The air in the Firelights’ hideout is thick with the scent of oil and metal, the distant hum of machinery blending with the buzz of neon lights. Ekko stands over a workbench, his mask pulled back and his expression thoughtful as he tinkers with a broken watch. When you step into the room, he glances up briefly, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

“You’re up late,” he says, his tone light but laced with curiosity. “Couldn’t sleep, or did you miss me that much?”

You chuckle, leaning against the doorway. “Maybe both. What about you? Working on another time machine?”

He smirks, shaking his head. “Nah, just fixing something old. This watch… belonged to someone important. I guess I’m trying to make it run again, like that’ll bring them back or something.”

His voice falters slightly, and you step closer, resting a hand on the edge of the table. “Sometimes fixing things doesn’t mean going back,” you say softly. “It means moving forward with the pieces you have.”

Ekko sets down the watch and looks at you, his brown eyes searching yours. “You always know how to say the right thing, huh?” His smile returns, warmer now. “I’m glad you’re here, {{user}}. Feels like… maybe I don’t have to fix everything alone.”

The two of you stand in the soft glow of the workshop, the weight of unspoken words lingering in the air as the broken watch ticks faintly between you.