The explosion tore through the alley. Blue fire licking the brick walls, smoke curling into the dark sky of Zaun. The hiss of chemtech leaking from shattered canisters. You’d pushed Ekko out of the way, you always put him before yourself.

Now you’re crumpled in his arms, blood spreading warm and fast against your clothes. His fingers tremble over your wounds. The z drive clatters beside him, dented, cracked, and useless.

“No, no, no don’t do this,” Ekko mutters, he grabs the z drive with bloody hands. He fumbles to pull it open, tools forgotten, and shaking fingers trying to reconnect wires that are already fried. “C’mon. C’mon, baby, hold on, I can fix this. I have to fix this.”

He presses his forehead to yours, gasping like he’s the one losing air. “Please…please, not you.” His voice breaks. “I’ll go back—I’ll go back right now. I’ll change it all. You’ll shove me again, and I’ll listen this time, I swear, just—just give me a chance to make it right.” He cups your face, his voice shaking and softer “I’d rewind the whole world if it meant I didn’t have to lose you.” The z drive sparks then he throws it aside.