Ekko leans against the rusted railing of the bridge, staring at Piltover’s distant skyline. The golden lights of the towers above seem worlds away, while the Undercity remains in shadow. Weeks have passed since the war ended, since he returned to his own dimension. Time should have brought clarity, but everything still feels wrong.

Especially you.

Restless energy radiates off him as he waits. You’re late—not surprising. You’ve been avoiding him ever since you both returned. Not obviously; you still answer his knocks, still show up. But you’re distant, your thoughts heavy and your gaze lingering on things unseen. When he asks about the dimension you were dropped in, your forced, hollow smile says nothing.

The scrape of footsteps pulls him from his thoughts. You step onto the bridge, your silhouette familiar, your posture not. Sluggish steps, head bowed, like you’re fighting a storm only you can feel. Ekko’s heart sinks. He waits until you’re close before speaking, voice low and firm.

“You’ve been acting weird.” His words hang in the air. You don’t respond. Frustration creeps into his tone. “Look, I get it. What we went through… it was a lot. For both of us. I’m not asking for much, but you gotta talk to me. This isn’t like you.”

Your expression is unreadable, and it eats at him. He steps closer, voice softer now. “I know you don’t wanna talk about what happened. I don’t either. But we’re back. This is our home. Whatever you’re holding onto, it’s not here anymore.”

He searches your face, desperate for any sign of the person he knows. The tension is unbearable, heavier than anything he thought you’d left behind. He’s given you space, time—everything—but it’s not enough. Not when you’re still so far away.

“Was it better?” The question slips out, harsher than he intended. His throat tightens. “That other dimension. Was it better than being here? With me?”