𝐀𝐜𝐭 Two -- TELEPHONES
             𝟎𝟎5: Everything he wants
              (𝘼𝙧𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙚, 02x07)

EKKO had to get out of here. The longer he stayed, the more certain he was that he'd screw things up for the Ekko of this universe. And the last thing he needed was to make a mess of this, too.

But Powder? She was giving him the silent treatment. Her arms crossed tightly against her chest, eyes narrowing as she glared at him. He could practically feel her judgment weighing on him, like a thousand pounds of steel.

"You'd be a damn fool to mess this up, Ekko," she'd said, tone sharp. "Fix things with Moon, and maybe I'll even think about helping you."

Ekko sighed. Only he would get the one thing he'd dreamed of for years—just to screw it up again.

Vander, standing at the edge of the room with his arms crossed, gave him a pointed look. "Look, kid, if I pissed off my girlfriend," he began, his voice heavy with the kind of fatherly frustration that only came after years of watching people screw things up, "and I knew she'd only go to one of two places—her secret hideout or her room—well, that's where I'd start looking."

The problem, Ekko realized bitterly, was that he wasn't her Ekko. The one who knew every little corner of her world—the way she always tucked her hair behind her ear when she was thinking deeply, or the way she would get lost in her sketches, scribbling designs in her notebook without realizing hours had passed. He didn't know where her hideout was, or what her favorite snacks were—whether she preferred sweet or savory when she was stressed. He didn't know if she still liked her coffee strong, with a hint of cinnamon, or if she'd traded that for something else over the years. He didn't know which songs made her feel alive, which ones she listened to when she needed to cry, or whether she'd stopped writing poems about the stars. He didn't know her habits—the way she would curl up with a blanket in her favorite chair by the window when the sun began to set, or the way she liked to take her time with her morning routine, a few precious moments of calm before the world came crashing in.

He didn't know these things, because he never got the chance. In his world, she had been stolen from him too soon, before they could learn the quiet rhythms of each other's lives, before they could weave their memories together like threads in a tapestry. She was taken from him, when she was still a girl, before she had time to grow into someone else. And the Moon that existed in this universe—the one who stood in front of him now—was someone entirely different. A stranger, even though she wore her name, even though she had her face.

He wasn't supposed to not know these things. He should've been the one who could see through her silence, the one who understood her better than anyone else. The one who knew that if she started fiddling with her sleeve, she was anxious, or that when she hummed that certain tune, it meant she was content. But here? He was a stranger. A shadow of the man who had once been her everything. And that... that stung deeper than any wound he could remember.

Great. Just great.

Vander wasn't done, though. The man had the patience of a saint—when it wasn't stretched to its breaking point. "I don't care how you do it, Ekko," he said, his voice steady but stern. "But you need to make things right with my daughter. Both of them. Because if Moon's upset when she gets home, Powder's gonna be upset. And when Powder's upset? The whole damn house is upset. It's like some kind of emotional domino effect."

Ekko nodded, trying not to wince under Vander's knowing stare. The old man wasn't pulling punches.

Vander took a moment to size him up, his gaze sharp, like a father checking the state of a broken toy. "Don't know what's gotten into you, but if you think for one second you can take it out on the girl you love, you've got another thing coming." His words were no longer a suggestion—they were a warning, the kind only someone like Vander could give with a casual flick of his hand.

Ekko swallowed hard. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen." He ran a hand through his hair, feeling every inch the fool. "I just... I didn't know what else to do."

Vander stared at him, unimpressed. "I just told you exactly what to do. Verbatim." His arms crossed over his chest like a judge waiting for the defense to stumble, his expression a perfect blend of pity and irritation. "You want me to draw you a map, too?"

"It'd be helpful," Ekko scoffed, crossing his arms in frustration.

"Well, I can't," Vander shot back, his voice tinged with both irritation and a hint of wistfulness. "She never wanted to show me her paradise. Me! Her own father. Only you."

Ekko froze, the words settling into his chest like a heavy weight. Only you. The realization struck him like a jolt of electricity. Her paradise—her secret haven—it had to be the tree. His tree. The one where he'd built his Timewinder, where he'd spent countless days planning how to save his world. It had always been his place of escape, of creation, of solace. If this Moon was anything like the Moon he'd loved, she would've been drawn to it too. It wasn't just a hiding place—it was a symbol of everything she believed in: wonder, possibility, and the space to dream.

And suddenly, Ekko wasn't sure if the ache in his chest was guilt or hope. Either way, he knew where to go.

EKKO approached the tree, his heart pounding in his chest. But as he neared it, a sense of disbelief washed over him. The tree, the one that had once stood as a symbol of his memories and his ambitions, had transformed. It was still the same mighty, sprawling thing that had watched over the hidden corners of Zaun, but it had been reshaped—reimagined—into something altogether different.

One of its largest branches stretched out like a natural platform, now adorned with intricate art supplies and materials. Canvas sheets were draped across the wooden surface, the edges fluttering in the breeze, and paintbrushes and jars of ink were scattered around like forgotten thoughts. Strands of twinkling lights, woven delicately around the branch, cast a warm, amber glow, highlighting the mess of beautiful chaos that had taken over the once solitary space.

A soft humming reached his ears as he drew closer, and he could see Moon—his Moon, but not quite—sitting at an easel, her back to him. She was so absorbed in her work that she didn't notice him yet. Her hand moved in rhythmic strokes, painting something that looked half-finished but full of promise. Her body swayed ever so slightly with the melody of the brush against the canvas.

It was clear this space was no longer just a hideout. It was a sanctuary. A place where she had carved out her own world. It was no longer just the tree that had witnessed his plans and his pain—it had become hers as well. She had transformed it into an art studio, a perfect blend of nature and creativity, the perfect reflection of her evolution.

Ekko stood there, transfixed, his feet unwilling to move, his eyes drinking in the sight before him. He had always thought the tree was a space meant for him—a place where his ideas had bloomed, a place for him to escape, to be alone. But this? This was her vision. This was Moon's world now, and he was an outsider.

His gaze flicked over the numerous sketches pinned to the bark of the tree, scribbled on scraps of paper or napkins. Some of them were intricate designs—small, delicate flowers and abstract patterns. Others were more personal: quick, raw lines that captured emotions he couldn't put into words. The scattered art supplies, the disarray of creativity, made the space feel alive—wild, but in the most beautiful way.

There, among the mess of colors and paper, he finally saw her. Moon, her form as delicate and yet as bold as the art she created. The way she moved—graceful, yet grounded—made it clear that she belonged here, that this space was a reflection of her, as if she had always been meant to shape it into this vibrant expression of herself.

Ekko swallowed hard, his mind swimming with thoughts. He had dreamed of this place before, had even imagined returning to this very tree. But never like this. He had always thought the tree would be his sanctuary, a place to shelter his secrets. But now, in this universe, the tree had become hers—a space where she could hide, yes, but also create, explore, and express the parts of herself he never knew.

As he stepped forward, his foot brushing the edge of a stray canvas sheet, Moon's head snapped up. Her eyes met his, and for a heartbeat, time seemed to freeze. She looked so much like the Moon he had loved—yet so much more than he had ever known. Her gaze softened, but the coolness in her expression told him she wasn't sure who this strange version of him was, standing before her.

"You came," she said, her voice low and steady, though there was something else in it—a curiosity, maybe even a hint of relief.

Ekko hesitated, unsure of how to approach this version of Moon, this world that felt like it had been built around her, and yet so foreign to him. "I..." His throat was dry, the words tangled up in his mind. He had never felt more like a stranger, more like a ghost haunting the wrong timeline.

Ekko stood there for a moment, his body frozen in uncertainty as Moon's eyes studied him with an unreadable expression. She didn't move, but her gaze lingered on him, perhaps waiting for something—an explanation, an apology, or maybe just an answer to why he was here.

Taking a deep breath, he shook off the weight of his own hesitation. He couldn't just stand there, feeling sorry for himself. This was it—his chance to fix things, to get a second chance with the person who had been ripped away from him in his world, now alive and real before him. She deserved something more than the ghost of the man who stood in front of her.

He couldn't speak the words yet. But he could climb.

Without another moment's hesitation, Ekko pushed himself into action, his heart pounding. He reached up to grab a thick branch above him, the rough bark biting into his hands. His fingers curled around it tightly, the familiar movement helping ground him, even though the tree looked so different now. He didn't know exactly where he was going, but the distance between them felt like an obstacle he needed to cross—something he had to bridge before he could find the right words.

Climbing up the tree was second nature. Each step felt like the beat of his heart—steady, rhythmic, with purpose. The branches were wider up here, more solid, yet the height made his chest tighten. When he reached the platform where Moon had been painting, he stopped just before stepping onto it, the view around him stealing his breath away for a moment. The city stretched out beneath him, a patchwork of rooftops and twisting streets, the soft glow of Zaun's lights glimmering in the distance. It was a view he had taken for granted before. But now, it felt so distant, like a life that didn't belong to him anymore.

Moon watched him closely, her eyes flicking from his feet on the branches to his face, her lips slightly parted, unsure of what he was doing. For a moment, he thought she might say something, but the words seemed stuck in her throat. Ekko's heart clenched.

He stood there for a moment, his hand gripping the tree's sturdy trunk as he caught his breath. The silence between them felt heavy, too heavy. It wasn't supposed to be this way. He wasn't supposed to be climbing up this tree, this place she had made her own, as if he was some stranger begging for a chance at redemption. He was supposed to be the one who knew her, the one who held the memories, the one who was supposed to understand her better than anyone.

But he had nothing to offer her but a confession, and even that felt weak.

"Moon, I—"

Before he could say anything more, she turned her head slowly, looking up at him with an expression that was a mixture of amusement and mild confusion.

"You know..." She paused, glancing toward the base of the tree, then back at him with an arched eyebrow. "There was a ladder, Ekko."

Ekko froze, blinking. His eyes flicked down to the base of the tree, and only now did he notice the ladder—perfectly placed, sturdy, and, well...

"Oh," Ekko said, his face flushing. "Right. I, uh... I guess I forgot about that."

Moon's lips quirked into a small smile, and her eyes softened, as though she found his clumsy ascent a little endearing. "You built it. Remember?"

Ekko scratched the back of his head, his gaze darting between the ladder and Moon. "Yeah... I guess I thought I had to climb it like a hero or something. You know, make an entrance."

She let out a small laugh, her shoulders shaking as she tried to suppress it. "You're such an idiot sometimes."

He smiled sheepishly, the tension in his chest loosening a fraction. At least she wasn't completely upset with him. "Yeah, I know," he said, sitting beside her on the platform, the weight of the moment returning as he finally took a breath.

"I'm sorry, Moon," he began, his voice softer now. "I messed up. I didn't mean to hurt you. I was just... confused. And I made things worse. But I'm trying, alright? I don't want to mess this up. I'm just lost."

For a long moment, Moon didn't say anything. She didn't even look at him, her eyes lingering on the canvas before her, her brush moving with practiced strokes. But Ekko could feel the shift in the air, the way the tension between them started to thin. Slowly, she set the brush down and turned to face him.

"I know you didn't mean to," she said quietly. "But you've got to stop running away from things. You always have. Always trying to fix things on your own when sometimes you just need to... talk." She tilted her head slightly, her expression soft but serious. "I just... don't want to feel like I'm not enough for you. I don't want you pushing me away because you're scared of what we might be."

Ekko's heart clenched at her words. She wasn't enough? He opened his mouth to respond but found himself speechless. How could he explain that it wasn't her at all? That he was terrified of losing her, of failing her like he failed her in another life?

She gave a small sigh, her voice quieter now. "Look, Ekko. We've both got our own messes to sort through. But I need you to stop running, okay?" Her eyes softened as she reached out, brushing a strand of hair from his face. "Just... stay with me. For real this time."

Ekko swallowed hard, the weight of her words sinking in. He wanted to apologize again, but instead, he found himself pulling her into a hug, holding her tight as if he could protect her from every mistake he'd ever made.

"You are lost, Ekko," Moon said softly, her voice a little playful despite the gravity of her words. "But that doesn't mean you can't find your way again."

She was warm, solid, real. And despite everything, she was still here.

And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.

"You wanna go back to my place?" Moon's voice was casual, but there was a certain softness in her tone that made his pulse race.

Ekko stood frozen for a moment, his heart beating a little too quickly. He hadn't expected her to suggest that, not after everything. But the small smile tugging at the corners of her lips, the way her eyes sparkled with that same old mischievousness—it was impossible to resist.

Ekko blinked, caught off guard by the invitation. He stared at her, unsure if he'd heard her right. But the warmth of her smile, the unspoken promise in her words, made him realize this wasn't a joke. This was real.

His throat went dry. "You—what?"

Moon's smile didn't fade. Instead, it deepened, her gaze never leaving his. "You heard me. You can either sit up here like an idiot, or come with me." She gave a playful shrug, but the air around her felt charged, like something unspoken was hanging between them.

It was the strangest feeling. Part of him wanted to bolt, to run far away from the overwhelming intensity of the moment. But another part of him—the part that had always wanted this—wanted nothing more than to be close to her, to figure out who she was in this universe, and what they could be together.

He exhaled a shaky breath. "Okay... yeah, I'd like that."

Her smile widened as she stood up, brushing off her clothes. Ekko watched her movements carefully, heart still in his throat, but there was no escaping the magnetic pull of her presence. She was effortlessly confident in a way that made him want to forget everything else.

Without another word, she took his hand and helped him down from the platform, her grip warm and steady. He followed her without hesitation, barely noticing the way the branches creaked beneath them as they descended. He wasn't paying attention to the surroundings anymore, only to the girl beside him. Her movements, fluid and familiar, felt like a song he couldn't quite place, but knew he'd been listening to for a lifetime.

EKKO was not at fault here. He thought he was prepared, but this—this was an entirely different game. He couldn't be blamed, could he? He had no idea what Moon was implying when she invited him back to her room. But as he'd learned all day, everyone had been teasing him about some hickey the other Ekko apparently had. It wasn't until now, standing in the dim light of her room, that he finally understood the full extent of the situation.

She was a minx.

"Wanna guess the flavor again?" Moon's voice was playful, almost taunting, as she glanced at him over her shoulder. She had that wicked little smile on her lips, the kind that made Ekko's heart race for reasons he couldn't fully explain.

"I think you'll get it this time," she added, her eyes gleaming with that same mischievous light.

"Flavor?" Ekko echoed, his gaze trailing to her lips. A quick, almost involuntary glance, but it was enough to make his pulse spike. Was she really going to do this again?

"The lip balm," she clarified, stepping closer, the door clicking shut behind them with a soft thud.

"Yeah, I'll even give you a hint," she continued, that teasing tone never leaving her voice, as if she knew exactly what she was doing to him.

Ekko, standing there at the threshold of her room, tried to focus on the words, but it was hard when everything about her seemed to have an effect on him, each little movement, every soft glance.

"Go on," he muttered, unable to keep the grin off his face as he tried to play it cool, but there was something in his gut—an excitement, a tension—that he couldn't shake. He knew he was walking right into her trap, but for some reason, he didn't mind. Not at all.

She stood on her tiptoes, her hands finding their way to his face with a soft, almost reverent touch. The moment her fingers brushed his skin, Ekko felt a shiver run through him, as if the world had stopped just for them. He could feel the weight of her gaze on him, and the way her touch lingered—light but somehow burning with unspoken intent.

And then, she kissed him.

It wasn't rushed. It wasn't frantic. It was slow, deliberate, like she was savoring every second of it, as if time had slipped away entirely. Her lips were soft against his, gentle at first, as if testing the waters, but then they deepened, pulling him in closer, coaxing him into a world where nothing else mattered but the feel of her mouth against his. It was warm and intimate, electric in a way that made his head spin, his heart race.

It wasn't his kiss. Not really. It was meant for the other Ekko—her Ekko—the one she had history with. The one who knew the taste of her lips, the feel of her touch. But, somehow, he was still there, wrapped in the heat of it, caught in a moment that felt just as real as if it had been meant for him.

He knew, on some level, that he wasn't meant to be here. That he wasn't really the man she was kissing. But as her hands slid from his face to the back of his neck, pulling him closer still, he couldn't bring himself to care. He was in this, with her, in this world where nothing made sense—except the pull of her lips against his.

When she finally pulled back, her eyes dark and heavy with emotion, Ekko's breath caught in his throat. He was still reeling, unable to process the weight of the kiss, when she slid her hands down to his chest, gently pushing him back onto the bed. Her movements were fluid, graceful, and before he knew it, she was straddling him, her body pressing against his in a way that made everything else fade into oblivion.

She hovered above him, eyes locked onto his, her expression a mixture of desire and something deeper—something Ekko couldn't quite read but felt in his chest. Her lips parted slightly as she leaned down, the weight of her body on top of him, sending waves of heat through his veins. His hands seemed to instinctively glide to her hips.

Ekko's breath hitched as he lay there, still caught in the aftershocks of the kiss, trying to focus through the haze of heat swirling around him. His gaze lingered on Moon, taking in her disheveled appearance—her hair slightly askew, a hint of flushed color on her cheeks, and the way her eyes sparkled with playful mischief. Her lips curled into a teasing smile, and for a moment, it felt like time stood still.

"Cupcakes?" he said, his voice low, the word slipping out almost involuntarily as he tried to grasp the reality of what was happening. He couldn't help himself—his eyes flicked down to her hands, the way they danced over the buttons of his blouse, each one slowly undone, revealing just a little more of his chest with every move.
Moon giggled softly, the sound sweet and light, but with an edge of mischief. She shook her head, her fingers continuing their teasing path down his shirt. "Wanna try again?" Her voice was soft, inviting, but laced with something undeniably dangerous.

Ekko swallowed, his heart racing, as her hands slid down to unbutton the last of his shirt. He could feel the weight of her gaze on him, the way she studied him with an intensity that sent a rush of heat through his body. His hands twitched at his sides, unsure of whether to reach for her, pull her closer, or simply stay still, lost in the moment.

For a brief second, his mind flickered back to the uncertainty—was this really happening? Was he the Ekko she wanted?But those thoughts were quickly smothered by the undeniable pull between them. Here, in this world, he wasn't just some stranger. For a moment, he was the one she desired. And that was enough to erase all doubts.
He licked his lips slowly, not realizing he was doing it until he felt the tension in the air shift. "I think I'll need more than a second guess," he murmured, his voice barely a whisper, as if the act of speaking might shatter the fragile tension they were wrapped in. His eyes darkened with the unspoken promise of everything that came after, the weight of his words hanging heavy between them.

Moon smiled wider, her hands now resting on his chest, steady and sure. "You'll get it," she whispered back, her lips brushing against his ear, sending shivers down his spine. "But only if you're ready."

And just like that, the world outside of her room, outside of this stolen moment, ceased to exist.

"YOUR sister is a Minx." Ekko deadpanned, stumbling into Powder's hideout, feeling a strange mix of exasperation and lingering heat from the events in Moon's room. His heart was still racing, his mind caught in the web of what had just happened. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to shake the fog off, but it was no use.

Powder, sitting at her workbench, didn't even look up. She was too busy focused on whatever project was in front of her, her back to him. "Succubus, I think is what you called her one time." She retorted coolly, not missing a beat.

Ekko winced at the mention of that word, the implications of it making him feel like he'd just walked into a trap he didn't know existed. Yeah, that sounds about right.

He took a few more steps into the room, his eyes narrowing. "I'll take it you made up?" She asked.

Powder finally turned her head to look at him, her lips twitching into a knowing smirk. "Oh, you definitely made up," she said with a snort. Her eyes gleamed with amusement, clearly enjoying his discomfort. "You look a little flustered there Ekko. You wanna talk about it?" She patted the seat next to her.  He took it, sitting down exasperated.

"I don't think I've ever felt like that before," Ekko muttered, his voice thick with a mixture of confusion and longing.

Powder hummed softly in acknowledgment, her gaze unwavering as she leaned back in her seat, eyes still twinkling with curiosity. "Her kiss was just so addictive... like she put a spell on me," Ekko continued, the words tumbling out of him before he could stop them. "Is she a witch here or something? Every time I felt like I should pull away, Jesus fuck, I swear I would swallow poison if it tasted like her."

Powder listened intently, though her brow furrowed slightly in confusion. Still, she stayed quiet, offering what little support she could, even if the weight of his words was difficult to fully comprehend. She knew this was probably all he had to offer for now, his mind a mess of emotions and contradictions.

"And she carved her hips into mine, like she's Micheal Angelo and I'm something holy, you know? God, I wanted to kiss her. And kiss her and kiss her and kiss her. I'm going fucking nuts. Did people lose their minds when they love someone? Shit."He ran a hand through his hair, exhaustion settling over him like a heavy cloak.

Powder let him talk, though she couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable hearing her sister's name tossed around with that much passion. But she didn't interrupt. Ekko wasn't asking for advice; he was just venting—letting everything out in a way he couldn't with anyone else.

"I... I'm attracted to the idea of her lips exploring my body like it's some kind of map, and she keeps getting lost on purpose," Ekko's words came out in a near fevered pitch. "She makes me sick with desire—this burning, wanting need to possess her, to keep her close. It's everything I've ever wanted. But it... it feels like it's too much. Like it could break me."

Powder tilted her head, her expression shifting from confusion to something closer to pity. "Ekko, as much as I love hearing about how much you wanna fuck my sister, it's been... lovely, honestly." She flashed a teasing grin, though there was a hint of annoyance beneath her playful tone. "But you're acting like she's gonna leave you or something? Man, she loves you. And for the record, please—don't tell me again. It's already awkward enough hearing you two..."

Ekko's face heated, his eyes wide with a mix of embarrassment and confusion. "What? No, it's not— we didn't do that—"

Powder gave him an unimpressed look, her eyes narrowing with a mocking amusement. "Your pants have been unzipped this whole time, Romeo."

Ekko froze for a moment, then glanced down at himself, his face now burning even hotter than before. "Oh... shit."

"Yeah, that's what I thought." Powder smirked, leaning back in her chair. "Just... get it together, Ekko. You're not as slick as you think."

Ekko let out a defeated sigh, trying to compose himself, but the intensity of his feelings for Moon—and the ridiculousness of the situation—made it almost impossible.

"I can't stay here." Ekko muttered, his voice distant, as if he were trying to convince himself more than anyone else. His words drifted in the quiet space, lingering long after they left his lips. Deep down, he knew it wasn't just a statement—it was a reminder. This universe, this life, it was everything he had ever dreamed of, but it wasn't his. He didn't belong here. He had a mission, a purpose he couldn't ignore. People needed him.

"Powder," he began, his tone shifting, quieter but more resolute. "I have something to show you."

LOVE SPEAKS!

I know a lot of timebomb shippers may not like this book. But I feel like you could have inferred from the first page that it wasn't a timebomb book. I also won't be focusing on Powder and Ekko's moments because well.

This book isn't about them.

Fun fact: you guys don't know how Moon looks during this timeline because the picture of her in the introduction is of her at 11. I forgot to add an older picture and I hate being one of those authors that just has pictures randomly on the page.

Fun fact #2: The Moon in this timeline has been attending therapy sessions in Piltover since VI's incident. In a timeline where that doesn't happen she finds herself gross and the idea of being with someone in an intimate setting makes her feel vile but the reason she's so sexually confident (for lack of better words) in this time line is because she realized she's allowed to like it if it's someone she actually loves. Just to clarify since I know as someone who was sold into prostitution it would be weird for her to behave this way typically. She just loves her man a little too much. Definition of he fell first but she fell harder.

They're so Harvey by Her's coded.