Chapter Text
Powder leans over the front desk of the car shop. Her hands still smelled like metal and sludge after she forgot to wear gloves while fixing an engine. She wiped them off, but would do anything to wash her hands right now.
Machines wailing and men chatting fill the air outside and filter into the office. It's relatively slow today, just a few drop-offs coming in.
She's on inventory duty, checking off their supplies. Boxes of car parts sat next to her, paint buckets and air filters sitting on the floor outside. Her portable fan, Tilly, blows quietly in her right hand as she checks over boxes with her left. It's not so hot outside anymore, but working in a garage around hot engines all day never fails to get her sweating.
As she checks off their orders, she's still thinking about Ekko. She's regretting even going home that night— or at least not without him.
It's Monday now, and since she was babysitting Isha until late last night: she couldn't call him. Honestly, she's thinking about breaking her word of saying she's all his next week. Because next week is too far away. When she gets home today, she'll have to work on a project for school. She sighs, already imagining the tangled mess of wires sticking outside the trinket. Her week has barely started, and yet she is so, so tired.
Maybe she'll push it off for tonight and knock down his door before blasting a love song on her speakers.
Powder laughed at the thought, dipping her head low. Not her style.
She just needs clarification. The label stamped onto their relationship. Not that they really need it, but she'd hate to see Ekko with another girl after all of this.
Powder still gets flustered whenever she remembers that kiss. She wasn't expecting it, but she welcomed it. All through yesterday things like what she'll wear when she sees him again passed through her mind.
She needs to find a way to see him. Even if it's just for a moment.
The door opens, and her co-worker comes through. She doesn't bother looking up, just continues working.
"Powder," He started.
She looked up, putting the pen down.
"A car for you. It needs a change up." He nodded towards the door before walking back out.
Please be him. Please be him.
She walked towards the door, scanning around for the car in question. Anticipation settles low in her stomach as she goes down the isle of cars.
Not finding his, but a deep blue Honda. The world was seriously mocking her.
She sighed, rolling her eyes.
"Think fast!" Is all she heard before keys were being thrown into her hands. Powder caught them, barely.
"Gee, thanks."
She rolled over a cart full of supplies to the side of the car. She took up the scanner that rested on top and unlocked the drivers door. Scanning for the serial number near the seat, it beeped in her hands. She reached to pop open the hood in a practiced motion— The sound of it raising echoing throughout the garage.
Walking to the front of the car, she raised the hood fully up, greeted by the interior.
Grabbing the air filter, she was greeted by more sludge. She's gotten used to the smell by now, but it's still weird.
A man walked up to resume his work on the car next to her.
"What's got you lookin' all sour right now?" He asked.
"This sludge getting on my hands for the second time today." She said flatly.
He hummed. "Or maybe it's cause it's a different Honda other than Ekko's."
Her head snapped over to him. "I will throw this at you."
Laughter, then he put his hands up in mock surrender.
"It's the truth then."
It bothered her that she was this obvious.
....
After her shift, Powder walks out towards her car. She hummed softly, keys dangling from her hand. It's evening now, the sun disappearing beneath clouds in the sky.
When she sees it, her jaw almost dropped.
Ekko, standing outside, car parked next to hers.
No way.
He's here, out waiting for her. Maybe he was thinking the same thing as her. Suddenly she's hyper-aware of how dirty her hands are— how motor oil is probably smeared on her cheeks.
She walks over, lips pursed as she glanced up at him. Ekko smiled.
"Sorry for showing up unannounced."
"It's.. fine.." She bit her lip before speaking again. "Your car acting up again?"
He took a step closer. "No, I'm here for you this time."
"For me?" Her heart skipped a few beats.
"Yeah.. I know you said you'll have a busy week. So, I won't take up too much of your time. But I needed to at least get this out there to you. It's all I've been thinking about." He sucked in a breath. "Will you go out with me, Powder?"
She was stunned for a moment before her smile grew into a grin. He seemed like a schoolboy right now that was nervous for her answer. But she's already known hers for a while.
"Yes." She giggled, overjoyed that this moment is actually finally happening.
Ekko huffed, a smile beginning to grow on his face, too.
Finally, all her questions are put to rest. Powder's heart is beating so fast she can hear it.
Before she can react, he pulled her into an embrace. His grip inviting and warm around her. He buried his face in the crook of her neck.
She laughed. "Mmm.. My hands are all dirty."
"That's okay." Ekko said before lifting her off the ground like it was nothing. He leaned back as far as he could without tumbling over.
Powder squealed before erupting into more laughter. He laughed with her, swinging her a little in the air.
If any of her co-workers were seeing this right now, they will definitely tease her non-stop.
"I'm starting to think you enjoy the smell of motor oil." She said with a grin, trying her hardest not to hold on tight and ruin his shirt.
"Nah," He lowered her back onto her feet. "But you're an exception."
His hands lingered on her waist. She didn't know where to put hers. Powder wanted nothing more than to reach out and pull him in close. Hug him back, kiss him, love him.
He was hers now, officially.
"Am I still an exception on dinner reservations?" She asked, proud of herself for still being able to maintain her composure when she can still hear her heartbeat loud in her ears.
Ekko huffed out a laugh. "You want me to cook for you..?"
"You promised you would, didn't you?"
"Yeah, but I wasn't expecting that today. I mean, I don't wanna hold you up-"
"Ekko," She cut in, crossing her arms. "I just got off an eight hour shift. My arms feel like jelly; I'm on two hours of sleep; My hands smell like metal; I'm hungry.. I wouldn't turn down free dinner from a handsome chef."
He laughed again, grip tightening on her waist slightly. "Okay." He titled his head slightly. "I'll cook you up a five star meal, then."
She swallowed, looking up at him. He's so lucky her hands are dirty.
✮
Ekko dropped by his apartment first to pick up some things he doubted Powder had in her kitchen. Saucepans, a pot, some seasonings.
One thing he forgot is that her sister cooks for her sometimes at her place. And the fact that her fridge and freezer had been packed recently.
When he entered and she showed him where everything was in her small kitchen, his jaw nearly dropped. She had a decked out seasoning cabinet, multiple different saucepans and pots. Different types of pasta noodles that stood next to a decent supply of boxed mac and cheese. She even has a rice cooker: The official college student holy grial. Except this supply looked way different than anyone else who relied on their rice cooker.
"As you know, my sister likes to cook. I don't know why she dumps all of this here instead of her big double door fridge, but.. It's all yours." Powder's tone seemed awkward, as if even she was aware of how crazy this is.
"You definitely put my kitchen to shame with this." He said, eyes wandering around her pots and pans.
She turned on the kitchen sink, beginning to wash her hands. "Tell that to Caitlyn. She's the one who spends three hundred on a stove set and call it cheap."
"Three hundred?" He repeated in disbelief.
"Yeah," She turned off the sink, flicking water off her hands before drying them in a rag. "I mean, the woman's Christmas and birthday presents are actually insane."
"Woah." Ekko can already tell he'll have fun cooking in here. But he has to cook her something she'll enjoy. It's basic, but she's been raving over a pasta dish he made a while back. So, he guesses he'll end up cooking that.
"Anyways, I'm gonna pop in the shower real quick.." Powder walked over to him, resting a hand on his arm. Her touch trailed down to take his hand in hers. She leaned in and pressed a warm, lingering kiss on his cheek. "Enjoy."
He watched as she entered the bathroom. Right, he was in her apartment for the first time. He's still trying to wrap his head around the fact that they're dating now. He didn't expect their first place to go after the fact to be her place.
He peaked out towards the living room. A pink couch that had patchwork all over it sat across from a TV. Maybe another one of those crazy Christmas presents. A canvas splashed with different colors sat in the corner, resting there instead of the wall. A coffee table sat in the middle with books scattered on top of it. The door to her bedroom was slightly ajar, and it took everything not to take a look inside. He was here to cook, not snoop around. He could wait.
As Ekko opened the fridge to see what he had to work with, he heard the shower turn on. The faint sound of water splashing through the walls. He cleared his throat, reaching for a container of butter, cheese, and milk. This all felt so domestic. Him cooking her dinner while she showers and gets ready for the night. It's warm, and comfortable.
He fills a pot with water and places it on the stove. Opening her impressive supply of seasonings he's sure half of which she's never touched: He sprinkled salt into the water. Letting it boil, he began making the cheese sauce. Her pots and pans were an array of pinks, blues, and yellows. So undoubtedly her.
Ekko filled a blue saucepan with milk and let it simmer. He noticed that out of everything, she didn't have a cheese grater. So he opted to just cutting the cheese as small as he could on a plate.
Powder could be heard through the thin wall. "Ah, dang it."
It caught his attention, but he pushes it aside and continues cooking. He dumped the cheese into the pan, giving it a stir.
She called out to him. "Hey, Ekko!"
"Yeah?" He yelled back, his tone so shaky it made him cringe. With the pot spoon still in hand, he walked over to the bathroom door to hear her better.
Powder spoke over the shower. "Could you get me some clothes?"
He almost drops the spoon from his hand.
"What?" He choked out.
A few beats of silence stretched out between them, only broken up by the spray of water.
Then, she snorted. "Oh," She laughed whole-heartedly. He could hear her shift around under the water, only deepening his embarrassment.
She caught her breath. "I don't mean to start a pantie raid." She teased, laughing some more. "Just a shirt. I forgot to grab one earlier."
"...Sure. Yeah, no problem." Ekko walked back into the kitchen quickly to put down the pot spoon.
Making his way to her bedroom, he pushed on the door that was already slightly opened. He was immediately greeted with what he saw briefly in video calls. Her bed centered in the middle of the room, wrapped in pink sheets and filled with stuffed animals. Posters of movies and bands taped up on the wall. Neon decals spread on her walls in place of paint splashes. Her wooden drawers were covered in doodles, much like the ones she was drawing at the library. Her closet covered in stickers and polaroids. Markers and paints were cramped into a corner of the room, all beat up with use. On a small table kept an unfinished project, her laptop sitting opened next to it.
He smiled at the personality the room held. Opening her closet, he was greeted by many different colors. Even with permission, it felt wrong to him as he shuffled through her tops. He even finds some familiar ones. The white button-up with pink flowers swirling the bottom of it. An old band t-shirt she stole from Vi. A black tank with pink accents. He opted for something simple and hopefully comfortable: A sage green graphic t-shirt. It's worn soft and the design is starting to disappear.
Taking it off the hanger, Ekko makes his way back to the bathroom door.
"Want me to leave it-"
Before he could finish, the door opened just a crack. Powders arm slid through, still dripping with water. He blinked, biting back a laugh as he put the shirt in her hand. After taking it, she closed the door again. He could hear her giggle before saying thank you.
..
Soon enough, Ekko finished cooking. He plated her the dish best he could to live up to expectations. Pasta noodles covered in a creamy cheese sauce. Probably a step up from her go-to dinner. Just in time, Powder came out of the shower. He swears the heat from the water clung to her. Hair damp, her cheeks flushed, shirt slightly sticking to her body.. finished off with a pair of black sweatpants.
Her eyes lit up when she saw the plate. She sat down at the kitchen island, staring down at the dish she's been talking about. "This is all you?"
"All me." He replied with a grin, leaning down on the counter across from her.
"Lemme not judge too soon.. Hold on." She picked up her fork and twirled some on it. Her face remained unreadable as she took a bite and started to chew it.
"Soo..?" He asked in anticipation of her answer.
She stared at him for a while longer before smiling. "It was worth the wait."
That was all he needed. His smile grew, satisfied with the reaction.
.
The two spent the rest of the evening talking and finishing up the meal. He noticed it. The differences in the air between them now that they're together. Lingering glances and touches. The subtle nervousness he tried to hide. How it settled inside him that he doesn't have to hold back anymore.
Somewhere down the line, they moved to the couch and he helped her the best he could with her project. Giving her ideas and suggestions along the way.
The project was mostly done, just needed a few rewiring and test runs. It was impressive. Even if he's seen handfuls of these same projects, it's still fun to watch her work— Fun to work with her.
Soon enough, she was able to finish it. She gave him a grin so bright it could blind someone.
Ekko was glad to help. To be here with her and cook for her. He wasn't even supposed to see her this week, but he couldn't keep himself away. Not after last time. Not after everything she told him. But he knows she's exhausted. She mentioned being on two hours of sleep. He has a feeling this isn't the first neither the last.
Her energy was the same for a good while. But in theory, maybe a good meal made her more tired... not to stroke his own ego there.
As he talked to her, Powders responses became more quiet, more lazy. She even laid down, a throw pillow tucked in her arms. She excused it as her needing to rest her bones.
Soon enough, he heard soft snores coming from her. Looking over, she fell asleep, lips parted slightly, letting out soft, even breaths.
Ekko stared, unsure of what to do. He doesn't want to disturb her sleep if it's all she can get. He doesn't want him to be the reason she stays up tonight.
Standing up slowly, he lowers himself back down on the floor next to her. He brought a hand to her face, brushing a few strands of hair from going in her eye. His hand stayed there, softly brushing his thumb against her cheek. She's so beautiful. He didn't know he could love someone this much. He wanted nothing more than to hold her close again. To fall asleep with the steady press of her in his arms.
Powder stirred slightly, groaning softly as she placed her hand on his.
"Ekko.." She whispered. Her eyes remained closed, voice soft, half awake.
He leaned his head against the cushion. "Go to sleep, Powder. I'm right here."
"I wanted to stay up... with you." She admits, voice still soft and tired.
He smiles softly. "Don't worry about it. You have work tomorrow, right?"
She didn't answer. Except for her soft snores as her breathing evened out again. Ekko leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her temple. He backed away slightly to see if she'd stir. A few heartbeats later, he leaned in again, pressing a long, sweet kiss to her lips. His touch was feather light. Soft, just like her voice. Just like her lips.
The only problem now is that her hand has trapped his onto her cheek. But he's willing to stay in this position even if it gets uncomfortable.
He sat up straight again, bringing his other hand up to brush some more strands of hair away from her face. He wishes he had a blanket to cover her with. But, it isn't his home and he wouldn't know where to find one. Maybe eventually he will know where everything is past just the kitchen.
✮
The next day, Powder is back to working. The warm lights of the two-story home are a stark contrast to the bright colored toys she picks up off the ground. The four year old boy she babysat today was definitely a handful. She finally got him down for a nap, but not without a fuss. He refused to put up his toys— and rather than lose her temper with a child that's barely able to speak yet: She decided to put them away herself. At least the job is also over. His mom should be home from her shift at the hospital soon.
Powder feels bad for the woman. Working early shifts at the hospital, then coming home to this? The best she could do is clean up the house for her.
She, for one, is glad her only permanent babysitting job isn't this one. Once she was done putting away his toys, she closed his toy-box and shuffled it back into a safe corner of the living room.
Making her way to the sleek, modern kitchen, she opened the fridge, grabbing a container of strawberries. His mom said she could be free to everything in there, and that strawberries are his favorite. She'll be leaving soon, but might as well prep a snack for him later.
As she washed the strawberries, her mind flashed back to last night. Ekko's meal he made for her. She felt the love and care that goes into everything he does.
More importantly, she cursed herself out this morning for falling asleep with him there. She didn't even tell him a proper goodbye or a kiss goodnight. She just has a faint memory of him talking to her, his hand pressed to her cheek, his warm touch making her entire body relax. But, she can't tell if that was just a dream or not. When she woke up, he was gone.
The only thing left from him was a sticky note pressed on top of her kitchen counter. It said, 'Good luck today, Blue. Tell me all about it later?'
She read that note over and over again. And honestly, she would take it out to read it again right now if she had it with her. Blue. That's a new one, and she wanted to hear him say it for real.
Powder brought the strawberries over to the wooden cutting board. She grabbed a blue plastic bowl with a cartoon giraffe on the side, placing it next to the board. She grabbed a kitchen knife from a drawer and started slicing some strawberries into toddler bite-sized pieces.
She texted Ekko this morning, telling him good morning. She was even as brave as to send him a heart emoji with it. The thought made her cringe internally. The nerves of becoming a couple were something she only saw in movies. And experiencing it right now, she wanted nothing more than to get out of it. She's already grown comfortable with Ekko. So what was so different? She had no idea.
He returned her text pretty quickly, asking her how she slept. The conversation was flowing naturally all the way until she got busy babysitting. He also went to work so her phone was silent except for the occasional vibrations of other notifications coming in.
Once she was done cutting, she transferred the strawberries over to the bowl. Setting it aside in the fridge, she cleaned up the surface.
Just as she washed off the knife, her fingers slipped on the blade, slicing the skin of her left pointer finger. She winced, dropping the knife into the sink. Her finger was bleeding, a clean cut trickling with crimson.
She moved the knife to the disposal side of the sink before putting her finger under the water. She whimpered quietly, the initial pain beginning to seep in. Powder has had her fair share of cuts and bruises. This one is no different, and she didn't cut deep enough for it to be major. But it still hurt like hell.
She put her tongue on the cut, trying to stop the bleeding as she continued to rinse off the knife. She put it back into the sink, turning off the water behind it. She doesn't even have a bandaid. On cue, the front door near the kitchen unlocks. The mom walked in, her brown hair in a messy bun, scrubs clinging tight to her body.
Powder walked over to the door, finger pinched between her other hand. "Hey, I put him down for his nap a little bit ago." She smiled despite the pain.
The woman smiled back, closing the door softly behind her. "Thanks a million. I hope he didn't give you too much trouble."
"Nah, he's a champ." She lied. "Though he did try to bite me a couple of times.
The mom sighed, walking further into her home. She plopped her bag onto the counter. "I'm so sorry. I'm trying to work on his behavior."
"It's cool, you don't have to worry about it." She paused for a second before continuing. "Though, could I worry you with something else real quick?"
The woman looked confused before Powder removed her hand, revealing the bloodied mess. Her eyes widened, immediately going to grab her hand.
"Woah, what happened?"
She laughed awkwardly. "I was making him a snack then I accidentally got dicey." She winced. "But don't worry, it happened after I was done. His snacks in the fridge, blood free."
"Well, thank you for that. But let me patch you up." She began to lead her into the downstairs bathroom. Nurse mode and mom mode combined and was activated.
She began to clean up her wound, Powder trying so hard not to shrivel up and cry when the alcohol pad touched her skin. When she was done, she wrapped her finger in a bandaid with a cartoon dog print on it.
"All done. Sorry about the design, I don't have any plain ones." She laughed.
"No sweat, I think prints heal the wound faster. I have a bunch at home." She smiled.
"I think you're right." She picked up her good hand, giving it a squeeze. "Thanks again for babysitting. I really needed it."
She squeezed back, smiling. "No problem."
.
To Powders surprise, she received a huge tip from her. $240 dollars in cash for that? She should accidentally slice open her finger more often.
After she said her goodbyes, she hopped into her car. It's afternoon, twenty minutes before her shift at the car shop. Now she has a throbbing finger to go along with it. She drove off and out of the neighborhood, straight towards her other job.
When arriving, she parked in her usual spot and looked at her bandaid again. She smiled. Hopefully that woman will get some good night's sleep tonight.
Powder picks up her phone and texts Ekko.
[Pow] Just Now
just got done monster-sitting
She opened her phone camera and snapped a picture of her finger— The bandage covered in her blood.
[Pow] Just Now
┌Photo: strawberry juice or blood?
world may never know
Powder got out of her car, phone in hand. It vibrated and she checked for his message.
[Space Boy★] Just Now
Ouch. You okay?
Her lips twitched into a smile.
[Pow] Just Now
yea, it's shallow
still hurts like a bitch tho
could you kiss it better?
She laughed as the typing bubble popped up and disappeared. She crossed the street, entering the main office of the shop. The typical muffled sounds of machines wailing and men talking coming through the walls. Powder went behind the desk, clocking herself in. The sound of keys filled the air as her co-worker came in with a collected pair. He settled behind her, going through a box for a rear-view mirror replacement.
She checked her phone again to see his message.
[Space Boy★] 2 mins ago
I wish you could see my smile rn
Yea I'll kiss it better for you
She was about to reply, when a familiar voice scared her.
"Who are you texting?" Cait. Caitlyn. Caitlyn Kiramman. Sister in-law. Probably 6'0.
Powder looked up and sure enough it was her. This day couldn't get more eventful. She was alone, wearing a purple tank top paired with low rise jeans. A black purse swung lazily over her shoulder. Her dark blue hair swept over in a side part. She was smiling, a knowing look on her face.
She didn't answer her question. "What are you doing here?"
"What? Can I not be here?"
"No.. It's just- aren't there more lavish repair shops in your area?"
She put a hand on her hip, smile only growing. "Powder, I live thirty minutes away. Not a whole country."
She sighed, opening a drawer and picking out a clipboard with consent paperwork. She slid it towards Caitlyn.
"So, how many bites did you take out of him?" She picked up a pen, beginning to fill out her information.
Powder choked on her own spit. "What?"
"What? You told me you'd tell me, didn't you?"
She thought back to their conversation on the phone. Cait did in fact suggest taking a bite out of him. And she did tell her she'd tell her what happens. Powder looked behind her, making sure her co-worker was gone.
"Just one.."
She laughed. "That does explain your appearance last time."
Powder felt impossibly hot. She had almost forgotten about that part. "Yeah.. I- we were doing something when Vi called."
"Something?" She teased. "Woah, I-"
"Not like that! We-" She paused. "Actually, why am I telling you this?"
They stared at each other before bursting out laughing.
"Don't worry about the details. I'm happy for you."
Powders expression softened. "You're.. happy for me?"
Caitlyn finished filling out her information, sliding the clipboard back to her. "Of course. Your happiness is all I want."
Why did she have to be so nice. They were supposed to hate each other. She was supposed to hate her. Powder was supposed to stay away from home because Caitlyn was there.
Yet she couldn't stay mad at her. Not anymore.
Gods, she was going to make her cry in the middle of work.
"Thanks, Long legs."
Cait huffed out a laugh at the nickname.
She continued. "He asked me out yesterday. Right here at the shop."
"Romantic." She crossed her arms. "I knew something was in the air. The way you were smiling ear to ear at your phone."
"I wasn't!"
Caitlyn giggled. "You were. I saw the smile before I even walked in the building."
"That's normal for me."
"Trust me, it's different."
Powder hummed in a suspecting tone. "Okay, Cupid."
Powder picked up the clipboard, putting it away in a drawer and began to walk out the door, laughing sister in-law not far behind. Passing the rows of cars, some on full elevation. Jacks with chipping yellow paint pressed underneath tires. Some workers doing paint jobs outside the garage. When she reached the familiar black Lexus, she stopped.
Caitlyn settled beside her, car keys dangling from her hand.
"So what's wrong, anyways? I was expecting to see some damage or something."
"It's my headlights. They won't turn on." Caitlyn opened her car door and popped open the hood. She didn't even have to tell her.
"Hmm, okay. Did they already scan you in?"
"Apparently. You guys certainly work fast here."
Powder opened up the hood completely, looking inside. "I know. They learn from the best: Me."
She was about to reach in, when she remembered her cut. She'd definitely need gloves this time. Before she gets her hands covered in sludge and dirt. Getting an infection is the last thing she needs right now. She reached into her overall pocket, putting on her yellow and brown work gloves.
She walked over to a nearby shelf, looking up and down for Lexus headlight replacements. Finding one, she checks the price on it.
"Its three hundred."
Caitlyn reached inside her purse. "That's cheaper then I thought."
"You're impossible."
She smiled and handed her credit card. Powder took it like a sacred treasure.
"Damn, could I steal this?"
"Don't you wish."
She pouted before standing up, box of replacements in hand. "I dooo.. But I know you'd just replace it."
.
Powder went through with the payment and was all good to work. She handed Cait back her card as hurtful as it was and carted over her supplies.
She caught sight of her shoes. "...Are you wearing heels? No wonder you seem even more of a giant."
"Oh, yes." She pulled up on the flare of her jeans, revealing her black stilettos.
"Business on top, party on the bottom?" Powder teased, taking up a flathead screwdriver from the cart.
She snorted "Gods, your retorts are endless."
Going into the headlight assembly, she unplugged the electrical connectors from the current headlights. She hummed. "Dunno why you'd willingly want to wear heels on a random Tuesday."
Caitlyn fixed her pant leg. "To tell you the truth, they were the only pair at the front door and I went out in a hurry."
She began to unscrew the bolts holding the current headlights in place through the tight squeeze. "Now that takes skill."
It took a lot of push and pull, but she got the headlights out from the assembly.
.
Powder finished up her job, talking to Caitlyn here and there. She replaced the headlights, screwing them back in place and plugging the electrical back in.
"Alrighty, I'm done. Can you check them for me?" She slammed the hood shut.
Cait nodded and started her engine again. The headlights worked for every setting, blinding her even in the light.
Powder walked over to the driver's door. She smiled, rocking on her heels. "You're all set, Long legs. Tell Vi I said hi?"
"I'll let her know. She's looking forward to your next call."
"Of course.." She reached to tighten her ponytail. "I'm probably gonna be knocked out cold when I get home but maybe I'll catch her before then."
"Don't stress it. Let her be the cause of your sleep deprivation, she'll go crazy."
Powder giggled and rolled her eyes. "Oh, please."
With that, Caitlyn laughed and waved goodbye. She drove out of the garage— the hum of her Lexus disappearing with her.
....
The rest of the week blurred together. A routine of class, work, sleep. She underestimated it and her busy week leaked into the next. She met a few new faces. Some cool kids and some annoying ones. Lots of people driving in the repair shop with damages for her to fix. She saw Caitlyn and Vi. She saw her friends at university. But she didn't see Ekko.
Not until this afternoon.
They had planned it out, a first date. A proper one. He picked her up in his busted up car and she hugged him so tight surely he couldn't breathe properly. It was a long, warm embrace she didn't break free from for a while. Just took the time to feel his arms around her again. The scent of his cologne, the undertone of hazelnut he held.
He took her to a bowling alley. She preferred stuff like that, and so did he. They got competitive, equaling in them both trying to get more strikes than the other. Ekko won, and that was the most devastating part of the day. Nonetheless, she had the time of her life laughing and poking fun. Watching him closely as he aimed and tossed the bowling ball.
In the same building, there was a lazer tag room. She redeemed herself there, getting more shots than him. She had no trouble aiming at his targets even in the dimly lit room. Redemption, even in a skirt.
They had dinner together and soon enough it was late. The sun set long ago, and the street lights lit up the outside.
She got into the passenger seat of the car she's fixed so many times, on her way back home.
As he drived, he held her hand. It was so different than the first time. When she was drunk and singing her heart out. This time wasn't hazy and influenced. This time was pure and sober.
They arrived and parked outside her apartment building, and she suddenly didn't want to say goodbye just yet.
Ekko chuckled. "I just thought about how you were so confident in your throw only to get a gutter again."
"I'll get you next time. It was fair play when I kicked your ass in lazer tag anyway." Powder smirked, leaning back in the seat.
"I was about to win."
She shot back up with a grin. "No you weren't! You only got two shots."
"Two shots closer to winning." He teased, hand rested on top of the steering wheel.
"Mm.. Next time maybe you'll get three shots instead. I believe in you."
Ekko brought her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss on her knuckles. "Next time."
Powder was left wanting more. Always more with him. She missed him. The past two weeks felt like months. They were long and exhausting and he made it all worth it.
She leaned in and closed the space between them, planting a kiss on his lips. She pulled away just enough to look at him, reaching her hand up to cup his jaw.
"Next time.." She whispered before leaning in again. His hand traveled to the back of her neck as he kissed her back. Her hands immediately slid to his shoulders, deepening the kiss.
She wasn't going to leave abruptly again. She wasn't going fall asleep on him. She wanted to show him how much she loved him. Tell him, show him how much she needed him.
Powder wanted to get closer, but the car console between them kept them at a distance— Her knee briefly knocked up to it when she tried.
Ekko left her mouth and started trailing kisses down to her jaw, traveling down to her neck. She let out an involuntary gasp, letting her head fall back in surrender. She shuddered in anticipation when she felt his tongue hot on her neck. Her hand reached to tangle in his locs, keeping him there. Someone could pass by and see them in the car at any moment, yet she couldn't find the time to care. She couldn't focus on anything else but his mouth marking her.
"Wait.." Powder breathed out.
He came away from her neck, looking her straight in the eyes. His hand remained at the back of her neck— He was just as out of breath as she was.
She continued, "Come inside."
Not another word was needed to be said. He reached to turn off the engine, taking his key out of the ignition.
Ekko got out first, going over to the passenger side and opening the door for Powder to come out. He stole another kiss as she stood up, the tension still thick in the air.
She held his hand and led him inside to the elevator. It was quiet inside. Nobody in the lobby but them. Bonus points, the elevator was working. Soon the doors opened, and they walked in.
After pressing the button for her floor and the door closed behind them, she kissed him again. Her hands pulled on his shirt, trying to pull him closer and closer. They stumbled back, and Powder was now pinned to the elevator wall. She threw her purse on the floor as Ekko's hands traveled to her waist. She let out an embarrassing sound into his mouth, only making him hold on tighter. The small elevator felt so impossibly hot as they desperately chased each other.
"I love you." He whispered against her lips before closing their space again.
She couldn't even make a witty response because it was the truth for her, too. She's never felt so vulnerable, so in need of someone.
"I love you too." She whispered back between their kiss. One hand untangled from his shirt and instead reached underneath it. She explored with her hand, feeling the warmth of his skin. The sculpt of his waist, his heartbeat against his chest. He let out a sound she'll hear in her dreams tonight, his own fingertips beginning to slide underneath her top.
Then the elevator pinged, reminding her of their surroundings. She pulled away and grabbed her purse off the floor, taking his hand again. She hastily led him to her apartment, hands fumbling through her bag for her keys. Ekko stood behind her, waiting.
Powder finally got her keys in hand, shuffling through the keychains in a haze. She almost dropped them when she felt him start kissing her neck again. Starting from her nape traveling over to the side of her neck where he had been marking earlier, teeth grazing over it. She sighed and couldn't help but lean her head back again, landing on his shoulder.
"Ekko.. I can't.. I can't focus when you do that."
He didn't say anything, just continued suckling. His hands traveled down her arms, finding the key blindly. She stared in amazement as he unlocked the door all on his own. Her mind went blank again when she felt him lick over a spot he bit.
Powder turned around and met his lips again. Her hand knocked up against the doorknob a few times before actually getting it opened. They stumbled in, still tangled with each other. The door shut, and she heard him lock it. Her hand blindly found his holding her keys and took it from him. As they moved back she threw her keys onto the kitchen counter, followed by her bag. The two objects made clinking noises as they met the surface. At least her aim was still on point.
The back of her legs met her couch and she fell back onto it. They pulled away panting, eyes never leaving each other as he hovered over her. One hand held himself up and the other began to roam her frame. She squirmed under his touch, breath catching in her throat as his hand slid underneath her top. Warm hands found her skin once again. He leaned down to kiss her, and she met him halfway. Her hands grabbed at his shirt again, clinging to him.
She swept her tongue over his bottom lip and was soon met with his own. No interruptions this time. This is what she wanted to do all this time. She whimpered, fully tasting the sweetness of him.
Ekkos hand reached higher up, brushing her chest lightly. Then his hand slid from underneath her top all together. The slight protest in her head disappeared completely when his hand instead hiked up her skirt. The pleated fabric easily made room for his hand, letting her feel everything. His fingers started kneading at her thigh, his hand occasionally dipping down lower.
Powder pulled away breathless, looking him in the eyes. Her hand rested on his chest, feeling the warmth, feeling his heartbeat. He looked a mess, and she's sure she's no different. But the mess was caused by her. Caused by him.
She brought her other hand up to caress his cheek.
"Stay." She sighed. "Don't let go."
He pressed a kiss to her palm. "I won't let go."
She smiled, bringing him down to kiss him again. It's sweet, passionate, needy. She relished in the thought of more nights like this. The nights ending with tangled limbs and hickeys and the feeling of his arms around her.
Nothing could compare.
✮Epilogue - 7 years later✮
The sun shines brightly down on Powder. Out in their front yard, she fixes up the engine of the same busted up Honda. Yes, they still have it. She wipes sweat from off her brow and wipes her hands in her overalls.
Ekko comes out the house holding their toddler, Malia, in his hands. The little girls blue eyes piercing in the sunlight.
"I didn't think you'd actually fix it in this heat." He said as he settled beside her.
She smiled. "What? I gotta take care of our baby." Powder leaned down to kiss her daughter's head. "This one too."
He laughed at her antics. "Come inside, Blue. I'm sure my tires can survive this heat."
She caught his reference. "Ice and an industrial fan sure does sound nice right now."