Arcane: Ekko and Powder

The sun had long since dipped below the horizon, casting a cool blue hue over the streets of Zaun. The sounds of the bustling Undercity had softened, and the hum of distant machines filled the air as Ekko and Powder walked side by side, the weight of the day easing as they made their way to the abandoned building where Ekko had his workshop.

Powder had insisted on staying with him for the night. It wasn't anything extraordinary; they often spent long hours together working on projects, teasing each other, or just sharing stories. But tonight felt different. There was a quiet anticipation in the air, a lingering feeling that they had crossed some unspoken threshold that neither of them quite understood.

As they entered the building, the familiar scent of metal and oil greeted them. Ekko motioned to the worn-down couches scattered around the space, the place looking more like a haphazard living room than a workshop. Powder plopped herself down onto one of the couches, her feet tucked underneath her as she looked around.

"This place is a mess, Ekko," she said, but the smile on her face betrayed her words.

"I know," Ekko replied, setting his bag down on the nearby table. "But it's home. Sort of."

Powder leaned back, glancing over at him with a grin. "I like it. It feels… comfortable. A little like us, huh? Messy, but full of life."

Ekko chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, I guess you could say that."

They sat there in comfortable silence for a moment. Ekko pulled a blanket from the nearby shelf, spreading it over the back of the couch and sitting down beside her. He noticed the way her eyes seemed to sparkle in the dim light of the room, the faint outline of a smile tugging at her lips. Powder had always been full of energy, but tonight, there was a calmness to her that he hadn't seen in a while.

He turned to her, his heart unexpectedly fluttering in his chest. "You know, you don't have to stay here tonight if you don't want to. I'm just finishing up some work."

Powder waved her hand dismissively, leaning in closer. "I'm fine, Ekko. Besides, we've spent so many nights together already. Why should tonight be any different?"

Her words lingered in the air between them, carrying a sense of intimacy that Ekko wasn't entirely sure how to respond to. He'd always been there for her, always been by her side, but tonight, something felt more significant, as if their bond had shifted in a way that neither of them could explain.

Powder caught his eye and smiled, her gaze softening in a way that made Ekko's heart race a little faster. There was something about the way she looked at him, as if she were seeing him in a way she hadn't before. It made him feel exposed, vulnerable—but in the best way possible.

"You know, Ekko," Powder started, her voice quiet and thoughtful, "I've been thinking about how we've grown up together. How we've been through so much… and how we're still here. Still together."

Ekko's breath caught in his throat. He hadn't expected this conversation, but he knew it was something that needed to be said. He turned to face her more fully, his knees brushing against hers. "Yeah. We've been through a lot, haven't we?"

Powder nodded, her hand subconsciously reaching for his. He let her take it, their fingers intertwining naturally. The contact sent a warm feeling through his chest, like something had settled into place, like this was right.

"I don't think I could do this without you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ekko's heart skipped a beat, and he squeezed her hand gently. "I don't want you to do it without me. I'll always be here for you, Powder."

The words felt heavier than he intended, but they were the truth. Powder had always been his constant—wild, unpredictable, and full of life. But she was also the person who had made him feel like there was more to life than just surviving in Zaun. She was the one who challenged him, who made him laugh, who made him feel like anything was possible, even in the midst of their chaotic world.

Powder tilted her head slightly, studying him with a soft gaze. "I think… I think I want to be more than just the girl you fix gadgets for," she said, a hint of vulnerability creeping into her tone.

Ekko blinked, unsure of how to respond at first. But the sincerity in her voice made him realize that she wasn't just talking about their usual banter, the playful teasing that filled their friendship. This was different. She was talking about something deeper, something that had always been there but had never been fully acknowledged.

"I don't just fix gadgets for you, Powder," he said softly, his voice steady but warm. "You mean more to me than just that."

Powder's eyes softened, and she leaned in closer, her face inches from his. The space between them seemed to shrink as their breaths became more in sync. Ekko could feel the weight of the moment settling in. This wasn't just another night with Powder. This was something new—something they both needed to explore, even if they didn't have all the answers yet.

Without thinking, Ekko gently cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs brushing against her cheek. Powder's eyes fluttered shut for a moment, a soft sigh escaping her lips. The way she melted into his touch made his chest tighten with something he couldn't quite name.

"Ekko," Powder whispered, her voice barely audible. "What are we doing?"

"I don't know," Ekko admitted, his forehead resting against hers. "But I think… we're doing what we've always done. Just figuring it out as we go."

Powder's lips curved into a soft smile, and she leaned into him, her nose brushing against his. The warmth of her body, the way she felt so real and present, made Ekko feel like everything in the world had led to this moment. This was what mattered—this connection, this bond they had shared since they were kids.

Ekko closed his eyes and pressed his lips gently to hers, a soft, tentative kiss that felt like the beginning of something new. It wasn't rushed, but it wasn't hesitant either. It was just them, two people who had grown up together, who had fought and laughed and dreamed together, now finding solace in each other's presence.

When they pulled away, they stayed close, their foreheads touching as they breathed each other in, the air thick with the intensity of their emotions.

"Stay with me tonight," Powder murmured, her voice hushed and full of something Ekko couldn't quite put into words.

Ekko's heart swelled, and he nodded, his hand still resting on her cheek. "I'm not going anywhere."

And so, for the first time, they lay down together in the dimly lit workshop, the sounds of Zaun fading into the background. Ekko wrapped an arm around her, and Powder snuggled closer, resting her head on his chest. They didn't need to say anything more. There were no more questions, no more doubts. They were simply there, together.

As they drifted off to sleep, Ekko realized that this was the beginning of a new chapter in their relationship. A chapter full of uncertainties, yes, but also full of warmth, trust, and the promise that they would always have each other—no matter what the world threw their way.