𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 || A Timebomb Fanfiction

Finest Rivals of Zaun U.

Zaun University was a chaotic symphony of clanging machinery, bustling students, and the smell of copper and engine oil. Known for producing some of the brightest minds in all of Runeterra, Zaun U was both a haven for innovation and a pressure cooker for ambition. Every student here had a story, a purpose, and a hunger to stand out. But amidst the sea of talented individuals, two names were etched into the very fabric of the school: Jinx and Ekko.

The rivalry between Jinx and Ekko had started almost as soon as they set foot on campus in their first year. Jinx-brilliant, loud, and unpredictable-had carved her place as the top-ranked student with her unconventional methods and unmatched intellect. Her reputation for chaos wasn't limited to her academics. She was a walking spectacle, her blue hair and manic energy making her impossible to ignore. Her pranks, though infamous, were so clever that even the professors couldn't help but be impressed.

Ekko, in contrast, was Zaun U's calm storm. He didn't need theatrics to prove his worth; his work spoke for itself. The young innovator had a knack for solving problems no one else could and designing projects that seemed ahead of their time. He wasn't one to show off, but his quiet confidence and sharp mind had earned him a solid fan base-though he would've traded all of it just to finally outrank Jinx.

But the thing that truly captured the campus's imagination was the fact that they were roommates.

--

It started as an accident-or perhaps someone in administration had a wicked sense of humor. When the housing assignments were released in their first year, neither Jinx nor Ekko had noticed each other's name until it was too late to request a change. At first, they tried to avoid each other as much as possible, but by the end of the first week, they'd declared open war.

Notes were sabotaged, coffee mysteriously disappeared, and one of Jinx's early pranks involved swapping out Ekko's alarm for an amplified megaphone recording of her shouting, "Wake up, little man!"

Now, in their second year, their dynamic had become an integral part of Zaun U culture.

"Do you think they secretly like each other?" one student whispered as they passed by Jinx and Ekko in the quad.

"Like each other? They can't go a day without arguing," another said, shaking their head.

"But that's just it," a third chimed in, clutching their tablet that displayed the latest #Timebomb fan edits. "The tension! The banter! It's so obvious!"

Jinx heard them, of course, but instead of turning around, she nudged Ekko with her elbow. "Hear that? We're campus celebrities," she said with a smirk.

Ekko sighed, adjusting the strap of his backpack. "Celebrities, sure. You mean memes."

"Hey, I'm flattered," she continued, clearly enjoying his annoyance. "I mean, can you blame them? Look at us. Brains, beauty, and enough unresolved tension to fuel a semester's worth of drama."

Ekko stopped in his tracks and shot her a look. "Unresolved tension? You've been reading those forums, haven't you?"

Jinx laughed, skipping ahead of him. "What can I say? The fans know talent when they see it. Face it, little man, you and I are the main event."

--

The first day of classes was always chaotic, and the energy of Zaun U's returning students filled the air. Jinx and Ekko parted ways briefly to attend their respective morning lectures, only to find themselves crossing paths again in their shared engineering class.

Their professor, a stern woman with goggles perpetually perched on her forehead, glanced up as they entered. "Ah, Zaun U's finest rivals," she remarked, adjusting her notes. "I trust you'll keep this classroom intact this semester?"

Jinx grinned, sliding into a seat near the front. "No promises."

Ekko, sitting a few rows back, shook his head. "Don't lump me in with her antics."

The class chuckled, and Jinx shot him a look over her shoulder. "Aw, come on, Professor. He's just jealous because I keep winning."

"You win because you cheat," Ekko shot back.

"I win because I'm smarter," she retorted, sticking out her tongue.

The professor raised a hand, silencing their banter. "Enough. Save it for your debates outside my class."

But even as the lecture began, the tension between them lingered, unspoken but palpable. While the professor discussed the semester's major project-a team-based competition to design a revolutionary energy source-Jinx and Ekko both found themselves glancing at each other.

--

By lunchtime, the rivalry was back in full swing.

"You're not seriously thinking of partnering with me for this project, are you?" Jinx asked as they walked to the cafeteria.

"Not unless I want to fail," Ekko replied without missing a beat.

"Good. I've got my own ideas, anyway."

Their conversation was interrupted by a group of students who approached them hesitantly. "Uh, hey. Can we get a picture?"

Jinx raised an eyebrow. "A picture? Of us?"

"Yeah," the student said, holding up their phone. "You're, like, campus legends. My club even has a bet going on whether you'll finally admit you're dating this year."

Ekko groaned. "We're not dating."

Jinx, ever the performer, threw an arm around his shoulder and grinned at the camera. "But if we were, I'd definitely be the boss."

Ekko gently pushed her away, rolling his eyes. "You're impossible."

"Impossible and undefeated," she shot back.

--

The day ended back at their dorm, where the usual chaos awaited. Jinx's side of the room was a colorful mess of sketches, gadgets, and random objects she swore had a purpose. Ekko's side was pristine, with everything neatly organized-a clear reflection of their contrasting personalities.

"Don't touch my stuff," Ekko warned as Jinx wandered over to his desk, eyeing one of his prototypes.

"Relax, little man. I'm just admiring your mediocre work."

He grabbed the gadget from her hand. "And yet you're always snooping."

"Can't help it," she said with a shrug. "You're the competition, after all."

As the night wore on, they settled into their usual rhythm. Jinx tinkered with a new invention while Ekko studied for an upcoming exam. The banter between them faded into comfortable silence, broken only by the occasional comment or question.

It was moments like these-when the rivalry softened and the reality of their partnership shone through-that neither could deny there was more to their connection than either wanted to admit.

But for now, they'd keep ignoring it. After all, they were rivals first and foremost. Or so they told themselves.