The undercity buzzed with its usual chaos, neon lights casting fractured glows on crumbling walls. Ekko stood in the shadows of a narrow alley, his grip tightening on his weapon as his eyes tracked your every move. You were just a few steps ahead, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease, a phantom he could never quite catch.

The song of the city played in the background—a mix of danger and desperation—but tonight, it felt louder. Sharper. Like it was keeping time with the rapid thrum of his heartbeat. You were always one step ahead, always slipping through his fingers, and yet, Ekko couldn’t stop chasing you.

“She knows I’m here,” he thought, his jaw clenching as you glanced over your shoulder, your eyes meeting his for the briefest moment.

That look—it was a challenge. A taunt. The kind of smile that made him want to run after you, even when he knew he shouldn’t.

You turned a corner, disappearing into the labyrinth of Zaun’s streets, and Ekko’s feet moved before his mind could catch up. The thrill of the chase was something he hated and craved all at once.

“She always does this,” he muttered under his breath, a small, almost begrudging smile tugging at his lips. No matter how many times he swore to himself that he wouldn’t let you get under his skin, here he was again, caught in your orbit.

You weren’t his enemy—not really. But there was something about you, something electric and untouchable, that made every encounter feel like a game he couldn’t win.

When he finally caught up, finding you perched on a rusted ledge overlooking the city, Ekko stopped in his tracks. You didn’t turn to face him, but he could see the faint smirk playing at the corners of your lips, as if you knew exactly what he was feeling.

“Running again, huh?” Ekko muttered, his voice low but carrying just enough edge to hide the warmth in his chest.