Arcane: Ekko and Powder

Ekko sat at his desk, surrounded by blueprints and schematics for his latest invention, but his mind was a million miles away. For days now, he'd been planning something special—something that didn't involve gadgets, danger, or the chaos of Zaun. He'd spent countless hours tinkering with ideas and adjusting plans, trying to figure out the best way to show Powder that there was more to life than just the mess they constantly found themselves in. They'd spent so much time in Piltover stealing, causing mischief, or running from the law, and he wanted to give her a day that was different from their usual routine. A day that wasn't about breaking into high-security vaults or dodging pursuers. A day about them, just being… normal.

Ekko smiled to himself as he put down his tools. This was the plan. He'd heard rumors of fancy places in Piltover, ones that felt almost like a different world compared to the streets of Zaun. He had no idea what normal people did on dates in a city like Piltover, but he'd figured it out. He'd asked a few of the older boys and even gotten advice from Vi—after much pleading—for what might be considered a "romantic date" in Piltover. The result was a string of ideas that felt so far removed from the world they'd created together that it seemed almost impossible.

But here he was, determined to make it happen. Powder deserved this. She deserved something beautiful, something that didn't have the shadow of their world hanging over it. He owed it to her. And honestly? He owed it to himself, too. There was a certain peace that he craved with Powder—something he never imagined he'd find. He wanted to share that peace, if only for one night.

The sun had barely set when he finished making the final preparations. He had managed to secure a place at a quiet outdoor café overlooking the elegant streets of Piltover. The city, in contrast to the grimy, smoky streets of Zaun, seemed like a dream to Ekko. The lights glimmered in the distance, and for once, there was no hustle, no noise of clanging machines or explosions. Just the distant hum of an affluent city, full of people living lives that Ekko and Powder could barely imagine.

He'd arranged to meet Powder at a small alley near the entrance to Piltover. He knew she wouldn't expect it; he had made sure to keep everything under wraps. No gadgets, no plans for stealing from the rich. Just a date—a normal date. He could barely contain his excitement as he prepared to head out. A day like this felt like a gift.

Powder was already waiting for him, leaning against the brick wall of the alley with her arms folded. As usual, she was dressed in a mismatched array of clothing, with her trademark blue braids bouncing as she moved. But there was something different about her today—a sense of curiosity in her eyes, and a touch of uncertainty that Ekko hadn't seen before. She hadn't exactly known what to expect when he said he wanted to take her somewhere in Piltover. Of course, she had questions, but she didn't push him to explain.

As Ekko approached, Powder looked up, her lips curling into a smile. "So… what's the deal, Ekko? I'm kinda excited and kinda nervous. What exactly are we doing?"

Ekko's heart raced. He had everything planned out, but the excitement of the moment made him feel like he might have forgotten something important. Still, he grinned, stepping closer to her. "You'll see. I promise, no heists today. Just you and me. It's time for a change."

Powder raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical, but Ekko grabbed her hand with a playful tug. "Trust me. You're going to love it."

They wandered through the streets of Piltover, Ekko guiding them toward the café. As they moved deeper into the city, Powder couldn't help but take in the sights. The cobblestone roads, the elegant buildings, and the people strolling leisurely down the streets—it was all so different from the chaotic rush of Zaun. She had never really thought much about what the "rich" side of the world looked like. It was something she had only heard about in stories, but now, here she was, walking through the streets as though she were a part of it.

"Wow," she murmured, looking around. "It's so… quiet. Like, almost peaceful. Do people actually live here?"

Ekko chuckled. "Yeah. It's a whole different world, isn't it? I thought maybe we should try it out. A different pace for a change."

Powder shot him a teasing look. "You're saying that like I'm the one who's always running around causing trouble." She stuck out her tongue, but there was something almost bashful in the way she did it.

Ekko gave her a playful shove, leading her further down the street. "Hey, I'm not saying anything like that. But you're right, today's different. Just let me surprise you."

As they reached the café, Ekko could feel his nerves creeping back in. He had made sure everything was arranged—everything except for the overwhelming weight of the moment. He wanted Powder to enjoy this, to feel like they were a part of something real, something beyond their usual wild days in Zaun.

They were greeted by a polite waiter who led them to a cozy table on the terrace, with a perfect view of the busy streets below. The lights twinkled like stars in the distance, and a soft breeze fluttered through the air, carrying the scent of freshly baked bread and flowers. It was, in every way, a picture of calm—something Ekko didn't realize he needed until that moment.

Powder's eyes widened when she took in the sight. "This… this is real, isn't it?" She glanced at Ekko, clearly taken aback by the whole experience. "I don't think I've ever been to a place like this."

Ekko smiled, taking a seat across from her. "Yeah. It's a little different from the places we usually hang out, right?"

Powder looked around, still stunned by the surroundings. She leaned back in her chair, clearly trying to process everything. "This is so… nice. Kinda weird, but nice."

Ekko reached for the menu. "I think I'll get the stew. You should try the bread—it's supposed to be incredible."

"I'll take the bread, then," Powder said, her eyes still scanning the room. "But what about you, Ekko? I didn't know you had it in you to plan something like this."

Ekko grinned, a little shy about his admission. "I guess I just wanted to show you a different side of things. Something that wasn't about running or sneaking or… you know, all that usual stuff."

Powder's expression softened, and for the first time, she seemed almost vulnerable in a way that wasn't tied to her usual impulsive nature. "I like it," she said quietly. "It's nice to just... be with you, you know?"

Ekko's heart skipped. The words hung in the air between them, and he felt something shift—a deep sense of contentment, knowing that this moment meant more than any heist or adventure they'd had before. This was real, this was something they could share.

After they ordered, Ekko reached across the table and lightly took Powder's hand, giving it a squeeze. Her fingers curled instinctively around his, and for a moment, they sat in silence, just letting the world move around them. It was a peaceful silence, a shared understanding that something had changed—something good.

Their food arrived, and they dug in, laughing at how fancy the meal felt. Powder picked up a piece of bread and broke it in half, offering one part to Ekko. "You know, this feels… different. But I like it."

Ekko smiled, biting into his bread. "I'm glad. Maybe we can do this more often, yeah?"

Powder nodded, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Only if I don't have to wear something fancy next time."

Ekko laughed, shaking his head. "Deal. Next time, we're doing something wild. How about a heist on a fancy restaurant?"

Powder's eyes gleamed, but she didn't say anything. She just squeezed his hand again, a quiet agreement between them.

For the rest of the evening, they enjoyed each other's company in a way they never had before—no chaos, no explosions, no running. Just Ekko and Powder, two kids from Zaun learning what it meant to live a little differently, if only for a night.

As they finished their meal and the moon rose high above Piltover, Ekko knew one thing for certain: the world had a lot to offer, but the most important part was sharing it with the right person. And with Powder by his side, he could take on anything.