𝐀𝐜𝐭 𝐎𝐧𝐞 -- 𝐒𝐞𝐱 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐆𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭
   𝟎𝟎𝟎 : 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐞
     (𝘼𝙧𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙚, 𝙥𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙬)

𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 didn't owe anyone an explanation. Not to his kids, not to his men, not even to himself. Where he was going and why? That wasn't a question he needed to answer—not to anyone.

Maybe it was because he didn't fully know the reason himself.

But the moment he stepped into that brothel, something shifted. The air inside was cloying, thick with cheap perfume and whispers of things best left unsaid. And yet, for all the grime and guilt, he felt it: a pull. As though something—or someone—had sent him here for a purpose.

The madam, draped in velvet and professionalism, approached with a practiced smile. "We have Celeste, Crescent, and Volpina," she purred, gesturing to the women waiting nearby.

Well, women might've been generous. Between the two practiced workers stood a girl, her small frame barely reaching their shoulders.

"How old is she?" he asked, his voice low, pointing toward the smallest figure.

The madam turned, her smile sharpening just slightly. "Ah, Crescent. A fine choice. Very popular with men in your age group." Her tone didn't so much as waver as she added, "Just turned eleven last month."

Vander's stomach churned. Popular. Men his age. The words hung in the air like smoke, acrid and suffocating.

"I'll take her," Vander muttered, the words heavy in his throat, weighed down by shame he couldn't hide.

The madam smirked, a sly, knowing curve of her lips. "Of course you will," she said smoothly, as though it were inevitable. Her gaze flicked to the girl, the golden sheen of her mask catching the dim light, masking whatever might lie beneath—fear, resignation, or nothing at all.

"Any special requests?" the madam continued, her tone silk and steel. "Lingerie? Cigarettes?"

Vander shook his head quickly, unable to meet her eyes. "She's fine the way she is."

"You get two hours, last room on the right."

The two stared at each other in a tense, unmoving silence. Vander shifted uncomfortably, clearing his throat to break the stillness. "Do you mind... taking it off?" he asked, his voice softer than he intended.

The girl nodded, her movements slow and sluggish, like someone carrying far too much weight. Without hesitation, she reached for the hem of her shirt, beginning to lift it over her head.

"No, no, no, no, no!" Vander exclaimed, throwing up his hands and turning away, shielding his eyes. "Not that! I meant your mask. Your mask." He lowered his hands cautiously. "I'm not here to hurt you. I'm here to save you."

The girl froze mid-motion, her small frame tense with hesitation. Slowly, she lowered her shirt, her golden mask still hiding her face. She studied him, her gaze sharp and searching, as though she didn't quite believe him—but wanted to.

The girl didn't respond right away. Her small fingers fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve, her head tilting slightly as if weighing his words. Behind the mask, her gaze felt heavy, piercing, like she was trying to see through him.

"Why?" she asked finally, her voice barely above a whisper. It was hoarse, unused, and raw. "Why would you help me?"

Vander hesitated. He wanted to say something noble, something that sounded as strong and self-assured as he wished he was. But the truth hung heavier than anything polished.

"Because no one else did," he said, his voice low and thick. "Because someone should've helped you a long time ago, and they didn't. And I'll be damned if I walk away and do the same."

The girl's hands stopped fidgeting. For a moment, she seemed utterly still, frozen in the weight of his words. Then, almost imperceptibly, she nodded. It wasn't agreement, not yet. More like a test.

Vander took a cautious step closer, lowering himself to her level. "But I need your help, too," he said, keeping his tone gentle. "I can't do this if you don't want it. If you don't trust me enough to leave."

Her head dipped slightly, and she murmured, "If I leave... they'll find me."

Vander's jaw tightened. "Not if I stop them." His voice hardened, a rare edge breaking through. "No one will touch you again. Not if I have anything to say about it."

The girl's hands curled into small fists at her sides. "You don't know them," she whispered. "You don't know what they can do."

"No," Vander admitted. "But they don't know what I can do either."

The girl looked up at him, a glint of something unreadable in her eyes. Hope, maybe. Or fear. Or both. Finally, she nodded again—this time with a little more certainty.

Vander exhaled in relief and held out a hand. "Come on. Let's get out of here."

For a long moment, she didn't move. Then, slowly, she reached for his hand. Her fingers were cold, trembling slightly as they curled around his.

But she held on.

𝐏𝐎𝐖𝐃𝐄𝐑 wasn't exactly known for being helpful. Creative? Without a doubt. Funny? Sure, in her own chaotic way. But helpful? That wasn't really her most known attribute.

Ekko knew it all too well. He cared about her—how could he not?—but even he had to admit that when Powder showed up somewhere, trouble usually wasn't far behind.

It was even clearer now, as she burst into Benzo's shop like a whirlwind, panting and wide-eyed, her chest rising and falling as she tried to catch her breath.

Ekko, standing off to the side of his boss, raised an eyebrow at her. "What's the rush?" he asked, watching as she struggled to form words between gasps.

She beamed up at him, her gap-toothed grin practically glowing. "I have a surprise!" she announced, her voice carrying all the excitement of a child unveiling a secret. "Come to The Last Drop for dinner, and you'll see it!"

Before Ekko could ask any questions—or stop her—she turned on her heel and bolted out the door, leaving behind a gust of air and a faint echo of her laughter.

Ekko exchanged a glance with Benzo, who didn't look the least bit surprised.

Night draped itself over Zaun like a patchy, soot-streaked quilt, and the city came alive in its usual mix of chaos and shadows. Ekko, still chewing over Powder's cryptic message, hurried toward The Last Drop. Benzo, surprisingly charitable for once, had let him clock out early—though Ekko suspected it was more to avoid cleaning up Powder's inevitable mess than out of generosity.

The air inside The Last Drop was thick with the familiar mix of shimmer smoke, sweat, and the low murmur of conversation. Vander's bar always felt like its own world—grimy but warm, tough but safe, a strange kind of sanctuary.

Ekko pushed through the door, his sharp eyes scanning the room. Powder was perched on a barstool, swinging her legs impatiently, her blue hair catching the dim light. She spotted him instantly, her grin breaking wide.

"There you are!" she exclaimed, hopping down from her seat. "Come on, come on!" She grabbed his arm and tugged him toward the back corner of the bar.

"Pow, what's this about?" Ekko asked, letting her drag him but keeping his tone wary.

"You'll see," she said, practically bouncing with excitement. "You're gonna love this."

Rounding the corner, Ekko spotted Vander sitting at a table with someone beside him. The man was leaning back in his chair, his broad frame taking up most of the space, but it wasn't him that caught Ekko's attention.

It was the girl sitting next to Vander.

She was small, younger than he expected—maybe a year or two younger than Powder—with dark skin and a head of curly brown hair. She didn't look like she belonged in a bar, or even in Zaun. She looked... tired. Worn. Her shoulders were hunched slightly, and she glanced up at him with wary brown eyes that darted away as soon as they met his.

"This is my surprise!" Powder declared, gesturing wildly. "Her name's Moon. But I think Crescent is prettier, don't you?"

The girl—Moon, Crescent, whatever her name was—shrunk back slightly, as though the attention physically pressed against her. Vander shot Powder a gentle but warning look.

"Powder, easy," Vander rumbled, his tone soft but firm. He turned to Ekko, gesturing toward the empty chair across from them. "Have a seat, kid."

Ekko hesitated, his eyes flicking back to Moon. Her hands were folded tightly in her lap, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of a worn shirt. She didn't say a word, didn't look up again.

"She's new," Powder whispered loudly, as if Moon weren't sitting right there. "Vander saved her. Isn't that cool?"

Vander sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Powder, why don't you grab Ekko something to eat? Give him a minute to settle in."

Powder pouted but scampered off toward the bar, leaving Ekko standing there, still unsure what to make of the scene.

"So," Vander said, breaking the silence as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "You gonna sit, or you just gonna stand there all night?"

Ekko slowly slid into the chair, his gaze flicking back to Moon. "Hey," he said, trying to keep his voice light. "I'm Ekko."

She glanced at him briefly, her gold eyes cautious but curious. "Moon," she murmured, her voice so soft he almost didn't catch it.

"Moon," he repeated, offering a small smile. "Cool name."

She didn't smile back, but she didn't look away either. And for now, that felt like enough.

Moon's fingers twisted the fabric of her shirt again, her golden eyes darting between Ekko and the table. Vander stayed quiet, watching the exchange like he was trying to figure out how to guide it without scaring her off.

Ekko leaned back slightly, giving her space. "So, uh, how'd Powder rope you into all this?" he asked, gesturing vaguely at the bar, his tone light. "She's got a talent for making people think her ideas are way better than they are."

To his surprise, Moon's lips twitched, just a little. It wasn't quite a smile, but it wasn't nothing either.

"She said I'd meet someone... nice," Moon said, her voice quiet but steady.

Ekko chuckled. "I guess I'm the lucky contestant, huh?" He tapped the table lightly with his fingers, leaning forward just enough to catch her gaze again. "What do you think? Nice enough so far?"

She tilted her head, studying him for a moment before giving the tiniest nod. "You're not loud," she said simply.

Vander let out a low laugh, crossing his arms. "That's a compliment, Ekko. Don't let it go to your head."

Ekko grinned. "I'll take what I can get." He paused, his tone softening slightly. "So... Moon. How'd you end up with Vander?"

The girl stiffened, her fingers tightening on her shirt. Vander's expression darkened just slightly, and he raised a hand. "Easy, kid," he said gently. "Not a story for tonight."

Ekko nodded quickly, holding his hands up. "Got it. No prying." He glanced back at Moon, his voice light again. "Sorry, I didn't mean to make things weird."

"It's okay," she murmured, her shoulders relaxing just a fraction.

Powder returned then, balancing a tray of food that looked like it had been thrown together in a hurry—two bowls of stew and a plate of what might've been bread, if you were feeling generous. She plopped it down on the table with a grin.

"Dinner is served!" she declared, sliding into the chair next to Ekko. She turned to Moon, her blue eyes sparkling. "So? What do you think? You like it here, right? Way better than wherever you were before."

Moon's grip on her shirt tightened again, and Vander shot Powder another warning look. "Powder," he said, his voice firm but kind, "give her some time, alright? Not everything has to happen all at once."

Powder pouted but didn't argue, instead shoving a piece of bread into her mouth.

Ekko turned back to Moon, his tone soft. "Don't let her overwhelm you," he said with a small smile. "She means well, but... well, you've met her."

That earned him the faintest of chuckles, and for a second, Ekko thought he caught a spark of something lighter in her eyes.

It wasn't much, but it was a start.

𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋 weeks had passed since Moon—still sometimes called Crescent, depending on who you asked—had first stumbled into The Last Drop. She had slowly begun to settle in, the strange, warm-but-worn atmosphere of Vander's place becoming a second home in the way that only the truly displaced could understand. But for all the small victories—her smiles when she accepted a plate of food, the brief moments of laughter shared with Powder, the rare times she seemed to relax enough to talk—there was still something behind her eyes. Something that spoke of things she couldn't or wouldn't say, and probably didn't know how to yet.

Vander, for his part, was still ever-watchful. His protectiveness hadn't waned. In fact, it seemed to have grown over time. He was more cautious with her than the other kids, as if afraid to let her out of his sight for even a moment. He'd stopped asking about her past, and in return, she'd stopped pulling away from him, her quiet trust in him slowly taking root. She still spent most of her time either in the corner of the bar with a book, or helping Vander with small tasks, her movements hesitant but growing steadier with each passing day.

Ekko had noticed her more lately. It wasn't like he hadn't seen her before—she'd been there, right in front of him, for weeks. But somewhere along the way, something had shifted in him. She had a way about her, a quiet strength mixed with the fragility of someone who had been through too much, too young. He found himself seeking her out during the lulls between jobs, when the others were off doing their own thing.

There was a certain stillness to Moon. A quiet patience that came from having to endure things no child should have to. And Ekko couldn't help but admire it, even though he knew it wasn't something that should be admired in the first place. He'd try to talk to her, but sometimes the words got stuck in his throat.

Tonight, the bar was quieter than usual, the hum of conversation subdued as everyone settled in for the evening. Powder was off playing somewhere, probably dragging one of the others into some wild idea. Vander was sitting with a drink in hand, talking with Benzo about something business-related.

Ekko sat at the corner of the bar, pretending to mind his own business, though his gaze kept drifting to Moon. She was sitting at a table near the window, her back to the light, the faint glow from the lamps catching the edges of her dark hair. Her posture was relaxed tonight, less tense than usual, but her eyes... They never fully settled.

He'd never thought he'd be the type to get distracted by someone like this, someone who on the surface lacked personality. But Moon? There was something about her.

Something that made him want to protect her, just like Vander. But not in the way Vander did—no, Ekko's feelings were different. There was a longing there, a feeling that crept into his chest whenever he caught her eye, whenever she made a fleeting joke or smiled in his direction. It was a feeling he didn't quite know what to do with.

Moon caught him staring, her brown eyes narrowing slightly before she looked away. Ekko flushed, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. But then, she did something unexpected. She leaned forward, just a little, and with a soft smile—one that was still a little unsure, but real—she spoke.

"You're quieter than usual," she remarked, her voice soft, almost gentle.

Ekko blinked, caught off guard. "Uh, yeah, well... was just thinking." He shifted in his seat, trying to play it cool. "About stuff. You know."

She gave a small, knowing nod, her eyes flicking over to where Vander was sitting with Benzo. "Vander's still watching over me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ekko leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "You don't mind?"

Moon paused, her fingers absently tracing the edge of her drink. "Sometimes," she said slowly, "but... it's better than being alone." She finally met his gaze. "I guess I'm not used to it. People... caring that much."

Ekko's heart twisted at the quiet sadness in her voice, but he kept his tone light. "Well, you've got us now." He paused, not sure if he should push further. But something in him made him want to say more. "You, uh... you deserve it, you know?"

Moon's brow furrowed slightly, but she didn't say anything. She just nodded, her gaze softening ever so slightly as she looked at him.

Vander's voice broke the moment, low and gravelly as he approached. "Ekko," he said, his tone warning but not unkind, "I see you're keeping Moon company."

Ekko blinked and straightened, glancing at Vander. "Yeah, just talking. We're good."

Vander's eyes lingered on him for a second longer than necessary, a faint flicker of something unreadable in his gaze. "You take care of her, kid," he said softly, his tone less like an order and more like a quiet plea.

Ekko met his gaze. "I will," he said, his voice steady. For Moon. For Vander. And maybe... for himself, too.

A few days later, the evening felt different. The usual murmur of the bar was quieter, and Ekko found himself pacing a little, his mind buzzing with an idea. He wasn't sure why it had taken him this long to think of it, but he finally decided it was time to really bring Moon into the fold. Not just the quiet dinners at The Last Drop, not just the half-hearted attempts at small talk. It was time for her to see more of Zaun, the side of it that didn't feel like a cage. A place where kids like him, Powder, and even Moon could carve out a little bit of freedom.

Powder, of course, had no shortage of enthusiasm when it came to hanging out. But Moon? He wasn't entirely sure what she would think.

"Hey, Moon," Ekko said as he approached her at the bar, watching as she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. She looked up at him, her golden eyes reflecting the dim light from the lanterns overhead.

"Hmm?" she responded, her voice softer than usual.

"How about a walk?" Ekko grinned, leaning against the counter. "I'm taking Powder out for a little adventure around the lower parts of the city, and you're invited. What do you say?"

Moon hesitated, her fingers tracing the rim of her drink. "I don't know..." she said slowly, her eyes darting toward Vander, who was sitting at a table nearby, watching them with an unreadable expression.

Ekko followed her gaze. Vander was definitely looking out for her, but he wasn't going to stop Moon from living a little. He had to know that, right?

"He's not going to bite," Ekko added with a shrug. "Besides, you've been here for a while now. It's time to actually see the city. Really see it."

Moon glanced at Vander again, but this time, the faintest spark of curiosity lit up her expression. "And Powder won't be... too much?" she asked, almost nervously.

Ekko chuckled. "I can't promise she won't be loud or chaotic, but she'll keep things interesting, I'll tell you that much."

The mention of Powder seemed to be the tipping point. Moon's lips twitched, as though the idea of Powder's energy was more amusing than anything else. Finally, she nodded. "Alright," she said softly. "I'll go."

"Awesome," Ekko said, practically bouncing with excitement. "You won't regret it!"

Moon's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer than usual. Ekko felt a slight heat rise in his chest, but he pushed it down quickly, pretending he didn't feel that small spark of something every time she looked at him like that.

Powder was already waiting outside, bouncing on her heels as she looked up at the night sky. "You're finally dragging her out, huh?" she asked, her voice full of mischief. "I knew it was only a matter of time. We're gonna have so much fun!"

"Try to not blow something up for once, okay?" Ekko teased, grinning at Powder. "Just a simple, fun night."

Powder grinned back, the excitement practically radiating from her. "No promises, Ekko!"

The trio set off into the streets of the lower city, Ekko leading the way with Powder bouncing along beside him, practically skipping as she chatted about all the places they could go. Moon, on the other hand, was quieter than usual, walking at a slightly slower pace, but her curiosity seemed to grow with each step.

They wandered through the familiar alleyways, Ekko showing them the sights he knew well—the places where the city hummed with life, but in a more peaceful way than the chaos of the bar. The markets, the hidden little shops, the rooftops with breathtaking views of Zaun. He even led them down to a forgotten part of the undercity, where old machinery was left abandoned, its rusted gears now overtaken by nature. Powder immediately found a half-broken contraption to play with, pulling levers and spinning dials, grinning like a kid in a candy store.

"Careful, Powder," Ekko called over his shoulder as he walked alongside Moon. "If you break something, I'm not fixing it this time."

"I'll fix it later!" Powder called back. "I'm just testing it!"

Moon's soft laugh caught Ekko off guard, and for a moment, he couldn't help but glance at her, surprised by how relaxed she seemed. She was still distant in a way, but this felt different. The weight that usually pressed down on her shoulders seemed to lift, just a little, as she looked around at the city she'd barely seen before.

"This is... nice," she said quietly, her voice soft as she took in the sights. "I didn't know Zaun had places like this."

Ekko smiled. "Yeah, it's easy to forget that there's more to this city than just the fight. It's not all grime and decay." He paused, glancing sideways at her. "There's a lot of beauty, if you know where to look."

Moon glanced at him, and for a moment, their eyes met. She didn't say anything, but the way she looked at him—it was different. Softer. Maybe, just maybe, it was a sign that she was starting to see more than the walls she'd built around herself.

Powder's sudden shriek broke the moment. "I FOUND A SECRET DOOR!" she yelled, already halfway up the ladder leading to a hidden platform. "C'MON, GUYS!"

Moon blinked, a slight smile curling on her lips. "She's... something else."

Ekko laughed, shaking his head. "Yeah, that's Powder for you. Always finding trouble." He turned back to Moon. "You okay with her for a while longer?"

Moon glanced at Powder, who was now hanging upside down from the platform, waving at them.

"I think I can handle it."

Ekko grinned. "Good. This is just the beginning."

A couple of months passed, and life in the Undercity had settled into a rhythm. Moon had slowly, but surely, started to integrate herself into the group. She still didn't speak much, but the walls she had built around herself were starting to crack. The nights out with Ekko and Powder had become more frequent, each one revealing a little more of Moon's personality—her dry wit, her quiet strength, her curiosity about the world around her.

But there was one thing that hadn't changed: Vander's protectiveness. It wasn't just the overbearing, fatherly concern that made him hover; it was a deep, almost instinctual need to shield Moon from the world. She was fragile, in a way, even if she didn't always show it. And the streets of Zaun had a way of breaking things, especially when they weren't fully mended.

On the rare evenings when Moon was allowed to go out with Ekko and Powder, Vander's gaze would linger on her a little longer than necessary, and Vi would always be just a step behind, keeping an eye on things from the shadows. Neither of them were ready to let her face the full chaos of Zaun on her own.

Tonight, though, was different.

Ekko had invited Moon to join him and Powder for a rooftop adventure. The city looked different at night, with the sprawling maze of rooftops stretching out beneath the dim glow of lanterns. The cool breeze whipped through the alleys, carrying with it the faint scent of machines and oil.

Vander had reluctantly agreed to let Moon go, though he made Ekko promise—swear—that they wouldn't go too far. That's why, when Moon left The Last Drop with Ekko, Powder, and Vi—who had insisted on tagging along—Vander couldn't help but watch them go, his gaze heavy with worry.

Vi caught his eye as they stepped into the street, her lips pressed into a tight line. "I'll make sure she's safe," she assured him, her voice low but steady.

Vander nodded, the furrow in his brow deepening. "Just... be careful with her, Vi. She's not like the rest of us."

"I know," Vi said, offering a reassuring smile. "I'll watch out for her. I'm not letting her fall."

Vander's gaze softened, but only for a moment. "She's been through enough already."

Vi nodded, her expression serious. "She'll be alright."

But as they disappeared into the night, Vi couldn't shake the feeling that this time, something might go wrong. They were heading into the deeper, more dangerous parts of the city, and Moon hadn't yet seen everything Zaun had to offer.

As Ekko and Powder led the way, Moon stayed close to Ekko, her hands tucked into the sleeves of her jacket, the soft hum of the city around them making her feel strangely alive. She had gotten used to these late-night excursions, but tonight was different. There was a sense of anticipation hanging in the air—she wasn't entirely sure why, but it was there.

"Everything alright?" Ekko asked, glancing over his shoulder at her.

Moon nodded, though her gaze lingered on the crumbling buildings and forgotten machinery they passed. "Just... thinking."

"About?" Ekko pressed, a teasing grin on his face. "The adventure ahead? Or about how much trouble Powder's going to cause?"

Moon laughed softly, the sound more natural than it had been in a long time. "Probably a little bit of both."

Powder, who had been hopping excitedly ahead of them, let out a dramatic sigh. "I can't believe you guys are talking about me behind my back! I'm right here, you know?"

Ekko rolled his eyes. "No need to blow anything up yet, Powder. We're just getting started."

Moon looked at the two of them—Powder, with her boundless energy and wild ideas, and Ekko, always one step ahead, always the one who made everything seem fun. She could feel herself starting to relax in a way she hadn't before. Maybe this was what it meant to truly feel free.

They reached the rooftop, and Ekko climbed up first, turning to offer a hand to Moon. She hesitated for a moment but took it, her fingers brushing his for a second longer than necessary. She quickly looked away, but Ekko noticed the faint blush on her cheeks.

"Ready for the view?" he asked, trying to cover up the awkwardness with a grin.

Moon nodded. "Yeah. Let's see it."

The three of them stood on the edge of the roof, looking out over Zaun, the city stretching out before them like a labyrinth of steel and stone. The stars above were barely visible through the smoke and the haze, but the glow of the lanterns below cast everything in a warm, golden light.

For a moment, Moon felt like she was part of something bigger than herself. Like she could belong here, with them—here on this roof, watching the world unfold below.

And maybe, just maybe, for the first time in a long while, she felt something resembling peace.

As they sat down to watch the city, Powder immediately started up with a series of wild ideas—pointing out the best places to steal from, teasing Ekko about the machines he had yet to fix, and even coming up with a plan to sneak into a high-society gala just for fun.

Moon laughed, shaking her head. Maybe life wasn't all about survival. Maybe there was still room for moments like this—moments that felt light, and a little free.

She didn't know where the future would take her, but for the first time, the weight she'd carried for so long didn't seem quite as heavy.