Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Viktor is no stranger to pain. 

Out of every ailment his body has endured over the years, fleeting or latent, incapacitating on some days or midly unpleasant on others, pain has been the one constant that has never truly left him. Whether it be a low, dull throb emanating from the base of his spine after hours hunched over his workspace, or the sharp, pervasive ache in his leg that flares with every step he takes, discomfort is so common to him that he isn't familiar with what it's like to not be in pain. It gnaws at his mind incessantly, a flagrant reminder of his limitations and all the ways in which his body betrays him.

In a way, it has taught him patience, to recognize his limits and cater to them accordingly or suffer the consequences of his negligence, but most importantly, it has taught how to compartmentalize, how to shove his agony into a corner of his mind so he could focus on his work. Pain, after all, was manageable—predictable even. It was the price to be paid for his ambition to become a scientist in spite of the constraints imposed upon him by high pilltovian society, not only as a zaunite cripple, but an omega one at that.

However, as well-acquanted with the mortal failings of his body as he is, even his endurance has a threshold.

Once the pounding between his temples becomes too painful to ignore, he drops the pencil he was holding and sighs, knowing that the equations he was writing down had no hopes of being completed in this state. It is aggravating as it is disappointing, especially given the recently made breakthrough that had occurred hours previous, where he and Jayce had solved a particularly vexing problem involving the inefficiency of energy transference between the conduits in certain hextech machinery. 

Minds working in unison, the both of them had bounced ideas off of each other like the cogs of a well oiled machine, each thought building upon the other's last until the solution had finally become clearer. The rush of potential progress had been too invigorating for him to pay his body's discomfort any heed, immersed in writing down the new calculations with a fervor borne of excitement and urgency.

He is paying for that negligence, now.

Viktor shifts in his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose in an effort to stave off the pulsing ache radiating through his skull, the feeling coalescing with the more intense pain in his leg and spine. It all blends together to form a tight knot of agony that will undoubtedly refuse to untangle for the rest of the night. 

He has just hopes it won't last past the morning. 

Although his vision has been blurry for the last couple of minutes, he's unaware of falling asleep, only roused by the faint sensation of something brushing across his shoulders—a blanket, his mind conjures sluggishly—the scent clinging to the fabric reaching his nose before his mind can even process the presence of someone behind him. "Jayce...?"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," The man behind him says, and even though Viktor can't see him, he can hear the smile suffused in his voice, the gentleness lingering there. 

Viktor doesn't need to turn around to know Jayce is standing close, concern lingering in the air like an unspoken question that the man knows better than to voice. His fingers, thick and pleasantly warm, are still lingering on his skin from where they had been covering him with the blanket, ghosting over the nape of his neck and massaging soothing circles into it. The action appears to be subconscious, since Jayce gives no inclination that he's aware of the action. 

It has Viktor suppressing a shiver anyway.

Careful not to put any further strain on his already aching body, Viktor sits upright, wincing at the pain in his lower back, and shakes his head dismissively. He's always been a light sleeper. "It is no fault of your own, I hadn't intended on falling asleep here." 

The shift in position has Jayce's hand falling back to his side, and Viktor tries not to mourn the loss too terribly. He only partially succeeds. 

Viktor lifts an eyebrow at the alpha before clearing his throat and continuing, "You're back earlier than expected. Had enough of entertaining the masses, I presume?"

Truthfully, Viktor hadn't been expecting him back at all.

Jayce gives him a look that says you don't know the half of it, and Viktor is inclined to believe him. He's had no interest in familiarizing himself with the intricacies behind piltovian relations beyond what’s strictly necessary for their work, and he doesn't intend to start now. 

"Something like that," The man responds with a sigh, and it's then that Viktor notices the tension in his shoulders, the fatigue etched into the lines of his face despite the ever-present warmth in his eyes. “It wasn't all bad, but I could do without all of the flattery disguised as diplomacy.”

Viktor hums, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. He has little patience for Piltover’s politics or its people, but he knows the importance of Jayce’s role as the man of progress, the only face of hextech that they are willing to digest without thinly-veiled prejudice and scrutiny. For as charismatic and compelling as the alpha can be, the natural talent he has for procuring the attention of wealthy socialities, and consequently their funding, does not equal affinity, and Viktor knows all too well how conditional their support truly is. The moment they falter, the moment their efforts fail to yield the results they demand, the council, and by extension their biggest supporters, will turn on them. 

It's certainly a position Viktor doesn't envy.

“Well,” Viktor says after a moment of silence, voice softer as he adjusts the blanket draped over his shoulders. If he focuses on Jayce's scent emanating from the blanket he can almost ignore the discomfort he's in. Almost. “If you are here to work, I suggest you bring me some sweet milk first. I doubt I’ll make it through another equation without some form of reprieve.”

Jayce frowns. "You aren't turning in for the night? It's getting late, and you should probably get some rest before you fall asleep again. I doubt I'll be of much use either." 

Normally, Viktor wouldn't consider heading home until he was satisfied with the progress they, or atleast he, had made, but the pain gnawing at his muscles and ligaments forces him to acknowledge that, perhaps just this once, he can make an exception. 

"We have deadlines to meet." 

Jayce takes his half-hearted attempt at opposition in stride. 

"Deadlines that can wait until tomorrow," he returns easily, seemingly aware that Viktor is close to giving in. "After the both of us have gotten some proper rest."

He offers him a hand then, and the omega, only slightly begrudgingly, takes it.

Even with the support of his cane and brace, the feeling of putting weight on his limbs still pries a gasp from his lips, and he has to bite his tongue before any other sounds can escape and embarrass him further. He stumbles slightly, and if it wasn't for the Jayce was holding onto him, he would've likely fallen over. Even more humiliating. 

Jayce immediately notices, because of course he does, and turns to him with a look of worry. "Are you alright?" 

"Fine." The omega bites out, trying to conceal a grimace. The pain makes his voice sharper than he likes, accent thicker around the vowels. 

"Are you sure? Do you want me to—"

"Jayce," The omega cuts in before the alpha can suggest something as mortifying as assisting him or, Janna forbid, carrying him. "I told you I'm alright. Just, ah, old aches and pains. You know what state my body is in."

Jayce doesn't look placated, but he mercifully doesn't try to pry, a considerable feat that Viktor is no less grateful for. "Wouldn't it be better to sleep here for the night, then? Instead of making it all the way back home."  

While the couch Jayce had managed to acquire for the lab is comfortable, the thought of spending the night here while in his current condition makes him want to recoil. A distant part of him also longs for the safety of his nest, carefully constructed from various pillows and blankets he had accumulated over the years. It is by no means extravagant, but far better than the pitiful array of threadbare fabrics and flattened cushions he had access to in Zaun, and that was if he was lucky.  

“No,” Viktor says firmly, though his voice is quiet. “I’ll sleep better in my own bed, however much effort it takes to get there.”

Jayce hesitates, clearly torn between respecting Viktor’s stubborn independence and his own instincts to help. Finally, he nods, acqueisceing if only for the sake of avoiding an argument.

"Alright,” he replies gently, adjusting his grip. His hand, now resting on his lower back, offers a surprising amount of support. The relief is immediate, and Viktor releases a low sigh that very nearly borders on a moan as Jayce steadies his posture, supporting his weight in a way that allows him to breathe a little easier, the pain dulling slightly. “But if it’s too much, you’ll let me know, right?” 

Viktor exhales sharply through his nose, more a scoff than anything else. It's weak, however. He's enjoying Jayce's touch far too much to muster up much annoyance.

"You'll be the first to know if my body fails me entirely, though I imagine the collapse itself would be indication enough."

Jayce lets out a soft laugh, though it doesn't quite mask the concern lingering in his tone. "That's...not exactly reassuring, V."

"I wasn't aiming for it to be."

The alpha shakes his head, but there's a warmth in his expression, a quiet patience that Viktor isn't used to seeing in others. People have always been quick to assume he's fragile, helpless even, because of his condition, though that could likely be attributed to his status as an omega as well. It's an assumption he despises, and if he had to choose between the two, he would prefer receiving disgust over pity. Atleast that was more digestible. 

The night air is cool as they step outside, a stark contrast to the warm glow of the lab. The silence stretches between them, broken only by the sound of Viktor's cane tapping against the cobblestones and the faint hum of Piltover in the distance. He leans into the quiet, letting it soothe some of the tension in his body, though the pain lingers like an unwelcome shadow. 

He has to resist the urge to lean further into Jayce's side as they walk, the alpha's presence inexplicably soothing to his instincts. He can smell him better, from up this close, and every fibre of his being wants to reach on his tiptoes and nuzzle into the man's neck. His scent blockers must have worn off quite some time ago, likely towards the end of the gala, allowing the natural scent of him to permeate through the air—strong and rich. It's heady, threatening to become potent the more his natural scent is allowed to go free, and it makes his insides squirm.

Discreetly pressing his thighs together, Viktor pushes it far from his mind lest his own scent thickens in return.

It doesn't help that Jayce's hand is still resting securely on his lower back, the sensation far more intimate than it has any right to be. Jayce has always been that way, generous with his affection and even more generous with his displays of it; whether it be a hand clapping his shoulder after a particularly insightful discovery, a reassuring pat on the back, or the occasional steadying hold when Viktor stumbles. The omega knows his behavior is not exclusive to him, either, having seen the alpha do the same to his peers, seemingly without sparing it a single thought.

However, it is only with Viktor that his touches linger.

It had taken some getting used to, especially during the first few months of their partnership where even just a light brush of shoulders had him tensing on reflex. It required even more adjustment not to remain skeptical of Jayce's intentions, especially when his gestures of affection came so freely, so casually, with no expectation of reciprocity. Alphas, he has come to discern, are selfish by nature, and the ones in Zaun, even more so. Down in the undercity, alphas were often something to fear or avoid—ruthless, territorial, and quick to remind omegas of their inferiority, something only the most vicious and volatile of their dynamic could fight off.

Trusting them was rarely an option, let alone expecting kindness.

It was different in Piltover, of course, but the dynamics, however covertly hidden under layers of faux civility and refined manners as they were, were unmistakably the same. 

Alphas here didn’t need to resort to brute force to assert their dominance; they wielded influence with calculated smiles, sharp words, and the weight of their social status while the omegas were treated as a commodity, helpless and delicate and in need of protection. Atleast in Zaun, strength could command respect, even for those of the fairer sex. City of progress, indeed. He thinks with a mental twist of his lips.

Jayce, though, remains an anomaly. The alpha’s actions are gentle, steady, and completely unassuming. The behavior is foreign to him, perplexing, but not in a bad way. Nevertheless, it's contradiction that leaves him feeling...lost, for lack of a better word, like he is in uncharted waters that he has no means of navigating, rendering him susceptible to the tide without knowing what to expect. It's strange, but he is slowly growing used to the alpha's amicable nature. He means well, for all of his guileless naivete.

"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Jayce asks once they reach their destination and Viktor is about to bid him goodbye, eyebrows drawn. He wisely chooses not to tack on by yourself, because that would have earned him a swift wack to the head with his cane. "I wouldn't mind lending a hand removing your brace, I'm familiar enough with the mechanisms by now."

Viktor would hope so, he had forged it himself, after all. In house Talis colors, no less. Let it not be said that the alpha is of the humble sort. No, he truly is as egotistical as they come. 

Though Viktor can't say he's particularly bothered by the design choice. Not in the slightest. He would deny it if you asked, but the thought of wearing something forged by Jayce’s hands, even only out of necessity is...not unpleasant. 

But that's neither here nor there.

"I can manage just fine on my own," He states shortly, but not unkindly, trying not to let the frustration he feels seep into his voice. It wouldn't be fair to take his exhaustion out on Jayce, even in the face of his overbearing need to aid him. "Goodnight, Jayce."

"But—"

"Goodnight, Jayce." 

The finality in Viktor's voice brooks no argument, and Jayce, though he hesitates, relents, clearly unhappy about it but knowing he can't change the omega's mind. He sighs, returning the words and stepping back. Just before he leaves, he advises. "Just remember not to push yourself too hard, okay?"

Viktor inclines his head, and it is only then that Jayce leaves, albeit slower than normal. After opening the door, the man heads inside with a weary sigh, relieved to be alone while simultaneously mourning the loss of the alpha's presence. He staunchly pushes that side of him down and gets ready for bed, knowing sleep will be fitful at best.

He remembers that he still has Jayce's blanket wrapped around his shoulders just as he's about to sit down, and he hesitates for the briefest moment before pulling it further around himself, indulging in the comfort provided by Jayce's scent. 

Surely, he won't miss it for a day. Right? 

If the blanket surreptitiously gets added into his nest alongside all of his other blankets and pillows, then no one has to know that but him. 

Finally, settling in bed, he turns off the light, still in pain but unable to do anything but endure it. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Tomorrow is not better. 

Viktor becomes aware of this as soon as he wakes up in the morning and feels the telltale tightness in his joints and the fiery throb in his leg. His spine protests immediately when he tries to shift, and he hisses through clenched teeth, clutching the edge of his mattress to steady himself.

"Fuck." 

It takes him several minutes to sit up fully, his muscles trembling with the effort, and even then it renders him exhausted. His cane is within reach, but the idea of getting out of bed feels like an insurmountable task. What was theorized to be just an awful, but not unusual, night for him is turning out to be a particularly wretched week. Wonderful. 

Nevertheless, he forces himself out of bed, refusing to succumb to the demands of his body, no matter how unforgiving. He's not in the habit of allowing himself the luxury of wallowing when there is work to be done and progress to be made. He would never have clawed himself out of Zaun and achieved the level of success he had otherwise. 

When he does arrive at the lab, slightly late and breathing labored, Jayce is already there, seated at his workbench and scribbling notes with a furrowed brow. The sight of him is enough to draw a small huff of amusement from Viktor despite himself. The alpha looks so intent, so thoroughly absorbed in whatever he’s working on, that he doesn’t notice Viktor’s arrival until the omega clears his throat softly.

Jayce looks up, and the smile that spreads across his face is as warm as the sunlight streaming through the window. "I was beginning to think you weren't going to show. You're usually here early." 

The relief in the alpha's voice is apparent, and Viktor tilts his head in acknowledgment as he makes his way further in, undoubtedly looking like death has warmed over while Jayce, never one to have even a single hair out of place, looks impeccable as always.

"Hm, sorry to dissapoint," He says dryly, doing his best to ignore his fatigue as he sits down, breathing a quiet sigh of relief. He doesn't elaborate further, leaving it at that, and immerses himself in his work from the previous night. 

He doesn't look up even when he feels the alpha's gaze lingering on him, burning a hole into the side of his head. "You didn't have to come in today, you don't look too well." 

Viktor waves him off with a dismissive gesture of his hand, though the motion is stiff. "It's nothing I haven't endured before," he explains indifferently, tone betraying nothing of what he's feeling. He lifts his head then, words firm. "There's no need to concern yourself with my wellbeing, I am fine, I assure you."

Jayce's lips thin into a line, unconvinced, but he once again lets the matter drop, knowing the omega is as stubborn as they come. Satisfied, Viktor returns his attention back to his notes, but the equations that had once flowed so clearly in his mind the previous day now feel as elusive as a fading dream, slipping through his fingers no matter how hard he tries to grasp them.

Frustration arises within him, gnawing at his concentration and fraying it into tatters. His body aches, and it takes all his willpower not to let it show on his face. Still, his mind fights to focus, but the pain in his joints and the discomfort in his back blur the sharpness he once relied on.

After an hour of fruitless attempts to make any progress, Viktor's startled out of his scattered thoughts by the sound of a chair scraping across the floor. He tenses when the alpha places a hand on his shoulder after making his way over to him, withholding a sharp intake of breath at the touch—warm, always so warm, even through the layers of clothing.

"I know you said not to pester you but...I think a break would do you some good, V. I mean, your hands are shaking."

Viktor blinks, looking down at them. Oh, he thinks as he sees the faint tremble in his fingers, he hadn't realized.  

As if taking his silence as permission to continue, the alpha carries on, a bit jokingly but no less sincere, "So are you going to tell me what's bothering you or should I begin throwing out some theories?" 

Viktor considers protesting, but instead he sighs, defeated, shoulders sagging under Jayce's hand, which is still resting on his upper back. "This, ah, happens sometimes," He explains vaguely, words stifled and slightly awkward. "The pain, I mean. It comes and goes, but some days are worse than others."

He forces a small, strained smile, though it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "It’s manageable, usually. Today is just one of the times where it's not. Nevertheless, it will resolve itself eventually. I doubt it'll extend past tomorrow." 

Jayce stays quiet for a minute, digesting the information, and Vikor feels him grip his shoulder a little harder, not enough to hurt but enough to ground him. "Is there anything I can do to help?" The alpha says, a bit desperately. 

Viktor knows he hates feeling powerless, especially when it comes to him, never hesitating to rush in and offer assistance, even when the matter is benign or perfectly manageable. Viktor is sure he would do the same for other omegas as well, the biological instinct to protect and care for an intrinsic part of his nature. The reasoning grants him little solace.

"No." The response is wearier than he'd like, but no less direct. More quietly, he adds, "Not with this." 

"Surely, there must be something I can do," Jayce insists uselessly, not willing to accept that as an answer. "I can't just leave you in pain like this."

Viktor closes his eyes for a moment, willing himself to steady his breath. "It's not something you can fix," he murmurs with a sigh. "Don't you think I have exhausted every possible option by now? This is something that cannot be cured, not yet, atleast." 

Silence falls upon them for a second time and when Viktor turns around to face the man, his lips are turned downwards, absorbed in thought. He hesitates for a moment, mouth opening slightly as if parsing through which words will adequetely convey his thoughts, before ultimately responding in way that has Viktor's eyes widening. 

"I could...bite you?" Jayce offers apprehensively, uncertainty coloring his voice. 

Viktor's mind screeches to a halt, and his mouth hangs open slightly, completely stupefied. "I—you—what?" 

As if realizing just now realizing how forward, and not to mention inappropriate, his suggestion was, Jayce immediately flushes, faltering. "I—I mean...It’s just, the venom, it’s supposed to have sedative properties, right? It might help with the pain, atleast temporarily—oh Gods, forget I said anything—"

Viktor, still reeling, sits there motionlessly while Jayce dissolves into a flustered, rambling mess, clearly embarrassed. The omega can see him drag a hand down his face, mortified. "Seriously, Viktor, that was inappropriate, I'm sorry, it was stupid to even suggest something like that—"

Once the initial shock wears off, Viktor's brain begins to function again, and he can feel his own face redden in return, warmth blooming on his cheeks. Out of every proposal he expected Jayce to put forth, offering to sink his teeth into his neck was the one he anticipated the least. 

And now that he's thinking about it, of what it would be like to have long fangs imbedded deeply into his throat, he can't stop. 

"—Of course you wouldn't agree to anything like that, I don't know what I was thinking—"

"Jayce," Viktor finally interjects, cutting off the man's frantic mumbling. Jayce snaps his mouth shut, wide-eyed and clearly bracing for some sort of reprimand. 

Viktor inhales, letting oxygen fill his sore lungs as he thinks over what to say. He blames his hesitation on the still lingering throbs of pain he can feel radiating throughout his body and the overwhelming desperation for just a second of peace for why he doesn't immediately decline the objectively vulgar suggestion. He shouldn't entertain something so obscene, especially from someone he considers a close friend, and yet...

"It’s not...the worst idea," Viktor says slowly, his words careful, deliberate. He can feel his heart hammering in his chest, contrasting the calmness he forces himself to exude. His face is still hot.

Viktor clears his throat and continues, ignoring the way his blush deepens, no doubt extending past his collar. "If the venom does have analgesic properties, it could potentially alleviate the pain, even if only briefly."

Jayce stares at him as if he’s grown another head. "Wait—you’re actually considering it?" he asks, his voice pitching slightly, equal parts surprised and worried. "Viktor, I was just tossing out an idea—I didn’t mean—"

"You didn’t mean for me to take you seriously?" Viktor interrupts, arching a brow, his tone dry but laced with amusement despite himself. The banter makes him feel a little more sure of himself now, calming down some of the anxiety. "And yet here we are, discussing it."

Jayce flounders for a response, an admittedly attractive hue of red creeping up his neck, and Viktor grants him mercy by continuing.

"I think...it's worth a try," He exclaims sincerely, tentative but not unsure. "If you wouldn't mind engaging in something so intimate, I wouldn't be, ah, opposed to experimenting with the idea." 

The words leave his lips more easily than he expects, though it still feels like he's lost his mind. But what better way to test a hypothesis than to dive in headfirst? It doesn't matter how unconventional the experiment might be if it yields the desired results.

Jayce blinks, his jaw opening and closing like a fish out of water before collects himself. "Are you...serious?" he asks cautiously, disbelieving. "I mean, I’d do it in a heartbeat if it might help, but I just—are you sure?"

Viktor heaves out a sigh, the corner of his mouth twitching upward in a wry half-smile. "Do you think I would entertain such a ridiculous proposition if I weren’t serious?" He meets Jayce's eyes then, his expression softening. "I trust you, Jayce. And if this could provide even a brief reprieve..."

He trails off, shaking his head slightly before raising an eyebrow. "Well, it’s worth setting aside propriety for the sake of relief, no?"

Jayce hesitates for a beat longer, clearly searching Viktor’s face for any sign of uncertainty or discomfort. Finding none, he nods firmly, some of his usual confidence returning. "Alright. If you’re sure about this, then I’ll do it." His voice is steady, his determination unmistakable.

However, another problem arises. "How do you...?" 

The man coughs, making a vague gesture with his hands that Viktor stands absolutely no chance of deciphering. "Like do you want me to bite you on your forearm or...?" 

Oh. Right. 

He's about to open his mouth to agree, but the thought of being bitten anywhere besides his throat is so abhorrent to his inner omega he can practically feel the way it snarls in his mind, instincts rolling in protest. His throat is the only place where it feels right, where the bite would carry the promise of relief while also appeasing his instincts. It's profane, perhaps, but what he’s asking is already inherently profane by its very nature, so he thinks he can be forgiven for this indulgence just this once.

"No," He declines, nearly whispering. His eyes are downcast, refusing to look at the alpha in front of him. "It has to be on the throat, but not anywhere near my scent glands, that would run the risk of..."

He goes silent, embarrassment setting in at the realization of what he's asking. He feels himself start to feel unsure, half of him already wanting to recind his permission to be bitten at all.

"An unintentional bonding bite," Jayce supplies for him, sounding a little choked. Clearing his throat, the alpha steps closer, fingers brushing against the nape of the brunet's neck, triggering a barely repressed shiver. He caresses the delicate, exposed skin gently with his thumb, voice a low murmur. "Here, then." 

Viktor nods his head mutely, eyes threatening to flutter shut at the soft touch. "Yes, that...would be amenable." 

The other problem that manifests itself is working out the logistics of how they are going to do this. It would be an awkward angle for Jayce to have access to his neck if he were to remain sitting, but standing poses the problem of aggravating his already aching muscles, which leads him to his current position of straddling one of the alpha's large thighs, back pressed flush against the taller male's chest while a thick arm wraps around his waist to hold him still.

Janna, save him. 

The proximity has Viktor blushing from the roots of his hair to the tips of his ears, and he's suddenly thankful to be facing away from the alpha because the embrassement wrought across his face would surely be evident. He can feel the steady rise and fall of Jayce's chest from this close, breath fanning out across the back of his neck and making him want to shiver. He can't recall a time he's ever been held so intimately, and the sensation makes him want to squirm and nestle closer in equal measure, a confusing conundrum. 

He can't deny that it's not comfortable, however. Because it is, overwhelmingly so. 

"Ready?" Jayce asks, the smooth baritone of his voice caressing his skin like silk. There's a hint of nervousness there, but a warm undertone of reassurance as well—a grounding weight. 

Viktor latches onto it, knowing he's in safe hands, no matter how questionable their predicament is. He relaxes, focusing on the soothing scent of the alpha's presence, muted, but still tangible enough to want to lean into. "Yes."

When Jayce's mouth grazes against his neck, the omega swallows hard, trying to still the tremor threatening to shake through his frame. The alpha seems content to take it slow, and Viktor doesn't know if that makes it better or worse. He shudders at the kisses placed along his skin, lips parting around a wordless exhale when the chaste gesture is followed by the alpha's tongue laving over the spot he’s clearly chosen.

Distantly, Viktor recalls how an alpha's saliva is specifically designed to numb the pain of a bite, turning an act that would initially be excruciating into one of pleasure. The omega is grateful Jayce had the foresight to do so, he's heard numerous stories of the agonizing pain that accompanies forced bites, ones intended to claim or otherwise. 

When Viktor first feels a hint of the alpha's fangs against his skin, he's nearly boneless in the other man's lap, a breath away from purring. In any other state, the feeling would make him stiffen, but here, soothed by his partner's attentive kisses and gentle ministrations, he feels nothing but contentment. 

Viktor doesn't know what to expect when Jayce's fangs sink into his skin, whether the bite will be excruciating or midly unpleasant. He anticipates discomfort, barely tolerable and unavoidable, a prelude to the relief he hopes for. Perhaps a momentary sting, if he's lucky. 

What he doesn't expect, however, is the immediate euphoria.

It rushes through his system like a strike of lightning, sending every single one of his nerves alight with a pleasure so intense it makes his vision white out and his thighs squeeze together, a breathless cry leaving his lips that he doesn’t even recognize as his own.

Jayce pulls back at once, breathing labored and shoulders heaving. "Did you just...?"

Trembling and dazed, Viktor doesn't bother to respond, the proof evident in the soaked fabric below him and the shaking of his legs, because yes, he had.

His head lolls backwards, his mind floating in a distant haze as his mouth parts around shaky breaths, body thrumming with venom-induced ecstasy. He feels weightless, like that first night in the lab all of those years ago when he and Jayce had stabilized the hextech crystals for the first time and suspended the room into the air, only this time, the feeling isn't only physical, but mental too. 

The loss of Jayce's fangs, however, send him spiraling, not willing to let go of the sensation that had been coursing through him.

He arches back instinctively, nearly delirious with want as he chases that pleasurable high that had set his nerve endings on fire. "—In me, in me, get your fangs back in me—"

If Viktor was in his right frame of mind, the shameless behavior would mortify him, but his body is still vibrating with the aftershocks of pleasure from both the bite and his orgasm, and he needs it.

Jayce makes a noise behind him that's caught somewhere between a heavy groan and a sharp inhale, sounding almost as if he's dying when he breathes, "Fuck, yes, of course, okay."

With his body as overstimulated as it is, the pleasure that rips through him once Jayce imbeds his fangs in his neck for a second time sends him hurtling straight into another orgasm, slick dampening his thighs and completely ruining both of their clothes. Clenching around nothing, he wails, loud and long and wild. Even to his own ears he sounds lewd, like the filthy zaunite whore most of Piltover still see him as. 

Jayce's arm tightens around his waist, another one of those deep groans leaving his lips that Viktor can feel more than hear. The alpha sounds winded when he pulls back, face nuzzling into the omega's neck as he presses a plethora of kisses over the bite mark he left. 

"Shit, you sound so pretty," The man breathes out roughly, almost like a keen. "You have no idea how lovely you are right now. Look at you, shaking and crying."

The words barely process in his muddled mind, but the sensation of the alpha's fingers brushing his tears away makes him realize that he is, in fact, crying, and not only that, but drooling as well. Too spaced out to care, Viktor just moans, the venom coursing through his veins keeping him pliant and soft. 

The scent wrapping around him just pulls him further into his pleasure-fueled daze, filling his senses and making everything else fade to the background. It's heavy, oppressive—aroused, his mind suppliments—making his mouth salivate and his legs squeeze around the thigh in-between them. 

Has Jayce's scent always been this thick?

"Mmh," He murmurs intelligently.

He can distantly feel Jayce nuzzling his face into his neck, the motion languid and lazy, like a happy cat rolling around on sun-warmed concrete. A quiet laugh reverbates through the alpha's chest, and when he finally speaks, the words are breathless, if not a touch amazed.

"You're so out of it." Jayce doesn't sound mocking, or even vaguely teasing; if anything, he sounds awed, as if captivated by the sight. It does funny things to his chest.

Viktor's mental faculties return to him in increments, each piece of his cognition clicking back into place like gears locking into the correct configuration after a brief, chaotic stutter. The fog in his mind starts to lift, leaving him coherent for the first time in what must be an hour. The added clarity brings him a rush of self-awareness, and with it, a wave of mortification. 

He nearly topples backwards out of instinct, and is only prevented from doing so by Jayce tightening his grip around him, keeping him still. "Hey, hey, easy, don't panic, you're okay." 

The weak attempt at placating him does little to curb the embrassement flooding through him, and he can barely breathe past the blood rushing in his ears because fuck, what did he do?

He opens his mouth to apologize, or perhaps beg for forgiveness because there is no way Jayce wouldn't be disgusted by such a vilgar display, but the words get caught in his throat, humiliation coiling in his stomach like a pit of vipers. If he didn't have the alpha's venom still coursing through his veins and making him docile he would have stumbled to his feet already.

"I-I'm sorry," Viktor finally croaks, face burning brightly with shame. "That was entirely inappropriate, reacting that way was unexpected and I didn't intend to lose myself like that, I apologize—"

Surprisingly, Jayce doesn't react in the way he anticipates, which would be to shove him off and awkwardly try to dismiss the situation so they never have speak about it again. Instead, the alpha pulls him closer, pitching his voice into a soothing murmur. 

"It's fine, I promise. There's nothing you have to apologize for, I, uh, probably should have warned you about the effects of the venom, so if anything, you should be mad at me," Jayce replies sheepishly, clearly flustered but not upset with him. "So don't worry about it, okay? It's a completely normal reaction."

Viktor doesn't know how the alpha can be so calm about this, let alone accepting. Viktor just came on him, not once, but twice. "F-Forgive me, I—" He swallows around the lump in his throat, coughing. "I am not used to pleasure."

"I can see that." The man says mirthfully, and Viktor knows if he were to turn around right now, Jayce's eyes would be glimmering. Incorrigible.

A flicker of annoyance momentarily bypasses the embrassement he feels, and he huffs, about to chastise Jayce for taking things so lightly when the alpha begins speaking again, this time a little more serious. 

"But I mean it, Viktor. I'm not angry with you or anything." Jayce's voice takes on a more humorous note, as if to try and lighten the mood. "In fact, I think I like you like this."

Viktor scoffs. "Incoherent and barely able to form a conclusive thought let alone string a sentence together?" 

Jayce releases a breath, a huff of laughter that tickles his skin. "I was going to say relaxed," he says with amusement. His hand brushes down his side, fingers gentle as they hold him. "You're all soft and mellow now, it's nice. You were so tense these past few days, it worried me." 

Viktor's lips purse at being described as soft of all things, but it's not like he can deny it, either. His body is completely lax, a boneless puddle in the other man's arms, and he doesn't think he could stand if he tried. Instead of feeling vulnerable, though, he just feels content, still riding the high of the venom pumping through his system. 

"Hm." Is the only thing he gives in response. 

"So...how is it?" Jayce asks before pausing and clarifying, "The venom, is it, uhm, working? Are you still in any pain?" 

Viktor resists the urge to turn around and say what do you think, but swallows it just in time, knowing the question is genuine, and also, a surprising yes. Now that he focuses on it, the pain is gone. 

Completely. 

Even the perpetual discomfort he has grown accustomed to being in as a result of his condition has abated, and he frowns in confusion when he realizes that, for all intents and purposes, he feels fine. No, not just fine, good, even. 

"Yes, I—I think so," He remarks slowly, a bit surprised by the revelation despite knowing it to be true. He blinks, reiterating, "There's no pain at all, I feel...good." 

Viktor doesn't mention that he still feels like he's in a constant state of post-coital bliss, as if the omega is hovering on the precipice of another mind-breaking orgasm, and given how sensitive his body still is, he thinks he just might be. 

Jayce perks up behind him, and the delight in his tone is so apparent that it makes Viktor's chest feel warm. "Really? Viktor, that's—that's great!" He laughs then, exilerated, and squeezes him around the middle. "Do you think you have the strength to stand up? We should see if the effects carry over when you're on your feet and moving around." 

Viktor thinks about it, unsure that he can stand upright at the moment given how his limbs feel like jelly and his brain still feels like it's melting out of his ears. 

Jayce seems to understand because he adjusts his hold, letting the omega rest against him more comfortably. "But no rush! If you need a minute, we can wait." 

Viktor sighs gratefully and tries not to focus on how intimate the position is, being held while he leans back against the alpha's chest, the both of them a complete mess from how hard Viktor had climaxed. The thought makes another flush rise on his face. 

"Your neck is still bleeding a little, do you mind if I...?" Trailing off, Jayce lets the unspoken question hang in the air.

Since there's little he could do to embarrass himself any more than he already has, Viktor nods lazily. "Go ahead."

Given the go-ahead, Jayce laps at the bite mark he made with a gentle stroke of his tongue, the coagulant in his saliva slowing down the blood flow and helping the wound heal. 

Viktor, despite expecting the sensation to feel good, shivers heavily, squirming. His breath hitches over a moan, and Jayce responds by pulling him closer subconsciously, a low rumble rising from his throat. It's instinctual and nothing more, but it makes another burst of slick seep out of him anyway.

Finally, Viktor can't take it anyway, pushing the alpha's head away with a breathless gasp. "Stop, stop—enough." 

Jayce squeezes him around the waist again, seemingly reluctant to stop. "But—" 

The protest is cut off by Viktor squirming, another shudder wracking through his frame "I-I am going to...come again if you keep going," He explains, strained. 

Now, that makes Jayce pause, and the alpha sounds just as embarrassed when he replies, a tad stupidly, "Oh." 

Viktor exhales a laugh through his nose, trying and failing not to be endeared. "Yes, oh, Jayce." 

Attempting to diffuse the awkwardness that's settled over them, Viktor breaks the silence. "I think...I can stand up now."

Jayce nods his head, shifting into an upright position and helping the omega stand. Viktor groans softly as he rises, his muscles still loose and uncooperative, but he manages to plant his feet beneath him with Jayce's steadying hands on his arms. With a concerted effort and some awkward fumbling, Viktor rises, wobbling precariously before leaning heavily on his cane.

Jayce flutters around him anxiously, likely in preparation to catch him if he falls. Viktor scowls faintly, hating being treated like glass, but doesn't argue. His body feels weightless still, but the pain is remarkably absent, not even a faint discomfort lingering behind. It's heavenly. 

"All Good?" The alpha questions, eyes focused on his face for any sign of pain. 

It's the first time Viktor has faced him since agreeing to be bitten, and the omega can't help but conpare the man's eyes to warm honey from how dark they are, pupils dilated and fogged over. He looks...almost feral, with the ways his fangs are still faintly visible and his skin is still flushed. Not to mention the scent of him, thick and potent and absolutely drenched in Viktor's own from how heavily the omega had unintentionally scent-marked him. 

The realization makes his instincts purr. 

Viktor pushes the thought away, and blinks, nodding his head slowly, still stunned at the prospect of being completely pain-free. Elation sweeps through him so intensely it almost knocks him off balance. "Yes, I'm...I'm fine." 

Although the words are a little choked, they're full of amazement and disbelief, and Jayce's ensuing grin is so blinding that it momentarily takes his breath away. Before he knows it, he's sweeped into a hug, string arms lifting him off of the ground like he weighs nothing.

"That's amazing, V! I wasn't sure if it would work or not, but this is...this is even better than I expected. You really don't feel any pain? None at all?" 

When Viktor nods, speechless, Jayce's smile broadens even further, and Viktor can't help but return it, hesitantly curling an arm around the alpha's back and returning the hug. The enthusiasm is infectious, and it finally sinks in that for the first time in what feels like forever, Viktor is truly comfortable. It’s as if the weight of years of constant discomfort has been lifted, and for the first time, he can breathe without that underlying ache threatening to make his body seize.

Jayce continues rambling excitedly, no doubt thrilled that there's something he can offer Viktor that will actually help him. "I'm, uh, not too sure how long the venom’s effects will last, but I assume no more than a couple of hours. In theory, you should be good to go for the rest of the morning. Now that I think about it, we should probably document this."

Viktor agrees immediately, curiosity piqued, but the feeling of the mess between his legs makes him wince, grimacing. "Perhaps later, after the two us are more...presentable." 

As if just now remembering the state the two of them are in, Jayce flounders, face turning a deep shade of red. "Right. I, uh, should go do that. Unless you want to go first?" 

Viktor takes the offer because the thought of spending even a second longer in his drenched clothes is unbearable. He takes a moment to be thankful that both of them have spare clothes stashed in the lab for emergencies where their experiments don't exactly...go to plan, so to speak.

 "I'll go first." 

When he returns to the lab, and the both of them are freshened up, he expects the atmosphere to be tense, or atleast slightly awkward given, well, everything that had just occurred, but it's surprisingly not. The both of them are too focused on the breakthrough they've just discovered to dwell on the more intimate aspects of it, and they fall back into their normal routine effortlessly. It's pleasant, even if the alpha is not to subtly preening to himself about how useful he was.

Alphas.

Nevertheless, the sheer reality of not only being pain-free, but also in a heightened state of pleasure counteracts any reservations he would have at receiving help in such a manner. Privately, he wonders if Jayce will offer again. Considering the man's enthusiasm to see him comfortable and at ease, the omega suspects he might. 

And if—when—that time comes, Viktor can't say he will decline. They still have some experimenting to do, after all. 

As Viktor stands in front of the mirror, inelegantly trying to wrap a bandage around the bite mark on his neck, he admits that he may have been too...abrupt in accepting Jayce's help earlier. 

“Need some help?” comes Jayce’s voice from behind him, calm and steady, as though he hasn’t just participated in the most intensely intimate moment of their relationship to date.

Viktor peers at his reflection, only to find Jayce watching him, his gaze soft but filled with a touch of amusement. The man seems unfazed, as if he hadn’t just given Viktor a dose of his venom and made him come in the process.

"I’ve got it under control," Viktor mutters, but the bandage slips from his hands again, and he curses under his breath.

Jayce huffs in amusement. "You sure about that? You look like you're about to strangle yourself with that thing."

Viktor throws an annoyed glance over his shoulder. "If you are not going to assist me—"

Jayve throws his arms up defensively, smiling. "Sorry, sorry, I'll help." 

Viktor reluctantly hands over the bandages, but not before staring at him flatly, and tries not to shiver when the alpha's hands brush against his neck, which is ridiculous considering he just had Jayce's teeth there. 

He can see the concentration on the other's face through the mirror, the tenderness in which he assists him, and finds himself softening just the slightest, irritation leaving as soon as it came. 

As Jayce finishes tying the bandage, he pauses, hesitant, as though weighing his next words carefully. “You know,” he begins slowly, glancing at Viktor’s reflection in the mirror, “Instead of struggling with bandages every time, maybe…maybe you could wear a collar?”

As if afraid of overstepping, the alpha quickly amends, "If you want to, of course! I just, uh, assumed it would be easier for you to explain that than, well, this." 

Viktor stills, thinking it over. While collars were a necessity in Zaun to prevent unwanted mating bites, they were seen as more of an accessory in Piltover, an embellishment indicative of an omega's status and wealth. His had been uncomfortable, tarnished metal that had irritated his skin more than protected it, but compared to the gaudy, and quite frankly, hideous, options available in Piltover, he'd rather have that over anything else.

"They're...not to my taste," Viktor responds in place of an answer.

Jayce falls silent, and Viktor can see his expression turn contemplative, albeit unsure, like he's questioning whether or not to voice his next words. "Is it the colors, the design? Because I could...forge one for you, if you'd like." 

Viktor blinks, the offer taking him by surprise. He turns around, squinting at the man like he's a confusing conundrum he just can't solve. Jayce looks entirely earnest, if not slightly flustered. "Would you really?" 

Jayce rubs the back of his neck, suddenly sheepish, his confidence tempered by a vulnerability that Viktor only sees on rare occasions. “Yeah, I mean…of course I would. I’ve got the tools, and I’d make sure it’s something comfortable, something you can actually wear."

Viktor knows he should decline, to feel vaguely annoyed about Jayce's inability to leave well enough alone, but what comes out of his mouth instead is, "If you insist on involving yourself in every aspect of my life, then yes...I suppose you can craft one."

He turns to face Jayce more directly, narrowing his eyes before adding, "But nothing too ostentatious or restrictive. I mean it, Jayce."

Jayce smiles, and it's softer than any of the ones the alpha usually wears around others, like it's meant just for him. "Of course."

After Jayce takes his measurements and the two of them finish up in the lab for the night, Viktor takes a moment to gather his thoughts, sighing internally.

What has he gotten himself into?

Chapter Text

When Viktor is presented with the collar the following morning, he'd like to say he knew exactly what to expect. 

However, staring down at the small, velvet-lined box in his hands, he finds himself momentarily at a loss for words. The sight of the red leather, smooth and adorned with gold accents, captures his attention, and his eyes roam over the delicate craftsmanship appreciatively. It’s not extravagant, nor does it seek attention, but there’s a quiet elegance in its simplicity, as if it was made specifically for his comfort above all else. 

Out of everything, it's the simplicity that endears him the most, the careful attention to detail that belies just how much thought was put into the collar without needing to make a show of it. There are no elaborate flourishes, no garish embellishments—just the rich, comforting hue of red leather and the subtle gleam of gold.

It's perfect. 

"What do you think?" Jayce asks after watching him admire the collar in silence, trying to gauge his reaction in a manner that couldn't be more unsubtle if he tried. 

Viktor glances up, noticing the twinge of nervousness emanating from the alpha's demeanor, and lets a small smile form on his face. It's barely more than a twitch of his lips, but given the way Jayce's eyes are immediately drawn towards it, it's enough to convey his appreciation.

He clears his throat. "It's suitable," he observes approvingly, fingers hovering over the cool leather before pausing, unsure if he should wait until later to put it on or do it now.

Jayce notices his hesitation and reaches outward. "May I?" He questions kindly, gesturing to the box.

Viktor hands it over, allowing the man to retrieve the collar and put it on him. He swallows, pulse quickening when Jayce's hands near his neck and begin to fasten the collar, the size of them nearly encompassing the slender curve of his throat in its entirety. The warm pressure of Jayce's fingers as they adjust the fit sends a shiver down Viktor’s spine, and he instinctively draws in a breath, trying to remain collected. 

For as simple as the gesture is, an omega allowing an alpha anywhere near their throat is incredibly intimate, second only to bearing it, and the feeling has him acutely aware of the other man's presence, instincts urging him to lean closer, to expose his neck even more. He resists it easily enough, but the desire still lingers, much to his frustration.

"Does it feel alright?" Jayce inquires hesitantly once he's clasped the small buckle on the back closed. His fingers linger for a moment, brushing against the fine hairs at Viktor’s nape before finally withdrawing. "I can loosen it if you need me to." 

Viktor moves his head from side to side, satisfied with how it rests on his skin. He can feel the weight of it, but it’s light, unobtrusive, a far cry from the harsh metal bands he’d worn in the past. Softer materials weren't as easily accessible, and he had to make due with what he had, having neither the money nor the skill to acquire anything more luxurious.

"No, it's more than satisfactory," Viktors responds, before adding in a quieter voice, "Thank you." 

Jayce's eyes crinkle at the corners, and Viktor can see some of the tension drain from his shoulders, a note of pleasure entering the man's scent. "Good," He replies, relieved. "I'm glad it's comfortable. I wanted to make sure it was something you'd actually want to wear, not just tolerate. It's also suitable for every-day use, so you can wear it as little or as often as you like."

Viktor hums, running his fingers along the smooth leather and tracing the gold embellishments with idle curiosity. While his intention had been to only wear the collar until the bite mark on his had neck faded, he respects the sentiment nonetheless. 

"You succeeded," he proclaims with a nod. "I can barely feel it." 

He appraises the man then, intrigued. "You've put a lot of thought into this." 

Jayce shrugs, but his ears redden slightly. He doesn't seem particularly remorseful, however. "Ah, maybe. But if it's something you're going to wear for the next couple of days, then I want it to be comfortable, you know? Not just something purely for decorative purposes."

Viktor makes a noise of agreement. It is comfortable, he'll grant him that. "Well," He says after a moment's silence, fighting the urge to squirm. "How does it look?" 

Jayce gives him a once over, gaze roaming from his face, to his throat, to the rest of his body, before traveling back up again.

He smiles. "Lovely." 

There's a note of pride in the alpha's voice, and despite knowing the man is likely admiring the artistry of his own craftsmanship, Viktor can feel a faint blush spread across his cheeks at the nearly reverential remark, flustered. He can only hope it's not too noticeable.

"Yes, well, you have your own expertise to thank for that," He retorts insouciantly, attempting to appear unaffected by the praise. Changing the subject, he murmurs. "Nevertheless, I appreciate the gesture, and I'm not just referring to the collar. Your assistance yesterday spared me a lot of pain. Thank you, Jayce." 

Jayce gives him a small, almost bashful smile, expression softening. "You don't have to thank me. I just wanted to help." 

The alpha's eyes meet his, a crease between his brows that Viktor wants to smooth over with his fingers. "You know you can ask me for anything, right?" Jayce tells him sincerely. "If you...if you ever need something, you can come to me. I'd be more than happy to help. Even with the, uh, the other thing." 

He hesitates for just a moment, red in the face, and Viktor knows exactly what he’s referring to.

For a brief second, he’s caught off guard, uncertain of how to respond. He knows what Jayce means by the other thing—the bite, the relief it offers, the intimacy of it—but it still stirs something in him he’s not entirely sure he's ready to confront.

The idea of accepting such a thing, of relying on Jayce for more than just practical matters, feels like a step into territory that’s too unfamiliar for him to agree to. And yet, Viktor can’t deny the weight of the offer, the genuine sincerity in Jayce’s voice. There’s no pretense in it, no hidden expectation—just the simple desire to help. 

It makes his heart beat just a little faster.

"I can manage just fine on my own," Viktor insists, because even he has his reservations. "This...arrangement you're offering, while no doubt thoughtful, is wholly unnecessary. I don't need to depend on you for pain relief when I've gotten by well enough without it."

"No, no, I know that," Jayce replies quickly, his hands flexing as if intending to offer reassurance. He settles on placing a hand on the omega's shoulder, squeezing. "You're the strongest person I know, V. Of course I think you can handle things on your own."

Jayce stills, as if searching for the right words. Finally, he breathes out a sigh. "It’s just…I don’t want you to suffer if you don’t have to. If I can make things easier, even for a little while, I want to do that for you. I'd like to do that for you."

"I'll think about it," Viktor says honestly, wanting to put the matter to rest before he abandons all sense of decency and agrees. 

Jayce nods understandingly, but there's no disguising the faint flicker of hope that crosses his face. "Take your time," he assures patiently, hand falling back to his side.

Viktor misses it almost immediately, and privately, in the deepest recesses of his mind, does he admit that he misses his fangs even more.

The subject drops easily enough after that, with the two of them returning to their research as if nothing had changed, and it's that quiet normalcy that puts his thoughts at ease, the conversation fading into the background as their work takes precedence. 

True to his words, though, Viktor does ponder over Jayce's suggestion later that evening.

His fingers subconsciously trace the edge of the collar again, deriving comfort in its presence when it should really unnerve him. He's not property, and he has no intentions of playing the part, no matter how determined Jayce is to adorn him in his colors—from his cane, to his brace, to the newly made leather resting innocently around his throat.

If the alpha had his way, Viktor is sure he'd have been outfitted that very morning in striking shades of red and gold.

And yet, somehow, the thought of wearing Jayce's colors, bearing his insignia, is not displeasing. 

It should be, Viktor tells himself. It should be unsettling, a reminder of the countless times he's had to prove himself, to fight for every ounce of respect and autonomy he's ever earned. And yet, when he looks at the collar in the mirror once he returns home, it doesn't feel like a shackle, a mark of ownership with the expectation to submit. Instead, it feels grounding, a gift more than a burden. 

Jayce has never treated him as lesser, never sought to claim or control him. His intentions have always been laid bare, open and sincere in a way that leaves Viktor feeling strangely unmoored. Out of everyone, he thinks he may be one of the only people that truly sees him as an equal, rather than someone to be managed, pitied, or controlled.

That, more than anything, is what leaves him the most conflicted.

He has spent a lifetime carving out his place in a world that has never made room for him, yet Jayce has never once asked him to fight for his worth. The omega exhales, pressing his fingers against the supple leather again, letting the warmth of the thought settle in his chest along with the indecision. 

As he settles into bed, however, he knows what his answer will be, and if his fingers hover over the buckle on the side of his neck for a moment longer than necessary before removing it, then that's his secret to keep.

"I accept your proposal," Viktor says without preamble the following morning, not looking up from his work as if the declaration was entirely mundane in nature and not world-altering.

Jayce fumbles with the screwdriver he was holding, clearly having not been expecting that, and snaps towards him in surprise, confusion wrought across his features in a manner that would've been endearing had it not been for the topic at hand.

"Wait—really?" He blurts out, disbelieving. He coughs awkwardly before continuing, the words falling from his mouth in a rush, "Like, you're actually saying yes? You'll let me help you?" 

Viktor finally shifts his attention from the contraption in his hands to the man beside him, giving him a dry, but amused look. "That is typically what I accept means, yes."

Jayce still looks unconvinced. "So that means you...?"

"Yes," He confirms steadily, pleased that his voice doesn't waver despite the rapid thrumming of his pulse. "I will allow you to bite me." 

Jayce visibly swallows, eyes flickering to Viktor’s collared throat before quickly darting away, as if catching himself before staring too long. He rubs the back of his neck, suddenly looking as though he doesn’t know what to do with his hands.

“Okay,” he says, almost like he’s trying to make sure the word comes out right. “Okay, yeah, whatever you need,” he repeats, firmer this time, as if solidifying the reality of what’s just been agreed upon. "I'm ready."

Viktor hums, returning his attention to his work. "It would be best to do it at the end of the day," he muses, his tone clinical, though the way his fingers tighten ever so slightly around the metal betrays his nerves. "When the pain is at its worst."

"Right. End of the day," Jayce echoes, nodding to himself before hesitating. "Uh—should I do it the same place as last time or would somewhere else..." Less sensitive. "...be more convenient?"

Jayce tilts his head thoughtfully. "Now that I think about it, we should probably study the venom’s efficacy a bit more, maybe document the process. See if there's a difference in relief depending on where the bite happens. That way it might give us an idea on how to optimize it for future use. If we're going to do this, we should approach it scientifically, right?"

Viktor nods slowly, the thought of experimentation appealing to the methodical side of him. As a scientist, he understands the importance of precision and data, especially when it comes to something as unpredictable as the effects of alpha venom. The potential to turn something as personal as this into a process of research, something tangible and measurable, makes him feel more at ease.

This is what he's familiar with, what he's most comfortable immersing himself in.

"That...seems reasonable," Viktor begins, his voice contemplative. "It would provide useful data, both for future treatments and for understanding the nature of the venom itself."

With some amusement over the alpha's enthusiasm, he asks, "Do you intend to document every detail?"

Jayce's expression shifts to one of determination. "Absolutely. We'll track the effects carefully. Time of day, location of the bite, severity of the pain beforehand—everything. That way, we can determine if the venom's analgesic properties are consistent, and if there's anything that could potentially improve the process."

Viktor considers it, including the implications, but his curiosity has already been piqued and even he has to admit that he's eager to know more, particularly about how to avoid coming as soon as Jayce gets his fangs in him most of all. He refuses to have a repeat of last time.

"I'm amenable."

Jayce grins, and it's enough to have the last of his apprehension receding. No matter what the outcome of this experiment will be, he knows he can trust Jayce. 

"Great. We'll start later today."

Viktor just prays he doesn't make a further embarrassment out of himself.

The location he and Jayce ultimately decide on for the first documented test is the forearm. It's a practical choice—easy to access, easy to monitor, and, more importantly, less intimate than the juncture of his neck. At least, that’s the theory.

When the time comes, Viktor finds himself seated on the edge of the lab's couch, pulse steady but alert as Jayce rolls up the sleeve of his shirt with. The alpha’s hands are warm as they cradle Viktor’s wrist, thumb brushing over his skin in a slow, grounding motion.

Jayce glances over at him. “Okay, so, uh—baseline pain level first?”

Viktor shifts his weight, gauging the persistent ache in his joints. “Eh, about a five,” he estimates, keeping his voice even despite the dull throb moving brings. “Manageable, but irritating.”

Jayce nods, his expression momentarily turning serious as he makes a mental note. “Alright. I’ll keep track of how quickly it kicks in.” He meets Viktor’s gaze, searching for any hesitation. “You ready?”

Viktor exhales slowly, giving a curt nod. “Yes.”

Jayce's face nears his wrist, his warm breath ghosting over Viktor's skin as he takes a steadying inhale, laving his tongue over the area. His grip tightens just slightly, fingers curling around Viktor’s forearm to keep it steady. There’s a moment’s hesitation—just long enough for Viktor to notice the way Jayce’s pupils have dilated—before sharp canines press against his skin. Then, with a deliberate slowness, Jayce bites down. 

The effect, just like last time, is instantaneous. 

And so is the pleasure.

A slow-burning warmth spreads through his veins, the initial sting of the bite giving way to immediate ecstasy that has his breath stuttering over a barely-restrained keen, heat pooling in his stomach and unfurling through his limbs. 

His arm instinctively jerks back, but Jayce's grip prevents him from doing so, keeping him still until the venom has been administered in full. The alpha barely has to exert any effort to keep him in place, his strength evident even in the gentleness of his hold. Viktor wouldn't be able to pull away even if he wanted to.

The heat of Jayce's touch, combined with the slow pulse of the venom flooding his system, makes him feel unfathomably alive—in every sense of the word. The sensation is so overwhelming, he briefly forgets where he is, let alone that he should be relaying the effects he's feeling.

He doesn't come again, but it's a very near thing.

"Jayce," Viktor gasps, strangled, his fingers twitching by his side as his breath comes in shallow pulls.

He's soaked, scent sweet and ripe with arousal, and given the way Jayce's eyes immediately darken, a groan falling from his lips, he can definitely smell it. 

Jayce doesn’t release him immediately, lingering just a fraction longer, as if making sure the venom has fully taken effect before finally—finally—pulling back.

His lips are damp, his breathing uneven, and Viktor refuses to acknowledge the way his stomach flips at the sight of his fangs coated in his blood. Something about it feels vaguely vampiric in nature, an odd, primal satisfaction curling in-between his ribs at the way Jayce looks so disheveled, panting and scent thick with lust.

Jayce swallows, gaze flickering between Viktor’s expression and the deep indentations his fangs left behind. He looks half-dazed himself, though whether it’s from the act itself or Viktor’s scent clouding the air between them, Viktor can’t be sure.

He shudders. 

Jayce's gaze flickers up to him immediately, eyes searching. When he speaks, the words are rough, gravelly. "How do you feel?" 

Viktor swallows against the dryness in his throat, barely able to conjure any words at all past the pleasant trance that's settled over his mind. The initial ecstasy has only just begun to recede, but it leaves an aching emptiness behind—a desperate, raw need that leaves his skin flushed and his vision blurry. 

“It’s…effective,” Viktor manages, the words dragging themselves out. His skin is tingling, hyper-aware of every slight brush of skin, every quiet breath. "The venom. The pain is significantly reduced. Perhaps a two, if I were to quantify it."

The discomfort, once a ceaseless thrum in his bones, is now a distant murmur, which would be a relief in and of itself if it weren’t for the unsettling awareness of how good the relief feels—too good. The ache in his body is nearly gone, replaced by a kind of languid ease that has him sinking back against the cushions, malleable and relaxed.

Jayce watches him carefully, senses honed fully on him. “That’s...good, right?” he asks, voice strained as if he’s trying to judge whether or not that's a positive thing or a negative one considering how out of it he is.

Viktor tries to focus, to pull himself together enough to respond with his usual detachment, but the warmth of Jayce’s touch, the closeness, and the lingering pleasure from the venom makes his mind swim. 

“Yes,” he sighs, a little more breathy than he’d intended. His head falls back against the cushions, unable to hold it up any longer. “The pain is gone.”

Jayce’s eyes drop again to Viktor’s throat, where the collar rests, still fastened snugly. He inhales deeply, and Viktor catches the intoxicating scent of his arousal. His body slickens even more in response, reacting to the presence of an unmated, virile, alpha in close proximity. The desire to bear his throat is almost intolerable, and it takes all of his restraint not to give in to it.

Jayce, on the other hand, seems to be unable to tear his gaze away, his expression caught between fascination and something deeper, more primal. Viktor feels the weight of that look and the awareness that Jayce knows exactly what the venom is doing to him.

He's sure his face must be the color of roses by now, if it hadn't been already.

“I’ll—I’ll make a note of this,” Jayce says, his tone low, hoarse, as he reluctantly pulls back, almost like he’s forcing himself to put distance between them. “For future reference, I mean. We can document the specifics later. But, Viktor—"

Whatever Jayce intends to say goes unspoken because the alpha seems to think better of it and shakes his head. "Nevermind. Let's, uh, lets get your cleaned up. Can you stand?"

“I can stand,” Viktor responds quietly, forcing himself to rise from the couch, though not without nearly falling over in the process. His legs feel unsteady, head still spinning with the aftershocks of the bite along with the venom still flowing pleasantly through his system.

Jayce moves to support him, one strong arm slipping easily around Viktor’s waist to hold him, and it's a testament to how out of it he is that he doesn't immediately brush the man off, insisting that he can carry his own weight. The omega still exhales sharply, frustrated by the weakness in his own limbs, but allows Jayce to steady him, even resting his head on his shoulder as he waits for his coordination to return.

“You sure?” Jayce checks in, his breath ghosting against Viktor’s temple. His grip tightens just slightly, firm but not forceful. “You’re trembling.”

“A temporary effect,” He insists, though the words lack any strength. He's too blissed out to sound anything other than breathless. “The venom disrupts equilibrium. It will pass.”

Jayce runs a hand down his back soothingly, likely attempting to reassure him, but all it does is intensify the need he feels to burrow closer and tuck his face into the alpha's neck. He smells so good, and he feels even better, the warmth of him so inviting that Viktor can’t help but unconciously press his head further against him, nuzzling, his body slumping forward as his instincts momentarily consume him. He'll be embarrassed about it later, but for now he just wants.

A sharp intake of breath meets his ears, but it barely registers, his senses clouded by the venom and the enticing scent of the man in front of him, to the point where he doesn't even feel the way Jayce's lips graze the side of his head, a hushed murmur of praise slipping from them like a soft, fervent prayer. "Gods, you are so beautiful."

Whatever Jayce says is lost on him entirely, but the low vibration of his voice thrums through Viktor’s bones like a second heartbeat, sinking deep and settling warmly in his stomach. He makes a faint questioning noise. "Hm...?" 

"Nothing," The alpha assures hastily, as if catching himself. "Don't worry about it."

Viktor hums vaguely in response, the effort to form words too arduous to attempt at the moment, and it isn't until another few minutes have passed that he finally manages to straighten, the heat of Jayce’s hold still lingering on his skin as he pulls away. His mind feels a little sluggish still, thoughts slow to coalesce, but at least his balance has started to return. He just wishes the humiliation didn't return along with it. 

At least he only ruined his clothing this time and not Jayce's as well. Small victories.

Despite the embarrassment over his actions setting in, Viktor forces himself to focus, pushing away the muddled thoughts that cling to him. He knows the venom’s initial effect of unbearable pleasure is fading, but the physical comfort of Jayce’s touch lingers, as does the strange flutter in his chest. The mortification is there, gnawing at him like an itch he can’t quite scratch, but the relief—Gods, the relief—is still so present that he can't bring himself to regret allowing Jayce to bite him. And that might just be the most worst part of it all.

Because now he's starting to ache for it. Really ache for it.

And he doesn't know if he has the strength to stop.

They don't talk about it.

In fact, they go out of their way not to talk about it, adamantly ignoring the tension lingering between them in favor of focusing on documenting the venom's influence on his body, both mentally and physically. Viktor methodically recounts the sensations he felt as well as the lasting effects, refusing to let his embarrassment show when it comes to revealing how pleasurable the experience is, even if he's sure Jayce already knows. 

Mercifully, that is one aspect of his response that the alpha doesn't probe further on. 

It is too early to draw any conclusions, but the two of them theorize that the venom's potency does indeed vary depending on the location of the bite given how intensely Viktor had reacted to being bitten on the throat versus the forearm, and that it's the strongest during the first few minutes of being injected—a fact that the omega has become intimately familiar with. 

He knows they should stop this before things go to far, before their relationship inevitably gets damaged beyond repair, but he can't bring himself to muster up the courage to put a voice to those words, let alone the desire. 

Nevertheless, Viktor forces himself to remain impassive, to focus on the research, the variables, the data points they need to document. He charts his responses with meticulous precision, dictating the time frame of each effect, the gradual descent from unbearable pleasure to manageable relief. He keeps his tone clinical, detached. Scientific.

Jayce listens, nodding intermittently, but Viktor can feel his gaze lingering, his scent thick in the air with something unspoken. It makes his skin prickle, makes him hyper-aware of every movement, every shared breath.

They should stop.

They don’t.

Instead, Viktor finds himself once again sitting in the other man's lap the next evening, arms resting on broad shoulders as fangs sink deeply into his skin, right where the curve of his neck meets his shoulder, only inches away from his scent gland. He shudders heavily, fingers clenching into the fabric of Jayce's shirt as the venom slowly spreads through him like molten heat, saturating every nerve in his body.

He had come prepared this time—or at least, he thought he had—but nothing could truly brace him for the sheer, all-consuming bliss of being bitten again. His thighs squeeze, breath hitching as a soft, helpless whine escapes his throat, one he can't quite stifle in time. He's already wet, throbbing and eager to be touched, so close to an orgasm that his hips unconciously rock forward, grinding against Jayce instinctively.

He only becomes aware of what he's doing when he feels Jayce's fingers grip his waist bruisingly, a growl rising from his throat that makes his stomach tighten, a dizzying wave of arousal rushing through him just from the sound alone. 

He assumes Jayce will immediately pull away, to put some distance between them as he stutters out a profuse amount of apologies, blushing all the while. What he doesn't expect is for the man to roughly pull his hips down and thrust.

"J-Jayce!"

A sharp gasp leaves him, half-strangled in his throat as he feels the alpha's clothed cock press against him, thick and hot and so fucking big that it sends him spiraling, mind blanking out entirely. The friction alone has his body arching instinctively, a small cry escaping him before he can stop it. 

Jayce curses, a low, guttural sound against Viktor’s skin, and his fingers tighten at Viktor’s waist, holding him firmly in place. He doesn’t move again, not yet, but the weight of him, the sheer size of him, is undeniable, a stark contrast to his own slight frame. It’s intoxicating.

Slowly, as if testing the waters, Jayce begins to move again, grinding his hips just enough to make Viktor shudder on top of him, mouth falling open around a groan that devolves into a long, drawn out keen when Jayce begins to trail a path of heated kisses up the length of his throat. 

"Jayce," He moans again, hand moving up to reflexively cup the back of the alpha's head as his partner lavishes him with kisses. "Jayce, you have to stop." 

Despite the protests leaving his mouth, his hips continue to rock against Jayce's, instinctual and desperate. He's never felt pleasure like this before, never felt the desire to seek it out from another person so intensely, and it leaves him completely lost, floundering and needy. 

"How do you expect me to stop," Jayce groans raggedly into his ear as his mouth sucks on the delicate skin of his scent gland, sounding tortured. "When you smell this good?"

Viktor spares a moment to be thankful he had had the foresight to remove his collar before allowing the man's teeth anywhere near him, mostly to avoid accidentally staining it, due to amazing it feels to be kissed there, how it makes him feel like every nerve in his body is sparking to life.

"And you're so wet," Jayce continues almost deliriously as he nuzzles into the omega's throat. "I can smell it on you as soon as my fangs come near you. Did you think I hadn't noticed, that I—"

Jayce cuts himself off with a strained groan, but the damage is already done. His words sink deep, pooling like warm honey in Viktor’s stomach, and the omega can do nothing but cling to him, overwhelmed and trembling with need.

He should stop this. They both should. But neither of them move away. Neither of them push for distance. Instead, Viktor lets his body slump forward, allowing the alpha to bear his full weight, and that’s all it takes—Jayce moans and bites down again, deeper this time, sinking his teeth into the vulnerable curve of Viktor’s shoulder.

The sharp pain is fleeting, chased almost immediately by pleasure so intense it borders on unbearable. Viktor cries out, his whole body spasming as he climaxes, hands grasping at Jayce’s shoulders for something, anything, to ground him, but there’s nothing except the dizzying rush of sensation, heat, and want. 

Jayce is panting against his skin, his large hands gripping Viktor's thighs tightly enough to bruise. "You keep letting me do this," he rasps, wide-eyed and wondrous in his disbelief. "You keep—Gods, Viktor, you like it, don’t you? Being bitten. Feeling my venom in you."

Viktor’s face burns, but he can’t deny it. Not with the slick dripping down his thighs, not with the way his body keeps grinding down on Jayce’s cock like it has a mind of its own despite having already come once. 

Because everything had been mounting up to this, hadn't it?

Ever since the first time he let Jayce bite him and all the times thereafter where he hadn't pulled away, had encouraged it, even, the pleasure, the relief, the closeness—all of it. It had frayed through any inhibitions he may have had, rendering him weak to soft touches and the possessive strength of Jayce’s hands on his skin. He hadn't even thought about it when Jayce had coaxed him into his lap after noticing the subtle lines of pain marring his face, suggesting that their next area of study should be the shoulder this time due to how much more intense the sensation might be.

And now, here he was again, sitting in the alpha's lap and unraveling like finely spun silk, an imitation of their first time together, only this time he's facing the alpha, perched in his lap all pretty instead of straddling his thigh like he previously had. It's more intimate this way, allowing him to see every expression that crosses Jayce's face—hunger, adoration, reverence—it's all there, written plainly for him to see.

And it undoes him. 

"I..." The response dissolves on his tongue, throat feeling tight.

He doesn't know what he wants to say, what he should say. The truth is a dangerous, damning thing, but in this moment, wrapped in the heat of Jayce's arms, still trembling from the aftershocks of his orgasm and the venom pulsing through him, he can't bring himself to care.

Jayce leans in, his breath hot against Viktor's ear as he presses a kiss to the soft skin there. "Tell me to stop," he murmurs breathlessly, thick with restraint. "Tell me to stop, and I will. I swear."

The thought of continuing makes him hesitate, but the thought of stopping is so abhorrent that it has Viktor's arms instinctively tightening around Jayce's shoulders, fingernails digging into his skin harshly enough to have the alpha grunting in pain, even through the layers of clothing between him. Viktor doesn't miss the way his cock jumps, however. 

"Don't you dare," He hisses, not knowing what he wants but knowing that if Jayce were to stop now, while he's still so wound up and desperate, Viktor isn't sure he'd be able to handle it. "Jayce—"

"Do you mean it?" Jayce rushes forward in a strained breath, sounding like it'll kill him if Viktor doesn't. "Viktor, please tell me you mean it, because if you do..."

Jayce swallows, eyes darkened with lust and pure, unadulterated need. "I'll make you come so many times you'll hate me for it."

Viktor's heart pounds, but he can't bring himself to say anything other than a labored, "I mean it."

As if the confirmation was all he needed, Jayce's mouth immediately returns to the bites he left on his shoulder, fingers slipping underneath his clothing and skimming over the smooth, heated skin of Viktor's waist. His breath catches when Jayce's hands grip his hips and press him down harder against his cock, forcing him to feel the full shape of his arousal. With the alpha's strength guiding his body, he doesn't even have to move at all, and it's enough to have his head tilting forward, curling into his partner's neck. Fully trusting.

He can feel the shudder that wracks through Jayce's body, the stuttered hitch of his breath that follows, and it sets his body alight. 

"I want to get my mouth on you," the alpha moans, pleading, so desperate that Viktor can feel the rawness of it reverberating in his own chest. "Make you come again. Please, Viktor. Let me." 

The request makes him so light-headed he's surprised he doesn't pass out right then and there. Here he is, shaking and dripping wet, and Jayce is begging to service him, not only obligingly but feverishly. 

"Yes, yes, alright," Viktor pants out in-between shallow gasps before Jayce can plead again. "You can—oh!"  

The alpha hefts him into his arms so swiftly that the brunet isn't even given any time to react before he's swept off the ground, let alone panic at being unceremoniously lifted. Before Viktor knows it, he's being spread out on the workbench right by the window, strong hands carefully positioning him on his back.

"Fuck, I wish I had a bed to lay you out on," Jayce groans, a bit mournfully, unaware of how the words make Viktor's heart skip a beat. "I guess this'll have to make do."

The alpha's fingers remove his brace with ease, only pausing when it comes to removing his clothes. His hands hover over the buttons of his trousers, wordlessly seeking permission, and Viktor nods, allowing the man to wrangle the fabric off of him. It's frantic, but careful, in a way he thinks only Jayce could be, and it soothes his instincts to be taken care of so thoroughly. 

Once the fabric has been eased down his legs and thrown aside, Jayce stills, something almost resembling a keen leaving his lips when he sees just how wet he is, thighs glistening with his slick and underwear completely soaked through. It's embarrassing, to be looked at so intimately, but Viktor isn't given time to dwell on it since Jayce hastily begins to remove his own clothing, shoving his shirt underneath the omega's hips before hooking a finger underneath his waistband and tugging that down, too, leaving him completely bare.

A sharp intake of breath greets him, the weight of Jayce's gaze burning into Viktor’s skin and making him instinctively want to clamp his legs closed to preserve some sense of modesty. He can feel the alpha's eyes roam fervidly over his body, from his stomach, to thighs, to the slick folds of his cunt, flushed and dripping with arousal. However, when he goes to pull his legs together, Jayce immediately stops him, strong hands gently but firmly holding his hips down, preventing him from doing so along with ensuring he doesn't move his bad leg or spine too much.

"No, no, don't hide," Jayce insists frantically, leaning forward to place a kiss on his stomach before nuzzling there. It's such an unbearably sweet gesture that it makes his throat feel tight. "You're so lovely like this, baby. I want to see you."

Viktor is about to scoff, skeptical—because him, lovely?—but the words die on his lips as soon as the petname sinks in, a tingly feeling settling low in his belly.

Baby. 

Jayce had never called him that before, not in the lab, not in jest, not even during the fevered mess of their last bite. Something about it now, murmured against his skin in breathless veneration, sends warmth flooding to his face, the rosy tint adorning them deepening into a fiery crimson.

He wants to say something witty in return, something to lighten the intensity curling between them like a brewing storm, but all that spills from his mouth is a soft whimper, breath hitching when Jayce noses lower, past his stomach, pressing slow, reverent kisses to his inner thighs. It’s gentle, unhurried—like Jayce is savoring every part of him, and Viktor, despite the vulnerability he feels, finds himself melting under the attention.

And then he drops to his knees and all coherent thought leaves his head entirely.

The position forces him to lie flat on his back, legs braced on Jayce's shoulders for support while the alpha's mouth hovers over his pussy, his breath warm and unsteady against his sensitive folds. It makes him shiver, but with the way his partner's hands are gripping his thighs so firmly, keeping him still, he can't move a single muscle. 

When the alpha makes no further move to touch him, Viktor chokes out an embarrassed, "Stop staring."

Jayce's pauses, but then his shoulders shake around a laugh. "I'm not staring," he protests, the smile in his voice undeniable as he clarifies, "I'm admiring."  

Viktor wants to throw something at him. "Well, admire faster." 

If Jayce is put off by his impatience he gives no indication of it, because before Viktor can even take another breath, his lips are on him, mouth planting a kiss over his sopping wet cunt and lapping up the wetness there with a deep, almost feral groan that Viktor matches with a desperate, much more higher pitched whimper. 

Jayce pulls back for just a moment, looking up at Viktor with an almost crazed intensity in his eyes, the alpha's pupils blown so wide with lust he can barely see the iris surrounding him. 

"I knew you'd taste sweet," Jayce says roughly, looking almost as out of it as Viktor feels. "You always smell like honey around me, it makes me lose my mind."

Viktor isn't given time to be embarrassed by how transparent he's been because Jayce's mouth instantly returns to him, devouring him with a renewed fervor. The contact makes him gasp sharply, his hands gripping the edge of the workbench for stability, but it’s no use—his body betrays him, eyes rolling and frame trembling with need.

"Jayce, oh gods, Jayce—"

Jayce moans against him, the vibrations sending another pulse pleasure through him and he keens, thighs squeezing around the alpha's head as the man laps hungrily at his cunt, tongue curling around his sensitive folds with a practiced ease that makes Viktor's insides clench. He's skilled, and expertly so, and if the omega wasn't drowning in pleasure the thought would have ignited a fierce spike of jealousy in him. 

The feeling of Jayce's lips wrapping around his clit, suckling gently before flicking it with the tip of his tongue, immediately knock any other thoughts from his mind, and his head falls back against the table with a loud, echoing moan—far too loud for such a public place as the lab.

"Fuck." The curse is saturated so heavily with pleasure it sounds more like a whimper than anything else, and it takes everything within him not to dissolve into a litany of mindless cries and pleas. "F-Fuck, Jayce, I'm going to—hnn—come again." 

Jayce buries his face deeper into his pussy, groaning as he dips his tongue into the omega's hole, his hands tightening on Viktor's thighs to hold him in place while he continues to ravish him with abandon, not pausing for a single moment. The omega shudders heavily, trying to thrust back against the alpha's mouth but unable to do so. He threads a hand into the man's hair instead, having half a mind to tell him to grow it out to give him more leverage to pull on, and tugs him even closer, desperate to come.

The sound of Jayce's muffled moans against him only add to the growing heat coiling in his stomach, the alpha’s obvious enjoyment only spurring Viktor on, making him want to shove the alpha's head further in-between his thighs and keep him there, until his body couldn't take it anymore. 

As if sensing how close Viktor is, Jayce's mouth returns to his clit, but it's not the sensation of his tongue that ultimately pushes him over the precipice, it's the feeling of him lowering his hand and stuffing two thick fingers inside of him without so much as a warning that does it. 

Viktor screams, coming with a sharp, keening wail that echoes loudly throughout the room. His inner walls flutter violently around Jayce's fingers, slick gushing in hot waves down his thighs and over the alpha’s knuckles, completely ruining the fabric beneath him. Jayce groans like a man starved, mouth sealing back over his clit as he works him through it, greedily drinking down every drop of release as if it’s ambrosia.

Viktor whimpers brokenly, twitching with overstimulation, his thighs trembling against the alpha's shoulders, unable to do more than lay there, splayed open and panting, completely undone. He feels completely fucked full—Janna, why does everything about Jayce have to be so fucking large—just from two fingers alone, and if he hadn't been so loose and relaxed from two previous orgasms and the alpha's venom, he never would have been able to take them so easily.

The thought makes another gush of slick drip down his thighs, and Jayce feels it, grunting as he presses soft, reverent kisses to Viktor’s overstimulated cunt, unwilling to pull away.

Viktor is sure he loses consciousness for a few moments because the next thing he becomes aware of is the feeling of Jayce nuzzling his thigh, hands roaming gently down his sides as he waits for the omega to get his bearings, a seemingly impossible feat given how wrung out he feels.

"You back with me?" Jayce asks, peering up at him with hazy, glossed over eyes. One of his hands strokes lazily along Viktor’s ribs, as if trying to tether him back to the present. 

Viktor groans, head slumping against the table. "No." 

Jayce huffs a breath of laughter, warm and indulgent, before ducking his head to press another kiss to Viktor’s inner thigh—chaste this time, if not for the way he lingers there, lips brushing against skin like he’s reluctant to part. 

"You're crying again," Jayce murmurs, reaching over to brush one of his tears away with his thumb, and then more sweetly, inquires, "Too much?" 

Viktor leans into his touch before he's even aware that he's doing it, but the embarrassment over acting so needy doesn't permeate through the hazy bliss he feels, and the way Jayce takes the opportunity to stroke his cheek eliminates any insecurity he might have felt. 

"Not any more than I asked for," Viktor croaks, finding it to be true. He's sensitive and overstimulated, yes, but also completely sated, his mind buzzing pleasantly. 

Jayce makes a contented noise, and after a few more minutes, finally rises to his feet, wincing as he does so but looking entirely too pleased with himself to have any regrets. He looks like a mess, hair in complete disarray and face still dripping with Viktor's juices, which he licks from his lips like he's still ravenous for more, undoubtedly savoring it. It's filthy, but instead of feeling flustered by the display, he just feels vehemently pleased, instincts purring at the thought of Jayce smelling like him again.

"So," Jayce starts slowly after helping the omega sit up, not bothering to hide the poorly hidden need for approval in his voice. His face is flushed, but his eyes track over his face intently. "How was it?" 

Viktor pretends to think it over. "Hmm. Adequate."

Jayce immediately deflates, pride wounded. "Viktor," he whines, pouting. "C'mon, you don't mean that, right? Right?" 

Viktor relents, but his lips curl up in fond amusement at the distraught look on the other man's face. "You did well," he allows, saying no more than that. The alpha doesn't need to have a bigger ego than the one he has already, but he supposes, just this once, he's earned it. 

Jayce visibly preens, satisfaction rolling off of him in waves, and Viktor huffs in faux aggravation, not as peeved as he pretends to be. He supposes he has the orgasms to thank for that.

"But," He cuts in before Jayce can respond, eyes glinting even as his words come out carefully measured, "I think some more...experimenting might be in order before I can draw any definitive conclusions. For science, of course." 

Viktor levels him with a raised eyebrow. "You'll be amenable, yes?" 

The question might as well have been rhetorical considering the way Jayce's demeanor shifts instantly, eyes brightening with surprise but also undeniable want.

"For science," The alpha repeats in the same tone.

And that's that. 

The agreement lingers between them even as the two of them focus their attention on cleaning up, which is a whole ordeal on its own given the absolute havoc they wreaked in that short amount of time. 

There's papers strown all over the table and floor, a mix of blueprints and who knows what other important documents, along with their clothing, most of it drenched in Viktor's slick, much to his embarrassment. Jayce's shirt is beyond salvaging, as soaked as it is, but Viktor can't deny the possessive inclination he has to tell the alpha to wear it anyway, if only so that anyone who comes near him knows exactly who he belongs to.

He doesn’t say it, of course. He has some dignity left.

Instead, he snatches up a relatively clean cloth and starts wiping himself down, ignoring the way Jayce watches him like he’s the most fascinating thing in the world, eyes lingering on the bite marks on his shoulder before turning away with a deep blush, because naturally, that is the part he had chosen to get embarrassed by.

Once the lab is in semi-decent condition, and his slick has been wiped from every incriminating surface—Fuck, he's never going to be able to even look at their workbench again without thinking filthy thoughts—the two of them change into fresh clothing. At this point, Viktor is reconciling the fact that he's inevitably going to end up transferring half of his wardrobe into the lab.

He just hopes no one stops by for the next few hours. For their sake. 

As they finish cleaning, the tension between them shifts to something more comfortable, a quiet understanding hanging in the air. Their dynamic has undeniably shifted, and yet, somehow, it doesn't feel daunting. 

Perhaps it's because nothing feels out of the ordinary, like this is the natural conclusion their relationship was traveling towards—he and Jayce aiding each other in personal matters that bear no reflection on their professional dynamic. So long as they remain focused on their work, the rest of it can exist in this space between them, unspoken and understood. Nothing else has to change, not really. 

The thought makes him reconsider his previous disposition on allowing things to continue as they are, because if both of them understand what this is, what they are to each other—partners first and foremost and anything more intimate second—then what's the harm?

Yes, Viktor thinks to himself as he allows Jayce to walk him home again, barely any distance separating the two of them, everything will be just fine. 

Chapter Text

Viktor wouldn't consider himself to be particularly vain, but when he catches a glimpse of his appearance in the bathroom mirror the next morning, he pauses. 

His reflection stares back at him, all sharp angles and weary eyes, the shadows underneath them not as prominent as they were a few weeks prior but still undeniably present, indicative of the few nights of well-rested sleep he's finally been getting. However, it's not the slight improvement in his complexetion that captures his attention, but rather the assortment of marks scattered across his body. 

The bites are stark against his pale skin, already healing, but unmistakably deep. A ring of bruised flesh, flushed and tender, framed by faint crescent indentations. Jayce hadn’t been careless when biting him, not exactly. But he hadn’t been gentle, either. Viktor hadn’t wanted him to be.

It's his waist and thighs that bear the brunt of it—smeared with bruises in shades of plum and wine, blooming like wildflowers where Jayce's hands had gripped him the hardest. 

His fingers drift, almost absently, to one of the deeper bruises resting just above his hip, pressing lightly until the ache flares beneath his skin, a muted, pulsing reminder that hovers just between pain and pleasure. He knows Jayce hadn't been exerting much effort at all when holding him down last night, strong as he is, and yet his body looks like a mottled peach, soft and overripe, bruised from every angle, a collage of handprints and teeth marks.

It should be unsightly, vulgar, even, but the sight makes arousal stir low in his stomach, the subtle heat of it curling around his insides as he continues to trace the fading marks. Because it feels good.

Fuck, does it feel good.

He has been susceptible to the whims of his deteriorating health for so long now that experiencing pain not associated with his condition feels...foreign, unfamiliar. Welcome. He can't control the agony that ravages his body on a daily basis, but this? This is something different. Something he can choose to feel.

It's liberating in a way he hadn't anticipated, and perhaps, just a little bit addicting, too.

With a sigh, Viktor reluctantly drops his gaze from the blemishes marring his skin to his shirt, relying on muscle memory to button it up as he finishes getting dressed. The movement sends a pleasant ache throughout his body, one that for once, he doesn't loathe. 

He hisses softly as he adjusts the collar of his shirt, the fabric grazing over the worst of the marks on his shoulder, but even that's pleasurable, settling into a dull throb that shouldn't be nearly as enjoyable as it is. 

Nevertheless, he can't say he minds it. Not in the slightest.

Jayce isn't in the lab that day.

His absence isn't entirely unusual, not with his burgeoning reputation as the man of progress garnering them invites to all manner of galas, fundraisers, and social events—though Viktor knows it's a courtesy only extended to him out of begrudging obligation rather than any true desire to have the omega attend, which he rarely does anyway. Even so, they're opportunities he knows Jayce can't pass up, not when they're still in dire need of funding and support for their hextech projects. 

While Viktor might prefer the quiet focus of the lab, he can’t deny that they unfortunately need the connections—wealth, influence, status—none of which he possesses or particuarly cares to. 

That doesn't mean it's not dissapointing, however.

The solitude doesn't bother him, he's spent more of his life alone than not, after all, but the silence sits differently when it's only him breaking it. He has grown used to Jayce’s presence, the constant rhythm of his pacing, the absent hums under his breath as he tinkers with a prototype, the way he always fills the space with idle conversation, even during the rare occurrences where Viktor barely contributes anything beyond the occasional murmur of agreement. The lab feels too still without him, like something vital has been misplaced.

Viktor tries to busy himself, sorting through schematics and cataloging their last round of test results, but his mind wanders. His gaze drifts to the workbench—cleared now, sanitized and orderly, a far cry from how it looked the night before. It’s pristine, and yet he can still picture the mess he made on it. The memory has him flushing. 

He banishes it from his mind before his thoughts can drift back to what it felt like to have Jayce's eyes on him, his large hands, his mouth—

Focus. He needs to focus.

Thankfully, it's easy to stay distracted, his mind eventually locking onto familiar calculations that guide his hands steadily across his notes, finishing equations and annotating corrections in the margins.

Time slips past unnoticed, hours bleeding into one another as the sun shifts in the sky, the morning light gradually deepening into dusk. Viktor doesn’t register the growing ache in his spine or the way his muscles tense from remaining in the same position for so long—not until a sharp, electric thread of pain coils through his leg when he shifts, dragging his attention sharply back to his body.

Jayce's venom has long since worn off some time during the previous night, and the residual warmth it left behind has faded with it, leaving only the familiar throb of his usual discomfort in its place.

The pain is nothing new. If anything, it’s expected. Still, after so many hours of blessed numbness, its return couldn't be anymore intrusive. 

He exhales through his nose, slow and deliberate, and then tries to maneuver himself into a more comfortable position. Unfortunately, it doesn't work, and he knows well enough by now how this evening will go to recognize the inevitability of it. Nevertheless, he keeps going.

Instead, Viktor shifts in his seat, subtly squeezing his thighs together until the bruises there start to ache, sharpening his pain into something more bearable, pleasant. When that's not enough, his hand drifts toward the worst of the bite marks just under the hem of his shirt, thumb circling the edge where the skin dips into tender flesh. He pushes into it, not hard, just enough to make the throbbing bloom again.

His lips part around a shallow breath, and for a fleeting moment, he feels centered again.

It’s a paltry substitution for Jayce’s presence, but it serves its purpose. The soreness in his waist and thighs, the dull, echoing pulse of the bruises hidden beneath his trousers—it anchors him. Pulls him away from the pain searing through his leg and spine and into something far more grounding. 

He continues working. 

Eventually though, the strain becomes too much to ignore and he reluctantly concedes to calling it an early night, knowing full well his waning concentration will be of little use to him. 

It’s sooner than he typically leaves for sure, the sun only just beginning to dip below the Piltover skyline, but he stands regardless, taking his time as he collects his papers and cane. He's used to spending long hours in the lab, especially if Jayce is there with him, but they're making good enough progress to where he feels content to take a longer break than just napping on the lab's couch for a few hours.

As soon as he arrives home, he heads straight for his bedroom, changing out of his day clothes and into something more comfortable for lounging around the house. Dinner is a simple affair, something light but nourishing enough to sustain him as he reads over the papers he brought home with him. It's mundane, perhaps, but comforting no less. 

He's just finished washing and putting the dishes away when the silence is broken by a soft, but firm knock on the door. 

Viktor frowns. He hadn't been expecting anyone, and certainly not at this hour. He doesn't receive vistors that often so having someone appear unannounced is definitely out of the ordinary for him. 

Placing the towel down on the counter, Viktor makes his way over to the door anyway, curious in spite of himself. 

When he pulls it open, he's surprised to see Jayce standing there, his figure silhouetted by the soft glow of the hallway lights, arm poised in front of him. He looks handsome, as he always does when he has dressed himself for some important event, though there’s no denying the casual disarray in his attire now—his hair slightly tousled and the polished edges of his clothing rumpled, as though he had hurried out of somewhere. It's a miniscule change, barely perceptible, but it catches his eyes nonetheless.

Viktor blinks, momentarily caught off guard. "Jayce?" He calls out, slightly bewildered by the alpha's appearance. 

Jayce smiles, expression sheepish, as though he's aware of how out of place he must look standing there. It's almost cute.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to show up annacounced or anything," He apologizes, rubbing the back of his neck. "I just stopped by the lab earlier and you weren't there so I figured I'd drop by and see if you were home." 

He clears his throat, hesitating. "I, ah, hope I'm not intruding...?" 

Viktor stands there for a moment, processing, before coming back to himself with a start. "No, no, it's no intrusion," He reassures, quickly stepping aside to allow the man entrance. "Come in."

Jayce accepts the invitation with a slight nod of appreciation, glancing around the space with a subtle curiosity that makes Viktor realize his partner has never actually step foot into his apartment before, at least not for a few moments at a time. Usually, they meet up at the lab, or in some cases, Jayce's apartment, for their meetings. 

The change in routine is...not entirely unwelcome. 

Viktor closes the door behind him before glancing over at Jayce. "Would you like some tea?" 

The alpha smiles gratefully. "Please."

Viktor hums and goes to put the kettle on while Jayce sits down on one of the kitchen chairs by the table. His apartment is small, but not cramped, and it's spacious enough to where both of them can move around easily, even with all of his notes and equipment scattered everywhere. 

"Pardon the mess, I wasn't expecting company or else I would have cleaned up a little," He comments off-handedly, knowing the alpha wouldn't particularly mind the clutter. Neither of them are known for having clean workspaces, in or out of the lab.

There's a laugh behind him. "I've seen worse," Jayce says, a smile in his voice. 

"Hm, yes, I suppose you have," Viktor allows with a slight twitch of his lips as he finishes putting the water on the stove. "It's hard to beat having a hole blasted through your apartment with unstabalized hex crystals, after all."

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. You don't have to remind me." Even with his back turned, Viktor can practically hear the way Jayce rolls his eyes, and he smiles to himself. 

Returning to the kitchen table, Viktor takes a seat before allowing his curiosity to get the better of him. "I thought you were at another gala for the evening, what happened?"

Jayce’s gaze flickers to Viktor, and there's a brief second of hesitation before his lips curl into a playful grin. "I was," he admits, leaning back slightly in his chair as he does so.

Viktor raises an eyebrow when he doesn't continue, prompting. "And...? So why aren't you there now?"

Jayce shrugs, but the warmth on his face is unmistakable. "You needed me more," He says easily, as if it's that simple. 

The words are so said so plainly that Viktor thinks he's misheard them at first, and then they register and his breath catches, caught between one heartbeat and the next as a blush rises traitorously to his cheeks.

For a moment, all he can do is look at Jayce—really look at him. The way his eyes soften at the edges when he speaks, the relaxed slump of his shoulders now that he's here, the faint flush that rises to his own face as the silence stretches between them.

He swallows, suddenly finding it difficult to meet Jayce’s gaze. “I think you've had a little too much to drink." 

"I've only had a few glasses," Jayce protests before faltering and amending, "Alright, so maybe it was a bit more than a few but it definitely wasn't as many as the ones you have when you're there."

"How else am I supposed to tolerate the the endless droning and posturing of Piltover's finest?" Viktor retorts, a hint of sarcasm entering his voice at the end. He doesn't bother to hide his derision of Piltover's high society, or the superficial conversations they pretend to be invested in. 

"They're not that bad," Jayce argues, but it's half-hearted at best. For as much as Jayce enjoys playing the part of the charming socialite, Viktor knows he’s not immune to the exhaustion that comes with endless networking and pleasantries. "Speaking of attending galas, will you join me for the next one?"

As if aware of the immediate refusal he'll receive, Jayce hurries to add, "I know you said you hate those things, and believe me, I won't push you if you really don't want to go, but I always enjoy myself far more when you're there with me."

Viktor purses his lips, deliberating. The softness in Jayce’s eyes when he speaks with such casual sincerity erodes at his resolve a lot more than he'd like to admit, and it's hard to say no when the alpha is looking at him so earnestly. 

Seeing the pensive expression on his face, Jayce smiles at him reassuringly, "You don't have to think about it right now, the gala is not for another week, so you still have time to decide." 

Viktor nods, appeased by that. While he does indeed loathe immersing himself in piltovian society, attending events alongside Jayce has always been remarkably more pleasant. "Alright," he agrees.

The kettle whistles before Jayce can respond, and Viktor rises to retrieve it, grateful for the excuse to turn away and gather himself. His fingers are steady as he pours into the ceramic cups, the delicate clink of porcelain a gentle interruption in the quiet that’s settled between them.

He slides one cup toward Jayce, then sits back down, hands curling loosely around his own. The warmth seeps into his palms and wrists, soothing the ache there.

"Has anyone ever told you that you add too much sugar?" Jayce asks with some amusement after watching him stir in three spoonfuls.

Viktor hums absently, wondering if he should add a fourth. "I like things sweet."

Jayce shakes his head fondly, bringing his own cup to his lips and making a quiet noise of delight that has Viktor preening subconciously. 

"How are you holding up, by the way? I know we haven't had time for anymore experiments today, which is...mostly my fault," The alpha says apologetically, looking guilty even though he has no real reason to be. "Sorry."

Viktor brushes the words off with a pointed look. "What are you apologizing for? I'm not fragile, Jayce, I don't need to rely on you for pain relief every night, and I don't expect you to tailor your schedule around me, either. It's not necessary, or wanted."

"I know you're not," Jayce responds sincerely, giving him his full attention. "I just...well, I'd like to help you out, if I can. Even if you don't need it."

Viktor lowers his cup, his thoughts settling back into place. "I appreciate the gesture," he admits, voice quieter now. "But I don’t want to burden you. I can handle my pain, Jayce."

Jayce smiles again, slightly playful but no less kind. "Perhaps. But I can handle it better, don't you agree?" 

Incorrigible. 

Viktor sighs. "I suppose," He allows, finishing his tea before looking up at Jayce with an unreadable expression, eyes glinting. "Come to bed with me, then."  

Jayce chokes, sputtering, and for one worrying moment Viktor wonders if he's going to keel over and die right then and there—an unfortunate occurrence considering he had only meant to tease the alpha, not kill him. 

Thankfully, he manages to pull himself together enough to cough out a hoarse, "Viktor."

Viktor simply watches him, a hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Well, you don't plan to bite me in the middle of the kitchen, do you?"  

Jayce wipes his mouth with a napkin, the action just a bit stilted as the alpha tries to compose himself, ears tinted red. 

"Right, right, of course not," He mutters, voice cracking slightly at the end. He stands up abruptly. "Here, let me wash the dishes. You go on ahead." 

Viktor nods, getting up from the chair and nearly stumbling while doing so. It's an aborted movement that many wouldn't catch, barely a twitch, if anything, but Jayce notices immediately, curling an arm around his waist to steady him. He seems to be doing that a lot lately, and Viktor can't say he really minds. 

"You alright?" 

"Fine." It's sincere enough, Viktor thinks. The pain, while aggravating in its persistence, isn't too severe. Yet. "Just a little stiff." 

Jayce strokes a hand down his back sympathetically. "You'll feel better once I get my venom in you." 

Heat flares beneath his skin at how casually the alpha says those words, like they aren’t completely indecent. The feeling only burns hotter when Jayce takes advantage of their proximity to kiss him on the side of his head, gentle and sweet. 

Viktor leans into it, just slightly. He's used to Jayce's affection, having long since acclimated to its presence in his life, but he'd have to be blind not to notice how much more frequent it's gotten. How much more intimate.

Jayce no longer settles on friendly, casual touches—his hands now linger longer than necessary, brushing over Viktor’s shoulder, his arm, his back, almost as though he can’t help himself. It's not uncommon for him to stand behind him and hold him around the waist while the omega works, or for his fingers to rest lightly at the small of Viktor's back when they’re talking to others. It takes him off guard sometimes, to be touched so frequently, even if he's starting to get used it. 

It's nice, though. Really nice. 

Viktor guides the alpha to his bedroom after he finishes cleaning up, and Jayce, still visibly flustered, follows close behind. 

The room is dim, lit only by the soft amber glow of a bedside lamp. It's modest, like the rest of Viktor's apartment, but tidy, and unmistakably his. Books stacked on shelves, a few blueprints rolled and tucked away, a worn coat draped over the back of a chair. Jayce looks around like he's seeing it for the first time, and Viktor supposes he is. 

Viktor sits on the edge of the bed, undoing the buttons on his shirt with quiet efficiency. His hands are steady, but his body aches. He can feel the tension wound tight across his shoulders, humming low in his spine. Jayce steps forward, reaching out.

"Here, allow me," Jayce murmurs, large hands replacing the omega's own as he deftly unbuttons the soft cotton shirt he was wearing. His fingers travel downwards to remove the brace was wearing as well after receiving a nod of approval, quick and efficient. 

Viktor exhales slowly, watching him. He wants to say something, maybe deflect the attention, maybe tease, but the words catch behind his teeth. There’s something disarming about Jayce like this, with his brows drawn and expression undeniably tender.

"Is there any particular place you want me to bite you?" Jayce asks after unlocking the last mechanism that holds his brace together, peering up at him.

He’s kneeling slightly now, close enough to where Viktor can feel the warmth radiating off of him in waves, his hands still resting lightly on Viktor’s sides as if he’s reluctant to let go. 

Viktor considers the question, then tilts his head a little, knowing better than to voice his desire to be bitten on the throat again despite how ardently he wants it. "You choose," he says at last, keeping his tone carefully neutral. "Wherever you think is best."

Jayce nods, his gaze thoughtful as he deliberates where to bite. There's a subtle intensity in the way he looks at him, almost as if he's studying him, weighing the decision. After a few moments, he leans closer, fingers traveling from his waist to his inner thigh, a motion that makes Viktor shudder. 

"How about here?" He suggests, fingers tracing the sensitive skin just above the omega's knee. Viktor can feel the heat of Jayce's touch even through the thin fabric seperating them, and the proximity sends a strange, fluttering sensation through his body.

"Or would that be too intimate?" Jayce continues uncertainly, wavering. 

"No," Viktor answers, only slightly unsteady. "It's fine." 

His eyes meet Jayce’s. "Besides, I think we're well beyond too intimate by now, aren't we?" 

Jayce looks at him, the flush on his cheeks deepening as he lets out a soft, almost embarrassed laugh. "Fair point," he concedes. "Do you want to lean back on the pillows or should I, uh, do it like this?" 

Viktor shakes his head, preferring to lay down instead. But first...

"You're not doing anything until you take this off," Viktor huffs, tugging at the alpha's clothes, which he is wearing far too much of. "All of it. I refuse to be the only one underdressed." 

Jayce reluctantly pulls back, clearly unwilling to part, but does as asked, albeit a bit clumsily.

As he undresses, Viktor lets himself observe the alpha unabashedly, gaze dragging across the wide breadth of his chest to the firm line of his stomach and then to the dark trail of hair leading downwards. Jayce catches the look and his movements falter, a hint of red creeping up his neck even though he has to be used to the attention by now from his previous lovers. Surely. 

"Thanks for the assistance," Jayce says with an amused curl of his lips once he manages to wrangle himself free of his clothes, throwing them carelessly behind him. 

"Of course."

Viktor lays back, settling against the pillows as he waits for the man to join him. The alpha pauses at the foot of the bed, however, hesitating, and he wonders if Jayce is waiting for an invitation before realizing that yes, he is waiting for an invitation.  

Everyone knows how sacred an omega’s nest is—how private. To enter it uninvited is a breach of trust, even for alphas as close to their omegas as Jayce is to him now. Viktor already trusts him implicitly, his inner omega purring at the thought of the man entering his nest, but the way Jayce silently waits for his approval before taking a single step is oddly endearing. There’s a soft vulnerability in that. In the careful way he stands there, a little uncertain, a little unsure.

It makes his chest feel warm. 

"Come here," He beckons softly, almost crooning. He watches Jayce’s body relax the moment the words leave his mouth, his shoulders dropping as if the unspoken tension between them has dissipated.

Visibly relieved, Jayce climbs on the bed with him, tentative and careful as he settles between his thighs, but not before removing his pants and sliding them off to the side. The omega can see the exact moment he catches sight of the bruises still decorating his skin because his scent thickens in concern, remorse. 

Arousal. 

"Sorry," Jayce mutters as he presses a soft kiss to one of the deeper bruises just below his naval. "I didn't mean to grip you so hard. I'll be more gentle next time."

Viktor almost wants to protest because he knows that was Jayce being gentle, and then shuts his mouth because the thought of Jayce leaving him in such a state without even trying makes him think about what it'd be like if the alpha had intended to be rough with him. He's not entirely sure he would survive it.

It leaves him more than a little light-headed, to say the least.

Viktor swallows, exhaling. "I don't mind them," he murmurs hoarsely, shifting his hips when Jayce continues kissing his stomach. "They don't hurt that much."

Jayce hums softly against his skin, clearly not convinced. "Still," he protests, mouth brushing the ridge of another faint mark, "I want you to feel good, not just better. I don't want you to be in pain at all."

Viktor’s breath stutters at that. It’s too much and not enough, the way Jayce speaks to him—gentle, reverent, like Viktor’s something precious. Something to be held delicately, cared for, not just used. But fuck, in this moment, he wants to be.

He reaches out without thinking, fingers threading through Jayce’s hair to keep him close. “Then bite me." 

Despite the groan he receives, Jayce doesn't hesitate after that. His teeth sink in slow and deep, right where he promised, and the venom flows steady and warm through Viktor’s veins, a rush of heat and pleasure so sharp it steals the breath from his lungs. He arches, but Jayce holds him down again, mouth still latched, hands firm but tender on his hips. Moaning, Viktor guides them to the same position they were yesterday, pressing into the still tender bruises there.

"Make them deeper," He breathes raggedly.

The sound Jayce makes isn't entirely human, and it has his stomach swooping violently with pleasure, which increases tenfold when Jayce does as he's bid, sinking his teeth in deeper as his grip tightens. It tears a strangled keen from his throat, ecstasy sparking up his nerves as he shakes through an orgasm, unraveling at the seams.

The burn of it fades quickly, melting into something euphoric, all of Viktor's pain ebbing away until there's nothing left but the thrum of connection between them and the heady weight of his alpha pressed so carefully between his thighs.

When Jayce finally pulls back, licking over the puncture marks with agonizing gentleness, Viktor is gasping, boneless, and trembling.

"You're sensitive here," Jayce observes thickly, mouth sucking over the wound he made just to feel him twitch. "Do you think if I bit you here again tomorrow, you'd come just as hard?"

Fuck.

“I think,” he says, voice slurred with the aftershocks of pleasure, "You could do it right now, and I would.”

Jayce groans again, like he's in pain himself, pressing his forehead to Viktor's thigh as if he needs a moment to gather his composure. As fruitless of an endeavor that is.

"Can I give you my mouth again?" Viktor can feel the alpha's heavy breaths brush over his sensitive skin, wanting. "Please say yes."

Viktor’s stomach tightens at the rawness in Jayce’s voice, the desperate edge that laces his words, the desire to please so heavily infused there it makes him want to let Jayce do just about anything to him. 

"Don't ask for permission," Viktor tells him, still trembling slightly. "Do whatever you please."

Jayce's body shudders in response, and Viktor watches as the alpha’s composure cracks, a breathless, needy sound escaping his lips. "Thank fuck." 

The uncharacteristic curse sends a fresh furl of heat through Viktor’s body, a dark, greedy thing coiling low in his gut. He's so wet that by the time Jayce slips his underwear off of him and throws it on the floor it clings obscenely, strings of slick stretching between his thighs and the fabric like honey. Jayce stares, reverent and wrecked all at once, pupils blown wide and mouth parted, lips already wet with anticipation. He looks ravenous, hungry. Like he's been starving for it. 

"Fuck, sweetheart," He curses again, hands tremble slightly as he settles between his thighs again, reverent in the way he spreads them open. "You're dripping."

Viktor shudders at the way Jayce says it, the heat of the alpha’s gaze making his skin tingle. His fingers tighten in the man's hair. "Then do something about it." 

Jayce needs no further prompting. 

Viktor moans at the first stroke of his tongue, the sound raw and unguarded, one leg twitching where it rests over Jayce’s broad shoulder. His body is already so oversensitive, wrung out from the venom and the aftershocks of his previous orgasm, but it doesn’t matter—he wants more. Wants to feel this pleasure again and again until the only thing left in his mind is the feeling of Jayce’s mouth and hands and scent wrapped around him like a cocoon.

It's just as good as the first time, and Viktor can feel himself falling further and further with each passing moment. His thighs squeeze around the alpha's head when his tongue circles his hole, delving deep before pulling back to suck leisurely on his clit, coaxing him into producing more slick for him to lap up. 

"Yes, yes, just like that, good boy," Viktor praises mindlessly around a breathless whimper, shivering when he feels Jayce moan fervently against him, burying his face deeper.

He could come like this easily, he knows he could, and he melts into the feeling, more than eager to experience that world-ending pleasure again—at least until Jayce lifts his head, and with slick-smeared lips, requests, "Let me get my fingers in you."

As if the words weren't vulgar enough, Jayce goes on to continue, nearly begging, "Please, I can feel how soft and open you are already. I’ll be careful. I just…I need to feel you around me." 

Viktor flushes to the tips of his ears, chest heaving as he fights the urge to turn his face away. The thought alone—of Jayce's thick fingers stretching him open, working him slow and deep—has his body clenching in anticipation.

Overwhelmed but so desperately wanting, Viktor can do nothing but utter a choked, "Alright—yes, do it. Fuck me with your fingers, Jayce."

An open-mouthed kiss is pressed to his stomach, soft and heated as the alpha obeys him, sliding one finger inside of him easily, and Viktor immediately squeezes around it, shuddering. It's only one finger and yet it already feels like so much, and he can hear Jayce swear lowly beneath his breath, eyes fixated on the sight before him. 

"Fuck, baby, you're so tight," Jayce groans, face nuzzling into the bite mark resting on his thigh to encourage him to relax. "I thought making you come would loosen you a bit but look at you, you can barely take it."

Jayce doesn't sound frustrated, though, or even condescending. Far from it. His voice is thick with appreciation, with wonder, as he begins to stretch him out, slowly at first, testing, before he adds a second, fucking him on two fingers like he had the previous night. 

Even with how slick he is, how relaxed he is, the stretch burns. It edges the line of too much, too painful, but in a way that heightens his pleasure so severely that Viktor can't help but slump against mattress, a soft, gasping whimper escaping his bitten lips. If this is how it feels with just two fingers, he can only imagine what it would be like to actually get fucked. "Hngh—"

Overstimulated tears begin to gather at the corners of Viktor's eyes, traveling down his flushed cheeks as the edges of the world soften to nothing but the glide and curl of Jayce’s fingers inside him, the breathy murmurs of praise against his skin.

"So pretty," Jayce whispers, thrusting his fingers a little deeper, a little firmer. 

Viktor keens, sharp and needy, his thighs trembling from where they rest on Jayce’s broad shoulders, his hands clawing for purchase in the sheets, in Jayce’s hair—anywhere, anything, just to stay grounded.

Jayce must notice because he catches his wandering hand and interlaces their fingers together, holding it against the mattress in a gesture so tender it makes his heart skip a beat, fluttering like a hummingbird's wings. 

“You feel how wide I’ve got you?” Jayce asks hoarsely, his thumb ghosting over Viktor’s clit with maddening restraint. “Still so tight, but fuck, baby, you’re opening up for me so beautifully.”

Viktor knows the alpha is not even trying to talk dirty, the words are just flowing out of him like endless streams of thought Jayce can't suppress. And somehow, that just makes it all the more unbearable.

Viktor wants to tell him to stop talking, but his mind can barely focus on the sensations he's feeling let alone the effort it takes to form speech, so he just moans, knowing for a fact that if he were to look down right now, he would see the obscene outline of Jayce’s fingers pressing against his belly, the thick length of them faintly visible under his skin. And sure enough, there it is, subtle yet undeniably present.

The sight alone sends a hot rush of arousal through him, his body trembling at the thought of being filled so completely he can see it, and Jayce must be able to feel it, too, given the way his fingers press against Viktor’s insides even harder, fucking him faster.

As if sensing how close he is, Jayce lowers his mouth back to Viktor’s skin, lips brushing over the swell of his stomach—right where the faint bulge shows—before he groans against it like a man possessed. 

“Look at you,” he pants, reverent and ragged, “Taking me so deep I can see myself inside you.”

The heat of his breath makes Viktor writhe, his whole body taut with sensation and pleasure. Jayce’s fingers keep thrusting into him with that same brutal, tender precision, curving just right to make him cry out, unable to bite back his sounds anymore.

“Jayce—!” Viktor gasps, his voice cracking as his orgasm barrels toward him like a wave too strong to outswim, too sweet to fear. “I’m—please, I—”

A rumble rises in the alpha's throat, almost resembling a purr, soft and coaxing, and it's enough to push him over the edge with a loud, wanton cry, fingers squeezing Jayce's hand as he comes so hard he sees stars. 

Jayce fucks him through it, placing small kisses all over his stomach, hips, and thighs until some semblance of coherency returns to him. When it does, the alpha gently removes his fingers, mindful of his oversensitivity, and glances up at him, flushed and panting. The smile that forms on his face is dazzingly attractive, if not completely debauched with the way his face is still dripping with his slick.

"I take it that was good?"

There's no arrogance in his tone, just hopeful warmth, and Viktor musters up enough to strength to release a disbelieving laugh. "Yes, Jayce, that was good."

There's no disguising how pleased Jayce looks by the words, and Viktor can't help but pet through his hair languidly, affection brimming in his chest. 

When Jayce reluctantly goes to pull away, seeming as if he's about to get up from the bed entirely, Viktor frowns, keeping him there a moment longer.

"Don't you want me to return the favor?" Viktor wonders, knowing he hasn't exactly been the most selfless lover. In fact, he feels an inkling of shame at the realization that he hasn't bothered to do much else other than lay there both times they've been intimate. 

Jayce looks momentarily startled by the question, as if the thought hadn’t even occurred to him. Viktor's frowns deepens, is his own pleasure that much of an afterthought to where he doesn't even care about it? 

"Don't worry about it," Jayce says off-handedly, sounding like he actually means it. "I don't need you to do anything for me. Your pleasure is my pleasure, I like seeing you enjoy yourself."

Jayce looks so sincere while saying that in any other circumstance it would make him feel warm. Now, though, he just feels frustrated. 

"Come up here," Viktor murmurs, trying to tug the alpha on top of him, his hands gentle but insistent. 

Jayce blinks at him in confusion, looking unsure, but he lets himself be pulled forward until their bodies align, chests brushing. Viktor lifts his leg to hook around Jayce’s hip and shifts against him deliberately, grinding up so that the slick folds of his pussy smears hot and wet along the underside of Jayce’s cock. 

Jayce shudders, bracing himself with both hands on either side of Viktor’s head, like he’s afraid if he puts any more weight on him, he’ll break. His hips involuntarily jerk forward before he stops himself. “You don’t have to, really—”

"I want to," Viktor interjects softly but firmly, pulling Jayce down further on top of him. He silences the protest he's about to recieve by kissing Jayce on the cheek, something that visibly has the alpha melting. "Now, come on, grind against me."

Jayce exhales shakily, acqueisceing, and they find a rhythm together—slow, desperate, all slick friction and trembling muscle. It’s not about the precision anymore, not about technique or performance. It’s about closeness. About sharing this moment skin to skin, chest to chest, until neither of them can tell whose heartbeat is whose.

Viktor’s hands settle on the alpha's back, tracing the curve of his spine as Jayce rests his forehead against his, panting softly, their breath mingling in the scant space between their mouths, lips just barely brushing.

Each slow grind of Jayce’s hips sends a pulse of pleasure through them both, hot and slick where their bodies slide together. Viktor gasps softly with every thrust, his nerves still alight from earlier, his clit catching on the underside of Jayce’s cock just right. Jayce trembles above him, breath catching each time he ruts forward, groaning low in his throat like he’s trying to hold back but can’t, not anymore.

Jayce dips his head low enough to nuzzle against his flushed cheek, still streaked with tears, and kisses the mole underneath his eye, gentle as anything. He croons each time Viktor releases a soft, stuttery gasp, murmuring sweet endearments into his ear while he shakes from oversensitivity.

“I’ve got you,” Jayce whispers softly, tenderly, voice breaking on the edges of restraint, “You’re doing so good, baby—so good for me. Let me make you come again.”

Viktor’s nails scrape down Jayce’s back as he nods, leaving faint red trails as he clings, pulling him even closer, encouraging him to grind harder. The friction is maddening, just on the edge of unbearable—too much, too soon—and yet not enough, never enough. 

His body is overstimulated, nerves still tingling from his orgasm, but it only adds to the way every brush of skin, every slippery grind of Jayce’s cock against his clit, feels like lightning zipping through his body.

It's not long before he's shuddering through another orgasm, his third one of the night, and it leaves him completely boneless, barely able to do anything more than slump against the pillows and whine, mouth slack and limbs twitching.

Jayce moans into the shell of his ear when he feels it, broken and breathless, and Viktor knows he’s close, can feel how desperately he’s shaking, how erratic his thrusts have become. Viktor arches up slightly to meet him, using all of his strength to whisper, “Come for me. Please—I want it.”

Jayce sinks his teeth into his shoulder as he comes with a gutteral moan, rutting forward one final time as his whole body locks up, trenbling against him. His cock jerks between them, spilling hot across Viktor’s stomach and cunt, messy and wet and perfect. 

The unexpected bite pries a weak keen from his lips, sending another wave of pleasure ricochetting through his body as more venom seeps into his system, making everything go white-hot before settling into soft, aching bliss. 

Jayce doesn’t pull away immediately. He stays there, slumped over Viktor, their foreheads still pressed together, both of them gasping quietly in the aftermath, wrapped in the heat of each other’s bodies. Their mingled slick and come is smeared between them, sticky and warm, but neither moves to clean up just yet. Viktor would even go so far as to say he likes the feeling of it.

The alpha noses along his cheek, speaking quietly as he asks, “You okay? How do you feel?” 

It takes a moment for his mouth to form words, as dazed as he is. Finally, after some time, he says, "Good," before following it up with, "Floaty." 

It's far from eloquent, but it's the best he can do.

Jayce laughs, the warmth of it vibrating against his skin. "Floaty?" He repeats, amused. 

Viktor doesn't respond except for a light nod, enjoying his after glow and the pleasant, but heavy exhaustion seeping into his body. Jayce kisses the side of his head again, fond, and Viktor can feel him absentmindedly reach between them, fingers sliding through the mess across his stomach. For a moment, Viktor thinks Jayce is going to clean him up—but then those fingers just rub slow, lazy circles into his skin, smearing his own release there. Right over his womb.

The motion is aimless, almost thoughtless, and Viktor wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't even aware that he was doing it, but he can’t stop the sharp twist of heat the action provokes regardless. He's being scent marked, in the most primal way imaginable, and all he can think about is how arousing the idea is, to smell entirely of Jayce.

The possessiveness should be surprising, but Viktor can't bring himself to be particularly phased by it.

Jayce always did like to sign his work.

Eventually though, Jayce pulls away, and Viktor mourns the loss of him almost immediately, a shared sentiment given how the alpha lingers as long as he can. 

"I'll go clean you up," Jayce tells him after kissing him on the forehead. "Wait here."

Viktor doesn't protest, knowing he doesn't have the strength to lift a single finger, and waits for the alpha to return, already wanting him back in his nest. Thankfully, Jayce manages to find the bathroom without much trouble and comes back to him after a few minutes, wiping him down with a warm washcloth. 

When he makes a move to get up and retrieve his clothes, Viktor turns towards him. "Stay." 

Jayce falters, features shifting with uncertainty. "You...want me to stay?" 

Viktor can see him hesitate, unsure if he should argue or not, likely not wanting to impose, but the omega just moves over slightly to make room for the man to lay beside him. 

"It's late," He explains simply, firm. “And I don't want you walking back in the dark. You can sleep here for the night."

Jayce still looks a little hesitant, but Viktor can see the way his resolve melts, expression softening. After a moment, he tentatively goes to lay beside him, careful not to crowd him too much. However, the tension in Jayce's shoulders fades completely when Viktor pulls him closer, curling into the alpha's side and resting his head on his chest. 

Jayce stiffens, hand hovering over his back for a few seconds before gently lowering it to rest on his lower back, relaxing again. Viktor hums pleasantly as the alpha's warmth seeps into him, enjoying the accelerated racing of his heartbeat that betrays just how nervous the man is.      

"Comfortable?"        

Viktor makes a noise of agreement. "Quite. You run like a furnace, if you weren't aware."       

Jayce's shoulders shake around a laugh. "Always have. I never expected you to be so cold, though. It's like your hands are made out of ice."  

Jayce lifts one of his hands, holding it in his own as he tries to warm it up. Viktor lets him, not feeling cold in the slightest but enjoying the gesture nonetheless.   

"I'm sure there's a lot about me you don't know," Viktor murmurs casually, not meaning the words to be anything more than idle conversation. They make the alpha pause, however.

"I'd like to," Jayce responds, raising his fingers to his lips and placing a gentle kiss there. "Get to know you, I mean."

Viktor shifts until he's meeting the alpha's eyes, which are staring at him so affectionately it makes his throat feel tight, expression painfully earnest. 

"What would you like to know?" 

"Everything," Jayce says without hesitation. "Anything. It doesn't matter, whatever you'd like to tell me." 

Viktor takes in the open sincerity written on Jayce's face, eyes roaming over his features and admiring how handsome the man looks in the warm lighting of his bedroom. He reaches a hand up and lets his fingers stroke the alpha's cheek, lingering on the faint scar there. Jayce leans into his touch, eyes fluttering closed, and he doesn't think his heart has ever felt so full. 

"That might take a while," He says eventually, whispering so as to not break the peaceful moment between them.

Jayce’s answering smile is crooked and boyish. “I’ve got time.”

It's so simple, and yet so genuine, and Viktor finds himself talking about his past over the course of the next few hours, telling him about the life he lived in Zaun, the childhood that was more survival than luxury, the challenges he endured arriving in Piltover and being so far removed from everything he was used to. Jayce listens attentively, never interrupting, and divulges some of his own experiences in return, about the mage that had saved him as a child, awakening his first interest in magic, his life in the academy, whatever they can think of. 

By the time their conversation winds down, the room is quiet except for the soft sounds of their breathing, the weight of the night pressing in on them. Viktor's eyelids grow heavy, his body already relaxed in the warmth of Jayce’s embrace, the exhaustion of their earlier activities lulling him to sleep. He nuzzles into the alpha's throat, feeling closer than he has to anyone since he was a young child. 

It doesn't make him feel as vulnerable as he thought it would. Instead, it feels comforting, to know and be known in return. 

Jayce presses a kiss to his hair right as he's about to fall asleep, and he instinctively snuggles further into Jayce's body, addicted to the way they smell so thoroughly of each other. Jayce's scent is all over him, from his skin to his clothes to his bedsheets, and it makes him feel feverishly possessive, knowing it'll be a long while before the alpha's scent fades.             

The thought follows him as he drifts off to sleep, and some part of him would like nothing more than for it to stay.       

A selfish desire, perhaps, but a desire nonetheless. 

Chapter Text

Viktor wakes up to the sound of birds chirping harmoniously outside of his window, sunlight streaming through the curtains in faint streaks of gold.

It's not the warmth of the sun or the gentle melody of birds that rouses him, but rather the feeling of someone snuggling into his throat, nosing along his pulse point and inhaling deeply. Even in his drowsy state, the warm line of heat pressed against his side is familiar, as is the broad arm strung comfortably around his waist, keeping him near.

Viktor stirs, his body instinctively curling closer, and a contented hum greets his ears, soft and pleased.

"Your scent blockers have worn off," Jayce remarks with no small amount of satisfiaction as he brushes his lips over the spot just below Viktor's jaw where he'd bitten him nights before.

The low timbre of his voice, still rough from sleep, makes his stomach flutter, and Viktor withholds a sigh as he allows the alpha to burrow into his neck, not minding the scenting as much as he should. In fact, it almost manages to lull him back to sleep again.

"I assume you find it pleasing?" Viktor questions with a slight quirk of his lips, amusement threading through the words even as he shivers at the sensation of Jayce's mouth on him, breath grazing against his sensitive skin.

The alpha nods in affirmation, a rumble rising in his chest that's felt more than heard. "You smell like me," he murmurs, and there's no disguising the pride lingering there, the pleasure. "It's distracting." 

"And whose fault is that, I wonder?" Viktor muses, finally turning to face the man. Jayce's arm tightens minutely around his waist, as if to prevent him from leaving, before going lax again when the omega only shifts towards him instead. 

Jayce’s hair is tousled, his gaze heavy-lidded but unguarded, and Viktor feels the sight settle warmly in his chest. It’s disarming, how effortlessly Jayce looks at him like this, as though every part of him is known and wanted. It'd make him glance away in any other circumstance, unable to bear the full weight of it—but here, in the quiet hush of morning, with the sheets tangled around their legs and Jayce pressed against him like a second heartbeat, Viktor lets himself observe. 

A slow, sleepy smile tugs at the corner of Viktor's mouth when he meets Jayce's eyes, and he can see the alpha's lips part in slight wonder before he comes back to himself, watching him with that unbearably fond expression of his that Viktor is still not used to, as if he hung the stars and the moon in the sky himself. 

"Mine," he says with a lop-sided smile, dipping his head forward to nuzzle into his throat again—a new favorite place of his, it seems. "I take full responsibility."

A laugh escapes him, barely more than a breath, and he lifts a hand to Jayce’s hair, languidly playing with the fine, shaved hairs at the nape of his neck. It's nice, to be close to someone like this, even if it leaves him feeling slightly unsure on how to proceed, having never woken up beside another person before, at least not an alpha. It's...unfamiliar, a little strange, but not unwelcome. Not at all.

Truthfully, he hadn’t expected Jayce to still be in bed with him when he woke up, let alone wrapped around him like a possessive vine, as if leaving had never even entered his thoughts. Viktor isn’t sure what surprises him more—the fact that Jayce stayed, or how deeply some part of him had wanted him to. He wonders, for a fleeting second, if this is how Jayce is in the mornings—soft, tender, unapologetically affectionate. 

The thought leaves as quick as it comes. It would bear no use to dwell on it.

"I didn’t expect you to still be here," Viktor tells him honestly, curious. He glances down at the way Jayce’s arm is still draped possessively around him, the firm but gentle pressure almost comforting, and it’s enough to make his pulse quicken, just slightly. "Don't you have other, more important matters to attend to?"

Jayce makes a soft noise of protest, fingers brushing over the dips in-between his ribs, slow and idle. "I like waking up to you," he says, painfully earnest as always. "Like this, with your scent all over me and your body next to mine. You can't expect me to give it up so easily now that I know what it's like."  

The admission takes him by surprise even though it really shouldn't—Jayce has been occupying more and more of his time recently, both in and out of the lab, weaving himself into the quiet spaces Viktor had once reserved only for work or solitude. And now here he was again, nestled against him like it was the most natural thing in the world, and some part of him almost feels like it is.

He can see the exact moment Jayce's confidence wanes, fingers stilling. "But I can leave if you want me to," he assures quickly, clearly not wanting to make him uncomfortable, as if he ever could. There's a blush on his cheeks, and the omega wants to press his lips against it. "I hope I didn't overstep—"

"You can stay," Viktor interrupts before Jayce can continue his flustered rambling, only a little surprised to find out how much he means it. Feeling a little flustered himself, he ratifies, "If you want to, of course."

Jayce stares at him, momentarily stunned into silence, before his whole face softens. His hand moves again, sliding from Viktor’s waist to the curve of his back, pulling him closer. The brunet goes easily, wanting the affection his partner is so readily providing even though it still unsettles him to receive it without giving anything in return.

“I do,” He stresses, low and sincere as he presses a tender kiss to the inside of his wrist. “I really do.”

Viktor rests his head on the alpha's chest, attempting to hide the flush that's risen on his face, and relaxes at the sound of Jayce's heartbeat thrumming against his ear. It's not the first time he and Jayce had slept side by side—Viktor has fallen asleep on the man's shoulder when the two of them had agreed to take a break on the couch more times than he'd like to admit—but it's never been this intimate, with him being held and their bodies so thoroughly entwined it's impossible to tell where one begins and the other ends.

"We'll have to get up eventually, you know," Viktor softly reminds him, though he makes no move to extract himself from the alpha's arms just yet. "There's still a lot of work to be done."

"I know," Jayce replies, pressing a soft kiss to the top of his head that does nothing to dampen the blush staining his cheeks. "Five more minutes?"  

Jayce's fingers go back to stroking down his back again as he waits for an answer, holding him close, like he’s memorizing the feel of him, the weight of his body in his arms. And Viktor lets him, tucked in close and warm and drowsy, the moment stretching between them with no urgency to break it. The hope in the alpha's voice is a quiet, unassuming thing, and yet it tears through his resolve as if it were nothing more than paper. 

"Five more minutes," he agrees, knowing it will be ten.

Eventually, though, the weight of the morning settles in and he can no longer ignore the stiffness creeping into his joints that reminds him that he’s still a man, still made of flesh and failing parts. With a quiet sigh, he reluctantly sits up, stretching as he does so. He feels remarkably well-rested, and if it weren't for the gnawing sense of responsibility always pressing at the back of his mind, he would have been perfectly content spending the remainder of the day in bed.

Jayce makes a wounded noise at the loss of contact, but doesn't stop him, propping himself up against the pillows as he watches him tug on last night's shirt, not bothering with pants for the time being since he'll be bathing soon anyway. Jayce’s gaze trails over him with unhidden appreciation, lingering briefly on the marks he left the night before—along Viktor’s throat, his collarbone, and the shadow of one above his hip. It sends a flush of heat creeping up Viktor’s neck that has nothing to do with modesty.

Viktor gives him a gentle nudge, drawing his attention away from the mess he made out of him, for his own sanity. "Come, I have a spare tooth brush you can use and a fresh towel. You should freshen up before you leave." 

Jayce nods, swinging his feet off the side of the bed and standing up with a groan. Viktor tries not to let his eyes wander over the broad expanse of Jayce’s back as he moves around the room, gathering his clothes, but he's not sure he succeeds. 

"I'll make you breakfast," Jayce offers once he's managed to make himself semi-presentable, though he’s still visibly disheveled, with his shirt rumpled and his hair loose, tailcoat and signature vest no where to be seen.

He looks far from the well put-together man from the night before, but there’s a kind of effortless charm in the disarray, something that makes Viktor feel hopelessly endeared.

Viktor turns toward him, pleasantly surprised. "That would be nice," he agrees, more quietly than he intended. "But you don't need to trouble yourself. I can manage on my own."

Jayce's smile widens. "It's no trouble at all," he assures, the sincerity in his tone making it clear he’s not just offering to be polite. Stubborn alpha. “I don't mind."

Only slightly exasperated, Vikor acqueisces without further argument, and the two of them wash up side by side, moving around each other with an easy kind of familiarity that shouldn’t exist yet, at least not in this sense, and yet—it does.

Jayce helps him with his collar after brushing his teeth, making sure the clasp is secure before giving Viktor a soft, lingering kiss on the side of his neck that makes his heart flutter unexpectedly. "Would you like me to bite you before I leave?" 

Viktor shakes his head, although tempted by the offer. "It can wait," he responds truthfully. "There's no pain yet."

Jayce acqueisces easily enough, and Viktor pretends not to see the yearning in his eyes, a sentiment he quietly echoes.  

Pattering into the kitchen, Viktor makes himself cozy while Jayce sets about cooking, sleeves rolled up and brows furrowed in quiet concentration as he rummages through Viktor’s modest pantry. He looks utterly at home, barefoot on the cool tile, humming under his breath as he begins forming a plan on what to make.

Viktor watches from his seat at the small kitchen table, elbow propped up, chin resting in his palm, letting himself enjoy the rare indulgence of stillness. It’s domestic in a way that unsettles him—not because it’s unpleasant, but because it feels like something he could get used to, and that, more than anything, is dangerous.

Still, he doesn’t look away.

“You know I’m not particularly picky,” Viktor says after a moment, voice still raspy with sleep. “Toast and tea would have sufficed.”

Jayce glances over his shoulder with a grin. “Too late. You’re getting toast, tea, and something vaguely resembling an omelet. I have a reputation to uphold.”

“Of course,” Viktor murmurs, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Wouldn’t want your culinary pride wounded on my account.”

Companiable silence settles over them after that, and Viktor busies himself with the cup of tea Jayce provides him with while he waits, perfectly brewed and overwhelmingly sweet, just how he likes. The food Jayce sets before him is simple, yet filling, and it smells far better than anything Viktor would’ve bothered to make for himself. He eyes the plate for a second before picking up his fork, amused by how pleased Jayce looks just watching him take a bite. 

It must satisfy some instinctual part of his brain, Viktor reasons, to see the omega enjoy something he made given how intently his eyes are focused on his every movement, the alpha side of him undoubtedly taking pride in the brunet's approval. Viktor doesn't call him out on it, but he does chuckle privately to himself.

Viktor makes sure to give his compliments, just to watch Jayce light up like a small sun, that stupidly charming grin of his overtaking his whole face as if Viktor had handed him a medal instead of mild, but genuine, praise.

"Thanks for letting me stay," Jayce says after the two of them finish breakfast, already starting on washing the dishes before Viktor even has the chance to move.

It's idle conversation, and yet Viktor finds himself hesitating as he replies, "You can stay again, if you'd like. I enjoyed your company."

Jayce pauses mid-wash, a faint flicker of surprise crossing his face before his smile deepens, warm and genuine.  “I’d like that,” he says readily, turning to face him. “Are you sure you wouldn't mind?"

Emboldened by how elated Jayce looks by the proposal, Viktor allows a small, coy smile to play at the corners of his lips.

"You're always welcome in my bed, Jayce." 

Jayce’s eyes widen slightly at the statement, ears flushing pink as a strangled noise leaves him, low and pained. "Please don't say it like that." 

Viktor laughs, he can't help it, the airy quality echoing lightly throughout the room. Jayce looks a little mesmerized by it, if not entirely flustered, and the omega takes pity on him, relenting. 

"Alright, alright, I won't tease," he placates, still smiling. "Allow me to rephrase—you’re welcome to stay. In whatever way you like."

Jayce coughs, clearly trying to regain his composure, but the tips of his ears remain a telling shade of red. "I'll take you up on that," he manages at last, grinning wildly. "If you'll have me."

Viktor inclines his head, humming. He can't help but be just as pleased, however, even if he's not particularly sure why. "I'll hold you to it." 

As they finish cleaning up, Jayce finally pulls himself away from the sink, glancing towards the door. "Well," he begins with some reluctance, sighing. "I should probably get going."

Viktor nods, following him to the door so he can lock it behind him. However, just as he's about to leave, the alpha turns back around to face him, and without warning, kisses him chastely on the temple, words as honeyed as a sun-ripened fruit.

"I'll see you at the lab, sweetheart."

And with a gentle wave, he's gone, the door clicking softly behind him as the brunet stands there, completely dumbfounded, mouth hanging open in slight astonishment. He blinks, face burning.

Sweetheart?

It takes an embarrassingly long amount of time for him to come back to himself, and he shakes his head with an exasperated exhale as he walks back into the living room, cheeks flushed and heart beat still racing in his ears. 

Jayce is going to be the death of him one day. Truly. 

The days pass by in a blur of research, late nights in the lab, and dubious experiments that lead to them falling into bed together more often than not.

Viktor rarely finds himself going more than a day without being bitten by Jayce, and even though not every encounter leads to sex, the brunet has grown accustomed to having fangs sink into his skin, sometimes without prior warning. He's come to expect it—the sharp pinch of Jayce’s teeth the rush of heat and pleasure that follows, that it feels almost disconcerting not to have the alpha's venom flowing through his veins.

He's grown dependent, he knows that, and yet the the thought does not unsettle him as it normally would, not when Jayce has a few new vices of his own that divert his attention.

Namely being that he just cannot seem to keep his hands off of him. 

Jayce touches him constantly, in ways that should be distracting—are distracting—but Viktor allows it all the same.

A brush of fingers down his spine when he's hunched over a table, the warm press of a hand to his hip when they pass in close quarters, the occasional pull of his wrist when he’s working too hard, too long, only to be guided promptly into Jayce’s lap when he refuses to sit down, uncaring of his sputtered complaints that are edged with embarrassment. The alpha doesn’t ask for permession when he does it, doesn’t even warn him half the time—just holds him there, arms around his waist and face tucked into his neck as they work.

And Viktor…lets him.

Lets him linger behind him while he works, mouth pressed to the nape of his neck. Lets him mouth at his collarbone when he’s explaining a new theory, only pausing when the scrape of teeth steals the breath from his lungs. Lets him get close in ways he never allowed anyone else to be—close enough to memorize the shape of his ribs, the dip of his spine, the places that make him shiver when touched just so.

Lets him slip his hands beneath his shirt, warm palms splayed across too-sharp hips, not even blinking anymore when Jayce's fingers inevitably wander.

It’s not logical, nor efficient. And definitely not productive.

But when Jayce curls around him like a living heat source at the end of another long night, murmuring something soft and adoring into his skin, Viktor finds he doesn’t care in the slightest. Seeks it out, even. Greedily and hungrily, never voicing his desires but indulging in them whenever they're silently met. He has never considered himself to be a creature of want, at least not in the primal sense, but Janna does he want. 

Jayce sits down on the far end of the couch, drawing him from his musings and back into the present. The alpha repositions him until Viktor's legs are strewn over his lap, fingers drawing lazy circles into the bare skin of his ankle, just wanting to touch. 

Viktor's eyes flutter open, half-lidded from his nap, but he makes no effort to pull away, only humming in satisfiaction at the contact. The sound makes Jayce startle, having not expected it, and he throws him an apologetic look. "Sorry, did I disturb you? You can sleep some more, it's only been an hour since you took a break." 

Viktor shifts slightly, stretching beneath the weight of the alpha’s touch, his body still heavy with sleep but undeniably content. “It’s fine,” he murmurs, his voice thick with drowsiness. “I’m awake now. Would you like to switch places? You look like you could use some rest yourself."

Jayce, despite looking a little worse for wear, declines, smiling tiredly. "Thanks for the concern, but I'll be fine. I'll sleep later," he says dismissively, slumping against the cushions. "I just wanted to sit with you for a little bit. That alright?" 

Although expecting that as an answer, it still leaves him slightly annoyed, wishing the alpha wasn't so stubborn when it comes to taking care of himself. Nevertheless, he nods. "Of course. You may do as you please. This is your space too, you know." 

Jayce releases a vague noise of disagreement, insisting. "Yes, but I want you to be comfortable." 

Viktor raises an eyebrow at that, because truthfully, he couldn't be any more comfortable, not with the steadily increasing amount of blankets and pillows that Jayce keeps presenting him with each morning under the pretense of making the couch “nicer for naps.” Viktor has the sneaking suspicion, however, that he's doing it more so for his benefit than anything else considering how thrilled he looks whenever the omega gives him a hum of approval and begins to arrange the item into the perfect spot on the love seat that's beginning to look more like a nest than a place to sit on at this point. 

"I am comfortable,” Viktor replies at last, letting his foot nudge against Jayce’s thigh. “You fret too much.”

Jayce chuckles under his breath but doesn't deny it. His hand moves up from Viktor's ankle to his shin, thumb smoothing over the jut of bone, slow and steady. The silence stretches peacefully between them, neither of them feeling the need to break it.

After a moment though, Jayce speaks again, quieter this time. "You know, the gala's coming up."

Viktor groans softly, disgruntled at the reminder but only partially. "That again?"

Jayce laughs, full-bodied and bright, but there's hope stitched into it, too. "You promised you'd think about it."

"I did," Viktor concedes, exasperated and amused in equal measure. "And I have. Repeatedly."

Jayce quirks a brow, expectant. 

Viktor sighs, long-suffering, but it's only for show. He's already made his mind up long before then. "Very well, if you desire my presence so strongly, I'll attend. But don't expect me to engage in conversation with anyone other than you, nor indulge in the festivities beyond pilfering the hors d'oeuvres."

Jayce lights up in a way that makes the ache behind Viktor’s ribs pulse sweetly. He doesn’t say thank you—not out loud—but it’s in the way his grip on Viktor’s leg tightens, grounding and warm, and in the way his eyes soften with something dangerously close to satisfiaction. 

“I’ll take it,” Jayce says, tone light, but his expression betrays just how much the agreement means to him. “You won’t have to do a thing. Just stand next to me and look pretty. I won't even leave your side if you don't want me to.”

Viktor would normally have some choice words to say about clinging to the man's arm like an accessory, but finds himself holding back because he knows Jayce doesn't mean it that way, that the alpha has every intention of showing him off as his partner, rather than something easy on the eyes like so many other attendees undoubtedly will with their omegas. 

“What would you even have me wear?” Viktor asks, more to change the subject than anything else. “I have no interest in donning piltovian finery. There’s no point in trying to make me appear as if I belong.”

On the rare occasions that he's been forced to attend such events, he would typically wear a simple, black suit—something understated, but his choice of attire has never once mattered to the high-society types he was forced to entertain. His presence had always been an afterthought, a mere formality.

Jayce thinks it over, expression thoughtful, before a conflicted look crosses his face. "How about...you wear your colors?" he says slowly, like he's testing the words on his tongue before committing to them. “Zaunite ones, I mean.”

For a moment he thinks he’s misheard, because surely Jayce—the shining golden boy of Piltover, the heir of House Talis, the Council’s beloved prodigy—couldn’t have meant what he thinks he did. But Jayce only meets his gaze, earnest and unflinching, giving no indication that he’s joking.

Viktor opens his mouth, and then closes it again, blinking. Surprised would be an understatement, to say the least. "You'd have me wear...my colors?" He questions hesitantly, baffled. "Jayce, you can't possibly—"

He falls silent, barely able to even muster up the words to voice a suitable protest from how out of the blue the proposal feels. While he knows Jayce's ideals are more progressive than most of Piltover's elite, his disposition on Zaun is still far from favorable, so to hear him even suggest such a thing catches Viktor entirely off guard.

Jayce shifts slightly, sensing the weight of Viktor's surprise. He tilts his head, brows furrowed. "I meant what I said," he replies, his voice steady, but sheepish. "I know it's not...well, typical, but I don’t think it matters. Not to me, anyway. You should wear whatever makes you feel comfortable."

Jayce smiles then, a little crookedly, but entirely well-meaning as he follows it up with a playful, "Though if you were to show up in my colors, I suppose that would be fine too." 

The absurdity of it all mingles with the small, pervasive sense of warmth building in his chest, and he can't help but feel a strange furl of exileration, something apprehensive and yet weightless all at once.

"Jayce, think of the scandal—" He protests, incredulous, the corner of his mouth twitching despite himself. "You haven't thought this through."

"I've thought it through plenty," Jayce grins, more confident in himself now, which typically means he's pondered over it for five minutes or less. Viktor may be the more impulsive of the two, but the man certainly has his moments, rare as they are. "And if anyone has a problem with it, well—let them. I’m not bringing you as a political statement. I’m bringing you because I want to. Because you're my partner." 

"Incorrigible," He sighs, even as his lips curl into a smile. "Truly incorrigible."

He wishes his words didn't sound so fond.

Jayce just laughs at the accusation, as if to say guilty as charged, and squeezes Viktor’s calf affectionately. Courteous as always, he then goes on to say, "I'll pick you up in sometime in the evening so we can arrive together."

Viktor shifts in surprise, though at this point he should be used to Jayce's—often times ridiculous—gestures of chivalry. "You wish to share the same carriage?"

Jayce nods without hesitation. "I promised I wouldn't leave your side, didn't I?" He says easily, unaware of how that loosens some of his nerves. "I intend to keep that."

Viktor relents, far easier than he normally would. "Alright," he agrees, softening at Jayce's assurance. The only thing worse than attending a gala in the first place would be having to do so alone.

Jayce's demeanor lightens, the scent of him warm and pleased, and it settles the last of his reservations. Regardless of how the night will end, just seeing the alpha look so quietly happy makes leaving his comfort zone for a few hours more than worth it.

Time passes more swiftly than he'd like, and before he knows it, he's standing before a mirror, adjusting the cuffs of his sleeves as he waits for Jayce.

He’s dressed simply, by Piltovian standards at least, though the clothes fit him far more comfortably than the stiff, formal suits he’s worn in the past. A dark green undershirt clings to figure, the fabric soft and breathable beneath a deep red waistcoat, its buttons polished to a muted shine. He's not ashamed of his origins, and yet the thought of appearing in this state makes his stomach coil with unease.

Before he can lose himself in the uncertainty and start to regret his decision, a knock sounds at the door, interrupting his thoughts. With one last glance to the mirror, he turns away to unlock the door, finding Jayce standing on the other side of it, waiting patiently.

The sight of the alpha calms him, shoulders losing some of their stiffness as he admires Jayce's appearance—well-dressed and refined as always. It doesn't matter how often Viktor has seen him this way, it still captures his attention each time, lingering on the broad width of his shoulders and the sharpness of his jawline.

Viktor can see the man pause when his eyes land on him, taking in the green and red that adorns his frame along with the collar that Jayce had crafted for him. He tries not to shift at the feeling of the alpha's gaze sweeping over his body, and just barely suppresses a flush.

Jayce doesn't say anything for awhile, as if momentarily speechless, before quickly collecting himself and stepping forward, eyes glimmering as he reaches for Viktor’s hand, lifting it gently to his lips as he bends at the waist and presses a soft kiss to the back of it, his eyes locked with Viktor’s. Breath catching in his throat, the brunet can do nothing but stand there in stunned silence.

"You look...beautiful," Jayce says when he finally pulls back, sounding so sincere in his admiration that Viktor can almost bring himself to believe it. "I mean, you always look pretty, but now you're—ah, nevermind, please forget I said anything. Are you ready to go?"

Flustered, Viktor just nods his head, following him out the door and towards the awaiting carriage, allowing the man to settle in beside him. "Yes, I'm ready."

The ride is quiet, but not uncomfortably so. Viktor keeps his gaze trained out the window, watching the scenery of Piltover blur past in white and gold-tinted streaks. Jayce sits close by, their knees brushing intermittently whenever the carriage hits a bump in the road, and though the contact is minimal, Viktor feels each graze of fabric against his skin like the pluck of a harp string—keen and thrumming. It soothes him, the alpha's presence, easing the knot of anxiety tangled in his chest even if it doesn't erase it completely.

When they arrive, Jayce doesn't even ask before helping him out of the carriage, lifting him by the waist like he weighs absolutely nothing at all—which he supposes to someone like Jayce, he doesn't—and sets him down carefully onto the cobblestone. Only half-annoyed, Viktor throws him a look to let him know just how much he did not appreciate that.

"I am perfectly capable of getting out of a carriage on my own," Viktor mutters, though not as sternly as he would wish.

Jayce just shrugs, unfazed. “I know,” he says, far too pleased with himself. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t help.”

He smiles at him then, a quiet, grounding thing, before offering his arm courteously. "Shall we?"

Hesitating only briefly, Viktor accepts, sliding his hand through the crook of the alpha's elbow and allowing himself to be led forward.

The effect is immediate. Conversations taper into hushed whispers as they ascend the steps together, Viktor's muted colors contrasting starkly against Jayce's noble red and golds. Some faces flash with surprise, others with barely veiled disdain, but Viktor doesn't let himself to cower at the negative attention, even if he does curl a little closer into Jayce's side.

With the way he's clinging onto Jayce’s arm, collar resting comfortably around his throat as the alpha leads him into the estate, the two of them don't look like partners, or even close friends.

They look like mates.

Jayce, surprisingly, doesn't seem bothered by the all of the adverse reactions they're receiving, the curious glances, paying them no mind, and Viktor can't help but wonder when he stopped striving to gain their approval and instead sought out only his. For all of his charisma and ambition, Jayce has always been by the desire to please, and that extends to Piltover's social sphere. Now, however, it's as if the weight of their judgment has lost its power over him, and the only approval that matters to him is Viktor's.

It's...startling, unexpected, and yet so very welcoming all of the same.

Because Jayce doesn't look ashamed of him at all, not that Viktor believes he ever truly would be, but in this moment, he looks proud, as if the omega's presence alone is enough to give him confidence.

It's jarring enough that he doesn't even protest when Jayce subtly—and not so subtly—begins to show him off. Evident in the way he guides Viktor through the crowd with a hand placed firmly at the small of his back, ensuring they walk side by side. The brunet knows that if he were to look at him right now, there'd be nothing but pride on his face. An alpha-like arrogance that is exasperating just as much as it is strangely attractive.

"You're enjoying yourself far too much," He murmurs as he's led to the food table, disapproving but still faintly amused. He takes the time to peruse the delicacies, eyeing them with interest despite himself. "It's unbecoming."

Jayce laughs, but there's no hiding the way he's almost beaming, a gleam of pride lighting up his eyes as he stands beside Viktor, his arm still resting lightly at his back. "I...won't deny that. I told you I'd like having you here."

Viktor stares at him dryly. "An understatement." He then goes on to reach for a pastry, eating one and then reaching for two more, humming in satisfiaction.

It's Jayce's turn to look amused now, and Viktor doesn't miss the way his body leans ever so slightly closer to his, as if shielding him from the scrutiny of the other guests. The omega appreciates it more than he'd like to admit.

"Well, we came here for a reason, didn't we? Go and mingle," Viktor encourages even though he'd rather do anything else. But he's sure sequestrating himself in the nearest balcony with a plate of desserts and a glass of champagne would make for very poor etiquette on his part. "We are still in dire need of funding. And influence."

Jayce seems reluctant to depart just yet, speaking lowly. "Are you sure you'd be up for it?" 

No. But that's besides the point. "You're the one that's going to be doing all of the talking," he reminds prudently, though not unkindly. "Are you up for it?"

Jayce's posture straightens, his eyes bright and warm in the dazzling light of the chandelier overhead. A boyish smile dances on his lips. "If I got you with me." 

Face pink, Viktor takes his arm again, inclining his head as if to say go on, and Jayce does, the two of them weaving into the crowd. Jayce’s presence commands attention without asking for it, made worse by Viktor standing beside him, but the alpha pays them no mind, gravitating towards those who seem most likely to benefit their projects. 

Content to let Jayce take the lead, the brunet allows the alpha to handle the conversations, which he does so with ease, slipping into the role he'd been groomed for with a natural charm that Viktor privately finds distractingly enthralling.

Jayce speaks with charismatic conviction, weaving talk of Hextech’s limitless potential with carefully placed flattery and sharp intellect, always mindful to draw the focus back to the technology and its applications. 

Viktor watches silently, noting how Jayce instinctively includes him with small gestures—a tilt of the head in his direction, a brush of their shoulders, a casual, but firm correction of "our research" when someone tries to credit the inventions to Jayce alone—subtle affirmations that Viktor belongs at his side, not behind him. 

The inclusion makes him feel warm, as he always done when Jayce refuses to tolerate anything less than mutual recognition, and he allows himself to rest his head on Jayce's shoulder as the man speaks, rubbing up against him. 

Jayce falters mid-sentence, but makes a remarkable recovery, his face just the slightest bit red. Viktor smiles to himself as the wealthy, piltovian omega they were speaking with narrows her eyes, obviously displeased. Some of the other omegas in attendance wear similar expressions, envious at how he's the one who holds the alpha's attention, and quite thoroughly at that.

Jayce remains polite when greeting the omegan guests, but never lingers more than necessary, declining their offers to dance if one of the more daring ones extends an invitation, ignoring Viktor’s presence altogether. Silently preening, Viktor allows himself a quiet sense of satisfaction as he watches Jayce gracefully but firmly dismiss them.

If he's disapproving of the omegas, he's downright furious with the alphas who display open respect towards him, and even though Jayce maintains his composure well, Viktor can see his jaw clench whenever a snide or condescending remark is made, the muscles in his neck tightening. Viktor notices it immediately. Some of the alphas—men and women alike—look at him with thinly veiled contempt, sizing him up with open disdain, their gazes lingering too long on the collar around his neck and the reprehensible colors of his clothes.

It's only when someone purposefully knocks into him when passing by and Jayce honest to God snarls, that Viktor steers him away from the crowd before he can cause a scene.

"Easy," Viktor murmurs under his breath, voice low enough that only Jayce can hear, his hand curling gently but insistently around Jayce's wrist as he guides them to a few nearby seats. His leg is grateful for the reprieve, at least.

Jayce follows, visibly reluctant but pliant beneath Viktor’s touch, his free hand twitching at his side as if itching for a confrontation he knows he can’t afford. 

"I'm sorry," Jayce says eventually, his voice rough and tight with frustration. He looks a little shame-faced, but not entirely apologetic. "I just—seeing them treat you like that, like you’re nothing—" 

He cuts himself off with a shake of his head, as if the words themselves are too bitter to speak aloud. "Sorry," he repeats again.

Viktor looks at him, his expression softening. He gives Jayce's wrist a gentle squeeze, not wanting to let go of the contact just yet. "Ignore it," he dismisses firmly. "Let them think what they will. You and I both know it doesn’t matter. Their opinions are insignificant. Don't let it get under your skin."

Jayce’s jaw clenches again, but he nods, though Viktor can see the struggle on his face. "Still, I wanted you to feel comfortable here—er, at least to some degree. I know you coming along tonight was more of a favor but..."

"I wanted to come," Viktor interrupts in place of saying I wanted to be with you. "I wouldn't have agreed to attend otherwise, so please, don't apologize. Their approval means very little." 

Jayce looks about ready to argue, so Viktor continues.

"But if you were to procure me a glass of champagne, I suppose all would be forgiven," he adds sagely, his tone dry but his eyes glinting with amusement.

Jayce's lips twitch into a reluctant smile, the tension easing from his shoulders at last as a laugh escapes his lips. "Alright, your highness, any other requests?" 

"Quickness, for one," He sighs, feigning impatience. "Also, try not to maul any of the other guests, will you? No matter how deserving they may be." 

Jayce rolls his eyes, snorting, though there's no annoyance there, just fond exasperation. "Ha, ha, very funny. I'll make sure everyone stays in one piece. Sit tight, I'll be right back."

Cane resting beside him, Viktor watches him disappear into the sea of people, contenting himself with resting while he waits for the man to return. Jayce had bitten him earlier that morning and the effects of the venom are still humming pleasantly through his system, but he knows not to put too much strain on his body even with the absence of pain. 

True to his word, Jayce returns swiftly, two glasses in hand. He hands one to Viktor with a little flourish, bowing theatrically at the waist. "As demanded."

Viktor takes the flute of champagne gratefully, knowing he'll need a few more to make it through the night unscathed. "My thanks." 

Jayce settles into the seat next to him, arm draped casually over the back of Viktor’s chair, and it makes him want to curl into him.

The noise of the party fades into a dull murmur at the edges of his mind. Here, tucked into Jayce’s side, the oppressive grandeur of the estate feels a little less suffocating, the cutting glances of strangers a little less sharp.

He leans into the warmth of Jayce’s body, careful to keep it subtle, but Jayce feels it anyway—Viktor can tell by the way his fingers brush against his shoulder, a wordless ressurance of I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.

And for the first time that evening, Viktor thinks that maybe, just maybe, he doesn’t mind being seen after all—so long as it’s with Jayce.

"Dance with me," Jayce asks abruptly, causing Viktor to flounder with his glass and nearly drop it.

"I—what?" he says, startled into a rare loss for words.

Jayce grins. "Dance with me," he repeats, softer but no less insistent, already shifting forward as if ready to rise and pull Viktor with him.

Viktor sputters, instinctively tightening his grip around the stem of his champagne glass. "Jayce, I can't even dance," he insists weakly, feeling like all of the wind has been knocked out of him. "Not to mention my poor maneuverability, and my leg—"

"—can rest on my feet," Jayce cuts in smoothly, grinning from ear to ear. "You don't need to move a muscle. Just trust me."

Viktor stares at him like he’s lost his mind. And maybe he has—because this is absurd, ridiculous, downright humiliating—but when Jayce stands and offers his hand with that infuriatingly hopeful look on his face, Viktor finds himself moving anyway, grasping the alpha's outstretched hand. 

True to his word, Jayce positions Viktor atop his polished shoes, steadying him with a strong hand around his waist. Viktor feels unbalanced, awkward and graceless, but Jayce only holds him more securely, keeping him from falling.

"We look ridiculous," Viktor mutters incredulously, mortified. His face feels like it's on fire, and yet he's smiling, wide and unrestrained as Jayce guides them across the floor. 

"Maybe," He agrees, laughing, the same look of pure, exilerated enjoyment on his face. Viktor has never wanted to kiss someone so badly. "But you're having fun, I can tell." 

Hiding his blushing cheeks from view, Viktor tucks his face into the man's neck, inhaling the comforting scent of fire and leather and the subtle undertone of cinnamon, which seems to follow him wherever he goes now. It's not as strong as he prefers with the scent blockers the man is wearing, but it makes his body melt all the same. 

"That doesn't make this any less embarrassing," he grumbles under his breath, even as he allows himself to be led. It's the most flustered he's ever been, but his heart has never felt so light. 

Viktor can feel the laugh he releases, the man pulling him a little closer as they move—if it could even be called moving, given that Viktor is doing none of the work and all of the awkward clinging. 

“You're doing just fine," Jayce chuckles, radiating a quiet joy that seeps into every pore of him and settles warmly in his ribcage. 

"Just focus on me," he directs gently. "I've got you."

And gods help him, he does. The omega relaxes.

Their strange little waltz continues, awkward but sweet, the clumsy sways and uneven footing hidden beneath Jayce’s practiced grace. And when Viktor finally dares to glance up, meeting the alpha’s gaze, he sees nothing but affection. It would normally make him turn away, but this time, he doesn’t. He meets it fully.

Jayce rests his forehead against his, and in that still, suspended moment, the world softens around the edges, narrowing down to just the two of them. 

“I really want to kiss you,” Jayce reveals in a voice barely above a whisper, like he's confessing a tightly kept secret meant for his ears and his ears alone, and Viktor feels it again—that dizzying sense of weightlessness, like standing at the edge of something vast and irreversible. 

He breathes out shakily, the last of his resistance unraveling. “Then do it.”

Eyes darkening, Jayce doesn't hesitate to usher them to a nearby balcony, impatience laced in every step. Viktor can do nothing but follow, blood roaring in his ears as he breathes shallowly. 

Some part of him wouldn't have minded being kissed right there and then in front of everyone, but when Jayce fists a hand in his hair and tugs his head back, feverishly seeking out his mouth, he is suddenly glad that he hadn't. 

Overwhelmingly so.

Because the kiss isn't gentle or sweet like Viktor assumed it would be—instead it's filthy, carnal, the alpha slipping his tongue past his lips without permission and devouring him like a man starved. Jayce holds his head still as he licks into his mouth, groaning against him, and Viktor's answering whine goes muffled. He can't move, pinned against the railing as he is, and squirming wouldn't do much against the strength of Jayce’s body. The only thing he can do is take it. 

And take it he does.

Shivering, Viktor feels his body go lax in his partner's hold, the only thing preventing him from crumpling to the floor like a snipped marionette doll is the firm grip Jayce has on him. 

Jayce doesn't pull away, not even when Viktor accidentally nicks himself on his fangs and copper fills their mouths, just kisses him harder, sucking on his tongue. Withdrawing only momentarily, he presses quick, sloppy kisses in rapid succession against his swollen lips, lapping up both the blood and drool flowing down his chin in a gesture so erotically obscene it makes him dizzy with it. 

It's relentless. It's rough. It's everything he's ever wanted in a first kiss. 

Fingers tugging weakly on Jayce's clothes Viktor tugs him closer, arousal coiling thick and heavy in his stomach as he grows wet, and it's just enough of a concern for Viktor to break the kiss briefly, gasping for air. 

His heart beats against his ribcage like a trapped bird, mind slowly and syrupy, and for a moment he thinks Jayce is going to ignore him and keep going—a thought that, inexplicably, doesn't alarm him as much as it should. Thankfully, he listens, pulling back just far enough to allow Viktor to breathe, hovering close like he's tempted to kiss him again and again and again. 

"You look surprised," Jayce notes breathlessly, shoulders heaving. "Why?"

Light-headed and loose-limbed, it takes all of his strength to make his mouth form words. "I thought...I thought you'd be gentler."

Jayce has the decency to look sheepish, but there's no remorse in his eyes. Only pleasure-soaked satisfiaction. 

"I could be." The alpha looks just about ready to do anything he asked, focused on his every breath. "Would you like that?" 

Viktor doesn't need to think about it. "No." 

Jayce grins, sharp and feral and with entirely too much teeth, and then he's on him again, rough and hungry. Jayce's hands are still all over him—one cradling the back of his skull, the other gripping tight around his waist—and Viktor shudders in his grip, moaning into his mouth as he's handled thoroughly. 

Arousal simmers beneath his skin, stoked brighter with each passing second, and he knows he needs to put a stop to this before he ruins his clothing and alerts everyone to what they've just done. It's humiliating, almost, his responsiveness—Jayce isn't even touching him properly, not really, and still he's soaked through, aching to be pleasured, to be filled.

Jayce breaks the kiss to flutter a trail of small, open-mouthed ones down the underside of his jaw, murmuring filthy, nonsensical endearments into the soft skin, each one more dirty than the last as his fangs catch on the leather wrapped around his throat, undoubtedly wanting to tear it off. Viktor thinks he just might let him. 

“—need you so bad, sweetheart, you smell so good like this, I could bend you over right here,” Jayce rushes out, raw with want, inhibitions seared to ashes. "Would you let me? I can smell how slick you are, how badly you want it."

If he wasn't wet before, he certainly is now, and he tugs desperately on the alpha's clothing, trying to pry him away with weak limbs, "Jayce—Jayce, not here," he protests around a stuttered whine, flushed and dazed. "Jayce." 

Jayce reluctantly lifts his head, eyes blown wide with lust, lips swollen and glistening. His gaze darts over Viktor’s face, as if trying to decide whether to press his luck or behave—and for a heart-stopping second, Viktor thinks he’s going to do the former. 

His thighs squeeze. 

It'd be so easy to just let Jayce have him here, but some final shred of dignity within him makes him refuse. He pulls on the alpha's clothing again, more insistently this time, and drags him close enough to whisper against his mouth. "Take me home."

Jayce's eyes widen, before he releases a shaky breath and nods his head dumbly, as if short-circuited into silence. 

"Yeah," he rasps finally, already gathering Viktor closer, already starting to move. "Yeah, okay. Let's get out of here."

Viktor is sure he looks like a mess, lips kiss-swollen and face flushed rosy, composure hanging on by a thread, and Jayce fares no better with his eyes as wild as they are and his clothing rumpled. Attempting to make themselves presentable again is nearly a lost cause, but the omega is too dazed to care.

Viktor barely remembers how they make it through the rest of the evening. There are blurred faces, forced smiles, polite goodbyes. Jayce doesn't let go of him once, shielding him from any scrutiny as best as he can, and the brunet leans into him, wanting to be as close as possible.

By the time they reach the carriage waiting outside, Viktor’s breath is coming shallow and fast, pulse thudding loud in his ears. Jayce opens the door for him like a gentleman, but his gaze, dark and feral, makes him seem more beast than man. Viktor climbs in first, and when Jayyce follows, the two of them just barely refrain from devouring each other again, knowing that if they start, they won't stop.

When they finally step inside, Jayce immediately gathers him into his arms, fingers clumsily unfastening his collar and setting it carefully on the table before dragging his nose down his throat with a shuddering groan, rubbing his face in his neck like a cat marking its territory. 

It'd be cute if he wasn't so feverishly aroused and aching to be touched.

Too busy sucking a necklace of bruises into his throat to pay their surroundings much attention, Jayce haphazardly guides them to his bedroom—a place Viktor has become intimately familiar with these past few weeks—knowing he needs somewhere comfortable to lie after spending so much time on his feet.   

"Hands or mouth?" Jayce asks from where his lips are hovering over the tender skin of his pulse, feeling his heartbeat. 

Viktor swallows, arousal unfurling like the petals of a flower as he considers saying both. But that's not what he wants, not this time, not when the very core of him aches with a need so intense he could suffocate on it.

"Neither," He breathes around the lump in his throat. He feels Jayce goes still, fingers pausing on his hips, and continues before he can lose his nerve. "I want—I want you to inside of me."

Jayce goes utterly still.

Viktor watches the realization dawn across his face in real time, the way his pupils dilate and his jaw goes slack with surprise. The brunet thinks he's finally broken him, and is about to recind the request, but then Jayce groans—chokes on it, really—and surges forward, kissing him so hard Viktor feels it in his bones. He melts instantly, moaning into it.

"Are you sure?" Jayce says even as he unbuttons his shirt—his waistcoat having been tugged off quite some time ago—and undresses him. "Because you can barely take my fingers, and I..." His voice lowers in concern as he stresses, "I don't want to hurt you." 

Viktor very carefully does not mention that it always hurts. 

"You will not," He says instead, assuring, knowing it will not take much to get his way. "Now come over here, I'd like to take your cock sometime this evening, if you wouldn't mind."

Jayce curses softly under his breath, hands stuttering where they’re working Viktor out of his clothes. His eyes flick up to meet his—blown dark, reverent, and utterly wrecked. "You're going to kill me,” he says around a hoarse laugh, like it’s a promise, not a complaint. Like he’d welcome it.

Viktor lets him push him back onto the mattress, outlined with soft blankets and pillows that the alpha had arranged for him the first time and never got around to removing, and settles his arms around Jayce's shoulders, pulling him close. "Then die like a good boy and fuck me." 

Jayce is on him in an instant, lips bruising and fingers gripping harshly onto his thighs, restraint torn to tatters.

Clothes come off in frantic, clumsy tugs, discarded wherever they fall. Jayce runs his hands over him like he’s something precious, something he’s afraid might vanish if he blinks. He mouths at his collarbone, at his ribs, murmuring promises between kisses—I’ll go slow, I’ll take care of you, I’ll make it good—but the way his hands grip his hips betrays how hard of a promise that will be to keep.

Fingers slipping in-between his legs, Jayce spreads his slick around with slow, reverent strokes, groaning as it coats his fingers. "You're coming on my tongue first." The words are not a request. "And then my fingers. If you can take four, I'll fuck you."

A shiver runs through him, his eyes fluttering closed as he gets teased, nearly scent-drunk on the alpha's pheromones. "Yes, alright," he moans breathily. "Give me everything. Your whole fist, if need be. But don't you dare leave me empty."

Jayce exhales something rough and broken at that, forehead dropping to Viktor’s chest as if to gather himself. "I won't, I won't I promise."

He lowers himself down the omega's body then, like he’s worshiping his way to the altar that is his hips and thighs.

When Jayce spreads Viktor’s legs and settles between them, Viktor feels the reverberation of his hunger—deep, bone-shaking. The first press of his tongue is devastating, hot, thorough, and ravenous. Viktor cries out, keening high and helpless, and Jayce moans low in response, mouthing at his cunt like he means to drink him down. He doesn’t tease for long. He doesn’t have it in him.

Jayce devours him like a man unmade.

Viktor’s thighs tremble around Jayce’s head, the alpha’s tongue slick and relentless, fucking into him skillfully. He clutches at the sheets, then at Jayce’s hair, breath stuttering with every roll of his tongue, every obscene slurp that echoes in the room and makes him burn from the inside out. When he shakes through his first orgasm of the night, Jayce doesn't even pause or slow down, working him back up to that mind-numbing precipice that leaves as pliant as a doll.

“More,” Viktor gasps, half-mad with it, his voice ruined. “Jayce, more—”

Jayce, never one to dissapoint, obliges.

Two fingers slide in alongside his tongue, stretching him open while his mouth never relents. Then three. Then four, slow and steady and mercilessly thick, and Viktor sobs with it, shaking apart on the bed, leaking onto the sheets beneath him. He clutches at Jayce’s shoulders as he comes again—wet and full and gasping—shuddering through it with all the elegance of a dying star.

Stretched impossibly wide, Viktor twitches around him as the alpha keeps fucking him through the aftershocks, callused fingers caressing his inner walls until he's whining from overstiumulation, nothing more than a whimpering, boneless mess.

"Knew you could do it," Jayce rasps, voice shredded with awe, dragging his mouth up to press hot, messy kisses to Viktor’s inner thigh, his hips, his trembling belly. Everywhere.

“Knew you’d take it so good for me, honey, fuck—look at you.” His fingers don’t stop, just slow to a languid roll that makes Viktor keen, fluttering helplessly around the stretch. “Gods, you’re perfect. You can handle a little more, yeah? Be a good boy while I get my cock in you?”

Viktor whines high in his throat, clenching around the fingers inside of him. It always gets him hot whenever Jayce loses his filter entirely and lets his every thought, no matter how filthy, fall from his lips like his brain has been completely disconnected and all that's left is his instincts. 

Viktor tries to speak but all that comes out is a wrecked sob, his head tossing against the pillows as his body quivers, wrecked and open, dripping and ready. Every inch of him is flushed, mouth parted and wet as he sucks in ragged, shallow breaths. He doesn’t care that he’s drooling, that his legs are shaking so badly they can barely stay spread—he just wants more. Needs it. Needs his alpha.

“Please,” he chokes, barely coherent, reaching blindly until his fingers find Jayce’s jaw and drag him up for a kiss—sloppy and messy and searing, unbothered by the way he can taste himself. “Get inside of me already, don't make me wait any longer.”

Jayce groans into his mouth like it hurts, like he might come untouched just from the sound of his voice. “Yeah,” he breathes, forehead pressed to Viktor’s cheek as he nuzzles there. “Yeah, sweetheart. Gonna fill you up. Gonna fuck you so deep you feel it for days. Is that what you want?”

Rapidly losing his ability to form complete sentences, Viktor's tightens his hold on him in annoyance. "Jayce, if you make me beg again, I will rip out your hair. You do not want that."

Jayce laughs, breathless and a little crazed, as if the sound is startled out of him. "Alright, alright," he relents, kissing Viktor’s cheek in soft little pecks. "I'll hurry up."

Jayce pulls back, and Viktor mourns the loss of him immediately, missing the weight of him in his arms, but the promise of more quiets his skin hunger, even as Jayce rubs a hand down his side and gently advises, "I think it would be better if you laid on your stomach."

Viktor is about to protest, wanting to be fucked face to face, but thinks better of it when he remembers just how big Jayce is, his fingers just barely connecting around the sheer fucking girth of him during the times where he had jacked him off. If he's going to take that, he's going to need all the help he can get and then some. 

With a little assistance from Jayce, he manages to flop onto his stomach, the urge to present nearly overwhelming. He suppresses it, unable to properly do so with the condition his body is in anyway, and lets himself go loose against the mattress. At least he can hide his face in the pillows this way, bury his flushed, overwhelmed expression in the soft fabric that smells so much like his lover.

He can feel the heat of the alpha's body press along his back, a sweet kiss placed on his spine as the alpha settles in place. Jayce’s cock nudges against his entrance, slicked and flushed and far too big, and Viktor can’t stop the tremor that rips through him at the first press. The way his body tenses.

"Breathe for me," Jayce encourages sweetly against the nape of his neck, as if he's not currently in process of splitting him in half. 

Viktor exhales a shaky breath and tries, he really does, but it’s too fucking much—too thick, too deep, too painful. He's slick and loose, still open from being fucked on Jayce's fingers, but even then the intrusion burns. Tears blur his vision, and he buries his head into the pillow, biting it. He's beginning to regret his impulsiveness earlier, his insistence that he can take Jayce's cock without falling to pieces. 

He whines, teary and pained, and Jayce pauses behind him. He assumes the alpha will pull out and gather him into his arms, refusing to go any further. He resolves himself to suffer the humility of it, but that's not what happens. No, that's not what happens at all.

Instead, Jayce leans down, breath hot and heavy against the back of his neck, and scruffs him. 

His whole body immediately goes pliant, limbs loosening as his mind numbs into nothing, venom curling through his veins like slow-burning fire, spreading throughout his entire body in the same instant that he loses all sense of free-will. He can't move like this, not with Jayce's fangs imbedded deep into the nape of his neck, immobilizing him.

Like prey.

The blissful state of forced submission is warm and sweet, every muscle going slack as any and all resistance fades from him, allowing the alpha to thrust in deeper, harder, no longer needing to worry about hurting him. Stuffed full, his eyes roll, not even aware that he had came until he feels wetness slide down his legs, drenching the bedsheets below him. Knowing Jayce, he'll be delighted when he finds out.

Jayce extracts his fangs, panting heavily as he licks attentively at the wound, groaning when it makes Viktor twitch and squeeze. "Better, sweetheart?"

Viktor can't even bring himself to nod, too empty-headed and cock-drunk to do anything besides moan weakly into the pillow. 

"It's okay, you don't have to say anything, just lay there all pretty and sweet," Jayce continues, affection lacing his every word as he carves out a space inside of him that no one else can ever hope to fill. "I'll take it from here."  

He pulls back, confident in the knowledge that nothing he can do can try hurt him in this state, and thrusts back in so deeply that he nudges right up against his cervix. 

Viktor chokes on a scream, biting his lip bloody as he shakes so violently his teeth clack together. Jayce's groan is so feral that he can feel it vibrate through his skin, but he doesn't stop, settling into a slow, but unbearably deep pace that forces the omega to feel every euphoric, agonizing inch of him. "Jayce—nngh—fuck, t-too much, too much—"

He's crying openly now, fucked stupid and drooling, and he loves it. 

Each time Jayce pulls back and slams back in, Viktor can feel it in every part of his body, from the hollow of his chest to the burning spot where Jayce’s cock is buried so deep inside of him that he can almost sense it in his throat.

It's not rough, not for their first time, but Jayce is so big that his cock unintentionally kisses his cervix on every thrust, pulling hurt, delirious whimpers from his lips that sound more pleasured than pained, because even the agony is starting to feel good now. The sharpness of it softened at the edges by pure, unbridled bliss. 

He can feel the curve of Jayce's smile on his neck, lips just barely grazing against his ear, undoubtedly pleased with himself for making Viktor feel so good.

"Like knocking on heaven's door, huh?" Jayce chuckles breathlessly, too warm to be a taunt, even if it's said with nothing but pride. 

He kisses over the omega's bitten throat, nuzzling, scent marking him, and Viktor moans helplessly, so close to coming again that he's shaking apart under the weight of it, sobbing into the pillow with every deep, perfect thrust. Senseless pleas fall from his mouth, barely coherent and slurring with pleasure, need, and want.

"Knot me, fuck your knot into me, I need it, Jayce, please—" He cries, squirming as best as he's able with Jayce’s broad frame pressing him into the mattress. "Give me your knot."

A gutteral groan is torn from the alpha's lips, and he can feel the man's cock throb inside of him, making him tighten instinctively. "Viktor, you know I can't," Jayce tells him in a voice so strained it's practically inaudible. “You're not ready, you’ll tear—"

Viktor is inconsolable. He wants it so bad it feels like he'll die without it. "Please." 

Jayce hushes him immediately, planting soft, feverish kisses all over his throat and back, murmuring promises that Viktor doesn't want to hear. "Next time," he swears, thrusts turning from languid to purposeful, intended to wring every ounce of pleasure from his overstimulated body. "Next time I'll knot you, but right now I want you to come again, can you do that? Can you come on my cock like a good omega?" 

The protests die on his lips as soon as Jayce starts to fuck him more selflessly, and he whines again, beyond words, and tries not to preen when it earns him a satisfied croon, his orgasm rushing up on him slowly, but intensely. 

Jayce shifts his angle, hips grinding deeper, and that’s all it takes—Viktor convulses, keening as he comes with a strangled wail, his entire body locking up around Jayce’s cock. Slick gushes out of him in aborted pulses, making a mess out of his alpha and his sheets. He's suddenly glad for the insurmountable amount of blankets arranged on the bed now, he absolutely does not want to sleep in that later. 

Mind dizzy with pleasure, he barely registers Jayce cursing behind him, only snapping to attention when the alpha throbs inside of him, just about to come, before abruptly pulling out and releasing on his stomach instead.

Viktor snarls so loud it makes his throat ache, and if he'd been facing the alpha he would have probably went straight for the jugular, but Jayce is on him instantly, gently turning over and pecking him all over his face and lips, kissing him quiet.

"Shh, shh, I know you wanted it, I'm sorry," Jayce murmurs, and he does sound remorseful, fingers wiping his tears and stroking his cheeks. "But I didn't want to risk hurting you."

Viktor will be thankful for the consideration later, but right now he is entirely unhappy with the man. His womb is empty, for gods' sake, how is he supposed to be satisfied with that?

He makes his displeasure known in the form of half-hearted grumbles, already melting in spite of himself. 

Jayce smiles at his sulking, soft and adoring, and whispers a litany of praise and endearments into his skin, nosing against his temple. It's entirely too sweet for someone who had just fucked him into the mattress, but he supposes the alpha has always been a paradox in that way. "If I draw you a bath, will you forgive me?" 

Viktor sighs, having already done so long before that, and allows the alpha to snuggle into his throat, the both of them a little too needy for each other's presence. "You'll have to do all the work." 

He's sure it'll be hours before he dredges up enough coherency to coordinate his limbs, his mind just barely able to filter thoughts as it is. 

Jayce indulges himself in another lazy kiss, lips quirked upwards. "Don't I already?" 

Viktor hums, conceding the point, and wraps his around the alpha's neck when he gets lifted, not even protesting the act of being carried like has done often times before. Just tucks his head in the man's neck, safe and entirely content.

Freshly bathed and donning nothing but Jayce's sweater—oversized enough to nearly cover his knees—he allows the man to place him gently in bed, already snuggling into the pillows and what remains of the blankets. His instincts want to roll around in it and cover himself in the alpha's scent alongside leave his own, and is only prevented from doing so by Jayce's presence itself being far more enticing.

Jayce pulls him close, slotting their bodies together like two puzzle pieces, and kisses his neck. However, he pauses after a moment, a hint of awe-filled wonder entering his voice as his eyes widen. "Viktor, you're purring."

Viktor stills, blinking in surprise, before realizing that yes, he is purring, the sound a soft, barely audible rumble in his throat, a little croaky from misuse but still undeniably there. He falls silent, flushing, and is about to apologize when Jayce hurriedly interjects.               

"No, no, don't stop, it was cute," Jayce exclaims frantically, whining when he doesn't start again. He noses more insistently into the omega's neck. "Viktor."     

The brunet laughs, endeared even in the face of his embarrassment. He can't help but smile, hopelessly fond. "Jayce," he mimics in the same tone, just to tease. 

The alpha looks entirely too crestfallen for something as simple as not hearing him purr, so he reluctantly relents and allows himself to express his happiness in the most omegan way he's able. It makes him slightly self-conscious, having never done such a thing since he was a pup, but Jayce's delight is infectious. 

Jayce makes a pleased noise at the gentle sound, nuzzling against him like it's the loveliest thing he's ever heard. 

Viktor sighs, but raises his hand to hold the back of the alpha's head anyway. "Spoiled." 

Jayce's laugh reverbates through his chest, slow and lazy, but he doesn't deny it. His arm goes to wrap around his waist, warm and solid. It's the most content he's ever felt. 

"Did you enjoy the gala today?" Jayce asks after a few moments, tracing small patterns into his stomach. "At least somewhat?"

"Eh, I could have done without all of the pomp and circumstance, but it wasn't the worst event I've attended," Viktor replies, finding the words to be truthful. "But don't think this will become a habit, I still have no interest in parties, of any calibre."

Jayce nods his head, but Viktor can tell he's smiling. "Noted," he chuckles. "I'm just glad you went with me, even just this once."

Viktor's heart softens even further, and he nestles closer, trying to eliminate any further distance between them. "Well, if this is the reception I recieve afterwards, I might be convinced to tag along more often."

Jayce's arms tightens around him, and Vikfor hums drowsily, warm and satiated and ready for sleep. "All you have to do is ask." 

As he drifts off, he can't but think that there's nothing he'd like to do more than stay here forever. Perhaps if he asks nicely, he just might. 

But that is a question for another day. 

Chapter Text

Viktor woke slowly, stirring beneath a mountain of blankets that he'd somehow managed to bury himself under. He was warm, too warm, really, but throwing the quilts off of him only served to make him more aware of the absence of warmth he had expected to find beside him.

Hand meeting empty air, the omega exhales an annoyed breath, even as his senses relax at the comfort Jayce's scent brings—clinging not only to the fabric surrounding him, but also to his skin. It leaves him boneless and pliant, but the lack of the alpha's presence nags at him, pulling him from sleep entirely.

Jayce is gone.

A low, disgruntled sound leaves him as he rolls onto his side, dragging the covers with him. Grumbling under his breath, he throws one of the pillows aside with mild theatrics, and sits up, stretching with a small yawn.

The air outside the blankets was cool against his heated skin, but he reaches for the nearest blanket and drapes it over his shoulders like a cloak anyway, wanting Jayce’s scent around him far more than he wants to be comfortable. He's still wearing the alpha's sweater, but even that's barely enough to satisfy him. 

Finding his cane resting against the bedpost where he must have left it, he takes it in hand and rises shakily to his feet, surprised at the lack of pain he feels.

The ache he expected—bruising soreness from being fucked open by someone as big as Jayce—wasn't there. Or rather, it was there, but distant, dulled. Jayce's venom still sung faintly in his blood, blunting the edges of pain to something more like a memory than a current sensation. His limbs are a little stiff, body tender in certain places, but all things considering, he's in far better condition than he thought he'd be.

He'd be more grateful if he hadn't woke up to the bed empty, but since he had, he's entirely too irritable to care. 

Exiting the bedroom, Viktor perks up slightly at the smell of food, realizing that Jayce must be making breakfast. Tugging the blanket further around his shoulders, Viktor shuffles into the kitchen, barely making it a half a step into the entryway before Jayce is turning around and greeting him, the words faltering at the sour, blank look he receives. 

"...Viktor?"

"You left me," Viktor grouses, already coming closer in hopes of enticing the alpha to hold him. He's usually not this clingy, but he supposes his behavior can be excused after the night they just had. "In bed. Alone." 

His unspoken request is fulfilled when Jayce gathers him into his arms, arms encircling his waist and nose nuzzling into his pulse. Viktor hums, soothed, his irritation melting away almost instantly. 

"Sorry, I thought you'd still be asleep," Jayce explains apologetically, kissing his cheek in placation. "I was planning to bring you breakfast in bed." 

Viktor's eyes flutter at the kiss, soaking up the warmth and attention like a flower curling towards the sun. "Were you now?" He murmurs amusedly, a teasing lilt to his sleep-soft voice. "Well, my apologies then, for ruining the surprise." 

Jayce chuckles, a low rumble against Viktor's throat, and tightens his hold just a little. “You can make it up to me by letting me spoil you anyway,” he offers, pulling back just enough to look at Viktor properly. His eyes scan Viktor’s face, lighting up with affection at the sight of the omega swaddled in his sweater and heavy blanket, clearly still half-asleep and longing for his touch despite his earlier sulking.

Viktor sniffs, unimpressed, but allows himself to be guided toward the kitchen table nonetheless, every step slow and deliberate. The low simmer of heat gathering in his belly makes him feel off-kilter, restless, and the closeness helps, even as his skin tingles unpleasantly whenever Jayce's touch leaves it. 

"I don't suppose you made me sweetmilk," Viktor mutters as he sinks carefully into a chair, resting his cane against the edge of the table. The yearning in his tone is unmistakable. 

Jayce is already pressing a mug of it into his hands before he even finishes the sentence, enjoying the look of pleasant surprise he receives. "Wouldn't dare forget," he grins. 

Viktor sips at it in quiet delight, knowing his gaze shows the gratitude he doesn't convey with words, and settles in to wait for Jayce to finish making breakfast for them. He takes the time to admire Jayce's figure as he does so, his eyes trailing lazily over the way the soft morning light plays off the alpha’s bare arms and back, the sight never failing to provoke a reaction from him. 

Jayce looks good like this, loose and domestic, dressed in nothing but sleep pants that hang low on his hips, his muscles flexing with each subtle movement as he tends to the stove. Viktor watches him with a possessive kind of fondness, knowing that he's one of the only ones to see Jayce this way—and hopefully, the last.

When breakfast is finished, the omega stands up, satiated in every way, and brushes up against the alpha's back as he cleans dishes, unwilling to be apart from the man's heat any longer. It's enexplicably soothing. He purrs.  

Jayce fumbles with the plate he's holding, his fingers slipping slightly as he turns to face Viktor, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Everything okay?" He asks, turning around to face him, his hand reaching out to brush back a strand of Viktor's disheveled hair. "Are you still grumpy I wasn't there to hold you this morning, is that why you're so clingy?"   

Viktor's purring abruptly cuts off. "I'm not."   

Jayce laughs, loud and endeared, before hugging him properly, kissing last night's bite mark and lapping at it gently, helping to heal the wound. "Well, I certainly won't complain," he says, clearly content just to have his hands on him in any capacity. "Not when you're acting this cute."  

Viktor huffs, his cheeks heating up despite his best efforts to stay annoyed. He pinches the alpha's side. "Don't be impertinent." 

Jayce winces, but there's a smile still lingering on his lips. "Alright, alright, sorry," he relents, smoothing down some of the errant strands of Viktor’s hair, which are sticking up in every direction like a porcupine. "I guess I'm just not used to seeing you like this."

"This isn't the first time you've seen me in the mornings," Viktor reminds, savoring the feeling of his partner's hands in his hair. "I would think you'd have grown accustomed to it by now." 

"I might need a few more mornings like this one before I reach a consensus," Jayce says jokingly, curling a lock of hair around his fingers and playing with it. "Then I'll know for sure."   

Viktor tilts his head slightly, a soft sound of satisfaction escaping him as Jayce’s fingers continue to play with his hair. "I think you just enjoy having me in your bed, smelling like you."  

"Well, I do, but it's more than that," Jayce replies, fingers tracing the line of his jaw almost absentmindedly, just enjoying the feel of him. "I like having you with me regardless, in my bed or not. I just want you with me."

The honesty surprises him even though it shouldn't, and he leans in closer, resting his head on the alpha's shoulder. "The sentiment is returned in full," Viktor murmurs, not even bothering to pretend otherwise. He's grown attached, even more so now that they have slept together. "But you can't spend every moment with me, Jayce."

"I can certainly try," Jayce says easily, his face tucking into Viktor's neck. He inhales deeply, commenting, "You smell really good, you know that? Even better than usual, your scent blockers must have worn off all the way. It's nice." 

"Is it?" Viktor questions vaguely, too distracted by the feeling of Jayce scenting him to pay his words much mind.

"Yeah, you smell...happy, content, it's doing funny things to my instincts," Jayce says after thinking it over, pressing a kiss to his scent gland. "Makes me want to bundle you up and keep you in bed for the rest of the morning." 

"As enticing as that idea sounds—" And it does sound appealing. "We have obligations that require our attention today. Progress waits for no one, Jayce." 

"I know, I know," Jayce doesn't seem put-off by the reminder, knowing that they've been neglecting their work for weeks now. Not completely, but enough to have them lagging behind their deadlines. "Just let me hold you for a little bit longer. Please?"

Viktor smiles despite himself, appeased that he's not the only one who wants to bask in the other's presence until the world falls apart. "You'll see me in a few hours, Jayce. Not to mention that you never fail to touch me then, either." 

"That's then, not now." 

Viktor rolls his eyes, but the sigh that leaves his lips is more amused than exasperated. "Insufferable, as always. But I've spoiled you too much, so I suppose I must take some of the blame." 

Jayce's grin widens, and he plants a kiss on the center of his forehead. "That you have, sweetheart, that you have."

Jayce holds him for a little while longer before reluctantly pulling away, though he doesn't go very far, still keeping his hand around his waist. 

"But anyway, how are you feeling? Any pain, soreness?" The tips of his ears pink, Jayce adverts his gaze for a moment in embarrassment. "I know I, ah, wasn't exactly gentle with you last night, and I—"

"I'm alright," Viktor interrupts patiently, finding it to be true. He survived, and no worse for wear at that. A miracle he will not take for granted. "It doesn't hurt, which I attribute to your venom not having worn off yet. Otherwise, I'd more than likely be bedridden." 

It's an off-handed observation, and yet Jayce's eyes darken slightly, fingers flexing against his hip. "Wouldn't want that," he says slowly, carefully.  

Viktor raises an eyebrow at the sudden change in demeanor, but doesn't question it. He suspects Jayce likes that thought a little more than he lets on. 

"No, that wouldn't be very productive, would it?" He hums, just to tease. "You would be forced to wait on me hand and foot while I recover." 

Jayce looks as if he'd like nothing more than to do that, but then he groans, forehead dropping against his shoulder. "You're horrible," he complains, sulking. "I don't know why I put up with you." And then: "Will you spend the night tomorrow?" 

Viktor pats his back consolingly. "I'll see what I can do." An unequivocal yes.

Before Viktor leaves—still wearing Jayce's sweater, which will make a fine addition to his nest afterwards—Jayce ensures every part of his face is thoroughly kissed before even considering letting him out of the door, and by the time he reaches his own apartment, he's flushed and smiling so widely it makes he cheeks ache. 

The happiness lingers throughout the day, remaining even when the heat simmering underneath his skin starts to get worse and his body tingles uncomfortably. 

It's only when he arrives home for the night and burrows himself in his nest, lamenting the fact that his alpha isn't there, that he recognizes the symptoms for the what they are—the early stages of his heat. Or in other words, pre-heat. 

Viktor isn't particularly surprised by the revelation despite his heats being irregular enough to where he can't track them consistently and must rely on his instincts, but that doesn't mean he isn't displeased with the distraction, knowing he will have to take a few days off to ride it out. 

Thankfully, his heats are exceedingly short. With the state of his health and the condition his body is in, he's unable to withstand the full duration of a heat—which for a healthy omega, would be seven days. 

His never last past three. 

It's never bothered him, even if it's another reminder of his poor health, and in a way, it's been a blessing since he's never had to rely on suppressants to quell his heat cycles—a luxury most omegas couldn't afford in Zaun. 

Nevertheless, any situation where he's unable to think straight frustrates him, and he resolves to spend his heat hoarded in his apartment like he always done, not even considering spending it with an alpha even though, realistically, he could ask Jayce. 

Somehow, it feels like...too much. As illogical as the idea sounds, and he isn't sure if he's ready to raise that question just yet. But maybe...maybe in the future, when their relationship stops feeling like a novelty that could dissolve at any moment.

He's sure Jayce would understand. 

Jayce, despite being slightly obtuse at times, is far more perceptive than he's given credit for.

Because as soon as he arrives at the lab the next morning to retrieve a few of his notes and books, the alpha is hovering beside him, taking in the faint flush to his face and the sweeter note of his scent with concern. He's not in full-blown heat yet, but he's sure his pheromones are potent enough at this point where someone standing in close proximity could discern he'll reach the height of it soon. 

"I'll be taking heat-leave for the next few days," Viktor notifies the fretting alpha before he can ask any questions as to why he's not at home already. "Rest assured, I'll return shortly and we can resume our work."

Jayce nods his head jerkily, his breathing a little labored as he inhales through his mouth rather than his nose. His words are strained. "Yes—that's fine, take all the time you have to."

Jayce pauses then, undoubtedly wanting to say more but settling on, "Do you have everything you need? Is there anything I can help with?" 

Viktor, still focused on gathering his notes, waves a hand dismissively, though the soft flicker of irritation that crosses his features betrays him. "I have everything under control," he remarks, not looking up. 

The words are final, absolute, and he can see the alpha deflate from where he's standing in front of him, shoulders tense and face conflicted, as if he wants to press the issue further. Fortunately, he doesn't, though he does take a step back, allowing the brunet his space. But even that is reluctant.

It doesn't make it any easier to breathe, even with the alpha's scent no longer clouding the air around him and making his insides ache. 

"...If you say so," Jayce sighs, though he doesn't look pleased. "Just—let me know if you need anything, alright?" 

Knowing he needs to leave before his partner's scent becomes too tempting to ignore, Viktor inclines his head politely in agreement and turns towards the door. "Of course, Jayce." 

Leaving is a lot harder than he thought it'd be, especially since every fibre of his being yearns to be fucked, knotted, and pupped. 

And not just by any alpha, by Jayce. 

Slick gathers between his legs, and Viktor hurriedly exits the building before anyone can smell it on him, cursing silently to himself. 

He needs to get home. And now. 

The moment the apartment door clicks shut behind him, Viktor collapses against it, panting. His thighs are already slick and trembling, the scent of him cloyingly sweet. His fingers are shaking as he fumbles with the buttons of his shirt, his mind spinning with images of Jayce from the one night he had taken him, picturing broad hands gripping his hips, golden eyes blown wide with lust, the thick weight of his cock pressing against him. He bites back a whimper and stumbles to the bedroom, shedding clothes like they’re burning him. 

What follows is two days of torment.

He spends them writhing in bed, his fingers buried deep inside himself, jaw clenched so tight it aches from how often he’s tried to stifle his cries. Nothing helps—not the toys he drags out from the back of the drawer that he hates touching, not the pillows he tries to straddle, not the whispered pleas for release. Nothing. It’s not enough. It’s never enough. His body is calling out for Jayce and no one else, and it’s agony to be alone in it.

The amount of clothes and blankets he had borrowed, or outright stolen, in some cases, allieve the worst of the longing, but even they can only do so much. It's a poor substitute for the real thing, and he knows it.

By the time his heat breaks—shallow, quick, and violent—Viktor is raw and exhausted. He showers twice, packs his notes, and returns to the lab by noon on the third day, a little shaky but determined to resume his work as if nothing has happened.

Jayce is already there, and wholly unprepared to see him if his wide-eyed confusion is anything to go by, clearly not having expected him to be back so soon.

The look he gives Viktor afterwards is unreadable, eyes flicking down his frame like he’s trying to solve a problem he hates knowing the answer to. He says nothing. Not good morning. Not welcome back. Just offers him a curt nod and returns to his work, jaw tight.

Viktor assumes he's simply annoyed by the disruption to their schedule, and offers an apology that Jayce barely acknowledges.

Jayce's shoulders remain tense for the remainder of the day, and so does his gruff mood. He doesn't speak to Viktor—not even once, and the omega can't figure out the cause for the sudden change in behavior. 

At first, Viktor chalks it up to stress. They've both been under a great deal of pressure lately, and his absence certainly didn't help, but by mid-afternoon, he starts to feel as if that assessment is not entirely accurate. Jayce looks furious. Not outwardly, but in the way his jaw works and his hands clench around the nearest tool like it's a lifeline. It makes him feel unsettled, and perhaps more than a little hurt as well. 

He tries not to take it personally, feeling flustered over having expected a warmer reception upon his return, but when Viktor reaches for a shared blueprint and their fingers nearly touch, the alpha flinches back like he's been burned. The sharp scent of jealousy briefly cuts through the air, bitter and acrid, before it's hastily smothered.

That's when Viktor begins to suspect something is wrong.

Jayce won't meet his eyes. Won't stand too close. Won't even speak to him unless prompted—and even then, his replies are short, clipped, and bristling with an edge that wasn't there before. He's angry, there's no doubt about that, but he has no idea why.

He hasn't done anything to warrant this kind of reaction from the man, at least not to his knowledge. 

Has he?

Having just went through heat, his instincts still yearn for the alpha's touch, in a soft, needy way that he's so rarely used to experiencing, and his inner omega whines in his head, wondering what he's done to upset his partner. He doesn't let it show on his face, the ravening hunger to be touched and given even a fraction of warmth, but the desire claws at him, and he loathes it. He's always been a little more sensitive after heat, but never to this extent.

It leaves him off-balance, hollowed out in a way he can't quite articulate—like there's a vital thread missing between them that he doesn't remember letting go of.

It's degrading. 

Reverting his attention back to their projects, Viktor buries himself in the numbers and calculations, unwilling stew on it further. Jayce will come to him when he's ready, and whatever the reason behind his unusual behavior will ultimately pass. 

But Viktor can't pretend it doesn't hurt when he walks home alone, to an empty nest, receiving little more than a brusque word in parting.

Things do end up returning to normal the following week, much to his relief, with Jayce eventually softening toward Viktor after several tense, silent days, unable to stay upset with him for too long. Viktor's voice stutters over a soft purr the moment Jayce puts his hands back on him, hugging him close, and he'd be humiliated at the neediness of the gesture if Jayce hadn't let out a broken noise and immediately started scenting him. 

It's rougher than he's used to, as if the alpha is searching for something, but Viktor is too scent-drunk to care, preening at the attention he so desperately yearned for. Jayce mumbles apologies against his throat, even if he doesn't explain the cause behind his actions, and kisses him everywhere he can reach. 

Having not been bitten in days, the first press of Jayce's teeth into his skin later that night when the alpha brings him home, is euphoric enough to have him orgasming instantly, and that's all it takes to have the last of his tension melting away, willing to put the matter behind him.

He’ll ask about it later—maybe. But for now, the pain is gone, the ache has eased, and Jayce is touching him again like he'll die without him. And that's more than enough. 

At least until his next heat arrives.

Over the next few months, their relationship settles in place, unlabelled but undeniably intimate—more than just colleagues, definitely more than friends, but still not quite lovers, either. They spend most of their time together, in the lab, in Jayce's apartment, or in his own. It's comfortable, albeit unconventional, but Viktor is more than happy to keep things the way they are. 

When he begins showing signs of entering pre-heat again, he hesitates on asking Jayce to spend it with him even though he aches for it with a need so intense it feels like it seeps into his bones. He doesn't know what holds him back, whether it's insecurity or some irrational fear that things will change irreparably if he asks for more, if he gets too greedy. 

So he doesn't.

Instead, he arrives at the lab a lot earlier than he normally would, long before Jayce arrives, and gathers his things, scribbling a note to notify Jayce of his absence. It's a simple message: I'll be taking heat-leave again. I'll be fine. Please don't worry. Short and to the point, and he hopes it will suffice, as impersonal as it is. 

His heat is just as unbearable as the last time.

The sharp, hollow ache of loneliness is almost worse than the ache between his legs, leaving him restless and needy, face burrowing into the blankets and pillows of his nest that only carry the faintest trace of Jayce's scent—no where near potent enough to be of any kind of relief. 

On the final day, he's exhausted and limp, his whole body sore and oversensitive, wrung out from numerous orgasms but far from satiated. Muscles stiff, he doesn't bother rising from the bed unless absolutely necessary, already knowing he'll need an extra day to recover, to feel like a human again rather than a slave to instinct. 

The fatigue is heavy in his limbs, the emptiness even heavier in his chest, and a part of him resents his previous cowardice. He has an alpha, ready and willing to do whatever he needs, and he's doing nothing about it.

Resolving himself to amend his decision to spend all of his heats alone, he decides that his next one will be the one where he finally asks for help. He only hopes it will not end too badly.

Recovery is slow, his limbs not wanting to cooperate with him, and getting everything back in functioning order is slower still. Even though his heat had broke some time last night, bathing and washing his sheets felt like a monumental task he had no interest in undergoing. But the absolute last thing he wants is to sleep in a slick-soaked mess while covered in his own bodily fluids, so there's really no other choice.

Cranky and irritable, he spends the third day doing nothing but lounging in bed, wishing he was back in the lab with Jayce but in no condition to do so. He airs out his apartment as best as he can while throwing all of his blankets and pillows into the wash, and by night-fall, he feels semi-functional again, the last vestiges of his heat dissipating. 

Which is why it's a surprise when there's a knock on the door. 

Viktor considers burying his head under the pillows and pretending he didn’t hear it. He’s not expecting anyone, and the thought of seeing anyone in his current state—hair damp from the half-hearted bath he’d taken, loose shirt hanging off his thin shoulders, his body still smelling faintly sweet—makes him cringe. 

But the knock comes again, firmer this time, impatient, followed by a voice he knows all too well.

"Viktor?"

Jayce.

Startled, he doesn't move right away, confused by the alpha's sudden appearence until there's a third knock, harder than before, and the desperate edge to Jayce’s voice cuts through him like a blade.

"Viktor. Open the door. Please."

With a reluctant groan, Viktor throws the blanket off his lap and shuffles stiffly toward the door, cane in hand, wearing only a loose shirt and shorts. He doesn't bother to mask his scent; there's no point. It’s weak, fading, and the lingering sweetness of heat that had pervaded the room is faint enough now that he assumes it won’t stir anything up. Hopefully. 

"One moment," He mutters irately, just loud enough to be heard, wondering why on earth Jayce is at his apartment when he knows he's on heat-leave. Swinging the door open, he opens his mouth to demand an explanation, but the words die on his tongue at the sight that greets him. 

Jayce looks like hell.

His hair is a mess, strands sticking upwards like he's been yanking on them in frustration, and his face is shadowed with stubble—more than Viktor's ever seen on him. His shirt is wrinkled, half-buttoned, and his eyes are burning brightly with determination. 

Jayce's gaze flicks over him, cataloging the flushed cheeks, the damp hair, the faint shimmer of sweat still clinging to his collarbone, and he parts his lips as if to say something but then he inhales and goes still. Viktor watches his expression twists with confusion. Hurt. Betrayal. Anger. 

"You're not in heat," Jayce says, voice low and strained, more accusation than observation. Like it physically pains him to say it. His shoulders tense, a hand running down his face as he breathes in deeply, head hanging low. "You've already—fuck, Viktor."

Viktor's eyebrows furrow in bewilderment at the rawness he hears in Jayce's tone, the agony laced there. What's gotten into him? “Yes,” he replies cautiously, shoulders straightening. “It broke sometime last evening. Is there an issue with that, Jayce? Why are you—" 

Jayce's head snaps up, his scent deepening with rage and jealousy. "Who was it?" The man snarls before he can finish. "Who did you let touch you?"

Viktor takes a reflexive step backwards, at a loss for words, mouth gaping. "I—what?" 

Jayce pushes past the door before Viktor can react further, storming into the apartment like a man on the verge of coming undone. He looks feral, crazed, and it's so unlike him that he stiffens on instinct. 

"I came to—I was going to ask if you wanted me to help you this time," he bites out, crowding further into his space. "I was going to assist you, if you needed it, and instead I find out you've already gotten someone else, and I—fuck, how could you? Was I not enough? Is that it? You wanted someone better?" 

Barely able to keep track of the one-sided conversation let alone Jayce's heated words that are growled out between gritted teeth, Viktor stands there for a moment in stunned silence before he speaks again, ire beginning to rise in his chest. Just what is Jayce accusing him of? 

"What are you talking about?" he manages, strained but no less aggravated. His frustration is evident, thickening his accent, and he tries to soften his voice before he loses his temper entirely. 

Jayce's face hardens, amber eyes burning.

"Don't lie to me," He snarls, closing the distance between in a heartbeat. "Your heat, what, ended in two days tops? Heats don't end that quickly, Viktor, unless someone fucks them out of you."

The alpha's jaw clenches, as if just barely restraining himself. From what, Viktor doesn't know. "So who was it?" 

Realization dawns on him then, remembering that, for healthy omegas, the duration of an omega's heat is only shortened by the usage of suppressants or from having it satisfied by an alpha's knot.

Jayce isn't angry because Viktor hadn't asked him to share his heat, he's angry because he think he's been getting fucked by another alpha. 

"I—" Viktor's voice breaks on the denial, his throat tight with frustration as he continues lowly, "You think I would let someone touch me—" 

"I don't know what to think!" Jayce snaps, his voice rising, sharp and frantic. "You don't ask for me help, but you're allowing someone else to put their hands on you, and I..." 

Jayce trails off, unable to bring himself to finish whatever he's about to say. His chest rises and falls with shallow, furious breaths as he stares at Viktor like he's been eviscerated from the inside out. Something ugly simmers behind his gaze, and his expression darkens unreadably, closing off.

"It's not fair."

Breath halting in his throat, Viktor swallows at the pure, unadulterated bitterness he hears there, his insides twisting—not with fear, exactly, but with an emotion that could almost be called anticipation. Jayce is looking like him like he wants to chain him up and never let him go, and it makes his heart race.

"My affairs are none of your business, Jayce," Viktor replies evenly, sharpness infused in every word. "Now, if you have nothing meaningful to say, I suggest you take your leave."

Even before it leaves his mouth, Viktor knows it's the wrong to say, and yet he can't help himself. Seeing Jayce like this, unhinged and half-way to feral over even the thought of him spending his heat with someone else, lights a fire in him so intense that it burns through his veins like the alpha's own venom. 

Perhaps even more so. 

He's proven correct in his assumption when Jayce's pupils dilate, and then, before Viktor can so much as blink, Jayce reaches out and grabs him—hands firm on Viktor's hips, dragging him close. His scent pours over Viktor like a crashing tide, angry and raw and overwhelming, and Viktor's legs nearly give out, his whole body shuddering in response. "Jayce—"

"It is my business when it's my collar around your throat and my bruises on your skin," Jayce growls, gravelled and low, so full of possessive fury that it sounds almost bestial. "Not someone else's, mine."

Viktor's body twitches of its own accord, arousal sparking deep in his belly despite the warning signals his brain is firing. He should shove Jayce away, demand space, explain, insist on how what he does in private is none of the man's business—but the way Jayce's breath fans hot against his neck, the way his body trembles with rage and restraint, it makes Viktor ache. For fangs, for a knot, for a kiss, everything. 

So instead, he does the worst thing possible. He smiles, slow and sardonic, eyes challenging as he murmurs, almost casually, "Maybe someone was better. Maybe I have a new preference for whom I spend my evenings with. Neither of which concern you. You are not my alpha, Jayce. I am free to make my own decisions, with or without your approval."

Jayce's hands tighten around his waist, one of them leaving his skin to tangle in his hair and wrench his head to the side, the gesture so sudden it wrangles a bitten-off gasp from his lips.

But it's not the action that makes his entire body stiffen, it's the feeling of fangs nearing his throat, a hairsbreath away from his scent gland.

"Not if I bite you," Jayce refutes fervently, fangs scraping the sensitive skin of his pulse, just barely digging into his skin, unaware of how the omega's heart nearly stops in his chest. He had forgone wearing his collar during heat, too sensitive for it, and now he loathes his negligence. "Claim you as mine. Then you'll be my mate, and you'll have no choice but to belong to me. You won't go to anyone else then." 

The threat—because it is a threat, not a promise—should alarm him, terrify him. It does not. 

Viktor goes dangerously still. "You wouldn't—"

Jayce laughs, and it's a little unhinged at the edges, like he can barely believe it himself. His hands go up to cup his face, thumbs massaging the apples of his cheeks.

"I would," he repeats, almost desperately, so full of wanting it makes Viktor's pulse stutter for an entirely different reason. "If it meant you'd be mine, I would." 

Viktor, despite everything, blushes.

It blossoms across his cheeks and spreads down his neck, and he knows Jayce can feel it from where he's holding him. It's in this moment, looking at anguish on the other man's face, the barely there trembling of his shoulders, that he realizes he may have taken things a little too far by goading Jayce, when it seems that all the alpha really wants is to have him. Not just parts or pieces, all of him. 

Viktor swallows thickly, and then does something he's never done before—he tilts his head to the side and bears his throat.

Jayce freezes, not daring to move, and the omega can see his eyes widen, those lovely hazel irises of his reflecting confusion, disbelief, and then something else, something more vulnerable.             

"Viktor?" He breathes hesitantly, voice small.  

"There has been no one else," Viktor finally explains, sighing. "My heats are, ah, how should I put this, not like a typical male of my designation. My body cannot endure a full cycle, so they tend to be fairly short. I wasn't intending to mislead you, Jayce. I just hadn't found it prudent to mention that particular facet of my biology without reason." 

A long pause follows, and Viktor can feel Jayce’s grip falter, hands trembling where they rest on his skin. That wildness in his gaze softens, the furious tension in his body bleeding into something else—anguish, shame, and a fragile sense of hope.     

"There's no one else?" Jayce repeats quietly, searching his face for any sign of a lie, his breath catching like he’s terrified of the answer even as his body starts to relax.    

"There's no one else," Viktor affirms, hands lifting to rest on Jayce's own. "Just you."    

It's like all of the fight drains from Jayce's body at once, the relief in his scent and expression so palpable that Viktor feels it in the air. "Oh."    

"You would have known that if only you asked," Viktor remarks with slightly upturned lips, achingly fond even now. Jayce is looking at him like he's never seen him before, and it makes him want to berate the alpha for being so oblivious.    

A million and one different emotions flicker over the alpha's face then, but the remorse outweighs them all, and the alpha drops his hands, horrified, his mind clearing for the first time all night. 

"I'm sorry, I thought—fuck, Viktor, I'm sorry, you know I wouldn't bite you, right? I wouldn't hurt you like that, I wouldn't—" Jayce's rambling is frantic and tinged with desperation, but he doesn't step away, keeping Viktor held in his arms like he'll dissappear from his grasp if he so much as blinks. 

Knowing he has every right to be angry, Viktor instead chooses to kiss him quiet, not agreeing or disagreeing. He's beginning to understand that Jayce, at the very core of his being, loves obsessively, ardently—and it can't be anything else but love, can it?—unable to let those he cares for go even if it would be in their best interest, selfish and selfless all at once, a confouding paradox that subsumes more than it nurtures.

It would be the very last thing he wanted, and yet Viktor thinks Jayce would abandon his autonomy entirely if it meant he got to keep him. 

The thought brings about a lingering sense of unease, but the feeling of being wanted so badly makes his reservations melt away like frost beneath the first kiss of spring, softening and yielding to something inevitable and warm. 

Because it was inevitable, wasn't it?

Jayce releases a noise caught somewhere between a broken groan and a desperate keen, kissing him back just as fervidly, as if trying to consume him piece by piece. He pulls away, lips finding his forehead, he nose, his cheeks, before trailing down and nosing into his neck, breathing him in deeply. The submission seems to undo him, even more so than the presumption that he had been sleeping around. 

"Let me take you to bed," Jayce pleas against his skin, wrecked with want, fingers hooking under the edge of his shirt and roaming over warm skin. "I know you're not in heat any more, but I want to touch you—knot you properly. Like I should have last time." 

The thought of being knotted, the one thing he'd been aching for all this time, makes his mind go a little fuzzy, and he nods, light-headed and tipsy on Jayce's pheromones, the sensation of being desired, and the feeling of being touched and kissed all over. 

"You may," Viktor begins around a faint moan of pleasure, struggling to get the words out past his rapidly fading coherency, "Have to scruff me again." 

"I'll keep you pinned with my teeth, don't worry," Jayce promises into the hollow of his throat, supporting the full weight of his body as the omega loses the strength to keep standing. "But then I'm turning you around and putting you on your back, I want to see your face this time."

Viktor shudders, dizzy from the heat the words bring—a slow, inexorable burn that catches in his belly and coils downward like a brand, searing and sweet. He clutches at Jayce’s shoulders as if they’re the only stable thing in a world gone soft and trembling beneath him. It doesn't matter that it's only been a few weeks since they last fell into bed together, he's been denied the alpha's touch for too long and now he wants.

"Please." 

Jayce groans like the words wound him and then lifts him up without so much as a warning, startling a laugh from Viktor's lips along with a bunch of half-hearted protests about how he can walk perfectly fine on his own, thank you. 

But then Jayce is tossing him gently on the bed, and Viktor can do nothing but stare up at him, pink-cheeked and breathless. The alpha still looks a little wild, his unkempt appearence only serving to make him more aroused, eyes lingering on the scruff of Jayce's beard with a newfound appreciation he hopes goes unnoticed. 

Thankfully, Jayce is too distracted by the sparse amount of blankets and pillows on his bed to realize that the omega's been staring at him ravenously. "Where's your nest?" 

Viktor shifts a little on the mattress, trying to tug Jayce further on top of him. "In the wash, I'll rebuild it after everything's clean." 

Jayce grins, eyes glimmering. "I guess I'll just have to add my own until then, huh?" 

Viktor doesn't understand what he means at first until he begins to undress, and then a delighted purr rises in his throat when Jayce arranges his clothing around him in a small, makeshift nest that immediately puts his instincts at ease. 

Jayce laughs at his reaction, leaning down to nuzzle against his cheek, and Viktor loops his arms around his neck to keep him close against him. "Better?" 

"Much," Viktor hums, allowing his alpha to part his thighs so he can settle in-between them, mindful of his leg. "Now, I was promised a knot, wasn't I? I expect you to deliver, Jayce." 

The name is crooned lowly into Jayce's ear, knowing it'll have the desired effect—and oh how it does. Jayce shudders like he’s been struck, cock twitching against Viktor’s thigh as he presses closer, groaning raggedly into the side of his throat, hands tugging off his shorts and underwear with an almost frantic need.  

"You'll get it," Jayce whispers vehemently, mouth brushing over Viktor's temple, then his jaw, then lower, like he's trying to etch the words into the marrow of his bones. "Anything you want, you'll get it, just tell me. I'll fuck you so full it'll leave you bed bound for days, you'll be unable to move without feeling me all over. Would you want that?"  

Yes, Gods yes, he does.

If it were coming from someone else, he would loathe the idea of it, the invasive nature of being reliant on another, but it's Jayce. The one person in the world he thinks he wouldn't mind being bound to, whether that be through a claiming bite, a knot, or from depending on the alpha's venom to feel in control of his body for once. And he knows that if he were to ask, he would get it all. 

The rush of power makes him feel heady.

He moans, high and soft, at the words—because he knows Jayce means them. Every filthy, adoring syllable. 

He doesn't have to nod, his scent betrays him, sweet like spun sugar, ripening into something mouth-wateringly decadent. To Jayce, he probably smells as if he's ready to be fucked full of pups.

And oh, isn't that a thought.

That's the last time he thinks at all before Jayce is sliding two thick fingers into his soaking wet pussy before he can so much as take a breath—he never starts with one, knowing how much Viktor likes the pleasant burn of the stretch—and they slide in down to the knuckle, curling just right. Viktor moans, head thrown back against the pillow, all sense of pride and restraint unraveling as easily as the seams of his composure.

Jayce kisses his slack mouth, unbothered by the way Viktor's is gushing messily down his fingers. 

"I can feel you trembling," he whispers around a groan, face burrowing into his throat. "Like you're already about to come. You must have been so needy, but it's okay, I'll never leave you alone for another heat again. You'll spend all of them with me. Like you should have from the beginning." 

It's spoken with such a sense of finality that his eyes gloss over, responding to the declaration like it's an order rather than a request, and it is. He nods helplessly, hands clutching at Jayce's back as he succumbs to his instincts, for once not minding them taking full control. "Yes, Jayce, please—"

Jayce swallows his cries with another sloppy kiss, fucking a third finger into his cunt and reaching so deep it nearly makes his eyes cross. 

"You don't have to beg, I know what to give you," Jayce whispers into his neck, sucking a vibrant bruise into the skin before letting his lips linger there, enjoying the soft fluttering of his pulse. "Don't think I didn't notice how slick you got earlier when I threatened to bite you, how sweet you smelled, like you wanted me to keep you." 

Viktor doesn't have the presence of mind to feel embarrassed, even as his face flushes with a rosy red hue. He doesn't deny it, doesn't bother, just clenches around Jayce's fingers and pulls the alpha closer to kiss him. 

"You already have me, Jayce," Viktor sighs against his lips, the truth of them echoing more honestly than any vow. "It's only a matter of time before everyone else knows it as well." 

Jayce shivers so heavily Viktor can feel it reverbate through his own bones, and the omega keens when the man's fingers hurriedly leave him, replaced by the heated, thick girth of his cock. The transition is so smooth, so natural, that Viktor's eyes roll upwards, mouth dropping open.

"I thought—I thought you were going to fuck me on my, mh, stomach first," Viktor pants out in-between shallow, stuttery gasps, barely able to handle the intrusion no matter how many times he's been fucked by now. 

"I changed my mind," Jayce tells him raggedly, the scruff of his beard scratching pleasantly against his throat. Viktor hopes he never shaves it. "I want you to feel it, even if it hurts. You can do that for me, can't you, baby?"

Viktor's vision nearly whitens out, inner walls squeezing tightly around the cock inside of him as the alpha pushes deeper, slow, but never stopping, making a home in his body like that's where he belongs. His nails bite into Jayce's skin.

"Mmh—go on then," Viktor whispers, eyes half-lidded and staring up at Jayce like he's seeing the world for the first time. "Make love to me."

That breaks something in Jayce. He folds down over the omega, gripping onto his hips as though he could fuse them together at the spine, chest pressed to chest, heartbeat to heartbeat. His hips stutter, then push forward in one long, steady thrust, burying himself to the hilt. It's painful, it's uncomfortable, it's bliss. 

It's so much more intense now that there's no venom in his body dulling his pain receptors, and it's like every ome of his nerves is alive, a raw, vivid sensation that has Viktor moaning deep in his throat, soft and tortured. Jayce coos at him in return, nosing at his flushed cheek, kissing the tears.

Sniffling, Viktor's hands scramble for purchase on Jayce's shoulders as the alpha begins to fuck him in earnest, hard enough to slam the headboard of the bed against the wall with each thrust. If Viktor hadn't been wrung out from his heat, he would have already come at least once by now, but the oversensitivity of his body forces him to feel every stroke, every movement, every inch of Jayce’s cock buried inside of him.

Completely absorbed in each other, it doesn't take long before he's hovering on the precipice of his first orgasm of the night, gasping and trembling as he feels Jayce's knot begin to swell.    

Fucked-out and wanting, he begins to beg, nearly sobbing for it. "Nngh—fuck—Jayce. Knot me, knot me, please."    

He's barely aware of what he's saying, pleas spilling wantonly from his mouth. He needs the connection, the feeling of being stuffed full, he needs it. 

Jayce rolls his hips, burying himself deep enough to nudge against his cervix, and it makes his eyes snap open with a choked-off wail. "You want me to come in you? Fuck you so full that it knocks you up? Is that what you want, sweetheart. A baby?" 

Viktor nearly comes right then and there.

He can’t speak—can only keen, mouth open, tongue pressed to the roof of it like that’ll stop the sounds tearing out of his throat. The thought of falling pregnant, as unlikely as the possibility is, makes heat ignite in his stomach like flames catching on tinder. 

On his darkest, most shameful days, when the longing to keep Jayce as his was too much, Viktor imagined what it would be like to trap him with a child, the ultimate tether. Jayce would have no choice but to marry him, mate him—he would have to. For the sake of his image and the sanctity of his house, whose heir he was now carrying. 

Jayce would be his then, bound to him by bond and by blood, and the fantasy never failed to consume him, even as the guilt followed along suit. There’s no room for guilt now, no space for anything but the ravening need that claws at his insides, demanding he get bred and bred well. 

And Jayce, lost in his own musings, makes it no better.

"I'd take responsibility," Jayce breathes fiercely against his mouth, grinding deeper, his hips flush against Viktor's ass. "Mark you, put a ring on your finger, give you my last name—everything. I'd give you everything." 

Viktor whines, a raw, hungry sound, legs trembling as he fights the urge to lock them around the alpha's waist, wanting to drag him in deeper, to keep him there. The fantasy is too close now, too vivid—Jayce hovering over him, knot swelling and cock twitching, heat pouring into every place they touch. The ache of it splits him open, a need so deep he doesn’t know where it starts or ends.

If Jayce were to put a baby in him right now, he'd be more than a mother by the week's end, he'd be his wife. 

A shiver overtakes him.

"Please, please, please." Viktor no longer knows what he's begging for, his body clenching down instinctively, begging for it, slick gushing down his thighs at the promise of permanence. "Jayce." 

He isn't even aware that he's crying again until Jayce is kissing him, fervent and needy, like the want has overthrown every last bit of reason he’s ever had. “I’ve got you. Gonna give you everything. My knot, my bite—my name. I want you to take it all. You'll do that for me, won't you, sweetheart?”

Viktor nods helplessly, softened by the fantasy that sounds so much like a promise. "Yes, yes, yes, please." 

He can feel the shiver that wracks through Jayce's frame, and all it takes is the alpha's fingers lowering in-between his legs to thumb at his clit before he's coming violently.

He sobs through his orgasm, his whole body convulsing as it crashes into him like waves against rocks, overwhelming and all-consuming. Every nerve ending flares white-hot with pleasure as he squeezes tightly around Jayce’s cock, milking him greedily, demanding a knot. 

Jayce doesn’t stop—not when Viktor’s cunt clamps around him like a vice, not when slick gushes over his thighs, not when he feels the omega trembling apart beneath him. He just holds him tighter, fucks him deeper, and groans raggedly into his ear as his knot finally begins to swell fully, catching behind the clench of Viktor’s walls.

Then he’s spilling inside him with a hoarse grunt, hips jerking in tight, possessive thrusts as he comes. It’s fucking obscene, the amount, thick and hot and endless, and Viktor swears he can feel it filling him full, branding him from the inside out. 

Viktor doesn't know if it's the feeling of Jayce coming inside of him for the first time, filling his womb, or the alpha's knot expanding that finally does it, but he loses consciousness a moment later, utterly undone. 

By the time he comes to, Jayce is calling his name frantically, looking as if ten years have been shaved off of his lifespan by him suddenly going unresponsive. Viktor can only blink up at him, dazed and boneless, limbs limp and twitching, and croak out a slurred, “M'okay,” though the words don’t quite seem to reassure Jayce all that much.

“Oh, thank fuck,” Jayce breathes, cupping his face with trembling hands, pressing kisses everywhere—forehead, cheeks, jaw, the corner of his mouth. “You scared me, I thought—I thought I hurt you.”

"You did," Viktor murmurs, the words almost dreamy from how his entire world seems hazy and warm in the afterglow. "And I expect full recompense later in the form of your venom, Jayce."

Relieved that he did not do any lasting damage, Jayce kisses him again, smiling into his mouth. "Heard loud and clear," he laughs, choked and wet, fingers reaching out to intertwine his fingers with his.

Viktor lets him connect every last part of their bodies without complaint, drowsy and satiated from the orgasm and Jayce's knot, which pulses whenever he so much as twitches, pulling a shudder from both of them. He feels full, and fuck, is it a nice feeling. He doesn't know how he went without this for long. 

Jayce carefully maneuvers them into a more comfortable position and Viktor whines when it makes his knot press further against his bruised cervix, but in his dazed, blissed-out state, even that's comforting. 

"I'll bite you in a little bit," Jayce promises, petting down his sweat-damp hair. "When you're not as oversensitive and twitchy."

Viktor nods, curling further into his arms, feeling so content he could purr. He thinks he might already be doing so, he isn't sure. "That's probably for the best."

Once his mind clears a little, he speaks again, quiet but curious. "I thought you were going to claim me at the end, why didn't you?"

Jayce's eyes are soft when they look down at him, and for a moment, he just holds Viktor, stroking his hair tenderly. "I wanted to," he admits. "But I meant it when I said I wouldn't hurt you like that, not without your permission. I suppose...well, I suppose I want to do it right." 

"Right?" Viktor wonders, encouraging Jayce to continue.

"I want to court you," Jayce responds immediately, pressing a kiss to his knuckles. "Properly. Not just by making you breakfast or giving you my clothes, but—really court you. Take you on dates. Bring you flowers. Wake up next to you every morning and kiss you goodnight every evening. I want all of it, Viktor."

Viktor stares up at him, mouth parted. His heart trips over itself, a fluttering, foolish thing, and for a moment he’s certain it’s going to beat right out of his chest. No one’s ever said something like that to him—so earnestly, so plainly, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. As a Zaunite, he's always found the Piltovian notion of romance frivolous at the best of times and almost laughable at the worst. But hearing it from Jayce, the offering of courtship, feels so sweet it makes his chest ache.    

"You, Jayce Talis, are a hopeless romantic," Viktor says, hands cupping the alpha's cheeks before his face can fall. He kisses him then, slow and lovely as he continues, "I would like nothing more."  

Jayce sucks in a sharp breath, but then he's grinning so wide it pulls at the corners of his eyes, and Viktor gasps when the alpha suddenly reaches over to kiss him deeper, again and again, not stopping even as the omega descends into a fit of wheezing laughter and half-heartedly tries to push him away. 

Looking into the alpha's eyes and seeing nothing but love, pure and genuine and overwhelmingly sweet, knowing it's the same emotions reflected in his own, makes him wants to open his mouth and speak those three little words that have been hovering on his tongue for months and even longer in his thoughts.

The moment passes when Jayce begins to whisper excitedly about all of the things he could do, but Viktor only smiles, feeling at peace even as that soft and tender I love you goes unspoken. Because there'll be plenty more moments like this one. This won't be his only chance. So he settles down again, resting his head on Jayce's shoulder, and closes his eyes.

They have time.  

Chapter Text

Viktor has always been fond of spring.

Well, perhaps not always. In Zaun, the seasons often bled into each other with little ceremony, each month indistinguishable from the last apart from a slightly less bitter chill in the spring and summer, and a slightly more acrid tang in the air come fall. It was only when he had arrived in Piltover that he had begun to appreciate the shift in seasons as something more than a change in temperature.

The blossoming of flowers and the flourish of life, the way the world breathed again after so much dying—it had stirred something in him, then. A quiet yearning, perhaps, or a reminder that even the most withered things could bloom again, given the right conditions. It was the only facet of Piltover that he hadn't minded acclimating to, even when the pollen had inevitably irritated his lungs and made him cough.

There wasn't much greenery in Piltover, but what little there was had been meticulously maintained, tucked into manicured gardens and wealthy terraces, distant and orderly in a way that never felt quite real. For a fleeting moment, he had wondered what it would be like to be surrounded by it in full, to look around and see nothing but sprawling meadows and arching trees.

But now, standing barefoot in the tilled soil of their garden, a basket of freshly picked vegetables balanced comfortably on his hip, he doesn't have to imagine it.

His garden is a modest thing, not quite abundant enough to be sustainable just yet, but it is his, each sprouting leaf a testament to his hard work and care. It's labor that he had been unable to endure just a few years previous, but with his body now whole—flesh and bone once more, untouched by metal or illness—it is a labor he immerses himself in wholeheartedly.

Exhaustion tugs at him, but it’s the kind that feels earned, woven through his limbs from a day well spent rather than from his endurance being chipped away piece by piece. The sun beats down on him, but the wind is cool against his flushed skin, and he wipes the sweat from his temples as he finishes harvesting the last of the crops, mind drifting through ideas on what to make for dinner.

Soil stains his skin when he kneels, but he pays it no mind, knowing he'll bathe once he returns to the cottage, and the plain linen slip he's wearing, serving more as a sundress, really, allows enough breathability for him not to overheat as he works. It's not the kind of attire suited for gardening, but it's just about the only thing he can tolerate wearing in his current state.

Placing the last of the vegetables in his basket, he rises to his feet, making sure everything is in place before turning in the direction of the cottage.

The breeze carries the faint scent of leather and sandalwood.

Viktor smiles.

"Jayce," He greets as he approaches the figure, heart already settling at the sight of his lover. "Finished?"

Jayce glances over at him from where he's standing near a pile of chopped wood, sleeves rolled up past his elbows and shirt clinging damply to his chest. The axe rests in one hand, but he’s already set it down by the time Viktor reaches him. His gaze lingers on the brunet—not on the basket or the dirt-smudged knees, but on the pink flush high on his cheeks, the strands of soft brown hair flowing lightly in the wind. His whole demeanor softens.

"Just about," Jayce agrees, already stepping closer. His arms wind around his waist and the omega sighs, leaning into him. "How are you feeling?"

Viktor hums, noncommittal at first, and shifts the basket to his other hip. “Tired,” he admits. “But not unwell. Perhaps a little warm.”

"Ah, your heat must be getting closer." Jayce concludes, eyes warm as they focus on his face, a slight hint of concern there. His fingers reach out to brush a thumb along Viktor's cheek, gathering a bit of hair and tucking it behind his ear. "How far away are you? Not long now, right?"

Viktor nods, lashes fluttering softly as the alpha's fingers stroke his skin, the man dipping forward to place a kiss where his hands just were. "Mm, no, not too far. A couple of hours, if I had to estimate."

Jayce hums thoughtfully at that, nose brushing Viktor’s temple, then lower, nosing lightly along the shell of his ear. "Good, that gives us some time to wash up and eat." His hand travels down to Viktor's back, unconciously supporting him even though there's no longer a reason to, and gently nudges him towards the door.

"C'mon, let's get you inside before you overexert yourself and I have to carry you."

It's said jokingly, the alpha wanting him inside, where it's warm and safe, for his own peace of mind more than anything, but Viktor follows him anyway, even allowing him to retrieve the basket he's carrying although there's no real need. It gives him the opportunity to brush up against the man, languid and lazy, like a spoiled feline, so he can't complain too much.

"I'm no wilting flower, Jayce," Viktor murmurs, the protest undermined by the small smile resting upon his lips.

Jayce leans into him, fingers curling around his waist to keep him close. "No," he says quietly in agreement, the silence lingering a moment too long. "You aren't."

The words are spoken lowly, as if Jayce isn't used to saying them, and Viktor rests his head against his shoulder, knowing the concept of him being alive, truly alive, with no ticking time clock hanging above his head counting down the days to his passing, is still something Jayce hasn’t fully come to terms with. Sometimes, Viktor catches him staring, like he's still waiting to wake up from a dream he doesn't deserve. Viktor doesn't press him, he's had more than his fair share of those moments, but he does intertwine his lover's fingers with his.

He takes the time to study Jayce's features, taking in the signs of aging that only make the alpha more attractive in his eyes, even if the lines of stress marring his skin leave him feeling more guilty than not. Apart from that, Viktor enjoys the rugged look on him, the longer hair and unshaved beard, the beginnings of crows feet forming at the corners of his eyes from how often he's been smiling recently.

He's matured, both from age and from grief, and Viktor hopes to see the changes love brings him as well. To see every detail as it etches into his skin, not as evidence from time lost, but as proof of time gained.

Jayce leads him inside with a steady hand, which then roams up his back to play with the loose strands of his hair. He sets the basket on the kitchen table and remarks, "Dinner or bath first?"

Viktor ponders getting started on dinner, but the thought of sinking into cool water with Jayce pressed against his back is too tempting to ignore. "Hm, bath. We're both filthy, and I'd like to get clean before my heat begins."

A bit counterproductive considering he'll just get dirty all over again in a few hours, but Jayce doesn't argue. Instead, he presses a kiss to the side of his head, the curve of his smile warm and fond. "Bath it is."

Viktor follows him into the bathroom, skin tingling pleasantly from where he'd been kissed, and lets his fingers undo the ties of his slip, allowing it to fall loosely to the floor. Jayce's gaze sweeps over him as he turns on the tap, lingering on every dip and curve like he hasn't spent hours upon hours memorizing them already. 

The attention brings a slight flush to his already heated cheeks, but where there used to be shame in his body, now there is only quiet embarrassment at being admired so openly. His body is softer now, a healthy layer of fat clinging to his stomach and thighs that had never existed before, and his face is more rosy-cheeked than not, especially in the sun. It's not an unwelcome change, even if he is still growing used to the differences. 

Jayce’s unrelenting approval certainly seems to help, at the very least. 

"You don't intend to stare at me all day, do you?" Viktor asks with some amusement after the alpha does little else, arching an eyebrow.

Jayce chuckles, not even attempting to excuse himself. "I like what I see," he says simply, a playful grin resting upon his lips. "I mean, can you blame me? You're practically glowing."

Viktor resists the urge to roll his eyes at the flattery, even as the words make his stomach flutter. "That would be the sweat," he explains dryly, allowing himself to be tugged closer by strong hands when they settle on his hips. 

Pre-heat always leaves him flushed and antsy, energy buzzing under his skin that is equal parts arousal and restlessness. It usually sends him into a nesting frenzy, that, once assuaged, is channeled into the desire to keep busy. It's the only reason why he hasn't already been lounging in bed waiting for his heat to peak. 

"Mm, no, I think it's just you, baby." Jayce's mouth finds the mole near the center of his throat, lips drawing a constellation from his neck to the delicate slope of his collarbone as he waits for the water to fill. 

Viktor exhales slowly, eyes fluttering half-shut at the kisses before he threads his fingers through Jayce’s damp curls and gives them a gentle tug in an attempt to guide the alpha to the bath. He's wet already, just from the proximity to his lover, and it's made even worse by the attention he's given. Any longer and he'd be abandoning restraint altogether to let the man fuck him right then and there, getting absolutely nothing done in the process. 

"Alright, enough," Viktor sighs reluctantly, giving the alpha a gentle push in the direction of tub. "You promised me a bath, did you not? Now get in before I decide to bathe alone."

Jayce laughs, clearly unbothered by the empty threat, but obedient all the same. Viktor contents himself with watching him undress, only assisting when it comes to aiding the removal of his brace, the motion more familiar to him than inhaling a breath now. He receives a kiss in return, a fleeting thing that sends tingles down his spine.

Jayce offers him a hand, and Viktor accepts, sinking into the lukewarm water with a pleased sigh. The bathtub is old, cast-iron and claw-footed, and Jayce had spent nearly a week restoring it when they first moved into the cottage. Now it gleams with enamel polish, its fixtures aged brass and warm to the touch. It's large enough to accommodate them both, with plenty of room to spare. 

Jayce joins him not long after, settling behind him with a quiet grunt, his bad leg stretched to the side to avoid cramping it. His arms come around Viktor's waist almost automatically, and Viktor leans back against the alpha's chest, eyes falling shut. 

The subtle warmth eases what little tension remains in Viktor's muscles, but it's the closeness that truly soothes him—the strong arms wrapping around his middle, the beard scraping faintly against his temple, the steady heartbeat at his back. 

"Comfortable?" Jayce asks, fingers tracing lazy patterns into the soft skin just below his navel, never one to keep his hands off of him for too long.

"Mhm," Viktor hums, a soft, rumbly purr reverbating in his throat and making his pleasure known. "Very."

The laugh he receives is low and fond. "Glad you approve," Jayce says with a faint smile in his voice, pressing his lips to the nape of the brunet's neck before gravitating towards his scent gland as he so often does now days.

Even after all of this time, the bite mark resting there still never fails to capture the alpha's attention.

Viktor tips his head back instinctively to give him better access, purr tapering off into a moan when the touch sends sparks through his oversensitive body. It's a brutal thing, his bite, raw and jagged, scarred flesh never fully being allowed to heal. He knows Jayce likes to keep it that way—worrying at it with teeth and tongue each time they fuck, each time they cuddle, each time Viktor so much as leans into him.

A respectable alpha would let it close properly, would let it scar over into something smooth and neat.

It has been a long time since Jayce has been anything of the sort. 

To many, he's sure it looks gruesome, but Viktor has grown to love the sight of it—the perfectly imperfect shape that's entirely too sensitive and always just a little inflamed, waiting for teeth to bury in deep and reopen it once more. 

It's like a reminder almost, a reminder that he is real again, that his skin can bruise and bleed, and not only that, but bear a claim of the one he loves the most. The thought softens him each time, even when he recalls how their bond came to be in the end, his heart thudding at the memory.

He hadn't been awake when Jayce claimed him.

He remembers the aftermath more than the moment itself—the burn blooming beneath his skin when consciousness returned, the strange heat curling in his gut, the soreness in his limbs, but most of all, he remembers the agonizingly bissful ache in the side of his throat, the thrumming of a bond that had singed itself into his very soul. 

Even then, dazed and trembling in the grass after being expelled from the rune, he had known—Jayce had bitten him.

The alpha later tells him that he had woken up first, disoriented and half-feral with fear, the last memory he had being of them dying in each other's arms. Viktor hadn't even opened his eyes by the time Jayce was reaching for him, searching for a sign of life, a breath, a pulse, anything.   

And when he found it, when his hands met warm skin instead of metal and felt the faintest pulse beneath, he had broken.

Jayce had bitten him there in the dirt, rough and violent, eyes wet, mouth shaking, instincts hijacking every ounce of caution. He'd bitten deep, until the tang of blood overrode the taste of panic and the bond had snapped into place like a struck match, fierce and hungry and unthinking, as if he was making up for lost time by wasting not a second more of it.

When consciousness finally returned to him, the first thing he was aware of, even before he realized he was alive, was the overflowing love emanating from the bond, a warmth so intense it had left him breathless, blinking up at a sky he did not recognize with tears clinging to his lashline. There had been grief and guilt, too, but the only thing his newly made body could focus on was the adoration pouring from the man, the bright, blissful sensation of feeling loved.

Jayce's scent had been everywhere, thick and overwhelming, and when he had finally opened his eyes, he found the alpha hovering over him, panting, weeping, hands trembling where they gripped his shoulders. He had reached for Jayce on instinct alone, fingers fumbling through tall grass until they curled around strong shoulders, clutching the alpha like a lifeline. Because that's what Jayce had become.

Viktor hadn't resented him for the bite, not then, and not now. He isn't certain what his reaction would have been otherwise, upon waking up next to Jayce without a connection tethering them together, to know what it was like to merge his soul, his entire being, with Jayce only to lose it a few moments after. He is glad he will never have to know.

He shifts slightly in the water, drawing an irritated grumble from the alpha behind him, who reflexively tightens his hold around his waist.

"It's never going to heal if you keep irritating it, you know," Viktor murmurs, his fingers brushing lightly over Jayce’s forearm where it rests across his belly. 

Jayce doesn't seem particularly concerned by the prospect, only muttering a lazy, "Do you want it to?" 

As if he doesn't already know the answer.

"No," Viktor finally says, not needing to think about it. "I suppose I don't."

He sits up a little bit then, pulling away from the man's inviting heat and wandering hands with a low smile, a small laugh ringing from his lips when Jayce automatically reaches for him. He stays his hand with a kiss to callused fingers. "But we will never get through our bath otherwise if I let you continue. As I am sure you're aware." 

Jayce seems like he's about to argue, but all it takes is one pointed look from him before he's relenting with a warm laugh. 

"Fine," he concedes, smiling, already making a move as if to tug him back into his arms again. "But at least let me wash your hair for you. There won't be any more funny business, I promise." 

Unconvinced but tempted by the promise of fingers massaging his scalp, Viktor settles back against him again. 

“You always say that,” He starts with a sigh, the corners of his mouth twitching in spite of himself. “And yet somehow, there is always funny business.”

"Accidents," Jayce brushes off casually, lather already between his fingers as he begins to work the shampoo through the omega’s thick, dark hair, now shoulder-length and streaked blond. "I'm just naturally handsy." 

Viktor lets out a noise that falls somewhere between annoyance and indulgent pleasure, the sound melting into a contented hum as strong fingers knead at his scalp in slow, careful circles. 

"You're a menace, is what you are," Viktor replies, but he's barely more than a puddle in the alpha's arms, body pliant and relaxed as a purr escapes him. "But your fingers are pleasant, so I suppose I will forgive you." 

He can practically hear the wolfish grin those words provoke.

"You know where else they would feel pleasant—"

Viktor, amused and exasperated in equal measure, reaches over and pinches him. 

Jayce winces, but his frame is already shaking around a laugh, water sloshing between them. "Ouch. Alright, alright, I'll stop," he chuckles, kissing his shoulder apologetically, going back to his previous task of washing the omega's hair.

Somehow, they manage to finish their bath without further disruption. By the time they emerge, Viktor's skin is flushed and fragrant, his heat blooming like a flower in full sun, slowly but steadily growing more potent the longer the evening wears on. They'd have been all over each other already if they hadn't gone two rounds earlier that morning, but even that feels like a distant memory now, dulled by the need pooling low in his stomach.

Jayce towels him off with a care that borders on worship, his touches slow and lingering, stealing kisses where he can—shoulder, temple, the soft dip of Viktor's spine. Everywhere he can reach, the omega purring all the while. 

They dress only halfway, Jayce in soft linen pants and Viktor in one of the alpha’s shirts that drapes down to mid-thigh and smells maddeningly of him. Dinner follows soon thereafter, simple and quiet, with the alpha insisting on feeding him more than he normally eats, roasted vegetables, soft bread, something hearty and vaguely spiced simmering in a heavy ceramic bowl. 

Viktor obliges with little protest, dazed from all the affection and more than a little scent-drunk, basking in the way Jayce’s eyes never leave him for long. He can feel the other man growing restless, can see it in the clench of his jaw, the tap of his fingers against the edge of the table, but Jayce behaves. He always tries, even when it’s killing him not to touch.

By the time they sit down to eat, Viktor can hardly focus. The smell of food is enticing, but it's nothing compared to the scent of his mate—virile and rich and full. His own pheromones are thick in the air too, a heady mix of sweetness and want, spiced sharp with arousal. 

Viktor is already shifting in his seat before the second bite, thighs pressing together, one hand curled tight around his spoon. He can feel it now, rising like a tide in his belly. The flush on his skin deepens, the soft pant of his breath turns into something shallow and uneven.

He manages to finish most of his meal before his heat crests, reaching its peak with a heavy rush of warmth so intense it leaves him winded for a second, a tremble rocking through his body. He just barely suppresses the whine that builds in his throat, something high-pitched and needy. 

Pupils blown wide and eyes glossed over with a faint sheen, Viktor reaches over to grasp the alpha's arm, gripping it tight. 

"Jayce," he calls out, breathless and strangled. He swallows. "I—I think it's starting. Properly."

Jayce's fork clatters against his plate.

Then he's up, chair scraping back, and Viktor barely has time to brace himself before the alpha is before him, fingers cupping the omega's flushed cheek and stroking it with a thumb. The scent of him is dizzying, and Viktor breathes it in by the mouthful, wanting his lover even closer. 

"Yeah, already?" Jayce asks roughly, sounding just as desperate as Viktor feels. He leans closer, nose dragging down the omega's neck, and a groan leaves his lips, one that makes slick seep down his thighs. "Fuck, I can smell it on you. You're burning up."

He buries his face deeper into his neck, marking him, and Viktor's eyes close as Jayce drinks in the scent of him. It's intoxicating, he's sure, syrupy and sweet, the perfect concoction to entice the man before him into giving him his knot and breeding him until he's well-pupped.

“Come on,” he says hoarsely, the words a gravel scrape of want. He lifts Viktor easily, strong arms curling beneath his thighs and back, guiding him up into his chest. “Let me take you to bed where I can care for you properly.”

Viktor gasps as he's swept into strong arms, the half-hearted protest of Jayce, your leg, going silenced by the man's grip tightening around him, a kiss being pressed to parted lips. It does a wonderful job of quietening him. 

"You barely weigh more than a sack of flour, sweetheart," Jayce says, laughing attractively as he adjusts his grip so he can have better leverage to kiss his mouth and forehead. "Trust me when I say it's not straining me in the slightest."

Viktor would have argued some more, something along the lines of a reprimanding you're going to regret it later, but the casual display of strength has his heat-addled brain short-circuiting, silencing him more throughly than any kiss could. 

So instead, he clings tighter, looping his arms around Jayce’s shoulders and pressing his face into the crook of his neck and nuzzling, inner walls fluttering uselessly around nothing as he swathes himself in the alpha's scent. 

When his back finally hits the mattress of their bedroom, he's soaked down to his thighs and more than ready, mouth slack, skin flushed a healthy tinge of pink that stretches from the apples of his cheeks to the soft line of his throat. 

Jayce kisses down the length of it, searing kisses into his skin like he's trying to brand him with each one, and Viktor clutches at him, trying to pull him down on top of him, sinking further into the throes of his heat. 

Their first heat of what Viktor hopes will be many.

Jayce groans low in his throat, the sound more animal than man, and lets himself be pulled down, the full weight of him pressing Viktor into the mattress. His hands roam greedily, dragging down the omega’s sides, fingertips sinking into soft skin like he can’t get close enough. It reminds Viktor of their first night together after everything, how desperate it had been, how starved they were for each other's touch and scent.

"You smell so sweet," Jayce pants into the hollow of his throat, fangs hovering tantalizingly over his skin. Slotted comfortably between his legs, he ruts forward, drawing a shuddering moan from the omega below. "Drove me crazy all day, felt like I was going feral just from being around you."

"Jayce, I—please—" he gasps, barely able to get the words out, his hips already canting up to meet the erratic, grinding thrusts of Jayce’s clothed cock against his dripping cunt. “Need you—need you now, please—”

He feels like he could sob under the weight of it, the heat and the need and the want of it all, and he thinks he might already be crying, but it's a distant awareness. His instincts only focusing on the way Jayce is immediately there, dipping forward and kissing his tears while shushing him sweetly. 

"I know, baby, I know," Jayce coos soothingly, mouthing over his mating mark and making a fresh burst of slick gush from him. "I've got you, tell me what you need. Tell me what I can do for you."  

Viktor doesn't have the presence to mind answer, and Jayce chuckles, full-bodied and rough and just the slightest bit condescending. It curls warm and filthy in his stomach, making his body arch and his legs fall further apart, desperate to be fucked like he should be.

"Too out of it to talk, huh?" Jayce doesn't wait for a response, knowing he won't recieve one, and Viktor focuses on the warm cadence of his voice more than his words, the rough gravel of it that's pitched low from arousal and want. "That's alright, you don't need to. I'll take care of you, don't worry." 

Jayce kisses him on the lips, just once, and then he pulls away and Viktor nearly hisses, absolutely not pleased with the loss of contact, but then the alpha's hands slide down, confident and sure, and suddenly Viktor’s being flipped onto his stomach like he weighs nothing. A startled gasp escapes him, but Jayce is already there, hands firm on his hips, maneuvering him into position—chest to the bed, knees tucked under, hips raised in the air.

Helping him present, his delirious mind realizes. 

Viktor moans.

Jayce's hand slides beneath his thigh, pushing his legs outwards, and the other presses firm, but gentle between his shoulder blades, guiding him into a perfect arch. His heart stutters as his hips are gently tilted up, spine curving low—presenting, fully, easily, for the first time in his life. His body would have never allowed for such a position previously, but now, it is all too natural to assume the position he's meant to be bred in.

His instincts are absolutely delighted, inner omega purring in pleasure, and it spills from his throat like a loud, unrestrained song, warbly in some places and trilling in others.

Jayce’s breath catches audibly behind him as he takes in the sight, and then a guttural noise tears from his chest like something sacred’s just been laid at his feet. It makes him shiver.

“Oh fuck, sweetheart,” he rasps, dragging both hands down the backs of Viktor’s thighs, thumbs spreading the flushed folds of his cunt open just to look. “Look at you—so soft and pretty. You're so wet, I could slip inside of you easily. Wouldn't even need to prepare you. Would you like that?"

The alpha dips low, nuzzling at the small of his back, mouthing kisses down the length of his spine like he’s worshipping at an altar, just above where the omega wants him the most. The scratch of his beard against his oversensitive skin makes Viktor tremble, trying to rock his body back against the alpha's.

"Please." 

Eloquence eludes him, voice reduced to nothing but stuttered, slurring pleas that barely make it past his lips before they're dissolving into whimpered gasps. 

But none of that matters, because Jayce understands, and the soft brush of reassurance he receives in the back of his mind through the bond has the tension draining from him, soothing him instinctively even with the heat still searing its way through his body. 

"I've got you, sweetheart," Jayce breathes again, hands gripping onto slender hips as he finally positions himself behind him. Viktor hadn't even realized he'd taken his pants off yet. "You're safe with me, just relax. I'll make you feel good, I promise. I'll fuck the heat right out of you, so don't worry about anything else, alright, baby?" 

He punctuates the words with a slow, deliberate roll of his hips, cock dragging heavy and hot through the slick folds of Viktor’s cunt, catching just enough on his entrance to make them both groan. His hole clenches greedily, slick gushing again to coat Jayce's length as he pushes inside. 

Viktor shudders as he does so, whole body curling forward with the force of it, trembling as he’s stretched wide around the sheer girth of his mate. 

His body wants to be fucked hard and rough, but even in heat the pleasurable sensation of being stretched beyond what he can take is divine. His eyes roll upwards, tears misting in his lashes.

Jayce moans lowly at the feel of him, hands flexing tight on his hips as he inches forward, deeper and deeper until he’s fully seated inside, the broad head of his cock nudged right up against Viktor’s cervix. 

It sends a bolt of pleasure-pain straight through his spine, and he sobs, convulsing around a violent shudder. "Ah—ah, Jayce." 

The feeling is so much more intense now that he's in heat and every nerve feels like it’s been peeled raw and left bare. He can't help it, he comes, choking on a cry as it wracks through him and makes his body shake. It does nothing to curb the insatiable need clawing at him, not in the slightest.

“Fuck, baby,” Jayce pants behind him, voice shredded. Viktor can feel his cock throb, making him flutter around it reflexively, drawing a deep, ragged groan that sounds like it's been torn straight from the alpha's throat. “You came already? Just from that?" 

He rocks his hips shallowly, grinding against the velvety heat of Viktor’s insides like he can't stop himself, and the omega sobs again, high and wrecked. "You’re so fucking sensitive—so good for me, honey. Doing so well. I'll give you what you need."

The alpha presses forward until there’s no space left between them, chest to back, mouth grazing the shell of Viktor’s ear as he drapes himself over the trembling omega beneath him. The contact is so euphoric it pulls another moan from his throat, blissed out and half-purring. "Take a deep breath for me, sweetheart." 

It's a tender warning, threaded with affection, and it leaves him wholly unprepared for the way Jayce snaps his hips forward—deep and hard and absolutely punishing.

His mouth falls open around a soundless cry, breath stolen from his lungs as his body jerks forward under the force of it. He clutches the sheets, white-knuckled, his nails scrabbling against the mattress as Jayce sets a brutal pace, hips slamming forward again and again relentlessly, rutting into him like it’s the only thing keeping him alive.

It's the best thing he's ever felt.

"Jayce—!" he gasps, choking on the sound of his own voice as it cracks apart. Tears streak hot and wet down his flushed face, soaking the pillow beneath him. 

He buries his head into it as he comes again, messy and gushing, slick flowing in rivulets down his thighs while he sobs out his lover's name like it's the only thought left in his head. Jayce fucks him through it, doesn't even pause, even as the omega whimpers and claws at the sheets, writhing.

“That's it, baby, let it out,” Jayce grunts encouragingly, voice husky with strain, and his cunt pulses, milking the alpha's cock greedily. "Come all over me like a good omega. Mark me with your scent, sweetheart." 

He does. Gods, he does.

"Knot me," Viktor slurrs through gasping breaths, thick with tears and arousal. "Fuck your knot into me, please, I want it—give it to me, Jayce. Breed me."   

Jayce's hips stutter, just once, and then he’s fucking in harder—deeper—restraint burned from him and leaving a selfish, single-minded desperation in its place. It's feral, edging on animalistic, and Viktor can do nothing but whine into the mattress while his alpha splits him open on his cock like he was made for it.

"Yeah, you want me to fuck you full? Want me to stuff you so full of my come that there's no chance it won't take?" Jayce growls into his ear, fangs grazing the sensitive skin just behind it before his mouth finds his mating mark and he lavishes it with filthy, heated kisses. "That what you want?" 

Viktor bears his throat for him instinctively, mind blanking out when he feels his mate's cock kiss his womb again and again, battering that sweet spot inside him that makes stars burst behind his eyes. 

"Please, please, please." 

His words are soaked with need, and he whines when Jayce moves a hand under his stomach to rub firm, slow circles over the taut skin just above his aching cunt—right where he’s bulging with the thick length of his alpha’s cock. It's all too easy to imagine that swelling as a sign of life instead, of something delicate and magical growing within him that he thought he'd never be able to have. 

Unraveled and weepy-eyed at the thought, Viktor shudders through another orgasm, prolonged into a full-body tremor when he feels Jayce throb inside of him, responding to his body going vice-tight from yet another climax. 

And then his knot swells and Viktor is gone.

Teeth bury viciously in his neck, venom sliding slow and heavy through his bloodstream, and Viktor moans hoarsely, not in pain, but in overwhelming pleasure, the kind that strips thought from bone and leaves only need behind. His whole body locks tight around Jayce’s cock, milking him for all he's worth as the alpha finally comes inside of him, right where it matters the most.

And keeps coming.

Hot, endless pulses fill him, warm and dizzying and so fucking blissful his vision goes hazy, consciousness hanging on by a mere thread as he sags into the mattress, boneless and fucked-out. 

Satiated for the first time since his heat began, he faints.

When Viktor comes to, he’s still tied to Jayce, the knot nestled deep and snug inside of him, keeping him full. Jayce must have repositioned him in the short amount of time he was unconcious because he's no longer laying on his stomach. Instead, he's on his side, nestled close to the alpha.

He cuddles closer, body feeling distant, floating somewhere between overstimulation and perfect, overwhelming satisfaction. Everything aches in that tender, well-used way that makes him sigh, the sound little more than a breath as he blinks blearily against the pillow.

Jayce's hands are already cupping his cheeks, big and warm, and Viktor leans into his touch before he's even aware of it. "You with me, sweetheart?" He asks tenderly, just a touch worried. "You went limp so fast it scared me for a moment."

Viktor takes stock of his mental faculties and finds them wholly lacking. Nevertheless, "Yes, I am alright. You didn't hurt me, Jayce," he assures, pausing before clarifying in a slightly winded tone, "Just...took everything out of me." 

That garners a laugh, and a smile tugs at his lips when the alpha plants a kiss to his temple, hand absentmindedly caressing his back as he holds him close. 

"Yeah, me too," Jayce agrees mirthfully, guiding Viktor's head to lay on his chest. "Think I lost my mind a little bit, honestly." 

Viktor hums, drowsy and sore, but so overwhelmingly pleased. "Mmm, I noticed," he comments dryly, the ache in his neck almost more potent than the venom still lingering in his blood. "Can't keep your teeth out of me for long, can you?" 

Jayce has the decency to look apologetic, but not the shame to actually mean it. His cheeks color just a little, but the quiet pride in his eyes speaks what his voice won't ever say. It's a good look on him. 

"Guess not," He says with a crooked smile, and Viktor already yearns for the bite of his fangs again. "But in my defense, you were moaning the entire time."

Viktor kicks him, and if his limbs weren't feeling so heavily, it might have connected like he intended. 

"Don't weaponize my suffering," Viktor huffs, knowing he had done all that and more in the throes of heat. "It was the heat talking—a, ah, temporary madness brought on by biology. Nothing more."  

Jayce snorts, laughing softly. "A temporary madness," he repeats, amused. "Of course. What else would it be?" 

Viktor nudges his head up under the alpha's chin, rubbing his face against Jayce's scent gland as he nuzzles in close. "I'm glad we're in agreement." 

Jayce presses a kiss to the crown of his hair, tightening his arms around him. Viktor purrs at the gesture, the sound vibrating softly between them. "You should get some rest before your heat returns full force again. We should have an hour or two before it hits again." 

Viktor makes a faint noise of acknowledgement, drowsy and momentarily sated. Burrowing as close as he possibly can, he lets his eyes slip closed, content to nap through the lull until instinct inevitably drags him back under.

Because once it does, there won't be an opportunity to sleep at all. 

The next time Viktor wakes, skin damp with sweat and breaths coming out in short puffs, it's to the agonizing feeling of being empty. 

Jayce's knot is no longer inside of him, the two of them having shifted sometime during the night, and the loss is nothing short of unbearable. He whines in frustration, his heat already cresting again, hotter and more demanding than before. It feels like a punishment—like his body is scolding him for the few hours of peace he dared to take. It hurts. 

He gasps, nearly panting, and latches onto the first source of comfort he can find: Jayce. Still asleep beside him, broad and steady, chest rising and falling with the even rhythm of deep rest. Viktor’s arms curl around his middle without thought, hips grinding desperately down against the alpha’s thigh that he wedges in-between his legs.

It doesn’t help. Not nearly enough. It’s too little, too dry, too not inside him, but Viktor can’t stop, the stimulation turning his mind syrupy and slow, even as the ache of no longer being full gnaws at him like claws raking against his insides.

"Jayce," he gasps, voice cracking on the name, "Jayce—"

His breath hitches as he presses down again, rutting in lazy, helpless motions against Jayce's thigh, slick already wetting the skin where it rubs. His fingers dig into Jayce's side for purchase, needing something to hold onto as he chases friction, any friction, mewling softly under his breath.

Another whimper cracks out of his throat, sharp and keening, and Jayce finally stirs.

"Vik...?" he murmurs, voice thick with sleep, hand instinctively curling around Viktor's waist on instinct. "What's wrong?"

"You left me," Viktor gasps, the accusation weak, slurred. He buries his face in Jayce's neck, panting hot against his skin. "You weren't—inside. I woke up and you weren't—" A whine rips from him, half-pleasure, half-pain. "I need you."

That immediately snaps the alpha to attention, and Viktor shudders in relief when the man rolls over and gathers him into his arms, slotting between his legs and kissing him over and over on the lips, murmuring reassurments. 

"Sorry, I'm sorry, I'm here now," He whispers between soft, lingering pecks that are for more sweet than they have any right to be. Viktor arches into each one. "Just lay back for me, I'll take care of you, honey. Please don't cry."

Viktor clings to him like he’s drowning, nails digging into Jayce’s shoulders, desperate for anchor and relief. “Please, Jayce, I need—” The words melt into a long, relieved moan when his mate fucks him full again. "Yes, yes, like that. Don't stop." 

He knows Jayce couldn't if he tried, not with the way Viktor was clinging to him like he was trying to fuse their limbs together, but he clings tighter anyway, refusing to let go.

Jayce leans down to rub his cheek against his own, attentive, and it's just another reminder of why he loves this position so much. His instincts enjoyed getting mounted, but his heart preferred being face-to-face, wrapped around each other like they were made to fit no other way. That and the simple pleasure of being able to lock his legs around his lover's waist was reason enough for him to adore it. 

“Shit, you’ve gotten so tight again,” Jayce moans, forehead pressed to Viktor’s as he rocks into him with slow, deliberate thrusts. “Like you never had me in the first place. Don't worry, baby, I'll fuck you loose, get my knot in you like you need."

Viktor's head lolls back, exposing the long length of his throat that Jayce immediately surges forward to kiss, which then turns to deep, bruising bites that coax blood to the surface. He drags his fingers down the alpha's back when his mate cock finds just the right angle, encouraging him to be rougher, to bite harder, to abandon the last of his restraint and fuck him. 

Jayce, just like he expected, delivers in full. 

He buries himself in deep—grinding slow and filthy before he starts to thrust, hard and steady, fucking Viktor through the burn of his heat with all of the strength of an alpha in his prime. 

Eyes glassy and thoughts fucked thoroughly out of his head, Viktor does nothing but lay there and take it. 

Jayce slips his tongue into his slackened mouth and devours every inch of him, hands fisting in the sheets on either side of Viktor’s head like he needs the leverage to hold himself back—and still fails.

When the need for air becomes too much, Viktor breaks the kiss with a gasp, lips swollen and wet, chin slick with drool and spit. His mouth finds Jayce's throat instead, kissing slow and sweet over the mating mark there. It's not as savage as his own, but it's no less permanent. 

And if Jayce's full-body twitch is any indication, no less sensitive, either.

Viktor feels his knot begin to inflate at the base of his cock and it reawakens the hunger inside of him so fiercely it tears a sob from his lips. "Yes, give me it, give me your knot, Jayce—" He whimpers, whining high on a particularly deep thrust. "—give me a baby."        

Jayce's whole body stills, recognizing the sheer want in Viktor's voice, the emotion intertwined within those three words that drip with desperation so thick it lodges his heart in his throat. It’s not like last time—not a breathless, cum-drunk fantasy Viktor knew would never come to fruition. He means it. And he can tell Jayce does, too. 

The alpha lifts his head, eyes wide, searching Viktor’s face as if he hadn't heard him right—but he had. He had. It’s there in the glassy shimmer of Viktor’s pupils, the tremble of his mouth, the way his arms curl tighter around Jayce’s shoulders like he’d get violent if he were to be denied.

“You—” Jayce swallows hard, voice fraying. “You want a baby?" 

Viktor nods wordlessly, the concept that was all too elusive to him barely even a year ago now catching like fire behind his ribs. He had resigned himself to a life without that kind of future long ago, first when his health had begun to decline so severely he knew he wouldn't survive a pregnancy, and then when his humanity had been stripped from him. But now, with his body enduring a heat after so long undeniable proof of his fertility, it's possible. Terrifyingly, achingly, possible. Sitting just within his reach. 

Too choked to put his desires into words, he pours every ounce of longing into his voice when he begs, "Please."

The plea is barely out of his mouth before he's being kissed, messy and desperate and absolutely perfect.   

"I love you," Jayce whispers hurriedly against his lips, the words spilling from them like he can’t say them fast enough, like they’ll never be enough. “I love you so much, of course I'll give you a baby. As many as you'll let me. You'll never be empty again if that's what you want, Viktor. I promise.”

Oh, he's going to be an amazing father.

Viktor shudders at the promise, at those three little words that carve themselves into the softest parts of him and dig in deep. Clutching his alpha close, the omega kisses him all over the side of his face and neck as Jayce whispers hushed, filthy little promises into his ear about breeding him full, about filling him until up until his stomach swells—about keeping him in bed for months if that’s what it takes, hand on his belly every morning just to feel the life growing inside. 

And Viktor weeps openly.

Quiet, shuddering sobs that shake through his whole frame as Jayce rocks into him, not slowing down, not faltering, just holding him tight through it—fucking him through it. 

"—love you, I love you," Viktor whispers back in between gasps, the words fractured and soaked in tears, half-delirious and half-sure. "More than anything, Jayce. Put a baby in me, a whole litter, I'll carry them, year after year, until I can't anymore—"

Jayce's knot pops inside of him so suddenly it feels like the world whites out behind his eyes, which cross when warmth floods his insides, followed by the pulsing aftershocks of his mate’s orgasm that immediately sends him hurtling into his own, spine-arching and mouth falling into a perfect O shape.

They stay like that for a long while, trembling and kissing lazily, still knotted together, the haze of Viktor’s climax thick and honey-slow, lulling him into a kind of soft stupor that leaves him boneless against the mattress. His sobs have quieted to hiccupping exhales, little catches in his breath that Jayce kisses away one by one—forehead, temple, cheek, jaw.

Eventually, Viktor’s trembling begins to subside. His legs loosen from around Jayce’s waist. His arms go slack. He doesn’t release him, though—he refuses to.

Jayce brushes the damp hair from Viktor’s forehead, gaze worshipful even through the exhaustion tugging at his features. He looks so unbearably in love, Viktor almost starts crying again.

He really needs to stop doing that. 

One more kiss is placed to his forehead before Jayce is gingerly shifting them onto their sides, mindful of the way they're still locked together. 

"Get some rest," Jayce murmurs against his temple, knowing he'll need to be knotted again before the night is over. "I'm here, I won't go anywhere."

Viktor is already nodding off before he even finishes speaking, full and satiated once more, and snuggles close like a burrowing rabbit, nestling into the heat of Jayce’s chest with a soft, content little sigh. It's his first heat spent with an alpha, with Jayce, and it's everything he never let himself dream of having, or even knew he wanted. The thought of spending the rest of his life like this follows him into sleep, clinging to the edges of his consciousness and taking root there like the stubborn, silent hope it is—growing in the fertile soil of a future he never thought he'd be able to touch.

The next few days are spent in similar fashion.    

They barely leave the bed. Meals are eaten curled in each other’s laps during the few and far between lulls of his heat, undressed and half-dazed. Jayce holds Viktor through each peak, fucking him slow when he can’t bear more, hard when the heat burns feverishly under his skin and refuses to be quenched. By the time his fever breaks on the fourth day, he's sore and aching and covered in so many fluids he's sure they'll be permanently branded into his skin.        

He's never felt more satisfied.        

Jayce, whose face had been wedged in his throat like a permanent fixture throughout his heat, now nuzzles at him lazily, pressing slow kisses to the curve of his jaw before laying a kiss upon his swollen scent gland.     

"Your scent’s returning back to normal," Jayce murmurs, lips grazing damp skin as he rests a hand on Viktor’s forehead—warm, but no longer burning. "And your fever’s broken. How do you feel?"

Viktor hums, the sound low and languid, weariness clinging to every limb even as bone-deep satisfaction lingers behind in its place. "Sore," he says at last. "Everywhere. Even my teeth, I think."

Jayce's laugh is soft and low, muffled against his throat. "They wouldn't be if you hadn't sunk them into me so many times." 

Viktor arches a brow and casts a slow glance down at his own bruised and bitten skin as if to say: look who's talking. 

Jayce trails his fingers over them as if he were mapping out stars. "Fair," he concedes, shameless in his appreciation. Viktor already knows he'll make sure they last awhile. "Yours are prettier, at least." 

Viktor snorts, lips curling into a faint smirk as he pulls on a lock of hair. "You would think so," he murmurs, fond and dry all at once. "You've gotten predictable, Jayce." 

Jayce only grins at the accusation, tilting his head into the tug like a pleased dog. “Maybe,” he allows, catching Viktor’s wrist in his hand to press a kiss to the inside of it. “But you don't mind." 

Viktor is not hesitant to admit he doesn't. 

Knowing it doesn't need to be said for Jayce to understand he doesn't, he lets the silence fall over them for a few moments before rolling over with a quiet, but echoing groan, stretching out his stiff limbs. Now that he's longer attached to a knot, he can move his body more freely, though his muscles still ache persistently.

Jayce watches him attentively, eyes hooded, the curve of a prideful smile tugging at his lips as he takes in the sight of him—fucked-out and glowing, the faint sheen of sweat and slick on his skin catching the afternoon light that filters through the curtains. His long hair is a mess, sticking to his temples and collarbones, and his thighs are even worse, still glistening with the alpha's seed. 

Jayce looks like he's never seen anything more lovely. 

"Not so bad for your first heat spent with an alpha, huh?" Jayce remarks with a grin that's more sleazy than Viktor's ever seen on him. It's unfairly attractive. 

Viktor gives him a long, unimpressed stare—the kind that usually precedes an eye roll or a light-hearted insult—but it doesn’t quite land with his lips still swollen and kiss-bitten, with the afterglow softening every sharp angle of his face. He looks too well-loved to be truly annoyed. 

And he isn't. He never is. Not with Jayce.

"It had its merits," Viktor responds coolly, voice still raspy from overuse, though his eyes soften as they land on Jayce’s smirking face. His lips twitch, betraying a smile he doesn’t bother to suppress. “I suppose I could be persuaded to suffer through another.”                   

Jayce looks unbearably pleased, and plants a sloppy kiss on the underside of his jaw that sends Viktor into a fit of laughter. "I'll take that as a glowing review," he chuckles warmly, hand curling around his waist.   

His demeanor shifts then, softening as his fingers graze the smooth planes of Viktor’s stomach, his touch turning tentative, almost shy. “Do you think there’s a chance you…?”

Viktor stills, the flicker of amusement in his expression fading like mist beneath morning sun. He reaches for Jayce’s hand where it rests over his belly, weaving their fingers together.

“I don’t know,” he admits quietly, his voice steady but subdued. After a pause, he clarifies, more quieter now, “Male omegas rarely conceive outside of heat, and I’m...not even sure if I still can. If I still have the biological capability to do so."           

Viktor swallows, and even though he knew there was a high likelihood he would not be able to conceive, especially not so soon, saying it aloud feels like laying bare a wound he’s only just begun to let scab over. 

Those first few months after being ejected into a new timeline they were both unfamiliar with and had to learn how survive, he had thought his body had been altered beyond repair, even if it was made of flesh again and no longer steel. His scent hadn't been as strong, then, his skin hexcorized and his heats absent entirely. It hadn't bothered Jayce, who had been adamant and profusive in his reassurements that he was perfect just the way he was, that it didn't matter what body Viktor had, he was loved, unconditionally and wholeheartedly.

Viktor hadn't believed it at the time, couldn't bring himself to, but now he knows it to be true—knows it in the marrow of him, in the bruises on his hips and the bite mark imprinted proudly on his throat. He is wanted. All of him is. Every part and piece, functioning or otherwise, different from before or the same. 

Jayce is quiet for some time, and then, quietly, "Would you want it?...A baby?"

Viktor lowers his arm and turns his head to look at him, golden eyes ringed faintly red from past tears. He doesn't blink. Doesn't hesitate. "Yes."

"Then we'll try again tonight," Jayce promises easily, simply, his voice dropping to something low and sure. "And tomorrow. And the next day. However long it takes."

Viktor can't help himself, he curls forward, cupping the alpha's cheek, thumb brushing gently his mate's cheek. "You mean that?" 

It comes out more vulnerable than he intended, but Jayce just smiles at him, tender and warm, kissing his palm. "Vik, I'll spend the rest of my life trying, if that's what you want. We've got time now. Real time. We've got everything."

And just like that, Viktor lets himself believe it. Lets himself imagine a feature where they wake up to a cradle by the window, to little footsteps padding across the floor, to lullabies hummed while Jayce braids their child’s hair and teaches them how to swing a hammer far before the age where they should. Lets himself imagine creating magic with Jayce once more, only this time in the form of a tiny life made from them both.

He doesn't think he has ever wanted anything more. 

He had been foolish to think he had time previously, and it had been his undoing, so many things left unspoken and going unfinished.

But now? Now...he has it, and not just months or fragments, but years. A lifetime, if fate is kind. And even if it isn’t, there won't be a single moment where he's spending it alone. He knows that for certain.

He presses his hand over Jayce's on his belly, his smile small, but real, and allows himself to hope.

"Then let's make sure we never waste it."