𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: A timebomb collection

Caught In The Towels

Ekko moved silently through the dimly lit hallway, careful not to make a sound as he approached the door at the end. This was risky—really risky—but there was no other way to get the information he needed. Sneaking into Jinx’s room was never a good idea, but the mission demanded it. She had something, a blueprint, and he needed to know what it was.

As he reached the door, he took a deep breath, easing it open just enough to slip inside. The room was dim, lit only by the faint glow of scattered, flickering lights that Jinx had rigged up in her usual chaotic style. The place was a mess—parts of guns, strange gadgets, and paint splattered everywhere, not to mention the countless crumpled blueprints on her desk.

Ekko glanced around cautiously. So far, so good. No sign of Jinx. He stepped deeper into the room, trying to locate the specific blueprint he was after.

And then the bathroom door opened.

A cloud of steam billowed out into the room, and there, framed by the glow of the bathroom light, stood Jinx—fresh out of the shower, one towel wrapped around her body, and another in her hands, trying to dry off her long, blue hair. Water dripped down her arms and legs, her skin glistening under the light.

Ekko froze.

Jinx looked at him, her eyes widening for a split second in surprise. Then, instead of screaming or freaking out like he might’ve expected, she gave him a sly grin.

“Well, well, well. Look who’s sneaking around in my room,” she said, her voice teasing. “Timeboy, I didn’t know you were that interested in me.”

Ekko’s mouth went dry. “Uh... this isn’t what it looks like.”

Jinx’s grin only widened. “Oh, really?” She tilted her head, clearly enjoying the situation. “Because it kinda looks like you were sneaking into my room, and now you’ve caught me in nothing but a towel.” She tugged at the edge of the towel wrapped around her, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “How scandalous.”

“I—I wasn’t trying to—” Ekko stammered, his face heating up as he tried to avert his eyes. “I’m here for a... mission. Yeah, a mission.”

Jinx laughed, the sound light and teasing. “A mission, huh?” She took a step closer, still holding the towel around her as she casually dried her hair. “And here I thought you were just here for a peek. I mean, you could’ve just asked, y’know.”

Ekko’s brain short-circuited for a moment. “I’m not here for that!”

“Oh, come on,” Jinx teased, rolling her eyes. “I’ve caught you sneaking in here, and I’m practically half-naked, Timeboy. You’re blushing so hard, I can see it from here.” She smirked, clearly having way too much fun with this.

Ekko groaned inwardly, wishing the floor would just open up and swallow him whole. He was blushing—hard. “Look, I’m here for the blueprints,” he muttered, trying to steer the conversation away from the very obvious situation at hand. “That’s all. I just needed to check something.”

“Blueprints, huh?” Jinx didn’t look convinced. She moved over to the desk, still holding the towel around her with one hand. “You could’ve just asked nicely. No need to break into my room for that.”

“Yeah, I’m sure you’d just hand them over,” Ekko said, trying to regain his composure. “It’s not like you’re known for... cooperation.”

Jinx shrugged, then tossed the towel she was using for her hair onto the bed. “True, true. But you being here... in my room... while I’m fresh out of the shower... it’s a little suspicious, don’t you think?”

Ekko glanced around awkwardly. “It’s not like I planned this, okay?”

Jinx smirked again, taking a step toward him, her eyes glinting with mischief. “Oh, I believe you, Timeboy. But you do realize you’ve put yourself in a pretty awkward spot, right?” She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a mock-whisper. “What if I scream? Call for help? ‘Help! There’s a boy in my room, and I’m barely dressed!’”

Ekko’s eyes widened. “Don’t you dare.”

Jinx chuckled softly, clearly having no intention of doing any such thing. “Relax, Ekko. I’m not mad. Just... really enjoying this moment.”

Ekko let out a slow breath, finally turning to face her properly, though he kept his eyes focused anywhere but the towel. “Can we just... forget this happened?”

Jinx grinned wickedly. “Oh, no way. I’m never letting you live this down, Timeboy.”

Ekko groaned. “Of course not.”

Jinx laughed again, playfully patting him on the shoulder. “Alright, alright. I won’t give you too much trouble—this time.” She sauntered over to her desk and grabbed a rolled-up blueprint, tossing it to him. “Here. This is what you were after, right?”

Ekko caught it, blinking in surprise. “Wait, seriously?”

Jinx shrugged, leaning against the desk casually, still holding onto her towel. “What? I don’t mind sharing. Just gotta ask first next time. But,” she added with a wicked grin, “if you do want to sneak into my room again... maybe wait until I’m dressed.”

Ekko’s face flushed again, but he managed a small, awkward smile. “I’ll, uh... keep that in mind.”

Jinx winked at him, and with that, Ekko made his hasty exit, the blueprint clutched in his hand as he tried to forget the image of Jinx wrapped in a towel—an image he knew he wouldn’t be able to shake anytime soon.

As he disappeared down the hallway, he could still hear Jinx’s laughter echoing behind him.