a/n: lost my bonnet (rip to my braids) and it inspired me
*a lil sum from my drafts while i force this christmas fic into existence and slooowly chip away at these reqs 😪 and i have since found it if you are wondering
warnings/tags: black!gn!reader, bonnet can be switched out for a durag, silk scarf, etc i js didnt know how to type that lol, ekko's kinda sassy 🤔, bickering but not arguing, fluff...question mark, what is this kind of thing called, rochelle and julius from everybody hates chris kinda relationship, shitty ending idc wrote this at 1am with a t-shirt on my head,
_______________________________________________
a cabinet door slams shut a few rooms over from ekko's workbench, his body jolting at the suddenness of the sound.
"where is this bonnet!?" you shout, clad in your nighttime attire of a t-shirt and sweatpants. this isn't a question new to ekko, you have this problem once every couple of months.
to say you were tired was an understatement. but you'd be damned if you spent hours in that chair getting your hair done just to have it get messed up in one night just because you couldn't protect it. and you've been searching for this thing for 30 whole minutes.
your footsteps stomped around the place, items clattering as you toss them around in wild abandonment in search of this godforsaken bonnet.
"did you check the bathroom?" ekko calls, raising his glass of water to his lips as you pace by his room.
"yes! three times. and even then, i never leave it in there, i always leave it in the same—" a pillow gets thrown off of your bed. nothing. "—exact—" you toss the sheets up. nothing. "—place. i don't get it!"
"then i don't know, baby."
"well, i know i didn't just grow two legs and walk on up out of here!"
ekko scoffs, making a weak attempt at showing empathy. "you have so many bonnets, just wear a different one."
"i can't. that's the only one that doesn't fly off my head while i'm sleeping."
he's amazed at your ability to be so stubborn at the smallest situation. to him, this is nothing but a 'throw something else on your head and call it a day' type of solution.
"can you check your workroom?"
"do you sleep in my workroom?" words full of sarcasm that make your brows somehow furrow even deeper.
"ekko, don't get smart with me."
he sighs, making a half hearted peek around his area. nothing. a shrug. "nothing here."
you keep searching around, looking in the most nonsensical areas for this piece of fabric. under the kitchen sink, IN the kitchen sink, in the shower, in your shoes, ekko's laundry basket, nothing.
you're beginning to just accept defeat, sighing in frustration as you trudge your way back to bed. you pass by ekko's workroom, eyes peeking between the small crack in the door.
pink satin.
atop ekko's head.
"i know you fuckin' lying—"
you swing open the door, snatching it off of his head. white locs fall loose, framing his face. your hand clutches your hip as you wave the bonnet in his face. "ekko, what is this?" you interrogated, an obvious rhetorical question that he didn't have an answer to.
ekko bares his teeth, shoulders pulling into a shrug. he completely forgot that he just...threw it on his head a few hours ago before he started working since he couldn't find a hair tie. "...damn, how'd that get there?"
you close your eyes. two deep breaths. in, out. in out. the second one steadier than the first.
now, usually you were very patient. you understood; things happen. but this? this was your breaking point for the week.
your fingers find the shell of his ear. the sting shoots through the cartilage, skin at his temple pulled taut. he's wincing, sucking air in through his teeth.
"it's like you're trying to test me, huh?
"baby, i'm sorry—" he unintentionally tries giving you his signature puppy-dog eyes. you only tug harder.
"sorry does not cut it. i've been looking for this for 30 minutes, 30! i'm tired as hell, i'm tryna sleep, and here you are playing like shit is sweet!"
Storyline: Ekko and Jinx spend the day with you after having a busy week with the rebuilding of Zaun and Piltover after the battles. In this Jinx is acting like a strong political figure, much to her dismay, because of her influence with the Jinxers. And Ekko with his whole leader of the Firelights is also a strong political leader during this time. I do not know, nor do I care, if this is cannon :)
CW: Severe fluff. It’s too cute. Nothing else, enjoy :)
You wake to the sound of children's laughter floating in from outside of your little room in the camp of the Firelights. You feel around the bed only to find emptiness, Ekko and Jinx having never even gotten home last night.That has been the norm lately. Them coming home after you’ve fallen asleep, and leaving before you wake up. You’ve only seen them a few times in the past 2 weeks. It’s not their fault, you know this. Ekko is needed to help run the Firelights. And the people, Piltover and Zaun included, are still learning how to deal with the recent changes. They are still learning how to be a unity and how to be at peace with each other, and this kind of stuff takes time. Jinx needs to be there to be a voice for the people, despite how much she hates doing so. They are fighting to protect the fragile peace we have at this moment. And you can't fault them for that.
Them, and the other strong leaders and voices, have been talking nonstop the past week. Trying to figure out a way to give Zaun, the Firelights, and Piltover what they want and need. It’s not easy. And you know it's just as draining for them, all of the people involved, as it is for you and the rest of their civilians and families.
But you’ve had a long week without your lovers. Hardly a hello or a kiss on the forehead. You sigh and get up and out of your bed, making your way to the bathroom, steps slow with the remains of your sleepiness. You turn on the blinding lights, and make your way to the sink to brush your teeth. You grab your toothbrush, lamenting on the green and blue ones standing unused next to it. You sigh, once more, before looking up and beginning to brush your teeth.
“Hi there Shnookums.” You feel arms wrap around your waist and jump ready to defend yourself. You quickly relax when you feel a face nuzzle your neck, and familiar blue hair reflects in the mirror. “Did ya miss me? I missed you. It felt like I was gone for foreverrrrrrr.” Your beloved girlfriend rambles on.
You smile and spit out your toothpaste before turning around to hug her back. “I missed you very much.” You say, kissing her forehead before she moves her head for a real kiss. It's one of those long ones, borderline making out, but it's sweet and slow. The kind that comes from being away from the person closest to you, the person who knows your soul.
You reach one of your hands up to run through her recently cut hair, smiling into the kiss as you recall the memory of you and Ekko’s attempt to fix it. Your other hand drags her closer by the waist and she groans lightly into the kiss. Her hands wrapping around your neck and twirling the hair at the base of it.
You hear a cough at the door and finally separate, only slightly. You smile upon seeing Ekko leaning against the doorway. “Hello, love.” He says in his usual calm voice. You give him an excited smile as you open your arms to invite him into the embrace and he grins slightly as he steps forward. Picking you and Jinx up with ease and carrying you both, who are giggling loudly, to the bed. He throws the two of you on the bed before standing above you with a smirk on his face.
“How was your week lovely?” He continues, “We've been so busy we barely got to see you.” You pout at this, deciding to spin this your way.
“Oh so lonely.” You cry out. “I’ve had to go to bed by myself and I’ve had no good night kisses.”
Jinx laughs and leans up so she's propped over you, “Then I guess we have a lot of kisses to make up for.” She leans in and peppers small kisses all over your face, and Ekko just stands there watching the two of you lovingly. “Well, I guess it’s a good thing we cleared our schedules for today. Nobody should be contacting us about the stability of the city any time soon.” You hum in agreement and excitement as Ekko begins to make his way to lay on the bed with the two of you. He drags you up to meet him so your back is pulled against his chest. His arms snake around your waist and trace light shapes along your belly. You lean your head back and soak in the sound of his heart beating.
“You guys don’t have anything going on now?” You question, excitement lacing your voice. “So we get to spend the day together?”
Jinx makes her way to join the two of you, deciding to lay horizontally on your lap. It looks uncomfortable to you, but Jinx will do as Jinx does. “Nope, nothing.” She answers, “Everyone decided to take a couple of days to ‘mull things over.’ So we have the day to ourselves.” She sighs in relief as you move a hand to rub soothingly on her lower thigh.
“What were your plans for today?” Ekko asks, moving one of his hands to run through the blue haired mess on the bed. You sigh, “Well I was going to go grocery shopping and do laundry. We are quite behind.” You ponder about this, deciding whether you should continue to procrastinate.
“We could go together. Make a date out of it.” Jinx states, always the optimist. You feel Ekko nodding behind you, and ideas start to form in your mind. “Yeah, we could dress up all cute and afterwards go out for lunch? Maybe stop somewhere else if we find something interesting to do.”
Jinx leans up on her arms slightly. “When are we going?” You think about it, but Ekko is the first to answer her, “Not right now. I want a few more moments just the three of us.” You smile at this and relax even further into him. Jinx shifts so that she is straddling you, relaxing against your body and nuzzling her face into your neck. “I’m fine right where we are.” She yawns and Ekko moves a hand to be playing with her hair once more, the other still tracing shapes on your stomach.
I'm pretty sure that Christmas doesn't exist in the Arcane universe so maybe a NYE event of sorts featuring Ekko and Reader?
They're either decorating or preparing some fireflies-fireworks. And while Ekko tries to hide his feelings for you, the fireflies around him keep turning into hearts behind his back! They aren't helping at all!
The end is up to you! I know you'll rock it 🥳
Thank you for the request, pookie!! I hope you like it ☺️❤️❤️
Pairing: Ekko x fem! Reader
Word count: 2.2k
Tags: No use of Y/N, no specific physical description of the reader (except for clothing), R has nicknames, cw food mentions, cw alcohol mention, cw injury mention, established relationship, best friends to lovers (speed run edition), love confession, lovestruck! Ekko, firelight! Reader, fluff!
Navigation
ʕ·ᴥ·ʔ
The entire hideout is busy, firelights running around, trying to get everything together before the sun sets. But it's not for some operation to bust a shimmer delivery or to keep some chem barons out of their territory— no, it's for something more festive. An occasion that's more happy that entails some alcohol, twinkling lights, greasy food and most of all great company. Ekko stares fondly at you from across the hideout as he thinks that your presence is his favourite. But Ekko doesn't let it show, or he hopes it's not noticeable.
His hands busy themselves with the wires needed to light up the lanterns. Fingers mindlessly twist around the red wires, but his eyes are nowhere near it. He looks at you as the orange glow of the sun bathes you in its light. Skin shining under it, smile blindingly bright as you grin at a fellow firelight who's helping you hang the rainbow streamers. It was your idea to celebrate the new year all without using loud fireworks since it would give away the hideout's position. In place of the traditional firework celebration, you've suggested sparklers and lanterns that people would tuck their wishes in before letting the paper lanterns go. The lanterns’ hot air would stop just before it reaches the top of the tree so that it doesn't escape the hideout.
With the help of Ekko's genius, and your expert pyrotechnics, the firelights can finally celebrate the festivities properly all without being worried of giving their location away. And with the help of the entire commune, preparing food, putting up decorations and setting up the table, it's all going according to plan.
Ekko thinks that you two make a great team. He can't help but smile at your back as you stand on your tiptoe to reach a tree branch. His oversized jacket looks great on you. He draped it over you this morning after he saw you walk out with a flimsy jacket when the chill in the air has turned into the negatives. You haven't shoved it off, he even pretended not to see you cuddle close to it whenever a breeze passes by.
You stand precariously on a ladder, body stretched up high. He sighs, looking like a lovelorn schoolboy. All the years of knowing you and having feelings for you, he has never felt like this, as if his heart is about to burst out of his chest and jump away towards your hands. He blames all the quiet nights you two have spent together planning the celebration. His mind keeps going back to the small moments where your knee would nudge his own, shoulders kissing his, and eyes aglow under his work lamp as you stare softly at him.
He jumps when he suddenly felt a spark on his fingertips. Following the electric shock, there's loud laughter around him.
With narrowed eyes, he finds the source. “What was that for?” Ekko asks Scar, nose scrunching up at his right hand man, whose finger was just pressing on the on switch. The others are holding in their laughter when Ekko glances at them.
“You were ogling.” Scar says with a teasing smirk.
“I wasn't.” Ekko goes back to connecting the wires, realising that he has forgotten to put on his gloves before working because he was staring at you from the get go. “I was making sure she doesn't fall.”
“From all the way over here?” Scar raises a pierced brow, eyes glinting with playfulness. Ekko blames Scar's light heartedness to the sweet mocktails a firelight concocted for the occasion.
“Shut up.” Ekko clicks his tongue, shaking his head as he pretends to finish up the wires.
“Sure.” Scar hums whilst there's snickering around him. Some even make kissing noises behind his back. They're lucky he's in a good mood or he'll send them to patrol the area instead.
“This one's done.” Ekko practically shoves the lantern in Scar's arms. He was caught in the act, but he'll be damned if he shows his flustered state.
“The next batch is near her by the way.” Scar leans to whisper, “you're within catching distance if she falls.”
Ekko's in a forgiving mood, and he can't keep hiding his clammy hands from everyone. So with a slight shove at Scar and quickly snatching his gloves, he makes his way towards you.
You heard his almost silent footfalls that's oh so familiar before you could even take a peek at him. “Hey, bossman, how're the lanterns?”
“Didn't I tell you to stop calling me that?” He looks up at you, hand stabilizing the ladder while you stretch yourself further up.
“The meaning of the nickname was lost on me years ago, Ekko.” You glance down, smiling sweetly at him. Unbeknownst to you, the sun shines directly behind you, giving you a heavenly aura as he sighs and grips the ladder tightly from the sight. “Besides, I'm used to it. It's a cute nickname.”
“Yeah, suits you, bossman.” Scar adds from way across the hideout. Ekko almost throws a light bulb at him, it would've hit him dead on.
Scar and those big ass ears of his. With a roll of Ekko's eyes, he turns back towards a giggling you, and his brown eyes immediately turn soft.
“Aren't you supposed to be making the sparklers?” Ekko can't help but give you a gentle smile as you tilt your head at him.
“Ah, now I remember why I call you bossman.” You take a few steps down to level with him. Leaning on a step, chin pressed atop your elbow, you meet with his brown eyes. “Finished it a few hours ago with some help from Vi.” Your eyes dart down at his hands, blinking at his slightly singed fingertips. You take his hand worryingly as his eyes zero in on your hand bracelet around his wrist. “What happened?” The pad of your thumb ghost over it carefully.
“I'm surprised Vi didn't set anything on fire.” He looks at your face while you stare with concern at his minor injury. “The thing suddenly turned on.” He's hoping that you can't feel his rapid pulse under your hand.
“What?” You almost break your neck at how fast you look at him. “We made the right calculations—”
“It's fine.” Ekko turns the table, hand reaching up to your elbow, cupping it gently. Your breath hitches in your throat, he notices, making him gulp down his nerves. His hand moves away in case you're uncomfortable from the touch, but you take his hand before he could fully leave your side. His heart leaps in his chest, anymore movement and it'll finally escape into your hands.
“I'm fine, trouble.” He squeezes your hand once, eyes darting quickly at your intertwined hands to remember it by.
“You sure?” Thumb running along the inside of his wrist, you can feel his pulse hammering wildly against his skin. “Alright, just check the damn thing before touching it, okay?”
“Yeah.” Ekko nods, mind telling him to press a kiss on each of your knuckles that he refuses to indulge himself in. “Now who's being the boss, hm?”
Chuckling, you roll your eyes as you reluctantly release him. His touch lingers for a moment longer, fingers grazing down your palms before you climb back up. “Go back to work or we'll be stuck preparing here until midnight.”
“On it, boss.” He mockingly says, walking away and towards the unfinished string of lanterns.
The sound of the ladder creaks as you step up, it has Ekko's worry knocking behind his back. And just as when the creaking turns into splitting wood, he's already turning around, bolting towards you at a speed he didn't even know he could manage.
The next thing you know, you're in his arms. “Holy shit!” You screech whilst firelights circle around you in a hurry. You can hear their sigh of relief when they see you and Ekko alright. He has fallen on the dusty ground with you on his lap, but you both got out of the fall without a scratch. Noticing him being under you, you grasp at his face, eyes wildly checking him for injuries. “Shit, are you alright, Ekko?!”
He groans, face falling atop your clavicle, arms still wrapped around you protectively. In truth, he's hiding his face from everyone else, knowing that they're snickering amongst themselves. His behind aches, but he's glad that he caught you in time. He can't begin to imagine if he didn't.
“Ekko?!” You call for him when he still doesn't respond. “Medic—!”
“I'm okay.” Grasping your bicep, he takes a deep breath before leaning away from you. “No medic needed—!”
Your sudden embrace has his face buried in your chest. Cheeks warm, his arms hovers around you in surprise for a second before hugging you back.
“I thought I killed you!”
“Mmfmfmmhmf.” His muffled voice has you moving away quickly lest he dies of suffocation instead. He takes in a deep breath to stabilize his staggered breathing while you still cradle his face. Pupils blown out, he refuses to look at the circle of firelights who are certainly making kissy faces at him or giggling amongst each other. “I said I'm fine, trouble. Are you okay?” Hands over your back, he sees your eyes glimmer under the light, lip jutting out into a frown.
Your arms unconsciously wrap around his neck, relief evident on your face. You're the one who fell from twelve feet, and yet you're worried about him. You could only nod, moving to embrace him again. Gentler and softer this time as you hide the tears clinging to your lashes against the crook of his neck. You'll never forgive yourself if you hurt him.
Ekko's hand rubs along your back, hugging you against him as he quietly shoo away his people. Scar helps disperse the crowd, but not without sending a quick wink at him.
The air around him seems to lull him to sleep, or was it your comfort that has him relaxing in place? He could stay that way with you forever, if you asked, he would gladly grant it.
“At this rate we'd be here until midnight.” He whispers against the shell of your ear. Chin placed atop your shoulder, he looks at the shattered pile of wood that used to be a ladder.
“I'm sorry.” You suddenly move away, subtly wiping away at your eyes. “Thank you for catching me.”
His heart wretches out of his chest. “I didn't say you should go.” Hand around your own, he stops you from standing up, but gives you enough space to leave.
You stay, squeezing his hand as you fall back into his lap. “You sure? We're right in the middle of the hideout.”
“I figured you weren't ready to leave just yet.”
Your hand reaches towards his cheek, staying there to rub affectionately away the dust sticking to his skin. “I thought I hurt you. Please tell me you're alright.”
“Better than.” He leans against your hand. Giving you a minute, he takes you in. From the curve of your lips, to how your cool hand feels on his warm skin, and to your frostbitten nose. He laments under you. Eyes darting around, it finally occurs to him that you two are right in the middle of everything. For what he plans next, he wants it to just be you and him. “C’mon, let's get you some water, yeah?”
Inhaling, you rub away the tears and stand up. You help him up with a hand, and he doesn't let go until you're both inside the tree house all alone. He knows that he should wait for the countdown, but he can't wait for a second more. Not when you look at him like how he looks at you. With longing and unequivocal love.
So when he spills his guts to you, all the soft and gentle words he has scrawled in his mind over the years, all with the thought of you— you didn't waste time crashing your lips against his own.
Ekko staggers forwards, hand bracing so you don't hit the wall. But you'd be too busy to notice anyway whilst you're kissing him fervently.
When he couldn't breathe anymore from the air stealing kiss, he leans his forehead against yours. Irisis blown out, hands cupping your cheeks as he inhales your scent and memorizes how you hold him close with your arms wrapped around his waist— he can't help but chuckle.
“Should I have waited for midnight?” He breathlessly asks, affection dripping from his words as he leans away to fully savour in your besotted state.
“Ekko, I've been waiting since you kissed my cheek when we were kids after I saved your ass from an enforcer.” You giggle as he mirrors your smile. “No, you shouldn't have waited. A kiss and a confession at midnight is cliché anyway.” Joking, you wipe away the sheen off his kiss bitten lips while you admire his lovestruck gaze that you're awfully fond of.
“We can still do it, kiss under the lanterns but this time without our teeth clashing and you almost tripping when you pounced on me.”
“I didn't pounce!” You feign an offended gasp, hand on your chest as he laughs and chases your lips. Kissing you with every breath you take. “Oh a very happy new year to us.”
Ekko takes it as a big yes for another kiss when the clock strikes twelve. Hopefully more in the new year, and for years to come.
The city is alive, a restless pulse of machinery, steam, and dreams that refuse to die no matter how many times they’ve been stepped on. The air is thick, heavy with the scent of oil and metal, but to you, it smells like home. And tonight, like always, it’s brighter when you’re with him.
Ekko’s laugh is soft but genuine, carried on the wind as his hoverboard dips and soars beside you. The two of you are high above the city, the Firelights’ familiar haunts zipping past in bursts of neon and shadow. He’s weaving through the air with practiced ease, his scarf fluttering behind him like a comet trail.
“You call that flying?” he teases, glancing back at you as you grip your own makeshift hoverboard, struggling to keep up.
“Some of us weren’t born with wings, Ekko,” you shoot back, grinning despite yourself. The thrill of the ride courses through your veins, and for a moment, it feels like you’re untouchable, weightless in a world that’s always pulling you down.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got you,” he says, his voice warm as he slows just enough to glide alongside you.
And you know he does. He always does.
The two of you land on the edge of a towering spire, the remnants of an old factory long since reclaimed by Zaun’s green glow. It’s quiet up here, the hum of the city below muted by distance, and for a while, neither of you speaks.
Ekko leans against the railing, his hoverboard propped beside him, and gazes out at the city. His face is calm, but you can see the weight behind his eyes—the kind of weight that comes from carrying a whole world on your back.
“Everything feels different,” he says after a while, his voice barely above a whisper.
You step closer, resting your arms on the railing beside him. “Different how?”
He shrugs, his gaze fixed on the patchwork lights of Zaun below. “I don’t know. Like... everything’s changing, and I’m just trying to keep up. Piltover’s still breathing down our necks, people are still hurting, and no matter how much we do, it feels like we’re barely making a dent.”
There’s a heaviness to his words, the kind that makes your chest ache. You’ve always admired Ekko—his strength, his vision, his relentless drive to make things better—but moments like this remind you that he’s still just one person.
“You’ve already done more than most people would even try,” you say gently, your hand brushing against his.
He glances at you, his eyes softening. “Doesn’t feel like enough.”
“It is,” you insist. “You’re keeping Zaun alive, Ekko. You’re giving people hope. That’s more than enough.”
For a moment, he doesn’t respond, his gaze searching yours like he’s trying to find the truth in your words. And then, slowly, he smiles—a small, quiet thing, but real.
“Thanks,” he says softly.
The night stretches on, the two of you sitting on the edge of the spire and watching the city below. It’s peaceful, the kind of moment that feels like it could last forever.
Ekko leans back on his hands, his scarf pooling around him as he tilts his head to look at you. “You’re not too bad on a board, you know,” he says, his tone teasing but warm.
You snort. “Coming from you, that’s basically a compliment.”
He laughs, the sound light and easy, and for a moment, you think you could live on it.
“I mean it,” he says after a pause, his voice quieter now. “You’re... good at this. At being here. With me.”
Your cheeks warm at his words, and you glance away, suddenly shy under his gaze. “I try,” you say lightly, though your heart is pounding in your chest.
Ekko leans closer, his shoulder brushing against yours. “I don’t say it enough, but... I’m glad you’re here,” he murmurs.
You turn to look at him, surprised by the vulnerability in his voice. He’s always been good at putting on a brave face, at pretending he’s invincible, but right now, he’s just Ekko—your Ekko, the boy who’s always tried to save the world, even when it felt impossible.
“I’m glad I’m here too,” you say softly.
He smiles, and for a moment, the weight on his shoulders seems a little lighter.
The two of you stay there for hours, talking about everything and nothing, until the city begins to quiet and the first hints of dawn streak the sky.
“Come on,” Ekko says, standing and offering you his hand. “Let’s get out of here before the sun catches us.”
You take his hand, letting him pull you to your feet, and the two of you leap back onto your hoverboards, the city coming alive beneath you once more.
And as you fly through Zaun’s endless maze of light and shadow, with Ekko’s laughter ringing in your ears, you can’t help but feel like everything might just be okay.
For now, at least, you’re falling with him—and you wouldn’t have it any other way.
hello!! I recently came across your work and adore your writing style:0- i was wondering if i could get a bit of comfort with ekko? preferably for stress/anxiety or whatever you're comfortable with! thank you <3
hi hii! thanks so much for the compliment, i hope you enjoy :3 this is also my first request after my temporary hiatus so wooo!
𝐀𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞
△ arcane masterlist ▼
↳ pairing: ekko x reader
↳ warnings: mentions of anxiety & vague self destructive behavior
↳ word count: 847
Typically fears developed in childhood decrease in intensity or vanish completely by the time adulthood rolls around, but strangely enough, you never did overcome your fear of heights. Ironic, seeing how your name was labeled under the Firelight alias, the group that fought from their signature hoverboards.
It's not reassuring to know that the brush with death was a dance you performed every time the device hummed awake, but among other things, it was just something to get over. You had to make room for more significant matters, not your childish anxieties.
Still, it kept you up at night.
It painted hollow shadows below your eyes, and cursed your stomach in an everlasting nausea. The muscles in your body grew weaker from lack of nutrition, and it was only a matter of time before it really began to show.
Despite the physical damage to your body, the guilt was the worst of it. There was no time to be afraid. No time for any setbacks or distractions. Focus must be on the future, the future the Firelights worked so hard for. The very reason for the groups' existence.
Every mission was a step towards freedom, and that alone was a purpose worth dying for. But for some, mind-boggling reason, you just couldn't accept that fate.. And you despised yourself for it.
First, it was denial. Then it was anger, and now, you're not too sure what to call this expression. Despair? Fatigue? What is in this reflection you're staring at right now, that brings your state of mind closer to the cliff? Did you even recognize yourself? Was this person on the other side of the glass really you?
Stumbling backwards onto your mattress, you tightly gripped the fabric of your pants as your gaze fell to the floorboards. Departure was in ten minutes. The clock was ticking fast. The familiar clench in your chest rose up from the depths, causing your lungs to sharply inhale.
1...2...3...1...2...3..
The skin between your brows pulled together. It's not working.
1...2...-
"Hey. Reminder, we move out in five."
His voice passing by your door interrupted the pattern.
The glance he spared you was brief, but the hunch in your shoulders drove out a double take. The tip of his boot hit the doorframe to halt his step. Hand coming to rest on the wood, Ekko raised a brow at your silence.
"..You okay?"
Your foot began to bounce, hands coming together to interlock.
"Mhm. Yeah."
Ekko frowned as he entered the room. "You sure about that?"
You slapped the palms of your hands to your knees as you rose, a wavering sigh flying out your chapped lips. "Yes. It's just.." Your arms waved around in a gesture. "I don't know...jitters."
The boy chuckled, quirking his brow higher up his forehead. "Still get those, huh? Though I can't say anything, I get them, too."
You frowned this time. "You still get nervous?"
Even though his announcement marked the limited minutes before take off, Ekko leisurely replaced your spot on the mattress and exhaled, eyelids closing. "Before every mission. Before I get out of bed. Before I do...anything."
Suddenly, the suffocating weight inside your chest lifted, just by the slightest amount. Stepping forward, you sat down beside him, staring at the same wooden planks as before. Ekko turned to you, eyes studying the muscles of your expression.
He wasn't a stranger to the signs. The weariness in your cheeks and eye circles, as well as the dead skin on your lips due to biting. You were more than nervous right now. He clapped a hand to your shoulder.
"We're gonna be okay."
The smoothness in his tone wrapped you up in an embrace and squeezed until you couldn't breathe. The skin of your neck tensed as you swallowed, an irritating wetness pooling in your vision. The hand on your shoulder moved to wrap around you entirely, bringing your body to lean against his.
Your cheek lolled down to meet the cut off of his sleeve, the fabric catching the tear that escaped you. His hand rubbed your right arm a couple times as you sniffled.
"We got this, alright? You're strong. I know you can handle this. And if anything goes south, you get out of there."
You nodded against him, swiping away the dampness from your cheeks.
"You don't have to go through this alone, alright? I'm here, [First]. You can talk to me."
He received another nod from you. When he didn't hear any other vocal response, he gently shook you, earning a hushed laugh.
"Okay?" "Okaay."
You met his lingering stare with a grin, eyes no longer damp. "Thank you."
Patting you on the arm, he rose up to his feet, ultimately bringing you with him. "Don't thank me. It's what we do. We look after each other."
His hand slid off your form and grabbed both of yours, giving you a gentle squeeze.
"..You ready?"
Ridding the remains of your nerves with another slow breath, you made eye contact with a bit more confidence.
First of all, I loooove your writing. Like, *chef kiss*
Ok, so: since Arcane 2 came out i've been obssessed with Ekko, so (if u can and are okay with it) I was wondering if you could write something about him with an s/o who has very bad periods? Personally, I'm someone who has bad periods (I'm talking irritability, lower-back pain, vomiting...) and I would really appreciate it if you could write it ❤
Thank you!
viii. ekko x afab!reader w/ bad periods (hcs)
a/n: first of all, SUNSHINE 😭😭😭😭 anyone else who makes a request you MUST call me sunshine
second, thank u!! i hope u like this as well 🫶🏾
third, i'm working on the current reqs i have, so they are coming if you submitted one. i also have some other ones on the side of my own that i'll be dropping as well ^_^ i mainly do write at night, so if they take a while that is why.
warnings/tags: not fem!reader at all! literally just for anyone w/ a period lol, no use of y/n, no description of reader's physical features, nonsexual intimacy, just fluff! 🙋🏾♀️, writing this made me realize my periods may be worse than i thought
_______________________________________________
-carries pads and/or tampons in his OWN bag/pockets 😭 you're like, "ugh, i think i started," and he sucks his teeth, discreetly sliding you one.
-before you started living together, he kept a separate cabinet in his bathroom open just for you. same brand of pads/tampons you like, a heating pad, pain killers, and fresh towels.
-started paying attention to your cravings and keeps those stocked up, too.
-does NOT let you go on firelight patrol/missions while you're on your period. insists you rest up until it's over.
-he got a pull-out couch from scar that he didn't want anymore and made it super comfy for you— stuffed the cushions extra, got you a weighted blanket, extra pillows, everything.
-then he put it right in his work room.
-he wanted to make sure he could keep you comfortable, even while he was busy.
-he basically made it a corner for you, with a little snack bin, a huge canteen of water, and a bucket if you ever needed to throw up.
-if you have long hair, he rushes behind you to hold or tie your hair back while you vomit so nothing gets in it.
-hearing you trudge in and groan as you throw yourself onto that couch is always bittersweet—he loves your company, but hates that you're in pain.
-he cannot help dropping multiple bad jokes (that you probably won't laugh at, cuz ain't shit funny right now)
-has absolutely said "it's uter-US" before and you could not tell if he was joking or not
-i fully believe that ekko can and will THROW DOWN in the kitchen for you.
-give that boy a speaker for some music and a stove and you will somehow have a 5 star meal in a few hours.
-he is sometimes a little clumsy though and manages to burn a few things because he's too busy using a spoon as a microphone. you scolding him for it never gets old.
-will rush to finish his work, or sometimes even abandon it to come cuddle you to sleep.
-"everything hurts," you grumble, his weight making the bed dip a little when he climbs in. his arms were around you in the blink of an eye.
he's littering your cheeks and neck with kisses, the tenderness of them making your entire body relax. he leaves only when he hears your breathing slow and low snores fill the air. it takes him a moment to force himself to get up and get back to work.
-leaves little gifts and drawings lying around to make you feel better. little drawing of you here, small box of dark chocolate there, little things like that.
-sits in the shower or bath with you, his chin resting on your shoulder while you lean against his chest.
-if you're showering together, he'll gently sway back and forth with you. he's gotten used to how boiling hot you like your showers, especially during your period, so now it's nothing to him.
-if you're in the bath together, his fingers will dance along your shoulders and chest, the small laughs that you produce literally sending him to heaven and back. his voice, hushed, utters praises into your ear.
he would have been the one to run the bath as well, pouring extra soap and epsom salts in there to relax your body (and his muscles).
-simply put, ekko's love for you is LOUD. hardly stated, but always felt.
heyy hope you’re doing well! requests r open & i was wondering if you could do a stm w ekko evolving him and his s/o or a friends to lovers trope going roller skating ? :!!
like pls tell me you’ve seen those videos of ppl roller skating .. anyways thxs for the consideration, i luv your work <3
ix. skate to me!
a/n: TY!!! THIS IS SO CUTE LOLOLOL
dance based of this tiktok, idk if i'm feeling that song for this fic tho 🤔 imagine whatever song you want
*the song i attached was also not the song i imagined for the dance but it fit the fic...if u ask me i was thinking abt drugs n hella melodies by don toliver
guys iwas reading my old writing from like my notes app n why am i kinda getting worse at it LMAOOO
warnings/tags: gn!reader, no use of y/n, no desc of reader's physical features, fluff + suggestive (really it's just the dance but i dont see it as THAT sexual 🌚), reader is a beginner roller skater, modern!au, teaching you how to skate 🥹, friends to lovers, slow dancing (backpacking is the actual term...whoops), ekko locking tf in, to fw this fic or not fw this fic...good question!
_______________________________________________
ekko regularly went roller skating with powder, vi, claggor and mylo. and lord, was he a show off.
powder would be skating around in her own world, humming to the music, then here comes ekko zooming by backwards, crouching down, AND on his phone.
he acted humble about it, but humility only goes so far when you're two steps from doing a backflip on the floor. regulars started to build a reputation up for him as "the trick guy" because of it.
anyway, one day the six of you were hanging around in powder's room when you overheard mylo ask, "we still on for thursday?"
you perked up. "what's on thursday?"
"oh," vi shrugged, pink locks brushing against her brow. "we're all going skating together."
powder's arms draped around your shoulder. "hey, you should come with. you busy?"
"no," you hummed, "but i don't know how to skate."
the weight of knowing glances being shot around the room smacked you like a ton of bricks, and once again you felt left out. you opened your mouth to speak up but claggor, wearing a smug grin, cut you off.
"ekko'll teach you."
ekko fumbled with his pen, spinning to face the group. "huh?"
"yeah," vi chips in. "you'll teach them, won't you?"
ekko's eyes land on you, his lips tugging into a sheepish smile without even knowing it. "of course!"
͙͘͡★
the first time you joined them was the first time you'd ever skated, ever.
low neon lights paint the room, flicking through hues with each beat that pounded through the speakers. a glimmering disco ball spun lazily at the center of the skating rink.
ekko stepped on the slippery floor backwards, hands cupping yours. he pulled you forward and your upper half moved, but your legs didn't.
"c'mon!" he urged, drawing you closer so you didn't fall.
"i'm coming..." you croaked, trying to convince yourself more than him. your eyes remained glued to your feet.
he raised a brow and he leaned into your space. "hey," his breath tickled your ear. "i've got you."
you swallowed and awkwardly stepped onto the floor. wobbling legs mimicked those of a newborn fawn, your body lurching forward to find its balance. embarrassing, a voice rung in your mind. you heard laugh above you and it irritated you.
"ekko, help me! don't just stand there!" you scolded. ekko's fingers began to ache from how tight you gripped onto them.
"you won't learn!" he insisted. "listen, if you lean forward, all your weight will move forward. stand up straight!"
yeah, fuck all of that.
your hands abandoned his, desperately searching for a sturdier anchor. his shoulders, of course! you braced yourself on them, propelling yourself upright. every limb in your body grows stiff, your gaze meeting ekko's.
at no point did you register how close you were to him. chest to chest, nails clawing at his hoodie, faces only a few inches apart.
ekko however, was violently aware.
ekko cleared his throat, hands awkwardly floating at his side. his gaze darts everywhere except for towards you. he didn't wanna just grab on you, not without asking first—fuck, you looked amazing under the lights—but you needed help and you wanted to learn and—
"ekko?" you called for the third time.
"sorry. we'll, um, take it slow, okay? i won't let you fall. i promise."
you've only realized this now, but ekko was...kinda cute.
͙͘͡★
you attended the skating sessions more frequently after that. a quick learner, you were. after a few weeks you started to get the hang of skating on your own without clutching onto ekko like your life depended on it.
he'll never admit it, but he missed having you so close.
the distance had you two constantly staring at each other on the floor, shooting each other smiles. they were flirtatious and shy, too nervous to go any further.
with you starting to separate on the floor came you seeing just how much of a show off ekko was. backwards, sliding on the floor, speeding around the rink, twisting with vi to create some insane shape—didn't matter. it was for fun, sure, but he loved seeing the impressed look on your face more than anything.
͙͘͡★
you trail far behind ekko on the rink, still not quite as fast as him. he twists around to face you, arms open, beckoning you over.
pushing off the ground, you speed up to him, barely avoiding a collision. your body clashes with his, almost sending you both tumbling down. you erupt in laughter after finding your balance.
"i knew you'd learn," he comments, the distance between you two growing ever so slightly. your hip bumps his.
"all thanks to you," you coo. his lips press into a line, slipping against each other. should he just tell you? he's been holding it in way too long, now would be the best time, right?
"☆, i—"
"this next song's for all my couples on the floor," the dj's voice boomed out in the speaker. ekko looked around in confusion, looking at the dj booth near the front, lo and behold, powder was behind it, her hand covering her mouth as she spoke to him.
you moved with the threat of departure, then paused once you heard the slow intro to the song. "oh, but i love this song," you murmur in disappointment. once the dj played a song during a session, he would not play it again.
ekko hesitates to speak. "we could...dance anyway?" you glance over at him, glassy umber eyes begging you to not skate away. "...can we?" he tacks on.
you'd be crazy to say no.
your foot makes its turn, wheels sliding across the floor as you faced ekko. it starts casual; just skating, swaying to the music, eyes closed while you just let you and the music get comfortable.
ekko, on the other hand? a wreck. he could only keep his cool for so long. with you moving closer, closer, closer, he was about to fall apart. he kept glancing behind him to 'make sure he didn't crash into someone' but if he had the choice he'd keep his eyes fixed on you forever.
you caught on to ekko's feelings for you a while ago. albeit, it took multiple teasing glances from the rest of the group for it to start to click, but once you realized that you had him wrapped around your finger, that chance was taken and ran, no, sprinted with it.
your hands finally met, which is when you opened your eyes.
"hi," you chirp.
"hi," he parrots, tone dripping with something you can't quite place.
half-lidded eyes watch in awe of how effortless you made everything look. he needed to catch up, couldn't leave you dancing on your own.
as the song started to build into the chorus, ekko started to follow your lead. a lazy game of cat and mouse—chasing the direction of your body. his arm raised, readying you for a twirl that you were waiting for.
your fingers rotate between his and you make it halfway through the spin before you trip on your front wheel. your back lands on his chest.
"sorry," you gasp, heart racing from almost falling. his heartbeat drums against your shoulder.
"no, it's okay," he reassures. his wrists perch atop your hip bone, your arms crossed in front of you.
your eyes meet his above you shoulder. smooth, brown skin tinted a deep red over the lights, small twinkles curving around the planes of his face. slowly, your hips grind back into his. it was impossible to feign innocence at this point.
ekko almost chokes on his spit, but by no means is he against it. the slow wind of your body against his had the room spinning around him. it takes him...multiple seconds, but he starts to move with you, stretching your arms into the air, exposing the fluidity of your movements.
although his anxiety was eating him alive, he rocked with you ever so slowly, arms swishing back down. his hand glides on your upper thigh, chin resting on your shoulder. you crane back on his opposite shoulder, free hand raising to cup the back of his neck.
it felt like nobody else was in the building at that moment, music drowning out behind your heartbeats thumping in your ears.
you lock eyes, both of you stealing glances at the other's lips.
ekko was frozen, caught in the intricacies of your facial features. to be fair, you were losing the ability to breathe the more you stared into his eyes, but it seems ekko is losing brain cells. so, fine. you'd do it.
your noses collide at first, sending you back to his shoulder. like two teenagers. no time was set aside for any apology from either of you after you finished snickering, guiding him by his neck to finally let your lips meet.
the rhythmic beats in your chests synced, the world blurring around you as your movements slowed to a near stop. with each presage of the kiss stopping, your brows knit together and the hand cradling his neck pressed ever-so-slightly down. urging, pleading him not to let the moment end.
it was delicate, and maybe lasted longer than it should have, but it spoke every word that the two of you were too scared to say.
͙͘͡★
during your dance, mylo's mouth flew open with a yawn.
"man, i just wish they'd get it over with and kiss."
"be patient!" powder snapped, leaning on the table, anticipation literally having her at the edge of her seat. she's been waiting for this moment for months, praying for the day that you two just suck it up and admit it.
vi leaned across the table to whisper to claggor, eyes remained fixed on the two of you. she chuckled. "ekko's too nervous to—holy shit."
