been talking about the most mundane of chores. Angered thoughts were easy to read. The ultimatum placed before Sevika had her on the back foot, unable to complete and sorely at a disadvantage. Then she noticed a red blade slide down from Sevika's clothed arm, the tip of it shining in the little light able to filter from above.

"Why don't we just skip all the drama and settle things here, then?"

"I'm down for that." Vi growled as she raised her fists, squared her stance and dug her boots into the ground.

Ekko's arm lifted in the air, holding a commanding bar in front of her sister and stopping her from advancing.

"I don't think that's a good idea either."

"Why not?" Sevika snorted, "I'd rather get this over with quick. I don't waste time."

Ekko's eyes shifted, observing the environment and locking onto a glass bottle just outside of their confrontation. It was broken, fractured, and half the size it once was. The way he smirked let her know it was exactly what he was looking for.

"See that bottle behind you?"

He pointed to his target. All five members turned their heads, keeping a skeptical awareness on them but spotting the tiny object just far enough away from their feet. At first, nothing happened. No words were spoken and confusion settled amongst the group. Then Ekko snapped his fingers.

CRACK!

The glass exploded in a million directions, so fractured it looked like dust as it was swept by the breeze. The gun-shot in the distance was unmistakable. After recovering from the momentary distraction of the beautiful snipe, she felt a sense of pride in her chest, knowing Caitlyn was here. Always here. Always watching over them. Thanks bestie!

"She really is a damn good shot." Vi snickered.

Sevika's eyes whipped back to Ekko, as furious as she was startled by the display of deadly force. Her team worriedly tried to find the source of the sniper amongst the many rooftops, increasingly nervous and unable to locate Caitlyn. They all took a few steps backwards in fear. The numbers advantage seemed to wipe away in an instant and the Ogre was forced to recognize the position she placed herself in. Meeting with a bunch of snot-nosed brats? Nah. Every single one of us could kick your ass.

"I came prepared." Ekko said while turning his back to Sevika. Negotiation over. He started walking away and despite Vi's clear desire to stay and fight, she conceded to the boy after such a well executed display of power. It didn't take much longer for her to follow, but not before waving an enthusiastic goodbye to Butter Knife.

"You fucking brat." Sevika looked like she was about to blow steam out from her ears. What a funny sight!

Ekko wasn't done though. He spoke loudly so his enemy could hear him despite walking away.

"You have three days." He called, "I'm not bluffing."

"Go ahead!" Sevika roared. She was a mass of hatred and rage, her voice so loud it almost felt like the air around them wavered. Had she ever seen Sevika so unlike herself? So angry? "Try it! The second that factory goes up in flames I'll flood the streets! I'll hunt down every single one of you damn Firelights! Shimmer or not, you won't take the Lanes from me!"

This might've been the first time in a long while that Sevika was feeling cornered…hilarious!

"We will." Ekko started, "You can bedamnsure of that."

She was able to see his final glare sent to Sevika. It shot an electrifying terror straight past her and landed on the enraged boss of the under-city. Yeesh. Maybe she would even be terrified of receiving such a hateful stare from the boy if it was directed at her, but good thing it wasn't. She had chills! Though…the only thought in her head now, maybe the only thought in all of their heads, was that war was coming. The date was set. The pieces in place.

The only thing that awaited them was death, rubble, and the distinct, eye-watering sting of burning shimmer in the air.

Notes:

Aaaaannnddd that's the chapter!

I hope it was an exciting return to the story. I think we're really starting to see some positive development with Jinx again. She's growing for sure and starting to catch her own thoughts and feelings, trying to figure out how to solve some issues and I'm so ready to see the outcomes there!

Cait getting another awesome moment with her helps too. I really enjoyed the sweetness there and I think it's advice that I should probably listen to as well lmao. Totally a "Do as I say, not as I do" scenario hahaha. Nonetheless, I think a relationship is hard to navigate on your own, Jinx would especially struggle without her friends. Caitlyn is MVP as always.

There's so much more to discuss, I hope you share your thoughts and criticisms about this chapter, maybe some predictions for the future? It's all very exciting and gives me a ton of joy seeing my reader's really get involved. Please leave a Kudos or Comment if you feel inclined. I'd love that so much. Lastly, HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all of you. I hope they've been great and that the New Year brings a lot of good fortune to all of us. This chapter is a wonderful way to cap off the year for me and what's to come is even better!

Until next time!

Chapter 39: Sisters

Notes:

Hello! I've returned with a new chapter :)

Before getting into it, I gotta say thank you to everyone that supported this story after such a long break before the New Year. It was so great to see all your wonderful comments and that you're all excited that the story is back and being updated again. It took me a bit to get back into the groove of writing, but it's been so much fun.

Please enjoy!

(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)

Chapter Text

"So then Sevika, more grouchy thanI'veever seen her, was screaming about how Ekko'll never take the Lanes from her and yadda, yadda, yadda. Really looked stupid and I bet her goons were thinkin' the same thing." She giggled as she recalled the events fresh in her mind.

"..."

"What else? What else?" She tapped her finger on her chin, absently staring into the ceiling with glee. It was just so fun to talk about! Maybe it was a good thing the meeting didn't turn into a chaotic brawl. Ah, who was she kidding? It would've been much better. "Oh! Before that Cupcake sniped a broken glass bottle like a BAJILLION miles away and I gotta admit, I think she's got me beat when it comes to distance. Hot and good with a trigger. Whoof!"

"..."

She paused glancing ahead of her seated position in this dimly lit room and frowned as her gaze connected with fiery black pupils, scowling towards her as if she could be set ablaze by such an intense glare. Still not as strong as the one Ekko gave the Ogre though.

"What?" She blinked, "My story-telling not good enough for you Margie?"

Margot, still restrained to a chair in the depths of the Firelight's prison, hadn't broken the furious expression on her face. With enough time however, the Chem-baroness eventually spoke.

"Just give me my bread." The woman grumbled.

Oh. Duh! That's what she was down here for! Totally escaped her mind when she was tasked with delivering some food to their captive. Honestly, she sorta forgot they even had Margot stuck down here. It's been such a mess, people scrambling to get their affairs in order, there was even that whole thing with a mad scientist and werewolf. Wonder who was keeping Margot alive while she'd been running around the under-city with the gang? Guess it didn't matter much. The baroness was still very much alive and breathing.

"You'll be happy about this one." She smiled while waving the partial loaf of bread in her hands and walking closer to their prisoner. "I only dropped it in the dirt three times on my way down here."

A large sigh escaped the woman and she found herself pouting.

"Hey! That's better than I usually do."

"I think you do it on purpose."

"I do!" She giggled, "But I was feelin' all mushy and generous today since it's been a while."

The loaf was casually dropped into Margot's lap, nearly rolling onto the floor but stopped as bound wrists desperately shot outwards and snatched the food into her grasp. She watched as Margot wolfed down her simple meal, crumbs flaking into the air due to the hastened fervor of the act. It was interesting to see Margot abandon her strong defiance when there was a morsel of food before her. Wasn't always that way. Give anyone enough time, make 'em hungry enough, and manners were out the window. Not that she really cared, Margot decided to be an enemy to her and the Firelights, it's what she deserved, and there were a lot worse things people in the under-city could do to their enemies. Silco wouldn't have even bothered keeping someone alive after their use had run out, but that was getting into some strange territory. The kind of weird crap that didn't really make sense to her. Was it mercy keeping her alive or mercy to kill her? There never seemed to be a definitive answer there.

Breaking her own thoughts, she swiveled on her heels and began pacing once more, not yet ready to return to the boring duties the Firelights had waiting for her upstairs.

"Can you believe it?" She asked aloud, almost certain she would receive no reply, "We're actually gonna go to war with Sevika. Sounds like she'll send every one of her baddies out into the streets if we go through with our plan."

"..." Margot continued to eat away at her scraps, unresponsive to her spoken thoughts.

"Not that I'm complaining." A sly grin spread across her face. "It's always so complicated when things get all specific. Don't breakthat, Jinx. Don't killhim, Jinx. But I don't think that's gonna happen this time. All's fair game in war, ya know? I can just point and shoot and watch the sparks fly."

It sounded like Margot finished her meal behind her. She took a moment to peer towards the woman and noticed that even the crumbs had been plucked from her lap and eaten. Hah! It was almost like Margot was even cleaner than when she found her today.

"Sevika's gonna flip when we bust into the Last Drop and take her down." She smiled, "She's not gonna have the same treatment as you though. Can't afford to keep her around so we'll have to…you know…"

She jutted out her thumb and made a slow motion across her neck to convey the intentions of their fight. There was only one acceptable outcome. Sure, there was going to be another meeting about the specifics, but it was pretty clear that everyone was on the same page when it came to Sevika. Idly, she wondered if Silco had never died and she'd somehow ended up with the Firelights…would it be Silco in her sights now? Was he always meant to die by her hand?

She shivered at the thought. It wasn't a pleasant road to walk down. For once in her fucked up life, she'd like to believe that her loved ones were safe from her. That after all her time with the Firelights and her friends, she could still her trigger finger before the hearts she cherished were blasted by gunfire.

Suddenly Margot laughed. Her eyebrow quirked upwards as she stared at the baroness, curious as to why the woman had indicated she was actually listening to rambled thoughts.

"What's so funny?" She asked, "Or did your mind finally go kablooey? Cuz trust me Toots, I'vebeenthere."

"I'm laughing because you're adorable." Margot chuckled alongside a sinister sneer. "You'reallso fucking adorable."

Her head tilted to the side, not exactly able to connect their prisoner's words with any meaning. Since Margot seemed to be so giddy about her confusion, she continued her explanation while reveling in the sense that her knowledge of the situation was somehow more informed than anyone else. Margot continued to laugh and through breathy chuckles, continued to speak.

"So you put Sevika six feet under." Another string of laughter made her teeth clench. It was like she was being looked down upon, like she was an idiot. No way. Jinx was no gullible fool. "What then?"

Margot's words froze the breath in her lungs, mind already racing towards the many possible answers.

"You think the other Barons are gonna just keel over and hand you the under-city?" Margot snickered, "I'd give it maybe a week if they're feeling merciful before the streets are gassed, enforcers sent in, and all your bullshit dreams come to an end. You don'tfuckwith our money."

"That's pretty stupid, don't you think?" She replied, "I hear biting the hand that feeds you is a pretty big no-no."

"That's where you're so naive. The under-city is just one of many sources of profit. We make a point to diversify and the thing about money? There's always more to be made."

"Oooh soserious." She teased, still processing the words coming from Margot's mouth. It was hard to conceive of the possibility, but she couldn't just brush it off. There was some twisted truth being ushered into the air between them. "Guess that means we'll just go after them next. So, thanks for the heads up, Margie. I'm sure we'll havetonsof fun ideas on how to take down the rest of the Barons!"

"Go ahead." Margot smirked, "Tell your friends. Assuming you even survive your fight with Sevika, I can guarantee you that the Barons won't waste a single resource, a single gold piece, to ensure every one of you Firelights are hung from the rafters."

"Pfft. They're just a buncha stuffy old farts. I ain't scared of them."

"You're not picking a fight with a single person in the under-city, stupid girl. The Firelights go after the Barons…they pick a fight with everyone in the region. Merchants, academics, industrialists, everyone from the bottom to the very top of the food chain will want the Firelights dead, even that ridiculous Council up there. Not a very sound strategy for taking control of the under-city, huh? What's so funny is that you idiots think you even had a chance."

"Meh." She shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly which earned a frustrated stare from her prisoner. "All this speculative mumbo jumbo is lame anyways. Not really my thing. Besides, you're still here, trapped like a rat in a cage. Why would I listen to you?"

"Bitch." The insult was breathed in annoyance, which only made her more giddy. If Margot thought her words would get under her skin and corrupt the spirit of her excitement for the upcoming fight, she was so far off.

As she turned around and began walking up the stairs, she tried to fight the furrow of her brow and the downwards tilt of her lips, but they came anyway. She wasn't stupid and Margot's theory had reason, but she had to keep quiet. At least until the battle with Sevika is over. The Firelight's didn't need all that negative energy in their already flustered thoughts.

Guess she'd have to keep quiet and think through it some more before telling Ekko…

Yeah.

That sounded like the best way to handle it.

Hiding her pensive expression from her conversation with Margot was easy enough.

She loudly marched into the war room, swinging her arms enthusiastically while whistling a random tune and the rest of the attendees were none the wiser. Just Jinx things! Plus, she was on time which they probably appreciated. Hell yeah! A quick scan of the room revealed a few empty seats available for the taking and she decided to throw herself into a wooden chair sandwiched between her sister and Caitlyn. Ekko, standing at the head of the table, watched her stroll into the room without a care in the world. She didn't miss his smile.

Though it was probably less about seeing her and more about the fact that she seemed to be the only one in high spirits. Actually, yeah! What was up with that? It's like the whole room was chilled by a depressed fog resting heavily on their shoulders. Wasn't the negotiation a total success? Where's the party? She could use a drink right about now.

"What's with the doom and gloom people? We got Sevikaexactlywhere we want her."

"Guess that means we're really doing this." Brina murmured just loud enough for her to hear. The woman's face was blank, staring off into space and not once glancing in her direction. Which was strange. Wasn't there supposed to be a whole glaring contest thing after she spoke?

Vi crossed her arms, an equally curious frown on her sister's face.

"Not much of a choice."

That's when Ekko cut in.

"There'salwaysa choice." He replied, "We just know which one we're gonna make."

"You betcha!" She cheered, "We gotta go kick Sevika's ass! Am I right, Sis?"

She raised her hand for a high-five only to feel uneasy by the lack of enthusiasm reciprocated. Her palm just hovered in the air, lonely and dismissed. What? Did Vi have a splinter up her ass or something? If anyone was gonna match her exuberance, she was sure it would be her feisty brawler of a sibling. Was she missing something?

She was gonna fire Fish-bones into a shimmer factory, create one of the biggest explosions she's ever seen, then fight in the streets of the under-city and somehow nobody else acknowledge how freaking awesome it was? Just think of the sparkles, the fire, the smell of gunpowder in the air. Hello!? Wake up people!

"Jinx…Honey…"

Pink eyes darted towards the soft spoken voice, mildly surprised to see Marenth was attending the meeting too. The older woman wasn't exactly a fighter or master tactician, but guess it was her right to be here too.

"This is a dangerous mission." The caretaker continued, "There's a lot at stake for us and the odds aren't necessarily in our favor."

"Pssh." She waved her hand and lazily leaned backwards into her seat. "I know that. That's the exciting part."

"Even if we succeed. There's a good chance some of you won't come home."

"Well obvious-." She paused mid eye roll to really consider the woman's words.

She stared at the people in the room, scanning past a squirming, nervous Andrei, a silent Brina, and Scar, who's stance was rigid and tense as he stood near the walls of the war room. It wasn't too hard to imagine each one of them disappearing, dying for the sake of the cause, never to return. Fine, sure. She'd maybe miss them. They were kinda like her extended,extendedfamily. Not too close, not too far either.

…

But the elated feeling in her chest faded as her eyes glanced towards Caitlyn. The woman was clutching her rifle tightly to her chest. She could see the top-sider's knuckles turn white from the strain. It was an unsettling sight. So much so that she averted her eyes and turned to Vi only to watch the unconscious twitch of her sister's thigh as her boot tapped against the wooden floor. Vi wasn't one to fidget nervously. It wasn't right. Had she ever seen her sister do such a thing?

When she finally glanced towards Ekko, his brown eyes staring into hers as if he were trying to commit her face to memory, her lungs burned from the halt of her breath. Why was he looking at her like that? She was here, present, there was no need to get all, all-... Even her thoughts seemed to break apart, replaced by the haunting possibility that she'd see the people beside her turn into cold, unmoving corpses. Gray replacing the vibrant, lively tones of their skin color. Unblinking eyes staring at her while their lips would be forever parted. The dead couldn't speak, yet somehow she could already hear the fractured whispers in the air, blaming her for their untimely deaths.

"Oh." Her voice was timid as she realized the gravity of Marenth's concerns.

But…they couldn't die. Theywouldn't! She made sure each one of them promised to never leave her. Well, maybe she never actually spoke those words into existence, but she was sure they knew. They can't just break a promise like that! She'd hate them forever if they did.

A strong hand clasped her own and she glanced towards her palm to see Violet holding her. She wasn't sure when her breathing had spurred into a rapid rise and fall, near the brink of hyperventilating, but feeling her sister's hand had grounded her enough to regain control over herself.

"We got this." Vi spoke to the room, though it sounded like words solely meant for her. A reassurance backed by nothing, yet confident enough to settle some of the fears rising within her gut. "The under-cityisour home and we'll take it back."

"It's up to us." Ekko nodded, his voice matching Vi's resolve, yet she could also see that there was a hesitation behind his words. The confidence was only heard on the surface. The depths of his tone below were empty and that made her uncomfortable. She was squirming in her chair. "We've gotten this far. Lost a lot of people along the way. It won't be for nothing."

"Well said." Scar spoke, his large furry hand gripping his spear by his side.

"I'm tired of living like this." Brina followed, "If the only way back to the under-city is to fight for it, I'm ready."

"Me too." Andrei added.

Heimerdinger and Caitlyn were the only two that remained silent during the conversation. She waited through the pause, curious to see if they would pledge their own ambitions through this war they were waging but when nothing came, she couldn't really say she was surprised. If anyone here was able to say they were backing out, she could imagine it'd be them. They were top-siders after all. Good ones, but was that really enough for them to place their lives in danger? What was the point? Despite her questioning, they hadn't left either, which had to mean something, right?

When the silence reigned over the room for a moment too long, Ekko began rolling out his map of the under-city across the table. It was already marked with a few key positions like the location of the shimmer factory, the Last Drop, and the Bridge of Progress.

"No doubt we're gonna be outnumbered." The Firelight leader started as his hands smoothed over the wrinkles of the thick paper. "We can expect Sevika won't hold back on her claim to spread her forces through the streets."

He glanced towards them, watching for any comments or questions but finding all eyes locked onto the city layout. The boy continued.

"The only way I see this working is by splitting up into small teams. If we create a large enough perimeter around the Last Drop, we can try to set up a few traps per team to keep the battlefield tight. Jinx," Brown eyes caught her own as his finger trailed the red line Caitlyn had placed the last time they needed a view of the streets. "You'll go up in the airship with the Professor. He'll position you exactly where you need to be to fire the rocket towards the factory."

"Yes sir!" She smiled while saluting the boy. A bit of her joy returned at the mention of Fish-bones. How could she not be excited to launch her baby into the sky? On an airship no less!? Push through all the gloom and seriousness and there was a real adventure waiting for her on the other side of this discussion. Fun, right?

"Andrei." Ekko addressed the young boy next, gliding his finger towards a spot somewhere between the shimmer factory and the Firelight's base. "You'll be here. Just close enough to get eyes on the target and confirm for Jinx that the evacuation was successful. If all's good, you give her the okay."

Oh. Right. They were still committed tothatidea.

"Won't let you down, Boss!"

Gosh, it was nice to finally hear someone else be excited about the mission. Too bad it was the youngest, most inexperienced brat of the bunch. Still, she gave the little Firelight a wide smile and thumbs up, of which he seemed to react with a heated blush and diversion of his eyes. What a weirdo.

"Scar, Brina. I've positioned you both in front of Andrei and closer to the Lanes. You two should be close enough to protect him if needed, and likewise, don't hesitate to call for his help. You three are the largest squad we'll have out there but you don't have Hextech either. Be careful."

They both nodded at their leader's instruction.

"Vi and Caitlyn will be here." The pad of his finger pressed onto the map just at the edge of the Bridge of Progress. "You guys are our heavy hitters and we can't afford to let anyone of Sevika's shimmered-up forces make their way top-side. Piltover may not be in this fight, but I can't imagine things'll get better if they end up being dragged into it."

"Trust me." Vi cracked her knuckles with a smirk adorning her face, "I'll beat down anyone that thinks they can get past us. I'll take 'em all on."

"Perhaps you mean to say that you'll take care of the ones I miss?" Caitlyn teased her sister and she couldn't help but giggle.

"Oh? So youdomiss?" Vi taunted back with an uptick of her brow. "Good to know."

There was an electricity between the two, a charged rivalry sparked from just a few mere words. Hopefully she'd get the chance to see them both in action. But before she could imagine the sight, she frowned, a realization striking her suddenly as she performed a quick head count.

"You're alone." She said, the words were soft yet laced within them was a dread that couldn't be quantified. Pink eyes flashed towards Ekko, nearly pleading that her assumption was a misunderstanding.

"I am." Ekko nodded, placing his final mark in the very heart of the under-city. She trailed the main street from his finger, and bit her lip nervously when she saw that it was the closest to the Last Drop. It didn't take a whole lotta brains to imagine the hoard that would spew from the old bar and find the boy. "I'll be here, staying low and picking off what I can. Feeding you guys the information you need like numbers, weapons, anything suspicious."

"No."

All eyes were on her but her glare never once left the Firelight leader. She didn't care about the questioning glances or the curious thoughts that were unspoken in her denial of Ekko's plan. It was fine. They had their zones, their teams, it was probably the best way to handle the whole outnumbered situation, but Ekko shouldn't be alone. No. She didn't like it at all.

"Jinx-." Ekko tried only to be interrupted by her defiance.

"I said no." She growled, "Pick somewhere else. Join up with Vi and Cait for all I care. You're being an idiot and you're not gonna be out there by yourself, dumbass."

"I'll have the Z-drive." He argued, which at first sounded like a decently reasonable excuse, but she could do the math.

"You'll use it twice before you're more useless than a poro. You'd be exhausted and dead in an instant."

The tension brought another weighted pause over the war room as she and Ekko glared in a silent argument. You can't just go out there and pretend like you're a hero Ekko. You're pushing it too far and I'm not…I'm not losing you! Fucking,fucking, idiot! He seemed to understand the emotions blazing in her eyes but she couldn't increase the severity of her glare and it didn't seem like he was faltering either. It was so infuriating!

"Someone needs to be there to report what we're up against." Ekko started speaking once more. "It's a tough spot, Iknow, which is while I'm gonna be careful, stay low and outta sight. Once we get the upper hand and start pushing back against their forces, we'll all meet up at my location and make a final push for Sevika."

"I said no!" She shouted. It didn't matter how sound the plan was, or how careful he was supposedly gonna be. Did Ekko have any idea what he was doing to her heart? Suddenly the entire operation was starting to feel too massive to comprehend. She couldn't help but worry that her thoughts, even while flying on an airship and about to fire her rocket launcher, would be elsewhere, always concerned for his safety. And if she had to listen to him get mauled through the radio, helpless to save him and miles away…

She couldn't finish the thought.

"Well…" Ekko paused, thoughtful and hesitant as the finality of her statement lingered in the air, "It's not up to you."

She recoiled at his words. Lips parted and eyes wide as his eyes fell from hers and towards the map. The room was quiet, so quiet she could hear the blood pumping through the vessels in her ears.

"W-what?"

He just…he just barreled through her opposition? Did her voice not matter? She wildly glanced left to right, searching for someone to take her side, someone to realize that Ekko's life was more precious than some stupid plan. Wasn't he their leader? Didn't they care? What good was he if he was dead, gone from this world and absent in their victory? He had no right to be a martyr!

When nobody met her eyes she felt her heart turn to stone and drop inside her chest.

"I-."

Her head snapped towards the lone, hesitant voice, landing on Brina from across the table as the woman's brow twisted. The words were there. She could see it in Brina's eyes. C'mon. Say it. Say that Ekko's being too reckless for his own good and will wind up in a ditch if he goes through with his plan. Say it Brina. Agree with me!

"Is there really no better way?"

Yes! Someone was on her side.Brinaof all people. She was thankful for once that the girl seemed worried as well.

"None that I can think of." Ekko replied. "And itworks. It will work."

His words disgusted her. Like his life was already forfeit. A bargaining chip to be tossed to the scale of fates and measured without her consent. Sure,maybehe can actually handle the fight and be smart about how he acts on the streets.Maybeit'd be fine and they'd all meet up in time to fight Sevika. Andmaybehe wouldn't need the Z-drive to help him in the battle.

That was a lot of maybes.

And she didn't like this gamble one bit.

"Okay." Brina spoke softly. She felt her pink and blue nails dig into the flesh of her palms violently at the response. "I trust your judgment."

"Thanks. We'll have two days to prepare, so-."

She slammed her fists into the wood of the table, blasting the startling sound through the room as she stood on her feet. No. Don't trust Ekko's judgment. Stupid Brina. He's doing it again. That thing that he does, placing his life beneath everyone else's. Why couldn't he just be selfish like her? Be greedy and screw everything else. What good was his corpse?

"Fuck this! Buncha braindeadlosers!" She snarled before turning on her heel and marching out of the room.

She ignored the calls of her name. Didn't even bother to identify who was shouting after her. Her eyes were stinging, on the brink of tears, and she didn't even understand why. Not really. She understood the logic of the plan. Itmadesense. But…just not him. Put Ekko anywhere but the middle of the carnage. Don't let him throw his life away.

She swiped her forearms across her eyes angrily, desperate to relieve the ache she felt behind them and cursed the world with everything she had inside.

Don't take him away from me…

The resulting whirlwind of insanity was inevitable.

She didn't even make it five steps into her bedroom before the demons of her mind were fully awake, chewing on the scraps of what little resistance she had built up through expectation and monotony. Glowing pink eyes were already wide and alert, snapping towards every shifting shadow and the shine of gleeful smiles. She clutched her temple while pacing along the floorboards, commanded by an involuntary guarantee that if she kept moving, there would be no time to dread the future outcome she feared.

"He's not going by himself." She mumbled under her breath a thousand times before kicking the wall with the tip of her boot. The pain was a jolting shock to the little bones in her toes but she didn't linger on the feeling for one second. "He's not!"

Mylo was at her side, laughing while he danced. The boy was even happier than usual, as if knowing that each twitch of his boney limbs was just further insults to capitalize on her fears. She turned away from him in a huff, assured that she absolutely did NOT want to hear him say 'I told you, so.' As if the stupid brat had the brains to make such a prediction for the future. As if he was smart enough to see the consequences before they happened.

Yeah right.

There was no need to glance towards Claggor in the corner of the room, silent like stone. She could already imagine his parted lips and unblinking stare. The image of his chubby face was already flickering in her head. Why don't you man up and actually say what's on your mind? Her nose wrinkled in furious disgust. This was the type of company she kept? Shit. It wasn't fair.

"I'll-." The sentence stopped for a moment to gather the tumbling words in her throat, "I'll tie him up or something. Lock him in with Margot and we'll go after Sevika ourselves."

Yes. That would do. All she needed was some decent rope, maybe a few rations in case they didn't return. Dammit. If that was a possibility then maybe she needed a clever way to hide a key in the cell. Some puzzle that the boy could solve if he were smart enough, but it'd have to be difficult. She couldn't have him escape too soon.

"He'll hate us if we do that…forever."

The lonely, timid voice of her own self forced her to stare at the ghost sitting mutely in the center of the room. Her legs were curled into her body, arms wrapped around the knees and gazing towards nothing.

"He'll bealive." She countered towards her spectral clone.

"There's no proof that he'd die in the battle." Was the mumbled response.

"Hah!" She laughed out loud, bold and defiant. "You'rethe one that's all optimistic now? That's funny."

The arms of her ghost tightened around her small, malnourished frame. Blue eyes, once pure and full of life, seemed to water as a wave of sadness flooded from within. It looked pitiful. Pathetic. It was exactly why she was different from before. This mimic was weak. Broken by the past and maybe it would've been best if that's where she stayed, but that wasn't what happened.

"I don't want him to hate us."

The concerns were warranted and weighed heavily upon her shoulders. Fragments of depression and failure cut cleanly through the clouded anger of her mind for a second. Just long enough to consider a future where Ekko was forever her enemy. The burning rage in his eyes, the glare that chilled her to the bone now directly meant for her. Only meant for her.

A growl diverted her attention and she turned to face Vander. His oozing purple body, over-filled with shimmer and unnatural muscles only brought further clarity to the split path in her mind. Was it good that Vander was dead? Or, if he'd been irreparably turned into such a beast, was it better that he wasn't alive?

A similar situation to Ekko in her mind.

Was it better for the Firelight leader to die in combat fighting for the under-city? Or to be alive, absent from the war, and hating her with everything he had?

"Shut up!" She slammed a fist into her temple, feeling the disorienting scramble of her brain. "Stop messing with me! You're all making this too hard!"

It was supposed to be an easy, albeit frustrating, decision. She'd practically made up her mind before ever stepping foot in this shitty room. Stop Ekko. Change his mind.Forcehim to do anything else. But now, all she could envision was the alternating flashes of his face in her head. One version was smiling, kind, and full of love but bleeding from the mouth and staring at her like he only had moments to live. The other was hateful, mean, and void of care, promising that he'd never want to see her ever again.

She began cackling like a mad woman, slipping her trembling fingers through loose strands of her blue hair.

"Two faces." She giggled, "Flip a coin! Heads or tails? Heads or tails?"

What did it matter? The internal struggle pushed her into an inescapable corner. Either way she was going to lose. She just couldn't see past the troubled future and accept the third possibility. The one that ended with Ekko's survival and no intervention on her part. It sounded like a fairytale. A happy ending. And when has the world ever given a single shit about that? One look into her fractured memory and she knew the scales had always leaned towards death, destruction, and the annihilation of her dreams.

She paused, eyes drifting towards the illusion of her father sitting atop her bed. He was still, bullet holes bleeding from his chest while his single orange eye focused on the floor in front of him. Within seconds she was scrambling towards him, tripping over herself and winding up on her knees as she shuffled towards Silco. Shaking arms reached for the man, taking hold of his jaw and trying her best to get him to see her. To look upon her pained face and offer something, anything.

"What would you do?" She asked desperately. He was the type of man that made tough decisions just like this. And…she had nobody else. Nobody to speak down to her like she was a child in need of guidance. He was the only one. Her father. For once, she wanted to hear his lectures. "Please. Tell me. Tell me. Tell me!"

Silco was silent. Unresponsive. She had no other choice but to remember the bits and pieces of his wisdom passed on through the years. It was initially helpful. No matter the sacrifice, no matter the pain, her desires must be forced upon this world. Because nothing else would ever change it. Silco gave every ounce of himself to see his dreams of Zaun come to fruition, even his own life.

But.

Her nails began digging into his cheekbones. A brewing anger once again settled in her heart like a growing fire.

"You hypocrite!" She snarled at the dead man. "Liar!"

Because in the end, the man that had been so cold and calculating in his plans, had allowed himself to be killed. He embraced the sweeping certainty of death with a smile on his face, likeshe'dbeen worth more than his dream. Like all the atrocities, all the shitty things he'd done could be tossed aside and abandoned for her. His final moments were not selfish and it went against his own cruel teachings. What was the point then?

There was still no answer.

She pushed away from the man, bitter and confused. She couldn't tell if the tears in her eyes were from anger, panic, or sadness. Maybe it was all three.

"Jinx?"

"What!?"

Her eyes whirled around the room, searching for the ghost that'd spoken so she could attempt to tear them apart, but she found that their eyes were elsewhere. She followed their gazes and flinched when she saw her very real sister in the doorway, knuckles resting on the frame like she'd tried to notify her of the appearance.

"I uh…"

"Vi…" She breathed her sister's name with a mixture of relief and uncertainty. There were no words prepared, no map to navigate the unexpected situation, so she just stared at the woman with reddened eyes.

"Can we talk?"

The question floated in the air and spurred her into action, hastily wiping away the evidence of her meltdown and nodding while pointing towards her bed.

"Yeah. Sure."

Vi walked towards the cot and before she could warn her sister to sit somewhere else, the girl found her seat on Silco's ghost. She watched as the illusion scattered, forcing the man from her imagined existence and all that was left was her sister playing with the bandages on her knuckles. Guess it's fine. She followed suit and took a seat beside her sibling. The warmth that radiated from a living body was already more welcome than the cool, unnatural sensation of the dead.

"What happened back there? You okay?"

Ah. She should've expected that was the first question. Fair enough. To anyone else, even Ekko, she probably looked like an insane person in the final moments of their meeting. How could they possibly understand the many layers of her fear stacked inside?

"Peachy." She grunted sarcastically, "Ekko's throwing his life away and nobody gives a shit."

"That's-. I don't like it either, but we don't have a lotta wiggle room."

"But whyEkko?" She threw her hands outwards into the air to convey her confusion. "I don't get it."

"He's a smart kid. If anyone can play the part, I'd trust him to get it done. He was our informant when we were younger, you know? A good one too. He doesn't get caught easily."

"Yeah well, one mistake and it doesn't matter." She grumbled.

"That's true for everyone. You heard Marenth, there's a decent chance we're gonna lose some people. We just gotta do our best to make sure things work out. Fight like hell. Bring everyone home."

"Easy for you to say." Her eyes narrowed in suspicion towards her sister, "You're fighting beside your precious cupcake. Bet you feel better knowing you got a chance to help if she's in trouble. Who's gonna watchhisstupid ass?"

"..."

"..."

Her counter seemed to shut up her sister for a moment. It was hard to argue against. Things would be different if she was there, fighting alongside Ekko. Whatever insurmountable odds intended to crush them, they didn't seem so scary when she could be there, at his side.

"Jinx…why-?" She watched as Vi's face wrinkled at the thoughts not yet spoken, "Why does Ekko's plan bother you so much?"

"Hm?"

"You were excited about it, until you heard about his part." Violet frowned and it made her nervous. Sure, sometimes she was quick to doubt her sister's intelligence, but the gears were turning. "No offense, but you've never really been the one to care about what other people are doing. I figured you were tuning out everything after your part."

"Things change." She murmured while averting her eyes, "Is it really so weird that I care?"

"Kinda." Vi chuckled while scratching the back of her head.

"Gee,thanks for that."

"You know I don't mean it in a bad way."

"Sure." How else would it be meant?

The pregnant pause that came after was awkward, raising the temperature of the room to an uncomfortable heat. She squirmed beside her sister as she felt a bead of sweat form on her temple. Should she tell Vi? Was now the right time? Oh god. Shame pooled in the center of her stomach. No. Not shame.Embarrassment. Along with the thought came a tentative sense of elation. This was real, wasn't it? She vaguely remembered as a child imagining what it would be like when they were older, gossiping about their dreams, their ridiculous stories…their budding romances. Sisterly things.

Shit.

She almost felt nauseous. The feeling of a once shattered reality being re-constructed before her very eyes was like whiplash to her brain. It was a certainty that they would never be close enough, ever again, but here she was. It was happening. What the hell!? Maybe she should do it, rip it off like a bandage.

"Look-."

"EKKO AND I ARE TOGETHER!"

"Wait. What?"

Her entire body arched backwards and sent her flopping onto the mattress, the crease of her arm splayed over the bridge of her nose and hiding her from judging, curious eyes.

"We're…dating?"

"Since when!? How do I not know about this?"

"Beats me."

Honestly. She had no clue when the whole thing started. It's murky, undefined, like asking a baby what it was like to be born or something. Sure, their first kiss was shared nottoolong ago, but was that the start? Really? Or had they always been inching towards a relationship. Slow miniscule steps that were inseparable from the grand picture. What about the time he took her to the wildlands to learn hoverboarding? Looking back on it, there was a definite shift in their interactions after. Jeez. Not like she had the knowledge or experience to know how these things worked! As for Vi not noticing, well, that was a hard one too. She wasn't exactly the most careful in making sure their makeouts were stealthed from prying eyes. Consider it lucky with a sprinkle of deliberation?

Pink eyes peeked over her forearm to gauge the emotions displayed on her sister's face. A small smile stretched across her lips as she watched the information process. Violet's eyes were lifted towards the ceiling and jittery, recounting and trying to find the evidence hidden amongst her own memory.

"Think harder, I wanna see your head go 'pop!'" She giggled.

"You're seriously with Ekko? Little Man? No joke?"

"Nope." Her arm was finally lifted from her face and lay outstretched upon her cot. She stayed like that for a while, uncertain and processing the words coming from her lips as intently as Vi. The secret was out and…it was real. Holy shit. "Guess you could say I've been bit by the love bug. Er-. Lovefirelight-bug? Love firebug? Nah, that doesn't sound right either."

"And he knows? Like, that you two are together?"

"What?" She rolled her head to stare at Vi like she'd grown a third limb, "Uh.Yeah,he knows. You think I'm making this shit up in my head?"

"Just-,"

"I don't think it was my colorful imagination when he put his tongue down my throat."

"Jinx gross. I don't need the details."

"Don't doubt me then!"

"I'm not!"

They stared at each other for a few moments, the conversation grinding to a halt and no way to recover. It wasn't long until she burst out laughing, Violet joining in with her own fit of chuckles. She felt the need to shove her older sister with the palm of her hand, and not a second later she received an equally playful push to her side. Their arms fluttered in the air, batting against one another with teasing jabs but since she was laying on the bed, her position was undermined quickly.

"You little stinker!" Vi laughed as she punched from her seat and jumped on top of her. The weight of her body was pinned and helpless against the newly leveraged attacks. She tried her best to fight the girl off, but was failing miserably. "You've been keeping this from me for a while, haven't you?"

She blocked the seeking fingers with her hands, constantly trying to wiggle her way out from underneath her sister. Sucked to be the tiny one of the family.

"Maybe." The grin she gave only fueled the fire in Violet's eyes.

A startled yelp spewed from her lips as deft fingers broke through her guard and grabbed at her sides. They began dancing across her skin, light and fast. The reaction was impossible to stifle. Strings of bubbly giggles tore through her throat as she was mercilessly attacked.

"Teach you to hide things from me!" Vi added as her tickles continued to crawl over every vulnerable surface of her pale skin. She was poked and prodded in places she never knew were so weak to such an onslaught.

"Hahahahahahahahahaha! S-stop!" She cried out in an attempt to surrender. "Vi hahaha! Stop!"

"Never!"

Somehow, despite her empty mind and ceaseless giggling, she managed to swing her knee upwards and nail Vi in the center of her back. The woman was sent rolling over the bed and falling off the edge with a loud 'Thump' and groan. As she recovered, breathless and tired, she quickly scrambled off the bed as Vi stood. The two eyeing each other with only the simple cot standing between them.

It wasn't until Vi revealed a smug smirk that her stomach dropped in nervous anticipation.

"You're in love with Ekko."

"L-love? Nuh uh!"

There was absolutely no way she was in love with the boy! From her understanding, that was a whole new level to the weird, brewing feelings that were still developing in her heart. Didn't that sorta thing take time? Guess Ekko was pretty quick on the draw in that aspect, but he apparently had thought about it far longer than she had. Before she even knew such a thing was even possible! Right. She was NOT in love with Ekko. Just…she liked him…a lot.

"I'm callin' it as I see it." Vi shrugged.

Nowshewanted to pounce on the girl, send that tough, macho attitude flying into the stratosphere while she drew out all the embarrassing sounds within that muscled body. Just had to find the right moment.

"You didn't even know about us until two minutes ago, dummy." She replied, pouting.

"Well it explains some shit." Vi swiped under her nose with her knuckles, probably still trying to file all the noticed oddities of herself and Ekko over the past few weeks. "Like why you're so upset about him on his own."

Mother fucker. She clicked her tongue against the roof in her mouth, instantly feeling the lighthearted atmosphere dissipate at the reminder. For a second, she forgot about that. Forgot that Ekko's life was still barreling through a maze full of traps and she hadn't yet decided on what to do. Vi noticed her soured mood instantly and dropped her playful stance. She could hear the sounds of her sister's boots against the floorboards as she walked around the cot.

"Damn." Violet sighed, "You're really pissed about it. Sorry."

"I'm totally pissed!" She raged, stomping her feet into the floor and crossing her arms over her chest. "It's all his fault!"

She didn't know what to do. From the looks of it, Vi was equally pushed into a corner of uncertainty, thinking hard and parting her lips to speak, only to shut them immediately.

"He's gonna get himself killed." She mumbled. "I swear if he does I'm gonna kill him twice. I'll find a way!"

"C'mon." She felt Vi's arm drape over her shoulders as she spoke, leading them both towards the exit of her room. "Let's go get some air. Maybe head out of the base for a while? We'll talk about it."

She didn't particularly enjoy the idea of going for a walk, but she was led by the comfort of her sister's arms. Doubts of Violet's expertise were already swimming around the corners of her mind, but whatever. Sure. Let's talk about it somewhere else. Seemed like Vi had an idea, which was far better than she could say for herself.

"You're not gonna tell me I'm being ridiculous, are you?" She asked with a hint of irritation laced within her tone, "That I should deal with it, apologize to Ekko, and be a team player?"

"Pfft." Vi scoffed, gripping her a bit tighter before continuing. "First off, you'renotgonna apologize to Ekko. Leave him to stew in his room after seeing you stomp out and you'll have him crawling back to you in no time. Might even beg for forgiveness."

She giggled a bit at the thought, able to see a bit of the twisted logic in that possibility. Caitlyn would probably say that's childish and immature. Though, it was a nice breath of fresh air already.

"And," Vi continued, "As the first to know about you two, I think I need to impart a bit of big sister wisdom, right?"

Uh oh. Violet seemed particularly proud of that last statement…Yikes.

"Um."

"What?"

"Caitlyn knows. Found out yesterday."

"..."

"..."

"Seriously? What the fuck dude?"

Notes:

Aaannndddd that's the chapter!

What did you think? Margot and the barons suddenly becoming a bit of a unforeseen hiccup? Ekko's plan? And...uh oh. Vi knows about Jinx's relationship now. The tickle-fight was definitely a fun, fluffy moment I wanted to write, but I think it's time we see more heart to heart between the sisters in the next chapter. It's been awhile. And, the countdown to the war has begun! What sort of preparations will we see in the next few days for Jinx, Vi, Cait and Ekko hehe?

It's crazy...We're getting close to the final arc, and while there's some MAJOR development and awesome scenes yet to be written, every new chapter is making me realize that this story is ending. Not trying to get anyone down, but I really do just want to take a moment to say how honored and grateful I am for everything. Not sure exactly how many chapters are left, but please don't worry too hard. I won't end this story abruptly and we got a lot to cover in order to really wrap up in a satisfying way.

I just hope that you all continue to love this story, love Jinx's growth, and there's a lot of excitement yet to come :) I'll be in the comments, excited to discuss with you all and I'm super jazzed to get started on the next chapter too!

Until next time!

Chapter 40: Tying up Loose Ends

Notes:

Hello! I'm back with a new chapter!

Whew I'm bringing y'all a good one if I do say so myself. I really like how this chapter turned out and I hope you enjoy it so much! I did sorta push this one out without meticulously editing as much as I normally do, so I may go back and correct any misspellings or random stuff. If you see something odd, feel free to let me know! But, I won't delay the beginning note any longer.

Enjoy!

(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)

Chapter Text

She slipped her fingers into the cracks between bricks. The weight of her body felt truly known as they scaled the eroded buildings on the farthest edge of the wildlands and closest to the Firelight base. Climbing was dangerous. Every new point to hold carried a hidden possibility that the foundations from which they grabbed were never safe to begin with.

"Will you slow down?!"

The call from her sister sent her gaze lower, spotting Vi with a irritable frown on her face, grunting and cursing as she shimmied her way towards the top. She couldn't help but smile, never once recalling a time when they were younger and actually beating Vi in an unspoken competition like this. She really has grown, right? She's better than before.

"We're almost there!" Her hand cupped her cheek as she shouted back. "Besides, wasn't climbing this hunk of junkyouridea?"

"Just-. Motherfu-." Vi growled to herself while wedging her wrist into a particularly narrow gap, "Didn't realize I had a monkey for a sister."

"I'd use an excuse like that too if I was losing as hard as you." She giggled.

"I'm gonna kick your butt so hard when I get up there." Vi lightheartedly threatened while wiping the sweat from her bangs and pushing onward.

She returned to climbing as well, extending her lithe arm and finding a sturdy enough hold to launch herself higher. Once she got the motions down, it was a simple matter. Jump, grab, hold, search, repeat. Super easy. And she was doing an effortless job of it,evenwhile Mylo was whispering in her ear, warning her how likely she was to fall.

With one last leap, she hopped towards the final ledge and pulled herself to the roof. She heard the faintest sound of bricks chipping and tumbling towards the ground like sand. Nothing concerning. This place was more dust than it was stone, brick, or wood anyway. Just some random abandoned home. And…yikes. She thought that maybe Vi's idea for a good spot to talk was going to be accompanied by some awesome view or maybe something fun to distract themselves with, but she really couldn't imagine that was the case anymore. There was hardly anything up here.

Standing upon the roof, she was able to look back towards the wildlands and spot the giant Firelight base, then turned to stare towards the two cities. The night had already swept through, coating the majority of the land in cool darkness. On her right, little lanterns and chem-tech machinery glittered Zaun's silhouette, largely focused in the Lanes and bundled together. Where there was light, there was sure to be people. On her left, the more organized city of Piltover was covered in layers of luminance, all seemingly produced by the fuel of their hex-tech. It glowed brighter, shined farther, and carried a magical quality that made her home look primitive by comparison.

A decent view, but nothing jaw breaking. She wasn't perilously high above the ground, nor packed deep underneath concrete and metal pipes. They were simply on a random rooftop, no more significant than the next decrepit shack beside it.

"Not exactly inspiring." She shrugged her hands and immediately dropped them, knowing that Vi had just arrived in a lethargically loud huff.

"My bad." Her sister rolled her eyes as she walked past her to survey the area herself, "Next time we'll have to find something bigger, like the Council tower, I guess."

"Ooh! Can we?!"

Her question seemed to catch Vi off guard. She watched the woman flinch and sure, she understood that her sister was joking, but the idea of scaling something as huge as that pristine building in Piltover had her all sorts of excited. Vi seemed to notice too and a small smile spread across her face.

"Maybe one day." Vi chuckled and that was good enough for her. Not quite a promise, but not an impossibility either.

Knowing that the view towards the cities were far better than the alternative, she was quick towards a seat on the roof that faced them. Her legs dangled over the building, swaying contently as she placed her palms on the ground and stared ahead. Vi was quick to join her, sitting close enough that if she wanted to, they could lean on each other. And the silence that came after was warm and inviting, like it was okay to just sit, breathe, and stare into the night.

"So whatcha' thinkin' about sis?"

"You're different." Vi murmured. The only thing stopping her from taking it as an insult was the gentleness to her sister's voice and the smile on her face. "I like it."

"Me too." She replied softly, though what Violet meant by her words was still largely a mystery.

"Obviously we've had to survive on our own for a while. I guess that, once I got out of Stillwater, I'd need you like I did back then and you'd need me the same way." Vi laughed, "I was so wrong, wasn't I?"

"Heh." She leaned backwards on her palms and nodded, "Probably. But things are back to normal, sorta. Took a lotta bruising to sort it all out."

"Nah." Vi shook her head and that left her confused. Were they not the same as back then? They were happy together, right? She had her sister back. But then Vi kept speaking, "I mean,youmight see it that way. But you're growing up Pow.I'mgrowing up. We aren't the same sisters anymore."

"Oh."

"It's…amazing." Violet breathed. She could swear she almost heard the tension in her sister's muscles dissolve like a weight was tossed off her shoulders. "You used to be so timid and scared. Always following me around. Watching me and copying what I did."

"I knew you hated it." She muttered.

"I loved it."

"Huh?"

"Sure, I couldn't be the perfect sister, but I felt like I was pushing myself to be better and watching you do the same gave me hope that you'd turn out just fine in this shit-hole."

"..."

"Now look at you!" Vi exclaimed with a brightness to her expression that had her staring, "Faster than me at climbing, confident to take back the under-city from Sevika, and not to mention your thing you got going on with Ekko."

"Stop." She laughed while shoving her sister's shoulder with her own. "I didn't come up here so you could bore me with your mushy feelings."

"I know, I know." Vi grinned while playfully bumping back, "I just couldn't help it. I'm glad you're doing good though."

"Guess that's a subjective thing." She shrugged, "I don't know if I'm doing better."

Her sister frowned and it was then that she realized she opened a door into her heart as well. Whether it was the intimacy of their aloneness, the coming storm of war, or just her own tired sentiments finally rising, she had no idea.

"What do you mean?" Vi asked.

"What if…" She paused to take a moment and breathe. "What if I haven't changed at all? I have you, and Caitlyn, and Ekko, but what if you guys are the reason I'm the way I am now?"

She idly remembered Heimerdinger and his wise words that change would never come from anywhere but within. The yordle's words were already refuting her spoken claim. Wasn't that her first night with the Firelight's or something? Jeez. It's been a while, hasn't it?

"I don't think so." Violet replied. "I think we helped. I think you needed people to guide you, but you're too stubborn to do anything you don't want to, like me."

"I still hear voices." Her words were timid, almost like she was ashamed. She never really talked to Vi about them, but the girl knew. It was just hard. Her sister just didn't seem like the type that would be able to grasp at such an oddity. "Mylo, Claggor, you sometimes…"

"What do they say?"

She laughed out loud. One, because she was actually having this conversation with her sister, and two, because it was such an absurd question to ask.

"Whatdon'tthey say?" She giggled. "According to them, I'm one second away from dying at all times, the world ending, everyone hating me. It's annoying. Ridiculous too, y'know?"

"Sounds like the old you." Her sister's response made her freeze, something the woman took notice of and immediately began backtracking "I-I mean that…um, you changed, right? You're totally different from how you were when you were a scaredy-cat back in the Lanes. Not that there's anything wrong with that either. I know I said I liked it, but-. Holy fuck I'm really screwing this up. I'm just trying to say-."

"I got it, Fat-hands." She said, just to get the ramping anxiety to settle down. Throw in a quick jabbing nickname, and they were all good.

"Things change." Vi nodded hesitantly, trying in some way to finish her point. She watched the older woman nod in the direction of the two cities and stared towards them, waiting. "You might not remember, but just before Vander and Silco, and that whole mess, I said one day that city would respect us. I guess you could call it a dream."

"I…that sounds familiar." She spoke carefully through furrowed brows. The memorywasthere. They were alone, talking and comforting one another, just like tonight.

"Well, it's not what I want." Vi lowered her eyes to stare at the bandaged knuckles resting in her lap, brushing over the blood-soaked fabric. "Not anymore."

"Why not?" She questioned aloud. Seemed like a perfectly reasonable thing to aim for.

"Back then, the under-city was our home. Vander was in charge and Ireallythought we were the good guys. I thought that Piltover was just a city of greed and that if we fought back, all the bad shit would end. Far as I was concerned, everyone top-side was evil." Vi turned towards her, eyes misty in a way that had her attention completely. Vi didn't cry. Technically, shewasn'tcrying. But the emotion was there nonetheless. "Then I met Caitlyn and she's…so not."

"Cait's good." She nodded quietly.

"Better than good." Vi breathed. "I really love her. She's heard…so much of my shit. I've bitched for hours and hours but she finds a way to talk me through it. Points me in directions I never would've considered. She's nothing like what I thought a top-sider would be, but fuck…"

"..."

She just smiled while listening to her sister rant. Guess the whole growing up thing was true because if she'd heard her sister speak about another person like she was, she'd surely feel jealous. Nope. Not today. Not anymore. She was just grateful that Vi had someone.

"What really tore the dream down is seeing it from her view." Vi continued as she stared towards Piltover and Zaun. "Both sides are stuck fighting and everyone in charge is too concerned with their own wants to do anything about it. Can I really say that the under-city has the good guys when we're dealing with people like Silco, Sevika, and the Barons? I don't want people like that to respect me. Same with the council. I don't need them. Just Caitlyn…and you, and Ekko, and the good, hard-working people on both sides that are trapped beneath it all."

"You think that's possible?" She was genuinely curious. It sounded like a much taller order than the original premise of the dream.

"I don't know." Vi smoothed a portion of her pink hair with her palm and sighed, "I've been thinking of how I can do it. Caitlyn's had ideas but…"

"They involve you living top-side?"

She watched her sister grimace at her question. It told her everything she needed to know, but that was hardly worth much. What was the plan? Tell her the possibilities.

"Yeah."

"What would you do?"

Vi seemed to eye her warily, as if concerned that she'd explode about the whole living top-side aspect of the idea, but maybe she could come too. There were lots of places to explore top-side. She'd only had a taste of it during her adventures with Silco and his gang.

"I…" Vi's shoulders slumped in defeat. "It sounds stupid."

"Say it!" She giggled and pointed her finger towards her sister, "Now you gotta! I'm too curious."

"I would…become an enforcer." Vi muttered, but before she could even get a single thought from her brain and form it into words, the woman was spewing out more. "Not like, 'the enforcers'. It's completely different! She was just thinking that having someone on the force that understood the people of the under-city would give some good perspectives. I know what the trenchers have to deal with, and why they get pissed. I can be a voice for them and build things from the ground up. And she can work from her end to move up the ladder, make some good changes there and together we could…dammit, like I said…sounds stupid."

"Sorta." She snorted at first thought. Though, it wasn't impossible. Then she smirked, "You sure this isn't just some sneaky way for you to stick by your cupcake's side? I can see it already. The new dynamic duo of law enforcement."

"Haha. Can't say I haven't considered it."

"Bet your ass would look so funny in one of those uniforms." She giggled.

"Nope. Nuh uh. Not gonna wear one of those. That's already decided."

"So you've thought that far then, huh?"

Her comment seemed to crawl along her sister's skin, forcing a shiver that left the silence between them empty. She was a bit confused, partly wondering if she'd said something wrong, but reviewing her words, she didn't really find anything that would cause such a reaction.

"I'm not gonna do it." Vi replied, her tone lacking the enthusiasm and emotion from before.

The hell?

"Why?"

"I finally got you back." Her sister replied bluntly, "Nothing is worth more than that to me and I can't guarantee you'll have a place to live top-side. Simple as that. I'll stay by you, don't worry."

She was stunned. Her lips parted just enough to feel the cool night's air slip between her front teeth. There were no words to describe the feeling in her heart. It was bountiful and bursting, she could feel it coursing through her veins and yet it had no real description. The best she could even think to come up with was…love.

Her body moved before she could even think and wrapped her arms around her sister as tightly as she could. She nearly knocked them both over from how rapidly she tackled the girl, but she needed to! Vi's head was against her bosom and for once it felt like she was the one able to offer comfort. Vi wanted to stay with her! Vi would never leave her! It was an affirmation she needed to hear and thank god she heard it!

"You're the bestest sister ever." She spoke into strands of short, pink hair while rocking her body side to side and dragging Vi along for the ride. "The bestest of the best."

"Love you too, Pow."

When she finally felt the excitement and relief fade, she slowly detached herself from her sister and took a renewed seat beside her. She could see her own wide smile mirrored on Violet's face and it felt so incredibly wonderful!

.

.

.

But the smile didn't reach her sister's eyes.

It took her a second to notice, but suddenly the declaration that Vi would stay by her side felt less like a dream come true and more like an obligation. A responsibility. If Vi stayed with her, wouldn't that mean her relationship with Caitlyn would have to bear a portion of the burden? What if she was forced to leavebothcities? What would happen then? She didn't want to be responsible in some part for breaking them up. She liked Caitlyn too damnit!

"So." Vi clapped her hands together and the sound was muted in her ears. "Let's talk about this new boyfrien-."

"Vi?"

"Hm?" Her sister made a sound that was so unaware of the thoughts in her mind. Like they were suddenly talking about the weather. She couldn't focus on anything else.

She took a deep breath, entirely unsure of herself but preparing the words in her throat. There was a chance it would go horribly wrong. Her pulse was thundering in her veins and there were volatile emotions she was struggling to keep in place.

"You can live top-side…without me." She clenched her eyes to fight the pain of her shuddering heart and ensure that no tears would be seen. "If that…you know, made you happy."

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fucking. Fuckity. Fuck.

It did NOT feel good to say those words. She was fighting with everything she had, shaking, desperate to not leap from her seat and throw a tantrum that would take everything back. No. She had to stay strong. She had to mean it. She had towantit. And she really wanted her sister to be happy, even if it killed a part of her on the inside.

"Jinx."

"I said what I said!" She crossed her arms and moved so that her seated back was facing Violet. "No take-backsies!"

"..."

"..."

She was regaining control over her body with every second that passed. Sure, the pain of the idea was still fresh, but nothing was changing right at this moment. She didn't spontaneously combust which was a good sign. And Vi would probably just refuse the offer anyway because that's the type of person she was. Things were fine. Totally not ruined.

And then she felt Vi's forehead on her pale shoulder and a pair of arms snake around her sides. It wasn't anything like the hug she'd given her sister just moments before. It was a careful embrace, hesitant and unsure. Yet, the only thing that truly resonated with her was the heavy sigh from her sister's lips. It was breathed as if there was one less problem in this twisted world they lived in.

"You have no idea how happy I am right now." Vi softly whispered.

She bit her lower lip in contemplation. It sounded like Vi wanted to live top-side, but hearing words like that…did she even have the ability to hate the idea?

"Just…don't leave outta the blue." She replied nervously. "Give a girl some warning. Two months in advance or I'll kick your ass if you don't."

"Promise. And even if I do it, you know I'll always be by your side. Whenever you need. " Vi assured her while squeezing a bit tighter and pushing her forehead a bit deeper into her skin. "Besides, it's not anytime soon and winning our war comes first."

"Right. Can't live topside if you're not living." She chuckled.

"Good one."

"..."

Suddenly the weight of her sister's forehead was lifted and replaced by her chin. Her eyes glanced far to the side, now catching Vi's smirk and brightened, knowing expression. She felt the urge to groan.

"So…Wanna know how to get Ekko to roll over on his back and beg for mercy?"

"No." She denied immediately then paused, an evil looking grin spread across her cheeks, "Yes."

After a good night's rest they only had these next two days before the grand closing of the shimmer factory and the ensuing battle. She thought that'd be plenty enough time to get prepared, do some light training, and mentally ready herself for the chaotic fight on the horizon. One small hiccup in that plan.

They were working her like a dog!

"Uff!" She tossed a heavy box of…something, not really bothering to check what was inside, onto the ground in front of Hemiedinger's little boots. "Here's another one."

"Excellent work, my dear! You're making remarkable progress." The little yordle replied all chipper and happy. She'd reciprocate the sentiments if he were helping her unload all these damn boxes from the airship, sweating his ass off the same as her.

"How much more of these are there?" She sighed in defeat, putting a little extra droopiness to her slumped shoulders as she whined. "What's even in these?"

"Oh nothing important. Cartography tools, instruction manuals, shipping ledgers and I'm sure there's at least a few boxes of safety equipment onboard."

"Remind me again why I'm taking all this shit off the airship?" She jutted her thumb behind her to point at the grounded behemoth of an invention.

"Ah yes." The professor lifted his finger and started walking with her towards the lowered ramp. "The altitude we need to reach the summit of our flight path is beyond the typical limits of these class three transport airships. We need to reduce the weight of the craft which would allow us to break past-."

"No, yeah. I got all that the first time." She grumbled, "I'm wondering whyIam the one doing all the heavy lifting? Can't Scar or Vi do it? They're always showing off those flashy muscles, totally begging for a job like this."

Vi more than Scar. But she wasn't gonna get all nitpicky when she was already so agitated.

"I'm sure everyone is busy with their own assignments." Heimerdinger replied with a lifted, smiling mustache. "It's better to have everything prepared and complete as soon as possible."

"Sure." Her eyes couldn't help but roll as she squatted low and picked up another box so big she couldn't even see where she was going. Luckily, Heimerdinger was observant and swift enough to grasp a portion of her pants and direct her back towards the exit of the ship. At least the little guy was sorta helping…and he was good company to keep. She liked her conversations with the yordle.

"Watch your step." He warned and she easily raised her leg a little higher to clear the obstacle.

"So what's your thoughts on all the hub-bub?" She questioned. "Thought you don't like violence, blood, or pew-pew kinda action?"

Things she adored!

"I detest those things by and large." Heimerdinger agreed sadly, "Though I'm not above knowing when and where the time calls for action. I've spoken to the young lad many times and we've both concluded that there's not much else that can be done. I'm afraid this war of ours will only get worse the longer we wait."

"You speak to Ekko about this stuff? Often?" Her eyebrow raised.

He's mentioned the Professor on occasion, but she never really thought they'd be frequently conversing about the Firelight's next move or how they should handle themselves in the war. Actually, it would make sense. Ekko always seemed so sure of his decisions, she couldn't help but wonder if that was because they were backed by this yordle's approval.

"He comes to my laboratory on a frequent cadence." Heimerdinger spoke as she tiredly launched the box from her arms and sent it hurtling towards the others. Now that she knew they weren't that important, she was sure as hell not gonna give a shit how they were unloaded. She turned to stare at the talking man. "Hex-tech was his first obsession. We discussed his plans and theories for hours at a time. A bright one, he is. Full of life and eagerness to learn."

"Yeah." She smiled at the description. The learning stuff was whatever, but she liked seeing a friend like Heimy acknowledge the whimsical trait Ekko had. Bright. Like when she saw him in a good mood, he'd be radiating some sort of energy that was as comforting as it was contagious.

"More recently our time together has been spent largely developing strategies to place ourselves in an advantageous position against Sevika. Though I only offer advice. If you think I'm some sort of mastermind behind our plans, I can assure you I'm nothing of the sort."

"Probably selling yourself too short, ya lil munchkin." She smirked as they once again walked towards the airship. "You two talk about anything else? Ooh, bet he's asked a lot of dumb questions. You gotta tell me, what's the stupidest thing he ever said?"

One of the many things she learned from Vi was to find some embarrassing information and hold it over Ekko's head. Tease him until he's so flustered and upset to do anything. That was a plan C sorta thing though. Maybe plan D? No plan D was theotherteasing thing she was supposed to do. Her sister gave her a long list, it was hard to keep it all clean and organized in her noggin'.

"There are no 'stupid' questions in the pursuit of knowledge, Jinx."

"That's lame. You're protecting him, aren't you?"

"I speak nothing but the truth."

"Still lame." She muttered.

"Though I suppose there was one thing…" She whipped her eyes towards her waist to see Heimerdinger's bright blue eyes shining with a crafty sort of mirth. Oh yeah baby! Give me whatcha got little yordle. She wanted all the juicy details.

"Tell me!"

"He's been very fixated on a strange theory as of late. I've told him repeatedly that it's not scientifically possible but he seems sprightly determined to prove me wrong. I suppose he'll learn in time."

She felt the entire weight of her body drop. Exhausted, tired, and so very disappointed by the turn of the conversation. She didn't give a shit about theory! She wanted to hear something like, 'What should I say to Sevika when I see her?'. That way, she'd be able to throw it in his face unexpectedly and let him know thatshe knowsand watch the game of irritation begin.

"You're killin' me, Heimy." Her fingers pushed into her eye sockets. "I asked for dumb questions. Not some crazy idea he's trying to pull off. Guess how many crazy ideas I have everyday!"

"Well it's a very unintelligent concept. You see-."

"Hey!"

They both turned towards the interrupting voice and she felt her already fading grin slip a little lower at the sight of Brina waving her over, clipboard in hand and surely looking to flex a bit of the power she has with assigning tasks to everyone around here. Why'd Ekko have to giveherthat responsibility? Ugh!

"I gotta go see what the pissy Firelight wants." Her hand was already in the air and waving towards the yordle as she walked away from him. "I'll be back to finish up soon."

"Of course."

God, she really wished she were walking towards the sound of a cheery voice and not away from one. Her eyes were already locked on Brina who seemed to be trying her best to avoid looking grumpy, but they both knew it was there on her face, hidden but lurking whenever the Firelight had to talk to her.

"What?" She asked a bit bluntly, but hey! She had stuff to do.

"Ekko wants to see you when you're finished unloading the airship."

"Oh shit." She cursed under her breath. There wasn't any time today or last night to consider how she'd approach the boy. Her sister's advice was floating in her head like a jumbled puzzle and all she could do until now was avoid him the best she could.

"Oh shit, what?" Brina's curious eyes were on her, narrowed like she'd done something suspicious.

"Nothin'." Her shoulders shrugged in her best attempt to hide any nervousness about the summoning that was requested of her. And really? He had to send Brina to let her know? At least she could dig under the woman's skin a little. "You're his messenger pigeon now? Should I find some bird feed for dinner tonight or you already got that covered?"

"Nice try. I've been around you long enough to never let a single insufferable word of yours hold any meaning. Just make sure you go see him soon."

"Yeesh. I got it." She replied. Brina sure can be cold sometimes. All the time? It was sort of a character trait she picked up on. Everyone told her that Brina was the kind that was slow to warm up but caring overall. Guess she was still waiting for the warm up to finish. Teasing her like a child probably didn't help. "Go see Ekko after I'm done with the ship. Anything else?"

"No." Brina spoke simply and turned but not before pausing and reversing her departure, "Actually yes. I have a question for you."

"Shoot."

"Has he told you he loves you?"

Pink eyes went wide, unable to think straight after hearing such a piercing question. W-what did Brina just ask? Was the Firelight playing a game? Trying to coax a specific reaction? What the hell was that? Outta nowhere! Her mouth probably looked like a fish gasping for air as she was frozen on the spot.

"Well?" Brina's boot was tapping on the ground, waiting and pushing the time like she only had seconds to answer the question. She never expected to be put on the spot so suddenly! Deflect!

"I don't see how that's any of your business." She made an effort to swing her face to the side and stick her nose in the air like she had some sort of pride that needed to be flexed.

What she didn't expect was Brina's hands to grab at her top. The woman wound her fingers through the fabric and pulled sharply, rotating the both of them out of the public view and into a darkly shaded area. Brina's eyes were fierce as they glared at her and she was still stuck, stupefied by the sudden reaction.

"Did he tell you he loves you?" Brina hissed.

"Yeah." She growled, grabbing the hands on her top and shoving them off leaving nothing for the Firelight to hold. What was with Brina grabbing her all the time? Removing the hands from her outfit didn't stop the woman from keeping the aggressive stance she had though, leaning in close like a fight was inevitable. "He did. And it's not your business."

"It's absolutely my business."

"Yeah? How?"

"..."

"..."

For a moment they both stood, glaring at each other in heated silence, practically panting as if the fight that was a possibility had already happened in the last few moments. She didn't appreciate Brina dragging her away from Heimy, didn't like her attitude, and sure as hell didn't like her creeping into her relationship with Ekko!

"I couldn't get him to promise." Brina sighed, completely dispelling the aggression in the air. Her hand rubbed at her face, trying to soothe some of her tiredness and speaking as if her words were just rambling thoughts, "But hetold you, so that's something."

"Promise what?"

Brina swiveled on her heel and her breath was frozen when she saw the raw frustration in the woman's eyes. Frustration that wasn't meant for her.

"I tried to get him to promise me that he'd do everything he can to make it out of this alive." Brina sighed. "He wouldn't do it. He doesn't see that none of this shit matters if he's gone."

Hearing the explanation placed a hollow sensation deep inside her ribcage. One of her greatest fears was rising up from her unconscious and breathed new life by hearing Brina's concerns. Fuck. Of course he wouldn't promise Brina that. If she was even remotely close to knowing his dream, there wasn't anything that would stop him from retaking the under-city. Not even his own life.

Like Silco.

Her fingers gripped onto the side of her temple at that thought. Not yet scratching incessantly, but there, and pushing into her scalp.

"That's his deal." She grunted while taking a step to push past Brina. "Don't like it either, but that's it."

Brina side-stepped to keep her from walking away.

"That'snotit." The Firelight argued, "You're different. Try to get him to promise that he'll survive. Please. It's stupid of me to ask, I get it. But I want to be certain that he understands what's at stake."

She was momentarily stunned by the pleading sound in Brina's voice and the desperation she saw within her expression. The girl looked like she was about ready to cry and on any other occasion, that'd be a sight worth seeing. When she didn't reply right away, Brina kept insisting.

"Look, we've never liked one another. At best we tolerate each other. I know why you'd be hesitant to listen to me after all the harsh things I've said, but please. You have no idea how much he loves you. He's going to listen to you."

"Buncha love he had for me back in the meeting, huh?" She snorted, "He's gonna do what he wants because he can. Stupid as it is."

God, she forgot she was supposed to be pissed at him. It's only been a day and she was kinda, maybe yearning to see him again. No. Vi's right. Gotta let him think about how he treated her. She'll see him soon anyway.

"Every night I listened to him go on and on about 'Powder' this, 'Powder' that." Her feet were planted firmly on the ground upon hearing Brina's story. "That stupid boy never shut up about you foryears. How easily you'd fit in. How much fun you two would have. Even back then I think he was head over heels, always trying to find ways to get you back from Silco. God, it made me so fuckin' mad."

"I-."

"Then he starts to move on and you come back. I can't even count how many times I tried to warn him-. Well…I guess it doesn't matter." Brina paused with a sullen expression falling upon her face. "I'm telling you he loves you a whole lot. And I-I don't care if you two are together. I just want what's best for him. He's my friend and right now, what's best for his ass is coming back alive. If you give a single shit about him, you'd agree."

"I'll…try."

Brina's head snapped upwards at her response, still so desperate and pathetic that it made her want to gag. Then again, if she were in Brina's place and her feelings were the way that they were, she could imagine herself begging for the same. It was…sweet in a way. Pathetic but sweet. Maybe she could see a bit of that caring nature Brina seemed to have for her friends.

"Please." Brina requested once more.

"I said I'll try. No guarantee." She said before finally finding an opportunity to step around the distraught Firelight.

"I-. Thanks…"

She gave the woman one last look, scanning her for any strange reactions. Her faith in Brina hadn't been broken. She wasn't the type to play games anyway, but she still looked at the Firelight because until now she'd never seen such emotion displayed from her…rival? That didn't sound right. No word really sounded right though. They were an odd combination. And maybe she sorta respected Brina a little more for being so upfront in her ambition to see Ekko safe. She'd at least offer the girl more.

"I'm not trying for you." She spoke clearly, "I don't want to see him become a corpse either."

"I know."

"I'll die before I let that happen."

Okay.

Okay.

She took a deep breath as she reached the highest point of the grand tree. Ekko's door was within reach, which meant the boy was waiting for her on the other side. It was bad enough that her mind was usually stirred into a frenzy. Thinking about the war room meeting and the conversations with Vi and Brina just added to the mess. Was she supposed to be angry, concerned, or relieved to see him again? Gah! Things got complicated fast.

Okay.

She'd start with Plan A. The silent treatment. For the next few minutes her goal was to take a seat on his bed and just stare at him blankly, no matter what. If Vi's advice worked, she should expect him to start apologizing fast and that would give her some leverage to work with. She'd have him in the palm of her hand, willing to make all the promises she wanted. Easy. Fool-proof! Hopefully. Here goes nothing.

Her knuckles tapped against the wooden door. Her balance was swaying in an attempt to fidget and focus on anything else other than what she might feel when he opened the door. She needed to steel herself.

So when the door opened, she immediately straightened and-.

Shit.

Why did Ekko look so handsome? He greeted her with a smile and opened the door as wide as it could manage. With the sun setting just beyond the walls, the typical golden rays of light that shined through his room were different, bright yellows replaced by warm honey amber. His dark skin and white dreads still maintained their ethereal glow backed by the light and it made her shiver. Did someone like this really love her? How?

Almost without thinking her lips parted to say something, anything to acknowledge the boy in her presence, but nothing came to mind. Nothing that didn't sound like complete, blubbering gibberish from her awe-struck expression. Wait! No! Her lips clamped shut immediately. No talking.

"Hey." He grinned, "Done with the airship?"

She nodded. That was allowed, right? Technicallynotbreaking the silent treatment.

"Sweet. C'mon in. It's a bit of a mess though." He stepped away from the door and she speedily walked towards the bed.

She tried to keep her pink eyes locked on the mattress, the only object in the room that didn't sparkle in her curious mind, but her attention was quickly distracted by the many scrolls, books, and mechanical pieces littering the floor. Had there not been a clearly paved path, she'd actually find it difficult to maneuver around all the clutter. Strange. Some things she spotted were obvious, like the checklist of assignments pinned to the walls, the accompanying maps and routes beside it. But she also saw other things. Not quite familiar, but teasing her memory, like the diagrams of Hex-tech runes she didn't know. They were scattered on the floor and she assumed many of the crumpled balls of paper piling near his desk were previous iterations on whatever he was doing. The last object to catch her eye was Ekko's silver pocket watch on the surface of his desk, solely lit by a small lantern and lying beside a myriad of small tools.

Whatever. Just Ekko things, right?

She took a seat on the plush mattress, her butt sinking into the formed dip of the fabric before returning her wary eyes towards the Firelight leader. He had his hands stuffed in his pockets, casual and calm, like they were fine. Were they?

"Everyone's been working hard. We have tomorrow to prepare, but it looks like we'll be able to rest. All the important stuff has been taken care of."

"..."

His smile fell ever so slightly at her silent stare, mildly perplexed before shuffling over his own messy floor to take a pen to the checklist hanging on the wall and marking her assignment as complete. It looked like the entire checklist had been marked with hers being the only remaining task. So they were ready to go then.

"It'll be good for them." He commented while putting his pen away, "We've all earned a day to relax."

"..."

His brown eyes glanced towards her. For a moment they connected, gazing into each other and she felt a twinge of regret when she saw his questioning expression. He definitely noticed how mute she's been,

"You okay?" He asked with an awkward chuckle. "You're pretty quiet."

"..."

He was starting to get the message, especially once she crossed her arms over her chest and her leg over the other. The plan was working, she just didn't think it'd be so hard to ignore the slowly rising hurt and confusion in his pupils. Ekko was getting nervous, scratching the back of his scalp and finally breaking his gaze.

"Are you mad at me?"

"..."

Nope, not gonna reply. Though she did raise an eyebrow, hinting that he was on the right track. She still needed him to break and fast, otherwise she could feel herself growing impatient. Damnit Vi. Why was Plan A the one that required the most concentration and effort on her end?

He sighed.

She stayed quiet.

"Is this about the plan?"

"..."

She tracked him as he made slow strides towards the bed, his expression twisted in all sorts of contemplation. The mattress dipped when he sat beside her, so close she felt her lighter body slide up against his. At least she could feel his warmth on her exposed arm. That was nice. But Ekko curled forward, his elbows braced on his knees as his shoulders slumped. He was staring at his hands now, twirling his thumbs.

"..."

"..."

He wasn't gonna talk? Fine. She could keep this up all da-. Who the fuck was she kidding? This was torture! Silence! Tension! Unspoken fears wavering above their heads! Ugh, she couldn't take it! Her mouth opened but before she could make a sound Ekko sighed again.

"What do you want me to say?" He muttered quietly. "I'm sorry? Because I am. But it doesn't change anything."

"..."

"I brought us to this point. I led them here. It's our war, but I'm starting it. " He closed his eyes and breathed through his nose. She could hear the trembling pain layered in the undertones of his voice. "Call me selfish all you want. I'm not gonna put them in any more danger than they need to be. If I put anyone else in my position and they didn't make it back…I don't know if I could…"

She couldn't help herself. Her body moved automatically, leaning towards him and tilting her head to rest on his shoulder. Her silence was no longer out of spite, but truly from not knowing what to say. God, she really was being childish, thinking she could walk in here and put him at a disadvantage, like their relationship was a game or something. She liked games. Just not this one.

"I don't wanna bury anyone else, Jinx. I really don't."

She saw his fists tighten and she reached for him. Her fingers were timid and delicate as they brushed across his calloused, worn hand. He had the hands of a fighter, a leader, someone that's deeply aware of pain and hardship. The pad of her thumb soothed over a painful looking scar, no doubt once a blister or wound from his tireless work. She hoped what she offered was pleasant and wanted. Comforting wasn't her strong suit, but she liked to think her ministrations were welcomed. It felt right…to hold him like this.

His hand moved, but only to slip his fingers between hers and squeeze.

"I thought about calling it off." He murmured. "I'm still considering it."

"Why?" Her voice was a whisper and gravelly from lack of use. The first thing she said to him in the last two days and it felt inadequate in every way.

"We're risking so much." He shuddered, "Marenth gets it. Even if we win, it might not end the way we wanted and if we lose, we lose everything. I don't know if it's worth the gamble."

"You said it yourself. Sevika's killing the under-city. Someone's gotta stop her. Even if it's a coin toss and we lose. Otherwise things go to hell anyway."

He shook his head.

"I wish I could be more sure." He lifted her hand in his and pressed his forehead to the back of her palm, resting there in a thoughtful peace like every moment he stayed connected to her was precious. "And hell sounds much better if I know you're safe. I don't wanna lose you."

It felt like there was a ball lodged in her throat. She never imagined someone would speak of her like this. Like she was something worth treasuring, something more valued than life. But Ekko loved her. He really did. And somewhere along the way she was in a position to ease his doubts. Push the man beside her to commit to war. She's never really had strong feelings about the war itself, even hearing Ekko say he wanted out had spurred tiny imaginative dreams of them fleeing beyond Piltover and Zaun. They could leave it all behind. But a piece of Ekko would be left here, unfulfilled and defeated by cowardice. She understood. In many ways, they cornered themselves and it was too late to find a way out. They needed to push forward. That was the only answer.

"I don't want to lose you either." She whispered, still leaning her head on his shoulder and staring blankly towards his sunsetting room. A small smirk pulled at her lips, "I don't think I'd take it well. Probably blow up half the city."

He chuckled. The both of them finding the tiniest sliver of dark humor to keep their spirits from plummeting into despair.

"Yeah…"

"Which is why you shouldn't fight." She added. "Not right away."

He lifted his shoulders, forcing her to pull away as he frowned. Ekko turned to face her, their hands still joined but a clear discomfort in his visage.

"I can't let you guys do this on your own. I'm going to help. It's my fight too."

"Of course it is, you idiot." She squeezed him to insist her idea wasn't wild. "But you can stay hidden. Report whatever you need. Once I fire Fish-Bones I'll use my hoverboard to get to you. That's when you pop out and we'll fight together."

He pursed his lips and she watched the flickering thoughts cross his face. She really wanted to see him find reason. To leave a bit of that selfless ego behind and give her the slightest chance to see this through, her way. When his lips parted, she realized just how intensely she was staring at the boy, needing an answer.

"...Okay." He breathed.

A brilliant smile was on her face, her teeth shining towards him and eyes bright with relief.

"Yes!"

"But-." Ekko's follow up stopped her celebration before she could start dancing, "I want you to help the others before you catch up to me."

"Huh? But then you-."

"I promise to stay hidden. I won't fight unless something goes wrong. You'll be entering the under-city from above. If they need you out there, Caitlyn, Vi, Brina, Scar, or Andrei, I want you to do what you can to keep them safe."

"I-." She didn't really know how to feel about that. Jumping to Vi or Caitlyn's aid would be an easy decision. Scar and the rest…No. What was she thinking? She had to accept. It was the only deal that ensured Ekko was safe until she could watch his back personally. "Okay. If they need me, I'll help them first. But don't get caught! Because I'm coming straight for you if that's the case."

"Works for me." He smiled and untangled his hand from hers.

She immediately missed his touch until she felt his arm reach over her, grab her shoulder and pull her close. Her head tilted, trying to get her lips closer to his but finding his guiding pull to be strangely resistant. She couldn't quite get the angle and her cheek was pressed into his chest. Hey! Let her get a kiss in or something! She's gone long enough without-!

His lips were on her skin. They were gentle and warm with the faintest slick of his saliva as he kissed her temple. Her eyes went wide, not quite sure how to process what he was doing. She'd always thought that kissing felt good, that people did it for pleasure and addiction. Love was an added bonus of course, but kissing her on the temple, an act she couldn't reciprocate immediately…It felt nice. Such a simple kiss, yet it broke her illusion of their relationship. She was always so concerned with the transaction, the give and take, that she forgot this was okay too. Accepting love. Sharing love. It didn't have to be a trade. They could give and take as they pleased.

Still.

When he parted from her head, she made the effort to grab at his shirt, bundle it in her fists and slide herself upwards into his waiting lips. She kissed him fiercely, not quite jamming her tongue between his lips. That felt like a bit much. But every fluid movement, every little moan that escaped her as she danced across his lips, was fueled by her passionate need to comfort Ekko. To show him that his love isn't unnoticed. It's never unnoticed. Not anymore.

When she parted from him, they were both a little breathless. Smiling like idiots maybe, but breathless.

"I wanna give you something." Ekko murmured as he stood up.

She watched him walk towards his desk and she owlishly blinked, shifting her body along the mattress to see past his frame and watch his hand reach for his silver pocket watch. He returned, standing before her and holding out his gift. The little timepiece clicked with each passing second. The silver coating reflected the colors bleeding from herself, Ekko, and the orange-glow of the room's fading light. It was pretty and calling to her like every shiny thing that typically catches her eye, only in this case, she could almost sense a hidden weight around the clock. An aura that seemed to inexplicably clarify the importance of this gift. It wasn't nothing. It wasn't just some pocket watch. It was Ekko's favorite. The one he always had on his person.

"It was my father's pocket watch." She heard him say as it was lowered into her waiting hand. His voice was a pleasant mixture of pride and reverence. "It's yours."

"I-I don't need a pocket watch." She tried, still distracted by how smooth and clean the timepiece was. It was flawless despite its age. Ekko must've taken great care of it all these years. And when she flipped it over to inspect the back, there was a small inscription. Too small for her to read in the dimming light of the room. "You should keep it. Don't you use this thing?"

Ekko shook his head, still smiling.

"I don't need it to tell time. I want it to be with you." He said, "Consider it a good luck charm, or something of mine you can reach for if we're apart."

She frowned.

"This isn't some attempt to give me something to remember you when you're dead, right? Cuz I'll break it right now if that's the case."

Her arm raised, watch in hand and ready to smash it into the ground. Ekko gasped and extended his arm.

"No! I swear it's nothing like that." He insisted.

"Swear?" She narrowed her eyes. Don't lie to me, Little Man.

"I swear."

"...Good." She dropped the inquisitive expression on her face and lowered the timepiece. With nimble fingers she partially unstrapped her belt to slide the chain of the pocket watch across the thick leather band and let it dangle near her hip. Even by her side, she couldn't help but lower her hand and continue to rub at the metal with her thumb. It wasn't quite like touching Ekko directly, but there was some sort of quality that made it feel different than a regular pocket watch. It was comforting her already.

But!

She suddenly stood up and Ekko took a wary step backwards when he saw the wild, cheshire grin on her face. There was absolutely no way she'd accept his gift without giving the boy something of hers. He'd shared something special with her, a portion of him. She'd take care of it, forever. But she wanted to share a piece of herself too.

"Tomorrow!" She pointed a finger towards him.

"Huh?"

"We're gonna go on an adventure tomorrow." He seemed even more confused, which made her eyes roll. He should be able to read her a bit better by now, right? Then again, how could he possibly guess what awaited him? None of the living really knew about her treasure. Her paradise.

"We can't just leave the base tomorrow. We-."

"Wecan. And I'm taking you to my super-secret hideout." His eyes widened as she smirked confidently. "It's an honor, you know. I'm the only one alive that even knows about it."

Sorry Silco, but it's true.

"Your…hideout?"

"My home away from home." She swooned in an exaggerated pose. "You'll love it."

"..."

Oh. Shit. Was he really serious about not leaving the base? They had time, didn't they? She'd rather it be a quick trip than no trip at all. Obviously, she wanted to spend the whole day there. He gave her an object, a thing, and while she didn't really have anything remotely similar, she wanted him to see it. The place of her imagination. Her blood, sweat, and tears lined the walls of her base. It was the closest thing to a treasure and she wanted Ekko to see it…at least once. They can go, right?

"Please?" She didn't even need to lay on the puppy-dog eyes that had her sister cracking in seconds, it was already displayed on her face and not an act in the slightest.

"Yeah. I wanna see it." Ekko nodded and she was already jumping in her boots, "Show me."

"Fuck yeah!"

Now how the hell was she supposed to fall asleep tonight? Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.

Notes:

Annnnnd that's the chapter!

Did you love it? My cheeks kinda hurt from smiling so much while writing. I think this entire chapter is just one big warm and fuzzy hug for my soul. We got Jinx and Vi getting even closer! I really love their development in this. Especially with how Jinx simultaneously seems to figure out how to comfort the people she cares about and even does something a little scary by forcing herself to understand Vi's happiness and letting go a bit of the trauma around the possibility of leaving. Not that she's okay with it. Definitely not. But an effort was made and I really like that.

Also Brina! We're you expecting her to approach Jinx like that? AND she knew that Ekko's in love with Jinx, probably long before anything actually happened. I think of Brina, not as a direct rival to Jinx, but someone on the outside that still plays a vital role in showing Jinx what it looks like when you met someone you just can't quite get along with, but when they have a common goal, it gives Jinx an appreciation and perspective she doesn't really have.

And lastly, the timebomb scene. I hope it warmed your heart. I hope you really loved it. Of course, Vi's advice can only take Jinx so far and it was fun to see when she'd crack trying to give Ekko the silent treatment. But I really wanted to give Ekko more time to develop as a human. We've seen his distain of being a leader but ultimately being his responsibility, not passion. And now we get to see that he's genuine in his fears. Really doubtful. And I liked having Jinx be the one to take his moment of vulnerability and push him before he cracks. I just reallyl loved the scene overall and if you're keen you'll have noticed a specific reference to RedrumAlice. She made an amazing timebomb comic called "Accessory" that you should totally check out if you haven't. Look her up on Twitter or you can find it through mine Elsanndra. I also post when I'm gonna update and fanart/Arcane content.

Please leave a kudos if you're able to and tell me what you thought of this chapter! I hope nobody feels obligated to leave one. If you're tired or don't want to, I totally understand. BUT if you do leave a comment, I'm incredibly grateful and can't wait to discuss more. That's all for my massive note. Can you tell I'm excited about this chapter? XD

Until next time!

Chapter 41: I Think I Love You

Notes:

Heyyyyyy! Let's get right into it. I gotta brand-spankin-new chapter for you all and you might've noticed this story's rating has changed. Dun dun DUN! If you follow me on Twitter, this isn't quite a surprise. Many of you voted in my poll and well, here you are!

So on top of the 6K chapter, I've written quite a lengthy smut scene (13K words omg). This is the longest chapter so far. Consider it a reward for pushing through the insanely long slow-burn XD. I know some of you may not welcome it, but I assure you that I tried very hard to keep Ekko and Jinx in character and write in a way that hopefully feels more significant than just quick spicy sex. There's still depth and story to their bond and I hope you give it a shot. That said, if you still would prefer to avoid the scene, when you see "Ekko. Ekko. Ekko. Ekko. Ekko." in one line, feel free to skip to the next line break.

Oh last thing, warning: It gets pretty intense. Jinx has a pain kink, praise kink and there's some choking (not directly by Ekko's hands...) and spit action, because of course she loves it rough!

Enjoy!

(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)

Chapter Text

His hands were on her waist.

She could feel the gentle, guiding pressure above her hips as they raced through the streets of the under-city on a single hoverboard. It was almost distracting. Almost. Her mind was still consumed by excitement and the prospect of returning to her home. Hertruehome. Of course, it would've been better to take separate boards. She was even a tad disappointed that they couldn't compete in another race, but her hoverboard wasn't ready. The modifications to it were nearly complete and she'd surely have enough time to finish before tomorrow's attack, but Ekko saw it and insisted it wasn't "safe to fly".

She begrudgingly agreed.

So the two of them shared a board to travel and she was placed in the front with Ekko behind her. Apparently he really didn't like the idea that she might hop on his back and cover his eyes like she did before. Party pooper. But this was fine too. She liked feeling him close behind her and while his weight had the ultimate control of their motions, he leaned with her, followed her, as she directed them through the city streets. Every decision was hers and there was some comfort in knowing that Ekko wasn't questioning anything.

Well…he wasn't questioningsomethings. Imagining his face twisted with panic as she suddenly scrambled to take an unprepared turn was incredibly easy. He would curse under his breath and shift his weight while holding her more tightly as she laughed. It wasn't like she knew exactly where she was going. The best sense of direction she had was fueled by landmarks and fuzzy memories but they were making good time nonetheless.

"Yep." She nodded to herself as her eyes traveled along the empty street. "This definitely looks familiar."

Ekko didn't reply. He was probably too busy scanning their surroundings for potential dangers. They were getting closer to the Lanes after all. But there was little room for concern in her mind. They'd left for her hideout early in the morning, before the sun had fully risen. She could feel the cool, dewy air stick to her exposed skin and was certain that the empty streets were merely that. Empty. The chances of someone being awake at this hour, let alone alert and capable of interrupting their adventure was slim to none.

"Gee." Her eyes rolled, "I'm havingsoooomuch fun. You make great conversation, you know that?"

She didn't mind doing most of the talking. Simple ramblings, incoherent strings of giggles and sounds. Those came naturally. But unless Ekko wanted to hear her talk to the insanity of her imagined ghosts, he had to at least say something.

"Sorry…" He replied, his mind still clearly somewhere else. "You know this is still risky. We can't jeopardize tomorrow."

"Can't ruin today either." She muttered while placing her hand over the one on her hip.

It was supposed to be special. Shewantedtoday to be special. Not only was she returning to a place of comfort, but sharing it with someone she trusted. There was no greater fear in her mind that she'd present her hideout, in all its glory, to a distracted or unimpressed response. She hoped Ekko liked it. If he didn't, would that be a sign from the fates that they were never meant to be? No. God, she worried too much. That wasn't the case at all.

Still…She wanted to see his eyes light up, his smile brighten. It would just give further confirmation to her timid heart that she had something of value to share. Showing him her hideout was already a strange enough gift and far from a normal trade, but it was important to her. She just wondered if she'd have to explain it to him out loud, the significant meaning hidden beneath the adventure.

"No." He chuckled lowly as his hands squeezed into her, "Wouldn't want that either."

She chewed on her bottom lip as a small smile bled onto her face. Good you freakin' dummy. At least he seemed aware that this wasn't something they could blow off for another day. The cloud of an uncertain future hung over both their heads. So far, she was successful in not thinking about it too hard. There was no reason to get all depressed, crying and mourning at the possibility one of them might not be alive in the coming days. Maybe she should give him the passcode. She'd already cemented in her mind that she wouldn't let him leave her alone in this rotten world of theirs, but should her life be the one that's forfeit, it was pleasant to think there was some part of her left in this world for him. Her hideout would be his.

He would own it…just like her heart.

"Seems like you're the one that's distracted now." His breath tickled her ear and brightened her cheeks with an embarrassed blush. "Are we close?"

"Y-yeah." It wasn't fair. He wasn't even trying to fluster her, yet she was helpless to the sensation. Stupid. Plus, what the hell? She was literally trying to NOT think about their future right now. The damn rabbit hole was just too alluring. "Almost there. Stop up ahead."

Her eyes lifted towards the many fissures that ruptured through the street ahead. The cracks that split along the earth were all too common near the mining district of the under-city. The resource rich ground made for a dangerous combination of resources and deathly fumes. Most of the parted sections were poisonous, something everyone growing up in Zaun knew. If they traveled left, it'd be a short journey to the Lanes, and turning right would lead them towards the Dredge…or what's left of it.

Ekko's hoverboard slowed as they approached the sudden cliffside edge and she hopped from his grasp to plant her feet on the ground and survey the landscape ahead. The toxic burn of molten steam oozed like pillars of green smoke and large mechanical turbines, slowly fanning the gasses away from civilization could be seen in the distance.

"This is the place?" The boy pondered aloud beside her. She could tell he was uncertain. It wasn't shocking either. To the normal resident of the under-city, this place was a death-trap, far more uninhabitable than the wildlands they crossed to get here.

"Uh-huh!" She chirped, already bouncing in her boots as she skipped along the edge of the cliff, searching for a particular hole. "Sneaky, right? Nobody in their right mind would come out here. Nice and quiet."

"I didn't think you liked 'nice and quiet'" He replied while following her upbeat pace with a little more care and concern. When she looked back towards him, she could see his brown eyes locked worriedly on her boots. Hah! Not like she was gonna fall over the edge.

"I don't." Her head nodded in affirmation, "Just means we can be as loud as we want though."

Imagine all the annoying complaints she'd get if the local residents were close enough to hear the many explosions and fireworks. Not like she really cared, but dealing with nosey neighbors was definitely not on her agenda.

"O-oh. Right. Makes sense."

She caught the stutter in his voice and eyed him curiously. Did she say something to catch him off guard? He looked…embarrassed? No. Not quite. She just said they could be loud, without concern of alerting anyone. What way could he possibly interpret-.

Oh.

OH!

Suddenly she felt it too, nearly stumbling as the dots of an unspoken meaning crossed her mind. The tightness in her chest was giggled away. Finally she felt like she wasn't the first one to feel the sudden, tantalizing burn of lust. She did wonder though, did it excite him? Was he ready to love her like that? As far as she could tell, she was ready, almost desperately so.

"Hope you're ready." She spun on her heel to give him a cheeky wink. Her intentions were still veiled, not quite specific enough to understand unless he was in her head.

"I'm excited." He smiled. Yup. Ekko had no clue. Even better. Maybe the surprise on his face when he realized later would be as satisfying as she hoped. "You've been hyping up your hideout this whole time. Think it's better than our base?"

"Much better!" She grinned, "No offense, but I think you firebugs spend too much time on work and no play."

"Hey." He took mock offense to her claims, "We know how to play."

"Not like me."

"Can't argue there."

She paused once they arrived, her boots planted on a specifically worn part of the soil from the many times she's been here before. A quick peer over the fissure and into the dark depths only confirmed her suspicions. The formations of the rocky walls matched her memory. It was a good thing that, despite her fragmented mind, the sense of return was strong in her chest. It'd been too long.

"Hup!" She leapt over the edge, laughing at Ekko's startled noises behind her as she dropped into the crater. The darkness below was a natural defense, hiding the particulars in the shadows but she didn't have to fall far before the black of the air revealed a plush, slightly rugged cushion that would absorb her descent. Her boots landed on the surface and her core tightened to maintain her balance before she tilted her gaze upwards towards Ekko's head leaning over the opening. "Get down here!"

"You're trying to scare me." He didn't sound amused. He was also right.

"Is it working?"

His response was just a deep, tempering sigh and her shoulders shook with contained laughter. Such a worrywart. Not a moment later she watched as his body soared above her hand and she maneuvered out of the way. He landed beside her, but not before falling over and flailing his arms in an attempt to stay upright. The softness under his boots didn't make it any easier and he fell on his ass.

She just cackled and pointed a finger towards him teasingly. When her entertainment subsided, which took a few moments, she bent towards the boy and offered a hand. He took it immediately.

"You know, you could give me some warning." He grumbled, "I'm the one blindly following you here."

"That'd be no fun."

Once he was upright and had his balance, she took him by the wrist and led him towards an opening in the wall nearby. Sure, she could leave him bumbling around in the dark, but that'd be beating a dead horse. There would be plenty more exciting ways to mess with him later.

"You're not nervous about the chem fumes?" He asked.

She shook her head.

"This one's been inactive since forever." They entered the small little cavern path, carved within the walls. "And the one in my hideout is inactive too. Can't say when that happened though."

She assumed the location of her hideout had been toxic at one point. The fallen turbine on which she made her home had to have been there for a reason in the past, right? Maybe it was a coincidence that she stumbled upon such an intriguing place. Maybe it was destined.

"How do you get out of here?"

"Climb?"

That was a stupid question. Did he think she had some incredibly intelligent way of getting back to the surface? The rocks were sturdy enough to make it easy. Though…now that she thought about it, maybe she should invent something. A pulley system would be good, just bland. A bounce pad though…now she was gettin' somewhere. Maybe Ekko would want to help. It'd be a fun project.

They continued through the tight, cramped path, walking blindly in the dark until they arrived at a steel door. She felt a sudden nervousness as she stared at the metal, bent and bludgeoned at the corners to fit tightly against the surrounding rock and spray painted in all sorts of graffiti, drawings of her insanity that served as a warning to strangers as much as it was a welcome to herself.

She didn't want to be nervous. Really. But the thought of Ekko seeing what was behind this door sent a shiver down her spine. There was nothing left to hide from him after this. Her mind and heart was on full display, made real by the decorations and structure of her hideout. This place, her sanctuary, could be touched. He would be able to brush his hands across the spray-painted walls and jingle the hanging ornaments and stuffed animals. Anything he did, was like peering into her soul and being able to see what was inside. The overwhelming insanity, the ugly insecurity, all of it.

What would he think? What if it wasn't good?

His wrist detached from her hold and slid along her hand until she felt his palm against hers. Their fingers entwined and she turned to stare at him. His brown eyes held no fear, only curiosity and excitement.

"Show me." He gently urged while squeezing her hand.

Did he notice her thoughts? Could he tell how scared she was? Because those two calming words were exactly what she wanted to hear. No. Sheneededto hear them.

"Okay." With her free hand, she reached out towards a myriad of different levers and buttons beside the door. "You pull this one. Press this button three times. Pull this other lever. Then give the door a good kick."

Normally she'd unlock it more quickly, the process committed to muscle memory rather than thought, but he should know. If Ekko ever wanted to come here, even without her, he'd have to know.

When the mechanical churn of her inputs unlocked the door and revealed the inside, she was waiting for the moment the overbearing pink and blue lights would blind her. She waited and waited, but eventually the realization had come to pass that she'd been away for far longer than anticipated. The generators must be empty or clogged and the wax of her many candles burned to stumps and dim. The room awaiting them was cold, quiet and only visible through the soft, miniscule glow of her splattered neon paints. She could barely make out the small particles of dust that flowed outwards from their arrival, the rest of it still surely clumped inside.

"...Tadaa." She chuckled, mildly ashamed of the lackluster reveal. All that time and effort put into making a grand greeting seemed wasted. Guess she never really thought about how her absence would siphon the life from her many inventions. She used to have her own personal light show ready to greet her upon every visit.

"Is that-.?" She watched Ekko squint into the room, curious and already walking inside. "Is that one of the turbines?"

"Pretty cool, huh?" She smirked as she followed him, noticing how he paused to stare at the floor and realize he was standing upon one of the many metal fans lodged in the crevice. "Found this place on one of my many adventures outside the Lanes. I knew it was perfect the moment I saw it…I think."

The memory was still blurry and unfinished in her mind, but she was able to figure it out. She didn't need to explain that the only reason she'd ventured into this dangerous, poison filled wasteland, was to find solace alone. She was different back then, more ready to gamble her life away on an insignificant curiosity.

"Woah." Ekko breathed and she smiled warmly at him from behind. He sounded impressed, awe-struck even, and it settled the rampant worries within. "I'm sure it's safe, right?"

"As safe as you want it to be." She giggled.

He walked deeper, approaching the gated center of the humongous contraption while his eyes scanned the floor and walls, taking note of all the monsters and words etched around them. They were pieces of her mind pulled from out of her skull and placed on every available surface. Some were taunting, others inspiring, but all so clearly designed by her insane mind.

Ekko was quiet, probably taking it all in, but the silence bothered her. There was a need to explain away the disappointment, hoping that he would understand that this dim, abandoned world they'd found themselves in was not her identity. She just needed to fix it. Then he'd see.

"Power's out." She scratched the back of her scalp awkwardly. "It's a lot better, I swear. I want to show you what it really looks like but the generator is probably busted. Stupid thing. And the light bulbs need replacing. I think I have matches around here somewhere too, but…"

She paused her rambling, deflated. It'd take time. Time they didn't have if she was gonna do it all while he watched.

"Wanna fix it?" He suddenly asked. Her lips parted as she stared into his eager eyes. "I can help."

"..."

"..."

"Yes!"

She didn't waste a single second grabbing his wrist and pulling him towards her pile of scrap, junk, and machinery in the center of the room. They'd need to sort through it all, but the materials were here. With Ekko helping her, they could get this place up and running in no time!

It'd be like she never left.

They both crashed onto her couch near the edge of the metal turbine, sighing after a long and exhausting effort to repair the hideout. She felt a twinge of apprehension cross her mind as her back hit the cushions. This wasn't her couch. Not really. Mylo and Claggor normally sat here, but Ekko had just seen the opportunity to rest and she couldn't help but follow. A quick glance to the ghosts in question allowed her to see that they'd noticed. They weren't too happy about it either.

"Man, that took awhile." Ekko sighed as he adjusted his body on the furniture, trying to find a more comfortable way to relax. "Think we did it though."

"Mhmm." She nodded. Her legs were crossed beneath her in a seated position while her body stayed rigid. The plush pillow-y cushions were tempting, but it just felt wrong. If Ekko noticed, he didn't say anything.

"Wanna do the honors?" He asked as he reached for a switch they'd put together. The device was connected to all sorts of thick, winding cables that webbed across her hideout.

She took it into her hands, staring at the thick, plastic lever before lifting her head to stare at the dimly lit room. It wasn't nearly as magical now. Ekko's eyes had undoubtedly adjusted to the low light and he'd seen every inch of this place after working so hard to help her fix it. The surprise wasn't gone, just…muted. So disappointing.

Whatever.

Her fingers grasped the edge of the switch and without wasting anymore time she flipped it.

At first nothing happened. Her brow furrowed and she opened her mouth to vocalize her immediate theories about the source of the delay but the words caught in her throat the moment the sound of a rumbling generator bounced along the walls.

Then everything came to life.

Her world was ignited by brilliant displays of pink and blue. Sparklers zapped through the air and rained glittering light from above. Her many toys were suddenly dancing, playing all sorts of varying chimes as they moved robotically. Even her fireworks began rocketing into the air above the turbine, blasting apart and shimmering over their heads.

She couldn't help the wide, shining smile that spread on her cheeks, nor the laughter that bubbled in her throat before releasing into the air. She threw her arms upwards in a cheer to celebrate.

"It works! Ekko look! It's working!"

"It is." He agreed quietly. Some sort of wonder laced within his tone.

She continued to vibrate in her seat, flashing a quick glance towards every piece of her hideout. It was wonderful, magical. With so much understanding of invention and technology, sometimes she forgot how this was all possible. She felt like a child again, innocent and inspired by the starry world reflecting in her eyes.

"Do you like it!?" Her head swiveled towards Ekko. He was staring above while the many lights painted across his face. His response was slow though and it worried her for a moment until-.

"It's amazing." He wasn't watching her, too distracted by the show that played only for them. And then he was standing, pushed out of his seat and arms lifted ever so slightly as if to gesture towards the circus he was privy to observe. "This is awesome!"

"I know right!?"

She jumped out of her seat too. There was a sudden urge to show him more. Now that he could finally see, she wanted to show him everything. She latched onto him, quickly dragging him towards the center of her hideout and bouncing in her step to match the joyous rhythm of her soul.

"Here's where I do all my tinkering." She pointed towards the desk, still covered by dusty schematics and spare parts. "And over here is my sound box for music. It gets really loud!"

He didn't even have a chance to reply before she was pulling him towards another section of her hideout.

"This is my shooting range." His eyes focused on the lengthy metal floor that was littered with clay discs. Some broken and shattered, others still attached to their stands where she left them. "And the bathtub is over this way. I made it look like the beach with this big umbrella and I got this comfy chair that leans back all the way."

"Good to kn-." He was yet again interrupted by her tug on his arm.

"This is my box of toys I keep." She kicked the overstuffed wooden box, just hard enough to draw his attention and not send it hurdling off the unguarded edge. "I like them a lot. And some are awesome for making new ideas, like the monkey over there."

He tried to see where she was pointing but was once again re-directed towards another fan. There was just so much to show him. So many exciting things! This time, the section she brought him to was familiar.

"My bed is over here, next to the couch. Well, it's not really a bed. Mostly just blankets and pillows and stuff, but it's super cozy. And you already saw the couch. But- Oh, did I tell you how I test my bombs?"

She waited for a response, her body still bouncing on the balls of her feet. She saw him turn to her with a smile that melted her completely. He liked it, didn't he? He really liked her hideout! But then she watched his eyes drop, enamored by the collection of monkey designs she painted on the floor. His unoccupied hand reached for the railing nearby and he breathed a slow exhale.

"Ekko?"

"You were here." He murmured, his voice sounding like a mixture of sorrow and joy, bittersweet. Although, the sweet part seemed to be the more pronounced of the two competing emotions. "All these years…thiswas where you were."

She dropped his hand from her grip and took a small step backwards, not quite understanding the point that seemed to trouble him so greatly.

"Um...yeah."

His smile tore at her heart. Even sensing his joy, seeing the light upon his face, she noticed the pain beneath the surface. Was he mad? It wasn't impossible. She could sorta understand what he might be feeling. Did he feel left out? Frustrated that she'd waited this long to show him?

Before she could linger on those thoughts, her face was pushed into his chest. She froze at the quick embrace until his arms were securely around her. He was so warm and he smelled good, still the inviting scent of sweat and something more earthly like the pine of a forest. She recalled the last time she noticed it, so long ago when they'd leapt into the under-city after their reckless heist for the gemstones. It felt like a lifetime ago. They'd been through a lot together, haven't they? Her arms lifted, enveloping him in a tentative hug. What was he thinking about right now?

"I'm so glad." His breath made her shiver as it brushed along her neck. He seemed to dip his head there, cuddling up to her in a way that made her relax in his hold.

He was glad. Not angry.

"Why?" She mumbled into the fabric of his coat.

"I spent so much time worrying for you." He started, not once trying to part from their hug. She wanted to see his face, the truth in his eyes, because that would let her understand. But he remained pressed against her, hidden from sight, and yet…the truth she sought bled from every earnest word. "I wondered if you were safe. If you were hurt. I know the under-city is rough. I know the kinda evil that's out there."

"..."

"Forget Silco. Forget the Firelights. I just wanted to know that you were okay. That you had someplace where you wouldn't have to hide. Where you could be happy."

"I-." She couldn't speak. There was a bob in her throat and tears pulling at the corners of her eyes. She had no idea. How often had she been certain that she was alone? That nobody cared about her in the slightest? But Ekko cared. He'dalwayscared. And to think, she was pushing him away for so long, when all she really needed was to reach for him…just once. She nodded into his chest. "I'm happy here."

He squeezed her tighter. So tight, that she wondered if it was possible for her tiny frame to be consumed by him. That wouldn't be so bad.

"Thank you for bringing me here, Jinx. " He whispered. "For showing me that I didn't need to worry. It's a beautiful place. It's fucking beautiful."

She felt a whimper die in her throat as he started to pull away. His loving embrace was too addicting and it was too soon. Maybe, if she really thought about it, she could spend an eternity with his arms around her. But she was being silly. That was obviously impossible and her rampant emotions were fogging the clarity of her mind. It didn't stop her breath from hitching when she found herself staring into his handsome face.

Her skin was still buzzing with the memory of his warmth, her pulse pounding harder every second their eyes were locked on one another. He called this place beautiful. He couldn'tpossiblyknow what that meant to her. Her hideout, it wasn't just a room, it was her soul! She could feel a gooey warmth bubbling in her heart. It traveled through her veins and coated her brain in a way that made her question if she was drunk. Everything, every detail of her surroundings, bled away from her mind as she struggled to breathe. He saw her. He saw her insides and found comfort there.

Ekko. Ekko. Ekko. Ekko. Ekko.

His name was like a prayer, repeated over and over and each time the name burst behind her eyes and sent her into a spiraling, unstoppable rejoice. The love that felt like being submerged beneath a flowing river, drowned her, dipped low in her body before tightening in her belly. Fuck. She didn't even need to think about it.

She surged forward, pushing to the tips of her boots so she could securely and wholly cover his lips with her own. His hands were on her, at first holding her waist before sliding along the curve of her ass and tightening into her flesh. The approving moan was automatic as she pushed into his hands, addicted to the desire, yearning for him to hold her weight in his palms. Lift her. Want her. Love her.

Please.

He could taste her needy and unspoken plea on her tongue. Sheknewhe understood as he groaned into her already bruising lips, pulling her closer and guiding their bodies back towards her bed. She was caught between a shiver and giggle, thrilled by his burning touch yet equally aware that it wasn't enough. Never in her life had she been so sure, so wanting, of another person.

As she clutched at his cloak and hastily shrugged it off his shoulders, her touch was privy to the hardened muscles of his arms. Her nails raked across the expanse of dark skin, gliding along the curves and ridges, knowing that his strength would be able to tame the wild, almost feral nature of her lust. They were alone now. This was okay. More than okay.

"Mm-." He tried to whisper against his lips but was momentarily caught as her teeth bit into his bottom lip. "I'm new at this…"

"Doesn't matter." She insisted. The throbbing ache of her core was pushed against him, pleading for relief and only receiving the slightest reprieve when she felt his hardened member strained in his pants. It was her first time too, so skip the nervous hesitation and the uncertain apologies. Her mind had already turned to putty and her actions were fueled by an instinct too demanding to ignore. "Just make me feel good. I want to feel good."

"Jinx." Her name was whispered as if she were some divine goddess, breathy and in worship. She almost laughed aloud, knowing it had to be impossible. But maybe she believed it too. Her ears were warm and tingling as she continued to smother her lips around his.

She only got a taste of his tongue before his parted lips drifted downwards. Her cold, pale skin stung in pleasure when she felt him trail along the expanse of her neck. He was slow but wonderfully focused, savoring the salty flavor of her skin and wetting her pulse point. Half-lidded eyes stared blankly behind him, her vision always on the brink of collapsing. More. I need more. Her delighted moan was long and slow as she tilted her head and gave him more room to take from her, mark the pale skin of her throat. Whatever he wanted.

Knuckles were white from the strain of latching onto his clothed back. In her delirium, she considered ripping his shirt and letting it fall to the metal floor in pieces. He wouldn't mind, would he? Did it matter anyway? The beat of his heart pounded against her chest and she couldn't help but imagine how much better it would feel if it was raw against her, unobstructed by the fabric.

Before she could rip away the pesky shirt, the heel of her boots pressed against the sprawling blankets behind them. Instantly she shook them off her feet, one at a time to keep him close and savor his stumbled movements indicating he was stripping as well.

"Can you lay down?" Ekko's murmured command tickled her throat and it seemed like he was almost begging her, unable to pull his lips away from her through his own volition. She understood. Being so close and feeling his panting breath against her was tempting her to remain right where she was, letting his lips ravage her, suck bruises onto her, and only the need for more could convince her to part from him.

It was harder than she expected to push at Ekko's shoulders and let the air slip between their lust. He couldn't return to her fast enough. She already missed his warmth. But as her bottom settled on the softness of her blanket, her clouded pink eyes were already staring up at him, waiting.

Hm?

"I was gonna do that." She frowned at the sight of Ekko's chest, revealed by his swift shedding of his shirt.

The frustration was short-lived. Whatever disappointment she'd felt was silenced by his muscled frame. Lean and taught in the places she knew, but strong and pronounced in areas she'd yet to see. Her tongue swiped over her lips, curious to know what his skin would taste like. How it would feel to drag her lips over the ridges of his abs. He chuckled at her comment before bending at his knees and she watched him with baited breath as he crawled towards her. She imagined him a predator, cunning and powerful as he stalked closer, closing in on his prey. The muscles of his shoulders looked as if they were sculpted from marble, holding his weight proudly and it made her groan in desperation. The heat in her belly pulsed and forced a subtle clench of her thighs to smother the ache. Just the sight of him, of his desire, of his bulging cock that had yet to be freed from its confines, made her dizzy and all too eager for more. He was taking too long.

"Ekko." She panted, pale arms outstretched to welcome him back to her. "C'mere."

He obeyed her, slowly crawling up the expanse of her body. She watched his shadow cast beneath him slide along her smaller frame, reminded of how much bigger he was than herself. When he was fully above her, hands braced on either side of her head, she returned to the curious thought. In such a vulnerable state, he could hurt her. He could overwhelm her beneath him and do whatever his heart desired. Part of her wanted to challenge that idea. Another part was desperate to see it happen. The warmth between her trembling thighs sided with the latter.

And when he leaned his lips down to hers, she couldn't help but sigh into the gentle kiss of her lips. It was nice. It felt pleasant. But it was soft, too soft. Her heart may be timid and uncertain in the ways of love, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she yearned for his dominance. Her stomach was flipping and turning as she imagined him forcing every jagged, fractured piece of her soul back in place. Yes. Please.

"Rough." She croaked against his moving lips. It was hard to even speak with her body reacting so intensely towards every touch.

Rich chocolate eyes opened to her, revealing his curiosity.

"Hm?"

"I want you to be rough with me." The words were spoken with a blissful sigh because that's what she wanted with everything in her being. Would he please grant her this desire?

She saw the nervousness in his eyes, an apprehension to her needs. For a moment he looked like he was going to refuse her. He was deep in thought, eyes now closed and no doubt conflicted with himself. Maybe he wasn't able to fulfill her plea. Or maybe he just didn't want to when it was their first, clumsy try, but then something flickered across his face. A flash of an emotion she couldn't identify fast enough. She saw the furrow of his brow twitch before his eyelids opened. Ekko looked more confident and his lips stretched into a trademark smirk.

"...Sure. Whatever you want."

Pink eyes brightened at the words. She felt a toothy smile gleam upwards at her lover while eagerly nodding her head and Ekko slowly lowered once more, this time placing his lips upon the shell of her ear.

"I think I can do that." His voice husked. She felt his knee part her clenched thighs and press firmly against her clothed sex. His efforts already felt more certain. Fuck. Just like this. She wanted him to love her just like this. Strong and demanding. Willing to take from her, mold her into whatever he wanted. It'd be so good. "But…will you let me fuck you howIwant after?"

"Yes." She nearly shouted her reply. Her nails were already on his back, digging into his shoulder blades and scratching against his heated skin. "Yes. God yes. It's a deal.Fuckme."

He could request anything. The way he asked, she thought that maybe he'd venture into territory too strange for even her own frenzied mind to consider, but in the briefest moment of reflection, she realized it was the opposite. He would fuck her, make her scream for the beauty of pain and pleasure so inseparably mixed. But what was waiting for her beyond that was his tender, unfaltering love. The love he'd carried in his heart for so many years. How could she refuse? She accepted it without a moment of hesitation. Because Ekko was the man that he was and she wantedhimand everything he had to offer. She wantedhim.

Time felt painfully slow as his lips crashed into hers. His tongue invaded her mouth, exploring her, tempting her with the promise of pleasure while his heated breath seeped into her waiting lungs. She felt him swipe across her teeth and roll along the soft insides of her mouth like she was hiding something from him. He should know by now that she'd never hide from him. Not like this.

Even so, his hand reached for her and cupped her cheek. Thunder drummed in her chest and combined with a sharp hiss of delight as she bucked into his thigh. That throaty sound of hers was ripped from the seam of their kiss as his thumb pulled against her chin. Her jaw parted by the nudging command and opened wider. Despite her clenched eyes, she could sense his desperate craving to drink from her. He tasted the flavors simmering on her tongue, no longer content with the soft, loving kisses that came before. If not for her lust-ridden mind, she might've actually been startled when her tongue was trapped between his lips and sucked as if he could steal her essence and savor it like fine wine.

Mmmm yesss. Keep going. Take from her. Don't ever stop.

Her hold on his back dropped, entranced by the impulse to feel his body hovering above hers. Loopy thoughts made her question her body, uncertain whether or not she was massaging at his muscled chest or pulling him closer when her nails tore into his skin. All she knew was Ekko was close to her and the dance of her fingertips across his warm frame was making her whimper in need. Each press of her digits against him further cemented the assurance that he would love her, exactly how she wanted. He wouldruinher and it'd be perfect.

Heavy eyelids lifted ever so slightly to see what she was doing, watching her touch unravel him and squeeze every morsel of pleasure from his yearning body. When her grip found purchase of his solid cock and tugged through the cloth, she felt her loins tighten, almost as if the burn below her tummy could imagine the delicious dream of being filled so completely.

"Fuck Jinx." Her fingers could feel the rumble of his body as he groaned. It was beautiful.

Pink eyes lifted to his face, watching him twist and struggle to overcome the intensity of her hold.

"Does it feel good?" She asked with a voice so shrouded in arousal that it almost sounded like it wasn't her own.

The question was asked as she rubbed his member over her fingers again. She was curious, unable to completely dispel the nervousness behind her actions. What he was doing to her didn't matter, not if he didn't feel it too. And she wanted to know that someone as fallen and selfish as herself could still offer him sweet relief.

"So good." He nodded and her heart soared, "God, I want you so bad."

"Come get me." She smirked teasingly, knowing that every chance she could, she'd have to keep pushing him, keep inviting him closer until her quaking pulse was smothered in ecstasy.

His hand left her jaw instantly. He dove straight towards the edge of her top and she watched him with glee as the fabric crumpled under his strength before being lifted from her skin.Finally. It was starting to feel strange being the only one still completely shielded by her clothes. Skinny arms raised above her head as she shimmied her upper body out from under the suffocating confines of her outfit. A twinge of unease flickered upon her face. She didn't want to linger on herself. She didn't need to see her smaller than normal breasts now freed and jiggling into place. If she looked, she couldn't guarantee that her wonderfully buzzing mind wouldn't be interrupted by the multitude of concerns or embarrassing comparisons that would inevitably sting. They were small, and she knew that men often preferred larger, more supple tits that spilled from their palms. And Ekko was frighteningly quiet. Could they just keep going? There was more she could offer-.

"Woah."

Wide eyes flashed towards his stricken face. Ekko looked mesmerized, wandering over the small but perky curve of her bosom. His enraptured expression warmed her, yet she couldn't help but roll her eyes. Her love-sick puppy was obviously too consumed by her naked reveal to see reality for what it was.

"They're fuckin' tiny." She grumbled while shifting her shoulder blades on the blanket beneath her.

Temptations to move, to distract him, leaked into her thoughts. They did nothing for her. Her exposed body was frozen and blushing under his concentrated gaze. Maybe she could reach for his groin again, take his firm cock into her barren hand.

"They'reyou." He beamed, "I can't tell you how many times I've thought of you, but this is better than anything I could've imagined."

Her cheeks were bright red, inflamed by the certainty in his voice and tickled by the notion that Ekko had dreams of her like this. Naked. Revealed. To think she'd be better than a crafted figment of his imagination was hard to believe, but he was so open, so honest, that spoken denial perished in her throat.

She didn't need to speak though.A second passed before his free and eager hand reached for her bosom. Timid fingers settled on her collarbone and glided along ivory skin. She bit her lip to stifle the sudden jolt of pleasure that zapped through her veins when his searching touch collided against her rosy nipple. Her eyes wanted to close and bask in the sensation, but she couldn't pull away from the view. Ekko covered her breast and then some, forcing the plumpness of her breast to squish under his hold and feeling her hardened nipple strain against the center of his palm.

He was curious, his exploring ministrations making her squirm. It took time to realize the pace and promise of a rougher experience was forgotten as the Firelight above her committed the feeling of her sensitive boob to memory.

"You gonna keep treating me like I'm made of glass or-?"

A squeal of surprise broke her taunting question as her pebbled nipple was suddenly trapped between his finger and thumb. He pinched against the bud and pulled on her perky tit hard enough to sting.

"Give me some time." He smirked, now twisting and turning, playing with her tender bud as fuchsia eyes fluttered uncontrollably. Ekko's forceful words assured her that he wasn't asking and hearing him birthed a stuttered sigh from her lips. Ooh yeah. Stings so good. Take all the time you need. "Seems like you're pretty sensitive here."

"Am I?" She lulled her head to the side, speaking absently under the sharpness of his touch.

Itfeltlike she was sensitive. Had she known, she was certain her nipples would have received far more attention when she touched herself some nights. File that for later! She giggled until her breath was caught in her throat.

Ekko dove into her chest, still pinching her tit in between his fingers, but now sealing his lips upon the other. Her back arched into him, reminded of his thigh still pressed against her dripping pussy. Needy plans to drop her pants were replaced by the scorching breath on her breast and his wetted tongue swirling around her nipple. It felt so good, so right, to feel her tits being tortured and loved at the same time. Ekko's saliva slicking over her was like boiling water on her skin and she couldn't get enough. He was lapping against her like he was in need, kissing and sucking on her, almost like a baby. She wanted to chuckle at the absurd idea, but every distracted thought expelled from her mind once his teeth snapped into her fragile nub.

"Oooohhhh Ekko."

She had no clue when her hands had wrapped around his head, pulling him closer. Everything was blurry and unfocused. Bright lights of her hideout were muddled together like a whirlpool of floating colors and something akin to a sob was torn from her panting mouth. She wanted him closer, so close that it might be possible for his tongue to split her skin and tenderly lick at her heart. It was hammering in her chest, wanting, begging for Ekko to love her.

When he pulled away, her chest marked and red from his actions, she whined a slow, deprived moan at the loss. Absence was torture. She needed him. Like now! And as her vision returned, she stared into the inky blackness of his pupils that stared upon heaving breasts, her pale skin slippery and shining from his kiss. Ekko lowered again, this time kissing below the curve of her boobs and guiding pursed lips along the expanse of her lean belly. Every few inches, he would pucker and press into her pliant frame or scrape his teeth against her, but he never lingered. For that, she would praise him in silent approval. She wanted the pain and the pleasure, but waiting…that was too much.

His tongue was incredible. Hot and slick, as it left a shimmering trail of his deeds along her body. She could look at herself in a mirror, stare at her bruised lips, the indents of his teeth on her neck, the suctioned mark on her breast and the sticky trail of his spit all the way down to her abdomen and know that he'd spent time loving every inch of her. Lusty pink eyes locked onto his pants yet again, just a quick glance as she rolled her head back and forth, but it was enough to force a pause in her wanton bliss.

"Wait." The word was so hard to breathe. Especially once Ekko's tongue lifted from her belly button and her desperate core mourned the loss of him. It was almost like she was teasing herself, making tentative promises to her needs and breaking them before she could satisfy herself. But she didn't want to be selfish. They could take turns and share. Just seeing Ekko hard and trembling beneath his waist was filling her with a different need. Her fingers were empty, her mouth was dry, and she knew exactly how to satisfy those aches. "Take off your pants first."

"You sure? I can keep goin-."

"Drop 'em before I rip them off with my teeth." She practically growled. "Your turn, Bucko."

Had she been more in control of her body, she might've actually jumped him anyway, but having Ekko remove his pants would give her enough time to regain control of her sluggish muscles and sit upright. Once she'd scrambled towards a better position on her knees, she finally had the opportunity to stare at him as he undressed. Ekko was confident and sure of himself, yet she still saw a timid hesitation in his movements. It was the way his fingers paused underneath his waistband, how his legs shifted his weight from side to side. With every slow inch of his muscled skin sliding into view, she hardly paid mind to the litter of scars sporadically placed along his body. She nearly rolled her eyes. There was nothing unsightly about him in the slightest. If seeing more scars was the source of his hesitation, then forget it. She probably had just as many and scars were sexy. She licked her lips once his entire body was unclothed save for a pair of dark underwear that failed to hide protruding arousal. Yep. Sexy. He was so fucking hot.

She felt a cheshire grin spread across her face as she crawled slowly towards him. Her lithe form swayed at the hips while long blue braids dragged across the blanketed floor. Imagining herself like a feline, a cheetah or something. Roguish, predatory, and so very tempted to play with her food.

"Meow."

"Don't do that."

"Wha-? Why not?" Half-lidded eyes blinked slowly, knowing that keeping a facade of innocence was impossible when she was so turned on, but she tried anyway. "Little Man doesn't like kitty cats?"

"You're messing with me again."

"Maybe." She giggled as her knees settled in front of him. Of course, her eyes were drawn to the bulging mass beneath his underwear, but she was able to break her trance fast enough to tilt her chin upwards, taking a second to appreciate his lean chest before settling on his widened brown eyes. "But it's fun, right?"

She liked this game, liked teasing him and poking little holes into his normally reserved personality. Sometimes Ekko was too serious for his own good, a downright frustrating side effect of his leadership. So taunting him, eroding his unconscious defenses was exciting. Especially when she got glimpses of the energetic, bright and happy boy beneath the surface. That was the best reward.

"Jinx-."

Her request was that he should be rough with her, claim her undeniably, but if Ekko had any assumptions that she would not reciprocate, or that she would pretend to be some innocent, doe-eyed little princess while they fucked, he would be sorely mistaken. Maybe sometime in the future she'd be capable of playing that role for him…if that's what he wanted. But she wasn't quite like him. She was greedy and certainly not embarrassed by her deviant imagination.

"How can you not love cats?" She questioned quietly.

Her palm raised to his groin. The warmth of him, even covered by his underwear, made her thighs clench tightly together as she moaned. Ekko froze at her touch and he remained still as she rubbed along the fabric, up and down, up and down.

"They're soft and cute." Her grin only spread further when she saw him struggling to find the right time to breathe. "And they nuzzle up to you…just like this."

She leaned towards his twitching cock and pressed her cheek deeply into the crux of his thigh, letting his bulge rest over her face. Just the scent of him made her light-headed and imagining what would come later. He smelled clean, yet there was also a strong musk that fogged her mind and reminded her of the throbbing ache between her legs.

"F-fuck." He stuttered as he looked down on her. She met his eyes with her own but didn't shift her head away from the nook she'd settled into.

"My tongue isn't rough like theirs" She purred lightly, "But I'm willing to bet it's pretty good."

Her attention dropped towards her prize before she pushed her face into him, cuddling his package for a moment longer until her tongue eased from between her lips. She licked along the fabric of his underwear and moaned loudly. The taste of cotton was accompanied by the muffled curve of his balls and the length of his shaft. Just a small taste. A seductive tease to push him 's approving groan made her chest swell in pride, especially when his entire body seemed to buckle for a moment before catching his balance. Do you like that Ekko? Do you love this little kitty now? I'll make you cum so hard. Promise.

If she could get him to shatter in orgasm, maybe that meantshewas enough and with a bit of effort, he would be nothing but a puddle in her cupped palms.

"Can I?" She asked him as her nails raised to dip underneath the waistband of his briefs.

She'd never seen a faster nod in her life. Heh!

Butterflies frantically ricocheted in her stomach, bouncing all over her insides as she dragged the last article of clothing from Ekko's waist. There was a mounting pressure building upon her shoulders. She'd seen naked men and women all the time like the occasional drunk on the streets wandering without realizing they were exposed or occasionally in Babette's very infamous brothel with all the scantily clad men and women. She knew what's waiting for her behind the veil, but this was different, special, and she didn't dare to mess it up.

Unsheathed, she nearly gasped as Ekko's cock flung outward in front of her face. His length reached beyond the other side of her cheek and she shivered at the implication. She had half a mind to abandon her foreplay and skewer herself upon his throbbing shaft immediately! It wouldn't be unlike her to suddenly change her mind when something more interesting catches her eye. Holy fuck. She wanted him inside, filling her now!

No.

No, she should finish what she started. With plenty of time and a still unsated curiosity, it'd be better to wait just a little longer. Delayed gratification and all that yadda, yadda, boring stuff. Really, the only thing convincing her otherwise was the marvel and wonder of his dick. What did it feel like? What did it taste like? How deep could she take him in her throat? Wooof. Yep. Her mouth was starting to water and she swallowed thickly.

"You're staring...are you nerv-?" Ekko's breath seized as her fingers wrapped around his shaft. Pink eyes were bright with confidence, knowing that his attempt at a taunting question was silenced just like herself earlier.

Her hand looked even smaller as it contrasted with his dark skin and massaged along his length. She was hypnotized by the pulse beneath her palm and the subtle protrusions of his veins across smooth, flexible skin. A few moments passed as she stroked him, watching how his sex yearned for her. She also noticed the shortened wisps of dark hair nestled above his cock. Her lungs exhaled in timid relief. It meant that he probably wouldn't be so off put by her own. Not like she had a jungle down there either! Just-. That unspoken topic always seemed…distressing in her holding Ekko's weight in her hand, she realized something else. Penises were neat! Judging by Ekko's moans of pleasure and quick, involuntary spasms, it was so responsive. She also knew that the balls hanging low beneath her hand were perhaps the most vulnerable location on a man. Having Ekko captured in her hand like this, she couldn't help but wonder if she had him completely?

Heart, check.

Mind, check.

Body…she watched him buck into her palm when she squeezed ever so slightly and smirked…check!

Yep. He was hers now. Plain and simple. That answered her question!

A shimmering droplet near the slit of his dick caught her eye and she curiously tilted her head. When her hand rubbed upwards, she made sure to reach her thumb across the head of his cock and smear the cloudy liquid on her digit. Huh…Warm…

Suddenly, her throat felt very empty, lonely even, and wasn't that a shame? She removed her hand and scooted her knees to sit directly in front of him. Ekko noticed, awkwardly scratching at his cheek once he saw that she was staring at his member with a newly determined objective. Lips parted and she leaned forward slowly, but stopped when she heard his voice.

"You don't have to." He chuckled hesitantly, somehow sounding like he was embarrassed for her. "I've heard that not everyone…you know…wantsto do that kinda thing."

Why was he dancing around the words? Like he hadn't been slobbering over her tits just a few moments ago? Shame had long since been kicked to the curb the moment they came here. The moment he accepted her and called her beautiful.

"Suck you off?" She replied bluntly. "Do younotwant me to blow you?"

If he didn't want her to, that was an entirely different matter. She wouldn't make him uncomfortable in that way. That wasn't her intention.

"I do." He quickly responded, hands held up in defense, "Trust me. I really want you to. I just didn't know if you thought youhadto give me a blowjob or not."

"Oh. Well…I have to." He opened his mouth to contest her but stopped at the sight of her playful, glinting eyes. "If I don't get your cock shoved in my throat soon, I'm gonna go crazy!"

He laughed loudly. The sound of his voice bouncing off the walls of her hideout and she couldn't help but join in. Successful in her misdirection, the intimate bubble was broken. No. Maybe not "broken". That word carried a finality that didn't apply. Even as her shoulders shook along with his, she sensed the burn of her loins, still tight and writhing in her belly. Frozen was a better word. Their lust was frozen in time and waiting to be picked up at a moment's notice.

"Crazy huh?" Ekko snickered, "How's that any different? You always tell me you're crazy."

"Crazy plus crazy equals super-crazy!"

"Yeah, you've told me you're super-crazy before too. So I'm still lost."

Hmph. Guess she did. Shewouldbe the one to say that, wouldn't she? Well, at least she's always been upfront with him in that way. It also meant that he loved her, knowing the trait she used so expertly to push others away was discarded from his mind. He didn't care. He still loved her. And while that thought made her heart hum with a brilliant comfort, she didn't like that he was still laughing. As if he'd won the battle of wit or something. Okay then…Take this idiot!

Her hands rushed to grip the muscles of his thighs and she suddenly took his cock into her mouth. Ekko's cheering laughter was silenced and replaced by an almost pained groan as he bent over her. His thick, burning rod bashed into the roof of her mouth and dripped his salty flavor onto her eager tongue. She left him there for a moment, unmoving as she processed the taste. Not bad. Not exactlygreat, but it was hardly worth mulling over when the desire to have him deep in her mouth was fulfilled.

She began sucking on his length, lapping at the undersides of his cock with her restricted tongue and moaning at his warmth. Every time she pulled away, her hands and neck worked her head to the best of her ability, trying to stab him back in. Further. Deeper. All the way down her throat and as far as she could take.

"Shit." Ekko cursed, "So good, Jinx. You're so good."

His words stirred something within, her heart rocketing towards the sky. She couldn't help but whimper from the praise and feel her panties drown further from a rushing spike of pleasure in her tummy. She wanted to reply, desperate to hear him again, but her mouth was occupied. Her mouth was consumed by the wet noises of his cock thrust into her drool. Do you like this, Ekko? Am I a good girl? I can beyourgood girl. Only for you. Say it again. Tell me I'm a good girl. And she'd have to let her thoughts be communicated through the choked hum that squeaked from her throat.

"How are-? How are you so good at this?"

She kept at it, putting all her strength into taking him inside the depths of her mouth, stuffing her mouth with his hardness. Her neck was already tiring and she'd yet to swallow his entire length. It was almost sad, like with each gulp of his cock, she was slowing, taking more breaks to breathe through her nose, but she was also stubborn, refusing to release him for a chance to breathe. She might not have any experience, but she sure as hell made up for it with her enthusiasm! This wasn't hard! Just tiring!

Then, just as she was sucking him in once more, he bucked his hips.

Pink eyes went startlingly wide when she felt the crown of his penis shoot over her tongue and punch at the back of her throat. Involuntary tears prodded the corners of her eyes while she struggled to fight against a reflexive gag. Her entire body convulsed, spasming until his member was hastily pulled from her lips and she hunched over herself, coughing at letting her saliva splatter onto the blanket.

"I'm so sorry!" Ekko immediately crouched to her, his hand on her back as she slowly recovered, "I didn't mean to-I swear. I just got lost in it for a moment and-."

"Holy shit." She cut him off, absently staring at the darkened splotches of her drool below.

"Are you okay? Jinx? I swear it was just a reaction-."

"Wow." The back of her palm swiped across her lips to catch any leaking spit before she sat upright and turned to him. His eyes were clouded with worry but what did she care? Bright pink eyes glowed in overwhelming delight and she wore a wide smile to match. "Can you do that again?"

Ekko was stunned, perplexed, and she just giggled to herself, rubbing her throat with her fingers and dreaming of the memory already.

"Do it again." This time it wasn't a question and even though he was apprehensive, she tried her best to show him the want in her eyes, the thrill that erupted from the struggle to breathe. It was sweet of him to feel concerned for her, but her life wasn't in danger. She was just trying to feel him deep inside, crushing her windpipe and loving every second of his cock in her throat. It'd prove that he could push her to the very brink,ruinher, and still offer her his heart when it's over. Couldn't he see that was love to her? It made total sense. Sure, a bit twisted and confused maybe, but it was who she was! Even if the Firelights, Vi, Caitlyn, and Ekko wanted her to be a better person, there were parts of her soul she didn't want to change. "I loved it." She added in an effort to the battle against the hesitation in his mind. "You have no idea how hot that was."

"Okay..."

"Didn't it feel good? Like really, really good?" If forcing himself into her didn't feel great, she supposed she could let the idea drop to the floor and fizzle out like a match. But he said he got lost in the pleasure and forgot himself. That had to mean it felt awesome, right? "I mean, shoving that big dick of yours down my throat? Good?"

"Yeah..." He nodded carefully before closing his eyes and nodding with more certainty. "Yeah, it was pretty wild."

"Then let's try again." She bounced her knees to return in front of him and couldn't help but vibrate with excitement. "You can hurt me. It's totally fine. I want it. Oh! New idea! Take these too."

A genius idea formed in her head as she spoke and she quickly offered her braids to the boy. It was perfect. Tether her. Make sure she can't get away until he's satisfied. Then she'd be satisfied too.

Ekko tentatively took her hair into his grasp before glancing at her warily.

"Jinx-."

"Nope!" She huffed, "I'm not backin' down. At least try."

"If you need to stop…punch me or something." He saw the roll of her eyes. "I'm serious, Jinx. I know you think it's fun, but I don't want to hurt you too much."

"Gotcha!"

Maybe she sounded too dismissive by her response. He seemed frustrated for a moment at how little she worried, like she wouldn't actually stop him if she needed to breathe. Guess he wasn't wrong to worry. She hadn't quite made up her mind for what she'd do if it came to that point. The writhing heat in her loins wasn't exactly keen to see her safe. It wanted her tamed, used, and cumming out of her mind. Oh damn. Maybe she was a tad beyond 'super-crazy'. Heh. Whatever.

She felt the pull of her head towards Ekko's waist as he began wrapping her braids around his knuckles. It was impossible to look away, like her whole life was being given to him and felt her heart shudder. She even had time to reach for her pussy, diving her fingers beneath her pants and pressing flush against her stained panties. She maneuvered her fingers over her clothed clit, edging herself closer to orgasmic celebration with light, gyrating touches. Mmmm yes. It was just right. Not enough to cum, but definitely setting the mood and teasing herself with the promise that it wouldn't be much longer before Ekko would be stretching her, filling her, completing her. Fuck. She didn't have any more words to-.

The press of his penis against her lips brought her back to the real world.

"Oh! Hehehe." She chirped before giggling, startled by the sight of him, ready and waiting. Without thought, she removed her fingers from her quivering pussy, wholly devoted to the greatest blowjob Ekko will ever have in his life! At least until she thinks of a better idea later. "Didn't see ya there little guy."

She pressed a bubbly kiss to the tip, watching his shaft lean upwards from the act. His penis was kinda cute when she treated him like this. It was fun! She continued pressing herself around him and planting small fluttering kisses, distracted by the amusement of covering him with her pecking lips. Consider it her little tokens of appreciation. One kiss here. Another over there. Ooh! Can't forget this spot right-.

The roots of her hair were tugged and guided away with a sharp sting to her scalp.

She groaned messily, forced to re-center herself and stare directly towards Ekko's demanding cock. Oof. Yup. She was liking this already. Saving the fun, giggly kisses for later when Ekko made love to her was a better idea anyway. She wanted that too. To fill her heart with light, sparkling love and laugh alongside him. She yearned for the time they could spend between the sheets, partly trying to quell their needs, but not overly focused on the ache. It was like a fairy tale dream in her mind, one she would happily make reality. But only once she'd been thoroughly and completely fucked.

"Sure about this? You want me to?"

"You know it!" She cheered. Did he really need to keep asking?

Her mouth opened wide and she let her slick tongue roll out as if laying down a red carpet for an important guest. Hot, panting breaths flowed across Ekko's cock with the invitation and she watched the boy shiver as a renewed vigor straightened his shaft. There was enough slack in her restrained hair to begin on her own so she guided him into her. It was no different than before, the mass of his member stuffed between her lips, warming her from the inside and tearing a hearty moan from her throat. Ekko must've liked it when she moaned like that. She could hear his struggled gasp as the vibrations tickled his cock.

When she felt Ekko's yanking of her braids, she obeyed the nudging guidance, following the unspoken rhythm he wanted. Just short of taking him completely, always blocked by her own body, she wondered if the idea wasn't as fulfilling as initially conceived. But she didn't need to worry long.

"Ooohhmmff!"

"Oh my God." Ekko sighed in pleasure, her pink eyes staring up at his clenched reaction until she felt him jerk her braids towards his waist while thrusting into her.

Eyes widened further as his cock forced itself deep into her. The strangled grunt that escaped her sealed lips born from the deliberate shove of his dick and the stars she saw glittering in the air. She was right. Hecouldfit all the way. The tickle of her nose pressed flush against his coarse hair was celebrated in her mind. Almost immediately her body spasmed helplessly in reaction, trying its best to expel the sudden intrusion. Relief was only ever offered when he pulled away.

She didn't have a chance to miss him. His hips slammed into her again, more slobber-coated noises bleeding from her lips as she lowered her eyes towards his pelvis and watched him fuck her mouth. He was slow, forceful, and she couldn't help but wonder-. Oh god. Oh yes! Ekko was like her generator. He needed time to start, but after a few initial jabs against her throat, he was pumping his hips harder, faster, increasing speed and she relaxed the muscles in her neck, letting him control everything.

Empty. Then stuffed. Empty. Then gagging. Empty. Then choking. Empty. Then fucked! Fucked! Fucked!

Her head was so marvelously silent, as if Ekko's cock was piercing directly into her brain and emptying her thoughts as he conquered her was so deep, so overwhelming, sending her to new heights of lust. Each thrust reverberated in her heart, made her pussy clench, and her tongue was helplessly trying to find purchase along his ever shifting hardness. How much time had passed since he started? How long could he do this? Would he break her? Would he empty himself directly into her stomach? Fuck. Questions were so hard to answer now. She didn't even know where she was or where to look. Staring at his abs as they were grinding against her forehead was nice, but she kinda wanted to stare at his eyes instead, watching him fall apart.

"Shit! Is-is this okay?"

She couldn't nod her head or speak, too occupied with the panicked reactions of her body, desperate and pleading for air. Her lungs were burning and every involuntary sense of self preservation was screaming for relief. She ignored it all, because holy shit, look at Ekko and how much he loved it! How muchsheloved it! The best she could manage was a strangle hum of approval as his dick pistoned through her lips. The pain was lovely. It latched onto every shock of pleasure buzzing through her body. And when she tried to look up at him, tried to show him the addiction in her eyes, she went too far and her eyes rolled to the back of her head. She was dizzy, the world was flipping uncontrollably and she loved every second of the experience. The only struggle was to ensure that she remained conscious and able to feel his cock pushed deeply inside of her. Shit. Fuck. Was she on the brink of collapse? The edges of her vision were dark. Just a little longer. She counted every time his penis roughly kissed the back of her windpipe, begging for the chance to count again on the next demanding thrust.

She gagged and convulsed against him, only then realizing that her hand had shakily lifted against her will. It was reaching for Ekko, reaching for his thigh in panic. She clenched it tightly and anchored the traitorous limb to the floor. No. Shewasn'tgoing to push Ekko away. No chance. Keep going. More. More! Even the involuntary screams that bellowed from her lungs were dying before they could escape her lips, shoved back inside along with Ekko's forceful manhood.

And before her resolve could be tested again, he yanked himself away and dropped the braids in his hands.

"Shit, shit, shit, shit." Ekko cursed roughly under his breath. His forehead was slick with sweat as he hunched over. "We gotta stop. Gotta stop."

It was hard to even hear him. The second his cock was ripped from her throat she gasped for air and fell over. Her forearms barely had a chance to catch her collapse before she rested her head on the floor. Just deep breaths in and and out, coupled with the incessant cough that racked her frame. Empty, blank eyes stared towards the ground, watching her saliva ooze from her gasping mouth and pool beneath her.

"Why…?" She panted once her mind regained a bit of clarity, no longer skirting the edge of fainting. "Why'd…why'd you stop?…I can keep going."

She didn't know if that was true, but she'd be damned if she didn't find her limits until she recklessly barreled past them.

"No you can't." Ekko replied seriously and she raised her head to argue but he was sitting beside her now. When did he lower himself next to her? She didn't see him move. Shit. How out of it was she? "I can't either."

"Huh? Don't you like it?"

"I was close. Really close." He explained to her softly, his large palm now rubbing along her back. Mmmm. His hand was warm and caring as he brushed along the ridges of her spine. She closed her eyes to relish the sensation. It was nice. Ekko was probably struggling with his own restraint to keep from cumming, yet she could feel his attention was on her first. Making sure she was okay. "But you looked like you were a few seconds from blacking out."

"Heh." She laughed roughly and agreed. "Felt like it. You coulda came though."

If Ekko was startled by how it ended, he kept his thoughts hidden from her. She supposed that was for the best, yet a tiny piece of her questioning heart wanted to know, did he think of her differently? Had she pushed him too far?

"Or…" He grinned and she felt the hand on her back reach around her side, cupping her breast and ensuring at least one finger pressed against her nipple. Thank god. He wasn't disturbed by her fantasies. "We could settle for something else."

Yeah. Not disturbed…just wanted something different. That was okay. She could handle that.

Pink eyes drifted towards her chest, tingling as he played with her before turning to her side and staring into his eyes. His beautiful brown eyes, swirling with desire. He was sitting next to her, locked onto the center of her purple pants as his other hand tugged against the fabric on her leg.

"Settle?" She teasingly quirked her eyebrow upwards, "Was fucking my throat too good?"

"Itwasincredible." He husked, filling her heart with pride and painting the bridge of her nose in red. Her heaving chest went still when she saw his fingers glide across her thigh. Touch me. You can. You don't need permission. The wait was starting to make her delirious but he finally cupped her clothed vagina and she grinded against the pressure. "And 'settle' was the wrong word. I was just thinking that I could make you feel good for a change."

She sighed and let her head roll backwards and Ekko was swift to place his lips upon the smooth expanse of her neck. His tongue burned against her pulse deliciously.

"Don't gotta convince me." She chuckled as she nodded towards her belt and pants. "Take 'em off?"

Her body was still recovering from her dance with unconsciousness and she wasn't sure she had the immediate ability to do it herself. Besides, she wanted his inviting touch on her skin as much as possible.

"I think we should take it a bit slower though." He murmured against her neck, "That was a little too hardcore."

"Scared? I can take it."

She felt his responding smile and soft kiss.

"I'm sure you could. And I'm not saying I'll be gentle, just taking one or two steps back."

She frowned, uncertain. Was he doubting her? Did he not see how prepared she was to venture into danger for the sake of his orgasmic pleasure? Hers too. Don't forget Ekko, I want it too.

"You know I'm into it, right?"

"I know and Iwantto be into it too..." He replied as he tightened his hold on her pussy. She hissed through clenched teeth at the incredible stimulation. "But what happened back there, I couldn't help but worry the whole time and-...Shouldn't we enjoy this together?"

Ekko captured her heart once again. Of course. Of course that's what he was thinking. It made sense. She couldn't imagine getting off while Ekko was flailing against her. For pain or pleasure, it didn't matter, she'd always be questioning his safety. Suddenly, the need to prove something to the man that loved her wasn't quite so demanding. She got ahead of herself. Too consumed by lust to remember that this was a moment they shared together. It wasn't just about the climax, but their shared love. This was the beginning of something greater between them. How could that not take precedent?

"You're right." She breathed. Damnit. She really screwed it up big time.

"What was that? Say it again. I think I missed it the first time."

She playfully glared at his taunt and took a moment to stick out her tongue to mock him while slapping at his bicep. Damn Ekko. Thinks he's so smart and all knowing. Well if he was, he'd know that she wanted her pants off right now! Likerightnow! He'd been naked far too long without her and the bundled heat of her loins wasstillbeing ignored! Cruel!

Warm fingers began unbuckling her belt, she helped as much as she could, her thumbs hooking into her waistband and lowering her clothes down her hips. The thought of teasing him, taking it slow, was pushed aside by a feverish need to feel him on her lower lips. Her underwear and pants were taken as one, revealing the pale, milky skin of her abdomen. She bit her lip, nervously chewing on the plumpness as she let him take control. All she could do was squirm her legs to help, but they both went still as her tuft of blue hair spilled over the sliding fabric. Shit. Did Ekko notice how a portion of the tiny nest was damp, matted from her arousal? She tried not to think about it, instead kicking her pants the rest of the way and flinging them away. Being so naked and exposed to him made her tremble. The air was cooler than normal, contrasting against her heated skin. There was nowhere left to hide now. She just hoped he liked what he saw.

"Jinx." Ekko sighed her name in her ear as his hand splayed over her empty womb. His fingers were sliding down her body, crossing the threshold into sensitive skin that had yet to feel his touch. "I-...wow."

She stuttered a nervous giggle.

"Cat got your tongue?"

He didn't reply, too focused on the tactile sensation of his digits weaving through the little blue hairs, taking his time to explore. Clearing her throat helped deal with the frantic, screaming voices in her head. But she couldn't stifle the little mewl from her lips when he pulled on her pubes curiously yet hard enough to sting her delicate flesh beneath. Guess she was sensitive there too. Funny how Ekko was discovering things about her body that she had yet to learn either.

"You're so wet." He breathed as his digits lifted from her hair to rub at the dew he'd collected on the pads of his fingers.

"Mmhmm." She hummed timidly before awkwardly squirming and trying to think of a way to lighten the judging pressure she felt in her chest. Ekko didn't think it was strange, did he? It was his fault she was like this. He made her like this. She chuckled, "It's been raining down there since I kissed you."

"That long, huh?" He mumbled as he dropped his hand to pet over her wispy strands.

"You've kept a girl waiting, dummy."

He was so close. Nearly there. Just had to drop over the edge and settle between her parted thighs. Please. Please just fucking touch me. I can't take it anymore. Time was so slow. She couldn't even feel the flick of her nipple in his other hand, too distracted by the brewing tension and the fantasy of relief.

Then…

Ekko dipped into her folds and she nearly cried, his name bursting from her lips in worship followed by a string of incoherent curses. Her thoughts were shattered, exploding away from her mind and lost to the void as she felt him prod over her clit and play with her puffy lips. It felt so good. Ekko was making her feel so good!

Through hazy eyes she watched his face, elated when she saw the mix of focus and pleasure displayed for her to see. He'd never felt her like this and yet she was sure that he was enjoying it, almost as much as herself. She bent towards him, groaning as he pressed harder on her sex, and kissed the corner of his jaw. Needy lips smushed into his skin, wherever she could find purchase, thanking him, loving him, anything to convey the smoldering attraction gushing through her tongue reached for him, tasting the soft corner of his parted lips and stealing a portion of his shuddered exhale until her eyes dropped. Below his clenched abs, she watched his cock roaring to life, no longer slumped over, but demanding attention. He'd been at the brink as long as her. That wasn't fair.

Slim fingers shot towards his groin and seized their searching grip around his dick.

"You're so hard." She threw his words back at him, changing them to fit his body, but the wonder was still the same.

"Just for you." He panted and she could imagine the smirk that formed on his lips but she never saw it. Instead, he leaned into her and sealed his lips on hers. The kiss was searing, burning with want, and breaking through the fragility of their probing.

She moaned into his mouth, forcing her tongue inside and wrestling against his wetted muscle. They stayed like that for a while, leisurely tasting each other while her hand pumped along his trembling shaft and his fingers toyed with her pussy. Their movements were growing faster and faster. Sweet release whispered into her soaking insides. Ekko, I need you. I need you now. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!

A throaty growl roared from her lips as she suddenly jumped on him. The shock of her attack was quickly recovered as his hands placed themselves over her ass, grabbing, no,digginginto her rounded flesh. She giggled at the pain. Pink, lusty eyes stared brightly into his heated gaze. Now she had him right where she wanted him, pinned beneath her and mounted. Ekko was distracted too, locked onto the sight of her straddling core flush against his pelvis. She followed his eyes and shuddered with delight upon seeing his throbbing cock nudging into her belly. It was a beautiful preview, like she could see exactly how far he'd reach once he was inside her and she wrapped her hand around his tip to press it against her flexing tummy.

"You're so beautiful."

Her frenzied mind went silent at his whisper. The excitement on her smiling face dropped as she stared at him. Why did he have to say things like that? She'd been so ready to plant herself upon his dick, fill herself completely, and then he had to go and make her heart sob instead. She once told him that she only needed to hear him say that word only once. Now she was thinking that she wouldn't mind hearing it everyday.

"Y-you too." She blushed hotly. "Are you um…are you ready?"

His hands lifted from her ass and trailed up her sides until both her breasts were taken into his palms. She needed to close her eyes in order to savor the sensation fully while lifting her own hands to her chest and laying them above his. Holding him there. Letting him feel the honest tremors of her heart.

"Yeah." He grinned eagerly until his brow twisted, "You might wanna be careful. I know it's your first time and it might hurt-."

He paused, no doubt realizing who he was talking to and staring into her deadpanned expression.

Seriously Ekko? Was the deepthroating and feverish insistence to be rough not clear enough? Did she need to spell it out to him once more that she was addicted to the pain? Addicted to him? How could she even think about being careful right now?

"Right, uh…nevermind." He chuckled.

He was aware of his stupidity. Good. Works for her. Now then…

Knees pushed against the soft surface of the blanket beneath them, far enough so she could raise herself into position. She needed both her hands. One to angle his cock and the other to spread the velvet lips of her pussy. It looked centered. Ah, Fuck it. Wait…Heh. More like fuckhim.

She let go of any lingering reservations and dropped.

His warm cock stabbed into her, stretching the tightened depths of her vagina. Surrounded by her already burning heat, he felt like magma inside her. And that desperate, writhing ache in her belly shuddered as his cock kissed her insides.

"Holy shiiittt." Ekko's head was thrown back, his vision crossed by the sensation of being so deeply buried within her.

"I knoooww." She moaned after him in agreement. It was better than she could've ever imagined. Did she even feel the pain Ekko had warned her about? It was too hard to tell as her thoughts scrambled in her head.

She could keep him there, hard and trapped in her squeezing heat, but she understood the unspoken demand of her core. Soft ridges of his cock slid against her inner walls and she swooned at the feeling before slamming herself onto him again. Harder. She felt her pussy tense, her spine bow and curve, and the intoxicating thrust of his dick mashing against her walls. He fit her so well. They were perfect for each other. That was the only coherent thought in her mind. Both of them perfect in size and frame. She continued to ride him, growing more confident with every powered slam of her ass against his thighs. Breathless panting gave some indication to the strain of her movements as she hunched over his chest, taking hold of his shoulders with her nails and feverishly rocking her lower body against him. Her eyes went wide when he matched her movements, thrusting his hips hard as she came down and burying himself deeper. Her sopping insides strained against him, fighting the stinging stretch as she was stuffed with his mass. He tunneled into her, splitting her apart and shaping her cunt around his cock.

"Just like that." She murmured loosely, uncertain if her voice even escaped from her lips but Ekko listened. He heard her and pistoned his cock as she frantically matched his pace. "Just like that, Ekko. Just like that."

How was it even possible to feel this good?

She tired for a single moment and dropped to his chest. Hardened nipples jolted as she squished them into his muscled frame. The apology of her nails scratching the tops of his shoulders was on the tip of her tongue until his strong arms wrapped around her, smothering her in against the sticky sweat of their bodies.

"Ekk- OH!" She yelped as he grunted above her head. He'd locked her body against him as his hips roared to life. His cock now relentlessly pumping inside her. Harder! Faster! He kept going, kept going deeper and deeper. Oh my god. Oh fuck!

"Damn." He cursed through his teeth, eyes clenched just as tightly and entirely focused on fucking her dripping pussy until she was nothing but a blathering, bumbling mess. "So tight."

"Yes!" She cheered along with plenty of other incoherent strings of maniacal joy. She squirmed in his hold, needing to feel the crushing pressure of his arms squeeze every last bit of air from her lungs. "Ye-yes!"

He found it. The perfect mixture of pleasure and pain. Her mind was fracturing, unable to keep up with every boiling strike into her belly while her body spasmed desperately for air. She whined in need. Her beaded clit called for her fingers to reach down and press hard into the bundled nerves. If she could just reach it. If she could somehow maneuver her pinned body around his arms.

Fuck. Screw it. She ignored the plea from her pussy, content to let Ekko ravage her over and over. The tightening ache in her tummy was nearing its infinity. Even without her intervention, she was on the brink.

"So close." Her trembling lips tickled into his chest, teeth scraping along his pecs. His taut, dark skin left no room for her to bite or clamp as her body strained uncontrollably. "Harder! Y-yes Ekko.Please."

Even if she could control the begging words tumbling from her mouth, she'd still say them all over again. Again and again. As many times as she needed to ensure Ekko understood. And his gasping breath was music to her ears. He was rough and roaring, molding her body to his needs and violently pounding into her pussy. She felt the pull of her climax. It was distant and placed in the forefront of her mind. Ekko was dragging her there, closer to the edge. Every inch of him ripping through her was like being shoved one step closer to the illusive dream of orgasm. His thick cock rocketed into her, filling her insides and she screamed at the finality of her dick slid from her lips and paused to rest as his chest heaved beneath her, but she didn't even know. Electricity flowed through her veins. Stars bursting behind her eyelids. Muscles locked into an endless, uncontrollable seizing as she came. The heat in her belly ruptured and flowed through her like a tidal wave.

"F-fuck." She stuttered, blinded and overwhelmed.

Ekko was holding her quivering body as the ripples of her orgasm continued to tingle every portion of her sweaty body. She was saying something. To her own ears it sounded muted, as if she were underwater and slowly floating to the surface. Her body still twitching, consumed by the lingering aftershocks of her orgasm and only ever jumping in his hold when she felt another blast of pleasure tear through her limbs.

"I got you." Ekko's lips were in her hair, kissing her, whispering sweet nothings as she recovered. "You're okay."

Only now could she hear the incoherent, whimpered words on her tongue. She spilled them onto Ekko's panting chest and questioned how long her prayer had been flooding from her lips while she came. Finally free from her own captivity, she stopped murmuring into his skin and breathed. The cool air soothed her aching lungs and she realized how long she'd been frozen and breathless as she unraveled.

"Hey." Ekko asked gently, his arms already removed from her back and replaced by his large, comforting palm as he rubbed her shivering skin. Just his touch was enough to make her tremble again. Her whole body felt raw, unprepared to feel. It was amazing. "Look at me when you're okay, okay?"

Her head tilted towards him, while her cheek was still buried in his chest. She could hear his heart beneath her, slowing from the frantic pace of his efforts. Before she locked onto his eyes, she nuzzled into him. He did so good for her. He made her see such pretty, sparkling stars.

"Hi." She grinned once her gaze connected with his.

"Hey." He smiled.

"Did you cum too?" She hadn't the faintest clue. If he did, she didn't feel his warmth inside her. Wait. Was that even possible? Well, he pulled out of her anyway, and she hadn't felt it running down her thighs either.

"Uh…" She frowned when she saw his hand disappear behind his head and scratch at his scalp. "Almost."

"Ekko!" Her fingers sharply pinched his skin. What the hell!?

"Ow!"

"Did-." She paused, suddenly concerned. "Was it not good for you?"

AmInot good enough for you? The last thing she wanted was to be a failure. If…if her body wasn't right for him…what did that mean? She knew it was her first time, she could learn and practice more, but-. Her eyes lowered from him, ashamed and confused. Why couldn't she get it right? Was she defective or something?

"No!" He nearly shouted his denial, "No. I-."

He paused and she waited, wondering what sort of lie he would tell her to calm her nerves. He couldn't hide from her. Not when she knew him so well.

"I wanted to cum with you. You know, together." He muttered, almost ashamed himself. She didn't understand why. "So I was thinking about other things, trying to time it right, and well, when I saw you lose yourself…I just couldn't think about anything other than holding you through yours."

God, the explanation of his actions was so terrible. It sounded like the shittiest lie she's ever heard. And that'sexactlywhy she knew it was the truth. Stupid, stupid Ekko. Thinking about other things? Probably meant something dark and scary like the memory of his fallen comrades, torturing himself while she moaned in bliss. Screw that. And holding her through her orgasm? She wanted to be warmed by his thoughtfulness, his comfort, but could he be selfish for once in his goddamn life?

"Fuck you." She growled at him, watching his eyebrows raise by the anger in her voice. She placed her hands at his side and lifted herself off his chest. Immediately she missed the soothing touch of his palm on her back. But whatever. "I don't want you to think about other things. Just me!"

"You know how fast this would be over if I didn't?" He challenged weakly.

"So? Iwantyou to cum." She urged, "Don't you get it?"

"But-."

"I don't give a flying shit about timing it right or making it perfect!" Her anger was climbing too quickly. She didn't want to yell at him, especially when he looked at her so lovingly. And sure, she expected some struggles for their first time, but not something like this.

"I-."

She took a deep breath and calmed herself enough to cup his face in her extended palm, rubbing him and gazing into his eyes with the depth of her passion. "I don't care if you cum in two seconds or two hours. Just…focus on yourself. If you want me,takeme. I'll be yours no matter what."

His abdomen curled in front of her waist as he surged towards her and smashed his lips into hers. She could taste his appreciation as he groaned against her.

"I'm sorry."

"If you're sorry, you'll cum your brains out." She snorted but didn't deny the temptation to return his kiss. "No excuses. Otherwise, I'll know it's my fault."

He parted from her, his lips shining from their shared saliva. Damn. She was aching all over again at the sight. So hot. She wondered…

"No. It could never be your fault. You're more perfect than I could ever imagine."

She pushed his chest away from her and let him fall back into the blankets. The cheshire smile on her cheeks promised to test his claims. She'd fuck him dry if that's what he wanted. He'd see just how perfect she was when his seed covered her, and every fucking surface of her hideout. But first. She was curious. Gathering as much saliva as she could, she pursed her lips over him and held the giggle in her throat as it flowed like thickened water from her lips and splattered onto his face.

"W-what the hell was that?" Ekko sputtered while swiping at his coated face. Dang it. She was aiming for his lips. Total miss.

"You were supposed to catch it in your mouth idiot!"

"That's gross!"

"I thought it'd be hot!"

"Seriously?"

They both erupted into laughter. Her ideas rarely ever hit the mark on their first try. But it was funny. So funny that she had to roll off of his waist and hold her stomach. Man, maybe she shouldn't trust her instincts so quickly. She did sorta catch him off guard there. Then again, the panic in his eyes was hilarious. He never saw it coming.

"You're so in for it." He snickered as he rolled off his back and leapt towards her. She squeaked as she dodged his attempt to capture her, giggling as she scrambled away. "Get back here so I can punish you."

Her pussy throbbed in need once again, instantly considering his words differently. Oh yeah? Go ahead. She was already on her knees. Pale hands splayed themselves beneath her and she angled her soaking lips towards him.

"Punish me then." She wiggled her tiny, appled ass as if it spoke for her, inviting him to shove his cock back inside and fuck her like a dog. "I've beenreallynaughty, haven't I?"

She could almost see the way Ekko's mouth went dry as he swallowed thickly. He was behind her before she could even blink, the tip of his penis sliding between her lips and tickling the little hairs beyond. He thrust between her thighs, coating himself in her juices and teasing her tiny clit. The moan that resonated in the air was hard to decipher. Was it hers? His? Both? Who cares, just fuck her!

Her waist was captured by his hands, squeezing her so tightly that she swore his fingers were almost touching just under her belly button. Mmmmm. It was so damn hot. Hold her tightly. However he wanted. She would gladly bend to his will and let him re-shape her. Judging by his powerful grasp over her pliant flesh, he already knew that.

She sobbed once his dick speared into her again, all the way to the hilt. Her ass clapped into his thighs and the resulting shockwave thundered all the way to her floaty brain. Startled eyes were wide and blurred as he rampaged through her sore pussy, taking everything he gave her with a grateful whine and flutter of her heart. She shook her butt against him while he fucked her, finding any way to flex and angle her stretched walls around his cock.

His moans of pleasure nearly made her come undone again. Ekko's vocal lust burned brighter than any ache in her loins. She wanted this for him. His climax was everything.Everything.Nothing else mattered.

"Get on your back." His hasty command made her quirk her eyebrows upwards in confusion. They'd just started. Didn't he want to keep going? Keep rearranging her guts as her ass bounced off his cock? "I wanna see your face when I-."

He interrupted himself to stifle a moan and she connected the dots. It made total sense. Ekko had been pushed to the very edge too many times. The poor Firelight must be so close already but he was still grinding into her, constant and demanding. She had to tease him a little for that, right? Consider it his punishment for holding back his own orgasm for so long. Hehe.

"Make me." She giggled. Now let's see how would the boy savior handle-! "W-woah!"

Was she as light as a feather? Holy shit! Ekko's hands around her waist flipped her without a single moment of hesitation. His penis pulled from her as the world went all topsy-turny and she landed roughly on her back. The entirety of her body shivered and flexed beneath him. She was sprawled, panting, and hopelessly dizzy when she saw him jerk forward. He was too quick. Too lost in his lust that he shoved harshly into her appreciative clit then bounced over her dewey opening.

"Slow down there big guy." She smirked, "My cunt's a little lower."

"Hey Jinx."

His eyes locked to hers, pupils blown and clouded. He looked on the verge of coming up with a snarky reply but she watched his lips slowly spread as if he'd thought of something better. Her breath hitched when she saw his lips purse together and his tongue roll inside his mouth. Oh. That's his idea? Hot! Hot! Hot!

He bent over her, letting his building spit dribble and flow towards her now open, steaming mouth, ready to take what he gave her. She eagerly let the warm, gooey liquid pool in her maw and once she'd collected it all, she swam her tongue through its depths. Her mouth was still open wide, showing him his flavored drool as it swirled inside her, spilling some over her lips and moaning at the delicious taste.

Half-lidden pink eyes watched him go rigid at the sensual show she offered. When she sealed her lips and swallowed his spit he was already shoving himself into her. She didn't even have a second to savor the gulp of her throat before mewling from his meaty cock.

"That was so hot." He grunted, eyelids clenched and jaw hardened as he clenched his teeth.

"Right?" She tried to smile but was struck by the penetrating kiss of his cock as it burrowed deep inside. So fucking deep. "I-nnh! I told you."

"I'm gonna cum."

"Do it." She whimpered her encouragement as his thrusts became faster and faster. Fucking. So. Hard. He was losing his control, becoming unraveled at the seams. "Cum for me. Cum for me, Ekko. Show me."

"Argh!"

He pulled himself from her and arched his back as his cock spewed his boiling seed across her belly. White ropes of his semen showered her over and over, painting her so magnificently. She sighed, blissfully content and amazed as she watched his climax ripple through his muscled frame. Her chin twitched as a splatter of him collided at the top of her neck. Woah! Sniper!

He finished and collapsed, falling towards her and she reached out to guide him lower with her hands. If she hadn't, she'd be squashed under his towering build and that probably didn't make for a very fun after-sex glow.

With Ekko laid beside her, his expression void of tension, she smiled.

She did that for him, didn't she? It felt nice knowing she could drain his burdens and make him cum. No. It didn't just feel nice. It wasfuckingawesome.

"Mmmm." Ekko hummed and she angled her face towards his exhausted eyes. Such a cutie now, all happy and resting.

She pecked him, right on the tip of his nose.

"Good, right?"

"Amazing."

Her chest felt a little tighter, maybe from the building pride she gained in the experience, or maybe something a little more complex and strange was bleeding from her heart. She couldn't quite identify the feeling, but it was lovely. As if a weight upon her was freed and she was capable of soaring amongst the clouds…Eh. Probably just the lingering bliss of her orgasm. She just fucked Ekko's brains out after all. Speaking of-.

"So…" She trailed a dainty finger over her frosted chest and pulled the tip of it to her face. She stared at the slick, sticky substance curiously. Ekko's cum…Without thought, she sucked her digit between her lips and spread the taste of him on her tongue. Huh. So that's what it tasted like. Interesting. "Wanna go again? You said you'd show meyourway, right?"

She laughed when his tired, restful brown eyes snapped open. Ugh! He was giving her that damn smirk again.

At least the answer was clear on his face.

She collapsed on top of him, body limp and glistening with a sheen of sweat across pale skin. As her breasts pressed into Ekko's chest, she closed her eyes, panting while the warmth of their bodies embraced one another. She laughed, in part due to the excitement in her veins, the adrenaline of pleasure still coursing through her body, and then there was the fact that they must look like a mess. Breathless, exhausted, and still feeling a stickiness where her lower belly laid over his groin.

The image in her brain sent tingling shivers through her core, almost as if tempting her to find the strength to go again. Er…well technically it would be the fourth time and she wanted to.Reallywanted to. The discovery of such pleasure, being filled so wholly from a man whom she'd grown to trust, came with an intoxicating pulse in her brain. Her heart hammered in her chest, still feel the rippling waves delight tickle her abdomen and damn…if she weren't so contently languid, so wonderfully satisfied, she could be persuaded to fuck again.

"Was that…" Ekko took a panting breath, equally exhausted underneath her. She could feel the rumble of his voice as her ear pressed against his chest, "...Good?"

She smiled, nuzzling her cheek deeper into him. Sweaty, sticky, hot, none of that mattered. Where she began and Ekko ended was impossible to know. She'd never been so close, so connected to another person so intimately. Yet after all that, after trembling and moaning in bliss while she was liquid on top of his chest, he was asking if the sex was good?

What a dork!

Herdork.

"I'm impressed." She breathed a chuckle through her lips. "But don't let that go to your head, dummy."

He smiled in return, pressing his lips to the top of her hair before trailing his palm along her side, traveling along the length of her skin and cupping her ass. It was weird…being so infatuated with his hands on her, a giddy joy building inside herself, knowing that he was there. Knowing that he was here in the moment, still loving her, stillwantingher even after they'd stopped fucking.

Her palm pushed into the mattress at his side, lifting her upper body to create a space between them, yet also allowing her pink, glowing eyes to stare into his own. Whatever creative tease that had built in her throat and readied to be spoken was stilled the moment she saw the intensity of his emotions swirling within those brown orbs. His usually dark eyes almost looked golden amber, as if warmed and honeyed just for her. Ekko…

Had she ever been looked at like this? Had anyone ever gazed upon her and been so utterly captivated? The memory of herself and Ekko under the Bridge of Progress was played in her mind. He embraced her from behind then. Spoke with confidence that she was beautiful. She accepted those words gratefully, but now…He didn't even need words. She could see the truth in his gorgeous eyes and-. Her lips quivered, a small bubble forming in the back of her throat. She pushed the feelings down, gaining control of herself just long enough to drown in the wonder of what she saw. This time she couldfeelit. His eyes spoke more clearly than any words could manage and the result chipped away at the ugliest pieces of her soul. The demons inside were probably writhing in irritation, but they couldn't silence what she felt.

Shefeltbeautiful.

There was no time to linger on such thoughts though, not when she felt his other hand on her hip. It rested there for a moment before gliding up her side, brushing over the dozens of freshly pinkened marks and bruises on her pale skin. Every blemish so wonderfully earned and desired, like little pebbled memories of their time together. His fingers tickled over the ridges of her ribs, smoothed over her tattoos and she closed her eyes as they settled on her breast.

His palm pressed into her rosy nipple, caressing the bud with the faintest shock of pleasure and she bit her lower lip to quell the need to moan. God, she really was sensitive there.

"Your heart…" He murmured softly, as his warm hand continued to play with her. She opened her eyes to stare at the adorable curiosity of his expression. "It's still beating so fast."

He was right. They had plenty of time to catch their breath and it even took her a moment to understand her own body, why her pulse was still racing. Maybe it was the miracle of it all. That seemed to be the only answer she could come up with. Her heart was still pounding, still soaring in the aftermath of lovemaking. And the truest source behind it was Ekko. She gazed upon him, letting the scribbles of her mind fade into the background.

Without Ekko…without his support, she'd never have gotten this far. It was so easy to compare her life before with the one she'd been granted. The opportunities she'd been presented with were so incredible, so heartwarming. She has her sister. She has her friends. And she has her life. Ultimately, it was Ekko that changed everything though. Her life was in his hands. At any moment he could've kept her stuck in the role of a prisoner or worse, buried six feet under, but his stubborn love kept hidden through many years of pain and struggle had breathed into her a new life. One that she was irrevocably grateful for. She owed him everything and that came with the strangest of desires…

"You can have it." She whispered quietly, as if the glowing bubble of intimacy around them would break at the slightest shift in octaves.

"What?" He was confused.

And no wonder. She hardly understood it herself. So she brought her own hand to her chest, placing it atop his and shifting ever so slightly to rest directly over the bursting heart in her ribcage. She pressed him deeper there, let him feel the continued, rapid beat of her pulse as she gathered her thoughts.

"You can rip it out." She spoke softly, pushing his fingers into her skin and creating the faintest marks that came with nails digging into sensitive and soft flesh. "I'll give it to you."

Because he deserved it. Every bit of her. If he wanted her heart, if that was valuable to him, then she felt the most intense need to give it to him. He'd shown her what it felt like to be loved. To be broken and to be worshiped, and everything in-between. She didn't have a way to say it, didn't know how to describe the feelings spilling from inside, it just felt like her heart wanted to be pulled from her body and offered to him, so take it. It's yours.

He abruptly laughed, forcing an owlish blink upon her confused expression. Did she say something funny? She was being serious! Or maybe he just didn't understand. But before she could dwell on those thoughts he spoke.

"Most people would say 'I love you.'"

She paused. Blinked again as her lips parted in silent shock. Was that…what this feeling was? Love?Love?! Suddenly, a brilliant smile spread across her face, eyes bright as if she'd discovered buried treasure long since lost and presumed to be myth. She leaned back down to him, pressing her forehead against his and locking her pink eyes with brown. She felt wild, feral, but elated nonetheless as she cupped his face in her palms. His handsome, beautiful face.

"Ekko…" The words tumbled from her lips at the sheer astonishment of the revelation, "...I think I love you!"

He looked dumbstruck before she pulled him into a searing kiss, pouring every ounce of her emotions into the crash of their lips. The hand on her butt raised to splay itself upon the small of her back. She could feel him yearn for her as she was pulled even closer than before, and every touch burned more intensely. She was in love! It felt so real, so obvious!

When she parted from him, he offered one of his trademark smirks that melted her completely, like she was insane enough to finally enjoy the confidence upon his face and know that his feelings were sure.

"Heh. I love you too, you crazy girl."

Notes:

Annnnnnd that's the chapter.

Was it good? I'm gonna be blunt and come right out and say that I'm hoping the smut got y'all writhing in your seats XD The balance between playful fun and down-right horny lust was just so much fun to blur, so if you're comfortable talking about your thoughts regarding that scene. PLEASE let me know what you thought. I'll only get better with your feedback and praise.

Aside from that, Jinx loves Ekko :D She's finally realized it and I hope their adventure to her hideout was heartwarming.

If you're not following my twitter Elsanndra or following RedrumAlice, I would highly suggest doing so. The final scene in this chapter was written quite some time ago and we've been collaborating behind the scenes. You can expect to see a FANTASTIC SURPRISE from her soon ;)

I'll see you all in the comments 3

Chapter 42: It's My Turn to Support You

Notes:

Woohoo! I'm back with another chapter! Hi everyone :)

I definitely appreciate all the awesome comments I saw on the last chapter. It made me really excited to see so many of you loving the final scene of 'I love you's and there were also quite a few of you that enjoyed the smut as well. Such a relief! And that said, I've also made the decision (not now, but once the story is complete) that the rating will return to 'M' and the smut scene will be taken out. NOT to worry though, it'll be uploaded as it's own standalone chapter and still linked in CH 41, so if anyone would like to read it again, it'll still be available. I just think the story tone and theme overall will be more consistent without it and as I mentioned, this change won't be taking place until the story is complete. So for now, you can imagine this as the in-progress My Boy Savior where all the extras aren't being held back :)

I hope you enjoy the chapter!

(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)

Chapter Text

As she skipped merrily into the Firelight base, curious eyes snapped towards her. Towardsthem, actually. Ekko's hand was tightly bound in her own and forcibly swung alongside her as she bounced towards the fields. Despite a lengthy amount of time spent in her hideout, the sun was still shining over the few patches of grass. Such bright greens offered a freshness never present in the under-city and it felt good to be home.

Though, everything was brighter in her eyes.

From the vibrant grass to the fluttering leaves above their heads, it was all so wonderfully vivid. Was it the awesome sex that had bestowed a new lens over her eyes, allowing her to experience this lively place in a new light? Or their intimately declared love? She couldn't help but imagine it was both. Her heart, mind, and body soared in a harmonious delight and her giggles had yet to cease, even with the many eyes focusing on her arrival.

"Good to be back?" Ekko chuckled at her energetic aura and she turned to face him with a brilliant smile.

"Meh." She teased with a simple shrug, knowing he'd see past the obviously white lie. Her grip clenched around his palm even tighter. "My place is still better."

"Once this is all said and done, we'll go back. I'd rather you test your crazy inventions there. Things are a bit more flammable here, you know?"

Her heart swelled uncontrollably, almost to the point that it hurt as it expanded in her chest. Because it wasn't that hard to look beyond his light, airy words and find a deeper meaning. Their journey wasn't wasted. And someday, if everything worked out tomorrow, Ekko would return with her to that magical place. She skipped over the uncertain future and the endless amount of lingering concerns to focus on him. His love. His devotion. And the reciprocating thump of her heart that forced a warm blush on her cheeks.

"Yeah! We could tinker around all day, maybe dance a little. I got good music I can show you. Oh! There's a ton of places we could explore, and…" She grinned slyly before cupping a hand over her lips and leaning close so he could hear. "...you gotta fuck me so hard that I can't even walk after."

Ekko went rigid at her words as she bellowed a laugh into the air. He was cute. So easy to mess with. Though she meant every word too. Sensitive aches simmered in her most intimate places, especially between her legs. Every giddy skip into the base sent a delicious pulse through her body as if her limbs still held onto the memories they'd made. Sure, she could walk, but it wasn't without difficulty. Next time, she wanted to make sure they were both utterly incapable of functioning properly. Seemed like a decent enough challenge. Her tongue was already licking her lips at the thought.

She stumbled when Ekko yanked her hand closer, nearly tripped over her feet when he separated his fingers from hers before settling his hold on her waist, just above the curve of her hip. His grip was tight, almost painfully so as he dug into the softness of her side and his lips were firmly placed into her ear.

"Deal."

A shudder escaped her as his warm breath spiraled into her head. Dammit! She was used to him being all…gentle when it came to loving her. She thought she was the only one able to teeter the line of teasing and lust in public, often to mask her discomfort of the bursting emotions in her chest. But if Ekko was more confident now too and sexy as hell…well, he should know that if he kept talking to her likethat, she'd jump his bones in the middle of this field in a heartbeat.

"Don'tcha know you're playing with fire, Little Man?" She murmured lust-ridden eyes locked onto his. Her hand had already discreetly lowered to smooth over the enticing curve of his ass. So frim. So awesomely shaped. "We could go again right now. Just throw me down and take me however you want."

Public-decency be damned. Not like she cared whether or not the other Firelights would be horrified or perversely aroused at the sight. Nobody else mattered. They wouldn't possibly be able to fathom the pleasure or love that poured from her heart as they made love. It wasn't for them. Only Ekko. Always Ekko.

"You're such a tease." Her man growled and she could see the jealousy in his brown eyes as they flickered to every person within sight. She hummed, more contently focused on the passion she could feel as his heart beat in his chest. Were the gears of his mind turning? Contemplating the idea? Or- "Nobody's gonna see you like that. Nobody but me. You'remine."

His words were sharp, absolute, and it made her needy all over again. Her core was tight and eager as she sensed a growing wetness between her thighs. Almost as if her body was asking him to prove it. Prove that she was only his. But the pride and love in her heart had already answered his claim. She leaned against his muscled body and tucked her lips into the crook of his neck, kissing him softly.

She agreed with a breathy sigh of joy, "Only yours."

"Not sure I could get used to hearing that."

Her smile slid along his dark skin. Jealousy looked good on Ekko. Though she knew it was wrong to push him towards the idea of sharing intimacy with another. It made her just as nauseous and grumpy to imagine the curious, maybe even lusty, eyes of the Firelight's staring at Ekko so naked and revealed, but she could hear the intense passion in his words and feel all the more certain that what they had was real. His love was real, just like her own. She was Ekko's and he was hers. It felt like a statement more true than anything else she'd learned in her many years of life.

The world was unfair. Cruelties hid behind every corner. She was insane. And they belonged together.

"I love you." She murmured into his skin. Crazy. The fact that when she woke up earlier this morning and didn't know such a strong commitment was just lying in wait all this time, waiting for her to realize the truth. It was hard to say such words and not be consumed by the depths from which they came from. She wanted to laugh, cry, hide away, or shout it to the heavens yet all she was capable of was saying them and hoping that he could feel the emotions running rampant inside. "You know that, right?"

Insecurity flooded her and she was helpless to control it. A quick wince of uncertainty came with her following question. This was all so new. She'd never experienced a relationship this powerful, never knew she was even capable of forming such a bond. Was it possible to screw it up? Should she reassure him as much as possible that no amount of teasing or half-brained jokes would ever come close to challenging what they had?

"I know." His lips were on the top of her head, pressed into the strands of her blue hair and she felt the worries in her mind flutter away. "I love you too."

Now, more than ever, she watched as the people wandering about had frozen at the sight of Ekko's kiss on her scalp. It was almost as if they heard his whispered proclamation, but she knew that was impossible. No. They were instead focused on the absurd sight of their leader's tender love being placed on the once-hated prisoner.

"We got an audience." She chuckled. "Bet their brains are shutting down, turning to mushy mush."

"Doesn't matter." He brushed aside her observation and began walking again. His hold on her ensured she'd keep with his pace. "I don't expect anything to happen…but if someone says anything mean to you. Let me know."

She patted his chest and sneered, "I don't need the big, bad leader to protect me. You know I don't care."

"Yeah." Ekko agreed with a short nod, "But I don't ever want you to feel like you don't belong here or that what we have is wrong. This is your home as much as it's theirs and we all deserve some happiness."

"Spoken like the sappy Hero of the Firelights."

"Am I wrong?"

"No." She agreed as she pulled away from him slightly, not enough to separate, but to give breath to their closeness. As much as she wanted to stay glued by his side, she couldn't help but feel like hanging onto him was unnecessary. What he said was enough to fill the space between them. She belonged here. She deserved happiness as much as the rest of them. Despite her troubled past and reservations to agree with the totality of his ideals, just knowing that's what Ekko wanted was enough. She wouldn't fight him on this. Not when it felt so good to accept it.

"Finally back from your field trip!" The excited shout of her sister's voice brought pink eyes towards the approaching woman. Vi was wearing her usual bright red jacket and under-city outfit and she waved towards them before her arrival. "How'd it go? Cool? You know you're gonna have to show me your place sometime soon."

She grinned and nodded eagerly. Any reason to bring Vi to her hideout was going to be worth it. She may have wanted the first time to be shared with Ekko, something that Vi obviously seemed uneasy with, but her older sister could see the importance. Now that they'd shared precious time alone in a place of her creation, she knew it'd be worth bringing Vi. Caitlyn too. Maybe even Heimy. Any way she could invite them into her life the way they'd so warmly welcomed her into theirs was welcome.

"It's freakin' incredible Vi." Ekko replied. She melted at the sheer awe in his words, knowing he was thinking of her home away from home with nothing but fond memories. "The whole place is tucked inside one of the fissures, like-"

"Shush! No spoilers!" She swatted him lightly and he raised his free hand up in defense.

"Okay, okay. No need to hit me."

"You're gonna love it sis!" She redirected her attention back towards the pink-haired woman that was practically bouncing in her boots from the anticipation. "It's like our club-house- well, definitely more dangerous…but that's the best part. We had loads of fun."

"Sounds awesome. I'm excited to-." She watched Vi's words freeze in her mouth and scarred lips formed into a thin line.

Suddenly, she felt an intense scan of her body as gray eyes traveled over her, noting all the blemishes, bruises and bites displayed on her milky white skin. Ekko's hand immediately shot away from her side and he took a few steps to the side in an effort to distance himself. Her brows furrowed at his actions, missing his warmth before she saw the nervousness in his wide brown eyes.

"Vi-." He started with his hand outwards.

"How.Much.Fun?" Her sister's words were clipped as a darkened, furious expression settled on her face.

Oh crap. She'd totally forgotten that her sibling has something of a protective concern over her, like when she'd told her that Ekko wanted to be more than friends and watched with glee as Ekko was forced to hide in his own base while Vi angrily hunted for him. That was hilarious! And…A sly smile stretched on her lips as she glanced towards Ekko. He caught her gaze and could see the pleading insistence in his eyes that she help him out. Heh. Why would she? She may love him, but the temptation was too great. Better start running Little Man. She's gonna getcha.

"I showed him my desk, where I make my inventions. My box of toys too." She forced her tone to be light, innocent as she recalled the few bits and pieces. Ekko was already dreading his existence, taking a few hesitant steps backwards when he heard her child-like voice. I said start running Ekko! "Then Ekko showed me something too."

"He did, did he?" Vi growled through clenched teeth. Every trembling strain of her sister's limbs only further increased the giggly pressure in her chest. It was difficult to maintain herself and not burst out laughing.

"Jinx, please don't."

"Uh huh." She nodded in reply and ignored Ekko's begging words, blinking owlishly like she was unaware of the unspoken transgression Vi so desperately sought to avenge. "He took off his clothes for some reason though. Mine too."

Admittedly, she was still a tad grumpy at that part. There was definitely a lost opportunity to undress the Firelight herself as she recalled their time in her hideout. Though, Vi wouldn't need to know that part and it played well enough into the act.

"Vi?..." Her sister's furious eyes locked onto her own before the girl could pounce prematurely. She deepened herself even further into the act of an innocent, unknowing woman. Like the role of a princess unaccustomed to the filthy ways of adults. She knew her sister wouldn't quite see through the over embellished acting. Time for the nail in the coffin! Seriously Ekko, why aren't you running? "I don't think I'm a virgin anymore."

"You sonofabitch!" Vi roared as she leapt towards Ekko, calloused hands outstretched and itching to wring his neck until he was gasping for breath.

"It wasn't like that!" Ekko shouted, but his defense was already crumbling when he began running for his life. "She's trying to mess with you!"

"Does it matter?! Get back here so I can kill you!"

She watched the two run into the fields, shouting and screaming, and that's when she lost her composure. Her hands clutched to her belly as she doubled over in a fit of giggles. She couldn't see! The tears in her eyes blurred everything when she tried to spot Ekko dodging and avoiding her sibling's wrath.

The sound of footsteps coming closer barely slipped through the sounds of her laughter and she rose, still shaking in entertainment as she wiped her eyes with a stray finger.

"Hey- hehehe, Cupcake."

Caitlyn offered a reserved smile, one fit for greeting her return yet also aware of the tantrum being thrown in the distance. The top-sider's eyes surveyed her, then scanned the fields as she watched Ekko shriek from a narrowly avoided fist. Did she even need to explain it to Caitlyn? The woman excelled in deduction and reasoning.

"I take it Vi's upset about you two having sex?"

Yep. That's Caitlyn for ya. Smart cookie for sure.

"Uh huh." She continued to giggle.

"...How was it?"

The question made her pause. The memories of their lovemaking surged into her mind and she shivered in delight. The orgasmic climax fogged over her brain as if just the memory was enough to get her riled up again.

"Awesome." She breathed. "I almost blacked out, I think."

"...Come with me."

Her wrist was suddenly snagged in the officer's grip, the entirety of her body was pulled to follow the older woman and she blinked curiously towards her.

"Huh?" She called, "Where are we going?"

"To my room." Caitlyn replied simply. "I want details.Allof them."

"Hehehehe."

Sure, she'd share. Not like she'd have to worry about competition or anything. Besides, once upon a time they'd both discussed their earliest experiences with love. Jeez that felt like forever ago. Unfortunately, she'd have to miss the rest of the chase between Ekko and her sister. A distinct, unmanly yelp from Ekko made its way to her ears and she bit her lower lip to stifle another fit of laughter. Ooh. Sounds like Vi got him. Good luck with that Ekko!

Things had settled down after a while.

When the night had settled over the camp with the promise of tomorrow's hardships, an unspoken agreement was formed amongst them all to keep quiet and retreat to their rooms for some much needed rest. Not like anybody wasactuallysleeping. She was sure of it. Hell, she couldn't even keep her eyes closed for more than a second. Her heart was beating rapidly in her ribcage, anticipating the battle for the under-city.

Her ghosts were jumping off the walls too. Shouting, yelling, roaring so loudly that her hands were over her ears in a pointless attempt to keep them from distracting her. Silco and her past self were the only two that stayed remotely quiet and of course, Mylo had been far too eager in his desire to see her dance with death once again.

"I'mnotflying solo on this one." She growled towards the boy and his brilliant idea to ditch all the plans that were in place to take on Sevika and her minions alone.

Despite her insistence, there was no hiding the fact that she saw some glimmer of reason within the boy's ghostly requests. A piece of her questioned how things would go differently if she left right now, flew the airship into the starry sky and kicked off the fiesta a tad earlier. She could handle the whole thing on her own. She knew she could. The pride in her skills and the damage she could cause was unquestioned. But…maybe it was time to start accepting that her feelings were wrong.

"I'm a team player now." She mumbled towards the little thief as he jittered across the room.

It was tough to swallow such a claim. Reflecting on her past, distant and foggy as it was, there was a pattern of recklessness that fought against her many whims. Quick decisions and shifty thinking didn't quite seem to cut it. Not when she had others that were depending on her so greatly.

Quick flashes of scribbles and imagined corpses littered her thoughts and she stilled in her cot. Ekko, dead. Vi, dead. Caitlyn, dead. Heimy, Brina, Scar, Andrei, all dead, dead, dead! She wondered if it was her own, tortured soul trying to convince her the plan would fail or if her deviation from it would. No answers there. Zilch. So what was left to convince her that the path laid before them was the only solution?

Trust.

Her eyelids closed in an attempt to settle her frantic mind for a second and just breathe. She had people who loved her and wanted nothing more than to come out of this war, together and alive. She needed to trust in them, in their strengths. The odds were clearly against them no matter how she sliced it, but maybe the whole reason she'd been uneasy in the first place was because of the endless calculations and worries. They seemed redundant now and there was nothing left to consider.

"DeadDeadDeadDeadDeadDeadDead!" Mylo was suddenly inches from her face, chanting the doomed words as his unblinking white eyes stared into her.

"Get off me, doofus!" She swiped at him and watched his transparent visage swirl into smoke, dissipating for a brief moment before he appeared again, this time farther away. Her abdomen tightened as she curled into a seated position, hands clasped firmly on either side of her temples. "He's not gonna die. They're not gonna die. I won't let them."

Even to herself, the whispered words were sounding like desperate pleas from a pathetic woman unable to learn from the harsh lessons of this world. Because how many times did she need to lose someone close to realize hope was such a fleeting, insignificant feeling to hold dear. She may have changed in her time with the Firelights, but reality didn't.

A quick massage of her tired eyes brought a sigh from her lips. Instinctively, she'd already dropped one of her hands to clasp the pocket watch hanging from her belt. She rubbed the smooth metal covering with her fingers over and over.

"You wouldn't lie to me, right?" She hated that the question was asked, like the trust and love she had for Ekko was still not enough to quell the fear in her heart. He'd promised her that they'd fight together. Yet she was helpless to question him once again and he wasn't even here to defend himself.

Suddenly, she pushed herself off her bed and stood upon creaky wooden floorboards, staring at the closed door of her room. Without thought, she was walking, practically rushing towards the exit with a desire to hear him promise again. Why had she even parted from him earlier? What was holding her back from spending the night in his room? Stupid!

She climbed the stairs of the grand tree, unaffected by the chilly night's air. When she arrived at the highest point, she didn't even waste the effort to knock. Her shoulder slammed into his door as she turned the knob and was greeted by the sight of Ekko, shirtless and lying on his bed. He was propped up on his elbow, his other hand holding a small, mechanical ball of some kind and the only light source in the entire room was a small lantern at his bedside. His dimly lit room was more warm and inviting than ever before.

"Hey." He offered her a small smile, his eyes shining with happiness at her unannounced arrival. "Can't sleep?"

"No." She grumbled as she walked into the room, flinging the door back in place without a second thought.

It felt wonderful and calming to immediately reach for him and see his entire body shift to offer her a place at his side. His bed was large enough for two, especially with her tiny build, but she made no effort to give him space. Her entire being yearned to be nestled into his side, so close, as close as she could get. When she'd tucked herself along the curve of his body, her head pressed into his chest, listening for the strong and steady beat of his heart, just to reaffirm that he was alive. She hoped it'd continue to be that way long after the frustrating uncertainty of tomorrow.

"Could sleep either." He replied as he reached for his nightstand and gently placed the mechanical ball on the surface. She wanted to ask about it, but once his arm wrapped around her and pulled them closer together, all her frenzied thoughts were forced away by his warmth. Her nose nuzzled into his heated skin, absorbing his calming scent and she smiled when his lips pressed to the top of her head. Despite the events of the day, they still couldn't seem to keep themselves apart. Still wanting, still loving, and that was a relief. "I'd be surprised if anyone got some decent rest tonight."

"Smart thinkin' Captain Obvious." She lightly giggled at her own sarcasm. "Got any more brilliant theories you'd like to share with the class?"

"Ha. Ha." She couldn't see him, but she could practically feel his eyes roll to the back of his skull. "Make fun of the considerate boyfriend just trying to offer some pointless small talk to take your mind off things."

"Hehboyfriend." She liked the sound of that. "And at least you admit it's pointless."

"..."

"..."

They sat in silence for a few moments, content to just exist in this little bubble of quiet comfort that shielded them from the future. She didn't really know what to do at a time like this. Was it wrong to say nothing? Surely Ekko had his own concerns rattling inside his head. Doubtful that he'd find any peace tonight when the weight of his family's lives rested so heavily on his shoulders.

She curled into him even more closely, bundling herself into a ball and wondering if she'd ever be able to comfort him the way he comforted her. Words were never her strong suit, caring even less so, and that made it all the more painful as she helplessly sought his love.

"Wanna tell me what's on your mind?" Ekko asked.

She shook her head and remained mute. Did she want to add to the already overwhelming amount of his concerns by uttering her own? Not really. Did sheneedto? That was an entirely different question. Jury was still out on that one.

"You can tell me what you're thinking."

"What if I'm not thinking about anything?" She mumbled into his chest.

Her eyes opened when he chuckled, the resting place of her head jostled by his shaking frame.

"When are you evernotthinking about anything?" Ekko countered with a chuckle.

"Ya got me."

"..."

"..."

"Jinx-."

"They won't leave me alone." She interrupted with a deep, grounding sigh of defeat. Guess she really couldn't keep her thoughts hidden for long. And to top it off with a cherry, it was about something Ekko couldn't help with. Nobody could. So why even bother? "Doesn't matter."

He stiffened against her and she questioned the reason until-.

"They?" He asked, "You mean like others in the base-."

"Mylo." She shut down his line of thinking immediately. She should've been more specific. He did sorta mention earlier that he'd come to her defense if anyone questioned their relationship. "Spooky ghosts. Crazy shit. Like I said, doesn't matter."

"It matters to me."

"It shouldn't."

She lifted her head from his chest to lean upwards and stare into his questioning eyes. He really did seem curious, determined in a way to know about the psychotic hallucinations in her fractured mind. If there was one thing she learned about their bond, she knew there was nothing she'd ever need to hide from Ekko. Just one look at his adoring expression and she could tell it was hurting him when she brushed away his concerns and refused to elaborate.

"They don't shut up." She muttered. "And Mylo's the worst. Little thief won't let me think about tomorrow without wondering if you're gonna die. Or Vi. Or Cait. Or anyone. It's…I'm tired of it."

"You try not to listen to him." Ekko said. His words were phrased with a questioning tone, but she could hear the statement underneath it all.

"Try and fail." She sighed. "He's a pesky brat."

"I'm sorry." He tightened his hold around her and she was able to forget the snarky reply she'd prepared. Sorries didn't change anything, but Ekko's intimate embrace was a decent enough consolation prize.

"Mmhmm."

"I don't know what it's like…but…" He paused and her brow furrowed at his hesitance. It was like he was trying to find some sort of way to communicate a thought that'd be poorly received. "...nevermind."

"Say it." She nuzzled her face into his chest, basking in his heat, listening to the pulse under his dark skin. If she was the same as before, maybe she really would be afraid to hear his thoughts, angry even. Nobody truly knew what horrors swarmed her inside her skull, but Caitlyn was trying her best. She's heard many bumbling questions from the top-sider that never seemed to hit the mark, only guesses, briefly connected dots, and she couldn't deny that it made her feel better, knowing that someone cared and was trying to help.

"I…" Ekko paused again, and she waited for the inevitable curiosity on the tip of his tongue. "Do you think that Mylo, er- the things you see, are like pieces of you? That maybe they exist because you've been hurt before and it'd be easier to manage?"

"Hmmm." She hummed with tight lips against him and closed her eyes. His chest was still, holding a careful breath until he heard her contained reaction. She wasn't gonna blow up at him about this. He's just shooting in the dark anyway. "Not a bad theory. Sometimes they want me dead though. Kinda stupid if it's a coping thing, ya know?"

"Yeah…I guess it would be."

"Enemies upon enemies." She hollowly chuckled. "Top-side, under-city, even in my head. World's got no patience for a psycho like me."

"You have friends." He offered, "People that love you."

"I do." She nodded. "And I'll keep fightin' so don't get your panties in a twist cuz some snot-nosed figment of my imagination is all up in my personal space."

"You know I'm here for you." His lips once again pressed into blue locks, "Even if it's about this."

"Yeah…" Her heart clenched painfully because he was so genuine, so loving and sure. She stretched beside him and cupped his jaw before placing a gentle kiss upon his sweet lips. "I can be here too. For you. Can we forget my silly thoughts for a second and focus on your issues?"

"I don't-."

"Don't tell me you're not thinkin' about tomorrow. That's a big, fat, stinkin' lie and you know it."

Ekko laughed.

"I've already voiced my concerns the other night. Not much has changed. Just the same thoughts over and over."

"Hmmm." She was skeptical, but detected no hidden emotions in his voice. His brown eyes didn't betray him either so she settled back into his chest and closed her eyes, riding the gentle inhale and exhale of his body as if she were floating on top of a wave. "If you say so."

"I do wonder about what comes after though."

"Like what?"

"Say it all goes according to plan. We win, Sevika's out, we retake the under-city, what then?"

"Celebrate? Big party with tons of fireworks?" She'd definitely supply them with enough explosives to light up the night as if the sun were out. That was nothing to fret over.

"I meant afterthat." Ekko urged. For the first time tonight, she sensed a bit of anguish behind his soft words. His chest wasn't rising steadily anymore either. "Jinx. I don't want to do this anymore. I can't continue to be the leader the Firelight's want me to be. I definitely can't run a city. But what if there's nobody else either?"

She uncurled from him, pulling his arms away from her as she propped herself upwards on the bed they shared. One glance at his pained expression was all it took for her heart to ache for him. Again, she stared into the eyes of a tired man, exhausted and burned by all the unfairness that'd taken hold in his life. Ekko looked older to her at this moment, nearly broken by the burden he'd so selflessly took upon himself. And she couldn't say that she hadn't contributed to the overwhelming stress, because she had. Many, many times.

"There'll be someone." She tried but winced when she saw her words did nothing to convince the boy.

"You know that's unlikely."

"Not impossible." She meekly countered. It sounded pretty lame in her own head too. God, she was really bad at this.

"I don't even know if I could let it go either." He muttered. "I feel like, even if I did find someone else to take my place…I'd still worry. Still wanna be involved. Maybe I'm just meant to do it."

She shook her head and placed her palm over his heart.

"No." Her denial was clear.

"No?"

"You heard me." Glowing pink eyes locked onto Ekko's, accompanied by a tight frown. She dispensed with the niceties, the comforting words. Even if she managed to think of the right way to ease his worries, it'd do nothing for these thoughts Ekko had. Thoughts hidden from everyone else. He was exhausted, pushed to the limit, and convincing himself that was how things needed to be. She wouldn't let it happen. Ekko deserved more than that. "You're unhappy. I don't like it. So after tomorrow, you're done with all the bullshit. I'll drag you away kicking and screaming."

"Gonna make meyourprisoner?" He smirked

"If I have to."

Suddenly she was flush against him, pulled down by his strong arms and held close. He was laughing and she wanted to pout. It almost felt like he was dismissing her, like she wasn't completely devoted to making her claim become a reality. She wouldn't leave him to suffer on his own.

"You're somethin' else." His gentle words cascaded into her hair and paused her frustration. "I like that I've got you in my corner, watching out for my dumb ass."

"Don't you forget it."

"..."

"..."

"Jinx?"

"Yeah?"

"We're gonna make it." She froze in his arms because he sounded so unsure. Like he was trying to convince himself as much as he was trying to convince her. "We're gonna win tomorrow. And I don't know what happens after, but I really want to stay with you. Drag me away from it all if you have to, just don't leave me behind…Okay?"

She could hear the unspoken 'again' hidden within the end of his request. The faintest ache of tears brimmed over her eyes and she nodded. Idiot. She didn't know if she was calling herself that, or Ekko. He still held onto those feelings he'd shared long ago. Fears that she would leave him, as if it were possible that she'd find a way. As if he'd wake up one morning and she'd be gone. Yet in her own ignorance, she'd also forgotten that a part of him was still nervous of abandonment. He knew the feeling as well as she did.

"You won't lose me." She croaked through a shaky breath, reiterating the pact they'd made so long ago. He had to know that at least.

"...I'm scared." Ekko revealed quietly and it felt like she'd been struck in the chest. "What if we're not ready to fight? Is there something we missed? Sevika could have something up her sleeve. We've spent years here.Years. Are we throwing that away? And I can't stop thinking about it. How can I fight if you or the others die? F-fuck. I'd hear it too. Stuck in the middle of the Lanes alone and just listening to everything go to shit. I can't-. I just-. It's not too late to call it off. It's not worth it. I really don't think it is!"

"Ekko-."

Her teeth dug into her bottom lip. Ekko was quickly losing himself in fear. Those rambling thoughts he kept at bay were leaking through and she hated it. Because it wasn'thimand 'I love you' just didn't seem to cut it. She knew herself, knew him, and they needed more sometimes. So she inched towards him, scooting her body along his side and settling her upper body on his pillow. He watched her curiously, obviously wondering what she was doing. C'mere Ekko. Let me hold you. You've been working so hard, loving me so good.

Her arms reached for his head and wrapped around white dreadlocks, nudging his head into her bosom. He was still, merely breathing against her chest and she rubbed the tops of his shoulders, refusing to let go. It looked kinda weird, especially with him being so much larger than herself, but it felt right. For all the times Ekko made her feel wanted and loved, she hoped her actions would convey the same. Everything would be okay.

He released a deep, relieved sigh and she felt his muscles go limp against her. Mismatched colored nails took a moment to rake across his scalp and gently scratch his head. A few quick teases in her mind were dismissed. She didn't need to joke about how he looked like a love-starved poro or how meek and quiet he'd become. No. It'd be in poor taste and she desired more than anything to let him know that he was safe with her. She could hold him in her wanting arms and briefly feel protected from the weight of the world.

"Thanks Jinx. I-"

"Shhh. No talkie talk." Never in her life did she think she'd be the one forcing silence upon them. Unspoken words and lingering worries always clouded her mind. Not right now though. And It was too soon. Not enough time had passed. She had enough experience to know that his building stress wouldn't just disappear so quickly, even if it felt like it did. "Just let me hold you."

If only he hadn't taken so long to show her this side of him. He was hurting and scared and probably worsened by his struggle to keep it hidden. Ekko's hands desperately clenched onto her clothes, one at the seam of her top and another around her hip. A soft, knowing smile graced her lips as she continued to squeeze him closer and play with his hair. Every vulnerable breath he took was released with a shakier and shakier exhale that brushed warmly along her exposed midriff.

Minutes passed in silence.

Was he feeling it? The love that spilled from her beating heart? Second by second, she could sense the walls he'd been so diligently constructing over the years crumble apart. Ekko was strong. He was a leader and always wary about the safety of his family but it's clearly had its toll. Silly boy. Hiding his pain so deeply. Even she couldn't manage that. Where she would throw a tantrum and scream and shout, he'd been quiet, upset, and distracting himself with his duties.

He shouldn't have to hide from her. Actually, she'd prefer that he didn't.

"Can you say something?" He murmured into her quietly. "...Anything?"

The whimper that layered his unsteady words made her wonder if he was on the verge of tears. Maybe he didn't want her to hear him cry, and she could understand the sentiment. No judging. A nice, hard cry would do him some good and she could silently promise that she wouldn't let go.

"Sorry about sicking my brute of a sister after you earlier." She grinned, still brushing through his hair and ensuring her voice was light and tender. "You gotta admit it was funny."

"..."

"And maybe we could go to our old clubhouse some time soon. I gotta kick Caitlyn's ass at the shooting range cuz she's still not convinced I'm a better shot."

"..."

"Crazy as it is, you firebugs got a much cooler base than I let on." She felt him press his face into the fabric of her top and swore she felt a portion of her outfit dampen. It didn't stop her from speaking so warmly. "Kinda impressive really."

"..."

"The folks here aren't so bad either. I like Marenth and Scar. They're nice to me. Heimy's always a hoot and I think Brina doesn'ttotallyhate me anymore. So that's good. Not that I'm a fan of hers either."

"...I knew you'd like it here." Ekko's shoulders were shaking and the occasional sniffle teased her ears. His watery words tore at her insides. She didn't mind, knowing that someone she cherished was able to rely on her beyond her many violent skills. "I always knew."

"Don't go putting words into my mouth." She scolded. The openness of her voice left no room to interpret anything but lighthearted content. "But sure. Maybe, kinda, sorta, in some weird way, I like it here."

"..."

"..."

He rubbed into her chest as he held onto her, probably to discreetly wipe away the frustrating tears she had yet to see with her own eyes. "Sorry. I didn't mean to empty that all out. We're gonna fight tomorrow. I'm not backing out. Just…might be going crazy while we're waiting."

"Not crazy." She chuckled while shaking her head, "I know crazy and you got a long way to go."

"You know what I mean."

Ekko didn't part from her so she continued to massage his head, every so often dropping her hands to his rigid shoulders and massaging his taut muscles. His breath was much steadier now, it was so quiet in the room that she could detect the subtleties of his emotions shift away from panic. When he continued to keep his lips shut and rest, her eyelids fluttered shut.

"You don't have to be sorry either. You saved me, you know?" She whispered as she tucked her head and pressed her cheek to his head lovingly. "Frommycrazy. You've given me so many chances and I never realized. I'm glad you gave me one more."

"...Pretty selfish of me really." He mumbled, "I just can't imagine you gone from this world. I tried to fight it, but-."

"But you didn't and now I get to hold you like this." She finished for him. "So ha. We both win."

"Yeah, I guess we do." She easily imagined the small smile on his handsome face.

"And we'll kick Sevika's ass tomorrow. Take back this dump of a city and make it so much better." It wasn't like her to be so hopeful or optimistic. She never really cared about something as abstract as homey feelings for a place that'd only ruined her life. Then again, it was Ekko's home too. Being so irrevocably tied to his heart meant that even she, in all her insanity, could still grasp for something greater than herself. She wanted to win. She wanted Ekko, her sister, Caitlyn, and all the Firelights to survive.

"Jinx?" She opened her eyes to blink curiously at the call of her voice. Ekko shifted in her hold, his head tilted so his beautiful brown eyes could stare into hers.

"Hm?"

Ekko suddenly surged forward and crashed his lips onto hers. She rolled with his movements and moaned into the heated kiss. His body crawled out from her hold as she laid back, his hands sliding over her body and burning her pale skin with his desired touch. A whimper of delight was muffled into his lips when she felt the pads of his fingers trail over blue clouds. It was clear as day, she was in love. With every brush of his lips and every taste of him on her tongue, her insides trembled, eager and excited.

"I need you." He whispered. "You're so perfect and I-."

He was silenced by her own forceful kiss. She didn't need to hear the rest of his words, already captured and taken the moment he said he needed her. All the bundled grief and agony she'd spent years battling inside seemed to fade. And if Ekko had remotely felt the same relief as they embraced each other, then maybe that's all they needed to do for now.

"Sleeping is stupid." She giggled into his lips, "So how about we find something else to do while we wait for tomorrow?"

"Absolutely." Ekko smirked and despite his reddened eyes, she was momentarily captivated by the glowing love she found in his pupils.

"Hurry up and strip then."

And while she giggled and laughed and flailed against his touch, the room felt more alive than ever before. She could imagine herself with him, waking up to his bright smile, and it was wonderful, flowery, and sent her mind soaring. So the only thing she could possibly think of was how much she'd come to love such an amazing person. It shouldn't be possible.

I love you Ekko. I really, really, really love you.

She stretched under the morning's light, arms reaching as high as they could go while her spine arched and a blissful smile spread on her cheeks. If she held the position for too long, she knew her legs would start shaking uncontrollably before falling over. Not in the mood to get her back wet with the morning dew, she had to stop.

"Time for the party?" She asked as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, blearily watching Ekko as he passed. The boy looked battle-ready. Z-drive strapped over his shoulder along with a pack of tools, his giant club-thingy held tight in his hand, and a scowl of determination marring his face.

She did notice that his expression softened when he caught her gaze.

"If it goes well." He replied before walking off. Probably attending to some last minute queries from the team.

Clearly he didn't understand that she was referring to the battle. Duking it out with Sevika and her goons, blasting a whole factory to dust, allthatwas a party. The celebration after wouldn't even be considered a party…more like a week-long parade if she had her way.

"Here you go Jinx!" She paused at the chipper voice and glanced to the side.

Andrei was also in his Firelight gear. His form was lanky and small, with a tiny tuff of his sandy brown hair sticking over the top. What even was his mask? A rat? Mouse? Gee that seemed unfortunate, especially with the Firelight's reputation in the Lanes.

Observations aside, he was holding out some equipment in his hands. A generic, rusty lookin' flare gun and a radio transmitter for her ear. Before the boy could even blink she snatched the devices from his hands and giggled to herself. They were really doing this, huh? It just felt so real all of a sudden.

"Thanks little dude." She grinned before blinking, and placing her eye directly over the barrel of the gun. "Oh! Would you happen to have any conversion kits lying around?"

"Um…"

"Ya know, so I could put some bullets in here if I use it? I'm guessin' it's a one time only light show, but you can never not be prepared! Pew-pew! And all that fun stuff."

"Ekko just said that we'd use these in case of emergencies?" The Firelight tried to sound confident, but his tone and the way he tilted his head gave him away.

"Right." She pouted as she dropped the pistol to her hip and latched it onto her belt. She caught the sight of Caitlyn and Vi in the distance holstering their guns too. Yeah, if they let Vi have a gun, surely it was only because it was absolutely necessary. "Useful. Boring. I get it."

"Sorry."

"Pssh." She waved his slumped shoulders away with the toss of her hand, "Not your fault."

Suddenly her entire body froze when Andrei leapt to her side and held her in a tight embrace. He was closer to an adult than the rest of the kids, but he still seemed a tad small. And what the hell was the hug for? She awkwardly settled on patting his head.

"Be safe out there." The Firelight mumbled before removing himself slowly. Really slow. Almost like he was enjoying the few sparing moments he had with his arms around her. At least he was on her side, right? Andrei really warmed up to her quicker than the others, ever since their last mission together in the Dredge. "I-.We'recounting on you."

"Yeah…You too?"

And before she could stew in the uncomfortable, well-wished goodbye, the young boy was bouncing away, a little extra pep in his step that didn't go unnoticed. A quirked eyebrow upon her face was all she could manage before chuckling to herself. Weirdo for sure. Then again, most of the Firelight's were absolute dorks in her mind, so that wasn't saying much.

"Excited to stick it to the Ogre!?"

She gasped as the unmistakably strong arm of her sister abruptly wrapped around her neck. The force of the ambush pushed her down. What the hell!? What's with all the touchy-feely stuff today? Can't she get a break for two seconds? Her boot stomped on top of her sister's to free herself and the groan of pain was definitely worth it.

"Ow!" Vi shouted, "Save it for the other guys."

"You save it!" She playfully growled in return, "Gonna be a real big pain in the ass when you have to fight with a broken arm."

"Please." Her sibling rolled her eyes and tried to embrace her again. It was more gentle and telegraphed this time so she let the woman's arm rest over her shoulder. "You love me too much."

"Wanna bet?"

Caitlyn was also walking towards them. Although, with a much more sullen expression on her face. She figured. The top-sider was definitely in the camp of not wanting to fight, but doing so because all other options had been exhausted. Maybe if Cupcake spent her time growing up in this hell hole, she'd have a different outlook on the situation, but too late for that.

"Seems like we're about ready to head out."

"Yep!" She and Vi chirped at the same time. Man, they really were more alike than she initially thought, huh? Violet could try to hide it all she wanted, didn't make her any less prone to the crazy they shared in their blood. Excited to go to war? Hell yeah they were!

For a brief moment, she paused. Did she have to say goodbye to Vi and her best friend now? Strangely enough, it felt nauseating to do so. Because for all the opportunity to share her earnest thanks to the two women, it would also come with the faintest of possibilities that this was was there final time together. One of them might not make it back. She shook her head, refusing to believe it. No. That'sexactlywhy she shouldn't say goodbye. Ignorance was bliss or whatever they say and she'd rather fool herself a little longer believing that they'd meet again after the battle.

"Everyone!"

They all turned towards Ekko as he stood on the base of the grand tree stairs and made their way towards the Firelight leader. He was standing taller, more proud and confident than she expected. His skin was glowing under the light that filtered through the trees, his hourglass chalk already in place. She still didn't know if it made him more attractive or less intimidating. Probably both. But she'd gotten so used to seeing him without it lately.

Pink eyes glanced at the rest of the group. They all formed an arch around Ekko with the boy being in the center. She spotted Scar polishing the tip of his spear, Brina was tightening a few remaining bolts on her hoverboard, and Andrei was front and center with his undivided attention on his leader. Heimerdinger was somewhere behind her. She'd spotted him wheeling something towards the airship outside the base before returning.

"We're good to go and you all know the plan." Ekko started. "This isn't some speech because honestly, I'm not very good at 'em. So I just want to say that we'll fight together. We'll win together. And I don't want anyone doing something stupid."

Were his eyes on her? It felt like he was staring directly at her when he spoke. Not fair!

"We'll wait for Andrei's confirmation that the factory is evacuated, Jinx launches the first strike, and we'll all be in position to handle the aftermath. I-."

Ekko paused.

"I love you guys. We've done so much good for the under-city and if nothing else, I know it's been worth it. So…ahhh shit. It's starting to sound like a speech, isn't it?"

She was the first and loudest one laughing at his realization.

"Whatever. Let's just win this thing and come home, right?"

A chorus of cheers and raised fists blasted into the air. Even she couldn't help but join in and smile at the botched speech, not-speech Ekko gave. It felt more genuine to her, more real and honest. There wasn't a point in hiding the danger, nor was it very helpful to linger on it. She could tell with a fair certainty that everyone in attendance knew the odds. But they were all still here, ready to kick some shimmered ass. So let's just get to it!

She didn't hesitate to race towards Ekko as everyone started to disperse. Her arms were thrown around his neck as her lips collided into his. She may have been a bit too eager since her lips pinched painfully against his teeth, but who cares! She was excited and ready and any other lingering thoughts about a heart-felt goodbye would've only soured the mood.

He parted from her and laid his forehead onto hers and she felt his fingers intertwine with her own.

"It's gonna work." He murmured. One last time to repeat such words. One last time to convince his uncertain heart of the truth.

"It's gonna work." She mirrored. "You, me, and everyone else is gonna learn what Sevika's head looks like on a pike!"

"Little dark, but your head's in the right place." He laughed softly.

"If it works, it works! And don't worry, you won't be alone out there for too long. Gotta watch your ass, remember?"

"I'm counting on it."

That was all they needed to say. She separated from his hold and smiled brightly. All the words that needed to be shared had already been spoken. Every touch of their skin still tingled with the memories of the day before. Yep! She was happy, alive, and eager to walk away from him. It just meant that she'd return to his side that much faster.

As she walked towards the entrance of the Firelight's base to catch up with her yordle pilot, she caught Brina's eyes. The girl was leaning against the mechanical platform to open the door and staring at her intently. A pang of nervousness caught in her stomach but before she could think about what the Firelight wanted, a short, meaningful nod was offered.

She nodded back.

An unspoken conversation just occurred in a matter of seconds. She could see it in the woman's eyes. The way she approved of her interactions with Ekko and her own nod was the confirmation Brina needed. He'll be safe. He'll come back from this alive. I'll make sure of it.

And then they passed each other without a single worry on their minds.

Before she knew it, her blue braids were whipping behind herself as she walked out of the base and saw the rotors of the airship come alive. The entire machine rumbled and groaned as she approached. Thank god it was still working. After so much time spent idle in the wildlands, it was a real possibility the contraption would've fallen apart from the sudden strain on its engine and cold oil in its pipes.

"I gotcha Heimy! Don't worry about it." She shouted towards the yordle as he walked up the ramp. It was a short jog to catch him and take hold of his cart. Up close she could see exactly what awaited her and she couldn't help but squeal in delight.

"Fish-bones! And my hoverboard!"

The two inventions lay over one another and if she didn't think Heimy was so stinkin' cute, maybe she would've been a bit peeved that he'd touched her stuff without permission. Nah. Heimy was too sweet to handle anything of hers without the utmost respect.

"Thank you, Jinx." Heimerdinger replied as the burden of moving the gear lifted from his tiny shoulders. "I've taken the liberty to load your machine-gun and pistol as well. We're ready to fly when you are."

"Oh shit!" Her hands slapped over her pockets as an embarrassed blush strained over the ridge of her nose. "You know I didn't forget about my weapons. Totally didn't. I was...uh…worried sick about where they were. Thanks!"

If she just wasn't so distracted by the events of last night and this morning, it wouldn't have been a lie. Honest!

"Of course you were." The little yordle continued to scamper up the ramp. Heimy? Teasing her? That's a first!

No matter.

She immediately reached for her rocket launcher and hefted it over her shoulder with ease. The mass of Fish-bones was awesome. So sturdy and strong. Her eyes brushed over every little detail of her treasured weapon as a cheshire grin shined in the sunlight.

"Oh Fish-bones look at you! So handsome. So cool. Bet you've been real sad not showing off your power. Well your time has come! This'll be great! You're gonna make Momma so proud!"

Knowing that, and the fact that her finger was already thumbing across the etched skeleton on the rocket launcher's golden trigger, she couldn't wait to see just how intensely the shimmer factory would go up in flames.

Notes:

Aannnddd that's the chapter.

A bit of a cliff-hanger, I apologize. It also won't be the last ;) I hope you're strapped in and excited because the next few chapters are gonna be a wild ride, fast paced, and hella fun! But before that time comes, what did you think about this one? This is the final "clam before the storm" chapter so I wanted to keep it simple and light, yet meaningful. We get to see a few loose ends tied up (Vi reacting to Ekko and Jinx after their time together and Brina's nod comes to mind - also a smidge of jealous Ekko).

But obviously the most impactful part that I really loved writing was Jinx caring for Ekko, being his support in all this. The 'I think I love you' scene is totally a top favorite of mine to write, but having Jinx see Ekko vulnerable and soothing him as he cries just hits something in me pretty hard. A good pain for sure. And I wish their loving relationship could just end there with a happily ever after, but we still got plenty of obstacles ahead.

Please leave a kudos if you can and if you wanna tell me your thoughts for this chapter or the story as a whole, I'd love to hear them in the comments! And as I said, strap in. The battle for the under-city is officially underway and it's gonna be wildly entertaining imo.

Until next time!

Chapter 43: An Explosive Beginning

Notes:

Hi everyone! I'm finally back with a new chapter!

God, I'm sorry it took so long. Work really picked up lately and writer's block really made it difficult to get this chapter done, but I'm pleased to say that I've gotten over the hump and we can finally kick-off the fight for the under-city!

Thank you so much for continuing to support and follow this story. I hope you enjoy!

(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)

Chapter Text

The base of her boot slammed onto the wooden railing, wind soaring through her blue braids, Fish-Bones confidently resting over her shoulder and her free hand placed strikingly on her hip. A deep inhale against the crisp gusts of wind was empowering and if she leaned a little over the ledge of the airship, she'd see the sprawling cities below.

"Aha! We're in the clouds! Watch out world, we're comin'!" She shouted triumphantly. It was too easy to imagine herself a hero, taking to the skies and saving this crummy world with her flashy skills. Pfft! As if! Her entire pose crumbled as she cackled to herself. Her? A hero? Suppose as long as it was okay for heroes to commit mass murder it'd be an apt description.

"Stand clear off the edge, my dear!" Jinx whipped her head backwards to see Heimerdinger manning the helm of the ship. His little mustache and wild hairs fluttered in the wind and those goggles he was wearing over his eyes were just so stinkin' adorable! "At this height we might encounter considerable turbulence."

"You worry too much ya lil' teddy bear!" She laughed in return. "Let me enjoy this."

The airship suddenly rumbled and swayed and her free arm whipped outwards to steady her balance. Okay.Maybethe yordle had a point. But see? Everything was fine! She caught herself. No problem.

Still, the shift in her balance gave her a chance to live more clearly in the moment. Fish-Bones felt heavier over her shoulder. The buildings below looked so tiny and fragile. Think of all the property damage she could do this high up with just a few heavy boulders being tossed over the side! And yet, whether they knew it or not, the citizens living in these dirty streets were helpless against her. A twinge of anxiety pressed within her chest and she felt her pulse jump at the implication.

Her excitement flattened into a firm seriousness she rarely expressed.

In a way…shewasa hero of sorts. Or at the very least, she could be. For too long the cities underneath her had been plagued and tortured by a system too rigid to change and too unfair to fight. Just a little longer and she'd be directly blasting apart one of the critical structures that held everything together. Burning down her surroundings wasn't new to her. Improving things however…

She groaned. These troubled thoughts and theories of creating a greater good were too much. Ridiculous. There was no reason to justify it. Pulling the trigger of her rocket launcher would result in an immediate war. That meant death, destruction, and uncertainty was her future. Just like it's always been.

She spun back towards the front of the airship and peered into the clouds, closing her eyes while letting the peaceful breeze cool her pale skin. Irritatingly enough, melancholy consumed her. She hated the feeling, hated how tightly connected the future seemed to be influenced by her actions today. It wasn't that long ago that she could view these cities, these pathetic people as mere toys to fill the purpose of a grand playground in her mind.

Ekko must be rubbing off on her. Or Vi. Or Caitlyn. Maybe even the yordle steering the ship behind her. There were a lot of suspects to blame.

She was Jinx, dammit! Chaotic and unruly. The mushroom cloud of her missile was a sight she yearned for because it'd be huge and fiery and so very pretty. Her eyelids opened bright pink eyes to the world and searched for the under-city thousands of feet below her. Yes. She wanted to bask in the explosion Fish-Bones could create. Her imagination had been running rampant at the thought of pulling the trigger for so long now. But it wasn't just an explosion this time, was it? The spectacle was only a small piece of the puzzle.

She was scared. And it sucked to admit it! But this wasn't a game anymore. Missing her target wasn't an option. Sheer, unrivaled destruction wasn't to be celebrated unless her aim was true and the shimmer factory was reduced to rubble. All thanks to her stupid heart. She didn't give a damn about the morality of it. Pulling the trigger, launching the attack, fighting in the streets and everything else was easy. History could remember this moment however it liked, label her as the worst terrorist the world had ever seen. Who cares?

Whatever the outcome, she just hoped that her family and friends would be okay. That this attack wasn't pointless. Or even scarier, that it didn't make everything worse. Ekko and the Firelights deserved their dying city back. Vi and Caitlyn deserved a life where they could thrive. She deserved…

Well, she didn't deserveanythingparticularly good. That much was abundantly clear. But this hell she lived in was easier when the people close to her breathed so much joyful life. Maybe she was always destined to dance with death, but if she lost those that she cherished…stumbling, breaking,dyingwas a guarantee.

"I believe we're in position, Jinx!" Heimerdinger roared over the wind. "Can you identify the factory?"

Her eyes immediately snapped below and her sight weaved through the clouds, buildings and beams to solidly lock onto her target. Sure enough, there it was. Just a tiny spot in a maze-like city and despite the size of it, she felt as if she were staring into the darkest abyss. The light in the center was so dim, so easily unseen, but it was everything.

"Yeah." She murmured in confirmation and gulped. The word she uttered wouldn't carry through the air so she lifted her free arm to give the yordle a thumbs up without glancing back.

The rushing wind lost its power as the airship reduced their speed to a hover. The rotor blades still spun, the engines and exhaust pipes still churned. It was so oppressively loud but the world around her felt eerily silent.

She lifted a shaky finger to her earpiece and pressed into the device. A dull static filled her head as she opened her mouth to speak. A second passed. Then another. Again. Breathing was so manual and forced, almost as if she were already exhausted.

"..." Her lungs filled with a deep intake of air before shakily exhaling. She could do this. She knew she could. It was just a simple matter of aiming and shooting. Just aiming and shooting. Right. Easy Peasy. "I'm in position. Shot's clear."

It took a few moments to hear a response. Might as well have been hours with how long she'd been holding her breath.

"Good."Ekko's voice eased her trembling heart. If only for an instant. That was all she needed. "I'm set up too. Everyone else?"

A chorus of confirmations funneled through her speaker and she shrugged the rocket launcher on her shoulder to re-settle the weight comfortably in her grasp. Her hand was wrapped around its grip, an outstretched finger resting on its side and just above the skull-etched trigger.

"Andrei? What's the situation look like?"

She sucked in another careful breath. In her rambling mind, she'd forgotten that this attack hadn't exactly been inevitable. At least, the Firelight's believed that to be the case. Never in her life had she wanted so desperately for unknown, innocent faces to be far from danger. It would tear her apart to know that she'd forever be mistrusted if she went against their silly ideals. No. Not just mistrusted…hated. That was so much worse.

"..."

Again, the static in her ears was maddening.

"..."

Just say it's clear Andrei. Lie if you have to! Just let me pull the trigger and be done with this. The blame is mine. It's always been mine and I can't-.

"I think…"She froze at the younger Firelight's voice. "I think it's evacuated! Nobody in sight!"

A sob of relief almost tore through her aching throat, but the feeling passed in a second as her body shifted her weight and adjusted the angle of her weapon towards the factory. Every muscle in her body went rigidly stiff while her mind was calculating variables. Angle. Distance. Wind strength and direction. Time to impact. All of it furiously summed together in a perfect equation.

"Jinx."Even Ekko's voice could no longer break the intensity of her concentration, but she managed to pull away from the trigger and respond.

"Boom-boom time?" She grinned as the elation in her ribcage was finally unlocked and free to travel through her veins. Ekko's responding chuckle was the cherry on top. He must've been feeling similar to her this whole time. Actually…the idiot was probably pacing in whatever crappy room he'd snuck into, pulling out his hair. Wonder if he would be bald the next time she saw him? He better not. She liked his white locks.

"Yeah."She could imagine the smile that must be on his face, the relief. "Light it up."

"You got it!"

She snapped her finger back onto the gold-plated trigger and brushed against the coolness of the metal. Her ghosts were beside her. She could sense them staring over the railing edge of the airship with anticipation. Jagged white lines scratched around the corners of her vision but she actually welcomed the illusion. It felt right to have them here. It felt right to know that every part of her was present. Watching. Waiting. Like every decision and every mistake she'd ever made had somehow brought her here to the finale. A place of purpose. This was her chance. Nobody else's.

A twitch was all it took.

The trigger snapped backwards with a single press of force.

The weapon on her shoulder began glowing a brilliant blue and the gemstone inside its capsule sparked to life as the runes began filling with its energy like water flowing through sculpted terrain. Fish-Bones rumbled and shook from the intense power brewing within. Every spasm was absorbed into her muscles, almost like she could feel the gemstone's magic coursing through her flesh.

The opened shark's mouth looked as if it was trying to cough up a balloon. A swirling mass of pure destruction bubbled from the barrel and she squinted through the blinding light. The entire ordeal challenged her strength and she fought against the force with everything in her being. Focus. Have to maintain her trajectory. A single hair off target spelled unredeemable failure.

The pressure was building and building. Seconds felt like minutes. But there was no doubt in her thoughts.

"Show them." Her whisper, her plea, was lost to the vacuum of screeching annihilation in her grasp. "Show them what we're made of."

In that final request, the missile rocketed out from Fish-Bone's maw.

Everything was abruptly calm. The smiley warhead soared through the air. She watched as it weaved through the clouds with grace and felt a burning ache behind pink eyes. There was a peace and awe so great that she couldn't help but cry. She dared not to wipe her eyes, lest she miss the moment of impact.

But her crazed mind drifted as the missile pierce through the sky.

This easily could've been different. The thought came to her as the missile expanded to reveal the cylindrical vials of chem-tech hidden beneath its shell. She could imagine a different world, a bleaker world, where this magnificent weapon she'd poured her heart and soul into was used for pain. For revenge or hate. Until recently, that was always a possibility. Twisted desires to watch the world burn under her will were present in every dream, every nightmare.

Not anymore.

The rocket curved steadily through the webbing of steel support beams, still on target and seeking glorious destruction. A watery giggle bubbled between her lips, proud of her creation, mentally praising Fish-Bones and cheering for his success.

Like her, the rocket launcher could've been used for atrocity. It could've ruptured the world indiscriminately…for fun and excitement or just to feel something. But she could see it now. How so easily it might've strayed from a better path and how beautiful it was that it hadn't. Maybe she was delirious. The moment seemed to last a lifetime and confusing emotions were wild in her heart. Somewhere deep down, she could feel the tortured little girl she'd once been, begging to see the brighter future she was trying to build. Strange. She hadn't felt the immediate need to suffocate the girl.

Like it was okay to let the walls of her soul lower for just a moment.

"Mama..." She whimpered. "Papa…"

Names she hadn't evoked inyears. Their faces were still blank and fuzzy in her mind, they always have been. Before, it never did any good to remember them. Twisted into formless, terrifying monsters by her insanity. So horrifying and powerful that conjuring them would inevitably lead to mental anguish. Whether she realized it or not, they were caged deep inside, as if they were suppressed behind iron doors. Chained and locked to ensure they would never splinter open inside her heart. Only once had they been unleashed when her older sister fearfully tried to get her to remember them. That night had nearly killed her.

Vi once told her when they were children that their parents were good people. A memory so stubbornly ingrained that she could remember the pieces clearly. They were loyal and kind, passionate and wanting the best for the people they loved. Dying for a cause they believed in. Good people. In a world with so few.

That'swhy they were so frightening.

She wasn't worthy of their love. Because how could they love her when they hardly knew her? And for every terrible mistake she made after, the harsh truth was solidified into stone. They didn't love her. Why else would they leave her to suffer in this wretched city? Or better yet, how could they possibly love a monster like herself? A monster that did nothing but bad things.

But-.

But she was doing good, right? This was agoodthing. Complicated and messy, sure, but blowing up the shimmer factory would help the under-city heal. Would they-...Would they be proud of her? Wherever they were? Could-...Could they love her now? Just a little? Her face fell in shadowed pain, a thin frown twisted upon chapped lips. Maybe it was wrong to think she's earned such a thing. As if this small feat was enough to settleyearsof despicable deeds.

The tears that slid down her cheeks were left to flutter behind her as the breeze flowed over her face. Through blurry eyes she continued to watch the warhead zip through the under-city and grow closer and closer to the factory. Any second now it'd detonate an explosion that had an unquantifiable mass.

There was no ghostly sign, no subtle miracle, to make her think her dead parents could even hear her silent plea. The wind hadn't shifted. No ray of light filtered through the clouds. No flutter of her heart. Nothing inexplicable to latch onto and question. It was foolish and stupid to search or even care. But she liked to think they were watching all the same. Gentle smiles. Warm eyes. A feeling of love and safety she'd never known. A feeling she'd nevertrulyknow. It was unlikely, but if she were ever granted the chance to see them again, maybe they wouldn't be so intimidating. They might even hug her so tightly she wouldn't be able to breathe.

That'd be nice. Really nice.

Ugh! She sounded like Powder, didn't she? Weak and confused. Naive and hopeful. Weird that the thought didn't bother her quite as much as it should have…

Then the world was suddenly bright and blinding. The explosion surged into the sky, exactly where the shimmer factory had been hiding. The rupturing sound of the blast consumed her before a shockwave of pure power slammed into the airship and shook its frame. Her knuckles gripped tight to the railing and ensured she'd never miss the cloud of fire and shrapnel as it spewed into the sky.

Pink lips parted in shock because it was just that amazing! Gigantic! Her imagination would've never pictured such an awesome sight. It was brilliant and awesome. The closest she'd ever come to seeing such a raw, unstoppable supernova. An all consuming fiery vortex that bubbled along the surface of the ground and vaporized the landscape.

Incredible! Spectacular! Wondrous! Pretty and vibrant! It'd take her hours to describe the magnificent blast and she still wouldn't have enough words. But one thing struck the forefront of her mind…

…It was only the beginning.

She could sit and stare into the large plumes of dark smoke and the glowing lava beneath it all day. The aftermath was mesmerizing. Eventually though, her distractions broke due to the chatter in her ear. A quick reminder that there was still so much to do. Ekko's voice screeched through the radio, already barking orders to their group.

"Sevika's fast."He commented in a rush. "Looks like her goons are already taking to the streets like she said."

"Just like we expected."Brina replied. "Where are they headed? Should we reposition?"

"No need. Most of them are headed towards the Bridge. A few coming your way as well. Andrei, fall back to Brina and Scar, you'll still have your hands full with the numbers I'm seeing."

"Already on the move." The chipper Firelight spoke.

"Vi. You and Caitlyn are gonna encounter most of their forces. Looks like we were right to worry about crossing into Piltover."

"Hell yeah! They can come and get it then." She smiled and shook her head at the sound of her sister's eager voice. Though the information worried her. She leapt from the railing of the airship and replaced Fish-Bones with her minigun.

Caitlyn began speaking as well.

"Piltover's also gonna be curious about the explosion. We'll have to worry about their response."

"Hopefully we can clean up before the enforcers arrive." That was a long-shot Ekko. Then again, her sister and herself always liked an extra challenge.

"Need some help?" She chuckled with her hand pressed to her ear. "You gotta ask nicely. Ooh and say please or it won't count!"

"Brat-!"

"Vi would appreciate your help, Jinx. As would I…please?"The top-sider interrupted and she nodded with a grin across her lips.

"When you say it like that, how could I possibly refuse Cupcake?" Even though they couldn't see her, she swooned with a hand over her heart before picking up the hoverboard and tucking it under her arm. "I'll even forget about my dumb, rocks-for-brains sister calling me names."

"Just get down here you little gremlin." Violet grumbled through the static.

"Be there in a jiffy sweet sis! Count the seconds!"

She returned to the airship's edge and made a grunt of effort to climb over the railing. Her boots teetered on the edge, hanging on the space between safe wooden floorboards and a perilous drop. A quick glance and pat around her body confirmed she had everything she needed. Pow-Pow, her pistol, knife, and a string of chompers clamped to her leather strapped chest.

"Be careful, Dear." She paused to glance towards Heimerdinger quickly approaching from the side. His bright blue eyes were so hopeful and kind and worried that she couldn't help but hesitate. "The future is only brighter if you're there to see it. I pray that you do."

Pink eyes crinkled in delight. He was a far greater friend than she could've ever expected all those months ago when she used his head as a resting pillow. Caring about her, his many gentle lectures, and a soft, fluffy head that hid such a wise mind underneath.

"Praying Heimy?" She teased. "Aren't you supposed to be a scientist or whatever? The odds are what they are Silly. But you know I got this."

She did. Totally got this. Victory was only hours away.

"Yes well, I suppose evenIwould appreciate the chance of a more than favorable success. Calling upon the gods might just be a worthwhile endeavor."

"Don't need 'em." She replied confidently as she stared once more over the edge. "But thanks, Heimy. You're…I like you."

She didn't know how else to put it. There were strong feelings swirling in her chest. Warmth, joy, a bit of fear for what's to come. But nonetheless, the yordle was another person she'd come to cherish. Might regret it if she never said anything.

"You too, Jinx."

"Take care of Fish-Bones while I'm gone, will ya?" One boot lifted and reached for the open air. "If I see a single scratch on him when I get back, I'm skinning your hide!"

He looked startled by her declaration. A burst of carefree laughter tumbled from her lips as she imagined the yordle in a way that resembled a naked, hairless cat. Maybe she'd do it anyway just to see if her imagination was accurate. A damn good prank if you asked her, but that would come later. Once all the shenanigans of the day were wrapped up in a neat little bow.

She pushed off her planted foot and launched into the sky with a shout of excitement. The wind was incredible and she rotated to splay her body in a flat outstretched form with her hoverboard held tightly in her grip, letting the rush of speed flow over her body. Blue braids whipped violently behind her and tickled the back of her scalp as she descended. For just a moment she could enjoy the fall.

It felt like pure freedom.

Through watery eyes she scanned the city depths below and spotted the Bridge of Progress in the distance. When she was finally at a height where her board worked, she curled her body and placed the hoverboard at her feet, kickstarting the invention. The fans spurred to life and her arms were out by her sides. Shifting her balance, leaning against the wind, was like surfing the clouds. Soaring through the sky in glee before she lowered, gliding through tall buildings, skirting the edges of chimneys and smoke, diving beneath steel beams and racing through narrow streets.

"We've got eyes on them." Caitlyn's static voice came through her speaker.

"Same here." Brina added, "Scar, punch it!"

Pink eyes snapped towards the rooftops on her right and watched as explosions blasted over the tops of homes far away. Her head swiveled back along her flight path as the sound of gunshots echoed up ahead. All of it was layered with the distant swell of battle cries and screams from the already wounded. She lowered her stance on her board and leaned into the momentum. A stray, fearful thought forced her to consider using the booster she'd strapped to her board. It was risky, untested, and right now she just needed to get to her sister's side. Faster. She needed to be faster!

A strong whip of her hips let her drift around another corner quickly as she shook her head. Caitlyn and Vi would be fine for now. They were strong. They could hold out for a little while longer and she'd be there just in time. Maybe that was wishful thinking. And in many ways she cursed herself for getting so consumed by a hesitation she usually never carried. Just breathe and focus. Focus and breathe. She'd make it in time, even without the extra speed. Risk was a dangerous gamble. Consistency was better.

Even though it was lame and probably something Caitlyn would scoldingly lecture.

The green glow of her hoverboard streaked behind her. Sounds of the battle ahead were nearing closer. So close, that she could faintly hear the unmistakable roar of her sister's voice. Left! Right! Another right! Left! Each mental command mirroring her race through the under-city. The main street was so close!. From the narrow walls of the alley, she could see the opening. A flash of red appeared in her vision as Violet's trademark red jacket ran across the gap, surely into a horde of enemies. Bullet trails from Caitlyn's rifle covered her sister from behind.

She grinned as she shut off her board and leapt into the street, somersaulting smoothly before planting her feet and her menacing minigun aimed into a sea of disheveled, grimy men and their rusted weapons.

"Surprise!" She cheered with glee. "Jinx is here to save the day!"

Pow-Pow whirled to life and each shiny barrel spun as she held the trigger down. Bullets showered the crowd, shredding through the mass of poorly constructed armor and fragile skin. Her pale cheeks and glowing pink eyes only brightened with the continuous muzzle flashes. It was so fun! Like shooting fish in a barrel! A really really small barrel. She couldn't miss!

"Took you long enough." She glanced towards Vi as her sister's enhanced fists blasted one of her enemies into the pavement. The impact cracked the cobblestone streets and she raised an eyebrow.

Damn. Talk aboutfat-hands. Those fancy-shmancy boxing gloves were like industrial strength hammers.

"Admit it, you missed me sooooooo much!" She giggled before turning her aim to riddle a portion of their opponents rushing alongside the homes at their side. If they thought she wouldn't blast apart the buildings around them with bullets too, they were gravely mistaken. "Did you cry? Bet you did. So worried your badass sister wouldn't be here to protect you."

"Like. I. Need. Protection." Every angered word was followed by a devastating punch into the masses. But she could see the smirk on her sister's lips and know they were both having a bit of fun. This was like…the best therapy ever! Super cathartic!

A shout from above caught them off guard as another enemy jumped from the rooftops, spear in hand and ready to be planted into Vi's shoulder. Suddenly, a crack of a sniper shot ripped through his body and he fell into a lifeless heap on the floor, his metal weapon clanking against the stone floor. They both turned to stare at Caitlyn behind them, her rifle still smoking. Those piercing blue eyes were unsettling until she spotted a smidge of prideful arrogance on her face.

"You'll thank me later." Caitlyn spoke calmly. It wasn't a question. And Vi gulped before chuckling.

"Yes Ma'am."

She was about to laugh and point at her dork of a sister before Caitlyn's gun snapped towards her and fired another shot. The thump of another lifeless body was all she needed to hear to know of the sneaky enemy's demise. Dammit. Nowsheowes Caitlyn too? This was supposed to behertime to shine!

"Eyes up." The top-sider commanded and they both turned towards the remaining enemies that spilled into the streets. Most were sprinting head on, others funneled from the many alleys, and she even spotted a few jumping across rooftops. "They're trying to flank us. I'll handle the ones above. Vi, cover the nearby alleys and Jinx, keep your gun on the main street."

Woof. Caitlyn sure did know how to talk all confident and leader-like. She just nodded in response, like her sister. What else were they supposed to do when such a fierce and beautiful woman was barking out such demanding orders? She kinda wanted to salute or something. Was it too late to do it anyway? Ah well. Next time…

The improvised plan was working magnificently too.

Bodies in front of her were riddled by her gunfire, blood and bone splashing like popped water balloons. With every fallen enemy, she could see in her peripherals that Vi had beaten down another bunch with her fists and the goons above her screamed as they were shot and falling off the buildings before they splattered on the pavement.

For a moment she was a tad disappointed. This was too easy. Too mindless. Their enemies kept coming and kept dying as a result. Where'd Sevika even find these losers? The Ogre sure as hell invested more in quantity than quality, that's for sure. But something strange happened.

She took an involuntary step backwards.

Wide eyes glanced down at her own feet in confusion then lifted to the growing mass of corpses in the street. Dozens of bodies covered in blood and muck. A haunting realization struck her in the moment because she was still firing into the crowd, still shooting, watching the metal of her minigun glow orange from the heated shots. A quick shift to Vi only further confirmed her underlying fear.

Her sister was panting, sweat pouring down her chiseled face. Her fists were still swinging albeit much more slowly than before. Tightened defenses were vulnerable to the occasional shove and every pathetic attack seemed to push Vi further on her heels. Even Caitlyn's sniper seemed to be firing more frantically, precision being swapped for the need to simply land a damaging shot.

And their enemies were still coming!

Some were retreating as their allies died. The smart ones. Most were either too stupid or too cocky and kept the pressure high. The devious few in their ranks were probably noticing the same thing she was. It was only a matter of time before their defenses broke.

"Cait!"

Vi's fearful shout came in parallel with the sound of Pow-Pow running out of ammo. She spun around to see what had frightened her sister and saw the top-sider wrestling her gun from a man that stubbornly grabbed hold of the weapon. He was bleeding from his side, but the injury was far from fatal.

Before she could even blink Vi was racing towards the pair and slamming her fist into his face. His body rag dolled into a nearby building and crashed through a window. Her heels spun. With Vi no longer covering the nearby alley-!

Quick thoughts were cut short as she stared into crazed purple eyes. A scrawny, disheveled man that seemed more animal than human was just a few feet away. She dipped low to the side and let him stumble past. There were more shimmer addicts in the under-city than she thought. It must've been so easy for Sevika to amass such an army in so little time, convincing them who therealenemies of the under-city were.

With a roar of her own she chopped the back of his head with the body of her minigun. The next two were upon her and she prepared to fight them with all her strength but it wasn't needed. A bullet zipped past her ears and pierced through their heads in a single shot. There wasn't even any time to banter or laugh at the impressive snipe. Her minigun was swung to rest on her back as she pulled her pistol from her hip and fired into the charging masses. Vi and Caitlyn were running towards her and that was stupid because as soon as they arrived, breathing heavily and feeling the burn of exhaustion, they were surrounded from every angle.

"Didn't…" Vi started with a huff while raising her fists in a readied stance. "Didn't know…Sevika had…this many friends."

"This is…positively…frustrating." Caitlyn brushed a sweaty strand of her violet hair back in place.

"It's called…cheating." She added with a sneer. "So unfair."

Vi suddenly snorted before spitting onto the cobblestone streets with a scowl on her face.

"No choice but to keep fighting, right?"

"Right." She and Caitlyn agreed together.

The moment of rest and observation was over the moment she witnessed a fiery bottle of alcohol arcing through the air. Caitlyn's rifle snapped to the target and shattered it with a well-placed shot. Liquid fire rained upon their enemies and she felt Vi's hand push her away before she could get distracted by the flames.

A clumsy rusted axe slashed in the space created between her sister and Vi quickly silenced the man with a powered fist digging into his gut. She let the momentum of her sister's saving shove carry her towards the edge of the surrounding circle. Agile fingers slipped her knife into her palm and she pivoted to stab the blade under the chin of an unexpecting foe. There wasn't any time to linger on the attack. Just a quick stab before moving onto the next awaiting opponent.

The stranglehold of their enemies was tight and limiting their options. The battlefield was growing smaller and smaller as the masses marched in, but she never felt so attuned to her actions. Dancing between small openings and dodging critical attacks had never been so easy. Like she was locked into a perfect sync as her wary eyes bounced rapidly across her environment. Two on the left. Three further back. One rushing from behind. Four crawling on the ground. Every fragment of information was processed through her mind and developed into tactical action.

She raised her pistol and triple tapped the trigger into the closest bodies and let them drop. Quickly glancing towards Caitlyn and seeing an enemy pouncing from a blind spot, she fired into the man's leg and heard him howl before placing another shot to his abdomen. Vi was at her side immediately and launched someone into the air. Before either of them could be tackled by another pair of enemies, Caitlyn tossed a weighted net into them and crouched low on her knee to fire a perfectly aimed collateral shot.

They were covering each other, working in sync. It took her a second to realize it, but with their movement being so restricted and the numbers against them so high, nothing but perfect cooperation would assure victory. And it was fun! Her stretched, cheshire grin was hurting her face, but she reveled in the feeling.

More. More killing. More death! It was like a circus of violence!

A trio of chompers were swiped from her leather strap and tossed outwards towards the largest group of enemies. The frontlines were panicking, screaming as the metal inventions snapped onto their chests and rattled like a child's toy. Multiple explosions clouded the arena in smoke. Thankfully, Vi was able to shield her from the brunt of the shockwave by using some sorta shield. It was all blue, and glowy and probably something special about those gloves of hers, but it gave them time to fall back towards Caitlyn and re-establish a stronger defensive position.

"Care for some competition?" The top-sider asked beside her as her sniper blasted multiple rounds into the horde. "Should we be counting the kills?"

"Damn." Vi sarcastically groaned after punching through the nearest threat. "That's a good idea. I'm down for a challenge."

"Forty three!" She chirped alongside a flurry of shots from her pistol. When she didn't hear a response, she quirked her head to the side to stare at the incredulous glances she was receiving. "What? I always keep count. It's fun."

"..." Caitlyn pursed her lips. "Vi, I don't think we're gonna beat-."

"Yeah." Her sister sighed, "There's no way we can catch up."

"Shoulda brought a minigun." She snorted. "I'm on my way to a new high score."

They rapidly returned to the heat of combat with a fury. The numbers were finally settling and every kill made a deeper impact than before. Side by side with two of her favorite people in the whole wide world, holding the line or whatever the hell they were doing. At this point there wasn't really a need to stay strategic. At least in her mind. Sevika's men were finished.

The final confirmation came the moment they all stared at a lone hobbling figure amidst the corpse filled streets. The barrel of her pistol lifted at the same time as Caitlyn's rifle, both of them lining up the ending headshot. The man didn't even make it another second before he collapsed. Oh. No extra ammo needed apparently.

"Yahtzee!" She jumped triumphantly in the air with a bright smile on her face. "Go team!"

Vi sent her a small smirk and nodded, "We survived."

"I'd wager Sevika's stronger forces are gonna stay closer to the Last Drop." Caitlyn reasoned.

"Yeah these guys were totally cannon-fodder, am I right? Weak as can be!"

The officer's relief seemed to falter as she lowered her head towards the nearest corpses. The entirety of the cheerful atmosphere seemed to dissipate with the expression that fell on her face and her shoulders dipped as the butt of her rifle was set on the ground.

"To think it would have to come to this…" Caitlyn murmured. "It's awful."

"Yeah…" Vi agreed solemnly.

Both their crestfallen faces delivered a twinge of irritation to her otherwise giddy mood. What was with all the doom and gloom? This was a far better outcome than the many other terrible alternatives. Alive. Still breathing. No major injuries. A bit of ammo left to spare. The whole thing was an A in her book. Though, definitely a shame that Pow-Pow had run out of ammo. She assumed the minigun woulda last the whole length of the war. Bummer.

"They brought it on themselves." She shrugged nonchalantly as she searched for her hoverboard. It was probably buried in blood and limbs, but she'd find it eventually. Just had to kick over a few deadbeat minions to find it.

"Could we have been better about giving them a choice?" Caitlyn questioned quietly.

Where the hell was all this depressing introspection coming from? It wasn't that long ago that the top-sider was talking about competition in kills, right? Hm. Maybe that was just the thrill and adrenaline oozing from the battle, but it was pointless to wonder about what could've been anyway. She knew her enemies, lived with these people all her life. If there was a better choice by now, they'd have made it.

Undoubtedly…

Probably…

Maybe…

Would she have chosen otherwise if Silco were still alive and kicking?

Screw that!

She shook away the doubt that seeped into her thoughts. Finding her hoverboard was a decent enough distraction as well. The metal contraption was pulled from the wreckage of battle and a few swats along its surface was enough to clean most of the grime it had accumulated. Numerous blood stains were a bit more stubborn and sticky though.

"Wipe that frown off your face princess." She grumbled, "If ya wanna blame someone, blame Sevika." Stupid Ogre, Butter Knife usin' bitch.

"Jinx's right." Vi added angrily. Thank you very much dear sister! It's nice to finally have you on my side! "This means nothing if Sevika wins today. We have to keep pushing forward. Shitty as it is. We can't waste this chance."

"Okay…" Caitlyn sounded unsure until her resolve steeled within her deep blue eyes and repeated. "Okay."

Cool. We're past the regret now? She supposed she could understand Caitlyn's sentiment. Sorta. But massacres were just another walk in the park for her so…

A rush of marching boots against the streets abruptly interrupted the moment. She whipped her head behind to stare at the dozens of enforcers marching across the bridge. Anger briefly flashed across her mind. The prior conversation was sitting uncomfortably in her chest and hell if she didn't want to relieve a bit of that rage and confusion on the next batch of enemies on the horizon. The grip of her pistol was tight in her palm.

"Jinx." Caitlyn suddenly was in front of her, pushing her back towards the under-city. "Go. Help the others."

"Huh?" What the hell? "You need my help here though!"

The officer shook her head.

"There's been enough carnage today. I'll try to explain the situation and buy you guys a little more time. If it goes according to plan, there won't be a fight with Piltover."

"I'll stay too." Vi crossed her arms over her chest and matched Caitlyn's frustrated glare with her own. "I know how quick those assholes are to assume what's happening. Might as well give 'em two voices to listen to."

"..." She clenched her teeth, worriedly bit a portion of her lower lip in brief concern, but eventually straightened. "Fine. Do what you want."

Her hoverboard was kickstarted to life and she hopped onto its surface, still staring at the women that fought alongside her. Leaving them to the enforcers was wrong. So wrong. All it took was one false move and the entire task force would open fire before a word could be uttered…They better know what they're doing. The entirety of her trust in her sister and best friend was placed upon them.

"You'll catch up when you can!" It was her only command. They better listen.

"Of course." Caitlyn softly smiled.

Vi bellowed a cocky laugh and grinned. "We'll be right behind you, Pow."

"...Good."

Once again she was flying through the streets of the under-city.

The speed was a calming reprieve after such a heated battle. It didn't hamper her from taking a few random shots at the stranglers in Sevika's army as she raced over their heads. That's another one. Should've been on the lookout for a maniac on a hoverboard dumbasses!

But so far, so good. A pale finger reached towards her earpiece and pressed into the device.

"We're all clear on the main street." She said, "Sis and Cait are staying behind to reason with the enforcers but they say they got it, so…"

"..."

The line was silent.

"Ekko? You there, hotshot?"

"...Thank god." Ekko's voice finally entered her ears and made her breathe in relief. Though he was quiet. It was hard to hear him over the wind.

"Are you whispering?"

"..."

"God dammit! Are you giving me the silent treatment or something? Speak up!"

"...Sorry."Ekko replied hastily, still quiet. "They're searching houses close to the Last Drop. I've been outta sight but they might hear me if I'm too loud. Had to relocate a few times."

His words were beautiful and enraging at the same time. He was keeping his promise to her. Staying out of the fight until she was able to reach his side. But! Those fuckers were making the whole thing even more dangerous! As she sped through the city, she chuckled darkly, knowing that a bit of light torture to her enemies was just fine in war.

"Brina. How are things on your end?"

"Not good!"A new voice suddenly shouted in her ear and she cringed. The sounds of chaotic battle screeched alongside the Firelight's voice. "Scar's pretty banged up-! Andrei get down! Fuck! And I think I sprained my ankle! We need help asap! Not sure how much longer we can hold out!"

"Jinx."Ekko's voice forced her heart to painfully writhe in her chest. She could hear the desperate, unspoken plea in his voice.

"Yeah, yeah." She muttered to herself. Brina definitely owed her one. "Headin' there now."

She didn't have a cocky joke or insulting tease to utter. It just sucked, felt like a giant rock crashed into the depths of her stomach. It was so hard to reason that it was the right move to make, but the longer this war went on, the more she wanted to meet up with Ekko. Leaving him alone for too long was not okay. He'd eventually do something stupid. She had a gut feeling. And her gut feelings were usually trustworthy! Sometimes!

Swiftly altering course, she sped towards the Firelights in trouble. She should've anticipated this outcome too. A trio of ragtag freedom fighters weren't nearly as capable as the rest of them. Combat experience or not, the absence of hextech or powerful weaponry was putting the group at a terrible disadvantage.

"Thanks Jinx."Ekko's gratuity only made her roll her eyes. Theyallknew what she was thinking internally. How disappointing it was to divert her attention from the boy she loved. How unenthusiastically she was about saving the bunch of Firelights. But like everything these days, it was complicated. Nothing was simple. Brina, Scar, and Andrei dying needlessly would be a consequence that affected Ekko and in turn, her. Dammit. "Once you guys are clear to move up we can all meet-."

A startling crash of glass over the radio cut his words short. With wide, fearful eyes she grinded to a halt in the air and listened to the sounds of steel clashing together.

No. Her head was spinning, the world was spinning. Nausea climbed up her throat and she was choking on the air. No.

"Shit!" Ekko cursed, "I'm spotted! Don't worry about me, just get to the others! I'll be fine!"

The static radio cut abruptly.

No. Her eyes turned towards Ekko's location in the city, paralyzed as she hovered. No. Nononononononono.

She wasnotleaving him to fend for himself. Not worry? Get to the others? Dumbass! That's not how any of this worked! The cold, harsh truth was that the Firelights were nothing when weighed against Ekko's life. That was her simple reality.

The hoverboard beneath her boots spun and rocketed en route to her original destination. Deciding otherwise was to live in hell. No matter what Ekko thought of her, she wasn't strong enough to fight against the seizing fear that had taken hold of her fragile heart. If something happened to him, who would hold her the way he did? Who would stare at her like she was the most beautiful angel to ever exist? Who would touch her, make her forget all the pain inside? Who would love her like he did?

Nobody.

Ekko was worth it. Worth a hundred apologies. Worth years of depression and regret. Because at least he'd still be fucking alive. Even if he resented her…

The first instinct that came to her was to radio him and assure him that she was coming. Her finger was pressed to the mic in her ear but no words came from her lips. Despite already racing away from the Firelights in danger, communicating the truth was harder than she expected. Everyone was linked to this channel. They'd all hear her intentions. Would her words force the trio to give up hope? Was there a chance that they'd make it without her anyway?

Consumed by her frantic thoughts, her senses were delayed. A startlingly inhuman growl erupted from below and she barely had time to swerve away from outstretched claws. Shocked eyes snapped towards the familiar form of matted black fur covered in chem-tech tubing. Glowing red eyes hatefully staring up at her as the ambushed attack failed to connect.

Now?! Of all the stupid shit she's dealt with-.

She pushed onward, uncertain, maybe even a little afraid. Any time she wasted with the wolfish beast on her tail was another chance Ekko took a fatal blow to his body. Warwick's howl blasted behind her before the rumble of his pursuit was clear. Her face twisted into a snarl and aimed her pistol low and behind, rattling off a flurry of shots. Some connected and spurt blood from the beast's body. Others missed and chipped the stone in front of him.

"Can't you see I'm busy!?" She screamed in anger, still pulling the trigger. "Leave me alone you mangy mutt!"

Warwick's response was nothing but a furious growl and the huff of his breath as each powerful limb covered a vast distance. His hunt was nothing but a nuisance and distracted her enough to ignore the collision course with a building up ahead. Eyebrows shot up in panic as she slowed and pushed all her weight into a sharp turn.

He must've leapt at her then, when her speed was slowed. The flesh of her arm was sliced by lengthy metal claws. A violent yelp from the sudden pain split from her lips, but she had to get away, keep going! Pain was nothing!

The wolf's enormous leap carried him past her and sent his hulking form crashing into the building she'd nearly splattered into. Sweat was dripping from her forehead, almost as much as the blood drenched down her arm.

"Raaagh!" Warwick raged behind her but she didn't spare him a glance. "Run faster!"

The lost mind of a monster was anything but certain. Was he taunting her or scolding himself for a missed kill? Not like it mattered. Her weaponry was far from capable of stopping such a beast in its tracks. And her blood falling to the streets below would only be used to fuel his hunt with her scent. Escape seemed impossible, no matter how quickly she could get away. Warwick would find her.

Fuckity fuck!

Try not to think about it. Ekko was still paramount. But damn if she wasn't cursing herself for not killing the predator when it was weak and subdued. It would've avoided so many problems!

She made another quick turn down the under-city streets and grinding claws against the concrete were right behind her. Up ahead, a small group of Sevika's men were absently looting nearby shops. They were laughing, drinking, and cheering as they counted their stolen goods.

They never had a chance.

She flew overhead before Warwick pounced onto one of them, flailing his powerful arms and shredding the unsuspecting man apart. She ignored the screams of agony and the wild fear from the others left to an untimely demise. With any luck, the wolf would be distracted by the new prey. Maybe give her a chance to get some distance.

"The killing stops when Zaun is free!"

Warwick's deep, menacing voice made her pause and look back towards the massacre in the streets. Every swipe of his claws tore another body in half. Blood flowed so thickly over the pavement it looked like black slime. It wasn't the devastating sight that'd struck her so curiously, but the words. He saidZaunand his rage was seemingly greater than before. Like he hated these new enemies more than her. The goons were running from the carnage but each one was hunted and killed with animalistic malice.

It gave her an idea. A really,reallybad idea.

"Listen here you overgrown puppy!" She slowed to a halt and pointed directly towards the monstrous creation. The thing was crunching the bones of his victim between jagged teeth, dark maroon staining his chin. "You wanna keep chasing me? Or kill more of those freaks that're tearing up the city?"

Red eyes glared up at her but she steeled herself. He wasn't gonna intimate her. Not when there were much greater concerns to worry about. At least she had his attention. Warwick was panting, every heated breath spewed from his maw like wispy smoke, but he didn't say anything. Which was hopefully a good sign.

"There's a group of people that way-." Jinx rotated her arm to point through the buildings towards Brina and the other Firelight's location. "-and they're fighting back against idiots like the guys you just blended into paste. How 'bout you get off my butt and go do something we both know you'll enjoy!"

Her hand raised to her radio in a hurry.

"Brina, Andrei, Scar! Shoot some of those flares into the sky."

"Huh?" A confused voice replied.

"Just do it! Chop chop!"

Almost immediately a whine of a flare gun was heard. She lifted her eyes over the rooftops just in time to see the bright green light sparkle at the apex of its climb. Warwick snapped towards the light as well and a smirk was etched across her face.

"See that?!" She yelled down to the beast. "That's them! Go eat them or whatever it is you do!"

Warwick seemed to be conflicted, constantly flashing his enraged eyes towards herself and then towards the shining beacon in the distance. His claws were sparking against the ground, twitching with anticipation. He still wasn't moving though. Fine. She'd have to be a bit more enticing.

"See the green light?" She cooed, all mushy and encouraging. "The big, pretty light? What's that, huh? What's over there? Tasty snacks? You want it don'tcha? Don'tcha boy? Bet there's a whole bunch of treats just waiting for you. Get the light! Go get it!"

He shook his head as if clearing the conflict from his rage-filled mind before opening his muzzle. Yellowed teeth with specks of blood gleamed in her eyes but she focused on the fact that his attention was locked towards the flare up high. Take the bait. Just take it.

"Hungry…"

"I bet you are." She nodded, "All you can eat buffet is right over there. So let's call this a temporary truce. I go free and you go fill that belly of yours. Deal?"

He snarled at her, but it wasn't a rejection of her offer either. She watched the wolf lower his body, all four limbs tightening into a readied stance. There was nothing more to worry about, just a few seconds of silence before Warwick howled into the sky and shot off into the alley nearby. It gave her a moment to sigh and lazily wipe at her blood covered arm, hissing when she brushed the shredded skin.

Yeesh. Talk about a gamble. Holy cow.

"Good boy." Pink eyes twinkled in amusement before lifting her hand to her ear, "Hey Brina? Help's on the way. But…uh…just run away or something when he gets there."

"He?"

"Remember Warwick? That wolfy-lookin' monster that we fought not too long ago? Big, sharp claws. Chem-tech pumping through his veins."

"...You gotta be fucking kidding me."

"Nope!" She chirped happily. At least now she could save both Ekkoandthe Firelights. "Just be careful. He's a bit of a nut case. Probably doesn't fetch too well either."

"Andrei! Scar! We're falling back! Now!" Brina shouted through her earpiece. There was a pause before the woman spoke again. "We'll try to circle back once we've had enough time to recover. And I can't believe I'm saying this, but we owe you one."

"You know it."

"Wow, soooo humble. Just go save your man, honey."

Her palm found the silver stopwatch hanging from her hip and lovingly smoothed over its surface.

"Don't need to tell me twice!"

Notes:

Annnnd that's the chapter!

Was it exciting? Interesting? I hope you'll let me know your thoughts in the comments!

I was really invested in the moment Jinx fires Fish-Bones. The long reflection as it soared through the sky and her wavering thoughts about her parents. I contemplated their inclusion in her thoughts, but eventually decided that they are definitely a piece of her trauma. The tea party scene showed some scary, unfamiliar monsters when Vi was shouting about Mom and Dad and I wanted to flesh that out. Like they are an even deeper point of agony for Jinx that don't necessarily take the form of her usual hallucinations. This concept might come back in a future chapter ;)

Writing Jinx, Caitlyn, and Vi fighting together and using abilities that are seen in LoL was also rewarding for me. I hope that fight was satisfying, but feel free to let me know if you thought something was missing or if it was just right. I found it mildly difficult to write the details with such a massive enemy count, but there will be more specific and detailed fights coming soon. I'd also like to say that I'm not afraid to go on record to say Caitlyn is mommy LMAO. I love her.

And lastly Warwick! He's made a shocking return and gets talked to like a puppy XD. If anyone would be willing to baby-talk a beast like him, it'd probably be Jinx, right? And luckily he's more of a neutral party in this massive war. Not exactly on the Firelight's side, but helping nonetheless. And now that Ekko's in trouble, we'll have to wait and see what kinda condition he's in as Jinx races towards his location.

PT 2 of the war is already in-progress and I hope to post it early this upcoming week. If I'm crazy and write super fast, I'll have the chapter complete by Monday. Hopefully that'll make up for such a long delay in the posting of this chapter. I also have a more clear understanding of how many chapters are left. Don't get depressed! It's incredibly exciting! At the time of writing this, it seems that there will be a total of 48 chapters. This IS the final major arc, but there will be a hefty aftermath as well, so don't feel like there'll be nothing left after this war. I can assure you there's a lot of warmth (and maybe an equal amount of pain hehe) waiting for you after the results of the under-city battle. There's still huge character growth for our favorite cast.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter despite the time you spent waiting for the update. Please leave a kudos if you're able and leave a comment if you want to discuss the chapter, praise / criticize anything, or if you have any questions! Though I'll be careful to not give away any spoilers, you can speculate if you'd like. I'm so ready to connect with you all again 3

Until next time!

Chapter 44: War in the Streets

Notes:

I'm baaaaack! AND GUESS WHAT!? Today is another DOUBLE CHAPTER! WHOOHOO!

I'm so excited. Get ready for a wild ride. OH and I'm terribly sorry about not replying to as many comments as I wanted to on the last chapter. I hope to go back an actually address the kind words and questions y'all provided. And seriously thank you so so much for supporting this story!

Without further delay, please enjoy the next 19K words :D

(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)

Chapter Text

"Woah."

As she closed in on Ekko's position and made her way deeper into the under-city, Fish-Bone's devastating blast was still clearly lingering in the air. It was like the sun had fizzled out of the sky with how thickly the dark smoke layered above her. Flurries of ash and soot fell like black snow, settling atop her bright blue hair. Pale skin looked as if she'd spent the whole day in the chem mines.

She took a moment to stare and breathe it all in. Awesome. Super-duper spectacular, just like she planned!

Now.

Her attention diverted away from the devastating aftermath and returned to the Lanes ahead. Ekko should be somewhere around here. Trying to listen for the sounds of fighting was a bit pointless though. The closer she got to the main district, more and more civilians were screaming in fear and confusion while they swarmed the streets. As frustrating as it was, she had to be more selectively careful about taking random shots with her pistol. Innocents made up most of the crowds. Some were fleeing towards Piltover, others were hastily barricading their homes.

The woes of being a freedom fighter…

"Ekko! I'm in the Lanes. Where are you?" Her hand pressed over her ear as she continued to scan her surroundings.

"I'm- ugh!"His grunt of effort and the clash of weaponry that followed sent a tremor through her heart. Give me something.Anything. She needed to find him soon. "Running through the Linkeyee Street homes. You know- hup! Near Benzo's old shop."

"Benzo's. Linkeyee Street. Got it." She was already on her way.

Familiar streets passed her by as she raced through the outskirts of the Lanes. They filled her with a strange sense of nostalgia, sparked by foggy memories. It was sorta strange. Sorta interesting. Like there had been a gap in her life, spanning years, as if she was returning to the under-city for the first time in a long while. But that didn't make sense. She never really left. Even still, the scribbles of her mind were alive and laying images over dirty alleyways, painting over the deserted stalls and shops, remembering a different sort of timeline. Was it the past? What could've been? Or what could be?

It didn't matter.

Her crazed, curious mind could wait. Ekko couldn't. And knowing that was all she needed to push onward and drift around the upcoming corner. A rusted, bent sign sent a hopeful smile to her lips. This was the right place. So…Pink eyes scanned the buildings on either side, swiveling her head back and forth as she sped down the desolate streets. Benzo's place looked just as desolate as it always had been and her nose wrinkled at the stench in the air. Definitely didn't miss the stink of the under-city in her time with the Firelights.

Maybe she should get some flowers from top-side and staple them to her board. Would that help?

A sudden crash of glass snapped her gaze forward, watching a window on the second story of a building shatter and send little glass pieces scattering towards the ground. She spotted Ekko's familiar green cloak immediately. His hands had grabbed onto the top of the window sill and swung his body out and up with an athletic flip. He spun in the air and latched onto the length of a dirty metal gutter, pulling himself to the roof.

"Ekko!" He glanced backwards to see her swiftly racing towards him before dropping towards the area of his escape. Three masked men stuck their heads out of the broken window and searched for their target. They must've seen Ekko because they were shouting and pointing upwards.

She was still too far away to hear Ekko as he was shouting. All she could do was capture the sight of his moving lips and the way his arm seemed to motion ahead. Ah. Message received. The Firelight began sprinting away on the rooftops and she was quick to fly after.

When she caught up to him, it was easy to see the damage of his scrap with Sevika's men. His cloak was covered in dirt, grime, maybe even a few splotches of blood. Better not be his, otherwise she'd go searching for the culprits and give them a pierce of her mind. The stress of his efforts was also clear in his expression. But that was fine. He wasn't limping or anything and now that she was here to save his sorry butt, everything would be okay!

He sprinted past a rooftop access point and the door was kicked open soon after. A team of goons were in hot pursuit after her man, one of them throwing a dagger towards his back. Luckily Ekko dipped to the left and dodged the weapon before it could be planted in his spine. She fired a few rounds of her pistol into the herd of enemies and caught one by the shoulder. He lost his balance on the slanted tiles, sliding uncontrollably down the roof and towards his demise below.

"Jump on!" She shouted to Ekko. They were so close! Hardly any distance between her hoverboard and the roof. Even if Ekko couldn't make the jump, she was damn sure she'd catch him.

Brown eyes glanced towards her for a moment and a brief hesitation flashed upon his face before it was replaced by determination. Ekko's powerful strides increased his speed. Faster and faster. She matched his every step until he darted to the side and launched into the air.

"Holy!" Ekko's scream was long and drawn out as he floated across the gap. Time seemed to slow in her mind, watching his flailing form, locked onto his outstretched arm in unrivaled focus. There was no time to consider failure. She reached for him. "Shit!"

She clasped his hand as tightly as he'd clasped hers, perfectly connected.

With a quick yank and brief instability in her board, she pulled him to his feet and they shared the top of her hoverboard. His chest was pressed to her back and she could feel every heavy breath of his against her nape.

"You're a…lifesaver." He gasped tiredly. "But…let's stop meeting like this."

"Where's the fun in that?" She laughed as she spun on her heels to wrap her arms around his neck and stare teasingly into his eyes. Could she tempt him for a kiss? It's been too long and she's earned it, right?

Her waiting lips didn't wait a single second before his heated breath pressed into her mouth. She moaned into their connection, tightening her hold on him and leaning into the softness of his lips. Oh yeah. Shedefinitelyneeded this.

Just as she was about to wrench open his mouth and plunge her tongue inside, Ekko jolted back in panic, eyes wide. Huh? What the-!? His arms surrounded her quickly and leaned them to the side, narrowly avoiding a curve in the street and the chance of splattering against a concrete wall. Oops. Guess she shoulda been paying more attention to the road. Good save babe!

"They're pushing into districts beyond the Lanes." Ekko spoke behind her, all serious, as if they hadn't just avoided near deathandlike she hadn't been ready to go at him right here on this hoverboard. Hmph. Stupid. "I'm thinking we fly around the edges and cause enough of a distraction to pull them back."

"Distraction huh? Like we zoom around all super fast, Like whoosh! Blam, blam, blam! Pow! Crash! Ahhh!" She put her entire body into her words, failing her arms and pretending to fire her pistol. If he wanted a good distraction, he came to the right gal!

"..." He looked exasperated, but following her imagination well enough. "A couple might slip past, but yeah, I was thinkin' something like that."

"We can use the booster on my board!"

His eyes skeptically peered into hers.

"Is it safe?"

"iS iTt sAfE?" She mimicked him sarcastically, swinging her head back and forth lethargically. Honestly, this poor boy. He really needs to catch up on her whole, 'danger is fun' schtick. "Does it matter?"

For a quick moment she watched his mind run through the options, occasionally glancing towards the contraption bolted to her board behind his boots.

"..." He was still contemplating the odds. Sure, there was a chance at exploding in a ball of fiery fire. Butmaybenot. "...Fuck it."

"That's the spirit!" She cheered, patting his shoulder. "You steer, I shoot, and we'll get all those troublemakers chasing after us in no time."

"Sure about this? It'll mean we're in for a tough fight once we stop."

"Wouldn't have it any other way." She responded easily. It really wasn't a hard decision. In fact, this moment was exactly how she'd hoped her addition to the hoverboard would be used. Lightning fast speed, the smell of gunpowder in her nose, pissin' off the locals, and Ekko behind her, guiding her through the chaos. Hot damn she was so ready for it! Maybe a tad turned on by the prospect? Hehe.

She was seeing nothing but green lights then.

There was a long stretch ahead of them, a straight line that'd be perfect for a speedy takeoff. The streets warped in her mind to resemble a lengthy runway and her boots were already bouncing with anticipation. Ekko's weight shifted as he bent his knees in preparation.

"God." Ekko prayed aloud, "Please don't let us crash or explode."

"No God here, dummy!" She slapped at him in a rapid flurry of light hits, "Only speed! Hit the gas. I'm ready to fly!"

"Brace yourself."

Ha! How aboutyoubraceyourselfLittle Man?

Her blue braids were whipping behind her in the air and the faint buzz of the spinning fans beneath her feet were already loud enough, but when Ekko lifted his heel to stomp into the big red button on top of the booster rocket, she swore everything was suddenly at a stand still. The wind was soft. The air was mildly cool. The city slipped by at a relatively manageable speed.

And then everything blurred.

FWOOSH!

Ekko activated the rocket strapped to her hoverboard and her entire stance stumbled from the force of momentum slamming into her chest. Her back was pushed flush to Ekko as a trail of fire spewed from the exhaust. The torrent of wind in her face brought involuntary tears to her watering eyes while a bright smile consumed half her face.

"T-THAT'S W-WHAT I-I'M T-TALKIN' A-ABOUT!" Her words were stuttered through the vibrations of the metal board rippling through her bones. Incoherent screams of glee rattled in her throat. Ekko was screaming too, a little girlishly if you asked her. She could hear him despite the roar of the wind in her ears.

They rocketed down the empty street like lightning. An indescribable blur to any that heard them coming. Even the mere act of readying her pistol took tremendous effort, fighting against the intensity of the air resistance they encountered. The barrel of her pistol was lifted anyway, ready for enemies to cross her sights.

The first corner was quickly approaching. She almost wanted to close her eyes to avoid looking at the wall that would spell their untimely demise if they couldn't turn in time. Nah! How could she miss even a second of such an awesome thrill ride? This was a thousand times better than a rollercoaster!

Ekko's hands squeezed her shoulders tightly before yanking her to the right. His pull was so strong she nearly considered that they were abandoning ship, but to her delightful surprise, the strength to lean into such a powerful turn was just that great. The metal hoverboard groaned and bent under her feet as it curved around the corner and opened them to another straight clearing. And these streets were filled with Sevika's minions. She could tell. Sorta. Everything was super blurry!

She hastily lined up her shot at an unsuspecting target ahead and snapped off a round. How fast were they freaking going!? It almost looked like the bullet pierced the man's head at the same time they passed. A string of amazed giggles erupted from her lips. This must be what it was like to get rocketed off by the big Hextech thingy in Piltover, only they were a much smaller, definitely not airship sized, vehicle.

There wasn't any time to ponder their speed any longer. It was showtime! Her aim snapped from side to side like a machine, firing off rounds as quickly as she could. Every bullet zipped alongside them before smashing into hopelessly ambushed and unguarded enemies. A few were lucky enough to escape her targeting, but not really. Thiswasa distraction after all. The ones that survived would only be led to a different, perhaps not as swift, death once they chased after them.

"Duck!" Ekko's shout almost didn't register before wide eyes took note of the wooden bridge between two buildings. She dropped low and let the structure pass before bracing herself for another upcoming turn.

As soon as it was safe to balance once more she locked onto another set of targets ahead. Her arm bounced from left to right, blasting shots into as many bandits as she could find. Flurries of rounds sped through the air with each pull of her trigger. Left. Right. In front. Behind. One, two, three, four bullets erupted from her handgun in a rapid fire.

In some ways, the excitement of their speed had died the moment she committed herself to dealing efficient death. Her expression smoothed into unrivaled concentration. Her limbs were aching from the constant strain, but she never failed to snap towards her next target, then the next, and the one after that, all in a matter of seconds.

Together, she and Ekko were like reapers collecting the souls of the damned with frightening vigor. Streaking across the city streets like a comet, avoiding a devastating crash with every turn, and spiraling around the city streets over and over, funneling their opponents into a tighter and tighter circle. It was like a game of corralling livestock to be slaughtered.

After enough time, and probably only minutes of actually flying, the booster behind them sputtered and gasped as the tight flame behind the board wavered.

"We're outta juice!" Ekko shouted in her ear.

"Awwwww! Too soon!"

"Let's just land this thing before we're bucked off!"

Just as the Firelight yelled, his fears birthed a rupturing crack in her board. She hastily glanced down in time to see the metal under her boots split in a spidery fracture. Ekko had already lowered them from their previous height but it didn't make the violent jerk of her hoverboard any more manageable.

Uh oh. This would probably hurt a bit.

"W-woah!" She yelped as soon as the board split apart, flailing her arms in the air as they were both thrown towards the ground.

Ekko was grunting alongside her as they smashed into the cobblestone streets, rolling uncontrollably as their bodies were still being propelled by their momentum. The world was all topsy turny. Her brain felt like it was still rolling upside down even when her tumble eventually stopped with her chest smooshed against the pavement. Her cheek rested tiredly on the cool stone as she panted.

"Again." The enthusiasm was absent from her voice as she raised a shaky hand to the sky in triumph. She sounded like she was a zombie or something and Ekko's only response was a weak, nauseous whine. But that invention of hers was so worth it! Even if she was slowly starting to realize her hoverboard was in two distinctly separate pieces afterwards. And bent to all hell. Damn that meant a lot of time in the workshop again.

"I'm-." Ekko started. A quick glance told her he was still trying to get his bearings. "I'm gonna need a few minutes."

"Unh same…"

They were not granted a few minutes of rest, like they'd hoped.

She scrambled to her feet the moment she heard the angry murmurings that surrounded them, the slimy chuckles and cocky anticipation. Her shoulders straightened when the first group slowly rounded the corner, leaking from the city shadows like a slowly spreading disease. Ekko's Z-drive pressed into her back when he took a careful backstep. Their enemies spilled into the other side of the street, trapping them between their masses and closing in.

"Guess they finally caught up." Ekko snorted.

"Idiots." She giggled. Chasing after death would only bring them closer to it. Duh.

Completely surrounded, back to back with Ekko, didn't fill her with a single ounce of dread. Not in the slightest. In fact, she never felt stronger. Before she could even begin formulating a plan of attack, a shift among the crowd caught her attention. Silhouettes of mechanical monstrosities were lurking behind the frontlines, pushing their way towards the apex of the group. There were two of them. A quick shift towards Ekko's side revealed an additional pair. Chem guards. Or more aptly named by the haunting tales of their carnage…

Chem demons.

Jittery and without an ounce of humanity in their eyes, they pushed through Sevika's forces. Blades attached to their machined arms carved and sparked along the stone ground with an eerie screech. The purple glow of their suited helmets showed twitching, foaming mouths in a constant state of inhaling shimmered gas.

"Ever fought one of these guys before?" Ekko asked slowly, his knees bending as if ready to spring to action any second.

"Nope. First time for everything though!" She chirped excitedly, practically salivating herself at the opportunity. She always wondered just what kind of engineering went into making such a monstrosity. Her curious mind was itching to rip them apart and see what sort of secrets were hidden beneath metal frames. Would she find more guts or bolts?

The others couldn't be easily forgotten though. She counted a few crude crossbows among their enemies along with the usual collection of scrapyard weaponry. Call it shoddy or downright pathetic, but she knew from experience that even the rustiest of weapons could cause some serious problems. It seemed like their safety was in jeopardy at all ranges in this fight. Ekko was probably smart enough to recognize it too.

"We do this together, yeah?" The Firelight spoke, clear and strong.

For a moment she was reminded of what was at stake. The thrill of battle was only as good as the outcome. It wasn't fun to think of the worst case scenario, but there was at least a fraction of comfort knowing that every one of Sevika's allies was as good as dead. They sealed their fate the moment they set their sights on hurting them. The only difference in the death would be how painful it was, because if Ekko fell…she'd absolutely make hell seem like a fairy tale to these no-lifes.

"Yeah," She replied with a firm nod as her unarmed hand slipped behind her and took hold of Ekko's Z-drive, latching onto the starter cord with the curve of her fingers. "Together."

The rattle of a chain tickled her ears and pink eyes drifted behind her to see a gold pocket watch swishing in Ekko's grasp. Heh. She laughed lightly, impressed that Ekko had already found a replacement for the one that hooked to her hip. It was just like him to have another. Probably had dozens, the freakin' nerd. And she'd known him for so long, understood him so well, that she could practically see the gears of his mind turning as he planned the fight in his head.

She readied herself into a prepared stance, flicking her pistol to check the ammo and readiness of her gun. Glowing and eager eyes stared into the forces that were steadily approaching. Closer and closer. False victory already bright on their grimy faces.

Everything was silent.

The pocket watch in Ekko's grasp swayed from side to side with a consistent rhythm, almost like the beat of a war drum but so much softer. It took a moment for her to realize, but they'd been in a familiar position before, only that was as enemies. That fateful night on the bridge. This time was different though. They had each other through thick and thin.

The watch continued to sway with purpose. Left. Right. Left. Right. Left…

The hitch of the chain matched her breath as Ekko caught the timepiece solidly in his grasp.

"Two minutes." He muttered.

"That long?" She smirked. With their skills she would've thought they'd clear through the masses in less than a few seconds. But then again, she usually was a bit hasty and ambitious in her predictions. "What am I dating an under-achiever or something? Let's shoot for one minute."

"One and a half."

"Deal!"

"Alright then…"

.

.

.

"Go!" Ekko clicked the button of his clock and she was ready.

The second Ekko shouted, she was sprinting forwards, the cord of his Z-drive pulled by her fingers as they raced away from each other. A brilliant glow of blue light was all but a minor distraction at her back as she raced towards her enemies. The thrill of battle was gleaming in her merry eyes and wide smile.

Immediately, a monstrous shriek came from the first chem demon as it charged her. Trails of green light followed the tips of its glowing blades as it rapidly approached. She tried her best to ignore the enormous beast and dodge the many wooden bolts flying with reckless abandon towards her position, but a quick blink of her eyes was all it took for the murderous shimmer beast to appear in front of her, slicing through the air. She leapt towards the mecha creature, slipping through the slim gap in his deadly attack and using his bulky metal shoulders to flip herself high into the air.

From above, she had a few seconds to aim and fire at the crossbow users. Every crackling gunshot created another corpse. Sevika's men were dropping to the floor, lifeless and staining the street with more blood. The instant she landed on her feet, she was forced to sway to the side, avoiding yet another series of lacerating blades from the second chem demon already upon her. Her entire body twisted and twirled, backpedaling on the tips of her toes as the two guards began chasing after her, frantically swinging their swords.

She felt the cool wood of the building behind her press into her shoulder blades and was forced to spin along its length, dodging to the side and narrowly escaping the thunderous clash of machined bodies slamming into the structure. Wooden walls were obliterated by the pressure, sending one of the abominations through a newly formed hole while the other shrieked and raged at another failure to kill his prey.

The others were starting to circle her too, waiting for a moment to enter the fray and land the killing blow. She briefly took note of the situation and glanced towards Ekko and his battle and HOLY MOLEY-! He was so distracting! Dipping and ducking through every attack as if he were invisible, blue-rimmed eyes lazily calculating every move, every counter, like he could see the future. Well, guess that was because hecouldsee the future. His enemies were bludgeoned by his club with precise efficiency. The chem demons that surrounded him were unable to land a single scratch. What power!? And strength! And speed! Definitely a turn on!

Wait, what?

A glowing blade in her peripherals snapped her attention back to the immediate danger and she dropped low, letting the danger swipe soar over her head. Crouched low, she found a few openings in the chem demon's guard and filled the holes with bullets. More of the men in the background collapsed from the gunfire. But she couldn't just avoid the demons all day. The other was somewhere within the building beside her, she could hear its wrathful sputtering muffled through the wooden walls as he shredded the interior. The other was still flailing wildly in her face, swift attacks becoming harder and harder to dodge as she danced and maneuvered around the sharpened edge of its weapons.

When the menacing blade sliced a thin cut upon her cheek, pink eyes narrowed in frustration. A bullet to the beast's body did nothing but dent the metal, but she had an idea. Feigning another retreat, she leaned on her heel and pushed away from the creature. Just as it confidently surged forward, her other boot stomped backwards and launched her forward into its chest. An attack pretending to be a retreat always worked against dummies like this one. Quick fingers grabbed onto the metal creases of his form and pulled her into him, almost like she was forcing the man into a hasty kiss, but no way. Ew. Kiss ofdeathmaybe.

The barrel of her pistol was pressed tightly to the glass helmet and she fired a round into the container. Just as the glass shattered apart, she'd fished a chomper from her belt and twirled the circular pin in her finger. Her entire arm pierced into the glowing gas chamber, shimmered fumes and disoriented cries already seeping into the air. The chomping metal in her hand latched onto the chem demon's vulnerable nose and she leapt from his body with a retreating kick to his chest.

Bright pink eyes watched in fascination as the mechanical demon stumbled backwards, whipping its blades through the air in a panic as its heavy body knocked over a group of Sevika's men. It didn't even hit the floor before an explosion shook the battlefield as a bloody heap of flesh and parts spewed into the air. Whew. One down. Guess replacing opposable thumbs with blades for arms only got you so far in life. Good to know.

With such brutality on display, a few of the men that surrounded her were fleeing in terror. Which was smart. The ones that stayed were immediately riddled with bullets. Every pull of the trigger was accompanied by unparalleled accuracy while a smile once again began stretching across her lips. She didn't even flinch when a splatter of blood collided onto her pale cheek. In fact, the already cooling liquid on her skin was a reminder that she was doing great! So why not keep killing? It was them or her after all.

"Jump high!" Ekko suddenly shouted.

She listened immediately, confused but trusting until the wall beside her exploded. What the shit!? Her vision snapped to the chem demon under her feet, clouded by wooden shrapnel as it burst through the building in an ambush. When she landed on crouched metal shoulders, her arms were tossed to the side, hopelessly trying to maintain her balance upon the monster. Heh! Now this was a fight!

She dropped onto him completely, letting her legs wrap around the base of its neck in a strangling hold, pushing and pulling the beast with her weight to avoid the swinging blades that were thrown above its head. Her abs were on fire as she maintained her seat upon the demon's bucking shoulders, wild laughter competing against its screeching rage.

"Giddy up! Giddy up!"

Bet Caitlyn would be so impressed! She could actually say she was an expert at horse riding now! Never thought the day would come where she'd have such a talent in common with the privileged top-sider. Sure, the specifics were a little sketchy, but who cares!? She was totally doin' it!

"You gotta try this, Ekko!" She shouted hysterically. Even Mylo was having a great time floating next to her and witnessing such a sight. "It's amazing!"

Blam! Blam! Blam!

Her handgun fired into the remaining enemies as horror consumed them. It didn't matter if she missed or if they fled. The rampaging beast beneath her was slicing through the masses as it stumbled around the battlefield trying to knock her off and failing spectacularly.

The only reason to cut the fun short was the timeline and Ekko's continued fight on his end. Every second wasted puts more strain on his energy by using the Z-drive longer. She wasn't keen to see him collapse in a wimpy mess of exhaustion any time soon. Nope. Not if she had anything to say about it.

She slammed the butt of her pistol into the glass helmet trapped between her lungs. It took one, two, three solid hits before the visor caved under her strength. As quickly as she could manage, and while still avoiding the blades slashing around her, she placed an active chomper in the helmet and let it rattle around on the inside as she jumped off his metal shoulders and shoved the titan from behind.

No time was wasted as she landed on the street, already sprinting towards Ekko and the enemies still trying their hardest to land a decent attack. Her braids were tossed forward from the blast behind her but she didn't pause to watch her handiwork. Instead, she reached for the knife on her hip and launched it towards Ekko's back. Just as she predicted, the boy spun out of the way and let the weapon stab into the soft neck of an unsuspecting opponent.

The Firelight's grin was clear on his face as he reached forward to pull her knife from the wound and toss it over his shoulder. It flipped through the air, tumbling and turning before she plucked the blade from out of the sky, never letting up on her quick strides and stabbing another man in the shoulder. It took a bit of effort, but she used the knife as a handle, forcing her poor victim to her side and act as a human shield against crossbow shots zooming towards her. The man screamed in pain as the bolts pierced his back and she used his shoulder to aim and return steady fire.

She yanked the knife from the shoulder it was embedded in, sparing no glance towards the lifeless corpse that slumped to the ground. She was more focused on the brain matter spilling from the motionless shimmer machines on the ground. Wow. Ekko had really held his own, taking down the two chem demons and racking up additional kills in the process? Her man was somethin' else! Just a few arrogant stragglers remained in the arena. Easy peasy.

They worked together in seamless teamwork, dodging and ducking every pathetic attack. Sometimes she put a bullet or knife in their opponent's head, other times Ekko delivered a devastating flurry of blows with his club. When she stepped right, Ekko followed, covering her vulnerabilities with his own defense, taking advantage of every opening. It was almost like he was another ghost at her side. Never in the way but always nearby. Ready and waiting for the perfect moment.

The last enemy was a huge man, muscles bulging and a gnarly snarl on his lips. He swung a sledgehammer that was practically larger than herself. Every swing of the massive weapon hummed through the air, so she threw her knife and gaped when the man was quick enough to raise the head of the hammer fast enough to block his face. The metal edge clattered to the floor in failure.

Fiddlesticks. That was such a solid plan too.

The Zaunite roared, raising his two arms towards the sky and preparing a devastating slam from overhead. Before she could even think to backpedal, she was being spun around, Ekko's arm around her and swapping their positions. He managed to leap aside just before the sledgehammer slammed into the street, splitting the rock from the sheer power of the attack.

"Jinx!" Ekko shouted as he slid across the pavement, his blue-rimmed eyes staring at the massive handle in front of her.

She instantly pieced it together and pounced, her boots landing on the hammer's base and running up the tool as if it were a ramp. Pink eyes glinting with murderous intent stared into the shocked pupils of their final opponent who was stuck pulling on his weapon still deeply wedged into the concrete. Before he could abandon the fight and flee, she was already in the air, flipping over the man's head, arm outstretched with her pistol lining up the shot. His forehead blasted open as she pulled the trigger. Blood and brains spewing from his slackened face as she landed on her feet and watched the body drop.

Ekko breathed a sigh of relief as the light around his eyes flickered and faded. The watch in his hands was clicked and he appeared to be satisfied with the results. Hot DAMN, they were good! Pale hands settled on her hips, surveying the streets and humming brightly at the messy battlefield. Nobody was left standing.

She squealed joyfully as she bounced towards Ekko.

"Didya see me?! Didya see!? I was all like 'Pow!' and 'Blam! Blam!', riding one of those shimmer dudes like a bull!"

"Yeah." He smiled warmly at her. She didn't quite know how to react to such a face. Her heart was sure as hell pounding in her chest. "It was awesome."

"Heh." She shyly scratched the back of her neck while diverting her attention to Ekko's victims. She never really had a living, breathing person to share her achievements of battle with. Mylo was a terrible listener. "Not too shabby yourself."

It was awkward for a minute, quiet and still before she approached him and offered a hand to his crouched position. His large hand wrapped around her and she pulled the boy to his feet, turning together to walk among the violence. They paused at the massive hole in the building a chem demon came bursting out from and stared at the wreckage.

"Damn. That thing really created a lot of damage." Ekko observed.

"You're tellin' me." She rolled her eyes.

Suddenly a wave of lightheadedness blurred her vision. Her balance shifted as tired eyelids fluttered weakly. She heard a grunt of effort catch next to her ear as her shoulder blades pressed into Ekko's chest, his arms already steadying her. When did he get behind her?

"C'mon." He pulled her against him towards the hole and helped lean her against the wall. "You're exhausted."

"Nuh uh." She moaned in protest. Though…it was pretty hard to keep her eyes open. Her muscles were twitching uncontrollably under her skin, burning from the day of massive stress.

"It's fine." Ekko urged as he settled by her side. They both lowered to sit on the ground with their backs to the building. "We have some time to rest."

"Only…Only for a second?" Wait. What were they waiting for again? Even her thoughts felt fuzzy. Like a fog had been wrapped over her mind. Her tongue felt thick in her mouth as if crafting spoken words was the hardest thing she'd tried to do all day.

"Close your eyes." Ekko whispered gently beside her. "I'll keep watch."

"Hmm if you say soooo." She did exactly that. Closed her eyes and offered a faint smile at the suggestion. Collapsing in exhaustion wasn't anything new to her. She often pushed herself a little too far, got a little too lost in the excitement of destruction and battle. But having someone here beside her, comforting her, keeping her safe while her guard lowered, that was new.

She could get used to this.

"Vi, what's your situation?"

Ekko spoke beside her while she let the tiredness in her muscles settle. Every passing second was like a cool breath of fresh air, making her insides feel all mushy and content. She was mildly curious of her sister's response, but luckily she had her own transmitter to listen in on.

"Doesn't seem like Piltover's gonna be a problem. Cait and I are wrapping up with the enforcers. They ask a lot of annoying questions and sound like giant dicks while they do it."

Classic Vi. If she weren't so languid she might've cracked a smile at her sister's abrasive choice of wording.

"Meet up with us when you can." Ekko replied, "Brina? How are things on your end?"

"Just finished wrapping my ankle. Scar's got a few injuries we're fixing up but shouldn't be much longer."

"Right."

"You think Sevika's gonna run? Should we hurry?"

Oh. That was a good question. Would the Ogre run? How long before she'd realize the vast majority of her army had been completely wiped out? The bitch mightalreadyknow. They should start heading to the Last Drop immediately. Why is she wasting time here, catching her breath?

"She doesn't strike me as someone that would run away." Ekko paused in thought, "It's possible though. Just meet up with us as soon as you can."

"You got it. We'll head your way soon."

They both grew quiet after hearing Brina's words. Things were working out. So far, so good. It wasn't bad juju to think that, right? Just one last fight with Sevika and with so many against a single woman, the odds were definitely in their favor. She leaned to the side and let her head rest peacefully on Ekko's shoulder. It was nice to just lay on him, feel the rise and fall of his body as he breathed.

"They should be here within the hour." Ekko murmured.

"Mmmm. That's good."

Has the under-city ever been so wonderfully quiet? Even with the bodies that surrounded them and the voices ever present in her head, things felt different. Like the air was a little more clean than before. Like the stench of the sewers wasn't quite so revolting. Or maybe all of it was just another silly trick of her brain. Did it matter?

After so much time and stress with planning such a careful siege of the under-city, the reality of their situation was so different than she expected. She imagined herself in a constant state of worry, weighing impossible odds against one another, always panicking. But this wasn't so bad. Her fingers crawled towards Ekko's hand in his lap and brushed across his calloused palm, smiling as she felt him slide his fingers between his.

"We're actually doin' it."

"Yeah." His words were an equal mixture of gentle and hopeful. "We are."

"What happens after?"

"Let's not think too far ahead." He chuckled.

Yeah. Let's not. She already knew the future, ratherherfuture, was much more complicated than she liked. If she could have her own way, she might never have to part from Ekko ever again. It was still possible, just…complicated. But it didn't change anything either. She loves Ekko. She'd always love Ekko. How could she not? And feeling the soothing brush of his fingers as they massaged their intertwined hands was all she needed to know he loved her just as much.

They'd figure something out.

CREEAAKK!

A sudden groan snapped her eyes open in confusion. She glanced towards Ekko who seemed equally confused by the abrupt noise. Yet a quick scan of their surroundings revealed nothing out of the ordinary. She was about to write it off as her ghosts playing tricks on her mind as usual…but…Ekko noticed it too, didn't he? Then what was-?

It happened again. A reverberating groan above them followed by the sound of splintering wood. Her chin lifted to stare at the building behind, frozen by the crack that was spreading towards the roof. The entire structure seemed to be shifting ever so slightly once she realized the supporting beams were damaged from the gigantic holes in the side of the wall.

Her hand took Ekko's as they scrambled to their feet, eyes wide and panicked from the startling realization. The freakin' building was coming down right on top of them!

"Run! Run!" Ekko shouted as he took off in a sprint. She was tugged to his side, trailing after his frantic strides.

"What the fuck!?"

They raced down the street, watching as the wooden beams at the side exploded one after the other, as if the instability was trying to keep up with their fleeing forms. Another shrieking groan from the building rattled her ear drums and she warily glanced behind them just as the rooftops started leaning into the streets. Tiles were cascading behind them, shattering on the cobblestone path as the building ruptured apart.

Her footsteps were wobbly as the ground shook, rubble raining upon them and forcing all her strength into getting away from the collapse. An intersection ahead was their beacon of safety, just a few more steps away but rock, wood, and dust was licking at her heels.

"H-hey!" She gasped aloud when Ekko hand yanked her so hard that her feet lifted off the ground.

She was thrown ahead of the boy, fearfully locking eyes with his own as the roar of destruction downed out his shouting words. An ominous shadow cast over his forehead and when she looked towards the sky her heart dropped. A stray boulder rocketed towards him, smashing against the back of his head with a hauntingly brutal crack against his skull.

"Ekko!" She screamed as she watched his eyes flutter, his body suddenly limp and unresponsive.

It took everything she had to tighten her hold on his hand and pull him towards her. She tripped over clumsy feet and they both rolled into the street, finally away from the destroyed building, but at what cost?

Immediately she was on top of the silent Firelight, straddling his lap and shaking his shoulders in a panic.

"Ekko! Ekko! This isn't funny! Wake up! Stop teasing!"

She swatted at his cheeks, watching through fearful eyes as his face snapped from left to right with every jolting hit. Nothing happened. His eyes remained closed and she could feel the breath leaving her lungs. This wasn't okay! This was NOT okay! Not okay. No. No!

"Nononononono. Please.Please."

"He's dead! Just like that" Mylo materialized beside her, laughing and pointing at the still body beneath her. "Bonk!"

"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" She shook her head violently in refusal. The ghost was lying. He had to be!

Her ear was flush against his chest, waiting, listening, and hating every second of it. At the faintest thump of his heart and the rise of his lungs she nearly sobbed in relief. He was alive! Just-...just unconscious!

"You're so stupid! Why'd you have to save me, you freakin' idiot!"

Pulling her out of the way, ensuring she was further away from the collapsing rubble. Why was she always the one that made it out unscathed? Why her? Didn't the world or whatever fucked up Gods reigning over them realize how little she deserved? It wasn't right for her to survive and good, warm people like Ekko were unfortunate enough to suffer.

Fuck. Fuck. Okay. Breathe. She just needed to figure things out. Panic would get her nowhere.

It took a while for her nerves to settle. Long enough to pull Ekko from the middle of the street and into a shadowed alley. Tucking him into a safe little nook besides heaps of trash was all she could do to conceal their presence and recover herself, only now realizing her body was littered with fresh bruises and scrapes from the disaster.

She wiped the back of her dirty hand across sweaty blue bangs, slicking back any stray portion of her blue hair until it inevitably fell back into a disheveled state. Fuck. A god damn building nearly crushed them both. Almost ended their war right then and there. As pissed as she was about Ekko's heroics, she couldn't help but sigh in resignation that she was thankful for his quick thinking. Even if he wasn't conscious to realize it.

The cold, wet alleyway was certainly a depressing place to find herself after the latest events. Not long ago she was ready and willing to march right up to the Last Drop and kick Sevika's teeth in. Guessthatwas out the window now.

She raised her hand to the earpiece, ready to relay the sudden change in their plans but stopped as she gazed upon Ekko's resting form.

Maybe the plan wasn't completely uprooted…

Vi and the others weren't gonna show up anytime soon. It gave her a window of opportunity. It'd be silly not to take it.

Maybe this was a blessing in disguise…

She jumped to her feet and pulled a piece of dirty cardboard to rest over the Firelight leader, masking his presence as if he were just another homeless bum seeking refuge in the desolate alley. Her palm found Ekko's cheek as she dipped low enough to gaze upon him. Not quite sorry for the idea she'd hastily decided on. There was a chance he'd still be fast asleep when all is said and done. Sleep through the whole thing and not even realize it. Still, he wouldn't like her idea and probably be on his knees, arms circled around her waist, refusing to let her go after Sevika alone.

That's precisely why shehadto. This was the right choice.

This was the right choice.

A quick check of her remaining weaponry counted a single chomper, her bloodied knife, and whatever remained in her pistol magazine. The rest of her bullets were annoyingly dented in their copper casing after the tumble from their escape, useless. That gave her about five shots in the chamber. More than enough if she made smart choices andexactlythe right amount if she didn't.

"Don't miss me too much, okay?" She whispered to Ekko's sleeping form as she walked away. "I'll be back before ya know it."

It was time to finish this stupid war. One on one. No more threats of safety to the ones she loved. Just herself and the Ogre. A reckless fight to the death.

Exactly how she liked it.

Notes:

Annnnd that's the chapter!

I know. I know. Jinx is up to something REALLY dumb. But can you really blame her?

I don't expect too many comments on the first chapter of a double upload, so feel free to just jump right into the next one! (Or leave a comment anyways, I can't tell ya what to do) I also can't say it'll be any less stressful...so uh...good luck! 3

Chapter 45: Sevika

Notes:

[THIS WAS A DOUBLE UPLOAD] If you haven't read CH 44, I REALLY suggest you go back one chapter and read it for the sake of your sanity and the plot.

Boom! Chapter 45 is here and ready for you! But are you ready for it? I'm not so sure.

Enjoy!

(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)

Chapter Text

BANG!

A rugged leather boot kicked through the wooden saloon doors of the Last Drop. The entire bar was empty, abandoned, save for the single lone figure waiting for her. Sevika's eyes lifted with subtle amusement, kicking up her feet in a nearby chair and swishing a glass of bourbon in her palm. If the woman saw the murder glowing within bright pink eyes, she didn't seem bothered. Guess they'd both resigned themselves to the inevitable fight.

"Just you?" Sevika asked, uninterested in her sudden appearance.

"Don't forget these two." She grinned evilly as she threw the collars of the corpses she'd been dragging into the entrance of the building.

Sevika's two pathetic henchmen, the woman with a black short-cut bob and the sickly looking ginger man that wore black eyeshadow slammed onto the floor. A bullet hole marred both of their foreheads, placed right between cold, lifeless eyes. Honestly, what did Sevika expect havingthesetwo guard the front door? Keeping some of her chem demons behind would've been much more troublesome.

The under-city leader sighed and took a swig from her glass, wincing at the burn of alcohol as she swallowed it in a single gulp.

"Told them to get out of town." Sevika muttered with a frown.

"These two don't seem that bright." She mocked while tapping the barrel of her pistol against her temple. "Actually, every one of your guys seemed to have a few screws loose. But don't worry. They're gone too."

"I saw this coming, you know?" The bourbon was set onto the wooden table before Sevika pulled a lighter from her leather jacket and played with the metal top, flicking it open and shut, over and over. "Knew it the second that old man took you into our ranks, all those years ago."

Her eyes narrowed at the woman's words, far too irritated by the panic that was absent from the scene. It wasn't hard to guess she was talking about Silco either. Of course she was. That's all Sevika ever did. But she didn't interrupt either. If this was the final ramblings of a dead woman, so be it. Don't say she isn'tcompletelyheartless.

"You've always been a danger to our ambitions." Another metal click of the lighter filled the pause. "Only a matter of time before he was dead. By your hand most likely. And the rest was sure to fall soon after. I warned him too many times to count."

"Because you knew you weren't ever gonna fill his shoes, huh?" She smirked towards Sevika, knowing she was speaking the truth. "Isn't that right?"

"Becauseyou're a ticking time bomb." Sevika leveled a glare right back at her. "And Silco lost sight of what kept us strong. Prattling on and on about loyalty, yet unable to see what was right in front of him."

Sevika suddenly stood with her hands splayed on the wooden table. Her pistol snapped towards the center of the woman's chest in response. Finger on the trigger. Ready for the moment of attack, but it never came.

"Anyone else in your position would've been tossed to the streets. We had no need for runts" The Ogre growled. "But he saw potential in you that never existed. Thought he could shape you into the weapon we needed but I saw things for what they were."

"Did you? Shoulda took me out in my sleep or something then."

"Even if I wanted to back then, he wouldn't have let me. Because how great would it be if we sent a bomb like you top-side? All the dirty work would've been handled just fine. Better yet, you and you're fucked up brain would've thought it meant he trusted you. That helovedyou. If it worked, it might've been his greatest plan, years in the making and executed flawlessly."

She'd thought of this reality before. She wasn't entirely blind to Silco's ambitions, especially now that he was dead and she had time to reflect. He wasn't a good man. Because of him, the under-city was drowning. Shimmer spilled uncontrollably through the streets. The oppressive top-side was growing stronger by the day. Yet, these thoughts just sent her through a spiraling maze. There was no way to know if it'd gotten this way due to that fateful night she killed him, or if this was always the inevitable end of such ambition.

"Didn't exactly work out like he planned then." She replied with a humorous chuckle. Maybe what Sevika said was true. Maybe Silco never really loved her. Didn't make her feelings on the man any less real though. She's always had a tricky time sorting out what was real and what wasn't anyway.

"No." Sevika nodded in agreement, "Because he's not a liar…"

"Look," She sighed, scratching her pistol against her temple tiredly, even using the edge of the barrel to scratch a pesky itch under her nose. This was beginning to feel super boring. Giving the woman a few last words seemed fine, but a monologue!? The freakin' sun was starting to set outside! She didn't have all day. Her ghosts were getting antsy too. She could sense them bouncing beside her, glaring down the rugged woman and eager for the thrill of battle. "Let's just nix the chit-chat. You definitely wanna kill me and I've decided that ya' gotta go to the big farm in the sky, so let's just go at it, okie dokie? May the best killer kill."

"I see that spending time with the street trash hasn't changed you at a-."

Blam! Blam!

Shots from her pistol cut the woman's words abruptly, she wasn't joking about wrapping up the fight. To her dismay, Sevika was quick to react, shoving her table over in an instant and letting the pair of bullets smash into the wood. Splinters of wood chips scattered into the air in reaction. It was a pretty sight, like birthday confetti, but not as pretty as the bullet hole she intended to split through Sevika's skull.

She took off, sprinting to the side and running along the length of the room to find an alternate angle. With her arm raised and pink eyes locked onto the makeshift cover, she ran to find Sevika's crouched body. Just as she was about to fire a round into the bulge of a leather jacket, she remembered her pistol only had a single round left. Shit. Had to be extra sure of a solid shot then.

The small moment of hesitation gave Sevika enough time to counter. A mere blink of her eyes changed the arena as the table protecting the under-city boss was now soaring towards her. Her entire, lithe body stretched like a cat into a rolling leap to avoid the attack. As soon as she found her footing, Sevika had pressed further into a newfound advantage.

A 'whooshing' noise caught her ears before the sight of the glowing red blade was spotted, twirling and swinging across the length of Sevika's body.. Arcs of fiery plasma ripped through the air, wavering and unsteady. Her heels slammed on the floorboards, grounding herself just long enough to spin into evasive tactics. Each time she raised her gun, she was forced to dip or dodge another red lash. Aim. Stop. Aim again. Side-step. Aim again! Cartwheel!

Ugh! Fine! Make it more of a challenge. It's what she wanted anyway!

Find the openings, slip through them, inch her way closer with every twist of her body until the barrel of her pistol could press into Sevika's temple. It was a solid plan. Easier said than done though. No matter how graceful her movements were, no matter how expertly she weaved between the webbing of magma, the heat still licked at her pale skin. She winced against every passing hit, her arms covered in red lines and her clothes split at the seams in various places, but shewasgetting closer.

It was doubtful to think that Sevika had time to find more ways to upgrade her blade. It appeared to be the same material with all the capabilities she'd seen before. Yeah. The sword hadn't changed. That much she was certain. Sevika's skills with the sword were an entirely different matter. There were combinations of attacks that merged seamlessly into follow-ups. The gaps in the danger were more precisely narrowed and when another heated line singed the edge of one of her trailing braids, she growled in irritation.

Pushing forward through the burns, she entered into a close proximity to the Ogre and stumbled once the woman's blade extended towards her face. Her knees buckled in immediate reaction as she leaned backwards. The hot glow of metal passed over her nose, less than an inch above her face.

Now sliding across the ground on her knees, she twisted and used her hands as leverage to swing into a sweeping kick at Sevika's legs. The moment her opponent leapt over her kick and retracted the sword to its original length, she dropped onto her back and aimed her pistol center mass. It was dumb of Sevika to jump into the air, helpless to defend herself from gunfire.

Blam!

The pistol fired at the same time as Sevika's hasty swinging counter. Just as blood spurt from a wound to Sevika's side, a trailing layer of plasma cut along the length of her tattooed arm, searing a thin line from her shoulder to her wrist and forcing a gasp from her lips. The cut split the inked blue clouds with a perfectly straight divide.

Sevika groaned, fumbling her landing and treading backwards on her heels while she held her bleeding side with her free hand. Her legs swung towards her head before launching forward and shooting her up onto her feet, staring down the Ogre in a mixed combination of satisfaction and frustration.

"Tch." Her tongue clicked against her teeth.

The final shot wasn't a fatal blow. At least not instantly fatal like she'd been aiming for. And the burn that traveled the length of her arm was pulsing as if the fire were still there, trying to spread further along her skin. Plus her tattoo was totally ruined now! The newly created line was probably permanent, or at the very least, ruining the perfect blue swirls with its rigid design.

A deep breath stilled her panting breath.

No sense in getting angry about spilt milk. Sevika definitely took the worst blow in that exchange and despite being out of ammo, she still had her knife at her hip and a chomper attached to her belt. The win was still hers for the taking.

They were glaring at each other, sweat and blood pooling into small droplets on their bodies before splattering onto the floor of the Last Drop. Just as she was covered in dirt and grime, Sevika's short brown hair was messily disheveled. It gave her some satisfaction to think she'd pushed the woman this far already, looking as roughed up as herself yet without nearly as many kills from the day's events.

"Ya know…" She started while wiping her lips with the back of her palm and shaking the pain away from her tattooed arm. "It'd be just dandy if you keeled over and died like you're s'posed to."

"Not gonna happen, brat." Sevika growled, the purple glow of the shimmer pump on her mech arm raised and lowered to surge more of the vile liquid into her veins. For a second, the woman's eyes glowed menacingly purple before she shook away the majority of the rage clouding her vision.

"Old farts like you are dead and gone anyway." She replied as she holstered her pistol and replaced it with her knife. She twirled the little blade through her fingers, spinning and flipping it nonchalantly and with practiced precision. "But keep that determination in ya Toots! It'll make it even more fun when I carve you up like a pumpkin!"

"Heh." Sevika's humorless chuckle made her brow twist with intrigue. "Maybe Silco did love you at some point, but if he saw you now, after all you'd done…I think he'd prefer that you burned in hell alongside me."

The words shouldn't have bothered her as much as they did. She shouldn't care about a poor excuse of a statement designed to rattle her measured clarity. She shouldn't care…but she did. Because how dare Sevika say such things! Such lies! What the fuck did the Ogre know about love? Silco's love? The strange but comforting emotions that tied herself to the dead man inexplicably.

Mylo was raging across the room, flashing from one place to another, screaming incoherent madness that only fueled her own. Vander's deep growl from behind felt like it was inside her, vibrating against her ribcage. Claggor's eyes were locked on her from the side, judging. Always judging. And worst of all, Silco lay between herself and Sevika, empty and soulless, riddled with bullets from her minigun.

Hewouldlove me! He has to! I'm- I'm his daughter. She shook her head at the absurdity, distracted by the jittery scribbles collapsing around her vision.

Don't cry. You're perfect.

"You can't just take that back!" She shouted at Silco's silent words. His last words…If he were alive today, he'd still hold her dear to him, right? That's how love was…right!? All this time trying to understand the differences of such a powerful emotion led her to that conclusion. She wasn't wrong. He can't take it back. He can't!

She was pulled from her crazed world the moment she sensed danger and raised her knife to the sword descending overhead. Her block was too quick, too unprepared, and time seemed to slow as she watched her little blade shatter under Sevika's strength. The swing continued and sliced across her chest from armpit to hip.

She was forced to leap backwards to avoid the second swipe, dropping the hilt of her weapon to the floor and now empty-handed. The gnawing insanity that stained the corners of her mind was still bearing down upon her thoughts. White, jagged lines were growing thicker. Her ghosts yowled at the pain that burned across her body. And Sevika's encroaching form seemed to flicker like a mirage. Where was the next attack coming from? Where!?

Three glowing blades seemed to slash towards her backpedaling stance. Two of them were fake, her own mind's twisted game. But which two?! Just as her illusions faded, she locked onto the only sharpened edge that hadn't disappeared and twisted around its dealy swing. She wasn't fast enough to avoid yet another slice of her throat. Luckily, it was shallow, manageable, but still left an unsettling scar on her psyche.

When had she lost control?Howhad she lost control? The sudden shift in the battle was entirely in Sevika's favor and there was nothing to do but dodge and duck around every fatal blow all while the lacerations continued to accumulate. Sevika didn't lack brains either. She saw the startling panic brewing in pink eyes and leveraged her advantage further, shouting while she swung her deadly mechanical arm.

"When you're dead, maybe the old man would actually crack a smile."

Shut up.

"You've ruined everything about him. Why wouldn't he want revenge in the afterlife!"

Shut up.

"Better yet, that whole family you think you've earned would rest easier knowing you're no longer a threat!"

"Shut up!" She hastily stomped on the ground and rushed forward, taking Sevika's blade through her bicep, but sliding through her guard at the same time. Her free hand was balled into a fist, blasting punch after punch into the woman's bleeding side.

Sevika howled in pain from her frenzied attacks, returning every punch with a slam of her fist onto her hunched spine. They were locked together, fumbling around the array of overturned tables and chairs. She could endure the pain of Sevika's fists on her back, knowing that she was damaging the woman just as much.

Until…

The blade that pierced through her bicep suddenly grew hot, boiling her blood and muscles as she cried out from the sensation of a strange, new agony she'd never felt before. The sword was ripped from her skin, slicing through a devastatingly large portion of her arm before Sevika's hands were clasped around her belly and throwing her into the air.

She barreled through the bar, flailing while her vision wavered and blood spewed from the deep gash in her arm. When she landed amongst a pile of shattered wooden tables, it took her a moment to even regain some of her vision. Without thought, she shakily got to her feet. Her tattooed arm, the only good one left, raised to form a fist and through tears in her eyes she glanced towards her other arm, dangling and unresponsive to her will to move it. Half of her bicep was torn from the sword, bleeding profusely into a growing red puddle on the floor.

Shit. Not good.

Unfocused eyes returned to Sevika's blurry form. The woman was breathing heavily and had yet to approach, still in a world of her own pain from the punches to her gunshot wound. They were both seemingly focused on recovering from the damage inflicted..

A frown twisted upon her lips. It wasn't supposed to be this hard. She should've saved all her bullets for Sevika. The empty metal casings that littered the under-city streets felt like a waste. Victory would've been guaranteed if she'd entered this damned bar with her minigun and held the trigger until Sevika was just an unrecognizable mass of blood, guts and bone. Now, with only a single chomper to defend herself and a useless arm, victory seemed all but a fleeting dream.

"..." Sevika's eyes returned to hers, stubbornly focused and resolved on winning the fight.

"..." She glared back with equal desire.

There was no alternative to winning. Ekko was counting on her. Vi and Caitlyn were hoping for Sevika's death. And all the lives of the Firelights would be safe if the Ogre was nothing but a lifeless corpse. Shehadto win. Her thumb reached for the pin of the chomper at her belt, only to instead brush over the dirty, blood-stained steel of Ekko's pocket watch.

Her eyes widened before her heart suddenly lurched in her chest. The tears that bubbled across her vision were no longer in physical pain. No. A newly formed plan in her head hurt so much more. Because there were few ways she could imagine winning this battle. Factoring in the need to ensure none of her allies live's were in question, narrowed the odds even further.

They'd be safe. Sevika would be gone. And she…well, she never really expected to live that long anyway. It was the right move. The right play. Rather, the only trick she had left in her book of secrets. Oh well.

She was curious after all…would it finally be quiet when it was over?

With her good arm she grabbed the chomper from her waist, finger around the pin and clenched her grip on the grenade tightly. Before Sevika could even question her intentions she was sprinting towards the woman with all her strength, a hoarse scream reverberating from her throat.

When Sevika was finally able to catch on to her last gamble, the woman began swinging her arm in fear, lashing out red lines frantically, all of which she carefully dodged and bounced around the pathetic attempt to trap her in a web of death. She pulled the pin of her chomper and brought her arm back. At this distance, with her strength, she couldn't miss.

A fearless cry echoed through the room as she whipped her arm with a powerful throw. At the same time a stray, burning slice of air cut into her shins and sent her tumbling to the floor. Just not before she could release the grenade in her palm.

"Jiiiinnnnxxxx!" The woman's roar sounded like a hated curse and a fear-filled plea wrapped into one.

She turned her chin upwards to watch the chomper sail across the distance between them, time slowed as it twisted and turned, rattling its teeth. Sevika's blade extended once more, cutting through the air with a sweeping blow and she watched the sharpened edge nick the shell of her grenade.

BOOM!

Suddenly, everything was blurry and white as a devastatingly close shockwave slammed into her body.

"Mmm- wha?"

Her voice was gravelly and broken as she started to come to her senses. The first thing she felt was pain. Like all her bones and muscles were replaced by an ever-present ache that had no limit. To even fathom how she was conscious was too difficult when her brain felt like it'd been split into many little pieces.

She reached out. Towards what, she had no idea. The word was still foreign to her eyes. Familiar walls and furniture were slow to register, but she was horrified at the sight of a tattooed arm stretching out. Was…was it hers? Her pale tissue was covered in splotches of charred, dusty gray skin, cracked and damaged as red blood seemed to leak from every portion of the shrapnel coated arm. A twitch of her finger brought a wave of nausea and splintering pain to the forefront of her mind, seizing her breath and thoughts.

Every stangled second that passed felt like there was an hourglass tied to her heart, counting down her final moments.

She couldn't even find enough strength to roll onto her back and stare at the ceiling. The explosion of the chomper may not have killed her instantly, but her death felt inevitable now. Like she was nailed to the floorboards, unable to do anything other than suffer through the hellish damage until there was nothing left but a soulless corpse.

A small whimper was her only response to the pain…

Guess she never really expected death to come like this. She always imagined it'd be a beautiful moment, a fiery explosion, then nothing. A finale to be remembered through history books in some form or another. Seemed like the world that hated her so, didn't even like that wish, leaving her to drown in the torture of her own actions long after the dooming explosion.

A chuckle escaped her. It hurt. She should've expected that both times she'd tried to go out in a blaze of glory would fail.

Her vision warped again, this time allowing her to glance at the thing she'd been reaching for. Ekko's watch lay just a few feet away. The cover was split open and yet the mechanical hands still ticked along its face. Maybe she was delirious from the blast that rattled her brain, but the hands of the watch seemed to faintly glow. It was sorta mesmerizing…pretty.

On the bright side, she wouldn't have to listen to Ekko's rant about her reckless actions this time. She tried to think of it as a positive consequence, but the thought only brought thick, watery tears to her eyes. It wasn't fair that Ekko wasn't here by her side. Or maybe it was for the best. She had no idea, only able to recognize the loneliness that consumed her heart and the relief of knowing that she'd done exactly what she set out to do. The ol' hero of the day, sacrificing her life for the people she loved. The pain wasn't so bad when she considered it like that.

A 'thump' caused her eyes to drift, the slightest tilt of her head managed to view the blurry body leaning against the doorframe of whatever room she was dying in. A tall woman with short hair.

"Vi…" She murmured through burned lips. A quiet whisper entirely unheard.

"D-damn you." The rugged, vengeful response widened her eyes.

Sevika's snarling face was suddenly clear in her sights. Her clothes were scorched like hers, dark skin now burned into an ashy gray, and the blade of her arm was no longer glowing. It was broken, snapped down to the size of a short knife.

The woman took a slow step into the room.

That single step was enough to put unmeasurable fear in the core of her soul. Sevika wasn't dead either! Not yet. Which meant she hadn't won. There was still a very real possibility of the Ogre slipping away after finishing the kill and then what impact would her death have?

It was through the fear that she managed to grit through the strain and protest of her burned body to push off the floor. She was pathetically shaky in her balance, eyes half-lidded and tiredly locked towards the slowly approaching enemy. Her stance wavered and she caught her palm on the desk beside herself, nearly screaming as her raw, damaged skin took desperate hold of the wood.

Sevika stumbled over her own feet, not quite falling over but forced to stop her advance. It gave her time to realize the room they were in. The familiar walls, plush chairs, the desk at her side, and the familiar scent of cigar smoke wafting through the air. Silco's office. Seemingly untouched since she'd last seen it, aside from the door that had been blasted off its hinges.

"Is this…how you thought it'd go?" Sevika questioned, exhaustion was clearly taking hold of her every word. "Was it…worth it? Stupid girl."

"..."

She was silent for a moment, only focusing on drawing breath into her lungs. It felt hot as she inhaled, uncertain if that was the air she sucked in, or if her lungs were as scorched as the outside of her body. Pink eyes drifted towards Silco's desk, almost content to just linger over letters that had his distinct handwriting, gaudy pens, crystal whiskey glasses stained with the faint amber tinge of leftover bourbon, and an opened box of ordered cigars. The many objects were comforting as she waited for the end.

And then she spotted something else. The tiniest beacon of hope.

"Liar"

A lone word was still spray painted onto the surface and a colorful arrow pointing to the knife embedded in the wood. Slowly, carefully, yet as quickly as her damaged body would allow beyond the pain, she slipped her palm around the blade's handle and pulled it from its sheath in the split wood. Her entire body turned to face Sevika, the trembling knife raised and ready.

No words were uttered from her lips. She was tired of this game. Tired of all insults and pointless rambling. Tired of all the doubt. If she needed to put a little extra into her last moments, fine. Sevika wasn't leaving the Last Drop alive. If she was able to search for her, she should've ran away instead of confirming her death. It was the last mistake Sevika would ever make.

Despite the defiance in her eyes and the resolution in her heart, the twisted way she viewed the world was rearing its ugly head once more. Her opponent wasn't just Sevika anymore, but the grim reaper himself. Waiting, no,stalkingbehind the under-city boss like a void-filled statue. The shadowy mass towered over them both as the room's contents bled away from her senses, its size so incredibly large that she struggled to find breath or swallow the saliva in her throat.

Defeating such an illusion was just as impossible as seeing him to begin with. Maybe he really was here, in this room with the two of them, eager to collect their damned souls. Or maybe the crazed ghosts within her mind were trying to convince her that this duel of blades wasn't what she wanted. It didn't matter really. The worry for her own demise had long since been abandoned. Years of living in rage and insanity made sure of that. But the difference now was she could see the favorable outcome beyond herself. Count all the ways that stopping Sevika on her own, here and now, would improve the lives of those she held dear. Her wants meant nothing.

Then again, she always wanted a statue of herself somewhere in the city, but she'd settle for the opportunity to ease the burdens of those that had taken her in, repaired as much trauma as they could, and gave her a new chance at a better life. It was short-lived, sure…

But wasn't that more than she deserved already?

The seconds were counted by the light clicking of her pocket watch on the floor. Both herself and Sevika slowly approached each other. Every movement inflicted the sensation of needles stabbing into her muscles. Every breath was like trying to inhale a thick, smoldering smoke. Judging by the expression on Sevika's face, she assumed the older woman was experiencing a similar agony.

Just a few feet away from each other now, she could see the wrath of the Ogre in her gray eyes. Dark eyebrows lowered and lowered, as if such a hateful glare could somehow kill her. Sorry Sevika. She'd never make it that easy.

.

.

.

Suddenly they both scrambled to swing first. The blood coating her arm flicked off her skin as she whipped her knife towards Sevika's chest, slicing through her thick leather jacket. Dodging the returned strike was impossible. Merely swaying away from Sevika's broken sword nearly caused her to topple over herself and if she lost her footing now, it'd be finished. She knew it.

So she took the stab into her thigh with a throaty grunt, already swinging again. And again. And again!

In the tightened confines of battle, unable to move beyond swinging their knives, dodging was definitely impossible. Parrying came once every few attacks, creating sparks from clashing steel only to be repeated a few seconds later.

She felt every breach of her defenses. The razor edge of metal carved through her pale skin like butter, only ever blocked by the strength of her rigid bones, of which certainly cracked under the strong blows. Her shoulder was coated in cuts. Her top was slowly being shredded apart, but with so much dark blood pouring from her wounds, it was probably hard to tell. The fabric clung to her skin through the sticky sheen of blood and sweat. And her useless arm was dangling at her side, more of a hindrance than anything else.

Still, she fought back. This fight weighed more than just their own lives. Roaring incoherently as her movements increased in speed. Sevika's own battlecry matched hers. Without any words left between them both, they continued to fight, cutting each other apart and praying that the next slice of flesh would be the one to end it.

Sevika had more strength behind her traded attacks, digging her sword through the meatiest parts of her muscles in an effort to force her to drop her weapon or to stumble and collapse. But she was faster,muchfaster. And the grip she had so tightly wrapped around the hilt of her knife was enough to convince her that the blade was possibly a part of her now. Each devastating stab into her skin was returned with a flurry of cuts into Sevika's worn and exhausted body. Their arms swung like whirlwinds, fast, powerful and violent. Their blood was scattered into a ring around them.

Orange sparks crashed over her eyes as their blades connected in mid-air once more. The force of the stalemate flung both their arms backwards, twisting painfully in their sockets but she saw through the fluttering distractions and spotted her chance, the broken guard of her opponent. Heels slammed into the ground as she rushed forwards, staking the older woman through the chest once, twice, three times as Sevika rolled and struggled to avoid a finishing blow to her heart. Just as she prepared to rip her knife from Sevika's skin and try again, all of her strength vanished.

The knife that had once been so tight in her hand, suddenly slipped from her grasp yet remained rooted in Sevika's rib cage.

Her body was falling over, barely able to stay sturdy on her feet as her eyes lowered to the floor. The entire world was spinning, her vision growing darker and darker, but one last glance towards the Ogre was all she needed to see wide gray eyes staring back at her in shock. The under-city leader looked surprised that such a violent frenzied stabbing had slipped past her guard. It was hard to tell if it'd been enough though. She was barely thinking straight until those same gray eyes glanced down.

She followed Sevika's trailing gaze until pink eyes settled on the distraction that'd captured the woman's attention amidst such pure carnage.

Oh…

Her eyes were wide, confused, as she began recalling the moment she'd entered Sevika's guard and wondering why she hadn't felt it.

Sevika's sword was skewered through her stomach, all the way to her mechanical wrist.

The feeling of the sword's tip exiting through her back was a faint memory remembered shortly after the pieces were connected. So much adrenaline and desperation had clouded her judgment, weakened her ability to sense the danger or the resulting consequence.

A surge of liquid suddenly bubbled up her throat, fast and burning, coating her tongue in iron before a torrent of blood burst from her lips. It splattered onto Sevika's panting chest and she stumbled in her balance, attempting to get away, to deny the truth of what happened, what would inevitably happen.

The mere act of leaning away forced Sevika's blade to be ripped from her belly, more dark red liquid oozing from the fatal wound as her boots slid upon slippery floorboards. She nearly crashed to the floor, but found the will to catch herself and lean on the desk at her side. She wouldn't be the first to fall. She couldn't be. Never. Never!

Even more confusing was Sevika's silent observation. It looked like the woman was in a stunned trance, frozen in time…until she wasn't. The Ogre turned, shakily limping towards the plush seat in front of Silco's desk, crashing into the surface with a wobbly turn to sit upon the cushioned seat. The back of her brown-haired head now facing Jinx.

A strange desire took hold of her then. She had to live long enough to see Sevika's eyes close. Whether it be a simple curiosity or desperation to know she'd finally killed Sevika, she didn't know, but she stumbled around the room, nearly collapsing with each painfully struggled step as more of her lifeforce flooded the floors. A bloodied, pale hand latched onto the bookshelf along the wall before she turned and pressed her back to it. Even if she wanted to continue standing on her feet, she couldn't help but slide down the furniture and sit on the floor.

Rest. She just wanted a second to rest. Then…who knows.

From the newly established view, it almost looked like she was a child and Sevika was a scolding parent. Her on the floor. Sevika watching from above, seated in the red velvet chair. They stared at each other, still no words uttered between them. Just wet, gurgling breaths and trembling bodies.

Weird…for some reason…It was so easy to replace Sevika with herself, imagine what she might've been like had she stayed by Silco's side so loyally…It filled her with something, a strange emotion. Almost like…pity?

But she couldn't reflect further on her mind's twisted theories. Her eyelids were heavy.Reallyheavy. And the pain that consumed her entire being was just an afterthought. After all, when drowning in fiery burns, coughing up blood with every passing second, her senses were shutting down. All she could taste was iron. All she could see was blurry forms. All she could feel was the struggling, timid beat of her heart.

Sevika's arm moved, reaching for something on Silco's desk. She couldn't quite tell what it was the woman was grasping for until a dark tobacco cylinder was placed between her lips. The flicker of a flame soon pressed into its tip and the scent of his cigar smoke brought Silco to her muddled, foggy mind.

It had a pleasant smell. A reminder of a similar life with someone watching over her. She felt like her lips were stretching, maybe? It was so hard to tell. Was she smiling? The weird part about Silco was the fondness she felt towards the man. It was all hindsight of course, never known until he was nothing but a skull and bones.

"He…"

Sevika's gravelly voice lazily forced her eyes to lift towards the woman.

"The Chem-barons never had…any hold over him…"

She stayed silent, solely focused on staying awake. Staying alive. And listening to the final words of her greatest enemy. Was it just her, or did Sevika sound somber?

"I couldn't…be like him." The woman pulled the cigar from her mouth, exhaling a portion of smoke between her lips as her arm fell over the chair and let some ash fall to the floor. She watched the gray dusting fall like snowflakes.

Sad…She never did get a chance to see him properly sent to the after-life, did she? There was something so pretty about watching the ashes bundle upon the floorboards, smelling like him,remindingher of what he meant to her. He deserved better than an abandoned death. Or maybe he didn't.

Was it wrong to still want that resting peace for him anyway?

"Maybe you could've…" Sevika fell silent. If she were more conscious, she might've tried to understand what the under-city boss was trying to say. "Guess…it doesn't mat-…"

The fractured sentence was never completed. And just as heavy eyelids were drooping over pink eyes, she watched Sevika's heaving chest grow still. Dead. Gone.

The cigar slipped between her calloused fingers and fell, snubbed out the moment it crashed to the floor.

How long had she been laying here?

Her breathing was raspy, fractured, as each inhale sounded like the sputtering of an empty generator desperate for fuel, yet her exhale was short, quick, and wet with the stains of her blood. Save for the involuntary action of weakly taking oxygen into her lungs, it was quiet.

Unsettlingly quiet.

Faded pink eyes stared absently towards the center of the room, unfocused and slowly losing its usual shine. Winner. Dying. Killer. Suffering. She was all these things and more, but sitting in Silco's office and holding onto life with each strangled breath. The pain was fading as a wave of eerie calmness took root in her limbs. The blanketing cold was spreading towards her heart, traveling through bursted blood vessels, broken bones, and the open wounds that littered her body.

She wondered why she was still alive. No. That wasn't exactly right. Why she was still fighting…pretending that hanging on just a little while longer would somehow save her from cruel fate.

A slow blink captured her surroundings like an aged camera, taking notice of what was in front of her but all too blurry and muddled around the edges. Trying to conjure thoughts into a useful sentence was near impossible. Words fluttered through her mind, attempting to formulate some sort of plan, some miracle strategy to recover from the destructive duel. Nothing came to mind.

Suddenly Mylo was in-front of her, his lips moving animatedly, yet his words that were usually present in her head were nowhere to be found. It was scary.

"M-Mylo?" She rasped before a coughing fit rumbled through her chest and dotted more of her chest with a rain of blood. A slight shift in her gaze found Vander and herself standing off to the side, looking at her in some sort of pity, also speaking silent, unheard words. The icy coldness that numbed her limbs spiked in her belly when she saw the illusions of her manic mind slowly begin to fade. Their forms turned more and more translucent as time passed. "Wait…N-no."

She tried to will her arm outwards and reach for them. The fog of her mind began to lift as a sharpened stab of fear pierced through her heart. Where were they going? Why couldn't she hear them anymore? Are they leaving? No! Come back! Don't-.

"Don't…Leave…Me." She wheezed, begging, pleading and hopeless.

Another itch in her throat caused a shuddering breath that evolved into a series of harsh coughs. She might've lost feeling in most of her body, but she could still feel the hot tears burning at the corners of her eyes. Her ghosts were so far away. Why were they so far away? It wasn't supposed to be like this. Why? She didn't want to spend her final moments alone. For however much she hated the creatures of her imagination, she couldn't help but beg for them to keep her company. They were pieces of her too. Dying…

Please. I'm so scared.

As her vision tunneled, the darkness seeped into the world. Resistance was fleeting and the shadowy advance over her peripheral sight only made her breathe faster, like she just might be able to outlast it. Death was easier to accept when she thought she'd at least have someone by her side, maybe even guide her to where she needs to go. But they were leaving. Where was she supposed to go? Her strength was entirely exhausted and the specters that haunted her were now abandoning her. What ifnothingwas waiting for her on the other side? What if this was it? Empty blackness. Not just a serenity like she'd hoped, but pure and unforgiving annihilation.

Afraid, teeth chattering and so heartbreakingly broken, she could only whimper as Mylo disappeared. Then Claggor, Vander next.

"N…o…"

Vi was gone. Silco too.

"C-come…back…"

Never in her life did she think she'd ever cry for their presence. Only a few seconds with the totality of silence and she was already mourning the foolish curiosity and recklessness that had her seeking for such a thing. Silence was agonizing. Death was lonely. She wanted them to stay. It wasn't fair.

Don't leave me.

The back of her head leaned to rest upon the covered edges of the books behind her. Her eyes lazily traveled towards the ceiling, spotting her nook within the rafters. The safe haven she'd carved into the Last Drop. The seconds ticked by agonizingly slow as she was left to fade by herself. Fractured, incomplete memories was all she had now…How many hours had she spent in this room, hovering over Silco as he worked, playing all sorts of pranks on the unsuspecting that entered?

Should she be surprised that this was how it ended? After all the horrible things she's done, did she really expect a decent ending? The mere fact that her last moments would be spent alone made her heart stumble in its beat. The hope and will to hang on for a second longer in this terrifying reality.

This was it, wasn't it?

This was what it was like to be forgotten and left to die. Her chest shakingly lifted with a weakened inhale. She wondered if she should start counting the remaining seconds. There wasn't much else to do. At least Sevika was dead. That was good. In a funny way, she'd found the perfect ending to her tragic tale. It made sense. It worked. Time spent with the Firelight's would've been even more limited as the secret of her ex-prisoner status grew harder and harder to conceal from the council like Brina feared. Vi could live with Caitlyn on the top-side too. Her lips lightly pulled at the corners upon that thought. Not just Vi, but everyone would be better off now. And there was no way for her to screw it up.

Yeah…this was a good ending. Just…not for her. She could accept that.

She only wished that they wouldn't mourn her too long. Poor Ekko. He'd be just as devastated as her sister…If only she'd had time to leave him a note or something. Make the whole ordeal a little less sad. It was a shame really. She closed her eyes, letting the weight of her eyelids lull her towards the void. As much as it hurt, she supposed he'd be better off too. Free to pursuit his life of freedom, maybe even find someone that he could love as much as her.

Hopefully…not too fast though.

"Jinx!" Funny. It was almost like she could hear his voice in the distance, calling for her. "JINX!"

The second shout of her name forced her eyes open. Immediately she noticed a blurred form to her side, something just inside the office door frame. It looked like-...

"Heh." How cruel. Ekko showing up at a time like this? She didn't know whether to sob in relief or scream in anguish that nothing in her life could ever be simple. Even the reaper seemed to enjoy pulling her heart apart, ripping her to shreds in torment.

"Jinx. No…" She heard Ekko's voice, so aghast that it might as well have been a hoarse whisper.

"L-look who it is…" She chuckled weakly, lips spreading with what little happiness was left inside. Her white teeth were stained red, darkened further as a wet, bloodied cough interrupted her words. She rasped in pain before finding the will to look towards him with nothing but love in her eyes. "...my Boy Savior."

He was crouched beside her in an instant and she just numbly blinked towards his frightened expression. Light brown eyes traveled over her state in a panic, not quite knowing how to identify the worst of her injuries. There was so much blood. One of her arms was nearly severed and just dangling by torn muscle and blackened skin. Most of her tissue was blackened and scarred by dozens of stab wounds and cuts. The boy beside her was trembling already as his lips parted in shock.

She wanted to reach for him, place a hand upon his cheek in comfort, but she was stuck, frozen and empty.

Don't look like that Ekko…We won. We did it. Sevika's dead, see? And everyone else is fine. Mission accomplished. Just…just a bit of a hiccup, but he should still be happy for the victory. This was the second best outcome they could've expected, right? And she was happy because he was here. He'dbehere. That's all she wanted.

He was here for her.

"F-fuck…your stomach." His eyes were wide, already wet with the beginning of tears. "Hold on. I'll- I'll fix this. Just gotta-. Just gotta put some pressure on the wound."

Even as she watched him clasp his hands over one another and press deeply into her largest injury, she felt burdened by the secret she had to keep. It was too late. She couldn't even feel his palm covering the wound.

"Ekko." She mumbled his name as serenity took hold of her expression, "...I did it."

"Don't talk." He replied instantly. His pained expression was frantically pushing his vision towards anything other than herself. Like avoiding the extent of her crippled body would somehow make it non-existent. "Just hold on. It'll be okay. It'll be okay!"

She felt her head steadily drop forward, no more strength left to even keep her eyes upon the boy she loved. A bloodied hand slipped under her cheek, bracing her nodding descent and it almost felt like one of those times she'd spent too long working on her contraptions, dancing between consciousness and her will to fight the inevitable was so utterly depleted. So…tired.

"Jinx. Hey Jinx, look at me." Her eyelids fluttered at the command, but all she saw was the blurry outline of Ekko's silhouette. "Please. You have to stay awake. Stay with me. C'mon. Don't do this. You can't."

"I…did it, Ekko." She smiled again, unknowingly repeating herself, but she wanted him to understand. He didn't have to worry about her. Just being here was enough. She only wished it wasn't so excruciating to be unable to feel his hands on her. No longer able to stare into his captivating eyes, his beautiful smile.

Could he smile for her? One last time before she goes?

"God dammit!" Ekko shouted. To her ears it sounded like he was miles away, but at least she could still see he was close, even if his features were blurry and her skin was numb. "Why would you-!? Dammit we were supposed to fight her together!"

"Sorry…" It was easy enough to sense his confusion, his hurt. The betrayal of her decision to go after Sevika alone. Maybe it was stupid, but she didn't regret it. "Not my…brightest idea…huh?"

"Tell me what you need." He urged desperately. "Where is the worst of it? Oh God. Shit. No. No please."

They both knew his question was pointless. He was already rambling in dread. There was nothing he could do, didn't he see? Even with the shimmer fused inside her body, there was no healing from such a severe amount of damage. The pool of blood underneath her should be enough to present him with the truth.

"Ek-ko…I'm cold…"

So cold. As if she'd been transported to a harsh tundra of some sort, naked and bare to the chill that spread through her veins. She never imagined death would be so…freezing.

"Keep your eyes open. Please don't do this. Focus on me baby, okay? I'm right here. I'll get you warm, alright? You can pull through it. Just a little longer. I need you."

His other hand reached to press against her cheek, holding her languid face in both his palms, the bleeding hole in her stomach forgotten in panicked denial. Or maybe he'd finally realized it was pointless to stop such a torrent of blood. The dam that contained her lifeforce had already been shattered in too many places. The wounds were too deep, final…fatal.

"It's okay…" She mumbled as a mixture of iron and spit oozed from her slightly parted lips and dripped onto her lap. If there was anything to fret about at this point, it was probably the fact that she looked like she'd been through hell. Ekko didn't deserve to see her like this. But she couldn't do anything other than offer whimpers of comfort to the heartbroken Firelight. "It's…not so scary…now that you're here."

The timing between her blinks was growing longer and longer. It took more effort to open her eyes, to keep her gaze matched onto Ekko's reddening eyes. She could sense her consciousness slipping, words no longer being correctly filed in her head, her lips opened and closed as if to speak, but there was nothing. Just nothing.

"Jinx? Jinx!?" So far away. "Stay with me. Dammit! You gotta stay with me. You promised."

Shedidpromise he'd never lose her…

Guess that was another failure to add to the lengthy list. Another betrayal. How fitting that she'd be able to tack on at least one more. A lifetime of mistakes deserved to end with at least one more, right? The only sensation of heat left in her body burned from the few tears sliding down her cheeks and sliding onto the edges of Ekko's fingers still holding her upright.

"I-I'm…so sorry."

She really, truly was.

"C'mon. C'mon." He was trembling, she could sense it in his voice. "Keep your eyes open, remember? Stay awake. Why-why aren't you opening them? Jinx. You have to-."

"I…"

I can't.

Such a heavy darkness weighed her down. Even her breath had faltered into a struggled wheeze. Slow and empty of any true air to her lungs. A growing pressure began rising in her chest and upon recognizing the feeling, she knew there was no time left. Nothing left to give. Nothing left to take. Just an ever-present icy chill, pulling her into depths that had no boundary.

"Wait." Ekko suddenly exclaimed as his fingers rattled the broken chain on her hip. "The watch! Where's your watch!?"

Hm? Was she hearing right? Why would he ask about the watch he gifted her?

"I-It's…"

Did she finish her thought? Had she told him where she saw it laying behind Silco's desk? It seemed like she might've said something. But she couldn't remember. Every painful moment felt like her memories, near and far, were burning apart like fire eating away at photographs. There was no past, present or future she could parse through.

"Where is it?" Ekko pleaded with her but all she could offer was her thoughts and unspoken words. She heard him repeat himself over and over. Rustling noises skirted around the corners of her thoughts, Ekko seemingly ripping the room apart in search of the mechanical timepiece. "Ah Here! I've got it!"

She felt his return to her side, once more his hands were reaching for her. Taking her limp wrist in his grasp and forcing the clock into her palm.

"You need to hold onto this. Stay with me Jinx. I can fix this, I swear. You hear me?"

"Just…let me…go."

Was it selfish of her to ask him to give up? His panic, his fear was nothing but a blemish on her final moments. A weak, helpless flailing against nature itself. She just wanted his company and love. She wanted to feel him wrapped around her as she finally faded to the abyss. All the agony would wipe away like the dirty streets after a good, strong rain. Jinx would be wiped away, forgotten like every other criminal born in this city. Didn't sound so bad when she knew what the outcome of trading her life would bring.

"Hold onto it. Please baby. Please." Ekko insisted through his watery voice. "I can't let you go. Not like this. Let me try to fix it. Let me try."

Ekko. So stubborn. Like always.

Was she smiling? Probably. She felt like a part of her was at least, like a little flame in her soul had just fluttered, weak and dying as waves of death crashed over it. A weight was suddenly pressed over her chest. Despite the totality of numbness that consumed her, she could sense the difference. There was a sound of a chord being pulled and Ekko's arms around her completely.

"This'll work." Hm? What will work? What was Ekko muttering? What was he-? "It has to. It has to."

He cried into her. Shaking against her limp and unresponsive frame. But it was fine because he was close, holding her. Even if he wanted to deny what was happening, she was glad to at least feel him close. Could she find the strength to whisper her love to him once more?

Suddenly,

There was light. Blue light. It glowed behind the darkness over her eyes, so bright that she was forced to scrunch her nose in reaction. The air around them seemed to spiral like a tornado and all the while, Ekko kept her pressed to his chest, muttering some sort of repeated insistence as if he needed the words to command reality.

A startling rush of strength shot through her veins and it took only a moment to gasp at the energy flooding into her. Pink eyes blinked open and stared at the most mind-jarring sight. She could see herself. Ekko too. They were huddled together, separate from where she was watching, bracing against violent winds and she tilted her head curiously. What was she seeing?

A quick glance at her arms provided even more demanding questions. She was blue! Why was she blue? Spectral? Not quite like the illusions in her mind, but definitely something that seemed more at home within a spooky spectral plane or something. Was this the afterlife?

If it was…lame.

No. This couldn't be the afterlife. She could see glowing magical runes in the air, swirling around the room as if they were being conjured and called by request. She'd never seen such runes…was it always like this? Were they always here? Invisible to the naked eye yet still permeating the air? Another glance towards her physical body allowed her a chance to spot Ekko's opened Z-drive being embraced by the both of them, the revealed gemstone was spinning wildly, lighting shooting off in all sorts of directions, some of which lashed across Ekko's body, singing his clothes and burning his skin.

The second she reached out towards the boy in an attempt to pull him away from harm, her entire body lurched like a magnetized metal, attracted towards some inexplicable force. Her translucent body was flung through the air before smashing into her true body. The physical and spiritual seemed to merge and she tried to follow the motions, but before she could get her bearings, she was sliding up the bookcase and on her feet again.

Her body was ignorant to her will.

She began limping backwards, parting from Ekko, and the boy just watched her with intense desperation and awe. Her body was moving on its own, willed to do so by a power beyond her comprehension. Slashing her arm through the air over and over, pouncing to various spots upon the floorboards, all in reverse.

Abruptly, her entire body twisted upside down in the air as a flying object caught her attention. She watched, almost in a trance, her body was floating, while Ekko's pocketwatch seemed to seek her out and attach itself back to her hip. The chain was relinked as if it'd never split. Her eyes were captivated by the glowing blue hands of the clock, watching them sparkle and glitter with a magical brilliance as they spiraled counter-clockwise. The inscription she'd never remembered to read glowed just as brilliantly.

Then she was launched out of Silco's office, back to the bar where the explosion of her chomper had originally sent her crashing from. Faint, indecipherable noises echoed in her ears, her own voice was among the noise, maybe Sevika's too? She continued to be guided by the predetermined actions of the past, as if she were a doll being strung along a stage, and the hidden master that controlled it all was somewhere far away, disguised amongst the magic. Or maybe itwasthe magic. Hextech. Ekko's Z-drive. The pocket watch. All of it was working together like a practiced orchestra and producing a divine symphony beyond humanity.

She landed on her feet, settled into the stance she'd held when listening to Sevika's boring monologue the moment she entered the Last Drop. A phantom pain suddenly electrified her body. Memories of the damage she'd taken pierced through her body like ghostly blades. Her hand dropped to her exposed stomach at the sensation of being skewered by Sevika's broken blade but her brow twisted in confusion when she smoothed over her unpunctured belly.

W-what?

The Last Drop was still destroyed. Time hadn't gone backwards. She could still feel the pain of her fight with Sevika. It stained over her nerves like a thick, viscous ink as if it'd still happened…but it hadn't? Everything was just as it should be…except herself. Almost as if the brink of death was just a mystical dream.

"Jinx?" Ekko's voice snapped her attention upwards to see the boy peeking from beyond the door frame of Silco's office. Aside from the flurry of burns he'd sustained by activating the Hextech in the open and letting its lighting zap across his skin, he looked nervous, apprehensive in addressing her. "Are you…are you okay? Do you feel alright? Can you say something?"

"I'm…alive?" She questioned aloud, wide eyes still unfocused and looking within to summarize her experience. Did Ekko send her back through time? Since when did he know how to-?

"It worked." He gasped. "They said it wasn't possible but Iknewit!"

"I'm alive?" She repeated, still perplexed.

"I wasn't sure what would happen. It was such a huge risk…but I used the watch and Z-drive to reverse time on it and since you were connected to it…among a few other things, I set it to bring you back to before it all happened."

"Oh…" She was still exhausted, still in pain from the constant influx of time forcing her to remember every cut, bruise, break and stab in the battle with Sevika. All of Ekko's excited explanations fell upon deaf ears. He sounded like he was speaking gibberish in another language. "...neat."

Before she could even see Ekko's reaction to her simple words, she felt the entire world spin upside down as her eyes rolled to the back of her head. The last thing she saw was Ekko sprinting towards her as she crashed to the ground. Completely, utterly exhausted, but alive and breathing.

Her Boy Savior sure was something.

When she opened her eyes for what felt like the dozenth time that evening, she could already tell things were different. She was drifting, floating, rocking like a boat upon water and slumped over large rigid shoulder blades.

She whined as her chest bumped uncomfortably against the sharp edges of the shoulder she laid on. Apparently reversing time on injuries doesn't completely wipe away the feeling of death and decay. A few times she tried to settle herself and ride upon her carrier's back without issue, but too often her eyes snapped open, feeling like her arm was once again about to fall off or that her stomach was emptied and bleeding from the stabbing she'd received. None of it was real. Just after-images, imaginative thoughts, and confused assumptions.

"Stop building those muscles of yours dumb-butt." She groaned as her bosom pressed painfully into rippling back muscles. "Any bigger and it's definitely gonna seem like you're compensating for something."

A quick gasp of surprise followed by a ragged chuckle confirmed her escort was absolutely NOT Ekko like she'd thought.

"Maybe that'd be a good thing." Her sister laughed. "Glad to see you're awake Pow."

"Vi?"

Blinking away the weary fog from her brain, she realized her older sister was hunched over, letting her noodled body splay over her shoulders and lean upon the woman as she slowly walked through empty streets.

"Can you hold your arms around my neck?" Violet asked, "It's kinda hard to walk like this. You're heavier than you look when I gotta support your lazy ass."

"Ha ha." Her arms linked around her sister's collarbone despite her protesting eye roll. "Least I don't have fat hands."

Vi seemed to just shake her head and smile, her calloused hands lowered to grab onto the undersides of her thighs and hoist her a bit higher than before, allowing for a much more relaxed pace.

"Where's-?"

"Ekko and Caitlyn were needed top-side. I'd guess they're getting their asses chewed out pretty good right about now, but they can handle it."

"And the other…uh…Firebugs? They good?"

That earned a curious glance from her sister and a soft smile that took a few seconds to appear after processing her question.

"Yeah. They're helping clear the streets, calming the other trenchers and letting them know it's safe. Made it out just fine."

"We got outta cleanup duty, huh?" She sighed as she nuzzled her cheek on top of Violet's much too bulky frame. Definitely preferred Ekko's slightly smaller stature, but it was better than nothing. "Score. I hate public service. Yuck."

"Heh. Yeah."

They continued walking in silence and occasionally her mind would drift, almost as if she were still trying to sync her own internal clock with the time of the present. She'd have to mention the disorienting side-effects to Ekko later. Not that she expected him to use it again so soon. They got lucky on a gamble, no matter how much Ekko insisted he was prepared. That was the cool part though. She actually felt a bit lucky this time around.

"..."

"...Where are we goin'?"

"We made plans to meetup at the clubhouse." Vi replied coolly, "Gonna be the first ones there so don't worry, you'll have plenty of time to rest before the party."

"Party?"

"You know it. We won Pow." Her sister's bright voice melted a portion of her heart, glad that it was such a joyous and free declaration. "We actually did it."

"That's…good." She meant it, just, you know, super tired? Still trying to make peace with the fact she'd traveled through time. Possibly one of the only people she's ever known to cheat two very distinct deaths in the most impossible of ways.

"I saw the Last Drop. Heard how you handled Sevika…"

"Oh…heh…sorry about that."

"You'll be more than sorry." Her sister growled lowly. "What the hell were you thinking? Going off on your own after Sevika? There wasn't a single reason to rush it. We were gonna take her down together."

Yeah…Ekko said the same thing already. If she weren't so honestly apologetic, she might've just spewed out insults and rambunctious teases towards her sister until the moment was forgotten, because who the hell cares when the result was so awesome? But…it didn't change the fact that her reckless decision making caused her friends quite a bit of turmoil. She couldn't handle the thought of her position being flipped with Ekko's or Vi's. She'd have gone even more insane than she already was.

"I just…wanted to make sure…you know." God, was she blushing like a timid teenager now? Her face felt hot. Dammit, why'd explaining your feelings have to be so…grossfeeling? "...That you guys were safe…or whatever. I didn't want you to get hurt."

"Well, right back atcha' numbnuts!" Vi shouted. Yep. Her ears were ringing. But, it helped that she'd started to anticipate more of Vi's undoubtedly pissed, yet equally relieved mood. What a strange combination of emotions that must be.

"I did what I wanted." She replied quietly. To anyone else, it might've sounded like she was defiant and uncaring of her reasons. To her sister, to her shared blood, her words were twisted without hesitation, understood for what she really meant.

I couldn't stop myself from caring about you.

Violet sighed before shrugging her shoulders and re-establishing a leveraged grasp on her thighs as they continued walking through the darkened streets of the under-city.

"I know. And since it turned out alright in the end, I guess I can tell ya what I really think." Oh? And what did her sister truly think of her deplorable, regulatory actions of the past 24 hours? She was certainly curious.

"Lay it on me sis."

"I'm so proud of you."

Pink eyes widened, almost immediately blurred and stinging from fresh tears that immediately swept over her eyes. Proud. Proud. Vi was proud…of her? That might just be-.

"That rocket of yours that just vaporized an entire factory. And you were so badass out there with Cait and me. Hearing Ekko talk about you two fighting together against chem demons and taking Sevika one on one. If I were you, I might've tried to do the same and failed even harder."

"You know me." She giggled, "Piltover's number one badass, fully 'quipped with enough 'splosives to add a second sun to the sky!"

"I mean it, Jinx." The use of her name halted any sort of attempt to lighten the mood with her quirky jokes. "You're the coolest little sister ever, you know that?"

"Shuddup..." She mumbled into the leather jacket she pressed her face into. Embarrassed, blushing, maybe even a little bit delighted to hear such warming words. Okay, maybe she was a little more than just delighted…Oh fine! A lot more! The words made her night-, week-, year dammit! Her freakin' year! "You're so dumb."

"Says the idiot that nearly got herself killed instead of waiting thirty minutes for backup." Vi cheekily replied with a bounce in her step.

Touché. Dear sister. Touché.

She really didn't mind if the walk to their old clubhouse took all night. This was fine the way it was. Holding onto her sister's back, laughing and joking as much as they fought. It felt wholly familiar and placed a yearning in her chest to keep the moment alive for as long as she could.

So far, this was perfect.

Notes:

Annnnddd that's the chapter!

Whew. Okay. A lot to discuss.

Firstly, I hope the battle for the under-city was an awesome overall experience. I really put a lot of effort in the many distinct fights, while also keeping the overall pacing tight. I guess my biggest concern / fear is Ekko's Z-drive being used in the way it was. I REALLY hope it didn't feel like a moment of betrayal between you (the reader's) and myself as the author. Ekko legitimately does have the ability to rewind time on himself in the game. Something I hope to see in S2 in some form or another. And this chapter has been in my head since the beginning. I mean...she said MY BOY SAVIOR LMAO. Finally! But! I also spent a lot of time laying the groundwork for the hinting possibility that he'd be able to reverse time in this way. Still, I can see how some might take it as a cop out or quick answer to a devastating problem with Jinx on the brink of death. I sincerely hope that you understand that each scene, and the emotions I put into them, were as real and powerful as I could make it. I hope you were laughing and crying, gasping and shooketh like I was when drafting it. Even so, feel free to let me know if you didn't like the sudden reveal. Or if you have any criticism of these two chapters.

Aside from that, this arc (coming in at three total chapters) was my longest yet and I had a ton of fun writing it! Jinx's booster rocket, Jinx and Ekko fighting in CH 44 with a callback to their fight on the bridge. Sevika's one on one with Jinx and how brutal it was and Jinx's heartbreaking moments when Ekko finds her again...I really felt connected to these chapters and I hope you enjoyed them and want to discuss more! I'd be happy to answer any and all questions in the comments below! Tell me if you loved the arc or what you loved specifically! This is the peak of this fic so far and I'm so excited to hear your feedback.

Please leave a kudos if you can and don't count this story out just yet! The final arc may be finished, but there's STILL quite a few scenes left that I think are really gonna elevate this journey even further for you all. Maybe even a secret mission coming soon?! Haha surprise! Plus you get to see more fluffy Ekko/Jinx time...isn't that worth it?

Until next time 3

Chapter 46: Our City

Notes:

Hi! I'm back!

Man this chapter took way to long to get out. My sincerest apologies. Nothing feels worse than being unable to keep a consistent posting schedule when the end is near. Though...I suppose it's also a good thing that the story doesn't come to an end too quickly either. I just got caught up with work, a quick vacation to the beach with my friends, and then I had my Birthday earlier this week, but I'm so excited to continue this story!

The next update will 1,000% not take nearly as long.

But for now, I hope you enjoy the victory celebration in store 3

(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)

Chapter Text

She stared intensely towards a single bead of sweat on her sister's face. The entirety of Violet's face was covered in fading blood stains and a thin layer of dirt, but that one particular bead of sweat hanging loosely on her chin was extra distracting. It'd fall any moment.

Ping! Ping!

Vi's tongue poked outside her pursed lips, mixed with just as much stress as focus. Spectacular lights danced across her sister's grime covered face and her eyes drifted to the machine they were both hunched over. A concert of blasting colors accompanied by blaring chimes and a speedy metal ball clashing into all sorts of obstacles provided the stimulation her frantic mind desperately craved. She couldn't look away. The tiny little hole in the center of the arcade machine was glowing a brilliant gold, calling to them, teasing them.

"Go for the bonus points! It's right there! Get it!"

"'M tryin'," Vi grunted as her fingers slammed buttons on the side of the pinball machine, launching the ball inside to ricochet inside the box. "Harder than it looks."

"It'srightthere! Just go through the middle!"

"I know!"

"Watch out for the trap on the right! Oh! There's an extra ball on the top left, get that too! Bumpers! Avoid the bumpers!"

"Jinx let me focu-."

Wah Waaah Waaaaaaaaaaah.

"No, no, no! Dammit!" Vi bashed her fist onto the glass casing when the metal pinball circled down the drain. The cabinet groaned under the pressure of the hit but continued its losing melody until the entire machine went quiet and dim.

"...You suck at pinball."

The glare she received actually raised a few of the little hairs on the back of her neck and she took a measured step away from her sister. Viwasa sore loser and she wasn't keen on suddenly being thrust into a sudden wrestling match. Or worse…a tickle fight.

To her surprise, Vi merely laid a gentle jab to her shoulder while shaking her head in exasperation. Her sister started laughing and it was just so contagious. They giggled together, and with the day's events behind them, a successful battle, and time alone in their clubhouse were reminders that maybe this could be what life was like now. Just fun and games. No worries to dread over. Usually by now, she'd be considering why this moment wouldn't last, but right now, she can't come up with a single reason.

"You want another go at it?" Vi asked.

She shook her head. They'd already proven she was the pinball master between the two. Her theory was that it must be all the flashing lights and sporadic chimes. Where her sister would get distracted and overwhelmed, she would be mesmerized by the chaotic symphony, watching the orchestra of chance mix with luck and skill. Besides, there was something incredible about being an observer in this moment. She's always hated watching from the sidelines, but if the opportunities for fun with Vi weren't fleeting any longer, she felt serenely content to watch and enjoy rather than capitalize upon every potential second in the spotlight.

Huh. That's new. Wasn't introspection supposed to be her weakest quality? Who'd she have to blame for this new development?

"Hopefully they don't take too much longer with the wrap up." Vi's musings pulled her away from her inner thoughts, "We might have to tough it out and wait awhile."

"Oh no!" She flipped the back of her hand to her forehead in sarcastic anguish, "Stuck in a giant clubhouse filled to the brim with snacks, drinks, and games? How can wepossiblysurvive?"

"Alright, alright. No need to get all snarky on me. I'm just sayin'."

And fair enough. She could see Violet's line of thinking and understand where the woman's petty concerns held merit. Boredom was a fickle thing. Even surrounded with so many sparkling lights, adrenaline pumping arcade games, and bone-shaking music bouncing off the walls, sometimes your mind can get trapped elsewhere, usually worrying about things that don't matter.Boyhas she been there before! In fact, she can feel it at this very moment.

Ever since they escaped the battlefield in the Lanes, quick flashes of her duel with Sevika occasionally bubbled to the immediate forefront of her thoughts. The Orge's broken final words, a freshly lit cigar falling to the wooden floorboards, and Ekko's miraculous rescue. Something shifted inside herself after the fight and it was hard to put into words. Not the whole time-bendy thing either. That was a whole other beast she had yet to tackle, but there was a pressure in her chest, like a forgotten reminder, urging her to do something, maybe a whole lot of things, but determining what it was that she was driven by was a pure enigma.

Maybe it was nothing. Probably forgot to brush her teeth this morning or something, but all the pieces she tried to fit into the puzzle just weren't matching up. Something was missing.

"Sooo…" Her attention snapped towards Vi awkwardly scratching the back of her neck and drawing imaginary lines in the floorboards with her boot. Oh no. Her sister never gets timid or unsure about anything unless it's about-. "You and Ekko are pretty serious, huh?"

That.

"Uh huh." She shrugged. Not that she wasn't denying it, but what exactly did "serious" mean? She just didn't have a good frame of reference when it came to relationships. Sure, it was pretty rough at the beginning, but things were working out so far. "You're not gonna give me some boring lecture about the dangers of hot and steamy frick frack, right? Cuz you know that ship left port a while ago."

"God no. And don't remind me." Her sister shuddered and she cracked a small smile at the sight, "I just…wanna make sure that you and him are…you know…doing well?"

"I'd say so." She casually replied while finding a chair to sit on and kick her boots up on a small coffee table. "Why? You think something's up?"

Vi shook her head as she planted herself upon an adjacent seat. "No. No, I was just curious if you two had a plan for the future."

"..." Pink eyes lifted towards the ceiling in quiet contemplation. Itfeltlike they'd agreed upon a future with each other, but looking back through her memories, she couldn't quite recall a time when anything had ever been solidified into a decent plan. There was always so much at stake, new dangers, new missions around every corner, trying her best to make friends along the way. Just sitting in this creaky wooden chair and taking a deep breath felt like she suddenly had all the time in the world to ponder such things. "I mean, we'll be together?"

She almost laughed at how confused her own voice sounded. Her response was inadequate to even her own ears.

"So, you think you'll stay with the Firelights?"

She scoffed, "Live it up with the nerdiest do-gooders I've ever met? No thanks." As much as she was starting to like the many members of their group, a little distance from all the exhausting responsibilities was definitely needed. How that was gonna happen was still a big question mark though.

"What's Ekko gonna-?"

"Ekko's probably gonna leave the Firelights sometime soon. Fed up with the whole leader schtick, you know what I mean?" She finished easily before her eyes snapped open and she jolted in her seat to lean aggressively into Violet's personal space. "That's a secret…I think. Don't tell anyone."

"Huh." Vi rubbed her chin absently in thought, "Little Man's gonna step down and figure something else out? Make his own way? Cool."

"Yeah…" Her expression blanked as she readjusted back into her seat. Eventually, and hopefully sometime soon, Ekko would get his chance to leave all his important duties behind and maybe find some peace for the foreseeable future.

The only frustrating part is that she hadn't worked out how she fits into that future as well.

"He deserves a break." Vi smiled, "I feel like he changed so much. All this time with the Firelights must've been rough. I miss the goofy kid we grew up with. Maybe he'll get a chance to…I dunno…find that part of himself again?"

"It's there." She replied softly, unable to keep the infectious warmth from coating her words. She'd seen him in his most vulnerable moments, and dozens of other times when his bright smile or quirky ideas ignited the air around him. "But you're right. It'll do the dork some good to let loose a bit. Get into some trouble with that big ol' head of his."

"How are you two gonna lay low?"

"Huh?"

Vi's face seemed to wince at her initial question, "You're not Top-side's biggest fan. Sucks, but I doubt they'll give you a pardon or whatever, even with all the good you've done. And after today, we're gonna have a lot more Piltie eyes watching us from up there."

She began chewing on her lower lip as her sister spoke.

"Guess I'll just try to keep out of the spotlight for a while."

"That's a good idea."

It was good…if there was any chance of it being a reality. But as she shifted in her seat and the dozens of voices entered her head, all speaking at once, she knew it was a bold and hasty lie. Her heart was hammering in her ribcage as if she'd been sprinting and her muscles were twitching uncomfortably, because she didn't have the answer. Therealanswer.

In just a single second, she realized that the brighter future she helped create was laid out before all her friends and family, ready and waiting for the next grand step in their lives and she hadn't once given any serious thought to how she might exist in this new world. The chains of her past sins were still tightly bound around her wrists and ankles. Just because she couldn't see or feel them any longer, didn't make them any less real. Her wants and desires, when laid bare before herself and matched to those she loved, contradicted everything.

Brina was right.

She wanted to live with her sister again, but Vi was likely headed top-side with Caitlyn. She wanted to keep Caitlyn as a close confidant, but how was that possible when they lived in different parts of the world? And Ekko…How would she be able to stay by his side and still give him all the freedom he deserved? The last thing she wanted was for the boy to exchange his responsibilities for ones that were equally crushing. Hiding and aiding a highly wanted criminal was just about the worst way to live a carefree life.

It was devastatingly apparent how little she'd actually considered.

Suddenly, a dozen footsteps and rowdy laughter outside forced Vi and herself to their feet. The conversation dropped without a second thought, but only for her sister. Inside, she could still feel the uncertain nausea writhing around in her belly. She managed to catch a glimpse of the approaching group through the giant hole in the glass front of their hideout and shook the nerves from her limbs.

The door blasted open with a rambunctious Andrei leaping through the entrance, his arms stretched up towards the ceiling with an equally bright grin on his cheeks.

"Victory!" The boy shouted merrily.

She watched as mirrored smiles shined from behind the young Firelight. Scar and Brina were supporting each other as they carefully hobbled through the door and Caitlyn was right behind them, ushering the two most injured with a guiding palm. No sight of her boy savior just yet, but he had to be just behind them, right?

Her curiosity was sated the moment the crowd entering the clubhouse began shifting, rather harshly too, almost like they were being forced aside by an unstoppable force. When Ekko's signature white dreads peeked from between the shifting bodies, she couldn't stifle the small giggle and smile that spread across her cheeks. Her hand cupped her mouth to greet him. Teasingly, of course.

"It's hard to see you when you're standing behind Scar and Cait, you know. Ever think you might need inserts in your-?" Ekko burst out of the collected group, fiery brown eyes locked directly towards herself. His lips were pursed while he took strong demanding strides across the room like a man on a mission. A very serious mission. Uh oh. Was she in trouble? Again? What'd she do this time?

Before she could even switch gears and comment on his behavior, Ekko was in front of her. Strong, calloused hands twice the size of her own, captured her pale cheeks in his palms and she didn't have a chance to even question his intentions when she was pulled into his lips. A small squeak of surprise was all she managed when his lips smothered hers completely.

The entirety of her being was forced into him. Her boots shuffled along the wooden floor until she could feel the erratic beat of his pulse thunder into her bosom and her hands were hanging in the air, still catching up to the intensity of his kiss and how quickly it happened. One second, Ekko was somewhere top-side, the next he's kissing the freakin' daylights outta her and- jeez, could she just stop thinking about it and enjoy the moment?

Warm, bruising lips melted over her moan while the searing heat of Ekko's tongue invaded her lips, stealing her breath and everything else. Their onlookers disappeared from her mind. Her many ghosts and their ramblings were just as easily ignored. Because she could taste him, feel him, and let his unyielding desire demandingly consume her. A giddy smile against his caressing lips contained the needy groan in her throat when she felt Ekko press deeper into her. The tips of his fingers dipped over the curve of her fragile cheekbones, pulling on her as if she wasn't already as close as she could be. She had half a mind to tease her man for all his impatience, but it was too much. Deliciously too much.

When Ekko's panting breath clashed with her own, when his desperate pull never wavered, and when his tongue wrestled hers into pitiful submission, she tightly latched onto the fabric of his cloak with her fingers to keep him close. From the coiling burn in her tummy to the light-headed airiness of her now vacant mind, she felt her heart soar to the sky. Because she loved every lingering second. Because this was what it was like to be unquestionably wanted.

Because this was what love felt like.

Slowly, very slowly, she felt the vigor of Ekko's desire fade as his lips were lifted from hers. Not immediately. For a few lasting seconds she responded to soft kisses that pecked her wetted lips. He didn't seem content with only her mouth as Ekko continued to travel up her face and peppered her with chaste, assuring tokens of love. A kiss to the tip of her nose. Two to her fluttering eyelids. And his hands lifted from her cheeks to lovingly swim through her disheveled blue strands.

It was wonderful, and soothing, and perfect, and then one of his fingers was caught in a tangle and it subtly jerked her head backwards with a ghost of a sting to her scalp and she mentally cursed the fact that the room wasn't empty because the sharp pain sent a wanting pulse down south and- Fuck…if that didn't make her want to strip right now and jump his bones. Butnoooooo, she had to mask the lustful glint in her eyes and silently recover because some things weren't "socially acceptable" and pretend she had "dignity" or whatever.

Ekko's forehead dropped to rest upon hers allowing his gaze to barely loom over her as she stared into his brown eyes with a mind still catching up to his sudden actions. They shared a silent moment together until some semblance of coherent words came to her.

"Should I start almost dying more often?" She giggled, "Cuz wowza! I'd say that was worth it."

Ekko's entire body seemed to melt as he closed his eyes and released a breathy laugh. The strain of his muscles went slack the moment he let go of all the stress from tonight. Was it weird to enjoy the feeling of his scorching breath as it washed over her pale skin? They were so close and maybe it was just her crazy brain, but the sensation could only be described as perfect. Like she was whole now that he was here, holding her, loving her.

"For the love of God, never make me worry like that again." His voice was quiet and soft, and it took her a second to remember their audience. Ekko seemed content to ignore any distractions or potential embarrassment. His eyes never left hers and for now, he was still present with her, murmuring words meant only for herself. "I don't know what I'd-. I still can't believe it worked, I-. You're okay. You're okay, right? No side effects?"

The faintest glimmer of tears filled her eyes and she struggled to blink them away. Ekko's relief dripped from every spoken word and she could see the difficulty he had even making sense of how to say them in his head. But it didn't matter how he said it, or how he conveyed his emotions, because she knew enough to understand his honest, unwavering emotions as they cascaded over her like a tidal wave.

"I'm okay." She whispered back to him and lifted her palm to cup his cheek and soothingly rub across his dirtied, battle-ridden face. Her lips dived into him for a quick kiss to accompany her reassurance and return a portion of the love he'd shared with her. "Hard to put me on the chopping block when I got a genius, time-controlling boyfriend watchin' my back."

"Genius?" That damned cocky smirk was back.

"Would you rather be an idiot? Dumbass? Psycho-nerd that's addicted to crazy hotness?"

"Let's stick with genius. I like it."

"WellIlike the last one." She playfully tapped her fingers across his sturdy chest. "I'll consider what you want later."

"You'renotcalling me a psycho-nerd." He groaned.

"Not sure if that's up to you."

"Jinx-."

"Ahem!" Brina loudly coughed into her own fist and it immediately shattered their perfect little sanctuary. She had half a mind to lean around Ekko and give the woman a leveling glare, but she couldn't argue that they'd spent too much time wrapped around each other. Oof. Musta been really awkward in here for the last few minutes, huh? Not like she cared. Everyone seemed to be looking anywhere other than Ekko and herself…aside from Brina's irritated stare, which is normally not cause for concern, but given the circumstances…

"Can we just party already?!" Andrei suddenly shouted and that was a suggestion that she could full-heartedly get behind. "The Firelights own these streets!"

"Woooo! That's the spirit!" Her boots were already racing across the room where they'd stashed a hefty amount of drinks for such an occasion."Last one to take a shot has to chug the bottle!"

"Jinx, no." Caitlyn sighed as her fingers pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Wha-? Ugh, okay fine…drink at your own pace…I guess."

Forgot she was hanging out with the do-gooders for a second. Then again, maybe she could introduce her new pals to her way of partying. Oh yeah. Ingenious idea. She was curious how her fellow teammates would handle a night of endless drinking.

Time to crank up the music and find out!

Surprisingly…there's something magical about people.

That lone, stray thought entered her mind hours into their celebration. As sweat shined along the surface of her skin and a sticky heat enveloped the crowded room, she paused her wild dancing to spin her head around each friend. Their faces were lost in joy, not a wrinkle of worry in their expressions. No enemies on the horizon, no fears to keep them up at night. Okay yeah, everyone was alsoverydrunk, herself included, but even alcohol couldn't explain the glowing life bubbling from each merry soul.

As the muscles in her legs approached a jelly-like exhaustion, her feet aching in her boots and her hair sticking grossly to her slick forehead and temples, only a moment of captivated curiosity could pull her from the dancefloor. She swiveled her head towards Vi's booming laughter and spotted her sister sitting in one of the larger plush chairs near the other end of the room. Caitlyn was resting on her lap, giggling alongside her older sister. They were holding each other close, trapped in their own little world and content to laugh, joke, and kiss to their heart's content.

It was hard not to stare.

It was impossible not to smile.

A triumphant cheer pulled her eyes away from the lovebirds to catch Brina take Scar's waiting hand in hers and Andrei's in the other. Despite the girl's sprained and wrapped ankle, she was beaming with joy as she wiggled her hips and attempted a slow, offbeat shuffle. The two men didn't seem to mind, having more fun now that their ally was eager to participate. Nothing mattered. So what power did a silly little injury have when there was music, drinks, and good company?

She'd been in a lot of similar experiences like this before, like when she ran with Silco's crew in the Last Drop, or at night raves in the Green Glass Room, but something was different about tonight. Those massive crowds always felt like an unspoken selfishness was the catalyst to their fun. Drinks were downed because they muted dreary thoughts. Music and lights were blasting so obnoxiously to avoid painful conversation with strangers and hide the many blemishes on rough-lived skin. The ones that said they were looking for love always gave into the temptation of lust and were none the wiser. But when she scanned the room, none of those lies reared their ugly heads to make her doubt the sincerity of the moment.

She was with her friends and the happiness that fogged the room was sincere, real, and practically tangible if she just reached out to grasp at the sweltering air.

Pink eyes spun around once more, searching for Ekko and found him nodding his head to the rapid beat of the music as he poured himself another round from behind a makeshift counter. Immediately she skipped towards him. Her elbow slammed on the counter to get his attention and when he lifted his eyes she flashed him a radiant smile.

"I'll have what you'rrreeee havin', barkeep!" She chirped.

"Sure thing." Ekko grinned as he slid his drink across the surface of the table and into her waiting palm. Another drink was already being poured.

"So…You come here often, sexy man?" She gave the boy a playful smirk, attempted to bite her lip seductively, then took a sip. The liquid burned all the way down her throat, but after so many hours, the sting was hard to separate from the encroaching numbness washing over her senses.

"Not usually." Ekko smirked while playing along. "Thinkin' that's about to change though."

"Lucky me."

"Luckyus." The Firelight corrected as he raised his glass.

She 'clinked' her drink against his in cheers as they both took an eager gulp. Just as she was about to raise her cup higher and finish the happy juice in one fell swoop, she paused. Strangely…she didn't feel like drinking herself into the floor. She already felt great! The world was slowly wavering through her vision. It was harder to stay focused or even care where she was. It'd be a waste of a night to end it the moment the room started to spin a little too much. Then again, what was she supposed to do? Stop drinking? Uhh no thanks.

"Top-side's gonna let us police the Lanes. Didn't approve all our requests so we're gonna keep talking it over, but it's better than-. Hey, you good?"

"Huh?" She lifted her eyes back towards Ekko and yep, he was definitely more fuzzy than before.

"You were spacing out there for a second. Want some water?"

"Nooooooo. No water. Only fun. Water's no fun, is boring." She grumbled as she leaned against the countertop and stretched along her side as if she were reaching for something at the other end. There was nothing there, but it was soooo comfortable. Heyyy wait a sec…why's her face so hot all of a sudden? Or has it been like that for a while? Uh oh. Did she accidentally pass the point of no return? Unfair!

"Let's at least get you some air." Ekko replied while walking around the counter and offering a hand. She swatted him away with loose swings of her arm.

"I wanna dance. Let's dance. I'm feelin' it.."

"We danced earlier, and we can dance after. Come outside with me for a minute. Take a break."

"Wha? You lying little liar youuu. I don't 'member dancin' with you. When that happen?"

Ekko was struggling to contain his chuckles as his hand weaved around her swinging arm and took gentle hold of her wrist. She reluctantly accepted his pull and took unsteady steps to follow the man that captured her heart.

"We were dancing like half an hour ago."

"Toooo long. We gotta do it again!" Now that he said it, she sorta remembered a moment of being flush against his body, jumping, sliding, and dipping to the beat. Yet as soon as the memory came to her, it was flushed out by something more immediately distracting. "You have a great ass. Anyone ever tell you that? Like…woah."

His humored eyes glanced back at her as he walked them towards the door. Would he mind if she grabbed it? Her free hand was flexing by her fingers, itching to grab a chunk of that tush. Should she just go for it? Now? It was tempting.

"Just you."

Her face twisted into a childish pout, her emotions flipping immediately and without thought.

"Good. Better keep it that way." She grumbled, "Mine."

"Whatever you say." He laughed without care and the melody birthed new giggles to burst from between her lips. She definitely picked a good one. Er…or he picked her? Wait did they pick? It just sorta happened, right? That's wild!

It took some time to process that realization as he led her outside. Finding a nice secluded spot that muted some of the noise from inside was easy enough too. Without thought, she plopped herself onto the concrete sidewalk and leaned her back against the chilled wall behind her. The night swept into the under-city much faster than she realized and the soft breeze was wonderful as it cascaded over her skin.

The subtly rancid, rotting smell that permeated the city was still present though, and that sorta sucked. Did that mean she was actually looking forward to heading back to the Firelight base? Dang.

"Is stinky." She mumbled as she swiped across her nose before her shoulders slumped in defeat. "I wanna danncceeee Ekko."

"Just stay out here for a little while." He nudged against her as he took a seat beside her. "It's good to get away from the noise."

"Maybe for you." It was getting hard to hold up her head. Her neck was aching and it just felt so fun to nod and rotate her head, flowing into every lazy motion like a stream of water guided down a river.

"C'mon." He nudged her again with a small smile upon his face, "Relax."

"It no fair." She slurred, "Too loud."

"Wanna walk further down the street?"

She shook her head and tapped the side of her temple to explain her jumbled, incoherent words that weren't getting across. "Not the music.Them. Inside my head. Blah. Blah. Blah. Talk. Talk. Talk."

Loud music usually overpowered the words they scratched into the insides of her skull.

Even a tad delirious and a bit drunk, she was still able to follow the blurry silhouette of Mylo bouncing across the cobblestone streets, laughing and taunting with inaudible insults. She didn't need to be sober to know he was probably trying to piss her off. Little bastard.

"Oh."

His hesitant and simple reply struck something inside herself, she felt it, like a small hammer had been taken to her ribcage and she just had to endure the feeling. So she dropped her head onto his shoulder and stared at the ghostly apparitions across the street. After her fight with Sevika, she distinctly remembered the fear of losing them, never seeing the scribbles or crossed out eyes ever again. Loneliness was apparently worse than death. But now she was trapped in an even weirder impasse, standing on an edge where she didn't know if it was okay to hate them…or love them.

She tilted her head to let her cheek press into the rounded muscle of Ekko's shoulder and took a peek at the boy, searching for some sort of reaction to her words.

"Wuzn't I s'posed to different?" She asked him.

"Hm?"

"You know…" It was hard to find the right words, tipsy as she was, and even harder to say them. Her fist reached for the front of his cloak to grasp at the fabric, already feeling more grounded and committed to exploring such a line of thinking. Being able to feel the heat of his body and the consistent beat of his pulse was definitely supportive in a strange way. "I'm better. Soooooo much better and- uh…and…"

"You thought they might go away?"

"Yes! Yes! That's it." Such a smart cookie, catching her muddled meaning within fractured words. A brief flicker of energy faded immediately when she dropped her head back onto his shoulder, leaning on him even harder than before. She played with the rugged fabric in her fingers, sliding the material against her digits. "Er…I don't want them to go bye bye. Just poof for a little bit. Get it? Whoosh. Gone. But not."

Ekko's arm raised at his side and took a comforting hold around her, helping her splay further over his chest.

"I'm no doc, but I don't think that's how it works."

"But it neeeeeeeds tooooo."

He dropped his concerned gaze to her as she hid her face into his chest, shaking her head and whining like she'd just been assigned to chore duty for the fifth time in a row. Those days sucked, and it certainly felt the same.

"I know you wish you didn't have to deal with them but-."

"Not that." She interrupted, only to shift and pull herself so she could be bundled into his lap and wrap her arms around his sides. Little blue hairs fell over her cheeks and she rubbed them into his skin to get the ticklish strands away while her lips settled over the curve of his throat. "Things still broken. Need to fix it. For youuu Ekko. I wanna fix the broken."

Maybe that's what the pressure in her chest was all about. Maybe there were some pieces of the puzzle yet to fall into place.

"Why for me?"

If her cheeks weren't red from all the alcohol, they were absolutely reddened by an embarrassed blush now, because how the hell was she supposed to know they'd end up talking aboutthis. About all the crazy voices in her head. And why it was such an urgent obstacle that needed clearing. Navigating this while drunk as a skunk wasn't making it easier either. She timidly mumbled her response into his neck.

"What?"

Didn't he hear her? Ugh! She'd have to repeat it? Nooooo.

"...You can't love somethin' broken." She closed her eyes as she uttered the words quietly, "Not right…gotta fix it."

She waited for a long time, nervously shifting in Ekko's lap and just waiting for his response. It was pointless. He'd get all soft and gentle with her, whisper how none of her fears hold any weight, but that didn't really change how it felt, did it? Just one of those things that nobody can ever-. Hold on. Is he laughing? Seriously?!

"Quit it!" Her fingers jabbed into his chest, followed by a flurry of slaps to wherever she could find a hit without his flailing arms blocking her attacks. "I'm super serious!Extraserious!"

Ekko deflected her struggling strikes with ease while bellowing a strong, uncaring laugh from his core. If he didn't absolutely just piss her off, she might've actually thought he looked pretty handsome. Then again, she always seemed to think such thoughts if given enough time to simply stare at him. Not that her infatuation meant he got any brownie points with her either!

"I can't- heh. I can't help it." He chuckled as one of her wrists was ensnared into his grip. It didn't take long for her other hand to get caught as well, though she still wiggled against his strength, intent on leaving at least a few good bruises. "Stop it hahaha."

"Stop laughin'!" She countered, redden cheeks burning hotly. "I'm sittin' here-, obviously a lil loopy and vuln-." What was the word? Oh yeah! "Vul-ner-a-ble, pouring my heart out and you're being a no-good, stupid, butt-munchin', knucklehead!"

Ekko paused, blinked, and recounted her multitude of insults.

"That it?"

Where's Ekko's club thingy? She'd have a fantastic time shoving that weapon so far up his ass right about now. He deserved it too!

"You also eat paint!"

…Not her best comeback ever. Actually, the whole thing seemed to be a massive failure. Nothing she said had any effect from what she could tell. And maaaaaybeeee she's had a few licks of some colorful paint from time to time in the past. Why they made that stuff look so pretty and tasty was beyond her. Obviously she learned her lesson the first time! Just…occasionally she felt the need to check if a different brand had the same problem. Curiosity wasn't a sin!

"Heh. Sounds like somethingyou'ddo."

Shit! That had to be a shot in the dark, right?

"N-Nuh uh!"

Eventually their little scuffle on the sidewalk came to an end when Ekko swiftly dropped her wrists from his hold and reached around her back to pull her closer. Her head was abruptly pinned under his chin while he squeezed her tight.

"I'd thought you'd be over this by now." Pink eyes widened at the shift in his voice, all humor and playfulness dropped into a gentle, husky tone and she immediately stopped struggling against his embrace. "After all we've been through, you think I'd let you go?"

"...I- I dunno…Someday…Eventually…Probably…"

Maybe.

The fight inside her had completely surrendered the moment she felt his lips press deep into the hair on the top of her head. She didn't realize until now, but it was possible Ekko was developing a secret strategy to cool her frenzied behavior andfuckhim, it was working. Loveable asshole.

"Not gonna happen."

Her eyes lifted from under his chin to briefly glance at him, suddenly captivated by the sheer confidence and resolve that burned in his pupils. He spoke as if he was stating a fact, like the sky was blue. Irrefutable. Inalterable. Like it was the way the world worked and she just couldn't see the dots that connected him to such a claim.

"Idiot." She breathed softly as she lowered back to his chest, chapped lips placed delicately close to his throat. "You sound so sure."

"Because I love you."

Was that all it really was? Just love? She loved him too, but for such a complicated and messy situation, it felt wrong to leave it at that, and how could he possibly be satisfied with such a simple answer? It's not like he knew of a way to calm the ghostly entities of her mind. There wasn't a solution. None. It might not even exist, and yet, Ekko didn't seem to care in the slightest.

"What if I get crazier? W-what if I hurt people again?" He couldn't refute those questions. They were real, tangible possibilities. There's no end to the bad thoughts that cross her mind and the speed at which she acts upon her impulses. Like earlier when she sneakily sprinkled salt into Brina's drinks when she wasn't looking. The Firelight was confused and pissed! Or, when she slapped Caitlyn's butt as hard as she could when the top-sider was distracted and blamed it on Vi standing beside her. She didn't even think about it. Just saw the opportunity and took it. Definitely worth it too.

Abruptly, she felt her entire body rise, riding along the expansion of Ekko's broad chest as he took a deep inhale and she floated back into him when he exhaled.

"Look…Jinx." Her attention was fully enamored with his words, ready to hear if he'd walk back his foolish declarations. That's what was happening, right? After a bit of thought, she was right, wasn't she? "I don't know if we're always gonna be together. Things fall apart, people change, we've both seen it happen…"

A nervous prickle in her heart was starting to stab at her insides with every double beat. Shehadseen it happen. With him. Only now could she reflect and realize what a mistake that'd been. And how much it'd hurt if repeated.

"...But I'm in love with you.Allof you. Don't you get it? That's the difference."

"I guess."

She wrapped her arms around him to complete the hold they had on each other. When there wasn't anything else to say, all she could do was be comforted by his soothing warmth, his alluring smell, and his secure hold that challenged all of the crafty demons in her brain.

"Hey." She looked back towards his sparkling eyes with the soft instance of his call, "I know you're worried about the voices and what you might be tempted to do…but when I say I love you, I meanyou. The best partsandthe broken ones too."

Her lips parted to argue further, only she realized in that exact moment that no words could ever hope to break the stunned strangle of her thoughts. She repeated his loving words in her head over and over and over and while she still couldn't make sense of it all, it somehow felt right and Ekko continued.

"I'm here for you, Jinx. Whenever you need me. If you wanna try to figure out how to fix the things you worry about, let me support you. Don't think your issues are gonna push me away either. I love you too much."

Ekko…

"What do I do?" Her voice sounded so small, so unsure, almost as if she were standing over a ledge that peered into a never-ending abyss. So many untold horrors awaited her if she took the leap. Try to fix things? She didn't even know where to start.

He momentarily paused at such a hefty question. She counted the seconds of silence while watching the gears in his head turning, seeking some sort of decent response that hadn't been found. Yet when he did find something, she was privileged to an enlightened smile.

"Love yourself."

What? B-but…How? How does one even love themselves? What does that mean? She'd never actually considered that possibility because it was just that bizarre of a concept. Did she love herself? The immediate reaction was no. No, it was actually worse. If anything, she hated what she was,whoshe was, and all the complications that came with her existence. It's always been that way…since forever. And as if he could feel her confusion over such a daunting request, Ekko's large hand began to rub in calming motions along her spine. Up and down, slowly, meaningfully, and it was so wonderfully welcome.

"You can do it." Ekko insisted with a subtle nudge of his fingers on the small of her back, "We all have parts of ourselves we don't like. Love yourself for who you are. You know, here and now, not some future ideal of what you should be."

While he was making a weirdly tremendous amount of sense, her eyes narrowed towards the boy that held her close in suspicion. Of course Ekko was being sweet, and wise, and understanding, and whatever other adjectives she could throw in there, but…

"You sound like the furrball."

That earned another light-hearted chuckle.

"What? Yordle advice is off limits? For an inventor, the Professor's full of helpful life tips. Don't blame the messenger."

She breathed a simple sigh as she turned her head to rest upon his chest and listen to the slow, steady beat of his heart. Time might as well have been non-existent. The urgency and panic that threatened to consume her was fading fast and what if they could just stay inside this imaginary bubble she created around them in her mindscape? No. That's exactly what sheshouldn'tdo. Far too often she's found herself in these intimate moments, wishing they'd never end. Far too often she's been content to avoid the blackest parts of her soul, treating every important moment as a distraction to avoid the unquantifiable damnation lurking on the horizon that was her future.

She felt the presence of his lips on her head once more, lulling her from an internal dialogue.

"It's scary, I know." He murmured into her hair.

"It's scary." She agreed. Never in her life had she considered how utterly burdensome a task such as loving oneself could be. It sounded easy. It sounded simple. That's exactly why she was terrified. Because she could see through the curtains and identify the vast inadequacies that were shrouded underneath. The future was unknown. The future wasdangerousand that meant her inner demons were too.

"You'll be okay." Ekko's tightened embrace finally loosened and she used the opportunity to stretch her body upwards and face him directly. "I'm not leaving your side, but I think the first thing you need to do is accept who you are. Work on it. Accept every bit of yourself, okay? Then we'll take on the world."

As he spoke to her, she raised a palm to gently cup his cheek. She held him in her hand, let the weight of his head rest in her grasp. Maybe Ekko had some idea of the sheer magnitude of their conversation, or maybe he was loose and carefree from the alcohol, but he couldn't fathom the good he's done for her. All of it. From the day he started loving her, there really had been no escape from his warmth. For that, she would be forever grateful.

She knew what she had to do now. As if a cloudy sky was suddenly parted and gave way to the overwhelming sunlight, she could think clearly, see the world for what it was, and the first thing she needed was to turn a mirror upon herself. What came after wouldn't be any easier, but…

"Ekko I-."

"Jinx?" They both swiveled their heads towards the sudden call of her name and not a second later Andrei stumbled out of the clubhouse, face bright red and hiccuping from what she could only assume was far too many drinks. "Jinx?"

The kid wasn't even looking in the right direction.

"Uh, over here?" She called to the young Firelight.

"Jinx!" Andrei beamed towards her as he spun on his heel, nearly tripping over himself as he did so. "Jinx! I-I-I was thinkin' and um…uh…I wanted to tell you somethin'. Is reeaalllyy important."

"Okay?"

Why was he pausing for her approval? In fact, what the hell was so important that the brat felt the need to interrupt her very special Ekko alone time? It better be a life or death scenario or she's gonna start swinging. She'd only sobered up just enough to know she was ready and willing to throw down in a petty brawl.

"You probably didn't-, or maybe youdidnotice-, whatever, b-but I've thought about it for a looooonnnnggg time." Andrei was really struggling with whatever he was trying to get out, huh? Drunk maybe? She tilted her head to the side, watching him flounder with his words and wondering when it'd start making sense. "Uh…I should just come out and say it. Yeah. That's what I'm gonna do. Just like they said. O-okay. Here goes…Jinx, I'm in lov- ack!"

Before she could even blink or hear the end of Andrei's ramblings, a familiar arm reached out from the clubhouse and wrapped around the boy's neck, cutting off the rest of his speech in a powerful chokehold and Vi's head peered out from the doorway with an apologetic smile on her face.

"Just ignore him." Vi grinned nonchalantly while she practically dragged Andrei back inside. The Firelight was struggling and fighting every step of the way, only to watch his boots scrape across the sidewalk, no match for her sister's strength. "Lil dude's had a bit too much to drink and looks like our pep talk went a little off course."

"Huh?" What's happening right now? What pep talk?

"But you said I should tell her how I feeeeeeel!" Andrei's distant voice whined from inside. It sounded like Vi gave him a sharp chop on the head judging by the pitiful cry he released not a second after.

"You didn't say it was my sister, dipshit!" Vi growled.

She found herself blinking owlishly as the commotion eventually settled and she was once again alone with Ekko, hand still cupping his cheek as if they'd just been frozen in time for the last minute. That is, until Ekko burst out laughing and shaking so hard that it was difficult to keep steady over his lap.

"That kid's got a huge crush on you." Ekko laughed, wiping a stray tear from the corner of his eye.

"What?Andrei?" She scoffed, completely perplexed. Nothing was making any sense. "Yeah right."

Wasn't he like fourteen or something? And how'd Ekko even make that crazy assumption? Andrei's just a weird kid is all. Really weird sometimes, but that didn't mean he had the hots for her or anything.

"How have you not noticed? He's been gushing about you non-stop since the Dredge."

"No way."

"Yep."

"..."

"..."

"Wait you'reserious? Holy moley." The only way to handle such a revelation was to sit back on her butt and simply stare into the empty air feeling nothing but bewilderment at this new information she'd acquired. Andrei? All this time? Heh. Heheheh.Thatwas some juicy information she couldn't wait to exploit!

"I shouldn't be considering him my competition, right?" Ekko continued to chuckle.

"What? No." Ew. Mega ew. No offense Andrei, you're a sweet kid and all but she was undoubtedly spoken for. Ain't nobody taking her away from the sweet man that she loves so dearly. That's the truth.

"You thought about it."

"No I didn't!" She swiftly replied, "I'm just thinkin' of ways to get him to cover my chores back at base. He's gonna have to prove just how much he likes me and then he'll get a super crisp thumbs up. You think that's worth a few days cleaning the kitchen? Ooh! I should make a reward sheet or something to track all his efforts!"

That'd be cute. A little scrapbook to jot down all the times he'd offer to take her duties off her hands. Maybe after a few hundred hours of selfless service she'd give him a hearty side-hug. Plus if she played her cards right, she could bring out a bit of Ekko's possessive jealousy in the process. Amazing!

"That poor kid." Ekko sighed. "He's so screwed."

"Winners and losers." Her shoulders shrugged, "World's full of 'em. Not my fault he got suckered by my awesomeness. You know, apparently I'm quite the catch."

"And what about me?" Ekko asked with his classic smirk on his lips, "Am I a winner or loser in your eyes?"

That was easy.

"Winner." She chirped. Then, her hand returned to his face and she leaned in close, fluttering her eyes shut as she whispered right onto Ekko's lips. "Mywinner."

"Do I get a prize?"

Her lips stretched over his with a knowing smile. She was getting good at spotting all the little signs Ekko would leave her when he was thinking about being naughty. Which was also great because she was feeling rather frisky herself, already using her free hand to caress the space below Ekko's belt and sliding over something enticingly rigid.

"You know it." She kissed him once as she giggled, unable to resist his tempting lips any longer, "You get the whole damn jackpot, babe."

"Yeah?"

"But!" She suddenly sprang off the Firelight that was pure putty from her seductive words, "Not until we get back in there and drink the bar clean."

"But-."

"Nope. No complaining. I wanna party." She huffed as she crossed her arms over her chest. She was starting to get her second wind and was ready to celebrate till the morning!Thenshe'd be ready to wrestle with Ekko under the sheets. Ooh. And she's never had an orgasm while watching the sun rise! Think of all the lively colors while exploding into bliss! Bet that'd be really pretty. Definitely fun too!

As long as she lasts long enough to actuallymakeit to sunrise.

"Alright, alright."

"Score! Let's get to it then. On your feet soldier, we're going back to the dancefloor! I want you drinkin' more too. I don't know why you've been pacing yourself but it's stinkin' lame." She tugged him by the wrist and the moment she got a good look at the party inside, spotted Brina pouring a fresh line of shots. She immediately doubled her pace. "Ooh! Save some for us! Mama needs anotha' drinky!"

"Jinx! Jinx! Jinx! Jinx!"

"Cait! Cait! Cait! Cait!

The supportive chants of the other Firelight's were music to her ears as she bounced on her feet. A quick stretch of her neck and arms readied her for the rematch of a lifetime. Screw her fight with Sevika,thiswas the real challenge, the moment she'd prepared her whole life for. Her toy pistol was raised above the shooting gallery counter and locked onto the empty bottle in her sights.

"You got this Jinx! Acshually, wait…yur sober enough to nail it, right?"

Pink eyes dropped a mere inch below her target to stare into Ekko's nervous brown eyes. He was standing next to one of the inactive mannequins and careful not to shift his weight lest the beer bottle balancing on his head fall over before the game even started. Not like he had much control over his swaying body anyway. She had to practically beg Ekko to drink more but only an hour later and he was definitely drunk. Even if she sorta had to take a shot in her mouth and kiss the liquid down his throat. Brilliant, right? Sneaky, successful and hot! A triple win! And that was all she needed to convince the boy to partner up in this impromptu competition.

"Quit yappin' and stan still!" She growled with narrowed eyes. Now. All she had to figure out is which of the three Ekko's she was seeing was the real one. Hm. It might have to come down to a random guess.

A finger was suddenly pointed into Ekko's face from the side, accompanied by the wild, cackling laughter of her sister.

"See that, baby? We got this!" Vi laughed from her belly, loud and booming and way too obnoxious to be anything other than delirious. "Lil' Man's got noooooo trust!Em-bar-rass-ing!Hahahaha!"

Her gaze drifted towards Vi standing just a few feet away, still chuckling while she held onto an identical bottle placed on top of her head. Then she glanced towards the tall woman next to herself, pistol also raised and a red hue strikingly brushed over the ridge of her dainty nose. Caitlyn's piercing stare towards her target might've been intimidating had the top-sider not been hiccuping every other breath.

"Shhhhh…too much shoutin'…" The officer mumbled low and slow. "Just…gotta…bullseye."

"Yeesh. You'regonegone,ain't ya Cupcake?" She teased with a playful elbow nudging into Caitlyn's side. Just looking into the depths of her pupils, she could tell her rival had nothing going on in that big, fancy schmancy top-side brain of hers. Not a single thought. How the woman was even aiming a pistol precisely at Vi's bottle was a complete mystery to her. Witchcraft maybe!

"Please don't hit me in the eye or somethin'." Ekko pleaded.

"I'll hit ya right in the ding dong if you don't keep quiet!" A swift turn and jab of her pistol towards Vi re-directed her frustration. "And you! Get your fat hands off the bottle! It's cheatin' to hold it!"

"Okaaayyy damn. Someone's pissy." Vi muttered as she gently lifted her hand from the bottle and carefully balanced it on her head. It took all her willpower and restraint to not immediately throw her pistol at her stupid sister and leap over the counter to tackle her. Did she not understand this was for the title of best gunslinger in Piltover? The stakes had never been higher!

Wait. Was that actually the prize or had she imagined that? Nah. No way this was just for fun.

"Alright you four." Brina started as she limped over to the shooting counter, Scar close by and ready to be a pillar of support for the injured Firelight. "Rules are simple. Balance the drinks on your head until the bell rings. Then Ekko and Vi chug their bottles and put it back on their heads. Jinx and Cait, you two are gonna spin in place until they're finished. You both get five shots each. Whichever team's bottle breaks first wins.Andit has to be knocked over by the toy guns. Slipping off doesn't count, got it?"

They all nodded.Thankfully.It took them nearly half an hour to even coordinate well enough with their drunken shenanigans to set the whole game up. Now she was geared up and ready to show off her spectacular gun skills. This would be a cinch.

"Ready. Set. Go!"

Immediately the tension in the room increased as Ekko and Vi went rigid, all of their effort placed entirely into keeping the bottles on their heads and being wary not to let the liquid slip onto their heads. Though that'd be pretty funny. If they did this again, she made a mental note to try her damndest to break the rules and get beer all over Vi's pink hair. So what if her big sis chased her through the city streets as a result. It'd be hilarious!

Ding!

The bell rang and the two competitors scrambled to swipe the bottles into their hands and gulp down the beer faster than each other. A chorus of encouraging shouts cheered them on and she was quick to join in as she started spinning on her feet with Caitlyn. It was hard to see the progress with the room spinning, but Vi seemed to be the more natural drinker, unflinching at the taste of the yucky beer in her grasp, while Ekko was lagging behind.

Shit. At this rate she'd definitely be at a disadvantage. Her partner needed support fast!

"Ekko! If you win…" She called to him as she spun, slowing her rotation only for a moment to let his eyes linger on her. She raised her finger to point at him, intentionally aiming low, then aimed towards her mouth. A crafty trick with her tongue poking the insides of her cheek and a pumping motion with her fist towards her parted lips alongside a sly wink was all she needed to inspire her man. Boom! That outta get the message across loud and clear. Drink fast and claim your prize, boy savior!

"Pfft!" Beer sprayed directly from Ekko's lips as he sputtered. Some of the golden liquid rocketed from his nose and he spent the next few seconds hunched over, coughing, and certainly not drinking at all.

Backfire?! How the hell did offering a blowjob as a reward backfire!? Idiot! He was supposed to get a fire in his eyes at the idea, not choke on his drink. God dammit! If the situation was reversed, she woulda guzzled down that beer like she'd been days without a single drop of water. Drink Ekko! For the sake of her sanity, drink!

She groaned when she started spinning again and heard Violet's satisfied gasp of air and the damning belch that followed soon after. Through blurry vision she watched Caitlyn stop spinning and take a readied shooting stance. Fuck! Fuck! You screwed me Ekko! Er, well of course he did, but that's not what she was talking about! This time shedidn'tlike it!

As her sister struggled to place the empty bottle back on her head, Ekko finally finished and swiftly copied Vi. The delay was rough, but she didn't hear the sound of a bottle shattering, so it wasn't over either. She quickly found her footing to take aim. It didn't matter if the room was a blurry, spinning kaleidoscope of colors, or that she couldn'texactlysee where Ekko was standing, she had to act fast!

"Raahhhh!" A warcry burst from her lips as she squeezed the trigger.

Blam! Blam! Blam! Blam! Blam!

All five shots emptied from the barrel of her pistol and she stilled, watching the five pellets speed through the air and hit…nothing. The bottle on Ekko's head was untouched and he stared at her with wide, disbelieving eyes.

"No way! Rigged!" She cried out in anguish. Doomed. She was doomed!

"You missed! Hah!" Vi cheered before shifting her eyes towards her partner, "We got this in the bag!"

"..."

"...Uh…Cupcake?"

Hearing Vi's confused call to her partner, she turned to her rival, curious about the lack of action from the top-sider. Actually, now that she thought about it…Did Caitlyn even fire a shot yet? A sinister grin stretched upon her lips as she leaned close to her friend, batting her eyelashes in mock innocence.

"Awwww. Looks like someone's got a little trigger fright." She giggled, "It's okay sweetie, don't you worry about missing one bit. You got this. Just don't think about all the eyes watching you, hoping you miss." She cupped her mouth and stretched to the tips of her toes to whisper in her ear, "Seriously though…there'ssomany eyes watchin' right now. No pressure."

Caitlyn's eyes never wavered from the bottle on top of Vi's head. She didn't even smirk or give any indication that the taunting words had any meaningful effect. Damn. Impressive. Must be some ultra secret sniper focus or-.

"I think I…drunk…" She blinked at the woman, Caitlyn finally speaking after a long period of silence, only to watch the top-sider roll her eyes back into her skull and lean backwards, falling like a plank of wood onto the floor.

"Cait?" She crouched low to poke the woman in her taut tummy. The only response she got was a soft groan and quiet snores of a woman far past her limit of consciousness. As far as she could tell, the officer didn't seem to have any injuries from her sudden fall. Which was a miracle. She felt like she'd just watched a tree fall over. But that also meant…

"Fuck yeah! Champions!" She leapt into the air with a triumphant cheer. The first thing she did was flip the pistol in her hand to hold it by the barrel and launch it towards Vi's head. "Suck it!"

The toy spiraled and flipped as it soared through the air and her sister ducked under the flying weapon just before it was about to strike her in the nose. Instead, it collided with the empty bottle and shattered it completely. Hot damn! She even got one of the bottles in the end. Well that settled it!

"Who's the best gunslinger?I'mthe best gunslinger!" She bounced on her feet, waving her hands in the air and singing. "Who's the best?I'mthe best! Me, me, me, me, me! I won hahaha. I won! I won!"

Ekko may have slowed her down earlier, but screw it, the only thing that'd make her win any sweeter was his sexy body mashed up against hers. Let's wrap this shindig up and head back to base. If she had to wait any longer, she was pretty sure she'd start striping on the way back. Seriously! The balance of partying and giving into the wilder side of her lust was exhausting!

Ding!

"Vi and Caitlyn are the winners!" Brina called after the bell chime.

She froze her rambunctious dance instantly.

"HUH!?"

"Their bottle broke first. It's the rules."

"That's not-. You can't just-." She was speechless. "No fair! She didn't even shoot!"

"Is Cait okay?" Vi interrupted from behind.

"Sorry honey, whichever team's bottle breaks first, wins." The Firelight repeated the one significant rule before returning her attention to Caitlyn and checking the woman over. "She'll be fine. Gonna have a helluva headache tomorrow though. Scar, help me get her to the couch?"

"Ekko!" She spun to her man, currently wiping the beer from his face with a rag from behind the bar and chuckling at the unexpected outcome of the game. Was he evenonher side?! "Make her give us the win!"

"How?"

"Ugh, I dunno!You'rethe boss, aren't you? Figure it out!"

Before he could reply, she felt the little hairs on the back of her neck prickle from a malevolent presence oozing from behind. She winced as she turned towards the furious glare from her big sister. Vi was cracking her knuckles with a false smile on her scarred lips.

"You threw your fuckin' gun at me."

"It slipped?" She chuckled awkwardly as she faced the wrath of her sibling.

"Suck it?"

"Uhhhh…You misheard me?"

Fluttering fingers snapped to her sides and she squealed in uncontrolled laughter as Vi launched an all out assault, tickling her senseless as she desperately tried to wiggle away from the dancing digits on her waist.

"No!" Another squeal and flurry of giggles erupted from her lips. "Ekko save me!"

"He can't save you!" They both tumbled to the floor in a messy pile of flailing limbs.

"Wanna bet?" A shadow suddenly loomed over them both as Ekko leapt into the air and landed onto her sister's back. He had a decent hold on Vi, clumsily trying to pull the brawler away from her and the tides of the tickle fight turned in her favor. She went right for the killer, grabbing Vi by the chunk of her thigh and squeezing until her sister made the most girly shriek she's heard in years.

"Hey! No! Hahahaha!" Vi yelped, "Help!"

"I gotchu girl!"

Brina came to the rescue immediately, jumping into the pile of bodies on the floor, too eager to care about her injuries. Andrei's vibrant laughter quickly followed and another fighter entered the battle. It was a mess. It was sweaty and muddled by drunken chaos. Yet, as her vision was clouded by all the scrambling arms and legs, as her tummy went all topsy-turny from the drinking, she was wholly aware of the people surrounding her. Even caught a few glimpses of Caitlyn peacefully sleeping on the couch with Scar sitting nearby, watching the childish scrap play out with a grin on his face.

Endless laughter. No care in the world. It was fun. It was amazing. And these warm, loving people she's grown to call her friends…

…they were beautiful.

Notes:

Aaannnddd that's the chapter.

Sweet and fluffy, right? I hope you had fun reading.

And something that I've really grown to love about this story is that I feel, even in scenes or whole chapters like this where the plot doesn't necessarily push forward, there's still an importance to show and reflect on all the characters and see their growth. Even mundane conversations give insight into the development we've seen over this lengthy journey. Like Andrei's crush on Jinx or Brina's tempered feelings about Jinx. The last time I did a celebration chapter was back in CH 30 and I think I got a chance to really improve on the team bonding and joy of an actual party. We get to see our entire cast (minus Heimy cuz he's an old teddy bear probably tucked in bed already) really embrace each other and celebrate the win they all share. Super sweet!

Lastly, I wanted to give a brief glimpse into the remaining chapters. I've officially marked the story as having 49 total chapters and you have so much to look forward to, right up until the very end. The story isn't over just yet and we'll have to see how Jinx manages to find her path forward with Ekko, Vi, and Cait, now that Sevika's gone and the Firelights have more control of the under-city. Get your tissue boxes ready too. I've been eagerly waiting for the chance to finally write CH 47 and in my opinion, it will be the single most important chapter of this entire fic. The heart of it all. Wish me luck in writing so I can deliver on those claims XD

Don't forget to leave a Kudos if you have one. And please leave a comment about your thoughts, criticisms, or questions! If y'all have any speculations or theories for what's to come, that's fun to share too. Love you all, love your support and warm words. Let's head into these final chapters together! 3

Chapter 47: The Edge

Notes:

Welcome to the most important chapter of My Boy Savior! :D

I hope that when you read it you come to a similar conclusion. And sorry it took a little longer than I anticipated. This was a monster of a chapter to tackle, which is also interesting because I thought it'd be shorter than it is. Unlike all the other chapters with a minimum of three scenes and a minimum of 5k words, this chapter is a single scene and I had no minimum for how long it'd be. Turns out, for a single scene, it ended up being 6.5k words!

Did you also notice the chapter title? I plan to go back and add chapter titles to all the other ones once this fic is complete, but it just made sense to me that this one receives the honor first. I hope that doesn't scare you too much. I promise this will be an exciting read!

Hope you enjoy! And stick around to read the end-notes! I have a few things to additionally talk about once you've read the chapter :)

(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)

Chapter Text

Acceptance. Death. Love. Death. Redemption. Death.

The words spiraled in her head as she lay nestled within Ekko's sheets, awake and now sober in the earliest hours of the morning when dawn had yet to break. Unexpectedly there was no chaos, no anarchy, in her thoughts. Each punctuated word came to her calmly, gently, like a stroke of a single piano key, both beckoning the words and settling them in her heart. Lithe fingers clutched into the folds of the blanket around her while pink eyes stared unblinkingly into the expanse of Ekko's darkened bedroom. Even with her back to the boy she shared a bed with, she could tell he was deep in slumber, content to softly snore while she was left alone with her thoughts.

Acceptance. Death. Love. Death. Redemption. Death.

A shallow breath was all she could manage in the presence of what awaited her. No. That wasn't quite right. It wasn't a matter of waiting that placed an electrifying nervousness in her veins. It was the slow building of courage to face her greatest fears that had seized her completely. The pull of her ambition was a lingering conflict, a war long drawn out. She shouldn't avoid it any longer. She couldn't.

Her eyes shifted towards the shadowy figures resting near the door, first brushing over Silco's bullet-ridden body as he sat on the floor, then towards herself. Saddened blue eyes stared back at her and yet the person she once was uttered no words. There wasn't anything to say. They both knew that. They both understood the gravity of what she was feeling deep inside. The other Jinxwasin her mind after all.

She lowered her eyelids to take one final breath before lifting the warmed sheets and shifting herself over the edge of the mattress. No longer covered, the cool night's air seeped into her bare skin as her toes pressed into the floorboards. A quick glance back towards Ekko gave her the faintest portion of confidence to know she was ready. She was strong enough. He believed in her, so she would too.

It almost felt like she was gliding across the room as she took careful, silent steps towards her pile of discarded clothes. Before she could reach them, she paused in the center of the room and glanced once more towards the door and the two ghosts that guarded it. Standing stark naked and completely bare in this small room, the world around her felt increasingly like an ethereal dream. Like last night's victory against Sevika, the celebration, and the drunken sex she had with Ekko after, was a distant memory. Again pink eyes connected with the blue ones that were once hers.

"I have to…don't I?" She murmured so softly that it might as well have been silent.

Her copy didn't reply. Didn't nod or shake her head either. The hallucinated woman merely stood next to the door and that was enough to answer. There was no need for her ghost to utter what had already been said dozens of times before. Heimerdinger, Caitlyn, Marenth, Vi…Ekko, they all said it in one way or another. It's just a shame that it'd taken her this long to understand. But maybe she wasn't even capable of understanding until now.

She took her time getting dressed before approaching the door that served as the first step. The first leap. The first chance to right her greatest wrong and begin on a new path. Her hand was clutched tightly around the handle of the door and to her surprise, it was pulled open with ease. Almost as if this reality, this exact moment in time, was acting as a guiding mentor, clearing any resistance that might've been spewing from her internal hesitation.

A step forward. Then another. And soon enough she was surrounded by branches and the many fluttering leaves that hung upon them. The hideout was still dark and with dawn so close, the moon had disappeared from overhead. It felt like the inky darkness of the night had no bounds, surrounding her, isolating her. A brief desire to look back came and went with the soft fluttering of the breeze. She didn't need her eyes to know that Silco and her illusioned copy were following closely behind and she wouldn't let the fear of loneliness deter her either.

She had to do this herself.

The wooden staircase called to her and she followed its temptation. As her boots landed on each step, she savored the sensation, imagining the surface beneath her feet was as soft as the clouds in the sky. The lengthy journey from the treetop to the ground gave her time to reflect on the words.

Acceptance. Death. Love. Death. Redemption. Death.

They weren't meaningless. Rather, she understood them more deeply than anything she'd ever known. Her life. Her story. The words painted the picture of her troubled journey and she listened to their call. Akin to a prophecy. A path of trenches and mountains that she'd bled upon as she struggled to make peace with who she was. When she gazed upon the Firelight base in wistful reverence, it was hard to imagine how she'd ended up here. The people that slept peacefully within this place were once her enemies. And now…

She continued, not abandoning the sense of gratefulness that bundled in her chest, but absorbing it and pushing forward.

Love herself. Accept herself. Ekko's thoughts circled her as she descended. If she'd heard his advice any earlier, perhaps she would've ignored it. It wouldn't have made any sense…But now, the empty puzzle piece hidden within her heart felt ready. The last piece finally fitting into place and all that was left was to settle the jagged, hateful thorns that'd shielded the broken, fractured bits of her soul.

She landed softly upon the grass and continued walking. The slow pace of her steps weren't guided by fear or anger. Instead, an emotion so complex and undefined was nudging her towards her destination. It felt like blissful resignation. It felt like freedom.

And when she arrived at her goal, it felt like it was the only place she could be.

A deep breath filled her lungs as she lowered her head. This wasn't exactly the beginning, but calling it that seemed fitting. Now that she was standing under the shadowy night, entirely alone and exactly where she should be, there wasn't much else to delay her.

"This is right." She whispered to herself, one last preparation before the point of no return. "It has to be."

It has to be.

Only then, was she able to open her pink eyes to the night and lift them. Candles and trinkets invited her in, drawing her attention as she started raising her head. A multitude of faces stared into her observing gaze and she took time to look more closely than she ever had before. Beyond the vivid colors or chipped spray paint, there were people standing in front of her. People she never knew well…and never would. But it was important to see them. See the life within in their illustrated essence. She killed some of these people…and maybe she still didn't harbor any regrets for what she'd done, still, she regretted that they'd encountered her when they did. Sorry for the life she'd extinguished like a smoldering fire that had yet to reach its most brilliant strength. Her actions were born from a cruel world and that cruel world spread its pain to so many others.

She glanced towards the ones she'd painted herself so long ago and took a breath to remember the day they were lost. When Sevika had stormed the Firelight base with nothing but destruction in her eyes. The day she saved this base from obliteration. Could she have done more back then? Nonetheless, she offered the fallen Firelights a slight smile. Who knows what happens when people die, but she hoped they'd found something worthwhile. Though she knew her sentiments didn't mean much.

Eventually she had to move on, continue traveling up the mural and couldn't deny the tightened pull inside her stomach. As her eyes climbed higher and higher, jagged white lines spawned in her vision. Yet, she didn't fight their presence. Resisting them only made it worse, so she welcomed them in and used their erratic movements as if they were escorting her. When she stopped and settled upon the monstrous, corrupted sight of her sister, she didn't revolt in fear.

"Vi…" She reached out to the mural with her palm and placed it upon the cool, stone surface just over the younger version of her sister's heart.

Focused, determined, and at peace, she locked her eyes onto her sister's face. The jagged lines writhed over the portrait, continuously distorting it, but she met their villainous movements with love. The same familial love that'd been restored from the brink of complete annihilation. Her fingertips brushed across the paint and miraculously, she watched the white lines recede. Vi's young, beautiful and confident face was revealed to her, cleared from all the blackness that'd once coated it completely. Those bright, shining gray eyes and headstrong smirk reflected in her pupils and she felt herself inch closer to some sort of fulfillness. Some portion of completeness.

She was seeing this version of her sister for the first time in years…

Her eyes drifted towards the others and continued to accept the return of her erratic hallucinations. Mylo. Vander. Claggor. She let her eyes wander over each of them, undisturbed when they didn't clear like her sister's had. It was okay. She didn't need to fight herself any harder. Just being able to look upon them was enough. It was enough.

And when pink eyes landed upon the last face, the centerpiece of the mural itself, she felt her heart lurch in her chest. Brilliant blue hair cropped short and messy accompanied by those wide, curious eyes that were hidden beneath vibrating 'X's. She felt the need to say something.Anything. But mere words would never be enough.

Powder.

She called the name in her head and felt the quake of its power rumble in her head, as if she was calling upon a powerful incantation. What could she do? How could she take back all the hatred she'd poured over the idea of the child from her past?

For a moment it felt hopeless and she was left to stand before the girl. Her head bowed to stare at the grass once more. She did it. It wasn't impossible like she believed. When she left Ekko's bed, her only goal had been to perform this act. The feat of staring upon the mural, embracing all that was distorted felt like a step in the right direction. It was what she needed to do. A portion of herself wanted to celebrate the achievement…but there was more to be done. So much more.

She turned away from the mural in silence and watched a warm purple hue creep over the enormous walls of the hideout. Dawn was breaking. The sun was starting to rise. So she began walking once more, this time to the ladder attached to the high walls that stretched into the sky. The metal bars were in her unwavering grasp as she started her ascent. Each pull of her hand and push of her legs connected once more to the pull of her soul. Like she was being called from above and urged to climb higher and higher.

An intangible weight settled upon her shoulders as she continued upwards and she couldn't help but wonder if this is what it felt like to carry her burdens. Her sins. Her regrets. Her fear. And everything in between. With so much pain, so much agony buried deep inside, she spurred onwards. All the ugly emotions inside herself ached more and more as she neared the top of the ladder, but she never faltered. She believed in herself, like Ekko and Vi and Caitlyn and everyone else did. It was hard to explain the calling she felt as she stared upon the edge of the wall. If she could stare into the mural…If she could reach the top…if she watched the sun rise over the horizon, then maybe, just maybe, she could let go of her troubles.

Her ghostly apparitions greeted her when she pulled herself over the ledge and stood upright on her feet. Mylo, Claggor, and Vander were patiently waiting for her as if they'd been expecting her. Yet she paid no mind to them or their distracting antics as she walked across the wall to stand on the other side of the edge. The tips of her boots just barely slid over the ledge and she dropped her eyes to stare into the depths of the wildlands. It was a long fall. One mistake and she could easily find herself falling towards an sudden and absolute demise.

But she wasn't here to fall…

As her eyes gazed upon the seemingly endless territory stretching far beyond her vision, she caught the sliver of light bleed over the horizon. The black shadows of night were fading into a soft purple and a myriad of reds and oranges stretched upon the land. Only now did she know why she was so enchanted by the desire to see the sun rise. This was her beginning. Thenewbeginning. A moment in time where the ashes of her previous life could be left behind to flutter in the wind.

Her ghosts were shifting behind her and she released a deep, content sigh before facing them. Mylo's bouncing form, Claggor's unflinching stare, and Vander's growling, beastly body. She made sure to look upon them, as intensely as she could. This was her chance to settle them. Not control them. Not force them away. Just acknowledge them and…talk. She knew what she wanted to say. In some ways, she's always known.

"I'm not a failure." She spoke sternly, confidently, and uncaring of their frenzied reactions. "IknowI'm not. No matter what you say."

She started pacing while she continued.

"I-I can be good." Even with the progress she's made, it was still difficult to embrace the brewing anxiety racing in her veins. These ghosts…they were every fear she's ever had. All the horrible mistakes she's made were represented in their wild behavior. An attempt to remind her of every wrongdoing, every shortcoming, and every time she wished for her life to come to a swift and deliberate end. "I have people now. People that care. A-and I want…I wanna be there for them!"

Her emotions were erupting inside herself like a volcano, like a glowing magma that forced her to raise her voice and strike her finger down as she spoke.

"You want me to suffer! You want me dead!" She screamed to their faces, hard enough to feel her throat clench from the strain. "You hate me, hate me, HATE ME!"

She was panting heavily and nearly ready to scream her head off once more only to pause and lower her head in contemplation. The ghosts began circling her like prey. Glaring at her like she was an abomination. It was so easy to hate them back, but…

"At least…that's what I thought…" She murmured. Pink eyes returned to stare directly at the beasts that've plagued her existence for years. Time had given her a second chance to look upon them in a new light. Just like those pesky jagged lines that swam through her vision, she realized her companions were the same. Creatures of terrible nightmares that forced her to be consumed by fear. Every waking moment. Every bad decision. They were ready and eager to tear her to pieces.

"But…" She paused, placing all her efforts into connecting the pieces that seemed to never fit. "You don't change. None of you do, no matter what you see."

Nothing was ever good enough for them. That's how she's always seen it. Destined to forever be a slave to their judging eyes.

"Iknowthat I'm weak!" So much time had been spent denying it. Not any longer. With a new life birthed from a new day, she'd ensure that nothing was left unsaid. "I'm scared, okay?! Is that what you wanted? I've been scared of you ever since you started speaking in my head!"

They continued to spiral in a group around her and she continued to spin on her heels so she'd be able to look each and every one of the ghosts in the eyes.

"Something's wrong with me!" She screamed again until she lowered her voice to a whisper. Tears began painfully stinging the corners of her eyes as she admitted it.Nobodyheard voices rattle around in her skull like she did.Nobodysaw monsters in the shadows like her. "...And I can't fix it."

Nobody can.

Blue braids fluttered behind her as a breeze softly caressed her skin. The cool air eased the heat radiating from her body and soothed her nerves so she could finish what she started.

"But I-...I can accept that." Her words were timid and unsure until she tried again while steeling her resolve and locking her pink eyes onto their devilish, sneering faces. "I can accept you. You won't go away? WellI'mnot going away either. We're stuck together so get that through your thick skulls."

Suddenly, she felt the atmosphere shift. The ghosts that surrounded her paused in their encroaching trap and she blinked in confusion. One by one, they began shifting into a new formation and distanced themselves from her. Soon after, her many other ghosts blurred into existence. All of them staring at her yet saying nothing,doingnothing.

Her head suddenly felt like it'd been struck by lightning and she clenched her fingers into her scalp and doubled over from the searing pain. It was frightening and awful and she wondered briefly if they really did have some sort of power strong enough to kill her. But the moment the pain stopped, she lifted her eyes and parted her lips at the sight further ahead on the curved surface of the wall she stood on.

Enormous demons. Formless and menacing. The two of them towered over her and reached high into the sky while their angular white eyes glared down at her. Every single one of her senses were screaming at her to run, to hide away from these creatures and abandon all hope. She was shivering, teeth beginning to chatter together as she struggled to look upon their glowing mass that seemed to writhe with deadly intentions. She was afraid. So afraid. She couldn't do this. No way. No! She had to leave! Get out! Run away and never come back!

She took a step back and hauntingly looked behind her when she realized her boot was halfway off the ledge. Any further retreat would send her tumbling to certain death. What can she do? How can she escape? Why is this happening? Why is this happening!? WHY IS THIS HAPPENING!?

"Do you think that Mylo, er- the things you see, are like pieces of you? That maybe they exist because you've been hurt before and it'd be easier to manage?"

Wide eyes grew wider at the sudden sound of Ekko's voice in her head. A memory of a time they shared not too long ago. Why? Why remember this now? What good did his theory do when she was staring down two bloodthirsty abominations created from her mind? It's not helping! It won't help! It won't! Her demons were too great, too consuming. Her heart was being crushed inside her chest. The pressure! The pain! Was she even breathing? Frantic gasps for air never seemed to fill her lungs. Great monsters loomed over her, warping reality, distorting it into a hideous nightmare that would surely rip chunks of her soul out until nothing but an empty husk was left behind.

She was going to die. She was going to die. She was going to die.

The tears that began spilling down pale cheeks were just the beginning. Make it stop. However it can. Put her back into a cage and chain her down. Keep her away from all the danger, includingthem. Something this evil shouldn't be contested. No strength in the world could fight them. Why had she been sostupidto think otherwise! Her ghosts had always been with her, but these two abominations have existed before then. Always lurking in the depths, dormant, and growing from every sin she ever committed. Primordial, ancient demons born from the earliest parts of her past.

Perhaps it's time you stop living in the past, my dear.

…Wait.

Heimerdinger's voice was quiet in her head, similar to the steady breeze against the sweat that slicked her skin. Something clicked inside of her hasty, terrified thoughts. An instant ping that suddenly gave her the slightest bit of control over herself and she lowered her head to think while avoiding the glaring eyes that had distracted her. She searched within her own mind, drifting through the debris of fractured memories, recalling all sorts of strange behaviors and even stranger conversations. After a second of waiting, she nervously shifted her boot away from the ledge and inched it in front of herself. One step closer towards the malevolent demons, no matter how much her instincts shrieked against it.

She took another step closer to them and froze at their haunting growls. The booming sound was so oppressive, enough to make her question if she was bleeding from her ears. But she dare not retreat. That spark she felt, the answer she was seeking was hidden amongst a sea of words spoken to her by the many people she now loved.

"I would imagine it would be scary." Caitlyn replied while staring at the darkening horizon. "To feel like you're being judged even when you're alone."

Yes. Itwasscary. It was terrifying! It pulled her insides, stretched them beyond a breaking point and forced her to flee from confrontation. Curling into a ball and covering her ears was always the safest option. Scratching her nails into her temples until they were bloody was the only reprieve from the voices in her head. They did that to her and they were trying again. That's what this was. She could see it now. She could finally understand and identify it. All these years, she'd been hopelessly failing to fight against them. Of course she'd failed. Her coping behaviors were utterly useless in the greater picture being painted.

Survival was not a relief. It never could be.

So she took another shaky step forward, keeping her eyes focused on the leather of her boots as she made her stride. Her chin slowly lifted, first to stare into the twisted forms of Mylo, Claggor, Vander, Vi, Silco, and herself. She's known since the moment she saw them that they held a hatred for her. They wished for her death. And in turn, she saw them as enemies. Her own personal hell where they were pitted against her in an eternal war.

But had she ever considered…why?

She passed them as she walked. Her movements became more steady and sure as each hollowed gaze followed her. Looking upon them clearly, it felt like they'd formed a hallway, a path towards the two supreme demons that waited for her further ahead. When she nearly died in her fight against Sevika, she'd anguished over their disappearance. As they fizzled from her mind in her nearing death, she reached for them in desperation. Why had she done that?

…It seemed like she was starting to recognize the truth. TherealTruth.

A ear-numbing roar from the two demons standing before her stopped any further advancement and she lifted her pink, tear-filled eyes even higher to stare at their ghastly visages. They snarled and crouched low, as if to communicate that any further approach would mean she'd be devoured, but she didn't retreat or stumble any longer. She simply watched them lean closer and closer until their faces were just inches from hers. Another memory echoed in her head.

"I still hear voices." Her words were timid, almost like she was ashamed. She never really talked to Vi about them, but the girl knew. It was just hard. Her sister just didn't seem like the type that would be able to grasp at such an oddity. "Mylo, Claggor, you sometimes…"

"What do they say?"

She laughed out loud. One, because she was actually having this conversation with her sister, and two, because it was such an absurd question to ask.

"What don't they say?" She giggled. "According to them, I'm one second away from dying at all times, the world ending, everyone hating me. It's annoying. Ridiculous too, y'know?"

"Sounds like the old you."

That night they shared alone and looked out towards the two cities in conflict, sharing their ambitions once it was all over. Did you know Vi? Could you feel it? Could you see what had happened to me? Maybe you've always known, even if you didn't understand it.

Just like me…

The memory brought new hope to her intentions. Like an invisible ink, only revealed under the most specific conditions, she felt her heart warm as she stared into the blackest parts of her imagination. These things, thesemonstersthat hated her entire being, they weren't evil like she'd thought. She reached an open palm towards the nearest one, unperturbed by their violent snarls. Though she had no hope of resting a hand upon something intangible, the thoughts and feelings she carried remained bundled in her outreach. There was no need to be afraid of them any longer.

And they didn't need to be afraid of her either. Because that's what they truly were, wasn't it?

"Mama…Papa…" She whispered to the giant, hellish demons with tears in her eyes and strain in her croaking throat. When she saw them shift and writhe upon the call of their names, her trembling lips formed a tentative smile. "I-it's okay. I don't wanna fight anymore."

Please. It's okay. I'm different now. I love you. I know what it means to love you and I do. I promise. It'll be okay. I don't want you to hate me anymore.

They seemed to shift and deliberate on her words and she remained before them, waiting. Unblinking white eyes shifted from herself to each other in repeated conflict. Perhaps the first time she'd ever seen her hallucinations bend and falter in their animosity. She was patient. She was calm. And she was waiting.

Eventually, they lifted their glares and stepped away from her before parting and opening the path forward. As the concrete surface ahead came back into view, she felt the warmth of the sun against her pale skin. Light from the horizon had swept across the landscape and suddenly brightened the stone she was standing on. It was as if darkness itself was fleeing from the sun's advance. But she didn't pay any mind to the heat now covering her completely, nor did she linger on the retreating purple shadows of the night. Her eyes were forward, locked onto the parted opening between her magnificent illusions. When she took another step forward, the answer she'd been searching for all this time was finally revealed.

Anguish flooded her heart at the sight. A small whimper was squeezed from her aching throat. And it all made sense. Itfinallymade sense. Her ghosts, permanent as they were, were not entirely of her creation.

A little girl.

Standing close behind her parted parents, wide, pink eyes dropped to the tiny creature they'd been protecting.Protecting…A nervous, frightened child with short blue hair the same color as her own. Small arms held tightly around a malnourished, skinny frame. The girl was sniffling, crying, just as she always had since the beginning. A child, unsure if the world she lived in, loved her. A child desperate to hide away and hope she'd never be found by the people that didn't want her.

"It was you…" She whispered hoarsely as the tears in her eyes began falling once more. "It's always been you…"

Mylo, Claggor, Vander, and Vi…they hadn't changed because they weren't hers to conjure. It wasn't anger that'd fueled their tormenting presence, but rejection…fear. Formed from the deepest pit of her damaged soul. Formed by the one person she'd spent so long cursing, hating, and denying. Her knees buckled and she crashed onto the ground with her arms wrapped securely around herself, holding her together in the company of such a revelation. Each breath was more unstable than the last as her bottom lip quivered and her heart bled inside her chest.

"I'm sorry."

Her apology was a quiet whisper, no louder than the subtle breeze, and it wasn't enough.

"I-I'm so sorry." She repeated softly. Weak. Useless. Naive. Each word she'd used to describe the young girl had been heard. In a time when she was too broken, too fragmented, and desperate to prove herself to others, she'd abandoned a piece of who she was. The one pure thing that existed in her heart. "I didn't mean it. I-I take it back."

Terrified blue eyes timidly connected with hers and she felt all the rejection, abandonment, and betrayal pool in her belly. Staring into each other, she recognized the feelings being communicated through silent suffering. Those sharp, volatile emotions swam through her veins and the readiness she'd prepared was eroding apart. So much fear. So many regrets. It was as if this little ghost was hopelessly trying to apologize for what she'd done. As if she'd once again be hated, forced to be locked deep inside and trapped forever.

She couldn't hold back any longer.

What started as a strangled whine twisted into an all-consuming wail as her lips tore themselves apart and she sobbed into the open air. The salty tears that stained her reddened cheeks now heavily cascading down her face and dripping onto the ground. She tightened her hold around herself as she cried.

"I'm sorry!" To quantify her regret was impossible. It was too great. "I n-never meant to hate you!"

Another sob ruptured from her throat. Her sadness spilled into the air, letting out all the agony. All the hate. All the pain. She cried. She sobbed. She curled in on herself and let the sharpness of emotions pierce through the early morning quiet. Her entire body shook under the pressure and it wasn't enough. It wasn't enough!

"C-can you forgive me?" She wept and wept, no longer able to see from all the blurry tears that covered her vision, even as she repeatedly wiped the back of her hands over her eyes. Every hurtful thing she's ever felt about herself, every horrible thing she's said, this poor child had been tormented, absorbing it all, and convinced there was no place in the world for her. "Y-you d-deserve…"

Another clench of her eyes and tightened hold of her arms cut through her words as the grief slipped over once more. Another bawling howl forced more tears from her eyes. Her heart was breaking, crumbling apart, and she let it.

"I-I was afraid!" She cried, stuttering through her messy emotions and hoping the sincerity of her apology was heard. Her hand shakingly reached out towards the little girl that seemed to be crying as well, shrinking in on her little body and hiding from the world. It tore her in two.

Powder. She wanted to say so much. It's not your fault. It'sneverbeen your fault. People love us. Loveyou. Vi and Ekko…they never stopped loving you. You'rewanted. You don't have to apologize. I just didn't know!

She wished that her ghosts were tangible. When her hand touched the girl's aura, shewishedshe could feel her. She wished she could hold her, give her the warmth that'd she'd been missing for so long. That's what they both wanted, right? It wasn't fair! "I don't h-hate you! I don't! I swear I-."

Dammit! Was there even a chance that she could really, truly fix this? Words didn't seem like they were enough. And as she continued to wail uncontrollably, the sheer amount of sadness seemed too oppressive to ever apologize. Her sins were too great. The suffering Powder had endured, stuck inside and too terrified to show herself. How could she ever make up for that?

"You can do it." Ekko insisted with a subtle nudge of his fingers on the small of her back, "We all have parts of ourselves we don't like. Love yourself for who you are. You know, here and now, not some future ideal of what you should be."

Ekko's advice came to her as a guiding hand, like a supportive press of his hand to the small of her back. She sobbed even harder as she gathered her strength and bowed low before the child in front of her. Blue braids pooled on the ground, surrounding the darkened splotches of her tears. He was right, this wasn't about the future. It was about righting the past and accepting today. The new day.

"P-powder." She whimpered between gasps for breath. "Powder."

That name. The name she rejected completely. The weight of its utterance was heavy upon her shoulders. So heavy that it might crush her completely, but she was willing to accept that. Even if it killed her, she couldn't abandon this little girl any longer. It was clear now…Powder wasn't someone she could just separate from her identity. They'd both suffered for too long because of it.

"You don't have to be a-afraid anymore." Reddened eyes lifted to meet such an innocent, hurt face. The face of a girl torn apart by this cruel world and left all alone. It must've been so hard. "I-I'm here now. I won't leave you again."

Powder seemed unsure, hesitant and fearful, but the girl's head eventually lifted and the arms she'd raised to her small chest lowered. A small foot took an even smaller step closer and she gave the child a watery smile as tears continued to pour from her eyes, nodding her head.

They were parts of the same being. Two sides of a coin. She could feel all of Powder's fear, all her uncertainty. But she also knew that the girl was like her, desperate for acceptance. Desperate for someone to love her. Knowing the child and what she wanted made the sincere words come easier.

"I'm here." She repeated, "A-and I love you, o-okay? Y-you can come back home. It's safe. It's safe."

She wouldn't hurt her. When she thought back to her most vulnerable moments, perhaps the sole thing she wanted was to know it was safe. Safe to be herself. Safe to show weakness to the people she cared about. Safe to love someone despite her shortcomings. That's all Powder wanted…and she'd give her that and everything else she can offer.

The girl made her own choked whine and it pierced through her heart and tumbled through her head. The sound reverberated through her entire being and she opened her arms as if to receive Powder with a hug. She offered her love. She offered a promise she'd never break again. She'd never reject Powder ever again, even if she wasn't who she was anymore. The girl didn't need to live in the dark, ugly parts of her soul. Not again.Neveragain.

"I don't know if you can f-forgive me, but I…I need you. I need you so much! I'll never forsake you."

That was all it took for the trembling girl to move forward. Powder suddenly ran to her, sobbing and needy, and she welcomed the child with everything she had. There was no room in her heart for all the anger and fear she'd held onto for so long. It'd been completely and utterly expelled while she continued to cry. She was ready to accept who she was.

Just before Powder entered the embrace, the ghostly girl shimmered out of reality and yet, she swore she felt the slightest pressure of their connection before she was alone. She remained on her knees, letting the strange sensation warm and tingle her insides. Like a right that'd been wronged, the weight on her shoulders lifted and for a few silent moments, she felt bliss.

As if she was complete.

The illusions behind her were still there. She could sense them watching from a distance, but she welcomed their existence all the same. It was true, something inside her brain was wrong, hearing voices, seeing things that didn't truly exist, but no longer did she feel like her very soul was split into many fractured pieces. The war she'd fought inside. The conflict between reality and imagined monsters. All this time she'd thought they were out to kill her…but it was just a lonely, frightened child's attempt to hide from all the scary things that wantedherdead. Herself, the most violent and vocal critic, included. She wouldn't blame Powder. She couldn't. The sweet little girl was so scared and she understood.

"T-thank you." She stuttered before another sob ripped through her. She repeated the words of appreciation over and over to ensure they were heard.

Thank you Powder. For making such loving friends in your childhood. For keeping the others you trusted as ghosts in her mind. Without Powder, she wouldn't have Vi or Ekko. She might've been alone in her insanity like the moments before Ekko had saved her from death. Without Powder, she might've forgotten her Mama and Papa. She might've fallen deeper into hatred and burned this world to the ground. It was her,alwaysher, and her timid, kind hope that leaked from the inside and gave her the possibility of a different future. Without Powder, she might've lost her chance at love. She might've lost too much to ever recover from all the torment of this bleak world. Without Powder, she would've never, truly, existed.

Thank you…

She also thought about the memories she recalled. The caring and supportive friends she'd made since the brink of her destruction when Silco died. She wouldn'tve been able to get here without them either. To push this far for answers that'd been plaguing her all her life. Too many times she was certain she'd die before reaching some semblance of serene peace in her soul. But their love saved her.

Their love saved Powder.

And with the last of her strength and immeasurable gratefulness inside her heart, she once again held onto herself tightly and sobbed. The whole of her frame wracked against itself as she wailed harder and harder, never holding back. She remained on the top of the wall, the sun sparkling above and cried until nothing was left, then cried more. They were happy tears, relieved and wanted. She cried in rejoice, in celebration, and knowing that her greatest struggle had been overcome.

She cried…because she could finally live.

Notes:

Aaaannnnd that's the chapter.

I hope you cried. And I don't mean that in a mean way, of course. It's just been such a long journey for Jinx and she's earned this. A true and complete redemption, not only from her friends, but also from herself. If I were a tad more cruel, I could imagine being satisfied with ending the fic here. BUT I WONT! I hope you stick around for the final two chapters because I can honestly say that you won't be prepared for what sort of changes are coming. There's still some big surprises! Jinx's internal development is in harmony, but what about the under-city and the rest of our cast? My Boy Savior has built up so much, that I can assure you that Jinx is NOT done changing the world and about to do some pretty awesome things with her wonderful companions ;)

Aside from hoping you continue to read until the end, let's talk about this chapter. I wanted to share a few details that might be interesting or better build ontop of the emotional theme I had going for it. I've had this chapter in my head since the first few chapters I ever wrote for MBS and after the past year and a half, I think it's so incredible that we've finally reached this point. My initial inspiration for this scene was actually from the Lion King! Specifically the scene when he debates on whether or not to return to Pride Rock and he has that moment when he see's Mufasa. That line "Remember who you are." Freaking chills! If I listen to the song from that scene, "Remember by Hans Zimmer" I think it really fits the moment of despair and doubt, before the grand revelation and Jinx completely starts bawling.

But guess what!? I found an even better song to match to this chapter. After hearing it, I immediately knew it was perfect and eventually started crafting this chapter with the idea that it would be paced alongside the scene you just read. It's called "Edge of the Earth by Zahna"

YT link: https/watch?v=umEC4nOroIE
Spotify link: https/open./track/1i6X6ZkTOeozLXFtJmWZbQ

I SINCERELY hope you listen to the song! I legitimately think it's worth listening to and if you loved this chapter, I assure you that you will love it even more if you imagine what happened here while pacing along with the song, from the mural - to the climb to the top of the base - to the end. It's all been written from the influence of this song. And of course, it's so important that I named the chapter "The Edge" after hearing it XD

So, sorry I made this Author note so long, but I had to make sure y'all heard about the song and my inspiration that was so heavily impacted by it. There's also so many little details that I haven't even talked about yet! Anyone notice that Jinx told Powder "I'll never forsake you?" huh...wonder where she heard that before? Anyway, please leave a kudos if you can and let me know what you thought it the comments below! Loved it? Have any questions? Did some things not make sense? Let me know! I have thought about this chapter more than any other in this fic so I'd love to keep talking about it and discuss how it impacted you or share even more fun facts/thought processes I had while constructing this chapter 3

Chapter 48: Remember My Name

Notes:

Hello! I'm back with an exciting new chapter! The conclusion, though there will be an epilogue, to My Boy Savior is finally here.

It'll be an emotional rollercoaster of chapter, bringing together so many pieces that've been set up along this awesome journey we've been through together. I don't have many words to say before you get started. I'm just so thankful for everyone that has checked out and supported this story. You're all amazing!

I hope you enjoy! And please check the author note at the end :)

Oh and some of the italics in this chapter were incorrectly formatted (nothing unreadable) but I'm too exhausted to fix it atm. I'll get on that as soon as I recover my energy

(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)

Chapter Text

"Here?"

She glanced towards her silent observer in question and waited for anything that could resemble a positive or negative reaction. Her arm was held outwards with a simple burlap sack contained in her palms and beneath her, cold water splashed against her pants and soaked through her legs. She could feel herself shivering, teeth chattering incessantly, but it wasn't entirely from the frigid water.

When she didn't find the response she'd been looking for, her arm containing the bag shifted to a new location and hovered above the gentle waves.

"Here?"

Still no response.

The people watching her from a distance began quietly talking amongst themselves. They were close enough that she could hear the whispers, even though her focus was entirely on the task at hand. It'd been a long journey, filled with many requests to be ready for this moment, and her friends never once complained. Finding the balance between getting them back behind the safety of the Firelight base and doing this right, was a hard thing to pinpoint. She had to hurry up, but picking a spot wasn't easy!

"Okay…here?" She asked again, wading through the water to stand in a different spot where the waves lifted to her waist. Still nothing.

"What's she doing?" The quiet whisper of her sister's voice drifted towards the sea. "Is she alright?"

I would be! If I could just figure out where to start!

"I'm not…sure." Caitlyn replied softly. She could easily imagine the eyes of the officer watching her shift and move along the current as she seemingly talked to herself. "It's probably difficult for her. Think we should help?"

Not sure how you'd be able to help Cupcake! This whole process was being stalled by someone other than herself. She just needed a nod, a wink, a smile, anything to let her know she'd found the right spot. There was nothing else she could do.

"Here!?" Even her own patience was reaching its breaking point. No matter how important of a task this was. She just wanted an answer.

"Don't worry. I got this." Ekko's voice was confident when he spoke to the two women behind her. She distinctly heard the sound of his approach by the sloshing water being moved by his legs as he neared. And when he got closer, she could see the disruptive ripples in the gentle rapids before he uttered a word. "Jinx…everything alright? If you're having second thoughts it's okay. I promised we'd do this however you wanted. You know we can always find a different way."

She threw her head back with an exasperated groan. Apparently Ekko also thought the struggle she was facing was due to some form of doubt or lingering worries. It wasn't. After all she'd been through, after confronting her greatest demons and rekindling her love for Powder just a few days ago, she was more than prepared. In fact, she was eager to finally have this opportunity! She spun to the boy, still carefully cradling the bag in her hand and determined to keep its contents safe until the time was right.

"No! It's not-." Ugh! How to even explain? They knew what her mind was like, but eventhisseemed a bit too strange of a problem for them to worry about. Too bizarre. "I'm just…I need to find the right spot."

"You said you wanted to spread Silco's ashes in the harbor." Ekko replied, slightly confused. "Is…this not the right place?"

Of course this was the right place! She was ready to scream at the boy, curse him for rushing this or even considering that she'd been mistaken on what she wanted. That is, until she saw his beautiful brown eyes and the earnest love they conveyed. So concerned. So worried. So caring. A reminder that Ekko, along with Caitlyn and Vi, had traveled all this way, cremated her father's remains, and stood by her decision to let his ashes swim amongst the sea. Her hostile words died in her throat with that understanding.

"No, this is the right place." She mumbled. The place of Silco's death and rebirth at the hand of his brother in all but blood. The place where she'd been soothingly lowered into the murky depths to become something greater than what she was. At the time, she was scared of accepting the cold abyss. Scared of what consequences shedding her fears might bring. But in the end, she couldn't deny that she'd found strength here too, incomplete as it was. Her past was muddled with mistakes, but accepting Silco's teachings fell into a category undefined. It might not've been what she wanted, what she needed, but it wasn't a mistake either.

"Nobody is trying to make you do this. We can wait as long as it takes."

She felt an appreciative and knowing smile spread along her lips. She knew. The people that were here with her today, weren't here for Silco. It was clear that he wasn't liked among the group, especially from Vi who still harbored conflicting thoughts about what kind of fatherly relationship she shared with the man. But they were here for her sake. To support and love her as she said goodbye to another piece of the past that deserved to be buried. After this, there wasn't anything holding her back.

"You wanna know what the hold up is?" She asked and received a blinking nod from the Firelight. Her pointer finger whipped towards her silent observer and targeted the man seen only by her own eyes. Silco's ghostly body simply floated beside her, dead and silent. "He won't tell me where he wants me to drop 'em!"

Ekko's gaze turned to the empty space in the harbor and back towards her in mild confusion. But she knew it'd be hard to explain. Just because he understood her condition and how she sees illusions, he couldn't possibly understand the need, the approval, that she had been searching for all this time in the water. Fed up, she marched through small waves and stopped to lean right into Silco's sunken face.

"Here?" She hovered the bag that contained his ashes in a new location. Then another. "How about here?"

With every question, bright pink eyes stared into the orange glow of his scarred eye, waiting for a flicker of life to know she'd chosen correctly. Any closer and her searching eyeball would've been pressed directly against his face. If this were anyone else…If she hadn't grown to be the person she is now, she would've launched the bag of ashes into the ocean without a single care in the world. She would've walked away by now. But she couldn't.

Not until she knew it he was satisfied with his final resting place.

"Jinx, Silco's ashes are gonna spread in the wat-."

"He needs to tell me!" She shouted. A surge of emotion ignited in her chest the moment her voice raised. It was the first reaction that had her doubting if this duty was indeed more than she'd been prepared for. She wasn't sad. She wasn't mourning his life or clutching the bag of his ashes like it was too important to let go. She wanted to let go. Yet something was stopping her. He was stopping her. Why? "I don't know where to put it." She stood up to no longer stare into the dead body. "What if I put it in the wrong place? What if he hates it? What if he doesn't want to be here?"

What if…What if…

She was pacing in the water as her breath started to quicken. There were too many questions. Maybe it shouldn't even beherto be the one spreading his ashes. She was his murderer. His violent end. Was that why he refused to tell her what he wanted? Was that it? It made sense. But if not her, was there anyone else? Sevika wasn't around to do it.

A warm hand clamped around her shoulder and she spun her head to see Ekko softly gazing into her eyes. The depth of his understanding silenced her thoughts and whatever words she'd been crafting on her tongue.

"You're overthinking it." He murmured and she silently blinked. "I know you want to be sure. You want to know that you're doing the right thing. It's okay, Jinx. I see that look in your eye. The same look I see in the mirror everyday."

"If he would just tell me-."

"But he won't." Ekko replied. The response was startlingly blunt, forcing wide eyes open in both horror and curiosity. "It's not his decision to make."

"..."

"What you're doing, it's to honor him. To give him rest in a place you think he'll find peace." She nodded mutely. "It doesn't matter where exactly you put him. How you do it. This is your moment. Your chance to say goodbye in a place that means something to you both."

She felt an ache in her eyes and cursed herself. Too much damn crying. Stupid Ekko making her feel like this. She was positively sick of the tears that blurred her vision and yet they still came. Like the future that awaited her, the future she'd chosen, her tears were inevitable. Dammit, shereallydidn't want to think about later either.

"H-here then?" The bag in her palm was outstretched for a final time, accompanied by a hesitant question.

Ekko reached out and took gentle hold of the ashes contained in her hand and lightly squeezed the hold he had on her. His eyes were soft. His smile was small yet earnest. And the sureness of his nodding head gave her the confidence to silence her troublesome concerns.

"Is this where you want it?"

"..." She took a calming breath, waiting a second to be absolutely sure, and nodded. "Here."

Misty eyes watched as she tilted her grasp on the bag and began sprinkling white ash into the waiting sea. Together, with her hand controlling the motions and Ekko's hand steadying hers, she let Silco's remains flutter into dark waters. The little motes of dust and bone funneled from her palm like sand in an hourglass. It was mesmerizing to watch as Silco's memory settled upon the surface of the water, only to swirl and mix with every cascading wave. Layer upon layer, his remains were absorbed into the ocean until she was certain that the father she'd lost was one with the water.

Ekko stepped closer to her and she welcomed him. Her shoulder leaned into his body completely, resting upon him as they stared at the somber display.

"If you want to say a few words…it helps." Ekko whispered. "I can step away if you want to be alone for that too."

"No." At least, not the leaving part. She used her hand to search for his and took hold. She wasn't great at expressing sentiments, messy, mushy emotions, but shedidhave a few things to say and she wanted Ekko at her side while she uttered them. The more concerning part was where to begin.

"I-..." She glanced towards Ekko one last time and he nodded in support. Pink eyes turned towards the vast sea and the man they'd taken. "I…must've been a pain in your ass. Saving a snotty brat like me, when you did. From what I remember, you probably didn't like me much. Always messing up your plans. Causing problems when you could've been doing something important. T-the others didn't like a wacko like me either."

"I mean, what kind of super scary crime boss would let a goofy kid scribble all over your business plans out of boredom?" She took a steadying breath. In her heart, she knew she was strong enough to contain the wobble in her voice and the salty tears still pooling in her eyes. She wasn't fighting them, just holding back until she said what she needed to say. "You did. You never tossed me out either, even when you should have. Sevika told me it was because you wanted to use me."

Her brow furrowed, "I…don't believe that."

"You gave me a place to call home, even if we both thought it was only temporary." She clenched Ekko's hand even tighter. The words about to come were so much harder to say. "I'm sorry, you know? I never meant to kill you. I-I just saw the gun, and Vi, and you, and all the shouting, screaming…"

Another breath. It was scarily easy to return to that awful night in her mind.

"I just did it. I lost control. And I'm so sorry it wasn't you." Maybe, in a different world, she might've been able to choose otherwise. But like all the regrets she's had, they were behind her now. Completely in the past. And she was thankful for how her life had changed since. Vi was in her life again. "I heard what you said that night. Sitting with Vander. Is there anything more undoing than a daughter? I was so angry a-and I thought I hated you. But I don't think I understood. Now…heh…I think I'd say right back attcha'."

Silco, the man that'd raised her to live in a world as dangerous as this, brought immeasurable turmoil into her life and she couldn't be more grateful. The woman she was, existed because of his hidden compassion. It was a shame they'd both realized it too late.

"I-I'm doing things my way now." Her voice raised into a more chipper, hopeful tone, even if she faltered when she spoke. An unseen, apologetic glance was sent towards Ekko. He wasn't privy to the thoughts inside her head, the secret plans she'd spent crafting for their future. But that was a different conversation that'd yet to be had and not meant for now. Yeah. Don't think about later. Instead, she returned her focus to the calming waves. "I'm not afraid anymore. Just like you wanted. I'm fixing the under-city too. I think…I think you would've liked to see it."

Her final goodbyes were turned towards the ghostly body drifting in the water beside her. She made sure to look him in the eye and offer what was left.

"So um…I hope you like it here. The water's notthatcold. And I hope you're proud of me. Even if you aren't, it doesn't change how I feel." She felt the warm streak of her tears finally fall in silence. "I'll remember you, okay? All the things you did for me. Letting go won't change that. It won't. Promise. I guess this is goodbye. And who knows, maybe you'll stay in my noggin' after this anyway. That's fine too."

She let her words carry through the breeze and clash against the roar of the waves. No longer could she see the speckles of Silco's remains in the water, they'd all been carried away by the ever-shifting current. But that was okay. Ekko's hand parted from hers to soothingly rub the small of her back as they stood in the water a little while longer, soaking in the watery farewell. Her fingers rubbed the faint tears from her eyes as she recovered. He was right. Shewasoverthinking it. This was her chance to say goodbye and she knew by the feeling in her chest that it wasn't squandered.

Now that she'd made her peace, she felt content to step away and return to shore.

"That was great, Jinx." Ekko spoke next to her as they headed back to Caitlyn and Vi. "Really great."

"Not too cheesy?" She lightly giggled with a smirk on her lips. It was the only way to brush aside her embarrassment at Ekko's pride and break the somber mood between them. It was a bit too suffocating for her tastes after all. "I might've laid it on a little thick in the middle."

"Nah." Ekko chuckled, "It was perfect."

A bright blush on her cheeks forced her to look away from those freakin' beautiful eyes, gazing upon her like she was an angel or something.Jeez. Stupid Ekko. Couldn't he just play along without melting her on the spot? Didn't stop her from taking his hand while they walked back though. Her attention was easily diverted towards the two women waiting for them.

"Mission accomplished!" She cheered with a raise of her hands, Ekko's clasped one was forced upwards along with her.

"Well done." Caitlyn replied easily, "I knew you were ready."

"Yeah." Vi added with a smile and a sharp clap of a palm to her back. She stumbled slightly from the force but not even her sister's brute strength could get on her nerves now. She felt unstoppable. "I'm sure he's…uh…in a better place?"

"Maybe." She shrugged nonchalantly. It was kinda funny to see Vi struggle with simple condolences. It wasn't like she was anticipating a total change of heart when it came to Silco, but her big sister was trying. Appreciated, sure. Funny too. "Long as he's not stuck in that crummy factory anymore, he can go where he wants."

She turned to take one more look towards the sea and watched the waves roll over each other in a steady, consistent rhythm. Her words might've sounded insensitive, but there was an inexplicable comfort layered within them. From now on, Silco was no longer chained to her regrets. He was a part of the deep, dark waters now, free to travel wherever the current took his ashes. If therewasa soul lingering in this world, and she wasn't so sure of that to begin with, she was certain the ambitious man wouldn't remain in one place for long. With her or without her, she no longer felt the damning sense of responsibility that'd been with her since his death.

He was just as free as she was now.

The curious faces she received had told her they didn't quite understand how she could be so carefree after such an emotional send off, but they just didn't know how light she felt on her feet. She could skip back to the Firelight base without breaking a sweat! Ooh maybe she should test that theory. She'd force Ekko to tag along of course, his hand was solidly clasped in hers after all. She definitely wasn't about to let go when-.

Her face fell.

Right…None of them knew what sort of plans she'd made. To be fair, theywerehastily organized. If it didn't feel so right, she would've reconsidered. But her mind was made up! No backing out! The moment of melancholy was wiped clean from her face in an instant. So what if "Operation: Save the Under-city in Style!" was going to throw a few wrenches into the future. What mattered is that she had her friends by her side. For now, that was more than enough.

"So!" She cut through the silence with a lively chirp of her voice and all eyes were on her. "Let's go back and get some grub. I'm starving!"

"Finally!" Vi shouted eagerly before her eyes widened, shifted to the side, and she scratched the back of her neck awkwardly. "Er- I mean…Now that we're done here…I could eat."

"Excellentsave." Caitlyn rolled her eyes sarcastically while Ekko stifled an entertained laugh.

She giggled. It'd be such a downer to know Vi was suppressing her wants and needs while they completed such a daunting trip outside the hideout. This was much better, seeing her sister's big, clumsy personality break through the saddened atmosphere. They'd all been so serious over the past few days with the big war against Sevika and whatnot. She didn't say anything, but it was starting to get old.

"Let's go, people!" She shouted while pointing towards the way they came, "Oh-! Wait."

She skidded to a halt before she could ever really get momentum and spun on her heels to stretch on her tippy toes and plant a swift kiss to Ekko's cheek. Her puckered lips only remained on his warm skin for a short while, but once she separated, she watched the boy cup his cheek in surprise and glance towards her batted eyelashes. It looked like he was about to ask a question but was too stunned to do so. Guess she could beat him to the punch.

"You earned it, ya big ol' softie." She winked.

"Softie? Me? What makes you-?"

"Ya heard me!" A small laugh bounced from her lips as she began walking away, Ekko stumbling after her because she hadn't let go of his hand, just like she promised herself. She'd tug him back the entire way if she had to and never let go. "Can't convince me otherwise!"

"Hey-!"

Caitlyn and Vi were following quickly after with grins on their faces while Ekko argued into the wind and she embraced the bubbly sense of belonging that glued her to these wonderful people. They all walked through the alley of the under-city to return home and stuff their faces until they passed out. Yup…mission accomplished. Now all she needed was to set up the next one.

There was so much to prepare.

A small, black earpiece and wires were dropped from her fingers and landed into waiting palms.

For a moment the war room was completely silent. Not a sound was uttered as she followed curious eyes now staring at the radio transmitter that was given. The seconds ticked by and it was starting to irritate her with how long they both stood in silence. Just like before with Silco, all she wanted was an answer. No. Evenlessthan that. She simply wanted confirmation that her words had been heard.

"He's going to throw a fit, you know?" Brina spoke, breaking the silence and lifting her gray eyes back into her gaze.

A pale hand smoothed back her blue hair on the top of her head as she sighed. She already knew that. Sheknewhow incredibly stupid this plan of hers might appear. But it didn't change the fact that it was right,orthat it was her only option. She'd worked out all the details. Spent the entire afternoon getting her gear and materials ready. It was now or never and with the clock she felt looming over her, she had no time to wait and reconsider.

"Yep. I know." She replied simply.

"And you're okay with that?" Brina asked incredulously as a single brow lifted on her face. "That's it? You're just gonna leave? Now?"

"I'm not justleaving." The Firelight made it sound so heartless. Like she wasn't dying inside, begging for a little more time that wouldn't be given. She didn't have the luxury of time, that was certain. Even if her boyfriend had a means of messing with time. "I told you the plan. Only way it works is if I'm outta here before sunset."

The sun was already lowering in the sky.

"He deserves a goodbye." Brina countered with a piercing glare, "Theyalldo."

A small wince twisted on her face in reaction. Brina wasn't wrong. Maybe she was being immature. Ekko had always told her how important it was to communicate, to take on this wretched world together. And they would! Just…maybe not for a while. Call her a coward, she knew this was the only way to keep herself from pretending everything would be fine if she stayed. One look of desperation from Ekko's hurt appearance and she'd surely crack in her resolve. It was better this way. No goodbyes. No tears. Just here one day and gone the next. Vi, Cait, Heimy and the rest of the Firelights would understand, eventually.

"I-..." Her parted lips opened and closed as she gathered her thoughts and regained her focus. "Will you just give him the transmitter tonight? I'll explain everything then."

"Why? What's stopping you from going up to his room right now and coming clean? What if he can help you think of a better pla-?"

"Brina." She interrupted with a stern glare, "It's what I want."

"So?" The firelight stepped away from her, fist clutching the exchanged device as she began pacing around the empty war room. With the great battle against Sevika won, it was the perfect place for a secluded meeting. "When have I ever cared about what you want? You know, ever since you came here, you've been hurting people andhurtingpeople. You make it so hard to love you. And right when I start to think you've actually changed, you come to me with this!? What do you expect me to do? Agree? Help you? He'd be devastated. Especially if you're not even willing to look him in the eyes while you rip out his heart!"

"I love Ekko…" She murmured as her eyes lowered to the floorboards. She'd anticipated this conversation, but no amount of readiness could prepare her for the sharp sting of harsh words.Truewords. None of which she could refute.

Brina scoffed.

"You got a funny way of showing it."

"I've made up my mind. You can't say anything that'd make it different."

"Well, your plan is stupid and so are you for even considering going through with it!"

Why? Why was Brina making this so much harder? She was under the impression the Firelight would've been the first to volunteer in escorting her out of their lives. Something changed…

"How 'bout you look me in the eye and tell me that?" Her voice was raising, fighting against the Firelight's will with her own. She knew the truth. Brina knew it too. This pointless arguing was the last thing she needed before leaving. "Tell me that I'm missing something! Tell me that you don't see this whole thing the same way I do! Prove to me that I'm wrong!"

Brina's gray eyes widened at the accusing tone in her voice and for a second, she thought they might have to resort to physically beating each other into submission, but she knew she'd win that fight easily. Luckily, Brina merely sighed as her shoulders slumped before opening her palm and staring at the earpiece in her hand.

"I…I understand your reasoning. I'm surprised you even put thought into it…Still doesn't feel right. It doesn't makeyouright."

"Agree to disagree, Toots."

Brina returned to her eyes and locked them with her own. She watched the fire in the Firelight's pupils extinguish and the woman almost looked like she was in pain. Like the weighted decision was affecting her just as much.

"So…What? You're out of here in the next few hours?"

She nodded. Probably sooner than that.

"And you're not gonna say goodbye to any of them?"

Another nod. Though it was more painful than she expected.

"What if you screw up? What then?"

"Not gonna." That was absolutely certain. This wasn't a game she was playing. It wasn't her safety she was thinking about.

"Fuckin' annoying…" Brina mumbled. The woman paced back towards her and planted herself right in front of her face. They could see each other clearly, see the conflicting emotions spiraling in both their eyes before the woman clenched her eyes shut and nodded.

"Are you saying you'll help?" She asked the Firelight.

"..."

"Brina-."

"You'll…be careful out there…okay? It's a tough world."

"Yeah, I know."

"Hold up. Wait one sec." Brina walked past her and towards the exit of the war room. She felt a brief flash of panic, questioning whether or not the Firelight would sprint outside and shatter the secrecy behind her plans, but to her surprise, the girl simply reached for the hoverboard leaning against the door frame and returned to her, dragging the metal contraption across the floor. "Here. It's yours."

"Huh? But-."

"Ekko said your hoverboard got chopped up in the fight." Brina explained, "Figured you'd be a little less useless if you had one of these while you're out there."

She reached for the metal edge of the board with her fingers and brushed along its curved frame. If such a significant thing was being offered, by Brina no less, it was obvious she should take it. For a parting gift, this was a damn good one.

"...Thanks."

"I'll give him the short of it." Brina paused, "But after I hand him this earpiece you damn well better explain everything. I won't let you bail on him again."

"That's not what I'm-."

"Iknowthat's not what you're doing." A sly smile formed on the woman's lips, "It's just easier to let you go if I keep telling myself that."

"Gotcha."

She didn't really know what to say. Brina always seemed like a problem, an adversary. Someone she'd always be at odds with. In her time with the Firelights, she could count with one hand how many times they'd been nice to each other. But even she could see that their strange relationship had taken a different path.

"I'll uh…see you around then." She offered weakly. Who knows when that time would be.

And just as she was about to turn around and walk into the afternoon heat, she felt a pair of arms wrap her into a tight embrace. Pink eyes went wide at the sudden contact. They went even wider as Brina spoke from the curve of her neck where she rested.

"Jinx…What you're doing…I appreciate it." Brina spoke softly. "I really do. It's not your problem to solve but you're doing it anyway. If it ever gets too hard out there on your own…you have a place with us, alright? Never forget that."

With one arm occupied by holding the hoverboard, it was hard to return the embrace with equal strength, but she did her best and circled her free limb around Brina's frame and squeezed. While words may not convey her thoughts and feelings, being utterly terrible at goodbyes, she was surprisingly thankful to hear Brina's. She wouldn't forget the people here. She wouldn't forget the offer of a family that'd always have her back. Even if she knew it was unlikely to ever return after tonight.

"Thanks Brina…I owe ya."

"You're damn right, you do." Brina parted from her with a cocky smile, one that she returned in equal measure. "So get going. You're losing daylight, honey."

With that final message, her earpiece entrusted to the Firelight she could call a friend, she walked out of the war room and into the fields. A quick squint towards the sky conveyed just how much time she had left. If she wanted to leave, now was the time. Pink eyes peered towards the fields, taking note of Marenth speaking to the trio of seated children as if they were taking a class. She turned and saw Vi and Caitlyn smiling and shoving against each other as they headed towards the training arena for an afternoon spar, and Andrei talking animatedly with Scar as the chirean held his sleeping baby and covered the babe's ears. Everything seemed alright. They'd be fine. They'd be happy without her. It was time she left this place, knowing that everyone would live a better life with her tainted presence forever keeping them in danger.

This was for them.

As a subtle breeze cooled her skin, she raised her eyes towards the fluttering leaves and breathed in the fresh air. It might be a while till she experiences clean, pure air in her lungs. She savored it all. Then a motion caught piqued her curiosity and she snapped towards a figure in the tree. Upon a balcony she watched Ekko smile and wave at her like a rambunctious child stuffed with candy and sugar.

She almost broke immediately. She felt the sob building in her throat and a painful sting pulse in her eyes, yet remained strong. No matter how difficult it was, no matter how much it shredded her heart, she found the strength to smile back and wave just as hard. This great plan of hers, she'd prepared for everything, yet even now she questioned whether or not she'd be able to part from the boy that was her savior. It would be the most difficult thing she'd ever done.

But this was goodbye…Even if Ekko was blissfully unaware. She'd make sure that when they find each other again, she'd apologize every single day.

"Enjoying the cool afternoon climate, Jinx?"

Her attention lowered towards the fluffy little yordle that waddled towards her, his mustache curved upwards to show he was chipper and smiling.

"Yeah. I guess I am." She responded absently. Not entirely broken from the dreadful thoughts that occupied her mind. The uncertainty of her future with the man she loved with all her heart.

"Wonderful! I find myself enjoying this time of day the most. You know us yordles can hardly stand the heat. A strong breeze certainly improves my mood, relaxes the muscles and certainly gets me in the mindset of invention." The professor cheered before looking up at her with such bright, blue eyes full of life. "You know…we never had the chance to speak after but, our victory in the under-city was quite a feat. No doubt in part to your admirable efforts. The people here can live a little more freely with such worries purged from their hearts. Can you feel it as well?"

She offered the yordle a small smile and spent one last moment to scan the Firelight base and spot all the happy eyes, the bubble of warmth that seemed to shroud the entire facility. It was pleasant. Still not enough to sway her decision. If she wanted this peace to last, there would be no place for her here.

"You can'tfeeltheir emotions, Heimy." She giggled lightly. Whatever the strange scientist was on about, it was silly. "No matter what that big ol' brain of yours tells you."

"Quite the contrary, my dear!" Heimerdinger replied, "It doesn't take genius to see the light in someone's eyes and know they're content with the life they live. Spend enough time with everyone and I'm sure even you would be able to feel it!"

She felt another ache in her throat. Such wholesome words and unwavering confidence wasn't anything new from the yordle. He'd been one of the very first to accept her. He accepted her during a time when all she wanted to do was fight. He guided her with wise advice long before she could appreciate them. Heimerdinger was her first friend among strangers and even now he had nothing but the utmost confidence that she could continue to grow into a better woman. If she wasn't about to leave for good, she might've been tempted to squeeze the stuffing out of him one last time. But even that seemed to be too difficult of a task right now.

"Heimy?"

"Hm?"

"Thanks for caring about me."

"Of course, but…" His eyes seemed to grow concerned and she avoided his speculative gaze, "Is something the matter?"

Damn. Obviously the little brainiac would get suspicious after such an uncharacteristic moment of gratitude. If she wanted to avoid drawing attention, she probably shouldn't have said anything. However, it was still salvageable and she didn't regret what she said.

"Nope. Nothing's wrong!" She gave the former councilor a winning smile and an animated wink of her eye. The best she could manage given the situation. "Just thought I'd let you know!"

"Well it warms my heart to hear you say so." The yordle smiled once more. "You're a bright young girl, Jinx. Full of potential. I had no doubt you'd find your way. And it seems like you certainly have."

"I did." She nodded. Shereallydid. "I'll see you later, Heimy. Got some stuff I need to take care of."

"Well don't let me keep you any longer then. Until next time, my dear!"

As the yordle walked away and she was left to stand alone in the grassy field, she murmured under her breath, so quiet that nobody could possibly hear her.

"Until next time…"

She hummed a random tune through pursed lips, messily scribbling on a metal slab held tightly in one hand while a pink marker inked across the silver surface. Sitting on a ledge so high she could see the vast expanse of Piltover and Zaun, her legs excitedly swung in the air back and forth. Must be the abundance of fresh air in her lungs, or the adrenaline slowly building in her veins in anticipation for what was to come, but either way she was happy as can be. As long as she didn't glance towards the silent earpiece laying beside her.

"There!" She exclaimed with a bright smile, holding the metal sheet out with her arms to inspect her craftsmanship. "Last one, complete!"

'JINX!'

The pink letters were as clear as can be. Perfectly readable with a smidge of her artsy, embellished style that was uniquely hers. A whip of her arm sent the named steel plate soaring behind her and landing with a ringing 'clang' as it bounced into a pile of identical plates. She only mildly cringed at the sudden sound of metal clashing into metal, certain that it probably wasn't loud enough to draw attention to her location.

She wasn'texactlysupposed to be up here, but trespassing was a stupid rule to begin with and certainly not something that'd deter her ambitions.

A quick glance towards the pile she'd collected assured her there was nothing left to do. Nothing but wait for Ekko's voice to start screaming through the static radio. Damn, that was gonna suck. She really didn't have a gameplan for how she was going to explain herself to the man she loved so dearly. Leaving was bad enough. Her plans were even worse. Hopefully Ekko would hear her out. Night had already taken the two cities into its darkened shroud, so there wasn't much time left for waiting. She needed a distraction.

"So how about it, you guys on board?" She asked aloud. "It's notthatcrazy, right?"

Her ghosts, Mylo, Claggor, and Vander, all seemed to form under the moonlight cast from above and she watched them all shift and writhe in response. Mylo in particular, was bouncing towards her erratically before stopping just over her shoulder and smiling with sharpened teeth. They chomped together, eager to support her decision and she playfully shoved the spiky haired boy from her shoulder while giggling.

"I know, I know. I could've set things up to be evenmorespectacular, but you know I didn't have much time!" She had to race through her personal hideout and collect everything she needed for her greatest achievement yet. Her entire hideout was completely ransacked aside from Pow-Pow which she left to be collected later. It took her twice as long to actually set everything up properly too. She just didn't have the luxury of time anymore. It was now or never.

Vander growled deep and low, strong enough to vibrate in her ribcage.

"No. I'mnotrunning away, we've been over this." She sighed with a palm resting over her forehead. It was hard being more patient with her demons, but the effort was starting to feel worth it. "It's for the greater good and all that. I know you don't exactly approve, but you're alone on that big guy. Ain't that right, Claggor?"

Claggor merely stared at her in silence.

"See?" She gestured to the goggled boy, "He totally gets it!"

She took another opportunity to stare into the vast depths of the cities under her. It really was a breathtaking sight, being up so high and seeing all the hundreds of streetlights below. It reminded her of the life that still thrived, the people that went about their days, helpless to change the broken system that'd kept them from their desires. Sure…she didn't necessarily decide on such a drastic plan for the sake of strangers, in fact, she was certain that her ideas would bring about a new form of uncertain hardship, but the smart ones might actually thank her one day.

In the end, this was about her own life and protecting the ones that'd sacrificed so much for her sake. It took some time to connect all the pieces together, but once she did, she knew she was making the right choice. Theonlychoice that mattered. After tonight, she'd be exactly where she belongs.

Suddenly, the static of her idle earpiece erupted to life and she dropped her eyes towards the device while gulping. Shit. He was trying to contact her, wasn't he? It was finally time to explain herself. Dammit. For all the planning and genius she'd poured into her plans, this was the one problem she never figured out. There wasn't an easy, simple answer to clear away all the doubts and worries in her mind. Hearing Ekko's static voice call for her frantically pounded in her heart and she felt a sheen of sweat leak from her pores.

"I uh…shouldn't make him wait any longer…right?"

Her question went unanswered by the hallucinations surrounding her, but she was smart enough to know she was correct. They all deserve a goodbye, just like Brina said, and Ekko was at the very top of that list. Not being there to look him in the eyes was just a short reprieve from the inevitable, so she reached for the radio and pushed the speaker into her ear.

Her head was immediately blasted by the clear and panicked voice on the other side of the connection.

"Jinx!? Jinx!? Are you there? Jinx!? Please! I need you to answer!"

She took a deep breath and pressed a finger to the microphone.

"Hey there…Boy Savior." She winced at her greeting, awkward and disjointed in how to best greet the boy she seemingly just betrayed without him knowing.

"Jinx!? I-. Where are you? What's going on!? Brina, she said- she said that you-."

"I left…for good." She sighed. No use in beating around the bush. As harsh as it was to have this conversation, sugarcoating it with sweet words wasn't going to change the outcome.

"Y-you left? Then Brina wasn't…Where are you? I'll come get you. We can talk this out."

"No!" Her own eyes widened at how quickly she'd shouted in response. This was hard. Much harder than she ever expected. No amount of mental fortitude could've prepared her for Ekko's wild panic, the fast moving thoughts that interrupted each other while he was simultaneously searching for answers and trying to understand what was happening. If there was any other way to do this, she would've jumped on the chance in a heartbeat. "No…Ekko, I decided this. It's what I need to do."

"Let me help then!" Ekko shouted back and she mentally cursed the aching sting behind her eyes. She was already cracking in her resolve and knew she'd made the right choice to leave without facing him. "You don't need to do this alone. It's not fair. You're one of us, Jinx. You're one of us…"

She shook her head in denial, trying her best to not latch onto the hurt in his voice, the pain he must be feeling, and how utterly terrified he sounded. She might not hate herself anymore, but having the capacity to put Ekko through such fearful agony was bringing those ugly feelings back. She was so incredibly sorry.

"I'm not." She murmured and the radio was quiet for a brief second, "I'm not one of you, Ekko. I'm no Firelight. I never was."

"Don't say that…y-you don't mean that." Ekko pleaded and the tears in her eyes were beginning to blur the beautiful sight of the cities below her. "W-what about Vi? Caitlyn? The Professor? What about the others? We all love you Jinx. You can stay with us!"

Ekko…it's because of them that I decided to do this. I can't live the life you want me to and wait for the day it's all taken away. One mistake is all that was needed to cripple their happiness and that would undoubtedly destroy her. They helped her find herself in the months she stayed with them, found true peace, and she wasn't going to let it fall apart for nothing.

"I'm where I need to be." She offered a small, sad smile that would never be seen and turned her gaze towards the pile of metal slabs with her name written so prominently and the ghosts that surrounded her. "I'm making the right choice. You gotta believe me."

"What about-..."

He paused and waited for a few, excruciatingly silent moments.

"What about…me?"

Her heart shattered in her chest at the sound of Ekko's broken voice. All the doubt and betrayal he must be feeling. Fuck. He must be thinking that she'd broken his promise to him, never to leave his side again. The last thing she wanted was for the boy to be crippled by the pain he'd experienced when they first went their separate ways, but that wasn't exactly the promise they made…and she wasn't going back on her word either. Never.

"Ekko…"

"You swore! I…I trusted you! You said I'd never lose you and-!"

"Ekko…" She repeated, desperate to stop the anger that'd bubbled into his tone. The harsh, unyielding anger that was birthed from her actions. "It's not like that. I-."

"Like hell it isn't like that!" He growled through the radio,"How long!? How long have you been planning to run away like this? Leave everything behind like we don't matter! Not even a word to me or the others? I bet you had this all planned from the beginning, right? Playing along with us and waiting for the right time to run."

She clenched her eyes tightly to stop her tears from cascading down her cheeks and remembered when Sevika had taunted her with such cruel words.

"And now you've found yourself amongst the Firelights. Playing your little game of family, I assume."

It wasn't a game. Nothing could be further from the truth. Everything she's felt, everything she's feeling in this very moment,wasreal. Genuine sorrow. Pain. Heartbreak. Regret. But she was stronger now. She knew she was strong enough to overcome such bitter emotions, no matter how difficult Ekko made it. She could see past the anger in his voice, reach beyond the turmoil, and attempt to convey her deepest sympathies. It was certain now, no concoction of apologies could ever be enough to battle the magnitude of her betrayal. But she'd be damned if she didn't try.

"I love you." She whispered the words as she took a shuddering breath. Her quiet voice cut through Ekko's furious ranting and was met with an abrupt silence.

"...Do you?"

Her breath seized in her lungs. She was trying to maintain her composure, but such a raw question…the doubt uttered with malice…it ripped her insides apart. It was difficult to not feel like the future she was trying to save was eroding apart before her very eyes.

"I-Ido!" She stuttered.

"I'm trying to believe that. I'm trying but…"

"D-don't say that." Her lips were quivering, desperate to repair the trust she'd broken. But? But what? Was he trying to say that her decision had damaged their relationship that much? Did he seriously think she didn't love him? "You don't m-mean that. It's not true!"

"I-I don't know what to think…How could you do this?" Ekko muttered, "You tell Brina, but not me?"

The pressure in her chest pounded against her insides and she was scared that she might completely wither away, break apart, shatter, and never recover.

"I'm just trying to do what's right!" She screamed, abandoning all her reservations. Keeping Ekko was more important than this. If she really, really had to abandon her mission to keep his heart, she would!

"Jinx…I-." He called to her for the first time tonight, his tone soft and mourning as if he was finally aware of how deep his accusations cut. How hollow they made her feel.

"I love you! So much ithurts!" It really hurts. When she thought about him, his beautiful smile, the light in his eyes…Leaving that behind made her feel like her throat was closing. Her stomach was pulsing as if it were digesting itself. Every bone in her body felt like it was splintering apart. This was too much, but she couldn't resist the sheer depths of her love and how much it controlled her. "I'm not lying. I'm not! I wouldn't-."

"Jinx…"

"I didn't want this! I don't wanna leave!" It was hopeless to resist the tears any longer. They cascaded down her face as she released a sob of regret. "I wanna stay. I wanna be with you forever! You, Vi, Cait, the Firelights, you're everything, don't you get it?!"

"But…you're leaving…Why?" Ekko's gentle yet confused response just made her cry harder.

"I have to!" She practically shrieked, uncaring for a brief moment that her trespassing presence might be discovered. "You're not safe with me. None of you are. Not yet."

"..."

She sat upon the ledge, no longer caring about the vista of the night and sniffling while she rubbed her running nose. Her free arm dropped and wrapped around her midsection, desperately holding her together.

"D-don't make me choose." She begged. Because she'd choosehim. She'd choose him every time. She would run back right now, abandon all the effort she placed into this single moment of weakness and be tortured by the regret of not acting on what was right. They wouldn't be free to live the life they wanted. Not while she was still hidden from the council and their enemies lurked in the shadows. "Please. Please don't make me."

"..."

"E-ekko?" She asked timidly, disturbed by his silence after her heart continued to crumble apart in her ribcage.

"..."

"Ekko…can you say something?" She just wants to hear him, hear his voice a little while longer. Time was running out. There wasn't much left before she had to disconnect and possibly spend a large portion of her future by herself. "...Anything? I-."

"So what Brina said, what you're planning on doing…it's all true?"

"Mhmm." She nodded her head as she hummed through painfully tight lips and suddenly shifted herself to stand on her feet. Standing tall. Standing, knowing that she needed to be committed to this sacrifice for the sake of those that she loved. "I-I know it'll work. It's gonna work. Everything will be okay."

"..."

"...I'm sorry! I should've never left you without saying it to your face. It's not right! I know. I wish I was strong enough to tell you face to face. I just-. I don't know if I can-...It's scary Ekko. I wasscared. I don't want you to hate me!...Don't hate me."

She listened to the earpiece nestled in her head, waiting with baited breath for his response and she felt her stomach drop the moment she heard a long and pained sigh through the static.

"...It's okay…I…I understand…"

Pale fingers reached for the leather fabric of her top and clutched just over her heart as she heard him reply. Shaky breaths were mixed with stuttering whimpers as she repeated his words, his voice, in her head and felt relief.

"Y-you do? You mean it?" She asked carefully, hoping his words weren't so easily changed or offered without meaning. "Cuz I-I…"

She didn't even know what to say. What to want from him. If she really thought about it, she wanted more than his acceptance, but his undying approval. Yet, finding the words while she struggled to hold herself was near impossible. She just didn't want to lose him.

"Jinx." Ekko interrupted her frantic thoughts and she snapped her attention to the radio in her ear. "I love you too. I've always loved you. If this is what you want, what you need to do, who am I to stand in your way?"

"You won't lose me!" She cried, "I swear! I-I know things are gonna be different for a while…but I'll find you again! I promise! We can do whatever you want, just you and me! That is…um…if you still want me…"

The painful conversation was suddenly shifted into something brighter than before as Ekko's soft laughter rang through her ears and pleasantly fluttered through her head. It was a relief to the drowning fear that nearly consumed her.

"Crazy girl." Ekko chuckled, "I believe you. I trust you. I…sorry. I shouldn't be acting this way. It's hard not to consider the worst, but I need to get over myself. It's not fair to you. This isn't the same as before. I know what you're doing, I sorta have an idea as to why too. Just didn't think it'd be this hard to let you go."

"It's not forever." She promised, "I just need to leave…for a while. I-I don't know how long that is, but I'll come back one day. Just…don't give up. I'll make it right."

"You think I'd give up on you, now? Nah."

"Ekko…"

"When the time is right, and you find your way back to me, I promise that I'll wrap my arms around you, hold you tight, and kiss you so hard, you'll forget how to breathe. Though…I probably won't let you do something this reckless again. Not without talking it out first. You're mine, remember?"

"Yeah." She giggled loosely, freely, as her heart soared into the starry sky. With Ekko's words, she was slowly recovering from the brink and finding her will to remain on the path she chose. "Always yours."

Just like how Ekko would always be hers. There was no doubt in her mind, wild as it is, that they'd be together again. Once all is said and done, once the dust clears, there's only one person in this whole wide world that she'd come racing back to. And if he was promising open arms and his sweet lips on hers, she wouldn't waste any time running back to the person who saved her life a million times over. They both couldn't allow any more doubts about their relationship to fester. She was going to live her life, and Ekko would live his, but their love wasn't a collateral to be sacrificed.

"...I'll worry."

"I'll be okay." She replied softly. "I can handle myself."

"I don't doubt that. I'll still worry anyway."

She slowly let her lips form into a light, hopeful smile.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize." He urged, "There's nothing to be sorry about. Not when you're doing what's right. I should be sorry for making it so hard."

"..."

She'd still say it over and over if he wanted, but at least he understood the importance of her mission.

"So…" Ekko started, already shifting his tone to mirror the one he'd used whenever he transformed into the battle-hardened, responsible leader of the Firelights. That was good. There was more they needed to discuss. "Margot's dead."

"I know." She replied softly. She killed the baroness before she left the base. Shot her right between the eyes. No insults. No banter. A quick, painless death. Shemightbe getting soft because the baroness probably deserved worse. Hopefully nobody other than Ekko or Brina discovered the corpse prematurely. It'd be really awkward to explain that one to the rest of the unknowing Firelights.

"And I'm assuming you need us, in some part, to make sure things don't get out of hand."

Such a smartie! Her wonderful boyfriend was already thinking the same things she had when she'd laid awake at night and planned everything out. If he hadn't been so understanding about her choices, this would've been an even harder request to ask.

"Tell the council I escaped." She replied, "Tell 'em I planned it from the beginning and slipped past all your security measures. The chains, guards, the whole shebang."

"Easy enough. Just convince them you're on your own and out of control."

"Uh huh!" She grinned, "That's all there is to it! Just, make sure they don't do anything slippery like take away the Firelight's chance to police the city. This is still our city."

"Right…But from here on out, you're on your own. Promise me you'll be safe?"

"Scout's honor." She giggled with her hand raised in mock salute. He couldn't see her obviously, but they both shared a laugh, knowing that her definition of 'safe' wildly differed from his. Still, she had someone to return to after this crazy adventure was over. Dying before getting the chance to see Ekko again wasnotan option!

One look towards the moon was all she needed to know their conversation was coming to an end. Ekko seemed to realize it as well.

"One last thing…" Ekko started, "Why are you so sure that you're the one that needs to do this? You're making yourself public enemy number one, wanted, on the run from both sides. Nobody's gonna know..."

Ooh! That was an easy one to answer!

"Margot told me it was only a matter of time before the rest of the barons made their move and tried to take back the undercity." She bent low to pluck a short metal rod from the ground and tossed it up and down in her palm. The blonde baroness made it clear they likely had a week before the Firelights would get squashed under the greedy, slimy boots of the chem-barons. That deadline was already upon them and they couldn't afford another war. It was the fire under her ass that got this plan in motion as quickly as it did. "Obviously we can't just sit around and wait for that to happen. And…"

"And…?"

Her lips split into a brilliant, toothy smile. A memory of Brina's harshly spoken words came to the forefront of her mind. At the time, she knew the Firelight was trying to tear her down, forcing her to confront realities that she'd been desperate to ignore. Now, she recalled those same words as if they were a hidden secret. An inside joke that only she, and a select few would, understand.

"I'm always gonna be the bad guy." She grinned while swiping her hand through the air to perfectly catch the object she was tossing into her grasp. There was a bright red glow of a button on its tip, illuminating her pale features, eager and waiting to be pressed. "And I play the part so well, don't I?"

"Heh, cocky, but I can't disagree." He still seemed rather somber about her departure, which of course he was, but at the very least she made him chuckle. That was a saving grace in this messy, difficult conversation. At least they were able to laugh. "You know…that's one thing I really love about the new you."

"Hm?"

"You're confident, strong, and don't mind stepping into the spotlight." Ekko replied easily, "It wasn't always like that."

"Yeah…I guess you're right."

Powder was always too timid, too uncertain in her abilities. Always doubting herself and afraid of being abandoned by the people she loved. Too focused on trying to prove to the world that she mattered, yet unaware of what she was truly capable of. Becoming Jinx solved that problem, if only to add a multitude of other nasty weaknesses she ignored over many troublesome years of loneliness. Now, having journeyed across the cities, battling with everything she has to offer, finding love to be shared with the people she cares about, and mending the broken pieces of her past, she felt invincible. More likesuperinvincible! A new person, a new Jinx, ready to take on whatever challenges got in her way and doing it with glee!

"So, I guess I'll be seeing you around. I'll miss you like mad." Ekko sighed, once more lowering her mood to settle on the painful, abrupt goodbye. "Don't worry about Vi or the others. I'll make sure they understand your decision."

"Thanks…" She murmured softly, "I-I really mean it."

Sincerely.

Not only had she asked him to lie for her in so many ways, but Ekko had also readied himself to be the sole protector of the relationships she'd struggled so hard to build. Without him, this grand endeavor would've been so much harder, probably impossible. But she was more aware than ever that she'd found her way into the heart of someone loving and pure. A good soul. She would never take Ekko for granted. Especially if he was her shield from a probably furious, punch-drunk beast like her sister that'd insist on dragging her back to the Firelights.

She'd make sure to find her way back to Vi too.

"None of that." Ekko replied, "I should be thanking you. You're not just saving the Firelights tonight, Jinx. You're changing the world."

"No pressure." She chuckled awkwardly. It was starting to sound like he thought of her as a hero. Definitely not. Heroes don't put a bullet between the eyes of their enemies. They don't leave in the middle of the night to pull off a ridiculous, hasty plan that involves a lot more death and destruction. But she'd hold onto that little scrap of honest appreciation. Times might get tough, she'll need to treasure his words whenever she needs a subtle reminder of why she's doing this.

"Um…I love you, Ekko." She finished, overcoming the lump that'd formed in her throat from even grasping at such powerful words. They didn't come close to the depths of how strongly she felt for him, but it'd have to do. "And even though I'm gonna be gone for a while, you better not think this means you get to keep being the Firelight leader. It's time for you to move on too. Pass the torch or whatever it is you firebugs do. Live a little."

"Right." He chuckled lightly once more, "Already working on it."

"Good.Doublegood! I'll be watching too, so if you're lying-."

"I'm not. Don't worry."

"..."

"..."

They both continued to stand in silence, letting the static wash over them as if nothing in the world could possibly force them to end the call. The honest truth was that she was dreading the moment she lifted her finger from the radio and invited the rift that'd keep them apart. She knew she wouldn't be able to contact him after tonight. It'd be too risky. Too reckless. It wasn't just her relationship that was on the line. If others discovered Ekko was in cahoots with Piltover's soon to be most wanted criminal, then all of their suffering would be meaningless. She listened to the empty radio. The seconds of breathing, knowing that he was here with her in some capacity, were precious.

"I love you too, Jinx." Ekko finally spoke up, "I'll wait for you. And since I won't be able to tell you for some time…you're beautiful. You are the most beautiful girl I've ever met. Never forget that."

"D-dumbass." She blushed bright red, yet swooned all the same. Honestly. He had to say that now? Just when she was finally starting to build the confidence to end their conversation? He had no idea what he just did to her heart. Or maybe he did. If that was the case, then she wouldn't settle for just a heated kiss when they reunited. When she was through with him, he'd be a puddle of sweaty, exhausted limbs and that was a promise she didn't mind adding to her list.

"Take care of yourself. I'll never stop believing in you."

"Ditto." She replied simply, only to cringe once she realized how pathetically inadequate her final words were. "I-I mean-."

"Don't worry…" Ekko interrupted, and she could so clearly see the confident smirk he must be wearing on his face. "I know."

And with everything that needed to be said, now spoken and heard, she listened to the distinct 'click' of her earpiece that signaled the connection had been severed. For a few moments she stood upon the ledge that was so high in the sky and peered over the landscape to gaze upon the unmistakable frame of the Firelight's hideout in the outskirts. Everything she ever cared about was within those large concrete walls. She took a breath and reminded herself of that single, important fact.

She wouldn't call it her duty, or responsibility to ensure the lives that lived within that enormous base were protected because of her actions. But it was a wonderful thought, to think that she was finally doing something worthwhile. Her life mattered. Her actions tonight, even more so. This was it. The big leap into uncertainty.

She wasn't afraid.

"Alright people!" A clap of her hands was sharp against the quiet, empty night and she spun on her heels to face the ghosts that remained by her side. They would always remain by her, and that was how it's always been and always will be. "Look alive! Which Irealizeisn't technically possible for you guys, but it's a figure of speech, alright? Don't question it. It's showtime!"

She hustled towards the pile of metal scraps that'd been decorated with her name, inspecting them and making sure nothing was missed. Check! A quick scramble towards a single cracked window with light spilling out from inside and she was able to confirm her targets were all accounted for.

"I'm telling you, the Firelight's are just a rag-tag group of misfits!" A short, sickly, and disfigured yordle dressed in a fancy black suit topped with a ridiculous hat screamed towards the other members seated at a lengthy table. "It would be a simple matter to bombard their base of operations and fill the rathole with chem-gas!"

"As much as I share your sentiments…Smeech." A tall yet scrawny woman with slicked, orange hair and a machine with green tubes for a nose sneered, as if she were disgusted by even talking to the creature she associated with, "They've been a troublesome bunch of pests for years. Sevika discovered where they hide themselves and evenshecouldn't eradicate them all."

"Sevika was a disappointment." Curious pink eyes shifted towards a pudgy man that looked to be older than a century, wrinkles and rolls covered his entire body and despite his well-dressed fashion, it wasn't hard to imagine the loose skin he was hiding was every bit as ugly as his face. Ew. "Taken out by a handful of brats, along with that pathetic army we provided her. It was a dismal performance."

"Even so," The ginger woman spoke again, "I'm merely suggesting that we consider less…confrontationalmethods. The under-city is ours. Always has been. Let them think they've won."

The yordle wheezed and trembled with gnarly cackles while rubbing his patchy paws together in interest. "Do tell us your thoughts, Renni."

"Simple." The baroness, Renni, replied with an arrogant lift of her chin. She never did like that woman much. Silco hated her unearned air of confidence and that was a good enough reason to dislike her, even if she did lose her son to her big sister's ambush on the shimmer factory. She had no empathy for this woman at all. "Let them reveal themselves. Let them ooze from the walls from which they came and reveal their identities. We'll start with families. Mothers, fathers, siblings, even the children. Any living relatives will be taken from them. We'll make themdisappearand further our reach. Friends. Acquaintances. Business partners. Eventually, the population will cast them out, refuse their futile attempts to create an equal peace with Piltover and they'll die by the hand of the city they so desperately cherish."

"A marvelous idea!" The old, wrinkly man replied.

He earned a short, dismissive nod of acknowledgement from Renni. "Thank you for your support, Chross."

"Yes!" Smeech writhed in his seat with eager excitement. "We'll kill them all. Everyone they've ever cherished! I'd love to see the hopelessness on their leader's face. We can capture him, just to rip off his cowardly little mask and see the agony pooling in his eyes. Yes. Yes!"

She glanced towards her pale fist, clenched painfully tight at her side and knew she made the right call to enact her genius plan tonight. The chem-barons weren't far into their crafty plans, but having them all here meant she would be able to divert a heinous disaster.

"Let's discuss the details…"

As Renni cleared her throat to begin what she assumed was a mind-numbing, boredom-inducing presentation, she pulled away from the green-tinted window that allowed her to eavesdrop on the barons. Why was it that all the crazy creeps she's come across, always love to scheme? It's disturbingly unoriginal. Evil stuff, sinster torture methods, yada-yada-yada. Boring! Who cares?Shesure didn't. Besides, all she really needed was to get a solid headcount. Now that she knew all the barons were inside the room below her, even the ones that hadn't spoken yet, it was time to proceed with her own sneaky plans.

Chem-barons unknowingly moments away from death? Check!

She merrily skipped towards the ledge of the baron's gigantic headquarters to pick up Brina's gifted hoverboard and tuck it under her arm as she peered over the sheer descent towards the under-city streets below. Her lips performed a long, impressed whistle at the sheer height of the skyscraper. She also locked her eyes on the dozen's of explosives she had attached to the building prior. All of her weaponry was already linked and wirelessly connected to the detonator in her hand.

"What do ya think, boys?" She asked her ghosts while her mind raced through complicated mathematical calculations. "Looks professional enough, right?"

Of course, she was an expert in demolitions.Controlleddemolitions on the other hand…that was more guesswork than anything. Why bother concerning herself with structural integrity and precise, consistent explosions when her goal is usually just complete and overwhelming annihilation? Oh well. She did her best with the time she had. Fingers crossed there weren't any innocent wanderers walking the streets when she pressed the big red button. Whatever. She was still wacked in the head enough to objectively weigh the pros and cons, and taking out the barons was definitely for the greater good. Right? Yeah…No need to worry…

Fuck.

Okay.Maybeit wasn't good enough to just hope that nobody else would get caught in the blast. Dammit. This was so annoying. She'd have to take responsibility, frustrating as it was. But how? OOH!

"New idea!" She suddenly straightened with a frenzied smile, spun to face her illusions, and felt her insides roll with bubbly excitement. "Change of plans. Instead of getting to a safe distance and watching this place blow sky high, we'll stay close and make sure it goes off without a hitch! Easy-Peezy."

Vander howled loud enough to draw her attention.

"Oh, sonowyou're onboard?" She rolled her eyes. "Ever hear of a fair-weather fan? Cuz you definitely are. It's lame. You should work on that."

Anyway, explosives placed and ready to be triggered? Check!

Guess that means everything was ready. A swift review of her plans ensured that no detail had been missed.

She tossed the hoverboard towards the ledge of the building and stomped on its tail end to keep it from falling. With a little balance and effort, she shimmied onto the board's surface, the entire frame tilted upward from the pressure she used to keep it in place. It felt like she was standing on a diving board, suspended in the air until she decided to lean forward and fall. Her sweaty palm shifted the black detonator in her grasp and her thumb lightly rested over the red button. Pink eyes were glowing unbridled exhilaration.

"This is gonna be awesome! Like a gauntlet of death!" She giggled, "Sure hope I don't fuck up."

One last glance towards her ghosts was met with silent, waiting stares.

"No words of encouragement? Seriously? We're supposed to be on the same team now, idiots! Where's the camaraderie?"

They all sprinted towards her, surrounding her, placing themselves over her shoulder as she peeked a drifting eye along looming, dangerous walls.Thatwas more like it. She didn't need sappy words to inspire her, their constant, sticky presence was more than enough reassurance. Oh boy… It was a straight shot, the side of the building transformed into an improvised race track in her head. This was insane, wasn't it? Super insane. Ekko probably wouldn't approve. Then again, just because she was having even more fun, didn't take away from the fact that she'd be able to save any unlucky citizens caught in the aftermath!

"Ready?" A countdown started in her mind. She gulped and closed her eyes to eliminate any doubts. The weight of her body was slowly shifted to lean the tip of her board further and further towards the ground. Teetering on the edge between stability and a speedy free-fall. She just had to go fast enough to avoid losing control and splatting onto cobblestone streets.

.

.

.

"Here goes! So long suckers!" She screamed into the night's air, calling to the unaware barons still thinking they had a future to manipulate. "Have fun in hell!"

Suddenly, gravity had her in its powerful clutches.

Her knees bent low to keep her balance. Her boots stomped on the accelerator. And her finger smashed the detonator's button in her clutches. Immediately a thunderous roar ruptured the air above her. As much as she wanted to look back and watch the fireball of her efforts spiral into the sky, she had to keep her focus.

The green streak of her hoverboard painted the building behind her while she leveled herself, flying along the vertical surface of the building. Pink eyes snapped to the blinking explosive in front of her, watching through blurred vision as she raced past. A second later, she felt the rumble of the tower and a brilliant flash of light blast into the air behind her. She laughed wildly, realizing that offsetting the bomb's timers was genius for additional reasons she hadn't even considered. Talk about luck!

Blue braids fluttered behind her as she further down the wall, gaining an increasing speed that pushed her senses to the limit. The wind was rushing through her hair, her eyes were watering, and the abundance of air was slamming into her throat, making it impossible to breathe. But she was loving every second!

"Waaaahooooo!"

Another explosive was left in the dust, only to blast apart a portion of the tower less than a second after she'd raced by. Quick thinking allowed her to realize she was competing against the timers and rapidly losing her lead. Just as she suspected, pink eyes widened when spotting another bomb up ahead. She dropped low and leaned her weight to the side, narrowly curving around a smokey blast of fire and glass shrapnel, but still maintaining speed.

The entire surface she raced along began splitting, cracking, groaning from the consistent and relentless explosions that wracked the building's frame. Further down, she watched more windows and stone shatter apart as the timers began triggering faster than she could fall. One by one, like a chain reaction of destruction, dozens of fireballs shot outwards from the tower, cratering her once clear and unobstructed race track. Instead of hesitating, she leaned forward into the danger, giggling with joy.

She expertly swerved through the plumes of fire, weaving in between each and every explosion that littered her path. Despite the evasive maneuvers, her pale skin stung from the intensity of the heat as little shards of glass shotgunned into the air and shallowly cut through her exposed arms and midsection. She welcomed the sharp sting of pain. She'd never felt more alive!

"This is what I'm talking about!" Her shouting was overwhelmed by the roaring wind. "Nothing's gonna stop-! Oh shit!"

The cluttered landscape made it difficult to spot, but she was on a direct trajectory towards an explosive that hadn't triggered. The timer might've been faulty, or she might've wired it incorrectly, but she knew for sure that the chaining, powerful blasts would eventually activate the combustible materials inside. Suddenly, as if she'd seen the future just before it happened, her path was wholly blocked by a massive explosion. Stone, pipes, and glass erupted in front of her and she steeled herself. She wouldn't let one delayed explosion end her adventure before it even began! Screw that!

Her eyes snapped shut as her arms were pulled to her back and she rocketed into the intense detonation without fear. Entering the violent bubble of fire, time seemed to slow. She was hyper aware of the searing heat on her skin and the daggers of shrapnel that slashed across her body. In the eye of the fiery tornado, a sudden peace washed over her. The singed fabric of her clothes burned passionately. Fresh cuts spewed bright red blood into the suffocating air. Yet…she was calm, easily able to ignore the harsh pain she usually savored. It was difficult to explain and evenmoredifficult to imagine her insanity wasn't twisting the frightening experience, but she felt as if the darkest, heaviest parts of her soul were evaporating from inside. Forced into the smoldering air and turned to invisible speckles of ash for the wind to carry away. She felt wonderfully lighter, consciously aware, and in complete control as her body withstood the cleansing fire. Yeah, she wasdefinitelycrazy! Maybe she inhaled too much smoke or something…

She burst from the fire, her hoverboard vibrating from the strain of intense movements, but she found her stability and continued towards the nearing streets. No time was wasted as she darted her eyes around the streetlights, searching for any fleeing innocents. A breath of relief escaped her when she realized nobody had been caught in the crossfire of her massive destruction. Whew! That meant she could recover in time to witness the building collapse on itself.

As she approached the ground, the entirety of her weight was shifted to her back heel, forcing the hoverboard beneath her to slowly level horizontally. She zigzagged onto the cobblestone streets of the under-city to slow her speed before rotating to a shuddering stop and leapt from her board once it was safe. Her boots landed solidly on the ground and turned to witness the grand finale of her own creation.

As blaring sirens echoed into the night's air, her hands snapped to her hips confidently, proudly, as enormous flames reflected in her pupils. The baron's tower groaned and whined, splitting at the seams and no longer able to hold its structural weight. She stood tall and watched as the lower supporting beams snapped under the oppressive pressure it bared. Layer by layer, the building spewed dust and rubble and not long after, she watched the highest point crumble upon itself. It looked like a sinkhole was birthed at the base, swallowing the massive headquarters. Within a few minutes, the chem-baron's lair was leveled into a pile of debris, less than a fraction of its original size.

As if the building were alive and sputtering a final breath, she braced for a wave of dust and ash that flooded the streets. The force of the flooding rubble made her take a few stumbling steps backwards as the aftermath slammed into her body. She fought to maintain her balance and once she'd recovered her footing, it was over. Finished. Boom! Just like she planned!

The chem-barons were no more.

"Whoooo!" She cheered with both her fists stretching high above her head. It was just as incredible as she imagined. So worth it! Until she noticed a subtle heat stuck somewhere on her body. She jumped into action the moment she spotted a portion of her braids smoldering from a stubborn ember. She feverishly began patting her damaged hair. "Shit! Shit! Not the hair. Not the hair!"

Luckily, she saved the innocent strands before any real consequences ruined her mood. It took her so long to grow it to this length! Practically her whole life! No way was she gonna let it burn away. New Jinx or not, the braids were staying!

Aside from the petty averted disaster of her hair, she took a moment to listen to the frantic emergency sirens in the air and wondered how long it'd take the Pilties to rush towards her location. They were probably already on their way, scrambling in panicked hope that there was a way to save the unsaveable, especially with all the connections the barons had top-side. A LOT of dirty, greedy money was just flushed down the drain and she was sure there'd be many powerful individuals keen to rectify such anunfortunateevent.

Oh well. She shrugged away their thoughts without a worry, wiping her face and smudging pale cheeks with dusty gray dirt. Those corrupt bastards, whoever they were, would wind up on her shit list soon enough. After all, she had all the time in the world to find out who they were and serve them up a tasty meal of Jinx justice! Pfft. Oh god. Nowshewas starting to get into the whole hero thing. Yeesh. That was rough. How about a nap instead? A good, hearty nap! That sounded so much more appealing right now.

'CLANG!'

Curious eyes flashed towards the sudden noise and spotted a metal slab crash to the stone streets and bounce until it rattled and fell over. She smiled and hopped towards the steel plate, swiftly picking it up and brushing away the ash that covered its surface. Her name, bright, pink, and prominently displayed was revealed underneath the grime. She happily kissed it as pride swelled in her bosom.

Jinx. Her name. Her calling card.

There were dozens of them that'd erupted into the sky the moment she'd destroyed the rooftop, and surely scattered all over the city. No mistaking who was responsible now. Hundreds of accusatory fingers would point to her and she wouldn't have it any other way. Hunt her down. Put a bounty on her head. The bigger the reward, the more satisfied she'd be. She could handle whatever they threw at her and it'd just be one magnificent distraction for the Firelights to make somerealchanges around here. Pretty genius plan, right? Yep! And went off without a hitch!

She tossed her name tag behind her, leaving it for someone to find, and tapped her foot on her hoverboard to re-activate it. Probably smart to get away from the scene of the crime before she ends up in Stillwater or something. There was nothing left for her tonight. Her bombastic message was sent and received! Everyone would know.

Jinx was officially the number one, undisputed, unhinged, most wanted terrorist in Piltover…

…And that was exactly what she wanted them to believe.

Notes:

And that's the chapter!

I would say "The End" but there's still one more left (sorta hehehe). The next chapter, the epilogue, will hopefully be posted soon. I have a lot to write, but I don't want y'all waiting too long, cuz we have to see what happens to our favorite girl, Jinx and the rest of the cast! You'll get a chance to see the world of Piltover and Zaun six months after Jinx's explosive finale. If you were hoping for even more warm and fluffy scenes, I can assure you they're coming. And I said "sorta" because I'm think I've committed to a bonus 50th chapter from Ekko's POV. A chance to see his thoughts and memories as he reflects on the events of MBS. I think it'll be a very exciting bonus to those of you that've enjoyed this story so much and want just a little more!

I hope you found this chapter to be a thrilling, heartfelt surprise. In some ways, I feel that you might be off-put by Jinx leaving the Firelights (especially Ekko) and doing something as drastic as she did, as quickly as she did, but to me, this truly is something to celebrate! She doesn't need anyone to thrive in this world any longer and is putting her skills to use in changing the world for the better in her own way, no longer content with the way things have been and looking to protect the ones she holds dear. So many references to previous conversations in chapters were used here too. All setting up for this moment. If it seems too fast, I get that, but reflecting on previous chapters, you might see how Jinx's choice was always leading her to this point. The puzzle pieces fit! And if you are confused, maybe a little unsatisfied, I promise the epilogue will be my love letter to hopefully settle any disappointment. This was definitely a fast-paced shake up compared to what many of you might've been expecting.

Please let me know what you thought! From Silco's ashes being spread, to Brina and Jinx finding a strong and trusting friendship, and of course to the final scene. I can't wait to hear from you all! Tell me everything! Don't hold back! Even if you wanna express not so positive reactions. As long as it's constructive or explained, I'll listen to or discuss any criticism in the comments below 3

I'm eager to jump into the comments!

Chapter 49: Home

Notes:

Well, here we are. After nearly two years of continuous updates, we've reached the final chapter. It took a while, but I'm proud of how this chapter turned out. And it's a BIG one, coming in at 20k words. I saved all I have to say for the author notes at the end (and it probably still isn't enough to express all my feelings XD), but I don't wanna take up too much space here. Get reading!

I hope you love it!

(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)

Chapter Text

Six months…

Had it already been six months? It sure didn'tfeellike a lot of time had passed since the fateful night she'd sent destroyed the baron's tower. Her spine was laid upon a steel beam, balanced high into the rafters of a worn, rusted warehouse that she recently had the pleasure of infiltrating. Sheets of wavy metal were draped over the roof, riddled with corroded holes that let tiny pillars of sunlight seep into the giant room.

She extended the entire length of her lithe body into a delicious stretch and yawned tiredly. Guess her many days of running from the law had made her solo escapades pass in a blur. A rewarding night's sleep was too few and far between whenever she made the effort to venture out from her home and cause some trouble. At least she could confidently say that she never regretted the choices she made that night. The clever little yordle was right again. Each new day she spent in the spotlight, brought her more opportunities to watch the citizens of both cities. And everytime she got a good look in their eyes, she could see a lively brightness grow stronger and stronger in their normally sunken eyes. At least…until they spotted her and started running away in fear. But things were changing for the better around here. The people were happier.

She was certain she made the right call.

Of course, her adventures were not without their hiccups. Sometimes, when she was sore, bruised and bloodied from a frantic escape from the enforcers, or when she bit off a little more than she could chew by jumping into an reckless gang war mid-battle, she'd crash onto her bed at night and feel a hollowing loneliness eat at her insides. There were tears. Some silent, some contained. Other times she'd wail as trembling sobs wracked her body. Of all the things she missed since her departure from the Firelight's, not being able to wrap her arms around a warm, loving body and find a grounding peace was the hardest. But she treasured those dreadful moments too. Her hope that she'd one day find a chance to break away from this life of solitude that she'd chosen would always give her the strength to rise for a new day.

She never lost hope. Not once.

And she learned a lot on her own, not lingering on the uncertain future was a skill she'd definitely honed over time. Each and every sunrise was met with a confident smile, or at least a lazy grin, when she committed herself to facing what the day would bring. Little steps. That's what mattered. It was clear early on that if she thought about all the mountainous challenges that awaited her days, weeks, evenmonthsahead, it'd get too overwhelming. So she didn't dwell on all the ways she'd be doomed buried six feet under and instead concerned herself with the immediate obstacles in her way. Overcoming them one by one until…well, until she could hardly believe it'd been six months!

Her time with Ekko, Vi, and Caitlyn taught her that. No great feat was ever completed in a day, unless we're talking about a feat involving explosions. She was too good at those. Speaking of…she tilted her head to let her eyes drop to the concrete floor beneath her and stared at a small, gift-wrapped box decorated with a pretty purple bow.

They just loved to keep her waiting, didn't they?

She lifted a pale wrist above her head to stare at an imagined watch and slumped.

"What's the point ofintelif it's consistently crappy?" She asked aloud. Mylo groaned in shared sentiments as his arms hung from the rafters and he swung his twitching body back and forth.

Then again, gathering information was getting harder and harder these days. Not many places around here that she could visit without people fleeing in fear for their lives. She's made quite the name for herself within the two cities over the last few months. Don't call her a sloucher! It was common knowledge that Jinx was the most dangerous and wild woman to ever grace these streets and even more understood by the few remaining gangs that she didn't exactlyappreciatepeople trying to challenge her accolades.

These cities ain't big enough fortwomost wanted terrorists…or however the saying went. She wasn't happy unless her picture was the only one hanging from the bounty boards. Er-. On second thought she'd appreciate a better wanted poster herself. Whoever made those things sucked at capturing her devilish features. Never enough insanity in her eyes and wide smile.

She grabbed hold of one of her braids and twirled it like a swinging rope in boredom. Still waiting. Kinda a shame that she was losing all sorts of entertainment by being the best criminal ever. The other losers were starting to realize it and running away from the dark underbelly of the illegal life. The ones that were stupid enough to think they had a chance at fortune were likely rotting away in Stillwater or the Dredge. Had they fixed that ruined prison yet? With all the goons she'd put outta commission, those stuffy lawmakers must be trying to get that dirt hole up and running at least. No doubt Stillwater was overflowing with inmates if they hadn't. Maybe she should visit the ol' mining prison and see what's up. That'd be an interesting detour.

"Scope it out."

The sudden sound of a muffled voice forced her chin to lean backwards and stare towards a lowered metal gate upside down. The vast, cluttered warehouse filled with dusty boxes of product that'd been abandoned and rusted conveyor belts, ensured her gift below wouldn't be noticed right away. That was good! The surprise was half the fun after all!

A screech of the sealed metal door and rattle of chains invited more sunlight into the storage room and she watched as human shadows stretched along the chalky floor. From the sound of it, there were about five of them. Her shoulder rolled as she gripped the beam beneath her to get a better view.

"Hot damn, I'm good." She whispered quietly. Exactly five suspicious characters entered into the room, equipped with what she could only describe as typical trencher punk leathers. Rugged and protected by dirty steel plates. Judging by the placement of their shoddy armor, these hooligans cared more about style and looking menacing rather than practical defense too. Not that she'd blame them. Style was half the fun.

"Sweep the place." The most confident of the bunch commanded. He walked with purpose, a junker shotgun strapped to his back and all the spiky decorations he could fit onto his shoulder pads. Seriously though, what was up with that bright red mohawk that was larger than his head?! Last she checked, there wasn't a mirror shortage in these parts. Sad. Bet his minions were too afraid to tell him how ridiculous he looked too. Mohawks are out dude! Get with the times! He should get better friends or something. "We don't need any surprises today."

"You're talkin' bout those Firenight brats, ain'tcha?" Another wannabe tough guy said, planting a delightfully curious black briefcase on the ground before he started walking and scanning a section of the warehouse. She made note of the giant baseball bat the man was swinging loosely in his palm. Those nails embedded in the head of the weapon looked pretty dull. How were they supposed to puncture anything?

"It's Fire-lights,moron." The leader sighed, "And they're theleastof our concerns. "

The mohawk man paused. Piercing green eyes spun around their surroundings carefully, diligently, and she could tell he had a healthy awareness of potential dangers lurking behind every cardboard box. Pretty solid survival instincts with that one.

"He's talkin' about the scrawny little shit." A woman with shoulder length orange hair and bulging muscles beneath a stained and wrinkled shirt rolled her eyes, "Crazy bitch was spotted a few blocks away last week."

Damn right he was worried about her! Andscrawny!? Fuck you, pecs for tits!

"As if she'd care about small timers like us." Another argued. He was out of sight, probably sifting through the mountains of junk and checking behind every potential spot of cover.

Ouch. Like she mentioned before, it was slim pickings these days. She'll take whatever leads she can get, even if it was usually a disappointing group of small fries like these dorks.

"Thinkin' like that is what'll get you nabbed." The leader pinched the bridge of his nose, "Chenry said the same thing just a few months ago and I haven't seen him strolling through the Lanes lately. Have you?"

An audible gulp was all that was returned before the group continued their meticulous search. Poor idiots. Nobody ever learned to look up! It's like they were begging for a good kick in the balls. Or teeth, in the case of Ms. grouchy muscles. Hell, after thatincrediblyrude comment about her 'petite' body, she'd throw in a good ol' fashioned cunt punch, free of charge.

The sound of metal boots on stone drew her attention towards two more approaching figures and her eyes widened. Enforcers, huh? That was a surprise. Were they gonna be a problem? For some reason she thought they might be, but couldn't quite place her finger on why…Didn''t look like they were here to put an end to some shady business either.

"Beck," The leader of the gang nodded his head towards the newcomers, and the man carrying a bat snapped to attention. "The case."

Immediately, she watched the minion scramble towards the abandoned briefcase, pick it up, and find a decent enough table to clear of rubble and cobwebs. Fascinated eyes followed every action and a myriad of questions fluttered through her brain, but she didn't have time to craft any theories. The Mohawk man had let a slimy smile wash over his face as he turned towards the new guests.

"Right on time gentlemen." He smirked.

"Is the area secure?"Yeesh.Those enforcer masks really made them sound menacing. How come her voice never sounded like that when she wore her own voice modulator? Compared to them, she sounded like a robotic pipsqueak. So unfair!

"We're finishing up. Nothing out of the ordinary, just covering our asses. I'm sure you know as well as I do that things have been…difficult lately."

"Where's the vial?"

Despite resting so high up in the rafters, she could see the twitch of irritation that flashed across the leader's face at the straight to business attitude of the enforcers. Seemed like working together didn't soften the antagonistic relationship that was still ingrained between trenchers and top-siders. How exciting! This was waaaaaay juicier than the typical illegal trades she busted.

"This way." The redheaded leader gestured towards the briefcase resting on the table. The trio approached and once again, mohawk man nodded towards his partner in crime. The audible 'click' from metal clasps lifted the case and a vial was plucked from the cushions inside. It was held up, shining in the sunlight that beamed from the shoddy roof and she leaned forward to get a closer look.

Now how the hell did they manage to get their hands onthat?

"Shimmer." The leader grinned at the shining purple liquid sloshing inside the glass container. "Probably the last pure source in the Lanes. You Pilties have no idea how hard it was to find."

Pink eyes illuminated in the darkness of the rafters, locked on the glowing substance. Her tongue slipped past her chapped lips and licked them as if she were a predator that'd decided on a perfect prey. Looks like this whole thing wasn't a huge waste of time…

"Hand it over." The lead enforcer raised an outstretched glove.

"Coin first. Six hundred."

"Four."

"C'mon guys. We both know how valuable this shit is. A little extra isn't too much to ask, is it?"

"Four hundred." The offer was repeated.

"Look-"

"Yo Boss!" A sudden voice yelled and she mentally cursed for getting so distracted by the negotiation. "Found something."

Ah man! She missed the moment her gift was discovered! That was supposed to be part of the fun! Curious eyes and even more curious, grabby hands that'd reach for such a friendly looking package. Whatever. Her hands were already pulling herself up to her feet to balance on the narrow supports before the party began.

"Looks like a…present or somethin'?" The dumbass's fingers were already unraveling her neat and tidy bow, slipping beneath the indents and lifting the lid to take a peek at the treasure inside. The clash of monkey symbols was music to her ears as she tiptoed her way towards a good position to make a flashy entrance.

"Winner! Winner! Monkey dinner!" The tiny animatronic chimp cheered her pre-recorded message, "Bet you wanna prize, don'tcha?!"

"Huh?" Green eyes glanced towards his partner and widened to the size of dinner plates. "You fuckin' idiot! Toss it before-!"

Hehehe. Too late!

A giant plume of pink smoke erupted from the box and filled the warehouse instantly. Between the screams of panic, the incessant coughing, and chaos that'd been unleashed, it'd be a piece of cake to wrap this up!

"That'smy cue!" She giggled before placing a small gas mask over her mouth, then unstrapped her pistol from her hip, gave it a few twirls around her finger, and clasped it tight as she leapt into the air. Her entire face gleaming with psychotic delight. She landed on the leader's hunched shoulders while snaking her legs around his throat and crossed them to cement a viscous strange hold. "Hi!"

No amount of desperate flailing was enough to knock her from the seat on his shoulders and the gas still shrouded her from the other combatants. All she had to do was lean and dodge around the lanky arms struggling to reach for her. Good thing she was used to such improvised tactics from the time she rode the chem-demons like a bull! And when a clenched fist swiped in front of her nose, missing a direct blow to her face by an inch, she followed the limb's length with her eyes and smiled.

"Oh?" She cackled. The vial of shimmer was ripe for the taking. "For free? Well, if you insist!"

She raised her arm and slammed the butt of her pistol into his wrist, quick reflexes allowing her to snatch the tossed vial as it was forced into the air from the man's broken hold. He continued to struggle and fight, seeking to reclaim his stolen prize, but she paid him no mind. Balancing upon the bouncing shoulders where she sat, the vial was pulled right up to her face. Confirmed! This stuff was the real deal. Look at how bright and radiant the icky purple sludge was!

"Shiny." She eerily grinned, "Sorry Mr. Mohawk, I'm callin' dibs."

"F-fuckin' brat." The man stuttered through his smothered windpipe, "Give it bac-."

"No can do, Buckaroo." Why would she ever consider handing it back when he was so rude? At least learn some manners first! "Where'd you find this stuff any-?"

She froze. Pink eyes widened as a chill raced down her spine. Little hairs on the back of her neck went rigid as her instincts assaulted her senses. At the same time, Vander's ghostly form roared inside her skull and she yanked her weight to the side, sending the man beneath her stumbling.

'BLAM'

A deafening gunshot of a rifle sent a ringing noise through her ears and her head swiveled towards its origin. Through the wispy fog of smoke, she spotted the swirling air expanding from the barrel of an enforcer's gun. Fucker! At least she dodged, but that was a little too close! When her hearing snapped back into place, the distinctly spooky sound of a filtered gas mask placed her full attention on the two top-siders marching through the colored gas, two rifles raised and ready to fire.

Oh yeah…that'swhy she had a feeling the enforcers were gonna be a hiccup in her plans. Her special concoction of sleepy nerve gas was ineffective. Duh! Stupid Jinx!Stupid!At least she actually had her own gas mask this time. A learned lesson from the last time she used such a weapon. Holding her breath this whole time WHILE fighting enforcers would've been a total nightmare!

Glancing behind her, she targeted another one of the gang members and lined up a prepared trajectory. Her weight on the leader's shoulders rolled again, forcing the man to follow her movements uncontrollably until his back was facing his partner, then launched her body backwards. The momentum and sudden yank of her weight, coupled with his unstable balance, flung the redhead over her body and he crashed into the unsuspecting ally in a heap of tangled limbs. To her however, it was like doing a simple cartwheel and she was back on her feet in an instant.

"Hehehe, Yahtzee!"

Was that the right word? She laughed before realizing the flashy maneuver was hardly the solution to the bigger threats still approaching. At least Mylo got to have some fun with the groaning, coughing bodies on the floor, dancing around them while Claggor stared at them mutely. I feel ya, Goggles. These knuckleheads were disappointing to say the least.Amateurs.

She wouldn't get too down about it though. There were far more important things to focus on. Her feet were quickly dancing across the floor before the enforcers had a chance to line up another shot.

'BLAM'

'BLAM'

No sudden flash of pain or spurting blood yet, which was always a good sign. It'd be a really sucky day if she had to stitch herself up after this whole charade. The slowly dissipating gas was still present enough to blur her location.

"Watch it!" She yelled towards the armored duo, "Don'tcha know you could poke an eye out with those things?"

"Drop the shimmer. Hands over your head."

Sure. She rolled her eyes. Because that was the smart thing to do, wasn't it? A pale finger slipped into the trigger guard of her own gun, resting over the lightweight trigger and itching to squeeze. She wouldn't reciprocate the offer of surrender. Not her style.

"It's her." The other robotically deep voice added and the second the enforcers turned to look at each other for a brief confirmation, her arm whipped out to take aim.

A thrilling, deadly race to see who fired first splayed a chesire smile across her face. Usually her enemies knew of her many "crimes". In fact, the whole world was aware of her disturbingly lethal capabilities with just a few explosive materials and some zany inventions birthed from her rampant imagination. Yet, despite her many encounters with the law, nobody seemed to realize she was the best damn gunslinger in Piltover. What's up with that?! Her bestie better not be spreading lies top-side. She won fair and square.

The trigger of her pistol clicked under the pressure of her finger before her target could even lock his barrel on her smokey presence. Gunmetal tubing, lined with bronze accents and smudges of painted graffiti, rattled in her grip. A blue light began to seep from the seams as a charged shot was generated inside the barrel. Right before the rifle opposing her had found its mark, she blasted the enforcer with unrivaled speed and precision.

'BZZZZTTTT!'

A concentrated stream of lightning flashed through the air faster than she could blink. The energy slammed into her armored foe and he screamed from the assaulting pain. Violent blue sparks raced along the metal lining of the enforcer's uniform, his entire body seizing uncontrollably from the flood of electricity wrapped around him. The rifle he was holding was involuntarily dropped to the ground. Not soon after, her enemy collapsed onto the floor beside it, silent and sizzling.

Luckily, the awesome display of her modified pistol had shocked- heh, good choice of words- the remaining enforcer long enough to grant her an opening. Her legs blurred in a flurry of quick strides, racing towards the last man standing and she launched the tip of her boot into an arching kick. His reaction speed was utterly pathetic, allowing her foot to strike the tip of his rifle, disarming the man and sending the weapon high into the air. She crouched low, recovering her lost balance from the attack and angled a jutting elbow to plunge into an unprotected stomach.

A mechanical gasp ripped through the vents in the enforcer's mask as he doubled over, and she immediately capitalized on his weakened state. Her foot stomped hard onto the concrete ground, tactically placed between his parted legs while pale arms snaked around his collared neck. With as much strength as she could muster, she tugged the man forward and over her shoulder, breaking his balance and slamming his back onto the dusty floor. As the enforcer groaned and tried to find his bearings from the way she flipped his world upside down, she tackled him and straddled his chest with her knees solidly pinning his shoulders. No amount of resistance would break him free.

"Y'know, your mask really gives me the heebie-jeebies. So spooky and mysterious." She cackled as her free hand slipped the tips of her fingers under his helmet. "But I just gotta know…What kind of ugly mugs are you weirdos hiding under there?"

A screech of air slipping through the sealed gas mask spit sporadic puffs of steam between the cracks and she lazily tossed the helmet over her shoulder. The grand reveal was entirely disappointing. She lowered her bright pink eyes towards the newly revealed face. Dark scruffy hair of a beard untrimmed, matted oily hair spilled loosely over a sweaty forehead and navy blue eyes were staring at her in a mix of rage and panic.

"Aw man." She groaned as her shoulders sagged, "You're just adude. Dull and as ordinary as the rest of 'em."

"Hrng! Hrragh!" The enforcer squirmed beneath her hips, pinned yet struggling as if he could find a way to escape. She paid his attempts no mind and instead leaned backwards to sigh.

"Honestly…I don't know what I was expecting. You'd think after dealing with enough of you enforcers I'd recognize someone important." Her pistol ragdolled in her palm while she flicked her wrist along with her cadence of speech. She just couldn't help but speak with her body, it's not that weird. "Like, imagine how insane it'd be if you were that singin' hottie that's been all over the papers top-side? How cool would that be!? Hmmm, guess it'd be pretty awkward to ask for an autograph though."

She glanced towards the man in her clutches and watched his dark blue eyes distractingly break from glaring at her and look elsewhere. Following his eyes, she straightened and smiled wide with glee. His terrified pupils were frozen on the weapon in her hand as it bounced while she spoke. Lovely!

"Ah! Bet you're admiring this little pup, ain'tcha?" She shoved the side of her gun into his face, giving the man a closer look at her prized possession and he flinched, attempting to push further into the ground and away from the danger. "Pretty neat, right? Made the modifications myself. And check out what it did to your partner over there."

They both turned towards the unresponsive body splayed nearby.

"It sure does pack a punch." She chirped happily, "I call it my Zapper! Wanna know what it feels like?"

"P-please…I-I have a n-nephew…"

She returned her gaze to the enforcer beneath her and furrowed her brows. Begging already? This really was a bottom-of-the-barrel bunch she'd captured, huh? What happened to all the ruthless demons she'd dreamed about chasing her down since making her own way in this dangerous world? She figured more infamy would bring evenmorechallenges. Had she run out of monstrous adversaries already? Oof. That was a depressing thought.

"Relax buddy." She giggled with her sharpened canines gleaming within a devilish grin. "This bad boy is precisely tuned to deliver fifty thousand volts in the form of an electric current. Perfectly non-lethal!"

Usually.

But hey! At least Ekko and the rest wouldn't throw a hissy fit about using more deadly methods as she rampaged across the city. Even if there was an unfortunateincidentevery once in a while, she could proudly say she was getting better at…you know…not killing everything she sees.

"I-I tell you a-anything!"

Her eyebrow lifted.

"If you want, I guess." Pale shoulders shrugged nonchalantly, "I don't care. I'm not the kind of gossiping gal that wants to know all your dirty little secrets."

She didn't give a shit. They were usually boring anyway, and she had much better things to do than listen to all the times one of these officers shook down an innocent trencher or turned a knowing eye away from the criminal shenanigans of the more powerful individuals in society. As much as she loves a good ol' fashioned interrogation, it just wasn't on her agenda these days.

She left that duty up to the others.

"P-please!"

Okay. This was getting tiresome fast. She'd already wasted enough time playing with her food. Better wrap things up before the under-city's valiant do-gooders arrive and claim all the glory.

"Since you've been such a curious weasel, I gotta warn ya," She cackled evilly as the tip of the gun was pushed into the center of the enforcer's chest. Her finger wrapped around the trigger. "Try not to brace for it. I hear it hurts awholelot more when you clench your muscles and fight it."

"Wait! Stop-!"

"Nighty night!"

'BZZZZTTTT!'

The flats of her palms clapped together, brushing off all the dust and dirt that'd accumulated from her ambush and they settled on her hips as she proudly stared at the culmination of her hard work. Five gang members and two enforcers were lined up against the wall inside the warehouse, all of them bound with rope and duct tape slapped to their lips. In the restricted palms of the red-headed leader, a small purple flag was forcibly held in his grip.

'Ur Welcum! - Jinx ;)'

She added the finishing touches by drawing purple smiles across the silver surface of the tape on their mouths and nodded to herself. Perfect! The back of her hand swiped the sweat from her forehead.

"Whew. Thanks fellas,lady." She added to appease the muscled woman that was currently unconscious with her jaw hung open and her scalp leaning against the metal wall. "I sure had fun today."

While she didn't exactly fulfill her promise to punch the rude bitch in the hoo-ha, she might've been a little overzealous in dragging her to the others and lining them up nice and neat. A few hits to the head from repeated,accidental, drops was probably good enough. The woman was just lucky that she wasn't conscious. A few more snarky insults would've made her reconsider and she definitely wasn't a forgiving woman.

Of her few conscious victims, Mr. Mohawk was the only one glaring at her with furious green eyes. The others seemed lost, ashamed, and regretting their life choices. Good for those losers. A little life introspection might get them on a better track…well,afterthey get out of whatever hole the city throws them in. Good luck with that! She'd say she was rooting for their success, but that was a total lie.

"I can't be the only one disappointed in you lot." She merrily skipped down the line of defeated goons, her pistol in one hand and the vial of shimmer being tossed and caught in her other. "I mean, you hardly put up a decent fight! Pity. Guess they really don't make 'em like they used to these days."

Silco. Sevika. Singed. Urgot and his cyborg cult.Eventhe Chem-barons provided a more exciting challenge. Maybe she wasn't looking in the right places anymore. That was something to think about. Or maybe the fruits of her labor were just that successful.

"Anywho," Her heel pivoted to face the line of grimy criminals and began scolding them with her zapper. "I don't take kindly to you dorks steppin' on my turf.I'mthe only psycho allowed on these streets and don't you forget it!"

Pink eyes snapped towards the mechanical groan of the lone, masked enforcer slowly returning to the land of the living.

"And you!" She pointed at the armored man with the vial in her hands, "I wonder what your brand spankin' new sheriff will have to say about this little operation you tried to pull? Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. And people wonder why your icky police force is under investigation. Naughty piggies. Very naughty!"

She straightened at the sudden sound of distant humming. Averyfamiliar sound. She shoved the vial of shimmer into her pocket and immediately began walking towards a tower of cardboard boxes. With a little effort, she started climbing up to the rafters above.

"No need to get your panties in a twist." Her voice carried through the room, ensuring her captive audience was still able to listen. "I'm no tattletale."

Maybe that was a lie. A little white lie that didn't hurt anyone. Anyone thatshecared about at least.

Her hand reached for her hoverboard and a sticky explosive balancing upon the steel beams before hopping back to the ground. Can't forget Brina's wonderful gift! The Firelight was right, having one of these made her rambunctious lifestyle so much easier. Then she made her way to the wall opposite of her pathetic enemies and placed the charge on its surface. The timer attached to the improvised explosive began ticking. And yeah, sure, there was an open exit at the entrance of the warehouse, but any excuse to cause some mayhem was a good one and an opportunity she wouldn't waste!

Plus the bombastic theatrics empowered the myth of her notorious deeds. Ha!

"I'd say cover your ears but," She glanced towards the ropes around her victims with a cheeky smile. Pale fingers plunged into her own ears as she hopped away from the impact zone and braced for the violent blast. "A little hearing damage never killed anyone."

The massive explosion shattered the warehouse walls, shrapnel of metal and soot erupted into the streets of the industrial sector and the board in her hands was dropped to levitate just under her knees. With a quick leap and a string of maniacal laughter, she stomped on the accelerator and raced through the splintered opening.

"Thanks for the shimmer!"

Immediately after bursting from the cloud of smoke, her eyes darted to the left and spotted a trio of hooded, masked figures speeding towards her. Ah…Right on time! She leaned to the right, still laughing relentlessly from yet another successful mission completed and inviting a lively pursuit after her swift escape.

"You two!" She heard the altered voice of a woman fast approaching shout to her allies. "Grab the ones inside. She's mine."

Man! Evenhervoice sounded so cool and menacing with that voice modulator. C'mon! It seriously wasn't fair! All she was asking for was a deeper, more villainy sounding voice when she put her little mask on. Was that seriously too much to ask? And despite her mental frustrations, she looked backwards in time to see a pair of green cloaks separate from the pack and steer into the hole of the warehouse to greet her new 'friends'.

So…it was a one-on-one chase then. Bold choice. She loved it!

Her body lowered and leaned into the wind rushing past her ears. The manufacturing complex of the under-city was the perfect playground to have some fun. She swerved around a brick chimney that stretched high into the sky. The path ahead was littered with obstacles that she eagerly approached. Her heart was pounding in her ears as she dove beneath a sliding conveyor belt, nearly crashing into the dirt before finding her balance and racing onward. The gravel and dirt kicked up from the fans of her board, forming a trail of cloudy dust to follow her.

A few close calls with her braids catching on all the hanging metal tools provided an even greater pulse of exhilaration before confident eyes targeted a concrete pipe suspended high above the ground. The structure called to her, promising more adrenaline, so she tightened her lithe body to get even slimmer and raced through the concrete tunnel. Peering backwards, she saw the woman behind her suddenly divert from the chase, opting to take a safer, more practical method of pursuit.

"Is the wittle Firelight scared?" She shouted tauntingly and the cylinder walls carried her voice in all directions like a giant microphone. "Can't catch me if you don't take risks!"

She reached the end of the funnel and launched back into the open air, throwing her arms into the sky in victory. Who needs years of experience? She was getting better at this hoverboard thing every day. High risk, little reward, but it worked like magic! Despite trying over and over, the Firelights haven't caught her once.

Forget about the fact that it wasn't really a threat to begin with…She just liked to enjoy the moment and pretend.

Another brief moment was spent locating the Firelight on her tail and her brow wrinkled when she couldn't find her. Then a shadow crossed over her body and she gasped while looking towards the sky. A dark green cloak was fluttering around a porcelain mask she'd recognize anywhere as the woman dove on an intercepting trajectory. Her hand snapped towards the side edge of her board and yanked hard. The Firelight shot past her as she barrel-rolled. A reaching glove just barely swiped the underside of her hoverboard and she cheered.

"Told ya!" She laughed cockily, "Gotta try harder than that, Birdie!"

Brina was quick to recover from her descent and the chase quickly resumed. She smiled through the blurring speed as they both weaved through construction in progress. Nearing the edge of the industrial sector meant her racetrack was filled with activity. Workers raced to their factories for shelter and she had to be more nimble when dipping and diving through lively machinery. Impressively, the Firelight chasing her hadn't wavered either, matching her erratic movements with experienced flight.

In no time, she shot into the city streets and headed towards the Lanes, Brina in hot pursuit. Close enough for another round of teasing jabs.

"Are you sure it was a good idea to send ScarandAndrei to deal with the others?" She smirked towards the masked Firelight. "Seems like you need 'em."

"Do I?" Brina chuckled with equal delight. "We'll see about that?"

"Ooh! Is today the day?" Pink eyes were bright with curious joy, "The great Brina gets to put me in a cell? No limping back with your tail between your legs after another failure? You got a lot of confidence in yourself!"

"Heh. Never said I was alone."

Huh? What's that supposed to-!

Her boot stomped on the brake as her eyes flashed towards another set of rapidly approaching cloaks. Backup?! They rocketed from the side, bursting from an alley on her right and she rapidly leaned into another direction. The mysterious trio raced past her face, giggling and laughing as wide eyes processed what she was witnessing. Little bodies balancing on hoverboards swerved into a rapid U-turn and she cursed under her breath.

Kaya, Benji, and Jaz. The tiny, snot-nosed brats were flying on hoverboards now!?

"We almost had her!"

"Let's try again!"

"Miss Jinx won't know what hit her!"

She groaned and flashed Brina an irritated stare.

"Firelights so desperate they need kid soldiers?That'scute."

Brina chuckled.

"How old wereyouwhen you were racing through the Lanes?"

Okay. Fair point. She was scaling the top-side walls when she was a sniffling little tyke around the same age. Getting into all sorts of trouble with her big sister and their gang before she even had her first period…but she wasn't doing it on a freakin' HOVERBOARD!

Whatever. Small hiccup. She was still confident in her crafty escape methods. And if she let herself get caught with the help of some children amped up on a sugar rush, she didn't deserve all her nefarious accolades. Just don't think about getting caught by clumsy brats. Just don't think about it. Why am I still thinking about it!?

'Watch out!'Mylo screamed in her head.

Her heels pivoted on her board to dodge another attempted capture and let the reaching hand of her tiny pursuer to swipe through nothing but air followed by a childish whine of defeat. She took a breath to regain her focus and darted through the winding mazes of the under-city. Citizens beneath them raced to their homes and she cackled madly. A bit of a habit she picked up in her time away from the Firelights. It was just too easy to get the masses frenzied into a panic and so funny to watch.

"Don't get impatient!" Brina shouted to her companions, "Wait for an opening and take it! Let her make mistakes."

"No coaching!" She shouted back towards the Firelight. There had to be a rule about that or something right? What happened to sportsman-like behavior? Where's the honor?! Er…on second thought, she wasn'texactlyin a good position to complain about those things either.

A large street ahead had her brimming with joy as she rounded another corner and sped through the market streets of the Lanes. The populated bazaar was swiftly abandoned as they soared overhead and she forced herself to ignore the pretty neon lights and flashing advertisements as she flew by, even if they easily vied for her willing attention. Even further up the street, she caught sight of a massive building. The Last Drop. Repaired and thriving after the devastation of the battle that'd taken place months ago. There was a simple wooden stage set up outside and the crowd surrounding it suddenly snapped towards her. She paid the frightened trenchers no mind, instead opting to focus on the motherly looking woman standing behind a podium and her fluffy assistant.

"Oh. Hey Marenth! Heimy!" She waved wildly towards the older Firelight matriarch and the yorlde. "Good luck with the campaigning thing!"

All she received in return were terrified shouts and an exasperated sigh from the woman before she was gone with the breeze. Brina and the children right on her tail.

She continued speeding on her hoverboard, but not before catching a glimpse of one of the large posters draped over the guttered roofing of The Last Drop. It was a huge print, filled with firelights and raised fists, but also prominently displayed Marenth's kind face in the center. It wasn't often that she journeyed through the lanes, but it seemed like there was a decent enough political movement to heal the under-city.

'We stand as one. A city of iron and glass. We are Zaunites.'

Yeah…Cool stuff…The message could use a little work if you asked her, but she wasn't keen on entering politics anytime soon. Evensheknew that all the people pleasing and optimistic promises like 'teamwork prevails', crap required a more delicate approach than she was capable of. Not to mention all the boring meetings! Woah nelly! She'd go even more insane. Yikes!

Gliding through the city, she raised her eyes towards the vast sky and the city of Piltover that loomed above. In her journey alone, she often let her attention span guide her erratic whims and the itch to venture top-side was her most recent one. Without delay, leather boots danced across the surface of her hoverboard as she turned towards the Firelights still chasing her.

"Well it's been fun kiddos!" She giggled before swooning with the back of her palm splayed across her forehead in mock mourning. "But alas, the grass is lookin' greener on the other side."

Which was a bit unfair since Zaun was utterly incapable of growing such gentle, peaceful plant-life, but it's true either way.

"You're not getting away!" Brina shouted in return. For a second, the vigor of the Firelight's growl impressed her. Who knew the girl was so good at acting? Very convincing. Almost hadherfooled!

"Aww, you know how much it hurts me when you get all passionate with that headstrong attitude ya got. I promise I'll come back and visit soon!" She knelt low to the board and fiddled with the rocket booster strapped to the back of the machine. The first thing she modified after receiving a fresh new board for her adventures. "I'll be counting the seconds till we meet again, Toots!"

"Cheater!" Brina tried to reach her, helpless to merely watch as her rocket spurred to life, roaring and spewing a powerful flame that sent her soaring into the air.

Through the sheer force of the wind resistance, she held onto the tip of her board with all her strength as it carried her higher and higher. Laughing and cheering until she was surrounded by a sea of fluffy clouds.

And the prosperous city that'd been calling her name was waiting more than a thousand feet below.

Her momentum carried her forward as she landed on the paved, orderly streets of Piltover. She somersaulted as her boots kicked the hoverboard out from under her. Practiced movements had her bouncing to her feet and plucking the board out of the air before snapping it to her back. An embedded magnet sewn into her top locked the device in place. Ekko would say she was copying him, but great minds think alike, don't they? Copying his ideas, plagiarizing them, whatever you wanted to call it, was just plain smart.

As she strolled through the buzzing streets of the market district, she breathed in the fresh air and added a little pep in her step. The people that swam through the city were like schools of fish, blindly following the flow of traffic and too busy to notice her infamous presence just yet. Blue hair, pale skin, and pink eyes were hardly unique enough to spare a second glance with the glamorously unique fashion sense found among the prestigious, pampered, and blissfully unaware citizens. That usually changed when they saw the blue clouds that inked her skin.

A wooden stall filled with bright and bubbly balloons of all shapes and sizes caught her attention right away. The floaty balloons were designed after various adorable creatures. A bushy eyed poro. An adorable set of Yordles. Wasn't that a tad insulting? Not that she cared. And a salmon colored squid with a simple curved smile and googly dots for eyes. Ooh! She wanted the squid! So weird, but look at how cute it is!

She merrily skipped towards the stand, whistling and carefree as she swiped the tied string of the balloon into her hand and continued along.

"Hey! You gotta pay for-. Oh no! O-oh my god! Help! Someone come quick!"

What was the owner blabbing on about? Who knows. It sounded like mumbled, panicked nonsense. She was just content to stride along the bustling streets and stare gleefully at the bouncing little toy she'd just found. It wasn'tstealing. How many times has she heard about stories of heroes gifted all sorts of extravagant things for their good deeds? She was just taking a lil something to make up for what she was owed, even if the people didn't see it the same way. They'd come around eventually.

Now…what else could she find to entertain her encroaching boredom?

Ah ha! The sunlight above reflected a sparkling set of lights from another vendor. Lustrous gems glittered within pure and oh so pretty sets of jewelry splayed across a cloth table and she eagerly shoved through the crowds to get a closer look.

"Shiny!" She grinned, pinching a pair of diamond earrings between her finger and thumb. She lifted them into the air and inspected the luxurious items, mesmerized by the kaleidoscope of colors filtering through the sun's light. These things looked expensive. Designed to enhance the beauty of some silver-spooned damsel attending a super fancy party or something. "Eh…not really my style."

Her eyes drifted back to the display and paused once she caught the mysteriously enchanting glow from an emerald the size of her hand. Holy cow that thing was big! It was attached to a slim black leather band and all she could think about was how awesome it'd look around her neck. Though…the sheer weight of such a gem would probably ruin her posture, forcing her slim neck to bend and ache. Or…

Since it was presumably an emerald…she could carve it up a bit, shape it into something lighter while keeping its charming luster. Yes, brilliant idea! What should she make? A chomper? Maybe a mushroom cloud? No, that would just look odd. WAIT. A bullet! Oh hohoho.Nowshe was getting somewhere. A shiny, verdant green bullet hanging from her neck would be so awesome!

Pale hands patted her pockets and she frowned. Not much money to be made living the life she did. And no way she was trading a vial of shimmer for a necklace. Dammit.

"Oh?" The store vendor finished an exchange with another customer and turned a curious eye to herself. The woman was dressed extravagantly, matching her offered possessions and held an air of arrogance without even trying. "Has that necklace caught your eye?"

"You bet!" She held it up and smiled into the green-tinted reflection of her eyes. "How much does one of these things go for anyway?"

"That particular gemstone is valued over ten thousand gold pieces." Say what now!? Who the hell would pay so much for a freakin' rock!? Apparently the saleswoman missed her jaw dropping to the floor and continued to speak proudly. "It's a classic, elegant piece. The black leather ensures the spotlight remains on the massive 12mm emerald, yet the rich viridian brilliance offers a beautiful balance of glamor without overpowering your own. Perfect for every occasion."

"Whatever you say, fancy lady." She wasn't convinced by the pretentious marketing talk. Instead, she was thinking about how quickly one of these valuable gems would go missing in the under-city. Things really were different up here if jewelry like this was simply on display without any level of decent security.

"A fine young woman such as yourself would-." She drifted her eyes from the emerald in her grasp to stare at the owner that looked like she'd seen a ghost. Wide eyes grew wider by the second and traveled up her body from her boots to her braids. Uh oh. That look of shock usually happened when someone recognized her.

As if to confirm her suspicions, the woman swiveled her head to look towards a nearby news board, spotted the unmistakable features of her wide grin on a wanted poster, then snapped back.

"Well!" She chirped, "Guess I better get going."

"J-just take it."

"Huh? For realsies!?" She gasped with excitement, "You mean it?"

"W-whatever you want. T-take it. Please d-don't hurt me."

"...Okay?" Wasn't planning on it, but hell, she was getting this massive emerald for free!? Talk about an offer she can't refuse! Was business supposed to be this easy? Maybe she was a prodigy business tycoon and she didn't even know it. She should start looking into setting up her own shop of knick knacks.

The woman back stepped carefully, hands raised as if to prove she wasn't a threat, before swiftly turning and running away screaming. "Guards! Guards! Thief!" She winced at the sight of the older saleswoman stumbling over her heels but shrugged the reaction away. Hey, wait a minute…thief?! Nuh uh! It was clearly stated that she could just take it. Practically forced into her hands!

When a pack of enforcers began marching their way towards her, pushing through the crowds like parting the sea, she groaned. One of the unfortunate perks of being the greatest terrorist ever. Shoulda known that window shopping would end up with yet another chase. Two in one day? That was impressive.

It was probably time to skedaddle. Usually she wouldn't think twice about engaging in a lengthy pursuit across Piltover, but shimmer in one pocket and a giant gemstone in the other was a little too valuable to play around with. She'dreallyhate to accidentally lose 'em.

"It's Jinx! Call for backup!"

Aww. Backup? That's so sweet. Knowing that the enforcers weren't underestimating her talents filled her with a bubbly warmth. It felt good to finally be respected…or feared, in this case. She had to be doing something right if they weren't even hesitating to call for reinforcements. So she ran in the opposite direction, her squid balloon fluttering behind her as she held tightly onto its string.

She quickly sprinted through an opening between two shops, darting into the shadows and making random, unpredictable turns in the back streets. Having a decent enough headstart allowed her to easily get out of sight and the enforcers were left in the dust, forced to spread through the neighborhood and slowly search for her presence. Which they'd never find. She was pretty damn sneaky when she wanted to be, simply hiding within the dark shade cast down from elaborately designed homes and their jutting balconies above.

Her back pressed into the crevice within a backdoor exit as rushing boots neared her location. Tolerating a stinky garbage bin, the tips of her fingers plugged her nose and glared at the offending odor. There was something degrading about hiding from the pack of knuckleheads and the grotesque scent didn't make it any easier. The trigger of her Zapper was firmly in her grasp, ready to abandon her intentions to escape without a fight as her enemies closed in.

"Eyes peeled." A monotone, mechanical voice commanded, "She could be anywhere."

"She's quick. Might've already crossed into the academic district or ventured down below." Another added.

A subtle tilt of her head allowed curious pink eyes to peer around her hiding spot and watched a formation of enforcers, rifles raised, sweep through the desolate alleyway. And as a breeze filtered through the street, she nervously eyed the balloon that wanted to slip out into the open.

"Squibbles!" She whispered harshly while tugging it back under the shadows, "Not.Cool. You're gonna get us caught!"

Luckily, her newly named balloon, Squibbles, reigned himself back in as four enforcers marched past her. Bated breath was held tightly in her chest, her pulse pounding in her veins, and surprisingly not one mask turned towards her. Relief was so close to blooming in her insides…until the enforcers stopped in their tracks. Gloved hands reached for the radios strapped to their chests, listening to a static-filled voice communicate with the squad.

"Understood." One of the enforcers acknowledged before turning to the others, "We've got a reported sighting near the bridge. Let's move!"

What? She waited, brimming with confusion as the lawmen began rushing further down the alley and leaving her in empty silence. That's weird. Shenevervisits the Bridge of Progress, too much security and way too many eyes to guarantee safe passage between the cities. Going there would be like a fast pass straight to Stillwater. Either someone with pale skin and bright blue hair was unfortunately being targeted or…she broke into a wide, entertained smile…maybe some false information was being fed to the dummies by the beautifully crafty sheriff she had in her corner.

She jumped back into the street with renewed joy and certain her location hadn't been compromised. Her boots spun on the concrete, twirling herself as if she were dancing and laughing as Squibbles was spiraling around her body. The quick victory celebration ended when she rested against a flat stone wall on the other side of the alley, leaning her weary shoulders on the surface and kicking her feet outwards to hold the position. Free hand on her hip and the other raising her balloon higher in the sky, she chuckled.

"Talk about an easy getaway, ey Squibbles?" That was hardly the glorious pursuit she'd been expecting, but she wasn't gonna complain. It'd already been a day with enough surprises to satisfy her boredom.

The squid-like balloon merely bobbed and floated with the breeze, silent as can be. But that was okay, she was good at giving her toys voices.

"Why yes, Jinx." Her voice deepened to give the balloon a bit more personality, "And now I get to go home with you! Thank you for rescuin' me. You're the best!"

"Aw, Iknewyou realized how awesome I am, Squibb-!"

'POP'

Before she could even realize a rifle had been fired, her prized toy exploded into oblivion. The thin thread tied to the balloon went slack and drooped over her knuckles as if it were just as heartbroken as she was.

"Squibbles! No!" She gasped. A second passed. Then the surprised features of her expression melted immediately into a knowing smirk, replacing her embellished mourning. What? It was just a stupid balloon. Not like sheactuallycared about its embellished humanity. She's notthatcrazy! Besides, she was much more interested in the two figures slowly walking out from the corner of the street. "Was that really necessary? He had so much to live for, y'know?"

Dressed in a stylish, lavender uniform adorned with leather padding and even thicker leather boots and belts, familiarly striking blue eyes targeted her with arrogant delight. Long navy blue hair framed the angular features of her bestie, no longer tied in the ponytail she'd grown accustomed to seeing and a clearly well-maintained rifle was still smoking from the muzzle.

"That's cold." She pushed herself off her leaning position and faced her new pursuers confidently, "Nobody told me Sheriff Cupcake could be so cruel!...Congrats on the new gig by the way."

Her focus snapped to the other person she'd yet to acknowledge and jeez did her big sister pack on a few more muscles! What was Cait feeding her!? Actually…that might be the new suit. Where Caitlyn's uniform donned clean, white cloth and leather accents, Vi's was much more intimidating. Thick metal plating bulged from her sister's broad shoulders and her bosom was wrapped in amorethan generously shaped breastplate. Couple those battle-ready modifications with the enormous hextech gauntlets strapped to her hands and you had a real badass ready for combat.

"Nice suit Vi." She lifted a brow as her arms crossed over her slim frame. "Did the bigger boobs come with it? Or are you planning to use those puppies for a knockout chest-bump? Bet it makesallthe criminals surrender."

"Ha. Ha." Vi replied as her eyes rolled, clearly not impressed by her teasing, before smirking. "Maybe you're just jealous?"

"Pfft. Nuh uh!" Totally not true! Armor wasn't particularly fun to wear and definitely spoiled the exhilaration of danger. Plus, she was one hundred percent NOT jealous of her sister's tits! Nope! Didn't even cross her mind. Not in a million years! And yes, she was ignoring Mylo's incessant taunting that suggested otherwise.

"Stealing, Jinx? Really?" Caitlyn sighed.

"Woah, woah, woah," She fished the emerald necklace from her pocket and held the jewelry outwards towards the two women. "The lady said I could have it! Simple as that. You know I wouldn't steal."

She wouldn't mention the balloon because it was just a shredded pile of latex at her feet. Didn't count. They both raised their eyebrows in knowing distrust, so she continued to justify her case.

"I have enough crimes under my belt to deal with, like-."

"Like arson?" Caitlyn questioned dryly. "You're wanted on seven different charges for that."

"Yep! Like that!" She chirped. Fire was pretty.

"Bribery of a public officer?" Wait, was the sheriff pulling out a notebook? Oh man, she had a list? "Three counts."

"Does it actually count if they didn't take the offer?" She asked.

"Vandalism of public property?"

"That statue looks better with a mustache and you know it. Gives it some character."

"Stalking?"

"When did I-? Oh…right." That nervous-nelly of an assistant must've been pretty freaked out when he saw her watching him from the window at night. But she had to gather information on his slimy boss somehow!

"Twelve charges for involuntary manslaughter?"

"Accidents." Or at least most of themlookedlike accidents. Heh.

"Twenty nine for first degree murder?"

"Ofpeople that had it coming." She added with her pointer finger raised high. That was important to clarify. Lot's of bad apples between the two cities, they all knew that. All in a good day's work, right? Was it too much to ask for some sparkly medals and a parade or two?

"...Extortion?" Caitlyn glanced up from her notepad, almost in disbelief over what had been written.

"Gotta keep the lights on somehow." And she only targeted greedy sleazeballs when 'politely' insisting they offer some coin to avoid any…unfortunate…incidents to their slimy businesses. Nothing wrong with that. And boy did she find out how fast she could spend money.

"Jinx." Caitlyn sighed as she pocketed her enforcer's notebook and pinched the bridge of her nose between two fingers. "You gotta be more careful. What happens if you get sent to Stillwater, or worse…"

"Pfft. Stillwater? I'd be running that bitch in a few days if I ended up in that stink pit. Guaranteed!"
Vi began walking closer, a gentle concern painted across her expression. She realized at that moment that maybe she shouldn't be joking so casually about being arrested. It would seriously put a wrench in their plans of fixing up both cities. And, these two really did care and worry about her.

Her sister's arm reached for her, wrapped around her shoulders and brought her into a close hug. Pink eyes widened at the warming sensation sweeping over her chest and she felt the bright, chaotic energy inside her slowly fade into a silent apology. Her own pale arms were quick to latch around Violet's sides and hold her too.

"You know we worry." Vi whispered softly.

"I know…" Was her mumbled response.

"You're okay?" Her sister asked, "It's not too hard being on your own? You can tell me. You don't have to live this way. We could figure something else out."
Yeah. They could. But it'd be hard. There's so many terrible things she's done, even before leaving the Firelights. There was no ignoring that. She'd be asking Vi, Cait, and the others to leave their own lives behind and settle for something much more difficult. It wasn't worth the sacrifice. Not in her opinion. But the fact that Vi was offering a way out, so sincerely, was enough to make her gulp down the bubble that'd lodged itself in her throat.

"M' fine." She replied, taking a moment to lower her head and press her cheek into Vi's collarbone. It's been a while since she got to feel such a comforting embrace and the feeling of safety that came with it. This was nice. "Been going well so far."

"You've been raising some serious hell. It's been awesome." Vi chuckled, her voice was still quiet and a tad raspy, which made her think the new enforcer role her sister had taken was certainly taking its toll on her sister as well. "But you know I got your back, Pow. Always. Just say the word and I'll be there. As much as I care about this place, you've always been what matters most."

"..." She paused to genuinely contemplate the words that were offered. Stubborn could be her middle name, but the allure of such an option was more enticing than ever before. If she nodded her head, maybe they'd find a new home far away. Always together, just like she once dreamed. Cait would come. Ekko too. And maybe she'd even send an occasional invitation to the Firelights. It sounded surreal. But there was still more to do here before she could ask them to walk away from it all. If they left now, it felt almost like they'd given up. "Just…give me a few more months…maybe? I- I don't know."

"Okay." The Hextech gauntlet resting upon her shoulders squeezed a little more tightly, reinforcing the acceptance of her choices. "A few more months. Besides, we're not saying youhaveto stop what you're doing."

"Of course not." Caitlyn chimed in as she approached, her rifle was swung backwards to rest it on her back and the woman smirked, "You've certainly been helpful in cleaning up Piltover's messes. Changing the system from our end isn't easy, but with all you've done, we've been able to gather more than enough evidence to shake things up."

"Ooh!" She jumped out of Vi's embrace as new thoughts suddenly assaulted her brain. "Speaking of, busted a drug deal this morning and captured a few naughty enforcers tryin' to buy some shimmer."

"What?"

"Uh huh. Firelight's nabbed 'em so you can ask them to send you back your boys." She nodded confidently with her hands on her hips, proud to relay such damning evidence against Caitlyn's underlings. Now the top-sider could rest a bit easier knowing there's a few less losers in her ranks. The shimmer vial was fished from her pocket and displayed for the two officers to see. "Probably the last bit of shimmer to exist. Crazy, right?"

"That's…what are you gonna do with it?" Caitlyn asked, blue eyes were shadowed by a simultaneous level of concern and speculation.

"Dunno." She replied easily before stuffing the vial back into her pocket. "Probably throw it off a cliff or something. Why? You wanna do it?"

"No." The officer shook her head, "No, that's alright. I trust your judgment. As long as it's destroyed."

Oh? Caitlyn trusts her? Hehehe. Well that just made her day, didn't it? Unfortunately, she couldn't help but take advantage of such oddly placed confidence and her mouth opened to reveal her erratic thoughts.

"Or I could try putting it in a cocktail." She giggled, "What do you think that'd taste like? Good?"

She received a stern glare and raised her hands in surrender.

"Kidding! Kidding! Yeesh. It'd taste terrible, obviously. Yuck."

"How do you know what shimmer tastes like?" Vi curled an eyebrow upward in curiosity and she just winked and slid her pointer finger over her lips, locking her secrets behind her silence. Vi could probably figure it out. Heh. She didn't exactly make a name for herself as the most sane and controlled woman out there, especially back when she was living under Silco's roof and seeing shimmer everywhere. Her sister merely sighed, "Forget I asked."

It was just one tiny lick! No big deal.

"Well, I'm glad you were there to-." Caitlyn started, only to be interrupted by a static buzz coming from the radio on her hip. The three of them all snapped their attention to the device in interest.

"Unable to locate Jinx at the bridge. Redoubling our search efforts and backtracking across all previous locations. Requesting approval for teams three and four to be dispatched, Ma'am."

"Dammit." Vi cursed while clicking her teeth with her tongue in annoyance. "Already circling back?"

"Seems so." The sheriff grumbled before lifting her eyes from her radio and landing on her sister's in silent conversation.

The two were getting impressively good at reading each other from what she could gather. Almost seemed like a cool, telepathic superpower they'd developed. Huh…Guess living with each other long enough strengthened their bond or something. Immediately she was flooded by a wave of jealousy and yearning. She tried her best to not let her emotions consume her and kept the feelings away from bleeding into her expression, but suddenly she really, really missedhim.

Since she left, not a single day had passed without the image of Ekko's handsome face entering her mind. When she was flying through the streets on her hoverboard she thought of the night he'd taught her how to fly and the races they shared. If she spotted a loving couple laughing and giggling together, the two were often replaced by herself and her boy savior, imagining it was their little moment of fun and joy, all the moments they shared jokes and comfort in each other's company. On nights where she found herself worked up and needy, she'd remember the many nights of passion they'd shared together and touch herself to the thought of his warm body pressed over her. His heated tongue wrapped around hers. The pads of his fingers gliding over her shivering, sensitive skin. And the delicious jolt of pleasure that came with him pounding into her, wanting her, loving her with everything he had. Then when it was all over and her body was a puddle of satisfied jelly, she'd imagine a faint "I love you" in his voice and know that their temporary separation had only made her writhe and yearn to say it back. The day she saw him again would be the day her heart bursts into flames, utterly consumed by a fiery love that she'd offer as part of her promised apologies.

Last she heard, Ekko was somewhere in the under-city. On his own. Finally free from his responsibilities as the leader of the Firelights and that was as wonderful of a thought as it was scary. How much longer would she have to wait. She could…but each passing day was breaking her resolve. It wouldn't be too much longer before she had no choice but to hunt him down and plant her lips on his just for the sheer need of it.

Vi nodded her head towards Caitlyn and her distracted thoughts were broken as the top-sider glanced towards her, apologetic, and raised her walkie talkie to her lips.

"Approved. Dispatch teams three and four." The older woman answered the previous request. "Search all previous locations. Be sure to get witness accounts for the books as well."

"Guess that means you better get going." Vi mumbled, "Don't wanna risk you getting caught."

"Yep." She shrugged, only mildly disappointed that they couldn't spend more time together. This was better than nothing and she knew Cait and her sister had their own parts to play pretend in this game of theirs. "I'll see ya around. Someday…"

Her older sister smirked and it looked strange. Her head tilted to the side, trying to identify the reason Vi had made such a face, but unable to deduce anything behind that cheeky smugness.

"Maybe sooner than you think."

"Huh?"

A returning sound of marching boots perked her ears and she grabbed hold of the hoverboard attached to her back, ready to make a quick escape.

"Take the alley south bound and ride the outskirts of the residential district. You should be able to cross over the river surface and under the bridge. The other teams won't be fast enough to track you." Caitlyn added.

"Yeah, cuz I don't know this city like the back of my hand." She rolled her eyes. It was sarcastic, but sorta true. This place was a damn maze of identical buildings. So confusing. Appreciate the tip Cupcake!

"Love you." Vi's gentle words paused her readiness to leave as she took one last look at her sister. The sister that'd fought for her since she was young, protected her, and when Vi wasn't able to do that, she spent every ounce of her strength trying to return to her side. "Be safe."

"Y-yeah." She nodded hesitantly before shaking her head clear of the desire to stay longer, smiling brightly, and waving goodbye. "Love ya sis! You too bestie! Try not to bust too many baddies without my help. I got a reputation to keep!"

Caitlyn's lips were pulled into a small but earnest smile.

"Wouldn't dream of it."

She turned away from both the women, threw her hoverboard out in front of her, and leaped into the sky. A green trail of hextech rocketed her forward and she was speeding through the alleyway and keen to escape Piltover's grasp yet again. A quick turn around a corner had her racing along the river's edge. She flew over the railing on her left, descended down a perilous fall before curving her board's trajectory to race over the waterline of the Pilt river.

Her reflection danced across the glassy surface of the gentle waves, a small wake trailing behind her as she kept low. Pink eyes briefly watched her warped and wavy image beneath her board. She crouched low and extended her arm, maintaining her speed but also allowing her fingers to dip into the cool water. It was serene, refreshing, and touching the water like this…she couldn't help but imagine Silco was somewhere in the depths, watching her with pride in his mismatched eyes. Yet the magical experience and wonderful thoughts couldn't keep her from venturing onward. A smile stretched across her lips.

She was ready to go home.

The gears of an enormous vaulted door churned beneath steel plating. She shifted her weight onto her back leg, waiting patiently while juggling the vial of shimmer in her hands. The vial's purple glow cast a dim light within the darkness of the tunnels and despite the fact that it wasn't enough to fully banish the shadows, she found herself uncaring about standing alone in the dark. Her demons and their motives were no longer speculations of a grand assassination. She was safe here, even if she rewired the door to open from the outside.

The entrance to her base of operations groaned as it shifted and she was quick to hop inside, whistling a random tune through her lips as she merrily entered. She was quickly met with a vast open field, deserted and abandoned for months.

"Home sweet home." She sighed aloud, tossing her hoverboard on her back to rest near the metal door and slapping the controls nearby to close herself off from the rest of the world. Her prized emerald necklace and vial of shimmer were thrown into a heaping pile of all the valuables she'd "found" over last few months. She'd get around to sorting it eventually...probably. It was sorta looking like a heap of trash at this point. But at least nobody was around to scold her for creating such a mess.

As luck would have it, the Firelights didn't really need a secret base on the outskirts of the under-city when they were welcomed back into the Lanes as the pseudo keepers of the peace. And while she occasionally used her personal hideout from time to time, nothing could quite match the tranquil peace that she'd grown accustomed to in this place.

Plus all this extra empty space was like a playground for one massive theme park!

It was a little unsettling at first. The dead silence of the once vibrant Firelight base, void of all its members, felt eerie, almost like a graveyard. However after a few months, she grew an appreciation for the whispered buzz of life that echoed from the shifting leaves in the breeze. This place was alive, always has been, and if she ever found herself noticing the difference, it was a welcomed aspect of her newly claimed hideout.

As she started walking towards the grand stairs of the great tree, pink eyes drifted towards her favorite spots. A lot of the base she kept the same, save for a few modifications in Heimerdinger's workshop and a myriad of graffiti prints spray painted across wooden boards to add her own personality into the space. She liked to think that the Firelight's could return here one day and be warmed by the fact that their home hadn't beencompletelytwisted by her imagination.

Maybe in the past, had she been given an opportunity to seize this place for herself and kick everyone out, she would've morphed it to resemble herself in every way, only content when the insanity in her head was mirrored by the real world. Things were different now.Shewas different. From the scratches in the training dummies to the grease-stained kitchen, every memory of the people that lived here, carried on…likeherghosts. Dead, but not gone. Empty, yet still filled with remnants of the past.

"Been a busy day, huh?" She asked aloud as she climbed the wooden steps, "Thwartin' some sneaky drug bust, escaping Brina and the brats, not to mention the close calls topside. I even got some sweet souvenirs!"

Her ghostly demons shimmered into existence behind her and she knew they were listening.

"Kinda cool we got to see everyone though…" That wasn't too common these days.

Mylo bounced in front of her, zig-zagging in front of her path in an effort to be acknowledged and she rolled her eyes at his antics. It never failed that the boy was always so eagerly energetic compared to the rest of the creatures in her head.

"Yeah, yeah." She sighed, "I know you wanted a little more fun with the enforcers, but seeing Vi and Cait was fun, wasn't it? Can you believe that fancy new armor Vi's got now? Where do I get one of those?"

Even though Claggor was silent, her mind filled with his judging thoughts and she glanced backwards towards the chubby boy in mock betrayal. Singling out his ghostly form between Vander and her other self following closely behind.

"I amnotthinking about stealing it! Do you think so little of me? C'mon dude!"

"..."

Besides, it probably wouldn't fit her. She already sorta thought about the idea of snatching the armor from Vi's closet in the middle of the night, but meh. It'd be a lot of work for something that'd just weigh her down. Sneaking top-side at night, figuring out if Vi was in her own apartment or at Cait's house, shielding her eyes from whatever the two might be doing in bed together until she could guarantee they were both out cold, grabbing the armor that was bigger than her without making any noise. Yeah, way too much risk.

Vander growled behind her and she nodded her head to agree.

"Exactly. Big guy's growin' a head, see? I could just make something much cooler and then big, dumb, Fat-hands would get totally jealous!"

She passed the open door on her right, her old bedroom and prison cell that'd been collecting dust for months. Not a single glance was spared to peer into the empty room. She had no interest in laying upon her rickety old cot and forced to listen to the hum of the piping that sprouted from the floor and ceiling. Nope. Her stay in the Firelight base had been considerably upgraded once she had the place to herself and her room was much higher up.

"So what do you think we'll get up to tomorrow?" She asked her companions as she traveled up another flight of stairs. "I hear the fishing districts got some pretty shady dealings. Might even collect a few fresh fishies to snack on. Stuff's yummy!"

"I miss Ekko."

Her boots paused and she stilled at the sound of her own voice, distant and mourning yet also spoken as if it were whispered into her ear. She closed her eyes, pursed her lips, and the fists at her sides clenched in a yearning she was trying her best to force back inside.

"I know…" A soft mumble was all she could offer to her ghostly self. Of all her illusions, the one that pierced through her brave and courageous front was the one that'd been so remarkably tied to her heart. TheotherJinx. The one that feared abandonment and loneliness above all else. Her most rupturing fears flowed through those ghostly veins and even though she knew of its source, it didn't make it any easier.

"When will we see him again? When will he love us again?"

She bit her lower lip, hard enough to feel a sting of pain and taste a faint droplet of liquid iron on her tongue. It was hard to ignore such questions. Hard to ignore the hollowness splintering open in her heart like a wound that had yet to fully heal. A wound that wouldneverheal until he came back to her. She just had to do what she's always done in these moments. Whenever Ekko's name was whispered in her mind.

Her shoulders straightened as she steeled her desperate wants into an optimistic resolve and she turned to face her questioning apparition. Sad blue eyes met confident pink and a toothy smile gleamed under the sunlight filtered from the leaves above.

"He'll be back. We'll find him one day and drag him back here. It'll be perfect, like we always planned!" She was trying her best to believe in herself. All she had was her trust in him. "And he still loves us. You know that."

"I just…miss him. Wanna hear him say it."

Yeah…Love was a strange thing. She never expected herself to fall in love. Never expected that her entire heart would belong to someone else in such a powerful way. Months ago, she was sure of her decisions. There wasn't a world where she'd regret her choices because their love, their friendship, felt so unbreakable. But time had a funny way of turning absolutes into possibilities, possibilities into dreams, and dreams into hopeless desires left to the imagination. Now, just the mere chance of seeing Ekko again, hearing him tell her he loves her with the same passion she once saw in his beautiful eyes was fading into a memory. She didn't want memories. She wanted him, in this very moment, reaffirming his undying love as if they'd never been apart.

"He'll be back." She repeated quietly before continuing her trek up the stairs of the giant tree. "Nothing's changed."

And she had to believe that. Nothing about her feelings for the man had changed over the months. She had to believe Ekko was the same, thought about her just as much, and she trusted that he still wanted her mind, body and soul. They were meant to take on the world together. And whenever that moment came, when he was standing before her again, she'd make sure they'd never spend another moment apart.

She paused, finally arriving at her bedroom and pressed her open palm to the wooden bark next to the door. The rough surface of the tree prickled against her skin, but she welcomed the rough texture, gliding her hand across the bark as if she were mesmerized by the sensation. In truth, she was exhausted. Her forehead lowered to rest upon the tree and she closed her eyes to take a deep, righting breath.

It really was fun to see everyone today. Even the children. It served as a needed reminder that she wasn't suffering for nothing. The people she cherished were thriving in this new world they were building together and she wasn't as alone as it might feel sometimes. Vi's earlier suggestion to leave and begin a new life slipped back into her thoughts and she felt a pull in her chest at the offer. Maybe she should ask them about it again. Maybe it could work. Maybe she didn't have as much patience as she wanted to believe…

No.

She just had to be strong a little while longer. Endure the loneliness for a few more months. Once the cities were better controlled by the Firelights and Caitlyn's reformed enforcers, she could walk away hoping that it'd been enough to right the wrongs of her past. To quit now would feel like failure. She just needed a good night's rest to clear her head. That would help.

With her mind made up, she reached for the handle of the door and pushed it open. Immediately, a dizzying smell of the forest, sawdust, and distinctly masculine scent assaulted her senses and she breathed it deep in her lungs. The jitters of her manic mind settled as Ekko's old room enveloped her in his faded presence. Despite sleeping in his bed, scattering her dirty clothes and dozens of brushes onto his floors for months, the room still smelled like him. She'd mourn the day it'd eventually drift away, but for now, she kept her eyes closed and took another calming breath, imagining he was here with her now.

"Oh! Hey…Long time no see."

A small, peaceful smile stretched upon her lips. His voice, rough from a day's earnest work, probably from scavenging through the scrapyards for new materials for an invention. The way his tone was so casual and calm with an uptick of delight upon seeing her. It'd feel like she was being welcomed home, to herrealhome and she wouldn't have to pretend anymore.

"Um, Jinx?"

Her name on his lips…it sounded so right. Like he was capable of calling to her anytime and she'd come running. He would say it while laughing at her antics, while combing his fingers through her unbraided hair, while moaning in ecstasy, and between kisses that'd make her knees weak. Just hearing him say her name, any way he said it, was a dream she was waiting to become reality.

Just before she was content enough to walk towards the bed and sleep away the events of the day, a tentatively placed hand upon her exposed shoulder snapped her eyes open. Suddenly, her vision of the usually empty and disheveled bedroom was obscured by a broad chest in front of her. Her eyes dropped low, towards the black boots standing on the floor, traveling up a dark pair of joggers until stretching over a muscled chest sheathed in an oversized, dark purple jacket with an unzipped collar. Pink eyes widened the moment she spotted a familiar shade of dark, smooth skin and opened even further as she passed over the lips she'd imagined in her head a million times before, a white, chalky outline of an hourglass stretching over his nose and up to his forehead, and finally, a pair of vibrant brown eyes staring at her with warmth and a tinge of concern.

"Hey." He smirked, "Finally noticed me?"

"E-Ekko." She breathed. W-what was this? Was he actually-?

Her lips parted and closed on repeat, like a fish out of water and utterly confused. A swift finger rapidly shot towards his cheek, pushing into his skin and pudging the area around his face to test reality. Warm…it was warm! He was-!

"Ow."

"You're…" She took a step backwards, just in case her mind was intent on destroying her reality like it had when she returned to Silco's factory and was tricked into thinking her father was alive.

"Takin' over my room while I was away? Hope you didn't mess up my stuff too much." He teased but she didn't reply to his question. She couldn't. Her brain was completely fried by his sudden appearance and her entire body was locked in place. He was here? When? How? Why? But suddenly, she realized none of her own shell shocked questions were worth answering either. She couldn't help herself from believing.

Ekko was here.

Ekko was here.

Ekko. Was. Here!

"EKKO!" She cheered his name as she leapt into the air. Her arms and legs splayed themselves outward and the moment she collided into his chest, she locked them around his neck and waist. He stumbled from the sudden embrace but found his footing quick enough to secure himself upright. The small of her back groaned in delight as his strong arms secured themselves around her as tightly as she was hanging onto him. Her laughter erupted through the small room, filling it with her delight as his face lowered into the crux of her neck. She felt him breathe her in, missing her, and wholly completed now that they were together again.

"Jinx." His lips tickled the skin of her throat and she continued giggling, "I missed you. Thought about you every-."

She didn't let him finish. She knew. Shealwaysknew. And being in his presence again was placing strange desires in her head that she couldn't ignore. Her lips were on his face. On his cheeks. His nose, eyes, and ears. And her fingers were desperately tangling into his white dreadlocks. She couldn't stop kissing him! How strange was that? It was as if each press of her lips to his skin could make up for each day they were apart. And there were a LOT of days, which meant a lot of kisses. Somewhere, between her flurries of pecks, she started rambling. Speaking to him as if to convey all of her thoughts and feelings, though it only came out as a single, repeated sentence.

"Love you. Love you. Love you. Love you!" She kissed him over and over and over, uncertain when she'd feel the need to stop. Maybe never!

He started laughing with her, a wonderfully musical sound in her ears, and all her joyous writhing in his arms was forcing him to take a few steps backwards to keep his balance. Until the moment his legs hit the edge of his mattress. They both fell over and sunk deep into the plush bedding, grinning and tangled in each other's arms.

"Hey!" He chuckled as her lips found the corner of his mouth and lifted to dive again, "Gimmie a second here? I wanted to talk-."

"Shut up." She growled before mashing her lips directly onto his. Ekko was pinned beneath her, completely captive until she was certain that she'd expressed all her love for him. It was like she no longer needed air to live. Just Ekko. His warmth. His handsome face. His deliciously chiseled body, and his reciprocating desire.

Their lips moved together, slowly, desperately locked, and caressed alongside a pooling heat in her belly. She closed her eyes to savor Ekko's taste, the breath from her lungs spilling from her nose as she went liquid on top of him. Her nails that once furiously ran through his hair now slowed into deliberate scratching of his scalp and he moaned into her. His fingers on her waist dug into her sides and she rocked her body into him in response. His lips twisted slightly, breaking the seal of their heated kiss and she felt him place small pecks on her cheek, drifting further down until he was kissing her jaw, then her neck. Oh her neck! She whined into the sensation of his lips sucking upon her pulse while arching into his body, looking for more friction to quench the fire brewing inside her abdomen.

"Dammit." Ekko cursed silently, panting from their feverish desire. "We should…wait…just a second…"

"Why?" It was her turn to take control again. She didn't know why it was so important that they talk. Just his presence was enough to reaffirm everything she needed to know. He was here. He was kissing her. He still wanted and loved her. Pale hands dropped from his head to cup his cheeks as she stared into his eyes with delight. "You're here. Wanna feel good. Wanna touch you."

It'd been so long since she felt something real. Too long. She let her fingers drop from Ekko's face as his eyes widened. Between the tips of her fingers, she slid his jacket zipper down his chest and used her other hand to explore the freshly revealed skin. Ekko groaned as she danced across his abs and lowered her face to breathe across his chest. Being this close to him, she could practically hear his heart beating and she wanted to taste it. Her tongue slipped between her lips and slowly trailed over his heart. The salty, warm skin was her new addiction.Ekkowas her addiction.

"Fuck, Jinx." Her name was a prayer on her lips and she felt her entire body pulse upon hearing it sighed with such reverence. Because this wasn't about satisfying herself. This was about them. About how much she needed him. To be reminded that she was wanted. That she was good.

She re-positioned herself over him, settling her core over his thigh and rolling her body against his hardening crotch. They both groaned at her actions and she let loose another breathy laugh at the sound.

"Missed you so much." She murmured before looking back into his eyes, lust clouding her vision completely. "Missed you so much I thought I might die."

"I know." Ekko nodded, "I missed you too."

"Mmm." Her lower lip was between her teeth as she felt him press into her lower body. The hands on her waist were raised, one to slide over her blue braids and another to brush along the blue clouds of her pale arm. His touch was electric and her heart was racing. "So you'll make it better, right?"

"What do you-?"

"I wanna feel you. Touch me. I-I-" She groaned as she clarified herself, but falling short. Her mind was scrambled. Too many desires. Too many dreams waiting to come true. She felt herself rambling and rambling, searching for the words she needed and entirely frustrated when nothing fit. Instead, she listened to the bundled heat in her loins and leaned into Ekko once more. "Just- Ineedyou. Right now."

"Jinx-."

"Fuck me. Over and over. Fuck me till I'm unconscious. Wake me up. And fuck me again. Okay?" Dignity be damned. Through the haze of her lust, she asked for the one thing that she could make sense of in the moment. She just wanted Ekko. His love. Everything!

For a moment she was sure her dirty talk was working. Ekko's pupils were blown so wide that she was certain he wasn't able to think about anything other than ripping her clothes off and pounding into her until the sunrise, but his hand reached for her instead, settled on her cheek, and she was suddenly stunned by the softness of his touch and the fragile, loving smile on his face.

"Jinx I-..." He sighed, "Can you just…give me a moment to say some things? Kinda important."

Any other time and a request like that would've been laughed away, tossed aside to make room for her better, more intense plans of pleasure, but the way he spoke to her, with such love and care made her blink. Her burning lust was suddenly the least of her worries and she raised herself up, sitting on his lap as she nodded hesitantly. She briefly thought about asking if it'd take long, but she was strangely content to wait patiently for whatever Ekko had to say. It wasn't just his body she'd missed over the last six months. Oh no. She wasn't giving himthatimpression was she? Shit! Double shit! Could she start over? Ah! It's too fucked up already, isn't it?

She scrambled off of him in a hurry, sitting at the corner of the mattress and hands clasped tightly in her lap, nervously laughing.

"Hehe. Course! It's uh, notthatimportant to get in each other's pants right away. We can totally talk…about…um…stuff."

"..."

"..." She eyed his speculative eyes warily, constantly breaking contact and averting her gaze to anything other than the half-clothed boy laying on her bed. Er…hisbed. Their bed?

Ekko burst out laughing, much to her confusion. Her head tilted while her brows furrowed as she stared at her boyfriend holding his stomach as he laughed.

"What? I'm serious!" She argued, swatting at his leg.

"You're the same as ever." He chuckled, "God, I missed you."

That caused a bright blush to flood her cheeks as she shook her head, bewildered, but delighted to hear his words nonetheless. Good. She suspected that both their fears were about how the last six months might've changed them. If he thought she was the same as before, she'd welcome that compliment with open arms.

"Same. You freakin' dork." She giggled.

It felt as though something within the room had shifted. Like the desperation to see each other, feel each other, was suddenly lifted. Yet what remained was equally as amazing. To sit beside one another, bask in each other's presence. Maybe what she'd really been missing for so long was just a friend to sit beside and share stories? Not that she wouldn't get awesome sex either. That definitely wasn't going off the table, but the pressure and the urgency seemed to evaporate into thin air.

"So…there's a surprise that's gonna be here soon."

"Ooh! Surprise!?" Her spine straightened to attention instantly. "For me?!"

"Yep. Kinda figured you'd wanna see it. But uh…I don't think we'll wanna be cooped up in here for it."

"Hmmm." Her eyes narrowed, weighing the choices. Fine. She could be a little more patient. A few more hours of waiting wasn't too much torture. "Okay."

Ekko smiled and adjusted his jacket as he swung his legs off the bed. A quick jump to his feet and his hand was offered for her to take. She placed her hand in his, basking in how his grip felt so strong and sure, wrapped around her completely.

"Where are we going?" She asked the moment he pulled her towards the door, "Is it outside?"

"Not here yet." Ekko smirked, "But why don't we catch up on top of the walls? I'm sure you've got a lot to tell me about."

"Pssh." She rolled her eyes, "I'm sure the newspapers covered most of it. You're the guy that's been mysteriously out of the spotlight these days. Bet you got some wicked stories, right?"

"Heh. I guess I might."

So she followed him towards the door, eager to sit upon the high walls of the Firelight base, alone together and sitting in the clouds. Not a bad way to spend their reunion.

"Oh, and Jinx?" Ekko suddenly stopped and asked.

"Hm?"

He spun quickly and faced her while pulling the hand he'd captured in his closer. She nearly tripped over herself as she stumbled into him, but Ekko was prepared and already reaching for her. Before she fell flat on her face, his palm splayed across the back of her head, holding her in place as his lips met her own. Pink eyes went wide once more. If the last few minutes were hers to show how madly in love with Ekko she was, then this one kiss felt like it was Ekko's moment. Her tensed muscles loosened into jelly, her entire body compliant with his wetted lips smothering her. He poured every ounce of his love into her and each passing second brought her further and further into endless bliss. Her heart was thundering in her chest, lungs burning and screaming for air but she ignored them because how could she not accept this? As his heated breath slipped into the cavern of her mouth, she breathed him in and let a piece of Ekko inside. Was she starting to feel lightheaded? Was the room spinning? Did it matter?

No.

Because Ekko was hers and she was his. Anything he wanted, even her own breath…she'd give it to him, because that's what felt right. That's how important he was to her. When she was with him, everything was perfect. And just a few moments later he slowly parted from her, now panting under his own breath but controlled and entertained as she unceremoniously gasped for breath.

"Still breathing?" He asked with his classic smirk. She was abruptly aware that he'd made good on his promise all those nights ago when she'd left him and the others to change the under-city for good.

She flashed a canine-filled smile towards the man that had her heart under lock and key. Pink eyes glowing with desire. Was she still breathing? Did she remember how to breathe after a kiss like that?

"Who knows?"

"So," She hoisted herself over the top of the ladder, following Ekko's ascent, "How'd you find me? Doesn't sound like you just stumbled your way back here for nostalgia or some crap like that."

"Wasn't easy to track down the infamous Loose Cannon, that's for sure." Ekko chuckled, walking towards the edge of walls and taking a seat to stare into the wildlands. "Had to use the Z-drive. Checked hundreds of spots in the future, waiting for you to show up and trying to find the right place."

She froze, jaw unhinged and hanging in the air.

"Wait.Seriously?"

Brown eyes glanced back towards her, shining at her disturbed reaction.

"Of course not." He laughed, "That'd beridiculous! Not to mention exhausting. I just went to your old hideout, saw you weren't there and guessed this was the next best place to check. When I saw your graffiti added to the walls, I knew I was right."

"..."

"...Stunned by my genius?"

"I'm gonna push you." Fuckin' idiot deserves to fall and splat on the ground below.

"W-woah, woah, woah c'mon. It was a joke!"

She grinned evilly, fingers wiggling with anticipation as she stalked towards the cocky bastard. Just a little shove. Enough to make his heart leap in his chest at the thought of being thrown over the edge. The moment she grabbed Ekko's shoulders, she felt his muscles tense and panic sweep across his face.

"Spooked ya!" She giggled, releasing him from her grasp and taking a casual seat beside the boy. Her legs were dangling over the edge, fluttering kicks swinging through the breeze. "You didn't think I'd actually do it, did you?"

"And what would you have done if I accidentally fell off anyway?"

"Huh." She placed a finger on her chin in thought, speculating such a disastrous outcome, before shrugging her shoulders. "Dunno…Prolly jump after you?"

"You're insane."

"Duh. Haven't we been over this?"

It took a few seconds of silence before they both shared a light-hearted laugh, settling beside one another and she leaned into his frame. Joking about their untimely and ridiculous deaths aside, it was still a sweet view up here. Sitting so high up. The world waiting below her. She wasn't one to linger on pretty vistas or enjoy the serene calm that came with such a sight, but with Ekko here, it felt different. She no longer felt the urging, pushing pressure in her chest to shape the moment into something fun or exciting. After all she's been through, a few moments of rest with the one she loved was more than enough of a reward. Though, her curiosity was still focused on Ekko's surprise that had yet to be revealed. And one other thing…

Her head fell to his shoulder as troubled eyes stared deep into the horizon.

"...Why are you here?"

She wanted to know. Was this just a visit? A temporary gift? Or…was his appearance a more permanent one? She was the one to push him away, so she never considered that he'd be the one to come back to her first. It was hard to ignore the violent tornado of crippling thoughts in her head. Devilish thoughts that taunted her, forcing her to consider that Ekko would be gone in a second. A blink of an eye…

…And she'd be alone again.

"Sick of me already?" Ekko laughed and she bounced her head on his shoulder hard enough to convey her apprehension at his teasing.

That wasn't it.Obviously. Her eyes drifted from the sunlit landscape to stare at the underside of Ekko's jaw. Watching, waiting to see any sign of an apology or regretful sigh. If this was just a short visit, maybe she wasn't ready to hear him admit it. No. That was a lie. Resting her head on his shoulder, even for a brief moment in time was better than nothing. Better than all the night's she spent alone with her ghosts. And she was strong enough to let him go if that's what he wanted. This was the choice she made after all. But was it so wrong, now that she'd tasted the life of freedom, to want more?

"I don't think I could wait any longer." He continued as he dropped his gaze to hers. The moment he turned, she could see the sunlight enter his dark brown eyes. She was captivated by the liquid amber pooling around his pupils and how gently he looked upon her. "I worry."

She closed her eyes, savoring his words. It was nice to know that she wasn't the only one plagued by concerns of wellbeing in this relationship. But still…just because Ekko was saying things she wanted to hear, it didn't stop the pang of regret from her choice to fly solo for a little while. Ekko wasn't supposed to be worrying about her during his impromptu vacation in the under-city. Having fun. Soul searching and all that. But stressing about her wellbeing? That wasn't what she wanted at all.

"You're supposed to be taking it easy." She mumbled, "Livin' it up so you don't get early, old man wrinkles."

"I had my fun." He replied, shifting his arms to splay backwards and brace his weight as he leaned backwards in his seat. Her head, glued to his shoulder, followed. "Spent plenty of days in the scrapyards. You wouldn't believe what kind of awesome junk people just throw away."

"That'ssosexy." Her eyes rolled, "How lucky am I? My boyfriend dumpster dives and probably smelled like rotting garbage 24/7. Hot."

"I smell great, can't you tell?" Ekko laughed, "And I didn't spendeverywaking hour there. Spent a few weeks at Benzo's cleaning the place up. Going through some old boxes. Saved a few things from when we were kids that I wanna show you later too. But I also hung out with the Firelight's from time to time. Catchin' up. They got their hands full lately and…it's weird. I figured they'd want my help, that they'd need me. But they don't. And I thought I'd be miffed about it, but weirdly enough…I'm just relieved."

"They're not doing too bad." She agreed. The Firelight weren't a scrappy group of rebel teens anymore. In the eyes of the under-city, they were starting to make a decent name for themselves. Especially with that impressive campaign-thingy Marenth and Heimy were coordinating to get all the trenchers backing her as their leader. Jeez! Was she actually complementing the little rascals? Scary. "And I told you they'd be fine without you."

"You did." Ekko nodded before dropping his eyes to his lap in thought, "You were right."

"Course I'm right. Cuz I'm brilliant!" And she hoped Ekko knew that the Firelight's were only thriving, thanks to all his effort keeping them alive. Without him, they'd be nothing.

"Heh, sure." The mood shifted with the soft breeze. Silence stretched over them and her attention was on Ekko as his lips pursed, as if he were thinking of something to say but not quite sure how to say it. "As to why I'm here now…"

She watched Ekko lift his eyes to stare into the clouds above, a small smile adorning his face. A feeling of warmth settled on her hip and she realized he'd placed his hand around her waist, pulling her closer into his body.

"It's hard, you know? Spending every day like you're a kid again. Getting to do all the things you wanted to do before, but couldn't. Eating decent food. Spending countless, sleepless nights in a workshop tinkering away at something crazy like a hextech time bomb."

"Time bomb? Like a grenade that'd stop time? That's like, woah."

"Still workin' on it. I'll show you some time." He smirked, "But living like I did…It wasn't paradise either."

"Why not?"

He turned to her, squeezing his fingers into the curve of her waist.

"Becauseyouweren't there."

"...Ekko-."

He sighed.

"Because I'd read the papers and see what kind of trouble you'd gotten yourself into again. It's damn hard to relax when you're watching your girlfriend's bounty double every other week."

She could tell in his tone that he was trying to joke about it, but underneath the humored words, her breath was stolen at the sight of pain swirling in Ekko's beautiful brown eyes. She did this. She tried to push Ekko towards a future she thought he wanted, but apparently in the end it was still a sacrifice for them both. Her hand reached for his cheek, rubbing across his skin soothingly, intimately. If she'd been smarter or better or had more time, maybe she could've thought of a better plan. It wasn't fair.

"Sorry. You know I-."

"You had to do what was right." Ekko finished for her. He sat up, no longer bracing his weight on his arm and she lifted her head from his shoulder as his hand laid over the one she'd placed on his cheek. "I know. And that's why I'm so proud of you. If the last six months taught me anything, I swear, I've never loved anyone as much as I love you, Jinx."

Her heart swelled. Even through the pain she'd burdened him with, Ekko still loved her with everything he had. She could tell, even beyond his words, his feelings for her had remained. In fact, they might even be stronger now.

"I love you too." She replied simply. Yet the emotion in her voice was hardly anything but simple. It was born from inside. Messy and overwhelming. Everything in her life had changed and it was all because, "...You saved me."

From loneliness. From a world that she resented. From a life of pain. From herself. Even from death. He showed her what it felt like to have hope. What it felt like to wake up, happy and content with the hand she'd been dealt. Most importantly, he showed her how deep and powerful something as foreign as love could go. She didn't feel like she'd lost herself or became anyone different…she just felt…better, complete.

"I don't think so." He lowered to her and she watched with wide eyes as his eyelids lowered into a smoldering gaze. His breath danced across the surface of her lips and she was incapable of anything other than waiting for the taste of a sweet kiss.

"No?" She whispered in the closeness of his proximity. "Then who did?"

Vi? Caitlyn? Heimy? All of the above? That sounded like a good answer.

"Easy." His lips were almost touching hers, but his eyes never strayed from hers. He held her under his intimate stare as she waited for the answer, breathless. "You."

Her lips parted in silent surprise, stunned by the confidence in his answer.

"You saved yourself, Jinx. You had help from us, sure…but the girl I'm staring at right now? She's the one that saved you."

Me? I did it? It…sorta made sense though.

"She sounds pretty awesome." Her murmured breath was laced with the faintest giggle she could manage.

"Yeah. She is." Ekko agreed while the tip of his finger brushed across her temple, tucking a loose strand of blue hair behind her ear. His voice dropped into a husky tone, vibrating with a warmth that tickled her insides and made her squirm in her seat. "She's fucking beautiful too."

Unable to resist any longer, she surged into him, wrapping her arms around Ekko's neck and pulling their lips together in a searing kiss. His lips were burned into her memory. His touch sent shivers through her spine. The best part? She found herself agreeing with him. Shefeltamazing, strong, and beautiful, like for the first time in her life,shewas in control of what the future held. This world, violent and unforgiving as it was, hadn't been able to sink its claws into her and drag her into the hells.

She was alive!

When they parted, she spent a few panting seconds smiling up at Ekko. The air around them felt charged with electricity and it coated her within a shroud of bliss. Her hand splayed across his chest before her fingers curled into the fabric of his jacket. Holding him. Pulling him close. She'd already made up her mind the second she saw him standing before her. She wouldn't let Ekko go. Her commitment to isolation was shattered. Even if it made things harder, she wanted him to stay here, with her, forever and ever until the end of time. And then she'd ask Ekko to reverse it, just so they could do it all again.

"Stay?" She asked. The permanence of her request was silent but heard just the same and Ekko smirked in response.

"I'm not goinganywherewithout you, ever again."

"Damn right you're not."

"Bet you wouldn't let me go, even if I tried."

"Bingo! I'd pull out the ol' magnetic chains and lock your ass up."

"So I'd be your prisoner, then?"

"It's only fair."

"Doesn't sound so bad."

"Sounds fun, right?" Ooh! Wait a sec. Brilliant idea alert! She eagerly leaned into Ekko's personal space, pink eyes glowing alongside a feral grin plastered across her face. "You wanna take a trip down memory lane? Let's go find those suckers and you can use them on me tonight in bed and-!"

"Am I interrupting?"

The unexpected voice of a new arrival snapped both their heads towards the smug face peeking over the ladder attached to the base's walls. A very familiar face of smugness that had her cheeks blushing bright red and her lips parted in shock.

"Guess your surprise is here." Ekko scratched the back of his head awkwardly and she shifted her eyes from Ekko to the newcomer, to Ekko and back again.

"Caitlyn!" She cheered as her arms raised to the sky in excitement. What a treat! She never anticipated the top-sider would venture back into the under-city to visit. "Wait. How long have you been creepin' on us?"

"Not too long." The sheriff replied slyly as she lifted herself over the edge and walked closer, "Sorry we're late."

"Just on time actually." Ekko waved to her friend. "Glad you could make it."

"So what's this I hear about chains?"

She giggled.

"I was just telling Ekko he could tie me up and do whateeeeevvveerrrr he wants to m-."

"Nothing!" Ekko coughed, interrupting her. "It was nothing. Just Jinx and her crazy ideas."

"Uh huh." Caitlyn's knowing blue eyes glanced at her as the top-sider's chin raised in some sort of disbelieving fashion before cupping her hand over her mouth so Ekko couldn't see and mouthing silent words. "Kinky."

"I know right!?" She whispered loudly and nodded her head. Exciting! She was about to add a few other details to get her friend in on the idea, because hell, she wasn't shy. But then, like a delayed explosion, she paused to reflect on Caitlyn's words. "We?"

"You didn't think I'd come without backup, did you?"

Suddenly another familiar voice boomed from over the edge of the walls, shouting into the sky.

"Gonna help me with this shit, Cupcake? How the hell am I supposed to climb while carrying all this crap!?"

Caitlyn leaned over to stare into the hideout, a teasing smirk placed on her lips.

"I thought you insisted that I shouldn't have to carry anything?"

"That wasbeforeI realized I had to climb a goddamn mile high ladder!"

She leapt to her feet, giggling and drunk on happiness as she walked over to stand next to Caitlyn and spotted her sister below. Vi was stripped of her enforcer's gear, dressed in her classic red jacket and gray pants with a burlap bag clenched tightly in her teeth and another swinging precariously over her shoulder.

"Use those muscles Fat-hands! Impress your woman!"

"Fuckin. Demons. Both of them." Vi growled, muffled by the leather in her mouth.

"We love you." Caitlyn laughed with a hand raised to her lips, "You're doing great, sweetie!"

She turned away from the spectacle of Vi attempting to reach the top to grin at Ekko. He planned this? For the last six months, all she had was a few minutes to reconnect with Caitlyn and Vi when she was lurking top-side…but for them to show up now…

"Maybe sooner than you think."

Vi's earlier comment before they parted ways suddenly made so much sense!

Ekko smiled, "As much as I'd like to think it'd be fun with just us, I thought you might enjoy some extra company."

And he was right! So right! This was perfect! So she just nodded her head over and over, as fast as she could, and returned to Caitlyn's side to watch Vi ascend to meet her. She reached a hand for Vi to take when her sister got close enough and it was gratefully accepted. The bags were dropped to the ground the moment Vi stood on solid ground and she was suddenly swept into a smothering hug.

"Sorry we couldn't come sooner. Cait was stuck in the office making up some boring-ass reports."

She returned the hug with equal strength before lifting her brow and separating from Vi.

"Making up reports?"

"Your sister's idea." The top-sider added, as she walked closer and gave Jinx an embrace of her own before continuing, "Helps keep the council thinking we're hot on your trail. Congratulations by the way. According to today's documents, you managed to slip away from us just before Vi could tackle you."

"Ha!" She spun to her sister, a pointer finger raised in accusation, "That's definitely what happened!"

"You know there's a training arena under us, right?" Vi asked, meeting her gaze with a fire in her eyes, "Sounds like you need a big slice of humble pie."

"Or…we could skip the part where you two beat each other unconscious and enjoy some perfectly normal, non-violent pie?" Caitlyn suggested as she fished a sealed container from one of the bags Vi carried and presented it with a shake.

"I vote for that one." Ekko added with a raised hand.

Her sister's eyes shined alongside a cheeky smile as she turned towards her and pushed out an open, defenseless hand.

"Truce then? We also brought some other snacks and plenty of drinks."

She eyed the offered peace treaty waiting for her response. A pale hand snaked outwards and clasped Vi's tightly.

"For now." She chuckled. Kicking Vi's ass would never be fully off the table, especially since it seemed like her sister still had some wild delusions about who was the strongest between them. "But only cause you brought goodies."

Immediately she leapt at the opportunity to join Caitlyn, scavenging through the two bags, plucking a piece of food into her fingers, inspecting it, then tossing it over her shoulder when it failed to pique her interest. This one? Nope. Not that one. Is that cake? Doesn't look like it.

"Didja bring any candy?"

"Slow down." The topsider scolded as she swatted at her hand, "There's plenty to go around. And I believe Vi stashed some in that pocket there."

"Score!"

She whipped a lollipop into the air, victorious. Couple her sugary treat with, what she assumed, was an ice cold, alcohol spiked punch and she was set! She returned to her seat next to Ekko, swung her legs over the edge and merrily tucked the sweet candy inside the pocket of her cheek. Her hand patted the concrete beside her as she looked back at the two women.

"C'mon! Sit!"

"Throw me somethin' Vi." Ekko asked and shortly after caught a few chocolates tossed his way.

Not long after, the four of them were clinking their drinks and laughing as the sun beamed down on them from above. It was perfect. Ekko on her right. Vi and Caitlyn on her left. Conversation was as entertaining as it was easy. She listened in rapt attention as her sister and Cait recalled their most obnoxious street chases and the drama-filled politics that oozed within the walls of the enforcement office. Ekko spoke of his time outside the Lanes, his occasional sightings of Warwick, which sounded like the mutt was keeping out of the under-city's business for now, and his most stubborn inventions that failed in disaster. When it was her turn to speak, she stood up, as if she were underneath a spotlight and standing on a stage. Recounting her adventures as if they'd just happened, and to her delight, she had the undivided attention of her friends, all interested and maaayyybbbeee occasionally horrified that she was somehow still alive and breathing'. Shedidsorta find herself in a few too many life or death situations.

But it was fun.Thiswas fun.

And when the sun started to lower on the horizon, when their bellies were full and their stories shared, she felt her shoulders slump in exhaustion. She leaned against Ekko and smiled as she stared at the peaceful expression on his face. Even though it was hard, she noticed Ekko's time spent alone had served him well. No longer trapped under the oppressive shadow of leadership, she was pleased to see the boy glowing with a brightness in his eyes as they sat upon the enormous walls of the Firelight hideout. She was happy for him. He deserved the world.

"Question for ya." Ekko broke her silent stare of appreciation and she blinked.

"Shoot."

"..."

"Ekko?"

The carefree smile on Ekko's face faltered, just for a moment as the sunset reflected across his skin. He was staring so intensely into the distance, his mind churning with thought. She felt his hand reach for hers and their fingers intertwined as if they were meant to be threaded together. Seconds passed, then minutes, before Ekko finally spoke his mind.

"All that we did. The choices we made. Do you think we did it right?"

His fingers squeezed hers, looking for some sort of reassurance and she felt the corners of her lips gently pull apart. Bright eyes followed his gaze, settling on the layers hues of oranges, yellows, purples and pinks. The colors bled into each other like watery paint on a canvas and she had to admit, it was a pretty view. And even more magical when she turned towards her sister sitting so close their hips were touching and watching Caitlyn softly giggle at a whispered secret she missed. Even the ghosts in her head were watching them behind, content to stay hidden in the shadows as she spent her time with the ones she loved.

Together.

They'd been through so much together. And the future wasn't as simple as she wanted it to be, but the answer Ekko was looking for was plain to see. This was her home. She belonged here, beside them. This was herfamily. So she nodded as she squeezed the fingers in her grasp, assured of her beliefs before connecting her warmed, loving eyes to his.

"Yeah…I think we did."

His smile mirrored her own and he nodded, content to return towards the setting sun and watch as the night slowly swept over them. Yep. She was sure of it. If she was able to sit here, at peace and surrounded by everyone she treasured, was there any better outcome? She didn't think so. Somehow, in the chaos of her life, she found what she wanted most.

Her eyelids fluttered shut as she took a deep breath, excited to spend the rest of the night with Ekko, Vi and Caitlyn. Hopeful for the future.

Ready for the adventures tomorrow would bring.

The End

Notes:

Thank you for joining me on this endeavor. Whether you started following this story early after Arcane S1 ended, somewhere in the middle, or even more recently, I can't express how grateful I am for your support. Writing this story over the last two years has been an absolute joy. I've made new friends, improved my writing, and feel like we've built a wonderful little community that's full of such amazingly positive people.

To the people that commented such kind words and praise, you never failed to make my day. I have over 2,000 comments in my email and while I wasn't always able to reply to each one like I wanted to, I've saved every single comment, read them all multiple times, and still go back to read them all the time. You guys kept me motivated and committed through this adventure and I'm so grateful.

To the silent readers that didn't comment, I love and appreciate you too. Your support matters and I know you're out there. This story has the reach and impact it does because of that support. For now, this fic is the #1 most read Arcane story and that's just incredible! Which is why I'm so happy I created this story and even more happy that it'll continue to entertain others.

So My Boy Savior is finally complete. I hope you enjoyed it, especially the ending I'd been planning for so long. And while this journey ends here, I have many more ideas and stories centered around Jinx in the works and I can't wait to start writing those! But for now, I plan to take a few weeks, just a few, to rest easy and know that this ambitious project that's been on my mind every single day since Arcane ep. 9 first aired, is finished. It'll also give me time to check out all the other awesome Arcane fics that've been written while I've been busy. Can't wait to read those too. And I can't leave this story as is. Chapter titles and a robust edit of any previous mistakes will get added to each chapter soon. I'll still be active on my Twitter, giving updates and insight to my upcoming projects as they develop, might even have a few art commissions to share soon! So I hope you follow me elsanndra to stay in the loop :)

And please, let me know your thoughts about this chapter, or even the story as a whole, in the comments. Did I meet your expectations? Fail to meet them? Exceed them? I wanna know! And most importantly, sincerely, thank you. I've had a wonderful two years writing for you all and came out of it with something I feel tremendously proud to have created. I'm stronger and more confident in my writing than ever! Of course, my praise also goes to Riot Games and Fortiche for creating such an inspiring story that had me falling in love with Jinx, Ekko, Vi, Caitlyn and the whole Arcane cast.

With so much love 3