𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: A timebomb collection

A Shocking Entrance

The last thing Ekko expected when he crawled through the vents in the underbelly of Zaun was to fall into a bathtub. But then again, nothing in his life with Jinx was ever what he expected.

His feet slipped, his hand grasped at thin air, and with a loud crash, he plummeted through the floor vent and straight into the bubble-filled water below.

Jinx let out a shriek—a sound that could only come from a person who both hated and loved surprises.

"WHAT THE—"

Splashing around, Ekko tried to regain his bearings, his arms flailing wildly, water sloshing everywhere as he finally managed to sit up. The first thing he saw was Jinx, leaning back in the bathtub, eyes wide in shock. She was mid-laugh, her blue hair clinging to her forehead, a big grin spreading across her face.

"Well, well, look who dropped by for a visit," she teased, giggling, her mischievous smile only growing wider.

Ekko, blinking water out of his eyes, gave her a look of utter disbelief. "You... really? In the bathtub, Jinx?"

Jinx raised an eyebrow, clearly unbothered by his sudden and very unplanned entry. "Hey, I didn’t ask for a bath buddy, but here you are!" She grinned like a cat who had just caught a mouse. "You know, I always knew you'd come for me, but this is a bit much, don’t you think?"

Ekko tried to ignore the awkwardness of the situation. “I didn’t come for you, Jinx. I was trying to get out of the market, but your vents suck."

Jinx giggled, snatching up a floating rubber duck and tossing it at him. "Well, maybe you should’ve knocked first. Or, you know, learned to duck." She threw her head back and laughed, her blue hair bouncing with each giggle.

Ekko wiped his wet face, his patience wearing thin but his heart speeding up in a way that annoyed him. Jinx always had this effect on him—chaotic, unpredictable, and impossible to ignore.

"I’m not... I didn’t mean to—" He tried to explain, but she cut him off.

"Oh, come on, Timebomb, don’t be so stiff!" She leaned forward, her hands resting on the edge of the tub. "At least, you can say you fell for me." She winked, snickering at her own joke.

Ekko blinked. His face reddened with a mix of embarrassment and anger, though he couldn’t help the small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Real funny, Jinx. You keep those jokes to yourself, alright?"

Jinx pouted dramatically, sticking out her lower lip as if she was truly hurt. "Aw, come on! You know I’m just messing with you. You love it."

Before Ekko could respond, Jinx’s mischievous glint intensified, and she grabbed the showerhead, pointing it straight at him. "Say goodbye to your dignity!"

Without warning, she turned it on, the cold water blasting against Ekko's chest, and he let out a yelp, jumping back.

“Jinx!” he shouted, sputtering water as he shielded himself.

She laughed so hard she almost slipped in the tub. “What? I thought you’d enjoy a nice, refreshing shower. You know, to get the bath vibes going."

Ekko, soaked to the bone now, glared at her. But the glare was weak, the heat in his cheeks betraying the frustration he was trying to hide. “I’m leaving,” he said, though his voice was a little less confident.

“You say that,” Jinx drawled, “but I’m pretty sure you’re going to need a new outfit first, and guess who’s the best at that?”

Ekko sighed, sitting down on the side of the tub. “You’re impossible.”

“Yeah,” Jinx smirked, “but you love it.”

She let the water flow again, sending bubbles bouncing around the tub as she leaned back, stretching her arms with a playful sigh. “Stick around, Timebomb. I’ll get you cleaned up. You know, like the good old days.”

Ekko crossed his arms, his frown almost turning into a smile. "You’re not my bath buddy, Jinx."

She pouted again. "Pffft, you just say that because I’m not wearing a killer outfit like yours. How about you take a load off and actually enjoy yourself for once?"

He glanced at the bubbles floating in the tub, then at Jinx, who was clearly enjoying herself way too much. “You really are a mess, aren’t you?”

Jinx winked. “And you love it.”

Ekko sighed, giving up entirely. “I’m going to regret this.”

Jinx’s grin widened. “You always do."