Undertow | Ekko x Reader

The soft light of dawn crept through the slats in the Firelight base, painting long streaks of gold across the rough wooden tables and scattered supplies. The air was cool, faintly metallic with a hint of grease, but for once, it carried a stillness you didn't want to disturb. 

You approached the food line, carefully filling two plates. One was modest, just enough for yourself. The other was piled high for Alyssandra. She'd been through enough without worrying about going hungry, and you weren't about to let her skip meals because she was too shy to take what she needed. 

When you turned, you spotted her nearby, yawning into her sleeve as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She looked small in the faint light, her hair messy, her steps slow and cautious. But when she saw you, her face lit up with a tentative smile. 

"Here," you said, offering her the plate. She took it carefully, her fingers brushing against yours before curling around the edges. 

"Y/N... do you think it's okay if I eat with them?" Alyssandra's voice was small, almost uncertain, as her eyes darted toward a nearby table where a small group of Firelight kids sat, talking quietly amongst themselves. 

For a moment, her question caught you off guard. Then, the answer came easily. You smiled, tilting your head toward the group. "Of course. Go ahead." 

Her shoulders eased, and a smile—more sure this time—broke across her face. She didn't wait for another word before darting off toward the others, her steps lighter, her movements more confident. 

You lingered just long enough to see them shift aside, making room for her. They weren't exactly warm, but they didn't turn her away, and that was a start. 

With your own plate in hand, you made your way to an empty table in the corner and sat down. The usual knot in your chest settled into place, heavier than it should've been. Alyssandra was finding her place here. Slowly but surely, she was starting to belong. 

You weren't. 

You stabbed your fork into your food, ignoring the empty seats around you. You could feel the occasional glance from the others, the sidelong stares that burned hotter than words. The Firelights didn't trust you. That much was clear. They avoided you when they could, glared when they couldn't, and muttered sharp-edged jabs just loud enough for you to catch. 

You couldn't blame them, not entirely. Trust wasn't something handed out easily here, and you hadn't done much to earn it. 

Your thoughts drifted, unbidden, to Ekko. 

You set your fork down, staring at the table as the memory pulled you in. His voice, steady and certain, his dark eyes locked on yours like they could peel back the layers you'd buried yourself under. 

He believed in you. He said he saw good in you—a good you couldn't even see in yourself. 

And you'd kissed him. 

You hadn't planned it, hadn't even realized you were going to do it until it was already happening. But in that moment, with his words tearing down walls you hadn't meant to build, you'd leaned in. 

The kiss had been brief, almost hesitant, but it lingered now like an ember you couldn't quite extinguish. You'd pulled back quickly, unsure of what to say or how to feel, but Ekko... he'd only smiled. Not smugly or teasingly, but softly, like he understood more about you than you could ever hope to admit. 

The memory tightened something in your chest. You didn't know what he saw in you or why he believed in it so strongly. It didn't make sense. How could he see something worth saving when you could barely stand to look at yourself?