Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Viktor was already dead. No technology, no medical miracle could save him. Jayce accepted this on some level, but that didn't stop him from heaving the enormous pillar fragment off of him or attempting CPR, nor did it stop him from gathering his mangled body and rushing three blocks to the lab in the hopes that anything would bring him back. 

Almost anything. 

Dark magic, sacrificing himself… he was willing to do whatever it took, regardless of the cost. Trying not to hyperventilate, he flipped through their research in frantic desperation, as if there was still a time limit, but then he noticed that the Hexcore was acting very different from when he last saw it. He knew it was evolving, but this… It seemed to beckon Jayce, like it wanted Viktor and was reaching for them. It managed sparks of contact and Viktor's augmented limbs moved in response as if controlled by it, but they resisted its pull, his face briefly reanimated only to immediately become contorted in an agony Jayce had never witnessed before. Everything left of Viktor was fighting back and suffering. It was hurting him. Even in Jayce's panic and hope at seeing him "alive," he felt uneasy, like a sinister, possessive force strained towards them. If Viktor had already trusted it with part of him, perhaps it could save his life… but Jayce could still see the haunted look on his face when he begged Jayce to destroy it, when he promised he would. There must have been a reason, one that Viktor nearly willingly took to an early grave. They had drifted apart ever since he became a councilor, but when they'd looked over that second ledge together, when they later advocated for Zaun, it was like nothing had really changed between them. All they ever wanted was to do good, and they weren't alone when they had each other.

Jayce didn't want to live without him, but he didn't think he could live with himself if he didn't trust Viktor's judgement about his own project — one he barely recognized anymore — and betrayed him in such an intrusive, harmful manner. 

Jayce wasn't the best at achieving desired results from anything, to the point that he was almost convinced he himself was hexed, but he always wanted to help people, Viktor most of all. He was conflicted about his options right until he faced the thing and knew in his gut that he needed to protect Viktor — what remained of him — from it. Despite being suspended in place, it was continuing to draw Viktor towards it against his will, trying to ensnare his corpse in its foreboding energy. It had made substantial gains by the time Jayce finally made up his mind. He grabbed the Mercury Hammer and brought it down with all of his strength, grunting from the effort. It shrieked — a piercing, otherworldly drone — as its forcefield shattered and electrocution attempts failed. It targeted his arms, and upon impact it electrified his entire hammer with the blindingly bright explosion-turned-implosion, purple lightning funneling towards him as all surrounding energy was miraculously channeled into his wristband, saving him but draining the hammer's gem as well. 

The rune was overcharged, white hot and sparking. He dropped the dead hammer in a hurry to rip off his wristband, fearing it was now a bomb. He went to throw it and shelter Viktor, but then he noticed that Viktor was gone. He hadn't been paying attention while he was fighting the core, and there was no indication of what happened… but the sparks in the carved stone gave way to fissures, and he realized its physical integrity, like Viktor's, couldn't survive. Acceleration was in the subcategory of Teleportation, so it wasn't entirely farfetched to think Viktor might've been taken into it with the rest of the disconnected magic, like electrons from a cloud. But if he was both dead and teleported or transported into it, then losing it would mean losing any chance of revival. He thought of the mage, of Viktor's slight smile when he handed the wristband back, and clasped it tightly between his hands with thumbs interlocked, curling around it like a shield and gritting his teeth as the rune seared itself into his palm. Instead of another volatile magic release, it gradually disintegrated and fell through the gaps like ethereal sand, ceasing to exist before it could even hit the ground. All of its energy became assimilated with Jayce, and then the tension and heat ended in a flash, leaving him staggering forward. He slid to the floor with a soft groan and just sat there for several minutes, slumped against the wall recovering as he got used to its recursive impulse. Once he caught his breath, he dared to loosen his grip, then tentatively peeked into his hands. 

The only sign that it had ever been there was a mirror image of the rune, shimmering blue and set in his palm. There were no burns, but it felt tender.

He couldn't tell if Viktor was even in there. For a moment, he just examined it shakily before murmuring his name and then feeling stupid when there was no response. He considered taking the opportunity to have a one-sided heart-to-heart with his hand while he was at it, but he was exhausted and couldn't find the will to. He pressed the mark to the center of his chest, blank hand atop it, and pretended he was holding him. It zapped him lightly but he didn't care. The tears he'd managed to stave off until then with adrenaline were finally getting through. He hung his head and choked out a strangled sob. 

The grief was debilitating, crashing down on him all at once and roaring in his ears. He felt like a hole had been ripped through his chest, leaving a wound that would never heal and taking with it what could never be replaced. The overwhelming emptiness ached to the point that he couldn't think about anything else, just the pain of it, but by shifting his focus to it fully, he found the faintest ember of hope. There was something resonating deep within his core. It felt weak, barely perceptible and seeming to flicker out of existence in an erratic manner. He knew he needed to stabilize it before it could get extinguished or lost in him forever.

The hammer's gem had probably given it the energy to appear at all. He hauled himself up and frantically searched the lab. There were few gems just laying around these days, so he went to pilfer the one from Viktor's Hexclaw glove, feeling a little guilty despite remembering Viktor saying that their work needed to be destroyed. Before he could remove the gem, though, his rune palm latched onto it like a powerful magnet upon contact, eliciting a yelp from him as he drained it of all energy. He wasn't able to break free until it was empty, but the terror was being replaced by slightly stronger hope. He hurried around, collecting and draining every single gem he could find. They seemed to be giving him energy he could use, too. 

He knew he needed substantially more— he needed to take down the Hexgates along with their research, anyway. He couldn't let any Hextech remain operable. If they had managed to figure out how to mass-produce the gems or even just stabilize them outside of their own lab, he would've been boned, but they were the only people who prepared each crystal, hence the Hexgates taking that much longer to be ready. 

They were worth the investment if they could bring Viktor back. 

He didn't have to sneak or lie or argue. He didn't even encounter anyone nearby for the duration— which had to have been almost a day, because he caught a glimpse of the sunset when he returned from Zaun. Everyone was preoccupied with the aftermath of the attack. 

The warmth of each energy transfer had sunken into his bones, keeping him from freezing— he naturally ran hot, but he found himself needing to shed his jacket until it was over. It was comforting to sense that Viktor was growing stronger. He had no idea what to expect, if he himself would end up dying, but as long as Viktor survived, he didn't care. 

Only the gems stolen by Jinx and Vi remained usable once he finished. By that time, Viktor's essence was stable but still unresponsive. He wasn't sure what sorts of responses he could get or if he'd ever find out, but he could feel him in there — somehow unmistakably him, just existing — all the same. It made him a little lightheaded to think about, but it remained a sort of odd comfort. He hauled himself back to the lab and dragged his cot out of the closet, exhausted, then fell asleep with a hand over his heart, knowing that his body would keep him as "alive" as possible.

When he awoke, it was to a blue glow in the center of his chest, so bright that it shone through his shirt and blanket. Viktor felt even stronger. He cried quietly from relief and held the rune palm to the side of his face until he fell back asleep, dreaming of spongy, iridescent matter dissolving into floaty blue specks with that hand. The rune was white there and he himself appeared to have the same consistency as the gems under his transparent skin, eternally swirling. He was assnaked but didn't seem to even have an ass or tits anymore, just vague, smoothed outlines of them. He realized that he was lucid dreaming for the first time, which startled him more than anything else happening until he saw Viktor unconscious. 

He looked like he did when they first met, but with the same hair he had when he died. He was… suspended in the spongy stuff and bound by silvery gold and dark purple metals like a web all the way up to the sides of his face. Every fiber of Jayce's being screamed that he was trapped, that it was the remnants of the Hexcore. He raced — drifted, really, as if they lacked anything resembling known physics — over as fast as possible, yelling his name at the top of his lungs over and over, which was barely above a normal speaking voice. When he finally reached him, he cupped the sides of his face and started subconsciously radiating the warm, blue light. The materials began to dissolve away in ripples, pulses, from the touch, revealing healthy skin underneath. His “body” aside from his head was the same blinding white as the rune and as undefined as Jayce's, still floating in place after he was freed. Jayce continued to cradle his face, crying once more, and rested his forehead against his. 

              “Please come back,” he whispered, thumbing a cheekbone.

There was no response, but he stayed like that until he woke up, then curled around himself, closing his damp eyes and hugging his chest as he focused on feeling his heart beating under the glow. His breaths evened out with time. 

             “... You're going to be ok,” he murmured after a slow exhale, placing his hand over the spot. “I promise.” 

Chapter Text

                “Man, here I was feeling sorry for myself,” she quipped, tone sad and gentle, contrasting a series of thunks followed by loud metal clanks and pistons releasing. 

He startled upright, not remembering having fallen back asleep yet again. The lab was illuminated only by his glow. He bunched the blanket around it protectively, not unlike someone caught naked.

      “Who's there?!” 

His voice was hoarse and his face still puffy from all the crying. 

               "Easy, prettyboy,” she laughed, again in that quiet, distinct tone. “You think better in the dark?” 

He looked around with difficulty but spotted the gauntlets’ gems on his desk.

      “How- How did you get in?” 

               “Don't worry about it.” 

…

               “The door was unlocked; I would've knocked, but all the lights are off. Didn't think you were having a sleepover.” 

He was alarmed at the realization that he forgot to lock the door in his tired delirium. 

      “... Why are you here?”

               “Can't a girl drop in mysteriously? Goddamn... Relax already; I'm not here for your magic pecs.”

…

      “What.”  

               “The- That thing,” she gestured. “You know you only dimmed it, right? I wasn't going to ask, but you're acting sketchy as hell. Thought you were gonna shoot lasers from your eyes for a second there.” 

He glanced down and noticed she was right. Still, he opted to pull the blanket tight around him for a sense of safety, instinctively wanting to hide Viktor. He felt a little ridiculous, so he preoccupied himself with flicking the lightswitches, then squinted as his eyes adjusted.

               “It's not that visible now… Maybe add another layer,” she offered, taking in the mess around her. “What happened here?” 

He sat back down and deflated. 

      “Science, I guess,” he muttered, struck with nostalgia. 

               “Tit science, I like it.”

…

      “It's… an experiment. Please don't tell anyone.” 

               “... Is it dangerous?” 

      “Probably not. There's a possibility of me spontaneously combusting, but I haven't discovered any other hazards.” 

…

               “Works for me,” she shrugged, kicking back in his chair. “I kind of owe you one.” 

      “You brought them back,” he nodded towards the gauntlets. 

               “... My sister killed him because I failed to stop her. I'm sorry.” 

      “It was my idea to create the power source, and I didn't safeguard it well enough.” He rubbed his brow. “This was all avoidable... I feel like shit.”

               “Your looks aren't deceiving… Sorry, again. Reaching for levity.”

      “It's fine,” he smiled weakly. “I needed to get out of my head for a bit.” 

               “... Seriously, though, are you… ok? I've seen shit, but never a science magic crashout.” 

.........

      “Viktor saved my life and gave it meaning, but he's so, so much more than that... He saw me in ways that no one else can; he magnified all of my hopes and dreams. He dragged himself up here from the fissures while I just... waltzed in. He was brilliant in every manner of the word; he'd spring the most profound things out of nowhere... funny as hell, the most compassionate and beautiful soul I've ever known, quick-witted, zero bullshit, unwavering in ambition and uncompromising on ethics... I don't know why I'm telling you this, but it felt like we could do the impossible together— I'm not sure I can fix anything without him. His life was constant suffering in the pursuit of helping others, out of the spotlight, and I guarantee only one person in this city would mourn him on her own... I feel like I killed him, even before that. He was terminal and I kept abandoning him to make pisspoor decisions. If I spent more time here, I... We might've......" He shook his head as if using the movement to redirect his train of thought. "My best friend's mom is dead, too, because of me. Between that and the factory, I don't even know what my body count is. He was against us using Hextech for weapons, and I... I just wish I could bring him back."

Vi was at a loss for words. He looked like he had been crying for a long time and sounded like he was going to start again. After a moment of hesitation, she stood, ready to offer an awkward pat.

               “... On the bright side, you inadvertently killed Silco.” 

      “What? No!”

She flinched in surprise. 

…

               “Thought that would be good news.”

He leaned forwards to run his fingers through his hair and then hold his head like that.

…

      “We almost made a treaty with him— a decent one, all things considered, that would've helped both of our cities. It took me and Viktor hours, but we convinced the council to grant Zaun independence and rights. It was so fucking close to becoming reality! The vote was finalized right as the missile struck. He would've returned the gem, dismantled Shimmer — he said he already got halfway through that process — and given us Jinx.”

               “Oh, I do have good news, then. His dying words were that he'd never give her up.” 

…

      “Well, fuck.” 

               “More good news: if you fix my gloves, I'll use them to hunt her down and pry your gem out of her trigger-happy hands.” 

His eyes widened in alarm. He hesitated for a moment, then sighed. 

      “I need to think it over... And they're the Atlas Gauntlets, which are still mine.” 

               “God, you and Cait either share a Piltie braincell or spend too much time together.” 

He managed a tired laugh at that but quickly sobered.

      “I've been so busy lately, I feel like I've only seen her for… work things. And now she's dealing with this alone— what the hell am I doing camping out here?” 

               “Apparently trying not to die?” 

…

      “Something like that... I don't even know how much time has passed since…” 

               “At least a day and a half.” 

      “Shit,” he hissed, springing to his feet and then steadying himself. “I need to be there yesterday and a half.” 

               “Hey, hey, simmer down. Don't go combusting on me. I'm not gonna sugarcoat it: you're a fucking mess who can't be there for her right now.”

      “I need to be.” 

               “Need to be a fucking mess in front of her and get worse neglecting your shitshow, like it'll help either of you at all? … She's not alone, and I'm pretty sure she understands. I promise I'll check on her and go to the funeral.” 

…

      “Thank you. She's lucky to have such a good friend.” 

…

               “Sure, why not,” she snorted. “See you soon, loverboy. And for fuck's sake, take care of yourself. She doesn't need to lose you too.”

She headed to the door, but Jayce found words before she could leave. 

      “It wasn't your fault, Vi. You didn't pull the trigger.” 

She froze in place and fell silent for a while, facing away with her hand on the doorknob. When she finally spoke, she still wasn't able to look at him, but there was a firm sort of kindness in her voice, albeit strained.

               “Neither did you.”

Chapter Text

It took him all of thirty seconds to decide to drain the gauntlets once she left. He did take her advice to heart— afterwards, he splashed his face in the sink and brushed his teeth but didn't bother shaving or combing his hair. He donned gloves to cover the rune and settled on just strapping a plate of scrap metal to his chest under the blanket, closing his dirty coat over it so that he could go home without drawing too much attention. He needed to shower, but he hadn't eaten in over a day and a half, and he only vaguely recalled drinking from the faucet a couple of times. He dragged himself up the stairs to his dorm, gripping the railing like a lifeline and hoping no one would walk by. The notion crossed his mind that if someone of status had needed accessibility, maybe Viktor would've suffered less each day. Everything was stairs in Piltover, which made him wonder what happened to residents who could no longer use them. He had yet to see anyone in that category who wasn't a homebound senior. Whenever he thought about these things, he just got angrier and more disgusted. 

Right now, though, he needed to not pass out. He was shaky, tunnel vision encroaching.

He made it into his dorm, remembered to lock the door, and slid to the floor, shedding his layers and recovering for a few minutes before scooting over to the fridge and rummaging. He barely bought groceries anymore because he ate out at fancy events and council meetings so often, and when he wasn't, there was the cafeteria, or Sky surprising them with treats. He was nauseous from not eating for so long, and most of the things left in his fridge were useless, like condiments, or expired, save for the glass bottle of sweetmilk Viktor had given him years ago that he kept in the hopes of being able to offer him it if he visited. As it turned out, sweetmilk from Zaun was translucent artificial milk with sugar substitute, but it was dense in nutrients and protein. Viktor used it as a meal replacement whenever he was too sick to eat and/or forgot that bodies need food, which meant he basically lived off of it. It was a wonder he still liked it. It matched him well enough, though: pragmatic, yet sweet. He'd said it was expensive by undercity standards, like some elixir of life or infant formula, so once he had a salary, that was the first thing he bought and stocked up on. It apparently never expired or even required refrigeration until opening; it just looked questionable. Viktor explained all of this to him passionately on the day he was gifted that bottle. Guilt and regret bubbled up again. He'd never tried it, and by the time he finally got around to inviting Viktor over, his state was too poor for those damned stairs. He didn't even let Jayce carry him up the Academy ones. 

He sat against the fridge, unscrewed the lid, and took several wary sniffs. It smelled fine, so he took an even warier taste, tilting a few drops onto his tongue. It was sugary— he wasn't sure what he expected. Hunger caught up with him all at once, a pang seizing his stomach that was quelled by him chugging half the bottle but replaced with hiccups. He slowed down, switching to intermittent sips and just savoring it. He wished Viktor could see him, that they could make one more sex joke together. Sometimes they forgot Sky was there and subjected her to deadpan, nonchalant, entirely unhorny conversations like:

“Weren't you going to get lunch with us?” “No, I will be guzzling cum in the name of multitasking.” “Ah.”

“Fuck, I'm starving...” “Have you considered partaking in the guzzling of my sweet cum?” “Maybe another time; I'm craving something solid and spicy.” “There is always this sausage.” “You want me to eat your vick?” “Eh, sure. Have at it.” “... Never change, Dicktor.” “I can make no such promises.” 

One of the greatest mysteries to them was why she never quit. He wondered if she knew about Viktor yet; he hoped not, because he figured he should be the one to tell her.

He turned the bottle upside down, mouth around its neck, and let the cool remnants dribble down his throat, tonguing the inside rim for what he couldn't reach. Once he gave up trying to get every single milliliter, he laid back with a content sigh and licked his lips, hands over his middle in bliss as he waited for his blood sugar to stabilize. He felt better already, but he still teared up thinking about not getting to hear Viktor's bad jokes anymore. He would've given his leg for Viktor to say he was glad he enjoyed his cum, that he was full of it; anything to see him smirk again. He always looked so triumphant at how he could get Jayce to genuinely smile and laugh. 

He almost fell asleep, but the position was uncomfortable and he felt sticky from sweat, so he pulled himself up with the counter, peeled his remaining clothes off, and dragged himself into the bathroom for a quick, cold shower. It helped. He flopped onto his bed and fell asleep near-instantly atop the blanket, barely censored by his towel. He was starting to worry that this exhaustion would never go away, that it was the consequence for making his body process so much magic, but he had also neglected the hell out of himself. In any case, he seemed to be recovering well enough, just incomprehensibly tired. Sometimes he dreamt of that astral plane, sometimes he blacked out instead. Sometimes he felt like he would see Viktor or his floating avatar, but it didn't happen. He chose to fill his conscious mind with their happier memories, brought out the clipping of them winning the Distinguished Innovators award — they had rumpled clothes and bags under their eyes, so prominent that they showed up in that small, low resolution photo, but they were grinning at each other all the same, Viktor a bit flustered at being drawn in by his broad arm — and flipped through his doodles of Viktor in old journal entries, recalling his godawful attempt at painting Viktor's face over his on a “Man of Progress” mug. It had left Viktor gripping the handle and his cane for dear life as he tried not to crack up. Politeness was not a skill he possessed or wanted to, but he did try hard not to be hurtful. When Jayce had started laughing about the mug, it was like a dam burst, Viktor's whole body shaking as he wheezed, in stitches, eyes watering. Once he could speak, he told Jayce it was the greatest gift he had ever been given, to which Jayce beamed but then pointed out that he upgraded his cane and made the brace. Viktor smiled and said they fell under a different category. Jayce was just happy for this glimpse at him being happy. He wished he could've bottled it and kept it beside the sweetmilk, for emergencies. 

Sometimes, intrusive thoughts of Viktor's corpse haunted him— in particular, the moments when he was pseudo-reanimated. Jayce felt sick imagining all that he didn't know. He knew Viktor had been in pain his entire life, but this… he never saw him express it on such a soul-deep level. It hurt to witness, like the sounds of an animal snatched by a predator, as Viktor resisted, fighting tooth and nail against the Hexcore with what little strength it was lending to trap him. 

At the least, Jayce knew he wasn't suffering anymore. His essence continued to provide comfort and ground him, unwavering like a beacon. 

Mel stopped by an unknown amount of time later. Part of him trusted her with seeing it, but the wildly protective part of him won over. He strapped the metal plate back on over a tank but under a loose shirt, making a mental note to find a better alternative, then draped the blanket over his shoulders and donned his gloves. He didn't care if he looked stupid.

         "Jayce, I'm so sorry… How are—” 

He clung to her, stooping with his head over her shoulder. She held him as he broke down yet again, surprising himself. Whenever he thought he was out of tears, his body proved him wrong. 

She stroked his hair and rubbed his back as he fell apart, kept together by her. After a while, she convinced him to let them through the threshold so they could sit down and ensure privacy. He immediately rested his head in her lap, arms around one of hers. 

         “... I was worried when you left. I can't say I'm much less now, but it's good to… Well, I'm relieved that you're still alive.” 

                 “He's dead, and he was right next to me. It doesn't make sense.” 

         “I know,” she murmured, carding her fingers through his hair soothingly. “... What I do understand is that he wouldn't want you to waste away. I brought a little care package.”

She gestured beside her to the large woven basket filled with artisanal delicacies, which he had somehow missed. He didn't want to let go of her arm, but he was starving. He ended up sort of holding onto it with his shoulders and chin as he went to town on tins of dried fruits, nuts, and biscuits. She continued to pet his hair in fond bemusement, ignoring the crumbs on her lap. He chased them down with a medicinal sort of juice, rich in herbal extracts that masked most of the alcohol taste. 

         “That's very strong,” she cautioned. 

                 “Mn.” 

He continued to drink until the flask was empty, then met her gaze.

                 “... Thank you. Sorry, I just… I miss him so much it hurts. I wish I could go back to hold him, take away all his pain, cradle him in my arms and kiss every little crease on his face, make sure he survived somehow and stayed safe, that he- that he didn't think he needed to resort to doing those things to himself, at least not alone, god, Mel, it was fucking horrible—”

She shushed him gently when he got choked up, taking the flask from his hands and letting him drape himself around her like an overgrown child-slash-lapdog. He gradually relaxed from her touches and the booze. She'd resigned to him falling asleep on her when he spoke, voice faltering with a slight crack at first. 

                 “Hextech is over, ok? I don't want anyone trying to replicate it.” 

He anticipated she would argue, maybe coax him with her golden tongue, but she didn't. 

         “Of course. I will do everything in my power to ensure nothing else comes to fruition.” 

                 “... Including the Hexgates.” 

…

         “I'm unsure how much I can influence that, and it will be an uphill battle. Do they pose a threat?” 

                 “Not as much as their power source, but I… Did you see the document? They only put my name on it.” 

She fell silent. He let go of her arm but was too comfortable to get up. 

                 “... You knew.” 

         “It wasn't my decision, but I didn't think it mattered.”

                 “No one thought he mattered.”

         “Jayce, that's not what I—” 

                 “You couldn't even look him in the eye when you suggested making weapons. You told me alone that the decision was mine, like he wasn't even there.” 

…

         “The "era of magic" was a grievous mistake, one that I will regret ushering in for the rest of my days. It made me responsible for his death to some degree.” 

                 “We were all at fault for creating Hextech, but we didn't know better. I'm not upset about that. The bureaucracy, prioritizing capital, roping me into being a showdog and playing politics... letting him be our invisible machine while I worked rooms instead of staying in the lab with him like I was supposed to, doing what mattered most, what I was good at… I can't help feeling like you used us, even if you meant well.” 

…

         “You're right. I thought I could harness your potential for the greater good as well as my own. I'm sorry.” 

                 “... I liked having my ego fanned. I can't pretend I had a problem with being the golden boy, but I wanted Viktor's name and face beside mine. It wasn't fair.” 

         “I… did offer to put him on merchandise once, but he looked completely and utterly revolted by the idea.” 

Jayce managed a quiet laugh at that.

                 “Sounds about right; he hated the spotlight... He never gave me shit for basking in it, which made me feel worse about leaving him out, despite him using all the freebies. He said he just thought they were funny, but I think he was kinda proud of me, too.” 

         “I know he was. I saw the way he looked at you— he was your top fan.” 

He smiled up at her, blinking his eyes clear. 

                 “You didn't like him.” 

She was caught offguard.

         “I wouldn't go that far, but I couldn't have a single conversation with him that wasn't forced and filled with resentment. I can't help feeling like we were fighting for you with conflicting ideals. I swooped in and took you out from under him.”

                 “You think so?”

         “Yes. If I'd known he had so little time left, I… I would've tried to make peace with him.”

                 “He didn't hate you. He hated the system and how I played into it, how ignorant I've been.” 

...

         “He was a good man.”

                 “He was like my—” “Please don't say ‘brother’ again. I had a brother. Your bond far superceded that… and ours.” 

He frowned, entwining their fingers to squeeze her hand. 

                 “You're important to me. You take up a separate slot in my heart; it's not a competition.” 

         “It was a competition for your time and attention. He just treated you differently, like… a partner, I suppose.” 

                 “But we were partners. I made sure everyone knew that.” 

She shook her head with an incredulous grin, which faded. 

         “... I will do my best to always be behind you, but I hope you realize I can't fill your hole.” 

                 “You don't have to; I have the technology to do that on my own. I'm still learning the ropes since you were my first, but I like using my mouth,” he smirked. 

         “Oh my gods, Jayce, I was referring to the hole he left!”

…

                 “Right, heh. I don't expect you to fill that either; I don't think anyone can.” 

         “... I never wanted anyone to get hurt, especially not you two. I wanted him to see a bright new world alongside you.”

                 “I know, Mel. I'm lucky I still have you.” 

She pulled an embroidered napkin from the basket and dabbed around her eyes, then folded it to wipe the crumbs off his stubble affectionately. 

         “I'm lucky to have you, too.” 

She laid back on the bed, and he wasted no time assuming the role of little spoon. They stayed like that for a while before she finally broke the bad news. 

         “My mother has been encouraging Salo to propose invading Zaun, and they want to seize Hextech for it. I was going to ask you to help me stop them because I don't have the authority to do so alone.” 

                 “Fuck, of course I will. I already deactivated everything in Piltover.” 

She considered asking how and when he was able to do so but decided against it. 

         “I'm relieved to hear that… There's also the matter of the memorial. They want me to give a speech, but I don't know what to say about him. I was hoping for your input, unless you'd like to take the stand yourself.”

                 “Thank you... I don't think I can, but I'll write something for you to work with.” 

She nodded. 

         “I am happy to finance the funeral. They said his body wasn't delivered, so I assume it's still in the lab. I can send for—”

                 “I already took care of it, but I appreciate the offer… How'd you know it was there?”

         “You yelled that you needed to go there and then sprinted in that direction with him... The last thing I have to tell you is the city commissioned a statue to be unveiled during the ceremony, but it's only of the councilors.”

…

                 “Fuck the commissioners. I'll forge my own damn statue and weld it to the side.”

Chapter Text

         “Mel, I need you to teach me how to lie.”

    “You think I lie?” she responded after a beat, voice cool with bemusement.

         “I— Not exactly. And not to me, sans… the convincing. It's hard to catch, but you've showed me how to play the rest of the game.”

    “… You don't need to play it; you never needed to be molded by me. I can't even imagine a version of you who doesn't wear his heart on his sleeve— trying to was a mistake.”

         “Please. People are going to die if I can't lie.”

Alarm flickered through her expression, and then it faded to somber. 

    “I can handle this myself if you tell me what you need lied about.”

         “I… I'm not sure exactly what yet, but there are things I need to say, as the cofounder of Hextech. And I have a feeling I'll be making it up as I go.”

She strode closer to place a hand on his arm. 

    “You're a quick learner. Think of it as another performance, and just follow my lead. Stay on your toes, anticipate as much as you can, improvise when circumstances require it, but tread carefully. Don't try to be a different person. People are drawn to you because of your passion, goodwill, and innovation, among many other things, so stay true to yourself... Above all, you must sell the act— one lie detected will shatter your credibility. Everything believable comes wrapped in some amount of truth, particularly admissions that make you seem vulnerable. And, if all else fails, use that big heart to appeal to the pathos. I know this dance will weigh on you, so I encourage you to use it as a last resort.”

He nodded, wishing he had his notebook. She stared at him for a moment.

    “... Are you planning on lying to Caitlyn about something?”

         “No! … And she prefers Cait.”

    “Right, thank you for reminding me. I've become accustomed to calling her Officer Kiramann these days and only hearing “Caitlyn” from Cassandra.”

         “You two might benefit from spending time together. You have some things in common… and she's basically my sister.”

    “That I can believe. I was starting to fear you knew nothing of sibling dynamics and how to distinguish them.”

He laughed. 

         “I may be stupid.”

    “You're really not. Just a tad… naive and oblivious, but you can't help that, and I truly mean it when I say you're a quick learner. Your heart is always in the right place, and you listen to it above all else. You're a dedicated, loving man, to a fault. You may act stubborn and impulsive at times, but that's not inherently bad, and there are far worse flaws to have. It's very, very rare for someone like you to exist.”

He stopped abruptly to pull her into another hug, careful not to dirty her. 

         “You're amazing; I hope you know that. You make Piltover and the world at large better each day. Thank you, Mel. For everything.”

    “Everything?” she lilted. 

         “... You know what I mean. And for what it's worth, you always make the best decisions for everyone's collective wellbeing based on the knowledge you have. Everything is calculated and well-executed with you. There's so much more that I admire, too; sorry, I might still be a little hungover. Here's hoping that when my brain works, I'll find the words.”

    “That's not necessary; you've practically worshipped me for years. It's about time someone told you you're good. Here, have another glass of water. We've got to pull you together if you're going to see Cait anytime soon.”

He complied and then dried his mouth, rag catching on his stubble.

         “Thanks. I should shave; I must look like a slob.”

    “No! Not at all… but the decision is yours.”

         “I can't deny that it's been nice, not obsessing and going through sensory hell like I do every day.”

    “I never understood that. I just assumed it was a personal preference.”

         “To be fair, it started out as a necessity when I was still learning the basics in the forge. You could say I've been burned before— one too many hairs, in sensitive areas. But, I mean, look at me. I've been at it for what? Three hours now? And no sparks are flying.”

    “Indeed they aren't,” she mused dryly. “It's rather impressive. I didn't know you were an artist.”

         “Heh, thanks. It depends on the medium.”

    “… Doesn't the leather bother you, though? Surely there's flexible, sweat-resistant materials at your disposal.”

The wide leather belt around his chest did bother him. It was a godawful experience, but he felt the need to cover Viktor with something thick enough to hide the light. Even if he was able to let Mel see, he still would've had to deal with the occasional forge worker. 

         “It's… temporary… I can't—”

    “You don't have to explain. You don't owe transparency about anything that doesn't regard me, but I hope you don't feel the need to hide your scars, either. They're not repulsive.”

         “… What if they were? What if they were grotesque as hell— would I need to then?”

    “No, I… I'm sorry; I shouldn't have approached it from that angle. It doesn't matter that I find you attractive.”

He rubbed his brow, spreading streaks of soot.

         “I'm sorry. I don't know why I keep lashing out at you; any other time, I'd be flattered. You didn't do anything wrong.”

    “I have done so many things wrong in my life. You've kept me on a pedestal for too long.”

…

         “Mel, you're a good person and friend. You've been sweltering for hours just to make sure I don't keel over.”

    “If I didn't stay, I'd be worried elsewhere… And besides, the view is a reward in itself.”

He shrugged with a tired laugh. 

         “… I'm going to improvise tomorrow, and probably a lot more in the future. But you can trust me.” 

    “I always can.”

He wibbled, then pulled her into a full hug this time, forgetting that he was covering her in soot and sweat. She grimaced but reciprocated. 

         “I'm losing it. What's gotten into me, Mel?” he muttered against her hair. She glanced over his shoulder at Viktor's impassive, blank face, cheekbones sharp enough to slice bread. Jayce had put the most energy into forming it, but it was far from finished. 

    “… If I had to guess, the man you've been meticulously hammering and mentioning at every turn.”

He swallowed hard but then managed a breathy laugh. 

         “That sounds right... Thank you for putting up with my shit. You don't have to.”

    “I want to, and I know you'd do the same.”

He squeezed her again before releasing and then apologetically offering her a towel upon noticing he dirtied her gown. She shook her head with a bemused smile, not having the heart to tell him it needed to be bleached or replaced altogether.

         “Still, I have to knock off the misdirected anger. There's only one person responsible for his death, and she's apparently just…”

    “An ill child.”

         “Yeah.”

    “I would be surprised if she knew of his existence, let alone his attendance.”

Jayce winced, so she hurried to add, “It couldn't have been targeted at him.”

         “You're right… but I can't let the gem stay out there. I'm going to take care of her.”

   “Jayce, that's reckless. You won't fare well with blood on your hands.”

         “It's already there. What's a little more? … Kidding; I'm just going to disarm her.”

   “How? She has a bodycount of armed, trained individuals from all fields. You're not a fighter. How can you manage what they couldn't?”

         “… You said I didn't have to explain,” he half-grinned sheepishly. 

… 

   “My own words against me,” she sighed. “Please be careful. Don't make me hold another memorial.”

         “I'll figure something out. I promise.”

   “Do you have any semblance of a plan?” 

He cringed, feeling like he was caught breaking in all over again.

         “... Trust the process? We need to buy as much time as possible. I feel like I'm having a streak of luck, so I'm going to ride it as far as I can.” 

   “What luck? For the gods’ sake, I don't want to lose you!” 

He was caught offguard at how transparent and unpolished she sounded. 

         “Mel, I'll be fine. Please don't worry.”

   “How can I not? I fear you've lost your mind.”

         “Maybe, but I still have… I'm not there yet.” 

She pinned him with a stare. He glanced around to ensure they were alone, then hurriedly removed his glove, braced himself, and showed her the rune. She beheld it in silent awe before he withdrew his hand and put his glove back on. He lowered his voice.

         “I found a way to… drain the gems, for lack of a better explanation. I can't demonstrate because I already did it to every other stabilized one, but I swear I'll be careful. No one else should get involved; I'm responsible as a creator of this technology and the only person I know of who can destroy it.”

…… 

   “You have lost your mind, but I will help you avert further bloodshed.”

         “Thank you.”

She pulled out a small, ornate gold pocket watch and opened it.

   “Don't thank me yet, and definitely don't tell my mother anything... Let's start by playing a game: you'll have two minutes to think of three statements, all or some of which must be lies. I will guess which is which, and the timer will shorten with each round, until you have two seconds to think of one truth or lie.” 

         “Ok, I'm ready.”

   “Starting now.” 

         “Shit, uh…… I fell for magic tricks as a kid and never outgrew them.” “Truth.” “Wait, but I didn't finish—” “That's why you need practice.” 

He groaned in begrudging agreement.

         “Hey, Sprout. Sorry I disappeared.”

She startled, looking at him like he was a ghost. 

   “There's nothing to apologize for. Vi told me you're very unwell, and I see it… You should be home, with your mother.”

         “I don't have time yet, and I'm feeling better.”

   “You don't look it,” she frowned. He sighed.

         “Everyone keeps telling me that, but appearances can be deceiving,” he smiled softly with a pointed brow. “Besides, I wanted to stop by.” 

…

   “How did you find this place?” 

         “Your dad. Mind if I join you?” 

She scooted over after a moment. As soon as he eased himself onto the bench, she threw her arms around him. He held her tightly, and she buried her face in his shoulder.

   “… Why couldn't she have hated me or been perfect? It would hurt much less than… whatever this is.”

…

         “She cared about you more than anything. You made her proud.”

   “That's the worst part!”

…

         “I know; I'm really sorry. I just wasn't sure if she made those things clear enough.”

…

   “Everything always had to be so complicated with her; it was a miserable affair. This was the only place where we didn't argue.”

He didn't know what to say, so he just kept hugging her with one arm and started stroking her hair with the other, resting his chin atop it. She felt so small and fragile to him, like she'd shed her armor because she knew she could trust him. His heart ached. 

   “… I've only just begun to acknowledge the reality that she's gone. It's created an unhealable void surrounded by the grief of never having a healthy relationship with her in the first place… We could have gotten along fine and been happy without that strain.”

…

         “You're not alone… and it wasn't your fault.”

   “Her bloody death was, just like Viktor's. I initiated this sequence of events, and I almost lost you, too!”

         “Cait.”

   “What?” she snapped.

         “That makes at least four of us blaming ourselves for a missile we didn't shoot… I'm starting to think everyone and no one killed Viktor, like some kind of quantum paradox. Silco killed Viktor, Marcus killed Viktor, Piltover killed Viktor, Heimerdinger killed Viktor… Especially Heimerdinger. Think about it: he founded this city and all its systemic issues inadvertently, then spent ages ignoring them, living in luxury and choosing not to use his position to fix anything or even give solid suggestions, just occasionally vaguely preaching. He was my mentor; he's not bad, but he may be the guiltiest party. He didn't care about Viktor’s disease or impending death... Did you know that yordles never die? They regenerate in a magical tree every single time, even if they were obliterated,” he muttered. “If he was evil, we'd be doomed.” 

She seemed to have tuned out, staring blankly at a petal on the ground beside them.

…

   “I'm going after Jinx. I see her grin everytime I close my eyes— I can't rest until she's brought to justice.”

…

He looked away and fidgeted with his glove.

         “I was afraid you'd say that.”

   “Don't worry; I won't ask for Hextech. It's too dangerous, in any case. I'll handle the situation without it.”

         “I can't let anything else happen to you,” he stated firmly, as if she'd ever let anyone stop her, least of all him. 

   “… Vi told me to try convincing you to fix the gauntlets for her, but she refused the badge, and I wouldn't trust anyone else with that sort of technology, lest it fall into the wrong hands.”

…

         “Thank you,” he sighed. “Can I ask for a favor?”

   “Of course, anything.”

         “Don't go into Zaun. Not yet. I need time to neutralize the gem. If you go before me, I'll have to throw myself in headfirst, and that never ends well.”

   “… I won't let you go getting yourself killed. What are you planning?”

He was caught offguard like he was with Mel, and wondered why he didn't think of a response yet or even anticipate being asked again. 

         “… I found a way to drain them of energy, but only I can do it. You know how you're insanely good at making spur-of-the-moment decisions? That's what I'm working on. I'm going to figure it out; I just need time.”

She met his gaze with disbelief and concern, brows knitted.

   “Jayce, she's a monster. You won't survive long enough to make any decisions. She has plenty of other weapons that aren't magic, and she's perpetually high on Shimmer. I've seen firsthand how dangerous she is.”

…

         “Ok, maybe you're right; I'm going to figure something out that doesn't kill me or anyone else, though... In the meantime, I'm going to lie my ass off to the council and stall. Please, just- just trust me.”

She squeezed his arm, eyes pleading. 

   “... I don't think I'm strong enough to endure burying you, too.”

         “Oh, Cait—” 

He gathered her up again and held her close. She trembled, tears dampening his vest.

         “You will never have to do that,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head and then smushing his cheek against it. “I'll always be here to annoy you.”

…

   “How can you guarantee something you have no control over?” she sobbed. 

         “Hey, a promise is a promise. Have some faith in me. I told you, I'll figure it out.”

… 

   “Figure out how to cheat death?” she scoffed. 

         “... Yeah, and then you'll have to pull the trigger because I'll be driving everyone crazy as an unkillable old man,” he grinned. “Careful what you ask for. I'm your problem now, kiddo.” 

She rolled her eyes but stopped crying. 

   “You're a loon. I'd be even more horrified if we were related by blood.” 

         “Remember this day. You'll be sniping me from your deathbed when you're over a century old, regretting telling me to stay alive for so long because I'm an overachiever.” 

   “Shut up,” she laughed, pushing him backwards playfully to see him. “... You'd better keep your word, or I'll necromance you just to say how disappointed I am.” 

         “Deal,” he smirked, then ruffled her hair as badly as he could before she twisted his arm in indignation. He yelped, and she smiled triumphantly. 

Chapter Text

A makeshift urn was emptied reverently over the waterfall, ashes seeping into it like sand. He murmured another apology as guilt overwhelmed him once more, somehow even stronger than his shame and despair. It ensnared him and threatened to drag him past the edge. He'd reached the end of the line; there wasn't anything left to try or prove. All he had to show for his life was regret. He teetered closer and closer to a spur-of-the-moment penance. His cane met the corner as he steeled himself to step over, but then—

His senses cut out, replaced with sheer feelings. Affection, encompassing and steadying him, clearing his mind. Warmth, like a ray of sunlight in the winter. Bittersweet nostalgia. He longed to be held but knew he would never deserve it, even if it was freely offered, and that the gesture would never mean all that he wanted it to. 

Everything went blindingly white against the dark purple frame of the Hexcore. Sky yelled his name, her arms wrapping around him to pull. She shrieked, and he panicked, managing to break free enough to turn his head—

Jayce jolted awake all at once in a cold sweat, heart pounding, and inhaled sharply. It had felt so immersive, somehow even moreso than the lucid dreams. 

He pushed himself upright with a shaky sigh as he focused on breathing to calm down, one hand instinctively going to his core and the other fumbling for Viktor's cane, which Mel had recovered. After several minutes of grounding himself and letting the adrenaline pass, he swept his bangs out of his eyes. He secured his blanket and held onto the cane like a teddy bear throughout as much of his morning routine as he could. Realization struck him that his headache had finally subsided, probably because he caught a break from crying.

Just in time for the game. 

Mel: She was a great woman. A good friend. I don't know how we’ll face this crisis without her.

Salo: To think we nearly extended sovereignty to the— creatures who did this. We're charged with imposing order. And we've been asleep at our posts. Well, my eyes are open. There will be no more fairytales of peace until we scour our basement of its demons.

Mel: So kind of you to assist Councilor Salo, Mother.

Salo: As we are at war, I thought it prudent to solicit the advice of such an experienced veteran.

Jayce: We're not at war. There's only one “basement demon.” 

Shoola: Let us address the matter at hand. Our people are scared, suffering. They need to know their leaders have the situation under control. 

Salo: An unprecedented show of force. We flood the undercity with Enforcers, armed with Hextech.

Jayce: Absolutely not.

Cait: Innocents will be caught in the crossfire!

Salo: How many more councilors have to be blown to pieces before you finally wake up?! We are under siege… What is she doing here? 

Mel: Officer Kiramman witnessed the attack firsthand. She confirmed this was the act of a single deranged individual.

Cait: Jinx.

Jayce: She only succeeded because of the Hexgem she stole.

Mel redirected the conversation to Salo. Jayce's palms were clammy behind his back. He knew he had to wait for a natural pause after she'd said her piece.

Mel: Silco is dead. The underground, leaderless. If we follow your plan, we risk unifying them against us.

Salo: So, what is your solution? Chastisement? A firm reprimand?

Mel: We use their division against them. Pin the attack on Jinx, post a reward too substantial to ignore. 

Shoola: I'm sorry, Mel. I'm not comfortable trusting our fates to chance. Jinx has proven elusive. Our healing can only begin once she's been brought to justice.

Mel frowned. He swallowed hard.

Jayce: I agree. That's why I, personally, will track her down as soon as possible— I'm the only person capable of dealing with Hextech. During my raid, it proved to be volatile and unpredictable. If you send in Enforcers, you'll just endanger them while making it that much harder to catch her and restore peace afterwards. 

For emphasis, he gestured to the chamber fast enough to keep a steady arm. 

Jayce: They died because of Hextech. My partner died because of Hextech. I'll be retrieving the gem myself, so just stay out of the way and let me handle it.

A shocked silence followed. He gave a brief, pleading look to Cait and Mel, only his eyes betraying him. By the time Salo found a retort, Mel was playing her turn.

Salo: Are you insane? This is—

Mel: Jayce, you are a dear companion, but I fear your judgement has become clouded by the loss of Viktor.

Jayce: I- That's—

Cait enthusiastically chimed in.

Cait: How do you expect to take on Jinx singlehandedly? Every team from both cities has failed. Firelights, Enforcers, mobsters; the list goes on. You are not qualified to go into Zaun at all! 

Jayce: I already did! The aftermath was undesirable, but I took down that whole factory and all of its mutated Shimmer goons.

Cait: With help. 

Jayce: Cait, I know what I'm doing. Please stay out of this. 

She glared convincingly, but her gaze twinkled for a quick reassurance.

Mel: What makes you think you can do it alone? 

Jayce: I have a plan, a solid one that I can't jeopardize by disclosing. Just give me two weeks to finish what I started.

Salo: Unbelievable… All he has is a suicide plan, and we're supposed to go along with it?

Jayce: I don't need to convince you. You're going to see results. Viktor and I had been working on a failsafe that neutralizes all magic aimed at it. I see now that creating magic was a mistake, and I'm ready to destroy it. Two weeks to prepare is all I ask. 

…

Mel: That sounds reasonable enough. It won't hurt to post rewards for Jinx in the meantime. At the least, we'll be taking some sort of action and throwing her off.

Salo: You will not deter me from enacting justice. Two weeks is all you get. And when your time is up, you can't frolic off without showing us concrete proof that you stand a chance. 

Jayce: Deal. 

…

Shoola: We will be revisiting this on that day, and you may receive check-ins for progress updates along the way. 

Jayce nodded firmly, but she wasn't done.  

Shoola: While you're here, do you have any insight as to why the Hexgates have stopped working?

He panicked but managed to express it as sheer surprise. 

Jayce: What? 

Mel: Oh, I neglected to inquire about that. Jayce, the Hexgates went down sometime within the first three days after the attack. It appears that the generators failed. Is there any possibility that it could be connected to Jinx or another Zaunite? 

Jayce: That's impossible, they… Was anyone hurt? 

Shoola: Thankfully, no. But we can only speculate on what would've happened to an airship caught midtransport. 

He exhaled, rubbing his brow.

Jayce: … Ok, I'll visit to see it myself, but I do have a hunch. This new technology Viktor and I were developing, we started because he theorized that the crystals had a finite amount of energy. In stabilizing them, we might've reduced it.

Shoola: How long have you known this? 

Jayce: It was just a theory, one that I dismissed. We never got around to testing it, but the gates require full capacity to function, so it could be that a single dead powercell brought them down. 

…

Mel: So, you're saying Hextech was unsustainable this entire time? Our investment was a waste that cost lives? 

Jayce: I'm sorry, I- I didn't think this would happen. It was supposed to be reliable and permanent. 

…

Mel: … I suppose that's the price of experimental innovations. We're very fortunate that no one else paid it.

Salo: I won't accept this! We all invested in him at the end, and he not only squandered it but let it fall into the wrong hands to be used against us. 

Jayce: I'm sorry; I really am! I swear, I will neutralize the threat. 

Salo: If you think for a moment—

Shoola: Infighting isn't going to bring them back. Let's vote and move on: all in favor of posting a reward throughout Zaun and giving Councilor Talis two weeks to finish preparing this "technology"? 

Jayce raised his hand. Shoola followed, staring him down solemnly. For the full effect, Mel hesitated to raise her hand. Salo scoffed but joined them.

Salo: (Don't fuck this up.)

Shoola: Next is the matter of composing a response for our people. We can't remain silent until the memorial. 

The chamber was mostly empty as soon as the meeting adjourned. Jayce caught Ambessa ogling him for a second too long before leaving. Mel glanced back at him, but he just gave a slight nod and smile once no one else was watching. She returned the gesture more subtly and began a conversation with Cait, accompanying her out when she looked like she wanted to speak with him. He understood the importance of not letting any cracks show, but he was surprised that Cait went along with it. He'd need to get them aside soon and thank them for being great actors. 

He turned to walk out alone as the sky opened up, but he stopped at the sound of squeaking wheels. Salo was heading towards the stairs he had careened down, looking miserable and uncomfortable. Jayce approached hesitantly and was met with a scowl.

             “I don't want your pity.” 

        “Want a hand?”

…

             “Fine," he muttered. "But don't think you'll get in my good graces.”

He hoisted his chair over all the staircases without jostling him much. It was several minutes before Salo broke the silence. 

             “What do you want?” 

        “Nothing from you. It just pisses me off how inaccessible this city is.”

             “I'm not interested in your bleeding heart. Leave me to rot like everyone else.” 

        “I didn't- Ugh. I let you walk all over me for years—”

             “Don't worry. You ensured I won't be doing that anymore.”

        “That's not what I… Goddammit, you really are insufferable.” 

             “On second thought, bring back the pity. This was all your fault. Because of you, I can't feel my dick.”

        “... Wait, seriously?”

             “It would take a miracle to fix. What little I can feel from the waist down is agony. I won't forgive you as long as I live.”

…

        “I understand... I really am sorry, though.”

The rain had made everything slippery. Jayce took a longer route with less obstacles. 

             “... It's been mere days, but everyone's already treating me differently. And here you are, toting me along like a guilty dog. We aren't even on the level of acquaintances. From the moment you plead before us to show mercy after your first fuckup—” 

        “Look, do you want me to get you home or not?” 

             “Obviously,” he huffed. “Just make it quick.”

…

        “You could put in ramps and railings.”

             “I know what I can do, thank you.”

        “I mean throughout the city. At the least, it would make your life easier, and you can afford it.”

             “I can afford to buy ten of your factories and hire a hundred of you to carry me around. Don't instruct me like you'll assuage your conscience over your poor little lost boytoy. You can't just replace him with another pretty cripple.” 

        “Oh my god, I can't stand you!” 

             "At least you can stand.” 

Jayce groaned and pushed his chair faster. Once they arrived at his mansion, he left him with an attendant. 

        “... Just think about it, ok?”

…

             “Get out,” he sighed. 

      “One of the many privileges of serving as your councilor is having the occasion now and again to stand behind this podium to behold so many joined together not by birth or dictum but by all that we share. Our hope, our curiosity, our compulsion to leave behind us a world better than that before."

He traced the rune in his gloved palm with his adjacent thumb idly for support, keeping his eyes on her. 

      “These things we share are what make us one people. Today, we share an unthinkable loss. Councilor Irius Bolbok, Councilor Torman Hoskel, Councilor Cassandra Kiramman, and the cofounder of Hextech, Viktor of Zaun, were taken from us. But they shall not be forgotten…”

He was ashamed of how small and dull Viktor's statue looked in comparison to the others. Mel had thought that the statues would be lifesized, not larger-than-life. By the time she saw theirs, it was too late for him to redo, so he swallowed his pride and welded it on. The metals weren't even compatible; he needed to stabilize it with bolts later. Thankfully, it was practically invisible behind the podium.

                 “Awful, isn't it? Losing a loved one.”

The venom in her voice bled through just enough to put him on edge. 

        “... My partner was killed,” he whispered back. When the only response was the sounds of shuffling fabric and a zipper, he looked over his shoulder warily. He was just in time to miss a chainsaw swung at him, whirring to life. 

                 “You should join them.”

All hell broke loose at once as the attackers made themselves known. The crowd scattered, defenseless. His assailant pursued him, so he led her away from everyone. He saw Mel on the ground. Panic seized him, but she was soon being ushered into a carriage with the other councilors by Enforcers, Cait included. He fled to avoid being seen because none of them stood a chance, and the last thing he wanted was for Cait to get hurt or watch him break his promise. His heart hammered; he could barely think, just running for his life and trying to find something that could protect Viktor… which ended up being metal Viktor. He got down behind it, panting, and silently started apologizing to him, curling around his chest and cupping his core tightly with both hands, white-knuckled. The woman stared at him in surprise for a moment before swinging. He was trapped this time but managed to duck. The statue went flying like a golfball. He shut his eyes and apologized once more. 

                 “For my son.”

She brought the blade down. It collided with an impenetrable blue forcefield that made itself visible only when in contact. She tried repeatedly in perplexed frustration while he sat there, at a loss. 

Then, realization dawned on him. 

        “I'm so sorry; it was an accident—” 

                 “No amount of groveling will bring him back.” 

Every time he blinked, he saw Viktor unmoving as a far-away silhouette in that mindscape, still suspended in place. The runes that had been carved onto him and the Hexcore were now animated around him. 

His palm went hot, so he ripped off the glove to find the rune searing light like it did in his dreams. He struggled to focus in an effort to stop the slaughter. 

        “Please call it off! I'm trying to give Zaun independence—”

                 “Shut the fuck up and die already!” 

She grew more agitated but persisted. He saw Vi approaching, dragging the dead hammer like it weighed as much as it looked, and panicked again. It was useless; the chainsaw woman would annihilate her. He tried to break his forcefield in vain, then pressed the rune palm to it and concentrated. The woman's chainsaw disappeared with a pulse of energy. Once she recovered from the additional shock, she attacked by hand, trying to pry through the forcefield via dagger. The direct contact struck him with an assortment of her memories, incapacitating him until he adjusted. He saw moments from her entire life laid out, particularly relevant ones rising above the rest. Her son. Silco's office. Ambessa's man, Rictus, promising her vengeance. 

                 "What kind of freakshow are you?!"

Vi was getting closer, having given up trying to activate the hammer and going with blunt force instead, but the woman was zeroed in on him. The dagger disappeared next, and she cursed.

        “Look, I don't know how to control it and you might get killed. I need you alive to testify, so if you could just put your hands up—”

                 “Over your dead body.”

        “Goddammit, fine; this better work,” he muttered and pressed his rune hand past the shield, which dissipated now that there was no imminent threat to his life. He furrowed his brow as he grabbed at her like an awkward slap. She disappeared through the rune with a screech. His hammer clattered behind her as Vi stared in shock. There were floaty blue specks dissipating where the woman had been. He examined his palm shakily.

…

    “Showoff much?” 

        “Sorry, I… I can't think of anything to say right now,” he wheezed. 

    “No, yeah, focus on exploding more people.”

        “I'm not— I didn't— Shit, I hope I didn't.” 

She shrugged and went to pick up the hammer. 

    “How the hell did you swing this thing?” 

        “The runes don't work anymore, but it has a lightening one, like the gauntlets.” 

    “Oh… You could've just said you're insanely strong.”

He took it with effort. 

    “Speaking of the gauntlets—”

        “We need to get out of here; the Noxian army is behind this, but we can't let them know we know.” 

    “... How do you know?”

Just then, spears flew through the holes in the windows, startling both of them. They booked it as Noxian soldiers landed. 

        “Magic,” he said confidently. Her eye twitched. “Where's Cait?” 

    “I don't— Oh, Cait's taking shots without us. Classic Cait…”

He studied the scene behind them once they reached the nearest corridor.

        “I think they're just cleaning up… I need to get her aside.”

     "Do you want a hand with that, or…?”

        “The lab feels so much farther away now,” he grunted, faring only slightly better than Vi had. An idea struck him. He stopped in place, and she turned to him questioningly. 

        “Can you bring Cait and make sure no one notices? I have to find Mel, then we'll meet you there.” 

    “I mean, I'll try, but she'll probably keep shooting until the last target's down… And your hammer…?”

        “I'm gonna try to teleport it into the lab,” he stated bluntly. “But I'm waiting until you're out of range because I don't want to explode you.”

    “Fair enough,” she responded without missing a beat, as if on autopilot. “Hey, do you think me becoming a cop would help anything?” 

        “A what?” 

    “An Enforcer.” 

        “Oh… Um, I think it would make everything worse.”

    “Damn.” 

        “Please don't tell Cait I said that.” 

    “… I miss my gloves, Jayce.” 

        "I know,” he sighed sympathetically. “I was so excited to use them for things other than violence.” 

    “Alright, loverboy, go get your sugar mommy.”

…

        “What?”

    “You heard me.” 

She ran off, and he contemplated how dissonant her tone was to her surroundings, as if being in proximity to him had flipped a switch or just calmed her down. He made a mental note to check in with her later. He glanced to ensure no one was looking, but she was now, from a safe distance. She gave a thumbs-up for encouragement. He successfully teleported it, then hurried after Mel to see if it was actually in the lab. 

Everyone had been shaken from the attack. Mel already suspected that her mother was behind it. Cait was gobsmacked that he neglected to tell her he had magic powers, but he responded in earnest that he didn't know they extended past gem draining and that it didn't feel like the right time to mention earlier. He accompanied them to an abandoned underground prison and teleported the baron into a cell. She was rattled by her experience in the abyss and immediately snitched on Noxus upon learning what happened, but she insisted that she was "the only baron with the balls to accept their invitation." She refused to provide anymore information, so Jayce wrote down all of the snippets from her memories that could be used to track down evidence, sans Silco's office location, both because he didn't think it would yield anything against Noxus and because he figured Cait would sneak into Zaun that night if she knew a potential location to find Jinx. Cait still wanted to take down the other barons and dismantle Shimmer, but she agreed to wait. They then staged a small intervention over how exhausted he looked, telling him to go home and recover. He was spent, so he accepted their assurance that they could handle the rest on their own.

Chapter Text

Channeling his energy for the first time and utilizing it to that extent had left him exhausted all over again, but he was filled with a flurry of raw emotions, swirling around him like they weren't his. He got cleaned up, shoveled a premade meal down his throat, and brushed his teeth in a haze, then climbed into bed, closed his eyes, and tried to reach deep within himself. He couldn't see the scape or Viktor or even his own astral body anymore, but when he focused enough, there was a resounding bright blue, as if he was inside his core. At the center was that blinding light. It was pulsating like it was recharging the blue. Tentatively, he placed his still-active rune palm atop it in the physical plane. It intensified with an overwhelming sensation, but he fell asleep waiting for anything else to happen.

   “... Jayce?” 

Jayce's breath caught as he startled upright and looked down. A smaller, paler blue light inside of it flickered, dim, but gradually brightening.

         “Viktor! You- You're awake!” 

He was weak; that much Jayce could feel. He envisioned himself gathering his essence between his hands, and it became more stable. Viktor's voice seemed confined to his head, lacking physical interference.

   “Are you alright? Where are you?” 

          “I'm here, Viktor,” he laughed softly in joy, hugging his chest tightly and tearing up yet a-fucking-gain. “I'm right here.”

…

   “Where… am I?” 

          “Oh, uh, you're, um... I was too preoccupied with this to figure out what I'd say if it worked, heh… You're… Ffffff,” he exhaled. “Sorry, I need a minute.” 

…

   “... It's you, isn't it?” he asked softly. “This place.” 

…

            “Yeah,” he mumbled, rubbing his brow. “But don't worry; I'm going to get you out and heal you or- or build you a new body. You won't have to be stuck here.” 

   “That is not my concern. I must ask again: are you alright? How are you doing this?” 

            “I- I'm fine—”

   “No, I don't think you are. I sense a tremendous ache. Your wound runs deep… Please, Jayce. Be honest.” 

…

          “... I thought you'd never wake up... Are you alright?” 

   “Much more than alright. Just a bit… fuzzy at the moment. I don't feel like I am dying anymore, for starters... and breathing is no longer an issue... This is the first time I've been free of pain.” 

           “You- You're not hurting?!” he gasped. 

    “It's an indescribable peace, but I fear it was to your detriment.” 

          “No! No, not at all. I'm perfectly healthy — just tired tonight — and… the situation you're in has no negative side effects for me. It's the opposite, if anything— you gave me some kind of superpowers, which might've made me unkillable? Not sure the extent, but I'd like to study it.” 

…

   “I am relieved to hear this… Still, you suffered emotionally; that much is resounding here. How did I hurt you in such a grave manner?” 

          “You- You didn't do it, Vik.” 

   “All signs point towards me. If they were anymore obvious, they would be arrows.”

         “It's not your fault that I… that I care about you. Something happened to you. Do you remember?”

......

   “I remember glass shattering, then a great force, and a crash… That is all.” 

          “Oh, thank god, I'm so glad you weren't aware of the rest.” 

   “... I was supposed to die, wasn't I?” he prodded gently. “But you stopped it. How?” 

…

   “Wait, the Hexcore—”

           “I fucked up again, I don't know; I'm sorry. You did die, but you're in me now because I thought it was a good idea. The Hexcore, it- it was reaching for you, and I almost helped it, but it seemed like it wanted to… consume you, for lack of better words. Like I would be dropping you in the jaws of something worse than death... I took my hammer to it, but it exploded or something… I don't know what happened after that. I think destroying it just… rearranged its energy, and then the gem on my wristband sucked everything magic nearby into it, including you… and then it went apeshit, but I got the feeling that if I let go I'd lose you for good... so I put it in me.”

…

    “Please tell me you did not eat a rock.” 

Jayce snort-laughed, caught offguard. 

           “No, it was some sort of metaphysical transference. I just… held on, and the rune seared my palm until the whole thing was gone. So now I have an enchanted tattoo there, I guess? I kind of went feral hunting down every single gem I could after that and absorbing their energy through it, emptied the Hexgates themselves, burned all of our replicable research… I think you fused with me; I don't… I'll work on finding a solution.” 

Viktor's relief had filled him, soothing his own nerves.

  “Thank you for keeping your promise; I cannot begin to imagine the suffering you endured for me. My life isn't worth that much. People die, you get new partners—”

         “No, sorry, but shut up. You're really, really important to me. You can never be replaced. If you'd stayed dead, I would've lost half of me. I would've lost my mind, the will to live, everything.” 

Alarm and guilt flared up from Viktor. 

         “I know it's a lot. I'm a lot. I have issues. I just wanted you to know that I brought you back for me just as much as you. Maybe more. But you deserve to live a long, happy, and healthy life.”

   “... I didn't think you'd feel the same.” 

         “What?” 

   “All this time, squandered needlessly... I regret withdrawing and withholding from you.” 

         “Not sure what you're talking about, but you're here now, and that's the only thing that matters. I'm so fucking happy, Viktor. You're still here. You're ok. God, it feels so good just to hear you… We'll figure this out together, alright?” 

…

    “Thank you, Jayce,” he managed, voice strained over a crack.

          “Thank you for coming back.” 

   “I am unsure how much of a say I had in that matter,” he quipped dryly. “... Apologies if you were waiting long.” 

         “You saved my life again while you were sleepwalking, so we're even.”

…

    “I am going to ask for a detailed retelling of all these events later.”

          “Didn't expect any less,” he chuckled. “Welcome back, V.”

   “It's been a very warm welcome, much appreciated. Have you been recording everything on paper?” 

          “Obviously. What kind of scientist would I be if I stopped taking notes because of a breakdown or four?” 

   “... I wish I could offer a hug. You're far better at those, but you seem like you would benefit, and you've been giving me a metaphysical one this entire time. Your… affection is overwhelming. It's not fair that only I am wrapped up and cozy.” 

Jayce's heart fluttered, face growing impossibly warmer. He covered his mouth, as if he could hide his embarrassment.

          “... You can't just say things like that, god…” 

He felt him frown. 

   “Why not? What is wrong with what I said?” 

          “Nothing at all. That's the problem; I wish you could follow through, even if I act like a blushing virgin about it.”

…

   “Do we know for a fact that I cannot?” 

          “I don't think there's many known variables to work with anymore.” 

   “... Well, if you want me to chart your waters…” he lilted. Jayce paled from his blood rushing south.

          “... Can I say something unprofessional?”

   “No, that's impossible. If I cross the line a thousand times, you will still be waiting politely on the other side. Sorry.”

          “We're friends. Partners. Br- Buddies. But now that you're alright and saying these things, I'm really fucking horny about you being inside of me. I'm sorry; I'll try to hurry up and get you out—”

   “Don't do that.”

           “Huh?”

   “Don't apologize for your feelings, don't rush to boot me. Please. Jayce, you're the nicest place I've ever been; I love it. I'd be content staying as long as you'll have me. Do you… want help pleasuring yourself, or just my blessing?” 

Jayce took a shaky breath and swallowed hard. 

           “... You'd want to do that?”

    “Well, of course, but I am unsure how much I can do. What would make you feel good?”

           “Fuck, anything. Just feeling you in there is amazing.” 

A foreign wave of arousal crashed through him, and he groaned, hands fumbling to take off his pants. 

   “May I say something exceptionally unprofessional?” 

            “Please do.” 

    “You're cute. So very cute. You're like a big puppydog. You deserve to feel good, because you are good.”

           “Oh, god, is there like a list of my kinks that you can see.” 

   “No, but this confirmed a theory of mine,” he smirked. Jayce hissed as he finally got his hand in his crotch, the other pressing against his core. 

           “Fuck, fuck, just keep talking.” 

   “Who am I to deny you? You truly are beautiful on the inside and out; I wish you could see what I see. I am speaking both literally and metaphorically. I want to give you everything your big, kind heart desires.” 

Jayce whimpered, nursing his cock with his slick and fingering his hole. 

                “Viktor…”

    “Tease yourself for me, will you? Build up a crescendo to unravel. Picture my hands dragging down your chest, tracing your contours, playing with your— Wait, do you have a happy trail?”

          “I do now,” he laughed breathily. “I haven't shaved in… a while.” 

   “Fuck, are you growing a beard?” 

          “I guess?” 

   “Fuck… Is your hair tousled?” 

          “Hah, who asks tha-ah… Oh, fuck, V, I think I can feel you moving…” 

He moaned low, hips stuttering. 

          “Please, please fuck me, oh god—”

   “I'm trying,” he groaned. “I want to see and touch you so badly.” 

          “M- Me too. I need you, I need more…” 

A new heat began to build in the pit of his belly, far more intense than anything he'd experienced before. His nerves alighted all the way from his core to fingers. He thrusted the ones in his hole faster and deeper as the others kept working his dick. 

   “Jayce,” he gasped. “Can you feel me fully now?”

            “Yes,” he sobbed, speeding up both hands. “I'm… so close…” 

   “Let me in— I'll get us over the edge.” 

Neither knew exactly what was happening, just going off intuition, but somehow, Jayce pulled him through the barrier between their persons. Viktor's energy surged through him all at once, alighting every nerve with a pleasure that doubled seemingly infinitely. Jayce relinquished control of his hands, and for Viktor, their receptors simulated his dick's. He cried out as he rocked Jayce's fingers into him and pumped him through back-to-back orgasms, working out every last spasm while Jayce moaned and clenched around him, soaking his fingers. Exhaustion slowed them to a stop after they peaked a third time. 

......

    “Jayce… Holy quivering gonads, how did you do that?” he wheezed.

Jayce was incoherent but managed a delayed, neutral sound of acknowledgement that he heard him once he caught his breath enough. 

…

            “Quick refractory period," he panted. 

    "No, I meant the rest."

            "Oh... I have no fuckin’ clue.”

…

    “You're full of surprises,” he decided, voice tinged with awe. 

            “... I can still feel it happening, like some kind of endless echo or ripple. You've felt like a recursive impulse to me from the moment I absorbed the rune, but this…”

   “Yeah, I feel high... And you're so… juicy.” 

Jayce snorted, cracking open one eye, and then Viktor startled. He quickly opened them both.

             “You ok?”

    “... I can see, but I can't control it.”

             “What do you see?!” 

    “There's a… Agh—” 

Jayce had sprung upright, looking down at his core excitedly.

    “... You really do have an impressive pair of pectorals. Pity I can't adjust the focus for them.” 

...

          “Wait.” 

He stared intently at a nipple. 

    “That's fine, I guess. I want to suckle like a starving babe.” 

           “Oh my god. Ok, so you still don't have your own vision yet.” 

    “I am not complaining though… What is that light emanating? From the center of you, not your kneepole.” 

Jayce looked back at it for him.

          “It's you.” 

    “... Oh… That's… You did that, for me?” 

          “And for me, obviously. You've been my emotional support nightlight.” 

    “That is adorable, but also hot… I suppose those aspects of you are inextricably bound.”

Chapter Text

Jayce traced his core tenderly before placing his hand atop it. The energy fluttered in response, which was new. Viktor made a small, flustered noise. 

    “... You are painting me with your special slime. Is that not an unpleasant sensation?” 

…

             “A little. Got caught up in the moment.” 

    “Go wash yourself, you silly man.” 

             “Oh, fuck, are you domming and humiliating me?” 

…

    “Em. Sorry, what?”

             “Don't worry about it. That was just my dick talking.” 

    “Okie dokie... I would be interested in partaking once more.” 

Jayce grinned, feeling him react to the wet cloth as he bent over the sink.

             “Do you wanna try to control my vision?”

    “I would, but I'd fear you having a seizure or something.” 

             “You controlled my hands, though.” 

    “Yes, well, that was an urgent matter and my priorities were different. Eyes are more directly related to neurological ailments, anyway… Baby steps, yes?” 

             “Whatever you say,” he smirked.

…

    “Would you be so kind as to let me ogle you through the mirror?” 

Jayce complied, a little shy. He straightened and tried to tense his abs as much as possible. Viktor, despite his previous statement, found himself unintentionally commandeering his eyes through sheer desire. He didn't notice, but Jayce didn't mind, and there were no side effects, sans being studied like a work of art.

    “Glorious… Even better than I imagined,” he mumbled. “I knew you're huge and beautifully handsome, but Janna, the hair, everywhere… I can only dream of what you look like with the full amount.”

             “It's funny… Y'know I've been self-conscious about that? I got carried away early on, initially because of the forge. All the shaving and waxing and trimming was sensory hell, but I felt like… an animal otherwise.” 

    “This is one of the most tragic tales I've ever heard, and I come from the land of misery. If I could wield a separate body right now I'd be jumping you.”

             “... You want to fuck me?”

    “Yes, obviously! I already did… sort of. Jayce, I want to climb you like a ladder. I simply didn't think a disagreeable, broken twig like me stood a chance, and in any case, they say “don't shit where you eat,” so I tried not to think about it. I didn't want to lose your existing affection. You're the stuff of legends, an entire league above me.”

             “My god, you can't be serious. You're some elegant forest spirit, and I have to wear corsets because of this perpetual gut.” 

He patted it for emphasis with an exasperated expression. 

    “Jayce.” 

            “Now what?” he laughed. 

    “I want to kiss your stomach and rub it and fuck it. More explicitly, I want to straddle and rock into it. What's the next insecurity?” 

             “Oh,” he squeaked. “... I get it now.”

    “You are very conventionally attractive, and your so-called imperfections are beautiful in their own right. They make you… unique, like fingerprints. I would not change anything about you, not even the things I don't necessarily want to boink. Everything is endearing because it's yours.”

             “Fuck, you're being too nice.”

    “No, I am just giving an objective analysis. Subjectively, your haircut looks stupid, but I don't care.” 

             “Ok, rude.” 

    “— For what it's worth, you could be conventionally ugly and I would not be deterred. I would suckle even if you had green, leathery nipples.” 

             “... I hope you know I feel the same about you. You've always been gorgeous, though. I don't care what you look like as long as you're happy and you; I'm gonna be horny about any form from now on if you don't mind.” 

    “By all means... Do you remember when I said I underwent a full transition? Entirely new system, dick and balls included?”

             “I don't think I could forget that,” he chuckled. 

    “Right, well, I did it illegally, with… unanticipated effects… What I am trying to say is I ended up with a grotesque, footlong, mutated penis. It was heavy; it made walking even more difficult, especially with it throwing off my balance.” 

             “Fuuuuck... Wish I could've seen it.”

    “Perhaps one day,” he lilted.

             “Wish I could've taken it, too.” 

…

    “If I'd known, I would've come to you. Instead, I wallowed in monster cockshame."

…

             “God, we've been so fucking tragic.”

    “At least we're still here now. Together.” 

             “Yeah,” he smiled, rubbing his core like he would Viktor's shoulder. 

    “... Do you want to crank it in front of the mirror while I use your hands again?”

             “Fuck yes I do. I just… might get a little embarrassed.” 

    “Piltover's own Golden Boy, not taking the opportunity to stroke his ego?” 

             “Think the word's ‘stoke,’ but maybe.” 

    “I will be stroking it so tenderly,” he declared. Jayce failed to stifle a laugh. “Promise you will tell me if there's anything you don't want or anything that makes you even the slightest bit uncomfortable. I suspect I'll be able to sense it, but I want this failsafe.” 

Jayce lost sensation and control of his arms again, and he trembled with anticipation.

             “I promise. God, you're so good to me.” 

    “It's the bare minimum. You should have higher standards if they stop at not violating you,” he muttered. 

             “I do, I swear, haha. I meant in general, you're just so sweet…” 

    “Nonsense. I will show you sweet.” 

Jayce opened his mouth to argue, but Viktor was already feeling him up, cupping his tits like priceless artifacts before thumbing his nipples. All he could manage was a quiet “Oh.”

Viktor squeezed them gently, tentatively, testing his reaction as he locked eyes with the mirror. To their surprise, his eyes flickered a solid, glowing blue like the rest of their magic.

             “... That's... new... Unless I just hadn't noticed before. Vi did say she thought I was gonna shoot lasers from them.” 

    “Fascinating, but perhaps we should focus on the subject in hands before embarking upon that particular study.” 

             “No, yeah, I'm-mmn…”

He groaned softly in bliss as Viktor kneaded them.

    “So big… You are a giant among men.” 

Jayce heated up under his touch as he jiggled them lightly, pinched his nipples ever so carefully, mapped the sensitive skin of his scars, and then slid his hands lower. His navel pulse spiked against them and he dissolved into a noisy, encouraging mess as Viktor worshipped his abdomen, culminating in another deep tissue massage.

    “I want to kiss you,” he sighed, hands traveling back up. “Everywhere… but especially here,” he murmured, hesitating before thumbing his impossibly smooth, plush lower lip with a slow, featherlight motion, going over it several times, digit shaking, then pressing deeper. He repeated the movements to his upper lip and right on the line of his cupid's bow. They twitched slightly under his touch, and Jayce squirmed, getting quickly overwhelmed without the ability to fidget with his hands. He was never more grateful to have kept up with moisturizing and exfoliating them. 

    “And here,” Viktor whispered softly as he traced his cheekbones, one after the other, then made little circles on his cheeks. He repeated himself each time he moved to a new area, keeping the same, agonizingly sweet lightness and pace. He caressed his whole jawline, his earlobes, making him shiver, and the tip of his nose, making him giggle. Jayce could hear a smile in his voice at his responses. He swallowed reflexively as Viktor went down his Adam's apple. His breath hitched when Viktor thumbed the junctures of his neck and shoulders. 

    “... And also… here,” he breathed as he gingerly pressed two fingers into Jayce's mouth. Jayce sucked on them dutifully and swirled his tongue around and between them, even moaning and pulling them further in. He wanted to close his eyes and focus solely on it, but Viktor kept his gaze locked, only allowing them to emote. Jayce made sure to convey all that he could with them, blissed out and half-lidded. 

    “You're so fucking beautiful,” he mumbled. “Unparalleled, so good at pleasing.” Jayce just moaned deeper, voice rumbling low bass tones loud enough to vibrate his tongue. Viktor gasped. 

    “... Would you like to come again?” 

He nodded enthusiastically, jostling his fingers. 

    “Anything you want, everything you want, but please, keep sucking; your fingers started sharing the exact same sensations as my dick again,” he half-laughed, half-keened. Jayce was eager to comply and became even more vocal as his other hand went to play with his chest hair, then followed its path all the way to the end of his happy trail. 

    “How is this all silken?” he marveled, petting it appreciatively. “Do you bathe in conditioner?” 

Once Jayce registered his words, he kept his lips sealed and hummed an animated, incomprehensible-but-affirmative response, which just elicited a whimper from him.  

    “C- Can you sit across from the mirror for me?” 

Jayce almost followed blindly but then had a better idea. He turned the corner to point out his full-length mirror on the closet door. 

    “... You fucking tease, we could've been using that all along.” 

Jayce laughed around him in sheepish acknowledgement, which came as hard breaths through his nose and a smirk. Before Viktor could respond, he propped himself up as close to the mirror as he could and spread his legs as a distraction. His dick was short but thick, flushed above his glistening slick. His face went hot at the attention, even moreso than before. He braced himself, knowing Viktor would like him no matter how he looked but wanting desperately to get that lovedrunk euphoria again. 

    “Incredible,” he breathed.

The heat flooded him. He whined, and it twitched. 

    “... May I touch you?” 

Jayce couldn't resist slurring “Y'ah’eh’ee ah,” like the cocky bastard he was, then chuckling at his own words. He could almost feel him roll his eyes. 

    “Same way as before?” 

             “Mhmmm~”

    “Gods, I love your big mouth,” he groaned, already tracing Jayce's outer lips. Jayce inhaled sharply but managed not to choke on spit. He amplified and sped up his ministrations to encourage Viktor to do the same, but Viktor was too busy treating him like a sacrament. He reverently caressed and massaged all the way from them to his inner thighs, grasping their thickness. 

    “You could've crushed my entire ribcage with these,” he mumbled, voice heady in lust. “And kept me here forever. I would've been fine with that fate.” 

Jayce huffed in bemusement, but the size talk was definitely getting to him again, too. 

    “... I bet I could've fit my hand inside of you with little resistance and been taken even deeper in. Perhaps my entire forearm.” 

He moaned outright at that, hips trying to trap his hand. 

    “I agree. Let's open you up; you've waited too long.” 

He wanted to point out that he hadn't waited long and that he was capable of waiting way longer, but he didn't want to correct him badly enough to edge himself. Later, maybe. Viktor was already teasing open his folds, spreading his slick to the rest. He immediately pressed against the underside of his dick with his thumb and rubbed it, watching in the mirror. A little drool escaped from the corner of Jayce's mouth as he got louder and less controlled. 

    “Good~?” 

             “Mmn…”

He dipped lower, then slid in with his middle and index finger since Jayce didn't need any prep. Jayce pulled his fingers even deeper and swallowed around them, surprising him with his lack of a gag reflex. Viktor was incoherent and just started thrusting erratically until he composed himself enough to establish a rhythm, moving in sync with both hands. He rubbed his ridges and tongue as he kept brushing against his cervix and the back of his throat, which reduced them both to overwhelmed messes who quickly unraveled. Viktor lost control of his vision and almost blacked out from the intensity when they peaked. Jayce laid back, chest heaving, and Viktor remembered to pull his fingers from his mouth but kept the other hand in place to feel Jayce's ebbing throbs. He carded the dry fingers through his hair.

    “... Was that alright?” 

             “Yes,” he laughed, breathless. “Way more than alright, god, give yourself some credit.” 

    “Just checking,” he chortled. “One can never be too sure.” 

             “Did I seem unsure in our infinite orgasm?” 

    “No, you did not,” he smirked. “Regardless, I am glad you enjoyed it. You are very good with your mouth.” 

             “I know,” he grinned cheekily. There was still drool on his face, but he was content to be pet. “I'm happy I could demonstrate.” 

    “You feel phenomenal around me, on both ends. So warm…” 

             “Here's hoping you can get more than my fingers in me next time. Not complaining, though; that was insanely hot. Just… a little egotistical, don't you think?” 

… 

    “That was quite possibly the worst impression of me I've ever witnessed. Do it again.” 

Chapter Text

    “... But at least the vote still counted and the treaty was ratified, yes? You are going to tell me that? … Don't worry; I am joking.” 

           “Silco's dead,” he sighed. 

… 

    “Janna DAMN it. We were so close, why can we do nothing right?!” 

           “This one mostly wasn't our fault.” 

    “So it was our fault. Of course… I'm sorry, Jayce. I am not cross with you; I'm just frustrated.” 

           “I know. I am too... I found out that he wasn't going to agree, though.” 

…

    “Čurák,” he muttered to himself under the breath he didn't need. Jayce couldn't help smiling. 

           “Maybe we should just retire… Better yet, if we start trying to cause harm, we might finally help people.” 

    “This is a sound hypothesis,” he mumbled, amused but still crestfallen. “... Don't you ever get tired of all the pompous, stuffy nonsense here? We could start anew, you know. If you wanted.” 

… 

           “All I want anymore is for you to be well. Hextech was a mistake from the start, but the time I got to spend having you as my partner wasn't.” 

    “We are still partners,” he interjected. “And there is still so much work to be done, things that pose average danger. I say you take their "investments" and run.” 

           “That's… probably illegal.” 

    “Eh. Most things worth doing are.” 

… 

           “You magnificent madman.”

    “Comes with the profession,” he smirked. 

… 

           “I don't care where we go; my place is with you. I'm going to resign from the council once I get the gem back, and then we can do—” 

    “Wait, hold on. Why in the everliving shit would you quit the council now of all moments?!”

           “... Thought we were on the same page.” 

    “Apparently not,” he huffed in annoyance. “In all fairness, I did just propose that we run away together, but still… There are grave matters to attend to first; you know this.” 

           “Since when did you want me to stay on the council? Wasn't that… the source of our rift?” 

…

    “It was complicated and more than just that. Misunderstandings, priorities not aligned… We both failed in the end. But what's important now is that the power vacuum isn't left vacant. I've seen with my own eyes what happens when the leaders of these corrupt institutions aren't replaced in a timely fashion. Already, no doubt, there are abhorrent contenders lining up. Your city and mine need ones who won't screw their people over more than they already are being.” 

           “But why would I deserve to make those decisions?”

    “You don't,” he replied simply. “No one does. But you are a good person, Jayce. There aren't many of those in these roles. And I'm not talking about needing better Enforcers; fuck the Enforcers. You make decisions by listening to your heart, which most of them lack.” 

           “Vik. I make the worst fucking decisions.” 

    “Eh, not always.” 

           “Too often.” 

    “As do I. You mean well, and that counts for something.” 

           “The only count that matters is my bodycount at the end of the day.”

    “... Are you speaking metaphorically?” he hazarded.

           “I wish.”

    “Since when do you have a bodycount?!”

           “I listened to my heart a little too much.” 

…

    “Gods, alright, neither of us is qualified for a leadership role... but my point remains. You've always had the best intentions. I strongly recommend holding onto your seat until things quiet down. These are tumultuous times. I am sure you can find a decent replacement, considering how many affiliates you hobnobbed with.”

           “More like knob-slobbered,” he chuckled. “Those people are the worst. I couldn't stand them.” 

…

    “Hm.” 

           “What?” 

    “No, no, I just— You don't know anyone you could recommend?” 

           “Not a damn soul. None of them can be trusted.” 

    “... What of your casual friendships?” 

Jayce furrowed his brow, pondering. 

           “Man. I need more of those, don't I? Cait's the only person who comes to mind—” “No Enforcers, sorry.” “— and I'm way older than her…”

    “If it's any consolation, I lack them as well. My only humanoid childhood companion was a deranged doctor.” 

…

He rubbed the crease in his forehead. 

           “Every time I think your history can't get worse...”

    “How about the buff pink girl? She did not sound so bad.” 

…

           “She's not bad, but we made bad judgment calls together, and she's on the fence about becoming an Enforcer herself... I barely know her, anyway. She's Cait's friend.”

…

    “Friend? Really?”

           “Yeah, it's like my only friends are my mom, my little sister figure, and her friend I've known for maybe three weeks. How sad is that?”

    “... There's sadder. Besides, you seem to have forgotten Medarda.”

           “Our thing is different, I dunno; grey area,” he gestured vaguely. “And she can't hold more than one seat… God, what I'd give to see the look on her face if you addressed her like that.” 

Viktor snickered. 

    “I bowed for no one. Bad leg and all; they wouldn't want a cripple falling on their fancy shoes.” 

           “Please never change; I would've lost my mind without you to cut through the bullshit of this place.” 

    “The precise bullshit I set out to condemn and abandon, but alas, how the record spins...” 

Jayce hummed in agreement around a mouthful of biscuit, finishing logging the details of their paranormal exploits. He was still assnaked, which Viktor learned was a postcoital preference, but he had at least bothered to wash up. He examined his notes diligently, brushing crumbs off them. 

           “... Alright, I think this one's done.”

    “You forgot to sign it,” he quipped. Jayce responded in earnest.

           “It's a joint project. I can't unless you do.”

    “So humble... Thank you, but I will pass.” 

           “How come?”

    “Anyone you choose to share this with will question your sanity.”

           “Everyone already is, heh... It can't hurt.”

    “I don't see the point. Why put a dead man's one-name signature on weird sex ventures?”

           “But I— We could bring you back to life!” 

    “You think so? In that defective, failing body I wielded?” 

           “We- We might be able to heal it.” 

…

    “Again, thank you, but I will pass.” 

           “Viktor…” 

    “No,” he sighed, tone gentle. “I am sick of the godsforsaken thing. Every single day was excruciating, for as long as I lived…” 

Jayce frowned sympathetically, caressing his core in an attempt at comfort. It grew a little brighter. 

    “... Do you recall how it felt to be weightless that night?”

           “Of course. It was… magical.” 

    “That's how I exist now, but better! I don't want to be confined to- to some husk again.”

           “... Not even a healthy one?” 

    “It is… for the best that I not wield my own.”

           “Fuck, V, I felt like your grave until you woke up, and now I'm starting to all over.”

    “I'm sorry. Really, I am fine. This- This new state, it's amazing. And this… space has begun evolving more… concrete structures. It engages the senses entirely differently, yet they still parse.” 

           “Huh… Can you see anything there?” 

    “It started as just… an idea, the concept of a warm, blue aura encompassing me, which grew stronger until it was indisputably my world, and now… In short, yes.” 

           “... You know I'm gonna ask what you see.”

    “It's indescribable. The environment is ultimately undefined and changes rapidly to reflect… your state? I am unsure how that works, but right now, it is calm and stable, somewhat morose. The energy flows like a stream of consciousness around me… The best descriptor I can attribute to it is a hearth. There are solid foundations and supports as well, but they take the form of… Granted, I could be influencing it with my presence, but the parameters allocated to secure me are just an enormous version of your hands clasped tightly. I can see through the gaps, but I cannot leave. Beyond them appears to be a vast cosmic scape.”

Jayce had been scribbling notes again from his words but slowed when he heard the part about his hands. He finished his previous sentence and paused. 

           “I… I didn't realize I'm trapping you.”

    “No, I wouldn't call it that. Containment, maybe, but it's not suffocating… The space inside is very large. It could be considered its own pocket dimension.”

…

           “But it limits you.” 

“Every system has its limits,” he shrugged. “It is better than being lost in the abyss.” 

…

           “I don't know, I… It feels… possessive.”

    “Protective, more like. I am doing the possessing. And I must reemphasize how lovely this space is. Despite it not being physical, it feels comforting, like a blanket by a furnace… It is nice to feel this safe and wanted. I never experienced a sense of home elsewhere. Only you have ever provided it, and it is the most precious thing in all of existence from my perspective.” 

           “... I love that you love it. I'm so, so fucking glad you aren't suffering anymore.” 

    “Eh, I will probably invent my own psychological torments over time.”

Jayce chuckled, and they fell into comfortable silence.

…

           “Guessing you haven't seen your original body.”

    “No. Do you really suspect it is intact? I imagine it was obliterated with the Hexcore.”

           “I mean, I did teleport that woman alive, but I could sense her location…” 

    “I would be very surprised if mine was floating around... I don't feel a connection to it, either.”

           “... So no more body. Ok, we'll work with that. Do you at least have some sort of form in there?” 

    “I… am unsure. Sometimes I think I see my hands, but nothing else seems to manifest outside of… moments of desire.” 

           "I'm pretty sure I could sense those too,” he laughed, slightly flustered. 

    “In any case, I haven't done research yet. Much needs to be conducted.” 

           “Can't wait,” he grinned. 

…

    “It truly is a sanctuary… I've never been well-rested before this. How long was I… asleep?” 

…

           “I honestly lost track of days…” he mumbled as he flipped backwards through entries. “Looks like… over a week and a half, which means I have the same amount of time to figure out how to do magic tricks for peace… Ugh, not looking forward to that. Why'd I say two weeks? It's way too short…” 

    “We will figure it out... That was a very long time to believe I was gone,” he frowned. “No wonder there is so much residual pain inside. I wish I was back sooner, or never left in the first place.”

           “You're here now, and that's what matters… Wait, do you think the Hexcore could still exist somehow, like you?”

…

    “It plagued my mind for weeks prior; I was entwined deeply with it… but I can no longer sense it at all. Then again, I cannot sense much of anything besides you,” he lilted.

           “We'll get all your senses back.” 

   “No rush... What if I just continued to share yours on occasion? It is really not so bad an arrangement for me. I would be content here forever.”

Jayce snorted incredulously. 

    “I am a hundred percent serious. Of course, it's your body; I don't deserve to overstay my welcome, but if you don't mind, I've decided I would prefer not to interact with the world outside of you anymore.” 

           “... Can I ask why?” 

    “I mean, what would I even do back out there besides cause more problems? Like I said, having a body was a miserable affair. There are zero losses, as far as I am concerned. I was already invisible, and no one will miss me. That's how I wanted it.” 

           “Fuck, Vik, please. I'll miss you. You know that, right? I've missed you ever since I got caught up in the council shit, but this past week and a half, all I could think about was you. I'll miss your eyes, your smile, the way you fit in my arms, every mole I never kissed… Besides, everyone has a ripple effect! You taught me that... Sky would be devastated; I've seen the way she looks at you.” 

    “I killed Sky, Jayce!” 

…

           “Wait, why? I thought she was nice.”

    “It was an accident, of course, but she paid the price for my recklessness with the Hexcore. I… I was trying to cure myself via augmentation — transmutation, essentially, in what I thought would be a more… controlled method than the others — and relied on Shimmer to get through it, but then I ran out. I thought I'd be alone as the only potential casualty. It latched onto me… but the next thing I knew, she was screaming and disintegrating before my eyes… I don't know what would have happened if she didn't intervene. The magic was already unpredictable, and the full extent to which I corrupted it remains unknown. That's why- why I needed to destroy it, but it had already evolved enough to physically prevent me from doing so. I was too… ashamed to admit the specifics of its harm or dangers; I feared how you might respond. This is the ultimate reason I can't allow myself a body. How many other tragedies would I catalyze?” 

Jayce found himself at a loss. He wanted to hug Viktor and soothe the waver of his voice, but the best he could do was wrap his arms around his own sides again with all the intent he could channel. Viktor startled, almost inaudible, then heaved a stuttery breath despite having no need for them. Jayce imagined him leaning into his hold as he stroked his hair.

           “It's going to be ok, even if it's not,” he murmured, as if sharing secret wisdom. 

…

    “It's not,” he protested weakly. “She's dead because of me.” 

           “Believe it or not, I… I know how that feels. I raided a Shimmer plant like the issues of the undercity could be fixed with more brutality, like it was a black-and-white game. Because of my boneheadedness, a boy died in the crossfire. He was so young, I- I keep seeing his blank eyes. All the survivors were shuttled to Stillwater. Those poor people, they didn't— God, how could I be such an idiot? I thought I was their savior.” 

He grimaced as he realized he made the conversation about himself, but in the silence that followed, he could almost feel Viktor reciprocating, clinging to him with a sort of desperation that matched his. 

    “... You do understand,” he mumbled. 

           “Viktor, I'm so fucking sorry. For everything.” 

    “I- Me too. I regret not trusting you, greatly.” 

           “I can't blame you. I've screwed up left and right with really important things. Like, trying out weapons after all that we said? Coming so close to feeding the Hexcore you, instead of keeping my promise? After the attack, I… I even reconsidered whether not making weapons was the right call… Viktor, I don't think I'll ever be able to make it up to you.”

    “... But you stopped that shit, yes? And in any case, you ultimately chose well.” 

…

           “God, Viktor, I was so close to breaking two promises to you.” 

    “You didn't,” he offered gently. “If you had, I would have been hurt, but I understand now; you're driven by love. Sure, you are less than versed in systemic issues and experiences such as mine, but these were also… circumstances capable of impairing judgement.” 

He left out how much of Jayce's pain stemmed from his illness and death, but it remained heavy in the air. 

           “... I keep seeing all of them, even the ones I didn't directly kill… on the bridge, in the factory, in the council chambers…”

Viktor's side of the comfort intensified. 

    “... If it helps, I forgive you. You must forgive yourself too and allow a respite from the duress… I must admit that I harbored some resentment about your choices as of late, but you had the weight of the world on your shoulders. And… we lost sight of everything, myself especially. I refused to heed dangers! You are too harsh towards yourself; I was the one arguing for a premature mass release of the Hexgems. That would have been the same as equipping all of Runeterra with weapons in the long run. I've always been a risk-taker, throwing caution to the wind. It took Sky's death for me to sober… You can chime in with additional criticisms, you know. There is much for me to be contrite about.”

…

           “From the start, you were all that really mattered, but I got so sidetracked by the council and public affairs, I… I thought I was doing it for us, for you, ultimately. I should've stayed next to you through everything. Forcing myself to be more than a scientist was stupid.”

   “Jayce,” he interrupted softly. “When I said I understand, I meant that I understand you. I can see you now as you are, and it is past time that I allow you to see me in turn. I was wrong to lessen my trust after the blockade—” “I really don't think you were. The things I said and did were asinine at best.” “— I should have confided in you about my plan; perhaps you may have been able to help avert its danger. I chose to push you away at surface level in fear of being vulnerable, in disbelief that I could earn such affection. I chose to face my issues alone, which was not your doing… I didn't realize how deeply you care. I thought it was pity at best, perhaps a sense of obligation or guilt compelling you. I never knew anyone with as big a heart as yours, let alone one that had room for me in it. We both… made mistakes. Took the wrong paths. But they led us to converge again, and crises seem more navigable when we're together. You are… my rock, for lack of poetic words. I would like to give you all of me if it benefits you. If you'll let me, I would be more than happy to stay until infinity ends.” 

Viktor’s confessions sounded forced but sincere, as if he was unfurling his soul for the first time and placing it in Jayce's hands, something fragile yet volatile. Jayce cradled it to his chest like it was the most precious thing in existence, as he had been doing the entire time with his essence. 

            “You do realize you're offering me a dream-come-true. Viktor, I would still love you if you were my forever tapeworm, but I obviously want to see and hear you as much as I can.”

…

   “I… was unaware of the former,” he teetered sheepishly, trying not to grimace at the imagery. 

           “I just- Is this really what you want? Being stuck with me?”

   “Yes.”

           "But you don't even know what it's like to live with me.” 

    “Don't be ridiculous. You spent more time living in the lab than your domicile these past seven years. We've witnessed the horrors of each other's personal habits and preferences aplenty.” 

Jayce took a moment to consider this. He did keep duplicates of most of his things there. Viktor put up with his idiosyncrasies and elaborate beauty routine more than any sapient being should've. But then again, Viktor did use lab tools to pick his nose and teeth and trim his nails. He washed them afterwards, but it still grossed Jayce out, along with how poor his hygiene could get and how godawful his jarred vinegar vegetables smelled — especially the fermented ones — when he was able to live off more than sweetmilk. The knowledge that Viktor often drank the vinegar too made Jayce shudder. He felt a little guilty about being relieved that he wouldn't do things like that anymore. But there were also special moments they shared, like Viktor giving him his shots with reassurance and comfort or shaving his asshole for him with goggles on whenever it was bad enough, and Jayce exfoliating under his back brace or giving massages and cracking his joints. Viktor once suggested that he chose the wrong profession, and he was right, if the amount of praise and encouragement he got high off of each time was any indication. 

    “What could possibly be making you horny about that?”

           “... I forgot we're still sharing emotions... Uh, I liked helping you feel better.” 

    “Ah. It does align with your… interests.”

           “Anyway, um. You can always change your mind. Maybe we can make a robot body for you just in case? To hop between, or something… I hope we're not wrong about the permanence of your state.” 

    “We aren't,” he assured firmly. “If there is one indisputable fact to be extracted from this clusterfuck, it's that I will never abandon you. Despite being realms apart, we remained together.” 

…

           “Sorry, I just— I missed you so fucking much; I was afraid I wouldn't even get to hear your voice again... I'm still not used to it.” 

The tears were falling freely now. Their pseudohug continued to tighten into a vicelike grip, as if they could become one being together. 

…

    “All these years, I didn't think you'd want me to the extent I do you. I am still coming to terms with that.” 

His admission was barely audible but “spoken” all the same. It held an immense amount of grief that he feared expressing, and Jayce squeezed in response. His arms had grown shaky, yet the idea of letting up pained him. He wanted to feel Viktor, solid, in them. 

           “More than anything; I was just oblivious. I- I figured you knew before me, since everyone else apparently did...” 

A fluttery warmth had taken root in his chest, which flourished then. He embraced it with all of him as it grew and became another feedback loop, amplifying ad infinitum. Just like that, Viktor manifested, latched flush against him, face buried in the crook of his neck as he cried. Neither fully registered it at first, but then Jayce opened his eyes at the light shining through them and beheld the dazzling cosmic figure that was his partner. His form fluctuated before settling on pale blue, translucent Hexgem-like matter and becoming solid. Jayce inhaled sharply with a choked noise, trembling all over now. Viktor shifted at the disturbance and reflexively looked up at him in concern, then startled at finding them face-to-face, senses returned. They held each other's anxious gaze as they held onto each other for dear life. After a long moment of nothing bad happening, Jayce's shoulders sagged in relief, and they gradually eased up until they were comfortable. 

…

           “Viktor,” he wibbled, voice cracking.

    “J- Jayce,” he sniveled, voice embarrassingly high. 

Exhaustion was overwhelming them from the combination of their mental and Jayce's physical, which Viktor could still sense. It alarmed him.

    “We're… ok. Please rest. I will be right here.”

Jayce blinked away the last tears his body could muster as he looked adoringly at his partner, who dried them with a bittersweet smile, another promise. Jayce leaned down to press a kiss to his forehead. Viktor stroked his arm.

…

              “S- Sorry, I wasn't thinking.” 

Viktor cupped his cheek, thumbing it in calming circles, and Jayce leaned to nuzzle back. The novelty of being the one reaching out to Jayce was quickly becoming intoxicating, especially because of Jayce's reactions. Jayce drank up every ounce of attention but could easily get drunk from it thanks to his oversensitivity, resulting in becoming incoherently enthusiastic like the puppy he so embodied. It only took an affirmative word or a gentle touch to make him all but wag. 

    “You never need apologize for being affectionate with me. It's something I've always cherished… Also, we cranked it together not an hour ago, in case you have forgotten.” 

Jayce took two seconds to process this, then promptly squished him between his tits as he wrapped his limbs around him like an octopus, planting three more kisses across his forehead. Viktor appeared flustered but laughed softly, something he hadn't heard in ages. He tried to kiss away his tears, but they were pseudocorporeal and already dissipating. Viktor squirmed from his efforts as he switched to kissing his moles, and Jayce relished in how real he felt. He looked and felt different now, an ethereal astral being that defied physics, but the only thing that mattered to Jayce was that he still existed and could be smooched into a giddy, giggling mess. 

    “Do you want me to die a second time?” he wheezed. “You're lucky I don't have lungs anymore.” 

           “Mm,” he hummed, lips nestled atop his hair now, which was eternally billowing like clouds but still felt akin to hair, just softer and less defined, like one silken feather. It wisped around each breath like dry ice. He took a deep whiff and found it to have hints of the 3-in-1 shampoo he remembered, faint in otherwise fresh, cold air. 

He couldn't give less of a shit about whether it was all an illusion to his senses. Maybe that factor would allow for Viktor to be sensed in different ways through either of their efforts, he mused.

Viktor hadn't even looked himself over yet, curiosity overshadowed by his need to exist fully present in Jayce's arms. He hadn't realized just how badly he wanted his affection— needed it, even, if he was codependent. For as much as he'd prided himself on being independent, part of him — a disgraceful part he refused to acknowledge — longed to simply be held like this, burdens relinquished in favor of being cradled and cared for like something treasured, irreplicable, even. To be at the center of Jayce's life, if only for a little while. 

           “... I can still feel you, deep inside of me,” he murmured, bringing him out of his thoughts. “... Feels right, like you've always belonged there and now I'm whole... I hope that's not weird to say.” 

   “Not by our standards." 

           “Fair enough," he snorted.

    "I… I sense you around me in every manner. Your emotions, your warmth, your very being… It's… love. You've surrounded me with unwavering love, and I want you to feel mine back.” 

           “I do… It's comforting, just knowing you're safe and I'm not alone, but it also feels really, really good on all levels… which I'll unpack another time.”

    “Wait, you also enjoy it beyond just sex?”

           “More than anything. Thought that was obvious, hah...”

Jayce beamed, eyes twinkling down at him. Viktor reciprocated and cupped his face again.

    “I've wanted to do this from the moment you asked my name.”

           “... Can I—” 

    “Always,” he grinned before pressing their lips together, Jayce quickly responding with enthusiasm. The feedback loop resumed, sensations almost electrifying. They eventually parted, not for air but to grapple with the overload.

    “My turn smooching you senseless~ I will begin with the list of places I desire to most. Forgive me if I improvise, but it appears that I'll need to goad you into resting, considering it is ass o'clock. You are a man of flesh and blood, no matter how exceptional.” 

           “Good luck with that; I don't even want to blink.” 

Viktor scooted up to kiss his eyelids pointedly, and they fluttered closed as Jayce made a quiet, breathy laugh, flustered.

Chapter Text

Viktor eventually managed to get him back to sleep, held snug like a teddy bear in his arms. The rhythms of Jayce's body were peaceful and grounding, calm but steadfast and alive. Jayce still had a content expression and occasionally shifted to try to pull him closer than possible. Viktor didn't seem to share his need for sleep anymore, but he was happy to remain there, secure. 

Jayce was a human furnace, which fit him well enough considering his warm disposition and the abstract heat that radiated from both the center and hands of his core realm. Viktor naturally ran cold. Often in the winter he'd fantasized about abandoning his work in favor of attaching himself to Jayce until he thawed. The withdraw of every touch was torturous; he yearned for them to last forever. He didn't particularly feel cold anymore; at least, he wasn't bothered by it now, but he still relished Jayce's heat all the same. 

He buried his face in his chest and just listened to his heart, strong enough to thrum against him with each beat. Knowing that he was well comforted him like nothing else. He resolved to not let anything change that if he could help it— not illness, not injury, not even age. He'd tried to stay at arm's length for so long, but there was no going back to those days. He needed Jayce to thrive, and he couldn't bear existing without him. Jayce had quite literally become his world. He pressed a kiss to his core and ended up feeling it faintly. 

His own hands were all that he could be bothered to examine of himself until Jayce awoke. Yes, he resembled the inside of a Hexgem but animated like a sped-up timelapse of the sky, with sparkles, and reduced to fifteen percent opacity. No, he did not care enough to choose it over cuddles. Research be damned; he was cozy and in the most divine situation he could imagine. 

He did inadvertently discover that he could phase through Jayce when he went to trace his core and instead his fingers dipped into it. Jayce made a groggy noise and held him even tighter. Viktor contemplated waking him to ask if he minded Viktor trying to fist his chest out of curiosity, but that would've meant the end of Jayce's soft almost-snores, which jostled his whole body like an engine purring. Instead, he put his face back in his tits, closed his eyes, and let his mind drift. 

At some point, he became aware that he'd started dreaming. He tried to blink back awake in vain, but then his surroundings caught his attention. He'd rarely ever slept soundly enough to dream before, let alone vividly, and never lucidly. The first thing he noticed was Jayce, with a darker, opaque version of the gemstone matter that composed him, head and hair still normal. He was resting there, too, maintaining the same small smile, but he had his arms open at his sides and was almost statuesque, floating there motionless. The space was different from his core, appearing to resemble the cosmic scape outside of it, but made of blue hues. He examined himself and found that his body was just blinding light. He wisped over to Jayce and poked his shoulder tentatively. His finger phased through him, but this time, the light illuminated him, reflecting off facets and dancing as ripples like a pool floor under the sun. He was almost crystalline like the gems themselves, but his composition was ever-changing like an ocean. 

Jayce didn't stir even as Viktor wiggled his fingers. It unnerved him, so he withdrew. Upon parting, deep “fingerprints” remained but gradually faded. Viktor examined his fingers and found a blue sheen on them. After a moment of contemplation, he sniffed it, then tried to lick it, but it was already dissipating into nothingness. He furrowed his brow. If Jayce wasn't going to wake up there and explore the space or each other's bodies with him, he resigned to staying in place. He didn't want to risk getting separated, but he didn't want to just wait for something to happen. He tried calling his name and patting his face, to no avail. His fingers didn't phase through upon contact, though, so he mentally made another note for Jayce to write down. He concentrated and tried to hold Jayce's nearer hand. It took several tries, but he managed to become corporeal enough to wedge their fingers together, and Jayce reciprocated subconsciously. Viktor considered the potential implications and then leaned in for a Zaunite kiss. Their foreheads bonked together awkwardly at that angle, and it was jarring enough to disturb Jayce's slumber. 

    “Hey. Hey, Jayce. Are you awake yet?” 

…

          “Nnm,” he mumbled, brow creasing.

…

    “How about now?” 

          “The hell's your problem?” he slurred, barely conscious. He cracked open one bleary eye, then squinted at Viktor's brightness as he reveled in his victory, needing to shield his eyes. Viktor could tell the moment he registered him. His eyes went wide and his hand dropped. Suddenly, Viktor's form became unstable. It shifted through old appearances in a rapid, haphazard manner, combining some and creating new ones. When the forms weren't fantastical or undefined, they wore his past outfits, but only ones Jayce had seen before. Viktor was at a loss and didn't even notice the changes at first. He found them mildly alarming and frustrating, since he could neither see them in full nor control them. As soon as Jayce recovered from the shock, he tackled him with a hug, and everything went blank. Just like that, Viktor was booted back to their reality, in the same position he'd fallen asleep. He lifted his head in concern as Jayce's breath stuttered and heart raced under him. Jayce's panic was averted at the sight, but it still took a moment for him to speak. 

          “Viktor,” he half-whispered, half-gasped, voice like gravel from tiredness and emotion. Viktor thumbed his cheekbone soothingly. 

    “Good morning, sleepyhead.”

Jayce got his bearings and remembered the night before.

…

          “You're… still here.” 

    “Told you,” he smiled, sweeping his hair out of his eyes. 

Jayce exhaled slowly, blinking away tears of joy from the corners of his eyes. He then wrapped his limbs around him tighter and swayed him from side-to-side in a long, fullbody hug with satisfied hums. Viktor squeaked as Jayce unintentionally rocked against his crotch, but it was muffled into his tits. 

          “M'so happy you're here, you're real. God, I love you so much, Viktorrrrrr—”

    “Jayce… Jayce, I love you too, but your titillating thunder thighs are squeezing my testes like stress toys,” he wheezed. Jayce released them, and he sighed in relief.

          “Shit, sorry!!!” 

    “It was alright, just uncomfortable; far less painful than it would've been alive,” he laughed. “Interesting to ponder… We should—” 

          “I'm not torturing your balls for science.” 

…

    “Then we may never know,” he sighed lightheartedly. “... Are you faring any better today? How are you feeling?”

          “I'm feeling amazing. Fucking amazing. So much better; perfect, even,” he murmured, kissing his head. “You?”

    “I cannot imagine more ideal circumstances.” 

Viktor tilted his head up to meet his lips and kissed him tenderly. The smooth plushness of Jayce's lips contrasted with his fuzzy stubble was intoxicating. Jayce reciprocated eagerly. He took Viktor's tongue into his mouth and rubbed it against his, sucking lightly. Viktor whimpered at the sensation. They parted after a minute or so, and then Jayce gazed down at him with fondness. Viktor gave a small smile back.

          “You look so fucking beautiful; I can't…”

His present appearance was that of his last days (albeit as Hexgem matter), unlike the healthier one from Jayce's first dream. They were equally gorgeous to Jayce; he doubted he'd ever find a form he preferred less as long as Viktor thrived in them. Realization dawned upon him that Viktor's hog was just there, half-hard and out between his thighs, which were still kind of squishing him. He wasn't sure how he'd missed that the night before, but he guessed he was preoccupied and tired.

          “... You're naked,” he managed. 

    “Astute observation… I can try and conjure up articles of—”

          “Feels like half a third leg.” 

Viktor stopped to think for a moment, then lit up in excitement.

    “Do you know what this means?! I can show you my awful cock!”

          “Hell fucking yes… More like awesome cock, from what I've heard and felt.” 

    “Well, you'll see it either way. I will let you be the judge of your own perception.” 

          “... Holy shit that thing is enormous.” 

    “I tried to warn you.” 

          “It's so… veiny.”

    “Yes, that too.” 

          “I want it inside of me. Anywhere.”

    “Oh… Still? Are you certain?” 

          “Never been more sure.” 

    “Well, ok.”

Jayce's waves of horniness were impossible to ignore. He laid back down anyway.

…

    “Are you really wanting to fuck again right now?” 

          “I mean, if you want to. If it's not too much trouble.”

    “That is fine; I am just amazed at your drive.”

          “Maybe you're giving me super penis energy, or something.” 

    “Perhaps,” he nodded, not missing a beat. “Or the spirit and flesh are equally inspired.” 

…

          “I think it's both.” 

Viktor hummed in agreement. 

          “Man, I forgot Acceleration is an Inspiration rune. Teleportation is just the subcategory it falls under... Can you imagine if all of this happens from sheer desire?” 

…

    “We may be a force of nature now. Our own wild rune.” 

          “Yeah… It's wild, at least.” 

Viktor snorted but stayed nestled in the crook of his neck, beginning to knead one of his pecs idly. Jayce groaned and arched his back the slightest bit to press his fingers deeper. Their tips phased in, and the sensation and subsequent feedback rocked them both.

…

    “This is a golden opportunity to experiment. I would like to see to what extent I can wield the hypothetical channel of desire.” 

          “Oh, you can wield my literal channel of desire all you want.” 

Viktor stifled a guffaw with the side of his other pec. His energy radiated through them, and Jayce whined outright before his mind could catch up with his dick. 

          “... Please.” 

    “Do you have any… preferences regarding activities or the direction they take?” 

          “Not really, aside from wanting to sample your footlong.” 

    “Ah, but of course. I will, erm… This is definitely on the agenda, but I must admit, there's one thing I wish I could've experienced pre-mutation.” 

          “Yeah?” 

    “Yeah… When you tried to distract me from my plights by gushing about your success in devouring Mel, I envied her greatly.” 

…

          “Oh… Sorry about that,” he mumbled.

    “No, no, I am only mentioning it to “float” the idea by you. Sensations, transformation, physicality, just think of the data output! If I can transmute my form at will, then perhaps…” he trailed off with a shy smirk, waggling his brows for emphasis. 

          “Mm, fuck yes, I'd love to eat you. You're already making me hungry~”

Jayce was practically smacked in the face by Viktor's wave of excited horniness, and he keened. Viktor wished he could make a record out of all his spontaneous sex sounds.

    “There is also a… particular scenario.”

          “Like roleplay?” 

    “Nn… No, but I would be amenable to yours... The idea is that I repeat the transmutation midcoitus. I would revert to my present form, preferably through the… activity. But I think it would require our combined desire.” 

          “Hell of a way to test a theory,” he laughed, “I'm so down to go down on you, god; I'd love breakfast in bed… Wonder what you taste like.” 

Viktor deflated in relief, embarrassment catching up. He tucked his face into his shoulder, and Jayce rubbed his back tenderly until he recovered. 

    “... Ok, I will… try, now.” 

Jayce hadn't known Viktor pretransition, and Viktor himself barely remembered what he'd looked like in general. However, the desire to be eaten out proved strong enough for him to whip something up when he thought about it hard enough. 

          “Your dick shrank!” 

    “No, that's just the original model.” 

…

          “Seriously?” 

    “Seriously.” 

          “... Would you be ok with me looking?”

    “Of course. One generally sees their food before eating it.” 

Viktor hesitated, then leaned back and folded his knees so that he was sitting on his torso, squirming a bit from his attention.

          “My god, what kind of pollutants were you raised in to grow something that big on your own?”

    “It is really not so big.” 

          “It's fucking huge! Dude, I'm jealous.” 

    “Why? You're bigger.” 

          “Maybe the diameter, but definitely not the length, not proportionately… How does that work?” 

Viktor shrugged, occupied with eyeballing his hairy gut. 

    “I seem to be the right size for your bellybutton, if nothing else.” 

          “You… oh, fuck, I forgot.” 

    “I was not flattering you with compliments back then; they were sincere.” 

Jayce nodded, swallowing hard. 

          “... Can we try that first?” 

    “We can and I would enjoy it.” 

…

          “Shit, I don't have lube.”

    “Ah. That makes sense, considering your juiciness… Perhaps I could just… sort of…” 

He traced his finger around the edge, creating a glittery gel that he then pressed inwards to spread. Jayce's breath hitched.

    “Good?” 

          “Ye- Yeah... Just sensitive... In the sex way.”

    “Perhaps I have aphrodisiac properties,” he mused.

          "God, I hope so."

Viktor smirked and swirled his finger around with wet squelches, eliciting another keen and back arch.

          “Kind of… tickles.” 

    “That should more than suffice. Shall we proceed?”

          “Please.”

He beamed and straddled him properly, aligning his hips. Jayce tensed his gut as he splayed a hand across it, other hand stroking himself with the same stuff. 

    “Let me know if it feels weird.”

          “Oh, I'm banking on it feeling weird.” 

    “Unpleasant weird,” he clarified. 

          “Right.” 

Nerves suddenly overwhelmed Viktor from the reality of the situation dawning upon him. His hand trembled slightly as he guided his cock. Jayce frowned and looked up.

          “You ok?”

    “Yes, I just— I've never done this before.”

          “We might be the first people ever to do this,” he chuckled, vibrations low basstones in his torso. Viktor steadied himself but leaked a little onto his happy trail from it. 

    “I've never done anything with anyone before you, and this form is less than my ideal.”

          “... Oh. Shit, ok, we don't have to dive into—”

    “I want to.”

…

          “If it's any consolation, I only had sex once before this.”

    “Of course Mel beat me to it,” he huffed in bemusement. “I'll need to outdo her.”

          “... I mean, I won't discourage a competitive streak, but it's not a competition.” 

    “I am going to put every sportsball in your holes of choice and get the high score.” 

          “Fine by me,” he laughed. Viktor's anxiety had faded enough for him to line himself up with his navel. Jayce swallowed in anticipation.

    “... May I?” he murmured, thumbing the outside with his other hand. Jayce nodded faster than he could blink. 

He pressed in slowly, carefully, foreskin pulled back at his rim. He bottomed out after a moment, and then they stayed like that, adjusting to the sensations. Jayce's pulse hammered around him, muscles clenching and jerking haphazardly. Viktor braced himself on either side of the hole and pushed them towards it experimentally. A low moan slipped out of Jayce as he tensed around him, vibrating him to his core and causing his dick to twitch. 

          “Ooooh, fuck, I did not think it could feel this good…” 

    “Likewise,” he stammered. 

…

          “You're throbbing like a heartbeat in there,” he breathed. “I… I can see you, glowing.”

Viktor followed his finger and marveled at the sight. He subconsciously intensified the light until Jayce's belly was filled with a soft blue glow, silhouetted by tufts of hair. Jayce exhaled and poked at it in awe. 

…

          “Y- You can move if you want.”

    “Oh. Right.” 

He lifted his hips by millimeters until the head of his cock caught on the rim, and then he pushed back in. The movement made them bounce a little, resulting in flustered laughs, Jayce's intensifying his stimulation. Viktor whimpered and started rutting into him all at once, unhindered by his limitations in life. He ground his pelvis deep, gasping at how Jayce's slick happy trail worked the rest. 

    “You're— perfection,” he sighed shakily. Jayce groaned in response, having begun fingering himself again past Viktor's bony ass, forearms brushing against the small of his back with each thrust. Viktor was going apeshit in there, panting from exhilaration instead of exertion. He didn't take long to peak, and then he went faster, followed by another amplified by Jayce's sounds and erratic breath and muscle movements. He fucked him through a third one, not stopping until Jayce was done. He pulled out with a wet slide, and they observed the splatter of bioluminescent ectoplasm he left behind. For several moments, they just recovered.

…

    “... Do you- Do you have a vial on hand?” 

          “I can improvise.” 

He fumbled for the bottle of testosterone supplements he'd replaced his shot with, then managed to open it without getting it too slimy. He dumped the pills into his empty bedside cup. Viktor climbed off of him, careful not to spill the mess, and watched him scoop it in with a sort of awkward captivation. Jayce was careful to angle his body so that he didn't need to use his fingers, reducing the contaminants of his sample. 

    “Are we going to put this under the microscope?” he half-joked as Jayce secured the lid. 

          “Obviously,” he grinned. “If we get enough, we can run tests.”

    “I look forward to it and commend your work ethic.” 

Jayce put the bottle back on his sidetable and mock-saluted him with two of the fingers he'd been fucking himself with, nearly getting spunk in his hair and then grimacing when he realized. Viktor snickered. His torso was still painted blue, like a bottle of glitter glue had exploded. Viktor drew a heart in it around his navel, the ‘V’ of it disappearing into his happy trail. 

          “Heh… Wanna feed me yet?”

    “You aren't too tired?” he asked in doubt. Jayce shook his head. Viktor raised a brow, but Jayce just patted his own sternum and licked his lips. 

    “You're nearly as insane as me…” 

          “To be fair, I only came once since I woke up.” 

    “Eh, true.” 

          “Aren't you tired?” 

    “Not at all,” he grinned deviously. Jayce gulped at the realization that he was boned for the foreseeable future if Viktor didn't experience exhaustion. 

          “Might as well test your limits in the form of stamina,” he laughed. “C'mere, get in my mouth already.” 

    “You have such a way with words,” he sighed, sounding sincere as he complied. Jayce's breaths came hot against his member, which was still hard. Jayce's hands went to wrap around his hips and gingerly place his thumbs on the bones, watching his expression for guidance. 

    “I should warn you, it's not going to feel… right for me,” he mumbled. “It can't, but it will still be good.”

          “... Are you sure you're—” 

    “I just want to know what it feels like. What she felt.”

          “God,” he whispered. He wet his lips and gazed at him. “... You smell so sweet.” 

    “Do tell me how I taste,” he lilted, voice heady. Jayce opened his mouth wider and extended his tongue to lick a slow, thick strip up him. Viktor practically mewled, twitching and gripping his shoulders. 

Jayce paused to savor the material and swirl it around, covering his whole tongue and swiping a speck he missed on his upper lip. Viktor mentally winced at the knowledge that it was spunk, but Jayce somehow made it hot.

…

          “Like… Hm. I wanna say sweetmilk? It's distinct.” 

…

    “There is no fucking way—” he muttered under his breath as he unceremoniously stuck his own finger in his spunk and brought it to his tongue, smearing cyan on the tip tentatively. Jayce gawked.

…

    “Sonovabitch, I taste like sweetmilk. I've become a parody of myself,” he remarked flatly, incredulous. “All those years with the jokes… Now I would suck me off.”

He cleaned his finger for emphasis. Jayce felt lightheaded.

          “It's probably hard to tell, but your spit is… fruity. Not- Not… human, either. This one's more obvious.” 

…

    “We should compare it with the other model later.” 

          “Fuck yes we should.” 

He dove back in with enthusiasm, lapping him clean and dipping his big tongue into his heat, then plunging it deeper at Viktor's encouragement, thrusting the muscle clumsily while working his ridges and milking every drop he could out. He couldn't tell if Viktor had modified himself to be smaller, but his tongue easily reached everything, including where his cervix would've been. He stimulated and massaged his walls thoroughly, squeezing every sweet spot. Viktor alternated between his legs wobbling like rubber and squishing Jayce's scruffy cheeks in place, the end of Jayce's cute nose pressed against his dick. When Jayce finally moved back up to take his cock into his mouth and rub his tongue against the underside, Viktor was half-bent over him with his hands braced on the headboard. Jayce continued to hum in pleasure, delighting in his responses. Viktor started thrusting his hips unintentionally with erratic, jerking movements, then caught himself and managed an apology, but Jayce wouldn't have it. He pushed Viktor all the way into his mouth and moved his hips for emphasis until Viktor resumed nervously, which quickly became enthusiastic. They fell into a rhythm, and his hips were soon snapping against his lips, pelvis constrained only by his teeth. Jayce worked him and sucked like a starving man through every spasm. He didn't stop when Viktor slowed, and his hunch that he would keep going proved correct as the pace built back up. Viktor's praises went straight to his own dick again, and Viktor sensed it, reaching back to tug him with ectoplasm-coated fingers. The substance soaked into his skin with an even more intense reaction this time, but Viktor couldn't reach his mouth and dick simultaneously, so he possessed Jayce's arm to do it properly. Jayce moaned outright around him, and then Viktor was coming again, his member reshaping with each movement. It elongated gradually, and Jayce was too overcome to notice how big it got until it was filling up his mouth, but he kept taking it deeper. Viktor palmed the rest of himself until his balls returned. He stopped thrusting in fear of choking Jayce, who immediately protested, sounding almost desperate, so he relented. Jayce caught glimpses of it between watching his face every time he pulled back, and precum of the same flavor was soon dripping onto his tongue. He swallowed and bobbed his head like he needed it to breathe, breaths hard and shallow from his nose until he realized Viktor's length already should've been obstructing his throat. He risked a successful breath with his mouth, then switched to full-on suction, like a fucking vacuum. Viktor screamed at the sudden intensity and grabbed his hair, struck with a flashback of the Hexcore but immediately forgetting in favor of how good it felt to be halfway down his throat. He could see himself through the bulge, a thick light that illuminated his spinal column. He groaned and his hips stuttered as he was finally fully buried in him. Jayce's throat spasmed around him and massaged him with every movement. 

Jayce spontaneously orgasmed, and the physical responses around Viktor were enough to push him past the edge. He tried to warn Jayce, but Jayce latched his arm around his waist determinedly as his balls tightened against his chin. Ropes of come shot down his throat, some barely sticking to it before reaching his stomach. They, too, had an aphrodisiac quality, which took effect upon contact. Jayce felt like he was losing his mind in the best way. When Viktor softened and went to pull out, Jayce made another noise of protest, raising a finger at Viktor's questioning. Without warning, Jayce hoisted him up like he weighed nothing, legs over his shoulders, and maneuvered him to keep his dick in place as he carried them with ease to look at the bulge in his mirror from different angles. Viktor laughed when he realized what he was doing. 

    “I must admit, it is a good look on you,” he crooned. Jayce groaned in bliss as Viktor pressed down and rubbed the underside of his jaw. “But I can't understand how you're breathing.” 

Jayce shrugged. His jaw was getting a little sore, so he let Viktor withdraw. He savored every last second he had of it, trying to hold the head back at the end teasingly. Viktor, caught offguard and teetering on overstimulation, accidentally phased it out of his mouth. Jayce gasped at the feeling of it going through and lost his balance like it'd been keeping him standing, resulting in him being righted by Viktor, who was now floating and pressing his hands to the ceiling to stabilize him. 

…

    “Notebook, quickly, please.” 

          “So many notes,” he agreed, voice hoarse.

He washed up and then flopped onto the bed unceremoniously, leaving Viktor to figure out how to get down on his own. He was in no hurry to until he saw how cuddlable Jayce looked, scribbling away. 

The floating was similar to their initial “hovering” but somewhat more controlled. He consciously focused on what he wanted to accomplish, since that seemed to be working with everything else. Like a mind instructing a body to move as a single entity, the magic responded to his will. It became easier than “real” movement, and he was soon zipping around the room, trying to stay silent so he wouldn't distract Jayce. Jayce glanced up anyway after a couple of minutes to see if he was stuck up there. He gaped in awe, and Viktor grinned like an idiot, waggling his brows. Jayce's were near his hairline over the stunts he was pulling, but then he shook it off and started scribbling faster. 

    “I've mastered the art of flight,” he offered in lieu of the explanation he didn't have, launching himself from one wall to the next. 

          “The hell you did,” he laughed. “Being weightless doesn't count.” 

Viktor swirled around him with a smirk, tilting his chin from upside down to get his attention. 

    “Don't be jealous~ Maybe you can join me.” 

…

          “Maybe, thanks. M'kinda tired right now though.” 

    “Ah, yes, I would anticipate as much, given the limitations of a meat suit.” 

          “Now you're just showing off.” 

    “A little,” he admitted. “It's fun.” 

          “I can tell,” he smiled, besmitten. Viktor's cocky expression softened, and he drifted down to rejoin him. He mussed Jayce's hair again, reveling in how soft it was unstyled. 

    “Hi.” 

          “Hey. Come here often?” 

    “Not yet, but I'd like to.”

          “That can be arranged… We should try the sex-sex next.” 

He resumed writing.

    “Jayce.” 

          “Hm?”

    “I am not putting my dick back in you until you put some real breakfast and water in you.” 

Jayce pouted. 

          “Fair… but boring.”

    “Forgive me for keeping you alive with a pause for normalcy.”

          “Mm, nah.”

    “My afterlife is a thankless one,” he sighed. “It's just a big horny man begging me to fill his holes every waking hour.” 

          “You didn't seem to have a problem with that.” 

    “No. No, I do not. It takes two to play whack-a-hole. And while we're discussing the matter: did my nut also taste like sweetmilk?” 

          “It did.” 

    “Incredible… Its properties could be indicative of it being solely… a ghost thing?” he suggested. Jayce nodded, continuing to write even as Viktor curled up to him. After several minutes, he turned and held out the open book.

          “Here, did I miss anything?”

Viktor tried to grasp it in vain. Jayce shot him a sympathetic smile but still scribbled that observation at the end of the entry.

    “Could you please re-extend it when you're done and turn the pages for me?” 

          “Of course.”

Viktor added a few more details with his help, and then he accompanied him on his quest for subsistence. His stomach glowed faintly, to their amusement. It didn't take long for him to finish, and then he gave Viktor puppydog eyes as he asked him to “put the ‘D’ in dessert.” Viktor was more than happy to oblige without the risk of him keeling over.

    “I want to help you complete your research. Let us do this once again, as… partners.” 

          “We finish this together.”

They started out in awkward missionary to see each other's faces. Viktor worried about impaling him on his tumescent torpedo until Jayce got impatient and proposed riding him, which Viktor readily agreed to. Jayce sank onto him, slow as he stretched around him but satisfied by the sensation. Viktor was practically melting under him, overwhelmed with pleasure and his heavily-repressed fantasy of being smushed by Jayce becoming reality. He was pinned in place with increasing pressure and realized that Jayce could sit on him without the risk of breaking his neck. He looked forward to sharing that revelation, but it was hard to focus on anything besides the view above him. Jayce was framed by late morning sunlight, eyes half-lidded as he worried his lower lip with his teeth poking out. He struggled to pace himself and remain mindful of Viktor's perceived fragility despite Viktor's repeated insistence that he was unmaimable and eager to be ragdolled. The muscles of his thighs were well-defined, tendons flexing with every shift. His folds were stretched almost taut around him, and he glistened with so much ectoplasm there that the sheets would for sure be stained blue. Every little sensation was amplified tenfold. The bulge in Jayce's lower stomach grew steadily upwards, glow even brighter than it was in his throat. Viktor panted like he was the one who needed air from the sheer experience of it all. Jayce held his gaze in adoration until he reached the hilt, and then he finally looked down as he adjusted. His hands went to his belly, feeling it out and squeezing more while he moaned in bliss.

          "Ffff... So full... You're so- deep inside of me..."

Viktor whined and grabbed at a thigh just to stroke it, trying to return to his nonbody before his mind could evaporate altogether. Jayce smiled and leaned down as much as he could. Viktor scrabbled to push himself upright and meet his lips. 

          "... And here I thought I'd be having more fun~" 

...

    "Are you having fun?" he managed, sounding like he might cry if he wasn't. 

          "Viktor," he murmured, trying not to laugh. 

    "Yes?" 

He cracked up at his anxious expression and pulled him into another kiss. 

          "Sorry, sorry, you just look really cute. This has been the best day of my life."

... 

    "Do you like my freakish penis?" he wavered, tearing up. Jayce was confused by the turn of events but then remembered when he himself cried over Mel's compliments in bed. He figured it could be a similar situation.

          "Oh my god. Vik, if I didn't, I wouldn't have shoved it up my guts. I love it and you, so so much..." 

    "I love you," he sobbed, hugging him now as best he could. Jayce hugged back like he wasn't kebabed, crooning reassurances against his ear. 

    "... S- Sorry," he sniffled. "I don't know where that came from. I sounded like a child." 

          "No, you're didn't. There's nothing to apologize for." 

...

    "It all feels really, really good. I didn't think I'd ever experience anything this nice, especially not with you."

          "Well, y'are, and it can be even nicer... I'm grateful you're even here, let alone in my hole and letting me be your first." 

Viktor blinked up at him as he wiped his tears into nothingness. 

    "... Are you certain you like me?"

Jayce huffed affectionately.

          "Yes, and I'll prove it." 

He took Viktor's hand and pressed it against the bulge, rubbing. Viktor continued with hesitance, eliciting a satisfied hum and clench. His breath caught, and he pushed deeper in, beginning to massage it. Jayce let himself come undone and ride him properly, starting out slow for Viktor's sake more than his. His restraint could only last so long, though, especially with Viktor carefree again. Soon, he was bouncing on it and making the bed shake. Viktor held onto his waist for dear unlife and snapped his own hips in sync as much as he could. Jayce came first, and it wasn't until he rode through the aftershocks that Viktor came with a strangled cry of his name, making his belly grow brighter with a slight swell left behind. Once Jayce recovered from the rush of euphoria it caused, he pet his hair soothingly as he wound down, then angled them to lay beside him. His dick twitched one last time as it softened, causing it to wiggle. Jayce made an undignified noise, caught offguard. 

     "Sorry, I can—" 

          "Don't be; feels so good," he groaned in bliss. "And please don't pull out yet. I think I'm good for one more. Or four. Just... Just lemme catch my breath. "

Viktor wheezed but nodded. 

Chapter Text

With some effort, Viktor managed to manifest the outfit he died in, but his subconscious dread over being stuck with his cumbersome leg brace again resulted in the disappearance of his lower half altogether, leaving his tailed vest dangling over nothingness. They freaked out until they realized he could get his dick back, and then they calmed down. Viktor questioned why his hand and leg hadn't been metal since he died, and Jayce hypothesized that he'd somehow removed the augmentations from the Hexcore while dreaming during their first night fused. 

Viktor was vexed by his lack of conscious control over the specifics of his appearance, like being stuck with a stiff scarf, but he wasn't exactly bothered; his “body” remained a malleable sort of suit to navigate the world unailed. The surgical part of his back brace had been bolted onto him from the moment he returned, but he couldn't feel its discomfort. In fact, he barely registered the external half of it reappearing. The tranquility of being pain-free was the greatest gift Jayce had given him, second only to his love. He hadn't realized just how bad it had gotten over the years because it was a gradual decline, but his agony was constant and impossible to ignore in the end, almost too debilitating to focus on his work at all. Now, he felt ready to handle anything thrown at Jayce, who was currently pacing in thought, also dressed (and cleaned up) after spending half the day finding even more ways to bone. 

He'd known Jayce struggled to clear his mind in general, given his reluctance to ever take breaks during projects, which made them unintentionally spur each other to keep working until they were exhausted, often telling the other to stop like hypocrites. Viktor was able to take breaks in theory, but his tendency to hyperfocus and later his compulsion to use every remaining minute of his life overshadowed it. Concrete action in general helped them to get out of their heads. Jayce's anxiety about the council and Zaun filled the room as he rambled, trying to think out loud. Viktor interrupted once it was obvious that he was spinning his wheels on the verge of panicking. 

    “Let us get down to brass tacks. Where do we begin tackling this clusterfuck? The magic tricks?” 

Jayce halted in place, surprised as if he'd forgotten Viktor was listening, but then he smiled at him. 

          “Sounds good. Any ideas?” 

    “I think we should return to the lab and assemble some spare parts. Perhaps I can infuse them with my energy temporarily.”

…

          “Do you think you can… hide? Just until we get there. I can't let anyone take you away.” 

Viktor went to object reflexively but then thought better of it. 

    “I don't want to be seen even more than you don't want me to, but I'm not sure how to approach that.”

He managed to undo his scarf and cast it aside, but it immediately vanished. He glanced at where it'd been, then back at Jayce, before undoing a button and loosening his collar, relieved that he could make alterations for comfort now that no one else could see him. Jayce tried not to stare, but he felt like it was lewder than seeing him naked. Viktor noticed and smirked, undoing another button so that he had a glimpse of his collarbones.

…

          “Right, visibility… I don't want you to lose your form in case we can't get it back. Hm…”

They tried to put some of Jayce's clothes over his in vain— every article fell to the ground. After contemplation, Jayce draped his blanket over Viktor. It stayed on him, somehow, but he realized that a shuffling blanket would draw attention. Viktor tried to fashion it into a cloak but soon gave up and decided it would be best if he wasn't seen at all. Their pondering shifted to the orb that was Jayce's ectoplasm creampie. There was no way he could go outside like that, but he wasn't about to try to get rid of it yet— he was profiting, “getting valuable data.”

    “I think you just like it a little too much.” 

          “... I mean, yeah, but I worked hard on collecting those samples.”

    “That you did. It was very hard, but you worked on it relentlessly.” 

Jayce snorted.

          “I'm nothing if not a professional.”

He had Viktor latch onto his torso as flat as possible, suspended with ease thanks to his weightlessness, and then secured the blanket around him, tying it to his own back. Viktor himself didn't glow terribly bright; he was much dimmer than the core and jizz, but he helped obscure them as if he could negate their energy. It was a bulky look, though. Jayce put on one of his biggest, least-worn coats in the hopes of not being recognized despite being built like a brick shithouse. Viktor suggested he make it look like he was carrying armloads of unsuspicious objects, so he ended up filling the now-empty basket from Mel with fancy garbage and holding it against him until he got into the lab. He sighed in relief as soon as he locked the doors, then set the basket down and freed Viktor. They cracked up over their success for several minutes before getting to work. They fell into their old routine like cogs in a machine despite Viktor's difficulty interacting with most objects. He handled chalk well enough and wrote on the board above where Jayce could reach. 

          “Mind if I borrow your soldering iron?” 

    “As always, what's mine is yours, and it's not like I can use it, in any case. Desk drawer.”

          “Thanks.” 

There was paper rustling, followed by a prolonged silence. Viktor thought nothing of it.

          “... This is…” he whispered. The alarm bells rang all at once as Viktor registered Jayce's emotions swirling around him. He flew over and tried to snatch the letter in vain, hands phasing through it. 

    “No, no! I forgot that I— You weren't supposed to… Please disregard whatever you— I thought I explicitly stated to ignore it if I was still here…” 

          “Alive,” he mumbled. “Sorry for running with that.” 

Viktor pressed his palms under his brow out of habit to lessen the impending headache he used to experience in similar circumstances. When he realized his only plight was mortification, he exhaled. 

    “... How much did you…?”

          “All of it,” he admitted sheepishly. “But there's nothing to feel bad about. It's actually really sweet; just caught me offguard... Fuck, I would've wept from sheer sentimentality if I'd found it… then.”

Jayce,

 

I know our relationship has become strained, but seeing as my days are dwindling and I do not anticipate being able to communicate these things in time, I figured I would pen them and leave this here for you to find. If you discover it while I am still alive, I beg that you not read further. 

I regret many of my decisions, but the time spent with you was never one. You brought inspiration to my life, and I couldn't have asked for a better partner. Promise me you will not isolate yourself or walk to another ledge. There are many more opportunities for you to find fulfillment and companionship. Countless people love you. Go to them. Lean on Medarda, if she is your best option.

Don't abandon your dream of making the world brighter. You have much to offer, regardless of accomplishments. Just be true to yourself.

Now, on to serious matters. You may keep my belongings, obviously. You may also get rid of them. I know they are not all to your liking.

I want you to focus your efforts on those who suffer most, as we'd intended. Perhaps mentor sad little orphans who show a penchant for science. No weapons. Please.

It is my obligation to confess that which I am guilty of: 

1. Whenever you asked if your clothes looked too tight, I lied. When you'd specifically ask if they accentuated your ass, I insisted they didn't because your ass is amazing. I'm writing this in the least sexualizing way I could think of, so I hope you don't feel too objectified. I would if it were me, but, then again, I wasn't the one working my gluteus maximus with squats and the such, mid-conversation in the lab. I want you to know that I did notice and admire your gains all around; I just didn't want to overstep and/or make things weirder. I tried very hard not to ogle when I wasn't shaving it. 

2. I discarded your vinyl of “When Everything Went Wrong” because I couldn't fucking stand it. Both times. Sorry. 

3. This may come as a surprise, but I didn't like Mel.

4. I did an entire vial of Shimmer while you were out cavorting.

5. I accidentally killed Sky with the Hexcore. Thank you for destroying it, or fuck you if you didn't.

There are probably other things I am forgetting. Anyway, sorry again. 

Please hold a service for Sky and make sure everyone knows what happened. I already released her ashes. Give any funds of mine to her family. If she doesn't have one, give them to some random impoverished Zaunite family. 

If you must hold a service for me, do not invite anyone except for those who would comfort you during it. 

I want my ashes thrown in the face of the CEO of your choice, but preferably one whose company contributes to the Grey. You may hire somebody to do it, but make sure they have good aim. 

At my hypothetical service, I want the worst possible music— the most irreverent, atrocious, mindmelting cocktail you can come up with. You have to crank it louder if anyone asks that it be turned down. 

There will be dancing, but only moves that match the songs. Gyrations must be included. Should Heimerdinger insist on attending and giving a speech, hump my urn while maintaining eye contact with him. Direct pelvic grinding is optional, but make it look like you are. Grunts are a bonus. Do not stop until he leaves. 

This is the only way that I can be laid to rest. I hope you will understand. 

Thank you for everything, partner. Know that you improved my life greatly and gave it purpose. I would not trade a second spent with you for anything in this world or whatever may exist beyond it. You are brilliant, kind, and all that I admired. I cannot imagine a person more worthy of affection. I am glad it was your visage they plastered around the city, and not some corrupt buffoon's (or worse, mine). Truth be told, I enjoyed seeing it. The Sun imagery is apt.

Your only obligation is to take care of yourself for me. Your days are your own. No matter what, do not let anyone exploit or extinguish your light. 

Know that you will never be alone or unloved. 

 

- V

          “... Why didn't you tell me any of this?” 

    “Shame, mostly. And fear. But I also couldn't allow myself to give you a taste of what could've been. It would have been cruel to amplify your grief. Even thinking you wouldn't reciprocate didn't erase the risk of saddling you with guilt and making you feel obligated to force reciprocation as my dying wish, or something.”

          “I mean, my feelings were inevitable either way… I don't think letting me hold you close would've hurt me. If anything, we could've comforted each other.”

…

    “I'm an idiot—” “What? No!” “— but I would very much appreciate if you move on and pretend this didn't happen.” 

Jayce smiled sympathetically, rubbing his back. 

          “Fine… It was a good letter. Thank you for writing it.” 

Viktor floated back to his work with a dismissive, embarrassed wave of his hand and grumble.

After several hours of writing, tinkering where he could, watching Jayce assemble gadgets, and sticking his fingers in them when prompted, he paused to look around. 

    “... Do we have mice?” 

          “Don't think so,” he frowned, pushing his goggles up to see him properly. “Why?” 

    “Listen.” 

He turned off the handheld generator and noticed erratic clinking. 

          “That's… probably not good.” 

    “Is there anything that can clink but shouldn't be? Anything that could blow up?” 

          “I hope not, shit—” 

He stood, and they tried to source it, which was difficult given the way the high ceiling made everything resound like echoes. 

Suddenly, the doorknob rattled, followed by more clinks. 

          “(Oh, fuck me up the ass.)” 

    “Not now. We need to— Your hammer, can you—?” 

          “What happened to no weapons?” 

    “Jayce, not now! Act quickly. The iron, at least—!” 

Just then, the doors were kicked open. They froze in horror like raccoons caught in a dumpster. 

              “... Can't believe that worked,” she laughed. “Your security's shit.” 

          “What— Why…?” 

              “Honestly? I just wanted to see if I could,” she shrugged. “My brother knew how to, kind of.” 

…

          “Didn't you have keys after the attack?” 

              “I… might've misplaced ‘em,” she mumbled, hand going to the back of her neck. “Probably still here. Anyway, you look a lot more alive today— nice job… And you're- you're glowing. Congrats?” 

Viktor exchanged a confused glance with him. Jayce just made a face to try to summarize his thoughts. 

          “... Vi, this is Viktor.”

Viktor nodded in greeting.

              “Oh, gods, so you went off the deep-deep end,” she muttered to herself. “... Alright, there's a fifty-fifty chance of me making this worse, if my sister going ballistic with like three different guns after I tried talking it out is any indication... Just- Just park your perky ass somewhere and tell me how you're feeling.” 

…

    “Can you not see me?” 

She snagged his chair again, manspreading, and patted Viktor's old stool like she was initiating a family talk. 

          “Guessing she can't hear you, either.” 

              “It's gonna be ok.” 

…

          “Ok,” he sighed, rubbing his brow before joining her. The stool was uncomfortably small, and he had to cross his legs just to stay in place. Viktor shrugged and went back to drawing a design on the board, ignored by them for the time being. 

…

             “So, are you… Hexpreg? Is that the word?” 

          “What?” 

She gestured to his bright blue gut. In the background, Viktor started cracking up with trembles and breathy wheezes. He nearly dropped his chalk as he dried his tears, which kept forming while they carried on. 

          “Oh! Uh, no,” he stammered, having forgotten about it. 

              “... Is that how you make the gems?” 

          “No!!!”

Viktor leaned against the board and slapped it several times to no effect.

              “Ok, ok, calm down; I'm no snitch... Is it part of the experiment?” 

          “What?” he repeated.

She just blinked at him in disbelief at the progressively more absurd things she was witnessing. He sat there at a loss as she scrutinized as if she could figure out what the hell was going on by doing so. He crossed his arms awkwardly over the taut lower half of his vest and turned away when she switched to ogling it. 

          “It's a sex thing,” he blurted out. She recoiled with a grimace. 

              “... I feel like I shouldn't be seeing this."

          “Yeah, you really shouldn't.”

              “Sorry! How was I supposed to know what kinds of sick shit you get up to in here?” 

          “I wasn't— Ugh... Can you please fucking knock next time,” he demanded, not asked, voice almost shrill with embarrassment.

              “Don't have to ask me twice... I don't know if I can come back now that you've cursed me with knowledge.”

He groaned, still holding his middle like it was accomplishing anything. His forehead made a quiet thunk as he plopped his burning hot face on his desk. The jizz began to disappear, but he didn't notice.

    “At least we can cross this off the list of potential kinks… Though I fear your dick has inverted itself.” 

…

          “Why are you here, Vi? Just ‘cause?”

……

              “I don't have anywhere else to go right now. Cait and I got in another fight, and sleeping outside is ass. I figured you at least have the cot,” she mumbled, still facing away. Jayce was distracted by the glow vanishing with the rest, and he exhaled in relief before processing her words. 

          “Oh, yeah, that's fine. Um, it's safe to look now,” he managed, trying not to pry, but she wasn't done.

             "This… plucky little slur-redacted keeps trying to wedge herself between me and her like we're all chummy, and it's getting old. Cait doesn't mind, but I think it's really fucking annoying.” 

          “... Slur redacted???”

She laughed.

              “Cait doesn't like me using words “derogatory towards women.” I keep forgetting I can say them when she's not around.”

He couldn't help chuckling at her impersonation. She smirked, but then sighed.

              “I'm whipped. Down bad. Been that way since we knew each other for less than a day. I feel l should back the fuck up and just... just breathe until I figure out what to do. Like, I almost became a cop! That's- That's… bad. I literally just got out of a childhood in jail, and I'm an orphan because of them… I guess it doesn't help that the only friends I have right now are cops... One of them gets plastered and acts like he's homeless every day, but he's still a cop, somehow. The other one is a fish who just looks at me occasionally, so we're probably not friends... Then there's that bitch who keeps trying to rizz me up, too. What's her angle? She's always poking around while being all pip pip cheerio, I'm one of the good ones!”

Jayce snort-laughed at that, which tapered into an apology. 

              “No, no, it feeds my ego.”

          “... For what it's worth, I think we're friends. I don't really have any either.” 

              “Yeah? I guess we are, huh... Congratulations, you're the best friend I have now. I know that bar is low, but still, pat yourself on the back for being a real one.”

He stood just to bow like he was flattering one of the investors. 

          “It's an honor.” 

She rolled her eyes with another smirk.

              “... My life is a joke, dude. I feel so lost.” 

He went to pat her on the shoulder, taking care not to use the rune palm. 

          “It's gonna be ok, even if it's not.”

    “Again with that infuriatingly cryptic adage…” 

She looked surprised by the gesture, but then she smiled, slapping his hand off.

              “What are you, my dad?” 

          “God, I hope not.” 

He snickered at his own words, and she couldn't help joining. She went to make a snarky comeback but trailed off as she finally saw the chalk move. 

          “You ok?” 

…

              “Lab's haunted,” she muttered, pointing. “I'll sleep outside.” 

          “Oh, that's just Viktor.” 

…

              “Is he stuck here?” 

          “No.” 

              “... Ok. As long as he leaves when you do.” 

    “Obviously,” he scoffed. “What kind of freak does she take me for?” 

          “He said, and I quote: obviously.” 

    “Again with the terrible impressions, too...” 

              “Sweet. Thanks, loverboy and dead guy.”

          “It's no problem; just keep the lab locked. Bonus if you find your keys.” 

              “I'll see what I can do.” 

          “Seriously, don't- don't leave the lab unlocked.”

              “I won't do it on purpose!”

    “Why not just give her Heimerdinger's office? With the way he moped off to Zaun in that little rowboat and cloak, he meant business.” 

          “Wait, he left?! Like, left Topside altogether?”

              “Who left?”

    “From the looks of it. I'm surprised you didn't notice— he was very dramatic and sulky. He packed up his office into one comically large box and had men carry it off to Janna knows where... He didn't say anything to anyone, as far as I know, but he really was not subtle.” 

          “Fuck… Ok, putting a pin in that.” 

She blinked at him with a raised brow. 

          “Sorry. We’ll arrange better quarters for you.” 

              “A roof's a roof,” she shrugged.

They fell into comfortable silence as he grabbed the cot from the closet and took Heimerdinger's key off their ring. He left them by the door before turning back to her. 

          “I'd offer the blanket, but it really needs to be washed.”

              “It's fine... You trust me, right?” 

          “I think so. Yeah, more or less.” 

              “Why won't you fix the gauntlets?” 

…

          “It's not you. I need to end Hextech altogether.” 

              “Can't you just wait until I get the other gem back?” 

          “No. I'm sorry, but I need to do that myself, alone.” 

              “Why???” 

          “... I just feel like I should, and I have these apeshit powers now that'll make it easy, in theory.” 

              “You don't know my sister. If she even thinks you're cornering her, she'll bite. She's too far gone; I'm the only person she might hesitate to kill. There's no way in hell that she'll hand it over.” 

          “I'll be fine, ok? You saw the chainsaw thing. And I won't… I won't hurt her. I hope you know that.” 

…

              “What if you need to? What if you have to choose between her and innocent people? Weapons aren't bad. We've always had them. What's bad is how they're used and whose hands they're in.” 

    “No wonder she fancies a Kiramann,” he huffed. “... Though I will admit, Zaun is a lot more… survival-based. My old cane had a shank. I needed to wave it around fairly often.” 

…

          “Look, I'm still figuring things out. There's a lot I don't know about the world. About your world.” 

              “Understatement of the century.” 

…

          “I think I can speed that up— what I accidentally did to the baron was... enlightening. It could help me deal with Jinx, too… It seems to be caused by contact with the magic.”

    “If it was, wouldn't you have seen my memories? You've had plenty of contact with me.” 

          “Contact with the rune, even indirectly,” he clarified. Viktor looked skeptical. 

    “Maybe I am the exception to this?” 

          “V, I think I did see some of your memories before you woke up, as dreams.”

              “Not even gonna ask.”

    “... Oh.” 

          “We'll talk later.” 

He turned back to Vi.

          "I understand if you don't want to share them. It's really personal and not my business. The ones I saw were selective, if that matters... Like they were relevant to me.” 

…

              “You could stand to learn a thing or twenty about life down under… Ready for unreal amounts of childhood trauma and even more girls kissing?” 

          “... Um. I guess.” 

He held out his palm, and she high-fived it without hesitation. Memories coursed through him all at once with a flash of light, his eyes going solid blue again. Viktor steadied him as he recovered. The intensity was much less for Vi, but they both had to sit down. 

          “You and your sister both robbed me twice, oh my god…” 

              “Heh… Must run in the family.” 

          “... Sorry you went to jail because of me.”

              “Dude, that wasn't even a little your fault.”

…

          “I'm really fucking sorry about what happened to your family and—” 

              “Don't,” she interrupted softly. “Again, not your fault, and not your problem.” 

          “Yeah, but I- I care; I can't help it… Do you- Do you want a hug?” 

              “What? No.” 

          “Ok.” 

              “... Thanks. Maybe another time.” 

…

          “I only saw some things, but… oh my god. We need to dismantle the entire system.” 

              “Good luck with that."

    “You're not wrong,” he lilted, arms folded. Vi spun around in surprise and locked wide eyes with him. He just blinked.

    “… Can I help you?”

          “I'm ok, thanks.”

              “Hell of an experiment… Were you planning on doing a show-and-tell?" 

…

          “What? … You can see him?!”

    “You are not to speak a word of this.”

              “Sheesh, you think I'm a narc?”

    “Yes. You almost went bluebelly, for Janna's sake…”

Jayce blinked, at a loss about the terminology and briefly thinking he was referring to him.

              “Guess you have a point there, but I have zero personal investment in any of this; I'm just here for the hell of it… Though, you could bribe me to keep my mouth shut.”

          “Not making nonmagical weapons either, sorry.” 

              “Can't blame a girl for trying… but are you going to kill her if you run out of options?”

          “Look me in the eye and ask that again.”

              “Why?” 

…

          “I don't know, actually. I meant that I'm not gonna let it get to that point, but I think it's a phrase meaning to remember the context or confront the person directly?” 

    “Or maybe that your eyes will not lie when your mind is open.”

              “Eugh… Does he always talk like this?”

Viktor feigned offense in bemusement. “You don't like the way I talk?”

              “It sounds ominous as fuck.”

          “He's just good with words.” 

    "It's alright, Jayce. I am an acquired taste at best.”

          “Not for me.”

Viktor smiled shyly.

              “Somehow, this is worse… You lovebirds are gonna make me hurl.”

    “Don't worry. I am neither a social person nor interested in becoming one, so I will now experiment with my… perceptibility.”

Through trial and error with a lot of awkwardness, he eventually managed to shift between states, making it so that only his desired audience could sense him, and only to the extent that he allowed. Jayce got anxious as soon as he couldn't see him, prompting a cheek kiss for reassurance, which left Jayce twitterpated. Viktor then combined varying degrees of invisibility, intangibility, and inaudibility to try them out. Jayce was unhappy whenever it was his or both of their turns to be ghosted, but it didn't last long. He soon felt Viktor's arms slide around him from behind, followed by a nuzzle into his neck. Afterwards, Viktor pulled away to become visible without committing PDA. 

              “Yeah, you're visible now... Looks like I can only sense you if you let both of us.”

          “You deal with these magic things insanely well,” he marveled as he finished his notes. 

She laughed tiredly. 

              “I've seen waaay worse. This is cake compared to the normal shit, and I need a distraction.” 

…

          “Oh! Hey, I have distractions for you.” 

              “Yeah?” 

          “You can help us test theories if you want. We could use some muscle and an extra set of hands.” 

              “I don't know the first thing about lab safety.”

          “You don't need to. Just try to punch me.”

              “… Why?” 

          “We think I'm immune to harm.” 

    “Are you really intent on testing this with a professional puncher?” 

She shrugged and gave him a gentle shoulder thump.

          “Ow!” 

              “There. Happy?” 

…

          “Try to actually hurt me.” 

              “What the fuck,” she muttered under her breath, shaking her head but complying, aiming to leave a light bruise in the same spot. The shield stopped her, and they all flipped out. She was happy to grab makeshift weapons like the chair and try them on it, ending with the hammer, while he scribbled in the safety of his dome. 

    “You have a tenacious spirit; I'll give you that,” he called over the din. 

              “Thanks.” 

    “Also, I saw your memories. I didn't anticipate that I would since I didn't see the others,” he rushed to add at a normal volume and then steeled himself. 

              “... That's fine... What, were you scared I was gonna punch you next?” 

    “A little.” 

She snorted. 

    “I wish I could've punched my problems away.” 

              “Doesn't work— trust me. The bag swings back around and knocks you out.”

    “... Your motivations are inspiring. Typically, I envied people who have families, but at least there was nothing for me to lose. I do envy your “parkour” ability, or I would have if I were still incapacitated.”

…

              “Sure, just air my shit out in the open, glowsticks.”

    “Sorry. I thought since it was just us— I didn't mean to offend— your lifelong devotion is admirable.”

              “No, really, it's fine. I'm just not used to this kind of attention.”

    “Well, understand it is something that I do not extend lightly. I don't like people. I care about them; I want to help them more than anything, but I cannot stand them most of the time… You, however, stood out.”

              “Aw, are you fanboying over me?”

    “Forgive me for never having seen a stranger's soul before. It was… intense. I feel like I know you.”

              “Damn… Guess I got two friends for the price of one high five." 

…

    “Sure, why not. We are a package deal now.”

Jayce had been beaming the entire conversation, and now he looked like he'd be wagging his tail if he had one. He tilted his head in endearment and took a risk ruffling her hair like he often did with Cait. She cursed and punched him again with a grin.  

Chapter Text

A knock at the door interrupted them. 

            “At least someone has manners,” he quipped, getting up. 

    “Manners mean nothing,” he frowned. “Don't just let them in— ask who it is.” 

Jayce huffed but complied. 

         “Junior Officer Nolen, at your service!” 

           “(Ugh, anyone but her...)”

    “Is this the insufferable one you spoke of?” 

           “Yeah,” she groaned. “Guess we'll have to get back to dicking around later.” 

She hopped off the counter, set down the lamp, and headed to the doors to grab the cot and key. 

           “Thanks again.” 

She passed Nolen, who greeted her cheerfully. 

           “Sorry, I was just heading out. You know how it is; got places to be.” 

    “I will accompany you, considering you don't even know where the office is.”

She hurried out with Viktor, leaving Jayce with the ray of sunshine. 

            “How can I help you, Officer?” 

         “Oh, nooo! I'm here to offer you assistance!” she chortled. “Ya see, I've got lots of free time, and I can't imagine a better way to spend it than helping safeguard the Man of Progress. It would be an honor, truly— I don't need any form of payment; just knowing our future is protected is plenty for me.”  

            “Wow, that's- that's really generous, but I don't need security.” 

         “Caitlyn said you'd offered her the position a while ago. If it's still open, I would love to take it!”

            “Um, maybe! I'll have to discuss it with my— mom first.” 

She nodded solemnly, eyes flickering to his core and then back up. He mentally cringed as he realized he'd forgotten to cover it, but she seemed harmless enough.

         “Shall I pop by this time tomorrow?”

            “I, uh, I won't be seeing her until the weekend.” 

         “Righto! Well, let me just say it's been a real pleasure to finally meet you. I've dreamt of this moment ever since your Progress Day speech. You're sort of my idol,” she giggled bashfully. “Sorry if that's strange! I just don't know what I'd do if the city lost such a brilliant mind; after the attack, that was all I could think of.” 

            “Aw, nah, that's… Thank you.”

         “Thank you for giving me an audience! I do hope we can work together,” she beamed, extending her hand. He took it without thinking, lighting them up mid-shake. She stumbled backwards as soon as it ended, eyes wide in alarm, and he slumped against the wall.

            “... Fuck... Oh my god, you little— Ugh! You used my sister, of all people—”

She drew her gun without hesitation. He raised his hands, pretending to be helpless.

…

         “Councilor, it seems like there's been a misunderstanding. Why did you shock me, and what are you talking about?” 

            “No, I understand perfectly now,” he growled. “You've turned on people like her, and you'll do it again. I can't let you leave.” 

         “I'm… sorry you feel that way,” she blinked innocently. “But duty calls.” 

She pulled the trigger, and the bullet fell flat against the shield, distracting her. He took the opportunity to grab the barrel of the gun, and it disappeared. She looked genuinely scared as he reached for her, but there was no time for her to react. With a flash, she was gone. 

    “They put gold in everything here. It's ridiculous! Did you know they even drink it? Yes, they literally piss away gold.” 

She wheezed, slinging an arm around his shoulders. He was caught offguard but allowed it with a small smile. An assistant side-eyed her but just carried on. 

           “Man, this place is the worst… Their toilet water is probably worth more than I'll ever make.” 

    “Probably,” he sighed. “Through no fault of your own, I might add... So many times I fantasized about revolutionizing it through technology, but look where that has landed us: even further behind in the gap... I've always wanted to correct Heimerdinger's “trickle down” and "bootstrap" theories, but he wouldn't have listened. Not without empirical evidence that the likes of me couldn't provide. If only more people… cared and listened a fraction of the amount Jayce does— I know he's been sheltered, but he truly is different from them… Anyway, here's your office.” 

She nodded with a smirk and unlocked it, looking around. 

           “How much you wanna bet he still doesn't know Cait and I are special friends?”

    “Ah. Now that will be interesting to watch unfold… Unfortunately, I don't exactly have belongings anymore on which to wager.” 

           “... Does that include—”

    “Yes, it includes weaponry.”

           “Damn...” 

    “On that note, anything the furry troll may have left behind is for the taking, as far as I am concerned. Just don't get caught.”

           “Fuck yes… Have you felt this carpet? It's softer than every bed I've had; I don't even need the cot.” 

He blinked but joined her on it with a tentative pet, quickly laying face-first like she was. 

    “I regret not doing this sooner… though I probably would've been fired for snoozing too much. And would've had to deal with standing back up either way… Ah well, it's still here.” 

           “Mhmmgh.” 

    “... Do you think we would have been friends as children? If I wasn't by the poison river and seven or eight years your elder.” 

…

           “I think so,” she smiled, lifting her head enough to see him. His face was still down in embarrassment. 

           “How'd you get here, anyway?” 

    “I simply believed in myself.” 

           “Bullshit.” 

…

    “An unethical doctor in a cave tutored me throughout my youth. I later stole a uniform in order to pass as a student and further my education.” 

           “Heh, never heard of a nerd crime.” 

    “Yes, well, I was caught, but then Heimerdinger hired me as his assistant, which meant that my salary came in the form of tuition, meal vouchers, and housing… Pity that I am legally dead and unemployed now— you could have squatted at my dormitory.” 

           “I think I'll manage just fine here, but thanks, seriously.” 

    “It is no trouble... I regret that I failed to pass on my good fortune to anyone. The river always stares back at me with disappointment.” 

           “Uh, what?” 

    “Metaphorically.” 

           “No, I mean— It sounds like you barely made it out! You were allowed to just… just live that new life, you know. It's not like you were pissing gold.” 

…

    “The guilt was sickening. So much hedonistic waste surrounding me, these people living like gods in ignorance, at the expense of our people. We should all be one people, but they reign overhead… I wanted to do something for this broken world before I left it. Make it… a little less terrible, somehow. I had the ability to.” 

           “You've gotta be kidding me,” she laughed, incredulous. “... Maybe I'd feel the same, but still. These things are bigger than either of us.” 

    “Yes, but I am a scientist! My profession is supposed to make lives better!” 

           “Man, I don't think any other scientists got the memo… Look at all the shit they caused for us in the name of progress.” 

…

    “I wanted to do good. Instead, I fucking killed someone… Accidentally.” 

…

           “Did you explode them with your mind?” 

    “What? Why would— … I think it incinerated her all at once; I don't know.” 

           “Hey, it happens. You wouldn't be the first to accidentally kill someone or several someones.” 

He didn't notice that he'd let himself sink into the carpet until his face phased through the floor. He pulled himself up and sat against the empty bookshelf. She had rolled over at some point and was just staring at a half-naked Yordle woman in the fancy ceiling mural.

    “I think you are going to accomplish great things. Just… don't rush into them. Glean what you can from these halls first.” 

           “... Are you telling me to go to school?” 

    “Well, you are already here. It was not so easy for me to get this far.”

           “Hm… Y'know what, I'll think about it. Is there even a bathroom?” 

    “Right, yes, there are many facilities on campus. There are even showers in the gymnasium.” 

           “Sweet, thanks.” 

    “And they throw out unsold food after every meal time. You could maybe pretend to be a custodian? Again, above all else, do not get caught… but if you do, ask for Jayce.” 

She nodded. 

           “I'm gonna mooch the hell off of this institution.” 

    “As you should. It is only fair.” 

…

           “Hah, wouldn't it be funny if he pretended to hire me for some reason? Like I was his assistant?”

…

She glanced at him from her peripheral and noticed that he was sparking with a distant expression, eyes blank.

           “... You good?” 

He didn't respond, so she poked him. It phased past, but he came to his senses soon after, blinking several times as he reoriented himself. 

    “Sorry, I… That was strange. I should check on him, but we'll stop by soon. They have not yet cleared out my room, so we can arrange for you to take whatever you'd like and maybe find something to bet on for the sake of it. Oh! My old uniform could be tailored for you.”

           “You think it's big enough, glowsticks?” she teased. 

    “Hypothetically,” he shrugged. “It was stolen, after all, and I did not remain undetected in it for long. I was given a student faculty one with my measurements afterwards— the differences are subtle but important. If they see you in the faculty one, the students will ask you all types of questions that don't pertain to science, and the professors will feel entitled to send you on errands, especially when you're already on one. Trust me, you do not want this even as a legitimate student.” 

           “Regular old uniform, got it.”

    “You'll find the gymnasium sign several doors down to the left. Follow that corridor to a staircase and turn the corner for the locker room— there you'll have all your basic amenities, even towels. The dining hall is also on the ground floor and difficult to miss. When it's crowded, you can generally get away with snatching a piece of fruit or bread without being noticed. Food is disposed of every four hours while they're open, in a fairly sanitary, unlocked dumpster just outside. When you go, grab a bag to look as if you are tossing garbage yourself in case security passes by, but the likelihood of them even patrolling the area is low, and they don't anticipate rummagers because everyone is filthy rich... I think that's all for now. Bye,” he offered hurriedly with an awkward half-wave. She reciprocated as his form destabilized and vanished altogether. He was too surprised to react, but then he manifested from Jayce's rune. They both startled vocally. Jayce sank into his chair once he recovered. 

    “Are you alright?” 

            “Yeah, I'm… Yeah.” 

    “What did the plucky child want?” 

            “She's like… secretly evil, so I had to send her somewhere far away from civilization.”

    “... Did she intend to harm you?” 

            “In the end. She started out just snooping for Ambessa.” 

…

    “The same Ambessa who is Mel's mother and a Noxian warlord, rules with her bloodied iron fist, would destroy both cities for Hextech or even on a lark, exposed you to her nude body the first chance she got...” he summarized, counting each fact with a finger nonchalantly and then waiting for Jayce to add more.

            “Yyyep… Trying really hard to forget that last part.”

    “Sorry. Can you not just send her away, too?” 

            “Not without a scene. I panicked over the spy because she had her sights set on Cait. She seduced and killed other people before she arrived, but I have no proof. It's all in here,” he muttered as he tapped his head. Viktor patted it sympathetically.

    “Sounds frustrating.” 

            “Very… God, Cait's gonna kill me.” 

    “She will not. The shield would block any attempt to.”

            “She's gonna kill me emotionally.” 

    “That sounds like her problem… Where did you send the—”

            “I don't even know its name,” he laughed. “Went off intuition again with some sort of mental map... She might not even be in this world anymore.” 

He noticed Viktor's eyes glowing solid white, distant again. Sparks returned to his form. 

            “... Viktor?” 

…

    “I see it. I see them... The memories, they paint a wretched image.” 

            “Yeah,” he grimaced, still slightly on edge. 

    “Such vivid ones, though. Like Violet's— Vi's… Um, she secretly prefers Violet because of her father, but she thinks it sounds too flowery, so please disregard that. I can even view the baroness's; I just didn't notice until now… Their souls are… astonishing.”

            “... I feel like we might not be seeing the same things.”

    “Why? What did you see?”

            “Not… what those sound like. I just saw snippets of memories. No… No souls...” 

    “I see their entire selves,” he murmured. “There is a deeper, even more abstract layer composing them. The soul is metaphysical but can appear as an imprint of their bodies.” 

            “Like you?” 

…

    “I suppose so.” 

            “Wow,” he breathed. “That's— That's amazing.” 

    “Yours is the most beautiful sight. I cannot see your mind to the extent of theirs, but I can sense it well enough through your soul, and gods, it's breathtaking… I think it has the giant cosmic hands, but I can somehow view it from afar... My perspective keeps dividing and shifting without warning.” 

…

            “Are you alright? Sounds like a lot.”

    “Eh, it is, but it's manageable... The human mind wasn't built to handle this, so there is… overflow, it seems,” he gestured vaguely at the sparks. “Right now, if I focus, I can see through… seven different perspectives simultaneously, each of which are mine.” 

            “Holy shit, ok, that's kinda scary but cool. I'm gonna write it down.” 

    “I wouldn't call it scary… It is like an ascended form of consciousness. A heightened sense of self, if that makes sense.”

            “It doesn't, but that's why we're studying.” 

…

    “I… I want to see more minds. I want to understand what makes them tick. The diversity I witnessed so far is, as you'd said, enlightening. Pieces of a vast puzzle, interconnected.” 

            “... That sounds pretty tempting. It'd be hard for me to not go around slapping people with the rune if I could see what you do.” 

    “And we don't even know if it has any side effects yet,” he lilted, as if Jayce skirting the deep end pulled him back.

            “Are you sure you're alright, though? You looked different for a moment there, like there wasn't any “you” left here.” 

    “I am more than I've ever been,” he replied confidently. Jayce paled a little. “... What about yourself? You look as if you're going to faint.” 

            “... She was right; you really can sound ominous.” 

    “Oh,” he mumbled, trying not to appear crestfallen. Jayce picked up on it anyway. “Sorry.” 

            “Hey, no… I'm sorry. I just got a little spooked; that's all. You didn't do anything wrong.” 

Viktor fell silent and looked away for several moments, fidgeting with a vest tail.

    “... What if I am losing my humanity?” he whispered finally, barely audible, as if afraid that voicing it would make it come true.

            “No, that's not… You feel the same as you've been from the start. You're still “you” in me, as far as I can tell.” 

He nodded but was too overwhelmed to speak. 

            “My guess is it was too much, too soon. I think we should hold off on adding to the soul portal collection.” 

    “... Most definitely,” he managed, voice strained. Jayce could tell that he wanted to cry again but was trying not to. He opened his arms, not wanting to make it worse by touching Viktor unprompted. 

            “C'mere?” he offered softly. Viktor only hesitated for a second before clinging with his head smushed back between his pecs. Jayce held him tightly and stroked with soothing motions, humming a quiet tune. The tension melted off of Viktor altogether within minutes. 

    “… I can only see two ways now without trying... It is ok,” he stated embarrassedly, muffled by glorious tits.

Jayce kissed the top of his head. After a moment of contemplation, he started lipping his hair like a horse. 

…

    “What are you doing?” he laughed quietly. 

            “Testing a hypothesis... Doesn't taste fruity or like sweetmilk, but a secret, third thing.” 

    “And that is…?” 

…

            “Hair… It's not great,” he admitted, removing a strand that got loose on his canine. He examined the soft, wispy blue thing as it dissipated, and then he continued to mouth other places, tongue flicking out occasionally as Viktor cracked up and squirmed.

    “Why?” he managed between wheezes. 

            “I decided that I'm therapeutic.” 

…

    “Alrighty.” 

Chapter Text

          “Did the spy pass on any information?” 

Viktor focused for a moment, eyes flickering white again. 

    “Nothing of note. Noxus is scouring the city for Renni none the wiser. They do not suspect us, but they are very interested in this “new invention” of yours.” 

          “Who's Renni?” 

    “The baroness,” he replied, raising a brow. “Her memories did not tell you that?” 

Jayce shook his head. 

    “How curious…” 

          “... I have a bad feeling about waiting on this; they might notice she's missing. Mel was able to postpone the council meeting until tomorrow night, but I don't know if Cait will get back in time... I think we should… do something during it.”

    “What sort of something?” 

          “I don't know… I— I'm still at a loss.” 

Viktor placed a hand on his shoulder comfortingly, relishing in his ability to reciprocate the years of Jayce's tactile love language. Jayce exhaled slowly and placed his hand atop it. 

…

          “Let's just try to make this piece of shit look functional.” 

    “Yes, that should suffice. One step at a time, as they say... And while we're at it, I would like to see if I can influence magical items.” 

Jayce:      “We're ready to act,” he announced as he walked into the makeshift chamber of the dungeon, immediately noticing the Noxians watching him like hawks. He feigned ignorance. 

Salo:      “You and what army?” he spat. 

Jayce:      “Just- Just me. I'm ready.”

Shoola:      “Did you finish the technology early?” she blinked, surprised. 

He nodded. Salo just scoffed. 

Salo:      “Wonderful... Make it worth our time, Golden Boy,” he sighed with a flippant gesture to proceed. 

Viktor raised his own hands with a nod to Jayce, who opened the ornate travel case he'd prepared for showmanship. In it between crushed velvet laid his equipment and four dead Hexgems being illuminated by Viktor. He set up the holders and suspended the gems in them with Viktor's help, then unveiled a complicated-looking, handheld device. 

Salo:      “... That's your grand plan to take on the undercity?!” 

Jayce:      “I haven't demonstrated yet! And again, I only need to take on one person.” 

Salo:      “I'm sorry; did you miss the massacre that transpired? The one we barely survived? Or is this your new normal: tolerating attacks on our lives at every turn. What's next, they demolish the entire building and we just “walk it off?” Oh, wait…” 

Shoola:      “He's right— the situation has… escalated, substantially. We cannot afford to turn a blind eye any longer.”

Jayce:      “I understand,” he swallowed, trying not to wither. “This is how it works,” he started carefully, placing the gem holders around the room. “Imagine that each of these is powering a weapon. The Hextinguisher, when activated, renders them useless from an even greater radius than this.”

Salo:      “Enough with the sales pitch! We don't need a- a toy! The time for experiments passed when those wretched monsters infiltrated the ceremony. What we need is weapons. If you won't make them, there are plenty of other scientists who would be more than willing to work with us. Need I remind you that Hextech is government property? You're replaceable.”

Viktor:      “How dare you?! You- You miserable, ungrateful, elitist warmonger!”

Jayce winced at the volume of Viktor's inaudible, one-sided shouting match, accidentally looking as if he was affected by Salo. He focused on lying.

Jayce:      “We did make weapons. They were finished and tested long ago. But this is going to be pivotal. Why wield an uncontrollable fire against more fire when you can Hextinguish it instead?” He gestured to the gem holder on their table. “Observe: a Hexgem — a refined and stabilized Hexcrystal — the same thing that killed half of us. An unimaginably powerful, supernatural force. Magic.”

Salo:      “No fucking shit. You already performed this show.” 

Viktor:      “I want to punch his pretentious scowl off.” 

Jayce:      “Magic,” he repeated, trying his hardest to ignore them. “A candle in a room filled with gunpowder. It needs to be doused, not multiplied.” 

Viktor rolled his eyes at the theatrics that followed, but he complied in illuminating the device when Jayce pretended to set it off, and then he manipulated the crystal to fall, no longer glowing. He repeated it with the remaining ones all at once when Jayce claimed to switch the mode from an individual target to a broad sweep.

Jayce:      “Try to make them explode, try to power machines with them, and nothing will happen. This is a wide-ranged, irreversible process that works.”

Shoola:      “Exactly how does it work?” 

Jayce:      “I could spend hours explaining the schematics to people who have never even taken an introductory physics course — no offense — or we could focus on what actually matters: the energy becomes neutralized like a defused bomb.”

Shoola:      “How did you invent it, then?”

Jayce:      “Viktor did. I just completed his research.” 

Viktor:      “That's very kind, but not necessary… Unless it serves to avoid further explanation.”

Salo:      “Go play magic down in the sumps for all I care; my mind is made up. The war is real, and we're going to finish it, with or without you. I propose that Hextech's assets be seized and you be relieved of your toymaking duties.”

Jayce:      “Noxus orchestrated this attack,” he blurted out. 

Mel and Viktor looked on in a horror he shared as his mind caught up with his mouth. He set his jaw and steeled his resolve.

Something flickered across Ambessa's stare before it grew defiant. Rictus readied his weapon to counter Jayce's accusing finger, but she signaled for him to stand down. 

Shoola:      “Do you expect us to believe that without proof?”

Salo:      “Ah, so he's flat out delusional, too.” 

Ambessa:      “My concern exactly— you've gone insane with grief, boy. I would never do such a thing! I saved your city.”

Viktor:      “Already I cannot stand her.”

Jayce turned to Mel, who gave him a warning glance. 

Jayce:      “I- I'll prove it. I just need time to—” 

Salo:      “No, you're out of time. We can't afford to wait for another of your notions to run its course.” 

Jayce:      “She's manipulating you all into starting a one-sided war for Hextech!” 

Mel:      “She's not fooling me,” she sighed, picking up the slack. “I already knew that's what she wanted, but what led you to conclude the same?”

Shoola:      “Yes, what gives you cause for such a grave accusation?”

Jayce:      “Only one baron was involved, and she's in custody. She already provided a witness testimony and leads on evidence.”

… 

Shoola:      “Why didn't you bring this to our attention earlier?”

Jayce:      “I— They killed every other witness and are hunting for her throughout the city. We couldn't release information prematurely, but a thorough investigation is underway.”

Salo:      “By who? The little girlfriends?”

Jayce:      “It's not safe to disclose anything else yet. But we need to deal with there being an entire bloodthirsty army on standby among us. They were found to have even infiltrated the Enforcers.”

Ambessa:      “You're playing a very dangerous game. Your city is the weakest it's ever been, and you're trying to make an enemy out of your only ally with these flights of fancy.”

…

Shoola:      “Councilor Talis, please don't make baseless claims. We can't afford to offend such a powerful nation. Either present concrete evidence or rescind your statements.” 

He worried his lip for a moment before removing his gloves, shedding his jacket, undoing his scarf, and beginning to unbutton his vest, then untucking his shirt to do the same. The room was frozen in silence.

…

Mel:      “Jayce—”

Viktor:      “You can't be serious; how is that—”

Mel:      “Jayce—”

Jayce:      “Just a sec.” 

He cast them aside neatly on his chair, then set to unbuckling his chest strap, leaving only his corset. Everyone was turned on, disturbed, or a combination of the two. Viktor appeared as if he was trying to look away from an entrancing disaster.

Viktor:      “Why not just the hand?” he grimaced. 

Shoola:      “... What are you doing?” 

Salo:      “He's stripping, clearly... At least we'll have some entertainment with this shitshow.” 

Various other responses were quelled at the sight of his core and rune. 

Jayce:      “I… I accidentally developed a sort of psychic power through my interference with the Arcane. It's real, I swear, and unrelated to Hextech. It can't be recreated, but it showed me the events preceding everything. They recruited the terrorists and snuck them and their Chemtech in right under our noses,” he gestured at the two of them, whose scowls turned piercing. 

Ambessa:      “You are sick to even suspect that I would endanger innocents, let alone my own daughter.” 

…

Mel:      “Classic Medarda lie, adorned with a garnish of honesty. That man had the shot, yet he only used it to send a message and flare.”

Ambessa:      “You forget yourself—”

Shoola:      “No, she's right; there are many details amiss. And why would Noxus help anyone besides kin unless it was a tactic? This does warrant further investigation.” 

Jayce and Viktor exchanged a glance of astonishment, relief washing over them and Mel. Salo groaned with his eyes shut for an extended moment before whipping around to face Ambessa. 

Salo:      “To think I tolerated you insulting me and talking in my ear for days on end…” 

Ambessa:      “I will not stand for this blatant misdirection. My nation isn't responsible for your mess. Everything I've done is out of love!” 

Mel:      “Oh, get out of here with your love, Mother. You've done enough. If you stay any longer, I'll see that you're put on trial.” 

Ambessa:      “You are defenseless and at your most vulnerable. You're making a fatal mistake.” 

Jayce:      “That's for the council to decide,” he interjected, again without thinking, then winced internally. Viktor snorted. Mel snuck a small smile at him, and he relaxed. 

Salo:      “Those beasts from the undercity still must be dealt with.”

Mel:      “You have my word that the perpetrators will be brought to justice. The last thing we need is to become a weapons testing ground, and all of Runeterra will suffer if Noxus acquires Hextech. A viable solution will be found that does not involve either. Now, all in favor of barring Noxian forces from Piltover?” 

All four of them raised their hands near-simultaneously, surprising each other. Ambessa gaped in disbelief. 

…

Ambessa:      “Tell me, child, do you think it was prudent to let the wolves into your cage? You didn't even bring guards! There's nowhere to—” 

Before they could try to murder their way out, Jayce launched himself in front of them fearlessly, but his magic was nullified, leaving everyone at a standstill as he barely managed to block them with his shield. Mel tried to get through in vain.

Mel:      “Their rune tiles absorb attacks!” 

Viktor followed her finger and darted over to try to rip them off. Panic struck Jayce. 

Jayce:      “Don't—!”

The ones closest to his hands wisped his energy into them like a sieve. He braced himself, legs reappearing for leverage, and spaced his fingers between them, putting every ounce of willpower into yanking them off. It wasn't enough, so he threw caution to the wind, along with himself. His form destabilized into two and started tearing at their strands with his teeth and nails. Jayce cried out in fear for him to stop, but as quickly as the strands fell, sucking in the remainder of his forms and destroying them, Jayce felt him respawn in his core. 

Viktor:      “I'm… resting,” he assured him faintly. 

He wasted no time disarming them and then teleporting them to empty cells with two forehead plaps. A deluge of grotesque memories assailed him in the aftermath, and he dry-heaved several times before turning around.

……

Jayce:      “They started it,” he rasped. The council was visibly shaken by what they had witnessed.

Salo:      “Yes, I- I understand.” 

Jayce:      “And I'm still going to handle Jinx alone.” 

Salo:      “Very well.” 

Shoola managed a nod.

Jayce:      “For the record, none of this is from Hextech. Hextech is still useless and dying. These are just my cheap tricks, and if you don't want them used against you, you'll keep your mouths shut.” 

Salo took the threat literally and nodded with her. 

Shoola:      “... Have you become a mage?” 

Jayce:      “No. I'm still just a scientist, and none of this has a greater meaning. No one will be able to weaponize it.”

He noticed that Mel was staring at him in awe. They locked eyes as hers twinkled.

Shoola:      “... You don't need permission to redress.”

Salo:      “Let me have this,” he half-scolded, half-pleaded under his breath. 

Within seconds, Cait barged in, wearing her streetclothes disguise. 

Cait:      “At the request of Councilor Talis, I've collected extensive evidence proving that Noxus orchestrated the attack. The investigation is ongoing, but they left a trail in their hubris—” 

Her words fell flat at the sight. He quickly turned away and threw his shirt on. 

…

Salo:      “This is a clothed- closed council meeting—”

Cait:      “I can see that.”

Jayce:      “… Ran out of time; had to improvise…”

Chapter Text

       “You should see the things I can do now— I'll definitely be able to handle her alone.” 

            “I'm holding you to that. If you don't return within the week, you'll have to deal with my search party.” 

       “It's not—” 

            “Have you been to Zaun since Silco died?”

…

       “I stopped visiting after Benzo's closed, and I only went there a couple times, just for supplies… I don't remember anything else, save for the Hexgates and the raid… Must've been when we were first getting started. Right before he took power…… It's that bad, huh.” 

            “Worse than you can imagine. Everyone is caught up in the mobsters’ turf wars and barely getting by. I made a promise to myself that I would dismantle Shimmer and take down the remaining barons, but I… I can't do that alone or with regular weapons. Gods, Jayce, when those things attacked, I thought it was the end for all of us— and for many, it was. I know Hextech must end, of course, and I won't try to force your hand, but the only viable alternative I've found so far is… Oh, Maddie said it's a brilliant idea, but when I told Vi today, she went absolutely postal…”  

       “... What is it?” 

……

       “Cait, please. Just tell me what's going on.”

            “I don't know anymore, but I feel so confident that I do! … Are you familiar with The Grey?” 

…

       “Intimately.” 

…

            “Do I want to know?” 

       “... It's why Viktor was terminal.” 

…

            “I'm sorry. I saw medical papers on its effects, but I thought surely a brief potential exposure couldn't do that. Vi's friend had grown up in it…”

       “Cait, what are you planning on doing?” 

She went back to avoiding his gaze. 

… 

            “It's tentative, alright? Just a possibility. If we unleash it in- in controlled ways, it could be used to clear the streets of civilians and hole up the barons so they can't hide or retaliate.” 

…

       “I need you to understand that it's poison. Do you really want to risk… creating more Viktors? — Not that I would mind there being clones of him; you know what I mean. Innocent people will get hurt no matter how careful you are. They could even become diseased from it. That's… That's… bad,” he winced, hating everything about the conversation. He was never in a position to tell her what she couldn't do, but he needed her to listen. “How is it worth the effects?” 

…

            “It shouldn't take longer than a few days…” 

       “A few days of exposure, and however much longer it lingers. It'll probably stick to surfaces and get in their water…” He shut his eyes for a moment, forcing himself to take a breath. “... I know you. You're ingenious and better than this. Do you think regular Zaunites even want you to intervene? … Would you do the same to us if Jinx was up here? Would you even be allowed to?”

……

            “I loathe when you're right.” 

He exhaled in relief before giving a smug smirk for levity. 

       “I know.”

            “Oh, sod off.” 

       “... I'm really proud of you. Always am, but especially right now.”

… 

            “Gods, I can't believe I almost… That was way too close a call,” she shuddered. 

He pulled her into a hug, and they stayed like that for several minutes. Her shoulders sagged as the tension melted away.

            “... Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you.”

       “Good thing you're stuck with me. And the feeling's mutual… Remember when I wanted to declare war on Zaun? I was such a jackass; you were horrified, and I wouldn't even listen… Sidenote, Vi and I shouldn't be allowed to make decisions together unsupervised.” 

She sighed and looked away for a moment before turning back to poke his core. He squeaked.

            “... Viktor's at the center of this, isn't he?” 

       “I…” 

            “Your change in heart,” she clarified. “His death affected you greatly.” 

…

       “That's an understatement,” he laughed.

She frowned sympathetically.

            “... I can relate, though I seem to be going the opposite direction… I regret never getting acquainted with him properly. He was worth knowing, if your undying love for him is any indication.”

       “... Who told you?”

           “Um, you did? Rather overtly, might I add, over the course of seven years. Viktor this, Viktor that, shared hopes and dreams, and so on and so forth…”

       “You got me there,” he shrugged. “Was I really that obvious, though?” 

           “Yes. Even Vi noticed at your first mention of him.” 

…

      “God, I really am oblivious to these things,” he muttered. “Let's focus on you instead before I combust from embarrassment. What did you mean by the "opposite direction" of me?”

           “... I can't rest until she's behind bars.”

       “Please try to. I'll handle that, and everything will be fine.” 

            “But it's personal! I… I want to avenge Mother despite her shortcomings; it's the least I can do to atone for getting her killed.” 

       “Cait,” he reprimanded gently. “I told you, it wasn't your fault.” 

…

            “That doesn't make a difference to my grief or all that I've inherited… I thought that maybe I could find peace and let it lie, but that was before the memorial. And I know, I know Noxus did it, but I can't let anything like that happen again. The remaining barons must be apprehended.” 

       “... We'll figure it out together, ok? Remember, you're not alone.” 

            “I feel alone! Vi keeps getting all pissy and storming off if I don't blow up at her first, and now Maddie of all people is ghosting me. She's that cute new Enforcer— I was going to have her accompany me to the meeting. I didn't tell her anything, I swear, but… I trust her. She's a downright sweetheart; you'd like her.” 

…

       “Funny thing about that—”

            “I'm not in the mood for jokes.”

       “... Cait, she was a Noxian Spy. I'm sorry. I bought her act, too.” 

……

            “Was?”

       “I mean, she still is! She's— I didn't kill her.”

            “What did you do to her?!” 

       “She tried to kill me! I accidentally saw the things she's done and what she had planned. She was using you and prepared to kill you at any moment. I panicked and just— just sent her to the middle of nowhere, away from every sapient being.”

…

            “We have a system for dealing with these things; you can't just exile someone arbitrarily. Not without due cause as determined by public servants. I know you meant well, but this sets a bad precedent... Please don't play sheriff again. I'm going to pretend I don't know what happened to her, and you're not going to tell anyone else.” 

…

       “Ok, fine,” he sighed. “... Thank you. I just— it would've been impossible to get damning evidence on her in time, and she almost sabotaged everything… Besides, the system's bad. You know that, right?”

            “What are you talking about?” 

       “When you said the city failed Vi, that was- that was a feature, not a design flaw. It wants Zaunites poor and powerless as cogs in its machine... And god, don't get me started on law enforcement.”

She quirked a brow. He broke eye contact.

       “I'm trying to… I don't know, disassociate you from them, but… Enforcers ultimately exist to serve the will of the elite, no matter what their personal ethics are. If the elite want the status quo unchallenged or certain demographics exploited and oppressed, then they “enforce” that. There are plenty of Marcus types out there, on top of it, and even more harmless and wrongfully accused people in Stillwater.”

…

            “Where is this even coming from? Did Viktor leave you some manifesto?”

       “No, I just… finally realized that the whole damn system needs to be uprooted.”

…

            “Right, then,” she sighed. “And since when have you opposed societal order?” 

       “Since… yesterday,” he mumbled sheepishly.

…

            “Since yesterday,” she echoed. “You were radicalized literally overnight.”

       “Yeah, all at once… I appreciate that you're trying so hard to fix things from the inside, but… it can't be done. I'm sorry— I really am. I thought it was possible until very, very recently.” 

…

           “You really are full of surprises these days.”

       “You have no idea,” he snorted. “... There's so much more I wish I could tell you; I just don't know how yet, and I never want to lie to you."

…

            “I trust that you have a reason for whatever else is transpiring, legal or not, but I'm running out of ways to ask what in the everloving hell is going on.”

       “... I saw a bunch of Vi's memories along with the others and came to my own conclusions... She thought it was a good idea,” he added as a weak defense in the silence that followed.

…

            “Great, so now she's spending more time with you than me... How did that happen?” 

       “I… I don't know, actually. She just kind of shows up and makes herself at home.” 

            “... I can't blame her. You're a good refuge and friend. I just… wish there wasn't all this strife. I hate not understanding her.”

       “I know the feeling. It's almost impossible for me to understand anyone well without this crazy magic… Wish I could share it.” 

            “... Jayce, I think we might be a tad neurodivergent.” 

He cracked up.         

       “How'd you deduce that, Detective?” 

            “We were each other's only friend for years despite the ridiculous age gap. You've always been fixated on magic while I've obsessed over… the criminal justice system? I don't know; I suppose I just obsess in general, but the explosion and Sheriff Grayson's death spurred me down this path. And we're both misfits, etcetera.” 

       “Ah, yeah…” 

…

            “... You know, the name is a bit ironic. I need to abandon this black and white absolutism and see what's grey, not… use The Grey. That sounds stupid now that I've said it aloud. Gods, I need better sleep.” 

       “No, that makes sense. Seeing grey is really goddamn difficult, and my learning experiences have been catastrophes. I keep asking myself why the hell I took on a job that requires it for people's lives… Looking forward to retiring.” 

            “... I'd like to think we're decent at keeping each other in check.” 

       “I'll try not to zap anyone else away unless necessary, but I can't make any promises.” 

            “Oh, joy. I can't wait to cover up your next instance of vigilantism.”

Chapter Text

                  “The gall of you to murder at a memorial… You'll be held accountable for your crimes this time.” 

Ambessa just glowered, head held high.

                         “You will never be able to handle the responsibility of protecting your nation.” 

                  “As far as I'm concerned, I'm off to a good start.” 

                          “Foolish fox! When will you learn? These aren't your people. A war is coming, whether you want it or not,” she hissed. “You cannot keep me here— hundreds of soldiers are still awaiting my command. With one signal, they will burn this city to the ground. If you value anyone's life, you'll acquit me.” 

                  “It doesn't work that way,” she responded coolly. “The blood on your hands cannot be ignored here, no matter how “soft” we are. You'll not be permitted communications, and neither shall Rictus. Perhaps you will learn some things in your solitude.” 

                        “There is much you're ignorant of, and even more that I kept from you. You aren't ready.” 

                  “I'm as ready as I'll ever be. You had plenty of time to prepare me, and I sincerely doubt you will now. Regardless, all you've taught me is how to— how to take, to use, to deceive. I don't want to mirror a modicum of your cruelty atop it.” 

…

                        “You may return for guidance at any time.” 

…

                  “Perhaps I will visit as a kindness, but never for that. Goodbye, Mother.” 

                         “Wait. You aren't safe outside of this city. They wanted you, not Kino. Free us, and you will never have to deal with any of this.” 

…

                  “I don't suppose you'll elaborate so that I can protect myself from this supposed threat.” 

                        “You can't expect me to relinquish leverage after your betrayal. And besides, I told you: you aren't ready,” she spat.

                  “Maybe I never will be— I'm alright with that. I have nothing to prove to you, so I'll see you at the trial.”

Two black roses blossomed in the dungeon on that night, leaving no evidence. Their disappearances, along with that of the merchant Amara, caused alarm and unanswerable questions. There was only one thing Mel knew for certain, and it was what she had anticipated from the moment she'd learned Kino died. She told herself she was as prepared as she could be when Jayce first got her aside after the attack. Neither he nor Viktor had stopped to consider what would happen if Ambessa was dethroned. Jayce was devastated, and Viktor's guilt almost matched his, amplified by Jayce's distress.  

          “Wait, please, don't leave! There has to be another option… I did this. Mel, I'm so sorry.” 

                  “The only thing you "did" was prevent countless more deaths. This was inevitable, sooner or later.”

          “No, I thought— It's not fair to you. Piltover is your home.” 

                  “And I'll be sure to return from time to time,” she smiled sadly. His tears were already spilling over her shoulder as he clung to her.

          “... Do you have to go now?”

…

                  “I suppose not. Who knows, maybe she'll magically reappear. But Jayce, I will need to eventually. I was planning on it all along. You just made it easier— if she remained imprisoned, I wouldn't've inherited the role unless I defeated her in a public duel, which I was preparing to do, as much as I dreaded it. Now there's hundreds of soldiers here awaiting my orders, and I can't begin to imagine the carnage that will unfold if I send them back to Noxus unaccompanied. There are diabolical people vying for my power already, and I need to be proactive.”

          “Can't you just… give it to someone else?” 

She laughed incredulously, caught offguard. He was still crying, Viktor stroking his back at a loss.

                  “If only... Everything requires conquest there. And besides, I'll have the opportunity to finally introduce peace. Liberating the captured territories and their prisoners was nothing more than a wish until now… My life has been unfulfilling; I've always wanted something more. Perhaps I'll find it there.” 

          “... That sounds dangerous.” 

                  “Oh, without a doubt. But we both know that some of the most rewarding endeavors involve risk.” 

          “I don't— I don't want anything to happen to you. Mel, you're one of my closest friends, and I don't know how to put into words how much I love you.” 

                  “The feeling is mutual. I'm very glad that you're able to protect yourself.” 

    “Just kiss already,” Viktor muttered, turning away. 

          “Are you sure?” he whispered.

    “I may be a possessive man, but I am not a heartless one. I can share a little for your benefit. Go on, get to smooching,” he waved dismissively, still not looking.

                  “Of course I am,” she chortled, confused. Jayce leaned in, and they began to make out, slow and bittersweet. Viktor just kept talking over the wet noises as he looked out over the river, chin propped against a hand on the balcony rail. 

    “Besides, she will never physically be able to get as close as I am,” he lilted. “I've “won,” as far as I'm concerned... Invite her to stay longer. Host a farewell party, or something. She is alright, truthfully… Once I recover from the new soul views, perhaps…… nevermind… Should I give you two some space? Do you want to go indoors? I would probably be assailed with any horniness that arises regardless of distance, but maybe I'll be into being cuckolded, I don't know. It could be worth experimenting with… Are you listening to any of this? Cait and Vi are in lesbians together.” 

Jayce almost choked on her tongue at that, pulling away to cough. 

                  “Are you alright?!”

He nodded, drying his eyes. 

    “Oh, you were… Sorry. That's impressive. Please carry on.”

          “I want to protect you, too, Mel. God, I don't think I could ever forgive myself if you got hurt.”

                  “Jayce, I'm perfectly capable of protecting myself, but I appreciate your concern. I'm not your responsibility — nor are you mine — and whatever happens will not be because of you… You have to let me go,” she murmured, gently but firmly. “This isn't healthy.” 

…

    “Well... I am irked for you, and I would like to have a word or several with her that romanticize codependency. I can handle another portal.” 

…

                  “I know it's harsh of me to cut you off so abruptly, but you must understand— it's for our mutual wellbeing.” 

          “Viktor's here and he wants to talk to you,” he offered, desperate for the distraction.

… 

                  “You're serious,” she blinked. Jayce nodded. “... He's… a spirit?” 

          “Something like that. He's— He's the blue stuff,” he gestured to his core. “But he also has a humanoid form.”

                  “... And he's been here this whole time?” 

          “He woke up after the memorial. I didn't think he would, honestly.”

…

                  “You're saying he watched us snog?!” 

          “No, no! He looked away… And encouraged it.” 

                  “Oh my gods, Jayce. This is beyond absurd… Are you certain he's not a hallucination or a magic facsimile?” 

Viktor gave her a rude Zaunite hand gesture for the sake of it. Jayce began to think it was a bad idea, but he respected his decision.

          “Yes. You can sense him if you do the telepathy thing with me.” 

…

                  “Jayce, with nothing but the utmost trust, I can't bring myself to show you my memories of Noxus. I'm sorry. You don't need to witness the horrors of war unless you decide that war is necessary one day. Then I will gladly bestow them upon you.” 

He nodded, squeezing her shoulder. 

          “Thank you. It would've killed the mood if I puked.” 

                  “... Viktor, I'm very sorry, for everything. I hope you're at peace.” 

…

    “Now I feel worse,” he muttered. “... Ask her to outstretch her palm so I can try. Tell her it will reveal her entire self to me but I saw plenty of carnage growing up.” 

She hesitated, then complied. He placed his atop it, turning both of their eyes white for a moment. Jayce steadied her in the aftermath. Once it cleared, she saw him and gasped, tears soon gathering. 

                  “... You look well,” she managed. Jayce hazarded a glance and nearly reacted the same at seeing him with the appearance he'd had when they first met. Viktor was unaware of the change.

    “I am. Thank you for taking care of Jayce when I could not.” 

                  “I'm sorry,” she repeated, at a loss. “What befell you was tragic.”

    “Don't pity me or blame yourself for my death,” he muttered in exasperation. “It was obviously not your doing, and your guilty face is injurious.” 

                  “... I'm still truly sorry about the rest.”

He shifted uncomfortably despite not having weight, and then he realized he had legs again, free of the brace. His old cane was just sort of floating next to him, now an accessory instead of an aid. He shook his head, reorienting himself, and grabbed the handle to fidget.

    “It seems you've learned from the experience. I am not without fault; just don't string along another hapless soul like that for your endeavors,” he shrugged, continuing to avoid eye contact.  

                  “Of course not.” 

          “I'm not hapless,” he huffed.

    “That wasn't the right word... Naive and besmitten?” 

                  “Eager to please,” she added helpfully.

          “God. Can you guys just not talk about me right now?” 

    “Sure. I can instead divulge the nature of our gloriously evolved partnership.” 

          “V…”

                  “It's alright. You're clearly fucking.” 

    “What makes you think that?” he retorted for dignity, despite simultaneously committing exhibitionism-level PDA that Jayce was happily reciprocating. 

                  “Call it a hunch if that spares your pride. But I don't understand why you'd let us kiss.” 

    “I want him fulfilled, and I don't own him. I am not about to start giving him orders outside the bedroom unless he's into that.” 

                  “You'd be amazed at how deep his desire to please runs.” 

Jayce groaned in embarrassment, grateful that they were the only people around. 

    “Right. In any case, I figured I could afford to share the wealth— just a teensy bit. You can't steal him away anymore since we are inextricably bound, etcetera… And, for the record, I am not attracted to you at all.”

                  “That much has been abundantly clear from the moment I first saw you,” she lilted. 

    “Ok, well fuck you, then. As a figure of speech.” 

          “Guys—” 

                  “Please, do continue. I'm impressed that you waited this long to speak your mind unrestrained.”

    “I dislike that you charm people into doing your bidding with that silver-golden tongue, and I cannot stand inauthenticity.” 

                  “You know nothing of politics.”

    “I know that it's all insufferable bullshit.” 

                  “Maybe so, but its contents determine life or death for people like you.” 

…

    “People like me?”

          “(Oh, god—)” 

                  “Yes, people like you. I won't backpedal on that.” 

    “People like me aren't any less deserving of rights and dignity.” 

                  “Of course not! It's just an unfortunate reality that the least privileged suffer the most adversity at our hands.” 

    “Have you ever considered not partaking in that?” 

                  “I wanted to make things better for everyone. I was playing my cards however I could.” 

    “What cards? The ones gilded in gold, like your soul?” he sneered.

                  “What's that supposed to mean?” 

    “Your soul is literally obscured with gold. I can see it, but I cannot understand it like I can the others. Even on a subconscious, spiritual level, you obfuscate yourself from being known.” 

          “Vik, that's enough.”

…

                  “... Is it really?” 

    “He's right— I overstepped. Apologies. You're significantly less corrupt than the average politician; I just wield personal grievances.” 

                  “I don't mind. The candidness is a breath of fresh air, if anything.” 

    “I would not know what those are like,” he quipped. 

                  “I was asking if my soul is gold.” 

    “Golden, maybe plated in gold, something of the sort. It looks like a bright and shiny, opaque statue, where everyone else's I can see through. I was hoping that I might finally come to an understanding with you if I could understand you, but I cannot in the slightest. Your mind blocks me; I don't even see memories.” 

…

          “Maybe I should try,” he suggested. Viktor nodded.

                  “Jayce, I really do not want to scar you.” 

          “You won't. I already saw plenty.”

    “Your mother and Rictus,” he clarified with an exaggerated grimace. “Theirs were revealed to us.” 

… 

                  “Can you see any newer ones?”

    “... No. Sorry.” 

                  “Thank you for trying.” 

She placed her palm delicately against Jayce's. His eyes went blue for a moment, but nothing else happened. 

          “Ok, that's… different.” 

                  “No luck?” 

He shook his head. She frowned. 

    “At least we know you have a soul,” he lilted. 

                  “... Is there something fundamentally wrong with me?” she whispered to herself.

    “What? No! I was not implying—” 

                  “How is it that you've seen at least five minds before mine, but mine refuses to be known?” 

…

    “Five is not the largest sample to go off of for correlation, let alone any comparable data. Who knows? Maybe there are lots of metallic souls out there, and it's a normal variant.”

                  “... I feel… inhuman.”

          “Mel, most of the minds that did work were fucking horrible. This doesn't reflect on you at all.”

    “What he said. Your mother's is ordinary, and she is an abhorrent monster... A very horny one, at that. I long to forget.” 

…

                  “I've always been afraid of ending up like her, but until now, I didnt consider the possibility that I could become worse.” 

    “No, I assure you that's physically impossible... Is this how people typically connect? Maybe we can do so with a manual override.” 

                  “I wouldn't know— I avoid true intimacy so much that I might as well be wearing a mask of gold, too... Jayce is one of the only people I've lowered it for.”

    “Oh, wow, that is such a coincidence. And I, too, recently cried over my self-perceived lack of humanity. Already we are off to a promising start. What of your childhood traumas? … Ok, I'll go first. My beloved giant amphibian friend was transmuted and then suspended in an equally giant jar, where she floats in stasis to this day.”

She glanced at Jayce, drawn out of her spiral in sheer bewilderment, but he just shrugged, continuing to soothe her with his thumb on the back of her hand.

    “... I do not hate you, Mel.” 

                  “You should.” 

    “Don't tell me what to do.” 

… 

                  “Your spite could power an entire nation of its own.”

    “Thank you. That means a lot, truly.” 

She smiled, and his eyes twinkled.

    “You have excellent taste in men.” 

                  “As do you.”

    “I know. What appeals to you most about him?” 

          “Guys, please…”

                  “Ooh, that's a tough question... His courage and ingenuity stood out after appearance, but I'd have to say his heart.”

He nodded sagely.

    “Good choice. As they say, it's not our fault that the heart is stationed behind magnificent, massive mammaries.”

          “Oh my god…” he mumbled into his hands.

                  “You know, almost every time we were together, he'd talk about you.” 

Viktor snorted.  

                  “Just last week he was saying he wished he'd covered you in kisses... But he thought it was a brotherly thing to do.”

          “I may be stupid.”       

    “No.” “No!”

…

    “Medarda.” 

                  “Surnameless man.” 

    “You… are not so bad. Just a little terrible.” 

                  “And you are delightfully vindictive.” 

    “We could take turns calling each other derogatory words,” he suggested. 

                  “One-for-one, like a duel?” 

    “An enticing offer.”

          “Please don't.”

    “Sorry,” he relented. “It must be upsetting watching your loved ones fight.”

                   “Are we still fighting?” 

    “I have no idea.” 

          “It's confusing, more than anything… One moment, you're both flustering me, and then you're calmly reaming each other out like it's fun.” 

Mel made a thoughtful noise as Viktor nodded contemplatively. 

    “I, for one, find this exchange to be very enriching.” 

                  “As do I.” 

…

    “You know what would be hilarious?”

                  “If we started behaving in a risqué manner just to see his reaction.” 

    “Yes!” 

          “Oh, god, I might actually faint if you do.” 

    “No, you can't do that. The whole purpose is for you to watch.” 

He groaned and walked back into the apartment, pursued by them. 

    “Please, Jayce. It will be entertaining and maybe also hot.” 

          “What is even happening anymore?” he sighed in resignation as he sat down, his seemingly perpetual blush from their exchanges more vivid than ever.

                  “Ok, so this will be the legendary cuckold chair—”

          “Wait, what?”

    “For the bit, of course.” 

Mel nodded. 

                  “Should we… both go for it at the same time?” 

    “I don't see why not. Just don't fall in love with me.” 

She snickered, and he cracked a wry grin. 

                  “In love with a gay man… I suppose there are better wastes of time.” 

    “That's what I am saying. Very presumptuous of you, though.” 

                  “I'm sorry, are you not homosexual?” 

    “No, I am. But there are added layers of convolution… I may also be a bit, eh… sapiosexual?” 

                  “That is not a thing,” she laughed. 

    “Then tell me why I only fell for the smartest man I've ever known.” 

                  “I can think of plenty of reasons,” she hummed, stepping closer. They locked eyes. “His build. His desires. His ambition…” 

Viktor exhaled, voice heady. 

    “His big, beautiful heart.” 

                  “Gods, yes…” 

They just stared at each other for a moment with half-lidded gazes, tension thick, before closing them and leaning in. Mel anticipated a normal kiss, while Viktor anticipated tongue. They collided with an awkward bonk, and her lipstick was smeared with glittery blue from his unintentional lick. They separated almost immediately and recoiled, Viktor with a disgusted splutter, frantically wiping the alcohol and wax off his tongue, and Mel discreetly but ferverously cleaning his slime off with the kerchief Jayce offered before searching for a mirror to reapply her makeup in. 

          “... Was it worth it?” he chuckled.

    “Depends. Are you aroused?” 

…

          “I honestly don't know.”

    “... Maybe we should kiss in front of her. It's the last combination to test.” 

                  “I'm very happy for you both, but some things I would rather not see or repeat. I can't… match your freak,” she muttered.

    “Fair enough,” he shrugged. “I am a bonafide freak in the sheets, and proud of it. I've partaken in acts you cannot even begin to fathom.” 

                  “There are also things that I would rather not be informed about at all.” 

    “Your loss.”

Jayce hid his smirk behind the kerchief, lips pressed to the mix of wax and blue. 

Chapter Text

    “Should I even go? I would rather put my dick in an unpleasant location than reveal myself to anyone else unnecessarily, and I can't very well make a “partial” appearance in a social setting like that. It would just serve to distract those who can sense me and put them at risk of needing to lie or else expose me…”

           “Did you want, um, to talk with Cait for any reason, at any point? I won't be upset if you don't, but she is trying to unlearn her conditioning now. She's still not exactly anti-establishment, but she's figuring things out.” 

    “Thank you, Jayce. I don't mind you telling people about me as long as no one is sharing that knowledge; I trust that you'll use discretion. And I would theoretically be partial towards her because of your sibling relationship. I'd want to bond with everyone you love, to this extent, so that you don't have to hide me… but I… I don't think I can “click” with her no matter how we approach it. We've tried for several awkward seconds at a time over the years— we have nothing in common.” 

…

           “You'd be surprised,” he laughed. “You're both pretty unhinged, in a good way. Resourceful. And smart.” 

    “Eeh, that is subjective,” he teetered with a seesaw gesture. 

           “No, really! There's gotta be something you can talk about…”

Viktor hummed contemplatively. 

           “I mean, I think she'd be willing to listen to you, at least. She can be open-minded, and you both want to help Zaun.”

    “You are suggesting that two unstoppable forces be pointed towards each other, for what? The greater good? A stilted friendship? Jayce, I do not want to argue in your childhood home. The night should be about Mel.” 

           “It will be,” he promised. 

    “... I think it would be best if I don't make an appearance, in either sense of the phrase. I am not a party or people person.” 

Jayce nodded, resigned. 

           “I'll miss you.” 

    “I will be with you in here,” he lilted, tapping his core and accidentally phasing through it again. Jayce keened. 

    “Ah, sorry!” 

           “Might as well be sending me with a fucking vibrator, god…” 

    “You have a point… Hm. I am going to try receding back into dormancy when it's time.” 

…

           “Just be careful, ok?” 

    “Jayce, you subconsciously kiddie-proofed your entire being for me. I don't think I could endanger myself if I wanted to.” 

           “... That's hot.” 

Viktor snorted.

    “My safety arouses you.” 

Jayce nodded. 

    “Come to think of it, I find your wellbeing both comforting and titillating… Is there an opposite of necrophilia? I don't think cardiophilia is broad enough a scope.” 

           “You're teaching me so many fun new words... If it doesn't exist yet, we'll invent it,” he smirked. 

    “Inspiration is most prone to strike during the process.” 

           “... Do you wanna—” 

    “Yes. I don't know how we went a day without.” 

           “Mm, god yeah, that was way too long…” 

    “There is much lost time to make up for.” 

           “Baby, you know I love to overcompensate~ … You're laughing.”

    “I am not,” he managed weakly, mouth a hard line. “What makes you think so?”

           “I can feel you thinking it's both hilarious and hot.”

…

    “That's hardly fair,” he huffed. “One might even call it cheating.”

Jayce ignored him in favor of tracing the juncture of his neck and shoulder. 

           “Was it really that bad?” he chuckled. 

    “It… was silly,” he relented. 

           “Mission accomplished.” 

    “... I like that petname, though,” he mumbled, face back in his tits. “It… caused a few very specific realizations, or revelations, if you will, yet they somehow only apply to you.” 

…

           “Baby?” 

Viktor nodded against the squish. 

    “Maybe if you keep saying it, it will lose its effect,” he muffled into his chest.

           “You want me to call you my baby?” 

    “Oh, that's even worse…” 

           “Yeah, I can see the appeal. I love having you all to myself… You still haven't followed through on sucking my tits, though.” 

Viktor recoiled in horror.

    “It's not like that! … Not the second half, at least. Those are unrelated. I don't want to— to be an infant, gods… I just. I don't know, I enjoy your orifi and your enormity. And- And how caring and safe you are, how I can be hidden away with nothing to worry about anymore… I am figuring it out, alright?” 

           “God, that's adorable.” 

    “No, no you listen. It is not my fault that you're sexy. Your entire existence has been one big awakening for me, on all levels. You changed the direction of my life and dick.”

           “If it helps, I'm really fucking wet from all of that. In case you didn't notice my telepathic horny waves.” 

    “... Oh.” 

           “Yeah… So, you like being my baby~?” he crooned.

Viktor wheezed into his tits. 

    “You are going to kill me…” 

           “You're so cute when you're flustered, heh… Baby.” 

    “Sto-ha-hop… That is not a replay button.”

           “Baby, I have a whole bunch of buttons for you to play with.”

Viktor melted into a puddle of blue tears from laughter and confused horniness. Jayce just laid there, smug, as he waited for him to recover, subtly sampling his tears with a fingertip and becoming disappointed that they were just salty. As soon as his last “hah” trailed off into silence, Jayce started back up. 

           “I'd offer a user manual and tutorial, but you already found them all. Even the secret combinations. I'm impressed, honestly.” 

    “What do you want from me?” he pleaded in fond exasperation. 

           “Everything~”

    “Me too. Just tell me where to start.” 

Jayce was caught offguard, and Viktor seized the opportunity to get the upper hand, locking eyes as he slid both of them down his torso, then peppered his happy trail with kisses, thumbing his sides. Jayce swallowed hard. 

           “... Baby,” he squeaked in one last futile attempt to be suave, voice cracking. 

Viktor stopped in thought for a moment. Jayce recognized the expression as one that preceded downright devious schemes. He knew he was fucked when Viktor began to study his face. 

    “Doggy,” he deadpanned, void of all intonation, his ministrations paused just to see Jayce's reaction. Jayce's dick twitched with enough force to be palpable against him, face going red. Viktor raised a brow with a crooked, victorious half-grin.

… 

           “Yeah, that's doing more for me than I'd like to admit,” he sighed. 

    “Are you going to put balls in your mouth?” he teased. 

           “I'll jizz in my pants before I can even take them off, is what I'll do,” he groaned, embarrassed. 

    “Aw.”

           “But I want to fuck fuck. Please.”

    “Ah, of course. There are so many experiments we haven't conducted yet.”

           “Please…”

    “Your eagerness is always flattering. I could listen to this melody forever… but I am not so cruel,” he added at the involuntary whimper that followed. “The crescendo is the best part, anyway.”

           “Oh! Ohhhhhh, waitwaitwait—”

    “What?! Why the oh-ing?” 

           “I figured it out!” 

    “... Would you care to elaborate, or should I just get you off?”

           “We can multitask,” he declared confidently. Viktor rolled his eyes and went along with it. 

           “So, you exist inside my soul and out simultaneously, and you can see both at the same time, and you like being in there.” 

    “Yes? This is not news— Can I hump your thigh like the aforementioned dog and try phasing my hands through your nethers?” 

           “Yeah, go for it— So, you like being in me and being in me.” 

    “Huh… I don't understand the connection.” 

           “It's— Mmngh, fuck, that's good… I like being your world; it gets to my head. Maybe it's all just… a psychological thing? Innies and outies? I want you inside of me in every way possible and then some, more than anything.”

…

    “Please repeat what you want,” he panted. Jayce leaned up to cup his jaw and wrap his other hand around his cock in a fit of inspiration, pumping it between his thighs, warm thumb rubbing the slit. Ectoplasm quickly coated his hand and thighs. 

           “I want you inside of me,” he murmured low, lips against his ear, then added for good measure, “my sweet little baby. All mine.” 

Viktor spontaneously came while chanting “yours” under his breath, rutting between his thighs through it. Cyan nut splattered everywhere like a firecracker, even reaching the ceiling. 

…

    “Fuck.”

They were equally surprised, but Jayce wasted no time swiping as much as he could off of them and into his mouth. The aphrodisiac effect took hold as Viktor continued phasing his hands into his hole and guts.

           “It's like reverse shadow puppets,” Jayce marveled at the glowy digits wiggling. 

    “How does it feel?” 

           “Still good. Just… light, like butterflies. Kinda tickles.” 

    “I can partially solidify,” he offered.

           “Oh god yes.” 

He dragged his fingertips gently across his insides, not making any impact but leaving faint trails of light all the same. Jayce gasped, then keened, arching his belly into the touch. 

           “Holy fuck, holy fuck…” 

    “More~?”

           “Please— fffff, yessss…”

Viktor sought out his sweet spots and stimulated them most, but the sensation of touch in places impossible to reach otherwise drove Jayce over the edge just as much. 

           “Vik- Viktor, can you… A whole hand solid in my hole the regular way too?” 

Viktor gawked, but before Jayce could react, a third, disembodied arm spawned. They freaked the fuck out for several moments, and then Viktor was using it while continuing his other ministrations. He flattened his hand and followed Jayce's lead to carefully work it in at a comfortable pace. Soon, it was all the way inside and driving Jayce up the wall from both the fullness and aphrodisiac. Viktor almost started humping his leg again at the way Jayce came around him, muscles squeezing and trapping him like a vice. As Jayce wound down from that one, he felt him out with his fingers. Viktor pressed back gingerly.

           “... There's room to go deeper.” 

…

    “Are you certain?”

           “You're the one who gave me the idea when you were mirrorfucking me,” he laughed. “... I wanna see how far you can reach.” 

Viktor was at a loss for words but complied meekly, laser-focused on Jayce's emotions despite the growing throb of his navel pulse the further he went. Jayce stretched around him like a literal glove and wasn't satisfied until he was as full as possible. Viktor's “normal” hands caressed the space and phased through noncorporeally to massage it as Jayce groaned in bliss. 

    “Better?” 

           “Perfect, fuck…” 

Minutes passed as they just stayed like that, Viktor's arm against his ridges and the underside of his dick, Jayce clenching around him in an almost relaxed manner. They were both spent, and Viktor was grateful he didn't have dick hands anymore, because he would've been beyond overstimulated. Jayce, however, seemed content to fall asleep like that.

    “You're dozing off,” he murmured, kissing his inner thigh. “Do you want me to withdraw it?”

           “Noooooo,” he mumbled. Viktor laughed.

    “When should I?”

           “Nnnever…”

    “Are you going to be wearing my arm to the party? The cum was one thing since we thought we'd be alone, but in front of your own mother?” 

Jayce suddenly attained postnut clarity and grimaced.

           “Dude, don't talk about my mom when your arm is up me. Blugh…” 

    “Sorry. Are you planning on simply never seeing anyone again? Sliding correspondences under the door via courier?” 

           “Just let me have this,” he groaned, tightening. “... Keep moving until I fall asleep, pretty please?” 

    “You are insatiable,” he sighed in bemusement but complied.  

Chapter Text

Elora:         “They were a bit miffed at you ditching their grand sendoff so early,” she smirked, staying as still as possible.

Mel:         “Yes, well, I have no need for pleasantries with them now, and this is a far better use of my time… In any case, there's a much more enjoyable event this evening— Jayce and his mother are hosting; they'd be delighted if you joined us. He recommended bringing or arriving in sleepwear. I'm sorry it's such short notice.”

Elora:         “Oh, that's… Maybe,” she winced, sheepish. Mel laughed.

Mel:         “Whatever you're imagining is probably accurate… Even if you don't take to his ragtag group, you can always rely on him for support.”

Elora:         “Of course… I'll think about it.” 

Mel examined the portrait details one last time before helping Elora up and finally letting her see it. 

Mel:         “This will keep me company on the voyage and then adorn my chambers,” she declared with pride. Elora's cheeks tinted. “Thank you for your patience.” 

Elora placed a hand on her arm, countless sentiments conveyed in silence. Mel placed hers atop it.

Mel:         “You will be an admirable councilor; of that I have no doubt… And thanks to my friend, you won't be stuck contending with Salo. I suspect she'll introduce herself to you soon.” 

…

Elora         “Mel, your brother could still be alive… but regardless, there's too much intrigue for my liking. You know you may be walking into a trap.”

Mel's gaze turned pensive as it met hers. 

Mel:         “We hope for the best and prepare for the worst.” 

Elora pulled her into a hug, which was reciprocated tightly. They watched the sunset with impending dread, and then she left to acquire a camera and bottle of wine upon request, leaving Mel to her thoughts in the cooling dusk. For a long moment, she just looked out over the sea of red sails at her command. The waves were choppy and dark, a tumultuous force of unknown depths that almost seemed to pull at her. 

Viktor:         “Am I interrupting?”

She startled, then sighed in a mix of relief and annoyance.

Mel:         “… No.”

Viktor:         “Good, good… Three instances of this would be excessive.”

Mel:         “Pardon?”

Viktor:         “Don't worry about it.”

He examined the patio with a casual but stilted air, then joined her, staring straight ahead.

…

Mel:         “Your hair's different today.”

Viktor:         “Oh? I didn't notice, considering I have yet to see my reflection anywhere… One time I borrowed Jayce's vision just to perceive myself, but it was a jarring experience.”

Mel:         “Did you at least notice that your legs are missing?”

Viktor:         “That was intentional— the vest looks funny without them. It just sort of… flaps around,” he demonstrated.

Mel:         “Indeed it does… but I can also tell that you're floating well above your height.”

…

Viktor:         “You cannot,” he retorted flatly.

Mel:         “I'm taller than you. Death hasn't changed that.”

Viktor:         “Come back with a ruler once you master gravity, and we'll let Jayce be the judge.”

Mel:         “Speaking of, did you drift here alone?”

Viktor:         “Actually, I teleported here alone via the soul bond. It's our latest trick.”

Mel:         “I see.”

Viktor:         “… I couldn't find your mother, and they've vanished from my perception altogether— they were gradually fading ever since I first saw them, unlike the others, yet I thought nothing of it until they were gone because I'm an ignoramus. He thinks there could be another explanation, but… you have my most sincere condolences.”

Mel:         “Viktor, that's a good thing. Thank you. I've already accepted that she's gone, and I don't want her back. There are complicated feelings, yes, but this is for the best.”

He nodded awkwardly. 

Mel:         “... I don't suppose you saw any of what she hid from me, did you?”

Viktor:         “If you're referring to her memories, that would be a resounding “no.” I made the mistake of glancing for mere seconds out of morbid curiosity and was scarred for afterlife.” 

Mel:         “It seems I'm the one who should be offering condolences. Jayce spoke nothing of what he saw, but he nearly retched from the experience.” 

Viktor:         “He has a nervous stomach,” he shrugged. “Very sensitive in general, so I can only imagine how that went.”

Mel:         “Oh, you should've seen him before most meetings. I suspect that's another reason he kept his hair short.”

Viktor:         “I hope he never shaves again.”

Mel:         “Gods, me too.”

…

Viktor:         “I hope you don't mind the intrusion, either.”

Mel:         “Not at all. Is everything else alright?”

Viktor:         “Copacetic. He's finishing setting up with his mom, but he'll be back shortly to escort you.” 

She nodded, immaculate brows furrowed slightly.

Mel:         “You're staying behind?”

Viktor:         “I wouldn't go so far as to say that… but yes. Sorry. It's nothing personal; I'm just not a party or people person, and my presence would complicate the situation. I don't want to interfere with his relationships.”

Mel:         “Is that so?” she smirked coyly. 

Viktor:         “You know what I mean,” he scoffed. 

Mel:         “I'm not sure I do, in honesty.” 

Viktor:         “... Oh, you're serious. Right… Only one other person there would be able to sense me, and I haven't figured out how to approach that. It would put a damper on the festivities at best.”

Mel:         “Well, you'll be there in spirit regardless.”

He laughed, then quickly tried to save face.

Viktor:         “Ha ha… You will be missed, Medarda. Strive to stay alive.”

Mel:         “The former applies to you, too, short specter.”

Viktor:         “Rude,” he grinned despite himself. 

…

Mel:         “I have a parting gift of sorts. I was going to present it when the two of you were together, but I'll just have to unveil it twice.”

He was caught offguard again. 

Viktor:         “I, ah… don't think I can physically accept anything or reciprocate the gesture— even if Jayce helped me rummage through my belongings, there's nothing you could possibly want amongst them,” he muttered, fidgeting with a cuff.

Mel:         “It's not some grand gesture, really. There's no need to fret.”

Viktor:         “I don't get gifts,” he pleaded in resistance. “Only from Jayce. I don't know if I can handle the guilt.”

Mel:         “Oh, you're one of those types,” she murmured. “... Let's say it's just for him.”

…

Viktor:         “Ok,” he mumbled, sounding way more defeated than she'd thought anyone could from a simple gift. She smiled softly and reached into the bust of her dress. He panicked and turned away.

Viktor:         “I don't want to see those. Thank you, but no thank you.” 

She chortled outright at that. 

Mel:         “Oh my gods, I know. I'm just accessing my pocket.” 

…

Viktor:         “Very innovative,” he remarked, daring to look at her again. “Truthfully. Color me impressed. I assumed you hired someone to carry everything… Is that…?”

She was holding out an ornate amulet made from one of the dead Hexgems, another now adorning her.

Mel:         “We can match,” she lilted. “And Jayce can finally stop wearing that terrible leather strap.”

…

Viktor:         “I could kiss you right now, but I don't want to. Gods, that thing smells so fucking bad from all the sweat...” 

Mel:         “I've noticed,” she sighed in bemusement. “Hours in the forge did not help.” 

He wrinkled his nose. 

Mel:         “... Take good care of him if you're going to stay adhered to each other.”

Viktor:         “Ye- Yes, absolutely I will. You needn't worry about that; I don't have to be told even once.”

Mel:         “I figured as much. But now I can thank you for your commitment, however beautifully bizarre it is.” 

Viktor:         “... May I… add some pizzazz to yours? That is one thing I can do.” 

She raised a brow but lifted it so that he didn't have to reach too close. With a spark of contact from his fingertip, he illuminated the gem, making it look active again.

Mel:         “Stunning,” she marveled under her breath, examining it. “I was wondering how you did that to the others.”

Viktor:         “The others were not so fancy, actually. This should be permanent.” 

Mel:         “I'll cherish it for the rest of my days,” she smiled. He glanced away and worried a tail of his vest.

Viktor:         “... Should we… hug? Is that appropriate?”

Mel:         “I don't see why not.” 

Viktor:         “Alrighty, then… Um, bring it in…?” 

He extended his arms like an open T-pose, unsure what to do with them. She graciously worked with it, giving him a ginger pat on the back, and he relaxed into reciprocation but in a mechanical manner. 

Viktor:         “I am not used to affection outside of Jayce, either,” he mumbled, still patting. 

Mel:         “I can tell... Thank you, Viktor,” she whispered, holding him a little tighter. “I'm very glad just to know that you're still here.” 

…

Viktor:         “I should warn you that I will cry if you do, and then you'll have to deal with that memory as you repaint your face,” he managed over several voice cracks in a failed attempt at levity. She laughed through her nose all the same and hesitantly stroked between his shoulders. He started trembling, then clung to her all at once.

Viktor:         “Sorry. Sorry, I— I don't know what's happening.”

Mel:         “It's ok…”

Viktor:         “… Did you know I accidentally killed someone?” 

…

Mel:         “No?”

Viktor:         “It was Miss Sky Young.”

…

Mel:         “I'm unfamiliar with the name.”

Viktor:         “Which is regrettably likely the case for most of Topside, but I intend to change that, at the very least…”

Mel:         “You will,” she offered. He sobbed.

Viktor:         “That's what she said before she died... Don't die,” he begged.

Mel:         “Alright! Gods, I'll try my best not to, but I implore that you go back to being a little shit before I have to adopt you or something…” 

He sniveled, composing himself as she pet his hair at a loss.

Viktor:         “... Sorry,” he wavered, wiping his nose on his sleeve out of habit and watching the gunk disappear. 

Mel:         “There's nothing to apologize for.” 

……

Viktor:         “Please visit as soon and as often as you'd like. One day of not being adversaries is insufficient.”

Vi:         “Hey, big guy. Where's your boo?”

Jayce:         “(Not so loud! Please. Hi.)”

He ushered her to an empty room. 

Vi:         “… Is he playing peekaboo or just ghosting me?”

Jayce:         “Neither. He wanted to try stasis, or something.” 

He placed a hand on his core subconsciously.

Vi:         “Understandable,” she nodded without missing a beat. “... I mean, I understand absolutely fuckall, but…” she gestured in a manner that emphasized nothing. 

Jayce:         “If it's any consolation, Viktor and I understand maybe two percent of any of this combined.”

Vi:         “Paranormal pioneers, huh?” she quipped. He chuckled.

Jayce:         “You could say that.”

Vi:         “I know. That's why I did.” 

Jayce:         “Pff, smartass…”

She grinned and tried to rest her elbow on his head since he was sitting down, but he was still too tall.

Jayce:         “Oh— meant to ask, how's “school” treatin’ ya?”

Vi:         “Ehh, not sure yet… The rules are really fucking annoying.” 

Jayce:         “God, tell me about it. You accidentally explode one wall of your room, and suddenly the council's deciding your fate… The dress code was a pain, too.” 

Vi:         “His uniform does not have tit space,” she muttered. “... Sidenote, can a girl get ‘em lopped off up here? I heard rumors.” 

…

Jayce:         “You- You want top surgery?” 

Vi:         “If that's what it's called, sure.” 

He brightened.

Jayce:         “You're asking the right person… Of course, you need money and papers,” he rolled his eyes, “but we can work that out, and there's doctors who won't kill you, at least. Don't ask Viktor how he did his. He shouldn't've told me, but he did, and now I'm telling you: you don't wanna know,” he shuddered.  

Vi:         “Say no more. Zaun operates on survival of the richest and… most inventive? Creative? If you're dying and fall in those categories or know someone who does, you might get a chance at mystery drugs or scrap metal replacements. Maybe even a combination,” she wiggled her fingers for flair. 

…

Jayce:         “That explains so much.” 

She tested out the couch, then sprawled on it, leaving him squashed against the opposite arm and getting mud on his leg.

Vi:         “So, there's no max distance? You're not gonna snap back together like a rubber band if you get too far apart?”

Jayce:         “Not sure yet.” 

She picked up a large, unlit candle off the coffee table beside them to sniff it, then wheezed and put it back down.

Vi:         “Nice necklace, by way.” 

He caught himself stimming with it at the mention. It was ridiculously fun to spin. 

Jayce:         “Thanks; Mel had it made. It's sentimental, but it's also a good way to hide him underneath when it stays in place,” he demonstrated. The light looked like it was emanating from it. “I'm thinking I'll keep it under a layer or two.’

Vi:         “Wait… That's Viktor? He's just… some Viktorb? Is he always there?”

Jayce:         “Don't ask questions you don't want the answers to,” he laughed. 

Vi:         “Hm… Y'know what? Fair. I'm not that curious. I love myself just enough to move on.”

He shook his head and led her to the buffet. She wasted no time grabbing handheld foods without the tongs, sampling right there before loading up and then shoving a couple in her pockets for later. She hovered over the cheesy dip bowl next, drizzling some directly into her mouth with the ladle and vocalizing her approval. He pretended to witness nothing and wished it was true. 

Jayce:         “I don't know how to tell Cait any of this, let alone if I even should. I think they could be good friends, but it's so… tedious.” 

Vi:         “Yehp, clahhic Caih… Maybe they just need neutral grounds and a fence while they sniff each other.”

He rolled his eyes but couldn't think of a better option.

…

Jayce:         “I'm glad you're, um— That you and Cait are…”

She glanced up questioningly, a sparkle in her eye as she goaded him on. 

Vi:         “That we're…? C'mon, loverboy, spit it out.”

Jayce:         “... That you're talking now, I guess. I know it's hard to.” 

…

Vi:         “Talking's one word for it. Another is fighting.” 

Jayce:         “Still? Fuck, I'm sorry…”

Vi:         “Not your fault. It's a skill issue… for both of us.”

Jayce:         “... This is a terrible idea, but maybe I could mediate since I know you both?” 

Vi:         “Hah… Sure, why not. I'm so tired of the drama and hurt feelings.”

He nodded sympathetically and patted her shoulder. 

Jayce:         “I know what that's like, kiddo.”

She snorted cheese from her nose. 

Vi:         “... I swear to Janna, if you call me “champ,” I'll end your career.” 

Jayce:         “God. I really wish you would.”

Vi:         “Trouble in council land? Or Hexland?”

Jayce:         “Yeah.” 

Vi:         “Damn. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.” 

Jayce:         “Thanks, sport.” 

…

Vi:         “Jayce, I'm gonna break your pretty face.”

Jayce:         “So it's fine when you give us names—”

Vi:         “Exactly. Mine are great; yours deal psychic damage.”

He pouted and almost argued that Viktor disagrees, but then he realized it would sound suspicious even if he didn't elaborate. He ended up just staring blankly past her, lost in thought playing out potential conversation branches, until she got concerned. 

Vi:         “I was joking… Mostly…… Don't laugh, but it's my dad issues,” she sighed. 

Jayce:         “Oh, that's a hell of a coincidence.”

Vi:         “Right? … Wait, why?”

Jayce:         “Because I have dad issues.” 

…

Vi:         “Yooooo.”

Jayce:         “Yeah...”

She puffed out her chest, donned the deepest voice she could, and reached up to ruffle his hair. 

Vi:         “It's gonna be ok, little tyke.”

He recoiled theatrically. 

Jayce:         “Oh, god… I get it now. Please, never again.”

Vi:         “No promises; that was funny as shit.”

Chapter Text

Mel:         “Jayce is very fortunate to have you as a mother.” 

Ximena laughed softly and shook her head.

Ximena:         “I'm the fortunate one. Too many times I've fallen short.” 

…

Mel:         “Surely you don't mean that. He keeps a large portrait of you over his desk, and I've heard only wonderful things about you.” 

Ximena:         “You'd never hear it from him, the sweet boy,” she sighed. “… I tried, yes, but… my efforts were imperfect. I strongly discouraged all pursuit of magic, redirected it to fantasy and rock collecting, and when that wasn't enough, I… I attempted to crush his dreams at every turn in fear that they spelled his doom. It was cruel. I couldn't bear to let him fledge— he succeeded in spite of me. I… didn't even think he could live up to his father's legacy, let alone amount to more than him in the eyes of the world… You know the rest. “Pride” is not the right word for what I feel, given all of this, yet I couldn't be prouder that he's my son… Any parent would be.” 

Mel:         “... I don't suppose you'd like a daughter in addition,” she smiled shyly. Ximena was surprised, but her expression grew warm.

Ximena:         “We all thought he was one for several years, so I'm prepared… My life has been too quiet without him, but there aren't exactly orphans roaming the streets waiting for some coot to fret over them for the sake of filling her empty nest.” 

Cait:         “Perhaps you're not looking at the correct streets or age brackets.” 

They startled at her sudden appearance. 

Cait:         “... And if you'd like two daughters, no need to look further.” 

Cait was promptly embraced.

Ximena:         “Caitlyn! Mī florita, how you've blossomed…”

Cait:         “It's good to see you, Mrs. Talis. I hope you've been well.” 

Ximena pulled back to brush her bangs behind her ear, practically radiating joy. 

Ximena:         “I am splendid now that you're here! Come, come, sit down and let me brew you some jasmine tea. Is that still your favorite?”

Cait:         “Please, don't trouble yourself! You've already prepared plenty for us,” she laughed. Ximena was already ushering her into the kitchen and steering her towards the table, pulling a chair out for her. 

Ximena:         “You know I love to dote, and Jayce never refuses a cup; he has no blood in his body, just coffee and tea,” she shook her head with fondness. “How are you faring?” she added softly. “I'm sorry we weren't able to catch up after…” she trailed off. Cait hugged her again at the inviting hand placed on her shoulder. 

Cait:         “... Better. Thank you.” 

They hugged for several more moments before the kettle started whistling. Ximena hurried to put together a tray.

Mel:         “(I want what you have),” she quipped under her breath to Cait. 

Cait:         “(I suspect you'll have more than you know what to do with. It started all at once after the second or third meeting as a child),” she murmured back. “(We can compare notes once you see her again.)” 

Ximena returned just as quickly.

Ximena:          “How is it that you keep getting taller after all this time? I am going to be dwarfed by you two! No one will think we are kin; it's his situation all over again,” she joked. 

Cait:         “Oh, I missed you something awful! I'm sorry I haven't visited more.”

Ximena:         “You're here now, and that's all that matters. Adulthood is a busy time!”

Vi:         ”Eyyy… Is there an adoption fest going on? How do I sign up?” 

She emerged from snooping through the pantry, surprising them all. 

Cait:          ”… Blimey, you're quiet when you want to be.”

Ximena:          ”Vi, is it?” she managed. 

Vi:          ”Actually, uh, you can call me Violet, if you want,” she mumbled, shooting a warning glance at the others. 

Ximena:          ”You can call me Ximena if you'd like!”

Vi:          ”I dunno, “Mrs. Jayce's Mom” has a nice ring to it,” she smirked. 

Ximena:          “It's no wonder you're a friend of Jayce,” she chuckled. “Perhaps you can improve his jokes.” 

Vi:          “Gods, I'm trying… They're terrible.”

Cait:          “Tell me about it,” she groaned in agreement. Mel nodded with a heavy sigh. 

Ximena:          ”This is the burden you must carry now if you are to be a part of this family,” she stated solemnly. “We are counting on you to be the funny one at minimum, Violet.”

Vi:          “My time has come,” she grinned. Cait raised her cup.

Cait:          “To better jokes,” she declared. The four of them toasted. 

Jayce came back downstairs with arms full of toy and game containers from the attic and found only Elora. He gulped, setting everything down in a heap on the floor and then stacking them side-by-side with open lids to buy time before approaching her.

Jayce:          ”Hey! Um, glad you could make it.”

Elora:          ”Thank you,” she smiled politely. “I have to admit, I'm out of my element, but you have a lovely home.” 

Jayce:          ”I don't even live here anymore; it's all my mom,” he laughed, scratching the back of his neck. They fell into tense, awkward silence, glancing around at everything besides each other and sipping their wine as they just stood in proximity at a loss. 

Jayce:          ”… I'm looking forward to working with you!”

Elora:          “Likewise,” she nodded. 

……

Jayce:          “So, have you— Do you, um… Where'd everyone go?” he half-joked. “Did they move the party somewhere else?”

Elora:          “Your mother is the center of attention,” she jerked her head towards the kitchen. “It seems personal.” 

Jayce:          “... ‘Scuse me for a sec.” 

He hurried over and found Ximena showing them baby pictures.

Jayce:          “Mommm…”

Ximena:          ”Hush. You were an adorable child, and now you're even cuter.” 

Jayce:          “It's embarrassing.”

Mel:          “They've been relatively tame so far.” 

Cait:          “There is the occasional naked arse, though,” she snickered. He groaned. 

Vi:          “Chin up, bubblebutt. Your mom's been selling me on the family business— blacksmithing sounds pretty damn fun.” 

He frowned and subtly nudged her aside.

Vi:          “What? I have it on firm authority that bit— the ladies love to see a sweaty, half-naked beefcake pounding away. And I like physical work.”

Jayce:          “Are you planning to start fighting with hammers? Regular ones are way too close-range unless you use them like throwing axes or something. Ugh, please don't.” 

Vi:          “No, no,” she laughed. “That'd be dumb… But I could finally make my own gauntlets, and then rest easy knowing if I need them, they're there.”

…

Jayce:          “... Do you need them? Cait said you knocked a building down with your bare hands.” 

Cait:          “A tower, with a single punch, while bleeding out.”

They turned to her, but she was still at the opposite side of the hall. 

Vi:          “Fucking shit you have good hearing.” 

Cait:          “Or you're just bad whisperers,” she smirked. Elora had joined them at some point and refilled her glass, content to witness the night's spectacles shitfaced. Mel was occupying Ximena with conversation and offers of help in an attempt to speed up her adoption process. 

Jayce:          “Maybe,” he admitted without missing a beat. “You're not the first person to tell me.” 

Cait:          “How disappointing,” she mock-sighed. “I would've loved to be there.” 

Jayce:          “Yeah, well… I'm sure you'll find worse?”

Cait:          “Time will tell,” she nodded with a mischievous twinkle.

Vi:          “Oh, that's right, we were gonna tag team you.”

Cait:          “Vi!” 

Vi:          “What?”

Cait:          “You can't give the target advanced notice; that defeats the whole purpose.” 

Jayce:          “... I feel like I should start running.”

Cait:          “See?”

Vi:          “Fair enough,” she shrugged. “So, I grab one arm, you grab the other, and we tie him to an interrogation chair? Loverboy, do you have any way-too-bright lights here that we can shine in your face?” 

Jayce:          “Um. I might.”

Cait:          “This is a friendly social interrogation.”

Vi:          “Now you're just putting words together.” 

Cait:          “Jayce, we would appreciate being let in on your grand plan,” she half-muttered, half-pleaded in exasperation. Vi nodded, folding her arms in what she considered to be a nonthreatening pose since her fists were away.

…

Jayce:          “Right. Um… Magic?” he offered with a sheepish grin, feeling like he was prodding a wild animal. They weren't amused.

Jayce:          “... All my plans so far have gone to shit, so I've had to figure it out as I go… But we do have a tentative plan. The— The original terms of the peace treaty, Mel and Elora and I are going to try to get a unanimous vote from the council before she leaves in the morning—” 

Elora:          “I hope you have enough coffee for that,” she hiccuped. 

Jayce:          “All we need is their signatures, stamps of approval, whatever. Then I'm going to bring it to Silco's… right-hand woman?” 

Vi:          “Oh, I hate her—”

Jayce:          “I know; she's the only person who could accept it and work with me, though.” 

Elora:          “How will you even find her alone?” she interjected. “When a meeting like that is arranged, it requires an extensive network of third parties and… fourth parties,” she gestured vaguely. “You have no idea what a headache those are to coordinate.” 

Jayce:          “I really don't,” he shook his head. “I still don't know how you guys were able to get me in touch with Silco so quickly.” 

Elora:          “And you never will,” she giggled. “It's for the best.” 

Cait:          “Say you get there, offer her the treaty, and she tells you to shove it. What then?” 

…

Cait:          “Please tell me you've thought that far ahead.” 

Jayce:          “Of course I did! I just… You're not gonna like it.” 

……

Cait:          “You've resigned to more “improvisation,” haven't you?”

Jayce:          “... Worked so far,” he grumbled, refilling his glass. 

Vi:          “Man… You're really just gonna waltz into Zaun for the most important historical moment hungover?” 

Jayce:          “Teleport.” 

They blinked at him, incredulous, at a loss.

Jayce:          ”I'm gonna teleport to an “afterimage” of their headquarters from the baron’s memories. It's like climbing a rope through spacetime.”

…

Cait and Vi exchanged a look. Elora took another sip. Mel's heels gracefully announced her arrival. They were step-ins for comfort, but still fancy. 

Vi:          “Just out of curiosity, how much did you hear?” 

Mel:          “Plenty, and so did his mother,” she chortled in bemusement, substantially quieter than them. “Fortunately, she was already given a thorough debriefing and demonstration of his powers so that she would stop worrying.”

Jayce:          “That part wasn't optional; I couldn't handle her crying,” he sighed. “She's just pretending she can't hear this to be polite and give us space.”

… 

She appeared in the doorway with the tray of extra tea and biscuits, setting it on the coffee table and then filling two more cups on saucers.

Ximena:          “It is every parent's greatest fantasy to find out that their child has become immune to harm, although I would have preferred if he hadn't goaded me into trying to thwack him with a skillet.”

She slid one to Jayce with a head kiss and then picked up the other for herself. He grew warm from the gestures.

Jayce:          “Thanks, Mom,” he beamed.

Ximena:          “Of course, cariño. I will go upstairs now, but you must all stay for breakfast! And please, know that you are always welcome. Wake me if anyone needs anything — say, more food — (or if more motherless young adults arrive),” she stage-whispered.

He stood to give her a big hug and cheek kiss like they didn't have an audience. 

Jayce:          “Gnite, love you!”

A chorus of variations of “goodnight,” “thank you,” and titles for her followed. She seemed a little overwhelmed but went along with it. 

Vi:          “Sleep TIGHT, Mrs. Mom,” she fingergunned.

Cait:          “(You're scaring her!)” she chided. Vi rolled her eyes.

…

Jayce:          “What were we talking about? — Right, games,” he snapped his fingers as he answered himself, desperate to change the subject he inadvertently brought back up. “There's a lot to choose from— just ignore the age ranges. One of my favorites is competitive Sudoku. There's also minisports that're heavy on reaction time and hand-eye coordination. I have other stuff like miscellaneous specialized building toys that you can get creative with, no instructions, including parts for a marble raceway that we could use by themselves or in a bigger Rube Goldberg machine… but we might be too drunk for most of those. My depth perception and vision get screwed up for some reason, which means puzzles probably aren't an option, either, but they're the ones with a gazillion pieces, anyway. Never had the patience to finish those…”

Vi:          “Hrm… Oh shit, I've always wanted to try Warlocks and Whirlpools.”

Cait:          “That's a very long one. It has no set end.” 

Jayce:          “We finally have enough people to actually play it, though! Instead of… whatever we were doing all those years with the make-believe… Mostly LARPing, I guess.”

Vi:          “Whoa, are you saying she didn't play by the rules?” she gasped, pretending to be scandalized.

Cait:          “There were rules—”

Jayce:          “We just made them up as we went. Man, do you think the robes still fit?” 

Cait:          “Not yours,” she snorted. 

Jayce:          “We could- We could take turns sharing the hats? Or! We never used the paper ones; I forgot, there's plenty of those to make—” 

Cait:          “I really don't think it's a casual party game,” she argued. “Our quests lasted months to years.” 

He begrudgingly agreed. 

Vi:          “... I mean, I'll still wear a hat.” 

She was fitted with a conical wizard hat that looked more like a dunce cap. It was difficult to keep on, even with her hair swept into it, so she tossed it back into the box in disappointment after Elora snapped a photo. 

Vi:          “What else ya got?”

Cait:          “This one is called Oops, My Apologies! and it revolves around deliberately ticking off the other players through deceit and acts of inconvenience. Whoever quits first loses.” 

Jayce:          “Yeah, that game sucks…” 

Mel:          “It sounds interesting, at the least.” 

Cait:          ”There's also… ugh… Monopoly.”

Jayce:          “No. Absolutely not.” 

Cait:          “Agreed. I thought we'd've thrown that out by now…” 

He unceremoniously set aside the playing pieces before getting up to toss the rest of the box into the fireplace. He pokered it a couple times with a glower to make sure it would be incinerated, then shut the glass and returned somberly. 

… 

Mel:          “Did you really need—”

Jayce:          “Yeah.”

Cait:          “Trust me, he did.”

… 

Mel:          “The yordle on the cover bore a striking resemblance to Heimerdinger.” 

Jayce:          “You think?”

Mel:          “Just picture him as a simplified drawing, then add a monocle and top hat.” 

Jayce:          “… Oh, god, you're right. I can't unsee that.” 

Cait swirled her glass in mockery of a connoisseur.

Cait:          “Where is that old fogey, anyway? He's been conveniently absent from all of these crises.” 

Jayce:          “Viktor said he fucked off to Zaun for some reason.”

…

She nodded once, slowly, brows pinched in perplexion.

Jayce:          “Ok, cursing in front of you means no more for me,” he mumbled, setting his glass down. “It's tea time.”

Cait:          “I'm just as much an adult as you,” she scoffed.

Jayce:          “Force of habit? And you don't curse much to begin with—”

Vi:          “Pfft, no shit.”

Jayce:          “— so I feel… rude, I dunno. I don't want to make you uncomfortable.” 

Vi:          “Fuck, dude, that's impossible.” 

Cait:          “I really don't care either way. I just tend to forget it's an option in normal conversations, given my upbringing.”

Jayce:          “... Still a good way to tell I've had enough,” he laughed. Mel finished off his glass instead of refilling hers. 

Vi:          “What's Misery?”

Cait:          “A miserable affair.” 

Vi:          “Gods, do you have any fun party games here?” 

Jayce:          “I'm… not sure, actually. I never really had parties like this before.”

Cait:          “There's Evidence. It's about tracking down a killer.” 

Vi:          “Little too on the nose right now.”

…

Jayce:          “Ok, I'll bite. What do you guys do at parties?” 

Mel:          “Usually just trudge through pleasantries and hope time will pass quickly.”

Elora:          “While getting as drunk as possible without it being noticable,” she added. Mel nodded. 

Vi:          “Bold of you to assume I've ever partied, unless you count the occasional strip poker or arm wrestling… Y'know, on account of being in jail for the past seven years. I'm making up for lost time.”

…

Cait:          “I've only been to ones hosted within my family's “social circle,” and they're all stiff etiquette. I loathe them.”

Jayce:          “Sounds like this is an upgrade, at least. Glad the bar is so low.” 

They agreed.

Vi:          “Still, it could be better if we figure out what to do… I say this with love: Topside games are ass. Where's the action? How did you survive all this boredom? Didn't you have an arcade or anything?” 

Cait:          “I had shooting practice and competitions in the countryside.”

Vi:          “… Dunno what I expected.”

Jayce:          “There's… Ok, looks like we're down to my magic tricks. The fake ones.” 

Vi:          “We could tell scary stories?” 

Jayce:          “You'll have to do that without me,” he snorted. 

Vi:          “Hah, weenie…”

Cait:          “Jayce, since when have you had a spirit summoner?”

Jayce:          “Oh! Um, no. No, that's— I didn't know that was there,” he panicked, grabbing it from her. “It was a mistake. I meant to give it away.” 

Cait:          “... Have you ever used it?”

…

Cait:          “Nevermind, sorry. Do you want to?”

Vi:          “Of course he doesn't; he looks like he's gonna shit bricks.”

He grimaced but shook his head.

Vi:          “Wanna turn it into more timber?” 

Jayce:          “No! … I'm afraid something bad would happen,” he winced. 

Vi:          “Hey, it's ok, big guy… I have an idea. We could tell happy stories? Like, funny ghost stories?”

Jayce:          “That sounds nice,” he smiled in gratitude. 

Elora:          “My sources indicate that braiding each other's hair is also commonplace,” she slurred, reminding them she was there. 

Mel:          “It's very relaxing.”

Jayce:          “Good luck with mine,” he grinned. 

Vi:          “Sticking with ghost stories because I have an agenda, but I guess we could multitask.” 

Jayce's stomach churned at the look she snuck him, realization bubbling up all at once. He swallowed hard, feeling like a rock was growing in the pit. 

Vi:          “Loverboy here had a close encounter with the supernatural. You could say he still is.”

Jayce:          “Vi—”

Vi:          “Easy, easy. The stage is yours, but it'll probably be less painful in the long run to just rip this bandage off… Or, more specifically, to bite a dirty rag and give yourself stitches with a thread and booze after a fight because you're alone and there's no fucking free healthcare.”

…

Cait:          “What in the seven hells was your childhood?” she muttered, rubbing the crease between her brows. 

Vi:          “Oh, that was last week. Went on a bender with the cop who pretends to be homeless because he's depressed, or something. He doesn't like to talk about himself at all; I don't even know if he has a job right now.”

Cait:          “Loris? I heard rumors about him, but he seemed fine at the memorial.”

Vi:          “That's semi-functional alcoholism for you,” she fingergunned. “He was too wasted to help that night; I don't even think he was awake when I got tossed out. It's gnarly, but you should've seen the other guy…” she gloated, rolling up her shirt. “Check it—”

Cait shielded her eyes with a hand but hazarded a peek through them anyway. 

Cait:          “You should've told me, my father could've patched you up.” 

Vi:          “Cupcake, I got plastered in the first place because we were fighting, and your dad hates me,” she laughed.

Cait:          “Vi, please; my father hates everyone dear to me… Which is only two people, but my point remains. He would've done it if I'd asked.”

Mel:          “That… may be infected,” she frowned, scooting closer to inspect it unfazed. “Any of us can afford basic medical care for you, and for the gods’ sakes, I implore that you accept.” 

Vi:          ”Hey, I won't reject it. I'm not that proud or stubborn, unlike some people.”

Cait:          “Where's Jayce?”

Elora:          “Bathroom,” she managed, pale and staring at the floor. 

…

Vi:          “Whoops.”

Jayce returned several minutes later with leftovers after loud gargling, a sheen of sweat still covering him. He chased down his current mouthful with a sip of tea.

…

Mel:          “Were you not just—”

Jayce:          ”M’ built different,” he shrugged, plopping the platter between them. Vi grabbed one of everything and shoved them between her tits for later since she ran out of pockets. Cait tried to ignore it.

Jayce:          “That's the one thing I miss: extra storage space.” 

Mel:          “The secret compartment,” she nodded. 

…

Cait:          “I must admit, that's… quite clever, actually.”

Vi:          “Right?” she winked. “I'd shove a cupcake in for your sake, but the icing would get everywhere.”

Cait:          ”Aaand you ruined it.”

Vi:          “Thanks; I try.”

Cait:          “Where were we?” she pleaded, even more desperate for a topic change than Jayce was. He took a slow, deep breath as he steadied himself, then looked past them to avoid speaking directly to her. 

Jayce:          “I… do have a ghost story. A very real one, but I don't expect you to believe it. I— God, ok, here we go,” he exhaled. Mel put a hand on his arm in concern, giving him a silent look imploring him to tread carefully. Elora leaned towards her.

Elora:          “I feel like I shouldn't be here,” she failed to whisper, slowly colliding against Mel's side like a falling tree. With a bemused smile, Mel guided her to rest her head in her lap.

Jayce:          “No, it's- it's fine. He said it was fine. Mel trusts you, so I do, too.”

Cait:          “Who is “he”?” 

Vi hid her mouth behind her fist resting on a knee and kept her eyes on Jayce when Cait turned to her for an explanation.

Jayce:          “… I somehow bound Viktor to me when he died, through magic, and he woke up after the memorial. That's the whole story.” 

…

Cait:          “You can't just say that,” she muttered.

Jayce:          ”No, seriously! This- This magic made him part of me, and you might be able to see him if you do the psychic thing, but I gotta warn you, it could give me a bunch of your memories and show him your mind. I don't know how to avoid that part.” 

Vi:          “It's totally worth it,” she elbowed Cait. “He's the world's funniest pile of twigs.” 

Mel nodded fondly. 

… 

Cait:          “Wait a minute… You've all known Viktor's back, and you've even seen him?”

Elora:          “Uh, no,” she squeaked, drawn back to alertness from her tone. “I'm not part of this.”

Vi:          “It's two people. I only found out because I accidentally walked in on them.”

Jayce:          “Think you mean “broke in.”

Vi:          “Same thing. Point is, none of us meant for… that to happen.”

Cait:          “But he chose to show Councilor Medarda before me?”

Mel:          “Mel is fine, really.”

Cait:          “Sorry. And I don't mean to drag you into this. I'm just gobsmacked because I've known him longest!”

Jayce:          “Cait, he—”

Cait:          “Were any of you ever planning on cluing me in?”

Jayce:          “Yes! I think.”

Elora silently uncorked the bottle and brought it to her lips as she finished off the last drop, still comfortable in Mel's lap. 

Mel:          “I'm not at liberty to disclose their affairs, but it didn't seem prudent to, either. Trust is paramount in my sparse personal relationships.”

Cait:          “No, no, I wasn't— Sorry,” she sighed. “My anger was directed at them only.”

Jayce:          “Cait, we wanted to tell you. It just didn't seem like the right time. I'm sorry.”

Vi:          “Speak for yourself; it wasn't any of my damn business, and it didn't affect anyone. I wasn't about to fuck over my only friendships by snitching. Don't I have the right to remain silent?”

Cait looked aside. A twinge of guilt flickered through Vi's expression, but she tried to hide it. Jayce wished he could sober up fully to mitigate.

Jayce:          “Ok, well, Viktor and I wanted to tell you. Or he was ok with me telling you.”

Cait:          “... Why?”

Jayce:          “Honestly? I think it was for my sake. But he's interested in the whole friendship schtick.” 

… 

Vi:          “Better not tell him about The Grey,” she snarled.

Cait:          “I'm never using it!”

…

Jayce:          “Do you guys like those little fruit things? My mom made a bunch of extras, and I can't eat them all—”

Vi:          “Did I miss something?” 

Elora:          “I'll get them,” she volunteered, already staggering to her feet and booking it despite not knowing where anything was or being able to walk straight. Mel hurried after her to stop her from colliding with the doorframe, equal parts grateful for the out and concerned about how fucking drunk Elora was. 

Cait:          “... I'm not going to pretend I didn't almost go down a horrendous path. I didn't even notice it at first. But I want to do the right things. I need to be held accountable and kept in check…” 

He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Jayce:          “We can support each other.”

Cait:          “I quit the force.” 

They were both caught offguard by her sudden declaration.

Vi:          “... Seriously?” she gaped.

Cait:          “No matter how I parsed it, I couldn't reconcile the rhetoric with reality— reformation is a futile endeavor. Jayce brought some things to my attention that helped me realize that. I spent all of yesterday and most of today just… investigating firsthand and combing through restricted files in places I was not legally permitted to be — including on the grounds themselves — and I found out that he was right. I want the liberty to act outside of their shackles, not be another cog. I want to take them down altogether and start anew with the council’s authorization. Elora is onboard, Salo will be dismissed any day now—”

Vi promptly kissed her. Jayce scooted in a semicircle to give them privacy. 

Jayce:          “... No force can contain you, Cait,” he grinned at the wall. “But now you can't give me shit about quick changes.” 

Mel:          ”Elora, what has gotten into you?” 

Elora:          ”At least half a bottle,” she muttered, allowing herself to be guided to the windowseat. "Maybe a whole one?"

Mel:          ”I've never seen you so… anxious.”

…

Elora:          ”... I work best outside of the spotlight, with specific things to focus on… I liked being under you. I don't know how I can fill your shoes.”

Mel smoothed the back of her shirt.

Mel:          ”We do wear the same size,” she joked. 

Elora:          ”Pretty sure I'd break an ankle in any of those heels.” 

Mel:          ”... Are you certain you even want this position? You- You can step down; it's not too late for me to recommend someone—”

Elora:          ”I'm taking the damn seat and making sure yours stays reserved.”

Mel:          ”Elora, you needn't—”

Elora:          ”We don't have anyone more qualified, and — I can't believe I'm saying this — these chucklefucks may be the only trustworthy people in the entire city.” 

… 

Mel:          ”I'm glad you approve of them,” she smirked, soothing her with hair strokes. 

Elora:          ”That's a loaded word.” 

Mel:          ”I know you're going to succeed in your endeavors, because that's what you do. You don't need to do anything I did; as long as you're voting for the right things, that's plenty.” 

…

Elora:          ”And what if it's not? What if some great calamity approaches, and the only thing that can stop it is your golden tongue? How am I supposed to… to…” she trailed off as Mel leaned in, cupping her jaw. It took approximately two seconds for them to lock lips and the tension to melt.

…

Mel:          ”If that happens, I suppose I'll just have to bring my tongue back here and put it to good use, won't I?” 

Elora nodded slowly.

Elora:          “... Will you demonstrate again?”

Mel:          ”And again, and again~” she hummed as she dove back in. 

Chapter Text

Masterpieces:

Shitart:

Chapter Text

Jayce just sat there politely looking away with his hands folded until everyone stopped making out. Mel hadn't bothered to redo her lipstick, and the wine had finally fully caught up to Elora, who needed to sling an arm over Mel's shoulders as they returned. Still, she clung stubbornly to the platter of fruit things and immediately brought it around to offer, a couple sliding off in the process. Vi and Jayce wasted no time salvaging them.

Mel:          “You- You don't have to serve anyone, darling,” she laughed softly, steadying her and gently taking the platter as she guided them to sit. 

…

Elora:          “Force of habit,” she giggled. “I need something to do with my hands.” 

Mel held out her nearer one with a warm smile and patted her own knee in invitation, smoothing her dress. Elora curled back up with her head in her lap more comfortably than before since they'd moved to the sofa, fingers intertwined.

Elora:          “Heyyy, Jays?” she yawned.

Jayce:          “Mm?” 

Elora:          “Why am I here?” 

… 

Vi:          “You're being inducted into the insanity? Beats me.”

Jayce:          “... I told Mel to invite people because I don't have any other friends besides my mom.” 

Elora:          “Ok…” she smiled, sounding far away.

…

Vi:          “Not including a guy I interacted with once in the past seven years, I have exactly two close friendships, and they only developed this week… Guess I need to befriend your mom so I can catch up.”

Mel:          “Most of my few genuine friendships are sexually charged, so this is a nice change of pace.” 

Jayce and Elora hazarded a questioning glance at each other in an attempt to confirm their suspicions.

Cait:          “... Oh, Jayce, I think you're still my only best friend after all these years.” 

Jayce:          “That's not as sad as a teen befriending a tween,” he laughed.

Cait:          “Debatable at best, given our circumstances. But speaking of befriending…” 

Jayce:          “Ah, sh—oot.”

Cait:          “Where's Viktor? Don't worry; I'll keep mum.”

…

Vi:          “Between his tits.”

Jayce:          “... Pretty much. His consciousness is in another plane or something right now— he said he wanted to sleep through this.”

Elora:          “I like that idea…” 

Jayce:         “He told me to wake him after girls’ night unless anyone really wanted to see him.”

Elora:          “Not me~ I know more government secrets than the government. My brain is a… a no touch-passing zone, got it?”

Jayce:          “Alright.”

…

Vi:          “I mean… Could be fun if he showed up. Can you just ask him?”

Jayce nodded and closed his eyes, furrowing his brow before emoting unpredictably like he was in an animated conversation. This went on for an extended period of time, and then he seemed to go into a meditative trance long enough for Vi to poke him. When he opened them, they flashed blue again, and more floaty blue particles appeared around him. Mel's gem glowed brighter, but she didn't notice. Cait watched everything in awe. Viktor materialized before them all at once and just floated there awkwardly, looking equal parts anxious and disgruntled as he glanced around. He raised a hand in greeting. Mel smiled and gave a nod. 

Viktor:          “Good evening. This is a strange occurrence.”

Vi:          “Hey, glowsticks."

Viktor:        “Hello, Violent.”

Vi:        “HAH! Oh man, there's no coming back from that…”

Viktor:          “Thanks. It came to me yesterday, and I was eagerly awaiting an opportunity to deploy it.”

Vi:          “Proud of you. Glad you could make it.”

Viktor:         “You as well. I both see and smell that you have partaken in the stinky cheese dip— we hypothesized that you would like it.”

Vi:          “Mhm. You're missin' out.”

Cait:          “Is he really here? You aren't pulling my leg?”

Vi:          “Well, yeah… That was kinda the whole point.” 

Cait:          “I'd like to join, if I might.”

Jayce tilted his head at Viktor. Cait continued to ogle the blank space, as if she just needed to try harder. Viktor raised a brow.

Viktor:          “I already told you— I think it's a terrible idea that will only end in catastrophe.”

Jayce:          “... It was Vi's idea.” 

Vi:          “I said what I said,” she shrugged. “But I meant for you to just tell Cait, not make them interact.” 

Viktor:          “Even Vi thinks it's a terrible idea. Where does that leave us?”

Mel:          “I'll be abstaining from voting on this one.”

Jayce:          “... Two and two?” He turned to Vi. “I couldn't just tell her without her wanting to see him, especially now that he's awake. You know how she is.”

Cait and Viktor:          “I'm right here,” they huffed in synchronized bemusement. 

… 

Jayce:          “Ok, so this was maybe a bad idea.”

Cait:          “Too late now. The cat can't be rebagged, you well-meaning oaf.”

Jayce:          “Yeah, but I can't just… It's his choice.”

Viktor:          “One of the many reasons I love you.” 

Vi:          “Ew.” 

Viktor:          “Fuck! I forgot to alter myself. Gods damn it… You heard nothing.”

Cait:          “I understand, Jayce,” she interjected over Vi. Jayce stopped making bedroom eyes at him and turned around in embarrassment. “I'm very curious as to whether you've all collectively lost your minds or ghosts are real, and if the latter is true, then I'll be glad he's alright, but this situation is a bit befuddling. Am I supposed to just… pretend he's not here?” 

Vi:          “I mean, I thought Jayce was hallucinating at first. It gets less awkward if you just roll with it.”

Cait:          “Right,” she sighed in resignation. “Of course. Why not?” 

…

Vi:          “You still haven't told us how you're not gonna become, like… the big cop that tells the other cops what to do— sheriff. M'tired… You're really not gunning to replace Carcass?”

Cait:        “I've been doing a lot of thinking—” 

Vi:        “Aren't you always?” she smirked.

Cait:        “Shush. I realized that I much prefer independent investigative work thanks to you.” 

Mel:        “Your efforts at uncovering the Shimmer operation were truly commendable. You don't hesitate to challenge superiors or the status quo.” 

Cait:        “Thank you, but the results were less than ideal.” 

Mel:          “You would be an invaluable asset to anyone,” she smiled, going to make brief, surreptitious eye contact with Elora, only to find that she was out cold. She continued playing with her hair.

Viktor nodded in begrudging approval. Jayce's frown deepened.

Viktor:         “This is not the worst choice she could make,” he argued. 

Jayce:          “Cait, those things are really dangerous—”

Cait:          “You don't think I know already?” she snorted. “I've survived thus far. And I have a specific objective in mind for the foreseeable future: uncovering and compiling evidence of abuses by higher ups. Be they heads of Houses, entire guilds, the most profitable corporations in all of Piltover, they will be held accountable for the harm they cause in one way or another, even if that way is stripping them of their power and wealth.” 

…

Viktor:          “Oh, I actually may like her now.”

Jayce:          “God, Cait, that's really, really dangerous. I don't want anything worse to happen to you.”

Viktor:          “What would you prefer? That she become an untouchable villain? I understand that she is dear to you, but she was so close to- to—”

Cait:          “I know, Jayce,” she smiled in exasperation. “It's a worthy risk, and in any case, I'll be fine.”

Jayce:          “... Did you tell your dad yet?”

Cait:          “Ha. Fuck no. I may very well try to hide it, hypocrite that I am.”

Viktor:          “For the record, I would not be opposed to you forging her armor. The kind that can't be weaponized— no jabby bits. We could call it, eh… Hexarmor?” 

Jayce:          “Wait, hold on.” 

Cait:          “Please don't involve yourself with the family drama.”

Jayce:          “No, I was— ugh, this should probably be a private conversation.”

Viktor:          “I don't mind,” he shrugged. “Let them witness our debacles. Do you have a better name in mind? Perhaps Hexwear?”

Cait:          “What's the matter?” 

Jayce:          “I'm just really confused. I thought we were done with Hextech.” 

Viktor:          “Oh. Ah. Funny thing about that… This is the part where I trail off into silence and do not elaborate on what isn't funny. Is a subject change in order?” 

Cait:          “Jayce, are you even talking to me?” 

Vi:          “He was, like, five ping-pongs ago,” she snorted. 

Jayce:          “Sorry. I… Yeah,” he winced with a sheepish grin. “I'm not the best multitasker.”

Cait:          “That's an understatement, but it's fine… Is he talking about me?” 

Viktor:          “Say yes and that it's too inflammatory to repeat.”

Jayce:          “I think you two should just start a direct conversation.”

Viktor:          “What the hell, sure.”

Jayce:          “He wants to talk to you.”

Cait:          “I'm already onboard.”

Viktor:          “Is Mel pretending to be asleep?” 

Mel:          “I'm resting my eyes.” 

Viktor:          “Ah.”

Vi:          “Fair enough. Big day tomorrow and all.”

Mel:          “I'm also trying not to get involved.”

Jayce:          “I can set up a bed for you now.”

Mel:          “Thank you, but it's too early.”

Cait:          “Jayce, what sorts of memories have you seen?” 

Jayce:          “I'm not sure. It usually only showed me relevant ones… Some were random, though.”

Cait:          “And he can see… everything?”

Jayce:          “We think so. He doesn't experience the involuntary part as much, though.” 

…

Cait:          “Give me your hand, if you're both ready.” 

He looked to Viktor. 

Viktor:          “... Might as well just bite this bullet, although I cannot guarantee that you won't regret it.”

Jayce met her determined expression and complied. As soon as he recovered, he hugged her tightly but said nothing. She reciprocated, seeming to understand what he saw. Viktor had slid down to sit on the floor against the couch despite not having an ass. He stared blankly at the wall with wide eyes, unblinking, until Mel placed a tentative hand between his shoulders at Vi's nudging. He snapped out of it and rubbed his brow, shaking his head slowly. Several minutes passed while the others just sat there, and then they let go.

Cait:         “... How about now?” she whispered. The attention went back to Viktor, who shifted in discomfort.

… 

Viktor:          “Fine,” he sighed. “... Boo.”

Cait recoiled in surprise. He wiggled his fingers over his head for flair, expressionless.

Vi:          “(Spooky, huh? Wanna hold onto me~?)” 

She just kept staring in shock. Viktor's arms fell to his sides, and he realized he had no witty retorts or even conversation starters prepared. He found himself looking way more afraid than her. 

…

Viktor:          “I should disclose to everyone that I don't want to be here because I don't socialize, but he begged me to make an appearance.” 

Jayce:          “Vik, we were talking about how I've never had any other friends.” 

Viktor:          “That's alright,” he lilted, grateful for the in Jayce had given him. “My only humanoid childhood companion was a deranged middle-aged man who conducted unethical procedures on innocent animals in a cave.” 

… 

Cait:          “Now that's sad.” 

Viktor:          “It was,” he agreed. “I've been enjoying telling people.”

Jayce:          “It's like every time you start, a tiny violin plays a super sad song to accompany you.”

Viktor:          “Oh, actually, on that note: sometimes the woman I accidentally killed would stare at me from afar in silence when we were children, if that counts as friendship. She was a very kind and brilliant soul. Her name was Sky Young.” 

……

Vi:          “Yeah, I don't think that counts, sorry bud.”

Cait scooted closer. 

Cait:          “Are you just… an illusion?” 

Viktor:          “Eh, not exactly— I seem able to interact with the physical world to an extent, but some faculties do appear to be simulated… Observe: Medarda, can you hear me?” 

…

Jayce:          “Mel,” he said affectionately while giving Viktor a look. “Can you see Viktor?” 

Mel:          “He disappeared… and now he's back.”

Viktor:          “Tada…… Well, this has been a successful series of experiments, at the least. Thank you all for your participation. If you'll excuse me, I will return to dormancy.”

Cait:          “Wait!” 

He blinked. She reached out to the nearer tail of his vest.

Cait:          “... May I?” 

Viktor:          “Oh. Of course.” 

She pinched it tentatively in awe, turning it between her fingers for a moment before giving a firm tug. He yelped as he almost lost his balance. 

Cait:          “Sorry!” 

Viktor:          “Now we know that just because I am legless and immune to physics doesn't mean I can't fall over,” he laughed. “But it's alright; I appreciate a curious mind.” 

Cait:          “It's right fascinating,” she murmured. He couldn't help smiling in fondness, remembering when Jayce let her visit the lab as a child. If only she had wanted to become a scientist instead of a cop. 

Vi:          “Can you feel pain?” she chimed in excitedly.

Jayce:          “Oh my god, don't attack my partner.” 

Viktor:          “This is a valid question,” he argued. “I haven't yet, but…”

Vi:          “I'm gonna throw something at you.” 

Viktor:          “Sure.” 

Jayce:          “Please don't.” 

Cait:          “Vi!” 

She chucked her shoe, and it phased past him without disrupting his form, as if he really was an illusion. 

Viktor:          “Maybe punching me would work, since I am subject to tethers.” 

Vi nodded and stood up. Before she could take her stance, Jayce jabbed him lightly with a finger.

Viktor:          “Hey!” 

Jayce:          “Sorry, I'm sorry,” he winced in guilt. “Did that hurt? So we can move on without you needing a ghost doctor?” 

Viktor:          “Sort of… but it stopped as soon as the contact ended... How curious. Perhaps I can feel pain without injury.” 

…

Vi:          “Just one little punch?”

Viktor:          “You may proceed.” 

Jayce shut his eyes. Her fist flew right through his arm. 

Vi:          “Huh…” 

Viktor:          “I… did not feel anything that time. Repeat it so we can determine any patterns.” 

Jayce:          “Oh my god, Vik.” 

Viktor:          “You wanted me to socialize, and you subjected me to your being attacked repeatedly by her. I am enjoying this.” 

… 

Jayce:          “There was some necessity in that,” he protested. 

Vi:          “Try to punch me now!” 

Viktor:          “Eeh, let's not be hasty. I will do a jab.” 

Vi:          “... That was just a weird poke.” 

Viktor:          “It was a jab.” 

Vi:          “For a bug, maybe,” she snorted. 

He repeated it with more force, brow furrowed in concentration.

Vi:          “Hah…”

Viktor:          “I am jabbing you with every ounce of strength!”

Vi:          “It almost tickles.” 

Viktor:          “Jayce, are you recording all of this?” 

Jayce:          “Obviously,” he grinned. His pocket notebook and miniature pencil were already deployed, small enough to fit in his palm and two fingers. Mel smiled in bemusement as they continued to up the antics, leaning against Jayce as her headrest, who had scooted over to her for safety. A chair was swung at Viktor, to no effect, while Jayce looked away. Viktor somehow manifested his cane and turned it into a jabbing tool. 

Vi:          “Ok, that kind of—”

Viktor:          “Jab! Jab jab.” 

Vi:          “Ow!” 

Viktor:          “Ah— Sorry.” 

…

Vi:          “Didn't do any damage; I can't feel it now.” 

Viktor:          “So the same as Jayce's. Intriguing…”

Vi:          “Seems like you need a lot more force.” 

Cait:          “You're also very strong.” 

…

Viktor:         “Vi, poke me with everything you've got.”

Vi:          “Don't have to ask twice.”

It didn't hurt, but she was able to touch him that time. Cait snuck up and jabbed him successfully.

Viktor:          “Surprises elicit brief pain,” he mused. “In warning, perhaps.” 

Jayce was struck with inspiration and spontaneously tickled him from behind. He squeaked and flailed, accompanied by a series of wheezing laughs and curses, until he managed to phase free. He was still winded and teary-eyed. 

Viktor:          “That was not necessary.” 

Jayce:          “Data's data.” 

Viktor:          “I wanted them to think I am unflappable.”

Chapter Text

Viktor:          “I will be transparent—” 

Vi:        “(Aren't you always?)”

Cait:        “(Don't tell me that's your newest blasted catchphrase…)”

Viktor:          “— I wouldn't know where to even start attempting to fix Topside— the rot permeates even its root. I am not versed in sociology, and you cannot bribe me to learn economics. All in all, the matter is confounding, but I think our focus should be on bolstering the undercity and freeing it from Topside in every manner. Remove the toxins, protect it, help it heal, and give it what it needs to thrive. The exploitation, the mines, the factories must be left in the past.” 

Vi:          “That sounds fucking amazing, but how are you going to protect it without— Do I even need to finish?” 

Viktor:        “This is a fair point… I haven't gotten that far. Have you, Jayce?”

Jayce:          “... Considering I'm just as caught up as they are, nope… And you said no weapons — which I stand by, of course — so where does that leave us? Hextech 2.0???”

…

Viktor:        “You know, it's funny you should ask that, because… erm. No, I don't think I can do this to you after all that you did for me.”

Jayce:        “What? Just- Just tell me. You almost did earlier, right?”

Viktor:        “…… I… did say no weapons and no Hexcore, but I… Hoo boy… See, your efforts were so meticulous and heartfelt and surely equal parts exhausting and depressing, destroying your dreams for me—”

Jayce:          “You're my dream now.” 

Vi was hellbent on finding out where he was going with it, but she managed a fake gag all the same. Cait elbowed her. 

Viktor:          “Jayce, it was so very kind of you to neutralize every crystal and rid the world of our replicable research.”

Jayce:          “Anything for you.” 

Viktor slowly bit his lips inwards as he tried to think of something not devastating to say, until his mouth was scrunched shut like Kermit the Frog. 

Jayce:          “Oh, god, was I not supposed to— to… Viktor, please…”

He winced at Jayce's tone, then steeled himself, continuing to avoid eye contact. 

Viktor:        “There was perhaps a teensy smidgen of miscommunication.”

…

Jayce:        “What do you mean?”

Viktor:        “I didn't think it mattered anymore, and I was very touched by your dedication, so I chose to say nothing, but… I… was still sort of hoping to continue Hextech in some form, away from the capitalists and government… Just no Hexcores, Hexgems, or Hexweaponry. Perhaps a manner of Hexdefenses could be contrived? Like… Like harmless, impenetrable shields and armor that can't cause injuries. Nothing that can be used offensively.” 

……

Jayce:          “You're saying that I… That I… Fuck—”

Viktor plopped a hand onto his face in an assbackwards attempt at comfort.

Viktor:        “You mean so well, always, and in truth, it was good to take all that power and knowledge away from Topside. The gems posed mortal danger until you rendered them inert— anything we created would have inevitably been used in the worst ways possible, no matter where they ended up, despite our best efforts. You saw past my enormous blind spots, as usual, and acted in accordance with everyone's best interests… but yes, I was hoping to… do more science with you, without a death toll. Preferably magic science.”

Jayce brightened. 

Jayce:        “Well, we're already doing that!”

Viktor:          “Precisely,” he smiled. “Which is why I didn't see a need to dredge this up. I think we can find safe solutions.”

Vi:          “Dibs on the shield, but I can't promise I won't try to weaponize it.” 

Viktor:          “You two could be our “quality testers.” Ensuring there's no loopholes that can be exploited.”

Jayce:          “Can't… Can't we give Cait something to incapacitate whoever attacks her?” 

Cait:          “Anything can be weaponized with the right attitude. I'll make do.”

Jayce:          “But—”

Viktor:          “Jayce. You are asking if — let me ensure I understood correctly — we can build a superweapon for the person who wanted to gas Zaun.”

Cait:          “The past tense is important! I'm learning, alright?” 

Viktor:          “As are we, perpetually.”

Jayce sighed and laid his head back atop Viktor's. 

Jayce:          “When he put it that way, it didn't sound great.” 

Cait:          “But I… I can make a difference.”

Viktor:          “Anyone can make a difference… For example, if you accidentally-on-purpose trip Heimerdinger with your cane and keep walking, humming a jaunty tune loud enough for your ignorance to be plausible, he gets stuck like a turtle from being so top-heavy, and then his class has either an extra day to study or a missed day of review. Sometimes he may have his little stringed instrument slung over his shoulder like a traveling bard, which means you've spared the whole academy immeasurable emotional distress. Sometimes he's returning from a family reunion, bearing freshly-baked treats from the elves who live in his tree, and you've ruined them for everyone. You never know until you are upon him from the way those impossibly strong, tiny legs carry him, so it's a gamble… I do agree with him on some notions, the most relevant to this being “just because you can doesn't mean you should…” In theory… At least, not more than once or twice before a pattern becomes recognizable… This is perhaps too specific an example. I will try again.”

Cait:          “No, it makes perfect sense.” 

…

Viktor:          “Well, that's a first in all regards… Pity I wasn't assigned to tutor you back in the day.”

Cait:          “Am I to infer that in the second branch of the second instance of this scenario, the elves are Zaunite merchants, Heimerdinger the fair trade market, his stroll the rate of distribution, and the cane globalization?”

…

Viktor:          “Globalization and profit over people, favorites of Topside,” he nodded. “Although, it could be interpreted in numerous other ways as well—”

He proceeded to rant respectfully about Heimerdinger in even more tangents while Cait engaged him. Jayce let go of the breath he didn't realize he'd been holding and exchanged a confused, relieved glance with Vi, who shook her head slowly with a bewildered grin. The barely-comprehensible, almost philosophical conversation continued around them as they sat there at a loss. It was unclear whether Mel had actually fallen asleep, considering her posture was still perfect and her head tall. 

Vi:          “(... I feel like we shouldn't be here),” she whispered to Jayce. 

Jayce:          “(I live here!)” he whispered back. “(Kind of. Or I used to. But I'm staying here tonight.)” 

Viktor:          “Ah, my apologies; got carried away. I have no more gripes to air about our revered mentor at the moment.”

Cait:          “You've got a knack for analogies involving him, that's for sure,” she chuckled. 

Viktor:          “I appreciate you entertaining them.” 

Cait:          “It was a pleasure. I'm partial to the one with Porofessor.” 

Viktor:          “As am I, though he certainly doesn't like me anymore. Not since the incident,” he sighed, then continued without elaborating. “I do not think there's any credibility behind “merit-based” systems. Every individual should be allocated enough for their needs to be met, at minimum, and then they can make meaningful contributions to the world around them in their own ways… Accordingly, education needs reform on many levels, the most basic of which being accessibility. It should be free, and students shouldn't be forced to adapt to a uniform teaching model— it doesn't work, and too often they fall through the gaps. Failures should be anticipated with a safety net, so that improvements can be made. While tutoring, I witnessed firsthand that the academy is rife with fear of harmless mistakes, which is the enemy of innovation. People are not just… just lazy or stupid. There is an inherent desire to- to do and learn and seek fulfillment of one's entire hierarchy, which could be to everyone's collective benefit.”

Cait:          “Well, you've given me plenty to mull over.”

Viktor:          “Thank you. It's part of a larger something I've coined the Glorious Evolution.”

… 

Jayce:          “What?”

Viktor:        “Did you mishear, or do you just disapprove of the name? I'll admit, it's a working title.”

…

Jayce:          “I dunno; the name sounds kinda… foreboding. Like, if anyone else said that, it would maybe be a red flag.” 

Viktor:          “But this is just about harmony and coexistence with both one another and our natural world. You really should see Sky's notes; they're… inspiring. It's all theories and research about healing Zaun through the reintroduction and adaptation of plant life.” 

Jayce:          “So, nobody's getting… evolved in this evolution?” 

Viktor:          “Erm… No? How would that even work? I am a man of hard sciences skirting the line of unfounded nonsense, and it's true that I personally enjoy transhumanism, self-augmentation… but evolution is still an indomitable force of its own. This would be about reconnecting with the land and each other, understanding that which binds us all, centering our strengths to build upon… An interpersonal and environmental revolution that confronts sociopolitical and industrial issues, amongst others… somehow… Perhaps it is even a metaphysical evolution of the self— a convergence of every person we have been up until now. Akin to the “inner child” concept… Granted, you should keep in mind that I don't know the first thing about how any of this shit works.”

…

Vi:          “Is it, like… a cult? Do you wanna start a cult?”

Viktor:          “No, no! … Does it really sound that terrible? Surely it's not the worst idea you've heard.” 

Vi:          “Ehhh… I'll let you cook, but I'm still sideeyeing skeptically and holding a fire extinguisher.” 

Viktor:          “Fair enough,” he nodded. 

Jayce:          “I just… You're always surprising me. When did you, um, come up with this?” 

Viktor:          “I suppose it was a lifelong “thought project,” but… the portals have been influential,” he admitted sheepishly. “My understanding of different perspectives and experiences was the missing piece… I also started meditating to handle them all while dormant tonight because I was too bored to stay asleep. Things make more sense when I am connected to everyone.” 

Jayce:          “Vik, we talked about this.” 

…

Viktor:          “Did we?” he blinked. 

Jayce:          “The ascending to godhood thing. It's not good for you.” 

Viktor:          “... Ah, right… I thought we agreed that was temporary.”

Jayce:          “I mean, I just figured after… what happened, you weren't going to consciously do it again.”

Viktor:          “No, it's fine! I didn't panic or dissociate even a little this time.”

…

Jayce groaned but pulled him to his chest all the same. Viktor squeaked in surprise. 

Jayce:          “Please be careful.” 

Viktor:          “... That is not a strength of mine, but I will do my best… I could call it the Glorious Revolution instead to put your mind at ease, if that sounds less disconcerting.” 

Jayce just smooched his head with a bemused nose laugh, then rested his chin atop it, squeezing and rocking him from side to side like a teddy bear. Viktor was embarrassed but not enough to protest. 

Vi:          “... Ok, so are we just gonna pretend we didn't hear any of that, or…?”

Cait:          “That may be for the best… I knew he has a manifesto hidden up his sleeve.” 

Viktor:          “I do not,” he snorted, muffled by tits. “I couldn't put anything in them if I wanted to; it would fall right out.”

Cait:          “Where are you keeping it, then?”

Viktor:          “Wouldn't you like to know?” 

Cait:          “Yes, I would! I'd give it a read.”

Viktor:          “Oh… Then I regret to inform you that I indeed have nothing.” 

Cait:          “... Yet.”

Viktor:          “Hm?”

Cait:          “It's not too late to write something if you think it could help in some way.”

Viktor:          “... Honestly, it might be a lost cause considering most Zaunites can't even read, and the ruling class isn't going to be receptive to a challenge to the status quo. They don't want their cushy way of life disrupted for any reason, to any perceived extent. I am not advocating for robbery, but I can guarantee they will jump to that conclusion and stick with it until the big bad idea of equal rights is squashed.”

Cait:          “I do think your ideas are worth hearing out, at the least.”

Jayce nodded against him. Viktor's eyes twinkled.

Viktor:          “… That is one of the kindest things I've ever been told.” 

Cait:          “Gods, you really are tragic. Even my mother encouraged me to speak my mind, more or less.”

Viktor:          “Oh— I… I meant to say how sorry I am for your loss.” 

She smiled sadly. 

Cait:          “And I for your loss of life.”

Viktor:          “That was not your fault.”

Cait:          “Nor was mine yours.” 

Viktor:          “... I am truthfully enjoying undeath more than I know how to put into words… Far more than I was capable of enjoying being alive.”

Jayce hugged him tighter. 

Viktor:          “Perhaps I should dabble in writing. I could put it out there posthumously or anonymously.”

Vi:          “Sure, glowsticks. As soon as you can pick up a pen.” 

Viktor:          “Rude. I'll rope someone into transcribing for me… Jayce. With your fast scribbles and notebooks—”

Jayce:          “Let's put a pin in that until we deal with the Jinx thing and I get more notebooks.”

Cait:          “If he falls through, I have a typewriter.” 

Viktor:          “I will be forever in your debt.” 

Cait:          “Though I do still believe society needs a semblance of structure to keep it from going up in flames.”

Viktor:          “The sublime intersection of order and chaos,” he nodded sagely. Jayce shivered around him, so he stroked his forearm soothingly in response, which was somewhat more effective that the hand plop.  

Vi:          “(God, he just keeps saying these things; how does she—)”

Cait:          “It's become abundantly evident that our system of government is… bad, simply put. Granted, I'll take advantage of the decency of our current council, but we need… failsafes. When an entire half of the city's lives hang in the fray and a single person's vote can determine their future… That mustn't be.”

Viktor:          “Of course not, but I don't think you'd like my alternative.” 

Cait:          “... Which is…?” 

He grinned, illumination changing like he was holding a flashlight under his chin.

Viktor:          “Anarcho-communism.”

…

Vi:          “Those, uh. Those sure are words.”

Viktor:          “It's just one hyphenated.”

Vi:          “Sounds scary.” 

Viktor:          “It is the final, glorious evolution of society.” 

Vi:          “If you say “glorious evolution” one more time, I'm gonna shit rusty nails with so much force that they'll impale anything in the way.” 

Jayce grimaced at the image and rubbed his brow. Viktor locked eyes with her, expression inscrutable.

Viktor:          “... Glorious evolution.” 

Vi:          “Why?”

Viktor:          “Just wanted to call your bluff for the sake of it.”

Vi:          “Real mature. We should definitely be in charge of a society.”

Viktor:          “What of Medarda Gazillionaire sitting pretty over there? She could buy this city.” 

They looked at her in silence until she begrudgingly opened an eye, then closed it and sighed.

Mel:          “Well, this is a convenient time for me to be departing. I've inherited my mother's remaining holdings, so I can… ugh… I can afford to loosen the purse strings. I'd already planned on giving "party favors" as a gesture of gratitude, but I wasn't sure how many guests we were expecting, so you'll have to divide the extra amongst yourselves… They're the little bags in the crates by the door.”

Vi went to investigate. Said bags were large velvet sacks filled with gold bricks. She hauled hers over with a victorious grunt. 

Jayce:          "That's what the delivery cart was for?” he wheezed. 

Vi:          “I'm gonna get my tits blown clean off with this. Thanks!”

Mel:          “Elora will be managing my holdings here as a matter of business, since their profits should, in theory, be redistributed for the common good. Heimerdinger, bless his heart, believed that the wealthy would simply choose to be generous without anything requiring them to.”

Viktor:          “It's not too late for you to do something more for the undercity.”

Mel:          “Viktor, I've never even been there, and I'm not about to change that anytime soon. I trust you'll collectively put my funds to good use.” 

Vi:          “Hah, do not trust these two with your “funds.” They're bleeding hearts who will throw money at every Zaunite they see without even checking if they're mafia or something. I'll keep an eye on them.” 

Jayce:          “... Are we really that bad?” 

Vi:          “You're the one who paid double at Benzo's and left a fucking trail of money all the way back to your apartment because people looked sad— yeah, I heard about that. In hindsight, we could've probably just… knocked on the door and asked you for some, and you would've handed it over, no questions asked. Your willpower can't hold up to a couple of scrappy orphans.”

Jayce:          “... Yeah, I probably would've and felt good about it.” 

Vi:          “Because you're a big softie,” she smiled, then flopped against him with her arms folded comfortably. He didn't dare move, feeling like a feral cat had decided to trust him. 

Viktor:          “But what makes you think I shouldn't be trusted with finances? I was frugal in life.” 

Vi:          “Isn't it obvious?” she snorted. “You wear your guilt complex on your sleeve, and you tried to give me all your things within hours of knowing me.” 

Viktor cringed in defeat. 

Vi:          “Anyway, that's why I'm pickpocketing Jayce's wallet from now on whenever he goes there. I can read people pretty well, so if he wants to shell out dough, he can ask me first.” 

Jayce:          “Great,” he sighed. “Guess you're the treasurer.” 

Vi:          “I can be trusted with your money,” she declared confidently. 

Cait:          “We're off to a fantastic start,” she remarked dryly.

Vi:          “Hey, you trusted Huck.”

Cait:          “And you.” 

Vi:          “How'd that pan out?” 

Cait:          “It was the best decision I ever made.”

…

Vi:          “... Told you you're sweet,” she mumbled, tinted pink. “Ok, fine, maybe I would've trusted him too… My dad did.” 

… 

Viktor:          “I am equal parts curious and nosy but refraining from prying.”

Vi:          “Oh, he's just some guy who sold us out for Shimmer. The streets are crawling with addicts these days; they'd do anything for more.” 

Viktor frowned with a thoughtful nod. 

Viktor:          “... Perhaps I could be of assistance. The inventor is the… cave doctor, and he provided me with a safer variant.” 

Cait:          “You know where he is?! Why didn't you report him so Topside could put a stop to it?” 

Vi:          “Seriously, dude, what the fuck?”

Jayce:          “Viktor… Please don't tell me that boy's death was even more avoidable.”

Viktor:          “... Sorry,” he winced. “To be fair, from what I understand, he mostly only invented it. The barons synthesized it afterwards for mass production. I found out that he was responsible a month or two ago.” 

Cait:          “But he could be creating something even worse as we speak!” 

…

Viktor:          “I… did not consider that he could find a way to stoop lower. It's plausible.” 

Jayce:          “Well, we can pay him a visit, if he's still there.” 

Viktor:          “He lives there.” 

Jayce:          “Ok. We'll do that,” he promised. 

Viktor:          “It would be safer for me to go alone, at least initially.” 

Jayce:          “Not if there's something urgent that requires muscle.” 

Viktor:          “We can afford a moment of analysis, given the horrors he's already created. I've seen things, Jayce. Too many things. I am not about to risk exposing you to them unnecessarily. If there's an imminent threat that you can deal with safely, I'll zap back to you, and then we'll zap over together with your big boy hammer, or something of the sort.”

Jayce:          “... Fine.” 

Viktor turned to the girls. 

Viktor:          “You have my word that production of any newfangled concoctions will be halted in its tracks.” 

Vi:          “Thanks. You didn't strike me as the careful type.”

Viktor:          “Yes, well, after you witness someone disintegrate because of your carelessness, you become a little more mindful of exposing others to risks.”

Vi:          “… You don't have a sense of self-preservation, do you.”

Viktor:          “Not in the traditional manner. I can lay low, be reasonable, sensible—”

Jayce:          “He doesn't.” 

Viktor:          “Hey, I survived thirty-one years.” 

Jayce:          “While living on the edge of danger.” 

Viktor:          “I cannot help this. It's my nature.” 

Cait:          “Weren't you arrested before? If you don't mind my asking.”

Viktor:          “Yes, twice.”

Jayce:          “There was another?" 

Viktor:          “Before we met— it was really a nonissue. Nothing of concern. They just roughed me up, tried to scare me straight, then let me go with a record and slap on the wrist because they looked bad holding a scrawny crippled kid. Thankfully, I was unrecognizable by the time I committed my intellectual heist.” 

Cait:          “They roughed you up?” she exclaimed in horror. Jayce gaped, and Mel opened her eyes, bleary but concerned. 

Vi:          “They do that a lot. It's like, their thing… You said you saw it firsthand.”

Cait:          “Well, yes, but…” 

Viktor:          “It may have contributed to my distrust of all establishment figures.” 

Vi:          “Yeah, no shit… Man. We could've been cellmates. Could've had lunch together in the cafeteria.” 

…

Viktor:          “I will forever wonder what that would've been like.” 

Vi:          “I can still teach you how to fight.” 

Viktor:          “... That sounds exciting in theory, but I… My neurosis pertaining to causing harm would interfere at best.” 

Vi:          “Gotcha… Do you wanna just learn how to punch shit?” 

Viktor:          “Very much so.”

Chapter Text

Cait:          “You went awfully quiet out there. If you don't mind my asking, is everything alright? Besides, erm, everything.”

Mel didn't respond at first, focusing on swirling the mask brush over Cait's face until they matched. Elora had woken up to piss and then fell asleep again as the chaos continued, allowing Mel a chance to do her nightly beauty routine. Cait snuck off with her for a reprieve.

Mel:          “Normally I'd say I'm just tired, but there's a lot on my mind, and you're a neutral party… Truth be told, I'm dreading tomorrow. I keep thinking about all of the horrific decisions I've made and how I'm even less qualified to lead my homeland than I am Piltover.”

Cait:          “That's a heavy crown to wear,” she murmured. 

Mel:          “... Despite everything, I've been sheltered. Spoilt. I come from a wretched place, as you can imagine. Toxic to its very core. I just want to see it dismantled so that it can't poison Runeterra with even more noxious fumes… Of course, I feel obligation to ensure the people's wellbeing, but dogma and dictatorship do not bode well for an adjusted populace. I'm certain there will be plenty of citizens angry with me for being “soft-spined.” Every other general will be vying for my position. Gods, things were so much easier here… No risk of insurrection, for starters. Fierce, blind loyalty is revered there, but only as much as bloodlust and ruthlessness. I lack the standard Noxian's appeal— they want another warlord. Without having proven myself in battle, it's anyone's guess how well I'll be accepted… Here's hoping their ideal of compliance overshadows the rest, and that they won't hold her disappearance against me…”

Cait:          “I can't say I can relate, per se, but I've more or less been given a key to the city, and I don't know what to do with it… I sort of want to chuck it in the river despite all the priceless information it unlocks. I'm certainly not qualified to be running anything, but it belonged to my mother, and she entrusted it to me… The whole thing feels like a chain I can't untether myself from. I'll never live up to her image.” 

Mel:          “... Is there anything so undoing as mother issues?” she muttered under her breath. Cait was caught offguard but then smiled sadly.

Cait:          “No; everything pales in comparison.” 

…

Mel:          “At least we can share Jayce's, I suppose.” 

Cait:          “Thank the gods…”

Mel:          “There's something about lonely grandmother types that makes them very receptive to adoption.” 

Cait:          “I'll have to keep that in mind… I distinctly remember wishing I was related to Sheriff Grayson, rest her soul.”

Mel:          “That's understandable. I latched onto every kind woman I could once I arrived here as a girl.” 

Cait:          “... Are you going to be ok out on your own? It sounds horrid.” 

Mel fell silent again, occupying herself with removing her own gold mask and then splashing her face. 

Mel:          “I have to be. I more or less know what to expect, and I'm not a stranger to it… but I'll miss this place terribly.” 

Cait:          “Well, know that no matter where you are, you won't truly be alone. There will always be people fighting for a brighter tomorrow, and you'll have companions awaiting your return. Jayce is already getting separation anxiety.”

Mel:          “I've noticed,” she chortled.

Cait:          “We'll be putting in overtime until you get back… I'm surprised he's not pawing at the door for a mask.” 

Mel:          “That's because he has his own that he wants me to apply on him. They're flavored, if you can believe that.” 

Cait:          “I very much can. He used to make all sorts of concoctions from questionable kitchen ingredients, and it only became worse during his second puberty. He looked like a veritable pizza despite his best efforts, but you didn't hear that from me.” 

Mel:          “You should have seen him when he learned that mine aren't edible by licking the bowl's residue when I wasn't looking. He was so… sad. Devastated, even. There were traces on his mouth when he tried to deny it.”

Cait giggled. 

Cait:          “It's a good thing you didn't know him back then. He would've had a field day offering his homemade beauty products to the both of us at every turn.” 

Mel:          “I was surprised to hear Vi enjoys them.” 

Cait:          “Myself as well… What can I say? She's a wildcard, that one. Keeps me on my toes.”

Vi:          “Are you shitting in there or what?” she called. Cait's eye twitched. 

Cait:          “I almost want to walk out like this and scare her straight, but it won't work. She'll just come up with more “zingers” and start calling me Goldie or something of the sort… She drives me mad… yet I wouldn't have it any other way.” 

Mel laughed and helped her clean it off. Once she blotted dry with a fresh washcloth, she examined her face. 

Cait:          “... I feel like I got glitterbombed, but in a relaxing, skin-nourishing manner.” 

Mel:          “That's the intention. Should we send in Jayce or her next?”

Vi:          “I actually need to take a fat dump too,” she announced, now right outside the door. They both grimaced. Cait lit the scented candle with a heavy sigh.

Cait:          “Better relocate your station.” 

Cait somehow managed to convince Viktor to let her try braiding his hair as an experiment. He went catatonic from Jayce's gentle combing beforehand, and it became the gateway to him embarrassedly allowing more personal attention, leaning on their encouragement and enjoyment. He staunchly refused a mask, arguing that it would be a waste, but he discarded the remainder of his dignity for Mel to use a dry brush on his skin. He just sort of stared at the ceiling owlishly as he laid there with his hands folded, pupils wide. She offered to stop, but he didn't register her words or that he was being spoken to until she addressed him by name and then repeated herself. He snapped out of his trance in an anxious shame and told her she could continue whatever she pleased if it made her happy. She exchanged a subtle glance with Jayce, who gave a thumbs-up out of his view. She repositioned herself and coaxed him to rest his head on her lap instead of farther away so that she didn't have to strain, and then she resumed with her other hand lightly scritching his scalp. He shivered at first but soon started drifting off despite his intention to stay alert. Vi demonstrated her eye makeup for Mel upon request, using him as a canvas since he was too zonked out to care what he looked like and everyone else's faces were clean from the masks. (Vi had chosen one of Jayce's to sample, and he had way too much fun painting a mustache and beard on her.)

Viktor's fantastic smoky wings stayed on until he realized they were there afterwards, but more impressive was the knowledge that Vi had somehow obtained something that constituted makeup to hone this skill on her own in prison despite lacking even a real mirror, then kept up with it while broke and homeless. She chose to explain nothing as she switched to showing Cait how to do a better short braid with Jayce as her volunteer. It stood straight up on the top of his head like an antenna. Cait tried again, and soon he had two. He was just happy people were playing with his hair. 

Viktor:          “... I've learned that I enjoy certain instances of nonsexual human intimacy,” he mumbled to himself. Jayce smooched his cheek like some kind of exhibitionist. 

Jayce:          “Dunno how you managed so long without it. I need pets frequently or I'll lose my mind.”

Everyone patted him all at once independent of each other, even Elora, who had apparently woken up again. It grew awkward, so they relocated to his room in order to draft future legislative proposals at his desk for Mel to sign in advance before calling it a night. 

Mel:         “What exactly will the sleeping arrangements be?”

He perked up.

Jayce:         “So glad you asked. That couch actually opens up to function as a bed. There's another one like it in the lounge. We have a lot of blankets everywhere, as you can see, and a guest bedroom, and the regular couches and recliners.” 

Vi:         “You sleeping in your big boy bed?” 

Jayce:         “Hah, maybe, but it's too small. You don't wanna know how many times I've rolled out of it.”

Viktor tilted his head.

Viktor:         “It's spacious enough for us all; it must be at least twice the size of your dormitory one. How many rolls were you doing?”

Jayce:         “I don't know! Apparently I used to flail around a lot, and it was a hazard to everyone in my vicinity, so I'll be quarantining myself until morning.”

Viktor:         “Ridiculous— you sleep like a log. A very clingy log who requires the other party to grab onto him, but a log nonetheless. You've squished me under you exactly thrice, and I lived to tell the tale, so to speak.”

Vi:         “Gross,” she fake-coughed. 

Jayce:         “Ok, one: embarrassing. Two: maybe sleepovers are different? I dunno, but I don't want to risk it.” 

… 

Viktor:         “How many times have you rolled out of your current bed?”

Jayce:         “Uh… Hm. That's a good question. Once or twice? Years ago.”

Mel:         “It did look significantly smaller.” 

Jayce:         “You think?”

Viktor:         “I told you, this is big enough to fit an entire family.”

Cait:         “He has a point there,” she admitted. 

Vi:         “Damn, even by Piltie standards…”

Jayce:         “… Maybe I do sleep more soundly these days.”

Vi:         “Big boy needs his big sleep,” she nodded solemnly. 

Viktor:         “I don't need a bed, so that will free up room— I don't think I even need sleep. Also, my residual survival instincts dictate that I cannot rest with company. Only him, for whatever reason.” 

Vi:         “He does have this insanely nonthreatening-but-protective energy. Like you could just flop on top of him and make yourself at home. Shit's magnetic.” 

Viktor:         “Yes, precisely that. Sometimes a person is a safehouse, I suppose. A place to seek shelter.” 

Vi:         “Gaaaaay.”

Viktor:         “How is what I said any worse than your depiction?” he snorted. 

Vi:         “Dunno… But you dudes keep gettin’ all mushy and shit like we're gonna have to worry about cootie bugs instead of bed bugs.” 

Jayce:         “Hah, that's rich coming from someone who… Y'know. In my face.” 

Cait:         “Are you referring to us swapping spit in the heat of the moment? It was her fault.” 

Jayce cringed. 

Vi:         “I figured our motto was “live hard, cry hard, fuck hard, die hard.” Like, you could put that on a coat of arms or skirt of legs and it would make perfect sense. S’not my fault that you're bein’ all soft and lovey dovey over there.” 

Viktor:         “I'm always hard; I am a hard man,” he frowned. Jayce coughed on spit. “What is the crime in softening up every now and again?”

Vi:         “You're always what?” she managed, barely keeping a straight face. 

Jayce:         “Don't. Please.” 

Cait:         “It gets mighty tiresome to be made of sharp edges. I don't see any harm in what he said.” 

Viktor:         “Thank you.”

…

Vi:         “So you‐ you want someone to relieve you from your hardness?” 

Jayce:         “Vi.”

Viktor:         “Oh… I am oblivious,” he muttered, shaking his head. “Blame my oversight on the tiredness I cannot physically attribute it to.” 

Cait:         “What?” 

Vi:         “You haven't heard many dick jokes, have you, cupcake?” 

Jayce:         “I hate everything about this conversation.”

Viktor:         “That makes two of us. Mel, how does one pretend to fall asleep?”

…

Jayce:         “Maybe she really did.” 

Viktor:         “Or she cannot hazard entering this conversation. I wouldn't blame her.”

Cait:         “Gods, enough; I've heard a- a sex joke before! Bloody hell… I'll have you know I was stationed with rather crude officers in training. I even spent hours in a brothel!”

Vi:         “You're so cute when you're embarrassed,” she cooed. “And the rest of the time.”

Viktor:         “Yet she calls us the mushy ones.”

Vi:         “You got me there. Guilty as charged.” 

Cait:         “This is neither cute nor mushy! My repertoire of sex jokes is abysmal, fine, but I'm not some innocent child.” 

Vi:         “Aw, we all know that. It's just funny that my rebellious detective doesn't know dick about balls. Dicktective.” 

Cait:         “Why would I?” she scoffed. 

Vi:         “Figure of speech. Don't worry; I'll teach you the trade secrets.”

Jayce:         “... Do I want to know how you ended up in a brothel?” 

Cait:         “Long story, I suppose,” she sighed. “It was actually very nice.” 

Viktor:         “Is that the one run by the kind Yordle lady? Babette?” 

Vi:         “Yep.” 

Viktor:         “Lovely place. We should visit sometime.”

Jayce:         “Wh— Can I ask what you were doing there?” 

Viktor:         “Serving single drinks and snacks, mopping up ejaculate, giving the occasional gloved tug-off or dirty talk through a curtain when they were understaffed… in short, a bit of everything, freelanced,” he gestured nonchalantly. “She maintains a very safe and healthy workplace. Certain Topsiders paid good money for me to simply insult them and swat them with my cane however I wished, both of us fully clothed. Though I didn't understand the appeal, it was… fun… I was sad to leave, but the trips were too long and unnecessary once I became situated here.”

Jayce:         “Huh… Well, that's not the most surprising thing you've said,” he laughed. 

Cait:         “You'd for certain combust the moment you set foot in there, Jayce.” 

Viktor:         “He would.” 

Vi:         “Can we make it happen?” 

Jayce:         “Let's put a pin in that, too.”

They ended up all falling asleep on him, except for Elora, who had attached herself solely to Mel. Viktor tried being a part of the pile in vain, lying awake uncomfortably until he receded to his core. 

Chapter Text

Jayce:          “I'm full of caffeine and sugar and a well-balanced breakfast made with love. I'm basically unstoppable at this point— I have no stops. I'm ready to kill a god or become one.” 

Vi:          “Ditto. Let's fuckin’ gooo.”

Viktor:          “Jayce, do I have permission to hijack your vocal cords if you start saying something more ill-advised than usual?”

Jayce:          “Sure, but if I get weird about it, that's your problem. Sorry to everyone else in advance.” 

Cait:          “(I can't believe this is becoming normal to me…)”

Vi:          “(Trust me, you'll start preferring it to the bullshit of normalcy. Makes for a great distraction.)”

Viktor:          “It will be a last resort, I assure you.”

… 

Mel:          “... Well then, shall we?” 

Vi:          “We're about to get bureaucratic up in here,” she thumped a fist in a palm. “Bout to make their business ours.”

Cait:          “You… do realize that you and I aren't really part of this meeting.”

Vi:          “Hyping myself up anyway. They might need me to tag in.”

Cait:          “I don't think that's how it works.”

Vi:          “It is now.” 

Mel:          “Vi, your presence as a representative of Zaun is pivotal, so I implore that you tread carefully.”

Vi:          “Yes, ma'am!” she saluted. “I will be so fucking careful, you don't even know…”

Elora chugged her umpteenth coffee alongside Jayce, who refilled everyone's complimentary mug from the oversized thermos, all of which had his visage. They clinked them together solemnly. Viktor sniffed with a wistful expression.

Salo:          “(Great, now he's flanked by an entourage of lesbians…)”

Shoola:          “(... You really don't know me, do you?)”

Salo:          “(I'm not being paid to, so no.)”

She closed her eyes to smooth the crease from her brow before they approached. Cait held onto Vi's hand like an aggressive dog handler’s leash. Vi allowed it, considering she was doing the same to Cait and neither realized the other's perspective. They both watched each other carefully from their peripherals, waiting for an indication that they needed to redirect the other. 

Mel:          “Shoola, Salo,” she smiled warmly as she went to her chair. Shoola nodded in greeting, and Salo gave an irritated, bored sigh. Jayce and Elora took their seats at the newest makeshift chamber — a meeting room — with rapt attention on her. 

Mel:          “My fellow council members, thank you for taking the time to gather here before my indefinite hiatus. As you know, there's a number of imperative matters that we must discuss… At the forefront is our former peace proposal.” 

Salo:          “Surely you jest. That death sentence was destroyed alongside half of us,” he scoffed. 

Mel:          “Councilor Talis has recomposed it in preparation for his dealings with Zaun,” she gestured, giving him the spotlight. He all but physically squirmed, having hoped he wouldn't be the one reintroducing it. She offered him a small, encouraging smile that he clung to like a lifeline. Viktor gave the same, conveniently positioned in front of Salo, which helped somewhat despite his translucence.

Jayce:          “Councilors, in two days’ time, I'll be conducting negotiations, and it would be helpful to offer sovereignty in exchange for compliance with our existing terms, as a gesture of goodwill—”

Viktor:          “Don't worry; he's mostly bullshitting,” he assured the girls quietly as Jayce continued. Jayce struggled to focus. “Although he has no intention of going there today. That remains our estimated time of departure. Make no mistake, he was considering it as of yesterday, but we realized we should… prepare a bit. Tie up loose ends. Stop being hungover and sleep-deprived. I am graciously referring to both of us instead of just him.”

Jayce:         “— You have the opportunity to do something monumental. You'll be heroes to every Zaunite, and we can finally—”

Salo:         “You have the opportunity to go fuc— to leave me out of this,” he amended, haunted by the sudden memory of Jayce looming over him in a tits-out corset after saving his life and then threatening him, sweaty and panting with tousled hair. “It was a mistake the first time, and nothing's changed. How do you expect to- to—”

Vi:         “Silence, twink. Let my boy cook.”

There was a beat of shocked silence, but then he glowered, Viktor guffawed, and Jayce hid a surprised smirk behind a fist. Cait tugged at her hand, and Mel gave her a subtle warning look, pleading in silence.

… 

Salo:         “Just what are you two doing back here?”

Cait:         “She is representing Zaun like Viktor was. I'm her escort, as well as her security feature.”

Vi rolled her eyes at the implication that she needed a bodyguard, but her cheeks were tinted all the same at Cait defending her. 

Viktor:         “Yes! Stick it to the man! Draw that line in the sand and taunt him further!” 

Salo:          “... I won't be humiliated and bullied into submission. I would like to keep the remainder of my functional spine, so my answer is a resounding no.”

Jayce:          “I understand. We can't force your hand, but the vote should still be unanimous. We don't want to give them the wrong impression.”

Viktor:          “See, it's funny, because his vote doesn't actually matter either way. He'll be long removed by the time we get down to brass tacks.”

Salo:          “And what would that be?” 

Jayce:          “Division. A lack of real desire to reconcile. The message that we don't care about them and don't see them as equals.”

Salo:          “So, you want us to lie.” 

Viktor successfully pushed his glass over with both hands and the entirety of his energy, tilting Salo's wrist to spill wine all over his expensive new outfit. The gold looked like piss on his white pants.

Shoola:          “We can't come across as at a disadvantage. Their attacks did make us look vulnerable, and extending more rewards just looks like a bribe for them to stop.”

Viktor:          “You'd know all about bribes, wouldn't you, Miss Councilwoman?” 

Mel:          “Alternatively, it would show that we are merciful and can be reasoned with. We aren't granting them these things without our demands being met, including, of course, them handing over the gem, Jinx, and the remaining barons, along with dismantling Shimmer altogether.” 

Viktor:          “She is only lying a little bit, and to our benefit, but she's very good at it.” 

She managed to continue appearing unaffected.

Shoola:          “You've changed since the attacks. We were once well-aligned, but it seems that you now stand in opposition to me and Piltover's best interests at every turn.”

Mel:          “... I'm sure I don't understand what you mean.”

…

Shoola:          “I question whether you're still fit for office.”

Viktor:          “Oh, she's playing dirty.”

Jayce's expression hardened in anticipation of objecting. Mel kept her cool. 

Mel:          “What's your reasoning?”

Shoola:          “You convinced us to… “bar Noxian forces,” yet you command them now. Where do you stand, Mel, and where does that leave us? You can't simply make decisions that you won't have to face the fallout for.”

Mel:          “My dear friend, that's what we've always done.”

Viktor:          “And they've abandoned pretenses altogether. I didn't think that could happen in high society, fascinating,” he murmured, striding across the table with the legs he donned to peer at Shoola's papers, then Slav squatting and squinting to read them in detail, tapping her shoulder with the tip of his original cane experimentally. She turned around, then brushed it off, only for him to repeat it on the other shoulder. “I'm glad I came after all. Last time I went to one of these, Jayce told them he didn't give a shit what they thought of him; it was incredible… Sorry, am I distracting anyone?”

Mel:          “— This is less than ideal timing for us to usher in councillary reform, and you won't be pleased with any potential results. My votes will count all the same. I am still deeply invested in Piltover's wellbeing and just as much a citizen as I was before these events unfolded. There will be no conflicts of interest — at least, none more than you or I already had — and I suspect you'll want to remain on good terms with such a powerful allied nation. I would like to continue business here, and now I can offer that of Noxus as well. Wouldn't it be a loss for this city if I were to divest from it?”

…

Shoola:          “You're really playing your hand… I'm sorry, but you're not your mother. You can't guarantee us anything.” 

Jayce:          “And you can't kick her out,” he retorted firmly. “That vote will never be unanimous, and you won't get the majority for any roundabout attempts. If I were you, I'd watch my step. None of us are immune to the law or the people's will, and I'm aware that there's a number of questionable trails I could have my investigator look into.” Cait stood tall despite being surprised. Vi squeezed her hand. “They're very, very skilled at their work, just like Councilors Medarda and Elora. You don't want them exposing your secrets.” 

They maintained an intense staredown until Mel shuffled her papers. Salo remained petulant and oblivious to his impending dismissal, swirling more of the wine he'd brought for himself. 

Mel:          “Now that that's… been established, we can address a few less urgent issues, starting with support for future legislation. As I won't be able to correspond in a timely or secure fashion, I am leaving my authorizations of specific proposals with Jayce and Elora in place of my physical hand raises.”

Salo:          “That cannot be permitted,” he piped up indignantly.

Mel:          “You'll want to vote on whether this is allowed, I'm sure, and the result will be three to two.”

…

Shoola:          “This is a coup. You've joined forces to dictate the direction of our future.” 

Jayce:          “No, we're just really good friends who happen to share ideals.” 

She glared daggers before turning back to Mel.

Shoola:          “To think I trusted your assistant to fill your place, when all you did was give yourself even more influence. Wasn't Talis enough?”

Mel:          “He can't be controlled. He thinks and cares too much.”

Jayce nodded proudly. 

Viktor:          “I must say, Mel, you've really grown as a person. You're by far my favorite corrupt public figure.” 

Shoola:          “And what of your shadow?” 

Mel:          “There's no need to stoop to name-calling. She—”

Salo:         “Oh, so it's fine when a little pink—”

Mel:         “She operates entirely independently of me.”

Elora:          “My name is Elora, and I'm just as much a councilor as the rest of you. We all know that we don't deserve these lofty thrones, and most of them were simply handed over to the highest bidder. I'm a rightful member of this body and dedicated to actually improving the lives of everyone excluded from having their voices heard alongside ours.” 

Viktor:          “YES! Applaud her! Start clapping right now for impact. You can begin slowly and pick up the pace while everyone stands.”

Those who could hear Viktor and see him pump his fist in the air were startled to varying degrees, Jayce least of all since he'd had the most time to acclimate. He moved to stand beside her to distract from their seemingly oppositional reactions. The only reason Vi didn't start clapping was because Cait kept her hand in a vicelike grip. Vi glanced at her questioningly, and she just gave a slight head shake, turning to focus on Jayce.

Jayce:          “Which is why it's so important that you're here.”

Mel nodded, hand on her shoulder for support in a novel public display. Elora kept her head held high with a determined glint. 

Shoola:          “... I apologize for… any perceived disrespect, Councilor Elora. The last thing I'd want is to begin our colleague relationship with upsetment.” 

Elora:          “It takes a lot more than that to upset me,” she smiled. “Let's vote on confirming Mel's dual leadership positions and remote participation.”

Elora poked her head around the corner tentatively as discreetly as possible for the fourth time. 

Mel:          “It's more or less safe now,” she smirked over Jayce blowing his nose. The others had left, Viktor snooping around the building to give them some privacy. 

Elora:          “Right. Sure,” she muttered under her breath, bringing her copies of the documents over. They'd managed to pass several pieces of legislation before adjourning, Mel's departure delayed until the evening. Jayce was exhausted from standing and talking for so long and sweating like hell under the corset, but he couldn't bring himself to risk being seen without it by people outside of his circle, and he preferred to keep it off for the rest of the day once he'd taken it off, considering how tedious the process of putting it on could be. Still, he clung stubbornly to her and ignored how uncomfortable it got, draped over her again like an oversized lap dog while managing to keep his full weight off of her. 

Jayce:          “... Do you want a hug?” he wavered as they watched the ships leave the harbor. 

…

Elora:          “I'm too hungover for this,” she sighed. “... But if I say no, I'll feel worse.”

Chapter Text

Jayce looped his necklace over his keyring on the hook by the inside of his front door to remember to don it whenever he left the house. Viktor was already snaking his hands over him to take off his vest and shirt, unable to stand his relayed agony any longer. 

    “How can you even breathe in those things?”

            “It helps my posture,” he shrugged, then sighed deeply and stretched once Viktor untied and loosened it. His belly jutted out when he was freed, lined with angry red marks. Viktor frowned sympathetically, recalling the many times he'd helped Jayce in and out of it at the lab. He was thankful that Jayce had felt comfortable enough around him to abandon it when their schedules were clear and they weren't expecting anyone. He traced one of the indents gingerly with a soothing, light fingertip, relishing in being able to do so for the first time. 

Jayce tensed reflexively, then let a soft noise unfurl as he unraveled under Viktor's gentle massages. Viktor dragged his fingers up and down the lines slowly, rubbing with small side-to-side rocking motions at the same time to improve his circulation and work sensation back into the numb areas. 

            “Y'think you might have a healing touch?” he sighed in bliss, pressing back against him. Viktor smirked and promptly phased a fingertip through the groove it was on. Jayce keened, muscles shifting in response. 

    “I adore how hairy you're getting, gods, it's divine…” 

            “Feels so much more comfortable now that I'm not mowing it… I used to down there every other day obsessively, so the stubbly phase was hard to get past, but this is way better.” 

Viktor hummed in agreement, smushing his face into Jayce's happy trail and nuzzling it, still rubbing at every mark. Jayce's breath hitched, and his stomach growled. 

    “You must be hungry. That was a long day.”

            “... Yeah, I- I guess I haven't really eaten since breakfast. Got preoccupied…” 

    “You looked like you were fighting for your life in the council room,” he lilted. “As if you'd sooner asphyxiate than allow yourself a moment of calm.” 

            “Had to stay on my toes… and not puke,” he mumbled. Viktor leaned up to place a kiss above the organ, then reached directly through it. 

            “Hnngk—”

    “All empty,” he confirmed with a pitying undertone, removing his hand. Jayce jolted again.

    “Put something nutritious in there— no more coffee tonight, either. For the sake of your poor brain and bowels.” 

Jayce nodded, then just breathed for a moment as he recovered.

            “God, I tried so hard to talk louder than them; the room kept going silent,” he laughed embarrassedly. “It was hell…”

    “I noticed,” he smirked. “Go get yourself comfortable, and I'll see if I can't assemble palatable sustenance.”

            “... You cook?” he blinked. 

    “I avoided it like the plague when alive, but I more or less know how. Survival and all that. It was prudent of you to finally restock your foodstuffs.”

            “I hate going to markets; too much stimuli and decisions and pressure,” he groaned. “We needed to anyway for the party. But I enjoy cooking— you don't have to make anything for me.”

    “And if I want to~?”

…

            “Well, far be it from me to stand in your way, hah…” 

His cheeks felt hot. 

    “Do you have preferences? Anything in particular that you're craving?” 

            “Only you,” he winked, turning the tables. 

Viktor could give him burned water and he would guzzle it like his secret sweetmilk sauce, so he set his expectations into the negatives and soaked up Viktor's excitement, just telling him where things were when he asked. Viktor needed help with a pot he couldn't lift, but he managed well enough otherwise and found creative solutions to hurdles. Within the hour, he'd managed to prepare something without setting anything on fire, and it smelled edible. It looked edible, too, albeit slightly glowing— an inadvertent side effect of him channeling his energy as heat flares instead of turning on the stove, arguing that it would be a waste of money. Jayce contemplated their knowledge of radioactivity for a moment before shrugging it off. If the special ingredient was just… Viktorness, it was probably fine. He wet his lips in anticipation. 

As suspected, Viktor knew absolutely fuckall about spices and too much about vinegar preserves, but he thankfully didn't have access to the latter. He'd added a substantial amount of ground black pepper because of how often he'd seen Jayce load it on, and then he couldn't lick the spoon anymore because, to his dismay, even the slightest amount of spice still burned his tongue, but the soup turned out half-decent thanks to his chemistry-like approach. 

    “I didn't start out with the intention of soup. I just kept adding water to dilute it every time I screwed up, hence my request for the pot transference.”

            “What were you aiming for?” 

…

    “Tasty?” he hazarded. “Beneficial? I have no fucking clue what else.” 

            “Reminds me of stew.”

    “That could be due to the thickening agent.”

            “Mm?”

    “... I was trying to add dumplings towards the end, but they were just globs of enriched flour dough that dissolved.”

            “Honestly, I like it.”

    “Then I will consider this experiment a success,” he beamed. “It has so many nutrients; I even read the labels of the packaged ingredients.” 

Jayce could tell that the high amount of protein would result in it sitting like a rock for hours, but it felt more akin to cozy lava glorping around, warming him from the inside out with pleasant sensations.

They didn't last long attempting to be normal about Jayce slurping his soup. For Jayce, the experience was pure bliss, which he conveyed immediately and often. He didn't notice his two inch boner, given that he was clad only in his loose boxers now, until Viktor suddenly deflated, burying his head in his hands. Jayce almost became concerned, but their tether showed nothing except mortification and arousal. He put his foot in his mouth by asking anyway.

            “You alright?”

    “... New fetish registered.”

            “Oh! … Now that you mention it, um…” 

Viktor raised his head, dismay shifting to wonder.

    “You as well?”

            “Yeah, I… Feels good, and the whole “wanting you inside of me in every way” thing apparently includes this.”

    “I didn't put myself in it,” he snorted. “There's no- no splooge, and I don't think it would have aphrodisiac properties this time regardless, because that was not my intent…” 

            “You put your love and energy into it, which is really hot.”

    “Ah, of course! That must be the trigger, your wellbeing…” 

            “You'd be a hell of a horny physician.” 

    “No, I am fairly certain it applies only to you… Unless you are wanting to roleplay?” 

            “Mnngh… Maybe when I'm not on the brink of a food coma.” 

    “This is fair. I would need to learn the part first, in any case.”

            “Do you wanna just. Just give me more of those heavenly rubs?“

    “I… I may be able to put my consciousness in it.” 

            “Oh, god… Fuck. You'd be like putty in there, but I can't even imagine how disgusting it would be for you.”

    “I pick and choose which senses to employ, and I can remove them at will,” he waved dismissively.

            “Wait, so you could've possessed the jizz?” 

    “In hindsight, yes. But I am curious— do you think you could derive enough pleasure from me simply sloop sloshing like that without an aphrodisiac?”

            “... Sounds appealing. And nice at the very least, to settle things down… All I can think about now is some slime version of you in my tumtum because the blood headed south from my brain.”

    “There is something undeniably appealing about being both beneficial for you and a part of you. I do want to be the vitamins you absorb, very badly now.”

            “You wanna give me a dose of Vitamin D~?” 

    “Yes, precisely! That one is essential.”

…

            “So, you— Do you want to just… jump in there?” he gestured, pointing at his belly. “Or jump in the… Well, there's not much left in the bowl,” he laughed sheepishly, trying to scoop up enough broth for a spoonful. 

    “That should suffice as trial,” he nodded, making it cyan as he inhabited it with his divided consciousness. He was immediately destabilized from the new perspective and needed to grip the edge of the table because of how fucking gorgeous and huge Jayce's lips were in front of him. Jayce watched the change with an awestruck expression.

    “... And if I jump you during the process…?”

            “Please do. Train me to get horny about normal soup.” 

    “Happy to oblige,” he shivered as Jayce's warm, humid breath rolled over it, which was soon replaced by Jayce's inquisitive eyes studying it.

            “So, this is- this really is you now?” he marveled quietly, which was still loud from that perspective. Viktor nodded once he comprehended his words. 

            “God, that's amazing… You're amazing.”

He squirmed a little, overwhelmed by everything with Jayce's praise being the last straw. The broth did the same subconsciously, as if it had become viscous, but its composition hadn't changed. Jayce gawked at the sight.

            “... I could start a religion around this. Around you. I'd be heavily inclined to,” he breathed.

    “It's just soup,” he half-protested weakly. “And it's getting cold.” 

            “Right,” he chuckled, the low vibrations rippling it as he brought it back to mouth-level. “So… Down the hatch?” 

    “Please, fuck, you're so beautiful—”

He licked his lips again, expression giddy and a little shy. Viktor breathed heavily as he opened up before him, heat wafting over him and mouth glistening. A strand of saliva connected Jayce's left set of canines, and his wide, perfectly pink tongue trembled a little in anticipation, curling at the sides to carefully receive all of him as Jayce's soft, plush lips closed around the base of the spoon handle and pulled him in with a slow, wet slide. Viktor wheezed, knuckles white despite his transparency. Jayce smirked in pride and satisfaction, placing a hand over one of his to ground him. Viktor startled, as if he'd been entirely focused on his soup self, and held onto his hand with his other shakily, meeting Jayce's tender gaze as Jayce began to stroke the one underneath between his fingers at the same time he started spreading out the broth and savoring it at the same pace. Jayce was already drooling over him inside. He made a pleased hum around him with half-lidded eyes locked on his, and Viktor all but dissolved on both sides, reaching above room temperature.

Jayce just continued to move him around, swirling him all over every little gap, groove, and surface of his mouth, from his teeth, coating each one and sinking down to the snug spaces below them, to his whole cheeks and their pockets, leaving some there, the underside of his tongue, which assailed him with even more saliva, and the roof of his mouth, which Viktor responded most to as he was rubbed across the ridges diligently over and over. Jayce gave a tentative suck, pulling part of him further back on his tongue, and he whimpered outright, clutching his hand for dear undeath. Jayce used his other to tilt his chin up slightly and keep his eyes on him as he smiled softly, still blushing all the same but nowhere near as externally worked up as Viktor looked, gaze desperate and pleading and almost afraid of how affected he was, which Jayce nearly thought was fear of the next part.

Viktor managed to reach up, hand clammy and shaking unlike anything Jayce had ever witnessed before, and cupped a cheek, then freed his other hand to do the same to both sides, pressing in, squishing, and kneading them a little, which just caused his breathing to grow more ragged. Jayce took a chance with exposing him to the cold air again by opening his mouth wide to give him a perfect view from the inside and out with the light. He gently tugged Viktor closer by his forearms to see it better, and Viktor opted to phase through the table altogether in favor of straddling a thigh, peering down his throat in silent awe. The muscles contracted and twitched, and Jayce stifled a groan at how much drool had accumulated, struggling not to get it over with. Viktor placed a tentative finger on his tongue and traced patterns on it, pressing himself into the bumps of his tastebuds and dipping the tip into the saliva to trail a slick path down, down, doing the same on the outside and then surprising him by phasing that finger intangibly into his throat. To his credit, Jayce didn't swallow, but he was panting and making little noises as he sweated in restraint and fought to stay as still as possible. Viktor relented, pressing a kiss to both corners of his lips before trying to coax them closed. Jayce, however, kept them stubbornly open to make sure he'd see everything. 

    “Such discipline,” he marveled, ducking briefly to kiss his Adam's apple before returning and placing his fingers on its sides. “You may have me; you don't need permission. Please, indulge yourself.” 

Jayce sighed in relief through his nose and tilted his jaw as Viktor watched and felt himself slide downwards, gathered diligently by his tongue and sent to the back of his throat. It was still fairly dark below, and the sudden lack of ground gave him a rush of adrenaline. He started sliding down like he was spilling over slowly, and then, without warning, Jayce's throat contracted in a loud, wet gulp, Adam's apple bobbing forcefully under his fingers, followed by an open-mouthed moan that he failed to stifle, vibrating them. Viktor keened and immediately started humping his thigh again, kissing ferverously along his jawline and throat down to his sternum, then chest, tracking his descent as Jayce responded with more shy enthusiasm, quickly getting noisy and overwhelmed like him. Once he was low enough, Jayce cleared his throat and pressed against where he could feel him, pushing Viktor's fingers in at the same time. Viktor phased one in again to stroke lightly at the undulating waves with energy alone, eliciting yet another basstone moan and swallow around the small traces of him that had remained without either of them realizing, Viktor's attention having shifted fully to the self going down. 

    “You're so lovely,” he whined against his skin. “So lovely.” 

            “You're almost there,” he breathed, heart pounding faster around him and air whooshing erratically. “Fuck, you're— you'll be in my stomach,” he murmured, guiding Viktor's head to get ready to listen to it from both sides, pressed in deeper. It gurgled palpably, making the muscles quiver. Jayce gasped as his sphincter sucked Viktor through all at once, followed by a splash that they could both hear and feel, then an even stronger rumble as the organ registered his presence. Jayce covered his mouth, pupils dilated. 

            “Fuck, fuck… Oh god, Viktor…”

Viktor caressed his skin in awe and reassurance, letting his consciousness gradually disperse to fill the whole soup.

    “... How do you feel?” 

            “So good, I— Just knowing you're in there, so, so close…” 

    “You… You truly are beautiful on the inside and out,” he wavered. “It looks like… like an ice cave, I think. I never saw one in person, just in your person, but it matches the photos well enough.” 

Jayce froze with a grimace. 

            “Wait. You can see in there?” 

    “A little. There's a lot of glowing going on— I think you may have kept some of my magic in it after, erm… after the first time you swallowed me.” 

            “... So it's…” 

    “It's blue, and glowing, yes. Is that copacetic with you? I could try to undo it or just remove my vision from there if you're uncomfortable.” 

            “No! No, I'm just… surprised, I guess? Though in hindsight, it seems like it's been providing me with a lot more dopamine than usual. I thought I saw it glowing faintly in the dark the other night,” he laughed. “But it sounds nasty.” 

    “It's really not,” he shrugged. “I've seen worse— far worse. Things that you wouldn't even be able to stomach the idea of.” 

…

            “But the- the soup,” he cringed. 

    “I can't see it because I decided to become all of it, in a sense. The experience is akin to floating in a body of water that is also a hammock, I'd imagine. Always wanted to try those…” 

            “... Oh… Oh, fuck.” 

He looked at the slight swell of his belly, as if he could make eye contact with Viktor's other self. Viktor sat back in bemusement, trying not to resume getting off yet. 

            “That's… you,” he whispered breathlessly. “You're…”

    “Inside of you, yes; we've established that,” he lilted. 

Jayce poked his tummy gingerly, then sloshed it around a little with both hands before a hiccup stopped him. It made a possessive growl as Viktor steadied himself. 

    “Do you… want me to move around?” 

            “Oh god, please do.”

Viktor focused, beginning to swirl like a very slow whirlpool. 

    “Can you feel that?” 

Jayce stared at it, hand pressing in again. Viktor increased the pace, and Jayce's abdomen tensed for a moment, lower lip catching on a canine. 

            “Ooooh… Ye- Yeah, I feel it. You can- You can do more.” 

    “You must tell me if you think it's about to come back up. I don't want to witness that, let alone be the cause.” 

            “It's not going anywhere,” he assured with a smug squish, patting and then starting to rub it. “My body could never reject you; it's too hellbent on keeping you tucked away, all mine…” 

Viktor leaned in to kiss him with passion, starting out slow and sweet but becoming overwhelmed at the way Jayce's body responded to his ministrations, arousal impossible to downplay on the inside between his heartbeat and the rest, every little sound amplified and reverberating. Jayce made a pleasured hum and sucked on his tongue, drawing out aphrodisiac from it coyly. Viktor whined into him, eager to map out where he'd just been. He bubbled and glooped away below as Jayce's walls kneaded him rhythmically and squeezed haphazardly, also rocking him with his pulse and the roll of each breath. 

They eventually pulled back, not for air but to grapple with the intensity of everything. Viktor recovered as he slid his hands back down to cradle himself on either side of Jayce's hand, looking up deviously. Once Jayce noticed, he gulped reflexively, eliciting yet another squelch that embarrassed him. Viktor whispered, “Watch,” then smooched an exposed inch of skin, causing himself to glow bright enough for Jayce to see every movement like ripples of light in a pool, the liquid clearly outlined, filling him well over halfway and illuminating the curve of the organ. Jayce keened. 

            “Holy fuck, that's— … Viktor,” he half-gasped, half-moaned under his breath.

    “It's me; astute observation,” he quipped, amplifying his ministrations and delighting in every way that Jayce unraveled. “... Perhaps I can reduce my true form's size,” he mused. “And misuse our teleportation.” 

He phased two curled fingers into his womb tentatively, touching only with energy as he began to stroke the walls. Jayce arched into it, curses and praises and begs rushing from his mouth in a jumbled mess. 

            “My baby, my baby, mmngh, more, please; feels so good…”

    “Would you like that?” he wavered, complying. “Me hidden so deep within you, “tucked away” safely, all yours and making you feel good for as long as you want…” 

            “Yes,” he cried, hips jerking and causing a heavy slosh in the pit of his stomach. “Want you inside of me every way, want you to fill me up, make it grow bigger and bigger until I can't hide it, make it move when I least expect it, when I'm dealing with some greedy bureaucr— ah, fuck!”

Viktor had used all of his energy to make his belly bounce in one swift motion, creating a wave that crashed down audibly and then began to even out, Viktor interrupting it with finger wiggles below. Jayce held it with both hands, back arching as his insides flip-flopped and his body tried to process what was happening. 

            “Oh my god, I'm— Don't stop, please don't stop, I think I'm…” 

His breaths went fast and erratic, voice low, and then he came all at once in his boxers. Viktor quickly reached into them with his other hand to work out a stronger one within seconds. Jayce's body held him tight in all three spots as his muscles quaked, heart hammered, and voice reverberated inside. Once he was fully satisfied and cooled down, he met Viktor's flustered gaze in the afterglow and cracked a wry grin, still catching his breath.

            “You're a menace,” he giggled. “Don't ever change, my sweet little food baby~” 

Viktor worried his lower lip.

    “Did you mean those things you said earlier? About…” he tapped Jayce's lower belly awkwardly. “I'd understand if it was a heat of the moment— uh, if you only wanted fantasy.” 

            “I want you to be inside of me all the time, as much as possible… while still being able to hug and see you on the outside, of course… But your whole body? Fuck, that— I can't even imagine how freaky that would be, how good it would feel… Just the thought of you curling up to sleep in there is driving me nuts.” 

Viktor nodded, pupils blown. 

    “Thank you. If you'll excuse me for several minutes—” 

            “Nooo, lemme. I want your cummies. Gimme dessert~?” 

…

    “You might be high,” he snorted. “I've never heard you use this vocabulary.” 

            “Yeah, well… Um. I'm usually not even able to find words this soon, now that I think of it.” 

…

    “That's very endearing, but you should lie down already. I can handle myself.”

            “Pleeease? You can come with me!” 

Viktor complied with an incredulous laugh, helping him up and letting him keep the glow upon request after Viktor reunified his consciousness. Jayce eagerly but sleepily sucked him off, and then he laid back in bliss, feeling the aphrodisiac be absorbed. It was pleasant but not too strong thanks to the soup diluting it. Viktor cuddled up to him and rubbed his belly some more, to his delight. Jayce draped an arm around his back, managing to draw him even closer. Viktor did the idle, intangible butterfly phasing every now and then, relaxing Jayce's muscles and watching as he worked the sustenance in, tiny lights coursing from the organ and flowing through Jayce's veins to strengthen him, keeping him well. When he closed his eyes, he could still sense it. He kissed his lips once more, followed by the crest of the shrinking swell, and then laid his head on his softer lower abdomen. Jayce flopped his other arm over him too as he hummed with a content sigh, middle rising and falling like gentle slopes. Viktor could tell that he'd be asleep within minutes. He considered reminding Jayce that he loved him, but it had become far beyond unspoken and felt silly at the moment, so instead he just mumbled into his skin as he pondered aloud.

    “I wonder what it would be like to possess, say… a hunk of bread? Torn off, piece by piece, by those great big wolf fangs…” 

Jayce dragged himself back to alertness just enough to chuckle in bewilderment at his insanity before drifting off, proceeding to sit straight up at the first light of dawn, glance down to make sure it wasn't some fever dream, and then fumble for his forgotten bedside notebook, recording everything like his life depended on it.

Chapter Text

Jayce “investigated” the Hexgates that morning to get Shoola and every other angry rich person off his back so he could go to Zaun in peace, but not before he turned off the glow that had spread throughout his whole body overnight. He wore the safety gear that they'd required employees there to, like goggles and gloves, brought his magnifying glass in its case to look serious, and nodded along thoughtfully at a technician's explanation. Everything had been found to be intact and in place, just no longer activatable. When it came time for him to examine the inert storage cells, he pretended to be surprised and study their original, stabilized and refined but still fragile and coarse crystals compacted inside, running his hands along a metal bar engraved with runes nostalgically. He realized he'd need to do more serious damage to the gates so that another scientist couldn't come along and restart them— the framework was all there for the taking if anyone figured out how they'd stabilized the crystals in the first place. He eventually needed to report back and echoed his previous “theory” about the crystals being unsustainable, taking samples back to the lab with a ridiculous display of caution and concern. He kept his safety gear on while he picked up each crystal with tongs and painstaking care to place them in a special container. 

    “Now that you've played house for them — rather comically, I might add — do you think we should bring props with us?”

            “That's not a bad idea. We can at least get some more use out of the Hextinguisher.” 

    “I've become fond of that useless piece of garbage. It's whimsical.”

           “It really is… Hey, what do you think would happen if you touched the live crystal?”

… 

    “It might not end well, but who's to say? … Although, I am warier of being trapped in a dead one or device. Infusing Mel's Hexgem wasn't my brightest decision, but I digress. It was… disconcerting to be drawn in by the Noxian rune tiles. I suppose we're lucky they just destroyed opposing energy. They were powered by something sinister; I could sense it.” 

            “Shit. Ok, we— I need to be more careful about who I tell things to. Can't have anyone making a soul trap…”

He sounded like he was trying to be reassuring and keep it light, but the panic he was radiating below the surface betrayed him. Viktor had been mulling over the notion ever since he'd been obliterated on that night, which left him calm in the moment. He drifted up behind Jayce to rest his chin on his shoulder, hand coming to rest on his core. Jayce was caught offguard but then relaxed a little with a shaky sigh, placing his hand over Viktor's. 

    “It's a good thing you're holding me. I don't think any force could pry my essence from your astral hands. Even if I was trapped by something, I could probably still revert in you or navigate with the consciousness shifting. My main concern at that point would just be weaponization as a power source, I don't know…” 

            “Ok, well, I'll keep you my dirty little secret, or whatever the kids these days say. They can't get through me.” 

Viktor smooched his cheek.

    “My brave defender~ And I will be your armor in turn, etcetera. Just an endless competition to be the one doing the protecting, no?”

            “Our recursive impulse,” he grinned. 

    “It really is. The circle of stupidity.” 

            “Oh, speaking of stupidity— if someone other than Vi breaks in and goes snooping around while we're gone, these could be a problem,” he gestured to the crates of deactivated gems. 

    “Right. Pity we can't sell them as plain jewelry…” 

…

            “Unless.”

    “We start a limited edition line of Hexjewelry?” 

            “Or we pass them off as active like you did in the dungeon.” 

    “... I should probably be concerned about where you're going with this, but I am not.”

            “Just hear me out, ok?”

    “The stand is yours, the microphone tinny with feedback.”

            “Thanks. Ok, so, our original plan to get investors on Progress Day— we do that again, but with fakes as the first, experimental “permanent” Hexgems after the embarrassment of the Hexgates failure. I'll say these are going to replace the old crystals to get the gates running again, and that they're portable as individual power sources for any machine that has runes. We do a demonstration like we did for Heimerdinger — maybe with a little more practice this time to account for new variables — and whammo! They get snatched up, we profit, no refunds, everyone eventually decides that magic is a dead end… Triple win, right?”

    “Yes, hoodwink the capitalists! More money for Zaun.”

            “I want to destroy our actual runic work in the Hexgates and gadgets, too, just to be safe. The latter should be simple enough at the forge, but I haven't figured out how to take down the Hexgates. It has to be a controlled demolition, for lack of better phrasing, and I need to get those poor people new jobs…”

    “I just realized that our gadgets won't be usable for even the hoodwinking without magic to power them. If I power the runes temporarily with my presence — like the Hextinguisher — perhaps… that would be safe?”

            “It should be, but we'll find a way to make sure. Maybe test runs with zaps to make sure the energy — you — can be relocated in some manner.”

Viktor nodded contemplatively. While Jayce busied himself with hauling crates to their closet, he slipped a hand into the empty Hexclaw glove. He was able to wear it, but it wasn't activatable until he channeled part of his essence into the gem holder. Jayce startled at the noise and whirled around. 

    “... So far, so good.”

Jayce groaned at his recklessness, but then an idea struck him.

            “Y'know… right before you came back fully, there were runes around you— the ones from the Hexcore and the ones you'd—” he stopped himself as he belatedly thought to be sensitive.

    “Carved onto myself?” he supplied in the silence that followed, quirking a brow. Jayce nodded, not meeting his gaze. Their tether betrayed his emotions, though, so Viktor soothed him through it and distracted him with a little poro doodle on the side of the anvil. He struggled to continue the conversation, feeling guilty and loathing being the cause of Jayce's distress. 

    “Did they appear to be active?”

            “I think so… That's when I first found out about our powers.” 

…

    “Perhaps they were being utilized?”

            “No idea. That was my guess at first, but I can't see how they'd translate into these things. It all seems to tie back into Inspiration, from what I understand.”

    “I can only imagine what would have happened with the Hexcore if I hadn't left that out.”

            “Huh… Maybe… this?” 

    “If the other runes are still present, Acceleration itself may be utilizing them, somehow.”

…

            “There's so much we don't understand about any of them or how the system works, even after all these years, and we have no idea how many others could exist…” 

    “I'd say we've made more progress now than ever before.” 

Jayce hummed in agreement, watching warily as Viktor lifted his now-ungloved hand and used the same gestures he did when he was wearing it. His brow furrowed in concentration, and then a thin line sparked from his finger. With exertion, he was able to replicate the laser weakly for several seconds. 

……

    “Runic muscle memory?” 

            “Like it left imprints of them on you,” he nodded. 

    “The question now is whether they're akin to tattoos or mere indentations that will fade.” 

            “I have way more questions, hah… For one, what if it was just a result of focusing on the idea and believing that was how it worked?” 

    “Maybe so,” he relented. 

            “Another question— if that's the case, do we even need runes anymore?”

    “I must confess, I am hesitant to experiment with new combinations.” 

            “That night when we broke in, I drew a blank after the first few and went off intuition. When I closed my eyes, I could see the mage's actions and tried to replicate what turned out to be the levitation part. It did work, just a little more expected… When I saw you during the memorial, I wasn't consciously using any combinations. I wouldn't even know how to without physical manifestations of them. I really don't know what happened either time, but the runes I saw around you were moving fluidly, like they were all just… orbiting. Maybe they're still there?” 

    “This is an enthralling revelation. Is there anything we've used these abilities for that doesn't have the Inspiration qualities we know of?” 

…

            “Fuuuck, uh… Hm… Vik, I don't even know where to begin dissecting them… but I'm partial to my “Inspiration doing everything” theory, one way or another. Like it's the catalyst, the framework, and the executor, powered by the gems’ energy circulating through me. I feel like we've long passed the runic patterns phase, though. Equations for actions versus direct actions in their stead, written by the subconscious and/or conscious mind and conveyed directly to the Arcane.”

…

    “Leave it to you to become far better than what I'd wanted the Hexcore to be,” he laughed in amazement, running a hand through his messy hair. 

            “... You think I'm— That I… took all the runes and made them mine? Like… a part of me, an enhancement.”

    “Just as you did with me, but I can't sense them… Without the Hexcore's corruption, they appear to be completely harmless. I'll need to observe you better on the other plane to search for them, but it could very well be possible that you are constructing new runes in real time, off of concepts that don't follow formulas and can't exist outside of you. There may not even be runes involved, considering that they seem to function as a language. At the risk of both teetering into more psychobabble and overstepping with presumptions, my hypothesis is that you are the sole commanding force when you use them. One could theorize that you got tired of being told to pass tomes, or, in this case, trying to please others at your own expense and seeing everyone suffer for it. You then happened to get magically enhanced and became a self-sustaining wild rune… I have no supporting evidence or paths for research, so make of that what you will.”

…

            “I dunno, the idea of everything following some type of formula sits better with me logically, but this is way more exciting.” 

    “I agree… Do you know how I started that fire yesterday?” 

            “... Believing that you could and focusing on doing it?” 

    “Yes! That was the entire process. No runes, no fancy gestures.” 

            “We have too much power,” he muttered, rubbing his brow. 

    “Or maybe just enough.”

            “You made fire with your mind alone. That's impressive but also terrifying.” 

    “Eh. It was a teensy one. And it was not a true fire that consumed oxygen or fuel. It was more like…”

            “An extension of you?”

    “Precisely. I would be very surprised if it was capable of burning your kitchen down without my conscious desire to, which I lack.”

            “That's good to know,” he snorted. “Thanks for clarifying.”

    “Of course. Now, my next question is: can you mimic the Hexclaw?”

            “I… don't think I should even try, considering you understand it better.”

    “Just one little laser zap?” 

            “You have the fine motor skills for it down pat. I don't want to accidentally create a new doorway.” 

    “Hrm… Oh, I just thought of something funny—”

He spawned his third arm and used it the same way. 

            “Gotta hand it to you, you put on a hell of a show,” he smirked.

    “Now your turn! Try and activate one of your machines.”

            “... Alright, that's not the worst idea.”

    “Try to float, too.” 

            “Let's see if we survive this first.”

    “You could try to make your machines float. Two in one.” 

            “I really hope that attention deficits don't impact it. Like, imagine if they came crashing down because of a single intrusive thought.” 

    “You've been doing fine with everything else thus far. Not even misophonia has affected mine.” 

Jayce hummed thoughtfully as he went to put on the gauntlet that wasn't broken. He managed to power it up and lift the anvil, but Viktor was distracted at first.

            “Look, Vik, I did it.”

    “Oh! So you have… Excellent work,” he beamed. Jayce practically wagged his tail.

    “There is one thing troubling me, in truth.”

            “What's wrong?” 

    “... We don't know if the shield will hold up against her weapon. They're presumably powered by the same stuff, and the impact… It was far too powerful. This is not some simple hammer bonk that we can test.” 

…

            “Good point… Does that mean you don't wanna try to zap me?” 

    “I don't think I can bring myself to on the subconscious level, but I also don't want to. I could feign it, sure, but there's no point if it won't activate the shield.”

            “... Worst case scenario, I teleport out of there while you try to deactivate the gem?” 

Viktor gave a delayed, begrudging bleat in response, brow wrinkling in disgruntlement. Jayce couldn't help snickering at the sound. 

Chapter Text

            “Fuckin’ hell, we need a second closet…” 

Viktor glanced over from where he was prodding at the broken gauntlet, turning it off and on. Jayce straightened and brushed his sweaty bangs out of his eyes with the back of a glove. He'd managed to stack less than half of the crates in the closet before he ran out of room. Now, he was glaring at the disassembled shelf and mountains of things he'd taken out to make room. Viktor joined him, folding his arms with a contemplative frown.    

    “Why did we make so many?”

            “Honestly, I don't even remember… I know we had surplus and got ahead of ourselves thinking it would work.”

    “Like making paper cranes,” he nodded. “The elation of success makes one reluctant to stop, lest they forget how they did it.”

            “I think we were also really sleep deprived at that point.”

    “That too… It was fun.”

            “Yeah, but now what?” 

    “We'll sell them at a premium,” he assured. “Seeing as they're inert, I don't think we'll find any other use for them, and those bastards will be none the wiser.”

            “In the meantime, we can't just leave them lying around; someone will notice…” 

    “The way I see it, we have several options. We could put neon biohazard warnings on them, build a fortress with them, arrange them under a tablecloth and hope no one notices, put them somewhere very high up that only ridiculously tall and floating people could reach…”

            “Ha ha.”

    “Well, what do you want to do with them?” 

            “Shove them up my ass and call it a day,” he muttered. 

…

    “I like that idea.” 

Jayce blinked slowly.

            “... Oh… I do too.”

    “You could… hold them while I paint them,” he murmured as he swirled around him, hand sliding over Jayce's lower belly. It tensed in anticipation.

            “I really like that idea.” 

    “It's only fair; you worked so hard on them all…”

            “God, Viktor, please fill me up,” he breathed, already unbuttoning his pants. 

    “Are we sure this is the ideal setting? For comfort, privacy, and logistics?”

            “I don't care. Need a distraction to unwind.”

    “So, you are planning to saunter down the street with a big belly and the most recognizable human face in this city? After all the effort you went to to conceal the cum one?” 

…

            “Maybe.”

…

    “Glowing in the dark?” 

            “I've done worse.” 

    “... You like the risk of being seen, despite your anxieties,” he remarked, surrounded by Jayce's horniness to the point that it was difficult to hear himself think. Jayce nodded sheepishly. 

            “I don't actually want anyone to know, but fuck, the idea is hot… I want you to make it jut out, make it shine like a fucking torch, make it wiggle, make it so obvious that I can't hide it; I don't care how. This deranged part of me just wants to show you off like that. Some random guild member noticing me full of you and having no idea what's going on, thinking they imagined it. Wondering if that really is how we stabilize the gems.”

    “I can work with that. You will be the handsomest rock tumbler~” he patted his stomach from behind. Jayce swallowed. 

            “I wanna be your— your incubator, even. Just use me however you want, put anything in me everywhere and possess it—” 

    “Fuck,” he groaned. 

            “And you can— You can use our equipment to study me in some elaborate roleplay, like it's an experiment, oh god, Vik—” he shuddered all at once, pressing their hands deep with a gasp. 

    “… Did you just—”

            “Just a little,” he laughed breathily. “Got excited.” 

    “Incredible,” he murmured in sincerity. 

            “And we could— I could even teleport them in and out of my secret pouch.”

    “... Are you referring to your…?” he gestured.

            “It would keep them from slipping out, hah…” 

    “Right. Well, in any case, they need to be cleaned first. You do not want to hazard a magical infection atop it all.” 

            “I'm on it,” he hopped up, casting his clothes aside, then locking and barricading the doors before practically running to haul a crate to the sink.

    “Your enthusiasm is contagious.” 

            “I keep picturing you as an alien,” he laughed. 

    “Eh, might as well… Three arms, optional legs, blue goo, freakish penis… Perhaps I can sprout antennas for your sake.” 

            “You're already perfect.”

…

    “Such a heartfelt statement from someone eager to be a glorified marble satchel.” 

            “With goo?” he added hopefully. 

    “All the goopy goo your hole desires.” 

            “Fuck yes.”

    “While rubbing your belly and commending you on a job well done.” 

            “Oh, god, I think I'm gonna come again.”

    “Lay down on the counter,” he instructed. “Use your big fancy coat and pants to make it more comfortable.”

He complied hurriedly, folding them up under his head and back.

            “More orders, please.”

    “Sure, um… I probably should've suggested bringing the crate over first, but this is all the more motivation for me to improve my abilities.”

            “Can you improve them in the next five minutes or less?” 

    “If I can't, you can do the honors,” he laughed, raising his hands. They glowed brighter and illuminated the crate. Within seconds, it began to levitate, and then it vanished all at once, leaving sparkles and water in its wake. Jayce made a noise of surprise and dismay, but then it reappeared on the counter. He exhaled in relief, reaching under himself to pull out his notebook and pencil. 

            “... Do we classify this as telekinesis or teleportation?”

    “I have no clue… Both?”

            “Yes sir,” he mock-saluted with a lopsided grin. 

    “Knees raised, legs spread.”

He obeyed eagerly, already dripping wet.

            “Good,” he murmured, tracing his inner thighs and then ghosting over his folds, blue reflecting off his slick. “Would you say you're sufficiently prepared for this half of the festivities?” 

Jayce nodded almost fast enough to give himself whiplash. Viktor smiled in fond bemusement, picking up a gem and alighting it before plopping it on Jayce's bellybutton. His breath hitched.

…

    “This is going in there,” he managed in a tone that only Jayce could find seductive, pushing it down and then releasing to watch it spring up. Jayce whined, hands seeking purchase on the counter. 

    “You've been very patient, so I won't make you wait.” 

He lubricated the gem with ectoplasm and then pressed it slowly, carefully through his entrance, studying his expression and emotions. They were both overwhelmed by the sensation and excitement, so Viktor leaned in to kiss him as he proceeded, pace faltering when he became too distracted by his other self. He was taken in hungrily at both ends, Jayce groaning and trying to grind against him. Viktor slid it deeper up his clenching walls as he licked into his mouth. Once it reached his cervix, Viktor pulled his head back enough to whisper, “Ready?” shakily against his lips, pushing it gently against the opening. Jayce nodded again, swallowing hard as his chest heaved. A faint current coursed through him from Viktor's fingertip as it was zapped inside, rolling to the pit of his belly with a delicious sensation. He moaned and clenched down on his hand, gripping his shoulders.

    “... Good?”

He nodded again, just panting for several moments as he got used to the sensation. He let go for a moment and grasped at his tummy with both hands to try to palpate it.

            “Ffffffuck… Nothing could've prepared me for this,” he half-laughed, half-keened as Viktor rubbed at his walls. “... Feels so good.”

    “Good,” he crooned, smooching the corner of his mouth. 

            “M’ ready for another,” he mumbled. “Like I was made for this…” 

Viktor fumbled to grab another, trying to maintain composure. 

    “You're taking me so well,” he praised, caressing him. “You can keep them inside of you as long as you want. I could turn off the glow when we're not home, and no one would suspect you're carrying a treasure buried so deep within you…” 

Jayce squirmed as Viktor simultaneously poked the little light below his navel and pushed another one up, absentmindedly trying to stifle a moan in case he was loud enough to be heard outside. 

    “I want to hear everything, Jayce.” 

            “Fuck—”

He zapped the second one in, and Jayce froze just long enough to hear them clink together. 

            “Fucccck.”

    “Fuck, fuck that's hot. Look at your little blue balls—”

            “I can't come and laugh at the same time,” he protested.

    “A shame,” he sighed, working his ridges. “Because I can plunder your booty and do this. Look… No, really, look at them.”

Jayce propped himself up with his forearms enough to behold the small swell properly. 

            “Oh, god,” he whimpered, feeling them out. The lights grew brighter, and Viktor made them move with a swirl of his finger above the space. They clinked several more times as Jayce further unraveled.

    “Now watch,” he instructed.

Their lights went off, making it hard to see exactly where they were until they started rolling around again, creating wiggling bulges under muscle. 

            “God… Viktor, you're— you're so… so deep…”

    “Close your eyes this time.” 

He focused on the sensations alone and felt the heat grow even more. 

            “It's you,” he gasped. “I can feel you, moving in there…” 

    “You’re my home,” he reminded him softly, “You will always be my favorite place in every way.”

Jayce leaned to pull him into another kiss, slow and sweet but panting. 

            “... Love you so much, so fucking much.”

    “I love you, too,” he murmured against his lips. Jayce held him closer, heart hammering against his ribs. Viktor closed his eyes to focus on the unfathomably soft, plush heat of the organ and how it hugged him, hand slipping down there to stroke. The pulse surrounding him was gentle, strong and fast at the moment but not jarring, and the space was much more stable than elsewhere. Its motions were slight and mostly rhythmic, like the impact of each breath rising and falling as rolling hills, except for when it would tighten in arousal or when Jayce would poke it.

            “... D'ya wanna add more?” he murmured coyly, thighs squeezing him in place. 

    “Soon,” he promised. “You need to loosen up first.” Jayce whined in protest but was distracted by him working the bundle of nerves under his ridges with both his fingers and rhythmic pumps of his third hand, applying an intoxicating amount of stimulation and pressure, sliding his forearm as deep as possible while continuing the movements. The hand above it pulled one of Jayce's back down atop the space to press them intertwined against it from both sides as he pumped his dick with the other, already slick with aphrodisiac like his internals. Jayce lasted approximately fifteen seconds before clenching down with a vicelike grip on both his arm and the gems, arching his back. Viktor worked him through it ferverously, helping him ride out another, then slowing to let him catch his breath, and building up to a third. To their surprise, Jayce squirted, hard, drenching Viktor up to his shoulder and neck. Jayce was too far gone to be mortified yet, managing an apology before Viktor coaxed out every spasm of the aftershocks. Jayce flopped flat, covered in sweat with locks damp, but still begged him not to pull out. 

            “Just… Just keep filling me, pretty please…” 

    “I can't very well fit two hands in there. That's too much, even for you.” 

            “Doesn't have to go in that way.”

…

Viktor picked up another, illuminating and then pondering the orb. 

    “So you're saying if I simply…” he closed his fist around it with a zap. As it was relocated, Jayce's hips jolted upwards with the lowest moan he'd ever managed. 

            “Fuck, yes, yesssss~”

Viktor smirked and continued, mindful of how full the organ was becoming. Their magic seemed to give Jayce elasticity, judging by the way it accommodated them comfortably and stretched his skin without strain.

    “How big do you want to get?” 

            “Want all of you.” 

    “And you have it already; that is not my question.” 

Jayce took a moment to allow some blood to return to his head, marveling at the sight and running both hands over it again.

            “... This isn't biologically possible.” 

    “I was thinking as much, but I didn't want you to get, eh, too carried away. You are not a beanbag.”

…

            “I could be.” 

    “Precisely why I didn't bring it to your attention.” 

            “... Four crates?”

    “Absolutely not.”

            “Ok, ok, fiiine… The rest of this crate. Take it or leave it.”

    “That's still enormous.” 

            “For science, Vik. Just fuck me up.”

…

    “It's not fair how hot you are,” he groaned. 

            “But I love the way you're filling me up, baby~ You feel so good inside of me, making my belly grow bigger and bigger~”

    “Augh,” he whined, manifesting his lower half to tend to his boner. “That's cheating!”

            “All's fair in love and hole,” he grinned.

    “You play dirty, puppydog,” he muttered, thumbing his pointy canines fondly. Jayce licked at them, goading him to hook them in his mouth for a long moment so he could suck on them and swirl his tongue around them with a half-lidded gaze, equal parts horngry and trying to will him to add another crate. Viktor refused to be deterred. He pressed down on Jayce's tongue before dragging them out and pressing them into his navel. Jayce's pulse throbbed around him as he played with it, sinking more aphrodisiac in. “You'd do anything for a bone.”

            “... Don't know what I… expected,” he panted, rutting as much as he could while impaled. 

    “I can make you so full that you won't even be able to do that.” 

            “Is that a promise?” 

    “We'll see. Now behave and stop trying to make popcorn.” 

He stilled his hips with effort, and the gems came to rest again, allowing Viktor to safely continue. In a fit of inspiration, Viktor managed to transform his third arm into a pair of winding tendrils that twisted around each other like a perpetual motion machine. Jayce all but shouted from the novel jolts of pleasure its movements caused, snug against his walls. Viktor placed the next gem at their opening, stretching it, and they gradually spun the gem inwards until it bumped against his cervix, after which Viktor zapped it in. He repeated the process until Jayce teetered on overstimulation, and then he switched back to the direct zapping, tendrils phasing through to massage around them.

After a while, he reached the last one and let him know. Jayce looked like he'd swallowed a basketball, but alertness struck him all the same.

            “Hang on, there's something I've always secretly wanted to do,” he announced, reaching for it and then placing it in his mouth, giving it the same attention as Viktor's fingers and the broth. 

    “... Oh. Sure, why not? All yours,” he managed, white-knuckled again from the experience. Jayce noticed his flurry of arousal and watched his reactions with a smirk, opening his mouth occasionally and pinning it to the roof or between his canines while he played with it, large tongue lapping and sucking at it like candy between nudges and then resuming cradling it. 

    “You are… far too skilled at that,” he whined, unable to look away as he jerked off in tandem with the motions. Jayce hummed proudly, then rolled it around a little longer before curling his tongue, locking eyes with the silent question. Viktor just kissed him, his own tongue pressing it further back as he cupped his throat with a clammy palm, squeezing the slightest bit. Jayce gasped through his nose, arms wrapping around Viktor's back to pull him closer. Suddenly, he swallowed wetly, Adam's apple bobbing slower than usual at the stretch. He immersed the gem in undulating peristalsis and made a satisfied groan, which vibrated both it and their tongues. Viktor bluescreened, and then his movements became haphazard and frantic when he broke the kiss to watch the gem. A bulge became visible as Jayce swallowed several more times, glow still permeating. Once it was low enough for him to speak, he exhaled with a pleasured “haaah…” that reverberated, tracing its path below his sternum despite the light doing the same, which he noticed belatedly when he glanced down. It grew fainter from the thicker barrier the lower it went, but then it brightened as it got closer to his skin again.

Viktor broke out of his trance and pounced, kissing his throat to belly and starting to rut between his thighs. Jayce could barely think through the lovedrunk haze that accompanied his praises and rubs, but then realization sobered him. 

            “Wait, wait, you forgot the goop,” he rushed, straining in a failed attempt to reach for Viktor's cock. “I need you to come in me.” 

    “... Is there even room for it?”

            “I'll make room,” he nodded with a determined glint, wiping drool from the side of his mouth and spreading his legs wider. Viktor's tendrils were replaced with his dick, just in time for the gem to be pushed through the sphincter. It went much heavier and louder than the broth, plopping in with a “bloop” that Jayce could feel splash the water he'd chugged earlier against his walls, and then sinking to the pit of his belly, small weight rolling around when jostled. Jayce moaned outright and then noticed that Viktor was worrying his lower lip. They locked eyes, and without warning, Viktor's form split into two, the new one immediately clinging to him, hugging above his potbelly and burying his face in his chest. The original started fucking him, alternating between fast, shallow thrusts and slow, deep ones, both mindful of his fullness and hypervigilant about any potential discomfort. 

    “I love you, I love you…”

Jayce couldn't tell which form was talking. It sounded like his voice had receded to his mind again.

            “I- I love you, Viktor, hah… All of you.”

Viktor's second form held on tighter, pressing the side of his head above Jayce's heart just to hear its unwavering beat hammer against him, strong enough to jostle him slightly. 

    “Nothing will ever hurt you again,” a third one suddenly murmured against his ear, wrapping around him from behind to caress his belly soothingly, phasing past Second Viktor as if neither were aware of the other or able to interact. Jayce was equal parts surprised, confused, and horny, but affection overshadowed the rest. He maneuvered to hold the newest form with a hand, his other arm cradling the second. 

Just when he was starting to get used to it, a fourth floated in front of his face to cup his cheeks and kiss him sweetly, and the original came with a cry of his name, flooding him with bright blue aphrodisiac. The tendrils multiplied to phase throughout his torso, and the gems started vibrating.

Jayce peaked so hard that he passed out. 

When he came to, his head was back on his folded up coat, and there was only one external Viktor, whose panic abated after Jayce started laughing softly, sounding tired and high.

            “What the fuck was that?”

    “Sorry?”

            “You don't have to apologize; m'just surprised,” he chuckled, eyes bleary. 

…

    “Are you alright?” 

            “Yeah, I'm… I feel like I ascended to godhood… How'd you do that?”

    “... Do what?”

            “The—” he gestured in a lazy sweep of where his duplicates had been. Viktor just blinked. “... Clones?”

…

    “Oh, that… Erm. I diverge and converge at the slightest cause in the other realm… Dissociation has its perks, no?” 

… 

            “It's getting hard to discourage,” he muttered. Viktor cracked a crooked grin.

    “... Would I be correct to assume that you don't want to sell all of these?” 

Jayce nodded with a happy sigh of defeat. He drifted off for several more minutes before postnut clarity granted him a revelation. 

            “Oh! Oh my god, we could've just… just zapped them to the abyss like I keep doing with weapons…”

Viktor gaped, then silently stood to do so with the other crates. Once they were gone, he started putting the closet back together by zapping the shelf into place, followed by each item. 

            “Wait, I'm not done with you yet.” 

Viktor raised a brow.

    “How so? Did I miss a spot?”

            “Come back here and cuddle some more~” 

    “Oh, I intend to. But we need to go home first; it's late, and you are on a glorified slab.” 

…

            “I'd rather sleep here than walk right now, honestly.” 

    “You don't have to do either.” 

Jayce blinked, not awake enough to comprehend. Viktor finished the closet and then held out his hand with a wry smile. Jayce took it, and they were transported to his bed. 

            “... Somehow, that also evaded me,” he laughed, which tapered into a yawn and unintentional sound as he got comfortable, stretching out and plopping his hands back on his belly, playing with it like it was his newest stim invention. Viktor successfully grabbed a towel and ran it under the faucet to clean him up. He squirmed a little, ticklish, then settled, looking up at him with a dreamy grin and soft expression when he was dried off. Viktor watched it all in unadulterated fondness between focusing on what he was doing, then promptly curled up beside him afterwards and caressed the side of his face. Jayce leaned over as far as he could to kiss him, which Viktor was happy to assist. Jayce sighed in contentment once they parted, drumming his fingers on his belly. 

            “... I feel like a whale.”

    “I don't see it, but you're entitled to your feelings. If you're a whale, then you're a very attractive one.”

Jayce snorted. 

    “I cannot emphasize enough that you could crush me and I would thank you.”

Jayce was caught offguard for a moment but then smirked, finding the energy to leverage himself enough to roll onto his side and grasp Viktor's forearms. Viktor's pupils widened in anticipation. 

    “Are you sure this is safe? For you.”

            “Pretty sure… Worst case scenario, I start shooting gems through the wall.”

Viktor rolled his eyes but slid under him anyway and helped him to lay on his tummy, the bulges conveniently pressed against Viktor's crotch. Jayce made to avoid putting all of his weight on Viktor, but Viktor stopped him. 

    “You've already squashed me twice in your sleep, remember? I am unbreakable.” 

Jayce whimpered at the second sentence, again incomprehensibly turned on by the idea of Viktor being immune to harm. He braced his arms at Viktor's sides and grinded down on him in slow, circular motions, amused by the clacking. Viktor unraveled within seconds and rutted against him as best he could while being pinned. 

    “You're holding back,” he protested. “Please, I can handle it.”

            “Oh, god…” he whispered as he let himself fully down. Viktor shivered in delight, shoulders, torso, and lower half completely immobilized under his solid, warm plushness. Jayce's remnant of anxiety abated at Viktor's bliss. Despite his gut, the pressure felt good, and he was able to drape himself comfortably with total skin contact everywhere they met, arms spreading to encompass Viktor's and intertwine their fingers. His chest heaved against him from exhilaration for several moments. 

    “I can't tell if I'll come or fall asleep first; this is divine…” 

            “God, you're so cute… So tiny, fuck…” 

    “Normally I would object to the former – and the latter, by typical height standards — but you saying it is really hot.” 

…

            “My cute little forbidden snack~” 

    “Fuck… I can't believe I'm this into vore,” he muttered to himself in dismay. 

            “... What's vo—”

    “Not now, for both of our sakes…”

            “Wait, that's the furry thing, right?” 

… 

    “Ok, I guess we're doing this… Who told you?” 

            “You're not the only curious freak,” he murmured low, lips upturned against the crook of his neck. The vibrations were fullbody on both sides this time. “You saw my notes— I traveled off the beaten path a lot to research and find the right materials for Hextech.  Let's just say I'm open to new experiences.”

    “I don't think this entirely qualifies as new.”

            “I would eat you on sight, with zero justifications. If you wanted me to.”

    “Aren't we already past that point?” 

            “... Maybe. But my sentiment remains… Omnomnom. So tasty~” he crooned as he mouthed the shell of his ear, tongue flicking along it. Viktor couldn't help giggling and trying to flail away in vain. 

    “You are alarmingly effective at seduction,” he wheezed. “Especially considering that I am currently simultaneously a rock in your stomach.” 

            “Told you I want all of you. And you do taste good. You're making me hungry~”

    “Jayce.”

            “Mm?”

    “You are deliriously tired and at risk of a repetitive orgasm-induced coma or something. I am very happy with our current situation and would like to stay like this. It can wait.” 

…

            “Ugh… Fine,” he sighed. “... But roll around in there some more.”

    “Only if you don't get worked up again anytime soon. Seriously, I don't want you to fucking die.” 

…

            “Can I still tease you?”

He pushed his belly against his crotch for emphasis.

    “... Carefully,” he relented, gripping his hands harder in turn. 

            “Yes sir, my tiny yummy soup ball baby.”

Viktor died a little more. 

Chapter Text

          “D'ya think I should try to manifest outside of their door and just knock on it? Manners go a long way for diplomacy.”

   “You're joking, right? … I am sorry to inform you that no rational Zaunite would open their door to a stranger, and this is no ordinary building… Also, you'd make quite the stir if anyone saw you. Not only would it draw the attention of passersby, but it would alert Jinx prematurely, and she could sneak out.” 

          “I just feel… rude, intruding like this. I don't want to make a bad first impression; she might not know about the factory.” 

   “Better make it count, then. Where we're going, we won't need manners; I urge you to scowl as much as possible.” 

Jayce was uneasy, but Viktor didn't push. After another moment of distracting himself with going through the wardrobe, Jayce turned back to him.

          “What do you think I should wear?”

   “You are asking the wrong person.”

          “But you know Zaunite fashion.”

   “No, I do not— I'm unsure if there even is such a thing. I wore scraps of garbage, Jayce.” 

…

          “Would the coat look too flashy, or would it show I mean business?” 

   “Hm… It might be a bit excessive.” 

          “Ok. I mean, I can always take it off once I'm there… I should probably shave, at least.” 

   “No! … That's not necessary for anything and won't help your case.”

          “... You really like it, huh?” 

Viktor nodded after a moment, embarrassed. Jayce chuckled and smooched him, making sure to brush it against his jawline. Viktor abandoned restraint to nuzzle back. 

…

   “Brush your teeth already, stinky.”

Jayce pretended to be miffed. 

          “Yeah, yeah… I still need to shower, too… You gonna let go so I can get started on that?” 

   “Hm… No~ You will have to work around me.” 

          “Great,” he sighed. 

          “You should try the tres leches! It's basically sweetmilk in cake form. Three kinds.”

   “Very tempting… but it would be a waste, no?”

          “Of course not!”

   “It would either fall from my mouth or just end up slobbered on.”

          “I'll eat whatever you lick.”

…

   “Kinky.”

          “Takes one to know one,” he purred. 

   “... Tell you what, I will if we succeed.” 

Jayce pouted. 

          “It probably won't even be good anymore by then!”

   “Just how long are you expecting these proceedings to take?” 

          “I don't know, Vik— hours, days, weeks? Doesn't matter; tres leches gets soggy fast and is super perishable. The idea is to teleport it from the icebox when the time comes, but that'll change the quality. Fresh is best.”

   “Hm… Alright, we can share a slice for breakfast dessert, if you'd like.” 

He brighted, but then his brow furrowed.

          “Wait. Wouldn't it be bad to eat before them? They'll notice.”

…

   “Not only are you still concerned with etiquette, but you now want to postpone enjoying your fragile homemade cake until the terrorist sees it? Do you really think she will be amenable to this approach? If I killed someone and then their lover, who I'd robbed twice, showed up to offer me food, I would assume it's poisoned.”

          “... So, eating some now will make it look safer.” 

   “That makes sense. On the topic, though, please don't worry if your gift is rejected. Standard safety protocol.” 

Jayce relented with a noncommittal shrug and retrieved it to present a piece with pride. Viktor wasted no time tonguing it with diligent ferverence and squelches between the occasional compliment. 

          “... I get it now.”

Viktor glanced up questioningly. Some of the white filling stuck to his lips. 

          “God, Vik, this is obscene. Please don't eat out my cake in front of them.”

   “Suit yourself,” he hummed. “Should I also refrain from partaking in your pussy?” 

          “In public,” he groaned.

   “... It would be hilarious if I did phase my tongue through your pants sometime, invisible to everyone.”

…

          “Are you trying to kill me?”

   “Quite the opposite,” he smirked, resuming thrusting the muscle through the layers with new purpose and “accidentally” nudging his nose into it. Jayce whimpered a little at his pleased noise when he licked a broad stripe across the outside and practically washed the top. After several minutes of this torture, he pulled back and admired his work. The cake was virtually undisturbed but now coated with cyan sparkles. 

   “All yours,” he lilted, wiping his face with the back of his hand and then licking it clean. 

          “... I need to change briefs already,” he muttered.

   “Better not bother packing a travel case. Just come back here for any daily necessities so no one finds embarrassing things if they rifle through your luggage. You also don't want to appear as if you've been displaced and are seeking shelter.” 

Jayce agreed as he chowed down. 

Viktor mournfully tied his corset for him upon request and then took the time to admire Jayce's sock garters, snaking a finger under an elastic strap before Jayce could hide them with his pants and gaiters. Jayce opted to leave the necklace at home for safekeeping but didn't bother trying to cover his core. Only when he was finished getting dressed did Viktor force himself to finally address the clapping monkey bomb not in the room. 

   “Jayce…” 

He glanced at Viktor from where he was meticulously brushing his hair in the mirror, concern evident on his face from the tone of Viktor's voice. Viktor steeled himself and forged ahead.

   “I don't know how much you saw from Cait and Vi's memories, but Jinx was extremely volatile. She's quite literally a trigger-happy loose cannon who seems to get a sick thrill from nonfamilial murders and exhibits indications of sadism. The nonsexual kind.” 

          “... I saw, more or less. But I don't think an authoritative approach would work, and she won't respond well to threats.” 

   “Is this not too much softness to afford a ruthless killer, though?” 

          “We'll find out,” he sighed.

   “And Sevika, she nearly killed Vi twice, without hesitation. At least Jinx has one principle.”

…

          “I feel like I need to play nice first. If it goes to shit… we'll just improvise again?”

   “... I was afraid you'd say as much,” he muttered, floating upwards to curl into him and cling, the tails of his vest now elongated, wispy tendrils utilized for maximum hugging like coils. “You know these may be entirely uncharted waters, especially with the Hexgem.”

Jayce wrapped his arms around him in a snug embrace, lips pressing to Viktor's ethereal hair. 

          “It'll be ok, one way or another. Even if it's not.” 

   “You keep saying that,” he groaned, muffled by tits. Jayce couldn't help smirking. 

          “Hey, I've been right so far.”

   “What is your plan's framework, specifically? Try to charm them with your radiant smile and sell the idea of teamwork as you establish a legendary rapport with the deadliest individuals in all of Piltover and Zaun combined?” 

…… 

   “Oh, no… Please tell me you have any ideas better than that… Any additional ideas at all, any backup plan.”

          “Do you?” 

   “What, am I the plan man now? Of course not; if I did, I would have said so already.” 

…

          “Hello? … Hi, uh, is anyone here?” 

He searched and found nothing, so he decided to wait instead of venturing into other rooms. He went to park his ass in the plush rolling chair and felt the barrel of a gun against his head. 

   “Jayce!”

                  “Don't get comfy. Hands up and start talking.”

He complied. Viktor tried in vain to disarm her.

   “The weapon isn't responding to me! We can't win them all; please, you must leave—”

          “Sorry for the intrusion, um, I'm unarmed. My name is Jayce Talis—”

                  “The nerd?” 

He nodded, accidentally grazing the barrel.

                  “Ah, now I see it. You really love using that dumb symbol,” she snorted, clunking his shoulder with the nozzle for emphasis before putting it back on his head. “Son of a gun, how'd a posh weenie like you break in? Better yet, how'd you even find this place?”

          “I didn't. To both of those. I used magic that dropped me off here.” 

She scoffed. 

                  “Ya like your brains where they are? You caught me in a good mood, so I'll give you one more chance to keep them there.” 

          “I know it sounds crazy. You- You're Vander's daughter, right? I'm not sure which name to use…” 

The gun trembled, but then she steadied her hand by pressing firmer. 

                  “... What makes you think that?”

   “Whatever you do, don't bring up Vi or Cait. I suspect it is a sore subject.”

          “Magic. I swear.” 

                  “You don't want to play games with me, fruitcake.” 

          “He adopted you, my apartment blew up, and then everything went to shit. I'm really sorry.” 

……

                  “He adopted a lot of kids. Who are you looking for? … C'mon, spit it out.”

          “... Jinx?” he hazarded.

                  “Ohhh, gee, Jinx? She's super dead; buried her myself. Yep, no Jinx here!”

…

          “I don't understand. I thought—” 

                  “Nope, you got the wrong person. Tough luck, Piltie.”

Viktor huffed in bemusement, still struggling not to panic as he searched for any way to stop her. He was unable to even teleport the gun, let alone neutralize the gem. His hands just kept phasing past it inbetween the occasional contact that gave him no leverage, unaffected by him to the point that he was flung around a couple times when she moved it, as if both weightless and throwable.

…

          “Ok… I'm also looking for—”

                  “Hang on, I need to make you completely helpless.”

          “Sure.” 

…

                  “See, I wanna just tie you to a chair, but it brings back bad memories. There's plenty of other options, but you should get a fun one. Hmm…” 

She rummaged in the drawers of the desk, gun to his back now. 

                  “... You're not one of those freaks into ropes, right?” 

   “We both might be. This would be a less than opportune moment to find out.”

          “Uh. I don't know, actually.” 

                  “Better not, then... Hope you like duct tape,” she chirped as she slammed a drawer. 

          “That's fine.” 

She led him to the wall and yanked his jacket off, plopping it on the ground without looking back. 

                  “How the hell did you not get jumped by the first person who saw you? Didja throw cogs at everyone to distract them?” 

          “I'm telling you, I teleported here.” 

…

                  “Alrighty then… Turn around, but keep your hands up.” 

He complied slowly and carefully, met with the nozzle playfully on his nose. His eyes widened as hers pinned him from below, electric pink and thronged by blue veins, face impassive. After an extended staredown where he fought not to blink or look away, she tilted her head in thought as she scrutinized him. An ounce of tension seeped from his shoulders.

                  “Man, it all makes sense now. You're one of those babygirl types.” 

          “... What?” 

                  “A pathetic wet cat… Plinkoed scrunkly? … Ugh, c'mon, do you need even more synonyms? I'll keep going.”

          “That's ok. But the light coming from my chest is magic!” 

                  “Whoop-dee-do, blue tits. Unless you have an endless hanky rope in there, you better not pull any tricks.” 

She leaned on her tiptoes and tried to tape his neck first, but a smaller version of the forcefield blocked it, a formfitting, partial flash right above his skin that reappeared when she tried again. Viktor sighed in relief.

… 

          “I can't control that.” 

                  “Of course he can't,” she muttered, gun back at his head. 

          “I could just lay on the floor or something.” 

                  “... You really are special, aren't you? I guess I'll let you do that.” 

She watched with amusement as he did so, gun still aimed at him. Once he was flat, she managed to tape his arms to the floor, then his legs. She added a bunch more, haphazard and excessive but only successful when it was over clothing. He just laid there, unsure how to react when she beamed, then kicked back in Silco's chair, boots crossed on the desk. Viktor surreptitiously scooched his jacket under his head to cushion it, which she side-eyed as she spun her pistol a couple times and pretended she was going to shoot, making her own sound effects.

                  “So, what's your angle?”

          “I just want to fix everything for everyone. I brought a treaty from the council… and cake.” 

                  “Hah! Hard pass on your dumpy.”

          “... Sorry, what?”

                  “So, you made a cake filled with rainbows and smiles for everyone to eat and be happy?” 

…

          “It's good cake,” he argued. “Food helps peace.”

                  “Right.”

          “It's not poisoned.”

…

                  “That's exactly what someone with poisoned food would say… and I don't even wanna know where you're hiding it.” 

          “I'll teleport it here if you want! I'm just keeping it fresh in my icebox until then.”

She didn't respond, just making a slow, deep exhale that tapered into raspberries. 

                  “You have a side gig as a clown these days? Did Vi hire you?” 

          “No one hired me!”

                  “You answered too quickly.”

…

          “I went on my own, but she asked me not to kill you... I wasn't going to anyway.”

…

                  “Again, wrong person. My name is—” she paused for dramatic effect. “Gun!” 

…… 

                  “No, really— it's short for Gunpowder. I was a very creative four-year-old.”

   “She's telling the truth,” he blinked in surprise, eyes white from checking Vi's memory of that day. 

          “I guess I should be glad my mom named me both times.” 

She snorted.

                  “Based on what you call your inventions? Definitely.”

   “It would have probably been something fancy, from mythology,” he mused aloud. “I, on the other hand, just dropped the last two letters of mine and called it a day.” 

          “... I hope you know I know who you are; I'm not that oblivious.”

                  “I know you more! You trim your nosehairs and psychoanalyze your wet dreams about The Xenomorph.”

Viktor raised a brow at him. He studied the ceiling. 

          “That was one time— Wait, how did you…?”

                  “~Magic~.”

…

          “Look, I swear, I'm not here to hurt anyone, but I do need your help to make this right.”

……. 

                  “I don't need this shit today,” she muttered. “What am I supposed to do with a himbo?” she implored towards a blank space, gesturing at him with her pistol. 

          “I'm a scientist,” he blurted out indignantly, having learned the word from Vi. She ignored him.

   “She has a very diverse vocabulary of insults.”

                  “No, of course we aren't,” she huffed in the same direction. “Just fuck off…”

She turned back to them. 

                  “So, you're chummy with Vi.” 

          “Um—” 

                  “I can see why… Is she going around collecting a posse of Topsiders? What'd she say about me? She still snoggin’ it up with the cop?” 

          “... I don't remember what she said exactly, but Cait isn't an Enforcer anymore; she realized the system's bad, so she's not playing into it.” 

…

                  “You're shitting me.”

          “I'm not!”

…

                  “That doesn't even… Great… If you're right, that makes me the asshole. Ugh…”

          “One of my terms is that you never pull anything on Cait or Piltover again. You almost killed her on Progress Day, and then you abducted her and killed her mom…”

…

                  “Is it such a crime to kill Enforcers?”

          “Legally, yes.”

                  “Boring… So, what, was her mom an Enforcer, too? I only killed, like, two dozen! The odds can't be that high, but it would make for an interesting motivation to hunt me down. Cop family, rifle in the cradle instead of a rattle…”

          “She was a councilor, and she voted for Zaun's independence… We all did that night.” 

……

                  “No… That's not…… I didn't know,” she mumbled. “... But he— Shut UP!!! Let me think!” she directed to the empty space again. 

Jayce flinched. 

                  “... Ok. Ok! It's fine! I mean, I've must've killed tons of parents already, right?! I'm a professional at it!” she cackled, voice strained and pitched up. “What's one more? Sure, Vi will never forgive me; I'm surprised she didn't hunt me down herself, unless she hates me that much, can't stand to see my face, has you finish the job—” 

          “Jinx— Sorry, Gun. I promise I'm not here to hurt you.”

… 

                  “You'd be doing me a favor if you finished me off,” she half-joked.

          “Well, I'm obviously not going to. We don't want you arrested, either… She's upset, but she knows you weren't well.”

                  “I never am!” 

          “We just can't let anyone else die.” 

…

                  “That's all I'm good at. Even when I don't want to be. It's my entire resumé.” 

          “You're a genius with the potential for anything.”

                  “I'm bad luck.” 

          “Just… Just stop making superweapons,” he pleaded. “And stop using them.”

…

                  “You don't have a clue how things work around here—” She held up a hand as he started to object. “Drop it before I tweak out.” 

He relented. For several minutes, she just fidgeted with the pistol in agitation and hummed an eerie tune quietly until she calmed down. 

……

                  “So… You're Mister T and the Golden Guy and a councilor?”

He nodded against his jacket. 

                  “You're just full of surprises, huh, Wonder Boy?” she quipped, tiredness seeping through. He nodded again, unsure what to say.

                  “Good to finally put a marketable face to the name… You sure like plastering it everywhere.”

          “It wasn't my choice; they went ahead with promotional material.” 

                  “I meant the T's. It's kinda ridiculous how much you use it, like stamping every single paper?” 

   “Even she agrees,” he lilted.

          “Alright, alright!” he grumbled, avoiding eye contact with either of them. 

                  “Anyway, you and me? We go waaay back.”

          “I know; you robbed me twice.”

                  “Technically three times,” she beamed. “It's like I was born to rob you and kill everyone who gets too close,” she laughed. “I was wondering how many more rocks I could steal from your collection before you'd send the fuzz back down.” 

   “Slang for Enforcers,” he offered.

          “That- That wasn't my decision either. They put me on trial just for having the crystals. And I'm trying to keep them out this time; that's one of the reasons I'm here… I do need to figure these things out so they won't storm Zaun. If you promise not to… interact with Topside again, maybe we can fake your death or something.” 

……

                  “You'd seriously let me off the hook with a promise? What are you, ten?”

          “I… I don't know yet. I saw what you were like before all of this happened—”

                  “They're both dead. No Powder, no Jinx. All that's left is Shooty McShoot.” 

          “... Maybe you could start over somewhere else.”

                  “Hm… I already dug my grave here, so I shouldn't waste it—” She waved a hand dismissively before he could argue. “Let's put a pin in that, too, since you're obsessed with my personal biz,” she yawned.

…

          “Ok.”

   “You're off to a great start, Jayce,” he assured him over his own panic, form now doubled and wheezing from exertion as he continued to attack the pistol and started trying to create his own shield for Jayce. “She hasn't even tried to kill you.” 

Chapter Text

                “... So.”

         “Hm?” 

She looked over him playfully, barrel aimed between his eyes. 

                “You scared~?”

         “Yeah.” 

                “Hah, you sound like you gave up before you even got here… Sooo. So so so… So, what, is this some excuse for me to finish you off because you didn't have the guts to do it yourself?” 

         “I want to help you.”

                “You need help,” she cackled. 

         “Please, just give me a chance.” 

                “Oh, I'll give you a fat chance,” she grinned. “And I'll give you a tip, too, juuusst this once: you should act more afraid before I get bored.”

He shut his eyes, tired of her unnerving, piercing gaze.

         “I can help,” he pleaded. She froze up, expression unreadable, before she closed her own eyes tightly and dragged out a “shut up,” not directed at him. 

……

                “Y'know, funny you should say that. Someone else did, too, and then I killed her.” 

         “... I don't have a great track record with the results of good intentions, but this time's different,” he hazarded with an unsteady voice.

…

She pulled back, giggling in spurts while she spun the chair back and forth until she did two full spins and then shot right above his head without warning before the chair could even stop moving. He tensed, heart leaping, but otherwise stayed neutral in the hopes that she wouldn't repeat it. Viktor, on the other hand, yelped, trembling and starting to sweat.

   “This was a mistake! You must go, now. We can find another approach once you're safe. Jayce, please; I am begging—”

                “You're so silly~ Silly, silly Piltie, thinks he can fix me, thinks he has me figured out,” she sang over Viktor. “Sweetcakes, you're delulu. I can say that because I am. You're out to fucking lunch. I don't give a shit about your tit lamp. You're not my savior, and you know waaay too much about me for someone who doesn't know a goddamn thing. You don't wanna set me off. So dial down the manic pixie whimsy and confidence. I'm not buying any.” 

……

         “... Until I got these powers, I only made things worse and kept accomplishing the opposite of what I wanted. A lot of people died because of me.” 

…

                “Maybe I should put you out of your misery,” she pondered aloud. “Might be good for my personal growth.” 

         “No, it got better,” he interjected. She rolled her eyes and puffed air at her bangs loudly before he could continue. 

                “Go preach to the junkies in the fissures— they're desperate enough to eat this up. Give ‘em false hope, and, if you're really convincing, they might even start a cult around you— they do that sometimes.”

…

         “But my magic—” he glanced down for emphasis.

                “Stop making me think about your gihungous honkers! I. Don't. Care.”

……

         “... I could prove it's real.”

                “Hey, now that's an idea!” she beamed. “I'll give you the stage to make some magic happen. Put on a show! Wow me! Grow wings, show me my card! Give us a miracle, Mister Magic.” 

   “That sounds like a stripper name,” he snorted, desperate for the distraction.

         “... Alright. I'm—”

                “No, don't; that was sarcasm,” she interrupted flatly, rolling closer and leaning down all at once to boop his nose with her cocked pistol in warning. “I already know magic's real, dipshit. I'm fine not finding out just how fucked up you are.”

……

         “My cake would make our situation better.” 

                “And he's back on his fucking cake again,” she threw her hands up in annoyance, rolling herself back to the opposite side of the room with a push of her boot against his ridiculously solid pecs. He squeaked. “Man, you need new tricks.”

         “I'm not—”

                “Oh, I know you're disgustingly genuine. It's just getting old.” 

         “... What do you want?” he pleaded.

…

                “What kind of question is that? I want you to stop being my problem,” she snorted. “And give me all your money, obviously, but you showed up empty-handed on that front.”

         “I can pay you to leave Piltover alone. Name your price.” 

…

   “Perhaps Vi was right to pickpocket us.”

                “Oh dear Janna, you're ass at negotiations. Like, I almost feel sorry for you? How did you survive this long???”

         “I… I negotiated with Silco, and it was sort of successful,” he argued.

   “Don't tell her you inadvertently spurred his death.”

                “Wait… Of course it was you. Everything ties back to you, huh? … Relax; I'm not gonna bite your head off. Sheesh… When I told you to be more afraid, I didn't mean for you to shit bricks. That's boring, too — unless you start wibbling and groveling — so go back to being goofy.”

         “I'm sorry. If I had known— I can't say I would've made better decisions, but… I would've tried.”

                “You and me both, bucko,” she smiled sadly, sincerity flickering across her face. “You try too hard, and it all blows up, huh? Seems to come with the profession.” 

         “... Yeah,” he sighed. “I guess so.” 

                “It really is pathetic. I mean, seriously, you fuck up a lot.”

…

         “I… You're right. But how do you know?” 

                “Tssh. Simple; I have eyes… aaand those eyes read your super embarrassing diary.”

   “Ah. I forgot she stole it.”

         “Oh, um, do you still have my journal?” 

                “Maaaybe? I have the aforementioned dorky dweeb diary, if that's what you call it.”

         “It's not— Can I please have it back? There's some sentimental things in there.”

                “Uh huh. I slogged through alllll of that,” she fake-gagged. 

   “I skimmed it that night,” he admitted. 

                “The first time, I was just looking for something useful, but then I got bored and read the rest while I was on the crapper or trying to fall asleep… Ooh, let's have a storytime! Wait right here; I'll get it. Don't you move an inch!”

She sprung up and disappeared unceremoniously. Viktor waited to try teleporting a pen off the desk, and it worked.

   “It doesn't make sense…”

         “... I think this is going well.”

   “Reconsider, then— I can't allow you to be a martyr. What if I tail her and initiate a bond alone? I don't wish to breach anyone's mind like that, but I- I could save countless lives by doing so just this once.”

         “V, wouldn't she have killed me already if she wanted to? You were encouraging me before!”

   “Yes, well, remember that I am a fucking idiot. It's bad enough watching her drag out the mindgames like a cat playing with a mouse.” 

         “You're not stupid,” he frowned. 

   “Of course that's what you address,” he huffed in exasperation. “Jayce, your life is in grave danger! The last time she took hostages, a third of them died. Do you really want to throw it all away in favor of getting her to, what, like you?! She shot someone she liked! Many times! I saw everything, Jayce—” 

         “She did it to protect Vi,” he mumbled. “I'm sorry; this must be torture for you, but—”

   “You're the one being tortured, for Janna's sake…” he groaned. Jayce worried his lower lip over Viktor's concern and preoccupied himself with looking at the various neon paintings on the walls and furniture. Some had smiling figures, and there were newer ones closer to the floor in a different style.

         “Look, I just… I have a good feeling about this. I can't explain, but I think we're going about it the right way.” 

…

   “Or you've become overzealous and shortsighted, like I was,” he retorted quietly. “I have no basis for such insults, but Jayce, you must know that if I lose you, my mind will go too.”

         “But you're- you're part of me.” 

   “... Oh. Right.”

         “Which means I'm endangering you,” he swallowed in realization. “Fuck, Viktor, I'm so sorry—”

   “Jayce, I am fine with dying again. But you deserve to have a- a happy ending that isn't premature. There is still so much that I wish for you to enjoy. You don't have to be a hero.”

         “I'm not,” he muttered. “God, I'm the furthest from one. And you deserve a long, happy life— existence, dammit—”

   “I would like to propose a moratorium,” he sighed, brows knit and pinched habitually. “Otherwise, we will be refuting these claims for each other's sake until you actually die, and nothing will be accomplished.”  

…

Jayce couldn't help smirking, and Viktor's expression softened. 

   “Seriously, though, it's never going to end.”

         “Our recursive impulse at its finest.” 

   “I am rerailing this conversation before it goes further astray. Jayce, please teleport yourself if you think she's going to pull the trigger on you.” 

         “... Ok,” he relented sheepishly. “Sorry again for all of this.”

   “You didn't tape yourself to the ground and start waving a gun in your own face,” he lilted. “But if we survive, let's not make a habit of putting your neck on the line,” he added more seriously. Jayce nodded.

         “Our neck.”  

   “No, I am fairly certain they remain separate. Mine is smaller— more akin to a chicken than a bull.” 

Jayce snorted and shook his head.

   “... May I snuggle up with you while we wait, just in case you fucking leave me here?” 

         “Of course… Uh, I really, really want to hold you back, but I'm afraid I'll lose any chance of her trusting me if I zap my arms free.” 

   “By all means, earn the unpredictable serial killer's trust.”

Viktor phased his own arms through the tape and floorboards to attach himself properly and stayed like that, head high enough for Jayce to nuzzle with his jaw.

After an extended period of time, she popped back in all at once, toting snacks and already reading. She cleared her throat theatrically before beginning to narrate as Viktor sprung up and launched himself at the pistol again with a battle cry. Jayce tried not to react. 

                “Dear diary—” 

         “I've never used that!” he protested indignantly, forgetting himself in the moment and then bracing himself. 

                “— My partner, Viktor, started wearing a red scarf. I'm not sure if there's any deeper meaning, but it looks like it matches my shade. I felt weird about asking, so I didn't. I just said he looks nice the first time I saw it, and he gave me that inscrutable smile again. Maybe he wants us to match so we'll be taken seriously? Whatever the reason, it's a good color on him… Ahehem. Gaaaaaaaaaay.”

   “I am going to pretend I heard nothing.”

                “You still in that one-sided homoerotic rivalry with Dmitri Whoever-the-fuck? Because someone should tell you to lighten up.”

         “I was twenty-four.”

                “Dude, I'm nineteen. Nice try.”

   “It was a bit excessive. I mean, drawing him?”

         “I drew you too,” he argued, forgetting himself. Viktor was surprised by the revelation. She blinked. 

         “... Sorry; I wasn't talking to you.”

                “Oh, sick, same hat? That's rough… So, who'd ya kill?”

…

         “A bunch of people in a factory, and even more, indirectly.”

                “Crowded room, huh?”

   “She thinks you're hallucinating them.” 

         “Yeah, I put that together,” he sighed, no longer trying to hide it. “I'm not… They're not here.”

                “Man. If everyone I've killed started following me around, I think I'd lose what's left of my mind,” she laughed. “It's ok. This is a safe space.”

She sat next to him with a smile and spun her pistol idly, tossing it up in the air a couple times. Every time it came back down, he braced himself to get clunked by it. Viktor kept trying to make it disappear, neutralize the gem, or form his own shield for Jayce.

   “Why won't it work?! Why is it that I can't do the only things that actually matter?!” he cried in frustration. “I cannot stand back and- and just watch—”

Jayce took a slow breath to try and calm himself. 

         “The gem, I— It needs to be deactivated.”

                “Oh, you mean this gem? The one I shoot people with?”

         “Yes.” 

                “Mm, I dunno… I like shooting people with it, and you didn't bring any cooler rocks to trade.”

         “Please. You're already great at shooting people; you don't need it.”

…

She made a show of entertaining the idea, brow furrowed and fist to her chin.

                “Hrmmm… I mean, you're not wrong, but I'm still not sold. Ya see, I just upgraded little Pow-Pow with it for funsies, and now she's a lot safer.” 

         “... How is that safer?”

                “Kiddie-proof! No accidents, happy or otherwise, and it only works for me. Precision runes, amirite~?” 

…

   “I … was not aware they could be tailored to a single user. Were you?” 

Jayce shook his head slightly.

         “But it's still— You're using Hextech to kill people.”

                “Only when they deserve it or it's funny,” she shrugged.  

He groaned under his breath. 

                “No, really; I turned over a new piece of garbage. Now I'm the sheriff ‘round these parts.”

         “That isn't… What are you even talking about?”

                “Not to brag, but I'm the baddest baddie around. If they try to take me on? They learn the hard way,” she shrugged. “It's not my fault that the city's crawling with Chemtech goons! I mean, technically it is, but I didn't put them there!”

   “She… may have a point.”

                “Don't get me wrong; I don't want copycats… I'm still working on figuring out a better locking mechanism for my other stuff. Any ideas?” 

         “Maybe if—” he caught himself when Viktor raised a brow. “… Not at the moment,” he amended. “Look, Gun, I think it's great that you're trying not to kill people unnecessarily—”

                “I never said that.” 

…

         “I've seen what you can do, and I can't let it happen again.”

                “What're you gonna do? Shoot me?” she teased. “... Face it, big guy: I make people get dead no matter what. Might as well be more precise about it.” 

…

         “Mistakes will still happen.”

…… 

                “I'd like to see you try to survive here with no weapons,” she smirked. 

         “I have innate magic now, so it's not the same.”

                “Whatever you say (but you should really crack open a thesaurus for that word before it gets staler).” 

         “And I didn't— I didn't say no weapons. I'm starting to understand that they might be necessary in some extreme situations—”

                “You mean an average day in Zaun?”

         “... Sure. But I'm trying to reform things so it won't be necessary, and I don't want Hextech used for harm.”

                “I don't want Hextech used for harm,” she mocked him, badly mimicking his voice. Viktor couldn't help cracking up to tears at her impression. “You invent something that can kill someone, it'll be used to. Simple as that.”

         “That's what I've been saying! — Wait, I didn't start the weapons thing—”

                “Nerrrd~ I caught a glimpse of your bigass hammer blueprints way back when. What were you gonna do, bonk giant nails?”

… 

         “Alright, fine; I fucked up with that, too,” he muttered. “But Piltover won't be convinced to back off unless I get the gem back.”

                “What a load of fluff. Who's gonna snitch? You? You probably have tons you could pass off as mine. How would they even know the difference?”

         “I… Ok, maybe they wouldn't,” he relented. “But I need it regardless.”

                “You expect me to give up my leverage?” she snorted. 

         “... I don't know what I expected.” 

                “Well, don't pretend they won't be happy with anything less than me rotting in a cell. You'll never take me aliiive… That's right— you're gonna have to kill me to prove their cushy status quo is back in order,” she grinned.

         “No! No, I'm‐ I'm trying to avoid all of that. I haven't figured it out yet, honestly, but I wasn't lying… Faking your death is still on the table.”

…

                “Let's try this again. Magic or not, you broke into my dead dad's office and tried parking your voluptuous ass in his chair. You think you can appease your fellow bureaucrats while only doing what you want. All you brought is a piece of paper and a cake, supposedly, hiding fuck knows where. You're willing to let me go with a fat stack of cash — preferably a bag of gold, not cheapo cogs — if I give back the pwetty wock and pinky pwomise to stop doing cwimes. And you believe I can just… walk away from all of this,” she gestured at her surroundings.

He nodded hesitantly after a moment. 

                “Didn't think you had the gallbladder. Someone give this dingdong a cookie!” 

…

                “Tell you what…… no. Thanks for playing!” she clapped. “Now, any bright ideas about what I should do with you?” 

…

         “Scientist to scientist, I'm discontinuing Hextech— I even took down the Hexgates. Piltover doesn't know. This is the last active gem, and I can't rest until it's inert. It's my creation that I need to destroy before it hurts anyone else.”

……

                “You're obsessed with this marble, huh,” she grimaced. “I wouldn't be surprised if you wanted to marry it and have weird little marble babies.” 

   “Oh, no, she is way too good at reading you,” he winced in alarm. “… This last gem, if you do acquire it, maybe we could save it instead, just in case? One rogue gem in your abyss for a rainy day, as they say?”

         “One was all it took to kill half the council and you…”

She raised a brow but then realized he wasn't talking to her. She went back to catching snack pieces, unfazed. 

   “... I mean... I see your point, I do, but what if we're being hasty? We could potentially find a way to safeguard the technology……. Ah, who am I kidding. It's just another ticking timebomb.” 

Jayce looked back at her. 

         “I would really appreciate being allowed to get rid of the thing you stole,” he managed, voice calm with undertones of exasperation.

…

                “You're lucky they don't have a patent office here. I stole it fair and square.” 

         “And then you used it on people I love.” 

…

                “Yeah, well, I did that to myself, too— multiple times.”

         “... Then why are you still—”

                “Sunk cost and all that.”

         “But—”

                “Put a sock in it…”

He complied. Several minutes passed while she just crunched her snack mix. He didn't know what to look at, so he hazarded closing his eyes to feel less awkward.

……

                “Hey. Hey, you oversized purse dog.”

         “Hm?” 

                “Fetch!” she cackled, tossing the gem that they had somehow missed her removing. It bounced off his stomach and rolled between his tits, coming to rest under his chin. Viktor dove to grab at it in vain and accidentally phased through it into the floor.

   “Gah…”

                “Bullseye~ Now throw it back.” 

Jayce found the nerve to quirk a brow at her from his duct tape web. She just flashed a shit-eating grin. He tried craning his neck to bite the gem, but he couldn't reach it, and the movement made it fall off, slowly rolling away as he strained towards it in futility. 

                “Aw, you lost your last marble… Forbidden snacks, amirite?” she sighed, almost wistful. “My favorite is paint.”

…… 

                “We should do this more often; it's fun. Got anything new worth yoinking?” 

         “... No?”

                “Ehh, just as well. I'm retired.”

         “What?”

                “Nepo baby perks. I quit the biz! Moved on to… grayer streets. Got better things to do these days… Well, that part's a lie. Got too many little sump rats to keep out of trouble. Seriously, it's like every single time I try to go for a stroll in this lovely neighborhood, I end up with another urchin attached to my back, and they scurry in like geckos when I open the door. It's ridiculous! I don't know why they're all so obsessed with me, like I'm some kind of hero to idolize… I mean, sure, I shoot ass, but do I look like kid material? No! They just make me babysit them… How sad is it that I'm the person they trust? Did no one teach them about stranger danger? At least I kind of remembered Silco… Do they expect me to hand out guns and Shimmer? Autograph my posters? Start another ragtag ragamuffin gang? Too bad.”

         “... That sounds like a nightmare.” 

                “Hah, I wish… I'm just gonna keep accidentally-on-purpose letting those sappy vigilante Firelights rescue them. See, it's funny because the leader is my old best friend and I was always trying to kill him. I thought I blew him up, and he thought I blew up. Things are kinda weird between us now? I took out a couple of his hippy dippies while I was at it, so it's not a great look… Anyway, free childcare.” 

Jayce nodded against the floor, unsure how to respond. For several minutes, she just crunched her pieces of her snack mix and pushed the chair around.

                “You got allergies?”

         “... Don't think so.”

                “Ok, let's find out! Open wide.” 

He complied warily. She tossed a couple savory coated nuts into his mouth with perfect aim, one after another, and he managed not to choke. After a moment of chewing, he made a surprised noise of approval. 

                “Like ‘em? They're Dee's.”

         “I've never heard of Dee's.”

                “Deez NUTS in your FACE,” she snort-laughed and slapped her knee. Jayce couldn't help snickering once he finally understood.

    “Dee's… Ah. That's clever.”

                “Finally, someone appreciates good comedy… Someone I don't have to censor myself for, anyway. Fuck knows where she is right now, though.” She turned around and stared at the vent grate. “Probably in the wall because she thinks I need a bodyguard… which would mean she's lipreading words she's not supposed to,” she emphasized, slow and exaggerated, in warning. A clunk echoed. “Go on; scram, kid,” she waved her off. “I got this. Your lunch is getting warm.”

She put the gem back into her pistol for reassurance and continued to stare at the grate expectantly even though they couldn't see anything. After a delay, quiet patters began and faded. 

                “Can't believe that worked… Usually I can't get a damn minute to myself these days; she follows me like a fuzzy little militant duckling… Believe me — or don't — I've tried shooing her away. Scaring her off with how fucked up and evil I am. But she thinks it's cool! And she's right, of course, but kids are too damn impressionable; the world doesn't need more… jinxes. Honestly? I'm fucking terrified of hurting her or anything bad happening. I would kill and die for this gremlin, repeatedly, but it's not a good setup. I can't even imagine the shit she went through before she got here for this to be an improvement. I need to find someone better for her, somewhere safer, but she latched onto me and won't let go… It's stressful as all hell, being a single mom-slash-sister figure and extremely unwell teenager. I didn't ask for this; I never even used my dick! It's such bullshit, like come on…… Heyyy, you're ridiculously nonthreatening and cuddlable. I should sic her on you! Huh? Whaddya say? You just have to convince her, somehow. If all else fails, watch out— she bites.”

He thought about the children he'd unintentionally shipped to Stillwater and winced. It was taking a while for him to get them out of there, but he knew Cait and Elora would speed it up. 

         “I don't have the greatest rapport with Zaunite kids. I made a bad impression.” 

                “Anything's better than what she has now. Y'know how hard it is to even get clean water these days? Doesn't matter how stinkin’ rich you are; if you're here, everything's shit. Shittier than it was before, somehow… Lemme guess, you feel guilty about that too?” 

         “... Yeah.” 

                “Haha! So predictable.” 

         "But I want to fix it. I think we can.”

                "Good luck with that, Bob. Magic can't fix something systemic, just like it can't fix someone as broken as me.”

         "You— You're not broken! No one is.”

                "You're entitled to your opinion, even if it's stupid. Just keep it to yourself.”

……

                “Sooo, who's your hallucination? Were you in love with the whole council? Did I interrupt an orgy?”

…

   “Jayce, I think I should intervene before she spirals again. It might go differently.”

         “... My partner might be better at handling this; he's a Zaunite. Do you want to talk to him?” 

…

                “If anyone else said that, it would set off alarm bells, like oh no, he brought backup! It's a trap! But you… You're an annoyingly sincere goody two-shoes with questionable sanity at best. Tell me, fruitcake, is this partner of yours in the room?” 

         “He's right here, but he's a ghost.” 

…

                “Sheesh, and I thought I was crazy… You know it's not real, right? Sure, it can seem pretty damn real; maybe you want to believe it is, but even magic can't—”

         “Here, look, I— Under this stupid glove—”

She scooted across the floor to yank it off with a raised brow, other arm spinning the pistol.

                “Nice ink. Who's your artist?”

         “It's from a runestone. If anyone makes contact with it, they can perceive him, but it'll also show him your soul and give me some of your memories. Fair warning..”

…

                “Why would anyone want that? I have dead people tormenting me to varying degrees every goddamn day, and it's never the ones I actually want to see.” 

         “He's- He's different.”

                “I'm sure he is,” she nodded. “And he'll be a lot easier to live with if you take special pixie dust like me.” She procured a vial from her pocket. “Never regular old Shimmer, though— it's gotta be this modified strain. Otherwise you'll go cuckoo bananas apeshit. First shot's on the house!” 

         “No, I'm serious; he's real!” 

…

                “Fucking hell, just don't… I have more than enough ghosts to deal with already. You start saying there's another, and my sick brain will make one... Let me guess, I killed him, too?” 

…… 

                “Seriously?” 

         “... These things happen. It's ok; you didn't mean to. We're not upset! It ended up working out great for both of us.” 

                “I'm gonna hurl. Tell me this is all just a dumb scheme.”

         “No, it's fine, honestly! We all killed Viktor.”

   “Tell her I did, too.”

         “Even Viktor tried to kill Viktor,” he managed, struggling not to dwell on it. “I decided that the guiltiest party is Heimerdinger— he created the system that both gave him his illness and hurt you.”

                “… Do I have to be the one who convinces you you're insane? I thought I did already.”

         “No, I know I am, but not in this specific way!”

   “Jayce, please; just let me talk to her.”

         “He wants to speak to you, so I'll, um. I'll let him now.” 

Jayce closed his eyes for a moment, and then they started glowing blue. She scrambled backwards and took the safety off her pistol.

                “No magic! You're freaking me out!!! Look, I'm sorry about your boytoy or whatever, but you're balls to the wall!”

Jayce cleared his throat to adjust to the sensation of Viktor overlaying his vocal cords as he took the backseat. 

   “Hi. Please, don't be afraid; we will not use magic on you without your consent. We wish you no harm.”

He lifted his head enough to see her. She shot in a panic over his altered voice and blue eyes. The shield appeared, causing the bullets to drop, and they deflated in relief. She snapped out of it and immediately recoiled, reengaging the safety lock before tossing her pistol onto the desk and backing into the corner opposite them, hugging her knees to her chest with white knuckles. 

                “I'm sorry, I'm sorry; I didn't…” she wavered frantically, rocking a little.

   “Don't cry,” he managed in distress, failing to comfort her. 

                “No. No no no no… You're just like him,” she mumbled, breathing becoming more erratic. They were at a loss.

   “Sorry. I meant that there's nothing to cry over— we're alright! If I start crying with you, that's only because I find it contagious… Perhaps this was premature.” 

                “Don't get any closer,” she choked out in a half-whisper despite him being unable to move. 

   “... I will give you space. Sorry, again.” 

She buried her head in her arms, still rocking and shivering. Jayce's arms itched to offer a hug, but he didn't want to scare her more by attempting to teleport himself free. As soon as he was back in the driver's seat, he hazarded speaking. 

         “Hey,” he murmured softly. “Kiddo. I can't be killed; I'm not even sure I can die at all anymore. It's ok…”

                “Nothing is ok,” she cried. “I'm a monster. Please, just put me out of my fucking misery before I kill the rest of my family… Tell Vi it wasn't her fault, and take care of Isha. Make sure she doesn't turn out like me.” 

She had torn the duct tape off of his upper half with shaky hands, thrusted the pistol into his, then closed her eyes. He was startled but caught it like a hot potato, promptly draining its gem and teleporting it away. Viktor collapsed against his side from mental exhaustion as soon as the threat was neutralized. Jayce checked on him in concern.

   “Good job. Thank you,” he wheezed with a weak pat. 

         “... You're going to be ok. I know it doesn't feel possible right now, and it might take a while, but you will be. I've been there… more or less. I'm prone to mania, among many other things. It used to be really bad before I got stable-ish; I'm sure you caught a glimpse in the first half of my journal. I even had to be insulted off a ledge.” 

   “Share whatever you want about me.”

         “My partner and I both accidentally killed innocent people and tried to end ourselves.”

                “This would be a favor for everyone. Just existing makes me a liability.”

   “Tell her about the unspeakable horrors I created.”

         “My partner also accidentally created unspeakable horrors beyond our comprehension and was almost consumed by them, but he's fine now… partially thanks to you.”

                “... You don't get it. Do I have to do everything myself?” she sighed as she pulled out a bomb.

         “Don't blow yourself up—”

                “Don't tell me what to do.”

         “Please. I was going to say please. You have better options.”

                “If you're smart, you'll book it while you still can.”

         “Can I give you a hug?” 

…

                “Do you have a death wish too, or are you completely insane?”

He just shrugged and opened his arms without reaching for her. Several seconds of tense silence passed before she tackled him and latched on tightly. Slowly, he closed his arms around her and just held her, secure in firmness but not trapping. Sobs wracked her body as she buried her face in his shoulder. He added tentative hair strokes, careful not to make contact with the rune. Viktor hauled himself over to subtly zap the bomb away.

                “... You really can't die?” 

         “Really really.” 

                “Please be my fourth dad,” she wibbled into his shirt, voice small and tone desperate. “… I know I don't deserve it, but I need someone I won't lose.” 

…

Viktor was speechless, unable to think of anything helpful in response to Jayce's plea via eye contact, but their horror at the idea of fatherhood was shared. 

         “... I guess I am technically old enough to be your dad, but you need to understand that I'm not even a little qualified to be in charge of anyone's wellbeing, and I'm beyond deranged.”

                “I don't give a shit.”

         “You can do better than this. Just don't use weapons around the lucky guy, and everything should be fine.”

                “No. It has to be you.” 

         “That's not going to work out for either of us,” he started gently to let her down. “You can't live with me, not only because you're the most wanted criminal Topside, but because I have nasty freak sex too often to avoid the risk of you walking in on it.” 

                “... Oh.”

         “Yeah. It's pretty out there.”

                “Ew,” she grimaced. 

         “I'm sorry.”

                “Even I don't kinkshame, but you're leaving too much open to my batshit imagination—”

         “I meant for not adopting you, but sorry for that, too… I can still visit, if you want?”

…

                “What the hell, sure,” she grumbled. “You're like a giant… huggy bear; I can't pass up on that offer… but how were you going to… help me? Disguise me and send me to a shrink?”

         “No, I— I have to get my psych meds mailed from an apothecary overseas; I traveled there for the evaluation despite godawful seasickness. Piltover doesn't have any good health resources for people who aren't “curable,” and it especially doesn't tolerate… atypical minds like ours. If they draw attention that isn't profitable, they disappear.”

                “Well… that's dark. Where do they go?” 

         “In my case, the council gave custody of me to my mom with no legal rights or protections. Thankfully, she wasn't planning on abusing that, but anyone could've. It's not good when people disappear.”

                “No shit. Maybe I was lucky we don't have anything down here… Sure, we have organized crime and kids scooped up by strangers, but still…”

   “They truly paid no mind to orphans being taken in by nefarious old men with penchants for mentorship.” 

         “Point is, Piltover doesn't want “undesirables” to thrive or be allowed out in public. Even if you weren't a… a m—” 

                “Mass murderer?” she suggested. “Menace to society?”

         “I was going to say mercenary.”

                “Booooo. Call me a bloodthirsty monster.” 

         “Even if you never committed a single crime, you'd still be on the fringes or worse.” 

                “... Good to know I wasn't missing out.”

         “But there are places better than here. Places where everyone belongs and gets what they need… When my dad died—”

                “Did I kill him, too?”

         “No! No, hah, you weren't even born yet.” 

                “That doesn't rule it out,” she laughed tiredly, drying her eyes. “Maybe I become a dad-killing time traveler.”

         “Anyway,” he reprimanded with warmth. “After he died, my mom took us on a vacation to somewhere I could cry and make scenes and draw and work out my grief and just… feel all my emotions without drowning in them. Somewhere everyone was supported and differences were accepted, where I could process what I went through and express myself safely. I learned healthy ways to cope with everything, like- like journaling, and music, and exercise, but most of all, letting myself be soft. Not… unguarded, just not hardened past sensitivity, I guess. Even when I had to put on masks and act certain ways for the world, I didn't have to get hard. But it's hard to stay soft; it's a delicate balance, and sometimes I neglect the squishy little creature in me or don't protect it well enough… God, I feel so much better when I can just cry and be comforted by someone I trust. If I hadn't… soul-vored Viktor, I would've moved back home and become my mom's problem again.” 

……

                “... I did not need to hear about your erectile dysfunction or whatever the fuck that last part was,” she remarked dryly, sitting up and using a tail of his jacket to blow her nose. 

Chapter Text

Jinx:            “Vivi~!”

Sevika:            “I'm not responding to that name.”

Jinx:            “But you just did?”

Sevika sighed heavily in annoyance before taking a long drag from her blunt.

Sevika:            “What do you want?”

Jinx:            “Can't a gal say hi?”

Sevika:            “You never can. Not without springing some inane bullshit on me.”

Jinx:            “So rude and ungrateful,” she pouted. “Well, I brought you another present anyway. C'mere, boy!” 

Sevika:            “I swear to Janna, if it's—”

Jayce shuffled over awkwardly, avoiding eye contact. He had a lopsided, oversized bow tied to his head and a neon pink heart painted on each cheek. He kept his posture and stance proper, arms folded behind him. His shaggy, ungelled hair and beard differentiated him from the Progress Day banners, and his coat looked like it came from the trash, but the crest on his pauldrons was recognizable.

Sevika:            “... Talis?” 

Jayce:            “Hello, ma'am,” he nodded politely and met her stare, a little intimidated. They held it even as she extinguished the blunt on her metal hand.

Jinx:            “Isn't he just the cutest?” she cooed, hugging his arm. “Every fruitcake needs a bow!”

……

Sevika:            “Jinx.”

Jinx:            “I told you, it's Gun,” she rolled her eyes. 

Sevika:            “We're in a big enough mess without you taking the head of the council hostage.”

Gun:            “But I didn't! … I mean, ok, I did, but only after he showed up! And sure, I tried to kill him while I was at it, but he said it's fine! He's my scrimblo now—he even asked if we could have a playdate!”

… 

Sevika:            “The fuck does that mean?”

Jayce:            “I'm here to negotiate Zaun's independence.”

She just blinked her bleariness away as he reached into the breast pocket of his coat to procure the treaty, and then she squinted as she read it in shocked silence, unsure whether she would've preferred to be sober.

Sevika:            “... How did you even get here?”

Gun:            “He teleports and does all kinds of weird magic shit. You can't tell anyone though~” 

He just nodded again hesitantly, then pretended to read the labels of the liquor bottles on the locked, barred shelves behind the counter. 

Gun:            “There's a ghost with him, too — apparently — but I'm waiting to see him until you do, since, y'know… They can put on a show for us!” 

Viktor:            “This would have been more endurable if they weren't aware of my presence; I don't know why I thought it was a good idea,” he muttered to himself. “Now I need to brace for- for public speaking…” 

……

Sevika:            “Is any part of this real?”

Jayce:            “Unfortunately, everything… Would you like some cake? It's not poisoned.” 

…

Sevika:            “What the hell, sure,” she grumbled, unable to refuse the prospect of munchies satisfied by a Topside confection. 

He turned around to zap it into his hands without spooking them, then presented it.

Gun:            “Well, that looks like a cake!” she clapped.

Jayce:            “Tres leches!” 

Sevika drew her knife and wasted no time carving out a chunk, then shoved it in her face, followed by a low groan of bliss. 

Sevika:            “... I haven't had one of these since the last time my mama made it,” she mumbled around the mouthful. 

Jayce:            “My mom taught me,” he announced proudly. She paused just long enough to look at him.

Sevika:            “You made this?”

He nodded yet again, excitement overshadowing his restraint. 

Sevika:            “Damn, it's good! I love a man who can cook, especially a mama's boy.” 

Jayce:            “Oh, um, thank you!”

Gun:            “Don't worry; she's already covered in bitches. People hit on her at Babette's instead of the staff.” 

Sevika:            “Can't deny that.”

Gun dug into the other side of it, not bothering to get a plate for herself since Sevika hadn't. 

Gun:           “Mmmmm… That is good, holy fuck…” 

Viktor:            “I… I am amazed. You were right about both of these highly improbable outcomes… Jayce, you are incredible.”

Jayce wanted to all but wag his tail. In yet another demonstration of extreme restraint, he remained professional and just allowed himself a toothy smile. Gun stole the knife to set aside a big piece for Isha before the two of them resumed tearing into it like wolves. 

Viktor:            “Didn't you want another slice?”

Jayce:            “I can make more,” he beamed like a ray of sunshine incarnate. Gun hummed in enthusiasm.

Sevika:            “Finally, some good fucking food… What's the catch?” 

Jayce:            “No catch! It was just to, heh, sweeten the deal.” 

She licked her fingers and spoon clean of the whipped icing before turning back to the treaty.

Sevika:            “... It's a start. But I have some revisions and additions.”

He nodded again, squeezing his hands unnoticeably, which had been neatly returned to their pose behind his back as soon as they weren't needed. Gun gave him a cake-filled grin and thumbs-up for encouragement in front of Sevika, who just ignored her. 

Sevika:            “As you may imagine, a lot has changed since you drafted this with Silco. For one, the barons don't answer to me— they’ve become a bunch of bratty children in his absence. You want Shimmer gone? You're gonna have to do it the old-fashioned way.”

He set his face but gulped anyway.

Gun:            “The upside is she already killed a couple. And another is MIA… probably dead too.” 

Alarm struck Viktor as he checked all of his bonds, horrified that he hadn't noticed Renni's disappearing. Once his eyes stopped glowing white, he turned to Jayce.

Viktor:            “She… She may be. I don't see them unless I am viewing one specifically, and I didn't… bother with hers over these past few days. I figured you using her memories would suffice, but now she is fading. I am so sorry for the oversight.”

Jayce's eyes widened. Jinx hopped onto the counter to sling an arm around his shoulder.

Gun:            “Don't be scared, big guy. I can do it for you since we're such chummy buddies! A little murder between pals's no biggie~” 

Viktor:            “I will return shortly— please stay unharmed.” 

Jayce gave a slight nod despite the situation, and Jinx gave him an even more deranged grin. Viktor wisped into the rune as he vanished, heating it up until it stopped shining white under his glove. 

Gun:            “Cool beans!” she fingergunned, patting his head before hopping back down. “Soooo, how's about you take a little vacation here while I take out the trash? Enjoy our scenic villa and its singular toilet! Then we can get back to talking shop.” 

Jayce:            “... Is killing them really the best option?” 

Sevika and Gun:            “Yes.”

…

Jayce:            “I just… don't want more blood on my hands, especially if it's avoidable.” 

Gun:            “Relax, babycakes! I'll handle it, whether you want me to or not. No takebacksies! It's out of your moisturized hands now.”

Sevika:            “I've tried preaching about unity and cooperation, but they don't give a rat's ass— they're all vying for control of Zaun. This has been a long time coming; I just didn't have an excuse to act until now. If you want to make a spectacle of yourself performing magic tricks with those puppydog eyes in front of multiple syndicates, be my guest. Let everyone know your deal, and let it get back to Piltover. But your city doesn't get to hold my people captive anymore. This is too big of an event to do less than set a precedent, no matter what course of action we take.” 

Jayce:            “I understand,” he swallowed. 

Sevika:            “… Gun made a huge fuckin’ mess Topside, and I can't… defend that. But I'm not handing her over, obviously. And I won't establish our own Enforcement or incarcerate Zaunites, either; we can't fall into the same pattern of systemic oppression internally, too. I don't… have all the answers,” she admitted. “That's why I've always supported whoever seemed most promising… Unfortunately, now it's this demented little shit.”

Gun:           “Fitting though, huh? I'm my dads’ daughter for sure,” she chirped, bouncing on her heels. “You better step up before Isha accidentally kills me, then takes over and adopts her own heir.” 

Sevika:           “That would be funny if it wasn't plausible.”

Gun:           “Yeah, yeah; I'm hilarious and you're jealous. What else is new?”

Sevika ignored her. Just then, Viktor reappeared from the rune, and Jayce tried not to look startled.

Viktor:            “She is very much dead,” he grimaced. “If I was asked to play mortician, I would speculate that it was because she ran out of her life-sustaining chemicals.”

Jayce exhaled slowly and quietly through his nose to stay calm, making a mental note to tell Cait. 

Viktor:            “I could be wrong. We should probably not bring this to their attention until after negotiations are settled, if at all.”

Sevika:            “A little Piltie told me the Hexgates are down. You would have everything to do with that, right?” 

He looked scared enough for her to raise a brow, but he just nodded apprehensively. 

Gun:            “Ooh, I know this one! But it's a science associate seeecret~” she stage-whispered.

Jayce:            “That's why I can't offer access as a provision. The rest still stands.” 

Sevika:            “There's more to add, then— Piltover has a lot to make up for, at minimum, and it never will — not fully; that isn't possible — but this should be an ongoing conversation. Our voices deserve to be heard in that gilded chamber making decisions about our lives. Even as an independent nation, we'd still be downstream and at a major disadvantage in all aspects. This isn't accounting for the pollution; that's another issue altogether.” 

Viktor:            “I thought I would loathe her because of how she treated Vi,” he mused. “Humanity is infuriatingly multifaceted.” 

Jayce:            “I'm glad we're on the same page. What do you propose?”

Sevika:            “An ambassador role. The council should defer to them for anything regarding Zaun and allow them to propose actions. Their votes would hold equal weight in those situations.” 

Jayce:            “That sounds feasible.” 

Gun:            “Greaaat, after all the trouble we went to for independence, we're stuck with a penis potato calling the shots,” she huffed. 

Jayce considered asking her what a penis potato was, but his hesitance lasted long enough for Sevika to move on without bothering.

Sevika:            “Got any better ideas, smartass?” 

Gun:            “Course not. I'm just saying, it's dumb.” 

Sevika:            “How is it worse than the others?” 

Gun:            “What, like the full-fledged bloodbaths, and Shimmer, and yours truly striking terror in all of their hearts?” 

Sevika sighed heavily, brow creased in irritation as she shut her eyes.

Gun:            “I mean, we could burn it all to the ground. Make ‘em cry uncle in the ashes.”

Sevika:            “The objective doesn't justify the means.” 

Gun:            “Huagh (hypocrite),” she fake-coughed. 

… 

Sevika:            “You don't think I've realized by now that I made bad decisions? I stood by Silco because his plans had the potential to force their hand. Vander gave up.”

Gun:            “Loyal to the bitter, bitter end this time around…”

Sevika glared daggers at Gun's mirthless smile.

…… 

Jayce:            “I feel like I should give you privacy.”

Gun:            “Nooo, stay and watch this shitshow!”

He chewed the inside of his lip nervously. 

Sevika:            “You ever gonna sit, or are you just going to keep standing there like some volunteer butler?” 

Jayce:            “Oh! Sorry, I- I didn't want to be rude.” 

He pulled the stool nearest to him out, and it squeaked against the floor. He apologized again and sat awkwardly, keeping a respectful distance. She just watched in bemusement and then reached for two lukewarm bottles under the counter, popping the caps with her metal thumb before plopping one in front of him without fanfare. He started thanking her profusely until she held up the metal hand to silence him. He apologized one last time before realizing she wanted him to stop talking. Gun slapped her own knee.

Gun:           “This guy's a riot! A legend, even. Seriously, can we get some merch?”

Gun tried to grab her own bottle, but Sevika swatted her arm away without even looking. Gun pouted, nose wrinkling, but resigned to not getting any, as if it was a regular occurrence. Jayce took baby sips as Sevika chugged hers. 

Sevika:            “So, we halt Shimmer production and make it impossible for new barons to rise up. I trust that the gem will be taken care of—” 

Gun:            “Done! You're welcome~” 

Sevika:            “... which leaves one last item on your wishlist, and I'd hope you've realized by now that you're not getting it, no matter what you offer.”

Jayce:            “It's- It's not what I want either! Putting it there was a formality, but we do need to figure something out. Something that doesn't get anyone hurt.” 

Gun:            “Y'know I know you're talking about me, right? You don't have to avoid addressing the gun in the room.” 

Sevika:            “You're touchy,” she shrugged. “I wasn't about to risk triggering you unless it was necessary.” 

Gun:            “HAH! Trigger, good one… C'mon, seriously? It's not like I haven't seen the posters plastered everywhere and been in hiding because of them.”

Sevika:            “Then how do you think we should deal with you?” 

…

Gun:            “You could kill me,” she shrugged nonchalantly. Jayce paled. 

Jayce:            “No!!!”

Gun cracked up. 

Gun:            “Relaaax, I'm just fucking with you… Mostly.” 

Sevika:            “... Silco told me to watch over you,” she muttered under her breath.

…

Gun:            “Hah! Snrk… Really? He put you on babysitting duty for a grownass woman? How'd that work out? You don't even try to tail me anywhere! Not that you could if you did.” 

Sevika:            “I promised him and Vander before everything went to shit,” she bit back, ignoring the flippant response. “I promised your parents, too. All of them, after you were born. We were a community then. Make asinine jokes, but I'm not about to let you die just for the hell of it. I told you; I've done you enough favors.”

Viktor:           “... And yet, she tried to kill Vi by herself, twice.”

…… 

Gun:            “Aw, you do care!” she gushed once her expression finally settled, tone saccharine. “Give us a big ol’ hug and you'll find out what happens when you get close to me~”

Sevika:            “I've broken plenty of promises. Don't test me.”

Gun:            “Too late! I caught you being mushy, and I have at least one witness.” 

Jayce:            “I'm not part of this,” he blurted out in fear. 

Gun:            “Booooo… Well, maybe I was talking about the ghooost.” 

Viktor:            “I would prefer if she didn't.” 

Jayce:            “He doesn't want to get involved.” 

Viktor:            “I didn't mean for you to communicate that,” he winced, mortified. “I just keep digging a deeper grave for myself, don't I?” 

Sevika:            “Is your ghost… real?” she asked bluntly. “Or is it like hers?” 

Jayce:            “He's real; his name is Viktor, and he's my partner. He was the cofounder of Hextech.” 

Gun:            “Possessed him and everything! Scared the shit outta me.” 

Sevika:            “... And is there a reason he's here, or…?”

Viktor:            “Ah, it got worse… Fine; I'll ease in. Please brace them.” 

Jayce:            “He's going to tell you.” 

Gun:            “Oh, fuck no; he better not borrow you again.”

She used Sevika as a human shield. He just stood there and tried acting unfazed despite not knowing what Viktor would do. Sevika gave him a warning look over her uneasiness, metal hand curling into a fist where it lay on the scratched up counter. Viktor managed to wield the pen he'd teleported from Silco's office, but he didn't have an inkwell, so he focused all of his energy into mimicking the Hexclaw with it in a temporary manner. It hovered behind their heads and started writing on the wall in blue sparkles. They startled, freaking out to varying degrees as he proceeded to spell “ZAUN,” which soon faded away. 

… 

Gun:            “Could've been worse, but still,” she shivered. “Spooky.”

Sevika:            “... You're here for… Zaun? Can you elaborate?” she whispered, eyes wide as she fought to stay in place. 

Viktor:            “This is going to take ages…”

Jayce:            “He's a Zaunite deeply invested in its wellbeing.” 

Viktor:            “I would consider it a neutral level of investment— it's not like I was advocating in front of the council. Not until the end. Is simply caring considered radical?”

Jayce:            “He dedicated his life to scientific advancements that could improve and even save lives,” he added pointedly. 

Viktor:            “... Perhaps, but it didn't lead anywhere.” 

Jayce:            “For the record, he's not telling me to say these things.”

Gun:            “Man, you're both bleeding heart softies, huh?”

… 

Sevika:            “Does he have anything else he wants to say, or do we have to ask another question each time?” 

Viktor:            “Gahhh,” he groaned, tugging at his own hair in frustration. “... I'm sorry, Jayce; I am useless today. I thought I would somehow be adept at these interactions simply by being from the same place and seeing snippets of them.”

Jayce:            “Um, you're welcome to ask away!” 

Sevika:            “Alright, then. Wh—”

Gun:            “Are you two fucking?” she asked nonchalantly. Jayce jolted, and Viktor snort-laughed in surprise.

Sevika:            “Gun.”

Gun:            “What? We were both wondering, right? Might as well take one for the team. So, how does it work? Can you touch—” 

Sevika:            “Ignore her; I don't want to know.” 

Gun:            “Hey! Coward.” 

Sevika:            “I was trying to ask if he has any input about the overall situation or parts of it, like what to do with you.” 

Gun:            “D'ya have to say it like that?”

Sevika:            “(First she tells me to talk about her, then she gets upset that I am…)”

Gun stuck her tongue out. 

Jayce:            “We're both a little worried that if we send you to a peaceful place, you might still build weapons there.”

Gun:            “I probably will,” she shrugged. “And then I'll ruin everything. It's what I do, in case you haven't noticed.” 

Jayce:            “It doesn't have to be,” he hazarded. “You're brilliant and creative; you can expand your horizons.” 

Gun:            “Snookums. I told you, I like hurting people.” 

He glanced aside, still not comfortable with confrontation. Viktor was even worse off despite not participating, mind replaying Vi and Cait's memories against his conscious will.

Jayce:            “Do you like any other things?”

…

Gun:            “The arts,” she declared with jazz hands. He brightened. 

Jayce:            “That's great! The place I went to had plenty of those.” 

Viktor:            “She would love the Topside theater group,” he lilted. 

Jayce:            “Do you— Are you interested in acting?”

Viktor:            “Oh, sorry, I didn't mean it as a suggestion.”

Gun:            “... I guess it's fun to entertain kids. Just don't make me be responsible for them.”

Sevika:            “She's trying too hard to downplay how much fun she has,” she smirked, folding her arms. Gun huffed.

Gun:            “Yeah, well, it is fun! Who doesn't want to goof around like a kid?” 

Sevika:            “I prefer adult activities, like sex, substance abuse, gambling, and the occasional asskicking.”

Gun:            “Fair enough,” she hummed. 

The room fell into silence for several moments while Jayce managed not to squirm, occupying himself with taking more baby sips of the cheap, warm alcohol, then cleared his throat of the bubbles. 

Jayce:            “I think you'll be happy there, and I don't see the harm in your little friend joining.” 

Gun:            “Pow-pow can come? Sick!” 

Jayce:            “Your, um, the person in the vent.” 

Sevika:            “Ugh. I thought you talked to her about that.” 

Gun:            “She's a selective listener… Sooo, you're not giving me my favorite gun back?” 

Jayce:            “... No?” he managed, bracing himself. “It would be helpful in convincing everyone you're…” 

Gun:            “Dead?” she blinked cheerily. He nodded yet again, mouth set. “So, we're really doing this, huh? You're ~trusting~ me not to go berserko.” He nodded for the zillionth time, hesitantly. “Bleh, fine. Guess I have to pack up and skip town after all… Ooh, you know what would be funny?” 

She grabbed Sevika's knife and started sawing off her braids before they could even react. It took more effort and time than she'd anticipated, but they just sat there in silence and watched her butcher her hair.

Gun:            “A trophy!” she finally declared. “Complete with frosted tips,” she gestured at the icing, then tied them into a second bow for the top of Jayce's head as if she was making a balloon animal. He bowed it upon prompting for her to secure like a wrap. Sevika picked up the discarded blunt and examined it to see if it was salvageable. 

Gun:            “Aaand voilà! You'll be the prettiest princess at the ball,” she cooed. His cheeks tinted. “We should show you off!” 

Jayce:            “Um—”

Gun:            “Oh, oh, I could give you highlights! Pink or blue? Both? Why don't we just dye all your hair as proof you survived my torture? I might even let you help with mine.” 

Sevika:            “Shouldn't you be packing?” 

Gun:            “Let me have this! It's not like we're on a deadline. Janna, you're so fucking boring.”

Jayce:            “I was given a week to sort this out.” 

Viktor:            “Good call omitting that Cait gave it.” 

Gun:            “A whole week?!” she grinned incredulously, hands rubbing together. Her enthusiasm then flickered for a moment, and she paused. “Shit… What if I run out of manic pixiedust, and then I'll be the boring one?”

Sevika:            “Where are you staying, Talis?” 

Jayce:            “I can teleport from my room.” 

Gun:            “Told ya,” she nudged her with an elbow that was shirked off with enough strength to almost knock Gun over. 

Sevika:            “And you're planning to… do that, here, daily, without warning?” 

Gun:            “You should. I'd give my middle finger to see her get jumpscared.” 

Jayce:            “... I don't want to wear out my welcome.” 

Sevika:            “You weren't welcomed,” she pointed out helpfully. 

Gun:            “WELCOME! Welcome to your worst nightmare~” she cackled, hopping back onto the counter yet again to illuminate the underside of her face with a hanging lamp she grabbed and tilted. In the process, she added even more scuffs and grime to the counter and nearly detached the lamp's wiring.

Jayce:            “Thanks.” 

Sevika:            “Can you stop fucking up my bar for five minutes?” 

Gun:            “Your bar??? Which of my dads died and left you in charge? I mean, obviously it wasn't Second Dead Dad, but last time I checked—” 

Sevika:            “We're staffless now,” she reminded her.

Gun:            “... And that means you have to play bar? Hah! No one even comes here anymore!”

Sevika:            “No; it's quieter, but there's still a couple regulars with cogs to spare. You're just too busy trying not to get arrested to stick around.”

Gun:            “So, what, you stay here all day like you have to? I thought you had nothing better to do.”

Sevika:            “Better than letting the booze be looted. And it pays to maintain a front, on multiple levels.” 

Gun sauntered back over and straddled a stool, resting her forearm on the counter and donning a gruff voice. 

Gun:            “Heya, toots, gimme somethin’ strong.”

Sevika ignored her. Jayce tried his hardest to keep a straight face.

… 

Gun:            “Y'wanna know what I think?” 

Sevika:            “I never want to know what goes through your head.” 

Gun:            “I think you need a life. When was the last time you got fucked up?” 

Sevika:            “Before you fucked everything up and destroyed the local economy,” she remarked dryly.

Gun:            “Whoa, now, don't blame me! You were supposed to be “watching over” me, whatever the hell that means.”

Sevika accidentally shattered her bottle with her metal hand, startling all of them. She cursed. 

Gun:            “... Does that happen a lot?” 

Sevika:            “Just go pack. I'll close up and arrange a meeting with the barons, but they're not going to drop everything for me— it'll probably take a day or two to sort out the details. In the meantime…” she turned to Jayce. “You can walk through the front door like a normal person when you want to talk. Maybe lose the coat.”

Gun:            “Can I keep him? Pleeease?”

Sevika:            “... Why should I even bother trying to reason with you? You never listen. You're just going to go ahead and hold a councilor hostage.” 

Gun:            “Again, not hostage! We're friendly friendship friends. Isn't that right?” she crooned at him, leaning up to pinch his cheek. He nodded warily. 

Sevika:            “We're not running an inn. Can't you just… send him to the brothel? I'm sure he can afford a room there.” 

Gun:            “That'd be dumb. Funny, but dumb.” 

Viktor:            “It would be funny,” he agreed. 

Gun:            “I'll take care of him! He can have my brothers’ old room, and I'll give him fresh water! Well, fresh by our standards.” 

Sevika:            “You really think you can handle your own pet councilor?” she raised a brow. Gun nodded eagerly, so she turned to Jayce. “And you're… fine with this?” 

Jayce:            “I think so. I can always, um, teleport to and from that room for things I need back home.”

Sevika:            “You won't be allowed to wander around here without one of us. You're going to have to wait in your room the rest of the time.” 

Gun:            “Don't worry; I'll make it fun!” she giggled, ominous. He nodded in resignation, feeling like he'd become a bobblehead only capable of doing that and saying “um” intermittently. He wasn't sure when his mask had cracked, but he figured it came with the circumstances. 

……

Sevika:            “... What about the ghost?” 

Gun:            “If I meet him, will you?” 

Viktor:            “Shittt… I was hoping they'd forgotten. I didn't prepare for this at all…”

Sevika:            “Fine,” she sighed. “Better than not knowing where he is… or what he's saying.” 

Jayce:            “You're alright with us seeing your memories?” 

Sevika:            “Fuck no. But we might as well just get it over with.” 

Gun:            “Yeah, I… I mean, if you wanna traumatize yourself vicariously, be my guest,” she laughed, a little strained like she was downplaying nervousness.

Viktor sighed and ran a hand through his hair but gave permission begrudgingly. Jayce extended his palm to them, and it started glowing. Sevika sideeyed Gun as she reached out, but just then, the ceiling grate clanged, falling beside them. They barely had time to look up before a flurry of child crashed down onto Jayce. She headbutted his cheek with her helmet and used the distraction to tackle his hand with her whole body, which lit her up.

Gun:            “ISHA! Isha, for fuck's sake—”

She dropped to his side and scooped her into her arms on the floor. As soon as Jayce and Viktor's trances ended, they freaked out. Jayce started to panic at the little girl's dazed expression, unfocused eyes still twinkling with blue sparks, as Viktor silently hyperventilated in the background despite not needing air. 

Jayce:            “Oh god, oh god, not another kid—” 

Gun gave her a gentle shake. 

Jayce:            “Is she- Is she ok?! I'm so sorry; I didn't— It was an accident… Oh god—” 

Isha blinked her eyes clear slowly and pushed herself upright, then shook it off. He covered his mouth and swallowed away the overwhelming dread. Gun raised a questioning, unamused brow at her. 

Gun:            “You alright, kiddo?” 

Isha made a noise of affirmation and scrutinized Jayce like she was analyzing his threat level before she noticed Viktor behind him. Her eyes widened, and her jaw went slack. Hesitantly, he waved, and she reciprocated after an extended ogle, still staring in surprise. The women looked his direction questioningly. 

Gun:            “... He's right behind you, isn't he.” 

Jayce just nodded again weakly. He felt sick all over from the assortment of horrific memories that were shared. Gun grabbed his arm and gave a pointed look at Sevika, who sighed and joined her in making contact with the rune together. It was overloaded with their combined energy. Jayce passed out, slumping forward, and Viktor imploded back into his core simultaneously, like a reverse firework. Sevika grabbed a hold of the counter with her metal arm to steady herself and Gun. Isha observed the scene for several seconds before poking Gun, who groaned in response and cracked open an eyelid.

… 

Gun:            “Great, we killed him.” 

Sevika helped her ease him back against the wall. 

Sevika:            “... Did you see anything?” 

……

Gun:            “Too much… but it… it was kind of nice to see them all again.”

… 

Sevika:            “I saw moments from your childhood,” she stated quietly. They fell into uncomfortable silence as they waited for Jayce to wake up. Gun tried flicking him several times in vain. Isha joined her for the sake of it. After several minutes, he gasped and shot upright, moving to scramble backwards but clunking his head lightly against the wall. He looked around with wild eyes, heart racing. 

Gun:            “Hey, easy, you're fine… Enjoy your catnap?” 

He gradually reoriented himself and caught his breath.

Jayce:            “Sorry, I… I think I got lost,” he mumbled, hand coming to rest over his core for reassurance. “That never happened before.” 

Gun:            “... Are you dying?” 

He shook his head, and she clung to him without warning. He smiled faintly and patted her back. 

……

Sevika:            “Should've taken turns,” she muttered. “It clearly screwed something up… Where's the ghost?”

Jayce:            “Oh! He's…” he trailed off, rubbing his core with his thumb subconsciously as he tried to find words. Gun glanced at it, then pulled away to meet his eyes and look back down at it pointedly.

Gun:            “Did you— Did you fucking… tit vore him?” she whispered, making sure Isha couldn't read her lips. Jayce cringed. 

…

Gun:            “Actually, scrap that— I don't wanna know.” 

Jayce:            “It's… It's complicated.” 

…

Gun:            “Please say sike.”

…… 

Viktor respawned all at once with a yelp, startling even Jayce. He flailed his limbs and then floated there in dumbfounded shock until he recovered, barely registering Jayce fretting over him. 

Viktor:            “... I've ascended to godhood,” he finally managed, voice small in fear. Jayce swore under his breath and gathered him in his arms, not caring about the PDA. 

Jayce:            “Viktor, I'm so sorry; this is all my fault—”

Viktor:            “Don't be sorry,” he interrupted gently. “Now I can fix everything.”

Jayce:            “Oh, god—”

Viktor:            “Yes?” 

Jayce:            “Viktor, you're not… Ok. Ok, let's just take a deep breath.”

Viktor quirked a brow up at him. 

Viktor:            “Their minds were connected briefly in the Arcane, like ours are. They established their own tether between themselves, one that we could sustain.”

Gun:            “Uh, hey, sickly glowstick. Don't attach my mind to hers, thanks.” 

He acknowledged her with a simple “Hello,” ignoring her words in favor of continuing. 

Viktor:            “Imagine the possibilities, Jayce— a web stringing every person together, their thoughts, their emotions, so that Runeterra might know harmony. No more bigotry, no more miscommunication, no more malice or cruelty—” 

Jayce:            “Sounds great, but I really think we should revisit it later. When whatever this is wears off— which it will; it has to,” he said mostly for himself, then looked back up at the women. “Sorry; he's not usually like this.” 

Gun:            “Two-for-one fruitcake special,” she quipped under her breath. “I think we broke these guys.” 

Jayce:            “It's fine! We'll be fine… Viktor, do you want to introduce yourself?” 

Viktor:            “I am an entity who intertwines order and chaos— the herald of understanding. My worldly name, as stated, was Viktor.” 

Jayce:            “Viktor,” he pleaded. 

Viktor:            “... Fine; we'll do it your way,” he grumbled, gradually returning to reality from the grounding nature of being squished against Jayce's bosom. “Apologies. My name is still Viktor, and your introduction more than sufficed… This child has been through terrors beyond the wildest imagination,” he gestured at Isha. She beamed and gave a thumbs-up, unfazed despite being able to hear him perfectly. 

Gun:            “Figured as much… She needed the worst monster on her side to scare away all the others.”

…… 

Sevika:            “So, we're going to pretend this little blue man didn't say any of that?” 

Viktor:            “I would appreciate if you did.”

Chapter Text

Jayce:            “... Hey, V—”

Viktor:            “I don't know what happened,” he mumbled quietly, burying his face back in Jayce's chest and closing his eyes as the steady heartbeat calmed him. “At first, I felt so far away in the other realm… But it seemed like the answers we've sought were finally within reach… and so, so… simple. In that moment, I thought it was the only attainable solution to all our quandaries, and that it was being presented to me for us to usher in…… That faded, yes, but it lasted much longer this time,” he wavered, unable to hide how afraid he was despite muffling his voice. Jayce held him tighter and stroked his back soothingly. 

…

Jayce:            “I'm sorry,” he murmured. “It- It's not your fault, ok? What matters is you listened and waited it out, but even if you hadn't, you meant well… I just hope it'll stop happening, for your sake.” 

……

Viktor:            “Only you could forgive such offenses,” he scoffed tiredly. 

Jayce:            “There's nothing to forgive. You didn't do anything wrong; I promise. You didn't even try to.”

Viktor:            “... I entertained the notion, however fleetingly.” 

Jayce:            “That doesn't count. You know how many times I've wanted to bonk Salo with the Mercury Hammer? Many. Many times, Viktor. But I didn't.”

Viktor:            “In your defense, he'd probably deserve it.”

Jayce snorted and shook his head in bemusement before pressing his lips to Viktor's forehead. 

Jayce:            “… Probably,” he agreed. “But that's not the point. The point is, you're not your thoughts, and you didn't act on them, regardless of whether you wanted to or not in the moment. That’s what matters.”

…

Viktor:            “It frightens me how close I came to embracing those delusions wholeheartedly.” 

Jayce:            “I understand… kind of. I had the grandeur ones whenever I was in fullblown mania, but they lasted… way longer— generally, until I crashed and caught up on sleep.” 

Gun:            “Yeah, those diary entries were gnarly.” 

…

Jayce:            “Do you need to be part of this?”

Gun:            “It's your fault for sharing cooties in front of us like some kinda softcore exhibitionists.” 

Viktor:            “It is a bit much, even for us.” 

… 

Jayce:            “Can we get any privacy here?” 

Gun:            “Nnnope. I can't leave you unsupervised; this is my lab (in case you dingbats already forgot). Besides, I'm having waaay too much fun. It's been forever since I had a sleepover with anyone over six apples tall! Literally, unless you count my shitass sister.” 

Isha paused her doodling on Viktor's arm and gave Gun a judgemental look.

Gun:            “Not that I don't like short people… Ugh, you know what I mean.” 

Isha just rolled her eyes and went back to work. 

Jayce:            “... Are you sure this is temporary?” 

Gun:            “Mostly!” she grinned, adding another glob of paint to his hair and smearing it with her brush. The pink and blue overlapped as purple in unintentional swirls of bisexuality.

Gun:            “For what it's worth, even I'm not that hard on myself, and I've killed, like, so many people. But almost none of them were from psychosis, and the couple that were were accidents. Everyone else, I just wanted to!” 

Viktor:            “Thank you, Gun.” 

Gun:            “Anytime~ Since we're such good, lifelong buddies, I'll let you in on a secret. The only non-family deaths I feel bad about are Firelights, and only when I remember them. I don't give a shit about politicians or cops or barons or warring henchmen, just their kids hurt by it who're too young to understand or who aren't like that. But I don't need to find out if they even have spawn! So that avoids most self-reflection. Ignorance is bliss. You should try it sometime.” 

Viktor:            “That is sound advice.” 

Gun:            “I know, right? … Still, though, sorry for killing you.” 

Viktor:            “It's really a nonissue.”

…

Gun:            “If you say so.”

Viktor:            “I am. Also, this is very relaxing.”

She hummed contently as she combed through the experimental, permanent, inky purple concoction she'd made for Viktor's hair out of all her paints and dyes, pleased at the way it was setting, before springing up to put on a new record. Unfortunately for him, it was “When Everything Went Wrong,” the worst song he'd ever heard. He wondered in dismay if he'd jinxed himself. Jayce perked up out of his paint fume stupor and started singing along cheerfully with Gun, voice unavoidable from where it was reverberating through his body. The stimuli became unbearable. Viktor tensed and stood, slowly, almost mechanically, extracting himself from everyone like a regular human despite how badly he wanted to dematerialize and phase out of the situation in silence. The concerned and sad expressions that met him from Jayce and Isha pained him— they'd frozen, stopping singing and drawing respectively. 

Viktor:            “Sorry,” he winced in guilt. “I'm sorry. I‐ I just need some air. There's no need to worry.”

Gun:            “... But you don't need air,” she frowned, raking Jayce's goopy hair upwards and twirling it like soft serve ice cream before plopping an empty cup over it to hold it. 

Viktor:            “Ghost air.” 

Jayce:            “I'll come with you!” 

Viktor:            “I… I think I need to be alone for a bit to sort myself out. The memories all blended together as an amalgamation encompassing me, and I am still extracting my own from them.” 

… 

Jayce:            “Just please don't isolate yourself, ok?” 

Viktor:            “I promise I won't do that anymore. I intend to visit an old friend.” 

Jayce's relief washed over him. Viktor patted him awkwardly for reassurance before speaking across their connection. 

Viktor:            [“You know how to reach me if she starts psychologically torturing you.”]

Jayce:            [“Like this?”]

Viktor:            [“Precisely that.”]

Jayce:            [“... We might've benefited from using it at any point earlier today.”] 

Viktor:            [“I appear content to air my laundry preemptively when faced with social anxiety, but yes; in hindsight, that would have been wise.”]

Gun:            “The hell are you two making all those faces for?” 

Jayce:            “We're beaming messages to each other's minds.” 

Gun:            “... Sick.” 

Viktor:            “I bid you all a festive evening and will return once he gets sleepy.” 

He gave another wave to Isha, which was reciprocated, and they shared small smiles before he disappeared.  

Gun:            “Wait, what are—” 

His silhouette remained for a millisecond before the dye came crashing down and splattered. 

Gun:            “... That answered one of my questions,” she huffed in annoyance once she recovered from the surprise, wiping gunk off her shoulder, which made a purple streak across it instead of removing it. Isha giggled silently. 

He drifted aimlessly for a while, almost listless and drawn to the sumps. He felt… stronger there, somehow. The scenes around him were heartwrenching, far worse than he'd ever encountered in life. He almost wanted to reach out and offer comfort, but he knew it would likely only hurt both of them, and he'd resolved not to initiate any bonds nonconsensually. He wasn't sure he'd even be able to handle their minds, since healthier ones were still detrimental. 

The energy seeping from the fissures was intoxicating, like the urge to sleep when dehydrated or when succumbing to extreme heat or cold. It pulled him deeper and deeper into them until Sky's death shriek resounded all at once, akin to a hypnic jerk. He snapped out of it, shaking with adrenaline, and feared that he truly had gone too far off his rocker following the call of the void.

He reoriented himself to focus on viewing Jayce’s soul from afar. It remained steadfast, unchanged, cradling his essence between cupped hands seemingly eternally. Jayce radiated peace. Comfort. Safety.

Home. 

They intended to stay that way forever, which was as simple as consciously wanting to.

He noticed for the first time that his own energy was giving off a faint aura and coursing through Jayce like comets orbiting in a solar system. It felt like he was strengthening and protecting him in turn, from the inside out. He found solace in the notion that he really could benefit Jayce just by being there. He put himself fully into the experience for several moments. 

Back at the giant propeller of a workshop, Jayce sensed it and curled around him, pressing a hand to his core under the blanket he'd nabbed and watching Viktor brighten with a soft smile. 

Jayce:            [“Doing alright?”] 

Viktor:            [“Thanks to you,”] he murmured, filling Jayce's mind with the timbre of his voice and eliciting a shiver from the pleasant tingles. [“I regret not soliciting some form of this eight years ago. I never realized just how badly I needed to be held.”]

Jayce:            [“We'll make up for the lost time,”] he lilted, delighting at the flutter that followed. [“... There a reason you're reaching out? Did- Did something happen?”]

Viktor:            [“I… am unsure, in honesty. I sort of dissociated for a while, but then you centered me.”] 

Jayce:            [“... Is your friend ok?”] 

… 

Viktor:            [“I haven't visited yet,”] he admitted quietly. [“That's next. I suppose I've been mentally preparing.”] 

Jayce:            [“You don't have to face anything alone— this is what partners are for.”] 

VIktor:            [“Likewise; thank you, Jayce. I understand now, and I love you.”]

Jayce:            [“Love you too,”] was his rapt response, warmth palpable. He swore he could feel Viktor ghost against his lips and then settle in his arms, even though he couldn't touch him back that way. He found it equal parts flustering and frustrating. Naturally, Gun returned then and presented him with an array of large stinkbugs, prompting him to choose his fighter and then name and decorate it. He tried covering his whole body and head with the blanket instead like the polished, masking diplomat he was. 

Viktor finally found the strength to pull himself out of the sumps and head to the cave, drifting above the creek until it deposited there. He steeled himself and looked around. It was just as terrible as he'd anticipated, but there was no sign of Reveck. He chalked it up to him being out trapping more innocent animals.

Rio remained unresponsive like before, but this time, he phased through the glass and suspension liquid to reach for her.

Viktor:            “Forgive me,” he whispered. “I need to know if you're suffering.” 

Gently, he cupped the side of her large head and closed his eyes as the tether was established. Upon contact, he sensed she was still in there, but her metaphysical essence had become distorted, an unclear image with memories melded together. He focused to channel the newfound overabundance of energy from both her and the residents of The Last Drop. Like unearthing and restoring an artifact, he worked diligently but carefully despite going off of intuition alone. The layers of corruption fell away with his efforts, leaving him with just her mind and soul in the scape. Each fragment became engulfed in light as he guided it into place, edges melting back together one at a time. 

Finally, he was facing her cosmic apparition, statuesque like the others. Memories unfurled around him, many with him as a child. He hesitated before hugging her gingerly, then tightly, tears spilling over. 

Viktor:            “I'm sorry. I'm so sorry,” he choked out. “I've missed you every day.” 

He was no closer to knowing how she felt or if she could even feel anything anymore, if her consciousness had left the physical plane altogether. All he knew was that her body remained alive in stasis. 

He was too small to do anything about it before — and then too sick to once he'd finally returned — but now, there were no barriers. For the first time of his existence, he possessed physical power. It let him use his grief to do something. 

He stroked her face on both planes, then rested his forehead against hers as he entwined with the tubes to dislodge them. He monitored her mind carefully, searching for any indications of distress, but there were none. His essence went a step further and infused itself with her against his conscious intent. He tried reversing or at least stopping it, but the magic wouldn't heed his directions. He fought not to panic as he looked for any way to intervene, but it was already transforming her, a process that seemed impossible to even slow once underway. He dematerialized in vain, the energy working independently of his presence. Before he could further fray his nerves, it ended and she stopped glowing white, leaving a blue and cyan, opalescent, bioluminescent replacement of her body in her wake. He blinked away the tears and reached for her again with a trembling hand. This time, they connected normally. Her astral figure remained unchanged, the way it was before Reveck had hurt her. It stayed motionless like all the others, but it felt fully present now. 

Physically, Rio sank to the bottom of the tank and curled up there. He decided to count that as a response. Her gills had become insectoid, almost ornamental. She no longer breathed or had a pulse, but she was somehow still unmistakably alive. The liquid seemed to have heavy sedative chemicals amongst the cocktail, giving him a flicker of hope. He tried to open it to no avail, but he was relieved that she appeared at peace. He ran his fingers over the iridescent fringe of her earfins — and noticed that she was no longer slimy — as he focused on purposefully dividing himself. 

As always, Jayce felt him before he manifested, but it still surprised him. Despite Viktor's best efforts, both of him were sniveling. Jayce immediately held him and thumbed away a tear, concern written on his face. 

Jayce:            “Viktor—”

Viktor:            “No, it- it's fine! But I need your help, immediately, please. Just keep your eyes fixed.” 

Jayce:            “... Oh. I— Yeah, of course.”

Viktor:            “I am forever in your debt. Your hair looks very nice,” he smiled softly. The dye was faint and dark now that they'd rinsed it off. He brushed a strand out of Jayce's eyes affectionately. Jayce blushed, but before he could respond, Viktor teleported them. 

…… 

Gun:            “Uh, bye??? … Janna, they're so weird,” she muttered to Isha, who shrugged and went back to making etchings with one of Jayce's pauldrons.

Viktor:            “I told you not to look around! For your own sanity.” 

Jayce:            “... Too late, heh.” 

Viktor groaned but continued to lead him by the hand. 

Jayce:            “Somehow, I expected it to be worse.” 

Viktor:            “Incredible… You really ought to raise your expectations. We've discussed this at length.” 

Jayce:            “Maybe, but… this way I can be pleasantly surprised and prepared for the worst?” 

…

Viktor:            “I am a hypocrite,” he sighed. “Ok, I need to figure out how to safely extract her from this contraption.” 

Jayce examined the tank for a moment in awe. 

Jayce:            “... Teleport?” 

Viktor:            “I fear that could backfire. I don't know if the liquid is keeping her alive.”

Jayce:            “Well, how would we go about finding out?” 

Viktor:            “I… I was hoping you might have ideas,” he admitted sheepishly. 

…

Jayce:            “We'll get there,” he reassured him. “... This is your friend?” 

Viktor nodded, worrying his lower lip.

Viktor:            “Rio.”

… 

Jayce:            “I've never seen anything like her… I thought she'd be more like a giant… fish frog, I guess. She's- She's otherworldly.” 

Viktor:            “She was a regular mutant amphibian before she was transubstantiated twice… I don't know what I did to her. I didn't mean to… to change her, but now she's… shiny, and blue,” he gestured, at a loss. 

Jayce:            “Hey,” he offered gently. “I blew you, and you're still here. She seems fine.” 

Viktor was too distressed by the possibilities to spare more than an incredulous, bemused glance. 

Jayce:            “What if we remove her and see how she responds? If we need to, we can teleport her back.”

Viktor:            “... I don't… I don't know. I can't live with myself if I cause her more pain.” 

Jayce:            “You won't have to.” 

Viktor:            “... Because I am already dead?” he asked flatly, as if daring him to make another pun. 

Jayce:            “Because I'm taking the responsibility. Ok?” 

… 

Viktor:            “How can you? This is because of me, and you don't have intangible appendages to reach her.” 

Jayce:            “Just. Just please, let's give it a shot. Before the sicko comes back to find her like this.” 

Viktor:            “... And you,” he shivered in realization. “Alright; she's already been through too much, though. If she is doomed, we- we'll… need to show her mercy. I trust that you understand and are prepared to take whatever actions necessary.”

Jayce gave a grim nod and pressed a hand to the glass pensively, contemplating. 

Viktor:            “I can still hear Sky dying,” he wavered under his breath, looking away. “I even hallucinated it tonight.” 

Jayce:            “... Vik—”

Viktor:            “Funny, isn't it? A ghost being haunted.” 

…

Jayce:            “I can still see that little boy's eyes go dark,” he managed. Viktor wibbled and immediately hugged him. Jayce reciprocated, hold gentle but firm for reassurance. 

Viktor:            “You are doing right by him and countless others. It was an accident; you must forgive yourself.” 

Jayce:            “... It's so much easier to say these things to each other, huh.”

Viktor nodded against him after a moment, entire face buried.

Viktor:            “... I haven't even bothered to find out if she had relatives yet,” he muffled into Jayce's undershirt. “I need to… do something for her, along with organizing a memorial that highlights what an amazing person she was and tells Piltover that she was lost because of my recklessness.” 

… 

Jayce:            “I could show you how to sculpt with metalwork. It helped me process my grief a little.” 

Viktor:            “... What do you mean?” 

Jayce:            “... I made a statue of you. Got the idea because some rich assholes commissioned one for those councilors.”

……

Viktor:            “Oh. That's… Sorry.” 

Jayce:            “Figured you'd be embarrassed,” he chuckled sheepishly. “It, um, it got damaged anyway.” 

…

Viktor:            “I would like to see it. Your work is always so… soulful. Only you can bring metal to life.” 

Jayce:            “You're inspiring and sweet,” he smirked shyly. “But I think you'd enjoy doing art like that.”

Viktor:            “Perhaps with muscles like those.” 

Jayce:            “We can share,” he beamed. “It'd be easier for teaching you.” 

Viktor:            “I appreciate all of your kindness. It shouldn't be your burden, though— you didn't kill her. I need to expend myself somehow on my own.” 

Jayce:            “V, she was my friend, too. I think it'd be good for both of us.”

Viktor:            “I… Ok,” he relented. “We will revisit this at a time when we're not at risk of being interrupted by a heinous doctor.” 

Jayce:           “Right,” he exhaled. “Let's get her out of here, on me.” 

Viktor:            “On primarily me,” he argued, phasing his hand back through anyway. She was transported onto the ground, puddles forming from the liquid dripping off of her. Jayce knelt to inspect her and regretted, not for the first time, skipping biology classes. 

Viktor:            “I must warn you— if she does wake, she's wary of strangers.” 

…

Jayce:            “Now you tell me,” he snorted. 

Viktor:            “It was an oversight with the shield. I just don't want you to feel rejected; the Porofessor experience was tragic.” 

…

Jayce:            “Honestly, I think that was the reason I got cold feet on Progress Day. He looked so angry and fearful; I wanted to cry right there, on stage.”

Viktor:            “You know who else is angry and fearful?” 

Jayce:            “Heimerdinger?” 

Viktor:            “Yes, and he made those feelings our problem. Still, his reactions were not our fault. So… don't blame yourself,” he smiled before joining Jayce, who scooted over. 

Viktor:            “... Rio?” he murmured, scritching along the grooves of her face like she loved. He waited a moment before speaking again. “Please— Rio, please wake up.” 

There was still no response, but then he subconsciously sparked energy from his fingertips that connected with her like little bolts of lightning, a static transference. She came to life gradually, then sprung to her feet all at once in defense. 

Viktor:            “Rio!!! It's alright—” 

Jayce scrambled backwards while Viktor attempted to calm her. She spun to face him, and her tail accidentally shattered the glass tube, sending shards flying that almost grazed Jayce's skin. They exchanged a brief glance of horror over his shield not activating, both wondering if accidents wouldn't set it off. 

Viktor:            “I don't suppose you made a cake for her… Offerings of food cement people as her friends.”

Her fins flicked anxiously as she studied them. Viktor's vague familiarity soothed her, and then she was able to recognize him. She took all of one second to perk up before pouncing on him with a fullbody wiggle and licking him profusely between sniff boops. He laughed and just laid there hugging her head as her chin pinned him. His tears flowed in abundance. 

Once she was finally satisfied with noting all of his changes, she pulled back and began to examine her own. She appeared perplexed, but no distress was expressed or conveyed across their unique new bond. 

Viktor:            “... It's still you,” he murmured, more to himself, as he pet her smooth scales. Her earfins tilted towards him in acknowledgement of his voice. Jayce had used the distraction to teleport a piece of fruit from his kitchen and extended it at a safe distance, then waited for her to notice like he was trying to become a dragon trainer or horsegirl. He was eventually successful, but the fruit turned into light upon being bitten. He quickly retracted his hand, and she sniffed him inquisitively before getting close for a tense several seconds and then licking his face. He hazarded a pet, and his arm was gently mouthed, covered with glittery drool like Viktor. Viktor just hovered beside them, unsure whether he should intervene or risk distracting Jayce. 

……

Jayce:            “This is fine.”

Chapter Text

Jayce:            “I have a feeling our dorm is too small.”

Viktor:            “What do you propose?”

Jayce:            “When I teleported that Noxian spy, I had a vague mental map based off… the sort of place I wanted to send her, but I don't think I could point it out on an actual map. I wonder if the process could work in other ways— I've been wracking my brain for the name of whatever therapy town I stayed at. I'll probably end up asking my mom, but I'm curious whether I can get there myself just from memory.”

Viktor:            “That's worth in-depth research, but I anticipated you having an idea of where to hide Rio.” 

Jayce:            “Getting there. She needs a place to swim, right?” 

Viktor:            “Deserves one, with clean water.” 

Jayce nodded.

Jayce:            “So we try thinking really hard about finding a safe place for her to thrive. I didn't see where I sent the spy, which makes me wonder if it's just more… Inspiration bullshit,” he gestured vaguely. Rio wrapped her tongue around the hand all at once with a sticky splat like she was catching a fly and then stayed like that. Jayce hazarded a sideglance at her, and she blinked one eye at a time slowly at him. 

Viktor:            “She loves you already.” 

Jayce:            “Aw… God, I need a shower.”

Viktor:            “But yes, that would make sense. I… I am hesitant to leave her unsupervised; she trusts too easily.” 

Jayce:            “... I mean, you… you don't need to, right? Regardless of where she goes,” he smirked. Viktor just mimicked Rio's blink at him.

Jayce:            “... Because you… y'know,” he tried gesturing by putting his hands together and then pulling them apart, but the other one just got stuck. “— Multilocation! That's the word.”

… 

Viktor:            “Is that really a word?” 

Jayce:            “I mean, I've read about it.” 

Viktor:            “Ok. Good point; I will accompany her.” 

Jayce:            “As long as it doesn't give you more problems.”

Viktor:            “The physical realm's equivalent is disparaging. It's just… what seems to be natural divides, as opposed to seeing through souls and dimensions and being prone to thinking I am humanity's savior.” He freed Jayce's hands, no stranger to dealing with it. “No, this type is incomparable, and distracting at worst, from what I've experienced so far. I just happen to diverge the same way mentally… Shit, I could've been bothering Medarda all this time. I should do that posthaste!” 

…

Jayce:            “Oh my god, I forgot we can teleport to visit,” he laughed incredulously. “I made several huge scenes for nothing.” 

Viktor:            “Eh, I cried like the babyman I am. And I wouldn't say “nothing.” She likely is very busy; our spontaneous appearances could spell trouble. Besides, it's not as if either of us would know whether she was in the middle of a battle or shower prior to our arriving. There probably should be some sort of boundary established beforehand, even if I was just showing up alone, invisibly, at first.”

Jayce:            “Huh… I didn't think of it that way. We have a knack for interrupting, so I'm guessing it might not end well.”

Viktor:            “We could write her and await her response, edging ourselves conversationally. I am curious as to the limits of our telepathy and whether it can be extended, but we would need to ask for permission before experimenting with any mindfuckery, too.”

Jayce:            “Overseas correspondence will take at least a month to get one response, and sometimes the letters are lost along the way, but it's worth a try.”

…

Viktor:            “I kind of really want to go vex her right now regardless.” 

Jayce:            “I know, V. I know,” he smiled in fond bemusement. 

Viktor:            “Alright, fine; I can't refute such a solid counterargument. I will focus on Rio at the present and stop procrastinating with my endless yammering.” 

Jayce:            “Did you name her?” 

Viktor:            “No. The doctor did.” 

Jayce:            “Good, because it literally means River,” he snorted. “That's like naming a bird Sky— Wait, fuck, I'm sorry.” 

Viktor:            “It's fine; I am not going to burst into tears this time. Now, perhaps you should be the one to relocate her since you have experience?” 

Jayce:            “We could do it together!” 

Viktor:            “... I fear that any discrepancies between our wills, ah, could…” he did the same hand gesture Jayce had failed to. Jayce grimaced. “... I will check on the Noxian first to ensure I'd be able to visit someone you affected.”

Before Jayce could respond, he went through the rune to do so, leaving him alone with Rio for an uncomfortable moment. Rio stared, unblinking, for the duration, nostrils flaring, and Jayce stayed motionless, avoiding eye contact. Thankfully, Viktor was quick to return. 

Viktor:            “She's… alive, and still in the middle of nowhere, as you'd intended. I accidentally spooked her but said nothing… It seems safe enough to proceed.” 

… 

Jayce:            “We should probably study Rio before letting her loose, to ensure there's no… safety risks on either end.”

Viktor:            “Like the things exploding into light when bitten?” 

Jayce:            “I didn't wanna be too pointed, but yeah.” 

Viktor:            “She doesn't seem insulted.” 

Jayce snorted and shook his head. 

Viktor:            “Miss Rio, do you take offense to Councilor Talis's notions?” 

She chirped in acknowledgement of her name. 

Viktor:            “And do you approve of my less-than-professional entanglement with Councilor Talis?” 

…

Viktor:            “Noted.”

Jayce:            “Hey, you have to use her name! Don't skew the results.” 

Viktor:            “By all means, you ask her,” he smirked. Jayce paled in dismay as Rio waddled over to sit before them and resume staring. “Ah. She expects a treat for her response. Of course she would prioritize that memory.” 

Jayce:            “... Hi, Rio!” he gulped. She chirped back. He reached out warily to pet the side of her face.

Viktor:            “Careful; she can sense fear.”

Jayce:            “Really?” 

Viktor:            “No. Maybe? I don't know. But you have to give her a treat now or else she'll get ornery.” 

Jayce focused and used his free, clammy rune palm to produce another fruit, which she grabbed on sight like a frog. 

Viktor:            “I think what I will do is continue to study her in whatever sanctuary she's sent to, for the sake of getting her to safety without you getting caught. There's also a ridiculous amount of dangerous materials lying around.”

Jayce:            “Sharp ones, especially,” he grimaced, sweeping some of the glass shards aside with a shoe. “Shit, this whole place is like a trap designed for Sleeping Beauty… if it didn't matter what made her bleed,” he amended.  

Viktor:            “I implore you to be careful,” he warned as Jayce inspected the surgical tools, twirling one around between his fingers. “We don't want to find out if you're not immune to accidents.” 

Jayce:            “Maybe there's a threshold and quantifiers? Like, if I needed a procedure, or I wanted a tattoo, or if I tripped over one of these weirdly sharp stalagmites but the resulting injury would be mild. It could… be worth finding out? In case I really do need to be careful.”

…

Viktor:            “I don't know,” he fidgeted, occupying himself with petting Rio's back protrusions. “I don't want you to be hurt at all. Perhaps just always exercise caution?”

… 

Jayce:            “God, I'm so curious about my limits. But for your sake, I'll refrain from seeking answers,” he lilted.

… 

Viktor:            “Am I the foil in your narrative now? The antithesis of all that I once sought?” 

Jayce:            “... Don't think so. Why?” 

Viktor:            “Because I, for one, would readily endanger myself in the name of research. And I imagine I would be sour towards anyone who discouraged it… Sometimes I think I like being contrary.”

Jayce:            “Well, I think it's sweet that you care so much,” he murmured softly. “I love getting to see this side of you.” 

Viktor:            “Jayce, you are nearing a beartrap on the wall behind you.” 

Jayce:            “Oh! … Thanks, heh. Dunno how I missed that.” 

Viktor:            “The mood lighting here leaves much to be desired. It's somehow even worse than the lab.” 

Jayce:            “Honestly, I'm really surprised we haven't needed glasses yet. I somehow pass every eye exam with flying colors.” 

Viktor:            “I… was not aware we could get those.” 

…

Jayce:            “Have you ever been to an eye doctor?” 

Viktor:            “Of course I haven't,” he scoffed. “My vision is adequate.” 

Jayce:            “That's not… I do catch you squinting sometimes.” 

Viktor:            “Who doesn't?” 

Jayce:            “People without impairments.” 

… 

Viktor:            “And yet, I remain the one acutely aware of the various ways you could get nicked in this torture chamber. Like, for example, the sharkskin sheet you are currently leaning against.” 

Jayce:            “Whatever you say,” he sighed in fond exasperation. “... Wait, sharkskin? Seriously?” 

Viktor:            “Don't touch it!” 

Jayce:            “I just… I wasn't— Are you sure that's what it is? How would you even know?” 

Viktor:            “Trust me; you don't want to know.” 

…

Jayce:            “The hell does he use it for?!” 

Viktor:            “Again, I must spare you the knowledge.”  

Jayce:            “Ugh… Ok. I'm going to imagine a nice, safe place for Rio that has everything she needs.” 

Viktor:            “... And what does she need?” 

…

Jayce:            “Fresh water? Space? I'm imagining that anything she wants is in this place.” 

Viktor:            “Alrighty,” he smiled. “I look forward to seeing the results.” 

Jayce's rune reignited, and he opened his eyes, blue in preparation. He grew brave enough to give her a chin scritch before illuminating her. She made a low, content trill, and after an extended moment of affection, he sent her off, leaving sparkles in her wake. Viktor's silhouette blurred as it divided, one of them wisping into the rune after her. 

……

Viktor:            “Excellent job,” he marveled. Jayce brightened at the praise. “I urge you now to retire to your quarters at the, eh, “workshop” while I further investigate Shimmer here.” 

Jayce:            “My quarters?” he snorted. “V, it's a blanket tent.” 

Viktor:            “Still, you need sleep.” 

Jayce:            “... But you promised to come with me,” he pouted. 

Viktor:            “Augh, not that face,” he groaned in guilt. “It's not advisable for you to remain here any longer than necessary… I can continue to snoop while one of me returns with you?” 

Jayce:            “Don't you need some form of sleep? It can't be healthy to keep your mind constantly active.” 

Viktor:            “I am fine,” he waved dismissively. “There's too much work to be done for me to just… waste time being idle. It's not like I'm at risk of collapsing anymore.” 

Jayce:            “V, come on…” 

…

Viktor:            “People are succumbing to addiction in every alley I traversed tonight,” he stated softly. “That cannot be permitted… Besides, I doubt I am the picture of sanity even well-rested,” he added for levity. “I've been sleeping with you and still spiraled today.” 

Jayce:            ”... Maybe today was different. You might need sleep now more than usual.” 

Viktor:            “Jayce, please, be reasonable. I need to prioritize.” 

Jayce:            “Oh, I'm being unreasonable? The guy who witnessed… all of that,” he gestured vaguely at him, “and is just suggesting you not burn the wick at both ends?” 

… 

Viktor:            “I don't think I can truly sleep anymore,” he confessed quietly. Jayce frowned in concern. “No, don't pity me for this. It's a nonissue.”

…

Jayce:            “Maybe you can sleep if you get fully into my mind? Like when we share my body, but this time, with my brain.” 

Viktor:            “That… That sounds lovely,” he admitted. “But I can't right now; I'm sorry.” 

Jayce:            “Viktor.” 

Viktor:            “Not the puppydog eyes.” 

Jayce:            “... Tell you what, I'll just have a quick look around, and then at least one of you has to try sleeping in me.” 

… 

Viktor:            “You're a glutton for me,” he teased in bemusement. 

Jayce:            “I really am. And before you worry again about the doctor showing up, it's not like he'll even recognize me. He has nothing to go off without my crest.” 

Viktor analyzed him and realized he was right. Wearing only his undershirt and the lower half of his outfit, he was virtually unidentifiable.

Viktor:            “... Fine,” he groaned. “But for Janna's sake, watch where your squishy living body goes galavanting about.” 

Jayce:            “Deal,” he grinned, sidestepping a bonesaw at the last second and deflating in relief that Viktor hadn't noticed. While Viktor poked at the chemistry equipment, Jayce managed to locate a small desk around a far-off bend after several minutes of wandering, using his magic like a torch. “[Found some leads!]” he called excitedly. Viktor split again to join him, popping out of the rune. 

Viktor:            “I… These are imperative to look into. I didn't even know the cave extended in this direction!” 

Jayce:            “Aren't you glad I stayed?” he beamed cheekily.

Viktor:            “Yes; gloat on… He never let me explore unsupervised, and I can't recall seeing a passageway here.” 

Jayce:            “That might be why,” he nodded at a false boulder beside it, using his shoe to nudge it. Viktor's excitement was palpable. Jayce wasted no time opening the drawers, Viktor unlocking the thin middle one by filling its lock with all the corporeality he could summon and turning it, finding a notebook. Together, they poured over the contents of each drawer.

Jayce:            “There's so much to read, and it all looks important.” 

Viktor hummed in agreement. 

Viktor:            “Might as well take everything.” 

Jayce:            “... Everything everything?” 

Viktor:            “I don't see why not,” he shrugged. “It can't hurt.” 

Jayce:            “Alright,” he nodded, almost trembling as he scooped and zapped it all out quickly but methodically. 

Viktor:            “I am so glad to finally be committing larceny,” he commented nonchalantly.  

Jayce:            “Trying not to think about that,” he muttered with an incredulous laugh. 

Viktor:            “The thrill intoxicates,” he argued.

…  

Jayce:            “Ow, fuck.” 

Viktor:            “What's wrong?!” 

Jayce:            “Papercut.”

Viktor winced. 

Viktor:            “... This discovery is disconcerting.” 

Jayce:            “I'm fine; just surprised me.” 

Viktor:            “But it happened. That's… cause for concern.” 

Jayce:            “A little papercut's not gonna get anyone killed.” 

Viktor worried his lower lip in silence and assisted with the remaining contents, pilfering the chemistry equipment and accompanying materials with his double while he was at it. Then, they found that the corridor was a dead end, so they returned to the clearing.

Jayce:            “Wanna check for anymore secret passageways?” 

Viktor:            “Kindly stay put and allow me to.” 

Jayce:            “Fine,” he rolled his eyes. 

The Viktors scoured the cave as thoroughly and quickly as possible, nabbing a few more odds and ends. Jayce felt uncomfortable standing there, made worse by the mystery drips coming from above. He shifted and wiped a glob off of his neck with a grimace, examining its qualities. It felt… tacky, and slimy, not entirely unlike Rio's drool. More were falling, increasing in frequency and size. He stepped aside and tried to determine the source. His magic was just bright enough to illuminate an enormous beast as it dropped onto him, fangs bared. 

Jayce:            [“... Hey, V, are you ok?”]

Viktor:            [“Yes? You- You're panicking.”]

Jayce:            [“Kinda. Um, brace yourself. I'm so sorry; I didn't mean to…”] 

Viktor:            “What are you talking about?” he implored anxiously as he manifested. At that moment, a delayed wave of energy crashed over him, scrambling his thoughts and sending him into a record-breaking fugue. All three of him shortcircuited, then dissipated. The tether was intense enough to knock Jayce out for several minutes, plagued by a horrific amalgamation of souls' memories, but he was able to resurface without getting too disoriented this time, maintaining awareness.

Jayce:            “Fuck… Viktor? … Viktor!!!” 

The beast growled at his volume but continued to gnaw on his shield like a toy, entranced by the minuscule amount of dry blood below it. Jayce managed to reel the unresponsive Viktors back into his core through sheer willpower and exhaled in relief as he felt him consolidate into a stable state. He went a step further, coaxing Viktor deeper until he coursed through Jayce's mind too, fully immersed and tethered with metaphorical white knuckles like ropes on a sail as the storm gradually began to abate. Jayce massaged his temples, almost feeling the beast's agony vicariously. The loud, gross noises were not helping his headache or nausea. He wanted to try sleeping it off, but he didn't dare risk loosening his hold on Viktor, so he just gritted his teeth and waited for it to pass, hoped that it would. Viktor was dispersed through his neurons themselves like he was knit into them inextricably, still mixed up. He could feel Viktor remain distinct from himself, though, and after a while, it felt like he was sleeping, akin to before the first time he awoke. 

Somehow, Jayce knew that the danger had ended, along with the worst of his symptoms. He forced himself to get up and zapped the now-temporarily placated Vander into the abyss with difficulty, then brought them back home, too weak and tired to assuage the girls’ worry, which he knew would be necessary given the state of him and Viktor's absence. He also preferred his bed over a metal floor, wasting no time collapsing into it before passing out.  

Chapter Text

Jayce found himself back in his dreamscape, seemingly alone. He floated through the space with no direction in mind until he noticed specks of blue scattered around, varying in size but all small and floating like firelights. He hurried to scoop one up, and it tingled before fading into him. He proceeded to gather every single one despite his difficulty maneuvering, their energy building like a bunch of rambunctious butterflies as he progressed. By time he'd finished, his entire cosmic body was thrumming as if electric. It continued to grow brighter with an overwhelming sensation until everything went white, and then he blacked out, mind going blank. 

He felt confused more than anything. Disoriented with no means to reorient himself. Lost, his senses nonexistent, but somehow, he could tell that he was exactly where he wanted to be. 

He didn't know who he was anymore, but he found that he fiercely loved himself, devotion bordering on obsession. He couldn't exist without himself, whatever that meant. 

He might've even considered it codependency if he was two people. It alarmed him to realize, but at the same time, nothing made sense, and that sole drive functioned as both a lifesaver and a pillar keeping the foundations of himself above water. 

… And he found himself unfathomably horny but had no body with which to get himself off. He made do anyway. 

Like gently raking over and palming the amorphous peripherals of his essence, he set himself alight with a pleasure he'd never felt before, supported by ones both familiar and novel. He wanted himself, but he didn't know how, knew but they were simultaneously conflicting and consistent. It didn't matter, though— the physical urges that would've manifested otherwise couldn't apply there. Instead, the underlying give and take of an infinity mechanism propelled him higher and higher towards his peak, an equally nebulous but intense thing. Need. Undying affection. Adoration. Devotion. Magnetism incarnate. As he came down from it, he felt like he was floating again. 

And then, a vague, conceptual memory surfaced of him both giving and receiving the Acceleration rune, which transitioned into perspectives that were melded together, two faces looking back at each other in budding affection.

It finally occurred to him that both of them were his now. 

They gingerly extracted themselves from one another just enough to be definable, albeit still unseen. Like speaking in a dream, calling out in silence, they affirmed each other's presence. 

    “... Once more?” he eventually asked himself and responded with rapt enthusiasm before resubmerging, the question and answer already known before being given. 

After so many more abstract orgasms that he lost count, he drifted back up to the surface of his being and found a single point to cling to. It was the overwhelming desire for physical contact, for skin against skin and soft kisses. It gave him something to grab ahold of, and then the ways that that desire diverged into separate, more specific paths of action delineated him into them. Cool and warm energy were now distinguishable from where they'd converged together. 

             “Holy fuck,” he breathed without lungs. “Viktor…”

    “Do we really need words right now, let alone names?” he wheezed. “We are of one mind.”

             “... Force of habit… Plus, the familiarity helps. I'd be sad if I couldn't tell you apart from myself at all anymore.” 

… 

    “Gods, I love you so fucking much.” 

             “Like that. I have to be able to say that,” he laughed, flustered as he felt the declaration resound in his very being with unfettered emotion, conveyed directly from the source.

    “... I do want to hear you,” he murmured. “I missed it, badly.”

             “Likewise. I want to see you too.” 

Viktor hummed in agreement, and Jayce felt the sensation of fingers ghosting over him. He shivered in delight. 

             “... Feels like you're touching my soul…”

    “I probably am,” he shrugged, failing to sound nonchalant.

             “Please, more,” he whimpered. 

    “Of course. You have all of me.” 

He reached deeper as Jayce nearly pulled him, clinging tightly at his barely-palpable form. He kissed fervently with the same hunger as always despite them not having anything visible, let alone defined lips or even flesh. Somehow, he managed around their lack of solidity, and Viktor reciprocated with fervor, filling it with his energy all the same and delighting in Jayce's overwhelmed, blissed-out noises resonating. Once he got as close as possible, Jayce sensed it and gasped with a quiet “... Oh.” 

     “How's that?” he murmured against him. 

             “So good,” he whispered as he trembled with pleasure, words predictable but no less titillating for it. He felt the telltale sensation of heat growing in his lower belly and his pulse there throbbing, along with something new, something swirling through the space and fluttering.

     “You're soft and lovely even here. You take me perfectly.”

Jayce keened in realization as Viktor rubbed against a certain spot. 

             “Ohhhh, fuck, god, I think I took you into my womb…”

…

     “... Do you have one right now?”

             “Maybe? It would make sense; I want to. Just for holding you.”

     “Hold me, then,” he breathed. “Keep me as yours.” 

The metaphysical heat intensified at that. 

             “My baby,” he keened under his breath. “My sweet little baby.” 

With a strangled cry, Viktor unexpectedly surged through him like a current, alighting his essence. It pushed Jayce over the edge, and his own orgasm came like crashing waves that threatened to drown Viktor, that Viktor welcomed. 

As their volcanic peaks cooled, stimuli solidified into less abstract concepts, more concrete sensations. One of them — or both of them — opened their eyes, and then they were face-to-face, noses smushed against the other's cheekbones. There was an extended period of dumbstruck silence before they looked down and found that what constituted their astral forms had combined. Viktor's light shone in every facet of Jayce's crystalline body and danced along his “skin” like dappled sunlight through water.

……

             “This is… new.” 

    “It's like being encompassed by raw sexual energy.”

…

             “Seriously?” 

    “A bit. Mostly, it's enthralling and comforting. You're a dazzling display and warm blanket simultaneously.”

Jayce hummed contently, occupied with nuzzling along his jaw, then captured his lips in a kiss. It was sweet and drawn out. They were too spent to do more than remain suspended like that, intertwined.  

    “... Jayce, are we dead?” 

… 

             “I don't know. I'm afraid to find out.”

    “Can you remember what preceded this?” 

He shook his head with a frown. 

             “... I'm also trying not to,” he admitted.

…  

    “Someone or something might be waiting for us.” 

             “Maybe,” he conceded. “Or maybe this is all that's left, and remembering will make it end… I just want to stay with you.” 

Viktor found an arm to stroke his hair with soothingly. 

    “... Could you please tell me the last event you recall anyway? I won't push you to think past that.” 

……

             “You… You died, and then you became part of me. You were asleep for so long… and now, you're… I'm not sure. I'm sorry.” 

    “It's alright. You did well.” 

             “Oh!” he gasped. “You woke up, and we…… fuck, we…”

    “Somehow, I think we're recalling the same events simultaneously,” he lilted to deflect. 

             “I ate you,” he blurted out. “Several times, by proxy.”

    “I am very relieved that I didn't need to catch you up. I doubt I would've found the nerve to.” 

             “Fuck… Fuck, it was so hot.”

    “It really was.” 

             “... I think you're still inside of me.” 

… 

    “Most likely,” he managed, failing to sound nonchalant. 

             “As Hexgems,” he clarified. Viktor snorted. 

    “Yes, you wanted to leave the one you ate in. It's too large to, eh, “breach containment,” so it's yours until you have me zap it out. As far as I can recall, that hasn't happened yet.” 

             “Fuccck… I think I can feel it even here.” 

Jayce separated a bit more to look for the telltale glow.

…

             “It's in there, alright,” he laughed breathily. “The one in my partner pocket is, too.”

    “... I can see all of your older memories at will now.” 

…… 

             “Yours too, but only once I tried after you said that. God, Vik, it's… so much.” 

… 

    “First time?” he joked despite his flusteredness.

…

             “Now I know what it's like to- to be inside of myself,” he paled in horror. 

    “... Oh.” 

             “Blue aside, the visuals are actually kind of nauseating,” he admitted. “And the- the textures, and motions, and sounds. I'm just glad you excluded smell.”

    “You- You know you can pick and choose what to perceive, right?” 

… 

             “No,” he managed weakly. “I started wondering, and then my brain started showing it. I think I'm gonna be sick.” 

    “Just stop looking!” he pleaded. 

             “It's such bullshit that I can still get sick outside of my physical body,” he groaned, hand muffling his mouth. 

    “... I mean, we probably are still in your body.” 

             “Really?” 

    “At least to some extent. I would hope that ailments can't follow you beyond it,” he murmured as he rubbed his back soothingly. “... Seriously, though, you'll feel better if you stop staring into your organs.”

             “I- I don't think I can. It's like seeing a trainwreck.” 

    “That's… a bit harsh. I think you're beautiful.” 

             “It's disgusting,” he whined. 

    “Agree to disagree,” he quipped. “Here, I'll distract you.” 

He punctuated his offer by running a hand down Jayce's abdomen, slowly, tenderly, then repeating with the other before beginning to stroke and massage it, dipping his fingers in every now and then and even rolling around the little ball of energy that was the transubstantiated Hexgem in his tummy. 

    “You're fucking gorgeous in every manner,” he whispered against the shell of his ear. Jayce shivered. “There's no place I'd rather be.” 

Jayce moaned softly, arching towards his hands. 

    “I would get in your left kidney if that got you off.” 

The spell was interrupted as Jayce stared up at him incredulously.

    “What?” he frowned.

             “What the fuck, that's so specific.”

    “I said what I said and I stand by it… I would even fuck your colon.”

… 

             “That's… That's normal.” 

    “Is it?” he blinked. “I don't have a frame of reference to go off.”

             “Anal is normal.”

    “Ah. Perhaps that's why we haven't partaken in it.” 

             “... We could change that.”

    “Yes. Yes, I suppose we could… Do you want fingers in your ass, big boy~?” 

Jayce cracked up to tears, curling in on himself. Viktor basked in smug pride at the effectiveness of his distractions, but he didn't dare remind him, since he was certain they'd just end up right back there.

             “You're killing me.” 

    “I delight to inform you that the contrary is true.” 

             “God… Doomed with immortality.” 

    “I think it's hot.” 

             “... I don't even think I have an asshole here.” 

    “A pity,” he frowned, checking between Jayce's spread cheeks with him to confirm. They were seamlessly smooth after a shallow depth like he was wearing spandex. When he closed his legs again, his crack wasn't even visible, but that was consistent with the rest of his censored areas. “Maybe we can figure out how to alter these forms.” 

             “Maybe… In the meantime, guess we'll just have to be freaks.” 

    “It was written in the stars,” he nodded solemnly. “So, which organ?” 

             “Do I look like I have organs right now?” he snorted. 

    “You're reacting with pleasure like you do.”

             “Yeah, well, that's probably just the psychological aspect. A “me” thing.” 

    “Understandable.”

He swirled his fingers through Jayce some more and delighted in the squirms and noises he elicited. Jayce's chest heaved, and when Viktor tried to give him a reprieve, Jayce just guided his hands back down to where iridescent opal fingerprints had appeared and begun to fade. 

             “Deeper,” he panted. “Please.”

Viktor complied and was gradually drawn in up to his shoulders from more begging and tugs. Like reaching into a portal, the only indications of his presence were Jayce's reactions and the lightshow. Jayce looked down at him with pleading eyes. 

    “Say no more,” he sighed in bemusement. “Unless, of course, you've had your fill.”

             “No, never. I can never get enough of you.” 

    “I've noticed,” he smirked as he entwined their hands, lined up with Jayce's larger frame, and slowly phased his entire form back into it up to his neck, studying Jayce's response. 

             “Oh god, yes, yesss…”

    “You look even prettier full of me.” 

Jayce whimpered and started grinding his hips against nothing despite the lack of genitalia, overwhelmed by feeling the energy of Viktor's crotch in his. Viktor kissed along the edge of where his neck met the ever-changing, uneven, oceanlike beginning of his astral body, which left little fading marks akin to holographic afterimages, sinking through the surface on both sides and dissipating underneath. He left a hickey at the juncture, and Jayce swallowed hard, Adam's apple bobbing with another rivulet of iridescence flowing behind it, joining his cosmos below. Viktor repeated the action on the opposite side of his neck to make the deeper, brighter marks symmetrical. 

             “More,” he begged. “Make them last forever.”

    “I'll see what I can do,” he smirked against his skin.

             “... Ugh, I remember now. I kinda really wish I hadn't.”

… 

    “I can sense that you're keeping me interwoven with your neurons in a vicelike grip. Am I that in need of sleep?”

             “You… You can't see Vander?” 

…

    “The sisters’ second father?” 

Jayce nodded apprehensively. 

    “I've seen memories of him, but he's long dead. Why do you ask?”

             “... Because he's not,” he winced. “It's much worse than that… I- I got scared by what happened to you when you were tethered to him, so I guess I… I ripped you out of it. Shoved you so deep inside me that it couldn't reach you. I don't know, but now I'm scared that it'll happen all over again if I let go, and this time, I won't be able to extract you… There were- There was an amalgamation of monsters attached to him.”

……

    “Jayce, I dreamt of creatures surrounding me in dark depths, like sharks. Somehow, I could tell that they ignored me because I wasn't bleeding. They were so… tormented themselves. They seemed confused and in pain, be it physical, mental, or both and more than that… Could they be the same?”

             “They felt like that to me. Lost, trapped, in anguish… I can't even begin to figure out what to do.” 

…

    “I might.”

             “Viktor, I swear, if you try to sacrifice yourself again—”

    “It's not like that,” he quickly clarified. “I reassembled the shell of Rio's essence because it had become shattered and distorted. Will you let me just look?"

             “You- You did at first, I think, and that's what hurt you.”

    “... I was losing my godsforsaken mind in panic until we got the gun, yet I heeded your wishes,” he reminded him dryly. “Because I trusted your judgement… ultimately. Do you trust mine?” 

             “I- I trust you; of course I do. But these are uncharted waters, and… and it seems like sometimes they affect judgement.”

    “Jayce, I let you be held at gunpoint for hours.” 

             “And I'm sorry; I know that was horrible to watch… But then you thought you were a god.” 

    “You're never going to let me die that down, are you.” 

             “I'm just trying to- to avoid worse happening. Because whatever this is feels much, much worse. Three regular human souls were too much. Vander has untold amounts of nonhuman ones, and many feel like they belonged to magic creatures. I- I need to keep you safe, Viktor. It's selfish and shitty of me, and I'm sorry, but I can't let you go.” 

…

    “... Even to help a good father of our friends?” 

             “I'll always choose you over the entire goddamn world.” 

Viktor frowned and looked aside pensively. Jayce fidgeted in guilt. 

    “This is more than us,” he finally murmured. “And I- I will let you continue to ground me in reality, but you must let me make my own decisions. I promise, I'll exercise excessive caution. But our beloved companion once said that every worthwhile venture involves risk.” 

             “This isn't an experiment,” he pleaded. “This is you.”

    “I know,” he stated quietly. “Which makes it all the more important for you to respect that.” 

… 

             “You're right,” he winced. “... Ok. I'm sorry, again. But I need you to choose yourself, if it comes to that.” 

    “So possessive of your possessor,” he half-joked. 

             “... I can feel how badly you want to make up for what happened to Sky… But Viktor, she'd be pissed if you went and shredded your soul after she stopped you the first time. So, please, do right by her by being good to yourself like she'd want you to.” 

……

    “Fuck,” he muttered into Jayce.

             “... Do you remember when you ranted about the Trolley Problem?” 

…

    “You cannot seriously be applying it to real life.” 

             “Just hear me out!” 

Viktor sighed in exasperation. 

             “Let's say, uh… Let's say that Sky and I tied ourselves to the one track, and—” 

    “Jayce, how in the everloving hell could anything that follows be helpful?” 

… 

             “Well, let's say—”

    “Let's not. I told you, I would simply board the car, pull the brake, and immobilize the sadistic conductor.” 

             “Yeah, but what if you couldn't get in?” 

    “Then I snip the ropes or the cable, if a large physical obstacle can't be used to stop it altogether.” 

             “What if your only choice for harm reduction was the lever?” 

    “That's bullshit, Jayce. No matter how one parses the scenario, it will remain a logical fallacy by design. A track switch can be pulled halfway for derailment— I am just trying to be considerate of any unwitting passengers.” 

             “... How'd you find that out?”

    “Tread carefully with my memories,” he lilted in warning. “There is much you aren't prepared to learn. But let's give you a turn at the Trolley Problem.”

             “My entire time as a councilor was,” he grumbled. 

…

    “Aren't you still one?” 

             “Wish I wasn't.” 

    “Right, that was my doing. Sorry,” he winced. 

             “No, I mean, it's important, and I'm finally making a positive difference this time, for the first time. It just… stresses me out, I guess.” 

    “Yet you lecture me about not doing anything to my detriment.” 

             “That's not the same,” he protested. 

    “Did you notice your magical jizz-healed ulcers? … Wait, don't revisit—”

             “Too late,” he groaned, then exhaled shakily. “It's- It's ok. I didn't even know I had ulcers, but that explains a lot.”

    “I assumed you were aware, given how painful they looked.”

             “I would've maybe drank a lot less coffee if I knew,” he snorted. 

    “You would've forgone your caffeine abuse-fueled council routine?” 

             “... Probably not. You see how clumsy I am without it. I need to be that hopped up for meetings.”

    “You shouldn't have to.”

             “Yeah, well, I do.”

    “It isn't fair to you.” 

             “And it's not fair that you're risking losing your mind or worse, but here we are.”

…

    “We're both fairly insufferable hypocrites when it comes to each other, aren't we?” 

             “Your words, not mine… We can revisit this,” he sighed. “The most pressing issue for me right now is figuring out how to wake up.” 

    “Ah. Right… Hrm. Have you tried to?” 

             “I'm not sure, honestly. I'm still too conflicted about letting you into Vander, so that might be interfering.” 

    “Jealous?” he teased.  

             “Scared.”

    “I trust that you'll keep me safe while I multitask,” he smiled for reassurance. 

             “... Ok,” he sighed shakily. “Just please stay out of every deep-end that isn't mine.” 

Viktor shook his head in bemusement and separated fully from Jayce but found that his form was still unstable, beginning to dissipate into floating dots again. He grimaced as his hand started wisping away. 

    “Don't worry—” he immediately made to assuage Jayce's spike of anxiety. 

             “That's worse than telling me not to think about my fucking blue ulcers! — Oh, god—” he dry-heaved. 

    “Jayce. It will be fine,” he interrupted with hands cupping his cheeks, rematerializing as he phased his lower half back into Jayce, which was a more effective distraction. Jayce's gag tapered into a hiccup that sounded like a whine. He let Viktor tilt his head up with wet eyes.

    “I'll… I'll just stay! I think I need a little more time to sort myself out; that's all. I want you to try waking up, and please, take care of yourself. You're the one with the flesh vessel to maintain.”

             “... Promise not to look for Vander without me?” 

    “I will be with you,” he gestured at Jayce's middle. Jayce huffed. “Ok, ok, but since you're keeping me both tethered to reality and wrapped up in your synapses, if I find an opportunity to do so safely, I must seize it.” 

……

             “Fine,” he drew out an exaggerated sigh. “I'm serious, though— be careful. Please.”

Viktor nodded in determination, then rose higher than him to kiss the tip of his nose. Jayce captured his lips softly afterwards. 

             “I hope I'll see you soon,” he murmured in apprehension. Viktor thumbed his cheekbone. 

    “You will,” he promised and held his gaze with a smile, confident and sure. Before Jayce could react, Viktor smooched him on the forehead, the impact somehow waking him up. He startled, then got his bearings, the sensations of having biological functions and senses always strange to readjust to. 

             “... Ugh…… Viktor?” he whispered hesitantly, then repeated louder when there was no reply. He sat up enough to look down at himself, choosing to ignore for the time being the dried spunk explosions that had breached his boxers. His core still felt stable, its light unwavering in brightness along with the gems’ and now his entire womb, too. He ogled them in awe and rubbed at them tenderly to calm himself for several minutes before hauling his ass out of bed to rehydrate and then grab a shower and breakfast, hands resting on the spots when unoccupied. He hated any perceived absence of Viktor, but not being able to have a conscious interaction with him was the worst, especially when he couldn't tell what Viktor was experiencing. He distracted himself by zapping a stack of notes from the cave desk onto his kitchen table and beginning to flip through it as he ate, skipping ahead at some gruesome, unhelpful logs and regretting having food at the same time. 

             “You done cooking in there?” he half-joked with a prod at his torso. “Because I could really use another set of eyes (maybe a dozen) to skim these faster and spare me from the illustrations… I'd just have to remember they're there and consciously filter them out, somehow… Fuck my ass,” he muttered. “How do you do it, Vik? I'm getting plagued by so many of your memories— Don't get me wrong; I can't get enough of you — plus, I love being able to understand you better, to see your worldview and what shaped you — but I don't want to be you; only you can do that. I don't need to taste pickled artichokes or feel your… smegma,” he shuddered, deflating with a forearm to pillow the side of his head on the table. “... Please hurry up and save me from myself.”

Chapter Text

When Jayce had awoken, his humanoid body disappeared from view, and Viktor's surroundings changed. The multicolored cosmic scape had transformed to hues of blue fractals akin to Jayce's form, and a warm aura encompassed him like a hug. He noticed that he himself was even less human and more ethereal, transparent "fog" material without a solid or smooth surface, but that didn't concern him. He drifted through the facets in awe, the experience reminiscent of his first encounter with magic. At times, random runes would form from the light wisping off of him, but they were fleeting and often too fast to recognize, still others ones he'd never seen anywhere before. 

The space appeared endless until he started consciously looking for its perimeters, and then he was suddenly faced with a solid white, giga Acceleration rune that seemed taller and wider than he could see past, unless it was just blocking his vision. He hesitated for a moment, wondering whether entering it could backfire. He knew for certain that Jayce wouldn't want him to find out, but he was confident in the way Jayce clung to his entire self like a diving suit, its cable, and the person reeling him back in. He reached out with flickering digits, their energy immediately seeping towards it, drawn in like a swirl of energy to a black hole. He shook off his apprehension and plunged his hand through the intangible barrier, steeling himself as it ignited and drew him in until there was nothing left on the gem side. 

The other side was an entirely new experience. He'd traveled through and used the rune plenty of times, but this seemed unfamiliar. Superimposed on it was a layer of reality that held their “inventory,” like the chainsaw, dagger, Noxian weapons, crates of Hexgems, Gun's pistol, bomb, and braids, loot from the cave, and Vander, all frozen in place like three-dimensional snapshots. His eyes were closed, as if he was just resting. Viktor hesitated longer this time. This was exactly the sort of thing Jayce would panic over, but, at the same time, he figured it would be better to get over with without Jayce's conscious presence. Vander's soul and memories were still hidden away from him, or he was hidden from them, and he could tell it exhausted Jayce to maintain… At the same time, he was also just a curious bastard. Not being permitted to investigate something that could potentially hurt him alone spurred him further, but he rationalized it after pouring over the pros and cons by justifying his need to abate suffering. He approached with caution, anticipating Vander spontaneously waking up and attacking, but he remained motionless. Viktor closed his eyes with a slow exhale, then gingerly placed his hand atop Vander's nearer, clawed one and braced for the worst imaginable outcomes. Vander's mind unfurled for him, and he gritted his teeth at the onslaught of disjointed, multispecieal memories, far more distorted and melded together than Rio's. They warped the space, and it put him in another pocket dimension as a failsafe.

Jayce's palm tingled, and he cracked open a heavy eyelid, brow raised, before closing it again with a deep sigh, curling his fingers around the rune. 

             “... Viktor, I swear to god…” 

He looked like a normal, living human there, albeit still able to float and phase through things. For a while, he was mostly surrounded by illusions. Some of them were visual, some abstract, most fleeting. Fragments of souls, lost and left behind, unable to even remember who they were. Their distress manifested palpably. They often didn't register his presence at all, but among the ones that did, their responses were unpredictable. Some chose to ignore him, some gave him passing attention, and still others reacted in fight-or-flight as if he was the cause of their maladies. He was at a loss for how to treat them aside from trying to heal what little they'd let him. Finally, one scrabbled onto him like a lifesaver and latched on his shoulders from behind like a mountain lion grappling. The facsimile of weight pushed him over, and its velcro-y suction paws adhered it firmly to his back. He just laid there, preoccupied with trying not to scare it away as it sniffed, until a familiar, inquisitive chirp was directed at him. 

    “... Rio?” he hazarded quietly. She chirped again in response. Gingerly, he reached for her, but she refused to let go. He needed to spawn another of himself just to see her, but she wasn't spooked away by it, just startled. 

   “Rio, what in Janna's name are you doing here?” he implored. 

She chirped back but was too anxious to want treats. 

    “Why are you here? How? And why are you so small? … Relatively speaking. You're still heavy.”

…

He sighed and pet her back soothingly. She gradually let up and allowed him to transfer her from his first shoulders to his second chest, immediately latching on again. She would've been crushing him fullbody if gravity was a factor. 

    “You're… very young here, aren't you?” he asked softly. He'd always wanted to know how she used to look, but his endearment was overshadowed by concern. “... He experimented with you for this, too, hm?” he murmured in pity, floating backwards to look at her properly while he soothed her with rhythmic pets. “No matter. We'll get you home one way or another.” 

They stayed like that for a while while his first self continued to explore, but they were eventually interrupted by a fuzzy creature manifesting out of the storm of distortions to scamper towards him as well. The naivety of youth combined with desperate hope at seeing Rio unharmed prompted it to approach his presence like a lifeline. It dug its claws into his leg for security, and he thanked Janna that he wasn't able to feel pain. It seemed to only barely tolerate pets because it didn't want to get lost again, so he stopped trying to calm it that way and let it climb up to sit on his head. 

    “Hopefully there's something in his notes about you…” 

He wondered if they had all regressed or if each creature's assimilation was unique. He'd seen a number of adult-appearing ones before that, which gave him cause to additionally ponder whether they could shift between states. 

After a moment of contemplation, he tried bonding with the two and managed to project soul images among the others he'd acquired. While continuing to soothe her, his astral self coaxed both of Rio's souls together with a tether, but they remained separate. He didn't have time to experiment further because the mystery creature's was fading. He hurried to stop it in vain, relieved that at least they remained fine on the other plane. 

    “... You don't have a body to go back to,” he mumbled in realization. “This is yours now… but I thought… Oh. Would that make you… a passenger of sorts?” 

The creature just looked at him, unable to interpret his words and shift in tone. 

    “I… I am very sorry… You deserve a home— your own body, returned to you. I don't know how to make that happen, but there must be something better than this.”

Mini Rio mouthed his hand, carefree again as if she couldn't form new memories there.

    “Now why are you sticking around, slimy? Don't you know you should rejoin your older self? … Are you even able to? …... I can't leave you in such a frightening storm… I won't,” he decided. “I will occupy your attention until our conundrum is resolved.” 

He split again to do so with illusions, and his third self was immediately chomped by the ghost of a startled wolf. He was surprised but uninjured. There was an almost awkward pause between them before he threw caution to the wind in favor of petting its chin with his free arm. It tensed, caught offguard, and bit down harder with a warning snarl, so he withdrew. 

    “... Sorry, where are my manners?”

They were stuck in a stalemate, so he focused on its memories and managed to manifest the concept of a meaty bone. The mystery creature approached said bone, and the wolf growled. He spawned a barrier between them that made them unable to sense each other before giving the creature another bone. A second wolf joined the first in mauling him while he cultivated an imaginary environment tailored to them, complete with everything they wanted and needed in life, as yet another pocket dimension that he sealed and left. It all magically worked off of willpower, like usual. He watched in wonder as they settled down together at their old den before he turned to Rio, who was on his back again with her head resting on his shoulder. 

    “How would you feel about building a ghost zoo with me?” 

Chapter Text

             "V! Oh, thank fuck you're back. Are you alright? You weren't answering my calls.”

The vague silhouette manifested into something unrecognizable. Jayce's eyes widened. 

    "Yes, I— Nothing bad happened. Sorry for the delay and inability to converse… You look as if you've seen a ghost,” he quipped awkwardly in an attempt to break the tension.

He followed Jayce's stare down at his form. Jayce subconsciously ogled his crotch. 

    “... This is… new.” 

……

             “Viktor,” he started slowly. 

    “I exercised caution,” he stated in preemptive defense. 

             “Did— What did you do?” he implored, already exasperated.

    “... I just peeked,” he mumbled. “... And founded a zoo in there along the way… No, really! It's the closest descriptor.” 

… 

             “Vik, what the hell does any of that mean?”  

    “Don't give me the eye,” he pleaded.

…

             “Viktor.”

    “Not the disappointed tone, too!” he exclaimed in genuine dismay. “I brought happiness and peace to some of the “whole” ghosts who took residence. It's an ongoing endeavor; many of them are fractured or just avoiding me, but we're making progress.”

             “... I see you brought a friend home,” he gestured at his back, unable to suppress a hint of fond amusement despite trying to stay serious. Viktor glanced over his shoulder in surprise at his now-translucent, pink companion, who had dared to peer out from behind him at Jayce. 

    “Oh, ah, so I have! This is… a young, compartmentalized fragment of Rio. I don't know anything else, but suggestions for her name are welcome. Otherwise, I will differentiate by calling her Mini Rio or something of the likes. This is your time to shine.”

             “... She's adorable, but I'm still upset,” he huffed. “And you're still a… a sexy alien bugman?” 

    “Ah, how quickly I forgot about your Xenomorph boner.” 

Jayce made to deflect in flusteredness, but Viktor was already reverting his appearance.

             “No, wait—!” 

    “Just as suspected,” he smirked. “Don't worry; I won't tell. Although I can't say the same for Gun.” 

             “... You know what I'm actually worried about,” he rubbed his brow with a sigh.

    “No, it's, eh… It's probably fine. This is all a learning curve, after all, and correct me if I am mistaken, but I don't seem more insane than usual at the present.” 

Jayce groaned, forehead plopping onto his stack of notes. Rio floated over to the kitchen counter, wary of Jayce but eager to lick fruit. Viktor abandoned words in favor of gingerly beginning to stroke Jayce's hair. Jayce's shoulders relaxed the slightest bit.

    “... I told you I would no longer be so unnecessarily reckless, and I meant it… Jayce, I will never abandon you if I have any say in the matter.” 

Jayce tensed again but then lifted his head to look at him with wet eyes before springing up to pull him into a bear hug. Viktor was surprised but clung in turn, rubbing his back. Even more guilt and concern assailed him at the way Jayce trembled around him, breaths unsteady. 

    “It's ok. Everything's ok,” he murmured softly, at a loss for how to comfort him. 

             “... God, Viktor, I'm so glad you're ok,” he wavered. 

    “You have nothing to worry about anymore; I promise,” he whispered. Jayce hugged him tighter with a small noise of relief in his throat. He gradually calmed down from Viktor's ministrations and reassurances as they stayed like that for several minutes. 

             “... I think I have separation anxiety,” he wibbled. “I- I couldn't even focus on reading. I started thinking about… about all the close calls over the past year, how I almost lost you before the meeting. If I'd been a couple seconds too late, if me being there hadn't made a difference, or if I'd- I'd startled you and you lost your balance, god,” he choked out.

    “I am so sorry,” he managed, voice strained with emotion. “I didn't know you were carrying this.” 

             “Me neither,” he laughed mirthlessly through a few hot tears that escaped. “I guess it bubbled up all at once… I thought about those things before the first time you woke up, when I thought you never would, but it wasn't… so acute in that specific way, maybe since that hadn't killed you…” 

    “... I really am here to stay this time,” he offered, hands cupping his face to gently thumb his tears away, which caused more to flow freely. 

             “I know,” he swallowed hard over the lump in his throat, then pressed his lips to the top of Viktor's head. “I'm just having trouble convincing my brain.”

    “I am all too familiar with that process firsthand,” he half-joked. “But I will assure you as many times as it takes.” 

…

             “Thank you,” he murmured, finally fully consoled. “Thank you for coming back and staying.” 

    “... Thank you for letting me.”

             “Always. Always, Viktor.” 

Jayce squeezed him before releasing, and Viktor failed to will his own tears away, having barely been able to school his voice for Jayce's sake until then. Jayce met his eyes and wordlessly pulled him back in, rocking him a little with soft shushes and kisses. 

    “I don't even have a reason to be crying,” he laughed. 

             “I'm sure you have plenty, but you don't need one.” 

… 

    “I… I love you so much,” he sniveled. Jayce smiled in endearment and kissed away his newest tears. 

             “Love you too, baby,” he whispered sweetly against the shell of his ear without considering the effect of the pet name until Viktor shifted closer with a shiver.

             “Sorry, heh, I didn't mean to—”

    “I think I have mommy issues and a mommy kink,” he muttered. “You should have seen me with Mel.” 

…

             “... Can I ask what happened with her?” he hazarded, unsure what to expect and trying not to let his imagination run wild.

    “Oh! Not, eh— Nothing sexual… I just cried all over her out of nowhere. It was cathartic.” 

             “She has that effect,” he chuckled. Viktor nodded. 

    “It will happen again.”

             “Is that why you're so gung-ho to visit?” 

    “... Perhaps.”

             “Isn't my bosom good enough?” he laughed. 

    “It's not like that,” he protested. 

             “I know, I know; I'm kidding… But I wouldn't mind if it was.”

    “I'm well aware,” he snorted. “Dream on, loverboy.” 

             “... You spend a lot of time with Vi.” 

    “Jayce, we are both homosexual.” 

             “No, I meant— The nickname,” he cracked up. 

…

    “You must realize that I am at least a little bit stupid.” 

Jayce rolled his eyes.

             “I don't want to know what that makes me.”

    “Hush now.” 

             “Mm, nah. I wanna finish talking about… earlier, while I can handle it, before too much time passes.”

Viktor nodded reluctantly. 

…

             “So, you- you went ahead with his tether?” 

    “Carefully,” he pointed out. “Although I am unsure whether it constitutes a tether yet— I don't see a soul statue of him. I was just sort of… snooping around. Meddling. Making friends with my fellow ghosts, or trying to… You did recommend being more social,” he joked sheepishly.

…

             “Did you have fun?” he smirked. 

    “It was… enriching, for lack of a better descriptor. It wasn't the same without you, but you were there in spirit, doing a superb job of keeping me safe.” 

He made a noncommittal noise, relief and exhaustion evident in every manner. Viktor brushed his hair out of his eyes with fondness. 

    “You can let go now; I assure you, I will be fine.”

             “But—”

    “This is not sustainable,” he interjected, gentle but stern. “And it's my turn to boss you around.” 

             “... Was I that bad?” he winced. 

    “You are never bad,” he stated simply, factually. “But I know you aim to please.”

Jayce huffed. 

    “Come on, giiive… Be a good puppy~”

… 

             “We're really gonna keep weaponizing these pet names, huh,” he sighed in bemusement. 

    “Most likely,” he agreed. 

Jayce looked at Rio to distract Viktor. Rio was trying to eat the fruits, but they kept phasing through her mouth back into the bowl, which she had yet to realize, delighted by the endless supply.  

             “She seems happy here.” 

    “Speaking of pet names…” 

             “I'm gonna need a couple days to think it over. You know how these things go.” 

    “I really don't.” 

             “Well, you can't rush the process if you want to come up with something more creative than Hexrio,” he joked. 

    “I… like the sound of that,” he admitted sheepishly. Jayce grinned and shook his head. 

             “You did find her.” 

    “She can have more than one name!” 

             “Alright, hah, I'll see what I can do.” 

    “I look forward to hearing. Now, gimme.” 

…

             “Nghhh…”

    “The sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can move onto the many other quandaries awaiting us.” 

             “Dammit… Fine,” he groaned and began to slightly release his mental hold on Viktor, then paused and watched him for any indication to stop. When there was no response at all besides a raised brow from Viktor, he continued until he was grasping just the last few strands. 

             “... Are you sure you know what you're doing?” 

    “Are you?” 

… 

             “Are you sure this is safe?”

    “Safe enough,” he shrugged, unfazed.  

             “Great. Very reassuring,” he grumbled and let go of all but one.

…

    “Are you planning on beginning the process sometime today, or are you just going to keep staring and deploying ironic callbacks?” he finally snapped. 

             “I… I'm almost done.”

…

    “Oh… Sorry; I hadn't noticed,” he blinked. “I suppose I was too busy trying not to be perturbed by your intense ogling.”

Jayce sighed as he released the last one and then grasped Viktor's shoulders shakily, unsure what to do if something happened but wanting to feel like he could act. 

    “... Jayce, you're concerning me.” 

…

             “Sorry, I just… Do you really not feel anything?”

… 

    “Not that I am aware of on any level. I fear we overcorrected; I can't sense him at all outside of you.”

Jayce deflated in relief and started perking up now that the threat had passed and his neurons belonged to him alone again. 

             “I know I'm still being selfish, but I'm glad to hear that.” 

    “I figured as much,” he lilted, patting his cheek. “Does your pretty head feel better?” 

He nodded enthusiastically, cheeks tinting at the compliment. 

             “I didn't realize how hard it was working… No wonder I couldn't focus,” he chuckled. “I'm ready to crack into these properly now,” he gestured at the mountains of Reveck's notes. “Mind splitting up the work so we can figure out what the hell to do about Vander and Shimmer sooner rather than later?” 

    “Let me at them.” 

He sat back down and slid a stack aside to open the journal he'd bookmarked. Viktor silently multiplied behind him and picked up one tome each. It was only when Jayce heard pages turning from several locations simultaneously that he turned around and gaped in flustered surprise, having never before seen that many Viktors. 

… 

    “I don't want to distract you.” 

             “... It's gonna be hard.”

Chapter Text

Gun:            “Took you long enough,” she snorted. “You really couldn't wait one night to get back to your freak shit?” 

Viktor:            “No, we couldn't. We're very sorry, but something… big has come to our attention, and we must deal with it posthaste. I can be in multiple locations at once, unlike Jayce, so I am here to offer my company until we both rejoin the festivities. I would've done so earlier, but I… was not in a good headspace.” 

She shrugged indifferently but was unable to hide her undertone of disappointment. 

Gun:            “S'fine; you don't have to follow me around… Isha's been bummed out, though. She has abandonment issues or something.”

Viktor:            “She truly has been through a lot,” he winced in guilt. 

Gun:            “Just don't get her hopes up this time. Oh, and Vivi told me to tell Jayce something along the lines of “be ready as my council date, pretty boy,” so maybe pass it on? I don't care either way.”

Viktor nodded awkwardly. 

Gun:            “... Y'know, you really don't need to be here. I'm not an active suicide risk anymore,” she half-joked. 

Viktor:            “That's- That's not why I am, but I can leave if you prefer.” 

Gun:            “Hey now. Don't make me the bad guy in this one specific scenario. I'm not telling you to leave, but I'm not gonna tell you to stay, either… Man, I didn't think you'd be this lame. Your fruitcake did a good job hyping you up.” 

Viktor:            “Forgive me for my lameness. It's a birth defect made null by the ghostliness.” 

Gun:            “You know I meant how boring you are,” she rolled her eyes. 

Viktor:            “Yes, but I wouldn't exactly describe myself that way. I am by no means… exciting like you, but I've partaken in a number of risky endeavors and still am, to lesser extents. I have a criminal record. I scared off muggers with a cane shank. I conjured magic so dark that it grew sentient and killed my friend. I am a tormented soul. I even used Shimmer to augment myself! Surely that counts for something.” 

… 

Gun:            “Yeah, ok, but you still talk like a grandpa,” she shot back with a wry grin. “You're drier than a stale cookie.” 

… 

Viktor:            “Apologies for not being soggy enough for your liking.” 

Gun:            “Nah, never said that. You're alright, ya freakazoid. But I get the feeling you don't like me.”

Viktor:            “No! That's… no,” he withered at her raised brow.

Gun:            “Riiight. So, what was the tipper? The first or second hostage situation? Your murder? Your ~partner's~ attempted murder?”

Viktor:           “... I just find it unnerving how easily you kill,” he confessed. “And I can appreciate a good act, but knowing you enjoy the accompanying suffering is… unnerving,” he repeated, painfully uncomfortable. 

Gun:            “So that's how the cookie crumbles!” she remarked with glee. “C'mon, at least give me a chance if that's the only reason you're playing hard to bite. Who knows, maybe I'm not totally-permanently broken!”

Viktor:            “You're not broken.”

Gun:            “Ehh, subjective. I was making bombs as a kid.”

Viktor:            “... I never understood why they let you do that.”

Gun:            “Probably ‘cause it kept me busy and they knew I was a total fuckup. It was safe enough.” 

…

Viktor:            “I again must disagree. But if it's any consolation, I've always been the odd one out.”

Gun:            “Yeah, I can tell,” she quipped. “My sister must looove that.”

Viktor:            “I would say she's neutral on my oddness.”

Gun:            “... What's she up to these days? Livin’ large, gettin’ nasty with Miss Ex-piggy?” 

…

Viktor:            “You are not to repeat or weaponize this, but she… is struggling,” he murmured quietly, avoiding her stare. “She talks about it sometimes. She feels torn up and lost and blames herself for what befell you, along with the rest of your family.”

……

Gun:            “Hah! I take it back— you're hilarious, sticks.”

Viktor:            “I understand that she maintains a front. And she is strong, of course, but not unflappable.” 

Gun:            “... She always had to be brave for me… Well, now I can fight my own battles. Tell her to let it go; move on, get a life. Seriously— I'm embarrassed for her. And it's insulting that she'd assume responsibility for a grownass woman with most of her faculties intact. If I want a pity party pardoning me, I know where to go.”

Viktor:            “The mind is strange. It can simultaneously be stuck in rigid binaries while creating our worst nightmares.”

Gun:            “Yeah, no shit. Why are you telling me any of this?” 

Viktor:            “... Because I want you to think I am relatable and profound.” 

Gun:            “So, what, you're sharing my sister's secrets for brownie points? Dontcha think that just might put me off?”

Viktor:            “... She wants you to know these things, but she's afraid it could backfire.”

Gun:            “I'm the queen of backfire. Didn't think you'd turn out this scummy, though. Might as well wear a sign that says “I'm a snitch," sheesh…”

Viktor:            “She asked me to tell you,” he finally admitted. “If our crisis was mitigated and it seemed safe… I am the last person to get involved in interpersonal affairs, but I unfortunately am the only one who can see your minds. She- She doesn't understand you anymore, and you both fucked up plenty — no offense intended — but she wants you to know that she'll always love you, even if she can't recognize you or she thinks someone needs to snipe you. I don't know… This isn't helping, is it.”

…

Gun:            “It's a big ol’ putrid, festering wound,” she muttered. “I kinda wish we'd never reunited, for both of our sakes, and now I'd be fine with her thinking I died… Everything was… simpler when I thought she died. There was no one from my past left to disappoint, I guess? And it all hurt like a mother… I still don't understand why her first instinct was to woo a pig!” 

Viktor:            “... If you want to get technical, her first-first instinct was to find and, eh, “rescue” you, but yes, sometimes the people we love think with their lower heads. Not that Vi's motives should be reduced to that, but I imagine being raised in jail and then spontaneously freed with a fresh-faced, earnest version of your oppressors relying on you does things to a person. I don't mean to justify or excuse her— I… I don't understand it either, despite seeing the- the thought process.”

… 

She plopped onto her makeshift scrap shelf, chin resting in her hands and boots kicking like she was starting slumber party gossip.

Gun:            “So, what'd he do?” she smirked. “Cuckhold you with his fancy council orgies?” 

Viktor:            “Something like that, without ill intent.” 

…

Gun:            “Scratch it; I don't wanna know.” 

Viktor:            “Suit yourself.” 

…

Gun:            “There was cucking involved though, right?”

Viktor:            “Let your imagination run amok.”

……

Gun:            “Well, I never thought the day would come that I'd find someone weirder than me, but here we are. Congrats, bucko.” 

Viktor:            “Does this mean you no longer consider me boring?” 

Gun:            “Ehh, I'm on the fence. You're gonna need to step it up if you want a definitive answer.” 

Viktor:            “Noted… And on an entirely unrelated, prying note, do you mind my asking if your affection for Vander has waned from Silco's influence?” 

She became perturbed, shifting from her playful pose to hopping off the shelf and stepping back.

… 

Gun:            “Uh, what the hell?” 

Viktor:            “Sorry. You don't need to answer.” 

Gun:            “No shit I don't. That's so… nosy and uncalled for.” 

Viktor:            “... Sorry, again. It wasn't my intention to overstep.” 

Gun:            “Suuure it wasn't… For a guy who says he doesn't want to get involved, you're going all out.” 

Viktor:            “... Do you recall him fondly? Or do you wish to put those memories behind you?” he hazarded.

Gun:            “Seriously, the hell's your problem?!” 

Viktor:            “It would be faster to tell you what isn't.” 

…

Gun:            “Join the club,” she puffed air at her bangs, crossing her arms defensively and ignoring his gaze. “... Of course I miss him. Silco talked a lot of shit, but I'm not that stupid— he was a good dad.” 

Viktor nodded in agreement with a pensive, sympathetic frown. 

Viktor:            “... For what it's worth, she feels the same.” 

Gun:            “I'd fucking hope so, since she has no reason not to and she dragged him into my psychotic break.” 

They fell into uncomfortable silence for several minutes, interrupted by Gun occasionally shutting her hallucinations down. 

Gun:            “We done here?” she finally sighed. “Or do you have more disturbingly personal interrogations for me?” 

Viktor:            “I suppose we are. Although I feel as if he's my father, vicariously, due to your combined memories,” he deadpanned unceremoniously. 

…… 

Gun:            “Alright, then, ya freak,” she snorted. “Didn't think you had daddy issues on top of whatever the fuck else.” 

Viktor:            “In truth, I think it's just the mommy ones—”

Gun:            “(Oh, joy, he's an oversharer too.)”

Viktor:            “— but I do wish he had been my paternal influence instead of the cave doctor.”

Gun:            “... Cave doctor?” she blinked. 

Viktor:            “You heard correctly.” 

… 

Gun:            “You mean the creep who has—” 

Viktor:            “Yes, that one.” 

…

Gun:            “Huh… Small world. Maybe that's why you're so fucked up.” 

Viktor:            “Astute observation.”

Gun:            “I concur!” she parodied him with an exaggerated accent and nerdy voice, pulling her goggles down just to push them up at the bridge. He snort-laughed, and she grinned smugly. 

Viktor:            “... But in all fairness, there isn't an abundance of caves or doctors here. These are the only ones I know of.”

She hummed in agreement. 

Gun:            “... So, you're not gonna make me acknowledge my medical trauma?” 

Viktor:            “That's irrelevant to my questioning and a sensitive subject I am unequipped for.”

Gun:            “Thank Janna,” she exhaled dramatically. “... Now are we done?” 

Viktor:            “Sure, if you want to be.”

…

Gun:            “You still owe Isha an apology,” she smirked. “Better make it a good one; don't come crying to me if she kicks you in the gems.” 

Viktor:            “By all means, lead the way for me to atone.”

Said apology led to the trio playing elaborate, magic-assisted games and make-believe for the rest of the day. Elsewhere, the other Viktors continued everything from reading with Jayce to supervising the adult Rio and coaxing ghosts into letting him try to piece them back together. 

Chapter Text

    “It's not just that his mind is a pile of scrambled puzzles— the doctor used all sorts of drugs and procedures to alter him. If you separated and reassembled every being that composes him, they would all still be deeply unwell. They only know peace when I isolate them from the physical mind and create their simulations… And from what I've gleaned, the release of chemicals stored in the visible augments may trigger his rage, but it also seems to be keeping him alive, or at least preventing his body from deteriorating… There is also the matter of the murk wolves having inherent magic that predominates.”

…

              “I gathered as much,” he muttered at his own notes. “... I mean, not all of that specifically, but the gist of it… I have no fucking clue where to start.” 

    “We could enroll in veterinary science at the Academy,” he half-joked. “Or at least learn the basics of physiology.” 

              “... Do you think he's even still in there?” 

    “Undoubtedly. But there are a number of obstacles in the way of reaching him.” 

Jayce nodded with a pensive frown. 

              “So you… you never did see his soul, did you?” 

    “It's hard to discern… I've found that the compartmentalized fragments of creatures are often unrecognizable until I connect with them to see their deeper souls and begin the process of piecing them together, as if they need to remember who they are… Or maybe I am just anthropomorphizing them,” he shrugged. “Regardless, his could be any number of the ones eluding me.” 

Jayce summarized his words in scribbles, then took a break to uncramp his hand. Viktor noticed the telltale flexes and massaged its tissue gently. Jayce murmured shy gratitude and brushed his lips against Viktor's hand. Viktor tried picking up his pen again in vain; it only worked via telekinesis, and he wasn't adept enough at the skill yet to possess the deftness needed for writing that small. 

              “... We should tell them, right?”

    “Not prematurely. They will, of course, want to see him, and he'll fucking kill them on sight.” 

Jayce grimaced in begrudging agreement. 

              “Still feels bad to keep it from them.”

    “I feel terrible about the entire ordeal. They deserve to know, yes, but emotions are fickle things that so often lead us to our demise. Hopefully he can be sorted out soon to negate most risks… I am emphasizing the gross amounts of optimistic denial necessary for this endeavor.” 

Jayce snorted as he resumed scribbling. 

              “I don't suppose you know anyone versed in biology?” 

    “... I did, once. We both did,” he began somberly. 

              “Anyone alive?” he gently interrupted before Viktor could spiral over Sky again. 

…

    “No,” he sighed. Jayce reached back out to give his hand a sympathetic squeeze. 

              “We'll find more answers,” he assured him. 

    “I've combed through nearly every tome here already.” 

              “There's the library. And I'm sure I can get my hands on some textbooks.” 

…

    “Deconstructing Shimmer and reversing its effects may prove to be pivotal. It's absurd that we haven't found a single paper detailing it.” 

              “About that… We know there were organic origins like the flowers, but then it was synthesized for mass production,” he sat back to recount, twirling his pen between his fingers like a fidget toy. “Maybe it's possible that he sold the rights?”

…

    “Ugh… But the— There were numerous barons,” he pointed out. 

              “Keeping the recipe lying around could've made him a target for robberies.” 

    “Like the one we executed?” 

              “Yeah,” he laughed. “And then he'd get in trouble for breaching exclusivity. I dunno, I'm just spitballing. It's a reach to assume they'd even know his location— it's like a hidden villain lair!” 

    “You understand far more about bureaucracy than I care to.”

              “Against my will,” he smirked. “But you're familiar with how patents work.” 

    “Not really, no. That's the antithesis of my ideals.” 

              “Right… Well, Silco's office might have his research somewhere. And it can't be that hard to figure out how the formula was synthesized… Hell, what if we're able to make the factories into plants solely manufacturing an antidote? Something that helps with detoxification and reversing side effects.” 

…

    “I love that idea,” he smiled. “But now I've realized a few more unsavory aspects of our mystery.” 

Jayce raised his brows but waited for him to continue. 

    “For one, he could have memorized his work. He had created a safer, nonaddictive strain that wasn't in production elsewhere— the one I used on myself,” he clarified. “Yet we've come up dry aside from the materials and equipment themselves. Another potential explanation is that that bastard keeps his most profitable secrets on his person. For all we know, he carries a notebook everywhere he goes,” he tilted his head at Jayce for emphasis.

…

              “Point taken,” he yawned and blinked bleariness away. “Hell, maybe he just didn't want to keep any… definitive evidence lying around in case Topside ever found it? I mean, there are tons of incriminating things there regardless, but… I dunno. I still think all of these are worth looking into.” 

    “Naturally,” he nodded. “... You know who is uniquely, outstandingly sympathetic to people on the fringes and qualified to handle this investigation?”

              “We can't ask her. Not until we figure out the armor.” 

    “Ah, right,” he winced sheepishly. “I keep forgetting about that; it would be nice if everyone had our shield.” 

              “Yeah, it would… There's so much to do,” he groaned. “If only there was a way for me to replicate and/or you to acquire total physical abilities,” he lilted wistfully. Viktor hummed in agreement. 

    “At least you're ahead of schedule,” he quipped. “We'll crank that mechanism when we get there.” 

              “... I kinda feel like I should stop by, just to tell her everything's fine so she doesn't come looking for me.” 

    “Eh… I mean, something or another could still go to shit, and she will want to know every detail. Not to mention, Vi will surely be waiting for answers, and I don't think I can look her in the eye while secretly tending to her father's zoo… That sounds like a euphemism,” he snorted at himself. “What I am trying to say is I wouldn't recommend getting ahead of ourselves.” 

              “Good point,” he grumbled. “... God, Vik, I'm exhausted. My head's still killing me from earlier; I don't know how you do it.” 

    “By not having an exhaustible body,” he teased. “Here, just close your eyes and let me work my magic.” 

He complied, and Viktor began giving him a scalp massage with his fingertips. Jayce was caught offguard but melted in bliss at the sensations, ignoring his pen clattering to the ground over the tingles alighting him. 

              “Feels really nice,” he sighed.

    “You've been using this thing too much,” he stated casually as he phased intangible digits into his mind itself, soothing it with gentle currents that coaxed him to relax and let it clear.

              “... Viktor,” he moaned softly over his sudden sluggish stupor mixed with ecstasy and euphoria, vaguely registering that he was drooling. 

    “Yes~?” 

              “...... Fingering my brain,” he observed intelligently. 

… 

    “I suppose I am… Is it helping?” 

              “D'know if… m'gonna come or fall asleep,” he slurred. 

    “Oh. Ah, sorry; I didn't—” he began to withdraw, but Jayce snapped out of it enough to whine at the pause, reaching up clumsily for Viktor's arm to pull him back in. 

              “More,” he pleaded as he pawed at him. 

    “Are you sure you're—” 

              “Please,” he whimpered. Viktor played with his hair in an attempt to stave him and buy time. 

    “Can you get yourself to bed? I don't want you to fall over.”

              “Mnngh… Need you, deeper,” he begged weakly. Viktor kissed his temple. 

    “Think just a little longer for me, miláčku,” he urged. “I will hear your thoughts.” 

Jayce drew out a long groan. 

…

              [“Viktor, I swear to god, if you don't shove your hand back in my head I'll cry—”] 

    “Understood,” he interrupted. “Now, tell me, can you get to bed unassisted?” 

Jayce furrowed his brow in frustration as he slowly buffered. 

              [“Can't you do it for me?”]

    “... Leave it to you to be smarter than me even like this,” he laughed. Jayce made an annoyed little noise of objection. “Ok, ok, I'll… walk you,” he snorted. “Sorry. You're just acting adorably grumpy.”

              “It's the first time you touched my frontal lobe,” he pouted, loathing every ounce of clarity regained. “Felt so good… But then you un-fingered me…”

As he complained, Viktor gingerly possessed him while still walking beside him as well for comfort, holding hands. Once he'd eased him back with his head against the pillow, he left his body, unintentionally eliciting another whine of protest. 

    “You really do want me to fill you in every way possible, at all times,” he murmured fondly. 

              “Obviously,” he scoffed. “... You didn't have to stop, V. I've fallen asleep there plenty of times.”

    “I… I mostly wanted to ensure your whole self wants this. We've never… discussed it, let alone explored it. I know; it was cruel to put you in this state and then stop, but I wasn't aware I could affect you so strongly; I'm sorry—”

Jayce blinked away his tears in realization and reached up to cup the side of Viktor's face. 

              “There’s nothing to be sorry for,” his voice cracked, gravely with exhaustion and emotion. “I'm sorry for being bossy and rude; I don't know what got into me aside from you,” he mumbled sheepishly. “You're so good to me, Viktor. Thank you.”

    “Let's raise that bar, zlato,” he smiled in exasperation. “For example, when someone wants to fist your head, they have to ask for permission beforehand, while you're sober. It was an accident, yes, but it was still wrong, and for that I am rightfully sorry.” 

              “Guhhh, I knowwwww… If I say I forgive you, will you pretty-pretty please get back in there and get me… off? To sleep?” 

    “That can be arranged,” he quipped, finger drawing circles on his forehead. 

              “Please,” he whined again, brow creased. Viktor relented and gently sunk back in, eliciting a low moan of satisfaction. His hips arched and began to lazily, clumsily grind against the air. Viktor added his other hand through the base of his skull, and tendrils wisped from his fingers, branching out to work the rest. They swirled all the way through and met at the center, radiating his energy while still not physically touching anything but alighting his receptors all the same. 

              “Oh god, V… I feel you… everywhere,” he gasped, shallow like he was overexerted from running. 

    “Just relax now. You deserve a break.”

He gave an experimental but cautious pulse that rippled outwards. Jayce came all at once with a fullbody shiver and breath hitch, then sighed deeply, going lax. His eyes met Viktor's in a dreamy, content haze before fluttering closed as he went unconscious, remnants of his lovedrunk smile keeping his lips upturned.

    “... Incredible,” he whispered to himself.

Chapter Text

Jayce:             “... This is very disorienting.” 

Viktor:             “Welcome to my world… No, really; I think this is where whatever physically remained of me went. It's all bizarre and mind-melting until you get used to it or just forget your frame of reference for normalcy.” 

Jayce:             “And by that point, I'll have developed a god complex.” 

Viktor:             “I wouldn't be hasty to assume so— we're still operating on different… wavelengths, for lack of more apt terminology. By the way, did my memories show you what it's like to have parallel streams of consciousness?” 

Jayce:             “Barely two… I don't think my brain could handle more than that; it was jarring enough…”

Viktor:             “Understandably so. The physical constraints likely play a role in what limitations magic allows one to surpass.” 

Jayce:             “Or, I specifically can't work that way.” 

Viktor:             “Perhaps. And perhaps I am uniquely peculiar in a way that allows for it.” 

Jayce snorted and ruffled his hair. 

Jayce:             “... So, what next?” 

Viktor:             “I was hoping you'd know. He doesn't respond to anything I attempt.” 

Jayce idly brought a hand to his own chin, other arm supporting that elbow, and chewed his lip in thought as they ogled the floating Vander. 

…… 

Jayce:             “I have an idea, but it's less than ideal and probably the exact thing you don't want to hear.”

Viktor:             “By all means, shatter my spirit.” 

Jayce:             “... Maybe he can't get better as long as he's dormant in this state.” 

Viktor:             “Yeah, no shit,” he lilted in resignation. “What do you propose?”

Jayce:             “...... I have nothing,” he sighed. 

Viktor:             “Really? I was under the opposite impression.” 

Jayce:             “Ok, so I thought I had something, but then I realized it was my worst idea yet.” 

Viktor:             “Well now I am curious.” 

Jayce:             “It's just… Urrrgh… Promise you won't go with it?”

Viktor:             “I will strive not to, but the night is young.” 

Jayce:             “Ok,” he breathed. “Ok, so I think he'll stay unresponsive in this sort of stasis until he's put back into a real location. Which, obviously, would be lethal for everyone else in said location.”

…

Viktor:             “You're certain?” 

Jayce:             “I'm— Of course I am. Aren't you?” 

…

Viktor:             “Yes, I suppose so. I just can't reconcile their memories with the idea of a creature so far gone. The blood thrall and accompanying rage are… dangerous, but I wanted to find a workaround.” 

Jayce:             “Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I don't see any way that we can safely let him out anywhere.” 

…

Viktor:             “... Not even back in the cave with… protective equipment?” he gestured at Jayce's healed papercut. “It was isolated there, and you successfully pacified him as his chewtoy. If he gets riled up again, he goes back here— sounds simple enough, right? ” 

……

Jayce:             “... How long have you been considering this?”

Viktor:             “About two minutes.”

…

Jayce:             “Wait, but the doctor could be there!”

Viktor:             “Oh! … Eeyeah, I forgot that was even a variable to factor in,” he mumbled. Jayce couldn't help chuckling. 

Jayce:             “Sorry, sorry… I could try willing him to somewhere far away from everyone.” 

Viktor shrugged. 

Viktor:             “There may potentially be more resources pertaining to him that we overlooked there. What if I first ensure it's empty, then keep watch outside?” 

…

Jayce:             “It could work…” he admitted. “But it could also blow up in our faces, along with every Zaunite's— maybe every Piltovan's, too.” 

Viktor:             “I think we can install enough failsafes for this one. Who knows, maybe he's afraid of water?” he half-joked. Jayce rolled his eyes. 

Jayce:             “... Alright, we can try, carefully.”

Viktor:             “Nothing but the utmost caution will be exercised. I will link enough me's together to block off the entire entrance so that he'll be teleported if he attempts to escape.”

Viktor:             “Let's see what we're working with, Sleeping Beauty,” he lilted as he reached into the beast's mind with tentative hands. Jayce braced for Viktor to implode again or worse, but instead, Vander shot up all at once, bristling. He spotted Jayce standing off to the side with his activated rune hand raised, ready to teleport him, and snarled, stalking towards him at a rapid pace. 

Viktor:             “Vander,” he started gently, still struggling to establish a tether. Vander whirled around to face him, wild eyes widening. His claws phased past him, and he halted for several seconds before taking off, galloping on all fours into the dark depths of the cave, the sounds of splashes and rocks colliding fading. 

… 

Viktor:             “I was unaware that this is more than a grotto of sorts,” he began apologetically. 

Jayce:             “It must have another entrance. Fuck!” he exclaimed in dismay. “There's no way I can catch him.” 

Viktor:             “I'll handle it,” he assured him, consolidating his selves from the entrance before flying after him, leaving one with Jayce to ensure that he didn't eat shit on the slippery, unstable rocks. His flying self wasn't much faster than a runner, to his frustration. He considered trying to teleport through whatever tether that may have been established, but it required too much conscious focus, and he figured it wouldn't even be quick enough, leaving him chasing afterimages. In any case, he didn't want to further startle Vander. 

The hidden cave chasm gave way to a more manmade sort of tunnel. As they went deeper, remnants of rail tracks started showing on the ground. 

Viktor:             [“It appears to lead to old mines, and I am unsure whether they're connected to the system currently being used,”] he muttered in dread. 

Jayce:             [“Shit,”] he groaned. [“Ok, just- just teleport him back, if you can.”]

Viktor:             [“I hadn't thought of that. I've simply been clinging to his abundant back hair,”] he deadpanned, wry, and heard Jayce huff in bemusement. After a moment of contemplation accompanied by hopeless tailing, he split again to head straight up and see where they were under. To his relief, they'd reached the outskirts of Zaun, but he was still worried that Vander would smell one of the many bleeding Zaunites and surface for them. 

They came upon a fork, and Vander paused just long enough to sniff the air. Sure enough, he caught a trail of something, then followed it even faster than before. Viktor belatedly tackled the air. 

Viktor:             “Sakra,” he muttered under his breath. “Vander! Sir, a moment, please.”

Vander, of course, didn't react. He took several sharp turns as Viktor pursued him further and further underground. The air was cold but damp, and the ground became smooth, rounded stone that blended seamlessly with the ceiling as a proper tunnel, void of all mining remnants. 

Viktor:             [“It's a dead end for you, sorry. The terrain is no longer traversable.”]

Jayce:             [“God. As if this was,”] he panted, sitting down to catch his breath and grimacing upon noticing the weird stalactites dripping slime above him. He managed to consciously summon his shield as an umbrella while his copy of Viktor drifted up to examine them. 

Viktor only recognized that they'd entered one of the water supply channels once he saw the Kiramann crest on a lid, illuminated by the sickly neons of Vander's Chemtech augments. Vander went deeper until he was entirely underwater. He wasn't built for swimming or even for breathing underwater, but that didn't deter him. His glorified doggypaddle still managed to outpace Viktor, who wasn't slowed. Eventually, he dove through a side channel, and Viktor saw a faint glow in the distance. 

Viktor:             [“He's heading towards the Hexgates. Why?!”] 

Jayce:             [“No idea,”] he wavered as he stood, steadied by his Viktor. [“Guess I'll try beating him to them.”] 

Viktor:             [“Good luck with that,”] he lilted for levity. 

Jayce did manage to teleport there before Vander could come crashing through the drainage grate with sheer force, sending it flying, and it bounced off Jayce's shield with a clatter. An adjacent ventilation shaft had already been unscrewed, with no intruder in sight and nothing else disturbed. Vander wasted no time diving through it from the tunnel, not even bothering to behold their engineering. Viktor resumed tailing him in dismay, but his rejoined selves split again upon his departure in favor of one staying behind against his conscious will. Jayce assumed it was deliberate like before, and Viktor was quick to dismiss his own confusion.

… 

Jayce:             “Damn it,” he sighed. “Now we have another problem.” 

Viktor:             “The presumed interloper?” 

Jayce:             “No, the temperature,” he glanced back in jest. “I thought we secured everything.” 

Viktor:             “We did, by Topside standards. Zaunites are resourceful; even I could've broken in if I tried… What I am more concerned about is our gross oversight with regards to this failsafe. Jayce, it could have filled the people's water and air.” 

Jayce:             “... Oh… Oh, no,” he mumbled in growing horror, hand dragging over his mouth.

Viktor:             “My thoughts exactly… Good thing you shut them down,” he shrugged sheepishly. “In hindsight, it would've been prudent to… to……” he gestured aimlessly, at a loss.

Jayce:             “We should probably just not do anything this risky again.” 

Viktor:             “Yes,” he nodded in earnest. “... I know we have enough issues to deal with already, but I think I sired that mysterious stain over there, and now it is beckoning me.” 

Jayce followed his gaze and held him in place with the rune hand gently but firmly to prevent him from phasing through when he started drifting towards it in a trance. After several moments of this, Viktor blinked, slow, as he reoriented himself. 

Viktor:             “... Thanks. It reminds me of the vision I experienced aboveground that one night.” 

Jayce edged a little closer to examine it. His palm grew hot with energy. 

Jayce:             “... I kinda wanna touch it. I know I shouldn't, but…” 

Viktor:             “No, don't do that. It seems inert — perhaps even dead, if that's possible — and yet it radiates its siren beacon like a long-gone star.” 

Jayce:             “It reminds me of the transmutations. Just… nullified, I guess.” 

Viktor hummed in pensive agreement.  

Viktor:             “... It wants me,” he confirmed at the way his form was wisping slightly towards it like it was a weak black hole. 

Jayce:             “I can relate,” he quipped with sincerity. “Ok, we need to get out of here before something bad happens.” 

Viktor:             “Something bad already happened,” he murmured, sounding far away mentally as if communing with it. “Something we may never learn.” 

Jayce:             “Y'know what? If it's “dead” and poses no further risk to anyone, I'm fine with that. C'mon, Vik, please; let's go.” 

…

Viktor:             “Alright,” he relented. “You can get a head start; I'll catch up.”

Jayce:             “Hah. Sure, I'll definitely leave you alone with the hungry mutant Arcane puddle. Fat chance.”

Viktor:             “I am not so susceptible to its influence,” he argued. “I don't need to be babysat.” 

Jayce:             “... So, you don't want to be my baby~?” he fake-pouted. 

… 

Viktor:             “Janna damn it; that is too effective,” he grumbled, allowing himself to be tugged into the vent like a kite. Jayce smirked and smooched his head in consolation. A ways in, Viktor reached normal clarity and was struck with inspiration. He wrapped his arms around Jayce's chest from behind and rested his head on his shoulder, illuminating him with blue that made him weightless before he could ask Viktor why he was trying to seduce him in a vent mid-monster chase. Like a jetpack, Viktor sent him flying, and they were somehow much faster than either had been before, almost dizzyingly so. Jayce squeaked in surprise, flailed a little reflexively, and then started laughing, incredulous and giddy. Viktor steered with gentle hands on his tits. 

Jayce:             “Vik, what the hell,” he giggled as Viktor turned him left with the corresponding pec. 

Viktor:             “Efficiency.”

Jayce:             “... Can't argue with that. But I don't think I'd be able to handle someone seeing me like this.” 

Viktor:             “I'd imagine they would be awestruck. Perhaps even jealous.” 

Jayce:             “I meant the prehensile jiggling.” 

Viktor:             “... Point taken,” he wheezed. 

Jayce:             “Would've really helped to know this was possible before we started chasing him.”

Viktor:             “Hindsight is like that… At times like this, I think I might've metaphysically fucked the Hexcore. It was as if that stain wanted me to pay a backlog of child support.”

Jayce snorted, caught offguard, and it echoed through the vent.

Viktor:             “Sure, it's funny now. But the- the ascension things weren't like this. This was the first time I sensed anything reminiscent of the Hexcore. It doesn't make sense,” he muttered, brow creased. “But never mind that. Look, we're already coming upon my duplicate.” 

Jayce:             “... I thought you were the duplicate,” he admitted sheepishly.

Viktor:             “Your theories are as good as mine, but honestly, I've lost track of who was the original due to us being a malleable hivemind. They are literally just… me. No potential for divergence.” 

He reassimilated with a flash of blue light as they caught up.

Jayce:             [“... That's hot.”]

… 

Viktor:             “I don't know what I expected. But there's no need for the mental conversations now; you don't have to differentiate between a me telling you to watch your step and a me out of view.” 

Jayce:             “... Sorry, what?”

Viktor was unable to ignore the barrage of scenes Jayce had imagined and subconsciously conveyed of being penetrated in every way he could think of by the “hivemind.” It was far more distracting than his divided consciousness could ever be. 

Jayce:             “Viktor. Viktor! We're gonna hit—”

They smacked into Vander's ass, the force sending them careening backwards, their fall cushioned by the shield. Vander got away, again unaffected. 

…… 

Viktor:             “Fuccck…” he hissed at the beast already out of view. 

Jayce:             “My thoughts exactly,” he muttered, using a kerchief to gingerly brush off the wet ass hairs from his outfit and trying not to gag.

Elsewhere, a disgraced Piltovan alchemist — armed only with a screwdriver and scalpel, tattered, starving, and knowing true horrors of creation for the first time — was observed from afar by a very confused mage until he was too disturbed by the experience to even watch.