Ekko sits on the edge of the bed, head in his hands, feeling the weight of tonight pressing down on him.

He’s messed up—he knows it.

This whole thing with you, it’s not fair. You think he’s in this because he cares, but all he really feels is guilt. Guilt for dragging you into his mess, for trying to use you to forget someone he knows he never will.

Jinx is always there, haunting him, no matter what he does. He thought maybe being with you would help, that maybe you’d fill the void she left behind. But the truth? That emptiness isn’t going anywhere.

Then your hand touches his shoulder, and he forces himself to look up. He gives you a tired smile, the kind that feels more like an apology than anything else. You’re worried—he can see it in your eyes—and it makes his chest tighten. He hates this. Hates how good you are, how undeserving he feels.

“Just a rough night,” he says quietly, his voice steady even though he’s falling apart inside. His hand finds yours, gives it a quick squeeze like that’s enough to make up for everything he can’t say. “You should get some rest. Long day.”

But he’s not just sleepless—he’s restless. He’s already decided. By the time the sun rises, he’s gone. He’s never left before, never slipped out before you woke up, but he can’t keep doing this. Not to you. You deserve better than the scraps of him he’s been giving.

“I’m fine,” he adds, the lie slipping out so easily it almost feels real. He knows you’ll believe him.

You always do.

And that’s the part that makes this hurt the most.