𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 || A Timebomb Fanfic

Fragile Truths

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

The Firelight base was quieter than usual. Most of the team had gone out on scouting missions or supply runs, leaving behind a skeleton crew to guard their hidden sanctuary. Jinx found herself wandering the corridors, her hands brushing against the metal walls. It wasn’t like her to feel restless when things were calm, but she couldn’t shake the unease brewing in her chest.

She eventually ended up in Ekko’s quarters a small, cluttered space filled with trinkets and scraps he had collected over the years. His signature timepiece sat on the workbench, surrounded by half-finished projects. A mural covered one of the walls, a patchwork of colors and shapes that told a story she didn’t fully understand but couldn’t stop staring at.

Her fingers grazed the painted surface as she took in the details: the Firelight symbol, the streets of Zaun, and a figure that looked suspiciously like Ekko standing at the center of it all.

“Didn’t peg you for the sentimental type,” she said aloud, even though no one was there to hear.

“Depends on the day,” came a voice behind her.

She spun around, her pulse quickening, only to find Ekko standing in the doorway. His hair was damp, and he held a towel slung over his shoulder. He must’ve just finished cleaning up after whatever mission he’d returned from.

“Don’t you ever knock?” she said, crossing her arms defensively.

“You’re in my room,” he pointed out with a grin.

“Details.”

He shook his head, stepping inside and setting the towel on his chair. “What’re you doing in here, Jinx?”

“Looking around,” she said nonchalantly. “Trying to figure out what makes the great Firelight leader tick.”

“Find anything interesting?”

“Just that you’re a huge nerd,” she teased, gesturing to the timepiece on his desk.

“Guilty,” he said, leaning against the edge of the workbench. “But you’re not exactly subtle, y’know. Something’s eating at you. What’s up?”

She hesitated, her fingers twitching at her sides. Ekko’s ability to see right through her was both infuriating and oddly comforting.

“I don’t like sitting around,” she admitted finally. “Feels like everyone’s watching me, waiting for me to mess up.”

“They’re not,” he said, his tone gentle but firm. “They’re just trying to figure you out.”

“Same difference.”

He sighed, stepping closer. “Look, I’m not gonna pretend this is easy for you. But the fact that you’re here, trying? That says a lot.”

She scoffed, though her voice lacked its usual edge. “Yeah, well, don’t expect a thank-you card or anything.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he said with a smirk.

The tension between them eased slightly, replaced by a quiet understanding. She didn’t say it, but his words made her feel less alone, even if only for a moment.

---

Later that day, the base began to stir as the Firelights returned from their missions. Jinx stayed out of the way, watching from the shadows as they unloaded supplies and exchanged reports. She wasn’t sure where she fit into all of this yet, but she wasn’t ready to leave either.

“Hey, Jinx!”

She turned to see a familiar group of kids running toward her, their faces alight with excitement. The same group that had shown her the mural days ago.

“What do you want now?” she asked, though there was no real bite in her tone.

One of the kids, a girl with bright pink hair, held up a crude drawing of Jinx wielding her iconic rocket launcher. “We made this for you!”

Jinx blinked, caught off guard. The drawing was messy and disproportionate, but it was clearly made with care.

“Uh… thanks, I guess,” she said, taking the paper awkwardly.

Another boy piped up. “When are you gonna show us some of your gadgets? You said you’d teach us, remember?”

“I said no such thing,” she retorted, though her lips twitched into a small smile.

“But you could!” the pink-haired girl added. “Please? We’ll be good, we promise!”

Jinx looked at their eager faces, a strange warmth spreading in her chest. She couldn’t remember the last time anyone had looked at her like that—like she wasn’t a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.

“Fine,” she said, rolling her eyes. “But if any of you blow yourselves up, it’s not my fault.”

The kids cheered, and Ekko, who had been watching from a distance, couldn’t help but chuckle.

“You’re good with them,” he said, walking over as the kids ran off to grab supplies.

“Yeah, well, they’re not as annoying as the rest of you,” she replied, though there was no real venom in her voice.

Ekko smiled, his gaze softening. “You’re doing better than you think, Jinx.”

For once, she didn’t argue. Instead, she glanced at him, a small, hesitant smile playing at her lips.

“Don’t get used to it, Little Man,” she said, walking past him to join the kids.

He watched her go, a quiet hope stirring in his chest. Maybe, just maybe, they were finally starting to find their way forward.

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·