Matthew pursued Eko with a determined stride, his footsteps echoing in the deserted hallways. Eko, on the other hand, was practically power-walking, her pace quick and purposeful as she tried to put as much distance between them as possible.

"Stop," he commanded, his voice boiling with rage, "just fucking stop!"

Taking advantage of the empty corridors, Eko came to an abrupt halt and spun around to face him, her arms crossed over her chest, her eyes narrowed in clear disapproval of his behavior.

"Are you done with this tantrum?" she barked at him, her tone sharp and accusatory.

"Tantrum?" he retorted, incredulous. The tension between them crackled like electricity in the air.

Overwhelmed by frustration, Eko acted impulsively. She grabbed Matthew's shirt and pulled him in, pressing her lips against his in a fervent kiss. She didn't know if this would calm the raging monster beneath the skin of the man, but when he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close to his chest, Eko instantly felt that whatever was between them had shifted again.

Matthew's heart thudded wildly as he responded to her kiss with a fervor that spoke of a deep, almost existential need. As their embrace finally eased, he drew back slightly and gazed at her, seized by an overwhelming and indescribable emotion.

"Matthew, nothing happened," Eko asserted firmly, her intense gaze locking onto his. Those words lingered in the air between them as Matthew struggled to formulate a response. She placed her hand over his heart, feeling its rapid beat beneath her palm.

He stilled for a moment, taking her in, before he clasped her hand against his chest. "Come," he murmured, his tone leaving Eko uncertain whether it was an invitation or an order. Then he led her into a nearby empty classroom.

As the door slid shut and clicked behind them, Matthew turned to face her, his gaze intense and his eyes never leaving hers. He took a deep breath. "You are driving me fucking insane with this. Do you understand that?"

"I can see my effect," she whispered coyly, causing his eyebrow to arch in response.

"Do you enjoy it... when I'm like this, or something?" he asked, his voice taking on a predatory edge as he reached for her waist, pulling her closer. "Does this turn you on or something?"

"I like your strong reaction. Like now..." Eko responded with a seductive purr, "it's fucking hot."

In response, Matthew pressed her against the wall, kissing her fiercely, his actions driven by the overwhelming need he had for her. The kiss deepened, fueled by a raw intensity that neither could ignore. Matthew's hands roamed her body, his touch both possessive and tender. Eko's fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer, feeling the heat between them escalate. She found his lips moving from her mouth, across her cheek, to her jawline, each kiss igniting a fire within her.

For Matthew, the realization that this might only be a fleeting moment between them drove his intense reaction. The thought that he might never kiss her again like this, that soon he might not be able to kiss her face, her throat, her lips... she was going to take all of that away from him.

Instinctively, Matthew ran his hands through her hair, pulling her head back so that she was forced to look up at him. He pushed her hard against the wall, trapping her between it and his solid chest.

Eko's eyes softened, her defenses crumbling. "Matthew?" she implored, her small hands cupping his cheeks, desperate for him to hear her.

"I don't want you to lie to me, I'm a big fucking boy," he whispered, his voice tinged with something far deeper then she ever heard from him. "Just don't lie... don't do that. You and I don't need to do that with each other."

"I'm not lying," Eko insisted, her voice steady despite the emotion in her eyes. "But I also don't know what this is between us either anymore."

"I don't know either," Matthew's grip on her hair loosened slightly, his eyes searching hers for the truth. He wanted to believe her, needed to believe her, but the jealousy and doubt had been eating away at him for so long. "All I know is that you're confusing me."

"Wait?" Eko gently pushed him away and looked at him quizzically. "I confuse you? I, confuse, you?"

"Yes," he said. "Eko, fuck."

"Do you understand what it's like for me?" Eko pressed, her frustration evident as she pinched the bridge of her nose.

"For you?" He snapped. "Do you realize how complicated all of this is? What are we doing? What are you and I doing in all this? This isn't how it was supposed to be!"

"No fucking shit!" Eko roared angrily pointing at him with her finger, almost accusing him that he was the one that had fucked this up on them. "None of this was meant to be this way!"

"Right," Matthew muttered, as if a sudden realization had struck him. "Right," he shook his head, It was clear to him now; Eko was signaling for him to take a step back. It was just sex—that's all she wanted. How had he confused the signs? How was he consistently this fucking stupid when it came to her?

Lost in thought, Matthew didn't notice when Eko reached up and ran her fingers down his cheek, the rough texture of his stubble sending a thrill through her. It was a sensation that always set her heart racing. As she continued to gently stroke his face and then thread her fingers through his hair, Matthew closed his eyes, savoring her touch. The sensation sent shivers down his spine, and he let out a soft moan. When he opened his eyes again, his gaze was a mix of caution and curiosity.

Just sex, he reminded himself. Just like the others. You can do this.

Suddenly, the brunette before him took another bold step forward, pressing her body against his and drawing him in, her lips meeting his own. Their kiss consumed them as she thrust her tongue between his lips, into his mouth. He yielded to her, recognizing her desire and knowing that he would honestly give up anything for just one more moment with her.

Eko felt Matthew respond to her kiss with a deep, instinctive groan, his arms wrapping around her to pull her close. His fingers weaved through her hair as he returned her kiss with fierce intensity, his lips pressing against hers with a hard, possessive force. Their tongues danced and entwined, each seeking to consume the other. It was only when he abruptly pulled back that they both became aware of their ragged, intertwined breathing.

A moment of uncertainty flashed across Matthew's face, but it was swiftly replaced by a look of determination. He gazed at her intently, as if weighing his options. Then, with a resolute gleam in his eyes, he fixed his attention on her.

"I want," he started, but then paused, his fingers raking roughly through his hair. "Forget that," he finished, shaking his head as if to dismiss his own thoughts. He would simply follow suit with what she wanted.

"Matthew?" Eko whispered, her voice tinged with worry.

His tone softened, the earlier intensity melting into a gentle query. "What do you want, Eko?"

She bit her lip, stepping closer to Matthew and leaning in, brushing a tender kiss against the corner of his mouth. "The very same thing you want," she whispered softly, though she wasn't entirely sure if it was the same thing she actually wanted. "This," she offered.

Eko paused for a moment, uncertainty flickering in her gaze. "I mean, that's what you want, right? This? What we've been doing? Nothing's changed?" she asked, hoping to confirm her suspicions. "Right? For you, through all of this? We're just what, not seeing other people- you know like that?"

Nothings changed. The two words churned in his head, a mantra of confusion and conflict. He wanted more, but did she? Did she truly understand the depths of his feelings?

Matthew found himself at a loss for words, and it was then that Eko shifted her gaze away from him, trying to adjust her shirt and pants where his hands had been moments before. "Right. I, uh, need to get ready for tonight," she said, her voice tinged with awkwardness. She looked up at him, her eyes searching for something. "We're all heading to Hassel's."

"Right... that's what you want," Matthew replied, his tone uncertain.

"I mean, it's what you want, isn't it?" she shot back, just as defensive.

"I said forget about what I want. What is it you want?" he insisted, his voice carrying a hint of annoyance.

Eko squinted at him and pursed her lips. "You're so fucking confusing." With that, she turned and walked towards the door, leaving Matthew behind root to the spot, drowning in a sea of conflicting thoughts.

"What the fuck does that mean?" he snapped at her, his steel blue eyes following her every step. But there was no response. As she disappeared from view, it felt as though a part of him was being torn away, leaving him standing there, emotionally vulnerable and with an overwhelming urge to chase after her.

As the door clicked shut, Matthew leaned against the wall, running his hands through his hair in frustration. How had everything gotten so complicated? The raw intensity of their kiss still lingered on his lips, a reminder of the powerful connection they shared. But the uncertainty in Eko's eyes haunted him. He had always been so sure of what he wanted, but now doubt gnawed at him.

***** ******

Eko wandered through the hallways slowly, her mind preoccupied with the man she had left behind. Christ! Why did she have to fall in love with Matthew? She had dodged the moon's invasion and Ezra's wrath enough times to consider herself remarkably lucky. She could just vanish with Mads, start anew, and forget all about this.

But no, that was too easy, wasn't it? She had to go and fall in love with him, didn't she? And now, the mere thought of losing him was agonizing. They had discussed this; they were supposed to be on the same page. But now it was her fault for complicating things. It was her fault for flipping the script on their casual relationship and turning it into something more.

Eko's spiraling thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the sound of someone else's voice, pulling her out of her internal turmoil. She found herself standing in one of the main halls of Allegiant, momentarily disoriented by the sudden shift in her focus.

"Hey, cutie, I was looking for you. Where did you disappear to?" Luke said unexpectedly, flashing Eko his charming smile. She realized he was not the person she was expecting to see, and she quickly tried to mask her turbulent emotions with the composure she had perfected over the years.

"Oh, hey, um, what's up?" she responded, striving for a neutral tone.

"I'll be at your dorm to collect you at what, seven?" Luke asked, seeking confirmation.

"What? Collect me?" Eko repeated, briefly unsure of what he meant.

"Yeah, everyone's going to Hassel's again. We all agreed to it, remember?" Luke jogged her memory.

"Yeah, no, I was heading in with Mya and Jazzy," Eko countered, though her desire to join was waning. She just honestly wanted to go back to her bed and lay in misery. As she stepped forward, Luke fell into step beside her, matching her pace.

"Well, maybe we can talk tonight about where we left off?" Luke nudged her shoulder playfully.

Eko's demeanor changed as she responded with a hint of firmness, "We didn't leave off anywhere, Luke. You know that."

Undeterred, Luke pressed on, trying to persuade her, bumping shoulders with her and flashing a sultry smile. "How can I convince you to give us a chance with just one date? Just you and me, Ek's?" His use of the nickname was an attempt to lighten the mood with his dazzling smile.

***** *****

Matthew paced back and forth, his frustration growing with each step. He ran his hands through his hair, the gesture a clear sign of his internal struggle. His mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions—anger, confusion, longing, and a deep, aching love. The room felt suffocating, the air thick with the weight of everything left unsaid. He glanced around, eyes scanning the familiar surroundings as if they might offer some form of solace or clarity. Finally, he couldn't hold back any longer. He turned quickly and left the room, ready to face his feelings head-on.

"Fuck this, fuck!" he muttered under his breath, the words a desperate release of his pent-up frustration. In that moment, he found the courage he'd been seeking, a resolve hardening within him to lay bare his feelings. Enough of the games, enough of the pretense. This was about the girl that held his heart.

With that resolve fueling him, he made a beeline down the hallways, he had a hunch she might have headed that way. As he approached the grand halls, his mind raced with what he would say. Apologies, confessions, promises—they all jumbled together. But beneath it all was a simple, undeniable truth: he loved her. And he needed her to know that, no matter what.

****** *****

"Don't call me Ek's," Eko said, a hint of discomfort in her voice. That nickname was reserved for Matthew, and it just didn't feel right coming from someone else. "I'm not really fond of that nickname, you know?"

Luke nodded, his smile undimmed. "I get it. My sister used to call me Bambi when we were kids. Drove me crazy."

Eko offered a polite smile, though the mention of 'Bambi' caught her off guard. "Bambi?"

"Yeah, she was obsessed with Disney," Luke explained with a laugh, sharing a piece of his childhood. He continued with a story, but Eko's mind was elsewhere, drifting back to Matthew. She regretted not staying and telling him everything on her mind. This act was only hurting her.

Matthew made her laugh until her sides hurt, gave her his full attention, and made her feel safe and warm. Loving him felt so natural, and she often dreamed of a future together. Shouldn't she fight for that, just as she always had?

"Luke, we can't do this," she interrupted, halting his ongoing conversation. "I appreciate your intentions, but I just can't." She wasn't entirely sure where he was headed with his thoughts, but she knew it was time to establish clear boundaries.

As she stood lost in her thoughts about Matthew, trying to pinpoint when she had fallen in love with him, Luke suddenly stopped and faced her, his hands gently finding her shoulders. Before she could react, he pulled her in and kissed her. His lips pressed against hers, the surprise of the moment rendering Eko momentarily motionless.

His arms slid around her, pulling her closer as he deepened the kiss. The intensity of it took her breath away, she could feel Luke's desperation, his need to connect with her.

****** ******

Matthew rounded another corner, slightly out of breath. As he looked both ways, he caught sight of a couple kissing in the distance. His heart sank when he recognized Eko in Luke's arms.

He stood frozen, watching what felt like a betrayal unfold before him. She had lied to him all this time, and every fiber of his being screamed to confront Eko right there and then.

But then he realized, it wasn't her fault, was it? It wasn't even Luke's. Luke was just the guy who replaced him and Eko had actually grown bored of him. Matthew's fist tightened, his anger at himself growing. He was a complete fucking idiot.

He stepped back, consumed by rage, knowing that the only way to calm the storm inside him was to be out on the field, battling and slaughtering wild youmas until he could settle the way his heart was beating wildly in his chest. He needed to find some equilibrium, some way to come back from this.

The truth hit him hard: Eko had played him so well that she would be the last girl to ever get under his skin. They were all the same, seeking to fill some void in their lives, and this experience had firmly cemented his place amongst it all.

Overwhelmed by his emotions, Matthew's powers surged, enveloping his body. In a blink, he transported himself away from the base, seeking solace in solitude and battle.

***** *****

The kiss was far from what Eko had anticipated. Luke's lips felt rough against hers, lacking the gentle, synchronized movement that would have allowed her to lose herself in the moment. As her heart pounded in her chest, a snap of unbridled anger coursed through her. She realized that Ace's powers were on the move, snapping her out of the situation. She could feel his anger flooding her system for some reason, his powers flaring unlike anything she had ever felt.

He was pissed, she knew that much.

Exhaling, she decided she was in no mood to go toe-to-toe with him. If he got himself killed out there, that was entirely on him. Good riddance, she thought, considering she had enough to deal with without his shitty attitude, it was one less thing to worry about at that moment.

Without hesitation, Eko placed her hands on Luke's chest and gently pushed him away, breaking the kiss. She then pulled back, creating a physical distance that mirrored the emotional void she felt. Her hands remained on Luke's chest, not out of affection, but as a barrier to further intimacy.

"What was that?" she began, her bright blue eyes searching his for an explanation, bouncing between his own, seeking some understanding of what had just transpired.

Luke seemed equally taken aback, his eyes widening in surprise at her reaction. He hadn't expected the kiss to end so abruptly, nor had he anticipated the lack of warmth in her gaze. The moment hung between them.

"I kissed you," Luke said simply, as if that should clarify everything.

"Yes, I was here for that. But I didn't want it," Eko responded, her tone resolute.

"Is it because you're in love with him? Come on, Ek's, you're better than that," Luke pressed, using the nickname she had already expressed dislike for.

"Stop calling me Ek's," she retorted, her frustration evident. "You really don't understand anything with that remark."

Luke's words hung in the air, a challenge to Eko's feelings. "Eko, if that fucking idiot actually liked you, he would be here, not off screwing every airhead he finds. He would be here like I am with you!" he reasoned, hoping to make her reconsider. "That's all I'm trying to say. You are enough for me to take seriously."

Eko stared at him, her eyes narrowing. "You don't get it, Luke. It's not about him being here. It's about what I feel, and—"

But Luke closed the distance between them, carefully taking her hands in his to calm her. "You know, you have someone right here who genuinely wants to be with you, if you'd just give him a chance. Maybe?" he proposed, his smile turning more gentle. "Could you consider that, even just a bit?" he asked, tilting his head as he sought her response.

Eko withdrew her hands from Luke's hold, her emotions a whirlwind of confusion and frustration. "It's not that simple, Luke," she explained, her voice tinged with a touch of melancholy. "I can't just switch off my feelings for Matthew and turn them on for you. It doesn't work like that."

Luke's demeanor softened as he stepped back, respecting her need for space. "You are so much smarter then this!" he shook his head. "He has a whole fan club at his beck and call. You know how he is, what he will always be like," he said, trying not to hurt her further. "I'm not asking you to forget him—I just want you to see the bigger picture. All I'm asking for is a chance to prove that something good can exist between us too. He is not worth it."

"You have no idea what you're saying!" she snapped, her voice trembling with frustration and hurt. Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and stormed off. Eko knew deep down that Luke was a good guy, and under different circumstances, she might have given him a chance. But her heart was tangled up with Matthew's, and she couldn't untangle it, no matter how hard she tried.

"Eko!" Luke called out after her, desperation lacing his tone. She ignored him, her mind racing. A part of her longed to disappear from Allegiant, to kill a few youmas, and to annoy the hell out of Ace as a way to release her stress. The idea of spending the night getting drunk with the girls and drowning her troubles in laughter and alcohol seemed like the perfect escape. Besides, what else could possibly go wrong today? It was already such a fucking mess.