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Ekko's heartbeat always comforted Jinx.
Ever since they were young.
No matter how steady, or how agitated it was, it always comforted her. Because it was his, it comforted her.
Today was no different.
Jinx was over at Ekko's house, lounged on a bean-bag-type cushion he had. He had gone out for a few minutes, to the bathroom, or something. He'd invited her over after he noticed that look she wore.
She pretended she didn't know why, acted as if she was clueless as to why he'd invited her over. She wasn't.
The last few days had been excruciatingly exhausting. Test, after test, after final, after project, over, and over again. Her college essay was due soon. She'd sworn she'd do it as quickly as possible, but apparently that wasn't fast enough, because now she was rushing to finish it.
Everything was going to change, and honestly? It absolutely terrified her. She and Ekko were applying to the same colleges, pursuing the very same dream they'd talked about since they were just about four feet tall, but now they actually had to do it. She feared so much, that with all the pressure, and changes, and life, maybe… maybe he'd stop loving her.
Earlier that day, Ekko had asked her if she was okay. He'd noticed the way her eyes glossed over in class whenever teachers mentioned the future, the way her eyes became more pink-rimmed as the time passed, the way she'd zone out uncharacteristically in conversations that would typically excited her. She'd responded:
"I think I am. At least I will be." And a sigh. It was the truth. She wasn't okay, she knew that much, but she wasn't going to worry him more than he already was, so she worded it in a way to make it… easier.
Despite this, Ekko told her to come over. Treat herself, let him treat her with all the care in the world, as if she were as delicate and beautiful as a rose in the winter cold.
He loved her. He really did. Jinx knew that; He made sure she did. Every chance he could, he took it to remind her how much she truly means to him. Taking her soft hands, kissing them, kissing her, with all the care, and consideration there will ever be.
She wouldn't ever know what she'd do without him. She was strong herself, but he meant everything to her as she did to him
The thought of ever losing him caused a tear to stray away, slowly but surely running down her cheek, and soon enough, a couple others accompanied it.
She tried to brush them away, but as soon as she did, more streamed down.
The knot in her throat tightened each time she tried to swallow it down, enough to make her breath quicken. Jinx began to claw at the hem of her shirt, doing anything to get this sensation away from her.
Then, footsteps echoed in the hall.
Jinx' hand flew over her mouth. Why was she so scared? Her mind was racing, spanning between "what if he thinks I'm finally too much, and decides to leave me? Like everyone else?" To "Idiot. Is that how badly you think of him? You think he'd leave?" No! She wanted to cry out.
She choked out a sob, still one hand over her mouth, the other trying to stretch the hem of her shirt as far from her as possible, but she wasn't doing much considering how badly she'd begun to shake.
Footsteps quickened. And finally, Ekko was at the door. His entire face dropped. Eyes scanning over her completely, hands slightly raising then lowering,
Ekko's voice pierced through the silence between the two. "Hey, hey, hey!" He dropped himself onto his knees, getting as close to Jinx as he could without touching her. His tone softened, inching his hands a bit closer to her. "Is it okay..?" To which she just swallowed hard, accompanied by a quick, repeated nod.
At the sight of confirmation, he instantly got right next to her. Pulling her in, arms slowly wrapping around her upper body, her head softly slamming against his chest. "Come 'ere, love." He cooed. "It's going to be okay, okay?" His fingers rubbed slow, deliberate circles over her back, an attempt to get her breathing to slow.
"Breathe with me, okay?"
Jinx simply nodded, her vision still blurred.
In.
Out.
In.
Out.
Then over again.
Until her breaths turned softer, calmer, like a rainbow after a storm.
His voice stayed as soft and comforting as ever. "There you go, baby. See? It's okay, it's okay. Can you talk, love? What happened?"
Jinx took a big gulp. Opened her mouth, and then closed it, then let it gape open once more, then leaned in to leave a warm, chaste kiss on Ekko's lips. Her teeth softly nibbled on his lips, the kiss still as innocent as their first.
Once they broke apart, Jinx let out a small, wet, childlike giggle. Each time she kissed him felt like she was over the moon.
Ekko grew a small, happy, barely noticeable grin at the sight of Jinx being herself again, but he attempted his question once again. "Jinx," he warned, tone teasing. "Are you gonna answer my question?"
Jinx fluttered her lashes which were not getting stuck onto one another from the dampness, and slightly moved her shoulders. "I don't know, what was it?" She responded, voice ten times more teasing and silky than his.
"Jinx. What happened?"
She hummed, "I got sad.."
"Yeah, I got that," he unwrapped his arms from her and sat beside her, bumping her shoulders with his. "But why?"
"Hm…" She hesitated "I.. I guess I just.. missed you."
Ekko's brows furrowed, doubtful, but he took it anyway.
He wrapped his arm around her once more, tucking her neatly against his chest, a gesture she knew so well, and held her in place.
He turned to her, letting out a soft breath, drawing up his thumb to gently caress her face. "Are you okay now, sweetheart?"
She let out a tiny, giggle she'd been holding upon hearing the name.
The corners of Jinx' mouth slightly pulled up. "I think so, I really do."
She leaned further into him, now completely lying on his chest, and curling inwards. At this he said nothing, simply gazed at her with the most intimacy a look can hold, and adjusted his hands to keep her in place easier.
She could hear his heart beading now. Slow, steady, safe, as it always was and will be.
She remained still, eyelids lowly fluttering shut. She felt as Ekko's chest moved up and down with each breath he took, his heart never destabilizing.
Her breathing matched his, unhurried, and finally at peace.
And soon enough, she drifted into sleep.
★ ★ ★
Jinx began to stir, head still against Ekko's chest.
"Ugh," she groaned, hands going up to wipe her swollen eyes. When she looked back at her palm, it was streaked black. Her brows furrowed in confusion but then… "I cried off mascara?! I could've sworn it was waterproof!"