Part 4

                                    

                                          
(TW: Self-harm/mental health issues)
Ekko stood from the balcony on the Firelight tree, looking down at the people going about their day. It was weird for everything to be normal now, after the devastation of the war, especially after Ekko had received some of the worst possible news- Jinx, his childhood friend, had died. After stopping her from killing herself all those times, only for it to happen not even a day after. After seeing her as Powder in the alternate universe. After realizing he liked her.
Through his childhood, the closest thing Ekko had felt to love was towards his father figure, Benzo, who raised him for as long as he could remember, until he died at the hands of Silco. That day, where he and Jinx teamed up for the war, while they painted each other's symbols on their bodies, was when he realized. He had planned to tell her his feelings after the battle, but he hadn't got the chance to.
Ekko walked down the steps to oversee the memorial wall, where Firelights were painting even more people, but Jinx's face was the most prominent. The likeness of the painting to her was so accurate that it would make Ekko feel another world of hurt every time he saw it. Fighting back tears, he pulled out his hoverboard and began to ride.
By the time Ekko got to Vander's statue, Caitlyn and Vi were already there. "Hey, Little Man," Vi said. She had put on a smile, but Ekko could clearly see in her eyes that she was devastated. Ekko hugged her in greeting and looked at the materials for the statue of Jinx they were going to build. Many sheets of scrap metal, nails, bolts, and other things were among the pile. Taking a deep breath, Ekko, Caitlyn, and Vi got to work.
Hours later, when they got to constructing Jinx's long braids, Vi began to cry silently, her tears making little plinks as they dropped onto the metal. Caitlyn stopped her work and held Vi's hand, whispering comforting words into her ear. Ekko watched the scene, being reminded of that night in the alternate universe when he and Powder danced and kissed. He began to wonder what could've been with him and Jinx if he had told her earlier, or been there to catch her when she fell. The thoughts consumed him, and before he knew it, he had cut himself with the sharp metal. He didn't say a word and continued to work, oddly finding solace in the pain.
By the time they were done with the statue, it was midnight, and the glowing light from all of the neon signs illuminated it. Jinx was standing next to Vander, her Pow-Pow gun by her side and her braids flying. The three lit candles, and Ekko left a note:
Dear Jinx,
I know that you're probably not going to see this, but here we are. I just wanted to say, I'm sorry. For not believing in you, for not being there, for everything. I hate myself for not doing anything. If I had stepped in, or even just talked to you, maybe we wouldn't be here now. I went through some things before I came back that day, and I realized- I like you. I know it's stupid, but I wanted to tell you after... all of this. But when I found out that you were gone, I regretted not telling you before. Anyways, I hope you're doing good, wherever you are out there.
Love, Ekko.
Vi, Caitlyn, and Ekko walked around the undercity for a while before leaving. Ekko and Vi pointed out the places they would go as children and recounted memories, making each other laugh. Caitlyn and Vi exchanged small interactions as they talked, Vi readjusting Caitlyn's eyepatch, while Caitlyn messed with Vi's hair. Seeing them flirt and joke were like punches to Ekko, being reminded once again of Jinx and Powder.
Once they had said their goodbyes and Ekko had gone back to the Firelight base and his room, he picked up a knife with shaky hands.