Arcane: Ekko and Powder

The morning light filtered in through the cracked windows, casting a soft, golden glow over the room. Ekko blinked awake, the warmth of the blankets around him and the comforting weight of Powder's body next to his making the moment feel more like a dream than reality. For a moment, he simply lay there, taking in the quiet, the steady rhythm of her breathing as she remained asleep beside him.

He wasn't used to mornings like this—peaceful, calm, and shared with someone who meant so much to him. The world outside was still its chaotic self, buzzing with the sounds of Zaun's constant energy, but inside this small space, it felt like time had slowed down. There was no rush, no urgency. Just the simple joy of being with Powder.

Powder stirred next to him, her face nuzzling into his chest as her arm stretched out, wrapping around his waist instinctively. Ekko's heart fluttered at the closeness, a mix of emotions swirling inside him. They hadn't discussed what happened between them the night before, but it didn't feel necessary. There was an unspoken understanding between them now, a deeper connection that didn't need words.

"Morning," Powder mumbled, her voice husky from sleep.

Ekko smiled down at her, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "Morning, troublemaker."

She grinned, her eyes still half-lidded, looking up at him with that mischievous spark he knew so well. "I'm not the one who dragged me into this." Her lips curled into a teasing smile, and her fingers traced lazy patterns along his chest.

Ekko's heart skipped a beat at her touch, and he laughed softly, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder. "No, I suppose that was my bad," he said, his voice low and warm. He watched as she nestled closer, seeking the comfort of his embrace. The feeling was foreign yet familiar—a mix of tenderness and excitement he couldn't quite put into words.

They stayed like that for a while, not rushing to get up, letting the quiet morning pass by. The occasional sound of gears and mechanical whirring could be heard in the distance, but it felt far away in this moment. Powder was still curled against him, her head resting on his chest as he absently played with her hair.

After a while, Powder sat up, stretching with a small groan. "I'm starving," she said with a playful grin, her eyes alight with mischief. "Think you can make breakfast, genius?"

Ekko chuckled at her dramatic expression. "You're lucky I know how to work with more than just machines. I'll get you something to eat, no problem."

Powder raised an eyebrow at him, clearly skeptical. "You sure? I mean, your 'cooking' last time involved setting half the place on fire."

"That was a one-time accident," Ekko protested with a smirk. "I've learned since then."

"Uh-huh," Powder said, unconvinced. She grabbed a nearby wrench and spun it in her hand like a toy, a clear indication that she was ready to get herself involved in whatever the task was—whether Ekko liked it or not.

With a sigh and a smile, Ekko stood, heading toward a small area where he kept a basic stash of food. "Alright, alright, you can help if you want," he said, teasingly. "But no sabotage this time."

Powder stood too, her grin widening. "Sabotage? Who, me?" She feigned innocence, though Ekko could see the sparkle in her eyes that said otherwise.

He set to work quickly, pulling out some scraps of leftover bread and whatever else he could find that resembled something edible. Powder hovered beside him, her arms crossed as she watched with interest. He worked faster than he expected, trying to avoid making another mess.

"So, last night," Powder began, breaking the comfortable silence. "What was that all about?"

Ekko froze for a split second, his mind going blank. The question hung in the air between them. He didn't know how to answer. Part of him wanted to brush it off, pretend like it was just a momentary lapse in judgment. But another part of him—a part he wasn't sure he was ready to confront—knew it was more than that.

"Last night was… well, it was just us," he finally said, turning to face her with a slight grin. "We've been through so much together, Powder. I think we both know how we feel. It doesn't need to be complicated."

Powder studied him for a moment, then nodded slowly, her lips quirking up in a small smile. "Yeah. I guess so. It doesn't need to be complicated." She looked down at her hands, fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve. "But that doesn't mean I don't get all… weird about it sometimes. You know?"

Ekko's chest tightened at her admission, and he felt the urge to reach out, to pull her into his arms and make everything feel simple again. But instead, he just smiled, a little softer this time. "Yeah. I get that." He put a plate of makeshift food in front of her. "For what it's worth, I'm glad we're figuring it out together."

Powder picked up the plate, glancing at him before her gaze softened. "Me too."

The moment felt tender, even with the playful atmosphere. They had always been there for each other, through thick and thin, and the realization that they were moving into something more—something deeper—felt like a natural progression. There were still uncertainties, still questions, but it didn't seem as daunting when she was next to him.

They ate breakfast together in comfortable silence, sharing small laughs and quiet smiles. Powder was in the middle of telling a wild story about her latest run-in with a group of older kids when Ekko caught her hand across the table.

Powder looked down at their hands, then up at him, her expression curious. "What?"

Ekko smirked, his thumb brushing over the back of her hand in a small, simple gesture. "Nothing. Just... wanted to hold your hand for a moment."

Powder raised an eyebrow but smiled, squeezing his hand back. "You're full of surprises, Ekko."

He chuckled lightly, feeling a warmth in his chest he couldn't quite describe. "You haven't seen anything yet."

As the day wore on, they spent it in their usual way—working on a few of Ekko's gadgets, teasing each other, and occasionally catching one another's eyes with that deeper, more knowing look. There was something about the way they moved around each other now, a comfortable tension that hinted at the unspoken feelings still hanging in the air. The easy banter, the quiet moments, the way their hands brushed more frequently, and the way Ekko would catch himself watching her a little longer than usual—it was all part of this new dynamic.

Later, after finishing a project together, Ekko found himself stealing glances at Powder as she worked on one of her own little inventions. She was so absorbed in her task that she didn't notice his gaze. Her brow furrowed in concentration, her fingers nimbly working through the intricate details of her creation. The sight made his heart race.

It was then that Ekko realized something—he had fallen for her. Not in some moment of intense passion or grand gesture, but in the quiet, simple moments they shared every day. It was in her laughter, in the way she made him feel seen, in how they had built a world together in the midst of all the chaos.

He stood up and walked over to her, his heart pounding. Powder looked up as he approached, offering him a teasing grin.

"You gonna help me or what?"

But Ekko didn't answer immediately. Instead, he sat beside her, his gaze softening as he met her eyes. There was something in that moment—a realization—that they had come so far, and yet this was just the beginning of whatever came next.

He gently reached for her hand, his fingers wrapping around hers as he gave her a small, knowing smile. "I think I'm gonna help. But only if you let me stay by your side. Always."

Powder's eyes softened, and she squeezed his hand. "I think I'm okay with that, Ekko. I think I've always been okay with that."

And with that, they continued on, not just as best friends, but as something more. Something they were still figuring out, but something they would navigate together, side by side.

For the first time in a long time, Ekko felt that things were finally falling into place.