Chapter Text
Born in the undercity, the oldest child in a family of five kids. You grew up a caretaker, forced to grow up too soon for someone your age.
The day you lost them all, you decided to use your powers for others. You were blessed with the power of the moon, and the ability to heal. Flying across Zaun, you helped the underdog and everyone in need of assistance —who didn't immediately try to skin you alive—, becoming quite the talk between Zaunites. Whispers about you were getting quite common nowadays.
You knew you had a reputation, but being caught, as someone who moved mostly through the skies, wasn't something you had considered.
“We’re not here to hurt you.” The robotic voice of the leader sounds from behind his mask. The masked group had cornered you against one of the tall abandoned buildings, what used to be Silco's lair before the explosion.
You look at them with wary eyes and a distrustful frown.
"Yet you have me cornered..." you say, keeping your eyes on each one of them. The bright light cast by your hands remains steady, ready to attack if needed.
Ekko looks to his allies, then back to you. “So your…ability’s not just folklore.” Ekko tilts his head at you, eyes calculating. “A doctor in Zaun that can heal through light?”
You look at him suspiciously, "That's right... but if you threaten me, I won't hesitate to use my power in self-defense too."
“No threat,” Ekko says. “At least, not from us. This is a business proposition.”
You watch him urge his hoverboard forward, to where you are. Yet you move a bit back, but ultimately look at his owl mask with slightly narrowed eyes.
"... Show your face." You demand with a low voice.
Ekko pauses, but he nods without hesitation. He pulls his mask off, resting it over his shoulder. He looks young, but he’s clearly the leader. His gaze is serious, eyes tired and face sharp.
Your expression softens with slight surprise. He looks close in age to you, yet you had naturally expected someone older. Your eyes rake across his smooth dark skin, his white dreads and dark brown eyes, noting the confident stance as he shows his face to you.
"What is your name? ... And what do you want?"
“I’m Ekko,” he says flatly, as though expecting you to know who he is. “I run the Firelights. You’ve probably heard of us.” His voice is serious, a bit guarded, “Your power can change Zaun, save lives. I want you to join us.”
You slowly make the light from your hands dim out. Yet still look at him with a guarded expression.
"I know who you are." You frown softly,
"But why would I join you? I'd have less reach for people in need if I only stayed at one place."
He glances around at his crew, then his eyes return to yours, a challenge in his gaze.
“You’d have support, a team. You wouldn’t work alone, you’d have resources.” He seems to think for a moment, then says more quietly, “We could help you hide your talents from Silco.” It didn’t sound like a bad idea…
"But you'd make me stay in your community?" You carefully look at his hoverboard, just in case he makes any sudden moves. "How would that help Zaun, when you seek to monopolize my power?"
He crosses his arms, looking almost offended. “We’d help you grow. Our resources would help Zaun, your work would help Zaun.”
His voice is serious now, “We wouldn’t control you, we’d support you. We’re offering you a community, a safe home, access to resources, and protection. What are you getting now?”
You falter at the mention of a safe home, and look down with a distant gaze. Yet you shake your head, wanting to brush away those thoughts, and look up at him again.
"And you wouldn't mind having someone like me? Don't you fear the arcane?"
He studies you for a moment, but his gaze seems genuine. “The only thing that scares me is what Silco is capable of. He’s got control of the whole city. Zaun isn’t safe anymore. Not for them,” he glances at his crew, then back to you, “not for you.”
He pauses, but his tone is less tense this time. “We aren’t perfect, and I can’t guarantee a perfect life, but I can promise safety. Can anyone else?”
You close your eyes, with eyebrows creased in thought.
You open your eyes again to look at him with an unconvinced frown. "Then what about your community... Is it open for anyone in need here in Zaun?"
He seems slightly surprised, but nods. “We’re one of the only safe havens in this place,” his voice almost sounds bitter as he says it, “If anyone wants to help Zaun and needs a hand, we accept them. The only thing we don’t allow is Shimmer.”
You frown as he mentions shimmer, having a clear disgust for the addictive substance. The horrible things it does to people...
You take a moment before hovering a bit closer to him with your powers.
"Your community... Can I see it?"
Ekko watches you rise, eyes narrowing for a split moment before he nods. “Fine. But we have to blindfold you. You understand, right?” There’s a slight tension in his voice, he’s obviously cautious about showing the hideout to someone he doesn’t truly know.
You frown again, but nod with a soft sigh. "Alright... But how will I know where to head?"
You say, closing your eyes right before he places the cloth over your eyes, like a makeshift blindfold, and ties it on the back of your head.
He reaches up, pulling the fabric securely over your eyes. The blindfold is dark and thick, hiding any light. He places his hand on your shoulder to steady you.
“I’ll guide you. Keep your feet on the board, but stay close.” His voice was slightly closer to your ear.
Your expression turns deadpan. Is he serious…?
"But I can fly without that..." You say, gesturing down at yourself in emphasis.
The touch of his hand tenses slightly for a moment as he scoffs, but he keeps his voice neutral.
“Just do what I say.” It’s an order.
With his hand still on your shoulder, he turns his board onto a path, leaving you no choice but to follow.
You sigh deeply but hop onto his hoverboard. Yet, as soon as he wills it forward, your body tenses and you almost lose your foothold.
You're forced to hold onto him not to fall.
"Sorry." You apologize, readjusting your hands on his shoulders instead of around his torso.
"This isn't like flying..." You mutter, your legs trembling a bit, "This is highly unstable."
Ekko is quiet for a moment as he keeps the hoverboard steady and moving.
“You have to trust the board,” his voice a little quieter, “and trust me. I’ll catch you if you fall.”
He glances over his shoulder, watching you wobble from the corner of his eye.
You press your lips together and your fingertips dig more firmly against the muscles of his shoulders.
"It'd be best if I don't fall at all..."
You're aware of how ridiculous it is that someone like you, who can fly, is scared of heights. But really, it's because you don't have control in this situation, unlike when flying.
Ekko’s eyes linger in thought as he continues guiding you through the streets. He remains silent, but his shoulders are firm like he’s braced to catch you at any second.
The ride lasts a few more minutes, until his board finally comes to a halt. The blindfold is removed, and the sight before you is… unexpected. He’s brought you to a large tree, surrounded by greenery in a small oasis in the midst of Zaun.
You look up in awe, taking in the beauty of the makeshift lanterns and then down to the people casually chatting, the children playing and the others who go around completing tasks.
"This is—" You interrupt yourself as your legs give up underneath, and end up falling to the grassy floor.
Your cheeks flush as you hear the other firelights behind you snicker at the sight.
"... I don't want to ride one of those ever again..."
Ekko crouches down, helping you to your feet with a slight smirk. “You have to be able to keep your balance,” his tone was teasing, “it takes practice.”
Ekko seemed to take it in good humor. There’s a look of slight approval in his eyes that you might not notice.
“Let’s show you around, then,” he gestured and began leading the way through the tree.
"Yeah, I'll stick to flying..." You mutter under your breath as you start following him, forcing your legs to remain steady.
A group of kids rush by, almost crashing against you, but thankfully, you stop just in time.
That's when they notice you, taking in your appearance. Their eyes fall on the silvery freckles on your face and markings along your arms.
“Hey, kids,” Ekko calls out, and the children slow down with giggles.
“We have a guest, make sure to be polite,” he says, but there’s a slight smile on his face at their antics.
One of the kids steps forward with a cautious expression, “You look like the doctor my papa told us about!” He gives you an innocent grin.
Ekko looks to you, a slight curiosity in his eyes.
You look at the kid with surprise, but soon enough, let out a small amused snort with a gentle smile.
"Really...? What did your papa say?"
The boy, with messy red hair, smiles brightly and launches into a detailed story of his father, a miner, who was hurt on the job, but was healed by a doctor who looked like you. His eyes widened as he described how the doctor’s hands glowed.
Ekko watches with interest, a thoughtful gaze lingering on you.
The other kids chime in, adding details to the story and occasionally giggling. Overall, it's a fun story. One of many of your patients, it seems.
You smile at the kids with a fond look, but as they go on about how amazing this doctor who "looked like you" was, grow slightly bashful.
"I'm glad your father could be helped when in need."
The kids nod enthusiastically, but the other Firelights around are watching with more intensity. They know who you are now, the famous healer in Zaun.
A small girl with pigtails looks at you with wide eyes, “Are they real, doc? The rumors? Your powers? Will you show us?”
The kids’ excited questions seem to be enough to make Ekko want to move on, and he puts a hand on your back to lead you forwards, “Alright kids, that’s enough bothering our guest.”
"I—" You clear your throat and send the little girl an apologetic smile as Ekko leads you away.
You walk beside him, and step up the stairs where he leads you.
"Thanks..." You say softly, looking away.
Ekko leans in slightly, keeping his voice low as he talks to you.
“I’m sorry about the kids,” he seems to be genuinely apologetic, “they always get a little loud.”
He glances at your face, and for a moment, he seems fascinated by your little freckles. As you look away, you can feel his gaze lingering on you.
You shake your head, "I'm glad they found a place where they can be... well, kids."
Looking back at him again, you continue, "Zaun is not often a place for... children." You notice his gaze on you.
Ekko’s gaze shifts from your face and he gives you the smallest nod.
“This place is for anyone who wants to help the undercity,” his voice takes on more of a serious tone, “we want Zaun to be good enough for children again.”
His hand remains on your back as he guides you along.
Some of the other Firelights give you looks of curiosity as the two of you pass by. Clearly they also have questions for you.
"Where are you taking me?" You look around curiously, highly aware of his hand resting on your back, but not saying anything about it.
While you let your gaze move across the beautiful base, Ekko guides you toward a doorway, gesturing towards it with a slight smile.
“Let’s get to know you a bit better. You’ve intrigued quite a few people already.”
He leads you inside, and your eyes adjust to the dimmer lighting. The room is lined with shelves of medical supplies, though most of the equipment looks like it’s made from makeshift supplies and metal scraps. Ekko leans against a wall for support with his arms crossed. Though he keeps his friendly demeanor, there seems to be some tension in the air.
You move further into the room, glancing curiously at the supplies on the shelves with a critical eye. But eventually nod in approval, "You've managed to gather enough supplies... Is it enough for the people here?"
Ekko’s arms are still folded, eyes watching you with a contemplative gaze as you look around the room.
“It’s enough for now. We tend to get new supplies in occasionally,” he gestures to the shelves, “We try our best to keep everyone healthy and cared for,” the look in his eyes turns somber, “Even without access to medical equipment of Piltover standards we can still be of help.”
You nod with a slight frown, then, as you run your fingertips across one of the wooden shelves, you look down.
"You said you wanted to know me better?"
Ekko nods, pushing off the wall and moving closer, his arms folding casually. His lips are set into a slight frown as he looks you over.
“The kids weren’t the only ones curious,” he says it with a slightly teasing tone, “we have some questions for you, doc.”
He tilts his head, watching you closely.
You look back at him and slowly straighten yourself, holding your hands together in front of you.
"You're free to ask them, then..."
Ekko’s eyebrows raise in surprise for a moment before his expression turns contemplative. He walks a slow circle around you, taking in every detail.
“Your healing powers,” his hand gently grabs your arm, his finger tracing one of the silvery marks on your forearm, “how did you get these?”
You flinch slightly and take your arm back bashfully.
"I—" you clear your throat, "I'm a mage... I've always been, but my powers awoke when I was thirteen."
Ekko seems a little surprised, but he recovers quickly. His eyes never leave your face as he listens intently.
“A mage…” his voice takes on a slightly incredulous tone, “You have to at least be somewhat well-off then, right? How does a mage end up in Zaun?”
You frown and turn your face away.
"Well-off...? You're mistaken." You look down at your hands, and, noticing you're clenching them into fists, relax them.
"I'm a Zaunite... but my parents weren't."
Ekko’s eyes widen, a flicker of understanding crossing his face. When he speaks, his voice has lost its edge and is filled with sympathy.
“I’m sorry,” he says softly, “I shouldn’t pry.”
The silence hangs for a moment, but Ekko’s curiosity gets the best of him again.
“Why Zaun, though?” he asks, “Why not Piltover?”
You purse your lips and start fidgeting with your hands.
"My parents left their homeland, running away from something. But... they never got to tell me the full story."
You shake your head, "The thing is that they came with nothing but hope and a family that only continued to grow..."
Ekko listens to your story with interest, his head tilted in a thoughtful manner. As you continue, his eyes shift from curious, to sympathetic, to concerned.
“They died,” it’s not a question, as much as a statement. He pauses for a moment and then asks quietly, “How old were you when it happened?”
You don't deny his statement, it's clear enough that he's right.
"I was ten by then... I had to take care of my four younger siblings."
Ekko is speechless for a moment, as if struggling to process everything.
“Damn it,” he mutters, shaking his head, “Zaun is harsh without parents, I can’t imagine what it was like for you.”
He reaches out, gently resting his hand on your shoulder.
“I’m sorry,” he says softly.
You close your eyes and pat his hand with yours.
"... It's okay... Thanks." You look away and gather up the courage to continue your story.
"At age thirteen... the rest of my family was taken from me. That's when my powers awoke, but... I've dedicated myself to helping others since then."
Ekko gives your shoulder a comforting squeeze before letting his hand drop back to his side. He listens to your story with a mixture of respect and compassion.
“You could’ve chosen to live in Piltover,” he says softly, his gaze gentle, “You’re strong for choosing to stay here.”
Then he pauses for a moment, studying you carefully.
“Can you show me, then? Your powers?” he asks curiously.
You swallow, nodding and trying to push the grim memories away. You step closer to him and look up at his face, noticing a slight cut on his cheek.
"You're hurt..." You say softly, raising your hand to let it hover on his cheek, and as the subtle moonlight casts in your thumb, the cut is wiped away. The skin healing like it had never been there in the first place.
As your hand hovers near Ekko’s face, his own cheeks appear slightly flushed, but he maintains his composure. The gentle touch of your thumb leaves no scar in its wake.
Ekko watches in awe as the wound vanishes.
“Impressive,” he comments with a nod of appreciation.
You shake your head dismissively, "It was just a small cut."
You look back into his dark eyes, "Do you have anyone around here who needs my help?"
Ekko’s eyes narrow in thought as he considers it for a moment. His gaze scans the area around him without moving his head. After a few seconds, he tilts his chin slightly.
“There’s a kid who’s sick in that room,” he gestures to a small room to the left of you, “Been going on for days now.”
Ekko’s expression is calm, but he seems visibly concerned.
You frown softly, gazing at the door. But step forward, not hesitating at all when it comes to helping people.
"Can I take a look?”
Ekko nods and steps aside, gesturing for you to enter the small room.
Inside, you see a young boy tucked into the only bed in the room. He seems sickly and small, his face pale and his eyes tired. As you approach, the boy glances up, his eyes widening slightly.
"Hello, there." You give the small boy a gentle smile and carefully approach the bed.
"I'm a new doctor around here. Could you tell me your name?"
The boy watches you with wide eyes, his expression curious.
“I-I’m Noah,” he answers in a soft, raspy voice.
Ekko leans against the doorframe, his gaze never leaving the two of you.
You nod, "Nice to meet you, Noah." You let your gaze fall on his sickly features.
"Can you describe to me how you're feeling?"
“It’s so hard to breathe,” he replies, his voice strained and weak, “It’s like a crushing weight on my chest.”
He coughs and winces, his eyes watering from the pain.
"It's okay..." You approach him further, placing a hand on his forehead and feeling the warmth of his burning skin.
"I've got you, don't worry."
You close your eyes, and the silvery markings on your skin start glowing. You wince slightly as you analyze the state of his body.
Pneumonia... poor kid.
As you use your powers, the boy's eyes widen with a glimmer of hope.
Ekko watches you, his curiosity piqued. But he stands quietly in the doorway, trying not to distract you from your work.
When you open your eyes, that are now glowing as well, you try to reassure the kid.
"Please, don't be afraid. I'll make you feel better shortly."
The light in your hand grows stronger as you start healing him. The powers fixing his lungs into normal condition, until he can breathe properly. Then, as you feel his temperature slowly going down, you take your hand away.
Noah takes a deep breath, the color returning to his cheeks and a gasp of air coming from him as he can finally breathe normally again. He looks up at you with wide eyes, filled with awe and gratitude.
“You…” he stammers, speechless for a moment before he throws his arms around you in a grateful hug, “Thank you so much!”
Ekko can’t hide the smile that crosses his face as he watches the scene unfold.
“Thank you,” he says softly, “He’s been like that for days.”
You tense as the kid hugs me, but with a sheepish smile, hug him back gently.
"It's my pleasure." You say, gently patting his back.
“You fixed me up, doctor,” Noah says with a grin, his eyes lighting up with life once again.
Ekko pushes off the doorframe and steps closer as he watches your interaction with the young boy. He looks over Noah, his expression softening as he realizes the kid seems healthier.
You pat the kid's mop of hair and pull back from the hug.
"That I did. But you have to rest a bit more to fully recover, alright?"
Noah nods quickly, his gaze fixed on you with wonder.
“I will, doctor” he replies, his voice filled with gratitude.
Ekko watches with a pleased look, his admiration for you growing with each moment.
We leave the small room, and as soon as Ekko closes the door behind us and you're out of the kid's sight, you hold onto the wall to not fall to the floor.
A soft grunt escapes your lips, and you end up holding your head in pain.
Ekko’s eyes widen in concern, immediately stepping closer to you. The weight of your healing has clearly taken a toll on you.
”You need to rest,” he says firmly, his voice gentle despite the sternness in his tone. He reaches out to take your arm, offering you support.
“You’re pushing yourself too hard.”
You shake your head, but thankfully lean on him.
"I'm fine, I'm just... I used a lot of mana tonight before you found me..."
You close your eyes as the glowing markings on your skin dim out.
"This kid... wasn't going to recover if I hadn't healed him."
Ekko’s eyes narrow, but he decides not to argue further.
“Okay,” he says gently, “Let me show you a place where you can rest.”
He wraps his arm around your waist and leads you to a small room with a makeshift bed made of bricks, planks and a thin mattress. It's not luxurious, but it's comfortable enough.
“It's not much, but it's better than nothing.” Ekko explains as he helps you to sit on the mattress.
Despite it, you let out a small content sigh as you settle onto the mattress.
"Believe it or not, it's better than anything I've slept on lately."
You lay down, but open your eyes to look at him with concern, refusing to rest until you hear his answer.
"Isn't there anyone else I should help?"
The concern in your eyes is met with a small smile from Ekko.
“You’ve done more than enough for tonight,” he reassures you, “No one else is in any immediate danger right now. They can wait until morning.”
He gestures towards the bed, urging you to rest.
“Get some sleep, you deserve it.”
You close your eyes again and the small smile returns to your lips again.
"Alright..." You say softly, and no longer than a second after, you're out like a light.
Ekko watches as your breathing slowly evens out, a soft hum of satisfaction escaping his lips. He takes one last look at your peaceful form before stepping out of the room. He quietly closes the door, allowing you to rest without being disturbed. He leans against the doorframe, reflecting on the events of the night and letting himself finally relax for the first time in a long while.
The next morning, you awaken to the gentle sound of hushed voices outside the door. As you sit up, the faint smell of smoke wafts into the room, the source of the muffled conversation lingering outside. Rising to your feet, you approach the door and open it slightly.
On the other side, you see Ekko engaged in a heated discussion with two other Firelights. One of the people, a red-haired woman, seems to be the source of the smoke, her eyes fixed on the leader, determination and anger etched onto her features.
As they notice your presence, you tense and open the door more.
"Sorry, I wasn't trying to eavesdrop, I just wanted to see if everything was alright..."
Ekko turns to look at you, his expression neutral. He gives you a small nod.
“Everyone’s alright. Just some internal disputes,” he explains, his tone even.
The red-haired woman continues smoking, her eyes narrowing in your direction without speaking.
You nod and step outside, "Alright. I'll just go make myself useful, then."
You shoot a glance at the woman that's clearly glaring at you, and turn to walk down the corridor.
Ekko watches as you walk away, his eyes lingering on your retreating form. The red-haired woman exhales a long trail of smoke.
“Who’s the outsider?” she asks, breaking the silence. Her voice is rough, much like her appearance.
“A healer,” Ekko replies, his tone curt, “She saved the kid’s life last night.”
“She looks like a Piltie,” the woman retorts, her eyes narrowed in suspicion.
Ekko lets out a small sigh, his patience wearing thin.
“She’s not,” he states firmly, "Give her a chance."
The woman shrugs, not satisfied with his answer, and continues to smoke. Ekko chooses not to continue the conversation and walks off, leaving her to her brooding.
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
You're crouching in front of a man with his arm wrapped up in bandages, when Ekko finds you again.
"I'm a doctor. Can I take a look?" You offer him.
The man glances at you warily, but seeing the kindness in your eyes, he nods slightly and extends his injured arm towards you.
“Sure ma’am,” he replies gruffly, “Do what you gotta do.”
You smile at him and then hold his arm in your hands. You close your eyes and the markings on your skin start glowing white as light comes from your hands.
You can feel multiple gazes on you as the light starts healing his broken arm, and once you finish, you let go of him and lean back again.
The man gazes at his healed arm in astonishment, his eyes widening at the miracle you had just performed.
“I’ll be damned,” he mumbles, rotating his healed limb, “I feel no pain.”
A few more people crowd around to get a closer look, some with curious gazes, others filled with suspicion.
"I'm glad you're feeling better." You smile at the man again and stand back up, glancing at the people who approached the two of you.
Then, you spot Ekko a few feet away too. He gives you a small nod, approving of your actions. A flicker of satisfaction crosses his features, but he maintains his stoic demeanor.
Meanwhile, the man you had just healed jumps to his feet, testing his fully recovered arm.
“Look at that!” he exclaims, “I could kiss you on the lips right now.”
You jump a bit at his enthusiasm, and raise your hands in front of yourself with an awkward smile.
"Now, now. Let's not do anything rash..."
The man laughs heartily, his joy palpable.
“Can't blame me for being thankful,” he says with a grin, “You’re a damn angel, girl.”
The others around you murmur their agreement, impressed with your abilities.
You look down bashfully, not used to having so much attention on you as you heal, even more so, exposed in the daylight like this.
"It's no problem, sir."
You glance at Ekko as if calling for help, and feeling your gaze, he steps in, the crowd parting for him.
“Let’s give the doctor some space,” he instructs the others, his voice firm yet kind. “She can’t help anyone if you keep crowding her.“
As the people disperse, Ekko approaches you, his expression neutral as usual.
“How many more can you heal today?” he asks, his eyes scanning the crowd of injured individuals lingering nearby.
You let out a soft sigh and show Ekko a grateful smile.
"I'll be okay with healing them all. You don't have to worry that much, yesterday was just a rare occasion."
Ekko raises an eyebrow and crosses his arms, clearly skeptical.
“You were about to pass out after helping that kid,” he points out, a hint of challenge in his voice, “You’ve barely slept or eaten. Healing all these people will drain you.”
You brush your hand through your ginger curls, gazing away.
"Then... Could I have something to eat beforehand? If it's not a problem."
Ekko nods, a small smile playing on his lips.
“Alright,” he replies, “We can spare some food. You should eat as soon as possible before you drop.”
He gestures for you to follow him and leads you towards the small kitchen area in the hideout. The kitchen is modest but clean, with a small cooking area and a supply cupboard.
“Take whatever you like,” he adds, “We aren’t that picky.”
You smile at him and approach the kitchen.
"Excuse me, then."
You open the cupboard and then the fridge to make yourself a light breakfast.
While you make your food, Ekko leans against the kitchen counter, watching you with a thoughtful expression.
“You know,” he comments, his tone lighter, “A woman like you could be making a fortune in Piltover instead of hiding out here in the undercity.”
You shake your head, "I don't care about money."
Then, you frown, finishing preparing the sandwich for myself.
"And I'm not exactly fond of enforcers either way."
Ekko raises an eyebrow, intrigued by your comment.
“You have an issue with enforcers?” he inquires, “Most Zaunites hate the people that hunt them, that's nothing new. But why would you specifically hate them?”
He takes a sip of water from a glass as he awaits your answer, genuinely interested. He studies you carefully, as he always does.
You shake your head, "If the Solaris found my family, it's because of them—"
You catch yourself as you notice you've overshared.
You clear your throat, "They're corrupt. They'd do anything for power and recognition. I lost my family because of them."
Ekko's expression softens as he realizes the gravity of your situation.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” he says sympathetically, “I lost people too, and the enforcers didn’t give a damn. Most of us here have that in common.”
He pauses for a moment before adding, with a softer tone, “Your secret’s safe with us.”
Ekko’s eyes scan the kitchen momentarily before he looks back at you.
“Now,” he says with his usual cool demeanor, “Eat up. You have a lot of work ahead of you.”
You look at him as he starts walking away, "Wait—"
But then you notice you don't have much to say. You have no idea why you stopped him in the first place, but... his presence makes you feel unexplainably at ease.
"It was Ekko, right...? Everyone here calls you boss." You look at him with a grateful gaze, "Thank you."
Ekko pauses for a moment, taken aback by your use of his name. He tilts his head, studying you with a faint smile playing on his lips.
“You can call me Ekko,” he replies, his voice still carrying a hint of coolness. “No need to be so formal.”
Ekko’s eyes flash with a mix of curiosity and concern. “And what should I call you?”
You smile back at him, "Just doc or Artemis are okay." Then, you nod at him, taking a small bite of the sandwich.
Ekko nods in acknowledgment, his expression softening.
“Alright, Doc,” he says, “You should finish that sandwich soon. I’m sure the others will start lining up for healing in no time.”
He pauses, his eyes scanning your face again, as if committing your features to memory.
“And take breaks, alright? Eat in between, drink lots of water.”
You nod firmly and focus back on the food, eating a bit quicker.
However , you can feel his gaze still on you, but it's not like you're unused to people staring at your features. You can't blame them either, as you naturally stick out like a sore thumb.
Finally, Ekko breaks the silence, his tone filled with interest.
“Your silver markings,” he starts, his eyes still focused on you, “They’re Lunari, aren’t they?”
You choke on your food, setting it aside on the countertop as you cough, trying to breathe properly again.
Ekko tilts his head a bit, studying your reaction and body language closely.
You look down at the floor with shocked concern.
"How..." You look up at him warily, "How do you know about us?"
Lunari and Solari are concepts from a land far away from here. What are the chances of him knowing about us?
Ekko’s expression remains neutral. His eyes flicker with interest and a hint of cautiousness.
“Books,” he replies simply, his voice carrying a touch of caution, “I was a curious kid. But I have no intention of revealing your secret to anyone. Lunari are nearly extinct up in Targon and Solari are… well, you know.”
His eyes meet yours again, his gaze unwavering, “But I never thought I’d see one in Zaun of all places.”
You wipe the corner of your mouth as you straighten yourself up again.
"I... didn't expect you to know..."
You look away, unsure of how to continue the conversation.
Ekko takes a moment to consider his words before he decides to share more information.
“It's an… interesting ability you have,” he admits, his voice lowering slightly, “I’m no expert, but I've studied enough to know that few Lunari have ever unlocked this power.”
He pauses for a moment, pondering his next words before he speaks again.
“You didn’t manifest it at birth, did you? It came in response to losing your loved ones, from what I can guess.”
You look down and eventually nod.
"Yes... you're right about, well, everything."
You purse your lips, "Because of the rarity of my powers, Solari ended my whole family."
You close your eyes with a sigh and a soft whisper meant only for your ears.
"Perhaps they should've found me first..."
Ekko listens intently, his expression reflecting a mix of understanding and sympathy.
“The Solari have caused much turmoil in the past,” he speaks gravely, “We all have our reasons for living in the shadows.”
He pauses, his fingers lightly drumming on the countertop, his gaze lost in thought.
“But I guess not everyone has the luxury of making the right choice.”
His eyes meet yours again, a hint of warmth returning to them.
“You’re safe here. We won’t let anything happen to you.”
You show him a small gentle smile, choosing to trust in him for now.
"Thank you for taking me in... Ekko."
Ekko mirrors your small smile, the corner of his mouth twitching upward.
“No problem, Doc,” he replies, his tone laced with the smallest hint of playfulness, “Now, let's get ready. There's a lot of work for you to do.”
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
You sit on the grassy outside, kneeled down in front of a line of people waiting to be healed by you. With closed eyes, you focus your magic onto the woman seated in front of you, who has a slight illness.
This way, one after one, the people leave completely renewed. The day slowly comes to an end, but before you can get up and head back inside, the red haired woman from earlier today slumps down in front of you with a guarded expression.
"Uh, sorry… Did you need any help?" You ask her with a small frown.
The red haired woman doesn't seem to have any visible injuries, but there's a certain tiredness in her eyes that tells a different story.
"I don't need help," she replies, her voice low and guarded, "I'm here to tell you something."
She pauses for a moment, her eyes fixed on yours.
"Whatever you're doing for Ekko, don't try it." She leans in slightly, her gaze narrowing, her tone carrying a note of warning.
"He sees everybody as a tool. He's using you."
You frown, and your usually approachable gaze shifts into an offended one.
"Alright...? Thanks for the heads-up, but I think I can take care of myself."
The red haired woman scoffs at your reaction, a slight smirk tugging at her lips.
"You don't get it, do you?" she remarks, "I'm sure you can take care of yourself, or have until now. But Ekko won't let you do that."
She glances around, her gaze darting between the people that you have helped throughout the day.
"You've already proved how useful you can be to him. You think he's gonna risk losing that so easily?"
You raise an eyebrow at her, crossing your arms.
"I'm a good judge of character." You say dismissively, looking straight at her. "And right now, you seem less trustworthy than him."
The woman huffs a laugh, her shoulders shaking slightly with amusement.
"Trust is a luxury not many of us can afford down here, Doc," she remarks, her eyes flickering with a hint of mischief, "But go ahead, learn the hard way if you'd like."
Her tone carries a dangerous edge. There's a sense of caution beneath her words. But she gets to the point, her eyes piercing into yours.
"As of right now, you belong to Ekko. Make sure you remember that."
You narrow your eyes, and the Lunari markings on your skin light up the faintest bit.
"Like I said... Thank you for your concern, but if it comes down to it," You don't look away from her, "I can hold my own. Why don't you remember that?"
Then, you get up and look down at her,
"If that's all, I'll be going back inside."
She simply shakes her head, her smile never fading as she follows you with her gaze and a lazy smile.
"You do that, Doc," she quips, her tone carrying a trace of challenge, "Just don't forget to look behind your back every once in a while."
You look back at her over your shoulder but eventually walk away. You walk up the steps on the massive tree, heading inside of the firelights makeshift quarters. You step inside of the infirmary and close the door behind you with a heavy sigh.
Only then, you see Ekko standing in the infirmary, leaning against the desk by the wall with his arms crossed. He notices your entry, and his expression softens ever so slightly.
"Rough day?" he inquires, a tone of genuine concern evident in his voice.
You flinch, not expecting to see him in the dimly lit room.
"No, that's not it." You look away with a slight glare before sighing again. You relax your expression and walk further inside.
"What are you doing here?" You ask him, taking a seat onto the desk's chair.
Ekko leans off the wall and shifts closer, his eyes fixed on you. He leans back on the infirmary counter and meets your gaze, his expression unreadable.
"I came to check up on you," he replies simply, "You've been working nonstop since you got here."
You glance up at him and then down at your hand on the desk.
"I've told you, I'm not that fragile."
You roll the sleeve of your dress shirt up your arm, exposing the marks there.
"I can handle that many people if they don't have any major illnesses or injuries."
You explain as you check the remaining mana that you have.
Ekko sighs and moves closer, his eyes fixating on your exposed markings. He sits down across from you before he reaches his hand out and carefully brushes your markings with his fingers. The markings light up slightly under his touch. He shakes his head as he pulls his hands back.
"You're pushing yourself too much.”
You look up at him, almost staring for a moment after he had touched the skin of your arm so casually.
"Either way, I'm resting now, right?"
He nods, a slight frown pulling at the corner of his mouth.
"Yeah, you are. I can see how hard you're working. You've been running around all day long, healing people... you deserved a break. But... you're not really gonna listen to me, are you?"
He leans back, shifting his gaze so it's fixed upon the ceiling.
"You're stubborn."
You observe his side profile for a moment, and take in the sight of the faint moonlight reflecting on his dark skin. There's a small frown etched on your face.
"... When can I go out to heal people outside of the community?"
Ekko's eyes flicker back towards yours, his expression still somewhat guarded.
"Before you get any ideas," he begins, his tone firm, "There's no way I'm going to let you go out on your own. Even the Firelights don't travel alone."
You raise an eyebrow at him.
"Well yeah, but I've been doing this alone ever since I started. I don't think it's that much of a problem."
Ekko sits up straight, his hands gripping the edge of the infirmary counter. His frown deepens as he speaks.
"Look, Doc," he says, his voice low, "You're a healer. Do you have any idea how valuable that is in Zaun? Especially someone who's a foreigner? You've got a target on your back, and if someone finds out how useful you are, they're going to use you until you break."
You frown but look down at your hands on your lap.
You can't exactly deny what he's saying. But you also can't help but to remember that woman's words about Ekko...
He sees everybody as a tool. He's using you.
You've already proven how useful you can be to him. You think he's gonna risk losing that so easily?
As of right now, you belong to Ekko. Make sure you remember that…
Ekko's gaze remains fixed on you, his expression softening slightly.
"I get it," he says, his tone more gentle as he catches your attention again, "You're stubborn, you're independent, you're not the type to follow someone else's lead. That's actually the reason you caught my eye."
A small, rare smile tugs at the corner of his lips. "But Doc, you really gotta learn how to listen to others sometimes."
You look up at him with a bit of surprise, but quickly look away, brushing a strand of ginger hair away from your face.
"Perhaps..."
You let out a small sigh and lean back on the chair,
"You know... I've realized that you know quite a bit about me, but I don't know anything about you."
You shrug, "I mean, it's fair, with you being the leader and me being a new addition..."
Your eyes look back at him, "But would it be alright to know more about the leader of the Firelights?"
Ekko leans back in his chair, his arms folded across his chest.
"Not much to tell, really," he replies, his expression thoughtful.
"I'm the leader of the Firelights, one of the... I guess, rebels, or vigilantes, in this city. I've been running them for about six years now, but I've been in Zaun my entire life. I grew up here, spent my whole life in the undercity... I know the ins and outs of this city."
His voice trails off for a moment, lost in thought.
You hum, an interested glint in your eyes.
"I wonder... What made you start this community in the first place? You look younger than me by a few years."
You think about the implications of that with a soft frown, "It must've been tough."
Ekko shrugs, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"We don't exactly have a choice, do we?" he asks, his voice a hint wistful, "Zaun... isn't exactly a kind place to grow up. It's rough, chaotic, and it's easy to fall into the wrong crowd. So, I thought, maybe... I could at least make it a little better for some people."
He falls silent for a moment before continuing his thoughts out loud.
"So, to answer your question, I started this movement because I wanted to make a difference. I wanted…”
He stops, choosing his words carefully.
"I didn't want anyone to go through the same thing I did. I had a lot of anger, a lot of bitterness... I still do. But I can use that anger to help people, to create a safe haven for those who need it."
His eyes meet yours, his expression almost vulnerable.
"I don't think I've ever actually put it into words like that before," he says, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I guess the whole 'leader' persona has a way of blinding you."
You let a gentle smile pull at your lips as you look at him with understanding. You hesitate a bit, but still let your hand rest on his.
"Perhaps... it's not too late to make Zaun a better place." You say softly,
"It's noble of you. You know, when you tried to recruit me... you said you admired me for healing people. But now I've come to admire your movement as well."
Ekko's gaze lingers on your hand on his, a tinge of something foreign reflected in his eyes. There's a moment of silence before he finally speaks, his voice slightly strained.
"Thanks, Doc. I appreciate that..."
He clears his throat and gently pulls his hand away from yours. The moment of vulnerability fades, replaced by his usual, guarded self.
You lean back, looking out the small circular window at the moon glowing in the night.
"I'm glad I talked to you now... Under the moonlight is where the truth lies bare."
Ekko raises an eyebrow at your poetic choice of words.
"I never knew you were a poet," he teases, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
A small chuckle leaves your lips, “It's a common Lunari belief that the light and reflections of the moon show the raw, unadulterated truth.”
He leans back and gazes up at the moon through the window. After a moment, his voice softens, the teasing disappearing.
"The moon does have a strange way of making everything feel different, doesn't it?"
You gaze back at him with a touched smile.
"Not many people understand..."
Your eyes take in the soft moonlight as it contrasts with his dark skin.
"The night... even though it's the loneliest time, ever since I was a child, I've felt comforted by it. And now..."
You swallow and close your eyes with a peaceful expression,
"It feels like I'm closer to the ones I used to love."
Ekko leans back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"The night," he muses, his voice low and contemplative, "it's strange. There's something comforting about it, even though it's supposed to be the time when darkness reigns."
He pauses, lost in his thoughts for a moment before continuing.
"Grief is a funny thing. It gets buried deep under your skin, and you don't even realize it's there until it surfaces, reminding you of what you've lost."
You slowly open up your eyes again, and without noticing, a tear falls down your cheek.
You sniffle and wipe it away as soon as you notice, chuckling lowly.
"Sorry, I think your words resonated with me."
Ekko watches your expression, his eyes softening with empathy.
"It's fine," he says, his voice gentle, "We've all had our share of losses, Doc. There's no shame in showing it."
You smile softly at him through your tears, and let out a heavy sigh as you look down.
Minutes pass in quiet and vulnerable conversation between you two, and by the time it quiets down, you're laying with your arms under your head, sleeping on the desk.
Ekko watches your sleeping form, his expression thoughtful. At some point during your conversation, you had fallen asleep, a peaceful expression adorning your face.
For a moment, Ekko considers rousing you. He knew that sleeping in such an awkward position could be uncomfortable, but he didn't want to wake you if it wasn't necessary. After all, you needed your rest.
You stir a bit, but end up nuzzling against his chest as he pulls you up to carry you towards what now is your room. Your breathing continues being steady as you let him take you through the empty corridor.
Ekko's heart stutters in his chest at your unconscious actions. He holds you in his arms, his grip gentle yet firm. A slight blush rises to his cheeks, but he tries his best to ignore it.
"Doc?" he murmurs softly, "Are you awake?"
The Firelights base is nearly silent in the dead of night, with only a few sentries patrolling the area.
He's only met with the even sound of your breathing as a response, and now that he can look at you from up close, he notices small details he had overlooked before. The freckles scattered across your skin, like sprinkles of stardust on your cheeks. And your eyelashes, light blue, like tiny waves of color rippling across your closed eyelids. The sight makes his heart flutter, but he quickly dismisses the sensation.
"Don't get attached," he scolds himself silently.
He carefully lays you down in your bed, taking care not to wake you. As he pulls the blanket over you, he pauses for a moment. He watches your face, observing the rise and fall of your chest as you breathe peacefully.
"She's beautiful," he thinks, the thought catching him off guard. He quickly shakes his head, dismissing the thought before it can take hold.
"Sleep well," he murmurs softly, his voice barely a whisper. With a final glance at your peaceful face, he turns and quietly slips out of the room.
The rest of the night goes by peacefully, as you get your much needed rest. Yet, Ekko's head doesn't seem able to turn off. He spends the night tossing and turning, his mind unable to rest. He stares up at the ceiling of his room with his thoughts racing. He finds himself thinking about you, the things you said, your laugh, your smile.
He tries to push these thoughts aside, but they persist, like whispers in the dark. He groans, rolling onto his stomach and burying his face in his pillow. It seems like sleep won't come easy tonight.