#;you have to give them what they need to survive | ekko ;

[jynxd]

jinx kills someone to protect Ekko

Every once in a while, despite having spent the better of 6 plus years, without shimmer in his system, Ekko still struggled with being around it. This was the case as he crept around the alleyways, sneaking around each crevice, and happened to notice a deal going on. One of Silco's gang, handing out the purple gold. Part of him wanted to reach out and take it, however, he resisted. And instead he made himself known as he stepped out of the shadows.

"You don't want that, unless you want to turn out like those addicts down below." Ekko said as he fixed a cold glare at the dealer, his voice deeper thanks to the way his mask distorted it. Thats when he noticed that the man wasn't surprised by this intervention. In fact, it seemed like he had been expected company. This was confirmed when he spoke. 'We knew you would show up, little Firelight.'

Ekko quickly threw one of the crystal bombs in his pouch their way, capturing most of them in the radius. The addict, was quick to grab the vial in the mans hand, quickly fleeing the scene. "You think I wouldn't come prepared? Alone or not, you don't stand a chance." What Ekko didn't know, however, was that someone had snuck behind and was about deal a fatal blow. Only when he heard the sound of a bullet hitting a skull, did he notice. As well as the source...

"Pow-" Ekko stopped the name from coming out, as he knew that that part of her was long dead. Lest he want her to know who was really under this mask, if she didn't already. "Jinx? Why did you do that? I'm your enemy." He glanced down at the stop watch in his hand, keeping note of the time before the crystals would break. @jinxcdd

[jynxd]

Usually Ekko was a keen observer, would even be able to pick up on the fact that something seemed to bothering Vi. However, panic kept him from being able to do so. As it stood, Ekko could still see the images of the hound gleefully tearing into the very younger Firelights like it was on replay. He could feel the thrill of it all, as if reliving it all in the now. This caused his hands further tremble as he struggled to ground himself to reality.

It was Vi's hold that finally brought him back, as his trembling seemed to slow down. "It was all apart of her plan, to lure me out. She knew I was going to bring others with me to the factory." Ekko's voice was filled with shame as his face contorted in a sense of pain. "I tried to fight it, I tried to get them to leave but she brought out the chemtanks and whistled that damn tune..."

Even now he could almost hear it. The melody that lured his hound out and made it want to let loose, again. "I can still hear it. Oh god I might have endangered you by coming here." Vi's promise seemed to reassure him, however, and for the time being the haunting melody faded away.

"None of this blood is mine, it all belongs to them..." Dark eyes redirected to Caitlyn, the pain seemed to be the strongest in eyes. The same suffering and fear that Vi would easily see on animal he could not see. He forced himself to look from them, instead catching a glance of bloody hands and rough nails. Even his scales were clear as day as he couldn't hide them.

"The hound, it was merciless. No one was left alive and its all because of her and then she threatened to kill the rest of my family."

Vi didn't even hesitate, as she stayed next to Ekko's side. Ekko had been more than another sump rat like herself, when they were kids, while Benzo had taken Ekko as his foundling, Vi still saw him as a little brother. Her personal streak, those she considered part of her family. She only wished that Powder would have stayed away just as she told Ekko to. They were both too young, cubs not yet ready to leave the nest built for them; though Vi didn't realize that even she, as a young cub, was not meant to play the part of a mother tiger either. She was just a cub as well; none of them were ready for what had come their way.

She examined Ekko as Caitlyn ran off to gather what they needed, and Vi saw the completely tattered and worn clothing. Vi reached over to try and pull off his jacket and as her hand reached his shoulder, a green claw-like arm hit Ekko's shoulder and Vi recoiled back. Ekko didn't move or react and she suddenly heard her Tiger growling, standing right next to her. Her hallucinations of animals were never something she could guess; it was unpredictable as she pressed her hand back against the couch and watched this monstrous creature climb onto Ekko's shoulder. A massive tusk grew from the animal's mouth, and the tail twisted around Ekko's arm with a sharp serrated edge of spikes on its tail. Eyes glowed between purple and black, and the purple twisted around its eyes and neck. The Shimmer looked to be strangling the animal through its veins. And yet, the longer Vi stared at the creature the more she noticed a fear in the animal's eyes. It didn't revel in its monstrous state, it looked…. terrified. Just like Ekko was at this very moment on the couch, looking for comfort from the two people he trusted.

A knot formed in Vi's throat as she forced it down and leaned back forward to catch what Ekko said. It was Jinx… no, Powder. Vi still refused to believe she was lost to her. Her hand reached out to touch Ekko's as she started to notice some things she hadn't before. Cupcake would have noticed them probably instantly, But Vi was briefly distracted by the chameleon creature and then the scales. Her claws brushed against the jacket to see the scales on his neck, and how they were becoming more prominent then she remembered. Did he even have scales when he was a kid? She didn't remember seeing it before. "She… made you change?" God, what did Silco turn Powder into!?

Vi's hand reached out to touch Ekko's to try and ease the shaking of his hands. "You're safe now, in this house. I'm sure Cupcake can get a spare room for you, okay? Wash up, take some time to calm down. I won't let her get near you tonight, promise," Vi vowed, hoping she could keep it. Why did she keep making promises? And yet she couldn't help the words that left her mouth, needing to protect him. To protect both of them.

Caitlyn had emerged back from the hallway, limping slightly from the pain in her leg as the movement had caused the stitches to shift and twist with each step. Still, she didn't care as she held onto a first aid kit, a blanket, and a change of clothing. She moved over and kicked over an ottoman and placed all of it down onto the furniture. Her eyes darted toward Vi as she noticed the slight shift of her facial structure, between shock and concern and she wondered why. No question came yet though as she turned to Ekko. "Are you hurt, anywhere?" Caitlyn questioned, as she lowered down onto her knees on the floor and started to open the kit. She had ointment, band-aids, and some stitching tools if she needed to stitch any wounds. While her father was the doctor of the family, Caitlyn had some on-the-job training enough to know how to treat on-the-scene wounds.

[mollysunder]

When Ekko tells Heimerdinger, "It's not enough to give people what they need to survive, you have to give them what they need to live", it falls flat to me because Heimerdinger didn't even give Zaun the first part. Heimerdinger and the Council very clearly didn't even give Zaun the bare minimum in terms of support based on the air and water quality alone (nevermind most of Zaun lives in the ground too).

Frankly, the quote applies more to how Heimerdinger treated Topside, overly cautious to prevent the mistakes of the past in a way that can stifle innovation. And it's weird that when Heimerdinger puts it into practice in Zaun it's more him building elaborate toys for children vs utilities that could help out a fledgling community like the Firelights. It's giving neglectful parent that feeds kids sweets to cheer them up instead of cooking a meal.

[bringthekaos]

I just knowwwwww that the hexcore will become complete when Viktor finally figures out he is missing the Inspiration Rune.

This is from the game (more specifically, the gameplay itself) but the Runes are like perks you pick before the match starts, and it can totally change the playstyle of your champion. There are 5 "groups" : Domination, Resolve, Sorcery, Precision & Inspiration. Inspiration is the only one missing from the Hexcore (you can see what the icons look like from google images)

Also fun fact 1: the rune "perks" are about bending the rules of the game

Fun fact 2: is the second time the Inspiration Rune is NOTORIOUSLY MISSING in a cinematic (first time was in Call of Power)

Also "Everything you do inspires me" and Sky's notebook having teal colors and circles, both themes heavily associated with that rune

Oooooooo I did not know that about the Hexcore missing the Inspiration rune!! I’m so glad I have you to fill me in on all these little League deets I wouldn’t have otherwise noticed!

That actually makes a lot of sense—it’s a little hard to “find inspiration” when you’re scrambling to survive. Viktor has been going at it from a survivor’s mind. So maybe once his Heraldification has started, once he’s not actively dying… he can slow down and really put the mind of a scientist into it… and realize it needs Inspiration! (Also kind of calls back to what Ekko said—“it’s not enough to give people what they need to survive. You have to give them what they need to live.”

[greenlightbulbonawire]

Misfits (yeah like the Arcane song)

XXI.

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Author's note: took a lil break, dw it'll happen again ;]

Twentieth chapter

Masterlist

___________________________________________________

"First of all, why do you think I told you to stay put?!"

He started to scold you, looking towards your broken arm. You tried not to follow his gaze, the sight of a bone sticking out of your skin made you sick.

"I know why. That's why I didn't listen."

"And look at yourself! You're lucky to have only a broken arm, have you got any idea how many people I lost to Jinx?!"

You averted your eyes from him and aimed them at the ground.

"No.."

"Of course you don't! You joined like two weeks ago! What made you think you could take on something like this?!"

You furrowed your brows and gave him eye contact.

"I didn't want to lose another friend, I already lost Vi becouse I didn't stick with her."

His expression softened a little, but only for a moment.

"Second of all, I owe you my life and what you did was very brave. How long were you on that bridge?"

Your face went from expression to expression, his words making you very confused.

"As long as you, I followed you since you left."

His eyes widened and he raised his eyebrows.

"I didn't even notice you, good job."

Now you were even more confused and also, the adrenaline was starting to wear off and the pain in your arm was noticeably higher.

"And third of all, never do that again. Ever."

You gave him a speechless nod and he hugged you again. Same way as the last time. What's up with him? Oh yeah maybe the fact that he just went through a major traumatic event and on top of all of that, he was worried about you now, let the man be. You returned the hug the best you could with one arm and burried your face into the crook of his neck, he leaned his head against yours and held you tightly. You never were a hug person, but this you could get used to.

The morning light filled the little corner you shared for the night. Ekko was asleep on your shoulder and you were staring mindlessly in front of you. Then a small, cloaked person started fiddling with the hoverboard that layed on the ground you were staring at. You gently nudged Ekko awake, quietly pointing at the person when he gave you a questioning look.

You learned that the person was a past councilor, who came to the Undercity to help when the other councilors voted him out. He helped you and Ekko get back to the Firelights base, Ekko seemed to trust this guy, you wished that you got treated like he did when the Firelights first took you in. Ekko sat near the entrance to the base, Scar was taking a look at his leg and the leader was talking with Heimerdinger. Scar's oldest daughter was inspecting your arm and telling you that you can't play with them now. Ekko's leg was popped back into place by Scar and the boy let out a grunt before relaxing.

You were looking at him and he was looking at you, he looked actually very happy considering what just happened on the bridge. Then Scar yelled,

"Firelights!"

making you jump a little and Ekko chuckle at it before turning back to Heimerdinger.

"It's not enough to give people what they need to survive, you have to give them what they need to live."

The kids around we're cheering and the little green glowing bugs flew everywhere. And for a moment you forgot all your worries.

[ravenkinnie]

i love love love the way you write jinx and the way you talk about her and her relationships!!! not to be annoying bc a lot of ppl in the fandom are like 16/17 but the general interpretation of jinx as little more than a victim of her circumstances and silco’s manipulation who should make up with her sister, be caitvi’s slightly annoying third wheel and ekko’s (or lux? lmao nothing against either ship but yk) quirked up gf is soooo boring (like god forbid a girl contains multitudes and is both a meow meow and an absolute cunt) and your take on her is such a breath of fresh air! not sure if you talked about this in a post already but what are your hopes in general for the new season and ofc for jinx in particular?

❤️❤️❤️ that's my pookie and even tho I'm hoeing across runeterra she will always be the one

no fr fr and listen I do feel like I'm fighting in a kindergarten when I hate because I realise it's cause everyone I'm beefing with is 18 and just likes the same YA archetypes as everyone else at that age but if 10k bitches can post it on ao3 I can hate on it. especially because it erases a supremely well done character that they made out of a lol champion I wouldn't even think twice about when she first released like that's a talent and that's work

and also if people want to complain about female characters in media it feels disingenuous to then remove agency from complicated female characters we do have to make them one dimensional - like one thing you cannot say about jinx is that she's flat - in personality I mean cause well. she is an active dynamic character with insane narrative potential and a lot of layers and being both a victim and a victimiser is an important part of that

my main hopes for season 2 are honestly

*I hope its consistent internally with its own ideology </3 I think s1 at the end starts unraveling a lil because it seems to despair for this both sides ass take but it just wouldn't make any sense with league lore or the show itself. here I mostly fear for ekko gkbknj

*everybody should become a somewhat worse person, like vi provably will because she will become an enforcer, caitlyn seems to also be heading for some corruption arc, obv viktor is there, so I think this will be fulfilled teehee

*I want jinx to have her own arc and I mean an arc where she develops her own goal and motivations outside other characters too and maybe this goal will be to love evil till the day she dies, ill take it!! I just think seeing jinx grow outside that child/flighty troublemaker into a full on villain/terrorist will be fantastic and will also give her actual league lore another layer that hopefullyyyy they can continue to build on (and they will never stop banking on jinx like that's basically leagues mascot)

*mel survives </3 like it would be way too much of a loss of a great character to give her so little storyline of her own, she needs to be in s2

*overall, sorry to be a freak but I'm a tragedy lover and enjoyer and I know they are tied to champion lore somewhat now but I still hope it ends sad or bittersweet for everyone. and when you say tragedy people often think of character death but that's probably the least tragic ending you can give a bitch, the true hollowness in losing everything you once were and could have been is what im talking about!!

*I did say this before but I hope jinx kills imagine dragons in arcane universe. first of all they are touring in israel so they deserve that but also it would be really funny to see them on her list of victims like just whole ass imagine dragons under silco or sth

[uraveragelonelyhuman]

Ekko x Reader Fluff

Let's say you both had known each other since you were kids

You both were stuck to each other like glue

You were taken in by Vander, Benzo was his best friend who taken in Ekko

You, Powder and Ekko had been beat friends

Until the heist and death happened

Powder left and in came Jinx

But you and Ekko stood together

You both made the firelights

And eventually got together

Happiest time of your life

You had Ekko

That was all you needed

He always is by your side on missions with the firelights

Afraid of you being harmed

Whenever you are walking around the lanes?

His hand is resting on your waist or the small of your back

Hugs from behind from Ekko?

Top tier

Forehead kisses, cheek kisses or even regular kisses feel like your being pulled to heaven

You get the honors of sitting on the bathroom counter, Ekko standing between your legs as you do his face paint

It's always hard though because you both keep laughing

With a lot of fumbles and falls he helped you learn how to ride a hoverboard at the start

You both run around doing anything with the kids of the community

You liked jumping on his back, he always yelped when you did it

You found it funny

Ekko seemed to always be there

Through the good and the bad

In arguments he never raised his voice

No matter how mad he got he never did

Sleeping in the same bed at night?

Heavenly

He likes hugging you when you both are sleeping

It's like a big bear hug

You feel like you can't breathe but can and don't want to

I don't know how to explain it

Hw gives the best gifts

Even handmade stuff

Wanna know why it's the best?

Because he didn't buy it

He spent the time finding the parts AND making it

For you? 

Yup

He doesn't mind the time, your smile is always worth it

If you have long hair or short hair you better believe he is running his fingers through it

He lets you help him do his hair at times

He loves you but if you mess up he's never letting you near it again

His hair is so cool though

You help him plan out missions

Sitting at his desk, in his lap ass you both try and find the safest way for it

You have any tattoos?

Loves them no matter what they are

They're works of art to him

You have any scars?

Loves them

Wants to know the story behind them, if you'll tell him if you are comfortable with telling

He thinks they tell you survived whatever you went through

Have any siblings?

He helps take care of them 

They probably eventually like him better than you at one point

You both at one point got bored one day and found a stick and poke

Gave each other their own little tattoo

Mornings always are the hardest

Because you have to pray yourself out if his arms

Not even because you have to

Because he has a legit death grip

Boy is strong as hell

But you love it

So does he

Amazing couple goals

[the-dumpster-fire-of-life]

Ekko x reader fluff please!

(Hey, sorry this took sometimes but here ya go! Enjoy!)

EKKO X READER FLUFF

Let's say you both had known each other since you were kids

You both were stuck to each other like glue

You were taken in by Vander, Benzo was his best friend who taken in Ekko

You, Powder and Ekko had been best friends

Until the heist and death happened

Powder left and in came Jinx

But you and Ekko stood together

You both made the firelights

And eventually got together

Happiest time of your life

You had Ekko

That was all you needed

You helped each other when the other needed it

Crying or hugs, you both always helped

He always is by your side on missions with the firelights

Afraid of you being harmed

Whenever you are walking around the lanes?

His hand is resting on your waist or the small of your back

Hugs from behind from Ekko?

Top tier

Forehead kisses, cheek kisses or even regular kisses feel like your being pulled to heaven

You get the honors of sitting on the bathroom counter, Ekko standing between your legs as you do his face paint

It's always hard though because you both keep laughing

With a lot of fumbles and falls he helped you learn how to ride a hoverboard at the start

You both run around doing anything with the kids of the community

You liked jumping on his back, he always yelped when you did it

You found it funny

Ekko seemed to always be there

Through the good and the bad

In arguments he never raised his voice

No matter how mad he got he never did

Sleeping in the same bed at night?

Heavenly

He likes hugging you when you both are sleeping

It's like a big bear hug

You feel like you can't breathe but can and don't want to

I don't know how to explain it

He gives the best gifts

Even handmade stuff

Wanna know why it's the best?

Because he didn't buy it

He spent the time finding the parts AND making it

For you? 

Yup

He doesn't mind the time, your smile is always worth it

If you have long hair or short hair you better believe he is running his fingers through it

He lets you help him do his hair at times

He loves you but if you mess up he's never letting you near it again

His hair is so cool though

You both like hanging out in the tree branches at the top of the big tree in the hide out

Reading or just taking a nap its the best

You help him plan out missions

Sitting at his desk, in his lap ass you both try and find the safest way for it

You have any tattoos?

Loves them no matter what they are

They're works of art to him

You have any scars?

Loves them

Wants to know the story behind them, if you'll tell him if you are comfortable with telling

He thinks they tell you survived whatever you went through

Have any siblings?

He helps take care of them 

They probably eventually like him better than you at one point

You both at one point got bored one day and found a stick and poke

Gave each other their own little tattoo

Mornings always are the hardest

Because you have to pray yourself out if his arms

Not even because you have to

Because he has a legit death grip

Boy is strong as hell

But you love it

So does he

Amazing couple goals

[jynxd]

There were a lot of things Ekko hadn't factored in leading up to this situation. The evening before the hit on the they'd spent the whole time plotting. Planning out how they would infiltrate the factory, figuring when do to it, and the execution of throwing the crystal bomb and Silco and grabbing him before the chem barons could be summoned. Many of them had gone the night without rest, including himself.

"When you come back there will be nothing different to find." He spat out, confident that he would win the battle between themselves. "I can't wait to rub it in your face when you. So try not to hurry back, huh?"

This lack of sleep was starting to work against him, but having Silco here kept a fire even just barely lit. It had given him something to distract his mind from completely caving. Even if it was Silco just talking, or threatening him. That, he found is why he could still fight. Why he was able tell Silco to his face that he wouldn't let him win.

After Silco left he didn't have that distraction. He instantly did try to break free of his bindings but they were so tight against his skin. Every attempt only end up with him exhausting himself more and more. Even then he was fighting his own body in the process. It knew what was going to happen if he broke free, knew he would have ripped out that tube pumping in that satisfying shimmer. Much like the stronger part of his mind, it didn't want this to happen. It wouldn't be deprived of the substance again.

"You know," he spoke up after his last attempt, a pitiful one at that. Ekko directed his eyes where he assumed the doctor was. "You don't have to work with him anymore, you can just let me go and I won't do anything. I won't fight you guys anymore." It was his attempt to reason, however one that earned no response much to his frustration. Already the shimmer was ridding himself slowly but surely of his memories, memories he was forcing himself to retain.

It was hard to tell how much time had been passing. Minutes turning into hours, and then into days... by the time the next day rolled around Ekko had been close to over 36 hours of no sleep and it was affecting his ability to think, working against him as more and more the shimmer was clouding his judgment. It was never ending torture as he let out screams of extreme frustration and anger, his whole body positively tremoring excessively . To the point where his voice was hoarse from it all. He was losing himself completely.

The animalistic rage was all encompassing, now. It wasn't even Silco who he was angry at anymore. It was himself, for letting himself be in this situation. Rage because those memories he'd been clinging onto like life support was no longer there and he was angry at what he couldn't remember. The monster was breaking through to the surface, working to break every single chain holding it back. It wanted to be free, and yet there was a small minuscule part of Ekko left to keep it from happening.

Voices starting talking in his head again at this stage, only there was no recognizable tone to them, and was heavily distorted. There was no speech pattern behind them, simply incoherent screaming, like something was trying to break through to him but it only caused more harm.

Until he could hear fire around him. Wide eyes noted the fire that was slowly engulfing everything around him. A pair of distorted faces approached him and he could feel burning hands press hot against the skin of his cheek. The fire, however, did not spread and he almost felt a sense of calm , for a moment. No words were said but the distorted smiles told him everything. Before they were burned alive in front of his eyes and he could see a lone enforcer looking with disinterest.

That instant that last sliver that had been Ekko left. Shackles and chains made a resounding snap as the monster was finally set free. There was weight that finally lifted from his shoulders at that sensation. Finally, for the first time in days, his mind was completely sound as he no longer fought the shimmer that had been influencing it all this time.

When he heard footsteps, he assumed it was just another hallucination. However, Silco came into view, he knew it wasn't the case. His eyes burned so much brighter than they had before but this time it wasn't out of defiance. There was a notable hint of clarity that Silco would be able to pick up from across the room, even. A decision had been made. His body laid perfectly still and completely relaxed as he locked eyes with heterochromic ones.

In the end, Silco was right. All it had taken time, days specifically. In the span of those days the Ekko that had been strapped to the table before was long gone. Replaced by this new version of him, something brand new, even. One that could tell Silco knew that he had won this game, the shimmer and exhaustion doing all of his work for him.

He was getting close now -- so close to breaking him entirely. The temptation to push it all further rose when he saw the teen convulse below him in reaction to the increased shimmer. It was particularly gratifying to see him tortured by the lure of the drug, which was obviously nipping at his old habits. Surely anymore through the pump would have been too much at once, and actually risked increasing his strength and primal power. Silco couldn't afford to have him escape anything.

He leaned a little closer in preparation to hear what he'd wanted to from the beginning, only to feel that flame of defiance lick up against him again. The boy still had some fight left in him, an annoying crumb of lingering resistance to the inevitable. He was so much like Vander it made him want to strangle the vitriolic little shit.

He stared with a level of amazed frustration. All of this resistance was inspired by a single man -- one he had killed, himself. He looked back on the moment he slashed the Firelight's throat, just after that hit to his shoulder, which still stung with fresh injury. He had perhaps, unwittingly, made things so much harder for himself by making a display of that man's death. What before was a simple gesture of victory over the group had now come back to haunt him.

Silco pushed himself off of the table with an angered growl, turning away and wiping his hand over his face in an attempt to collect himself from the edge of his temper. He turned back around swiftly, reaching down and grabbing the teen just under his jaw, clasping his throat tightly. "You would blind yourself willingly!?" He stopped himself, letting go of the other's neck and standing back up straight. He combed his hair back with his hand to get the loose strands of black out of his face. "No matter. I'll show you exactly who you are."

He stepped back, toward the door. "All it will take is time." He glanced to the doctor to make his intentions clear. "Keep him shimmered out. No higher than this." With one last regard of the Firelight strapped to the table, he said, "I'll be back when he's ready."

And with that, he walked out of the room, picking up his coat as he passed it by on way out. He would return in two days, after the boy had been starved of all else except for the shimmer pumping through his veins.

[jynxd]

"I'll push you to your limits and beyond. Only then will you become what you need to be." (from Stolas for Ekko) @runes-menagerie

There were many things Ekko expected, on that list was certainly not some big tall bird to come up and talk to him. Certainly not one he knew, in fact, he'd never seen anything like his kind in the Undercity before. And yet this tall humanoid bird was talking to him as if they weren't strangers.

"I don't think you know who you're talking to, bud." Ekko said, though his voice was distorted by the mask that so often covered his face. Very rarily did have his mask off when he was out, in fact he never had it off. Couldn't have anyone recognize him after all. "Who do you even think you are?"

Ekko put some distance between himself and the stranger. What if this was one of Silco's men? What if this was a shimmer dealer? The streets were full of them, full of people trying to get people hooked on the filth of shimmer. A drug he fought every day to return to..

"And If this is your attempt to give me shimmer you're in the wrong company, too." He clenched his fists. "I have no interest in what you're selling, bird."

[stvaltiel]

📕📗📘📙

you sent four emojis so it's only fair i give you four wips in return so in no particular order:

-> the qiyana/lux au that started bc i made the mistake of joking about shipping them

- qiyana's parents tell her if she wants to take the throne and interact with the outside world so bad then she needs to prove that she's got the skills to handle it which includes doing things like making foreign allies. ofc it's very much a "pls shut the fuck up and leave us alone" kind of thing bc they don't believe in her and she knows it so now she has no choice but to prove them wrong.

so she rolls up to lux's camp and demands they work together which goes about as well as expected. qiyana isn't used to people actually standing up to her and lux isn't about to roll over and just accept being bossed around in her own fucking territory. little by little tho, they do work things out and develop more than just a working relationship

-> the carmilla au

- caitlyn is the sheltered heir to the kiramman family and vi is the mysterious charming stranger staying with them for the time being. and sure it's kinda weird that vi never comes out of her room before sundown and she's more forward with her affection than anyone caitlyn has ever met and her teeth are just a little too sharp, canines spaced just perfectly to match the marks caitlyn finds on her neck and her wrists but that's probably nothing right?

and ofc vi breaks the cardinal rule of being a vampire: don't fall in love with your food

-> the timebomb zombie apocalypse au (loosely based on re2 if you squint and turn your head)

- the only thing worse than being late for your first day of a new job is realizing you don't have a job bc the city is in shambles, there's zombies everywhere, and you're stranded in said hellhole. on the bright side tho! ekko has powder, a neurotic, guntoting scientist for company and together they'll (probably) survive

-> seraphine's gay awakening

- exactly what it sounds like lol this one is based on scratch's card art in LoR where seraphine sneaks out to compete in battle of the bands in a sketchy ass venue in zaun and while she doesn't win, she does develop a big gay crush on scratch and keeps making excuses to see her while somehow being oblivious to scratch flirting with her

[jynxd]

There wasn't a doubt in his mind that this one had a fight in them. No doubt if the got combat with them he'd more than likely lose, but he's gone up against worse. Judging by their dragon-like appearance, however, he had no doubt that she shouldn't be underestimated either.

"Most outsiders have to wear masks to breath in this air, you must sort of vastaya, aren't you? Like most of us." Most in the Undercity weren't fully aware of it, but they were each vastayan in their own way. "How could else could handle it?"

Ekko was relieved knowing that the she-dragon didn't work for Silco. Of course she didn't, otherwise he'd be dead or taken by now. "You'll blend in better that way, but never trust him or his henchmen." he clenched his fists. "Me and my family, we want nothing more than to destroy any shimmer we come across. Make it our goal to destroy any shipments, too. Shimmer ruined most of our lives."

"Belive me, you don't. If you get in a position where you will have to go toe to toe with me, you will lose and that's a promise." Shyvana replied. She was confident enough that she could even in this form, but again she wouldn't mind knocking out a few buildings if she knew she wasn't going to be held responsable for that. But it wasn't worth even thinking about the trouble, especially if she was just picking a fight for the sake of it.

"I'm here to sell because my usual places to see things were not avaliable." She explained, placing her hoard down. Upon seeing the boy relaxing, she did a bit but it was clear that she was still tense, as if out of her element completely.

"No, i don't. Although if one of his minions shows up to buy my things I won't deny them if the gold is good enough." The dragon replied. "Must have some courage if you were willing to jump a random stranger to stop a possible trading of shimmer."

[mliter]

Ekko.

"It's not enough to give people what they need to survive, you have to give them what they need to live."

Well, i'm not new to this character, or the idea really. He's been around for years in League of Legends. I never really played the game cause i found it boring (and the chat in my first few matches looked like a klan meeting). In 2021, the character was reintroduced to us with the same name, but a different backstory.

Boy's smart. He's shown to be good at gathering information, and tinkering with all sorts of machinery. He worked with Benzo as an assistant.

Unfortunately, the plot had to happen. For a few episodes he's unseen, but later reappears at a crucial point in the story. He's revealed to be the leader of a gang(?) that fights to better their lives, and their home. He's the leader, and a good one at that. His new home is a sanctuary. A hope inspiring beacon of light in a world that is so fucking dark. Ekko, and the people around him, are responsible for this.

Just like the home tree of the firelights, his design reflects all of this. He's got this colorful overcoat that he wears to complete his design. He's also dropped the mohawk from the original game for one made out of dreads. I prefer this, and a lot of other people seem to as well.

Though the character can play with time, in a show full of characters that are either obsessed with the past or future, Ekko is neither. He also doesn't use hextech or shimmer, the two things driving this story. He's like a walking... grey area of some sort. I can't put it into words. but believe me when i say he's one of the greatest side characters in fiction. he doesnt even appear for long compared to the rest and he still has an insane impact. Dude is cold.

My favorite aspect of the character is how he's a leader. Skilled, competent and courageous. His compassion has touched a lot of people, and he is reminded by this as he is surrounded by them everyday. I think that's the life. He's one of the coolest to me.

[m-feline]

To adapt, to survive, to live - ch 8

Silco x Freader

Tags; hurt, slightly angst, canon typical swearing;

Masterlist

Previous ->

When I woke up it was dark outside. It was a night of a full moon, so gentle light came from the air hole of the top. Thank God, I was still alive. I was cold but alive. I barely managed to move my hand to the neck to try the wound. The towel was there held down by the tape. But as I moved my hand I got confused. According to what I remember, I only placed one piece of tape on the towel. Why did I feel three stripes of tape? When I glanced down, I also notice the cover over me. I did not have time to put it. Was I not alone?

“Thank God, you’re alive.”

I jerked to sit up but it hurt so much that I fell to lie down again.

“Whoa, don’t do that. You need to take it easy.”

I recognize that voice. It can’t be.

“Ekko?” I called him but my voice sounded horrible. As if I had flu and my throat was busted.

“I’m here. I’m here,” He soothed me as he came closer and finally into my view. “Oh boy, you look like shit.”

“You're alive,” I said with a raspy voice. “I… tried to… look for you.”

“Yeah, I have more hideouts than the ones I told you,” He said. “Luckily, one was close to here.”

“You came…” I tried to finish my sentence but it was hard to speak.

“I heard you. Maybe the whole Topside heard you too,” Ekko tried to joke. “When I came you were lying down trying to bandage your neck. You couldn’t move so I finished the bandaging.”

“Thank you,” I said.

“Its okay. Try to sleep again, you need to get better,” Ekko said.

“And you?” I asked.

“I… sleep somewhere too. There is enough room for a lot of people to sleep here,” Ekko said extending his hands around him. Instead, of answering, I pulled out one hand and tapped the spot next to me. It took a moment for Ekko to get it.

“Oh, you okay with it?” He asked.

“Just get in here, little guy,” I said. He quickly got to lie next to me facing away from me and I lifted the cover to warp him too. Then I warped my arms around his neck to a hug and let him rest his head on one of my arms.

“I'm glad you are alive,” I whispered to him.

“So am I,” He whispered back. And then we both fell asleep.

--

The next morning the light of the sun that shone through the air hole woke me up. This was one of the good sides of this place. There were almost no sunlight in the Lanes. If you weren’t deep enough to not see the sky, the smoke covered the tallest of the view. But not here. Maybe that was the reason this tree had grown so big.

“(Y/n), you’re awake,” Ekko called me. I rubbed my eyes and then my neck as I got up. I still felt sore but better than yesterday.

“Hi Ekko,” I sighed. “Give me a moment and I make breakfast.

“Uum….”

“You already ate my food rations,” I guessed.

“No…. Just half of it,” Ekko admitted.

“And by half you mean…?” I asked closing my eyes as the sleep still lingered in them.

“There's still one sandwich with ham, and three cookies,” Ekko said. I had packed three sandwiches and ten cookies. The boy was hungry alright.

“And the bottle?” I asked peaking at him.

“Full. I have my own water bottle with me,” Ekko said showing his small canister. “And don’t worry, I still have some juice in it from yesterday.”

I simply hummed to that and reached for my bottle to take a sip. Good thing I always pack extra food with me. Sadly, it wasn’t enough for the two of us.

“I guess I need to head back today if I wish to have breakfast tomorrow,” I said.

“Back? What do you mean ‘head back,’?” Ekko asked in shock. “You aren’t seriously going back to the Last Drop?”

“Ekko, I have to… For Ji….” I tried to explain but he cut me.

“That guy killed Benzo,” He almost shouted. “He killed Vander, Milo, Glaggor, Vi…” I didn’t want to correct him. It was Powder who killed them with those dangerous crystals. How am I going to explain this to him when has lost so much?

“What happened to Powder? She didn’t go there too?” Ekko asked.

“She switched her name to Jinx, and she is in the Last Drop,” I said.

“Then we have to help her,” Ekko said.

“She doesn’t need that kind of help,” I sighed. “She is treated well, she is more stable there, for now.”

“I don’t get it,” Ekko said. I have no choice but to say it.

“Ekko, did you see the explosion in the cannery?” I asked, he nodded with a grim expression. “Powder did that.”

“Shit.”

“Everything that didn’t make out that night died there,” I said.

“Why did she do it?” Ekko asked more to himself than me.

“Why?” I repeated the word in shock.

“Were they that desperate? Wait, then Silco might not have killed them all… Maybe they could have made it,” Ekko rambled on.

“What the hell do you mean ‘why?” I shouted at him. He flinched at the tone I used. I never raised my voice with any of the kids. “Why did she do it? Why did they all go up to rob a Pilty house full of explosives? Why did you send them there? Why are you guys always trying to get in trouble?” As I spoke, I grabbed his arm in a tight grip and shook him. His eyes got wide and had an evident look of fear. For he saw a greenish glow in my eyes that was everything else but natural. “If all of you wouldn’t have gone up then maybe no one would have died.”

The pain in my neck made me groan and let go of Ekko. He quickly flinched away from me as I pressed my both hands over the wound. I bent over and panted till the pain faded, and also my mind cleared.

“I'm sorry,” I apologize without looking up. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“Is it… that freaky ritual you did before?” Ekko asked carefully.

“Probably,” I said. “You know about it?”

“Two years ago, when I had begun to work with Benzo, Vander came to talk with him. I heard, … I was in the next room and I heard everything,” Ekko said. “You had hurt yourself, very badly, and… you were sick. Vander said that you did it to yourself on purpose. That it was some kind of ritual.”

“It is,” I said.

“Ritual for what?” Ekko asked. I moved my hair from back to front so my back was exposed. I had slept the whole night with a backless tank top, so Ekko had no trouble seeing the weird marking on my back.

“Did someone beat your back?” He asked.

“No, this is the result of those rituals, and it’s still not finished,” I said.

“A huge ass-shit bruise on your back?” Ekko asked. I really hated how easily kids curse these days. But I can only blame the environment for that. Vander did his best to avoid foul language, especially in my presence. That might have been one reason, why people thought we were close. Now, I just had to get used to it.

“When I do the last stage, there will be a signia on my back. What kind? That will depend on how well I kept my self-control,” I explained.

“What sort of signias are there?” Ekko asked.

“The only one I ever saw was of my mother’s. Ivy vines. But according to her, those were most lower of signias,” I explained.

“Is this signia the reason why you have to return?” Ekko asked.

“Partly. It is the reason I came here. But mostly because I have to look after Jinx,” I tried to explain.

“But what when you get the signia? What will you do then?” Ekko asked. That was a damm good question. What then? Will I stay in the Last Drop? Or will I leave with Jinx? Leave where?

“I don’t know yet,” I admitted. “I have to see how things progress. It will all depend on Jinx.”

Ekko didn’t say anything to that and gladly switched the topic. He told me how he had run away when the news of Vander's death spread all over the Lanes. He went to his hiding places that even I didn’t know and had time to time snuck to Lanes to get food. He had managed quite well for so long. I had to admit that I was impressed.

“Then yesterday, I heard your…. Uum,” Ekko said yet hesitated and wasn’t sure how say the next words politely.

“My screams of death,” I joked.

“Let's call it that, I came to see what it was and... The first thing I found is this,” He said motioning towards the huge tree. “I didn’t know there was a tree here.”

“I found this place when I was the same age as Vi,” I said. “Sam and I were wandering around the sewers and then we found this. He loved it and already had plans to build houses over the branches like treehouses.”

“Sam was your guardian, wasn’t he?” Ekko asked.

“Yes,” I said. “But his past as an Enforcer got him killed a week later.”

“Oh,” Ekko said, his look changed the moment I said ‘Enforcer’. “Why would an Enforcer come down to Undercity?”

“Because he didn’t approve of what the other Enforcers did to my mother,” I said.

“What did they…” Ekko was about to ask but the look I gave him told him enough. “Did it happen on the Topside?”

“Yup,” I said.

“Why?” Ekko asked.

“Because of this,” I said and pointed my back. “And one word. ‘Mage’.”

“Well, what you did here yesterday was not… normal,” Ekko said.

“My mother tried to raise me well, but just the fact that she had moving tattoos… was enough to label her as ‘unwanted-citizen',” I said.

“Moving tattoos? That sounds cool,” Ekko said.

“And next year you’ll see one on me,” I said. “Unless I’m killed before that. One other reason for me to go back. If Silco thinks I’m running he might hunt me down. Or worse, take it on Jinx.”

“I get it,” Ekko said though he still sounded sour about it. “So, what do you need? Besides some rest and clearly another bandaging.”

“I would say food to get my energy back but… you already ate half of it,” I said smiling.

“I know how to get more, if you want?” Ekko said.

I didn’t need to ask. Four hours later he brought more food. Bread, a piece of cheese, and a couple of leaves of lettuce that were still edible. With that, I made sandwiches for the two of us. We ate them and when we saw the light changing as the sun went down I began to pack my bag again.

“Are you okay to go like that?” Ekko asked .

“I get better once I get to Last Drop and bandage this better,” I said. “If I ask nicely then maybe Silco will give me a day off for tomorrow and the day after.”

Ekko didn’t say anything to that. It was clear he didn’t like when I mentioned Silco. I don’t blame him. Even I had some grudge against Silco. But then again I had a grudge against many people. From the Topside and Undercity. But Silco wasn’t my most hated person, so living under his roof was bearable. And most importantly, he got along with Jinx. Maybe most of all the people who now stayed at the Last Drop.

“So, you come here in a year?” Ekko asked as he helped me to get up from the ground.

“Yeah,” I said. “In the meantime, why don’t you look after this place.”

“Really?”

“Sure. Maybe some tent over there. A little cabin over there. If you somehow figure out how to make something else grow here, you would have no reason to go back to Lanes,” I said.

“Lanes are my home,” Ekko said with pride in his voice.

“Still this could become a nice hiding place,” I said. I could tell he liked the idea. I was mostly happy because I would at ease that Ekko would be safe. I may not see him as much but I knew he could make this place work. And that was all I needed to know.

Ekko walked with me for a long while till we came to the edge of population. People were going around, yet not enough to have prying eyes. There I knelt down gingerly and placed my hand over Ekko's shoulders.

“Stay safe and stay healthy,” I said to him.

“Always,” He assured me. “And… you stay safe too. I wait for you in a year.”

“Do that. And no matter what you hear, wait till I come there,” I said.

After that, we parted ways. I headed to the Last Drop, and Ekko went either back to the tree or to look for more food. As I got closer to the Last Drop, I began to feel tired again. I could really have a bowl of soup when I get there. But at this time the bar should be full and I was too tired to cook.

“(Y/n)?”

I turned in the direction where I heard my name and I saw Sevika walking in my direction. She was alone but judging by the sound of clicks, she must have been playing cards somewhere.

“Lucky night?” I asked and nodded at her belt where the noisy pouch hung. She got my hint quickly and chuckled at that.

“Yeah, you could say that,” She said. “I thought you were coming back tomorrow.”

“At worst case, yes,” I said. “If at best I would have come before the bar opened.”

“You look like shit,” She said. “Something happened to your neck?”

“Yes,” I said and tried to switch topics. “How is Jinx?”

“Why do you think I’m out?” Sevika scoffed.

“For fun and winnings,” I said again pointing to her pouch.

“Win or lose, I will rather be there than stand in the same room with that girl.” She said. “Always whining when you come back.”

“And now I’m back,” I said.

“Yeah, and don’t ever leave again,” She said. I rolled my eyes at her. I knew she had issues with Jinx but she didn’t hate the girl. They simply didn’t get along. We walked together to the Last Drop, when we both entered the bar she helped us through the crowd to the stairs. The faster she got me to Jinx the sooner I would be in charge of the girl. I found Jinx in Silco’s room. Silco had many papers neatly stacked on the table while Jinx had her papers scattered around the floor with little colorful doodles on them.

“(Y/n)!” Jinx shouted as she saw me and rushed to hug me.

“Hi, dear. Did you miss me?” I asked the girl.

“Yeah, a lot,” She said with a bit muffled voice as she buried her face in my upper stomach.

“Welcome back,” Silco said as he set down a paper he was reading and walked toward us.

“Thank you,” I said to him. “Though I’m back, could I ask for tomorrow and the day after off?”

For one moment, I worried that Silco would say no. But then I saw his eyes staring at my neck. There was no hiding that wound. But after two days I could make it disappear with makeup.

“Since you came back early, one extra day won’t matter anymore,” Silco sighed and turned back to his work.

“Thank you. May I… we leave?” I said and corrected as Jinx turned to look at me from her hug.

“Yes, you may,” Silco said and took in hand again the paper he was inspecting before. “And treat that injury.”

Jinx was very happy that I was back. She kept asking, what I did, where I was, and what kind of injury I had. I simply said that none of it mattered now that I was back. I practically fell to the bed and snuggled with Jinx. I kept the moment debating with myself if I should tell her about Ekko. But sleep took me over soon and I didn’t get a chance to tell her.

Next ->

[palms-upturned]

Ekko <3

EKKOOOO AUGH…

Send me a character and I will tell you my:

First impression: little man had my heart immediately!! As a kid he seemed like a funny little guy™️ type. Oh honey I had a big storm coming

Impression now: DUDE… character of all time. He stepped up higher than anybody… starting a whole community, dealing with Silco without allying with cops, even tho he was just a kid who lost everything and everyone he loved in one night… �� and he still loves Vi and Powder so much. Augh

Favorite moment: Ekko vs Jinx fuckkkkkk what a scene… and “it’s not enough to give people what they need to survive, you have to give them enough to live.” And how he included Powder in the mural… and the reunion with Vi… and the misfit toys scene… GOD HES SO COOL

Idea for a story: I’d love to see anything about how he formed the firelights and met them all… they’re so fucking cool…

Unpopular opinion: sorry, I only just watched it a few weeks ago and don’t really know anything about league so I have no idea what anyone’s opinions are aside from “Ekko rules” lmao

Favorite relationship: his relationship w both sisters gets me so bad. Ough. They were a family…

Favorite headcanon: his interactions with Jinx vs how insistent he is with Vi that she’s beyond saving make me think he must have tried 😔😔😔 oh Ekko…

[k1nky-fool]

HEY THERE. How are you doing?

For Mita obviously: 2, 11, 14, 21, 25, 32, 44. Sorry if I'm a little late, but I hope you're feeling better now! Remember to rest and drink water.

I'm doing a little better now that my distraction is working. Tbh I figured Valentines would be a rough time for me, but I'm glad I have folks that are happy to give me a little thing to obsess over through the rough patches.

Minute

2. How loosely or strictly do they use the word ‘friend’?

Very strictly, but it's not as impossible as it might look at first glance. Mita is simply very picky about who she calls a friend.

The first way to become Mita's friend is if she recognizes that you need help, and you stay in contact with her and offer her an act of service in return for her help after she's given all the help she can. Obviously, that's how Devoan and Ekko end up staying friends with her, and that's a frightening way to meet her, but it would work.

The second way is much easier, but still pretty scary. If one of her current friends trusts you and she slowly warms up to you. This one will take quite a long time and she may vaguely threaten you to emphasize that her priority is to ensure the safety of her current friend. This method worked for Viktor, and even though they're still not the closest years later, Mita definitely trusts him enough to call him a friend.

The last way and probably the most terrifying way is just the Vander way. You gotta have a lot of confidence and kindness to just introduce yourself to her and be friendly. But there is a chance that it might work. Be a decent person, and you'll grow on her. You aren't safe from skepticism, but you aren't at risk of death.

11. If someone was impersonating them, what would friends / family ask or do to tell the difference?

Try giving her a friendly touch without permission. If she tries to break your hand, then it's her.

The standard procedure for people that are allowed to touch her is to reach out and wait for her to meet you halfway. Even the kids know to at least call her name before going in for a hug.

So if you even just put a hand on her arm without asking or giving any warning, and she does nothing, then there is no way that's her.

14. How do they put out a candle?

Full on pinches the wick. If she needed darkness in a candle lit room, she was usually wearing a mask. So she just kind of made a habit of pinching wicks.

21. What common etiquette do they disagree with? Do they still follow it?

Tips. Don't get me wrong, if there's a tip jar, she naturally assumes the staff isn't getting paid enough and she'll put a good chunk of money in there. There's enough skeevy business owners both topside and bottom that make the tip jar necessary, but just means she's gonna start vaguely threatening a business owner every time she sees them until the staff has enough money to survive without the tip jar.

25. What subject / topic do they know a lot about that’s completely useless to the direct plot?

She knows a lot about flowers, and what it takes to grow them. When she was alone as a creature, the spring flowers were something easy to take note of. She'd notice where they grew, what the conditions were like where they grew, and if the same flower was seen somewhere similar or different. If she had the chance, she'd definitely grow her own garden.

32. If they committed one petty crime / misdemeanor, what would it be? Why?

We know she's not above a felony, but she knew her fair share of petty crimes when she was younger. But if it were to really come down to a petty crime, it'd probably be trespassing on private property. Even if she wasn't doing anything there, she's just not where she's supposed to be.

44. What language would be easiest for them to learn? Why?

I'm thinking if Mita were in this world with our languages. I don't mean to sound boring, but she'd likely pick up on Spanish very fast. When I hear her voice in my mind, she has a very light Spanish accent.

Though, I think most romance languages would be easier for her to pick up on than any others. I do think she'd have more trouble with Portuguese than Italian, French, or Spanish.