#tiesthatbindekko

Continued from Here with @vastayan--vigilante

Another day Jinx might have argued with Scar. A day on which Scar, and Ekko hadn’t just pulled her out of one of the deepest spirals she’d ever been in. A day on which she wasn’t skinnier than she’d been in months if not year, and weaker than normal. A day when things were better, or at least closer to normal. This day though she just let out a barely audible snort almost a bitter laugh, and nodded. “It is.” Eyes flickering towards the tall vastayan for a moment Jinx swallowed trying her best not to offer any other reaction. Not to admit that she hoped he was right, and that they would fix it. It didn’t stop her subvocals from letting out a faint whining hopeful murmur, and Jinx very deliberately clearing her throat ignoring the betrayal from her own system.

Like it or not she was at if not the most vulnerable point in her life most certainly one of them.

Feet on the chair she was sitting on tugged as close to her chest as possible she was hugging at her knees while swaying just a touch side to side although not enough to make the chair move. It seemed more like self soothing than anything else as her eyes stayed tired, and distant flickering back and forth from time to time. She was obviously doing better than when Ekko had found her, and than brought Scar in to help however she was just as obviously not back to normal either. The static in her ears was still going. A near constant murmur of Mylo grumbling, and a few comments here and there even from Silco that almost seemed disappointed. Those hurt more than the rest, but than from time to time “Silco” sounded supportive whispering something about so long as she could be happy that was what mattered. It’d faded enough for her to pay attention to Scar, and to Ekko and to start pulling back up to what passed for “normal” to her but it was still there all the same.

There was a flash of Jinx all the same as her eyes suddenly moved to Scar narrowed with suspicion and an almost instinctive desire to tell him to go fuck himself hearing what sounded rather close to a command directed at her. Taking a breath her head tilted just a touch as the scent from the food actually hit her, and than her eyes moved from the food on the table to the pot and back again. She knew the condition she was in, and wasn’t so far gone in ego as to understand a simple fact. Under normal circumstances she’d be able to put up a fight against Scar if not in fact have a good chance of winning. Under these circumstances however… well if he wanted her dead he didn’t have to poison her. Besides she was starving and wanted to eat.

“Alright.” There was a faint undertone to her voice that she was agreeing because she wanted to, and not because she had to regardless of if that was actually the truth or not. Legs unfolding to land on the floor Jinx reached out pulling the food in close protectively out of habit, and took a few bites. “It’s good.” Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t. She couldn’t really tell. It was hot though, and filling and that’s all she really cared about it. It was also the closest thing Scar was going to get to a “thanks” from her. Staying quiet for a bit longer as she eat a bit more her lips twitched in a poor attempt at a smile.

“So what are you really doing here? Jailer?… Executioner?”

Of CoURSe He’S YoUR EXECUTIONER. YoU ThinK EkkO WoULD WanT TO DO IT? He DoESN’T CarE AbOUt You. He DiDN’T WanT AnyTHinG TO dO WiTH YoU. He GhosTED YoU. EVEN YOUR OWN SOUL MATE DOESN’T WANT YOU JINX! THIS Is JusT YOUR FINAL MEAL BEFORE YOU JOIN US. EKKO WON’T EVEN BE THERE TO WATCH!

Jinx took a long slow breath as her hands trembled, and her eyes flickered to one side. Lips moving she was trying not to come off as completely crazy with Scar there, but with how long she’d been spiraling and alone it was harder than ever for her to hide the voices.

Ekko wasn’t a coward. He wouldn't order an execution, and than walk away.

He wouldn't, would he?

Finally one hissed comment came from her as her eyes stared at something only she could see. “Oh shut up.” Closing her eyes she took a deep breath than shook her head before her attention return to the food. Not looking at Scar as she didn’t want to see whatever look he might have in his eyes Jinx just took another bite of food.

Continued from here with @misfits-of-zaun

The truth was Jinx hadn’t expected him to truly listen much less really care about what she said. Silco had cared when she’d spoken up of course, but for years he’d been her father figure and with that came him teaching her and instructing her and an assumption he was by and large correct. So although there had been quite a few questions as she’d always been a curious thing there hadn’t been quite as many full discussions with her opening up, and offering her thoughts. Although by the fifth time he’d brought up Vander she’d started getting impatient.

Vander, like a brother, river, blah blah blah.

She also hadn’t really spoken much to many others, and at some point her and Sevika had started butting heads while in the past Mylo had always been kind of a bully. Even Vander had been so busy working that he hadn’t had much time to really discuss things, and Vi had left had done her best but powder Jinx had been too young to really consider discussing things with her idolized big sister so Jinx had largely stopped trying eventually. Hearing him her shoulders tensed up for a second half expecting him to mock her as her eyes flickered towards him before she relaxed despite a look coming to her half way between puzzled, and surprised. “Ekko?” Be it his reaction, or what emotions she could catch the edges of through their odd bond, or even just a faint shift in his scent Jinx found herself believing that he actually had listened… and did care.

It was that belief that made her turn just a touch to better offer him attention, and hearing his quiet voice she swallowed shaking her head. Lips parting for a second they closed before she hesitantly reached out ever so slowly to try to touch his wrist with her finger tips as she leaned a bit to try to see his face.

“I don’t want to either Ekko. I… I get I’m different, and that we’re different and… I get that. Even if sometimes it seems like I don’t, or I get frustrated because of it or whatever I do get that. Heh, I’m not that crazy.” There was a soft shaky breath from her, and a nervous little laugh as she shifted on her feet. Jinx was in no way shape or form used to conversations like this, and she could almost feel the static in her mind trying to swell and taunt her. Lips tightened she muttered to herself.

“Not. Now.”

Of course her stupid mind, and the shades in it would want to mess with her. Of course they’d want to ruin what seemed like the first, and maybe only chance to truly talk to Ekko about this. Of course… of course she’d try to jinx even herself again. Without thinking her hand closed around his wrist almost instinctual seeking comfort from her soulmate, and she spoke once more.

“Listen to me, Ekko, please. I’m not good at stuff like this, but I’m being honest at least. I do not want this to stay painful. For you, or for me. I don’t know how to fix it, or help it, or make it better. I don’t have anyone to ask, and I don’t know what books to read, and I don’t know how this is supposed to work.” For a moment there was a slither of fear going through her, and biting at her bottom lip she forced herself to admit the truth.

“But you’re my soulmate, and never getting to see you again would hurt more than anything else we could ever do to each other.”

It’d been the easiest thing in the world to find Ekko as he was running some errand or another as she’d gotten better at using their bond to do such things. Jinx hadn’t actually intended to do anything too extreme despite the fact that she hadn’t seen him in over a week, and she felt like it’d in fact been weeks plural. Perhaps yell, or complain or make a scene but she wasn’t going to hurt him. Than she smelled a particular scene. Some omega. Some bitch had their scent on her Alpha, on her soulmate, and that changed everything. Eyes gleaming with a possessive fury she’d waited for him to get to a quiet spot, and than tossed a gas chomper at him. Pulling her own mask on she hopped down, and moments later collected Ekko taking him off to a private place. A particular warehouse she’d held a tea party at before.

When he woke she was sitting on the table in front of him just watching. Ekko, of course, was gagged. As his eyes opened Jinx’s hand rose and she finger waved to him. “Hey there. You know it’s very. Fucking. Rude. To walk around with some bitches scent on you that’s not mine. Just had to get your dick wet, and you couldn't even stand to do it with your own soulmate huh?” Voice sharp, and entirely too casual she was quite obviously displeased. All the same a moment later she slid down off of the table to straddle his lap. One arm going around his shoulders she flicked the gag in his mouth with a finger before running her knuckles along his cheek.

“I don’t like to share. With anyone, and this? This upsets me Ekko… I’d love to pay her a visit, but I’m guessing you wont tell me who she was. So tell me something.” Pressing herself against him her head moved over his shoulder so she could purr in his ear. “How exactly are we going to make this right?”

Continued from here with @misfits-of-zaun

Despite her pessimistic note, and quiet voice Jinx hadn’t actually intended to be rude or to start an argument. She had simply taken his comment very literally. Should he thank her? Yes. However as far as she was concerned saying that without actually thanking someone generally meant you were not actually going to. Besides with how things had been between them Jinx hadn’t really expected his thanks anyways. She’d just wanted to do something nice for him. If he’d said nothing at all she would have simply mentally shrugged, and than smiled the next time she saw him with his mask on knowing she’d helped fix it up. As he started to get upset Jinx frowned, and couldn’t help a faint irritated whine from her subvocals she tried to make stop. She didn’t want an argument, and didn’t want him upset. Somehow though it’d just kind of happened, and Jinx wasn’t really sure how or why.

“Nothing.” She didn’t want to try to explain herself, or her thought process, or anything else. No one had ever cared except for Silco, and maybe during good times Vi. She didn’t expect him to, and mostly just wanted to keep working on her little projects. Not having her full set up, and just having a couple metal scraps there wasn’t anything major she could do with them. She could still occupy herself with a bit of art at least however. Her monkey symbol, firelight beetles, a simple version of her mask, and Silco’s eye off in one corner. All scratched into the metal so it would be easily painted in. Jinx had actually considered asking Scar if he wanted the wooden toy he was working on painted, but she doubted he’d want a reminder of her in his home which was understandable even to her.

Glancing up at Ekko when he said “thank you” she blinked looking a touch surprised before she actually smiled at him. It was a small smile, and just barely reached her eyes. However it was a sincere smile all the same as she nodded. “You’re welcome.” There was a sudden faint blush that would have been near impossible to notice if it wasn’t for how pale Jinx was as a subvocal slipped out. Like helping. Looking away she shook her head. It wasn’t like she could deny it after all. Reaching towards a paint brush, and some paints Jinx considered what spot to paint first before pausing. Eyes turning back to Ekko she tilted her head a bit, and held up the metal plate just a touch.

“Want to put your own thing on, or a bit of paint?” She seldom if ever invited others to touch her projects. Maybe it was time to start however. At least with Ekko. If he said no well she’d offered, and that just mean she didn’t have to share. If he said yes however that’d be kind of nice in a way. Either way she’d accept it.

Any number of quick sarcastic, or pessimistic responses flashed through Jinx’s head. Comments about “what like it’s hard?” or “let me guess now you don’t want it” or other similar things. Cycling through those nearly automatic responses made her take a second to respond verbally, but she had glanced up acknowledging him with a little nod. “Yes. I’ve always been really curious about those hover boards, and when you bring yours around I normally take a look at it when I get a chance just to see.” A shrug as her eyes flickered away. Jinx was feeling weirdly enough almost shy in that moment as she wasn’t being harsh, or mean, or defensive. “So when you mentioned something about it not working properly I looked it over, and I just… spotted a couple of things, and fixed them.” Head tilting a bit her gaze went back to him. “That’s all.” Without meaning to her subvocals purred. Helped? Did good? Wanted to help. Fixed now!

Things had been awkward to say the least lately. Scar trying to get them to fix things, Jinx off balance, Ekko moving back and forth between leading the Firelights and barely talking to Jinx while still technically being there. This particular day he’d tossed his mask onto the table, and had gone to go to sleep. Jinx had immediately followed, but be it something said or body language or a door shutting or whatever else had stopped and watched as Ekko went to go nap by himself.

Standing there utterly still for a second with a distant look on her face her head tilted as she considered what to do. It was a look that had in the past accompanied any number of actions from executing an enforcer to standing in the middle of a building that held bad memories for her to getting lost in her own head to simply studying something as she felt almost outside of herself somehow. For as calm as it seemed it was not actually the best of signs, and than suddenly she took a deep breath head turning to look at his mask. It wasn’t exactly damaged, but the paint was messed up and scratched making the whole thing look not nearly as nice as it normally did. Silent steps led her over to the table as she lifted up the mask saying nothing at all until her eyes moved to Scar. “I need paint.” Turning the mask to show him the damage on it Jinx stared at him not looking distant, but more or less expressionless. “I can fix it.”

By the time Ekko woke his mask was pristine once again. She had carefully washed it, dried, fixed a fraying strap, and fixed the paint on it. Sitting on the table cross legged Jinx was slowly, and carefully scratching a design into some scrap piece of metal that either she or Scar had found outside so that she could paint it with what was left over. Hearing that comment her hands stopped moving for a second before continuing their movement without looking at him at all. There was a long moment of silence before the omega murmured softly sounding more resigned than anything else.

“But you won’t.” She was tired... maybe she'd take a nap when he left.

Not like he'd stay. Why would he? He didn't care.

It’d actually been a decent day for Jinx. She hadn’t been spiraling, and she’d met up with Ekko and things had gone well enough. She wasn’t entirely sure how Ekko felt about everything, but Jinx had been calm. Right up until over hearing a group of people, mostly Alpha’s with a couple of omegas and one possible beta, talking about how Zaun was a mess and Piltover Enforcers needed to come down to clean it up. Immediately that send a surge of anger through her, and without thinking she had turned to confront them. It very easily could have turned into a violent ridden incident with how volatile Jinx was, and how much she hated Enforcers. As far as she was concerned a Zaunite wishing Piltie Troopers would come to the Undercity might as well be a traitor. It was a minor miracle she hadn’t immediately gone for a weapon, but the slightest provocation could have made that happen. What saved the moment was a sudden grasp at her arm, and she glanced back to Ekko starting to growl before blinking in surprise as he tugged her in close.

“Ekko?” Rage subsiding for long enough for his arms to slide around her Jinx went still for a second before the touch at her braids made what happened next nearly inevitable. Her arms wrapped around him hugging him close as she sank into his embrace with her cheek turning to nuzzle against him. Eyes half closing there was almost a faint purring sound as his careful touched soothed that wild beast within her, and she allowed him to inch them both away from the group of people. How long he’d hold her, and stroke her long braids Jinx wasn’t sure but it was certainly distracting enough to keep her from turning to violence.

Besides she could always track down a few members of that group later and take care of them.

Maybe she’d start making her own To-Do list.

Be it happenstance or other wise the two had found each other on top of some roof, and although neither had spoken much they had ended up standing right next to each other hands almost touching and shoulders barely separated. Each forced to take in the scent of their mate, and with neither comfortable with this twisted joke the universe had forced on them they had been watching the sky or at least Jinx had. Her eyes had been on the slowly drifting skyships with a look both of longing, and a grim resignation that she’d never get to travel on one of those as powder she’d wanted to ever since she was a child. Hearing Ekko’s sudden question she had almost ignored it.

It wasn’t like anyone ever really wanted her opinion on anything truly important.

Her soulmate certainly wouldn’t.

He didn’t want her period.

“Because that’s how love is. It is painful. It…” Lips parting for a moment than closing she shook her head than took a breath. It wouldn’t matter what she said, but than it couldn't do more harm than just staying silent either. Softly she picked her thoughts back up. “Is a thing that makes people change, and shift. It’s not always nice, and soft and gentle. It’s harsh, and sharp, and confusing. Some people will do anything to feel loved. They will kill, and burn, and destroy, and rip apart every enemy someone else has just for one single moment in which they feel loved. Some people change who they are to their very core. A name tossed away because someone who once loved them slapped them, and walked away. A new name picked up so they have some way to continue on, and to survive. Some people refuse to accept love, and fight against it and end up hurting those that… that maybe they shouldn’t have, or maybe they didn’t mean to but it happened anyways. Sometimes people get confused because love can be so all consuming, and fiery it destroys their ability to think and it makes terrible things happen. Love… love is what people make it, and what people make more often than not is determined by who they are. What they are. Where they live.” Finally she turned her head to look at Ekko, and with that soft voice laden with an inevitability and a resigned acceptance of pain to come she spoke once more.