Ending the Cycle || A Timebomb Fanfic

XXVI

Lots of fluffy goodness in this chapter <3

Enjoy!!!

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The rest of the morning was a quiet symphony of tenderness and warmth, a rare reprieve in their lives that had known so much chaos. As sunlight poured through the small window of the cottage, Jinx moved around with practiced ease, helping Ekko dress for the day. His wound, though healing, still restricted his movements, and she had taken it upon herself to tend to him with unwavering care. Her touch was gentle as she slid his arm through the sleeve of his shirt, the fabric catching briefly on his bandage. Ekko winced, but the pain didn't dim the soft smile that played on his lips as he watched her.

Their peace was interrupted when the front door creaked open without warning. Lux stepped in, her usual stride carrying her confidently into their space. This wasn't unusual—she had made a habit of inviting herself in, as if the little cottage had become her safe haven, a sanctuary from the heavy burden of leadership waiting for her outside. Lux had been frequenting their home more often than not, finding solace in the companionship of her friends.

The blonde froze in her tracks as she entered the bedroom, her nose crinkling dramatically. "By the Veiled One..." she exclaimed, fanning the air in front of her face as if to dispel an imaginary fog. "It smells like sex in here."

Jinx's cheeks flushed, but her response was immediate and sharp. Grabbing a pillow from the bed, she hurled it toward Lux with surprising accuracy. "You little shit!" she yelled, laughter bubbling up in her voice as she chased Lux out of the room. The two dissolved into giggles as they darted through the main room of the cottage, their steps light despite the teasing chaos of their chase.

"Don't break anything!" Ekko called after them, his tone a mix of amusement and exasperation. He stood form the cot, limping out to the main room, but he had to brace himself against the bedroom doorframe, his hand clutching the wood for support as he leaned into it. His movements were slow, deliberate, but his grin didn't waver as he watched them dart around like children.

Jinx, mid-chase, caught sight of him faltering and immediately abandoned her playful pursuit. "Careful," she murmured, her voice softer now as she moved to his side. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arm around his waist, letting him rest his weight on her shoulders. Ekko leaned into her touch, grateful for her quiet strength. As a thank-you, he pressed a soft kiss to her temple, a gesture so intimate it made Lux pause in her tracks to smile at the sight.

"Any work that needs to be done today, Lux?" Ekko asked, his voice calm but tinged with the weariness of someone still recovering.

Lux raised an eyebrow, folding her arms across her chest. "The only work you need to be doing is resting," she replied firmly. Then, her expression softened, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Although, if you're really itching to get out, maybe you could watch the kids down by the flower fields. Kuro has been asking about you every day since she heard you woke up. She'll probably lose her mind if she sees you finally leave this house."

Jinx chuckled, running her fingers lightly along Ekko's arm as she held him steady. "Guess you've got a fan club," she teased, her eyes bright with amusement.

Ekko let out a soft laugh, the sound low and warm, filling the cottage like a gentle balm. "Guess I better not keep her waiting, then," he said, his tone teasing, though there was a flicker of emotion beneath it that made Jinx's chest tighten.

The three of them stepped out into the sanctuary's bustling streets, moving at a slow, careful pace. Jinx stayed glued to Ekko's side, her arm firmly wrapped around his to steady his steps. He had insisted he could walk on his own, and while that was technically true, the slight limp in his stride made her nervous. She wasn't about to let him push himself too far, not after everything they'd been through.