Work Text:
Before he ever looks up from the notebook of doodles and equations in front of him, Ekko can feel her presence, almost sensing the anxiety rolling off of her. After he thought she died not once, but twice, he has become hyper aware of when she’s in the room. “Hey Jinx, what’s up?” he asks without looking up from his work. When there isn’t a response after a few moments, he looks up and sees Jinx hovering nervously in the doorway.
Her hair has grown out quite a bit in the months since the battle with Noxus, the purple color now gone and her blue locks once again in two braids that reach to the middle of her back. She shifts her weight from one foot to the other and fidgets with her hands. She keeps her gaze focused on the ground, not making eye contact with her boyfriend as she stands in the doorway of the room that was originally the second bedroom but has been turned into a makeshift lab.
Despite the fact that they started dating a couple of months before they moved in together, they both insisted on finding a place to live with two bedrooms. But the queen-sized bed for Jinx’s room arrived first, and she insisted that Ekko stay with her that first night in their new place, refusing to let him sleep on the floor. They canceled the delivery of Ekko’s bed the very next day, and the room that was going to be Ekko’s quickly became their shared workspace.
“Hey, what’s up Jinx? You okay?” Ekko asks, setting his pencil down and turning his focus to his girlfriend.
Jinx lifts her gaze to meet his eyes for just a moment, before looking back towards the ground. “Sorry, I didn’t realize you were working,” she says in a voice that sounds smaller than her voice normally sounds.
“Nothing to apologize for,” Ekko says, and Jinx lifts her gaze again at this, keeping her eyes on him this time. “You know I’m always happy to take a pause for you. What’s up?”
Jinx shakes her head. “It’s not important enough for you to stop working,” she insists.
Ekko gives her a look. He can see the thoughts racing in Jinx’s head, knowing that she’s holding herself back from saying what’s on her mind. “Hey,” he says, standing up from his chair and instead leaning against the desk. “What’s going on in that brilliant brain of yours?” he asks.
He wants to close the gap between them, to hold her in his arms until her anxiety fades away. But Jinx doesn’t always react to being held in a positive way, and the last thing that Ekko wants is to risk potentially triggering her. So instead he stays where he is, respecting her space unless she says otherwise.
Jinx mumbles something, clearly nervous to tell Ekko whatever is on her mind as her gaze darts around the room, her eyes not quite meeting his. “What was that?” Ekko asks her.
She lets out a little whine, continuing her nervous fidgeting. “Can you… can you cuddle with me?” she asks in a shy voice, her cheeks flushing a little as she peaks up at Ekko through her eyelashes.
A wave of relief hits Ekko and he feels himself relax, now that he knows what Jinx needs from him. “Of course baby,” he says, crossing the room in just a few strides and opening his arms for her. Jinx falls into them, burying her face in his chest. He wraps his arms around her, gently rubbing her back. “Do you want to stay here? Or would you rather go cuddle in bed?”
“In bed,” Jinx answers, her voice slightly muffled with her face buried in his chest. Ekko nods, and is about to let go of her so they can go to their bedroom when Jinx lets out another whine, clinging to Ekko tighter. “Don’t let go of me,” she whispers, just loud enough for Ekko to hear. when Jinx lets out another whine, clinging to him tighter. “Please, don’t let go of me,” she whispers.
Ekko smiles at the girl wrapped in his arms. “Of course I won’t let go of you,” he murmurs. Suddenly, he lifts Jinx off the ground and into his arms, and she immediately wraps her legs around him. He carries her into their bedroom, setting her down on the bed and quickly climbs onto the mattress after her. “C’mere baby,” he says, holding out his arms to her.
Jinx wastes no time curling up in his arms, her back pressed against his front. Ekko wraps his arms around her upper body, his legs wrapping around her hips as he holds her in place. For a few minutes they’re both silent as Jinx slowly but surely relaxes into his hold, melting into Ekko’s arms as he cuddles her close.
After a few minutes, Ekko hears a small whisper from Jinx, but he can’t quite make out what she’s saying. “What’s up darling?” he asks, gently guiding her to roll over to her other side so she’s facing towards him, his legs once again wrapping around her lower body to hold her against him. Jinx lets out a shy whine, ducking her head to avoid Ekko’s gaze as her cheeks flush with warmth. “Hey, there’s no need to be shy,” Ekko says, as he gently takes Jinx’s chin in his hand and tilts her head up to look at him. Even in the low light of the room, he can see the faint pink blush coating Jinx’s cheeks. “What’s on your mind, little lady?”
Jinx slowly meets Ekko’s eyes. “Thank you for cuddling with me,” she says in a shy voice. “I’m sorry I interrupted you, I didn’t—”
“Don’t apologize,” Ekko says, cutting her off with a finger to her lips. “You have nothing to apologize for.”
“But you were working,” Jinx protests. “And I don’t want to burden you with my needs if you have work to do.” Even though Jinx’s self-esteem has improved significantly in the past few months, the old feelings of insecurity come creeping back in every so often.
Fortunately for Jinx, Ekko is always there to reassure her. “You’re not a burden,” he says, still holding Jinx’s chin in his hand as he speaks, his other hand resting on her back. “I promise, there is nothing that you could ever say, or do, or ask for that would ever make you a burden. I love you, and you are so much more important to me than my work. I promise, you are never burdening me by asking for what you need.”
Jinx is silent for a moment, letting Ekko’s words wash over her. “Okay,” she says in a soft voice. “Thank you.”
Ekko smiles fondly at her. “You’re welcome,” he says. “I’m so proud of you for asking for what you needed from me.” He sees the flush in Jinx’s cheeks deepen ever so slightly, and he rubs his thumb across the warm skin. “You’ve been doing so good,” he praises. Jinx lets out a flustered whine, burying her face in Ekko’s neck, causing her boyfriend to let out a laugh. Jinx still isn’t quite used to being told that she’s doing something good, and the praise still gets to her every time.
After a moment, Jinx lifts her head from Ekko’s chest and looks up at him shyly. “I love you,” she says, her voice almost a whisper.
“I love you too,” Ekko replies, leaning in closer to her until their foreheads are pressed together. “Can I kiss you?” he asks, wanting to make sure that she’s comfortable.
Jinx nods. “Yes please,” she says, her voice a little less quiet now. Ekko tilts her chin up once again, before pressing his lips against hers in a long, slow kiss. As he begins to pull away, Jinx tugs him back in, initiating the kiss herself this time. “Can we just stay like this for a little longer?” she asks when they eventually break apart from each other.
“We can stay like this for as long as you want,” Ekko says, pulling her back into his chest and wrapping his arms and legs around her body once again. “I’m not going anywhere, I promise. I’ll be right here for as long as you need.”