The Boy Savior - Ekko x Reader | DISCONTINUED

Chapter 11

"Oh, they are the ones who are not with us anymore." Ajuna, a boy about 13 years old, answered when you asked him about the big mural. So many faces were peacefully smiling on the huge wall and when you saw the little items, candles, and pictures placed all around the paintings, you felt your chest tighten. You couldn't help but imagine your family's face among them as you sat in front of the portraits.

"Were they all... killed by Silco and his men?" You asked as you looked at the boy by your side. He had brown hair with a tint of red that was only visible in strong light and wore a goggle on his forehead that was way too big for him. When he introduced himself to you, he proudly said that he was Ekko's best friend.

"Mostly. But Pilties have been hunting us lately as well. Well, more than usual... Ekko says they are paid by Silco." you weren't surprised by either of the facts he just stated. You remembered the time pretty clearly when your neighbor, Flint, the old shopkeeper got beaten by some enforcer, 'till he couldn't stand up, only because someone sold his shop a cigar pipe that was stolen from Piltover. Your parents didn't let you heal him directly so you always sneaked over when they were working at the factory and nursed him, healing him secretly just a tiny bit every time.

He believed he could get back up so quickly because his immune system 'was made out of steel' as he liked to say, and your parents seemed to believe him. Looking back at it now, you were sure they suspected your doing behind the miraculously fast healing of the old man.

Plus, you grew up with the ignorance and aggression Piltover Enforcers showed towards Zaunians. Sometimes all the crime you had to commit for a good beat-up was just being a lower-city citizen... You knew that, even though people at Piltover often liked to pretend they were higher beings, but in reality, they were just as corrupt and rotten as anyone else most of the time.

If you looked at it closer (and tried to forget your hatred towards The Industrialist), where Zaun was now wasn't only Silco's fault. He just amplified the situation to a much, much worse extent...

"Those are my parents..." Ajuna suddenly said in a low voice, his index finger pointing towards two smaller portraits close to the bottom of the wall.

They weren't as artistically perfect as some of the others, but like everyone else's, their faces were also painted with a peaceful smile on their lips and a gaze looking into the future... The future they could never live up to see, just like so many others - your throat tightened at the thought.

"I'm so sorry you had to lose them..." you looked at the boy by your side who only seemed to let himself feel sad for the shortest second.

"It's okay now," he said in a much lighter tone. "I have Ekko and the Firelights."

Just when he said that the huge round door of the base's entrance rolled open behind you with a loud rumble. You and Ajuna both stood up to face those who'd just come through the entrance - along with almost everyone you could see around you from the corner of your eyes. When you saw Ekko leading the returning Firelights back, the concern and confusion he wore on his face evaporated most of you anger you still held towards him.

Because you'd been mad at him ever since he left, hours ago. Of course, you asked to go with them but he didn't let you.

"I can help!" you tried to convince him but he cut you off.

"No! " - he said impatiently and you stepped a step back- he was so sudden. When he saw your expression, he continued. "Look, I - I'm sorry Y/N, but you'd just draw us back this time..." you felt how unwilling he was when he said that to your face. And you hated how much it hurt you, even though deep down you knew he was probably right...