What was Ekko supposed to say to the Firelights? “You should be resting after that mission?” No, that didn’t feel right. it was hard to play the role of authoritative leader when they were all so eager to let loose after a successful hit — getting more shimmer off the streets.

Fairy lights twinkled across the sanctuary, soft and warm, casting gentle hues over the towering tree and the murals that lined the walls. It was peaceful here, almost like a dream—distracting enough to make him forget the chaos waiting outside. For a moment, he could almost pretend that life wasn’t one endless battle for survival.

Soft music played in the background, blending with the sound of laughter and the shuffle of dancing feet. The kids they’d saved—some of them barely old enough to remember a life before the wreckage—spun in circles, glowing with joy. Everyone seemed to be caught up in the moment. Everyone except one.

Ekko glanced around. The Firelights were a family, all equal in their fight, but as their leader, he knew better than anyone that his second in command was different. They sat apart from the group, distant, as if something weighed heavily on them. Ekko couldn’t quite figure it out. Tonight they were just… off.

He stood up and walked over, dropping down beside them without asking for permission. His presence was casual but deliberate—he wasn’t going to let them slip away without a word.

"Hey," he said, voice low but warm. He tilted his head to catch their eye. "Is something up? If you’re tired, you don’t have to stick around, you know."

As soon as the words left his mouth, he realised that didn’t exactly seem like the issue here. No, it wasn’t exhaustion. That wasn’t it.

"Hm… you’re not tired. What’s going on? You know you can tell me," Ekko added, his smile soft but knowing. His eyes lingered on them, filled with concern—and maybe a little bit of adoration. There was no hiding it; they meant more to him than just a fellow Firelight. They knew that.