Arcane: Ekko and Powder

The journey back from Piltover was quieter than usual. As they made their way through the winding roads and alleys of Zaun, Ekko couldn't help but reflect on the day they'd shared. It had been different, almost surreal—like stepping into a world where nothing was dangerous or unpredictable. It was a peaceful experience, something he'd never really considered before.

Powder walked beside him, her usual energy still radiating, but there was something different about her today. Her gaze was more thoughtful, and she didn't seem to be her usual carefree self. The trip had brought out a side of her that Ekko hadn't seen in a long time—a side that longed for something more than the chaos of their everyday lives.

As they approached the familiar streets of Zaun, the sounds of clanking metal and the distant hum of machinery filled the air. They both instinctively slowed their pace, as if dreading the return to reality. Zaun was home, but it wasn't always the easiest place to live. It wasn't the peaceful haven they had just left.

Powder turned to Ekko, her face more serious than usual. "Do you ever wonder, Ekko?" she asked quietly. "If we could have something like that every day? You know, something more peaceful?"

Ekko paused, looking down at her. He knew exactly what she meant. The day in Piltover had been like a dream—a brief glimpse into a life that was so different from their own. But he had never really considered leaving Zaun, not fully. It was home, and more importantly, it was the place where they had built their lives, however chaotic it might be.

"I don't know," Ekko said honestly, "sometimes I think about it. But Zaun is where we are. It's where we're needed. People here need us."

Powder gave a small, wistful smile. "I know. But… sometimes I wish we didn't always have to fight so hard just to survive."

Ekko felt a pang in his chest. He knew what she meant. Their lives in Zaun weren't easy, and there were days when the constant struggle felt overwhelming. But he had always tried to be the rock that Powder could lean on. Even in the darkest times, he was always there to catch her when she fell. And he would continue to be there for her, no matter what.

"We can't change where we're from," Ekko said softly, "but we can change what we do with it. Maybe that's what we can work on next. Making our own future. Together."

Powder's eyes softened as she looked up at him, her expression unreadable. They had spent so many years running together, fighting together, surviving together. But there was something more between them now. Something deeper. Ekko could feel it, and he knew Powder could, too.

As they made their way into the heart of Zaun, they didn't speak much. The weight of their conversation lingered in the air, an unspoken understanding between them. They didn't need to say much more. It was clear that they were both feeling the shift in their relationship—the way they now saw each other, not just as companions, but as something more.

That night, in the safety of their familiar hideout, Ekko and Powder sat together in silence, the only sound coming from the gentle hum of the machines around them. The evening had turned cold, and Powder curled up closer to Ekko for warmth, the softness of her presence a comfort that felt like home.

Powder leaned her head against his shoulder, and Ekko rested his cheek against her hair. There was a peaceful stillness between them, one that was new and yet so familiar. They had always shared moments like this—quiet, unspoken exchanges that spoke volumes—but tonight it felt different. The air was charged with something unspoken.

"What if we just… stopped for a second?" Powder whispered, her voice barely audible in the silence. "What if we didn't have to keep fighting? Just for a night, no running, no chaos, just… us."

Ekko felt a warmth spread through him, a soft ache that he couldn't quite place. He had always been the one to keep their world grounded, to focus on survival, on keeping them both safe. But tonight, something inside him stirred. He looked at Powder, her eyes wide with uncertainty, but there was something else there too—a hope. A hope that they could find peace in each other, even if only for a moment.

"You want that?" Ekko asked quietly, his heart thudding in his chest.

Powder nodded, her gaze steady. "I don't know what it means, Ekko. But I… I want to be with you. In whatever way that is. No more running, no more pretending we're something we're not."

Ekko's breath caught in his throat. He had known for a while now that his feelings for Powder had changed. What had once been a deep friendship was now something far more complicated—something that made his heart race every time she was near. But this moment felt different. It felt important.

"Powder…" Ekko said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. He cupped her face in his hands, gently guiding her to look at him. There was a vulnerability in her eyes that mirrored his own. He had always been the one to protect her, but tonight, it felt like she was offering him something precious. Something real.

Without a word, Ekko leaned forward, his lips brushing against hers in a slow, gentle kiss. It was a kiss that spoke of all the unspoken things between them—the trust, the love, the understanding that had grown over the years. It wasn't just about the moment; it was about everything they had shared, everything they were.

When they pulled away, both of them were breathless, but there was a sense of peace in the air. Powder's hand found his, squeezing it tightly. It wasn't about rushing into something. It wasn't about anything other than being there, together, in that moment.

"We don't have to rush this," Ekko said, his voice low and tender. "We've been through so much, and we've always had each other. Whatever happens next, we'll figure it out. Together."

Powder smiled, a soft, contented smile. "Together," she echoed, and for the first time in a long while, she seemed completely at peace.

The night passed in comfortable silence, both of them lying side by side, no words necessary. They didn't need to say anything more. They had crossed a line, but it wasn't a line that needed to be defined by anything other than their connection. There was no rush, no pressure. They had already shared so much over the years. Tonight, they were simply letting the weight of their bond settle around them, knowing that whatever came next, they would face it as they always had—together.

In the quiet of their hideout, with the sounds of Zaun echoing outside, Ekko and Powder finally understood something they hadn't fully grasped before. It wasn't just about surviving anymore. It was about living—about being together, in every way that mattered. And in that moment, that was enough.