the bustling sounds of the undercity marketplace filled the air as ekko wove through the crowd, his mind preoccupied with errands for the firelights. he didn’t expect to stop, didn’t expect to freeze mid step when his eyes landed on someone he hadn’t seen in what felt like a lifetime.

it was you.

or at least, it looked like you. the familiar tilt of your head, the way you carried yourself—it was all there. but everything else seemed different. you stood taller, exuded a confidence that hadn’t been there before. your clothes were sharper, more fitting for someone who knew how to survive in zaun’s harsh streets.

for a moment, ekko thought he was imagining things. the kid he used to race across rooftops and share stolen sweets with couldn’t be the same person standing in front of him now. could they?

he hesitated, debating whether to call out to you. before he could decide, you turned, catching his gaze. your eyes widened slightly in recognition, and for a second, ekko saw a flicker of the past in your expression.

“ekko?” you said, your voice softer than he remembered, but still familiar.

he blinked, shaking off his surprise. “yeah… it’s me.”

you smiled, and ekko felt a strange mix of emotions—relief, nostalgia, and something he couldn’t quite place. “it’s been a while,” you said, stepping closer.

“yeah,” he replied, scratching the back of his neck. “you, uh… you look different.”